James H.

John P.

Elizabeth N.

Shannon T.

Heidi G.

Renee W.

Michael S.

Anne H.

Bruce B.

Holly S.

Jennifer E.

Em C.

Lisa W.

Have dined here before and can't believe I have never reviewed. The plantain appetizer is my favorite item on the menu, hands down. Just get it! Today, we started out with the guacamole (very good). I had the steak salad with the dressing on the side. It was very good, but next time, I'd request no rice in it. Ingredients seemed fresh and salad was tasty. My friend got the chicken salad and she, too, would request no rice next time. Service was friendly, both at the counter, where you order, and back at our booth. Would definitely come again.

Jim K.

Man, my mouth was loving me tonight. Cinco is tomorrow so I decided to grab mexican tonight. I just moved here so I used Yelp to find a mexican restaurant that had xecent ratings. When I walked in I was th r own back a bit because I had to go to the counter to order. While I got lucky being 2nd in line, I van see where this method of ordering could be a hassle. It really would make more sense of they sat you and came to your table for your order. At the recommendation of the cashier I ordered the Mekenita Grande Burrito "wet" with their red sauce. For the beans I asked for refried. It was either this or the fish tacos and the burrito was the cashiers favorite so I took Rosie's suggestion and went for it. First, the chips were really good. Their medium salsa is tasty too. Second the burrito is prob2the best burrito I've ever had and the sauce was amazing. It did cost an extra $1.00 for the sauce which the cashier didn't bother to mention when she suggested it but since it was so amazing I didn't complain. The rice was frigging fantastic and I'm usually not a rice fan. I will definitely be back. I give it 5 stars because of the flavor explosions in my mouth!

Paul P.

We decided to head out for Mexican food and saw this restaurant listed on Yelp with favorable ratings. It is somewhat hidden a medium sized shopping center. They have outdoor seating and both indoor and outdoor are tastefully decorated. It is very Cantina"ish". The staff is super friendly and very helpful with deciphering the many concoctions that are behind the counter / register. We both tried one of the homemade juices and both agreed homemade juice is spectacular. When you go here please know that you have to walk up to the counter which is located all the way in the back of the restaurant which is where you will order your food and drink. They will then give you a number to put on your table and a server will bring your meal out to you. We ordered an appetizer which were some type of southwestern egg rolls and they were absolutely delicious. Our main courses were not as good, they weren't bad, but compared to the appetizer they were just average. I ordered a burrito and my wife ordered a chicken dish. I think we will give this place another try. Everything about this place is terrific unfortunately our meals, the main courses, we're just so so. If you live in the Lutz/North Tampa area or you are in the area I recommend giving this place a try.

Jacqueline E.

I was looking for a good Mexican restaurant so I took my parents here yesterday after reading the reviews and I was so disappointed. I told them that this restaurant had great reviews so let's go grab a late lunch. They both got the chicken burritos and later on that day my mom was starting to feel very sick. Come to find out it was food poisoning. She did mention to me that something in the sauce just didn't taste right and since we had never eaten in there before we just though that maybe that was what is was supposed to taste like. So she just never finished her meal neither did my dad and we just left. I will never go back there again.

Jenny D.

Love this place! Anything I've ever tried is delicious. My favorites would be the tiger shrimp salad and the plantain nachos. The ceviche is also DELICIOUS. The staff is always friendly and welcoming and the vibe of the place is great.

Melony R.

I'm not impressed. Was the food horrible? No, but it wasn't delicious either. The restaurant is confusing. It looks like a sit-down restaurant from the outside, but you walk in expecting to see a hostess stand and instead you run into a pony wall and a sign hat says you need to walk up to order. Walk up to order? What is this, Chipotle? Oh well, no big deal until you realize each order is taking up to 5 minutes. The long order time is due to the cashier doing everything a server would do, but behind a counter. Even when it was our turn to order we had to wait for the cashier ladle a pitcher of margarita for the 5 minute order in front of us. There was still hope. We quickly ordered our food out of courtesy for the people waiting impatiently behind us. The cashier let us know that the restaurant ran out of rice...not a good sign after a long wait in line in a barely busy Restuarant on a Monday night. Food runners bring out your food after you take a number and seat yourself. They don't ask if you need anything or check on you, but they did clear out plates when they noticed we were done. We ordered agua de passion mango drinks which were sitting in giant glass canisters and ladled out into plastic cups. I expected the juice to taste a lot better than it did. We were told it was freshly made, which I appreciate, however the drink lacked balance. It was too thick and where I expected to taste mango, I instead tasted ginger and pineapple....2 ingredients not mentioned on the sign. The food looked nicer than it tasted and again was confusing. The plantain chip nachos weren't bad since there were different unexpected flavors like passion fruit and pineapple chunks mixed in the chicken nacho topping. The citrus tiger shrimp chipotle tacos had no taste of chipotle whatsoever and it lacked spice, actually. The mekenita burrito tasted like a burrito from surf shack in Westchase...so not Mexican. So, to top off the mediocre service and food experience, they forgot to bring out my gingerbread flan that I ordered and prepaid for at the counter. We went 2 doors down and walked around Homegoods before I realized it and had to go back and ask for it to go. Unfortunately, when I opened the flan and took a bite, it burned the back of my throat...it wasn't gingerbread, just a whole lot of ginger. **Sigh** I couldn't wait to try this place after reading good reviews, but i definitely won't be back.

Tiffany S.

This place is super cute on the inside, the staff was extremely helpful and friendly, and the food is great!! I had the egg rolls while my husband had a massive burrito, both were excellent, and we finished off our dinner with their cinnamon churros!! I would go back for the dessert alone!!! Definitely our new date night spot!

Tom P.

This is close to my house and has higher end Mexican food. I usually get their burrito. It is big and has very good flavor. Also, if you are a sauce lover they have 3 different sauces, mild, medium and hot with very different and distinct flavors. You also get chip which are crisp and fresh.

Mel R.

Not sure about all the positive reviews. This place is barely worthy of two stars. The long wait to get seated was uncalled for, when u first walk in, you feel like you got in thru the wrong door, very awkward. There was no one there to greet you. So a bad feeling from the start. Ordered the mekenita burrito which consisted of steak and chicken, it wasn't very satisfying, I was asked if I wanted the baked beans or black beans, I went with the regular black beans, it wasn't a good mix, was surprised that option was even proposed. Shrimp tacos were nothing to brag home about. I will say the plantain appetizer was very good, easily the best of the rest. The mango juice was not very mangoish, and the gingerbread flan fell flat. So there you have it. Service was decent, still not enough to boost the rating, mekenita needs and identity check.

Michael W.

A sad ending to what was an enjoyable restaurant and dining experience. We've been regular customers of Mekenita's since they opened. Unfortunately it appears that they've slid off the rails. Everything seems to be way off the mark, from the usually astute and reliable service (all new faces), to the most important factor...the food! Burritos were dry, over cooked, and simply thrown onto a plate. Hastily and carelessly put toghther. No longer worth the premium price. It seems that they've started to cut corners, which certainly shows. Don't waste your money or your time.

Sarah W.

Amazingly good Mexican food! We love their chips and salsa and the citrus grilled chicken and pineapple plantain nachos! The Mekenita Grande Burrito is enough for two to share- and it's worth every yummy bite! The mango breeze iced tea is a great change up from normal iced tea, and the sangria is a must!

Tony R.

Their chips are so good you don't even need salsa! But their salsas are also so good and fresh. Their burritos are so good and don't fall apart bc they press them in a panini press. This is one of the best Mexican places you will eat. If you like chipotle you need to try Mekenita.

Stacey M.

Great little Mexican restaurant. I haven't found one thing I didn't like. My favorite taco is the steak... Well, maybe the pork... Hmm, maybe the chicken. Forget it! I love them all. My friend and I love the plantain chips with the works. It is entirely too much food. They have a variety of nonalcoholic drinks. The ingredients are fresh and the staff is very warm and helpful. There is a little bit of outdoor seating. I love the decor.

Kyra C.

When I first went to this restaurant a few years ago, I never wanted to go back. I really didn't like their food and was dead set against going. What a mistake I made!!! I recently found the chicken burrito to be the best in Tampa! It is delicious and perfectly paired with the fresh cilantro inside of it! The ingredients taste fresh and I have yet to be disappointed there since I tried Mekenita again. The servers are awesome, even when I am acting a little picky or if I have questions. This place is awesome with great service and good environment. Definitely worth a try if you haven't been there before, and I promise you'll find something on the menu you'll enjoy!

Steve K.

The only reason why I give it one star is because of the friendly service. The lady behind the counter was nice, but the food was terrible. I ordered a chicken burrito, and I was surprised how fast it came out to my table. I was very disappointed as I could find very little chicken in my chicken burrito. No wonder it was on sale for 5.50 during happy hour. They made up for the discount by loading the burrito with lots of rice and cilantro, and leaving me with minute amounts of chicken. The cilantro was overwhelming and dominated the bad taste of my burrito. The burrito was also cold. The chips and salsa was also bad as the homemade salsa was bland and the chips looked like they were smashed by into little pieces by a hammer. The best part of the meal was the mango unsweetened tea.

Kathy D.

I must have driven by this little gem 50 times and actually almost stopped and eaten in it at least 10 times. Well the other night I had to have Mexican food and had my mind set on heavy, cheese nachos. This restaurant Is somewhat deceptive as you grab a menu, place your order, pay for your food and are given a number. I assumed my number would be called and I would go pick up my food, so I did not include a tip. Not the case at all! Remember to add a tip or leave a cash tip on the table. A super nice server helps with the specials and the menu. I looked at the nachos and they had fruit and did not sound like anything I had in mind even though the server said it was his favorite dish on the menu. I sat down to peruse the menu more carefully and I kept hearing my friends words in my head " get the nachos, you will love them!" I finally went and ordered a margarita and the citrus grilled chicken & pineapple plantain nachos. The server showed up immediately at my table with a red sauce, nothing like a salsa. No tomato flavor, dark in color, thin in consistency and tasting strongly of chili powder with chili dusted corn chips. I found both of these items to be mediocre and not memorable. Then came the nachos with Mexican cheese, Serrano Passion fruit, grilled chicken, pineapple and fried plantains. There was a sour cream sauce that was infused with citrus drizzled on the top and a bowl on the side. I really was not sure of this dish, it looked like nothing I had seen before and certainly did not resemble nachos. Time to dig in, I tasted the infused d our cream and it was quite refreshing. The fried plantains took the place of the nacho chips, the cheese was light and the fruit out of this world delicious. Never, never have I had a dish anything like this and I already can't wait to have it again! It is like a healthy nacho. The margaritas was so fresh you could taste and see the lime flesh in it, absolutely refreshing and spot on. Make sure you bookmark Mekenita Mexican Grille and visit it soon, you won't be sorry. What's a girl to do? When. You want Mexican, you get Mexican & hopefully get pleasantly surprised.

Kyle W.

Worst Mexican food! Ordered the enchiladas with steak and was served day old beans and rice. On top of that, enchiladas were burned and not appetizing. Sent it back only to get mediocre food and not worth the $45 price tag. Would not recommend; however, great margaritas.

Rob H.

Eaten here twice now, first the smoked pork enchiladas and then a chicken burrito to go. First, service is very friendly. It's not a full-service sit-down place (you order at the back counter) but staff will walk around and ask if you need anything frequently. Portions are huge, particularly with burritos. There are tortillas and four or more kinds of salsa to try. I personally don't love the chips themselves as they are heavily seasoned. Food is clearly made to order and has fresh ingredients. I found the smoked pork to be too heavy on the smoke flavor; it was hard to taste how the other ingredients factored in. The mole was good and the dish was still pretty good. The chicken burrito is delicious with all fixins and black beans. I'll be going back to see if this is a 3,4 or 5 star place to me. The menu is just big enough that I've still got 2 or 3 things I'm excited to try. Definitely worth visiting!!

Steve E.

Mekenita Mexican Grille labels itself as a Pacific Fresh Mexican eatery. It is located along Dale Mabry Highway just south of the intersection of Van Dyke Road in Lutz. I was up in that part of the county on Friday night to see a friend of mine who was a patient at St. Joseph's Hospital North, and the restaurant is just around the corner in the Van Dyke Commons strip mall along Dale Mabry. You'll find Mekenita at the very southern end of the mall next to LA Fitness, and down a few doors from Golfsmith and Homegoods. This is not a traditional sit-down restaurant, instead you grab a menu and walk towards the cashier as you make your selections. You place your order and pay, and then sit at your table and wait for delivery. Along the way you'll pass by the drink station with Pepsi products and iced tea. There's also a salsa bar with several varieties of homemade salsa. Unlike the typical hot sauce bar, the emphasis here is on flavor with several delicious smoky chili flavors. I ordered their crab burritos made with real (not imitation) crabmeat. Those came with citrus rice, beans, and unlimited chips and salsa. They have the traditional chicken, pork, and beef burritos and also a tiger shrimp burrito that looks interesting. The menu has the usual blend of tacos and burritos, along with some delicious and unique grande platos including a rustic chicken ranchero, smoked pork enchiladas, and crab & roasted poblano enchiladas. There were an awful lot of families with young children in here on Friday night, and unfortunately the parents were content to let the little monsters run free throughout the restaurant. That certainly detracted from the enjoyment of the meal, but it was certainly not the fault of the restaurant. Next time I'll try going there for lunch and avoid the little bambinos.

Ron H.

First noticed the "In business 7 years" banner. I can see why they're still around while most restaurants fail. The decor is unique and immediately walking in, I could smell how authentic this place is. I got 3 tacos... Shrimp, chix, and steak. Honestly, hated the shrimp because it had a sweet fruit taste to it, but the chix and steak was great! Fam of 3 total was $35... So a bit on the overpriced side for what is between table service and fast food. We would love to see better pricing and a cover on the fresh juices. Other than that, the place was superb! My daughter got a grilled burrito and it was great! Hubby says the margarita was one of the barest he's ever had... That's saying a lot since he's had a LOT of margaritas, lol.

Don K.

Great guaq and chips and salsa to start with! The smoked pork burrito and seafood enchilada where the best we had in Tampa. The pork was well smoked and the black beans properly prepared within.

CL R.

Nice atmosphere and clean place! We had never visited before but we made an impromptu stop for early dinner after a long day. The chicken tower and crab enchiladas were both great. Favors were bold. Both of these came at the suggestion of the staff/owner. The fresh juice was delicious and the complimentary chips and salsa are above what we expected. They have the best chips in the area and they are seasoned perfectly. We also like the laid back atmosphere where you walk up to order then the food is brought to your table. Highly recommend and we will be back

Linn N.

My burrito swam in watered down bbq sauce and was cut with some kind of bad tabasco sauce. Inside was the sloppy battle of putrid refried beans, sour cream, undercooked rice, and something I think might have been under reconstituted protein powder. The tacos weren't as bad, but cilantro isn't lettuce, especially when it's by itself. My fish tacos was watery and fell apart. It had no flavor or zip. In retrospect they should just call their tacos cilantro tacos and never mind with a protein. Too bad, inside is nice.

Scott G.

After hearing mixed reviews. We decided to try mekenita for dinner. It was a Thursday night, the place wasn't to busy but waited in line to order for what felt like fifteen minutes. Unfortunately the group in front of us seemed very picky and modifying every item which slowed everything down. We finally got our order in which consisted of chicken plantain nachos which were definitely the highest point of the meal but no lack of cilantro. I love cilantro but even that was a little much. Wife got the ceviche which wasn't very good at all flavor and freshness. She also had the mixed fruit juice they make which she said she liked. I ordered the house burrito. Nothing really stood out flavors just all seemed to similar no layers or contrast in all the different ingredients. We love Mexican food and the California fusion thats become popular over the years but sadly don't think I would return here, to many other options doing same style food but better.

Tiffany B.

Fresh, unique Mexican food. I LOVE Mexican food. I could eat it every damn day. This is not the fatty delicious Americanized Mexican that I'm used to, but it is a yummy change of pace! The food is super fresh and tasty, although I feel they're a bit over priced. An order of tacos is just that- 3 small tacos, no sides. They do include a small plate of chips and (delicious) salsa, but that's about it. Despite the price to portion ratio, the menu has got me intrigued, so ill certainly be back to try a few more dishes!

Anne Z.

Staff is wonderful. Been there several times and never disappointed. Margaritas are delicious!

Krystle M.

Went to Mekenita with a girlfriend on Tuesday. We had a wonderful experience. For a very low price ($9 and some odd change), I indulged in one steak and two pork tacos (made to accommodate my disdain for cilantro) and a side of rice and beans. The guacamole that is served on the entree plate is delicious, as is the complimentary chips and salsa brought out to subside our hunger prior to meal-time. Rarely do I finish my entire meal AND have dessert, but I did it this time. Dessert was a seasonal pumpkin-cheesecake flan...and it was amazing. Only improvement to that dish would be to add a dollop of whipped cream - an idea which I shared with management...so I am hoping they heed my advice. :) Either way, I will be back with my friends and/or family sometime in the near future.

Matthew P.

Small 1/2 service Mexican restaurant. Attractive & cute decor. Really flavorful food! Good quality ingredients, not your typical Mexican beans and smothered with cheese. Very nice refreshing taste. Pricing is pretty darn good for the amount of food as well! Upscale Willie's, Moe's or Q'doba. Definitely will come back. Service was efficient not too personable.

Jerry G.

Stopped in here last night with my wife to try something different from other Mexican restaurants. You enter by either the front or directly in the side. Grab a menu posted on the wall and wrap back around to the counter at the back. Place your order for food and drinks. Pay and get your drinks there and find a table and post the number you got from the counter. You get a complimentary plate of chips and salsa, can add salsa yourself from the side bar and get refills of the chips and salsa if needed. The main food shows up fairly quickly from the back. It was pretty busy there when we showed up, with usually 3-4 deep at the ordering line by the counter. There appeared to be plenty of space, usually 4-5 tables empty and rotating. I ordered a glass of sangria and the chicken ranchero entree. The sangria tasted like red wine period. If I strained my taste buds a little bit, I started to notice a hint of fruit but not much. I pulled the two pieces of decorative fruit off of the glass and threw them in and by the end of the glass, it started having a more fruity flavor. All in all, it wasn't the best sangria I've had. The chicken ranchero looked like a fairly large piece taken from a casserole dish, the corners were squared up as if it was cut and dished out. The rice was hard, either from being warmed over too long or from not having enough liquid in the dish when cooked. It had that brittle crunch to it. The cheeses were good, the chicken about average. This was nothing to write home about. My wife had a burrito and a margarita she was very happy with the taste of both. The burrito was quite large. All in all, she was pleased. I was not. Price was mid 30's for all. Would I go back again....probably not for a while.

Kelleigh M.

This is a Carrollwood gem. Located in the same shopping center as LA Fitness and Homegoods, Mekenita was top notch. Even though this restaurant is technically considered quick serve, it delivered full restaurant flavor. We went to Mekenita because of a Groupon and will definitely return. Each meal comes with complimentary chips and salsa. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to the salsa bar and get yourself the smoky salsa....DIVINE! We ordered the sopes as an appetizer. The pork one was better than the chicken. It came with a pico de gallo and guacamole garnish. Which both were great. For our entrees I ordered the crab enchiladas. Although good, I don't feel they were worth the $15 price tag. My fiancé ordered the chicken stack special. At $13 this was a winner. The flavors were smoky, flavorful and unique. I'd definitely order this again. We also had a $2 Tecate and a $6 sangria. The sangria was awesome and only after one I had a slight buzz. Would I return to Mekenita without a groupon? For sure. Should you give them a try? Certainly.

Dan S.

Expectations and what you get are two different things ordered the Mekenita Burrito but was made wrong so sent it back. Slow is slow so I had to wait, wait, and wait! Got the burrito cut it in half to eat. Made right but taste was nasty. Almost an old meat metal type taste. This was our first and last visit leaving after just two bites. Scare about if the product is truly food safe. If I want this food again I'm thing Chipotle, at least it's fresh and you see how it's made!

Mikki P.

The reasons for the five stars is because all my expectations were exceeded in terms of service, quality of food, portion size, and taste. I have been searching for a Mexican restaurant in Tampa that truly takes me back to the Pacific Coast of Mexico. I ordered the ceviche as an appetizer. an excellent blend of shrimp and fish with fresh cilantro. I also ordered the chicken burrito wet. Not too spicy, but gives that authentic mexican flavor. The house salsa and chips were outstanding, not your average tortilla chip clearly made in house. If you go try the strawberry key lime juice. You will think you've escaped on a tropical vacation. I also tried the salsa Verde they have at the salsa bar which I was very impressed with. The atmosphere is very inviting, and open. When I went on Friday it was in the high sixties so all the doors were open which added to the ambiance of the restaurant. The decorations are very tasteful, not quite cantina style, more like a chic mexican idea very minimalist. The staff is very friendly, and I believe the owner stopped by to welcome us and also to make sure we had everything we needed. There is a reason this restaurant has been open for 7 years. Although it's about a 20 minute drive for me I will definitely be back.

Virginia N.

I been here so many times , and I love every thing especially the mekenita Grande Burrito. Service is excellent every time and I will recommend it to all my friends. :)

Aaron M.

Felt pretentious with the ambiance and the food plating.. The seasoned chips I get may take away from the salsa taste -- but i liked the seasoning... I like the specialty juices and sangria they have.. its a nice touch. The taste of the food was ok.. nothing amazing if I recall correctly.

Wendy H.

Delicious great bang for buck love the house special plantain nachos! Sangria is great to as was the crab/ lobster enchiladas!

R. G.

Ill start out by saying I like the food an atmosphere but neither are "to die for". I like the thought of the combination of ingredients as they sound trendy and edgy but in the end, the flavor that leaves you wanting more just wasn't there. My favorites? Seasoned chips and the charred salsa. My not so favorites? The crab poblano enchiladas with a lobster cream sauce and especially the portion sizes for the prices. I tasted neither Lobster nor crab in my enchiladas. My wife's grilled Tiger shrimp taco came with 1.5 shrimp, not so tigerish. The smoked pork shredded taco had a good smoky flavor but the other accompaniments fell flat. I feel if the food is great an the value is high, this place would have more than three tables of customers at 8 PM on a Saturday night. I must say that regret that I will have to find another location to satisfy my Mexican palate on a Saturday night.

Chris T.

Anyone that said this is the best Mexican food is crazy! I've tried to like this place on several occasions, as I live close by. Someone else said it, PRETENTIOUS! That pretty much sums this place up. Moe's, Chipotle, Tijuana Flats are 5-10 minutes down the road. Heck I would rather eat the Vallartas lunch buffet. BTW, no burrito should ever have Parmesan cheese baked onto it. There's a Chinese place at the other end of the plaza, go there instead. If you want Mexican, go somewhere else!

Meghan R.

Every time I go to Tampa to visit my best friend and her husband we pretty much plan our weekends around where we were going to eat. On my last visit they said they wanted to take me to Mekenitas for Mexican. I love Mexican so I was definitely up for it. When we pulled up I was a little confused. For whatever reason I expected it to be a stand alone restaurant. So when we got there and it was a small place near a Homegoods I started to wonder. Then we walked in and had to order at the counter. Hmmm. I'm not saying that either of these things are bad (lots of places I go fall into both these categories), but I just didn't expect it. My bestie said their Sangria was amazing and bought me a glass to celebrate my learning to drive a manual car just before we went to dinner. After a quick look at the menu I decided to try the grilled chipotle citrus tiger shrimp tacos with mango cerrano chili salsa. Yep, you read that right. You got three to an order and at first I was a little taken aback by the price, especially since it didn't list any sides. But I was pleasantly surprised. The tacos were AMAZING and three was more than enough to fill me up. Even if it had come with a side I wouldn't have wasted the room in my stomach eating it. They also bring chips and salsa to the table, so you do have those to snack on while you wait for your food to come out (and it comes out pretty darn quick). I've all ready asked if we can go back the next time I am in Tampa. I can't wait to try out the other things on their menu.

Vicki A.

When other people want to go, I will go, but it's never my first pick. Food is pricey and okay, but nothing on the menu grabs me. People are friendly and it's always VERY clean, which I truly appreciate.

Paul D.

Excellent Mexican food. The salads are amazing. The salsa is all homemade taste terrific!!

Ben V.

Alright, so finally tried Mekenita- not happy. We just found what we ordered to be TOO flavorful. It was off balanced and unusually salty. We had high expectations based on the other reviews which, as you've noticed, are mostly stellar. The staff were amazingly nice and professional. The manager or owner also came by which shows his passion for the joint. We will have to give Mekenita one more shot and chalk up this experience to an off day which happens from time to time. I mean all these positive reviews must mean something, right?

Aurelia T.

Not only did we have to wait in line for almost 20 minutes because they were still learning the computer system the manager let a party of 4 cut ahead everyone else who had been waiting 15+ minutes then they called the rest of their party out of the line to be seated. Needles to say if we weren't all ready at the front and had waited this long to get there I would have left. Plus they had only 1 of the 2 registers open and a line going out the door. The second register opened up for the special customers that surpassed everyone else. The food on the other hand was interesting. The tamale had a smokey taste to it very unique needles to say. And the the plantain nachos we delightful, and the tacos were really good too. The food definitely was way better than the customer service.

Andrew H.

Not Tex-Mex, but California-Mex; more Jack Johnson than ZZ Top, surf videos on the one screen, really nice relaxed atmosphere. Always good food, great specials; lots of flavors, herbs, spices and gorgeous sauces.

Jennifer M.

This is the best Mexican restaurant in the area. The burritos are huge and delicious and my favorite are the crab enchiladas. Their salsa is fresh made and delicious!

Rachel H.

I went to Mekenita last night with my family and it was a less than grand experience and it had nothing to do with the food. They were having trouble with the tickets and the food took about half and hour to come out. Granted there was a computer glitch was we came hungry so we got pretty grumpy. The wait staff was friendly but didn't let us know about the glitch until we asked why the food wasn't coming out. We also had to walk up to the counter to ask for more chips which I know sounds incredibly lazy that I am complaining about that but normally Mekenita's is THE BEST when it comes to service. We go a lot and have always had stellar service. I ordered something other than my usual salad (which my husband ordered and it looked smaller than it used to be....it used to be gargantuan which I loved, it must be noted that he loved his Shrimp Salad and said it was lighter on lettuce than it used to be and heavier on corn, beans, toppings, and fried shrimp). There is a little note on their menu that anything on the menu can be made vegetarian/vegan by subbing out the meat for roasted veggies and omitting the cheese/sour cream. A burrito sounded lovely so I ordered the Pork Burrito without pork knowing it would come with a spicy fruity salsa that I love. It was good, a little heavy on the rice, but really filling and tasted fresh.

Will G.

Love this place. We call it gourmet Mexican food. The salads are enlighten for a meal. The free nacho chips are very unique. They have terrific margaritas.

Richard K.

We have tried this place several times, and it just seems there's always some reason we aren't motivated to come back more often. The ambience is nice, the people friendly, and they have some very well flavored items. Their sauces are very good and so far, I'm liking it. But 2 things stand out from our last trip as examples of why I have mixed feelings. First of all, the rice and etc. on the pork platter seemed hard and "old", like it had been made earlier, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated. Not good. But worse, over several visits, I have to ask, what's the deal with only giving a couple of chips with the dinner? The meals can cost a bit, I feel that they should have more than a couple of broken up chips with them. Last time, we got a guacamole appetizer with the meal, and when we got home we had hardly any chips! This is not a small matter, other tex/mex places have no problem supplying enough chips. Penny wise/pound foolish. Sometimes the small things can ruin your dinner. They are so close to being a good place, it's a shame they just skimp on the small things.

Joe P.

Best burritos in Lutz. Highly recommend Pork and shrimp burrito. All of their homemade salsas are solid too. If you're in the mood for Mexican food, check it out!

Ryan S.

This place is a breath of fresh air! Little on the pricey side but the food its tough to beat. The atmosphere is great as well.

Meredith K.

Easily the best mexican food in the area. It's not your stereotypical rice, refried beans and burritos. The food is fast and fresh... But also a FRESH take on Mexican food. It much closer resembles the authentic Mexican I've had while visiting the country. This is a MUST EAT!! Don't let the "order counter" put you off. This food is gourmet. Try the Chicken Eggrolls as an app... Yes that's right... Mexican Eggrolls. They are awesome with a satisfying heat from the pepper filling. The outsides are a lightly fried perfection. Tacos are excellent - but I think my favorite is the pork burrito.

Jay Y.

Given its current stars, I had to give Mekenita another try, I had their house special burrito about a year ago and it was ok, better than say Chipotle or Moe's but not Taco Bus good.... This time around I tried their citrus grilled fish tacos and again I thought they were good but not 4.5 stars good. There aren't many places in Tampa that have good fish tacos and I've been on a covert operation to try as many different places as possible over the past 5 years. The fish tacos here only rank slightly above average. I think overall the experience and prices at Mekenita are a little higher than some of the other Mexican grills I mentioned earlier, and you get a slightly better dining and food experience, so its on par with what I would expect. If anything I would say Chipotle and Moe's are a little more convenient since they make the food for you while in line, especially if you're in a lunch rush... I will say I liked their chips and salsa better than other places...

Kendra L.

The best spot for Mexican inspired food at a great price!!! The staff is always attentive and friendly and the wait is never long. This is a great place for a lunch with friend's of a quick take-out stop. My favorite is the Tiger Shrimp burrito!

Mike B.

Great ideas but the execution falls a little short. Too much masa in the tamales and the pork was a little salty. Chips were seasoned and that took away from the flavor of the salsas. And what Mexican restaurant doesn't serve Negra Modelo? Ask for hotter salsa and they will bring some Habanero from the back.

RE A.

Great fun atmosphere. Overpriced food but the friendliness of the staff makes it worthwhile. I loved their condiments and sauces. all the heat you could ever want. If you want Authentic Mexican food in Tampa I suggest you go here.

Joseph R.

Fantastic Mexican food! Loved the egg rolls. Great innovative dishes. Will definitely eat here again.

Shakira H.

This has been some of the best Mexican food that we have had - ever! And even better than some restaurants in Mexico! Completely befuddled why anyone would rate it any less than 5 stars! I normally love Mexican food because I love cheese and sour cream. I really didn't miss it at all! In fact, I was happier without it! The food was colorful and delicious. There were a variety of prominent flavors in all of the food that commingled and complimented each other. Our mouths yelped with joy! The service was great and the decor was inviting. We had the crab enchiladas covered with mole - So good! I think the crab voluntarily gave up its life just to be near the mole! Also had the tiger shrimp burrito - so fantastic. The rice, guac, and fried shrimp... I have goosebumps thinking about it. It did have a little bit of a kick to it, but nothing that wasn't bearable. And we're not huge fans of spicy food! It was quite large as well. Lastly, the shrimp tacos - wowzers! They were simply but artfully created. It was colorful and it had a sweet taste as well. The guac - a fantastic accompaniment. Only complaint, they close at 9... Need more time to eat!!! :) Overall, this place was amazing and we can't wait to go back!

Richard I.

Over priced for a semi serve yourself restaurant. I had cold rice on a cold plate even though the waitress said "be careful the plate is hot". Welcome to Moes.

Robert M.

Apparently, this place has been around for more than a year, and I'm quite sorry I didn't know until now. It seems, though, that I 'm not alone since they are listed under a different name everywhere online. (they are now Mekenita Mexican grille) The restaurant is set up as a counter-order table-delivery setup, which I have to admit is not something I am fond of (it leads to odd expectations as to service and tipping.) The site had free wireless internet, which is greatly appreciated and flat-screens showing surf videos which are unnecessary, but unobtrusive. The Chef/Owner was a very pleasant guy and was happy to talk about his food and his time in California. I don't know if Cal-Mex is a genre the way Tex-Mex is, but this place seems to have the spirit. That spirit is an imaginative re-creation of Mexican techniques and flavors with the brighter fruits and fresh-to table style of California. As an example, the Natchos use plantain chips instead of tortilla; papaya instead of tomato; passion fruit flavored sour cream. In adition to the Sangria -- which was good and on the fruity side -- there are Various seasonal fresh fruit juices. Not everything is fresh and untampered. Many items had a deep smoky flavors sitting along with the bright citrus. One of the big clues that this is a good place that deserves support are the multitude of little places where there could be cutbacks, but would absolutely diminish the experience. The garnish of limes is not persian, but Key limes. There are 4 different salsas available at the salsa bar. etc. Support places with more pride in their work than green in their eye.

Daniel D.

Smokin' Jesus titty cinnamon this place is delicious! I've never tasted anything quite like what this place has to offer -- Mexican food with a Hawaiian fusion. I had the plantain nachos and a burrito. Some little things that are awesome about this place: Crushed ice at the soda fountain. Salsa bar. Free chips and salsa.

Bill H.

You can't go wrong here. The chef/owner was previously an executive chef at Roy's who spends a lot of his time in SoCal and Oaxaca looking for new ingredients. Prices are great, average around $7-9 and portions are large. Wahoo Tacos are outstanding, fresh ingredients are evident in every dish he creates. Burritos are the size of a small child and come with citrus grilled chicken, steak, or crispy tiger shrimp. This is one of my favorite places in Tampa to eat!

Tasha S.

Tried this place on a whim when looking for Mexican food to eat in new Tampa but tired of Catina Laredo. I like authentic Mexican food with a flare so I figured I would give this place a try. Portions were very nice sized. Restaurant is very clean. Decoration and music was very creative. They can make anything vegetarian and have many sauce options, even very hot! The food was very fresh. Margaritas are made in house and spooned out of a glass dish, these were tasty but not like a typical margarita, not sure if I would have this again. We will definitely go back for the food and maybe wine beer next time.

Mike V.

Mmm.. We've been to Mekenita 4 times and it is hands down the best Mexican food we have eaten in Tampa. It is a fast casual concept, order at a counter, with food and drinks brought to the table, but you don't even notice! They make 4-5 different salsas & chips fresh daily, and all of the food is clearly made fresh every day. Their sangria is awesome, and everyday they serve a fresh special. For appetizers we had pork empanadas in an orange colored mole sauce, and we had port tamales in a more traditional chocolate mole. The fish tacos were outstanding, my wife and stepdad had 1 pork, chicken and shrimp taco each. My mom had a Mexican pie. Basically it is a little meat pie filled with pork, black beans and corn, but the best part was the shell, which was a cross between a corn tortilla, and hollowed out cornbread. Simply ridiculous. We have never been here for dinner, but I've heard the line is out the door on the weekends.

Richard A.

We love this place. The service is always great. Just order at the counter and the food is prepared fresh to order and brought to your table. An ample serving of chips and salso are brought to you while you wait for your entree. I recommend the Tiger Shrimp Buritto. The Sangria is also excellent. The price can't be beat either.

Darrin M.

Fresh tastes that you don't expect from a Mexican restaurant. I had the shrimp tacos and they were great. The kids had the burrito and really enjoyed them as well. Great service and prices!

Lacey S.

This place is kind of hidden on the other side of the massive LA Fitness. It would probably do much better if it were on the other side of the plaza where the other restaurants and such are located. However, the food was pretty good! This is definitely not your ordinary Mexican taco, it really is a mix of Pacific and Mexican creating some very interesting tacos! The chips and salsa were my favorite, probably because I was addicted to the smoky, almost barbecue like flavoring in it..... We continue to come here every couple of months or so.

Kristy S.

Ate here after buying a Groupon. It's a smallish place, but wasn't too busy on a Saturday lunch visit. Overall, I was pleased with the visit. But found the food to be on the spicy side. Ordered the Citrus Grilled Chicken & Pineapple Plantain Nachos. Asked if they were spicy, told no, they are fine. Wrong. They are spicy, but flavorful. Would like to order it again, but without the serrano passion fruit sour cream. See if that helps with the heat. As a meal, I ordered the Grilled Chipotle Citrus Tiger Shrimp Tacos. Again, too much heat for me. I just ate the shrimp out of the tacos. I like chipotle, so wasn't too hot for me. But it has the serrano salsa on it like the nachos, so guessing that's where the spice is coming from. Partner ordered the Mekenita Grande Burrito. Very large burrito. He liked it. But next time will order it without the parmesan on top. He thought it added an odd flavor to the burrito. Another bonus of this place, they have a lot of agua frescas - in yummy flavors. So if spice is a concern of yours, don't bother asking the staff about it. Just ask for the spice to be removed. They apparently like things hot. I like things mild for sure.

Greg D.

Fantastic food. I've been there quite a few times and always had a stellar meal.

Sharon F.

This is not your typical Mexican place. The menu seems a bit limited but the items are interesting, a bit complicated and pricey. For such a menu, I would want more time to read but you stand in line, place your order then sit down. The entree, crab enchilada special, was very good. The beans and rice were a disappointment. They put all their creativity and spices into the main dishes.

Henry K.

Cool little atmosphere. Very friendly staff. Food is unique and very good. The quality and dedication is obvious.

Rob B.

I have never had a bad meal here and the staff is always very friendly. I love the wahoo fish tacos, very fresh and tasty. The sopes are perfect little tortilla pies with loads of fresh ingredients. The burritos are huge. And the specials are always on point. If you have room for dessert try the churros, they are perfectly crispy on the outside with an ever so slightly doughy center all rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with vanilla ice cream.

Rob L.

Second trip with my portable critic. As expected, the perky staff was friendly and efficient. Had the smoked pulled pork burrito on the recommendation of the girl at the counter. It was nice, fresh, large. good mix of flavors without anything stepping on the others. Portable has the kids menu chick tacos and ate to her fill. Fresh mango juices was a hit. Churros for a nice desert. Overall, fast fresh and friendly. Great casual decor without going "fast food". Just a well executed operation.

Paul R.

Been coming here since they opened and were named Mariposa....it's still just as good as the day it opened!

Lulu B.

I really want to give this place 2 stars, but they deserve better. I've had the plantain nachos (very citrusy), the tiger shrimp burrito and the steak burrito, and I still can't get behind this place. The fact is, I like what I think of as more "traditional" Mexican food. I don't really like the citrusy flavor that is added to nearly every dish. I also think that the burritos are terribly salty and whatever spices they add, really makes the taste almost too flavorful, in a bad way. Thumbs up on the sangria though. The cantina atmosphere is nice too. Good staff.

B. P.

First time there... The food was very tasty, the service was excellent, very friendly, and not your typical 'pile of mushy rice next to your refried bean taco' place. I will be going back! :)

Kristin C.

Tasty, fresh ingredients, friendly service and generous portions. We try to stop in at least once a week.

Joseph M.

My favorite burritos and nachos anywhere! Perfect sangria, delicious food, unlike any other Mexican restaurant around. My wife can't stand typical Mexican food but craves the plantain nachos from here. We have family drive down from Crystal River and Springhill to eat here.

Alecia A.

This is my FAVORITE mexican place to eat! Everything tastes so fresh! I love the seasoned chips & salsa (free to every table)! They also have great chicken tacos :) 5 stars all the way

Albert G.

Now named Mekenita Mexican Grille, the food is flavorful, bright, and still light--givenit is Mexican food. The menu looked disappointing at first glance...another Moe's or Qdoba. However, it is anything but. The counter servers are very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu; plus the decor is comfortable. They bring the food to you table, and the plating is very nice. Prices are $7-$10 for a main plate. The - 1 star is for location. It's incredibly far from the heart of town. Not a convenient eating spot, unless you're heading to Carrolwood or New Tampa. Happy eatings! Albert

X X.

Friendly cute cashier. Steak salad is delicious! Girlfriend says steak tacos are delicious too. Dos coronas y una agua all for less than $26. Mucho bang for the buck.

Michael G.

This place has excellent food, a great atmosphere, and awesome staff! There is absolutely nothing negative I could say about Mekenita. My family or I go there at least a couple of times per month and I have never been the slightest bit disappointed. They have the best fish tacos in Tampa Bay and the burritos are excellent as well. I highly recommend you try this restaurant!