Oh really, another "Mexican Restaurant?" was what I normally think when I see these places popping up everywhere. However, the 'whole enchilada' is really all the 'enchilada' you could want, and a bag of chips! They have great burritos, delicious chips, excellent salsa bar, bad ass tacos and yelp check-in offers. All for a price that won't break the bank. Jeeze, I sound like a commercial. Hey, I tell it like it is. Most recently, I had two soft shell, corn flour, shrimp tacos that come with free chips and salsa. Paired with the yelp check-in offer, it came to around $7. $7 for a decent meal of shrimp tacos? I was thinking, "Where am I, Taco Bell?" And then I tasted the Tacos. Holy crap, these tacos were legit. Dump some of the sweet salsa on them with a generous helping of hot sauce, and you're in for a heck of a taco. Overall, the two tacos and chips were not that filling. But, as far as quality and value, it's hard to beat.
(5)
Elizabeth C.
Ooooh this place might be giving my beloved Chipotle some competition! After reading so many stellar reviews on this place and seeing some delectable pictures, I told Sam we had to go. Turns out he's been wanting to try this place for a while. We went on a Friday evening after an hour workout at the gym- we were starving! I ordered the Fah-hee-tah Barita- it came with fire roasted peppers, onions, rice, black beans, cheese, salsa, avocado lettuce and sour cream and steak. Sam ordered the One of Those which came with Jack and cheddar cheese, salsa and guacamole and steak. My burrito was HUGE (because it had rice and beans in it) and Sam's was regular sized. Both burritos came with free chips which meant trips to the salsa bar!! Every single salsa that I tried was amazing.I especially loved the mango salsa. My burrito was super tasty. I'm not the biggest fan of rice and beans, so if I ever got the Fah-hee-tah Barita again I would ask them to take those off. Sam's burrito was delicious! It wasn't as filling as mine,but it tasted awesome. I might order his the next time I go. We also ordered queso and chips (8oz bowl). Jeez was that queso good! I live for white cheese queso. Man, The Whole Enchilada provided us such a tasty meal,and the best thing about it was how inexpensive it was! My meal was just over $8, Sam's was just under $8, and the queso was $5... We were beyond full and it only cost us $21!! Such a deal! Can't wait to come back.
(5)
Bryan R.
The Whole Enchilada Fresh Mexican Grill 4115 N. Federal Highway 1-15 Oakland Park FL 33308 shrimp tacos only 2 tacos - the hard shell tacos $11 w/ side of chips soda - kinda high $ for little food / salty shrimp / service for food preparation slowish - rating 5.5
(1)
Patt G.
My sister and I were going out for dinner and I wanted fish tacos. She won't eat them. We needed a place with variety. This is it. She had an enchilada platter I had the fish tacos. I couldn't decide between flour and corn tortillas and the server suggest I try one of each. Great idea. Now I know. Corn tortillas fall apart. Stick with flour. The salsas are out of this world. Try the mango. That's my favorite. On fish tacos, it's amazing. We had a great time, and a good dinner for a reasonable price. The only downside (and lost one star) was that the soda machine was not working. I don't drink soda but that's also the ice dispenser and the warm sweet tea was not all that refreshing.
(4)
Adrianna U.
LOVE THIS PLACE. I am a sucker for mexican burrito places like this. Had the bob burrito, and Fah-hee-tah from the 3 times i went so far. Both great. What sticks out about this place for me, (because most of these tex-mex places are very similar), was a great salsa bar paired with chips and the whole enchilada style( drenching the burrito in extra sauce, cheese, and sour cream on the top.) Great way to enhance a burrito.
(5)
Alina A.
Laidback tex mex spot in Oakland Park serving up fresh, fast food to order w/ picnic tables out front. I came here for a quick bite during lunch (I work down the block so I finally came by) and loved the service right off the bat. Jessica was totally on top of things even through the hectic lunch hour w/ orders flying. She was super friendly and moved at lightening speed to process orders, deliver orders and refill the salsa bar-I was impressed! My favorite off the menu was actually a special: mexican street tacos they served on Cinco de Mayo- should be on the regular menu it's SO GOOD.
(4)
Susan J.
Good and fresh, hot and delicious! We have eaten here several times and are never disappointed. From the eclectic decor to the variety of salsa choices, The Whole Enchilada is spot one. Love tacos? You can't beat the Skrimp Tacos. Enchiladas? Pancho Villa makes a great one! Burrito more your choice? You can't go wrong with The Bob. Just want some Nacho's? They will fill you up! Love Mango? Try the so yummy Mango Salsa! Don't pass this place by!
(5)
Laura S.
I stopped I'm on a Sunday evening. It was quiet, not too many people and the interior of the restaurant was cozy and clean. I ordered the enchilada platter and chips to start. Right off, the salsas are delicious and fresh. I'm a bit of a salsa/spicy food junky so it's kind of hard to mess it up with me anyway but theirs were pretty good nonetheless. The enchiladas were with ground beef and although they aren't very large, what the lack in size they make up for in richness of flavor. That is exactly how I like my enchiladas; with a good smoky corn flavor from the tortillas, hot gooey cheese and red sauce that isn't too tangy or salty. The beef inside had a deep simmered flavor and texture a little like chili. Very good. The service was "eh". She was pretty much run of the mill cashier chick. Wasn't overly helpful or warm but wasn't terrible either. Maybe someone a little bubblier might be better but whatever. It's south florida, you know that is already asking for too much. I will return and maybe try a few other things on the menu.
(4)
Keith B.
Always passing by, but never partaking, decided to give it a go today. Wouldn't even let the 83 degree F temperature INSIDE the restaurant deter me (guess the AC wasn't working). Had the 'Sarah' burrito....and guess who rang up my order? Jackie....that's besides the point...were you expecting Sarah??. Ahhh...just kidding, it was Sarah. Very nice. Had a burrito ($8), guac and chips ($4) and soda from the ultra cool push button electronic dispenser. Think I ordered a soda just to play with the machine....men, toys. All in all it was very good....will have to add T.W.E to my burrito repertoire.
(4)
Jennifer O.
I grabbed lunch with friends and I thought the menu was very simple and basic. Nothing too exciting to stand out from the crowd of the other Mexican restaurants in the area. Food was OK. Service was quick. Prices were average. Parking located on the side of restaurant and additional parking behind building (across the alley).
(3)
Ruwan S.
After ordering my favorite burrito-- the black tiger burrito-- I glanced down from the wooden countertop and saw a curious creature scaling the leg of one of the stools. Camouflaged by the same brown-black color as the stool, its slimy thorax scurried upward as it's long antennas waived from left to right. The roach settled itself atop the stool, waiting. Maybe for his food, maybe to be sat on. At this point I found myself paradoxically standing there wondering: do I create a fuss or try to forget what I've seen. I go to the salsa bar and fill tiny cups, trying to repress the thought that the char blackened shrimp that normally fill my burrito are instead cockroaches. Hunger overcomes me and I think f*k it. Deviously, I watch to see what happens to the thing. Will he be sat on, never to crawl these floors again? Maybe he's had a long day at work and wanted to unwind and instead he dies. Maybe he gets caught and shooed out and then his friends all laugh at him. Life is hard. Amidst my speculation, a mother and her toddler walk in. I see her lifting her son up to stand him on the stool and at this point you would think I might intervene, but I don't. I'm curious what Mr Roach will do. He now has a name - it's Mr Roach. Frantically, as if Mr Roach has lost his keys while Mrs Roach is going into labor (he also now has a family), he circles around confused and afraid, unseen by the little kid or his occupied mom. The boys foot unknowingly kicks Mr Roach to the floor. At this point I'm thoroughly disgusted. My order comes out. I grab the bag feeling so pumped that dinners been ruined by what I've seen and also that Mr Roach won't have to go home to his family in shame for being caught. As I'm walking out, the fat kid from Bad Santa walks in. I hear a gasp and then a shout. "Step on it!" he yells to his mother. I turn to get one last look at him but it's too late. CRUNCH. So long, Mr Roach ... and my visits to this location. RIP.
(2)
Christian S.
I asked for a Burrito and I received a Quesadilla. I guess when I said "can I have the "One of Those", the name of one the burritos on the menu, she probably thought I said Los Otros where the quesadillas are listed. Though I was in the mood for a burrito the quesadilla was not bad. My wife ordered the Skrimp tacos, yes the shrimp tacos. It was the not the baby shrimp one would normally receive at the run of the mill Mexican establishments. In addition the shrimp was actually seasoned. This is a pretty good Mexican establishment.
(3)
Salvatore D.
Love this place. One thing I love is the fresh salsa bar and homemade hot sauce. I'm a big fan of spicy and this hits the spot. I've tried a bunch of things on their menu and I've never been disappointed. My personal favorites are the fish tacos and nachos. Big portions and always made to order. They always have a daily special with is a great way to try something new and save a few bucks (includes a drink). Today's special was the Chili-Chicken Burrito. Since I love crunchies (hard tacos, nachos, etc) I tend to not order burritos, but decided to give it a try. This tasty burrito came filled with fresh grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a chili-lime sauce - then grilled to finished it off. It. Was. Tasty. Would definitely order this bad-boy again. I tossed in some jalapeños while eating it to add a little more spice, but it was delicious... Messy but delicious. Oh - the staff was friendly as always!
(5)
Denver E.
The Whole Enchilada has some great Tex Mex and their own little salsa bar. They serve burritos, tacos, quesadillas, taco salads and more. My personal favorite is the Black Tiger shrimp burrito formerly known on previous menus as Skrimp. It has caggage, avocado, rice, black tiger shrimp, and a chipotle sauce. Excellent. I've tried the Quesadillas and the Taco Salad as well and while the are nice, I still strongly recommnd the Black Tiger. Funny I am just now getting around to reviewing this one as I have been a regular there for over three years and have visited both of the Fort Lauderdale locations, the original location next to Jack's is the better of the two. This restaurant used to be much better a few years back when it was just this one. At this location you see the original decor and also still get to see movies on the tv screen, and they will change it by request (I always ask for The Goonies). Usually they have music playing inside though it would be cooler if the music was outside and the movie audio inside.
(3)
Daniyal S.
Love this place and if you are hungry the bob is fabulous! The staff is fabulous and very attentive. All the food is cooked fresh and the beer selection is great too
(5)
Harry S.
I tried their other location and was. disappointed although I do admit it was late in the evening and near closing time so perhaps that was the reason I was not happy with the food. After some back and forth comments with my friend Marcus on here I decided to try them again but this time at the US 1 near Oakland Park. At his suggestion I had ordered the tiger shrimp tacos with soft flour tortillas And I totally loved it these tacos were packed with perfectly grilled fresh tiger shrimp. I am now a fan. Can't wait to take friends and family to give it a try.
(5)
Melissa E.
There food is a lays fresh nd Made to order... Their staff is great too... No complaints by me... Oh don't forget to check out the mango salsa.... yum
(5)
Kara A.
Chicken tacos, served in record time which sounds good but, perhaps should have been a red flag. After a long day I was pretty hungry so reason went out the window temporarily, but I noticed that the chicken tasted either cooked far before ordering or just overdone and not good quality. Bottom line: inferior meat, clearly no emphasis on freshness, with a relatively intriguing mango salsa, and absolutely forgettable 'classic' red and pico. Zona gives me 2x the quality food, freshness, flavor and simply a better salsa bar, even if I had to choose just one. Will not return.
(2)
Joel M.
Found this place on yelp and it was quite good. Ordered the enchilada plate and it was brought to the table fairly quickly. It was enough food for lunch without being too heavy.
(4)
Jeff P.
We locals in FLL have quite a few "Tex-Mex-ish" food restaurants to choose from. I've enjoyed the food, less so the place at both The Whole Enchilada locations. I love me some good Tex Mex but let's face it - it comes down to five ingredients or so just mixed up differently to create most things on the menu! So, seeing as there is a lot of sameness, I use 2 criteria - food preparation and 'how good's the salsa' Let's start with salsa...At TWE, one such salsa is the 'red' or I'm guesing the standard salsa. and just on the sweet side of sour. Really well done with perfect ripe tomates and a good amount of liquid. On an oversized burrito it's a knock out. Ok with sour cream and gauc too, its to die for...The food preparation is comparible to the top players - solid, pretty quick out of the kitchen (with good 'getting your order right' accuracy) & tasty. Portions are large too. I'm not big on eating on benches or picnic tables and there is some of that at both locations. But hey, this is not really expensive, its really good and you get a lot of it. So enjoy!
(4)
Alexandra M.
Awesome shrimp tacos and a great selection of sauces to choose from!
(4)
William R.
Great food and great prices! Chips and salsa, enchiladas, rice and beans all for less than $10
(5)
Dennis M.
Salty chips. Bland flavors. Can someone teach the cook to wrap a burrito properly? Mango salsa is about the only thing worth getting here and I'm sure that come's pre-packed. Just drive north 5 minutes and go to Zona Fresca.
(1)
Adam B.
Good food fast service! Had the shrimp burrito everything was pretty good. The chips were a little salty but other then that everything was pretty good.
(4)
Miranda P.
Good, but not great. I did appreciated the tofu-filled, 'Tree-Hugger,' but it wasn't the best veggie burrito I've ever had. I hate that they use styrofoam.
(3)
D C.
This place was a sort if miss for me. It was Mexican but it lacked a large part of it's flavor. It was quite 1D. So I felt it was lacking. 3 stars is fair. The food was palatable but just missed the mark.
(3)
Rachel W.
I wish the food was better because I liked the menu, however the food was very bland. We order two different burritos with the tofu and it was not flavorful. The tofu was soft and almost raw, which is why there was not any flavor.
(1)
Esther S.
MANGO SALSA. MANGO SALSA. MANGO SALSA! They have a nice salsa bar that has five different salsas. They're all quite scrumptious but the mango salsa is seriously so addicting. I can drink that stuff all day and all night. A little spice, a little sweet, you can't go wrong with this! The restaurant is small, but cozy. The cashier girl was super sweet and was very hospitable. They have one of those cool soda machines that can mix syrups to crank out like a 100 different sodas. What do they call those, electric soda dispensers? Anyways, service was fast, although my friends and I were the only ones in the restaurant at the time. I ordered the Black Tiger burrito. Shrimp, Mexican rice, jack and cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, cabbage, avocado and chipotle sauce were wrapped around my whole wheat tortilla (you have a choice from flour or whole wheat). I loved how the avocado wasn't mashed or chopped, there were a couple of thick slices nestled inside. My friends ordered fish tacos, which they seemed to enjoy. All meals came with a side of chips. A friend ordered a side of queso, which wasn't mind blowing - it could've been warmer in temperature in my opinion. If you check in, you get 10% off of a single entree! P.S. Don't forget the mango salsa!
(4)
Emily B.
Their burrito, cheese quesadilla & taco salad were excellent! Good customer service and love their Coke machine with the 10000 flavor choices.
(4)
Keith L.
Some of the best fish tacos in South Florida (one fish with the cilantro dressing is where it's at)! Staff is super friendly, very helpful and always quick to deliver your order. Salsa bar is a party in your mouth. It's extremely diverse with the mango salsa taking the #1 slot. I come here twice a week whenever I'm in town.
(5)
Jem Z.
The Whole Enchilada was super tasty. I had the Two Fish, which was two mahi-mahi tacos served with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and avocado. You choose if you want soft or hard, flour or corn tortillas, which is nice to have options. (My bf ordered a burrito, and his options were flour or whole-wheat tortilla.) The mahi was very fresh, however, I do think it was a little skimpy on the fish. You never can get enough mahi! There were many different burritos to choose from, so I think The Whole Burrito would have been more appropriate of a name (even though you can get any of the burritos "enchilada style.") There was even an option of ex-naying the tortilla for a lettuce wrap, which is a great option for the health conscious diner. Ordered a side of queso, and a side of guacamole, both of which came with chips, as did our tacos/burritos, so we were on chip overload! The queso was decent, nothing to write home about. The guacamole was ah.mah.zing! I tend to like my guacamole mild with a hearty dose of onions, and this was right up my alley. For soda enthusiasts, they have one of those magical soda machines that dispenses any soda you could wish for. For the boozers, they had a nice selection of bottled craft beer. There was a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating. Will return!
(4)
Serena H.
The whole enchilada is my number one go to for my mexican fix. I love this place. Ive been to all 3 a time or two. This was the first location. the place where I became obsessed with Fish Tacos, but not just any only theirs! They are amazing and the reason I have been a loyal customer and visited all the stores and go back with a smile each time. Ive graduated to other menu items like The bob, beef enchiladas, and quesadillas they are all are amaze!! The food is cooked fresh to order, the staff is sweet, its well maintained and clean. What more could a girl want? Maybe a little Hot Sauce! exactly! They have the best house made hot sauce, don't get confused there are two one is red and one is brown. both are good, but My obsession is the brown I think they call it jalapeño hot. It is AMAZING! You will love the whole enchilada! its a slam dunk of a taco spot! There is a pretty blonde who is always there she's super friendly and accommodating she really makes the place!
(5)
Lisa C.
Yummy...steak enchiladas were very tasty as were all the different salsas. Definitely will be back!
(5)
Tiffany G.
They have the freshest mahi mahi tacos here!! Get them with the green sauce in the crunchy shell!! So good! On my most recent visit, I ordered the steak quesadilla! So good! I love that they have whole wheat as an option for the quesadilla! Also, I like all their salsas-red and green and the pico de gallo at the salsa bar! They have also added the neat soda machine with every flavor imaginable!! This place is the best for super fresh, high quality mexican food!!
(4)
MickeyBlue I.
Not sure if I was just starving or this place was very good. No, it's good. It's a quick, small place to get some delicious fresh food. I would definitely return. And the soda machine is really high tech.
(4)
Michael D.
Love love love this place! A friend of mine introduced me to it and I'm hooked! I enjoy the Benito burrito w/ Tofu, so good! The staff is friendly and the salsa bar is great. I would choose this place over chipotle/lime any day! Check it out
(5)
Jason P.
Descent Mexican. Nothing I was way excited about. This was my first time here, and I had the chicken burrito. It was a little on the bland side for my tast buds. The tacos looked better, so I'll have to try them next time.
(3)
Anth G.
Never had a bad meal here. Travel to Acapulco frequently and their fish tacos are better. Staff is always upbeat and fun. Were showing "beetlejuice" on plasma. Nuff said.
(5)
Sam M.
Just had lunch at the Broward Mall location and I would not feed my dogs this slop! It looked as if I came direct out a microwave. The rice was dry, steak enchilada had a funky taste. The service was non existent the server dropped our trays never came back to ask how was everything and at 12:30 the place was empty. I now know why, the food sucks, lousy service and overpriced. This restaurant will not last long. I am happy about one thing that I did not take a client there for lunch!
(1)
Sara M.
Since my initial review was a year ago and since today I ate at the Whole Enchilada where I ordered the same "one of those" as I did on my very first visit, I feel like I have come full circle and in turn need to write a review update, or, more like a second installment of my admiration. Since that first visit, not much has changed : the food is still awesome, the mango salsa is still ah-mazing, the same super friendly girl still works there, and they still have great deals and specials every day. Over the past year with give or take 15 visits (don't be fooled with my 7 check-in yelp status.. I am terrible at checking in!) I have tried a good deal of the menu, all of which I think is top notch. The ingredients are fresh and tasty and everything is made to order. The crispy corn taco shells are crazy good. Not like what you get out of a box from Publix or from Taco Bell, these crispy shells are thick and flaky and just much better than any other of its kind. Don't pass up an opportunity to try this place!
(5)
Danielle R.
Very good. Think Lime, Chipotle. semi-fast Mexican food with a lot more options and better meat! I had a Chicken Fajita Burrito which I tried w/ every single condiment that they have on their amazing condiment bar. Mango salsa, salsa verde, hot/mold/medium, jalapenos, it's loaded with fun stuff!
(4)
D. H.
Reminds me of Chipotle - stuff 5 pounds of rice and 2 ounces of meat into a burrito, make it look huge, and people will think its a great deal. My better half makes better burritos at home with Old El Paso.
(2)
Caitlin M.
First time trying this place and it was delicious! For the price, the portions are a good size. You won't leave hungry. The one downside is that the inside seating is a little cramped. If it's not a million degrees outside, I would recommend eating on the patio. You'll have more room to spread out, especially if you have a family. I will definitely go back!
(5)
Diana D.
Hubby picked me up some fish and shrimp tacos and met me on my lunch break at work nearby. Boy, I was definitely happy with the quality and taste. Will be getting them again when in the area and want some tacos, hope to try other menu items also!
(5)
Nicole Y.
I love the food here! They are always fast, friendly and very affordable. Their guacamole, queso, and all the meats are always fresh! I have never had a bad experience here.
(5)
Allen D.
Top notch place. I hate calling this restaurant Mexican because its so much better than that label. Eat here and you won't regret it.
(5)
Peter E.
It's been almost 4 years since I've eaten here. Moved away and am back for a visit. The Whole Enchilada is the first place I went to. Each mouthful was so good. I don't think Ft Lauderdale realizes the gem this place is. Better than Willey's, Moe's, and Chipotle combined. And I like those places. If you come here, try your entree "enchilada style".
(5)
Melissa L.
I can't believe it took us this long to visit this place. I ordered The Whole Enchilada with steak, my husband ordered the Black Shrimp Burrito and our friend ordered the TreeHugger. The Treehugger is made with marinated tofu and our friend said it was delicious. Everything was served with their fresh tortilla chips and comes with a salsa bar. My meal came with black beans and yellow rice. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because Our food came out all at seperate times. I sat there for a good 5 minutes until mine showed up without even a sorry. Oh well, it was still delicious and we will be returning. I like this place over Zona Fresca anyday!
(4)
Andrew F.
I love this place!! The management is the best and the staff is very friendly. If you want good food make sure to give them a try!
(5)
Stephanie C.
The "Whole Ench" as my friends and I have dubbed it since we eat here quite frequently, is a favorite of mine for some fresh, organic, mexican. All their ingredients are "wholly organic" and you can tell in the fresh taste. The fish tacos should not be passed up, topped with cabbage and a cilantro mayo that is scrum-dum-de-delicious. Their salads are great, and the staff is always super nice and willing to modify the menu to fit what you want. The structure of the place is shaped like a giant taco (or enchilada? Can't tell for sure...) and they have TV's for watching games. It's not a huge place, but they have inside and outside seating. Really casual. Love to stop in for some fresh tex-mex.
(4)
Robert L.
Back again for my 2nd time this trip, brought about 10 people from Canada and all loved!!!! Great service as always. Thx so much.
(5)
Nate K.
Fish tacos were solid, the gaucemole was amazingly fresh and out of the world. Great selection of drinks. There was also a cool soda machine up front that let's you mix and make different sodas. Service was friendly and down to earth. Wish I was local so that I could enjoy more often. I don't give many 5 stars due to my equal distribution of ratings. But well done!
(4)
Stuart K.
The food was really delicious and the service was amazing! The manager was very accommodating and friendly. I would definitely eat here again! Try the chipotle sauce on whatever you order :-) delicious
(5)
Suzanne A.
I usually think Mexican is too heavy we sour cream, cheese, fried, more cheese..... Whole Enchilada was a refreshing change- fresh ingredients, not overly laden with sauce and cheese. Awesome salsa bar!
(4)
Monica U.
My uncles and I wanted to try something new and came upon this place. I had the quesadilla and it was delicious. The cool soda machine with different flavor is another plus! I work close by so I will be stoping by frequently :)
(4)
Darryl S.
It's an OK joint. Nothing terrible; nothing special. Unfortunately, with so many Mexican/Latin food places around, being "special" really is mandatory in this town. As stated, it's wholly decent if you're famished and happen to be driving by.
(3)
Jennifer C.
I ate there for the first time today. It was awesome! Very fresh, very fast, and reasonably priced. The tofu was delicious and I love the fact that I could get my meal over a bed of lettuce instead of a tortilla. Now when I want Mexican for lunch, I'll be going to The Whole Enchilada instead of Salsa Fiesta.
(5)
Aly T.
best fast food Mexican!!
(5)
Katie L.
This place is amazing!! I love that it's a small business and they make fantastic, healthy food. Fajita Burrito is amazing!! Tofu is really good there. Chicken is delicious Black beans are scrumptious and I usually don't like black beans Self-serve salsa bar! My favorite is the mango salsa. Whenever they have queso, that's freaking amazing too! I moved to California and the one place I miss the most in Ft. Laudy is this place!! It's that good!
(5)
Marqus R.
A rather small place, but adequate parking, a little fenced in and side outdoor patio eating. The interior is clean with a rather home/laid back look to it. I don't get their drift about what is so cute or quaint about having a board with foreign money posted on it, but they must think it amusing. For food, really great! It has all of the quality ingredients plus a lot more of them than a Chipotle taco. Indeed I had one of the best shrimp tacos ever; plus they have a rather nifty complete menu, some of which have weird names such as "One of Those," "Tree Hugger," and the "Not Yet Famous." However, the menu fully explains them. I found them all be really good as well as nice in variety. It's a counter service place, but much more polite and attentive than most counter services. Next to the counter are five salsas varying from regular, mango, roasted tomato, verdi and others. Indeed, Whole Enchilada is one of the very best fast Mexican places you can find, a far better value than Chipotle and a much more relaxed atmosphere. The only down side is that it is just a beer and wine type of licensed place, so no margarita.
(4)
Adam C.
Currently, the cashier is very friendly and the cook wears Buddy Holly glasses. The napkins are on the wall and I always forget that. So I use my shirt. It has a salsa bar and I can afford to buy the most expensive thing on the menu...TWICE! Great food, great prices. Oh, and there green tea is unsweetened, so I don't have to worry 'bout maintaining my svelte figure.
(4)
Gary G.
Good food, reasonable prices, ample portions, a variety of fresh salsas bursting with flavor. Been to the original place a few times, and never been disappointed. There's a newer location a few miles south that has the same great qualities, but I could have done without the loud music.
(4)
Mariam D.
After driving by the Whole Fresh Enchilada for a few years, a friend and I finally stopped in last Saturday after a day at the beach. The building itself is cute, the inside is small .. order at the counter and grab a seat inside or outside on one of two picnic benches. The salsa bar covered the basics: jalapeños, two kinds of standard tomato salsa (tried one of the two & it was tastey), a mango salsa (excellent), and some green salsas that I did not try. I like it hot, however you will not find it here - their hottest salsa was quite mild. The first menu item that jumped out at me were the fish tacos ... after looking over the entire menu, though, I opted for the Treehugger, a whole wheat burrito stuffed with your choice of black beans or pinto beans, tofu or chicken, rice, and avocado. The portion is the perfect size and served in a basket with chips on the side. My buddy ordered 2 crispy tacos with steak, and they both appeared to be and tasted like your standard yummy tacos, and also served with chips on the side. Grab a drink to wash it all down - they offer beer as well as frozen sangria. Overall our experience here was a good one & reading the other reviews, I intend to return very soon to try their shrimp tacos, mahi burrito, and the guacamole. Salud!
(4)
Lidia P.
Just great all of it. Service is very friendly and attentive. It is fast and very fresh. Very good Tex-Mex.
(5)
Steve C.
And..... Begin! Marnie scouted this joint out, as she had a hankerin for Mexican. Talk about a score! 1. Close to the office 2. Abundance of hottie customers 3. Fabulous food (two visits thus far) 4. Great prices and value--a football sized enchilada stuffed with Mahi Mahi and a frosty domestic, bottled beer rang in at around $10 bucks at Friday lunch! 5. Lots of fresh and tasty condiments, inclusive of the storied mango salsa that Marnie loved and I skipped. 6. Helpful, attentive, and efficient staff 7. Cool decor Downside: Too small for the popularity. All told, TRY IT! I love it! :-)
(4)
Thais A.
Gooooooooooooooood tacos!!!! The best hard taco shells I've ever had. Ever! It's not your ordinary taco shell. Tastes more "bready"? I can't really explain the consistency of the shell but they're amazing. Like I said, best taco shells ever! I really enjoyed my meal. Cons: For a fast food tex-mex place, service was slow. It took almost 15minutes for us to get our food. The soda tasted funny. It comes from a regular coke machine, like the ones they have a Moe's or Chipotle, but something was definitely wrong with the coke. The chips didn't taste fresh. They tasted like they were made yesterday. The salsa is just okay. Nothing special, and not enough spice to any of them. I'll be back if I'm ever in the area again for some tasty tacos, but I'll be sure to order a bottled water instead of a fountain drink.
(3)
Steve O.
Have been to both on Federal hwy, food is excellent and fresh, and the staff is always helpful, they seem genuine and happy to be there
(5)
Jason B.
Love this place. Everything is fresh and delish. The staff is always laid back and friendly. Im a big fan of "The Red" but I hear the shrimp tacos rock too. Maybe I'll breakdown and try them next time.
(5)
Mike S.
The food is pretty darn good, but wow, is the service slow at lunch time, and you should get there early unless you like sitting outside by Federal Highway. It's worth the drive and wait as long as you get there before or after the lunch rush, because the staff can't always keep up with the crowd.
(3)
Hayley P.
The fish tacos with cilantro sauce are the best... the guac is also amazing.... (I love them both that I haven't tried anyting else.)
(4)
Tele M.
Had the quesadilla with spiced tofu. The quesadilla is excellent, the tofu tastes very good. The tofu inside the quesadilla, eaten together? Did not work for me. The texture/feel of the tofu inside was not appetizing. Felt like goat cheese chunks inside the quesadilla when I bit in to the tofu. Maybe if it was thin strips fried to a crisp it would work better... I'm not sure how to solve that problem without simply opting to delete the tofu. Otherwise, I'm a fan of this place for life. This would have been a 4 star review if it were not for the presence of the best FUCKING SALSA BAR I HAVE EVER SAMPLED, DAMMIT.
(5)
Jaye W.
This was one of the first restaurant gems that we found in Fort Lauderdale. The Whole Enchilada is an amazing little tex mex joint right down on Federal Hwy/US1, between Oakland Park Blvd & Commercial Blvd. This place has great decor, and a kick ass salsa bar. The menu is chocked full of goodies and some absolutely killer food. They almost always have classic comedy movies playing on the tv for light entertainment. Our favorites are the Black Tiger Shrimp Burrito, Skrimp Tacos, and Fajita Quesadilla. The only drawback to this great taco shack is that the bathrooms are located outside. And whatever you do, you gotta try the mango salsa!!
(4)
Jeremy B.
I liked the vibe of the place and the cool decor inside. They had old-style wooden crosses arranged together on one wall, antique looking wooden shutters/doors on another side of the wall, complemented by a flat screen TV playing one of the old Superman movies. Nice... It was my first visit, so I went with the mahi fish taco basket ($6.99 for two tacos w/ chips). They were good but not spectacular. The salsa bar is nice, but they don't have them labeled so I couldn't tell which one was what. The chips that came with the tacos were good. The girl behind the counter was very nice. My friend got a burrito and said it was pretty darn tasty. I'm going to go back sometime and try something else. Saw someone eating shrimp tacos and they looked better than my fish ones. This isn't an authentic Mexican place but everything is fresh. It reminded me a little of a place I used to go to in Orlando called Baja Fresh (I think they have one in Ft Lauderdale too) but this place is much better. I haven't had Zona Fresca to compare but I hear this place is similar. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4...
(4)
Alex G.
Noticed this place before, but this was my first experience - and WOW was I impressed! The salsas and sauces all taste homemade and fresh, bursting with the right combo of spices and flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating. Behind the counter, your order is made fresh - you can see them making it to your liking! Awesomeness. Opted for the two taco (corn, soft) with Mahi, cabbage, avocado, cheese and chipotle sauce. It was delicious! The salads at the table next to me looked incredible, too. Same with the guacamole. Will definitely come back for more!
(5)
Lee B.
We've been fans since Whole Enchilada first opened. Neither of us eat meat, poultry or dairy, and the staff is always ready to customize our order accordingly. My favorite is "Ensenada Burrito Go Green (makes it a salad instead of Burrito w/Mahi Mahi) with cabbage and some extra avacado, hold the cheese, dressing on the side". That's the healthiest fast food order you can place in Fort Lauderdale! Chips are fresh and the salsa decent. I usually like to sit outside at one of the picnic tables. Service is super for the genre. We eat a Whole Enchilada at least once a week and highly recommend.
(5)
Surf W.
I enjoyed their fish tacos, the mango salsa and the other taco bar additions. The scores at my table ranged from 3-4 stars. One big comment was that they were skimpy with the chips. Not like Zona Fresca that piles them on. Appears to be an old Ft. Lauderdale bulding and a little musty because of it. I would go back for the fish tacos and the mango salsa
(4)
Matthew G.
I'm always looking for a good fish taco, and this place has some of the best ones I've had outside of San Diego. Delicious and fresh-tasting, the "one fish" is made with mahi-mahi, guac, cheese, and cilantro. They have a small salsa bar, so you can spice up/down your food however you like. The people who work there are friendly, and the small eatery has a casual, Cali/Tex-Mex vibe to it. And even more exciting, they're opening a second (more convenient-to-me) location close to downtown Ft Laudy in March!
(4)
Barron R.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. They do it right here, and cook everything however you order it. Fish tacos are my favorite, made with grilled mahi-mahi. Get 'em with cabbage instead of lettuce and the sauce on the side and just pile on the salsa! Honestly, everything here is delicious. I prefer this place over Zona Fresca any day--much fresher & much more bang-for-your-buck. Five-stars for great food and service at a great price.
(5)
Chip E.
Great fresh food every visit for the past two years!!
(5)
Caroline L.
Horrible food and the worst service! Only 3 people at The Whole Enchilada for dinner and they forgot to cook our order! We ordered the Fa-hee-tah platter, the black beans were dry and the beef was barely there masked with all the onions and green peppers. The tomato salsa tastes like canned tomato paste. The only good thing about this place was the mango salsa. We'll definitely not be coming back!
(1)
Robert D.
This place is great! I just got done having lunch there and ordered "The Red" I pour the roasted hot sauce on it and its perfect.. The staff is friendly the food comes out fast and they are always consistent!! They had gotten soo busy that they just opened another location in between sunrise and Los Olas on US-1..
(5)
Carlos P.
A healthy alternative when you are in the mood for Mexican food without the added grease and heartburn! I had the Hasselhoff platter with ground beef and soft corn tortilla. DELICIOUS. My friend, who loves this place, didn't think I'd be crazy about it since it's all healthy & organic Mexican food but I proved her wrong. The ground beef was deliciously seasoned, topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. It was not at all greasy and the portions are pretty generous for one person. Each plate comes with a side of chips and they have a salsa bar to boot. Whenever I'm up in this area again, I will definitely come back for seconds! This place takes the cake...and the whole enchilada too!
(4)
S M.
We visit this place and Zona Fresca every time we are in town. We think both are in the same league except zona fresca has a little better ambience and is larger. And the salsa selection is better over there but Whole Enchilada's tacos and burritos and of course Enchiladas are on par.
(4)
T T.
I'm not sure what is going on. This was one of my favorite places to eat. In the past few months it seems like this place is going downhill. First they got rid of the hot salsa. I usually get take out so I am judging a lot on this. The bag of chips you get is less than a handful, even when you order a large guacamole. Not sure what they expect me to do, eat the guacamole with my fingers? And lastly the burritos are now packed with rice. I use to enjoy some chicken in my burritos. If the owners read this PLEASE CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. Until then I will be going to Zona Fresca.
(2)
Kris C.
Take it from a former Chipotle addict, The Whole Enchilada is the tits. Super friendly service - wish I had the gal's name so I could give her a shout out. She remembered our special order on our second time in. Pretty impressive! The prices can not be beat, the ingredients are crazy fresh and the pork...ohhhhh the pork. Last but not least, they were playing freakin' GHOSTBUSTERS during lunch rush! Just great, all around. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Lesley A.
We go to this place literally once a week at least if not more! Their service is friendly, their salsa bar is one of the best, they're dog-friendly (outside), and their fish tacos and fajita quesadillas are a MUST!! Good beer and good daily specials (i.e. gym membership discount!)! Definite locals spot!
(5)
Mary S.
Excellent food. A little pricey but well worth it. LOVE the salsa bar.
(4)
Chris G.
This has become one of our favorites for quick, fresh, texican. We've been there almost weekly for the last few months, but I can't comment widely on the menu as I always get the tostada salad with chicken. It's the best in the area - hands down. The environment is friendly with plenty of outdoor seating for nice days. And, I'm very excited that they are opening another location on Fed Highway just north of downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)
Suzanne R.
Cheese dip is stellar! The place is small, but it's a must visit. Fish tacos are delicious.
(5)
Elaine K.
Really tasty tacos and burritos. The service is fast and friendly. I had the burrito with mahi mahi and chipotle sauce. It was big (but not too big), fresh, and flavorful. I'm a fan.
(4)
Charmie P.
I tried the steak taco, the meat was horrible and definitely not fresh, service was friendly but slow, it was disappointing. 9/12/09 Update - I have been back a few times now because my friend wanted to try it herself, and it was actually very good. I had the chicken burrito and it was huge! The service was fast, very attentive and the food was good, the mango salsa is pretty good but I think they lack a larger variety of salsas. Overall, good fresh food for a quick bite.
(4)
John L.
New to a neighborhood and was excited to learn about a "great" fish taco place... now that I've been by a few times I feel confident in weighing in that Whole Enchilada is fine, fun, and cheap... all good things. But it's not great... People come here for the One Fish... 2 overstuffed lightly fried mahi-mahi tacos (soft, hard, corn, flour, whatever you ask for) with some fixings and inoffensive cilantro sauce. They are good, filling, and if you jack them up enough with various components from the salsa bar they are really great... but I could also just do that at home. To the management... One Fish: the mahi mahi is cut too large, which is why you are over-stuffing your tacos, making them messy and well unweildy and in general just making the whole thing overwrought. Just make the mahi 1/2 the size and add another taco to the combo (still using less fish overall), and offer a grilled option too please. Now your guac is friggin' great, but the sliced avocado on top of the tacos is only avg. -- so swap those, lose the huge dose of cheese! (you don't need it), add salt and brighten up your cilantro sauce or just marinate your fish in something tasty and lose the sauce, and add some extra red onions. Whammo... it's friggin' great because its so simple. This is a taco joint, not Chili's... don't pander to your customers.
(3)
Jorge G.
Great fresh fish tacos just like the west coast. Awesome place for a quick lunch with outside seating.
(5)
B E.
Nifty little Mexican place right on US-1. All of the reviews seemed impressive (unusual for Mexican in South Florida), so I decided to give it a shot. You order at the counter and then sit down and wait for your food. There's a salsa bar - definitely try the mango salsa! The cashier was kind enough to explain how it worked - basically, they do great enchiladas, apparently phenomenal fish tacos, but the cashier's favorite was the RED - essentially a burrito made enchilada style - smother in sauce and cheese and served with chips. The styrofoam plates and plastic forks is a little cheesy, but the food and service definitely makes up for it. Worth a visit when you're craving Mexican!
(4)
Stacy S.
I stopped in for lunch a few days ago. They have cute decor inside with currencies from around the world. The girl who look our order was outgoing and nice. I ordered the chicken soft tacos. I think it was called The Hoff or something. Go figure. They have fresh salsas available with hot sauce you can mix in. I was a bit surprised there did not have a hot salsa already made, but it is what it is. My tacos were good. Nothing extraordinary to report. The romaine was crisp, the chicken pretty tasty. As a nacho lover I had to try my friend's nachos. They were good, and he said he enjoyed them. I would have to say it is good, and I will go back. But I am quite partial to Zona Fresca. Enjoy!
(3)
sean k.
I dream about this place. The One Fish tacos are so perfect. The cilantro sauce goes so great with the Mahi and avocado. Also, they've got the best guac around. Three thumbs up for this place.
(5)
Shannon M.
Best quick order mexican around, this place crushes Zona Fresca. Great fish tacos and mango salsa is the best. Always like to pick up dinner on the way home too.
(4)
Freddy M.
I used to like this place. But the food portions have been drastically reduced and don't bother calling ahead of time. I called in my takeout order. Drove there, paid for the order. Then 5 minutes later they realized they never even started the order. The food is usually fresh and sauces are varied but the service & presentation have really gone down hill.
(3)
Joshua R.
Ensenada is the best. Great Place and highly recommend.
(5)
Elizabeth A.
The staff is great. The salsas are watered down, the crispy taco shells fall apart as soon as you bite into it, and sides aren't included with your entree, unless you count chips as a side, which I don't.
(3)
Susanna C.
Love their fish taco #2, grilled fish with chipotle sauce in a flour tortilla. Lots of options to get it your way.
(4)
Talisha M.
I am still wondering why I haven't stopped here sooner!?! Tiny hole in the wall with bathrooms on the outside that I have passed several times a week for years but something didn't register to stop here until last week when I saw the parking lot full. This is an eat & get out fast place as the place gets super full & you will get the evil glare if you are "camping out". Took the advice of nice cashier who said to get the fish tacos & one of each Fish 1 & Fish 2 (same fish just dressed differently). I was IMPRESSED! Fresh yummy tacos & great guacamole! Try the orangey spicy salsa on the bar soo tasty!! Oh yeah how could I forget how cheap this place is. Still not sure why this place is called the Whole Enchilada when I saw NO ONE eating the 1 enchilada item on the menu. I will for sure go again & again!
(5)
Edith O.
The whole enchilada is one of my favorite places around Fort Lauderdale. Their mahi fish tacos and burritos are so delicious! Love the cabbage and cilantro sauce mix on the tacos. Awesome salsa bar with pico, mango, and green sauces. Great salads and quesadillas too! Yum!!
(5)
Aaron V.
We finally decided to stop in after driving past it about a million times. I had the Fah-hee-Ta Barita with chicken and my partner had the Tiger Shrimp Burrito. We shared an order of guacamole. Both were quite good. I really enjoyed my burrito...it was the best I have had in a while. My partner liked his also, although he felt they were skimpy in the shrimp...and they were tiny to boot. A comparison to Zona Fresca is inevitable, so I'll go ahead and compare. The menu between the two are not all that different. There are two main differences...salsa and guacamole. There are only 4 salsa options at Whole Enchilada, none of them are particularly good. As a matter of fact, the traditional salsa is kind of sad. Do they make it with ketchup or tomato paste? Blech. Zona Fresca's salsas are better. The opposite is true of guacamole. The guac at TWE is excellent! It's one of the best guacamoles....ZF's guacamole is kind of nasty...it has no texture and not much flavor...did they put a few chunks of avocado in a blender with a lot of mayo or what? So, the guacamole makes TWE the hands down favorite overall of the two restaurants. The service at ZF can be indifferent at best...they were really nice at TWE and even checked in at our table a couple times, even though it's counter service.
(4)
B K.
My fave shrimp tacos in the area. Simple, delicious and quick :)
(5)
Lesley K.
What a bummer.... My favorite taco stand has gone to the dogs. We've eaten here since they opened and the last few times have made us decide to go back to zona fresca. My tostado salad was gross. The steak was dry and gamey. There was a few pieces of old lettuce and rice. Same with my poor husbands. Sorry guys, this was the last straw. Whoever was the cook last night should be ashamed. Now you have something to worry about because people talk when a restaurant goes bad. Oh and even my dog wouldn't eat the meat last night.
(1)
diana a.
So, i'm not into mexican that much and I'm allergic to cilantro therefore mexican food scares me sometimes. I had lunch here with some co workers and decided to get a benito burrito which is rice, pinto beans, ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes on a flour tortilla it was okay nothing special..to me it was flavorless but, it was really big and did fill me up. If i ever go again i will try something else maybe that way i can give them a better rate.
(3)
Al L.
Sorry for being late on this review. I checked in then forgot to write it. Ops. Maybe to much spirits. Lol. Either way I must testify that it is a must stop eating establishment. Very casual is the norm and no thrills in the dining. Th salsa bar is a five with a delicious variety. The hard shell fish tacos were slightly over cooked but not bad. The employees were very friendly. So, for that throw on the shorts and grab some Mexican eats, visit The Whole Enchilada!
(4)
Tylander P.
I've been here many times. Good food!!! Nice services. Mango sauce and Salza are delicious. Check them out guys.
(4)
Anon F.
This is a tiny little whole in the wall place with great food! It definitely doesn't look like much from the outside, but the decor is decent inside and the food is excellent. They have a nice little salsa bar with three different kinds of salsa, jalapenos, onions, lime, etc. I had the mahi mahi quesadillas and they were really tasty. A little too much cheese though, but other than that, just about perfect. You can really tell that the fish and the other ingredients are very fresh. The guacamole was some of the best I've had down here - well done! It took about 15-20 minutes for my food to arrive, but the place was pretty busy during lunch. Overall, it was very well worth the wait. Very clean inside and friendly service. I will return! Highly recommended!
(4)
Matthew F.
Wow! I didn't think I could like a Mexican takeout joint more than Zona Fresca, but The Whole Enchilada puts an even fresher spin on the basics. I had the Tree Hugger, a giant vegetarian burrito with seared tofu coated with black pepper and a whole wheat tortilla- delish! The fresh chips are nice and light and the mole salsa is not to be missed. As much as I love Zona Fresca, I hate eating there with the unflattering light and the constant stream of customers. Whole Enchilada has a much more pleasant eating space and much better lighting.
(5)
Karen L.
So, I am a little picky about my Mexican food. I like to weigh in all the food factors, spicy, soggy, sweet, sour. You know all the good stuff. Having said that, this place rocks! Fish Tacos. That's all you have to remember when ordering. I personally like to live a little and get them crispy. Crispy goodness Oh My! Plus, you aren't going to break your bank by going here. Anyways folks, this place is good. Fish taco good :)
(5)
Hilary G.
Everything I eat here is fabulous. Always friendly service. Love it!
(5)
Jennifer Z.
delicious!!
(5)
E C.
Terrible experience. The place was dirty the salsas at the salsa bar look like a week old salsa. The limes were dry and the kitchen look filthy. Not going back again. I forgot my sunglasses, when I came back five minutes later and asked about it. A very nice young woman confirm that she found the and rushed to get the behind the counter. When she was not able to find them, she tasked the other person in the kitchen. He answered with and abrupt and quick "NO". I guess customer service was not part of the training. If you see a cook with Prada sunglasses don't forget to compliment him!
(1)
Alexandra G.
Great choice for very casual lunch, dinner or take-out. Food is fresh, service is friendly, prices are very fair. Limited menu, so this isn't for picky eaters. Try the Ensanada (mahi) burrito--yummy!!
(5)
Michael S.
Small place. Seating for maybe 20 inside, more outside. Reasonably priced. Tried the fajita platter. Good, not great, but will try the highly recommended seafood items next time. Extra star is for the friendly, helpful staff.
(4)
Ralph N.
Lovely fish tacos, friendly girl at the cashier, cool place to be.
(4)
Seanne C.
Pros: Daily specials that are very good. Salsa bar. Outdoor seating. Great service. Get the pork. Cons: Inconsistent Some of the dishes are just ok.
(3)
Lindsey N.
I've only been to this place a few times but everytime it is absolutely delicious! One of my favorite spots to eat in south florida by far!
(5)
David G.
I am loathe to give any place 5 starts so thats why I go 4. Just went there for lunch today, the cook was really nice, recommend the One Fish taco. it was great, fish was tasty, tacos were huge, and the cilantro sauce added a great flavor. Afterwards I went outside and talked the owners for a couple of minutes, they were really nice guys. I'm glad I popped in today. I haven't stopped talking about this place for the last 3 hours. If your in the area...Go
(4)
Kris B.
had fish tacos, tostada salad, and mango and roasted tomato salsa on the side. place is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely hit the spot. salsas were amazing.
(4)
Vanessa C.
Delicious! Probably the best place for Mexican in Ft. Lauderdale. The food is always fresh, cheap and the service is wonderful. I forgot the girl's name, but she's almost always at the counter and she is super accommodating and nice. I happen to love the nacho mama and the tree hugger, but the chicken tacos and beaner burrito are also great. I've recommended this place to a few friends and they've all been back for seconds and thirds.
(5)
Jaye V.
Solid 4 stars. This place made my day. Not only was the food delicious and fresh, but the service was laid back, cool, and super friendly. The decor, atmosphere, 2 employees, and fresh ingredients totally whisked me back to Austin and what order-at-the-counter type places are like there. It's Tex-Cal-Mex (seared tofu, shrimp, and mahi-mahi, anyone?) with a fresh salsa bar. This is the best of its kind that I've found outside of Texas. Better than anything of its kind that I've had in DC, South Florida, or even California. And yes, better than Ft. Lauderdale's Zona Fresca. Plus, you don't have to fight for a parking space. The place is run by *local* guys who obviously take great pride in their product. If you want extra or less of any ingredient, a smaller portion, you name it - they take it in stride and are happy to please you. The clientele at lunch was almost exclusively locals in their late 20s and 30s, those that work M-F 9-5. Not snowbird retirees -- except for one couple who wandered in only because there was no parking left at the restaurant next door. But they were so glad to have found this place (they were squealing and clapping with pleasure at the arrival and first bites of their meals), and said from the get-go that "well, already it's so much friendlier over here!" I ordered the mahi-mahi burrito, which contained large pieces of grilled (not fried!), well-seasoned, moist mahi fillets. It was also stuffed with shredded lettuce, tomato, large slices of fresh avocado, two types of grated cheeses, and a small amount of a creamy cilantro sauce (nope, no heavy sour cream, rice, and beans). It came with a side of housemade thick tortilla chips. Although fresh (how many times can I say 'fresh'?) and tasty on its own, I enjoyed drizzling different combinations of salsas with each bite. The salsa bar contained chopped onions, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, red & green pickled jalapeno slices, and 4 salsas: traditional, roasted, mango, and fuego (hot). Fuego was tasty-hot but more medium for a Texan's palate (the snowbirds thought it was crazy hot though). The roasted salsa was the fan favorite and there was a little wait while they made a new batch from fire-roasted peppers. The mango had tons of sweet mango chunks in it as well as a bit of a kick, and I didn't try the traditional because it resembled Pace :). Great for vegetarians. They will make any burrito "naked", or without a tortilla -- but they otherwise have flour, whole wheat, and corn tortillas. Next time I'm trying the shrimp -- I hear the tacos are overstuffed with succulent tiger shrimp. I kind of doubt that the chicken/beef fare on the menu are as good as the (seafood) vegetarian fare. Like I said, this place totally made my day. Reminded me of home (hospitality/laidback-ness!) AND delicious -- what more could I have asked for? ***** [update 3/10/08: Went again during lunch where it was swamped with people. The guy taking care of the place wasn't there this time; instead it was a kinda overwhelmed guy who was kinda short with you. He mellowed out somewhat after it started thinning out, but it no longer had that Austin feel. However, the tiger shrimp burrito with the smoky chipolte sauce and red cabbage was delicious...however it didn't have the caramelized onions it promised; instead it used a yellow saffron rice. I'll have to knock it down a quarter star.]
(4)
German G.
Great fish and shrimp tacos! Amazing mango salsa!
(5)
Ryan H.
Not as good as Chipotle, Tijuana Flats or Moe's... but a close fourth. Their meats are a bit bland... spice up the chicken, beef, pork, etc... and I'd consider going back.
(2)
Rick H.
Excellent place to have a fresh burrito in a casual environment. Cashier was peppy and very helpful in describing the best items on the menu. She even gave us a tour of their salsa bar and pointed out the "dangerous" sauces to my girlfriend and I. Food was hot, fresh, and delicious - will be back again for sure!
(4)
Ryan G.
This place is one of my favorites! The Ensenada (fish burrito) is one that you cannot go wrong with. They also have queso sauce that I'm very fond of! They need to expand!
(5)
d e.
I've been a fan of the whole enchilada for a while now, but just felt an urge to praise it a little more. My friends thank me constantly for introducing them to this place. When you walk inside you immediately feel like you just walked into your friends beach party...there was a surfing video playing on the flatscreen and the music was a very diverse, casual beachy play list that was playing both inside, and outside. My usual is the "two fish" tacos and they are always exquisite...lettuce, tomato and cheese with avocado and a smokey, spicy chipolte sauce. They also offer the "one fish" which has cabbage, avocado, tomato, cheese and an amazingly light flavored cilantro sauce. My favorite thing about this place besides the genuine hospitality from the cashier, cooks, the manager (and the owner even comes over to say hi when he's there) is the fact that, even with the burritos, in every bite there is every ingredient no matter what you order! Chips come with everything and they have a help yourself salsa bar with other condiments and 5 salsas, one for every pallet to choose from. I don't know how they do it, but keep it up guys, I'll see you soon.
(5)
Rachel M.
thanks to the first reviewer, Jaye, as well as my boy, i finally tried the whole enchilada. ordered the spicy mahi-burrito (i forget the name) on a whole wheat tortilla. reasons why it ruled: 1. tortilla was huge and toasted nicely 2. fish was fresh 3. spice on point 4. cabbage and avocado crunchy and like butter 5. the kitchen/counter dude sweet as hell 6. as of march 2008, this place is a one of a kind (Score!) ////////////////// i have given them 4 stars because i personally still and will always prefer Zona Fresca's salsa bar. now i may have to get my burrito from this place and salsa from Zona. it'd be in my belly's best interest if these two restaurants combined forces.
(4)
Robo K.
This place is good if you are in the area for a quick bite. The staff there is extra friendly always asking everyone how their meal is. However, I am always too shy to tell them to please drain the burritos beofre serving them to me. You can literally take a bit out of the burrito and then turn it over and have flashbacks of your high school trip to niagra falls. the ingredient are always fresh and the burritos are in fact tasty, i just can figure out where the water comes from. Quesadillas are good and come with all the fixins. Salsa is par and they have quite a few options which is good. The ladies next to me seemed pretty happy with the salads too but I havent tried them yet.
(3)
aiala z.
i absolutly love this place. hands down BEST shrimp tacos ever. the cilantro sauce is absolutly to die for. i usually prefer chicken or even beef tacos but when i went there for the first time i really wanted to try something new. so i went for the shrimp tacos and have yet to regret that decision. i worked at a restaurant but would make it a point to stop at the whole enchilda first so i could chow down on the tiger shrimp tacos in the car on my way to work. i came there today hoping to once again be astounded by the deliciousness that is the shrimp taco, but was faced with the fact that indeed, they had run out of shrimp during the busy lunch hour. i was seriously thinking about leaving and going somewhere else but my boyfriend was really looking forward to eating his hasselhoff tacos. (two regular tacos with your choice of steak, chicken, or seared tofu. and you can mix and match). the girl behind the counter, was so sweet and after seeing how disappointed i was suggested the mahi-mahi tacos. i for one, am very hard to please when it comes to fish. a single fishy tasting note and i get nauseous. so i was hesitant to say the least. until she told me that after trying them, her fish hating sister doesnt ever order anything else off their quirky menu. i decided to dive in and try the one fish tacos which contain pieces of grilled mahi-mahi, tomatoes, cabbage, avocado, and cilantro sauce in a flour tortilla. i fell head over heels. i also asked for some guacamole for my chips and it was so rustic and fresh. when i handed the girl my credit card she asked me if i was a student and i told that i was but i didnt have my student id with me. she said she trusted me and gave my boyfriend and i a discount. so that was a wonderful added bonus. even thought the juicy fresh mahi-mahi tacos were delicious i am very loyal to my shrimp tacos... so next time i go (probably tomorrow) they better have some =)
(5)
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Address :4115 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33308
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Sam K.
Oh really, another "Mexican Restaurant?" was what I normally think when I see these places popping up everywhere. However, the 'whole enchilada' is really all the 'enchilada' you could want, and a bag of chips! They have great burritos, delicious chips, excellent salsa bar, bad ass tacos and yelp check-in offers. All for a price that won't break the bank. Jeeze, I sound like a commercial. Hey, I tell it like it is. Most recently, I had two soft shell, corn flour, shrimp tacos that come with free chips and salsa. Paired with the yelp check-in offer, it came to around $7. $7 for a decent meal of shrimp tacos? I was thinking, "Where am I, Taco Bell?" And then I tasted the Tacos. Holy crap, these tacos were legit. Dump some of the sweet salsa on them with a generous helping of hot sauce, and you're in for a heck of a taco. Overall, the two tacos and chips were not that filling. But, as far as quality and value, it's hard to beat.
(5)Elizabeth C.
Ooooh this place might be giving my beloved Chipotle some competition! After reading so many stellar reviews on this place and seeing some delectable pictures, I told Sam we had to go. Turns out he's been wanting to try this place for a while. We went on a Friday evening after an hour workout at the gym- we were starving! I ordered the Fah-hee-tah Barita- it came with fire roasted peppers, onions, rice, black beans, cheese, salsa, avocado lettuce and sour cream and steak. Sam ordered the One of Those which came with Jack and cheddar cheese, salsa and guacamole and steak. My burrito was HUGE (because it had rice and beans in it) and Sam's was regular sized. Both burritos came with free chips which meant trips to the salsa bar!! Every single salsa that I tried was amazing.I especially loved the mango salsa. My burrito was super tasty. I'm not the biggest fan of rice and beans, so if I ever got the Fah-hee-tah Barita again I would ask them to take those off. Sam's burrito was delicious! It wasn't as filling as mine,but it tasted awesome. I might order his the next time I go. We also ordered queso and chips (8oz bowl). Jeez was that queso good! I live for white cheese queso. Man, The Whole Enchilada provided us such a tasty meal,and the best thing about it was how inexpensive it was! My meal was just over $8, Sam's was just under $8, and the queso was $5... We were beyond full and it only cost us $21!! Such a deal! Can't wait to come back.
(5)Bryan R.
The Whole Enchilada Fresh Mexican Grill 4115 N. Federal Highway 1-15 Oakland Park FL 33308 shrimp tacos only 2 tacos - the hard shell tacos $11 w/ side of chips soda - kinda high $ for little food / salty shrimp / service for food preparation slowish - rating 5.5
(1)Patt G.
My sister and I were going out for dinner and I wanted fish tacos. She won't eat them. We needed a place with variety. This is it. She had an enchilada platter I had the fish tacos. I couldn't decide between flour and corn tortillas and the server suggest I try one of each. Great idea. Now I know. Corn tortillas fall apart. Stick with flour. The salsas are out of this world. Try the mango. That's my favorite. On fish tacos, it's amazing. We had a great time, and a good dinner for a reasonable price. The only downside (and lost one star) was that the soda machine was not working. I don't drink soda but that's also the ice dispenser and the warm sweet tea was not all that refreshing.
(4)Adrianna U.
LOVE THIS PLACE. I am a sucker for mexican burrito places like this. Had the bob burrito, and Fah-hee-tah from the 3 times i went so far. Both great. What sticks out about this place for me, (because most of these tex-mex places are very similar), was a great salsa bar paired with chips and the whole enchilada style( drenching the burrito in extra sauce, cheese, and sour cream on the top.) Great way to enhance a burrito.
(5)Alina A.
Laidback tex mex spot in Oakland Park serving up fresh, fast food to order w/ picnic tables out front. I came here for a quick bite during lunch (I work down the block so I finally came by) and loved the service right off the bat. Jessica was totally on top of things even through the hectic lunch hour w/ orders flying. She was super friendly and moved at lightening speed to process orders, deliver orders and refill the salsa bar-I was impressed! My favorite off the menu was actually a special: mexican street tacos they served on Cinco de Mayo- should be on the regular menu it's SO GOOD.
(4)Susan J.
Good and fresh, hot and delicious! We have eaten here several times and are never disappointed. From the eclectic decor to the variety of salsa choices, The Whole Enchilada is spot one. Love tacos? You can't beat the Skrimp Tacos. Enchiladas? Pancho Villa makes a great one! Burrito more your choice? You can't go wrong with The Bob. Just want some Nacho's? They will fill you up! Love Mango? Try the so yummy Mango Salsa! Don't pass this place by!
(5)Laura S.
I stopped I'm on a Sunday evening. It was quiet, not too many people and the interior of the restaurant was cozy and clean. I ordered the enchilada platter and chips to start. Right off, the salsas are delicious and fresh. I'm a bit of a salsa/spicy food junky so it's kind of hard to mess it up with me anyway but theirs were pretty good nonetheless. The enchiladas were with ground beef and although they aren't very large, what the lack in size they make up for in richness of flavor. That is exactly how I like my enchiladas; with a good smoky corn flavor from the tortillas, hot gooey cheese and red sauce that isn't too tangy or salty. The beef inside had a deep simmered flavor and texture a little like chili. Very good. The service was "eh". She was pretty much run of the mill cashier chick. Wasn't overly helpful or warm but wasn't terrible either. Maybe someone a little bubblier might be better but whatever. It's south florida, you know that is already asking for too much. I will return and maybe try a few other things on the menu.
(4)Keith B.
Always passing by, but never partaking, decided to give it a go today. Wouldn't even let the 83 degree F temperature INSIDE the restaurant deter me (guess the AC wasn't working). Had the 'Sarah' burrito....and guess who rang up my order? Jackie....that's besides the point...were you expecting Sarah??. Ahhh...just kidding, it was Sarah. Very nice. Had a burrito ($8), guac and chips ($4) and soda from the ultra cool push button electronic dispenser. Think I ordered a soda just to play with the machine....men, toys. All in all it was very good....will have to add T.W.E to my burrito repertoire.
(4)Jennifer O.
I grabbed lunch with friends and I thought the menu was very simple and basic. Nothing too exciting to stand out from the crowd of the other Mexican restaurants in the area. Food was OK. Service was quick. Prices were average. Parking located on the side of restaurant and additional parking behind building (across the alley).
(3)Ruwan S.
After ordering my favorite burrito-- the black tiger burrito-- I glanced down from the wooden countertop and saw a curious creature scaling the leg of one of the stools. Camouflaged by the same brown-black color as the stool, its slimy thorax scurried upward as it's long antennas waived from left to right. The roach settled itself atop the stool, waiting. Maybe for his food, maybe to be sat on. At this point I found myself paradoxically standing there wondering: do I create a fuss or try to forget what I've seen. I go to the salsa bar and fill tiny cups, trying to repress the thought that the char blackened shrimp that normally fill my burrito are instead cockroaches. Hunger overcomes me and I think f*k it. Deviously, I watch to see what happens to the thing. Will he be sat on, never to crawl these floors again? Maybe he's had a long day at work and wanted to unwind and instead he dies. Maybe he gets caught and shooed out and then his friends all laugh at him. Life is hard. Amidst my speculation, a mother and her toddler walk in. I see her lifting her son up to stand him on the stool and at this point you would think I might intervene, but I don't. I'm curious what Mr Roach will do. He now has a name - it's Mr Roach. Frantically, as if Mr Roach has lost his keys while Mrs Roach is going into labor (he also now has a family), he circles around confused and afraid, unseen by the little kid or his occupied mom. The boys foot unknowingly kicks Mr Roach to the floor. At this point I'm thoroughly disgusted. My order comes out. I grab the bag feeling so pumped that dinners been ruined by what I've seen and also that Mr Roach won't have to go home to his family in shame for being caught. As I'm walking out, the fat kid from Bad Santa walks in. I hear a gasp and then a shout. "Step on it!" he yells to his mother. I turn to get one last look at him but it's too late. CRUNCH. So long, Mr Roach ... and my visits to this location. RIP.
(2)Christian S.
I asked for a Burrito and I received a Quesadilla. I guess when I said "can I have the "One of Those", the name of one the burritos on the menu, she probably thought I said Los Otros where the quesadillas are listed. Though I was in the mood for a burrito the quesadilla was not bad. My wife ordered the Skrimp tacos, yes the shrimp tacos. It was the not the baby shrimp one would normally receive at the run of the mill Mexican establishments. In addition the shrimp was actually seasoned. This is a pretty good Mexican establishment.
(3)Salvatore D.
Love this place. One thing I love is the fresh salsa bar and homemade hot sauce. I'm a big fan of spicy and this hits the spot. I've tried a bunch of things on their menu and I've never been disappointed. My personal favorites are the fish tacos and nachos. Big portions and always made to order. They always have a daily special with is a great way to try something new and save a few bucks (includes a drink). Today's special was the Chili-Chicken Burrito. Since I love crunchies (hard tacos, nachos, etc) I tend to not order burritos, but decided to give it a try. This tasty burrito came filled with fresh grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and a chili-lime sauce - then grilled to finished it off. It. Was. Tasty. Would definitely order this bad-boy again. I tossed in some jalapeños while eating it to add a little more spice, but it was delicious... Messy but delicious. Oh - the staff was friendly as always!
(5)Denver E.
The Whole Enchilada has some great Tex Mex and their own little salsa bar. They serve burritos, tacos, quesadillas, taco salads and more. My personal favorite is the Black Tiger shrimp burrito formerly known on previous menus as Skrimp. It has caggage, avocado, rice, black tiger shrimp, and a chipotle sauce. Excellent. I've tried the Quesadillas and the Taco Salad as well and while the are nice, I still strongly recommnd the Black Tiger. Funny I am just now getting around to reviewing this one as I have been a regular there for over three years and have visited both of the Fort Lauderdale locations, the original location next to Jack's is the better of the two. This restaurant used to be much better a few years back when it was just this one. At this location you see the original decor and also still get to see movies on the tv screen, and they will change it by request (I always ask for The Goonies). Usually they have music playing inside though it would be cooler if the music was outside and the movie audio inside.
(3)Daniyal S.
Love this place and if you are hungry the bob is fabulous! The staff is fabulous and very attentive. All the food is cooked fresh and the beer selection is great too
(5)Harry S.
I tried their other location and was. disappointed although I do admit it was late in the evening and near closing time so perhaps that was the reason I was not happy with the food. After some back and forth comments with my friend Marcus on here I decided to try them again but this time at the US 1 near Oakland Park. At his suggestion I had ordered the tiger shrimp tacos with soft flour tortillas And I totally loved it these tacos were packed with perfectly grilled fresh tiger shrimp. I am now a fan. Can't wait to take friends and family to give it a try.
(5)Melissa E.
There food is a lays fresh nd Made to order... Their staff is great too... No complaints by me... Oh don't forget to check out the mango salsa.... yum
(5)Kara A.
Chicken tacos, served in record time which sounds good but, perhaps should have been a red flag. After a long day I was pretty hungry so reason went out the window temporarily, but I noticed that the chicken tasted either cooked far before ordering or just overdone and not good quality. Bottom line: inferior meat, clearly no emphasis on freshness, with a relatively intriguing mango salsa, and absolutely forgettable 'classic' red and pico. Zona gives me 2x the quality food, freshness, flavor and simply a better salsa bar, even if I had to choose just one. Will not return.
(2)Joel M.
Found this place on yelp and it was quite good. Ordered the enchilada plate and it was brought to the table fairly quickly. It was enough food for lunch without being too heavy.
(4)Jeff P.
We locals in FLL have quite a few "Tex-Mex-ish" food restaurants to choose from. I've enjoyed the food, less so the place at both The Whole Enchilada locations. I love me some good Tex Mex but let's face it - it comes down to five ingredients or so just mixed up differently to create most things on the menu! So, seeing as there is a lot of sameness, I use 2 criteria - food preparation and 'how good's the salsa' Let's start with salsa...At TWE, one such salsa is the 'red' or I'm guesing the standard salsa. and just on the sweet side of sour. Really well done with perfect ripe tomates and a good amount of liquid. On an oversized burrito it's a knock out. Ok with sour cream and gauc too, its to die for...The food preparation is comparible to the top players - solid, pretty quick out of the kitchen (with good 'getting your order right' accuracy) & tasty. Portions are large too. I'm not big on eating on benches or picnic tables and there is some of that at both locations. But hey, this is not really expensive, its really good and you get a lot of it. So enjoy!
(4)Alexandra M.
Awesome shrimp tacos and a great selection of sauces to choose from!
(4)William R.
Great food and great prices! Chips and salsa, enchiladas, rice and beans all for less than $10
(5)Dennis M.
Salty chips. Bland flavors. Can someone teach the cook to wrap a burrito properly? Mango salsa is about the only thing worth getting here and I'm sure that come's pre-packed. Just drive north 5 minutes and go to Zona Fresca.
(1)Adam B.
Good food fast service! Had the shrimp burrito everything was pretty good. The chips were a little salty but other then that everything was pretty good.
(4)Miranda P.
Good, but not great. I did appreciated the tofu-filled, 'Tree-Hugger,' but it wasn't the best veggie burrito I've ever had. I hate that they use styrofoam.
(3)D C.
This place was a sort if miss for me. It was Mexican but it lacked a large part of it's flavor. It was quite 1D. So I felt it was lacking. 3 stars is fair. The food was palatable but just missed the mark.
(3)Rachel W.
I wish the food was better because I liked the menu, however the food was very bland. We order two different burritos with the tofu and it was not flavorful. The tofu was soft and almost raw, which is why there was not any flavor.
(1)Esther S.
MANGO SALSA. MANGO SALSA. MANGO SALSA! They have a nice salsa bar that has five different salsas. They're all quite scrumptious but the mango salsa is seriously so addicting. I can drink that stuff all day and all night. A little spice, a little sweet, you can't go wrong with this! The restaurant is small, but cozy. The cashier girl was super sweet and was very hospitable. They have one of those cool soda machines that can mix syrups to crank out like a 100 different sodas. What do they call those, electric soda dispensers? Anyways, service was fast, although my friends and I were the only ones in the restaurant at the time. I ordered the Black Tiger burrito. Shrimp, Mexican rice, jack and cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, cabbage, avocado and chipotle sauce were wrapped around my whole wheat tortilla (you have a choice from flour or whole wheat). I loved how the avocado wasn't mashed or chopped, there were a couple of thick slices nestled inside. My friends ordered fish tacos, which they seemed to enjoy. All meals came with a side of chips. A friend ordered a side of queso, which wasn't mind blowing - it could've been warmer in temperature in my opinion. If you check in, you get 10% off of a single entree! P.S. Don't forget the mango salsa!
(4)Emily B.
Their burrito, cheese quesadilla & taco salad were excellent! Good customer service and love their Coke machine with the 10000 flavor choices.
(4)Keith L.
Some of the best fish tacos in South Florida (one fish with the cilantro dressing is where it's at)! Staff is super friendly, very helpful and always quick to deliver your order. Salsa bar is a party in your mouth. It's extremely diverse with the mango salsa taking the #1 slot. I come here twice a week whenever I'm in town.
(5)Jem Z.
The Whole Enchilada was super tasty. I had the Two Fish, which was two mahi-mahi tacos served with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and avocado. You choose if you want soft or hard, flour or corn tortillas, which is nice to have options. (My bf ordered a burrito, and his options were flour or whole-wheat tortilla.) The mahi was very fresh, however, I do think it was a little skimpy on the fish. You never can get enough mahi! There were many different burritos to choose from, so I think The Whole Burrito would have been more appropriate of a name (even though you can get any of the burritos "enchilada style.") There was even an option of ex-naying the tortilla for a lettuce wrap, which is a great option for the health conscious diner. Ordered a side of queso, and a side of guacamole, both of which came with chips, as did our tacos/burritos, so we were on chip overload! The queso was decent, nothing to write home about. The guacamole was ah.mah.zing! I tend to like my guacamole mild with a hearty dose of onions, and this was right up my alley. For soda enthusiasts, they have one of those magical soda machines that dispenses any soda you could wish for. For the boozers, they had a nice selection of bottled craft beer. There was a good amount of indoor and outdoor seating. Will return!
(4)Serena H.
The whole enchilada is my number one go to for my mexican fix. I love this place. Ive been to all 3 a time or two. This was the first location. the place where I became obsessed with Fish Tacos, but not just any only theirs! They are amazing and the reason I have been a loyal customer and visited all the stores and go back with a smile each time. Ive graduated to other menu items like The bob, beef enchiladas, and quesadillas they are all are amaze!! The food is cooked fresh to order, the staff is sweet, its well maintained and clean. What more could a girl want? Maybe a little Hot Sauce! exactly! They have the best house made hot sauce, don't get confused there are two one is red and one is brown. both are good, but My obsession is the brown I think they call it jalapeño hot. It is AMAZING! You will love the whole enchilada! its a slam dunk of a taco spot! There is a pretty blonde who is always there she's super friendly and accommodating she really makes the place!
(5)Lisa C.
Yummy...steak enchiladas were very tasty as were all the different salsas. Definitely will be back!
(5)Tiffany G.
They have the freshest mahi mahi tacos here!! Get them with the green sauce in the crunchy shell!! So good! On my most recent visit, I ordered the steak quesadilla! So good! I love that they have whole wheat as an option for the quesadilla! Also, I like all their salsas-red and green and the pico de gallo at the salsa bar! They have also added the neat soda machine with every flavor imaginable!! This place is the best for super fresh, high quality mexican food!!
(4)MickeyBlue I.
Not sure if I was just starving or this place was very good. No, it's good. It's a quick, small place to get some delicious fresh food. I would definitely return. And the soda machine is really high tech.
(4)Michael D.
Love love love this place! A friend of mine introduced me to it and I'm hooked! I enjoy the Benito burrito w/ Tofu, so good! The staff is friendly and the salsa bar is great. I would choose this place over chipotle/lime any day! Check it out
(5)Jason P.
Descent Mexican. Nothing I was way excited about. This was my first time here, and I had the chicken burrito. It was a little on the bland side for my tast buds. The tacos looked better, so I'll have to try them next time.
(3)Anth G.
Never had a bad meal here. Travel to Acapulco frequently and their fish tacos are better. Staff is always upbeat and fun. Were showing "beetlejuice" on plasma. Nuff said.
(5)Sam M.
Just had lunch at the Broward Mall location and I would not feed my dogs this slop! It looked as if I came direct out a microwave. The rice was dry, steak enchilada had a funky taste. The service was non existent the server dropped our trays never came back to ask how was everything and at 12:30 the place was empty. I now know why, the food sucks, lousy service and overpriced. This restaurant will not last long. I am happy about one thing that I did not take a client there for lunch!
(1)Sara M.
Since my initial review was a year ago and since today I ate at the Whole Enchilada where I ordered the same "one of those" as I did on my very first visit, I feel like I have come full circle and in turn need to write a review update, or, more like a second installment of my admiration. Since that first visit, not much has changed : the food is still awesome, the mango salsa is still ah-mazing, the same super friendly girl still works there, and they still have great deals and specials every day. Over the past year with give or take 15 visits (don't be fooled with my 7 check-in yelp status.. I am terrible at checking in!) I have tried a good deal of the menu, all of which I think is top notch. The ingredients are fresh and tasty and everything is made to order. The crispy corn taco shells are crazy good. Not like what you get out of a box from Publix or from Taco Bell, these crispy shells are thick and flaky and just much better than any other of its kind. Don't pass up an opportunity to try this place!
(5)Danielle R.
Very good. Think Lime, Chipotle. semi-fast Mexican food with a lot more options and better meat! I had a Chicken Fajita Burrito which I tried w/ every single condiment that they have on their amazing condiment bar. Mango salsa, salsa verde, hot/mold/medium, jalapenos, it's loaded with fun stuff!
(4)D. H.
Reminds me of Chipotle - stuff 5 pounds of rice and 2 ounces of meat into a burrito, make it look huge, and people will think its a great deal. My better half makes better burritos at home with Old El Paso.
(2)Caitlin M.
First time trying this place and it was delicious! For the price, the portions are a good size. You won't leave hungry. The one downside is that the inside seating is a little cramped. If it's not a million degrees outside, I would recommend eating on the patio. You'll have more room to spread out, especially if you have a family. I will definitely go back!
(5)Diana D.
Hubby picked me up some fish and shrimp tacos and met me on my lunch break at work nearby. Boy, I was definitely happy with the quality and taste. Will be getting them again when in the area and want some tacos, hope to try other menu items also!
(5)Nicole Y.
I love the food here! They are always fast, friendly and very affordable. Their guacamole, queso, and all the meats are always fresh! I have never had a bad experience here.
(5)Allen D.
Top notch place. I hate calling this restaurant Mexican because its so much better than that label. Eat here and you won't regret it.
(5)Peter E.
It's been almost 4 years since I've eaten here. Moved away and am back for a visit. The Whole Enchilada is the first place I went to. Each mouthful was so good. I don't think Ft Lauderdale realizes the gem this place is. Better than Willey's, Moe's, and Chipotle combined. And I like those places. If you come here, try your entree "enchilada style".
(5)Melissa L.
I can't believe it took us this long to visit this place. I ordered The Whole Enchilada with steak, my husband ordered the Black Shrimp Burrito and our friend ordered the TreeHugger. The Treehugger is made with marinated tofu and our friend said it was delicious. Everything was served with their fresh tortilla chips and comes with a salsa bar. My meal came with black beans and yellow rice. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because Our food came out all at seperate times. I sat there for a good 5 minutes until mine showed up without even a sorry. Oh well, it was still delicious and we will be returning. I like this place over Zona Fresca anyday!
(4)Andrew F.
I love this place!! The management is the best and the staff is very friendly. If you want good food make sure to give them a try!
(5)Stephanie C.
The "Whole Ench" as my friends and I have dubbed it since we eat here quite frequently, is a favorite of mine for some fresh, organic, mexican. All their ingredients are "wholly organic" and you can tell in the fresh taste. The fish tacos should not be passed up, topped with cabbage and a cilantro mayo that is scrum-dum-de-delicious. Their salads are great, and the staff is always super nice and willing to modify the menu to fit what you want. The structure of the place is shaped like a giant taco (or enchilada? Can't tell for sure...) and they have TV's for watching games. It's not a huge place, but they have inside and outside seating. Really casual. Love to stop in for some fresh tex-mex.
(4)Robert L.
Back again for my 2nd time this trip, brought about 10 people from Canada and all loved!!!! Great service as always. Thx so much.
(5)Nate K.
Fish tacos were solid, the gaucemole was amazingly fresh and out of the world. Great selection of drinks. There was also a cool soda machine up front that let's you mix and make different sodas. Service was friendly and down to earth. Wish I was local so that I could enjoy more often. I don't give many 5 stars due to my equal distribution of ratings. But well done!
(4)Stuart K.
The food was really delicious and the service was amazing! The manager was very accommodating and friendly. I would definitely eat here again! Try the chipotle sauce on whatever you order :-) delicious
(5)Suzanne A.
I usually think Mexican is too heavy we sour cream, cheese, fried, more cheese..... Whole Enchilada was a refreshing change- fresh ingredients, not overly laden with sauce and cheese. Awesome salsa bar!
(4)Monica U.
My uncles and I wanted to try something new and came upon this place. I had the quesadilla and it was delicious. The cool soda machine with different flavor is another plus! I work close by so I will be stoping by frequently :)
(4)Darryl S.
It's an OK joint. Nothing terrible; nothing special. Unfortunately, with so many Mexican/Latin food places around, being "special" really is mandatory in this town. As stated, it's wholly decent if you're famished and happen to be driving by.
(3)Jennifer C.
I ate there for the first time today. It was awesome! Very fresh, very fast, and reasonably priced. The tofu was delicious and I love the fact that I could get my meal over a bed of lettuce instead of a tortilla. Now when I want Mexican for lunch, I'll be going to The Whole Enchilada instead of Salsa Fiesta.
(5)Aly T.
best fast food Mexican!!
(5)Katie L.
This place is amazing!! I love that it's a small business and they make fantastic, healthy food. Fajita Burrito is amazing!! Tofu is really good there. Chicken is delicious Black beans are scrumptious and I usually don't like black beans Self-serve salsa bar! My favorite is the mango salsa. Whenever they have queso, that's freaking amazing too! I moved to California and the one place I miss the most in Ft. Laudy is this place!! It's that good!
(5)Marqus R.
A rather small place, but adequate parking, a little fenced in and side outdoor patio eating. The interior is clean with a rather home/laid back look to it. I don't get their drift about what is so cute or quaint about having a board with foreign money posted on it, but they must think it amusing. For food, really great! It has all of the quality ingredients plus a lot more of them than a Chipotle taco. Indeed I had one of the best shrimp tacos ever; plus they have a rather nifty complete menu, some of which have weird names such as "One of Those," "Tree Hugger," and the "Not Yet Famous." However, the menu fully explains them. I found them all be really good as well as nice in variety. It's a counter service place, but much more polite and attentive than most counter services. Next to the counter are five salsas varying from regular, mango, roasted tomato, verdi and others. Indeed, Whole Enchilada is one of the very best fast Mexican places you can find, a far better value than Chipotle and a much more relaxed atmosphere. The only down side is that it is just a beer and wine type of licensed place, so no margarita.
(4)Adam C.
Currently, the cashier is very friendly and the cook wears Buddy Holly glasses. The napkins are on the wall and I always forget that. So I use my shirt. It has a salsa bar and I can afford to buy the most expensive thing on the menu...TWICE! Great food, great prices. Oh, and there green tea is unsweetened, so I don't have to worry 'bout maintaining my svelte figure.
(4)Gary G.
Good food, reasonable prices, ample portions, a variety of fresh salsas bursting with flavor. Been to the original place a few times, and never been disappointed. There's a newer location a few miles south that has the same great qualities, but I could have done without the loud music.
(4)Mariam D.
After driving by the Whole Fresh Enchilada for a few years, a friend and I finally stopped in last Saturday after a day at the beach. The building itself is cute, the inside is small .. order at the counter and grab a seat inside or outside on one of two picnic benches. The salsa bar covered the basics: jalapeños, two kinds of standard tomato salsa (tried one of the two & it was tastey), a mango salsa (excellent), and some green salsas that I did not try. I like it hot, however you will not find it here - their hottest salsa was quite mild. The first menu item that jumped out at me were the fish tacos ... after looking over the entire menu, though, I opted for the Treehugger, a whole wheat burrito stuffed with your choice of black beans or pinto beans, tofu or chicken, rice, and avocado. The portion is the perfect size and served in a basket with chips on the side. My buddy ordered 2 crispy tacos with steak, and they both appeared to be and tasted like your standard yummy tacos, and also served with chips on the side. Grab a drink to wash it all down - they offer beer as well as frozen sangria. Overall our experience here was a good one & reading the other reviews, I intend to return very soon to try their shrimp tacos, mahi burrito, and the guacamole. Salud!
(4)Lidia P.
Just great all of it. Service is very friendly and attentive. It is fast and very fresh. Very good Tex-Mex.
(5)Steve C.
And..... Begin! Marnie scouted this joint out, as she had a hankerin for Mexican. Talk about a score! 1. Close to the office 2. Abundance of hottie customers 3. Fabulous food (two visits thus far) 4. Great prices and value--a football sized enchilada stuffed with Mahi Mahi and a frosty domestic, bottled beer rang in at around $10 bucks at Friday lunch! 5. Lots of fresh and tasty condiments, inclusive of the storied mango salsa that Marnie loved and I skipped. 6. Helpful, attentive, and efficient staff 7. Cool decor Downside: Too small for the popularity. All told, TRY IT! I love it! :-)
(4)Thais A.
Gooooooooooooooood tacos!!!! The best hard taco shells I've ever had. Ever! It's not your ordinary taco shell. Tastes more "bready"? I can't really explain the consistency of the shell but they're amazing. Like I said, best taco shells ever! I really enjoyed my meal. Cons: For a fast food tex-mex place, service was slow. It took almost 15minutes for us to get our food. The soda tasted funny. It comes from a regular coke machine, like the ones they have a Moe's or Chipotle, but something was definitely wrong with the coke. The chips didn't taste fresh. They tasted like they were made yesterday. The salsa is just okay. Nothing special, and not enough spice to any of them. I'll be back if I'm ever in the area again for some tasty tacos, but I'll be sure to order a bottled water instead of a fountain drink.
(3)Steve O.
Have been to both on Federal hwy, food is excellent and fresh, and the staff is always helpful, they seem genuine and happy to be there
(5)Jason B.
Love this place. Everything is fresh and delish. The staff is always laid back and friendly. Im a big fan of "The Red" but I hear the shrimp tacos rock too. Maybe I'll breakdown and try them next time.
(5)Mike S.
The food is pretty darn good, but wow, is the service slow at lunch time, and you should get there early unless you like sitting outside by Federal Highway. It's worth the drive and wait as long as you get there before or after the lunch rush, because the staff can't always keep up with the crowd.
(3)Hayley P.
The fish tacos with cilantro sauce are the best... the guac is also amazing.... (I love them both that I haven't tried anyting else.)
(4)Tele M.
Had the quesadilla with spiced tofu. The quesadilla is excellent, the tofu tastes very good. The tofu inside the quesadilla, eaten together? Did not work for me. The texture/feel of the tofu inside was not appetizing. Felt like goat cheese chunks inside the quesadilla when I bit in to the tofu. Maybe if it was thin strips fried to a crisp it would work better... I'm not sure how to solve that problem without simply opting to delete the tofu. Otherwise, I'm a fan of this place for life. This would have been a 4 star review if it were not for the presence of the best FUCKING SALSA BAR I HAVE EVER SAMPLED, DAMMIT.
(5)Jaye W.
This was one of the first restaurant gems that we found in Fort Lauderdale. The Whole Enchilada is an amazing little tex mex joint right down on Federal Hwy/US1, between Oakland Park Blvd & Commercial Blvd. This place has great decor, and a kick ass salsa bar. The menu is chocked full of goodies and some absolutely killer food. They almost always have classic comedy movies playing on the tv for light entertainment. Our favorites are the Black Tiger Shrimp Burrito, Skrimp Tacos, and Fajita Quesadilla. The only drawback to this great taco shack is that the bathrooms are located outside. And whatever you do, you gotta try the mango salsa!!
(4)Jeremy B.
I liked the vibe of the place and the cool decor inside. They had old-style wooden crosses arranged together on one wall, antique looking wooden shutters/doors on another side of the wall, complemented by a flat screen TV playing one of the old Superman movies. Nice... It was my first visit, so I went with the mahi fish taco basket ($6.99 for two tacos w/ chips). They were good but not spectacular. The salsa bar is nice, but they don't have them labeled so I couldn't tell which one was what. The chips that came with the tacos were good. The girl behind the counter was very nice. My friend got a burrito and said it was pretty darn tasty. I'm going to go back sometime and try something else. Saw someone eating shrimp tacos and they looked better than my fish ones. This isn't an authentic Mexican place but everything is fresh. It reminded me a little of a place I used to go to in Orlando called Baja Fresh (I think they have one in Ft Lauderdale too) but this place is much better. I haven't had Zona Fresca to compare but I hear this place is similar. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4...
(4)Alex G.
Noticed this place before, but this was my first experience - and WOW was I impressed! The salsas and sauces all taste homemade and fresh, bursting with the right combo of spices and flavors. Indoor and outdoor seating. Behind the counter, your order is made fresh - you can see them making it to your liking! Awesomeness. Opted for the two taco (corn, soft) with Mahi, cabbage, avocado, cheese and chipotle sauce. It was delicious! The salads at the table next to me looked incredible, too. Same with the guacamole. Will definitely come back for more!
(5)Lee B.
We've been fans since Whole Enchilada first opened. Neither of us eat meat, poultry or dairy, and the staff is always ready to customize our order accordingly. My favorite is "Ensenada Burrito Go Green (makes it a salad instead of Burrito w/Mahi Mahi) with cabbage and some extra avacado, hold the cheese, dressing on the side". That's the healthiest fast food order you can place in Fort Lauderdale! Chips are fresh and the salsa decent. I usually like to sit outside at one of the picnic tables. Service is super for the genre. We eat a Whole Enchilada at least once a week and highly recommend.
(5)Surf W.
I enjoyed their fish tacos, the mango salsa and the other taco bar additions. The scores at my table ranged from 3-4 stars. One big comment was that they were skimpy with the chips. Not like Zona Fresca that piles them on. Appears to be an old Ft. Lauderdale bulding and a little musty because of it. I would go back for the fish tacos and the mango salsa
(4)Matthew G.
I'm always looking for a good fish taco, and this place has some of the best ones I've had outside of San Diego. Delicious and fresh-tasting, the "one fish" is made with mahi-mahi, guac, cheese, and cilantro. They have a small salsa bar, so you can spice up/down your food however you like. The people who work there are friendly, and the small eatery has a casual, Cali/Tex-Mex vibe to it. And even more exciting, they're opening a second (more convenient-to-me) location close to downtown Ft Laudy in March!
(4)Barron R.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. They do it right here, and cook everything however you order it. Fish tacos are my favorite, made with grilled mahi-mahi. Get 'em with cabbage instead of lettuce and the sauce on the side and just pile on the salsa! Honestly, everything here is delicious. I prefer this place over Zona Fresca any day--much fresher & much more bang-for-your-buck. Five-stars for great food and service at a great price.
(5)Chip E.
Great fresh food every visit for the past two years!!
(5)Caroline L.
Horrible food and the worst service! Only 3 people at The Whole Enchilada for dinner and they forgot to cook our order! We ordered the Fa-hee-tah platter, the black beans were dry and the beef was barely there masked with all the onions and green peppers. The tomato salsa tastes like canned tomato paste. The only good thing about this place was the mango salsa. We'll definitely not be coming back!
(1)Robert D.
This place is great! I just got done having lunch there and ordered "The Red" I pour the roasted hot sauce on it and its perfect.. The staff is friendly the food comes out fast and they are always consistent!! They had gotten soo busy that they just opened another location in between sunrise and Los Olas on US-1..
(5)Carlos P.
A healthy alternative when you are in the mood for Mexican food without the added grease and heartburn! I had the Hasselhoff platter with ground beef and soft corn tortilla. DELICIOUS. My friend, who loves this place, didn't think I'd be crazy about it since it's all healthy & organic Mexican food but I proved her wrong. The ground beef was deliciously seasoned, topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. It was not at all greasy and the portions are pretty generous for one person. Each plate comes with a side of chips and they have a salsa bar to boot. Whenever I'm up in this area again, I will definitely come back for seconds! This place takes the cake...and the whole enchilada too!
(4)S M.
We visit this place and Zona Fresca every time we are in town. We think both are in the same league except zona fresca has a little better ambience and is larger. And the salsa selection is better over there but Whole Enchilada's tacos and burritos and of course Enchiladas are on par.
(4)T T.
I'm not sure what is going on. This was one of my favorite places to eat. In the past few months it seems like this place is going downhill. First they got rid of the hot salsa. I usually get take out so I am judging a lot on this. The bag of chips you get is less than a handful, even when you order a large guacamole. Not sure what they expect me to do, eat the guacamole with my fingers? And lastly the burritos are now packed with rice. I use to enjoy some chicken in my burritos. If the owners read this PLEASE CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS. Until then I will be going to Zona Fresca.
(2)Kris C.
Take it from a former Chipotle addict, The Whole Enchilada is the tits. Super friendly service - wish I had the gal's name so I could give her a shout out. She remembered our special order on our second time in. Pretty impressive! The prices can not be beat, the ingredients are crazy fresh and the pork...ohhhhh the pork. Last but not least, they were playing freakin' GHOSTBUSTERS during lunch rush! Just great, all around. We will definitely be back.
(5)Lesley A.
We go to this place literally once a week at least if not more! Their service is friendly, their salsa bar is one of the best, they're dog-friendly (outside), and their fish tacos and fajita quesadillas are a MUST!! Good beer and good daily specials (i.e. gym membership discount!)! Definite locals spot!
(5)Mary S.
Excellent food. A little pricey but well worth it. LOVE the salsa bar.
(4)Chris G.
This has become one of our favorites for quick, fresh, texican. We've been there almost weekly for the last few months, but I can't comment widely on the menu as I always get the tostada salad with chicken. It's the best in the area - hands down. The environment is friendly with plenty of outdoor seating for nice days. And, I'm very excited that they are opening another location on Fed Highway just north of downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
(5)Suzanne R.
Cheese dip is stellar! The place is small, but it's a must visit. Fish tacos are delicious.
(5)Elaine K.
Really tasty tacos and burritos. The service is fast and friendly. I had the burrito with mahi mahi and chipotle sauce. It was big (but not too big), fresh, and flavorful. I'm a fan.
(4)Charmie P.
I tried the steak taco, the meat was horrible and definitely not fresh, service was friendly but slow, it was disappointing. 9/12/09 Update - I have been back a few times now because my friend wanted to try it herself, and it was actually very good. I had the chicken burrito and it was huge! The service was fast, very attentive and the food was good, the mango salsa is pretty good but I think they lack a larger variety of salsas. Overall, good fresh food for a quick bite.
(4)John L.
New to a neighborhood and was excited to learn about a "great" fish taco place... now that I've been by a few times I feel confident in weighing in that Whole Enchilada is fine, fun, and cheap... all good things. But it's not great... People come here for the One Fish... 2 overstuffed lightly fried mahi-mahi tacos (soft, hard, corn, flour, whatever you ask for) with some fixings and inoffensive cilantro sauce. They are good, filling, and if you jack them up enough with various components from the salsa bar they are really great... but I could also just do that at home. To the management... One Fish: the mahi mahi is cut too large, which is why you are over-stuffing your tacos, making them messy and well unweildy and in general just making the whole thing overwrought. Just make the mahi 1/2 the size and add another taco to the combo (still using less fish overall), and offer a grilled option too please. Now your guac is friggin' great, but the sliced avocado on top of the tacos is only avg. -- so swap those, lose the huge dose of cheese! (you don't need it), add salt and brighten up your cilantro sauce or just marinate your fish in something tasty and lose the sauce, and add some extra red onions. Whammo... it's friggin' great because its so simple. This is a taco joint, not Chili's... don't pander to your customers.
(3)Jorge G.
Great fresh fish tacos just like the west coast. Awesome place for a quick lunch with outside seating.
(5)B E.
Nifty little Mexican place right on US-1. All of the reviews seemed impressive (unusual for Mexican in South Florida), so I decided to give it a shot. You order at the counter and then sit down and wait for your food. There's a salsa bar - definitely try the mango salsa! The cashier was kind enough to explain how it worked - basically, they do great enchiladas, apparently phenomenal fish tacos, but the cashier's favorite was the RED - essentially a burrito made enchilada style - smother in sauce and cheese and served with chips. The styrofoam plates and plastic forks is a little cheesy, but the food and service definitely makes up for it. Worth a visit when you're craving Mexican!
(4)Stacy S.
I stopped in for lunch a few days ago. They have cute decor inside with currencies from around the world. The girl who look our order was outgoing and nice. I ordered the chicken soft tacos. I think it was called The Hoff or something. Go figure. They have fresh salsas available with hot sauce you can mix in. I was a bit surprised there did not have a hot salsa already made, but it is what it is. My tacos were good. Nothing extraordinary to report. The romaine was crisp, the chicken pretty tasty. As a nacho lover I had to try my friend's nachos. They were good, and he said he enjoyed them. I would have to say it is good, and I will go back. But I am quite partial to Zona Fresca. Enjoy!
(3)sean k.
I dream about this place. The One Fish tacos are so perfect. The cilantro sauce goes so great with the Mahi and avocado. Also, they've got the best guac around. Three thumbs up for this place.
(5)Shannon M.
Best quick order mexican around, this place crushes Zona Fresca. Great fish tacos and mango salsa is the best. Always like to pick up dinner on the way home too.
(4)Freddy M.
I used to like this place. But the food portions have been drastically reduced and don't bother calling ahead of time. I called in my takeout order. Drove there, paid for the order. Then 5 minutes later they realized they never even started the order. The food is usually fresh and sauces are varied but the service & presentation have really gone down hill.
(3)Joshua R.
Ensenada is the best. Great Place and highly recommend.
(5)Elizabeth A.
The staff is great. The salsas are watered down, the crispy taco shells fall apart as soon as you bite into it, and sides aren't included with your entree, unless you count chips as a side, which I don't.
(3)Susanna C.
Love their fish taco #2, grilled fish with chipotle sauce in a flour tortilla. Lots of options to get it your way.
(4)Talisha M.
I am still wondering why I haven't stopped here sooner!?! Tiny hole in the wall with bathrooms on the outside that I have passed several times a week for years but something didn't register to stop here until last week when I saw the parking lot full. This is an eat & get out fast place as the place gets super full & you will get the evil glare if you are "camping out". Took the advice of nice cashier who said to get the fish tacos & one of each Fish 1 & Fish 2 (same fish just dressed differently). I was IMPRESSED! Fresh yummy tacos & great guacamole! Try the orangey spicy salsa on the bar soo tasty!! Oh yeah how could I forget how cheap this place is. Still not sure why this place is called the Whole Enchilada when I saw NO ONE eating the 1 enchilada item on the menu. I will for sure go again & again!
(5)Edith O.
The whole enchilada is one of my favorite places around Fort Lauderdale. Their mahi fish tacos and burritos are so delicious! Love the cabbage and cilantro sauce mix on the tacos. Awesome salsa bar with pico, mango, and green sauces. Great salads and quesadillas too! Yum!!
(5)Aaron V.
We finally decided to stop in after driving past it about a million times. I had the Fah-hee-Ta Barita with chicken and my partner had the Tiger Shrimp Burrito. We shared an order of guacamole. Both were quite good. I really enjoyed my burrito...it was the best I have had in a while. My partner liked his also, although he felt they were skimpy in the shrimp...and they were tiny to boot. A comparison to Zona Fresca is inevitable, so I'll go ahead and compare. The menu between the two are not all that different. There are two main differences...salsa and guacamole. There are only 4 salsa options at Whole Enchilada, none of them are particularly good. As a matter of fact, the traditional salsa is kind of sad. Do they make it with ketchup or tomato paste? Blech. Zona Fresca's salsas are better. The opposite is true of guacamole. The guac at TWE is excellent! It's one of the best guacamoles....ZF's guacamole is kind of nasty...it has no texture and not much flavor...did they put a few chunks of avocado in a blender with a lot of mayo or what? So, the guacamole makes TWE the hands down favorite overall of the two restaurants. The service at ZF can be indifferent at best...they were really nice at TWE and even checked in at our table a couple times, even though it's counter service.
(4)B K.
My fave shrimp tacos in the area. Simple, delicious and quick :)
(5)Lesley K.
What a bummer.... My favorite taco stand has gone to the dogs. We've eaten here since they opened and the last few times have made us decide to go back to zona fresca. My tostado salad was gross. The steak was dry and gamey. There was a few pieces of old lettuce and rice. Same with my poor husbands. Sorry guys, this was the last straw. Whoever was the cook last night should be ashamed. Now you have something to worry about because people talk when a restaurant goes bad. Oh and even my dog wouldn't eat the meat last night.
(1)diana a.
So, i'm not into mexican that much and I'm allergic to cilantro therefore mexican food scares me sometimes. I had lunch here with some co workers and decided to get a benito burrito which is rice, pinto beans, ground beef, lettuce, tomatoes on a flour tortilla it was okay nothing special..to me it was flavorless but, it was really big and did fill me up. If i ever go again i will try something else maybe that way i can give them a better rate.
(3)Al L.
Sorry for being late on this review. I checked in then forgot to write it. Ops. Maybe to much spirits. Lol. Either way I must testify that it is a must stop eating establishment. Very casual is the norm and no thrills in the dining. Th salsa bar is a five with a delicious variety. The hard shell fish tacos were slightly over cooked but not bad. The employees were very friendly. So, for that throw on the shorts and grab some Mexican eats, visit The Whole Enchilada!
(4)Tylander P.
I've been here many times. Good food!!! Nice services. Mango sauce and Salza are delicious. Check them out guys.
(4)Anon F.
This is a tiny little whole in the wall place with great food! It definitely doesn't look like much from the outside, but the decor is decent inside and the food is excellent. They have a nice little salsa bar with three different kinds of salsa, jalapenos, onions, lime, etc. I had the mahi mahi quesadillas and they were really tasty. A little too much cheese though, but other than that, just about perfect. You can really tell that the fish and the other ingredients are very fresh. The guacamole was some of the best I've had down here - well done! It took about 15-20 minutes for my food to arrive, but the place was pretty busy during lunch. Overall, it was very well worth the wait. Very clean inside and friendly service. I will return! Highly recommended!
(4)Matthew F.
Wow! I didn't think I could like a Mexican takeout joint more than Zona Fresca, but The Whole Enchilada puts an even fresher spin on the basics. I had the Tree Hugger, a giant vegetarian burrito with seared tofu coated with black pepper and a whole wheat tortilla- delish! The fresh chips are nice and light and the mole salsa is not to be missed. As much as I love Zona Fresca, I hate eating there with the unflattering light and the constant stream of customers. Whole Enchilada has a much more pleasant eating space and much better lighting.
(5)Karen L.
So, I am a little picky about my Mexican food. I like to weigh in all the food factors, spicy, soggy, sweet, sour. You know all the good stuff. Having said that, this place rocks! Fish Tacos. That's all you have to remember when ordering. I personally like to live a little and get them crispy. Crispy goodness Oh My! Plus, you aren't going to break your bank by going here. Anyways folks, this place is good. Fish taco good :)
(5)Hilary G.
Everything I eat here is fabulous. Always friendly service. Love it!
(5)Jennifer Z.
delicious!!
(5)E C.
Terrible experience. The place was dirty the salsas at the salsa bar look like a week old salsa. The limes were dry and the kitchen look filthy. Not going back again. I forgot my sunglasses, when I came back five minutes later and asked about it. A very nice young woman confirm that she found the and rushed to get the behind the counter. When she was not able to find them, she tasked the other person in the kitchen. He answered with and abrupt and quick "NO". I guess customer service was not part of the training. If you see a cook with Prada sunglasses don't forget to compliment him!
(1)Alexandra G.
Great choice for very casual lunch, dinner or take-out. Food is fresh, service is friendly, prices are very fair. Limited menu, so this isn't for picky eaters. Try the Ensanada (mahi) burrito--yummy!!
(5)Michael S.
Small place. Seating for maybe 20 inside, more outside. Reasonably priced. Tried the fajita platter. Good, not great, but will try the highly recommended seafood items next time. Extra star is for the friendly, helpful staff.
(4)Ralph N.
Lovely fish tacos, friendly girl at the cashier, cool place to be.
(4)Seanne C.
Pros: Daily specials that are very good. Salsa bar. Outdoor seating. Great service. Get the pork. Cons: Inconsistent Some of the dishes are just ok.
(3)Lindsey N.
I've only been to this place a few times but everytime it is absolutely delicious! One of my favorite spots to eat in south florida by far!
(5)David G.
I am loathe to give any place 5 starts so thats why I go 4. Just went there for lunch today, the cook was really nice, recommend the One Fish taco. it was great, fish was tasty, tacos were huge, and the cilantro sauce added a great flavor. Afterwards I went outside and talked the owners for a couple of minutes, they were really nice guys. I'm glad I popped in today. I haven't stopped talking about this place for the last 3 hours. If your in the area...Go
(4)Kris B.
had fish tacos, tostada salad, and mango and roasted tomato salsa on the side. place is a bit off the beaten path, but definitely hit the spot. salsas were amazing.
(4)Vanessa C.
Delicious! Probably the best place for Mexican in Ft. Lauderdale. The food is always fresh, cheap and the service is wonderful. I forgot the girl's name, but she's almost always at the counter and she is super accommodating and nice. I happen to love the nacho mama and the tree hugger, but the chicken tacos and beaner burrito are also great. I've recommended this place to a few friends and they've all been back for seconds and thirds.
(5)Jaye V.
Solid 4 stars. This place made my day. Not only was the food delicious and fresh, but the service was laid back, cool, and super friendly. The decor, atmosphere, 2 employees, and fresh ingredients totally whisked me back to Austin and what order-at-the-counter type places are like there. It's Tex-Cal-Mex (seared tofu, shrimp, and mahi-mahi, anyone?) with a fresh salsa bar. This is the best of its kind that I've found outside of Texas. Better than anything of its kind that I've had in DC, South Florida, or even California. And yes, better than Ft. Lauderdale's Zona Fresca. Plus, you don't have to fight for a parking space. The place is run by *local* guys who obviously take great pride in their product. If you want extra or less of any ingredient, a smaller portion, you name it - they take it in stride and are happy to please you. The clientele at lunch was almost exclusively locals in their late 20s and 30s, those that work M-F 9-5. Not snowbird retirees -- except for one couple who wandered in only because there was no parking left at the restaurant next door. But they were so glad to have found this place (they were squealing and clapping with pleasure at the arrival and first bites of their meals), and said from the get-go that "well, already it's so much friendlier over here!" I ordered the mahi-mahi burrito, which contained large pieces of grilled (not fried!), well-seasoned, moist mahi fillets. It was also stuffed with shredded lettuce, tomato, large slices of fresh avocado, two types of grated cheeses, and a small amount of a creamy cilantro sauce (nope, no heavy sour cream, rice, and beans). It came with a side of housemade thick tortilla chips. Although fresh (how many times can I say 'fresh'?) and tasty on its own, I enjoyed drizzling different combinations of salsas with each bite. The salsa bar contained chopped onions, chopped cilantro, lime wedges, red & green pickled jalapeno slices, and 4 salsas: traditional, roasted, mango, and fuego (hot). Fuego was tasty-hot but more medium for a Texan's palate (the snowbirds thought it was crazy hot though). The roasted salsa was the fan favorite and there was a little wait while they made a new batch from fire-roasted peppers. The mango had tons of sweet mango chunks in it as well as a bit of a kick, and I didn't try the traditional because it resembled Pace :). Great for vegetarians. They will make any burrito "naked", or without a tortilla -- but they otherwise have flour, whole wheat, and corn tortillas. Next time I'm trying the shrimp -- I hear the tacos are overstuffed with succulent tiger shrimp. I kind of doubt that the chicken/beef fare on the menu are as good as the (seafood) vegetarian fare. Like I said, this place totally made my day. Reminded me of home (hospitality/laidback-ness!) AND delicious -- what more could I have asked for? ***** [update 3/10/08: Went again during lunch where it was swamped with people. The guy taking care of the place wasn't there this time; instead it was a kinda overwhelmed guy who was kinda short with you. He mellowed out somewhat after it started thinning out, but it no longer had that Austin feel. However, the tiger shrimp burrito with the smoky chipolte sauce and red cabbage was delicious...however it didn't have the caramelized onions it promised; instead it used a yellow saffron rice. I'll have to knock it down a quarter star.]
(4)German G.
Great fish and shrimp tacos! Amazing mango salsa!
(5)Ryan H.
Not as good as Chipotle, Tijuana Flats or Moe's... but a close fourth. Their meats are a bit bland... spice up the chicken, beef, pork, etc... and I'd consider going back.
(2)Rick H.
Excellent place to have a fresh burrito in a casual environment. Cashier was peppy and very helpful in describing the best items on the menu. She even gave us a tour of their salsa bar and pointed out the "dangerous" sauces to my girlfriend and I. Food was hot, fresh, and delicious - will be back again for sure!
(4)Ryan G.
This place is one of my favorites! The Ensenada (fish burrito) is one that you cannot go wrong with. They also have queso sauce that I'm very fond of! They need to expand!
(5)d e.
I've been a fan of the whole enchilada for a while now, but just felt an urge to praise it a little more. My friends thank me constantly for introducing them to this place. When you walk inside you immediately feel like you just walked into your friends beach party...there was a surfing video playing on the flatscreen and the music was a very diverse, casual beachy play list that was playing both inside, and outside. My usual is the "two fish" tacos and they are always exquisite...lettuce, tomato and cheese with avocado and a smokey, spicy chipolte sauce. They also offer the "one fish" which has cabbage, avocado, tomato, cheese and an amazingly light flavored cilantro sauce. My favorite thing about this place besides the genuine hospitality from the cashier, cooks, the manager (and the owner even comes over to say hi when he's there) is the fact that, even with the burritos, in every bite there is every ingredient no matter what you order! Chips come with everything and they have a help yourself salsa bar with other condiments and 5 salsas, one for every pallet to choose from. I don't know how they do it, but keep it up guys, I'll see you soon.
(5)Rachel M.
thanks to the first reviewer, Jaye, as well as my boy, i finally tried the whole enchilada. ordered the spicy mahi-burrito (i forget the name) on a whole wheat tortilla. reasons why it ruled: 1. tortilla was huge and toasted nicely 2. fish was fresh 3. spice on point 4. cabbage and avocado crunchy and like butter 5. the kitchen/counter dude sweet as hell 6. as of march 2008, this place is a one of a kind (Score!) ////////////////// i have given them 4 stars because i personally still and will always prefer Zona Fresca's salsa bar. now i may have to get my burrito from this place and salsa from Zona. it'd be in my belly's best interest if these two restaurants combined forces.
(4)Robo K.
This place is good if you are in the area for a quick bite. The staff there is extra friendly always asking everyone how their meal is. However, I am always too shy to tell them to please drain the burritos beofre serving them to me. You can literally take a bit out of the burrito and then turn it over and have flashbacks of your high school trip to niagra falls. the ingredient are always fresh and the burritos are in fact tasty, i just can figure out where the water comes from. Quesadillas are good and come with all the fixins. Salsa is par and they have quite a few options which is good. The ladies next to me seemed pretty happy with the salads too but I havent tried them yet.
(3)aiala z.
i absolutly love this place. hands down BEST shrimp tacos ever. the cilantro sauce is absolutly to die for. i usually prefer chicken or even beef tacos but when i went there for the first time i really wanted to try something new. so i went for the shrimp tacos and have yet to regret that decision. i worked at a restaurant but would make it a point to stop at the whole enchilda first so i could chow down on the tiger shrimp tacos in the car on my way to work. i came there today hoping to once again be astounded by the deliciousness that is the shrimp taco, but was faced with the fact that indeed, they had run out of shrimp during the busy lunch hour. i was seriously thinking about leaving and going somewhere else but my boyfriend was really looking forward to eating his hasselhoff tacos. (two regular tacos with your choice of steak, chicken, or seared tofu. and you can mix and match). the girl behind the counter, was so sweet and after seeing how disappointed i was suggested the mahi-mahi tacos. i for one, am very hard to please when it comes to fish. a single fishy tasting note and i get nauseous. so i was hesitant to say the least. until she told me that after trying them, her fish hating sister doesnt ever order anything else off their quirky menu. i decided to dive in and try the one fish tacos which contain pieces of grilled mahi-mahi, tomatoes, cabbage, avocado, and cilantro sauce in a flour tortilla. i fell head over heels. i also asked for some guacamole for my chips and it was so rustic and fresh. when i handed the girl my credit card she asked me if i was a student and i told that i was but i didnt have my student id with me. she said she trusted me and gave my boyfriend and i a discount. so that was a wonderful added bonus. even thought the juicy fresh mahi-mahi tacos were delicious i am very loyal to my shrimp tacos... so next time i go (probably tomorrow) they better have some =)
(5)