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Name: Connie’s Cantina
Address: 3340 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA, 94610
Telephone: (510) 839-4986
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.04

Connie’s Cantina

3340 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA, 94610

(510) 839-4986
Store is closed

Connie’s Cantina Menu

Ensaladas & Sopa

Super Salad

Pollo Asado Salad

Green Salad

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Burritos

Regular Burritos

Super Burritos

Super Connie’s

Rice & Bean

Bean & Cheese

Vegetarian

Super Vegetarian
Soft Tacos

Regular Soft Tacos

Super Soft Tacos

Vegetarian

Taco Plato (2)
Tortas

Regular Tortas

Vegetarian
Quesadillas

Connie’s Quesadilla

Super Flour

Vegetarian Flour

Corn

Super Corn

Vegetarian Corn
Platos

Chile Rellenos

Enchilada

Carne Asada

Pollo Asado

Carnitas

Pollo

Chile Verde

Flautas
Meats

Carne Asada

Pollo Asado

Chili Verde

Pastor

Chorizo

Carnitas

Pollo
Chips & Nachos

Tortilla Chips

Chips & Fresh Salsa

Chips & Guacamole

Nachos

Super Nacho
Main

Flautas - Beef Or Chicken

Connie’s Favorite Fajita Plate
Especiales

Regular Chimichanga

Fajita Chimichanga
Sides & Extras

Side Of Beans

Side Of Rice

Enchilada A La Carte

Extra Meat

Chile Rellenos A La Carte

Sour Cream

Guacamole

Cheese

Tomato

Jalapenos

Fresh Salsa

Lettuce

Corn Tortillas

Flour Tortillas
Dessert

Tina’s Famous Flan

Healthy Meal suggestions for Connie’s Cantina

Ensaladas & Sopa

Super Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Asado Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tortilla Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Burritos

Regular Burritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Burritos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Connie’s [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice & Bean [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bean & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Vegetarian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soft Tacos

Regular Soft Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Soft Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco Plato (2) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tortas

Regular Tortas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Quesadillas

Connie’s Quesadilla [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Flour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Flour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Corn [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platos

Chile Rellenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchilada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carnitas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chile Verde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flautas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Meats

Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo Asado [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chili Verde [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pastor [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chorizo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carnitas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pollo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chips & Nachos

Tortilla Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips & Fresh Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chips & Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Super Nacho [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Main

Flautas - Beef Or Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Connie’s Favorite Fajita Plate [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Especiales

Regular Chimichanga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajita Chimichanga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides & Extras

Side Of Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Side Of Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Enchilada A La Carte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Extra Meat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chile Rellenos A La Carte [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sour Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lettuce [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Tortillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Flour Tortillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Tina’s Famous Flan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Alastair M.

This was in retrospect a comical service experience. I walk into an empty restaurant around noon to order a burrito. I walk to the counter. A woman is there and I ask if I can order. She says yes. So far, so good. I ask if I can have a burrito with black beans, rice, tomato (not pico de gallo or salsa)...and the wheels start to come off. "What do you mean tomato? I'd have to cut it." I don't know how to respond. I nod helpfully and try a smile. I go on with my order: avocado, not guacamole--and suddenly we're running on the axles. "What do you mean avocado? I have guacamole! You want me to cut up an avocado?" I look at her and blurt out, "Would it be easier for you if I went somewhere else?" and so help me Lord, she says "Yes." So I do. Thinking with perhaps no little glee as I walk out, now THIS is a Yelp moment...
(1)
K.C. F.

Some people complain that they have to wait awhile for their food at Connie's Cantina. Well, if you're in a hurry and just want something to fill your gut served like fast food, this place is NOT for you. It is, however, perfect for a leisurely dining experience where you can actually have a few chips and salsa and a real conversation with a friend while you're waiting for the incredible, FRESH and lovingly prepared food by Connie herself. For those who have simply waited too long to eat anything before deciding you are starving, you won't actually appreciate the taste of this exquisite cuisine, so you might as well go to Chipotle across the street and down aways, because if you're that in a hurry to scarf something down, you can stand in the cattle line at Chipotle and watch them rush your food together in 60 seconds so you can pay and go sit and suck it up from the paper troughs they serve it to you in. After all, you're so hungry you'll eat anything but won't appreciate something that tastes great. However, if you have planned your dining experience well enough that a nice 30-minute conversation with friends over freshly-prepared, spiced-right salsa with chips precedes the delivery of some of the most impressive Mexican cuisine I've ever enjoyed in the East Bay, this lovely little place is a perfect locale to savor your meal. Today a good friend and I stopped in for the first time, but I'd heard great things about the food here. I was ready for the fact that it takes awhile for the food to arrive, so we ordered the chips and salsa to enjoy over drinks and chat. The salsa was divine and plentiful with an adequate bowl of tasty chips. We'd just finished the chips when our first plate came. I ordered the "Combinacione #2", One Enchilada, One Chile Rellenos and One Taco, and my friend ordered the Super Burrito - Carne Asada, no guac. To say her burrito was the size of a submarine is understating its size... it's GINORMOUS! Not only that, but it was so artistically served with impressive embellishments in artsy swirls. My friend, who has a pretty good appetite and was ready for lunch, took one look at it and said, "I'm going to need a go-box for half of this!" It was so full of chunks of carne asada I couldn't believe how stuffed it was with good things, and it didn't have one bit of lettuce filler in it as so many restaurants stuff their burritos with to stretch things. When my plate came, it was so beautiful and aromatic that I almost didn't want to ruin the presentation by eating it, but because I was ready to eat, I started with the enchilada (beef)... the flavors of the meat seasonings and the sauces made it just about the best enchilada I've ever had. I decided to start with the enchilada because the taco was piping hot and I couldn't handle it yet. So when I started in on the taco, I swear it was the most delicious, "lush" and meaty taco I'd ever had, and it was topped with guacamole which was freshly-prepared. Two slices of heaven so far, and the chile rellenos made it a perfect trifecta... huge beautiful pepper stuffed with gooey, satiating cheese, lightly breaded with a perfect coating and stuffed with sauces and seasonings that made it probably the second best chile rellenos I've ever had (just behind Tijuana, MX). We lingered over our food for over an hour, savoring every bite we could hold. My friend took half her burrito home with her (half of that burrito was probably bigger in volume than the three items on my plate, but my platter was also substantial and very filling!). We were there in the middle of a weekday, so it was quiet, the place was nicely decorated and minimalist in a good way, no gaudy decorations. I only wished there was a little background music to fill the atmosphere with some musical ambience, but the conversation was good enough. We visited with Connie after our meal and she shared with us that she cooks everything fresh to order and that's why it takes a little longer. I told her I totally understood why, and we appreciated that very much... and this is a very big reason I WILL be back here many times in the future... clean place, fantastic food, very reasonable prices considering it's hand-prepared on the spot and great care is taken to deliver a superb plate that pleases every sense you have. A must-enjoy place if you're going to a movie at the Grand Lake, either before or after. Oh, and for those really beautiful, warm days we have so many of here in Oakland, they have a sweet, colorful dining patio deck out back... which will serve about 20 people. Rustic, cute, shaded... great for a group to kick back. So good, so good, SO GOOD!!! MMMMMMMMmmmmmmm!
(5)
Mark G.

I was skeptical at first when I saw the size of my burrito I was shOcked get the connie's extra everything burrito so big taste great
(4)
Josh A.

Had Connie's today for lunch. Wasn't particularly in the mood for Mexican, but the in-laws wanted to go, so I did to avoid any conflict. I was very happy with what I got. It was just her that ran the whole show. Everything was completely fresh and made perfectly. She was a little out there (kind of reminded me of Charo, but not as busty) but very nice and very helpful. The only thing I have to warn anyone about eating here, is that it's very spicy, so you might not like it if you don't dig hot stuff. Even the table salsa was pretty hot. I like hot stuff, even though it makes me sweat just thinking about it. I had a friend in high school that was from Tepic, Mexico. We used to eat at his house from time to time. This is the closest to his mother's food I've ever had in the US. Anyway, a cool little place and well worth the shot if you are near by.
(5)
meshell c.

I've only been once and never again. The place was practically empty during lunch time and I happen to walk in to order a burrito to-go. The lady behind the counter was moving so slow. I don't think she quite noticed me until a good 10 minutes later. I ordered a Carne Asada burrito, a seemingly very simple and standard order, but it literally took her 30 minutes to get the burrito to me. Let me remind you the place was pretty much empty with the exception of 2-3 people ahead of me for their take-out. The burrito was nothing extraordinary, but the service really made the place a no-repeat. It's lunch hour, people only have an hour and I can't waste 30 minutes waiting for a burrito that usually takes no longer than 10 minutes at other places.
(2)
Crystal C.

The service is friendly, but very slow. Not a big deal to me if I'm not in a rush and the food is good though. However, the food is not good. I had the carne asada plate. The meat was pretty dry and I found myself wanting to put salt on it in order to give it some sort of flavor (NOT ok!), the rice really did taste like pre-packaged rice, and the only saving grace were the refried beans. My fiance had a burrito which he said was OK but when I took a bite I literally winced. There was something unpleasant in the flavor of the burrito to me that I wouldn't have been able to eat it if I ordered it. It makes me sad because I saw that they have a patio (we went at night so I couldn't check it out). I would love it if they had good food to eat while sitting outside on a patio. Unfortunately, the food is a no go. I only give it two stars in the hopes that the patio is halfway decent so we can just order a beer and sit outside during the summer. I will never be back solely for the food.
(2)
Jona C.

3.5 stars Food - 4 stars.... Carne asada plate, everything was fresh, the meat was nicely flavored, beans were tasty, salsa, guac, sour cream, lettuce was good and nicely put together. Connie (I think that's her) takes her time and love in making it therefore the slow serving. Taco salad w/ chicken (can't recall the exact name) - very fresh and tasty though the bowl was fried a too much and partially burnt and parts saturated in oil. Too much rice and not enough lettuce. Service - 3 stars We got here 10 mins before closing (9pm), asked if they were still seating and we sat. Put in our order and we got our bottle of water. There was one other table and they were almost done eating already, 30 mins passed and our food still wasn't ready. Within the time and it being our first time here, we eyed the place, wondered how she could make rent because it doesn't ever seem to be busy here and a location on Grand Ave, can't be cheap. Maybe Connie owns the building. Table cloths can use a washing and the intentionally missing light bulbs gives it a dim cozy ambiance and probably help cut expenses to balance out the rent. Though they were fine with it, we felt bad keeping Connie and her one other staff there late so when our food was ready at 9.30pm, I told them that we'll just take it to go. Plus I didn't want them to start mopping the floor while we were eating. I'm glad I was able to check this place out, it was a plan of mine this summer to try all the upper restaurants connecting Grand, Macarthur and Lakeshore. I better share the wealth and stop myself from going to KFC after the 10th time this summer already, lol.
(3)
Leigh N.

Connie is a very nice lady, but except for the dessert coffee the food was fairly mediocre and the service exceptionally slow. My friend and I went at an odd hour (around 4:30pm), and the place was empty. I have no idea why the service was so slow given that we seemed to be the only people there. It took a while for Connie to come out with the menus, which did not include a list of drinks. I remembered seeing sangria advertised outside, so I ordered a glass - it arrived only 2/3 full with no ice and a sorry piece of unknown citrus at the bottom. (My friend's coke was also only 2/3 full, and he was charged for his refill. If you don't want to serve large drink portions, a) use smaller glasses or b) put in [more] ice.) We sat on the patio, which was sunny and colorful. I ordered the super corn quesadilla with carnitas; it arrived luke-warm and quickly became cold; definitely did not have enough cheese. My friend ordered the super tacos with chicken, which came with pre-shredded packaged cheese. We wanted to order flan after our entrees, but the flan had not been made yet. Connie suggested a dessert coffee which was excellent: not a strong coffee flavor, more like cinnamon and chocolate with a rich foam on top. I would consider coming back to have this drink again, perhaps in the wintertime, but I wouldn't order any food. Since no one came out to the patio to see if we wanted the check, we eventually had to go inside and flag someone down.
(2)
Jessica D.

I really wanted to like this place, since it's just around the corner from my house, but I was unimpressed. The decor is colorful and festive, but the menu pretty humdrum (no choices of beans and tortilla for the burritos, nothing else that seemed interesting or tempting). The lady behind the counter--I would assume the eponymous Connie--vaguely creeped me out, and I had to repeat my order several times before she got it. All would have been forgiven if the burrito had been worthwhile. But the chicken was gristly, the rice and beans bland, and the whole thing drowned in salsa that was devoid of any flavor but HOT. I only ate about half before I gave up. I'll stick with my usual burrito joint down the street, Los Cantaros!
(2)
Diana R.

I started out a fan of Connie's (admittedly, I only ever ordered one thing), but I will never go back there again. I had a terrible experience there with one of the waitresses. I ordered a quesadilla and got some kind of burrito, so I gently mentioned to the waitress that this is not what I ordered. I very rarely send something back, but this was a completely different meal than the one I went there for (and the burrito didn't look very good!). The waitress not only seemed angry at me for talking to her, but she actually outright disagreed with me! She continuously insisted that I had ordered that mystery burrito and refused to do anything about it. (Gaslight effect -- anyone?) I really didn't want that burrito (because I really didn't order it), and the experience with the waitress was so shaming and uncomfortable that I lost my appetite. I didn't eat much of the burrito and never got the food I ordered. Paid for the burrito. Wish I had just walked out. I very rarely complain about service being bad, but this was inexcusable. It happened over a year ago, so maybe the waitress is gone, but there are so many great Mexican places in the Bay Area that it is simply not worth taking the risk to get mistreated. Go elsewhere.
(1)
Gym W.

I didn't have the same issues as other reviewers with attitude, though my server (Connie?) wasn't particularly warm or friendly, she just seemed a little out of sorts. However, Connie's is pretty horrible. This isn't just mediocre Mexican food, this is truly is Costco tacitos in a microwave. I had the flautas with rice and beans and it was the worst I've ever had. The rice was mushy, the refried beans were runny and the flautas were tough and obviously premade. I have a feeling that most everything had been microwaved. Most of the other reviews complained about the slow service, but I didn't have this problem--mine came in about 10 minutes, but I was the ONLY person in the joint at 7p on a Tuesday evening. It should be noted that every other restaurant on Grand was packed.... the word is out on the street that this place is to be avoided. I left $15 lighter and wishing I could have my hunger back.
(1)
Molly G.

Holy Mole! And I really mean that! My super veggie came smothered in delicious sauces, including an amazing mole! The food was great! I think that the place could have used a little sprucing up, and perhaps more help (It was only Connie and one other person, with 9 tables there when I left). I'll be back to drink some beers on the patio!
(4)
Avalon B.

This place was alright. My father and I went today on a whim because I had been craving mexican food (this happens very often, admittedly). We went around 3 pm and it was completely empty. There were a couple tables that hadn't been cleared yet (they remained uncleared throughout our entire visit) and it seemed there was only one person present. The service was slow and Connie (I think this is her, she was the only person there and I think she was cook AND server, hence slow service) seemed a little off. I was skeptical. She brought out my horchata and I was surprised at how amazing it was. I always order this drink, and in all of the restaurants I'd been to, they've never made it by hand. Just a tub of rice milk cinnamon mix or something. Needless to say, her version was amazing. I recommend that if you go. My chimichanga was super hot and fresh. It was very tasty, though a bit overpriced. It was also big enough to take about a third home, easily. All in all, the atmosphere of the place is nice, she's a decent chef (and an extraordinary horchata maker!) and, though a little bit odd, a decent server.
(3)
Brooklyn A.

decent mexican food! had the Connie burrito and it was large enough to feed a family! nice spot the wait is a little long but it's completely worth it for a delicious burrito! I will be returning sometime in the near future or whenever I digest the burrito I had a few days ago. :)
(4)
Jenn W.

I really wanted to like this place because it's obviously a small operation, but the food made it kind of hard. We ordered a veggie torta and a beef flauta plate for dine-in and ended up disappointed. The first bites were good, but as our meal progressed, the flavor became noticeably over-salted and over-spiced. Overall I would rate the food "acceptable" if it were from a food-truck, but bad for a restaurant on Grand Ave.
(2)
Renee N.

The back patio is worth four stars alone. Ordered a super chicken burrito, which came out slathered in sauce reminiscent of the cinnamon flavored one they use at Otaez (not my favorite place, but some people lose their heads over that special ingredient). Also had a root beer, which tasted much better sitting out in the summ...er...spring...er...late winter sunshine. I can see how some people might be put off by this place, but our experience today was lovely. Service is totally slow and inefficient, but so were we. On such a warm, gorgeous afternoon who wants to rush through a tasty burrito and cold soda? Not this girl. Connie (I'm assuming it was Connie...) was super nice to us the whole time and exhibited zero attitude--but then, we're awesome. If you suck, it might be a different story. Also, if you're in a rush, this is probably not your best bet, and ditto if you have trouble working coupons. But if you're looking for a place to eat a huge burrito out on a sun dappled patio with brightly colored chairs and fiesta murals galore, look no further--Connie's is the spot!
(4)
Heather B.

So, after a few initial trips to Connie's that were a bit scary due to Connie's demeanor and the price of her food, I've actually come to really love her place. It's true, she wears her emotions on her sleeve and it seems that she's most often feeling frustrated. Because I work and live close by, I wanted to like this place so went back in a third time with my mind made up that she's pissed because business has been crazy slow on Grand Avenue. I dropped a line about this and BAM... smile, chattiness, warmth. The woman just needs to be understood!! I now think of her as the Burrito Nazi. Her food IS good (please remember that it's COLUMBIAN, not Mexican and we mustn't compare) albeit overpriced (undoubtedly because she's struggling to stay in business in this depression) so you gotta play her game when you go in there. **************************************************Â********************* Here are Heather's Helpful Hints for dealing with the Burrito Nazi: Use her name. Know that her portions are rather gigantic, so keep this in mind when ordering and when you look at prices. For to go: know that you order at the counter and, if you need time to decide, let her know. You then have about a minute to figure it out. For dine-in: sit down and pick up a menu, which is provided at each table (if she has to tell you, "There are menus at every table," well then you're sunk. Wait PATIENTLY while she makes your food, remembering that she is making it for you from scratch all by her lonesome. If you need something, see if you can ask her when she's passing by your table to help another customer or (gasp, I know!) get up and ask her at the counter. Know that she likes to chat. Give it a try. You'll be surprised at how quickly her guard comes down. Remember: BURRITO NAZI. **************************************************Â************************ There you have it, folks. High maintenence? Oh yes. But satisfying and endlessly amusing in the meantime.
(4)
Brandon M.

Thank you Connie for being in Oakland! Sadly we are desparate for a good Mexican food sit down restaurant that serves authentic mexican food (not fluffy dona tomas...which is good, just not real mexican). I had guacamole to start, the chicken soup (OMG!!) and the chicken mole. The Guacamole was ok...I have had better. However the Chicken Soup was so good I have been thinking about it all week. It had the perfect amount of of spice and chicken. I would go back just for that. The mole was different (in a good way). Most restaurants will lean more on the chocolate and Connie puts more spice on your palate. Every bite was amazing and I loved the experience. Oh and the beans...I don't know what she puts in them but they are fantastic! I go up and down Grand all the time and I had no idea this restaurant was there. Parking is always interesting on the street so plan a little extra time for that. Connie was our server and the cook. Talk about hands on! I did go on a slow night so I didn't have any service issues. The only issue I have is they don't have a full bar so the Margaritas are the premade situation. Luckily for me I love mexican beer so it wasn't that big of a deal. I will be coming back to this hidden gem on Grand very soon.
(5)
Lady O.

Just had the MOST amazing dinner at Connie's Cantina. walked in a few minutes before 6pm ( no crowd) we actually had the place to ourselves on a Friday night. until 6:30pm hit all the diners started coming in a lots of Takeout orders. My roommate and I met Connie herself, she took our order and cooked our dinner. :) Sweet woman, and SO humble. I asked what she recommended and she said everything on the menu was made to orders from scratch. THIS I HAD TO TEST, for myself. AMAZING!!!! It was SO delicious THE BEST Ive had in the Bay. SERIOUSLY! I had the Green Chicken Enchiladas with rice and beans. $12.99 my friend had the Chicken Flautas. both around $9.99 (prices are approximate) Very hearty portions we ate all of it! I will definitely be back and tell everyone about my enjoyable experience. Connie and her staff were VERY VERY nice. The first Colombian I know that opens a Mexican restaurant in the bay. EXCELLENT JOB! Metered parking until 6pm and This place also has a patio, perfect for Summertime.
(5)
Darrell S.

Maybe I've been one of the lucky few, but I've never had problems with a long wait. Then again, I'm never there when there's a crowd. The food is good. I've returned a few times, though not exactly for the food alone. But for the combination of the food, Sangria and the patio. Plus we arrived 10-15 minutes before closing once, not knowing the closing time, and would've taken a to-go plate upon finding out what time they closed, but Connie's was perfectly ok with us dining in. The food arrived shortly after closing time, and they seemed in no rush to send us away. Of course we didn't try to take advantage of that and hang out all night, but alot of owners wouldn't have done that.
(4)
Joseph A.

I came by here because I was in the mood for some Mexican food. I found a coupon in my Entertainment coupon book so I decided to give this place a try. I walked in and there was not a single customer in the place. The waitress said, sit anywhere, and I choose a table in the corner. She came over and said just one tonight...I looked around thinking "no one else is with me." She proceeded to tell me that I could not use my "buy one entre get one free coupon" if I was dining by myself. Mind you I have been using these coupons for 30 years and NEVER had anyone say that. I told her that and also that she could have the company print that on the coupon. She said, "It should be common sense!" I almost lost it...but instead I went across the street and enjoyed a wonderful meal at Miss Saigon.
(1)
J. S.

Connie I have no idea why people rail on you. Your Super Veggie Burrito was so damn awesome. I had that for lunch and well I didn't need to eat dinner or ever think about eating dinner. Also, your the salsa (with the chips) added a perfect amount of that oh so sweet burning sensation to my mouth. Thank goodness I had that liter of cold water. One thing you should consider is that your beer prices seem a bit high for a cantina but I can overlook that for the quality of your food. Buen Provecho!
(5)
Stephanie E.

I was expecting to be unimpressed with Connie's based on some other yelp reviews, but alas, a craving for Mexican and being too lazy to get in the car to go somewhere, we settled for a quick walk to Connie's. I was totally blown away by the deliciosity of the food-- homemade enchiladas with 3 different sauces, a sweet little pile of guac, & sourcream, and authentic rice & beans. Yes, it takes a bit longer than your average burritto joint where everything is already pre-cooked, withering on steam tables--but really not so much. I greatly admire Connie for her dedication to serving homemade, authentic Mexican fare, clearly made with love, and her independence to run the show her way. We can't wait to go back. Thanks Connie!
(5)
Lisa L.

Steph told me Connie was a little off her rocker, but I think this experience topped Steph's forewarning. In short, we waited 45 minutes for nothing. We had a little over an hour to catch dinner before our movie at the Grand Theater, only to have our stomachs eat away at itself because food was no where to be found. Do not come here if you are in a hurry, hungry, or impatient. It calls for a bad experience, guaranteed. After we got the food to go, the food itself was not bad - hence the 2 star review. Won't be coming back anytime soon.
(2)
Lisa T.

I remember having some very bland, overpriced gringo food here. Not recommended.
(2)
Pat W.

Tough call on Connie's - consider this 2.5 stars. The food was pretty good and the servings were big, but aye caramba! The service was sooo slooooow. The family and me had 45 minutes before our movie at The Grand Lake. We went to Connie's for what we assumed would be a straightforward, quick bite. We didn't order much since it was mainly for the kids, but 35 minutes later, the only thing that made it to our table were weak margaritas. We ended up canceling part of our order and the rest to-go so we didn't miss the first part of our show. Yikes! I Connie and the gang were trying, so I don't want to be completely negative, but gosh, they need more help or a new system.
(2)
maya m.

I really don't understand the bad reviews. I love burritos, they are my favorite food in the world. I adore El Farolito and the taco truck on my street, and I know a good burrito. Pillowy tortilla, luscious beans, the right amount of fillings.....Connie's was delicious! It is old school, not like a taqueria, but like what you would expect of a place called Connie's Cantina. My super veggie burrito was covered in 3 different sauces, a red one, a green one, and one that looked like mole. All were delicious and I could taste the fresh spices-I tasted fresh cinnamon (like from a cinnamon stick) and drizzled sour cream with a few thin crispy tortilla strips on top. Yum! And Connie is so sweet-she truly loves loves making her food! She has been here for 14 years and she knows this is her passion. Let's not let her restaurant turn into a remnant of old Oakland, before gentrification replaced historic Oakland businesses with the new, the trendy, and the ones that might not love Oakland as much as the people who have lived their entire lives here.
(5)
Geraldine C.

I was referred to Connie's by one of my best frends. Just like any other yelp reviews there are pros and cons to this place. Here is my take: *the food: tons of flavor! if you're into alot of cheese, sour cream, guacamole, sauces, etc... this is the place for you! on top of that, if you eat here, you'll get extremely full! If you're on a budget, sharing a plate with someone works perfect. A+ on that. *yes, it's true the service can sometimes be slow. truth is that since the downturn in the economy they've cut down on staff. there are times when connie works the floor and the kitchen herself. that said... if you're in a rush, its probably not a good idea to eat there. HOWEVER, if you have time on your hands, to have a beer and hang out. YES, visit connie. She's one of the sweetest people on earth and her food is awesome! Definitely worth the wait. Ta-da! There you go..
(4)
SofÃa P.

Connie's Cantina is AMAZING! The food is fresh and made to order with exceptional ingredients, great service and a beautiful atmosphere. Connie, the owner, is friendly, clean and eager to please. My husband and I frequent this restaurant weekly and are never disappointed by the impeccable service and EXCELLENT food! Everything on the menu is delicious and some standouts include, chilaquiles and chorizo con huevos! Her sangria is fabulous as well as her outdoor patio. There is no other restaurant of this high stature in the area so be sure to patronize this business!!!!!!!
(5)
Carlos John D.

Put it this way the only reason why there is no 5th star is the long time it takes for Connie to get your food to you. But!!!! being latin raised I was blown away, maybe it was a good night. None the less will be back again real soon. Combo Mole, Cream, Ranchero sauces like when you were a kid. Flavors authentic, not a ton of cumin or cilantro to cover up what really matters..No heat lamps, pre fired or cooked crap.Just real good damb mexican food. The woman yeah a bit eccentric, cute though , the time a bit longer than most would like, so bite your tongue and relax with a beer or two and find but in the end that it's time to head home for a napp..Gracias Connie,Oh yeah monster portions!!!!!!!!!
(4)
Derek N.

Great FRESH high quality mexican food. Each dish is made by hand and made with LOVE! If you are in a rush and there are more than 3 tables waiting to be served, come back another day. Connie hand makes every dish, so you need to be prepared to have a leisurely meal. Order some beers/margaritas, order some chips and salsa, and enjoy!
(5)
Kathy M.

Literally the best margarita I've ever had in my life. It had a wonderful foam on top, like an egg white foam that you get on a pisco sour. It was so good. The food was decent, albeit a bit overzealous with the spices. I loved the rice and beans, the rice wasn't that fake orange color and you could actually see that it had been cooked with peppers and other aromatics. One complaint was that the chips and salsa, while costing 4$ didn't come with homemade chips! They looked like they were straight out of a bag :( I would definitely go back for those margaritas, but would love to see some nice happy hour specials. The back patio is pretty large and I'd consider coming back with a group if I could get that delicious booze on special.
(3)
P K.

We tried this place twice very much wanting a good local taqueria. The first time, our tacos were quite overly sour, the fillings were overly spiced in a bad way, and the rice was hard and stale (perhaps scraped from the bottom of the pan?) The overall experience was further ruined when the owner loudly berated our meek and friendly waitress for getting one drink wrong. Right in front of us. The second time we went for take out, the special didn't come with chips, so I asked for a side of them, and the owner said "You have to order chips and salsa!" in such a rude and hostile way I felt like she thought I was trying to pick pocket her. BTW, chips and salsa are almost 5 dollars, where a side of chips in any Mission district burrito shop will cost about .75 cents. To top it all off, she started scolding the poor guy doing the dishes...right in front of me. And the tacos were no better, in fact they were worse the second time around. Never again, Connie! Not sure how you stay in business with that attitude. I guess her sour disposition makes all her food sour too!
(1)
Brenda H.

Great, fresh tasting food. The chile verde is perfectly spiced and lacks the huge chunks of fat you often run across at other restaurants. Each dish is made with care so if you are looking for "fast food" this is probably not your place. If you want awesome homestyle dishes, this will hit the spot.
(4)
Eric S.

Plagerized Review to follow: I'd like to first start and tell those who say that this place has slow service, to remember that good food takes time. This isn't a place with line cooks and ten people working in the kitchen. It's usually just Connie making all the food, so be patient. With that said, the food was delicious. We started with the coffee, which was absolutely unexpected and awesome. It isn't the ordinary black coffee, it was creamy, taste of cinnamon, and maybe a little bit of Mexican chocolate. The coffee was served in a tall mug and froth. It was sooooo good! Then we had Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles with carne asada. The eggs on the huevos rancheros were cooked perfectly, it was not too runny. It came on top of some tortillas, which were a little hard, but that's ok. The chilaquiles with carne asada was sooo good. I usually don't like scrambled eggs, but the eggs in this dish melded perfectly with the carne asada and so fluffy. The rice and beans were great. The rice tasted like it was cooked in chicken stock, which gave it a great flavor. It wasn't bland like most places. The beans were delicious. I don't like beans at all, but these were great. The sauce the beans are in are spiced up with something (not spicy hot) and it goes well with the rice and all the dishes. We sat in the back patio and it was a beautiful morning. It was definitely worth the wait at Connie's. The food is delicious and the service is good too. Connie's really nice and she makes everything, so it's worth to go there and just hang out until the food is ready. We'll definitely be coming back here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today I'm Mexican. I've been going to Connie since about 1999. She made me chicken soup when I was sick. She always has a smile on her face and she treats my friends and family like they are her own. Her food is off the hook because she makes it with lotsa love. Her beans are so freakin' good, I used to go make a special trip just to get a container filled with the luscious legumes. Don't sleep on Connie's breakfasts. They're gooooooood. And don't walk into Connie's in a rush or shame on ya. This food takes time. Sorry Parknut. Connie's is awesome.
(5)
Alison B.

I'm not a rice-and-beans sort of person so my liking for Mexican food is a bit limited; e.g., I have never bought Mexican-style fast or frozen food. But Connie's is a local business I really like and have been to many times. Her food is truly fresh, great quality, and the prices just unbeatable; Connie herself is pleasant and helpful, and probably one of the hardest-working people around. The only reason I haven't given five stars is that at times the service can be slow.
(4)
Kreativess ..

I LOVE this place, so good! Just wish the service was better, they have a counter to order from and if you're pretty much blind like I am you'll get a loud and rude toned "Order here!!" from Connie. It sort of ruins any good feelings you could get about the place. I make sure I take my order to go but of all the times I've been there I never feel like I get it right, she's rude to everyone I bring here also so it's not just me!
(3)
Brenda L.

I love this place. Me and my daughter always go her for lunch when we get are Mani and pedi. We always get the nachos they are delicious. And Connie is my fav waitress. She is very sweet :D
(5)
Lotus S.

2.5 stars??? I am absolutely shocked to see this. I discovered this place a month ago and have been back six times since. The burritos are delicious and overwhelming in a good way. I know I should stop eating at some point but I love stuffing my mouth with their fresh made goodness. The flavors are great from the veggie to carne asada and the enchiladas were off the chain. According to Connie everything is made there and is fresh. Oh and her salsa can make you cry like a baby...bring me another jar (or wine bottle) of water. As for Connie she seems like a sweethear who truly cares about her customers. I will be back for sure and continue to pickup food for my staff from there as well.
(5)
Darren B.

My wife and I stopped in on a Friday evening for dinner, and were delighted by our experience. The whole place is quirky and different. They don't follow the usual cookie-cutter pattern of other restaurants, which I found to be a refreshing change. If you expect this restaurant to be just like all the others, you will likely be disappointed. The food was good. You certainly shouldn't walk away from this place hungry. The meat in all the food was very good. There was probably more cheese than there need to be, but that's how they roll. Their guacamole was great, and quite spicy. In fact, this is by far the spiciest mexican food I've had in the US, where mexican food tends to be bland. The atmosphere was quirky, but real. We were served by the owner herself (Connie), and she too was as authentic as it gets. Again, if you expect this place to be like every other restaurant, you will probably be disappointed. We had a relaxing meal and a couple of cold beers, and everyone walked away smiling.
(4)
May L.

I'd like to first start and tell those who say that this place has slow service, to remember that good food takes time. This isn't a place with line cooks and ten people working in the kitchen. It's usually just Connie making all the food, so be patient. With that said, the food was delicious. We started with the coffee, which was absolutely unexpected and awesome. It isn't the ordinary black coffee, it was creamy, taste of cinnamon, and maybe a little bit of Mexican chocolate. The coffee was served in a tall mug and froth. It was sooooo good! Then we had Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles with carne asada. The eggs on the huevos rancheros were cooked perfectly, it was not too runny. It came on top of some tortillas, which were a little hard, but that's ok. The chilaquiles with carne asada was sooo good. I usually don't like scrambled eggs, but the eggs in this dish melded perfectly with the carne asada and so fluffy. The rice and beans were great. The rice tasted like it was cooked in chicken stock, which gave it a great flavor. It wasn't bland like most places. The beans were delicious. I don't like beans at all, but these were great. The sauce the beans are in are spiced up with something (not spicy hot) and it goes well with the rice and all the dishes. We sat in the back patio and it was a beautiful morning. It was definitely worth the wait at Connie's. The food is delicious and the service is good too. Connie's really nice and she makes everything, so it's worth to go there and just hang out until the food is ready. We'll definitely be coming back here.
(4)
Gunnar H.

Connie's nachos are simply the best, and so is Connie. We love this place and come here as often as we can. This is a no frills, yet friendly and nice sit down and eat place, there's even outside seating in the back.
(5)
Blaze F.

I have been here a few times & I am always really happy with what I get. Last night, my friend Jess & I finally got here at 9:45 & we were very graciously served, despite that it had to have been almost closing time. Our food arrived, freshly prepared, in a short time. I got chicken enchiladas & they were great! (It was a good sized serving--2 meals for me.) It was nicely presented on the plate & absolutely tasty. Jess got a quesadilla, also 2 meals, that made her very happy. She also ordered a coffee, which came with steamed milk & was done Mexican-style, not your average cup of joe. The last cold wintery day I ate here, I got a huge bowl of soup that was very yummy. I'm surprised that Connie's isn't rated higher. It has always done right by me!
(5)
Kadi S.

The food and service was awesome. I had a burrito and it had three delicious sauces on it. It may take a little longer than other restaurants to be served but all good things take time!
(5)
Alisha B.

I came here again after craving it for weeks...I guess that is the sign of a good place. I was starving and hadn't eaten anything all day except for a handful of pretzels. This may have been why I got-off-my-tits-piss-drunk after drinking 4 glasses of the incredibly drinkable sangria. In my last review I noted that it was so strong it was almost like it was made with gasoline, but now I think that harsh flavor may have been due to the fact that we had cocktails at camino before hand (which are really fantastic, and really expensive). I had enchiladas. They were killer! They had three sauces! One of them was a cinnamony mole! It was seriously, seriously good. It was a big plate. I ate the whole thing. God it was so good that I want it again. Like right now. And it's 10 in the morning. I am really glad I went back.
(5)
Terry M.

I can't comment on the food, since we left after 45 minutes of waiting for it. The wait staff was very courteous, but the chef &/or manager seemed overwhelmed. My husband wanted to pay for the drink my daughter ordered & to tell her not to cook our orders. She didn't say sorry we're slammed tonight or something along those lines, she said "I can only cook the orders as they come in." This she replied after a couple seated before us left without being served either. The chef then wanted to charge my husband $5 for the chips & salsa. Instead, she said, "Never mind. Just go." Maybe she was having a bad night - nevertheless we will not go back.
(1)
Meuy S.

So after getting our pre-wedding manicures and pedicures at the Lounge Nail Spa, all of us were in search of a place to eat. We crossed the street to Connie's Cantina because I remembered the one time I was there before, the sangria was delish! When we get in we headed straight back to the patio area since there wasn't enough room for all 8 of us, not including baby B, to fit comfortably. The service started off ok, we were seated, got our menus and then it just stopped. I understand that they were probably short staffed, but we were waiting to order for a good 20mins. We all finally ordered, we had to wait for someone to come back to ask for water and to turn on the heating lamp. By the time the food came, my quesadilla was crazy good fyi, I was pretty buzzed off the sangria.
(3)
Loli L.

It looks nice and festive, but when you find that your bill comes to over $50 and you just ordered 2 entrees and drinks, it makes you start to wonder if you made the right choice. We didn't even order anything fancy. I wouldn't have minded if the food was phenomenal and/or there was so much of it that I had enough to take home for lunch the next day. But sadly, neither or those scenarios was the case. I'm a big fan of supporting local businesses, but when it comes to food, especially around these times, I feel like it's got to taste like you're getting your money's worth.
(1)
Mary C.

Some of the best Mexican food I've ever eaten....I drove an hour to meet a friend there, and it didn't disappoint. I ordered Chili Verde. Never had better. Highly recommend. It's a quaint restaurant, nothing fancy. Very relaxed. The owner, Connie, is charming.
(5)
Trish B.

Small portions but it was a nice intimate dining experience sitting in the back patio as their were no other guests around.
(3)
Anne Marie M.

It's a bit greasy (taco salad) and it takes a bit for Connie to fire up the grill and cook it all up, but she does a good job. I like Connie's Cantina because it's small and you know Connie her self is doing all the cooking. The restaurant could use a little upkeep but it's an ok.ay space. The back patio is nice if the weather is OK. It's nice because it's close to me and it's nice to know who is cooking. The carne asada plate is good as well as the burritos!
(3)
Max T.

Excellent food, small joint, service is OK, but you don't go there for the service. Friendly staff otherwise.
(4)
Jennifer L.

I should have known that this place wasn't going to be good...empty at 12:00 on a Tuesday. My five-year-old and I split a taco plate with rice and beans. It took 20 minutes and seemed like the tortillas were from Safeway, stale and microwaved. The beans were runny and overly cheesed. And the bill came to $15 for one entree, a soda and a small (and I mean small) milk. Way too expensive for the quantity and quality. So disappointing as it's a great location and the patio is lovely.
(1)
JoAnne S.

I have been going to Connie's since it opened up. I love her soups and her newest specialty - Mexican Pizza - is great. For a real treat - ask her what you should have - she will prepare you something incredible. Connie has always been welcoming, friendly and wonderful to me and everyone I have ever introduced. She is the owner/chef so please take the crowd into consideration when ordering - if you are in a hurry she will accommodate you. Just let her know. The food is fresh, unique and always great. I also recommend renting the facility for parties - if you don't like the music bring your own. The outside patio is great in hot weather. I like to support independent owners, expecially if the food is as great as Connie's and particularly during these difficult times. HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER HOME MADE HOT SAUCE - BEWARE IT IS HOT, HOT, HOT!
(5)
Kristin P.

The best chimichangas around!
(4)
Kiki G.

Though I'm not Mexican, I was raised in a family full of 'em. Long story.....my point is that I've had my share of homemade, delicious, authentic Mexican food. My grandmother made the best tortillas and carnitas ever. Period. Ok, now that you are clear about my frame of reference, here goes.... The food here is just ok. If I didn't live within walking distance, I wouldn't come here. I really wish this wasn't the case, as Connie is super nice and has always treated me like gold.
(2)
Sharie M.

After yelping this place and seeing the low star average...I HAVE to write a review! First of all, she makes the food ON HER OWN from scratch! This isn't your typical Mexican Restaurant with a ton of cooks and waiters. She takes your order, makes it herself, and then serves it to you. I dont think a lot of the below reviews get that and are basically looking for the type of service (and food) that comes from a big chain restaurant. Connie is super sweet and the food is FABULOUS. I am from San Diego and tend to be a bit of a Mexican Food Nazi. This place is better than a lot of places even close to the border! I love that all the food is so fresh and super spicey. I always order her chile rellano - the best i have ever had! Yes, sometimes the food comes slowly, but who cares...why does EVERYthing have to be "now now now"? Enjoy a beer...enjoy the company you're with...because honestly the food is worth the wait! I also love the Mexican Hot Chocolate too. Super rich and yummy. You know some other people love this place from all the postcards she has plastered on the register wall from ALL over the world! I love to sit at my table and read them. My only complaint? Whenever I go to most other Mexican Restaurants now...their food tastes bland...I need the spice of Connie's!!!
(5)
Pia S.

I wandered into Connie's recently in the early evening because I saw Sangria on their sign outside. We sat in the back patio, which was super cute and secluded feeling (maybe because we were the only people out there). We ordered Sangria and it was...horrible. Sickly sweet and syrup-y, with an overwhelming flavor of cheap brandy. We ordered the chips and salsa, which were fine (actually the salsa was great -- really spicy) and a taco salad. It turned out to be a burned tortilla "bowl" that was black around the edges and filled with rice and beans. On top was a handful of salad mix from the grocery store and it was doused with what tasted like bottled raspberry vinaigrette. I would not recommend Connie's Cantina because the food was not well prepared and didn't taste good (except the salsa) and there are so many great Mexican places around.
(2)
Richard D.

OK... so it's not the Ritz, but it's like home. Connie is great and she makes you feel very welcome. We come here almost every week. Order from the menu when you are feeling uninspired, otherwise ask her what's special that day and chances are good that you will get something wonderful. Taco Bell it ain't. Connie is Columbian. This is not a typical Mexican restaurant, so comparing the preparations to other places is slightly misguided. The food should stand on it's own, not in comparison to commonly held beliefs about types of ethnic food (which is usually an Americanized take on it anyway...). The ingredients are fresh and we've never had a dish that was not well-prepared. Go there, kick back and enjoy the kitsch.
(4)
Dj S.

UPDATE 2010! The mob has spoken! 2.5 stars is what it deserves. I can't believe she's still in business after all these years.It must be the clients next door at "Weight Watchers" relapsing that keep her afloat,because my dog would have a hard time digesting her food. Ok. My first experience @ Connie's was my last. I happen to eat there when It first opened. I was born & raised in the Grand Lake area and was kind of excited to have a new mexican joint a few blocks away from the crib. From what I remember and mind you this was probably over 8 years ago. She MICROWAVES THE BURRITOS!! Automatic 1 star. Not to mention the food had no taste what so ever. Anyone who is giving this place good reviews obviously doesn't know what good Mexican food is. In fact you will get better tasting Mexican @ the taco truck on 1st AVE . Bottom line. There's so much good Mexican food in Oakland Connie's rank's last.
(1)
Matthew S.

Sorry, but Connie's Cantina is not good.
(2)
Andrea T.

I will start out by saying, I really like Connie, and from the moment I met her, I was just rooting for her business to do well. She just has one of those personalities. That being said, Connie's food is delish, at what I consider to be average prices. However, this restaurant is on my list of Cheap Thrills for the Chimichanga. (I know, chimichangas aren't exactly authentic Mexican food from the homeland, but what isn't made better by throwing it in the deep fryer??) Connie's Chimichangas are a big burrito with all the fixings, with a nice surprise of cinnammon flavor, deep fried and topped with sour cream, guacamole and lettuce. One Chimichanga is so big that it takes me 2 meals to eat it, and that works out to $5 a meal. Which is a rad deal for something so tasty! Connie is usually here, doing most of the cooking and serving herself, so it's best to come here when you've got a bit of time, just in case things are busy. Take a sunny spot on the back patio... it's my favorite place on Grand Ave to get stuff done during the day.
(5)
Suzanne F.

Admittedly, one of the things I like about Connie's is the nostalgia. My aunt lives in Oakland, and Connie's is one of her favorite places. As such, it's usually where we end up on our way home from the airport. Connie is sweet and wonderful, and we always have great service. OK, maybe it's because my aunt is such a regular, but still... Rolled tacos are good. Enchiladas are good. Rice and beans are good. Not fabulous, but fine. Prices seem Bay Area-average to me, but I don't live here, so I could be wrong... I was surprised to see the comments about bad food and bad service...guess I've been lucky. Three stars for food, four for atmosphere/service...
(3)
A. D.

I'm a big fan of Connie's. The Super Veggie is excellent (can't beat that mole), and Connie herself is really nice. Even the quesadillas, a dish that I usually find is pretty standard everywhere, were really good. Go there and eat outside, and then go to the chocolate / gelato place next door for dessert! Yum.
(4)
vlad t.

CONNIE NEEDS A NAP!!!! where to start? went on a monday afternoon, nobody inside and 3 or 4 on the patio and still the service was SLOW! connie was the only employee and she seemed catatonic. after ordering we waited, and waited and finally ordered chips and salsa. $4.75 and NO free refills. any mexican restaurant that charges for chips and salsa should be ashamed of themselves. the chip were good but the "salsa" was just ok and the bowl was less than half full. finally the food came. the veggie burritto was bland and mostly tortilla. the beef taco had maybe an ounce of dry, stringy flavorless meat. the rellano was good but watery and the enchilada was a joke. i ordered chicken but what i got was cheese. i told connie i ordered chicken, not cheese and she actually argued with me, insisting i didn't choose any filling, that i had just said "enchilada." i said no, i ordered chicken and she said "no sir, you didn't specify." why did she assume, then, and not ask me when i ordered? i couldn't believe she was arguing with me. i guess at connie's the customer is always wrong. while eating, a guy came in, said hi to connie and she told him that she had fish tacos today. she didn't tell me or another customer who came in before this guy any such thing. there are too many good mexican places around oakland and berkeley to go to this place again. p.s.: connie, it would be helpful if you wrote down orders instead of trying to do them from memory.
(1)
Zulu Q.

Sigh, what a disappointment. I walked in and absolutely fell in love with the cheesy decor. All the mirrored walls and lame and tacky ceiling droppings made me feel like this was my kind of place. Sigh, not so. I really am spoiled. I really need to pity those less fortunate than me. I used to live three doors down from a Mexican family that made tamales for Christmas. My friends' parents (plural, I know three of the five kids) own Anita's in Livermore. I used to live around the corner from Juan's Place in West Berkeley. (AND IF YOU HAVEN'T EATEN AT ANITA'S or JUAN'S YET, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS STOPPING YOU?!!) I feel sorry for those not as lucky as me; they probably don't know good Mexican food (unless they're Mexican of course). Now, I am not going to hate on this place for the wine margaritas. I actually like wine margaritas. Have you had Juan's margaritas? No? Well, until you do, just take my word for it. However, these were so suboptimal. Then I tried the sangria; I wanted to like it because it looked so cute with the fruit in it. Sigh. It tasted like soda. So, since when is it ok for Mexican restaurants to have the audacity to charge for chips and salsa? And since when is it ok for Mexican restaurants to put glorified Uncle Ben's rice in their dishes? And why is this place so f'ing expensive? I mean, Mexican food is notoriously cheap because it is made form notoriously inexpensive ingredients. I actually scraped every morsel off my plate because I wanted to make sure that I consumed everything that I paid a pretty penny for. I really wanted to like this place. =( Oh well, Fruitvale's not too far away!
(2)
Jessi I.

Connie is very friendly, the atmosphere is cute with very colorful and festive decorations. I haven't tried eating outside yet, but that seems like a nice option. The food is really great, especially if you can starve yourself for the day and go to Connie's for dinner to order the SUPER Burrito. I don't think I've seen a bigger burrito in my life! My boyfriend decided to finish it, and I don't think he ate for the next few days. I ate a carne asada plate and enjoyed the spices and fresh ingredients. I would agree that the service is slow, which definitely hinders the overall experience. But if you have a lot of time to chill out and sit around while the two people working (usually Connie is one of the two) make your food, then I recommend trying this place out.
(3)
Pamela D.

One day, I decided that I was tired of eating at Los Cantaros, the Mexican restaurant down the street. So I decided to go down to the other end of the street and eat at Connie's Cantina. It's a 15 minute walk as opposed to an easy 5 minute walk to Los Cantaros. Los Cantaros 1, Connie's 0. I had to wait 20 minutes for my burrito, while sitting on a scary back porch teeming with insects that Connie calls a "patio." Los Cantaros 2, Connie's 0. I couldn't finish all my food, it was so bad. And then I walked the 15 minutes back to my house and I puked. Los Cantaros 3, Connie's -1000. Don't eat here, okay?
(1)
Jason S.

This is the first Yelp review I have ever written, but after being a regular Yelp user I thought it was important to give back to the community and tell everyone to never go here! Just to be clear, this is unquestionably the worst Mexican Restaurant I've ever eaten at... and I've been to Wyoming. We were told to seat ourselves, after which we waited somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes to even be greeted, empty handed, expecting an order. I mean sometimes you are busy, I get that, there was that one other table finishing their meal on the patio, and a "to go" oder waiting inside... but at least bring me a glass of water if you are going to keep me waiting for 10 minutes. The woman helping us seemed nice enough, but that was the last time she set foot on the patio until she brought back my credit card and receipt for our undeservedly large bill ($4.50 for chips and salsa? no thank you). When we originally ordered, my girlfriend ordered a Pacifco. Now admittedly I only made it to Spanish 3 in High School and only occasionally converse with my mother in the language, but I am pretty sure two X's and the Spanish word for "2" don't translate to "Pacifico". I actually had to get up (not to correct the order mind you) just to order a second beer. I also had to get up for napkins... salt... salsa (which sucked by the way), and was debating getting up to ask for the bill when the busser came to clear our plates and saw my card was out. I am actually not sure how that place would have survived without the busser and the only reason I left a tip (and I always leave a tip -- 20% standard, they got 10) was because he occasionally brought us things after we got up to ask for them. My veggie burrito was bland, as were the chips, as was the salsa. My girlfriend thought her tacos were pretty decent, but I didn't try them since I already handled all the disappointment I could in one day without breaking into tears or maniacal laughter. The salsa claimed to be "fresh" pico de gallo, but it looked about two days old and had absolutely no flavor. If you like service or Mexican food -- or even just food or Mexico -- then you probably don't want to eat here (unless you are a sadist or hate America). Try Juan's Place, or Los Cantaros, or even Picante and give this one a pass.
(1)
Amani Ellen L.

We had a birthday party here last night. The service was slow like molasses, partly because the two helper women didn't show to work (??), and it was all Connie to help us. It worked out fine, as long as the pitchers of margaritas were flowing (foamy? but flowing). Food sat like a stone in my guts, but it tasted good. I'd go again for a party, would stick to nachos and margaritas.
(3)
Britta A.

I've been on a desperate search for a good Downtown Oakland/ Lake Merritt Mexican joint for quite some time now. Finding Connie's was very exciting... since it could have been "the one." The place was sad and lonely when we walked in, there were no other diners in the joint. Perhaps I should have taken that as a sign. I was surprised to find out there was patio seating, which I walked straight to. The outside area was nice enough, the seats were quite dirty and shabby though. We ordered, and were quickly disappointed when the family who came in after us, received their food first. Perhaps it was easier to make. After another 10 minutes of waiting our food arrived. I had some nachos which were bubbling with dripping cheese. Looking at it melted away my prior disappointment. Even better, they got my order right (I'm picky and my orders are often, "no this, extra that."). Things were tasting great, and I could have really used a soda to wash it all down with, but our waitress disappeared and never came back to check on us. So much for that. About 1/2-way through the meal, all the grease of the meat that was hidden under a pile of ooey gooey cheese finally got to me, and I could eat no more. In short the place was kinda dirty (on the outside), service was slow if not nonexistent, and the food was oily. My search still continues.
(1)
Lincoln F.

We go to Connie's for a special night out! The food is soo good. Just remember that it's not mexican, so it may be a little different from what you were expecting. But in a good way!! The combo plates are the best. Tacos, flautas, rillenos, enchiladas... The guacamole is so fresh and the margaritas are excelent! When the nights are warm, sit out on the back patio. Once you've been in a few times, Connie will remember you and what you like. The walls are papered with post cards from her adorring regulars. And some signed photos from celebrities...Helen Hunt?!!
(5)
Sarah C.

Good flavors but poor meat quality. Not worth the money.
(3)
Mel H.

I know a bunch of people who love this place. We went to lunch here once and the food was pretty good, but after waiting an hour to get lunch on a weekday when we were the only customers in the place, I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. I understand it was understaffed, but it was still frustrating to come in at lunch and then not be able to enjoy the meal because my brain had already started eating itself by the time the food arrived. I also have to say I'm not too surprised at the rating details increasing toward 1 star. Hope things get better and they can figure out logistics.
(2)
Tamera G.

Just seems to be lacking life - food wasn't awful, but nothing really made me want to go back.
(1)
Chris C.

I really, really wanted to like this place. Connie, the owner, is super-friendly, and it's very convenient to our new apartment. However, the service is slooooooowwwwww. It took us 25 minutes last night to get a couple takeaway burritos in a nearly empty restaurant. And the burritos weren't even very good. They're way too mushy and over-sauced and crammed with too many refried beans. I got a grilled chicken burrito, and the meat tasted like it was drowning in that old el paso taco seasoning that comes in a pouch. And even though it costs extra to make the burrito "super", there was hardly any guac or sour cream in mine. Probably won't be back, and now that we don't live near my favorite (La Calaca Loca) anymore, the search for a new burrito joint continues.
(2)
Adrian H.

My Lunch Order 1. Burrito (1) 2. Chimichanga (1) 3. Horchata (1) 4. Hot Tea (1) (no alcohol mind you!) My Bill (before tip) $36.56!!!!!!!!! I felt like I got about $17 worth of food, and on top of it the food was the definition of average. Plus we were the ONLY ones in there at about 2pm on a Saturday and we had to go to the counter to pay our bill...it was taking forever for her to bring our check. I'm never going back here again!
(1)
Gayane B.

So let me start of by addressing all of these previous reviews, because, alot of them have not only misjudged the restaurant, and the food, but Connie herself. 1) The place is a very cute restaurant, specifically done in 'cantina' style, with a nice patio in the back for the occasional warm day/night. 2) All of the food is prepared by Connie, and she only starts making it after you order it. I have never seen a microwave in that place, but I have been going only for the last 6 months, so maybe she had one before. 3) The food is spicy. Even her version of mild may be too hot for those with no tolerance for spice whatsoever. I personally love hot food, and actually ask her to make it extra spicy. 4)The food takes a while to make (30-40 minutes), because she does work there by herself. She does occasionally have a worker with her on busy days, but its usually just her. The food is VERY worth the wait btw. 5) She has NEVER been rude or mean in any way. She has a very calm and mild manner about her, and this might make people think she's tired, or doesnt like them, but its not the case at all. She has a great sense of humor, and truly loves it when people enjoy her food. 6) The food is not MEXICAN. It is similar, but it is in fact COLUMBIAN. So for those who were confused about the taste, maybe you should visit taco trucks instead. And finally all I can is say is I love this place so much that I drive from San Francisco to Oakland just to eat here... and if I tell my friends Im going, we usually wind up with a packed car... because they all love her too.
(5)
Vandana M.

Their vegetarian burrito was not tasty. It was really bland and the vegetables in it were overcooked in some flavorless red broth. There was no cheese. What is life without cheese? Bleh.
(2)
Michael M.

Food was a disappointment. I don't think we will be returning.
(2)
Vanessa O.

Connie is a sweetie. Always has been, very helpful, loving and kind. The decor is cheesy but fun. I go ever blue moon,not really for the food but for the cheesy cuteness of it all. I used to work near it and it was quicker than the other places for lunch. If I want slammin' really authentic Mexican food I go down to International. Connie does her own thing, the prices are WAY too high for what you get. But you have to give it to her for following her dream and doing it. The food could use some zip and vigor, but hey- I like the cheesy decorations and seeing the postcards. I would say this is her interpretation of her cuisine she is creating in regards to Mexican.I am Latina ( not Mexican though), and I can say it does not taste like any authentic Mexican food at all, but again I think it is her interpretation. I've had better, but I come to see the decorations, hear the cheesy music and read the postcards. It's fun. I always order in Spanish and my orders have always been correct, although not the tastiest. They have been friendly to me and the orders have been correct. I might just give her another chance. We all need them...
(1)
Julia A.

Connie's da bomb! Carnitas like grandma made it--sloooooow cooked with spices and from pork that tastes like it died happy! Service is very personalized, usually just Connie making it all happen so behave like you are at your auntie's house.
(5)
Joy B.

I'm a new "member" to yelp, but I've been an avid Yelp user for many years now, so when I came across to start reviewing I knew I had to start off w/ Connie's due to the negative reviews she's gotten on here. I was shocked to read that the most recent reviews have been bad, b/c I love Connie and her restaurant. Her take on traditional Mexican food is definitely not what everyone seems to be used to. I, however truly appreciate it all! She's solo in the kitchen so I don't ever mind the wait. I've tried almost everything off of her menu! The flan is deLISH! The plates and burritos are YUMMY! The nachos and tortilla soup are DAMN GOOD! My ultimate favorite is the carne asada plate! It's got tons of flavor, is filling and sometimes I have enough left over for lunch the next day... that's if I don't devour it all! :oP There is definitely nothing bland about Connie's food and I appreciate the time she puts into making each meal! The restaurant is kid friendly, which is an added plus!
(4)
Devon S.

Connie herself is a hoot. She's really nice and friendly, and wears the same amount of makeup as my 9th grade Spanish teacher, Miss Danielli. That said, I find it a complete abomination of the word "margarita" by using WINE instead of TEQUILA. I understand that hard liquor licenses are hard to come by, but this is ridiculous. No margarita should taste like that. Ever. Ever. Ever. Isn't there a way to use lime-infused soju or something as a substitute? Hm...Korean margaritas in a Mexican restaurant...maybe not. Food was ok, a little on the greasy side, but so it goes with average Mexican food. If you're gonna drink, stick with one of the beers. Lessons learned.
(2)
Andie J.

I love Mexican food. When I was a little girl, I would polish off 3 huge tacos at a sitting, no problem. But this is the story of a Mexican place I want to love, but can't. And here's why: Connie's food is strange Mexican food. It's tasty in many ways but weird too. I think it has to do with her beans. They are tasty (almost too tasty, overpowered in spices, one could say) but runny. And this is a bummer if you are getting something like a burrito. But on something like nachos, which I ordered last night, it can be delicious and work well enough. I have a feeling that her meat dishes are good, but don't know anyone who has actually tried them, so I can't address that, so veggie review it is. Connie herself is very sweet, although I stopped going there for a while after I moved farther away from the restaurant and when I came back she gave me one of those looks like a hurt old friend. That sucked. And then last night I ordered 2 things (nachos for me and a burrito for a friend) and I was *very* specific and clear that I did not want sour cream on the nachos and yet, low and behold, there it was glopped all over the dish when I got it home. Dammit!! And at the time I ordered, I was the only one in the restaurant, so it wasn't like she was overwhelmed with other orders. So what gives, Connie? On the plus side, she does have a cute patio on the back, which is nice though basically completely shaded which is good or bad depending on what ya like. It can be a nice place to have some cerveza and nachos on a sunny day, despite it all...
(2)
S I.

The food here is very inconsistent. The first several times I had the Chicken Chimichanga, it was excellent, loved it! That was years ago however. Now, some of the dishes taste burnt . The restaurant was freezing cold last time I went in there. Service has been inconsistent also. When there is service, it's slow. Maybe they're just having a hard time keeping good staff?
(1)
Nikki M.

Wow, this place has horrible food. This is also probably the worst Mexican food ever. My mother and grandmother's first time in Oakland to come visit me and this is the first place we go to eat. After their plane landed and settled into my place, we decided to pick a place to eat within walking distance. I told them the selections that's near by...thai, vietnamese, chinese, italian or mexican. My mom spots the Cantina with it's cute yet flamboyant decorations and suggests we go there. I have warned her that I've heard/read bad things but she goes, "whatever, I'm hungry". We all order the same thing, some large taco plate and it was something like $6 just for TWO tacos...if you want it with rice and beans, it's an extra $2 or something like that. My mom orders hers with the rice and beans and decide to just share that. We asked for carne asada tacos and instead get this.............mush of random meat. Also, it was slathered with so much red/hot sauce that I couldn't even taste a thing! I think the only thing I ate were the toppings of guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and lettuce. I mean, how can you mess up a taco? My grandmother, who's FROM Mexico, tells "Connie" that we wanted carne asada tacos. She goes on to tell that that IS carne asada. They start bickering back and forth in Spanish so I have no idea what went down but "Connie" walked away kinda pissed/embarrassed. We got some sort of discount and serious indigestion. Thanks Connie Cantina!
(1)
Enrique N.

My fiance and I were really hungry when we came in and the 30 minute wait for food felt like forever. The long wait hurt our overall experience. I ordered the chile verde and it was good. It had a bit of a red sauce mixed in with it though, which confused me but I was super hungry and I didn't care. My girl ordered a chorizo burrito and it was more like a big burrito filled with hot dog. It wasn't the chorizo that one would normally expect when ordering, say, chorizo con heuvos from a typical Mexican restaurant. But Connie's isn't a typical mexican restaurant to I guess one needs to expect the unexpected. We enjoyed the dining room itself and the patio would be awesome on a sunny day. Overall, Connie's is friendly but don't come here if you are starving.
(2)
Sandra P.

First off, this place is great for kids. I went there with some friends and their 3 girls under the age of 8 - YIKES! Right away they were given crayons to color on the table cloths. They loved their chicken quesadillas with sides of rice/beans. For the adults... well thank god they had Mexican beer - Negra Modelo makes all Mexican food taste better. I had the chile verde plate and my husband the carnitas. Not that great. They make all of the meat in a some red sauce? So to make my 'chile verde' (green sauce) place they just put green sauce on top the red sauced meat? Odd... Did the same with my husbands carnitas. I thought the rice was overcooked... and the soft beans were alright. Connie is very friendly but the service was slow. It seems like its just her & her assistant. Decor is Mexican schmaltz. (I'm Mexican so I can say that!) I'd go back with the kiddies... maybe with out of towner's who don't know what good Mexican should taste like. Its' a good place to get the local Oakland vibe for visitors, I think. Paid parking lot close by too.
(3)
Krissy A.

Cute, charming little hole in the wall on grand. Really cheap and yummy. I tried the tortata with chile verde and no beans. Sat on the back patio and got a couple bugs on me from the plants, but once I moved it was all good. One minus, she is a bit slow, but food is worth the wait. Great spot on a Saturday afternoon with a magazine.
(4)
Kevin X.

I love Connie's, it's personable and yummy. the food is actually a Colombian take on Mexican food, and I especially love her coffee, creamy and spicy. It's nice to lounge out on the back patio with a beer- yes, you'll have to wait for your order, but if it's sunny, and I have a beer, I don't care about the wait...
(4)
Marlene L.

The food here is very bland, not authentic, and overpriced. The service is not good either, it takes a long time to get your order and it took us about another 15 minutes to get the check. If you want real Mexican food, with faster service there are plenty more good places in the area.
(1)
Von.Von Z.

being new to oakland from san diego, i was really looking forward to trying out connie's cantina. it's a super cute place. i dig the postcards and the decor. i ordered chicken flautas, beans, rice and chips to go. that shit costed 13 bucks, which shocked me at first, but i figured - i need some mexican food, oakland is more expensive than what i'm used to, and what the hell - the place is in the neighborhood. i only live 5 minutes away. i was very disappointed to find when i opened the styrofoam box (another mini-disappointment) that the food was lukewarm...this perplexed me because i know that it was "freshly made" just 10 minutes prior. the flautas looked good. the beans looked aight...but i was thrown by the rice. the rice was bright yellow and looked suspiciously like rice-a-roni. the food smelled ok...so i dug in... the beans - had no flavor and were cool as i already mentioned. i don't have a microwave yet...so i didn't reheat the beans, nor did i eat them. the rice - was NOT authentic at all. it tasted as though it had been cooked in a non-microwave safe plastic container. i could actually taste the plastic...or perhaps it had been cooked in an old pot that was losing its teflon. this was very upsetting. i didn't finish eating the rice..just couldn't get past that polymer taste. now the flautas were scary. the toppings were alright (lettuce, cheese, sour cream - the easy stuff). the flautas tasted undercooked, not even lukewarm but tepid and a bit cold. additionally, the "chicken" was not chicken as we know it. it was some sort of soy/rib meat/canned chicken mash up. the flautas were reminiscent of frozen "taquitos." i ended up throwing away everything but the chips. how can you fuck up a bag of chips, right? i ended up eating the chips with guacamole i bought from the farmer's market. in short...this is the kind of mexican food i would expect from a trailer park mom who is trying to liven up her family dinners. "come on kids, we havin us some tah-kos tunight!" three grades BELOW taco bell.... and a grade below frozen entrees.... this is one of the worst places in oakland for mexican food.
(1)
Juan R.

No. This is not even food.
(1)
mary f.

Assuming that was Connie who served us, sure, she seems like a nice lady, which is the only good thing you can say about this place. This is what we ordered: 1 burrito, 1 nachos, 1 chips and salsa (what kind of restaurant makes you PAY for chips and salsa?!?!), 1 side of guacamole, 1 margarita pitcher, 1 sangria pitcher. This is how it tasted: The burrito fell apart as it was punctured with a fork. It oozed all over the plate. It seemed to be made of the water from the bean can and melted Velveeta. DISGUSTING. The nachos were good, I admit. The drinks were the WORST DRINKS I HAVE EVER TASTED. The sangria was equal parts wine and sugar with some fruit rinds thrown on top. The margaritas tasted like soap and the kind of tequila you find in a large plastic bottle on the bottom shelf under a layer of dust (and not aged in a good way). With Sprite. My friend actually tried mixing the two drinks to make them taste better. And then came the bill. Four people labored over consuming this hideous meal, for a grand total of $68. Before the tip. Yes, that's right folks. $68 for the crappiest meal I've had in years. And I had to walk inside to the counter to pay it.
(1)
A G.

Yeah, a bit pricey. Buuutttttt, the flan is too die for. And the tortilla soup es muy delicioso!! Oh yeah, the horchata is the best I've ever tasted as well. Who knew that the best Mexican food I've ever tasted was prepared by Connie, a Columbian!!! Cute patio too! Although it was too cold to sit outside, I did check it out on the way to the restroom. Edit: Sorry but $5 for a tiny sliver of flan topped with whip cream is such a rip off!
(3)
Sarah D.

I'm not adverse to family-style, less-than-completely authentic Mexican food once in a while, as long as it's hearty and flavorful and reasonable for the price. Connie's is none of these things. I've been here a total of 3 times and every time I've regretted it. The food is bland and ridiculously overpriced for what you get. It does not at all resemble the Northern Mexican food I grew up on. It's like what some suburban housewife would try to cook.
(2)
Paul H.

Very welcoming spot to pickup some great home-cooked Mexican Food. I eat here at least once bi-weekly and have never left unsatisfied. Connie is a great host and is very cordial with the local clientele. The wet burrito and chicken nachos w/ sour cream, mole and other toppings are out of this world !
(4)
alexis w.

Oh no, this ain't it! I wanted to like this place since a friend of mine knows Connie, but I was let down. The quality of ingredients was poor, esp. for the relatively high prices. The service could have been friendlier. Our dishes weren't brought out at the same time (or even close) so everyone else was done eating by the time I got my food--strange, esp. since we were the only patrons in there. When I finally got my food, it was about one step up from Taco Bell. The back patio is nice, though.
(2)
PN C.

i was craving for some mexican food so saw this place and decided to give it a try and what a mistake i have made. When i walked in.... the place was empty, walked up to the counter and tried to order to go . The lady that was working didn't even take a look at me or even said hi " thinking to myself how rude" stood there for a while till she finally notice and said hi. i ordered 2 beef burrito and sighh disappointment again. Its probably one of the worse burrito i ever had .
(1)
kimball L.

Oh my, some the of the worst mexian food ever. I have gone twice and not sure why I went back a second time, except maybe to think and hope it was a fluke! But alas no and not only is the food bad but Connie the owner is quite...well, rude. She seems to always be in a bad mood and it shows both in her service and in the food quality...YIPES....can spend my money elsewhere!
(1)
Sanaz E.

Took 20 minutes to get two burritos (4 x longer than you would wait in SF). And the burritos sucked! The tortilla wasn't put on the grill pan to warm, it was served right out of the fridge, and was a little stale. We asked for guacamole, no guacamole. I couldn't understand why she had a zillion postcards all over the restaurant...clearly people were not writing about how much they missed the food. And she didn't seem that eager to give great service either. Poor thing, I think she's ill. Well, she needs to sell the place or have someone else run it, cause her business is going downhill.
(1)
E K.

I really like the burritos. The mole sauce that is put on it is excellent and the food is fresh . However I was more than irritated that chips and salsa was 5 bucks...the salsa wasn't even good and the chips did not appear to be home made however I will go back because that burrito was delicious OKAY EDITING - I WENT BACK It was bad - first the waitress grabbed the menus after only one person ordered - no so fast my boyfriend got nachos and I got a buritto...mistake his nachos came in a small deep bowl. $6.99 - no meat there were a few chips on top and teh rest had been microwaved into a bowl of mush. My burrito was decent but different - not as good - as I remembered. because his food was bad we decided to leave and finish my burrito later. I asked them to give it to me to go..I got it back and they , what appeared to be , rinsed my burrito off. No sauce. I am not sure how you could even accomplish this in a way that isn't gross to do to someone elses food. Umm, I asked for the food on my plate to go , I never said hey clean this up and give it to me to go. The best part is the sauce. That is it. I am done.
(1)
Thomas H.

There was a strange taste in my order of enchiladas that I couldn't readily identify earlier today. Flavor. Instead of the blandishments served up at many of the large chain restaurants that market "Mexican food," this food had flavor I've missed living out in the valley. Enchilada sauce that didn't taste like everyone else's enchilada sauce. Rice that had a rich flavor, rather than bland. Frijoles that tasted like beans instead of pressed cardboard. Nice job. The food is very good; prices are very good; service was very good. No extra charge for flavor.
(5)
Chris B.

The service is really slow-after waiting about 15 minutes I went up to the counter to ask if I was supposed to order inside. There was one table of two besides me in the entire restaurant. I ordered fajitas with black beans and got refried. It was also pretty salty. The tortillas were super oily. Nice outdoor patio. Would love some music...pretty quiet for a restaurant. I have been here an hour and am still waiting for my check...just found out from another patron that you pay inside. Could be an off night, but not sure I will try it again.
(2)
Mariposa Michelle M.

I love Connie and her delicious soul comforting cuisine. Hands down this is the best food on the block, and by the Lake. I can't even begin to say how much I love Connie as a person, she is a special person, add her food and you have a powerful healing combination. I appreciate each meal and take out I have bought from this family run business. Te Quiero Connie! Vaya con Dios
(5)
Reg B.

Connies deserves 5/5 for its food and i know that other people will talk about the staff and the possible wait, but you know that is part of the charm of coming here... its a locally run place every time i have been there the owner is always working there... that has to be admired! and like i said the food is great and the booze is strong... always on my list for places to go to...
(5)
Sid A.

The best burrito in town, I can't wait to taste what else is on the Menu. The owner is an amazing person, sweet & caring I showed up after business hours and she was so nice & welcoming and still made me food. Thank you Connie
(5)
Jenell P.

Love her hospitality and the tortilla soup is my favorite!!! Me and my family always leave happy
(5)
Ness V.

Was looking to fill my craving for some enchiladas. I live about a block away and have always wondered about this place so I decided to grab some to-go food. I called and placed my order and about 15 minutes later I went by to pick it up. It was pretty much ready and was pipping hot. It was completely empty except for a young lady who came in to place an order while I was picking up mine. Of course the emptiness is always a good measurement of the food satisfaction/repeat customers. About $12 and some change for 3chicken enchiladas with rice, beans and some shredded lettuce with pico de gallo and guacamole on top. I was really hoping to really like the food. It was ok but not to my liking. The enchilada sauce was a bit sweet but it was a nice balance when I noticed there were small bites of jalapeÃ±os in the enchiladas. I like a bit of spice but someone who likes no spice to mild may find this a little too spicy. I just didn't like the sauce and even if I did there was not enough of it. The shredded chicken filling was good but the dish just didn't do it for me. The rice and beans were just ok. Not inedible but not good, just ok. The stuff on top of the enchiladas I found to be a bit much. Not enough cheese on the enchiladas either. I just didn't find the Mexican food I was expecting. It may have to do with the region of Mexico the person is from whom is cooking. This influences the spices and methods used in the cooking. I ended up eating it all cause I was hungry but sorry to say I didn't find it satisfying or good. I so wanted to like this place but it just didn't cut it for me. The search continues for good Mexican food and menudo! As far as the service, it was just fine for me. My food was ready upon arrival and was greeted just fine. In all, I would give it a shot to decide for yourself but I did not like it. Most likely won't go back.
(2)
Brendan T.

Just went here for the first time tonight and got the best nachos I have ever had--they were like a yummy meal as opposed to junk food!
(5)
Tito Y.

Cheap eats that is in sync with sketchy cleanliness. I'd rather hit the burrito truck rather than return here. The food service, table layout, even how you order food is all mixed up. Take a close look at the menu and it is not thought out, while you have no idea what you are ordering. I'd be nice if they would pull off all that dust gathering stuff from the walls and reorganized to make it actually look like something. Connie's Cantina has this attempt is to make it look whimsical, in an homage to Frieda Khaloism, and though its very cheesy, its not that bad. The crayons on the table were a nice touch but they can fester with germs and worse the paper table covers seem a bit wasteful. Why not buy a sponge and hand out pages of a much smaller coloring book?
(2)
Jonathan S.

This is hands down the worst Mexican place in Oakland. I'd tell you what not to order, but really just don't even go there. Yeah, might look alright from the outside, don't be fooled.
(1)
Olivia W.

My two favorite things are the tortilla soup and the horchata. I think its the best in town. It's a great local place to go because Connie is always their with welcoming arms. Hence the name Connie's Cantina. My only reservations are the burritos are so huge that its almost obscene to eat. The rest of the food is so so. And I wouldn't recommend going on a Saturday night. Service can be slow, so just be prepared to wait.
(3)
Amy L.

The decor is cute (even in the bathroom!). The tables are covered with white paper and the tables have a little plastic jack-o-latern-pail filled with crayons. Who knew that crayons at dinner are so entertaining? The best part of the decor is all the postcards that customers send to Connie. The puzzling part is why these people bother to keep in touch w/ the restaurant as their food is extremeley disappointing and bland.
(1)
Steph K.

Quite possibly the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant anywhere. Laughably bad. Bad like remember when Roseanne worked in that coffeeshop? But worse? The Scene: Weekday lunch. My girlfriend and I stop in for a quick bite. Our waitress takes our order -- when we tell her "One vegetarian burrito to share," she asks "That's all?" We say yes, order a couple sodas and wait. Then ... two veggie tacos show up at our table (delivered by someone other than our waitress). We explain to her that we actually ordered a burrito, but then decide the tacos look good ... and we're pretty affable customers ... so we say we'll just take them. No problem, no complaints. Fast forward 45 seconds: We're quietly enjoying the tacos we didn't order and our waitress marches up to our table. Waitress: (voice raised) You ordered the veggie tacos. Me: (shocked) "Oh ... OK... We thought we ordered the burrito. But that's fine. These are good. It's fine" Waitress: "No. (rolling her eyes) You ordered the tacos." Me: (Feeling awkward) OK... She marches away and proceeds to ignore us for the rest of our meal. Too bad too .. the tacos were actually OK.
(1)
Nikki c.

I've only been here a few times, which is weird because I adore Mexican food, and it's close to my crib.....But.....the food is hit or miss. I've gotten a burrito to go and more traditional plates to eat in with a friend. I recommend eating there and ordering a traditional item. The burritos have never hit the right spot. They never had a good mix of meat, cheese, salsa in each bite. Maybe they need a remedial burrito wrapping class or something. And it seemed like they were trying to hide the cheaper cuts of meat in the burrito. Eating there is nice because they cater to you. The service is very attentive. We both liked our meals. It couldn't have been that great, because I don't remember what it was, but there was a side of beans!!!!
(3)
Camille K.

Connie's Cantina offers home style Mexican cooking. Carnitas had been cooked in a rich sauce. The rice tasted like it had been cooked in a delicious broth. The pinto beans were whole, but very tasty. Later I met Connie herself! She's owned the place for eleven years or more. It's a nice place, albeit a little dark. There is a patio out back.
(4)
Amanda S.

Ok as a vegan Mexican food is hard to find. My friends and I were fixing for dinner near the lake and tried Milano down the street, didn't look so good for the vegan in the group so we tried Connie's. We all have gone back several times. Sangria: get it, its awesome. I love the soft tacos with no cheese or sour cream. The guacamole is sooo good and fresh and the rice and beans are great! Its a bit pricy but you can tell by the food that it is fresh and that is made with love. The service is good and friendly. Try it. Don't expect too authentic mexican but its good, damn good. Oh and sit on the patio. The decor is fun and lots of plants. Its good time and good food.
(5)
Bone D.

I had a hard time finishing my food, but i did. I thought the food was lacking...hmmm, lets say FLAVOR. The restaurant is cute and the service was great. Infact, CONNIE did come out and ask how things were, and I lied, and said great, but thats because she was so sweet. PS...sorry Connie.
(2)
Melissa B.

My friends and I planned a fun night out that almost was ruined due to Connie's bad attitude and slow to non-existent service!! Through a recommendation, we decided to stop in and see what all the hype was about before hitting the movies. We left ourselves an hour in advance of the show we were seeing at the Grand Lake Theater. Seemed like more than enough time to get a meal and walk down the street. After seating ourselves and waiting at least 15 min, a waiter comes up to us and simply asks, "You ready to order?" OK....so maybe she's having a rough night and not feeling friendly. No big deal, we'll just proceed to order and hope that the food is better than the service. Another 15 minutes later, we receive our margaritas. They were AWFUL!!! Tasted like lemonade. There was no trace of tequila. But we remain calm and hope that our meal is better. We'll never know because 45 minutes after we arrived, we are still waiting for our meals and extremely upset because we're about to miss the show. We ask for Connie and she comes over with an attitude and is extremely rude to us. She even implies that she hadn't even begun to cook our meals. This wasn't that much of a surprise to us because she spent the last 20 min sitting at another table drinking wine with a large group!!!!!!! Despite this, she has the nerve to have a bad attitude with us and whine about how she's the only one there cooking. WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS IS THIS? Needless to say, we canceled our orders and left. I have no idea if Connie's food is good or not and I really don't care to find out. If I were you....I'd go somewhere else!!!!!!!
(1)
Melissa W.

This is not your regular Mexican joint or taqueria. Connie's is special. She cooks mexican dishes with a Columbian influence. Her sauces are complex and delicious. We love the Chicken Mole on the plate or in enchiladas. Her carnitas, chile verde and pastor are also great on the plate, tostadas or in burritos. It is great how she has taken the traditional Mexican dishes and added her influence to make it just that much better than the run of the mill burritos you find all over Oakland. Connie is a warm loving person who welcomes everyone into her restaurant with a smile. Please don't believe all of the other reviews and give this restaurant a chance, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Art H.

I wold ditto the recent comments. COnnie is a great person, warm and personable. The wait staff was hit and miss during the few times we have been there. The food is pretty good though - not gourmet way, but it-sticks-to-you in a good way sorta way. Haven't had anything bad there yet.
(3)
Brian B.

Connie makes the best Super Vegetarian Burrito I've ever eaten. Mind you, if you're looking for a tacqueria-style Mexican food, this is the wrong place for you. Connie makes a burrito the size of my head with fresh ingredients and 3 home-made sauces on top. It's an amazing meal. Connie's prices are higher than tacqueria prices also, but well worth it for the freshness and the unique flavors that Connie's homemade sauces provide. On top of it all, you get Connie who makes you feel like a guest rather than a customer. If you want quick, cheap, mediocre food, go to taco bell. If you want gourmet Mexican, go to Connie's.
(5)
Ben S.

We had high hopes - but it was not a good family dining experience. 1. chips were stale (and cold) - not worth the $2. 2. beer list was recited by waitress like a machine gun. We chose Dos Equis - but she brought DE-DARK. Huh? Oh, that's all we have. If I'd wanted dark, I would have ordered a dark beer. 3. Our children 7 and 10 were part of the dining party. Waitress didn't say anything about "we prepare everything super-hot unless you tell us otherwise". My son's avacado and cheese quesadillas was nearly inedible for him, and my own "pollo asado burrito" was smothered in glop, burningly hot, and seemingly made with stewed, rather than grilled chicken. I couldn't eat most of it - my mouth was on fire. Conne came out later and "sorry, sorry"-ied about the hot - but did not offer to adjust the bill. As owner/manager - she should know better and train her wait-staff. The final piece - it was cold out on the patio. They came to turn on the outdoor heater. The gas one was out of gas -- but they had an electric one - which draws LOTS of current. They plugged it in with a flimsy 2 wire (drugstore grade) extension cord stretched across the walkway - and with a ground lifter. Totally illegal on 2 counts. As we were leaving, someone came in from the patio asking "what happened to the lights?". Oh, said Connie - the electric heater blows the circuit breaker for the lights out there. I know there's a recession on, but the food was pretty terrible, the service was not all that great, and the bill was pretty high. I much prefer a healthier, dryer, less-gloppy burrito like from Cactus Taqueria on College. We won't likely visit Connie again.
(1)
David M.

Worst. Mexican. Restaurant. Evar. I need negative stars for this review. Let me summarize with some of them thar bullet pointers thingamabobs: - no chips and salsa served - no limes in entire restaurant (for my Corona) - how does one make Mex food without limes? - carne asada was $10.99 for a small handful of beef in some strange BBQ sauce (WTF? carne asada in BBQ sauce?) some runny beans and tasteless rice - service was sloooooooooooooooww - speakers blaring annoying-ass spanish/mexican worldbeat music that was really popular about 10 years ago I simply cannot believe this place is able to stay open and pay their lease. The suckitude of this Mexican restaurant is a new all-time low for me. And, I'll have you know, I've eaten Mexican food in Europe and Asia where it is really bad... so I know some serious suckitude. Stay away....
(1)
Jason J.

There's no denying Connie's sweetness. The lady is a dynamo. She's been working the kitchen, the customers, and the register for years...and she's got the faded thank you cards to prove it. Unfortunately her sweetness doesn't make the food come any quicker or taste any better. It's not bad Mexican food, it's just bland. There really isn't enough zing. Where are the cilantro and jalapeno flavors? I do like her handmade crispy chicken tacos, but that's pretty much it. Sorry Connie, but you need to put some of that personality into the food.
(2)
Ross T.

Yeah, Connie's a bit strange, but the food is fine, and I had no problems with the prices. I can't believe the harsh reviews. It's as if there's a contest to see how quickly the Yelp star system can put her out of business. The place is what it is. I've always had a good meal there and it was served quickly.
(4)
Amanda S.

Pretty much the worst burrito I have ever had in my life. First of all, when I order a burrito I expect it to be pretty much solid, not soup surrounded by a tortilla. It was so liquidy inside that when I grabbed an end, all of the contents of the burrito would rush to the other end. And you don't even want to know the horror that resulted from biting into it. The rice was a joke and the salsa was weak...sorry Connie, you're a sweet lady but what you serve is not Mexican food, and while I might not be Mexican I know a thing or two about Mexican food, seeing as how I spent a good deal of time eating amazing Mexican food in So Cal. Mexican food is the only thing So Cal has Nor Cal beat on. Time to step up our game.
(1)
Dan R.

Connie's rocks! My favorites are the Nachos and Chillie Relleno plate. Great place to have a birthday party or just a quiet dinner. Ive been going there for 5 years and even though I don't live close by anymore, it's still worth the trip.
(5)
Garfield J.

I went to this place a while back after playing hooky and catching Lilo and Stich at the Grand Lake. (that's a long time ago!) Weird thing is, I remember more of my experience at Connie's than Lilo and Stick. Bad thing is, that the recollection was of the poor service, and a just average burrito. it was about 200pm on a weekday and I was the only person in the place. It was my first time there and Not knowing the Protocol of ordering, I stood at the counter. I recall that the staff there was not the most helpul in making a newcomer feel welcome. I sat down and someome took my order of a Veg Burrito. It was just plain forgetable. Nothing in terms of flavor. The rice was tasteless. what really irked me was that I would notice the staff staring over at me several times. I got the feeling that were making sure I was not planning a dine and dash. ...and this was on a day where I left my gold grille and knee hovering shorts at home. Did not feel at all welcomed or appreciated there. I walk by often and they are still in business, good for them, I guess the jokes on me, but I am happy in knowing never to step foot into again.
(2)
T B.

horrible,i have been running to the bathroom every 5 minutes. i have food poisioning, i ate 2 tacos, rice from this place. never again!
(1)
Wylie L.

Located on the same block as the Grand Lake Theatre, when you go in, be sure to say hi to Connie, as I'm sure, she'll be the one who waits on you! Make sure you come with an empty stomach, and order the #1 combo plate. It's the best authentic Mexican food platter in the Bay Area... in my humble opinion! :) Enjoy!!
(5)
David K.

This is a friendly spot where you can have a leisurely meal and chat with friends while waiting for a movie to start at the Grand Lake. It's a little run down. The photos are faded. The dishes are too big, salty, and sometimes too hot. But, you won't notice that so much after a couple of sangrias.
(2)
Monica G.

The food is not very tasty. It's just missing spices and is not a place that I would recommend to eat. It's just bland. The location is great and the place is friendly and comfortable but the food always falls flat.
(2)
greg e.

Driving by the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland and the wife's getting hungry which means we need food NOW!! Around the theater, there outta be a taqueria to get a cheap taco, right? No. Vietnamese? Had that 3 times last week. Thai? Had that last week and the wife is picky about her Thai. Since we already put $2 in the meter, might as well try Connies Cantina with the cloth napkins and white table cloth. Damn! Gotta pay $2 extra for a regular burrito. I had the regular chicken and the wife had the chicken taco. This is the kind of place that serves the burritos wet and to my surprise, it was different in a good way. The sauce on top had a roasted tomato type of flavor with something to sweeten it - almost like bbq sauce. Then everything inside - the rice, chopped onions, chicken and beans were cooked just right and had a slight hint of, as my wife said, Indian flavor. The taco's tasted the same as the burrito minus the rice. One order of taco's comes with 2 tacos for $4.99. About $2.50 each, not bad.
(4)
Philip G.

Connie is a very nice woman and a great chef. Not much vegan options but her vegan burrito is exceptional and worth the visit. her friendly service and attitude are the heart of this local gem by the lake.
(4)
Dan Y.

First of all, let's make one thing perfectly clear. Although Connie's advertises their food as "The Ultimate Mexican Cuisine", clearly it is not. If this is the ultimate Mexican food, then I am the ultimate male sex symbol. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I can tell you this is a nice little neighborhood joint with perfectly decent if not above average food, served by a very friendly lady named Connie (hence the name "Connie's Cantina",see the connection?). The dining room is a little cramped but there's a patio out back which is nice on a warm day. Although alot of Yelpers have issues with the service here, I have never had a problem. If you're hungry for Mexican (and if you're not, by gosh don't you think you ought to be?) and you're in the neighborhood try Connie's. Tres estrellas.
(3)
N. C.

This is such a cute small neighborhoody place! The food is acceptable but I thought it was a bit overpriced. Eventhough the service is a bit slow but the staff is very friendly and nice - which to me, is priceless!
(3)
Alfonso L.

Can someone tell me why it costs $6 to get a side order of beans? Why does an enchilada plate cost $15. People! This is Mexican food, plain and simple. No frou-frou herbs and spices, not hard to make. Worse, the food has not a lick of spice or, often, flavor. I could not figure out whether that was really chicken inside the enchilada but it didn't taste like it should have. Rice and beans were nuked beyond recognition. And I steered clear of the "wine" margaritas --been down that queasy road before. Why this small space on Grand Ave passes Mexican food on an unwitting public I will never know. Another sure sign of trouble at a Mexican place: when the kitchen help walks around, hanging their heads, knowing that their Moms and Grandmas can cook 50 times better than that place!
(1)
Deirdre S.

We are one of the families with a postcard on the wall, so it's safe to say we are fans of Connie -- and our kids adore her. We go for lunch and order beans and rice and tortillas for the kids; they color with crayons on the paper table covers and are happy as can be. If it's a nice day we'll sit outside and the kids enjoy the colorful wall mural and the cats, and if a drink gets spilled no one panics. The fact that it's simple food and a totally casual, kid-friendly place makes this a real find for neighborhood parents.
(4)
Alicia E.

"I've never had bad food at Connie's, and Connie herself usually comes around to say hi and have a chat. A good, friendly, neighborhood taqueria." At least, that was my original, four star review. Connie has since had a starrendectomy. I ordered my flautas without sour cream and guacamole. They came with sour cream and guacamole. When Connie was alterted to this error, she brought the food back into the kitchen for a minute, then came back out with it. My poor flautas had clearly been RINSED UNDER THE TAP! Sad, damp, cold flautas with sour cream and guac stuck in the cracks and ridges of my dinner. There is no excuse for this.
(1)
Lycanthrope D.

Not good. The food is VERY sub standard and frankly, the chicken seemed to be more of a mystery meat than chicken. We gave it a couple of chances, but won't be going back.
(2)
Bonnie G.

Connie's chile sauces...5 stars, her beans....5 stars. The juevos rancheros 5 stars. Connie herself...5 stars. Love this place! My toddler can't eat wheat, dairy, or corn. Connie whipped a great meal for her which is not easy! My husband orders the super burritos and they are not only delicious but freaken huge!
(5)
Spencer B.

I can only speak to the chorizo super burrito I had, but it was quite delicious. The service was very slow (there was only one lady working there) but friendly and the food was worth it. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable.
(4)
Miko P.

I fear a lot of people don't have taste buds. Yes, it's true Connie's is not a typical American style Mexican restaurant. Her food is influenced by her South American origins, an area that is even more of a global melting pot than California. Her rice wouldn't be out of place in Morocco, her tortas would be happily gobbled by a Sicilian, and a Spaniard would love her fish stew. I've been here countless times (30+) and never had a bad meal, not even a mediocre one. Connie makes everything from scratch, including her delicious salsa. Don't miss Saturday brunch. The chilaquiles are the best I've had outside of Mexico. The chorizo scramble is also awesome. Is the service erratic? Hell yes. Sometimes they are short staffed. It can be particularly hard to get the bill. Regulars know they can go up to the counter and pay there if they are in a hurry; now you do, too. The outdoor eating area is charming and rodent free, thanks to neighborhood cats, who will not let you pet them, damn it. Connie's is friendly to families with children. If you are looking for a Mexican restaurant to get blind drunk at, this isn't it. Go to Chevy's. Connie's is closed Sunday, her one day of rest. She deserves it.
(4)
Emmett S.

I love Connie's. She makes her food fresh and she's sweet as hell. The flautas are good, the enchiladas are good, and the homemade hot sauce is dynamite. The one knock I'd say would be her burritos...they're just decent. But there's enough other deliciousness there to make it ok.
(4)
T-Bag S.

The outside patio is really the only reason I would go back. There was really only one vegan option - a veggie burrito. That being said, it was good value and pretty tasty. Still, I imagine there is better out there . . . sigh, never satisfied. The patio's ambiance was both fun and relaxing at the same time - it felt like we were in a movie version of Mexico (wait, did I just say ambiance?) and the water was served in glass bottles like it is in Mexico but it doesn't give you the squirts like it does in Mexico (wait, did I just say squirts?). Anyway, fun place to go if you have friends over or if it's a beautiful day and you want to sit in a brightly colored patio. (Or if you want to see the largest friggin collection of post cards - how does she get all those post cards?)
(3)
Melissa M.

2 entrees, 3 beers, out the door for $30. service is fab, place is clean, connie is awesome and so sweet to everyone. i can't believe there isn't a line out the door at connie's. the burritos are SO GOOD and SO BIG that they're practically a meal for two. oakland has it's fair share of mexican, but half of 'em are trucks, so if you want to sit down and have a few cervezas this is your place. i've never had a bad meal or bad experience at connies. !te quiero connie!
(5)
Rebecca W.

We've eaten here twice. The first time, we were new to the neighborhood, and thought it would be fun to check out our favorite food: Mexican. So, we ordered on the phone and took some food to go. We were very disappointed. The food was not authentic Mexican, and just didn't taste very good. A year goes by, and we walk by Connie's every day while on walks with our dog. We see a sidewalk sign that advertises shrimp tacos yesterday, and decide to give Connie's one more try. We sit down outside (as we have our dog with us), and are basically ignored for 10 minutes. Finally, we are greeted, and our order is taken. Another 20 minutes passes. No food, no chips/salsa, nothing. (I should note, the place was not crowded, as they only had one other table of guests inside). Eventually, our food arrives. It tastes just OK, but we figured this might be the case considering our first experience here, so we weren't expecting a lot. After eating, we again waited about 10 minutes for the check. Eventually, we figure out that we are expected to go inside to ask for the check and pay. The slow and somewhat unfriendly service and the lackluster food wasn't the worst part. Within several hours, my partner and I were both stricken with severe food poisoning. So sick in fact, that we had to leave in the middle of seeing a movie at the Grand Lake Theater just a few doors down (after getting ill in the theater's bathroom). I called to let the owner know about this incident this morning. Instead of listening to me, she constantly talked over me, telling me that she's been in business for 15 years, has many happy customers and that no one else has called to say they got sick yesterday (hey, they've only been open 2 hours today....maybe she will still get some calls). She then said it was probably US that was the issue.....that our individual stomachs probably just weren't used to the food and that's why we got sick. Really? You're blaming your customer for getting sick? Hey, if one person gets a little upset tummy afterward, then maybe it's them. But if TWO people eat the same dish and get projectile vomiting afterwards, I think it's safe to say it was the food and not the customers fault. Connie eventually offered us a free meal as a sign of good faith, which I appreciated but kindly declined. After that, she asked if we wanted our money refunded. (Um yeah! Why does she have to ask? Shouldn't this be offered?) In the end we didn't take the meal or the refund. I would NEVER go back here for the simple fact of how she handled the phone call. She got defensive, didn't listen, didn't take ownership of the fact that her food made us violently ill, and instead placed the blame elsewhere. NOT the sign of a place I want to patronize in the future.
(1)
zora b.

very close to connie's is international avenue, where some of the bay area's best mexican food can be found and enjoyed. but recently I was made aware of how those many bites of a connie's chile relleno burrito were just the perfect thing that I wanted to be putting in my mouth. the tortilla on the burrito had been griddled...not just steamed. for some of you, that's something you need to know. right? the flan is good as well, but I bet you connie's mom never served it in such tiny tiny slices. better order two or go home and make your own.
(3)
Ella c.

Connie's very sweet but more often than not it takes an unreasonable amount of time to get your average-ish food. Not sure what the deal is, as it isn't really ever that busy.
(2)
tarabud s.

This Colombian woman, always at the helm of the ship, cooks up some standard and yummy Mexican food; but it's really all about the atmosphere, with table clothes and bottled water at each table. You can't help feeling like you're the only table in the packed restaurant. The food is consistent, but the watch out for the salsa, not so special.
(4)
Ellen O.

I really like Connie. She's very warm and sweet and I don't think I've ever not seen her there. I have to admit that I've had some far better taqueria around these parts. But the service has never failed, the people are always nice. The patio is the best patio ever and if you want to fill up on some taqueria and beer, the place is alright. I can recommend better places, but it's not all that bad!
(4)
Amy F.

My friend and I stopped in here yesterday for lunch. I have walked by it a bunch of times and always wanted to try so we peeked inside and it didn't look too busy so we went in. We were greeted a bit late by a kind of scary looking woman from behind the counter telling us to sit anywhere. We did and she dropped off menus. I was not thrilled with the prices but whatever, it was a holiday. After quite awhile of sitting there, waiting to order, she finally came back over and took our order. We suspected she may be the only one there--cooking and serving! She said there was a patio outside so we decided to moveoutside. There was one other party of two sitting outside and inside there we two other tables. After at least ten minutes my friend got up to ask her if we could get our sodas and chips and salsa. She came out mumbling under her breath that she is alone and doing the best she can, basically giving us a hard time for asking for our drinks. When the food finally arrived (I orderd a burrito), it was a major disappointment. The chips were store bought and the salsa was not ample and she charged $4.99! Ridiculous. The burrito was nothing special. My friend ordered a torta and she said she liked the pork in it, but everythig else was just ok. Long story short, I wouldn't go back. Bad service and mediocre food for a pretty penny.
(2)
David A.

The food is excellent and I love Connie, she treats you like welcome family. The service is slow, so don't go when your in a hurry. If you want excellent tasting food, this is a great place.
(4)
Gary T.

Best "Mexican" (Connie is Columbian) on Grand. Connie's is a neighbor joint in the truest sense. Connie seems to know everyone in the joint. She's one of the hardest working people I've ever known so cut her some slack if she happens to be the only one working. Tortilla soup, beef tacos and enchilada plate are my favs on the menu. However, I tend to let Connie bring me whatever is on special like crab enchiladas (yummy).
(4)
Kris A.

I don't see where the nice and kind and sweet comments for Connie were coming from. I have experienced anything but. I have observed her bordering on rude to some customers, and her demeanor screams fake when I ate there both times. The one star goes to the food. I ordered the grilled chicken soft tacos. They were scrumptious only if they didn't put too much hot salsa in them. The hot salsa was fine too, but only if there was someone available to give me a quick H20 refill. Service was just slow. "To go" patrons take precedence. I suggest you order to go than dine in. The place is pretty expensive too. I guess I'm not coming back.
(2)
Kathleen M.

I really wanted to like this place, but the wait for the food was intolerable (the owner apologized) and the food just wasn't that great.
(3)
Jen M.

Terrible! DO NOT GO HERE!!! Seriously, it was beyond terrible. I had such high hopes for this place, I have been walking by for months and looking forward to trying it one day. Well. . . . I can not tell you my immense disappointment. Service was despicable-- the reviews that say COnnie is "welcoming" is far, far off. The women working were rude and absent-- never checking on me, looking like I annoyed them tremendously. The food was abominable! It was more Tex-Mex rather than Mexican (or "Columbian"). . . the "pastor" meat was atrocious, nothing authentic about it, tasteless and bland. Everything was dripping in guacamole, sour cream and a green sauce--- disgusting. And finally, when I went to pay and they charged me for the bagged chips (which I was unaware weren't free). When I semi-protested the woman looked at me and said rudely, "We are all feeling the recession", basically deal with it. So I was charged $15.56 for 2 "pastor" tacos, a Coke and some chips. UGH--- I couldn't believe it. Overall--- TERRIBLE!!! STAY AWAY PLEASE!
(1)
Nicole I.

I've been here once and the food is quite good. I had the chile rellenos. Delicious. The decor is cute, the patio is nice, but the waitstaff could be a little more attentive.
(3)
Becky C.

worst burrito i've ever had in oakland. end of story.
(1)
Dan T.

Connie's is simply wonderful. Straighforward Mexican dishes (enchiladas, etc.) dressed up with their special mole sauce, cooked with 5 kinds of chile. Well, for me this transforms the food into something really special. Connie is usually there, and greets everyone as they walk in the door. She gets postcards from fans all over the word. We took our German friends for a visit, and they came back twice on their own while they housesat for us. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michael T.

I've only been to this place once and have decent memories of the food, but I wouldn't say it made a big impression on me. It's fine, if unexceptional. The patio out back is nice and includes one of those gas heaters for when the weather turns chilly. If I remember correctly, the menu features smoothies as well, an unorthodox but pleasing touch for a Mexican place. If you're in the neighborhood and want Mexican, it's worth a stop in, but don't expect greatness.
(3)
Jill k.

it's alright, but there is far better mexican to be had around these parts...
(3)
Mark O.

We entered Connie's Cantina with high hopes. It was after 5pm and my girlfriend and I were the only ones in the restaurant. The first thing I noticed was how dark it was inside. We sat at a table and settled on two large burritos Asada and Carnitas. We asked for water and were brought a recycled bottle filled with tap water which was at room temperature. There was no attempt to fill the small glasses with ice. After going into the bathroom we discovered the patio and decided to sit outside. After was seemed to be 10 minutes or so and mind you no one was in the place I went in and ordered a beer to have with my burrito. My large burrito came first. Mind you at no time were chips ever offered or served at any time we were waiting. My burrito was okay but mainly consisted of beans and rice although there was something resembling guacamole and mole sauce poured over the top. My girlfriends burrito was also lacking in meat. My burrito was half way done and then my girlfriends burrito came. The meat was okay but it was also lacking in meat with mainly beans and rice. After we presented the entertainment coupon, the woman who I later learned was the owner, angrily stated that the coupon only for the entre and not the burritos. We sat and waited and were told by the waitress to come in and get the check. Mind you no ever came to the table at any point after leaving the food. I thought the service was poor, the food mediocre and the place at least the patio are seemed dirty. First time I have been in a Mexican restaurant that didn't offer chips.
(1)
Sarah D.

so the patio is really sooo nice and connie is really so nice but the food is hit and miss. sometimes it rocks and other times well not so good. it's a great place to chill and drink corona's with your peeps...don't go too hungry though cuz it might take a minute. did i mention the patio? it's a good place for kids they can run around and color...crayons provided.
(3)
John R.

It took 20 minutes before someone came by to take our order. There was only one other table in the entire place and it still took them 20 minutes. The waitress didn't write anything down. 20 minutes after we ordered (40 min after we sat down) the waitress came back to ask us what we ordered because she forgot. 20 minutes after we ordered and they hadn't even started cooking it yet. After seeing the microwave in the kitchen go off several times, we finally got our food a good 1 hour after we first sat down. Of course she didn't get it right either, since she didn't write anything down. By this time the other table had left and we were the only people in there. The food wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Rice and beans were better than most Mexican places. The chips were terrible pre-packaged junk from Costco though (and cost $7). Don't go here. Although the food is better than El Agavero in Montclair, its not worth waiting an hour+ for a burrito.
(1)
Neal K.

The food and service here are horrible! The one waitress/cashier seemed to be in a slow motion trance and the "meat" tasted like it came out of a can and had the consistency of something that had gone through a garbage disposal. I will say the burrito was huge.
(1)
Breanne T.

Connie's Cantina uses Latin American flavors in Mexican dishes. The burrito I got was delicious - as the saffron rice was a nice addition of flavor. Plus, it was huge! Sadly, though, I will not be returning for a number of reasons: 1. Although Connie was so sweet (as evidenced by her various postcards from loyal customers taped to the walls), her service was SO slow. A friend and I ordered our burritos to go, and there was only one other table of customers in the entire restaurant. We waited for over 45 minutes to get our food. 2. Both my friend and I got SICK from our food. Sparing all graphic details - it was not how I would have liked to spend my night post burrito chow down.
(1)
Melissa H.

Looking for a great place to have some authenticity? Connie's Cantina will satisfy your craving for mouthwatering, savory, flavorful food. I am often found in Connie's sipping one of her delicious Margaritas and munching on a fresh crispy Taco Salad. Connie is so nice and it is such a pleasure to dine in her restaurant.
(5)
Vinh T.

Hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to. Connie is amazing. She owns the restaurant. She is the waiter. She is the hostess. She is the bartender. She is the dish wash cleaner. Oh yeah, and she's the amazing chef! After my amazing meal, I spent 15 minutes talking to her about her food and how she cooks. Connie has been at this location for 20 years and has never taken a vacation. This is what she LOVES to do. Cooking is her passion. I've been here three times and have had the taco plate, carne asana, steak fajitas, and the tortilla soup. I have zero complaints about any of them. However, my favorite was the carne asana plate. The steak is marinated in this amazing spicy, tangy sauce. HIGHLY recommend if you're looking for something with a little kick. Go support Connie and her DELICIOUS restaurant!!
(5)
Jaweed N.

One of the best authentic mexican restaurants in the area. My favorite item would be the super burrito with saffron rice. Connie is super nice and she is really cooking from the heart. You can tell by the ingredients in your food that someone took the time to make an authentic flavor come to life. Give the place a try if you haven't already. Take your time, have a beer, relax, there is a patio in the back and street side seating outdoors.
(5)
Josh P.

Quality. Good food, service, ambiance, and location!
(5)
Helmut S.

A true treasure. Slow food that is inspired and always excellent. Prices are very reasonable if the food were average, but is not. High quality and serious concern set this food on a very high level of accomplishment. I know the business and this is a rare find. Go and relax and see what serious dedication to cooking is.
(5)
Tessa F.

Love Connies super burritos! They are huge and taste amazing. I always ask for mild because they tend to be very spicy. Connie is the sweetest person and I'm always happy to see her and eat her home style cooking. A must try!
(5)
Bobby W.

Food was ok, I had the carnitas and my wife had the enchiladas. almost delightful, ALMOST. The beer was cool, not cold. Super slow, the chef, owner, server, everything person was really nice, but took forever for the service or food. It kinda reminds me of the episodes of the Simpsons when Homer asked Melhouse if he would cook. Only Simpsons fans will get the reference.
(3)
Tarah D.

I've been here twice now, and each time I've been here, we've been the ONLY people in the restaurant (how does this place stay open??). And yet, each time we waited a good 10-15 minutes for the owner/server (same person) to come take our order (we're in plain view here). Connie (I'm assuming) was nice enough, but the food was just okay. It's not terrible by any stretch, but it's not great-- not even that good. We had three different menu items between us: a corn quesadilla that was fine, but not great, veggie tacos which were a-okay, and the veggie burrito, which was fine... but, again, not really that good. Not "bad"... just "meh, I've experienced better". The burrito was overpowered by the salsa (thin sauce salsa rather than a pico) flavor, so there was no real flavor in the burrito other than the one "sauce" flavor. Water was brought to the table by the nice man who (cooked and) delivered our food, but since no one ever appeared again after delivering water/food (despite this being a TINY restaurant where the kitchen is visible), we never got more water when our bottle was dry. So, the food was mediocre-to-okay, the service was shit, the wait was annoying as hell... oh, and I also ordered a Coke, which I rarely ever do because, you know, that shit will kill you, and it was flat. FLAT SODA= insult to injury. This is not the worst Mexican food I've ever had. Hell, it's not the worst Mexican food I've had in our neighborhood. But with the taco truck around the Lake with $2 amazing tacos and an approximately 15 second wait, why would I ever come back here? I wouldn't.
(2)
Mayra H.

I ordered a "grilled chicken" burrito, I took one bite and I immediately spit it back out. It tasted horrible!! I gave it a second chance tried to open it up and look at what I was eating and the rice smelled rotten and the chicken was not grilled! I would not recommend this place to my enemy. Seriously guys, Taco Bell makes better burritos than this place. YUCk!
(1)
Mihae T.

Ok. Gotta admit ... I stayed away from coming here ... 1 because of the low star yelp reviews ... and 2 ... im really picky when it comes to mexican food. Having said that ... my review is based on 3 things: horchata, margarita, and chile verde. I really cannot complain about any of the items ordered. It was pretty damn good. Now was it the BEST? No. But nonetheless it was great. Im glad youre right by my house! Will definitely be back. And a plus ... playing the mexican jams! (According to my mexican boy) lol.
(4)
Shannon C.

This place! If you can appreciate exceptional home cooking and a super easy going vibe- then this is your spot. Connie literally cooks all of the food here fresh every day, even down to the amazing salsa. She brings it to you and always makes you feel welcome and well taken care of. This is my favorite place in Oakland because of the heart Connie puts into it and the incredible food AND a lovely back patio. Be patient and wait an extra couple minutes for food and service (remember Connie makes it all!) and just enjoy the vibe!
(5)
Greg A.

The food here was okay. My burrito was too spicy and couldn't taste everything in it except for cheese and sour cream. The service here was not good, not courteous and seemed like they weren't in the mood to serve. I wouldn't come back here. I've gone to better local Mexican restaurants than this.
(1)
Brandon S.

Owner(Connie) completely aloof, disinterested, overwhelmed despite only one table present. Needed to repeat order literally 4 times(never wrote it down-thought she was joking after the 2nd inquiry). Asked how long til ready when we ordered to which she responded 5min(told her going to movie). Of note watched her using microwave three times which always makes me a little nervous. After 13min returned to counter and ask if the order was ready-she responded she hadn't started the order in a very condescending manner and that I should go sit down! We walked out. I always get concerned about the quality and consistency of food if the service(especially by the owner) is this poor. Connie needs to revamp service/add help if she plans on succeeding in this environment.
(1)
John G.

A neighborhood gem. Grand Lake is so lucky to have Connie herself as well as her charming restaurant. The food is excellent and it's a great value. Not cutting-edge nor does it try to be. Just reliable and tasty and healthy. Our family are regulars here and with good reason. All three generations love both Connie and her restaurant.
(5)
Brian B.

Okay, so this place borders on 3 stars, but it's not quite there. Ordered a steak quesadilla which was quite tasty, although I could swear the steak was a Trader Joes pre-marinated cut. The owner seemed nice enough, but didn't write my order down and as a result, she had to ask twice more to clarify. Also, I came in at lunch as was the ONLY person in the place. That's usually enough for me to turn around and walk out, but I live around the corner and figured I'd give it a shot. Also, I was left waiting for close to 10 minutes for the check. Kinda lame. All in all, my experience wasn't terrible. Would I recommend it? Probably not. I get the impression she couldn't handle a crowd bigger than 3 or 4 people.
(2)
Scott R. D.

The food was good, service fine, prices and portions very good. We both had platos. The salad on the plate was a good surprise.
(4)
Frankie D.

I brought my monthly meetup here a couple of Saturdays ago. I didn't think to call ahead to make a reservation and Connie explained to me that we were welcome but that she didn't have anyone else scheduled to work that day. We spoke for a bit and arranged for a family-style lunch with nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas and two pitchers of delicious margaritas to share among 10 people. The patio was awesome and Connie's "go with the flow" attitude and graciousness was outstanding. Connie is great & the food is delicious.
(5)
Jamael W.

Love this place very good in I no the owner Connie very nice women will come back soon in bring my girlfriend (Mechelle ) she will love it here
(5)
Elba G.

It is with sadness that I write my first one star review. I'd give it zero if I could. All I wanted on this nice spring day was a margarita and chips + guac to share with my friend. Alas, it was too much to ask for from Connie's. Upon arrival, she was incredibly disinterested (only 1 other person was eating there) in greeting her new guests. She actually seemed sedated, it was an incredibly strange vibe. There were no margaritas on the menu so we were about to leave (I wish we had!), but she told us they had some. (And to be fair, I did notice a menu of drinks on the wall afterwards.) Drinks: We ordered margaritas on the rocks and they came blended with a ridiculous amount of salt on the rim. There was about a half inch of foam on the small glass. It tasted TERRIBLE. It was like she used sweet & sour mix instead of margarita mix, or maybe it was premade. It was god awful. Food: She came out with chips and salsa. My friend said, "no i'm sorry, we ordered chips and guac." By the way, that was 6.99. SO overpriced. The server (I assume, it's Connie by the way based on other reviews) got all huffy and went to get the guac. The salsa was spicy, but eh (probably from a can. Not terrible though). Chips also were obviously store bought. The guacamole was atrocious. SUPER bland and I actually think the ingredients were old, not fresh at all. I thought I'd get sick from it. Overall: It was the first time I've ever left 80% of my meal at a restaurant untouched. I couldn't stomach the margarita and I didn't dare eat more of the guac. We seriously were better off going to Taco Bell or ANYWHERE else but here! Suffice to say, I won't ever be coming back.
(1)
Elsa F.

I love this place! The food is prepared fresh and on the spot by Connie or one of her assistants. She makes a gigantic burrito that is enough to feed one person for a whole day or two people for at least one meal. The decor is quite unique and kitschy, but that only adds to the charm in the place.
(4)
Kristen H.

Be prepared to pay 4.99 for chips and salsa. We passed on those. I had chicken enchiladas and my spouse had chile rieno. It was okay. Too spice for us. Good portions and the rice was good, saffron? In any case, we probably won't be going back.
(3)
doree j.

We've been going to Connie's for 16 years. . for weekly dinners, birthday celebrations and really because when you go there, Connie and Ari take care of you like you're family, in the dining room of their home. We've eaten pretty much everything on the menu. . .it's all good. Anything with Connie's delicious refried beans, which are vegetarian, is super tasty. Our tried-and-true favorites are: Nachos, Chicken Enchiladas, Veggie Corn Quesadillas, Super Chicken Mole Burrito and do not miss the yummy Flan. The location on Grand Ave is in great proximity to a bunch of attractions, including the Grand Lake Theater. The restaurant is cozy inside, plus there is an outdoor patio in back, which is an especially good spot when you have a big group.
(5)
Nathan F.

5 Stars, great family style Mexican food, Connie and her son are amazing. When I want Mexican food Connie's is where I go. BIG TASTE, BIG PORTIONS, you can tell with each bite just how much love and care went into preparing your meal.
(5)
Ron R.

The owner wasn't welcoming. Place is run down. I always get nervous when the waiter doesn't write down my order and here for good reason. Food took forever and meat was greasy. There's nothing redeeming about this place. Many, many better neighborhood Mexican restaurants in the East Bay.
(2)
Jen S.

I had a strange experience at this restaurant. It looked appealing from the outside, so I checked yelp and there were some great reviews saying it's a "neighborhood gem" and a "treasure" so I decided to give it a try for lunch. It was totally deserted at 12:30pm. The only person in the entire place was the woman cooking (Connie, perhaps?). She ignored me standing in front of her (you'd think she'd be glad for the business?) so I finally said "hello?" and she said very brusquely "Can I help you?" I said I was looking for a menu, and she said "They're on the table," sounding annoyed. I said "oh, I meant for takeout" and she repeated "They're on the table!" sounding more annoyed. I pulled a menu out from under a place setting on the table (seems strange to have to mess up a place setting; why not have at least one menu by the register?) and ordered my food. She says "We're out of black beans." Out of black beans? It's 12:30pm and no one's here. Seems like a basic item to keep in stock, right? Then she goes on a strange rant about how she doesn't use lard in her refried beans, sounding very defensive, even though I didn't ask! I said, "well, do you have pinto beans?" She seemed upset by the question and mumbled something repeatedly which I couldn't fully understand about the refried beans being ready and the pinto beans not being ready. Um, ok. So you're annoyed with me for ordering food because you're not prepared to serve customers yet? Why put the "open" sign out if you're clearly not ready? It was bizarre.
(2)
Kelly H.

At first glance, I thought the restaurant was empty, but Connie found us wandering around and invited us to the back patio. It was a nice day, so we grabbed a little table outside. I had the chicken taco plato which came with two generously sized tacos (with guacamole), rice, and beans. My friend had the chimichanga which was huge! Service was a bit slow, but I agree with another reviewer; Connie makes up for it in charm. I felt like I was eating Mexican food in a friend's backyard party. Such a friendly and fun atmosphere with good food. Four stars for food, but minus one star for the slow service and dirty cups.
(3)
Rachael S.

We LOVE Connie! We LOVE her food! Been going to her for years and keep coming back for the wonderful food (love the burritos and my kids love her quesadilla plates) and of course, to see Connie.
(5)
Sammy B.

For Mexican food this place is amazing, fresh and clean made to order. Nice for romantic dinner or not, kids and take out. She will alter the menu for you... Down side: Parking isnt free till 6pm- but that's Oakland and I will not stop complaining about it. The food is on the spicy side - in a good way!
(5)
Adrian C.

I went here yesterday around 5pm, the place was completely empty other then the elderly couple finishing off there burritos. So I think to myself the food must not be all that but I didn't want to be the bad apple out of the bunch, so me and my friends walked toward the order here sign. I was so confused I didn't know if I was suppose to sit down and wait to be served or go up to the kitchen and ask them to help me be cause nobody greeted us. Finally Connie her self welcomed us some what and asked us are we dinning in or taking it out we said for here. She gave us options told us about the nice little patio in the back thought it was a really nice touch there was a huge oil painting on the wall and had string lights around the patio. All the chairs where leaning up to the tables I guess to keep the water from building up on the seats, anyways. We waited 10mins for water and 20 mins to receive menus. Let me remind you nobody was in the restaurant but two other people. So finally the waitress or server came out to take our order she couldn't speak very good English barley got our entire order correct failed to tell us she could not mix other meats but when Connie came out to confirm the order she told us she usually doesn't mix meats but you are gonna need to pay $2.50 each for the extra meat! Ok no problem but the way she approached us was unprofessional. She did not make us feel warm and fuzzy she made us feel like we were wasting her time. We only revived our chips and salsa and we agreed to just pay for that and leave, even tho we thought that the chips should have been complimentary but what ever. As we walk back towards the dinning room the place is filled up with people everybody has there table full and some people where finishing up and it's like did they forget we were on the patio?! Anyways I will never return to this run down tacky hole in the wall.
(1)
ANDREW E.

I'm not sure why there are so many negative comments about the owner/service of this place. To be honest, we almost didn't visit, but then decided to give it a try anyway as it is about 3 minutes from our home. It's a family owned, very small cantina. Literally, Connie cooks and her children serve and clean. Nice seating in the back and pretty clean overall. The entire family was VERY friendly to us (e.g., moved us indoors when it became chilly)... Connie came over to play with our baby several times and to ask how we liked the food. It is not the fastest service and food is cooked to order (by one person), so gee, be a little patient. My gut is the negative reviews are from obnoxious patrons who expected Michelin star lightning bolt service and forgot they were eating at a family-owned cantina. Probably the same folks who when visiting Central America never stray off their all-inclusive resort for a bite to eat. Food was very good. Salsa was actually super.... We lived in the Mission for years ... Connie can cook!!! Anyway, glad we stopped in and we will definitely be back. Friendly family, great food in a laid-back cantina-style environment!
(5)
Jared O.

Connie was very nice and so was the waiter was a cool guy as well. The food was great!
(4)
S. G.

OMG! How bad can a place be? When I asked if the corn tortillas are gluten free (sometimes they have flour on them) the only person there said: "I don't know. The guy brings them and I serve them." Main cooking tool: microwave (there are 2 microwaves at least). Mexican food is a fast cuisine to prepare, but yes, Connie takes her sweet time. And the food? Disgusting! Save yourself some agony, go anywhere but here...
(1)
Albertino M.

Time: 3:05pm Purpose: Getting pretty hungry going from client to clients so just wanted a quick bite pass by saw sign for daily specials and for friday was shrimp tacos. Ambiance: Dim place with heat lamps blasting the bottom half of floor. Nicely decorated with construction paper cut-out for that authentic deco look. Mirrors were everywhere feels creepy anyways don't know if those are two way mirrors. Imagine you're eating and someone on other side looking at you or better yet listening to your convo. Staff: Older hispanic lady with dye blonde hair showing black roots along with it was a douchbag. She seems to have not interest about working there show ing grumpy face like she didn't get enough libido from last night. I ask a simple question about food to go or eat in and she said it in a way like she didn't care. That's fine with me that Greek place couple of doors down seems to have a better customer numbers. I mean at 3pm not a soul in this place should have known that's a sure sign of something is wrong. You know that kind of feeling like in some movie a car breaks down you walk couple of miles walks in a place and no one talks to you or ask you anything just stares at you coldly. That's exactly what you can expect here I will promise you that and will even sign my signature to claim it. Cleanliness: I saw the reflection on mirror of what she was doing from the other side and it's not pretty that's why there is a piece of color glass attached that is so high you have to tip toe and look over the reveal what's on other side. I guess you can say mirror idea backfire here as it was suppose to do something good not against it. Eats/Drinks: Too bad on this cold blistering day a sale was lost and now a negative review, looks like a double whammy! All I wanted was a shrimp taco $2.75,Mexican hot chocolate $2.99 and flan $4.99 and didn't get a chance because of smart mouth. Products: Tacos,burritos,fish,shrimp,chicken,rellenos,full plates,tordas etc. Punch Line: In the great part of grand ave and nothing else here! Sell the business if you can't take the heat it's better for your health and well being. Final Thoughts: There are many other places around here Connie's is not one of them. Menu states Connie herself will thank you for coming. Well if that was connie that i saw today her menu moto didn't reflect that at all. The 3 star reviews was trying to tell me something but I couldn't read it as I left my crystal ball at the office.
(1)
Denise H.

My husband invited me to meet him here Saturday night. I never heard of this place, didn't know how he knew of the place. He told me that Connie is his customer. I was pleasantly surprised, the food was great! She makes her homemade salsa everyday, it's a little spicy but I like spice! I got a beef taco, chili relleno and enchilada, the pork and beef were yummy, the beef was tender and yummy! Of course I took half home, beans and rice are good also. My daughter got tortilla soup, she was it was good, it looked good. Connie I will tell my parents and we will be your new customers!!!!
(5)
David M.

An owner/manager who acts like you are inconveniencing HER by spending money in her crappy dive (when she should have been thrilled to see paying customers because it was dead, and on a Saturday evening too) should have been a sign to leave right then and there. Alas, we were hungry and this was the only thing not packed on that strip. Plus it was pretty cheap-- but you get what you pay for. The food is not worthy of detailed description; just know that you are LITERALLY better off going to Taco Bell (I kinda wish we had, in fact!) because Connie's is about that authentic. Nearly everything here is pre-packaged or made from a mix. And stale. And cold. Oh, and our order was wrong at first. I think that's everything. I also think that's enough. Despite a total of three live tables, with two people at each, we waited an eternity to be served food which clearly only had to be scooped onto plates. We asked for WATER three times, and finally got it when I left my seat and stuck my head into the kitchen area to say, "um, our water?" I hope we left enough to cover our check as we ended up leaving a cash estimate. On second thought who gives a sh*t? Cuntina should be glad we paid at all. Nearly an hour after we finished eating, the only thing on our table--still--was dirty dishes. Lowest recommendation. Would give 0 stars if I could.
(1)
Alec K.

A hidden gem on Lakeshore Avenue. This Mexican restaurant turns the triple play: their food--which they prepared fresh--was delicious; the environment was homey; and, their prices were unbeatable. A degree of patience is necessary, for Connie prepares, cooks, and serves most of her food with only one or two assistants. But the individuals who are willing to wait are in for a real treat. I hope you enjoy this Mexican restaurant as much as my family and I did.
(5)
Whitney S.

If you're looking for a fun, relaxing day or evening with an awesome outside patio, then Connie's is the place for you. The drinks are good and the super nachos are delish! The service isn't great, but going to Connie's is more about chilling and taking things slow. You have to take this place for what it is and appreciate it.
(5)
Boots H.

Stopped in this evening for the first time in about 10 years. The people running the place couldn't have been ruder if they had taken lessons. Walked out, went elsewhere...bye.
(1)
Samantha P.

slow service... wowowowowwwim astonished on how waiting 30 mins for some melted shredded cheese on stale chips even has you guys still open. just forcing myself through the meal
(1)
Coal H.

Connie's is pretty much the best restaurant on this street. All its neighbors look fancy, but their food is like $20 a plate. Connie's is solid, authentic Mexican food at reasonable prices. The back patio is great. The CARNITAS are bomb. Connie was a wonderful host.
(5)
rabin n.

Mexican food at its finest. You can feel the love and hard work in every bite. Somehow this woman managed to blend olives into Mexican rice. The food is, without exception, full of love. Connie is amazing and the food is fresh and utterly delicious. For the same price as an average Korean owned taqueria, you can get authentic Mexican food that is delicious and filling.
(5)
Damian S.

The server was nice, but the food was lousy. We ordered 4 different dishes, salsa & guacamole. Nothing was very good, the tomatoes in the salsa were mushy, the avocado smelled weird & they were out of black beans. Hate to say it, but please save your money & goto a different taqueria.
(1)
Stephanie F.

This place is gross. I tried it twice, disappointed both times. If you're a Mexican restaurant in the Bay Area, you better have a worth while burrito. But the burrito here was just eh. Carnitas weren't crispy at all. Tried getting a quesadilla and it was gross and unnecessarily greasy. Dripping all kinds if oil and grossness. Like the cheese was microwaved. Do not recommend. There are soooo many other places worth your time and money. Can't believe this place stays open - food quality is poor and no one is ever there! Maybe it's a front for something? Lol. Oh well.
(1)
Fiona M.

Connie's subtle and delicious flavors create a signature style. Also, she loves children so it's a very kid-friendly place.
(5)
M R.

As I was waiting for my burrito to go, I kept hearing the microwave beeping. Hmmmm.... I got the chili verde burrito. I took it home and cut it open. There were Maybe 5 pieces of pork in the whole burrito. It was loaded with rice and beans. I asked for guacamole on a regular burrito. I was charged for a super, but I didn't get cheese, sourcream, etc. Needless to say, I did not get my burrito fix. I should have gone to Los Cantaros down the street.
(1)
Raphaelle C.

The service was about a 3.5 and the food was a 1 at best, so my final rating is somewhere in the middle. I came with a friend around 11:30 on a weekday. There was no one in the restaurant. The place is cute, small and the owner seemed friendly enough. We both order the quesadillas. I ordered carnitas and my friend ordered the pollo asado. My friend said she liked her chicken quesadilla. I did not like my food at all. The carnitas has some strange flavor that neither I nor my friend could identify, but I can promise you it was far from tasty. Additionally, I could barely see the tortilla because it was buried under cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa. Had I known it was just piled on top covering the whole quesadilla I would have requested it on the side. It was a large amount of food and had it been tasty, I would have been more than satisfied. I took a couple of bites and left the rest. Also, the service was slow given that we were the only two people in the restaurant. The prices aren't bad, but I did not enjoy the food and definitely will not be coming back.
(2)
Lauren W.

The chicken supreme burrito is undoubtably my favorite burrito of all time... Such fresh ingredients and flavorful sauces. The salsa is great, and the burrito is totally worth the price and feeds me for two meals. Plus, the staff is always quirky and friendly. Occasionally, service can be a little slow, but that's why you sit on the patio and enjoy a few $5 maragritas.
(5)
Anna B.

Five stars for the little guy!!! Everyone wants it faster, bigger, better then complains about SOMETHING anyway. Well, this place is small, slow and charming. Its not chipotle so take your time here and enjoy the best part; the ambiance!!! I love the back patio, I love the owner, I love the beans!! Order the Connies extra big burrito. Its the size of a serving platter and 9.99. Stick THAT up your instagram! Big thank you to Connie for letting us eat there when we showed up almost at closing. We had no idea of the time and she was beyond polite!
(5)
Natasha S.

Only customer here and no service for over 5 minutes. No way, Jose! Gave it a three stars because I have no idea what the food is like. We eventually left. Neecha Thai next store was more than happy to have our business.
(3)
Stephen A.

Connie is the Nacho Nazi. I ordered a quesadilla with no sour cream and when it came with sour cream. I said something about it later when she asked how our food was, and she acted as if it was my fault I didn't like sour cream. I'd never seen a restaurant cook be so arrogantly prideful and bitchy about being wrong when taking an order. My wife was with me and easily confirmed that I clearly stated no sour cream. It really wasn't as big of a deal, but she seriously wouldn't let it go as if I had caused her some harm by telling her I didn't like sour cream. It was mildly intense and caught my wife and I off guard when we were just trying to have a good lunch break together. We went back once afterwards to give it a second chance and she got the order right when I stressed the 'no sour cream', but the food was so bad neither of us got halfway finished and left.
(1)
Kirsten N.

Not much to look at -- your paper table "cloth" may have been already used (but turned over) -- and not the place to go if you are in a hurry. However, we were amazed at how good the vegetarian tacos plus rice and beans were. We seriously loved it and are looking forward to returning soon.
(5)
Dirk W.

We are loving this little Mexican restaurant, right on Grand Avenue, and an easy walk from Lake Merritt. Connie has always made our visits extra special, with a delicious selection of all things spicy and Mexican. Favorite is the Taco Plate. Always fresh, always as spicy as we request.
(4)
Kimbo L.

So, I took my friends to this restaurant for my graduation dinner because of an awesome soft taco that I ate earlier in the day from here. My god, was it good. It was fresh and flavorful and the mole sauce she provided kicked ass! We order sangria, tortas, super nachos, the super burrito, and a combination chicken plate. Everything tasted superb, fresh, and interesting. My friend, who has a degree in Mexicology ;], told me this was the real deal. Connie also checked on us and asked how the food was. I told her it was wonderful, but the wait time could be improved. She is well aware of the problem and mentioned that she tried training jr. chefs in the past on multiple occasions to improve the wait time, but all weren't up to her standard of perfection. She is the lone chef in that kitchen and often works by herself during the day. The help that she hires in the evening only runs food and cleanup. I'll deal with the wait time. I had a wonderful experience and I'll be coming back again.
(5)
DeAngela C.

As you can see, Connie is VERY slow but damn! She needs to hire some more people. I'm not asking for fast service, because I do enjoy dining but its almost as if Connie is irritated that you've come and takes her time to even come from around the kitchen to greet you. I had to go up to the kitchen and say "Hi, we'd like to eat here". Another guy next to me had to do the same thing. Connie appeared to get irritated with us both and responded "Everybody just have a seat! I'll be with you shortly." Hell, we already had a seat, we were getting up to see if anybody was in fact, working there! I've been a few times, but this last time was the worse. She needed to do some dusting, some cleaning of the table cloths and be a bit more welcoming. I don't understand why she's the hostess, the waitress, the cook and the busboy. The food was so/so.....This will definitely be my last time going.
(1)
Kiki B.

A little pricey for the taste and experience of the food. I feel like the food/food presentation might be trying to be over-complicated with the three sauces under the burrito, the zig-zag of sour cream sauce and little shreds of corn chips on top. I prefer my dollop of sour cream, my dollop of guacamole and a bowl full of chips. At least this way I feel like im getting something substantial. I really don't want fancy when it comes to my comfort food. To be honest I wont go out of my way to go back but I won't be distraught if I do.
(3)
Thomas J.

This joint makes Taco Bell look positively upscale. Save yourself some money and some toilet time by seeking your meal elsewhere!
(1)
Katie B.

Connie's has great food. It's a fun place to eat leisurely on the outdoor back patio as well. She is a little slow though so don't go if you're in a rush. Great wet burritos!
(4)
Derek C.

I gave a review earlier. But Yelp seemed not to have accepted anyway Cons- Instant guacamole mix(I say this with a lot of reservation since it wasn't until I was at this restaurant that my friend pointed out the horrid possibilities) The quesadilla - was NOT a quesadilla. It was two fried tacos in a circular flat form. and what was worse. ARUGULA salad on the side? Have you ever had broccoli in mexican food? no? I didn't think so. Somethings just don't mix. And to have the quesadilla of a center piece full of arugla I have to avoid . Don't get me wrong, I love my salad, but when your meat is spicy, dry and greasy, you don't want arugula nearby. oh and, please don't drizzle sourcream across the plate like that. It's just "putting on air" and disgusting too. Just like you wouldn't drizzle mayonnaise. It isn't some hollandaise sauce, in fact no sauce should be drizzle like that. Sour cream isn't dressing. A review mentioned canned beans. I just want to add, I am not even mexican and I can tell the beans were off. Canned, or cooked crappily. Some reviews said go here for the rice and beans alone? That is like saying go to a chinese restaurant for their rice alone. shut up. The price. oh god. 6 dollars for chips and instant guac mix. Can I have my life back? The flan was okay. It was rum and bread pudding, not your traditional flan. not flan. actually. But the fact that it is made with whip cream, hersheys chocolate syrup, and jarred caramel sauce, and tons of all seems to tell me that the chef was trying to compensate for the flan. I hated this restaurant, that when I read a positive review. I can't help thinking they know the owner personally and want to help this restaurant. I have only this, change or go away. The one star is for the ambiance. Which is very very beautiful. The service was affected. I didn't like it.
(1)
Liz S.

This place is a little neighborhood gem! Great food and sweet staff! Connie is awesome and cares about her food. I'll be back often! :)
(4)
Whitney Z.

My boyfriend and I had a late Friday night dinner here and it was delightful - seriously refreshing to eat well made, thoughtful food! It was quiet so Connie and servers were attentive, Connie came out and took our order. Since we had never been there, she chatted with us about her place a little and then I was going to order my usual - tostada - but Connie told me about the vegetarian dish she cooked up that evening. Mild peppers in this amazing sauce, she sold me on it. My boyfriend got enchilada's with mole sauce, oh, and this fantastic horchata. I was so so impressed with the meal Connie whipped together, soft tortilla's with these amazing peppers, rice, beans, and all the fixing's, totally awesome. I tried the enchilada's and I usually can't stand mole sauce but it was delicious! Connie seems to really cook about everything herself besides maybe the prep work so, I can see why when busy, it can take awhile. I think it's great, if you want fast mex food, maybe go somewhere else. We'll be back to have delicious well made food and one of these times, we will take advantage of the cute patio in the back which was a nice surprise too.
(5)
Nancy T.

The food is so yummy. The service is slow but the owner is making everything herself to order and when the food comes out, it's very much worth it. You do need to keep in mind that you won't be able to sit down and get a quick meal here, but if you have time for a leisurely dinner, this place is delicious!
(5)
Sean L.

I've been going to Connie's for probably a dozen years and almost always get the same thing, chicken taco salad. You know, the kind that comes in the fried flour tortilla bowl. It's not "authentic" but who cares, it's really good. I love the spicy chicken it comes with. Sadly, the last time I went, it came with a baked flour tortilla bowl which looked like it was made with that thing from the infomercial. Sorry, that's a deal breaker; I'll get something else next time. I've had other things at Connie's over the years and was always satisfied with the quality. Service can be a little slow sometimes, especially if they get a sudden rush. I know she's had trouble staffing properly since the recession hit. Connie also doesn't write orders down so things can be a little off sometimes. I've often heard people at other tables whispering, "that's not what i ordered".
(3)
todzak O.

This place was disgusting. Sure, we had to wait an unusally LONG time to get our food... but when we got it, it was like a microwave Mexican dinner... y'know, like the kind you get in the freezer section at Safeway. What's the point of waiting over an hour to get your frozen dinner microwaved? Please note, my husband's meal was so badly "microwave-burned" that he had to go back and ask for another dinner- where Connie didn't believe him, until he showed her. At that point, we wanted to go because we didn't want to wait, ANOTHER HOUR. And the beans, were OBVIOUSLY CANNED beans. Yes, I'm Mexican and I can recognize canned beans from how they look. I don't know how this place stays in business! Honestly, WHY ON EARTH would you come here where there are SO MANY OTHER BETTER Mexican restaurants, in the same neighborhood?
(1)
Suki B.

I've been wanting to try this place FOREVER, it's right around the corner from me and a few friends told me it's delish. The lady that was helping me with the order (Connie, perhaps) was super nice...even though I couldn't understand what she was saying and had to ask her to repeat herself like 5 times (embarrassing). I got a burrito and loved it. The restaurant itself is small & colorful. Will definitely go back sometime soon!
(4)
LM R.

Simply put: one of, if not the, best restaurants in The Bay. Ignore all past negative reviews, they aren't worth dignifying. Connie's (and Connie herself) will change your life--i.e. eat the tortilla soup. There is, also, an outside patio area that will leave you in the lap of luxury (so to speak).
(5)
Kristen H.

Whatever Connie's is lacking in speed, she more than makes up for in personality and charm. The food is good, and it's prepared with love. She knows my partner and I by name, and makes us feel very welcome. If you go into it knowing that it's like her home, then maybe you won't feel upset about waiting. I usually get the vegetarian burrito or nachos, but I've tried much of the menu, and it's always good!
(4)
Vlad G.

I went here about a month ago and, while the portions were ample and the quality decent, the wait was every bit as bad, if not worse, than what other reviewers reported. Connie was hospitable until I asked for my bill, then she ditched the veneer and acted put off and imposed upon, telling me curtly, "Give me a few minutes, please." After I had waited over 30 minutes for my burrito (This lady has absolutely no concept of time, or she is utterly inconsiderate, or both--but she seemed more preoccupied with socializing with old friends than offering good service), with but two other customers in the place. I definitely won't be back.
(2)
Kelli P.

I had reached that point of no return when you're so hungry that anything will do, and being that all the restaurants I wanted to go to didn't open until 5PM, I settled for Connie's. Yikes. My soda glass had weird residue in it. When my tacos finally came the meat was unlike any other carne asada and carnitas I'd had in my life, and not a good way. What's up with the rice? Looks and tastes like rice a roni, and had weird clumps of chewiness like it'd been sitting around for awhile. On top of the bad food, the service was slow. The sign says "order here" at the counter but when I got up to order the server (Connie?) snapped at me to sit back down. When we were ready to pay nobody came to give us our check and I finally got up and paid at the counter. The margarita was okay though. If you think this is authentic Mexican food, you're gross and I don't want to be your friend.
(1)
Philly S.

I was at first disappointed with the extreme spiciness, but Connie was very hospitable and made up for her mistakes. Overall alright but if you have sensitive taste buds, don't go here.
(3)
Harry M.

Really good food, great service, and a really great sangria. If you're looking for speedy service this is not the place. If you're willing to relax, check your attitude at the door and enjoy a nice evening, get to know Connie and have some great food and drink. My wife and I have never been disappointed.
(4)
Cliff F.

Nothing but love... Connie's burritos are a work of art. Her sauce is homemade every day. The burritos are huge and although I always envision taking some home for a second lunch, there's never anything left when I'm done eating. And (after reading some of these reviews) if they're too spicy for you then go to frozen food section at Trader Joe's. I love the spice. It's such a unique taste, I find myself craving it. Hats off to Connie for sharing her beloved recipe with us gringos.
(5)
Eli P.

Connie is the owner, Chef & Waiter. She uses FRESH ingredients and is always sure to do all the cooking herself in order to maintain her standards in serving her uniquely authentic dishes. The food is extremely and consistently good and Connie is a very nice person whom loves doing what she does. I think passion is a key quality for any good chef so for me, having Connie's Cantina so close to where I live is an awesome perk, giving my wife and I endless enjoyable dining experiences. I would highly recommend Connie's Cantina to any diner who enjoys TASTY food from a Chef who really knows how to produce consistently savory homemade food. 5 stars! Since Connie does it all, be prepared to wait a little longer, it's well worth it!
(5)
Marlisa F.

I've recommended Connie's Cantina to several friends, who all enjoyed it, and this past week we all trekked over, 15 of us, and had a wonderful time in the back patio area. A fun outdoor space . . . and with the usually beautiful Oakland weather, it was a perfect sunny day of margaritas, beers, and delicious Mexican dishes.
(4)
Ellie O.

I work in this area and wanted to grab something to eat. This place was definitely a mistake. At first it appeared like every other Taqueria (seat yourself, simple menu) but when my boyfriend took our orders to Connie (the owner) she had attitude about the way I wanted my food. When he told me this I thought maybe she just had a bad sense of humor so I went myself to place my order, a plain chicken taco with only lettuce, and she said "Are you sure? you want nothing on it at all even though its the same price with all the stuff? just a plain taco? ookkk no salsa, sour cream nothing? thats all?" It was like, I am paying you to make my food how I like to eat why am I getting judged for wanting a plain taco. Overall she had a horrible attitude and the food was not even good. -3 stars for a bad attitude, not only to myself but to my boyfriend as well. As paying customers this is NOT what I expect. -1 for the bad food, and beans that seemed to have come right out of a can. I would not recommend this place to anyone I was friends with.
(1)
Kai B.

Connie takes her time and makes everything fresh. Her tortilla soup is out of this world. The beans and rice that came with my tacos had great flavor and the tacos were so tasty. Connie is always so welcoming and I enjoy having my lunch here a few times a week. Don't be in a rush though, good food needs time to prepare and it's so worth it.
(5)
Rich B.

My pretty girl and I were in serious need of some serious Mexican food and fast! Somehow, though, Connie's just wasn't serious enough... Being relatively new to the Grand Lake district, we approached all of the cute and, to us at least, relatively unknown pretty shops lining Grand with child-like wonder. "Where to start? Isn't this place also owned by that guy who runs [so-and-such]? I've heard good things about this place..." Anywho, we found Connie's to be irresistibly charming, lots of cutesy cantina-worthiness. We very much enjoyed the opportunity for placemat crayon art. Sadly, this charm didn't seem to last for us. -Pretty girl's order of flautas was misunderstood for 'fajitas' and my burrito was huge on everything except flavor, (save for saltiness) -Water seemed to be flavored with limey dish detergent -Flaujitas were also too salty In the end, we left rather unsatisfied and thirsty.
(2)
David S.

Overpriced. $20 a pitcher for a very average margarita.
(1)
Theresa R.

I eat here every week. LOVE LOVE LOVE the chicken enchiladas. Sauces from scratch and homemade salsa with just the perfect amount of heat. Forgot my money today, and because I'm a regular, Connie said, "Don't worry, just take them and pay me next time...." Where else can you find that in the East Bay??
(5)
Angelica M.

Connie is amazing. Yes the service is slow but just go on a causal Sunday when you have some time to kill and aren't starving. Her food is definitely worth the wait! Again made with love (see other reviews below from fellow yelpers) and she takes the time to get to know something new about you each time you visit. I'll be back and it won't take me a year this time. This Catina is absolutely a Lake Merritt gem.
(4)
Douglas P.

I stopped in on Friday while visiting a friend that opened a business in the neighborhood.....The food was good, and incredibly cheap. The owner was incredibly friendly, and made sure that I was taken care of. The only drawback in my opinion: the interior is dated and needs updated. I would also like to see a bit more variety in the menu (especially in the taco category). I had her regular burrito which was almost enough for two people and was totally awesome.
(4)
G T.

First thing, Connie's is a hole in the wall. Not just any hole in the wall, a hole in the wall where there is basically one server and one person making your food and making it with all kinds of love. That being said, you will likely have to wait longer than other places because she is literally making almost everything when you order it. Sometimes I can wait, sometimes I cannot. When I can't, I don't go here. When I can, I am never disappointed with the food that arrives. Awesome: Burritos, nachos, taco salads, tortas, sangria, huevos rancheros, flan (no seriously, I don't even really like flan) Good: Tacos, tortilla soup Bad: Haven't had anything bad I say give her a chance and make your own call, just make sure you have time to wait.
(3)
tiara M.

I'm upset I even have to give it one star. I live nearby in the neighborhood and was overly excited when I came across a Mexican Cantina within skipping distance of my house. To bad the food is terrible and the cleanliness of the place seems to be worse. I ordered a Connie's quesadilla with rice and beans to go. After trying to convince me to order something else the woman working the counter finally agreed to make what I asked and asked that I have a seat. After being called up for my order I realized that my Quesadilla had been stuffed with all cold ingredients since it was made "to go." I figured I would just see how this turned out when I made it home. My beans and rice were in separate containers and I was looking more forward to them anyway. Mistake. Anyway, the woman at the counter took my $20 and charged me $14 for my quesadilla, rice and beans. By far the worst money I've ever spent! Then after taking my cash with her hands she proceeds to dig through a bucket full of plastic utensils and grab a plastic fork by the end that is supposed to go into my mouth and place it my plastic bag. Gross. I tried to make the best of it when I got home. I have the soggy semi cold quesadilla a try and had to quit. The lettuce that had been packed into the hit dish was wilted and intolerable. The flavor was equally terrible. I finally dove into my rice to find it cold and severely undercooked. However it wouldn't matter as it was just as flavorless as the rest if the meal. I guess if there were a saving spot it would be the beans, but they were only average retries beans. I'd recommend steering clear of this place!
(1)
pascal v.

The food is decent but the owner was very rude and mean! Connie needs to work on her people skills.
(1)
Tyler D.

One of Oakland's best kept secrets. And it's a good thing, because Connie rarely cook with any sous chefs. She is a one-woman-band, and cooks the most amazing food. The rice and beans alone are worth the trip. The portions are very generous, and impossible to "save for later" so go very hungry - and have a margarita. Connie's are the bomb. Don't go here if you are impatient and want a meal served in under five minutes. Like I said, Connie usually cooks alone, and deserves the patience of her patrons. But trust her - she knows what she's doing.
(5)
Derek C.

After eating here, my experience has ignited a passion in me. Never had I had such terrible Mexican food, that I need to write a review. I never complain about Burritos, it is like complaining about fast food, or complaining about breathing. But damn . . . The price is painful. I am not fine dining here, why is a burrito 10$$ + without chips. Also chips and guacamole is 6 dollars. You can buy yourself two avocados and fritolay for better and cheaper. And the guacamole. The restaurant should be shut down alone for this. . . This restaurant made me aware of the existence of . . . guacamole mix. Disgusting, it was almost a green slush made of lime juice and salsa. You can barely taste the avocado. I mean seriously, what are you going to do with the 3/4 of the other avocado you saved? Your only customer is me and my aunt, and if you keep this up, it will be nobody. This quesadilla, was NOT a quesadilla. and how dare you HOW DARE YOU put arugula salad NEXT to my quesadilla and drizzle sourcream across the plate like it is some hollendaise sauce or bechamel sauce. First of all, sour cream presented like that, is very disgusting. and have you tried eating arugula salad with mexican food. Try putting in chinese fried noodles and eating it with tomato bisque soup(sorry if you think this sounds good) About the quesadilla, it was two small corn tortillas deep fried stuffed with meat and more salsa. Salsa everywhere, in the guac. There was no beans, no cheese. Just meat, and salsa. and fried corn tortillas. the size of your hand. Yea yea, I don't need the calories anyway. But if it is 10$, then I want either quality or quantity. The flan was okay, it was made of rum. But it wasn't the flan I was used to. It gets one star for the nice ambiance.
(1)

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Address : 3340 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA, 94610
Phone (510) 839-4986
Website https://conniescantina.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :10:30 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Mexican Cuisine

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.

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Connie’s Cantina

3340 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA, 94610

Connie’s Cantina Menu

Ensaladas & Sopa

Burritos

Soft Tacos

Tortas

Quesadillas

Platos

Meats

Chips & Nachos

Main

Especiales

Sides & Extras

Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Connie’s Cantina

Ensaladas & Sopa

Burritos

Soft Tacos

Tortas

Quesadillas

Platos

Meats

Chips & Nachos

Main

Especiales

Sides & Extras

Dessert

Alastair M.

K.C. F.

Mark G.

Josh A.

meshell c.

Crystal C.

Jona C.

Leigh N.

Jessica D.

Diana R.

Gym W.

Molly G.

Avalon B.

Brooklyn A.

Jenn W.

Renee N.

Heather B.

Brandon M.

Lady O.

Darrell S.

Joseph A.

J. S.

Stephanie E.

Lisa L.

Lisa T.

Pat W.

maya m.

Geraldine C.

SofÃ­a P.

Carlos John D.

Derek N.

Kathy M.

P K.

Brenda H.

Eric S.

Alison B.

Kreativess ..

Brenda L.

Lotus S.

Darren B.

May L.

Gunnar H.

Blaze F.

Kadi S.

Alisha B.

Terry M.

Meuy S.

Loli L.

Mary C.

Trish B.

Anne Marie M.

SofÃa P.