I have found that the quality of the food at many of the Mexican restaurants tends to vary depending on who is cooking that day and on what time of the day you come in for your meal. Some time the longer the sauce has simmered the better it is.
I have never been disappointed with the food at this Manuel's. Salsa is always great and the meal is always tasty. I also consider their prices to be reasonable. I used to love Macayo's when I first got to the valley, but they have gone downhill. They seem to be too cost conscious. Someone also mentioned Top Shelf as being better. I found that to be totally bland.
I pretty much like all the Manuel's, with the exception of the one over around Bell and 12th Ave. But, maybe I just had a few bad days there.