The prickly pear margarita is amazing!! Order then pick out a table. Oh and they do take reservations for large groups. The food was good, not great, but it had a lot of promise to it. I'm looking forward to trying a lot more on their menu. The best thing I liked about my visit was the vibe. It was super chill. There were people in there dressed in suits and others in sweats, and it didn't seem to matter which category you fit into. The patio will be a great place to enjoy once it warms up!
(4)
Jessica M.
I love cantina! It's one of my favorite places to eat in Birmingham. I have seen a lot of people say that the food is bland, but I am a fan of food that isn't overpowering. You can taste each individual ingredient in their food and it all tastes fresh! My favorites are the fish and vegetarian tacos. Also they have some of the best guacamole I have ever had! I've tried their prickly pear margarita but I think it's overpriced.
(4)
Will L.
This patio is one of the best in town. It's huge, comfortable, and and a great place to see and be seen. If the weather is too hot or cold, no big deal. The indoor dining area is gigantic as well. I like the fact that Cantina is a walk up to the counter and order restaurant. For whatever reason, it makes for a much faster dining experience. Everyone behind the counter and that delivers the food has always been over the top nice. On my last visit, I got three tacos. The steak, chicken, and fish. This was about two too many. They are bigger than your average taco, so one or two really is enough. Oh, and the margaritas... they're fantastic as well.
(4)
Tammy B.
So far can't go wrong!!!! Amazing service (especially when they get to know you) - amazing food, cool as hell ambiance. The R'itas are really good (get the salt!!) and I absolutely love their pico del Gallo.
(5)
Donna A.
Low quality food- even the fish tacos have dropped well below the bar. Do not come here for a nice meal. They served us cold fries. The fish tastes of the sea. Poor service. The only nice thing is the location.
(2)
Massimo F.
Meeh, Mah, ...Bhaa! I don't know what to say about the food, considering that possibly it was the most flat Mexican food I ever had. With that I don't mean bad, at all, just banal! The place looks very nice, though. Personal is very kind. You pay at the cash, but the price line is of a good restaurant. The only think I liked about the place was the spaciousness and the nice personality of the place per se. All the rest, just OK.
(3)
Melina M.
Boring, small portions, and over-priced food. We paid well over $50 for the two of us and WERE STILL HUNGRY! Horrible service as well. We saw our waitress twice total and had to get drinks ourselves inside. Skip this place.
(1)
Garrett I.
There is nothing wrong with this place but there is nothing great about it either. I agree with other reviewers that the food is somewhat bland, the servers at the walk up counter are very nice, and that the tacos are somewhat larger than your average taco, I think it is a little over priced at 3.75 but if you sign up for their mailing list you can get a $10 gift card!
(3)
Will M.
Be prepared to be your own waitperson. Leave the table and stand in line to order food, drinks, anything. Food tastes good but over-priced. Great venue but going inside to order and wait in line to place drink/food orders takes away from being together at the table
(3)
Wes C.
This place divides the Birmingham food community more than Rojo does! I love the Cantina and have for years. Yes the prices have slowly went up, but they use fresh herbs and vegetables to garnish most of their food, which makes me wonder how some reviewers can describe it as tasteless... Anyway, my favorite dish has been the corn encrusted tilapia and saffron rice. For years this was only available as a special, however it has recently been added to their full time menu. This alone is enough to get me back for lunch at least once a week. Pro Tip: Substitute the garlic mashed potatoes for the saffron rice with this dish. They go great with the fresh pico de gallo and chipotle butter that come with this dish!
(4)
Anna H.
For a place where the wait staff wear t-shirts that specifically mention fish tacos, Cantina Tortilla Grill has some of the least impressive fish tacos I've had to date. Too-big slabs of tilapia, oversized for the taco, with bland slaw and a nearly heat-less hot sauce. The flavor and texture of the carnitas taco was similarly lacking. The guacamole was gross - just mashed up avocado and lime juice with WAY to much garlic powder, topped with a bland salsa mixture. I'm not from Birmingham but surely there's a better place for tacos in a town this big.
(2)
Lou G.
Cantina Tortilla Grill is a cool, casual joint with a nice feel to it. I ordered a vegetarian taco and El Espanol, an open faced bollilo roll with refried beans and Chihuahua cheese. Overall the food was A-Ok, and it was good to have some vegetarian options. Service at the bar was not the best, fast but not friendly. Overall a good stop before or after hitting Hop City.
(3)
Robyn T.
The food here is fresh and delicious. I love the avocados that come on some of the tacos. They also have good margaritas, unlike some places that water them down too much. My favorite part of my meal here is the queso dip, which has chorizo in it. It may be my favorite queso dip in Birmingham. Grab a margarita and queso and sit out on the patio for a great meal.
(4)
Arthur M.
Ate lunch here today for the first time. Had the Gaucho sandwich and garlic fries. Both were very good. This place goes for a quality product and it hits the mark. Also good was the chips and salsa. The chips were fresh and good. The salsa was not watery like many salsas....a nice change. Will be back.
(4)
Russ M.
I wanted to like this one...I really did, an awesome location in Pepper Place, cool decor, a great "vibe", quick friendly service.... But, the food is average AND (here's the biggie), call me a snob but they REALLY LOSE points & Stars for their "signature" margarita"...ok, I'm standing in line to order at the counter and look over at the bar...they are pouring jars of commercially made drink mix into the kind of dispenser that lots of places use for iced tea, then a couple of bottles of tequila were poured in..... I'm sorry (no, I'm NOT) but this is a high end, trendy part of town. A town with a legit foodie presence, an abundance of good food, drink, cocktail places....Is it too much trouble to really make and serve drinks 1 at a time??? Just Sayin'
(2)
Preeyam P.
Garlic fries are my favorite but I've had the same thing there twice and the fish was cooked to two completely different temperatures. This place has some consistency issues. I expected a little more from the tacos and the sandwiches-
(3)
Jeremy E.
I guess I fall in line with the majority of reviewers on Cantina. Upon first opening, it was a good place to get some fairly inexpensive, and generally very tasty, food. The prices have slowly crept up over the years, and are now a bit more than they should be. I do LOVE the large patio outside. The inside offers plenty of seating space, but can be a bit loud. The ordering system can also be hectic as well. Only one cash register is open for taking orders, and the line can get pretty long when they are busy. They do bring the food out to your table, but if you want another drink...back in the long line you must go (which is why we generally don't bother ordering another drink after eating.) As for the food itself...it is good, but nothing exceptional. I tend to go with one of the sandwiches, which are all pretty tasty. The chips and salsa are extra, and a bit overpriced (especially since most Mexican restaurants provide them free with dinner or drink orders. Good place if you want to hang outside with some friends for a little while.
(3)
Jonathan N.
This place is pretty good. So far everything I've ordered tastes good. I think it's a bit overpriced but they need the money to keep the business going. Sometimes waiting in line to order can take a while especially during lunch break. The building is beautiful and there's a lot of room.
(4)
Cory B.
Right next to Ona's and Bettola, and a block down from Hop City...what?! This little Pepper Place block has some primo spots where many a day/night could be spent enjoying great food and beverage. Got to meet Ona at the bar before he went to his place...great spot to meet some great people in the community
(4)
Teresa H.
Before I say anything about Cantina, I want to admit that I intensely dislike cilantro and yes, on that basis any Mexican restaurant has an uphill battle with me. My review will definitely be through the eyes of cilantro avoidance. If you love cilantro, move along. If you think it tastes like Dial soap shredded over your supper, read on. The Cantina staff was very candid that most of their preparations rely heavily on cilantro, but they were willing to work with me. They got bonus points in my book for asking if mine was a true allergy or a dislike. I assured them I would not break out in hives and die on them no matter what - allergy avoidance requires much more diligence and I appreciate them knowing. They made a good-faith effort to keep all extra cilantro off my plate where possible. I selected the grilled shrimp quesidillas. The shrimp mixture was pre-tossed and did contain cilantro, but they had noted that when I ordered and it was not overwhelming. We had guacamole as an appetizer, but without the cilantro-laden pico de gallo, it was fresh but bland indeed. My husband had the Cuban sandwich (which may be the only cilantro-free offering on the menu) and gave it high marks. The best news is that it was a wonderful evening to sit on the patio.
(3)
Fallon W.
Well, we got into town late and there hours said open til 10pm. It's 9:25 and they're closed. No stars.
(1)
Ashley W.
Cantina is located in the heart of Pepper Place and while the food is "A-OK", it just isn't spectacular. Both the fish taco and the fish burger are pretty bland, and the pollo and carne asada tacos are just plain dry. The garlic home fries are good, and the corn in a cup is worth is try as well. Personally, I love Cantina for the outside seating (super easy to make seating medium-large sized groups on the patio) and their drinks are superb. The prickly pear margarita is awesome, but if that's not your thing, the regular key lime margarita is very well mixed - no skimping on tequila in this drink! Service at Cantina is always reliable and quick. If I find myself in the Pepper Place area I don't mind dining at Cantina, but I'm certainly not going to seek it out.
(3)
S E J.
Food always great but today prepping for some Cinco de Mayo event we couldn't really fathom on a Sunday afternoon but okay. Had a limited menu but it suited needs. Lots of employees milling about patio who when questioned about friends of owners who had brought dog and then put him in their hot car while they went to visit, eat, etc were quite unhelpful despite the large number of them with not a lot to do. Food great, vibe not so much.
(3)
joseph r.
Depending on what you order, the food is A-OK and sometimes its pretty good. I've been there several times and the food generally comes pretty fast and is hot. Don't expect waitress level service though --- if you need something, be prepared to go up to the counter and ask for it. There's one guy who works the register who's pretty snippy with customers...others are generally pleasant though. place seems a little pricey for my opinion, but usually when there, its to go along with a group, not my own choosing.
(3)
Ashley J.
Best garlic fries ever!!! Also all the food is nicely put together and fresh!!!! If you love a different place to try with a good atmosphere and cool things to look at you should come this place out! Worth your while!! The staff is super nice and always there with anything you need or requests. Their food truck is just as awesome!!! Love love love!
(5)
Haley R.
You can't go wrong with the tacos, but their entree dishes (salmon salmon salmon) are actually really good too. They've got speedy service down. You have to order at the bar, which can sometimes take a minute with a long line, but food is at the table soon after sitting.
(4)
Alden C.
Pepper Place provides an awesome backdrop to this Latin food fest. Their menu includes common "street foods" from various Latin countries, but I usually opt for the fish taco. Uber-casual, Cantina allows you to order your food and drinks at a counter, then the food is served at your table. The line can be very long and slow moving at times, and the portions are somewhat small. Their margaritas are good but a bit pricey considering the casualness of the space and the food. They have loads of space, so for a big group that want to pay separately, Cantina is the perfect option. Try to carpool though because parking is tough in the Pepper Place lot.
(3)
Peter H.
Not the place to get tacos. They're expensive, completely bland and unremarkable. I'll have to come back and see what they are good at, but I have a problem with paying $3.25 for a taco a la carte.
(2)
Daniel S.
Good food. Sissy boy serving sizes. So don't go here if you're a grown man and don't want to walk away hungrier than when you came in. The food is expensive compared to their portion sizes. No complimentary chips and salsa either.
(3)
Brady R.
I must say... Tonight is the last time I will ever eat Cantina. Every piece of meat and fish tasted rotten. Service has always been great, but the food was the most disgusting thing I've ever had. It must have been an off night, but I'll never forget it.
(1)
Desiree E.
Consistently bad service, cold food, and now, I was charged for a tab that was already paid for by my boss. I've been here 3 times with friends and co-workers. Will NOT be going back. Also was told by the manager that by opening a tab with my card, they weren't required to provide a signed receipt showing that I consented to the charges.
(1)
K L J.
Good, though not great. Really nice outdoor seating and a pretty place overall. Service was OK, but slightly rude. The food was fair-to-good, a little expensive for the portions, and kind of hard to eat for some reason. I'll probably go back and give it another try because the location and ambience are great and there are SO many days in Alabama you'd like to eat out on the patio (srsly). But there's lots of competition, so might be a while before I get back there...
(3)
Shannon W.
Informal, coastal Mexican food by people from there. The food is consistently delicious, and the menu is intentionally simple and limited because they are going to do what they do and do it very well. Try the fish tacos - addicting! Margaritas, a good wine list, local beers. And service that is as good as you will find in Birmingham. Cantina has a winning recipe, and is the best place I know to hang out and relax on their patio at the end of a long work day!
(5)
Leigh T.
We stopped on our way through Birmingham looking for fresh southwestern fare. The location is great, the decor fun. The food was good; however, the fish tacos were a little bland. I was surprised the fish was fried; I expected it to be grilled. The salsa was creamy (also surprising) and a little heavy on the cilantro, not as good as I'd hoped. The chips were terrific, fresh and hot. The beer was ice-cold. Unfortunately, there is no excuse for the bad service we experienced. We were not welcomed at all and stood way too long at the counter to place our order. The place was pretty empty for 5:00 on a Tuesday, and there were plenty of people behind the counter and in the kitchen; they simply ignored our presence. Our food arrived at our table in a reasonable amount of time, with no comment by our server. Someone came by twice to pick up empty dishes, not even asking us if we needed anything or were enjoying our meal. We had to wait to check out at the register, again with no comment by any of the staff to thank us for coming in or asking us to come again. It was as if we were an inconvenience. We did not tip; the proprietor needs to review with the staff exactly what the acronym TIPS represents: To Insure Proper Service. We will not return.
(2)
Kristina V.
A great place to sit on the patio and eat tacos and margaritas on a hot day.
(3)
Catherine H.
I love the Cantina! Oh... what to get, what to get ... the fish burger with garlic fries (a must get!), or fish taco or a veggie taco? Hum.. I can never make up my mind. There's great outdoor seating and the staff is great! Oh and did I mention, you must try the garlic fries? Yes, do that. There's nothing on the menu that I have not enjoyed.
(4)
Aisha H.
OK so if the prickly pear margarita does not get you then the chorizo cheese dip and fish tacos should. Casual fun atmosphere. Great on a spring or summer evening after work.
(5)
Emily C.
I have never been especially "sold" on Cantina--my first encounters with them being their food truck at Brewfest--but yesterday I was in the mood for something that tasted fresh and wasn't deep fried or full of cheese (and when you're on a budget and your boyfriend doesn't eat seafood, that is a hard sell in this town). People I know seem to like Cantina and I have never really known why. But this time, I decided I would give Cantina an honest chance. I know it seems like I am coming into this biased as hell, but this is also me figuring out why my gut is telling me this place was never worth my time. First off, when I look at their menu ( cantinatortillagrill.com… ), I don't see anything I am especially excited about. I've had the vaguely chorizo-flavored queso fundido on a previous visit, so I knew not to waste my time. This is not a place where you sit down and are waited on, which I don't necessarily mind. You order everything at the register, and they ask you right off the bat if you want to start a tab or pay as you go. This is basically a fast-casual place fused with a bar. Me and the boyfriend both got a beer each, which costs $3 to $4 here. I got the grilled shrimp quesadillas and he got three pork tacos. I was feelin' some guacamole, but I won't get it if it's not heavy on the cilantro. I asked if that's how they made theirs, and the lady told me if I wanted something cilantro heavy I could try the pico de gallo. We passed. For a Friday night around 6pm, the place was about half-full. We sat outside, treated to an overwhelming view of the parking lot and took in an encroaching stench of burnt popcorn. At least the food came quickly! The shrimp quesadillas are small, and are served on corn tortillas instead of flour. The cheese inside is that melty, almost rubbery kind that I personally love, the shrimps were small but that's reasonable for quesadillas, and cotija was sprinkled on top. The boyfriend got three pork tacos, served on flour tortillas that were bigger than my corn tortillas. I tried a bite, and they were good, but not exceptional and certainly something I could have (and should have) made better at home. Now, for two beers, shrimp quesadillas, and three pork tacos, my total came to around $28 for two people. If that does not seem pricey to you, Cantina might be a fantastic place to begin your Friday night. But I felt that was a little expensive for what we really got; these dishes did not come with any sort of side item, and you have to pay for chips and salsa separately. We did not get any additional drinks or appetizers or ala cart items and I spent just as much, if not more, than I would have at any other Mexican restaurant. Yes, the food was good, but definitely not mind-blowing. At this point, given this place's vibe and atmosphere, it's the equivalent of getting overpriced bar food because you are drunk and hungry and the closest thing is a plate of six wings for ten dollars. If you are wanting an authentic Mexican experience that will not break the bank, you are better off going to Los Amigos on Clairmont, and if you don't mind the trip, just go to Sabor Latino off Greensprings. I'm willing to bet Cantina is still in business based on their lunch crowd, which is probably comprised of the people working in their building and the surrounding area.
(2)
Sahara G.
One of the best Mexican restaurants that me and my boyfriendd have tried! We heard about how good their truck fries were, so we decided to give the actual place a try. The staff was so cool and friendly and seated us quickly. We both ordered a variety of tacos because we couldn't make up our mind on which taco we wanted, lol. So we ordered a steak, chicken and fish taco along with the garlic fries with queso added to it. The food was so delicious and we were extremely full and satisfied. The steak was cooked to perfection, the chicken was grilled nicely and the fish was hot and crispy. I love the fact that every taco was different and had it's own theme. For instance the chicken taco had fresh pico in it with a cilantro lime aioli, the fish taco had shredded cabbage and cilantro lime aioli in it and the steak taco had a slice of avocado, fresh pico along with a spread of refried beans to bring it all together. Just tasty. I'd recommend anyone to try this place out, you won't be dissapointed. We plan to go back and try something different soon!
(5)
Steph I.
The service was awful. The staff was arrogant and rude. The food isn't worth the price you have to pay to deal with ordering in a long and slow moving line, and the bad service you receive when you finally get to speak with someone. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
Brandon C.
The place has good food, but is a bit pricey for what you get. Soft drinks come in a can at 1.75, while chips and salsa run $3. The portion sizes are smaller than the typical Mexican place. The atmosphere is festive, while the service is impersonal.
(3)
Natasha S.
Can't go wrong with the fish tacos or fish sandwich with garlic fries. I like the sandwich better with their slim toasted bread. Very good. It's a good, fast and casual place for lunch. Service isn't all that, but I never expected it to when I walked in. I prefer sitting outside versus inside. If you're in the area, this would be a good place to try, but I wouldn't travel all the way for it.
(3)
Matthew C.
Been there twice-- won't go back for a third time. FOOD: The food is very, very forgettable. Typical Mexican cuisine, with a few additional items (garlic fries, Cuban sandwich). SERVICE: The "service" is terrible. You order at a register (after a long, long wait), and then the food is shipped out and dropped onto the table. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere isn't anything special. IN SUM: It's a lousy restaurant with poor food and worse service.
(1)
Susan W.
Walk up and order, sit where you want, stay and chat as long as you want. The place was pretty empty for a Saturday night but I appreciated being able to sit and enjoy a conversation with my friends without feeling like I had to jump up and leave. Fish tacos were pretty good, I prefer my fish grilled instead of fried though. Sweet potato chips were awesome though! $4 for a Corona, more than I like to pay but it tasted soooo good :-)
(4)
Mr B.
I am not normally a big fan of tacos, but they have the best tacos I have ever had period. Whether it is from the truck or the restaurant, they simply have amazing tacos. The sides of potatoes and rice are great as well.
(5)
Merry Michael S.
one of my favorite spots for a casual dinner or lunch that feels a little bit special. the fish taco and garlic fries never disappoint. i would strongly suggest ordering that combo on your visit!
(4)
Olive W.
Multiple visits to this location and have noted a progressive worsening in quality & taste of food. Fish not fresh and chicken not well marinated. First introduced to this local chain at their now closed location on Highway 119. I expressed my concern to management today who showed no concern! My family and I will not be returning for our 3 x per month $50-75 tab!
(1)
Neal M.
As mentioned in my previous post about Red Cat, we stumbled on this building. We had a great experience at Red Cat and decided to check out Cantina for dinner after browsing their menu. The actual area is great and very comfy and chill decor. Drawback? It's counter service, so you have to fend for yourself for a table and the crowd there seemed like uppity people. One dude blocking the walk way without moving out of the way or an excuse me and a lady with a very loud 'excuse me' while damn near pushing me out of the way. They have a huge second room for dining but seemingly it was reserved for a private party. My friend ordered the fish taco(s), the 's' is in parenthesis because is was a singular taco. He said it was good, fried fish, not too greasy/heavy along with a side of beans a rice (which were already mixed). He was not a fan of how they were served but said that they were tasty. I had the 'Cuban" sandwich. I put that in parenthesis beacause it was so far from a traditional Cuban sandwich it's silly. It consisted of bread, pork loin, ham, pickles and sour cream(?). I've had pork sandwiches before and even pork tortas at taquerias in Austin. This thing was a sad excuse. $7-8 for a weird interpretation of a classic sandwich. The pork loin was thinly sliced and not really of any distinct flavor other than pork and the ham may as well have been a garnish. The saving grace? The garlic fries. I think i would've been much happier having the garlic fries and beans and rice. You have been warned.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Kathryn D.
Cantina has a nice atmosphere and super kind staff but I simply can't get over their blasé food. Really, truly unremarkable. Sure, the garlic fries ARE tasty but if you put enough garlic/butter/salt on any fried potato product, you will get a similar flavor profile. Their tacos are huge but oh-so-bland: I recently had two fish tacos, one of which I took home, and had a moment where I wondered if I was losing my sensation of taste... how could a taco that LOOKED so good taste like nothing. Even the taco I took home required a heavy dose of salt/pepper/siracha to not taste like cardboard. It is really, really strange that everything is so tasteless but, for my taste buds, is an unfortunate truth.
(2)Erin B.
The prickly pear margarita is amazing!! Order then pick out a table. Oh and they do take reservations for large groups. The food was good, not great, but it had a lot of promise to it. I'm looking forward to trying a lot more on their menu. The best thing I liked about my visit was the vibe. It was super chill. There were people in there dressed in suits and others in sweats, and it didn't seem to matter which category you fit into. The patio will be a great place to enjoy once it warms up!
(4)Jessica M.
I love cantina! It's one of my favorite places to eat in Birmingham. I have seen a lot of people say that the food is bland, but I am a fan of food that isn't overpowering. You can taste each individual ingredient in their food and it all tastes fresh! My favorites are the fish and vegetarian tacos. Also they have some of the best guacamole I have ever had! I've tried their prickly pear margarita but I think it's overpriced.
(4)Will L.
This patio is one of the best in town. It's huge, comfortable, and and a great place to see and be seen. If the weather is too hot or cold, no big deal. The indoor dining area is gigantic as well. I like the fact that Cantina is a walk up to the counter and order restaurant. For whatever reason, it makes for a much faster dining experience. Everyone behind the counter and that delivers the food has always been over the top nice. On my last visit, I got three tacos. The steak, chicken, and fish. This was about two too many. They are bigger than your average taco, so one or two really is enough. Oh, and the margaritas... they're fantastic as well.
(4)Tammy B.
So far can't go wrong!!!! Amazing service (especially when they get to know you) - amazing food, cool as hell ambiance. The R'itas are really good (get the salt!!) and I absolutely love their pico del Gallo.
(5)Donna A.
Low quality food- even the fish tacos have dropped well below the bar. Do not come here for a nice meal. They served us cold fries. The fish tastes of the sea. Poor service. The only nice thing is the location.
(2)Massimo F.
Meeh, Mah, ...Bhaa! I don't know what to say about the food, considering that possibly it was the most flat Mexican food I ever had. With that I don't mean bad, at all, just banal! The place looks very nice, though. Personal is very kind. You pay at the cash, but the price line is of a good restaurant. The only think I liked about the place was the spaciousness and the nice personality of the place per se. All the rest, just OK.
(3)Melina M.
Boring, small portions, and over-priced food. We paid well over $50 for the two of us and WERE STILL HUNGRY! Horrible service as well. We saw our waitress twice total and had to get drinks ourselves inside. Skip this place.
(1)Garrett I.
There is nothing wrong with this place but there is nothing great about it either. I agree with other reviewers that the food is somewhat bland, the servers at the walk up counter are very nice, and that the tacos are somewhat larger than your average taco, I think it is a little over priced at 3.75 but if you sign up for their mailing list you can get a $10 gift card!
(3)Will M.
Be prepared to be your own waitperson. Leave the table and stand in line to order food, drinks, anything. Food tastes good but over-priced. Great venue but going inside to order and wait in line to place drink/food orders takes away from being together at the table
(3)Wes C.
This place divides the Birmingham food community more than Rojo does! I love the Cantina and have for years. Yes the prices have slowly went up, but they use fresh herbs and vegetables to garnish most of their food, which makes me wonder how some reviewers can describe it as tasteless... Anyway, my favorite dish has been the corn encrusted tilapia and saffron rice. For years this was only available as a special, however it has recently been added to their full time menu. This alone is enough to get me back for lunch at least once a week. Pro Tip: Substitute the garlic mashed potatoes for the saffron rice with this dish. They go great with the fresh pico de gallo and chipotle butter that come with this dish!
(4)Anna H.
For a place where the wait staff wear t-shirts that specifically mention fish tacos, Cantina Tortilla Grill has some of the least impressive fish tacos I've had to date. Too-big slabs of tilapia, oversized for the taco, with bland slaw and a nearly heat-less hot sauce. The flavor and texture of the carnitas taco was similarly lacking. The guacamole was gross - just mashed up avocado and lime juice with WAY to much garlic powder, topped with a bland salsa mixture. I'm not from Birmingham but surely there's a better place for tacos in a town this big.
(2)Lou G.
Cantina Tortilla Grill is a cool, casual joint with a nice feel to it. I ordered a vegetarian taco and El Espanol, an open faced bollilo roll with refried beans and Chihuahua cheese. Overall the food was A-Ok, and it was good to have some vegetarian options. Service at the bar was not the best, fast but not friendly. Overall a good stop before or after hitting Hop City.
(3)Robyn T.
The food here is fresh and delicious. I love the avocados that come on some of the tacos. They also have good margaritas, unlike some places that water them down too much. My favorite part of my meal here is the queso dip, which has chorizo in it. It may be my favorite queso dip in Birmingham. Grab a margarita and queso and sit out on the patio for a great meal.
(4)Arthur M.
Ate lunch here today for the first time. Had the Gaucho sandwich and garlic fries. Both were very good. This place goes for a quality product and it hits the mark. Also good was the chips and salsa. The chips were fresh and good. The salsa was not watery like many salsas....a nice change. Will be back.
(4)Russ M.
I wanted to like this one...I really did, an awesome location in Pepper Place, cool decor, a great "vibe", quick friendly service.... But, the food is average AND (here's the biggie), call me a snob but they REALLY LOSE points & Stars for their "signature" margarita"...ok, I'm standing in line to order at the counter and look over at the bar...they are pouring jars of commercially made drink mix into the kind of dispenser that lots of places use for iced tea, then a couple of bottles of tequila were poured in..... I'm sorry (no, I'm NOT) but this is a high end, trendy part of town. A town with a legit foodie presence, an abundance of good food, drink, cocktail places....Is it too much trouble to really make and serve drinks 1 at a time??? Just Sayin'
(2)Preeyam P.
Garlic fries are my favorite but I've had the same thing there twice and the fish was cooked to two completely different temperatures. This place has some consistency issues. I expected a little more from the tacos and the sandwiches-
(3)Jeremy E.
I guess I fall in line with the majority of reviewers on Cantina. Upon first opening, it was a good place to get some fairly inexpensive, and generally very tasty, food. The prices have slowly crept up over the years, and are now a bit more than they should be. I do LOVE the large patio outside. The inside offers plenty of seating space, but can be a bit loud. The ordering system can also be hectic as well. Only one cash register is open for taking orders, and the line can get pretty long when they are busy. They do bring the food out to your table, but if you want another drink...back in the long line you must go (which is why we generally don't bother ordering another drink after eating.) As for the food itself...it is good, but nothing exceptional. I tend to go with one of the sandwiches, which are all pretty tasty. The chips and salsa are extra, and a bit overpriced (especially since most Mexican restaurants provide them free with dinner or drink orders. Good place if you want to hang outside with some friends for a little while.
(3)Jonathan N.
This place is pretty good. So far everything I've ordered tastes good. I think it's a bit overpriced but they need the money to keep the business going. Sometimes waiting in line to order can take a while especially during lunch break. The building is beautiful and there's a lot of room.
(4)Cory B.
Right next to Ona's and Bettola, and a block down from Hop City...what?! This little Pepper Place block has some primo spots where many a day/night could be spent enjoying great food and beverage. Got to meet Ona at the bar before he went to his place...great spot to meet some great people in the community
(4)Teresa H.
Before I say anything about Cantina, I want to admit that I intensely dislike cilantro and yes, on that basis any Mexican restaurant has an uphill battle with me. My review will definitely be through the eyes of cilantro avoidance. If you love cilantro, move along. If you think it tastes like Dial soap shredded over your supper, read on. The Cantina staff was very candid that most of their preparations rely heavily on cilantro, but they were willing to work with me. They got bonus points in my book for asking if mine was a true allergy or a dislike. I assured them I would not break out in hives and die on them no matter what - allergy avoidance requires much more diligence and I appreciate them knowing. They made a good-faith effort to keep all extra cilantro off my plate where possible. I selected the grilled shrimp quesidillas. The shrimp mixture was pre-tossed and did contain cilantro, but they had noted that when I ordered and it was not overwhelming. We had guacamole as an appetizer, but without the cilantro-laden pico de gallo, it was fresh but bland indeed. My husband had the Cuban sandwich (which may be the only cilantro-free offering on the menu) and gave it high marks. The best news is that it was a wonderful evening to sit on the patio.
(3)Fallon W.
Well, we got into town late and there hours said open til 10pm. It's 9:25 and they're closed. No stars.
(1)Ashley W.
Cantina is located in the heart of Pepper Place and while the food is "A-OK", it just isn't spectacular. Both the fish taco and the fish burger are pretty bland, and the pollo and carne asada tacos are just plain dry. The garlic home fries are good, and the corn in a cup is worth is try as well. Personally, I love Cantina for the outside seating (super easy to make seating medium-large sized groups on the patio) and their drinks are superb. The prickly pear margarita is awesome, but if that's not your thing, the regular key lime margarita is very well mixed - no skimping on tequila in this drink! Service at Cantina is always reliable and quick. If I find myself in the Pepper Place area I don't mind dining at Cantina, but I'm certainly not going to seek it out.
(3)S E J.
Food always great but today prepping for some Cinco de Mayo event we couldn't really fathom on a Sunday afternoon but okay. Had a limited menu but it suited needs. Lots of employees milling about patio who when questioned about friends of owners who had brought dog and then put him in their hot car while they went to visit, eat, etc were quite unhelpful despite the large number of them with not a lot to do. Food great, vibe not so much.
(3)joseph r.
Depending on what you order, the food is A-OK and sometimes its pretty good. I've been there several times and the food generally comes pretty fast and is hot. Don't expect waitress level service though --- if you need something, be prepared to go up to the counter and ask for it. There's one guy who works the register who's pretty snippy with customers...others are generally pleasant though. place seems a little pricey for my opinion, but usually when there, its to go along with a group, not my own choosing.
(3)Ashley J.
Best garlic fries ever!!! Also all the food is nicely put together and fresh!!!! If you love a different place to try with a good atmosphere and cool things to look at you should come this place out! Worth your while!! The staff is super nice and always there with anything you need or requests. Their food truck is just as awesome!!! Love love love!
(5)Haley R.
You can't go wrong with the tacos, but their entree dishes (salmon salmon salmon) are actually really good too. They've got speedy service down. You have to order at the bar, which can sometimes take a minute with a long line, but food is at the table soon after sitting.
(4)Alden C.
Pepper Place provides an awesome backdrop to this Latin food fest. Their menu includes common "street foods" from various Latin countries, but I usually opt for the fish taco. Uber-casual, Cantina allows you to order your food and drinks at a counter, then the food is served at your table. The line can be very long and slow moving at times, and the portions are somewhat small. Their margaritas are good but a bit pricey considering the casualness of the space and the food. They have loads of space, so for a big group that want to pay separately, Cantina is the perfect option. Try to carpool though because parking is tough in the Pepper Place lot.
(3)Peter H.
Not the place to get tacos. They're expensive, completely bland and unremarkable. I'll have to come back and see what they are good at, but I have a problem with paying $3.25 for a taco a la carte.
(2)Daniel S.
Good food. Sissy boy serving sizes. So don't go here if you're a grown man and don't want to walk away hungrier than when you came in. The food is expensive compared to their portion sizes. No complimentary chips and salsa either.
(3)Brady R.
I must say... Tonight is the last time I will ever eat Cantina. Every piece of meat and fish tasted rotten. Service has always been great, but the food was the most disgusting thing I've ever had. It must have been an off night, but I'll never forget it.
(1)Desiree E.
Consistently bad service, cold food, and now, I was charged for a tab that was already paid for by my boss. I've been here 3 times with friends and co-workers. Will NOT be going back. Also was told by the manager that by opening a tab with my card, they weren't required to provide a signed receipt showing that I consented to the charges.
(1)K L J.
Good, though not great. Really nice outdoor seating and a pretty place overall. Service was OK, but slightly rude. The food was fair-to-good, a little expensive for the portions, and kind of hard to eat for some reason. I'll probably go back and give it another try because the location and ambience are great and there are SO many days in Alabama you'd like to eat out on the patio (srsly). But there's lots of competition, so might be a while before I get back there...
(3)Shannon W.
Informal, coastal Mexican food by people from there. The food is consistently delicious, and the menu is intentionally simple and limited because they are going to do what they do and do it very well. Try the fish tacos - addicting! Margaritas, a good wine list, local beers. And service that is as good as you will find in Birmingham. Cantina has a winning recipe, and is the best place I know to hang out and relax on their patio at the end of a long work day!
(5)Leigh T.
We stopped on our way through Birmingham looking for fresh southwestern fare. The location is great, the decor fun. The food was good; however, the fish tacos were a little bland. I was surprised the fish was fried; I expected it to be grilled. The salsa was creamy (also surprising) and a little heavy on the cilantro, not as good as I'd hoped. The chips were terrific, fresh and hot. The beer was ice-cold. Unfortunately, there is no excuse for the bad service we experienced. We were not welcomed at all and stood way too long at the counter to place our order. The place was pretty empty for 5:00 on a Tuesday, and there were plenty of people behind the counter and in the kitchen; they simply ignored our presence. Our food arrived at our table in a reasonable amount of time, with no comment by our server. Someone came by twice to pick up empty dishes, not even asking us if we needed anything or were enjoying our meal. We had to wait to check out at the register, again with no comment by any of the staff to thank us for coming in or asking us to come again. It was as if we were an inconvenience. We did not tip; the proprietor needs to review with the staff exactly what the acronym TIPS represents: To Insure Proper Service. We will not return.
(2)Kristina V.
A great place to sit on the patio and eat tacos and margaritas on a hot day.
(3)Catherine H.
I love the Cantina! Oh... what to get, what to get ... the fish burger with garlic fries (a must get!), or fish taco or a veggie taco? Hum.. I can never make up my mind. There's great outdoor seating and the staff is great! Oh and did I mention, you must try the garlic fries? Yes, do that. There's nothing on the menu that I have not enjoyed.
(4)Aisha H.
OK so if the prickly pear margarita does not get you then the chorizo cheese dip and fish tacos should. Casual fun atmosphere. Great on a spring or summer evening after work.
(5)Emily C.
I have never been especially "sold" on Cantina--my first encounters with them being their food truck at Brewfest--but yesterday I was in the mood for something that tasted fresh and wasn't deep fried or full of cheese (and when you're on a budget and your boyfriend doesn't eat seafood, that is a hard sell in this town). People I know seem to like Cantina and I have never really known why. But this time, I decided I would give Cantina an honest chance. I know it seems like I am coming into this biased as hell, but this is also me figuring out why my gut is telling me this place was never worth my time. First off, when I look at their menu ( cantinatortillagrill.com… ), I don't see anything I am especially excited about. I've had the vaguely chorizo-flavored queso fundido on a previous visit, so I knew not to waste my time. This is not a place where you sit down and are waited on, which I don't necessarily mind. You order everything at the register, and they ask you right off the bat if you want to start a tab or pay as you go. This is basically a fast-casual place fused with a bar. Me and the boyfriend both got a beer each, which costs $3 to $4 here. I got the grilled shrimp quesadillas and he got three pork tacos. I was feelin' some guacamole, but I won't get it if it's not heavy on the cilantro. I asked if that's how they made theirs, and the lady told me if I wanted something cilantro heavy I could try the pico de gallo. We passed. For a Friday night around 6pm, the place was about half-full. We sat outside, treated to an overwhelming view of the parking lot and took in an encroaching stench of burnt popcorn. At least the food came quickly! The shrimp quesadillas are small, and are served on corn tortillas instead of flour. The cheese inside is that melty, almost rubbery kind that I personally love, the shrimps were small but that's reasonable for quesadillas, and cotija was sprinkled on top. The boyfriend got three pork tacos, served on flour tortillas that were bigger than my corn tortillas. I tried a bite, and they were good, but not exceptional and certainly something I could have (and should have) made better at home. Now, for two beers, shrimp quesadillas, and three pork tacos, my total came to around $28 for two people. If that does not seem pricey to you, Cantina might be a fantastic place to begin your Friday night. But I felt that was a little expensive for what we really got; these dishes did not come with any sort of side item, and you have to pay for chips and salsa separately. We did not get any additional drinks or appetizers or ala cart items and I spent just as much, if not more, than I would have at any other Mexican restaurant. Yes, the food was good, but definitely not mind-blowing. At this point, given this place's vibe and atmosphere, it's the equivalent of getting overpriced bar food because you are drunk and hungry and the closest thing is a plate of six wings for ten dollars. If you are wanting an authentic Mexican experience that will not break the bank, you are better off going to Los Amigos on Clairmont, and if you don't mind the trip, just go to Sabor Latino off Greensprings. I'm willing to bet Cantina is still in business based on their lunch crowd, which is probably comprised of the people working in their building and the surrounding area.
(2)Sahara G.
One of the best Mexican restaurants that me and my boyfriendd have tried! We heard about how good their truck fries were, so we decided to give the actual place a try. The staff was so cool and friendly and seated us quickly. We both ordered a variety of tacos because we couldn't make up our mind on which taco we wanted, lol. So we ordered a steak, chicken and fish taco along with the garlic fries with queso added to it. The food was so delicious and we were extremely full and satisfied. The steak was cooked to perfection, the chicken was grilled nicely and the fish was hot and crispy. I love the fact that every taco was different and had it's own theme. For instance the chicken taco had fresh pico in it with a cilantro lime aioli, the fish taco had shredded cabbage and cilantro lime aioli in it and the steak taco had a slice of avocado, fresh pico along with a spread of refried beans to bring it all together. Just tasty. I'd recommend anyone to try this place out, you won't be dissapointed. We plan to go back and try something different soon!
(5)Steph I.
The service was awful. The staff was arrogant and rude. The food isn't worth the price you have to pay to deal with ordering in a long and slow moving line, and the bad service you receive when you finally get to speak with someone. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)Brandon C.
The place has good food, but is a bit pricey for what you get. Soft drinks come in a can at 1.75, while chips and salsa run $3. The portion sizes are smaller than the typical Mexican place. The atmosphere is festive, while the service is impersonal.
(3)Natasha S.
Can't go wrong with the fish tacos or fish sandwich with garlic fries. I like the sandwich better with their slim toasted bread. Very good. It's a good, fast and casual place for lunch. Service isn't all that, but I never expected it to when I walked in. I prefer sitting outside versus inside. If you're in the area, this would be a good place to try, but I wouldn't travel all the way for it.
(3)Matthew C.
Been there twice-- won't go back for a third time. FOOD: The food is very, very forgettable. Typical Mexican cuisine, with a few additional items (garlic fries, Cuban sandwich). SERVICE: The "service" is terrible. You order at a register (after a long, long wait), and then the food is shipped out and dropped onto the table. ATMOSPHERE: The atmosphere isn't anything special. IN SUM: It's a lousy restaurant with poor food and worse service.
(1)Susan W.
Walk up and order, sit where you want, stay and chat as long as you want. The place was pretty empty for a Saturday night but I appreciated being able to sit and enjoy a conversation with my friends without feeling like I had to jump up and leave. Fish tacos were pretty good, I prefer my fish grilled instead of fried though. Sweet potato chips were awesome though! $4 for a Corona, more than I like to pay but it tasted soooo good :-)
(4)Mr B.
I am not normally a big fan of tacos, but they have the best tacos I have ever had period. Whether it is from the truck or the restaurant, they simply have amazing tacos. The sides of potatoes and rice are great as well.
(5)Merry Michael S.
one of my favorite spots for a casual dinner or lunch that feels a little bit special. the fish taco and garlic fries never disappoint. i would strongly suggest ordering that combo on your visit!
(4)Olive W.
Multiple visits to this location and have noted a progressive worsening in quality & taste of food. Fish not fresh and chicken not well marinated. First introduced to this local chain at their now closed location on Highway 119. I expressed my concern to management today who showed no concern! My family and I will not be returning for our 3 x per month $50-75 tab!
(1)Neal M.
As mentioned in my previous post about Red Cat, we stumbled on this building. We had a great experience at Red Cat and decided to check out Cantina for dinner after browsing their menu. The actual area is great and very comfy and chill decor. Drawback? It's counter service, so you have to fend for yourself for a table and the crowd there seemed like uppity people. One dude blocking the walk way without moving out of the way or an excuse me and a lady with a very loud 'excuse me' while damn near pushing me out of the way. They have a huge second room for dining but seemingly it was reserved for a private party. My friend ordered the fish taco(s), the 's' is in parenthesis because is was a singular taco. He said it was good, fried fish, not too greasy/heavy along with a side of beans a rice (which were already mixed). He was not a fan of how they were served but said that they were tasty. I had the 'Cuban" sandwich. I put that in parenthesis beacause it was so far from a traditional Cuban sandwich it's silly. It consisted of bread, pork loin, ham, pickles and sour cream(?). I've had pork sandwiches before and even pork tortas at taquerias in Austin. This thing was a sad excuse. $7-8 for a weird interpretation of a classic sandwich. The pork loin was thinly sliced and not really of any distinct flavor other than pork and the ham may as well have been a garnish. The saving grace? The garlic fries. I think i would've been much happier having the garlic fries and beans and rice. You have been warned.
(3)