Good food, loved the selection of hot sauces. Service was quick, even though it was insanely busy. Major props to the front-end staff at this joint... I had the "Taco Tuesdaze" special: 2 hardshell blackened chicken tacos (loaded), chips, and a 20oz drink. I recommend getting the tacos loaded, the toppings sealed the deal (jalapenos, cheese, some sour cream, and tomatoes). Price was spot-on for lunch time, paid less than $6 total. Would recommend for lunch to anyone, although be prepared to wait in line. Call ahead if you know what you want.
(4)
Rich A.
I was recently in Jacksonville on business, and needed to grab lunch with my assistant. We ended up at a nearby TF. I ordered a chicken burrito which was mostly tortilla with unmelted cheese, close to uncooked veggies, and only trace amounts of chicken! Bland food...which is why the hot sauce bar is a must. The salsa tasted like it came out of a 1 gallon plastic jug from Costco. I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but Chipotle is much better in every way, other than diversity of hot sauce. TF may look like a "feel good" neighborhood restaurant, but it has much more in common with a Marriott hotel restaurant (or middle school cafeteria) when it comes to the food! Avoid. If you are in Jacksonville, give Burrito Gallery a try. They're not perfect, but the are serving what TF is promising on the menu.
(2)
Andrew D.
So let's start this review by saying I am a little bias for the food here. I have been a huge fan of the food for a while. So that being said. I joined the army a while ago and I made it a mission to come get a chimichanga from here every time I made it in to town. My mission has since been taken on by my 5 year old. He likes the tacos and loves looking at the painted tiles on the ceiling. This can causes issues with his eating as his eyes are no longer on his food. The food is always great I have been here many times and have enjoyed the food every time. Today's order was no different. My two boys eat their kids meals and allowed my wife and I to talk(basically magic). My wife's food was perfect even with changes from the standard order. There was a slight delay due to a sauce issue but it was caught prior to going to the dining room and the manger gave us some chips and salsa to make up for the delay. Which he explained and apologized for before I even realized there was one. So over all the service is great, the food is worth a wait, and the atmosphere is about perfect.
(5)
Bryson M.
The atmosphere is great. For a chain restaurant with counter service, they take good care of you. As a first timer they bring you chips and salsa and a bunch of samples of their hot sauces, which I thought that was cool. Before I continue, my opinion on any burrito ANYWHERE will always be biased. I used to frequent this little burrito shack in southern California and I have just never been able to find anything like it. I had a megajuana Carnitas burrito. I ordered megajuana (extra meat and cheese) because it seems every burrito I order anywhere in Jacksonville skimps out on the meat and loads you up with sour cream, guacamole, and all the other free stuff. I was a bit disappointed, I had a slightly stale tortilla and an abundance of sour cream and guacamole, but the meat was borderline non existent. I would give this place another try, maybe a different location though. People seem to love this place and it was not a bad experience at all, so I urge you not to take my word for it. I'm just a pain in the you know what when it comes to burritos. But then again a lot of those same people seem to love Moe's and Chipotle (sticks finger down throat) YUCK...lol
(3)
Natalie A.
Great Steak and Mahi Tacos. Bummed that they didn't have soft corn tortillas. Huge portions and the chips are good!
(4)
Michael W.
Can't beat the 5.99 burrito deal on Thursdays. Friendly staff and great hot sauce bar. Only missing free salsa for chips.
(5)
Tiffany S.
Definitely not anything close to Mexican! I can make better American tacos in my kitchen with a taco kit from the grocery store!
(1)
Matt M.
Good food, great service, what is there not to like? Very little, according toy kids. However, I have never found that one go to dish that I crave. Now the family loves the endless bowl of queso, plus when you are done they will refill it to take home. It has a funky vibe and counter service, but drinks and food are all brought out and refilled table-side. There is also a cool salsa bar rated by spiciness, which is always fun to try.
(4)
Kelly M.
We do love us some Taco Tuesday. Very affordable and have never been let down here!
(4)
Public B.
Good chips, good guac, good god what else do you want. How about a nice burrito or tostada.
(4)
Iris B.
This is the closest I have found to tex-mex food in Jax. Yeah I said it, tex-mex. Being that I am a native Texan (and Austinite) I feel that I get to dub that title to this place. Now I realize that it is a chain restaurant and usually I'm against this type of establishment, I try as much as possible to eat at locally owned places, but the Guac here is so fresh, and delicious that I will break my rules for it. No mushy over blended Guac here. I can see the tomatoes, the jalapeños, the red onion all chunked in. The chips are seasoned deliciously, the hot sauce bar offers a great variety, and the staff is always super nice. They put up with my adding a million things into my norritto bowl (that's a burrito minus the tortilla) and for that I am forever grateful. And please, always tip the people taking your order at the register, they work their butts off to get your order down and executed perfectly.
(5)
Pamela D.
Super friendly staff and the food is great. Two years ago they celebrated Nurses Week and gave all RNs a deal if you showed your badge, so I brought an army of my coworkers in from Mayo to enjoy their delicious texmex-style food. But I was disappointed that this year they didn't do it. Hopefully next year they will! May 12 ;) Anyway, back to the food: Well seasoned, fresh, timely service and generous portions. Their guacamole is very well made; not too creamy and it actually has a great balance of acidity. The hot sauce bar is a plus and their made-to-order approach is bound to bring you back wanting to try the different combinations. For a chain, this place ROCKS.
(4)
Lilly C.
I come here regularly for Taco Tuesday. The staff at this location always goes out of their way to get your refills or anything else you need. Good Tip if it's your first visit left them know and you usually can get free queso and chips. They will also explain and show you the hot sauce bar. The cookie dough flautas are out of this world. If you love cookie dough there a must! You can even order a half order. The managers and staff are always willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience. They also have Happy Hour on appetizers and drinks. I love this location and I love going back weekly knowing they will always treat you right!
(4)
Jenni A.
Great customer service and good food is why we keep coming back! My family likes the steak tacos. But I personally like the mahi-mahi salad with fresh salsa for the dressing. You may think that's healthy but I'm really just making room for what I truly crave for... the queso & chips!! Thank god it's bottomless when you eat in because I go thru 3 of them bad boys. :-)
(4)
Denise D.
My favorite place for queso and chips. It is hard for me to order anything else! The service is very attentive, although the music was a little loud.
(4)
ken g.
I was expecting Americanized food.... But this was even bad Americanized Mex food. I don't understand all the rave reviews for the refried beans.... They taste like canned refried beans. The salsa is basically nothing but tomatoes. The only positive is the have some tasty hot sauces...
(2)
Johanna T.
Yummy and great service. No microwave, make to order, food is fresh, and all options are clearly explained! I love going for Taco Tuesday but be warned it's really crowded! This location has very friendly staff who make sure your drinks are full. I also enjoy the hot sauce bar.
(5)
Carlos S.
Great food and even better costumer service, music is great and the hot sauces are amazing!
(5)
Jess C.
It was the first time I had been here before and I really liked it! The atmosphere is cool with hand painted ceiling tiles and cool painted walls with pictures on them. I also really appreciated the service. The waitresses were very informative and helpful since I hadn't been there before. They even have us free chips & salsa so we could try their hot sauce bar (which was really good! Especially the "Slap my a** and call me Sally" sauce). The food was delicious as well. I had the Norrito (a burrito bowl) that I really enjoyed and chips with guacamole, which was amazing! Loved this place!
(4)
Edward S.
Family friendly, fast, tasty, awesome hot sauce bar, beer and wine, outdoor seating, super customer service, happy hours and other nightly specials. Love the nachos, double stuffed tacos, banging chicken nachos, and dillas. Not crazy about their burritos though.
(5)
Christina S.
Really love this place. Portions are huge. Wish they offered free chips and salsa though when ordering take out.
(5)
Tim M.
Great family place.
(4)
Amarilis M.
We ordered steak nachos. I had exactly TWO pieces of sliced steak in the nachos, which was very disappointing. The nachos were loaded with onion and lettuce, ummmm that was tasty I guess! Why call them steak nachos? They should call them a nacho salad, and add 2-3 pieces of meat as a bonus. This is definitely not authentic Mexican food, Chipotle is way better, and has MEAT! The salsa bar was ok, but none of them tasted like they belonged with Mexican food. Yuck!
(1)
Kamal K.
If you're coming eastbound on Beach Boulevard and are new to the area, chances are you'll miss the turn off to the plaza and will have to make a U-turn at Hodges, almost swiping the person not yielding onto westbound Beach. Then you'll be blinded by the sun and not sure where to turn off until the plaza sneaks back up on you while you were distracted by thinking about getting a Cajun Fillet Biscuit from nearby Bojangles instead. I was greeted to a packed dining room and somebody, somewhere within all of the chaos, welcomed me to Tijuana Flats. As a newbie to the dining experience, I was welcomed warmly by the cashier and her trainee. She was very informative about the menu and gave suggestions, and told me the popular dishes and meats. I took a few minutes to look over the rather large menu over before ordering, as I'm one of the most indecisive people ever with a menu of this size (there's a reason many people refuse to dine with me at The Cheesecake Factory). Another employee helped me out, and I came to the consensus that the Flautas are the most popular dish at the flats. The Flautas at Tijuana Flats are deep fried pieces of dough stuffed with meat and cheese served with a side of sour cream, guacamole, and a whole slew of other toppings. I eventually ended up going with a half blackened chicken/half steak combination of these, and made it a "meal" with rice and refried beans. I commend the staff here, a hardworking crew of very friendly ladies. The cashier and her trainee made me feel comfortable in looking over everything and didn't rush me at all, which was contributed greatly to my experience. As if that wasn't good enough, the service I received in the dining room was top notch. In a fast casual format restaurant I've never received so much attention, nonetheless during a peak dining hour. During my meal I had two requests to top off my drink, and several employees came by to ask how the food tasted. I even received a free newcomer's chips and salsa basket with a sample of all of their salsas, a very nice touch! Now for the true test; the food. The food here is what I call "Stoner-Mex"; which is fitting as the decor and vibe of this place kind of screams Boulder, Colorado. That's not to say that the food is bad, which in fact is very filling and tasty. The Flautas came in a basket with a queso dipping sauce that was awesome, just awesome. Extremely fattening, but awesome. The Flautas themselves were tasty, maybe a bit too carby to eat regularly but on the whole they were definitely a fun food to try. Along with the queso, they came with a generous amount of guac and sour cream in a cup, and as a meal, came two more cups containing rice and beans. On the bottom of the basket were all the toppings, plus an extra layer of shredded cheese. Awesome. The chips and salsas were another highlight of the meal, freshly prepared in house and came with some tasty salsas from a very extensive salsa bar. There's other items I'd like to try, such as the tacos and the burritos. Then there's items that I'd really like to try, but shouldn't, such as the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Flautas. Who am I kidding, I'll probably head back tomorrow to try those.
(4)
R D.
I'd been to Tijuana Flats before, but for some reason never had their queso. WHAT WAS I THINKING. This stuff is amazing. I practically ignored my Norrito in favor of the chips (which were quite tasty in their own right) and queso. I'd go back just for those. I visited during a crowded spring break lunch hour, but service was fast and the staff was friendly - they took our drink orders in line and checked on us multiple times after we got our food. My chicken Norrito had a fairly average flavor, but was presented very well.
(4)
Samantha Z.
This was our first time to a Tijuana Flats and we were very impressed. We ordered some sort of chip dip as an appetizer. I can't Renee what it was called but essentially a layered bean dip. It was really good though! My husband ordered a beef chimichanga with cheese on top. It was also pretty good. But the best thing was the fish tacos. They were so good! I got one hard shell and one soft but next time I'll just get both soft. The sweet dressing was to die for. We also tried several of the salsas from the salsa bar. I loved that they had sweet and mild options, and that they are clearly labeled, since I definitely do not do spicy. My husband said the spicy ones were good too but I didn't try them. The service was also very good. We liked the style and will be back for more!
(5)
Joseph G.
Very consistent and delicious foods for decent price. Hard to compare it to other mexican as its not truly mexican, but more of a tijuana/west coast style fresh mix. For burritos I would never pick anyone over Chipotle. But Tijuana has very good tacos, nachose, quesadillas and all other items. Everything is a variation of the other, but at least it tastes good and you can have it done in multiple ways.
(4)
Burne H.
This is a weekly outing for myself and the B - extremely friendly staff from the moment you walk into the door till you leave. My 7 year old orders the meal and the cashiers are always so pleasant with her. The food is extremely plentiful and when ordering chips and cheese, they always ask if you'd like a bit more cheese. Something so simple, yet it just works... Love the place...
(5)
Julia S.
We love Tijuana Flats! The food is consistently good. LOVE the queso, and when we order the chips and queso app and have some left over, they package it up for us to take home with more queso and a big bag of chips! Chimichangas are soo good, and huge! We can easily share the tijuana size and be stuffed. Also love the spinach quesadilla, but they don't have it on the menu anymore?? Service is great and fast. Great option for a quick dinner when you don't feel like cooking!
(4)
Jacob G.
Yum. The food never disappoints me. It comes out just like I ordered it. Waitresses are nice and attentive. Refried beans are delish.
(5)
Shawn L.
I admit it. I'm addicted to Tijuana Flats' steak chimis. Here's the order: Steak chimi megajuana size Flour tortilla All the toppings Chipotle sauce (trust me, it's fantastic) Refried beans and rice. Coke The rice sucks so feed it to your dog or ask for double beans or something. But the chimi... oh the chimi. Damn you for being so delicious! I will be filling my fatty pig fat face with your savory morsels Saturday... if I can make it that long. Service is fast and the staff is friendly. They'll remind you of their hot sauce bar. I tried them all and wasn't a huge fan. It's there if that's your thing. Of course, there are other menu items but you'll have to look to other reviews for that nonsense.
(4)
ashley t.
Not sure about the negative reviews here. Ate lunch there today and was beyond pleasantly surprised. The customer service was above and beyond any other fast food place I have ever eaten at. The manager walked around several times while we were there and was super nice. All the staff were fantastic. Even though it's not a sit-down get waited on place, our drinks were refilled by the staff and our food was brought to us without us having to get up. Now lets get to the food. I was, up until this point, I Chipotle die-hard fan. Not that you can completely compare this place to Chipotle, but from now on I will be craving this instead, I had the flautas and they were delicious! How can you not like a fried, stuffed, tortilla roll? I also had the chips and salsa which were very yummy. Being a tortilla chip fanatic, these would be near the top of my list. My food was so hot and fresh and delicious! I didn't have any of the hot sauces because that's not my thing, but apparently they are known for there hot sauces and clearly they had lots of choices. The dining environment inside is fun. The painted tiles on the ceiling and the colored lights were a nice touch. Plus, everything was so CLEAN! The bathroom was one of the cleanest I've been in a restaurant. So eat here! You will not be disappointed. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jack B.
Consistent products and the service is truly the best of any retail location you will ever visit. If you do not receive at least 3 employees checking up on your meal, while seated there, then the facilities around them must be on fire. They have the absolute best service and great food!
(5)
Samuel C.
Had a burrito their tasted horrible bought it "wet" which had caso but the caso tasted so cheap and the chicken inside it was horrible. I've had Tijuana flats a few times before at a different location in Miami which is way better. The only thing that was good was the salsa but that is it. I'm guessing this location isn't very good, I won't be coming again.
(1)
Hunter B.
WTF? Other locations for Tijuana Flats sure do have a lot of stars and raves, so maybe it's this location in particular. Or maybe it's just me. Who knows. This review is based on one thing: One of the absolute crappiest and least satisfying burritos I've had in years. See, the menu says "toasted" right before burrito. I gave up trying to find a match for the magical El Farolito al pastor burrito more years ago than I care to remember, but since I've got Jay L to remind me, let's call it seven years. I've dropped my burrito standards a lot since then because it was either that, or, you know, give up on Mexican altogether. You know how the draught Guinness you get in Ireland is light years better than the stuff you get everywhere else? Sorry, I digress ... So, uh, toasted burrito my ass. The tortilla was whiter than me and colder than my beer. After a couple bites, I actually had to take it back. Let me emphasize this: I went up to the counter with my cold, pasty white "texmexiwrap" -- I hereby refuse to call this a burrito -- and asked for an actual toasted one, like the menu claims. The manager was a real nice guy about it. (That's why the place gets one star.) Problem is, he brought back a new texmexiwrap, and the top had a little brown spot that signified an attempt at toasting, but the bottom was just as gaddang cold as version 1.0. How do you even get a damn texmexiwrap to do that? That would be bad enough, but we're just getting started here. The sour cream and guacamole were both MIA. This is after the counter gal read the order back with those items. The side of house salsa was more like diced tomatoes than real salsa -- anybody in that kitchen ever heard of cilantro? Must be tucked away with the sour cream and guac, or stocked up at the other locations. Worst of all, and the biggest reason I won't revisit Tijuana Flats, was the mushy pork filling. It had the consistency of tuna fish. What it did not have was seasoning or flavor. Or much girth. In all, this sad little poserrito was probably a pound less than a tasty treat from the Burrito Gallery downtown. When that's too far to drive, I'd go back to Castillo de Mexico or even La Nopalera in a heartbeat before I hit up another Tijuana Flats. Not recommended. Sorry, nice manager dude.
(1)
Robert H.
Excellent food and service! Best TF i been too! Staff made us feel VERY WELCOME!
(5)
Justin B.
good mexican food, love the hot sauce bar and the variety of high quality dishes. quantity are not huge but neither are the prices.
(4)
Brendan M.
I eat here about twice a week. Food is always good, and quick too. Service is great too. My only complaint is sometimes too many people are asking me if I need something.
(5)
David G.
Great cheap food. Fresh and tasty!
(5)
R C.
Great food, awesome customer service!
(5)
Jax F.
Everyone loves a good taco right? If you don't, what is wrong with you? Mexican food solves all your problems. If it doesn't, you are just dead inside. So, today is and always has been "Taco Tuesdaze" at Tijuana Flats Check out my other reviews at jaxfoodcritic.com Location: Right across the street from the Walmart on the corner of Beach Blvd and Hodges. It is in a shopping center with Rita's Ice. Food: Of course since today is Taco Tuesdaze, I went with the ole trusty taco. I ordered 2 beef tacos with a side of chips, a medium drink and a side of queso. Out the door, it was $6.39. What a deal. First off, the tacos are huge. Way bigger than you get at something like a Taco Hell...I mean Bell. They put tons of fresh lettuce on it, black olives, sour cream, tomato, onions and fresh jalapenos. Let me just warn you, if you can't handle spicy food, stay away from the jalapenos. I personally love them though. Bring it on! The tacos were great. I ate them after I had the chips and queso (didn't want the queso to get cold) and the shells weren't soggy or anything. I didn't get salsa but they have a great hot sauce bar so that's always an option. As a friend said, "they must put crack on the chips, they are so good". I don't know if crack is good, but I know what she was saying lol. They are very addictive and perfectly salted. Cooked just right too, nothing sucks more than a burnt chip right? Extra Info: You won't find a place that has better service. You place your order at the register, they take your name, give you your drink and off you go to find a seat. When your food is ready, they call out your name and bring the food straight to you. The employees are constantly walking around cleaning the tables, filling up drinks and asking if you need anything. They do it in a manner that doesn't intrude or bother you either. It's a delicate balance and they seem to have it down. When you are done, just get up and leave, they pick up your trash. I see the manager working the floor too so it seems everyone takes pride in the service. A+++ Overall rating 1-10: 9.0 I can't think of anything I would improve on. The price is great, the service is great and most of all...the food was spot on. I really can't think of something they could improve on when it comes to the taco's. When I try something else and confirm everything is the same, they may get a bump to a 10. My first 10.
(5)
Andy L.
I love Mexican food, but I would never eat at any Tiajuana Flats again. The food looks great, but tastes awful. Too bad as they are well located. You want good Mexican in Jax..... Burrito Gallery or Tacolu.
(1)
David S.
Best fast food Mexican there is. I almost always get the Chimi Changa which is always good. Tried the nacho's once and there was enough food for 3 people. Great sweet tea. The downside is it's a bit pricey for fast food Mexican and if you get extra sour cream, side of beans or side of rice it jacks up your bill a lot. The one on Atlantic at the beach is the original and best Tijuana Flats there is.
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 : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Marko M.
Good food, loved the selection of hot sauces. Service was quick, even though it was insanely busy. Major props to the front-end staff at this joint... I had the "Taco Tuesdaze" special: 2 hardshell blackened chicken tacos (loaded), chips, and a 20oz drink. I recommend getting the tacos loaded, the toppings sealed the deal (jalapenos, cheese, some sour cream, and tomatoes). Price was spot-on for lunch time, paid less than $6 total. Would recommend for lunch to anyone, although be prepared to wait in line. Call ahead if you know what you want.
(4)Rich A.
I was recently in Jacksonville on business, and needed to grab lunch with my assistant. We ended up at a nearby TF. I ordered a chicken burrito which was mostly tortilla with unmelted cheese, close to uncooked veggies, and only trace amounts of chicken! Bland food...which is why the hot sauce bar is a must. The salsa tasted like it came out of a 1 gallon plastic jug from Costco. I'm not a fan of chain restaurants but Chipotle is much better in every way, other than diversity of hot sauce. TF may look like a "feel good" neighborhood restaurant, but it has much more in common with a Marriott hotel restaurant (or middle school cafeteria) when it comes to the food! Avoid. If you are in Jacksonville, give Burrito Gallery a try. They're not perfect, but the are serving what TF is promising on the menu.
(2)Andrew D.
So let's start this review by saying I am a little bias for the food here. I have been a huge fan of the food for a while. So that being said. I joined the army a while ago and I made it a mission to come get a chimichanga from here every time I made it in to town. My mission has since been taken on by my 5 year old. He likes the tacos and loves looking at the painted tiles on the ceiling. This can causes issues with his eating as his eyes are no longer on his food. The food is always great I have been here many times and have enjoyed the food every time. Today's order was no different. My two boys eat their kids meals and allowed my wife and I to talk(basically magic). My wife's food was perfect even with changes from the standard order. There was a slight delay due to a sauce issue but it was caught prior to going to the dining room and the manger gave us some chips and salsa to make up for the delay. Which he explained and apologized for before I even realized there was one. So over all the service is great, the food is worth a wait, and the atmosphere is about perfect.
(5)Bryson M.
The atmosphere is great. For a chain restaurant with counter service, they take good care of you. As a first timer they bring you chips and salsa and a bunch of samples of their hot sauces, which I thought that was cool. Before I continue, my opinion on any burrito ANYWHERE will always be biased. I used to frequent this little burrito shack in southern California and I have just never been able to find anything like it. I had a megajuana Carnitas burrito. I ordered megajuana (extra meat and cheese) because it seems every burrito I order anywhere in Jacksonville skimps out on the meat and loads you up with sour cream, guacamole, and all the other free stuff. I was a bit disappointed, I had a slightly stale tortilla and an abundance of sour cream and guacamole, but the meat was borderline non existent. I would give this place another try, maybe a different location though. People seem to love this place and it was not a bad experience at all, so I urge you not to take my word for it. I'm just a pain in the you know what when it comes to burritos. But then again a lot of those same people seem to love Moe's and Chipotle (sticks finger down throat) YUCK...lol
(3)Natalie A.
Great Steak and Mahi Tacos. Bummed that they didn't have soft corn tortillas. Huge portions and the chips are good!
(4)Michael W.
Can't beat the 5.99 burrito deal on Thursdays. Friendly staff and great hot sauce bar. Only missing free salsa for chips.
(5)Tiffany S.
Definitely not anything close to Mexican! I can make better American tacos in my kitchen with a taco kit from the grocery store!
(1)Matt M.
Good food, great service, what is there not to like? Very little, according toy kids. However, I have never found that one go to dish that I crave. Now the family loves the endless bowl of queso, plus when you are done they will refill it to take home. It has a funky vibe and counter service, but drinks and food are all brought out and refilled table-side. There is also a cool salsa bar rated by spiciness, which is always fun to try.
(4)Kelly M.
We do love us some Taco Tuesday. Very affordable and have never been let down here!
(4)Public B.
Good chips, good guac, good god what else do you want. How about a nice burrito or tostada.
(4)Iris B.
This is the closest I have found to tex-mex food in Jax. Yeah I said it, tex-mex. Being that I am a native Texan (and Austinite) I feel that I get to dub that title to this place. Now I realize that it is a chain restaurant and usually I'm against this type of establishment, I try as much as possible to eat at locally owned places, but the Guac here is so fresh, and delicious that I will break my rules for it. No mushy over blended Guac here. I can see the tomatoes, the jalapeños, the red onion all chunked in. The chips are seasoned deliciously, the hot sauce bar offers a great variety, and the staff is always super nice. They put up with my adding a million things into my norritto bowl (that's a burrito minus the tortilla) and for that I am forever grateful. And please, always tip the people taking your order at the register, they work their butts off to get your order down and executed perfectly.
(5)Pamela D.
Super friendly staff and the food is great. Two years ago they celebrated Nurses Week and gave all RNs a deal if you showed your badge, so I brought an army of my coworkers in from Mayo to enjoy their delicious texmex-style food. But I was disappointed that this year they didn't do it. Hopefully next year they will! May 12 ;) Anyway, back to the food: Well seasoned, fresh, timely service and generous portions. Their guacamole is very well made; not too creamy and it actually has a great balance of acidity. The hot sauce bar is a plus and their made-to-order approach is bound to bring you back wanting to try the different combinations. For a chain, this place ROCKS.
(4)Lilly C.
I come here regularly for Taco Tuesday. The staff at this location always goes out of their way to get your refills or anything else you need. Good Tip if it's your first visit left them know and you usually can get free queso and chips. They will also explain and show you the hot sauce bar. The cookie dough flautas are out of this world. If you love cookie dough there a must! You can even order a half order. The managers and staff are always willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have a great experience. They also have Happy Hour on appetizers and drinks. I love this location and I love going back weekly knowing they will always treat you right!
(4)Jenni A.
Great customer service and good food is why we keep coming back! My family likes the steak tacos. But I personally like the mahi-mahi salad with fresh salsa for the dressing. You may think that's healthy but I'm really just making room for what I truly crave for... the queso & chips!! Thank god it's bottomless when you eat in because I go thru 3 of them bad boys. :-)
(4)Denise D.
My favorite place for queso and chips. It is hard for me to order anything else! The service is very attentive, although the music was a little loud.
(4)ken g.
I was expecting Americanized food.... But this was even bad Americanized Mex food. I don't understand all the rave reviews for the refried beans.... They taste like canned refried beans. The salsa is basically nothing but tomatoes. The only positive is the have some tasty hot sauces...
(2)Johanna T.
Yummy and great service. No microwave, make to order, food is fresh, and all options are clearly explained! I love going for Taco Tuesday but be warned it's really crowded! This location has very friendly staff who make sure your drinks are full. I also enjoy the hot sauce bar.
(5)Carlos S.
Great food and even better costumer service, music is great and the hot sauces are amazing!
(5)Jess C.
It was the first time I had been here before and I really liked it! The atmosphere is cool with hand painted ceiling tiles and cool painted walls with pictures on them. I also really appreciated the service. The waitresses were very informative and helpful since I hadn't been there before. They even have us free chips & salsa so we could try their hot sauce bar (which was really good! Especially the "Slap my a** and call me Sally" sauce). The food was delicious as well. I had the Norrito (a burrito bowl) that I really enjoyed and chips with guacamole, which was amazing! Loved this place!
(4)Edward S.
Family friendly, fast, tasty, awesome hot sauce bar, beer and wine, outdoor seating, super customer service, happy hours and other nightly specials. Love the nachos, double stuffed tacos, banging chicken nachos, and dillas. Not crazy about their burritos though.
(5)Christina S.
Really love this place. Portions are huge. Wish they offered free chips and salsa though when ordering take out.
(5)Tim M.
Great family place.
(4)Amarilis M.
We ordered steak nachos. I had exactly TWO pieces of sliced steak in the nachos, which was very disappointing. The nachos were loaded with onion and lettuce, ummmm that was tasty I guess! Why call them steak nachos? They should call them a nacho salad, and add 2-3 pieces of meat as a bonus. This is definitely not authentic Mexican food, Chipotle is way better, and has MEAT! The salsa bar was ok, but none of them tasted like they belonged with Mexican food. Yuck!
(1)Kamal K.
If you're coming eastbound on Beach Boulevard and are new to the area, chances are you'll miss the turn off to the plaza and will have to make a U-turn at Hodges, almost swiping the person not yielding onto westbound Beach. Then you'll be blinded by the sun and not sure where to turn off until the plaza sneaks back up on you while you were distracted by thinking about getting a Cajun Fillet Biscuit from nearby Bojangles instead. I was greeted to a packed dining room and somebody, somewhere within all of the chaos, welcomed me to Tijuana Flats. As a newbie to the dining experience, I was welcomed warmly by the cashier and her trainee. She was very informative about the menu and gave suggestions, and told me the popular dishes and meats. I took a few minutes to look over the rather large menu over before ordering, as I'm one of the most indecisive people ever with a menu of this size (there's a reason many people refuse to dine with me at The Cheesecake Factory). Another employee helped me out, and I came to the consensus that the Flautas are the most popular dish at the flats. The Flautas at Tijuana Flats are deep fried pieces of dough stuffed with meat and cheese served with a side of sour cream, guacamole, and a whole slew of other toppings. I eventually ended up going with a half blackened chicken/half steak combination of these, and made it a "meal" with rice and refried beans. I commend the staff here, a hardworking crew of very friendly ladies. The cashier and her trainee made me feel comfortable in looking over everything and didn't rush me at all, which was contributed greatly to my experience. As if that wasn't good enough, the service I received in the dining room was top notch. In a fast casual format restaurant I've never received so much attention, nonetheless during a peak dining hour. During my meal I had two requests to top off my drink, and several employees came by to ask how the food tasted. I even received a free newcomer's chips and salsa basket with a sample of all of their salsas, a very nice touch! Now for the true test; the food. The food here is what I call "Stoner-Mex"; which is fitting as the decor and vibe of this place kind of screams Boulder, Colorado. That's not to say that the food is bad, which in fact is very filling and tasty. The Flautas came in a basket with a queso dipping sauce that was awesome, just awesome. Extremely fattening, but awesome. The Flautas themselves were tasty, maybe a bit too carby to eat regularly but on the whole they were definitely a fun food to try. Along with the queso, they came with a generous amount of guac and sour cream in a cup, and as a meal, came two more cups containing rice and beans. On the bottom of the basket were all the toppings, plus an extra layer of shredded cheese. Awesome. The chips and salsas were another highlight of the meal, freshly prepared in house and came with some tasty salsas from a very extensive salsa bar. There's other items I'd like to try, such as the tacos and the burritos. Then there's items that I'd really like to try, but shouldn't, such as the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Flautas. Who am I kidding, I'll probably head back tomorrow to try those.
(4)R D.
I'd been to Tijuana Flats before, but for some reason never had their queso. WHAT WAS I THINKING. This stuff is amazing. I practically ignored my Norrito in favor of the chips (which were quite tasty in their own right) and queso. I'd go back just for those. I visited during a crowded spring break lunch hour, but service was fast and the staff was friendly - they took our drink orders in line and checked on us multiple times after we got our food. My chicken Norrito had a fairly average flavor, but was presented very well.
(4)Samantha Z.
This was our first time to a Tijuana Flats and we were very impressed. We ordered some sort of chip dip as an appetizer. I can't Renee what it was called but essentially a layered bean dip. It was really good though! My husband ordered a beef chimichanga with cheese on top. It was also pretty good. But the best thing was the fish tacos. They were so good! I got one hard shell and one soft but next time I'll just get both soft. The sweet dressing was to die for. We also tried several of the salsas from the salsa bar. I loved that they had sweet and mild options, and that they are clearly labeled, since I definitely do not do spicy. My husband said the spicy ones were good too but I didn't try them. The service was also very good. We liked the style and will be back for more!
(5)Joseph G.
Very consistent and delicious foods for decent price. Hard to compare it to other mexican as its not truly mexican, but more of a tijuana/west coast style fresh mix. For burritos I would never pick anyone over Chipotle. But Tijuana has very good tacos, nachose, quesadillas and all other items. Everything is a variation of the other, but at least it tastes good and you can have it done in multiple ways.
(4)Burne H.
This is a weekly outing for myself and the B - extremely friendly staff from the moment you walk into the door till you leave. My 7 year old orders the meal and the cashiers are always so pleasant with her. The food is extremely plentiful and when ordering chips and cheese, they always ask if you'd like a bit more cheese. Something so simple, yet it just works... Love the place...
(5)Julia S.
We love Tijuana Flats! The food is consistently good. LOVE the queso, and when we order the chips and queso app and have some left over, they package it up for us to take home with more queso and a big bag of chips! Chimichangas are soo good, and huge! We can easily share the tijuana size and be stuffed. Also love the spinach quesadilla, but they don't have it on the menu anymore?? Service is great and fast. Great option for a quick dinner when you don't feel like cooking!
(4)Jacob G.
Yum. The food never disappoints me. It comes out just like I ordered it. Waitresses are nice and attentive. Refried beans are delish.
(5)Shawn L.
I admit it. I'm addicted to Tijuana Flats' steak chimis. Here's the order: Steak chimi megajuana size Flour tortilla All the toppings Chipotle sauce (trust me, it's fantastic) Refried beans and rice. Coke The rice sucks so feed it to your dog or ask for double beans or something. But the chimi... oh the chimi. Damn you for being so delicious! I will be filling my fatty pig fat face with your savory morsels Saturday... if I can make it that long. Service is fast and the staff is friendly. They'll remind you of their hot sauce bar. I tried them all and wasn't a huge fan. It's there if that's your thing. Of course, there are other menu items but you'll have to look to other reviews for that nonsense.
(4)ashley t.
Not sure about the negative reviews here. Ate lunch there today and was beyond pleasantly surprised. The customer service was above and beyond any other fast food place I have ever eaten at. The manager walked around several times while we were there and was super nice. All the staff were fantastic. Even though it's not a sit-down get waited on place, our drinks were refilled by the staff and our food was brought to us without us having to get up. Now lets get to the food. I was, up until this point, I Chipotle die-hard fan. Not that you can completely compare this place to Chipotle, but from now on I will be craving this instead, I had the flautas and they were delicious! How can you not like a fried, stuffed, tortilla roll? I also had the chips and salsa which were very yummy. Being a tortilla chip fanatic, these would be near the top of my list. My food was so hot and fresh and delicious! I didn't have any of the hot sauces because that's not my thing, but apparently they are known for there hot sauces and clearly they had lots of choices. The dining environment inside is fun. The painted tiles on the ceiling and the colored lights were a nice touch. Plus, everything was so CLEAN! The bathroom was one of the cleanest I've been in a restaurant. So eat here! You will not be disappointed. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Jack B.
Consistent products and the service is truly the best of any retail location you will ever visit. If you do not receive at least 3 employees checking up on your meal, while seated there, then the facilities around them must be on fire. They have the absolute best service and great food!
(5)Samuel C.
Had a burrito their tasted horrible bought it "wet" which had caso but the caso tasted so cheap and the chicken inside it was horrible. I've had Tijuana flats a few times before at a different location in Miami which is way better. The only thing that was good was the salsa but that is it. I'm guessing this location isn't very good, I won't be coming again.
(1)Hunter B.
WTF? Other locations for Tijuana Flats sure do have a lot of stars and raves, so maybe it's this location in particular. Or maybe it's just me. Who knows. This review is based on one thing: One of the absolute crappiest and least satisfying burritos I've had in years. See, the menu says "toasted" right before burrito. I gave up trying to find a match for the magical El Farolito al pastor burrito more years ago than I care to remember, but since I've got Jay L to remind me, let's call it seven years. I've dropped my burrito standards a lot since then because it was either that, or, you know, give up on Mexican altogether. You know how the draught Guinness you get in Ireland is light years better than the stuff you get everywhere else? Sorry, I digress ... So, uh, toasted burrito my ass. The tortilla was whiter than me and colder than my beer. After a couple bites, I actually had to take it back. Let me emphasize this: I went up to the counter with my cold, pasty white "texmexiwrap" -- I hereby refuse to call this a burrito -- and asked for an actual toasted one, like the menu claims. The manager was a real nice guy about it. (That's why the place gets one star.) Problem is, he brought back a new texmexiwrap, and the top had a little brown spot that signified an attempt at toasting, but the bottom was just as gaddang cold as version 1.0. How do you even get a damn texmexiwrap to do that? That would be bad enough, but we're just getting started here. The sour cream and guacamole were both MIA. This is after the counter gal read the order back with those items. The side of house salsa was more like diced tomatoes than real salsa -- anybody in that kitchen ever heard of cilantro? Must be tucked away with the sour cream and guac, or stocked up at the other locations. Worst of all, and the biggest reason I won't revisit Tijuana Flats, was the mushy pork filling. It had the consistency of tuna fish. What it did not have was seasoning or flavor. Or much girth. In all, this sad little poserrito was probably a pound less than a tasty treat from the Burrito Gallery downtown. When that's too far to drive, I'd go back to Castillo de Mexico or even La Nopalera in a heartbeat before I hit up another Tijuana Flats. Not recommended. Sorry, nice manager dude.
(1)Robert H.
Excellent food and service! Best TF i been too! Staff made us feel VERY WELCOME!
(5)Justin B.
good mexican food, love the hot sauce bar and the variety of high quality dishes. quantity are not huge but neither are the prices.
(4)Brendan M.
I eat here about twice a week. Food is always good, and quick too. Service is great too. My only complaint is sometimes too many people are asking me if I need something.
(5)David G.
Great cheap food. Fresh and tasty!
(5)R C.
Great food, awesome customer service!
(5)Jax F.
Everyone loves a good taco right? If you don't, what is wrong with you? Mexican food solves all your problems. If it doesn't, you are just dead inside. So, today is and always has been "Taco Tuesdaze" at Tijuana Flats Check out my other reviews at jaxfoodcritic.com Location: Right across the street from the Walmart on the corner of Beach Blvd and Hodges. It is in a shopping center with Rita's Ice. Food: Of course since today is Taco Tuesdaze, I went with the ole trusty taco. I ordered 2 beef tacos with a side of chips, a medium drink and a side of queso. Out the door, it was $6.39. What a deal. First off, the tacos are huge. Way bigger than you get at something like a Taco Hell...I mean Bell. They put tons of fresh lettuce on it, black olives, sour cream, tomato, onions and fresh jalapenos. Let me just warn you, if you can't handle spicy food, stay away from the jalapenos. I personally love them though. Bring it on! The tacos were great. I ate them after I had the chips and queso (didn't want the queso to get cold) and the shells weren't soggy or anything. I didn't get salsa but they have a great hot sauce bar so that's always an option. As a friend said, "they must put crack on the chips, they are so good". I don't know if crack is good, but I know what she was saying lol. They are very addictive and perfectly salted. Cooked just right too, nothing sucks more than a burnt chip right? Extra Info: You won't find a place that has better service. You place your order at the register, they take your name, give you your drink and off you go to find a seat. When your food is ready, they call out your name and bring the food straight to you. The employees are constantly walking around cleaning the tables, filling up drinks and asking if you need anything. They do it in a manner that doesn't intrude or bother you either. It's a delicate balance and they seem to have it down. When you are done, just get up and leave, they pick up your trash. I see the manager working the floor too so it seems everyone takes pride in the service. A+++ Overall rating 1-10: 9.0 I can't think of anything I would improve on. The price is great, the service is great and most of all...the food was spot on. I really can't think of something they could improve on when it comes to the taco's. When I try something else and confirm everything is the same, they may get a bump to a 10. My first 10.
(5)Andy L.
I love Mexican food, but I would never eat at any Tiajuana Flats again. The food looks great, but tastes awful. Too bad as they are well located. You want good Mexican in Jax..... Burrito Gallery or Tacolu.
(1)David S.
Best fast food Mexican there is. I almost always get the Chimi Changa which is always good. Tried the nacho's once and there was enough food for 3 people. Great sweet tea. The downside is it's a bit pricey for fast food Mexican and if you get extra sour cream, side of beans or side of rice it jacks up your bill a lot. The one on Atlantic at the beach is the original and best Tijuana Flats there is.
(4)