Nightlife: Lago del este

Don't believe everything you've heard about East Lake Street. It's a place you have to experience firsthand.

The south Minneapolis thoroughfare has been alternately painted as a string of successful immigrant businesses, a traffic nightmare, a redevelopment success story and the site of rampant criminal activity.

Some of it's true, and some is hyperbole. If you look closer, though, East Lake is much more, especially to those who live and work there. The stretch of local businesses, many of them Latino, comprise a lively community. Even if you don't live nearby, East Lake offers a chance to experience a creative alternative to the restaurants, bars, dance clubs and shops you usually frequent.

For a tour of Lake Street's best, we asked people who live, work and play in the area to give us their personal recommendations on where to...

Guadalupe Ceballos Cantero, 28, says the "Pescado el Diabla" is the dish to order here (that's "Fish of the Devil" in English). Whatever you get, it will taste even better at 3 a.m., which is how late La Que Buena serves.

Guayaquil serves up a combination of Ecuadorian, Colombian and Mexican cuisine. The word of mouth is that the seafood is definitely worth trying.

La Poblanita provides quick service (you order at a counter and sit down) without skimping on atmosphere; the walls are covered in colorful Mexican-themed murals. The place is entertaining, too, with a big-screen TV, often tuned to a soccer game, and frequent live music. And the enchiladas are delicious.

If you ask Jorge Cintron, 26, El Mariachi also makes great enchiladas. Everything tastes better when you're listening to, or belting out, karaoke. You'll surely find something new to sing here - or you can try singing your old favorites in Spanish. This place is two blocks north of Lake and Nicollet Avenue, where East and West Lake meet.

These gorditas are a far cry from their counterparts at Taco Bell. Fresh tortillas are fried while you watch, then stuffed with fresh meats, cheese and vegetables. Although it's more of a fast-food style place, don't come in too much of a rush. Quality takes time.

This local, no-frills Mexican chain delivers cheap, delicious tacos in a hurry. Try Pineda when a chain like Chipotle or Taco Bell is calling your name, and you'll be a convert.

With "two rooms for dancing and lots of kinds of music," according to Blanca Lorezo, 23, it's no surprise that El Pantano draws more than 500 people nightly, Friday through Sunday. Judging by the sea of cowboy hats and reggaeton-loving gangster-types, no one seems to mind that beer is the only alcoholic beverage served.

Big-name Latin American pop singers and bands play live at the Rodeo on weekends. "It's not too crowded" compared with other local clubs, notes Charlie Segura, 21 -- most likely because of the 20,000 square feet of dance floor. Styles of music and dance change nightly, from merengue to reggaeton. Weekends feature regional Mexican styles and cumbia, a fast-paced, rhythmic dance with Colombian origins.

There's never a dull moment at this Ecuadorian restaurant, bar and dance club, which can get a little rowdy on weekends. New York Latin is a good choice if you favor reggaeton, especially on Fridays. If you're female and interested in learning traditional Mexican and cumbia dance styles, you'll have many offers from gentlemen on Saturday nights.

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