The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/tag/viva-taqueria-cantina/)
There are, however, two big pluses of Viva Taqueria and Cantina: the efficiency of its kitchen and its comprehensive drinks menu. With three full pages of drinks, highlighted Happy Hours (4 – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday) and just about every kind of margarita under the sun, Viva might bolster a slightly more impressive bar than kitchen.
I decided to set out on a mission to find affordable Ithacan food that satisfies Tuesday night cravings while providing a fun Friday night atmosphere. Finding lunch deals is child’s play; I wanted a real challenge. Armed with only $10 a meal, I ventured out into the Ithaca wilderness to see if I could realize my dream of cheap food.
This past weekend, I was lucky enough to attend the 18th Annual Great Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-off and eat some truly memorable chili. Of the 39 competitors vying for the title of best chili, some submitted both vegetarian and meat options and some even provided drinks or sweets as palate cleansers. Though I wasn’t able to check out all 39 stands, I’ve included thoughts on the 11 stands I did sample.