First impression was positive: good service, very attractively priced daily specials and eight beers on tap. But it went south quickly. Ordered takeout of the daily special and a beer; food came out with the bill and I was charged the full amount. I was told that the daily special was for dine in only; would have been nice if they informed me that when I ordered the daily special for takeout! And then they were having computer problems and it took five minutes to cash me out since I was using a credit card, the entire time my meal was getting colder, and colder.
(3)
Lori M.
Decent bar food. Great bartender. Nice atmosphere. Good daily specials. This was close to our hotel and a good stop!
(4)
Dan H.
This a pretty average Americanized Mexican restaurant in every way. If you have never been to a really good Mexican restaurant, then Joe's Grill and Cantina will be just fine. The chips, salsa, and guacamole are bland. The ground beef tacos could have been imported from Taco Bell. They were practically identical. The chicken enchiladas are mostly cheese with only a little bit of chicken sitting in one end of the enchilada. The "Mexican" rice has the texture and flavor of an Uncle Ben's packet from the grocery store, and the beans seem like they came from a can. The radio is playing American top 40, and the television is showing ESPN. This is fine, but it doesn't feel like a Mexican restaurant when you're listening to Imagine Dragons while the Washington wizards are playing the Boston Celtics. On the positive side, The restaurant is clean and the wait staff is friendly. My waiter aimed to please, but he can't do anything about average food. Unfortunately, there just isn't anything at Joe's to distinguish it from any other restaurant.
(2)
Shameka O.
It's ok. Not necessarily memorable, except for the chips and salsa. Standard Mexican fare with good prices...
(3)
Steve S.
Good service; however, not very many people there at 7:00pm on a Monday. Good is average at best and as a salsa nut, I consider Joe's somewhat below average. This place is average at best from a food standpoint. They could soup up the salsa and add some options and it would be much better.
(3)
Beth H.
A total hit! Walked in on a tuesday night to live music and a full restaurant. I was seated immediately, and ordered the guacamole as many of the reviews suggested. It was delicious, and I would recommend it. Tuesday night is taco night! That means tacos at bargain prices. I ordered the Burrito el Grande, and it arrived piping hot and delicious. The food is not the spiciest mexican I've ever had, but it's still tasty!
(5)
Richard E.
Total surprise how great this place was. We stopped twice on our honey moon. Get the carnitas.
(5)
Danielle C.
Food was below mediocre for a "tex-mex" restaurant. Granted, as per past reviews, the guacamole was pretty good as well as the margaritas. But the food needs more seasoning, and just flavor over all. Good thing we're just passing through... Oh and the service was dismal. Friendly but completely uncoordinated. These thing can all be improved on so hopefully they will have a better future.
(2)
Brian F.
One of my favorite places to eat. Wait staff is always very friendly. Food is good and cheese dip is awesome. My family go there almost every Tues night for dollar taco night. If I'm there any other time I usually get the enchiladas and they are top notch. They also have drink specials most every night as well. If your in the area and looking for Tex-Mex give Joes a try. I think you will like it.
(4)
Jeffrey P.
Friendly staff and good TexMex food. Outstanding guacamole, I suggest you request some with your chips. It is slightly out-of-the-way ... up a side street off Rogers Ave. opposite the entrance to Sam's Club. Worth it, though, give them a try.
(4)
Chelsie M.
So we stayed in Fort Smith, AR for 6 weeks and the best restaurant we could find that we had never eaten at and didn't have bad reviews was Joe's (and it just happened to be walking distance from our hotel). We were seated quickly as they were pretty dead and it was early Friday afternoon so no one was off work yet. They have a cool lunch special where you can create your own combo from a lot of different choices (tacos, echiladas, burrito etc).. I ordered 2 tacos and an enchilada and my husband ordered a HUGE burrito. The salsa was kind of bland, the taco meat was thoroughly seasoned and the sauce was good on the enchilada. My husband really enjoyed his beef burrito, smothered in green chili. He said it was flavorful and filling. I ordered some sopapillas and they were GRRREAT! I went back a couple more times for their lunch special and the quality never slid. The atmosphere was nice and it was very clean.
(5)
Rathernot S.
Here is a restaurant with a ton of potential! There are still hit-or-miss days, but with a little more advertising, a little more punching up the cooks and the staff, and I personally think we'd have the makings of a real Fort Smith hit. Competing in a crowded Mexican restaurant market, Joe's is not just a cut above, it's a cut to the left. While you can expect your typical south-of-the-border selections here, the flavor is distinctly more coastal with a lighter, fruitier, more citrus and garden taste than the heavier fare at the other restaurants in town. I haven't had tacos, chile rellenos, nor tamales this good since coastal Mexico! My only warning would be to avoid the pork dishes until they are able to bring in different cuts or different cooking methods. The pork is too high in tendon, connective tissue, and fat for good palate-feel and taste--nearly half the weight/volume is anything other than meat. The carnitas are served more like a stew, as well, which can surprise diners who aren't familiar with it served this way. The only other complaint is the attitude of the wait-staff--a little more punctuality, enthusiasm, and professionalism from all of them instead of a few would be appreciated. I would also love to taste their take on a white cheese instead of the standard American yellow dip. Regardless, the management is quick to resolve any issues and the food is still exceptionally good; other than the pork dishes, I have yet to have a miss at this restaurant, especially in my favorite Devonshire chocolate cake or their unique take on the fried ice cream dessert! I highly recommend the desserts, margaritas, salsa, tacos, chimpoquitos, and the house dressing on any salad. Even better, what you see in the pricing is what you get, taxes and all included, and the lunch menu not only has excellent picks to choose from, the menu price includes the meal, drinks, and taxes.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Ray B.
First impression was positive: good service, very attractively priced daily specials and eight beers on tap. But it went south quickly. Ordered takeout of the daily special and a beer; food came out with the bill and I was charged the full amount. I was told that the daily special was for dine in only; would have been nice if they informed me that when I ordered the daily special for takeout! And then they were having computer problems and it took five minutes to cash me out since I was using a credit card, the entire time my meal was getting colder, and colder.
(3)Lori M.
Decent bar food. Great bartender. Nice atmosphere. Good daily specials. This was close to our hotel and a good stop!
(4)Dan H.
This a pretty average Americanized Mexican restaurant in every way. If you have never been to a really good Mexican restaurant, then Joe's Grill and Cantina will be just fine. The chips, salsa, and guacamole are bland. The ground beef tacos could have been imported from Taco Bell. They were practically identical. The chicken enchiladas are mostly cheese with only a little bit of chicken sitting in one end of the enchilada. The "Mexican" rice has the texture and flavor of an Uncle Ben's packet from the grocery store, and the beans seem like they came from a can. The radio is playing American top 40, and the television is showing ESPN. This is fine, but it doesn't feel like a Mexican restaurant when you're listening to Imagine Dragons while the Washington wizards are playing the Boston Celtics. On the positive side, The restaurant is clean and the wait staff is friendly. My waiter aimed to please, but he can't do anything about average food. Unfortunately, there just isn't anything at Joe's to distinguish it from any other restaurant.
(2)Shameka O.
It's ok. Not necessarily memorable, except for the chips and salsa. Standard Mexican fare with good prices...
(3)Steve S.
Good service; however, not very many people there at 7:00pm on a Monday. Good is average at best and as a salsa nut, I consider Joe's somewhat below average. This place is average at best from a food standpoint. They could soup up the salsa and add some options and it would be much better.
(3)Beth H.
A total hit! Walked in on a tuesday night to live music and a full restaurant. I was seated immediately, and ordered the guacamole as many of the reviews suggested. It was delicious, and I would recommend it. Tuesday night is taco night! That means tacos at bargain prices. I ordered the Burrito el Grande, and it arrived piping hot and delicious. The food is not the spiciest mexican I've ever had, but it's still tasty!
(5)Richard E.
Total surprise how great this place was. We stopped twice on our honey moon. Get the carnitas.
(5)Danielle C.
Food was below mediocre for a "tex-mex" restaurant. Granted, as per past reviews, the guacamole was pretty good as well as the margaritas. But the food needs more seasoning, and just flavor over all. Good thing we're just passing through... Oh and the service was dismal. Friendly but completely uncoordinated. These thing can all be improved on so hopefully they will have a better future.
(2)Brian F.
One of my favorite places to eat. Wait staff is always very friendly. Food is good and cheese dip is awesome. My family go there almost every Tues night for dollar taco night. If I'm there any other time I usually get the enchiladas and they are top notch. They also have drink specials most every night as well. If your in the area and looking for Tex-Mex give Joes a try. I think you will like it.
(4)Jeffrey P.
Friendly staff and good TexMex food. Outstanding guacamole, I suggest you request some with your chips. It is slightly out-of-the-way ... up a side street off Rogers Ave. opposite the entrance to Sam's Club. Worth it, though, give them a try.
(4)Chelsie M.
So we stayed in Fort Smith, AR for 6 weeks and the best restaurant we could find that we had never eaten at and didn't have bad reviews was Joe's (and it just happened to be walking distance from our hotel). We were seated quickly as they were pretty dead and it was early Friday afternoon so no one was off work yet. They have a cool lunch special where you can create your own combo from a lot of different choices (tacos, echiladas, burrito etc).. I ordered 2 tacos and an enchilada and my husband ordered a HUGE burrito. The salsa was kind of bland, the taco meat was thoroughly seasoned and the sauce was good on the enchilada. My husband really enjoyed his beef burrito, smothered in green chili. He said it was flavorful and filling. I ordered some sopapillas and they were GRRREAT! I went back a couple more times for their lunch special and the quality never slid. The atmosphere was nice and it was very clean.
(5)Rathernot S.
Here is a restaurant with a ton of potential! There are still hit-or-miss days, but with a little more advertising, a little more punching up the cooks and the staff, and I personally think we'd have the makings of a real Fort Smith hit. Competing in a crowded Mexican restaurant market, Joe's is not just a cut above, it's a cut to the left. While you can expect your typical south-of-the-border selections here, the flavor is distinctly more coastal with a lighter, fruitier, more citrus and garden taste than the heavier fare at the other restaurants in town. I haven't had tacos, chile rellenos, nor tamales this good since coastal Mexico! My only warning would be to avoid the pork dishes until they are able to bring in different cuts or different cooking methods. The pork is too high in tendon, connective tissue, and fat for good palate-feel and taste--nearly half the weight/volume is anything other than meat. The carnitas are served more like a stew, as well, which can surprise diners who aren't familiar with it served this way. The only other complaint is the attitude of the wait-staff--a little more punctuality, enthusiasm, and professionalism from all of them instead of a few would be appreciated. I would also love to taste their take on a white cheese instead of the standard American yellow dip. Regardless, the management is quick to resolve any issues and the food is still exceptionally good; other than the pork dishes, I have yet to have a miss at this restaurant, especially in my favorite Devonshire chocolate cake or their unique take on the fried ice cream dessert! I highly recommend the desserts, margaritas, salsa, tacos, chimpoquitos, and the house dressing on any salad. Even better, what you see in the pricing is what you get, taxes and all included, and the lunch menu not only has excellent picks to choose from, the menu price includes the meal, drinks, and taxes.
(4)