Fresh, made-to-order salsa at your table! That's my favorite thing about Guadalajara "Original" Grill- I highly recommend this one over the Eastside location. Fajitas are always good (you can do chicken, shrimp, steak, pork or all of the above)- I recommend all of them except for the pork. They usually have drink specials which includes a good selection of Mexican beers and GIANT Margaritas. Portion sizes at this place are enormous so be prepared for a food coma afterwards. If you're just looking for something light, sit at the bar and enjoy the chips and salsa and an order of the mini-chimis (chicken). 4 Stars ****.
(4)
Lynn B.
If you like cheese order the queso fundido con chorizo for appetizer, if you like fun order one of their giant margaritas. Solid classic Mexican food, good chance anything you order will be pretty darn tasty. Fun Mexican decor, great for a fun date, a group of friends, a large party, celebration, you name it.
(4)
Marian S.
Perfectly perfect table side salsa. Happy waitress. Delicious veg dish. Scrumptious chimis. Crunchy chips. Wonderful stuff to look at. Love it.
(5)
Beki H.
Delish! My husband had the Green Mole with Shrimp special at the recommendation of our awesome waiter, JC (thanks JC!) & I had the Halibut Enchiladas. Both dishes were wonderful. They were served with julianned grilled veggies. I would return just for those alone! Tableside salsa & my Cadillac Margarita were also perfect! We can't wait to return!
(5)
Matt C.
I invited everyone who visited Tucson to this great place. My consistent favorite is the chili verde chimichanga, which I can safely recommend to anyone. But the salsa they make right at your table is the highlight, and will likely always be the best salsa I've ever had.
(5)
Thomas I.
Man those salsa makers that come to your table just chop, chop, chop. Kinda like your personal chef at Japanese hibachi grills. Food was just average but atmosphere and service were amazing!
(4)
Jennifer P.
This place has quickly become the most requested place to dine when we have guests in from out of town. I have to say I agree, this place is something special. Great food. Great Staff and service. The ambiance is fun! The homemade tortilla's ,, mouth drooling delicioso!!! If you happen to dine after 6pm, the restaurant is filled with the wonderful sounds of the mariachi trio! And the favorite of everyone I know~ is; the made-Table Side- Salsa! Which you can customize to your taste! I think a close contender would be the strawberry margarita! This place is aLwAyS BUSY! In the evening they have parking lot attendants to help usher in/out cars...which is helpful. And I have to agree with the other reviewers, if you are looking for a quiet corner, Consider yourself forewarned, this place is FULL of excitement!!
(5)
Nancy W.
To be fair, this was the first time to eat here, so will go back and try something else next time. Table side salsa was wonderful. I tried the guaco tacos from the vegetarian menu and i did not like them AT ALL. Skip those. Everyone else at the table liked their food EXCEPT for the refried beans and rice. Beans were absolutely tasteless. I always look forward to them, but so bland, i couldn't eat them. At first, the music was so loud that we were unable to talk at all. Once they moved on to another room we were able to enjoy some conversation. Is it really necessary to be that loud? Our service was excellent. Waitress very nice and efficient. Will go back and try a different dish. Wish they'd have some good refried beans and rice though. Truly bad.
(3)
Brent G.
Typically when I first visit a Mexican restaurant I try the fajitas and compare them to La Parrilla Suiza on speedway. They were not as good but very edible. Service was good considering we were a party of 8.
(4)
Nick B.
Good food, love salsa cart, but service sucked.
(3)
Molly H.
Let me tell you a little story about a restaurant that serves some of the best food in Tucson combined with some of the worst service in Tucson. The salsa, novel and delicious. But quite a lot of trouble, plus you know you have to tip the salsa ladies, right? Still, it's worth it. Here is the part of the story where the complications set in, where our hero must battle insurmountable odds. Guadalajara only hires the most unfriendly and incompetent bartenders, why, I do not know. They will always make twenty drinks for the servers before they even acknowledge you. That seems backwards from most bars, but I am figuring there must be a reason to for this madness. Next, you have the seating system where they do not seat people on a first come, first serve basis and they always make you wait at least 20 minutes before they seat you at a table that was open the whole time. All I ask for is a drink in hand, and I can rest at ease. This never seems to happen at Guadalajara. This places a dour mood on the evening, even before the waiter arrives at the table. The waiters are generally good. The moral of the story is that the food is delicious, and I will keep coming back. But I am going to wear a frown until they get some decent customer service.
(2)
Holly R.
This place is fantastic. I loved every bite. The boyfriend and I met up a friend in Tucson and he suggested we try this place out. So glad we did, it is now one of my favorite places in Tucson after just one visit. We went on a Sunday night so we didn't have to wait but it was still pretty busy. The place is bright and colorful with sombrero lamps - kitschy but cool. There was a mariachi band that added some musical flair to the experience as well. Like everyone says, one thing that sets this place apart is the fresh salsa made at your table. It was SOOOO good. We were even able to get two - one hot and one mild (I'm a wimp). It tasted great but let me tell ya, the raw onion and garlic stay with you long after the meal. We had to go buy mints afterwards. Go easy if you're on a first date. I ordered the chimi carnitas and I'm not kidding it was one of the best dishes I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. It was huge, I was only able to finish half of it. It was loaded with tender carnitas stuffed into a fresh flour tortilla. The tortilla was amazing just by itself. It came with rice and beans. The rice was just okay. That was the only thing that didn't blow me away. But I was busy with my mound of pork so no biggie. I walked away completely stuffed and satisfied. I will be back for more next time I visit Tucson.
(5)
John H.
If you have not been here you don't know what your missing. Fresh food, table side salsa, great lunch specials.
(4)
Jonathon M.
I recently visited the Tucson area for the first time for the Wild West Shoot Out races at USA Raceway . Being from out of town, I had to eat some Mexican cuisine before I returned to Indiana. I saw a few reviews for this restaurant and decided to give it a try. The location had me a little suspect as I had been told it was a rough part of town, thought I found the immediate area around the restaurant to be rather docile. The atmosphere inside the building is your typical Mexican grill. It was clean and family friendly. I was with a group of 4 and we sat in a booth that had plenty of space near a window. They had quite an extensive bar menu available but I didn't order any drinks on this occasion. The salsa made tableside made to taste was one of my favorite aspects. It was very good but way to mild for my taste. The group I was with did not want it spicy; I would have liked to have had the option to get a smaller bowl to myself. We had a spicy cheese appetizer that was excellent and went very quickly between the four of us. I had their signature dish for my meal, which consisted of a large bowl filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, and an onion pepper mixture. It was served with tortillas, rice, and beans. Every protein was fantastic including the steak which was extremely tender and well seasoned. The other people in my group ordered standard Mexican foods including tacos and burritos ( which were extremely large). I tried a little of everyone's dish and they were all very satisfactory. Bottom Line: I am glad I stopped in and would recommend the grill to any out of town travelers with a taste for Mexican and Southwestern foods.
(4)
C T.
The salsa made table-side here is excellent, as is the shrimp molcajete. Service was slow, but we were on vacation so it didn't bother us. Cute decor and a great place for large parties.
(4)
Brian F.
How do you say "droolicious" in Spanish? Guadalajara Grill is seriously some of the best Mexican food I've had in years. First of all, there were eleven of us on a Thursday evening. The place was already modestly busy, but they were able to seat us within five minutes. **By the time we left, the place was packed. The staff was extremely helpful, managing to attend to our demanding group with ease. The table side salsa is an experience I've never seen before, and what a treat! Spiced to your level of hotness, everyone at the table got what they wanted. The freshness was incredible- no other salsa can ever compare. The menu was vast, filled with dishes I had never seen before as well as the Mexican staples. I ended up with a carne asada chimichanga w/ red sauce. It was made just the way I like with lots of meat and lots of cheese. The portion was huge! Other dishes on the table: lobster stuffed salmon, fajita combo, lobster enchiladas, and some vegetarian dishes. Everyone raved about their food- and it wasn't that margaritas talking. Mariachis came by at one point and we had them sing songs to our table, and these guys were very good- talented and professional all the way. It had been a rough couple of days and the family really needed the time together at a wonderful place- and Guadalajara was perfect for us. Any time we make it back to Tucson, we will make them a regular stop!
(4)
Mary Ann S.
Do you love salsa? Do you love choosing what does or doesn't go into your salsa? Then run, don't walk, to Guadalajara Grill. Their homemade salsa is made table side and you can choose how spicy you want it. So whether you are like me and add all the spices you can or if you basically like salsa that tastes like tomatoes, you get your choice here. Their margaritas get the job done. With all sorts of flavors (including in house creations) you are sure to find something you like at the bar. Careful of those BIG glasses :) The food is good Mexican food. They have several options and even Vegetarian options, and more than just one. The atmosphere is very fun and they have a mariachi band that travels from table to table. They know pretty much any song-- Including Bear Down!! A true Tucson establishment
(5)
Mike H.
Very good. Recommend the "Molcahete" and fried ice cream. Pricey though!
(4)
Gary S.
Table side salsa. So good. You got to get it hot. I have been here on multiple occasions now and I have to say I've had a great experience each time. Between the wife and I we have ordered 6 different entrees. Food always taste fresh and delivered to the table hot. Which is a major feat in this town.
(5)
Nick M.
I lived in Tucson for three years before sadly moving and while there I had the chance to eat at plenty of fine Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill is one of my favorites. Being a regular I was always impressed with the quality of the food. The service and ambiance are average, my biggest grip being with the dinner-time music which could be very loud. But the food was always delicious, especially the pork chili verde.
(4)
Ilene Q.
Guadalajara was the 1st restaurant we visit during our tour of Tucson, AZ. It is the best Mexican restaurant by far. Great food, amazing margaritas and great prices along with great service.
(5)
Laura C.
I was in Tucson recently and, while I love NorCal's fresh take on Mexican food, I was excited for the good stuff - real, authentic Mexican food. Unfortunately, this was one of those rare instances where Yelp steered me wrong. My sister and I went and we ordered the Queso Fundido (with the chorizo on the side because I don't eat meat) as an appetizer, and it was really just disgusting. It came with undercooked mushrooms and a layer of oil on top and neither of us found it appetizing to eat oily, tasteless, chewy cheese. The good news is that it only went up from there. The table-side salsa was actually quite great. Medium had a bit too much spice for my sister, but it was perfect for me. I forgot what entree my sister got, but I got the Burrito Chilango and it was okay, nothing to write home about. It satisfied my craving for Mexican, but it didn't do much else. The sauce it was smothered in tasted like it came from a can. I do remember both of us felt very underwhelmed after our meals. The final strike for Guadalajara Grill came when we ordered some fajita take-out to bring back to our dad. When we opened the container, we found they never gave us tortillas. How do you forget the tortillas in a fajita order? It was a total bummer as they make their own tortillas and he had to use the cheap store brand kind we (thankfully) had in the fridge.
(2)
Micalah O.
This restaurant is great for large groups and/or visitors to the southwest. It is not like the typical Tucson Mexican restaurant because It does have food from south of the border (on the Mexican) side. The table side salsa can be really great if you know just what to ask for. The drinks are fun but it is hard to screw up a margarita too badly. Everything is priced reasonably especially considering the serving sizes are HUGE! Guadalajara is very touristy, costumes, mariachis and decor. My cousin from the East Coast found it to be just what he was looking for in a Mexican restaurant. I on the other hand find it to be a bit over the top but the food is good.
(3)
S G.
Takeout food was great. Beans are good, rice are extremely flavorful, chicken chimi was great, and chips were good too. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back again.
(5)
Alex T.
This place is great. The food is good and the atmosphere is awesome, especially on the weekends when they have live music. They also make your salsa table-side, which is pretty cool. They serve your standard variety of Mexican food. Chimichangas, Tacos, Enchiladas, etc. I only give it three stars because if you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this shouldn't be your number one choice. Although the food is usually good and the portions are big the food itself doesn't match up with what's available here in Tucson (and at cheaper prices).
(3)
D W.
Went to the bar for happy hour. Great salsa made to your taste, and yummy (and cheap) house margarita. Queso fundito was enough for a dinner for two of us. The bartenders were attentive and working hard!
(5)
Linda E.
Our 'go to' place when in Tucson. Their salsa and margaritas are THE BEST!!
(5)
Sunny B.
Oh yelp. How I love thee~ Mark D. and I were heading back from Texas and craving Mexican seafood. We got on our yelp mobile, found a review for Guadalajara Grill, plugged the directions in to the iphone and headed on our way. We both wondered how we survived before yelp J it is great to drive through an unknown city and find a gem with 4 star reviews. It was Christmas Eve and the place was pretty packed, perhaps it was the holiday spirit but everyone working there was in a great mood and very friendly. We ordered the seafood platter; tilapia, scallops and shrimp served fajita style. It was delicious and the portions of seafood were very generous for 18 bucks. The salsa was good (but not great), it was still a nice touch to make it at the table. I ordered the sangria and it was delicious, strong and not too sweet. I will definitely head back next time I am in town.
(4)
Pam S.
We were very impressed with how quickly we were seated at 6:30 PM on a Friday evening. Loved having the Salsa made at the table - I had medium and it was very good. She did have us taste to make certain the Salsa was "spicy" enough for our tastes. I would have gone a bit spicier with the salsa but our 1 year old son loves mild Salsa. Both my husband and I had wonderful meals that our son enjoyed mooching off of as well. Note: We are from NC and in 3 years have yet to find a "really" good Mexican restaurant. The Guadalajara Grill was very good and the best we've had in over 3 years. I had the Chicken Chimi and I loved the southwest sauce - it had a little "sweetness" to it but not a lot of spice. My husbands meal was very flavorful and the steak was perfectly prepared - Carna Asada Angelina.
(5)
Tucson C.
Recently needed to find a restaurant that had music early. Tucson needs more selection in this area! The Guadalajara Grill did not disappoint. The food really impressed the out-of-town visitors, and the locals in the group loved it as well. I had the Mochacha. If food got better than this, I wouldn't be able to get up! Fantastic! Every person really enjoyed the wide variety of food served. The table-side salsa was excellent as usual, and the strolling musicians fit our need perfectly. They do a great job and really add to the ambiance. Casual, though really nice, affordable, lots going on, the perfect place to take the family out to dinner when they are in town!
(4)
Christina M.
I dont know what everyone is talking about...table side salsa?? Didnt get that service. My sister had a retreat for work at Ventana Canyon Resort and the masseuse suggested this place. We asked for a cheese crisp and the server said we have quesadillas but not cheese crisps and I said, " Can you ask the chef to not fold it, please"? Duh! Stupid. Other than that the service was fine. Food was mediocre at best, but forgettable. Nothing special about this place. The front desk guy told us we shouldve gone to EL Charro. Maybe next year!
(3)
Mark M.
I reviewed the Guadalajara Grill on 6/17 last year. As far as I'm concerned the write-up is still right on. The salsa continues to be superior and the freshest one can ever get. This time, I had an entree that I'd never ordered before and thought the favors mixed very well and wouldn't hesitate to order again. It was the Tacos Cochinito Al Pastor. This dish consisted of slow roasted pork in an adobo marinade served in three (the menu said two) soft corn tacos with pineapple, cilantro and onions. served with refried beans and spanish rice. The pork was cooked just right, and the pineapple, cilantro and onions were an excellent combination of flavors. Once again I was disappointed in the heavy-on-the-sweet-and-sour margarita. I ordered the large Cadillac (premium) margarita, and didn't quite finish the massive drink - nor was I tempted too. I asked for some extra limes, which I added to the drink early on. Nice idea, as it added some tartness and cut the sweet. I've reduced my rating of the Guadalajara Grill from a four-star to a three-star. In my opinion it's really a three-and-a-half star. Why did I do this? Because I found a Mexican restaurant in Tucson that has risen to the top of my Mexican restaurant list, and there needed to be an appropriate separation of stars (that, of course, is a separate review). Bottom line ... I still really like the Guadalajara Grill and this Tuesday night experience was pleasurable; prompt seating, exceptional salsa, good food and fun atmosphere. I'll certainly return.
(3)
pete w.
My family and I went to Tucson for a mid week getaway. We stopped by here for linner (lunch/dinner) after a long day hiking in the foothills around town. My kids were starving...... The place was about 1/2 full so we were given a nice table by the big windows with nice views of the foothills. Service was excellent and the food was hands down some of the best mexican food that I have ever eaten. My 8 year old bottomless pit for a stomach son even commented that 'this place gives you a lot of food and I'm full'. I do not hear that often. Overall, big menu, excellent service, exceptional tasting food and lots of it. The restaurant was clean and well taken care of. 5 stars for this place.
(5)
Rebecca D.
The layout is super cozy. The decor is top notch. The service is always great. Parking is always manageable, even during their busiest hours. Table side salsa that's to die for. Yummy (HUGE) margaritas. Great mariachi! So much fun during homecoming (Go Wildcats!) weekend! Guadalajara Grill is my second favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Tucson!!
(5)
Matt W.
Still as absolutely incredible as I remember it. 1) While I was not there during salsa making service b/c it was a weekday lunch, there salsa is fantastic! I may drop on by before I leave town... 2) Drinks are great and potent as well. They are also HUGE. And for 6 or 7 bucks to get a a 16 oz. Margarita...what a deal! 3) Food is really good. The chicken fajitas are excellent. I also had the beef 1's and they were really good. The onions are cooked better than almost any Mexican place I've eaten them. The beans are phenomenal. I almost never finish them at a Mexican place but these were just too good to pass up. Great memories there in the past. It was worth every bite (I think I ate enough for lunch AND dinner!)!! When I think of Tucson, this is one of the very 1st places I think of going when getting off the plane!
(5)
Pavan D.
If I could give them zero stars I would. (This review may just apply to lunch service/chef) My sister and I were in Tucson yesterday and I thought lets stop in for lunch. I had been there a couple of years ago for dinner and it was good. Anyway we walk in and have to wait about 30 seconds for the hostess to finish chi chatting with a server before she even acknowledged us. Then we are seated. There were maybe 6 tables being used in all. We ordered the guacamole which I remember being made fresh at the table, IT WAS NOT. It was for sure not fresh either. They also topped it with some sort of cheap super salty cheese.... no thanks, i prefer my guacamole without cheese. After getting that we were pretty turned off so we decided just to split an order of the chicken fajitas. The chicken was bland and not very tender, almost chewy. YUCK! I will say that the flour tortillas weren't horrible and the salsa was good. Nothing about our meal looked or tasted fresh. It didnt taste like the amazing authentic mexican food that I remembered having their before. So of course I felt stupid ofr talking it up so much to my sister. It was a HUGE let down. Service: The service was beyond slow. Considering the restaurant was so empty we expected better service. We were given our drinks and food and never saw our waitress again. I sat there for 10 minutes waiting so that I could get some water!!! After that I was just annoyed and decided to pay the bill and get the hell outta there. I will for sure not return to this place. There are plenty of other great Mexican restaurants around.
(1)
Mer M.
We've been here a few times now with family. The fresh table-side made salsa is amazing. The mole is very good, as were the burritos and enchiladas that I tried. One of the times we went in the server wasn't very attentive, but the other times I've gone there the service was better.
(4)
Gabriel W.
Good food, but salsa IS a gimmick. And well, I think both O and NeD are freaking idiots...so how about that?!?! Anyone who knows how to MAKE good salsa knows that it needs to sit at least overnight so that all the flavors have a chance to combine. Making it "fresh" at the table is cute, yeah...but really the flavor is of straight tomatoes. They might as well just open some canned tomatoes for you to dip your chips in. But yeah, O...if you cant go to eat without worrying about misogyny, racism, and "anglo views of assumed inferiority"...then maybe you should just stay home. You're not an intellectual, you're an asshole. ANYWAY, apart from the salsa, this place is essentially the same as garcias or some other gringo mexican place. Just not my cup of tea. If I want REALLY good gringo mexican, I go to rosas right around the corner...now THAT place has GREAT salsa!
(3)
Jesse C.
I found this place using YELP while visiting family in Tucson Arizona. The food here is VERY good. They have some unusual options like Lobster enchiladas which my wife ordered and loved. The salsa and chips are VERY good as well. I thought the cheese enchiladas I got were 'OK', maybe the sauce could have been spicier, but it was still good. Prices were about average for this type of place and the atmosphere was very good. I would definetly come back here again if I am ever in the area.
(4)
N S.
The salsa was good! But we really didn't enjoy this restaurant. The beans tasted like Taco Bell... And the flavors (bland) and textures of our dishes just weren't good.
(2)
Andrea G.
What a surprise--a pleasant one! Gary, my husband, and I have lived in Tucson and passed that place for years. We never paid attention. I don't know why, really. It looks kind of unassuming from the front view. I had an Entertainment book deal for the restaurant, so we ventured to try it. It's fun to support the local restaurants, too! What a wonderful restaurant! It is a whole lot larger than it seems from the outside. Fun atmosphere, mariachis singing 'round the diners, very family oriented and there is a very separate bar area (didn't peek at it). Colorful decorations make for a cheery ambiance. It was Wednesday around 6 pm on a summer day (the slowest time in Tucson), and yet the place was packed. All other restaurants are struggling to draw in diners with the sluggish economy. This restauarnt obviously had regulars and a loyal following. We were seated quickly and given a fun menu. Waitstaff were friendly. The food is not your traditional Mexican, but instead very different types of sauces and mixtures of Mexican foods Maybe Guadalajaran food is like this, or maybe this restaurant is especially creative? Not sure. We were greeted by a salsa lady pulling around a cheerful cart on wheels. I loved this feature. It was packed with bowls of various veggies and makin's for salsa. She asked if we liked mild, medium or hot. Since Gary likes hot and I like mild, she actually made us TWO salsas! They came in these huge bowls, too-great presentation--and great flavors! My mild (I know, I'm the gringa about HOT food) salsa had large and mild green chile pieces in it along with onions, and all the usual yummy salsa ingredients. I dove in with the nice, thick, fresh chips (very light on salt) for an excellent salsa-chip experience. The main meal was hard to choose as the menu has more creative choices than just the usual burrito/taco, etc. line-up. I got a carne asada, chile relleno and chicken enchilada combo. Gary ordered the Ultimate something (didn't see the name). Both dishes arrived, mine on a huge plate and his in a stone huge container that weighed probably 10 lbs. Very unique. It contained what I like to say seemed like a Mexican cioppino. Grilled shrimp, chicken, beef and more was in it, in a tomato-based sauce (very flavorful), topped with some feta-looking Mexican-type cheese (sorry 'bout my silly word phrases-didn't get the real names of things too well). We dove in; the food was terrific! The diners around us also looked very contented. All I know is that I look forward to returning to this place to experiment with other delights on their menu! And I better get back to work or my Office Manager will catch me writing this during work (I'm the boss but she keeps me on track! This was my little mental break moment, to share with you while it was fresh in my mind) Hope it helps you!
(4)
Stephanie S.
This is a decent Mexican food restaurant, especially if you don't have time to run down to South Tucson. This restaurant features fantastic lunch deals, and in the evening fresh salsa made at your table to your taste and live mariachi music. Out of town visitors always enjoy the food and atmosphere.
(4)
Eleana H.
whooot i love this place, its clean, the decor is beautiful, the good is great, the service is amazing, as good as it gets.. me and my bff got the mojalete bowl for 19.00 it comes in a huge volcanic bowl with shrimps and carne asada, chicken, and veggies.. comes with fresh tortillas covered in lard, and rice + beans YUMMMMMYYYYYYYY portion size is amazing. table side salsa is a MUST. and I got one of the meatball soups SOOO AMAZING OMG... i love this place, cant wait to come back
(5)
Chris F.
I'd give it 4 stars; however, the fact that they make the salsa at the table in front of you is totally kick ass! Friendly staff. Attentive. Good fajitas. Loved the over sized tortilla. The massive margarita was sweet. Probably my only dig on the fajitas would be the lack of guac and sour cream. Oh yeah, how can I forget. They have these guys who sing and play the guitars/larger guitars (my ignorance) when someone has a birthday, that was really cool. Definitely will be going back, and probably when it's my birthday, but not. Just want to hear them play :)
(5)
Janice M.
Again, If you didn't read my other reviews. I am a newbie when comes to Mexican food. Food: 3/5 A lady stopped her cart by our table after we were seated and asked how we wanted our salsa, that was pretty much the best part of our meal. We ordered medium and spicy. The spicy wasn't spicy enough so I asked if she could add more chilis and it was exactly how I like it. However, the entree was just Okay. Nothing special. Service: 2/5 It was a very odd experience with our waitress. She comes by often to fill our glasses of water but she mumbled something to us and walked away. We weren't exactly sure what was going on. After finishing our meal, we waited and waited for the waitress to bring us our check but it took a really really really LONG time. Parking: 4/5 The restaurant itself is very spacious and so their parking lot. Overall: 3/5 Mediocre food, border-line bad service, good parking. I'd give it a three star just because I am in a good mood but I will probably not recommend this place to anybody and will not be coming back for more.
(3)
Cactus J.
You will love their mocajete cameronas it is delicious. Also, the salsa is made fresh at your table mild,medium,hot or fire engine hot. Service is good. Go early especially Friday and Saturday night.
(5)
Diane A.
I was so excited to go to this restaurant because I heard good things about it. I now have gone 3 times (both locations) and I will never go back again. The first time I went my food was partially frozen, so they gave me a free desert that had a piece of plastic in it. The second time we went the food took forever to get and it was definitely not worth the wait. The third time again we waited 45 min to get our food and during the wait we had to walk around the restaurant to find our waiter to take our drink order. Also, it is expensive for what you get. I have given up on this place, forever.
(1)
Lisa D.
Great margaritas. Yummy salsa. Dinners are quite large. I LOVE the mini-chimis. It's always colorful and festive. Good mariachi band. I always make sure to avoid eye contact. I like them and I enjoy their music, but I don't want them singing to me. I always have a good time here. Oh and the table side prepared salsa is really good.
(4)
Kristina W.
!!!DANGER!!! If you've noticed the not so stellar reviews mixed in with the unreasonably good ones in here, they all share one common trait; FOOD POISONING. I figured out (Ew, personally) why, and how. Dude I am not as easily taken in by table side salsa as your average Yelp reviewer, but I really liked it after all. I do not think that table side salsa makes any restaurant authentic, even if it is made by an authentic Mexican. I'm from an authentic Mexican family and have traveled extensively through Mexico (yup even to Guadalajara) and this is not the sort of thing that anyone does, except for possibly tourists. I'm sure it exists out there... not in authentic Mexican places. But I digress, salsa was good, queso fundido was extra good (yeah, hard to mess that one up!) and tortillas were GREAT, er, tortilla. we got one each with the queso. No matter, we finished it with the chips, and then got more chips and MORE salsa. This is where I became suspicious. She took our salsa bowl back and started re-blending the same mix back into our bowl. I'm looking, watching, studying... I knew something was wrong... I had no idea what was setting off my spidey sense. I watched, totally rapt. Added stuff from little bowls into our salsa bowl, each had its' own serving spoon. Once all the ingredients were in she mixed it with her pestle, and then stirred it with her spoon. Not really sure what my brain was trying to tell me I turned my attention back to what my stomach was trying to say. ("More salsa, please!") Well, it was already too late for me, anyways... The rest of the meal was unremarkable, but I was still pretty stoked on the queso and, yes, the salsa. We finished our micheladas and hit the road. As my gurgling stomach woke me later that night I made the connection, perhaps in the fitful dream I woke from, just what my brain was screaming at me; "CROSS CONTAMINATION!" You cannot take someones used salsa bowl, with their germs and saliva inside, and remix salsa with the same spoon and the same pestle, over and over and over again. So every night the salsa is untainted until the first table wants seconds, then the new untainted ingredients go in, still untainted pestle and spoon to finish, and hello! Spoon and pestle tainted. Every salsa made from that point on is full of bacteria, and potentially sick making. Not only are you being exposed to whatever anyone else has going on in their mouth, it's also bad to expose food to bacteria and let it sit. Bacteria eat , reproduce, and then shit. They will do this until they poison themselves with their own shit. Sound familiar? Food poisoning and bacterial cross contamination are potentially fatal and should be taken seriously. And yes, I did tip the salsa lady. PRO TIP; Don't die. Wanting anyone to make your food table side is weird and classist anyways. It's impossible to know if people are making mistakes with how they handle your food, and, yeah, I've worked in kitchens, most people cut corners, but this isn't one where it's safe... and it certainly isn't great to do it in front of god and everyone, it certainly makes me wonder that no one else there has ever considered this before, or corrected it. Yikes.
(1)
Nicolas F.
Guadalajara grill in a unique Mexican restaurant. It is very hit and miss. Their queso fundido with chorizo is very very delicious. It is nothing but cheesy and greasy goodness. On weekends they also have people make salsa right at your table to your specifications which is also cool because they let you customize it to your liking. Their entrees were the thing I had an issue with. Their carne asada is really dry and bland. It reminds me of the beef at Chipotle, except the beef at chipotle is better; which is weird because they shouldn't even be compared. You'd think Guadalajara Grill would be of better quality due to the price. Also, the seafood is served in very small portions. Not even close to the price you pay. There is far better mexican food to eat in Tucson before coming to this place.
(2)
Eve S.
This place just has delicious food, what can I say. The salsa made at your table is definitely the best part, it's so highly customizable and fresh. Everything I've gotten has been awesome. My main issue is that the service is almost always lacking, and being a waitress I am not usually picky about service. I've been with friends/family numerous times and there are a couple waitresses there that just give off the "hate you" vibe and I'm not entirely sure why. They are busy ALL the time, so expect to wait for a table 9/10 of the time. Another thing that can be irritating depending on ones mood is the mariachi band which circles the restaurant and make it nearly impossible to have a conversation when they are in your vicinity. Due to the large nature of the restaurant, it's loud even without the band simply because so many people are in there all the time.
(4)
Keopu R.
We go here for the salsa alone. The salsa, made fresh at your table, is often voted best in Tucson. It's made to taste and taste is definitely what you'll get. The menu is fairly large and offers a great deal of variety. Vegetarian options are limited but still varied. I really enjoy their tortilla soup and their vegetarian fajita. Prices are a little high but comparable to other restaurants of its kind. Service can be a bit spotty sometimes. Sometimes we get seated and served quickly. Other times, we are left waiting forever for our food with no apologies or explanations. Overall though, the wait staff is friendly and helpful, just slow at times. We definitely recommend it to others.
(4)
Lone D.
Good mexican, great for groups. Better than average for what it is, some fun items on the menu, check out the Carnitas Poblano, yikes! Went with a big group, professional and efficient, got all the orders right and kept the drinks coming.
(3)
Erica M.
great place! Food was excellent, many choices for vegetarian meals, amazing table side salsa, authentic decor and reasonably priced. Will go back next time in Tucson.
(5)
Kinga H.
New location: 2 stars, Old location: 5 stars Guadalajara Grill used to be located just down the street from its current location. The original location had an authentic vibe; sitting outside on the patio was a necessity, with the lush greenery, colorful decorations, and fireplace; it was perfect regardless if it was during the day grabbing drinks with friends or at night celebrating a birthday with a group. I used to frequent Guadalajara quite often, whenever in the mood for Mexican, and always left feeling blissful. Since I had moved out of Tucson a few years back, I was excited to revisit one of my favorites when last in the area... When i heard it was at a new location I was excited, of course this must be an improvement on the already perfect, although very crowded establishment. I walked in and was immediately disappointed. Guadalajara used to have an authentic and festive feel while the new location had no soul, it was just like every other Mexican restaurant in town. Regardless, I was excited to eat my favorite meal from Guadalajara.... chips with fresh, made at the table, hot hot hot salsa and tortilla soup (no chicken) with extra cheese and avocados. I was served tomato paste with my chips. Guess the salsa lady was not on duty yet. Not a problem, I've been there before when they served pre-made salsa. So I asked for a hot version... the reply, "this is all we have". Rude. How do you call yourself a Mexican restaurant with no hot sauce?! The tortilla soup still tasted the same so at least that made my experience decent. The service has always been hit or miss so I am not going to rate the place based on the staff, as that is not what made Guadalajara great back in the day. I am very disappointed to see what Guadalajara has turned into, all authenticity had been lost.
(3)
lia S.
Arizona definitely has the best Mexican restaurants as lots of Mexican's origins inhabit there. Every time we visit we try new place and this time Guadalajara was a goggle search discovery.When we called on Monday night we " ve been told no reservations required so around 7pm our wheels were heading toward to it. Surprisingly place was very busy but not booked so we got a table for 6 right away. Friendly service approached immediately, waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. She was watching our table and every time we were missing something it would appear on a table immediately. And food was deliousssssssiossss...I had Molcajete Camarones that was served in a hot pot with vegetables and rice and beans on a side ..it was really really good ...And the rest of my table left their plates shiny too..They also make Pico de Gallo right on a front of you so you can have it the way you want it. And three Mexican Caballeros were walking around and offering music for a table for additional charge i believe. So i give this place fully 5* because we were fully satisfied .
(5)
Deb W.
I love the Molcajetes.
(5)
Colin G.
This used to be my favorite Mexican sit-down place in the city. And that's saying a lot, just considering how many Mexican places there are in Tucson. I originally came here a few years ago on my birthday to their old location, closer to Campbell. Service was great, food was great, the mariachis were obnoxious and we had a good time. Then I got to their new location, a little further east on Prince, close to Mountain, and it was a very different experience. The wait was about 20 minutes for a Sunday night, but I had expected that and (I had told my companions to call in beforehand, and they didn't) wasn't really bothered by the wait. We were seated in the room toward the back, into a crowded booth. The room had stucco walls painted red, and cheesy Mexican designed on the ceiling. Between those walls and the roof were a ton of tables, attempting to pack in as many people as they could. There wasn't much room to walk. Only some of us got menus because they had run out. It took a while to get chips and salsa, and then a bit longer to order. We had wanted waters plus additional drinks, but only some of us got them because the server said that they had run out of glasses. The room was excessively noisy, even before the mariachis came in. When they did, the chatter quieted down a bit, which was nice, but it came right back after they left. The menu seemed about the same as before, as did the prices but, when it finally came out, it just didn't taste right. Not nearly as good as it was before. Fast-forward several months later, when I discovered their happy hour. Note to restaurants: the secret to my heart is CHEAP BEER. 22oz drafts are $2. $2!! They also have discounted food, but it's nothing to get excited about. Certainly cheaper than the regular menu though. Service is always pretty good in the bar area, when we go for the happy hour. Several TVs there mean that it's a good spot to watch the game. The only issue is when those damn mariachis start up on "Besame Mucho" for the smiling, geriatric gringos nearby and all you can do is cringe. If you want a table, call ahead or come early. Maybe both. Parking is also always problematic. They're right by the Mountain Ave. bike path though, so why not consider alternative means of transit, you nature-hating douche? (kidding!)
(4)
Gretchen J.
Salsa cart table side need I say more? Ok this place moved from its last location that provided the diner with an outdoor experience. What this new location provided however is the extra footage that is great for big parties. The service is attentive and friendly. The food? EVERYTHING is great!! One of the best places to go for a nice mexican sit down meal. The salsa they make is perfect as you direct the lady that makes it exactly to your taste buds. Be prepared to wait but it worth check the place out.
(5)
Heidi E.
It's my second Summer going to Guadalajara's and I'm happy that I did. Yes, they make table-side salsa, at any temperature you desire. I wanted to adopt the lovely lady who made ours and call her abuela. My friends ordered the Molcajete Ultimo and the Molcajete Camarones, both arrived boiling hot. I ordered the Carnitas Tapatias. All of our dishes were delicious. They also have build-your-own combos if you're in a 'taco, tostada and enchilada' type of mood. The flour tortillas are hand-made. The beers are ice cold. The server was busy, but attentive. I mean, what more would you want? My friend called at 5:00 that day to make 7:00 reservations for our party of eight people. (FYI, if you have a larger party, definitely call ahead...there have always been people waiting indoors and out when I arrive for dinner and the waits can be long.)
(4)
Maximiliano L.
Guadalajara Grill offers good Mexican food with attentive service. They have a salsa cart that comes around and you can choose your own salsa ingredients and watch as it is prepared in front of you.
(3)
Ally A.
i can sum up what i know about paella in two words: top chef. i LOVE the show and i always want to try the tasty, tasty goodness that i see the super talented chefs whip up. guadalajara grill gave me the ability to cross one of these dishes off my list and i appreciate them for it. i do NOT appreciate them making me wait for my entire party to be there before they would seat me and my husband. my friend was driving down to meet us from phoenix and was running a little late (yeah...two hours is more than a little, but i love her anyway). my husband and i, however, showed up for our reservation on time and asked to be seated. they said our whole party had to be there first. they watched us sit in the waiting area for TWO HOURS, didn't offer us a drink, chips, a seat at the bar, nothing. i don't know if they try to turn tables over fast and didn't want us taking up space at a four top while we waited, but i got crankier and crankier as time went by...we were obviously committed to spending money at their establishment after an hour...they should have given us a table. still, that was prolly the only bad part of the night. the salsa chick made great salsa, although she did linger & make us feel guilty so we tipped her. call me cheap, but isn't she paid to be there? i doubt she works for tips like a server... we ordered the cheese appetizer and all i can say is WOW. my husband thought it would be a kinda runny queso dip but he was WRONG. it was like a BRICK of cheesy, awesome tasty-ness...even though you had to really dig to get any out. it was like a never-ending bowl of cheese, you got some out and it refilled itself. it was magic. and the steamy, hot, fresh tortillas were ROCKSTAR! on to the main course, the paella. it was soooooooooooooo amazing. srsly, mindblowing-ly, earth stopping amazing! a mix of mussels, shrimp, chicken, pork, chorizo (aka god's gift to me) and lobster (LOBSTER!!) with tasty saffron rice. OMG...it was AWESOME! my only wish would have been that they stayed open longer. by the time that my friend showed up and we finished eating, it was almost 10. closing time. our waiter hung around in the kitchen doorway staring at us...i was a server, i know waiter body language. this translates to "we closed five minutes ago and you are my last table. get the eff out, amigo (the husband was tickled pink that this guy called him amigo all night)". so basically, the food was AMAZING, the service left a lot to be desired...if i wasn't leaving tucson, i'd prolly go back. with my whole party at hand.
(4)
Kathy P.
This place has atmosphere. It's very cute. The salsa lady comes to your table and make salsa to order FRESH! Yum. Food was delicious! The service was great. Everyone was very helpful and we had a baby with us. The baby was super well behaved but we needed a few extras like a spoon to feed the baby and the very sweet salsa lady ran and I mean ran to get her a spoon. So sweet.
(5)
Dan K.
Walked in today and had fish taco Tuesday--yummy. It took a bit to get seated--I guess the hostess was doing something else. I thought the fish tacos were good, but not great. I'm not sure why, but there was no salsa or sauce for the tacos. Usually, you get a good avocado sauce or a nice mango salsa--so I thought they were good, but not great. Service was good--attentive and my glass stayed full. Overall--I'd go back--but not on my short list anytime.
(3)
L B.
I loved this place from start to finish. I was in Tucson for 3 weeks with my job and I didn't try this place til the end and could kick myself. Came in around 3:30pm on a Monday and was just in time for Happy Hour. $3 ginormous margaritas, super score. They weren't the best margaritas I have had but definitely did the job. Also $2.50 giant Dos Equis Amber in a giant frosty mug made for a hard decision!! I kept asking the waitress questions about what was good on the menu and she finally said everything, I love our food. Boy was she right. Tried the manchego appetizer, one of the best most tastiest things I have ever eaten. Also the potato taquitos which were also good. My friend had a some kind of lobster portobello thing that she was equally as in love with. Table side salsa and super cute lady that makes it was fun. I actually liked the salsa they brought first way better but don't tell the salsa lady. So we called some more friends and moved into the bar for mas happy hour and after a couple more drinks I don't think I spent more than $30 including food and being nice and lushed up! I guess people in Tucson don't tip that well because our waitress fallowed us out to thank us again and again for her 22% tip.
(5)
James R.
From the Salsa made to order table side, to the hand made tortilla's and wide ranging menu, this place has it all. Eclectic meets Authentic Decor, above average service, with very reasonable prices, all combine to make this place a must stop when in town.
(4)
Alexis H.
The only things I recall about this place, which I ate at for a work lunch a couple of years ago, are that the chips were so greasy they were grey and each time I picked up my quesadilla a cheesy oil poured out of it. I stopped eating, my co-workers did not. Needless to say, both of my co-workers ran to the bathroom when we got back to the office. Won't be eating there again anytime soon. There's much better Mexican food to be had in Tucson.
(2)
Taylor B.
This place is amazing! From the 32oz giant homemade (STRONG) margaritas to the customized homemade salsa at your table with whatever you want! These two things by them selves sold me. The good service, amazing fajitas were just a plus. The homemade flour tortillas where the final thing that made me no doubt love this place! I wish one was in Scottsdale! If you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this is the place!
(5)
William P.
Right of the bat, 3 stars because a friend and I went for lunch on a slow weekday and were rushed through our meal. The sever wasn't rude, but she wasn't exactly personable, social, or eager to please. Food was great, as always. I was irritated that our appetizer (queso fundido con choriz) didn't come with the corn tortillas the menu promised, but we were ravenous so we tore into the fresh flour tortillas with a minor grumble. The house margarita was huge, delicious, and was just sweet enough to balance out the bite from the tequila & lime. We both ordered the Tres Bandidos, man I wish there were tamales on there instead, BUT, it was delicious. After stuffing our faces with the chips & salsa and the queso we couldn't finish our meals, I was growing impatient with the server, and so we packed it all up to go. I'm just assuming they don't do table-side salsa during lunch, but damn if I wasn't sad about missing out on that, too. I'll be back, but it would be awesome if your lunch waitstaff wasn't pushy, especially on a slow weekday afternoon.
(3)
Melinda G.
What a great place! I've been here close to a dozen times and I am always impressed by the delicious food and great service! You can't go wrong with this restaurant.... especially when the salsa is made fresh right at your table! It's a great place for a date, family gathering, or a big group of friends! Overall, a five-star restaurant!
(5)
Michael D.
Salsa made at the table, mariachis (not sure about every night), and amazing fajitas and chimichangas! Kind of a gimmick, but the perfect place in town if you're not looking for anything authentic! Margaritas are strong and do the job well, not too strong or too weak.
(4)
Stephen Z.
It's hard picking a #1 Mex restaurant in Tucson but if out of town guests come to visit and on the off chance request Mexican for dinner I'll probably take them here.
(5)
Kelly M.
LOVE LOVE the food, salsa and service!
(5)
Stephanie H.
It's good. It's not amazing but it's good. It's a little overpriced but not terribly. I might take out-of-towners here because the ambiance is fun. My favorite thing is their Thursday lunch special, lobster enchiladas.
(4)
A K.
Totally awesome place, hands down the best mexican place i've ever seen. TONS of fish choices and great service. Salsa at the table and great quality authentic food. If you're ever in tucson and are looking for a good mexican spot i'd highly recommend
(5)
Chris C.
Visiting from Cleveland and wanted to try some legit Mexican food. All I can say is WOW!! IT WAS BETTER THAN GOOOD! Amazing is more like it. It is really funny how something as simple as salsa can taste so much better when it's fresh. The chips and salsa are the best I've ever had, made in house. We ordered a TON of food and nearly had to be rolled out of the place. Nachos with chicken...out of this world. Just the best Mexican food I've ever put in my mouth. I ate till it hurt and I couldn't breathe.
(5)
Bella F.
There is always a huge wait here. SO make sure you pack some snacks. The margaritas are why we come here. You can buy the big one and it's as much as ordering two drinks but it's really good value- not to mention tastes great. You have to be in a good mood to frequent this place as it's an open dining area and can be very loud between all the people, live music, screaming kids, and general hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant. NOT the place if you want a quiet romantic night to talk. The menu looks like shit- there I said it! It really needs to be re vamped with better presentation of design and food photographs. It gets really confusing and I hate having to explain it to our out of town guests. The salsa making, fresh and at your table is great! All in all a good time, the food is OK for the price. Casual dining experience.
(3)
Rachael J.
Just had a great meal here. I was surprised it was so busy on a Wednesday night, but we were still able to be seated right away. I had been wanting to eat here for a long time, but the recent not so stellar reviews made me a little nervous. Needless to say I had a great experience. The salsa made table-side was as delicious as all the previous Yelp's led on. It alone is reason enough to eat here. The live music trio was a nice touch. The menu had lots of great options and the dishes ordered by everyone in our party were delicious. It was obvious the tortillas had been freshly made as well. No complaints about our service tonight either. Our waitress made sure our waters were always full (I am a wuss with spicy foods so I tend to go through a lot) and everything came out as it should and when it should. Looking forward to going back!
(4)
Simon E.
Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors. Guadalajara Grill: nice tangy sauce. Orange See photos.
(4)
Steve Z.
We live in the Mountain View neighborhood, just a short walk from the Guadalajara Original Grill, so we dine here with some frequency. Every aspect of our dinners here have been very good to excellent. From the well made margaritas to the excellent custom-made salsa to tasty seafood entrees. Even during the busiest of times the service has been efficient, thoughtful and pleasant. Tucson is home to LOTS of Mexican restaurants and dining here ranks very near the top. Not only that, but they often serve dinner until midnight, a truly convenient oddity in otherwise early-to-bed Tucson.
(5)
Dilaw I.
Easily THE BEST and most delicious salsa I've had in my life and I even live in East LA, land of good salsa.
(5)
Steven T.
The hostess Christina....food....the atmosphere....the drinks.....all 5*!!!!!! However the outdated phone system which took trolling through a half hour of frustrating busy signals along with the sour sorry attitude of our server Maria opened and closed the whole dining dining experience to a negative end I will never return.....maybe she had a bad day but it wasn't my fault I'm not familiar with the menu (come to an Italian restaurant and I'll interpret the menu).
(2)
Tessie K.
Have been here twice & always receive excellent service & delicious food! No wonder we locals love it!
(5)
Marlon D.
I went here for my college graduation around midday with a group of 6. I tried making a reservation but apparently they stopped taking them that weekend. We showed up at the restaurant without the reservation and was seated within 10 minutes (though business started picking up after we left). I would still highly recommend making a reservation if it is a busier weekend (graduation, football game, etc.). The service was exceptional; the waiter was very friendly. He kept giving us chips and salsa (which does live up to the hype, it is freshly made at your table to your liking) and was prompt with the refills. The food is moderately priced, but the portions are relatively large. I enjoyed the Chimchanga Asada and had plenty leftover to take home. The only problem I had with the restaurant was during the making of our salsa. We asked for mild-flavored but I think the waitress had trouble understanding English and she gave us extremely hot salsa. She quickly made another batch to make up for her mistake. Also, we were given a menu that had food stains on it, but they replaced it quickly. Overall, I think this one of the better Mexican restaurants in Tucson. The first time I went a mariachi band was there and it definitely brightened the atmosphere of the restaurant.
(4)
bianca s.
Guadalajara is my favorite restaurant in Tucson! I try to go there as much as possible for happy hour because the margaritas are very well-priced and so delicious. This food is as authentic as you can get in Tucson and the flour tortillas are freshly made throughout the day. My boyfriend and I usually share a molcajete and can usually get out of there slightly overstuffed and drunk for under 30 dollars.The service isn't always absolutely excellent but you wouldn't notice it with how great the atmosphere is. I could sit there all day with my friends drinking margaritas and eating fresh chips and salsa. They also have a wide variety of Mexican beers on draft and 22 oz. for 4.50 is not bad considering most places charge that for a bottle. The place is so big too that we have almost never had to wait over 10 minutes even on a friday night. It can also get pretty loud when they are busy so leave your hearing aids at home folks!
(5)
Eric A.
Best mexican food I have had. Always get tilapia fajitas and they are delicious...but not as good as the fresh made salsa and freshly friend chips to dip !
(5)
S S.
First visit here while vacationing in Tucson. Really good food and classic Mexican food ambiance. They custom mix your salsa at tableside. The mariachi band checked our wrinkles and played a Credence Clearwater song for us. We all got a chuckle out of that. They were really good musicians.
(4)
Yogin K.
Really good salsa. Decent food. Miserable service. Don't go when it's packed. You won't even get a refill for your water
(2)
Sara V.
Tried calling the phone number listed on the website several times to make a reservation; nobody picked up on any attempt during business hours.
(1)
Terence L.
The place was good....until it attained celebrity status. Yep, to those who are not in the know, Guadalajara Grill was at another location literally just down the street. Of course, the need to change venues was due in no large part to the serious overcrowding of the place. I thought the old place was cozy, especially the bar area and patio. As mentioned by every single other review, the tableside salsa is great. Like your salsa super spicy with extra cilantro, the lady will make it for you. Like your salsa as mild as Jay Leno's humor, the lady will be happy to comply. You the get the idea. The food was, and still is, on the average to slightly above average range. My personal favorite in the area of Mexican cuisine is mole, and Guadalajara Grill does a decent job. One positive thing is that the place does not mess around with the drinks, especially the margaritas. I went to the old location many times since its inception. I even recall the German restaurant that came before it. Since it moved into its new digs, however, I have only been there twice. On my last visit, the place was jam packed; not just with any normal human beings, mind you, but with Greek-loads of sorority girls and fraternity boys. I normally have the patience of Job, but on this last trip, the service was appallingly slow. I would have enjoyed a hazing from the surrounding tables just to pass the time. In all fairness, however, the place was packed to capacity, and my party had over 10 people. Still you'd think that a larger operation would mean a larger kitchen and additional staff. Mmm hmmm.... My first experience at the new location was special. Well, it was special for purely external reasons: it was my birthday. The wait time for a party of 12 on a Friday night? An hour and a half at least. No skin of my back because I'm not above drinking at the bar. Yeah, the bar experience sucked. Sucked the life out me, that is. It took freakin' forever for the bartenders to even acknowledge our existence. While the fellows behind the bar were not of the surly sort, they certainly did not seem to understand the concept of tipping. After a while the staff approached one my friends and explained to her that there were a couple of tables available within the bar area, and she took it. Remember that I was still at the bar having a near odyssey experience securing a drink, so I see my entire party beginning to squeeze into the back corner of the area of the bar. In hindsight, it wasn't all that bad. It literally brought us together. Who knew that two booths normally meant for a total of eight people could accommodate 12 adults and one child? Ah, good times indeed.... Guadalajara Grill, you had me hello, but lost me when you went pro.
(2)
Lyndsey G.
Oooooh man. I love this place. Great margaritas, salsa made table side and Chili Verde that is out of this world. The servers are usually prompt and polite. The tortilla are made in house and you can taste it! My only complaint is that your whole part has to be there before they'll seat you which is sometimes irritating. Overall I highly recommend it.
(4)
Hans F.
a great date restaurant. a great place to catch up with an old friend. a great place to just have a really good meal. Don't go here in a hurry. you have to take your time and soak it in. They will come right to your table and make salsa for you... to your specifications. I hate onions so this is perfect for me. The food is served in large portions. I would suggest splitting a meal and getting some appetizers. Don't forget to have a few drinks it's hot in Tucson!
(5)
Brian C.
Went with a group of friends, the food was so so, my dish was served cool should have been hot, and I was last to be served after everyone else ate. Seems like a gringo place to go for out of towers. I really don't see the draw here for the crowds. There are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson than this.
(1)
Alyson S.
Hands down the BEST Mexican restaurant in Tucson! In fact, BEST Mexican restaurant I've ever had! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, service is fast, food is excellent, and the atmosphere is incredible!
(5)
Chandra M.
Came here on a short visit to Tucson and glad I did. We had a group of 7 including one baby in a high chair and were seated in about 1 minute. It was Saturday at lunch time. Great service all around and super friendly. The place was also clean and well decorated. The salsa was made table side and was freakin sick. Sick as in yumm - eee. I wanted to pour it over everything else we ordered, even the Tecate. Ok, so obviously not really the Tecate, but at one point my son was eating just the salsa by the forkful (no spoons provided off the bat, you have to ask for them) so that should tell you something. The food was delicious! My husband and I split two entrees...the taquitos con papas and the huerache con carnitas and chicken. Both were soo good, but the huerache was unique and the corn masa 'sandal' that the meat was served in was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. We were not calorie conscious during this trip, so I'm not going to speak to the health value of anything we ate here, just the taste value. Scrumptious. We'll be back here on our next visit to Tucson, guaranteed.
(5)
Chris J.
My husband, adult daughter, and I stopped in for lunch a week ago. My husband and I live in Phoenix, and were driving our daughter back to her home near the UA. We have driven by Guadalajara's many times on past trips, and finally decided to stop ... we were so glad we did! The place is clean, with a festive atmosphere, and the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly and answered all of our questions. Since it was 3pm on a Monday (not quite the dinner hour), we asked what the night life is like.. he advised that there is a mariachi band on weekends, and fresh, table-side made salsa at dinner time. We also noticed a tortilla stand within the restaurant (assuming it is only open during the dinner hours). We voted to come back some time for dinner, as we want to experience all of these "extras", plus try a margarita or two! The food was very delicious. I had a small bowl of the Chicken Tortilla soup - the "small bowl" was "large" to me. The soup had a very flavorful, cumin-spiced broth, tender chunks of chicken, hunks of white mexican cheese and ripe avocado, plus, of course, crispy strips of corn tortilla. Perfect! Daughter had her favorite, cheese enchiladas in red sauce.. she advised the enchiladas were spicy and tender. Husband had a chicken burrito, which he advised was very tasty. We ended the meal with a deep-fried ice cream, which was big enough for the three of us to share. All in all, a great mexican food experience; we will be back! Total bill with tax and tip came to $30; not bad!
This is a Great restaurant, we went with friends on a whim and got there during the happy hour on Friday (which is actually during a reasonable time!) There was a lot of people but our waitress was on the spot and ready and served us really promptly. She came back often and took good care of us overall. We got our dishes which were real portions! I got the cimichanga with green chili in and out! The salsa was great as well as the beans and rice on the side! We got drinks! They were big and cheap! 2.50 for a giant mug of XX and 3 dollar giant margaritas that weren't watered down! The tortillas are the really tasty fatty kind that don't break if you try and fold them and the food wasn't too greasy. It was a little pricey but worth all of the money! Great place to go for atmosphere and food!
(5)
Ravi R.
This place was a huge disappointment. I'm shocked that Mexican food this bad can exist in Tucson. Every aspect of our meal was a letdown. The margaritas tasted like they came from a mix, the guacamole was substandard, and the mole in my dish was worse than something I could buy off the shelf in a grocery store. Even the table-side salsa was just ok. The service wasn't horrible, but it as pretty slow. I don't understand how this place has received any positive reviews. Do yourself a favor and skip this place if you are thinking of trying out a different restaurant. I wish I had gone to one of my old favorites instead.
(1)
Andy H.
This place is just west of Prince and Campbell. You'd never expect it, but this place is really nice inside, has great patio seating, and the best fajitas I've ever had in my life. Salsa will be made for you at the table, you can explain what you want if you're picky, and they'll give you plenty of chips. The parking lot is basically a dead end street, I found it easier to park at the business space to the immediate west of the restaurant.
(5)
Virginia M.
salsa made at the table - awesome. huraches - delicious. atmosphere - a little shabby and noisy.
(5)
Megan R.
If you're coming here for the chips, salsa, and margaritas, great! They refilled our chips and salsa countless times, which was great because it was the only part of the meal that I actually liked. The margaritas are also really good! However, my meal was pretty bad. I got the taco and flauta combo plate (beef for the tacos and chicken for the flautas) and I thought both were not very good. I went with 4 friends, and all but one said they didn't like their food. But as for the rest of us, we all agreed that we've had better microwaveable Mexican food than this. Everything was also just pretty bland. The only person who liked their meal got the cheese enchiladas. So if you're planning on coming here, I guess that would be my best suggestion for you! The service was pretty slow, and it wasn't even crowded when I went. I can't even imagine what it's like on a busy night. Our waitress was nice, but it was very clear she was not thrilled to be there. I would consider coming back just for the margaritas, but I definitely would not order food here again.
(2)
Jill S.
Yes. They make salsa right there at your table. Which is awesome. If you don't get someone who's burned out and has been working for 10 straight hours and wants to stuff a habanero down the throat of the next child who screams right next to her ear while swinging a sticky hand from the vending machine against the stupid twirly skirt she had to buy herself out of her first month's tips. Really, though, I've only had a pissy salsa girl once or twice.... usually they're super smiley and make good recommendations. I like that they make you tell them what to add, and if someone at the table asks for her to make the usual one, she ignores you and asks about each ingredient anyways. Way to CYA, salsa girls. Service is usually pretty good. So is the food. Fairly typical Sonoran Mexican, with some interesting things thrown in. I've seen mole on the menu but never ordered it; neither have I tried any of the other more adventurous dishes. That's probably a testament to the generic stuff that apparently hasn't disappointed me to the point of no repetition. Food is fresh, to the point that it's not cooked before you order it, but not to the point that they get more than maybe one produce shipment a week. It's a good stand-by place that's right next to my house, but I probably wouldn't drive more than a mile or two out of my way for it. Margaritas were disappointing. Definitely tasted of sweet and sour. And the last time we went, the waiter made them.... there was no bartender and they were all sort of guessing at their own recipes back there.
(3)
Prusha S.
Hit and miss. Salas ladies are awesome! Goodies great. But staff sometimes doesn't care. Drinks have no alcohol in. I stopped ordering drinks.
(3)
Chanel G.
OMG I CANT BELIEVE I WROTE THAT REVIEW. THIS PLACE IS PERFECT. Well, maybe not perfect but it is my favorite mexican restaurant right now. I get the chicken chimi with a classic margarita and I am good to go!
(5)
J C.
Entertainment Book has a buy one get one meal coupon. Wife had 3 item combo plate, $13.99, I had a carnitas plate, $14.99, $4.50 for 1 bud light. Walked out for $21.00 plus tip w coupon bogo. The mole is very good. I thought prices were a little high but dined on Sunday. They advertise a good priced 3-6 pm happy hour and lunch specials.
(4)
William B.
It's back! And boy was it packed! I knew when I pulled in and saw a guy directing traffic for the parking lot that this place has rebounded well from the fire that closed it. And they have done a remarkable job bouncing back into action. The place was full but we got good service. Chips were not warm (too bad) but a salsa lady prepares fresh salsa to your liking and heat level at the table. We asked for hot, but it felt like she probably didn't heat it up as much as I would have liked. The large margaritas were tasty and full of liquor. We both ordered up a couple of large combination plates of names I cannot remember- there was mole, there was a tamale, a relleno, an enchilada, beans and rice. So much food my friend and I had to be rolled out of the place. The bill for 3 margaritas (I was thirsty) and giant plates of food came to around $50+. The coupon we had for a buy-one-get-one discount really lowered that, so look for a coupon! And consider making an online reservation on their website to secure a table.
(4)
Rob W.
We can sum this up in three words, Fabulous Mexican food. If only you could get things this good on the east coast, alas you can't. It starts on arrival, with salsa made at your table, to your taste, and it is SO good! We enjoyed everything about our meal here, the staff is just so gracious. They make it lively and fun while you are dining.
(4)
Kayla H.
This place was packed! We did go on a sat night, but wait was not that bad! The food was well worth the wait. We tried calling ahead for reservations they said we need to call the day before. We will def. Be back!!!!!
(5)
Daniela R.
Food taste is average not a lot of flavor... enchilada sauce are terrible and sauce rice and beans again no flavor over priced
(1)
Joey Z.
great place to have an experience of Mexican culture and food if you have never tried before. Thanks to my greatest friends, who came early and reserved a table for a group of 9 people during the graduation season, you know how hard it would be, right?! The performance is great and entertaining~ complementary chips and salsa are made right in front of the table. Margareta is wonderful~ My parents enjoyed their first try of Mexican food a lot~
(5)
Jes O.
The service was bad, there seemed to be some confusion on what server had our table. She showed that we were an inconvenience the entire time and never checked in on us. Carne asadas, table side salsa and house margarita were great! Everything else was bland. Would come back only for the house margarita and table side salsa.
(3)
Giselle E.
Food was alright. I've had better, nothing special. The waitresses were less than mediocre, not friendly. Light fixtures were annoying, felt like I was in a science lab because of how close to the table they were. Salsa idea of having it made right in front of the table is pretty cool, however the salsa was eh. Just an, "alright, there's nothing else to eat" type of restaurant.
(3)
Shijie F.
With a party of 12, we were sooooo glad we made reservation ahead of time. Guadalajara Grill was so busy around 6 PM on a Thursday night that it was difficult to even find a parking spot outside. Guadalajara Grill is a happy place. You can have fresh salsa made at the table and a live band sing by your table, all at the same time. The food came to the table relatively fast and the portion was sizeable. My husband got Mexican Paella, I Cilantro Chicken, and the inlaws Chicken Fatija. The waiter first mixed up the order and put in front of me a dish similarly covered under a green sauce, but with a mountain of melting cheese on top. Confused about the cheese content (as I would NOT order things with cheese in it), I started picking the cheese out of the dish and man it was greasy. 5 minutes into my cheese-elimination process, the waiter told me he got the order mixed up, and it was for another guest at my table and handed the plate (with almost no cheese left) directly to that person. I wish the waiter should have first checked with the other guest whether he is okay with this--I would not imagine anyone asking for a new plate of food, but what if I had already started eating? The waiter clearly didn't check whether I had started consuming the dish before handing it to another person. If not for the fact that this is a "no foul, no harm" situation, I would otherwise have a huge problem with a restaurant casually "make it right" by simply redistributing the mixed orders. Food was tasty, but EXCEEDINGLY greasy. This is why I always have a pause before trying Mexican food. My Cilantro Chicken, being the least greasy option of all, still swam in a pool of glistening oil. Anyway, it seemed everyone didn't care about that as much as I do.
(4)
Enas A.
Love their fresh table side Salsa ...ambiance is nice ..good authentic Mexican food ..love to go back .
(5)
William G.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Arizona - no joke! The fresh salsa made while you wait/watch - so good!!!
(5)
Beatrice V.
I went here for lunch on New Year's Eve. I decided to try the Bloody Mary and I ordered the chicken burrito bowl with grilled veggies instead of rice. I absolutely loved the Bloody Mary here; I specified that I wanted it with extra Tabasco to make it spicier. It was made perfectly and it was so delicious! The chips and salsa were addicting, salsa had just the right amount of spice. I couldn't finish the entire portion of the burrito bowl but what I had was incredible. Would definitely come back here again, mostly for the Bloody Mary's and chips and salsa :)
(5)
Becky K.
Had a great dinner at this Mexican Restaurant in Tucson. They come to your table and custom make the salsa for you just the way you like it! It was the best salsa I ever had! The servers were all super nice. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town!
(4)
Willa A.
The murals and kitschy decor at Guadalajara Grill are fun and I like the open feeling of the restaurant overall, lots of room for groups. But, to be clear, the majority of the menu is very "Americanized" Mexican food which made me pretty sad. Granted, I was there for lunch so there were no margaritas or table side salsa to distract me (the "live" salsa is only an option at dinner). I ordered a taco which disappointingly came in a pre-made hard corn shell and was buried in a pile of iceberg lettuce and yellow cheddar. The burro came in a dry, rubbery, bright white flour tortilla clearly straight off the Sysco truck. The chile verde in the taco was actually really delicious, but I was completely baffled that any restaurant in a town filled with tortilla factories, an hour north of Mexico, would serve these horrible mass produced tortillas. I gave them three stars because of the good service, atmosphere, cleanliness, and ample portions of not bad tasting food. But I would just rather eat real Mexican food...
(3)
Morgan J.
This is quite a tough rating to decide on... the food is traditional, yummy, and satisfying. The service is god awful. It's one of those yes I will go back because the food is so good but man I better go when I have more than enough time and am in a fantastic mood. The excellent food begins with the salsa cart. A woman comes around and makes you salsa any way you wish! Spicy, mild, medium, onions, no onions, etc. She is super sweet and caters directly to your desire. She even will fix it up a bit if you aren't completely satisfied! She deserves the best tip in the restaurant and gives the best service I've ever received here! I usually order the tacos which come with a side of rice and beans. They are amazing!! My boyfriend is always disappointed because they don't have steak.. but the ground beed is a delicious substitute. I've gone with many groups and haven't heard anyone else complain about their plates either. The service... ohhhh the service. I don't know how Guadalajara finds these men and women but there must be a strict rule that they are rude, slow, and must show you just how little they care. I have been here probably 5-10 times and each time it is the same story. Being greeted by the server is the most dreadful part of each visit. Most of the time I want to leave before they even say hello. The last time I grabbed dinner I believe it took ten minutes before someone came to the table. By the time she was there we were ready to order our drinks and meal. After putting our order in we waited until our food arived to double check that our drinks were coming. The table was in sight of the bar and our drinks had been sitting on the bar top for so long my boyfriends margarita had to be remade and my beer was room temperature. I wish I could say I wouldn't return. The simple fact is that the restaurant is walking distance from my house, stays open late, and has great food. Its a win/lose situation every time.
(2)
Gabriel G.
Loved the chips and salsa. Loved the food. The service was great and attentive. Definitely preferred this restaurant to El Charro. We'd definitely eat there again.
(5)
J U.
I've been coming to the Tucson gem show for twenty years. I ALWAYS went to el Charro's for authentic Mexican food.... Well, I found a local true Mexican restaurant. It was such great food and service I thought it was a chain!!!!!!! Not..... In town you must come here from great food and even a better time
(5)
David D.
Wholly owned and operated; we gotta move to Tucson! Been coming to Tucson for over 35 years to visit my aunt Stella, She's introduced me to many a fine restaurant, but how in the world has she never taken me here? Well, found it on my own tonight and what a wonderful find it was!! Tuesday night and the place was packed, yet service was fast and impeccable. And the food? Wow! Start with made-to-order salsa at my table and then continue on to a absolutely savory Molecante Mariscos. Wow!. And hand made tortillas delivered in little ziplocs to keep them moist and soft. Are you kiddin' me?! I realize this review is bordering on over the top, but gotta tell, you this place rates it. And, BTW, kudos to the owners. Speaking with our server I learned that after the fire, the owners kept everyone on payroll for the six months it took to rebuild and re-open. Go there. Over and over.
(4)
Merlin C.
Just great. Best salsa, great margarita, paella to die for. Fun, if not hokey atmosphere (it was Valentines day) but nice looking deck with mountain view. Super busy! Get there early or late.
(5)
Henry M.
Great food, generous portions, reasonable prices, comfortable atmosphere. What more can you ask?
(5)
Jonathan B.
It is great "Americanized" Mexican food. Everything tastes great, but you can share a lot of entrees. We normally split a Veggie Molcajete. The margaritas and salsa are great too!! Great for family visits and fun nights!
(5)
Denise G.
The last margarita I ordered was watered down. Tasteless. They were great before. The food is awesome, environment is great and the table salsa is the best.
(4)
Veda D.
All I can say is table side salsa is the best. I will come for the salsa order and be too full to touch my entree. Come at night or on the weekend so you can pick your level of hot for your salsa. The seafood is also really good. If you are craving paella I recommend it. Mmmmmmm
(4)
April D.
Nailbanger Here Again; I can only say, the heading of this review says it all. We were invited to go to Lunch ,celebrating my Aunts Birthday, as the occasion.The place has just recently reopened after a Fire.They had a decent Lunch crowd, but we were seated right away , this restaurant is pretty large.The Service has a lot to be improved on, and was scarce and not well trained. Now for the Food, it was bland and flavorless, the beans tasted of a tin can. I can't see how with Great Mexican Food in Tucson ,this place survives and thrives. The Food is Gringo food at Best.I won't be back.If you are a visitor in Town keep searching.The Best place in town is Mi Nidito`s on South 4th Ave.
(2)
Haley B.
Such an amazing Mexican restaurant! I love their salsa that they customize for you at your table. Their margaritas are also sooo good.
(4)
David M.
This place is consistently great. always bring any visitors from out of town there for dinner. their fresh flour tortillas are sublime. and of course, that table side salsa...
(5)
Aisha R.
My rating is solely based on the food. I had the taste for guacamole and chips. I was not disappointed at Guadalajara. I enjoyed the appetizer size guacamole and a little medium (made right in front if you) salsa. Everything was fresh & tasted delicious. The chips would have been better warm, but they were delicious none the less. The order of guacamole was $6.99. I also had a virgin piña colada. Very good....not watery and you could tell they use real coconut cream. Yum. The entire bill was about $12.50. Not bad at all. A few things that could be improved.....watching the bartender dig deep into a huge jar of cherries to scoop them with his bare hand out ofinto smaller cups made my stomach turn.
(4)
Andrea H.
When I lived in Tucson, I loved bringing out of town guests here. The food has been Americanized, but it is still a great choice especially for picky eaters. There is indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit on the patio in the winter, there are space heaters to keep you warm. The restaurant is always crowded, and the wait can take anywhere from 10-40 minutes. The decor is colorful. A mariachi group wander from table to table to perform well known songs. Tortillas are made by hand daily. The salsa is made fresh at your table with your level of tolerance for spice kept in mind. The food is served on hot plates and presented nicely. When I return to town for a visit, this establishment is always on my places to visit.
(4)
Grant R.
Easily some of the best Mexican food I have ever had! And the chips and salsa are AMAZING!!!!!!!!
(5)
Ruben M.
The margarita was great. The chili rellano stuffed with meat and fruit then topped with a white cream sauce was a culinary delight. I would definitely come back.
(5)
Dolores A.
My husband had eaten lunch here one day, he liked it so much he wanted to take me there for dinner on Friday night. The drive is about 25 minutes from our home, when we arrived at the restaurant, the parking lot was blocked off with orange cones, an employee standing near them and a very long line of patrons standing outside. We drive on past and I called the restaurant from my cell phone to see what the wait time was (over an hour) we ended up having dinner somewhere else. This did not deter us from returning, we did have dinner the following Monday night with friends. The food is mouth watering, the menu has a wide variety of choices for everyone that loves authentic flavored Mexican food. There are Mariachi players, the service is excellent, the environment very comfortable and ambiance perfect. I would actually rate this 4.5 stars.
(4)
Lisa J.
went with a group of 6, parking is def hard and I think the rest should invest in exapnding parking opps in the area so its easier for all. We were all veggie, food was average, the atmosphere is what you are paying for which was fun and popping on a Friday night. Too many flies in the rest is the one thing to point out....we kept batting them away also, its a little odd but you shld be tipping your salsa lady - - you would think that's not necessary, but it is custom.
(3)
Who H.
Three words sum it up....everything is awesome!
(5)
Sara C.
Really bad service. Waited for a high chair after asking four different workers and after 20 minutes of my friend holding her baby, went and got my own from the side station. Food is okay, it's better at Rosas on Campbell.
(2)
Laura V.
We visited Guadalajara when it reopened and everything was as wonderful as before. Service was good and fast. Salsa is made fresh right in front of you however you want it. The food was delicious I didn't even spend time to take a picture of it I was so eager to just eat it. The Mexican paella is highly recommended! Will always come back to this restaurant, lucky to have it here in Tucson and is the one place I take out-of-town visitors to for authentic Mexican food.
(5)
Kenneth B.
This is my second time here..the food is bomb and so is there salsa that they make right in front of you..def a family spot . And they have tv's so u can watch any game ..i so recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy some really Good Mexican food.. And the staff are awesome
(5)
Dawn K.
I love Guadalajara Original Grill. I consistently bring out of town company because it's a basic mexican place that sells, what people think they want, huge platters of food with beans and rice on the side. I love the table side salsa, and they customize it to your tastes(Spicy extra cilantro). They have huge margaritas. More than once, I realized I was beyond buzzed trying to finish one of their house margaritas, just as I happily ordered my second drink. My favorite dish they offer is their tropical Chilean sea bass. It is absolutely in my top favorite dishes in Tucson. My husband and I went this week and both decided to order combo plates(comfort food) and both combo plates just knocked my socks off! I ordered the two item combo of beef taco and chicken flauta. My dining experience rocked; the service was great, the food was excellent and it was not loud; which it can be if a game is going on in the bar or mariachi's are strolling around. Overall, it can accommodate large groups, and it's consistent in the quality of food. The service is not always consistent and we have walked out discussed due to lack of service before, but we couldn't break the ties, since the food kept us coming back.
(5)
Roland W.
Nice atmosphere. The remodel gave this restaurant lots of space. Decor is festive and lots accommodates large parties. I wasn't too crazy with the steak salad I had. The steak was way overcooked and the salad needed dressing. The other dishes that my friends had looked much better like the paella. I would come back with out of town guests; it's a nice atmosphere, but busy. There was a wait during a weekday evening and service was very slow.
(3)
Naptastic S.
I love the fresh salsa made tableside. I've never been disappointed when coming here and ordering off the menu. No matter your budget, you will find something here to enjoy.
(4)
Alissa M.
My family recently came to visit me in Tucson to celebrate my grandpa's 70th birthday. Not having been in Tucson very long, I was nervous about having to pick the restaurant for the occasion, especially considering that my family is Mexican and my grandpa wanted Mexican food for his birthday. Based on Yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation, I picked Guadalajara and it was the perfect choice! There were 13 of us total for dinner. We made a reservation, but unfortunately half our party got lost on the way and was running late. They wouldn't seat us until everyone arrived, but even after everyone arrived, it took a while to get sat. However, I can't really blame them for that one since it was our party's fault for being late. Once we sat down, the service was a bit slow through the night, but considering the size of our party, coupled with the fact that it was a busy Saturday night, I can't put too much blame on the restaurant. We started with a round of drinks. Most of our party had beer, but I opted for a margarita. My first one was really good, but my second one didn't measure up. Isn't tequila supposed to get better the more you drink? Anywho, our whole family enjoyed our meal. The tableside salsa was really cool (not to mention delicious), and they made both a mild and spicy for our table. Everyone was happy with their food. I had the al pastor tacos and the flavor was spot on. The mariachi music was a great complement to the atmosphere and wasn't too loud like it can be at some places. The servers also did a birthday song for my grandpa complete with some funny looking hat they made him out of aluminum foil. My family is still talking about how much they enjoyed dinner. At Christmas, both my grandpa and uncles asked if I had gone back to the really good Mexican place in Tucson. The worst part of our visit was by far the parking situation. If you're going in a group, definitely try to carpool as the parking lot was a nightmare.
(4)
Wendy S.
Very inviting atmosphere. Reasonable prices, large portions. Tasty food. Seats were sticky however. Other then that I would definitely eat there again!
(3)
Laura G.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Original Grill for years since they're in my neighborhood. As someone who's owned a restaurant before, I'm willing to cut people some slack. Tonight I went in, excited they were reopened after their recent fire. Had to wait for 30 minutes. I got bean enchiladas. Raw, cold, no cheese, Terrible service. Complained to manager who had a big attitude. They charged me 16.99 for junk. I won't go back.
(1)
Joe W.
Ever since the place burned down from a kitchen fire....it has been missed. I am glad they're back! Better than ever. I love the salsa ladies who come around and make fresh salsa for you at the table. And they are sooooo sweet! The atmosphere there is good and always packed. The Guaco-Tacos are my favorite since i love Guac and Tacos! Give it a try, wonderful and friendly.
(5)
May P.
I came here years ago; and I swear it was better then. First of all, when I didn't like the booth seats. I sat on one where it just irritated my thighs and was uncomfortable. Second, out waitress took her time and when I asked for something, she just never answered me and walked away. So I didn't really know if she understood me or if she ignored me or something. However she did come back with the thing I requested. She just dropped it off and off she went. It wasn't crowded and there were staff that just stood there as we ate so I wish she attended more to our needs. Third, well the food prices, in my opinion doesn't deserve to be that pricey. I mean, maybe if the quality of the food was as good as the price -- I wouldn't complain. The food wasn't bad -- but I could've gotten the same thing somewhere else and cheaper. Needless to say, I came home to a tummy ache. So I didn't have a great time at this place today. Hopefully, when I come back in te future, I can give this place more stars.
(2)
George L.
First time going to Tuscon, after about 15 years living in Phoenix, and saw this place had a ton of reviews. I only did lunch here so my table missed out on the table side salsa creation and the mariachi music but the food was generally good (though chicken in the fajita special was rather dry, the steak fajitas were excellent. I have a feeling that in the evening, with the salsa made at the table and the music, and a margarita or two, my review would be a 4 or a 5 so at some point I hope to come back. My parents, who I took up with me, thought it was the best thing ever and they can't wait to go back so I'm sure they would already rate it at the 4 or 5 star level. I will say the service was great and the serving staff was quite friendly. You definitely feel comfortable hanging out in this establishment.
(3)
Lee O.
Impeccable service! Went to visit a friend in the area with a hankering for Mexican good...this is a large place with weekday happy hour (forgot the hours) and weekend happy hours (10p-close). Drinks were well crafted and large! The fresh salsa is made at table-side to order to your liking: mild, medium, spicy and quick in a nice big stone bowl. Now, the skillet dishes were brought out sizzling hot and my chimichanga wasn't too oily. All great food, fresh tortillas made in house as well. My friend couldn't decide on what to order and the waiter explained several options in detail -he definitely knew his stuff. A restuaruant that knows their food inside and out is a HUGE plus in my book as it means they take time to craft their dishes and believe in their own food. :) Our waters were constantly refilled and the waiter checked in on us without being annoying so we felt cared for. There were 4 of us and upon eating the chips and salsa, they even brought out a second batch of chips for the table! I'd definitely come back here again!
(5)
Mary N.
Just ate here at their new location on Broadway last night, and am still regretting it! Had their enchiladas that were horrific... Tortillas were hard as a rock and left an aluminum aftertaste. The filling inside the enchiladas was so dry, it was difficult to swallow. They literally had no sauce inside the enchiladas, which were neither dipped into sauce before filling, nor contained a meat filling juicy enough that it didn't rival old leather. The ONLY reason why I'd give them 2 stars is because it was their first day open AND they make the best table side salsa I've ever eaten. (Just bring your own chips, as theirs are thick, tastelessly lacking salt, and greasy.)
(2)
Marlette S.
Do NOT eat here, service was exceptionally bad. Check never arrived, we had to request it from the front desk, and she was ever more rude.... A pity, this used to be a good go-to place for lunch or dinner.
(1)
Lorrie K.
I know everybody says they have the best salsa. I disagree. I like mine with fresh tomatoes, not stewed. Good wasn't that great either. I got a chicken salad in a big she'll, well it was small. Even my margarita wasn't all that great.
(2)
Kennedy V.
The table side salsa is always great. I love that they can make it super spicy, yum! The good is always good and the margaritas are pretty tasty, too. However, I only sip on a marg during reverse happy hour because $4 is definitely better than $9+ per marg. The mariachi band is very talented and fun to listen to while dining. The only two complaints I have (which don't keep me from returning to the restaurant, but are still annoying): 1) Ordering to go food... Every time I order to go it takes 20-30 mins.-- even chips and salsa. I have no issue with the wait time if they would say it would be 20-30 mins. However, they always say 10-15 mins. which is not true. I normally call to order chips and salsa and wait 20 mins. to go pick it up and still end up waiting inside for 10 mins. Somehow it seems after 10 mins. the order is forgotten about as I sit and wait for it. Again, not a big deal, but it does become irritating. 2) Service at the host stand/entrance... Whether trying to be seated, asking to sit at the bar or ordering to go food, the hosts always seem to be doing something better. I don't know if that is their only job (to seat people and take to go orders), but it seems as though they are either a) busy or b) take their time to acknowledge people walking in and to seat them. Once again, not the worst thing, but not my favorite either. Overall, the food is great. Drinks can be pricey --but really, where else do you get cheap drinks at 6pm unless you wait for a happy hour-- and the service is mediocre at best unless you sit at the bar.
(4)
Steve K.
Several people recommended Guadalajara Grill. Best parts were the Mariachis Band and Salsa made-from-scratch at your table to suit your taste Excellent tortilla soup Carne Asada was dry and flavorless, so this dish was disappointing given hype. Tip I: Specially order your Margarita to ensure 100% Agave with Cointreau. Why isn't the right way the house margaritas? I judge a Mexican restaurant first on their margaritas. Based on other diners, many were choosing the double-margaritas of the cheaper house variety. Tip II: Nüvi GPS failed to give correct location on Prince Road, but iPhone GPS did. Weird. If you think this review with photos is useful, funny or cool, I'd appreciate your feedback below.
(3)
Lina L.
Rude waiter, extremely slow service. We walked out because the waiter's rude behavior wasn't worth being there. He walked away while my husband was about to ask the difference in menu was. Not worth it!
(1)
Mary J.
I took 27 people, which can be very hard. Guadalajara was excellent. Took the orders timely and our food came quickly, was very good and came mostly at the same time. The salsa is made at the table which made it very fresh and good! Great atmosphere and live music. We will be back.
(5)
Anna T.
Delicious and fresh food in a festive atmosphere. The best Mexican food restaurant in Tucson.
(4)
Tamica S.
I really want to love Guadalajara Grill. It seems like everyone else does. But when you wait 30 minutes to be seated and then another 90 minutes to get your food, there isn't much to love. The food could have been fantastic and I wouldn't know because I didn't eat it. Here is how the evening went: Arrival around 6:15. Finally got seated around 6:45. It was a bigger party, 8 people but GEEZ, what a wait for a Thursday night! Our drink order didn't get taken until past 7:00. Around 7:30 we got our food order taken. It took about 30 minutes for the appetizers to come out and by then everyone was STARVING. Then we had a group of people get seated at the table next to us. This was a problem. When our food finally came out at 8:30ish the waitress was seriously afraid of dropping a sizzling fajita plate onto the head or back of someone seated at my table or the table next to ours since the quarters were disturbingly cramped. She kept apologizing for the seating arrangement and saying that she couldn't fit in between the chairs. Frigging Ally McBeal couldn't fit in between them so she really didn't have anything to apologize for, she didn't seat them. After playing the hold your breath balancing act of getting all of the food served I was spent. I asked for boxes and we all pretty much left without even touching our entrees. So again, the food could have been delicious but who knows?? It was loud, crowded, busy and overall a dismal atmosphere, not fit at all for an enjoyable meal.
(1)
Steve F.
This is my first time in Tucson in about 15 years and El Charro was always my go to place but recent reviews led me to try Guadalajara. I am delighted!!! The place is packed so I strongly recommend making a reservation, as I did, or plan on waiting. Everything from the table-side fresh made salsa to their amazingly fresh tortillas is a delight. The lobster enchiladas were terrific and the lobster was abundant and perfectly cooked. The vegetarian burrito was another delightful surprise; bold and flavorful. The Saturday night crowd was diverse with a lot of families, a lot of older couples and young people. No complaints with the service. Drinks are very reasonable and the house Margarita was great! Dinner for two, including drinks and tip was under $50. Wow! Bring your appetite or plan on taking a lot of food home with you.
(5)
Roz-Esparza B.
We live so far out of the way, but we'll drive here for the table side salsa and delicious food. I've never been disappointed. Can't wait till they re-open on kolb :)
(5)
Setu U.
I love this place! The salsa they make is amazing and they have a TON of vegetarian and vegan options!
(5)
Mark B.
We went out on a date night. Took the kids to grandma's and decided to stop by and try out Guadalajara grill. We where quickly sat down (no wait) the salsa lady was nice and provided good entertainment while waiting for our server to serve us. The server was very knowledgeable about the different plates(a plus) she took our order and drinks at the same time. The food came in about 20 minutes. But, my wife's Chile Relleno Nogada was cold in the inside. We flagged the server and she took the plate away.. After 10 minutes and new hot plate of food came out! Down side as we went to eat together, not to watch each person eat by themselves. So we finished our meals and received our bill. No discount for cold food. No, hey here's slice of flan just nada.. So I told the server it's sad that nothing for the mistake. So we asked to speak with a manager and she left and came back with the owner. She basically said the sauce is cold and that was the problem. My wife said No, told her if that was true then outside would be cold not the inside. Owner then said oh and apologized and walked off. COOL Just like their food.. Sad.. $55.00 bill for cold food. So how much is good customer service, I guess its worth a negative review.
(2)
Cher T.
They make the salsa right in front of you, with the ingredients you like. Mariachi's sing during the evening and sets the mood. Being a couple dollars to tip..they do deserve it. If you are into yummy foofoo drinks Order La Bandera or a Coronarita to drink :) service at Prince location is always awesome. The other one, not so much. Food is wonderful!
(5)
Melissa B.
If we could have parked maybe we could have tried the table salsa we heard so much about...you need more parking!! Two guys in yellow vests stood at the driveway last night directing us to turn around and park down the street...but where?!!! There is no parking...so we tried another local Mexican place instead! Too bad...it sounds like a place to try...but we also decided that if it was that hard to find parking, the wait for a table and the service would probably be terrible...
(2)
Nali M.
went for lunch on thursday with a friend. i had only been to their other location on the east side. they weren't too busy for lunch, but the service was a little slow. they didn't make salsa in front of our table, but i'm not sure if that's an extra service that you pay for? either way, their salsa was tasty. i got a chicken chimichanga, but i wasn't the biggest fan. their rice isn't anything to rave about, either. overall a decent expereince. i would give another opportunity to come and try them again.
(3)
Brett R.
Great prices and authentic food! The tableside salsa is the way to go and you can make it just the way you want it. I love the seafood dishes here!
(4)
Madison T.
Fantastic! I am giving this four stars having only ordered one thing off the menu. Great tortillas, salsa, rich sauces, and wonderful seasoning. I would recommend not going on a weekend night because it is packed. Bottom line: good service, amazing food.
(4)
Ned R.
Hands down best frozen cadillac margarita in Tucson!
(5)
James M.
We rented a house in Sabino Canyon for a month and got to sample a lot of Mexican food, our favorite being Guadalajara Grill. It's big, colorful, fragrant and noisy, a true assault on all your senses! We loved the table side salsa (consumed two large bowls). I had the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce), which was fantastic. We were luck to be there on a night when the mariachi band performed. Other reviews have complained about the service, but our was excellent, with two young ladies making sure we were happy with everything. Parking wasn't an issue. We didn't have a reservation and even though we arrived on a busy night at 6:00, we didn't have to wait at all for a large, comfortable table. Wish we had something as good in New York!
(5)
Ciera L.
Not impressed with their food. No idea why this place is always busy and why Tucson loves this place. Horrible Mexican food, I had tortilla soup and it was disgusting and more like tomato soup. My dad did not like what he ordered and we were both unimpressed and will never go there again. If you want delicious Mexican food Do not go here!
(1)
Saba B.
Guadalajara Grill's extensive menu rivals War and Peace. I often worry about the little vegetarian section buried under pages of shrimp and beef dishes, but GG's veg menu is to be reckoned with. The guaco tacos and vegetarian burrito here are artistic dishes. The veggies aren't limp and overcooked, but well-seasoned and delicately prepared. Big chunks of creamy avocado were balanced by spicy calabacitas and cebolla. By the way, our large margarita was Olympic-sized. I thought I saw Michael Phelps doing the backstroke in there. "Grande" means ginormous here. The service is always reliable, the tableside salsa done to order is rich and fresh, and the decor is fiesta-style colorful and gaudy. GG's gets my best of Tucson vote for Mexican, manos down.
(5)
Tony F.
The food I would have to say is ok although you do get a lot for your buck. The highlight of the food is the hand-made tortillas and the salsa that is made to order at your table. I had the carne asada burrito which was very good but not even the closest to the best. The sauce used in the burrito was a little too barbecue-esq. The atmosphere is what you'd expect of a Mexican food restaurant, complete with mariachi band. The place can get crowded on the weekend so be patient or come early.
(4)
Alex A.
walked in and got seated. 25 minutes later i had not been served. not even a drink. worst service ever. dont bother coming here
(1)
Nikol P.
Best f-ing Mexican food that I have ever had at a restaurant! Do yourself a favor and get the Manchegas! OMG. Their tortillas are divine and I can not stop thinking about the carnitas that I got. My husband's shrimp burrito was so tasty too! I am not some gringa either! I love Mexican food and living in Los Angeles has afforded me a life of dining on some of the best Mexican cuisine, and let me tell you, that Guadalajara's is top on my list. Service was A+, my glass was never empty!!
(5)
Christina R.
First of all this place has the best salsa in town, made fresh at your table! Does it get any better than that?! Yes, because Guadalajara also has (huge) $3 house margaritas during happy hour, and great deals on select appetizers. My boyfriend & I started with the mini chimis. And since we couldn't decide if we wanted chicken or beef, we got 3 of both and I still can't tell you which I liked better; both so delicious! For our entree we shared pork chile verde enchiladas. I left there stuffed, everything was too good to stop eating even after I was full to capacity. On top of all the great food, the service here is fantastic-everyone is so friendly & upbeat! We will definitely be adding Guadalajara Grill to our rotation!
(5)
Justan R.
Fantasitico! While traveling on business from the muy frio climate of northern Arizona, my companions and I discovered this not so hidden gem of Tucson's culinary attractions and favorite of locals via Yelp! From the table side salsa made to your heat specifications, mariachi band serenade, wide variety of delicious main entree selections, and potent margaritas, you simply can't go wrong. Try it for yourself and experience first hand the regional excellence that is Guadalajara Original Grill!
(5)
Michael M.
Outstanding in every way. Service, ambiance and cuisine among best I've ever enjoyed.
(5)
Amanda M.
Great food and atmosphere. The salsa made at your table is amazing. Dinner gets busy so make reservations. The fajitas are amazing. Great selection of sea food dishes.
(4)
Maile C.
Always crowded, Always noisy, why do we come back? Had to park over a block away, and then wait 25 minutes for unbalanced chairs to match the unbalanced table. (Hint to staff: Add another salt packet under that table leg please) But the staff is always pleasant and the made-to-order salsa was so good we brought home the leftover. Didn't quite get my order right so I can't tell you about the tacos, but the enchiladas were fine, the side of beans were good, and everything arrived hot. Everyone works hard - if they aren't taking orders or making salsa they're bussing tables - looks like they enjoy working there. 5 stars for the employees and happy atmosphere.
(3)
Faith F.
Worst service I have received in years, no refills, no checking on meal after served and having to chase down the check. The shrimp tasted bad. We will not be returning!
(1)
Scott W.
We love to eat and cook Mexican food, and for our first trip to Tucson today I did a lot of homework on Yelp and other web sites. This place is legit, the real deal, FANTASTIC!!!! We had ex residents and current residents tell us this place was great, and it did not disappoint. Great margaritas, great chips, salsa made at our table, all got us off to a good start. I could have eaten almost anything from the menu and been happy. We had carne asana burrito, chili Colorado, and muchacas, and all three were great.
(5)
Ryan A.
Food: great. Service: bad. That's pretty much all you need to know. If you're the type of person that can look past bad service if the food is great, then you'll be fine here. If service is as important as the food, you may want to go somewhere else. I have definitely had better Mexican food elsewhere (it seems to be somewhat difficult to find in Tucson - the best I've had is in Portland), but this was fairly authentic food with high quality ingredients and well made. We were sat relatively quickly, though a bit awkwardly. After about 10 minutes, we thought the waitress walking by our table was doing so to help us, but it turned out she was just going to ignore us, too. One of us asked if she was there to help us and she responded with something like "uh, I guess so." There was a lot of confusion with them, but the rest of the meal went acceptably, not great. The thing that made me mad was that I had the signed credit card receipt in front of me and one of the servers pointed at it and told me to give it to him. To me, this is completely unacceptable. It's rare that this happens to me (no more than once a year), but it makes me mad every time it happens. I'd probably go back, I'd just bring my patience.
(3)
Kat K.
A good friend of my husband says this place is awesome, so on the way back to Phoenix, we drove out of our way to check it out. Decor was very festive, the atmosphere was okay. The freshly made salsa was a nice touch and was decent, but it could have used more flavor or spices. It lacked something. We ordered the lobster enchiladas and the steak with carnitas fajitas. The enchiladas were great, but the steak and carnitas were a little dry. I didn't like the refried beans. Service was efficient. I won't go out of my way to come here. It was okay.
(3)
Tori B.
Bleh- not sure what all the great reviews for this place are all about, but my second experience at Guadalajara Grill was equally as unappealing as the last. Unfortunately, I forgot how disappointed I was in my meal the last time I went here, so we went again thinking we hadn't been before. Once I realized where we were going, I was really mad at myself. But alas, we were with family and in for the long haul so I went in with hopes that this time would be better. I was wrong. After waiting 45 minutes past our reservation time we were finally seated. This place was PACKED on a Friday night and the six of us had to stand crammed by the door. We had to ask the hostess four times when we would be seated and were told each time we are next, but they kept seating more and more people before us. Finally with a blasting migraine we were finally seated. We placed our drink order quickly and shortly after that ordered our food. The fresh made salsa is pretty good, but not enough to make up for the other things this place lacks. The ambiance is chaotic at best and the restaurant is loud and obnoxious. I ordered the steak fajitas and they were ok... the highlight is the tortilla, which is AWESOME... still thinking about it actually. As you can probably guess based on my review, I don't intend on returning to this establishment anytime soon. There are better Mexican restaurants all around Tucson. I suggest you try one of those instead of Guardalajara Grill - I'm sure the parking situation will also be better somewhere else!
(2)
Sean K.
Molcajete! (sp?) Such a delicious meal and the one served here beats any other molcajetes I had in LA. Guadalajara is now definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Gotta start with how busy this place gets. My girlfriend and I got to this place around 6ish and the place was packed. Despite a fairly huge parking lot, every single spot was taken so we had to wait couple minutes to get a parking spot. Restaurant was full and the waiting list was long too. Soon after we were seated, a lady came over with a basket full of fresh chips and made salsa right in front of our eyes. Fresh ingredients but they weren't cold so the salsa was kind of lukewarm. Not a big deal really but just sayin'. We were originally going to order two dishes (molcajete and an ultimate skillet) but my ever-so-wise gf decided that molcajete by itself would be more than enough for the two of us. And was she correct... Molcajete was enough. Granted, we were hungry and had TWO baskets of chips and salsa before the meal but portion-wise, it was perfect. And the taste-wise, it was great. Maybe molcajete isn't a dish that is ever going to blow my mind away. Shrimp, chicken, and beef were cooked just right and the sauce, beans, and the rice were tasty.
(4)
Cameo W.
The tableside salsa is really good and very fun. The chips are nothing special but the salsa makes up for it. The entrees were awesome. The rice and beans are a little bland but the chimichanga was very good. The live music was fun and added a lot to the atmosphere. The service is a little slow but I think that's just a part of the atmosphere. Overall, very good food and a fun place to have dinner.
(4)
Katie P.
This is one of my go-to spots for a Mexican dinner with my bf, my family or out of town guests. The decor is great, the mariachis are highly talented and so kind, and they homemake the salsa at the table!! Everything about this place is amazing - that's why I'm a regular! Let's break it down: 1) Happy hour/appetizers: fantastic deal with 1/2 off appetizers and drink deals. They are huge and can totally replace dinner. Lots of choices! 2) They offer so many choices and have pictures on the menu. As a vegetarian, I have so many different options - they have a whole page dedicated to vegetarian dishes, they offer seafood, and the "create your own combo" provides ample options. 3) The margs here are really tasty! And they serve beer in massive quantities. 4) I like the mariachis here. They're really good quality, the music they play isn't tired or Americanized - it's just a good quality immersion experience. 5) Molcajetes! I'm sure there are a billion reviews about these bowls of piping hot deliciousness - try one sometime!! They are so unique and delicious! 6) The wait staff is superb. I have always been very well taken care of! 7) The parking lot can be a nightmare, and this place can get super crowded, but I have never waited more than 15 minutes, even with a group! Guadalajara is one of my favorite places in all of Tucson!
(5)
Jeff M.
Good Sonoran Mexican and strong drinks.
(4)
Ella M.
If this place only served salsa, it would have 5 stars! Table side salsa with totes fresh ingredients using a mortar and pestle! Delicioso! Then came our entrees. I took one bite of my taco, placed it back on the plate. A bite of my potato rolled taco...back on my plate. A bite of the flauta (chicken), put it back on the plate. Rice-dry and zero flavor. Refried beans...looked as if they had been sitting on the plate for an hour...had a crust formed on them and the cheese on top was not melty...but hard and gross. Sorry to be so blunt, but this place leave a lot to be desired! After the salsa, I had high hopes and they were shot down like fast!
(2)
Nory B.
Based on the Yelp reviews I was expecting more......great table-side salsa, great homemade tortillas, but the fajitas were just okay and not sizzling. The chips were thick and bland--couldn't have been homemade. Service was friendly but very slow. I guess this is a local favorite, but sadly it's really nothing special.
(3)
Mike K.
Service was great till the salsa was made... waitress seemed invisible forgot we were there, Had to ask for her after 15 min waiting. After getting our sour guacamole we were doomed. 1. Got the order wrong. 2. chimichanga barely even fried not even crispy also 3.forgot the enchilada style. Took two bites and refused to eat the rest. She explain to me how they can take it back and fix it anytime... 4 strikes you're out! Not crispy, no enchilada sauce, waiting way too long, 4. didn't even notice my margarita was empty when she took our order. Crap food in a nice place. We complained to the owner and she offered us half off claiming that I ate half of the chimichanga. (3 bites trying to convince myself it was good) I pretty much told her she needs to watch what was going out of the kitchen. She explained to me that they pulled the guacamole for the night. I refused the 1/2 off and and will.never return. This is truly Mexican peasant food!!! With a nice paint job on it. I think you'll agree...
(1)
Gilbert T.
Decided to take my mom here since she came from Texas and wanted to try a Tuscon favorite. I've heard from a lot of people that this is the place to go for Mexican food in Tucson, but sadly this is not. The food is pretty good, but the reason I am giving this place a one is for their horrible service, particularly the management. As expected on a Friday this place was packed, however I noticed that several people that arrived after my party were being seated so I asked the lady at the front desk how much longer. Five minutes she said. Ok, so we waited twenty minutes more, then I asked again, five more minutes she said. Twenty more minutes passed, keep in mind we have waited an hour and half by now, so I asked and still five more minutes. The lady's response came off as annoyed and I asked her to show me my name on the list, thinking they skipped me or didn't write it down. To my surprise she said you want to sit, here's a table open let me show you if you don't believe me. This lady was perhaps the most rude hostess I have every seen. After this little engagement, we decided to walk out and not come back again. So disappointed by this place, and while the food is good, but they need to find a more people-friendly hostess.
(1)
Toni M.
Not as stellar tonight, although the tableside salsa was delicious, as were the chips, and the lobster stuffed portabello was marvelous. But the margarita mix didn't taste freshly squeezed in our house margaritas and I found the pollo mole very disappointing. The mole at Juan's Place or 3 Hermanas at home is much more complex. This was heavy-handed and the chicken was on the dry side. The rice and beans were good. Alan had the molcajete w/ seafood, chicken and steak and he found the chicken and steak dry. The seafood was delicious. It was a huge portion, which he couldn't finish. I had flan for dessert and it was lovely. A trio came around to sing and they were wonderful.
(3)
Donna M.
Had a reservation, arrived in time only to be seated 45 minutes later. The servers did a good job and the food was yummy. The hostesses were clueless and the manager was just as bad. We will never return to this place.
(1)
Alma C.
So we tried calling to see if we needed reservations. It took me 10 min to get someone to answer the phone and luckily we didn't need reservations. We got here and they gave us some chips and fresh salsa made to order it was very good. We order out food and our waitress was very nice and super friendly. I got the chile nogada and my hubby went with the shrimp plate with a white souce on the bottom. When I got my food it was cold in the middle And my hubby's rice and beans were cold. They took my plate to have it re done and my husband was half way done with his food by the time they brought my food. Luckily I had chips and salsa to keep me entertained. The second plate was good. We also had to send my husbands beans and rice back to get warm up. Again our waitress was very nice she brought us the bill and to my surprise they didn't give any 10% off or anything witch it was very disappointed. The owner came and talked to us and she basically said I was laying about my chile being cold because the sauce that goes on the top was the reason made it cold but when it told her the ground beef tasted cold she continued to argue so I just stopped talking. She must be right she is the Owner. No I'm not going back not a good dinner experience. I'm giving it 2 stars because of the excellent waitress.
(2)
Stephen L.
Dinner on the patio, perfect weather and live mariachi in the background. Great setting for dinner. We loved the tableside salsa. Very sweet woman, made two heat levels for us and involved my son in the process. All the food was very good, with high marks going to the carnitas. One tip. Pass on the guacamole. Too bland and creamy for us.
(4)
Rachel M.
Today was our first time eating at Guadalajara Grill and after one bite of our meals my husband and I looked at each other and just knew: We found OUR Mexican Restaurant. The salsa made-to-order table side was delicious and a lovely surprise as we weren't expecting the presentation.
(5)
Sean P.
Flew into Tucson from Calgary to spend some time with my parents and celebrate my dad's birthday. Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended. Atmosphere was great, service was friendly, the food however lack a little zip. The salsa made at the table was fantastic, spicy, fresh served with fresh chips. The entrees (Two paellas and a chili rellenos - spelling?) were rather bland. In my experience Mexican food should have zip. It doesn't need to be I'm sweating through my shirt hot, but spicy enough that I reach for my marguerita for a bit of a break. All in all it was just OK. The tastiest I've had so far in Tucson was La Botana where we ate yesterday. Smaller, less formal. More real. Food was awesome. Cheap! But alas, I had not made a Yelp account yet... More to come. 3 stars!
(3)
Mr. V.
My wife and I decided to eat lunch at the Guadalajara Grill on 12/20/2014. The service was not so great. First, we asked our waitress if management can turn turn down the A/C. Which they did not. Second, our waitress forgot to put in our lunch order. So we got out good 30 mins later. We were displeased with the service.
(1)
Hilary M.
I loved the salsa! But that was about it. I am from Seattle and was really looking forward to "real Mexican food." Unfortunately this place just missed the mark. The food was not good and I felt a little sick after eating it. My suggestion would be to keep things simple, seems like they strayed from the basics and things went downhill.
(2)
Alexis G.
Guadalajara Grill serves one of my favorite tortilla soups. The molcajetes are also pretty delish. Sometimes, I wish the place was a bit smaller and intimate, but the food and drinks are consistently good.
(4)
Lil B.
Unbelievable food and drinks. Have not had a dish here that I wasn't having dreams about for days after.
(5)
Lisa M.
LOVE THIS PLACE. good margaritas, great food, fun place. The hot, hand made, flour tortillas are the bomb. I keep getting the huaraches because you can get a couple of your FAV meets and scoop up with the flour tortilla. Heaven. Mariachi band is fun. Table side made your way salsa is nice too!
(5)
Marianna L.
Thanks to the Bandera, Arizona's strongest margarita, my memory is foggy on this dining experience, but I must say, it was an AMAZING experience. I dream of this food, I crave this food. I want the cute Mexican woman at the side of my dinner table every night to custom make salsa for my family and me. The mariachi band wouldn't be so bad either.
(5)
Bill C.
Food was good. However, we had a group reservation for 20 and 6 of us arrived 20 min. early. The table was set and the restaurant was almost empty (4:40). They wouldn't let us set at the table until the whole group arrived. We said we'd like to order a drink and wait for the others. They said we'd have to go in the bar. Finally one of the waiters that was going to serve our table let us set down. I realize the hostess only follows management orders but it was a lousy way to treat a big group that was going to spent a lot of money.
(3)
Sharon G.
Wow! That's what we all had to say from start to finish. Fresh salsa, prepared at your table, to your liking - it was fabulous! Next, a tasty Midori margarita on the rocks to set the mood. Then the food... my son had the highly recommended chimichanga with carne asada. So good, but even he couldn't finish the whole thing! My daughter and I split the chicken fajitas, which were both delicious and plenty! We had leftovers too! We declared my husband the winner with his choice of chicken molcajete - meaning bowl. It was a stone bowl with a stew-like concoction topped with very tasty chicken and served with rice and beans. And yes, more leftovers! The tortillas were fresh and soft, chips were crisp and tasty, ambiance was classic Mexican - bright and lively! Yelp has never steered us wrong. Thank you Guadalajara! We had a fun and extremely satisfying evening (we even put away our technology). :)
(5)
Steve T.
Excellent salsa made right at the table. The hot cheese plate was good comfort food and it reminded me of the hot cheese plates I have had in Guadalajara. Didn't care for the jalapeno margarita as I didn't get the reason for the hotness of the drink, Had the chili verde plate and it was good. Didn't like that the salsa lady made it clear we needed to tip her and the mariachi band was there for tips also. The service was great and this place is popular for a good reason as it is good food in a lively place with good ambience
(4)
Owen B.
Great food and a great atmosphere. Be prepared for a long wait on Friday or Saturday nights.
(4)
Jeff B.
This place is average at best. The homemade salsa was very good, and having it made for you at tableside was kind of cool. My food, a chimichanga, was good. My wife's food, tacos, were obviously out of a box. I don't like paying restaurant prices for something I could buy at the grocery store. The margaritas were good. I imagine the rest of the menu must be rather hit or miss, some things are good and others are not.
(3)
Jack S.
Delicious food, great atmosphere. Can't say enough good things
(4)
Jigisha P.
We love coming to this estaurant every time we're in Tucson. Love the table side fresh salsa. They made it mild for the kids and spicey for us. Salsa and jalapeño Margarita were excellent. The food took a long time to come and two out of three meals were cold. My veggie enchilada was good but cheese inside was not melted. Kids quesadilla and enchilada was okay. My husband loved his Paella. Overall the food is average.
(3)
Betsy B.
Met a small group of friends there. Had heard great things about it but the really bad service is a reason I'll not go back. Food was ok but have had better in a number of places in Tucson. There were only 6 of us and the restaurant was not that crowded but had to ask about 4 times for an iced tea. I'd heard about the table side salsa but it wasn't offered to us. I won't be going back.
(3)
Barrio H.
I would love to peek inside the kitchen to see if anyone speaks Spanish. I was with a large party of 12 and I did not see any authentic Mexican food. My margarita was pricey and it did not taste from scratch. The salsa was boring but I like it a bit hot but it tasted more 'canned'. I had a chile relleno combo and all I can say is "meh". Too much batter on the relleno, my rice was cold and they used yellow cheese! I got the feeling it was pre-made. I could get the same food at Taco Bell. Most of my party agreed with me. I rarely write bad reviews but c'mon you gringos, quit drinking this coolade!
(1)
Carol K.
Vacation time, and we're in Tucson, so what else do we eat but the best local Mexican food possible. This place is suppose to be it. When we arrive, the parking lot is crowded, that's a good sign. All the reviews give good ratings, so it must be good. Once inside, we are seated and surrounded by large groups of 8 to 10 people. We're worried service might be lacking, but immediately we get the standard chips and salsa. Our drink orders are taken, and I of course want the house margarita, and when it arrives, I am not disappointed! I decide on a combo, the Plato Ranchero. This is a cheese stuffed chile relieno, a pork tamale, and a gordita with beans, shredded beef, cheese and sour cream. The food is hot, seasoned just right and delicious. Service is very good despite the large crowds, and the entertainment is great! A roaming mariachi band. I recommend to anyone wanting a good meal and margarita!
(5)
Brett K.
Had a party of 9 people, seated next to a LOUD party of at least 20 sorority girls, and the servers and musicians didn't miss a beat. Great food, good service, very nice Mariachis with killer vocal harmonies who'll play any song you request (traditional, of course). Guacamole was a letdown, but the table-side salsa was incredible. Get it spicy!
(4)
Michelle O.
If you want super fresh Mexican food with high quality ingredients, go to Penca's on Broadway. This is the place to come for the traditional plate of Mexican American food that is tasty and plentiful. You're not going to get quality cheese or muy excellent chips (like you will at Penca, those are amazing), but you will get a lot of everything here. And it will taste good. The salsa is truly delicious. Made table-side and it was so good I filled up on it before my entree came. Make sure you tip the wonderful women who come promptly to your table and prepare this treat for you. You'll get a big smile of gratitude. And my food was good. I had the veggie fajitas and couldn't finish half without hurting myself. The grilled veggies, including delicious zucchini, were superb. They got the portobella done right - moist and tender. A lot of restaurants don't take the time to cook them correctly, but this place knows what they are doing. My boyfriend had the tilapia and really liked it. The guacamole needs some work. Again, go to Penca if you want super fresh, super good guac. Guadalajara's is advertised as freshly made, but it tasted pretty tired and processed. Overall, the experience here was great fun. They had a wonderful mariachi band that was fun, lively, romantic and just really enjoyable. We talked to the guys a bit and they were so cute and upbeat. We loved them and stayed a little longer to hear them sing. Prices are hard to beat, our bill for two generous entrees, one app and 2 iced teas was under $40. Service was warm, prompt and efficient.
(4)
Nick P.
Great place to go. My timeshare gave us this one to check out.....it was well worth the try. Great Mexican atmosphere & great service. The chips and fresh made salsa by the table was great. Freshly made tortillas and great tasting food was perfect. My kids say they want to come back....I'll take them :)
(5)
Ashley J.
How have I never reviewed Guadalajara Grill? From their massive margaritas (only $3 during HH!!) to the homemade salsa (made table-side for dinner), everything about Guadalajara Grill is fresh and amazing! Their homemade tortillas are delicious and everything I've ever had has been mmmmmmmm! Their carnitas fajitas are life-changing! And the molcajete is the best I've ever had! Go with the combo version. Its a bit pricier, but being able to sample the various meats is such a treat! If you can, try to save room for dessert - the sopapillas are just as fresh as everything else and you MUST give them a try! The only "con" I have for Guadalajara is that a lot of the food doesn't work out great as take-out (e.g., how do you have fajitas when they aren't served on the sizzling plate??). They offer take-out, but I feel like its a waste. Just go and dine-in. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Robert H.
I've learned to tip everyone, even if the service isn't perfect. Servers make minimum wage and deserve more. That said, our servers were great for our table of 12, including two kids. We even split some of our adult plates so I tipped more to compensate for that. Food was good, salsa made at the table was perfect, just what I asked for. Chips were plentiful. Tipped the salsa lady $5. Everyone had a good time and I mean time because we were there at 7pm on a Friday night with people hanging outside waiting for tables. Left about 10pm. See my photos. We will go back.
(5)
Gary K.
The BEST salsa we have ever had, anywhere! Service is good. Margaritas are fair so I ordered a margatini and mixed it with a house margarita, and VOILA, a perfect margarita. The Marachi band was EXCEPTIONAL.....Overall a great experience!
(4)
Gabriela F.
Love this place! We always have a great time and leave satisfied. We came here a couple of weeks ago for my mom's birthday, so we had a table of 8 including a 1 year old. We tipped the mariachis and they came to play happy birthday as well as many other songs of my mom's choice. The best part is that the baby loved the music and they played songs to her. she was absolutely amazed, and they were so great with interacting with her even after they left our table. Points to the mariachis for keeping the baby happy! The salsa is fantastic, the lady comes by your table and makes it to your liking, but dont fill up on chips! The food is so great. I like getting the enchiladas or the fajitas but everything is good. Margaritas are great too and they don't skimp on the tequila ;) Order the queso fundido to share with the table. It's very good as well.
(5)
Mistie W.
This is one of my personal favorites! The food is good (not the best) BUT the ambiance and table side fresh salsa make the experience. They also do live music with about 3-4 guys singing to you table side if you choose. Love it!!!
(5)
Elsa C.
I was worried after reading a few bad reviews, but I was blown away. Wow! The food and service were great!
(5)
Madeline W.
Delicious authentic Mexican food! Very strong and tasty margaritas. The best part about this place is they make salsa to order right in front of you!!
(5)
Yuan F.
One of the best Mexican food I've ever had! The waitress made fresh and customized salsa sauce in front of you. The frozen mango juice was also great!
(5)
phil h.
4 nights in Tucson means hella Mexican food. And Guadalajara was the best of the bunch. Salsa made tableside, baskets of chips that seemed to refill themselves magically, and big ass margaritas the size of a small baby. How could I give Guadalajara any less than 5 stars?
(5)
S S.
Best salsa of my life! Great service good prices and the food has a simple authentic taste of high quality ingredients.
(5)
White R.
Went here for a business lunch, and this place was very good. I loved their sauces, the salsa and chips, and everything was delicious. Service was good, ambience was good, everything was awesome...however, I only wish the chips were a little saltier to my taste.
(4)
Andrew S.
Tableside salsa - live music - awesome carnitas in a molcajete! Service is courteous and fast, food is fantastic, and definitely a place to bring your family for a great Mexican dinner.
(5)
Lany Kay M.
This place is a good as it gets, great atmosphere, delicious food and great service. Table side made Salsa to die for... Highly recommend!
(5)
Tracy A.
I was there sat night, service was horrible. us outside took over a half hour to get a drink never got the appetizer we ordered and when we said something the waitress just said, awe do u want it now? Not a sorry or anything. My food was bad the salsa and fajitas were good. We asked several times for them to turn on the heater and no one seemed to know how. And don't even think you could have more than 1 drink people dropped off food and didn't see them again till bill was dropped off. We even made a comment that maybe they didn't work for tips there!! Save your money and go anywhere else. It amazes me that there are so many good reviews, I'm pretty easy to please and rarely take the time to write a review but in this case people should know.
(1)
Paul N.
As always the food was very good and the mexican music men were terrific. We will be back,
(4)
Bo R.
Glad the Sun Devils beat up on the Rats this year. My cosmic karma payback? Eating at this place. Now don't get me wrong, that table side salsa service is pretty cool. And the salsa is really good. But, that was the highlight of our meal. Starting with the service; it's atrocious. We had the privilege of waiting until our quite spicy salsa bowl was half consumed before we had to ask the salsa lady for water. Our server was a no show for 15 minutes after being sat. When she did come, she was a non-factor. We knew what we wanted to eat, and drink before she arrived at the table. When she got there, there was no acknowledgment of her leavin us hangin. Come on, man! The details in this place are missing. With salsa that good, the chips should be warm, and fresh. They tasted like they were scooped out of a bag in the back. The decor looks nice until you look around and see an errantly placed neon sign. I ordered the Chili Verde, and my gf ordered the Lobster Enchiladas. We think the food is heated in a microwave. Honestly. The enchiladas were bland. Absolutely no flavor whatsoever. The sauce over them is bland. And even worse, the food was lukewarm. Here's the thing, the food was lukewarm, but came out very quickly. All the hallmarks of some home microwave cooking. My Chili Verde was good, but was lacking in flavor. It tasted like it had been sitting in a pot too long. The beans are canned beans, and lack any real flavor. Lastly, and here's the worst... My gf is allergic to MSG. It gives her severe headaches. She took a bite of the rice, and said, "This has MSG in it." I said, "Don't eat anymore." She had two more bites, to verify the MSG flavor. An hour later? Headache. The rice is boxed rice. They don't make it fresh. The MSG is put in the food by mass produced food companies. Home cookin Mexican food wouldn't use MSG in a million years. Bottom line, Tucson is known to have some of the best Mexican Food in the country. We thought when we saw the 4 stars, that we were in for an incredible experience. This place is a letdown for 2 reasons. First is the restaurant. It lacks depth on any level. It's a dud. Second is Yelp. You've let us down, Yelp. 4 stars? Not a chance. We will go out of our way to NOT eat here again.
(2)
David H.
Great value. Good food, but it lacked in fresh tasting ingredients. The guac was a disappointment.
(3)
Tracy P.
Mexicans will cross the Border illegally just to eat here; it's that good. It may even be authentic as there were some very interesting food choices. All 4 of our entrees were excellent. Food was expertly prepared and presented with no oil or heavy lard tastes. Salsa made to order was delicious. She even made it twice because we wanted it spicier and more flavorful. The Cadillac margarita was worth $8. The mariachi band sang the love ballads so beautifully, I wanted to cry. Friendly service as well. I reserve my 5 star ratings for places that blow me away. I didn't have that gastrointestinal or ethereal moment here but it was darned good. I can't wait to go back - my highest compliment for a restaurant.
(4)
Eddie A.
This is the standard date nice place for my wife and me. We live by the East side one, so we tend to favor that, but the original is equally amazing. The funniest thing is that my mother has spotty experiences here, but we've never had a bad one. Salsa: made fresh at your table to order. We like extra tomatillos, extra garlic, and spicy. Margaritas: all of them are fantastic. I recommend the Bandera, but call a cab early if you're under 150 lbs. Mole: beyond phenomenal. Mariachi: if you're into it, you'll love it. If you're not into it, they'll turn you around. I've tried many of their menu items and have never been disappointed. From the simple appetizers to dessert (bar none flan and sopapillas!).
(5)
Scott B.
Hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson, along with the sister restaurant, Guadalajara Fiesta grill. The salsa is among the best I've had in the US, made fresh to order at your table. They don't skimp on the salsa either, they give you about a pint for two people and more for larger groups. I've taken several friends and family here and everyone has loved it.
(5)
Ron L.
On my initial trip to Tucson a few years back, all I thought about this city was not positive. Hot. College town. Isolated. Boring. Terrible food choices. Now after multiple visits, I can now cross off the terrible food choices off my list. Guadalajara Grill is one of those places that will definitely be on my go to places, one that I won't be ashamed to take people to. Strolling Mariachi band...great food...good portions...and the differentiator, fresh salsa, made tableside. The salsa, made to your specifications, is a big enough draw to make me come back. The wait could be forever, so be prepared for that during the typical rush hour times, especially during college orientation week. Tucson is still hot and isolated, but at least my stomach will be happier on my visits.
(4)
Cheryl M.
I've eaten at Guadalajara a few times now, and for a close location and good Mexican food, this will become my "go-to" location. I absolutely love the food here. Now mind you, I don't go to Mexican food and get the giant platters of combos, I get a taco or two or a bowl of soup, so I am basing my review on that. So, if you're a soup person, this place is excellent. I get the bowls which are more like 2 servings and I highly recommend the Posole and of course the Albondigas. Both are excellent. When I get "wacky" I'll order the fish tacos which are equally pleasing. As for the service, I would just say it's average. We get what we want, usually when we want it, but the servers aren't personal or overly friendly. Seems like they're just there to do their jobs, not to make your day. If that happens to change I may up my rating but it's got to be excellent to do that! Service makes or breaks a place!
(4)
Philip G.
Good food, nice waitress. Somewhat confusing when we came in, we were immediately seated, however I noticed the Mariachi band making it's way over to our table. We had a long day already, was not in the mood. Asked the woman who came over to ask them not to come over, turned out she was there to make salsa and misunderstood what we were saying. Manager came over and made everything right. Delicious salsa, perfect chips. Chicken mole was awesome. Enjoyed the band from a distance! Reasonable prices.
Excellent food, went with a party of 7 and no one had a negative thing to say. Large delicious margaritas available, and Salsa made table side. A must if you're in the area, can't beat it.
(5)
Em. C.
Had the massive Guadalarita (!!!) and the Lobster Stuffed Portobello with spicy salsa made right in front of me. I walked out of there a happy woman :)
(4)
Ellen S.
Tried this restaurant for the first time. We were seated quickly, and received our drinks quickly. However, we had to ask several times for water. The waiter was mostly attentive. We all really enjoyed the fresh made salsa at our table. The food was good, and the portions were large. The downfall for me was the room was very noisy, and the mariachi band walking around didn't help matters. I also felt the tables were too close together. Overall, it was not a bad experience. The food was good, the service could have been just a bit better. I would give this restaurant another try the next time I'm in Tucson. But I might ask to be seated in a different place.
(3)
Ben B.
Great food great people. Really a fun place to be. Generous portions.
(4)
Erin A.
Q: Why did the tortilla chips start dancing? A: Because they put on the salsa! The only thing mentioning in this review is the salsa! They hand make it in front of you and create the spiciness as ordered by the customer! Everything else is so-so. 5 stars for the salsa! 3 stars for the food.
(3)
Steven R.
This will hopefully be a reasonable review -- so many of the comments on this restaurant swing between five stars and the bottom of the barrel that it can be difficult to figure out who's got an agenda and who doesn't. My wife and I ate at the Guadalajara Original Grill last weekend, and we loved it. Tucson isn't exactly world-reknowned for its restaurants, but there are some good ones here and for Mexican food this is a fine choice. The food was fresh, tasted great, and was served well. The table-side salsa was mind-blowing good and is probably one of the features that keeps this place busy. Bring your friends and family and you most likely won't be disappointed. Now, no restaurant is perfect and there are some mighty picky customers out there, a few bordering on unreasonable. Of course, it's perfectly reasonable to expect that when eating out (and paying the price for it), the service should be at least attentive. But let's not go over the top and expect perfection. The servers, hosts, and hostesses at places like the Gudalajara Original Grill probably make something less than minimum wage and depend upon tips for the rest of their income -- my daughter was a server at an Outback Steakhouse and, while not perfect, she broke her back trying to tend to some mighty grumpy customers. There ARE people out there who simply can't be pleased, no matter what. So here's my comment about the service: it was good and on-par with a restaurant of this type and price range. Was our server ready for employment at a fine restaraunt in New York? Absolutely not. We asked for one or two things that never appeared. But I'm not going to trash this place because they forgot to bring me a couple of tortillas. I can't give it 5 stars for two reasons. One, the service was good but not worthy of 5 stars. And two, the decor was fine but looked a bit tired in some places. The food, however, was excellent across the board.
(4)
Dean S.
So disappointed, I will never return...I have been there many times at both locations in the past. My guests and I sat without drinks for more than 5 mins until server took drink orders. Then 2 more times during our visit no drinks. Next a hunk of beef was hidden under the salad of the vegetarian dish ordered. It wasn't a special order it was from vegetarian menu. Manager felt there was no issue because there wasn't an allergy and the piece wasn't found until near the end of the meal. NO ISSUE, how much other meat had the vegetarian dish been carelessly mixed with? He offered a discount. I said, so it is the diner's fault that he had eaten most of the meal before discovering the issue? What if it was a roach and not a piece of meat which is just as big and issue to the vegetarian? He still felt the meal should be paid for. I begrudgingly paid the bill of more than $50 and left $5 for tip. I will never return
(1)
TJ A.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Grill for several years now, and have always been a fan. Love the salsa prepared table-side, margaritas are great, and the food never disappoints. The last time two times I've been in - once for lunch with my parents who were in Tucson for a short visit, and just last Saturday night for dinner - have been some of the best, though. Both times Andres was our server, and he's just awesome. Last visit I told myself I'd try something new and I'm sure glad I did. I usually have one of the combo dinners, but I totally fell in LOVE with the Mexican paella. I think it's also great that they're open late on Friday and Saturday nights. This place will remain one of my absolute favorites, can't wait to return!
(4)
Jamie M.
The margaritas, drinks and salsa are the absolute best things here. I am a salsa snob when I go to Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara's salsa is PERFECT. It is chunky, hot, and full of flavor. The margaritas are also amazing. Get the big one. You won't regret it. I'm not going to comment too much on the food because I am always too full after the salsa and drinks to know what it truly tastes like! I usually order a small appetizer or small side. That is always enough. But from what I have eaten, it is all delicious. But seriously, that salsa is a meal in itself. Whenever a friend comes in from out of town, I beg to go to Guadalajara grill. It's a great place to hang out and meet up with friends and family. The drinks, live music and the made-right-in-front-of-you salsa are great conversation starters. :)
(5)
Ryan L.
Portions are huge service was second to none. Salsa made in front of you totally awesome. If you are going to tucson you have to eats here.
(5)
Mary Y.
Freshly made SALSA at your table!!! NUFF said. The guacamole was really nice with a fair amount of chunks which I love. We just made happy hour by a minute and managed to snag a beer and margarita for $3!! We got so full off the chips and I didn't even finish my potato-stuffed taquitos. The portions were fair for the price. They also have a musical trio that goes from table to table and takes song requests. I believe you're supposed to tip them too.
(4)
Marisa B.
Fantastic enchiladas, amazing cheese dip (chapala rajas), super cheesy Chile rellenos and table side salsa made to your liking - what more can you ask for! Good service, huge portions. Will be back again and again!
(5)
D C.
The tableside salsa made to order is terrific. Food was very good as was the service.
(4)
Liz D.
Came back two nights ago with the same friends. The service is still slow (and incredibly rude if you're unfortunate enough to be sat in Maggie's area), the salsa is still bland, and the food still sucks--and is incredibly overpriced for what it is. Someone at the table ordered a margarita and said it was nothing but salt and disgusting. I took their word for it. I've learned my lesson. I just won't come back.
(1)
Angela J.
The food was the best part of the evening; however, it wasn't as good as I would have anticipated for the amount of money I paid. The service was mediocre at best, which was surprising because there were maybe two other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. At the end of the evening I was shorted $10 by our server making the evening ... spectacular. *ahem* I flagged down an employee to grab our server and ended up waiting an additional 15 minutes for our server to show up to address the situation. When he walked up to the table he came with money in hand, without my yet addressing the issue to any employee ....?!? Suspicious.
(2)
Mark F.
Fresh salsa and fajitas are always great. My favorite Mexican restaurant by far.
(5)
Carrie G.
**Second visit a few months ago: Went back with a friend who had never been and told her about how delicious the salsa is. Well...on my return visit and giving the food another try, I'm going to probably never come back again. The salsa is almost worth it, but not when there are so many other great food places in the area.** After a really long day at a barbeque competition, I found this place through Yelp on my iPhone. I'm so picky about Mexican food since I am not a fan of the Sonoran style, so I was adamant about trying their food. But the idea of salsa made at your table intrigued me. When we pulled into the parking lot and found that it was complete full and they had a parking attendant, we knew that we had hit the jackppot! We had to park down the block and around the corner because so many people were there...and it was about 8 at nigiht. After a bit of a wait, we were finally seated. The salsa girl came over and we ordered Medium salsa. It was awesome to be able to watch her make the salsa with all the fresh ingredients including the mortar and pestle she used to crush it up all together. My first bite was so delicious! It had the right amount of spice and it seriously was an explosion on my tastebuds! LOL I judge places on their salsa and this was a very very good sign indeed. But I had a very hard time choosing my actual entree. Maybe it would have been weird to just eat the chips and salsa, but I wish I would have. I ended up ordering the Tres Bandidos combo plate with three enchiladas in a sort of sampler style. They weren't that great and I ended up freaking out when I ate a mole style enchilada not realizing it would be sweet. Eeeeeeek! The chicken enchilada was the only one I really ate and the green chile enchilada was just so-so. But I will tell you now, I have daydreams about the freshly made salsa and want to go back (even taking the 1.5 hour drive) just to get some more of that salsa!!!
(2)
Jared K.
Service was poor. Our server was non-existent. Took over an hour for the food to arrive. Waited forever with no refills on chips or soda. Won't be back. Complained to the manager and he said oh well its late now you should have said something earlier. Negative star
(1)
Charles C.
In a city of many many South of the Border restaurants, sometimes you just want a place that epitomizes everything iconic about their foods ... that is, good food, good atmosphere, good service ... that creates a comfortable experience for you, and for your guest(s). Guadalajara does just this. It's good traditional Mexican fare coupled with attentive wait-staff and a little Mariachi on the side if you like (yes, they take requests ... ask them to play "Y Volvere" by the Los Angeles Negros for a truly romantic scene, and sip your Margarita before indulging.
(5)
Mike S.
Plain awful. Thank goodness we had a buy on get one free coupon otherwise we would've been totally pissed. There are lots of "not very good" Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill ranks among the bottom, right there with Casa Molina, El Molina, and El Charro.
(1)
Andrew A.
After hearing all the great things about Guadalajara Grill I thought I would give it a try. The location of the restaurant isn't in the best area of town however the place is well kept and has an authentic feel to it. The wait staff was friendly and from the get go I was impressed. Upon sitting down a lady dressed in "authentic" Mexican clothing asked us how we like our salsa. We told the lady and right at our table she made the salsa to our liking. It tasted fresh and was definitely something I had never seen before. It was around 5PM when we sat down which I believe was the end of happy hour so draft beers were two dollars off and the house Margarita was 50% off. Not too bad of a deal? For a main course I ordered a enchilada plate which contained three different types of enchiladas. After hearing such great things I thought the food would be exceptional however I felt it was very good but did not reach the exceptional status. Maybe it was because I had hyped the place up to much? This is definitely a place I would come back to every so often but be mindful that compared to other Mexican restaurants in Tucson, it is a little more pricey.
(4)
Rae M.
I love this restaurant! I tried it for the first time and was back two days later to have it again! You need to make sure that you come here when they have the table side salsa! Wonderful ladies make the salsa for you and you can let them know if you want it hotter or more mild! I'm picky about my salsa and about what ingredients go in it so this is perfect! They ask you before adding the ingredients so you can tell them which ones to leave out. I was very impressed by their service last time I visited. I came with my family for dinner when it wasn't too busy yet. We were seated right away and they came by with the chips and salsa as soon as we were seated. Our server (I wish I remembered their name) brought us our drinks right away and when it came time to order, memorized the whole thing without writing it down. This always scares me because i'm one of those difficult customers that has them add and take out certain ingredients and they almost always get it wrong even when it is written down...but not this time! The food was brought out just like we ordered it. Everyone that interacted with us was very friendly even when it did get busy. I recommend coming before the dinner rush or else you could get stuck waiting for a long time before getting a table.
(5)
Jessica L.
I had to come here after hearing a friend reminisce about this place after coming back from studying abroad in Europe. So far I've only tried the vegetarian dishes here (I've gone twice with my recently-vegetarian friend. Definitely delicious and love that the salsa is customizable, fresh, and sooo good with the chips. This is quite the experience as all the servers, musicians, walls, and ceilings are dressed the part. Portions are ginormous and I like to split plates, which they are happy to do for you. Lively. Great service. Definitely a Tucson gem.
(4)
Sherry B.
HIRE SOME HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have too many incompetent people.
(1)
Melissa J.
I just don't quite get the appeal of this place. It's always packed, it's even really hard to park. So you would think that would be a sign that it is something amazing but it just isn't. I do admit, the table side salsa can be really good. Last night we had them make salsa verde and it was so so so good. But that's pretty much the only thing that stood out. My fish tacos were probably the blandest fish tacos I've ever tasted. Really flavorless tortillas and then all that was on them aside from the fish was shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. Really? My husband pointed out I should add the table side salsa, and that did certainly spice it up, but why so boring to start out? My husband and lots of other people at our table got various molcajete bowls. These do seem unique and cool, but my husband said his was pretty flavorless. The margarita was gigantic, but not exciting. Maybe this isn't actually what it is but it just tasted like the Jose Cuervo mix. I did see they had a jalepeno margarita and I'm not sure why I didn't order it because it did sound interesting. The live music is great. We were there for my brother in law's birthday and they sang him a little song, made him a funny hat and brought some tasty cake. So service and ambiance definitely 5 stars. I just don't think it makes up for the food.
(3)
Big P.
Is this place really open? The website still has it as being closed still from the fire.
(5)
Mark A.
This is right around the corner from my house and I have a tendency to forget about it. I was working late getting some materials for a new fence being built, and wanted I to buy my friends dinner for helping me and proximity was key. Immediately upon arrival I knew like an bomb going off was the loud blast of mariachi's ( I guess there is a band of them marauding about since the close of El Mariachi). I thought to myself was this part of the plan for mutually assured destruction. The table side salsa is good the service is average. They should have a non-marichi zone or a cone of silence.
(3)
Sarah L.
Absolute worst service I have ever had. Made a reservation for 7pm and didn't get sat until 7:35pm. Waited another 30 minutes to get water and order food. No one once apologized or gave us a reason for why they were so behind. Finally left at 9:30. Should have never taken 2 1/2 hours to eat dinner. Very disappointed and will not be coming back.
(1)
Jack S.
I really wanted to love this place like the other reviewers and but for a few things, albeit pretty major things, would have given this place 4 stars at least. First off, I have to say the service was very good and this is during the AZ basketball Elite 8 playoff where the entire waitstaff was glued to the game. The salsa made at your table was good but it takes a while to come around and for a while you are there with these chips and nothing to dip them in. I ordered the 3 banditios, an enchilada each in green sauce, mole and red sauce. The sauces were excellent but all 3 of the enchiladas were quite anemic on the meat. Also, I have to say that the tortillas, although laudably made fresh on site, were so thick I could not use my fork to cut them and had to resort to a knife. I have literally had tortillas made over a fire in the jungles of Guatemala that were leagues ahead of this. Maybe it's been great in the past, maybe it's just a gotten a bit lax in execution but this place was slightly less than average on my visit.
(3)
Aishan S.
I brought my family here when they came to visit Tucson and everyone really enjoyed this place. The decor hear is delightful and welcoming. I really love the beautifully crafted sombreros hanging from the ceiling. To further the lovely ambience, the restaurant serves table-side salsa freshly prepared right in front of their guests. At dinner, their is also a live ensemble playing and serenading. When my friend and I came here, they performed the UA fight song for us, knowing we were college students. And now, to discuss the menu. Their vegetarian dishes are really good and my family liked the meat dishes too. This time, I ordered the Tilapia with Poblano sauce because I wanted to try a seafood dish. The sauce was nice and creamy and the rice on the side was delicious, but I thought the fish itself was a little too salty. My only other grievance is that the service was slow on Saturday lunch, but it's usually better at dinner. Nonetheless, their food is quite amazing for the most part, and portions are huge. The chips are salsa are delicious alone but make sure you save space for the food you ordered or you will definitely miss out on a treat.
(4)
Thomas O.
I don't know why I keep going back here. Every 8 months or so I get talked into going to dinner here and every time I am hoping that it will be a better experience. The food is mediocre and the service is just plain bad. The 2 redeeming factors are the table side salsa service and the mariachi band which moves my ranking from 1 star to 2 stars. Service: we asked for more napkins and none came, we ended up having to take the serving set up from the next table. Additionally water glasses were not filled regularly. Cleanliness: I had a fly land on my food....disgusting. Price: Over priced for mediocre food. Hopefully I won't be talked into going back here again
(2)
Thomas H.
Heard so much about this place we had to try it. It was ok. I'm from Tucson and could see this as a place people from out of town would like. The service was good but the food was bland. No heat at all. The beans had very little flavor. I eat all over Tucson and different places have their own version. But I just can't recommend this place
(2)
Grant H.
Amazing chimichanga and hand made salsa... Can't beat the happy hour margaritas either... If I didn't live in California I would be here at least once a week A++++
(5)
Tom C.
We were very impressed with the service here, attentive without being intrusive. The salsa is created to order at your table; your waitress uses a mortar and pestle to create your salsa. All portions were large and everyone in our large (13) party were happy with the quality of their food, the tilapia, a new item, was excellent. My chimichanga was full of shredded beef (ground beef or strips are also offered) and a traditionally large portion was served, more than enough for my appetite. Personally I prefer my chimi to be really crisp, this one was deep fried but 'not for long' as it was very light in color and not very crisp. A small portion of rice and beans were on the plate along with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole. Quality overall was very good and service was excellent.
(4)
Barb H.
At the end of a great parents weekend at UA, we asked our daughter and her boyfriend where they wanted to have dinner. They both requested Guadalajara Grill (the site of their first date.) The building is easy to find and we were greeted immediately. Its obvious that many of the employees have been with them for a long time. We started with their made at the table salsa. Oh so good and smoky. Nice selection of margaritas and beers. Huge menu. I had the cheese enchiladas with green chili, hubby had some fresh fish tacos and daughter has sizzling steak fajitas. Was any of this vastly different than other Mexican restaurants? No, but it was solid food in a delightful setting with stellar service. We will be back.
(3)
Ryan H.
I come to Guadalajara Grill 4-5 times a year and it never disappoints. I usually go with a chimi but recently discovered the molcajete bowl. Similar to fajitas, it came out in a sizzling stone bowl, with the carne/mariscos simmering in a tomato stew. Delicious and a huge meal. The lively decor, mariachi band, friendly service and extensive menu make this a great destination for out of town visitors and locals, young and old alike. Check it out!
(5)
Joshua L.
Used to really like this place until they moved. It seemed like they forgot to take the quality with them in the move. Overpriced unoriginal mexican fare.
(2)
Esmat E.
Love the table side salsa and happy hour beer prices.
(4)
Monica E.
I miss the restaurants old location near Campbell. But the food is still tasty and fresh.
(4)
Joel L.
Now this place is special!!!!! First of all they come and make your salsa right at your table! No store bought salsa here. We tried the chicken fajitas and the burritos, tacos with the quesadilla and it was FANTASTIC!!! The salsa is made to your liking, mild, medium or my favorite hot!, it's all good. Environment lends itself to a Mexican food experience. The margaritas were delicious and not that expensive. So if your looking for a great place to have some good ole Mexican food THE GUADALAJARA ORIGINAL GRILL is your best bet! Please make reservations cause the wait can be a little long, but it's worth it! :)
(5)
PHIL g.
First of party of 6 Sunday evening. Gave name of reservation and were seated. Some time later discovered rest of group in another part of restaurant. Hostess obviously paid no attention to us. Waiter was attentive but food was abysmal. Strangest tortillas ever! Burro was a raw, doughy mess. Wife ordered a chimichanga. It was also doughy, not crisp as a chimichanga should be. House margarita had little taste and even less tequila. Have eaten in many Mexican restaurants in area. This place is at the bottom of the list.
(1)
Peter R.
Really bad service. My partner and I were seated at a 4 top table. I decided to sit next to her and glad I did. Any other seat would have been in the way of the salsa cart, which bumped our table more than once. The fresh made salsa is actually really good. The food is way overpriced and is mediocre at best. After asking for a box for our food, we waited about 10 minutes before having to ask another server for our check. After our server brought it, and waited another 5 minutes, we took it to the front to pay and left an undeserving tip on the table. As we walked to the front, we past our server who was preparing some food in the kitchen, I said thank you as we past. As we were paying at the front, she came running up as if we were going to walk out on the check. She obviously cared about getting paid without any consideration for her customer's needs and time.
(1)
Anh N.
As another yelper once said "when disneyland meets denny's meets Mexico." Fresh salsa made by your table gives this place closer to a 4 star review - and food was surprisingly tasty (Pollo en Mole and Chile Verde).
(3)
Tiffany S.
This place is always packed! If your looking for a lively, family friendly but homey experience then this would be a good place. The wait can at times be long, but I've usually been seated within 5 minutes. It's hard to go wrong with the food...But the Tres Bandidos, Cilantro chicken and anything with Mole are particularly good. I've never been disappointed by the quality (or quantity). The Mariachi band and salsa making ladies are pretty special. Depending on the crowd it might take the salsa lady awhile to come around and the service also varies. I've had some truly outstanding waiters and some duds.
(4)
David L.
Stopped for a snack and something cool to drink first week of May. Table side salsas were OK and the chips were good. Very nice guacamole. Had an ice tea and a negro modelo, It was Happy Hour, of which we were unaware and the bill was really cheap for what we had. Left a 30% tip and signed the credit card receipt. Got home and just received our credit card statement. They added another 30% to the bill...... Check your statements!
(2)
Andrea H.
My coworkers obsess over this place and before I moved to Tucson I heard great things about it too. Therefore, the bar was set high for Guad Grill. I firmly believe that it reached the standard that was set for it...... You can't go wrong with the fresh, made-on-the spot salsa. It simply rocks and I drizzled it over my dinner entree even after eating a bowl of chips with it. The margaritas are spectacular and enhance any dinner menu item ;) I usually finish off my meal with the Sopapillas, which are perfect for sharing with the table. Breakfast at Guad Grill is ok, but lunch and dinner are really the shining stars. The staff is adorable if you are celebrating a birthday dinner-- the mariachi singers will serenade the birthday person and they are also giving a festive (tin foil) hat and dessert! Precious :)
(4)
Jay L.
My favorite place in Tucson! The food is amazing!
(5)
Ray L.
Oh boy! Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican food! Honestly, Guadalajara Grill is about the same as most other sit-down Mexican restaurants in town. This is not a bad thing-the food is completely okay, if not especially memorable. The chile verde is definitely green, but the color is more interesting than the flavor, a dynamic shared by the insipid (but very red) shredded beef. The menu is heavy on fajitas and unencumbered by soups but, then, menudo doesn't have the gimmicky appeal of tableside salsa which is, apparently, exciting. Likewise, if you are thrilled by large, colorful alcoholic beverages, Guadalajara Grill is considerably closer than Vegas. If you are nostalgic for the D.F., you can order a huarache, which is nice to find in Tucson, but the resulting battleship of food offers more heft than flavor. Guadalajara Grill is a big enough establishment that it lacks a feeling of family ownership, an attitude reflected in the courteous-yet-disinterested attitude of the servers and the overpolished theme park decor. The good side of this is that Guadalajara Grill was open on New Year's day, when smaller family restaurants are closed. Portions and prices are on par with other midrange Mexican restaurants. If you prefer flavor over a midtown location and cheesy atmosphere, go somewhere else.
(3)
Brad H.
Not sure if its just because we arrived just before close, but this place didn't quite live up to the expectations I had after delicious salsa was made at the table. Service was inattentive and half the food was cold. Finally, how am I supposed to eat a giant portion of fajitas, which had great flavor by the way, with only two tiny tortillas? I'd ask my server except she hasn't been seen for a while. Check please
(2)
Punam D.
When we got here, the place was packed but we were led efficiently to our table. The service in general was attentive, and although there was a bit of a wait for food and drinks (which you could well understand), the atmosphere was so good that you didn't mind. The salsa made at our table was delicious, and the staff did not stint on the tortilla chips. In fact, there was just too much food! It was universally excellent; I only wish I had had more room in my stomach. We were 12, and everyone raved about their particular dish. I had fajitas. The lobster enchilada drew real praise. The margaritas were something else: gigantic! I was glad I stuck to the sangria. And finally, a word about the mariachi band: really very talented and entertaining. A great night out.
(4)
Eric S.
Used to be great, but I brought a party of 8 here to celebrate this week and I was embarrassed. Two people sent their food back, two people didn't eat much of their order, and EVERYONE complained about the long wait to order, to get our food, and to get our check, and the mariachis were way way way to loud. The place used to be packed all the time, and this is the first time i've been there when it was half empty, and it;s clear why. The place has gone downhill. Too bad. I used to love it and bring visitors here, but no more.
(2)
Todd G.
Not bad. The skinny margaritas were a bit strong. Felt like I was sipping a glass full of tequila shots. The salsa prepared table side was As Good As It Gets though.
(4)
Paul D.
I can't say that I am a big Mexican food critic. All Mexican food tastes pretty good to me ( as long as there is no cilantro). But what I like about Guadalajara Grill is that it is a very festive place. The inside is very colorful and there are pinatas hanging from the ceilings. They have the Mariachi band playing and they have the Salsa lady that comes around and makes fresh salsa. I also like the big booths. We always have a good time when we go here.
(4)
Bianca A.
I think the food here is delicious. Although service has definitely slowed since they moved I still appreciate the effort. Try their huarache dish it is soooo good and the few margaritas I've tried so far are also very yum! I wish them continued success!
(4)
Corey C.
IT'S A FIESTA! This places enables people to roll their R's. Serious. Go with people who are incapable of saying "burrito" the correct way. After some fresh Salsa and a few margaritas, BAM, they'll be able to recite the spanish alphabet no problemo. You're gonna shell out some dough for this table side salsa making restaurant but keeping that in mind their margaritas or ginormous. Go during happy hour if you can fit it in on a Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM. Margaritas are half price and appetizers are considerably cheaper.
(4)
Kevin M.
Went there for dinner with a group of 12. The restaurant did a great job seating us quickly and providing great service at the table (having 2 waiters helped). The salsa is made table-side and was very tasty. We ordered guacamole as an appetizer -- it was much less impressive than the salsa. The food was good but didn't seem particularly special.
(3)
Josh F.
So good. So damn good. One of the few places I really miss from my U of A days. The salsa here is incredible. As is the guac and the tortillas and the chips and the margaritas. Just go have fun at this place. It's an incredible value.
(4)
.caroline. ..
This is a favorite of our Tucson friends, and we can see why. The made-at-your-table salsa is excellent, and the chips are bountiful. Save room for the enormous plates of food though! The Asada Chimichanga is deliciously filling, and the enchiladas (especially the pork chile verde) are yum-my. The giant (and cheap) beers and margaritas do not go unnoticed. Our friends report that the wait can be awfully long (and you can tell if there's someone directing traffic in the parking lot), and recommend sending someone ahead to put your name down on the wait list. Must be present to win ;)
(4)
Jack P.
Great Mexican food in a town KNOWN for Mexican food. The salsa, made fresh at your table could not possibly be any fresher or more authentic. Fantastico! Mariachis stroll the floor and will serenade you for a couple of bucks (just like south of the border). It's kind of loud with the adjacent sports-bar and all the excitement...probably not a great place for a "quiet" sit-down with the fam. Loved it though.
(4)
Melinda T.
Love this place. The food is reasonably priced and you get a lot of it. They make fresh corn tortillas, which you can see when you first walk into the dining room. The best part though? The lady makes fresh salsa in front on you! You get to choose the level of spiciness, and it's delicious! Great fun atmosphere and friendly service.
(4)
Peter B.
Got there at 5:15, Friday; friends waiting at a table in the bar . . . GREAT salsa (made table-side), good margaritas (a little sweet, but did the trick) . . . and pleasantly surprised by the mini-chimi's . . . incredibly good!
(4)
Jim S.
This place got some good reviews on yelp, so I really had to try it out. Honestly, fellow yelpers, you've let me down! Salsa - famous perhaps, but really not inspired or memorable aside from the fact they make it at your table. Show what? Margaritas - avoid. Really bad - as in un-drinkable. A margarita that is undrinkable - strike two. Food - beef tacos (not carne asada, no such option) - shredded or ground. What??? Seriously, I expected better tacos for a sit-down restaurant that wants more than 10 bucks for a 3 item combo. Street tacos like that should be a buck each. It's not that I'm cheap, just really disappointed. I will not return. Maybe I went there on an off night - but ugh! Five stars - when there are so many better choices???
(2)
Paul V.
A plug to the Tucson Weekly: I came here because this was voted second best Mexican restaurant in their 2008 Best of Tucson issue. I'd already been to the restaurant that received the most local votes, so came here. Table-made salsa is excellent. The hot is very hot, so be careful, and the mild is deceptively so. The heat sneaks up on you, making you sweat after dunking a few chips. The food is stick-to-your-ribs ranchero food, a complete 180 degrees from the "fine-dining" Mexican restaurants in town, and better than the Mexican restaurants appealing to the gringo diner. Don't expect an appealing-looking plate, but expect a plate that has good food, fills you up, and makes you leave satisfied.
(4)
Chich S.
We went to this restaurant based off the other yelp reviews, and I have to say that it definitely was worth the trip! The salsa made freshly at the table definitely lives up to all the hype I've read. The entrees are pretty delicious too! The margaritas are definitely a bit too sweet (and huge), to the point where we couldn't finish it. Overall, a great experience! Definitely will come back if I'm in Tuscon again.
(4)
Karl S.
This is our go-to Mexican restaurant when in Tucson. Homemade table-side salsa, strolling musicians, fresh made tortillas, great tasting food, great atmosphere and attentive servers. Sometimes you have to wait to be seated, but it's worth it. We had the Tres Bandidos and the paella tonight. Very yummy.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
This is our favorite restaurant to take out of town guests! Excellent food and service. The table side made to order salsa is delicious and the mariachis are entertaining without being too loud. You can't go wrong with the margaritas and mocajete but we have tried most of the nenu and all the food is excellent.
(5)
Paul A.
Our dinner here was outstanding! The service was prompt, courteous, and attentive. The salsa lady made some of the best salsa I've had in Tucson (or anywhere else, for that matter). The green chile was flavorful and tender, and I highly recommend it. The fajitas were also wonderful! The house margarita's were just right, and they have Modelo Negro on tap! We had received good recommendations about this place from friends, and I would say they were accurate. If you want good Mexican food and great atmosphere for a good price, you can't beat Guadalajara Grill!
(5)
George V.
Awesome food. My wife and I split a mixed grill of carnitas, shrimp, chicken, and steak, and still had plenty of left overs.
(5)
browse n.
Found this spot on a trip to Tucson (thanks to prior Yelp reviews). The margaritas are large, the tortillas are made on site, the salsa is made table-side, superior carnitas and the chicken mole enchiladas were excellent! The only vaguely critical comment was that the steak fajitas were merely okay, not great. I definitely encourage you to check this place out.
(4)
Ana C.
They were able to fit a huge group and kept the chips and salsa coming!
(4)
Mike I.
Best sit-down Mexican food in town. Why it is awesome: -Salsa made at your table-side -Everything is good -Unique menu items like lobster enchiladas -Molcajetes, Fajita like dish that comes in a giant lava rock that is boiling hot and filled with delicious meats -Margaritas -Mariachi Band -Tortillas made in house that are making my mouth water as I write this -I repeat, Molcajetes.
(5)
Aisha M.
I was hoping to find excellent Mexican in Tucson. I'm sure it is there but I didn't find it. The guacamole was really good. I had the enchiladas mole. I cleaned my plate but I have had much better.
(3)
gaby g.
I enjoyed the table-side salsa making. Good salsa. I had the chicken fajitas, and the chicken was great. The rice and beans were pretty bland and didn't add much to the dish. I don't know that I'll be rushing back, but it was a solid meal.
(4)
Jason P.
This has got to be the best Mexican Food joint in Tucson. Everything from the service to the food to the atmosphere is excellent. Every time I have been there has always been a great experience. The food has always been delicious and the staff has been pleasant.
(5)
Mark S.
Fun and lively! Bright decor, and a friendly staff. The tableside Salsa is a great show with a happy-tasting ending. They make it to order (burning hot for me, mild for the kids). We had combo fajitas and carne asada, both of which were very fresh. This is a great place to take out-of-towners!
(4)
Paul P.
The food was excellent. Huge portions too. The salsa was pretty good and they make it at your table. We asked for medium but it was still very HOT. Thankfully they serve some giant beers to put out the fire in my mouth. Mariachi band was playing too.
(4)
Nathan C.
Excellent food! Salsa made at table, friendly waiter. mariachi band. Definitely get a lemonade it is awesome! This place is hopping on the weekends so make a reservation otherwise you will have up to an hour wait. My favorite mexican restaurant in tucson!!
(5)
Nina H.
Four of us ate at the Guadalajara Grill on the recommendation of a friend. We were delighted with the total experience. Salsa, made tableside to your order, was plentiful and tasty. The girls who make it wore Mexican embroidered blouses and long skirts; the walls are decorated with handpainted murals, giving the whole place an atmosphere probably more Mexican than Mexico itself. Tortillas were made on the premisis, and the Sangria, made with brandy, was very pleasant. I ordered Chicken mole, which was a bit bland but very flavorful. If I have occasion to return to Tucson, I will certainly dine there again.
(4)
carl h.
they make your salsa at your table. big portions, tasty. service also good.nice authetic place.
(4)
Melody S.
Just ok. Food and service was decent. Nothing spectacular.
(3)
S. M.
Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. What more can you ask for?! Their homemade tortillas are to-die-for!!! They are thin, yet have a bit of a crunch to them with an excellent flavor. I once reheated one in the microwave... Still great- which is crazy! The ingredients used in their food are obviously fresh and not overcooked. Great quality. My only complaint would be that they should use fresh tomatoes in their salsa rather than canned/blanched tomatoes. It's definitely still good, though! I will definitely come back to this place many times!!
(5)
Ami D.
Delicious food! The review for this place are definitely appropriately written. The salsa is my personal highlight! I consistenly order Arroz con Pollo and its great. Don't get me wrong, I used to order different things each time to try out the menu but now I just stick to it because I know I love it. The flavors are great and I always have leftovers I throw into a burrito the next day! Extra goodness... Enjoy!
(4)
Cindy N.
Had my faithful Entertainment card and decided to go back to Guadalajara Grill once more. Last time I went was for a happy hour for the office and it was plain awful. Place was packed, noisy, food was yukky. But I figured I'd give it another try. Being I had the card was motivation for me to try it again. We went early on Sat. night just before 5.00 PM. It was quiet and I was quite overjoyed to enjoy a wonderful meal. Some newer different items on the menu such as Halibut Enchiladas with sauteed veggies and rice. Rice was just so so. But the Halibut was yummy as well as the veggies. Hubby had a combo plate and enjoyed that as well. Even had leftovers which were just devoured the next day. Of course, the salsa lady offers at the table service and it was made to order. Excellent. Being the cheapskate I am when it comes to food. Not sure if I would run back here as they are a bit pricey. La Sur on 22nd for $4.99 has wonderful chicken enchiladas. Much better value and just as good.
(4)
Troy W.
It's not el charro good slasa made at the table. Feels unclean and I got really sick after eating there.
(2)
Denny P.
This is a terrific place to eat as a couple or in a group. The food is excellent and even at every visit. This visit included six of us, three from out of town, in for a college graduation. We were seated promptly due to our reservations. The place was packed and we were greeted with a smile. The salsa made at the table to order was perfect and when we ran out of chips they were replenished, again with a smile. We ordered from the menu and their specials, including green corn tamales. Everyone raved about their choice and the appetizers ordered for the table. Don't order too much as the plates are "grande" sized and we took food home that night (as usual). Everything travels perfectly as long as you don't pack the sauces with the chips.
(5)
Brian C.
The fresh salsa (made at the table) is delicious! The guacamole is very smooth (and is a nice tamer if you get the salsa too spicy). The staff is friendly, and attentive. There is a live mariachi band too.
(5)
Jane O.
I love this restaurant! With the tableside salsa, good food and fun atmosphere, you couldn't really go wrong from there. BUT THEIR SERVICE SUCKS! if it weren't for the good food and salsa, this place would be out of business. I would give it 5 stars but I can't. If you go expecting to get poor service, your overall experience will not be that bad.
(3)
Pilar L.
Never so embarrassed. Highly recommended, brought out of town guests. Surly waitress, apathetic "table side salsa service", bland beyond belief food, watery drinks. Blah blahbla. And Not inexpensive,,,,,
(1)
Kayla B.
Came here on my 21st and many other occasions with the family and bf. I love that they make the salsa table side and to your liking the service is soso but if you can wait for good Mexican food then I would recommend this place. However if you expect amazing service and and to get in and out I would say to go elsewhere.
(3)
Chelle F.
Really good. Like, really, really good. The "made at your table" salsa was quite tasty, although next time I'll stress that I want it HOT. Husband had the Plato Bandera, which was amazingly good. The sauces. OMG, the sauces. So delicious that I considered licking the inside of the take-out container once he'd finished them the next day. Plus, the cheese they use is white, not yellow. That's almost worth 5 stars right there. I had the chicken molcajete, which was delicious but just not quite my speed. Kind of like fajita soup. The rice was good but non-remarkable. The Guadalarita margarita is HUGE, but mine was a little heavy on the sweet and sour mix and a little light on the tequila. I don't know if they're always like that or not. Bonus points for the Negra Modelo on tap. If you're going on a Friday or Saturday, listen to their website and make a reservation. There was only 2 of us, and we went at 6:00, so there wasn't much of a line, but by the time we'd finished eating an hour later the place was wall-to-wall people and getting through the lobby was a tight squeeze.
(4)
Tim T.
I've been to this location several times and the one on Kolb too. I was beginning to think this was a consistently good mexican restaurant but after the last few times we went there it is just okay. For a while the food and service were very good but as they have become more popular they are slacking on both. Now, I think the only thing that is worth going there for is the table side salsa. When we went there a couple weeks ago the food was average and the prices had increased. For $14 for enchiladas I expect some consistently great food.
(2)
Michelle P.
My group really enjoyed the food. You get big portions. The salsa is made fresh at your table. It is cool because you get to custom order how you want it made. (i.e extra cilantro, mild, hot, etc). I ordered guacamole as an appetizer. It is served in a tasty crispy fried shell. You get a lot of guacamole and it tastes fresh and healthy. I ordered the carne asada platter which was good. I split the dish with someone and we were both full at the end of the night We ordered a margarita. It was too salty and had a sweet/sticky taste too it. I can't remember the name of the margarita, but we got one of the best Rita's they serve.
(4)
Sean M.
I really wanted to like this place. Hey, I'm in Tucson it only makes sense to go for Mexican. This place had good reviews, so I checked it out. The salsa was made table-side, which is pretty cool, and all they ask for is a tip for the señorita who's slaving this out in a lava bowl. Maybe my gringo side has gotten the best of me, but I would have liked the salsa to have been chilled. That would have been refreshing when it's still 90+ degrees outside, but it was room temp warm. I asked for recommendations on dinner and went with the Chili Verde. I get that all the food here is pre-made, but at least take the time to warm it up. My dinner came out within about 3- minutes of my order (no joke). It appeared like they just plated it and didn't bother to heat it up. The cheese wasn't even melted, and a finger check proved the beans and pork were room temp at best. They did reheat it when I asked, and it turned out pretty tasty. I guess in all it worked out, but I still can't help feeling bummed I spent my Tucson dinner out here. In short, I'd prefer colder salsa and warmer food. On the plus side, this place does look like it has all the right stuff to be a good Texmex restaurant, and while it's kinda slow right now, it is a Monday night and it's probably very lively on other nights.
(2)
Tiffany V.
I absolutely love everything about this place. The ambience, the food, the service; it's all wonderful. I haven't tried anything I haven't enjoyed. I also really enjoy that they make the salsa fresh for you at your table. So... delicious. LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)
Ron R.
Great atmosphere! So so food but I am a fine dining Hispanic with a great pallet. I won't go back unless it's for drinks and chips at the back bar.
(3)
Amy W.
I've been going to Guadalajara Grill for years now, and it's great. Their salsa is fantastic, their margaritas are HUGE and strong, and their servers are usually great, not to mention the food. Granted, it's not the BEST Mexican food place in town, but it's still solidly delicious. Only once did I go there and have a complete monster of a waitress, but I haven't seen her since so she probably got fired. Point is, they're the best place for taking your friends, especially your loud friends, and relaxing and having a fun time. My favorite dish is either the molcajete (might have misspelled), tamale, or machaca beef, although I've never really explored their pork or seafood dishes. Later Edit: Don't get curious about the Chipotle Chicken.
(5)
Sam M.
A must try for dinner. House margarita is big and cheap during happy hour, or get the margarita Guadalajara for u or a friend if u brought a camera. The meriachi band takes requests of any genre, very fun.
(5)
J. A.
Amazing food with amazing service. I have never had bad service or bad food here. You really need to try the molletes con carne. The bread that they're on is amazing. I can make an entire meal out of this appetizer. The potato tacos are also fantastic. The molcajete is piping hot, flavored brilliantly and melts in your mouth.
Well there is a Chicken Mole dish, which is a clue if your Mexican restaurant is Mexican. Margs are just ok, salsa is good as built to order, so speak up Gringo. Hey it's not Taco Bell so be patient, so if you're in a hurry go to a "FAST FOOD" DUH!
(3)
Xinda H.
Very good! Food portion is large! I like those entrees served in a big stone bowl, I forgot the name though. Salsa is freshly made tableside, like it.
(5)
Larry L.
I met my 2 Sons for lunch today and the service was slow and the food was not good. I'm a native Tucsonan and know what is great and poor Mexican food and this is the latter. Food was cold and the cheese in the enchiladas wasn't even melted. I remember why I quit going there when they were at their first location on Prince Rd.
(2)
Jennifer B.
Do not purchase online gift cards from them. I tried to to save some time ordering online and three days later I am still waiting for the gift cards to be emailed to the recipients. I called to ask and was told by the cashier who answered the phone "to be quiet and listen to me". When I waited for her to explain the process and then asked questions she told me "I'm just the cashier, how should I know?". Finally after emailing the "webmaster" did my virtual gift cards get sent.
(1)
Lisa W.
I love the atmosphere here! This place is a lot of fun to eat at! They make the salsa right at your table, and you can also control how spicy it is. Their flour tortillas are made in house, so they're as fresh as it gets. I'd would say hands down that Guadalajara Grill has the best flour tortillas I've had since I've been in Tucson. We went on a Saturday night, so they had live music, and the small mariachi band come by and sing at your table too! I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jeff K.
Excellent value for the money! I refer not only to the food but also the service, the ambiance, the excellent salsa made at our table, and the strolling trio of singers, "Los Amigos" (great harmonies in their singing). The decoration style is fairly common for Mexican restaurants that I have been in in many states but it feels more like a local family restaurant. It is well lit and very clean. The staff works quickly but is friendly and helpful. I had tilapia covered with a green chili sauce on a bed of onions and cucumber. Their Spanish rice is very good; the refried beans were good to very good. We had sopapillas for desert: divine!
(5)
Michael V.
When someone talks up a restaurant all week, the place has to somewhat perform. This place turned out to be ok. My coworkers ordered dishes that were typical dishes you would order so we weren't surprised when tasted pretty good. Now the kicker.... Do not order the Michelada drink. It is beer mug dusted with sparkling salt crystals and filled half way with a pungent mix of clamato juice. You pour one glass of beer in the drink and try to enjoy the cool summer breeze. Gross, it was not tasty at all. It reminded me of beer mixed in with a bloody Mary. The only thing to do was to laugh the taste away. Also the menu has pictures but make sure you order the description that is below it or else you'll get something you thought you were getting but didn't, like salmon tacos.
(3)
Dan J.
We came here after reading recommendations on Yelp, and it was definitely worth it. One of the best Mexican joints in the area. The salsa made at your table was fun and added to the ambiance (note: about 20 too many pinatas though!). This place was good, the margaritas were great, and the Chile Verde was so good that there was nothing left! Service was excellent and we will definitely be returning - both for a night out for two and with the family or a larger group.
(5)
Rachel A.
Take out of town guests here for a fun dining experience. Really good margaritas!! Delicious, LARGE portions.
(4)
Dale P.
Salsa made at your table, mariachi band, and great food. They also have a solid happy hour and in their new location parking is easy. Best place in town for real Mexican gourmet food. Poca Cosa is very good but not as traditional. This is a must try.
(5)
Melissa H.
A recent trip back to Tucson to see the friends I miss most, landed me at the Guadalajara Grill. When I lived in Tucson I lived around the corner from it's original location and I am kicking myself for never trying it before. The table side salsa is a nice touch. While most people love it because they can spice it up, I loved it because I could get the perfect medium blend heavier on the garlic. My friend prompted me to order the bandera margarita and seriously I could of drank 10 more. It is a tri colored frozen margarita with lime, strawberry, and melon and it was delicious. Sticking to my bandera theme I ordered the enchiladas banderas and was not disappointed. The tortillas really are excellent and the food was fresh and prompt to our tables. the atmosphere makes you feel like you are someplace else and there really is an experience to be had here.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Uhmazing, make salsa fresh at your table. The best fajitas ive ever had. Try it you wont be... sawwy.
(5)
Mark K.
Great food. Plus-minus service. Favorites include table-side made salsa to taste, queso fundido and seafood molcajete in the hot stone pot. Mmmm, good.
(4)
Shane W.
This is a new favorite of mine. The service was great as all of the staff was very friendly and the owner came over to serve us and ended up talking for a few minutes. The house margarita is good. The frozen strawberry margarita made with Hornito's is better. The Manchegos is a great appetizer - especially if you love cheese. The chips and salsa is great and plenty as the salsa is made to your order at your table. The chimchanga's are great. The Capitain's Skillet fajitas are served sizzling hot with freshly made tortillas - they make their own at the restaurant. The Albondigas is good as well. The seafood selection is amazing as it reelects the owner's love and knowledge of good seafood. The mariachis band was wonderful to listen to. The downsides are: finding a parking spot is very difficult as this place is very busy; the red rice is dry when compared to the local Sonoran style; and the general music on the speaker system is too loud such that it takes away some of the beauty from the mariachis. I do recommend reservations to avoid waiting in line; otherwise, they bar is a great place to wait.
(4)
Sara E.
Bland. That is not an endorsement. Sonoran Mexican food should be spicy and bright. This food is boring. The salsa at the table bit is charming, but doesn't make up for deficiencies in dishes that are delightful elsewhere. Tucson has so many great Mexican restaurants that it is hard to understand how this establishment stays open. Perhaps just the margaritas and salsa? Sad, sad, sad.
(2)
Michael G.
There was enough mariachi music swirling around this place to make you feel like you were in Guadalajara, and sprinkle a potent house margarita on top and your there man! The food is exceptional, the bustling crowd and hot plates running around like a Guadalajara fire drill paints the picture. This is the place to be! Come on out, the music is right, your stomach is going to dance all night.
(4)
Michael D.
Follow the steps. 1. Pick a beautiful day. 2. Sit on the patio at Guadalajara Grill. 3. Enjoy the table-side salsa and your drink of choice (Bohemia or house margarita thank you). 4. Order the Machaca (Huge serving of slow cooked spice pulled beef, beans, rice, and fresh tortillas). 5. Lose yourself to dining bliss. You're welcome reader, and thank you Guadalajara.
(5)
Tom W.
This is a great place to go with visitors to get a taste of the traditional culture along with the biggest menu in town. The new building is terrific and the made-to-order salsa at your table is a treat for first time visitors as well as long time customers.
(4)
Rachelle M.
Love Love Love this place!!!! The atmosphere is SO fun and they restaurant has so much going on! The table side salsa is made to order so you tell her exactly how you want it and then taste test to make sure you love it. Only negative is that you not only have to pay on the bill for the salsa but you also have to tip so for salsa, its a tad expensive. But she did a great job, as usual, so we gave her $5. I'll start with a disclaimer: I do not actually like mexican food but I love Guadalajara Grill! I usually just get the chicken quesadilla, but I will always eat off of everyone else's plates and what they have is almost always delicious! So coming from a mexican food hater, that is total props. So everyone go check it out, they have TWO locations now but I still like the original on Prince the most. Be careful, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on Mondays and early dinner bird times.
(4)
Matt P.
Only been to the new location once but food was still great as always. The salsa made table-side is my favorite
(4)
Brian H.
While I didn't get to my usual Mexican food haunts this last visit to Tucson, I don't feel like I missed getting my dose of Sonoran comfort food after visiting this place. The fish tacos were pretty fresh (purveyor delivered the day before), the salsa pungent and full of bite, and the beans flavorful yet not gut-sticking. All washed down by a decent frozen margarita (so size trumps quality here) and rounded out by friendly table service.
(3)
Amith N.
Great Mexican Food! Salsa made fresh at table to suit your taste. Excellent Manchego appetizer, great entrees. Reasonable prices. Service was a bit slow as it was very busy, but good service for the category of establishment.
(5)
Megan Z.
I always get one of their amazing, gigantic margaritas and hot salsa. They're the best!! This place is always good. Great margaritas, great food, and never had a problem with service or anything else. Best mole in town!!!
(5)
Angela V.
Miss the old location, long before it became so popular. I used to be able to go there and get good service and even better food, but now it's such a wait to be seated, even when you have reservations. I've only gone once since they changed locations (NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE which is such a huge annoyance!!) and it's just too busy for my taste. The food and margaritas were still great though :-)
(3)
Kyle H.
The Plato Bandera was outstanding and the dining experience was top notch. The fresh salsa made to order at your table was really unique, we will definitely make a return trip next time in town.
(5)
Lindsay J.
I went to U of A and this is place is a must go to if you live or visit Tucson!! I was told about this place from my boyfriends teammate and they said we had t ry it! Of course, I would never pass up fabulous Mexican food and the told us they make their own salsa at the table and the tortillas are fresh! Of course I was all in when I heard this...so we went and can I just say...AMAZING!!!! I had the shrimp fajitas and I was in heaven...lets start with the chips and salsa...OMG...they come to your table and ask how you like it and of course Ilove spicy!!! I had them add alot of spice and I got the whole bowl to myself because my boyfriend and friends wanted theirs medium! I finished lik 2 bowls of chips and salsa myself...I also indulged in a margarita...my boyfriend tried the tequila flight and of course he loved it! Then our food came...of course I was full but after they brought out my sizzling shrimp and veggies...I was ready to go! They then gave me the fresh flour tortillas and I was officially hooked forever! They were hot and chewy and soft and delicious...need I go on? The shrimp were large and cooked perfectly! It was the perfect food...I loved every bit and of course I ate to the point that I could not move...so worth it! hahaha...I could not eat it all of course because there was so much food...but best believe I took it go and enjoyed it the next day and night! They even gave me more salsa, chips and tortillas to go! My boyfriend had this red pork or beef dish it was fabulous too! WE have shared it a couple of times since our first visit! My friends had the enchiladas and another one had a burrito...they all looked sooooooooo good! Go here....this place is amazing! It is not fancy...it is casual, loud and fun!!!!
(5)
Surranna V.
I still love this place but if you didn't know they have moved, and I like the other location better. No patio yet, at the new location. The new spot is just down the street from the old one, keep going was on prince the address is 12-- something, its on the same side of the road as the old location. The mar gs were as awesome as ever. The place was so packed that I think the food was not as good as usual but still good. The wait on a Friday night was about an hour so grad your drinks and sit tight!
(4)
Nicole H.
I look forward to coming to Tucson so I can eat at this restaurant! It's authentic, amazing margaritas, salsa & guac made at your table (it's fresh and as spicy as you want it!). Everytime I eat there I try something new and have yet to be disappointed.
(5)
Jen W.
Love the salsa! I try to eat at Guadalajara grill before 6 and then it's not as busy. Get the medium version of salsa and ask for extra garlic. Super good! Entrees are usually $11-$18, so they are more pricy than your general Mexican combo. But all my out-of-town relatives really love Guadalajara Grill! Reliable and consistent!
(5)
Nathaniel H.
I'm from Wisconsin and I expected really good Mexican food when I came down to Arizona. I was excited when I arrived at Guadalajara Grill. We were told there was an hour wait for a table. This was okay as I went to get a beer (which turns out to be a 22oz glass!). I assumed that a Mexican restaurant that busy in Tucson must be incredible. WRONG. The service was decent, not amazing, but not bad enough to turn me off. I did enjoy the table-made salsa idea, but the salsa-lady didn't tell us our options other than spice level (turns out we missed out on many things I would have added in). Then the entrees came out. I am shocked to say that I have never had Mexican food this flavorless in Wisconsin much less near the Mexican border. The meat was all horrifically overcooked (my "steak" was rubbery and dry) and the vegetables had been soaked so thoroughly in bad oil that you couldn't even taste the vegetable underneath. Making this even worse: the prices were $15 plus. Sorry Arizona, but I find quality, fresh, Mexican food in Wisconsin for less than $10.
(1)
Kevin C.
This place has the most delicious salsa I've eaten anywhere, and the selection of entrees is extensive and just as delicious. I spent 10 months working on a project in Tucson, and once I found this place I went back several more times and took coworkers with me each time. The salsa ladies are prompt and courteous, and always ask if you'd like your salsa mild, medium, or hot. Heat it up for me, and she did. The drinks are great, I've never had any bad service, but the salsa is what keeps bringing me back for more. Can't get enough of that stuff...
(5)
Jessica R.
When Rosa's was closed for Holy Thursday, we came here instead. What a pleasant surprise! The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, and I loved the salsa cart at the table. We'd missed the dinner rush, and so the singers seemed to be calling it a night. I had one of the best margaritas I've had in a looong time...strong, big, and tasty. The food was excellent. It was the best meal I had during my stay in Tucson.
(5)
Rachel S.
I don't get why this place gets good reviews. Went here with a mex food craving and since yelp gave it the a OK expected it to be pretty good. Once again, tucson proves to be a nearly complete culinary wasteland. Atmosphere is great, festive and classic Mexican restaurant. Kids love looking at all the murals and pinatas. Tableside salsa was watery and over salted. Service was ok but it took an eternity to get our orders out and the place was not half full. Our chicken mole and tacos al pastor arrived. We were excited about the al pastor because it's hard to find in tucson. The corn tortillas were cold and smelled like a refrigerator. The pork was in huge chewy cubes with no flavor. yuk. The mole was lumpy and too thick, like it had been cooking voerlong in a pot. The chicken underneath was in strips and also very hard like it had been cooked several times to rubbery consistency. The only good things were the home made flour tortillas and the beans. For that I could have gone to Nico's for a 3 dollar bean burrito. The biggest mystery was that as we were leabving the place was filling up with lots and lots of people. what are they coming here for? Waht do they get that we don't know about?
(1)
James B.
Very good food but too NOISY for me.
(3)
Shana M.
I like this very much, truely authentic Mexican food. Lots of seafood on menu. We ordered Chili Verde burros. My husband ordered the Carnitas best in town. Last visit we both ordered seafood,which was excellent. A little pricey for a casual just staving for mexican food dinner. Salsa mixed at your table to your taste. Chips, tortillas hot and fresh. 3.00 margaritas at 4pm happy hour. Big drinks, big food, first time in a long time we took 1/2 of our dinners home. Out side tables, This is a place to take out of towners to.
(4)
Erik J.
Maybe I'm a little biased because this place is walking distance from my house, but I really love Guadalajara Grill! My wife and I come here pretty often after work for happy hour (ends at 6pm) where the house margaritas are only $3 (for a big, cool looking glass of it), and appetizers are half off. I really like the fresh, made-at-your-table salsa that can be ordered mild, medium, or hot - just be sure to bring a buck or two to tip the salsa-lady! My favorite meal is the Green Chili Chimichanga, enchilada style with the white sauce. It's pretty huge so the wifey and I usually split it. It does get really busy here Thursday-Saturday nights so make sure to make reservations or plan on waiting a little bit. They are good about turning out tables though.
(5)
Bryce R.
I have been to Guadalajara Grill twice with my family. It a family friendly restaurant and the food is very good and not too pricey. The table side salsa is a treat however the salsa is just ok. I enjoy my salsa a little bit cold and because it is made table side it is more room temperature. The salsa is still good just my small complaint. The positives for the restaurant is that the food comes out fast. This is a plus for families so the kids aren't waiting for their food causing tantrums. The food is good. I have gotten the chimichanga, burritos, fajitas, and queso. They have never disappointed. The fajitas are hot and fresh. The tortillas they give you are huge and fresh I love them. The quest is interesting. It is like melted pizza cheese in a bowl. It is good just not your traditional queso sauce.
(5)
Dr Tim L L.
I could eat salsa here all day ...... wow. Chips are very good as well. The chicken fajita was okay. The vegies seemed to be cooked separately from chicken and the flavors did not blend. Tasty Horchata ..... a bit on the sweet side. Nice spacious setting and clean. Fresh tortillas ...... hellooooooooo.
(4)
Adam F.
Guadalajara Grill has been at this location for many years. It is on the south side of Prince Rd west of Mountain Ave. Unfortunately, a fire in the kitchen kept it closed for several months. It has now been several months since they re-opened, and it is clear they have maintained their reputation as a Tucson staple. They have a website online but be sure to click "Guadalajara Original Grill." The "Guadalajara Fiesta Grill" has a slightly different menu and prices and is only associated with the original location by name. I believe it is a result of a divorce with the owners. The service and food is very consistent. The atmosphere is very comparable to it's primary competitor: El Charro. Like the latter, it is a decent place to come for lunch or happy hour. Choosing this restaurant is a safe pick if you don't want to gamble on a new or inconsistent restaurant.
(4)
John B.
The Excellent: Bianca, our waitress this time and last time out did herself in service. I wish all servers were1/2 as attentive as Bianca. The Margaritas show that the bartenders have paid attention to the adage "fresh ingredients simple recipe = great drink". For once a Cadillac Margarita was not over wrought and over the top. It was, well like driving a 59 Caddy Convertiable. The Fajitas were tasty as was the salsa and old school Guacamole. The BAD: COLD STALE tortilla chips. An abomination. When restaurants in Los Angeles routinely serve chips that are fresh so what is the problem???In addition the corn tortillas served with meal were overheated and stale. Inedible so I did not eat them. So close to perfection yet so far. Hopefully they will fix this.
(4)
Leila R.
I went here with my cousin and some friends for a girls night out because they touted the margaritas and because they have live mariachis on Wed nights, but i have to say, other than the mariachis (who were really good!) this place did not live up to the hype. First off, the parking situation here is just out of control! I arrived 10mins early for our 6:30pm reservation and spent almost 15mins looking for parking because there was a "lot full" sign and the parking attendant was not helpful at all in suggesting other places to park as the adjacent business strip was all full and the "gated" thrift store across the street did not have any visible available parking. I ended up having to park at the church almost a .25mi trek away. Not to say I mind walking, but it is not in the best neighborhood and you have to cross a busy street, so not ideal, especially when making the hike by yourself after dark. Secondly, at $9 a pop ($8 on the rocks) for their margs, I was expecting a top shelf caliber margarita experience and to at least get a buzz going. The first one I had my cousin ordered for me because they had never tried the tamarindo on the rocks before. For that price, I should at least be able to taste some kind of tequila...my margarita was very watered down and as far as tamarindo goes, everyone at the table agreed, this was not as advertised. The frozen prickly pear marg, on the other hand, was delicious, but again very light on the tequila and definitely not worth $9! As far as the food goes, I was kind of disappointed. It was not very authentic to me (I had a shrimp quesadilla, which was light on the shrimp, and my cousin, who shared some of her dish, had the fried chimis) and again, very overpriced. Other than the food and the margs, this place is puro Jalisco. They did a great job w/the decor (the murals on the wall, especially of the cathedral in Guad are impressive) and the salsa that is made table side is pretty spot on (you can even get it in varying levels of heat). The mariachis, though, redeemed the lackluster food/drink sitch here for me. They stroll through the restaurant and give a genuine performance. One of the mariachis, Martin, has just an amazing voice! But, to be honest, when I walked out of there with a $30 tab for mediocre food and overpriced drinks, I turned into a mariachi, myself, and ay-ay-ayayayay-ed all the way home!
(2)
Deb B.
I stopped here for a late lunch mainly to try the Jalapeño Margarita that had been reviewed in the Daily Star a couple of weeks ago, and not really expecting the food to be anything special. Wrong! First, the salsa was great, but could have been even greater if I'd been paying attention as she made it and customized it a bit more for my own tastes (I like it super hot, but easy on the onion and cilantro). For my entree I ordered the Plato Bandera (one each of pork chile verde, beef chile rojo, and white sauce chicken enchiladas), honestly not expecting to love all of them, but much to my surprise each was as good as the next - really, really tasty. And waaaaaay more than I could eat - I took home half to enjoy the next day. Since i was dining alone, there was quite a bit of salsa left over and I really appreciated that they packed that up for me to take home as well. The Jalapeño Margarita that I came for was just okay. I liked it, but didn't love it as much as I thought I might. I can't wait till the Kolb location re-opens as it's only a mile from home and I will definitely be a regular.
(5)
Mike M.
Always great food when we go here. On a Saturday night, call ahead seating is a must. This place is always hopping. Our Server, Paul, took care of us even though this place was a mad house. The table side salsa is fantastic as well. Stop by, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Austin S.
I returned here post burned-down kitchen, hoping this restaurant would be improved, but unfortunately there was no such luck. The waitress we had screwed up our drink and food orders repeatedly. My friends ended up with the wrong meat on their burrito bowls and no guacamole (after repeatedly asking for it), and two of our margaritas came out incorrectly - mine without tequila. Yuck. Every time we come here, the service is lackluster and the food is overpriced. I think I may have finally reached my limit. Sorry Guadalajara Grill.
(2)
Hector G.
Location: Easy to find off of Prince. I drive from the west side so I take Prince right off Oracle and then its on my right a few miles down. Pay attention though, because if you miss the turn into the restaurant, you'll have to find a place to U-Turn! Lesson Learned! Food: The food was excellent. The table side salsa was tasty and of course fresh. The price was a little higher than I like but for the food quality, it was well worth it. Would I go back: Yes definitely but I would be smarter on what I order since I have children. My bill came out to $50+ dollars for Lunch and that was two meals, two kids meals, Ice Teas and Tip (no alcohol!). Also, here's a tip: the Lemonade for the kids is NOT a kids included drink. Its $3/kids drink of Lemonade. Overall: Yes I would still go back and take my family and even when family from out of town visits. It was very good food.
(4)
Jordana S.
One word: garbage. I mean, if you like On The Border or Chili's you'd probably think it was good; there were plenty of people there so I guess they do. I, for one, do not find ill-prepared meats, gelatinous sauces, and unfresh ingredients mixed into tomato sauce posing as "table-side salsa" to be worthy of a $60 bill. If I'm feeling generous I'll give it a four out of ten; on a night like tonight I'll just chalk it up to wishful thinking to have expected a good meal. Because I swear this place used to be fresh, authentic, and local. Now it's just goopy, generic, and reminiscent of every horrible chain restaurant you've ever been to. It's not great. Don't believe the hype.
(1)
Chris D.
Being my third time coming here I was still very impressed just as I was the first time. Definitely my favorite Mexican I have had around the area. Their menu consists of everything you would expect a Mexican restaurant to have.I have ordered the fajitas tacos and salmon topped with lobster. I was very equally impressed with all of them. There are two things that I think this restaurant has that makes them stand out. First the lady making salsa from scratch right in front of you is incredible. You can tell her exactly how you want it and she makes it perfectly. Also the traveling Mariachi band that travels the restaurant is a fun added touch. All in all this is definitely a must if you're looking for Mexican food around the area. Great value and even better food.
(5)
Christi T.
From having had a recent Mexican restaurant bust at another local restaurant, my husband and I were left really craving some great Mexican cuisine before we left Tucson back to the East Coast. Thankfully this place really made up for that! The restaurant is well designed and very lively and vibrant with all the beautiful wall decor and murals. It's a large restaurant space also so we were sat right away during lunch. Our server greeted us quickly and took our drink orders right away. Our chips and house made salsa were also delivered promptly. The salsa by the way was fantastic! You can definitely tell they take pride in their salsa. I loved the flavor of roasted chilis and spices. The menu options are great and I loved that they offered smaller lunch options as well. My husband decided on the lunch size chimichanga and I chose the lunch plate of two enchiladas. Both entrees included rice and beans as well. One other thing I love is that they offer whole black beans if you don't prefer the refried beans. The chimichanga was lightly fried, not greasy and filled with perfectly seasoned and grilled carne asada in one of their freshly made tortillas. The garnish of lettuce and freshly made guacamole was great with it as well. The enchiladas were also very good and very generous in size! In fact, now I know for next time that one might do the trick for lunch! I chose the chicken over beaf which was moist and flavorful, with not too much cheese or enchilada sauce. One of our pet peeves is overwhelming amounts of cheese but not in this case for either dish. Our only negative was that the server seemed to disappear about half way through our lunch but she ended up picking up the slack towards the end. Overall we were very satisfied and can't wait to visit Tucson again to come back!
(4)
Caitlin V.
Total score is a 2. +2 for Ambiance and salsa prep by the table is pretty awesome! Queso dip was pretty bad. It was supposed to have chorizo in it, and it did, but maybe like a tablespoon of chorizo. Really? The cheese wasn't a dip either, it was a block of cheese we had to cut with a knife. Unless it was burning hot and bubbling, it wasn't a dip. The drinks were overpriced. The verde slow cooked pork was not slow cooked, as the pork was chewy. I can just pay 2 more bucks a plate and get WAY better carnitas at Wild Garlic Grill- melt in your mouth pork! Chewy pork? Eh. The price was ridiculous for the quality of food. Quantity does not trump quality. Try Ponchos for better quality and 25% the price.
(2)
Iris G.
Guadalajara is one of my favorite places - the value you get for your dollar is excellent and the food is gluttonously awesome. It can get crazily packed, so I would suggest reservations for Friday or Saturday. The front of the restaurant where the hostess stand is has a small waiting area but usually the weather is nice enough to wait outside as well. Guadalajara is excellent for all occasions. Birthday? They'll make a crazy tin foil birthday hat for you. Anniversary? Indulge in one of their monsterous margaritas and try to save room for the sopapillas. Just felt like having some awesome Mexican food? Guadalajaras is the place to go. The portion sizes are massive, and it starts off with some table side salsa made to order. It's pretty sweet that they will customize it to the spice level you want or omit a less desirable ingredient. The chips are always fresh and hot as well. The shrimp molcajete is my favorite to indulge with. Tender, plump shrimp in a spicy broth with veggies and you can get the rice and beans on the side. It comes with your choice of either corn or flour tortillas. So tasty. I also really love their stuffed salmon dish. It's delicately cooked but has a ton of flavor. The sauce they top it with is rich but not too thick so you don't end up with that "gross" feeling. There is a really awesome portobello mushroom dish that I get when I'm not feeling chicken or seafood. It's light and delicious and the portobello flavor really stands up to all the bold flavors Mexican food is known for. You also cannot go wrong with a burrito or chimichanga if that's more your style when heading out for Mexican. They also have a mariachi band on certain days which is fun to bring out of towners to come experience!!
(5)
Andy R.
Amazing! Fun salsa at the table, fresh tortillas and a ridiculously tasty mocajete! lobster enchiladas also great! Just good and fun!
(5)
C. A.
This restaurant used to be good. Not sure what happened, but the food is now average to below average. Had the chicken mole today. The chicken was very bland, the mole just poured over it but not really tasting like the chicken and the sauce belonged together. The rice was crunchy and inedible. They should have been embarrassed to serve it to customers.
(2)
K J.
I don't understand the draw for this place. I went back for a 2nd time tonight, and I had their chili verde, which is one of the dishes I use to judge any Mexican restaurant. It was VERY bland! The only taste it had was if you ate one of the large pieces of green chili in the dish. It was a large portion, and the meat was very tender, it just didn't have much of any flavor to it. I like the table side salsa, but that ends up just costing you an extra tip for the salsa lady. I sat at the bar tonight, and the service was great. I just don't understand why this place is packed all the time for what I would call average Mexican food. The prices and portions here are very good, but who cares if the food isn't that good? I'm not going back. There are far better places in Tucson.
I'm so sad to say that our recent visit here was such a disappointment. While the always delicious table salsa was five stars, everything else was a bust. It was a Friday night, we waited close to 20 minutes for a table, which was expected and another 20 minutes before a waitress came by to take our drink orders. Some of the people seated after us were seen immediately. The kitchen helpers that brought out our food just dropped half of the order off and left. We waited another 5 minutes for the rest of our meal. My husbands carne asada burrito did not look like what he has always ordered in the past. When we asked the waiter about it she looked at it and said it wasn't correct and took the plate. A couple minutes later she brought the same plate back and said it was correct. We also had to ask for a single refill of water 3 times. We've always had a good experience here but doubt we'll come back after this visit. It was definitely a bummer.
(2)
Josh M.
Used to be a classic in my book. But who knows if you can even get in anymore or if the joint got burned down by accident again...
(3)
Melissa B.
We had an absolutely wonderful time at this restaurant. The staff was welcoming, the ambience was family oriented and joyful & the food was delicious! We ordered the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce) and the verde chimi. Both were delicious & I would order again. The salsa is made table side and is very good, with the added bonus that you can customize with ingredients you like/want omitted. The best part was the flour tortillas which are excellent and obviously homemade (makes a HUGE difference)! We would definitely return. Rosie, our server, was also great, as were the hostess & salsa lady!
(5)
Alex B.
This place is great. They start you off with salsa that they make right at the table and chips. I believe you get one free refill of each. The salsa is always amazing. I always order the fajitas. I've tried the pork carnitas, portobello veggie, and shrimp fajitas. All fantastic, the shrimp and pork carnitas are probably my favorite. As someone else mentioned, the margaritas are overpriced and not really worth it. Also parking is terrible. Absolutely 100% terrible. We drove once, but I live close enough to walk, and always do now. But don't let the parking scare you away, you should definitely check this place out.
(4)
Carol K.
We really liked this HUGE restaurant. It was recommended to us by Tucson locals and it did not disappoint. For some reason I turned into Princess and the Pea when it came to seating; NO outside is too loud with traffic and overwarm, No, the back room had a really large group and then a table of nuns... so we opted for eating at the bar. The tableside salsa was a hit. We got it custom made screamingly spicy and it was a winner. I ordered the Molcajete Ultimo which was a big delicious bowl of simmering shrimp, chicken and steak in an earthy tomato sauce with onions. That with the fresh flour tortillas made me whimper. Next time I would skip the chicken and just go beef and shrimp. Spouse had a pork chile verde with above melt in your mouth tortillas. This gets dinged a star only because it is so huge and the acoustics are awful. It was just filling up with no parking and valets were there to manage the crowds. And it was really loud. The extensive menu has me wanting to go back for again and again. Perhaps midday on a random Wednesday?
(4)
Charlene L.
Absolutely the best authentic Mexican food in the state of Arizona! Let me repeat that! Made-to-order Tableside guacamole and salsa with the freshest ingredients, homemade flour tortillas like you've never seen or tasted, and mouth watering Chili Verde that'll make you cream yourself! Their meat supplier is Shamrock, which is the best quality of meat you can get in the State. You will not be disappointed! Absolutely 2die4! Best homemade meal I've had in years!
(5)
Mariya D.
My husband and I came here starving. The fresh salsa made table side was awesome. The servers never stopped refilling drinks and bringing chips. I ordered mini chimis at happy hour, expecting small bites. Holy cow was I wrong. Ginormous plates of food. My husband's chimi was the size of a small infant. My mini chimis were big enough to fill a large plate and I could only eat 3. The chicken was nice and soft. The beans were okay...nothing crazy. For the price I feel you get a lot of decent food and good service. I would come back here.
(4)
Chantel K.
Excellent service and delicious food. Fresh salsa made at your table. Wow. Huge margaritas.
(5)
John J.
Was in Tucson to visit family and see the sights. My niece suggested this place. Great food! I will be coming back here next visit. The atmosphere here is great. Music being played live at table side.
(4)
Rich M.
On business from another state. Picked place based in Yelp reviews. As good as advertised. Salsa made fresh at your table, as you like it. We asked for spicy, and it came spicy. Tortilla chips freshly made. Jalapeño margarita with a jalapeño tequila they infuse themselves. A wide variety of menu items including many things I've not seen before, like lobster enchiladas, halibut, and a number of different molcajetes. I highly recommend the restaurant, and prices are fair.
(5)
Jeremy K.
Love this place! The "new" outdoor patio is awesome! Table-side Salsa is primo! If I had more time I'd tell you about the Margs, the burros, fajitas and the decor which is all spectacular!
(4)
Kathy N.
Guadalajara Original Grill is back and from my past experience I have to say better than before. I was at Guadalajara recently with a group of about 15 for an office holiday party dinner. It was a Thursday night and Guadalajara was crazy busy! Luckily we had reservations and were immediately taken to the back of the restaurant where our tables awaited us. Delicious margaritas soon filled the table along with chips, tableside made salsa, tasty guacamole and hot & gooey queso fundido con chorizo. My co-worker and I ordered the chile colorado and the chile verde and then split the dishes. Both were delicious and I'd order either one of them again in the future. **Note: it had been a few years since I was last at Guadalajara and the reason for that was because I was so turned off by the chile colorado. Salty and lacking any real chile flavor back then but the dish has since redeemed itself. Service was spot-on and we were very well taken care of. So well that a couple of us hung out long after our other coworkers left and felt quite comfortable taking up the space and enjoying some jalapeno cilantro margaritas.
(4)
Karen M.
The jalapeño infused margaritas are wonderful, the salsa made at table side is even better, but the food leaves something to be desired. Expensive and in a town FULL of good Mexican food, this is one spot that is good for happy hour but I wouldn't bother with the paella or the rellenos. The steak Angelique is pretty good; I would order that again if I found myself at Guadalajara Grille.
A great experience. We've never been here before but had heard about it. I really wanted to experience the table side salsa making (we thought it was for guacamole but salsa work ) it was great! The food was good. The in-house-made tortillas were delicious. Tasted just like when we go to Rocky Point! The smell and texture brought me right back there. Loved it. The fajita meat was a little over cook but loved it anyway. Noticed my wife's carne AIADA burrito had the same beef but was juicier oribably because of the additional ingredients it had. Tasted great! Chips were great and salsa was great. The salsa maker asks how hot you want it and makes it accordingly. Didn't get a picture but appears they have mariachi for part of the night too.
(5)
Brian C.
Awesome food, including fresh homemade salsa at your table to your taste. Machacca beef is great as well.
(5)
Dan L.
The food is fine, the portions are huge and the decor is tacky. This is based on my lunch experience. I hear they have tableside salsa making during dinner service though, if you're into that type of stuff.
(3)
Joshua B.
Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended to me and I had to try it. The atmosphere is festive, lively, and upbeat. Shortly after being seated you are treated to made-to-order salsa, made right at your table. The food is good and comes in large portions; however, it isn't really unique or special when compared to the large number of Mexican restaurants in town. Check out Guadalajara Grill for a fun atmosphere, with large portions of good food.
(3)
Keith R.
Awesome! Best margarita in Tucson. Service has been amazing both times I have gone.
(5)
Lou K.
We had dinner her on Thursday night, restruant was buys (all tables full) but wait was short. Waitstaff (Laura) was friendly, constant in her service. Table side salsa was perfect just the right amount of cilantro. Tilapia and Shrimp were excellent and there was plenty to take home after two big bowls of chips for the salsa. We will go again - never had a bad meal there
(4)
Terry J.
Ray L. described the place thus, "Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican Food". He was dead-on. The food isn't all that exciting and my local friends suggested other locations for more authentic dining. But, I was in the mood for noise and Tequila-laced drinks. Food was okay. Drinks were great. Very loud. Very, very loud. Salsa (table made) was good as advertised. Will I go again? No. Was I glad I went once? Yes.
(3)
Angela S.
Was recommended here by a friend, great customer service (the ladies held my baby while I ate lol), great pozole.
(3)
Mike B.
A nice place to try out. The highlight is the table-side salsa. The food is good, though I feel I can get similar food at other places a little cheaper.
(3)
Nick W.
Yes, they make salsa at your table. Yes, they customize it so that you can get it as spicy/bland/garlicky/watery as you like. Yes, it's always phenomenal. The one problem that I've run into... you don't exactly get enough if you're in a large group. Going as a group of two - four, you have a plentiful bounty of delicious salsa... going as a group of 6+ you're almost certainly going to run out of salsa and are left desperately running a chip through an empty bowl hoping for more but knowing that nothing will come because the salsa lady doesn't make refills, how sad. Aside from that small gripe... oh wait! I have one more! When I was in on New Years Eve the mariachi band played Feliz Navidad no less than three times in 30 minutes. This is really the fault of tip happy Christmas loving diners on NYE and not the restaurant, but it was still annoying. Now, aside from those two small gripes, this place is fantastic! Huge menu, kind servers, good drinks, tasty high quality food, and oh, that salsa. Come as a small group and enjoy this delightful place.
(4)
Caleb T.
I absolutely loved my experience here. Spectacular salsa, great service, I will be back without a doubt! The best part about this restaurant is how fresh the salsa is, and the fact they make it right in front of you. Happy hour has some beneficial deals which always is a plus.
(5)
Imran G.
My significant other dragged me over here, and I was very excited because she wouldn't stop raving about it. It was also valentines day, so I was hoping this would be a good eat. The atmosphere is great, and service is unique. Great atmosphere and great service. You sit down and get unlimited chips and table made salsa. We went a little late though, and once we got one round of 'table-made salsa', we couldn't get another because the lady who made the salsa had to go. Its pretty cool because it is really customizable, I remember she asked us specifically how we wanted it. I'm a sucker for some good chips and salsa that I can nibble on while I wait for my food. We ordered some fajitas and a sampler platter (plato ranchero), it had an chicken enchilada, 'cutlet of beef', and chile relleno. I'll highlight some of the highs first, the chile relleno was superb, enchilada was pretty good too. Likewise, the cutlet of beef was well done as well. I like to get something different than the safe bet when I come to sit down Mexican food places. This place is really solid if you want to get stuff besides burritos. I also feel that its a waste going to sit down restaurants like this just to get a carne asada burrito, I mean, there are so many other places in Tucson were you could get a carne asada burrito of equal or greater quality for less. I'm not gonna lie, I had a leftover burrito from here once and it was great, but I wouldn't pay that much for it. The fajitas, oh man, the meat was very rare, and I felt like I was chewing on it for hours. My significant other didn't even touch it (yes, we always get 2 different dishes and share). Its a shame that the fajitas really ruined it for this place. At over $10 per plate (or per person), I really thought this place would be better than that. I'm not sure how you can ruin fajitas. The veggies were fresh and it came out on a sizzling platter, but the meat was just harsh to put up with. Along with that, the rice that came with one of our dishes was like fried rice, it had peas in it, weird combination. The rice was hard, and hardly edible. All in all, the salsa lady leaving early really upset me, I mean, really, stay for like 15 more minutes? We got there around 8:40 and they close at 9. Oh well, not a huge issue. However, they REALLY messed up the fajitas. I don't know how you could do that, but I was amazed. Not to mention, it was valentines day, so the mood was completely ruined. If you get the sampler plate, its not filling enough to justify the $14. I think the concept is awesome, the atmosphere is very nice and warm feeling, but the food was just slightly under mediocre. I'd give this another try maybe, but I'm a little deterred from my previous experience.
(3)
Brian K.
If you absolutely must have Mexican food of this class (what I call B- Mexican food), this is the place to do it. And yes, that's a majorly positive thing. Parking is ample, and they have two guys always guiding traffic on busy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The interior entry way is decorated nicely; neither too ornate or too understated. Perfect for this class of Mexican restaurants. It's dimly lit, but not suspiciously so, just perfect. What is immediately striking is how *real* this place is. It literally is the archetype for family style Mexican restaurants of this sort. It really hit me when they prepared the salsa at table-side and it actually was spicy. I mean, I actually felt the heat kick me in my mouth and briefly make me second guess another dip. That was when I realized this might actually change my idea of this entire genre, class, or kind of Mexican food. Our server was efficient and steady, neither pushy nor overly hurried. That's important. I ordered a beef fajita, and it was heavenly. The beef was tender and flavorful, spicy but not overseasoned. The ocean of beans and rice was actually complimented by a helping of pico de gallo and guacamole. The tortillas were steaming hot and ready to go. I think this was easily the best fajita I've ever had. My only other thought was that I could have used another tortilla or two, because I wanted to enjoy it all over again. The margarita I ordered was a bit too sugary for my taste, but admittedly that was a fault of my own for ordering that one instead of the myriad others they had that would have been more suited. I was very impressed by the monstrous double size margarita they offered (that someone else at my table ordered); that thing is a beast. In addition, they didn't skimp on the beer when I asked for a Dos-Equis to wash the remaining fajita down. I left impressed. Perhaps this kind of Mexican cuisine is indeed worth a second chance. Guadalajara grill has begun changing my mind, at least. Well done!
(4)
Marla R.
First of all let me say how easy it was to make a reservation using yelp. I had never done it before but I use yelp a lot to get phone numbers for places. Rather than call this time, I just clicked on the make a reservation link and it was done in seconds. And boy were we glad we had a reservation - there were a ton of people waiting outside to be seated, but we didn't have much of a wait at all. I heard someone say that they only take reservations up until the day before you want to go there, so plan ahead. We were able to get a nice table on the patio, close to a heater, and had a nice long relaxing dinner. The woman who came to make the table side salsa was very accomodating and asked a few times if the salsa was just right or if she could do anything to help us while we waited for our server to come. Our server was great, even though she must have been running all night long with how busy they were. She took our drink orders first while we had a chance to look at the menu. Our food arrived within 15 minutes or so of ordering, which gave us too much time to fill up on chips and salsa, but that's our own fault! The food is beautifully presented, and the portions are generous. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and the freshly made flour tortillas are fantastic. I have not been here in quite some time, but I plan to make it back there more often.
(4)
Radu N.
Great food with huge portions. Their home made tortillas and salsa are as good as advertised and ambiance is great (you need to like loud a bit.)
(5)
April R.
Only had some appetizers and drinks, but they were good. Liked the appetizers and loved the drinks. The drinks were strong and tasty. My favorite part is that they make the salsa right at your table. You can tell them what kind you want, like spicy, and they make it how you want it. That was pretty cool. Also, the service was very good.
(4)
Sarah T.
---PROS--- *Great with large groups. They seated our party of 25 promptly at our reservation time, and we weren't stuck in some back room. Furthermore, they split up the check for each and every couple/person. Amazing! More restaurants in town should foll
(4)
Gail S.
Table side salsa is great - love it hot! Good margaritas and everything I've ever had has been great. Friends and family that visit from out of town always request to go here more than once. Love the live mariachi band. Service is always attentive, whether at the bar or table side. Interesting note, 9 time out of 10 we get seated at exactly the same table in the bar area...no matter how crowded the place is ;)
(5)
Yogi B.
They get 4 stars just for the made-at-your-table salsa. YUM! You can have it any way you like. The ladies who make it are very good at what they do and the freshness really shows. As spicy or mild as you like it... The food is good. The place was mobbed, but our server was still on the ball and had our drinks full most of the time. We all had the fajitas and the ingredients seemed very fresh and flavorful. The carnitas were tender and juicy. The steak & shrimp done just right. I would have liked the guacamole to be a little more flavorful, but it seemed very fresh. I'll come back and probably try the chile relleno. I saw a plate of enchiladas with a chile relleno go by and that looked awesome.
(4)
shopaholic v.
Another trip to Tucson = another trip to Guadalajara Grill! OMG - we LOVE this place! We've all voted to have sister's graduation meal at Guadalajara's - it's THAT good, even the Asian parents who don't like cheese LOVE the made from scratch salsa and tortillas. And I just learned this weekend that the made to order salsa on the cart is FREE!!! Whaaa? and this whole time I thought we'd been paying. Amazing! I also found their Chile Rellenos which I could not find on the menu. It was delicious! The egg/batter thing on the chile was soooo good and the chile was perfect! mmmm.... one more moth till we get GG's again.,,
(5)
Fiona G.
We love Mexican food. This place hits one of our top spots. It has high quality meat, affordable prices and an atmosphere that keeps the kids asking all about Mexico. Couldn't say enough about the friendly, speedy service as well.
(5)
Geordie R.
We're visiting Tucson so it makes sense to go out for Mexican at least once. I'm not an expert in Mexican food, but we live in an area with a large Latino community so I'm no stranger to it. The fresh salsa made at your table is a nice touch. I would have preferred to have more customization than just choosing the heat, but it was great salsa either way. The mariachi band was entertaining and it was nice to be seranaded at our table for a song or two. The food was good but not particularly special. I had the molcajete mariscos which was new, but really just a take off on fajitas. My wife had some sort of potato dish which was flavorless without the salsa and the guacamole she added. The rest of our party seemed satisfied enough. Overall, this was a good experience but I can't say that I'd recommend this place over any other.
(3)
Jeffrey A.
Well, it pains me to write this but I have to say that I believe the quaity of this place has been steadily decreasing since they changed locations. It went from an authentic, inviting, and all around wonderful place with the best patio in Tucson to something more like a Macayos knockoff. Very not YUM. Sure the salsa is good, and tableside is fun, but how badly can one mess up salsa? It's not like it takes an engineering degree The real test comes later with the food. As some other reviewers have noted, I think the food is frozen. It definitely had a "frozen food section of the grocery store" feel to it. I was told the mexican flag plate was a must. well, I think it is a must not. I have given this place multiple chances and yet still the food is heavy, bland, and somehow "doughy" like it had been frozen and not thawed properly. I wouldn't feed this food to my cat, but then, I love my cat. I think all of these 5 star reviews are from people who have been hypnotized by the apparent magic of tableside salsa in a molcajete. But if you are amazed by that, you probably also get taken in by a game of three card monte and think the rabbit just appeared in the magicians hat. For those of you so easily amazed, let me clue you in...you can't win at three card monte, the guy you saw win is a schill and was in on the scam...the rabbit was in the magicians hat the whole time...and anyone can make salsa tableside. Before the location change, 4 stars for sure and maybe 5 on a good night, especially if I have had a few margaritas, LOL. Unfortunately, this is a steady 2 and pushing a 1.
(2)
Andrew S.
I've been here two times. The food is okay, but nothing to write home about. Standard Mexican fare, nothing special. Let's start with the good. I love the salsa. The fist stew (can't recall the name) is delicious. This is your run of the mill greasy Mexican food. There is nothing creative about the menu. I had a taco and a tamale, the food was good but just about what you would expect. The taco shell was not particularly crispy. They could have just bought an Old El Paso shell from Basha's. The presentation is terrible. Why do many (dare I say most) serve each meal with the glop of re fried beans and Spanish rice? There must be a better way to present the food (If only I can remember the name of the amazing place I had lunch the following day in South Tucson...the tacos were amazing). My co-diners were equally unimpressed. One of the dinners ordered a taco salad that was served with runny beans in one of those edible taco shells. My theory is if you don't want people to order a salad and you are not going to do it well, don't put in on the menu. The highlight of the meal was my partner's fish stew (I'm terrible with names). He enjoyed his dinner a lot. Unfortunately, I have to give this place two stars because one good meal out of five does not merit a higher rating. Someone else ate the chimichanga which good, but not special. There are some service issues here and don't get me started about the parking lot. It was gridlocked... I probably won't go back, there are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson.
(2)
Tina H.
Don't go there! Super slow service, horribly over salted chips. My fish tacos were dripping with water-apparently they were poorly defrosted and even more poorly cooked. The server suggested next time I request additional tortillas to mop up the moisture! Once upon a time it was fun, go to Nicos for better food and service!
(1)
Jamie A.
Some people have told me that this place is always packed, no matter what time you go. I busted that myth last night, as me and the girlfriend showed up at 5:30pm on a Monday night. What better time can you go, right? Right. There were plenty of people there, but the restaurant is huge so we got seated immediately. Ended up getting the hot salsa mix from the nice lady, wasn't too hot though. Probably the only bummer of the night. I ordered the chimi asada, my lord it was delicious. Girlfriend got the shrimp burrito with some type of southwest sauce on it. Let's just say I will be ordering what she had next time I go. No room for dessert, the portions were huge. Pros: Waitress we had was awesome, the meal was excellent, not too busy at 530 on a monday evening Cons: Uhhhh... just the salsa not being hot enough I suppose? GO HERE YOU WILL LOVE IT. WELL, PROBABLY.
(5)
Rick E.
Most non-New Mexicans would probably give this place a higher rating than I did. It's very commercial. Not terrible but not great. The tableside salsa making is fun and pretty good salsa. They'll make it to your specifications. The portions are huge, really too big. I had the chipolte shrimp burrito. It was big, soggy and filled with rice, whole scallions, carrots and a very few, anemic white shrimp. The fajitias looked pretty good. The cilantro chicken is probably the best bet. Being from New Mexico I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to good Mexican food, so keep that in mind when you read this.
(2)
Bryan H.
Again, people argue back and forth as to where you can get the best Mexican food in Tucson. It's kinda like arguing about which politician is most corrupt in Washington; Tucson is frankly a Mexican food mecca. Now, each restaurant has a distinct feel, distinct styles, and I often change which restaurant I take my visitors and friends to based on their individual tastes and wants. After all, if you're going to visit Tucson you want to have a good meal. La Poca Cosa comes to mind, or Mi Niditos, but my goto for showing non-Tucsonans how varied and diverse Mexican style food can be is Guadalajara Grill. Of course there is the standard Mexican food fair--burritos, tacos, enchiladas, but what makes Guadalajara unique is the diversity dishes. You can order anything from a molcajete bubbling with peppers and carne asada to the standard Tres Amigos, all with fresh in-house-made tortillas and at-the-table made salsa. Because my family and friends trek from the Midwest, they are often floored by how varied Mexican food can be from what they know, especially the seafood dishes which are pretty fantastic. Seafood in the desert? Yeah, the Baja is only 3-4 hours away. If you want more than just a meal, Guadalajara sports a meandering mariachi band, and they will come to your table to ask if you'd like a song. Many amors and corazons later, your date or family will be laughing and having a good time. If you want some margarita, they are strong and cheap on certain days so swing by, only complaint there is a little salty (but I like salty margaritas). I highly recommend Guadalajara.
(5)
Fred J.
This place does some nice catering every month or so for the kids of Casa de los Ninos. That is a five star in my book. With that said, what I liked the most was the Salsa. They make that in front of you!? In Vegas they do this with Guacamole and it is like $13 a small bowl. So I expected some smallish portion. Well this thing was MEGA. I was happy - it was also spicey which was yum yum.
(5)
Andrew H.
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever eaten at, and probably the best in Arizona. I first went here two years ago when I spent the weekend in Tucson. It was great. The food was great, the service was attentive, and the salsa made table-side is a very nice touch. Since then, I've taken friends, clients, and family to the Guadalajara Grill (mind you, I live in central Phoenix) and they all love it. One of my friends now drives all the way to Tucson every other month just to eat there. I am very glad I asked my hotel concierge for a good Mexican restaurant the first time I went to the Guadalajara Grill; it has been a great place to eat and now that they've moved down the street it is even more convenient to park there.
(5)
ElÃas P.
The place looks nice. That's as much of a positive review I'm giving it. Service was slooooooow. Food was tasteless. The micheladas were overwhelmingly spicy (too much pepper, too much tapatio or whatever hot sauce they used). Did I I forget to mention it was expensive? By the way, I'm from Guadalajara. I feel insulted!
(1)
Andrea G.
With so many options for Mexican food in Tucson it seems like one might be as good as another, but this is my favorite. Watching them make tortillas and salsa in-house is a special treat. They even made salsa verde on request. I especially love their pozole.
(5)
Shawn A.
My uncle took me here from my first time a few years ago before I moved to Tucson when I was just visiting from Michigan. Very authentic and tasty Mexican food I love this place!
(5)
Max F.
If you're looking for quality Mexican food go elsewhere. This is a tourist trap, an overpriced Taco Bell that serves alcohol. I do not understand why this is such a popular place. My tortilla was not fresh and tasted like drywall, not that I know what drywall tastes like.
(1)
Shirley M.
What a wonderful dinner with my volleyball friends at Guadalajara Grill! Watching a beautiful sunset out the window, yummy table-side salsa (no cilantro, thanks!), Marisol - our lovely server, excellent lobster enchiladas, and the Mariachi's were even more awesome than usual - thanks for the 3 songs, amigos! - excellent 3 part harmony, great guitar playing, and my fav - the bass!
(4)
Kim B.
What a deal. More food than we could eat. Great appetizers, drinks and entrees. Salsa made to order at out table. Service was average, maybe because here was a big group near us.
(5)
Demi J.
This place is great! They have a person that walks around and makes you fresh salsa! This was my first visit and i got the lobster stuffed salmon and it was delicious! Highly recommend this place if you're looking for good mexican food and atmosphere.
(5)
Aryn R.
Hands down the best Mexican food I have ever had. Generous portions and great attention to detail. From the handmade tortillas to the old lady that came to our table and made our Salsa and guacamole in front of our table. Prices were great when you consider what you get. Would be worth the trip just for the Fajitas!
(5)
Jamie M.
The margaritas, drinks and salsa are the absolute best things here. I am a salsa snob when I go to Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara's salsa is PERFECT. It is chunky, hot, and full of flavor. The margaritas are also amazing. Get the big one. You won't regret it. I'm not going to comment too much on the food because I am always too full after the salsa and drinks to know what it truly tastes like! I usually order a small appetizer or small side. That is always enough. But from what I have eaten, it is all delicious. But seriously, that salsa is a meal in itself. Whenever a friend comes in from out of town, I beg to go to Guadalajara grill. It's a great place to hang out and meet up with friends and family. The drinks, live music and the made-right-in-front-of-you salsa are great conversation starters. :)
(5)
Bo R.
Glad the Sun Devils beat up on the Rats this year. My cosmic karma payback? Eating at this place. Now don't get me wrong, that table side salsa service is pretty cool. And the salsa is really good. But, that was the highlight of our meal. Starting with the service; it's atrocious. We had the privilege of waiting until our quite spicy salsa bowl was half consumed before we had to ask the salsa lady for water. Our server was a no show for 15 minutes after being sat. When she did come, she was a non-factor. We knew what we wanted to eat, and drink before she arrived at the table. When she got there, there was no acknowledgment of her leavin us hangin. Come on, man! The details in this place are missing. With salsa that good, the chips should be warm, and fresh. They tasted like they were scooped out of a bag in the back. The decor looks nice until you look around and see an errantly placed neon sign. I ordered the Chili Verde, and my gf ordered the Lobster Enchiladas. We think the food is heated in a microwave. Honestly. The enchiladas were bland. Absolutely no flavor whatsoever. The sauce over them is bland. And even worse, the food was lukewarm. Here's the thing, the food was lukewarm, but came out very quickly. All the hallmarks of some home microwave cooking. My Chili Verde was good, but was lacking in flavor. It tasted like it had been sitting in a pot too long. The beans are canned beans, and lack any real flavor. Lastly, and here's the worst... My gf is allergic to MSG. It gives her severe headaches. She took a bite of the rice, and said, "This has MSG in it." I said, "Don't eat anymore." She had two more bites, to verify the MSG flavor. An hour later? Headache. The rice is boxed rice. They don't make it fresh. The MSG is put in the food by mass produced food companies. Home cookin Mexican food wouldn't use MSG in a million years. Bottom line, Tucson is known to have some of the best Mexican Food in the country. We thought when we saw the 4 stars, that we were in for an incredible experience. This place is a letdown for 2 reasons. First is the restaurant. It lacks depth on any level. It's a dud. Second is Yelp. You've let us down, Yelp. 4 stars? Not a chance. We will go out of our way to NOT eat here again.
(2)
David H.
Great value. Good food, but it lacked in fresh tasting ingredients. The guac was a disappointment.
(3)
Nick W.
Yes, they make salsa at your table. Yes, they customize it so that you can get it as spicy/bland/garlicky/watery as you like. Yes, it's always phenomenal. The one problem that I've run into... you don't exactly get enough if you're in a large group. Going as a group of two - four, you have a plentiful bounty of delicious salsa... going as a group of 6+ you're almost certainly going to run out of salsa and are left desperately running a chip through an empty bowl hoping for more but knowing that nothing will come because the salsa lady doesn't make refills, how sad. Aside from that small gripe... oh wait! I have one more! When I was in on New Years Eve the mariachi band played Feliz Navidad no less than three times in 30 minutes. This is really the fault of tip happy Christmas loving diners on NYE and not the restaurant, but it was still annoying. Now, aside from those two small gripes, this place is fantastic! Huge menu, kind servers, good drinks, tasty high quality food, and oh, that salsa. Come as a small group and enjoy this delightful place.
(4)
Caleb T.
I absolutely loved my experience here. Spectacular salsa, great service, I will be back without a doubt! The best part about this restaurant is how fresh the salsa is, and the fact they make it right in front of you. Happy hour has some beneficial deals which always is a plus.
(5)
April R.
Only had some appetizers and drinks, but they were good. Liked the appetizers and loved the drinks. The drinks were strong and tasty. My favorite part is that they make the salsa right at your table. You can tell them what kind you want, like spicy, and they make it how you want it. That was pretty cool. Also, the service was very good.
(4)
Sarah T.
---PROS--- *Great with large groups. They seated our party of 25 promptly at our reservation time, and we weren't stuck in some back room. Furthermore, they split up the check for each and every couple/person. Amazing! More restaurants in town should foll
(4)
Gail S.
Table side salsa is great - love it hot! Good margaritas and everything I've ever had has been great. Friends and family that visit from out of town always request to go here more than once. Love the live mariachi band. Service is always attentive, whether at the bar or table side. Interesting note, 9 time out of 10 we get seated at exactly the same table in the bar area...no matter how crowded the place is ;)
(5)
Dilaw I.
Easily THE BEST and most delicious salsa I've had in my life and I even live in East LA, land of good salsa.
(5)
Imran G.
My significant other dragged me over here, and I was very excited because she wouldn't stop raving about it. It was also valentines day, so I was hoping this would be a good eat. The atmosphere is great, and service is unique. Great atmosphere and great service. You sit down and get unlimited chips and table made salsa. We went a little late though, and once we got one round of 'table-made salsa', we couldn't get another because the lady who made the salsa had to go. Its pretty cool because it is really customizable, I remember she asked us specifically how we wanted it. I'm a sucker for some good chips and salsa that I can nibble on while I wait for my food. We ordered some fajitas and a sampler platter (plato ranchero), it had an chicken enchilada, 'cutlet of beef', and chile relleno. I'll highlight some of the highs first, the chile relleno was superb, enchilada was pretty good too. Likewise, the cutlet of beef was well done as well. I like to get something different than the safe bet when I come to sit down Mexican food places. This place is really solid if you want to get stuff besides burritos. I also feel that its a waste going to sit down restaurants like this just to get a carne asada burrito, I mean, there are so many other places in Tucson were you could get a carne asada burrito of equal or greater quality for less. I'm not gonna lie, I had a leftover burrito from here once and it was great, but I wouldn't pay that much for it. The fajitas, oh man, the meat was very rare, and I felt like I was chewing on it for hours. My significant other didn't even touch it (yes, we always get 2 different dishes and share). Its a shame that the fajitas really ruined it for this place. At over $10 per plate (or per person), I really thought this place would be better than that. I'm not sure how you can ruin fajitas. The veggies were fresh and it came out on a sizzling platter, but the meat was just harsh to put up with. Along with that, the rice that came with one of our dishes was like fried rice, it had peas in it, weird combination. The rice was hard, and hardly edible. All in all, the salsa lady leaving early really upset me, I mean, really, stay for like 15 more minutes? We got there around 8:40 and they close at 9. Oh well, not a huge issue. However, they REALLY messed up the fajitas. I don't know how you could do that, but I was amazed. Not to mention, it was valentines day, so the mood was completely ruined. If you get the sampler plate, its not filling enough to justify the $14. I think the concept is awesome, the atmosphere is very nice and warm feeling, but the food was just slightly under mediocre. I'd give this another try maybe, but I'm a little deterred from my previous experience.
(3)
Brian K.
If you absolutely must have Mexican food of this class (what I call B- Mexican food), this is the place to do it. And yes, that's a majorly positive thing. Parking is ample, and they have two guys always guiding traffic on busy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The interior entry way is decorated nicely; neither too ornate or too understated. Perfect for this class of Mexican restaurants. It's dimly lit, but not suspiciously so, just perfect. What is immediately striking is how *real* this place is. It literally is the archetype for family style Mexican restaurants of this sort. It really hit me when they prepared the salsa at table-side and it actually was spicy. I mean, I actually felt the heat kick me in my mouth and briefly make me second guess another dip. That was when I realized this might actually change my idea of this entire genre, class, or kind of Mexican food. Our server was efficient and steady, neither pushy nor overly hurried. That's important. I ordered a beef fajita, and it was heavenly. The beef was tender and flavorful, spicy but not overseasoned. The ocean of beans and rice was actually complimented by a helping of pico de gallo and guacamole. The tortillas were steaming hot and ready to go. I think this was easily the best fajita I've ever had. My only other thought was that I could have used another tortilla or two, because I wanted to enjoy it all over again. The margarita I ordered was a bit too sugary for my taste, but admittedly that was a fault of my own for ordering that one instead of the myriad others they had that would have been more suited. I was very impressed by the monstrous double size margarita they offered (that someone else at my table ordered); that thing is a beast. In addition, they didn't skimp on the beer when I asked for a Dos-Equis to wash the remaining fajita down. I left impressed. Perhaps this kind of Mexican cuisine is indeed worth a second chance. Guadalajara grill has begun changing my mind, at least. Well done!
(4)
Marla R.
First of all let me say how easy it was to make a reservation using yelp. I had never done it before but I use yelp a lot to get phone numbers for places. Rather than call this time, I just clicked on the make a reservation link and it was done in seconds. And boy were we glad we had a reservation - there were a ton of people waiting outside to be seated, but we didn't have much of a wait at all. I heard someone say that they only take reservations up until the day before you want to go there, so plan ahead. We were able to get a nice table on the patio, close to a heater, and had a nice long relaxing dinner. The woman who came to make the table side salsa was very accomodating and asked a few times if the salsa was just right or if she could do anything to help us while we waited for our server to come. Our server was great, even though she must have been running all night long with how busy they were. She took our drink orders first while we had a chance to look at the menu. Our food arrived within 15 minutes or so of ordering, which gave us too much time to fill up on chips and salsa, but that's our own fault! The food is beautifully presented, and the portions are generous. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and the freshly made flour tortillas are fantastic. I have not been here in quite some time, but I plan to make it back there more often.
(4)
Radu N.
Great food with huge portions. Their home made tortillas and salsa are as good as advertised and ambiance is great (you need to like loud a bit.)
(5)
William B.
It's back! And boy was it packed! I knew when I pulled in and saw a guy directing traffic for the parking lot that this place has rebounded well from the fire that closed it. And they have done a remarkable job bouncing back into action. The place was full but we got good service. Chips were not warm (too bad) but a salsa lady prepares fresh salsa to your liking and heat level at the table. We asked for hot, but it felt like she probably didn't heat it up as much as I would have liked. The large margaritas were tasty and full of liquor. We both ordered up a couple of large combination plates of names I cannot remember- there was mole, there was a tamale, a relleno, an enchilada, beans and rice. So much food my friend and I had to be rolled out of the place. The bill for 3 margaritas (I was thirsty) and giant plates of food came to around $50+. The coupon we had for a buy-one-get-one discount really lowered that, so look for a coupon! And consider making an online reservation on their website to secure a table.
(4)
Rob W.
We can sum this up in three words, Fabulous Mexican food. If only you could get things this good on the east coast, alas you can't. It starts on arrival, with salsa made at your table, to your taste, and it is SO good! We enjoyed everything about our meal here, the staff is just so gracious. They make it lively and fun while you are dining.
(4)
Kayla H.
This place was packed! We did go on a sat night, but wait was not that bad! The food was well worth the wait. We tried calling ahead for reservations they said we need to call the day before. We will def. Be back!!!!!
(5)
Daniela R.
Food taste is average not a lot of flavor... enchilada sauce are terrible and sauce rice and beans again no flavor over priced
(1)
Joey Z.
great place to have an experience of Mexican culture and food if you have never tried before. Thanks to my greatest friends, who came early and reserved a table for a group of 9 people during the graduation season, you know how hard it would be, right?! The performance is great and entertaining~ complementary chips and salsa are made right in front of the table. Margareta is wonderful~ My parents enjoyed their first try of Mexican food a lot~
(5)
Jes O.
The service was bad, there seemed to be some confusion on what server had our table. She showed that we were an inconvenience the entire time and never checked in on us. Carne asadas, table side salsa and house margarita were great! Everything else was bland. Would come back only for the house margarita and table side salsa.
(3)
Giselle E.
Food was alright. I've had better, nothing special. The waitresses were less than mediocre, not friendly. Light fixtures were annoying, felt like I was in a science lab because of how close to the table they were. Salsa idea of having it made right in front of the table is pretty cool, however the salsa was eh. Just an, "alright, there's nothing else to eat" type of restaurant.
(3)
Shijie F.
With a party of 12, we were sooooo glad we made reservation ahead of time. Guadalajara Grill was so busy around 6 PM on a Thursday night that it was difficult to even find a parking spot outside. Guadalajara Grill is a happy place. You can have fresh salsa made at the table and a live band sing by your table, all at the same time. The food came to the table relatively fast and the portion was sizeable. My husband got Mexican Paella, I Cilantro Chicken, and the inlaws Chicken Fatija. The waiter first mixed up the order and put in front of me a dish similarly covered under a green sauce, but with a mountain of melting cheese on top. Confused about the cheese content (as I would NOT order things with cheese in it), I started picking the cheese out of the dish and man it was greasy. 5 minutes into my cheese-elimination process, the waiter told me he got the order mixed up, and it was for another guest at my table and handed the plate (with almost no cheese left) directly to that person. I wish the waiter should have first checked with the other guest whether he is okay with this--I would not imagine anyone asking for a new plate of food, but what if I had already started eating? The waiter clearly didn't check whether I had started consuming the dish before handing it to another person. If not for the fact that this is a "no foul, no harm" situation, I would otherwise have a huge problem with a restaurant casually "make it right" by simply redistributing the mixed orders. Food was tasty, but EXCEEDINGLY greasy. This is why I always have a pause before trying Mexican food. My Cilantro Chicken, being the least greasy option of all, still swam in a pool of glistening oil. Anyway, it seemed everyone didn't care about that as much as I do.
(4)
Enas A.
Love their fresh table side Salsa ...ambiance is nice ..good authentic Mexican food ..love to go back .
(5)
Aishan S.
I brought my family here when they came to visit Tucson and everyone really enjoyed this place. The decor hear is delightful and welcoming. I really love the beautifully crafted sombreros hanging from the ceiling. To further the lovely ambience, the restaurant serves table-side salsa freshly prepared right in front of their guests. At dinner, their is also a live ensemble playing and serenading. When my friend and I came here, they performed the UA fight song for us, knowing we were college students. And now, to discuss the menu. Their vegetarian dishes are really good and my family liked the meat dishes too. This time, I ordered the Tilapia with Poblano sauce because I wanted to try a seafood dish. The sauce was nice and creamy and the rice on the side was delicious, but I thought the fish itself was a little too salty. My only other grievance is that the service was slow on Saturday lunch, but it's usually better at dinner. Nonetheless, their food is quite amazing for the most part, and portions are huge. The chips are salsa are delicious alone but make sure you save space for the food you ordered or you will definitely miss out on a treat.
(4)
Thomas O.
I don't know why I keep going back here. Every 8 months or so I get talked into going to dinner here and every time I am hoping that it will be a better experience. The food is mediocre and the service is just plain bad. The 2 redeeming factors are the table side salsa service and the mariachi band which moves my ranking from 1 star to 2 stars. Service: we asked for more napkins and none came, we ended up having to take the serving set up from the next table. Additionally water glasses were not filled regularly. Cleanliness: I had a fly land on my food....disgusting. Price: Over priced for mediocre food. Hopefully I won't be talked into going back here again
(2)
Thomas H.
Heard so much about this place we had to try it. It was ok. I'm from Tucson and could see this as a place people from out of town would like. The service was good but the food was bland. No heat at all. The beans had very little flavor. I eat all over Tucson and different places have their own version. But I just can't recommend this place
(2)
Grant H.
Amazing chimichanga and hand made salsa... Can't beat the happy hour margaritas either... If I didn't live in California I would be here at least once a week A++++
(5)
Tom C.
We were very impressed with the service here, attentive without being intrusive. The salsa is created to order at your table; your waitress uses a mortar and pestle to create your salsa. All portions were large and everyone in our large (13) party were happy with the quality of their food, the tilapia, a new item, was excellent. My chimichanga was full of shredded beef (ground beef or strips are also offered) and a traditionally large portion was served, more than enough for my appetite. Personally I prefer my chimi to be really crisp, this one was deep fried but 'not for long' as it was very light in color and not very crisp. A small portion of rice and beans were on the plate along with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole. Quality overall was very good and service was excellent.
(4)
Barb H.
At the end of a great parents weekend at UA, we asked our daughter and her boyfriend where they wanted to have dinner. They both requested Guadalajara Grill (the site of their first date.) The building is easy to find and we were greeted immediately. Its obvious that many of the employees have been with them for a long time. We started with their made at the table salsa. Oh so good and smoky. Nice selection of margaritas and beers. Huge menu. I had the cheese enchiladas with green chili, hubby had some fresh fish tacos and daughter has sizzling steak fajitas. Was any of this vastly different than other Mexican restaurants? No, but it was solid food in a delightful setting with stellar service. We will be back.
(3)
Ryan H.
I come to Guadalajara Grill 4-5 times a year and it never disappoints. I usually go with a chimi but recently discovered the molcajete bowl. Similar to fajitas, it came out in a sizzling stone bowl, with the carne/mariscos simmering in a tomato stew. Delicious and a huge meal. The lively decor, mariachi band, friendly service and extensive menu make this a great destination for out of town visitors and locals, young and old alike. Check it out!
(5)
Joshua L.
Used to really like this place until they moved. It seemed like they forgot to take the quality with them in the move. Overpriced unoriginal mexican fare.
(2)
Esmat E.
Love the table side salsa and happy hour beer prices.
(4)
Monica E.
I miss the restaurants old location near Campbell. But the food is still tasty and fresh.
(4)
George V.
Awesome food. My wife and I split a mixed grill of carnitas, shrimp, chicken, and steak, and still had plenty of left overs.
(5)
browse n.
Found this spot on a trip to Tucson (thanks to prior Yelp reviews). The margaritas are large, the tortillas are made on site, the salsa is made table-side, superior carnitas and the chicken mole enchiladas were excellent! The only vaguely critical comment was that the steak fajitas were merely okay, not great. I definitely encourage you to check this place out.
(4)
Ana C.
They were able to fit a huge group and kept the chips and salsa coming!
(4)
Mike I.
Best sit-down Mexican food in town. Why it is awesome: -Salsa made at your table-side -Everything is good -Unique menu items like lobster enchiladas -Molcajetes, Fajita like dish that comes in a giant lava rock that is boiling hot and filled with delicious meats -Margaritas -Mariachi Band -Tortillas made in house that are making my mouth water as I write this -I repeat, Molcajetes.
(5)
Aisha M.
I was hoping to find excellent Mexican in Tucson. I'm sure it is there but I didn't find it. The guacamole was really good. I had the enchiladas mole. I cleaned my plate but I have had much better.
(3)
gaby g.
I enjoyed the table-side salsa making. Good salsa. I had the chicken fajitas, and the chicken was great. The rice and beans were pretty bland and didn't add much to the dish. I don't know that I'll be rushing back, but it was a solid meal.
(4)
Jason P.
This has got to be the best Mexican Food joint in Tucson. Everything from the service to the food to the atmosphere is excellent. Every time I have been there has always been a great experience. The food has always been delicious and the staff has been pleasant.
(5)
Mark S.
Fun and lively! Bright decor, and a friendly staff. The tableside Salsa is a great show with a happy-tasting ending. They make it to order (burning hot for me, mild for the kids). We had combo fajitas and carne asada, both of which were very fresh. This is a great place to take out-of-towners!
(4)
Paul P.
The food was excellent. Huge portions too. The salsa was pretty good and they make it at your table. We asked for medium but it was still very HOT. Thankfully they serve some giant beers to put out the fire in my mouth. Mariachi band was playing too.
(4)
Nathan C.
Excellent food! Salsa made at table, friendly waiter. mariachi band. Definitely get a lemonade it is awesome! This place is hopping on the weekends so make a reservation otherwise you will have up to an hour wait. My favorite mexican restaurant in tucson!!
(5)
Jennifer P.
This place has quickly become the most requested place to dine when we have guests in from out of town. I have to say I agree, this place is something special. Great food. Great Staff and service. The ambiance is fun! The homemade tortilla's ,, mouth drooling delicioso!!! If you happen to dine after 6pm, the restaurant is filled with the wonderful sounds of the mariachi trio! And the favorite of everyone I know~ is; the made-Table Side- Salsa! Which you can customize to your taste! I think a close contender would be the strawberry margarita! This place is aLwAyS BUSY! In the evening they have parking lot attendants to help usher in/out cars...which is helpful. And I have to agree with the other reviewers, if you are looking for a quiet corner, Consider yourself forewarned, this place is FULL of excitement!!
(5)
Nancy W.
To be fair, this was the first time to eat here, so will go back and try something else next time. Table side salsa was wonderful. I tried the guaco tacos from the vegetarian menu and i did not like them AT ALL. Skip those. Everyone else at the table liked their food EXCEPT for the refried beans and rice. Beans were absolutely tasteless. I always look forward to them, but so bland, i couldn't eat them. At first, the music was so loud that we were unable to talk at all. Once they moved on to another room we were able to enjoy some conversation. Is it really necessary to be that loud? Our service was excellent. Waitress very nice and efficient. Will go back and try a different dish. Wish they'd have some good refried beans and rice though. Truly bad.
(3)
Brent G.
Typically when I first visit a Mexican restaurant I try the fajitas and compare them to La Parrilla Suiza on speedway. They were not as good but very edible. Service was good considering we were a party of 8.
(4)
Nick B.
Good food, love salsa cart, but service sucked.
(3)
Molly H.
Let me tell you a little story about a restaurant that serves some of the best food in Tucson combined with some of the worst service in Tucson. The salsa, novel and delicious. But quite a lot of trouble, plus you know you have to tip the salsa ladies, right? Still, it's worth it. Here is the part of the story where the complications set in, where our hero must battle insurmountable odds. Guadalajara only hires the most unfriendly and incompetent bartenders, why, I do not know. They will always make twenty drinks for the servers before they even acknowledge you. That seems backwards from most bars, but I am figuring there must be a reason to for this madness. Next, you have the seating system where they do not seat people on a first come, first serve basis and they always make you wait at least 20 minutes before they seat you at a table that was open the whole time. All I ask for is a drink in hand, and I can rest at ease. This never seems to happen at Guadalajara. This places a dour mood on the evening, even before the waiter arrives at the table. The waiters are generally good. The moral of the story is that the food is delicious, and I will keep coming back. But I am going to wear a frown until they get some decent customer service.
(2)
Wendy S.
Very inviting atmosphere. Reasonable prices, large portions. Tasty food. Seats were sticky however. Other then that I would definitely eat there again!
(3)
Laura G.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Original Grill for years since they're in my neighborhood. As someone who's owned a restaurant before, I'm willing to cut people some slack. Tonight I went in, excited they were reopened after their recent fire. Had to wait for 30 minutes. I got bean enchiladas. Raw, cold, no cheese, Terrible service. Complained to manager who had a big attitude. They charged me 16.99 for junk. I won't go back.
(1)
Holly R.
This place is fantastic. I loved every bite. The boyfriend and I met up a friend in Tucson and he suggested we try this place out. So glad we did, it is now one of my favorite places in Tucson after just one visit. We went on a Sunday night so we didn't have to wait but it was still pretty busy. The place is bright and colorful with sombrero lamps - kitschy but cool. There was a mariachi band that added some musical flair to the experience as well. Like everyone says, one thing that sets this place apart is the fresh salsa made at your table. It was SOOOO good. We were even able to get two - one hot and one mild (I'm a wimp). It tasted great but let me tell ya, the raw onion and garlic stay with you long after the meal. We had to go buy mints afterwards. Go easy if you're on a first date. I ordered the chimi carnitas and I'm not kidding it was one of the best dishes I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. It was huge, I was only able to finish half of it. It was loaded with tender carnitas stuffed into a fresh flour tortilla. The tortilla was amazing just by itself. It came with rice and beans. The rice was just okay. That was the only thing that didn't blow me away. But I was busy with my mound of pork so no biggie. I walked away completely stuffed and satisfied. I will be back for more next time I visit Tucson.
(5)
John H.
If you have not been here you don't know what your missing. Fresh food, table side salsa, great lunch specials.
(4)
Jonathon M.
I recently visited the Tucson area for the first time for the Wild West Shoot Out races at USA Raceway . Being from out of town, I had to eat some Mexican cuisine before I returned to Indiana. I saw a few reviews for this restaurant and decided to give it a try. The location had me a little suspect as I had been told it was a rough part of town, thought I found the immediate area around the restaurant to be rather docile. The atmosphere inside the building is your typical Mexican grill. It was clean and family friendly. I was with a group of 4 and we sat in a booth that had plenty of space near a window. They had quite an extensive bar menu available but I didn't order any drinks on this occasion. The salsa made tableside made to taste was one of my favorite aspects. It was very good but way to mild for my taste. The group I was with did not want it spicy; I would have liked to have had the option to get a smaller bowl to myself. We had a spicy cheese appetizer that was excellent and went very quickly between the four of us. I had their signature dish for my meal, which consisted of a large bowl filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, and an onion pepper mixture. It was served with tortillas, rice, and beans. Every protein was fantastic including the steak which was extremely tender and well seasoned. The other people in my group ordered standard Mexican foods including tacos and burritos ( which were extremely large). I tried a little of everyone's dish and they were all very satisfactory. Bottom Line: I am glad I stopped in and would recommend the grill to any out of town travelers with a taste for Mexican and Southwestern foods.
(4)
C T.
The salsa made table-side here is excellent, as is the shrimp molcajete. Service was slow, but we were on vacation so it didn't bother us. Cute decor and a great place for large parties.
(4)
Brian F.
How do you say "droolicious" in Spanish? Guadalajara Grill is seriously some of the best Mexican food I've had in years. First of all, there were eleven of us on a Thursday evening. The place was already modestly busy, but they were able to seat us within five minutes. **By the time we left, the place was packed. The staff was extremely helpful, managing to attend to our demanding group with ease. The table side salsa is an experience I've never seen before, and what a treat! Spiced to your level of hotness, everyone at the table got what they wanted. The freshness was incredible- no other salsa can ever compare. The menu was vast, filled with dishes I had never seen before as well as the Mexican staples. I ended up with a carne asada chimichanga w/ red sauce. It was made just the way I like with lots of meat and lots of cheese. The portion was huge! Other dishes on the table: lobster stuffed salmon, fajita combo, lobster enchiladas, and some vegetarian dishes. Everyone raved about their food- and it wasn't that margaritas talking. Mariachis came by at one point and we had them sing songs to our table, and these guys were very good- talented and professional all the way. It had been a rough couple of days and the family really needed the time together at a wonderful place- and Guadalajara was perfect for us. Any time we make it back to Tucson, we will make them a regular stop!
(4)
Max F.
If you're looking for quality Mexican food go elsewhere. This is a tourist trap, an overpriced Taco Bell that serves alcohol. I do not understand why this is such a popular place. My tortilla was not fresh and tasted like drywall, not that I know what drywall tastes like.
(1)
Shirley M.
What a wonderful dinner with my volleyball friends at Guadalajara Grill! Watching a beautiful sunset out the window, yummy table-side salsa (no cilantro, thanks!), Marisol - our lovely server, excellent lobster enchiladas, and the Mariachi's were even more awesome than usual - thanks for the 3 songs, amigos! - excellent 3 part harmony, great guitar playing, and my fav - the bass!
(4)
Kim B.
What a deal. More food than we could eat. Great appetizers, drinks and entrees. Salsa made to order at out table. Service was average, maybe because here was a big group near us.
(5)
Madison T.
Fantastic! I am giving this four stars having only ordered one thing off the menu. Great tortillas, salsa, rich sauces, and wonderful seasoning. I would recommend not going on a weekend night because it is packed. Bottom line: good service, amazing food.
(4)
Ned R.
Hands down best frozen cadillac margarita in Tucson!
(5)
James M.
We rented a house in Sabino Canyon for a month and got to sample a lot of Mexican food, our favorite being Guadalajara Grill. It's big, colorful, fragrant and noisy, a true assault on all your senses! We loved the table side salsa (consumed two large bowls). I had the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce), which was fantastic. We were luck to be there on a night when the mariachi band performed. Other reviews have complained about the service, but our was excellent, with two young ladies making sure we were happy with everything. Parking wasn't an issue. We didn't have a reservation and even though we arrived on a busy night at 6:00, we didn't have to wait at all for a large, comfortable table. Wish we had something as good in New York!
(5)
Joe W.
Ever since the place burned down from a kitchen fire....it has been missed. I am glad they're back! Better than ever. I love the salsa ladies who come around and make fresh salsa for you at the table. And they are sooooo sweet! The atmosphere there is good and always packed. The Guaco-Tacos are my favorite since i love Guac and Tacos! Give it a try, wonderful and friendly.
(5)
May P.
I came here years ago; and I swear it was better then. First of all, when I didn't like the booth seats. I sat on one where it just irritated my thighs and was uncomfortable. Second, out waitress took her time and when I asked for something, she just never answered me and walked away. So I didn't really know if she understood me or if she ignored me or something. However she did come back with the thing I requested. She just dropped it off and off she went. It wasn't crowded and there were staff that just stood there as we ate so I wish she attended more to our needs. Third, well the food prices, in my opinion doesn't deserve to be that pricey. I mean, maybe if the quality of the food was as good as the price -- I wouldn't complain. The food wasn't bad -- but I could've gotten the same thing somewhere else and cheaper. Needless to say, I came home to a tummy ache. So I didn't have a great time at this place today. Hopefully, when I come back in te future, I can give this place more stars.
(2)
Chris F.
I'd give it 4 stars; however, the fact that they make the salsa at the table in front of you is totally kick ass! Friendly staff. Attentive. Good fajitas. Loved the over sized tortilla. The massive margarita was sweet. Probably my only dig on the fajitas would be the lack of guac and sour cream. Oh yeah, how can I forget. They have these guys who sing and play the guitars/larger guitars (my ignorance) when someone has a birthday, that was really cool. Definitely will be going back, and probably when it's my birthday, but not. Just want to hear them play :)
(5)
Janice M.
Again, If you didn't read my other reviews. I am a newbie when comes to Mexican food. Food: 3/5 A lady stopped her cart by our table after we were seated and asked how we wanted our salsa, that was pretty much the best part of our meal. We ordered medium and spicy. The spicy wasn't spicy enough so I asked if she could add more chilis and it was exactly how I like it. However, the entree was just Okay. Nothing special. Service: 2/5 It was a very odd experience with our waitress. She comes by often to fill our glasses of water but she mumbled something to us and walked away. We weren't exactly sure what was going on. After finishing our meal, we waited and waited for the waitress to bring us our check but it took a really really really LONG time. Parking: 4/5 The restaurant itself is very spacious and so their parking lot. Overall: 3/5 Mediocre food, border-line bad service, good parking. I'd give it a three star just because I am in a good mood but I will probably not recommend this place to anybody and will not be coming back for more.
(3)
Cactus J.
You will love their mocajete cameronas it is delicious. Also, the salsa is made fresh at your table mild,medium,hot or fire engine hot. Service is good. Go early especially Friday and Saturday night.
(5)
Jesse C.
I found this place using YELP while visiting family in Tucson Arizona. The food here is VERY good. They have some unusual options like Lobster enchiladas which my wife ordered and loved. The salsa and chips are VERY good as well. I thought the cheese enchiladas I got were 'OK', maybe the sauce could have been spicier, but it was still good. Prices were about average for this type of place and the atmosphere was very good. I would definetly come back here again if I am ever in the area.
(4)
N S.
The salsa was good! But we really didn't enjoy this restaurant. The beans tasted like Taco Bell... And the flavors (bland) and textures of our dishes just weren't good.
(2)
Laura V.
We visited Guadalajara when it reopened and everything was as wonderful as before. Service was good and fast. Salsa is made fresh right in front of you however you want it. The food was delicious I didn't even spend time to take a picture of it I was so eager to just eat it. The Mexican paella is highly recommended! Will always come back to this restaurant, lucky to have it here in Tucson and is the one place I take out-of-town visitors to for authentic Mexican food.
(5)
Kenneth B.
This is my second time here..the food is bomb and so is there salsa that they make right in front of you..def a family spot . And they have tv's so u can watch any game ..i so recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy some really Good Mexican food.. And the staff are awesome
(5)
Andrea G.
What a surprise--a pleasant one! Gary, my husband, and I have lived in Tucson and passed that place for years. We never paid attention. I don't know why, really. It looks kind of unassuming from the front view. I had an Entertainment book deal for the restaurant, so we ventured to try it. It's fun to support the local restaurants, too! What a wonderful restaurant! It is a whole lot larger than it seems from the outside. Fun atmosphere, mariachis singing 'round the diners, very family oriented and there is a very separate bar area (didn't peek at it). Colorful decorations make for a cheery ambiance. It was Wednesday around 6 pm on a summer day (the slowest time in Tucson), and yet the place was packed. All other restaurants are struggling to draw in diners with the sluggish economy. This restauarnt obviously had regulars and a loyal following. We were seated quickly and given a fun menu. Waitstaff were friendly. The food is not your traditional Mexican, but instead very different types of sauces and mixtures of Mexican foods Maybe Guadalajaran food is like this, or maybe this restaurant is especially creative? Not sure. We were greeted by a salsa lady pulling around a cheerful cart on wheels. I loved this feature. It was packed with bowls of various veggies and makin's for salsa. She asked if we liked mild, medium or hot. Since Gary likes hot and I like mild, she actually made us TWO salsas! They came in these huge bowls, too-great presentation--and great flavors! My mild (I know, I'm the gringa about HOT food) salsa had large and mild green chile pieces in it along with onions, and all the usual yummy salsa ingredients. I dove in with the nice, thick, fresh chips (very light on salt) for an excellent salsa-chip experience. The main meal was hard to choose as the menu has more creative choices than just the usual burrito/taco, etc. line-up. I got a carne asada, chile relleno and chicken enchilada combo. Gary ordered the Ultimate something (didn't see the name). Both dishes arrived, mine on a huge plate and his in a stone huge container that weighed probably 10 lbs. Very unique. It contained what I like to say seemed like a Mexican cioppino. Grilled shrimp, chicken, beef and more was in it, in a tomato-based sauce (very flavorful), topped with some feta-looking Mexican-type cheese (sorry 'bout my silly word phrases-didn't get the real names of things too well). We dove in; the food was terrific! The diners around us also looked very contented. All I know is that I look forward to returning to this place to experiment with other delights on their menu! And I better get back to work or my Office Manager will catch me writing this during work (I'm the boss but she keeps me on track! This was my little mental break moment, to share with you while it was fresh in my mind) Hope it helps you!
(4)
Stephanie S.
This is a decent Mexican food restaurant, especially if you don't have time to run down to South Tucson. This restaurant features fantastic lunch deals, and in the evening fresh salsa made at your table to your taste and live mariachi music. Out of town visitors always enjoy the food and atmosphere.
(4)
Eleana H.
whooot i love this place, its clean, the decor is beautiful, the good is great, the service is amazing, as good as it gets.. me and my bff got the mojalete bowl for 19.00 it comes in a huge volcanic bowl with shrimps and carne asada, chicken, and veggies.. comes with fresh tortillas covered in lard, and rice + beans YUMMMMMYYYYYYYY portion size is amazing. table side salsa is a MUST. and I got one of the meatball soups SOOO AMAZING OMG... i love this place, cant wait to come back
(5)
Mer M.
We've been here a few times now with family. The fresh table-side made salsa is amazing. The mole is very good, as were the burritos and enchiladas that I tried. One of the times we went in the server wasn't very attentive, but the other times I've gone there the service was better.
(4)
Gabriel W.
Good food, but salsa IS a gimmick. And well, I think both O and NeD are freaking idiots...so how about that?!?! Anyone who knows how to MAKE good salsa knows that it needs to sit at least overnight so that all the flavors have a chance to combine. Making it "fresh" at the table is cute, yeah...but really the flavor is of straight tomatoes. They might as well just open some canned tomatoes for you to dip your chips in. But yeah, O...if you cant go to eat without worrying about misogyny, racism, and "anglo views of assumed inferiority"...then maybe you should just stay home. You're not an intellectual, you're an asshole. ANYWAY, apart from the salsa, this place is essentially the same as garcias or some other gringo mexican place. Just not my cup of tea. If I want REALLY good gringo mexican, I go to rosas right around the corner...now THAT place has GREAT salsa!
(3)
Mary Ann S.
Do you love salsa? Do you love choosing what does or doesn't go into your salsa? Then run, don't walk, to Guadalajara Grill. Their homemade salsa is made table side and you can choose how spicy you want it. So whether you are like me and add all the spices you can or if you basically like salsa that tastes like tomatoes, you get your choice here. Their margaritas get the job done. With all sorts of flavors (including in house creations) you are sure to find something you like at the bar. Careful of those BIG glasses :) The food is good Mexican food. They have several options and even Vegetarian options, and more than just one. The atmosphere is very fun and they have a mariachi band that travels from table to table. They know pretty much any song-- Including Bear Down!! A true Tucson establishment
(5)
Mike H.
Very good. Recommend the "Molcahete" and fried ice cream. Pricey though!
(4)
Laura C.
I was in Tucson recently and, while I love NorCal's fresh take on Mexican food, I was excited for the good stuff - real, authentic Mexican food. Unfortunately, this was one of those rare instances where Yelp steered me wrong. My sister and I went and we ordered the Queso Fundido (with the chorizo on the side because I don't eat meat) as an appetizer, and it was really just disgusting. It came with undercooked mushrooms and a layer of oil on top and neither of us found it appetizing to eat oily, tasteless, chewy cheese. The good news is that it only went up from there. The table-side salsa was actually quite great. Medium had a bit too much spice for my sister, but it was perfect for me. I forgot what entree my sister got, but I got the Burrito Chilango and it was okay, nothing to write home about. It satisfied my craving for Mexican, but it didn't do much else. The sauce it was smothered in tasted like it came from a can. I do remember both of us felt very underwhelmed after our meals. The final strike for Guadalajara Grill came when we ordered some fajita take-out to bring back to our dad. When we opened the container, we found they never gave us tortillas. How do you forget the tortillas in a fajita order? It was a total bummer as they make their own tortillas and he had to use the cheap store brand kind we (thankfully) had in the fridge.
(2)
S S.
Best salsa of my life! Great service good prices and the food has a simple authentic taste of high quality ingredients.
(5)
White R.
Went here for a business lunch, and this place was very good. I loved their sauces, the salsa and chips, and everything was delicious. Service was good, ambience was good, everything was awesome...however, I only wish the chips were a little saltier to my taste.
(4)
Tracy P.
Mexicans will cross the Border illegally just to eat here; it's that good. It may even be authentic as there were some very interesting food choices. All 4 of our entrees were excellent. Food was expertly prepared and presented with no oil or heavy lard tastes. Salsa made to order was delicious. She even made it twice because we wanted it spicier and more flavorful. The Cadillac margarita was worth $8. The mariachi band sang the love ballads so beautifully, I wanted to cry. Friendly service as well. I reserve my 5 star ratings for places that blow me away. I didn't have that gastrointestinal or ethereal moment here but it was darned good. I can't wait to go back - my highest compliment for a restaurant.
(4)
Eddie A.
This is the standard date nice place for my wife and me. We live by the East side one, so we tend to favor that, but the original is equally amazing. The funniest thing is that my mother has spotty experiences here, but we've never had a bad one. Salsa: made fresh at your table to order. We like extra tomatillos, extra garlic, and spicy. Margaritas: all of them are fantastic. I recommend the Bandera, but call a cab early if you're under 150 lbs. Mole: beyond phenomenal. Mariachi: if you're into it, you'll love it. If you're not into it, they'll turn you around. I've tried many of their menu items and have never been disappointed. From the simple appetizers to dessert (bar none flan and sopapillas!).
(5)
Andrew S.
Tableside salsa - live music - awesome carnitas in a molcajete! Service is courteous and fast, food is fantastic, and definitely a place to bring your family for a great Mexican dinner.
(5)
Lany Kay M.
This place is a good as it gets, great atmosphere, delicious food and great service. Table side made Salsa to die for... Highly recommend!
(5)
Tracy A.
I was there sat night, service was horrible. us outside took over a half hour to get a drink never got the appetizer we ordered and when we said something the waitress just said, awe do u want it now? Not a sorry or anything. My food was bad the salsa and fajitas were good. We asked several times for them to turn on the heater and no one seemed to know how. And don't even think you could have more than 1 drink people dropped off food and didn't see them again till bill was dropped off. We even made a comment that maybe they didn't work for tips there!! Save your money and go anywhere else. It amazes me that there are so many good reviews, I'm pretty easy to please and rarely take the time to write a review but in this case people should know.
(1)
Paul N.
As always the food was very good and the mexican music men were terrific. We will be back,
(4)
Dawn K.
I love Guadalajara Original Grill. I consistently bring out of town company because it's a basic mexican place that sells, what people think they want, huge platters of food with beans and rice on the side. I love the table side salsa, and they customize it to your tastes(Spicy extra cilantro). They have huge margaritas. More than once, I realized I was beyond buzzed trying to finish one of their house margaritas, just as I happily ordered my second drink. My favorite dish they offer is their tropical Chilean sea bass. It is absolutely in my top favorite dishes in Tucson. My husband and I went this week and both decided to order combo plates(comfort food) and both combo plates just knocked my socks off! I ordered the two item combo of beef taco and chicken flauta. My dining experience rocked; the service was great, the food was excellent and it was not loud; which it can be if a game is going on in the bar or mariachi's are strolling around. Overall, it can accommodate large groups, and it's consistent in the quality of food. The service is not always consistent and we have walked out discussed due to lack of service before, but we couldn't break the ties, since the food kept us coming back.
(5)
Roland W.
Nice atmosphere. The remodel gave this restaurant lots of space. Decor is festive and lots accommodates large parties. I wasn't too crazy with the steak salad I had. The steak was way overcooked and the salad needed dressing. The other dishes that my friends had looked much better like the paella. I would come back with out of town guests; it's a nice atmosphere, but busy. There was a wait during a weekday evening and service was very slow.
(3)
Naptastic S.
I love the fresh salsa made tableside. I've never been disappointed when coming here and ordering off the menu. No matter your budget, you will find something here to enjoy.
(4)
Alissa M.
My family recently came to visit me in Tucson to celebrate my grandpa's 70th birthday. Not having been in Tucson very long, I was nervous about having to pick the restaurant for the occasion, especially considering that my family is Mexican and my grandpa wanted Mexican food for his birthday. Based on Yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation, I picked Guadalajara and it was the perfect choice! There were 13 of us total for dinner. We made a reservation, but unfortunately half our party got lost on the way and was running late. They wouldn't seat us until everyone arrived, but even after everyone arrived, it took a while to get sat. However, I can't really blame them for that one since it was our party's fault for being late. Once we sat down, the service was a bit slow through the night, but considering the size of our party, coupled with the fact that it was a busy Saturday night, I can't put too much blame on the restaurant. We started with a round of drinks. Most of our party had beer, but I opted for a margarita. My first one was really good, but my second one didn't measure up. Isn't tequila supposed to get better the more you drink? Anywho, our whole family enjoyed our meal. The tableside salsa was really cool (not to mention delicious), and they made both a mild and spicy for our table. Everyone was happy with their food. I had the al pastor tacos and the flavor was spot on. The mariachi music was a great complement to the atmosphere and wasn't too loud like it can be at some places. The servers also did a birthday song for my grandpa complete with some funny looking hat they made him out of aluminum foil. My family is still talking about how much they enjoyed dinner. At Christmas, both my grandpa and uncles asked if I had gone back to the really good Mexican place in Tucson. The worst part of our visit was by far the parking situation. If you're going in a group, definitely try to carpool as the parking lot was a nightmare.
(4)
Ally A.
i can sum up what i know about paella in two words: top chef. i LOVE the show and i always want to try the tasty, tasty goodness that i see the super talented chefs whip up. guadalajara grill gave me the ability to cross one of these dishes off my list and i appreciate them for it. i do NOT appreciate them making me wait for my entire party to be there before they would seat me and my husband. my friend was driving down to meet us from phoenix and was running a little late (yeah...two hours is more than a little, but i love her anyway). my husband and i, however, showed up for our reservation on time and asked to be seated. they said our whole party had to be there first. they watched us sit in the waiting area for TWO HOURS, didn't offer us a drink, chips, a seat at the bar, nothing. i don't know if they try to turn tables over fast and didn't want us taking up space at a four top while we waited, but i got crankier and crankier as time went by...we were obviously committed to spending money at their establishment after an hour...they should have given us a table. still, that was prolly the only bad part of the night. the salsa chick made great salsa, although she did linger & make us feel guilty so we tipped her. call me cheap, but isn't she paid to be there? i doubt she works for tips like a server... we ordered the cheese appetizer and all i can say is WOW. my husband thought it would be a kinda runny queso dip but he was WRONG. it was like a BRICK of cheesy, awesome tasty-ness...even though you had to really dig to get any out. it was like a never-ending bowl of cheese, you got some out and it refilled itself. it was magic. and the steamy, hot, fresh tortillas were ROCKSTAR! on to the main course, the paella. it was soooooooooooooo amazing. srsly, mindblowing-ly, earth stopping amazing! a mix of mussels, shrimp, chicken, pork, chorizo (aka god's gift to me) and lobster (LOBSTER!!) with tasty saffron rice. OMG...it was AWESOME! my only wish would have been that they stayed open longer. by the time that my friend showed up and we finished eating, it was almost 10. closing time. our waiter hung around in the kitchen doorway staring at us...i was a server, i know waiter body language. this translates to "we closed five minutes ago and you are my last table. get the eff out, amigo (the husband was tickled pink that this guy called him amigo all night)". so basically, the food was AMAZING, the service left a lot to be desired...if i wasn't leaving tucson, i'd prolly go back. with my whole party at hand.
(4)
Kathy P.
This place has atmosphere. It's very cute. The salsa lady comes to your table and make salsa to order FRESH! Yum. Food was delicious! The service was great. Everyone was very helpful and we had a baby with us. The baby was super well behaved but we needed a few extras like a spoon to feed the baby and the very sweet salsa lady ran and I mean ran to get her a spoon. So sweet.
(5)
Dan K.
Walked in today and had fish taco Tuesday--yummy. It took a bit to get seated--I guess the hostess was doing something else. I thought the fish tacos were good, but not great. I'm not sure why, but there was no salsa or sauce for the tacos. Usually, you get a good avocado sauce or a nice mango salsa--so I thought they were good, but not great. Service was good--attentive and my glass stayed full. Overall--I'd go back--but not on my short list anytime.
(3)
L B.
I loved this place from start to finish. I was in Tucson for 3 weeks with my job and I didn't try this place til the end and could kick myself. Came in around 3:30pm on a Monday and was just in time for Happy Hour. $3 ginormous margaritas, super score. They weren't the best margaritas I have had but definitely did the job. Also $2.50 giant Dos Equis Amber in a giant frosty mug made for a hard decision!! I kept asking the waitress questions about what was good on the menu and she finally said everything, I love our food. Boy was she right. Tried the manchego appetizer, one of the best most tastiest things I have ever eaten. Also the potato taquitos which were also good. My friend had a some kind of lobster portobello thing that she was equally as in love with. Table side salsa and super cute lady that makes it was fun. I actually liked the salsa they brought first way better but don't tell the salsa lady. So we called some more friends and moved into the bar for mas happy hour and after a couple more drinks I don't think I spent more than $30 including food and being nice and lushed up! I guess people in Tucson don't tip that well because our waitress fallowed us out to thank us again and again for her 22% tip.
(5)
James R.
From the Salsa made to order table side, to the hand made tortilla's and wide ranging menu, this place has it all. Eclectic meets Authentic Decor, above average service, with very reasonable prices, all combine to make this place a must stop when in town.
(4)
Steve T.
Excellent salsa made right at the table. The hot cheese plate was good comfort food and it reminded me of the hot cheese plates I have had in Guadalajara. Didn't care for the jalapeno margarita as I didn't get the reason for the hotness of the drink, Had the chili verde plate and it was good. Didn't like that the salsa lady made it clear we needed to tip her and the mariachi band was there for tips also. The service was great and this place is popular for a good reason as it is good food in a lively place with good ambience
(4)
Owen B.
Great food and a great atmosphere. Be prepared for a long wait on Friday or Saturday nights.
(4)
Jeff B.
This place is average at best. The homemade salsa was very good, and having it made for you at tableside was kind of cool. My food, a chimichanga, was good. My wife's food, tacos, were obviously out of a box. I don't like paying restaurant prices for something I could buy at the grocery store. The margaritas were good. I imagine the rest of the menu must be rather hit or miss, some things are good and others are not.
(3)
Rachel A.
Take out of town guests here for a fun dining experience. Really good margaritas!! Delicious, LARGE portions.
(4)
Dale P.
Salsa made at your table, mariachi band, and great food. They also have a solid happy hour and in their new location parking is easy. Best place in town for real Mexican gourmet food. Poca Cosa is very good but not as traditional. This is a must try.
(5)
Michael D.
Follow the steps. 1. Pick a beautiful day. 2. Sit on the patio at Guadalajara Grill. 3. Enjoy the table-side salsa and your drink of choice (Bohemia or house margarita thank you). 4. Order the Machaca (Huge serving of slow cooked spice pulled beef, beans, rice, and fresh tortillas). 5. Lose yourself to dining bliss. You're welcome reader, and thank you Guadalajara.
(5)
Tom W.
This is a great place to go with visitors to get a taste of the traditional culture along with the biggest menu in town. The new building is terrific and the made-to-order salsa at your table is a treat for first time visitors as well as long time customers.
(4)
Melissa H.
A recent trip back to Tucson to see the friends I miss most, landed me at the Guadalajara Grill. When I lived in Tucson I lived around the corner from it's original location and I am kicking myself for never trying it before. The table side salsa is a nice touch. While most people love it because they can spice it up, I loved it because I could get the perfect medium blend heavier on the garlic. My friend prompted me to order the bandera margarita and seriously I could of drank 10 more. It is a tri colored frozen margarita with lime, strawberry, and melon and it was delicious. Sticking to my bandera theme I ordered the enchiladas banderas and was not disappointed. The tortillas really are excellent and the food was fresh and prompt to our tables. the atmosphere makes you feel like you are someplace else and there really is an experience to be had here.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Uhmazing, make salsa fresh at your table. The best fajitas ive ever had. Try it you wont be... sawwy.
(5)
Mark K.
Great food. Plus-minus service. Favorites include table-side made salsa to taste, queso fundido and seafood molcajete in the hot stone pot. Mmmm, good.
(4)
Shane W.
This is a new favorite of mine. The service was great as all of the staff was very friendly and the owner came over to serve us and ended up talking for a few minutes. The house margarita is good. The frozen strawberry margarita made with Hornito's is better. The Manchegos is a great appetizer - especially if you love cheese. The chips and salsa is great and plenty as the salsa is made to your order at your table. The chimchanga's are great. The Capitain's Skillet fajitas are served sizzling hot with freshly made tortillas - they make their own at the restaurant. The Albondigas is good as well. The seafood selection is amazing as it reelects the owner's love and knowledge of good seafood. The mariachis band was wonderful to listen to. The downsides are: finding a parking spot is very difficult as this place is very busy; the red rice is dry when compared to the local Sonoran style; and the general music on the speaker system is too loud such that it takes away some of the beauty from the mariachis. I do recommend reservations to avoid waiting in line; otherwise, they bar is a great place to wait.
(4)
Sara E.
Bland. That is not an endorsement. Sonoran Mexican food should be spicy and bright. This food is boring. The salsa at the table bit is charming, but doesn't make up for deficiencies in dishes that are delightful elsewhere. Tucson has so many great Mexican restaurants that it is hard to understand how this establishment stays open. Perhaps just the margaritas and salsa? Sad, sad, sad.
(2)
Michael G.
There was enough mariachi music swirling around this place to make you feel like you were in Guadalajara, and sprinkle a potent house margarita on top and your there man! The food is exceptional, the bustling crowd and hot plates running around like a Guadalajara fire drill paints the picture. This is the place to be! Come on out, the music is right, your stomach is going to dance all night.
(4)
Jamie A.
Some people have told me that this place is always packed, no matter what time you go. I busted that myth last night, as me and the girlfriend showed up at 5:30pm on a Monday night. What better time can you go, right? Right. There were plenty of people there, but the restaurant is huge so we got seated immediately. Ended up getting the hot salsa mix from the nice lady, wasn't too hot though. Probably the only bummer of the night. I ordered the chimi asada, my lord it was delicious. Girlfriend got the shrimp burrito with some type of southwest sauce on it. Let's just say I will be ordering what she had next time I go. No room for dessert, the portions were huge. Pros: Waitress we had was awesome, the meal was excellent, not too busy at 530 on a monday evening Cons: Uhhhh... just the salsa not being hot enough I suppose? GO HERE YOU WILL LOVE IT. WELL, PROBABLY.
(5)
Rick E.
Most non-New Mexicans would probably give this place a higher rating than I did. It's very commercial. Not terrible but not great. The tableside salsa making is fun and pretty good salsa. They'll make it to your specifications. The portions are huge, really too big. I had the chipolte shrimp burrito. It was big, soggy and filled with rice, whole scallions, carrots and a very few, anemic white shrimp. The fajitias looked pretty good. The cilantro chicken is probably the best bet. Being from New Mexico I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to good Mexican food, so keep that in mind when you read this.
(2)
Bryan H.
Again, people argue back and forth as to where you can get the best Mexican food in Tucson. It's kinda like arguing about which politician is most corrupt in Washington; Tucson is frankly a Mexican food mecca. Now, each restaurant has a distinct feel, distinct styles, and I often change which restaurant I take my visitors and friends to based on their individual tastes and wants. After all, if you're going to visit Tucson you want to have a good meal. La Poca Cosa comes to mind, or Mi Niditos, but my goto for showing non-Tucsonans how varied and diverse Mexican style food can be is Guadalajara Grill. Of course there is the standard Mexican food fair--burritos, tacos, enchiladas, but what makes Guadalajara unique is the diversity dishes. You can order anything from a molcajete bubbling with peppers and carne asada to the standard Tres Amigos, all with fresh in-house-made tortillas and at-the-table made salsa. Because my family and friends trek from the Midwest, they are often floored by how varied Mexican food can be from what they know, especially the seafood dishes which are pretty fantastic. Seafood in the desert? Yeah, the Baja is only 3-4 hours away. If you want more than just a meal, Guadalajara sports a meandering mariachi band, and they will come to your table to ask if you'd like a song. Many amors and corazons later, your date or family will be laughing and having a good time. If you want some margarita, they are strong and cheap on certain days so swing by, only complaint there is a little salty (but I like salty margaritas). I highly recommend Guadalajara.
(5)
Fred J.
This place does some nice catering every month or so for the kids of Casa de los Ninos. That is a five star in my book. With that said, what I liked the most was the Salsa. They make that in front of you!? In Vegas they do this with Guacamole and it is like $13 a small bowl. So I expected some smallish portion. Well this thing was MEGA. I was happy - it was also spicey which was yum yum.
(5)
Andrew H.
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever eaten at, and probably the best in Arizona. I first went here two years ago when I spent the weekend in Tucson. It was great. The food was great, the service was attentive, and the salsa made table-side is a very nice touch. Since then, I've taken friends, clients, and family to the Guadalajara Grill (mind you, I live in central Phoenix) and they all love it. One of my friends now drives all the way to Tucson every other month just to eat there. I am very glad I asked my hotel concierge for a good Mexican restaurant the first time I went to the Guadalajara Grill; it has been a great place to eat and now that they've moved down the street it is even more convenient to park there.
(5)
Todd G.
Not bad. The skinny margaritas were a bit strong. Felt like I was sipping a glass full of tequila shots. The salsa prepared table side was As Good As It Gets though.
(4)
Angela J.
The food was the best part of the evening; however, it wasn't as good as I would have anticipated for the amount of money I paid. The service was mediocre at best, which was surprising because there were maybe two other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. At the end of the evening I was shorted $10 by our server making the evening ... spectacular. *ahem* I flagged down an employee to grab our server and ended up waiting an additional 15 minutes for our server to show up to address the situation. When he walked up to the table he came with money in hand, without my yet addressing the issue to any employee ....?!? Suspicious.
(2)
Mark F.
Fresh salsa and fajitas are always great. My favorite Mexican restaurant by far.
(5)
Mike S.
Plain awful. Thank goodness we had a buy on get one free coupon otherwise we would've been totally pissed. There are lots of "not very good" Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill ranks among the bottom, right there with Casa Molina, El Molina, and El Charro.
(1)
Paul D.
I can't say that I am a big Mexican food critic. All Mexican food tastes pretty good to me ( as long as there is no cilantro). But what I like about Guadalajara Grill is that it is a very festive place. The inside is very colorful and there are pinatas hanging from the ceilings. They have the Mariachi band playing and they have the Salsa lady that comes around and makes fresh salsa. I also like the big booths. We always have a good time when we go here.
(4)
Deb W.
I love the Molcajetes.
(5)
Colin G.
This used to be my favorite Mexican sit-down place in the city. And that's saying a lot, just considering how many Mexican places there are in Tucson. I originally came here a few years ago on my birthday to their old location, closer to Campbell. Service was great, food was great, the mariachis were obnoxious and we had a good time. Then I got to their new location, a little further east on Prince, close to Mountain, and it was a very different experience. The wait was about 20 minutes for a Sunday night, but I had expected that and (I had told my companions to call in beforehand, and they didn't) wasn't really bothered by the wait. We were seated in the room toward the back, into a crowded booth. The room had stucco walls painted red, and cheesy Mexican designed on the ceiling. Between those walls and the roof were a ton of tables, attempting to pack in as many people as they could. There wasn't much room to walk. Only some of us got menus because they had run out. It took a while to get chips and salsa, and then a bit longer to order. We had wanted waters plus additional drinks, but only some of us got them because the server said that they had run out of glasses. The room was excessively noisy, even before the mariachis came in. When they did, the chatter quieted down a bit, which was nice, but it came right back after they left. The menu seemed about the same as before, as did the prices but, when it finally came out, it just didn't taste right. Not nearly as good as it was before. Fast-forward several months later, when I discovered their happy hour. Note to restaurants: the secret to my heart is CHEAP BEER. 22oz drafts are $2. $2!! They also have discounted food, but it's nothing to get excited about. Certainly cheaper than the regular menu though. Service is always pretty good in the bar area, when we go for the happy hour. Several TVs there mean that it's a good spot to watch the game. The only issue is when those damn mariachis start up on "Besame Mucho" for the smiling, geriatric gringos nearby and all you can do is cringe. If you want a table, call ahead or come early. Maybe both. Parking is also always problematic. They're right by the Mountain Ave. bike path though, so why not consider alternative means of transit, you nature-hating douche? (kidding!)
(4)
Gretchen J.
Salsa cart table side need I say more? Ok this place moved from its last location that provided the diner with an outdoor experience. What this new location provided however is the extra footage that is great for big parties. The service is attentive and friendly. The food? EVERYTHING is great!! One of the best places to go for a nice mexican sit down meal. The salsa they make is perfect as you direct the lady that makes it exactly to your taste buds. Be prepared to wait but it worth check the place out.
(5)
Ryan L.
Portions are huge service was second to none. Salsa made in front of you totally awesome. If you are going to tucson you have to eats here.
(5)
Mary Y.
Freshly made SALSA at your table!!! NUFF said. The guacamole was really nice with a fair amount of chunks which I love. We just made happy hour by a minute and managed to snag a beer and margarita for $3!! We got so full off the chips and I didn't even finish my potato-stuffed taquitos. The portions were fair for the price. They also have a musical trio that goes from table to table and takes song requests. I believe you're supposed to tip them too.
(4)
Marisa B.
Fantastic enchiladas, amazing cheese dip (chapala rajas), super cheesy Chile rellenos and table side salsa made to your liking - what more can you ask for! Good service, huge portions. Will be back again and again!
(5)
D C.
The tableside salsa made to order is terrific. Food was very good as was the service.
(4)
Carrie G.
**Second visit a few months ago: Went back with a friend who had never been and told her about how delicious the salsa is. Well...on my return visit and giving the food another try, I'm going to probably never come back again. The salsa is almost worth it, but not when there are so many other great food places in the area.** After a really long day at a barbeque competition, I found this place through Yelp on my iPhone. I'm so picky about Mexican food since I am not a fan of the Sonoran style, so I was adamant about trying their food. But the idea of salsa made at your table intrigued me. When we pulled into the parking lot and found that it was complete full and they had a parking attendant, we knew that we had hit the jackppot! We had to park down the block and around the corner because so many people were there...and it was about 8 at nigiht. After a bit of a wait, we were finally seated. The salsa girl came over and we ordered Medium salsa. It was awesome to be able to watch her make the salsa with all the fresh ingredients including the mortar and pestle she used to crush it up all together. My first bite was so delicious! It had the right amount of spice and it seriously was an explosion on my tastebuds! LOL I judge places on their salsa and this was a very very good sign indeed. But I had a very hard time choosing my actual entree. Maybe it would have been weird to just eat the chips and salsa, but I wish I would have. I ended up ordering the Tres Bandidos combo plate with three enchiladas in a sort of sampler style. They weren't that great and I ended up freaking out when I ate a mole style enchilada not realizing it would be sweet. Eeeeeeek! The chicken enchilada was the only one I really ate and the green chile enchilada was just so-so. But I will tell you now, I have daydreams about the freshly made salsa and want to go back (even taking the 1.5 hour drive) just to get some more of that salsa!!!
(2)
Jared K.
Service was poor. Our server was non-existent. Took over an hour for the food to arrive. Waited forever with no refills on chips or soda. Won't be back. Complained to the manager and he said oh well its late now you should have said something earlier. Negative star
(1)
Jeremy K.
Love this place! The "new" outdoor patio is awesome! Table-side Salsa is primo! If I had more time I'd tell you about the Margs, the burros, fajitas and the decor which is all spectacular!
(4)
Dan L.
The food is fine, the portions are huge and the decor is tacky. This is based on my lunch experience. I hear they have tableside salsa making during dinner service though, if you're into that type of stuff.
(3)
Joshua B.
Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended to me and I had to try it. The atmosphere is festive, lively, and upbeat. Shortly after being seated you are treated to made-to-order salsa, made right at your table. The food is good and comes in large portions; however, it isn't really unique or special when compared to the large number of Mexican restaurants in town. Check out Guadalajara Grill for a fun atmosphere, with large portions of good food.
(3)
Keith R.
Awesome! Best margarita in Tucson. Service has been amazing both times I have gone.
(5)
Lou K.
We had dinner her on Thursday night, restruant was buys (all tables full) but wait was short. Waitstaff (Laura) was friendly, constant in her service. Table side salsa was perfect just the right amount of cilantro. Tilapia and Shrimp were excellent and there was plenty to take home after two big bowls of chips for the salsa. We will go again - never had a bad meal there
(4)
Terry J.
Ray L. described the place thus, "Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican Food". He was dead-on. The food isn't all that exciting and my local friends suggested other locations for more authentic dining. But, I was in the mood for noise and Tequila-laced drinks. Food was okay. Drinks were great. Very loud. Very, very loud. Salsa (table made) was good as advertised. Will I go again? No. Was I glad I went once? Yes.
(3)
Angela S.
Was recommended here by a friend, great customer service (the ladies held my baby while I ate lol), great pozole.
(3)
Chris C.
Visiting from Cleveland and wanted to try some legit Mexican food. All I can say is WOW!! IT WAS BETTER THAN GOOOD! Amazing is more like it. It is really funny how something as simple as salsa can taste so much better when it's fresh. The chips and salsa are the best I've ever had, made in house. We ordered a TON of food and nearly had to be rolled out of the place. Nachos with chicken...out of this world. Just the best Mexican food I've ever put in my mouth. I ate till it hurt and I couldn't breathe.
(5)
Josh F.
So good. So damn good. One of the few places I really miss from my U of A days. The salsa here is incredible. As is the guac and the tortillas and the chips and the margaritas. Just go have fun at this place. It's an incredible value.
(4)
Charles C.
In a city of many many South of the Border restaurants, sometimes you just want a place that epitomizes everything iconic about their foods ... that is, good food, good atmosphere, good service ... that creates a comfortable experience for you, and for your guest(s). Guadalajara does just this. It's good traditional Mexican fare coupled with attentive wait-staff and a little Mariachi on the side if you like (yes, they take requests ... ask them to play "Y Volvere" by the Los Angeles Negros for a truly romantic scene, and sip your Margarita before indulging.
(5)
Andrew A.
After hearing all the great things about Guadalajara Grill I thought I would give it a try. The location of the restaurant isn't in the best area of town however the place is well kept and has an authentic feel to it. The wait staff was friendly and from the get go I was impressed. Upon sitting down a lady dressed in "authentic" Mexican clothing asked us how we like our salsa. We told the lady and right at our table she made the salsa to our liking. It tasted fresh and was definitely something I had never seen before. It was around 5PM when we sat down which I believe was the end of happy hour so draft beers were two dollars off and the house Margarita was 50% off. Not too bad of a deal? For a main course I ordered a enchilada plate which contained three different types of enchiladas. After hearing such great things I thought the food would be exceptional however I felt it was very good but did not reach the exceptional status. Maybe it was because I had hyped the place up to much? This is definitely a place I would come back to every so often but be mindful that compared to other Mexican restaurants in Tucson, it is a little more pricey.
(4)
Rae M.
I love this restaurant! I tried it for the first time and was back two days later to have it again! You need to make sure that you come here when they have the table side salsa! Wonderful ladies make the salsa for you and you can let them know if you want it hotter or more mild! I'm picky about my salsa and about what ingredients go in it so this is perfect! They ask you before adding the ingredients so you can tell them which ones to leave out. I was very impressed by their service last time I visited. I came with my family for dinner when it wasn't too busy yet. We were seated right away and they came by with the chips and salsa as soon as we were seated. Our server (I wish I remembered their name) brought us our drinks right away and when it came time to order, memorized the whole thing without writing it down. This always scares me because i'm one of those difficult customers that has them add and take out certain ingredients and they almost always get it wrong even when it is written down...but not this time! The food was brought out just like we ordered it. Everyone that interacted with us was very friendly even when it did get busy. I recommend coming before the dinner rush or else you could get stuck waiting for a long time before getting a table.
(5)
Jessica L.
I had to come here after hearing a friend reminisce about this place after coming back from studying abroad in Europe. So far I've only tried the vegetarian dishes here (I've gone twice with my recently-vegetarian friend. Definitely delicious and love that the salsa is customizable, fresh, and sooo good with the chips. This is quite the experience as all the servers, musicians, walls, and ceilings are dressed the part. Portions are ginormous and I like to split plates, which they are happy to do for you. Lively. Great service. Definitely a Tucson gem.
(4)
Sherry B.
HIRE SOME HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have too many incompetent people.
(1)
Melissa J.
I just don't quite get the appeal of this place. It's always packed, it's even really hard to park. So you would think that would be a sign that it is something amazing but it just isn't. I do admit, the table side salsa can be really good. Last night we had them make salsa verde and it was so so so good. But that's pretty much the only thing that stood out. My fish tacos were probably the blandest fish tacos I've ever tasted. Really flavorless tortillas and then all that was on them aside from the fish was shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. Really? My husband pointed out I should add the table side salsa, and that did certainly spice it up, but why so boring to start out? My husband and lots of other people at our table got various molcajete bowls. These do seem unique and cool, but my husband said his was pretty flavorless. The margarita was gigantic, but not exciting. Maybe this isn't actually what it is but it just tasted like the Jose Cuervo mix. I did see they had a jalepeno margarita and I'm not sure why I didn't order it because it did sound interesting. The live music is great. We were there for my brother in law's birthday and they sang him a little song, made him a funny hat and brought some tasty cake. So service and ambiance definitely 5 stars. I just don't think it makes up for the food.
(3)
Big P.
Is this place really open? The website still has it as being closed still from the fire.
(5)
Mark A.
This is right around the corner from my house and I have a tendency to forget about it. I was working late getting some materials for a new fence being built, and wanted I to buy my friends dinner for helping me and proximity was key. Immediately upon arrival I knew like an bomb going off was the loud blast of mariachi's ( I guess there is a band of them marauding about since the close of El Mariachi). I thought to myself was this part of the plan for mutually assured destruction. The table side salsa is good the service is average. They should have a non-marichi zone or a cone of silence.
(3)
Sarah L.
Absolute worst service I have ever had. Made a reservation for 7pm and didn't get sat until 7:35pm. Waited another 30 minutes to get water and order food. No one once apologized or gave us a reason for why they were so behind. Finally left at 9:30. Should have never taken 2 1/2 hours to eat dinner. Very disappointed and will not be coming back.
(1)
Jack S.
I really wanted to love this place like the other reviewers and but for a few things, albeit pretty major things, would have given this place 4 stars at least. First off, I have to say the service was very good and this is during the AZ basketball Elite 8 playoff where the entire waitstaff was glued to the game. The salsa made at your table was good but it takes a while to come around and for a while you are there with these chips and nothing to dip them in. I ordered the 3 banditios, an enchilada each in green sauce, mole and red sauce. The sauces were excellent but all 3 of the enchiladas were quite anemic on the meat. Also, I have to say that the tortillas, although laudably made fresh on site, were so thick I could not use my fork to cut them and had to resort to a knife. I have literally had tortillas made over a fire in the jungles of Guatemala that were leagues ahead of this. Maybe it's been great in the past, maybe it's just a gotten a bit lax in execution but this place was slightly less than average on my visit.
(3)
S S.
First visit here while vacationing in Tucson. Really good food and classic Mexican food ambiance. They custom mix your salsa at tableside. The mariachi band checked our wrinkles and played a Credence Clearwater song for us. We all got a chuckle out of that. They were really good musicians.
(4)
David D.
Wholly owned and operated; we gotta move to Tucson! Been coming to Tucson for over 35 years to visit my aunt Stella, She's introduced me to many a fine restaurant, but how in the world has she never taken me here? Well, found it on my own tonight and what a wonderful find it was!! Tuesday night and the place was packed, yet service was fast and impeccable. And the food? Wow! Start with made-to-order salsa at my table and then continue on to a absolutely savory Molecante Mariscos. Wow!. And hand made tortillas delivered in little ziplocs to keep them moist and soft. Are you kiddin' me?! I realize this review is bordering on over the top, but gotta tell, you this place rates it. And, BTW, kudos to the owners. Speaking with our server I learned that after the fire, the owners kept everyone on payroll for the six months it took to rebuild and re-open. Go there. Over and over.
(4)
Merlin C.
Just great. Best salsa, great margarita, paella to die for. Fun, if not hokey atmosphere (it was Valentines day) but nice looking deck with mountain view. Super busy! Get there early or late.
(5)
Henry M.
Great food, generous portions, reasonable prices, comfortable atmosphere. What more can you ask?
(5)
Jonathan B.
It is great "Americanized" Mexican food. Everything tastes great, but you can share a lot of entrees. We normally split a Veggie Molcajete. The margaritas and salsa are great too!! Great for family visits and fun nights!
(5)
Denise G.
The last margarita I ordered was watered down. Tasteless. They were great before. The food is awesome, environment is great and the table salsa is the best.
(4)
Veda D.
All I can say is table side salsa is the best. I will come for the salsa order and be too full to touch my entree. Come at night or on the weekend so you can pick your level of hot for your salsa. The seafood is also really good. If you are craving paella I recommend it. Mmmmmmm
(4)
April D.
Nailbanger Here Again; I can only say, the heading of this review says it all. We were invited to go to Lunch ,celebrating my Aunts Birthday, as the occasion.The place has just recently reopened after a Fire.They had a decent Lunch crowd, but we were seated right away , this restaurant is pretty large.The Service has a lot to be improved on, and was scarce and not well trained. Now for the Food, it was bland and flavorless, the beans tasted of a tin can. I can't see how with Great Mexican Food in Tucson ,this place survives and thrives. The Food is Gringo food at Best.I won't be back.If you are a visitor in Town keep searching.The Best place in town is Mi Nidito`s on South 4th Ave.
(2)
Haley B.
Such an amazing Mexican restaurant! I love their salsa that they customize for you at your table. Their margaritas are also sooo good.
(4)
Shana M.
I like this very much, truely authentic Mexican food. Lots of seafood on menu. We ordered Chili Verde burros. My husband ordered the Carnitas best in town. Last visit we both ordered seafood,which was excellent. A little pricey for a casual just staving for mexican food dinner. Salsa mixed at your table to your taste. Chips, tortillas hot and fresh. 3.00 margaritas at 4pm happy hour. Big drinks, big food, first time in a long time we took 1/2 of our dinners home. Out side tables, This is a place to take out of towners to.
(4)
Erik J.
Maybe I'm a little biased because this place is walking distance from my house, but I really love Guadalajara Grill! My wife and I come here pretty often after work for happy hour (ends at 6pm) where the house margaritas are only $3 (for a big, cool looking glass of it), and appetizers are half off. I really like the fresh, made-at-your-table salsa that can be ordered mild, medium, or hot - just be sure to bring a buck or two to tip the salsa-lady! My favorite meal is the Green Chili Chimichanga, enchilada style with the white sauce. It's pretty huge so the wifey and I usually split it. It does get really busy here Thursday-Saturday nights so make sure to make reservations or plan on waiting a little bit. They are good about turning out tables though.
(5)
Bryce R.
I have been to Guadalajara Grill twice with my family. It a family friendly restaurant and the food is very good and not too pricey. The table side salsa is a treat however the salsa is just ok. I enjoy my salsa a little bit cold and because it is made table side it is more room temperature. The salsa is still good just my small complaint. The positives for the restaurant is that the food comes out fast. This is a plus for families so the kids aren't waiting for their food causing tantrums. The food is good. I have gotten the chimichanga, burritos, fajitas, and queso. They have never disappointed. The fajitas are hot and fresh. The tortillas they give you are huge and fresh I love them. The quest is interesting. It is like melted pizza cheese in a bowl. It is good just not your traditional queso sauce.
(5)
Dr Tim L L.
I could eat salsa here all day ...... wow. Chips are very good as well. The chicken fajita was okay. The vegies seemed to be cooked separately from chicken and the flavors did not blend. Tasty Horchata ..... a bit on the sweet side. Nice spacious setting and clean. Fresh tortillas ...... hellooooooooo.
(4)
Alex T.
This place is great. The food is good and the atmosphere is awesome, especially on the weekends when they have live music. They also make your salsa table-side, which is pretty cool. They serve your standard variety of Mexican food. Chimichangas, Tacos, Enchiladas, etc. I only give it three stars because if you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this shouldn't be your number one choice. Although the food is usually good and the portions are big the food itself doesn't match up with what's available here in Tucson (and at cheaper prices).
(3)
Adam F.
Guadalajara Grill has been at this location for many years. It is on the south side of Prince Rd west of Mountain Ave. Unfortunately, a fire in the kitchen kept it closed for several months. It has now been several months since they re-opened, and it is clear they have maintained their reputation as a Tucson staple. They have a website online but be sure to click "Guadalajara Original Grill." The "Guadalajara Fiesta Grill" has a slightly different menu and prices and is only associated with the original location by name. I believe it is a result of a divorce with the owners. The service and food is very consistent. The atmosphere is very comparable to it's primary competitor: El Charro. Like the latter, it is a decent place to come for lunch or happy hour. Choosing this restaurant is a safe pick if you don't want to gamble on a new or inconsistent restaurant.
(4)
John B.
The Excellent: Bianca, our waitress this time and last time out did herself in service. I wish all servers were1/2 as attentive as Bianca. The Margaritas show that the bartenders have paid attention to the adage "fresh ingredients simple recipe = great drink". For once a Cadillac Margarita was not over wrought and over the top. It was, well like driving a 59 Caddy Convertiable. The Fajitas were tasty as was the salsa and old school Guacamole. The BAD: COLD STALE tortilla chips. An abomination. When restaurants in Los Angeles routinely serve chips that are fresh so what is the problem???In addition the corn tortillas served with meal were overheated and stale. Inedible so I did not eat them. So close to perfection yet so far. Hopefully they will fix this.
(4)
Gary S.
Table side salsa. So good. You got to get it hot. I have been here on multiple occasions now and I have to say I've had a great experience each time. Between the wife and I we have ordered 6 different entrees. Food always taste fresh and delivered to the table hot. Which is a major feat in this town.
(5)
Nick M.
I lived in Tucson for three years before sadly moving and while there I had the chance to eat at plenty of fine Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill is one of my favorites. Being a regular I was always impressed with the quality of the food. The service and ambiance are average, my biggest grip being with the dinner-time music which could be very loud. But the food was always delicious, especially the pork chili verde.
(4)
D W.
Went to the bar for happy hour. Great salsa made to your taste, and yummy (and cheap) house margarita. Queso fundito was enough for a dinner for two of us. The bartenders were attentive and working hard!
(5)
Linda E.
Our 'go to' place when in Tucson. Their salsa and margaritas are THE BEST!!
(5)
Ciera L.
Not impressed with their food. No idea why this place is always busy and why Tucson loves this place. Horrible Mexican food, I had tortilla soup and it was disgusting and more like tomato soup. My dad did not like what he ordered and we were both unimpressed and will never go there again. If you want delicious Mexican food Do not go here!
(1)
Leila R.
I went here with my cousin and some friends for a girls night out because they touted the margaritas and because they have live mariachis on Wed nights, but i have to say, other than the mariachis (who were really good!) this place did not live up to the hype. First off, the parking situation here is just out of control! I arrived 10mins early for our 6:30pm reservation and spent almost 15mins looking for parking because there was a "lot full" sign and the parking attendant was not helpful at all in suggesting other places to park as the adjacent business strip was all full and the "gated" thrift store across the street did not have any visible available parking. I ended up having to park at the church almost a .25mi trek away. Not to say I mind walking, but it is not in the best neighborhood and you have to cross a busy street, so not ideal, especially when making the hike by yourself after dark. Secondly, at $9 a pop ($8 on the rocks) for their margs, I was expecting a top shelf caliber margarita experience and to at least get a buzz going. The first one I had my cousin ordered for me because they had never tried the tamarindo on the rocks before. For that price, I should at least be able to taste some kind of tequila...my margarita was very watered down and as far as tamarindo goes, everyone at the table agreed, this was not as advertised. The frozen prickly pear marg, on the other hand, was delicious, but again very light on the tequila and definitely not worth $9! As far as the food goes, I was kind of disappointed. It was not very authentic to me (I had a shrimp quesadilla, which was light on the shrimp, and my cousin, who shared some of her dish, had the fried chimis) and again, very overpriced. Other than the food and the margs, this place is puro Jalisco. They did a great job w/the decor (the murals on the wall, especially of the cathedral in Guad are impressive) and the salsa that is made table side is pretty spot on (you can even get it in varying levels of heat). The mariachis, though, redeemed the lackluster food/drink sitch here for me. They stroll through the restaurant and give a genuine performance. One of the mariachis, Martin, has just an amazing voice! But, to be honest, when I walked out of there with a $30 tab for mediocre food and overpriced drinks, I turned into a mariachi, myself, and ay-ay-ayayayay-ed all the way home!
(2)
Micalah O.
This restaurant is great for large groups and/or visitors to the southwest. It is not like the typical Tucson Mexican restaurant because It does have food from south of the border (on the Mexican) side. The table side salsa can be really great if you know just what to ask for. The drinks are fun but it is hard to screw up a margarita too badly. Everything is priced reasonably especially considering the serving sizes are HUGE! Guadalajara is very touristy, costumes, mariachis and decor. My cousin from the East Coast found it to be just what he was looking for in a Mexican restaurant. I on the other hand find it to be a bit over the top but the food is good.
(3)
S G.
Takeout food was great. Beans are good, rice are extremely flavorful, chicken chimi was great, and chips were good too. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back again.
(5)
Saba B.
Guadalajara Grill's extensive menu rivals War and Peace. I often worry about the little vegetarian section buried under pages of shrimp and beef dishes, but GG's veg menu is to be reckoned with. The guaco tacos and vegetarian burrito here are artistic dishes. The veggies aren't limp and overcooked, but well-seasoned and delicately prepared. Big chunks of creamy avocado were balanced by spicy calabacitas and cebolla. By the way, our large margarita was Olympic-sized. I thought I saw Michael Phelps doing the backstroke in there. "Grande" means ginormous here. The service is always reliable, the tableside salsa done to order is rich and fresh, and the decor is fiesta-style colorful and gaudy. GG's gets my best of Tucson vote for Mexican, manos down.
(5)
Tony F.
The food I would have to say is ok although you do get a lot for your buck. The highlight of the food is the hand-made tortillas and the salsa that is made to order at your table. I had the carne asada burrito which was very good but not even the closest to the best. The sauce used in the burrito was a little too barbecue-esq. The atmosphere is what you'd expect of a Mexican food restaurant, complete with mariachi band. The place can get crowded on the weekend so be patient or come early.
(4)
Alex A.
walked in and got seated. 25 minutes later i had not been served. not even a drink. worst service ever. dont bother coming here
(1)
Nikol P.
Best f-ing Mexican food that I have ever had at a restaurant! Do yourself a favor and get the Manchegas! OMG. Their tortillas are divine and I can not stop thinking about the carnitas that I got. My husband's shrimp burrito was so tasty too! I am not some gringa either! I love Mexican food and living in Los Angeles has afforded me a life of dining on some of the best Mexican cuisine, and let me tell you, that Guadalajara's is top on my list. Service was A+, my glass was never empty!!
(5)
Christina R.
First of all this place has the best salsa in town, made fresh at your table! Does it get any better than that?! Yes, because Guadalajara also has (huge) $3 house margaritas during happy hour, and great deals on select appetizers. My boyfriend & I started with the mini chimis. And since we couldn't decide if we wanted chicken or beef, we got 3 of both and I still can't tell you which I liked better; both so delicious! For our entree we shared pork chile verde enchiladas. I left there stuffed, everything was too good to stop eating even after I was full to capacity. On top of all the great food, the service here is fantastic-everyone is so friendly & upbeat! We will definitely be adding Guadalajara Grill to our rotation!
(5)
Justan R.
Fantasitico! While traveling on business from the muy frio climate of northern Arizona, my companions and I discovered this not so hidden gem of Tucson's culinary attractions and favorite of locals via Yelp! From the table side salsa made to your heat specifications, mariachi band serenade, wide variety of delicious main entree selections, and potent margaritas, you simply can't go wrong. Try it for yourself and experience first hand the regional excellence that is Guadalajara Original Grill!
(5)
George L.
First time going to Tuscon, after about 15 years living in Phoenix, and saw this place had a ton of reviews. I only did lunch here so my table missed out on the table side salsa creation and the mariachi music but the food was generally good (though chicken in the fajita special was rather dry, the steak fajitas were excellent. I have a feeling that in the evening, with the salsa made at the table and the music, and a margarita or two, my review would be a 4 or a 5 so at some point I hope to come back. My parents, who I took up with me, thought it was the best thing ever and they can't wait to go back so I'm sure they would already rate it at the 4 or 5 star level. I will say the service was great and the serving staff was quite friendly. You definitely feel comfortable hanging out in this establishment.
(3)
Lee O.
Impeccable service! Went to visit a friend in the area with a hankering for Mexican good...this is a large place with weekday happy hour (forgot the hours) and weekend happy hours (10p-close). Drinks were well crafted and large! The fresh salsa is made at table-side to order to your liking: mild, medium, spicy and quick in a nice big stone bowl. Now, the skillet dishes were brought out sizzling hot and my chimichanga wasn't too oily. All great food, fresh tortillas made in house as well. My friend couldn't decide on what to order and the waiter explained several options in detail -he definitely knew his stuff. A restuaruant that knows their food inside and out is a HUGE plus in my book as it means they take time to craft their dishes and believe in their own food. :) Our waters were constantly refilled and the waiter checked in on us without being annoying so we felt cared for. There were 4 of us and upon eating the chips and salsa, they even brought out a second batch of chips for the table! I'd definitely come back here again!
(5)
Mary N.
Just ate here at their new location on Broadway last night, and am still regretting it! Had their enchiladas that were horrific... Tortillas were hard as a rock and left an aluminum aftertaste. The filling inside the enchiladas was so dry, it was difficult to swallow. They literally had no sauce inside the enchiladas, which were neither dipped into sauce before filling, nor contained a meat filling juicy enough that it didn't rival old leather. The ONLY reason why I'd give them 2 stars is because it was their first day open AND they make the best table side salsa I've ever eaten. (Just bring your own chips, as theirs are thick, tastelessly lacking salt, and greasy.)
(2)
Marlette S.
Do NOT eat here, service was exceptionally bad. Check never arrived, we had to request it from the front desk, and she was ever more rude.... A pity, this used to be a good go-to place for lunch or dinner.
(1)
Lorrie K.
I know everybody says they have the best salsa. I disagree. I like mine with fresh tomatoes, not stewed. Good wasn't that great either. I got a chicken salad in a big she'll, well it was small. Even my margarita wasn't all that great.
(2)
Kennedy V.
The table side salsa is always great. I love that they can make it super spicy, yum! The good is always good and the margaritas are pretty tasty, too. However, I only sip on a marg during reverse happy hour because $4 is definitely better than $9+ per marg. The mariachi band is very talented and fun to listen to while dining. The only two complaints I have (which don't keep me from returning to the restaurant, but are still annoying): 1) Ordering to go food... Every time I order to go it takes 20-30 mins.-- even chips and salsa. I have no issue with the wait time if they would say it would be 20-30 mins. However, they always say 10-15 mins. which is not true. I normally call to order chips and salsa and wait 20 mins. to go pick it up and still end up waiting inside for 10 mins. Somehow it seems after 10 mins. the order is forgotten about as I sit and wait for it. Again, not a big deal, but it does become irritating. 2) Service at the host stand/entrance... Whether trying to be seated, asking to sit at the bar or ordering to go food, the hosts always seem to be doing something better. I don't know if that is their only job (to seat people and take to go orders), but it seems as though they are either a) busy or b) take their time to acknowledge people walking in and to seat them. Once again, not the worst thing, but not my favorite either. Overall, the food is great. Drinks can be pricey --but really, where else do you get cheap drinks at 6pm unless you wait for a happy hour-- and the service is mediocre at best unless you sit at the bar.
(4)
Steve K.
Several people recommended Guadalajara Grill. Best parts were the Mariachis Band and Salsa made-from-scratch at your table to suit your taste Excellent tortilla soup Carne Asada was dry and flavorless, so this dish was disappointing given hype. Tip I: Specially order your Margarita to ensure 100% Agave with Cointreau. Why isn't the right way the house margaritas? I judge a Mexican restaurant first on their margaritas. Based on other diners, many were choosing the double-margaritas of the cheaper house variety. Tip II: Nüvi GPS failed to give correct location on Prince Road, but iPhone GPS did. Weird. If you think this review with photos is useful, funny or cool, I'd appreciate your feedback below.
(3)
Lina L.
Rude waiter, extremely slow service. We walked out because the waiter's rude behavior wasn't worth being there. He walked away while my husband was about to ask the difference in menu was. Not worth it!
(1)
Mary J.
I took 27 people, which can be very hard. Guadalajara was excellent. Took the orders timely and our food came quickly, was very good and came mostly at the same time. The salsa is made at the table which made it very fresh and good! Great atmosphere and live music. We will be back.
(5)
Who H.
Three words sum it up....everything is awesome!
(5)
Chris J.
My husband, adult daughter, and I stopped in for lunch a week ago. My husband and I live in Phoenix, and were driving our daughter back to her home near the UA. We have driven by Guadalajara's many times on past trips, and finally decided to stop ... we were so glad we did! The place is clean, with a festive atmosphere, and the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly and answered all of our questions. Since it was 3pm on a Monday (not quite the dinner hour), we asked what the night life is like.. he advised that there is a mariachi band on weekends, and fresh, table-side made salsa at dinner time. We also noticed a tortilla stand within the restaurant (assuming it is only open during the dinner hours). We voted to come back some time for dinner, as we want to experience all of these "extras", plus try a margarita or two! The food was very delicious. I had a small bowl of the Chicken Tortilla soup - the "small bowl" was "large" to me. The soup had a very flavorful, cumin-spiced broth, tender chunks of chicken, hunks of white mexican cheese and ripe avocado, plus, of course, crispy strips of corn tortilla. Perfect! Daughter had her favorite, cheese enchiladas in red sauce.. she advised the enchiladas were spicy and tender. Husband had a chicken burrito, which he advised was very tasty. We ended the meal with a deep-fried ice cream, which was big enough for the three of us to share. All in all, a great mexican food experience; we will be back! Total bill with tax and tip came to $30; not bad!
This is a Great restaurant, we went with friends on a whim and got there during the happy hour on Friday (which is actually during a reasonable time!) There was a lot of people but our waitress was on the spot and ready and served us really promptly. She came back often and took good care of us overall. We got our dishes which were real portions! I got the cimichanga with green chili in and out! The salsa was great as well as the beans and rice on the side! We got drinks! They were big and cheap! 2.50 for a giant mug of XX and 3 dollar giant margaritas that weren't watered down! The tortillas are the really tasty fatty kind that don't break if you try and fold them and the food wasn't too greasy. It was a little pricey but worth all of the money! Great place to go for atmosphere and food!
(5)
Ravi R.
This place was a huge disappointment. I'm shocked that Mexican food this bad can exist in Tucson. Every aspect of our meal was a letdown. The margaritas tasted like they came from a mix, the guacamole was substandard, and the mole in my dish was worse than something I could buy off the shelf in a grocery store. Even the table-side salsa was just ok. The service wasn't horrible, but it as pretty slow. I don't understand how this place has received any positive reviews. Do yourself a favor and skip this place if you are thinking of trying out a different restaurant. I wish I had gone to one of my old favorites instead.
(1)
Andy H.
This place is just west of Prince and Campbell. You'd never expect it, but this place is really nice inside, has great patio seating, and the best fajitas I've ever had in my life. Salsa will be made for you at the table, you can explain what you want if you're picky, and they'll give you plenty of chips. The parking lot is basically a dead end street, I found it easier to park at the business space to the immediate west of the restaurant.
(5)
Virginia M.
salsa made at the table - awesome. huraches - delicious. atmosphere - a little shabby and noisy.
(5)
Brad H.
Not sure if its just because we arrived just before close, but this place didn't quite live up to the expectations I had after delicious salsa was made at the table. Service was inattentive and half the food was cold. Finally, how am I supposed to eat a giant portion of fajitas, which had great flavor by the way, with only two tiny tortillas? I'd ask my server except she hasn't been seen for a while. Check please
(2)
Punam D.
When we got here, the place was packed but we were led efficiently to our table. The service in general was attentive, and although there was a bit of a wait for food and drinks (which you could well understand), the atmosphere was so good that you didn't mind. The salsa made at our table was delicious, and the staff did not stint on the tortilla chips. In fact, there was just too much food! It was universally excellent; I only wish I had had more room in my stomach. We were 12, and everyone raved about their particular dish. I had fajitas. The lobster enchilada drew real praise. The margaritas were something else: gigantic! I was glad I stuck to the sangria. And finally, a word about the mariachi band: really very talented and entertaining. A great night out.
(4)
Eric S.
Used to be great, but I brought a party of 8 here to celebrate this week and I was embarrassed. Two people sent their food back, two people didn't eat much of their order, and EVERYONE complained about the long wait to order, to get our food, and to get our check, and the mariachis were way way way to loud. The place used to be packed all the time, and this is the first time i've been there when it was half empty, and it;s clear why. The place has gone downhill. Too bad. I used to love it and bring visitors here, but no more.
(2)
Nina H.
Four of us ate at the Guadalajara Grill on the recommendation of a friend. We were delighted with the total experience. Salsa, made tableside to your order, was plentiful and tasty. The girls who make it wore Mexican embroidered blouses and long skirts; the walls are decorated with handpainted murals, giving the whole place an atmosphere probably more Mexican than Mexico itself. Tortillas were made on the premisis, and the Sangria, made with brandy, was very pleasant. I ordered Chicken mole, which was a bit bland but very flavorful. If I have occasion to return to Tucson, I will certainly dine there again.
(4)
carl h.
they make your salsa at your table. big portions, tasty. service also good.nice authetic place.
(4)
Melody S.
Just ok. Food and service was decent. Nothing spectacular.
(3)
S. M.
Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. What more can you ask for?! Their homemade tortillas are to-die-for!!! They are thin, yet have a bit of a crunch to them with an excellent flavor. I once reheated one in the microwave... Still great- which is crazy! The ingredients used in their food are obviously fresh and not overcooked. Great quality. My only complaint would be that they should use fresh tomatoes in their salsa rather than canned/blanched tomatoes. It's definitely still good, though! I will definitely come back to this place many times!!
(5)
Ami D.
Delicious food! The review for this place are definitely appropriately written. The salsa is my personal highlight! I consistenly order Arroz con Pollo and its great. Don't get me wrong, I used to order different things each time to try out the menu but now I just stick to it because I know I love it. The flavors are great and I always have leftovers I throw into a burrito the next day! Extra goodness... Enjoy!
(4)
Cindy N.
Had my faithful Entertainment card and decided to go back to Guadalajara Grill once more. Last time I went was for a happy hour for the office and it was plain awful. Place was packed, noisy, food was yukky. But I figured I'd give it another try. Being I had the card was motivation for me to try it again. We went early on Sat. night just before 5.00 PM. It was quiet and I was quite overjoyed to enjoy a wonderful meal. Some newer different items on the menu such as Halibut Enchiladas with sauteed veggies and rice. Rice was just so so. But the Halibut was yummy as well as the veggies. Hubby had a combo plate and enjoyed that as well. Even had leftovers which were just devoured the next day. Of course, the salsa lady offers at the table service and it was made to order. Excellent. Being the cheapskate I am when it comes to food. Not sure if I would run back here as they are a bit pricey. La Sur on 22nd for $4.99 has wonderful chicken enchiladas. Much better value and just as good.
(4)
Troy W.
It's not el charro good slasa made at the table. Feels unclean and I got really sick after eating there.
(2)
Denny P.
This is a terrific place to eat as a couple or in a group. The food is excellent and even at every visit. This visit included six of us, three from out of town, in for a college graduation. We were seated promptly due to our reservations. The place was packed and we were greeted with a smile. The salsa made at the table to order was perfect and when we ran out of chips they were replenished, again with a smile. We ordered from the menu and their specials, including green corn tamales. Everyone raved about their choice and the appetizers ordered for the table. Don't order too much as the plates are "grande" sized and we took food home that night (as usual). Everything travels perfectly as long as you don't pack the sauces with the chips.
(5)
Brian C.
The fresh salsa (made at the table) is delicious! The guacamole is very smooth (and is a nice tamer if you get the salsa too spicy). The staff is friendly, and attentive. There is a live mariachi band too.
(5)
Jane O.
I love this restaurant! With the tableside salsa, good food and fun atmosphere, you couldn't really go wrong from there. BUT THEIR SERVICE SUCKS! if it weren't for the good food and salsa, this place would be out of business. I would give it 5 stars but I can't. If you go expecting to get poor service, your overall experience will not be that bad.
(3)
.caroline. ..
This is a favorite of our Tucson friends, and we can see why. The made-at-your-table salsa is excellent, and the chips are bountiful. Save room for the enormous plates of food though! The Asada Chimichanga is deliciously filling, and the enchiladas (especially the pork chile verde) are yum-my. The giant (and cheap) beers and margaritas do not go unnoticed. Our friends report that the wait can be awfully long (and you can tell if there's someone directing traffic in the parking lot), and recommend sending someone ahead to put your name down on the wait list. Must be present to win ;)
(4)
Jack P.
Great Mexican food in a town KNOWN for Mexican food. The salsa, made fresh at your table could not possibly be any fresher or more authentic. Fantastico! Mariachis stroll the floor and will serenade you for a couple of bucks (just like south of the border). It's kind of loud with the adjacent sports-bar and all the excitement...probably not a great place for a "quiet" sit-down with the fam. Loved it though.
(4)
Melinda T.
Love this place. The food is reasonably priced and you get a lot of it. They make fresh corn tortillas, which you can see when you first walk into the dining room. The best part though? The lady makes fresh salsa in front on you! You get to choose the level of spiciness, and it's delicious! Great fun atmosphere and friendly service.
(4)
Peter B.
Got there at 5:15, Friday; friends waiting at a table in the bar . . . GREAT salsa (made table-side), good margaritas (a little sweet, but did the trick) . . . and pleasantly surprised by the mini-chimi's . . . incredibly good!
(4)
Jim S.
This place got some good reviews on yelp, so I really had to try it out. Honestly, fellow yelpers, you've let me down! Salsa - famous perhaps, but really not inspired or memorable aside from the fact they make it at your table. Show what? Margaritas - avoid. Really bad - as in un-drinkable. A margarita that is undrinkable - strike two. Food - beef tacos (not carne asada, no such option) - shredded or ground. What??? Seriously, I expected better tacos for a sit-down restaurant that wants more than 10 bucks for a 3 item combo. Street tacos like that should be a buck each. It's not that I'm cheap, just really disappointed. I will not return. Maybe I went there on an off night - but ugh! Five stars - when there are so many better choices???
(2)
Paul V.
A plug to the Tucson Weekly: I came here because this was voted second best Mexican restaurant in their 2008 Best of Tucson issue. I'd already been to the restaurant that received the most local votes, so came here. Table-made salsa is excellent. The hot is very hot, so be careful, and the mild is deceptively so. The heat sneaks up on you, making you sweat after dunking a few chips. The food is stick-to-your-ribs ranchero food, a complete 180 degrees from the "fine-dining" Mexican restaurants in town, and better than the Mexican restaurants appealing to the gringo diner. Don't expect an appealing-looking plate, but expect a plate that has good food, fills you up, and makes you leave satisfied.
(4)
Chich S.
We went to this restaurant based off the other yelp reviews, and I have to say that it definitely was worth the trip! The salsa made freshly at the table definitely lives up to all the hype I've read. The entrees are pretty delicious too! The margaritas are definitely a bit too sweet (and huge), to the point where we couldn't finish it. Overall, a great experience! Definitely will come back if I'm in Tuscon again.
(4)
Karl S.
This is our go-to Mexican restaurant when in Tucson. Homemade table-side salsa, strolling musicians, fresh made tortillas, great tasting food, great atmosphere and attentive servers. Sometimes you have to wait to be seated, but it's worth it. We had the Tres Bandidos and the paella tonight. Very yummy.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
This is our favorite restaurant to take out of town guests! Excellent food and service. The table side made to order salsa is delicious and the mariachis are entertaining without being too loud. You can't go wrong with the margaritas and mocajete but we have tried most of the nenu and all the food is excellent.
(5)
Paul A.
Our dinner here was outstanding! The service was prompt, courteous, and attentive. The salsa lady made some of the best salsa I've had in Tucson (or anywhere else, for that matter). The green chile was flavorful and tender, and I highly recommend it. The fajitas were also wonderful! The house margarita's were just right, and they have Modelo Negro on tap! We had received good recommendations about this place from friends, and I would say they were accurate. If you want good Mexican food and great atmosphere for a good price, you can't beat Guadalajara Grill!
(5)
Bianca A.
I think the food here is delicious. Although service has definitely slowed since they moved I still appreciate the effort. Try their huarache dish it is soooo good and the few margaritas I've tried so far are also very yum! I wish them continued success!
(4)
Corey C.
IT'S A FIESTA! This places enables people to roll their R's. Serious. Go with people who are incapable of saying "burrito" the correct way. After some fresh Salsa and a few margaritas, BAM, they'll be able to recite the spanish alphabet no problemo. You're gonna shell out some dough for this table side salsa making restaurant but keeping that in mind their margaritas or ginormous. Go during happy hour if you can fit it in on a Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM. Margaritas are half price and appetizers are considerably cheaper.
(4)
Kevin M.
Went there for dinner with a group of 12. The restaurant did a great job seating us quickly and providing great service at the table (having 2 waiters helped). The salsa is made table-side and was very tasty. We ordered guacamole as an appetizer -- it was much less impressive than the salsa. The food was good but didn't seem particularly special.
(3)
David M.
This place is consistently great. always bring any visitors from out of town there for dinner. their fresh flour tortillas are sublime. and of course, that table side salsa...
(5)
Yogin K.
Really good salsa. Decent food. Miserable service. Don't go when it's packed. You won't even get a refill for your water
(2)
Sara V.
Tried calling the phone number listed on the website several times to make a reservation; nobody picked up on any attempt during business hours.
(1)
Diane A.
I was so excited to go to this restaurant because I heard good things about it. I now have gone 3 times (both locations) and I will never go back again. The first time I went my food was partially frozen, so they gave me a free desert that had a piece of plastic in it. The second time we went the food took forever to get and it was definitely not worth the wait. The third time again we waited 45 min to get our food and during the wait we had to walk around the restaurant to find our waiter to take our drink order. Also, it is expensive for what you get. I have given up on this place, forever.
(1)
Lisa D.
Great margaritas. Yummy salsa. Dinners are quite large. I LOVE the mini-chimis. It's always colorful and festive. Good mariachi band. I always make sure to avoid eye contact. I like them and I enjoy their music, but I don't want them singing to me. I always have a good time here. Oh and the table side prepared salsa is really good.
(4)
Kristina W.
!!!DANGER!!! If you've noticed the not so stellar reviews mixed in with the unreasonably good ones in here, they all share one common trait; FOOD POISONING. I figured out (Ew, personally) why, and how. Dude I am not as easily taken in by table side salsa as your average Yelp reviewer, but I really liked it after all. I do not think that table side salsa makes any restaurant authentic, even if it is made by an authentic Mexican. I'm from an authentic Mexican family and have traveled extensively through Mexico (yup even to Guadalajara) and this is not the sort of thing that anyone does, except for possibly tourists. I'm sure it exists out there... not in authentic Mexican places. But I digress, salsa was good, queso fundido was extra good (yeah, hard to mess that one up!) and tortillas were GREAT, er, tortilla. we got one each with the queso. No matter, we finished it with the chips, and then got more chips and MORE salsa. This is where I became suspicious. She took our salsa bowl back and started re-blending the same mix back into our bowl. I'm looking, watching, studying... I knew something was wrong... I had no idea what was setting off my spidey sense. I watched, totally rapt. Added stuff from little bowls into our salsa bowl, each had its' own serving spoon. Once all the ingredients were in she mixed it with her pestle, and then stirred it with her spoon. Not really sure what my brain was trying to tell me I turned my attention back to what my stomach was trying to say. ("More salsa, please!") Well, it was already too late for me, anyways... The rest of the meal was unremarkable, but I was still pretty stoked on the queso and, yes, the salsa. We finished our micheladas and hit the road. As my gurgling stomach woke me later that night I made the connection, perhaps in the fitful dream I woke from, just what my brain was screaming at me; "CROSS CONTAMINATION!" You cannot take someones used salsa bowl, with their germs and saliva inside, and remix salsa with the same spoon and the same pestle, over and over and over again. So every night the salsa is untainted until the first table wants seconds, then the new untainted ingredients go in, still untainted pestle and spoon to finish, and hello! Spoon and pestle tainted. Every salsa made from that point on is full of bacteria, and potentially sick making. Not only are you being exposed to whatever anyone else has going on in their mouth, it's also bad to expose food to bacteria and let it sit. Bacteria eat , reproduce, and then shit. They will do this until they poison themselves with their own shit. Sound familiar? Food poisoning and bacterial cross contamination are potentially fatal and should be taken seriously. And yes, I did tip the salsa lady. PRO TIP; Don't die. Wanting anyone to make your food table side is weird and classist anyways. It's impossible to know if people are making mistakes with how they handle your food, and, yeah, I've worked in kitchens, most people cut corners, but this isn't one where it's safe... and it certainly isn't great to do it in front of god and everyone, it certainly makes me wonder that no one else there has ever considered this before, or corrected it. Yikes.
(1)
Nicolas F.
Guadalajara grill in a unique Mexican restaurant. It is very hit and miss. Their queso fundido with chorizo is very very delicious. It is nothing but cheesy and greasy goodness. On weekends they also have people make salsa right at your table to your specifications which is also cool because they let you customize it to your liking. Their entrees were the thing I had an issue with. Their carne asada is really dry and bland. It reminds me of the beef at Chipotle, except the beef at chipotle is better; which is weird because they shouldn't even be compared. You'd think Guadalajara Grill would be of better quality due to the price. Also, the seafood is served in very small portions. Not even close to the price you pay. There is far better mexican food to eat in Tucson before coming to this place.
(2)
Eve S.
This place just has delicious food, what can I say. The salsa made at your table is definitely the best part, it's so highly customizable and fresh. Everything I've gotten has been awesome. My main issue is that the service is almost always lacking, and being a waitress I am not usually picky about service. I've been with friends/family numerous times and there are a couple waitresses there that just give off the "hate you" vibe and I'm not entirely sure why. They are busy ALL the time, so expect to wait for a table 9/10 of the time. Another thing that can be irritating depending on ones mood is the mariachi band which circles the restaurant and make it nearly impossible to have a conversation when they are in your vicinity. Due to the large nature of the restaurant, it's loud even without the band simply because so many people are in there all the time.
(4)
Keopu R.
We go here for the salsa alone. The salsa, made fresh at your table, is often voted best in Tucson. It's made to taste and taste is definitely what you'll get. The menu is fairly large and offers a great deal of variety. Vegetarian options are limited but still varied. I really enjoy their tortilla soup and their vegetarian fajita. Prices are a little high but comparable to other restaurants of its kind. Service can be a bit spotty sometimes. Sometimes we get seated and served quickly. Other times, we are left waiting forever for our food with no apologies or explanations. Overall though, the wait staff is friendly and helpful, just slow at times. We definitely recommend it to others.
(4)
Lone D.
Good mexican, great for groups. Better than average for what it is, some fun items on the menu, check out the Carnitas Poblano, yikes! Went with a big group, professional and efficient, got all the orders right and kept the drinks coming.
(3)
Erica M.
great place! Food was excellent, many choices for vegetarian meals, amazing table side salsa, authentic decor and reasonably priced. Will go back next time in Tucson.
(5)
Kinga H.
New location: 2 stars, Old location: 5 stars Guadalajara Grill used to be located just down the street from its current location. The original location had an authentic vibe; sitting outside on the patio was a necessity, with the lush greenery, colorful decorations, and fireplace; it was perfect regardless if it was during the day grabbing drinks with friends or at night celebrating a birthday with a group. I used to frequent Guadalajara quite often, whenever in the mood for Mexican, and always left feeling blissful. Since I had moved out of Tucson a few years back, I was excited to revisit one of my favorites when last in the area... When i heard it was at a new location I was excited, of course this must be an improvement on the already perfect, although very crowded establishment. I walked in and was immediately disappointed. Guadalajara used to have an authentic and festive feel while the new location had no soul, it was just like every other Mexican restaurant in town. Regardless, I was excited to eat my favorite meal from Guadalajara.... chips with fresh, made at the table, hot hot hot salsa and tortilla soup (no chicken) with extra cheese and avocados. I was served tomato paste with my chips. Guess the salsa lady was not on duty yet. Not a problem, I've been there before when they served pre-made salsa. So I asked for a hot version... the reply, "this is all we have". Rude. How do you call yourself a Mexican restaurant with no hot sauce?! The tortilla soup still tasted the same so at least that made my experience decent. The service has always been hit or miss so I am not going to rate the place based on the staff, as that is not what made Guadalajara great back in the day. I am very disappointed to see what Guadalajara has turned into, all authenticity had been lost.
(3)
lia S.
Arizona definitely has the best Mexican restaurants as lots of Mexican's origins inhabit there. Every time we visit we try new place and this time Guadalajara was a goggle search discovery.When we called on Monday night we " ve been told no reservations required so around 7pm our wheels were heading toward to it. Surprisingly place was very busy but not booked so we got a table for 6 right away. Friendly service approached immediately, waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. She was watching our table and every time we were missing something it would appear on a table immediately. And food was deliousssssssiossss...I had Molcajete Camarones that was served in a hot pot with vegetables and rice and beans on a side ..it was really really good ...And the rest of my table left their plates shiny too..They also make Pico de Gallo right on a front of you so you can have it the way you want it. And three Mexican Caballeros were walking around and offering music for a table for additional charge i believe. So i give this place fully 5* because we were fully satisfied .
(5)
Pilar L.
Never so embarrassed. Highly recommended, brought out of town guests. Surly waitress, apathetic "table side salsa service", bland beyond belief food, watery drinks. Blah blahbla. And Not inexpensive,,,,,
(1)
Kayla B.
Came here on my 21st and many other occasions with the family and bf. I love that they make the salsa table side and to your liking the service is soso but if you can wait for good Mexican food then I would recommend this place. However if you expect amazing service and and to get in and out I would say to go elsewhere.
(3)
Chelle F.
Really good. Like, really, really good. The "made at your table" salsa was quite tasty, although next time I'll stress that I want it HOT. Husband had the Plato Bandera, which was amazingly good. The sauces. OMG, the sauces. So delicious that I considered licking the inside of the take-out container once he'd finished them the next day. Plus, the cheese they use is white, not yellow. That's almost worth 5 stars right there. I had the chicken molcajete, which was delicious but just not quite my speed. Kind of like fajita soup. The rice was good but non-remarkable. The Guadalarita margarita is HUGE, but mine was a little heavy on the sweet and sour mix and a little light on the tequila. I don't know if they're always like that or not. Bonus points for the Negra Modelo on tap. If you're going on a Friday or Saturday, listen to their website and make a reservation. There was only 2 of us, and we went at 6:00, so there wasn't much of a line, but by the time we'd finished eating an hour later the place was wall-to-wall people and getting through the lobby was a tight squeeze.
(4)
Tim T.
I've been to this location several times and the one on Kolb too. I was beginning to think this was a consistently good mexican restaurant but after the last few times we went there it is just okay. For a while the food and service were very good but as they have become more popular they are slacking on both. Now, I think the only thing that is worth going there for is the table side salsa. When we went there a couple weeks ago the food was average and the prices had increased. For $14 for enchiladas I expect some consistently great food.
(2)
Michelle P.
My group really enjoyed the food. You get big portions. The salsa is made fresh at your table. It is cool because you get to custom order how you want it made. (i.e extra cilantro, mild, hot, etc). I ordered guacamole as an appetizer. It is served in a tasty crispy fried shell. You get a lot of guacamole and it tastes fresh and healthy. I ordered the carne asada platter which was good. I split the dish with someone and we were both full at the end of the night We ordered a margarita. It was too salty and had a sweet/sticky taste too it. I can't remember the name of the margarita, but we got one of the best Rita's they serve.
(4)
Sean M.
I really wanted to like this place. Hey, I'm in Tucson it only makes sense to go for Mexican. This place had good reviews, so I checked it out. The salsa was made table-side, which is pretty cool, and all they ask for is a tip for the señorita who's slaving this out in a lava bowl. Maybe my gringo side has gotten the best of me, but I would have liked the salsa to have been chilled. That would have been refreshing when it's still 90+ degrees outside, but it was room temp warm. I asked for recommendations on dinner and went with the Chili Verde. I get that all the food here is pre-made, but at least take the time to warm it up. My dinner came out within about 3- minutes of my order (no joke). It appeared like they just plated it and didn't bother to heat it up. The cheese wasn't even melted, and a finger check proved the beans and pork were room temp at best. They did reheat it when I asked, and it turned out pretty tasty. I guess in all it worked out, but I still can't help feeling bummed I spent my Tucson dinner out here. In short, I'd prefer colder salsa and warmer food. On the plus side, this place does look like it has all the right stuff to be a good Texmex restaurant, and while it's kinda slow right now, it is a Monday night and it's probably very lively on other nights.
(2)
Tiffany V.
I absolutely love everything about this place. The ambience, the food, the service; it's all wonderful. I haven't tried anything I haven't enjoyed. I also really enjoy that they make the salsa fresh for you at your table. So... delicious. LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)
Amy W.
I've been going to Guadalajara Grill for years now, and it's great. Their salsa is fantastic, their margaritas are HUGE and strong, and their servers are usually great, not to mention the food. Granted, it's not the BEST Mexican food place in town, but it's still solidly delicious. Only once did I go there and have a complete monster of a waitress, but I haven't seen her since so she probably got fired. Point is, they're the best place for taking your friends, especially your loud friends, and relaxing and having a fun time. My favorite dish is either the molcajete (might have misspelled), tamale, or machaca beef, although I've never really explored their pork or seafood dishes. Later Edit: Don't get curious about the Chipotle Chicken.
(5)
Sam M.
A must try for dinner. House margarita is big and cheap during happy hour, or get the margarita Guadalajara for u or a friend if u brought a camera. The meriachi band takes requests of any genre, very fun.
(5)
Rachelle M.
Love Love Love this place!!!! The atmosphere is SO fun and they restaurant has so much going on! The table side salsa is made to order so you tell her exactly how you want it and then taste test to make sure you love it. Only negative is that you not only have to pay on the bill for the salsa but you also have to tip so for salsa, its a tad expensive. But she did a great job, as usual, so we gave her $5. I'll start with a disclaimer: I do not actually like mexican food but I love Guadalajara Grill! I usually just get the chicken quesadilla, but I will always eat off of everyone else's plates and what they have is almost always delicious! So coming from a mexican food hater, that is total props. So everyone go check it out, they have TWO locations now but I still like the original on Prince the most. Be careful, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on Mondays and early dinner bird times.
(4)
Matt P.
Only been to the new location once but food was still great as always. The salsa made table-side is my favorite
(4)
Brian H.
While I didn't get to my usual Mexican food haunts this last visit to Tucson, I don't feel like I missed getting my dose of Sonoran comfort food after visiting this place. The fish tacos were pretty fresh (purveyor delivered the day before), the salsa pungent and full of bite, and the beans flavorful yet not gut-sticking. All washed down by a decent frozen margarita (so size trumps quality here) and rounded out by friendly table service.
(3)
Amith N.
Great Mexican Food! Salsa made fresh at table to suit your taste. Excellent Manchego appetizer, great entrees. Reasonable prices. Service was a bit slow as it was very busy, but good service for the category of establishment.
(5)
Megan Z.
I always get one of their amazing, gigantic margaritas and hot salsa. They're the best!! This place is always good. Great margaritas, great food, and never had a problem with service or anything else. Best mole in town!!!
(5)
Angela V.
Miss the old location, long before it became so popular. I used to be able to go there and get good service and even better food, but now it's such a wait to be seated, even when you have reservations. I've only gone once since they changed locations (NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE which is such a huge annoyance!!) and it's just too busy for my taste. The food and margaritas were still great though :-)
(3)
Kyle H.
The Plato Bandera was outstanding and the dining experience was top notch. The fresh salsa made to order at your table was really unique, we will definitely make a return trip next time in town.
(5)
Lindsay J.
I went to U of A and this is place is a must go to if you live or visit Tucson!! I was told about this place from my boyfriends teammate and they said we had t ry it! Of course, I would never pass up fabulous Mexican food and the told us they make their own salsa at the table and the tortillas are fresh! Of course I was all in when I heard this...so we went and can I just say...AMAZING!!!! I had the shrimp fajitas and I was in heaven...lets start with the chips and salsa...OMG...they come to your table and ask how you like it and of course Ilove spicy!!! I had them add alot of spice and I got the whole bowl to myself because my boyfriend and friends wanted theirs medium! I finished lik 2 bowls of chips and salsa myself...I also indulged in a margarita...my boyfriend tried the tequila flight and of course he loved it! Then our food came...of course I was full but after they brought out my sizzling shrimp and veggies...I was ready to go! They then gave me the fresh flour tortillas and I was officially hooked forever! They were hot and chewy and soft and delicious...need I go on? The shrimp were large and cooked perfectly! It was the perfect food...I loved every bit and of course I ate to the point that I could not move...so worth it! hahaha...I could not eat it all of course because there was so much food...but best believe I took it go and enjoyed it the next day and night! They even gave me more salsa, chips and tortillas to go! My boyfriend had this red pork or beef dish it was fabulous too! WE have shared it a couple of times since our first visit! My friends had the enchiladas and another one had a burrito...they all looked sooooooooo good! Go here....this place is amazing! It is not fancy...it is casual, loud and fun!!!!
(5)
Surranna V.
I still love this place but if you didn't know they have moved, and I like the other location better. No patio yet, at the new location. The new spot is just down the street from the old one, keep going was on prince the address is 12-- something, its on the same side of the road as the old location. The mar gs were as awesome as ever. The place was so packed that I think the food was not as good as usual but still good. The wait on a Friday night was about an hour so grad your drinks and sit tight!
(4)
Nicole H.
I look forward to coming to Tucson so I can eat at this restaurant! It's authentic, amazing margaritas, salsa & guac made at your table (it's fresh and as spicy as you want it!). Everytime I eat there I try something new and have yet to be disappointed.
(5)
Cameo W.
The tableside salsa is really good and very fun. The chips are nothing special but the salsa makes up for it. The entrees were awesome. The rice and beans are a little bland but the chimichanga was very good. The live music was fun and added a lot to the atmosphere. The service is a little slow but I think that's just a part of the atmosphere. Overall, very good food and a fun place to have dinner.
(4)
Katie P.
This is one of my go-to spots for a Mexican dinner with my bf, my family or out of town guests. The decor is great, the mariachis are highly talented and so kind, and they homemake the salsa at the table!! Everything about this place is amazing - that's why I'm a regular! Let's break it down: 1) Happy hour/appetizers: fantastic deal with 1/2 off appetizers and drink deals. They are huge and can totally replace dinner. Lots of choices! 2) They offer so many choices and have pictures on the menu. As a vegetarian, I have so many different options - they have a whole page dedicated to vegetarian dishes, they offer seafood, and the "create your own combo" provides ample options. 3) The margs here are really tasty! And they serve beer in massive quantities. 4) I like the mariachis here. They're really good quality, the music they play isn't tired or Americanized - it's just a good quality immersion experience. 5) Molcajetes! I'm sure there are a billion reviews about these bowls of piping hot deliciousness - try one sometime!! They are so unique and delicious! 6) The wait staff is superb. I have always been very well taken care of! 7) The parking lot can be a nightmare, and this place can get super crowded, but I have never waited more than 15 minutes, even with a group! Guadalajara is one of my favorite places in all of Tucson!
(5)
Maile C.
Always crowded, Always noisy, why do we come back? Had to park over a block away, and then wait 25 minutes for unbalanced chairs to match the unbalanced table. (Hint to staff: Add another salt packet under that table leg please) But the staff is always pleasant and the made-to-order salsa was so good we brought home the leftover. Didn't quite get my order right so I can't tell you about the tacos, but the enchiladas were fine, the side of beans were good, and everything arrived hot. Everyone works hard - if they aren't taking orders or making salsa they're bussing tables - looks like they enjoy working there. 5 stars for the employees and happy atmosphere.
(3)
Faith F.
Worst service I have received in years, no refills, no checking on meal after served and having to chase down the check. The shrimp tasted bad. We will not be returning!
(1)
Michael M.
Outstanding in every way. Service, ambiance and cuisine among best I've ever enjoyed.
(5)
Amanda M.
Great food and atmosphere. The salsa made at your table is amazing. Dinner gets busy so make reservations. The fajitas are amazing. Great selection of sea food dishes.
(4)
John J.
Was in Tucson to visit family and see the sights. My niece suggested this place. Great food! I will be coming back here next visit. The atmosphere here is great. Music being played live at table side.
(4)
Ryan A.
Food: great. Service: bad. That's pretty much all you need to know. If you're the type of person that can look past bad service if the food is great, then you'll be fine here. If service is as important as the food, you may want to go somewhere else. I have definitely had better Mexican food elsewhere (it seems to be somewhat difficult to find in Tucson - the best I've had is in Portland), but this was fairly authentic food with high quality ingredients and well made. We were sat relatively quickly, though a bit awkwardly. After about 10 minutes, we thought the waitress walking by our table was doing so to help us, but it turned out she was just going to ignore us, too. One of us asked if she was there to help us and she responded with something like "uh, I guess so." There was a lot of confusion with them, but the rest of the meal went acceptably, not great. The thing that made me mad was that I had the signed credit card receipt in front of me and one of the servers pointed at it and told me to give it to him. To me, this is completely unacceptable. It's rare that this happens to me (no more than once a year), but it makes me mad every time it happens. I'd probably go back, I'd just bring my patience.
(3)
Kat K.
A good friend of my husband says this place is awesome, so on the way back to Phoenix, we drove out of our way to check it out. Decor was very festive, the atmosphere was okay. The freshly made salsa was a nice touch and was decent, but it could have used more flavor or spices. It lacked something. We ordered the lobster enchiladas and the steak with carnitas fajitas. The enchiladas were great, but the steak and carnitas were a little dry. I didn't like the refried beans. Service was efficient. I won't go out of my way to come here. It was okay.
(3)
Tori B.
Bleh- not sure what all the great reviews for this place are all about, but my second experience at Guadalajara Grill was equally as unappealing as the last. Unfortunately, I forgot how disappointed I was in my meal the last time I went here, so we went again thinking we hadn't been before. Once I realized where we were going, I was really mad at myself. But alas, we were with family and in for the long haul so I went in with hopes that this time would be better. I was wrong. After waiting 45 minutes past our reservation time we were finally seated. This place was PACKED on a Friday night and the six of us had to stand crammed by the door. We had to ask the hostess four times when we would be seated and were told each time we are next, but they kept seating more and more people before us. Finally with a blasting migraine we were finally seated. We placed our drink order quickly and shortly after that ordered our food. The fresh made salsa is pretty good, but not enough to make up for the other things this place lacks. The ambiance is chaotic at best and the restaurant is loud and obnoxious. I ordered the steak fajitas and they were ok... the highlight is the tortilla, which is AWESOME... still thinking about it actually. As you can probably guess based on my review, I don't intend on returning to this establishment anytime soon. There are better Mexican restaurants all around Tucson. I suggest you try one of those instead of Guardalajara Grill - I'm sure the parking situation will also be better somewhere else!
(2)
Sean K.
Molcajete! (sp?) Such a delicious meal and the one served here beats any other molcajetes I had in LA. Guadalajara is now definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Gotta start with how busy this place gets. My girlfriend and I got to this place around 6ish and the place was packed. Despite a fairly huge parking lot, every single spot was taken so we had to wait couple minutes to get a parking spot. Restaurant was full and the waiting list was long too. Soon after we were seated, a lady came over with a basket full of fresh chips and made salsa right in front of our eyes. Fresh ingredients but they weren't cold so the salsa was kind of lukewarm. Not a big deal really but just sayin'. We were originally going to order two dishes (molcajete and an ultimate skillet) but my ever-so-wise gf decided that molcajete by itself would be more than enough for the two of us. And was she correct... Molcajete was enough. Granted, we were hungry and had TWO baskets of chips and salsa before the meal but portion-wise, it was perfect. And the taste-wise, it was great. Maybe molcajete isn't a dish that is ever going to blow my mind away. Shrimp, chicken, and beef were cooked just right and the sauce, beans, and the rice were tasty.
(4)
Kathy N.
Guadalajara Original Grill is back and from my past experience I have to say better than before. I was at Guadalajara recently with a group of about 15 for an office holiday party dinner. It was a Thursday night and Guadalajara was crazy busy! Luckily we had reservations and were immediately taken to the back of the restaurant where our tables awaited us. Delicious margaritas soon filled the table along with chips, tableside made salsa, tasty guacamole and hot & gooey queso fundido con chorizo. My co-worker and I ordered the chile colorado and the chile verde and then split the dishes. Both were delicious and I'd order either one of them again in the future. **Note: it had been a few years since I was last at Guadalajara and the reason for that was because I was so turned off by the chile colorado. Salty and lacking any real chile flavor back then but the dish has since redeemed itself. Service was spot-on and we were very well taken care of. So well that a couple of us hung out long after our other coworkers left and felt quite comfortable taking up the space and enjoying some jalapeno cilantro margaritas.
(4)
Karen M.
The jalapeño infused margaritas are wonderful, the salsa made at table side is even better, but the food leaves something to be desired. Expensive and in a town FULL of good Mexican food, this is one spot that is good for happy hour but I wouldn't bother with the paella or the rellenos. The steak Angelique is pretty good; I would order that again if I found myself at Guadalajara Grille.
A great experience. We've never been here before but had heard about it. I really wanted to experience the table side salsa making (we thought it was for guacamole but salsa work ) it was great! The food was good. The in-house-made tortillas were delicious. Tasted just like when we go to Rocky Point! The smell and texture brought me right back there. Loved it. The fajita meat was a little over cook but loved it anyway. Noticed my wife's carne AIADA burrito had the same beef but was juicier oribably because of the additional ingredients it had. Tasted great! Chips were great and salsa was great. The salsa maker asks how hot you want it and makes it accordingly. Didn't get a picture but appears they have mariachi for part of the night too.
(5)
Brian C.
Awesome food, including fresh homemade salsa at your table to your taste. Machacca beef is great as well.
(5)
Rich M.
On business from another state. Picked place based in Yelp reviews. As good as advertised. Salsa made fresh at your table, as you like it. We asked for spicy, and it came spicy. Tortilla chips freshly made. Jalapeño margarita with a jalapeño tequila they infuse themselves. A wide variety of menu items including many things I've not seen before, like lobster enchiladas, halibut, and a number of different molcajetes. I highly recommend the restaurant, and prices are fair.
(5)
ElÃas P.
The place looks nice. That's as much of a positive review I'm giving it. Service was slooooooow. Food was tasteless. The micheladas were overwhelmingly spicy (too much pepper, too much tapatio or whatever hot sauce they used). Did I I forget to mention it was expensive? By the way, I'm from Guadalajara. I feel insulted!
(1)
Andrea G.
With so many options for Mexican food in Tucson it seems like one might be as good as another, but this is my favorite. Watching them make tortillas and salsa in-house is a special treat. They even made salsa verde on request. I especially love their pozole.
(5)
Shawn A.
My uncle took me here from my first time a few years ago before I moved to Tucson when I was just visiting from Michigan. Very authentic and tasty Mexican food I love this place!
(5)
Simon E.
Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors. Guadalajara Grill: nice tangy sauce. Orange See photos.
(4)
Steve Z.
We live in the Mountain View neighborhood, just a short walk from the Guadalajara Original Grill, so we dine here with some frequency. Every aspect of our dinners here have been very good to excellent. From the well made margaritas to the excellent custom-made salsa to tasty seafood entrees. Even during the busiest of times the service has been efficient, thoughtful and pleasant. Tucson is home to LOTS of Mexican restaurants and dining here ranks very near the top. Not only that, but they often serve dinner until midnight, a truly convenient oddity in otherwise early-to-bed Tucson.
(5)
Marlon D.
I went here for my college graduation around midday with a group of 6. I tried making a reservation but apparently they stopped taking them that weekend. We showed up at the restaurant without the reservation and was seated within 10 minutes (though business started picking up after we left). I would still highly recommend making a reservation if it is a busier weekend (graduation, football game, etc.). The service was exceptional; the waiter was very friendly. He kept giving us chips and salsa (which does live up to the hype, it is freshly made at your table to your liking) and was prompt with the refills. The food is moderately priced, but the portions are relatively large. I enjoyed the Chimchanga Asada and had plenty leftover to take home. The only problem I had with the restaurant was during the making of our salsa. We asked for mild-flavored but I think the waitress had trouble understanding English and she gave us extremely hot salsa. She quickly made another batch to make up for her mistake. Also, we were given a menu that had food stains on it, but they replaced it quickly. Overall, I think this one of the better Mexican restaurants in Tucson. The first time I went a mariachi band was there and it definitely brightened the atmosphere of the restaurant.
(4)
bianca s.
Guadalajara is my favorite restaurant in Tucson! I try to go there as much as possible for happy hour because the margaritas are very well-priced and so delicious. This food is as authentic as you can get in Tucson and the flour tortillas are freshly made throughout the day. My boyfriend and I usually share a molcajete and can usually get out of there slightly overstuffed and drunk for under 30 dollars.The service isn't always absolutely excellent but you wouldn't notice it with how great the atmosphere is. I could sit there all day with my friends drinking margaritas and eating fresh chips and salsa. They also have a wide variety of Mexican beers on draft and 22 oz. for 4.50 is not bad considering most places charge that for a bottle. The place is so big too that we have almost never had to wait over 10 minutes even on a friday night. It can also get pretty loud when they are busy so leave your hearing aids at home folks!
(5)
Eric A.
Best mexican food I have had. Always get tilapia fajitas and they are delicious...but not as good as the fresh made salsa and freshly friend chips to dip !
(5)
Jeffrey A.
Well, it pains me to write this but I have to say that I believe the quaity of this place has been steadily decreasing since they changed locations. It went from an authentic, inviting, and all around wonderful place with the best patio in Tucson to something more like a Macayos knockoff. Very not YUM. Sure the salsa is good, and tableside is fun, but how badly can one mess up salsa? It's not like it takes an engineering degree The real test comes later with the food. As some other reviewers have noted, I think the food is frozen. It definitely had a "frozen food section of the grocery store" feel to it. I was told the mexican flag plate was a must. well, I think it is a must not. I have given this place multiple chances and yet still the food is heavy, bland, and somehow "doughy" like it had been frozen and not thawed properly. I wouldn't feed this food to my cat, but then, I love my cat. I think all of these 5 star reviews are from people who have been hypnotized by the apparent magic of tableside salsa in a molcajete. But if you are amazed by that, you probably also get taken in by a game of three card monte and think the rabbit just appeared in the magicians hat. For those of you so easily amazed, let me clue you in...you can't win at three card monte, the guy you saw win is a schill and was in on the scam...the rabbit was in the magicians hat the whole time...and anyone can make salsa tableside. Before the location change, 4 stars for sure and maybe 5 on a good night, especially if I have had a few margaritas, LOL. Unfortunately, this is a steady 2 and pushing a 1.
(2)
Terence L.
The place was good....until it attained celebrity status. Yep, to those who are not in the know, Guadalajara Grill was at another location literally just down the street. Of course, the need to change venues was due in no large part to the serious overcrowding of the place. I thought the old place was cozy, especially the bar area and patio. As mentioned by every single other review, the tableside salsa is great. Like your salsa super spicy with extra cilantro, the lady will make it for you. Like your salsa as mild as Jay Leno's humor, the lady will be happy to comply. You the get the idea. The food was, and still is, on the average to slightly above average range. My personal favorite in the area of Mexican cuisine is mole, and Guadalajara Grill does a decent job. One positive thing is that the place does not mess around with the drinks, especially the margaritas. I went to the old location many times since its inception. I even recall the German restaurant that came before it. Since it moved into its new digs, however, I have only been there twice. On my last visit, the place was jam packed; not just with any normal human beings, mind you, but with Greek-loads of sorority girls and fraternity boys. I normally have the patience of Job, but on this last trip, the service was appallingly slow. I would have enjoyed a hazing from the surrounding tables just to pass the time. In all fairness, however, the place was packed to capacity, and my party had over 10 people. Still you'd think that a larger operation would mean a larger kitchen and additional staff. Mmm hmmm.... My first experience at the new location was special. Well, it was special for purely external reasons: it was my birthday. The wait time for a party of 12 on a Friday night? An hour and a half at least. No skin of my back because I'm not above drinking at the bar. Yeah, the bar experience sucked. Sucked the life out me, that is. It took freakin' forever for the bartenders to even acknowledge our existence. While the fellows behind the bar were not of the surly sort, they certainly did not seem to understand the concept of tipping. After a while the staff approached one my friends and explained to her that there were a couple of tables available within the bar area, and she took it. Remember that I was still at the bar having a near odyssey experience securing a drink, so I see my entire party beginning to squeeze into the back corner of the area of the bar. In hindsight, it wasn't all that bad. It literally brought us together. Who knew that two booths normally meant for a total of eight people could accommodate 12 adults and one child? Ah, good times indeed.... Guadalajara Grill, you had me hello, but lost me when you went pro.
(2)
Lyndsey G.
Oooooh man. I love this place. Great margaritas, salsa made table side and Chili Verde that is out of this world. The servers are usually prompt and polite. The tortilla are made in house and you can taste it! My only complaint is that your whole part has to be there before they'll seat you which is sometimes irritating. Overall I highly recommend it.
(4)
Andrew S.
I've been here two times. The food is okay, but nothing to write home about. Standard Mexican fare, nothing special. Let's start with the good. I love the salsa. The fist stew (can't recall the name) is delicious. This is your run of the mill greasy Mexican food. There is nothing creative about the menu. I had a taco and a tamale, the food was good but just about what you would expect. The taco shell was not particularly crispy. They could have just bought an Old El Paso shell from Basha's. The presentation is terrible. Why do many (dare I say most) serve each meal with the glop of re fried beans and Spanish rice? There must be a better way to present the food (If only I can remember the name of the amazing place I had lunch the following day in South Tucson...the tacos were amazing). My co-diners were equally unimpressed. One of the dinners ordered a taco salad that was served with runny beans in one of those edible taco shells. My theory is if you don't want people to order a salad and you are not going to do it well, don't put in on the menu. The highlight of the meal was my partner's fish stew (I'm terrible with names). He enjoyed his dinner a lot. Unfortunately, I have to give this place two stars because one good meal out of five does not merit a higher rating. Someone else ate the chimichanga which good, but not special. There are some service issues here and don't get me started about the parking lot. It was gridlocked... I probably won't go back, there are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson.
(2)
Tina H.
Don't go there! Super slow service, horribly over salted chips. My fish tacos were dripping with water-apparently they were poorly defrosted and even more poorly cooked. The server suggested next time I request additional tortillas to mop up the moisture! Once upon a time it was fun, go to Nicos for better food and service!
(1)
Heidi E.
It's my second Summer going to Guadalajara's and I'm happy that I did. Yes, they make table-side salsa, at any temperature you desire. I wanted to adopt the lovely lady who made ours and call her abuela. My friends ordered the Molcajete Ultimo and the Molcajete Camarones, both arrived boiling hot. I ordered the Carnitas Tapatias. All of our dishes were delicious. They also have build-your-own combos if you're in a 'taco, tostada and enchilada' type of mood. The flour tortillas are hand-made. The beers are ice cold. The server was busy, but attentive. I mean, what more would you want? My friend called at 5:00 that day to make 7:00 reservations for our party of eight people. (FYI, if you have a larger party, definitely call ahead...there have always been people waiting indoors and out when I arrive for dinner and the waits can be long.)
(4)
Maximiliano L.
Guadalajara Grill offers good Mexican food with attentive service. They have a salsa cart that comes around and you can choose your own salsa ingredients and watch as it is prepared in front of you.
(3)
Dan J.
We came here after reading recommendations on Yelp, and it was definitely worth it. One of the best Mexican joints in the area. The salsa made at your table was fun and added to the ambiance (note: about 20 too many pinatas though!). This place was good, the margaritas were great, and the Chile Verde was so good that there was nothing left! Service was excellent and we will definitely be returning - both for a night out for two and with the family or a larger group.
(5)
Larry L.
I met my 2 Sons for lunch today and the service was slow and the food was not good. I'm a native Tucsonan and know what is great and poor Mexican food and this is the latter. Food was cold and the cheese in the enchiladas wasn't even melted. I remember why I quit going there when they were at their first location on Prince Rd.
(2)
Jennifer B.
Do not purchase online gift cards from them. I tried to to save some time ordering online and three days later I am still waiting for the gift cards to be emailed to the recipients. I called to ask and was told by the cashier who answered the phone "to be quiet and listen to me". When I waited for her to explain the process and then asked questions she told me "I'm just the cashier, how should I know?". Finally after emailing the "webmaster" did my virtual gift cards get sent.
(1)
Ron R.
Great atmosphere! So so food but I am a fine dining Hispanic with a great pallet. I won't go back unless it's for drinks and chips at the back bar.
(3)
Lisa W.
I love the atmosphere here! This place is a lot of fun to eat at! They make the salsa right at your table, and you can also control how spicy it is. Their flour tortillas are made in house, so they're as fresh as it gets. I'd would say hands down that Guadalajara Grill has the best flour tortillas I've had since I've been in Tucson. We went on a Saturday night, so they had live music, and the small mariachi band come by and sing at your table too! I can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jeff K.
Excellent value for the money! I refer not only to the food but also the service, the ambiance, the excellent salsa made at our table, and the strolling trio of singers, "Los Amigos" (great harmonies in their singing). The decoration style is fairly common for Mexican restaurants that I have been in in many states but it feels more like a local family restaurant. It is well lit and very clean. The staff works quickly but is friendly and helpful. I had tilapia covered with a green chili sauce on a bed of onions and cucumber. Their Spanish rice is very good; the refried beans were good to very good. We had sopapillas for desert: divine!
(5)
Michael V.
When someone talks up a restaurant all week, the place has to somewhat perform. This place turned out to be ok. My coworkers ordered dishes that were typical dishes you would order so we weren't surprised when tasted pretty good. Now the kicker.... Do not order the Michelada drink. It is beer mug dusted with sparkling salt crystals and filled half way with a pungent mix of clamato juice. You pour one glass of beer in the drink and try to enjoy the cool summer breeze. Gross, it was not tasty at all. It reminded me of beer mixed in with a bloody Mary. The only thing to do was to laugh the taste away. Also the menu has pictures but make sure you order the description that is below it or else you'll get something you thought you were getting but didn't, like salmon tacos.
(3)
Matt C.
I invited everyone who visited Tucson to this great place. My consistent favorite is the chili verde chimichanga, which I can safely recommend to anyone. But the salsa they make right at your table is the highlight, and will likely always be the best salsa I've ever had.
(5)
Thomas I.
Man those salsa makers that come to your table just chop, chop, chop. Kinda like your personal chef at Japanese hibachi grills. Food was just average but atmosphere and service were amazing!
(4)
J. A.
Amazing food with amazing service. I have never had bad service or bad food here. You really need to try the molletes con carne. The bread that they're on is amazing. I can make an entire meal out of this appetizer. The potato tacos are also fantastic. The molcajete is piping hot, flavored brilliantly and melts in your mouth.
Well there is a Chicken Mole dish, which is a clue if your Mexican restaurant is Mexican. Margs are just ok, salsa is good as built to order, so speak up Gringo. Hey it's not Taco Bell so be patient, so if you're in a hurry go to a "FAST FOOD" DUH!
(3)
Xinda H.
Very good! Food portion is large! I like those entrees served in a big stone bowl, I forgot the name though. Salsa is freshly made tableside, like it.
(5)
Fiona G.
We love Mexican food. This place hits one of our top spots. It has high quality meat, affordable prices and an atmosphere that keeps the kids asking all about Mexico. Couldn't say enough about the friendly, speedy service as well.
(5)
Geordie R.
We're visiting Tucson so it makes sense to go out for Mexican at least once. I'm not an expert in Mexican food, but we live in an area with a large Latino community so I'm no stranger to it. The fresh salsa made at your table is a nice touch. I would have preferred to have more customization than just choosing the heat, but it was great salsa either way. The mariachi band was entertaining and it was nice to be seranaded at our table for a song or two. The food was good but not particularly special. I had the molcajete mariscos which was new, but really just a take off on fajitas. My wife had some sort of potato dish which was flavorless without the salsa and the guacamole she added. The rest of our party seemed satisfied enough. Overall, this was a good experience but I can't say that I'd recommend this place over any other.
(3)
Dave A.
Fresh, made-to-order salsa at your table! That's my favorite thing about Guadalajara "Original" Grill- I highly recommend this one over the Eastside location. Fajitas are always good (you can do chicken, shrimp, steak, pork or all of the above)- I recommend all of them except for the pork. They usually have drink specials which includes a good selection of Mexican beers and GIANT Margaritas. Portion sizes at this place are enormous so be prepared for a food coma afterwards. If you're just looking for something light, sit at the bar and enjoy the chips and salsa and an order of the mini-chimis (chicken). 4 Stars ****.
(4)
Lynn B.
If you like cheese order the queso fundido con chorizo for appetizer, if you like fun order one of their giant margaritas. Solid classic Mexican food, good chance anything you order will be pretty darn tasty. Fun Mexican decor, great for a fun date, a group of friends, a large party, celebration, you name it.
(4)
Marian S.
Perfectly perfect table side salsa. Happy waitress. Delicious veg dish. Scrumptious chimis. Crunchy chips. Wonderful stuff to look at. Love it.
(5)
Beki H.
Delish! My husband had the Green Mole with Shrimp special at the recommendation of our awesome waiter, JC (thanks JC!) & I had the Halibut Enchiladas. Both dishes were wonderful. They were served with julianned grilled veggies. I would return just for those alone! Tableside salsa & my Cadillac Margarita were also perfect! We can't wait to return!
(5)
Yogi B.
They get 4 stars just for the made-at-your-table salsa. YUM! You can have it any way you like. The ladies who make it are very good at what they do and the freshness really shows. As spicy or mild as you like it... The food is good. The place was mobbed, but our server was still on the ball and had our drinks full most of the time. We all had the fajitas and the ingredients seemed very fresh and flavorful. The carnitas were tender and juicy. The steak & shrimp done just right. I would have liked the guacamole to be a little more flavorful, but it seemed very fresh. I'll come back and probably try the chile relleno. I saw a plate of enchiladas with a chile relleno go by and that looked awesome.
(4)
shopaholic v.
Another trip to Tucson = another trip to Guadalajara Grill! OMG - we LOVE this place! We've all voted to have sister's graduation meal at Guadalajara's - it's THAT good, even the Asian parents who don't like cheese LOVE the made from scratch salsa and tortillas. And I just learned this weekend that the made to order salsa on the cart is FREE!!! Whaaa? and this whole time I thought we'd been paying. Amazing! I also found their Chile Rellenos which I could not find on the menu. It was delicious! The egg/batter thing on the chile was soooo good and the chile was perfect! mmmm.... one more moth till we get GG's again.,,
(5)
Ilene Q.
Guadalajara was the 1st restaurant we visit during our tour of Tucson, AZ. It is the best Mexican restaurant by far. Great food, amazing margaritas and great prices along with great service.
(5)
Sunny B.
Oh yelp. How I love thee~ Mark D. and I were heading back from Texas and craving Mexican seafood. We got on our yelp mobile, found a review for Guadalajara Grill, plugged the directions in to the iphone and headed on our way. We both wondered how we survived before yelp J it is great to drive through an unknown city and find a gem with 4 star reviews. It was Christmas Eve and the place was pretty packed, perhaps it was the holiday spirit but everyone working there was in a great mood and very friendly. We ordered the seafood platter; tilapia, scallops and shrimp served fajita style. It was delicious and the portions of seafood were very generous for 18 bucks. The salsa was good (but not great), it was still a nice touch to make it at the table. I ordered the sangria and it was delicious, strong and not too sweet. I will definitely head back next time I am in town.
(4)
Pam S.
We were very impressed with how quickly we were seated at 6:30 PM on a Friday evening. Loved having the Salsa made at the table - I had medium and it was very good. She did have us taste to make certain the Salsa was "spicy" enough for our tastes. I would have gone a bit spicier with the salsa but our 1 year old son loves mild Salsa. Both my husband and I had wonderful meals that our son enjoyed mooching off of as well. Note: We are from NC and in 3 years have yet to find a "really" good Mexican restaurant. The Guadalajara Grill was very good and the best we've had in over 3 years. I had the Chicken Chimi and I loved the southwest sauce - it had a little "sweetness" to it but not a lot of spice. My husbands meal was very flavorful and the steak was perfectly prepared - Carna Asada Angelina.
(5)
Tucson C.
Recently needed to find a restaurant that had music early. Tucson needs more selection in this area! The Guadalajara Grill did not disappoint. The food really impressed the out-of-town visitors, and the locals in the group loved it as well. I had the Mochacha. If food got better than this, I wouldn't be able to get up! Fantastic! Every person really enjoyed the wide variety of food served. The table-side salsa was excellent as usual, and the strolling musicians fit our need perfectly. They do a great job and really add to the ambiance. Casual, though really nice, affordable, lots going on, the perfect place to take the family out to dinner when they are in town!
(4)
Christina M.
I dont know what everyone is talking about...table side salsa?? Didnt get that service. My sister had a retreat for work at Ventana Canyon Resort and the masseuse suggested this place. We asked for a cheese crisp and the server said we have quesadillas but not cheese crisps and I said, " Can you ask the chef to not fold it, please"? Duh! Stupid. Other than that the service was fine. Food was mediocre at best, but forgettable. Nothing special about this place. The front desk guy told us we shouldve gone to EL Charro. Maybe next year!
(3)
Mark M.
I reviewed the Guadalajara Grill on 6/17 last year. As far as I'm concerned the write-up is still right on. The salsa continues to be superior and the freshest one can ever get. This time, I had an entree that I'd never ordered before and thought the favors mixed very well and wouldn't hesitate to order again. It was the Tacos Cochinito Al Pastor. This dish consisted of slow roasted pork in an adobo marinade served in three (the menu said two) soft corn tacos with pineapple, cilantro and onions. served with refried beans and spanish rice. The pork was cooked just right, and the pineapple, cilantro and onions were an excellent combination of flavors. Once again I was disappointed in the heavy-on-the-sweet-and-sour margarita. I ordered the large Cadillac (premium) margarita, and didn't quite finish the massive drink - nor was I tempted too. I asked for some extra limes, which I added to the drink early on. Nice idea, as it added some tartness and cut the sweet. I've reduced my rating of the Guadalajara Grill from a four-star to a three-star. In my opinion it's really a three-and-a-half star. Why did I do this? Because I found a Mexican restaurant in Tucson that has risen to the top of my Mexican restaurant list, and there needed to be an appropriate separation of stars (that, of course, is a separate review). Bottom line ... I still really like the Guadalajara Grill and this Tuesday night experience was pleasurable; prompt seating, exceptional salsa, good food and fun atmosphere. I'll certainly return.
(3)
pete w.
My family and I went to Tucson for a mid week getaway. We stopped by here for linner (lunch/dinner) after a long day hiking in the foothills around town. My kids were starving...... The place was about 1/2 full so we were given a nice table by the big windows with nice views of the foothills. Service was excellent and the food was hands down some of the best mexican food that I have ever eaten. My 8 year old bottomless pit for a stomach son even commented that 'this place gives you a lot of food and I'm full'. I do not hear that often. Overall, big menu, excellent service, exceptional tasting food and lots of it. The restaurant was clean and well taken care of. 5 stars for this place.
(5)
Rebecca D.
The layout is super cozy. The decor is top notch. The service is always great. Parking is always manageable, even during their busiest hours. Table side salsa that's to die for. Yummy (HUGE) margaritas. Great mariachi! So much fun during homecoming (Go Wildcats!) weekend! Guadalajara Grill is my second favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Tucson!!
(5)
Matt W.
Still as absolutely incredible as I remember it. 1) While I was not there during salsa making service b/c it was a weekday lunch, there salsa is fantastic! I may drop on by before I leave town... 2) Drinks are great and potent as well. They are also HUGE. And for 6 or 7 bucks to get a a 16 oz. Margarita...what a deal! 3) Food is really good. The chicken fajitas are excellent. I also had the beef 1's and they were really good. The onions are cooked better than almost any Mexican place I've eaten them. The beans are phenomenal. I almost never finish them at a Mexican place but these were just too good to pass up. Great memories there in the past. It was worth every bite (I think I ate enough for lunch AND dinner!)!! When I think of Tucson, this is one of the very 1st places I think of going when getting off the plane!
(5)
Pavan D.
If I could give them zero stars I would. (This review may just apply to lunch service/chef) My sister and I were in Tucson yesterday and I thought lets stop in for lunch. I had been there a couple of years ago for dinner and it was good. Anyway we walk in and have to wait about 30 seconds for the hostess to finish chi chatting with a server before she even acknowledged us. Then we are seated. There were maybe 6 tables being used in all. We ordered the guacamole which I remember being made fresh at the table, IT WAS NOT. It was for sure not fresh either. They also topped it with some sort of cheap super salty cheese.... no thanks, i prefer my guacamole without cheese. After getting that we were pretty turned off so we decided just to split an order of the chicken fajitas. The chicken was bland and not very tender, almost chewy. YUCK! I will say that the flour tortillas weren't horrible and the salsa was good. Nothing about our meal looked or tasted fresh. It didnt taste like the amazing authentic mexican food that I remembered having their before. So of course I felt stupid ofr talking it up so much to my sister. It was a HUGE let down. Service: The service was beyond slow. Considering the restaurant was so empty we expected better service. We were given our drinks and food and never saw our waitress again. I sat there for 10 minutes waiting so that I could get some water!!! After that I was just annoyed and decided to pay the bill and get the hell outta there. I will for sure not return to this place. There are plenty of other great Mexican restaurants around.
(1)
Jen W.
Love the salsa! I try to eat at Guadalajara grill before 6 and then it's not as busy. Get the medium version of salsa and ask for extra garlic. Super good! Entrees are usually $11-$18, so they are more pricy than your general Mexican combo. But all my out-of-town relatives really love Guadalajara Grill! Reliable and consistent!
(5)
Nathaniel H.
I'm from Wisconsin and I expected really good Mexican food when I came down to Arizona. I was excited when I arrived at Guadalajara Grill. We were told there was an hour wait for a table. This was okay as I went to get a beer (which turns out to be a 22oz glass!). I assumed that a Mexican restaurant that busy in Tucson must be incredible. WRONG. The service was decent, not amazing, but not bad enough to turn me off. I did enjoy the table-made salsa idea, but the salsa-lady didn't tell us our options other than spice level (turns out we missed out on many things I would have added in). Then the entrees came out. I am shocked to say that I have never had Mexican food this flavorless in Wisconsin much less near the Mexican border. The meat was all horrifically overcooked (my "steak" was rubbery and dry) and the vegetables had been soaked so thoroughly in bad oil that you couldn't even taste the vegetable underneath. Making this even worse: the prices were $15 plus. Sorry Arizona, but I find quality, fresh, Mexican food in Wisconsin for less than $10.
(1)
Kevin C.
This place has the most delicious salsa I've eaten anywhere, and the selection of entrees is extensive and just as delicious. I spent 10 months working on a project in Tucson, and once I found this place I went back several more times and took coworkers with me each time. The salsa ladies are prompt and courteous, and always ask if you'd like your salsa mild, medium, or hot. Heat it up for me, and she did. The drinks are great, I've never had any bad service, but the salsa is what keeps bringing me back for more. Can't get enough of that stuff...
(5)
Jessica R.
When Rosa's was closed for Holy Thursday, we came here instead. What a pleasant surprise! The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, and I loved the salsa cart at the table. We'd missed the dinner rush, and so the singers seemed to be calling it a night. I had one of the best margaritas I've had in a looong time...strong, big, and tasty. The food was excellent. It was the best meal I had during my stay in Tucson.
(5)
Philip G.
Good food, nice waitress. Somewhat confusing when we came in, we were immediately seated, however I noticed the Mariachi band making it's way over to our table. We had a long day already, was not in the mood. Asked the woman who came over to ask them not to come over, turned out she was there to make salsa and misunderstood what we were saying. Manager came over and made everything right. Delicious salsa, perfect chips. Chicken mole was awesome. Enjoyed the band from a distance! Reasonable prices.
(4)
Rachel S.
I don't get why this place gets good reviews. Went here with a mex food craving and since yelp gave it the a OK expected it to be pretty good. Once again, tucson proves to be a nearly complete culinary wasteland. Atmosphere is great, festive and classic Mexican restaurant. Kids love looking at all the murals and pinatas. Tableside salsa was watery and over salted. Service was ok but it took an eternity to get our orders out and the place was not half full. Our chicken mole and tacos al pastor arrived. We were excited about the al pastor because it's hard to find in tucson. The corn tortillas were cold and smelled like a refrigerator. The pork was in huge chewy cubes with no flavor. yuk. The mole was lumpy and too thick, like it had been cooking voerlong in a pot. The chicken underneath was in strips and also very hard like it had been cooked several times to rubbery consistency. The only good things were the home made flour tortillas and the beans. For that I could have gone to Nico's for a 3 dollar bean burrito. The biggest mystery was that as we were leabving the place was filling up with lots and lots of people. what are they coming here for? Waht do they get that we don't know about?
(1)
James B.
Very good food but too NOISY for me.
(3)
Hans F.
a great date restaurant. a great place to catch up with an old friend. a great place to just have a really good meal. Don't go here in a hurry. you have to take your time and soak it in. They will come right to your table and make salsa for you... to your specifications. I hate onions so this is perfect for me. The food is served in large portions. I would suggest splitting a meal and getting some appetizers. Don't forget to have a few drinks it's hot in Tucson!
(5)
Brian C.
Went with a group of friends, the food was so so, my dish was served cool should have been hot, and I was last to be served after everyone else ate. Seems like a gringo place to go for out of towers. I really don't see the draw here for the crowds. There are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson than this.
(1)
Alyson S.
Hands down the BEST Mexican restaurant in Tucson! In fact, BEST Mexican restaurant I've ever had! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, service is fast, food is excellent, and the atmosphere is incredible!
(5)
Scott B.
Hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson, along with the sister restaurant, Guadalajara Fiesta grill. The salsa is among the best I've had in the US, made fresh to order at your table. They don't skimp on the salsa either, they give you about a pint for two people and more for larger groups. I've taken several friends and family here and everyone has loved it.
(5)
Ron L.
On my initial trip to Tucson a few years back, all I thought about this city was not positive. Hot. College town. Isolated. Boring. Terrible food choices. Now after multiple visits, I can now cross off the terrible food choices off my list. Guadalajara Grill is one of those places that will definitely be on my go to places, one that I won't be ashamed to take people to. Strolling Mariachi band...great food...good portions...and the differentiator, fresh salsa, made tableside. The salsa, made to your specifications, is a big enough draw to make me come back. The wait could be forever, so be prepared for that during the typical rush hour times, especially during college orientation week. Tucson is still hot and isolated, but at least my stomach will be happier on my visits.
(4)
Cheryl M.
I've eaten at Guadalajara a few times now, and for a close location and good Mexican food, this will become my "go-to" location. I absolutely love the food here. Now mind you, I don't go to Mexican food and get the giant platters of combos, I get a taco or two or a bowl of soup, so I am basing my review on that. So, if you're a soup person, this place is excellent. I get the bowls which are more like 2 servings and I highly recommend the Posole and of course the Albondigas. Both are excellent. When I get "wacky" I'll order the fish tacos which are equally pleasing. As for the service, I would just say it's average. We get what we want, usually when we want it, but the servers aren't personal or overly friendly. Seems like they're just there to do their jobs, not to make your day. If that happens to change I may up my rating but it's got to be excellent to do that! Service makes or breaks a place!
Excellent food, went with a party of 7 and no one had a negative thing to say. Large delicious margaritas available, and Salsa made table side. A must if you're in the area, can't beat it.
(5)
Em. C.
Had the massive Guadalarita (!!!) and the Lobster Stuffed Portobello with spicy salsa made right in front of me. I walked out of there a happy woman :)
(4)
Chandra M.
Came here on a short visit to Tucson and glad I did. We had a group of 7 including one baby in a high chair and were seated in about 1 minute. It was Saturday at lunch time. Great service all around and super friendly. The place was also clean and well decorated. The salsa was made table side and was freakin sick. Sick as in yumm - eee. I wanted to pour it over everything else we ordered, even the Tecate. Ok, so obviously not really the Tecate, but at one point my son was eating just the salsa by the forkful (no spoons provided off the bat, you have to ask for them) so that should tell you something. The food was delicious! My husband and I split two entrees...the taquitos con papas and the huerache con carnitas and chicken. Both were soo good, but the huerache was unique and the corn masa 'sandal' that the meat was served in was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. We were not calorie conscious during this trip, so I'm not going to speak to the health value of anything we ate here, just the taste value. Scrumptious. We'll be back here on our next visit to Tucson, guaranteed.
(5)
Jack S.
Delicious food, great atmosphere. Can't say enough good things
(4)
Steven R.
This will hopefully be a reasonable review -- so many of the comments on this restaurant swing between five stars and the bottom of the barrel that it can be difficult to figure out who's got an agenda and who doesn't. My wife and I ate at the Guadalajara Original Grill last weekend, and we loved it. Tucson isn't exactly world-reknowned for its restaurants, but there are some good ones here and for Mexican food this is a fine choice. The food was fresh, tasted great, and was served well. The table-side salsa was mind-blowing good and is probably one of the features that keeps this place busy. Bring your friends and family and you most likely won't be disappointed. Now, no restaurant is perfect and there are some mighty picky customers out there, a few bordering on unreasonable. Of course, it's perfectly reasonable to expect that when eating out (and paying the price for it), the service should be at least attentive. But let's not go over the top and expect perfection. The servers, hosts, and hostesses at places like the Gudalajara Original Grill probably make something less than minimum wage and depend upon tips for the rest of their income -- my daughter was a server at an Outback Steakhouse and, while not perfect, she broke her back trying to tend to some mighty grumpy customers. There ARE people out there who simply can't be pleased, no matter what. So here's my comment about the service: it was good and on-par with a restaurant of this type and price range. Was our server ready for employment at a fine restaraunt in New York? Absolutely not. We asked for one or two things that never appeared. But I'm not going to trash this place because they forgot to bring me a couple of tortillas. I can't give it 5 stars for two reasons. One, the service was good but not worthy of 5 stars. And two, the decor was fine but looked a bit tired in some places. The food, however, was excellent across the board.
(4)
Dean S.
So disappointed, I will never return...I have been there many times at both locations in the past. My guests and I sat without drinks for more than 5 mins until server took drink orders. Then 2 more times during our visit no drinks. Next a hunk of beef was hidden under the salad of the vegetarian dish ordered. It wasn't a special order it was from vegetarian menu. Manager felt there was no issue because there wasn't an allergy and the piece wasn't found until near the end of the meal. NO ISSUE, how much other meat had the vegetarian dish been carelessly mixed with? He offered a discount. I said, so it is the diner's fault that he had eaten most of the meal before discovering the issue? What if it was a roach and not a piece of meat which is just as big and issue to the vegetarian? He still felt the meal should be paid for. I begrudgingly paid the bill of more than $50 and left $5 for tip. I will never return
(1)
TJ A.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Grill for several years now, and have always been a fan. Love the salsa prepared table-side, margaritas are great, and the food never disappoints. The last time two times I've been in - once for lunch with my parents who were in Tucson for a short visit, and just last Saturday night for dinner - have been some of the best, though. Both times Andres was our server, and he's just awesome. Last visit I told myself I'd try something new and I'm sure glad I did. I usually have one of the combo dinners, but I totally fell in LOVE with the Mexican paella. I think it's also great that they're open late on Friday and Saturday nights. This place will remain one of my absolute favorites, can't wait to return!
(4)
Jigisha P.
We love coming to this estaurant every time we're in Tucson. Love the table side fresh salsa. They made it mild for the kids and spicey for us. Salsa and jalapeño Margarita were excellent. The food took a long time to come and two out of three meals were cold. My veggie enchilada was good but cheese inside was not melted. Kids quesadilla and enchilada was okay. My husband loved his Paella. Overall the food is average.
(3)
Betsy B.
Met a small group of friends there. Had heard great things about it but the really bad service is a reason I'll not go back. Food was ok but have had better in a number of places in Tucson. There were only 6 of us and the restaurant was not that crowded but had to ask about 4 times for an iced tea. I'd heard about the table side salsa but it wasn't offered to us. I won't be going back.
(3)
Barrio H.
I would love to peek inside the kitchen to see if anyone speaks Spanish. I was with a large party of 12 and I did not see any authentic Mexican food. My margarita was pricey and it did not taste from scratch. The salsa was boring but I like it a bit hot but it tasted more 'canned'. I had a chile relleno combo and all I can say is "meh". Too much batter on the relleno, my rice was cold and they used yellow cheese! I got the feeling it was pre-made. I could get the same food at Taco Bell. Most of my party agreed with me. I rarely write bad reviews but c'mon you gringos, quit drinking this coolade!
(1)
Carol K.
Vacation time, and we're in Tucson, so what else do we eat but the best local Mexican food possible. This place is suppose to be it. When we arrive, the parking lot is crowded, that's a good sign. All the reviews give good ratings, so it must be good. Once inside, we are seated and surrounded by large groups of 8 to 10 people. We're worried service might be lacking, but immediately we get the standard chips and salsa. Our drink orders are taken, and I of course want the house margarita, and when it arrives, I am not disappointed! I decide on a combo, the Plato Ranchero. This is a cheese stuffed chile relieno, a pork tamale, and a gordita with beans, shredded beef, cheese and sour cream. The food is hot, seasoned just right and delicious. Service is very good despite the large crowds, and the entertainment is great! A roaming mariachi band. I recommend to anyone wanting a good meal and margarita!
(5)
Brett K.
Had a party of 9 people, seated next to a LOUD party of at least 20 sorority girls, and the servers and musicians didn't miss a beat. Great food, good service, very nice Mariachis with killer vocal harmonies who'll play any song you request (traditional, of course). Guacamole was a letdown, but the table-side salsa was incredible. Get it spicy!
(4)
Michelle O.
If you want super fresh Mexican food with high quality ingredients, go to Penca's on Broadway. This is the place to come for the traditional plate of Mexican American food that is tasty and plentiful. You're not going to get quality cheese or muy excellent chips (like you will at Penca, those are amazing), but you will get a lot of everything here. And it will taste good. The salsa is truly delicious. Made table-side and it was so good I filled up on it before my entree came. Make sure you tip the wonderful women who come promptly to your table and prepare this treat for you. You'll get a big smile of gratitude. And my food was good. I had the veggie fajitas and couldn't finish half without hurting myself. The grilled veggies, including delicious zucchini, were superb. They got the portobella done right - moist and tender. A lot of restaurants don't take the time to cook them correctly, but this place knows what they are doing. My boyfriend had the tilapia and really liked it. The guacamole needs some work. Again, go to Penca if you want super fresh, super good guac. Guadalajara's is advertised as freshly made, but it tasted pretty tired and processed. Overall, the experience here was great fun. They had a wonderful mariachi band that was fun, lively, romantic and just really enjoyable. We talked to the guys a bit and they were so cute and upbeat. We loved them and stayed a little longer to hear them sing. Prices are hard to beat, our bill for two generous entrees, one app and 2 iced teas was under $40. Service was warm, prompt and efficient.
(4)
Jeff M.
Good Sonoran Mexican and strong drinks.
(4)
Scott W.
We love to eat and cook Mexican food, and for our first trip to Tucson today I did a lot of homework on Yelp and other web sites. This place is legit, the real deal, FANTASTIC!!!! We had ex residents and current residents tell us this place was great, and it did not disappoint. Great margaritas, great chips, salsa made at our table, all got us off to a good start. I could have eaten almost anything from the menu and been happy. We had carne asana burrito, chili Colorado, and muchacas, and all three were great.
(5)
Ella M.
If this place only served salsa, it would have 5 stars! Table side salsa with totes fresh ingredients using a mortar and pestle! Delicioso! Then came our entrees. I took one bite of my taco, placed it back on the plate. A bite of my potato rolled taco...back on my plate. A bite of the flauta (chicken), put it back on the plate. Rice-dry and zero flavor. Refried beans...looked as if they had been sitting on the plate for an hour...had a crust formed on them and the cheese on top was not melty...but hard and gross. Sorry to be so blunt, but this place leave a lot to be desired! After the salsa, I had high hopes and they were shot down like fast!
(2)
Nory B.
Based on the Yelp reviews I was expecting more......great table-side salsa, great homemade tortillas, but the fajitas were just okay and not sizzling. The chips were thick and bland--couldn't have been homemade. Service was friendly but very slow. I guess this is a local favorite, but sadly it's really nothing special.
(3)
Mike K.
Service was great till the salsa was made... waitress seemed invisible forgot we were there, Had to ask for her after 15 min waiting. After getting our sour guacamole we were doomed. 1. Got the order wrong. 2. chimichanga barely even fried not even crispy also 3.forgot the enchilada style. Took two bites and refused to eat the rest. She explain to me how they can take it back and fix it anytime... 4 strikes you're out! Not crispy, no enchilada sauce, waiting way too long, 4. didn't even notice my margarita was empty when she took our order. Crap food in a nice place. We complained to the owner and she offered us half off claiming that I ate half of the chimichanga. (3 bites trying to convince myself it was good) I pretty much told her she needs to watch what was going out of the kitchen. She explained to me that they pulled the guacamole for the night. I refused the 1/2 off and and will.never return. This is truly Mexican peasant food!!! With a nice paint job on it. I think you'll agree...
(1)
Gilbert T.
Decided to take my mom here since she came from Texas and wanted to try a Tuscon favorite. I've heard from a lot of people that this is the place to go for Mexican food in Tucson, but sadly this is not. The food is pretty good, but the reason I am giving this place a one is for their horrible service, particularly the management. As expected on a Friday this place was packed, however I noticed that several people that arrived after my party were being seated so I asked the lady at the front desk how much longer. Five minutes she said. Ok, so we waited twenty minutes more, then I asked again, five more minutes she said. Twenty more minutes passed, keep in mind we have waited an hour and half by now, so I asked and still five more minutes. The lady's response came off as annoyed and I asked her to show me my name on the list, thinking they skipped me or didn't write it down. To my surprise she said you want to sit, here's a table open let me show you if you don't believe me. This lady was perhaps the most rude hostess I have every seen. After this little engagement, we decided to walk out and not come back again. So disappointed by this place, and while the food is good, but they need to find a more people-friendly hostess.
(1)
Toni M.
Not as stellar tonight, although the tableside salsa was delicious, as were the chips, and the lobster stuffed portabello was marvelous. But the margarita mix didn't taste freshly squeezed in our house margaritas and I found the pollo mole very disappointing. The mole at Juan's Place or 3 Hermanas at home is much more complex. This was heavy-handed and the chicken was on the dry side. The rice and beans were good. Alan had the molcajete w/ seafood, chicken and steak and he found the chicken and steak dry. The seafood was delicious. It was a huge portion, which he couldn't finish. I had flan for dessert and it was lovely. A trio came around to sing and they were wonderful.
(3)
Donna M.
Had a reservation, arrived in time only to be seated 45 minutes later. The servers did a good job and the food was yummy. The hostesses were clueless and the manager was just as bad. We will never return to this place.
(1)
Alma C.
So we tried calling to see if we needed reservations. It took me 10 min to get someone to answer the phone and luckily we didn't need reservations. We got here and they gave us some chips and fresh salsa made to order it was very good. We order out food and our waitress was very nice and super friendly. I got the chile nogada and my hubby went with the shrimp plate with a white souce on the bottom. When I got my food it was cold in the middle And my hubby's rice and beans were cold. They took my plate to have it re done and my husband was half way done with his food by the time they brought my food. Luckily I had chips and salsa to keep me entertained. The second plate was good. We also had to send my husbands beans and rice back to get warm up. Again our waitress was very nice she brought us the bill and to my surprise they didn't give any 10% off or anything witch it was very disappointed. The owner came and talked to us and she basically said I was laying about my chile being cold because the sauce that goes on the top was the reason made it cold but when it told her the ground beef tasted cold she continued to argue so I just stopped talking. She must be right she is the Owner. No I'm not going back not a good dinner experience. I'm giving it 2 stars because of the excellent waitress.
(2)
Stephen L.
Dinner on the patio, perfect weather and live mariachi in the background. Great setting for dinner. We loved the tableside salsa. Very sweet woman, made two heat levels for us and involved my son in the process. All the food was very good, with high marks going to the carnitas. One tip. Pass on the guacamole. Too bland and creamy for us.
(4)
Ellen S.
Tried this restaurant for the first time. We were seated quickly, and received our drinks quickly. However, we had to ask several times for water. The waiter was mostly attentive. We all really enjoyed the fresh made salsa at our table. The food was good, and the portions were large. The downfall for me was the room was very noisy, and the mariachi band walking around didn't help matters. I also felt the tables were too close together. Overall, it was not a bad experience. The food was good, the service could have been just a bit better. I would give this restaurant another try the next time I'm in Tucson. But I might ask to be seated in a different place.
(3)
Ben B.
Great food great people. Really a fun place to be. Generous portions.
(4)
Erin A.
Q: Why did the tortilla chips start dancing? A: Because they put on the salsa! The only thing mentioning in this review is the salsa! They hand make it in front of you and create the spiciness as ordered by the customer! Everything else is so-so. 5 stars for the salsa! 3 stars for the food.
(3)
Joel L.
Now this place is special!!!!! First of all they come and make your salsa right at your table! No store bought salsa here. We tried the chicken fajitas and the burritos, tacos with the quesadilla and it was FANTASTIC!!! The salsa is made to your liking, mild, medium or my favorite hot!, it's all good. Environment lends itself to a Mexican food experience. The margaritas were delicious and not that expensive. So if your looking for a great place to have some good ole Mexican food THE GUADALAJARA ORIGINAL GRILL is your best bet! Please make reservations cause the wait can be a little long, but it's worth it! :)
(5)
PHIL g.
First of party of 6 Sunday evening. Gave name of reservation and were seated. Some time later discovered rest of group in another part of restaurant. Hostess obviously paid no attention to us. Waiter was attentive but food was abysmal. Strangest tortillas ever! Burro was a raw, doughy mess. Wife ordered a chimichanga. It was also doughy, not crisp as a chimichanga should be. House margarita had little taste and even less tequila. Have eaten in many Mexican restaurants in area. This place is at the bottom of the list.
(1)
Peter R.
Really bad service. My partner and I were seated at a 4 top table. I decided to sit next to her and glad I did. Any other seat would have been in the way of the salsa cart, which bumped our table more than once. The fresh made salsa is actually really good. The food is way overpriced and is mediocre at best. After asking for a box for our food, we waited about 10 minutes before having to ask another server for our check. After our server brought it, and waited another 5 minutes, we took it to the front to pay and left an undeserving tip on the table. As we walked to the front, we past our server who was preparing some food in the kitchen, I said thank you as we past. As we were paying at the front, she came running up as if we were going to walk out on the check. She obviously cared about getting paid without any consideration for her customer's needs and time.
(1)
Anh N.
As another yelper once said "when disneyland meets denny's meets Mexico." Fresh salsa made by your table gives this place closer to a 4 star review - and food was surprisingly tasty (Pollo en Mole and Chile Verde).
(3)
Tiffany S.
This place is always packed! If your looking for a lively, family friendly but homey experience then this would be a good place. The wait can at times be long, but I've usually been seated within 5 minutes. It's hard to go wrong with the food...But the Tres Bandidos, Cilantro chicken and anything with Mole are particularly good. I've never been disappointed by the quality (or quantity). The Mariachi band and salsa making ladies are pretty special. Depending on the crowd it might take the salsa lady awhile to come around and the service also varies. I've had some truly outstanding waiters and some duds.
(4)
David L.
Stopped for a snack and something cool to drink first week of May. Table side salsas were OK and the chips were good. Very nice guacamole. Had an ice tea and a negro modelo, It was Happy Hour, of which we were unaware and the bill was really cheap for what we had. Left a 30% tip and signed the credit card receipt. Got home and just received our credit card statement. They added another 30% to the bill...... Check your statements!
(2)
Andrea H.
My coworkers obsess over this place and before I moved to Tucson I heard great things about it too. Therefore, the bar was set high for Guad Grill. I firmly believe that it reached the standard that was set for it...... You can't go wrong with the fresh, made-on-the spot salsa. It simply rocks and I drizzled it over my dinner entree even after eating a bowl of chips with it. The margaritas are spectacular and enhance any dinner menu item ;) I usually finish off my meal with the Sopapillas, which are perfect for sharing with the table. Breakfast at Guad Grill is ok, but lunch and dinner are really the shining stars. The staff is adorable if you are celebrating a birthday dinner-- the mariachi singers will serenade the birthday person and they are also giving a festive (tin foil) hat and dessert! Precious :)
(4)
Jay L.
My favorite place in Tucson! The food is amazing!
(5)
Liz D.
Came back two nights ago with the same friends. The service is still slow (and incredibly rude if you're unfortunate enough to be sat in Maggie's area), the salsa is still bland, and the food still sucks--and is incredibly overpriced for what it is. Someone at the table ordered a margarita and said it was nothing but salt and disgusting. I took their word for it. I've learned my lesson. I just won't come back.
(1)
Ray L.
Oh boy! Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican food! Honestly, Guadalajara Grill is about the same as most other sit-down Mexican restaurants in town. This is not a bad thing-the food is completely okay, if not especially memorable. The chile verde is definitely green, but the color is more interesting than the flavor, a dynamic shared by the insipid (but very red) shredded beef. The menu is heavy on fajitas and unencumbered by soups but, then, menudo doesn't have the gimmicky appeal of tableside salsa which is, apparently, exciting. Likewise, if you are thrilled by large, colorful alcoholic beverages, Guadalajara Grill is considerably closer than Vegas. If you are nostalgic for the D.F., you can order a huarache, which is nice to find in Tucson, but the resulting battleship of food offers more heft than flavor. Guadalajara Grill is a big enough establishment that it lacks a feeling of family ownership, an attitude reflected in the courteous-yet-disinterested attitude of the servers and the overpolished theme park decor. The good side of this is that Guadalajara Grill was open on New Year's day, when smaller family restaurants are closed. Portions and prices are on par with other midrange Mexican restaurants. If you prefer flavor over a midtown location and cheesy atmosphere, go somewhere else.
(3)
C. A.
This restaurant used to be good. Not sure what happened, but the food is now average to below average. Had the chicken mole today. The chicken was very bland, the mole just poured over it but not really tasting like the chicken and the sauce belonged together. The rice was crunchy and inedible. They should have been embarrassed to serve it to customers.
(2)
Gary K.
The BEST salsa we have ever had, anywhere! Service is good. Margaritas are fair so I ordered a margatini and mixed it with a house margarita, and VOILA, a perfect margarita. The Marachi band was EXCEPTIONAL.....Overall a great experience!
(4)
Nick P.
Great place to go. My timeshare gave us this one to check out.....it was well worth the try. Great Mexican atmosphere & great service. The chips and fresh made salsa by the table was great. Freshly made tortillas and great tasting food was perfect. My kids say they want to come back....I'll take them :)
(5)
Ashley J.
How have I never reviewed Guadalajara Grill? From their massive margaritas (only $3 during HH!!) to the homemade salsa (made table-side for dinner), everything about Guadalajara Grill is fresh and amazing! Their homemade tortillas are delicious and everything I've ever had has been mmmmmmmm! Their carnitas fajitas are life-changing! And the molcajete is the best I've ever had! Go with the combo version. Its a bit pricier, but being able to sample the various meats is such a treat! If you can, try to save room for dessert - the sopapillas are just as fresh as everything else and you MUST give them a try! The only "con" I have for Guadalajara is that a lot of the food doesn't work out great as take-out (e.g., how do you have fajitas when they aren't served on the sizzling plate??). They offer take-out, but I feel like its a waste. Just go and dine-in. You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Robert H.
I've learned to tip everyone, even if the service isn't perfect. Servers make minimum wage and deserve more. That said, our servers were great for our table of 12, including two kids. We even split some of our adult plates so I tipped more to compensate for that. Food was good, salsa made at the table was perfect, just what I asked for. Chips were plentiful. Tipped the salsa lady $5. Everyone had a good time and I mean time because we were there at 7pm on a Friday night with people hanging outside waiting for tables. Left about 10pm. See my photos. We will go back.
(5)
Gabriela F.
Love this place! We always have a great time and leave satisfied. We came here a couple of weeks ago for my mom's birthday, so we had a table of 8 including a 1 year old. We tipped the mariachis and they came to play happy birthday as well as many other songs of my mom's choice. The best part is that the baby loved the music and they played songs to her. she was absolutely amazed, and they were so great with interacting with her even after they left our table. Points to the mariachis for keeping the baby happy! The salsa is fantastic, the lady comes by your table and makes it to your liking, but dont fill up on chips! The food is so great. I like getting the enchiladas or the fajitas but everything is good. Margaritas are great too and they don't skimp on the tequila ;) Order the queso fundido to share with the table. It's very good as well.
(5)
Mistie W.
This is one of my personal favorites! The food is good (not the best) BUT the ambiance and table side fresh salsa make the experience. They also do live music with about 3-4 guys singing to you table side if you choose. Love it!!!
(5)
Elsa C.
I was worried after reading a few bad reviews, but I was blown away. Wow! The food and service were great!
(5)
Madeline W.
Delicious authentic Mexican food! Very strong and tasty margaritas. The best part about this place is they make salsa to order right in front of you!!
(5)
Yuan F.
One of the best Mexican food I've ever had! The waitress made fresh and customized salsa sauce in front of you. The frozen mango juice was also great!
(5)
phil h.
4 nights in Tucson means hella Mexican food. And Guadalajara was the best of the bunch. Salsa made tableside, baskets of chips that seemed to refill themselves magically, and big ass margaritas the size of a small baby. How could I give Guadalajara any less than 5 stars?
(5)
K J.
I don't understand the draw for this place. I went back for a 2nd time tonight, and I had their chili verde, which is one of the dishes I use to judge any Mexican restaurant. It was VERY bland! The only taste it had was if you ate one of the large pieces of green chili in the dish. It was a large portion, and the meat was very tender, it just didn't have much of any flavor to it. I like the table side salsa, but that ends up just costing you an extra tip for the salsa lady. I sat at the bar tonight, and the service was great. I just don't understand why this place is packed all the time for what I would call average Mexican food. The prices and portions here are very good, but who cares if the food isn't that good? I'm not going back. There are far better places in Tucson.
I'm so sad to say that our recent visit here was such a disappointment. While the always delicious table salsa was five stars, everything else was a bust. It was a Friday night, we waited close to 20 minutes for a table, which was expected and another 20 minutes before a waitress came by to take our drink orders. Some of the people seated after us were seen immediately. The kitchen helpers that brought out our food just dropped half of the order off and left. We waited another 5 minutes for the rest of our meal. My husbands carne asada burrito did not look like what he has always ordered in the past. When we asked the waiter about it she looked at it and said it wasn't correct and took the plate. A couple minutes later she brought the same plate back and said it was correct. We also had to ask for a single refill of water 3 times. We've always had a good experience here but doubt we'll come back after this visit. It was definitely a bummer.
(2)
Josh M.
Used to be a classic in my book. But who knows if you can even get in anymore or if the joint got burned down by accident again...
(3)
Melissa B.
We had an absolutely wonderful time at this restaurant. The staff was welcoming, the ambience was family oriented and joyful & the food was delicious! We ordered the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce) and the verde chimi. Both were delicious & I would order again. The salsa is made table side and is very good, with the added bonus that you can customize with ingredients you like/want omitted. The best part was the flour tortillas which are excellent and obviously homemade (makes a HUGE difference)! We would definitely return. Rosie, our server, was also great, as were the hostess & salsa lady!
(5)
Alex B.
This place is great. They start you off with salsa that they make right at the table and chips. I believe you get one free refill of each. The salsa is always amazing. I always order the fajitas. I've tried the pork carnitas, portobello veggie, and shrimp fajitas. All fantastic, the shrimp and pork carnitas are probably my favorite. As someone else mentioned, the margaritas are overpriced and not really worth it. Also parking is terrible. Absolutely 100% terrible. We drove once, but I live close enough to walk, and always do now. But don't let the parking scare you away, you should definitely check this place out.
(4)
Carol K.
We really liked this HUGE restaurant. It was recommended to us by Tucson locals and it did not disappoint. For some reason I turned into Princess and the Pea when it came to seating; NO outside is too loud with traffic and overwarm, No, the back room had a really large group and then a table of nuns... so we opted for eating at the bar. The tableside salsa was a hit. We got it custom made screamingly spicy and it was a winner. I ordered the Molcajete Ultimo which was a big delicious bowl of simmering shrimp, chicken and steak in an earthy tomato sauce with onions. That with the fresh flour tortillas made me whimper. Next time I would skip the chicken and just go beef and shrimp. Spouse had a pork chile verde with above melt in your mouth tortillas. This gets dinged a star only because it is so huge and the acoustics are awful. It was just filling up with no parking and valets were there to manage the crowds. And it was really loud. The extensive menu has me wanting to go back for again and again. Perhaps midday on a random Wednesday?
(4)
Charlene L.
Absolutely the best authentic Mexican food in the state of Arizona! Let me repeat that! Made-to-order Tableside guacamole and salsa with the freshest ingredients, homemade flour tortillas like you've never seen or tasted, and mouth watering Chili Verde that'll make you cream yourself! Their meat supplier is Shamrock, which is the best quality of meat you can get in the State. You will not be disappointed! Absolutely 2die4! Best homemade meal I've had in years!
(5)
Mariya D.
My husband and I came here starving. The fresh salsa made table side was awesome. The servers never stopped refilling drinks and bringing chips. I ordered mini chimis at happy hour, expecting small bites. Holy cow was I wrong. Ginormous plates of food. My husband's chimi was the size of a small infant. My mini chimis were big enough to fill a large plate and I could only eat 3. The chicken was nice and soft. The beans were okay...nothing crazy. For the price I feel you get a lot of decent food and good service. I would come back here.
(4)
Chantel K.
Excellent service and delicious food. Fresh salsa made at your table. Wow. Huge margaritas.
(5)
Alexis H.
The only things I recall about this place, which I ate at for a work lunch a couple of years ago, are that the chips were so greasy they were grey and each time I picked up my quesadilla a cheesy oil poured out of it. I stopped eating, my co-workers did not. Needless to say, both of my co-workers ran to the bathroom when we got back to the office. Won't be eating there again anytime soon. There's much better Mexican food to be had in Tucson.
(2)
Nali M.
went for lunch on thursday with a friend. i had only been to their other location on the east side. they weren't too busy for lunch, but the service was a little slow. they didn't make salsa in front of our table, but i'm not sure if that's an extra service that you pay for? either way, their salsa was tasty. i got a chicken chimichanga, but i wasn't the biggest fan. their rice isn't anything to rave about, either. overall a decent expereince. i would give another opportunity to come and try them again.
(3)
William P.
Right of the bat, 3 stars because a friend and I went for lunch on a slow weekday and were rushed through our meal. The sever wasn't rude, but she wasn't exactly personable, social, or eager to please. Food was great, as always. I was irritated that our appetizer (queso fundido con choriz) didn't come with the corn tortillas the menu promised, but we were ravenous so we tore into the fresh flour tortillas with a minor grumble. The house margarita was huge, delicious, and was just sweet enough to balance out the bite from the tequila & lime. We both ordered the Tres Bandidos, man I wish there were tamales on there instead, BUT, it was delicious. After stuffing our faces with the chips & salsa and the queso we couldn't finish our meals, I was growing impatient with the server, and so we packed it all up to go. I'm just assuming they don't do table-side salsa during lunch, but damn if I wasn't sad about missing out on that, too. I'll be back, but it would be awesome if your lunch waitstaff wasn't pushy, especially on a slow weekday afternoon.
(3)
Melinda G.
What a great place! I've been here close to a dozen times and I am always impressed by the delicious food and great service! You can't go wrong with this restaurant.... especially when the salsa is made fresh right at your table! It's a great place for a date, family gathering, or a big group of friends! Overall, a five-star restaurant!
(5)
Michael D.
Salsa made at the table, mariachis (not sure about every night), and amazing fajitas and chimichangas! Kind of a gimmick, but the perfect place in town if you're not looking for anything authentic! Margaritas are strong and do the job well, not too strong or too weak.
(4)
Stephen Z.
It's hard picking a #1 Mex restaurant in Tucson but if out of town guests come to visit and on the off chance request Mexican for dinner I'll probably take them here.
(5)
Kelly M.
LOVE LOVE the food, salsa and service!
(5)
Stephanie H.
It's good. It's not amazing but it's good. It's a little overpriced but not terribly. I might take out-of-towners here because the ambiance is fun. My favorite thing is their Thursday lunch special, lobster enchiladas.
(4)
A K.
Totally awesome place, hands down the best mexican place i've ever seen. TONS of fish choices and great service. Salsa at the table and great quality authentic food. If you're ever in tucson and are looking for a good mexican spot i'd highly recommend
(5)
Brett R.
Great prices and authentic food! The tableside salsa is the way to go and you can make it just the way you want it. I love the seafood dishes here!
(4)
Bella F.
There is always a huge wait here. SO make sure you pack some snacks. The margaritas are why we come here. You can buy the big one and it's as much as ordering two drinks but it's really good value- not to mention tastes great. You have to be in a good mood to frequent this place as it's an open dining area and can be very loud between all the people, live music, screaming kids, and general hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant. NOT the place if you want a quiet romantic night to talk. The menu looks like shit- there I said it! It really needs to be re vamped with better presentation of design and food photographs. It gets really confusing and I hate having to explain it to our out of town guests. The salsa making, fresh and at your table is great! All in all a good time, the food is OK for the price. Casual dining experience.
(3)
Rachael J.
Just had a great meal here. I was surprised it was so busy on a Wednesday night, but we were still able to be seated right away. I had been wanting to eat here for a long time, but the recent not so stellar reviews made me a little nervous. Needless to say I had a great experience. The salsa made table-side was as delicious as all the previous Yelp's led on. It alone is reason enough to eat here. The live music trio was a nice touch. The menu had lots of great options and the dishes ordered by everyone in our party were delicious. It was obvious the tortillas had been freshly made as well. No complaints about our service tonight either. Our waitress made sure our waters were always full (I am a wuss with spicy foods so I tend to go through a lot) and everything came out as it should and when it should. Looking forward to going back!
(4)
Anna T.
Delicious and fresh food in a festive atmosphere. The best Mexican food restaurant in Tucson.
(4)
Tamica S.
I really want to love Guadalajara Grill. It seems like everyone else does. But when you wait 30 minutes to be seated and then another 90 minutes to get your food, there isn't much to love. The food could have been fantastic and I wouldn't know because I didn't eat it. Here is how the evening went: Arrival around 6:15. Finally got seated around 6:45. It was a bigger party, 8 people but GEEZ, what a wait for a Thursday night! Our drink order didn't get taken until past 7:00. Around 7:30 we got our food order taken. It took about 30 minutes for the appetizers to come out and by then everyone was STARVING. Then we had a group of people get seated at the table next to us. This was a problem. When our food finally came out at 8:30ish the waitress was seriously afraid of dropping a sizzling fajita plate onto the head or back of someone seated at my table or the table next to ours since the quarters were disturbingly cramped. She kept apologizing for the seating arrangement and saying that she couldn't fit in between the chairs. Frigging Ally McBeal couldn't fit in between them so she really didn't have anything to apologize for, she didn't seat them. After playing the hold your breath balancing act of getting all of the food served I was spent. I asked for boxes and we all pretty much left without even touching our entrees. So again, the food could have been delicious but who knows?? It was loud, crowded, busy and overall a dismal atmosphere, not fit at all for an enjoyable meal.
(1)
Steve F.
This is my first time in Tucson in about 15 years and El Charro was always my go to place but recent reviews led me to try Guadalajara. I am delighted!!! The place is packed so I strongly recommend making a reservation, as I did, or plan on waiting. Everything from the table-side fresh made salsa to their amazingly fresh tortillas is a delight. The lobster enchiladas were terrific and the lobster was abundant and perfectly cooked. The vegetarian burrito was another delightful surprise; bold and flavorful. The Saturday night crowd was diverse with a lot of families, a lot of older couples and young people. No complaints with the service. Drinks are very reasonable and the house Margarita was great! Dinner for two, including drinks and tip was under $50. Wow! Bring your appetite or plan on taking a lot of food home with you.
(5)
Roz-Esparza B.
We live so far out of the way, but we'll drive here for the table side salsa and delicious food. I've never been disappointed. Can't wait till they re-open on kolb :)
(5)
Setu U.
I love this place! The salsa they make is amazing and they have a TON of vegetarian and vegan options!
(5)
Mark B.
We went out on a date night. Took the kids to grandma's and decided to stop by and try out Guadalajara grill. We where quickly sat down (no wait) the salsa lady was nice and provided good entertainment while waiting for our server to serve us. The server was very knowledgeable about the different plates(a plus) she took our order and drinks at the same time. The food came in about 20 minutes. But, my wife's Chile Relleno Nogada was cold in the inside. We flagged the server and she took the plate away.. After 10 minutes and new hot plate of food came out! Down side as we went to eat together, not to watch each person eat by themselves. So we finished our meals and received our bill. No discount for cold food. No, hey here's slice of flan just nada.. So I told the server it's sad that nothing for the mistake. So we asked to speak with a manager and she left and came back with the owner. She basically said the sauce is cold and that was the problem. My wife said No, told her if that was true then outside would be cold not the inside. Owner then said oh and apologized and walked off. COOL Just like their food.. Sad.. $55.00 bill for cold food. So how much is good customer service, I guess its worth a negative review.
(2)
Cher T.
They make the salsa right in front of you, with the ingredients you like. Mariachi's sing during the evening and sets the mood. Being a couple dollars to tip..they do deserve it. If you are into yummy foofoo drinks Order La Bandera or a Coronarita to drink :) service at Prince location is always awesome. The other one, not so much. Food is wonderful!
(5)
Melissa B.
If we could have parked maybe we could have tried the table salsa we heard so much about...you need more parking!! Two guys in yellow vests stood at the driveway last night directing us to turn around and park down the street...but where?!!! There is no parking...so we tried another local Mexican place instead! Too bad...it sounds like a place to try...but we also decided that if it was that hard to find parking, the wait for a table and the service would probably be terrible...
(2)
William G.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Arizona - no joke! The fresh salsa made while you wait/watch - so good!!!
(5)
Beatrice V.
I went here for lunch on New Year's Eve. I decided to try the Bloody Mary and I ordered the chicken burrito bowl with grilled veggies instead of rice. I absolutely loved the Bloody Mary here; I specified that I wanted it with extra Tabasco to make it spicier. It was made perfectly and it was so delicious! The chips and salsa were addicting, salsa had just the right amount of spice. I couldn't finish the entire portion of the burrito bowl but what I had was incredible. Would definitely come back here again, mostly for the Bloody Mary's and chips and salsa :)
(5)
Becky K.
Had a great dinner at this Mexican Restaurant in Tucson. They come to your table and custom make the salsa for you just the way you like it! It was the best salsa I ever had! The servers were all super nice. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town!
(4)
Willa A.
The murals and kitschy decor at Guadalajara Grill are fun and I like the open feeling of the restaurant overall, lots of room for groups. But, to be clear, the majority of the menu is very "Americanized" Mexican food which made me pretty sad. Granted, I was there for lunch so there were no margaritas or table side salsa to distract me (the "live" salsa is only an option at dinner). I ordered a taco which disappointingly came in a pre-made hard corn shell and was buried in a pile of iceberg lettuce and yellow cheddar. The burro came in a dry, rubbery, bright white flour tortilla clearly straight off the Sysco truck. The chile verde in the taco was actually really delicious, but I was completely baffled that any restaurant in a town filled with tortilla factories, an hour north of Mexico, would serve these horrible mass produced tortillas. I gave them three stars because of the good service, atmosphere, cleanliness, and ample portions of not bad tasting food. But I would just rather eat real Mexican food...
(3)
Morgan J.
This is quite a tough rating to decide on... the food is traditional, yummy, and satisfying. The service is god awful. It's one of those yes I will go back because the food is so good but man I better go when I have more than enough time and am in a fantastic mood. The excellent food begins with the salsa cart. A woman comes around and makes you salsa any way you wish! Spicy, mild, medium, onions, no onions, etc. She is super sweet and caters directly to your desire. She even will fix it up a bit if you aren't completely satisfied! She deserves the best tip in the restaurant and gives the best service I've ever received here! I usually order the tacos which come with a side of rice and beans. They are amazing!! My boyfriend is always disappointed because they don't have steak.. but the ground beed is a delicious substitute. I've gone with many groups and haven't heard anyone else complain about their plates either. The service... ohhhh the service. I don't know how Guadalajara finds these men and women but there must be a strict rule that they are rude, slow, and must show you just how little they care. I have been here probably 5-10 times and each time it is the same story. Being greeted by the server is the most dreadful part of each visit. Most of the time I want to leave before they even say hello. The last time I grabbed dinner I believe it took ten minutes before someone came to the table. By the time she was there we were ready to order our drinks and meal. After putting our order in we waited until our food arived to double check that our drinks were coming. The table was in sight of the bar and our drinks had been sitting on the bar top for so long my boyfriends margarita had to be remade and my beer was room temperature. I wish I could say I wouldn't return. The simple fact is that the restaurant is walking distance from my house, stays open late, and has great food. Its a win/lose situation every time.
(2)
Gabriel G.
Loved the chips and salsa. Loved the food. The service was great and attentive. Definitely preferred this restaurant to El Charro. We'd definitely eat there again.
(5)
J U.
I've been coming to the Tucson gem show for twenty years. I ALWAYS went to el Charro's for authentic Mexican food.... Well, I found a local true Mexican restaurant. It was such great food and service I thought it was a chain!!!!!!! Not..... In town you must come here from great food and even a better time
(5)
Steven T.
The hostess Christina....food....the atmosphere....the drinks.....all 5*!!!!!! However the outdated phone system which took trolling through a half hour of frustrating busy signals along with the sour sorry attitude of our server Maria opened and closed the whole dining dining experience to a negative end I will never return.....maybe she had a bad day but it wasn't my fault I'm not familiar with the menu (come to an Italian restaurant and I'll interpret the menu).
(2)
Tessie K.
Have been here twice & always receive excellent service & delicious food! No wonder we locals love it!
(5)
Taylor B.
This place is amazing! From the 32oz giant homemade (STRONG) margaritas to the customized homemade salsa at your table with whatever you want! These two things by them selves sold me. The good service, amazing fajitas were just a plus. The homemade flour tortillas where the final thing that made me no doubt love this place! I wish one was in Scottsdale! If you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this is the place!
(5)
Demi J.
This place is great! They have a person that walks around and makes you fresh salsa! This was my first visit and i got the lobster stuffed salmon and it was delicious! Highly recommend this place if you're looking for good mexican food and atmosphere.
(5)
Aryn R.
Hands down the best Mexican food I have ever had. Generous portions and great attention to detail. From the handmade tortillas to the old lady that came to our table and made our Salsa and guacamole in front of our table. Prices were great when you consider what you get. Would be worth the trip just for the Fajitas!
(5)
Megan R.
If you're coming here for the chips, salsa, and margaritas, great! They refilled our chips and salsa countless times, which was great because it was the only part of the meal that I actually liked. The margaritas are also really good! However, my meal was pretty bad. I got the taco and flauta combo plate (beef for the tacos and chicken for the flautas) and I thought both were not very good. I went with 4 friends, and all but one said they didn't like their food. But as for the rest of us, we all agreed that we've had better microwaveable Mexican food than this. Everything was also just pretty bland. The only person who liked their meal got the cheese enchiladas. So if you're planning on coming here, I guess that would be my best suggestion for you! The service was pretty slow, and it wasn't even crowded when I went. I can't even imagine what it's like on a busy night. Our waitress was nice, but it was very clear she was not thrilled to be there. I would consider coming back just for the margaritas, but I definitely would not order food here again.
(2)
Jill S.
Yes. They make salsa right there at your table. Which is awesome. If you don't get someone who's burned out and has been working for 10 straight hours and wants to stuff a habanero down the throat of the next child who screams right next to her ear while swinging a sticky hand from the vending machine against the stupid twirly skirt she had to buy herself out of her first month's tips. Really, though, I've only had a pissy salsa girl once or twice.... usually they're super smiley and make good recommendations. I like that they make you tell them what to add, and if someone at the table asks for her to make the usual one, she ignores you and asks about each ingredient anyways. Way to CYA, salsa girls. Service is usually pretty good. So is the food. Fairly typical Sonoran Mexican, with some interesting things thrown in. I've seen mole on the menu but never ordered it; neither have I tried any of the other more adventurous dishes. That's probably a testament to the generic stuff that apparently hasn't disappointed me to the point of no repetition. Food is fresh, to the point that it's not cooked before you order it, but not to the point that they get more than maybe one produce shipment a week. It's a good stand-by place that's right next to my house, but I probably wouldn't drive more than a mile or two out of my way for it. Margaritas were disappointing. Definitely tasted of sweet and sour. And the last time we went, the waiter made them.... there was no bartender and they were all sort of guessing at their own recipes back there.
(3)
Prusha S.
Hit and miss. Salas ladies are awesome! Goodies great. But staff sometimes doesn't care. Drinks have no alcohol in. I stopped ordering drinks.
(3)
Chanel G.
OMG I CANT BELIEVE I WROTE THAT REVIEW. THIS PLACE IS PERFECT. Well, maybe not perfect but it is my favorite mexican restaurant right now. I get the chicken chimi with a classic margarita and I am good to go!
(5)
J C.
Entertainment Book has a buy one get one meal coupon. Wife had 3 item combo plate, $13.99, I had a carnitas plate, $14.99, $4.50 for 1 bud light. Walked out for $21.00 plus tip w coupon bogo. The mole is very good. I thought prices were a little high but dined on Sunday. They advertise a good priced 3-6 pm happy hour and lunch specials.
(4)
Iris G.
Guadalajara is one of my favorite places - the value you get for your dollar is excellent and the food is gluttonously awesome. It can get crazily packed, so I would suggest reservations for Friday or Saturday. The front of the restaurant where the hostess stand is has a small waiting area but usually the weather is nice enough to wait outside as well. Guadalajara is excellent for all occasions. Birthday? They'll make a crazy tin foil birthday hat for you. Anniversary? Indulge in one of their monsterous margaritas and try to save room for the sopapillas. Just felt like having some awesome Mexican food? Guadalajaras is the place to go. The portion sizes are massive, and it starts off with some table side salsa made to order. It's pretty sweet that they will customize it to the spice level you want or omit a less desirable ingredient. The chips are always fresh and hot as well. The shrimp molcajete is my favorite to indulge with. Tender, plump shrimp in a spicy broth with veggies and you can get the rice and beans on the side. It comes with your choice of either corn or flour tortillas. So tasty. I also really love their stuffed salmon dish. It's delicately cooked but has a ton of flavor. The sauce they top it with is rich but not too thick so you don't end up with that "gross" feeling. There is a really awesome portobello mushroom dish that I get when I'm not feeling chicken or seafood. It's light and delicious and the portobello flavor really stands up to all the bold flavors Mexican food is known for. You also cannot go wrong with a burrito or chimichanga if that's more your style when heading out for Mexican. They also have a mariachi band on certain days which is fun to bring out of towners to come experience!!
(5)
Andy R.
Amazing! Fun salsa at the table, fresh tortillas and a ridiculously tasty mocajete! lobster enchiladas also great! Just good and fun!
(5)
Austin S.
I returned here post burned-down kitchen, hoping this restaurant would be improved, but unfortunately there was no such luck. The waitress we had screwed up our drink and food orders repeatedly. My friends ended up with the wrong meat on their burrito bowls and no guacamole (after repeatedly asking for it), and two of our margaritas came out incorrectly - mine without tequila. Yuck. Every time we come here, the service is lackluster and the food is overpriced. I think I may have finally reached my limit. Sorry Guadalajara Grill.
(2)
Hector G.
Location: Easy to find off of Prince. I drive from the west side so I take Prince right off Oracle and then its on my right a few miles down. Pay attention though, because if you miss the turn into the restaurant, you'll have to find a place to U-Turn! Lesson Learned! Food: The food was excellent. The table side salsa was tasty and of course fresh. The price was a little higher than I like but for the food quality, it was well worth it. Would I go back: Yes definitely but I would be smarter on what I order since I have children. My bill came out to $50+ dollars for Lunch and that was two meals, two kids meals, Ice Teas and Tip (no alcohol!). Also, here's a tip: the Lemonade for the kids is NOT a kids included drink. Its $3/kids drink of Lemonade. Overall: Yes I would still go back and take my family and even when family from out of town visits. It was very good food.
(4)
Jordana S.
One word: garbage. I mean, if you like On The Border or Chili's you'd probably think it was good; there were plenty of people there so I guess they do. I, for one, do not find ill-prepared meats, gelatinous sauces, and unfresh ingredients mixed into tomato sauce posing as "table-side salsa" to be worthy of a $60 bill. If I'm feeling generous I'll give it a four out of ten; on a night like tonight I'll just chalk it up to wishful thinking to have expected a good meal. Because I swear this place used to be fresh, authentic, and local. Now it's just goopy, generic, and reminiscent of every horrible chain restaurant you've ever been to. It's not great. Don't believe the hype.
(1)
Chris D.
Being my third time coming here I was still very impressed just as I was the first time. Definitely my favorite Mexican I have had around the area. Their menu consists of everything you would expect a Mexican restaurant to have.I have ordered the fajitas tacos and salmon topped with lobster. I was very equally impressed with all of them. There are two things that I think this restaurant has that makes them stand out. First the lady making salsa from scratch right in front of you is incredible. You can tell her exactly how you want it and she makes it perfectly. Also the traveling Mariachi band that travels the restaurant is a fun added touch. All in all this is definitely a must if you're looking for Mexican food around the area. Great value and even better food.
(5)
Christi T.
From having had a recent Mexican restaurant bust at another local restaurant, my husband and I were left really craving some great Mexican cuisine before we left Tucson back to the East Coast. Thankfully this place really made up for that! The restaurant is well designed and very lively and vibrant with all the beautiful wall decor and murals. It's a large restaurant space also so we were sat right away during lunch. Our server greeted us quickly and took our drink orders right away. Our chips and house made salsa were also delivered promptly. The salsa by the way was fantastic! You can definitely tell they take pride in their salsa. I loved the flavor of roasted chilis and spices. The menu options are great and I loved that they offered smaller lunch options as well. My husband decided on the lunch size chimichanga and I chose the lunch plate of two enchiladas. Both entrees included rice and beans as well. One other thing I love is that they offer whole black beans if you don't prefer the refried beans. The chimichanga was lightly fried, not greasy and filled with perfectly seasoned and grilled carne asada in one of their freshly made tortillas. The garnish of lettuce and freshly made guacamole was great with it as well. The enchiladas were also very good and very generous in size! In fact, now I know for next time that one might do the trick for lunch! I chose the chicken over beaf which was moist and flavorful, with not too much cheese or enchilada sauce. One of our pet peeves is overwhelming amounts of cheese but not in this case for either dish. Our only negative was that the server seemed to disappear about half way through our lunch but she ended up picking up the slack towards the end. Overall we were very satisfied and can't wait to visit Tucson again to come back!
(4)
Caitlin V.
Total score is a 2. +2 for Ambiance and salsa prep by the table is pretty awesome! Queso dip was pretty bad. It was supposed to have chorizo in it, and it did, but maybe like a tablespoon of chorizo. Really? The cheese wasn't a dip either, it was a block of cheese we had to cut with a knife. Unless it was burning hot and bubbling, it wasn't a dip. The drinks were overpriced. The verde slow cooked pork was not slow cooked, as the pork was chewy. I can just pay 2 more bucks a plate and get WAY better carnitas at Wild Garlic Grill- melt in your mouth pork! Chewy pork? Eh. The price was ridiculous for the quality of food. Quantity does not trump quality. Try Ponchos for better quality and 25% the price.
(2)
Deb B.
I stopped here for a late lunch mainly to try the Jalapeño Margarita that had been reviewed in the Daily Star a couple of weeks ago, and not really expecting the food to be anything special. Wrong! First, the salsa was great, but could have been even greater if I'd been paying attention as she made it and customized it a bit more for my own tastes (I like it super hot, but easy on the onion and cilantro). For my entree I ordered the Plato Bandera (one each of pork chile verde, beef chile rojo, and white sauce chicken enchiladas), honestly not expecting to love all of them, but much to my surprise each was as good as the next - really, really tasty. And waaaaaay more than I could eat - I took home half to enjoy the next day. Since i was dining alone, there was quite a bit of salsa left over and I really appreciated that they packed that up for me to take home as well. The Jalapeño Margarita that I came for was just okay. I liked it, but didn't love it as much as I thought I might. I can't wait till the Kolb location re-opens as it's only a mile from home and I will definitely be a regular.
(5)
Mike M.
Always great food when we go here. On a Saturday night, call ahead seating is a must. This place is always hopping. Our Server, Paul, took care of us even though this place was a mad house. The table side salsa is fantastic as well. Stop by, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Bill C.
Food was good. However, we had a group reservation for 20 and 6 of us arrived 20 min. early. The table was set and the restaurant was almost empty (4:40). They wouldn't let us set at the table until the whole group arrived. We said we'd like to order a drink and wait for the others. They said we'd have to go in the bar. Finally one of the waiters that was going to serve our table let us set down. I realize the hostess only follows management orders but it was a lousy way to treat a big group that was going to spent a lot of money.
(3)
Sharon G.
Wow! That's what we all had to say from start to finish. Fresh salsa, prepared at your table, to your liking - it was fabulous! Next, a tasty Midori margarita on the rocks to set the mood. Then the food... my son had the highly recommended chimichanga with carne asada. So good, but even he couldn't finish the whole thing! My daughter and I split the chicken fajitas, which were both delicious and plenty! We had leftovers too! We declared my husband the winner with his choice of chicken molcajete - meaning bowl. It was a stone bowl with a stew-like concoction topped with very tasty chicken and served with rice and beans. And yes, more leftovers! The tortillas were fresh and soft, chips were crisp and tasty, ambiance was classic Mexican - bright and lively! Yelp has never steered us wrong. Thank you Guadalajara! We had a fun and extremely satisfying evening (we even put away our technology). :)
(5)
Aisha R.
My rating is solely based on the food. I had the taste for guacamole and chips. I was not disappointed at Guadalajara. I enjoyed the appetizer size guacamole and a little medium (made right in front if you) salsa. Everything was fresh & tasted delicious. The chips would have been better warm, but they were delicious none the less. The order of guacamole was $6.99. I also had a virgin piña colada. Very good....not watery and you could tell they use real coconut cream. Yum. The entire bill was about $12.50. Not bad at all. A few things that could be improved.....watching the bartender dig deep into a huge jar of cherries to scoop them with his bare hand out ofinto smaller cups made my stomach turn.
(4)
Andrea H.
When I lived in Tucson, I loved bringing out of town guests here. The food has been Americanized, but it is still a great choice especially for picky eaters. There is indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit on the patio in the winter, there are space heaters to keep you warm. The restaurant is always crowded, and the wait can take anywhere from 10-40 minutes. The decor is colorful. A mariachi group wander from table to table to perform well known songs. Tortillas are made by hand daily. The salsa is made fresh at your table with your level of tolerance for spice kept in mind. The food is served on hot plates and presented nicely. When I return to town for a visit, this establishment is always on my places to visit.
(4)
Grant R.
Easily some of the best Mexican food I have ever had! And the chips and salsa are AMAZING!!!!!!!!
(5)
Ruben M.
The margarita was great. The chili rellano stuffed with meat and fruit then topped with a white cream sauce was a culinary delight. I would definitely come back.
(5)
Dolores A.
My husband had eaten lunch here one day, he liked it so much he wanted to take me there for dinner on Friday night. The drive is about 25 minutes from our home, when we arrived at the restaurant, the parking lot was blocked off with orange cones, an employee standing near them and a very long line of patrons standing outside. We drive on past and I called the restaurant from my cell phone to see what the wait time was (over an hour) we ended up having dinner somewhere else. This did not deter us from returning, we did have dinner the following Monday night with friends. The food is mouth watering, the menu has a wide variety of choices for everyone that loves authentic flavored Mexican food. There are Mariachi players, the service is excellent, the environment very comfortable and ambiance perfect. I would actually rate this 4.5 stars.
(4)
Lisa J.
went with a group of 6, parking is def hard and I think the rest should invest in exapnding parking opps in the area so its easier for all. We were all veggie, food was average, the atmosphere is what you are paying for which was fun and popping on a Friday night. Too many flies in the rest is the one thing to point out....we kept batting them away also, its a little odd but you shld be tipping your salsa lady - - you would think that's not necessary, but it is custom.
(3)
Sara C.
Really bad service. Waited for a high chair after asking four different workers and after 20 minutes of my friend holding her baby, went and got my own from the side station. Food is okay, it's better at Rosas on Campbell.
(2)
Mr. V.
My wife and I decided to eat lunch at the Guadalajara Grill on 12/20/2014. The service was not so great. First, we asked our waitress if management can turn turn down the A/C. Which they did not. Second, our waitress forgot to put in our lunch order. So we got out good 30 mins later. We were displeased with the service.
(1)
Hilary M.
I loved the salsa! But that was about it. I am from Seattle and was really looking forward to "real Mexican food." Unfortunately this place just missed the mark. The food was not good and I felt a little sick after eating it. My suggestion would be to keep things simple, seems like they strayed from the basics and things went downhill.
(2)
Alexis G.
Guadalajara Grill serves one of my favorite tortilla soups. The molcajetes are also pretty delish. Sometimes, I wish the place was a bit smaller and intimate, but the food and drinks are consistently good.
(4)
Lil B.
Unbelievable food and drinks. Have not had a dish here that I wasn't having dreams about for days after.
(5)
Lisa M.
LOVE THIS PLACE. good margaritas, great food, fun place. The hot, hand made, flour tortillas are the bomb. I keep getting the huaraches because you can get a couple of your FAV meets and scoop up with the flour tortilla. Heaven. Mariachi band is fun. Table side made your way salsa is nice too!
(5)
Marianna L.
Thanks to the Bandera, Arizona's strongest margarita, my memory is foggy on this dining experience, but I must say, it was an AMAZING experience. I dream of this food, I crave this food. I want the cute Mexican woman at the side of my dinner table every night to custom make salsa for my family and me. The mariachi band wouldn't be so bad either.
(5)
Rachel M.
Today was our first time eating at Guadalajara Grill and after one bite of our meals my husband and I looked at each other and just knew: We found OUR Mexican Restaurant. The salsa made-to-order table side was delicious and a lovely surprise as we weren't expecting the presentation.
(5)
Sean P.
Flew into Tucson from Calgary to spend some time with my parents and celebrate my dad's birthday. Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended. Atmosphere was great, service was friendly, the food however lack a little zip. The salsa made at the table was fantastic, spicy, fresh served with fresh chips. The entrees (Two paellas and a chili rellenos - spelling?) were rather bland. In my experience Mexican food should have zip. It doesn't need to be I'm sweating through my shirt hot, but spicy enough that I reach for my marguerita for a bit of a break. All in all it was just OK. The tastiest I've had so far in Tucson was La Botana where we ate yesterday. Smaller, less formal. More real. Food was awesome. Cheap! But alas, I had not made a Yelp account yet... More to come. 3 stars!
(3)
Mike B.
A nice place to try out. The highlight is the table-side salsa. The food is good, though I feel I can get similar food at other places a little cheaper.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes 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.
Dave A.
Fresh, made-to-order salsa at your table! That's my favorite thing about Guadalajara "Original" Grill- I highly recommend this one over the Eastside location. Fajitas are always good (you can do chicken, shrimp, steak, pork or all of the above)- I recommend all of them except for the pork. They usually have drink specials which includes a good selection of Mexican beers and GIANT Margaritas. Portion sizes at this place are enormous so be prepared for a food coma afterwards. If you're just looking for something light, sit at the bar and enjoy the chips and salsa and an order of the mini-chimis (chicken). 4 Stars ****.
(4)Lynn B.
If you like cheese order the queso fundido con chorizo for appetizer, if you like fun order one of their giant margaritas. Solid classic Mexican food, good chance anything you order will be pretty darn tasty. Fun Mexican decor, great for a fun date, a group of friends, a large party, celebration, you name it.
(4)Marian S.
Perfectly perfect table side salsa. Happy waitress. Delicious veg dish. Scrumptious chimis. Crunchy chips. Wonderful stuff to look at. Love it.
(5)Beki H.
Delish! My husband had the Green Mole with Shrimp special at the recommendation of our awesome waiter, JC (thanks JC!) & I had the Halibut Enchiladas. Both dishes were wonderful. They were served with julianned grilled veggies. I would return just for those alone! Tableside salsa & my Cadillac Margarita were also perfect! We can't wait to return!
(5)Matt C.
I invited everyone who visited Tucson to this great place. My consistent favorite is the chili verde chimichanga, which I can safely recommend to anyone. But the salsa they make right at your table is the highlight, and will likely always be the best salsa I've ever had.
(5)Thomas I.
Man those salsa makers that come to your table just chop, chop, chop. Kinda like your personal chef at Japanese hibachi grills. Food was just average but atmosphere and service were amazing!
(4)Jennifer P.
This place has quickly become the most requested place to dine when we have guests in from out of town. I have to say I agree, this place is something special. Great food. Great Staff and service. The ambiance is fun! The homemade tortilla's ,, mouth drooling delicioso!!! If you happen to dine after 6pm, the restaurant is filled with the wonderful sounds of the mariachi trio! And the favorite of everyone I know~ is; the made-Table Side- Salsa! Which you can customize to your taste! I think a close contender would be the strawberry margarita! This place is aLwAyS BUSY! In the evening they have parking lot attendants to help usher in/out cars...which is helpful. And I have to agree with the other reviewers, if you are looking for a quiet corner, Consider yourself forewarned, this place is FULL of excitement!!
(5)Nancy W.
To be fair, this was the first time to eat here, so will go back and try something else next time. Table side salsa was wonderful. I tried the guaco tacos from the vegetarian menu and i did not like them AT ALL. Skip those. Everyone else at the table liked their food EXCEPT for the refried beans and rice. Beans were absolutely tasteless. I always look forward to them, but so bland, i couldn't eat them. At first, the music was so loud that we were unable to talk at all. Once they moved on to another room we were able to enjoy some conversation. Is it really necessary to be that loud? Our service was excellent. Waitress very nice and efficient. Will go back and try a different dish. Wish they'd have some good refried beans and rice though. Truly bad.
(3)Brent G.
Typically when I first visit a Mexican restaurant I try the fajitas and compare them to La Parrilla Suiza on speedway. They were not as good but very edible. Service was good considering we were a party of 8.
(4)Nick B.
Good food, love salsa cart, but service sucked.
(3)Molly H.
Let me tell you a little story about a restaurant that serves some of the best food in Tucson combined with some of the worst service in Tucson. The salsa, novel and delicious. But quite a lot of trouble, plus you know you have to tip the salsa ladies, right? Still, it's worth it. Here is the part of the story where the complications set in, where our hero must battle insurmountable odds. Guadalajara only hires the most unfriendly and incompetent bartenders, why, I do not know. They will always make twenty drinks for the servers before they even acknowledge you. That seems backwards from most bars, but I am figuring there must be a reason to for this madness. Next, you have the seating system where they do not seat people on a first come, first serve basis and they always make you wait at least 20 minutes before they seat you at a table that was open the whole time. All I ask for is a drink in hand, and I can rest at ease. This never seems to happen at Guadalajara. This places a dour mood on the evening, even before the waiter arrives at the table. The waiters are generally good. The moral of the story is that the food is delicious, and I will keep coming back. But I am going to wear a frown until they get some decent customer service.
(2)Holly R.
This place is fantastic. I loved every bite. The boyfriend and I met up a friend in Tucson and he suggested we try this place out. So glad we did, it is now one of my favorite places in Tucson after just one visit. We went on a Sunday night so we didn't have to wait but it was still pretty busy. The place is bright and colorful with sombrero lamps - kitschy but cool. There was a mariachi band that added some musical flair to the experience as well. Like everyone says, one thing that sets this place apart is the fresh salsa made at your table. It was SOOOO good. We were even able to get two - one hot and one mild (I'm a wimp). It tasted great but let me tell ya, the raw onion and garlic stay with you long after the meal. We had to go buy mints afterwards. Go easy if you're on a first date. I ordered the chimi carnitas and I'm not kidding it was one of the best dishes I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. It was huge, I was only able to finish half of it. It was loaded with tender carnitas stuffed into a fresh flour tortilla. The tortilla was amazing just by itself. It came with rice and beans. The rice was just okay. That was the only thing that didn't blow me away. But I was busy with my mound of pork so no biggie. I walked away completely stuffed and satisfied. I will be back for more next time I visit Tucson.
(5)John H.
If you have not been here you don't know what your missing. Fresh food, table side salsa, great lunch specials.
(4)Jonathon M.
I recently visited the Tucson area for the first time for the Wild West Shoot Out races at USA Raceway . Being from out of town, I had to eat some Mexican cuisine before I returned to Indiana. I saw a few reviews for this restaurant and decided to give it a try. The location had me a little suspect as I had been told it was a rough part of town, thought I found the immediate area around the restaurant to be rather docile. The atmosphere inside the building is your typical Mexican grill. It was clean and family friendly. I was with a group of 4 and we sat in a booth that had plenty of space near a window. They had quite an extensive bar menu available but I didn't order any drinks on this occasion. The salsa made tableside made to taste was one of my favorite aspects. It was very good but way to mild for my taste. The group I was with did not want it spicy; I would have liked to have had the option to get a smaller bowl to myself. We had a spicy cheese appetizer that was excellent and went very quickly between the four of us. I had their signature dish for my meal, which consisted of a large bowl filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, and an onion pepper mixture. It was served with tortillas, rice, and beans. Every protein was fantastic including the steak which was extremely tender and well seasoned. The other people in my group ordered standard Mexican foods including tacos and burritos ( which were extremely large). I tried a little of everyone's dish and they were all very satisfactory. Bottom Line: I am glad I stopped in and would recommend the grill to any out of town travelers with a taste for Mexican and Southwestern foods.
(4)C T.
The salsa made table-side here is excellent, as is the shrimp molcajete. Service was slow, but we were on vacation so it didn't bother us. Cute decor and a great place for large parties.
(4)Brian F.
How do you say "droolicious" in Spanish? Guadalajara Grill is seriously some of the best Mexican food I've had in years. First of all, there were eleven of us on a Thursday evening. The place was already modestly busy, but they were able to seat us within five minutes. **By the time we left, the place was packed. The staff was extremely helpful, managing to attend to our demanding group with ease. The table side salsa is an experience I've never seen before, and what a treat! Spiced to your level of hotness, everyone at the table got what they wanted. The freshness was incredible- no other salsa can ever compare. The menu was vast, filled with dishes I had never seen before as well as the Mexican staples. I ended up with a carne asada chimichanga w/ red sauce. It was made just the way I like with lots of meat and lots of cheese. The portion was huge! Other dishes on the table: lobster stuffed salmon, fajita combo, lobster enchiladas, and some vegetarian dishes. Everyone raved about their food- and it wasn't that margaritas talking. Mariachis came by at one point and we had them sing songs to our table, and these guys were very good- talented and professional all the way. It had been a rough couple of days and the family really needed the time together at a wonderful place- and Guadalajara was perfect for us. Any time we make it back to Tucson, we will make them a regular stop!
(4)Mary Ann S.
Do you love salsa? Do you love choosing what does or doesn't go into your salsa? Then run, don't walk, to Guadalajara Grill. Their homemade salsa is made table side and you can choose how spicy you want it. So whether you are like me and add all the spices you can or if you basically like salsa that tastes like tomatoes, you get your choice here. Their margaritas get the job done. With all sorts of flavors (including in house creations) you are sure to find something you like at the bar. Careful of those BIG glasses :) The food is good Mexican food. They have several options and even Vegetarian options, and more than just one. The atmosphere is very fun and they have a mariachi band that travels from table to table. They know pretty much any song-- Including Bear Down!! A true Tucson establishment
(5)Mike H.
Very good. Recommend the "Molcahete" and fried ice cream. Pricey though!
(4)Gary S.
Table side salsa. So good. You got to get it hot. I have been here on multiple occasions now and I have to say I've had a great experience each time. Between the wife and I we have ordered 6 different entrees. Food always taste fresh and delivered to the table hot. Which is a major feat in this town.
(5)Nick M.
I lived in Tucson for three years before sadly moving and while there I had the chance to eat at plenty of fine Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill is one of my favorites. Being a regular I was always impressed with the quality of the food. The service and ambiance are average, my biggest grip being with the dinner-time music which could be very loud. But the food was always delicious, especially the pork chili verde.
(4)Ilene Q.
Guadalajara was the 1st restaurant we visit during our tour of Tucson, AZ. It is the best Mexican restaurant by far. Great food, amazing margaritas and great prices along with great service.
(5)Laura C.
I was in Tucson recently and, while I love NorCal's fresh take on Mexican food, I was excited for the good stuff - real, authentic Mexican food. Unfortunately, this was one of those rare instances where Yelp steered me wrong. My sister and I went and we ordered the Queso Fundido (with the chorizo on the side because I don't eat meat) as an appetizer, and it was really just disgusting. It came with undercooked mushrooms and a layer of oil on top and neither of us found it appetizing to eat oily, tasteless, chewy cheese. The good news is that it only went up from there. The table-side salsa was actually quite great. Medium had a bit too much spice for my sister, but it was perfect for me. I forgot what entree my sister got, but I got the Burrito Chilango and it was okay, nothing to write home about. It satisfied my craving for Mexican, but it didn't do much else. The sauce it was smothered in tasted like it came from a can. I do remember both of us felt very underwhelmed after our meals. The final strike for Guadalajara Grill came when we ordered some fajita take-out to bring back to our dad. When we opened the container, we found they never gave us tortillas. How do you forget the tortillas in a fajita order? It was a total bummer as they make their own tortillas and he had to use the cheap store brand kind we (thankfully) had in the fridge.
(2)Micalah O.
This restaurant is great for large groups and/or visitors to the southwest. It is not like the typical Tucson Mexican restaurant because It does have food from south of the border (on the Mexican) side. The table side salsa can be really great if you know just what to ask for. The drinks are fun but it is hard to screw up a margarita too badly. Everything is priced reasonably especially considering the serving sizes are HUGE! Guadalajara is very touristy, costumes, mariachis and decor. My cousin from the East Coast found it to be just what he was looking for in a Mexican restaurant. I on the other hand find it to be a bit over the top but the food is good.
(3)S G.
Takeout food was great. Beans are good, rice are extremely flavorful, chicken chimi was great, and chips were good too. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back again.
(5)Alex T.
This place is great. The food is good and the atmosphere is awesome, especially on the weekends when they have live music. They also make your salsa table-side, which is pretty cool. They serve your standard variety of Mexican food. Chimichangas, Tacos, Enchiladas, etc. I only give it three stars because if you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this shouldn't be your number one choice. Although the food is usually good and the portions are big the food itself doesn't match up with what's available here in Tucson (and at cheaper prices).
(3)D W.
Went to the bar for happy hour. Great salsa made to your taste, and yummy (and cheap) house margarita. Queso fundito was enough for a dinner for two of us. The bartenders were attentive and working hard!
(5)Linda E.
Our 'go to' place when in Tucson. Their salsa and margaritas are THE BEST!!
(5)Sunny B.
Oh yelp. How I love thee~ Mark D. and I were heading back from Texas and craving Mexican seafood. We got on our yelp mobile, found a review for Guadalajara Grill, plugged the directions in to the iphone and headed on our way. We both wondered how we survived before yelp J it is great to drive through an unknown city and find a gem with 4 star reviews. It was Christmas Eve and the place was pretty packed, perhaps it was the holiday spirit but everyone working there was in a great mood and very friendly. We ordered the seafood platter; tilapia, scallops and shrimp served fajita style. It was delicious and the portions of seafood were very generous for 18 bucks. The salsa was good (but not great), it was still a nice touch to make it at the table. I ordered the sangria and it was delicious, strong and not too sweet. I will definitely head back next time I am in town.
(4)Pam S.
We were very impressed with how quickly we were seated at 6:30 PM on a Friday evening. Loved having the Salsa made at the table - I had medium and it was very good. She did have us taste to make certain the Salsa was "spicy" enough for our tastes. I would have gone a bit spicier with the salsa but our 1 year old son loves mild Salsa. Both my husband and I had wonderful meals that our son enjoyed mooching off of as well. Note: We are from NC and in 3 years have yet to find a "really" good Mexican restaurant. The Guadalajara Grill was very good and the best we've had in over 3 years. I had the Chicken Chimi and I loved the southwest sauce - it had a little "sweetness" to it but not a lot of spice. My husbands meal was very flavorful and the steak was perfectly prepared - Carna Asada Angelina.
(5)Tucson C.
Recently needed to find a restaurant that had music early. Tucson needs more selection in this area! The Guadalajara Grill did not disappoint. The food really impressed the out-of-town visitors, and the locals in the group loved it as well. I had the Mochacha. If food got better than this, I wouldn't be able to get up! Fantastic! Every person really enjoyed the wide variety of food served. The table-side salsa was excellent as usual, and the strolling musicians fit our need perfectly. They do a great job and really add to the ambiance. Casual, though really nice, affordable, lots going on, the perfect place to take the family out to dinner when they are in town!
(4)Christina M.
I dont know what everyone is talking about...table side salsa?? Didnt get that service. My sister had a retreat for work at Ventana Canyon Resort and the masseuse suggested this place. We asked for a cheese crisp and the server said we have quesadillas but not cheese crisps and I said, " Can you ask the chef to not fold it, please"? Duh! Stupid. Other than that the service was fine. Food was mediocre at best, but forgettable. Nothing special about this place. The front desk guy told us we shouldve gone to EL Charro. Maybe next year!
(3)Mark M.
I reviewed the Guadalajara Grill on 6/17 last year. As far as I'm concerned the write-up is still right on. The salsa continues to be superior and the freshest one can ever get. This time, I had an entree that I'd never ordered before and thought the favors mixed very well and wouldn't hesitate to order again. It was the Tacos Cochinito Al Pastor. This dish consisted of slow roasted pork in an adobo marinade served in three (the menu said two) soft corn tacos with pineapple, cilantro and onions. served with refried beans and spanish rice. The pork was cooked just right, and the pineapple, cilantro and onions were an excellent combination of flavors. Once again I was disappointed in the heavy-on-the-sweet-and-sour margarita. I ordered the large Cadillac (premium) margarita, and didn't quite finish the massive drink - nor was I tempted too. I asked for some extra limes, which I added to the drink early on. Nice idea, as it added some tartness and cut the sweet. I've reduced my rating of the Guadalajara Grill from a four-star to a three-star. In my opinion it's really a three-and-a-half star. Why did I do this? Because I found a Mexican restaurant in Tucson that has risen to the top of my Mexican restaurant list, and there needed to be an appropriate separation of stars (that, of course, is a separate review). Bottom line ... I still really like the Guadalajara Grill and this Tuesday night experience was pleasurable; prompt seating, exceptional salsa, good food and fun atmosphere. I'll certainly return.
(3)pete w.
My family and I went to Tucson for a mid week getaway. We stopped by here for linner (lunch/dinner) after a long day hiking in the foothills around town. My kids were starving...... The place was about 1/2 full so we were given a nice table by the big windows with nice views of the foothills. Service was excellent and the food was hands down some of the best mexican food that I have ever eaten. My 8 year old bottomless pit for a stomach son even commented that 'this place gives you a lot of food and I'm full'. I do not hear that often. Overall, big menu, excellent service, exceptional tasting food and lots of it. The restaurant was clean and well taken care of. 5 stars for this place.
(5)Rebecca D.
The layout is super cozy. The decor is top notch. The service is always great. Parking is always manageable, even during their busiest hours. Table side salsa that's to die for. Yummy (HUGE) margaritas. Great mariachi! So much fun during homecoming (Go Wildcats!) weekend! Guadalajara Grill is my second favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Tucson!!
(5)Matt W.
Still as absolutely incredible as I remember it. 1) While I was not there during salsa making service b/c it was a weekday lunch, there salsa is fantastic! I may drop on by before I leave town... 2) Drinks are great and potent as well. They are also HUGE. And for 6 or 7 bucks to get a a 16 oz. Margarita...what a deal! 3) Food is really good. The chicken fajitas are excellent. I also had the beef 1's and they were really good. The onions are cooked better than almost any Mexican place I've eaten them. The beans are phenomenal. I almost never finish them at a Mexican place but these were just too good to pass up. Great memories there in the past. It was worth every bite (I think I ate enough for lunch AND dinner!)!! When I think of Tucson, this is one of the very 1st places I think of going when getting off the plane!
(5)Pavan D.
If I could give them zero stars I would. (This review may just apply to lunch service/chef) My sister and I were in Tucson yesterday and I thought lets stop in for lunch. I had been there a couple of years ago for dinner and it was good. Anyway we walk in and have to wait about 30 seconds for the hostess to finish chi chatting with a server before she even acknowledged us. Then we are seated. There were maybe 6 tables being used in all. We ordered the guacamole which I remember being made fresh at the table, IT WAS NOT. It was for sure not fresh either. They also topped it with some sort of cheap super salty cheese.... no thanks, i prefer my guacamole without cheese. After getting that we were pretty turned off so we decided just to split an order of the chicken fajitas. The chicken was bland and not very tender, almost chewy. YUCK! I will say that the flour tortillas weren't horrible and the salsa was good. Nothing about our meal looked or tasted fresh. It didnt taste like the amazing authentic mexican food that I remembered having their before. So of course I felt stupid ofr talking it up so much to my sister. It was a HUGE let down. Service: The service was beyond slow. Considering the restaurant was so empty we expected better service. We were given our drinks and food and never saw our waitress again. I sat there for 10 minutes waiting so that I could get some water!!! After that I was just annoyed and decided to pay the bill and get the hell outta there. I will for sure not return to this place. There are plenty of other great Mexican restaurants around.
(1)Mer M.
We've been here a few times now with family. The fresh table-side made salsa is amazing. The mole is very good, as were the burritos and enchiladas that I tried. One of the times we went in the server wasn't very attentive, but the other times I've gone there the service was better.
(4)Gabriel W.
Good food, but salsa IS a gimmick. And well, I think both O and NeD are freaking idiots...so how about that?!?! Anyone who knows how to MAKE good salsa knows that it needs to sit at least overnight so that all the flavors have a chance to combine. Making it "fresh" at the table is cute, yeah...but really the flavor is of straight tomatoes. They might as well just open some canned tomatoes for you to dip your chips in. But yeah, O...if you cant go to eat without worrying about misogyny, racism, and "anglo views of assumed inferiority"...then maybe you should just stay home. You're not an intellectual, you're an asshole. ANYWAY, apart from the salsa, this place is essentially the same as garcias or some other gringo mexican place. Just not my cup of tea. If I want REALLY good gringo mexican, I go to rosas right around the corner...now THAT place has GREAT salsa!
(3)Jesse C.
I found this place using YELP while visiting family in Tucson Arizona. The food here is VERY good. They have some unusual options like Lobster enchiladas which my wife ordered and loved. The salsa and chips are VERY good as well. I thought the cheese enchiladas I got were 'OK', maybe the sauce could have been spicier, but it was still good. Prices were about average for this type of place and the atmosphere was very good. I would definetly come back here again if I am ever in the area.
(4)N S.
The salsa was good! But we really didn't enjoy this restaurant. The beans tasted like Taco Bell... And the flavors (bland) and textures of our dishes just weren't good.
(2)Andrea G.
What a surprise--a pleasant one! Gary, my husband, and I have lived in Tucson and passed that place for years. We never paid attention. I don't know why, really. It looks kind of unassuming from the front view. I had an Entertainment book deal for the restaurant, so we ventured to try it. It's fun to support the local restaurants, too! What a wonderful restaurant! It is a whole lot larger than it seems from the outside. Fun atmosphere, mariachis singing 'round the diners, very family oriented and there is a very separate bar area (didn't peek at it). Colorful decorations make for a cheery ambiance. It was Wednesday around 6 pm on a summer day (the slowest time in Tucson), and yet the place was packed. All other restaurants are struggling to draw in diners with the sluggish economy. This restauarnt obviously had regulars and a loyal following. We were seated quickly and given a fun menu. Waitstaff were friendly. The food is not your traditional Mexican, but instead very different types of sauces and mixtures of Mexican foods Maybe Guadalajaran food is like this, or maybe this restaurant is especially creative? Not sure. We were greeted by a salsa lady pulling around a cheerful cart on wheels. I loved this feature. It was packed with bowls of various veggies and makin's for salsa. She asked if we liked mild, medium or hot. Since Gary likes hot and I like mild, she actually made us TWO salsas! They came in these huge bowls, too-great presentation--and great flavors! My mild (I know, I'm the gringa about HOT food) salsa had large and mild green chile pieces in it along with onions, and all the usual yummy salsa ingredients. I dove in with the nice, thick, fresh chips (very light on salt) for an excellent salsa-chip experience. The main meal was hard to choose as the menu has more creative choices than just the usual burrito/taco, etc. line-up. I got a carne asada, chile relleno and chicken enchilada combo. Gary ordered the Ultimate something (didn't see the name). Both dishes arrived, mine on a huge plate and his in a stone huge container that weighed probably 10 lbs. Very unique. It contained what I like to say seemed like a Mexican cioppino. Grilled shrimp, chicken, beef and more was in it, in a tomato-based sauce (very flavorful), topped with some feta-looking Mexican-type cheese (sorry 'bout my silly word phrases-didn't get the real names of things too well). We dove in; the food was terrific! The diners around us also looked very contented. All I know is that I look forward to returning to this place to experiment with other delights on their menu! And I better get back to work or my Office Manager will catch me writing this during work (I'm the boss but she keeps me on track! This was my little mental break moment, to share with you while it was fresh in my mind) Hope it helps you!
(4)Stephanie S.
This is a decent Mexican food restaurant, especially if you don't have time to run down to South Tucson. This restaurant features fantastic lunch deals, and in the evening fresh salsa made at your table to your taste and live mariachi music. Out of town visitors always enjoy the food and atmosphere.
(4)Eleana H.
whooot i love this place, its clean, the decor is beautiful, the good is great, the service is amazing, as good as it gets.. me and my bff got the mojalete bowl for 19.00 it comes in a huge volcanic bowl with shrimps and carne asada, chicken, and veggies.. comes with fresh tortillas covered in lard, and rice + beans YUMMMMMYYYYYYYY portion size is amazing. table side salsa is a MUST. and I got one of the meatball soups SOOO AMAZING OMG... i love this place, cant wait to come back
(5)Chris F.
I'd give it 4 stars; however, the fact that they make the salsa at the table in front of you is totally kick ass! Friendly staff. Attentive. Good fajitas. Loved the over sized tortilla. The massive margarita was sweet. Probably my only dig on the fajitas would be the lack of guac and sour cream. Oh yeah, how can I forget. They have these guys who sing and play the guitars/larger guitars (my ignorance) when someone has a birthday, that was really cool. Definitely will be going back, and probably when it's my birthday, but not. Just want to hear them play :)
(5)Janice M.
Again, If you didn't read my other reviews. I am a newbie when comes to Mexican food. Food: 3/5 A lady stopped her cart by our table after we were seated and asked how we wanted our salsa, that was pretty much the best part of our meal. We ordered medium and spicy. The spicy wasn't spicy enough so I asked if she could add more chilis and it was exactly how I like it. However, the entree was just Okay. Nothing special. Service: 2/5 It was a very odd experience with our waitress. She comes by often to fill our glasses of water but she mumbled something to us and walked away. We weren't exactly sure what was going on. After finishing our meal, we waited and waited for the waitress to bring us our check but it took a really really really LONG time. Parking: 4/5 The restaurant itself is very spacious and so their parking lot. Overall: 3/5 Mediocre food, border-line bad service, good parking. I'd give it a three star just because I am in a good mood but I will probably not recommend this place to anybody and will not be coming back for more.
(3)Cactus J.
You will love their mocajete cameronas it is delicious. Also, the salsa is made fresh at your table mild,medium,hot or fire engine hot. Service is good. Go early especially Friday and Saturday night.
(5)Diane A.
I was so excited to go to this restaurant because I heard good things about it. I now have gone 3 times (both locations) and I will never go back again. The first time I went my food was partially frozen, so they gave me a free desert that had a piece of plastic in it. The second time we went the food took forever to get and it was definitely not worth the wait. The third time again we waited 45 min to get our food and during the wait we had to walk around the restaurant to find our waiter to take our drink order. Also, it is expensive for what you get. I have given up on this place, forever.
(1)Lisa D.
Great margaritas. Yummy salsa. Dinners are quite large. I LOVE the mini-chimis. It's always colorful and festive. Good mariachi band. I always make sure to avoid eye contact. I like them and I enjoy their music, but I don't want them singing to me. I always have a good time here. Oh and the table side prepared salsa is really good.
(4)Kristina W.
!!!DANGER!!! If you've noticed the not so stellar reviews mixed in with the unreasonably good ones in here, they all share one common trait; FOOD POISONING. I figured out (Ew, personally) why, and how. Dude I am not as easily taken in by table side salsa as your average Yelp reviewer, but I really liked it after all. I do not think that table side salsa makes any restaurant authentic, even if it is made by an authentic Mexican. I'm from an authentic Mexican family and have traveled extensively through Mexico (yup even to Guadalajara) and this is not the sort of thing that anyone does, except for possibly tourists. I'm sure it exists out there... not in authentic Mexican places. But I digress, salsa was good, queso fundido was extra good (yeah, hard to mess that one up!) and tortillas were GREAT, er, tortilla. we got one each with the queso. No matter, we finished it with the chips, and then got more chips and MORE salsa. This is where I became suspicious. She took our salsa bowl back and started re-blending the same mix back into our bowl. I'm looking, watching, studying... I knew something was wrong... I had no idea what was setting off my spidey sense. I watched, totally rapt. Added stuff from little bowls into our salsa bowl, each had its' own serving spoon. Once all the ingredients were in she mixed it with her pestle, and then stirred it with her spoon. Not really sure what my brain was trying to tell me I turned my attention back to what my stomach was trying to say. ("More salsa, please!") Well, it was already too late for me, anyways... The rest of the meal was unremarkable, but I was still pretty stoked on the queso and, yes, the salsa. We finished our micheladas and hit the road. As my gurgling stomach woke me later that night I made the connection, perhaps in the fitful dream I woke from, just what my brain was screaming at me; "CROSS CONTAMINATION!" You cannot take someones used salsa bowl, with their germs and saliva inside, and remix salsa with the same spoon and the same pestle, over and over and over again. So every night the salsa is untainted until the first table wants seconds, then the new untainted ingredients go in, still untainted pestle and spoon to finish, and hello! Spoon and pestle tainted. Every salsa made from that point on is full of bacteria, and potentially sick making. Not only are you being exposed to whatever anyone else has going on in their mouth, it's also bad to expose food to bacteria and let it sit. Bacteria eat , reproduce, and then shit. They will do this until they poison themselves with their own shit. Sound familiar? Food poisoning and bacterial cross contamination are potentially fatal and should be taken seriously. And yes, I did tip the salsa lady. PRO TIP; Don't die. Wanting anyone to make your food table side is weird and classist anyways. It's impossible to know if people are making mistakes with how they handle your food, and, yeah, I've worked in kitchens, most people cut corners, but this isn't one where it's safe... and it certainly isn't great to do it in front of god and everyone, it certainly makes me wonder that no one else there has ever considered this before, or corrected it. Yikes.
(1)Nicolas F.
Guadalajara grill in a unique Mexican restaurant. It is very hit and miss. Their queso fundido with chorizo is very very delicious. It is nothing but cheesy and greasy goodness. On weekends they also have people make salsa right at your table to your specifications which is also cool because they let you customize it to your liking. Their entrees were the thing I had an issue with. Their carne asada is really dry and bland. It reminds me of the beef at Chipotle, except the beef at chipotle is better; which is weird because they shouldn't even be compared. You'd think Guadalajara Grill would be of better quality due to the price. Also, the seafood is served in very small portions. Not even close to the price you pay. There is far better mexican food to eat in Tucson before coming to this place.
(2)Eve S.
This place just has delicious food, what can I say. The salsa made at your table is definitely the best part, it's so highly customizable and fresh. Everything I've gotten has been awesome. My main issue is that the service is almost always lacking, and being a waitress I am not usually picky about service. I've been with friends/family numerous times and there are a couple waitresses there that just give off the "hate you" vibe and I'm not entirely sure why. They are busy ALL the time, so expect to wait for a table 9/10 of the time. Another thing that can be irritating depending on ones mood is the mariachi band which circles the restaurant and make it nearly impossible to have a conversation when they are in your vicinity. Due to the large nature of the restaurant, it's loud even without the band simply because so many people are in there all the time.
(4)Keopu R.
We go here for the salsa alone. The salsa, made fresh at your table, is often voted best in Tucson. It's made to taste and taste is definitely what you'll get. The menu is fairly large and offers a great deal of variety. Vegetarian options are limited but still varied. I really enjoy their tortilla soup and their vegetarian fajita. Prices are a little high but comparable to other restaurants of its kind. Service can be a bit spotty sometimes. Sometimes we get seated and served quickly. Other times, we are left waiting forever for our food with no apologies or explanations. Overall though, the wait staff is friendly and helpful, just slow at times. We definitely recommend it to others.
(4)Lone D.
Good mexican, great for groups. Better than average for what it is, some fun items on the menu, check out the Carnitas Poblano, yikes! Went with a big group, professional and efficient, got all the orders right and kept the drinks coming.
(3)Erica M.
great place! Food was excellent, many choices for vegetarian meals, amazing table side salsa, authentic decor and reasonably priced. Will go back next time in Tucson.
(5)Kinga H.
New location: 2 stars, Old location: 5 stars Guadalajara Grill used to be located just down the street from its current location. The original location had an authentic vibe; sitting outside on the patio was a necessity, with the lush greenery, colorful decorations, and fireplace; it was perfect regardless if it was during the day grabbing drinks with friends or at night celebrating a birthday with a group. I used to frequent Guadalajara quite often, whenever in the mood for Mexican, and always left feeling blissful. Since I had moved out of Tucson a few years back, I was excited to revisit one of my favorites when last in the area... When i heard it was at a new location I was excited, of course this must be an improvement on the already perfect, although very crowded establishment. I walked in and was immediately disappointed. Guadalajara used to have an authentic and festive feel while the new location had no soul, it was just like every other Mexican restaurant in town. Regardless, I was excited to eat my favorite meal from Guadalajara.... chips with fresh, made at the table, hot hot hot salsa and tortilla soup (no chicken) with extra cheese and avocados. I was served tomato paste with my chips. Guess the salsa lady was not on duty yet. Not a problem, I've been there before when they served pre-made salsa. So I asked for a hot version... the reply, "this is all we have". Rude. How do you call yourself a Mexican restaurant with no hot sauce?! The tortilla soup still tasted the same so at least that made my experience decent. The service has always been hit or miss so I am not going to rate the place based on the staff, as that is not what made Guadalajara great back in the day. I am very disappointed to see what Guadalajara has turned into, all authenticity had been lost.
(3)lia S.
Arizona definitely has the best Mexican restaurants as lots of Mexican's origins inhabit there. Every time we visit we try new place and this time Guadalajara was a goggle search discovery.When we called on Monday night we " ve been told no reservations required so around 7pm our wheels were heading toward to it. Surprisingly place was very busy but not booked so we got a table for 6 right away. Friendly service approached immediately, waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. She was watching our table and every time we were missing something it would appear on a table immediately. And food was deliousssssssiossss...I had Molcajete Camarones that was served in a hot pot with vegetables and rice and beans on a side ..it was really really good ...And the rest of my table left their plates shiny too..They also make Pico de Gallo right on a front of you so you can have it the way you want it. And three Mexican Caballeros were walking around and offering music for a table for additional charge i believe. So i give this place fully 5* because we were fully satisfied .
(5)Deb W.
I love the Molcajetes.
(5)Colin G.
This used to be my favorite Mexican sit-down place in the city. And that's saying a lot, just considering how many Mexican places there are in Tucson. I originally came here a few years ago on my birthday to their old location, closer to Campbell. Service was great, food was great, the mariachis were obnoxious and we had a good time. Then I got to their new location, a little further east on Prince, close to Mountain, and it was a very different experience. The wait was about 20 minutes for a Sunday night, but I had expected that and (I had told my companions to call in beforehand, and they didn't) wasn't really bothered by the wait. We were seated in the room toward the back, into a crowded booth. The room had stucco walls painted red, and cheesy Mexican designed on the ceiling. Between those walls and the roof were a ton of tables, attempting to pack in as many people as they could. There wasn't much room to walk. Only some of us got menus because they had run out. It took a while to get chips and salsa, and then a bit longer to order. We had wanted waters plus additional drinks, but only some of us got them because the server said that they had run out of glasses. The room was excessively noisy, even before the mariachis came in. When they did, the chatter quieted down a bit, which was nice, but it came right back after they left. The menu seemed about the same as before, as did the prices but, when it finally came out, it just didn't taste right. Not nearly as good as it was before. Fast-forward several months later, when I discovered their happy hour. Note to restaurants: the secret to my heart is CHEAP BEER. 22oz drafts are $2. $2!! They also have discounted food, but it's nothing to get excited about. Certainly cheaper than the regular menu though. Service is always pretty good in the bar area, when we go for the happy hour. Several TVs there mean that it's a good spot to watch the game. The only issue is when those damn mariachis start up on "Besame Mucho" for the smiling, geriatric gringos nearby and all you can do is cringe. If you want a table, call ahead or come early. Maybe both. Parking is also always problematic. They're right by the Mountain Ave. bike path though, so why not consider alternative means of transit, you nature-hating douche? (kidding!)
(4)Gretchen J.
Salsa cart table side need I say more? Ok this place moved from its last location that provided the diner with an outdoor experience. What this new location provided however is the extra footage that is great for big parties. The service is attentive and friendly. The food? EVERYTHING is great!! One of the best places to go for a nice mexican sit down meal. The salsa they make is perfect as you direct the lady that makes it exactly to your taste buds. Be prepared to wait but it worth check the place out.
(5)Heidi E.
It's my second Summer going to Guadalajara's and I'm happy that I did. Yes, they make table-side salsa, at any temperature you desire. I wanted to adopt the lovely lady who made ours and call her abuela. My friends ordered the Molcajete Ultimo and the Molcajete Camarones, both arrived boiling hot. I ordered the Carnitas Tapatias. All of our dishes were delicious. They also have build-your-own combos if you're in a 'taco, tostada and enchilada' type of mood. The flour tortillas are hand-made. The beers are ice cold. The server was busy, but attentive. I mean, what more would you want? My friend called at 5:00 that day to make 7:00 reservations for our party of eight people. (FYI, if you have a larger party, definitely call ahead...there have always been people waiting indoors and out when I arrive for dinner and the waits can be long.)
(4)Maximiliano L.
Guadalajara Grill offers good Mexican food with attentive service. They have a salsa cart that comes around and you can choose your own salsa ingredients and watch as it is prepared in front of you.
(3)Ally A.
i can sum up what i know about paella in two words: top chef. i LOVE the show and i always want to try the tasty, tasty goodness that i see the super talented chefs whip up. guadalajara grill gave me the ability to cross one of these dishes off my list and i appreciate them for it. i do NOT appreciate them making me wait for my entire party to be there before they would seat me and my husband. my friend was driving down to meet us from phoenix and was running a little late (yeah...two hours is more than a little, but i love her anyway). my husband and i, however, showed up for our reservation on time and asked to be seated. they said our whole party had to be there first. they watched us sit in the waiting area for TWO HOURS, didn't offer us a drink, chips, a seat at the bar, nothing. i don't know if they try to turn tables over fast and didn't want us taking up space at a four top while we waited, but i got crankier and crankier as time went by...we were obviously committed to spending money at their establishment after an hour...they should have given us a table. still, that was prolly the only bad part of the night. the salsa chick made great salsa, although she did linger & make us feel guilty so we tipped her. call me cheap, but isn't she paid to be there? i doubt she works for tips like a server... we ordered the cheese appetizer and all i can say is WOW. my husband thought it would be a kinda runny queso dip but he was WRONG. it was like a BRICK of cheesy, awesome tasty-ness...even though you had to really dig to get any out. it was like a never-ending bowl of cheese, you got some out and it refilled itself. it was magic. and the steamy, hot, fresh tortillas were ROCKSTAR! on to the main course, the paella. it was soooooooooooooo amazing. srsly, mindblowing-ly, earth stopping amazing! a mix of mussels, shrimp, chicken, pork, chorizo (aka god's gift to me) and lobster (LOBSTER!!) with tasty saffron rice. OMG...it was AWESOME! my only wish would have been that they stayed open longer. by the time that my friend showed up and we finished eating, it was almost 10. closing time. our waiter hung around in the kitchen doorway staring at us...i was a server, i know waiter body language. this translates to "we closed five minutes ago and you are my last table. get the eff out, amigo (the husband was tickled pink that this guy called him amigo all night)". so basically, the food was AMAZING, the service left a lot to be desired...if i wasn't leaving tucson, i'd prolly go back. with my whole party at hand.
(4)Kathy P.
This place has atmosphere. It's very cute. The salsa lady comes to your table and make salsa to order FRESH! Yum. Food was delicious! The service was great. Everyone was very helpful and we had a baby with us. The baby was super well behaved but we needed a few extras like a spoon to feed the baby and the very sweet salsa lady ran and I mean ran to get her a spoon. So sweet.
(5)Dan K.
Walked in today and had fish taco Tuesday--yummy. It took a bit to get seated--I guess the hostess was doing something else. I thought the fish tacos were good, but not great. I'm not sure why, but there was no salsa or sauce for the tacos. Usually, you get a good avocado sauce or a nice mango salsa--so I thought they were good, but not great. Service was good--attentive and my glass stayed full. Overall--I'd go back--but not on my short list anytime.
(3)L B.
I loved this place from start to finish. I was in Tucson for 3 weeks with my job and I didn't try this place til the end and could kick myself. Came in around 3:30pm on a Monday and was just in time for Happy Hour. $3 ginormous margaritas, super score. They weren't the best margaritas I have had but definitely did the job. Also $2.50 giant Dos Equis Amber in a giant frosty mug made for a hard decision!! I kept asking the waitress questions about what was good on the menu and she finally said everything, I love our food. Boy was she right. Tried the manchego appetizer, one of the best most tastiest things I have ever eaten. Also the potato taquitos which were also good. My friend had a some kind of lobster portobello thing that she was equally as in love with. Table side salsa and super cute lady that makes it was fun. I actually liked the salsa they brought first way better but don't tell the salsa lady. So we called some more friends and moved into the bar for mas happy hour and after a couple more drinks I don't think I spent more than $30 including food and being nice and lushed up! I guess people in Tucson don't tip that well because our waitress fallowed us out to thank us again and again for her 22% tip.
(5)James R.
From the Salsa made to order table side, to the hand made tortilla's and wide ranging menu, this place has it all. Eclectic meets Authentic Decor, above average service, with very reasonable prices, all combine to make this place a must stop when in town.
(4)Alexis H.
The only things I recall about this place, which I ate at for a work lunch a couple of years ago, are that the chips were so greasy they were grey and each time I picked up my quesadilla a cheesy oil poured out of it. I stopped eating, my co-workers did not. Needless to say, both of my co-workers ran to the bathroom when we got back to the office. Won't be eating there again anytime soon. There's much better Mexican food to be had in Tucson.
(2)Taylor B.
This place is amazing! From the 32oz giant homemade (STRONG) margaritas to the customized homemade salsa at your table with whatever you want! These two things by them selves sold me. The good service, amazing fajitas were just a plus. The homemade flour tortillas where the final thing that made me no doubt love this place! I wish one was in Scottsdale! If you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this is the place!
(5)William P.
Right of the bat, 3 stars because a friend and I went for lunch on a slow weekday and were rushed through our meal. The sever wasn't rude, but she wasn't exactly personable, social, or eager to please. Food was great, as always. I was irritated that our appetizer (queso fundido con choriz) didn't come with the corn tortillas the menu promised, but we were ravenous so we tore into the fresh flour tortillas with a minor grumble. The house margarita was huge, delicious, and was just sweet enough to balance out the bite from the tequila & lime. We both ordered the Tres Bandidos, man I wish there were tamales on there instead, BUT, it was delicious. After stuffing our faces with the chips & salsa and the queso we couldn't finish our meals, I was growing impatient with the server, and so we packed it all up to go. I'm just assuming they don't do table-side salsa during lunch, but damn if I wasn't sad about missing out on that, too. I'll be back, but it would be awesome if your lunch waitstaff wasn't pushy, especially on a slow weekday afternoon.
(3)Melinda G.
What a great place! I've been here close to a dozen times and I am always impressed by the delicious food and great service! You can't go wrong with this restaurant.... especially when the salsa is made fresh right at your table! It's a great place for a date, family gathering, or a big group of friends! Overall, a five-star restaurant!
(5)Michael D.
Salsa made at the table, mariachis (not sure about every night), and amazing fajitas and chimichangas! Kind of a gimmick, but the perfect place in town if you're not looking for anything authentic! Margaritas are strong and do the job well, not too strong or too weak.
(4)Stephen Z.
It's hard picking a #1 Mex restaurant in Tucson but if out of town guests come to visit and on the off chance request Mexican for dinner I'll probably take them here.
(5)Kelly M.
LOVE LOVE the food, salsa and service!
(5)Stephanie H.
It's good. It's not amazing but it's good. It's a little overpriced but not terribly. I might take out-of-towners here because the ambiance is fun. My favorite thing is their Thursday lunch special, lobster enchiladas.
(4)A K.
Totally awesome place, hands down the best mexican place i've ever seen. TONS of fish choices and great service. Salsa at the table and great quality authentic food. If you're ever in tucson and are looking for a good mexican spot i'd highly recommend
(5)Chris C.
Visiting from Cleveland and wanted to try some legit Mexican food. All I can say is WOW!! IT WAS BETTER THAN GOOOD! Amazing is more like it. It is really funny how something as simple as salsa can taste so much better when it's fresh. The chips and salsa are the best I've ever had, made in house. We ordered a TON of food and nearly had to be rolled out of the place. Nachos with chicken...out of this world. Just the best Mexican food I've ever put in my mouth. I ate till it hurt and I couldn't breathe.
(5)Bella F.
There is always a huge wait here. SO make sure you pack some snacks. The margaritas are why we come here. You can buy the big one and it's as much as ordering two drinks but it's really good value- not to mention tastes great. You have to be in a good mood to frequent this place as it's an open dining area and can be very loud between all the people, live music, screaming kids, and general hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant. NOT the place if you want a quiet romantic night to talk. The menu looks like shit- there I said it! It really needs to be re vamped with better presentation of design and food photographs. It gets really confusing and I hate having to explain it to our out of town guests. The salsa making, fresh and at your table is great! All in all a good time, the food is OK for the price. Casual dining experience.
(3)Rachael J.
Just had a great meal here. I was surprised it was so busy on a Wednesday night, but we were still able to be seated right away. I had been wanting to eat here for a long time, but the recent not so stellar reviews made me a little nervous. Needless to say I had a great experience. The salsa made table-side was as delicious as all the previous Yelp's led on. It alone is reason enough to eat here. The live music trio was a nice touch. The menu had lots of great options and the dishes ordered by everyone in our party were delicious. It was obvious the tortillas had been freshly made as well. No complaints about our service tonight either. Our waitress made sure our waters were always full (I am a wuss with spicy foods so I tend to go through a lot) and everything came out as it should and when it should. Looking forward to going back!
(4)Simon E.
Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors. Guadalajara Grill: nice tangy sauce. Orange See photos.
(4)Steve Z.
We live in the Mountain View neighborhood, just a short walk from the Guadalajara Original Grill, so we dine here with some frequency. Every aspect of our dinners here have been very good to excellent. From the well made margaritas to the excellent custom-made salsa to tasty seafood entrees. Even during the busiest of times the service has been efficient, thoughtful and pleasant. Tucson is home to LOTS of Mexican restaurants and dining here ranks very near the top. Not only that, but they often serve dinner until midnight, a truly convenient oddity in otherwise early-to-bed Tucson.
(5)Dilaw I.
Easily THE BEST and most delicious salsa I've had in my life and I even live in East LA, land of good salsa.
(5)Steven T.
The hostess Christina....food....the atmosphere....the drinks.....all 5*!!!!!! However the outdated phone system which took trolling through a half hour of frustrating busy signals along with the sour sorry attitude of our server Maria opened and closed the whole dining dining experience to a negative end I will never return.....maybe she had a bad day but it wasn't my fault I'm not familiar with the menu (come to an Italian restaurant and I'll interpret the menu).
(2)Tessie K.
Have been here twice & always receive excellent service & delicious food! No wonder we locals love it!
(5)Marlon D.
I went here for my college graduation around midday with a group of 6. I tried making a reservation but apparently they stopped taking them that weekend. We showed up at the restaurant without the reservation and was seated within 10 minutes (though business started picking up after we left). I would still highly recommend making a reservation if it is a busier weekend (graduation, football game, etc.). The service was exceptional; the waiter was very friendly. He kept giving us chips and salsa (which does live up to the hype, it is freshly made at your table to your liking) and was prompt with the refills. The food is moderately priced, but the portions are relatively large. I enjoyed the Chimchanga Asada and had plenty leftover to take home. The only problem I had with the restaurant was during the making of our salsa. We asked for mild-flavored but I think the waitress had trouble understanding English and she gave us extremely hot salsa. She quickly made another batch to make up for her mistake. Also, we were given a menu that had food stains on it, but they replaced it quickly. Overall, I think this one of the better Mexican restaurants in Tucson. The first time I went a mariachi band was there and it definitely brightened the atmosphere of the restaurant.
(4)bianca s.
Guadalajara is my favorite restaurant in Tucson! I try to go there as much as possible for happy hour because the margaritas are very well-priced and so delicious. This food is as authentic as you can get in Tucson and the flour tortillas are freshly made throughout the day. My boyfriend and I usually share a molcajete and can usually get out of there slightly overstuffed and drunk for under 30 dollars.The service isn't always absolutely excellent but you wouldn't notice it with how great the atmosphere is. I could sit there all day with my friends drinking margaritas and eating fresh chips and salsa. They also have a wide variety of Mexican beers on draft and 22 oz. for 4.50 is not bad considering most places charge that for a bottle. The place is so big too that we have almost never had to wait over 10 minutes even on a friday night. It can also get pretty loud when they are busy so leave your hearing aids at home folks!
(5)Eric A.
Best mexican food I have had. Always get tilapia fajitas and they are delicious...but not as good as the fresh made salsa and freshly friend chips to dip !
(5)S S.
First visit here while vacationing in Tucson. Really good food and classic Mexican food ambiance. They custom mix your salsa at tableside. The mariachi band checked our wrinkles and played a Credence Clearwater song for us. We all got a chuckle out of that. They were really good musicians.
(4)Yogin K.
Really good salsa. Decent food. Miserable service. Don't go when it's packed. You won't even get a refill for your water
(2)Sara V.
Tried calling the phone number listed on the website several times to make a reservation; nobody picked up on any attempt during business hours.
(1)Terence L.
The place was good....until it attained celebrity status. Yep, to those who are not in the know, Guadalajara Grill was at another location literally just down the street. Of course, the need to change venues was due in no large part to the serious overcrowding of the place. I thought the old place was cozy, especially the bar area and patio. As mentioned by every single other review, the tableside salsa is great. Like your salsa super spicy with extra cilantro, the lady will make it for you. Like your salsa as mild as Jay Leno's humor, the lady will be happy to comply. You the get the idea. The food was, and still is, on the average to slightly above average range. My personal favorite in the area of Mexican cuisine is mole, and Guadalajara Grill does a decent job. One positive thing is that the place does not mess around with the drinks, especially the margaritas. I went to the old location many times since its inception. I even recall the German restaurant that came before it. Since it moved into its new digs, however, I have only been there twice. On my last visit, the place was jam packed; not just with any normal human beings, mind you, but with Greek-loads of sorority girls and fraternity boys. I normally have the patience of Job, but on this last trip, the service was appallingly slow. I would have enjoyed a hazing from the surrounding tables just to pass the time. In all fairness, however, the place was packed to capacity, and my party had over 10 people. Still you'd think that a larger operation would mean a larger kitchen and additional staff. Mmm hmmm.... My first experience at the new location was special. Well, it was special for purely external reasons: it was my birthday. The wait time for a party of 12 on a Friday night? An hour and a half at least. No skin of my back because I'm not above drinking at the bar. Yeah, the bar experience sucked. Sucked the life out me, that is. It took freakin' forever for the bartenders to even acknowledge our existence. While the fellows behind the bar were not of the surly sort, they certainly did not seem to understand the concept of tipping. After a while the staff approached one my friends and explained to her that there were a couple of tables available within the bar area, and she took it. Remember that I was still at the bar having a near odyssey experience securing a drink, so I see my entire party beginning to squeeze into the back corner of the area of the bar. In hindsight, it wasn't all that bad. It literally brought us together. Who knew that two booths normally meant for a total of eight people could accommodate 12 adults and one child? Ah, good times indeed.... Guadalajara Grill, you had me hello, but lost me when you went pro.
(2)Lyndsey G.
Oooooh man. I love this place. Great margaritas, salsa made table side and Chili Verde that is out of this world. The servers are usually prompt and polite. The tortilla are made in house and you can taste it! My only complaint is that your whole part has to be there before they'll seat you which is sometimes irritating. Overall I highly recommend it.
(4)Hans F.
a great date restaurant. a great place to catch up with an old friend. a great place to just have a really good meal. Don't go here in a hurry. you have to take your time and soak it in. They will come right to your table and make salsa for you... to your specifications. I hate onions so this is perfect for me. The food is served in large portions. I would suggest splitting a meal and getting some appetizers. Don't forget to have a few drinks it's hot in Tucson!
(5)Brian C.
Went with a group of friends, the food was so so, my dish was served cool should have been hot, and I was last to be served after everyone else ate. Seems like a gringo place to go for out of towers. I really don't see the draw here for the crowds. There are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson than this.
(1)Alyson S.
Hands down the BEST Mexican restaurant in Tucson! In fact, BEST Mexican restaurant I've ever had! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, service is fast, food is excellent, and the atmosphere is incredible!
(5)Chandra M.
Came here on a short visit to Tucson and glad I did. We had a group of 7 including one baby in a high chair and were seated in about 1 minute. It was Saturday at lunch time. Great service all around and super friendly. The place was also clean and well decorated. The salsa was made table side and was freakin sick. Sick as in yumm - eee. I wanted to pour it over everything else we ordered, even the Tecate. Ok, so obviously not really the Tecate, but at one point my son was eating just the salsa by the forkful (no spoons provided off the bat, you have to ask for them) so that should tell you something. The food was delicious! My husband and I split two entrees...the taquitos con papas and the huerache con carnitas and chicken. Both were soo good, but the huerache was unique and the corn masa 'sandal' that the meat was served in was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. We were not calorie conscious during this trip, so I'm not going to speak to the health value of anything we ate here, just the taste value. Scrumptious. We'll be back here on our next visit to Tucson, guaranteed.
(5)Chris J.
My husband, adult daughter, and I stopped in for lunch a week ago. My husband and I live in Phoenix, and were driving our daughter back to her home near the UA. We have driven by Guadalajara's many times on past trips, and finally decided to stop ... we were so glad we did! The place is clean, with a festive atmosphere, and the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly and answered all of our questions. Since it was 3pm on a Monday (not quite the dinner hour), we asked what the night life is like.. he advised that there is a mariachi band on weekends, and fresh, table-side made salsa at dinner time. We also noticed a tortilla stand within the restaurant (assuming it is only open during the dinner hours). We voted to come back some time for dinner, as we want to experience all of these "extras", plus try a margarita or two! The food was very delicious. I had a small bowl of the Chicken Tortilla soup - the "small bowl" was "large" to me. The soup had a very flavorful, cumin-spiced broth, tender chunks of chicken, hunks of white mexican cheese and ripe avocado, plus, of course, crispy strips of corn tortilla. Perfect! Daughter had her favorite, cheese enchiladas in red sauce.. she advised the enchiladas were spicy and tender. Husband had a chicken burrito, which he advised was very tasty. We ended the meal with a deep-fried ice cream, which was big enough for the three of us to share. All in all, a great mexican food experience; we will be back! Total bill with tax and tip came to $30; not bad!
(4)Camille A.
Pros: - Our server Manuel was friendly, courteous and efficient. I have nothing but good things to say about him. - The food itself was very good, as were the margaritas and the freshly made salsa. Cons: - Even though my friend had made special wedding dinner arrangements with the restaurant weeks in advance, our entire party still had to wait 20 minutes for our table to be ready. - The special menu for our party consisted of five main course choices. There were no prices, and at the bottom of the menu, I quote " Fresh Margarita or Cold Draft Beer Included." At the end of the meal...I received my bill for my entrée and two charges of $6.95 for my margaritas. Since when does "included" mean that they charge separately for what was "included?" - My food arrived, and two minutes later another waiter said that my entrée for was for his section of the table, and literally took my plate and gave it to another guest. Thank goodness I had not touched the food yet. - Their company party was that night, and I felt that they were in a rush to get us out of their establishment. When I asked three workers at the front desk where the bathrooms were located, they could barely tear themselves away from counting their tips to assist me. I've been a server before, and I understand how hectic a restaurant atmosphere can be. That being said, there is no excuse for an inaccurate menu, playing trade-a-plate with my food, and workers that are more concerned about their tips than helping customers. Based on my experience, I will not be a customer of Guadalajara Grill in the future.
(1)Victor R.
This is a Great restaurant, we went with friends on a whim and got there during the happy hour on Friday (which is actually during a reasonable time!) There was a lot of people but our waitress was on the spot and ready and served us really promptly. She came back often and took good care of us overall. We got our dishes which were real portions! I got the cimichanga with green chili in and out! The salsa was great as well as the beans and rice on the side! We got drinks! They were big and cheap! 2.50 for a giant mug of XX and 3 dollar giant margaritas that weren't watered down! The tortillas are the really tasty fatty kind that don't break if you try and fold them and the food wasn't too greasy. It was a little pricey but worth all of the money! Great place to go for atmosphere and food!
(5)Ravi R.
This place was a huge disappointment. I'm shocked that Mexican food this bad can exist in Tucson. Every aspect of our meal was a letdown. The margaritas tasted like they came from a mix, the guacamole was substandard, and the mole in my dish was worse than something I could buy off the shelf in a grocery store. Even the table-side salsa was just ok. The service wasn't horrible, but it as pretty slow. I don't understand how this place has received any positive reviews. Do yourself a favor and skip this place if you are thinking of trying out a different restaurant. I wish I had gone to one of my old favorites instead.
(1)Andy H.
This place is just west of Prince and Campbell. You'd never expect it, but this place is really nice inside, has great patio seating, and the best fajitas I've ever had in my life. Salsa will be made for you at the table, you can explain what you want if you're picky, and they'll give you plenty of chips. The parking lot is basically a dead end street, I found it easier to park at the business space to the immediate west of the restaurant.
(5)Virginia M.
salsa made at the table - awesome. huraches - delicious. atmosphere - a little shabby and noisy.
(5)Megan R.
If you're coming here for the chips, salsa, and margaritas, great! They refilled our chips and salsa countless times, which was great because it was the only part of the meal that I actually liked. The margaritas are also really good! However, my meal was pretty bad. I got the taco and flauta combo plate (beef for the tacos and chicken for the flautas) and I thought both were not very good. I went with 4 friends, and all but one said they didn't like their food. But as for the rest of us, we all agreed that we've had better microwaveable Mexican food than this. Everything was also just pretty bland. The only person who liked their meal got the cheese enchiladas. So if you're planning on coming here, I guess that would be my best suggestion for you! The service was pretty slow, and it wasn't even crowded when I went. I can't even imagine what it's like on a busy night. Our waitress was nice, but it was very clear she was not thrilled to be there. I would consider coming back just for the margaritas, but I definitely would not order food here again.
(2)Jill S.
Yes. They make salsa right there at your table. Which is awesome. If you don't get someone who's burned out and has been working for 10 straight hours and wants to stuff a habanero down the throat of the next child who screams right next to her ear while swinging a sticky hand from the vending machine against the stupid twirly skirt she had to buy herself out of her first month's tips. Really, though, I've only had a pissy salsa girl once or twice.... usually they're super smiley and make good recommendations. I like that they make you tell them what to add, and if someone at the table asks for her to make the usual one, she ignores you and asks about each ingredient anyways. Way to CYA, salsa girls. Service is usually pretty good. So is the food. Fairly typical Sonoran Mexican, with some interesting things thrown in. I've seen mole on the menu but never ordered it; neither have I tried any of the other more adventurous dishes. That's probably a testament to the generic stuff that apparently hasn't disappointed me to the point of no repetition. Food is fresh, to the point that it's not cooked before you order it, but not to the point that they get more than maybe one produce shipment a week. It's a good stand-by place that's right next to my house, but I probably wouldn't drive more than a mile or two out of my way for it. Margaritas were disappointing. Definitely tasted of sweet and sour. And the last time we went, the waiter made them.... there was no bartender and they were all sort of guessing at their own recipes back there.
(3)Prusha S.
Hit and miss. Salas ladies are awesome! Goodies great. But staff sometimes doesn't care. Drinks have no alcohol in. I stopped ordering drinks.
(3)Chanel G.
OMG I CANT BELIEVE I WROTE THAT REVIEW. THIS PLACE IS PERFECT. Well, maybe not perfect but it is my favorite mexican restaurant right now. I get the chicken chimi with a classic margarita and I am good to go!
(5)J C.
Entertainment Book has a buy one get one meal coupon. Wife had 3 item combo plate, $13.99, I had a carnitas plate, $14.99, $4.50 for 1 bud light. Walked out for $21.00 plus tip w coupon bogo. The mole is very good. I thought prices were a little high but dined on Sunday. They advertise a good priced 3-6 pm happy hour and lunch specials.
(4)William B.
It's back! And boy was it packed! I knew when I pulled in and saw a guy directing traffic for the parking lot that this place has rebounded well from the fire that closed it. And they have done a remarkable job bouncing back into action. The place was full but we got good service. Chips were not warm (too bad) but a salsa lady prepares fresh salsa to your liking and heat level at the table. We asked for hot, but it felt like she probably didn't heat it up as much as I would have liked. The large margaritas were tasty and full of liquor. We both ordered up a couple of large combination plates of names I cannot remember- there was mole, there was a tamale, a relleno, an enchilada, beans and rice. So much food my friend and I had to be rolled out of the place. The bill for 3 margaritas (I was thirsty) and giant plates of food came to around $50+. The coupon we had for a buy-one-get-one discount really lowered that, so look for a coupon! And consider making an online reservation on their website to secure a table.
(4)Rob W.
We can sum this up in three words, Fabulous Mexican food. If only you could get things this good on the east coast, alas you can't. It starts on arrival, with salsa made at your table, to your taste, and it is SO good! We enjoyed everything about our meal here, the staff is just so gracious. They make it lively and fun while you are dining.
(4)Kayla H.
This place was packed! We did go on a sat night, but wait was not that bad! The food was well worth the wait. We tried calling ahead for reservations they said we need to call the day before. We will def. Be back!!!!!
(5)Daniela R.
Food taste is average not a lot of flavor... enchilada sauce are terrible and sauce rice and beans again no flavor over priced
(1)Joey Z.
great place to have an experience of Mexican culture and food if you have never tried before. Thanks to my greatest friends, who came early and reserved a table for a group of 9 people during the graduation season, you know how hard it would be, right?! The performance is great and entertaining~ complementary chips and salsa are made right in front of the table. Margareta is wonderful~ My parents enjoyed their first try of Mexican food a lot~
(5)Jes O.
The service was bad, there seemed to be some confusion on what server had our table. She showed that we were an inconvenience the entire time and never checked in on us. Carne asadas, table side salsa and house margarita were great! Everything else was bland. Would come back only for the house margarita and table side salsa.
(3)Giselle E.
Food was alright. I've had better, nothing special. The waitresses were less than mediocre, not friendly. Light fixtures were annoying, felt like I was in a science lab because of how close to the table they were. Salsa idea of having it made right in front of the table is pretty cool, however the salsa was eh. Just an, "alright, there's nothing else to eat" type of restaurant.
(3)Shijie F.
With a party of 12, we were sooooo glad we made reservation ahead of time. Guadalajara Grill was so busy around 6 PM on a Thursday night that it was difficult to even find a parking spot outside. Guadalajara Grill is a happy place. You can have fresh salsa made at the table and a live band sing by your table, all at the same time. The food came to the table relatively fast and the portion was sizeable. My husband got Mexican Paella, I Cilantro Chicken, and the inlaws Chicken Fatija. The waiter first mixed up the order and put in front of me a dish similarly covered under a green sauce, but with a mountain of melting cheese on top. Confused about the cheese content (as I would NOT order things with cheese in it), I started picking the cheese out of the dish and man it was greasy. 5 minutes into my cheese-elimination process, the waiter told me he got the order mixed up, and it was for another guest at my table and handed the plate (with almost no cheese left) directly to that person. I wish the waiter should have first checked with the other guest whether he is okay with this--I would not imagine anyone asking for a new plate of food, but what if I had already started eating? The waiter clearly didn't check whether I had started consuming the dish before handing it to another person. If not for the fact that this is a "no foul, no harm" situation, I would otherwise have a huge problem with a restaurant casually "make it right" by simply redistributing the mixed orders. Food was tasty, but EXCEEDINGLY greasy. This is why I always have a pause before trying Mexican food. My Cilantro Chicken, being the least greasy option of all, still swam in a pool of glistening oil. Anyway, it seemed everyone didn't care about that as much as I do.
(4)Enas A.
Love their fresh table side Salsa ...ambiance is nice ..good authentic Mexican food ..love to go back .
(5)William G.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Arizona - no joke! The fresh salsa made while you wait/watch - so good!!!
(5)Beatrice V.
I went here for lunch on New Year's Eve. I decided to try the Bloody Mary and I ordered the chicken burrito bowl with grilled veggies instead of rice. I absolutely loved the Bloody Mary here; I specified that I wanted it with extra Tabasco to make it spicier. It was made perfectly and it was so delicious! The chips and salsa were addicting, salsa had just the right amount of spice. I couldn't finish the entire portion of the burrito bowl but what I had was incredible. Would definitely come back here again, mostly for the Bloody Mary's and chips and salsa :)
(5)Becky K.
Had a great dinner at this Mexican Restaurant in Tucson. They come to your table and custom make the salsa for you just the way you like it! It was the best salsa I ever had! The servers were all super nice. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town!
(4)Willa A.
The murals and kitschy decor at Guadalajara Grill are fun and I like the open feeling of the restaurant overall, lots of room for groups. But, to be clear, the majority of the menu is very "Americanized" Mexican food which made me pretty sad. Granted, I was there for lunch so there were no margaritas or table side salsa to distract me (the "live" salsa is only an option at dinner). I ordered a taco which disappointingly came in a pre-made hard corn shell and was buried in a pile of iceberg lettuce and yellow cheddar. The burro came in a dry, rubbery, bright white flour tortilla clearly straight off the Sysco truck. The chile verde in the taco was actually really delicious, but I was completely baffled that any restaurant in a town filled with tortilla factories, an hour north of Mexico, would serve these horrible mass produced tortillas. I gave them three stars because of the good service, atmosphere, cleanliness, and ample portions of not bad tasting food. But I would just rather eat real Mexican food...
(3)Morgan J.
This is quite a tough rating to decide on... the food is traditional, yummy, and satisfying. The service is god awful. It's one of those yes I will go back because the food is so good but man I better go when I have more than enough time and am in a fantastic mood. The excellent food begins with the salsa cart. A woman comes around and makes you salsa any way you wish! Spicy, mild, medium, onions, no onions, etc. She is super sweet and caters directly to your desire. She even will fix it up a bit if you aren't completely satisfied! She deserves the best tip in the restaurant and gives the best service I've ever received here! I usually order the tacos which come with a side of rice and beans. They are amazing!! My boyfriend is always disappointed because they don't have steak.. but the ground beed is a delicious substitute. I've gone with many groups and haven't heard anyone else complain about their plates either. The service... ohhhh the service. I don't know how Guadalajara finds these men and women but there must be a strict rule that they are rude, slow, and must show you just how little they care. I have been here probably 5-10 times and each time it is the same story. Being greeted by the server is the most dreadful part of each visit. Most of the time I want to leave before they even say hello. The last time I grabbed dinner I believe it took ten minutes before someone came to the table. By the time she was there we were ready to order our drinks and meal. After putting our order in we waited until our food arived to double check that our drinks were coming. The table was in sight of the bar and our drinks had been sitting on the bar top for so long my boyfriends margarita had to be remade and my beer was room temperature. I wish I could say I wouldn't return. The simple fact is that the restaurant is walking distance from my house, stays open late, and has great food. Its a win/lose situation every time.
(2)Gabriel G.
Loved the chips and salsa. Loved the food. The service was great and attentive. Definitely preferred this restaurant to El Charro. We'd definitely eat there again.
(5)J U.
I've been coming to the Tucson gem show for twenty years. I ALWAYS went to el Charro's for authentic Mexican food.... Well, I found a local true Mexican restaurant. It was such great food and service I thought it was a chain!!!!!!! Not..... In town you must come here from great food and even a better time
(5)David D.
Wholly owned and operated; we gotta move to Tucson! Been coming to Tucson for over 35 years to visit my aunt Stella, She's introduced me to many a fine restaurant, but how in the world has she never taken me here? Well, found it on my own tonight and what a wonderful find it was!! Tuesday night and the place was packed, yet service was fast and impeccable. And the food? Wow! Start with made-to-order salsa at my table and then continue on to a absolutely savory Molecante Mariscos. Wow!. And hand made tortillas delivered in little ziplocs to keep them moist and soft. Are you kiddin' me?! I realize this review is bordering on over the top, but gotta tell, you this place rates it. And, BTW, kudos to the owners. Speaking with our server I learned that after the fire, the owners kept everyone on payroll for the six months it took to rebuild and re-open. Go there. Over and over.
(4)Merlin C.
Just great. Best salsa, great margarita, paella to die for. Fun, if not hokey atmosphere (it was Valentines day) but nice looking deck with mountain view. Super busy! Get there early or late.
(5)Henry M.
Great food, generous portions, reasonable prices, comfortable atmosphere. What more can you ask?
(5)Jonathan B.
It is great "Americanized" Mexican food. Everything tastes great, but you can share a lot of entrees. We normally split a Veggie Molcajete. The margaritas and salsa are great too!! Great for family visits and fun nights!
(5)Denise G.
The last margarita I ordered was watered down. Tasteless. They were great before. The food is awesome, environment is great and the table salsa is the best.
(4)Veda D.
All I can say is table side salsa is the best. I will come for the salsa order and be too full to touch my entree. Come at night or on the weekend so you can pick your level of hot for your salsa. The seafood is also really good. If you are craving paella I recommend it. Mmmmmmm
(4)April D.
Nailbanger Here Again; I can only say, the heading of this review says it all. We were invited to go to Lunch ,celebrating my Aunts Birthday, as the occasion.The place has just recently reopened after a Fire.They had a decent Lunch crowd, but we were seated right away , this restaurant is pretty large.The Service has a lot to be improved on, and was scarce and not well trained. Now for the Food, it was bland and flavorless, the beans tasted of a tin can. I can't see how with Great Mexican Food in Tucson ,this place survives and thrives. The Food is Gringo food at Best.I won't be back.If you are a visitor in Town keep searching.The Best place in town is Mi Nidito`s on South 4th Ave.
(2)Haley B.
Such an amazing Mexican restaurant! I love their salsa that they customize for you at your table. Their margaritas are also sooo good.
(4)David M.
This place is consistently great. always bring any visitors from out of town there for dinner. their fresh flour tortillas are sublime. and of course, that table side salsa...
(5)Aisha R.
My rating is solely based on the food. I had the taste for guacamole and chips. I was not disappointed at Guadalajara. I enjoyed the appetizer size guacamole and a little medium (made right in front if you) salsa. Everything was fresh & tasted delicious. The chips would have been better warm, but they were delicious none the less. The order of guacamole was $6.99. I also had a virgin piña colada. Very good....not watery and you could tell they use real coconut cream. Yum. The entire bill was about $12.50. Not bad at all. A few things that could be improved.....watching the bartender dig deep into a huge jar of cherries to scoop them with his bare hand out ofinto smaller cups made my stomach turn.
(4)Andrea H.
When I lived in Tucson, I loved bringing out of town guests here. The food has been Americanized, but it is still a great choice especially for picky eaters. There is indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit on the patio in the winter, there are space heaters to keep you warm. The restaurant is always crowded, and the wait can take anywhere from 10-40 minutes. The decor is colorful. A mariachi group wander from table to table to perform well known songs. Tortillas are made by hand daily. The salsa is made fresh at your table with your level of tolerance for spice kept in mind. The food is served on hot plates and presented nicely. When I return to town for a visit, this establishment is always on my places to visit.
(4)Grant R.
Easily some of the best Mexican food I have ever had! And the chips and salsa are AMAZING!!!!!!!!
(5)Ruben M.
The margarita was great. The chili rellano stuffed with meat and fruit then topped with a white cream sauce was a culinary delight. I would definitely come back.
(5)Dolores A.
My husband had eaten lunch here one day, he liked it so much he wanted to take me there for dinner on Friday night. The drive is about 25 minutes from our home, when we arrived at the restaurant, the parking lot was blocked off with orange cones, an employee standing near them and a very long line of patrons standing outside. We drive on past and I called the restaurant from my cell phone to see what the wait time was (over an hour) we ended up having dinner somewhere else. This did not deter us from returning, we did have dinner the following Monday night with friends. The food is mouth watering, the menu has a wide variety of choices for everyone that loves authentic flavored Mexican food. There are Mariachi players, the service is excellent, the environment very comfortable and ambiance perfect. I would actually rate this 4.5 stars.
(4)Lisa J.
went with a group of 6, parking is def hard and I think the rest should invest in exapnding parking opps in the area so its easier for all. We were all veggie, food was average, the atmosphere is what you are paying for which was fun and popping on a Friday night. Too many flies in the rest is the one thing to point out....we kept batting them away also, its a little odd but you shld be tipping your salsa lady - - you would think that's not necessary, but it is custom.
(3)Who H.
Three words sum it up....everything is awesome!
(5)Sara C.
Really bad service. Waited for a high chair after asking four different workers and after 20 minutes of my friend holding her baby, went and got my own from the side station. Food is okay, it's better at Rosas on Campbell.
(2)Laura V.
We visited Guadalajara when it reopened and everything was as wonderful as before. Service was good and fast. Salsa is made fresh right in front of you however you want it. The food was delicious I didn't even spend time to take a picture of it I was so eager to just eat it. The Mexican paella is highly recommended! Will always come back to this restaurant, lucky to have it here in Tucson and is the one place I take out-of-town visitors to for authentic Mexican food.
(5)Kenneth B.
This is my second time here..the food is bomb and so is there salsa that they make right in front of you..def a family spot . And they have tv's so u can watch any game ..i so recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy some really Good Mexican food.. And the staff are awesome
(5)Dawn K.
I love Guadalajara Original Grill. I consistently bring out of town company because it's a basic mexican place that sells, what people think they want, huge platters of food with beans and rice on the side. I love the table side salsa, and they customize it to your tastes(Spicy extra cilantro). They have huge margaritas. More than once, I realized I was beyond buzzed trying to finish one of their house margaritas, just as I happily ordered my second drink. My favorite dish they offer is their tropical Chilean sea bass. It is absolutely in my top favorite dishes in Tucson. My husband and I went this week and both decided to order combo plates(comfort food) and both combo plates just knocked my socks off! I ordered the two item combo of beef taco and chicken flauta. My dining experience rocked; the service was great, the food was excellent and it was not loud; which it can be if a game is going on in the bar or mariachi's are strolling around. Overall, it can accommodate large groups, and it's consistent in the quality of food. The service is not always consistent and we have walked out discussed due to lack of service before, but we couldn't break the ties, since the food kept us coming back.
(5)Roland W.
Nice atmosphere. The remodel gave this restaurant lots of space. Decor is festive and lots accommodates large parties. I wasn't too crazy with the steak salad I had. The steak was way overcooked and the salad needed dressing. The other dishes that my friends had looked much better like the paella. I would come back with out of town guests; it's a nice atmosphere, but busy. There was a wait during a weekday evening and service was very slow.
(3)Naptastic S.
I love the fresh salsa made tableside. I've never been disappointed when coming here and ordering off the menu. No matter your budget, you will find something here to enjoy.
(4)Alissa M.
My family recently came to visit me in Tucson to celebrate my grandpa's 70th birthday. Not having been in Tucson very long, I was nervous about having to pick the restaurant for the occasion, especially considering that my family is Mexican and my grandpa wanted Mexican food for his birthday. Based on Yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation, I picked Guadalajara and it was the perfect choice! There were 13 of us total for dinner. We made a reservation, but unfortunately half our party got lost on the way and was running late. They wouldn't seat us until everyone arrived, but even after everyone arrived, it took a while to get sat. However, I can't really blame them for that one since it was our party's fault for being late. Once we sat down, the service was a bit slow through the night, but considering the size of our party, coupled with the fact that it was a busy Saturday night, I can't put too much blame on the restaurant. We started with a round of drinks. Most of our party had beer, but I opted for a margarita. My first one was really good, but my second one didn't measure up. Isn't tequila supposed to get better the more you drink? Anywho, our whole family enjoyed our meal. The tableside salsa was really cool (not to mention delicious), and they made both a mild and spicy for our table. Everyone was happy with their food. I had the al pastor tacos and the flavor was spot on. The mariachi music was a great complement to the atmosphere and wasn't too loud like it can be at some places. The servers also did a birthday song for my grandpa complete with some funny looking hat they made him out of aluminum foil. My family is still talking about how much they enjoyed dinner. At Christmas, both my grandpa and uncles asked if I had gone back to the really good Mexican place in Tucson. The worst part of our visit was by far the parking situation. If you're going in a group, definitely try to carpool as the parking lot was a nightmare.
(4)Wendy S.
Very inviting atmosphere. Reasonable prices, large portions. Tasty food. Seats were sticky however. Other then that I would definitely eat there again!
(3)Laura G.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Original Grill for years since they're in my neighborhood. As someone who's owned a restaurant before, I'm willing to cut people some slack. Tonight I went in, excited they were reopened after their recent fire. Had to wait for 30 minutes. I got bean enchiladas. Raw, cold, no cheese, Terrible service. Complained to manager who had a big attitude. They charged me 16.99 for junk. I won't go back.
(1)Joe W.
Ever since the place burned down from a kitchen fire....it has been missed. I am glad they're back! Better than ever. I love the salsa ladies who come around and make fresh salsa for you at the table. And they are sooooo sweet! The atmosphere there is good and always packed. The Guaco-Tacos are my favorite since i love Guac and Tacos! Give it a try, wonderful and friendly.
(5)May P.
I came here years ago; and I swear it was better then. First of all, when I didn't like the booth seats. I sat on one where it just irritated my thighs and was uncomfortable. Second, out waitress took her time and when I asked for something, she just never answered me and walked away. So I didn't really know if she understood me or if she ignored me or something. However she did come back with the thing I requested. She just dropped it off and off she went. It wasn't crowded and there were staff that just stood there as we ate so I wish she attended more to our needs. Third, well the food prices, in my opinion doesn't deserve to be that pricey. I mean, maybe if the quality of the food was as good as the price -- I wouldn't complain. The food wasn't bad -- but I could've gotten the same thing somewhere else and cheaper. Needless to say, I came home to a tummy ache. So I didn't have a great time at this place today. Hopefully, when I come back in te future, I can give this place more stars.
(2)George L.
First time going to Tuscon, after about 15 years living in Phoenix, and saw this place had a ton of reviews. I only did lunch here so my table missed out on the table side salsa creation and the mariachi music but the food was generally good (though chicken in the fajita special was rather dry, the steak fajitas were excellent. I have a feeling that in the evening, with the salsa made at the table and the music, and a margarita or two, my review would be a 4 or a 5 so at some point I hope to come back. My parents, who I took up with me, thought it was the best thing ever and they can't wait to go back so I'm sure they would already rate it at the 4 or 5 star level. I will say the service was great and the serving staff was quite friendly. You definitely feel comfortable hanging out in this establishment.
(3)Lee O.
Impeccable service! Went to visit a friend in the area with a hankering for Mexican good...this is a large place with weekday happy hour (forgot the hours) and weekend happy hours (10p-close). Drinks were well crafted and large! The fresh salsa is made at table-side to order to your liking: mild, medium, spicy and quick in a nice big stone bowl. Now, the skillet dishes were brought out sizzling hot and my chimichanga wasn't too oily. All great food, fresh tortillas made in house as well. My friend couldn't decide on what to order and the waiter explained several options in detail -he definitely knew his stuff. A restuaruant that knows their food inside and out is a HUGE plus in my book as it means they take time to craft their dishes and believe in their own food. :) Our waters were constantly refilled and the waiter checked in on us without being annoying so we felt cared for. There were 4 of us and upon eating the chips and salsa, they even brought out a second batch of chips for the table! I'd definitely come back here again!
(5)Mary N.
Just ate here at their new location on Broadway last night, and am still regretting it! Had their enchiladas that were horrific... Tortillas were hard as a rock and left an aluminum aftertaste. The filling inside the enchiladas was so dry, it was difficult to swallow. They literally had no sauce inside the enchiladas, which were neither dipped into sauce before filling, nor contained a meat filling juicy enough that it didn't rival old leather. The ONLY reason why I'd give them 2 stars is because it was their first day open AND they make the best table side salsa I've ever eaten. (Just bring your own chips, as theirs are thick, tastelessly lacking salt, and greasy.)
(2)Marlette S.
Do NOT eat here, service was exceptionally bad. Check never arrived, we had to request it from the front desk, and she was ever more rude.... A pity, this used to be a good go-to place for lunch or dinner.
(1)Lorrie K.
I know everybody says they have the best salsa. I disagree. I like mine with fresh tomatoes, not stewed. Good wasn't that great either. I got a chicken salad in a big she'll, well it was small. Even my margarita wasn't all that great.
(2)Kennedy V.
The table side salsa is always great. I love that they can make it super spicy, yum! The good is always good and the margaritas are pretty tasty, too. However, I only sip on a marg during reverse happy hour because $4 is definitely better than $9+ per marg. The mariachi band is very talented and fun to listen to while dining. The only two complaints I have (which don't keep me from returning to the restaurant, but are still annoying): 1) Ordering to go food... Every time I order to go it takes 20-30 mins.-- even chips and salsa. I have no issue with the wait time if they would say it would be 20-30 mins. However, they always say 10-15 mins. which is not true. I normally call to order chips and salsa and wait 20 mins. to go pick it up and still end up waiting inside for 10 mins. Somehow it seems after 10 mins. the order is forgotten about as I sit and wait for it. Again, not a big deal, but it does become irritating. 2) Service at the host stand/entrance... Whether trying to be seated, asking to sit at the bar or ordering to go food, the hosts always seem to be doing something better. I don't know if that is their only job (to seat people and take to go orders), but it seems as though they are either a) busy or b) take their time to acknowledge people walking in and to seat them. Once again, not the worst thing, but not my favorite either. Overall, the food is great. Drinks can be pricey --but really, where else do you get cheap drinks at 6pm unless you wait for a happy hour-- and the service is mediocre at best unless you sit at the bar.
(4)Steve K.
Several people recommended Guadalajara Grill. Best parts were the Mariachis Band and Salsa made-from-scratch at your table to suit your taste Excellent tortilla soup Carne Asada was dry and flavorless, so this dish was disappointing given hype. Tip I: Specially order your Margarita to ensure 100% Agave with Cointreau. Why isn't the right way the house margaritas? I judge a Mexican restaurant first on their margaritas. Based on other diners, many were choosing the double-margaritas of the cheaper house variety. Tip II: Nüvi GPS failed to give correct location on Prince Road, but iPhone GPS did. Weird. If you think this review with photos is useful, funny or cool, I'd appreciate your feedback below.
(3)Lina L.
Rude waiter, extremely slow service. We walked out because the waiter's rude behavior wasn't worth being there. He walked away while my husband was about to ask the difference in menu was. Not worth it!
(1)Mary J.
I took 27 people, which can be very hard. Guadalajara was excellent. Took the orders timely and our food came quickly, was very good and came mostly at the same time. The salsa is made at the table which made it very fresh and good! Great atmosphere and live music. We will be back.
(5)Anna T.
Delicious and fresh food in a festive atmosphere. The best Mexican food restaurant in Tucson.
(4)Tamica S.
I really want to love Guadalajara Grill. It seems like everyone else does. But when you wait 30 minutes to be seated and then another 90 minutes to get your food, there isn't much to love. The food could have been fantastic and I wouldn't know because I didn't eat it. Here is how the evening went: Arrival around 6:15. Finally got seated around 6:45. It was a bigger party, 8 people but GEEZ, what a wait for a Thursday night! Our drink order didn't get taken until past 7:00. Around 7:30 we got our food order taken. It took about 30 minutes for the appetizers to come out and by then everyone was STARVING. Then we had a group of people get seated at the table next to us. This was a problem. When our food finally came out at 8:30ish the waitress was seriously afraid of dropping a sizzling fajita plate onto the head or back of someone seated at my table or the table next to ours since the quarters were disturbingly cramped. She kept apologizing for the seating arrangement and saying that she couldn't fit in between the chairs. Frigging Ally McBeal couldn't fit in between them so she really didn't have anything to apologize for, she didn't seat them. After playing the hold your breath balancing act of getting all of the food served I was spent. I asked for boxes and we all pretty much left without even touching our entrees. So again, the food could have been delicious but who knows?? It was loud, crowded, busy and overall a dismal atmosphere, not fit at all for an enjoyable meal.
(1)Steve F.
This is my first time in Tucson in about 15 years and El Charro was always my go to place but recent reviews led me to try Guadalajara. I am delighted!!! The place is packed so I strongly recommend making a reservation, as I did, or plan on waiting. Everything from the table-side fresh made salsa to their amazingly fresh tortillas is a delight. The lobster enchiladas were terrific and the lobster was abundant and perfectly cooked. The vegetarian burrito was another delightful surprise; bold and flavorful. The Saturday night crowd was diverse with a lot of families, a lot of older couples and young people. No complaints with the service. Drinks are very reasonable and the house Margarita was great! Dinner for two, including drinks and tip was under $50. Wow! Bring your appetite or plan on taking a lot of food home with you.
(5)Roz-Esparza B.
We live so far out of the way, but we'll drive here for the table side salsa and delicious food. I've never been disappointed. Can't wait till they re-open on kolb :)
(5)Setu U.
I love this place! The salsa they make is amazing and they have a TON of vegetarian and vegan options!
(5)Mark B.
We went out on a date night. Took the kids to grandma's and decided to stop by and try out Guadalajara grill. We where quickly sat down (no wait) the salsa lady was nice and provided good entertainment while waiting for our server to serve us. The server was very knowledgeable about the different plates(a plus) she took our order and drinks at the same time. The food came in about 20 minutes. But, my wife's Chile Relleno Nogada was cold in the inside. We flagged the server and she took the plate away.. After 10 minutes and new hot plate of food came out! Down side as we went to eat together, not to watch each person eat by themselves. So we finished our meals and received our bill. No discount for cold food. No, hey here's slice of flan just nada.. So I told the server it's sad that nothing for the mistake. So we asked to speak with a manager and she left and came back with the owner. She basically said the sauce is cold and that was the problem. My wife said No, told her if that was true then outside would be cold not the inside. Owner then said oh and apologized and walked off. COOL Just like their food.. Sad.. $55.00 bill for cold food. So how much is good customer service, I guess its worth a negative review.
(2)Cher T.
They make the salsa right in front of you, with the ingredients you like. Mariachi's sing during the evening and sets the mood. Being a couple dollars to tip..they do deserve it. If you are into yummy foofoo drinks Order La Bandera or a Coronarita to drink :) service at Prince location is always awesome. The other one, not so much. Food is wonderful!
(5)Melissa B.
If we could have parked maybe we could have tried the table salsa we heard so much about...you need more parking!! Two guys in yellow vests stood at the driveway last night directing us to turn around and park down the street...but where?!!! There is no parking...so we tried another local Mexican place instead! Too bad...it sounds like a place to try...but we also decided that if it was that hard to find parking, the wait for a table and the service would probably be terrible...
(2)Nali M.
went for lunch on thursday with a friend. i had only been to their other location on the east side. they weren't too busy for lunch, but the service was a little slow. they didn't make salsa in front of our table, but i'm not sure if that's an extra service that you pay for? either way, their salsa was tasty. i got a chicken chimichanga, but i wasn't the biggest fan. their rice isn't anything to rave about, either. overall a decent expereince. i would give another opportunity to come and try them again.
(3)Brett R.
Great prices and authentic food! The tableside salsa is the way to go and you can make it just the way you want it. I love the seafood dishes here!
(4)Madison T.
Fantastic! I am giving this four stars having only ordered one thing off the menu. Great tortillas, salsa, rich sauces, and wonderful seasoning. I would recommend not going on a weekend night because it is packed. Bottom line: good service, amazing food.
(4)Ned R.
Hands down best frozen cadillac margarita in Tucson!
(5)James M.
We rented a house in Sabino Canyon for a month and got to sample a lot of Mexican food, our favorite being Guadalajara Grill. It's big, colorful, fragrant and noisy, a true assault on all your senses! We loved the table side salsa (consumed two large bowls). I had the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce), which was fantastic. We were luck to be there on a night when the mariachi band performed. Other reviews have complained about the service, but our was excellent, with two young ladies making sure we were happy with everything. Parking wasn't an issue. We didn't have a reservation and even though we arrived on a busy night at 6:00, we didn't have to wait at all for a large, comfortable table. Wish we had something as good in New York!
(5)Ciera L.
Not impressed with their food. No idea why this place is always busy and why Tucson loves this place. Horrible Mexican food, I had tortilla soup and it was disgusting and more like tomato soup. My dad did not like what he ordered and we were both unimpressed and will never go there again. If you want delicious Mexican food Do not go here!
(1)Saba B.
Guadalajara Grill's extensive menu rivals War and Peace. I often worry about the little vegetarian section buried under pages of shrimp and beef dishes, but GG's veg menu is to be reckoned with. The guaco tacos and vegetarian burrito here are artistic dishes. The veggies aren't limp and overcooked, but well-seasoned and delicately prepared. Big chunks of creamy avocado were balanced by spicy calabacitas and cebolla. By the way, our large margarita was Olympic-sized. I thought I saw Michael Phelps doing the backstroke in there. "Grande" means ginormous here. The service is always reliable, the tableside salsa done to order is rich and fresh, and the decor is fiesta-style colorful and gaudy. GG's gets my best of Tucson vote for Mexican, manos down.
(5)Tony F.
The food I would have to say is ok although you do get a lot for your buck. The highlight of the food is the hand-made tortillas and the salsa that is made to order at your table. I had the carne asada burrito which was very good but not even the closest to the best. The sauce used in the burrito was a little too barbecue-esq. The atmosphere is what you'd expect of a Mexican food restaurant, complete with mariachi band. The place can get crowded on the weekend so be patient or come early.
(4)Alex A.
walked in and got seated. 25 minutes later i had not been served. not even a drink. worst service ever. dont bother coming here
(1)Nikol P.
Best f-ing Mexican food that I have ever had at a restaurant! Do yourself a favor and get the Manchegas! OMG. Their tortillas are divine and I can not stop thinking about the carnitas that I got. My husband's shrimp burrito was so tasty too! I am not some gringa either! I love Mexican food and living in Los Angeles has afforded me a life of dining on some of the best Mexican cuisine, and let me tell you, that Guadalajara's is top on my list. Service was A+, my glass was never empty!!
(5)Christina R.
First of all this place has the best salsa in town, made fresh at your table! Does it get any better than that?! Yes, because Guadalajara also has (huge) $3 house margaritas during happy hour, and great deals on select appetizers. My boyfriend & I started with the mini chimis. And since we couldn't decide if we wanted chicken or beef, we got 3 of both and I still can't tell you which I liked better; both so delicious! For our entree we shared pork chile verde enchiladas. I left there stuffed, everything was too good to stop eating even after I was full to capacity. On top of all the great food, the service here is fantastic-everyone is so friendly & upbeat! We will definitely be adding Guadalajara Grill to our rotation!
(5)Justan R.
Fantasitico! While traveling on business from the muy frio climate of northern Arizona, my companions and I discovered this not so hidden gem of Tucson's culinary attractions and favorite of locals via Yelp! From the table side salsa made to your heat specifications, mariachi band serenade, wide variety of delicious main entree selections, and potent margaritas, you simply can't go wrong. Try it for yourself and experience first hand the regional excellence that is Guadalajara Original Grill!
(5)Michael M.
Outstanding in every way. Service, ambiance and cuisine among best I've ever enjoyed.
(5)Amanda M.
Great food and atmosphere. The salsa made at your table is amazing. Dinner gets busy so make reservations. The fajitas are amazing. Great selection of sea food dishes.
(4)Maile C.
Always crowded, Always noisy, why do we come back? Had to park over a block away, and then wait 25 minutes for unbalanced chairs to match the unbalanced table. (Hint to staff: Add another salt packet under that table leg please) But the staff is always pleasant and the made-to-order salsa was so good we brought home the leftover. Didn't quite get my order right so I can't tell you about the tacos, but the enchiladas were fine, the side of beans were good, and everything arrived hot. Everyone works hard - if they aren't taking orders or making salsa they're bussing tables - looks like they enjoy working there. 5 stars for the employees and happy atmosphere.
(3)Faith F.
Worst service I have received in years, no refills, no checking on meal after served and having to chase down the check. The shrimp tasted bad. We will not be returning!
(1)Scott W.
We love to eat and cook Mexican food, and for our first trip to Tucson today I did a lot of homework on Yelp and other web sites. This place is legit, the real deal, FANTASTIC!!!! We had ex residents and current residents tell us this place was great, and it did not disappoint. Great margaritas, great chips, salsa made at our table, all got us off to a good start. I could have eaten almost anything from the menu and been happy. We had carne asana burrito, chili Colorado, and muchacas, and all three were great.
(5)Ryan A.
Food: great. Service: bad. That's pretty much all you need to know. If you're the type of person that can look past bad service if the food is great, then you'll be fine here. If service is as important as the food, you may want to go somewhere else. I have definitely had better Mexican food elsewhere (it seems to be somewhat difficult to find in Tucson - the best I've had is in Portland), but this was fairly authentic food with high quality ingredients and well made. We were sat relatively quickly, though a bit awkwardly. After about 10 minutes, we thought the waitress walking by our table was doing so to help us, but it turned out she was just going to ignore us, too. One of us asked if she was there to help us and she responded with something like "uh, I guess so." There was a lot of confusion with them, but the rest of the meal went acceptably, not great. The thing that made me mad was that I had the signed credit card receipt in front of me and one of the servers pointed at it and told me to give it to him. To me, this is completely unacceptable. It's rare that this happens to me (no more than once a year), but it makes me mad every time it happens. I'd probably go back, I'd just bring my patience.
(3)Kat K.
A good friend of my husband says this place is awesome, so on the way back to Phoenix, we drove out of our way to check it out. Decor was very festive, the atmosphere was okay. The freshly made salsa was a nice touch and was decent, but it could have used more flavor or spices. It lacked something. We ordered the lobster enchiladas and the steak with carnitas fajitas. The enchiladas were great, but the steak and carnitas were a little dry. I didn't like the refried beans. Service was efficient. I won't go out of my way to come here. It was okay.
(3)Tori B.
Bleh- not sure what all the great reviews for this place are all about, but my second experience at Guadalajara Grill was equally as unappealing as the last. Unfortunately, I forgot how disappointed I was in my meal the last time I went here, so we went again thinking we hadn't been before. Once I realized where we were going, I was really mad at myself. But alas, we were with family and in for the long haul so I went in with hopes that this time would be better. I was wrong. After waiting 45 minutes past our reservation time we were finally seated. This place was PACKED on a Friday night and the six of us had to stand crammed by the door. We had to ask the hostess four times when we would be seated and were told each time we are next, but they kept seating more and more people before us. Finally with a blasting migraine we were finally seated. We placed our drink order quickly and shortly after that ordered our food. The fresh made salsa is pretty good, but not enough to make up for the other things this place lacks. The ambiance is chaotic at best and the restaurant is loud and obnoxious. I ordered the steak fajitas and they were ok... the highlight is the tortilla, which is AWESOME... still thinking about it actually. As you can probably guess based on my review, I don't intend on returning to this establishment anytime soon. There are better Mexican restaurants all around Tucson. I suggest you try one of those instead of Guardalajara Grill - I'm sure the parking situation will also be better somewhere else!
(2)Sean K.
Molcajete! (sp?) Such a delicious meal and the one served here beats any other molcajetes I had in LA. Guadalajara is now definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Gotta start with how busy this place gets. My girlfriend and I got to this place around 6ish and the place was packed. Despite a fairly huge parking lot, every single spot was taken so we had to wait couple minutes to get a parking spot. Restaurant was full and the waiting list was long too. Soon after we were seated, a lady came over with a basket full of fresh chips and made salsa right in front of our eyes. Fresh ingredients but they weren't cold so the salsa was kind of lukewarm. Not a big deal really but just sayin'. We were originally going to order two dishes (molcajete and an ultimate skillet) but my ever-so-wise gf decided that molcajete by itself would be more than enough for the two of us. And was she correct... Molcajete was enough. Granted, we were hungry and had TWO baskets of chips and salsa before the meal but portion-wise, it was perfect. And the taste-wise, it was great. Maybe molcajete isn't a dish that is ever going to blow my mind away. Shrimp, chicken, and beef were cooked just right and the sauce, beans, and the rice were tasty.
(4)Cameo W.
The tableside salsa is really good and very fun. The chips are nothing special but the salsa makes up for it. The entrees were awesome. The rice and beans are a little bland but the chimichanga was very good. The live music was fun and added a lot to the atmosphere. The service is a little slow but I think that's just a part of the atmosphere. Overall, very good food and a fun place to have dinner.
(4)Katie P.
This is one of my go-to spots for a Mexican dinner with my bf, my family or out of town guests. The decor is great, the mariachis are highly talented and so kind, and they homemake the salsa at the table!! Everything about this place is amazing - that's why I'm a regular! Let's break it down: 1) Happy hour/appetizers: fantastic deal with 1/2 off appetizers and drink deals. They are huge and can totally replace dinner. Lots of choices! 2) They offer so many choices and have pictures on the menu. As a vegetarian, I have so many different options - they have a whole page dedicated to vegetarian dishes, they offer seafood, and the "create your own combo" provides ample options. 3) The margs here are really tasty! And they serve beer in massive quantities. 4) I like the mariachis here. They're really good quality, the music they play isn't tired or Americanized - it's just a good quality immersion experience. 5) Molcajetes! I'm sure there are a billion reviews about these bowls of piping hot deliciousness - try one sometime!! They are so unique and delicious! 6) The wait staff is superb. I have always been very well taken care of! 7) The parking lot can be a nightmare, and this place can get super crowded, but I have never waited more than 15 minutes, even with a group! Guadalajara is one of my favorite places in all of Tucson!
(5)Jeff M.
Good Sonoran Mexican and strong drinks.
(4)Ella M.
If this place only served salsa, it would have 5 stars! Table side salsa with totes fresh ingredients using a mortar and pestle! Delicioso! Then came our entrees. I took one bite of my taco, placed it back on the plate. A bite of my potato rolled taco...back on my plate. A bite of the flauta (chicken), put it back on the plate. Rice-dry and zero flavor. Refried beans...looked as if they had been sitting on the plate for an hour...had a crust formed on them and the cheese on top was not melty...but hard and gross. Sorry to be so blunt, but this place leave a lot to be desired! After the salsa, I had high hopes and they were shot down like fast!
(2)Nory B.
Based on the Yelp reviews I was expecting more......great table-side salsa, great homemade tortillas, but the fajitas were just okay and not sizzling. The chips were thick and bland--couldn't have been homemade. Service was friendly but very slow. I guess this is a local favorite, but sadly it's really nothing special.
(3)Mike K.
Service was great till the salsa was made... waitress seemed invisible forgot we were there, Had to ask for her after 15 min waiting. After getting our sour guacamole we were doomed. 1. Got the order wrong. 2. chimichanga barely even fried not even crispy also 3.forgot the enchilada style. Took two bites and refused to eat the rest. She explain to me how they can take it back and fix it anytime... 4 strikes you're out! Not crispy, no enchilada sauce, waiting way too long, 4. didn't even notice my margarita was empty when she took our order. Crap food in a nice place. We complained to the owner and she offered us half off claiming that I ate half of the chimichanga. (3 bites trying to convince myself it was good) I pretty much told her she needs to watch what was going out of the kitchen. She explained to me that they pulled the guacamole for the night. I refused the 1/2 off and and will.never return. This is truly Mexican peasant food!!! With a nice paint job on it. I think you'll agree...
(1)Gilbert T.
Decided to take my mom here since she came from Texas and wanted to try a Tuscon favorite. I've heard from a lot of people that this is the place to go for Mexican food in Tucson, but sadly this is not. The food is pretty good, but the reason I am giving this place a one is for their horrible service, particularly the management. As expected on a Friday this place was packed, however I noticed that several people that arrived after my party were being seated so I asked the lady at the front desk how much longer. Five minutes she said. Ok, so we waited twenty minutes more, then I asked again, five more minutes she said. Twenty more minutes passed, keep in mind we have waited an hour and half by now, so I asked and still five more minutes. The lady's response came off as annoyed and I asked her to show me my name on the list, thinking they skipped me or didn't write it down. To my surprise she said you want to sit, here's a table open let me show you if you don't believe me. This lady was perhaps the most rude hostess I have every seen. After this little engagement, we decided to walk out and not come back again. So disappointed by this place, and while the food is good, but they need to find a more people-friendly hostess.
(1)Toni M.
Not as stellar tonight, although the tableside salsa was delicious, as were the chips, and the lobster stuffed portabello was marvelous. But the margarita mix didn't taste freshly squeezed in our house margaritas and I found the pollo mole very disappointing. The mole at Juan's Place or 3 Hermanas at home is much more complex. This was heavy-handed and the chicken was on the dry side. The rice and beans were good. Alan had the molcajete w/ seafood, chicken and steak and he found the chicken and steak dry. The seafood was delicious. It was a huge portion, which he couldn't finish. I had flan for dessert and it was lovely. A trio came around to sing and they were wonderful.
(3)Donna M.
Had a reservation, arrived in time only to be seated 45 minutes later. The servers did a good job and the food was yummy. The hostesses were clueless and the manager was just as bad. We will never return to this place.
(1)Alma C.
So we tried calling to see if we needed reservations. It took me 10 min to get someone to answer the phone and luckily we didn't need reservations. We got here and they gave us some chips and fresh salsa made to order it was very good. We order out food and our waitress was very nice and super friendly. I got the chile nogada and my hubby went with the shrimp plate with a white souce on the bottom. When I got my food it was cold in the middle And my hubby's rice and beans were cold. They took my plate to have it re done and my husband was half way done with his food by the time they brought my food. Luckily I had chips and salsa to keep me entertained. The second plate was good. We also had to send my husbands beans and rice back to get warm up. Again our waitress was very nice she brought us the bill and to my surprise they didn't give any 10% off or anything witch it was very disappointed. The owner came and talked to us and she basically said I was laying about my chile being cold because the sauce that goes on the top was the reason made it cold but when it told her the ground beef tasted cold she continued to argue so I just stopped talking. She must be right she is the Owner. No I'm not going back not a good dinner experience. I'm giving it 2 stars because of the excellent waitress.
(2)Stephen L.
Dinner on the patio, perfect weather and live mariachi in the background. Great setting for dinner. We loved the tableside salsa. Very sweet woman, made two heat levels for us and involved my son in the process. All the food was very good, with high marks going to the carnitas. One tip. Pass on the guacamole. Too bland and creamy for us.
(4)Rachel M.
Today was our first time eating at Guadalajara Grill and after one bite of our meals my husband and I looked at each other and just knew: We found OUR Mexican Restaurant. The salsa made-to-order table side was delicious and a lovely surprise as we weren't expecting the presentation.
(5)Sean P.
Flew into Tucson from Calgary to spend some time with my parents and celebrate my dad's birthday. Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended. Atmosphere was great, service was friendly, the food however lack a little zip. The salsa made at the table was fantastic, spicy, fresh served with fresh chips. The entrees (Two paellas and a chili rellenos - spelling?) were rather bland. In my experience Mexican food should have zip. It doesn't need to be I'm sweating through my shirt hot, but spicy enough that I reach for my marguerita for a bit of a break. All in all it was just OK. The tastiest I've had so far in Tucson was La Botana where we ate yesterday. Smaller, less formal. More real. Food was awesome. Cheap! But alas, I had not made a Yelp account yet... More to come. 3 stars!
(3)Mr. V.
My wife and I decided to eat lunch at the Guadalajara Grill on 12/20/2014. The service was not so great. First, we asked our waitress if management can turn turn down the A/C. Which they did not. Second, our waitress forgot to put in our lunch order. So we got out good 30 mins later. We were displeased with the service.
(1)Hilary M.
I loved the salsa! But that was about it. I am from Seattle and was really looking forward to "real Mexican food." Unfortunately this place just missed the mark. The food was not good and I felt a little sick after eating it. My suggestion would be to keep things simple, seems like they strayed from the basics and things went downhill.
(2)Alexis G.
Guadalajara Grill serves one of my favorite tortilla soups. The molcajetes are also pretty delish. Sometimes, I wish the place was a bit smaller and intimate, but the food and drinks are consistently good.
(4)Lil B.
Unbelievable food and drinks. Have not had a dish here that I wasn't having dreams about for days after.
(5)Lisa M.
LOVE THIS PLACE. good margaritas, great food, fun place. The hot, hand made, flour tortillas are the bomb. I keep getting the huaraches because you can get a couple of your FAV meets and scoop up with the flour tortilla. Heaven. Mariachi band is fun. Table side made your way salsa is nice too!
(5)Marianna L.
Thanks to the Bandera, Arizona's strongest margarita, my memory is foggy on this dining experience, but I must say, it was an AMAZING experience. I dream of this food, I crave this food. I want the cute Mexican woman at the side of my dinner table every night to custom make salsa for my family and me. The mariachi band wouldn't be so bad either.
(5)Bill C.
Food was good. However, we had a group reservation for 20 and 6 of us arrived 20 min. early. The table was set and the restaurant was almost empty (4:40). They wouldn't let us set at the table until the whole group arrived. We said we'd like to order a drink and wait for the others. They said we'd have to go in the bar. Finally one of the waiters that was going to serve our table let us set down. I realize the hostess only follows management orders but it was a lousy way to treat a big group that was going to spent a lot of money.
(3)Sharon G.
Wow! That's what we all had to say from start to finish. Fresh salsa, prepared at your table, to your liking - it was fabulous! Next, a tasty Midori margarita on the rocks to set the mood. Then the food... my son had the highly recommended chimichanga with carne asada. So good, but even he couldn't finish the whole thing! My daughter and I split the chicken fajitas, which were both delicious and plenty! We had leftovers too! We declared my husband the winner with his choice of chicken molcajete - meaning bowl. It was a stone bowl with a stew-like concoction topped with very tasty chicken and served with rice and beans. And yes, more leftovers! The tortillas were fresh and soft, chips were crisp and tasty, ambiance was classic Mexican - bright and lively! Yelp has never steered us wrong. Thank you Guadalajara! We had a fun and extremely satisfying evening (we even put away our technology). :)
(5)Steve T.
Excellent salsa made right at the table. The hot cheese plate was good comfort food and it reminded me of the hot cheese plates I have had in Guadalajara. Didn't care for the jalapeno margarita as I didn't get the reason for the hotness of the drink, Had the chili verde plate and it was good. Didn't like that the salsa lady made it clear we needed to tip her and the mariachi band was there for tips also. The service was great and this place is popular for a good reason as it is good food in a lively place with good ambience
(4)Owen B.
Great food and a great atmosphere. Be prepared for a long wait on Friday or Saturday nights.
(4)Jeff B.
This place is average at best. The homemade salsa was very good, and having it made for you at tableside was kind of cool. My food, a chimichanga, was good. My wife's food, tacos, were obviously out of a box. I don't like paying restaurant prices for something I could buy at the grocery store. The margaritas were good. I imagine the rest of the menu must be rather hit or miss, some things are good and others are not.
(3)Jack S.
Delicious food, great atmosphere. Can't say enough good things
(4)Jigisha P.
We love coming to this estaurant every time we're in Tucson. Love the table side fresh salsa. They made it mild for the kids and spicey for us. Salsa and jalapeño Margarita were excellent. The food took a long time to come and two out of three meals were cold. My veggie enchilada was good but cheese inside was not melted. Kids quesadilla and enchilada was okay. My husband loved his Paella. Overall the food is average.
(3)Betsy B.
Met a small group of friends there. Had heard great things about it but the really bad service is a reason I'll not go back. Food was ok but have had better in a number of places in Tucson. There were only 6 of us and the restaurant was not that crowded but had to ask about 4 times for an iced tea. I'd heard about the table side salsa but it wasn't offered to us. I won't be going back.
(3)Barrio H.
I would love to peek inside the kitchen to see if anyone speaks Spanish. I was with a large party of 12 and I did not see any authentic Mexican food. My margarita was pricey and it did not taste from scratch. The salsa was boring but I like it a bit hot but it tasted more 'canned'. I had a chile relleno combo and all I can say is "meh". Too much batter on the relleno, my rice was cold and they used yellow cheese! I got the feeling it was pre-made. I could get the same food at Taco Bell. Most of my party agreed with me. I rarely write bad reviews but c'mon you gringos, quit drinking this coolade!
(1)Carol K.
Vacation time, and we're in Tucson, so what else do we eat but the best local Mexican food possible. This place is suppose to be it. When we arrive, the parking lot is crowded, that's a good sign. All the reviews give good ratings, so it must be good. Once inside, we are seated and surrounded by large groups of 8 to 10 people. We're worried service might be lacking, but immediately we get the standard chips and salsa. Our drink orders are taken, and I of course want the house margarita, and when it arrives, I am not disappointed! I decide on a combo, the Plato Ranchero. This is a cheese stuffed chile relieno, a pork tamale, and a gordita with beans, shredded beef, cheese and sour cream. The food is hot, seasoned just right and delicious. Service is very good despite the large crowds, and the entertainment is great! A roaming mariachi band. I recommend to anyone wanting a good meal and margarita!
(5)Brett K.
Had a party of 9 people, seated next to a LOUD party of at least 20 sorority girls, and the servers and musicians didn't miss a beat. Great food, good service, very nice Mariachis with killer vocal harmonies who'll play any song you request (traditional, of course). Guacamole was a letdown, but the table-side salsa was incredible. Get it spicy!
(4)Michelle O.
If you want super fresh Mexican food with high quality ingredients, go to Penca's on Broadway. This is the place to come for the traditional plate of Mexican American food that is tasty and plentiful. You're not going to get quality cheese or muy excellent chips (like you will at Penca, those are amazing), but you will get a lot of everything here. And it will taste good. The salsa is truly delicious. Made table-side and it was so good I filled up on it before my entree came. Make sure you tip the wonderful women who come promptly to your table and prepare this treat for you. You'll get a big smile of gratitude. And my food was good. I had the veggie fajitas and couldn't finish half without hurting myself. The grilled veggies, including delicious zucchini, were superb. They got the portobella done right - moist and tender. A lot of restaurants don't take the time to cook them correctly, but this place knows what they are doing. My boyfriend had the tilapia and really liked it. The guacamole needs some work. Again, go to Penca if you want super fresh, super good guac. Guadalajara's is advertised as freshly made, but it tasted pretty tired and processed. Overall, the experience here was great fun. They had a wonderful mariachi band that was fun, lively, romantic and just really enjoyable. We talked to the guys a bit and they were so cute and upbeat. We loved them and stayed a little longer to hear them sing. Prices are hard to beat, our bill for two generous entrees, one app and 2 iced teas was under $40. Service was warm, prompt and efficient.
(4)Nick P.
Great place to go. My timeshare gave us this one to check out.....it was well worth the try. Great Mexican atmosphere & great service. The chips and fresh made salsa by the table was great. Freshly made tortillas and great tasting food was perfect. My kids say they want to come back....I'll take them :)
(5)Ashley J.
How have I never reviewed Guadalajara Grill? From their massive margaritas (only $3 during HH!!) to the homemade salsa (made table-side for dinner), everything about Guadalajara Grill is fresh and amazing! Their homemade tortillas are delicious and everything I've ever had has been mmmmmmmm! Their carnitas fajitas are life-changing! And the molcajete is the best I've ever had! Go with the combo version. Its a bit pricier, but being able to sample the various meats is such a treat! If you can, try to save room for dessert - the sopapillas are just as fresh as everything else and you MUST give them a try! The only "con" I have for Guadalajara is that a lot of the food doesn't work out great as take-out (e.g., how do you have fajitas when they aren't served on the sizzling plate??). They offer take-out, but I feel like its a waste. Just go and dine-in. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Robert H.
I've learned to tip everyone, even if the service isn't perfect. Servers make minimum wage and deserve more. That said, our servers were great for our table of 12, including two kids. We even split some of our adult plates so I tipped more to compensate for that. Food was good, salsa made at the table was perfect, just what I asked for. Chips were plentiful. Tipped the salsa lady $5. Everyone had a good time and I mean time because we were there at 7pm on a Friday night with people hanging outside waiting for tables. Left about 10pm. See my photos. We will go back.
(5)Gary K.
The BEST salsa we have ever had, anywhere! Service is good. Margaritas are fair so I ordered a margatini and mixed it with a house margarita, and VOILA, a perfect margarita. The Marachi band was EXCEPTIONAL.....Overall a great experience!
(4)Gabriela F.
Love this place! We always have a great time and leave satisfied. We came here a couple of weeks ago for my mom's birthday, so we had a table of 8 including a 1 year old. We tipped the mariachis and they came to play happy birthday as well as many other songs of my mom's choice. The best part is that the baby loved the music and they played songs to her. she was absolutely amazed, and they were so great with interacting with her even after they left our table. Points to the mariachis for keeping the baby happy! The salsa is fantastic, the lady comes by your table and makes it to your liking, but dont fill up on chips! The food is so great. I like getting the enchiladas or the fajitas but everything is good. Margaritas are great too and they don't skimp on the tequila ;) Order the queso fundido to share with the table. It's very good as well.
(5)Mistie W.
This is one of my personal favorites! The food is good (not the best) BUT the ambiance and table side fresh salsa make the experience. They also do live music with about 3-4 guys singing to you table side if you choose. Love it!!!
(5)Elsa C.
I was worried after reading a few bad reviews, but I was blown away. Wow! The food and service were great!
(5)Madeline W.
Delicious authentic Mexican food! Very strong and tasty margaritas. The best part about this place is they make salsa to order right in front of you!!
(5)Yuan F.
One of the best Mexican food I've ever had! The waitress made fresh and customized salsa sauce in front of you. The frozen mango juice was also great!
(5)phil h.
4 nights in Tucson means hella Mexican food. And Guadalajara was the best of the bunch. Salsa made tableside, baskets of chips that seemed to refill themselves magically, and big ass margaritas the size of a small baby. How could I give Guadalajara any less than 5 stars?
(5)S S.
Best salsa of my life! Great service good prices and the food has a simple authentic taste of high quality ingredients.
(5)White R.
Went here for a business lunch, and this place was very good. I loved their sauces, the salsa and chips, and everything was delicious. Service was good, ambience was good, everything was awesome...however, I only wish the chips were a little saltier to my taste.
(4)Andrew S.
Tableside salsa - live music - awesome carnitas in a molcajete! Service is courteous and fast, food is fantastic, and definitely a place to bring your family for a great Mexican dinner.
(5)Lany Kay M.
This place is a good as it gets, great atmosphere, delicious food and great service. Table side made Salsa to die for... Highly recommend!
(5)Tracy A.
I was there sat night, service was horrible. us outside took over a half hour to get a drink never got the appetizer we ordered and when we said something the waitress just said, awe do u want it now? Not a sorry or anything. My food was bad the salsa and fajitas were good. We asked several times for them to turn on the heater and no one seemed to know how. And don't even think you could have more than 1 drink people dropped off food and didn't see them again till bill was dropped off. We even made a comment that maybe they didn't work for tips there!! Save your money and go anywhere else. It amazes me that there are so many good reviews, I'm pretty easy to please and rarely take the time to write a review but in this case people should know.
(1)Paul N.
As always the food was very good and the mexican music men were terrific. We will be back,
(4)Bo R.
Glad the Sun Devils beat up on the Rats this year. My cosmic karma payback? Eating at this place. Now don't get me wrong, that table side salsa service is pretty cool. And the salsa is really good. But, that was the highlight of our meal. Starting with the service; it's atrocious. We had the privilege of waiting until our quite spicy salsa bowl was half consumed before we had to ask the salsa lady for water. Our server was a no show for 15 minutes after being sat. When she did come, she was a non-factor. We knew what we wanted to eat, and drink before she arrived at the table. When she got there, there was no acknowledgment of her leavin us hangin. Come on, man! The details in this place are missing. With salsa that good, the chips should be warm, and fresh. They tasted like they were scooped out of a bag in the back. The decor looks nice until you look around and see an errantly placed neon sign. I ordered the Chili Verde, and my gf ordered the Lobster Enchiladas. We think the food is heated in a microwave. Honestly. The enchiladas were bland. Absolutely no flavor whatsoever. The sauce over them is bland. And even worse, the food was lukewarm. Here's the thing, the food was lukewarm, but came out very quickly. All the hallmarks of some home microwave cooking. My Chili Verde was good, but was lacking in flavor. It tasted like it had been sitting in a pot too long. The beans are canned beans, and lack any real flavor. Lastly, and here's the worst... My gf is allergic to MSG. It gives her severe headaches. She took a bite of the rice, and said, "This has MSG in it." I said, "Don't eat anymore." She had two more bites, to verify the MSG flavor. An hour later? Headache. The rice is boxed rice. They don't make it fresh. The MSG is put in the food by mass produced food companies. Home cookin Mexican food wouldn't use MSG in a million years. Bottom line, Tucson is known to have some of the best Mexican Food in the country. We thought when we saw the 4 stars, that we were in for an incredible experience. This place is a letdown for 2 reasons. First is the restaurant. It lacks depth on any level. It's a dud. Second is Yelp. You've let us down, Yelp. 4 stars? Not a chance. We will go out of our way to NOT eat here again.
(2)David H.
Great value. Good food, but it lacked in fresh tasting ingredients. The guac was a disappointment.
(3)Tracy P.
Mexicans will cross the Border illegally just to eat here; it's that good. It may even be authentic as there were some very interesting food choices. All 4 of our entrees were excellent. Food was expertly prepared and presented with no oil or heavy lard tastes. Salsa made to order was delicious. She even made it twice because we wanted it spicier and more flavorful. The Cadillac margarita was worth $8. The mariachi band sang the love ballads so beautifully, I wanted to cry. Friendly service as well. I reserve my 5 star ratings for places that blow me away. I didn't have that gastrointestinal or ethereal moment here but it was darned good. I can't wait to go back - my highest compliment for a restaurant.
(4)Eddie A.
This is the standard date nice place for my wife and me. We live by the East side one, so we tend to favor that, but the original is equally amazing. The funniest thing is that my mother has spotty experiences here, but we've never had a bad one. Salsa: made fresh at your table to order. We like extra tomatillos, extra garlic, and spicy. Margaritas: all of them are fantastic. I recommend the Bandera, but call a cab early if you're under 150 lbs. Mole: beyond phenomenal. Mariachi: if you're into it, you'll love it. If you're not into it, they'll turn you around. I've tried many of their menu items and have never been disappointed. From the simple appetizers to dessert (bar none flan and sopapillas!).
(5)Scott B.
Hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson, along with the sister restaurant, Guadalajara Fiesta grill. The salsa is among the best I've had in the US, made fresh to order at your table. They don't skimp on the salsa either, they give you about a pint for two people and more for larger groups. I've taken several friends and family here and everyone has loved it.
(5)Ron L.
On my initial trip to Tucson a few years back, all I thought about this city was not positive. Hot. College town. Isolated. Boring. Terrible food choices. Now after multiple visits, I can now cross off the terrible food choices off my list. Guadalajara Grill is one of those places that will definitely be on my go to places, one that I won't be ashamed to take people to. Strolling Mariachi band...great food...good portions...and the differentiator, fresh salsa, made tableside. The salsa, made to your specifications, is a big enough draw to make me come back. The wait could be forever, so be prepared for that during the typical rush hour times, especially during college orientation week. Tucson is still hot and isolated, but at least my stomach will be happier on my visits.
(4)Cheryl M.
I've eaten at Guadalajara a few times now, and for a close location and good Mexican food, this will become my "go-to" location. I absolutely love the food here. Now mind you, I don't go to Mexican food and get the giant platters of combos, I get a taco or two or a bowl of soup, so I am basing my review on that. So, if you're a soup person, this place is excellent. I get the bowls which are more like 2 servings and I highly recommend the Posole and of course the Albondigas. Both are excellent. When I get "wacky" I'll order the fish tacos which are equally pleasing. As for the service, I would just say it's average. We get what we want, usually when we want it, but the servers aren't personal or overly friendly. Seems like they're just there to do their jobs, not to make your day. If that happens to change I may up my rating but it's got to be excellent to do that! Service makes or breaks a place!
(4)Philip G.
Good food, nice waitress. Somewhat confusing when we came in, we were immediately seated, however I noticed the Mariachi band making it's way over to our table. We had a long day already, was not in the mood. Asked the woman who came over to ask them not to come over, turned out she was there to make salsa and misunderstood what we were saying. Manager came over and made everything right. Delicious salsa, perfect chips. Chicken mole was awesome. Enjoyed the band from a distance! Reasonable prices.
(4)John A.
Party of 8 with reservations for 6 PM on a Sunday, including 2 people from Penn. who wanted to try some real south of the border food.. We finished up at 8:30, and not because of the great dining experience. Service was sloooooooooooooooow. More so for one person, who didn't receive her entrée at all. We finally had to signal a wait person (I had to wave my hands in the air repeatedly) that something was amiss. I suspect the problem was the built in gratuity for larger parties - no incentive for quality service. Salsa (made at the table) was pretty good, as always, although without much kick; the folks from Penn. liked it. Mariachis were fun (como siempre). The sea food molcajete I had was good, especially the broth. Other dishes were reportedly sort of meh. The Penn folks went with a chimichanga and a beef burrito; neither knocked their socks off, maybe because Sonoran food isn't the specialty of the house. Mi espposa said her chiles rellenos were ok, but that may be by comparison; hers are killer. Chips were exhausted while we were waiting and no refills were offered until (once again) I waved my arms in the air.Tortillas are made on site and in sight (the Penn folks liked that a lot) and are good My family and I have had quite good and fun meals herein the past, but the graph seems to be trending down. Our last two experiences came nowhere close to those of several years ago, especially before the move into larger quarters and before the opening of a second Guad Grill. This used to be someplace we would think about going to for a celebration (graduation, birthday, out-of-town visitors), but we are going to have to come up with an alternative. Ambiance was good. Food was so-so, And service, at least for a party of 8, was poor to abysmal.
(2)Dan T.
Excellent food, went with a party of 7 and no one had a negative thing to say. Large delicious margaritas available, and Salsa made table side. A must if you're in the area, can't beat it.
(5)Em. C.
Had the massive Guadalarita (!!!) and the Lobster Stuffed Portobello with spicy salsa made right in front of me. I walked out of there a happy woman :)
(4)Ellen S.
Tried this restaurant for the first time. We were seated quickly, and received our drinks quickly. However, we had to ask several times for water. The waiter was mostly attentive. We all really enjoyed the fresh made salsa at our table. The food was good, and the portions were large. The downfall for me was the room was very noisy, and the mariachi band walking around didn't help matters. I also felt the tables were too close together. Overall, it was not a bad experience. The food was good, the service could have been just a bit better. I would give this restaurant another try the next time I'm in Tucson. But I might ask to be seated in a different place.
(3)Ben B.
Great food great people. Really a fun place to be. Generous portions.
(4)Erin A.
Q: Why did the tortilla chips start dancing? A: Because they put on the salsa! The only thing mentioning in this review is the salsa! They hand make it in front of you and create the spiciness as ordered by the customer! Everything else is so-so. 5 stars for the salsa! 3 stars for the food.
(3)Steven R.
This will hopefully be a reasonable review -- so many of the comments on this restaurant swing between five stars and the bottom of the barrel that it can be difficult to figure out who's got an agenda and who doesn't. My wife and I ate at the Guadalajara Original Grill last weekend, and we loved it. Tucson isn't exactly world-reknowned for its restaurants, but there are some good ones here and for Mexican food this is a fine choice. The food was fresh, tasted great, and was served well. The table-side salsa was mind-blowing good and is probably one of the features that keeps this place busy. Bring your friends and family and you most likely won't be disappointed. Now, no restaurant is perfect and there are some mighty picky customers out there, a few bordering on unreasonable. Of course, it's perfectly reasonable to expect that when eating out (and paying the price for it), the service should be at least attentive. But let's not go over the top and expect perfection. The servers, hosts, and hostesses at places like the Gudalajara Original Grill probably make something less than minimum wage and depend upon tips for the rest of their income -- my daughter was a server at an Outback Steakhouse and, while not perfect, she broke her back trying to tend to some mighty grumpy customers. There ARE people out there who simply can't be pleased, no matter what. So here's my comment about the service: it was good and on-par with a restaurant of this type and price range. Was our server ready for employment at a fine restaraunt in New York? Absolutely not. We asked for one or two things that never appeared. But I'm not going to trash this place because they forgot to bring me a couple of tortillas. I can't give it 5 stars for two reasons. One, the service was good but not worthy of 5 stars. And two, the decor was fine but looked a bit tired in some places. The food, however, was excellent across the board.
(4)Dean S.
So disappointed, I will never return...I have been there many times at both locations in the past. My guests and I sat without drinks for more than 5 mins until server took drink orders. Then 2 more times during our visit no drinks. Next a hunk of beef was hidden under the salad of the vegetarian dish ordered. It wasn't a special order it was from vegetarian menu. Manager felt there was no issue because there wasn't an allergy and the piece wasn't found until near the end of the meal. NO ISSUE, how much other meat had the vegetarian dish been carelessly mixed with? He offered a discount. I said, so it is the diner's fault that he had eaten most of the meal before discovering the issue? What if it was a roach and not a piece of meat which is just as big and issue to the vegetarian? He still felt the meal should be paid for. I begrudgingly paid the bill of more than $50 and left $5 for tip. I will never return
(1)TJ A.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Grill for several years now, and have always been a fan. Love the salsa prepared table-side, margaritas are great, and the food never disappoints. The last time two times I've been in - once for lunch with my parents who were in Tucson for a short visit, and just last Saturday night for dinner - have been some of the best, though. Both times Andres was our server, and he's just awesome. Last visit I told myself I'd try something new and I'm sure glad I did. I usually have one of the combo dinners, but I totally fell in LOVE with the Mexican paella. I think it's also great that they're open late on Friday and Saturday nights. This place will remain one of my absolute favorites, can't wait to return!
(4)Jamie M.
The margaritas, drinks and salsa are the absolute best things here. I am a salsa snob when I go to Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara's salsa is PERFECT. It is chunky, hot, and full of flavor. The margaritas are also amazing. Get the big one. You won't regret it. I'm not going to comment too much on the food because I am always too full after the salsa and drinks to know what it truly tastes like! I usually order a small appetizer or small side. That is always enough. But from what I have eaten, it is all delicious. But seriously, that salsa is a meal in itself. Whenever a friend comes in from out of town, I beg to go to Guadalajara grill. It's a great place to hang out and meet up with friends and family. The drinks, live music and the made-right-in-front-of-you salsa are great conversation starters. :)
(5)Ryan L.
Portions are huge service was second to none. Salsa made in front of you totally awesome. If you are going to tucson you have to eats here.
(5)Mary Y.
Freshly made SALSA at your table!!! NUFF said. The guacamole was really nice with a fair amount of chunks which I love. We just made happy hour by a minute and managed to snag a beer and margarita for $3!! We got so full off the chips and I didn't even finish my potato-stuffed taquitos. The portions were fair for the price. They also have a musical trio that goes from table to table and takes song requests. I believe you're supposed to tip them too.
(4)Marisa B.
Fantastic enchiladas, amazing cheese dip (chapala rajas), super cheesy Chile rellenos and table side salsa made to your liking - what more can you ask for! Good service, huge portions. Will be back again and again!
(5)D C.
The tableside salsa made to order is terrific. Food was very good as was the service.
(4)Liz D.
Came back two nights ago with the same friends. The service is still slow (and incredibly rude if you're unfortunate enough to be sat in Maggie's area), the salsa is still bland, and the food still sucks--and is incredibly overpriced for what it is. Someone at the table ordered a margarita and said it was nothing but salt and disgusting. I took their word for it. I've learned my lesson. I just won't come back.
(1)Angela J.
The food was the best part of the evening; however, it wasn't as good as I would have anticipated for the amount of money I paid. The service was mediocre at best, which was surprising because there were maybe two other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. At the end of the evening I was shorted $10 by our server making the evening ... spectacular. *ahem* I flagged down an employee to grab our server and ended up waiting an additional 15 minutes for our server to show up to address the situation. When he walked up to the table he came with money in hand, without my yet addressing the issue to any employee ....?!? Suspicious.
(2)Mark F.
Fresh salsa and fajitas are always great. My favorite Mexican restaurant by far.
(5)Carrie G.
**Second visit a few months ago: Went back with a friend who had never been and told her about how delicious the salsa is. Well...on my return visit and giving the food another try, I'm going to probably never come back again. The salsa is almost worth it, but not when there are so many other great food places in the area.** After a really long day at a barbeque competition, I found this place through Yelp on my iPhone. I'm so picky about Mexican food since I am not a fan of the Sonoran style, so I was adamant about trying their food. But the idea of salsa made at your table intrigued me. When we pulled into the parking lot and found that it was complete full and they had a parking attendant, we knew that we had hit the jackppot! We had to park down the block and around the corner because so many people were there...and it was about 8 at nigiht. After a bit of a wait, we were finally seated. The salsa girl came over and we ordered Medium salsa. It was awesome to be able to watch her make the salsa with all the fresh ingredients including the mortar and pestle she used to crush it up all together. My first bite was so delicious! It had the right amount of spice and it seriously was an explosion on my tastebuds! LOL I judge places on their salsa and this was a very very good sign indeed. But I had a very hard time choosing my actual entree. Maybe it would have been weird to just eat the chips and salsa, but I wish I would have. I ended up ordering the Tres Bandidos combo plate with three enchiladas in a sort of sampler style. They weren't that great and I ended up freaking out when I ate a mole style enchilada not realizing it would be sweet. Eeeeeeek! The chicken enchilada was the only one I really ate and the green chile enchilada was just so-so. But I will tell you now, I have daydreams about the freshly made salsa and want to go back (even taking the 1.5 hour drive) just to get some more of that salsa!!!
(2)Jared K.
Service was poor. Our server was non-existent. Took over an hour for the food to arrive. Waited forever with no refills on chips or soda. Won't be back. Complained to the manager and he said oh well its late now you should have said something earlier. Negative star
(1)Charles C.
In a city of many many South of the Border restaurants, sometimes you just want a place that epitomizes everything iconic about their foods ... that is, good food, good atmosphere, good service ... that creates a comfortable experience for you, and for your guest(s). Guadalajara does just this. It's good traditional Mexican fare coupled with attentive wait-staff and a little Mariachi on the side if you like (yes, they take requests ... ask them to play "Y Volvere" by the Los Angeles Negros for a truly romantic scene, and sip your Margarita before indulging.
(5)Mike S.
Plain awful. Thank goodness we had a buy on get one free coupon otherwise we would've been totally pissed. There are lots of "not very good" Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill ranks among the bottom, right there with Casa Molina, El Molina, and El Charro.
(1)Andrew A.
After hearing all the great things about Guadalajara Grill I thought I would give it a try. The location of the restaurant isn't in the best area of town however the place is well kept and has an authentic feel to it. The wait staff was friendly and from the get go I was impressed. Upon sitting down a lady dressed in "authentic" Mexican clothing asked us how we like our salsa. We told the lady and right at our table she made the salsa to our liking. It tasted fresh and was definitely something I had never seen before. It was around 5PM when we sat down which I believe was the end of happy hour so draft beers were two dollars off and the house Margarita was 50% off. Not too bad of a deal? For a main course I ordered a enchilada plate which contained three different types of enchiladas. After hearing such great things I thought the food would be exceptional however I felt it was very good but did not reach the exceptional status. Maybe it was because I had hyped the place up to much? This is definitely a place I would come back to every so often but be mindful that compared to other Mexican restaurants in Tucson, it is a little more pricey.
(4)Rae M.
I love this restaurant! I tried it for the first time and was back two days later to have it again! You need to make sure that you come here when they have the table side salsa! Wonderful ladies make the salsa for you and you can let them know if you want it hotter or more mild! I'm picky about my salsa and about what ingredients go in it so this is perfect! They ask you before adding the ingredients so you can tell them which ones to leave out. I was very impressed by their service last time I visited. I came with my family for dinner when it wasn't too busy yet. We were seated right away and they came by with the chips and salsa as soon as we were seated. Our server (I wish I remembered their name) brought us our drinks right away and when it came time to order, memorized the whole thing without writing it down. This always scares me because i'm one of those difficult customers that has them add and take out certain ingredients and they almost always get it wrong even when it is written down...but not this time! The food was brought out just like we ordered it. Everyone that interacted with us was very friendly even when it did get busy. I recommend coming before the dinner rush or else you could get stuck waiting for a long time before getting a table.
(5)Jessica L.
I had to come here after hearing a friend reminisce about this place after coming back from studying abroad in Europe. So far I've only tried the vegetarian dishes here (I've gone twice with my recently-vegetarian friend. Definitely delicious and love that the salsa is customizable, fresh, and sooo good with the chips. This is quite the experience as all the servers, musicians, walls, and ceilings are dressed the part. Portions are ginormous and I like to split plates, which they are happy to do for you. Lively. Great service. Definitely a Tucson gem.
(4)Sherry B.
HIRE SOME HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have too many incompetent people.
(1)Melissa J.
I just don't quite get the appeal of this place. It's always packed, it's even really hard to park. So you would think that would be a sign that it is something amazing but it just isn't. I do admit, the table side salsa can be really good. Last night we had them make salsa verde and it was so so so good. But that's pretty much the only thing that stood out. My fish tacos were probably the blandest fish tacos I've ever tasted. Really flavorless tortillas and then all that was on them aside from the fish was shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. Really? My husband pointed out I should add the table side salsa, and that did certainly spice it up, but why so boring to start out? My husband and lots of other people at our table got various molcajete bowls. These do seem unique and cool, but my husband said his was pretty flavorless. The margarita was gigantic, but not exciting. Maybe this isn't actually what it is but it just tasted like the Jose Cuervo mix. I did see they had a jalepeno margarita and I'm not sure why I didn't order it because it did sound interesting. The live music is great. We were there for my brother in law's birthday and they sang him a little song, made him a funny hat and brought some tasty cake. So service and ambiance definitely 5 stars. I just don't think it makes up for the food.
(3)Big P.
Is this place really open? The website still has it as being closed still from the fire.
(5)Mark A.
This is right around the corner from my house and I have a tendency to forget about it. I was working late getting some materials for a new fence being built, and wanted I to buy my friends dinner for helping me and proximity was key. Immediately upon arrival I knew like an bomb going off was the loud blast of mariachi's ( I guess there is a band of them marauding about since the close of El Mariachi). I thought to myself was this part of the plan for mutually assured destruction. The table side salsa is good the service is average. They should have a non-marichi zone or a cone of silence.
(3)Sarah L.
Absolute worst service I have ever had. Made a reservation for 7pm and didn't get sat until 7:35pm. Waited another 30 minutes to get water and order food. No one once apologized or gave us a reason for why they were so behind. Finally left at 9:30. Should have never taken 2 1/2 hours to eat dinner. Very disappointed and will not be coming back.
(1)Jack S.
I really wanted to love this place like the other reviewers and but for a few things, albeit pretty major things, would have given this place 4 stars at least. First off, I have to say the service was very good and this is during the AZ basketball Elite 8 playoff where the entire waitstaff was glued to the game. The salsa made at your table was good but it takes a while to come around and for a while you are there with these chips and nothing to dip them in. I ordered the 3 banditios, an enchilada each in green sauce, mole and red sauce. The sauces were excellent but all 3 of the enchiladas were quite anemic on the meat. Also, I have to say that the tortillas, although laudably made fresh on site, were so thick I could not use my fork to cut them and had to resort to a knife. I have literally had tortillas made over a fire in the jungles of Guatemala that were leagues ahead of this. Maybe it's been great in the past, maybe it's just a gotten a bit lax in execution but this place was slightly less than average on my visit.
(3)Aishan S.
I brought my family here when they came to visit Tucson and everyone really enjoyed this place. The decor hear is delightful and welcoming. I really love the beautifully crafted sombreros hanging from the ceiling. To further the lovely ambience, the restaurant serves table-side salsa freshly prepared right in front of their guests. At dinner, their is also a live ensemble playing and serenading. When my friend and I came here, they performed the UA fight song for us, knowing we were college students. And now, to discuss the menu. Their vegetarian dishes are really good and my family liked the meat dishes too. This time, I ordered the Tilapia with Poblano sauce because I wanted to try a seafood dish. The sauce was nice and creamy and the rice on the side was delicious, but I thought the fish itself was a little too salty. My only other grievance is that the service was slow on Saturday lunch, but it's usually better at dinner. Nonetheless, their food is quite amazing for the most part, and portions are huge. The chips are salsa are delicious alone but make sure you save space for the food you ordered or you will definitely miss out on a treat.
(4)Thomas O.
I don't know why I keep going back here. Every 8 months or so I get talked into going to dinner here and every time I am hoping that it will be a better experience. The food is mediocre and the service is just plain bad. The 2 redeeming factors are the table side salsa service and the mariachi band which moves my ranking from 1 star to 2 stars. Service: we asked for more napkins and none came, we ended up having to take the serving set up from the next table. Additionally water glasses were not filled regularly. Cleanliness: I had a fly land on my food....disgusting. Price: Over priced for mediocre food. Hopefully I won't be talked into going back here again
(2)Thomas H.
Heard so much about this place we had to try it. It was ok. I'm from Tucson and could see this as a place people from out of town would like. The service was good but the food was bland. No heat at all. The beans had very little flavor. I eat all over Tucson and different places have their own version. But I just can't recommend this place
(2)Grant H.
Amazing chimichanga and hand made salsa... Can't beat the happy hour margaritas either... If I didn't live in California I would be here at least once a week A++++
(5)Tom C.
We were very impressed with the service here, attentive without being intrusive. The salsa is created to order at your table; your waitress uses a mortar and pestle to create your salsa. All portions were large and everyone in our large (13) party were happy with the quality of their food, the tilapia, a new item, was excellent. My chimichanga was full of shredded beef (ground beef or strips are also offered) and a traditionally large portion was served, more than enough for my appetite. Personally I prefer my chimi to be really crisp, this one was deep fried but 'not for long' as it was very light in color and not very crisp. A small portion of rice and beans were on the plate along with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole. Quality overall was very good and service was excellent.
(4)Barb H.
At the end of a great parents weekend at UA, we asked our daughter and her boyfriend where they wanted to have dinner. They both requested Guadalajara Grill (the site of their first date.) The building is easy to find and we were greeted immediately. Its obvious that many of the employees have been with them for a long time. We started with their made at the table salsa. Oh so good and smoky. Nice selection of margaritas and beers. Huge menu. I had the cheese enchiladas with green chili, hubby had some fresh fish tacos and daughter has sizzling steak fajitas. Was any of this vastly different than other Mexican restaurants? No, but it was solid food in a delightful setting with stellar service. We will be back.
(3)Ryan H.
I come to Guadalajara Grill 4-5 times a year and it never disappoints. I usually go with a chimi but recently discovered the molcajete bowl. Similar to fajitas, it came out in a sizzling stone bowl, with the carne/mariscos simmering in a tomato stew. Delicious and a huge meal. The lively decor, mariachi band, friendly service and extensive menu make this a great destination for out of town visitors and locals, young and old alike. Check it out!
(5)Joshua L.
Used to really like this place until they moved. It seemed like they forgot to take the quality with them in the move. Overpriced unoriginal mexican fare.
(2)Esmat E.
Love the table side salsa and happy hour beer prices.
(4)Monica E.
I miss the restaurants old location near Campbell. But the food is still tasty and fresh.
(4)Joel L.
Now this place is special!!!!! First of all they come and make your salsa right at your table! No store bought salsa here. We tried the chicken fajitas and the burritos, tacos with the quesadilla and it was FANTASTIC!!! The salsa is made to your liking, mild, medium or my favorite hot!, it's all good. Environment lends itself to a Mexican food experience. The margaritas were delicious and not that expensive. So if your looking for a great place to have some good ole Mexican food THE GUADALAJARA ORIGINAL GRILL is your best bet! Please make reservations cause the wait can be a little long, but it's worth it! :)
(5)PHIL g.
First of party of 6 Sunday evening. Gave name of reservation and were seated. Some time later discovered rest of group in another part of restaurant. Hostess obviously paid no attention to us. Waiter was attentive but food was abysmal. Strangest tortillas ever! Burro was a raw, doughy mess. Wife ordered a chimichanga. It was also doughy, not crisp as a chimichanga should be. House margarita had little taste and even less tequila. Have eaten in many Mexican restaurants in area. This place is at the bottom of the list.
(1)Peter R.
Really bad service. My partner and I were seated at a 4 top table. I decided to sit next to her and glad I did. Any other seat would have been in the way of the salsa cart, which bumped our table more than once. The fresh made salsa is actually really good. The food is way overpriced and is mediocre at best. After asking for a box for our food, we waited about 10 minutes before having to ask another server for our check. After our server brought it, and waited another 5 minutes, we took it to the front to pay and left an undeserving tip on the table. As we walked to the front, we past our server who was preparing some food in the kitchen, I said thank you as we past. As we were paying at the front, she came running up as if we were going to walk out on the check. She obviously cared about getting paid without any consideration for her customer's needs and time.
(1)Anh N.
As another yelper once said "when disneyland meets denny's meets Mexico." Fresh salsa made by your table gives this place closer to a 4 star review - and food was surprisingly tasty (Pollo en Mole and Chile Verde).
(3)Tiffany S.
This place is always packed! If your looking for a lively, family friendly but homey experience then this would be a good place. The wait can at times be long, but I've usually been seated within 5 minutes. It's hard to go wrong with the food...But the Tres Bandidos, Cilantro chicken and anything with Mole are particularly good. I've never been disappointed by the quality (or quantity). The Mariachi band and salsa making ladies are pretty special. Depending on the crowd it might take the salsa lady awhile to come around and the service also varies. I've had some truly outstanding waiters and some duds.
(4)David L.
Stopped for a snack and something cool to drink first week of May. Table side salsas were OK and the chips were good. Very nice guacamole. Had an ice tea and a negro modelo, It was Happy Hour, of which we were unaware and the bill was really cheap for what we had. Left a 30% tip and signed the credit card receipt. Got home and just received our credit card statement. They added another 30% to the bill...... Check your statements!
(2)Andrea H.
My coworkers obsess over this place and before I moved to Tucson I heard great things about it too. Therefore, the bar was set high for Guad Grill. I firmly believe that it reached the standard that was set for it...... You can't go wrong with the fresh, made-on-the spot salsa. It simply rocks and I drizzled it over my dinner entree even after eating a bowl of chips with it. The margaritas are spectacular and enhance any dinner menu item ;) I usually finish off my meal with the Sopapillas, which are perfect for sharing with the table. Breakfast at Guad Grill is ok, but lunch and dinner are really the shining stars. The staff is adorable if you are celebrating a birthday dinner-- the mariachi singers will serenade the birthday person and they are also giving a festive (tin foil) hat and dessert! Precious :)
(4)Jay L.
My favorite place in Tucson! The food is amazing!
(5)Ray L.
Oh boy! Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican food! Honestly, Guadalajara Grill is about the same as most other sit-down Mexican restaurants in town. This is not a bad thing-the food is completely okay, if not especially memorable. The chile verde is definitely green, but the color is more interesting than the flavor, a dynamic shared by the insipid (but very red) shredded beef. The menu is heavy on fajitas and unencumbered by soups but, then, menudo doesn't have the gimmicky appeal of tableside salsa which is, apparently, exciting. Likewise, if you are thrilled by large, colorful alcoholic beverages, Guadalajara Grill is considerably closer than Vegas. If you are nostalgic for the D.F., you can order a huarache, which is nice to find in Tucson, but the resulting battleship of food offers more heft than flavor. Guadalajara Grill is a big enough establishment that it lacks a feeling of family ownership, an attitude reflected in the courteous-yet-disinterested attitude of the servers and the overpolished theme park decor. The good side of this is that Guadalajara Grill was open on New Year's day, when smaller family restaurants are closed. Portions and prices are on par with other midrange Mexican restaurants. If you prefer flavor over a midtown location and cheesy atmosphere, go somewhere else.
(3)Brad H.
Not sure if its just because we arrived just before close, but this place didn't quite live up to the expectations I had after delicious salsa was made at the table. Service was inattentive and half the food was cold. Finally, how am I supposed to eat a giant portion of fajitas, which had great flavor by the way, with only two tiny tortillas? I'd ask my server except she hasn't been seen for a while. Check please
(2)Punam D.
When we got here, the place was packed but we were led efficiently to our table. The service in general was attentive, and although there was a bit of a wait for food and drinks (which you could well understand), the atmosphere was so good that you didn't mind. The salsa made at our table was delicious, and the staff did not stint on the tortilla chips. In fact, there was just too much food! It was universally excellent; I only wish I had had more room in my stomach. We were 12, and everyone raved about their particular dish. I had fajitas. The lobster enchilada drew real praise. The margaritas were something else: gigantic! I was glad I stuck to the sangria. And finally, a word about the mariachi band: really very talented and entertaining. A great night out.
(4)Eric S.
Used to be great, but I brought a party of 8 here to celebrate this week and I was embarrassed. Two people sent their food back, two people didn't eat much of their order, and EVERYONE complained about the long wait to order, to get our food, and to get our check, and the mariachis were way way way to loud. The place used to be packed all the time, and this is the first time i've been there when it was half empty, and it;s clear why. The place has gone downhill. Too bad. I used to love it and bring visitors here, but no more.
(2)Todd G.
Not bad. The skinny margaritas were a bit strong. Felt like I was sipping a glass full of tequila shots. The salsa prepared table side was As Good As It Gets though.
(4)Paul D.
I can't say that I am a big Mexican food critic. All Mexican food tastes pretty good to me ( as long as there is no cilantro). But what I like about Guadalajara Grill is that it is a very festive place. The inside is very colorful and there are pinatas hanging from the ceilings. They have the Mariachi band playing and they have the Salsa lady that comes around and makes fresh salsa. I also like the big booths. We always have a good time when we go here.
(4)Bianca A.
I think the food here is delicious. Although service has definitely slowed since they moved I still appreciate the effort. Try their huarache dish it is soooo good and the few margaritas I've tried so far are also very yum! I wish them continued success!
(4)Corey C.
IT'S A FIESTA! This places enables people to roll their R's. Serious. Go with people who are incapable of saying "burrito" the correct way. After some fresh Salsa and a few margaritas, BAM, they'll be able to recite the spanish alphabet no problemo. You're gonna shell out some dough for this table side salsa making restaurant but keeping that in mind their margaritas or ginormous. Go during happy hour if you can fit it in on a Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM. Margaritas are half price and appetizers are considerably cheaper.
(4)Kevin M.
Went there for dinner with a group of 12. The restaurant did a great job seating us quickly and providing great service at the table (having 2 waiters helped). The salsa is made table-side and was very tasty. We ordered guacamole as an appetizer -- it was much less impressive than the salsa. The food was good but didn't seem particularly special.
(3)Josh F.
So good. So damn good. One of the few places I really miss from my U of A days. The salsa here is incredible. As is the guac and the tortillas and the chips and the margaritas. Just go have fun at this place. It's an incredible value.
(4).caroline. ..
This is a favorite of our Tucson friends, and we can see why. The made-at-your-table salsa is excellent, and the chips are bountiful. Save room for the enormous plates of food though! The Asada Chimichanga is deliciously filling, and the enchiladas (especially the pork chile verde) are yum-my. The giant (and cheap) beers and margaritas do not go unnoticed. Our friends report that the wait can be awfully long (and you can tell if there's someone directing traffic in the parking lot), and recommend sending someone ahead to put your name down on the wait list. Must be present to win ;)
(4)Jack P.
Great Mexican food in a town KNOWN for Mexican food. The salsa, made fresh at your table could not possibly be any fresher or more authentic. Fantastico! Mariachis stroll the floor and will serenade you for a couple of bucks (just like south of the border). It's kind of loud with the adjacent sports-bar and all the excitement...probably not a great place for a "quiet" sit-down with the fam. Loved it though.
(4)Melinda T.
Love this place. The food is reasonably priced and you get a lot of it. They make fresh corn tortillas, which you can see when you first walk into the dining room. The best part though? The lady makes fresh salsa in front on you! You get to choose the level of spiciness, and it's delicious! Great fun atmosphere and friendly service.
(4)Peter B.
Got there at 5:15, Friday; friends waiting at a table in the bar . . . GREAT salsa (made table-side), good margaritas (a little sweet, but did the trick) . . . and pleasantly surprised by the mini-chimi's . . . incredibly good!
(4)Jim S.
This place got some good reviews on yelp, so I really had to try it out. Honestly, fellow yelpers, you've let me down! Salsa - famous perhaps, but really not inspired or memorable aside from the fact they make it at your table. Show what? Margaritas - avoid. Really bad - as in un-drinkable. A margarita that is undrinkable - strike two. Food - beef tacos (not carne asada, no such option) - shredded or ground. What??? Seriously, I expected better tacos for a sit-down restaurant that wants more than 10 bucks for a 3 item combo. Street tacos like that should be a buck each. It's not that I'm cheap, just really disappointed. I will not return. Maybe I went there on an off night - but ugh! Five stars - when there are so many better choices???
(2)Paul V.
A plug to the Tucson Weekly: I came here because this was voted second best Mexican restaurant in their 2008 Best of Tucson issue. I'd already been to the restaurant that received the most local votes, so came here. Table-made salsa is excellent. The hot is very hot, so be careful, and the mild is deceptively so. The heat sneaks up on you, making you sweat after dunking a few chips. The food is stick-to-your-ribs ranchero food, a complete 180 degrees from the "fine-dining" Mexican restaurants in town, and better than the Mexican restaurants appealing to the gringo diner. Don't expect an appealing-looking plate, but expect a plate that has good food, fills you up, and makes you leave satisfied.
(4)Chich S.
We went to this restaurant based off the other yelp reviews, and I have to say that it definitely was worth the trip! The salsa made freshly at the table definitely lives up to all the hype I've read. The entrees are pretty delicious too! The margaritas are definitely a bit too sweet (and huge), to the point where we couldn't finish it. Overall, a great experience! Definitely will come back if I'm in Tuscon again.
(4)Karl S.
This is our go-to Mexican restaurant when in Tucson. Homemade table-side salsa, strolling musicians, fresh made tortillas, great tasting food, great atmosphere and attentive servers. Sometimes you have to wait to be seated, but it's worth it. We had the Tres Bandidos and the paella tonight. Very yummy.
(4)Elizabeth W.
This is our favorite restaurant to take out of town guests! Excellent food and service. The table side made to order salsa is delicious and the mariachis are entertaining without being too loud. You can't go wrong with the margaritas and mocajete but we have tried most of the nenu and all the food is excellent.
(5)Paul A.
Our dinner here was outstanding! The service was prompt, courteous, and attentive. The salsa lady made some of the best salsa I've had in Tucson (or anywhere else, for that matter). The green chile was flavorful and tender, and I highly recommend it. The fajitas were also wonderful! The house margarita's were just right, and they have Modelo Negro on tap! We had received good recommendations about this place from friends, and I would say they were accurate. If you want good Mexican food and great atmosphere for a good price, you can't beat Guadalajara Grill!
(5)George V.
Awesome food. My wife and I split a mixed grill of carnitas, shrimp, chicken, and steak, and still had plenty of left overs.
(5)browse n.
Found this spot on a trip to Tucson (thanks to prior Yelp reviews). The margaritas are large, the tortillas are made on site, the salsa is made table-side, superior carnitas and the chicken mole enchiladas were excellent! The only vaguely critical comment was that the steak fajitas were merely okay, not great. I definitely encourage you to check this place out.
(4)Ana C.
They were able to fit a huge group and kept the chips and salsa coming!
(4)Mike I.
Best sit-down Mexican food in town. Why it is awesome: -Salsa made at your table-side -Everything is good -Unique menu items like lobster enchiladas -Molcajetes, Fajita like dish that comes in a giant lava rock that is boiling hot and filled with delicious meats -Margaritas -Mariachi Band -Tortillas made in house that are making my mouth water as I write this -I repeat, Molcajetes.
(5)Aisha M.
I was hoping to find excellent Mexican in Tucson. I'm sure it is there but I didn't find it. The guacamole was really good. I had the enchiladas mole. I cleaned my plate but I have had much better.
(3)gaby g.
I enjoyed the table-side salsa making. Good salsa. I had the chicken fajitas, and the chicken was great. The rice and beans were pretty bland and didn't add much to the dish. I don't know that I'll be rushing back, but it was a solid meal.
(4)Jason P.
This has got to be the best Mexican Food joint in Tucson. Everything from the service to the food to the atmosphere is excellent. Every time I have been there has always been a great experience. The food has always been delicious and the staff has been pleasant.
(5)Mark S.
Fun and lively! Bright decor, and a friendly staff. The tableside Salsa is a great show with a happy-tasting ending. They make it to order (burning hot for me, mild for the kids). We had combo fajitas and carne asada, both of which were very fresh. This is a great place to take out-of-towners!
(4)Paul P.
The food was excellent. Huge portions too. The salsa was pretty good and they make it at your table. We asked for medium but it was still very HOT. Thankfully they serve some giant beers to put out the fire in my mouth. Mariachi band was playing too.
(4)Nathan C.
Excellent food! Salsa made at table, friendly waiter. mariachi band. Definitely get a lemonade it is awesome! This place is hopping on the weekends so make a reservation otherwise you will have up to an hour wait. My favorite mexican restaurant in tucson!!
(5)Nina H.
Four of us ate at the Guadalajara Grill on the recommendation of a friend. We were delighted with the total experience. Salsa, made tableside to your order, was plentiful and tasty. The girls who make it wore Mexican embroidered blouses and long skirts; the walls are decorated with handpainted murals, giving the whole place an atmosphere probably more Mexican than Mexico itself. Tortillas were made on the premisis, and the Sangria, made with brandy, was very pleasant. I ordered Chicken mole, which was a bit bland but very flavorful. If I have occasion to return to Tucson, I will certainly dine there again.
(4)carl h.
they make your salsa at your table. big portions, tasty. service also good.nice authetic place.
(4)Melody S.
Just ok. Food and service was decent. Nothing spectacular.
(3)S. M.
Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. What more can you ask for?! Their homemade tortillas are to-die-for!!! They are thin, yet have a bit of a crunch to them with an excellent flavor. I once reheated one in the microwave... Still great- which is crazy! The ingredients used in their food are obviously fresh and not overcooked. Great quality. My only complaint would be that they should use fresh tomatoes in their salsa rather than canned/blanched tomatoes. It's definitely still good, though! I will definitely come back to this place many times!!
(5)Ami D.
Delicious food! The review for this place are definitely appropriately written. The salsa is my personal highlight! I consistenly order Arroz con Pollo and its great. Don't get me wrong, I used to order different things each time to try out the menu but now I just stick to it because I know I love it. The flavors are great and I always have leftovers I throw into a burrito the next day! Extra goodness... Enjoy!
(4)Cindy N.
Had my faithful Entertainment card and decided to go back to Guadalajara Grill once more. Last time I went was for a happy hour for the office and it was plain awful. Place was packed, noisy, food was yukky. But I figured I'd give it another try. Being I had the card was motivation for me to try it again. We went early on Sat. night just before 5.00 PM. It was quiet and I was quite overjoyed to enjoy a wonderful meal. Some newer different items on the menu such as Halibut Enchiladas with sauteed veggies and rice. Rice was just so so. But the Halibut was yummy as well as the veggies. Hubby had a combo plate and enjoyed that as well. Even had leftovers which were just devoured the next day. Of course, the salsa lady offers at the table service and it was made to order. Excellent. Being the cheapskate I am when it comes to food. Not sure if I would run back here as they are a bit pricey. La Sur on 22nd for $4.99 has wonderful chicken enchiladas. Much better value and just as good.
(4)Troy W.
It's not el charro good slasa made at the table. Feels unclean and I got really sick after eating there.
(2)Denny P.
This is a terrific place to eat as a couple or in a group. The food is excellent and even at every visit. This visit included six of us, three from out of town, in for a college graduation. We were seated promptly due to our reservations. The place was packed and we were greeted with a smile. The salsa made at the table to order was perfect and when we ran out of chips they were replenished, again with a smile. We ordered from the menu and their specials, including green corn tamales. Everyone raved about their choice and the appetizers ordered for the table. Don't order too much as the plates are "grande" sized and we took food home that night (as usual). Everything travels perfectly as long as you don't pack the sauces with the chips.
(5)Brian C.
The fresh salsa (made at the table) is delicious! The guacamole is very smooth (and is a nice tamer if you get the salsa too spicy). The staff is friendly, and attentive. There is a live mariachi band too.
(5)Jane O.
I love this restaurant! With the tableside salsa, good food and fun atmosphere, you couldn't really go wrong from there. BUT THEIR SERVICE SUCKS! if it weren't for the good food and salsa, this place would be out of business. I would give it 5 stars but I can't. If you go expecting to get poor service, your overall experience will not be that bad.
(3)Pilar L.
Never so embarrassed. Highly recommended, brought out of town guests. Surly waitress, apathetic "table side salsa service", bland beyond belief food, watery drinks. Blah blahbla. And Not inexpensive,,,,,
(1)Kayla B.
Came here on my 21st and many other occasions with the family and bf. I love that they make the salsa table side and to your liking the service is soso but if you can wait for good Mexican food then I would recommend this place. However if you expect amazing service and and to get in and out I would say to go elsewhere.
(3)Chelle F.
Really good. Like, really, really good. The "made at your table" salsa was quite tasty, although next time I'll stress that I want it HOT. Husband had the Plato Bandera, which was amazingly good. The sauces. OMG, the sauces. So delicious that I considered licking the inside of the take-out container once he'd finished them the next day. Plus, the cheese they use is white, not yellow. That's almost worth 5 stars right there. I had the chicken molcajete, which was delicious but just not quite my speed. Kind of like fajita soup. The rice was good but non-remarkable. The Guadalarita margarita is HUGE, but mine was a little heavy on the sweet and sour mix and a little light on the tequila. I don't know if they're always like that or not. Bonus points for the Negra Modelo on tap. If you're going on a Friday or Saturday, listen to their website and make a reservation. There was only 2 of us, and we went at 6:00, so there wasn't much of a line, but by the time we'd finished eating an hour later the place was wall-to-wall people and getting through the lobby was a tight squeeze.
(4)Tim T.
I've been to this location several times and the one on Kolb too. I was beginning to think this was a consistently good mexican restaurant but after the last few times we went there it is just okay. For a while the food and service were very good but as they have become more popular they are slacking on both. Now, I think the only thing that is worth going there for is the table side salsa. When we went there a couple weeks ago the food was average and the prices had increased. For $14 for enchiladas I expect some consistently great food.
(2)Michelle P.
My group really enjoyed the food. You get big portions. The salsa is made fresh at your table. It is cool because you get to custom order how you want it made. (i.e extra cilantro, mild, hot, etc). I ordered guacamole as an appetizer. It is served in a tasty crispy fried shell. You get a lot of guacamole and it tastes fresh and healthy. I ordered the carne asada platter which was good. I split the dish with someone and we were both full at the end of the night We ordered a margarita. It was too salty and had a sweet/sticky taste too it. I can't remember the name of the margarita, but we got one of the best Rita's they serve.
(4)Sean M.
I really wanted to like this place. Hey, I'm in Tucson it only makes sense to go for Mexican. This place had good reviews, so I checked it out. The salsa was made table-side, which is pretty cool, and all they ask for is a tip for the señorita who's slaving this out in a lava bowl. Maybe my gringo side has gotten the best of me, but I would have liked the salsa to have been chilled. That would have been refreshing when it's still 90+ degrees outside, but it was room temp warm. I asked for recommendations on dinner and went with the Chili Verde. I get that all the food here is pre-made, but at least take the time to warm it up. My dinner came out within about 3- minutes of my order (no joke). It appeared like they just plated it and didn't bother to heat it up. The cheese wasn't even melted, and a finger check proved the beans and pork were room temp at best. They did reheat it when I asked, and it turned out pretty tasty. I guess in all it worked out, but I still can't help feeling bummed I spent my Tucson dinner out here. In short, I'd prefer colder salsa and warmer food. On the plus side, this place does look like it has all the right stuff to be a good Texmex restaurant, and while it's kinda slow right now, it is a Monday night and it's probably very lively on other nights.
(2)Tiffany V.
I absolutely love everything about this place. The ambience, the food, the service; it's all wonderful. I haven't tried anything I haven't enjoyed. I also really enjoy that they make the salsa fresh for you at your table. So... delicious. LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)Ron R.
Great atmosphere! So so food but I am a fine dining Hispanic with a great pallet. I won't go back unless it's for drinks and chips at the back bar.
(3)Amy W.
I've been going to Guadalajara Grill for years now, and it's great. Their salsa is fantastic, their margaritas are HUGE and strong, and their servers are usually great, not to mention the food. Granted, it's not the BEST Mexican food place in town, but it's still solidly delicious. Only once did I go there and have a complete monster of a waitress, but I haven't seen her since so she probably got fired. Point is, they're the best place for taking your friends, especially your loud friends, and relaxing and having a fun time. My favorite dish is either the molcajete (might have misspelled), tamale, or machaca beef, although I've never really explored their pork or seafood dishes. Later Edit: Don't get curious about the Chipotle Chicken.
(5)Sam M.
A must try for dinner. House margarita is big and cheap during happy hour, or get the margarita Guadalajara for u or a friend if u brought a camera. The meriachi band takes requests of any genre, very fun.
(5)J. A.
Amazing food with amazing service. I have never had bad service or bad food here. You really need to try the molletes con carne. The bread that they're on is amazing. I can make an entire meal out of this appetizer. The potato tacos are also fantastic. The molcajete is piping hot, flavored brilliantly and melts in your mouth.
(5)Stephanie R.
Guadalajara is a fun and energetic restaurant with great service to enjoy Mexican food at! Not only does this restaurant have great tasting food with table side salsa made fresh to order but their margaritas are to die for! The atmosphere of this restaurant is not only set by the fun décor but with live mariachi too! This restaurant is a must when in Tucson!
(5)Gerg P.
Well there is a Chicken Mole dish, which is a clue if your Mexican restaurant is Mexican. Margs are just ok, salsa is good as built to order, so speak up Gringo. Hey it's not Taco Bell so be patient, so if you're in a hurry go to a "FAST FOOD" DUH!
(3)Xinda H.
Very good! Food portion is large! I like those entrees served in a big stone bowl, I forgot the name though. Salsa is freshly made tableside, like it.
(5)Larry L.
I met my 2 Sons for lunch today and the service was slow and the food was not good. I'm a native Tucsonan and know what is great and poor Mexican food and this is the latter. Food was cold and the cheese in the enchiladas wasn't even melted. I remember why I quit going there when they were at their first location on Prince Rd.
(2)Jennifer B.
Do not purchase online gift cards from them. I tried to to save some time ordering online and three days later I am still waiting for the gift cards to be emailed to the recipients. I called to ask and was told by the cashier who answered the phone "to be quiet and listen to me". When I waited for her to explain the process and then asked questions she told me "I'm just the cashier, how should I know?". Finally after emailing the "webmaster" did my virtual gift cards get sent.
(1)Lisa W.
I love the atmosphere here! This place is a lot of fun to eat at! They make the salsa right at your table, and you can also control how spicy it is. Their flour tortillas are made in house, so they're as fresh as it gets. I'd would say hands down that Guadalajara Grill has the best flour tortillas I've had since I've been in Tucson. We went on a Saturday night, so they had live music, and the small mariachi band come by and sing at your table too! I can't wait to come back!
(5)Jeff K.
Excellent value for the money! I refer not only to the food but also the service, the ambiance, the excellent salsa made at our table, and the strolling trio of singers, "Los Amigos" (great harmonies in their singing). The decoration style is fairly common for Mexican restaurants that I have been in in many states but it feels more like a local family restaurant. It is well lit and very clean. The staff works quickly but is friendly and helpful. I had tilapia covered with a green chili sauce on a bed of onions and cucumber. Their Spanish rice is very good; the refried beans were good to very good. We had sopapillas for desert: divine!
(5)Michael V.
When someone talks up a restaurant all week, the place has to somewhat perform. This place turned out to be ok. My coworkers ordered dishes that were typical dishes you would order so we weren't surprised when tasted pretty good. Now the kicker.... Do not order the Michelada drink. It is beer mug dusted with sparkling salt crystals and filled half way with a pungent mix of clamato juice. You pour one glass of beer in the drink and try to enjoy the cool summer breeze. Gross, it was not tasty at all. It reminded me of beer mixed in with a bloody Mary. The only thing to do was to laugh the taste away. Also the menu has pictures but make sure you order the description that is below it or else you'll get something you thought you were getting but didn't, like salmon tacos.
(3)Dan J.
We came here after reading recommendations on Yelp, and it was definitely worth it. One of the best Mexican joints in the area. The salsa made at your table was fun and added to the ambiance (note: about 20 too many pinatas though!). This place was good, the margaritas were great, and the Chile Verde was so good that there was nothing left! Service was excellent and we will definitely be returning - both for a night out for two and with the family or a larger group.
(5)Rachel A.
Take out of town guests here for a fun dining experience. Really good margaritas!! Delicious, LARGE portions.
(4)Dale P.
Salsa made at your table, mariachi band, and great food. They also have a solid happy hour and in their new location parking is easy. Best place in town for real Mexican gourmet food. Poca Cosa is very good but not as traditional. This is a must try.
(5)Melissa H.
A recent trip back to Tucson to see the friends I miss most, landed me at the Guadalajara Grill. When I lived in Tucson I lived around the corner from it's original location and I am kicking myself for never trying it before. The table side salsa is a nice touch. While most people love it because they can spice it up, I loved it because I could get the perfect medium blend heavier on the garlic. My friend prompted me to order the bandera margarita and seriously I could of drank 10 more. It is a tri colored frozen margarita with lime, strawberry, and melon and it was delicious. Sticking to my bandera theme I ordered the enchiladas banderas and was not disappointed. The tortillas really are excellent and the food was fresh and prompt to our tables. the atmosphere makes you feel like you are someplace else and there really is an experience to be had here.
(4)Jeremy P.
Uhmazing, make salsa fresh at your table. The best fajitas ive ever had. Try it you wont be... sawwy.
(5)Mark K.
Great food. Plus-minus service. Favorites include table-side made salsa to taste, queso fundido and seafood molcajete in the hot stone pot. Mmmm, good.
(4)Shane W.
This is a new favorite of mine. The service was great as all of the staff was very friendly and the owner came over to serve us and ended up talking for a few minutes. The house margarita is good. The frozen strawberry margarita made with Hornito's is better. The Manchegos is a great appetizer - especially if you love cheese. The chips and salsa is great and plenty as the salsa is made to your order at your table. The chimchanga's are great. The Capitain's Skillet fajitas are served sizzling hot with freshly made tortillas - they make their own at the restaurant. The Albondigas is good as well. The seafood selection is amazing as it reelects the owner's love and knowledge of good seafood. The mariachis band was wonderful to listen to. The downsides are: finding a parking spot is very difficult as this place is very busy; the red rice is dry when compared to the local Sonoran style; and the general music on the speaker system is too loud such that it takes away some of the beauty from the mariachis. I do recommend reservations to avoid waiting in line; otherwise, they bar is a great place to wait.
(4)Sara E.
Bland. That is not an endorsement. Sonoran Mexican food should be spicy and bright. This food is boring. The salsa at the table bit is charming, but doesn't make up for deficiencies in dishes that are delightful elsewhere. Tucson has so many great Mexican restaurants that it is hard to understand how this establishment stays open. Perhaps just the margaritas and salsa? Sad, sad, sad.
(2)Michael G.
There was enough mariachi music swirling around this place to make you feel like you were in Guadalajara, and sprinkle a potent house margarita on top and your there man! The food is exceptional, the bustling crowd and hot plates running around like a Guadalajara fire drill paints the picture. This is the place to be! Come on out, the music is right, your stomach is going to dance all night.
(4)Michael D.
Follow the steps. 1. Pick a beautiful day. 2. Sit on the patio at Guadalajara Grill. 3. Enjoy the table-side salsa and your drink of choice (Bohemia or house margarita thank you). 4. Order the Machaca (Huge serving of slow cooked spice pulled beef, beans, rice, and fresh tortillas). 5. Lose yourself to dining bliss. You're welcome reader, and thank you Guadalajara.
(5)Tom W.
This is a great place to go with visitors to get a taste of the traditional culture along with the biggest menu in town. The new building is terrific and the made-to-order salsa at your table is a treat for first time visitors as well as long time customers.
(4)Rachelle M.
Love Love Love this place!!!! The atmosphere is SO fun and they restaurant has so much going on! The table side salsa is made to order so you tell her exactly how you want it and then taste test to make sure you love it. Only negative is that you not only have to pay on the bill for the salsa but you also have to tip so for salsa, its a tad expensive. But she did a great job, as usual, so we gave her $5. I'll start with a disclaimer: I do not actually like mexican food but I love Guadalajara Grill! I usually just get the chicken quesadilla, but I will always eat off of everyone else's plates and what they have is almost always delicious! So coming from a mexican food hater, that is total props. So everyone go check it out, they have TWO locations now but I still like the original on Prince the most. Be careful, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on Mondays and early dinner bird times.
(4)Matt P.
Only been to the new location once but food was still great as always. The salsa made table-side is my favorite
(4)Brian H.
While I didn't get to my usual Mexican food haunts this last visit to Tucson, I don't feel like I missed getting my dose of Sonoran comfort food after visiting this place. The fish tacos were pretty fresh (purveyor delivered the day before), the salsa pungent and full of bite, and the beans flavorful yet not gut-sticking. All washed down by a decent frozen margarita (so size trumps quality here) and rounded out by friendly table service.
(3)Amith N.
Great Mexican Food! Salsa made fresh at table to suit your taste. Excellent Manchego appetizer, great entrees. Reasonable prices. Service was a bit slow as it was very busy, but good service for the category of establishment.
(5)Megan Z.
I always get one of their amazing, gigantic margaritas and hot salsa. They're the best!! This place is always good. Great margaritas, great food, and never had a problem with service or anything else. Best mole in town!!!
(5)Angela V.
Miss the old location, long before it became so popular. I used to be able to go there and get good service and even better food, but now it's such a wait to be seated, even when you have reservations. I've only gone once since they changed locations (NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE which is such a huge annoyance!!) and it's just too busy for my taste. The food and margaritas were still great though :-)
(3)Kyle H.
The Plato Bandera was outstanding and the dining experience was top notch. The fresh salsa made to order at your table was really unique, we will definitely make a return trip next time in town.
(5)Lindsay J.
I went to U of A and this is place is a must go to if you live or visit Tucson!! I was told about this place from my boyfriends teammate and they said we had t ry it! Of course, I would never pass up fabulous Mexican food and the told us they make their own salsa at the table and the tortillas are fresh! Of course I was all in when I heard this...so we went and can I just say...AMAZING!!!! I had the shrimp fajitas and I was in heaven...lets start with the chips and salsa...OMG...they come to your table and ask how you like it and of course Ilove spicy!!! I had them add alot of spice and I got the whole bowl to myself because my boyfriend and friends wanted theirs medium! I finished lik 2 bowls of chips and salsa myself...I also indulged in a margarita...my boyfriend tried the tequila flight and of course he loved it! Then our food came...of course I was full but after they brought out my sizzling shrimp and veggies...I was ready to go! They then gave me the fresh flour tortillas and I was officially hooked forever! They were hot and chewy and soft and delicious...need I go on? The shrimp were large and cooked perfectly! It was the perfect food...I loved every bit and of course I ate to the point that I could not move...so worth it! hahaha...I could not eat it all of course because there was so much food...but best believe I took it go and enjoyed it the next day and night! They even gave me more salsa, chips and tortillas to go! My boyfriend had this red pork or beef dish it was fabulous too! WE have shared it a couple of times since our first visit! My friends had the enchiladas and another one had a burrito...they all looked sooooooooo good! Go here....this place is amazing! It is not fancy...it is casual, loud and fun!!!!
(5)Surranna V.
I still love this place but if you didn't know they have moved, and I like the other location better. No patio yet, at the new location. The new spot is just down the street from the old one, keep going was on prince the address is 12-- something, its on the same side of the road as the old location. The mar gs were as awesome as ever. The place was so packed that I think the food was not as good as usual but still good. The wait on a Friday night was about an hour so grad your drinks and sit tight!
(4)Nicole H.
I look forward to coming to Tucson so I can eat at this restaurant! It's authentic, amazing margaritas, salsa & guac made at your table (it's fresh and as spicy as you want it!). Everytime I eat there I try something new and have yet to be disappointed.
(5)Jen W.
Love the salsa! I try to eat at Guadalajara grill before 6 and then it's not as busy. Get the medium version of salsa and ask for extra garlic. Super good! Entrees are usually $11-$18, so they are more pricy than your general Mexican combo. But all my out-of-town relatives really love Guadalajara Grill! Reliable and consistent!
(5)Nathaniel H.
I'm from Wisconsin and I expected really good Mexican food when I came down to Arizona. I was excited when I arrived at Guadalajara Grill. We were told there was an hour wait for a table. This was okay as I went to get a beer (which turns out to be a 22oz glass!). I assumed that a Mexican restaurant that busy in Tucson must be incredible. WRONG. The service was decent, not amazing, but not bad enough to turn me off. I did enjoy the table-made salsa idea, but the salsa-lady didn't tell us our options other than spice level (turns out we missed out on many things I would have added in). Then the entrees came out. I am shocked to say that I have never had Mexican food this flavorless in Wisconsin much less near the Mexican border. The meat was all horrifically overcooked (my "steak" was rubbery and dry) and the vegetables had been soaked so thoroughly in bad oil that you couldn't even taste the vegetable underneath. Making this even worse: the prices were $15 plus. Sorry Arizona, but I find quality, fresh, Mexican food in Wisconsin for less than $10.
(1)Kevin C.
This place has the most delicious salsa I've eaten anywhere, and the selection of entrees is extensive and just as delicious. I spent 10 months working on a project in Tucson, and once I found this place I went back several more times and took coworkers with me each time. The salsa ladies are prompt and courteous, and always ask if you'd like your salsa mild, medium, or hot. Heat it up for me, and she did. The drinks are great, I've never had any bad service, but the salsa is what keeps bringing me back for more. Can't get enough of that stuff...
(5)Jessica R.
When Rosa's was closed for Holy Thursday, we came here instead. What a pleasant surprise! The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, and I loved the salsa cart at the table. We'd missed the dinner rush, and so the singers seemed to be calling it a night. I had one of the best margaritas I've had in a looong time...strong, big, and tasty. The food was excellent. It was the best meal I had during my stay in Tucson.
(5)Rachel S.
I don't get why this place gets good reviews. Went here with a mex food craving and since yelp gave it the a OK expected it to be pretty good. Once again, tucson proves to be a nearly complete culinary wasteland. Atmosphere is great, festive and classic Mexican restaurant. Kids love looking at all the murals and pinatas. Tableside salsa was watery and over salted. Service was ok but it took an eternity to get our orders out and the place was not half full. Our chicken mole and tacos al pastor arrived. We were excited about the al pastor because it's hard to find in tucson. The corn tortillas were cold and smelled like a refrigerator. The pork was in huge chewy cubes with no flavor. yuk. The mole was lumpy and too thick, like it had been cooking voerlong in a pot. The chicken underneath was in strips and also very hard like it had been cooked several times to rubbery consistency. The only good things were the home made flour tortillas and the beans. For that I could have gone to Nico's for a 3 dollar bean burrito. The biggest mystery was that as we were leabving the place was filling up with lots and lots of people. what are they coming here for? Waht do they get that we don't know about?
(1)James B.
Very good food but too NOISY for me.
(3)Shana M.
I like this very much, truely authentic Mexican food. Lots of seafood on menu. We ordered Chili Verde burros. My husband ordered the Carnitas best in town. Last visit we both ordered seafood,which was excellent. A little pricey for a casual just staving for mexican food dinner. Salsa mixed at your table to your taste. Chips, tortillas hot and fresh. 3.00 margaritas at 4pm happy hour. Big drinks, big food, first time in a long time we took 1/2 of our dinners home. Out side tables, This is a place to take out of towners to.
(4)Erik J.
Maybe I'm a little biased because this place is walking distance from my house, but I really love Guadalajara Grill! My wife and I come here pretty often after work for happy hour (ends at 6pm) where the house margaritas are only $3 (for a big, cool looking glass of it), and appetizers are half off. I really like the fresh, made-at-your-table salsa that can be ordered mild, medium, or hot - just be sure to bring a buck or two to tip the salsa-lady! My favorite meal is the Green Chili Chimichanga, enchilada style with the white sauce. It's pretty huge so the wifey and I usually split it. It does get really busy here Thursday-Saturday nights so make sure to make reservations or plan on waiting a little bit. They are good about turning out tables though.
(5)Bryce R.
I have been to Guadalajara Grill twice with my family. It a family friendly restaurant and the food is very good and not too pricey. The table side salsa is a treat however the salsa is just ok. I enjoy my salsa a little bit cold and because it is made table side it is more room temperature. The salsa is still good just my small complaint. The positives for the restaurant is that the food comes out fast. This is a plus for families so the kids aren't waiting for their food causing tantrums. The food is good. I have gotten the chimichanga, burritos, fajitas, and queso. They have never disappointed. The fajitas are hot and fresh. The tortillas they give you are huge and fresh I love them. The quest is interesting. It is like melted pizza cheese in a bowl. It is good just not your traditional queso sauce.
(5)Dr Tim L L.
I could eat salsa here all day ...... wow. Chips are very good as well. The chicken fajita was okay. The vegies seemed to be cooked separately from chicken and the flavors did not blend. Tasty Horchata ..... a bit on the sweet side. Nice spacious setting and clean. Fresh tortillas ...... hellooooooooo.
(4)Adam F.
Guadalajara Grill has been at this location for many years. It is on the south side of Prince Rd west of Mountain Ave. Unfortunately, a fire in the kitchen kept it closed for several months. It has now been several months since they re-opened, and it is clear they have maintained their reputation as a Tucson staple. They have a website online but be sure to click "Guadalajara Original Grill." The "Guadalajara Fiesta Grill" has a slightly different menu and prices and is only associated with the original location by name. I believe it is a result of a divorce with the owners. The service and food is very consistent. The atmosphere is very comparable to it's primary competitor: El Charro. Like the latter, it is a decent place to come for lunch or happy hour. Choosing this restaurant is a safe pick if you don't want to gamble on a new or inconsistent restaurant.
(4)John B.
The Excellent: Bianca, our waitress this time and last time out did herself in service. I wish all servers were1/2 as attentive as Bianca. The Margaritas show that the bartenders have paid attention to the adage "fresh ingredients simple recipe = great drink". For once a Cadillac Margarita was not over wrought and over the top. It was, well like driving a 59 Caddy Convertiable. The Fajitas were tasty as was the salsa and old school Guacamole. The BAD: COLD STALE tortilla chips. An abomination. When restaurants in Los Angeles routinely serve chips that are fresh so what is the problem???In addition the corn tortillas served with meal were overheated and stale. Inedible so I did not eat them. So close to perfection yet so far. Hopefully they will fix this.
(4)Leila R.
I went here with my cousin and some friends for a girls night out because they touted the margaritas and because they have live mariachis on Wed nights, but i have to say, other than the mariachis (who were really good!) this place did not live up to the hype. First off, the parking situation here is just out of control! I arrived 10mins early for our 6:30pm reservation and spent almost 15mins looking for parking because there was a "lot full" sign and the parking attendant was not helpful at all in suggesting other places to park as the adjacent business strip was all full and the "gated" thrift store across the street did not have any visible available parking. I ended up having to park at the church almost a .25mi trek away. Not to say I mind walking, but it is not in the best neighborhood and you have to cross a busy street, so not ideal, especially when making the hike by yourself after dark. Secondly, at $9 a pop ($8 on the rocks) for their margs, I was expecting a top shelf caliber margarita experience and to at least get a buzz going. The first one I had my cousin ordered for me because they had never tried the tamarindo on the rocks before. For that price, I should at least be able to taste some kind of tequila...my margarita was very watered down and as far as tamarindo goes, everyone at the table agreed, this was not as advertised. The frozen prickly pear marg, on the other hand, was delicious, but again very light on the tequila and definitely not worth $9! As far as the food goes, I was kind of disappointed. It was not very authentic to me (I had a shrimp quesadilla, which was light on the shrimp, and my cousin, who shared some of her dish, had the fried chimis) and again, very overpriced. Other than the food and the margs, this place is puro Jalisco. They did a great job w/the decor (the murals on the wall, especially of the cathedral in Guad are impressive) and the salsa that is made table side is pretty spot on (you can even get it in varying levels of heat). The mariachis, though, redeemed the lackluster food/drink sitch here for me. They stroll through the restaurant and give a genuine performance. One of the mariachis, Martin, has just an amazing voice! But, to be honest, when I walked out of there with a $30 tab for mediocre food and overpriced drinks, I turned into a mariachi, myself, and ay-ay-ayayayay-ed all the way home!
(2)Deb B.
I stopped here for a late lunch mainly to try the Jalapeño Margarita that had been reviewed in the Daily Star a couple of weeks ago, and not really expecting the food to be anything special. Wrong! First, the salsa was great, but could have been even greater if I'd been paying attention as she made it and customized it a bit more for my own tastes (I like it super hot, but easy on the onion and cilantro). For my entree I ordered the Plato Bandera (one each of pork chile verde, beef chile rojo, and white sauce chicken enchiladas), honestly not expecting to love all of them, but much to my surprise each was as good as the next - really, really tasty. And waaaaaay more than I could eat - I took home half to enjoy the next day. Since i was dining alone, there was quite a bit of salsa left over and I really appreciated that they packed that up for me to take home as well. The Jalapeño Margarita that I came for was just okay. I liked it, but didn't love it as much as I thought I might. I can't wait till the Kolb location re-opens as it's only a mile from home and I will definitely be a regular.
(5)Mike M.
Always great food when we go here. On a Saturday night, call ahead seating is a must. This place is always hopping. Our Server, Paul, took care of us even though this place was a mad house. The table side salsa is fantastic as well. Stop by, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Austin S.
I returned here post burned-down kitchen, hoping this restaurant would be improved, but unfortunately there was no such luck. The waitress we had screwed up our drink and food orders repeatedly. My friends ended up with the wrong meat on their burrito bowls and no guacamole (after repeatedly asking for it), and two of our margaritas came out incorrectly - mine without tequila. Yuck. Every time we come here, the service is lackluster and the food is overpriced. I think I may have finally reached my limit. Sorry Guadalajara Grill.
(2)Hector G.
Location: Easy to find off of Prince. I drive from the west side so I take Prince right off Oracle and then its on my right a few miles down. Pay attention though, because if you miss the turn into the restaurant, you'll have to find a place to U-Turn! Lesson Learned! Food: The food was excellent. The table side salsa was tasty and of course fresh. The price was a little higher than I like but for the food quality, it was well worth it. Would I go back: Yes definitely but I would be smarter on what I order since I have children. My bill came out to $50+ dollars for Lunch and that was two meals, two kids meals, Ice Teas and Tip (no alcohol!). Also, here's a tip: the Lemonade for the kids is NOT a kids included drink. Its $3/kids drink of Lemonade. Overall: Yes I would still go back and take my family and even when family from out of town visits. It was very good food.
(4)Jordana S.
One word: garbage. I mean, if you like On The Border or Chili's you'd probably think it was good; there were plenty of people there so I guess they do. I, for one, do not find ill-prepared meats, gelatinous sauces, and unfresh ingredients mixed into tomato sauce posing as "table-side salsa" to be worthy of a $60 bill. If I'm feeling generous I'll give it a four out of ten; on a night like tonight I'll just chalk it up to wishful thinking to have expected a good meal. Because I swear this place used to be fresh, authentic, and local. Now it's just goopy, generic, and reminiscent of every horrible chain restaurant you've ever been to. It's not great. Don't believe the hype.
(1)Chris D.
Being my third time coming here I was still very impressed just as I was the first time. Definitely my favorite Mexican I have had around the area. Their menu consists of everything you would expect a Mexican restaurant to have.I have ordered the fajitas tacos and salmon topped with lobster. I was very equally impressed with all of them. There are two things that I think this restaurant has that makes them stand out. First the lady making salsa from scratch right in front of you is incredible. You can tell her exactly how you want it and she makes it perfectly. Also the traveling Mariachi band that travels the restaurant is a fun added touch. All in all this is definitely a must if you're looking for Mexican food around the area. Great value and even better food.
(5)Christi T.
From having had a recent Mexican restaurant bust at another local restaurant, my husband and I were left really craving some great Mexican cuisine before we left Tucson back to the East Coast. Thankfully this place really made up for that! The restaurant is well designed and very lively and vibrant with all the beautiful wall decor and murals. It's a large restaurant space also so we were sat right away during lunch. Our server greeted us quickly and took our drink orders right away. Our chips and house made salsa were also delivered promptly. The salsa by the way was fantastic! You can definitely tell they take pride in their salsa. I loved the flavor of roasted chilis and spices. The menu options are great and I loved that they offered smaller lunch options as well. My husband decided on the lunch size chimichanga and I chose the lunch plate of two enchiladas. Both entrees included rice and beans as well. One other thing I love is that they offer whole black beans if you don't prefer the refried beans. The chimichanga was lightly fried, not greasy and filled with perfectly seasoned and grilled carne asada in one of their freshly made tortillas. The garnish of lettuce and freshly made guacamole was great with it as well. The enchiladas were also very good and very generous in size! In fact, now I know for next time that one might do the trick for lunch! I chose the chicken over beaf which was moist and flavorful, with not too much cheese or enchilada sauce. One of our pet peeves is overwhelming amounts of cheese but not in this case for either dish. Our only negative was that the server seemed to disappear about half way through our lunch but she ended up picking up the slack towards the end. Overall we were very satisfied and can't wait to visit Tucson again to come back!
(4)Caitlin V.
Total score is a 2. +2 for Ambiance and salsa prep by the table is pretty awesome! Queso dip was pretty bad. It was supposed to have chorizo in it, and it did, but maybe like a tablespoon of chorizo. Really? The cheese wasn't a dip either, it was a block of cheese we had to cut with a knife. Unless it was burning hot and bubbling, it wasn't a dip. The drinks were overpriced. The verde slow cooked pork was not slow cooked, as the pork was chewy. I can just pay 2 more bucks a plate and get WAY better carnitas at Wild Garlic Grill- melt in your mouth pork! Chewy pork? Eh. The price was ridiculous for the quality of food. Quantity does not trump quality. Try Ponchos for better quality and 25% the price.
(2)Iris G.
Guadalajara is one of my favorite places - the value you get for your dollar is excellent and the food is gluttonously awesome. It can get crazily packed, so I would suggest reservations for Friday or Saturday. The front of the restaurant where the hostess stand is has a small waiting area but usually the weather is nice enough to wait outside as well. Guadalajara is excellent for all occasions. Birthday? They'll make a crazy tin foil birthday hat for you. Anniversary? Indulge in one of their monsterous margaritas and try to save room for the sopapillas. Just felt like having some awesome Mexican food? Guadalajaras is the place to go. The portion sizes are massive, and it starts off with some table side salsa made to order. It's pretty sweet that they will customize it to the spice level you want or omit a less desirable ingredient. The chips are always fresh and hot as well. The shrimp molcajete is my favorite to indulge with. Tender, plump shrimp in a spicy broth with veggies and you can get the rice and beans on the side. It comes with your choice of either corn or flour tortillas. So tasty. I also really love their stuffed salmon dish. It's delicately cooked but has a ton of flavor. The sauce they top it with is rich but not too thick so you don't end up with that "gross" feeling. There is a really awesome portobello mushroom dish that I get when I'm not feeling chicken or seafood. It's light and delicious and the portobello flavor really stands up to all the bold flavors Mexican food is known for. You also cannot go wrong with a burrito or chimichanga if that's more your style when heading out for Mexican. They also have a mariachi band on certain days which is fun to bring out of towners to come experience!!
(5)Andy R.
Amazing! Fun salsa at the table, fresh tortillas and a ridiculously tasty mocajete! lobster enchiladas also great! Just good and fun!
(5)C. A.
This restaurant used to be good. Not sure what happened, but the food is now average to below average. Had the chicken mole today. The chicken was very bland, the mole just poured over it but not really tasting like the chicken and the sauce belonged together. The rice was crunchy and inedible. They should have been embarrassed to serve it to customers.
(2)K J.
I don't understand the draw for this place. I went back for a 2nd time tonight, and I had their chili verde, which is one of the dishes I use to judge any Mexican restaurant. It was VERY bland! The only taste it had was if you ate one of the large pieces of green chili in the dish. It was a large portion, and the meat was very tender, it just didn't have much of any flavor to it. I like the table side salsa, but that ends up just costing you an extra tip for the salsa lady. I sat at the bar tonight, and the service was great. I just don't understand why this place is packed all the time for what I would call average Mexican food. The prices and portions here are very good, but who cares if the food isn't that good? I'm not going back. There are far better places in Tucson.
(2)Cherée E.
I'm so sad to say that our recent visit here was such a disappointment. While the always delicious table salsa was five stars, everything else was a bust. It was a Friday night, we waited close to 20 minutes for a table, which was expected and another 20 minutes before a waitress came by to take our drink orders. Some of the people seated after us were seen immediately. The kitchen helpers that brought out our food just dropped half of the order off and left. We waited another 5 minutes for the rest of our meal. My husbands carne asada burrito did not look like what he has always ordered in the past. When we asked the waiter about it she looked at it and said it wasn't correct and took the plate. A couple minutes later she brought the same plate back and said it was correct. We also had to ask for a single refill of water 3 times. We've always had a good experience here but doubt we'll come back after this visit. It was definitely a bummer.
(2)Josh M.
Used to be a classic in my book. But who knows if you can even get in anymore or if the joint got burned down by accident again...
(3)Melissa B.
We had an absolutely wonderful time at this restaurant. The staff was welcoming, the ambience was family oriented and joyful & the food was delicious! We ordered the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce) and the verde chimi. Both were delicious & I would order again. The salsa is made table side and is very good, with the added bonus that you can customize with ingredients you like/want omitted. The best part was the flour tortillas which are excellent and obviously homemade (makes a HUGE difference)! We would definitely return. Rosie, our server, was also great, as were the hostess & salsa lady!
(5)Alex B.
This place is great. They start you off with salsa that they make right at the table and chips. I believe you get one free refill of each. The salsa is always amazing. I always order the fajitas. I've tried the pork carnitas, portobello veggie, and shrimp fajitas. All fantastic, the shrimp and pork carnitas are probably my favorite. As someone else mentioned, the margaritas are overpriced and not really worth it. Also parking is terrible. Absolutely 100% terrible. We drove once, but I live close enough to walk, and always do now. But don't let the parking scare you away, you should definitely check this place out.
(4)Carol K.
We really liked this HUGE restaurant. It was recommended to us by Tucson locals and it did not disappoint. For some reason I turned into Princess and the Pea when it came to seating; NO outside is too loud with traffic and overwarm, No, the back room had a really large group and then a table of nuns... so we opted for eating at the bar. The tableside salsa was a hit. We got it custom made screamingly spicy and it was a winner. I ordered the Molcajete Ultimo which was a big delicious bowl of simmering shrimp, chicken and steak in an earthy tomato sauce with onions. That with the fresh flour tortillas made me whimper. Next time I would skip the chicken and just go beef and shrimp. Spouse had a pork chile verde with above melt in your mouth tortillas. This gets dinged a star only because it is so huge and the acoustics are awful. It was just filling up with no parking and valets were there to manage the crowds. And it was really loud. The extensive menu has me wanting to go back for again and again. Perhaps midday on a random Wednesday?
(4)Charlene L.
Absolutely the best authentic Mexican food in the state of Arizona! Let me repeat that! Made-to-order Tableside guacamole and salsa with the freshest ingredients, homemade flour tortillas like you've never seen or tasted, and mouth watering Chili Verde that'll make you cream yourself! Their meat supplier is Shamrock, which is the best quality of meat you can get in the State. You will not be disappointed! Absolutely 2die4! Best homemade meal I've had in years!
(5)Mariya D.
My husband and I came here starving. The fresh salsa made table side was awesome. The servers never stopped refilling drinks and bringing chips. I ordered mini chimis at happy hour, expecting small bites. Holy cow was I wrong. Ginormous plates of food. My husband's chimi was the size of a small infant. My mini chimis were big enough to fill a large plate and I could only eat 3. The chicken was nice and soft. The beans were okay...nothing crazy. For the price I feel you get a lot of decent food and good service. I would come back here.
(4)Chantel K.
Excellent service and delicious food. Fresh salsa made at your table. Wow. Huge margaritas.
(5)John J.
Was in Tucson to visit family and see the sights. My niece suggested this place. Great food! I will be coming back here next visit. The atmosphere here is great. Music being played live at table side.
(4)Rich M.
On business from another state. Picked place based in Yelp reviews. As good as advertised. Salsa made fresh at your table, as you like it. We asked for spicy, and it came spicy. Tortilla chips freshly made. Jalapeño margarita with a jalapeño tequila they infuse themselves. A wide variety of menu items including many things I've not seen before, like lobster enchiladas, halibut, and a number of different molcajetes. I highly recommend the restaurant, and prices are fair.
(5)Jeremy K.
Love this place! The "new" outdoor patio is awesome! Table-side Salsa is primo! If I had more time I'd tell you about the Margs, the burros, fajitas and the decor which is all spectacular!
(4)Kathy N.
Guadalajara Original Grill is back and from my past experience I have to say better than before. I was at Guadalajara recently with a group of about 15 for an office holiday party dinner. It was a Thursday night and Guadalajara was crazy busy! Luckily we had reservations and were immediately taken to the back of the restaurant where our tables awaited us. Delicious margaritas soon filled the table along with chips, tableside made salsa, tasty guacamole and hot & gooey queso fundido con chorizo. My co-worker and I ordered the chile colorado and the chile verde and then split the dishes. Both were delicious and I'd order either one of them again in the future. **Note: it had been a few years since I was last at Guadalajara and the reason for that was because I was so turned off by the chile colorado. Salty and lacking any real chile flavor back then but the dish has since redeemed itself. Service was spot-on and we were very well taken care of. So well that a couple of us hung out long after our other coworkers left and felt quite comfortable taking up the space and enjoying some jalapeno cilantro margaritas.
(4)Karen M.
The jalapeño infused margaritas are wonderful, the salsa made at table side is even better, but the food leaves something to be desired. Expensive and in a town FULL of good Mexican food, this is one spot that is good for happy hour but I wouldn't bother with the paella or the rellenos. The steak Angelique is pretty good; I would order that again if I found myself at Guadalajara Grille.
(4)Ayla R.
When Guadalajara Grill burnt down, I was devastated! My personal favorite Mexican joint was no longer! Well, finally they have reopened! My fiancée and I hurried over for a late night dinner and are always blown away! Fact one: table side salsa. An angel in a mariachi outfit makes the best salsa you will ever had. The best part is, they give you a massive bowl of it! It lasts the whole meal and can feed a few people! Next, C and I ordered their massice, 32oz house Margarita! At only $15 this is more than enough for two people and their house tastes as smooth as most places Cadillac Margarita! Plus there is something fun about a cocktail larger than your skull. I ordered my personal fav, the Chilango Burro! This vegetarian monster is the size of an infant, smoothered in warm, smokey enchilada sauce and packed with roasted veggies! I cannot even finish it and I *always* Clean my plate! I am so glad they are back open! ¡Viva Guadalajara Grill!
(5)C L.
A great experience. We've never been here before but had heard about it. I really wanted to experience the table side salsa making (we thought it was for guacamole but salsa work ) it was great! The food was good. The in-house-made tortillas were delicious. Tasted just like when we go to Rocky Point! The smell and texture brought me right back there. Loved it. The fajita meat was a little over cook but loved it anyway. Noticed my wife's carne AIADA burrito had the same beef but was juicier oribably because of the additional ingredients it had. Tasted great! Chips were great and salsa was great. The salsa maker asks how hot you want it and makes it accordingly. Didn't get a picture but appears they have mariachi for part of the night too.
(5)Brian C.
Awesome food, including fresh homemade salsa at your table to your taste. Machacca beef is great as well.
(5)Dan L.
The food is fine, the portions are huge and the decor is tacky. This is based on my lunch experience. I hear they have tableside salsa making during dinner service though, if you're into that type of stuff.
(3)Joshua B.
Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended to me and I had to try it. The atmosphere is festive, lively, and upbeat. Shortly after being seated you are treated to made-to-order salsa, made right at your table. The food is good and comes in large portions; however, it isn't really unique or special when compared to the large number of Mexican restaurants in town. Check out Guadalajara Grill for a fun atmosphere, with large portions of good food.
(3)Keith R.
Awesome! Best margarita in Tucson. Service has been amazing both times I have gone.
(5)Lou K.
We had dinner her on Thursday night, restruant was buys (all tables full) but wait was short. Waitstaff (Laura) was friendly, constant in her service. Table side salsa was perfect just the right amount of cilantro. Tilapia and Shrimp were excellent and there was plenty to take home after two big bowls of chips for the salsa. We will go again - never had a bad meal there
(4)Terry J.
Ray L. described the place thus, "Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican Food". He was dead-on. The food isn't all that exciting and my local friends suggested other locations for more authentic dining. But, I was in the mood for noise and Tequila-laced drinks. Food was okay. Drinks were great. Very loud. Very, very loud. Salsa (table made) was good as advertised. Will I go again? No. Was I glad I went once? Yes.
(3)Angela S.
Was recommended here by a friend, great customer service (the ladies held my baby while I ate lol), great pozole.
(3)Mike B.
A nice place to try out. The highlight is the table-side salsa. The food is good, though I feel I can get similar food at other places a little cheaper.
(3)Nick W.
Yes, they make salsa at your table. Yes, they customize it so that you can get it as spicy/bland/garlicky/watery as you like. Yes, it's always phenomenal. The one problem that I've run into... you don't exactly get enough if you're in a large group. Going as a group of two - four, you have a plentiful bounty of delicious salsa... going as a group of 6+ you're almost certainly going to run out of salsa and are left desperately running a chip through an empty bowl hoping for more but knowing that nothing will come because the salsa lady doesn't make refills, how sad. Aside from that small gripe... oh wait! I have one more! When I was in on New Years Eve the mariachi band played Feliz Navidad no less than three times in 30 minutes. This is really the fault of tip happy Christmas loving diners on NYE and not the restaurant, but it was still annoying. Now, aside from those two small gripes, this place is fantastic! Huge menu, kind servers, good drinks, tasty high quality food, and oh, that salsa. Come as a small group and enjoy this delightful place.
(4)Caleb T.
I absolutely loved my experience here. Spectacular salsa, great service, I will be back without a doubt! The best part about this restaurant is how fresh the salsa is, and the fact they make it right in front of you. Happy hour has some beneficial deals which always is a plus.
(5)Imran G.
My significant other dragged me over here, and I was very excited because she wouldn't stop raving about it. It was also valentines day, so I was hoping this would be a good eat. The atmosphere is great, and service is unique. Great atmosphere and great service. You sit down and get unlimited chips and table made salsa. We went a little late though, and once we got one round of 'table-made salsa', we couldn't get another because the lady who made the salsa had to go. Its pretty cool because it is really customizable, I remember she asked us specifically how we wanted it. I'm a sucker for some good chips and salsa that I can nibble on while I wait for my food. We ordered some fajitas and a sampler platter (plato ranchero), it had an chicken enchilada, 'cutlet of beef', and chile relleno. I'll highlight some of the highs first, the chile relleno was superb, enchilada was pretty good too. Likewise, the cutlet of beef was well done as well. I like to get something different than the safe bet when I come to sit down Mexican food places. This place is really solid if you want to get stuff besides burritos. I also feel that its a waste going to sit down restaurants like this just to get a carne asada burrito, I mean, there are so many other places in Tucson were you could get a carne asada burrito of equal or greater quality for less. I'm not gonna lie, I had a leftover burrito from here once and it was great, but I wouldn't pay that much for it. The fajitas, oh man, the meat was very rare, and I felt like I was chewing on it for hours. My significant other didn't even touch it (yes, we always get 2 different dishes and share). Its a shame that the fajitas really ruined it for this place. At over $10 per plate (or per person), I really thought this place would be better than that. I'm not sure how you can ruin fajitas. The veggies were fresh and it came out on a sizzling platter, but the meat was just harsh to put up with. Along with that, the rice that came with one of our dishes was like fried rice, it had peas in it, weird combination. The rice was hard, and hardly edible. All in all, the salsa lady leaving early really upset me, I mean, really, stay for like 15 more minutes? We got there around 8:40 and they close at 9. Oh well, not a huge issue. However, they REALLY messed up the fajitas. I don't know how you could do that, but I was amazed. Not to mention, it was valentines day, so the mood was completely ruined. If you get the sampler plate, its not filling enough to justify the $14. I think the concept is awesome, the atmosphere is very nice and warm feeling, but the food was just slightly under mediocre. I'd give this another try maybe, but I'm a little deterred from my previous experience.
(3)Brian K.
If you absolutely must have Mexican food of this class (what I call B- Mexican food), this is the place to do it. And yes, that's a majorly positive thing. Parking is ample, and they have two guys always guiding traffic on busy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The interior entry way is decorated nicely; neither too ornate or too understated. Perfect for this class of Mexican restaurants. It's dimly lit, but not suspiciously so, just perfect. What is immediately striking is how *real* this place is. It literally is the archetype for family style Mexican restaurants of this sort. It really hit me when they prepared the salsa at table-side and it actually was spicy. I mean, I actually felt the heat kick me in my mouth and briefly make me second guess another dip. That was when I realized this might actually change my idea of this entire genre, class, or kind of Mexican food. Our server was efficient and steady, neither pushy nor overly hurried. That's important. I ordered a beef fajita, and it was heavenly. The beef was tender and flavorful, spicy but not overseasoned. The ocean of beans and rice was actually complimented by a helping of pico de gallo and guacamole. The tortillas were steaming hot and ready to go. I think this was easily the best fajita I've ever had. My only other thought was that I could have used another tortilla or two, because I wanted to enjoy it all over again. The margarita I ordered was a bit too sugary for my taste, but admittedly that was a fault of my own for ordering that one instead of the myriad others they had that would have been more suited. I was very impressed by the monstrous double size margarita they offered (that someone else at my table ordered); that thing is a beast. In addition, they didn't skimp on the beer when I asked for a Dos-Equis to wash the remaining fajita down. I left impressed. Perhaps this kind of Mexican cuisine is indeed worth a second chance. Guadalajara grill has begun changing my mind, at least. Well done!
(4)Marla R.
First of all let me say how easy it was to make a reservation using yelp. I had never done it before but I use yelp a lot to get phone numbers for places. Rather than call this time, I just clicked on the make a reservation link and it was done in seconds. And boy were we glad we had a reservation - there were a ton of people waiting outside to be seated, but we didn't have much of a wait at all. I heard someone say that they only take reservations up until the day before you want to go there, so plan ahead. We were able to get a nice table on the patio, close to a heater, and had a nice long relaxing dinner. The woman who came to make the table side salsa was very accomodating and asked a few times if the salsa was just right or if she could do anything to help us while we waited for our server to come. Our server was great, even though she must have been running all night long with how busy they were. She took our drink orders first while we had a chance to look at the menu. Our food arrived within 15 minutes or so of ordering, which gave us too much time to fill up on chips and salsa, but that's our own fault! The food is beautifully presented, and the portions are generous. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and the freshly made flour tortillas are fantastic. I have not been here in quite some time, but I plan to make it back there more often.
(4)Radu N.
Great food with huge portions. Their home made tortillas and salsa are as good as advertised and ambiance is great (you need to like loud a bit.)
(5)April R.
Only had some appetizers and drinks, but they were good. Liked the appetizers and loved the drinks. The drinks were strong and tasty. My favorite part is that they make the salsa right at your table. You can tell them what kind you want, like spicy, and they make it how you want it. That was pretty cool. Also, the service was very good.
(4)Sarah T.
---PROS--- *Great with large groups. They seated our party of 25 promptly at our reservation time, and we weren't stuck in some back room. Furthermore, they split up the check for each and every couple/person. Amazing! More restaurants in town should foll
(4)Gail S.
Table side salsa is great - love it hot! Good margaritas and everything I've ever had has been great. Friends and family that visit from out of town always request to go here more than once. Love the live mariachi band. Service is always attentive, whether at the bar or table side. Interesting note, 9 time out of 10 we get seated at exactly the same table in the bar area...no matter how crowded the place is ;)
(5)Yogi B.
They get 4 stars just for the made-at-your-table salsa. YUM! You can have it any way you like. The ladies who make it are very good at what they do and the freshness really shows. As spicy or mild as you like it... The food is good. The place was mobbed, but our server was still on the ball and had our drinks full most of the time. We all had the fajitas and the ingredients seemed very fresh and flavorful. The carnitas were tender and juicy. The steak & shrimp done just right. I would have liked the guacamole to be a little more flavorful, but it seemed very fresh. I'll come back and probably try the chile relleno. I saw a plate of enchiladas with a chile relleno go by and that looked awesome.
(4)shopaholic v.
Another trip to Tucson = another trip to Guadalajara Grill! OMG - we LOVE this place! We've all voted to have sister's graduation meal at Guadalajara's - it's THAT good, even the Asian parents who don't like cheese LOVE the made from scratch salsa and tortillas. And I just learned this weekend that the made to order salsa on the cart is FREE!!! Whaaa? and this whole time I thought we'd been paying. Amazing! I also found their Chile Rellenos which I could not find on the menu. It was delicious! The egg/batter thing on the chile was soooo good and the chile was perfect! mmmm.... one more moth till we get GG's again.,,
(5)Fiona G.
We love Mexican food. This place hits one of our top spots. It has high quality meat, affordable prices and an atmosphere that keeps the kids asking all about Mexico. Couldn't say enough about the friendly, speedy service as well.
(5)Geordie R.
We're visiting Tucson so it makes sense to go out for Mexican at least once. I'm not an expert in Mexican food, but we live in an area with a large Latino community so I'm no stranger to it. The fresh salsa made at your table is a nice touch. I would have preferred to have more customization than just choosing the heat, but it was great salsa either way. The mariachi band was entertaining and it was nice to be seranaded at our table for a song or two. The food was good but not particularly special. I had the molcajete mariscos which was new, but really just a take off on fajitas. My wife had some sort of potato dish which was flavorless without the salsa and the guacamole she added. The rest of our party seemed satisfied enough. Overall, this was a good experience but I can't say that I'd recommend this place over any other.
(3)Jeffrey A.
Well, it pains me to write this but I have to say that I believe the quaity of this place has been steadily decreasing since they changed locations. It went from an authentic, inviting, and all around wonderful place with the best patio in Tucson to something more like a Macayos knockoff. Very not YUM. Sure the salsa is good, and tableside is fun, but how badly can one mess up salsa? It's not like it takes an engineering degree The real test comes later with the food. As some other reviewers have noted, I think the food is frozen. It definitely had a "frozen food section of the grocery store" feel to it. I was told the mexican flag plate was a must. well, I think it is a must not. I have given this place multiple chances and yet still the food is heavy, bland, and somehow "doughy" like it had been frozen and not thawed properly. I wouldn't feed this food to my cat, but then, I love my cat. I think all of these 5 star reviews are from people who have been hypnotized by the apparent magic of tableside salsa in a molcajete. But if you are amazed by that, you probably also get taken in by a game of three card monte and think the rabbit just appeared in the magicians hat. For those of you so easily amazed, let me clue you in...you can't win at three card monte, the guy you saw win is a schill and was in on the scam...the rabbit was in the magicians hat the whole time...and anyone can make salsa tableside. Before the location change, 4 stars for sure and maybe 5 on a good night, especially if I have had a few margaritas, LOL. Unfortunately, this is a steady 2 and pushing a 1.
(2)Andrew S.
I've been here two times. The food is okay, but nothing to write home about. Standard Mexican fare, nothing special. Let's start with the good. I love the salsa. The fist stew (can't recall the name) is delicious. This is your run of the mill greasy Mexican food. There is nothing creative about the menu. I had a taco and a tamale, the food was good but just about what you would expect. The taco shell was not particularly crispy. They could have just bought an Old El Paso shell from Basha's. The presentation is terrible. Why do many (dare I say most) serve each meal with the glop of re fried beans and Spanish rice? There must be a better way to present the food (If only I can remember the name of the amazing place I had lunch the following day in South Tucson...the tacos were amazing). My co-diners were equally unimpressed. One of the dinners ordered a taco salad that was served with runny beans in one of those edible taco shells. My theory is if you don't want people to order a salad and you are not going to do it well, don't put in on the menu. The highlight of the meal was my partner's fish stew (I'm terrible with names). He enjoyed his dinner a lot. Unfortunately, I have to give this place two stars because one good meal out of five does not merit a higher rating. Someone else ate the chimichanga which good, but not special. There are some service issues here and don't get me started about the parking lot. It was gridlocked... I probably won't go back, there are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson.
(2)Tina H.
Don't go there! Super slow service, horribly over salted chips. My fish tacos were dripping with water-apparently they were poorly defrosted and even more poorly cooked. The server suggested next time I request additional tortillas to mop up the moisture! Once upon a time it was fun, go to Nicos for better food and service!
(1)Jamie A.
Some people have told me that this place is always packed, no matter what time you go. I busted that myth last night, as me and the girlfriend showed up at 5:30pm on a Monday night. What better time can you go, right? Right. There were plenty of people there, but the restaurant is huge so we got seated immediately. Ended up getting the hot salsa mix from the nice lady, wasn't too hot though. Probably the only bummer of the night. I ordered the chimi asada, my lord it was delicious. Girlfriend got the shrimp burrito with some type of southwest sauce on it. Let's just say I will be ordering what she had next time I go. No room for dessert, the portions were huge. Pros: Waitress we had was awesome, the meal was excellent, not too busy at 530 on a monday evening Cons: Uhhhh... just the salsa not being hot enough I suppose? GO HERE YOU WILL LOVE IT. WELL, PROBABLY.
(5)Rick E.
Most non-New Mexicans would probably give this place a higher rating than I did. It's very commercial. Not terrible but not great. The tableside salsa making is fun and pretty good salsa. They'll make it to your specifications. The portions are huge, really too big. I had the chipolte shrimp burrito. It was big, soggy and filled with rice, whole scallions, carrots and a very few, anemic white shrimp. The fajitias looked pretty good. The cilantro chicken is probably the best bet. Being from New Mexico I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to good Mexican food, so keep that in mind when you read this.
(2)Bryan H.
Again, people argue back and forth as to where you can get the best Mexican food in Tucson. It's kinda like arguing about which politician is most corrupt in Washington; Tucson is frankly a Mexican food mecca. Now, each restaurant has a distinct feel, distinct styles, and I often change which restaurant I take my visitors and friends to based on their individual tastes and wants. After all, if you're going to visit Tucson you want to have a good meal. La Poca Cosa comes to mind, or Mi Niditos, but my goto for showing non-Tucsonans how varied and diverse Mexican style food can be is Guadalajara Grill. Of course there is the standard Mexican food fair--burritos, tacos, enchiladas, but what makes Guadalajara unique is the diversity dishes. You can order anything from a molcajete bubbling with peppers and carne asada to the standard Tres Amigos, all with fresh in-house-made tortillas and at-the-table made salsa. Because my family and friends trek from the Midwest, they are often floored by how varied Mexican food can be from what they know, especially the seafood dishes which are pretty fantastic. Seafood in the desert? Yeah, the Baja is only 3-4 hours away. If you want more than just a meal, Guadalajara sports a meandering mariachi band, and they will come to your table to ask if you'd like a song. Many amors and corazons later, your date or family will be laughing and having a good time. If you want some margarita, they are strong and cheap on certain days so swing by, only complaint there is a little salty (but I like salty margaritas). I highly recommend Guadalajara.
(5)Fred J.
This place does some nice catering every month or so for the kids of Casa de los Ninos. That is a five star in my book. With that said, what I liked the most was the Salsa. They make that in front of you!? In Vegas they do this with Guacamole and it is like $13 a small bowl. So I expected some smallish portion. Well this thing was MEGA. I was happy - it was also spicey which was yum yum.
(5)Andrew H.
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever eaten at, and probably the best in Arizona. I first went here two years ago when I spent the weekend in Tucson. It was great. The food was great, the service was attentive, and the salsa made table-side is a very nice touch. Since then, I've taken friends, clients, and family to the Guadalajara Grill (mind you, I live in central Phoenix) and they all love it. One of my friends now drives all the way to Tucson every other month just to eat there. I am very glad I asked my hotel concierge for a good Mexican restaurant the first time I went to the Guadalajara Grill; it has been a great place to eat and now that they've moved down the street it is even more convenient to park there.
(5)ElÃas P.
The place looks nice. That's as much of a positive review I'm giving it. Service was slooooooow. Food was tasteless. The micheladas were overwhelmingly spicy (too much pepper, too much tapatio or whatever hot sauce they used). Did I I forget to mention it was expensive? By the way, I'm from Guadalajara. I feel insulted!
(1)Andrea G.
With so many options for Mexican food in Tucson it seems like one might be as good as another, but this is my favorite. Watching them make tortillas and salsa in-house is a special treat. They even made salsa verde on request. I especially love their pozole.
(5)Shawn A.
My uncle took me here from my first time a few years ago before I moved to Tucson when I was just visiting from Michigan. Very authentic and tasty Mexican food I love this place!
(5)Max F.
If you're looking for quality Mexican food go elsewhere. This is a tourist trap, an overpriced Taco Bell that serves alcohol. I do not understand why this is such a popular place. My tortilla was not fresh and tasted like drywall, not that I know what drywall tastes like.
(1)Shirley M.
What a wonderful dinner with my volleyball friends at Guadalajara Grill! Watching a beautiful sunset out the window, yummy table-side salsa (no cilantro, thanks!), Marisol - our lovely server, excellent lobster enchiladas, and the Mariachi's were even more awesome than usual - thanks for the 3 songs, amigos! - excellent 3 part harmony, great guitar playing, and my fav - the bass!
(4)Kim B.
What a deal. More food than we could eat. Great appetizers, drinks and entrees. Salsa made to order at out table. Service was average, maybe because here was a big group near us.
(5)Demi J.
This place is great! They have a person that walks around and makes you fresh salsa! This was my first visit and i got the lobster stuffed salmon and it was delicious! Highly recommend this place if you're looking for good mexican food and atmosphere.
(5)Aryn R.
Hands down the best Mexican food I have ever had. Generous portions and great attention to detail. From the handmade tortillas to the old lady that came to our table and made our Salsa and guacamole in front of our table. Prices were great when you consider what you get. Would be worth the trip just for the Fajitas!
(5)Jamie M.
The margaritas, drinks and salsa are the absolute best things here. I am a salsa snob when I go to Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara's salsa is PERFECT. It is chunky, hot, and full of flavor. The margaritas are also amazing. Get the big one. You won't regret it. I'm not going to comment too much on the food because I am always too full after the salsa and drinks to know what it truly tastes like! I usually order a small appetizer or small side. That is always enough. But from what I have eaten, it is all delicious. But seriously, that salsa is a meal in itself. Whenever a friend comes in from out of town, I beg to go to Guadalajara grill. It's a great place to hang out and meet up with friends and family. The drinks, live music and the made-right-in-front-of-you salsa are great conversation starters. :)
(5)Bo R.
Glad the Sun Devils beat up on the Rats this year. My cosmic karma payback? Eating at this place. Now don't get me wrong, that table side salsa service is pretty cool. And the salsa is really good. But, that was the highlight of our meal. Starting with the service; it's atrocious. We had the privilege of waiting until our quite spicy salsa bowl was half consumed before we had to ask the salsa lady for water. Our server was a no show for 15 minutes after being sat. When she did come, she was a non-factor. We knew what we wanted to eat, and drink before she arrived at the table. When she got there, there was no acknowledgment of her leavin us hangin. Come on, man! The details in this place are missing. With salsa that good, the chips should be warm, and fresh. They tasted like they were scooped out of a bag in the back. The decor looks nice until you look around and see an errantly placed neon sign. I ordered the Chili Verde, and my gf ordered the Lobster Enchiladas. We think the food is heated in a microwave. Honestly. The enchiladas were bland. Absolutely no flavor whatsoever. The sauce over them is bland. And even worse, the food was lukewarm. Here's the thing, the food was lukewarm, but came out very quickly. All the hallmarks of some home microwave cooking. My Chili Verde was good, but was lacking in flavor. It tasted like it had been sitting in a pot too long. The beans are canned beans, and lack any real flavor. Lastly, and here's the worst... My gf is allergic to MSG. It gives her severe headaches. She took a bite of the rice, and said, "This has MSG in it." I said, "Don't eat anymore." She had two more bites, to verify the MSG flavor. An hour later? Headache. The rice is boxed rice. They don't make it fresh. The MSG is put in the food by mass produced food companies. Home cookin Mexican food wouldn't use MSG in a million years. Bottom line, Tucson is known to have some of the best Mexican Food in the country. We thought when we saw the 4 stars, that we were in for an incredible experience. This place is a letdown for 2 reasons. First is the restaurant. It lacks depth on any level. It's a dud. Second is Yelp. You've let us down, Yelp. 4 stars? Not a chance. We will go out of our way to NOT eat here again.
(2)David H.
Great value. Good food, but it lacked in fresh tasting ingredients. The guac was a disappointment.
(3)Nick W.
Yes, they make salsa at your table. Yes, they customize it so that you can get it as spicy/bland/garlicky/watery as you like. Yes, it's always phenomenal. The one problem that I've run into... you don't exactly get enough if you're in a large group. Going as a group of two - four, you have a plentiful bounty of delicious salsa... going as a group of 6+ you're almost certainly going to run out of salsa and are left desperately running a chip through an empty bowl hoping for more but knowing that nothing will come because the salsa lady doesn't make refills, how sad. Aside from that small gripe... oh wait! I have one more! When I was in on New Years Eve the mariachi band played Feliz Navidad no less than three times in 30 minutes. This is really the fault of tip happy Christmas loving diners on NYE and not the restaurant, but it was still annoying. Now, aside from those two small gripes, this place is fantastic! Huge menu, kind servers, good drinks, tasty high quality food, and oh, that salsa. Come as a small group and enjoy this delightful place.
(4)Caleb T.
I absolutely loved my experience here. Spectacular salsa, great service, I will be back without a doubt! The best part about this restaurant is how fresh the salsa is, and the fact they make it right in front of you. Happy hour has some beneficial deals which always is a plus.
(5)April R.
Only had some appetizers and drinks, but they were good. Liked the appetizers and loved the drinks. The drinks were strong and tasty. My favorite part is that they make the salsa right at your table. You can tell them what kind you want, like spicy, and they make it how you want it. That was pretty cool. Also, the service was very good.
(4)Sarah T.
---PROS--- *Great with large groups. They seated our party of 25 promptly at our reservation time, and we weren't stuck in some back room. Furthermore, they split up the check for each and every couple/person. Amazing! More restaurants in town should foll
(4)Gail S.
Table side salsa is great - love it hot! Good margaritas and everything I've ever had has been great. Friends and family that visit from out of town always request to go here more than once. Love the live mariachi band. Service is always attentive, whether at the bar or table side. Interesting note, 9 time out of 10 we get seated at exactly the same table in the bar area...no matter how crowded the place is ;)
(5)Dilaw I.
Easily THE BEST and most delicious salsa I've had in my life and I even live in East LA, land of good salsa.
(5)Imran G.
My significant other dragged me over here, and I was very excited because she wouldn't stop raving about it. It was also valentines day, so I was hoping this would be a good eat. The atmosphere is great, and service is unique. Great atmosphere and great service. You sit down and get unlimited chips and table made salsa. We went a little late though, and once we got one round of 'table-made salsa', we couldn't get another because the lady who made the salsa had to go. Its pretty cool because it is really customizable, I remember she asked us specifically how we wanted it. I'm a sucker for some good chips and salsa that I can nibble on while I wait for my food. We ordered some fajitas and a sampler platter (plato ranchero), it had an chicken enchilada, 'cutlet of beef', and chile relleno. I'll highlight some of the highs first, the chile relleno was superb, enchilada was pretty good too. Likewise, the cutlet of beef was well done as well. I like to get something different than the safe bet when I come to sit down Mexican food places. This place is really solid if you want to get stuff besides burritos. I also feel that its a waste going to sit down restaurants like this just to get a carne asada burrito, I mean, there are so many other places in Tucson were you could get a carne asada burrito of equal or greater quality for less. I'm not gonna lie, I had a leftover burrito from here once and it was great, but I wouldn't pay that much for it. The fajitas, oh man, the meat was very rare, and I felt like I was chewing on it for hours. My significant other didn't even touch it (yes, we always get 2 different dishes and share). Its a shame that the fajitas really ruined it for this place. At over $10 per plate (or per person), I really thought this place would be better than that. I'm not sure how you can ruin fajitas. The veggies were fresh and it came out on a sizzling platter, but the meat was just harsh to put up with. Along with that, the rice that came with one of our dishes was like fried rice, it had peas in it, weird combination. The rice was hard, and hardly edible. All in all, the salsa lady leaving early really upset me, I mean, really, stay for like 15 more minutes? We got there around 8:40 and they close at 9. Oh well, not a huge issue. However, they REALLY messed up the fajitas. I don't know how you could do that, but I was amazed. Not to mention, it was valentines day, so the mood was completely ruined. If you get the sampler plate, its not filling enough to justify the $14. I think the concept is awesome, the atmosphere is very nice and warm feeling, but the food was just slightly under mediocre. I'd give this another try maybe, but I'm a little deterred from my previous experience.
(3)Brian K.
If you absolutely must have Mexican food of this class (what I call B- Mexican food), this is the place to do it. And yes, that's a majorly positive thing. Parking is ample, and they have two guys always guiding traffic on busy Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. The interior entry way is decorated nicely; neither too ornate or too understated. Perfect for this class of Mexican restaurants. It's dimly lit, but not suspiciously so, just perfect. What is immediately striking is how *real* this place is. It literally is the archetype for family style Mexican restaurants of this sort. It really hit me when they prepared the salsa at table-side and it actually was spicy. I mean, I actually felt the heat kick me in my mouth and briefly make me second guess another dip. That was when I realized this might actually change my idea of this entire genre, class, or kind of Mexican food. Our server was efficient and steady, neither pushy nor overly hurried. That's important. I ordered a beef fajita, and it was heavenly. The beef was tender and flavorful, spicy but not overseasoned. The ocean of beans and rice was actually complimented by a helping of pico de gallo and guacamole. The tortillas were steaming hot and ready to go. I think this was easily the best fajita I've ever had. My only other thought was that I could have used another tortilla or two, because I wanted to enjoy it all over again. The margarita I ordered was a bit too sugary for my taste, but admittedly that was a fault of my own for ordering that one instead of the myriad others they had that would have been more suited. I was very impressed by the monstrous double size margarita they offered (that someone else at my table ordered); that thing is a beast. In addition, they didn't skimp on the beer when I asked for a Dos-Equis to wash the remaining fajita down. I left impressed. Perhaps this kind of Mexican cuisine is indeed worth a second chance. Guadalajara grill has begun changing my mind, at least. Well done!
(4)Marla R.
First of all let me say how easy it was to make a reservation using yelp. I had never done it before but I use yelp a lot to get phone numbers for places. Rather than call this time, I just clicked on the make a reservation link and it was done in seconds. And boy were we glad we had a reservation - there were a ton of people waiting outside to be seated, but we didn't have much of a wait at all. I heard someone say that they only take reservations up until the day before you want to go there, so plan ahead. We were able to get a nice table on the patio, close to a heater, and had a nice long relaxing dinner. The woman who came to make the table side salsa was very accomodating and asked a few times if the salsa was just right or if she could do anything to help us while we waited for our server to come. Our server was great, even though she must have been running all night long with how busy they were. She took our drink orders first while we had a chance to look at the menu. Our food arrived within 15 minutes or so of ordering, which gave us too much time to fill up on chips and salsa, but that's our own fault! The food is beautifully presented, and the portions are generous. Everyone really enjoyed their food, and the freshly made flour tortillas are fantastic. I have not been here in quite some time, but I plan to make it back there more often.
(4)Radu N.
Great food with huge portions. Their home made tortillas and salsa are as good as advertised and ambiance is great (you need to like loud a bit.)
(5)William B.
It's back! And boy was it packed! I knew when I pulled in and saw a guy directing traffic for the parking lot that this place has rebounded well from the fire that closed it. And they have done a remarkable job bouncing back into action. The place was full but we got good service. Chips were not warm (too bad) but a salsa lady prepares fresh salsa to your liking and heat level at the table. We asked for hot, but it felt like she probably didn't heat it up as much as I would have liked. The large margaritas were tasty and full of liquor. We both ordered up a couple of large combination plates of names I cannot remember- there was mole, there was a tamale, a relleno, an enchilada, beans and rice. So much food my friend and I had to be rolled out of the place. The bill for 3 margaritas (I was thirsty) and giant plates of food came to around $50+. The coupon we had for a buy-one-get-one discount really lowered that, so look for a coupon! And consider making an online reservation on their website to secure a table.
(4)Rob W.
We can sum this up in three words, Fabulous Mexican food. If only you could get things this good on the east coast, alas you can't. It starts on arrival, with salsa made at your table, to your taste, and it is SO good! We enjoyed everything about our meal here, the staff is just so gracious. They make it lively and fun while you are dining.
(4)Kayla H.
This place was packed! We did go on a sat night, but wait was not that bad! The food was well worth the wait. We tried calling ahead for reservations they said we need to call the day before. We will def. Be back!!!!!
(5)Daniela R.
Food taste is average not a lot of flavor... enchilada sauce are terrible and sauce rice and beans again no flavor over priced
(1)Joey Z.
great place to have an experience of Mexican culture and food if you have never tried before. Thanks to my greatest friends, who came early and reserved a table for a group of 9 people during the graduation season, you know how hard it would be, right?! The performance is great and entertaining~ complementary chips and salsa are made right in front of the table. Margareta is wonderful~ My parents enjoyed their first try of Mexican food a lot~
(5)Jes O.
The service was bad, there seemed to be some confusion on what server had our table. She showed that we were an inconvenience the entire time and never checked in on us. Carne asadas, table side salsa and house margarita were great! Everything else was bland. Would come back only for the house margarita and table side salsa.
(3)Giselle E.
Food was alright. I've had better, nothing special. The waitresses were less than mediocre, not friendly. Light fixtures were annoying, felt like I was in a science lab because of how close to the table they were. Salsa idea of having it made right in front of the table is pretty cool, however the salsa was eh. Just an, "alright, there's nothing else to eat" type of restaurant.
(3)Shijie F.
With a party of 12, we were sooooo glad we made reservation ahead of time. Guadalajara Grill was so busy around 6 PM on a Thursday night that it was difficult to even find a parking spot outside. Guadalajara Grill is a happy place. You can have fresh salsa made at the table and a live band sing by your table, all at the same time. The food came to the table relatively fast and the portion was sizeable. My husband got Mexican Paella, I Cilantro Chicken, and the inlaws Chicken Fatija. The waiter first mixed up the order and put in front of me a dish similarly covered under a green sauce, but with a mountain of melting cheese on top. Confused about the cheese content (as I would NOT order things with cheese in it), I started picking the cheese out of the dish and man it was greasy. 5 minutes into my cheese-elimination process, the waiter told me he got the order mixed up, and it was for another guest at my table and handed the plate (with almost no cheese left) directly to that person. I wish the waiter should have first checked with the other guest whether he is okay with this--I would not imagine anyone asking for a new plate of food, but what if I had already started eating? The waiter clearly didn't check whether I had started consuming the dish before handing it to another person. If not for the fact that this is a "no foul, no harm" situation, I would otherwise have a huge problem with a restaurant casually "make it right" by simply redistributing the mixed orders. Food was tasty, but EXCEEDINGLY greasy. This is why I always have a pause before trying Mexican food. My Cilantro Chicken, being the least greasy option of all, still swam in a pool of glistening oil. Anyway, it seemed everyone didn't care about that as much as I do.
(4)Enas A.
Love their fresh table side Salsa ...ambiance is nice ..good authentic Mexican food ..love to go back .
(5)Aishan S.
I brought my family here when they came to visit Tucson and everyone really enjoyed this place. The decor hear is delightful and welcoming. I really love the beautifully crafted sombreros hanging from the ceiling. To further the lovely ambience, the restaurant serves table-side salsa freshly prepared right in front of their guests. At dinner, their is also a live ensemble playing and serenading. When my friend and I came here, they performed the UA fight song for us, knowing we were college students. And now, to discuss the menu. Their vegetarian dishes are really good and my family liked the meat dishes too. This time, I ordered the Tilapia with Poblano sauce because I wanted to try a seafood dish. The sauce was nice and creamy and the rice on the side was delicious, but I thought the fish itself was a little too salty. My only other grievance is that the service was slow on Saturday lunch, but it's usually better at dinner. Nonetheless, their food is quite amazing for the most part, and portions are huge. The chips are salsa are delicious alone but make sure you save space for the food you ordered or you will definitely miss out on a treat.
(4)Thomas O.
I don't know why I keep going back here. Every 8 months or so I get talked into going to dinner here and every time I am hoping that it will be a better experience. The food is mediocre and the service is just plain bad. The 2 redeeming factors are the table side salsa service and the mariachi band which moves my ranking from 1 star to 2 stars. Service: we asked for more napkins and none came, we ended up having to take the serving set up from the next table. Additionally water glasses were not filled regularly. Cleanliness: I had a fly land on my food....disgusting. Price: Over priced for mediocre food. Hopefully I won't be talked into going back here again
(2)Thomas H.
Heard so much about this place we had to try it. It was ok. I'm from Tucson and could see this as a place people from out of town would like. The service was good but the food was bland. No heat at all. The beans had very little flavor. I eat all over Tucson and different places have their own version. But I just can't recommend this place
(2)Grant H.
Amazing chimichanga and hand made salsa... Can't beat the happy hour margaritas either... If I didn't live in California I would be here at least once a week A++++
(5)Tom C.
We were very impressed with the service here, attentive without being intrusive. The salsa is created to order at your table; your waitress uses a mortar and pestle to create your salsa. All portions were large and everyone in our large (13) party were happy with the quality of their food, the tilapia, a new item, was excellent. My chimichanga was full of shredded beef (ground beef or strips are also offered) and a traditionally large portion was served, more than enough for my appetite. Personally I prefer my chimi to be really crisp, this one was deep fried but 'not for long' as it was very light in color and not very crisp. A small portion of rice and beans were on the plate along with a dollop of sour cream and guacamole. Quality overall was very good and service was excellent.
(4)Barb H.
At the end of a great parents weekend at UA, we asked our daughter and her boyfriend where they wanted to have dinner. They both requested Guadalajara Grill (the site of their first date.) The building is easy to find and we were greeted immediately. Its obvious that many of the employees have been with them for a long time. We started with their made at the table salsa. Oh so good and smoky. Nice selection of margaritas and beers. Huge menu. I had the cheese enchiladas with green chili, hubby had some fresh fish tacos and daughter has sizzling steak fajitas. Was any of this vastly different than other Mexican restaurants? No, but it was solid food in a delightful setting with stellar service. We will be back.
(3)Ryan H.
I come to Guadalajara Grill 4-5 times a year and it never disappoints. I usually go with a chimi but recently discovered the molcajete bowl. Similar to fajitas, it came out in a sizzling stone bowl, with the carne/mariscos simmering in a tomato stew. Delicious and a huge meal. The lively decor, mariachi band, friendly service and extensive menu make this a great destination for out of town visitors and locals, young and old alike. Check it out!
(5)Joshua L.
Used to really like this place until they moved. It seemed like they forgot to take the quality with them in the move. Overpriced unoriginal mexican fare.
(2)Esmat E.
Love the table side salsa and happy hour beer prices.
(4)Monica E.
I miss the restaurants old location near Campbell. But the food is still tasty and fresh.
(4)George V.
Awesome food. My wife and I split a mixed grill of carnitas, shrimp, chicken, and steak, and still had plenty of left overs.
(5)browse n.
Found this spot on a trip to Tucson (thanks to prior Yelp reviews). The margaritas are large, the tortillas are made on site, the salsa is made table-side, superior carnitas and the chicken mole enchiladas were excellent! The only vaguely critical comment was that the steak fajitas were merely okay, not great. I definitely encourage you to check this place out.
(4)Ana C.
They were able to fit a huge group and kept the chips and salsa coming!
(4)Mike I.
Best sit-down Mexican food in town. Why it is awesome: -Salsa made at your table-side -Everything is good -Unique menu items like lobster enchiladas -Molcajetes, Fajita like dish that comes in a giant lava rock that is boiling hot and filled with delicious meats -Margaritas -Mariachi Band -Tortillas made in house that are making my mouth water as I write this -I repeat, Molcajetes.
(5)Aisha M.
I was hoping to find excellent Mexican in Tucson. I'm sure it is there but I didn't find it. The guacamole was really good. I had the enchiladas mole. I cleaned my plate but I have had much better.
(3)gaby g.
I enjoyed the table-side salsa making. Good salsa. I had the chicken fajitas, and the chicken was great. The rice and beans were pretty bland and didn't add much to the dish. I don't know that I'll be rushing back, but it was a solid meal.
(4)Jason P.
This has got to be the best Mexican Food joint in Tucson. Everything from the service to the food to the atmosphere is excellent. Every time I have been there has always been a great experience. The food has always been delicious and the staff has been pleasant.
(5)Mark S.
Fun and lively! Bright decor, and a friendly staff. The tableside Salsa is a great show with a happy-tasting ending. They make it to order (burning hot for me, mild for the kids). We had combo fajitas and carne asada, both of which were very fresh. This is a great place to take out-of-towners!
(4)Paul P.
The food was excellent. Huge portions too. The salsa was pretty good and they make it at your table. We asked for medium but it was still very HOT. Thankfully they serve some giant beers to put out the fire in my mouth. Mariachi band was playing too.
(4)Nathan C.
Excellent food! Salsa made at table, friendly waiter. mariachi band. Definitely get a lemonade it is awesome! This place is hopping on the weekends so make a reservation otherwise you will have up to an hour wait. My favorite mexican restaurant in tucson!!
(5)Jennifer P.
This place has quickly become the most requested place to dine when we have guests in from out of town. I have to say I agree, this place is something special. Great food. Great Staff and service. The ambiance is fun! The homemade tortilla's ,, mouth drooling delicioso!!! If you happen to dine after 6pm, the restaurant is filled with the wonderful sounds of the mariachi trio! And the favorite of everyone I know~ is; the made-Table Side- Salsa! Which you can customize to your taste! I think a close contender would be the strawberry margarita! This place is aLwAyS BUSY! In the evening they have parking lot attendants to help usher in/out cars...which is helpful. And I have to agree with the other reviewers, if you are looking for a quiet corner, Consider yourself forewarned, this place is FULL of excitement!!
(5)Nancy W.
To be fair, this was the first time to eat here, so will go back and try something else next time. Table side salsa was wonderful. I tried the guaco tacos from the vegetarian menu and i did not like them AT ALL. Skip those. Everyone else at the table liked their food EXCEPT for the refried beans and rice. Beans were absolutely tasteless. I always look forward to them, but so bland, i couldn't eat them. At first, the music was so loud that we were unable to talk at all. Once they moved on to another room we were able to enjoy some conversation. Is it really necessary to be that loud? Our service was excellent. Waitress very nice and efficient. Will go back and try a different dish. Wish they'd have some good refried beans and rice though. Truly bad.
(3)Brent G.
Typically when I first visit a Mexican restaurant I try the fajitas and compare them to La Parrilla Suiza on speedway. They were not as good but very edible. Service was good considering we were a party of 8.
(4)Nick B.
Good food, love salsa cart, but service sucked.
(3)Molly H.
Let me tell you a little story about a restaurant that serves some of the best food in Tucson combined with some of the worst service in Tucson. The salsa, novel and delicious. But quite a lot of trouble, plus you know you have to tip the salsa ladies, right? Still, it's worth it. Here is the part of the story where the complications set in, where our hero must battle insurmountable odds. Guadalajara only hires the most unfriendly and incompetent bartenders, why, I do not know. They will always make twenty drinks for the servers before they even acknowledge you. That seems backwards from most bars, but I am figuring there must be a reason to for this madness. Next, you have the seating system where they do not seat people on a first come, first serve basis and they always make you wait at least 20 minutes before they seat you at a table that was open the whole time. All I ask for is a drink in hand, and I can rest at ease. This never seems to happen at Guadalajara. This places a dour mood on the evening, even before the waiter arrives at the table. The waiters are generally good. The moral of the story is that the food is delicious, and I will keep coming back. But I am going to wear a frown until they get some decent customer service.
(2)Wendy S.
Very inviting atmosphere. Reasonable prices, large portions. Tasty food. Seats were sticky however. Other then that I would definitely eat there again!
(3)Laura G.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Original Grill for years since they're in my neighborhood. As someone who's owned a restaurant before, I'm willing to cut people some slack. Tonight I went in, excited they were reopened after their recent fire. Had to wait for 30 minutes. I got bean enchiladas. Raw, cold, no cheese, Terrible service. Complained to manager who had a big attitude. They charged me 16.99 for junk. I won't go back.
(1)Holly R.
This place is fantastic. I loved every bite. The boyfriend and I met up a friend in Tucson and he suggested we try this place out. So glad we did, it is now one of my favorite places in Tucson after just one visit. We went on a Sunday night so we didn't have to wait but it was still pretty busy. The place is bright and colorful with sombrero lamps - kitschy but cool. There was a mariachi band that added some musical flair to the experience as well. Like everyone says, one thing that sets this place apart is the fresh salsa made at your table. It was SOOOO good. We were even able to get two - one hot and one mild (I'm a wimp). It tasted great but let me tell ya, the raw onion and garlic stay with you long after the meal. We had to go buy mints afterwards. Go easy if you're on a first date. I ordered the chimi carnitas and I'm not kidding it was one of the best dishes I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant. It was huge, I was only able to finish half of it. It was loaded with tender carnitas stuffed into a fresh flour tortilla. The tortilla was amazing just by itself. It came with rice and beans. The rice was just okay. That was the only thing that didn't blow me away. But I was busy with my mound of pork so no biggie. I walked away completely stuffed and satisfied. I will be back for more next time I visit Tucson.
(5)John H.
If you have not been here you don't know what your missing. Fresh food, table side salsa, great lunch specials.
(4)Jonathon M.
I recently visited the Tucson area for the first time for the Wild West Shoot Out races at USA Raceway . Being from out of town, I had to eat some Mexican cuisine before I returned to Indiana. I saw a few reviews for this restaurant and decided to give it a try. The location had me a little suspect as I had been told it was a rough part of town, thought I found the immediate area around the restaurant to be rather docile. The atmosphere inside the building is your typical Mexican grill. It was clean and family friendly. I was with a group of 4 and we sat in a booth that had plenty of space near a window. They had quite an extensive bar menu available but I didn't order any drinks on this occasion. The salsa made tableside made to taste was one of my favorite aspects. It was very good but way to mild for my taste. The group I was with did not want it spicy; I would have liked to have had the option to get a smaller bowl to myself. We had a spicy cheese appetizer that was excellent and went very quickly between the four of us. I had their signature dish for my meal, which consisted of a large bowl filled with steak, chicken, shrimp, and an onion pepper mixture. It was served with tortillas, rice, and beans. Every protein was fantastic including the steak which was extremely tender and well seasoned. The other people in my group ordered standard Mexican foods including tacos and burritos ( which were extremely large). I tried a little of everyone's dish and they were all very satisfactory. Bottom Line: I am glad I stopped in and would recommend the grill to any out of town travelers with a taste for Mexican and Southwestern foods.
(4)C T.
The salsa made table-side here is excellent, as is the shrimp molcajete. Service was slow, but we were on vacation so it didn't bother us. Cute decor and a great place for large parties.
(4)Brian F.
How do you say "droolicious" in Spanish? Guadalajara Grill is seriously some of the best Mexican food I've had in years. First of all, there were eleven of us on a Thursday evening. The place was already modestly busy, but they were able to seat us within five minutes. **By the time we left, the place was packed. The staff was extremely helpful, managing to attend to our demanding group with ease. The table side salsa is an experience I've never seen before, and what a treat! Spiced to your level of hotness, everyone at the table got what they wanted. The freshness was incredible- no other salsa can ever compare. The menu was vast, filled with dishes I had never seen before as well as the Mexican staples. I ended up with a carne asada chimichanga w/ red sauce. It was made just the way I like with lots of meat and lots of cheese. The portion was huge! Other dishes on the table: lobster stuffed salmon, fajita combo, lobster enchiladas, and some vegetarian dishes. Everyone raved about their food- and it wasn't that margaritas talking. Mariachis came by at one point and we had them sing songs to our table, and these guys were very good- talented and professional all the way. It had been a rough couple of days and the family really needed the time together at a wonderful place- and Guadalajara was perfect for us. Any time we make it back to Tucson, we will make them a regular stop!
(4)Max F.
If you're looking for quality Mexican food go elsewhere. This is a tourist trap, an overpriced Taco Bell that serves alcohol. I do not understand why this is such a popular place. My tortilla was not fresh and tasted like drywall, not that I know what drywall tastes like.
(1)Shirley M.
What a wonderful dinner with my volleyball friends at Guadalajara Grill! Watching a beautiful sunset out the window, yummy table-side salsa (no cilantro, thanks!), Marisol - our lovely server, excellent lobster enchiladas, and the Mariachi's were even more awesome than usual - thanks for the 3 songs, amigos! - excellent 3 part harmony, great guitar playing, and my fav - the bass!
(4)Kim B.
What a deal. More food than we could eat. Great appetizers, drinks and entrees. Salsa made to order at out table. Service was average, maybe because here was a big group near us.
(5)Madison T.
Fantastic! I am giving this four stars having only ordered one thing off the menu. Great tortillas, salsa, rich sauces, and wonderful seasoning. I would recommend not going on a weekend night because it is packed. Bottom line: good service, amazing food.
(4)Ned R.
Hands down best frozen cadillac margarita in Tucson!
(5)James M.
We rented a house in Sabino Canyon for a month and got to sample a lot of Mexican food, our favorite being Guadalajara Grill. It's big, colorful, fragrant and noisy, a true assault on all your senses! We loved the table side salsa (consumed two large bowls). I had the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce), which was fantastic. We were luck to be there on a night when the mariachi band performed. Other reviews have complained about the service, but our was excellent, with two young ladies making sure we were happy with everything. Parking wasn't an issue. We didn't have a reservation and even though we arrived on a busy night at 6:00, we didn't have to wait at all for a large, comfortable table. Wish we had something as good in New York!
(5)Joe W.
Ever since the place burned down from a kitchen fire....it has been missed. I am glad they're back! Better than ever. I love the salsa ladies who come around and make fresh salsa for you at the table. And they are sooooo sweet! The atmosphere there is good and always packed. The Guaco-Tacos are my favorite since i love Guac and Tacos! Give it a try, wonderful and friendly.
(5)May P.
I came here years ago; and I swear it was better then. First of all, when I didn't like the booth seats. I sat on one where it just irritated my thighs and was uncomfortable. Second, out waitress took her time and when I asked for something, she just never answered me and walked away. So I didn't really know if she understood me or if she ignored me or something. However she did come back with the thing I requested. She just dropped it off and off she went. It wasn't crowded and there were staff that just stood there as we ate so I wish she attended more to our needs. Third, well the food prices, in my opinion doesn't deserve to be that pricey. I mean, maybe if the quality of the food was as good as the price -- I wouldn't complain. The food wasn't bad -- but I could've gotten the same thing somewhere else and cheaper. Needless to say, I came home to a tummy ache. So I didn't have a great time at this place today. Hopefully, when I come back in te future, I can give this place more stars.
(2)Chris F.
I'd give it 4 stars; however, the fact that they make the salsa at the table in front of you is totally kick ass! Friendly staff. Attentive. Good fajitas. Loved the over sized tortilla. The massive margarita was sweet. Probably my only dig on the fajitas would be the lack of guac and sour cream. Oh yeah, how can I forget. They have these guys who sing and play the guitars/larger guitars (my ignorance) when someone has a birthday, that was really cool. Definitely will be going back, and probably when it's my birthday, but not. Just want to hear them play :)
(5)Janice M.
Again, If you didn't read my other reviews. I am a newbie when comes to Mexican food. Food: 3/5 A lady stopped her cart by our table after we were seated and asked how we wanted our salsa, that was pretty much the best part of our meal. We ordered medium and spicy. The spicy wasn't spicy enough so I asked if she could add more chilis and it was exactly how I like it. However, the entree was just Okay. Nothing special. Service: 2/5 It was a very odd experience with our waitress. She comes by often to fill our glasses of water but she mumbled something to us and walked away. We weren't exactly sure what was going on. After finishing our meal, we waited and waited for the waitress to bring us our check but it took a really really really LONG time. Parking: 4/5 The restaurant itself is very spacious and so their parking lot. Overall: 3/5 Mediocre food, border-line bad service, good parking. I'd give it a three star just because I am in a good mood but I will probably not recommend this place to anybody and will not be coming back for more.
(3)Cactus J.
You will love their mocajete cameronas it is delicious. Also, the salsa is made fresh at your table mild,medium,hot or fire engine hot. Service is good. Go early especially Friday and Saturday night.
(5)Jesse C.
I found this place using YELP while visiting family in Tucson Arizona. The food here is VERY good. They have some unusual options like Lobster enchiladas which my wife ordered and loved. The salsa and chips are VERY good as well. I thought the cheese enchiladas I got were 'OK', maybe the sauce could have been spicier, but it was still good. Prices were about average for this type of place and the atmosphere was very good. I would definetly come back here again if I am ever in the area.
(4)N S.
The salsa was good! But we really didn't enjoy this restaurant. The beans tasted like Taco Bell... And the flavors (bland) and textures of our dishes just weren't good.
(2)Laura V.
We visited Guadalajara when it reopened and everything was as wonderful as before. Service was good and fast. Salsa is made fresh right in front of you however you want it. The food was delicious I didn't even spend time to take a picture of it I was so eager to just eat it. The Mexican paella is highly recommended! Will always come back to this restaurant, lucky to have it here in Tucson and is the one place I take out-of-town visitors to for authentic Mexican food.
(5)Kenneth B.
This is my second time here..the food is bomb and so is there salsa that they make right in front of you..def a family spot . And they have tv's so u can watch any game ..i so recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy some really Good Mexican food.. And the staff are awesome
(5)Andrea G.
What a surprise--a pleasant one! Gary, my husband, and I have lived in Tucson and passed that place for years. We never paid attention. I don't know why, really. It looks kind of unassuming from the front view. I had an Entertainment book deal for the restaurant, so we ventured to try it. It's fun to support the local restaurants, too! What a wonderful restaurant! It is a whole lot larger than it seems from the outside. Fun atmosphere, mariachis singing 'round the diners, very family oriented and there is a very separate bar area (didn't peek at it). Colorful decorations make for a cheery ambiance. It was Wednesday around 6 pm on a summer day (the slowest time in Tucson), and yet the place was packed. All other restaurants are struggling to draw in diners with the sluggish economy. This restauarnt obviously had regulars and a loyal following. We were seated quickly and given a fun menu. Waitstaff were friendly. The food is not your traditional Mexican, but instead very different types of sauces and mixtures of Mexican foods Maybe Guadalajaran food is like this, or maybe this restaurant is especially creative? Not sure. We were greeted by a salsa lady pulling around a cheerful cart on wheels. I loved this feature. It was packed with bowls of various veggies and makin's for salsa. She asked if we liked mild, medium or hot. Since Gary likes hot and I like mild, she actually made us TWO salsas! They came in these huge bowls, too-great presentation--and great flavors! My mild (I know, I'm the gringa about HOT food) salsa had large and mild green chile pieces in it along with onions, and all the usual yummy salsa ingredients. I dove in with the nice, thick, fresh chips (very light on salt) for an excellent salsa-chip experience. The main meal was hard to choose as the menu has more creative choices than just the usual burrito/taco, etc. line-up. I got a carne asada, chile relleno and chicken enchilada combo. Gary ordered the Ultimate something (didn't see the name). Both dishes arrived, mine on a huge plate and his in a stone huge container that weighed probably 10 lbs. Very unique. It contained what I like to say seemed like a Mexican cioppino. Grilled shrimp, chicken, beef and more was in it, in a tomato-based sauce (very flavorful), topped with some feta-looking Mexican-type cheese (sorry 'bout my silly word phrases-didn't get the real names of things too well). We dove in; the food was terrific! The diners around us also looked very contented. All I know is that I look forward to returning to this place to experiment with other delights on their menu! And I better get back to work or my Office Manager will catch me writing this during work (I'm the boss but she keeps me on track! This was my little mental break moment, to share with you while it was fresh in my mind) Hope it helps you!
(4)Stephanie S.
This is a decent Mexican food restaurant, especially if you don't have time to run down to South Tucson. This restaurant features fantastic lunch deals, and in the evening fresh salsa made at your table to your taste and live mariachi music. Out of town visitors always enjoy the food and atmosphere.
(4)Eleana H.
whooot i love this place, its clean, the decor is beautiful, the good is great, the service is amazing, as good as it gets.. me and my bff got the mojalete bowl for 19.00 it comes in a huge volcanic bowl with shrimps and carne asada, chicken, and veggies.. comes with fresh tortillas covered in lard, and rice + beans YUMMMMMYYYYYYYY portion size is amazing. table side salsa is a MUST. and I got one of the meatball soups SOOO AMAZING OMG... i love this place, cant wait to come back
(5)Mer M.
We've been here a few times now with family. The fresh table-side made salsa is amazing. The mole is very good, as were the burritos and enchiladas that I tried. One of the times we went in the server wasn't very attentive, but the other times I've gone there the service was better.
(4)Gabriel W.
Good food, but salsa IS a gimmick. And well, I think both O and NeD are freaking idiots...so how about that?!?! Anyone who knows how to MAKE good salsa knows that it needs to sit at least overnight so that all the flavors have a chance to combine. Making it "fresh" at the table is cute, yeah...but really the flavor is of straight tomatoes. They might as well just open some canned tomatoes for you to dip your chips in. But yeah, O...if you cant go to eat without worrying about misogyny, racism, and "anglo views of assumed inferiority"...then maybe you should just stay home. You're not an intellectual, you're an asshole. ANYWAY, apart from the salsa, this place is essentially the same as garcias or some other gringo mexican place. Just not my cup of tea. If I want REALLY good gringo mexican, I go to rosas right around the corner...now THAT place has GREAT salsa!
(3)Mary Ann S.
Do you love salsa? Do you love choosing what does or doesn't go into your salsa? Then run, don't walk, to Guadalajara Grill. Their homemade salsa is made table side and you can choose how spicy you want it. So whether you are like me and add all the spices you can or if you basically like salsa that tastes like tomatoes, you get your choice here. Their margaritas get the job done. With all sorts of flavors (including in house creations) you are sure to find something you like at the bar. Careful of those BIG glasses :) The food is good Mexican food. They have several options and even Vegetarian options, and more than just one. The atmosphere is very fun and they have a mariachi band that travels from table to table. They know pretty much any song-- Including Bear Down!! A true Tucson establishment
(5)Mike H.
Very good. Recommend the "Molcahete" and fried ice cream. Pricey though!
(4)Laura C.
I was in Tucson recently and, while I love NorCal's fresh take on Mexican food, I was excited for the good stuff - real, authentic Mexican food. Unfortunately, this was one of those rare instances where Yelp steered me wrong. My sister and I went and we ordered the Queso Fundido (with the chorizo on the side because I don't eat meat) as an appetizer, and it was really just disgusting. It came with undercooked mushrooms and a layer of oil on top and neither of us found it appetizing to eat oily, tasteless, chewy cheese. The good news is that it only went up from there. The table-side salsa was actually quite great. Medium had a bit too much spice for my sister, but it was perfect for me. I forgot what entree my sister got, but I got the Burrito Chilango and it was okay, nothing to write home about. It satisfied my craving for Mexican, but it didn't do much else. The sauce it was smothered in tasted like it came from a can. I do remember both of us felt very underwhelmed after our meals. The final strike for Guadalajara Grill came when we ordered some fajita take-out to bring back to our dad. When we opened the container, we found they never gave us tortillas. How do you forget the tortillas in a fajita order? It was a total bummer as they make their own tortillas and he had to use the cheap store brand kind we (thankfully) had in the fridge.
(2)S S.
Best salsa of my life! Great service good prices and the food has a simple authentic taste of high quality ingredients.
(5)White R.
Went here for a business lunch, and this place was very good. I loved their sauces, the salsa and chips, and everything was delicious. Service was good, ambience was good, everything was awesome...however, I only wish the chips were a little saltier to my taste.
(4)Tracy P.
Mexicans will cross the Border illegally just to eat here; it's that good. It may even be authentic as there were some very interesting food choices. All 4 of our entrees were excellent. Food was expertly prepared and presented with no oil or heavy lard tastes. Salsa made to order was delicious. She even made it twice because we wanted it spicier and more flavorful. The Cadillac margarita was worth $8. The mariachi band sang the love ballads so beautifully, I wanted to cry. Friendly service as well. I reserve my 5 star ratings for places that blow me away. I didn't have that gastrointestinal or ethereal moment here but it was darned good. I can't wait to go back - my highest compliment for a restaurant.
(4)Eddie A.
This is the standard date nice place for my wife and me. We live by the East side one, so we tend to favor that, but the original is equally amazing. The funniest thing is that my mother has spotty experiences here, but we've never had a bad one. Salsa: made fresh at your table to order. We like extra tomatillos, extra garlic, and spicy. Margaritas: all of them are fantastic. I recommend the Bandera, but call a cab early if you're under 150 lbs. Mole: beyond phenomenal. Mariachi: if you're into it, you'll love it. If you're not into it, they'll turn you around. I've tried many of their menu items and have never been disappointed. From the simple appetizers to dessert (bar none flan and sopapillas!).
(5)Andrew S.
Tableside salsa - live music - awesome carnitas in a molcajete! Service is courteous and fast, food is fantastic, and definitely a place to bring your family for a great Mexican dinner.
(5)Lany Kay M.
This place is a good as it gets, great atmosphere, delicious food and great service. Table side made Salsa to die for... Highly recommend!
(5)Tracy A.
I was there sat night, service was horrible. us outside took over a half hour to get a drink never got the appetizer we ordered and when we said something the waitress just said, awe do u want it now? Not a sorry or anything. My food was bad the salsa and fajitas were good. We asked several times for them to turn on the heater and no one seemed to know how. And don't even think you could have more than 1 drink people dropped off food and didn't see them again till bill was dropped off. We even made a comment that maybe they didn't work for tips there!! Save your money and go anywhere else. It amazes me that there are so many good reviews, I'm pretty easy to please and rarely take the time to write a review but in this case people should know.
(1)Paul N.
As always the food was very good and the mexican music men were terrific. We will be back,
(4)Dawn K.
I love Guadalajara Original Grill. I consistently bring out of town company because it's a basic mexican place that sells, what people think they want, huge platters of food with beans and rice on the side. I love the table side salsa, and they customize it to your tastes(Spicy extra cilantro). They have huge margaritas. More than once, I realized I was beyond buzzed trying to finish one of their house margaritas, just as I happily ordered my second drink. My favorite dish they offer is their tropical Chilean sea bass. It is absolutely in my top favorite dishes in Tucson. My husband and I went this week and both decided to order combo plates(comfort food) and both combo plates just knocked my socks off! I ordered the two item combo of beef taco and chicken flauta. My dining experience rocked; the service was great, the food was excellent and it was not loud; which it can be if a game is going on in the bar or mariachi's are strolling around. Overall, it can accommodate large groups, and it's consistent in the quality of food. The service is not always consistent and we have walked out discussed due to lack of service before, but we couldn't break the ties, since the food kept us coming back.
(5)Roland W.
Nice atmosphere. The remodel gave this restaurant lots of space. Decor is festive and lots accommodates large parties. I wasn't too crazy with the steak salad I had. The steak was way overcooked and the salad needed dressing. The other dishes that my friends had looked much better like the paella. I would come back with out of town guests; it's a nice atmosphere, but busy. There was a wait during a weekday evening and service was very slow.
(3)Naptastic S.
I love the fresh salsa made tableside. I've never been disappointed when coming here and ordering off the menu. No matter your budget, you will find something here to enjoy.
(4)Alissa M.
My family recently came to visit me in Tucson to celebrate my grandpa's 70th birthday. Not having been in Tucson very long, I was nervous about having to pick the restaurant for the occasion, especially considering that my family is Mexican and my grandpa wanted Mexican food for his birthday. Based on Yelp reviews and a friend's recommendation, I picked Guadalajara and it was the perfect choice! There were 13 of us total for dinner. We made a reservation, but unfortunately half our party got lost on the way and was running late. They wouldn't seat us until everyone arrived, but even after everyone arrived, it took a while to get sat. However, I can't really blame them for that one since it was our party's fault for being late. Once we sat down, the service was a bit slow through the night, but considering the size of our party, coupled with the fact that it was a busy Saturday night, I can't put too much blame on the restaurant. We started with a round of drinks. Most of our party had beer, but I opted for a margarita. My first one was really good, but my second one didn't measure up. Isn't tequila supposed to get better the more you drink? Anywho, our whole family enjoyed our meal. The tableside salsa was really cool (not to mention delicious), and they made both a mild and spicy for our table. Everyone was happy with their food. I had the al pastor tacos and the flavor was spot on. The mariachi music was a great complement to the atmosphere and wasn't too loud like it can be at some places. The servers also did a birthday song for my grandpa complete with some funny looking hat they made him out of aluminum foil. My family is still talking about how much they enjoyed dinner. At Christmas, both my grandpa and uncles asked if I had gone back to the really good Mexican place in Tucson. The worst part of our visit was by far the parking situation. If you're going in a group, definitely try to carpool as the parking lot was a nightmare.
(4)Ally A.
i can sum up what i know about paella in two words: top chef. i LOVE the show and i always want to try the tasty, tasty goodness that i see the super talented chefs whip up. guadalajara grill gave me the ability to cross one of these dishes off my list and i appreciate them for it. i do NOT appreciate them making me wait for my entire party to be there before they would seat me and my husband. my friend was driving down to meet us from phoenix and was running a little late (yeah...two hours is more than a little, but i love her anyway). my husband and i, however, showed up for our reservation on time and asked to be seated. they said our whole party had to be there first. they watched us sit in the waiting area for TWO HOURS, didn't offer us a drink, chips, a seat at the bar, nothing. i don't know if they try to turn tables over fast and didn't want us taking up space at a four top while we waited, but i got crankier and crankier as time went by...we were obviously committed to spending money at their establishment after an hour...they should have given us a table. still, that was prolly the only bad part of the night. the salsa chick made great salsa, although she did linger & make us feel guilty so we tipped her. call me cheap, but isn't she paid to be there? i doubt she works for tips like a server... we ordered the cheese appetizer and all i can say is WOW. my husband thought it would be a kinda runny queso dip but he was WRONG. it was like a BRICK of cheesy, awesome tasty-ness...even though you had to really dig to get any out. it was like a never-ending bowl of cheese, you got some out and it refilled itself. it was magic. and the steamy, hot, fresh tortillas were ROCKSTAR! on to the main course, the paella. it was soooooooooooooo amazing. srsly, mindblowing-ly, earth stopping amazing! a mix of mussels, shrimp, chicken, pork, chorizo (aka god's gift to me) and lobster (LOBSTER!!) with tasty saffron rice. OMG...it was AWESOME! my only wish would have been that they stayed open longer. by the time that my friend showed up and we finished eating, it was almost 10. closing time. our waiter hung around in the kitchen doorway staring at us...i was a server, i know waiter body language. this translates to "we closed five minutes ago and you are my last table. get the eff out, amigo (the husband was tickled pink that this guy called him amigo all night)". so basically, the food was AMAZING, the service left a lot to be desired...if i wasn't leaving tucson, i'd prolly go back. with my whole party at hand.
(4)Kathy P.
This place has atmosphere. It's very cute. The salsa lady comes to your table and make salsa to order FRESH! Yum. Food was delicious! The service was great. Everyone was very helpful and we had a baby with us. The baby was super well behaved but we needed a few extras like a spoon to feed the baby and the very sweet salsa lady ran and I mean ran to get her a spoon. So sweet.
(5)Dan K.
Walked in today and had fish taco Tuesday--yummy. It took a bit to get seated--I guess the hostess was doing something else. I thought the fish tacos were good, but not great. I'm not sure why, but there was no salsa or sauce for the tacos. Usually, you get a good avocado sauce or a nice mango salsa--so I thought they were good, but not great. Service was good--attentive and my glass stayed full. Overall--I'd go back--but not on my short list anytime.
(3)L B.
I loved this place from start to finish. I was in Tucson for 3 weeks with my job and I didn't try this place til the end and could kick myself. Came in around 3:30pm on a Monday and was just in time for Happy Hour. $3 ginormous margaritas, super score. They weren't the best margaritas I have had but definitely did the job. Also $2.50 giant Dos Equis Amber in a giant frosty mug made for a hard decision!! I kept asking the waitress questions about what was good on the menu and she finally said everything, I love our food. Boy was she right. Tried the manchego appetizer, one of the best most tastiest things I have ever eaten. Also the potato taquitos which were also good. My friend had a some kind of lobster portobello thing that she was equally as in love with. Table side salsa and super cute lady that makes it was fun. I actually liked the salsa they brought first way better but don't tell the salsa lady. So we called some more friends and moved into the bar for mas happy hour and after a couple more drinks I don't think I spent more than $30 including food and being nice and lushed up! I guess people in Tucson don't tip that well because our waitress fallowed us out to thank us again and again for her 22% tip.
(5)James R.
From the Salsa made to order table side, to the hand made tortilla's and wide ranging menu, this place has it all. Eclectic meets Authentic Decor, above average service, with very reasonable prices, all combine to make this place a must stop when in town.
(4)Steve T.
Excellent salsa made right at the table. The hot cheese plate was good comfort food and it reminded me of the hot cheese plates I have had in Guadalajara. Didn't care for the jalapeno margarita as I didn't get the reason for the hotness of the drink, Had the chili verde plate and it was good. Didn't like that the salsa lady made it clear we needed to tip her and the mariachi band was there for tips also. The service was great and this place is popular for a good reason as it is good food in a lively place with good ambience
(4)Owen B.
Great food and a great atmosphere. Be prepared for a long wait on Friday or Saturday nights.
(4)Jeff B.
This place is average at best. The homemade salsa was very good, and having it made for you at tableside was kind of cool. My food, a chimichanga, was good. My wife's food, tacos, were obviously out of a box. I don't like paying restaurant prices for something I could buy at the grocery store. The margaritas were good. I imagine the rest of the menu must be rather hit or miss, some things are good and others are not.
(3)Rachel A.
Take out of town guests here for a fun dining experience. Really good margaritas!! Delicious, LARGE portions.
(4)Dale P.
Salsa made at your table, mariachi band, and great food. They also have a solid happy hour and in their new location parking is easy. Best place in town for real Mexican gourmet food. Poca Cosa is very good but not as traditional. This is a must try.
(5)Michael D.
Follow the steps. 1. Pick a beautiful day. 2. Sit on the patio at Guadalajara Grill. 3. Enjoy the table-side salsa and your drink of choice (Bohemia or house margarita thank you). 4. Order the Machaca (Huge serving of slow cooked spice pulled beef, beans, rice, and fresh tortillas). 5. Lose yourself to dining bliss. You're welcome reader, and thank you Guadalajara.
(5)Tom W.
This is a great place to go with visitors to get a taste of the traditional culture along with the biggest menu in town. The new building is terrific and the made-to-order salsa at your table is a treat for first time visitors as well as long time customers.
(4)Melissa H.
A recent trip back to Tucson to see the friends I miss most, landed me at the Guadalajara Grill. When I lived in Tucson I lived around the corner from it's original location and I am kicking myself for never trying it before. The table side salsa is a nice touch. While most people love it because they can spice it up, I loved it because I could get the perfect medium blend heavier on the garlic. My friend prompted me to order the bandera margarita and seriously I could of drank 10 more. It is a tri colored frozen margarita with lime, strawberry, and melon and it was delicious. Sticking to my bandera theme I ordered the enchiladas banderas and was not disappointed. The tortillas really are excellent and the food was fresh and prompt to our tables. the atmosphere makes you feel like you are someplace else and there really is an experience to be had here.
(4)Jeremy P.
Uhmazing, make salsa fresh at your table. The best fajitas ive ever had. Try it you wont be... sawwy.
(5)Mark K.
Great food. Plus-minus service. Favorites include table-side made salsa to taste, queso fundido and seafood molcajete in the hot stone pot. Mmmm, good.
(4)Shane W.
This is a new favorite of mine. The service was great as all of the staff was very friendly and the owner came over to serve us and ended up talking for a few minutes. The house margarita is good. The frozen strawberry margarita made with Hornito's is better. The Manchegos is a great appetizer - especially if you love cheese. The chips and salsa is great and plenty as the salsa is made to your order at your table. The chimchanga's are great. The Capitain's Skillet fajitas are served sizzling hot with freshly made tortillas - they make their own at the restaurant. The Albondigas is good as well. The seafood selection is amazing as it reelects the owner's love and knowledge of good seafood. The mariachis band was wonderful to listen to. The downsides are: finding a parking spot is very difficult as this place is very busy; the red rice is dry when compared to the local Sonoran style; and the general music on the speaker system is too loud such that it takes away some of the beauty from the mariachis. I do recommend reservations to avoid waiting in line; otherwise, they bar is a great place to wait.
(4)Sara E.
Bland. That is not an endorsement. Sonoran Mexican food should be spicy and bright. This food is boring. The salsa at the table bit is charming, but doesn't make up for deficiencies in dishes that are delightful elsewhere. Tucson has so many great Mexican restaurants that it is hard to understand how this establishment stays open. Perhaps just the margaritas and salsa? Sad, sad, sad.
(2)Michael G.
There was enough mariachi music swirling around this place to make you feel like you were in Guadalajara, and sprinkle a potent house margarita on top and your there man! The food is exceptional, the bustling crowd and hot plates running around like a Guadalajara fire drill paints the picture. This is the place to be! Come on out, the music is right, your stomach is going to dance all night.
(4)Jamie A.
Some people have told me that this place is always packed, no matter what time you go. I busted that myth last night, as me and the girlfriend showed up at 5:30pm on a Monday night. What better time can you go, right? Right. There were plenty of people there, but the restaurant is huge so we got seated immediately. Ended up getting the hot salsa mix from the nice lady, wasn't too hot though. Probably the only bummer of the night. I ordered the chimi asada, my lord it was delicious. Girlfriend got the shrimp burrito with some type of southwest sauce on it. Let's just say I will be ordering what she had next time I go. No room for dessert, the portions were huge. Pros: Waitress we had was awesome, the meal was excellent, not too busy at 530 on a monday evening Cons: Uhhhh... just the salsa not being hot enough I suppose? GO HERE YOU WILL LOVE IT. WELL, PROBABLY.
(5)Rick E.
Most non-New Mexicans would probably give this place a higher rating than I did. It's very commercial. Not terrible but not great. The tableside salsa making is fun and pretty good salsa. They'll make it to your specifications. The portions are huge, really too big. I had the chipolte shrimp burrito. It was big, soggy and filled with rice, whole scallions, carrots and a very few, anemic white shrimp. The fajitias looked pretty good. The cilantro chicken is probably the best bet. Being from New Mexico I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to good Mexican food, so keep that in mind when you read this.
(2)Bryan H.
Again, people argue back and forth as to where you can get the best Mexican food in Tucson. It's kinda like arguing about which politician is most corrupt in Washington; Tucson is frankly a Mexican food mecca. Now, each restaurant has a distinct feel, distinct styles, and I often change which restaurant I take my visitors and friends to based on their individual tastes and wants. After all, if you're going to visit Tucson you want to have a good meal. La Poca Cosa comes to mind, or Mi Niditos, but my goto for showing non-Tucsonans how varied and diverse Mexican style food can be is Guadalajara Grill. Of course there is the standard Mexican food fair--burritos, tacos, enchiladas, but what makes Guadalajara unique is the diversity dishes. You can order anything from a molcajete bubbling with peppers and carne asada to the standard Tres Amigos, all with fresh in-house-made tortillas and at-the-table made salsa. Because my family and friends trek from the Midwest, they are often floored by how varied Mexican food can be from what they know, especially the seafood dishes which are pretty fantastic. Seafood in the desert? Yeah, the Baja is only 3-4 hours away. If you want more than just a meal, Guadalajara sports a meandering mariachi band, and they will come to your table to ask if you'd like a song. Many amors and corazons later, your date or family will be laughing and having a good time. If you want some margarita, they are strong and cheap on certain days so swing by, only complaint there is a little salty (but I like salty margaritas). I highly recommend Guadalajara.
(5)Fred J.
This place does some nice catering every month or so for the kids of Casa de los Ninos. That is a five star in my book. With that said, what I liked the most was the Salsa. They make that in front of you!? In Vegas they do this with Guacamole and it is like $13 a small bowl. So I expected some smallish portion. Well this thing was MEGA. I was happy - it was also spicey which was yum yum.
(5)Andrew H.
This is one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever eaten at, and probably the best in Arizona. I first went here two years ago when I spent the weekend in Tucson. It was great. The food was great, the service was attentive, and the salsa made table-side is a very nice touch. Since then, I've taken friends, clients, and family to the Guadalajara Grill (mind you, I live in central Phoenix) and they all love it. One of my friends now drives all the way to Tucson every other month just to eat there. I am very glad I asked my hotel concierge for a good Mexican restaurant the first time I went to the Guadalajara Grill; it has been a great place to eat and now that they've moved down the street it is even more convenient to park there.
(5)Todd G.
Not bad. The skinny margaritas were a bit strong. Felt like I was sipping a glass full of tequila shots. The salsa prepared table side was As Good As It Gets though.
(4)Angela J.
The food was the best part of the evening; however, it wasn't as good as I would have anticipated for the amount of money I paid. The service was mediocre at best, which was surprising because there were maybe two other tables occupied in the entire restaurant. At the end of the evening I was shorted $10 by our server making the evening ... spectacular. *ahem* I flagged down an employee to grab our server and ended up waiting an additional 15 minutes for our server to show up to address the situation. When he walked up to the table he came with money in hand, without my yet addressing the issue to any employee ....?!? Suspicious.
(2)Mark F.
Fresh salsa and fajitas are always great. My favorite Mexican restaurant by far.
(5)Mike S.
Plain awful. Thank goodness we had a buy on get one free coupon otherwise we would've been totally pissed. There are lots of "not very good" Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill ranks among the bottom, right there with Casa Molina, El Molina, and El Charro.
(1)Paul D.
I can't say that I am a big Mexican food critic. All Mexican food tastes pretty good to me ( as long as there is no cilantro). But what I like about Guadalajara Grill is that it is a very festive place. The inside is very colorful and there are pinatas hanging from the ceilings. They have the Mariachi band playing and they have the Salsa lady that comes around and makes fresh salsa. I also like the big booths. We always have a good time when we go here.
(4)Deb W.
I love the Molcajetes.
(5)Colin G.
This used to be my favorite Mexican sit-down place in the city. And that's saying a lot, just considering how many Mexican places there are in Tucson. I originally came here a few years ago on my birthday to their old location, closer to Campbell. Service was great, food was great, the mariachis were obnoxious and we had a good time. Then I got to their new location, a little further east on Prince, close to Mountain, and it was a very different experience. The wait was about 20 minutes for a Sunday night, but I had expected that and (I had told my companions to call in beforehand, and they didn't) wasn't really bothered by the wait. We were seated in the room toward the back, into a crowded booth. The room had stucco walls painted red, and cheesy Mexican designed on the ceiling. Between those walls and the roof were a ton of tables, attempting to pack in as many people as they could. There wasn't much room to walk. Only some of us got menus because they had run out. It took a while to get chips and salsa, and then a bit longer to order. We had wanted waters plus additional drinks, but only some of us got them because the server said that they had run out of glasses. The room was excessively noisy, even before the mariachis came in. When they did, the chatter quieted down a bit, which was nice, but it came right back after they left. The menu seemed about the same as before, as did the prices but, when it finally came out, it just didn't taste right. Not nearly as good as it was before. Fast-forward several months later, when I discovered their happy hour. Note to restaurants: the secret to my heart is CHEAP BEER. 22oz drafts are $2. $2!! They also have discounted food, but it's nothing to get excited about. Certainly cheaper than the regular menu though. Service is always pretty good in the bar area, when we go for the happy hour. Several TVs there mean that it's a good spot to watch the game. The only issue is when those damn mariachis start up on "Besame Mucho" for the smiling, geriatric gringos nearby and all you can do is cringe. If you want a table, call ahead or come early. Maybe both. Parking is also always problematic. They're right by the Mountain Ave. bike path though, so why not consider alternative means of transit, you nature-hating douche? (kidding!)
(4)Gretchen J.
Salsa cart table side need I say more? Ok this place moved from its last location that provided the diner with an outdoor experience. What this new location provided however is the extra footage that is great for big parties. The service is attentive and friendly. The food? EVERYTHING is great!! One of the best places to go for a nice mexican sit down meal. The salsa they make is perfect as you direct the lady that makes it exactly to your taste buds. Be prepared to wait but it worth check the place out.
(5)Ryan L.
Portions are huge service was second to none. Salsa made in front of you totally awesome. If you are going to tucson you have to eats here.
(5)Mary Y.
Freshly made SALSA at your table!!! NUFF said. The guacamole was really nice with a fair amount of chunks which I love. We just made happy hour by a minute and managed to snag a beer and margarita for $3!! We got so full off the chips and I didn't even finish my potato-stuffed taquitos. The portions were fair for the price. They also have a musical trio that goes from table to table and takes song requests. I believe you're supposed to tip them too.
(4)Marisa B.
Fantastic enchiladas, amazing cheese dip (chapala rajas), super cheesy Chile rellenos and table side salsa made to your liking - what more can you ask for! Good service, huge portions. Will be back again and again!
(5)D C.
The tableside salsa made to order is terrific. Food was very good as was the service.
(4)Carrie G.
**Second visit a few months ago: Went back with a friend who had never been and told her about how delicious the salsa is. Well...on my return visit and giving the food another try, I'm going to probably never come back again. The salsa is almost worth it, but not when there are so many other great food places in the area.** After a really long day at a barbeque competition, I found this place through Yelp on my iPhone. I'm so picky about Mexican food since I am not a fan of the Sonoran style, so I was adamant about trying their food. But the idea of salsa made at your table intrigued me. When we pulled into the parking lot and found that it was complete full and they had a parking attendant, we knew that we had hit the jackppot! We had to park down the block and around the corner because so many people were there...and it was about 8 at nigiht. After a bit of a wait, we were finally seated. The salsa girl came over and we ordered Medium salsa. It was awesome to be able to watch her make the salsa with all the fresh ingredients including the mortar and pestle she used to crush it up all together. My first bite was so delicious! It had the right amount of spice and it seriously was an explosion on my tastebuds! LOL I judge places on their salsa and this was a very very good sign indeed. But I had a very hard time choosing my actual entree. Maybe it would have been weird to just eat the chips and salsa, but I wish I would have. I ended up ordering the Tres Bandidos combo plate with three enchiladas in a sort of sampler style. They weren't that great and I ended up freaking out when I ate a mole style enchilada not realizing it would be sweet. Eeeeeeek! The chicken enchilada was the only one I really ate and the green chile enchilada was just so-so. But I will tell you now, I have daydreams about the freshly made salsa and want to go back (even taking the 1.5 hour drive) just to get some more of that salsa!!!
(2)Jared K.
Service was poor. Our server was non-existent. Took over an hour for the food to arrive. Waited forever with no refills on chips or soda. Won't be back. Complained to the manager and he said oh well its late now you should have said something earlier. Negative star
(1)Jeremy K.
Love this place! The "new" outdoor patio is awesome! Table-side Salsa is primo! If I had more time I'd tell you about the Margs, the burros, fajitas and the decor which is all spectacular!
(4)Dan L.
The food is fine, the portions are huge and the decor is tacky. This is based on my lunch experience. I hear they have tableside salsa making during dinner service though, if you're into that type of stuff.
(3)Joshua B.
Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended to me and I had to try it. The atmosphere is festive, lively, and upbeat. Shortly after being seated you are treated to made-to-order salsa, made right at your table. The food is good and comes in large portions; however, it isn't really unique or special when compared to the large number of Mexican restaurants in town. Check out Guadalajara Grill for a fun atmosphere, with large portions of good food.
(3)Keith R.
Awesome! Best margarita in Tucson. Service has been amazing both times I have gone.
(5)Lou K.
We had dinner her on Thursday night, restruant was buys (all tables full) but wait was short. Waitstaff (Laura) was friendly, constant in her service. Table side salsa was perfect just the right amount of cilantro. Tilapia and Shrimp were excellent and there was plenty to take home after two big bowls of chips for the salsa. We will go again - never had a bad meal there
(4)Terry J.
Ray L. described the place thus, "Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican Food". He was dead-on. The food isn't all that exciting and my local friends suggested other locations for more authentic dining. But, I was in the mood for noise and Tequila-laced drinks. Food was okay. Drinks were great. Very loud. Very, very loud. Salsa (table made) was good as advertised. Will I go again? No. Was I glad I went once? Yes.
(3)Angela S.
Was recommended here by a friend, great customer service (the ladies held my baby while I ate lol), great pozole.
(3)Chris C.
Visiting from Cleveland and wanted to try some legit Mexican food. All I can say is WOW!! IT WAS BETTER THAN GOOOD! Amazing is more like it. It is really funny how something as simple as salsa can taste so much better when it's fresh. The chips and salsa are the best I've ever had, made in house. We ordered a TON of food and nearly had to be rolled out of the place. Nachos with chicken...out of this world. Just the best Mexican food I've ever put in my mouth. I ate till it hurt and I couldn't breathe.
(5)Josh F.
So good. So damn good. One of the few places I really miss from my U of A days. The salsa here is incredible. As is the guac and the tortillas and the chips and the margaritas. Just go have fun at this place. It's an incredible value.
(4)Charles C.
In a city of many many South of the Border restaurants, sometimes you just want a place that epitomizes everything iconic about their foods ... that is, good food, good atmosphere, good service ... that creates a comfortable experience for you, and for your guest(s). Guadalajara does just this. It's good traditional Mexican fare coupled with attentive wait-staff and a little Mariachi on the side if you like (yes, they take requests ... ask them to play "Y Volvere" by the Los Angeles Negros for a truly romantic scene, and sip your Margarita before indulging.
(5)Andrew A.
After hearing all the great things about Guadalajara Grill I thought I would give it a try. The location of the restaurant isn't in the best area of town however the place is well kept and has an authentic feel to it. The wait staff was friendly and from the get go I was impressed. Upon sitting down a lady dressed in "authentic" Mexican clothing asked us how we like our salsa. We told the lady and right at our table she made the salsa to our liking. It tasted fresh and was definitely something I had never seen before. It was around 5PM when we sat down which I believe was the end of happy hour so draft beers were two dollars off and the house Margarita was 50% off. Not too bad of a deal? For a main course I ordered a enchilada plate which contained three different types of enchiladas. After hearing such great things I thought the food would be exceptional however I felt it was very good but did not reach the exceptional status. Maybe it was because I had hyped the place up to much? This is definitely a place I would come back to every so often but be mindful that compared to other Mexican restaurants in Tucson, it is a little more pricey.
(4)Rae M.
I love this restaurant! I tried it for the first time and was back two days later to have it again! You need to make sure that you come here when they have the table side salsa! Wonderful ladies make the salsa for you and you can let them know if you want it hotter or more mild! I'm picky about my salsa and about what ingredients go in it so this is perfect! They ask you before adding the ingredients so you can tell them which ones to leave out. I was very impressed by their service last time I visited. I came with my family for dinner when it wasn't too busy yet. We were seated right away and they came by with the chips and salsa as soon as we were seated. Our server (I wish I remembered their name) brought us our drinks right away and when it came time to order, memorized the whole thing without writing it down. This always scares me because i'm one of those difficult customers that has them add and take out certain ingredients and they almost always get it wrong even when it is written down...but not this time! The food was brought out just like we ordered it. Everyone that interacted with us was very friendly even when it did get busy. I recommend coming before the dinner rush or else you could get stuck waiting for a long time before getting a table.
(5)Jessica L.
I had to come here after hearing a friend reminisce about this place after coming back from studying abroad in Europe. So far I've only tried the vegetarian dishes here (I've gone twice with my recently-vegetarian friend. Definitely delicious and love that the salsa is customizable, fresh, and sooo good with the chips. This is quite the experience as all the servers, musicians, walls, and ceilings are dressed the part. Portions are ginormous and I like to split plates, which they are happy to do for you. Lively. Great service. Definitely a Tucson gem.
(4)Sherry B.
HIRE SOME HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have too many incompetent people.
(1)Melissa J.
I just don't quite get the appeal of this place. It's always packed, it's even really hard to park. So you would think that would be a sign that it is something amazing but it just isn't. I do admit, the table side salsa can be really good. Last night we had them make salsa verde and it was so so so good. But that's pretty much the only thing that stood out. My fish tacos were probably the blandest fish tacos I've ever tasted. Really flavorless tortillas and then all that was on them aside from the fish was shredded lettuce and cheddar cheese. Really? My husband pointed out I should add the table side salsa, and that did certainly spice it up, but why so boring to start out? My husband and lots of other people at our table got various molcajete bowls. These do seem unique and cool, but my husband said his was pretty flavorless. The margarita was gigantic, but not exciting. Maybe this isn't actually what it is but it just tasted like the Jose Cuervo mix. I did see they had a jalepeno margarita and I'm not sure why I didn't order it because it did sound interesting. The live music is great. We were there for my brother in law's birthday and they sang him a little song, made him a funny hat and brought some tasty cake. So service and ambiance definitely 5 stars. I just don't think it makes up for the food.
(3)Big P.
Is this place really open? The website still has it as being closed still from the fire.
(5)Mark A.
This is right around the corner from my house and I have a tendency to forget about it. I was working late getting some materials for a new fence being built, and wanted I to buy my friends dinner for helping me and proximity was key. Immediately upon arrival I knew like an bomb going off was the loud blast of mariachi's ( I guess there is a band of them marauding about since the close of El Mariachi). I thought to myself was this part of the plan for mutually assured destruction. The table side salsa is good the service is average. They should have a non-marichi zone or a cone of silence.
(3)Sarah L.
Absolute worst service I have ever had. Made a reservation for 7pm and didn't get sat until 7:35pm. Waited another 30 minutes to get water and order food. No one once apologized or gave us a reason for why they were so behind. Finally left at 9:30. Should have never taken 2 1/2 hours to eat dinner. Very disappointed and will not be coming back.
(1)Jack S.
I really wanted to love this place like the other reviewers and but for a few things, albeit pretty major things, would have given this place 4 stars at least. First off, I have to say the service was very good and this is during the AZ basketball Elite 8 playoff where the entire waitstaff was glued to the game. The salsa made at your table was good but it takes a while to come around and for a while you are there with these chips and nothing to dip them in. I ordered the 3 banditios, an enchilada each in green sauce, mole and red sauce. The sauces were excellent but all 3 of the enchiladas were quite anemic on the meat. Also, I have to say that the tortillas, although laudably made fresh on site, were so thick I could not use my fork to cut them and had to resort to a knife. I have literally had tortillas made over a fire in the jungles of Guatemala that were leagues ahead of this. Maybe it's been great in the past, maybe it's just a gotten a bit lax in execution but this place was slightly less than average on my visit.
(3)S S.
First visit here while vacationing in Tucson. Really good food and classic Mexican food ambiance. They custom mix your salsa at tableside. The mariachi band checked our wrinkles and played a Credence Clearwater song for us. We all got a chuckle out of that. They were really good musicians.
(4)David D.
Wholly owned and operated; we gotta move to Tucson! Been coming to Tucson for over 35 years to visit my aunt Stella, She's introduced me to many a fine restaurant, but how in the world has she never taken me here? Well, found it on my own tonight and what a wonderful find it was!! Tuesday night and the place was packed, yet service was fast and impeccable. And the food? Wow! Start with made-to-order salsa at my table and then continue on to a absolutely savory Molecante Mariscos. Wow!. And hand made tortillas delivered in little ziplocs to keep them moist and soft. Are you kiddin' me?! I realize this review is bordering on over the top, but gotta tell, you this place rates it. And, BTW, kudos to the owners. Speaking with our server I learned that after the fire, the owners kept everyone on payroll for the six months it took to rebuild and re-open. Go there. Over and over.
(4)Merlin C.
Just great. Best salsa, great margarita, paella to die for. Fun, if not hokey atmosphere (it was Valentines day) but nice looking deck with mountain view. Super busy! Get there early or late.
(5)Henry M.
Great food, generous portions, reasonable prices, comfortable atmosphere. What more can you ask?
(5)Jonathan B.
It is great "Americanized" Mexican food. Everything tastes great, but you can share a lot of entrees. We normally split a Veggie Molcajete. The margaritas and salsa are great too!! Great for family visits and fun nights!
(5)Denise G.
The last margarita I ordered was watered down. Tasteless. They were great before. The food is awesome, environment is great and the table salsa is the best.
(4)Veda D.
All I can say is table side salsa is the best. I will come for the salsa order and be too full to touch my entree. Come at night or on the weekend so you can pick your level of hot for your salsa. The seafood is also really good. If you are craving paella I recommend it. Mmmmmmm
(4)April D.
Nailbanger Here Again; I can only say, the heading of this review says it all. We were invited to go to Lunch ,celebrating my Aunts Birthday, as the occasion.The place has just recently reopened after a Fire.They had a decent Lunch crowd, but we were seated right away , this restaurant is pretty large.The Service has a lot to be improved on, and was scarce and not well trained. Now for the Food, it was bland and flavorless, the beans tasted of a tin can. I can't see how with Great Mexican Food in Tucson ,this place survives and thrives. The Food is Gringo food at Best.I won't be back.If you are a visitor in Town keep searching.The Best place in town is Mi Nidito`s on South 4th Ave.
(2)Haley B.
Such an amazing Mexican restaurant! I love their salsa that they customize for you at your table. Their margaritas are also sooo good.
(4)Shana M.
I like this very much, truely authentic Mexican food. Lots of seafood on menu. We ordered Chili Verde burros. My husband ordered the Carnitas best in town. Last visit we both ordered seafood,which was excellent. A little pricey for a casual just staving for mexican food dinner. Salsa mixed at your table to your taste. Chips, tortillas hot and fresh. 3.00 margaritas at 4pm happy hour. Big drinks, big food, first time in a long time we took 1/2 of our dinners home. Out side tables, This is a place to take out of towners to.
(4)Erik J.
Maybe I'm a little biased because this place is walking distance from my house, but I really love Guadalajara Grill! My wife and I come here pretty often after work for happy hour (ends at 6pm) where the house margaritas are only $3 (for a big, cool looking glass of it), and appetizers are half off. I really like the fresh, made-at-your-table salsa that can be ordered mild, medium, or hot - just be sure to bring a buck or two to tip the salsa-lady! My favorite meal is the Green Chili Chimichanga, enchilada style with the white sauce. It's pretty huge so the wifey and I usually split it. It does get really busy here Thursday-Saturday nights so make sure to make reservations or plan on waiting a little bit. They are good about turning out tables though.
(5)Bryce R.
I have been to Guadalajara Grill twice with my family. It a family friendly restaurant and the food is very good and not too pricey. The table side salsa is a treat however the salsa is just ok. I enjoy my salsa a little bit cold and because it is made table side it is more room temperature. The salsa is still good just my small complaint. The positives for the restaurant is that the food comes out fast. This is a plus for families so the kids aren't waiting for their food causing tantrums. The food is good. I have gotten the chimichanga, burritos, fajitas, and queso. They have never disappointed. The fajitas are hot and fresh. The tortillas they give you are huge and fresh I love them. The quest is interesting. It is like melted pizza cheese in a bowl. It is good just not your traditional queso sauce.
(5)Dr Tim L L.
I could eat salsa here all day ...... wow. Chips are very good as well. The chicken fajita was okay. The vegies seemed to be cooked separately from chicken and the flavors did not blend. Tasty Horchata ..... a bit on the sweet side. Nice spacious setting and clean. Fresh tortillas ...... hellooooooooo.
(4)Alex T.
This place is great. The food is good and the atmosphere is awesome, especially on the weekends when they have live music. They also make your salsa table-side, which is pretty cool. They serve your standard variety of Mexican food. Chimichangas, Tacos, Enchiladas, etc. I only give it three stars because if you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this shouldn't be your number one choice. Although the food is usually good and the portions are big the food itself doesn't match up with what's available here in Tucson (and at cheaper prices).
(3)Adam F.
Guadalajara Grill has been at this location for many years. It is on the south side of Prince Rd west of Mountain Ave. Unfortunately, a fire in the kitchen kept it closed for several months. It has now been several months since they re-opened, and it is clear they have maintained their reputation as a Tucson staple. They have a website online but be sure to click "Guadalajara Original Grill." The "Guadalajara Fiesta Grill" has a slightly different menu and prices and is only associated with the original location by name. I believe it is a result of a divorce with the owners. The service and food is very consistent. The atmosphere is very comparable to it's primary competitor: El Charro. Like the latter, it is a decent place to come for lunch or happy hour. Choosing this restaurant is a safe pick if you don't want to gamble on a new or inconsistent restaurant.
(4)John B.
The Excellent: Bianca, our waitress this time and last time out did herself in service. I wish all servers were1/2 as attentive as Bianca. The Margaritas show that the bartenders have paid attention to the adage "fresh ingredients simple recipe = great drink". For once a Cadillac Margarita was not over wrought and over the top. It was, well like driving a 59 Caddy Convertiable. The Fajitas were tasty as was the salsa and old school Guacamole. The BAD: COLD STALE tortilla chips. An abomination. When restaurants in Los Angeles routinely serve chips that are fresh so what is the problem???In addition the corn tortillas served with meal were overheated and stale. Inedible so I did not eat them. So close to perfection yet so far. Hopefully they will fix this.
(4)Gary S.
Table side salsa. So good. You got to get it hot. I have been here on multiple occasions now and I have to say I've had a great experience each time. Between the wife and I we have ordered 6 different entrees. Food always taste fresh and delivered to the table hot. Which is a major feat in this town.
(5)Nick M.
I lived in Tucson for three years before sadly moving and while there I had the chance to eat at plenty of fine Mexican restaurants and Guadalajara Grill is one of my favorites. Being a regular I was always impressed with the quality of the food. The service and ambiance are average, my biggest grip being with the dinner-time music which could be very loud. But the food was always delicious, especially the pork chili verde.
(4)D W.
Went to the bar for happy hour. Great salsa made to your taste, and yummy (and cheap) house margarita. Queso fundito was enough for a dinner for two of us. The bartenders were attentive and working hard!
(5)Linda E.
Our 'go to' place when in Tucson. Their salsa and margaritas are THE BEST!!
(5)Ciera L.
Not impressed with their food. No idea why this place is always busy and why Tucson loves this place. Horrible Mexican food, I had tortilla soup and it was disgusting and more like tomato soup. My dad did not like what he ordered and we were both unimpressed and will never go there again. If you want delicious Mexican food Do not go here!
(1)Leila R.
I went here with my cousin and some friends for a girls night out because they touted the margaritas and because they have live mariachis on Wed nights, but i have to say, other than the mariachis (who were really good!) this place did not live up to the hype. First off, the parking situation here is just out of control! I arrived 10mins early for our 6:30pm reservation and spent almost 15mins looking for parking because there was a "lot full" sign and the parking attendant was not helpful at all in suggesting other places to park as the adjacent business strip was all full and the "gated" thrift store across the street did not have any visible available parking. I ended up having to park at the church almost a .25mi trek away. Not to say I mind walking, but it is not in the best neighborhood and you have to cross a busy street, so not ideal, especially when making the hike by yourself after dark. Secondly, at $9 a pop ($8 on the rocks) for their margs, I was expecting a top shelf caliber margarita experience and to at least get a buzz going. The first one I had my cousin ordered for me because they had never tried the tamarindo on the rocks before. For that price, I should at least be able to taste some kind of tequila...my margarita was very watered down and as far as tamarindo goes, everyone at the table agreed, this was not as advertised. The frozen prickly pear marg, on the other hand, was delicious, but again very light on the tequila and definitely not worth $9! As far as the food goes, I was kind of disappointed. It was not very authentic to me (I had a shrimp quesadilla, which was light on the shrimp, and my cousin, who shared some of her dish, had the fried chimis) and again, very overpriced. Other than the food and the margs, this place is puro Jalisco. They did a great job w/the decor (the murals on the wall, especially of the cathedral in Guad are impressive) and the salsa that is made table side is pretty spot on (you can even get it in varying levels of heat). The mariachis, though, redeemed the lackluster food/drink sitch here for me. They stroll through the restaurant and give a genuine performance. One of the mariachis, Martin, has just an amazing voice! But, to be honest, when I walked out of there with a $30 tab for mediocre food and overpriced drinks, I turned into a mariachi, myself, and ay-ay-ayayayay-ed all the way home!
(2)Micalah O.
This restaurant is great for large groups and/or visitors to the southwest. It is not like the typical Tucson Mexican restaurant because It does have food from south of the border (on the Mexican) side. The table side salsa can be really great if you know just what to ask for. The drinks are fun but it is hard to screw up a margarita too badly. Everything is priced reasonably especially considering the serving sizes are HUGE! Guadalajara is very touristy, costumes, mariachis and decor. My cousin from the East Coast found it to be just what he was looking for in a Mexican restaurant. I on the other hand find it to be a bit over the top but the food is good.
(3)S G.
Takeout food was great. Beans are good, rice are extremely flavorful, chicken chimi was great, and chips were good too. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back again.
(5)Saba B.
Guadalajara Grill's extensive menu rivals War and Peace. I often worry about the little vegetarian section buried under pages of shrimp and beef dishes, but GG's veg menu is to be reckoned with. The guaco tacos and vegetarian burrito here are artistic dishes. The veggies aren't limp and overcooked, but well-seasoned and delicately prepared. Big chunks of creamy avocado were balanced by spicy calabacitas and cebolla. By the way, our large margarita was Olympic-sized. I thought I saw Michael Phelps doing the backstroke in there. "Grande" means ginormous here. The service is always reliable, the tableside salsa done to order is rich and fresh, and the decor is fiesta-style colorful and gaudy. GG's gets my best of Tucson vote for Mexican, manos down.
(5)Tony F.
The food I would have to say is ok although you do get a lot for your buck. The highlight of the food is the hand-made tortillas and the salsa that is made to order at your table. I had the carne asada burrito which was very good but not even the closest to the best. The sauce used in the burrito was a little too barbecue-esq. The atmosphere is what you'd expect of a Mexican food restaurant, complete with mariachi band. The place can get crowded on the weekend so be patient or come early.
(4)Alex A.
walked in and got seated. 25 minutes later i had not been served. not even a drink. worst service ever. dont bother coming here
(1)Nikol P.
Best f-ing Mexican food that I have ever had at a restaurant! Do yourself a favor and get the Manchegas! OMG. Their tortillas are divine and I can not stop thinking about the carnitas that I got. My husband's shrimp burrito was so tasty too! I am not some gringa either! I love Mexican food and living in Los Angeles has afforded me a life of dining on some of the best Mexican cuisine, and let me tell you, that Guadalajara's is top on my list. Service was A+, my glass was never empty!!
(5)Christina R.
First of all this place has the best salsa in town, made fresh at your table! Does it get any better than that?! Yes, because Guadalajara also has (huge) $3 house margaritas during happy hour, and great deals on select appetizers. My boyfriend & I started with the mini chimis. And since we couldn't decide if we wanted chicken or beef, we got 3 of both and I still can't tell you which I liked better; both so delicious! For our entree we shared pork chile verde enchiladas. I left there stuffed, everything was too good to stop eating even after I was full to capacity. On top of all the great food, the service here is fantastic-everyone is so friendly & upbeat! We will definitely be adding Guadalajara Grill to our rotation!
(5)Justan R.
Fantasitico! While traveling on business from the muy frio climate of northern Arizona, my companions and I discovered this not so hidden gem of Tucson's culinary attractions and favorite of locals via Yelp! From the table side salsa made to your heat specifications, mariachi band serenade, wide variety of delicious main entree selections, and potent margaritas, you simply can't go wrong. Try it for yourself and experience first hand the regional excellence that is Guadalajara Original Grill!
(5)George L.
First time going to Tuscon, after about 15 years living in Phoenix, and saw this place had a ton of reviews. I only did lunch here so my table missed out on the table side salsa creation and the mariachi music but the food was generally good (though chicken in the fajita special was rather dry, the steak fajitas were excellent. I have a feeling that in the evening, with the salsa made at the table and the music, and a margarita or two, my review would be a 4 or a 5 so at some point I hope to come back. My parents, who I took up with me, thought it was the best thing ever and they can't wait to go back so I'm sure they would already rate it at the 4 or 5 star level. I will say the service was great and the serving staff was quite friendly. You definitely feel comfortable hanging out in this establishment.
(3)Lee O.
Impeccable service! Went to visit a friend in the area with a hankering for Mexican good...this is a large place with weekday happy hour (forgot the hours) and weekend happy hours (10p-close). Drinks were well crafted and large! The fresh salsa is made at table-side to order to your liking: mild, medium, spicy and quick in a nice big stone bowl. Now, the skillet dishes were brought out sizzling hot and my chimichanga wasn't too oily. All great food, fresh tortillas made in house as well. My friend couldn't decide on what to order and the waiter explained several options in detail -he definitely knew his stuff. A restuaruant that knows their food inside and out is a HUGE plus in my book as it means they take time to craft their dishes and believe in their own food. :) Our waters were constantly refilled and the waiter checked in on us without being annoying so we felt cared for. There were 4 of us and upon eating the chips and salsa, they even brought out a second batch of chips for the table! I'd definitely come back here again!
(5)Mary N.
Just ate here at their new location on Broadway last night, and am still regretting it! Had their enchiladas that were horrific... Tortillas were hard as a rock and left an aluminum aftertaste. The filling inside the enchiladas was so dry, it was difficult to swallow. They literally had no sauce inside the enchiladas, which were neither dipped into sauce before filling, nor contained a meat filling juicy enough that it didn't rival old leather. The ONLY reason why I'd give them 2 stars is because it was their first day open AND they make the best table side salsa I've ever eaten. (Just bring your own chips, as theirs are thick, tastelessly lacking salt, and greasy.)
(2)Marlette S.
Do NOT eat here, service was exceptionally bad. Check never arrived, we had to request it from the front desk, and she was ever more rude.... A pity, this used to be a good go-to place for lunch or dinner.
(1)Lorrie K.
I know everybody says they have the best salsa. I disagree. I like mine with fresh tomatoes, not stewed. Good wasn't that great either. I got a chicken salad in a big she'll, well it was small. Even my margarita wasn't all that great.
(2)Kennedy V.
The table side salsa is always great. I love that they can make it super spicy, yum! The good is always good and the margaritas are pretty tasty, too. However, I only sip on a marg during reverse happy hour because $4 is definitely better than $9+ per marg. The mariachi band is very talented and fun to listen to while dining. The only two complaints I have (which don't keep me from returning to the restaurant, but are still annoying): 1) Ordering to go food... Every time I order to go it takes 20-30 mins.-- even chips and salsa. I have no issue with the wait time if they would say it would be 20-30 mins. However, they always say 10-15 mins. which is not true. I normally call to order chips and salsa and wait 20 mins. to go pick it up and still end up waiting inside for 10 mins. Somehow it seems after 10 mins. the order is forgotten about as I sit and wait for it. Again, not a big deal, but it does become irritating. 2) Service at the host stand/entrance... Whether trying to be seated, asking to sit at the bar or ordering to go food, the hosts always seem to be doing something better. I don't know if that is their only job (to seat people and take to go orders), but it seems as though they are either a) busy or b) take their time to acknowledge people walking in and to seat them. Once again, not the worst thing, but not my favorite either. Overall, the food is great. Drinks can be pricey --but really, where else do you get cheap drinks at 6pm unless you wait for a happy hour-- and the service is mediocre at best unless you sit at the bar.
(4)Steve K.
Several people recommended Guadalajara Grill. Best parts were the Mariachis Band and Salsa made-from-scratch at your table to suit your taste Excellent tortilla soup Carne Asada was dry and flavorless, so this dish was disappointing given hype. Tip I: Specially order your Margarita to ensure 100% Agave with Cointreau. Why isn't the right way the house margaritas? I judge a Mexican restaurant first on their margaritas. Based on other diners, many were choosing the double-margaritas of the cheaper house variety. Tip II: Nüvi GPS failed to give correct location on Prince Road, but iPhone GPS did. Weird. If you think this review with photos is useful, funny or cool, I'd appreciate your feedback below.
(3)Lina L.
Rude waiter, extremely slow service. We walked out because the waiter's rude behavior wasn't worth being there. He walked away while my husband was about to ask the difference in menu was. Not worth it!
(1)Mary J.
I took 27 people, which can be very hard. Guadalajara was excellent. Took the orders timely and our food came quickly, was very good and came mostly at the same time. The salsa is made at the table which made it very fresh and good! Great atmosphere and live music. We will be back.
(5)Who H.
Three words sum it up....everything is awesome!
(5)Chris J.
My husband, adult daughter, and I stopped in for lunch a week ago. My husband and I live in Phoenix, and were driving our daughter back to her home near the UA. We have driven by Guadalajara's many times on past trips, and finally decided to stop ... we were so glad we did! The place is clean, with a festive atmosphere, and the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly and answered all of our questions. Since it was 3pm on a Monday (not quite the dinner hour), we asked what the night life is like.. he advised that there is a mariachi band on weekends, and fresh, table-side made salsa at dinner time. We also noticed a tortilla stand within the restaurant (assuming it is only open during the dinner hours). We voted to come back some time for dinner, as we want to experience all of these "extras", plus try a margarita or two! The food was very delicious. I had a small bowl of the Chicken Tortilla soup - the "small bowl" was "large" to me. The soup had a very flavorful, cumin-spiced broth, tender chunks of chicken, hunks of white mexican cheese and ripe avocado, plus, of course, crispy strips of corn tortilla. Perfect! Daughter had her favorite, cheese enchiladas in red sauce.. she advised the enchiladas were spicy and tender. Husband had a chicken burrito, which he advised was very tasty. We ended the meal with a deep-fried ice cream, which was big enough for the three of us to share. All in all, a great mexican food experience; we will be back! Total bill with tax and tip came to $30; not bad!
(4)Camille A.
Pros: - Our server Manuel was friendly, courteous and efficient. I have nothing but good things to say about him. - The food itself was very good, as were the margaritas and the freshly made salsa. Cons: - Even though my friend had made special wedding dinner arrangements with the restaurant weeks in advance, our entire party still had to wait 20 minutes for our table to be ready. - The special menu for our party consisted of five main course choices. There were no prices, and at the bottom of the menu, I quote " Fresh Margarita or Cold Draft Beer Included." At the end of the meal...I received my bill for my entrée and two charges of $6.95 for my margaritas. Since when does "included" mean that they charge separately for what was "included?" - My food arrived, and two minutes later another waiter said that my entrée for was for his section of the table, and literally took my plate and gave it to another guest. Thank goodness I had not touched the food yet. - Their company party was that night, and I felt that they were in a rush to get us out of their establishment. When I asked three workers at the front desk where the bathrooms were located, they could barely tear themselves away from counting their tips to assist me. I've been a server before, and I understand how hectic a restaurant atmosphere can be. That being said, there is no excuse for an inaccurate menu, playing trade-a-plate with my food, and workers that are more concerned about their tips than helping customers. Based on my experience, I will not be a customer of Guadalajara Grill in the future.
(1)Victor R.
This is a Great restaurant, we went with friends on a whim and got there during the happy hour on Friday (which is actually during a reasonable time!) There was a lot of people but our waitress was on the spot and ready and served us really promptly. She came back often and took good care of us overall. We got our dishes which were real portions! I got the cimichanga with green chili in and out! The salsa was great as well as the beans and rice on the side! We got drinks! They were big and cheap! 2.50 for a giant mug of XX and 3 dollar giant margaritas that weren't watered down! The tortillas are the really tasty fatty kind that don't break if you try and fold them and the food wasn't too greasy. It was a little pricey but worth all of the money! Great place to go for atmosphere and food!
(5)Ravi R.
This place was a huge disappointment. I'm shocked that Mexican food this bad can exist in Tucson. Every aspect of our meal was a letdown. The margaritas tasted like they came from a mix, the guacamole was substandard, and the mole in my dish was worse than something I could buy off the shelf in a grocery store. Even the table-side salsa was just ok. The service wasn't horrible, but it as pretty slow. I don't understand how this place has received any positive reviews. Do yourself a favor and skip this place if you are thinking of trying out a different restaurant. I wish I had gone to one of my old favorites instead.
(1)Andy H.
This place is just west of Prince and Campbell. You'd never expect it, but this place is really nice inside, has great patio seating, and the best fajitas I've ever had in my life. Salsa will be made for you at the table, you can explain what you want if you're picky, and they'll give you plenty of chips. The parking lot is basically a dead end street, I found it easier to park at the business space to the immediate west of the restaurant.
(5)Virginia M.
salsa made at the table - awesome. huraches - delicious. atmosphere - a little shabby and noisy.
(5)Brad H.
Not sure if its just because we arrived just before close, but this place didn't quite live up to the expectations I had after delicious salsa was made at the table. Service was inattentive and half the food was cold. Finally, how am I supposed to eat a giant portion of fajitas, which had great flavor by the way, with only two tiny tortillas? I'd ask my server except she hasn't been seen for a while. Check please
(2)Punam D.
When we got here, the place was packed but we were led efficiently to our table. The service in general was attentive, and although there was a bit of a wait for food and drinks (which you could well understand), the atmosphere was so good that you didn't mind. The salsa made at our table was delicious, and the staff did not stint on the tortilla chips. In fact, there was just too much food! It was universally excellent; I only wish I had had more room in my stomach. We were 12, and everyone raved about their particular dish. I had fajitas. The lobster enchilada drew real praise. The margaritas were something else: gigantic! I was glad I stuck to the sangria. And finally, a word about the mariachi band: really very talented and entertaining. A great night out.
(4)Eric S.
Used to be great, but I brought a party of 8 here to celebrate this week and I was embarrassed. Two people sent their food back, two people didn't eat much of their order, and EVERYONE complained about the long wait to order, to get our food, and to get our check, and the mariachis were way way way to loud. The place used to be packed all the time, and this is the first time i've been there when it was half empty, and it;s clear why. The place has gone downhill. Too bad. I used to love it and bring visitors here, but no more.
(2)Nina H.
Four of us ate at the Guadalajara Grill on the recommendation of a friend. We were delighted with the total experience. Salsa, made tableside to your order, was plentiful and tasty. The girls who make it wore Mexican embroidered blouses and long skirts; the walls are decorated with handpainted murals, giving the whole place an atmosphere probably more Mexican than Mexico itself. Tortillas were made on the premisis, and the Sangria, made with brandy, was very pleasant. I ordered Chicken mole, which was a bit bland but very flavorful. If I have occasion to return to Tucson, I will certainly dine there again.
(4)carl h.
they make your salsa at your table. big portions, tasty. service also good.nice authetic place.
(4)Melody S.
Just ok. Food and service was decent. Nothing spectacular.
(3)S. M.
Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere. What more can you ask for?! Their homemade tortillas are to-die-for!!! They are thin, yet have a bit of a crunch to them with an excellent flavor. I once reheated one in the microwave... Still great- which is crazy! The ingredients used in their food are obviously fresh and not overcooked. Great quality. My only complaint would be that they should use fresh tomatoes in their salsa rather than canned/blanched tomatoes. It's definitely still good, though! I will definitely come back to this place many times!!
(5)Ami D.
Delicious food! The review for this place are definitely appropriately written. The salsa is my personal highlight! I consistenly order Arroz con Pollo and its great. Don't get me wrong, I used to order different things each time to try out the menu but now I just stick to it because I know I love it. The flavors are great and I always have leftovers I throw into a burrito the next day! Extra goodness... Enjoy!
(4)Cindy N.
Had my faithful Entertainment card and decided to go back to Guadalajara Grill once more. Last time I went was for a happy hour for the office and it was plain awful. Place was packed, noisy, food was yukky. But I figured I'd give it another try. Being I had the card was motivation for me to try it again. We went early on Sat. night just before 5.00 PM. It was quiet and I was quite overjoyed to enjoy a wonderful meal. Some newer different items on the menu such as Halibut Enchiladas with sauteed veggies and rice. Rice was just so so. But the Halibut was yummy as well as the veggies. Hubby had a combo plate and enjoyed that as well. Even had leftovers which were just devoured the next day. Of course, the salsa lady offers at the table service and it was made to order. Excellent. Being the cheapskate I am when it comes to food. Not sure if I would run back here as they are a bit pricey. La Sur on 22nd for $4.99 has wonderful chicken enchiladas. Much better value and just as good.
(4)Troy W.
It's not el charro good slasa made at the table. Feels unclean and I got really sick after eating there.
(2)Denny P.
This is a terrific place to eat as a couple or in a group. The food is excellent and even at every visit. This visit included six of us, three from out of town, in for a college graduation. We were seated promptly due to our reservations. The place was packed and we were greeted with a smile. The salsa made at the table to order was perfect and when we ran out of chips they were replenished, again with a smile. We ordered from the menu and their specials, including green corn tamales. Everyone raved about their choice and the appetizers ordered for the table. Don't order too much as the plates are "grande" sized and we took food home that night (as usual). Everything travels perfectly as long as you don't pack the sauces with the chips.
(5)Brian C.
The fresh salsa (made at the table) is delicious! The guacamole is very smooth (and is a nice tamer if you get the salsa too spicy). The staff is friendly, and attentive. There is a live mariachi band too.
(5)Jane O.
I love this restaurant! With the tableside salsa, good food and fun atmosphere, you couldn't really go wrong from there. BUT THEIR SERVICE SUCKS! if it weren't for the good food and salsa, this place would be out of business. I would give it 5 stars but I can't. If you go expecting to get poor service, your overall experience will not be that bad.
(3).caroline. ..
This is a favorite of our Tucson friends, and we can see why. The made-at-your-table salsa is excellent, and the chips are bountiful. Save room for the enormous plates of food though! The Asada Chimichanga is deliciously filling, and the enchiladas (especially the pork chile verde) are yum-my. The giant (and cheap) beers and margaritas do not go unnoticed. Our friends report that the wait can be awfully long (and you can tell if there's someone directing traffic in the parking lot), and recommend sending someone ahead to put your name down on the wait list. Must be present to win ;)
(4)Jack P.
Great Mexican food in a town KNOWN for Mexican food. The salsa, made fresh at your table could not possibly be any fresher or more authentic. Fantastico! Mariachis stroll the floor and will serenade you for a couple of bucks (just like south of the border). It's kind of loud with the adjacent sports-bar and all the excitement...probably not a great place for a "quiet" sit-down with the fam. Loved it though.
(4)Melinda T.
Love this place. The food is reasonably priced and you get a lot of it. They make fresh corn tortillas, which you can see when you first walk into the dining room. The best part though? The lady makes fresh salsa in front on you! You get to choose the level of spiciness, and it's delicious! Great fun atmosphere and friendly service.
(4)Peter B.
Got there at 5:15, Friday; friends waiting at a table in the bar . . . GREAT salsa (made table-side), good margaritas (a little sweet, but did the trick) . . . and pleasantly surprised by the mini-chimi's . . . incredibly good!
(4)Jim S.
This place got some good reviews on yelp, so I really had to try it out. Honestly, fellow yelpers, you've let me down! Salsa - famous perhaps, but really not inspired or memorable aside from the fact they make it at your table. Show what? Margaritas - avoid. Really bad - as in un-drinkable. A margarita that is undrinkable - strike two. Food - beef tacos (not carne asada, no such option) - shredded or ground. What??? Seriously, I expected better tacos for a sit-down restaurant that wants more than 10 bucks for a 3 item combo. Street tacos like that should be a buck each. It's not that I'm cheap, just really disappointed. I will not return. Maybe I went there on an off night - but ugh! Five stars - when there are so many better choices???
(2)Paul V.
A plug to the Tucson Weekly: I came here because this was voted second best Mexican restaurant in their 2008 Best of Tucson issue. I'd already been to the restaurant that received the most local votes, so came here. Table-made salsa is excellent. The hot is very hot, so be careful, and the mild is deceptively so. The heat sneaks up on you, making you sweat after dunking a few chips. The food is stick-to-your-ribs ranchero food, a complete 180 degrees from the "fine-dining" Mexican restaurants in town, and better than the Mexican restaurants appealing to the gringo diner. Don't expect an appealing-looking plate, but expect a plate that has good food, fills you up, and makes you leave satisfied.
(4)Chich S.
We went to this restaurant based off the other yelp reviews, and I have to say that it definitely was worth the trip! The salsa made freshly at the table definitely lives up to all the hype I've read. The entrees are pretty delicious too! The margaritas are definitely a bit too sweet (and huge), to the point where we couldn't finish it. Overall, a great experience! Definitely will come back if I'm in Tuscon again.
(4)Karl S.
This is our go-to Mexican restaurant when in Tucson. Homemade table-side salsa, strolling musicians, fresh made tortillas, great tasting food, great atmosphere and attentive servers. Sometimes you have to wait to be seated, but it's worth it. We had the Tres Bandidos and the paella tonight. Very yummy.
(4)Elizabeth W.
This is our favorite restaurant to take out of town guests! Excellent food and service. The table side made to order salsa is delicious and the mariachis are entertaining without being too loud. You can't go wrong with the margaritas and mocajete but we have tried most of the nenu and all the food is excellent.
(5)Paul A.
Our dinner here was outstanding! The service was prompt, courteous, and attentive. The salsa lady made some of the best salsa I've had in Tucson (or anywhere else, for that matter). The green chile was flavorful and tender, and I highly recommend it. The fajitas were also wonderful! The house margarita's were just right, and they have Modelo Negro on tap! We had received good recommendations about this place from friends, and I would say they were accurate. If you want good Mexican food and great atmosphere for a good price, you can't beat Guadalajara Grill!
(5)Bianca A.
I think the food here is delicious. Although service has definitely slowed since they moved I still appreciate the effort. Try their huarache dish it is soooo good and the few margaritas I've tried so far are also very yum! I wish them continued success!
(4)Corey C.
IT'S A FIESTA! This places enables people to roll their R's. Serious. Go with people who are incapable of saying "burrito" the correct way. After some fresh Salsa and a few margaritas, BAM, they'll be able to recite the spanish alphabet no problemo. You're gonna shell out some dough for this table side salsa making restaurant but keeping that in mind their margaritas or ginormous. Go during happy hour if you can fit it in on a Friday 3:00PM-6:00PM. Margaritas are half price and appetizers are considerably cheaper.
(4)Kevin M.
Went there for dinner with a group of 12. The restaurant did a great job seating us quickly and providing great service at the table (having 2 waiters helped). The salsa is made table-side and was very tasty. We ordered guacamole as an appetizer -- it was much less impressive than the salsa. The food was good but didn't seem particularly special.
(3)David M.
This place is consistently great. always bring any visitors from out of town there for dinner. their fresh flour tortillas are sublime. and of course, that table side salsa...
(5)Yogin K.
Really good salsa. Decent food. Miserable service. Don't go when it's packed. You won't even get a refill for your water
(2)Sara V.
Tried calling the phone number listed on the website several times to make a reservation; nobody picked up on any attempt during business hours.
(1)Diane A.
I was so excited to go to this restaurant because I heard good things about it. I now have gone 3 times (both locations) and I will never go back again. The first time I went my food was partially frozen, so they gave me a free desert that had a piece of plastic in it. The second time we went the food took forever to get and it was definitely not worth the wait. The third time again we waited 45 min to get our food and during the wait we had to walk around the restaurant to find our waiter to take our drink order. Also, it is expensive for what you get. I have given up on this place, forever.
(1)Lisa D.
Great margaritas. Yummy salsa. Dinners are quite large. I LOVE the mini-chimis. It's always colorful and festive. Good mariachi band. I always make sure to avoid eye contact. I like them and I enjoy their music, but I don't want them singing to me. I always have a good time here. Oh and the table side prepared salsa is really good.
(4)Kristina W.
!!!DANGER!!! If you've noticed the not so stellar reviews mixed in with the unreasonably good ones in here, they all share one common trait; FOOD POISONING. I figured out (Ew, personally) why, and how. Dude I am not as easily taken in by table side salsa as your average Yelp reviewer, but I really liked it after all. I do not think that table side salsa makes any restaurant authentic, even if it is made by an authentic Mexican. I'm from an authentic Mexican family and have traveled extensively through Mexico (yup even to Guadalajara) and this is not the sort of thing that anyone does, except for possibly tourists. I'm sure it exists out there... not in authentic Mexican places. But I digress, salsa was good, queso fundido was extra good (yeah, hard to mess that one up!) and tortillas were GREAT, er, tortilla. we got one each with the queso. No matter, we finished it with the chips, and then got more chips and MORE salsa. This is where I became suspicious. She took our salsa bowl back and started re-blending the same mix back into our bowl. I'm looking, watching, studying... I knew something was wrong... I had no idea what was setting off my spidey sense. I watched, totally rapt. Added stuff from little bowls into our salsa bowl, each had its' own serving spoon. Once all the ingredients were in she mixed it with her pestle, and then stirred it with her spoon. Not really sure what my brain was trying to tell me I turned my attention back to what my stomach was trying to say. ("More salsa, please!") Well, it was already too late for me, anyways... The rest of the meal was unremarkable, but I was still pretty stoked on the queso and, yes, the salsa. We finished our micheladas and hit the road. As my gurgling stomach woke me later that night I made the connection, perhaps in the fitful dream I woke from, just what my brain was screaming at me; "CROSS CONTAMINATION!" You cannot take someones used salsa bowl, with their germs and saliva inside, and remix salsa with the same spoon and the same pestle, over and over and over again. So every night the salsa is untainted until the first table wants seconds, then the new untainted ingredients go in, still untainted pestle and spoon to finish, and hello! Spoon and pestle tainted. Every salsa made from that point on is full of bacteria, and potentially sick making. Not only are you being exposed to whatever anyone else has going on in their mouth, it's also bad to expose food to bacteria and let it sit. Bacteria eat , reproduce, and then shit. They will do this until they poison themselves with their own shit. Sound familiar? Food poisoning and bacterial cross contamination are potentially fatal and should be taken seriously. And yes, I did tip the salsa lady. PRO TIP; Don't die. Wanting anyone to make your food table side is weird and classist anyways. It's impossible to know if people are making mistakes with how they handle your food, and, yeah, I've worked in kitchens, most people cut corners, but this isn't one where it's safe... and it certainly isn't great to do it in front of god and everyone, it certainly makes me wonder that no one else there has ever considered this before, or corrected it. Yikes.
(1)Nicolas F.
Guadalajara grill in a unique Mexican restaurant. It is very hit and miss. Their queso fundido with chorizo is very very delicious. It is nothing but cheesy and greasy goodness. On weekends they also have people make salsa right at your table to your specifications which is also cool because they let you customize it to your liking. Their entrees were the thing I had an issue with. Their carne asada is really dry and bland. It reminds me of the beef at Chipotle, except the beef at chipotle is better; which is weird because they shouldn't even be compared. You'd think Guadalajara Grill would be of better quality due to the price. Also, the seafood is served in very small portions. Not even close to the price you pay. There is far better mexican food to eat in Tucson before coming to this place.
(2)Eve S.
This place just has delicious food, what can I say. The salsa made at your table is definitely the best part, it's so highly customizable and fresh. Everything I've gotten has been awesome. My main issue is that the service is almost always lacking, and being a waitress I am not usually picky about service. I've been with friends/family numerous times and there are a couple waitresses there that just give off the "hate you" vibe and I'm not entirely sure why. They are busy ALL the time, so expect to wait for a table 9/10 of the time. Another thing that can be irritating depending on ones mood is the mariachi band which circles the restaurant and make it nearly impossible to have a conversation when they are in your vicinity. Due to the large nature of the restaurant, it's loud even without the band simply because so many people are in there all the time.
(4)Keopu R.
We go here for the salsa alone. The salsa, made fresh at your table, is often voted best in Tucson. It's made to taste and taste is definitely what you'll get. The menu is fairly large and offers a great deal of variety. Vegetarian options are limited but still varied. I really enjoy their tortilla soup and their vegetarian fajita. Prices are a little high but comparable to other restaurants of its kind. Service can be a bit spotty sometimes. Sometimes we get seated and served quickly. Other times, we are left waiting forever for our food with no apologies or explanations. Overall though, the wait staff is friendly and helpful, just slow at times. We definitely recommend it to others.
(4)Lone D.
Good mexican, great for groups. Better than average for what it is, some fun items on the menu, check out the Carnitas Poblano, yikes! Went with a big group, professional and efficient, got all the orders right and kept the drinks coming.
(3)Erica M.
great place! Food was excellent, many choices for vegetarian meals, amazing table side salsa, authentic decor and reasonably priced. Will go back next time in Tucson.
(5)Kinga H.
New location: 2 stars, Old location: 5 stars Guadalajara Grill used to be located just down the street from its current location. The original location had an authentic vibe; sitting outside on the patio was a necessity, with the lush greenery, colorful decorations, and fireplace; it was perfect regardless if it was during the day grabbing drinks with friends or at night celebrating a birthday with a group. I used to frequent Guadalajara quite often, whenever in the mood for Mexican, and always left feeling blissful. Since I had moved out of Tucson a few years back, I was excited to revisit one of my favorites when last in the area... When i heard it was at a new location I was excited, of course this must be an improvement on the already perfect, although very crowded establishment. I walked in and was immediately disappointed. Guadalajara used to have an authentic and festive feel while the new location had no soul, it was just like every other Mexican restaurant in town. Regardless, I was excited to eat my favorite meal from Guadalajara.... chips with fresh, made at the table, hot hot hot salsa and tortilla soup (no chicken) with extra cheese and avocados. I was served tomato paste with my chips. Guess the salsa lady was not on duty yet. Not a problem, I've been there before when they served pre-made salsa. So I asked for a hot version... the reply, "this is all we have". Rude. How do you call yourself a Mexican restaurant with no hot sauce?! The tortilla soup still tasted the same so at least that made my experience decent. The service has always been hit or miss so I am not going to rate the place based on the staff, as that is not what made Guadalajara great back in the day. I am very disappointed to see what Guadalajara has turned into, all authenticity had been lost.
(3)lia S.
Arizona definitely has the best Mexican restaurants as lots of Mexican's origins inhabit there. Every time we visit we try new place and this time Guadalajara was a goggle search discovery.When we called on Monday night we " ve been told no reservations required so around 7pm our wheels were heading toward to it. Surprisingly place was very busy but not booked so we got a table for 6 right away. Friendly service approached immediately, waitress was knowledgeable and attentive. She was watching our table and every time we were missing something it would appear on a table immediately. And food was deliousssssssiossss...I had Molcajete Camarones that was served in a hot pot with vegetables and rice and beans on a side ..it was really really good ...And the rest of my table left their plates shiny too..They also make Pico de Gallo right on a front of you so you can have it the way you want it. And three Mexican Caballeros were walking around and offering music for a table for additional charge i believe. So i give this place fully 5* because we were fully satisfied .
(5)Pilar L.
Never so embarrassed. Highly recommended, brought out of town guests. Surly waitress, apathetic "table side salsa service", bland beyond belief food, watery drinks. Blah blahbla. And Not inexpensive,,,,,
(1)Kayla B.
Came here on my 21st and many other occasions with the family and bf. I love that they make the salsa table side and to your liking the service is soso but if you can wait for good Mexican food then I would recommend this place. However if you expect amazing service and and to get in and out I would say to go elsewhere.
(3)Chelle F.
Really good. Like, really, really good. The "made at your table" salsa was quite tasty, although next time I'll stress that I want it HOT. Husband had the Plato Bandera, which was amazingly good. The sauces. OMG, the sauces. So delicious that I considered licking the inside of the take-out container once he'd finished them the next day. Plus, the cheese they use is white, not yellow. That's almost worth 5 stars right there. I had the chicken molcajete, which was delicious but just not quite my speed. Kind of like fajita soup. The rice was good but non-remarkable. The Guadalarita margarita is HUGE, but mine was a little heavy on the sweet and sour mix and a little light on the tequila. I don't know if they're always like that or not. Bonus points for the Negra Modelo on tap. If you're going on a Friday or Saturday, listen to their website and make a reservation. There was only 2 of us, and we went at 6:00, so there wasn't much of a line, but by the time we'd finished eating an hour later the place was wall-to-wall people and getting through the lobby was a tight squeeze.
(4)Tim T.
I've been to this location several times and the one on Kolb too. I was beginning to think this was a consistently good mexican restaurant but after the last few times we went there it is just okay. For a while the food and service were very good but as they have become more popular they are slacking on both. Now, I think the only thing that is worth going there for is the table side salsa. When we went there a couple weeks ago the food was average and the prices had increased. For $14 for enchiladas I expect some consistently great food.
(2)Michelle P.
My group really enjoyed the food. You get big portions. The salsa is made fresh at your table. It is cool because you get to custom order how you want it made. (i.e extra cilantro, mild, hot, etc). I ordered guacamole as an appetizer. It is served in a tasty crispy fried shell. You get a lot of guacamole and it tastes fresh and healthy. I ordered the carne asada platter which was good. I split the dish with someone and we were both full at the end of the night We ordered a margarita. It was too salty and had a sweet/sticky taste too it. I can't remember the name of the margarita, but we got one of the best Rita's they serve.
(4)Sean M.
I really wanted to like this place. Hey, I'm in Tucson it only makes sense to go for Mexican. This place had good reviews, so I checked it out. The salsa was made table-side, which is pretty cool, and all they ask for is a tip for the señorita who's slaving this out in a lava bowl. Maybe my gringo side has gotten the best of me, but I would have liked the salsa to have been chilled. That would have been refreshing when it's still 90+ degrees outside, but it was room temp warm. I asked for recommendations on dinner and went with the Chili Verde. I get that all the food here is pre-made, but at least take the time to warm it up. My dinner came out within about 3- minutes of my order (no joke). It appeared like they just plated it and didn't bother to heat it up. The cheese wasn't even melted, and a finger check proved the beans and pork were room temp at best. They did reheat it when I asked, and it turned out pretty tasty. I guess in all it worked out, but I still can't help feeling bummed I spent my Tucson dinner out here. In short, I'd prefer colder salsa and warmer food. On the plus side, this place does look like it has all the right stuff to be a good Texmex restaurant, and while it's kinda slow right now, it is a Monday night and it's probably very lively on other nights.
(2)Tiffany V.
I absolutely love everything about this place. The ambience, the food, the service; it's all wonderful. I haven't tried anything I haven't enjoyed. I also really enjoy that they make the salsa fresh for you at your table. So... delicious. LOVE THIS PLACE!
(5)Amy W.
I've been going to Guadalajara Grill for years now, and it's great. Their salsa is fantastic, their margaritas are HUGE and strong, and their servers are usually great, not to mention the food. Granted, it's not the BEST Mexican food place in town, but it's still solidly delicious. Only once did I go there and have a complete monster of a waitress, but I haven't seen her since so she probably got fired. Point is, they're the best place for taking your friends, especially your loud friends, and relaxing and having a fun time. My favorite dish is either the molcajete (might have misspelled), tamale, or machaca beef, although I've never really explored their pork or seafood dishes. Later Edit: Don't get curious about the Chipotle Chicken.
(5)Sam M.
A must try for dinner. House margarita is big and cheap during happy hour, or get the margarita Guadalajara for u or a friend if u brought a camera. The meriachi band takes requests of any genre, very fun.
(5)Rachelle M.
Love Love Love this place!!!! The atmosphere is SO fun and they restaurant has so much going on! The table side salsa is made to order so you tell her exactly how you want it and then taste test to make sure you love it. Only negative is that you not only have to pay on the bill for the salsa but you also have to tip so for salsa, its a tad expensive. But she did a great job, as usual, so we gave her $5. I'll start with a disclaimer: I do not actually like mexican food but I love Guadalajara Grill! I usually just get the chicken quesadilla, but I will always eat off of everyone else's plates and what they have is almost always delicious! So coming from a mexican food hater, that is total props. So everyone go check it out, they have TWO locations now but I still like the original on Prince the most. Be careful, there is ALWAYS a wait. Even on Mondays and early dinner bird times.
(4)Matt P.
Only been to the new location once but food was still great as always. The salsa made table-side is my favorite
(4)Brian H.
While I didn't get to my usual Mexican food haunts this last visit to Tucson, I don't feel like I missed getting my dose of Sonoran comfort food after visiting this place. The fish tacos were pretty fresh (purveyor delivered the day before), the salsa pungent and full of bite, and the beans flavorful yet not gut-sticking. All washed down by a decent frozen margarita (so size trumps quality here) and rounded out by friendly table service.
(3)Amith N.
Great Mexican Food! Salsa made fresh at table to suit your taste. Excellent Manchego appetizer, great entrees. Reasonable prices. Service was a bit slow as it was very busy, but good service for the category of establishment.
(5)Megan Z.
I always get one of their amazing, gigantic margaritas and hot salsa. They're the best!! This place is always good. Great margaritas, great food, and never had a problem with service or anything else. Best mole in town!!!
(5)Angela V.
Miss the old location, long before it became so popular. I used to be able to go there and get good service and even better food, but now it's such a wait to be seated, even when you have reservations. I've only gone once since they changed locations (NEXT DOOR TO MY HOUSE which is such a huge annoyance!!) and it's just too busy for my taste. The food and margaritas were still great though :-)
(3)Kyle H.
The Plato Bandera was outstanding and the dining experience was top notch. The fresh salsa made to order at your table was really unique, we will definitely make a return trip next time in town.
(5)Lindsay J.
I went to U of A and this is place is a must go to if you live or visit Tucson!! I was told about this place from my boyfriends teammate and they said we had t ry it! Of course, I would never pass up fabulous Mexican food and the told us they make their own salsa at the table and the tortillas are fresh! Of course I was all in when I heard this...so we went and can I just say...AMAZING!!!! I had the shrimp fajitas and I was in heaven...lets start with the chips and salsa...OMG...they come to your table and ask how you like it and of course Ilove spicy!!! I had them add alot of spice and I got the whole bowl to myself because my boyfriend and friends wanted theirs medium! I finished lik 2 bowls of chips and salsa myself...I also indulged in a margarita...my boyfriend tried the tequila flight and of course he loved it! Then our food came...of course I was full but after they brought out my sizzling shrimp and veggies...I was ready to go! They then gave me the fresh flour tortillas and I was officially hooked forever! They were hot and chewy and soft and delicious...need I go on? The shrimp were large and cooked perfectly! It was the perfect food...I loved every bit and of course I ate to the point that I could not move...so worth it! hahaha...I could not eat it all of course because there was so much food...but best believe I took it go and enjoyed it the next day and night! They even gave me more salsa, chips and tortillas to go! My boyfriend had this red pork or beef dish it was fabulous too! WE have shared it a couple of times since our first visit! My friends had the enchiladas and another one had a burrito...they all looked sooooooooo good! Go here....this place is amazing! It is not fancy...it is casual, loud and fun!!!!
(5)Surranna V.
I still love this place but if you didn't know they have moved, and I like the other location better. No patio yet, at the new location. The new spot is just down the street from the old one, keep going was on prince the address is 12-- something, its on the same side of the road as the old location. The mar gs were as awesome as ever. The place was so packed that I think the food was not as good as usual but still good. The wait on a Friday night was about an hour so grad your drinks and sit tight!
(4)Nicole H.
I look forward to coming to Tucson so I can eat at this restaurant! It's authentic, amazing margaritas, salsa & guac made at your table (it's fresh and as spicy as you want it!). Everytime I eat there I try something new and have yet to be disappointed.
(5)Cameo W.
The tableside salsa is really good and very fun. The chips are nothing special but the salsa makes up for it. The entrees were awesome. The rice and beans are a little bland but the chimichanga was very good. The live music was fun and added a lot to the atmosphere. The service is a little slow but I think that's just a part of the atmosphere. Overall, very good food and a fun place to have dinner.
(4)Katie P.
This is one of my go-to spots for a Mexican dinner with my bf, my family or out of town guests. The decor is great, the mariachis are highly talented and so kind, and they homemake the salsa at the table!! Everything about this place is amazing - that's why I'm a regular! Let's break it down: 1) Happy hour/appetizers: fantastic deal with 1/2 off appetizers and drink deals. They are huge and can totally replace dinner. Lots of choices! 2) They offer so many choices and have pictures on the menu. As a vegetarian, I have so many different options - they have a whole page dedicated to vegetarian dishes, they offer seafood, and the "create your own combo" provides ample options. 3) The margs here are really tasty! And they serve beer in massive quantities. 4) I like the mariachis here. They're really good quality, the music they play isn't tired or Americanized - it's just a good quality immersion experience. 5) Molcajetes! I'm sure there are a billion reviews about these bowls of piping hot deliciousness - try one sometime!! They are so unique and delicious! 6) The wait staff is superb. I have always been very well taken care of! 7) The parking lot can be a nightmare, and this place can get super crowded, but I have never waited more than 15 minutes, even with a group! Guadalajara is one of my favorite places in all of Tucson!
(5)Maile C.
Always crowded, Always noisy, why do we come back? Had to park over a block away, and then wait 25 minutes for unbalanced chairs to match the unbalanced table. (Hint to staff: Add another salt packet under that table leg please) But the staff is always pleasant and the made-to-order salsa was so good we brought home the leftover. Didn't quite get my order right so I can't tell you about the tacos, but the enchiladas were fine, the side of beans were good, and everything arrived hot. Everyone works hard - if they aren't taking orders or making salsa they're bussing tables - looks like they enjoy working there. 5 stars for the employees and happy atmosphere.
(3)Faith F.
Worst service I have received in years, no refills, no checking on meal after served and having to chase down the check. The shrimp tasted bad. We will not be returning!
(1)Michael M.
Outstanding in every way. Service, ambiance and cuisine among best I've ever enjoyed.
(5)Amanda M.
Great food and atmosphere. The salsa made at your table is amazing. Dinner gets busy so make reservations. The fajitas are amazing. Great selection of sea food dishes.
(4)John J.
Was in Tucson to visit family and see the sights. My niece suggested this place. Great food! I will be coming back here next visit. The atmosphere here is great. Music being played live at table side.
(4)Ryan A.
Food: great. Service: bad. That's pretty much all you need to know. If you're the type of person that can look past bad service if the food is great, then you'll be fine here. If service is as important as the food, you may want to go somewhere else. I have definitely had better Mexican food elsewhere (it seems to be somewhat difficult to find in Tucson - the best I've had is in Portland), but this was fairly authentic food with high quality ingredients and well made. We were sat relatively quickly, though a bit awkwardly. After about 10 minutes, we thought the waitress walking by our table was doing so to help us, but it turned out she was just going to ignore us, too. One of us asked if she was there to help us and she responded with something like "uh, I guess so." There was a lot of confusion with them, but the rest of the meal went acceptably, not great. The thing that made me mad was that I had the signed credit card receipt in front of me and one of the servers pointed at it and told me to give it to him. To me, this is completely unacceptable. It's rare that this happens to me (no more than once a year), but it makes me mad every time it happens. I'd probably go back, I'd just bring my patience.
(3)Kat K.
A good friend of my husband says this place is awesome, so on the way back to Phoenix, we drove out of our way to check it out. Decor was very festive, the atmosphere was okay. The freshly made salsa was a nice touch and was decent, but it could have used more flavor or spices. It lacked something. We ordered the lobster enchiladas and the steak with carnitas fajitas. The enchiladas were great, but the steak and carnitas were a little dry. I didn't like the refried beans. Service was efficient. I won't go out of my way to come here. It was okay.
(3)Tori B.
Bleh- not sure what all the great reviews for this place are all about, but my second experience at Guadalajara Grill was equally as unappealing as the last. Unfortunately, I forgot how disappointed I was in my meal the last time I went here, so we went again thinking we hadn't been before. Once I realized where we were going, I was really mad at myself. But alas, we were with family and in for the long haul so I went in with hopes that this time would be better. I was wrong. After waiting 45 minutes past our reservation time we were finally seated. This place was PACKED on a Friday night and the six of us had to stand crammed by the door. We had to ask the hostess four times when we would be seated and were told each time we are next, but they kept seating more and more people before us. Finally with a blasting migraine we were finally seated. We placed our drink order quickly and shortly after that ordered our food. The fresh made salsa is pretty good, but not enough to make up for the other things this place lacks. The ambiance is chaotic at best and the restaurant is loud and obnoxious. I ordered the steak fajitas and they were ok... the highlight is the tortilla, which is AWESOME... still thinking about it actually. As you can probably guess based on my review, I don't intend on returning to this establishment anytime soon. There are better Mexican restaurants all around Tucson. I suggest you try one of those instead of Guardalajara Grill - I'm sure the parking situation will also be better somewhere else!
(2)Sean K.
Molcajete! (sp?) Such a delicious meal and the one served here beats any other molcajetes I had in LA. Guadalajara is now definitely one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. Gotta start with how busy this place gets. My girlfriend and I got to this place around 6ish and the place was packed. Despite a fairly huge parking lot, every single spot was taken so we had to wait couple minutes to get a parking spot. Restaurant was full and the waiting list was long too. Soon after we were seated, a lady came over with a basket full of fresh chips and made salsa right in front of our eyes. Fresh ingredients but they weren't cold so the salsa was kind of lukewarm. Not a big deal really but just sayin'. We were originally going to order two dishes (molcajete and an ultimate skillet) but my ever-so-wise gf decided that molcajete by itself would be more than enough for the two of us. And was she correct... Molcajete was enough. Granted, we were hungry and had TWO baskets of chips and salsa before the meal but portion-wise, it was perfect. And the taste-wise, it was great. Maybe molcajete isn't a dish that is ever going to blow my mind away. Shrimp, chicken, and beef were cooked just right and the sauce, beans, and the rice were tasty.
(4)Kathy N.
Guadalajara Original Grill is back and from my past experience I have to say better than before. I was at Guadalajara recently with a group of about 15 for an office holiday party dinner. It was a Thursday night and Guadalajara was crazy busy! Luckily we had reservations and were immediately taken to the back of the restaurant where our tables awaited us. Delicious margaritas soon filled the table along with chips, tableside made salsa, tasty guacamole and hot & gooey queso fundido con chorizo. My co-worker and I ordered the chile colorado and the chile verde and then split the dishes. Both were delicious and I'd order either one of them again in the future. **Note: it had been a few years since I was last at Guadalajara and the reason for that was because I was so turned off by the chile colorado. Salty and lacking any real chile flavor back then but the dish has since redeemed itself. Service was spot-on and we were very well taken care of. So well that a couple of us hung out long after our other coworkers left and felt quite comfortable taking up the space and enjoying some jalapeno cilantro margaritas.
(4)Karen M.
The jalapeño infused margaritas are wonderful, the salsa made at table side is even better, but the food leaves something to be desired. Expensive and in a town FULL of good Mexican food, this is one spot that is good for happy hour but I wouldn't bother with the paella or the rellenos. The steak Angelique is pretty good; I would order that again if I found myself at Guadalajara Grille.
(4)Ayla R.
When Guadalajara Grill burnt down, I was devastated! My personal favorite Mexican joint was no longer! Well, finally they have reopened! My fiancée and I hurried over for a late night dinner and are always blown away! Fact one: table side salsa. An angel in a mariachi outfit makes the best salsa you will ever had. The best part is, they give you a massive bowl of it! It lasts the whole meal and can feed a few people! Next, C and I ordered their massice, 32oz house Margarita! At only $15 this is more than enough for two people and their house tastes as smooth as most places Cadillac Margarita! Plus there is something fun about a cocktail larger than your skull. I ordered my personal fav, the Chilango Burro! This vegetarian monster is the size of an infant, smoothered in warm, smokey enchilada sauce and packed with roasted veggies! I cannot even finish it and I *always* Clean my plate! I am so glad they are back open! ¡Viva Guadalajara Grill!
(5)C L.
A great experience. We've never been here before but had heard about it. I really wanted to experience the table side salsa making (we thought it was for guacamole but salsa work ) it was great! The food was good. The in-house-made tortillas were delicious. Tasted just like when we go to Rocky Point! The smell and texture brought me right back there. Loved it. The fajita meat was a little over cook but loved it anyway. Noticed my wife's carne AIADA burrito had the same beef but was juicier oribably because of the additional ingredients it had. Tasted great! Chips were great and salsa was great. The salsa maker asks how hot you want it and makes it accordingly. Didn't get a picture but appears they have mariachi for part of the night too.
(5)Brian C.
Awesome food, including fresh homemade salsa at your table to your taste. Machacca beef is great as well.
(5)Rich M.
On business from another state. Picked place based in Yelp reviews. As good as advertised. Salsa made fresh at your table, as you like it. We asked for spicy, and it came spicy. Tortilla chips freshly made. Jalapeño margarita with a jalapeño tequila they infuse themselves. A wide variety of menu items including many things I've not seen before, like lobster enchiladas, halibut, and a number of different molcajetes. I highly recommend the restaurant, and prices are fair.
(5)ElÃas P.
The place looks nice. That's as much of a positive review I'm giving it. Service was slooooooow. Food was tasteless. The micheladas were overwhelmingly spicy (too much pepper, too much tapatio or whatever hot sauce they used). Did I I forget to mention it was expensive? By the way, I'm from Guadalajara. I feel insulted!
(1)Andrea G.
With so many options for Mexican food in Tucson it seems like one might be as good as another, but this is my favorite. Watching them make tortillas and salsa in-house is a special treat. They even made salsa verde on request. I especially love their pozole.
(5)Shawn A.
My uncle took me here from my first time a few years ago before I moved to Tucson when I was just visiting from Michigan. Very authentic and tasty Mexican food I love this place!
(5)Simon E.
Chile rellenos in the Tucson Area rated according to the Homeland Security Advisory System with three word descriptors. Guadalajara Grill: nice tangy sauce. Orange See photos.
(4)Steve Z.
We live in the Mountain View neighborhood, just a short walk from the Guadalajara Original Grill, so we dine here with some frequency. Every aspect of our dinners here have been very good to excellent. From the well made margaritas to the excellent custom-made salsa to tasty seafood entrees. Even during the busiest of times the service has been efficient, thoughtful and pleasant. Tucson is home to LOTS of Mexican restaurants and dining here ranks very near the top. Not only that, but they often serve dinner until midnight, a truly convenient oddity in otherwise early-to-bed Tucson.
(5)Marlon D.
I went here for my college graduation around midday with a group of 6. I tried making a reservation but apparently they stopped taking them that weekend. We showed up at the restaurant without the reservation and was seated within 10 minutes (though business started picking up after we left). I would still highly recommend making a reservation if it is a busier weekend (graduation, football game, etc.). The service was exceptional; the waiter was very friendly. He kept giving us chips and salsa (which does live up to the hype, it is freshly made at your table to your liking) and was prompt with the refills. The food is moderately priced, but the portions are relatively large. I enjoyed the Chimchanga Asada and had plenty leftover to take home. The only problem I had with the restaurant was during the making of our salsa. We asked for mild-flavored but I think the waitress had trouble understanding English and she gave us extremely hot salsa. She quickly made another batch to make up for her mistake. Also, we were given a menu that had food stains on it, but they replaced it quickly. Overall, I think this one of the better Mexican restaurants in Tucson. The first time I went a mariachi band was there and it definitely brightened the atmosphere of the restaurant.
(4)bianca s.
Guadalajara is my favorite restaurant in Tucson! I try to go there as much as possible for happy hour because the margaritas are very well-priced and so delicious. This food is as authentic as you can get in Tucson and the flour tortillas are freshly made throughout the day. My boyfriend and I usually share a molcajete and can usually get out of there slightly overstuffed and drunk for under 30 dollars.The service isn't always absolutely excellent but you wouldn't notice it with how great the atmosphere is. I could sit there all day with my friends drinking margaritas and eating fresh chips and salsa. They also have a wide variety of Mexican beers on draft and 22 oz. for 4.50 is not bad considering most places charge that for a bottle. The place is so big too that we have almost never had to wait over 10 minutes even on a friday night. It can also get pretty loud when they are busy so leave your hearing aids at home folks!
(5)Eric A.
Best mexican food I have had. Always get tilapia fajitas and they are delicious...but not as good as the fresh made salsa and freshly friend chips to dip !
(5)Jeffrey A.
Well, it pains me to write this but I have to say that I believe the quaity of this place has been steadily decreasing since they changed locations. It went from an authentic, inviting, and all around wonderful place with the best patio in Tucson to something more like a Macayos knockoff. Very not YUM. Sure the salsa is good, and tableside is fun, but how badly can one mess up salsa? It's not like it takes an engineering degree The real test comes later with the food. As some other reviewers have noted, I think the food is frozen. It definitely had a "frozen food section of the grocery store" feel to it. I was told the mexican flag plate was a must. well, I think it is a must not. I have given this place multiple chances and yet still the food is heavy, bland, and somehow "doughy" like it had been frozen and not thawed properly. I wouldn't feed this food to my cat, but then, I love my cat. I think all of these 5 star reviews are from people who have been hypnotized by the apparent magic of tableside salsa in a molcajete. But if you are amazed by that, you probably also get taken in by a game of three card monte and think the rabbit just appeared in the magicians hat. For those of you so easily amazed, let me clue you in...you can't win at three card monte, the guy you saw win is a schill and was in on the scam...the rabbit was in the magicians hat the whole time...and anyone can make salsa tableside. Before the location change, 4 stars for sure and maybe 5 on a good night, especially if I have had a few margaritas, LOL. Unfortunately, this is a steady 2 and pushing a 1.
(2)Terence L.
The place was good....until it attained celebrity status. Yep, to those who are not in the know, Guadalajara Grill was at another location literally just down the street. Of course, the need to change venues was due in no large part to the serious overcrowding of the place. I thought the old place was cozy, especially the bar area and patio. As mentioned by every single other review, the tableside salsa is great. Like your salsa super spicy with extra cilantro, the lady will make it for you. Like your salsa as mild as Jay Leno's humor, the lady will be happy to comply. You the get the idea. The food was, and still is, on the average to slightly above average range. My personal favorite in the area of Mexican cuisine is mole, and Guadalajara Grill does a decent job. One positive thing is that the place does not mess around with the drinks, especially the margaritas. I went to the old location many times since its inception. I even recall the German restaurant that came before it. Since it moved into its new digs, however, I have only been there twice. On my last visit, the place was jam packed; not just with any normal human beings, mind you, but with Greek-loads of sorority girls and fraternity boys. I normally have the patience of Job, but on this last trip, the service was appallingly slow. I would have enjoyed a hazing from the surrounding tables just to pass the time. In all fairness, however, the place was packed to capacity, and my party had over 10 people. Still you'd think that a larger operation would mean a larger kitchen and additional staff. Mmm hmmm.... My first experience at the new location was special. Well, it was special for purely external reasons: it was my birthday. The wait time for a party of 12 on a Friday night? An hour and a half at least. No skin of my back because I'm not above drinking at the bar. Yeah, the bar experience sucked. Sucked the life out me, that is. It took freakin' forever for the bartenders to even acknowledge our existence. While the fellows behind the bar were not of the surly sort, they certainly did not seem to understand the concept of tipping. After a while the staff approached one my friends and explained to her that there were a couple of tables available within the bar area, and she took it. Remember that I was still at the bar having a near odyssey experience securing a drink, so I see my entire party beginning to squeeze into the back corner of the area of the bar. In hindsight, it wasn't all that bad. It literally brought us together. Who knew that two booths normally meant for a total of eight people could accommodate 12 adults and one child? Ah, good times indeed.... Guadalajara Grill, you had me hello, but lost me when you went pro.
(2)Lyndsey G.
Oooooh man. I love this place. Great margaritas, salsa made table side and Chili Verde that is out of this world. The servers are usually prompt and polite. The tortilla are made in house and you can taste it! My only complaint is that your whole part has to be there before they'll seat you which is sometimes irritating. Overall I highly recommend it.
(4)Andrew S.
I've been here two times. The food is okay, but nothing to write home about. Standard Mexican fare, nothing special. Let's start with the good. I love the salsa. The fist stew (can't recall the name) is delicious. This is your run of the mill greasy Mexican food. There is nothing creative about the menu. I had a taco and a tamale, the food was good but just about what you would expect. The taco shell was not particularly crispy. They could have just bought an Old El Paso shell from Basha's. The presentation is terrible. Why do many (dare I say most) serve each meal with the glop of re fried beans and Spanish rice? There must be a better way to present the food (If only I can remember the name of the amazing place I had lunch the following day in South Tucson...the tacos were amazing). My co-diners were equally unimpressed. One of the dinners ordered a taco salad that was served with runny beans in one of those edible taco shells. My theory is if you don't want people to order a salad and you are not going to do it well, don't put in on the menu. The highlight of the meal was my partner's fish stew (I'm terrible with names). He enjoyed his dinner a lot. Unfortunately, I have to give this place two stars because one good meal out of five does not merit a higher rating. Someone else ate the chimichanga which good, but not special. There are some service issues here and don't get me started about the parking lot. It was gridlocked... I probably won't go back, there are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson.
(2)Tina H.
Don't go there! Super slow service, horribly over salted chips. My fish tacos were dripping with water-apparently they were poorly defrosted and even more poorly cooked. The server suggested next time I request additional tortillas to mop up the moisture! Once upon a time it was fun, go to Nicos for better food and service!
(1)Heidi E.
It's my second Summer going to Guadalajara's and I'm happy that I did. Yes, they make table-side salsa, at any temperature you desire. I wanted to adopt the lovely lady who made ours and call her abuela. My friends ordered the Molcajete Ultimo and the Molcajete Camarones, both arrived boiling hot. I ordered the Carnitas Tapatias. All of our dishes were delicious. They also have build-your-own combos if you're in a 'taco, tostada and enchilada' type of mood. The flour tortillas are hand-made. The beers are ice cold. The server was busy, but attentive. I mean, what more would you want? My friend called at 5:00 that day to make 7:00 reservations for our party of eight people. (FYI, if you have a larger party, definitely call ahead...there have always been people waiting indoors and out when I arrive for dinner and the waits can be long.)
(4)Maximiliano L.
Guadalajara Grill offers good Mexican food with attentive service. They have a salsa cart that comes around and you can choose your own salsa ingredients and watch as it is prepared in front of you.
(3)Dan J.
We came here after reading recommendations on Yelp, and it was definitely worth it. One of the best Mexican joints in the area. The salsa made at your table was fun and added to the ambiance (note: about 20 too many pinatas though!). This place was good, the margaritas were great, and the Chile Verde was so good that there was nothing left! Service was excellent and we will definitely be returning - both for a night out for two and with the family or a larger group.
(5)Larry L.
I met my 2 Sons for lunch today and the service was slow and the food was not good. I'm a native Tucsonan and know what is great and poor Mexican food and this is the latter. Food was cold and the cheese in the enchiladas wasn't even melted. I remember why I quit going there when they were at their first location on Prince Rd.
(2)Jennifer B.
Do not purchase online gift cards from them. I tried to to save some time ordering online and three days later I am still waiting for the gift cards to be emailed to the recipients. I called to ask and was told by the cashier who answered the phone "to be quiet and listen to me". When I waited for her to explain the process and then asked questions she told me "I'm just the cashier, how should I know?". Finally after emailing the "webmaster" did my virtual gift cards get sent.
(1)Ron R.
Great atmosphere! So so food but I am a fine dining Hispanic with a great pallet. I won't go back unless it's for drinks and chips at the back bar.
(3)Lisa W.
I love the atmosphere here! This place is a lot of fun to eat at! They make the salsa right at your table, and you can also control how spicy it is. Their flour tortillas are made in house, so they're as fresh as it gets. I'd would say hands down that Guadalajara Grill has the best flour tortillas I've had since I've been in Tucson. We went on a Saturday night, so they had live music, and the small mariachi band come by and sing at your table too! I can't wait to come back!
(5)Jeff K.
Excellent value for the money! I refer not only to the food but also the service, the ambiance, the excellent salsa made at our table, and the strolling trio of singers, "Los Amigos" (great harmonies in their singing). The decoration style is fairly common for Mexican restaurants that I have been in in many states but it feels more like a local family restaurant. It is well lit and very clean. The staff works quickly but is friendly and helpful. I had tilapia covered with a green chili sauce on a bed of onions and cucumber. Their Spanish rice is very good; the refried beans were good to very good. We had sopapillas for desert: divine!
(5)Michael V.
When someone talks up a restaurant all week, the place has to somewhat perform. This place turned out to be ok. My coworkers ordered dishes that were typical dishes you would order so we weren't surprised when tasted pretty good. Now the kicker.... Do not order the Michelada drink. It is beer mug dusted with sparkling salt crystals and filled half way with a pungent mix of clamato juice. You pour one glass of beer in the drink and try to enjoy the cool summer breeze. Gross, it was not tasty at all. It reminded me of beer mixed in with a bloody Mary. The only thing to do was to laugh the taste away. Also the menu has pictures but make sure you order the description that is below it or else you'll get something you thought you were getting but didn't, like salmon tacos.
(3)Matt C.
I invited everyone who visited Tucson to this great place. My consistent favorite is the chili verde chimichanga, which I can safely recommend to anyone. But the salsa they make right at your table is the highlight, and will likely always be the best salsa I've ever had.
(5)Thomas I.
Man those salsa makers that come to your table just chop, chop, chop. Kinda like your personal chef at Japanese hibachi grills. Food was just average but atmosphere and service were amazing!
(4)J. A.
Amazing food with amazing service. I have never had bad service or bad food here. You really need to try the molletes con carne. The bread that they're on is amazing. I can make an entire meal out of this appetizer. The potato tacos are also fantastic. The molcajete is piping hot, flavored brilliantly and melts in your mouth.
(5)Stephanie R.
Guadalajara is a fun and energetic restaurant with great service to enjoy Mexican food at! Not only does this restaurant have great tasting food with table side salsa made fresh to order but their margaritas are to die for! The atmosphere of this restaurant is not only set by the fun décor but with live mariachi too! This restaurant is a must when in Tucson!
(5)Gerg P.
Well there is a Chicken Mole dish, which is a clue if your Mexican restaurant is Mexican. Margs are just ok, salsa is good as built to order, so speak up Gringo. Hey it's not Taco Bell so be patient, so if you're in a hurry go to a "FAST FOOD" DUH!
(3)Xinda H.
Very good! Food portion is large! I like those entrees served in a big stone bowl, I forgot the name though. Salsa is freshly made tableside, like it.
(5)Fiona G.
We love Mexican food. This place hits one of our top spots. It has high quality meat, affordable prices and an atmosphere that keeps the kids asking all about Mexico. Couldn't say enough about the friendly, speedy service as well.
(5)Geordie R.
We're visiting Tucson so it makes sense to go out for Mexican at least once. I'm not an expert in Mexican food, but we live in an area with a large Latino community so I'm no stranger to it. The fresh salsa made at your table is a nice touch. I would have preferred to have more customization than just choosing the heat, but it was great salsa either way. The mariachi band was entertaining and it was nice to be seranaded at our table for a song or two. The food was good but not particularly special. I had the molcajete mariscos which was new, but really just a take off on fajitas. My wife had some sort of potato dish which was flavorless without the salsa and the guacamole she added. The rest of our party seemed satisfied enough. Overall, this was a good experience but I can't say that I'd recommend this place over any other.
(3)Dave A.
Fresh, made-to-order salsa at your table! That's my favorite thing about Guadalajara "Original" Grill- I highly recommend this one over the Eastside location. Fajitas are always good (you can do chicken, shrimp, steak, pork or all of the above)- I recommend all of them except for the pork. They usually have drink specials which includes a good selection of Mexican beers and GIANT Margaritas. Portion sizes at this place are enormous so be prepared for a food coma afterwards. If you're just looking for something light, sit at the bar and enjoy the chips and salsa and an order of the mini-chimis (chicken). 4 Stars ****.
(4)Lynn B.
If you like cheese order the queso fundido con chorizo for appetizer, if you like fun order one of their giant margaritas. Solid classic Mexican food, good chance anything you order will be pretty darn tasty. Fun Mexican decor, great for a fun date, a group of friends, a large party, celebration, you name it.
(4)Marian S.
Perfectly perfect table side salsa. Happy waitress. Delicious veg dish. Scrumptious chimis. Crunchy chips. Wonderful stuff to look at. Love it.
(5)Beki H.
Delish! My husband had the Green Mole with Shrimp special at the recommendation of our awesome waiter, JC (thanks JC!) & I had the Halibut Enchiladas. Both dishes were wonderful. They were served with julianned grilled veggies. I would return just for those alone! Tableside salsa & my Cadillac Margarita were also perfect! We can't wait to return!
(5)Yogi B.
They get 4 stars just for the made-at-your-table salsa. YUM! You can have it any way you like. The ladies who make it are very good at what they do and the freshness really shows. As spicy or mild as you like it... The food is good. The place was mobbed, but our server was still on the ball and had our drinks full most of the time. We all had the fajitas and the ingredients seemed very fresh and flavorful. The carnitas were tender and juicy. The steak & shrimp done just right. I would have liked the guacamole to be a little more flavorful, but it seemed very fresh. I'll come back and probably try the chile relleno. I saw a plate of enchiladas with a chile relleno go by and that looked awesome.
(4)shopaholic v.
Another trip to Tucson = another trip to Guadalajara Grill! OMG - we LOVE this place! We've all voted to have sister's graduation meal at Guadalajara's - it's THAT good, even the Asian parents who don't like cheese LOVE the made from scratch salsa and tortillas. And I just learned this weekend that the made to order salsa on the cart is FREE!!! Whaaa? and this whole time I thought we'd been paying. Amazing! I also found their Chile Rellenos which I could not find on the menu. It was delicious! The egg/batter thing on the chile was soooo good and the chile was perfect! mmmm.... one more moth till we get GG's again.,,
(5)Ilene Q.
Guadalajara was the 1st restaurant we visit during our tour of Tucson, AZ. It is the best Mexican restaurant by far. Great food, amazing margaritas and great prices along with great service.
(5)Sunny B.
Oh yelp. How I love thee~ Mark D. and I were heading back from Texas and craving Mexican seafood. We got on our yelp mobile, found a review for Guadalajara Grill, plugged the directions in to the iphone and headed on our way. We both wondered how we survived before yelp J it is great to drive through an unknown city and find a gem with 4 star reviews. It was Christmas Eve and the place was pretty packed, perhaps it was the holiday spirit but everyone working there was in a great mood and very friendly. We ordered the seafood platter; tilapia, scallops and shrimp served fajita style. It was delicious and the portions of seafood were very generous for 18 bucks. The salsa was good (but not great), it was still a nice touch to make it at the table. I ordered the sangria and it was delicious, strong and not too sweet. I will definitely head back next time I am in town.
(4)Pam S.
We were very impressed with how quickly we were seated at 6:30 PM on a Friday evening. Loved having the Salsa made at the table - I had medium and it was very good. She did have us taste to make certain the Salsa was "spicy" enough for our tastes. I would have gone a bit spicier with the salsa but our 1 year old son loves mild Salsa. Both my husband and I had wonderful meals that our son enjoyed mooching off of as well. Note: We are from NC and in 3 years have yet to find a "really" good Mexican restaurant. The Guadalajara Grill was very good and the best we've had in over 3 years. I had the Chicken Chimi and I loved the southwest sauce - it had a little "sweetness" to it but not a lot of spice. My husbands meal was very flavorful and the steak was perfectly prepared - Carna Asada Angelina.
(5)Tucson C.
Recently needed to find a restaurant that had music early. Tucson needs more selection in this area! The Guadalajara Grill did not disappoint. The food really impressed the out-of-town visitors, and the locals in the group loved it as well. I had the Mochacha. If food got better than this, I wouldn't be able to get up! Fantastic! Every person really enjoyed the wide variety of food served. The table-side salsa was excellent as usual, and the strolling musicians fit our need perfectly. They do a great job and really add to the ambiance. Casual, though really nice, affordable, lots going on, the perfect place to take the family out to dinner when they are in town!
(4)Christina M.
I dont know what everyone is talking about...table side salsa?? Didnt get that service. My sister had a retreat for work at Ventana Canyon Resort and the masseuse suggested this place. We asked for a cheese crisp and the server said we have quesadillas but not cheese crisps and I said, " Can you ask the chef to not fold it, please"? Duh! Stupid. Other than that the service was fine. Food was mediocre at best, but forgettable. Nothing special about this place. The front desk guy told us we shouldve gone to EL Charro. Maybe next year!
(3)Mark M.
I reviewed the Guadalajara Grill on 6/17 last year. As far as I'm concerned the write-up is still right on. The salsa continues to be superior and the freshest one can ever get. This time, I had an entree that I'd never ordered before and thought the favors mixed very well and wouldn't hesitate to order again. It was the Tacos Cochinito Al Pastor. This dish consisted of slow roasted pork in an adobo marinade served in three (the menu said two) soft corn tacos with pineapple, cilantro and onions. served with refried beans and spanish rice. The pork was cooked just right, and the pineapple, cilantro and onions were an excellent combination of flavors. Once again I was disappointed in the heavy-on-the-sweet-and-sour margarita. I ordered the large Cadillac (premium) margarita, and didn't quite finish the massive drink - nor was I tempted too. I asked for some extra limes, which I added to the drink early on. Nice idea, as it added some tartness and cut the sweet. I've reduced my rating of the Guadalajara Grill from a four-star to a three-star. In my opinion it's really a three-and-a-half star. Why did I do this? Because I found a Mexican restaurant in Tucson that has risen to the top of my Mexican restaurant list, and there needed to be an appropriate separation of stars (that, of course, is a separate review). Bottom line ... I still really like the Guadalajara Grill and this Tuesday night experience was pleasurable; prompt seating, exceptional salsa, good food and fun atmosphere. I'll certainly return.
(3)pete w.
My family and I went to Tucson for a mid week getaway. We stopped by here for linner (lunch/dinner) after a long day hiking in the foothills around town. My kids were starving...... The place was about 1/2 full so we were given a nice table by the big windows with nice views of the foothills. Service was excellent and the food was hands down some of the best mexican food that I have ever eaten. My 8 year old bottomless pit for a stomach son even commented that 'this place gives you a lot of food and I'm full'. I do not hear that often. Overall, big menu, excellent service, exceptional tasting food and lots of it. The restaurant was clean and well taken care of. 5 stars for this place.
(5)Rebecca D.
The layout is super cozy. The decor is top notch. The service is always great. Parking is always manageable, even during their busiest hours. Table side salsa that's to die for. Yummy (HUGE) margaritas. Great mariachi! So much fun during homecoming (Go Wildcats!) weekend! Guadalajara Grill is my second favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Tucson!!
(5)Matt W.
Still as absolutely incredible as I remember it. 1) While I was not there during salsa making service b/c it was a weekday lunch, there salsa is fantastic! I may drop on by before I leave town... 2) Drinks are great and potent as well. They are also HUGE. And for 6 or 7 bucks to get a a 16 oz. Margarita...what a deal! 3) Food is really good. The chicken fajitas are excellent. I also had the beef 1's and they were really good. The onions are cooked better than almost any Mexican place I've eaten them. The beans are phenomenal. I almost never finish them at a Mexican place but these were just too good to pass up. Great memories there in the past. It was worth every bite (I think I ate enough for lunch AND dinner!)!! When I think of Tucson, this is one of the very 1st places I think of going when getting off the plane!
(5)Pavan D.
If I could give them zero stars I would. (This review may just apply to lunch service/chef) My sister and I were in Tucson yesterday and I thought lets stop in for lunch. I had been there a couple of years ago for dinner and it was good. Anyway we walk in and have to wait about 30 seconds for the hostess to finish chi chatting with a server before she even acknowledged us. Then we are seated. There were maybe 6 tables being used in all. We ordered the guacamole which I remember being made fresh at the table, IT WAS NOT. It was for sure not fresh either. They also topped it with some sort of cheap super salty cheese.... no thanks, i prefer my guacamole without cheese. After getting that we were pretty turned off so we decided just to split an order of the chicken fajitas. The chicken was bland and not very tender, almost chewy. YUCK! I will say that the flour tortillas weren't horrible and the salsa was good. Nothing about our meal looked or tasted fresh. It didnt taste like the amazing authentic mexican food that I remembered having their before. So of course I felt stupid ofr talking it up so much to my sister. It was a HUGE let down. Service: The service was beyond slow. Considering the restaurant was so empty we expected better service. We were given our drinks and food and never saw our waitress again. I sat there for 10 minutes waiting so that I could get some water!!! After that I was just annoyed and decided to pay the bill and get the hell outta there. I will for sure not return to this place. There are plenty of other great Mexican restaurants around.
(1)Jen W.
Love the salsa! I try to eat at Guadalajara grill before 6 and then it's not as busy. Get the medium version of salsa and ask for extra garlic. Super good! Entrees are usually $11-$18, so they are more pricy than your general Mexican combo. But all my out-of-town relatives really love Guadalajara Grill! Reliable and consistent!
(5)Nathaniel H.
I'm from Wisconsin and I expected really good Mexican food when I came down to Arizona. I was excited when I arrived at Guadalajara Grill. We were told there was an hour wait for a table. This was okay as I went to get a beer (which turns out to be a 22oz glass!). I assumed that a Mexican restaurant that busy in Tucson must be incredible. WRONG. The service was decent, not amazing, but not bad enough to turn me off. I did enjoy the table-made salsa idea, but the salsa-lady didn't tell us our options other than spice level (turns out we missed out on many things I would have added in). Then the entrees came out. I am shocked to say that I have never had Mexican food this flavorless in Wisconsin much less near the Mexican border. The meat was all horrifically overcooked (my "steak" was rubbery and dry) and the vegetables had been soaked so thoroughly in bad oil that you couldn't even taste the vegetable underneath. Making this even worse: the prices were $15 plus. Sorry Arizona, but I find quality, fresh, Mexican food in Wisconsin for less than $10.
(1)Kevin C.
This place has the most delicious salsa I've eaten anywhere, and the selection of entrees is extensive and just as delicious. I spent 10 months working on a project in Tucson, and once I found this place I went back several more times and took coworkers with me each time. The salsa ladies are prompt and courteous, and always ask if you'd like your salsa mild, medium, or hot. Heat it up for me, and she did. The drinks are great, I've never had any bad service, but the salsa is what keeps bringing me back for more. Can't get enough of that stuff...
(5)Jessica R.
When Rosa's was closed for Holy Thursday, we came here instead. What a pleasant surprise! The waitstaff was friendly and attentive, and I loved the salsa cart at the table. We'd missed the dinner rush, and so the singers seemed to be calling it a night. I had one of the best margaritas I've had in a looong time...strong, big, and tasty. The food was excellent. It was the best meal I had during my stay in Tucson.
(5)Philip G.
Good food, nice waitress. Somewhat confusing when we came in, we were immediately seated, however I noticed the Mariachi band making it's way over to our table. We had a long day already, was not in the mood. Asked the woman who came over to ask them not to come over, turned out she was there to make salsa and misunderstood what we were saying. Manager came over and made everything right. Delicious salsa, perfect chips. Chicken mole was awesome. Enjoyed the band from a distance! Reasonable prices.
(4)Rachel S.
I don't get why this place gets good reviews. Went here with a mex food craving and since yelp gave it the a OK expected it to be pretty good. Once again, tucson proves to be a nearly complete culinary wasteland. Atmosphere is great, festive and classic Mexican restaurant. Kids love looking at all the murals and pinatas. Tableside salsa was watery and over salted. Service was ok but it took an eternity to get our orders out and the place was not half full. Our chicken mole and tacos al pastor arrived. We were excited about the al pastor because it's hard to find in tucson. The corn tortillas were cold and smelled like a refrigerator. The pork was in huge chewy cubes with no flavor. yuk. The mole was lumpy and too thick, like it had been cooking voerlong in a pot. The chicken underneath was in strips and also very hard like it had been cooked several times to rubbery consistency. The only good things were the home made flour tortillas and the beans. For that I could have gone to Nico's for a 3 dollar bean burrito. The biggest mystery was that as we were leabving the place was filling up with lots and lots of people. what are they coming here for? Waht do they get that we don't know about?
(1)James B.
Very good food but too NOISY for me.
(3)Hans F.
a great date restaurant. a great place to catch up with an old friend. a great place to just have a really good meal. Don't go here in a hurry. you have to take your time and soak it in. They will come right to your table and make salsa for you... to your specifications. I hate onions so this is perfect for me. The food is served in large portions. I would suggest splitting a meal and getting some appetizers. Don't forget to have a few drinks it's hot in Tucson!
(5)Brian C.
Went with a group of friends, the food was so so, my dish was served cool should have been hot, and I was last to be served after everyone else ate. Seems like a gringo place to go for out of towers. I really don't see the draw here for the crowds. There are much better Mexican restaurants in Tucson than this.
(1)Alyson S.
Hands down the BEST Mexican restaurant in Tucson! In fact, BEST Mexican restaurant I've ever had! Whether you go for lunch or dinner, service is fast, food is excellent, and the atmosphere is incredible!
(5)Scott B.
Hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in Tucson, along with the sister restaurant, Guadalajara Fiesta grill. The salsa is among the best I've had in the US, made fresh to order at your table. They don't skimp on the salsa either, they give you about a pint for two people and more for larger groups. I've taken several friends and family here and everyone has loved it.
(5)Ron L.
On my initial trip to Tucson a few years back, all I thought about this city was not positive. Hot. College town. Isolated. Boring. Terrible food choices. Now after multiple visits, I can now cross off the terrible food choices off my list. Guadalajara Grill is one of those places that will definitely be on my go to places, one that I won't be ashamed to take people to. Strolling Mariachi band...great food...good portions...and the differentiator, fresh salsa, made tableside. The salsa, made to your specifications, is a big enough draw to make me come back. The wait could be forever, so be prepared for that during the typical rush hour times, especially during college orientation week. Tucson is still hot and isolated, but at least my stomach will be happier on my visits.
(4)Cheryl M.
I've eaten at Guadalajara a few times now, and for a close location and good Mexican food, this will become my "go-to" location. I absolutely love the food here. Now mind you, I don't go to Mexican food and get the giant platters of combos, I get a taco or two or a bowl of soup, so I am basing my review on that. So, if you're a soup person, this place is excellent. I get the bowls which are more like 2 servings and I highly recommend the Posole and of course the Albondigas. Both are excellent. When I get "wacky" I'll order the fish tacos which are equally pleasing. As for the service, I would just say it's average. We get what we want, usually when we want it, but the servers aren't personal or overly friendly. Seems like they're just there to do their jobs, not to make your day. If that happens to change I may up my rating but it's got to be excellent to do that! Service makes or breaks a place!
(4)John A.
Party of 8 with reservations for 6 PM on a Sunday, including 2 people from Penn. who wanted to try some real south of the border food.. We finished up at 8:30, and not because of the great dining experience. Service was sloooooooooooooooow. More so for one person, who didn't receive her entrée at all. We finally had to signal a wait person (I had to wave my hands in the air repeatedly) that something was amiss. I suspect the problem was the built in gratuity for larger parties - no incentive for quality service. Salsa (made at the table) was pretty good, as always, although without much kick; the folks from Penn. liked it. Mariachis were fun (como siempre). The sea food molcajete I had was good, especially the broth. Other dishes were reportedly sort of meh. The Penn folks went with a chimichanga and a beef burrito; neither knocked their socks off, maybe because Sonoran food isn't the specialty of the house. Mi espposa said her chiles rellenos were ok, but that may be by comparison; hers are killer. Chips were exhausted while we were waiting and no refills were offered until (once again) I waved my arms in the air.Tortillas are made on site and in sight (the Penn folks liked that a lot) and are good My family and I have had quite good and fun meals herein the past, but the graph seems to be trending down. Our last two experiences came nowhere close to those of several years ago, especially before the move into larger quarters and before the opening of a second Guad Grill. This used to be someplace we would think about going to for a celebration (graduation, birthday, out-of-town visitors), but we are going to have to come up with an alternative. Ambiance was good. Food was so-so, And service, at least for a party of 8, was poor to abysmal.
(2)Dan T.
Excellent food, went with a party of 7 and no one had a negative thing to say. Large delicious margaritas available, and Salsa made table side. A must if you're in the area, can't beat it.
(5)Em. C.
Had the massive Guadalarita (!!!) and the Lobster Stuffed Portobello with spicy salsa made right in front of me. I walked out of there a happy woman :)
(4)Chandra M.
Came here on a short visit to Tucson and glad I did. We had a group of 7 including one baby in a high chair and were seated in about 1 minute. It was Saturday at lunch time. Great service all around and super friendly. The place was also clean and well decorated. The salsa was made table side and was freakin sick. Sick as in yumm - eee. I wanted to pour it over everything else we ordered, even the Tecate. Ok, so obviously not really the Tecate, but at one point my son was eating just the salsa by the forkful (no spoons provided off the bat, you have to ask for them) so that should tell you something. The food was delicious! My husband and I split two entrees...the taquitos con papas and the huerache con carnitas and chicken. Both were soo good, but the huerache was unique and the corn masa 'sandal' that the meat was served in was one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. We were not calorie conscious during this trip, so I'm not going to speak to the health value of anything we ate here, just the taste value. Scrumptious. We'll be back here on our next visit to Tucson, guaranteed.
(5)Jack S.
Delicious food, great atmosphere. Can't say enough good things
(4)Steven R.
This will hopefully be a reasonable review -- so many of the comments on this restaurant swing between five stars and the bottom of the barrel that it can be difficult to figure out who's got an agenda and who doesn't. My wife and I ate at the Guadalajara Original Grill last weekend, and we loved it. Tucson isn't exactly world-reknowned for its restaurants, but there are some good ones here and for Mexican food this is a fine choice. The food was fresh, tasted great, and was served well. The table-side salsa was mind-blowing good and is probably one of the features that keeps this place busy. Bring your friends and family and you most likely won't be disappointed. Now, no restaurant is perfect and there are some mighty picky customers out there, a few bordering on unreasonable. Of course, it's perfectly reasonable to expect that when eating out (and paying the price for it), the service should be at least attentive. But let's not go over the top and expect perfection. The servers, hosts, and hostesses at places like the Gudalajara Original Grill probably make something less than minimum wage and depend upon tips for the rest of their income -- my daughter was a server at an Outback Steakhouse and, while not perfect, she broke her back trying to tend to some mighty grumpy customers. There ARE people out there who simply can't be pleased, no matter what. So here's my comment about the service: it was good and on-par with a restaurant of this type and price range. Was our server ready for employment at a fine restaraunt in New York? Absolutely not. We asked for one or two things that never appeared. But I'm not going to trash this place because they forgot to bring me a couple of tortillas. I can't give it 5 stars for two reasons. One, the service was good but not worthy of 5 stars. And two, the decor was fine but looked a bit tired in some places. The food, however, was excellent across the board.
(4)Dean S.
So disappointed, I will never return...I have been there many times at both locations in the past. My guests and I sat without drinks for more than 5 mins until server took drink orders. Then 2 more times during our visit no drinks. Next a hunk of beef was hidden under the salad of the vegetarian dish ordered. It wasn't a special order it was from vegetarian menu. Manager felt there was no issue because there wasn't an allergy and the piece wasn't found until near the end of the meal. NO ISSUE, how much other meat had the vegetarian dish been carelessly mixed with? He offered a discount. I said, so it is the diner's fault that he had eaten most of the meal before discovering the issue? What if it was a roach and not a piece of meat which is just as big and issue to the vegetarian? He still felt the meal should be paid for. I begrudgingly paid the bill of more than $50 and left $5 for tip. I will never return
(1)TJ A.
I've been coming to Guadalajara Grill for several years now, and have always been a fan. Love the salsa prepared table-side, margaritas are great, and the food never disappoints. The last time two times I've been in - once for lunch with my parents who were in Tucson for a short visit, and just last Saturday night for dinner - have been some of the best, though. Both times Andres was our server, and he's just awesome. Last visit I told myself I'd try something new and I'm sure glad I did. I usually have one of the combo dinners, but I totally fell in LOVE with the Mexican paella. I think it's also great that they're open late on Friday and Saturday nights. This place will remain one of my absolute favorites, can't wait to return!
(4)Jigisha P.
We love coming to this estaurant every time we're in Tucson. Love the table side fresh salsa. They made it mild for the kids and spicey for us. Salsa and jalapeño Margarita were excellent. The food took a long time to come and two out of three meals were cold. My veggie enchilada was good but cheese inside was not melted. Kids quesadilla and enchilada was okay. My husband loved his Paella. Overall the food is average.
(3)Betsy B.
Met a small group of friends there. Had heard great things about it but the really bad service is a reason I'll not go back. Food was ok but have had better in a number of places in Tucson. There were only 6 of us and the restaurant was not that crowded but had to ask about 4 times for an iced tea. I'd heard about the table side salsa but it wasn't offered to us. I won't be going back.
(3)Barrio H.
I would love to peek inside the kitchen to see if anyone speaks Spanish. I was with a large party of 12 and I did not see any authentic Mexican food. My margarita was pricey and it did not taste from scratch. The salsa was boring but I like it a bit hot but it tasted more 'canned'. I had a chile relleno combo and all I can say is "meh". Too much batter on the relleno, my rice was cold and they used yellow cheese! I got the feeling it was pre-made. I could get the same food at Taco Bell. Most of my party agreed with me. I rarely write bad reviews but c'mon you gringos, quit drinking this coolade!
(1)Carol K.
Vacation time, and we're in Tucson, so what else do we eat but the best local Mexican food possible. This place is suppose to be it. When we arrive, the parking lot is crowded, that's a good sign. All the reviews give good ratings, so it must be good. Once inside, we are seated and surrounded by large groups of 8 to 10 people. We're worried service might be lacking, but immediately we get the standard chips and salsa. Our drink orders are taken, and I of course want the house margarita, and when it arrives, I am not disappointed! I decide on a combo, the Plato Ranchero. This is a cheese stuffed chile relieno, a pork tamale, and a gordita with beans, shredded beef, cheese and sour cream. The food is hot, seasoned just right and delicious. Service is very good despite the large crowds, and the entertainment is great! A roaming mariachi band. I recommend to anyone wanting a good meal and margarita!
(5)Brett K.
Had a party of 9 people, seated next to a LOUD party of at least 20 sorority girls, and the servers and musicians didn't miss a beat. Great food, good service, very nice Mariachis with killer vocal harmonies who'll play any song you request (traditional, of course). Guacamole was a letdown, but the table-side salsa was incredible. Get it spicy!
(4)Michelle O.
If you want super fresh Mexican food with high quality ingredients, go to Penca's on Broadway. This is the place to come for the traditional plate of Mexican American food that is tasty and plentiful. You're not going to get quality cheese or muy excellent chips (like you will at Penca, those are amazing), but you will get a lot of everything here. And it will taste good. The salsa is truly delicious. Made table-side and it was so good I filled up on it before my entree came. Make sure you tip the wonderful women who come promptly to your table and prepare this treat for you. You'll get a big smile of gratitude. And my food was good. I had the veggie fajitas and couldn't finish half without hurting myself. The grilled veggies, including delicious zucchini, were superb. They got the portobella done right - moist and tender. A lot of restaurants don't take the time to cook them correctly, but this place knows what they are doing. My boyfriend had the tilapia and really liked it. The guacamole needs some work. Again, go to Penca if you want super fresh, super good guac. Guadalajara's is advertised as freshly made, but it tasted pretty tired and processed. Overall, the experience here was great fun. They had a wonderful mariachi band that was fun, lively, romantic and just really enjoyable. We talked to the guys a bit and they were so cute and upbeat. We loved them and stayed a little longer to hear them sing. Prices are hard to beat, our bill for two generous entrees, one app and 2 iced teas was under $40. Service was warm, prompt and efficient.
(4)Jeff M.
Good Sonoran Mexican and strong drinks.
(4)Scott W.
We love to eat and cook Mexican food, and for our first trip to Tucson today I did a lot of homework on Yelp and other web sites. This place is legit, the real deal, FANTASTIC!!!! We had ex residents and current residents tell us this place was great, and it did not disappoint. Great margaritas, great chips, salsa made at our table, all got us off to a good start. I could have eaten almost anything from the menu and been happy. We had carne asana burrito, chili Colorado, and muchacas, and all three were great.
(5)Ella M.
If this place only served salsa, it would have 5 stars! Table side salsa with totes fresh ingredients using a mortar and pestle! Delicioso! Then came our entrees. I took one bite of my taco, placed it back on the plate. A bite of my potato rolled taco...back on my plate. A bite of the flauta (chicken), put it back on the plate. Rice-dry and zero flavor. Refried beans...looked as if they had been sitting on the plate for an hour...had a crust formed on them and the cheese on top was not melty...but hard and gross. Sorry to be so blunt, but this place leave a lot to be desired! After the salsa, I had high hopes and they were shot down like fast!
(2)Nory B.
Based on the Yelp reviews I was expecting more......great table-side salsa, great homemade tortillas, but the fajitas were just okay and not sizzling. The chips were thick and bland--couldn't have been homemade. Service was friendly but very slow. I guess this is a local favorite, but sadly it's really nothing special.
(3)Mike K.
Service was great till the salsa was made... waitress seemed invisible forgot we were there, Had to ask for her after 15 min waiting. After getting our sour guacamole we were doomed. 1. Got the order wrong. 2. chimichanga barely even fried not even crispy also 3.forgot the enchilada style. Took two bites and refused to eat the rest. She explain to me how they can take it back and fix it anytime... 4 strikes you're out! Not crispy, no enchilada sauce, waiting way too long, 4. didn't even notice my margarita was empty when she took our order. Crap food in a nice place. We complained to the owner and she offered us half off claiming that I ate half of the chimichanga. (3 bites trying to convince myself it was good) I pretty much told her she needs to watch what was going out of the kitchen. She explained to me that they pulled the guacamole for the night. I refused the 1/2 off and and will.never return. This is truly Mexican peasant food!!! With a nice paint job on it. I think you'll agree...
(1)Gilbert T.
Decided to take my mom here since she came from Texas and wanted to try a Tuscon favorite. I've heard from a lot of people that this is the place to go for Mexican food in Tucson, but sadly this is not. The food is pretty good, but the reason I am giving this place a one is for their horrible service, particularly the management. As expected on a Friday this place was packed, however I noticed that several people that arrived after my party were being seated so I asked the lady at the front desk how much longer. Five minutes she said. Ok, so we waited twenty minutes more, then I asked again, five more minutes she said. Twenty more minutes passed, keep in mind we have waited an hour and half by now, so I asked and still five more minutes. The lady's response came off as annoyed and I asked her to show me my name on the list, thinking they skipped me or didn't write it down. To my surprise she said you want to sit, here's a table open let me show you if you don't believe me. This lady was perhaps the most rude hostess I have every seen. After this little engagement, we decided to walk out and not come back again. So disappointed by this place, and while the food is good, but they need to find a more people-friendly hostess.
(1)Toni M.
Not as stellar tonight, although the tableside salsa was delicious, as were the chips, and the lobster stuffed portabello was marvelous. But the margarita mix didn't taste freshly squeezed in our house margaritas and I found the pollo mole very disappointing. The mole at Juan's Place or 3 Hermanas at home is much more complex. This was heavy-handed and the chicken was on the dry side. The rice and beans were good. Alan had the molcajete w/ seafood, chicken and steak and he found the chicken and steak dry. The seafood was delicious. It was a huge portion, which he couldn't finish. I had flan for dessert and it was lovely. A trio came around to sing and they were wonderful.
(3)Donna M.
Had a reservation, arrived in time only to be seated 45 minutes later. The servers did a good job and the food was yummy. The hostesses were clueless and the manager was just as bad. We will never return to this place.
(1)Alma C.
So we tried calling to see if we needed reservations. It took me 10 min to get someone to answer the phone and luckily we didn't need reservations. We got here and they gave us some chips and fresh salsa made to order it was very good. We order out food and our waitress was very nice and super friendly. I got the chile nogada and my hubby went with the shrimp plate with a white souce on the bottom. When I got my food it was cold in the middle And my hubby's rice and beans were cold. They took my plate to have it re done and my husband was half way done with his food by the time they brought my food. Luckily I had chips and salsa to keep me entertained. The second plate was good. We also had to send my husbands beans and rice back to get warm up. Again our waitress was very nice she brought us the bill and to my surprise they didn't give any 10% off or anything witch it was very disappointed. The owner came and talked to us and she basically said I was laying about my chile being cold because the sauce that goes on the top was the reason made it cold but when it told her the ground beef tasted cold she continued to argue so I just stopped talking. She must be right she is the Owner. No I'm not going back not a good dinner experience. I'm giving it 2 stars because of the excellent waitress.
(2)Stephen L.
Dinner on the patio, perfect weather and live mariachi in the background. Great setting for dinner. We loved the tableside salsa. Very sweet woman, made two heat levels for us and involved my son in the process. All the food was very good, with high marks going to the carnitas. One tip. Pass on the guacamole. Too bland and creamy for us.
(4)Ellen S.
Tried this restaurant for the first time. We were seated quickly, and received our drinks quickly. However, we had to ask several times for water. The waiter was mostly attentive. We all really enjoyed the fresh made salsa at our table. The food was good, and the portions were large. The downfall for me was the room was very noisy, and the mariachi band walking around didn't help matters. I also felt the tables were too close together. Overall, it was not a bad experience. The food was good, the service could have been just a bit better. I would give this restaurant another try the next time I'm in Tucson. But I might ask to be seated in a different place.
(3)Ben B.
Great food great people. Really a fun place to be. Generous portions.
(4)Erin A.
Q: Why did the tortilla chips start dancing? A: Because they put on the salsa! The only thing mentioning in this review is the salsa! They hand make it in front of you and create the spiciness as ordered by the customer! Everything else is so-so. 5 stars for the salsa! 3 stars for the food.
(3)Joel L.
Now this place is special!!!!! First of all they come and make your salsa right at your table! No store bought salsa here. We tried the chicken fajitas and the burritos, tacos with the quesadilla and it was FANTASTIC!!! The salsa is made to your liking, mild, medium or my favorite hot!, it's all good. Environment lends itself to a Mexican food experience. The margaritas were delicious and not that expensive. So if your looking for a great place to have some good ole Mexican food THE GUADALAJARA ORIGINAL GRILL is your best bet! Please make reservations cause the wait can be a little long, but it's worth it! :)
(5)PHIL g.
First of party of 6 Sunday evening. Gave name of reservation and were seated. Some time later discovered rest of group in another part of restaurant. Hostess obviously paid no attention to us. Waiter was attentive but food was abysmal. Strangest tortillas ever! Burro was a raw, doughy mess. Wife ordered a chimichanga. It was also doughy, not crisp as a chimichanga should be. House margarita had little taste and even less tequila. Have eaten in many Mexican restaurants in area. This place is at the bottom of the list.
(1)Peter R.
Really bad service. My partner and I were seated at a 4 top table. I decided to sit next to her and glad I did. Any other seat would have been in the way of the salsa cart, which bumped our table more than once. The fresh made salsa is actually really good. The food is way overpriced and is mediocre at best. After asking for a box for our food, we waited about 10 minutes before having to ask another server for our check. After our server brought it, and waited another 5 minutes, we took it to the front to pay and left an undeserving tip on the table. As we walked to the front, we past our server who was preparing some food in the kitchen, I said thank you as we past. As we were paying at the front, she came running up as if we were going to walk out on the check. She obviously cared about getting paid without any consideration for her customer's needs and time.
(1)Anh N.
As another yelper once said "when disneyland meets denny's meets Mexico." Fresh salsa made by your table gives this place closer to a 4 star review - and food was surprisingly tasty (Pollo en Mole and Chile Verde).
(3)Tiffany S.
This place is always packed! If your looking for a lively, family friendly but homey experience then this would be a good place. The wait can at times be long, but I've usually been seated within 5 minutes. It's hard to go wrong with the food...But the Tres Bandidos, Cilantro chicken and anything with Mole are particularly good. I've never been disappointed by the quality (or quantity). The Mariachi band and salsa making ladies are pretty special. Depending on the crowd it might take the salsa lady awhile to come around and the service also varies. I've had some truly outstanding waiters and some duds.
(4)David L.
Stopped for a snack and something cool to drink first week of May. Table side salsas were OK and the chips were good. Very nice guacamole. Had an ice tea and a negro modelo, It was Happy Hour, of which we were unaware and the bill was really cheap for what we had. Left a 30% tip and signed the credit card receipt. Got home and just received our credit card statement. They added another 30% to the bill...... Check your statements!
(2)Andrea H.
My coworkers obsess over this place and before I moved to Tucson I heard great things about it too. Therefore, the bar was set high for Guad Grill. I firmly believe that it reached the standard that was set for it...... You can't go wrong with the fresh, made-on-the spot salsa. It simply rocks and I drizzled it over my dinner entree even after eating a bowl of chips with it. The margaritas are spectacular and enhance any dinner menu item ;) I usually finish off my meal with the Sopapillas, which are perfect for sharing with the table. Breakfast at Guad Grill is ok, but lunch and dinner are really the shining stars. The staff is adorable if you are celebrating a birthday dinner-- the mariachi singers will serenade the birthday person and they are also giving a festive (tin foil) hat and dessert! Precious :)
(4)Jay L.
My favorite place in Tucson! The food is amazing!
(5)Liz D.
Came back two nights ago with the same friends. The service is still slow (and incredibly rude if you're unfortunate enough to be sat in Maggie's area), the salsa is still bland, and the food still sucks--and is incredibly overpriced for what it is. Someone at the table ordered a margarita and said it was nothing but salt and disgusting. I took their word for it. I've learned my lesson. I just won't come back.
(1)Ray L.
Oh boy! Disneyland meets Denny's meets Mexican food! Honestly, Guadalajara Grill is about the same as most other sit-down Mexican restaurants in town. This is not a bad thing-the food is completely okay, if not especially memorable. The chile verde is definitely green, but the color is more interesting than the flavor, a dynamic shared by the insipid (but very red) shredded beef. The menu is heavy on fajitas and unencumbered by soups but, then, menudo doesn't have the gimmicky appeal of tableside salsa which is, apparently, exciting. Likewise, if you are thrilled by large, colorful alcoholic beverages, Guadalajara Grill is considerably closer than Vegas. If you are nostalgic for the D.F., you can order a huarache, which is nice to find in Tucson, but the resulting battleship of food offers more heft than flavor. Guadalajara Grill is a big enough establishment that it lacks a feeling of family ownership, an attitude reflected in the courteous-yet-disinterested attitude of the servers and the overpolished theme park decor. The good side of this is that Guadalajara Grill was open on New Year's day, when smaller family restaurants are closed. Portions and prices are on par with other midrange Mexican restaurants. If you prefer flavor over a midtown location and cheesy atmosphere, go somewhere else.
(3)C. A.
This restaurant used to be good. Not sure what happened, but the food is now average to below average. Had the chicken mole today. The chicken was very bland, the mole just poured over it but not really tasting like the chicken and the sauce belonged together. The rice was crunchy and inedible. They should have been embarrassed to serve it to customers.
(2)Gary K.
The BEST salsa we have ever had, anywhere! Service is good. Margaritas are fair so I ordered a margatini and mixed it with a house margarita, and VOILA, a perfect margarita. The Marachi band was EXCEPTIONAL.....Overall a great experience!
(4)Nick P.
Great place to go. My timeshare gave us this one to check out.....it was well worth the try. Great Mexican atmosphere & great service. The chips and fresh made salsa by the table was great. Freshly made tortillas and great tasting food was perfect. My kids say they want to come back....I'll take them :)
(5)Ashley J.
How have I never reviewed Guadalajara Grill? From their massive margaritas (only $3 during HH!!) to the homemade salsa (made table-side for dinner), everything about Guadalajara Grill is fresh and amazing! Their homemade tortillas are delicious and everything I've ever had has been mmmmmmmm! Their carnitas fajitas are life-changing! And the molcajete is the best I've ever had! Go with the combo version. Its a bit pricier, but being able to sample the various meats is such a treat! If you can, try to save room for dessert - the sopapillas are just as fresh as everything else and you MUST give them a try! The only "con" I have for Guadalajara is that a lot of the food doesn't work out great as take-out (e.g., how do you have fajitas when they aren't served on the sizzling plate??). They offer take-out, but I feel like its a waste. Just go and dine-in. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Robert H.
I've learned to tip everyone, even if the service isn't perfect. Servers make minimum wage and deserve more. That said, our servers were great for our table of 12, including two kids. We even split some of our adult plates so I tipped more to compensate for that. Food was good, salsa made at the table was perfect, just what I asked for. Chips were plentiful. Tipped the salsa lady $5. Everyone had a good time and I mean time because we were there at 7pm on a Friday night with people hanging outside waiting for tables. Left about 10pm. See my photos. We will go back.
(5)Gabriela F.
Love this place! We always have a great time and leave satisfied. We came here a couple of weeks ago for my mom's birthday, so we had a table of 8 including a 1 year old. We tipped the mariachis and they came to play happy birthday as well as many other songs of my mom's choice. The best part is that the baby loved the music and they played songs to her. she was absolutely amazed, and they were so great with interacting with her even after they left our table. Points to the mariachis for keeping the baby happy! The salsa is fantastic, the lady comes by your table and makes it to your liking, but dont fill up on chips! The food is so great. I like getting the enchiladas or the fajitas but everything is good. Margaritas are great too and they don't skimp on the tequila ;) Order the queso fundido to share with the table. It's very good as well.
(5)Mistie W.
This is one of my personal favorites! The food is good (not the best) BUT the ambiance and table side fresh salsa make the experience. They also do live music with about 3-4 guys singing to you table side if you choose. Love it!!!
(5)Elsa C.
I was worried after reading a few bad reviews, but I was blown away. Wow! The food and service were great!
(5)Madeline W.
Delicious authentic Mexican food! Very strong and tasty margaritas. The best part about this place is they make salsa to order right in front of you!!
(5)Yuan F.
One of the best Mexican food I've ever had! The waitress made fresh and customized salsa sauce in front of you. The frozen mango juice was also great!
(5)phil h.
4 nights in Tucson means hella Mexican food. And Guadalajara was the best of the bunch. Salsa made tableside, baskets of chips that seemed to refill themselves magically, and big ass margaritas the size of a small baby. How could I give Guadalajara any less than 5 stars?
(5)K J.
I don't understand the draw for this place. I went back for a 2nd time tonight, and I had their chili verde, which is one of the dishes I use to judge any Mexican restaurant. It was VERY bland! The only taste it had was if you ate one of the large pieces of green chili in the dish. It was a large portion, and the meat was very tender, it just didn't have much of any flavor to it. I like the table side salsa, but that ends up just costing you an extra tip for the salsa lady. I sat at the bar tonight, and the service was great. I just don't understand why this place is packed all the time for what I would call average Mexican food. The prices and portions here are very good, but who cares if the food isn't that good? I'm not going back. There are far better places in Tucson.
(2)Cherée E.
I'm so sad to say that our recent visit here was such a disappointment. While the always delicious table salsa was five stars, everything else was a bust. It was a Friday night, we waited close to 20 minutes for a table, which was expected and another 20 minutes before a waitress came by to take our drink orders. Some of the people seated after us were seen immediately. The kitchen helpers that brought out our food just dropped half of the order off and left. We waited another 5 minutes for the rest of our meal. My husbands carne asada burrito did not look like what he has always ordered in the past. When we asked the waiter about it she looked at it and said it wasn't correct and took the plate. A couple minutes later she brought the same plate back and said it was correct. We also had to ask for a single refill of water 3 times. We've always had a good experience here but doubt we'll come back after this visit. It was definitely a bummer.
(2)Josh M.
Used to be a classic in my book. But who knows if you can even get in anymore or if the joint got burned down by accident again...
(3)Melissa B.
We had an absolutely wonderful time at this restaurant. The staff was welcoming, the ambience was family oriented and joyful & the food was delicious! We ordered the Molcajete Ultimo (stone pot with chicken, steak & shrimp in a tomato sauce) and the verde chimi. Both were delicious & I would order again. The salsa is made table side and is very good, with the added bonus that you can customize with ingredients you like/want omitted. The best part was the flour tortillas which are excellent and obviously homemade (makes a HUGE difference)! We would definitely return. Rosie, our server, was also great, as were the hostess & salsa lady!
(5)Alex B.
This place is great. They start you off with salsa that they make right at the table and chips. I believe you get one free refill of each. The salsa is always amazing. I always order the fajitas. I've tried the pork carnitas, portobello veggie, and shrimp fajitas. All fantastic, the shrimp and pork carnitas are probably my favorite. As someone else mentioned, the margaritas are overpriced and not really worth it. Also parking is terrible. Absolutely 100% terrible. We drove once, but I live close enough to walk, and always do now. But don't let the parking scare you away, you should definitely check this place out.
(4)Carol K.
We really liked this HUGE restaurant. It was recommended to us by Tucson locals and it did not disappoint. For some reason I turned into Princess and the Pea when it came to seating; NO outside is too loud with traffic and overwarm, No, the back room had a really large group and then a table of nuns... so we opted for eating at the bar. The tableside salsa was a hit. We got it custom made screamingly spicy and it was a winner. I ordered the Molcajete Ultimo which was a big delicious bowl of simmering shrimp, chicken and steak in an earthy tomato sauce with onions. That with the fresh flour tortillas made me whimper. Next time I would skip the chicken and just go beef and shrimp. Spouse had a pork chile verde with above melt in your mouth tortillas. This gets dinged a star only because it is so huge and the acoustics are awful. It was just filling up with no parking and valets were there to manage the crowds. And it was really loud. The extensive menu has me wanting to go back for again and again. Perhaps midday on a random Wednesday?
(4)Charlene L.
Absolutely the best authentic Mexican food in the state of Arizona! Let me repeat that! Made-to-order Tableside guacamole and salsa with the freshest ingredients, homemade flour tortillas like you've never seen or tasted, and mouth watering Chili Verde that'll make you cream yourself! Their meat supplier is Shamrock, which is the best quality of meat you can get in the State. You will not be disappointed! Absolutely 2die4! Best homemade meal I've had in years!
(5)Mariya D.
My husband and I came here starving. The fresh salsa made table side was awesome. The servers never stopped refilling drinks and bringing chips. I ordered mini chimis at happy hour, expecting small bites. Holy cow was I wrong. Ginormous plates of food. My husband's chimi was the size of a small infant. My mini chimis were big enough to fill a large plate and I could only eat 3. The chicken was nice and soft. The beans were okay...nothing crazy. For the price I feel you get a lot of decent food and good service. I would come back here.
(4)Chantel K.
Excellent service and delicious food. Fresh salsa made at your table. Wow. Huge margaritas.
(5)Alexis H.
The only things I recall about this place, which I ate at for a work lunch a couple of years ago, are that the chips were so greasy they were grey and each time I picked up my quesadilla a cheesy oil poured out of it. I stopped eating, my co-workers did not. Needless to say, both of my co-workers ran to the bathroom when we got back to the office. Won't be eating there again anytime soon. There's much better Mexican food to be had in Tucson.
(2)Nali M.
went for lunch on thursday with a friend. i had only been to their other location on the east side. they weren't too busy for lunch, but the service was a little slow. they didn't make salsa in front of our table, but i'm not sure if that's an extra service that you pay for? either way, their salsa was tasty. i got a chicken chimichanga, but i wasn't the biggest fan. their rice isn't anything to rave about, either. overall a decent expereince. i would give another opportunity to come and try them again.
(3)William P.
Right of the bat, 3 stars because a friend and I went for lunch on a slow weekday and were rushed through our meal. The sever wasn't rude, but she wasn't exactly personable, social, or eager to please. Food was great, as always. I was irritated that our appetizer (queso fundido con choriz) didn't come with the corn tortillas the menu promised, but we were ravenous so we tore into the fresh flour tortillas with a minor grumble. The house margarita was huge, delicious, and was just sweet enough to balance out the bite from the tequila & lime. We both ordered the Tres Bandidos, man I wish there were tamales on there instead, BUT, it was delicious. After stuffing our faces with the chips & salsa and the queso we couldn't finish our meals, I was growing impatient with the server, and so we packed it all up to go. I'm just assuming they don't do table-side salsa during lunch, but damn if I wasn't sad about missing out on that, too. I'll be back, but it would be awesome if your lunch waitstaff wasn't pushy, especially on a slow weekday afternoon.
(3)Melinda G.
What a great place! I've been here close to a dozen times and I am always impressed by the delicious food and great service! You can't go wrong with this restaurant.... especially when the salsa is made fresh right at your table! It's a great place for a date, family gathering, or a big group of friends! Overall, a five-star restaurant!
(5)Michael D.
Salsa made at the table, mariachis (not sure about every night), and amazing fajitas and chimichangas! Kind of a gimmick, but the perfect place in town if you're not looking for anything authentic! Margaritas are strong and do the job well, not too strong or too weak.
(4)Stephen Z.
It's hard picking a #1 Mex restaurant in Tucson but if out of town guests come to visit and on the off chance request Mexican for dinner I'll probably take them here.
(5)Kelly M.
LOVE LOVE the food, salsa and service!
(5)Stephanie H.
It's good. It's not amazing but it's good. It's a little overpriced but not terribly. I might take out-of-towners here because the ambiance is fun. My favorite thing is their Thursday lunch special, lobster enchiladas.
(4)A K.
Totally awesome place, hands down the best mexican place i've ever seen. TONS of fish choices and great service. Salsa at the table and great quality authentic food. If you're ever in tucson and are looking for a good mexican spot i'd highly recommend
(5)Brett R.
Great prices and authentic food! The tableside salsa is the way to go and you can make it just the way you want it. I love the seafood dishes here!
(4)Bella F.
There is always a huge wait here. SO make sure you pack some snacks. The margaritas are why we come here. You can buy the big one and it's as much as ordering two drinks but it's really good value- not to mention tastes great. You have to be in a good mood to frequent this place as it's an open dining area and can be very loud between all the people, live music, screaming kids, and general hustle and bustle of a busy restaurant. NOT the place if you want a quiet romantic night to talk. The menu looks like shit- there I said it! It really needs to be re vamped with better presentation of design and food photographs. It gets really confusing and I hate having to explain it to our out of town guests. The salsa making, fresh and at your table is great! All in all a good time, the food is OK for the price. Casual dining experience.
(3)Rachael J.
Just had a great meal here. I was surprised it was so busy on a Wednesday night, but we were still able to be seated right away. I had been wanting to eat here for a long time, but the recent not so stellar reviews made me a little nervous. Needless to say I had a great experience. The salsa made table-side was as delicious as all the previous Yelp's led on. It alone is reason enough to eat here. The live music trio was a nice touch. The menu had lots of great options and the dishes ordered by everyone in our party were delicious. It was obvious the tortillas had been freshly made as well. No complaints about our service tonight either. Our waitress made sure our waters were always full (I am a wuss with spicy foods so I tend to go through a lot) and everything came out as it should and when it should. Looking forward to going back!
(4)Anna T.
Delicious and fresh food in a festive atmosphere. The best Mexican food restaurant in Tucson.
(4)Tamica S.
I really want to love Guadalajara Grill. It seems like everyone else does. But when you wait 30 minutes to be seated and then another 90 minutes to get your food, there isn't much to love. The food could have been fantastic and I wouldn't know because I didn't eat it. Here is how the evening went: Arrival around 6:15. Finally got seated around 6:45. It was a bigger party, 8 people but GEEZ, what a wait for a Thursday night! Our drink order didn't get taken until past 7:00. Around 7:30 we got our food order taken. It took about 30 minutes for the appetizers to come out and by then everyone was STARVING. Then we had a group of people get seated at the table next to us. This was a problem. When our food finally came out at 8:30ish the waitress was seriously afraid of dropping a sizzling fajita plate onto the head or back of someone seated at my table or the table next to ours since the quarters were disturbingly cramped. She kept apologizing for the seating arrangement and saying that she couldn't fit in between the chairs. Frigging Ally McBeal couldn't fit in between them so she really didn't have anything to apologize for, she didn't seat them. After playing the hold your breath balancing act of getting all of the food served I was spent. I asked for boxes and we all pretty much left without even touching our entrees. So again, the food could have been delicious but who knows?? It was loud, crowded, busy and overall a dismal atmosphere, not fit at all for an enjoyable meal.
(1)Steve F.
This is my first time in Tucson in about 15 years and El Charro was always my go to place but recent reviews led me to try Guadalajara. I am delighted!!! The place is packed so I strongly recommend making a reservation, as I did, or plan on waiting. Everything from the table-side fresh made salsa to their amazingly fresh tortillas is a delight. The lobster enchiladas were terrific and the lobster was abundant and perfectly cooked. The vegetarian burrito was another delightful surprise; bold and flavorful. The Saturday night crowd was diverse with a lot of families, a lot of older couples and young people. No complaints with the service. Drinks are very reasonable and the house Margarita was great! Dinner for two, including drinks and tip was under $50. Wow! Bring your appetite or plan on taking a lot of food home with you.
(5)Roz-Esparza B.
We live so far out of the way, but we'll drive here for the table side salsa and delicious food. I've never been disappointed. Can't wait till they re-open on kolb :)
(5)Setu U.
I love this place! The salsa they make is amazing and they have a TON of vegetarian and vegan options!
(5)Mark B.
We went out on a date night. Took the kids to grandma's and decided to stop by and try out Guadalajara grill. We where quickly sat down (no wait) the salsa lady was nice and provided good entertainment while waiting for our server to serve us. The server was very knowledgeable about the different plates(a plus) she took our order and drinks at the same time. The food came in about 20 minutes. But, my wife's Chile Relleno Nogada was cold in the inside. We flagged the server and she took the plate away.. After 10 minutes and new hot plate of food came out! Down side as we went to eat together, not to watch each person eat by themselves. So we finished our meals and received our bill. No discount for cold food. No, hey here's slice of flan just nada.. So I told the server it's sad that nothing for the mistake. So we asked to speak with a manager and she left and came back with the owner. She basically said the sauce is cold and that was the problem. My wife said No, told her if that was true then outside would be cold not the inside. Owner then said oh and apologized and walked off. COOL Just like their food.. Sad.. $55.00 bill for cold food. So how much is good customer service, I guess its worth a negative review.
(2)Cher T.
They make the salsa right in front of you, with the ingredients you like. Mariachi's sing during the evening and sets the mood. Being a couple dollars to tip..they do deserve it. If you are into yummy foofoo drinks Order La Bandera or a Coronarita to drink :) service at Prince location is always awesome. The other one, not so much. Food is wonderful!
(5)Melissa B.
If we could have parked maybe we could have tried the table salsa we heard so much about...you need more parking!! Two guys in yellow vests stood at the driveway last night directing us to turn around and park down the street...but where?!!! There is no parking...so we tried another local Mexican place instead! Too bad...it sounds like a place to try...but we also decided that if it was that hard to find parking, the wait for a table and the service would probably be terrible...
(2)William G.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Arizona - no joke! The fresh salsa made while you wait/watch - so good!!!
(5)Beatrice V.
I went here for lunch on New Year's Eve. I decided to try the Bloody Mary and I ordered the chicken burrito bowl with grilled veggies instead of rice. I absolutely loved the Bloody Mary here; I specified that I wanted it with extra Tabasco to make it spicier. It was made perfectly and it was so delicious! The chips and salsa were addicting, salsa had just the right amount of spice. I couldn't finish the entire portion of the burrito bowl but what I had was incredible. Would definitely come back here again, mostly for the Bloody Mary's and chips and salsa :)
(5)Becky K.
Had a great dinner at this Mexican Restaurant in Tucson. They come to your table and custom make the salsa for you just the way you like it! It was the best salsa I ever had! The servers were all super nice. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town!
(4)Willa A.
The murals and kitschy decor at Guadalajara Grill are fun and I like the open feeling of the restaurant overall, lots of room for groups. But, to be clear, the majority of the menu is very "Americanized" Mexican food which made me pretty sad. Granted, I was there for lunch so there were no margaritas or table side salsa to distract me (the "live" salsa is only an option at dinner). I ordered a taco which disappointingly came in a pre-made hard corn shell and was buried in a pile of iceberg lettuce and yellow cheddar. The burro came in a dry, rubbery, bright white flour tortilla clearly straight off the Sysco truck. The chile verde in the taco was actually really delicious, but I was completely baffled that any restaurant in a town filled with tortilla factories, an hour north of Mexico, would serve these horrible mass produced tortillas. I gave them three stars because of the good service, atmosphere, cleanliness, and ample portions of not bad tasting food. But I would just rather eat real Mexican food...
(3)Morgan J.
This is quite a tough rating to decide on... the food is traditional, yummy, and satisfying. The service is god awful. It's one of those yes I will go back because the food is so good but man I better go when I have more than enough time and am in a fantastic mood. The excellent food begins with the salsa cart. A woman comes around and makes you salsa any way you wish! Spicy, mild, medium, onions, no onions, etc. She is super sweet and caters directly to your desire. She even will fix it up a bit if you aren't completely satisfied! She deserves the best tip in the restaurant and gives the best service I've ever received here! I usually order the tacos which come with a side of rice and beans. They are amazing!! My boyfriend is always disappointed because they don't have steak.. but the ground beed is a delicious substitute. I've gone with many groups and haven't heard anyone else complain about their plates either. The service... ohhhh the service. I don't know how Guadalajara finds these men and women but there must be a strict rule that they are rude, slow, and must show you just how little they care. I have been here probably 5-10 times and each time it is the same story. Being greeted by the server is the most dreadful part of each visit. Most of the time I want to leave before they even say hello. The last time I grabbed dinner I believe it took ten minutes before someone came to the table. By the time she was there we were ready to order our drinks and meal. After putting our order in we waited until our food arived to double check that our drinks were coming. The table was in sight of the bar and our drinks had been sitting on the bar top for so long my boyfriends margarita had to be remade and my beer was room temperature. I wish I could say I wouldn't return. The simple fact is that the restaurant is walking distance from my house, stays open late, and has great food. Its a win/lose situation every time.
(2)Gabriel G.
Loved the chips and salsa. Loved the food. The service was great and attentive. Definitely preferred this restaurant to El Charro. We'd definitely eat there again.
(5)J U.
I've been coming to the Tucson gem show for twenty years. I ALWAYS went to el Charro's for authentic Mexican food.... Well, I found a local true Mexican restaurant. It was such great food and service I thought it was a chain!!!!!!! Not..... In town you must come here from great food and even a better time
(5)Steven T.
The hostess Christina....food....the atmosphere....the drinks.....all 5*!!!!!! However the outdated phone system which took trolling through a half hour of frustrating busy signals along with the sour sorry attitude of our server Maria opened and closed the whole dining dining experience to a negative end I will never return.....maybe she had a bad day but it wasn't my fault I'm not familiar with the menu (come to an Italian restaurant and I'll interpret the menu).
(2)Tessie K.
Have been here twice & always receive excellent service & delicious food! No wonder we locals love it!
(5)Taylor B.
This place is amazing! From the 32oz giant homemade (STRONG) margaritas to the customized homemade salsa at your table with whatever you want! These two things by them selves sold me. The good service, amazing fajitas were just a plus. The homemade flour tortillas where the final thing that made me no doubt love this place! I wish one was in Scottsdale! If you want great Mexican food in Tucson, this is the place!
(5)Demi J.
This place is great! They have a person that walks around and makes you fresh salsa! This was my first visit and i got the lobster stuffed salmon and it was delicious! Highly recommend this place if you're looking for good mexican food and atmosphere.
(5)Aryn R.
Hands down the best Mexican food I have ever had. Generous portions and great attention to detail. From the handmade tortillas to the old lady that came to our table and made our Salsa and guacamole in front of our table. Prices were great when you consider what you get. Would be worth the trip just for the Fajitas!
(5)Megan R.
If you're coming here for the chips, salsa, and margaritas, great! They refilled our chips and salsa countless times, which was great because it was the only part of the meal that I actually liked. The margaritas are also really good! However, my meal was pretty bad. I got the taco and flauta combo plate (beef for the tacos and chicken for the flautas) and I thought both were not very good. I went with 4 friends, and all but one said they didn't like their food. But as for the rest of us, we all agreed that we've had better microwaveable Mexican food than this. Everything was also just pretty bland. The only person who liked their meal got the cheese enchiladas. So if you're planning on coming here, I guess that would be my best suggestion for you! The service was pretty slow, and it wasn't even crowded when I went. I can't even imagine what it's like on a busy night. Our waitress was nice, but it was very clear she was not thrilled to be there. I would consider coming back just for the margaritas, but I definitely would not order food here again.
(2)Jill S.
Yes. They make salsa right there at your table. Which is awesome. If you don't get someone who's burned out and has been working for 10 straight hours and wants to stuff a habanero down the throat of the next child who screams right next to her ear while swinging a sticky hand from the vending machine against the stupid twirly skirt she had to buy herself out of her first month's tips. Really, though, I've only had a pissy salsa girl once or twice.... usually they're super smiley and make good recommendations. I like that they make you tell them what to add, and if someone at the table asks for her to make the usual one, she ignores you and asks about each ingredient anyways. Way to CYA, salsa girls. Service is usually pretty good. So is the food. Fairly typical Sonoran Mexican, with some interesting things thrown in. I've seen mole on the menu but never ordered it; neither have I tried any of the other more adventurous dishes. That's probably a testament to the generic stuff that apparently hasn't disappointed me to the point of no repetition. Food is fresh, to the point that it's not cooked before you order it, but not to the point that they get more than maybe one produce shipment a week. It's a good stand-by place that's right next to my house, but I probably wouldn't drive more than a mile or two out of my way for it. Margaritas were disappointing. Definitely tasted of sweet and sour. And the last time we went, the waiter made them.... there was no bartender and they were all sort of guessing at their own recipes back there.
(3)Prusha S.
Hit and miss. Salas ladies are awesome! Goodies great. But staff sometimes doesn't care. Drinks have no alcohol in. I stopped ordering drinks.
(3)Chanel G.
OMG I CANT BELIEVE I WROTE THAT REVIEW. THIS PLACE IS PERFECT. Well, maybe not perfect but it is my favorite mexican restaurant right now. I get the chicken chimi with a classic margarita and I am good to go!
(5)J C.
Entertainment Book has a buy one get one meal coupon. Wife had 3 item combo plate, $13.99, I had a carnitas plate, $14.99, $4.50 for 1 bud light. Walked out for $21.00 plus tip w coupon bogo. The mole is very good. I thought prices were a little high but dined on Sunday. They advertise a good priced 3-6 pm happy hour and lunch specials.
(4)Iris G.
Guadalajara is one of my favorite places - the value you get for your dollar is excellent and the food is gluttonously awesome. It can get crazily packed, so I would suggest reservations for Friday or Saturday. The front of the restaurant where the hostess stand is has a small waiting area but usually the weather is nice enough to wait outside as well. Guadalajara is excellent for all occasions. Birthday? They'll make a crazy tin foil birthday hat for you. Anniversary? Indulge in one of their monsterous margaritas and try to save room for the sopapillas. Just felt like having some awesome Mexican food? Guadalajaras is the place to go. The portion sizes are massive, and it starts off with some table side salsa made to order. It's pretty sweet that they will customize it to the spice level you want or omit a less desirable ingredient. The chips are always fresh and hot as well. The shrimp molcajete is my favorite to indulge with. Tender, plump shrimp in a spicy broth with veggies and you can get the rice and beans on the side. It comes with your choice of either corn or flour tortillas. So tasty. I also really love their stuffed salmon dish. It's delicately cooked but has a ton of flavor. The sauce they top it with is rich but not too thick so you don't end up with that "gross" feeling. There is a really awesome portobello mushroom dish that I get when I'm not feeling chicken or seafood. It's light and delicious and the portobello flavor really stands up to all the bold flavors Mexican food is known for. You also cannot go wrong with a burrito or chimichanga if that's more your style when heading out for Mexican. They also have a mariachi band on certain days which is fun to bring out of towners to come experience!!
(5)Andy R.
Amazing! Fun salsa at the table, fresh tortillas and a ridiculously tasty mocajete! lobster enchiladas also great! Just good and fun!
(5)Austin S.
I returned here post burned-down kitchen, hoping this restaurant would be improved, but unfortunately there was no such luck. The waitress we had screwed up our drink and food orders repeatedly. My friends ended up with the wrong meat on their burrito bowls and no guacamole (after repeatedly asking for it), and two of our margaritas came out incorrectly - mine without tequila. Yuck. Every time we come here, the service is lackluster and the food is overpriced. I think I may have finally reached my limit. Sorry Guadalajara Grill.
(2)Hector G.
Location: Easy to find off of Prince. I drive from the west side so I take Prince right off Oracle and then its on my right a few miles down. Pay attention though, because if you miss the turn into the restaurant, you'll have to find a place to U-Turn! Lesson Learned! Food: The food was excellent. The table side salsa was tasty and of course fresh. The price was a little higher than I like but for the food quality, it was well worth it. Would I go back: Yes definitely but I would be smarter on what I order since I have children. My bill came out to $50+ dollars for Lunch and that was two meals, two kids meals, Ice Teas and Tip (no alcohol!). Also, here's a tip: the Lemonade for the kids is NOT a kids included drink. Its $3/kids drink of Lemonade. Overall: Yes I would still go back and take my family and even when family from out of town visits. It was very good food.
(4)Jordana S.
One word: garbage. I mean, if you like On The Border or Chili's you'd probably think it was good; there were plenty of people there so I guess they do. I, for one, do not find ill-prepared meats, gelatinous sauces, and unfresh ingredients mixed into tomato sauce posing as "table-side salsa" to be worthy of a $60 bill. If I'm feeling generous I'll give it a four out of ten; on a night like tonight I'll just chalk it up to wishful thinking to have expected a good meal. Because I swear this place used to be fresh, authentic, and local. Now it's just goopy, generic, and reminiscent of every horrible chain restaurant you've ever been to. It's not great. Don't believe the hype.
(1)Chris D.
Being my third time coming here I was still very impressed just as I was the first time. Definitely my favorite Mexican I have had around the area. Their menu consists of everything you would expect a Mexican restaurant to have.I have ordered the fajitas tacos and salmon topped with lobster. I was very equally impressed with all of them. There are two things that I think this restaurant has that makes them stand out. First the lady making salsa from scratch right in front of you is incredible. You can tell her exactly how you want it and she makes it perfectly. Also the traveling Mariachi band that travels the restaurant is a fun added touch. All in all this is definitely a must if you're looking for Mexican food around the area. Great value and even better food.
(5)Christi T.
From having had a recent Mexican restaurant bust at another local restaurant, my husband and I were left really craving some great Mexican cuisine before we left Tucson back to the East Coast. Thankfully this place really made up for that! The restaurant is well designed and very lively and vibrant with all the beautiful wall decor and murals. It's a large restaurant space also so we were sat right away during lunch. Our server greeted us quickly and took our drink orders right away. Our chips and house made salsa were also delivered promptly. The salsa by the way was fantastic! You can definitely tell they take pride in their salsa. I loved the flavor of roasted chilis and spices. The menu options are great and I loved that they offered smaller lunch options as well. My husband decided on the lunch size chimichanga and I chose the lunch plate of two enchiladas. Both entrees included rice and beans as well. One other thing I love is that they offer whole black beans if you don't prefer the refried beans. The chimichanga was lightly fried, not greasy and filled with perfectly seasoned and grilled carne asada in one of their freshly made tortillas. The garnish of lettuce and freshly made guacamole was great with it as well. The enchiladas were also very good and very generous in size! In fact, now I know for next time that one might do the trick for lunch! I chose the chicken over beaf which was moist and flavorful, with not too much cheese or enchilada sauce. One of our pet peeves is overwhelming amounts of cheese but not in this case for either dish. Our only negative was that the server seemed to disappear about half way through our lunch but she ended up picking up the slack towards the end. Overall we were very satisfied and can't wait to visit Tucson again to come back!
(4)Caitlin V.
Total score is a 2. +2 for Ambiance and salsa prep by the table is pretty awesome! Queso dip was pretty bad. It was supposed to have chorizo in it, and it did, but maybe like a tablespoon of chorizo. Really? The cheese wasn't a dip either, it was a block of cheese we had to cut with a knife. Unless it was burning hot and bubbling, it wasn't a dip. The drinks were overpriced. The verde slow cooked pork was not slow cooked, as the pork was chewy. I can just pay 2 more bucks a plate and get WAY better carnitas at Wild Garlic Grill- melt in your mouth pork! Chewy pork? Eh. The price was ridiculous for the quality of food. Quantity does not trump quality. Try Ponchos for better quality and 25% the price.
(2)Deb B.
I stopped here for a late lunch mainly to try the Jalapeño Margarita that had been reviewed in the Daily Star a couple of weeks ago, and not really expecting the food to be anything special. Wrong! First, the salsa was great, but could have been even greater if I'd been paying attention as she made it and customized it a bit more for my own tastes (I like it super hot, but easy on the onion and cilantro). For my entree I ordered the Plato Bandera (one each of pork chile verde, beef chile rojo, and white sauce chicken enchiladas), honestly not expecting to love all of them, but much to my surprise each was as good as the next - really, really tasty. And waaaaaay more than I could eat - I took home half to enjoy the next day. Since i was dining alone, there was quite a bit of salsa left over and I really appreciated that they packed that up for me to take home as well. The Jalapeño Margarita that I came for was just okay. I liked it, but didn't love it as much as I thought I might. I can't wait till the Kolb location re-opens as it's only a mile from home and I will definitely be a regular.
(5)Mike M.
Always great food when we go here. On a Saturday night, call ahead seating is a must. This place is always hopping. Our Server, Paul, took care of us even though this place was a mad house. The table side salsa is fantastic as well. Stop by, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Bill C.
Food was good. However, we had a group reservation for 20 and 6 of us arrived 20 min. early. The table was set and the restaurant was almost empty (4:40). They wouldn't let us set at the table until the whole group arrived. We said we'd like to order a drink and wait for the others. They said we'd have to go in the bar. Finally one of the waiters that was going to serve our table let us set down. I realize the hostess only follows management orders but it was a lousy way to treat a big group that was going to spent a lot of money.
(3)Sharon G.
Wow! That's what we all had to say from start to finish. Fresh salsa, prepared at your table, to your liking - it was fabulous! Next, a tasty Midori margarita on the rocks to set the mood. Then the food... my son had the highly recommended chimichanga with carne asada. So good, but even he couldn't finish the whole thing! My daughter and I split the chicken fajitas, which were both delicious and plenty! We had leftovers too! We declared my husband the winner with his choice of chicken molcajete - meaning bowl. It was a stone bowl with a stew-like concoction topped with very tasty chicken and served with rice and beans. And yes, more leftovers! The tortillas were fresh and soft, chips were crisp and tasty, ambiance was classic Mexican - bright and lively! Yelp has never steered us wrong. Thank you Guadalajara! We had a fun and extremely satisfying evening (we even put away our technology). :)
(5)Aisha R.
My rating is solely based on the food. I had the taste for guacamole and chips. I was not disappointed at Guadalajara. I enjoyed the appetizer size guacamole and a little medium (made right in front if you) salsa. Everything was fresh & tasted delicious. The chips would have been better warm, but they were delicious none the less. The order of guacamole was $6.99. I also had a virgin piña colada. Very good....not watery and you could tell they use real coconut cream. Yum. The entire bill was about $12.50. Not bad at all. A few things that could be improved.....watching the bartender dig deep into a huge jar of cherries to scoop them with his bare hand out ofinto smaller cups made my stomach turn.
(4)Andrea H.
When I lived in Tucson, I loved bringing out of town guests here. The food has been Americanized, but it is still a great choice especially for picky eaters. There is indoor and outdoor seating. If you sit on the patio in the winter, there are space heaters to keep you warm. The restaurant is always crowded, and the wait can take anywhere from 10-40 minutes. The decor is colorful. A mariachi group wander from table to table to perform well known songs. Tortillas are made by hand daily. The salsa is made fresh at your table with your level of tolerance for spice kept in mind. The food is served on hot plates and presented nicely. When I return to town for a visit, this establishment is always on my places to visit.
(4)Grant R.
Easily some of the best Mexican food I have ever had! And the chips and salsa are AMAZING!!!!!!!!
(5)Ruben M.
The margarita was great. The chili rellano stuffed with meat and fruit then topped with a white cream sauce was a culinary delight. I would definitely come back.
(5)Dolores A.
My husband had eaten lunch here one day, he liked it so much he wanted to take me there for dinner on Friday night. The drive is about 25 minutes from our home, when we arrived at the restaurant, the parking lot was blocked off with orange cones, an employee standing near them and a very long line of patrons standing outside. We drive on past and I called the restaurant from my cell phone to see what the wait time was (over an hour) we ended up having dinner somewhere else. This did not deter us from returning, we did have dinner the following Monday night with friends. The food is mouth watering, the menu has a wide variety of choices for everyone that loves authentic flavored Mexican food. There are Mariachi players, the service is excellent, the environment very comfortable and ambiance perfect. I would actually rate this 4.5 stars.
(4)Lisa J.
went with a group of 6, parking is def hard and I think the rest should invest in exapnding parking opps in the area so its easier for all. We were all veggie, food was average, the atmosphere is what you are paying for which was fun and popping on a Friday night. Too many flies in the rest is the one thing to point out....we kept batting them away also, its a little odd but you shld be tipping your salsa lady - - you would think that's not necessary, but it is custom.
(3)Sara C.
Really bad service. Waited for a high chair after asking four different workers and after 20 minutes of my friend holding her baby, went and got my own from the side station. Food is okay, it's better at Rosas on Campbell.
(2)Mr. V.
My wife and I decided to eat lunch at the Guadalajara Grill on 12/20/2014. The service was not so great. First, we asked our waitress if management can turn turn down the A/C. Which they did not. Second, our waitress forgot to put in our lunch order. So we got out good 30 mins later. We were displeased with the service.
(1)Hilary M.
I loved the salsa! But that was about it. I am from Seattle and was really looking forward to "real Mexican food." Unfortunately this place just missed the mark. The food was not good and I felt a little sick after eating it. My suggestion would be to keep things simple, seems like they strayed from the basics and things went downhill.
(2)Alexis G.
Guadalajara Grill serves one of my favorite tortilla soups. The molcajetes are also pretty delish. Sometimes, I wish the place was a bit smaller and intimate, but the food and drinks are consistently good.
(4)Lil B.
Unbelievable food and drinks. Have not had a dish here that I wasn't having dreams about for days after.
(5)Lisa M.
LOVE THIS PLACE. good margaritas, great food, fun place. The hot, hand made, flour tortillas are the bomb. I keep getting the huaraches because you can get a couple of your FAV meets and scoop up with the flour tortilla. Heaven. Mariachi band is fun. Table side made your way salsa is nice too!
(5)Marianna L.
Thanks to the Bandera, Arizona's strongest margarita, my memory is foggy on this dining experience, but I must say, it was an AMAZING experience. I dream of this food, I crave this food. I want the cute Mexican woman at the side of my dinner table every night to custom make salsa for my family and me. The mariachi band wouldn't be so bad either.
(5)Rachel M.
Today was our first time eating at Guadalajara Grill and after one bite of our meals my husband and I looked at each other and just knew: We found OUR Mexican Restaurant. The salsa made-to-order table side was delicious and a lovely surprise as we weren't expecting the presentation.
(5)Sean P.
Flew into Tucson from Calgary to spend some time with my parents and celebrate my dad's birthday. Guadalajara Grill came highly recommended. Atmosphere was great, service was friendly, the food however lack a little zip. The salsa made at the table was fantastic, spicy, fresh served with fresh chips. The entrees (Two paellas and a chili rellenos - spelling?) were rather bland. In my experience Mexican food should have zip. It doesn't need to be I'm sweating through my shirt hot, but spicy enough that I reach for my marguerita for a bit of a break. All in all it was just OK. The tastiest I've had so far in Tucson was La Botana where we ate yesterday. Smaller, less formal. More real. Food was awesome. Cheap! But alas, I had not made a Yelp account yet... More to come. 3 stars!
(3)Mike B.
A nice place to try out. The highlight is the table-side salsa. The food is good, though I feel I can get similar food at other places a little cheaper.
(3)