Everything is very clean and fresh tasting. The mexican food here is definitely upscale, but oh so good. Good atmosphere as well. The prices are decent for the type of place it is. The seafood items are of course your higher end of the menu. The chips and salsa are quite tasty also, though I'm a fiend for most chips and salsa.
(4)
Walt T.
Great lunch items. Mahi tacos are good but wish you got three of them instead of two. The chipotle shrimp burrito is the best!
(4)
Rob B.
Tasty Mexican inspired food that'll fill you up good. Had the short rib torta which was packed with flavorful moist and tender meat. Nice atmosphere and the menu looks like it could keep you happy over several visits.
(4)
Karen C.
Overall pretty good but the rice tasted like rice pilaf from a box and seemed over cooked. Service was quick and friendly.
(3)
Amy Z.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this before! Everything I have ever had here is delicious! Order anything thee and you won't be disappointed. Trust me - I'm chubby and discriminating :)
(5)
Michele D.
Yummy! This place was pretty darn tasty! I hate going to a Mexican restaurant where they slam pounds of cheese all over everything your unable to find the friggin enchilada. This place doesn't do that at all .. It's good, clean , Mexican. I never seen any Mexican restaurant in the bay area with so many fresh fish dishes! Yep! This place is a definite repeat
(5)
John W.
Excellent restaurant ! Went here for lunch on a Saturday and got here at noon. Ten minutes later every seat in the restaurant was completely filled. Not hard to see why. I had the seafood burrito which was stuffed with the local catch of grouper, crab and assorted other delicacies topped with a homemade chipotle sauce served with black rice and pico. DELISH. Prices are very reasonable as are the portions. Service was quick and efficient albeit a bit gruff. But you can overlook that with the high quality of the meals that they serve here. Looked like everyone in the restaurant was thoroughly enjoying their meals here. This is not your typical Mexican food. More like a gourmet Mex with a great price ! I highly recommend this place, but come early or get reservations as they fill up fast.
(4)
Daniel K.
Not sure what happened to my last review, posted months ago, but hey lets do it again. This place is a five because the food is awesome! Go for breakfast or lunch. Wonderful menu, good service, tight quarters, but nicely decorated inside. It's ALWAYS packed, for anyone who gave this place less than a 4, try it again! You missed something or maybe your dead and just think your eating there. That's my sixth sense kicking in I guess.
(5)
Erica J.
Red Mesa used to be one of my favorite restaurants; the food is amazing. My problem is with the way the restaurant handles mistakes they make in the kitchen. If you ask for the kitchen to leave something off of your food, and they put it on by mistake, they just wipe it off and send it back without regard for food allergies. I'm really disgusted and I will NEVER return.
(2)
Abc 1.
Went here for dinner on a Thursday night and had never been before. Service was friendly from the start, no wait and even the valet guy was super nice outside. We ordered the grouper ceviche, the snapper, some plantains and some guac for dinner and loved all of it! Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and never made us feel rushed once. We also split a pitcher of Sangria and had some churros for desser (a MUST) and everything was great. The ceviche was some of the best I've had and I've had that app served to me in several countries and other states. Salsa and chips were also great. Will definitely return for more delicious mexican food!
(5)
Mica F.
I'm still learning my way around the SW Tampa Bay area and I love when I find little pockets of neat stuff. Going south on 4th St N and with the use of my trusty Yelp app, I found this lovely contemporary Mexican restaurant! We came in for an early weekday dinner in between kids activities. The staff was super nice to my kids, always a plus in my book and they were very accommodating about the fact that my husband was still about 10 minutes out and we had to get out of there in about 50. Mission accomplished! I wouldn't say this was a Mexican restaurant but rather a contemporary Mexican flare. It was unexpected and totally enjoyed. There were so many menu items that caught my eye, I didn't know which to pick which will warrant a trip back from me. My husband was easy, he had me order him the Jalapenos Rellenos while en route. My son ordered the Filet Al Chipotle which he loved and took half of it home. I had the Snapper Vera Cruz which was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. As a whole, our family loves Mexican. My 6yo wants to go on vacation to Mexico because the food is yummy. It's my hope that when we do take her after eating at places like Red Mesa, that she's not disappointed with Mexico!
(5)
Ashish K.
Caters to all the tastes(Spicy, mildly Spicy to Non Spicy). Different lunch and Dinner menus. I tried the Del Rey Chicken Burrito which was very juicy with very fine and flavorful sauces used. I found the rice and Black Beans here to be better than rest of the mexican places I have been to. Must try.
(4)
Alex A.
I don't get to eat Mexican very often and when I do I'm usually let down. After eating here, all I can say is WOW! The food was amazing. I had some sort of combo and it was a definite 5 stars. The restaurant it self is a 3. The booth and tables are a little old and it's not exactly spotless inside. Also extremely limited drink menu, they definitely need to get a liquor license. Again, 5 STAR FOOD!
(5)
Alice T.
What can I say? Group of six all had the best meal we can remember. Grouper was amazing!
(5)
Vanessa Z.
You need a CLEARWATER location...asaps!
(5)
Connie M.
Red Mesa is an excellent choice and is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete. I have fallen into a rut and have begun ordering the Pork Verde with extra veggies instead of getting rice and beans. The vegetable is usually broccoli with red peppers and carrots, and I think a little bit of garlic and seasoning thrown in. The pork is spicy and delicious with just the right amount of heat. They are always willing to accommodate my requests with a smile. I still have to nosh on their home made chips and have a glass of Sangria. (I said I'm in a rut here). The food is always fresh and consistent with very quick service. It's definitely worth the wait outside for a table.
(5)
Kathy C.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and we eat here several times a month. We have tried most of the entrees on the lunch menu and are never disappointed. The food is fresh and flavorful and the prices are extremely reasonable. If you like spicy food, you can get entrees with some heat to them. I really like duck so enjoy the duck enchiladas and duck salad. The seafood enchiladas, grilled salmon, and chipotle shrimp (entree, not the burrito) are more of my favorites. My husband really likes the drunken sandwich. The hamburger is also REALLY good and not typically what you might order off the menu. Both white and red sangria is REALLY good here - it tastes like the infuse spices into the wine, which makes it so delicious. We rarely leave enough room for desert, however have tried the plantains foster, which was a wonderful spin on the classic version. Red Mesa has the best trained wait staff of anywhere we've eaten in the Tampa Bay area. Honestly, they provide the best service and we measure all other restaurants by them.
(5)
Amanda L.
Completely above-par compared to the majority of tex-mex restaurants out there. The amount of refinement and sophistication the dishes have, while being in an upscale casual environment, is impressive. This is not your standard, heavy tex-mex fare. The seafood here is out of this world. A little on the pricey side, but there will be no regrets. Highly highly recommend. Obsessed with the southwest grilled grouper - such a unique and delicious dish. A must have for those that can handle spice!
(5)
Amanda R.
This place is great! The courtyard is so charming with its string lights and fountain, and a very relaxing environment for drinks after a long day (especially on Mondays when their house margaritas are half off). The empanadas are excellent though small portions... not much of a problem when watching weight, though they are not filling enough for a meal. My friend and I like to split the Empanada then split a chorizo burger, which is the most delicious burger I have ever had. Yum!
(5)
Mperke M.
Red mesa is my favorite restaurant. I have been going for at least 12 years. I have never had a bad meal. Everything is homemade. The shrimp fundido is my favorite appetizer and the cedar salmon is awesome. If you are wanting something lite I would suggest the red mesa salad. The service is excellent. It is always busy so make reservations or order to go as I do at least once a week.
(5)
Jennifer F.
Went here as a large group (9) on a Sunday late afternoon. Service was excellent and the prices were okay. Beer and wine only. Apps were the mushroom fondue and calamari. Calamari was well cooked and the curry sauce was amazing and hot!! The fondue was okay, shrooms were great on it though. Everyone got something different and no complaints. Portions are good size and wine by the bottle prices were not crazy. Desert was good and big. Oh and the chips were fresh and the salsa medium hot. Nice build on the burn over time. Lots of fish and vegetarian options as well. When we left they were in full dinner slam and the noise level was not bad.
(4)
Michael G.
How have I not reviewed this place yet?! I have been throughly enjoying Red Mesa for years, and years, and years. It is one of the go-to restaurants in St. Petersburg, especially for people who are visiting and only have a limited time to see what St. Petersburg has to offer. I don't need to say much because this place has more than enough good reviews but what I will say is the corn chips and salsa are very good, the chips are very thin and salty. The guacamole is usually good but the most recent time I had it, it was extremely spicy which I did not like, but give it a try. The quesadillas are also very good - but you can't go wrong with anything here. And lastly, let's not forget about the grand finale: the dessert! The chocolate spoon cake is some of the best chocolate cake I have ever had. It's light and smooth but very chocolatey so it also comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance out the flavor. Over all, Red Mesa is a must in St. Petersburg!
(5)
Jeff M.
This place is awesome. It was my dad and aunt and myself. We waited for fifteen minutes even though it was a thirty minute wait. But we sat down and out server was awesome he was so cool, answered all of our questions, he was fun and energetic. Now to the food, you'll need an empty stomach. The chips are to die for and the salsa was mild but had a hint of spice but not to hot that you can't handle it. We polished those off. I ordered the pollo Yucatan. I HIGHLY recommend that. It is really hot so if you have a craving for spicy this is right up your alley.
(5)
Andy D.
Good stuff. I haven't had anything bad here. I haven't had anything amazing either though.
(3)
Katie M.
I've been so many times and the food is always so good, sangria is good and servers are friendly. It can get loud inside so outside is much nicer but I recommend it to everyone.
(4)
Rachel T.
I went here with my parent-in-laws and husband. They were long time area residents and big fans. I recognize that in the area this is a pretty unique place. It has complex dishes and a nicer atmosphere. However, they also love Apple B's and Bone Fish and Cheese Cake factory. This is as such... a large restaurant with crowded seating. I found the atmosphere to be busy and distracting, not very comfortable seating, and like eating in a chain restaurant though this isn't a chain. It's good food but I'd rather not feel like I'm sitting at IHop. I say "I'm a fan" because my family is and they live there and have more relative opinion than I do as a visiting New Englander.
(4)
Shay H.
I'm a little surprised by some of the negative reviews and many people are comparing this to Tex-Mex they found in Texas. I'm sure if you don't try to make it something it's not and just enjoy it for what it is you will be pleasantly surprised. I would not really call it Tex-Mex, I would say they have some mexican dishes and some dishes that just have a mexican twist. I had roast duck enchiladas and they were very good! My husband's grouper was good as well. For an appetizer we had Mahi ceviche which was very good, but the portion was a little small. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised and compared to any other Mexican food I've found in Florida this place is very good. The menu is also very inventive and I'm looking forward to going back and trying another unique dish. As others have mentioned the food is better than you would expect from the decor. And the sangria is just okay.
(4)
Berit M.
Went to Red Mesa the other night with a friend because we were really feeling some mexican food AND margaritas. The food was phenomenal and I highly recommend trying the enchilada trio and the carne asada. I had to give it a 3 because they didn't have real margaritas (#fail) so we ended up getting sangria instead which was just so-so. I'm going to try Red Mesa Cantina because our server assured us they have more choices as far as margaritas and drinks at that one, however, I will probably still be back here. They did not disappoint on the food.
(3)
Steven K.
My wife had the carna asada and it was cooked perfect. The flavor was wonderful. I has the shrimp and crab chimi. So bad!!! With the hard corn shell, the sauce, and cheese I could not taste any of the seafood in it. Even though hers was good we will not return there.
(3)
Kelly R.
My only issue with this place is that every time we have a date night we want to go here. The food is melt in your mouth delicious. On our last visit I had the chimichangas and they were to die for. The margaritas here are excellent. The atmosphere is lively and just the right bit of loud, service is excellent and you can tell people enjoy working there. They have an excellent outdoor space with a bar, covered seating and live entertainment. Notes: you'll need to find street parking or pay to park in a garage, outdoor/indoor bar, live entertainment, Saturday nights are very busy and they don't take reservations.
(5)
Nat W.
I was told my friend that this place is very good and I saw all the hypes on Yelp. I finally decided to go. They have "free" valet parking. Luckily when we got there, we found a parking spot right near the entrance so we did not have to have a valet and saved on the tip. Inside was kinda crowded and I felt a little too close to the next tables. Our server was great!! His name was I think Mike. He was so nice , polite and attentive. We got the special "BBQ pork tacos" for an appetizer. They were really really delicious. It was a bit pricey for the amount you get tho (it was $10 for small 2 pieces). For entrees, we ordered shrimp and crab enchilada, and seafood with rice (pretty much like paella). The enchilada was just okay. The paella was good! Overall, it is a place with good food and great service! 4-star :)
(4)
Scott W.
Wonderful! Worth the wait. Service was fast and attentive. I had the ceviche special and the tamale plate. Very, very fresh ceviche with a nice citrus flavor. The tamales were very moist and filling. Great dinner!
(4)
Lou M.
This place has good food, but is pretty expensive. The 4th street location now has mofungo, which is probably my favorite thing on the menu. The calamari is really good and comes with chipotle and habanero dips which make the dish. Their Sunday brunch is a good food experience, but again, kinda pricey.
(3)
William M.
We had a wonderful time today at the Red Mesa! The food was wonderful, my family from out of town loved it...I've been talking about this place for a while and when they came in town there was nowhere else to go. The sangria and Chipotle shrimp hit the spot. Not to be left out was the service we recieved from big Joe. He made my mother laugh and she thought he was so cute...I hope Joe sees this (she's 84 years old)...I will continue to tell everyone about this place! Great experience and atmosphere. Thank you
(5)
Jason P.
Not impressed, I ordered the Gorgonzola stuffed fillet, and literally gagged down a couple bites of the meat. I've never had a filet mignon that tasted so bad before. The Gorgonzola was good, as was the Chile relleno, but for a $45 plate of food I was very underwhelmed.
(2)
James B.
Great food a lil more on the expensive side but totally worth it. Definitely worth going back
(5)
Manuel M.
This is an excellent restaurant, possibly the best in Tampa Bay. Caribbean/Pan Latin food. Menu seems like a sample and fusion of all the best food in Latin America. Quality of ingredients and execution are excellent. Great value, good service. Casual and fun vibe.
(5)
Zachary W.
Best Hangover brunch. There is a mimosa special Saturday and Sunday. Food was great. Service was excellent. Out door dining area with water features in it very nice atmosphere
(5)
Dessie M.
Service good. Busy at 230 in the afternoon. Great drink deals. Will be back. The Sangria special was yummy. All and all with tip $70.00 for 4 meals 2 large sangrias tea and soda. Service with a smile
(4)
Sarah L.
Red Mesa is by far one if the best restaurants in St. Pete! I have been coming here for about 15 years and it just gets better each time. Try the duck salad or the chicken quesadilla.
(5)
Crystal D.
We went here after seeing that the Cantina has such high ratings among fellow downtowners, but one afternoon we happened to be closer to the Restaurant so we went there instead. We have since been to both, and while the Cantina has the lively atmosphere, the Restaurant in my opinion has the better food!! I got a sirloin combination with seriously the best cheese enchilada and red sauce that I have ever, ever had the pleasure of tasting. Next time I go back, I'm seeing if I can get just enchiladas! The Cantina menu definitely seems to lean more toward a further south american rather than "mexican", which is fine. But there was lots of duck and chorizo and fish and fancy options, which is great and all, but sometimes a girl just wants some good ole carne asada. The restaurant does also have the fancier options as well, but the whole menu is bigger so there's enough to satisfy the hoity toity crowds, as well as those of us who are craving just the basic more standard mexican fare. Though it is anything but standard! From the not from a mix margaritas, to the yummy salsa, to the perfectly cooked meats, I was absolutely in taste bud heaven. Simple but high quality and expertly executed with really tasty side dishes that sometimes competed with the main course in tastiness. We will definitely be coming back here again and again!!
(5)
Tiffany D.
Wonderful upscale Mexican dining! They serve a variety of dishes (their menu is different than the Cantina downtown), the ones that I've had were delicious! The atmosphere is inviting and the service is excellent.
(5)
Charlie K.
Update: gave this place another shot and was dissappointed once again. It took them 15 minutes to set an already clean table in a nearly empty restaurant and only managed to place out menus (no napkin or silverware). It seemed like they wanted to get rid of us the whole time we were there. At least the food was really good this time. I'm not going to fight it if someone invites me here, but I'll continue skip this one and go to the Red Mesa Canteen location in downtown St. Pete. Slightly different menu (it's still all really good though) better service.
(3)
Ed D.
We've been coming here since it opened more than ten years ago. It has been consistently great over that time. On our last visit, the ceviche was outstanding, the sangria wonderful and, while the menu items had changed a little since our last visit, were still delish. As always, there was a little wait for a table.
(4)
Jenny C.
This place has the most amazing gourmet Mexican food!!. Some of the best Mexican I've ever had. The presentation of the food was really beautiful. The dishes were full of color as Mexican food usually is. The music they played was a soft Spanish salsa. Very elegant, very first class cuisine. I love Mexican the only turn off was the price..........I mean there's a cap on how much you can charge for beans and rice..........I had an amazing dish.............3 cheese enchiladas!! It was my 21st birthday so it was kind of a big deal!! I was ordering Cosmos like it was my job.............Well the meal was amazing. So were the Cosmos............The ambiance in this spot is great too. The waitress was really great. Over-all it was a great experience. PS : Mexican and Cosmos do NOT go together this horrible combination will make u sick do not try this at home!!
(4)
David G.
This place is FANTASTIC! Never had a bad meal here and its one of the best restaurants in Pinellas County. We go here a lot and this is a must try if you have never been. The service is excellent as well but it can get very busy... Enjoy
(5)
Victor M.
Very nice and tasty Mexican food. Had the skirt stake and it was very good. It also had a lil kick to it which was nice.
(4)
Henry C.
DO NOT confuse Red Mesa Cantina with Red Mesa Restaurant. My bad. We went for brunch expecting exciting modern Mexican fare and were disappointed with boring Cracker Barrel type entrees. I'll sleep in next time.
(2)
Jeff O.
Yeeeeeeeeah! This charming restaurant has the feel of an "Indie Denny's" but it serves up some 3-4 star quality food in the Mexican tradition. A strange concept, but it works out nicely. I went yesterday for brunch and found the place to be quite cozy. Soft Southwest colors and a "Goldielock's" layout--not too big or too small. The menu features a bunch of tex-mex offerings, which sound delicious and seem to ALL have wonderful presentations when they come out. (I kept eyeing other people's dishes as they came out of the kitchen!) I ordered the special of the day; I'm unsure of the creative name, but it was scrambled eggs with a creamy cheese/hollandaise-y sauce that was yummy as hell. The potato wedges that fanned out across the plate were also just what da doctor ordered. My friends chose Huevos Rancheros and something called Divorcivas (sp?)--2 eggs "split" by opposing chili sauces. I thought everything looked amazing and tasted killer. One drawback was our particular server. She was nonexistent and clueless on refilling my coke. The next time we go back we'll have to try the entrees, and sit in Lindsey's section. She's the cute blonde girl who DJ's in the area under an alias.
(4)
Peter F.
Not your usual Mexican fare, semi nouvo. Very good. No liquor license, that's a shame. This restaraunt is making it on its great food alone.
(4)
Sandy H.
Went there for lunch today, and worried when we arrived that we'd have to wait, the lot was that full. We were seated right away, though, and our server promptly offered us drinks. We both ordered iced tea and, I have to say, it was fresh, cold, and actually tasted like tea...wonderful! That is unusual since many places serve watery or instant iced tea. My husband ordered the chicken quesadilla and loved it. He commented about its very nice ("unusual," to him) presentation. I had the cheese chili relleno and liked it very much, too. The red salsa was lightly and very pleasantly spicy -- not overwhelming. This dish was also well presented. The highlights of our visit were the freshness of the food, the iced tea, and the fact that the wait staff had smiles on their faces even when they were not waiting on customers!!! I will definitely return because there were many other tempting dishes that I would like to try.
(5)
S C.
Red Mesa is an very good Mexican restaurant -- and I would definitely recommend going there even if it's out of the way, as we did. The menu is a mix of typical tex-mex items and some authentic and creative Mexican offerings. They had a spicy grouper special which really stood out. We had a large group and everyone was satisfied. I did try a sip of the sangria which was ok. They make their margeritas using agave wine, not tequila - and I found the drink palatable, though on the sweet syrupy side. The service was good and friendly. One weird thing for a not-low-budget restaurant is their being sticklers about rationing 1 tray of chips and salsa per table with one free refill. That certainly seems out of place in an otherwise moderate-spendy type place.
(4)
Rob H.
Fairly clean flavors and a solid but not trendsetting menu. The service was nice enough, and the place was very clean looking in the customer accessible areas. However, the food was decent, but not groundbreaking. Food seasoning was catering either to 'too spicy, heat without flavor' on the rare dish, or just bland with not a lot of depth on the other dishes. I rate this squarely above Chili's, which is not a huge compliment.
(2)
Borg M.
I don't think this can be called Tex-Mex. I believe it is in a category called Nueva Latina. I love the food. The salsa is extra special. It's not surprising the this restaurant has been around for 10 or 12 years.
(5)
Machelle P.
This is my favorite restaurant. Try the shrimp fundido, red mesa salad and the cedar roasted salmon.
(5)
Stephanie V.
I was driving back from Tampa to the Burg when I passed the north 4th Red Mesa and immediately flipped a u-turn to grab some lunch. I love the ceviche at the dtown location. Much to my surprise tho, the dtown versions aren't offered at this location. They do have a ceviche du jour which sounded good but I was hoping to get the Shrimp Los Cabos! I ordered the red sangria which was delish as usual! I also ordered the shrimp tacos with steamed veggies. I think a HUGE bonus would be if one could order tacos a la carte. I would have really liked a fish taco and a shrimp taco but had to do one or the other. Also, I would have totally been down to order a veggie taco if it was available (i am a closet vegetarian). Otherwise, my server (Therese) was awesome and the food came out quick and hot and yummy.
(4)
Mitchel R.
Very good. Menu had so many options it was hard to decide. Very good upscale mexican. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Josiah G.
Another 4th St. gem! Red Mesa has always been a solid experience Service has been up and down at times, but nothing out of the ordinary. The food, however, has always been above par and I will always try to drop by when I'm on 4th. Their tortilla soup is the best in Tampa!
(4)
Randy E.
There are very few cities that we will visit JUST for the food, but we really do travel to St. Petersburg just to eat at Red Mesa. There is absolutely nothing on the menu that I haven't found to be outstanding. This has been, and continues to be, my favorite restaurant for almost 10 years.
(5)
Christian M.
They have valet parking since the parking lot is small and they seem to get a lot of business. The margarita pitcher was tasty! The chips and salsa are homemade and also excellent. The enchiladas were good however the food was almost cold when we received it. If it wasn't for this I'd have given them 5 stars. Overall, I'd say it was a good experience and I may try them again.
(4)
Ally S.
Food was great only if I was craving it. Not an everyday chicken or steak. Well, I would only go for special occasions like I did for my bday. Their drink was nicely maid. The only thing I hate about it was because they'll only seat your party group until all your guest arrived. So i had to wait for 30 minute or so with one person missing. So I took a point off for that..
(4)
Nina M.
One of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete. I've never had a bad meal here. The service is always fast, attentive, and friendly. They do it well even when the place is packed, which is most of the time. Regarding the menus, there truly is something for everyone whether you're coming for brunch, lunch, or dinner. My favorites, in no particular order: guacamole, pretty much any taco they make, their chips and salsa, their cheesecake, red sangria, cheesy enchiladas. I just haven't had a bad experience and you won't, either. If you're in the mood for some flavorful Southwestern/Mexican style food, you can't go wrong with Red Mesa!
(5)
Christina C.
Good food, but slow service if you dine at an off time. We came at 3 p.m. on a Sunday and surprisingly there were a good number of people there. That's a testament of how good the food is, even during a weird time to eat there are always people there. Unfortunately, our service was pretty slow. I thought our food would come quicker, but it took longer than normal. I really like the salsa that comes with the chips. It is pure sauce, no chunks of anything, and it has a great taste. On the menu it says only one refill which made me wonder how many refills someone ordered to prompt that. I got the Enchilada Trio to try all three types of enchiladas (crab and shrimp, duck, and chicken). I did the research so others don't have to ;). My personal favorite was the duck enchilada, which our waitress said was her favorite too. There is a sweet sauce on it that is delicious! Second favorite was the shrimp and crab. There was a good amount of shrimp and crab that was very fresh tasting. I don't want to say that the chicken was my least favorite, but how about we call it third favorite. It was still very good, but you can get good chicken enchiladas other places, probably for less. The rice and beans were also good, but nothing really spectacular. Next time I'm going to stick with the duck enchiladas! Inside it was nice and light. For some reason before we stepped inside, I thought it was going to have a snooty atmosphere, but it was pretty laid back. It is probably more formal at dinner, but when we went there were people in jeans and a t shirt.
(4)
Lori C.
Let me start with I do not like Mexican food. This place was amazing. We started our dinner with Taquitos. They were awesome I was expecting those tiny ones like you get in the store! Anyway they were crisp and delicious. They came with a black bean sauce that I would love to be able to buy in a jar!! I ordered the combination platter with the taquito because yes I wanted another one the empanada and a taco. My dinner was equally delicious. I would have traded my empanada for another taquito! Don't get me wrong it was good but the taquito was better! I normally do not get dessert but we were kind of lounging around and just thought I would give it a try. We had the churros. It was three huge ones and on the side it had to dipping sauces a Mexican chocolate and a Caramel with a touch of goat cheese. The chocolate dipping sauce I could have done without. But I would have bathed in a bucket of that caramel!!!! We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Jessica C.
I love this place! I recently moved back to the area after 8 years, and was delighted to revisit this restaurant. It was just a wonderful as I remembered. The food, drinks and service were outstanding. On this particular visit, I was a bit under the weather, but still thoroughly enjoyed my meal as did my companions. Being sick, I had to miss out on the wonderful sangria, but the chips and salsa were delicious. I chose the Chicken Fernandez for my entree. It's a rather simple dish: grilled chicken breast topped with a chipotle cream sauce, served with rice and vegetables. Simple, but in the best way, and very very good. I can't wait to return to try some of the other menu items.
(5)
John L.
Had lunch there on a Sunday afternoon. Everything we ordered was excellent. I had the mahi mahi taco & the fish was perfect. Two others ordered the Favorito Combo & loved it. We also ordered a side or salsa & chips & guacamole. Both very good & fresh.
(4)
Sonia O.
Holy Mofongo!! I love love love this place. The mofongo is perfect. They add pieces of pork and it's juicy. I have gone to traditional Dominican restaurants and the mofongo isn't as good as Red Mesa. The best part. For 2 people with cocktails we spent about $60. That is not bad for the quality food. This is nice for evening dinner with spouse or even friends. The courtyard is very pretty. After dinner head upstairs to Push to dance the yummy food off.
I would definitely choose the Red Mesa Cantina over this location. The food is overpriced and under flavored here. My husband and I stopped in on a weekend afternoon searching for our new favorite mexican spot in St. Pete. Let's just say, this wasn't it. Major bummer since it's so close to home. We'll definitely make the drive to Senor Taco or the Cantina downtown. I had a burrito and it was bland and very expensive. I can't recall what my husband got, likely fish tacos. He was not impressed, either.
(2)
SallyCinnamon C.
One of our fave St.Pete restaurants. We prefer this location to the Cantina because of the complimentary valet parking. Every dish on the menu is pure perfection. Personal favorite is the Santa Fe chicken. Reservations are a must. It's that good ;)
(5)
Morgan G.
El Gordo Burrito puts you in heaven! The Duck tacos and Shrimp tacos are outstanding. I love the Strawberry Mint Margarita too!! Two thumbs up for everything. Service is great even when they are busy! Highly Recommend
(5)
Wrighcl ..
We visited Red Mesa for brunch after enjoying dinner twice at the cantina location downtown. The line for a table had stretched outside so we elected to sit at the bar which turned out to be nice as we had a nice view of the kitchen. They do a fine job with presentation and the plates passing by were beautifully arranged. We started with a glass of champagne and ordered the Machaca and the California Eggs Benedict which was on special. The bartender was attentive and friendly although he was very busy. The Machaca was tasty and authentic. The California Eggs Benedict included a chipotle hollandaise that combined well with the avocado and bacon. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the yolk combined well with the sauce to provide a great end flavor. For dessert we had the Mexican Chocolate and Bacon Brioche Pudding. Applewood smoked bacon, mexican chocolate and brioche bread pudding served warm with with cajeta caramel sauce ice cream and whipped cream. This put us over the edge but was well worth it. Great brunch!! Will return for dinner!!!
(5)
Nikki A.
Red Mesa is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Petersburg. I have spent countless birthdays, happy hours, ladies' lunches, and one memorable Cinco de Mayo in this restaurant. We always start with the chips and salsa, and if we are splurging, the guacamole. All delicious. I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu. A few favorites include the Duck Enchiladas, the Tortilla Soup, the Shrimp Fundido, and the Ginger Crusted Salmon Salad. Red Mesa is a cut above most "Mexican" restaurants; the take here is decidedly gourmet with a southwestern kick. I have tried two of the tortas (the Black Bean and the Short Ribs); both were just okay. ( I continue my quest for a good torta in the Tampa Bay area....) The Sangria is excellent. If you haven't tried Red Mesa, get on over there with a quickness.
(4)
Snarky S.
One of those birthday choices. It's not cheap but it's not expensive. You get what you paid for. Amazing food, amazing mixtures put together. I took a picky eater once. She ordered her meal without the sauce. I asked them to bring it on the side so I could try it. After she tasted it, she stole it back from me, lol. It's casual but I wouldn't walk in like I came from the beach.
(5)
Poch K.
Always my favorite food in the area, but get rid of Amanda. She is an impersonal c word. Don't think I've ever called anyone a c word in my life. Well, there's a first for everything. Bad service, get rid of her!
(2)
Shane B.
Stopped here for the first time yesterday to grab lunch and was not all that impressed with the ambience so I chose to sit at the small bar, which only serves beer and wine. I asked for recommendations for a spicy dish and the bartender Amanda was right on by recommending the Ancho Chile Rub Mahi - Fresh mahi broiled in mild ancho chile rub, topped with sun-dried tomato butter served on a pool of salsa verde with cilantro rice, habanero aioli and fresh seasonal vegetables. The flavor was amazing and the spice level just right. The sauce actually has some curry in it, which made the dish even better. The mahi mahi was a nice size for lunch and super moist, the rice was perfect and the vegetables were seasoned very well too. The sangria was very good, even though I am not a big fan of sangria. Found out that even though this restaurant is owned by the same owners as the downtown location, the menu's are different. The service was great!
(4)
Courtney W.
Me and my boyfriend really wanted to enjoy a nice Mexican restaurant that wasn't a cookie cutter chain. This place was close to our hotel and the food and service was excellent. The aroma of gourmet flavors fill the air. Thank you for a great lunch!
(5)
Roseann S.
Umm.... what happened to this place? I remember when this place served DELICIOUS southwestern food. Now it's "southwest inspired"? What happened to that inspiration? Today, it's a Mexican restaurant and don't be fooled otherwise. The food was "meh" with "not-so-meh" prices. What was really off-putting was that the air conditioning vent above our table was leaking water - GROSS! And, health hazard. The decor is terrible with cheap tables and carpet... it looks like a converted office space, not a restaurant that's serving food at the prices it's charging. Do yourself a favor and skip it. If the former ownership ever takes this place back, I might come back. For now, I can get better Mexican, elsewhere.
(2)
Mike M.
Was hoping they offered the burritos for dinner. Disappointed that there are no refried beans
(1)
Nikki V.
Who ever heard of a Mexican place that doesn't have burritos! Not pleased with food or drinks.
(1)
Laura G.
Went there for a coworker's birthday and had the chicken quesadillas. The smoked Gouda inside them made the perfect touch. But the birthday happiness came to a screeching halt when we got a $10 bill for a "cake charge". Much to our surprise, they charged us $10 for bringing in our own cake! They knew we had our cake yet did not say a word until the end when we were handed a bill. That is robbery and dishonesty! Had we known, we would have ate the cake back at the office. In hindsight I probably should have refused to pay it but I did not want to make a scene on my friend's birthday. I will think twice before going to an unethical place again.
(3)
Mathew R.
I have been to many TeX Mex places in my life and was really disappointed in the place. The service was really bad and the did was mediocre bland and not worth trying out. I gave them one star but will not go back.
(1)
Randy D.
THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE RESTAURANTS ANYWHERE! NO MATTER WHAT YOU ORSER, IT WILL BE DELICIOSO! The quality is second to none, the service is fantastic, the kitchen (open to the public eye) is extremely clean! Atmosphere is elegantly relaxed and comfortable. Don't let the cloth tanle cloths fool you. You will be as comfortable in shorts or jeans as you wod in a buusiness suit. My favorite entrees are (first and foremost) the Gorganzola stuffed shrimp. They are huge and the sauce they drizzle over them is beyond description! Suffice to say my taste bud have a monumental fiesta en la boca ( party in the mouth)! Tip: request extra sauce on the side to dip some shrimp into to coat....yuummm! The salmon on a cedar plank is also so awesome. The Chiles Rellenos are also delicious. Just notE that they do change up the menu but if there is something you like, just ask. Some things on the lunch menu aren't on the dinner one and vice versa. They are very accomodating. Soooool if the shrimp aren't on the menu, ask them for it! Whatever you have you can't go wrong with this place!
(5)
Jason R.
This place proves that locals really give a shit about good food. It is always packed and for good reason. Really well conceived dishes, fresh ingredients and fantastic service. I live in Clearwater and happily hall my ass to St. Pete for this privilege. Docked them 1 star for forcing me to listen to some part-time musician struggling through Top 40 covers... but for this food I can deal.
(4)
Kalvin K.
Awesome spot in St. Pete. We got lost looking for a gas station in the area and were hungry. Stumbled upon this little gem because we were looking for a good tex mex place and this place does not disappoint. Gladly looking to come back whenever I'm in St. Pete again. The pictures I took don't do the food justice, come in and check it for yourself.
(5)
Shannon L.
Great Spanish food. Try the trio of enchiladas - duck, crab & shrimp and chicken. Sangria also tasty. A little upscale in price dinner for 3 including 2 sangria and a beer was close to $100 (including tip). Would go again.
(4)
Chris M.
This was some of the most flavorful Mexican food I've had in tampa bay. I had the shrimp and crab enchiladas which were delicious. The rice and veggies that came on the side were just as good and flavorful. Everything was cooked perfect. Service was ok. Atmosphere was nice, nothing memorable.
(4)
John I.
Great food but the place always pisses me off! Great food would give it 4 maybe 5 stars, but the bar tenders are consistently rude, it is always so cold my wife and kids are miserable. Another thing you go in with a table of 4 and order an app that comes with tortillas, but only 3, server won't warn you ahead of time and will charge you for extra tortillas, too bad by the time the extra tortillas come out the app is finished. That is always a nice little "fuck you".
(2)
Erica M.
After driving around downtown St. Pete for an hour looking for parking (and nearly getting run over and beat up by white trash...I digress), we arrived at Red Mesa frazzled, frustrated, and starving. They told us the wait for 3 would be about 25 minutes (we arrived around 9:15) so we decided to get a drink at the bar and wait. The space was CRAMPED...that place was hoppin'! We snuck into a little corner near the computer where the servers entered orders (sorry guys for being all up in your business) and enjoyed a pitcher of sangria and complimentary chips and salsa (both of which were delicious). We were seated before the 25 minutes was up and started with the ceviche - I think it was black grouper. The flavor was excellent but for $13, there should have been more fish and more plantain chips (I think that's what they were - we only got 3 chips for the entire order). I took our (excellent) server's recommendation and got the grilled mahi mahi served over mofongo. SO good. My husband's filet and chimichurri was awesome, and our friend's enchilada trio was good (but not great). We got fried plantains for dessert...not on the menu, but offered upon request. SO tasty. The service was very good, as was the food. We will definitely return!
(5)
Kristina W.
Went here for lunch. The food was so yum! Loved it; will be back!
(5)
JB L.
I've been here multiple times and they are ALWAYS packed and busy and fully staffed and for good reason. This place does it right. You get what you pay for and the price is a little up there but its very well worth it. The service is quick and always on top of refills. The food is amazing. I've tried many dishes and was always satisfied. Even the salsa is made with care and time, using roasted tomatoes and garlic... It's honestly the best salsa I think I've ever had. The food taste very authentic and never frozen. Save up a little cash and take your loved ones here. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Asia L.
I've just died and gone to heaven. And heaven is filled with these shrimp chilaquiles. Be warned: they're spicy. But the flavor punch is well worth it. This is my absolute favorite place for brunch and I actually went a month where I went every Sunday. It's super affordable, so this didn't really break the bank. Love love love this place. Every time I go I try something new and I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)
Denine M.
Service is terrible. Food is pretty decent. The hostesses and wait staff are very pretentious. They wouldn't even make the simplest of adjustments for a friend of mine that was a vegetarian. She liked one of the meals on the menu but requested that the meat just be taken out of it. They refused, and the waiter made faces at her request. This is not the first time I have had a negative experience with the staff at this location. I understand restaurants having an off day, but after returning several times and not seeing an improvement - no thanks. I will not return.
(2)
Stacey W.
Well this was hugely disappointing, and not just because I was in the mood for a Margarita and they only serve wine and beer. It was hugely disappointing because it's so very, very, very mediocre. Apparently they take a limited number of reservations here, which we didn't have, so we were waiting for about 40 minutes on a Friday night (to be expected). They make a big deal of making sure your entire party is present before they'll even put your name on the list. Now really, this is just a personal pet peeve and has nothing to do with my overall review, but is this truly such a huge problem? Does it really matter if your whole party is there or not when you put your name in and there's a 30+ minute wait? Wouldn't it be just as effective to say you won't seat incomplete parties if that's what twists your panties? I'm just sayin'. We had everyone accounted for, so this want an "issue" for us, but I have to say, it gave me a bit of hope that the long wait and stringent seating rules meant we were about to eat some kick ass Mexican food. Alas my friends, this was only wishful thinking. The food was so, ... ISH! It was my husband and I, our two boys and a friend of theirs. The guacamole was tasteless, so don't bother. The boys wanted some basic nachos. Don't get excited, they asked for chips with melted cheese on them. The server looked at us like we were nuts. "Ummm.... we don't serve nachos." I said, "They don't want full nachos, they would just like some of the chips you have here on the table, with cheese melted on top." Her reply was, "But we don't have, like, dipping cheese." My husband decided to take this one and said, "No, not dipping cheese. Just regular cheese. So, instead of melting the cheese between two flour tortillas, like you do with a quesadilla, just melt the cheese on top of chips. Can you just ask if they'll do that?" She said, "I guess I can ask. But it's not on the menu." So guess what? They said they couldn't do it. Yes, I'm serious. I mean, for sure this is their prerogative, but would it have been that difficult? These are kids here. Anyway, I got the pork verde which was loaded with onions. The dish was easily 2/3 onion, 1/3 pork. Overwhelming onion taste and the onions were obviously used as filler. My husband got a mixed plate with a tamale, empenada and a taco. No complaints, but nothing to write home about, either. The boys got quesadillas and tacos, all of which were served cold. Our server was either new or just didn't know what she was doing. She never served us out ceviche, and getting it off of the bill at the end was a nightmare, even though we had informed her about the mishap when she served our main dishes. Because we doesn't get much help from her from the beginning of the meal on, we certainly didn't ask to reheat the boys' food. I really hope this experience was a fluke, or that maybe the downtown location is better? We just all thought it was a disappointing Mexican food eating experience. Oh well. Better luck next time.
(2)
Steve K.
I had forgotten I had come here 6 months ago on my last trip to this area. After checking in with Yelp I was reminded I had been here before. Well it is still great food, great service, and very popular. Expect to wait a little for dinner but it is well worth it. The pineapple salsa that came as a side to my dish was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(4)
Kateryna K.
This place is consistently sliding down in quality and service. They seem to take their customers for granted. The attitude is -if you don't like it, too bad, you can leave. I hope it is going to catch up with them very soon. I was meeting my boyfriend for dinner at 7:00 pm on Tuesday. He was running a little late from work and I got their first, starving and hoping to sit down and order an appetiser. They would not seat me because of their policy "to seat only an entire party". Not half of the party, which is reasonable, but an entire party! In this case it was just us two. So I had to stand in the front room be the bar and wait until he gets there while the place is 1/3 empty and no one waiting in line. When I tried to speak with a bartender and hostess about being seated since he is in the way. The bartender told me that if she had a dollar for every time she hears that someone is on the way and does not show up, she would be rich. Yes! That's precisely what she told me. As soon as he showed up, we left to a different place. The bartender had an audacity to charge me for the glass of wine I did not drink and waited for 15 minutes while the place was 1/3 empty. And this is just one of the recent instances with this place. The management is not on top of their game. The food is bland. Will not be coming back until something changes.
(1)
Shane M.
I went here last week with my brother. Since Mexican food is Colorado is distinct, I was really interested to see how it differed here. There are plenty of high-end menu options over your typical Mexican restaurant and I had a fantastic 14 oz ribeye (with some sort of blackening spice) and an excellent corn blend. Really top notch. Service was terrific, chips and salsa were too. The only reason it wasn't five stars is because I went to the bar while we were waiting for a table and the bar tender was more interested in talking to a coworker than she was in getting our beers. Still, that's hardly a big deal in the grand scheme. I'll go back the next time In in St. Pete!
(4)
Andy S.
The food here is always very good. The main thing that I have not liked is mostly just a preference thing. Personally I feel like it is a little bit too fancy and I don't really feel entirely comfortable. It is a little too formal for me, at least at dinner. The place just kind of has a stuffy feel to it which is weird for a Mexican place. If you go, I'm sure you will have good service and you will like everything that you eat. Just don't think it's one of those super casual Mexican restaurants which are loud and Carefree. I would not bring kids to this restaurant.
(4)
Lisa C.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) ALWAYS consistent 2) Some of the freshest and creative Mexican I have had outside of Mexico 3) Some of the best cooked fish I have ever had 4) Lots of Ceviche options which are beautiful, fresh & clean tasting 5) Wonderful red & white sangrias 6) Servers who have been there 10+ years and who are warm, personable and not overbearing 7) I am craving the last Mahi dish I had there I could go on and on. Seriously, this place has always been 5 stars for me for many reasons. The decor isn't as fun as their sister site, Cantina but the food here is just perfect. I would highly recommend: Duck Tacos, Ceviches, Side dish of Plantains which are cooked to perfection with a beautiful finishing glaze, The Mahi dish over Mofungo (OMG!!!! amazing), The Spinach salad with add on's of Fried Goat Cheese medallions and a piece of perfectly seared Salmon, Specials of the day.... etc. I have never had a bad experience in over 9 years I have been coming there!
(5)
Todd B.
Seriously, you wouldn't think it about a Latin American restaurant in St. Pete, but this was fantastic. I should point out that I give it 5 stars as far as Latin/Mexican places go - it is one of the best I've been to in FL - but it's not necessarily a 5 star restaurant over all. Its a casual restaurant - inviting atmosphere, not fancy at all. It was very busy when we arrived, but the service was fantastic and the server who helped us knew the menu inside and out. She was excellent. My girlfriend is 1/2 Latina, and extremely picky about her Spanish food. I actually expected more of a Mexican restaurant, and while they have some Mexican items, the menu is much more of a Latin American menu than a Mexican menu. She loved it (see her 4 star review under Melissa Z), and if she loves Latin food, then you will too. Be warned though - when they say something is spicy, they are not kidding. I got the Puntas de Filet Mignon. To quote their menu directly, "filet mignon tips in chipolte chile butter with bacon, tomato, jalapeño, poblano chile and onion. served with black beans, rice and tortillas on request." It is as wonderful as it sounds, but it made me sweat. Okay, that's not saying much, I'd sweat sitting outside in a blizzard naked (don't picture it, you'll get sick), but this stuff was extremely spicy. I loved it. Check this place out - it's amazing and you won't regret it.
We attempted to go to the Cantina in DTSP but there was a 2 hour wait, hostesses were extremely unhelpful and pretty dismissive. We were a party of 7. Everyone wanted RED MESA, you know how that is when you anticipate something, nothing else will do ;) So, I called the 4th street location, the hostess that answered said that they don't take call ahead or reservations for over parties of 4 but if I could wait on the line she would see what she could do. A few minutes later she asked if 45 min wait would be OK. She wrote our name on the list and I said we will be right there! After we arrived we all got drinks and I don't think we waited more than 25 mins for our table. Here's what we had: The flavors were spectacular and fresh: Chorizo Fundido Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken Palomilla Steak Filet Mignon Chimmichurri Carne Asada Even though we were STUFFED we ordered desserts: Mexican Chocolate And Bacon Brioche Pudding Creme Brulee Cheesecake
(5)
Alicia P.
This place is good. No doubt. I like the creativity in the tex-mex cuisine. My sister in law loves this place. We had ceviche, it was ok, the texture wasn't great. My husband really didn't care for it at all. Then we had our entrees, which were pretty standard, very decent sized portions and the taste was good. Not a huge fan of chains, we would go back if someone really wanted to go there, but it's not a place that we think of when we say "HEY, let's go for some southwestern fare."
(3)
Ketan S.
Not too many options for vegetarians. We had the chips and guacamole and the cheese quesadilla which were pretty good. Very nice ambience. Good place to go out for a date
(4)
Claire L.
Completely different from the other red Mesa in st Pete but supposedly same owners. Asked for the half hot chocolate half coffee and apparently they only make it on Sundays? Chicken tortilla Soup was gross and salad was dry. Actually quite disgusted at the entire place. Was like a Mexican diner and completely different from other location! Do NOT go here if you've already gone to the other location or you will be left very disappointed.
(2)
Kelleigh M.
Red Mesa is one of the best gems on 4th street. The menu is unique and fresh, the servers have been there for awhile, and their chips and salsa are delish. I love this place. I've taken my coworker and my manager here (which are both vegetarian) and they have thoroughly enjoyed it. I do prefer this location over their cantina in DTSP.
(5)
Mary M.
So good! The duck enchiladas are out of this world good! Great service. Small dining room, so I would suggest reservations. Definantly going back!
(5)
Hillary V.
The building & staff... This restaurant is pretty cute. The parking situation is a little weird. There's a small bar inside along with regular table and booth seating. I went to Red Mesa at 9:25 on a Monday night. When we left, we were the last ones there. I looked at the sign and it said they closed at 9:30. I was shocked. Our waiter was so cool about us being there after it closed. So kudos to him. The drinks... Their margaritas are VERY good. They don't want for tequila like some of the ones I've had around here. Our only complaint is the salt on the rim is not quite right. The food... I had a combination platter. The Chihuahua comes with a pork tamale, a picadillo empanada, and a shredded beef taquito. I have never eaten a tamale or taquito in my life, but I absolutely, positively LOVED THEM. I ended up having to pack half of it because I couldn't finish it, and it was still good the next day. Overall, Red Mesa is absolutely worth a visit.
(4)
Carey F.
The menu is pretty extensive and the food is well prepared, however, the atmosphere is rather stuffy and the tables are a bit too close for comfort.
(3)
Shawn K.
This place rocks. The food is fresh and delicious. Every item on the menu seems well thought out and they really deliver a work of art here. We had the veg enchiladas, veg combination plate (which includes a spicy stuffed bell pepper), and black bean soup. Everything was delicious. And the wait time for food was about 10 mins on a busy night. The prices are quite reasonable, may get expensive if your trying to feed 10 people, but for 2 to 4 people its definitely manageable. Cant wait to visit this place again.
(5)
Evan F.
Service is often hit or miss, but the tacos and drinks are both excellent. The best Mexican in St. Pete. Sit outside because the atmosphere is really nice. The bands that play usually aren't very good but overall it's a great place.
(4)
Melissa Z.
Red Mesa is the oasis in desert of fast food country. Thank God for Red Mesa. Chose this place as the inaugural dinner of my moving to St Pete from Atlanta. Service was outstanding. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu to help guide you through the wonderland of latin american cuisine. There is a very wide range of spiciness level, so something is sure to please everyone. This restaurant boasts about its fresh seafood and meats and vegetables, for good reason. Keep in mind, this is more latin american than mexican. If you're looking for some place with lots of tacos or buritos, this ain't it. So, atmosphere is a big thing for me. I'd rather sit at home and fix my own self something rather than sit in a restuarant that looks like a boring shell of a cafeteria. This exterior is nice and welcoming; doesn't look like a hole in the wall, so this is good enough for a date. The interior could do with a little more latin american decoration, but it is inviting enough. We will be back. Random note: valet is available. wth. I mean, the restaurant parking lot is small. It's a waste. but I guess there are some prim madonnas that like have someone else do something that they could easily do.
(4)
Dana S.
Red Mesa is great. I went my first time recently on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't too busy but there were a lot of tables filled. I was seated right away. The food is great and the chips and salsa are pretty good. Didn't like the salsa at first but it grew on me. I ordered the Steak and Chorizo Quesadilla and it was so good. Great flavor and comes with four slices of quesadilla and some guacamole. I asked for some extra cilantro and was charged $1 for it. I thought that was kinda ridiculous. My boyfriend got the Steak and Chorizo taco and he was pleased with it, he just wished the portions were bigger for the price. My only complaint was that with the Filet Mignon burrito is "as is, no exceptions". I really wanted to order that but I can't handle spicy foods very much and it comes with poblano chile and red pepper. I'd love to get it without that :(
(4)
Darryl M.
This place is the real deal. The Grouper is awesome. Grouper a la plancha was the specific dish I had. 5:30 pm and the place is packed on a Tuesday night. Get in early or make a reservation. The service is also terrific.
(5)
Melissa A.
Since moving to Largo it's been a while since i've been here but we dined here recently and I was underwhelmed to say the least. The chipotle oyster appetizer used canned oysters, I swear to God. Tasted it right away. After that I was very hesitant to order a $30.00 entree so we just had a few tacos and the chicken tortilla soup. The tacos were good as was the soup. Nothing blew us away. The tortillas are inside the soup and soggy, while this may be traditional I would appreciate some fresh one's added to the top (as they do with the avacoado) for some crunch. Sangria was like fruit punch with no fruit. They really need to offer margarita's, real one's not wine based posers. The interior is screaming for a face lift. The shaggy do look of the dining room needs to go. I won't be rushing back any time soon.
(2)
Jason N.
I wish this place was closer to my house... plain and simple.
(5)
Ali C.
Great for Sun brunch as they have breakfast and lunch items and a decent kids selection. It's from 9a-2p on Sun. Not as glitzy as its sister Cantina downtown but the food is amazing! Huevos Rancheros is awesome. Beer and wine only and they charge for chips/salsa - still worth it. Enjoy!
(4)
Michael A.
red mesa your my favorite fusion restaurant in all of pinellas ...there food is a blend of southern gulf coastal meets southwestern and besides the duck enchiladas i have enjoyed literally everything on the menu.fresh ingredients homemade sauces and nice fat gulf shrimp..this restaurant always impresses
(4)
Brenda C.
So if you haven't been to Red Mesa, I am highly recommending you go. If food was the only criteria this place ranks a 5 star! Best Mexican food since I was in Mexico. The enchiladas trio soo good. Dishes like that are why I love duck. Yes, I said duck. The fundido appetizer was delicious, and easily enough to start the 4 of us off. My cohorts got Chicken enchiladas and Chile rellenos. No complaints on the food. The only downside was the restaurant is on the small side and had crammed tables into it. We were at a booth and I got knocked in the side and head by waitstaff, who never even apologized. And don't turn your head or a derriere might be your calling card. One less table for some space and this would be a 5 star review.
(4)
Kelly F.
This is my second time coming to red Mesa. The service is great the food is good but the wait times are long and the food is overpriced.
(4)
EandD S.
Red Mesa gets 5 stars for delicious food and wonderful customer service. I sat at the bar and was greeted by Teresa, the bartender/ server/ phone call answering service/ take out deliverer. Seriously, she is a gem! If the owner of the restaurant reads this - give Teresa a raise! Now as for the food and drink, I selected the enchilada trio and white wine sangria. My favorite of the enchiladas was the duck with raspberry sauce - an amazing flavor combo- but truly all three enchiladas were delicious. The sangria was tasty too. This restaurant was recommended to me, and I will in turn recommend it to others who are visiting the St. Pete / Tampa Bay Area.
(5)
Hillary B.
Huge fan of this place. Its very popular-as it should be-so make a reservation! We came on a Saturday night around 9 and were seated in about 30 min. The margaritas are fabulous, and there's an outside bar with heaters above the bar--absolutely heaven in January/February. My friend had the cucumber margarita which was so creative! And delicious! I had the cadillac margarita which is a more traditional yet top shelf margarita and it was great. This place was pretty loud, it was almost like eating in a night club. Our waitress was very competent though and got everything right for us. Delicious food, and I love corn tortilla tacos. This is just a great place--I highly recommend it.
(5)
Annie C.
Loved it!!! Brought some friends with us tonight and we all had a great experience. Our waitress was fabulous, the food was cooked to perfection and I love their salsa!!! Just a lil zing
(5)
Grace A.
I have been going to Red Mesa for years and thought I should write a review. This is my absolutely favorite restaurant. It's where I go when I am happy and when I am sad. They have the best red sangria I have ever had. The service is quick and friendly. There is so much good food on the menu that I don't tire of going there. My favorites are the Pastor salad with steak, roast pork verde, cedar roasted salmon, and the skirt steak...but there is so much more. It is a very busy restaurant so go early or late or take 5 people and make a reservation.
(5)
Marqus R.
Red Mesa Restaurant was a surprise to me since I usually expect Mexican restaurants to be sort of smallish, specialty places. Instead, Red Mesa is kind of like a big short order diner type of operation with all kinds of breakfast, lunch and other dishes flowing from a little kitchen jam stuffed with workers quickly turning out an endless variety of various dishes, not only regular menu items but daily specials as well. Red Mesa is to Mexican somewhat as Olive Garden is to Italian though Red Mesa does far, far better job for Mexican than Olive Garden does for Italian. Matter of fact, I found the food at Red Mesa to resemble a very nice Mexican home style of preparation with many simple offerings such as a breakfast of chorizo patties and eggs. I found the service to be top notch, friendly, fast and efficient. The menu and daily specials make for a substantial food selection not only of common Mexican food items but of some rather unique combinations and all served in full platter portions. Another feature I happen to like is that you can have a full view of the kitchen, which to me is a real plus since I tend to always question what actually goes on in any hidden kitchen, particularly (pardon my bias) in Mexican or Chinese establishments. The only draw back being that it is a beer and wine only establishment. The sangrias and wines are very good, as are the beers, which since bottled are pretty much unscrewupable, but forget those wimpy little wine based margaritas as there are wines capable of taking the place of a real tequila.
(4)
Shauna E.
Eh... I wanted to like Red Mesa. I can appreciate what they're trying to do here(finer Mexican dining), but this place fell flat for me. We were a group of three on a Saturday afternoon, and the place had about 4 tables full. Our server took awhile to get to us, and when he finally did, he seemed flighty and distracted. We ordered our beverages and he seemed disappointed that two of us had water instead of a charged beverage. Once drinks were ordered, it took another long wait to get him back. I'm not trying to nit pick but we were literally one of four-to-five tables in the restaurant at this point. I had the vegetable enchiladas which were painfully small for the $9 price tag. The sauce was OK-- it was well flavored but the veggie filling was watery and flavorless. The rice side tasted reheated. I can't even remember if the beans were any good. The best part was the queso fresca on top. My husband had the mushroom quesadillas ($9.50) which he found bland and didn't understand the side of balsamic vinaigrette for dipping. My sister had the blackened chicken taco salad for $12.00 which was probably the best of all entrees but still teeny tiny. The chicken was fantastically seasoned though. Our server checked back on us once, noticed the half-eaten plates and stayed away until he dropped the bill. No refills, no inquiry into how things tasted, if we'd enjoyed, etc. I'm sure we wouldn't have complained because obviously he doesn't control the portions or price, but SOMETHING would have been better than nothing. All in all, I might give this place a shot again but it won't be my first choice for sure. The portion sizes, lack of service, and overall weird vibe of the place has turned me off for now. Not to mention the final $40 bill for 3 appetizer sized lunches. Save your money.
(2)
Sarah S.
So this is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete? At least that's what people say. Kind of American fusion Mexican here. Ambiance is eh. Too many tables jam-packed into a small space. They don't dim the lights for dinner until about 7:30 or so. If you arrive before then, it'll feel a little cafeteria style. OK maybe I'm being too harsh. It's just when people say "Oh my gosh you have to try this place" I assume it'll be GREAT. It was good. I wouldn't go out of my way to impress out of town guests here. But the food was yummy. Loud- you can bring your kids. Not dressy. Our waitress forgot our wine. We were seated very close to the waiter and waitress computer station and could hear them all complaining about their tables all night. That was unprofessional. Food GOOD Service OKAY Ambiance MEDIOCRE
(3)
Andrea S.
This place is great! The food is really delish, the quality of ingredients is superior to any other Mexican restaurant. It was fresh, presented beautifully, and everything we ate was full of flavor. Our server was knowledgable about the menu, and we were seated right away. I will be back again soon.
(5)
Simon I.
This mexican influenced establishment serves up mouth-watering infused dishes. What is lacks in the interior decor, it more than makes up for it, through drinks and food items. The Pork Verde served with tomatillo chile verde sauce with black beans, rice is perfectly tender and flavorful paired with a white Sangria, its a finger licking, lip smacking killer combo. Take a taste and you'll be hooked. The Shredded Beef Taquitos have nothing small about them in the taste department. These perfectly fried goodies have no grease handing around, and served piping hot are great accompaniment to your taste enjoyment. The Tamale are well balanced in being moist and flavorful and served steaming with with chile morita sauce, queso fresco with fresh pico de gallo. Mmmm... my mouth is watering already writing about them. Waiter! two orders of Tamale please. Did I mention the Sangria? Either the red or white Sangria are must have here. Early evening over weekends and late evenings on weeknights are best time to visit here. Any other time you will either find the place packed with lunch crowd or weekend dinner crowd. The wait staff are good with their attention and are helpful. The shinning star here are the food not the wait staff. The interior decor is nothing to write home about, but it is open, bright, and airy. Red Mesa is a MUST visit.
(4)
Jess P.
Filet mignon burrito. Need I say more? Sooo freakin good! And the guacamole is superb. But they give you a couple tortilla shells instead of chips, which isn't quite sufficient. :/ Red Mesa does NOT look like a place that would be very good. Has kind of a corporate feel with the booths and the name and stuff, but color me surprised. Don't judge a book by its' cover because it definitely delivered. :)
(4)
D R.
Super disappointed. We were the only party eating - I was surprised by how long it took for our waitress to check in on us after bringing our food because I was waiting ask them reheat my cheese enchiladas as they came out totally cold and unmelted in the middle. Did not seem like a "nicer" restaurant and overall I say two thumbs down. This is only my second yelp review of all time but I was so bummed about this place it warranted a review.
(1)
Kevin B.
Got to be one of the best places in downtown St Petersburg to hang out and have dinner and drinks with friends. Modern space, great local spot and good Mexican food. Not ideal for kids though. A great outside patio area that I'm sure is crowded in the evenings. Good change of pace from the chain restaurants.
(4)
Carly W.
Fantastic Mexican food, excellent Sangria. Helpful staff with a good sense of humor. Not cheap, but worth it.
(5)
Susan P.
On a trip to Tampa to visit friends, they took me to this great place for an awesome meal. We had reservations, which was a good thing, since it was Friday night and the place was packed. Free valet was a plus! The menu offers many choices for appetizers so we started with the Tacos Dorados. Let me tell you, the only downfall, there were only 2 on the plate! I could have ordered about 4 orders of these and ate them as my meal. Slightly crunchy on the outside and packed with tasty cheese and potato. Along with this amazing appetizer came complimentary chips and salsa, which did not disappoint. Since it was the restaurant's 18th anniversary they had a special sangria, so we ordered a pitcher. It was bursting with large pieces of fruit and quite tasty. For my meal I chose the Chipotle Shrimp. It was slightly spicy and totally amazing. It was just the right portion size to fill me up. My one friend ordered the Enchilada Trio and she said the best one on the plate was the Shrimp and Crab. My other friend ordered the Sonoran, which was sirloin steak along with 2 stuffed shrimp. He said the steak could have used a little more flavor but overall was good. Our server was attentive and let us know about their specials. Overall, this place is worth a try if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)
Ginny K.
Came at the recommendation of a friend and was glad I did. Fast and friendly service and delicious entrees. Can't wait to come back to try dinner and Sunday brunch.
(5)
Michelle A.
First time I ate here I thought the food was way too spicy. I chalked it up to maybe It was just what I ordered. It's my Sons favorite restaurant so he always wants to go here for his Birthday. The last two times I have eaten here, I had the stuffed Shrimp and all I can say is OMG. Melt in your mouth goodness. 6 Large shrimp, stuffed with cheese and fried to perfection. Portion is plenty to eat. The negative to this place is it's overcrowded. The tables are very closely set and the noise level is loud. Expect to always wait at least 20 to 30 min to get a table. Even on middle week nights it's busy.
(4)
Makeli S.
Seafood burrito was insane!!! Insane!!!!!
(5)
P L.
Aloha from Hawaii! I can only review the customer service I received when ordering a gift card for my son who lives on St Pete Beach Florida. I emailed on a Tuesday morning and got a response within a couple of hours. The person on site who handles the gift cards was amazing! She made sure before hanging up, that everything was in order. She was pleasant, efficient and professional! I can't wait to visit my son in Florida and enjoy a night out at Red Mesa Restaurant!! Awesome customer service!! Mahalo Charisse!
(5)
Dave T.
"Beeeeeeeessttt in the UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was the recommendation I got from a friend local to this place. Not...exactly....but the pursuit of such things is admirable. They are definitely trying and succeeding at being more than a common Mexican restaurant. You can tell that the place was converted from a breakfast type place from the past. If you notice that then you will notice that they made every effort to soften each and every corner of the place to make their own theme. The food is creative. Many choice for breakfast including my two-tone eggs (green sauce on one egg, red on the other) with chorizo potatoes, and cactus thingys. A whole range of omelets, enchiladas, etc etc. Try it Dafe
(5)
Sean D.
Since I live in Austin, I was a bit skeptical trying a Tex Mex place in Florida, but I have to admit that this place is great. I went with 8 people and everyone loved it. One of the best parts was the service... even with 8 people, there was always someone there to help us.
(5)
Ken C.
It appears that I'm becoming the King of 5 Star Ratings. Truth is that I don't want to waste time giving bad ratings to businesses. As for Red Mesa ~~~ I love this place! Wonderful food that is several notches above the normal Mexican fare. The sangria is great and the service is always very personable. I highly recommend!
(5)
bill s.
Let's preface with fact that I am a fan of Mexican Cuisine, it is pretty much a food group in our family. I had heard Red Mesa was very good, so we made a 30+ mile trip to visit. 2nd preface, it is really cold in FL this week, for us. #1 of three strikes - NO HEAT IN RESTAURANT. I don't mean poorly operating heat, I mean no heat. No apology, no comp soup, no extra candle. NADA. #2 no liquor, they do have beer, wine, and wine margaritas. Suggestion, if the wine margarita is any good, offer a 1.5 oz portion with you chips as a sample #3 strike- sides of rice and beans were cold, rice cooked to a consistency of wallpaper paste. Didn't stay for dessert, too cold. My wife never had both her gloves off during dinner. OK the good, yes there was good. The Crab and Shrimp stuffed grouper with Poblano Cream sauce was EXCELLENT. Chips and salsa were above average. Negro Modelo on draft excellent and served in a stylish gold rimmed glass- nice touch. The Pork Verde was average. Dear owner/manager, I tried to find you on Saturday 1/9 to tell you how I felt, but the staff couldn't find you, I did leave you my name and # on my cc receipt.
(2)
John P.
We have eaten there as we live nearby. The food is good. But someone has to get the recipe for their Raspberry Tea - its is THE best best I have ever tasted. It does not taste like a pre mix Crytal lite. I hope someone can share the recipe. Great casual place, great attentive friendly staff.
(5)
Amber O.
My business partner and I accidently stumbled upon Red Mesa during lunch time, i've got to say, great menu options and the food was delicious. I had the Tuna Tacos, which were amazing down to the rice and beans. The seasonings they use are unique and flavorful. can't wait to try some of the more traditional options. Wait staff was friendly and I will be returning on my next trip to St. Pete!
(4)
Patty R.
Red Mesa has the best iced tea in Florida. I drink mine unsweetened and it's usually way too strong or way too weak. This was perfect. And it was a perfect start to a perfect lunch. I'm on a strict diet (trying to lose 100 lbs while going to restaurants is tough) and they had many things on the menu that were friendly. I stayed away from my favorites, like Calamari Frito and burritos with cheeses, opting for the tuna tacos (a delightful combo of grilled tuna, mixed greens, soy orange coulis, wasabi aioli and pico de gallo on soft corn tortillas), while my friend enjoyed the Trail Ensalata (baby field greens in balsamic vinaigrette with jicama, carrots, raisins, red onions, pumpkin seeds, strawberries and feta cheese), topped with ginger salmon. The two tuna tacos come with a side of a mildly-flavorful rice and beans, and because I'm watching portion sizes, I happily filled up on half the rice and one of the tacos and I will enjoy the rest for dinner. Since we were there at lunch time (1:00) on a Friday, before Memorial Day Weekend, it was quite busy and as we were a group of seven, we had to wait about ten minutes for our entire party to arrive but we were seated as soon as we confirmed that the remaining two people were within five minutes of the restaurant. Our very capable and pleasant waiter, Joe, was also very patient with 7 chatty women who needed the check split at the end of the meal. There are only two criticisms I have: they charge for chips and salsa ($5) (but it's really good) and one of our party experienced air conditioning condensation dripping from the ceiling duct but changing her seat solved that issue and we had a very enjoyable meal. I'm game for girls' lunch there until we've sampled everything on the menu. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Eedee F.
First time I've been here and I am not impressed. The amount of cilantro in the salsa masked any other taste. The shrimp and crab enchiladas were nearly flavourless and the menu description was lacking or I would have altered my order. As a side note, it is very difficult to move around in here, especially during busy times. The friend I came in with was also un-impressed.
(2)
Ray S.
I've been here four or five times, tried a number of dishes here, and always ask myself why I don't come here more often. The food tastes great and wait staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The guacamole is terrific and a must with chips to start off the meal. Sunday brunch is great with a number of options for breakfast only, lunch only, and combinations. I'm a big fan of the huaracha de carne and machaca. This place used to be more crowded, especially with it being a little smaller, but the last couple times it has been very easy to get a table and they do take reservations. My only complaint is they lack a full bar. Everyone raves about the sangria, but it was a bit sweet for me. Then again I don't like sweet drinks so yeah...
(4)
Susan B.
Great brunch! Excellent food, prices + service by Teresa was terrific!
(5)
Ryan B.
Best Mexican inspired food I've had. We visited based on the Yelp reviews, and you guys came through for me again. We started w/ the chips and salsa, and agreed that it had a fantastic and unique flavor. My brother got the chile relleno and loved it. They serve a cheese or meat version and he got the meat. I can't remember what kind it was, but I do remember that the flavor was very good. Not an incredible dish, but very solid and I'd be happy to have ordered it. I got the Roast Pork Verde and it was outstanding. The pork was cooked almost perfectly, but a tiny bit on the dry side. The chile verde sauce was outstanding. I seriously think I could eat this dish every day. Both dishes were served with a side of beans and rice that were excellent. Cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Very tasty, and I don't normally like rice dishes much. My bro also got both red and white sangria and raved about them. He preferred the red but liked both. I didn't try them. The service was excellent. The server saw that one of our party was having trouble getting into a booth due to a health issue, and quickly offered to move us to a table without being asked. Nice job. He never interrupted our conversation with dumb questions like "do you want a refill". Overall, we never noticed him, which always indicates a good server in my book. The decor was good for a Mexican place, however, the bar is admittedly pretty low. Subdued and lacking the ridiculous bold colors and sombrero hats. Refreshing. Overall an excellent experience. I will make it a point to visit again when I'm back in St. Pete.
(4)
Dana V.
The best Mexican food I've ever had. Simply awesome!! Get there early the place fills up quickly
(5)
Tony O.
This was my first time to Tampa/St. Pete. and I wound up with a couple of free days before flying out. Checked Yelp for some good Tex-Mex and Red Mesa was at the top of the list. Looked at the menu and the stuff shrimp sounded great. When I arrived there were three daily specials that sounded great too, but I stuck with my plan. The stuffed shrimp were great. The broccoli in the "fresh" vegetable side was a little on the weak side, but not enough to take a star away. I would have preferred a small bowl of black beans instead of the veggies. I will put Red Mesa at the top of my return list anytime I'm in the area in the future.
Pretty good, though not as good as some claim. Not sure how I would classify Red Mesa. It's 'based' on Mexican food, like Tex-Mex, but maybe somewhat more upscale version, I suppose. Get there before noon or after 1pm to avoid the long wait. It's become so popular that they now even have valet parking. I personally like their Fish burritos and their Combination dishes (pork in green sauce). The prices are maybe 10-15% more than what I would normally pay, but there aren't many restaurants like it in St. Pete. The food here tastes pretty good and the portions are excellent. Their service could be better. I'd give it 2.5-3 stars. I should mention that one time, i was served a glass of water with a large crack on the glass. Not sure if that's a reflection of their quality control or if it was a fluke.
(4)
M S.
Love this restaurant. The flavors are so wonderful in everything I've ordered. The only thing is the wait time and the crowds during the busy nights. But sitting outside with a glass of wine is not so bad. Highly recommended restaurant!
(5)
Patti Z.
Love this place. Food has so much flavor.
(5)
John H.
was skeptical for sure. have not seen a good mexican restaurant in st pete area. wow was i impressed. chips came to the table. so so. they really could have used some salt. the salsa was good and smokey. wasn't too hungry so i went with a cup of frijoles charro and the asada taco appetizer w a side of fresh jalapenos (of course). the frijoles were HANDS DOWN thee best i have ever had. bacon chorizo, cilantro, onion. Thick, the beans cooked just right. I could have eaten a whole pot of them i am sure. While i was trying to finish my cup o' beans, our dinners came out. sizzling steak, chorizo, onion, cilantro, lime, seasoned well, cooked very well. the juices dripped down my wrist as i brought the corn tortilla wrapped goodness to my mouth. My new favorite mexican/tex-mex/fusion (i guess) restaurant in the st. pete/clrwtr airpor area. Captain Bob got a salad and it looked fresh and he said it was good, it seemed to me like a landslide of very good looking blue cheese tumbling down a greens mountain. the rest of the entrees seemed kind of expensive but i bet they are good.....breakfast on sunday? i wish we were here to try it. maybe next time...
(4)
Kevin L.
Ate lunch here today: ceviche sampler great...highly recommend the octopus. Very tender, which I didn't expect. El Gordo burrito huge and very tasty. Others had taquetos and raved as well as thumbs up on ahi tuna taco. Will make a regular stop when in st. Pete. Service was spot on and enthusiastic.
(4)
Georges L.
*Awesome, try the three burrito combo.
(4)
Wanda B.
Really love this place but it is pricey for Mexican/Southwestern food. Yes, it is upscale and the food never disappoints. But we save it for special times.
(5)
S G.
Pretty standard mexican fare. The place has free valet parking if needed. The special deal is if you order before 6 pm you can get a cocktail, entree and dessert (special) for $14. Not a bad deal for the food. I had the cheese enchiladas and my husband had the chicken enchiladas. Portion sizes reasonable and not too huge.
(3)
Kara W.
One of the best restaurants in the state of Florida. Amazing sangria, salsa and fantastic flavorful entrees. Try the Shrimp Chipolte, my favorite (very spicy). You may have to wait on the weekends, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Little G.
If you travel for a living like I do and love to dine in new places during lunch and spend your $$$$ enjoying yourself, then this IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO ..........Because I was by myself, I was NOT allowed to sit at a booth. Are you serious ????? They want more people than 1 to sit in a booth because more people usually spend more $$$$$. Well , I eat by myself and spend as much as 2 or 3 people because I will usually order alcohol instead of soda or water with lemon. I explained this to them. I also explained to them that I would be buying additional food to go. When I sit at a booth at a restaurant, it is my time to relax during lunch and during my extremely busy working days. I will not be returning here because of the customer service NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS. If you have ever visited this place in a group, try to visit alone to see how you are treated. I guess that I will have to spend my hard earned dollars somewhere else. Oh well, they are the ones to lose $$$$$$ because I eat out often and frequent this area often ( and know lots of people ) and spend lots of $$$$$ on lunch. Thank you !
(1)
Matthew M.
don't even bother looking at the menu......... just get the filet mignon burrito. thank me later
(5)
dave h.
I was looking for good place to eat in St. Petersburg while I was traveling to Tampa on Spring break with the fam and this place came up as good with all you local Yelpers. And thank you for the tip. Great mexican flavor and they are not afriad to spice it up, which is a good thing. We went with a large group of 8 or so and 2 kids, they did a good job or getting us seated (once our whole party was there). The server did an excellent job of taking care of all of us and was able to split the bill. The food was great, my carne asada was excellent, while my wife chicken dish had a great chipotle cream sauce on it that was well done. Overall, thanks to the local yelpers for this recommendation, we were very pleased with the entire establishment. We were also impressed at how inexpensive it was; we were planning on paying a lot because it seemed like a up scale place, but the prices were very reasonable; $12-20/entree. Only criticism is they only had 2 beers on tap, Dos XX Amber and Lager, i was hoping for a little more but when you are a Mexican restaurant, Dos XX is the good beer to turn too.
(5)
erica p.
The sangria was awesome, our food was delicious and not at all heavy like most places serving burritos, rice and beans. There was much more nuance to the flavors here than in many tex-mex styled restaurants, and I'm glad we put it on our list to try while on vacation. While you don't really come here for the atmosphere (it feels like any big-ish restaurant), the food is well worth the trip.
(4)
C B.
This place has amazing Mexican / Euro / French infused flavors! I love it, its always packed, so get a reservation! The salsa is so fresh, I usually buy extra to take home, so delicious! Great place guys!
(5)
Holly G.
This food is terrific! My belly hurts from eating so much. Food is cooked really creatively with great flavor combinations.
(5)
Cara A.
Red Mesa offers really fresh flavors and high quality ingredients. It isn't hole-in-the-wall pricing, but you will be really pleased if you go for lunch which is the best value.
(5)
Jeff A.
Food was great. Enjoyed a very spicy beef dish which was worth every cent. Our server was a sweetheart, but the reservation process and initial greeting were unacceptable. Pretentious BIG time. I will return, but they need to remember they are not the only place in town!
(3)
Sally B.
Our waiter was good & professional. Grilled mushroom quesadila app was flavorful. Crab & shrimp enchillada was flat & bland, steamed vegetables bland with no seasoning at all, Black beans & rice had a strange flavor that was not enjoyable, All in all, would not return. No mexican or latin flavors here that I'm familiar with.
(2)
Thomas A.
Is there a better 'gourmet mexican' restaurant in St Pete? I think not! The level of pure, ecstatic, transcendant goodness is so high that it literally feels like a sensual release after eating here. I want to smoke, sleep, or even write poetry while basking in the post-dinner bliss delivered by Red Mesa to my soul-mouth. If you are on Yelp right now, trying to decide where to eat, and you have not been here, put down your smartphone immediately and drive here without delay. I am deadly serious. This place is easily in my Tampa Bay Top Five, regardless of genre. Favorite methods to achieve nirvana at RM: Appetizer: Chorizo Fundido - thick and spicy, served with warm, soft tortillas. Each bite melts in your mouth with a sizzle. Crab Cake with Habanero Mayo - beware! The Habanero Mayo is HOT. This place pulls no punches. You might find it odd to find a crab cake at a mexican place...but they hit a grand slam home run with this, putting most seafood places I've been to in the Pit of Shame, weeping with envy. Dinner: If it's your first time, try the Enchilada Trio...a magnificent Holy Trinity of goodness which allows you to taste a full spectrum of what RM can do with enchiladas. Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce!! Crab & shrimp enchilada with poblano cream sauce!!! Chicken enchilada with salsa roja!!!! You get one of each...and prepare to have your mind melted just like the delicate sauces on your plate! Did you hear me when I said Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce?? Sweet Lord!! NOTHING I have tasted at Red Mesa has been bad, bland, or common. They obviously take pride in flavor and character...I am actually ashamed that you are still reading this instead of heading to your car to eat here... Oh, and by the way, they make a sangria which can make grown men weep.
(5)
Janet M.
I've been going to the Red Mesa since it opened umpteen years ago but I'm just now getting around to reviewing it for some reason. You know when a friend raves about a movie or restaurant and then you go and you're nonplussed by it? And it's generally not because it wasn't great, but because your expectations were so high based on your friend's raving? I want to avoid that here, but it will be hard because I love this place so much. People, go to this restaurant. Even though they don't take reservations, and they generally make you wait until your entire party has arrived and the fact that you are all going to be there means I'll have to wait longer for a table, go there. People come from neighboring cities because this place is so fantastic, and I'm proud to say that I've inducted many, many friends and family into the Cult of the Mesa. :) Truly, this place is unique and a local gem. I think I've eaten just about everything on the menu. I probably average eating here 1-2 times per month, and over the course of ten-plus years, I'd say I've had one or two meals, total, that weren't spectacular and utterly satisfying. That said, there are some go-to dishes I usually recommend for newbies: Appetizers: Even if you don't like oysters (and I usually don't), try the chipotle oysters. Super crunchy, spicy and oh so tasty with a cold beverage. A great way to start. Their black bean soup is also yummy. If you want to go light on appetizers, just go with the chips n salsa. I don't know how they make their salsa, but I am convinced it has crack cocaine in it. It's that addictive. I'd drink it if it were socially acceptable to do so. Salads; Sometimes when I'm trying to be "good," I'll order a salad as an entree. I always do so reluctantly because I feel like I'm depriving myself. Generally, even their salads are awesome, though! I usually get the basic salad (can't remember if it's the Red Mesa Salad or the Salad al Pastor), and I usually get it with salmon or shrimp (and I generally ask for a little extra dressing on the side). Even though it's not decadent, it's filling, delicious and satisfying. Brunch: Hands down, their huevos rancheros. SO GOOD. A friend of mine once had a special there that was a Latin twist on eggs benedict that she raves about to this day. I had to stop eating eggs for awhile, and was relegated to the french toast with pecans and bananas. It was also delish, but I felt like it was something I could get anywhere. My BF likes the Migas (scrambled eggs with tortilla strips and onions) and friends have also raved about the Divorciados. Most of the egg-based entrees are served with sides of pico de gallo (fresh and spicy) and avocado slices. If it's warm out, try the OJ - fresh squeezed. If it's chilly, try the Mexican hot chocolate. Entrees: The stuffed shrimp never, ever disappoints. Big shrimp, butterflied, stuffed with a yummy cheese and herb mixture, deep fried and served with a wonderful chipotle cream sauce. I also love the Grouper Mojo be Ajo. A nice, generous piece grouper served with an awesome garlic sauce. You can also get Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, too. I gave up meat years ago, so most of what I eat is seafood, but I have had their steaks and can tell you they are fantastic. They also have a chicken dish that I recommend to my meat-eating friends - Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. It's like a Latin riff on Chicken Cordon Bleu and it's delicious right down to the mushroom cream sauce they use. Makes me miss being a carnivore. Even the sides here are fantastic - the steamed veggies (usually just garnish taking up space on the plate) are the first thing I eat and the rice/beans are also great. Desserts: If, after stuffing yourself, you have room for dessert (and even if you don't!), try either the coconut natilla - light, delicious custard served with fruit - or the fried ice cream, which they make with Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream (banana ice cream with walnuts and chocolate chunks). I think I realize now why I never reviewed this place before. I knew I would go on and on too long, and I see now that I have. Bottom line: I've almost never, ever had a bad meal here, no matter what I've ordered. Enjoy!
(5)
Michelle M.
Best Mexican food in St. Pete! The food at Red Mesa may be better than any Mexican restaurant in Tampa as well. If you have never been to Red Mesa you must go! The guacamole and salsa are both superb... I could eat their chips and salsa all night! The Roast Pork Verde and the filet mignon chimichurri are two of my favorite items on the menu. Reasonable prices, great margaritas, friendly service are to be expected at Red Mesa.
(4)
Derrick K.
Seated very quickly on a busy night for 2, 10-15 minutes. Served salsa and chips (delish!!) right away by a friendly server who was very helpful in menu suggestions. We got the pomegranate and raspberry sangria (the current special) and red sangria, both outstanding! We ordered the Fillet Mignon special and crab/shrimp enchiladas, both extremely good! Our food took a little longer than normal, was recognized by waiter and we were offered two complimentary sangrias! Would recommend to everyone and will definitely go back. Can't wait to try their bigger location with a night club and bigger menu!
(5)
Derek W.
Even the raves of two beloved friends and trusted Tampa Bay food experts failed to adequately prepare me for the wide range of delights at Red Mesa. Everything here works wonders on the palate, and the culinary wizards here have blended creativity and comfort that's good to the last drop (of sangria, in my case). Words to the wise: Don't be fooled by the lackluster appearance and setting - the interior hearkens back to a likely past-life as a Denny's or one of its kind; the exterior is anonymous fast-food box architecture, buried amidst a commercial strip in St. Pete. The tamales on Red Mesa's special menu caught my eye first: hearty, meaty bundles of pork dipped in velvety homemade mole and sprinkled with queso fresco. Though a tad bit dry, the pork cubes were very flavorful, and I enjoyed alternating bits of tamale with bites of warm tortilla dunked in smooth guacamole and magnificently zesty salsa. The chicken tortilla soup was to-die-for, a far cry from the pedestrian renditions at more run-of-the-mill spots. A carrot-onion sofrito and fresh avocado slices added special distinction to what could easily become, for me, a daily indulgence...especially during winter. Most impressive to my girlfriend and me was the plate of crab and shrimp enchiladas we shared. The corn tortillas are dipped in chile, giving them a soft, light texture which pairs perfectly with the subtle spice and delicate richness of the seafood. By this point in the meal I was floating a few feet above the table, but not far enough away that I couldn't sip the tremendous red sangria that washed down the meal. I am now considering starting a campaign to bring Red Mesa to the Left Coast.
(5)
John A.
Oddly enough, it took our friends from New York City to discover "the best" Mexican dining that on the West Coast of Florida. I was not familiar with Red Mesa, but in hindsight am delighted with the "snow birds" find! A group of six friends met for lunch (Reservations are probably a good idea even for lunch) and everyone sampled a different dish with unanimous kudos at each seat! The seafood selections are prepared with a perfect balance of spices and sauces such that the flavor of the seafood comes through without being "masked" as it usually is in other Mexican establishments. Service is smooth and flawless. I am now looking for a good excuse to drive across the Sunshine Bridge and indulge my palate soon.
(5)
Robert J.
so I've been here twice over the past month and plan to come here a lot more. the food is absolutely to die for. you could tell the chefs here take pride in serving up some great looking and tasting food. the service was good but nothing to write home about. the food takes the cake!
(5)
Amanda E.
Maybe I had this place too build up in my mind but I wasn't overly impressed. The food was good and the service was fine, but this was our third time we tried to dine here, the other two times had almost an hour wait. I think the main thing I disliked was that it was pretty small and cramped. We were pretty close to the tables next to us to where we were almost part of the same convo. The tables and chairs weren't too nice or updated either- just something weird I noticed. The food was good enough to where I would probably go back- but not worth an hour wait.
(3)
Karen D.
This restaurant was a last minute choice on our way back from Tampa. Since we don't live anywhere near downtown St Pete, I figured it would be a nice change. Red Mesa is a classy, more upscale Mexican restaurant with their prices reflecting the interior and atmosphere. It's rather small and pleasantly lit with air conditioning and comfortable seating. The food was good, but it wasn't fantastic. Tortilla chips were actually quite salty without the salsa and while the filet mignon burrito was tasty, the meat itself was tough, not tender. The chicken enchilada was at least flavorful. Service wasn't all that great. Mark, our waiter, dipped out as I was giving my order to serve the food that was ready. While I understand that food needs to be served immediately, he didn't even excuse himself. Our food came on a timely basis but the check did not long after we were finished. If my girlfriend hadn't asked for it we probably would still be there. Overall, great place to take someone on a date, but I'll stick to my homely restaurant like Carmelita's. EDIT: And the reason why I target waiters or waitresses by name is because THEY HAVE NAME TAGS. Name tags are used to identify the employee who is serving you, for which you can praise or criticize in a review. This particular waiter (Mark) was not very happy with the comments I had to say, and wrote a compliment note for me. EDIT: Waiter names are also listed on the bill, FYI.
(3)
Steve S.
From out of town. Spicy filet mignon tips were tremendous. Solid meal. Would go again.
(4)
M K.
Relocated from NYC to ST Pete 7 yrs ago and that's how long it has taken to find a Mex Restaurant that I would go back to a 2nd time! I found one in Red Mesa. Not your typical "taco joint" but rather a blend of taco meets gourmet. Service was fantastic and very friendly. I like that they have a specials menu which last for one month then changes.
(4)
EJ P.
I have eaten at this place twice, and at the other restaurant once. Neither of these restaurants are very good. These restaurants would get 1 or 2 stars west of the state of Louisiana. However, since so many people in Tampa Bay have never actually had great Mexican or Tex-Mex food, they think this is the best Mexican food they've ever had. And that's because it is, because they haven't eaten Tex-Mex in San Antonio, TX, for example. Where they make tortillas that melt in your mouth But back to Red Mesa. I think I have found an accurate way to describe Red Mesa: The food that you get here tastes no better than the (Tex-Mex) food you would get at a Mex chain like Chili's, but Red Mesa fancies up the menu descriptions and jacks up the prices and adds a little hip restaurant decor in order to make you think the food is better than it really is. It's just bland, mediocre Tex-Mex style food that can be had at Chili's for much less money. Advice: If you are going to eat here, stay away from the appetizers and side dishes and the tacos which are outrageously priced. (In Texas they would laugh you off the street if you told someone you paid 5 dollars for a taco, like Red Mesa charges.) Try to order a "combination" platter that has 1, 2 or 3 items for one price. Stay away from the guacamole, which is NOT WORTH 7 dollars. Just try to fill yourself up with the chips and get a combo dish. Desserts are also mediocre.
(3)
Josh S.
Meals like these make me feel like I need to sift through all my reviews and rerate them. Everything we ate was incredible, ambiance was to my liking, and service was flawless. I had Grouper Al Mojo De Ajo based on server recommendation, and my wife had Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. Our daughter had a quesadilla from the kid's menu with cilantro sour cream. I will dismiss the kid's meal for the sake of the review, but it was still pretty good to be honest. I hate to overhype it based on one visit, but the grouper was one of the best entrees I have ever had. At the very worst, it's in the top 5 seafood dishes I've had. I commented to my wife that I would pay them $50 for the Mojo De Ajo(sauce) recipe. After coming to my senses, I've decided that I'm merely inspired to try to create my own from a Google-searched recipe. If I don't come close to recreating Red Mesa's version, then I will redirect my attention to the $50 offer. My wife's Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken was great too. Everything on the plate just goes so well together. I wish I remembered my server's name... I would thank him here. I think I am too nice, and possibly indifferent, when it comes to service, and even though I try to review it fairly, I never think much of it unless it's very good or very bad. In this case, from the entree recommendation to the perfect timing of every appearance our waiter made, he really enhanced the experience. I really wanted to try the Plantains Foster for dessert, but I'm sure I'll get my chance because there are about 20 other entrees I want to try as well. If I had one gripe, it would be the lack of a full bar and lack of a larger beer selection. But I guess I can try Red Mesa Cantina for that, I owe them that.
(5)
Chris C.
We actually meant to go to Red Mesa Cantina but ended up here due to a confusion with our Google Maps. The atmosphere is festive, the waiters are attentive and helpful and the sangria is yummy. However, the food falls short. I had the Carne Asada. It was crispy on the outside and way too chewy for my liking. My boyfriend had the Enchilada Trio. It was the first time we saw an enchilada that was not smothered in sauce and cheese. It made it a bit dry but the meats inside were cooked well. I don't know if we just ordered the wrong things, seeing that the other reviews are 4 stars and up but for the prices, I expected a much tastier meal.
(3)
Charlotte S.
There are some places I like to go to try new foods. Red Mesa is not one of them and I mean that in the most positive tone possible. I like the fact that I can eat here and get what I expect. I was in the mood for crunchy chips and their consistently yummy, finely chopped, full of flavor and slightly runny salsa. Their salsa has been the same every time I go and I appreciate the fact that I won't be disappointed when I take that first bite. I paired it with a Mediterranean wrap and I am in the most comfortable food lull a girl could ask for :)
(4)
Cassie S.
Poor service. When I go to a Mexican restaurant I expect real Mexican food not fancy dressed up food made by white people. If you want authentic Mexican food this isn't your place.
(2)
Jason M.
The closest Mexican food to Tex Mex in St Pete!
(4)
Rick S.
Red Mesa is an oasis in a desert of Mexican slapdash mediocrity. The place serves a multitude of different Mexican flavors; many times simultaneously, which is usually risky business. For this place, which has two locations in St Pete, the plates are executed well enough to sway even the Mexican-food haters. (This is usually spawned from the swollen numbers of cost-cutting, soupy-beaned, I-could-have done-better-myself-and-I-was-born-in-China establishments in Tampa Bay.) The place is clean enough to want to go to after church, although having Brunch on Sundays til 2pm/3pm is kind if lame (opinion). As a word of caution, the parking can be extreme when it's busiest so if it's peak meal time you may want to consider more accessible options for your meal. As for the food itself, try the carne asada tacos. Two corn tortillas with asada mixed with chorizo and a bit of cilantro and onion with rice and beans with a chimichurri top. It's cheaper than the carne asada plate and tastes a lot better for some reason (go figure). In fact you'd be surprised how the cheaper foods are usually more satisfying than the pricier options. In short, the place is good, clean, hard to find parking, but a beacon of hope for Mexican food lovers in Tampa Bay.
(4)
Alicia V.
This might be the best Latin food I have ever had. I had the Relleno Combo & it was awesome! The beans & rice were delicious! If your looking for good Latin food, Red Mesa is your place. The atmosphere was dim lighting, kind of romantic, casual, & quiet. The only bad thing I have to say is.... There was a large party there in our room. They were VERY loud & getting drinker as the night went on. We hurried & ate quickly. Because they were so loud. It was bad enough other people ask to be put in the other dinner room. I just hate we don't have one in Texas. It's worth flying to eat there. 5 stars all the way!
(5)
Sherryl C.
Every time I have eaten here I was always impressed with the innovative melange of flavors. I recommend this restaurant if you like a delicious twist from the normal Mexican joints.
(5)
Michele C.
Came from Tampa airport, headed down to Anna Maria island. This place was quick, delicious and on the way...what more could you ask for. Thanks for the great customer service!
(4)
Toni F.
Food is consistently good! Been coming here since 1997 . AND THEY DO TAKE OUT RIGHT! Great job Red Mesa!
(5)
Dave S.
We went here for dinner on Friday around 8:30. No wait to be seated for 3 people. Our waiter stopped by immediately and for the most part provided very good service. He kept our waters filled and explained everything on the menu. I usually ask a lot of questions and he did a great job answering them. The only issue we had was that we were contemplating dessert and he brought us the menu but it took him so long to come back for our order that we decided against it. Food overall was very good. Enchilada trio was unique and tasty, a bit too spicy but good. I really liked the duck enchilada, while the chicken enchilada had a sauce that I didn't like. We got a pitcher of White sangria and it was delicious. 3 of us shared this and easily got 7 glasses out of it - great value.
(4)
Drake M.
Pretty good Tex-Mex with a twist. The food was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. My wife is a Mexican food elitist so she was sad that it wasn't authentic mexican food but I really enjoyed the Cajun Shrimp that I ordered. My moth had a nice burn the entire time I was eating it and a little bit after. I'll be returning here again just to try some other interesting dishes.
(4)
Melissa R.
Honestly "THE" best Mexican food I have ever eaten! I, finally, was able to convince my boyfriend to eat there, he is not a fan of Mexican food at all, and he was totally wowed! It's his (and mine also) new, favorite place to eat in St. Pete. The restaurant has a great vibe and wait staff is very attentive but not over the top. We tried the shrimp fundido and fried oysters as appetizers and both were exceptionally good. I highly recommend to try any of the seafood dishes they offer. The shrimp tacos really have a great flavor and everything tastes so fresh. As for dessert, the guava empanada with vanilla gelato was fantastic! Our waiter recommended the dessert and we thank him for that!
(5)
Jennie W.
Oh so good fish tacos! Queso is warm and creamy white cheese, so amazing. The music is really great and the outdoor setting is nice. They have private tables for celebrating. I would also say perfect for a fun date night or group outing! There's dancing and conversations to be had. I love the St Pete night life scene.
(5)
Daniel H.
Like many others, this is my favorite restaurant in St. Pete. I come from Arizona, so my standards for Mexican food go beyond Don Pablos and Carmelitas. While not a "traditional" Mexican cuisine, I believe they take their menu to a whole new level. Everything is very, very good. I always end up eating way too much because I can't stop putting food in my mouth! It's so good! Tip: If you are there on Friday, try the seafood burrito.
(5)
Loren P.
I love my friends who brought me to this place near Tampa Duck Enchilada!
(5)
Chelsey D.
I've seen Red Mesa numerous times while I am in St. Pete, but have never stopped in until today. With all the great reviews on Yelp, I was sure to have a good meal, unfortunately I was just not impressed. I ordered the Yucatan Pollo, and was very underwhelmed by it. The piece of chicken breast, while colored bright red with seasoning, was bland and overcooked. The pickled onion did not mingle with the chicken well, and tasted of just vinegar. While it looked pretty, it brought nothing to the dish. The rice and black beans also did not seem to have any seasoning and was incredibly bland as well. If this is a Mexican restaurant, where is the spice? On a good note, the chips and salsa were very good. The chips were fresh and crispy and the salsa had just enough bite and cilantro to make it delicious. However, for the price I paid, I left hungry and disappointed. It will be awhile before I give this place a second chance.
(3)
Jason C.
An amazing dining experience - delicious food, good service and great place. Not your typical Mexican fair - more modern, fresh and some great seafood items.
(5)
MB V.
Upon arriving St. Petes, I was told on many different occasions one of the place to visit is Red Mesa. The food was so delicious. This isn't your typical Mexican food. The owner, who is the chef prepared all his sauces from scratch. We ordered: Shrimp fundido - yummy Calamari Trio enchilada - the duck was the best. Espresso run steak - WOW... Just WOW. It was soooooooo gooooooood! The mushroom sauce was so delicious. Sangria - it was so tasty. We went through two pitchers fast!!! I'm planning to visit this place one more time before leaving town. I will highly recommend this restaurant for those who are visiting town. Get there early as this place isn't big and the wait can be long.
(5)
Francia R.
Food was overpriced didn't even taste good or authentic. I wouldn't go back to any Red Mesa Restaurant even if i was paid to go.
(1)
Angela V.
Wonderful, creative, delicious, elegant. These are my choice adjectives for Red Mesa cantina. You definitely want to go in M-F before 5:45pm to catch the sunset menu. It includes a choice of sangria, margarita or beer, chips & salsa, choice of entree, AND DESSERT for just $14 per person. In this economy, this is by far the best value for such amazing food. There are about 10 options on the sunset menu, and I have only had 3, but plan on trying every one. The Enchilladas Rez are tender shredded beef enchiladas in soft corn tortillas with homemade tomatillo sauce. The portions are the perfect size. The meat was super tender and the sauce had incredible flavor. So far, my favorite is the Snapper al Tara. The snapper is only about 5 ounces, but is grilled to perfection. Caramelized on the outside but flaky and juicy in the middle. It is topped with a delicious mango chipotle sauce. YUM!
(4)
Alex O.
The food was the bomb like tick, tick.. LoL. But seriously, damn good food, excellent service. Bit on the pricy side, but I'd recommend eating here.
(5)
Steve S.
Overall great. The waitress was attentive and friendly. Cedar salmon needed a little more salt and was slightly undercooked for my taste, but they fixed it immediately. My wife had relleno. It was tasty, but they should have removed the seeds for her.
(4)
Price B.
The food here is AMAZING. The duck enchiladas are so good, it's hard to try anything else. I don't typically like margaritas, but theirs made with agave wine is delicious. I don't know if I have ever been here and not been stuffed after. The portions are generous and well priced. This is typically the first place I take visitors.
(5)
Gabriela D.
Super delicious authentic Mexican and super filling.
(4)
Noel G.
Atmosphere is nice. Food is kind of upscale Tex-Mex. The food was just OK. It could use more spice and identify better with either Sonoran or Tex-Mex. It was kind of generic.
(2)
jimi b.
Best description by someone else: "Best gourmet mexican food" Awesome chips and salsa. Maybe the best I've ever had. Yes. I said it. Best I've ever had. Santa Fe Chicken. YUMMY. I forget the description, but it came with spinach and pilaf, and it was maybe, the BEST CHICKEN I've ever had. Yes, I said it. Best I've ever had. Also, the spinach was amazing. I don't know how they made it taste so good. I don't remember clearly, but I think it said "tequila braised" GF had some spicy shrimp of sorts. It was pretty awesome as well. Price ranges from 12-15 for chicken dishes. 13-23 for seafood. They had many other items with steak meat/filet mignon/etc. Great atmosphere. Crowded but roomy enough, waiters are attentive and professional. It's one to revisit. Free Valet.
(5)
Michael Z.
Spot on reviews. Went for brunch and the meals were creative with terrific flavor. I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Renee W.
This place wasn't at all what I was expecting. I've been to the downtown cantina before, guess I expected more of that. Pros: free valet...that's about it. Cons: the food was mediocre, but really pricey. I got the duck enchiladas which were perfectly average, nothing special. My guy got the puntas de filet mignon. Very spicy and severely lacking in flavor. He loves everything spicy, but with nothing but spice, what's the point? My main problem was the service. I cannot stand when I feel like I'm not being paid attention to because of how young I am or the amount in our party (servers are notoriously bad at checking on a 2 top). The crowd here was mostly 40's-50's..I'm 25. Our waitress never checked on us, left us without drinks, and generally didn't seem to care. But she seemed to love the 6 top next to us.
(2)
Matt B.
I just have to say that I really enjoy the atmosphere here and the food is better then good. This was my second time here and I selected the enchilada trio, and it was very good. Pair that with the white sangria and its almost perfect. On a side note the chips and salsa are pretty damn good too.
(4)
Peter L.
Some friends had us join them for dinner here this past week. I am certainly glad that they did! It's not your gardener's Mexican. It is quite good in it's own right! On this night we ordered the Cedar Roasted Salmon ($18), Roast Pork Verde ($14), Chihuahua Combinado ($13), and Sonoran Combinado ($17). The plates were cleaned, and everyone left smiling. The homemade Sangria was a hit as well. The feel of the restaurant is upscale. The service was attentive. You might not find Pedro and Hector in the dining room, or a Speedy Gonzalez Combination Plate on the menu, but you will find a tasty dining experience.
(4)
Rose S.
Very spicy chipotle shrimp! Spanishcuisine at its finest!! Sangria is also top notch!
(5)
Joe C.
This place is great. I went with a large group, and was able to try about 8 different things. We had some ceviche and some tuna as an appetizer. I usually go on about the different dishes, but honestly, it was all just really good. It's pricier than a traditional [seedy] mexican restaurant, it's a classy joint though. Place was an absolute madhouse and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, so I think I'm gonna stick to Tuesday night dinners here.
(4)
april h.
Been three times. Don't get the hype at ALL. I'll take the baby sister - Red Mesa Cantina though. Much more consistent.
(2)
Kerry S.
went here for dinner last night with a friend when asking for a GREAT Mexican style restaurant......It was very chilly last night so we waited the 15 minutes for an inside table while having a hand crafted Margarita at the outside bar...The drink tasted fantastic but was about the size of an 'eye wash' cup and at 11 dollars was way out of line...but I let this slide due to the taste......but it would have cost me 50 bucks to get the slightest buzz. We ordered the chips and dips.... the dips FANTASTIC...the chips....meh...I have had better {even at Chili's}......yet they were very very filling even shared. I ordered the chicken taquitos and a Fish taco....The fish taco at 4.50 was small...tiny....actually really microscopic and so covered in the red sauce that is could have been a Gorton's fish stick...but the Taquitos were magnificent the BEST thing ever....my friend had the vegan fajita and said it was good until he had one of the taquitos and agreed that they were perfection and for 8 dollars a STEAL by comparison to the fish taco and the cocktail....the service was attentive and aware....anticipated any thing we needed and was on it in a second.......Taquitos and service 5 star.....taco and margaritas 2...thus the 4........Can't wait to come for happy hour margaritas and mas taquitos.....
(4)
Rebecca B.
Delicious! I love chili rellenos and have not found any really great ones since moving to FL until now. The food was perfect and so was the service! Thanks Red Mesa!
(5)
Geno K.
Best lunch I've had in St. Pete since moving here a couple months ago. I had the filet mignon burrito. I thought the description was a little rude: "Medium rare tips of filet mignon, jack cheese, poblano chile, red pepper, diced tomatoes and onion. As is, no exceptions." I'd never seen something like that on a menu. But they do it for a reason... it was INCREDIBLE. It tasted nothing like what I thought I was ordering, but in a very good way. When I think steak burrito, I think beef with some "other stuff." The other stuff makes this thing rock. Great staff. It was packed when I went around 12:30. Understandable. I'll be going back often.
(5)
Danesh I.
My wife and I recently went to Red Mesa during a brief stop in St. Pete. Though it looks unassuming from the exterior, and the interior is nothing to write about, the food here is amazing. We tried the fried calamari as an appetizer, and I can't rave enough about the sauces which accompanied the perfectly fried calamari; both the chipotle and curry dipping sauces were divine. My wife got some fried shrimp as her entree and I decided to go with a combination platter with a taco, enchilada, and empanada. Both our meals were PERFECT. The empanada crust could make anything taste good, it was simply delicious! This restaurant is a must when stopping in St. Pete!
(4)
Marty C.
Parking lot that was so small that we were forced to use the valet. There at 7:00 and only had a 10 min. wait. No reservations for groups of less than 5. The faux $8 margaritas are a bit disturbing in a restaurant at this price point. For appetizers, we had the fried oysters chipolte, crab cakes and the wild mushroom quesadilla. The oysters were large but the batter was way too thick and the flavor of the oysters was lost. The crab cakes were way over fried, more like a hard croquette. The quesadilla was fine but soggy on the underside due to the dipping sauce being sloshed over the plate. Two of us had the crab and shrimp stuffed snapper. The fish was over cooked and smothered in sauce. They should cut back on the sauce by at least 2/3s. Our third diner had the chihuahua combination which was good. Bottom line is the food would have been better with less sauce and they need to get a full liquor license!
(3)
Robin O.
As first timers we don't what all the 5 star fuss is about. Glib waitress never there at right time. Four of us, a lot of semi flavorless and over cooked food. Tortilla soup bland and had tons of tortilla strips inside all completely soggy, inedible mush. Cheese enchilada was fair. Filet mignon dry and chewy. Shrimp "tacos" are grilled shrimp on 2 small open face, soft, store bought tortillas w/ thousand island dressing. Pedestrian at best, will not be back.
(3)
Anthony T.
Fantastic, been here three Tomas and they never disappoint. Always fresh great food. Quick service, reasonable prices.
(5)
Kevin B.
Excellent food every time. This is the most consistently good restaurant I have been to.
(5)
Jennifer B.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete! The shrimp tacos are the best I've ever had- the flavoring is unreal and cannot be duplicated elsewhere. The black beans and rice are topped with a (maybe?) chimichurri sauce that is unlike anything else I've tried and I can't get enough of it! I've only been here for lunch and it's always so busy, but somehow it continues to be fast and the quality of the service and food is never compromised.
(5)
Billy E.
I came for lunch, long wait for seating but I know the time of day I came that was to be expected. I ordered the duck enchiladas, the duck was very nice my complaint was the veggies on the plate. Over cooked and very very bland. The salsa was average, but overall was not a bad restaurant. Service was very friendly and attentive so I'd be willing to come back again.
(3)
Susan H.
I like what another reviewer says in describing this restaurant: it is to Mexican food what Olive Garden is to Italian food. It's a nice sized establishment with very friendly (in my experience) wait staff. Their margaritas and sangria are not the best I've had, but their guava empanada and cheesecake desserts are to die for. The food selections are standard for what an American would expect of a Mexican restaurant. Their standard chips and salsa are also not the best I've ever had (see my review for Estela's restaurant). Overall, it's an alright place to go for lunch or dinner. I give it four stars because of the wait staff and the desserts.
(4)
Jillian K.
The fried oyster appetizer and red sangria were both amazing!
(4)
Jon W.
I think it's more seafood, nouveau American,french, tex-mex fusion than tex-mex. Which is a good thing. Whatever you call it they do a great job of it and the seafood is fresh and the sangria is fantastic. I had the crab and shrimp stuffed grouper with some kind of quasi-Mexican sauce poured over it that came with fantasticly fresh and tasty grilled vegetables. My friend had a the chicken Santa Fe that was stuffed with Gouda cheese making it very rich and tasty. We had the beef shredded tacitos (ok well that was tex-mex) for an appetizer with the traditional chips and salsa. (very good salsa by the way). The service was at a high level. I thought our waiter was very good. Nice local flair with a slight Mexican twist. I loved it! I may go back for breakfast.
(5)
Meghan B.
When I think of Red Mesa, I think of girls' night out. Sure this would be a great place for a date or special celebration, but the pitchers of pink sangria and delicious menu options will leave you wishing you had your elastic waistband pants rather than looking super cute. Please don't wear elastic waistband pants here, though...it's a little too nice for that. I've tried a couple fish entrees, enchiladas, and their Chorizo Fundido appetizer (SO fun to say). All were great and made with quality and very fresh ingredients. One tip -- if you're looking to save a little money, go between 4-5:45pm Monday through Friday for the Sunset Menu. You get chips & salsa, choice of beverage (soda, margarita, sangria, or draft beer), entree, and a special dessert all for $14.00!!!! Such an awesome deal. Go for the pink, go for the pink!!
(5)
Rod K.
Great place for Mexican food w/an up scale atmosphere The food is very good and the value is even better Mon through Fri till 6/pm is a fixed price special w/dinners, drink & desert We have been here few times w/friends and of the 8 dishes ordered ...everyone was very happy The service was very good too The only down side is they don't have a liquor license But has a nice beer & wine menu and wine margaritas (which were very good) A good place to eat.
(4)
Kristina F.
I love meeting clients and colleagues here for lunch. Their chips and salsa is just fantastic. Good seasoning and a nice bite makes for an easy snack before lunch. I am a creature of habit. I love the Red Mesa salad with fried goat cheese. This is the only restaurant of the group (Cantina and Mercado) that has fried goat cheese. It allows me to enjoy a salad and still have a little bit of guilt. Jessica was my server and was polite and attentive. The wait staff is ever present but not too pushy. They allow us to have a conversation, but are there to fill glasses and clear plates. Always a nice place for a business lunch without breaking the bank. It is also a nice change from downtown.
(5)
Michael P.
I get this isn't Texas- I didn't expect a lot from the Mexican food in Florida. But wow, this place is a giant disappointment - especially after all the hype it had. My biggest complaints: 1) Asked for no onions in the quesadilla, they couldn't do that BECAUSE THEY PREMAKE THEIR QUESADILLA. That might be the easiest thing to make, ever, and they pre make it. 2) No fajitas..? Are you serious. 3) No margaritas?!?! I know they have them at the cantina but damn - figure that out.. You're a Mexican restaurant missing the first three things I think of about a Mexican restaurant.
(2)
Eric H.
Great place to eat. Food came quick and was delicious. The Mesa Burger was the best. This place ought to be called Grey Mesa as there not a single Red Mesa in the place.
(4)
Malinda L.
Really enjoyed my experience here. Had the chihuahua trio. So so good. The sangria is amazing as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Rusty N.
I love Red Mesa! I have tried a lot of their menu, and everything is quite good. But I keep going back to their Carne Asada! It's FANTASTIC!!! Their ranchero beans are insane as well!
(5)
Virginia G.
Oh the disappointment. I hadn't been here in years and when my dinner date suggested it was very happy to oblige. I love Mexican, faux Mexican, tex mex, authentic, if it has enchiladas, I'm in! So we came on a Saturday night and had a 20 minute wait or so. Sat at the bar and had a beer (with a super nice and efficient bartender) Our table was ready on time and we were escorted to a booth in back and approached by our waiter who was told "whatever you do, don't let our glasses go empty" lol Apparently he heard the opposite. So we started with the ceviche, shrimp ceviche, Im not a fan of this . Im a traditionalist and like fish in my ceviche, along with shrimp, but not just shrimp. Anyway, it was , ok. It was fresh and service with jicama, which I like but the serving was very skimpy for the price range. For dinner he ordered the salmon with a ginger crust and chipotle glaze , I ordered a combo platter with cheese enchiladas and chile relleno. His dinner was good! Salmon was perfectly cooked, the glaze delicious, nice and smokey flavor yum. Mine? Not so good. The cheese "enchiladas" were about 3-4" long and narrow as a slim cigar and burnt on the bottom. Ick, My Relleno, who made that disaster? No where near traditional, the picadillo was just off. I mean there was nothing good about this dish. I shared my disappointing meal with him , to make sure I wasn't just being a finicky witch, and he concurred. awful. Just awful. We passed on dessert, and another drinks as obviously that wasn't in the cards. SO disappointing. I wanted to love this place. I might even try it again and hope for better, but I certainly wont order that again.
(2)
Tony H.
This place was bustling when we arrived for diner but we were seated quickly (there were 6 of us). Our server was great and was attentive but not intrusive and allowed us to enjoy our meal. The food was delicious and all of the ingredients tasted fresh and none of the food had the prepared-earlier-and-just-warmed-up taste. Parking is complimentary valet but we found a spot near the entrance to self-park. The atmosphere was fun and pleasant with unique decor and not your standard Tex-Mex with some pictures of pueblos and cowboys. We'd certainly eat here again if we were in the area.
(4)
Laura C.
Fantastic tacos and service. Young lady was helpful in describing menu and chiding options for us that we're perfect.
(5)
Malary J.
If you want some amazing Spanish food, Red Mesa has a wonderful and delicious selection of Spanish food! I've never been disappointed by anything that I have ordered.
(5)
Amy B.
Brandon absolutely loved this place... I however got the flu directly following our visit here so I thought it was food poisoning until it lasted days and days. I had had the taco salad and Brandon had a burrito, he really enjoyed his meal and the chips and salsa were definitely tasty. They have really good drinks here too! We will have to come back so I can try it again, hopefully without getting sick the next time!
We came here for lunch during a work day. We started off with some chips and salsa which we were charged for. Based off their website our first basket should have been free since we didn't get any refills. Next we ordered the shrimp fundido which came with 3 very small tortillas. When we asked our waitress for another tortilla she informed us she would have to charge us, this seems a bit ridiculous. Finally we both decided on the chicken quesadilla which I found to be pretty good except for the sauce it was presented with on the plate which was extremely sweet. Overall I would say the service and experience was below average.
(2)
Justine S.
Food was outstanding! I really don't think we could have gone wrong with anything on the menu. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Jakkajan D.
My doctor recommended this place. Guess I should start listening to my doctor! Hands down the best Mexican food I ever had. No need for a long review. Just go eat there. You'll see.
(5)
Jason C.
Came here with a friend for brunch. I had the Divorciados. The salsas ended up being a bit less flavorful than I had imagined, but the eggs were well-cooked. My friend had a similar experience with her dish. In terms of other aspects, the dishes were well-priced, and the service was good. It seemed like there were a lot of great options on the menu, and the decor was fun. I would definitely try them again some time.
(3)
Jessica M.
I typically don't get a quesadilla at a Mexican restaurant for the desire to have something extraordinary, but this quesadilla was just that. Fantastic, like a party in my mouth. The gouda cheese, onions, and chicken mend together so well, then on the plate they add a sweet red sauce and a black bean and corn salsa, I literally don't think it could've been any better. As a chef's daughter I look for good flavor combos, and this was expertly crafted, and plated to perfection. Best chicken quesadilla I've ever had in my life. My husband got the chicken enchilada, without the Verde (typically served with one Verde and one roja).... and he loved the amount of flavor in his dish as well... it's hard to make common things stand out to me, but this place has it down, from the difficult specialties to the commonly seen dishes. We will be back!
(5)
Jess D.
It was the first time my girlfriend and I came to Red Mesa on 4th St N. I've been to the Red Mesa in downtown, which gave me a good comparison restaurant. Our server was very nice and didn't hover. One thing I was surprised by, is 1) they charge for the chips and salsa, 2) they don't make mojitos here - devastated - and 3) the restaurant didn't really seem like a Mexican restaurant on the inside. The decor was sort of bland; I felt like I was in an Olive Garden. Now, for the food! I had the shredded beef enchiladas with beans and rice. Absolutely fantastic. Full of flavor and texture. My girlfriend had the steak tacos, and wasn't a fan, unfortunately. She expressed that the steak didn't have much flavor, and her tacos, beans and rice were very oily. I will return, though, to try the dinner menu. I left full and happy.
(4)
Carrie C.
We wanted a quiet, weekday dinner out. Red Mesa's sunset dinner fit the bill perfectly! We had a wonderful dinner starting with white citrus sangria with chips and salsa. My shredded beef burrito with poblano peppers was outstanding. Deliciousness in every bite. My husband had chicken and was equally pleased. Although there was no room left for dessert, it was part of the package and we tasted with delight. Michael informed us of the specials of the day as well as took excellent care of us. He also updated us with their new summer hours and specials. We felt cared for and that's a great feeling.
(5)
Carrie B.
Great patio and service with amazing duck tacos, decent sangria and ceviche. While spicy the queso is quite the bomb! Definitely worth checking out in St Pete!
(4)
Lauren C.
*My 500th review* I came here for Sunday Brunch with family. I had visited Red Mesa many years ago, but never for brunch until this particular visit. The menu is a vast selection of both breakfast and lunch items, ranging from torta breakfast sandwiches and burritos, to shrimp omelettes, combination plates and salads. As you can see, I had a hard time deciding what to get. What makes the decision even harder is that everything is so reasonably priced, especially considering the large portion sizes and delicious flavors. Most meals range from $6.5 - $10, a bargain for such a great meal. Our server was attentive and continually checked in on us, but we weren't ready to order until her 3rd visit to our table. I finally settled on the "chuy combinado" - pork tamale, chicken tostada and chicken enchilada topped with savory chili sauce and a side of refried beans. Everything came out hot, fresh and tasty, no doubt. In this case, my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I simply couldn't finish my meal, so I took part of it home for later (and it made a mighty tasty leftover meal later on I must say). We enjoyed relaxing and visiting with family here, the environment was nice and the server continued to stop by regularly. We didn't feel rushed and walked away satisfied.
(5)
Nate B.
Great food and great service. Mushroom quesadilla was really spot-on for taste and balance. Mojo shrimp...the sauce made the dish. Great kids menu that goes beyond burgers and hot dogs, but not so out there that you can't find anything. The strawberry sangria was recommended. Wouldn't have tried it otherwise, but Natalia, our waitress, said it was overlooked, so we went for it. A hidden gem! We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Very convenient, very fast, and very good food. Well done, Red Mesa!
(4)
Andrea W.
When in St Pete and bringing guest from out of town I can count on Red Mesa to impress them! Gorgeous outdoor patio dining area. Perfect Margaritas. Sublime Eggs Benedict with Avocado - save room for the Churros! I love this place!! Great service in a perfect St Pete downtown location - I've had many a perfect meal here and I love this restaurant I've recommended this place more times than I can count - super nice place all around!
(4)
Warrick A.
This place is always busy, but worth it. The service is excellent and the food delicious. I love the homemade black-bean soup. Their salsa and chips are complimentary, and I recommend the margaritas . Awesome place to eat , full menu and not expensive. Only downfall , the parking in rear is often full to capacity .
(4)
Jennifer H.
Been here 3 times and never disappointed each time. The food is AMAZING and plentiful. It's a small place and it can feel a bit cramped at busier times, which makes me wish they were a bigger restaurant. They definitely deserve to be larger. Their food is incredibly filling though, I can eat lunch here and be full the entire day! I kinda wish they had some healthy plate /small plate options, because then I might be able to eat here more often!
(5)
John B.
MESA (me-sa), noun - an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in landscapes with horizontal strata. In rock climbing, once you reach the summit you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the view! At Red Mesa, once you reach for your fork you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the taste! As you disembark your land conveyance vehicle and traverse the parking lot to the first plateau(the front door), you catch slight notes of kitchen aromas wafting in the St Pete air. Tantalizing and true reminders of the real purpose of your mission. Once gaining a strong foothold on the plateau, the Sherpa guide(hostess) assists you to your base camp. Your second guide sets you up with all the gear you need to successfully scale the savory slope of epicurean delight. Joe, as our base camp guide, gathered the intel necessary for our rations. Our party of four perused the ration sheet(menu) and detailed the desired canteen(kitchen) output as required for proper nutrition on this gastronomic expedition. Our server was quite busy, so service was a tad slow at first, and I had to remind him I needed some lemons(to prevent scurvy?). Joe turned out to be a pretty nice guy, and I even shook his hand before we mounted our pack horses to depart. Okay, back to ground zero, review-wise. Two of us chose the Norteño Combinado, a steak empanada with chile morita sauce and queso fresco, a shredded beef taquito with guacamole and black bean sauce, and one crisp shredded beef or chicken taco. Served with congri(black beans and rice). In one word? Delicious! In two words? Deliciously delicious! Lots of flavor, with a slight touch of spicy heat in the empanada. The taquito provided a nice crunch even while lathered in a creamy guacamole sauce. I will order this dish again. And again, and again! My better half(or three fourths?) ordered the Trail Ensalada(salad). Unfortunately it was missing the pumpkin seeds as described in the menu. Otherwise a nice salad, although a little light on the full-feeling factor. She was satisfied, but felt a wee bit wishing she could have sampled some of my taco! What a beautiful woman will do to maintain her girlish figure! (I love you to the highest elevation and back, Honey!) Our fourth climber, er, party member ordered the Del Rey Burrito with shredded beef. This thing was the size of a gold bar you might find ensconced into the steep hillsides below the mesa. She advised it was a perfect blend of taste and temptation! I was surprised she was able to eat almost the entire burrito! Throw caution to the wind! The atmospheric conditions within the plateau(the atmosphere in the restaurant) are reminiscent of a lot of Mexican restaurants, but with a feeling of quality and no kitsch. This is certainly a higher end establishment and it shows in the quality of ingredients and food fare. Most days, at dinner hours, expect quite a line-up of eager, hungry patrons at the door. They do have some comfortable waiting seating for a few lucky folks. Now for a nice, warm and fuzzy human moment.... Once we were seated, I noticed a charming young family seated next to us. Handsome guy with a beautiful wife and three of the most adorable little girls this side of the Rio Grande. Sometimes you can feel 'goodness' and 'love' within a room, and I certainly felt this effect emanating from this family. I was moved to step over and tell them my feelings. They were very appreciative and receptive. They gave details on how fortunate they were, and that their littlest cutie was their 'Miracle Baby'. A great feeling and reaffirmation that this world still has a LOT of good, decent people in it! There were some nice goodbyes when they left, I felt as though I had known them for years! Much to our surprise, when we finished our meals, our server Joe appeared with a platter of some decadent looking mountain of light brown goodness topped with whipped cream! This was the 'Fried Ice Cream' - chunky monkey rolled in corn flakes, flash fried, topped with Mexican chocolate sauce and whipped cream. He announced that this loving family asked for and paid for us to be able to enjoy this treat! We were all very taken and moved. It was a crazily delicious and dangerous treat to our tastebuds! So very thankful to them, where and whom ever you are! Overall, our climb to the Red Mesa summit was a complete success! We did not get to plant our great nation's flag on the peak, however. They would have frowned at us digging into their nice clean flooring. Darn!
This was the second time I have dined at Red Mesa. I thought maybe the first time they just brought their "A" Game, as everything was perfect...(really, perfect!) So, this time I was expecting perfection, but prepared for disappointment.....NOT SO! Perfection, Again! The salsa served with the chips (a big factor at determining the quality of a Tex-Mex restaurant) is nothing short of fantastic... Four of us for dinner, four different meals, and everyone remarked how wonderful their choice was. It is possible to eat healthy here, and that's a big bonus. As I am from Texas, home of really good Tex-Mex food, I can tell you that Red Mesa is at or above the level of my favorite Mexican restaurant on earth - La Fogata, on Vance Jackson St. in San Antonio, TX. If, for some reason, you can't get in to Red Mesa, just jump a Southwest Airlines flight to San Antonio....that's about how far you will have to go to tie this place...
(5)
Charles M.
Awesome food! Great service! Love the sangria and they have the best chili relleno I've had outside of Texas!
(5)
Nicole D.
Delicious! Consistently delicious every time I go! Amazing flavor and complex blends. Yum yum!
(4)
Theresa H.
My friends have been telling me to try this place and finally went there tonight. I wish I listened to them when they first told me about it. We ordered guacamole with chips that were delicious, they also brought us their salsa that was perfect, not mild and not too spicy. Now let me get to the main dish, which I'm still thinking about. I ordered the Shrimp Al Mojo De Ajo, its aroma so mouth watering, I cant describe the flavors, they just exploded in your mouth!! Fresh shrimp, garlic, cilantro, tomatoes, veggies, rice, in this to die for sauce. Its one of the best dishes I have had in a long time. I wanted to lick the plate!!!! I cant wait to go back. It was busy, nice ambience, loved it!!!
(5)
Jasmine P.
My parents and I are from Texas, so for our first day in St. Petersburg, we were looking for something familiar. Red Mesa was a great surprise, and I'd call it more "flex-tex", Florida tex-mex! My dad and I will eat pretty much anything, but my mom is a little more picky (she'll stick to chicken, but only if its cut up small). The menu here was perfect for all of us. We all ordered off the "sunset menu" (4-5:30p, you get a sangria or beer, a select entree, and a delicious dessert for $15). The food came out reasonably fast, but we had plenty of chip/salsa to satisfy us. I got the shrimp salceado (pardon the spelling), and it was delicious!! Plenty of sauce and the shrimp was well cooked. My parents got the two chicken entrees (enchiladas and a chicken breast dish) and they were both delicious as well! Two things that I really loved: the rice (soft, flavorful) and the dessert (a Cinnamon and coconut cake with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, yum!). The service was pretty good, nothing notable but not terrible. I don't usually like going to the use place twice when I'm out of town, but I may make an exception for this place!
(5)
Katy D.
Nice looking restaurant. Staff was friendly. The food has a great presentation, but was just okay. Was a little disappointed in the guacamole- the cost is $9, and it's nothing special. The refried beans were very good. I ordered the shredded chicken Del Rey Burrito, and was not very impressed. The churros and caramel sauce were amazing.
(3)
Philip E.
Ok as well traveled as I have been,this is by far the best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at. We started off with warm tortilla chips with 2 homemade salsas. One was a traditional red chili based salsa and the other one was the fire breathing habanero one, both fantastic. Dinner was a sirloin steak special covered in a cilantro chili sauce with retried beans and yellow rice. 5 stars! My friend had the chimayo skirt steak in a chili cream sauce, omg amazing. Then dessert was a homemade churro over pumpkin mousse with chocolate ganache. Everything exceeded expectations, will come back as soon as this week.
(5)
Dovonna R.
Yum! The food here was fresh and tasty. Service was quick and friendly, clean and calm atmosphere. It's definitely not your typical Mexican restaurant, be prepared for a refined experience. The ceviche appetizer is the real deal with a nice spicy kick! I had the duck enchiladas which were amazing and my husband had the burrito special which was equally impressive. Delicious and very satisfying!
(5)
Danni L.
I come to Red Mesa for dinner a lot and I love their food! Took my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter here for lunch this time. It was their first time and I had raved about the food. Was a bit disappointed that all we could get was breakfast/brunch on Sunday from 9-2 and it was a limited menu. My food was great! I had the Shrimp Chilaquiles (minus the cheese and crema). My daughter's chicken Del Ray burrito was only luke warm and my son-in-law's beef Del Ray was very small for what he was expecting. The guacamole is not the greatest but their salsa is the bomb! Just spicy enough and very tasty! The desserts were very yummy. The Guava Empanada and the Churros (with caramel sauce) were just the perfect end to a not so perfect meal. I will stick to dinners at Red Mesa.
(3)
Vladimir P.
Although the food is definitely not authentic, it is very good. You get a lot for your money with good service to go along with it.
(4)
Shelley M.
Food was excellent! There were four of us, and we all ordered something different. I had a taste of each and every dish was delicious! Wait staff was attentive and kept our drinks filled. We will definitely be back!
(5)
SH K.
Came here on Cinco de Mayo with some friends... nice atmosphere.. you get the sense that it has its fair share of regulars, which indicates the quality of food / service. The fish dishes are good! Portions by no means huge, but the taste is excellent!
(4)
GEWELL L.
SERVICE: 7.25/10 FOOD: 8.25/10 AMBIANCE: 7/10 The only Mexican joint I love in St. Pete. Great date place. Jason and I would come here when we can.
Super disappointed. We were the only party eating - I was surprised by how long it took for our waitress to check in on us after bringing our food because I was waiting ask them reheat my cheese enchiladas as they came out totally cold and unmelted in the middle. Did not seem like a "nicer" restaurant and overall I say two thumbs down. This is only my second yelp review of all time but I was so bummed about this place it warranted a review.
(1)
Kevin B.
Got to be one of the best places in downtown St Petersburg to hang out and have dinner and drinks with friends. Modern space, great local spot and good Mexican food. Not ideal for kids though. A great outside patio area that I'm sure is crowded in the evenings. Good change of pace from the chain restaurants.
(4)
Carly W.
Fantastic Mexican food, excellent Sangria. Helpful staff with a good sense of humor. Not cheap, but worth it.
(5)
Susan P.
On a trip to Tampa to visit friends, they took me to this great place for an awesome meal. We had reservations, which was a good thing, since it was Friday night and the place was packed. Free valet was a plus! The menu offers many choices for appetizers so we started with the Tacos Dorados. Let me tell you, the only downfall, there were only 2 on the plate! I could have ordered about 4 orders of these and ate them as my meal. Slightly crunchy on the outside and packed with tasty cheese and potato. Along with this amazing appetizer came complimentary chips and salsa, which did not disappoint. Since it was the restaurant's 18th anniversary they had a special sangria, so we ordered a pitcher. It was bursting with large pieces of fruit and quite tasty. For my meal I chose the Chipotle Shrimp. It was slightly spicy and totally amazing. It was just the right portion size to fill me up. My one friend ordered the Enchilada Trio and she said the best one on the plate was the Shrimp and Crab. My other friend ordered the Sonoran, which was sirloin steak along with 2 stuffed shrimp. He said the steak could have used a little more flavor but overall was good. Our server was attentive and let us know about their specials. Overall, this place is worth a try if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)
Ginny K.
Came at the recommendation of a friend and was glad I did. Fast and friendly service and delicious entrees. Can't wait to come back to try dinner and Sunday brunch.
(5)
Bob B.
Everything is very clean and fresh tasting. The mexican food here is definitely upscale, but oh so good. Good atmosphere as well. The prices are decent for the type of place it is. The seafood items are of course your higher end of the menu. The chips and salsa are quite tasty also, though I'm a fiend for most chips and salsa.
(4)
Walt T.
Great lunch items. Mahi tacos are good but wish you got three of them instead of two. The chipotle shrimp burrito is the best!
(4)
Rob B.
Tasty Mexican inspired food that'll fill you up good. Had the short rib torta which was packed with flavorful moist and tender meat. Nice atmosphere and the menu looks like it could keep you happy over several visits.
(4)
Karen C.
Overall pretty good but the rice tasted like rice pilaf from a box and seemed over cooked. Service was quick and friendly.
(3)
Amy Z.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this before! Everything I have ever had here is delicious! Order anything thee and you won't be disappointed. Trust me - I'm chubby and discriminating :)
(5)
Michele D.
Yummy! This place was pretty darn tasty! I hate going to a Mexican restaurant where they slam pounds of cheese all over everything your unable to find the friggin enchilada. This place doesn't do that at all .. It's good, clean , Mexican. I never seen any Mexican restaurant in the bay area with so many fresh fish dishes! Yep! This place is a definite repeat
(5)
John W.
Excellent restaurant ! Went here for lunch on a Saturday and got here at noon. Ten minutes later every seat in the restaurant was completely filled. Not hard to see why. I had the seafood burrito which was stuffed with the local catch of grouper, crab and assorted other delicacies topped with a homemade chipotle sauce served with black rice and pico. DELISH. Prices are very reasonable as are the portions. Service was quick and efficient albeit a bit gruff. But you can overlook that with the high quality of the meals that they serve here. Looked like everyone in the restaurant was thoroughly enjoying their meals here. This is not your typical Mexican food. More like a gourmet Mex with a great price ! I highly recommend this place, but come early or get reservations as they fill up fast.
(4)
Daniel K.
Not sure what happened to my last review, posted months ago, but hey lets do it again. This place is a five because the food is awesome! Go for breakfast or lunch. Wonderful menu, good service, tight quarters, but nicely decorated inside. It's ALWAYS packed, for anyone who gave this place less than a 4, try it again! You missed something or maybe your dead and just think your eating there. That's my sixth sense kicking in I guess.
(5)
Erica J.
Red Mesa used to be one of my favorite restaurants; the food is amazing. My problem is with the way the restaurant handles mistakes they make in the kitchen. If you ask for the kitchen to leave something off of your food, and they put it on by mistake, they just wipe it off and send it back without regard for food allergies. I'm really disgusted and I will NEVER return.
(2)
Abc 1.
Went here for dinner on a Thursday night and had never been before. Service was friendly from the start, no wait and even the valet guy was super nice outside. We ordered the grouper ceviche, the snapper, some plantains and some guac for dinner and loved all of it! Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and never made us feel rushed once. We also split a pitcher of Sangria and had some churros for desser (a MUST) and everything was great. The ceviche was some of the best I've had and I've had that app served to me in several countries and other states. Salsa and chips were also great. Will definitely return for more delicious mexican food!
(5)
Mica F.
I'm still learning my way around the SW Tampa Bay area and I love when I find little pockets of neat stuff. Going south on 4th St N and with the use of my trusty Yelp app, I found this lovely contemporary Mexican restaurant! We came in for an early weekday dinner in between kids activities. The staff was super nice to my kids, always a plus in my book and they were very accommodating about the fact that my husband was still about 10 minutes out and we had to get out of there in about 50. Mission accomplished! I wouldn't say this was a Mexican restaurant but rather a contemporary Mexican flare. It was unexpected and totally enjoyed. There were so many menu items that caught my eye, I didn't know which to pick which will warrant a trip back from me. My husband was easy, he had me order him the Jalapenos Rellenos while en route. My son ordered the Filet Al Chipotle which he loved and took half of it home. I had the Snapper Vera Cruz which was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. As a whole, our family loves Mexican. My 6yo wants to go on vacation to Mexico because the food is yummy. It's my hope that when we do take her after eating at places like Red Mesa, that she's not disappointed with Mexico!
(5)
Ashish K.
Caters to all the tastes(Spicy, mildly Spicy to Non Spicy). Different lunch and Dinner menus. I tried the Del Rey Chicken Burrito which was very juicy with very fine and flavorful sauces used. I found the rice and Black Beans here to be better than rest of the mexican places I have been to. Must try.
(4)
Alex A.
I don't get to eat Mexican very often and when I do I'm usually let down. After eating here, all I can say is WOW! The food was amazing. I had some sort of combo and it was a definite 5 stars. The restaurant it self is a 3. The booth and tables are a little old and it's not exactly spotless inside. Also extremely limited drink menu, they definitely need to get a liquor license. Again, 5 STAR FOOD!
(5)
Alice T.
What can I say? Group of six all had the best meal we can remember. Grouper was amazing!
(5)
Vanessa Z.
You need a CLEARWATER location...asaps!
(5)
Connie M.
Red Mesa is an excellent choice and is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete. I have fallen into a rut and have begun ordering the Pork Verde with extra veggies instead of getting rice and beans. The vegetable is usually broccoli with red peppers and carrots, and I think a little bit of garlic and seasoning thrown in. The pork is spicy and delicious with just the right amount of heat. They are always willing to accommodate my requests with a smile. I still have to nosh on their home made chips and have a glass of Sangria. (I said I'm in a rut here). The food is always fresh and consistent with very quick service. It's definitely worth the wait outside for a table.
(5)
Kathy C.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and we eat here several times a month. We have tried most of the entrees on the lunch menu and are never disappointed. The food is fresh and flavorful and the prices are extremely reasonable. If you like spicy food, you can get entrees with some heat to them. I really like duck so enjoy the duck enchiladas and duck salad. The seafood enchiladas, grilled salmon, and chipotle shrimp (entree, not the burrito) are more of my favorites. My husband really likes the drunken sandwich. The hamburger is also REALLY good and not typically what you might order off the menu. Both white and red sangria is REALLY good here - it tastes like the infuse spices into the wine, which makes it so delicious. We rarely leave enough room for desert, however have tried the plantains foster, which was a wonderful spin on the classic version. Red Mesa has the best trained wait staff of anywhere we've eaten in the Tampa Bay area. Honestly, they provide the best service and we measure all other restaurants by them.
(5)
Amanda L.
Completely above-par compared to the majority of tex-mex restaurants out there. The amount of refinement and sophistication the dishes have, while being in an upscale casual environment, is impressive. This is not your standard, heavy tex-mex fare. The seafood here is out of this world. A little on the pricey side, but there will be no regrets. Highly highly recommend. Obsessed with the southwest grilled grouper - such a unique and delicious dish. A must have for those that can handle spice!
(5)
Amanda R.
This place is great! The courtyard is so charming with its string lights and fountain, and a very relaxing environment for drinks after a long day (especially on Mondays when their house margaritas are half off). The empanadas are excellent though small portions... not much of a problem when watching weight, though they are not filling enough for a meal. My friend and I like to split the Empanada then split a chorizo burger, which is the most delicious burger I have ever had. Yum!
(5)
Mperke M.
Red mesa is my favorite restaurant. I have been going for at least 12 years. I have never had a bad meal. Everything is homemade. The shrimp fundido is my favorite appetizer and the cedar salmon is awesome. If you are wanting something lite I would suggest the red mesa salad. The service is excellent. It is always busy so make reservations or order to go as I do at least once a week.
(5)
Jennifer F.
Went here as a large group (9) on a Sunday late afternoon. Service was excellent and the prices were okay. Beer and wine only. Apps were the mushroom fondue and calamari. Calamari was well cooked and the curry sauce was amazing and hot!! The fondue was okay, shrooms were great on it though. Everyone got something different and no complaints. Portions are good size and wine by the bottle prices were not crazy. Desert was good and big. Oh and the chips were fresh and the salsa medium hot. Nice build on the burn over time. Lots of fish and vegetarian options as well. When we left they were in full dinner slam and the noise level was not bad.
(4)
Michael G.
How have I not reviewed this place yet?! I have been throughly enjoying Red Mesa for years, and years, and years. It is one of the go-to restaurants in St. Petersburg, especially for people who are visiting and only have a limited time to see what St. Petersburg has to offer. I don't need to say much because this place has more than enough good reviews but what I will say is the corn chips and salsa are very good, the chips are very thin and salty. The guacamole is usually good but the most recent time I had it, it was extremely spicy which I did not like, but give it a try. The quesadillas are also very good - but you can't go wrong with anything here. And lastly, let's not forget about the grand finale: the dessert! The chocolate spoon cake is some of the best chocolate cake I have ever had. It's light and smooth but very chocolatey so it also comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance out the flavor. Over all, Red Mesa is a must in St. Petersburg!
(5)
Jeff M.
This place is awesome. It was my dad and aunt and myself. We waited for fifteen minutes even though it was a thirty minute wait. But we sat down and out server was awesome he was so cool, answered all of our questions, he was fun and energetic. Now to the food, you'll need an empty stomach. The chips are to die for and the salsa was mild but had a hint of spice but not to hot that you can't handle it. We polished those off. I ordered the pollo Yucatan. I HIGHLY recommend that. It is really hot so if you have a craving for spicy this is right up your alley.
(5)
Andy D.
Good stuff. I haven't had anything bad here. I haven't had anything amazing either though.
(3)
Katie M.
I've been so many times and the food is always so good, sangria is good and servers are friendly. It can get loud inside so outside is much nicer but I recommend it to everyone.
(4)
Rachel T.
I went here with my parent-in-laws and husband. They were long time area residents and big fans. I recognize that in the area this is a pretty unique place. It has complex dishes and a nicer atmosphere. However, they also love Apple B's and Bone Fish and Cheese Cake factory. This is as such... a large restaurant with crowded seating. I found the atmosphere to be busy and distracting, not very comfortable seating, and like eating in a chain restaurant though this isn't a chain. It's good food but I'd rather not feel like I'm sitting at IHop. I say "I'm a fan" because my family is and they live there and have more relative opinion than I do as a visiting New Englander.
(4)
Shay H.
I'm a little surprised by some of the negative reviews and many people are comparing this to Tex-Mex they found in Texas. I'm sure if you don't try to make it something it's not and just enjoy it for what it is you will be pleasantly surprised. I would not really call it Tex-Mex, I would say they have some mexican dishes and some dishes that just have a mexican twist. I had roast duck enchiladas and they were very good! My husband's grouper was good as well. For an appetizer we had Mahi ceviche which was very good, but the portion was a little small. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised and compared to any other Mexican food I've found in Florida this place is very good. The menu is also very inventive and I'm looking forward to going back and trying another unique dish. As others have mentioned the food is better than you would expect from the decor. And the sangria is just okay.
(4)
Berit M.
Went to Red Mesa the other night with a friend because we were really feeling some mexican food AND margaritas. The food was phenomenal and I highly recommend trying the enchilada trio and the carne asada. I had to give it a 3 because they didn't have real margaritas (#fail) so we ended up getting sangria instead which was just so-so. I'm going to try Red Mesa Cantina because our server assured us they have more choices as far as margaritas and drinks at that one, however, I will probably still be back here. They did not disappoint on the food.
(3)
Steven K.
My wife had the carna asada and it was cooked perfect. The flavor was wonderful. I has the shrimp and crab chimi. So bad!!! With the hard corn shell, the sauce, and cheese I could not taste any of the seafood in it. Even though hers was good we will not return there.
(3)
Kelly R.
My only issue with this place is that every time we have a date night we want to go here. The food is melt in your mouth delicious. On our last visit I had the chimichangas and they were to die for. The margaritas here are excellent. The atmosphere is lively and just the right bit of loud, service is excellent and you can tell people enjoy working there. They have an excellent outdoor space with a bar, covered seating and live entertainment. Notes: you'll need to find street parking or pay to park in a garage, outdoor/indoor bar, live entertainment, Saturday nights are very busy and they don't take reservations.
(5)
Nat W.
I was told my friend that this place is very good and I saw all the hypes on Yelp. I finally decided to go. They have "free" valet parking. Luckily when we got there, we found a parking spot right near the entrance so we did not have to have a valet and saved on the tip. Inside was kinda crowded and I felt a little too close to the next tables. Our server was great!! His name was I think Mike. He was so nice , polite and attentive. We got the special "BBQ pork tacos" for an appetizer. They were really really delicious. It was a bit pricey for the amount you get tho (it was $10 for small 2 pieces). For entrees, we ordered shrimp and crab enchilada, and seafood with rice (pretty much like paella). The enchilada was just okay. The paella was good! Overall, it is a place with good food and great service! 4-star :)
(4)
Scott W.
Wonderful! Worth the wait. Service was fast and attentive. I had the ceviche special and the tamale plate. Very, very fresh ceviche with a nice citrus flavor. The tamales were very moist and filling. Great dinner!
(4)
Lou M.
This place has good food, but is pretty expensive. The 4th street location now has mofungo, which is probably my favorite thing on the menu. The calamari is really good and comes with chipotle and habanero dips which make the dish. Their Sunday brunch is a good food experience, but again, kinda pricey.
(3)
William M.
We had a wonderful time today at the Red Mesa! The food was wonderful, my family from out of town loved it...I've been talking about this place for a while and when they came in town there was nowhere else to go. The sangria and Chipotle shrimp hit the spot. Not to be left out was the service we recieved from big Joe. He made my mother laugh and she thought he was so cute...I hope Joe sees this (she's 84 years old)...I will continue to tell everyone about this place! Great experience and atmosphere. Thank you
(5)
Jason P.
Not impressed, I ordered the Gorgonzola stuffed fillet, and literally gagged down a couple bites of the meat. I've never had a filet mignon that tasted so bad before. The Gorgonzola was good, as was the Chile relleno, but for a $45 plate of food I was very underwhelmed.
(2)
James B.
Great food a lil more on the expensive side but totally worth it. Definitely worth going back
(5)
Manuel M.
This is an excellent restaurant, possibly the best in Tampa Bay. Caribbean/Pan Latin food. Menu seems like a sample and fusion of all the best food in Latin America. Quality of ingredients and execution are excellent. Great value, good service. Casual and fun vibe.
(5)
Zachary W.
Best Hangover brunch. There is a mimosa special Saturday and Sunday. Food was great. Service was excellent. Out door dining area with water features in it very nice atmosphere
(5)
Dessie M.
Service good. Busy at 230 in the afternoon. Great drink deals. Will be back. The Sangria special was yummy. All and all with tip $70.00 for 4 meals 2 large sangrias tea and soda. Service with a smile
(4)
Crystal D.
We went here after seeing that the Cantina has such high ratings among fellow downtowners, but one afternoon we happened to be closer to the Restaurant so we went there instead. We have since been to both, and while the Cantina has the lively atmosphere, the Restaurant in my opinion has the better food!! I got a sirloin combination with seriously the best cheese enchilada and red sauce that I have ever, ever had the pleasure of tasting. Next time I go back, I'm seeing if I can get just enchiladas! The Cantina menu definitely seems to lean more toward a further south american rather than "mexican", which is fine. But there was lots of duck and chorizo and fish and fancy options, which is great and all, but sometimes a girl just wants some good ole carne asada. The restaurant does also have the fancier options as well, but the whole menu is bigger so there's enough to satisfy the hoity toity crowds, as well as those of us who are craving just the basic more standard mexican fare. Though it is anything but standard! From the not from a mix margaritas, to the yummy salsa, to the perfectly cooked meats, I was absolutely in taste bud heaven. Simple but high quality and expertly executed with really tasty side dishes that sometimes competed with the main course in tastiness. We will definitely be coming back here again and again!!
(5)
Tiffany D.
Wonderful upscale Mexican dining! They serve a variety of dishes (their menu is different than the Cantina downtown), the ones that I've had were delicious! The atmosphere is inviting and the service is excellent.
(5)
Charlie K.
Update: gave this place another shot and was dissappointed once again. It took them 15 minutes to set an already clean table in a nearly empty restaurant and only managed to place out menus (no napkin or silverware). It seemed like they wanted to get rid of us the whole time we were there. At least the food was really good this time. I'm not going to fight it if someone invites me here, but I'll continue skip this one and go to the Red Mesa Canteen location in downtown St. Pete. Slightly different menu (it's still all really good though) better service.
(3)
Ed D.
We've been coming here since it opened more than ten years ago. It has been consistently great over that time. On our last visit, the ceviche was outstanding, the sangria wonderful and, while the menu items had changed a little since our last visit, were still delish. As always, there was a little wait for a table.
(4)
Jenny C.
This place has the most amazing gourmet Mexican food!!. Some of the best Mexican I've ever had. The presentation of the food was really beautiful. The dishes were full of color as Mexican food usually is. The music they played was a soft Spanish salsa. Very elegant, very first class cuisine. I love Mexican the only turn off was the price..........I mean there's a cap on how much you can charge for beans and rice..........I had an amazing dish.............3 cheese enchiladas!! It was my 21st birthday so it was kind of a big deal!! I was ordering Cosmos like it was my job.............Well the meal was amazing. So were the Cosmos............The ambiance in this spot is great too. The waitress was really great. Over-all it was a great experience. PS : Mexican and Cosmos do NOT go together this horrible combination will make u sick do not try this at home!!
(4)
David G.
This place is FANTASTIC! Never had a bad meal here and its one of the best restaurants in Pinellas County. We go here a lot and this is a must try if you have never been. The service is excellent as well but it can get very busy... Enjoy
(5)
Victor M.
Very nice and tasty Mexican food. Had the skirt stake and it was very good. It also had a lil kick to it which was nice.
(4)
Henry C.
DO NOT confuse Red Mesa Cantina with Red Mesa Restaurant. My bad. We went for brunch expecting exciting modern Mexican fare and were disappointed with boring Cracker Barrel type entrees. I'll sleep in next time.
(2)
Jeff O.
Yeeeeeeeeah! This charming restaurant has the feel of an "Indie Denny's" but it serves up some 3-4 star quality food in the Mexican tradition. A strange concept, but it works out nicely. I went yesterday for brunch and found the place to be quite cozy. Soft Southwest colors and a "Goldielock's" layout--not too big or too small. The menu features a bunch of tex-mex offerings, which sound delicious and seem to ALL have wonderful presentations when they come out. (I kept eyeing other people's dishes as they came out of the kitchen!) I ordered the special of the day; I'm unsure of the creative name, but it was scrambled eggs with a creamy cheese/hollandaise-y sauce that was yummy as hell. The potato wedges that fanned out across the plate were also just what da doctor ordered. My friends chose Huevos Rancheros and something called Divorcivas (sp?)--2 eggs "split" by opposing chili sauces. I thought everything looked amazing and tasted killer. One drawback was our particular server. She was nonexistent and clueless on refilling my coke. The next time we go back we'll have to try the entrees, and sit in Lindsey's section. She's the cute blonde girl who DJ's in the area under an alias.
(4)
Peter F.
Not your usual Mexican fare, semi nouvo. Very good. No liquor license, that's a shame. This restaraunt is making it on its great food alone.
(4)
Sandy H.
Went there for lunch today, and worried when we arrived that we'd have to wait, the lot was that full. We were seated right away, though, and our server promptly offered us drinks. We both ordered iced tea and, I have to say, it was fresh, cold, and actually tasted like tea...wonderful! That is unusual since many places serve watery or instant iced tea. My husband ordered the chicken quesadilla and loved it. He commented about its very nice ("unusual," to him) presentation. I had the cheese chili relleno and liked it very much, too. The red salsa was lightly and very pleasantly spicy -- not overwhelming. This dish was also well presented. The highlights of our visit were the freshness of the food, the iced tea, and the fact that the wait staff had smiles on their faces even when they were not waiting on customers!!! I will definitely return because there were many other tempting dishes that I would like to try.
(5)
S C.
Red Mesa is an very good Mexican restaurant -- and I would definitely recommend going there even if it's out of the way, as we did. The menu is a mix of typical tex-mex items and some authentic and creative Mexican offerings. They had a spicy grouper special which really stood out. We had a large group and everyone was satisfied. I did try a sip of the sangria which was ok. They make their margeritas using agave wine, not tequila - and I found the drink palatable, though on the sweet syrupy side. The service was good and friendly. One weird thing for a not-low-budget restaurant is their being sticklers about rationing 1 tray of chips and salsa per table with one free refill. That certainly seems out of place in an otherwise moderate-spendy type place.
(4)
Rob H.
Fairly clean flavors and a solid but not trendsetting menu. The service was nice enough, and the place was very clean looking in the customer accessible areas. However, the food was decent, but not groundbreaking. Food seasoning was catering either to 'too spicy, heat without flavor' on the rare dish, or just bland with not a lot of depth on the other dishes. I rate this squarely above Chili's, which is not a huge compliment.
(2)
Borg M.
I don't think this can be called Tex-Mex. I believe it is in a category called Nueva Latina. I love the food. The salsa is extra special. It's not surprising the this restaurant has been around for 10 or 12 years.
(5)
Machelle P.
This is my favorite restaurant. Try the shrimp fundido, red mesa salad and the cedar roasted salmon.
(5)
Ryan B.
Best Mexican inspired food I've had. We visited based on the Yelp reviews, and you guys came through for me again. We started w/ the chips and salsa, and agreed that it had a fantastic and unique flavor. My brother got the chile relleno and loved it. They serve a cheese or meat version and he got the meat. I can't remember what kind it was, but I do remember that the flavor was very good. Not an incredible dish, but very solid and I'd be happy to have ordered it. I got the Roast Pork Verde and it was outstanding. The pork was cooked almost perfectly, but a tiny bit on the dry side. The chile verde sauce was outstanding. I seriously think I could eat this dish every day. Both dishes were served with a side of beans and rice that were excellent. Cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Very tasty, and I don't normally like rice dishes much. My bro also got both red and white sangria and raved about them. He preferred the red but liked both. I didn't try them. The service was excellent. The server saw that one of our party was having trouble getting into a booth due to a health issue, and quickly offered to move us to a table without being asked. Nice job. He never interrupted our conversation with dumb questions like "do you want a refill". Overall, we never noticed him, which always indicates a good server in my book. The decor was good for a Mexican place, however, the bar is admittedly pretty low. Subdued and lacking the ridiculous bold colors and sombrero hats. Refreshing. Overall an excellent experience. I will make it a point to visit again when I'm back in St. Pete.
(4)
Dana V.
The best Mexican food I've ever had. Simply awesome!! Get there early the place fills up quickly
(5)
Tony O.
This was my first time to Tampa/St. Pete. and I wound up with a couple of free days before flying out. Checked Yelp for some good Tex-Mex and Red Mesa was at the top of the list. Looked at the menu and the stuff shrimp sounded great. When I arrived there were three daily specials that sounded great too, but I stuck with my plan. The stuffed shrimp were great. The broccoli in the "fresh" vegetable side was a little on the weak side, but not enough to take a star away. I would have preferred a small bowl of black beans instead of the veggies. I will put Red Mesa at the top of my return list anytime I'm in the area in the future.
(5)
Susan H.
I like what another reviewer says in describing this restaurant: it is to Mexican food what Olive Garden is to Italian food. It's a nice sized establishment with very friendly (in my experience) wait staff. Their margaritas and sangria are not the best I've had, but their guava empanada and cheesecake desserts are to die for. The food selections are standard for what an American would expect of a Mexican restaurant. Their standard chips and salsa are also not the best I've ever had (see my review for Estela's restaurant). Overall, it's an alright place to go for lunch or dinner. I give it four stars because of the wait staff and the desserts.
(4)
Jillian K.
The fried oyster appetizer and red sangria were both amazing!
Pretty good, though not as good as some claim. Not sure how I would classify Red Mesa. It's 'based' on Mexican food, like Tex-Mex, but maybe somewhat more upscale version, I suppose. Get there before noon or after 1pm to avoid the long wait. It's become so popular that they now even have valet parking. I personally like their Fish burritos and their Combination dishes (pork in green sauce). The prices are maybe 10-15% more than what I would normally pay, but there aren't many restaurants like it in St. Pete. The food here tastes pretty good and the portions are excellent. Their service could be better. I'd give it 2.5-3 stars. I should mention that one time, i was served a glass of water with a large crack on the glass. Not sure if that's a reflection of their quality control or if it was a fluke.
(4)
M S.
Love this restaurant. The flavors are so wonderful in everything I've ordered. The only thing is the wait time and the crowds during the busy nights. But sitting outside with a glass of wine is not so bad. Highly recommended restaurant!
(5)
Patti Z.
Love this place. Food has so much flavor.
(5)
Joe C.
This place is great. I went with a large group, and was able to try about 8 different things. We had some ceviche and some tuna as an appetizer. I usually go on about the different dishes, but honestly, it was all just really good. It's pricier than a traditional [seedy] mexican restaurant, it's a classy joint though. Place was an absolute madhouse and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, so I think I'm gonna stick to Tuesday night dinners here.
(4)
april h.
Been three times. Don't get the hype at ALL. I'll take the baby sister - Red Mesa Cantina though. Much more consistent.
(2)
John H.
was skeptical for sure. have not seen a good mexican restaurant in st pete area. wow was i impressed. chips came to the table. so so. they really could have used some salt. the salsa was good and smokey. wasn't too hungry so i went with a cup of frijoles charro and the asada taco appetizer w a side of fresh jalapenos (of course). the frijoles were HANDS DOWN thee best i have ever had. bacon chorizo, cilantro, onion. Thick, the beans cooked just right. I could have eaten a whole pot of them i am sure. While i was trying to finish my cup o' beans, our dinners came out. sizzling steak, chorizo, onion, cilantro, lime, seasoned well, cooked very well. the juices dripped down my wrist as i brought the corn tortilla wrapped goodness to my mouth. My new favorite mexican/tex-mex/fusion (i guess) restaurant in the st. pete/clrwtr airpor area. Captain Bob got a salad and it looked fresh and he said it was good, it seemed to me like a landslide of very good looking blue cheese tumbling down a greens mountain. the rest of the entrees seemed kind of expensive but i bet they are good.....breakfast on sunday? i wish we were here to try it. maybe next time...
(4)
Kevin L.
Ate lunch here today: ceviche sampler great...highly recommend the octopus. Very tender, which I didn't expect. El Gordo burrito huge and very tasty. Others had taquetos and raved as well as thumbs up on ahi tuna taco. Will make a regular stop when in st. Pete. Service was spot on and enthusiastic.
(4)
Georges L.
*Awesome, try the three burrito combo.
(4)
Wanda B.
Really love this place but it is pricey for Mexican/Southwestern food. Yes, it is upscale and the food never disappoints. But we save it for special times.
(5)
S G.
Pretty standard mexican fare. The place has free valet parking if needed. The special deal is if you order before 6 pm you can get a cocktail, entree and dessert (special) for $14. Not a bad deal for the food. I had the cheese enchiladas and my husband had the chicken enchiladas. Portion sizes reasonable and not too huge.
(3)
Kara W.
One of the best restaurants in the state of Florida. Amazing sangria, salsa and fantastic flavorful entrees. Try the Shrimp Chipolte, my favorite (very spicy). You may have to wait on the weekends, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)
Noel G.
Atmosphere is nice. Food is kind of upscale Tex-Mex. The food was just OK. It could use more spice and identify better with either Sonoran or Tex-Mex. It was kind of generic.
(2)
Little G.
If you travel for a living like I do and love to dine in new places during lunch and spend your $$$$ enjoying yourself, then this IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO ..........Because I was by myself, I was NOT allowed to sit at a booth. Are you serious ????? They want more people than 1 to sit in a booth because more people usually spend more $$$$$. Well , I eat by myself and spend as much as 2 or 3 people because I will usually order alcohol instead of soda or water with lemon. I explained this to them. I also explained to them that I would be buying additional food to go. When I sit at a booth at a restaurant, it is my time to relax during lunch and during my extremely busy working days. I will not be returning here because of the customer service NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS. If you have ever visited this place in a group, try to visit alone to see how you are treated. I guess that I will have to spend my hard earned dollars somewhere else. Oh well, they are the ones to lose $$$$$$ because I eat out often and frequent this area often ( and know lots of people ) and spend lots of $$$$$ on lunch. Thank you !
(1)
Matthew M.
don't even bother looking at the menu......... just get the filet mignon burrito. thank me later
(5)
dave h.
I was looking for good place to eat in St. Petersburg while I was traveling to Tampa on Spring break with the fam and this place came up as good with all you local Yelpers. And thank you for the tip. Great mexican flavor and they are not afriad to spice it up, which is a good thing. We went with a large group of 8 or so and 2 kids, they did a good job or getting us seated (once our whole party was there). The server did an excellent job of taking care of all of us and was able to split the bill. The food was great, my carne asada was excellent, while my wife chicken dish had a great chipotle cream sauce on it that was well done. Overall, thanks to the local yelpers for this recommendation, we were very pleased with the entire establishment. We were also impressed at how inexpensive it was; we were planning on paying a lot because it seemed like a up scale place, but the prices were very reasonable; $12-20/entree. Only criticism is they only had 2 beers on tap, Dos XX Amber and Lager, i was hoping for a little more but when you are a Mexican restaurant, Dos XX is the good beer to turn too.
(5)
erica p.
The sangria was awesome, our food was delicious and not at all heavy like most places serving burritos, rice and beans. There was much more nuance to the flavors here than in many tex-mex styled restaurants, and I'm glad we put it on our list to try while on vacation. While you don't really come here for the atmosphere (it feels like any big-ish restaurant), the food is well worth the trip.
(4)
C B.
This place has amazing Mexican / Euro / French infused flavors! I love it, its always packed, so get a reservation! The salsa is so fresh, I usually buy extra to take home, so delicious! Great place guys!
(5)
Gabriela D.
Super delicious authentic Mexican and super filling.
(4)
jimi b.
Best description by someone else: "Best gourmet mexican food" Awesome chips and salsa. Maybe the best I've ever had. Yes. I said it. Best I've ever had. Santa Fe Chicken. YUMMY. I forget the description, but it came with spinach and pilaf, and it was maybe, the BEST CHICKEN I've ever had. Yes, I said it. Best I've ever had. Also, the spinach was amazing. I don't know how they made it taste so good. I don't remember clearly, but I think it said "tequila braised" GF had some spicy shrimp of sorts. It was pretty awesome as well. Price ranges from 12-15 for chicken dishes. 13-23 for seafood. They had many other items with steak meat/filet mignon/etc. Great atmosphere. Crowded but roomy enough, waiters are attentive and professional. It's one to revisit. Free Valet.
(5)
Michael Z.
Spot on reviews. Went for brunch and the meals were creative with terrific flavor. I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)
Renee W.
This place wasn't at all what I was expecting. I've been to the downtown cantina before, guess I expected more of that. Pros: free valet...that's about it. Cons: the food was mediocre, but really pricey. I got the duck enchiladas which were perfectly average, nothing special. My guy got the puntas de filet mignon. Very spicy and severely lacking in flavor. He loves everything spicy, but with nothing but spice, what's the point? My main problem was the service. I cannot stand when I feel like I'm not being paid attention to because of how young I am or the amount in our party (servers are notoriously bad at checking on a 2 top). The crowd here was mostly 40's-50's..I'm 25. Our waitress never checked on us, left us without drinks, and generally didn't seem to care. But she seemed to love the 6 top next to us.
(2)
Matt B.
I just have to say that I really enjoy the atmosphere here and the food is better then good. This was my second time here and I selected the enchilada trio, and it was very good. Pair that with the white sangria and its almost perfect. On a side note the chips and salsa are pretty damn good too.
(4)
Peter L.
Some friends had us join them for dinner here this past week. I am certainly glad that they did! It's not your gardener's Mexican. It is quite good in it's own right! On this night we ordered the Cedar Roasted Salmon ($18), Roast Pork Verde ($14), Chihuahua Combinado ($13), and Sonoran Combinado ($17). The plates were cleaned, and everyone left smiling. The homemade Sangria was a hit as well. The feel of the restaurant is upscale. The service was attentive. You might not find Pedro and Hector in the dining room, or a Speedy Gonzalez Combination Plate on the menu, but you will find a tasty dining experience.
(4)
Rose S.
Very spicy chipotle shrimp! Spanishcuisine at its finest!! Sangria is also top notch!
(5)
Kerry S.
went here for dinner last night with a friend when asking for a GREAT Mexican style restaurant......It was very chilly last night so we waited the 15 minutes for an inside table while having a hand crafted Margarita at the outside bar...The drink tasted fantastic but was about the size of an 'eye wash' cup and at 11 dollars was way out of line...but I let this slide due to the taste......but it would have cost me 50 bucks to get the slightest buzz. We ordered the chips and dips.... the dips FANTASTIC...the chips....meh...I have had better {even at Chili's}......yet they were very very filling even shared. I ordered the chicken taquitos and a Fish taco....The fish taco at 4.50 was small...tiny....actually really microscopic and so covered in the red sauce that is could have been a Gorton's fish stick...but the Taquitos were magnificent the BEST thing ever....my friend had the vegan fajita and said it was good until he had one of the taquitos and agreed that they were perfection and for 8 dollars a STEAL by comparison to the fish taco and the cocktail....the service was attentive and aware....anticipated any thing we needed and was on it in a second.......Taquitos and service 5 star.....taco and margaritas 2...thus the 4........Can't wait to come for happy hour margaritas and mas taquitos.....
(4)
Rebecca B.
Delicious! I love chili rellenos and have not found any really great ones since moving to FL until now. The food was perfect and so was the service! Thanks Red Mesa!
(5)
Geno K.
Best lunch I've had in St. Pete since moving here a couple months ago. I had the filet mignon burrito. I thought the description was a little rude: "Medium rare tips of filet mignon, jack cheese, poblano chile, red pepper, diced tomatoes and onion. As is, no exceptions." I'd never seen something like that on a menu. But they do it for a reason... it was INCREDIBLE. It tasted nothing like what I thought I was ordering, but in a very good way. When I think steak burrito, I think beef with some "other stuff." The other stuff makes this thing rock. Great staff. It was packed when I went around 12:30. Understandable. I'll be going back often.
(5)
Danesh I.
My wife and I recently went to Red Mesa during a brief stop in St. Pete. Though it looks unassuming from the exterior, and the interior is nothing to write about, the food here is amazing. We tried the fried calamari as an appetizer, and I can't rave enough about the sauces which accompanied the perfectly fried calamari; both the chipotle and curry dipping sauces were divine. My wife got some fried shrimp as her entree and I decided to go with a combination platter with a taco, enchilada, and empanada. Both our meals were PERFECT. The empanada crust could make anything taste good, it was simply delicious! This restaurant is a must when stopping in St. Pete!
(4)
Marty C.
Parking lot that was so small that we were forced to use the valet. There at 7:00 and only had a 10 min. wait. No reservations for groups of less than 5. The faux $8 margaritas are a bit disturbing in a restaurant at this price point. For appetizers, we had the fried oysters chipolte, crab cakes and the wild mushroom quesadilla. The oysters were large but the batter was way too thick and the flavor of the oysters was lost. The crab cakes were way over fried, more like a hard croquette. The quesadilla was fine but soggy on the underside due to the dipping sauce being sloshed over the plate. Two of us had the crab and shrimp stuffed snapper. The fish was over cooked and smothered in sauce. They should cut back on the sauce by at least 2/3s. Our third diner had the chihuahua combination which was good. Bottom line is the food would have been better with less sauce and they need to get a full liquor license!
(3)
Robin O.
As first timers we don't what all the 5 star fuss is about. Glib waitress never there at right time. Four of us, a lot of semi flavorless and over cooked food. Tortilla soup bland and had tons of tortilla strips inside all completely soggy, inedible mush. Cheese enchilada was fair. Filet mignon dry and chewy. Shrimp "tacos" are grilled shrimp on 2 small open face, soft, store bought tortillas w/ thousand island dressing. Pedestrian at best, will not be back.
(3)
Anthony T.
Fantastic, been here three Tomas and they never disappoint. Always fresh great food. Quick service, reasonable prices.
(5)
Kevin B.
Excellent food every time. This is the most consistently good restaurant I have been to.
(5)
Jennifer B.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete! The shrimp tacos are the best I've ever had- the flavoring is unreal and cannot be duplicated elsewhere. The black beans and rice are topped with a (maybe?) chimichurri sauce that is unlike anything else I've tried and I can't get enough of it! I've only been here for lunch and it's always so busy, but somehow it continues to be fast and the quality of the service and food is never compromised.
(5)
Billy E.
I came for lunch, long wait for seating but I know the time of day I came that was to be expected. I ordered the duck enchiladas, the duck was very nice my complaint was the veggies on the plate. Over cooked and very very bland. The salsa was average, but overall was not a bad restaurant. Service was very friendly and attentive so I'd be willing to come back again.
(3)
Jon W.
I think it's more seafood, nouveau American,french, tex-mex fusion than tex-mex. Which is a good thing. Whatever you call it they do a great job of it and the seafood is fresh and the sangria is fantastic. I had the crab and shrimp stuffed grouper with some kind of quasi-Mexican sauce poured over it that came with fantasticly fresh and tasty grilled vegetables. My friend had a the chicken Santa Fe that was stuffed with Gouda cheese making it very rich and tasty. We had the beef shredded tacitos (ok well that was tex-mex) for an appetizer with the traditional chips and salsa. (very good salsa by the way). The service was at a high level. I thought our waiter was very good. Nice local flair with a slight Mexican twist. I loved it! I may go back for breakfast.
(5)
Meghan B.
When I think of Red Mesa, I think of girls' night out. Sure this would be a great place for a date or special celebration, but the pitchers of pink sangria and delicious menu options will leave you wishing you had your elastic waistband pants rather than looking super cute. Please don't wear elastic waistband pants here, though...it's a little too nice for that. I've tried a couple fish entrees, enchiladas, and their Chorizo Fundido appetizer (SO fun to say). All were great and made with quality and very fresh ingredients. One tip -- if you're looking to save a little money, go between 4-5:45pm Monday through Friday for the Sunset Menu. You get chips & salsa, choice of beverage (soda, margarita, sangria, or draft beer), entree, and a special dessert all for $14.00!!!! Such an awesome deal. Go for the pink, go for the pink!!
(5)
Rod K.
Great place for Mexican food w/an up scale atmosphere The food is very good and the value is even better Mon through Fri till 6/pm is a fixed price special w/dinners, drink & desert We have been here few times w/friends and of the 8 dishes ordered ...everyone was very happy The service was very good too The only down side is they don't have a liquor license But has a nice beer & wine menu and wine margaritas (which were very good) A good place to eat.
(4)
Michelle A.
First time I ate here I thought the food was way too spicy. I chalked it up to maybe It was just what I ordered. It's my Sons favorite restaurant so he always wants to go here for his Birthday. The last two times I have eaten here, I had the stuffed Shrimp and all I can say is OMG. Melt in your mouth goodness. 6 Large shrimp, stuffed with cheese and fried to perfection. Portion is plenty to eat. The negative to this place is it's overcrowded. The tables are very closely set and the noise level is loud. Expect to always wait at least 20 to 30 min to get a table. Even on middle week nights it's busy.
(4)
Makeli S.
Seafood burrito was insane!!! Insane!!!!!
(5)
P L.
Aloha from Hawaii! I can only review the customer service I received when ordering a gift card for my son who lives on St Pete Beach Florida. I emailed on a Tuesday morning and got a response within a couple of hours. The person on site who handles the gift cards was amazing! She made sure before hanging up, that everything was in order. She was pleasant, efficient and professional! I can't wait to visit my son in Florida and enjoy a night out at Red Mesa Restaurant!! Awesome customer service!! Mahalo Charisse!
(5)
Dave T.
"Beeeeeeeessttt in the UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was the recommendation I got from a friend local to this place. Not...exactly....but the pursuit of such things is admirable. They are definitely trying and succeeding at being more than a common Mexican restaurant. You can tell that the place was converted from a breakfast type place from the past. If you notice that then you will notice that they made every effort to soften each and every corner of the place to make their own theme. The food is creative. Many choice for breakfast including my two-tone eggs (green sauce on one egg, red on the other) with chorizo potatoes, and cactus thingys. A whole range of omelets, enchiladas, etc etc. Try it Dafe
(5)
Sean D.
Since I live in Austin, I was a bit skeptical trying a Tex Mex place in Florida, but I have to admit that this place is great. I went with 8 people and everyone loved it. One of the best parts was the service... even with 8 people, there was always someone there to help us.
(5)
Ken C.
It appears that I'm becoming the King of 5 Star Ratings. Truth is that I don't want to waste time giving bad ratings to businesses. As for Red Mesa ~~~ I love this place! Wonderful food that is several notches above the normal Mexican fare. The sangria is great and the service is always very personable. I highly recommend!
(5)
bill s.
Let's preface with fact that I am a fan of Mexican Cuisine, it is pretty much a food group in our family. I had heard Red Mesa was very good, so we made a 30+ mile trip to visit. 2nd preface, it is really cold in FL this week, for us. #1 of three strikes - NO HEAT IN RESTAURANT. I don't mean poorly operating heat, I mean no heat. No apology, no comp soup, no extra candle. NADA. #2 no liquor, they do have beer, wine, and wine margaritas. Suggestion, if the wine margarita is any good, offer a 1.5 oz portion with you chips as a sample #3 strike- sides of rice and beans were cold, rice cooked to a consistency of wallpaper paste. Didn't stay for dessert, too cold. My wife never had both her gloves off during dinner. OK the good, yes there was good. The Crab and Shrimp stuffed grouper with Poblano Cream sauce was EXCELLENT. Chips and salsa were above average. Negro Modelo on draft excellent and served in a stylish gold rimmed glass- nice touch. The Pork Verde was average. Dear owner/manager, I tried to find you on Saturday 1/9 to tell you how I felt, but the staff couldn't find you, I did leave you my name and # on my cc receipt.
(2)
John P.
We have eaten there as we live nearby. The food is good. But someone has to get the recipe for their Raspberry Tea - its is THE best best I have ever tasted. It does not taste like a pre mix Crytal lite. I hope someone can share the recipe. Great casual place, great attentive friendly staff.
(5)
Amber O.
My business partner and I accidently stumbled upon Red Mesa during lunch time, i've got to say, great menu options and the food was delicious. I had the Tuna Tacos, which were amazing down to the rice and beans. The seasonings they use are unique and flavorful. can't wait to try some of the more traditional options. Wait staff was friendly and I will be returning on my next trip to St. Pete!
(4)
Patty R.
Red Mesa has the best iced tea in Florida. I drink mine unsweetened and it's usually way too strong or way too weak. This was perfect. And it was a perfect start to a perfect lunch. I'm on a strict diet (trying to lose 100 lbs while going to restaurants is tough) and they had many things on the menu that were friendly. I stayed away from my favorites, like Calamari Frito and burritos with cheeses, opting for the tuna tacos (a delightful combo of grilled tuna, mixed greens, soy orange coulis, wasabi aioli and pico de gallo on soft corn tortillas), while my friend enjoyed the Trail Ensalata (baby field greens in balsamic vinaigrette with jicama, carrots, raisins, red onions, pumpkin seeds, strawberries and feta cheese), topped with ginger salmon. The two tuna tacos come with a side of a mildly-flavorful rice and beans, and because I'm watching portion sizes, I happily filled up on half the rice and one of the tacos and I will enjoy the rest for dinner. Since we were there at lunch time (1:00) on a Friday, before Memorial Day Weekend, it was quite busy and as we were a group of seven, we had to wait about ten minutes for our entire party to arrive but we were seated as soon as we confirmed that the remaining two people were within five minutes of the restaurant. Our very capable and pleasant waiter, Joe, was also very patient with 7 chatty women who needed the check split at the end of the meal. There are only two criticisms I have: they charge for chips and salsa ($5) (but it's really good) and one of our party experienced air conditioning condensation dripping from the ceiling duct but changing her seat solved that issue and we had a very enjoyable meal. I'm game for girls' lunch there until we've sampled everything on the menu. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Eedee F.
First time I've been here and I am not impressed. The amount of cilantro in the salsa masked any other taste. The shrimp and crab enchiladas were nearly flavourless and the menu description was lacking or I would have altered my order. As a side note, it is very difficult to move around in here, especially during busy times. The friend I came in with was also un-impressed.
(2)
Ray S.
I've been here four or five times, tried a number of dishes here, and always ask myself why I don't come here more often. The food tastes great and wait staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The guacamole is terrific and a must with chips to start off the meal. Sunday brunch is great with a number of options for breakfast only, lunch only, and combinations. I'm a big fan of the huaracha de carne and machaca. This place used to be more crowded, especially with it being a little smaller, but the last couple times it has been very easy to get a table and they do take reservations. My only complaint is they lack a full bar. Everyone raves about the sangria, but it was a bit sweet for me. Then again I don't like sweet drinks so yeah...
(4)
Susan B.
Great brunch! Excellent food, prices + service by Teresa was terrific!
(5)
Holly G.
This food is terrific! My belly hurts from eating so much. Food is cooked really creatively with great flavor combinations.
(5)
Cara A.
Red Mesa offers really fresh flavors and high quality ingredients. It isn't hole-in-the-wall pricing, but you will be really pleased if you go for lunch which is the best value.
(5)
Drake M.
Pretty good Tex-Mex with a twist. The food was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. My wife is a Mexican food elitist so she was sad that it wasn't authentic mexican food but I really enjoyed the Cajun Shrimp that I ordered. My moth had a nice burn the entire time I was eating it and a little bit after. I'll be returning here again just to try some other interesting dishes.
(4)
Amanda E.
Maybe I had this place too build up in my mind but I wasn't overly impressed. The food was good and the service was fine, but this was our third time we tried to dine here, the other two times had almost an hour wait. I think the main thing I disliked was that it was pretty small and cramped. We were pretty close to the tables next to us to where we were almost part of the same convo. The tables and chairs weren't too nice or updated either- just something weird I noticed. The food was good enough to where I would probably go back- but not worth an hour wait.
(3)
Thomas A.
Is there a better 'gourmet mexican' restaurant in St Pete? I think not! The level of pure, ecstatic, transcendant goodness is so high that it literally feels like a sensual release after eating here. I want to smoke, sleep, or even write poetry while basking in the post-dinner bliss delivered by Red Mesa to my soul-mouth. If you are on Yelp right now, trying to decide where to eat, and you have not been here, put down your smartphone immediately and drive here without delay. I am deadly serious. This place is easily in my Tampa Bay Top Five, regardless of genre. Favorite methods to achieve nirvana at RM: Appetizer: Chorizo Fundido - thick and spicy, served with warm, soft tortillas. Each bite melts in your mouth with a sizzle. Crab Cake with Habanero Mayo - beware! The Habanero Mayo is HOT. This place pulls no punches. You might find it odd to find a crab cake at a mexican place...but they hit a grand slam home run with this, putting most seafood places I've been to in the Pit of Shame, weeping with envy. Dinner: If it's your first time, try the Enchilada Trio...a magnificent Holy Trinity of goodness which allows you to taste a full spectrum of what RM can do with enchiladas. Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce!! Crab & shrimp enchilada with poblano cream sauce!!! Chicken enchilada with salsa roja!!!! You get one of each...and prepare to have your mind melted just like the delicate sauces on your plate! Did you hear me when I said Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce?? Sweet Lord!! NOTHING I have tasted at Red Mesa has been bad, bland, or common. They obviously take pride in flavor and character...I am actually ashamed that you are still reading this instead of heading to your car to eat here... Oh, and by the way, they make a sangria which can make grown men weep.
(5)
Janet M.
I've been going to the Red Mesa since it opened umpteen years ago but I'm just now getting around to reviewing it for some reason. You know when a friend raves about a movie or restaurant and then you go and you're nonplussed by it? And it's generally not because it wasn't great, but because your expectations were so high based on your friend's raving? I want to avoid that here, but it will be hard because I love this place so much. People, go to this restaurant. Even though they don't take reservations, and they generally make you wait until your entire party has arrived and the fact that you are all going to be there means I'll have to wait longer for a table, go there. People come from neighboring cities because this place is so fantastic, and I'm proud to say that I've inducted many, many friends and family into the Cult of the Mesa. :) Truly, this place is unique and a local gem. I think I've eaten just about everything on the menu. I probably average eating here 1-2 times per month, and over the course of ten-plus years, I'd say I've had one or two meals, total, that weren't spectacular and utterly satisfying. That said, there are some go-to dishes I usually recommend for newbies: Appetizers: Even if you don't like oysters (and I usually don't), try the chipotle oysters. Super crunchy, spicy and oh so tasty with a cold beverage. A great way to start. Their black bean soup is also yummy. If you want to go light on appetizers, just go with the chips n salsa. I don't know how they make their salsa, but I am convinced it has crack cocaine in it. It's that addictive. I'd drink it if it were socially acceptable to do so. Salads; Sometimes when I'm trying to be "good," I'll order a salad as an entree. I always do so reluctantly because I feel like I'm depriving myself. Generally, even their salads are awesome, though! I usually get the basic salad (can't remember if it's the Red Mesa Salad or the Salad al Pastor), and I usually get it with salmon or shrimp (and I generally ask for a little extra dressing on the side). Even though it's not decadent, it's filling, delicious and satisfying. Brunch: Hands down, their huevos rancheros. SO GOOD. A friend of mine once had a special there that was a Latin twist on eggs benedict that she raves about to this day. I had to stop eating eggs for awhile, and was relegated to the french toast with pecans and bananas. It was also delish, but I felt like it was something I could get anywhere. My BF likes the Migas (scrambled eggs with tortilla strips and onions) and friends have also raved about the Divorciados. Most of the egg-based entrees are served with sides of pico de gallo (fresh and spicy) and avocado slices. If it's warm out, try the OJ - fresh squeezed. If it's chilly, try the Mexican hot chocolate. Entrees: The stuffed shrimp never, ever disappoints. Big shrimp, butterflied, stuffed with a yummy cheese and herb mixture, deep fried and served with a wonderful chipotle cream sauce. I also love the Grouper Mojo be Ajo. A nice, generous piece grouper served with an awesome garlic sauce. You can also get Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, too. I gave up meat years ago, so most of what I eat is seafood, but I have had their steaks and can tell you they are fantastic. They also have a chicken dish that I recommend to my meat-eating friends - Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. It's like a Latin riff on Chicken Cordon Bleu and it's delicious right down to the mushroom cream sauce they use. Makes me miss being a carnivore. Even the sides here are fantastic - the steamed veggies (usually just garnish taking up space on the plate) are the first thing I eat and the rice/beans are also great. Desserts: If, after stuffing yourself, you have room for dessert (and even if you don't!), try either the coconut natilla - light, delicious custard served with fruit - or the fried ice cream, which they make with Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream (banana ice cream with walnuts and chocolate chunks). I think I realize now why I never reviewed this place before. I knew I would go on and on too long, and I see now that I have. Bottom line: I've almost never, ever had a bad meal here, no matter what I've ordered. Enjoy!
(5)
Michelle M.
Best Mexican food in St. Pete! The food at Red Mesa may be better than any Mexican restaurant in Tampa as well. If you have never been to Red Mesa you must go! The guacamole and salsa are both superb... I could eat their chips and salsa all night! The Roast Pork Verde and the filet mignon chimichurri are two of my favorite items on the menu. Reasonable prices, great margaritas, friendly service are to be expected at Red Mesa.
(4)
Derrick K.
Seated very quickly on a busy night for 2, 10-15 minutes. Served salsa and chips (delish!!) right away by a friendly server who was very helpful in menu suggestions. We got the pomegranate and raspberry sangria (the current special) and red sangria, both outstanding! We ordered the Fillet Mignon special and crab/shrimp enchiladas, both extremely good! Our food took a little longer than normal, was recognized by waiter and we were offered two complimentary sangrias! Would recommend to everyone and will definitely go back. Can't wait to try their bigger location with a night club and bigger menu!
(5)
Derek W.
Even the raves of two beloved friends and trusted Tampa Bay food experts failed to adequately prepare me for the wide range of delights at Red Mesa. Everything here works wonders on the palate, and the culinary wizards here have blended creativity and comfort that's good to the last drop (of sangria, in my case). Words to the wise: Don't be fooled by the lackluster appearance and setting - the interior hearkens back to a likely past-life as a Denny's or one of its kind; the exterior is anonymous fast-food box architecture, buried amidst a commercial strip in St. Pete. The tamales on Red Mesa's special menu caught my eye first: hearty, meaty bundles of pork dipped in velvety homemade mole and sprinkled with queso fresco. Though a tad bit dry, the pork cubes were very flavorful, and I enjoyed alternating bits of tamale with bites of warm tortilla dunked in smooth guacamole and magnificently zesty salsa. The chicken tortilla soup was to-die-for, a far cry from the pedestrian renditions at more run-of-the-mill spots. A carrot-onion sofrito and fresh avocado slices added special distinction to what could easily become, for me, a daily indulgence...especially during winter. Most impressive to my girlfriend and me was the plate of crab and shrimp enchiladas we shared. The corn tortillas are dipped in chile, giving them a soft, light texture which pairs perfectly with the subtle spice and delicate richness of the seafood. By this point in the meal I was floating a few feet above the table, but not far enough away that I couldn't sip the tremendous red sangria that washed down the meal. I am now considering starting a campaign to bring Red Mesa to the Left Coast.
(5)
John A.
Oddly enough, it took our friends from New York City to discover "the best" Mexican dining that on the West Coast of Florida. I was not familiar with Red Mesa, but in hindsight am delighted with the "snow birds" find! A group of six friends met for lunch (Reservations are probably a good idea even for lunch) and everyone sampled a different dish with unanimous kudos at each seat! The seafood selections are prepared with a perfect balance of spices and sauces such that the flavor of the seafood comes through without being "masked" as it usually is in other Mexican establishments. Service is smooth and flawless. I am now looking for a good excuse to drive across the Sunshine Bridge and indulge my palate soon.
(5)
Robert J.
so I've been here twice over the past month and plan to come here a lot more. the food is absolutely to die for. you could tell the chefs here take pride in serving up some great looking and tasting food. the service was good but nothing to write home about. the food takes the cake!
(5)
Jeff A.
Food was great. Enjoyed a very spicy beef dish which was worth every cent. Our server was a sweetheart, but the reservation process and initial greeting were unacceptable. Pretentious BIG time. I will return, but they need to remember they are not the only place in town!
(3)
Sally B.
Our waiter was good & professional. Grilled mushroom quesadila app was flavorful. Crab & shrimp enchillada was flat & bland, steamed vegetables bland with no seasoning at all, Black beans & rice had a strange flavor that was not enjoyable, All in all, would not return. No mexican or latin flavors here that I'm familiar with.
(2)
Karen D.
This restaurant was a last minute choice on our way back from Tampa. Since we don't live anywhere near downtown St Pete, I figured it would be a nice change. Red Mesa is a classy, more upscale Mexican restaurant with their prices reflecting the interior and atmosphere. It's rather small and pleasantly lit with air conditioning and comfortable seating. The food was good, but it wasn't fantastic. Tortilla chips were actually quite salty without the salsa and while the filet mignon burrito was tasty, the meat itself was tough, not tender. The chicken enchilada was at least flavorful. Service wasn't all that great. Mark, our waiter, dipped out as I was giving my order to serve the food that was ready. While I understand that food needs to be served immediately, he didn't even excuse himself. Our food came on a timely basis but the check did not long after we were finished. If my girlfriend hadn't asked for it we probably would still be there. Overall, great place to take someone on a date, but I'll stick to my homely restaurant like Carmelita's. EDIT: And the reason why I target waiters or waitresses by name is because THEY HAVE NAME TAGS. Name tags are used to identify the employee who is serving you, for which you can praise or criticize in a review. This particular waiter (Mark) was not very happy with the comments I had to say, and wrote a compliment note for me. EDIT: Waiter names are also listed on the bill, FYI.
(3)
Steve S.
From out of town. Spicy filet mignon tips were tremendous. Solid meal. Would go again.
(4)
M K.
Relocated from NYC to ST Pete 7 yrs ago and that's how long it has taken to find a Mex Restaurant that I would go back to a 2nd time! I found one in Red Mesa. Not your typical "taco joint" but rather a blend of taco meets gourmet. Service was fantastic and very friendly. I like that they have a specials menu which last for one month then changes.
(4)
EJ P.
I have eaten at this place twice, and at the other restaurant once. Neither of these restaurants are very good. These restaurants would get 1 or 2 stars west of the state of Louisiana. However, since so many people in Tampa Bay have never actually had great Mexican or Tex-Mex food, they think this is the best Mexican food they've ever had. And that's because it is, because they haven't eaten Tex-Mex in San Antonio, TX, for example. Where they make tortillas that melt in your mouth But back to Red Mesa. I think I have found an accurate way to describe Red Mesa: The food that you get here tastes no better than the (Tex-Mex) food you would get at a Mex chain like Chili's, but Red Mesa fancies up the menu descriptions and jacks up the prices and adds a little hip restaurant decor in order to make you think the food is better than it really is. It's just bland, mediocre Tex-Mex style food that can be had at Chili's for much less money. Advice: If you are going to eat here, stay away from the appetizers and side dishes and the tacos which are outrageously priced. (In Texas they would laugh you off the street if you told someone you paid 5 dollars for a taco, like Red Mesa charges.) Try to order a "combination" platter that has 1, 2 or 3 items for one price. Stay away from the guacamole, which is NOT WORTH 7 dollars. Just try to fill yourself up with the chips and get a combo dish. Desserts are also mediocre.
(3)
Josh S.
Meals like these make me feel like I need to sift through all my reviews and rerate them. Everything we ate was incredible, ambiance was to my liking, and service was flawless. I had Grouper Al Mojo De Ajo based on server recommendation, and my wife had Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. Our daughter had a quesadilla from the kid's menu with cilantro sour cream. I will dismiss the kid's meal for the sake of the review, but it was still pretty good to be honest. I hate to overhype it based on one visit, but the grouper was one of the best entrees I have ever had. At the very worst, it's in the top 5 seafood dishes I've had. I commented to my wife that I would pay them $50 for the Mojo De Ajo(sauce) recipe. After coming to my senses, I've decided that I'm merely inspired to try to create my own from a Google-searched recipe. If I don't come close to recreating Red Mesa's version, then I will redirect my attention to the $50 offer. My wife's Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken was great too. Everything on the plate just goes so well together. I wish I remembered my server's name... I would thank him here. I think I am too nice, and possibly indifferent, when it comes to service, and even though I try to review it fairly, I never think much of it unless it's very good or very bad. In this case, from the entree recommendation to the perfect timing of every appearance our waiter made, he really enhanced the experience. I really wanted to try the Plantains Foster for dessert, but I'm sure I'll get my chance because there are about 20 other entrees I want to try as well. If I had one gripe, it would be the lack of a full bar and lack of a larger beer selection. But I guess I can try Red Mesa Cantina for that, I owe them that.
(5)
Chris C.
We actually meant to go to Red Mesa Cantina but ended up here due to a confusion with our Google Maps. The atmosphere is festive, the waiters are attentive and helpful and the sangria is yummy. However, the food falls short. I had the Carne Asada. It was crispy on the outside and way too chewy for my liking. My boyfriend had the Enchilada Trio. It was the first time we saw an enchilada that was not smothered in sauce and cheese. It made it a bit dry but the meats inside were cooked well. I don't know if we just ordered the wrong things, seeing that the other reviews are 4 stars and up but for the prices, I expected a much tastier meal.
(3)
Charlotte S.
There are some places I like to go to try new foods. Red Mesa is not one of them and I mean that in the most positive tone possible. I like the fact that I can eat here and get what I expect. I was in the mood for crunchy chips and their consistently yummy, finely chopped, full of flavor and slightly runny salsa. Their salsa has been the same every time I go and I appreciate the fact that I won't be disappointed when I take that first bite. I paired it with a Mediterranean wrap and I am in the most comfortable food lull a girl could ask for :)
(4)
Cassie S.
Poor service. When I go to a Mexican restaurant I expect real Mexican food not fancy dressed up food made by white people. If you want authentic Mexican food this isn't your place.
(2)
Jason M.
The closest Mexican food to Tex Mex in St Pete!
(4)
Rick S.
Red Mesa is an oasis in a desert of Mexican slapdash mediocrity. The place serves a multitude of different Mexican flavors; many times simultaneously, which is usually risky business. For this place, which has two locations in St Pete, the plates are executed well enough to sway even the Mexican-food haters. (This is usually spawned from the swollen numbers of cost-cutting, soupy-beaned, I-could-have done-better-myself-and-I-was-born-in-China establishments in Tampa Bay.) The place is clean enough to want to go to after church, although having Brunch on Sundays til 2pm/3pm is kind if lame (opinion). As a word of caution, the parking can be extreme when it's busiest so if it's peak meal time you may want to consider more accessible options for your meal. As for the food itself, try the carne asada tacos. Two corn tortillas with asada mixed with chorizo and a bit of cilantro and onion with rice and beans with a chimichurri top. It's cheaper than the carne asada plate and tastes a lot better for some reason (go figure). In fact you'd be surprised how the cheaper foods are usually more satisfying than the pricier options. In short, the place is good, clean, hard to find parking, but a beacon of hope for Mexican food lovers in Tampa Bay.
(4)
Alicia V.
This might be the best Latin food I have ever had. I had the Relleno Combo & it was awesome! The beans & rice were delicious! If your looking for good Latin food, Red Mesa is your place. The atmosphere was dim lighting, kind of romantic, casual, & quiet. The only bad thing I have to say is.... There was a large party there in our room. They were VERY loud & getting drinker as the night went on. We hurried & ate quickly. Because they were so loud. It was bad enough other people ask to be put in the other dinner room. I just hate we don't have one in Texas. It's worth flying to eat there. 5 stars all the way!
(5)
Sherryl C.
Every time I have eaten here I was always impressed with the innovative melange of flavors. I recommend this restaurant if you like a delicious twist from the normal Mexican joints.
(5)
Michele C.
Came from Tampa airport, headed down to Anna Maria island. This place was quick, delicious and on the way...what more could you ask for. Thanks for the great customer service!
(4)
Toni F.
Food is consistently good! Been coming here since 1997 . AND THEY DO TAKE OUT RIGHT! Great job Red Mesa!
(5)
Dave S.
We went here for dinner on Friday around 8:30. No wait to be seated for 3 people. Our waiter stopped by immediately and for the most part provided very good service. He kept our waters filled and explained everything on the menu. I usually ask a lot of questions and he did a great job answering them. The only issue we had was that we were contemplating dessert and he brought us the menu but it took him so long to come back for our order that we decided against it. Food overall was very good. Enchilada trio was unique and tasty, a bit too spicy but good. I really liked the duck enchilada, while the chicken enchilada had a sauce that I didn't like. We got a pitcher of White sangria and it was delicious. 3 of us shared this and easily got 7 glasses out of it - great value.
(4)
Melissa R.
Honestly "THE" best Mexican food I have ever eaten! I, finally, was able to convince my boyfriend to eat there, he is not a fan of Mexican food at all, and he was totally wowed! It's his (and mine also) new, favorite place to eat in St. Pete. The restaurant has a great vibe and wait staff is very attentive but not over the top. We tried the shrimp fundido and fried oysters as appetizers and both were exceptionally good. I highly recommend to try any of the seafood dishes they offer. The shrimp tacos really have a great flavor and everything tastes so fresh. As for dessert, the guava empanada with vanilla gelato was fantastic! Our waiter recommended the dessert and we thank him for that!
(5)
Jennie W.
Oh so good fish tacos! Queso is warm and creamy white cheese, so amazing. The music is really great and the outdoor setting is nice. They have private tables for celebrating. I would also say perfect for a fun date night or group outing! There's dancing and conversations to be had. I love the St Pete night life scene.
(5)
Daniel H.
Like many others, this is my favorite restaurant in St. Pete. I come from Arizona, so my standards for Mexican food go beyond Don Pablos and Carmelitas. While not a "traditional" Mexican cuisine, I believe they take their menu to a whole new level. Everything is very, very good. I always end up eating way too much because I can't stop putting food in my mouth! It's so good! Tip: If you are there on Friday, try the seafood burrito.
(5)
Loren P.
I love my friends who brought me to this place near Tampa Duck Enchilada!
(5)
Chelsey D.
I've seen Red Mesa numerous times while I am in St. Pete, but have never stopped in until today. With all the great reviews on Yelp, I was sure to have a good meal, unfortunately I was just not impressed. I ordered the Yucatan Pollo, and was very underwhelmed by it. The piece of chicken breast, while colored bright red with seasoning, was bland and overcooked. The pickled onion did not mingle with the chicken well, and tasted of just vinegar. While it looked pretty, it brought nothing to the dish. The rice and black beans also did not seem to have any seasoning and was incredibly bland as well. If this is a Mexican restaurant, where is the spice? On a good note, the chips and salsa were very good. The chips were fresh and crispy and the salsa had just enough bite and cilantro to make it delicious. However, for the price I paid, I left hungry and disappointed. It will be awhile before I give this place a second chance.
(3)
Jason C.
An amazing dining experience - delicious food, good service and great place. Not your typical Mexican fair - more modern, fresh and some great seafood items.
(5)
MB V.
Upon arriving St. Petes, I was told on many different occasions one of the place to visit is Red Mesa. The food was so delicious. This isn't your typical Mexican food. The owner, who is the chef prepared all his sauces from scratch. We ordered: Shrimp fundido - yummy Calamari Trio enchilada - the duck was the best. Espresso run steak - WOW... Just WOW. It was soooooooo gooooooood! The mushroom sauce was so delicious. Sangria - it was so tasty. We went through two pitchers fast!!! I'm planning to visit this place one more time before leaving town. I will highly recommend this restaurant for those who are visiting town. Get there early as this place isn't big and the wait can be long.
(5)
Francia R.
Food was overpriced didn't even taste good or authentic. I wouldn't go back to any Red Mesa Restaurant even if i was paid to go.
(1)
Angela V.
Wonderful, creative, delicious, elegant. These are my choice adjectives for Red Mesa cantina. You definitely want to go in M-F before 5:45pm to catch the sunset menu. It includes a choice of sangria, margarita or beer, chips & salsa, choice of entree, AND DESSERT for just $14 per person. In this economy, this is by far the best value for such amazing food. There are about 10 options on the sunset menu, and I have only had 3, but plan on trying every one. The Enchilladas Rez are tender shredded beef enchiladas in soft corn tortillas with homemade tomatillo sauce. The portions are the perfect size. The meat was super tender and the sauce had incredible flavor. So far, my favorite is the Snapper al Tara. The snapper is only about 5 ounces, but is grilled to perfection. Caramelized on the outside but flaky and juicy in the middle. It is topped with a delicious mango chipotle sauce. YUM!
(4)
Alex O.
The food was the bomb like tick, tick.. LoL. But seriously, damn good food, excellent service. Bit on the pricy side, but I'd recommend eating here.
(5)
Steve S.
Overall great. The waitress was attentive and friendly. Cedar salmon needed a little more salt and was slightly undercooked for my taste, but they fixed it immediately. My wife had relleno. It was tasty, but they should have removed the seeds for her.
(4)
Price B.
The food here is AMAZING. The duck enchiladas are so good, it's hard to try anything else. I don't typically like margaritas, but theirs made with agave wine is delicious. I don't know if I have ever been here and not been stuffed after. The portions are generous and well priced. This is typically the first place I take visitors.
(5)
Sarah L.
Red Mesa is by far one if the best restaurants in St. Pete! I have been coming here for about 15 years and it just gets better each time. Try the duck salad or the chicken quesadilla.
(5)
Dovonna R.
Yum! The food here was fresh and tasty. Service was quick and friendly, clean and calm atmosphere. It's definitely not your typical Mexican restaurant, be prepared for a refined experience. The ceviche appetizer is the real deal with a nice spicy kick! I had the duck enchiladas which were amazing and my husband had the burrito special which was equally impressive. Delicious and very satisfying!
(5)
Danni L.
I come to Red Mesa for dinner a lot and I love their food! Took my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter here for lunch this time. It was their first time and I had raved about the food. Was a bit disappointed that all we could get was breakfast/brunch on Sunday from 9-2 and it was a limited menu. My food was great! I had the Shrimp Chilaquiles (minus the cheese and crema). My daughter's chicken Del Ray burrito was only luke warm and my son-in-law's beef Del Ray was very small for what he was expecting. The guacamole is not the greatest but their salsa is the bomb! Just spicy enough and very tasty! The desserts were very yummy. The Guava Empanada and the Churros (with caramel sauce) were just the perfect end to a not so perfect meal. I will stick to dinners at Red Mesa.
(3)
Vladimir P.
Although the food is definitely not authentic, it is very good. You get a lot for your money with good service to go along with it.
(4)
Shelley M.
Food was excellent! There were four of us, and we all ordered something different. I had a taste of each and every dish was delicious! Wait staff was attentive and kept our drinks filled. We will definitely be back!
(5)
SH K.
Came here on Cinco de Mayo with some friends... nice atmosphere.. you get the sense that it has its fair share of regulars, which indicates the quality of food / service. The fish dishes are good! Portions by no means huge, but the taste is excellent!
(4)
GEWELL L.
SERVICE: 7.25/10 FOOD: 8.25/10 AMBIANCE: 7/10 The only Mexican joint I love in St. Pete. Great date place. Jason and I would come here when we can.
I was driving back from Tampa to the Burg when I passed the north 4th Red Mesa and immediately flipped a u-turn to grab some lunch. I love the ceviche at the dtown location. Much to my surprise tho, the dtown versions aren't offered at this location. They do have a ceviche du jour which sounded good but I was hoping to get the Shrimp Los Cabos! I ordered the red sangria which was delish as usual! I also ordered the shrimp tacos with steamed veggies. I think a HUGE bonus would be if one could order tacos a la carte. I would have really liked a fish taco and a shrimp taco but had to do one or the other. Also, I would have totally been down to order a veggie taco if it was available (i am a closet vegetarian). Otherwise, my server (Therese) was awesome and the food came out quick and hot and yummy.
(4)
Mitchel R.
Very good. Menu had so many options it was hard to decide. Very good upscale mexican. I would definitely go back.
(5)
Josiah G.
Another 4th St. gem! Red Mesa has always been a solid experience Service has been up and down at times, but nothing out of the ordinary. The food, however, has always been above par and I will always try to drop by when I'm on 4th. Their tortilla soup is the best in Tampa!
(4)
Randy E.
There are very few cities that we will visit JUST for the food, but we really do travel to St. Petersburg just to eat at Red Mesa. There is absolutely nothing on the menu that I haven't found to be outstanding. This has been, and continues to be, my favorite restaurant for almost 10 years.
(5)
Christian M.
They have valet parking since the parking lot is small and they seem to get a lot of business. The margarita pitcher was tasty! The chips and salsa are homemade and also excellent. The enchiladas were good however the food was almost cold when we received it. If it wasn't for this I'd have given them 5 stars. Overall, I'd say it was a good experience and I may try them again.
(4)
Ally S.
Food was great only if I was craving it. Not an everyday chicken or steak. Well, I would only go for special occasions like I did for my bday. Their drink was nicely maid. The only thing I hate about it was because they'll only seat your party group until all your guest arrived. So i had to wait for 30 minute or so with one person missing. So I took a point off for that..
(4)
Nina M.
One of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete. I've never had a bad meal here. The service is always fast, attentive, and friendly. They do it well even when the place is packed, which is most of the time. Regarding the menus, there truly is something for everyone whether you're coming for brunch, lunch, or dinner. My favorites, in no particular order: guacamole, pretty much any taco they make, their chips and salsa, their cheesecake, red sangria, cheesy enchiladas. I just haven't had a bad experience and you won't, either. If you're in the mood for some flavorful Southwestern/Mexican style food, you can't go wrong with Red Mesa!
(5)
Christina C.
Good food, but slow service if you dine at an off time. We came at 3 p.m. on a Sunday and surprisingly there were a good number of people there. That's a testament of how good the food is, even during a weird time to eat there are always people there. Unfortunately, our service was pretty slow. I thought our food would come quicker, but it took longer than normal. I really like the salsa that comes with the chips. It is pure sauce, no chunks of anything, and it has a great taste. On the menu it says only one refill which made me wonder how many refills someone ordered to prompt that. I got the Enchilada Trio to try all three types of enchiladas (crab and shrimp, duck, and chicken). I did the research so others don't have to ;). My personal favorite was the duck enchilada, which our waitress said was her favorite too. There is a sweet sauce on it that is delicious! Second favorite was the shrimp and crab. There was a good amount of shrimp and crab that was very fresh tasting. I don't want to say that the chicken was my least favorite, but how about we call it third favorite. It was still very good, but you can get good chicken enchiladas other places, probably for less. The rice and beans were also good, but nothing really spectacular. Next time I'm going to stick with the duck enchiladas! Inside it was nice and light. For some reason before we stepped inside, I thought it was going to have a snooty atmosphere, but it was pretty laid back. It is probably more formal at dinner, but when we went there were people in jeans and a t shirt.
(4)
Lori C.
Let me start with I do not like Mexican food. This place was amazing. We started our dinner with Taquitos. They were awesome I was expecting those tiny ones like you get in the store! Anyway they were crisp and delicious. They came with a black bean sauce that I would love to be able to buy in a jar!! I ordered the combination platter with the taquito because yes I wanted another one the empanada and a taco. My dinner was equally delicious. I would have traded my empanada for another taquito! Don't get me wrong it was good but the taquito was better! I normally do not get dessert but we were kind of lounging around and just thought I would give it a try. We had the churros. It was three huge ones and on the side it had to dipping sauces a Mexican chocolate and a Caramel with a touch of goat cheese. The chocolate dipping sauce I could have done without. But I would have bathed in a bucket of that caramel!!!! We will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Jessica C.
I love this place! I recently moved back to the area after 8 years, and was delighted to revisit this restaurant. It was just a wonderful as I remembered. The food, drinks and service were outstanding. On this particular visit, I was a bit under the weather, but still thoroughly enjoyed my meal as did my companions. Being sick, I had to miss out on the wonderful sangria, but the chips and salsa were delicious. I chose the Chicken Fernandez for my entree. It's a rather simple dish: grilled chicken breast topped with a chipotle cream sauce, served with rice and vegetables. Simple, but in the best way, and very very good. I can't wait to return to try some of the other menu items.
(5)
John L.
Had lunch there on a Sunday afternoon. Everything we ordered was excellent. I had the mahi mahi taco & the fish was perfect. Two others ordered the Favorito Combo & loved it. We also ordered a side or salsa & chips & guacamole. Both very good & fresh.
(4)
Sonia O.
Holy Mofongo!! I love love love this place. The mofongo is perfect. They add pieces of pork and it's juicy. I have gone to traditional Dominican restaurants and the mofongo isn't as good as Red Mesa. The best part. For 2 people with cocktails we spent about $60. That is not bad for the quality food. This is nice for evening dinner with spouse or even friends. The courtyard is very pretty. After dinner head upstairs to Push to dance the yummy food off.
I would definitely choose the Red Mesa Cantina over this location. The food is overpriced and under flavored here. My husband and I stopped in on a weekend afternoon searching for our new favorite mexican spot in St. Pete. Let's just say, this wasn't it. Major bummer since it's so close to home. We'll definitely make the drive to Senor Taco or the Cantina downtown. I had a burrito and it was bland and very expensive. I can't recall what my husband got, likely fish tacos. He was not impressed, either.
(2)
Chris M.
This was some of the most flavorful Mexican food I've had in tampa bay. I had the shrimp and crab enchiladas which were delicious. The rice and veggies that came on the side were just as good and flavorful. Everything was cooked perfect. Service was ok. Atmosphere was nice, nothing memorable.
(4)
John I.
Great food but the place always pisses me off! Great food would give it 4 maybe 5 stars, but the bar tenders are consistently rude, it is always so cold my wife and kids are miserable. Another thing you go in with a table of 4 and order an app that comes with tortillas, but only 3, server won't warn you ahead of time and will charge you for extra tortillas, too bad by the time the extra tortillas come out the app is finished. That is always a nice little "fuck you".
(2)
Wrighcl ..
We visited Red Mesa for brunch after enjoying dinner twice at the cantina location downtown. The line for a table had stretched outside so we elected to sit at the bar which turned out to be nice as we had a nice view of the kitchen. They do a fine job with presentation and the plates passing by were beautifully arranged. We started with a glass of champagne and ordered the Machaca and the California Eggs Benedict which was on special. The bartender was attentive and friendly although he was very busy. The Machaca was tasty and authentic. The California Eggs Benedict included a chipotle hollandaise that combined well with the avocado and bacon. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the yolk combined well with the sauce to provide a great end flavor. For dessert we had the Mexican Chocolate and Bacon Brioche Pudding. Applewood smoked bacon, mexican chocolate and brioche bread pudding served warm with with cajeta caramel sauce ice cream and whipped cream. This put us over the edge but was well worth it. Great brunch!! Will return for dinner!!!
(5)
Nikki A.
Red Mesa is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Petersburg. I have spent countless birthdays, happy hours, ladies' lunches, and one memorable Cinco de Mayo in this restaurant. We always start with the chips and salsa, and if we are splurging, the guacamole. All delicious. I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu. A few favorites include the Duck Enchiladas, the Tortilla Soup, the Shrimp Fundido, and the Ginger Crusted Salmon Salad. Red Mesa is a cut above most "Mexican" restaurants; the take here is decidedly gourmet with a southwestern kick. I have tried two of the tortas (the Black Bean and the Short Ribs); both were just okay. ( I continue my quest for a good torta in the Tampa Bay area....) The Sangria is excellent. If you haven't tried Red Mesa, get on over there with a quickness.
(4)
Snarky S.
One of those birthday choices. It's not cheap but it's not expensive. You get what you paid for. Amazing food, amazing mixtures put together. I took a picky eater once. She ordered her meal without the sauce. I asked them to bring it on the side so I could try it. After she tasted it, she stole it back from me, lol. It's casual but I wouldn't walk in like I came from the beach.
(5)
Poch K.
Always my favorite food in the area, but get rid of Amanda. She is an impersonal c word. Don't think I've ever called anyone a c word in my life. Well, there's a first for everything. Bad service, get rid of her!
(2)
Shane B.
Stopped here for the first time yesterday to grab lunch and was not all that impressed with the ambience so I chose to sit at the small bar, which only serves beer and wine. I asked for recommendations for a spicy dish and the bartender Amanda was right on by recommending the Ancho Chile Rub Mahi - Fresh mahi broiled in mild ancho chile rub, topped with sun-dried tomato butter served on a pool of salsa verde with cilantro rice, habanero aioli and fresh seasonal vegetables. The flavor was amazing and the spice level just right. The sauce actually has some curry in it, which made the dish even better. The mahi mahi was a nice size for lunch and super moist, the rice was perfect and the vegetables were seasoned very well too. The sangria was very good, even though I am not a big fan of sangria. Found out that even though this restaurant is owned by the same owners as the downtown location, the menu's are different. The service was great!
(4)
Courtney W.
Me and my boyfriend really wanted to enjoy a nice Mexican restaurant that wasn't a cookie cutter chain. This place was close to our hotel and the food and service was excellent. The aroma of gourmet flavors fill the air. Thank you for a great lunch!
(5)
Roseann S.
Umm.... what happened to this place? I remember when this place served DELICIOUS southwestern food. Now it's "southwest inspired"? What happened to that inspiration? Today, it's a Mexican restaurant and don't be fooled otherwise. The food was "meh" with "not-so-meh" prices. What was really off-putting was that the air conditioning vent above our table was leaking water - GROSS! And, health hazard. The decor is terrible with cheap tables and carpet... it looks like a converted office space, not a restaurant that's serving food at the prices it's charging. Do yourself a favor and skip it. If the former ownership ever takes this place back, I might come back. For now, I can get better Mexican, elsewhere.
(2)
Mike M.
Was hoping they offered the burritos for dinner. Disappointed that there are no refried beans
(1)
Nikki V.
Who ever heard of a Mexican place that doesn't have burritos! Not pleased with food or drinks.
(1)
Laura G.
Went there for a coworker's birthday and had the chicken quesadillas. The smoked Gouda inside them made the perfect touch. But the birthday happiness came to a screeching halt when we got a $10 bill for a "cake charge". Much to our surprise, they charged us $10 for bringing in our own cake! They knew we had our cake yet did not say a word until the end when we were handed a bill. That is robbery and dishonesty! Had we known, we would have ate the cake back at the office. In hindsight I probably should have refused to pay it but I did not want to make a scene on my friend's birthday. I will think twice before going to an unethical place again.
(3)
Mathew R.
I have been to many TeX Mex places in my life and was really disappointed in the place. The service was really bad and the did was mediocre bland and not worth trying out. I gave them one star but will not go back.
(1)
Randy D.
THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE RESTAURANTS ANYWHERE! NO MATTER WHAT YOU ORSER, IT WILL BE DELICIOSO! The quality is second to none, the service is fantastic, the kitchen (open to the public eye) is extremely clean! Atmosphere is elegantly relaxed and comfortable. Don't let the cloth tanle cloths fool you. You will be as comfortable in shorts or jeans as you wod in a buusiness suit. My favorite entrees are (first and foremost) the Gorganzola stuffed shrimp. They are huge and the sauce they drizzle over them is beyond description! Suffice to say my taste bud have a monumental fiesta en la boca ( party in the mouth)! Tip: request extra sauce on the side to dip some shrimp into to coat....yuummm! The salmon on a cedar plank is also so awesome. The Chiles Rellenos are also delicious. Just notE that they do change up the menu but if there is something you like, just ask. Some things on the lunch menu aren't on the dinner one and vice versa. They are very accomodating. Soooool if the shrimp aren't on the menu, ask them for it! Whatever you have you can't go wrong with this place!
(5)
Jason R.
This place proves that locals really give a shit about good food. It is always packed and for good reason. Really well conceived dishes, fresh ingredients and fantastic service. I live in Clearwater and happily hall my ass to St. Pete for this privilege. Docked them 1 star for forcing me to listen to some part-time musician struggling through Top 40 covers... but for this food I can deal.
(4)
Kalvin K.
Awesome spot in St. Pete. We got lost looking for a gas station in the area and were hungry. Stumbled upon this little gem because we were looking for a good tex mex place and this place does not disappoint. Gladly looking to come back whenever I'm in St. Pete again. The pictures I took don't do the food justice, come in and check it for yourself.
(5)
Shannon L.
Great Spanish food. Try the trio of enchiladas - duck, crab & shrimp and chicken. Sangria also tasty. A little upscale in price dinner for 3 including 2 sangria and a beer was close to $100 (including tip). Would go again.
(4)
SallyCinnamon C.
One of our fave St.Pete restaurants. We prefer this location to the Cantina because of the complimentary valet parking. Every dish on the menu is pure perfection. Personal favorite is the Santa Fe chicken. Reservations are a must. It's that good ;)
(5)
Morgan G.
El Gordo Burrito puts you in heaven! The Duck tacos and Shrimp tacos are outstanding. I love the Strawberry Mint Margarita too!! Two thumbs up for everything. Service is great even when they are busy! Highly Recommend
(5)
Erica M.
After driving around downtown St. Pete for an hour looking for parking (and nearly getting run over and beat up by white trash...I digress), we arrived at Red Mesa frazzled, frustrated, and starving. They told us the wait for 3 would be about 25 minutes (we arrived around 9:15) so we decided to get a drink at the bar and wait. The space was CRAMPED...that place was hoppin'! We snuck into a little corner near the computer where the servers entered orders (sorry guys for being all up in your business) and enjoyed a pitcher of sangria and complimentary chips and salsa (both of which were delicious). We were seated before the 25 minutes was up and started with the ceviche - I think it was black grouper. The flavor was excellent but for $13, there should have been more fish and more plantain chips (I think that's what they were - we only got 3 chips for the entire order). I took our (excellent) server's recommendation and got the grilled mahi mahi served over mofongo. SO good. My husband's filet and chimichurri was awesome, and our friend's enchilada trio was good (but not great). We got fried plantains for dessert...not on the menu, but offered upon request. SO tasty. The service was very good, as was the food. We will definitely return!
(5)
Kristina W.
Went here for lunch. The food was so yum! Loved it; will be back!
(5)
JB L.
I've been here multiple times and they are ALWAYS packed and busy and fully staffed and for good reason. This place does it right. You get what you pay for and the price is a little up there but its very well worth it. The service is quick and always on top of refills. The food is amazing. I've tried many dishes and was always satisfied. Even the salsa is made with care and time, using roasted tomatoes and garlic... It's honestly the best salsa I think I've ever had. The food taste very authentic and never frozen. Save up a little cash and take your loved ones here. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)
Asia L.
I've just died and gone to heaven. And heaven is filled with these shrimp chilaquiles. Be warned: they're spicy. But the flavor punch is well worth it. This is my absolute favorite place for brunch and I actually went a month where I went every Sunday. It's super affordable, so this didn't really break the bank. Love love love this place. Every time I go I try something new and I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)
Denine M.
Service is terrible. Food is pretty decent. The hostesses and wait staff are very pretentious. They wouldn't even make the simplest of adjustments for a friend of mine that was a vegetarian. She liked one of the meals on the menu but requested that the meat just be taken out of it. They refused, and the waiter made faces at her request. This is not the first time I have had a negative experience with the staff at this location. I understand restaurants having an off day, but after returning several times and not seeing an improvement - no thanks. I will not return.
(2)
Stacey W.
Well this was hugely disappointing, and not just because I was in the mood for a Margarita and they only serve wine and beer. It was hugely disappointing because it's so very, very, very mediocre. Apparently they take a limited number of reservations here, which we didn't have, so we were waiting for about 40 minutes on a Friday night (to be expected). They make a big deal of making sure your entire party is present before they'll even put your name on the list. Now really, this is just a personal pet peeve and has nothing to do with my overall review, but is this truly such a huge problem? Does it really matter if your whole party is there or not when you put your name in and there's a 30+ minute wait? Wouldn't it be just as effective to say you won't seat incomplete parties if that's what twists your panties? I'm just sayin'. We had everyone accounted for, so this want an "issue" for us, but I have to say, it gave me a bit of hope that the long wait and stringent seating rules meant we were about to eat some kick ass Mexican food. Alas my friends, this was only wishful thinking. The food was so, ... ISH! It was my husband and I, our two boys and a friend of theirs. The guacamole was tasteless, so don't bother. The boys wanted some basic nachos. Don't get excited, they asked for chips with melted cheese on them. The server looked at us like we were nuts. "Ummm.... we don't serve nachos." I said, "They don't want full nachos, they would just like some of the chips you have here on the table, with cheese melted on top." Her reply was, "But we don't have, like, dipping cheese." My husband decided to take this one and said, "No, not dipping cheese. Just regular cheese. So, instead of melting the cheese between two flour tortillas, like you do with a quesadilla, just melt the cheese on top of chips. Can you just ask if they'll do that?" She said, "I guess I can ask. But it's not on the menu." So guess what? They said they couldn't do it. Yes, I'm serious. I mean, for sure this is their prerogative, but would it have been that difficult? These are kids here. Anyway, I got the pork verde which was loaded with onions. The dish was easily 2/3 onion, 1/3 pork. Overwhelming onion taste and the onions were obviously used as filler. My husband got a mixed plate with a tamale, empenada and a taco. No complaints, but nothing to write home about, either. The boys got quesadillas and tacos, all of which were served cold. Our server was either new or just didn't know what she was doing. She never served us out ceviche, and getting it off of the bill at the end was a nightmare, even though we had informed her about the mishap when she served our main dishes. Because we doesn't get much help from her from the beginning of the meal on, we certainly didn't ask to reheat the boys' food. I really hope this experience was a fluke, or that maybe the downtown location is better? We just all thought it was a disappointing Mexican food eating experience. Oh well. Better luck next time.
(2)
Steve K.
I had forgotten I had come here 6 months ago on my last trip to this area. After checking in with Yelp I was reminded I had been here before. Well it is still great food, great service, and very popular. Expect to wait a little for dinner but it is well worth it. The pineapple salsa that came as a side to my dish was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(4)
Kateryna K.
This place is consistently sliding down in quality and service. They seem to take their customers for granted. The attitude is -if you don't like it, too bad, you can leave. I hope it is going to catch up with them very soon. I was meeting my boyfriend for dinner at 7:00 pm on Tuesday. He was running a little late from work and I got their first, starving and hoping to sit down and order an appetiser. They would not seat me because of their policy "to seat only an entire party". Not half of the party, which is reasonable, but an entire party! In this case it was just us two. So I had to stand in the front room be the bar and wait until he gets there while the place is 1/3 empty and no one waiting in line. When I tried to speak with a bartender and hostess about being seated since he is in the way. The bartender told me that if she had a dollar for every time she hears that someone is on the way and does not show up, she would be rich. Yes! That's precisely what she told me. As soon as he showed up, we left to a different place. The bartender had an audacity to charge me for the glass of wine I did not drink and waited for 15 minutes while the place was 1/3 empty. And this is just one of the recent instances with this place. The management is not on top of their game. The food is bland. Will not be coming back until something changes.
(1)
Shane M.
I went here last week with my brother. Since Mexican food is Colorado is distinct, I was really interested to see how it differed here. There are plenty of high-end menu options over your typical Mexican restaurant and I had a fantastic 14 oz ribeye (with some sort of blackening spice) and an excellent corn blend. Really top notch. Service was terrific, chips and salsa were too. The only reason it wasn't five stars is because I went to the bar while we were waiting for a table and the bar tender was more interested in talking to a coworker than she was in getting our beers. Still, that's hardly a big deal in the grand scheme. I'll go back the next time In in St. Pete!
(4)
Andy S.
The food here is always very good. The main thing that I have not liked is mostly just a preference thing. Personally I feel like it is a little bit too fancy and I don't really feel entirely comfortable. It is a little too formal for me, at least at dinner. The place just kind of has a stuffy feel to it which is weird for a Mexican place. If you go, I'm sure you will have good service and you will like everything that you eat. Just don't think it's one of those super casual Mexican restaurants which are loud and Carefree. I would not bring kids to this restaurant.
(4)
Lisa C.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) ALWAYS consistent 2) Some of the freshest and creative Mexican I have had outside of Mexico 3) Some of the best cooked fish I have ever had 4) Lots of Ceviche options which are beautiful, fresh & clean tasting 5) Wonderful red & white sangrias 6) Servers who have been there 10+ years and who are warm, personable and not overbearing 7) I am craving the last Mahi dish I had there I could go on and on. Seriously, this place has always been 5 stars for me for many reasons. The decor isn't as fun as their sister site, Cantina but the food here is just perfect. I would highly recommend: Duck Tacos, Ceviches, Side dish of Plantains which are cooked to perfection with a beautiful finishing glaze, The Mahi dish over Mofungo (OMG!!!! amazing), The Spinach salad with add on's of Fried Goat Cheese medallions and a piece of perfectly seared Salmon, Specials of the day.... etc. I have never had a bad experience in over 9 years I have been coming there!
(5)
Todd B.
Seriously, you wouldn't think it about a Latin American restaurant in St. Pete, but this was fantastic. I should point out that I give it 5 stars as far as Latin/Mexican places go - it is one of the best I've been to in FL - but it's not necessarily a 5 star restaurant over all. Its a casual restaurant - inviting atmosphere, not fancy at all. It was very busy when we arrived, but the service was fantastic and the server who helped us knew the menu inside and out. She was excellent. My girlfriend is 1/2 Latina, and extremely picky about her Spanish food. I actually expected more of a Mexican restaurant, and while they have some Mexican items, the menu is much more of a Latin American menu than a Mexican menu. She loved it (see her 4 star review under Melissa Z), and if she loves Latin food, then you will too. Be warned though - when they say something is spicy, they are not kidding. I got the Puntas de Filet Mignon. To quote their menu directly, "filet mignon tips in chipolte chile butter with bacon, tomato, jalapeño, poblano chile and onion. served with black beans, rice and tortillas on request." It is as wonderful as it sounds, but it made me sweat. Okay, that's not saying much, I'd sweat sitting outside in a blizzard naked (don't picture it, you'll get sick), but this stuff was extremely spicy. I loved it. Check this place out - it's amazing and you won't regret it.
We attempted to go to the Cantina in DTSP but there was a 2 hour wait, hostesses were extremely unhelpful and pretty dismissive. We were a party of 7. Everyone wanted RED MESA, you know how that is when you anticipate something, nothing else will do ;) So, I called the 4th street location, the hostess that answered said that they don't take call ahead or reservations for over parties of 4 but if I could wait on the line she would see what she could do. A few minutes later she asked if 45 min wait would be OK. She wrote our name on the list and I said we will be right there! After we arrived we all got drinks and I don't think we waited more than 25 mins for our table. Here's what we had: The flavors were spectacular and fresh: Chorizo Fundido Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken Palomilla Steak Filet Mignon Chimmichurri Carne Asada Even though we were STUFFED we ordered desserts: Mexican Chocolate And Bacon Brioche Pudding Creme Brulee Cheesecake
(5)
Alicia P.
This place is good. No doubt. I like the creativity in the tex-mex cuisine. My sister in law loves this place. We had ceviche, it was ok, the texture wasn't great. My husband really didn't care for it at all. Then we had our entrees, which were pretty standard, very decent sized portions and the taste was good. Not a huge fan of chains, we would go back if someone really wanted to go there, but it's not a place that we think of when we say "HEY, let's go for some southwestern fare."
(3)
Ketan S.
Not too many options for vegetarians. We had the chips and guacamole and the cheese quesadilla which were pretty good. Very nice ambience. Good place to go out for a date
(4)
Claire L.
Completely different from the other red Mesa in st Pete but supposedly same owners. Asked for the half hot chocolate half coffee and apparently they only make it on Sundays? Chicken tortilla Soup was gross and salad was dry. Actually quite disgusted at the entire place. Was like a Mexican diner and completely different from other location! Do NOT go here if you've already gone to the other location or you will be left very disappointed.
(2)
Kelleigh M.
Red Mesa is one of the best gems on 4th street. The menu is unique and fresh, the servers have been there for awhile, and their chips and salsa are delish. I love this place. I've taken my coworker and my manager here (which are both vegetarian) and they have thoroughly enjoyed it. I do prefer this location over their cantina in DTSP.
(5)
Mary M.
So good! The duck enchiladas are out of this world good! Great service. Small dining room, so I would suggest reservations. Definantly going back!
(5)
Hillary V.
The building & staff... This restaurant is pretty cute. The parking situation is a little weird. There's a small bar inside along with regular table and booth seating. I went to Red Mesa at 9:25 on a Monday night. When we left, we were the last ones there. I looked at the sign and it said they closed at 9:30. I was shocked. Our waiter was so cool about us being there after it closed. So kudos to him. The drinks... Their margaritas are VERY good. They don't want for tequila like some of the ones I've had around here. Our only complaint is the salt on the rim is not quite right. The food... I had a combination platter. The Chihuahua comes with a pork tamale, a picadillo empanada, and a shredded beef taquito. I have never eaten a tamale or taquito in my life, but I absolutely, positively LOVED THEM. I ended up having to pack half of it because I couldn't finish it, and it was still good the next day. Overall, Red Mesa is absolutely worth a visit.
(4)
Carey F.
The menu is pretty extensive and the food is well prepared, however, the atmosphere is rather stuffy and the tables are a bit too close for comfort.
(3)
Shawn K.
This place rocks. The food is fresh and delicious. Every item on the menu seems well thought out and they really deliver a work of art here. We had the veg enchiladas, veg combination plate (which includes a spicy stuffed bell pepper), and black bean soup. Everything was delicious. And the wait time for food was about 10 mins on a busy night. The prices are quite reasonable, may get expensive if your trying to feed 10 people, but for 2 to 4 people its definitely manageable. Cant wait to visit this place again.
(5)
Evan F.
Service is often hit or miss, but the tacos and drinks are both excellent. The best Mexican in St. Pete. Sit outside because the atmosphere is really nice. The bands that play usually aren't very good but overall it's a great place.
(4)
Melissa Z.
Red Mesa is the oasis in desert of fast food country. Thank God for Red Mesa. Chose this place as the inaugural dinner of my moving to St Pete from Atlanta. Service was outstanding. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu to help guide you through the wonderland of latin american cuisine. There is a very wide range of spiciness level, so something is sure to please everyone. This restaurant boasts about its fresh seafood and meats and vegetables, for good reason. Keep in mind, this is more latin american than mexican. If you're looking for some place with lots of tacos or buritos, this ain't it. So, atmosphere is a big thing for me. I'd rather sit at home and fix my own self something rather than sit in a restuarant that looks like a boring shell of a cafeteria. This exterior is nice and welcoming; doesn't look like a hole in the wall, so this is good enough for a date. The interior could do with a little more latin american decoration, but it is inviting enough. We will be back. Random note: valet is available. wth. I mean, the restaurant parking lot is small. It's a waste. but I guess there are some prim madonnas that like have someone else do something that they could easily do.
(4)
Dana S.
Red Mesa is great. I went my first time recently on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't too busy but there were a lot of tables filled. I was seated right away. The food is great and the chips and salsa are pretty good. Didn't like the salsa at first but it grew on me. I ordered the Steak and Chorizo Quesadilla and it was so good. Great flavor and comes with four slices of quesadilla and some guacamole. I asked for some extra cilantro and was charged $1 for it. I thought that was kinda ridiculous. My boyfriend got the Steak and Chorizo taco and he was pleased with it, he just wished the portions were bigger for the price. My only complaint was that with the Filet Mignon burrito is "as is, no exceptions". I really wanted to order that but I can't handle spicy foods very much and it comes with poblano chile and red pepper. I'd love to get it without that :(
(4)
Darryl M.
This place is the real deal. The Grouper is awesome. Grouper a la plancha was the specific dish I had. 5:30 pm and the place is packed on a Tuesday night. Get in early or make a reservation. The service is also terrific.
(5)
Melissa A.
Since moving to Largo it's been a while since i've been here but we dined here recently and I was underwhelmed to say the least. The chipotle oyster appetizer used canned oysters, I swear to God. Tasted it right away. After that I was very hesitant to order a $30.00 entree so we just had a few tacos and the chicken tortilla soup. The tacos were good as was the soup. Nothing blew us away. The tortillas are inside the soup and soggy, while this may be traditional I would appreciate some fresh one's added to the top (as they do with the avacoado) for some crunch. Sangria was like fruit punch with no fruit. They really need to offer margarita's, real one's not wine based posers. The interior is screaming for a face lift. The shaggy do look of the dining room needs to go. I won't be rushing back any time soon.
(2)
Jason N.
I wish this place was closer to my house... plain and simple.
(5)
Ali C.
Great for Sun brunch as they have breakfast and lunch items and a decent kids selection. It's from 9a-2p on Sun. Not as glitzy as its sister Cantina downtown but the food is amazing! Huevos Rancheros is awesome. Beer and wine only and they charge for chips/salsa - still worth it. Enjoy!
(4)
Michael A.
red mesa your my favorite fusion restaurant in all of pinellas ...there food is a blend of southern gulf coastal meets southwestern and besides the duck enchiladas i have enjoyed literally everything on the menu.fresh ingredients homemade sauces and nice fat gulf shrimp..this restaurant always impresses
(4)
Brenda C.
So if you haven't been to Red Mesa, I am highly recommending you go. If food was the only criteria this place ranks a 5 star! Best Mexican food since I was in Mexico. The enchiladas trio soo good. Dishes like that are why I love duck. Yes, I said duck. The fundido appetizer was delicious, and easily enough to start the 4 of us off. My cohorts got Chicken enchiladas and Chile rellenos. No complaints on the food. The only downside was the restaurant is on the small side and had crammed tables into it. We were at a booth and I got knocked in the side and head by waitstaff, who never even apologized. And don't turn your head or a derriere might be your calling card. One less table for some space and this would be a 5 star review.
(4)
Kelly F.
This is my second time coming to red Mesa. The service is great the food is good but the wait times are long and the food is overpriced.
(4)
EandD S.
Red Mesa gets 5 stars for delicious food and wonderful customer service. I sat at the bar and was greeted by Teresa, the bartender/ server/ phone call answering service/ take out deliverer. Seriously, she is a gem! If the owner of the restaurant reads this - give Teresa a raise! Now as for the food and drink, I selected the enchilada trio and white wine sangria. My favorite of the enchiladas was the duck with raspberry sauce - an amazing flavor combo- but truly all three enchiladas were delicious. The sangria was tasty too. This restaurant was recommended to me, and I will in turn recommend it to others who are visiting the St. Pete / Tampa Bay Area.
(5)
Hillary B.
Huge fan of this place. Its very popular-as it should be-so make a reservation! We came on a Saturday night around 9 and were seated in about 30 min. The margaritas are fabulous, and there's an outside bar with heaters above the bar--absolutely heaven in January/February. My friend had the cucumber margarita which was so creative! And delicious! I had the cadillac margarita which is a more traditional yet top shelf margarita and it was great. This place was pretty loud, it was almost like eating in a night club. Our waitress was very competent though and got everything right for us. Delicious food, and I love corn tortilla tacos. This is just a great place--I highly recommend it.
(5)
Annie C.
Loved it!!! Brought some friends with us tonight and we all had a great experience. Our waitress was fabulous, the food was cooked to perfection and I love their salsa!!! Just a lil zing
(5)
Grace A.
I have been going to Red Mesa for years and thought I should write a review. This is my absolutely favorite restaurant. It's where I go when I am happy and when I am sad. They have the best red sangria I have ever had. The service is quick and friendly. There is so much good food on the menu that I don't tire of going there. My favorites are the Pastor salad with steak, roast pork verde, cedar roasted salmon, and the skirt steak...but there is so much more. It is a very busy restaurant so go early or late or take 5 people and make a reservation.
(5)
Marqus R.
Red Mesa Restaurant was a surprise to me since I usually expect Mexican restaurants to be sort of smallish, specialty places. Instead, Red Mesa is kind of like a big short order diner type of operation with all kinds of breakfast, lunch and other dishes flowing from a little kitchen jam stuffed with workers quickly turning out an endless variety of various dishes, not only regular menu items but daily specials as well. Red Mesa is to Mexican somewhat as Olive Garden is to Italian though Red Mesa does far, far better job for Mexican than Olive Garden does for Italian. Matter of fact, I found the food at Red Mesa to resemble a very nice Mexican home style of preparation with many simple offerings such as a breakfast of chorizo patties and eggs. I found the service to be top notch, friendly, fast and efficient. The menu and daily specials make for a substantial food selection not only of common Mexican food items but of some rather unique combinations and all served in full platter portions. Another feature I happen to like is that you can have a full view of the kitchen, which to me is a real plus since I tend to always question what actually goes on in any hidden kitchen, particularly (pardon my bias) in Mexican or Chinese establishments. The only draw back being that it is a beer and wine only establishment. The sangrias and wines are very good, as are the beers, which since bottled are pretty much unscrewupable, but forget those wimpy little wine based margaritas as there are wines capable of taking the place of a real tequila.
(4)
Shauna E.
Eh... I wanted to like Red Mesa. I can appreciate what they're trying to do here(finer Mexican dining), but this place fell flat for me. We were a group of three on a Saturday afternoon, and the place had about 4 tables full. Our server took awhile to get to us, and when he finally did, he seemed flighty and distracted. We ordered our beverages and he seemed disappointed that two of us had water instead of a charged beverage. Once drinks were ordered, it took another long wait to get him back. I'm not trying to nit pick but we were literally one of four-to-five tables in the restaurant at this point. I had the vegetable enchiladas which were painfully small for the $9 price tag. The sauce was OK-- it was well flavored but the veggie filling was watery and flavorless. The rice side tasted reheated. I can't even remember if the beans were any good. The best part was the queso fresca on top. My husband had the mushroom quesadillas ($9.50) which he found bland and didn't understand the side of balsamic vinaigrette for dipping. My sister had the blackened chicken taco salad for $12.00 which was probably the best of all entrees but still teeny tiny. The chicken was fantastically seasoned though. Our server checked back on us once, noticed the half-eaten plates and stayed away until he dropped the bill. No refills, no inquiry into how things tasted, if we'd enjoyed, etc. I'm sure we wouldn't have complained because obviously he doesn't control the portions or price, but SOMETHING would have been better than nothing. All in all, I might give this place a shot again but it won't be my first choice for sure. The portion sizes, lack of service, and overall weird vibe of the place has turned me off for now. Not to mention the final $40 bill for 3 appetizer sized lunches. Save your money.
(2)
Sarah S.
So this is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete? At least that's what people say. Kind of American fusion Mexican here. Ambiance is eh. Too many tables jam-packed into a small space. They don't dim the lights for dinner until about 7:30 or so. If you arrive before then, it'll feel a little cafeteria style. OK maybe I'm being too harsh. It's just when people say "Oh my gosh you have to try this place" I assume it'll be GREAT. It was good. I wouldn't go out of my way to impress out of town guests here. But the food was yummy. Loud- you can bring your kids. Not dressy. Our waitress forgot our wine. We were seated very close to the waiter and waitress computer station and could hear them all complaining about their tables all night. That was unprofessional. Food GOOD Service OKAY Ambiance MEDIOCRE
(3)
Andrea S.
This place is great! The food is really delish, the quality of ingredients is superior to any other Mexican restaurant. It was fresh, presented beautifully, and everything we ate was full of flavor. Our server was knowledgable about the menu, and we were seated right away. I will be back again soon.
(5)
Simon I.
This mexican influenced establishment serves up mouth-watering infused dishes. What is lacks in the interior decor, it more than makes up for it, through drinks and food items. The Pork Verde served with tomatillo chile verde sauce with black beans, rice is perfectly tender and flavorful paired with a white Sangria, its a finger licking, lip smacking killer combo. Take a taste and you'll be hooked. The Shredded Beef Taquitos have nothing small about them in the taste department. These perfectly fried goodies have no grease handing around, and served piping hot are great accompaniment to your taste enjoyment. The Tamale are well balanced in being moist and flavorful and served steaming with with chile morita sauce, queso fresco with fresh pico de gallo. Mmmm... my mouth is watering already writing about them. Waiter! two orders of Tamale please. Did I mention the Sangria? Either the red or white Sangria are must have here. Early evening over weekends and late evenings on weeknights are best time to visit here. Any other time you will either find the place packed with lunch crowd or weekend dinner crowd. The wait staff are good with their attention and are helpful. The shinning star here are the food not the wait staff. The interior decor is nothing to write home about, but it is open, bright, and airy. Red Mesa is a MUST visit.
(4)
Jess P.
Filet mignon burrito. Need I say more? Sooo freakin good! And the guacamole is superb. But they give you a couple tortilla shells instead of chips, which isn't quite sufficient. :/ Red Mesa does NOT look like a place that would be very good. Has kind of a corporate feel with the booths and the name and stuff, but color me surprised. Don't judge a book by its' cover because it definitely delivered. :)
(4)
Kristina F.
I love meeting clients and colleagues here for lunch. Their chips and salsa is just fantastic. Good seasoning and a nice bite makes for an easy snack before lunch. I am a creature of habit. I love the Red Mesa salad with fried goat cheese. This is the only restaurant of the group (Cantina and Mercado) that has fried goat cheese. It allows me to enjoy a salad and still have a little bit of guilt. Jessica was my server and was polite and attentive. The wait staff is ever present but not too pushy. They allow us to have a conversation, but are there to fill glasses and clear plates. Always a nice place for a business lunch without breaking the bank. It is also a nice change from downtown.
(5)
Michael P.
I get this isn't Texas- I didn't expect a lot from the Mexican food in Florida. But wow, this place is a giant disappointment - especially after all the hype it had. My biggest complaints: 1) Asked for no onions in the quesadilla, they couldn't do that BECAUSE THEY PREMAKE THEIR QUESADILLA. That might be the easiest thing to make, ever, and they pre make it. 2) No fajitas..? Are you serious. 3) No margaritas?!?! I know they have them at the cantina but damn - figure that out.. You're a Mexican restaurant missing the first three things I think of about a Mexican restaurant.
(2)
Eric H.
Great place to eat. Food came quick and was delicious. The Mesa Burger was the best. This place ought to be called Grey Mesa as there not a single Red Mesa in the place.
(4)
Malinda L.
Really enjoyed my experience here. Had the chihuahua trio. So so good. The sangria is amazing as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Rusty N.
I love Red Mesa! I have tried a lot of their menu, and everything is quite good. But I keep going back to their Carne Asada! It's FANTASTIC!!! Their ranchero beans are insane as well!
(5)
Virginia G.
Oh the disappointment. I hadn't been here in years and when my dinner date suggested it was very happy to oblige. I love Mexican, faux Mexican, tex mex, authentic, if it has enchiladas, I'm in! So we came on a Saturday night and had a 20 minute wait or so. Sat at the bar and had a beer (with a super nice and efficient bartender) Our table was ready on time and we were escorted to a booth in back and approached by our waiter who was told "whatever you do, don't let our glasses go empty" lol Apparently he heard the opposite. So we started with the ceviche, shrimp ceviche, Im not a fan of this . Im a traditionalist and like fish in my ceviche, along with shrimp, but not just shrimp. Anyway, it was , ok. It was fresh and service with jicama, which I like but the serving was very skimpy for the price range. For dinner he ordered the salmon with a ginger crust and chipotle glaze , I ordered a combo platter with cheese enchiladas and chile relleno. His dinner was good! Salmon was perfectly cooked, the glaze delicious, nice and smokey flavor yum. Mine? Not so good. The cheese "enchiladas" were about 3-4" long and narrow as a slim cigar and burnt on the bottom. Ick, My Relleno, who made that disaster? No where near traditional, the picadillo was just off. I mean there was nothing good about this dish. I shared my disappointing meal with him , to make sure I wasn't just being a finicky witch, and he concurred. awful. Just awful. We passed on dessert, and another drinks as obviously that wasn't in the cards. SO disappointing. I wanted to love this place. I might even try it again and hope for better, but I certainly wont order that again.
(2)
Tony H.
This place was bustling when we arrived for diner but we were seated quickly (there were 6 of us). Our server was great and was attentive but not intrusive and allowed us to enjoy our meal. The food was delicious and all of the ingredients tasted fresh and none of the food had the prepared-earlier-and-just-warmed-up taste. Parking is complimentary valet but we found a spot near the entrance to self-park. The atmosphere was fun and pleasant with unique decor and not your standard Tex-Mex with some pictures of pueblos and cowboys. We'd certainly eat here again if we were in the area.
(4)
Laura C.
Fantastic tacos and service. Young lady was helpful in describing menu and chiding options for us that we're perfect.
(5)
Malary J.
If you want some amazing Spanish food, Red Mesa has a wonderful and delicious selection of Spanish food! I've never been disappointed by anything that I have ordered.
(5)
Amy B.
Brandon absolutely loved this place... I however got the flu directly following our visit here so I thought it was food poisoning until it lasted days and days. I had had the taco salad and Brandon had a burrito, he really enjoyed his meal and the chips and salsa were definitely tasty. They have really good drinks here too! We will have to come back so I can try it again, hopefully without getting sick the next time!
We came here for lunch during a work day. We started off with some chips and salsa which we were charged for. Based off their website our first basket should have been free since we didn't get any refills. Next we ordered the shrimp fundido which came with 3 very small tortillas. When we asked our waitress for another tortilla she informed us she would have to charge us, this seems a bit ridiculous. Finally we both decided on the chicken quesadilla which I found to be pretty good except for the sauce it was presented with on the plate which was extremely sweet. Overall I would say the service and experience was below average.
(2)
Justine S.
Food was outstanding! I really don't think we could have gone wrong with anything on the menu. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Jakkajan D.
My doctor recommended this place. Guess I should start listening to my doctor! Hands down the best Mexican food I ever had. No need for a long review. Just go eat there. You'll see.
(5)
Jason C.
Came here with a friend for brunch. I had the Divorciados. The salsas ended up being a bit less flavorful than I had imagined, but the eggs were well-cooked. My friend had a similar experience with her dish. In terms of other aspects, the dishes were well-priced, and the service was good. It seemed like there were a lot of great options on the menu, and the decor was fun. I would definitely try them again some time.
(3)
Jessica M.
I typically don't get a quesadilla at a Mexican restaurant for the desire to have something extraordinary, but this quesadilla was just that. Fantastic, like a party in my mouth. The gouda cheese, onions, and chicken mend together so well, then on the plate they add a sweet red sauce and a black bean and corn salsa, I literally don't think it could've been any better. As a chef's daughter I look for good flavor combos, and this was expertly crafted, and plated to perfection. Best chicken quesadilla I've ever had in my life. My husband got the chicken enchilada, without the Verde (typically served with one Verde and one roja).... and he loved the amount of flavor in his dish as well... it's hard to make common things stand out to me, but this place has it down, from the difficult specialties to the commonly seen dishes. We will be back!
(5)
Jess D.
It was the first time my girlfriend and I came to Red Mesa on 4th St N. I've been to the Red Mesa in downtown, which gave me a good comparison restaurant. Our server was very nice and didn't hover. One thing I was surprised by, is 1) they charge for the chips and salsa, 2) they don't make mojitos here - devastated - and 3) the restaurant didn't really seem like a Mexican restaurant on the inside. The decor was sort of bland; I felt like I was in an Olive Garden. Now, for the food! I had the shredded beef enchiladas with beans and rice. Absolutely fantastic. Full of flavor and texture. My girlfriend had the steak tacos, and wasn't a fan, unfortunately. She expressed that the steak didn't have much flavor, and her tacos, beans and rice were very oily. I will return, though, to try the dinner menu. I left full and happy.
(4)
Carrie C.
We wanted a quiet, weekday dinner out. Red Mesa's sunset dinner fit the bill perfectly! We had a wonderful dinner starting with white citrus sangria with chips and salsa. My shredded beef burrito with poblano peppers was outstanding. Deliciousness in every bite. My husband had chicken and was equally pleased. Although there was no room left for dessert, it was part of the package and we tasted with delight. Michael informed us of the specials of the day as well as took excellent care of us. He also updated us with their new summer hours and specials. We felt cared for and that's a great feeling.
(5)
Carrie B.
Great patio and service with amazing duck tacos, decent sangria and ceviche. While spicy the queso is quite the bomb! Definitely worth checking out in St Pete!
(4)
Lauren C.
*My 500th review* I came here for Sunday Brunch with family. I had visited Red Mesa many years ago, but never for brunch until this particular visit. The menu is a vast selection of both breakfast and lunch items, ranging from torta breakfast sandwiches and burritos, to shrimp omelettes, combination plates and salads. As you can see, I had a hard time deciding what to get. What makes the decision even harder is that everything is so reasonably priced, especially considering the large portion sizes and delicious flavors. Most meals range from $6.5 - $10, a bargain for such a great meal. Our server was attentive and continually checked in on us, but we weren't ready to order until her 3rd visit to our table. I finally settled on the "chuy combinado" - pork tamale, chicken tostada and chicken enchilada topped with savory chili sauce and a side of refried beans. Everything came out hot, fresh and tasty, no doubt. In this case, my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I simply couldn't finish my meal, so I took part of it home for later (and it made a mighty tasty leftover meal later on I must say). We enjoyed relaxing and visiting with family here, the environment was nice and the server continued to stop by regularly. We didn't feel rushed and walked away satisfied.
(5)
Nate B.
Great food and great service. Mushroom quesadilla was really spot-on for taste and balance. Mojo shrimp...the sauce made the dish. Great kids menu that goes beyond burgers and hot dogs, but not so out there that you can't find anything. The strawberry sangria was recommended. Wouldn't have tried it otherwise, but Natalia, our waitress, said it was overlooked, so we went for it. A hidden gem! We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Very convenient, very fast, and very good food. Well done, Red Mesa!
(4)
Andrea W.
When in St Pete and bringing guest from out of town I can count on Red Mesa to impress them! Gorgeous outdoor patio dining area. Perfect Margaritas. Sublime Eggs Benedict with Avocado - save room for the Churros! I love this place!! Great service in a perfect St Pete downtown location - I've had many a perfect meal here and I love this restaurant I've recommended this place more times than I can count - super nice place all around!
(4)
Warrick A.
This place is always busy, but worth it. The service is excellent and the food delicious. I love the homemade black-bean soup. Their salsa and chips are complimentary, and I recommend the margaritas . Awesome place to eat , full menu and not expensive. Only downfall , the parking in rear is often full to capacity .
(4)
Jennifer H.
Been here 3 times and never disappointed each time. The food is AMAZING and plentiful. It's a small place and it can feel a bit cramped at busier times, which makes me wish they were a bigger restaurant. They definitely deserve to be larger. Their food is incredibly filling though, I can eat lunch here and be full the entire day! I kinda wish they had some healthy plate /small plate options, because then I might be able to eat here more often!
(5)
John B.
MESA (me-sa), noun - an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in landscapes with horizontal strata. In rock climbing, once you reach the summit you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the view! At Red Mesa, once you reach for your fork you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the taste! As you disembark your land conveyance vehicle and traverse the parking lot to the first plateau(the front door), you catch slight notes of kitchen aromas wafting in the St Pete air. Tantalizing and true reminders of the real purpose of your mission. Once gaining a strong foothold on the plateau, the Sherpa guide(hostess) assists you to your base camp. Your second guide sets you up with all the gear you need to successfully scale the savory slope of epicurean delight. Joe, as our base camp guide, gathered the intel necessary for our rations. Our party of four perused the ration sheet(menu) and detailed the desired canteen(kitchen) output as required for proper nutrition on this gastronomic expedition. Our server was quite busy, so service was a tad slow at first, and I had to remind him I needed some lemons(to prevent scurvy?). Joe turned out to be a pretty nice guy, and I even shook his hand before we mounted our pack horses to depart. Okay, back to ground zero, review-wise. Two of us chose the Norteño Combinado, a steak empanada with chile morita sauce and queso fresco, a shredded beef taquito with guacamole and black bean sauce, and one crisp shredded beef or chicken taco. Served with congri(black beans and rice). In one word? Delicious! In two words? Deliciously delicious! Lots of flavor, with a slight touch of spicy heat in the empanada. The taquito provided a nice crunch even while lathered in a creamy guacamole sauce. I will order this dish again. And again, and again! My better half(or three fourths?) ordered the Trail Ensalada(salad). Unfortunately it was missing the pumpkin seeds as described in the menu. Otherwise a nice salad, although a little light on the full-feeling factor. She was satisfied, but felt a wee bit wishing she could have sampled some of my taco! What a beautiful woman will do to maintain her girlish figure! (I love you to the highest elevation and back, Honey!) Our fourth climber, er, party member ordered the Del Rey Burrito with shredded beef. This thing was the size of a gold bar you might find ensconced into the steep hillsides below the mesa. She advised it was a perfect blend of taste and temptation! I was surprised she was able to eat almost the entire burrito! Throw caution to the wind! The atmospheric conditions within the plateau(the atmosphere in the restaurant) are reminiscent of a lot of Mexican restaurants, but with a feeling of quality and no kitsch. This is certainly a higher end establishment and it shows in the quality of ingredients and food fare. Most days, at dinner hours, expect quite a line-up of eager, hungry patrons at the door. They do have some comfortable waiting seating for a few lucky folks. Now for a nice, warm and fuzzy human moment.... Once we were seated, I noticed a charming young family seated next to us. Handsome guy with a beautiful wife and three of the most adorable little girls this side of the Rio Grande. Sometimes you can feel 'goodness' and 'love' within a room, and I certainly felt this effect emanating from this family. I was moved to step over and tell them my feelings. They were very appreciative and receptive. They gave details on how fortunate they were, and that their littlest cutie was their 'Miracle Baby'. A great feeling and reaffirmation that this world still has a LOT of good, decent people in it! There were some nice goodbyes when they left, I felt as though I had known them for years! Much to our surprise, when we finished our meals, our server Joe appeared with a platter of some decadent looking mountain of light brown goodness topped with whipped cream! This was the 'Fried Ice Cream' - chunky monkey rolled in corn flakes, flash fried, topped with Mexican chocolate sauce and whipped cream. He announced that this loving family asked for and paid for us to be able to enjoy this treat! We were all very taken and moved. It was a crazily delicious and dangerous treat to our tastebuds! So very thankful to them, where and whom ever you are! Overall, our climb to the Red Mesa summit was a complete success! We did not get to plant our great nation's flag on the peak, however. They would have frowned at us digging into their nice clean flooring. Darn!
This was the second time I have dined at Red Mesa. I thought maybe the first time they just brought their "A" Game, as everything was perfect...(really, perfect!) So, this time I was expecting perfection, but prepared for disappointment.....NOT SO! Perfection, Again! The salsa served with the chips (a big factor at determining the quality of a Tex-Mex restaurant) is nothing short of fantastic... Four of us for dinner, four different meals, and everyone remarked how wonderful their choice was. It is possible to eat healthy here, and that's a big bonus. As I am from Texas, home of really good Tex-Mex food, I can tell you that Red Mesa is at or above the level of my favorite Mexican restaurant on earth - La Fogata, on Vance Jackson St. in San Antonio, TX. If, for some reason, you can't get in to Red Mesa, just jump a Southwest Airlines flight to San Antonio....that's about how far you will have to go to tie this place...
(5)
Charles M.
Awesome food! Great service! Love the sangria and they have the best chili relleno I've had outside of Texas!
(5)
Nicole D.
Delicious! Consistently delicious every time I go! Amazing flavor and complex blends. Yum yum!
(4)
Theresa H.
My friends have been telling me to try this place and finally went there tonight. I wish I listened to them when they first told me about it. We ordered guacamole with chips that were delicious, they also brought us their salsa that was perfect, not mild and not too spicy. Now let me get to the main dish, which I'm still thinking about. I ordered the Shrimp Al Mojo De Ajo, its aroma so mouth watering, I cant describe the flavors, they just exploded in your mouth!! Fresh shrimp, garlic, cilantro, tomatoes, veggies, rice, in this to die for sauce. Its one of the best dishes I have had in a long time. I wanted to lick the plate!!!! I cant wait to go back. It was busy, nice ambience, loved it!!!
(5)
Jasmine P.
My parents and I are from Texas, so for our first day in St. Petersburg, we were looking for something familiar. Red Mesa was a great surprise, and I'd call it more "flex-tex", Florida tex-mex! My dad and I will eat pretty much anything, but my mom is a little more picky (she'll stick to chicken, but only if its cut up small). The menu here was perfect for all of us. We all ordered off the "sunset menu" (4-5:30p, you get a sangria or beer, a select entree, and a delicious dessert for $15). The food came out reasonably fast, but we had plenty of chip/salsa to satisfy us. I got the shrimp salceado (pardon the spelling), and it was delicious!! Plenty of sauce and the shrimp was well cooked. My parents got the two chicken entrees (enchiladas and a chicken breast dish) and they were both delicious as well! Two things that I really loved: the rice (soft, flavorful) and the dessert (a Cinnamon and coconut cake with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, yum!). The service was pretty good, nothing notable but not terrible. I don't usually like going to the use place twice when I'm out of town, but I may make an exception for this place!
(5)
Katy D.
Nice looking restaurant. Staff was friendly. The food has a great presentation, but was just okay. Was a little disappointed in the guacamole- the cost is $9, and it's nothing special. The refried beans were very good. I ordered the shredded chicken Del Rey Burrito, and was not very impressed. The churros and caramel sauce were amazing.
(3)
Philip E.
Ok as well traveled as I have been,this is by far the best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at. We started off with warm tortilla chips with 2 homemade salsas. One was a traditional red chili based salsa and the other one was the fire breathing habanero one, both fantastic. Dinner was a sirloin steak special covered in a cilantro chili sauce with retried beans and yellow rice. 5 stars! My friend had the chimayo skirt steak in a chili cream sauce, omg amazing. Then dessert was a homemade churro over pumpkin mousse with chocolate ganache. Everything exceeded expectations, will come back as soon as this week.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Bob B.
Everything is very clean and fresh tasting. The mexican food here is definitely upscale, but oh so good. Good atmosphere as well. The prices are decent for the type of place it is. The seafood items are of course your higher end of the menu. The chips and salsa are quite tasty also, though I'm a fiend for most chips and salsa.
(4)Walt T.
Great lunch items. Mahi tacos are good but wish you got three of them instead of two. The chipotle shrimp burrito is the best!
(4)Rob B.
Tasty Mexican inspired food that'll fill you up good. Had the short rib torta which was packed with flavorful moist and tender meat. Nice atmosphere and the menu looks like it could keep you happy over several visits.
(4)Karen C.
Overall pretty good but the rice tasted like rice pilaf from a box and seemed over cooked. Service was quick and friendly.
(3)Amy Z.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this before! Everything I have ever had here is delicious! Order anything thee and you won't be disappointed. Trust me - I'm chubby and discriminating :)
(5)Michele D.
Yummy! This place was pretty darn tasty! I hate going to a Mexican restaurant where they slam pounds of cheese all over everything your unable to find the friggin enchilada. This place doesn't do that at all .. It's good, clean , Mexican. I never seen any Mexican restaurant in the bay area with so many fresh fish dishes! Yep! This place is a definite repeat
(5)John W.
Excellent restaurant ! Went here for lunch on a Saturday and got here at noon. Ten minutes later every seat in the restaurant was completely filled. Not hard to see why. I had the seafood burrito which was stuffed with the local catch of grouper, crab and assorted other delicacies topped with a homemade chipotle sauce served with black rice and pico. DELISH. Prices are very reasonable as are the portions. Service was quick and efficient albeit a bit gruff. But you can overlook that with the high quality of the meals that they serve here. Looked like everyone in the restaurant was thoroughly enjoying their meals here. This is not your typical Mexican food. More like a gourmet Mex with a great price ! I highly recommend this place, but come early or get reservations as they fill up fast.
(4)Daniel K.
Not sure what happened to my last review, posted months ago, but hey lets do it again. This place is a five because the food is awesome! Go for breakfast or lunch. Wonderful menu, good service, tight quarters, but nicely decorated inside. It's ALWAYS packed, for anyone who gave this place less than a 4, try it again! You missed something or maybe your dead and just think your eating there. That's my sixth sense kicking in I guess.
(5)Erica J.
Red Mesa used to be one of my favorite restaurants; the food is amazing. My problem is with the way the restaurant handles mistakes they make in the kitchen. If you ask for the kitchen to leave something off of your food, and they put it on by mistake, they just wipe it off and send it back without regard for food allergies. I'm really disgusted and I will NEVER return.
(2)Abc 1.
Went here for dinner on a Thursday night and had never been before. Service was friendly from the start, no wait and even the valet guy was super nice outside. We ordered the grouper ceviche, the snapper, some plantains and some guac for dinner and loved all of it! Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and never made us feel rushed once. We also split a pitcher of Sangria and had some churros for desser (a MUST) and everything was great. The ceviche was some of the best I've had and I've had that app served to me in several countries and other states. Salsa and chips were also great. Will definitely return for more delicious mexican food!
(5)Mica F.
I'm still learning my way around the SW Tampa Bay area and I love when I find little pockets of neat stuff. Going south on 4th St N and with the use of my trusty Yelp app, I found this lovely contemporary Mexican restaurant! We came in for an early weekday dinner in between kids activities. The staff was super nice to my kids, always a plus in my book and they were very accommodating about the fact that my husband was still about 10 minutes out and we had to get out of there in about 50. Mission accomplished! I wouldn't say this was a Mexican restaurant but rather a contemporary Mexican flare. It was unexpected and totally enjoyed. There were so many menu items that caught my eye, I didn't know which to pick which will warrant a trip back from me. My husband was easy, he had me order him the Jalapenos Rellenos while en route. My son ordered the Filet Al Chipotle which he loved and took half of it home. I had the Snapper Vera Cruz which was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. As a whole, our family loves Mexican. My 6yo wants to go on vacation to Mexico because the food is yummy. It's my hope that when we do take her after eating at places like Red Mesa, that she's not disappointed with Mexico!
(5)Ashish K.
Caters to all the tastes(Spicy, mildly Spicy to Non Spicy). Different lunch and Dinner menus. I tried the Del Rey Chicken Burrito which was very juicy with very fine and flavorful sauces used. I found the rice and Black Beans here to be better than rest of the mexican places I have been to. Must try.
(4)Alex A.
I don't get to eat Mexican very often and when I do I'm usually let down. After eating here, all I can say is WOW! The food was amazing. I had some sort of combo and it was a definite 5 stars. The restaurant it self is a 3. The booth and tables are a little old and it's not exactly spotless inside. Also extremely limited drink menu, they definitely need to get a liquor license. Again, 5 STAR FOOD!
(5)Alice T.
What can I say? Group of six all had the best meal we can remember. Grouper was amazing!
(5)Vanessa Z.
You need a CLEARWATER location...asaps!
(5)Connie M.
Red Mesa is an excellent choice and is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete. I have fallen into a rut and have begun ordering the Pork Verde with extra veggies instead of getting rice and beans. The vegetable is usually broccoli with red peppers and carrots, and I think a little bit of garlic and seasoning thrown in. The pork is spicy and delicious with just the right amount of heat. They are always willing to accommodate my requests with a smile. I still have to nosh on their home made chips and have a glass of Sangria. (I said I'm in a rut here). The food is always fresh and consistent with very quick service. It's definitely worth the wait outside for a table.
(5)Kathy C.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and we eat here several times a month. We have tried most of the entrees on the lunch menu and are never disappointed. The food is fresh and flavorful and the prices are extremely reasonable. If you like spicy food, you can get entrees with some heat to them. I really like duck so enjoy the duck enchiladas and duck salad. The seafood enchiladas, grilled salmon, and chipotle shrimp (entree, not the burrito) are more of my favorites. My husband really likes the drunken sandwich. The hamburger is also REALLY good and not typically what you might order off the menu. Both white and red sangria is REALLY good here - it tastes like the infuse spices into the wine, which makes it so delicious. We rarely leave enough room for desert, however have tried the plantains foster, which was a wonderful spin on the classic version. Red Mesa has the best trained wait staff of anywhere we've eaten in the Tampa Bay area. Honestly, they provide the best service and we measure all other restaurants by them.
(5)Amanda L.
Completely above-par compared to the majority of tex-mex restaurants out there. The amount of refinement and sophistication the dishes have, while being in an upscale casual environment, is impressive. This is not your standard, heavy tex-mex fare. The seafood here is out of this world. A little on the pricey side, but there will be no regrets. Highly highly recommend. Obsessed with the southwest grilled grouper - such a unique and delicious dish. A must have for those that can handle spice!
(5)Amanda R.
This place is great! The courtyard is so charming with its string lights and fountain, and a very relaxing environment for drinks after a long day (especially on Mondays when their house margaritas are half off). The empanadas are excellent though small portions... not much of a problem when watching weight, though they are not filling enough for a meal. My friend and I like to split the Empanada then split a chorizo burger, which is the most delicious burger I have ever had. Yum!
(5)Mperke M.
Red mesa is my favorite restaurant. I have been going for at least 12 years. I have never had a bad meal. Everything is homemade. The shrimp fundido is my favorite appetizer and the cedar salmon is awesome. If you are wanting something lite I would suggest the red mesa salad. The service is excellent. It is always busy so make reservations or order to go as I do at least once a week.
(5)Jennifer F.
Went here as a large group (9) on a Sunday late afternoon. Service was excellent and the prices were okay. Beer and wine only. Apps were the mushroom fondue and calamari. Calamari was well cooked and the curry sauce was amazing and hot!! The fondue was okay, shrooms were great on it though. Everyone got something different and no complaints. Portions are good size and wine by the bottle prices were not crazy. Desert was good and big. Oh and the chips were fresh and the salsa medium hot. Nice build on the burn over time. Lots of fish and vegetarian options as well. When we left they were in full dinner slam and the noise level was not bad.
(4)Michael G.
How have I not reviewed this place yet?! I have been throughly enjoying Red Mesa for years, and years, and years. It is one of the go-to restaurants in St. Petersburg, especially for people who are visiting and only have a limited time to see what St. Petersburg has to offer. I don't need to say much because this place has more than enough good reviews but what I will say is the corn chips and salsa are very good, the chips are very thin and salty. The guacamole is usually good but the most recent time I had it, it was extremely spicy which I did not like, but give it a try. The quesadillas are also very good - but you can't go wrong with anything here. And lastly, let's not forget about the grand finale: the dessert! The chocolate spoon cake is some of the best chocolate cake I have ever had. It's light and smooth but very chocolatey so it also comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance out the flavor. Over all, Red Mesa is a must in St. Petersburg!
(5)Jeff M.
This place is awesome. It was my dad and aunt and myself. We waited for fifteen minutes even though it was a thirty minute wait. But we sat down and out server was awesome he was so cool, answered all of our questions, he was fun and energetic. Now to the food, you'll need an empty stomach. The chips are to die for and the salsa was mild but had a hint of spice but not to hot that you can't handle it. We polished those off. I ordered the pollo Yucatan. I HIGHLY recommend that. It is really hot so if you have a craving for spicy this is right up your alley.
(5)Andy D.
Good stuff. I haven't had anything bad here. I haven't had anything amazing either though.
(3)Katie M.
I've been so many times and the food is always so good, sangria is good and servers are friendly. It can get loud inside so outside is much nicer but I recommend it to everyone.
(4)Rachel T.
I went here with my parent-in-laws and husband. They were long time area residents and big fans. I recognize that in the area this is a pretty unique place. It has complex dishes and a nicer atmosphere. However, they also love Apple B's and Bone Fish and Cheese Cake factory. This is as such... a large restaurant with crowded seating. I found the atmosphere to be busy and distracting, not very comfortable seating, and like eating in a chain restaurant though this isn't a chain. It's good food but I'd rather not feel like I'm sitting at IHop. I say "I'm a fan" because my family is and they live there and have more relative opinion than I do as a visiting New Englander.
(4)Shay H.
I'm a little surprised by some of the negative reviews and many people are comparing this to Tex-Mex they found in Texas. I'm sure if you don't try to make it something it's not and just enjoy it for what it is you will be pleasantly surprised. I would not really call it Tex-Mex, I would say they have some mexican dishes and some dishes that just have a mexican twist. I had roast duck enchiladas and they were very good! My husband's grouper was good as well. For an appetizer we had Mahi ceviche which was very good, but the portion was a little small. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised and compared to any other Mexican food I've found in Florida this place is very good. The menu is also very inventive and I'm looking forward to going back and trying another unique dish. As others have mentioned the food is better than you would expect from the decor. And the sangria is just okay.
(4)Berit M.
Went to Red Mesa the other night with a friend because we were really feeling some mexican food AND margaritas. The food was phenomenal and I highly recommend trying the enchilada trio and the carne asada. I had to give it a 3 because they didn't have real margaritas (#fail) so we ended up getting sangria instead which was just so-so. I'm going to try Red Mesa Cantina because our server assured us they have more choices as far as margaritas and drinks at that one, however, I will probably still be back here. They did not disappoint on the food.
(3)Steven K.
My wife had the carna asada and it was cooked perfect. The flavor was wonderful. I has the shrimp and crab chimi. So bad!!! With the hard corn shell, the sauce, and cheese I could not taste any of the seafood in it. Even though hers was good we will not return there.
(3)Kelly R.
My only issue with this place is that every time we have a date night we want to go here. The food is melt in your mouth delicious. On our last visit I had the chimichangas and they were to die for. The margaritas here are excellent. The atmosphere is lively and just the right bit of loud, service is excellent and you can tell people enjoy working there. They have an excellent outdoor space with a bar, covered seating and live entertainment. Notes: you'll need to find street parking or pay to park in a garage, outdoor/indoor bar, live entertainment, Saturday nights are very busy and they don't take reservations.
(5)Nat W.
I was told my friend that this place is very good and I saw all the hypes on Yelp. I finally decided to go. They have "free" valet parking. Luckily when we got there, we found a parking spot right near the entrance so we did not have to have a valet and saved on the tip. Inside was kinda crowded and I felt a little too close to the next tables. Our server was great!! His name was I think Mike. He was so nice , polite and attentive. We got the special "BBQ pork tacos" for an appetizer. They were really really delicious. It was a bit pricey for the amount you get tho (it was $10 for small 2 pieces). For entrees, we ordered shrimp and crab enchilada, and seafood with rice (pretty much like paella). The enchilada was just okay. The paella was good! Overall, it is a place with good food and great service! 4-star :)
(4)Scott W.
Wonderful! Worth the wait. Service was fast and attentive. I had the ceviche special and the tamale plate. Very, very fresh ceviche with a nice citrus flavor. The tamales were very moist and filling. Great dinner!
(4)Lou M.
This place has good food, but is pretty expensive. The 4th street location now has mofungo, which is probably my favorite thing on the menu. The calamari is really good and comes with chipotle and habanero dips which make the dish. Their Sunday brunch is a good food experience, but again, kinda pricey.
(3)William M.
We had a wonderful time today at the Red Mesa! The food was wonderful, my family from out of town loved it...I've been talking about this place for a while and when they came in town there was nowhere else to go. The sangria and Chipotle shrimp hit the spot. Not to be left out was the service we recieved from big Joe. He made my mother laugh and she thought he was so cute...I hope Joe sees this (she's 84 years old)...I will continue to tell everyone about this place! Great experience and atmosphere. Thank you
(5)Jason P.
Not impressed, I ordered the Gorgonzola stuffed fillet, and literally gagged down a couple bites of the meat. I've never had a filet mignon that tasted so bad before. The Gorgonzola was good, as was the Chile relleno, but for a $45 plate of food I was very underwhelmed.
(2)James B.
Great food a lil more on the expensive side but totally worth it. Definitely worth going back
(5)Manuel M.
This is an excellent restaurant, possibly the best in Tampa Bay. Caribbean/Pan Latin food. Menu seems like a sample and fusion of all the best food in Latin America. Quality of ingredients and execution are excellent. Great value, good service. Casual and fun vibe.
(5)Zachary W.
Best Hangover brunch. There is a mimosa special Saturday and Sunday. Food was great. Service was excellent. Out door dining area with water features in it very nice atmosphere
(5)Dessie M.
Service good. Busy at 230 in the afternoon. Great drink deals. Will be back. The Sangria special was yummy. All and all with tip $70.00 for 4 meals 2 large sangrias tea and soda. Service with a smile
(4)Sarah L.
Red Mesa is by far one if the best restaurants in St. Pete! I have been coming here for about 15 years and it just gets better each time. Try the duck salad or the chicken quesadilla.
(5)Crystal D.
We went here after seeing that the Cantina has such high ratings among fellow downtowners, but one afternoon we happened to be closer to the Restaurant so we went there instead. We have since been to both, and while the Cantina has the lively atmosphere, the Restaurant in my opinion has the better food!! I got a sirloin combination with seriously the best cheese enchilada and red sauce that I have ever, ever had the pleasure of tasting. Next time I go back, I'm seeing if I can get just enchiladas! The Cantina menu definitely seems to lean more toward a further south american rather than "mexican", which is fine. But there was lots of duck and chorizo and fish and fancy options, which is great and all, but sometimes a girl just wants some good ole carne asada. The restaurant does also have the fancier options as well, but the whole menu is bigger so there's enough to satisfy the hoity toity crowds, as well as those of us who are craving just the basic more standard mexican fare. Though it is anything but standard! From the not from a mix margaritas, to the yummy salsa, to the perfectly cooked meats, I was absolutely in taste bud heaven. Simple but high quality and expertly executed with really tasty side dishes that sometimes competed with the main course in tastiness. We will definitely be coming back here again and again!!
(5)Tiffany D.
Wonderful upscale Mexican dining! They serve a variety of dishes (their menu is different than the Cantina downtown), the ones that I've had were delicious! The atmosphere is inviting and the service is excellent.
(5)Charlie K.
Update: gave this place another shot and was dissappointed once again. It took them 15 minutes to set an already clean table in a nearly empty restaurant and only managed to place out menus (no napkin or silverware). It seemed like they wanted to get rid of us the whole time we were there. At least the food was really good this time. I'm not going to fight it if someone invites me here, but I'll continue skip this one and go to the Red Mesa Canteen location in downtown St. Pete. Slightly different menu (it's still all really good though) better service.
(3)Ed D.
We've been coming here since it opened more than ten years ago. It has been consistently great over that time. On our last visit, the ceviche was outstanding, the sangria wonderful and, while the menu items had changed a little since our last visit, were still delish. As always, there was a little wait for a table.
(4)Jenny C.
This place has the most amazing gourmet Mexican food!!. Some of the best Mexican I've ever had. The presentation of the food was really beautiful. The dishes were full of color as Mexican food usually is. The music they played was a soft Spanish salsa. Very elegant, very first class cuisine. I love Mexican the only turn off was the price..........I mean there's a cap on how much you can charge for beans and rice..........I had an amazing dish.............3 cheese enchiladas!! It was my 21st birthday so it was kind of a big deal!! I was ordering Cosmos like it was my job.............Well the meal was amazing. So were the Cosmos............The ambiance in this spot is great too. The waitress was really great. Over-all it was a great experience. PS : Mexican and Cosmos do NOT go together this horrible combination will make u sick do not try this at home!!
(4)David G.
This place is FANTASTIC! Never had a bad meal here and its one of the best restaurants in Pinellas County. We go here a lot and this is a must try if you have never been. The service is excellent as well but it can get very busy... Enjoy
(5)Victor M.
Very nice and tasty Mexican food. Had the skirt stake and it was very good. It also had a lil kick to it which was nice.
(4)Henry C.
DO NOT confuse Red Mesa Cantina with Red Mesa Restaurant. My bad. We went for brunch expecting exciting modern Mexican fare and were disappointed with boring Cracker Barrel type entrees. I'll sleep in next time.
(2)Jeff O.
Yeeeeeeeeah! This charming restaurant has the feel of an "Indie Denny's" but it serves up some 3-4 star quality food in the Mexican tradition. A strange concept, but it works out nicely. I went yesterday for brunch and found the place to be quite cozy. Soft Southwest colors and a "Goldielock's" layout--not too big or too small. The menu features a bunch of tex-mex offerings, which sound delicious and seem to ALL have wonderful presentations when they come out. (I kept eyeing other people's dishes as they came out of the kitchen!) I ordered the special of the day; I'm unsure of the creative name, but it was scrambled eggs with a creamy cheese/hollandaise-y sauce that was yummy as hell. The potato wedges that fanned out across the plate were also just what da doctor ordered. My friends chose Huevos Rancheros and something called Divorcivas (sp?)--2 eggs "split" by opposing chili sauces. I thought everything looked amazing and tasted killer. One drawback was our particular server. She was nonexistent and clueless on refilling my coke. The next time we go back we'll have to try the entrees, and sit in Lindsey's section. She's the cute blonde girl who DJ's in the area under an alias.
(4)Peter F.
Not your usual Mexican fare, semi nouvo. Very good. No liquor license, that's a shame. This restaraunt is making it on its great food alone.
(4)Sandy H.
Went there for lunch today, and worried when we arrived that we'd have to wait, the lot was that full. We were seated right away, though, and our server promptly offered us drinks. We both ordered iced tea and, I have to say, it was fresh, cold, and actually tasted like tea...wonderful! That is unusual since many places serve watery or instant iced tea. My husband ordered the chicken quesadilla and loved it. He commented about its very nice ("unusual," to him) presentation. I had the cheese chili relleno and liked it very much, too. The red salsa was lightly and very pleasantly spicy -- not overwhelming. This dish was also well presented. The highlights of our visit were the freshness of the food, the iced tea, and the fact that the wait staff had smiles on their faces even when they were not waiting on customers!!! I will definitely return because there were many other tempting dishes that I would like to try.
(5)S C.
Red Mesa is an very good Mexican restaurant -- and I would definitely recommend going there even if it's out of the way, as we did. The menu is a mix of typical tex-mex items and some authentic and creative Mexican offerings. They had a spicy grouper special which really stood out. We had a large group and everyone was satisfied. I did try a sip of the sangria which was ok. They make their margeritas using agave wine, not tequila - and I found the drink palatable, though on the sweet syrupy side. The service was good and friendly. One weird thing for a not-low-budget restaurant is their being sticklers about rationing 1 tray of chips and salsa per table with one free refill. That certainly seems out of place in an otherwise moderate-spendy type place.
(4)Rob H.
Fairly clean flavors and a solid but not trendsetting menu. The service was nice enough, and the place was very clean looking in the customer accessible areas. However, the food was decent, but not groundbreaking. Food seasoning was catering either to 'too spicy, heat without flavor' on the rare dish, or just bland with not a lot of depth on the other dishes. I rate this squarely above Chili's, which is not a huge compliment.
(2)Borg M.
I don't think this can be called Tex-Mex. I believe it is in a category called Nueva Latina. I love the food. The salsa is extra special. It's not surprising the this restaurant has been around for 10 or 12 years.
(5)Machelle P.
This is my favorite restaurant. Try the shrimp fundido, red mesa salad and the cedar roasted salmon.
(5)Stephanie V.
I was driving back from Tampa to the Burg when I passed the north 4th Red Mesa and immediately flipped a u-turn to grab some lunch. I love the ceviche at the dtown location. Much to my surprise tho, the dtown versions aren't offered at this location. They do have a ceviche du jour which sounded good but I was hoping to get the Shrimp Los Cabos! I ordered the red sangria which was delish as usual! I also ordered the shrimp tacos with steamed veggies. I think a HUGE bonus would be if one could order tacos a la carte. I would have really liked a fish taco and a shrimp taco but had to do one or the other. Also, I would have totally been down to order a veggie taco if it was available (i am a closet vegetarian). Otherwise, my server (Therese) was awesome and the food came out quick and hot and yummy.
(4)Mitchel R.
Very good. Menu had so many options it was hard to decide. Very good upscale mexican. I would definitely go back.
(5)Josiah G.
Another 4th St. gem! Red Mesa has always been a solid experience Service has been up and down at times, but nothing out of the ordinary. The food, however, has always been above par and I will always try to drop by when I'm on 4th. Their tortilla soup is the best in Tampa!
(4)Randy E.
There are very few cities that we will visit JUST for the food, but we really do travel to St. Petersburg just to eat at Red Mesa. There is absolutely nothing on the menu that I haven't found to be outstanding. This has been, and continues to be, my favorite restaurant for almost 10 years.
(5)Christian M.
They have valet parking since the parking lot is small and they seem to get a lot of business. The margarita pitcher was tasty! The chips and salsa are homemade and also excellent. The enchiladas were good however the food was almost cold when we received it. If it wasn't for this I'd have given them 5 stars. Overall, I'd say it was a good experience and I may try them again.
(4)Ally S.
Food was great only if I was craving it. Not an everyday chicken or steak. Well, I would only go for special occasions like I did for my bday. Their drink was nicely maid. The only thing I hate about it was because they'll only seat your party group until all your guest arrived. So i had to wait for 30 minute or so with one person missing. So I took a point off for that..
(4)Nina M.
One of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete. I've never had a bad meal here. The service is always fast, attentive, and friendly. They do it well even when the place is packed, which is most of the time. Regarding the menus, there truly is something for everyone whether you're coming for brunch, lunch, or dinner. My favorites, in no particular order: guacamole, pretty much any taco they make, their chips and salsa, their cheesecake, red sangria, cheesy enchiladas. I just haven't had a bad experience and you won't, either. If you're in the mood for some flavorful Southwestern/Mexican style food, you can't go wrong with Red Mesa!
(5)Christina C.
Good food, but slow service if you dine at an off time. We came at 3 p.m. on a Sunday and surprisingly there were a good number of people there. That's a testament of how good the food is, even during a weird time to eat there are always people there. Unfortunately, our service was pretty slow. I thought our food would come quicker, but it took longer than normal. I really like the salsa that comes with the chips. It is pure sauce, no chunks of anything, and it has a great taste. On the menu it says only one refill which made me wonder how many refills someone ordered to prompt that. I got the Enchilada Trio to try all three types of enchiladas (crab and shrimp, duck, and chicken). I did the research so others don't have to ;). My personal favorite was the duck enchilada, which our waitress said was her favorite too. There is a sweet sauce on it that is delicious! Second favorite was the shrimp and crab. There was a good amount of shrimp and crab that was very fresh tasting. I don't want to say that the chicken was my least favorite, but how about we call it third favorite. It was still very good, but you can get good chicken enchiladas other places, probably for less. The rice and beans were also good, but nothing really spectacular. Next time I'm going to stick with the duck enchiladas! Inside it was nice and light. For some reason before we stepped inside, I thought it was going to have a snooty atmosphere, but it was pretty laid back. It is probably more formal at dinner, but when we went there were people in jeans and a t shirt.
(4)Lori C.
Let me start with I do not like Mexican food. This place was amazing. We started our dinner with Taquitos. They were awesome I was expecting those tiny ones like you get in the store! Anyway they were crisp and delicious. They came with a black bean sauce that I would love to be able to buy in a jar!! I ordered the combination platter with the taquito because yes I wanted another one the empanada and a taco. My dinner was equally delicious. I would have traded my empanada for another taquito! Don't get me wrong it was good but the taquito was better! I normally do not get dessert but we were kind of lounging around and just thought I would give it a try. We had the churros. It was three huge ones and on the side it had to dipping sauces a Mexican chocolate and a Caramel with a touch of goat cheese. The chocolate dipping sauce I could have done without. But I would have bathed in a bucket of that caramel!!!! We will definitely be coming back.
(5)Jessica C.
I love this place! I recently moved back to the area after 8 years, and was delighted to revisit this restaurant. It was just a wonderful as I remembered. The food, drinks and service were outstanding. On this particular visit, I was a bit under the weather, but still thoroughly enjoyed my meal as did my companions. Being sick, I had to miss out on the wonderful sangria, but the chips and salsa were delicious. I chose the Chicken Fernandez for my entree. It's a rather simple dish: grilled chicken breast topped with a chipotle cream sauce, served with rice and vegetables. Simple, but in the best way, and very very good. I can't wait to return to try some of the other menu items.
(5)John L.
Had lunch there on a Sunday afternoon. Everything we ordered was excellent. I had the mahi mahi taco & the fish was perfect. Two others ordered the Favorito Combo & loved it. We also ordered a side or salsa & chips & guacamole. Both very good & fresh.
(4)Sonia O.
Holy Mofongo!! I love love love this place. The mofongo is perfect. They add pieces of pork and it's juicy. I have gone to traditional Dominican restaurants and the mofongo isn't as good as Red Mesa. The best part. For 2 people with cocktails we spent about $60. That is not bad for the quality food. This is nice for evening dinner with spouse or even friends. The courtyard is very pretty. After dinner head upstairs to Push to dance the yummy food off.
(5)Michael D.
Okay so I may have been a little jaded at first because apparently on Sundays you can only order from the brunch menu until 2 o'clock. I wanted to order an item that I had seen on the full menu . I went ahead and decided to try some of the items on the brunch menu since my party and I had driven there. The restaurant also appeared to be very clean and the decor was modern. We ordered chips and salsa and guacamole for an appetizer. The chips were nice and crispy and the salsa tasted very fresh kind of spicy though. The Guacamole portion was very small not anything spectacular going on with the taste, considering the order of guacamole alone was nine dollars I was disappointed. The chips and salsa were not gratis (free) which I found a little odd for a Mexican restaurant. I ordered the Del Rey with shredded beef and refried beans. The plate looked appetizing enough I had just thought to myself that this wouldn't be enough to fill me up. It was a very small burrito for $9.50. Then I took my first bite ...disappointment. Not only were the portions small but my burrito was barely lukewarm. My wife ordered the chicken Del Rey with similar results. I know it may seem that I had a very disappointing experience with Red Mesa Restaurant but there was a saving grace... CHURROS!!!!! They were delicious! We have also ordered a guava empanada which had a cinnamon sugar coating like the churros but the filling was a delicious buttery creamy guava purée.
(3)Leigh C.
I would definitely choose the Red Mesa Cantina over this location. The food is overpriced and under flavored here. My husband and I stopped in on a weekend afternoon searching for our new favorite mexican spot in St. Pete. Let's just say, this wasn't it. Major bummer since it's so close to home. We'll definitely make the drive to Senor Taco or the Cantina downtown. I had a burrito and it was bland and very expensive. I can't recall what my husband got, likely fish tacos. He was not impressed, either.
(2)SallyCinnamon C.
One of our fave St.Pete restaurants. We prefer this location to the Cantina because of the complimentary valet parking. Every dish on the menu is pure perfection. Personal favorite is the Santa Fe chicken. Reservations are a must. It's that good ;)
(5)Morgan G.
El Gordo Burrito puts you in heaven! The Duck tacos and Shrimp tacos are outstanding. I love the Strawberry Mint Margarita too!! Two thumbs up for everything. Service is great even when they are busy! Highly Recommend
(5)Wrighcl ..
We visited Red Mesa for brunch after enjoying dinner twice at the cantina location downtown. The line for a table had stretched outside so we elected to sit at the bar which turned out to be nice as we had a nice view of the kitchen. They do a fine job with presentation and the plates passing by were beautifully arranged. We started with a glass of champagne and ordered the Machaca and the California Eggs Benedict which was on special. The bartender was attentive and friendly although he was very busy. The Machaca was tasty and authentic. The California Eggs Benedict included a chipotle hollandaise that combined well with the avocado and bacon. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the yolk combined well with the sauce to provide a great end flavor. For dessert we had the Mexican Chocolate and Bacon Brioche Pudding. Applewood smoked bacon, mexican chocolate and brioche bread pudding served warm with with cajeta caramel sauce ice cream and whipped cream. This put us over the edge but was well worth it. Great brunch!! Will return for dinner!!!
(5)Nikki A.
Red Mesa is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Petersburg. I have spent countless birthdays, happy hours, ladies' lunches, and one memorable Cinco de Mayo in this restaurant. We always start with the chips and salsa, and if we are splurging, the guacamole. All delicious. I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu. A few favorites include the Duck Enchiladas, the Tortilla Soup, the Shrimp Fundido, and the Ginger Crusted Salmon Salad. Red Mesa is a cut above most "Mexican" restaurants; the take here is decidedly gourmet with a southwestern kick. I have tried two of the tortas (the Black Bean and the Short Ribs); both were just okay. ( I continue my quest for a good torta in the Tampa Bay area....) The Sangria is excellent. If you haven't tried Red Mesa, get on over there with a quickness.
(4)Snarky S.
One of those birthday choices. It's not cheap but it's not expensive. You get what you paid for. Amazing food, amazing mixtures put together. I took a picky eater once. She ordered her meal without the sauce. I asked them to bring it on the side so I could try it. After she tasted it, she stole it back from me, lol. It's casual but I wouldn't walk in like I came from the beach.
(5)Poch K.
Always my favorite food in the area, but get rid of Amanda. She is an impersonal c word. Don't think I've ever called anyone a c word in my life. Well, there's a first for everything. Bad service, get rid of her!
(2)Shane B.
Stopped here for the first time yesterday to grab lunch and was not all that impressed with the ambience so I chose to sit at the small bar, which only serves beer and wine. I asked for recommendations for a spicy dish and the bartender Amanda was right on by recommending the Ancho Chile Rub Mahi - Fresh mahi broiled in mild ancho chile rub, topped with sun-dried tomato butter served on a pool of salsa verde with cilantro rice, habanero aioli and fresh seasonal vegetables. The flavor was amazing and the spice level just right. The sauce actually has some curry in it, which made the dish even better. The mahi mahi was a nice size for lunch and super moist, the rice was perfect and the vegetables were seasoned very well too. The sangria was very good, even though I am not a big fan of sangria. Found out that even though this restaurant is owned by the same owners as the downtown location, the menu's are different. The service was great!
(4)Courtney W.
Me and my boyfriend really wanted to enjoy a nice Mexican restaurant that wasn't a cookie cutter chain. This place was close to our hotel and the food and service was excellent. The aroma of gourmet flavors fill the air. Thank you for a great lunch!
(5)Roseann S.
Umm.... what happened to this place? I remember when this place served DELICIOUS southwestern food. Now it's "southwest inspired"? What happened to that inspiration? Today, it's a Mexican restaurant and don't be fooled otherwise. The food was "meh" with "not-so-meh" prices. What was really off-putting was that the air conditioning vent above our table was leaking water - GROSS! And, health hazard. The decor is terrible with cheap tables and carpet... it looks like a converted office space, not a restaurant that's serving food at the prices it's charging. Do yourself a favor and skip it. If the former ownership ever takes this place back, I might come back. For now, I can get better Mexican, elsewhere.
(2)Mike M.
Was hoping they offered the burritos for dinner. Disappointed that there are no refried beans
(1)Nikki V.
Who ever heard of a Mexican place that doesn't have burritos! Not pleased with food or drinks.
(1)Laura G.
Went there for a coworker's birthday and had the chicken quesadillas. The smoked Gouda inside them made the perfect touch. But the birthday happiness came to a screeching halt when we got a $10 bill for a "cake charge". Much to our surprise, they charged us $10 for bringing in our own cake! They knew we had our cake yet did not say a word until the end when we were handed a bill. That is robbery and dishonesty! Had we known, we would have ate the cake back at the office. In hindsight I probably should have refused to pay it but I did not want to make a scene on my friend's birthday. I will think twice before going to an unethical place again.
(3)Mathew R.
I have been to many TeX Mex places in my life and was really disappointed in the place. The service was really bad and the did was mediocre bland and not worth trying out. I gave them one star but will not go back.
(1)Randy D.
THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE RESTAURANTS ANYWHERE! NO MATTER WHAT YOU ORSER, IT WILL BE DELICIOSO! The quality is second to none, the service is fantastic, the kitchen (open to the public eye) is extremely clean! Atmosphere is elegantly relaxed and comfortable. Don't let the cloth tanle cloths fool you. You will be as comfortable in shorts or jeans as you wod in a buusiness suit. My favorite entrees are (first and foremost) the Gorganzola stuffed shrimp. They are huge and the sauce they drizzle over them is beyond description! Suffice to say my taste bud have a monumental fiesta en la boca ( party in the mouth)! Tip: request extra sauce on the side to dip some shrimp into to coat....yuummm! The salmon on a cedar plank is also so awesome. The Chiles Rellenos are also delicious. Just notE that they do change up the menu but if there is something you like, just ask. Some things on the lunch menu aren't on the dinner one and vice versa. They are very accomodating. Soooool if the shrimp aren't on the menu, ask them for it! Whatever you have you can't go wrong with this place!
(5)Jason R.
This place proves that locals really give a shit about good food. It is always packed and for good reason. Really well conceived dishes, fresh ingredients and fantastic service. I live in Clearwater and happily hall my ass to St. Pete for this privilege. Docked them 1 star for forcing me to listen to some part-time musician struggling through Top 40 covers... but for this food I can deal.
(4)Kalvin K.
Awesome spot in St. Pete. We got lost looking for a gas station in the area and were hungry. Stumbled upon this little gem because we were looking for a good tex mex place and this place does not disappoint. Gladly looking to come back whenever I'm in St. Pete again. The pictures I took don't do the food justice, come in and check it for yourself.
(5)Shannon L.
Great Spanish food. Try the trio of enchiladas - duck, crab & shrimp and chicken. Sangria also tasty. A little upscale in price dinner for 3 including 2 sangria and a beer was close to $100 (including tip). Would go again.
(4)Chris M.
This was some of the most flavorful Mexican food I've had in tampa bay. I had the shrimp and crab enchiladas which were delicious. The rice and veggies that came on the side were just as good and flavorful. Everything was cooked perfect. Service was ok. Atmosphere was nice, nothing memorable.
(4)John I.
Great food but the place always pisses me off! Great food would give it 4 maybe 5 stars, but the bar tenders are consistently rude, it is always so cold my wife and kids are miserable. Another thing you go in with a table of 4 and order an app that comes with tortillas, but only 3, server won't warn you ahead of time and will charge you for extra tortillas, too bad by the time the extra tortillas come out the app is finished. That is always a nice little "fuck you".
(2)Erica M.
After driving around downtown St. Pete for an hour looking for parking (and nearly getting run over and beat up by white trash...I digress), we arrived at Red Mesa frazzled, frustrated, and starving. They told us the wait for 3 would be about 25 minutes (we arrived around 9:15) so we decided to get a drink at the bar and wait. The space was CRAMPED...that place was hoppin'! We snuck into a little corner near the computer where the servers entered orders (sorry guys for being all up in your business) and enjoyed a pitcher of sangria and complimentary chips and salsa (both of which were delicious). We were seated before the 25 minutes was up and started with the ceviche - I think it was black grouper. The flavor was excellent but for $13, there should have been more fish and more plantain chips (I think that's what they were - we only got 3 chips for the entire order). I took our (excellent) server's recommendation and got the grilled mahi mahi served over mofongo. SO good. My husband's filet and chimichurri was awesome, and our friend's enchilada trio was good (but not great). We got fried plantains for dessert...not on the menu, but offered upon request. SO tasty. The service was very good, as was the food. We will definitely return!
(5)Kristina W.
Went here for lunch. The food was so yum! Loved it; will be back!
(5)JB L.
I've been here multiple times and they are ALWAYS packed and busy and fully staffed and for good reason. This place does it right. You get what you pay for and the price is a little up there but its very well worth it. The service is quick and always on top of refills. The food is amazing. I've tried many dishes and was always satisfied. Even the salsa is made with care and time, using roasted tomatoes and garlic... It's honestly the best salsa I think I've ever had. The food taste very authentic and never frozen. Save up a little cash and take your loved ones here. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)Asia L.
I've just died and gone to heaven. And heaven is filled with these shrimp chilaquiles. Be warned: they're spicy. But the flavor punch is well worth it. This is my absolute favorite place for brunch and I actually went a month where I went every Sunday. It's super affordable, so this didn't really break the bank. Love love love this place. Every time I go I try something new and I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)Denine M.
Service is terrible. Food is pretty decent. The hostesses and wait staff are very pretentious. They wouldn't even make the simplest of adjustments for a friend of mine that was a vegetarian. She liked one of the meals on the menu but requested that the meat just be taken out of it. They refused, and the waiter made faces at her request. This is not the first time I have had a negative experience with the staff at this location. I understand restaurants having an off day, but after returning several times and not seeing an improvement - no thanks. I will not return.
(2)Stacey W.
Well this was hugely disappointing, and not just because I was in the mood for a Margarita and they only serve wine and beer. It was hugely disappointing because it's so very, very, very mediocre. Apparently they take a limited number of reservations here, which we didn't have, so we were waiting for about 40 minutes on a Friday night (to be expected). They make a big deal of making sure your entire party is present before they'll even put your name on the list. Now really, this is just a personal pet peeve and has nothing to do with my overall review, but is this truly such a huge problem? Does it really matter if your whole party is there or not when you put your name in and there's a 30+ minute wait? Wouldn't it be just as effective to say you won't seat incomplete parties if that's what twists your panties? I'm just sayin'. We had everyone accounted for, so this want an "issue" for us, but I have to say, it gave me a bit of hope that the long wait and stringent seating rules meant we were about to eat some kick ass Mexican food. Alas my friends, this was only wishful thinking. The food was so, ... ISH! It was my husband and I, our two boys and a friend of theirs. The guacamole was tasteless, so don't bother. The boys wanted some basic nachos. Don't get excited, they asked for chips with melted cheese on them. The server looked at us like we were nuts. "Ummm.... we don't serve nachos." I said, "They don't want full nachos, they would just like some of the chips you have here on the table, with cheese melted on top." Her reply was, "But we don't have, like, dipping cheese." My husband decided to take this one and said, "No, not dipping cheese. Just regular cheese. So, instead of melting the cheese between two flour tortillas, like you do with a quesadilla, just melt the cheese on top of chips. Can you just ask if they'll do that?" She said, "I guess I can ask. But it's not on the menu." So guess what? They said they couldn't do it. Yes, I'm serious. I mean, for sure this is their prerogative, but would it have been that difficult? These are kids here. Anyway, I got the pork verde which was loaded with onions. The dish was easily 2/3 onion, 1/3 pork. Overwhelming onion taste and the onions were obviously used as filler. My husband got a mixed plate with a tamale, empenada and a taco. No complaints, but nothing to write home about, either. The boys got quesadillas and tacos, all of which were served cold. Our server was either new or just didn't know what she was doing. She never served us out ceviche, and getting it off of the bill at the end was a nightmare, even though we had informed her about the mishap when she served our main dishes. Because we doesn't get much help from her from the beginning of the meal on, we certainly didn't ask to reheat the boys' food. I really hope this experience was a fluke, or that maybe the downtown location is better? We just all thought it was a disappointing Mexican food eating experience. Oh well. Better luck next time.
(2)Steve K.
I had forgotten I had come here 6 months ago on my last trip to this area. After checking in with Yelp I was reminded I had been here before. Well it is still great food, great service, and very popular. Expect to wait a little for dinner but it is well worth it. The pineapple salsa that came as a side to my dish was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(4)Kateryna K.
This place is consistently sliding down in quality and service. They seem to take their customers for granted. The attitude is -if you don't like it, too bad, you can leave. I hope it is going to catch up with them very soon. I was meeting my boyfriend for dinner at 7:00 pm on Tuesday. He was running a little late from work and I got their first, starving and hoping to sit down and order an appetiser. They would not seat me because of their policy "to seat only an entire party". Not half of the party, which is reasonable, but an entire party! In this case it was just us two. So I had to stand in the front room be the bar and wait until he gets there while the place is 1/3 empty and no one waiting in line. When I tried to speak with a bartender and hostess about being seated since he is in the way. The bartender told me that if she had a dollar for every time she hears that someone is on the way and does not show up, she would be rich. Yes! That's precisely what she told me. As soon as he showed up, we left to a different place. The bartender had an audacity to charge me for the glass of wine I did not drink and waited for 15 minutes while the place was 1/3 empty. And this is just one of the recent instances with this place. The management is not on top of their game. The food is bland. Will not be coming back until something changes.
(1)Shane M.
I went here last week with my brother. Since Mexican food is Colorado is distinct, I was really interested to see how it differed here. There are plenty of high-end menu options over your typical Mexican restaurant and I had a fantastic 14 oz ribeye (with some sort of blackening spice) and an excellent corn blend. Really top notch. Service was terrific, chips and salsa were too. The only reason it wasn't five stars is because I went to the bar while we were waiting for a table and the bar tender was more interested in talking to a coworker than she was in getting our beers. Still, that's hardly a big deal in the grand scheme. I'll go back the next time In in St. Pete!
(4)Andy S.
The food here is always very good. The main thing that I have not liked is mostly just a preference thing. Personally I feel like it is a little bit too fancy and I don't really feel entirely comfortable. It is a little too formal for me, at least at dinner. The place just kind of has a stuffy feel to it which is weird for a Mexican place. If you go, I'm sure you will have good service and you will like everything that you eat. Just don't think it's one of those super casual Mexican restaurants which are loud and Carefree. I would not bring kids to this restaurant.
(4)Lisa C.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) ALWAYS consistent 2) Some of the freshest and creative Mexican I have had outside of Mexico 3) Some of the best cooked fish I have ever had 4) Lots of Ceviche options which are beautiful, fresh & clean tasting 5) Wonderful red & white sangrias 6) Servers who have been there 10+ years and who are warm, personable and not overbearing 7) I am craving the last Mahi dish I had there I could go on and on. Seriously, this place has always been 5 stars for me for many reasons. The decor isn't as fun as their sister site, Cantina but the food here is just perfect. I would highly recommend: Duck Tacos, Ceviches, Side dish of Plantains which are cooked to perfection with a beautiful finishing glaze, The Mahi dish over Mofungo (OMG!!!! amazing), The Spinach salad with add on's of Fried Goat Cheese medallions and a piece of perfectly seared Salmon, Specials of the day.... etc. I have never had a bad experience in over 9 years I have been coming there!
(5)Todd B.
Seriously, you wouldn't think it about a Latin American restaurant in St. Pete, but this was fantastic. I should point out that I give it 5 stars as far as Latin/Mexican places go - it is one of the best I've been to in FL - but it's not necessarily a 5 star restaurant over all. Its a casual restaurant - inviting atmosphere, not fancy at all. It was very busy when we arrived, but the service was fantastic and the server who helped us knew the menu inside and out. She was excellent. My girlfriend is 1/2 Latina, and extremely picky about her Spanish food. I actually expected more of a Mexican restaurant, and while they have some Mexican items, the menu is much more of a Latin American menu than a Mexican menu. She loved it (see her 4 star review under Melissa Z), and if she loves Latin food, then you will too. Be warned though - when they say something is spicy, they are not kidding. I got the Puntas de Filet Mignon. To quote their menu directly, "filet mignon tips in chipolte chile butter with bacon, tomato, jalapeño, poblano chile and onion. served with black beans, rice and tortillas on request." It is as wonderful as it sounds, but it made me sweat. Okay, that's not saying much, I'd sweat sitting outside in a blizzard naked (don't picture it, you'll get sick), but this stuff was extremely spicy. I loved it. Check this place out - it's amazing and you won't regret it.
(5)Crystal P.
Some of the best Sangria I've had in a very long time. That alone was worth my drive from Tampa. Thank goodness for booze! Make reservations as this establishment can get really busy. The dining room is crowded and parking can be tricky. We arrived early evening and because we had made a reservation we were seated right away. The service started off great with our drink and appetizer orders taken quickly but after our entrées arrived our service all but stopped. With spicy food it's nice to have drinks to go with it. We waited so long for refills while our waiter was chit-chat crazy with two females at the bar that we were forced to flag down another server to refill our glasses. Bummer....our time here would have been much more enjoyable and the food probably would have tasted better had our service not tanked so bad. I do remember the Spanish rice being really good, but everything else was just ok....not terrible....just...meh... If anything I'd return with some girlfriends for chips and salsa and some afternoon Sangria (it was really good)
(3)Christina G.
We attempted to go to the Cantina in DTSP but there was a 2 hour wait, hostesses were extremely unhelpful and pretty dismissive. We were a party of 7. Everyone wanted RED MESA, you know how that is when you anticipate something, nothing else will do ;) So, I called the 4th street location, the hostess that answered said that they don't take call ahead or reservations for over parties of 4 but if I could wait on the line she would see what she could do. A few minutes later she asked if 45 min wait would be OK. She wrote our name on the list and I said we will be right there! After we arrived we all got drinks and I don't think we waited more than 25 mins for our table. Here's what we had: The flavors were spectacular and fresh: Chorizo Fundido Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken Palomilla Steak Filet Mignon Chimmichurri Carne Asada Even though we were STUFFED we ordered desserts: Mexican Chocolate And Bacon Brioche Pudding Creme Brulee Cheesecake
(5)Alicia P.
This place is good. No doubt. I like the creativity in the tex-mex cuisine. My sister in law loves this place. We had ceviche, it was ok, the texture wasn't great. My husband really didn't care for it at all. Then we had our entrees, which were pretty standard, very decent sized portions and the taste was good. Not a huge fan of chains, we would go back if someone really wanted to go there, but it's not a place that we think of when we say "HEY, let's go for some southwestern fare."
(3)Ketan S.
Not too many options for vegetarians. We had the chips and guacamole and the cheese quesadilla which were pretty good. Very nice ambience. Good place to go out for a date
(4)Claire L.
Completely different from the other red Mesa in st Pete but supposedly same owners. Asked for the half hot chocolate half coffee and apparently they only make it on Sundays? Chicken tortilla Soup was gross and salad was dry. Actually quite disgusted at the entire place. Was like a Mexican diner and completely different from other location! Do NOT go here if you've already gone to the other location or you will be left very disappointed.
(2)Kelleigh M.
Red Mesa is one of the best gems on 4th street. The menu is unique and fresh, the servers have been there for awhile, and their chips and salsa are delish. I love this place. I've taken my coworker and my manager here (which are both vegetarian) and they have thoroughly enjoyed it. I do prefer this location over their cantina in DTSP.
(5)Mary M.
So good! The duck enchiladas are out of this world good! Great service. Small dining room, so I would suggest reservations. Definantly going back!
(5)Hillary V.
The building & staff... This restaurant is pretty cute. The parking situation is a little weird. There's a small bar inside along with regular table and booth seating. I went to Red Mesa at 9:25 on a Monday night. When we left, we were the last ones there. I looked at the sign and it said they closed at 9:30. I was shocked. Our waiter was so cool about us being there after it closed. So kudos to him. The drinks... Their margaritas are VERY good. They don't want for tequila like some of the ones I've had around here. Our only complaint is the salt on the rim is not quite right. The food... I had a combination platter. The Chihuahua comes with a pork tamale, a picadillo empanada, and a shredded beef taquito. I have never eaten a tamale or taquito in my life, but I absolutely, positively LOVED THEM. I ended up having to pack half of it because I couldn't finish it, and it was still good the next day. Overall, Red Mesa is absolutely worth a visit.
(4)Carey F.
The menu is pretty extensive and the food is well prepared, however, the atmosphere is rather stuffy and the tables are a bit too close for comfort.
(3)Shawn K.
This place rocks. The food is fresh and delicious. Every item on the menu seems well thought out and they really deliver a work of art here. We had the veg enchiladas, veg combination plate (which includes a spicy stuffed bell pepper), and black bean soup. Everything was delicious. And the wait time for food was about 10 mins on a busy night. The prices are quite reasonable, may get expensive if your trying to feed 10 people, but for 2 to 4 people its definitely manageable. Cant wait to visit this place again.
(5)Evan F.
Service is often hit or miss, but the tacos and drinks are both excellent. The best Mexican in St. Pete. Sit outside because the atmosphere is really nice. The bands that play usually aren't very good but overall it's a great place.
(4)Melissa Z.
Red Mesa is the oasis in desert of fast food country. Thank God for Red Mesa. Chose this place as the inaugural dinner of my moving to St Pete from Atlanta. Service was outstanding. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu to help guide you through the wonderland of latin american cuisine. There is a very wide range of spiciness level, so something is sure to please everyone. This restaurant boasts about its fresh seafood and meats and vegetables, for good reason. Keep in mind, this is more latin american than mexican. If you're looking for some place with lots of tacos or buritos, this ain't it. So, atmosphere is a big thing for me. I'd rather sit at home and fix my own self something rather than sit in a restuarant that looks like a boring shell of a cafeteria. This exterior is nice and welcoming; doesn't look like a hole in the wall, so this is good enough for a date. The interior could do with a little more latin american decoration, but it is inviting enough. We will be back. Random note: valet is available. wth. I mean, the restaurant parking lot is small. It's a waste. but I guess there are some prim madonnas that like have someone else do something that they could easily do.
(4)Dana S.
Red Mesa is great. I went my first time recently on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't too busy but there were a lot of tables filled. I was seated right away. The food is great and the chips and salsa are pretty good. Didn't like the salsa at first but it grew on me. I ordered the Steak and Chorizo Quesadilla and it was so good. Great flavor and comes with four slices of quesadilla and some guacamole. I asked for some extra cilantro and was charged $1 for it. I thought that was kinda ridiculous. My boyfriend got the Steak and Chorizo taco and he was pleased with it, he just wished the portions were bigger for the price. My only complaint was that with the Filet Mignon burrito is "as is, no exceptions". I really wanted to order that but I can't handle spicy foods very much and it comes with poblano chile and red pepper. I'd love to get it without that :(
(4)Darryl M.
This place is the real deal. The Grouper is awesome. Grouper a la plancha was the specific dish I had. 5:30 pm and the place is packed on a Tuesday night. Get in early or make a reservation. The service is also terrific.
(5)Melissa A.
Since moving to Largo it's been a while since i've been here but we dined here recently and I was underwhelmed to say the least. The chipotle oyster appetizer used canned oysters, I swear to God. Tasted it right away. After that I was very hesitant to order a $30.00 entree so we just had a few tacos and the chicken tortilla soup. The tacos were good as was the soup. Nothing blew us away. The tortillas are inside the soup and soggy, while this may be traditional I would appreciate some fresh one's added to the top (as they do with the avacoado) for some crunch. Sangria was like fruit punch with no fruit. They really need to offer margarita's, real one's not wine based posers. The interior is screaming for a face lift. The shaggy do look of the dining room needs to go. I won't be rushing back any time soon.
(2)Jason N.
I wish this place was closer to my house... plain and simple.
(5)Ali C.
Great for Sun brunch as they have breakfast and lunch items and a decent kids selection. It's from 9a-2p on Sun. Not as glitzy as its sister Cantina downtown but the food is amazing! Huevos Rancheros is awesome. Beer and wine only and they charge for chips/salsa - still worth it. Enjoy!
(4)Michael A.
red mesa your my favorite fusion restaurant in all of pinellas ...there food is a blend of southern gulf coastal meets southwestern and besides the duck enchiladas i have enjoyed literally everything on the menu.fresh ingredients homemade sauces and nice fat gulf shrimp..this restaurant always impresses
(4)Brenda C.
So if you haven't been to Red Mesa, I am highly recommending you go. If food was the only criteria this place ranks a 5 star! Best Mexican food since I was in Mexico. The enchiladas trio soo good. Dishes like that are why I love duck. Yes, I said duck. The fundido appetizer was delicious, and easily enough to start the 4 of us off. My cohorts got Chicken enchiladas and Chile rellenos. No complaints on the food. The only downside was the restaurant is on the small side and had crammed tables into it. We were at a booth and I got knocked in the side and head by waitstaff, who never even apologized. And don't turn your head or a derriere might be your calling card. One less table for some space and this would be a 5 star review.
(4)Kelly F.
This is my second time coming to red Mesa. The service is great the food is good but the wait times are long and the food is overpriced.
(4)EandD S.
Red Mesa gets 5 stars for delicious food and wonderful customer service. I sat at the bar and was greeted by Teresa, the bartender/ server/ phone call answering service/ take out deliverer. Seriously, she is a gem! If the owner of the restaurant reads this - give Teresa a raise! Now as for the food and drink, I selected the enchilada trio and white wine sangria. My favorite of the enchiladas was the duck with raspberry sauce - an amazing flavor combo- but truly all three enchiladas were delicious. The sangria was tasty too. This restaurant was recommended to me, and I will in turn recommend it to others who are visiting the St. Pete / Tampa Bay Area.
(5)Hillary B.
Huge fan of this place. Its very popular-as it should be-so make a reservation! We came on a Saturday night around 9 and were seated in about 30 min. The margaritas are fabulous, and there's an outside bar with heaters above the bar--absolutely heaven in January/February. My friend had the cucumber margarita which was so creative! And delicious! I had the cadillac margarita which is a more traditional yet top shelf margarita and it was great. This place was pretty loud, it was almost like eating in a night club. Our waitress was very competent though and got everything right for us. Delicious food, and I love corn tortilla tacos. This is just a great place--I highly recommend it.
(5)Annie C.
Loved it!!! Brought some friends with us tonight and we all had a great experience. Our waitress was fabulous, the food was cooked to perfection and I love their salsa!!! Just a lil zing
(5)Grace A.
I have been going to Red Mesa for years and thought I should write a review. This is my absolutely favorite restaurant. It's where I go when I am happy and when I am sad. They have the best red sangria I have ever had. The service is quick and friendly. There is so much good food on the menu that I don't tire of going there. My favorites are the Pastor salad with steak, roast pork verde, cedar roasted salmon, and the skirt steak...but there is so much more. It is a very busy restaurant so go early or late or take 5 people and make a reservation.
(5)Marqus R.
Red Mesa Restaurant was a surprise to me since I usually expect Mexican restaurants to be sort of smallish, specialty places. Instead, Red Mesa is kind of like a big short order diner type of operation with all kinds of breakfast, lunch and other dishes flowing from a little kitchen jam stuffed with workers quickly turning out an endless variety of various dishes, not only regular menu items but daily specials as well. Red Mesa is to Mexican somewhat as Olive Garden is to Italian though Red Mesa does far, far better job for Mexican than Olive Garden does for Italian. Matter of fact, I found the food at Red Mesa to resemble a very nice Mexican home style of preparation with many simple offerings such as a breakfast of chorizo patties and eggs. I found the service to be top notch, friendly, fast and efficient. The menu and daily specials make for a substantial food selection not only of common Mexican food items but of some rather unique combinations and all served in full platter portions. Another feature I happen to like is that you can have a full view of the kitchen, which to me is a real plus since I tend to always question what actually goes on in any hidden kitchen, particularly (pardon my bias) in Mexican or Chinese establishments. The only draw back being that it is a beer and wine only establishment. The sangrias and wines are very good, as are the beers, which since bottled are pretty much unscrewupable, but forget those wimpy little wine based margaritas as there are wines capable of taking the place of a real tequila.
(4)Shauna E.
Eh... I wanted to like Red Mesa. I can appreciate what they're trying to do here(finer Mexican dining), but this place fell flat for me. We were a group of three on a Saturday afternoon, and the place had about 4 tables full. Our server took awhile to get to us, and when he finally did, he seemed flighty and distracted. We ordered our beverages and he seemed disappointed that two of us had water instead of a charged beverage. Once drinks were ordered, it took another long wait to get him back. I'm not trying to nit pick but we were literally one of four-to-five tables in the restaurant at this point. I had the vegetable enchiladas which were painfully small for the $9 price tag. The sauce was OK-- it was well flavored but the veggie filling was watery and flavorless. The rice side tasted reheated. I can't even remember if the beans were any good. The best part was the queso fresca on top. My husband had the mushroom quesadillas ($9.50) which he found bland and didn't understand the side of balsamic vinaigrette for dipping. My sister had the blackened chicken taco salad for $12.00 which was probably the best of all entrees but still teeny tiny. The chicken was fantastically seasoned though. Our server checked back on us once, noticed the half-eaten plates and stayed away until he dropped the bill. No refills, no inquiry into how things tasted, if we'd enjoyed, etc. I'm sure we wouldn't have complained because obviously he doesn't control the portions or price, but SOMETHING would have been better than nothing. All in all, I might give this place a shot again but it won't be my first choice for sure. The portion sizes, lack of service, and overall weird vibe of the place has turned me off for now. Not to mention the final $40 bill for 3 appetizer sized lunches. Save your money.
(2)Sarah S.
So this is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete? At least that's what people say. Kind of American fusion Mexican here. Ambiance is eh. Too many tables jam-packed into a small space. They don't dim the lights for dinner until about 7:30 or so. If you arrive before then, it'll feel a little cafeteria style. OK maybe I'm being too harsh. It's just when people say "Oh my gosh you have to try this place" I assume it'll be GREAT. It was good. I wouldn't go out of my way to impress out of town guests here. But the food was yummy. Loud- you can bring your kids. Not dressy. Our waitress forgot our wine. We were seated very close to the waiter and waitress computer station and could hear them all complaining about their tables all night. That was unprofessional. Food GOOD Service OKAY Ambiance MEDIOCRE
(3)Andrea S.
This place is great! The food is really delish, the quality of ingredients is superior to any other Mexican restaurant. It was fresh, presented beautifully, and everything we ate was full of flavor. Our server was knowledgable about the menu, and we were seated right away. I will be back again soon.
(5)Simon I.
This mexican influenced establishment serves up mouth-watering infused dishes. What is lacks in the interior decor, it more than makes up for it, through drinks and food items. The Pork Verde served with tomatillo chile verde sauce with black beans, rice is perfectly tender and flavorful paired with a white Sangria, its a finger licking, lip smacking killer combo. Take a taste and you'll be hooked. The Shredded Beef Taquitos have nothing small about them in the taste department. These perfectly fried goodies have no grease handing around, and served piping hot are great accompaniment to your taste enjoyment. The Tamale are well balanced in being moist and flavorful and served steaming with with chile morita sauce, queso fresco with fresh pico de gallo. Mmmm... my mouth is watering already writing about them. Waiter! two orders of Tamale please. Did I mention the Sangria? Either the red or white Sangria are must have here. Early evening over weekends and late evenings on weeknights are best time to visit here. Any other time you will either find the place packed with lunch crowd or weekend dinner crowd. The wait staff are good with their attention and are helpful. The shinning star here are the food not the wait staff. The interior decor is nothing to write home about, but it is open, bright, and airy. Red Mesa is a MUST visit.
(4)Jess P.
Filet mignon burrito. Need I say more? Sooo freakin good! And the guacamole is superb. But they give you a couple tortilla shells instead of chips, which isn't quite sufficient. :/ Red Mesa does NOT look like a place that would be very good. Has kind of a corporate feel with the booths and the name and stuff, but color me surprised. Don't judge a book by its' cover because it definitely delivered. :)
(4)D R.
Super disappointed. We were the only party eating - I was surprised by how long it took for our waitress to check in on us after bringing our food because I was waiting ask them reheat my cheese enchiladas as they came out totally cold and unmelted in the middle. Did not seem like a "nicer" restaurant and overall I say two thumbs down. This is only my second yelp review of all time but I was so bummed about this place it warranted a review.
(1)Kevin B.
Got to be one of the best places in downtown St Petersburg to hang out and have dinner and drinks with friends. Modern space, great local spot and good Mexican food. Not ideal for kids though. A great outside patio area that I'm sure is crowded in the evenings. Good change of pace from the chain restaurants.
(4)Carly W.
Fantastic Mexican food, excellent Sangria. Helpful staff with a good sense of humor. Not cheap, but worth it.
(5)Susan P.
On a trip to Tampa to visit friends, they took me to this great place for an awesome meal. We had reservations, which was a good thing, since it was Friday night and the place was packed. Free valet was a plus! The menu offers many choices for appetizers so we started with the Tacos Dorados. Let me tell you, the only downfall, there were only 2 on the plate! I could have ordered about 4 orders of these and ate them as my meal. Slightly crunchy on the outside and packed with tasty cheese and potato. Along with this amazing appetizer came complimentary chips and salsa, which did not disappoint. Since it was the restaurant's 18th anniversary they had a special sangria, so we ordered a pitcher. It was bursting with large pieces of fruit and quite tasty. For my meal I chose the Chipotle Shrimp. It was slightly spicy and totally amazing. It was just the right portion size to fill me up. My one friend ordered the Enchilada Trio and she said the best one on the plate was the Shrimp and Crab. My other friend ordered the Sonoran, which was sirloin steak along with 2 stuffed shrimp. He said the steak could have used a little more flavor but overall was good. Our server was attentive and let us know about their specials. Overall, this place is worth a try if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)Ginny K.
Came at the recommendation of a friend and was glad I did. Fast and friendly service and delicious entrees. Can't wait to come back to try dinner and Sunday brunch.
(5)Michelle A.
First time I ate here I thought the food was way too spicy. I chalked it up to maybe It was just what I ordered. It's my Sons favorite restaurant so he always wants to go here for his Birthday. The last two times I have eaten here, I had the stuffed Shrimp and all I can say is OMG. Melt in your mouth goodness. 6 Large shrimp, stuffed with cheese and fried to perfection. Portion is plenty to eat. The negative to this place is it's overcrowded. The tables are very closely set and the noise level is loud. Expect to always wait at least 20 to 30 min to get a table. Even on middle week nights it's busy.
(4)Makeli S.
Seafood burrito was insane!!! Insane!!!!!
(5)P L.
Aloha from Hawaii! I can only review the customer service I received when ordering a gift card for my son who lives on St Pete Beach Florida. I emailed on a Tuesday morning and got a response within a couple of hours. The person on site who handles the gift cards was amazing! She made sure before hanging up, that everything was in order. She was pleasant, efficient and professional! I can't wait to visit my son in Florida and enjoy a night out at Red Mesa Restaurant!! Awesome customer service!! Mahalo Charisse!
(5)Dave T.
"Beeeeeeeessttt in the UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was the recommendation I got from a friend local to this place. Not...exactly....but the pursuit of such things is admirable. They are definitely trying and succeeding at being more than a common Mexican restaurant. You can tell that the place was converted from a breakfast type place from the past. If you notice that then you will notice that they made every effort to soften each and every corner of the place to make their own theme. The food is creative. Many choice for breakfast including my two-tone eggs (green sauce on one egg, red on the other) with chorizo potatoes, and cactus thingys. A whole range of omelets, enchiladas, etc etc. Try it Dafe
(5)Sean D.
Since I live in Austin, I was a bit skeptical trying a Tex Mex place in Florida, but I have to admit that this place is great. I went with 8 people and everyone loved it. One of the best parts was the service... even with 8 people, there was always someone there to help us.
(5)Ken C.
It appears that I'm becoming the King of 5 Star Ratings. Truth is that I don't want to waste time giving bad ratings to businesses. As for Red Mesa ~~~ I love this place! Wonderful food that is several notches above the normal Mexican fare. The sangria is great and the service is always very personable. I highly recommend!
(5)bill s.
Let's preface with fact that I am a fan of Mexican Cuisine, it is pretty much a food group in our family. I had heard Red Mesa was very good, so we made a 30+ mile trip to visit. 2nd preface, it is really cold in FL this week, for us. #1 of three strikes - NO HEAT IN RESTAURANT. I don't mean poorly operating heat, I mean no heat. No apology, no comp soup, no extra candle. NADA. #2 no liquor, they do have beer, wine, and wine margaritas. Suggestion, if the wine margarita is any good, offer a 1.5 oz portion with you chips as a sample #3 strike- sides of rice and beans were cold, rice cooked to a consistency of wallpaper paste. Didn't stay for dessert, too cold. My wife never had both her gloves off during dinner. OK the good, yes there was good. The Crab and Shrimp stuffed grouper with Poblano Cream sauce was EXCELLENT. Chips and salsa were above average. Negro Modelo on draft excellent and served in a stylish gold rimmed glass- nice touch. The Pork Verde was average. Dear owner/manager, I tried to find you on Saturday 1/9 to tell you how I felt, but the staff couldn't find you, I did leave you my name and # on my cc receipt.
(2)John P.
We have eaten there as we live nearby. The food is good. But someone has to get the recipe for their Raspberry Tea - its is THE best best I have ever tasted. It does not taste like a pre mix Crytal lite. I hope someone can share the recipe. Great casual place, great attentive friendly staff.
(5)Amber O.
My business partner and I accidently stumbled upon Red Mesa during lunch time, i've got to say, great menu options and the food was delicious. I had the Tuna Tacos, which were amazing down to the rice and beans. The seasonings they use are unique and flavorful. can't wait to try some of the more traditional options. Wait staff was friendly and I will be returning on my next trip to St. Pete!
(4)Patty R.
Red Mesa has the best iced tea in Florida. I drink mine unsweetened and it's usually way too strong or way too weak. This was perfect. And it was a perfect start to a perfect lunch. I'm on a strict diet (trying to lose 100 lbs while going to restaurants is tough) and they had many things on the menu that were friendly. I stayed away from my favorites, like Calamari Frito and burritos with cheeses, opting for the tuna tacos (a delightful combo of grilled tuna, mixed greens, soy orange coulis, wasabi aioli and pico de gallo on soft corn tortillas), while my friend enjoyed the Trail Ensalata (baby field greens in balsamic vinaigrette with jicama, carrots, raisins, red onions, pumpkin seeds, strawberries and feta cheese), topped with ginger salmon. The two tuna tacos come with a side of a mildly-flavorful rice and beans, and because I'm watching portion sizes, I happily filled up on half the rice and one of the tacos and I will enjoy the rest for dinner. Since we were there at lunch time (1:00) on a Friday, before Memorial Day Weekend, it was quite busy and as we were a group of seven, we had to wait about ten minutes for our entire party to arrive but we were seated as soon as we confirmed that the remaining two people were within five minutes of the restaurant. Our very capable and pleasant waiter, Joe, was also very patient with 7 chatty women who needed the check split at the end of the meal. There are only two criticisms I have: they charge for chips and salsa ($5) (but it's really good) and one of our party experienced air conditioning condensation dripping from the ceiling duct but changing her seat solved that issue and we had a very enjoyable meal. I'm game for girls' lunch there until we've sampled everything on the menu. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Eedee F.
First time I've been here and I am not impressed. The amount of cilantro in the salsa masked any other taste. The shrimp and crab enchiladas were nearly flavourless and the menu description was lacking or I would have altered my order. As a side note, it is very difficult to move around in here, especially during busy times. The friend I came in with was also un-impressed.
(2)Ray S.
I've been here four or five times, tried a number of dishes here, and always ask myself why I don't come here more often. The food tastes great and wait staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The guacamole is terrific and a must with chips to start off the meal. Sunday brunch is great with a number of options for breakfast only, lunch only, and combinations. I'm a big fan of the huaracha de carne and machaca. This place used to be more crowded, especially with it being a little smaller, but the last couple times it has been very easy to get a table and they do take reservations. My only complaint is they lack a full bar. Everyone raves about the sangria, but it was a bit sweet for me. Then again I don't like sweet drinks so yeah...
(4)Susan B.
Great brunch! Excellent food, prices + service by Teresa was terrific!
(5)Ryan B.
Best Mexican inspired food I've had. We visited based on the Yelp reviews, and you guys came through for me again. We started w/ the chips and salsa, and agreed that it had a fantastic and unique flavor. My brother got the chile relleno and loved it. They serve a cheese or meat version and he got the meat. I can't remember what kind it was, but I do remember that the flavor was very good. Not an incredible dish, but very solid and I'd be happy to have ordered it. I got the Roast Pork Verde and it was outstanding. The pork was cooked almost perfectly, but a tiny bit on the dry side. The chile verde sauce was outstanding. I seriously think I could eat this dish every day. Both dishes were served with a side of beans and rice that were excellent. Cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Very tasty, and I don't normally like rice dishes much. My bro also got both red and white sangria and raved about them. He preferred the red but liked both. I didn't try them. The service was excellent. The server saw that one of our party was having trouble getting into a booth due to a health issue, and quickly offered to move us to a table without being asked. Nice job. He never interrupted our conversation with dumb questions like "do you want a refill". Overall, we never noticed him, which always indicates a good server in my book. The decor was good for a Mexican place, however, the bar is admittedly pretty low. Subdued and lacking the ridiculous bold colors and sombrero hats. Refreshing. Overall an excellent experience. I will make it a point to visit again when I'm back in St. Pete.
(4)Dana V.
The best Mexican food I've ever had. Simply awesome!! Get there early the place fills up quickly
(5)Tony O.
This was my first time to Tampa/St. Pete. and I wound up with a couple of free days before flying out. Checked Yelp for some good Tex-Mex and Red Mesa was at the top of the list. Looked at the menu and the stuff shrimp sounded great. When I arrived there were three daily specials that sounded great too, but I stuck with my plan. The stuffed shrimp were great. The broccoli in the "fresh" vegetable side was a little on the weak side, but not enough to take a star away. I would have preferred a small bowl of black beans instead of the veggies. I will put Red Mesa at the top of my return list anytime I'm in the area in the future.
(5)Denise M.
Thanks to Yelp, we made sure to try dinner here during our trip. We stopped by on a Wednesday around 8pm. The place was almost full, including the bar. (Free valet - woot!) Fantastic service inside as well. Tried the Chorizo Fundido for an appetizer, it came out bubbling with cheesy goodness. Thought it was better with chips than the tortillas it was served with. I had the tortilla soup (good) and hubs had the Arroz Con Mariscos (sautéed shrimp, calamari, mussels and scallops with mild poblano chile, tomatoes, spanish chorizo and cilantro rice) and practically licked the bowl. For dessert, we tried the special that night - bread pudding with mexican chocolate and bacon. Yep - scrumptious. I was worried about the bacon, but I couldn't even taste it. Definitely could taste the cinnamon in the mexican chocolate - a good thing! Everything came out piping hot - it was hard to wait for a moment or two before diving in. Checked out the breakfast and lunch menus online. We will try to get another trip in before heading home. It is definitely an upscale, unique take on mexican - not sure my teenager would have appreciated it. Leave the kids at home.
(5)Jeff L.
Pretty good, though not as good as some claim. Not sure how I would classify Red Mesa. It's 'based' on Mexican food, like Tex-Mex, but maybe somewhat more upscale version, I suppose. Get there before noon or after 1pm to avoid the long wait. It's become so popular that they now even have valet parking. I personally like their Fish burritos and their Combination dishes (pork in green sauce). The prices are maybe 10-15% more than what I would normally pay, but there aren't many restaurants like it in St. Pete. The food here tastes pretty good and the portions are excellent. Their service could be better. I'd give it 2.5-3 stars. I should mention that one time, i was served a glass of water with a large crack on the glass. Not sure if that's a reflection of their quality control or if it was a fluke.
(4)M S.
Love this restaurant. The flavors are so wonderful in everything I've ordered. The only thing is the wait time and the crowds during the busy nights. But sitting outside with a glass of wine is not so bad. Highly recommended restaurant!
(5)Patti Z.
Love this place. Food has so much flavor.
(5)John H.
was skeptical for sure. have not seen a good mexican restaurant in st pete area. wow was i impressed. chips came to the table. so so. they really could have used some salt. the salsa was good and smokey. wasn't too hungry so i went with a cup of frijoles charro and the asada taco appetizer w a side of fresh jalapenos (of course). the frijoles were HANDS DOWN thee best i have ever had. bacon chorizo, cilantro, onion. Thick, the beans cooked just right. I could have eaten a whole pot of them i am sure. While i was trying to finish my cup o' beans, our dinners came out. sizzling steak, chorizo, onion, cilantro, lime, seasoned well, cooked very well. the juices dripped down my wrist as i brought the corn tortilla wrapped goodness to my mouth. My new favorite mexican/tex-mex/fusion (i guess) restaurant in the st. pete/clrwtr airpor area. Captain Bob got a salad and it looked fresh and he said it was good, it seemed to me like a landslide of very good looking blue cheese tumbling down a greens mountain. the rest of the entrees seemed kind of expensive but i bet they are good.....breakfast on sunday? i wish we were here to try it. maybe next time...
(4)Kevin L.
Ate lunch here today: ceviche sampler great...highly recommend the octopus. Very tender, which I didn't expect. El Gordo burrito huge and very tasty. Others had taquetos and raved as well as thumbs up on ahi tuna taco. Will make a regular stop when in st. Pete. Service was spot on and enthusiastic.
(4)Georges L.
*Awesome, try the three burrito combo.
(4)Wanda B.
Really love this place but it is pricey for Mexican/Southwestern food. Yes, it is upscale and the food never disappoints. But we save it for special times.
(5)S G.
Pretty standard mexican fare. The place has free valet parking if needed. The special deal is if you order before 6 pm you can get a cocktail, entree and dessert (special) for $14. Not a bad deal for the food. I had the cheese enchiladas and my husband had the chicken enchiladas. Portion sizes reasonable and not too huge.
(3)Kara W.
One of the best restaurants in the state of Florida. Amazing sangria, salsa and fantastic flavorful entrees. Try the Shrimp Chipolte, my favorite (very spicy). You may have to wait on the weekends, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)Little G.
If you travel for a living like I do and love to dine in new places during lunch and spend your $$$$ enjoying yourself, then this IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO ..........Because I was by myself, I was NOT allowed to sit at a booth. Are you serious ????? They want more people than 1 to sit in a booth because more people usually spend more $$$$$. Well , I eat by myself and spend as much as 2 or 3 people because I will usually order alcohol instead of soda or water with lemon. I explained this to them. I also explained to them that I would be buying additional food to go. When I sit at a booth at a restaurant, it is my time to relax during lunch and during my extremely busy working days. I will not be returning here because of the customer service NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS. If you have ever visited this place in a group, try to visit alone to see how you are treated. I guess that I will have to spend my hard earned dollars somewhere else. Oh well, they are the ones to lose $$$$$$ because I eat out often and frequent this area often ( and know lots of people ) and spend lots of $$$$$ on lunch. Thank you !
(1)Matthew M.
don't even bother looking at the menu......... just get the filet mignon burrito. thank me later
(5)dave h.
I was looking for good place to eat in St. Petersburg while I was traveling to Tampa on Spring break with the fam and this place came up as good with all you local Yelpers. And thank you for the tip. Great mexican flavor and they are not afriad to spice it up, which is a good thing. We went with a large group of 8 or so and 2 kids, they did a good job or getting us seated (once our whole party was there). The server did an excellent job of taking care of all of us and was able to split the bill. The food was great, my carne asada was excellent, while my wife chicken dish had a great chipotle cream sauce on it that was well done. Overall, thanks to the local yelpers for this recommendation, we were very pleased with the entire establishment. We were also impressed at how inexpensive it was; we were planning on paying a lot because it seemed like a up scale place, but the prices were very reasonable; $12-20/entree. Only criticism is they only had 2 beers on tap, Dos XX Amber and Lager, i was hoping for a little more but when you are a Mexican restaurant, Dos XX is the good beer to turn too.
(5)erica p.
The sangria was awesome, our food was delicious and not at all heavy like most places serving burritos, rice and beans. There was much more nuance to the flavors here than in many tex-mex styled restaurants, and I'm glad we put it on our list to try while on vacation. While you don't really come here for the atmosphere (it feels like any big-ish restaurant), the food is well worth the trip.
(4)C B.
This place has amazing Mexican / Euro / French infused flavors! I love it, its always packed, so get a reservation! The salsa is so fresh, I usually buy extra to take home, so delicious! Great place guys!
(5)Holly G.
This food is terrific! My belly hurts from eating so much. Food is cooked really creatively with great flavor combinations.
(5)Cara A.
Red Mesa offers really fresh flavors and high quality ingredients. It isn't hole-in-the-wall pricing, but you will be really pleased if you go for lunch which is the best value.
(5)Jeff A.
Food was great. Enjoyed a very spicy beef dish which was worth every cent. Our server was a sweetheart, but the reservation process and initial greeting were unacceptable. Pretentious BIG time. I will return, but they need to remember they are not the only place in town!
(3)Sally B.
Our waiter was good & professional. Grilled mushroom quesadila app was flavorful. Crab & shrimp enchillada was flat & bland, steamed vegetables bland with no seasoning at all, Black beans & rice had a strange flavor that was not enjoyable, All in all, would not return. No mexican or latin flavors here that I'm familiar with.
(2)Thomas A.
Is there a better 'gourmet mexican' restaurant in St Pete? I think not! The level of pure, ecstatic, transcendant goodness is so high that it literally feels like a sensual release after eating here. I want to smoke, sleep, or even write poetry while basking in the post-dinner bliss delivered by Red Mesa to my soul-mouth. If you are on Yelp right now, trying to decide where to eat, and you have not been here, put down your smartphone immediately and drive here without delay. I am deadly serious. This place is easily in my Tampa Bay Top Five, regardless of genre. Favorite methods to achieve nirvana at RM: Appetizer: Chorizo Fundido - thick and spicy, served with warm, soft tortillas. Each bite melts in your mouth with a sizzle. Crab Cake with Habanero Mayo - beware! The Habanero Mayo is HOT. This place pulls no punches. You might find it odd to find a crab cake at a mexican place...but they hit a grand slam home run with this, putting most seafood places I've been to in the Pit of Shame, weeping with envy. Dinner: If it's your first time, try the Enchilada Trio...a magnificent Holy Trinity of goodness which allows you to taste a full spectrum of what RM can do with enchiladas. Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce!! Crab & shrimp enchilada with poblano cream sauce!!! Chicken enchilada with salsa roja!!!! You get one of each...and prepare to have your mind melted just like the delicate sauces on your plate! Did you hear me when I said Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce?? Sweet Lord!! NOTHING I have tasted at Red Mesa has been bad, bland, or common. They obviously take pride in flavor and character...I am actually ashamed that you are still reading this instead of heading to your car to eat here... Oh, and by the way, they make a sangria which can make grown men weep.
(5)Janet M.
I've been going to the Red Mesa since it opened umpteen years ago but I'm just now getting around to reviewing it for some reason. You know when a friend raves about a movie or restaurant and then you go and you're nonplussed by it? And it's generally not because it wasn't great, but because your expectations were so high based on your friend's raving? I want to avoid that here, but it will be hard because I love this place so much. People, go to this restaurant. Even though they don't take reservations, and they generally make you wait until your entire party has arrived and the fact that you are all going to be there means I'll have to wait longer for a table, go there. People come from neighboring cities because this place is so fantastic, and I'm proud to say that I've inducted many, many friends and family into the Cult of the Mesa. :) Truly, this place is unique and a local gem. I think I've eaten just about everything on the menu. I probably average eating here 1-2 times per month, and over the course of ten-plus years, I'd say I've had one or two meals, total, that weren't spectacular and utterly satisfying. That said, there are some go-to dishes I usually recommend for newbies: Appetizers: Even if you don't like oysters (and I usually don't), try the chipotle oysters. Super crunchy, spicy and oh so tasty with a cold beverage. A great way to start. Their black bean soup is also yummy. If you want to go light on appetizers, just go with the chips n salsa. I don't know how they make their salsa, but I am convinced it has crack cocaine in it. It's that addictive. I'd drink it if it were socially acceptable to do so. Salads; Sometimes when I'm trying to be "good," I'll order a salad as an entree. I always do so reluctantly because I feel like I'm depriving myself. Generally, even their salads are awesome, though! I usually get the basic salad (can't remember if it's the Red Mesa Salad or the Salad al Pastor), and I usually get it with salmon or shrimp (and I generally ask for a little extra dressing on the side). Even though it's not decadent, it's filling, delicious and satisfying. Brunch: Hands down, their huevos rancheros. SO GOOD. A friend of mine once had a special there that was a Latin twist on eggs benedict that she raves about to this day. I had to stop eating eggs for awhile, and was relegated to the french toast with pecans and bananas. It was also delish, but I felt like it was something I could get anywhere. My BF likes the Migas (scrambled eggs with tortilla strips and onions) and friends have also raved about the Divorciados. Most of the egg-based entrees are served with sides of pico de gallo (fresh and spicy) and avocado slices. If it's warm out, try the OJ - fresh squeezed. If it's chilly, try the Mexican hot chocolate. Entrees: The stuffed shrimp never, ever disappoints. Big shrimp, butterflied, stuffed with a yummy cheese and herb mixture, deep fried and served with a wonderful chipotle cream sauce. I also love the Grouper Mojo be Ajo. A nice, generous piece grouper served with an awesome garlic sauce. You can also get Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, too. I gave up meat years ago, so most of what I eat is seafood, but I have had their steaks and can tell you they are fantastic. They also have a chicken dish that I recommend to my meat-eating friends - Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. It's like a Latin riff on Chicken Cordon Bleu and it's delicious right down to the mushroom cream sauce they use. Makes me miss being a carnivore. Even the sides here are fantastic - the steamed veggies (usually just garnish taking up space on the plate) are the first thing I eat and the rice/beans are also great. Desserts: If, after stuffing yourself, you have room for dessert (and even if you don't!), try either the coconut natilla - light, delicious custard served with fruit - or the fried ice cream, which they make with Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream (banana ice cream with walnuts and chocolate chunks). I think I realize now why I never reviewed this place before. I knew I would go on and on too long, and I see now that I have. Bottom line: I've almost never, ever had a bad meal here, no matter what I've ordered. Enjoy!
(5)Michelle M.
Best Mexican food in St. Pete! The food at Red Mesa may be better than any Mexican restaurant in Tampa as well. If you have never been to Red Mesa you must go! The guacamole and salsa are both superb... I could eat their chips and salsa all night! The Roast Pork Verde and the filet mignon chimichurri are two of my favorite items on the menu. Reasonable prices, great margaritas, friendly service are to be expected at Red Mesa.
(4)Derrick K.
Seated very quickly on a busy night for 2, 10-15 minutes. Served salsa and chips (delish!!) right away by a friendly server who was very helpful in menu suggestions. We got the pomegranate and raspberry sangria (the current special) and red sangria, both outstanding! We ordered the Fillet Mignon special and crab/shrimp enchiladas, both extremely good! Our food took a little longer than normal, was recognized by waiter and we were offered two complimentary sangrias! Would recommend to everyone and will definitely go back. Can't wait to try their bigger location with a night club and bigger menu!
(5)Derek W.
Even the raves of two beloved friends and trusted Tampa Bay food experts failed to adequately prepare me for the wide range of delights at Red Mesa. Everything here works wonders on the palate, and the culinary wizards here have blended creativity and comfort that's good to the last drop (of sangria, in my case). Words to the wise: Don't be fooled by the lackluster appearance and setting - the interior hearkens back to a likely past-life as a Denny's or one of its kind; the exterior is anonymous fast-food box architecture, buried amidst a commercial strip in St. Pete. The tamales on Red Mesa's special menu caught my eye first: hearty, meaty bundles of pork dipped in velvety homemade mole and sprinkled with queso fresco. Though a tad bit dry, the pork cubes were very flavorful, and I enjoyed alternating bits of tamale with bites of warm tortilla dunked in smooth guacamole and magnificently zesty salsa. The chicken tortilla soup was to-die-for, a far cry from the pedestrian renditions at more run-of-the-mill spots. A carrot-onion sofrito and fresh avocado slices added special distinction to what could easily become, for me, a daily indulgence...especially during winter. Most impressive to my girlfriend and me was the plate of crab and shrimp enchiladas we shared. The corn tortillas are dipped in chile, giving them a soft, light texture which pairs perfectly with the subtle spice and delicate richness of the seafood. By this point in the meal I was floating a few feet above the table, but not far enough away that I couldn't sip the tremendous red sangria that washed down the meal. I am now considering starting a campaign to bring Red Mesa to the Left Coast.
(5)John A.
Oddly enough, it took our friends from New York City to discover "the best" Mexican dining that on the West Coast of Florida. I was not familiar with Red Mesa, but in hindsight am delighted with the "snow birds" find! A group of six friends met for lunch (Reservations are probably a good idea even for lunch) and everyone sampled a different dish with unanimous kudos at each seat! The seafood selections are prepared with a perfect balance of spices and sauces such that the flavor of the seafood comes through without being "masked" as it usually is in other Mexican establishments. Service is smooth and flawless. I am now looking for a good excuse to drive across the Sunshine Bridge and indulge my palate soon.
(5)Robert J.
so I've been here twice over the past month and plan to come here a lot more. the food is absolutely to die for. you could tell the chefs here take pride in serving up some great looking and tasting food. the service was good but nothing to write home about. the food takes the cake!
(5)Amanda E.
Maybe I had this place too build up in my mind but I wasn't overly impressed. The food was good and the service was fine, but this was our third time we tried to dine here, the other two times had almost an hour wait. I think the main thing I disliked was that it was pretty small and cramped. We were pretty close to the tables next to us to where we were almost part of the same convo. The tables and chairs weren't too nice or updated either- just something weird I noticed. The food was good enough to where I would probably go back- but not worth an hour wait.
(3)Karen D.
This restaurant was a last minute choice on our way back from Tampa. Since we don't live anywhere near downtown St Pete, I figured it would be a nice change. Red Mesa is a classy, more upscale Mexican restaurant with their prices reflecting the interior and atmosphere. It's rather small and pleasantly lit with air conditioning and comfortable seating. The food was good, but it wasn't fantastic. Tortilla chips were actually quite salty without the salsa and while the filet mignon burrito was tasty, the meat itself was tough, not tender. The chicken enchilada was at least flavorful. Service wasn't all that great. Mark, our waiter, dipped out as I was giving my order to serve the food that was ready. While I understand that food needs to be served immediately, he didn't even excuse himself. Our food came on a timely basis but the check did not long after we were finished. If my girlfriend hadn't asked for it we probably would still be there. Overall, great place to take someone on a date, but I'll stick to my homely restaurant like Carmelita's. EDIT: And the reason why I target waiters or waitresses by name is because THEY HAVE NAME TAGS. Name tags are used to identify the employee who is serving you, for which you can praise or criticize in a review. This particular waiter (Mark) was not very happy with the comments I had to say, and wrote a compliment note for me. EDIT: Waiter names are also listed on the bill, FYI.
(3)Steve S.
From out of town. Spicy filet mignon tips were tremendous. Solid meal. Would go again.
(4)M K.
Relocated from NYC to ST Pete 7 yrs ago and that's how long it has taken to find a Mex Restaurant that I would go back to a 2nd time! I found one in Red Mesa. Not your typical "taco joint" but rather a blend of taco meets gourmet. Service was fantastic and very friendly. I like that they have a specials menu which last for one month then changes.
(4)EJ P.
I have eaten at this place twice, and at the other restaurant once. Neither of these restaurants are very good. These restaurants would get 1 or 2 stars west of the state of Louisiana. However, since so many people in Tampa Bay have never actually had great Mexican or Tex-Mex food, they think this is the best Mexican food they've ever had. And that's because it is, because they haven't eaten Tex-Mex in San Antonio, TX, for example. Where they make tortillas that melt in your mouth But back to Red Mesa. I think I have found an accurate way to describe Red Mesa: The food that you get here tastes no better than the (Tex-Mex) food you would get at a Mex chain like Chili's, but Red Mesa fancies up the menu descriptions and jacks up the prices and adds a little hip restaurant decor in order to make you think the food is better than it really is. It's just bland, mediocre Tex-Mex style food that can be had at Chili's for much less money. Advice: If you are going to eat here, stay away from the appetizers and side dishes and the tacos which are outrageously priced. (In Texas they would laugh you off the street if you told someone you paid 5 dollars for a taco, like Red Mesa charges.) Try to order a "combination" platter that has 1, 2 or 3 items for one price. Stay away from the guacamole, which is NOT WORTH 7 dollars. Just try to fill yourself up with the chips and get a combo dish. Desserts are also mediocre.
(3)Josh S.
Meals like these make me feel like I need to sift through all my reviews and rerate them. Everything we ate was incredible, ambiance was to my liking, and service was flawless. I had Grouper Al Mojo De Ajo based on server recommendation, and my wife had Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. Our daughter had a quesadilla from the kid's menu with cilantro sour cream. I will dismiss the kid's meal for the sake of the review, but it was still pretty good to be honest. I hate to overhype it based on one visit, but the grouper was one of the best entrees I have ever had. At the very worst, it's in the top 5 seafood dishes I've had. I commented to my wife that I would pay them $50 for the Mojo De Ajo(sauce) recipe. After coming to my senses, I've decided that I'm merely inspired to try to create my own from a Google-searched recipe. If I don't come close to recreating Red Mesa's version, then I will redirect my attention to the $50 offer. My wife's Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken was great too. Everything on the plate just goes so well together. I wish I remembered my server's name... I would thank him here. I think I am too nice, and possibly indifferent, when it comes to service, and even though I try to review it fairly, I never think much of it unless it's very good or very bad. In this case, from the entree recommendation to the perfect timing of every appearance our waiter made, he really enhanced the experience. I really wanted to try the Plantains Foster for dessert, but I'm sure I'll get my chance because there are about 20 other entrees I want to try as well. If I had one gripe, it would be the lack of a full bar and lack of a larger beer selection. But I guess I can try Red Mesa Cantina for that, I owe them that.
(5)Chris C.
We actually meant to go to Red Mesa Cantina but ended up here due to a confusion with our Google Maps. The atmosphere is festive, the waiters are attentive and helpful and the sangria is yummy. However, the food falls short. I had the Carne Asada. It was crispy on the outside and way too chewy for my liking. My boyfriend had the Enchilada Trio. It was the first time we saw an enchilada that was not smothered in sauce and cheese. It made it a bit dry but the meats inside were cooked well. I don't know if we just ordered the wrong things, seeing that the other reviews are 4 stars and up but for the prices, I expected a much tastier meal.
(3)Charlotte S.
There are some places I like to go to try new foods. Red Mesa is not one of them and I mean that in the most positive tone possible. I like the fact that I can eat here and get what I expect. I was in the mood for crunchy chips and their consistently yummy, finely chopped, full of flavor and slightly runny salsa. Their salsa has been the same every time I go and I appreciate the fact that I won't be disappointed when I take that first bite. I paired it with a Mediterranean wrap and I am in the most comfortable food lull a girl could ask for :)
(4)Cassie S.
Poor service. When I go to a Mexican restaurant I expect real Mexican food not fancy dressed up food made by white people. If you want authentic Mexican food this isn't your place.
(2)Jason M.
The closest Mexican food to Tex Mex in St Pete!
(4)Rick S.
Red Mesa is an oasis in a desert of Mexican slapdash mediocrity. The place serves a multitude of different Mexican flavors; many times simultaneously, which is usually risky business. For this place, which has two locations in St Pete, the plates are executed well enough to sway even the Mexican-food haters. (This is usually spawned from the swollen numbers of cost-cutting, soupy-beaned, I-could-have done-better-myself-and-I-was-born-in-China establishments in Tampa Bay.) The place is clean enough to want to go to after church, although having Brunch on Sundays til 2pm/3pm is kind if lame (opinion). As a word of caution, the parking can be extreme when it's busiest so if it's peak meal time you may want to consider more accessible options for your meal. As for the food itself, try the carne asada tacos. Two corn tortillas with asada mixed with chorizo and a bit of cilantro and onion with rice and beans with a chimichurri top. It's cheaper than the carne asada plate and tastes a lot better for some reason (go figure). In fact you'd be surprised how the cheaper foods are usually more satisfying than the pricier options. In short, the place is good, clean, hard to find parking, but a beacon of hope for Mexican food lovers in Tampa Bay.
(4)Alicia V.
This might be the best Latin food I have ever had. I had the Relleno Combo & it was awesome! The beans & rice were delicious! If your looking for good Latin food, Red Mesa is your place. The atmosphere was dim lighting, kind of romantic, casual, & quiet. The only bad thing I have to say is.... There was a large party there in our room. They were VERY loud & getting drinker as the night went on. We hurried & ate quickly. Because they were so loud. It was bad enough other people ask to be put in the other dinner room. I just hate we don't have one in Texas. It's worth flying to eat there. 5 stars all the way!
(5)Sherryl C.
Every time I have eaten here I was always impressed with the innovative melange of flavors. I recommend this restaurant if you like a delicious twist from the normal Mexican joints.
(5)Michele C.
Came from Tampa airport, headed down to Anna Maria island. This place was quick, delicious and on the way...what more could you ask for. Thanks for the great customer service!
(4)Toni F.
Food is consistently good! Been coming here since 1997 . AND THEY DO TAKE OUT RIGHT! Great job Red Mesa!
(5)Dave S.
We went here for dinner on Friday around 8:30. No wait to be seated for 3 people. Our waiter stopped by immediately and for the most part provided very good service. He kept our waters filled and explained everything on the menu. I usually ask a lot of questions and he did a great job answering them. The only issue we had was that we were contemplating dessert and he brought us the menu but it took him so long to come back for our order that we decided against it. Food overall was very good. Enchilada trio was unique and tasty, a bit too spicy but good. I really liked the duck enchilada, while the chicken enchilada had a sauce that I didn't like. We got a pitcher of White sangria and it was delicious. 3 of us shared this and easily got 7 glasses out of it - great value.
(4)Drake M.
Pretty good Tex-Mex with a twist. The food was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. My wife is a Mexican food elitist so she was sad that it wasn't authentic mexican food but I really enjoyed the Cajun Shrimp that I ordered. My moth had a nice burn the entire time I was eating it and a little bit after. I'll be returning here again just to try some other interesting dishes.
(4)Melissa R.
Honestly "THE" best Mexican food I have ever eaten! I, finally, was able to convince my boyfriend to eat there, he is not a fan of Mexican food at all, and he was totally wowed! It's his (and mine also) new, favorite place to eat in St. Pete. The restaurant has a great vibe and wait staff is very attentive but not over the top. We tried the shrimp fundido and fried oysters as appetizers and both were exceptionally good. I highly recommend to try any of the seafood dishes they offer. The shrimp tacos really have a great flavor and everything tastes so fresh. As for dessert, the guava empanada with vanilla gelato was fantastic! Our waiter recommended the dessert and we thank him for that!
(5)Jennie W.
Oh so good fish tacos! Queso is warm and creamy white cheese, so amazing. The music is really great and the outdoor setting is nice. They have private tables for celebrating. I would also say perfect for a fun date night or group outing! There's dancing and conversations to be had. I love the St Pete night life scene.
(5)Daniel H.
Like many others, this is my favorite restaurant in St. Pete. I come from Arizona, so my standards for Mexican food go beyond Don Pablos and Carmelitas. While not a "traditional" Mexican cuisine, I believe they take their menu to a whole new level. Everything is very, very good. I always end up eating way too much because I can't stop putting food in my mouth! It's so good! Tip: If you are there on Friday, try the seafood burrito.
(5)Loren P.
I love my friends who brought me to this place near Tampa Duck Enchilada!
(5)Chelsey D.
I've seen Red Mesa numerous times while I am in St. Pete, but have never stopped in until today. With all the great reviews on Yelp, I was sure to have a good meal, unfortunately I was just not impressed. I ordered the Yucatan Pollo, and was very underwhelmed by it. The piece of chicken breast, while colored bright red with seasoning, was bland and overcooked. The pickled onion did not mingle with the chicken well, and tasted of just vinegar. While it looked pretty, it brought nothing to the dish. The rice and black beans also did not seem to have any seasoning and was incredibly bland as well. If this is a Mexican restaurant, where is the spice? On a good note, the chips and salsa were very good. The chips were fresh and crispy and the salsa had just enough bite and cilantro to make it delicious. However, for the price I paid, I left hungry and disappointed. It will be awhile before I give this place a second chance.
(3)Jason C.
An amazing dining experience - delicious food, good service and great place. Not your typical Mexican fair - more modern, fresh and some great seafood items.
(5)MB V.
Upon arriving St. Petes, I was told on many different occasions one of the place to visit is Red Mesa. The food was so delicious. This isn't your typical Mexican food. The owner, who is the chef prepared all his sauces from scratch. We ordered: Shrimp fundido - yummy Calamari Trio enchilada - the duck was the best. Espresso run steak - WOW... Just WOW. It was soooooooo gooooooood! The mushroom sauce was so delicious. Sangria - it was so tasty. We went through two pitchers fast!!! I'm planning to visit this place one more time before leaving town. I will highly recommend this restaurant for those who are visiting town. Get there early as this place isn't big and the wait can be long.
(5)Francia R.
Food was overpriced didn't even taste good or authentic. I wouldn't go back to any Red Mesa Restaurant even if i was paid to go.
(1)Angela V.
Wonderful, creative, delicious, elegant. These are my choice adjectives for Red Mesa cantina. You definitely want to go in M-F before 5:45pm to catch the sunset menu. It includes a choice of sangria, margarita or beer, chips & salsa, choice of entree, AND DESSERT for just $14 per person. In this economy, this is by far the best value for such amazing food. There are about 10 options on the sunset menu, and I have only had 3, but plan on trying every one. The Enchilladas Rez are tender shredded beef enchiladas in soft corn tortillas with homemade tomatillo sauce. The portions are the perfect size. The meat was super tender and the sauce had incredible flavor. So far, my favorite is the Snapper al Tara. The snapper is only about 5 ounces, but is grilled to perfection. Caramelized on the outside but flaky and juicy in the middle. It is topped with a delicious mango chipotle sauce. YUM!
(4)Alex O.
The food was the bomb like tick, tick.. LoL. But seriously, damn good food, excellent service. Bit on the pricy side, but I'd recommend eating here.
(5)Steve S.
Overall great. The waitress was attentive and friendly. Cedar salmon needed a little more salt and was slightly undercooked for my taste, but they fixed it immediately. My wife had relleno. It was tasty, but they should have removed the seeds for her.
(4)Price B.
The food here is AMAZING. The duck enchiladas are so good, it's hard to try anything else. I don't typically like margaritas, but theirs made with agave wine is delicious. I don't know if I have ever been here and not been stuffed after. The portions are generous and well priced. This is typically the first place I take visitors.
(5)Gabriela D.
Super delicious authentic Mexican and super filling.
(4)Noel G.
Atmosphere is nice. Food is kind of upscale Tex-Mex. The food was just OK. It could use more spice and identify better with either Sonoran or Tex-Mex. It was kind of generic.
(2)jimi b.
Best description by someone else: "Best gourmet mexican food" Awesome chips and salsa. Maybe the best I've ever had. Yes. I said it. Best I've ever had. Santa Fe Chicken. YUMMY. I forget the description, but it came with spinach and pilaf, and it was maybe, the BEST CHICKEN I've ever had. Yes, I said it. Best I've ever had. Also, the spinach was amazing. I don't know how they made it taste so good. I don't remember clearly, but I think it said "tequila braised" GF had some spicy shrimp of sorts. It was pretty awesome as well. Price ranges from 12-15 for chicken dishes. 13-23 for seafood. They had many other items with steak meat/filet mignon/etc. Great atmosphere. Crowded but roomy enough, waiters are attentive and professional. It's one to revisit. Free Valet.
(5)Michael Z.
Spot on reviews. Went for brunch and the meals were creative with terrific flavor. I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Renee W.
This place wasn't at all what I was expecting. I've been to the downtown cantina before, guess I expected more of that. Pros: free valet...that's about it. Cons: the food was mediocre, but really pricey. I got the duck enchiladas which were perfectly average, nothing special. My guy got the puntas de filet mignon. Very spicy and severely lacking in flavor. He loves everything spicy, but with nothing but spice, what's the point? My main problem was the service. I cannot stand when I feel like I'm not being paid attention to because of how young I am or the amount in our party (servers are notoriously bad at checking on a 2 top). The crowd here was mostly 40's-50's..I'm 25. Our waitress never checked on us, left us without drinks, and generally didn't seem to care. But she seemed to love the 6 top next to us.
(2)Matt B.
I just have to say that I really enjoy the atmosphere here and the food is better then good. This was my second time here and I selected the enchilada trio, and it was very good. Pair that with the white sangria and its almost perfect. On a side note the chips and salsa are pretty damn good too.
(4)Peter L.
Some friends had us join them for dinner here this past week. I am certainly glad that they did! It's not your gardener's Mexican. It is quite good in it's own right! On this night we ordered the Cedar Roasted Salmon ($18), Roast Pork Verde ($14), Chihuahua Combinado ($13), and Sonoran Combinado ($17). The plates were cleaned, and everyone left smiling. The homemade Sangria was a hit as well. The feel of the restaurant is upscale. The service was attentive. You might not find Pedro and Hector in the dining room, or a Speedy Gonzalez Combination Plate on the menu, but you will find a tasty dining experience.
(4)Rose S.
Very spicy chipotle shrimp! Spanishcuisine at its finest!! Sangria is also top notch!
(5)Joe C.
This place is great. I went with a large group, and was able to try about 8 different things. We had some ceviche and some tuna as an appetizer. I usually go on about the different dishes, but honestly, it was all just really good. It's pricier than a traditional [seedy] mexican restaurant, it's a classy joint though. Place was an absolute madhouse and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, so I think I'm gonna stick to Tuesday night dinners here.
(4)april h.
Been three times. Don't get the hype at ALL. I'll take the baby sister - Red Mesa Cantina though. Much more consistent.
(2)Kerry S.
went here for dinner last night with a friend when asking for a GREAT Mexican style restaurant......It was very chilly last night so we waited the 15 minutes for an inside table while having a hand crafted Margarita at the outside bar...The drink tasted fantastic but was about the size of an 'eye wash' cup and at 11 dollars was way out of line...but I let this slide due to the taste......but it would have cost me 50 bucks to get the slightest buzz. We ordered the chips and dips.... the dips FANTASTIC...the chips....meh...I have had better {even at Chili's}......yet they were very very filling even shared. I ordered the chicken taquitos and a Fish taco....The fish taco at 4.50 was small...tiny....actually really microscopic and so covered in the red sauce that is could have been a Gorton's fish stick...but the Taquitos were magnificent the BEST thing ever....my friend had the vegan fajita and said it was good until he had one of the taquitos and agreed that they were perfection and for 8 dollars a STEAL by comparison to the fish taco and the cocktail....the service was attentive and aware....anticipated any thing we needed and was on it in a second.......Taquitos and service 5 star.....taco and margaritas 2...thus the 4........Can't wait to come for happy hour margaritas and mas taquitos.....
(4)Rebecca B.
Delicious! I love chili rellenos and have not found any really great ones since moving to FL until now. The food was perfect and so was the service! Thanks Red Mesa!
(5)Geno K.
Best lunch I've had in St. Pete since moving here a couple months ago. I had the filet mignon burrito. I thought the description was a little rude: "Medium rare tips of filet mignon, jack cheese, poblano chile, red pepper, diced tomatoes and onion. As is, no exceptions." I'd never seen something like that on a menu. But they do it for a reason... it was INCREDIBLE. It tasted nothing like what I thought I was ordering, but in a very good way. When I think steak burrito, I think beef with some "other stuff." The other stuff makes this thing rock. Great staff. It was packed when I went around 12:30. Understandable. I'll be going back often.
(5)Danesh I.
My wife and I recently went to Red Mesa during a brief stop in St. Pete. Though it looks unassuming from the exterior, and the interior is nothing to write about, the food here is amazing. We tried the fried calamari as an appetizer, and I can't rave enough about the sauces which accompanied the perfectly fried calamari; both the chipotle and curry dipping sauces were divine. My wife got some fried shrimp as her entree and I decided to go with a combination platter with a taco, enchilada, and empanada. Both our meals were PERFECT. The empanada crust could make anything taste good, it was simply delicious! This restaurant is a must when stopping in St. Pete!
(4)Marty C.
Parking lot that was so small that we were forced to use the valet. There at 7:00 and only had a 10 min. wait. No reservations for groups of less than 5. The faux $8 margaritas are a bit disturbing in a restaurant at this price point. For appetizers, we had the fried oysters chipolte, crab cakes and the wild mushroom quesadilla. The oysters were large but the batter was way too thick and the flavor of the oysters was lost. The crab cakes were way over fried, more like a hard croquette. The quesadilla was fine but soggy on the underside due to the dipping sauce being sloshed over the plate. Two of us had the crab and shrimp stuffed snapper. The fish was over cooked and smothered in sauce. They should cut back on the sauce by at least 2/3s. Our third diner had the chihuahua combination which was good. Bottom line is the food would have been better with less sauce and they need to get a full liquor license!
(3)Robin O.
As first timers we don't what all the 5 star fuss is about. Glib waitress never there at right time. Four of us, a lot of semi flavorless and over cooked food. Tortilla soup bland and had tons of tortilla strips inside all completely soggy, inedible mush. Cheese enchilada was fair. Filet mignon dry and chewy. Shrimp "tacos" are grilled shrimp on 2 small open face, soft, store bought tortillas w/ thousand island dressing. Pedestrian at best, will not be back.
(3)Anthony T.
Fantastic, been here three Tomas and they never disappoint. Always fresh great food. Quick service, reasonable prices.
(5)Kevin B.
Excellent food every time. This is the most consistently good restaurant I have been to.
(5)Jennifer B.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete! The shrimp tacos are the best I've ever had- the flavoring is unreal and cannot be duplicated elsewhere. The black beans and rice are topped with a (maybe?) chimichurri sauce that is unlike anything else I've tried and I can't get enough of it! I've only been here for lunch and it's always so busy, but somehow it continues to be fast and the quality of the service and food is never compromised.
(5)Billy E.
I came for lunch, long wait for seating but I know the time of day I came that was to be expected. I ordered the duck enchiladas, the duck was very nice my complaint was the veggies on the plate. Over cooked and very very bland. The salsa was average, but overall was not a bad restaurant. Service was very friendly and attentive so I'd be willing to come back again.
(3)Susan H.
I like what another reviewer says in describing this restaurant: it is to Mexican food what Olive Garden is to Italian food. It's a nice sized establishment with very friendly (in my experience) wait staff. Their margaritas and sangria are not the best I've had, but their guava empanada and cheesecake desserts are to die for. The food selections are standard for what an American would expect of a Mexican restaurant. Their standard chips and salsa are also not the best I've ever had (see my review for Estela's restaurant). Overall, it's an alright place to go for lunch or dinner. I give it four stars because of the wait staff and the desserts.
(4)Jillian K.
The fried oyster appetizer and red sangria were both amazing!
(4)Jon W.
I think it's more seafood, nouveau American,french, tex-mex fusion than tex-mex. Which is a good thing. Whatever you call it they do a great job of it and the seafood is fresh and the sangria is fantastic. I had the crab and shrimp stuffed grouper with some kind of quasi-Mexican sauce poured over it that came with fantasticly fresh and tasty grilled vegetables. My friend had a the chicken Santa Fe that was stuffed with Gouda cheese making it very rich and tasty. We had the beef shredded tacitos (ok well that was tex-mex) for an appetizer with the traditional chips and salsa. (very good salsa by the way). The service was at a high level. I thought our waiter was very good. Nice local flair with a slight Mexican twist. I loved it! I may go back for breakfast.
(5)Meghan B.
When I think of Red Mesa, I think of girls' night out. Sure this would be a great place for a date or special celebration, but the pitchers of pink sangria and delicious menu options will leave you wishing you had your elastic waistband pants rather than looking super cute. Please don't wear elastic waistband pants here, though...it's a little too nice for that. I've tried a couple fish entrees, enchiladas, and their Chorizo Fundido appetizer (SO fun to say). All were great and made with quality and very fresh ingredients. One tip -- if you're looking to save a little money, go between 4-5:45pm Monday through Friday for the Sunset Menu. You get chips & salsa, choice of beverage (soda, margarita, sangria, or draft beer), entree, and a special dessert all for $14.00!!!! Such an awesome deal. Go for the pink, go for the pink!!
(5)Rod K.
Great place for Mexican food w/an up scale atmosphere The food is very good and the value is even better Mon through Fri till 6/pm is a fixed price special w/dinners, drink & desert We have been here few times w/friends and of the 8 dishes ordered ...everyone was very happy The service was very good too The only down side is they don't have a liquor license But has a nice beer & wine menu and wine margaritas (which were very good) A good place to eat.
(4)Kristina F.
I love meeting clients and colleagues here for lunch. Their chips and salsa is just fantastic. Good seasoning and a nice bite makes for an easy snack before lunch. I am a creature of habit. I love the Red Mesa salad with fried goat cheese. This is the only restaurant of the group (Cantina and Mercado) that has fried goat cheese. It allows me to enjoy a salad and still have a little bit of guilt. Jessica was my server and was polite and attentive. The wait staff is ever present but not too pushy. They allow us to have a conversation, but are there to fill glasses and clear plates. Always a nice place for a business lunch without breaking the bank. It is also a nice change from downtown.
(5)Michael P.
I get this isn't Texas- I didn't expect a lot from the Mexican food in Florida. But wow, this place is a giant disappointment - especially after all the hype it had. My biggest complaints: 1) Asked for no onions in the quesadilla, they couldn't do that BECAUSE THEY PREMAKE THEIR QUESADILLA. That might be the easiest thing to make, ever, and they pre make it. 2) No fajitas..? Are you serious. 3) No margaritas?!?! I know they have them at the cantina but damn - figure that out.. You're a Mexican restaurant missing the first three things I think of about a Mexican restaurant.
(2)Eric H.
Great place to eat. Food came quick and was delicious. The Mesa Burger was the best. This place ought to be called Grey Mesa as there not a single Red Mesa in the place.
(4)Malinda L.
Really enjoyed my experience here. Had the chihuahua trio. So so good. The sangria is amazing as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Rusty N.
I love Red Mesa! I have tried a lot of their menu, and everything is quite good. But I keep going back to their Carne Asada! It's FANTASTIC!!! Their ranchero beans are insane as well!
(5)Virginia G.
Oh the disappointment. I hadn't been here in years and when my dinner date suggested it was very happy to oblige. I love Mexican, faux Mexican, tex mex, authentic, if it has enchiladas, I'm in! So we came on a Saturday night and had a 20 minute wait or so. Sat at the bar and had a beer (with a super nice and efficient bartender) Our table was ready on time and we were escorted to a booth in back and approached by our waiter who was told "whatever you do, don't let our glasses go empty" lol Apparently he heard the opposite. So we started with the ceviche, shrimp ceviche, Im not a fan of this . Im a traditionalist and like fish in my ceviche, along with shrimp, but not just shrimp. Anyway, it was , ok. It was fresh and service with jicama, which I like but the serving was very skimpy for the price range. For dinner he ordered the salmon with a ginger crust and chipotle glaze , I ordered a combo platter with cheese enchiladas and chile relleno. His dinner was good! Salmon was perfectly cooked, the glaze delicious, nice and smokey flavor yum. Mine? Not so good. The cheese "enchiladas" were about 3-4" long and narrow as a slim cigar and burnt on the bottom. Ick, My Relleno, who made that disaster? No where near traditional, the picadillo was just off. I mean there was nothing good about this dish. I shared my disappointing meal with him , to make sure I wasn't just being a finicky witch, and he concurred. awful. Just awful. We passed on dessert, and another drinks as obviously that wasn't in the cards. SO disappointing. I wanted to love this place. I might even try it again and hope for better, but I certainly wont order that again.
(2)Tony H.
This place was bustling when we arrived for diner but we were seated quickly (there were 6 of us). Our server was great and was attentive but not intrusive and allowed us to enjoy our meal. The food was delicious and all of the ingredients tasted fresh and none of the food had the prepared-earlier-and-just-warmed-up taste. Parking is complimentary valet but we found a spot near the entrance to self-park. The atmosphere was fun and pleasant with unique decor and not your standard Tex-Mex with some pictures of pueblos and cowboys. We'd certainly eat here again if we were in the area.
(4)Laura C.
Fantastic tacos and service. Young lady was helpful in describing menu and chiding options for us that we're perfect.
(5)Malary J.
If you want some amazing Spanish food, Red Mesa has a wonderful and delicious selection of Spanish food! I've never been disappointed by anything that I have ordered.
(5)Amy B.
Brandon absolutely loved this place... I however got the flu directly following our visit here so I thought it was food poisoning until it lasted days and days. I had had the taco salad and Brandon had a burrito, he really enjoyed his meal and the chips and salsa were definitely tasty. They have really good drinks here too! We will have to come back so I can try it again, hopefully without getting sick the next time!
(3)Marinda H.
Nice atmosphere and the place was hopping at lunch. Parking lot is small, many cars parked on residential side streets (which I'm sure the homeowners 'love'). I've been to the Cantina on 3rd and not been overly impressed with their typical mexican offerings (enchiladas, tacos, burritos, etc.) so tried something more entree oriented - the Shrimp Al Mojo De Ajo (sautéed shrimp in a buttery tasting tomato and garlic sauce) with rice and veg - shrimp was nicely sauteed and tender, veg were nicely prepared - al dente green beans and carrots. Good dish, but nothing I will be dreaming about. Price was $11 which is reasonable for this dish but I find their prices for typical mex fare over priced for mediocre food. One complimentary basket of chips per table and you have to ask for it. Salsa is nothing interesting. Good service.
(3)Olivia O.
We came here for lunch during a work day. We started off with some chips and salsa which we were charged for. Based off their website our first basket should have been free since we didn't get any refills. Next we ordered the shrimp fundido which came with 3 very small tortillas. When we asked our waitress for another tortilla she informed us she would have to charge us, this seems a bit ridiculous. Finally we both decided on the chicken quesadilla which I found to be pretty good except for the sauce it was presented with on the plate which was extremely sweet. Overall I would say the service and experience was below average.
(2)Justine S.
Food was outstanding! I really don't think we could have gone wrong with anything on the menu. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jakkajan D.
My doctor recommended this place. Guess I should start listening to my doctor! Hands down the best Mexican food I ever had. No need for a long review. Just go eat there. You'll see.
(5)Jason C.
Came here with a friend for brunch. I had the Divorciados. The salsas ended up being a bit less flavorful than I had imagined, but the eggs were well-cooked. My friend had a similar experience with her dish. In terms of other aspects, the dishes were well-priced, and the service was good. It seemed like there were a lot of great options on the menu, and the decor was fun. I would definitely try them again some time.
(3)Jessica M.
I typically don't get a quesadilla at a Mexican restaurant for the desire to have something extraordinary, but this quesadilla was just that. Fantastic, like a party in my mouth. The gouda cheese, onions, and chicken mend together so well, then on the plate they add a sweet red sauce and a black bean and corn salsa, I literally don't think it could've been any better. As a chef's daughter I look for good flavor combos, and this was expertly crafted, and plated to perfection. Best chicken quesadilla I've ever had in my life. My husband got the chicken enchilada, without the Verde (typically served with one Verde and one roja).... and he loved the amount of flavor in his dish as well... it's hard to make common things stand out to me, but this place has it down, from the difficult specialties to the commonly seen dishes. We will be back!
(5)Jess D.
It was the first time my girlfriend and I came to Red Mesa on 4th St N. I've been to the Red Mesa in downtown, which gave me a good comparison restaurant. Our server was very nice and didn't hover. One thing I was surprised by, is 1) they charge for the chips and salsa, 2) they don't make mojitos here - devastated - and 3) the restaurant didn't really seem like a Mexican restaurant on the inside. The decor was sort of bland; I felt like I was in an Olive Garden. Now, for the food! I had the shredded beef enchiladas with beans and rice. Absolutely fantastic. Full of flavor and texture. My girlfriend had the steak tacos, and wasn't a fan, unfortunately. She expressed that the steak didn't have much flavor, and her tacos, beans and rice were very oily. I will return, though, to try the dinner menu. I left full and happy.
(4)Carrie C.
We wanted a quiet, weekday dinner out. Red Mesa's sunset dinner fit the bill perfectly! We had a wonderful dinner starting with white citrus sangria with chips and salsa. My shredded beef burrito with poblano peppers was outstanding. Deliciousness in every bite. My husband had chicken and was equally pleased. Although there was no room left for dessert, it was part of the package and we tasted with delight. Michael informed us of the specials of the day as well as took excellent care of us. He also updated us with their new summer hours and specials. We felt cared for and that's a great feeling.
(5)Carrie B.
Great patio and service with amazing duck tacos, decent sangria and ceviche. While spicy the queso is quite the bomb! Definitely worth checking out in St Pete!
(4)Lauren C.
*My 500th review* I came here for Sunday Brunch with family. I had visited Red Mesa many years ago, but never for brunch until this particular visit. The menu is a vast selection of both breakfast and lunch items, ranging from torta breakfast sandwiches and burritos, to shrimp omelettes, combination plates and salads. As you can see, I had a hard time deciding what to get. What makes the decision even harder is that everything is so reasonably priced, especially considering the large portion sizes and delicious flavors. Most meals range from $6.5 - $10, a bargain for such a great meal. Our server was attentive and continually checked in on us, but we weren't ready to order until her 3rd visit to our table. I finally settled on the "chuy combinado" - pork tamale, chicken tostada and chicken enchilada topped with savory chili sauce and a side of refried beans. Everything came out hot, fresh and tasty, no doubt. In this case, my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I simply couldn't finish my meal, so I took part of it home for later (and it made a mighty tasty leftover meal later on I must say). We enjoyed relaxing and visiting with family here, the environment was nice and the server continued to stop by regularly. We didn't feel rushed and walked away satisfied.
(5)Nate B.
Great food and great service. Mushroom quesadilla was really spot-on for taste and balance. Mojo shrimp...the sauce made the dish. Great kids menu that goes beyond burgers and hot dogs, but not so out there that you can't find anything. The strawberry sangria was recommended. Wouldn't have tried it otherwise, but Natalia, our waitress, said it was overlooked, so we went for it. A hidden gem! We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Very convenient, very fast, and very good food. Well done, Red Mesa!
(4)Andrea W.
When in St Pete and bringing guest from out of town I can count on Red Mesa to impress them! Gorgeous outdoor patio dining area. Perfect Margaritas. Sublime Eggs Benedict with Avocado - save room for the Churros! I love this place!! Great service in a perfect St Pete downtown location - I've had many a perfect meal here and I love this restaurant I've recommended this place more times than I can count - super nice place all around!
(4)Warrick A.
This place is always busy, but worth it. The service is excellent and the food delicious. I love the homemade black-bean soup. Their salsa and chips are complimentary, and I recommend the margaritas . Awesome place to eat , full menu and not expensive. Only downfall , the parking in rear is often full to capacity .
(4)Jennifer H.
Been here 3 times and never disappointed each time. The food is AMAZING and plentiful. It's a small place and it can feel a bit cramped at busier times, which makes me wish they were a bigger restaurant. They definitely deserve to be larger. Their food is incredibly filling though, I can eat lunch here and be full the entire day! I kinda wish they had some healthy plate /small plate options, because then I might be able to eat here more often!
(5)John B.
MESA (me-sa), noun - an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in landscapes with horizontal strata. In rock climbing, once you reach the summit you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the view! At Red Mesa, once you reach for your fork you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the taste! As you disembark your land conveyance vehicle and traverse the parking lot to the first plateau(the front door), you catch slight notes of kitchen aromas wafting in the St Pete air. Tantalizing and true reminders of the real purpose of your mission. Once gaining a strong foothold on the plateau, the Sherpa guide(hostess) assists you to your base camp. Your second guide sets you up with all the gear you need to successfully scale the savory slope of epicurean delight. Joe, as our base camp guide, gathered the intel necessary for our rations. Our party of four perused the ration sheet(menu) and detailed the desired canteen(kitchen) output as required for proper nutrition on this gastronomic expedition. Our server was quite busy, so service was a tad slow at first, and I had to remind him I needed some lemons(to prevent scurvy?). Joe turned out to be a pretty nice guy, and I even shook his hand before we mounted our pack horses to depart. Okay, back to ground zero, review-wise. Two of us chose the Norteño Combinado, a steak empanada with chile morita sauce and queso fresco, a shredded beef taquito with guacamole and black bean sauce, and one crisp shredded beef or chicken taco. Served with congri(black beans and rice). In one word? Delicious! In two words? Deliciously delicious! Lots of flavor, with a slight touch of spicy heat in the empanada. The taquito provided a nice crunch even while lathered in a creamy guacamole sauce. I will order this dish again. And again, and again! My better half(or three fourths?) ordered the Trail Ensalada(salad). Unfortunately it was missing the pumpkin seeds as described in the menu. Otherwise a nice salad, although a little light on the full-feeling factor. She was satisfied, but felt a wee bit wishing she could have sampled some of my taco! What a beautiful woman will do to maintain her girlish figure! (I love you to the highest elevation and back, Honey!) Our fourth climber, er, party member ordered the Del Rey Burrito with shredded beef. This thing was the size of a gold bar you might find ensconced into the steep hillsides below the mesa. She advised it was a perfect blend of taste and temptation! I was surprised she was able to eat almost the entire burrito! Throw caution to the wind! The atmospheric conditions within the plateau(the atmosphere in the restaurant) are reminiscent of a lot of Mexican restaurants, but with a feeling of quality and no kitsch. This is certainly a higher end establishment and it shows in the quality of ingredients and food fare. Most days, at dinner hours, expect quite a line-up of eager, hungry patrons at the door. They do have some comfortable waiting seating for a few lucky folks. Now for a nice, warm and fuzzy human moment.... Once we were seated, I noticed a charming young family seated next to us. Handsome guy with a beautiful wife and three of the most adorable little girls this side of the Rio Grande. Sometimes you can feel 'goodness' and 'love' within a room, and I certainly felt this effect emanating from this family. I was moved to step over and tell them my feelings. They were very appreciative and receptive. They gave details on how fortunate they were, and that their littlest cutie was their 'Miracle Baby'. A great feeling and reaffirmation that this world still has a LOT of good, decent people in it! There were some nice goodbyes when they left, I felt as though I had known them for years! Much to our surprise, when we finished our meals, our server Joe appeared with a platter of some decadent looking mountain of light brown goodness topped with whipped cream! This was the 'Fried Ice Cream' - chunky monkey rolled in corn flakes, flash fried, topped with Mexican chocolate sauce and whipped cream. He announced that this loving family asked for and paid for us to be able to enjoy this treat! We were all very taken and moved. It was a crazily delicious and dangerous treat to our tastebuds! So very thankful to them, where and whom ever you are! Overall, our climb to the Red Mesa summit was a complete success! We did not get to plant our great nation's flag on the peak, however. They would have frowned at us digging into their nice clean flooring. Darn!
(5)Jenni M.
We had a lovely dinner here while visiting friends who are regulars! We were promptly greeted and stated by a friendly hostess. We ordered a pitcher of the red sangria for $22 which was perfect for the 4 of us to share. The sangria is one of the best I've had and the touch of cinnamon was perfect. The chips and fresh salsa were nice while we were waiting for our meal. For dinner I ordered the carne asada which was amazing. A perfectly tender cut of meat with guacamole, rice, and soup. The order was large enough that two of us could have shared. The real show stopper was the pork ribeye that my fiancé ordered. I'm not usually a fan of pork but this was amazing. So juicy and tender with a nice sear on the outside. It came with a side of fried plantains which were wonderful, and rice and beans. We live on the west coast, but the next time we come back we will be visiting Red Mesa. A great atmosphere, reasonable prices, and delicious food!
(5)Ken K.
This was the second time I have dined at Red Mesa. I thought maybe the first time they just brought their "A" Game, as everything was perfect...(really, perfect!) So, this time I was expecting perfection, but prepared for disappointment.....NOT SO! Perfection, Again! The salsa served with the chips (a big factor at determining the quality of a Tex-Mex restaurant) is nothing short of fantastic... Four of us for dinner, four different meals, and everyone remarked how wonderful their choice was. It is possible to eat healthy here, and that's a big bonus. As I am from Texas, home of really good Tex-Mex food, I can tell you that Red Mesa is at or above the level of my favorite Mexican restaurant on earth - La Fogata, on Vance Jackson St. in San Antonio, TX. If, for some reason, you can't get in to Red Mesa, just jump a Southwest Airlines flight to San Antonio....that's about how far you will have to go to tie this place...
(5)Charles M.
Awesome food! Great service! Love the sangria and they have the best chili relleno I've had outside of Texas!
(5)Nicole D.
Delicious! Consistently delicious every time I go! Amazing flavor and complex blends. Yum yum!
(4)Theresa H.
My friends have been telling me to try this place and finally went there tonight. I wish I listened to them when they first told me about it. We ordered guacamole with chips that were delicious, they also brought us their salsa that was perfect, not mild and not too spicy. Now let me get to the main dish, which I'm still thinking about. I ordered the Shrimp Al Mojo De Ajo, its aroma so mouth watering, I cant describe the flavors, they just exploded in your mouth!! Fresh shrimp, garlic, cilantro, tomatoes, veggies, rice, in this to die for sauce. Its one of the best dishes I have had in a long time. I wanted to lick the plate!!!! I cant wait to go back. It was busy, nice ambience, loved it!!!
(5)Jasmine P.
My parents and I are from Texas, so for our first day in St. Petersburg, we were looking for something familiar. Red Mesa was a great surprise, and I'd call it more "flex-tex", Florida tex-mex! My dad and I will eat pretty much anything, but my mom is a little more picky (she'll stick to chicken, but only if its cut up small). The menu here was perfect for all of us. We all ordered off the "sunset menu" (4-5:30p, you get a sangria or beer, a select entree, and a delicious dessert for $15). The food came out reasonably fast, but we had plenty of chip/salsa to satisfy us. I got the shrimp salceado (pardon the spelling), and it was delicious!! Plenty of sauce and the shrimp was well cooked. My parents got the two chicken entrees (enchiladas and a chicken breast dish) and they were both delicious as well! Two things that I really loved: the rice (soft, flavorful) and the dessert (a Cinnamon and coconut cake with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, yum!). The service was pretty good, nothing notable but not terrible. I don't usually like going to the use place twice when I'm out of town, but I may make an exception for this place!
(5)Katy D.
Nice looking restaurant. Staff was friendly. The food has a great presentation, but was just okay. Was a little disappointed in the guacamole- the cost is $9, and it's nothing special. The refried beans were very good. I ordered the shredded chicken Del Rey Burrito, and was not very impressed. The churros and caramel sauce were amazing.
(3)Philip E.
Ok as well traveled as I have been,this is by far the best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at. We started off with warm tortilla chips with 2 homemade salsas. One was a traditional red chili based salsa and the other one was the fire breathing habanero one, both fantastic. Dinner was a sirloin steak special covered in a cilantro chili sauce with retried beans and yellow rice. 5 stars! My friend had the chimayo skirt steak in a chili cream sauce, omg amazing. Then dessert was a homemade churro over pumpkin mousse with chocolate ganache. Everything exceeded expectations, will come back as soon as this week.
(5)Dovonna R.
Yum! The food here was fresh and tasty. Service was quick and friendly, clean and calm atmosphere. It's definitely not your typical Mexican restaurant, be prepared for a refined experience. The ceviche appetizer is the real deal with a nice spicy kick! I had the duck enchiladas which were amazing and my husband had the burrito special which was equally impressive. Delicious and very satisfying!
(5)Danni L.
I come to Red Mesa for dinner a lot and I love their food! Took my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter here for lunch this time. It was their first time and I had raved about the food. Was a bit disappointed that all we could get was breakfast/brunch on Sunday from 9-2 and it was a limited menu. My food was great! I had the Shrimp Chilaquiles (minus the cheese and crema). My daughter's chicken Del Ray burrito was only luke warm and my son-in-law's beef Del Ray was very small for what he was expecting. The guacamole is not the greatest but their salsa is the bomb! Just spicy enough and very tasty! The desserts were very yummy. The Guava Empanada and the Churros (with caramel sauce) were just the perfect end to a not so perfect meal. I will stick to dinners at Red Mesa.
(3)Vladimir P.
Although the food is definitely not authentic, it is very good. You get a lot for your money with good service to go along with it.
(4)Shelley M.
Food was excellent! There were four of us, and we all ordered something different. I had a taste of each and every dish was delicious! Wait staff was attentive and kept our drinks filled. We will definitely be back!
(5)SH K.
Came here on Cinco de Mayo with some friends... nice atmosphere.. you get the sense that it has its fair share of regulars, which indicates the quality of food / service. The fish dishes are good! Portions by no means huge, but the taste is excellent!
(4)GEWELL L.
SERVICE: 7.25/10 FOOD: 8.25/10 AMBIANCE: 7/10 The only Mexican joint I love in St. Pete. Great date place. Jason and I would come here when we can.
(4)Mark H.
Until yesterday, I hadn't been to Red Mesa since about 2003, and I remember it being a lot better. Not that our lunch was bad, it just wasn't what it used to be. Either that, or my taste has changed, which is certainly possible. No matter how ya slice it, my taste buds approve of other Mexican eateries more these days. I ordered the carne asada burrito since the lunch menu was limited on entrées. For the price, the burrito was small. I know lunch portions are reduced, as they should be, but the price is usually adjusted as well. I felt like I paid too much for what I got. In addition, there were 4 pieces of steak in the burrito, so it wasn't like they jammed the undersized flour tortilla with meat, which is the least they could have done. Furthermore, the steak didn't have the flame-licked taste one might expect with carne asada. This stuff tasted like it was sitting in a prep table pan, waiting to be scooped out once a burrito order came thru. Also, the rice wasn't very authentic. When I think Mexican food, I think yellow rice. What I had was some sort of wild grain or rice pilaf hybrid, I don't know, but it wasn't Mexican. Overall, the meal was decent and edible, but not mind-blowing at all. The atmosphere and service was great though. Our waiter took good care of us, and he was timely in his duties. No complaints there. The prices were a little high for what we all got (there were 4 of us), so they need to work on that a bit. Lastly, I asked if the white sangria was made with cinnamon and our waiter said it was not. However, he either lied or doesn't know the truth, which is that the white sangria is indeed made with cinnamon. Will I return? Never. Too much exemplary Mexican grub in the bay area these days to settle for Red Mesa.
(3)D R.
Super disappointed. We were the only party eating - I was surprised by how long it took for our waitress to check in on us after bringing our food because I was waiting ask them reheat my cheese enchiladas as they came out totally cold and unmelted in the middle. Did not seem like a "nicer" restaurant and overall I say two thumbs down. This is only my second yelp review of all time but I was so bummed about this place it warranted a review.
(1)Kevin B.
Got to be one of the best places in downtown St Petersburg to hang out and have dinner and drinks with friends. Modern space, great local spot and good Mexican food. Not ideal for kids though. A great outside patio area that I'm sure is crowded in the evenings. Good change of pace from the chain restaurants.
(4)Carly W.
Fantastic Mexican food, excellent Sangria. Helpful staff with a good sense of humor. Not cheap, but worth it.
(5)Susan P.
On a trip to Tampa to visit friends, they took me to this great place for an awesome meal. We had reservations, which was a good thing, since it was Friday night and the place was packed. Free valet was a plus! The menu offers many choices for appetizers so we started with the Tacos Dorados. Let me tell you, the only downfall, there were only 2 on the plate! I could have ordered about 4 orders of these and ate them as my meal. Slightly crunchy on the outside and packed with tasty cheese and potato. Along with this amazing appetizer came complimentary chips and salsa, which did not disappoint. Since it was the restaurant's 18th anniversary they had a special sangria, so we ordered a pitcher. It was bursting with large pieces of fruit and quite tasty. For my meal I chose the Chipotle Shrimp. It was slightly spicy and totally amazing. It was just the right portion size to fill me up. My one friend ordered the Enchilada Trio and she said the best one on the plate was the Shrimp and Crab. My other friend ordered the Sonoran, which was sirloin steak along with 2 stuffed shrimp. He said the steak could have used a little more flavor but overall was good. Our server was attentive and let us know about their specials. Overall, this place is worth a try if you are in the neighborhood!
(5)Ginny K.
Came at the recommendation of a friend and was glad I did. Fast and friendly service and delicious entrees. Can't wait to come back to try dinner and Sunday brunch.
(5)Bob B.
Everything is very clean and fresh tasting. The mexican food here is definitely upscale, but oh so good. Good atmosphere as well. The prices are decent for the type of place it is. The seafood items are of course your higher end of the menu. The chips and salsa are quite tasty also, though I'm a fiend for most chips and salsa.
(4)Walt T.
Great lunch items. Mahi tacos are good but wish you got three of them instead of two. The chipotle shrimp burrito is the best!
(4)Rob B.
Tasty Mexican inspired food that'll fill you up good. Had the short rib torta which was packed with flavorful moist and tender meat. Nice atmosphere and the menu looks like it could keep you happy over several visits.
(4)Karen C.
Overall pretty good but the rice tasted like rice pilaf from a box and seemed over cooked. Service was quick and friendly.
(3)Amy Z.
Can't believe I haven't reviewed this before! Everything I have ever had here is delicious! Order anything thee and you won't be disappointed. Trust me - I'm chubby and discriminating :)
(5)Michele D.
Yummy! This place was pretty darn tasty! I hate going to a Mexican restaurant where they slam pounds of cheese all over everything your unable to find the friggin enchilada. This place doesn't do that at all .. It's good, clean , Mexican. I never seen any Mexican restaurant in the bay area with so many fresh fish dishes! Yep! This place is a definite repeat
(5)John W.
Excellent restaurant ! Went here for lunch on a Saturday and got here at noon. Ten minutes later every seat in the restaurant was completely filled. Not hard to see why. I had the seafood burrito which was stuffed with the local catch of grouper, crab and assorted other delicacies topped with a homemade chipotle sauce served with black rice and pico. DELISH. Prices are very reasonable as are the portions. Service was quick and efficient albeit a bit gruff. But you can overlook that with the high quality of the meals that they serve here. Looked like everyone in the restaurant was thoroughly enjoying their meals here. This is not your typical Mexican food. More like a gourmet Mex with a great price ! I highly recommend this place, but come early or get reservations as they fill up fast.
(4)Daniel K.
Not sure what happened to my last review, posted months ago, but hey lets do it again. This place is a five because the food is awesome! Go for breakfast or lunch. Wonderful menu, good service, tight quarters, but nicely decorated inside. It's ALWAYS packed, for anyone who gave this place less than a 4, try it again! You missed something or maybe your dead and just think your eating there. That's my sixth sense kicking in I guess.
(5)Erica J.
Red Mesa used to be one of my favorite restaurants; the food is amazing. My problem is with the way the restaurant handles mistakes they make in the kitchen. If you ask for the kitchen to leave something off of your food, and they put it on by mistake, they just wipe it off and send it back without regard for food allergies. I'm really disgusted and I will NEVER return.
(2)Abc 1.
Went here for dinner on a Thursday night and had never been before. Service was friendly from the start, no wait and even the valet guy was super nice outside. We ordered the grouper ceviche, the snapper, some plantains and some guac for dinner and loved all of it! Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and never made us feel rushed once. We also split a pitcher of Sangria and had some churros for desser (a MUST) and everything was great. The ceviche was some of the best I've had and I've had that app served to me in several countries and other states. Salsa and chips were also great. Will definitely return for more delicious mexican food!
(5)Mica F.
I'm still learning my way around the SW Tampa Bay area and I love when I find little pockets of neat stuff. Going south on 4th St N and with the use of my trusty Yelp app, I found this lovely contemporary Mexican restaurant! We came in for an early weekday dinner in between kids activities. The staff was super nice to my kids, always a plus in my book and they were very accommodating about the fact that my husband was still about 10 minutes out and we had to get out of there in about 50. Mission accomplished! I wouldn't say this was a Mexican restaurant but rather a contemporary Mexican flare. It was unexpected and totally enjoyed. There were so many menu items that caught my eye, I didn't know which to pick which will warrant a trip back from me. My husband was easy, he had me order him the Jalapenos Rellenos while en route. My son ordered the Filet Al Chipotle which he loved and took half of it home. I had the Snapper Vera Cruz which was a.m.a.z.i.n.g. As a whole, our family loves Mexican. My 6yo wants to go on vacation to Mexico because the food is yummy. It's my hope that when we do take her after eating at places like Red Mesa, that she's not disappointed with Mexico!
(5)Ashish K.
Caters to all the tastes(Spicy, mildly Spicy to Non Spicy). Different lunch and Dinner menus. I tried the Del Rey Chicken Burrito which was very juicy with very fine and flavorful sauces used. I found the rice and Black Beans here to be better than rest of the mexican places I have been to. Must try.
(4)Alex A.
I don't get to eat Mexican very often and when I do I'm usually let down. After eating here, all I can say is WOW! The food was amazing. I had some sort of combo and it was a definite 5 stars. The restaurant it self is a 3. The booth and tables are a little old and it's not exactly spotless inside. Also extremely limited drink menu, they definitely need to get a liquor license. Again, 5 STAR FOOD!
(5)Alice T.
What can I say? Group of six all had the best meal we can remember. Grouper was amazing!
(5)Vanessa Z.
You need a CLEARWATER location...asaps!
(5)Connie M.
Red Mesa is an excellent choice and is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete. I have fallen into a rut and have begun ordering the Pork Verde with extra veggies instead of getting rice and beans. The vegetable is usually broccoli with red peppers and carrots, and I think a little bit of garlic and seasoning thrown in. The pork is spicy and delicious with just the right amount of heat. They are always willing to accommodate my requests with a smile. I still have to nosh on their home made chips and have a glass of Sangria. (I said I'm in a rut here). The food is always fresh and consistent with very quick service. It's definitely worth the wait outside for a table.
(5)Kathy C.
This is one of our favorite restaurants and we eat here several times a month. We have tried most of the entrees on the lunch menu and are never disappointed. The food is fresh and flavorful and the prices are extremely reasonable. If you like spicy food, you can get entrees with some heat to them. I really like duck so enjoy the duck enchiladas and duck salad. The seafood enchiladas, grilled salmon, and chipotle shrimp (entree, not the burrito) are more of my favorites. My husband really likes the drunken sandwich. The hamburger is also REALLY good and not typically what you might order off the menu. Both white and red sangria is REALLY good here - it tastes like the infuse spices into the wine, which makes it so delicious. We rarely leave enough room for desert, however have tried the plantains foster, which was a wonderful spin on the classic version. Red Mesa has the best trained wait staff of anywhere we've eaten in the Tampa Bay area. Honestly, they provide the best service and we measure all other restaurants by them.
(5)Amanda L.
Completely above-par compared to the majority of tex-mex restaurants out there. The amount of refinement and sophistication the dishes have, while being in an upscale casual environment, is impressive. This is not your standard, heavy tex-mex fare. The seafood here is out of this world. A little on the pricey side, but there will be no regrets. Highly highly recommend. Obsessed with the southwest grilled grouper - such a unique and delicious dish. A must have for those that can handle spice!
(5)Amanda R.
This place is great! The courtyard is so charming with its string lights and fountain, and a very relaxing environment for drinks after a long day (especially on Mondays when their house margaritas are half off). The empanadas are excellent though small portions... not much of a problem when watching weight, though they are not filling enough for a meal. My friend and I like to split the Empanada then split a chorizo burger, which is the most delicious burger I have ever had. Yum!
(5)Mperke M.
Red mesa is my favorite restaurant. I have been going for at least 12 years. I have never had a bad meal. Everything is homemade. The shrimp fundido is my favorite appetizer and the cedar salmon is awesome. If you are wanting something lite I would suggest the red mesa salad. The service is excellent. It is always busy so make reservations or order to go as I do at least once a week.
(5)Jennifer F.
Went here as a large group (9) on a Sunday late afternoon. Service was excellent and the prices were okay. Beer and wine only. Apps were the mushroom fondue and calamari. Calamari was well cooked and the curry sauce was amazing and hot!! The fondue was okay, shrooms were great on it though. Everyone got something different and no complaints. Portions are good size and wine by the bottle prices were not crazy. Desert was good and big. Oh and the chips were fresh and the salsa medium hot. Nice build on the burn over time. Lots of fish and vegetarian options as well. When we left they were in full dinner slam and the noise level was not bad.
(4)Michael G.
How have I not reviewed this place yet?! I have been throughly enjoying Red Mesa for years, and years, and years. It is one of the go-to restaurants in St. Petersburg, especially for people who are visiting and only have a limited time to see what St. Petersburg has to offer. I don't need to say much because this place has more than enough good reviews but what I will say is the corn chips and salsa are very good, the chips are very thin and salty. The guacamole is usually good but the most recent time I had it, it was extremely spicy which I did not like, but give it a try. The quesadillas are also very good - but you can't go wrong with anything here. And lastly, let's not forget about the grand finale: the dessert! The chocolate spoon cake is some of the best chocolate cake I have ever had. It's light and smooth but very chocolatey so it also comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance out the flavor. Over all, Red Mesa is a must in St. Petersburg!
(5)Jeff M.
This place is awesome. It was my dad and aunt and myself. We waited for fifteen minutes even though it was a thirty minute wait. But we sat down and out server was awesome he was so cool, answered all of our questions, he was fun and energetic. Now to the food, you'll need an empty stomach. The chips are to die for and the salsa was mild but had a hint of spice but not to hot that you can't handle it. We polished those off. I ordered the pollo Yucatan. I HIGHLY recommend that. It is really hot so if you have a craving for spicy this is right up your alley.
(5)Andy D.
Good stuff. I haven't had anything bad here. I haven't had anything amazing either though.
(3)Katie M.
I've been so many times and the food is always so good, sangria is good and servers are friendly. It can get loud inside so outside is much nicer but I recommend it to everyone.
(4)Rachel T.
I went here with my parent-in-laws and husband. They were long time area residents and big fans. I recognize that in the area this is a pretty unique place. It has complex dishes and a nicer atmosphere. However, they also love Apple B's and Bone Fish and Cheese Cake factory. This is as such... a large restaurant with crowded seating. I found the atmosphere to be busy and distracting, not very comfortable seating, and like eating in a chain restaurant though this isn't a chain. It's good food but I'd rather not feel like I'm sitting at IHop. I say "I'm a fan" because my family is and they live there and have more relative opinion than I do as a visiting New Englander.
(4)Shay H.
I'm a little surprised by some of the negative reviews and many people are comparing this to Tex-Mex they found in Texas. I'm sure if you don't try to make it something it's not and just enjoy it for what it is you will be pleasantly surprised. I would not really call it Tex-Mex, I would say they have some mexican dishes and some dishes that just have a mexican twist. I had roast duck enchiladas and they were very good! My husband's grouper was good as well. For an appetizer we had Mahi ceviche which was very good, but the portion was a little small. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised and compared to any other Mexican food I've found in Florida this place is very good. The menu is also very inventive and I'm looking forward to going back and trying another unique dish. As others have mentioned the food is better than you would expect from the decor. And the sangria is just okay.
(4)Berit M.
Went to Red Mesa the other night with a friend because we were really feeling some mexican food AND margaritas. The food was phenomenal and I highly recommend trying the enchilada trio and the carne asada. I had to give it a 3 because they didn't have real margaritas (#fail) so we ended up getting sangria instead which was just so-so. I'm going to try Red Mesa Cantina because our server assured us they have more choices as far as margaritas and drinks at that one, however, I will probably still be back here. They did not disappoint on the food.
(3)Steven K.
My wife had the carna asada and it was cooked perfect. The flavor was wonderful. I has the shrimp and crab chimi. So bad!!! With the hard corn shell, the sauce, and cheese I could not taste any of the seafood in it. Even though hers was good we will not return there.
(3)Kelly R.
My only issue with this place is that every time we have a date night we want to go here. The food is melt in your mouth delicious. On our last visit I had the chimichangas and they were to die for. The margaritas here are excellent. The atmosphere is lively and just the right bit of loud, service is excellent and you can tell people enjoy working there. They have an excellent outdoor space with a bar, covered seating and live entertainment. Notes: you'll need to find street parking or pay to park in a garage, outdoor/indoor bar, live entertainment, Saturday nights are very busy and they don't take reservations.
(5)Nat W.
I was told my friend that this place is very good and I saw all the hypes on Yelp. I finally decided to go. They have "free" valet parking. Luckily when we got there, we found a parking spot right near the entrance so we did not have to have a valet and saved on the tip. Inside was kinda crowded and I felt a little too close to the next tables. Our server was great!! His name was I think Mike. He was so nice , polite and attentive. We got the special "BBQ pork tacos" for an appetizer. They were really really delicious. It was a bit pricey for the amount you get tho (it was $10 for small 2 pieces). For entrees, we ordered shrimp and crab enchilada, and seafood with rice (pretty much like paella). The enchilada was just okay. The paella was good! Overall, it is a place with good food and great service! 4-star :)
(4)Scott W.
Wonderful! Worth the wait. Service was fast and attentive. I had the ceviche special and the tamale plate. Very, very fresh ceviche with a nice citrus flavor. The tamales were very moist and filling. Great dinner!
(4)Lou M.
This place has good food, but is pretty expensive. The 4th street location now has mofungo, which is probably my favorite thing on the menu. The calamari is really good and comes with chipotle and habanero dips which make the dish. Their Sunday brunch is a good food experience, but again, kinda pricey.
(3)William M.
We had a wonderful time today at the Red Mesa! The food was wonderful, my family from out of town loved it...I've been talking about this place for a while and when they came in town there was nowhere else to go. The sangria and Chipotle shrimp hit the spot. Not to be left out was the service we recieved from big Joe. He made my mother laugh and she thought he was so cute...I hope Joe sees this (she's 84 years old)...I will continue to tell everyone about this place! Great experience and atmosphere. Thank you
(5)Jason P.
Not impressed, I ordered the Gorgonzola stuffed fillet, and literally gagged down a couple bites of the meat. I've never had a filet mignon that tasted so bad before. The Gorgonzola was good, as was the Chile relleno, but for a $45 plate of food I was very underwhelmed.
(2)James B.
Great food a lil more on the expensive side but totally worth it. Definitely worth going back
(5)Manuel M.
This is an excellent restaurant, possibly the best in Tampa Bay. Caribbean/Pan Latin food. Menu seems like a sample and fusion of all the best food in Latin America. Quality of ingredients and execution are excellent. Great value, good service. Casual and fun vibe.
(5)Zachary W.
Best Hangover brunch. There is a mimosa special Saturday and Sunday. Food was great. Service was excellent. Out door dining area with water features in it very nice atmosphere
(5)Dessie M.
Service good. Busy at 230 in the afternoon. Great drink deals. Will be back. The Sangria special was yummy. All and all with tip $70.00 for 4 meals 2 large sangrias tea and soda. Service with a smile
(4)Crystal D.
We went here after seeing that the Cantina has such high ratings among fellow downtowners, but one afternoon we happened to be closer to the Restaurant so we went there instead. We have since been to both, and while the Cantina has the lively atmosphere, the Restaurant in my opinion has the better food!! I got a sirloin combination with seriously the best cheese enchilada and red sauce that I have ever, ever had the pleasure of tasting. Next time I go back, I'm seeing if I can get just enchiladas! The Cantina menu definitely seems to lean more toward a further south american rather than "mexican", which is fine. But there was lots of duck and chorizo and fish and fancy options, which is great and all, but sometimes a girl just wants some good ole carne asada. The restaurant does also have the fancier options as well, but the whole menu is bigger so there's enough to satisfy the hoity toity crowds, as well as those of us who are craving just the basic more standard mexican fare. Though it is anything but standard! From the not from a mix margaritas, to the yummy salsa, to the perfectly cooked meats, I was absolutely in taste bud heaven. Simple but high quality and expertly executed with really tasty side dishes that sometimes competed with the main course in tastiness. We will definitely be coming back here again and again!!
(5)Tiffany D.
Wonderful upscale Mexican dining! They serve a variety of dishes (their menu is different than the Cantina downtown), the ones that I've had were delicious! The atmosphere is inviting and the service is excellent.
(5)Charlie K.
Update: gave this place another shot and was dissappointed once again. It took them 15 minutes to set an already clean table in a nearly empty restaurant and only managed to place out menus (no napkin or silverware). It seemed like they wanted to get rid of us the whole time we were there. At least the food was really good this time. I'm not going to fight it if someone invites me here, but I'll continue skip this one and go to the Red Mesa Canteen location in downtown St. Pete. Slightly different menu (it's still all really good though) better service.
(3)Ed D.
We've been coming here since it opened more than ten years ago. It has been consistently great over that time. On our last visit, the ceviche was outstanding, the sangria wonderful and, while the menu items had changed a little since our last visit, were still delish. As always, there was a little wait for a table.
(4)Jenny C.
This place has the most amazing gourmet Mexican food!!. Some of the best Mexican I've ever had. The presentation of the food was really beautiful. The dishes were full of color as Mexican food usually is. The music they played was a soft Spanish salsa. Very elegant, very first class cuisine. I love Mexican the only turn off was the price..........I mean there's a cap on how much you can charge for beans and rice..........I had an amazing dish.............3 cheese enchiladas!! It was my 21st birthday so it was kind of a big deal!! I was ordering Cosmos like it was my job.............Well the meal was amazing. So were the Cosmos............The ambiance in this spot is great too. The waitress was really great. Over-all it was a great experience. PS : Mexican and Cosmos do NOT go together this horrible combination will make u sick do not try this at home!!
(4)David G.
This place is FANTASTIC! Never had a bad meal here and its one of the best restaurants in Pinellas County. We go here a lot and this is a must try if you have never been. The service is excellent as well but it can get very busy... Enjoy
(5)Victor M.
Very nice and tasty Mexican food. Had the skirt stake and it was very good. It also had a lil kick to it which was nice.
(4)Henry C.
DO NOT confuse Red Mesa Cantina with Red Mesa Restaurant. My bad. We went for brunch expecting exciting modern Mexican fare and were disappointed with boring Cracker Barrel type entrees. I'll sleep in next time.
(2)Jeff O.
Yeeeeeeeeah! This charming restaurant has the feel of an "Indie Denny's" but it serves up some 3-4 star quality food in the Mexican tradition. A strange concept, but it works out nicely. I went yesterday for brunch and found the place to be quite cozy. Soft Southwest colors and a "Goldielock's" layout--not too big or too small. The menu features a bunch of tex-mex offerings, which sound delicious and seem to ALL have wonderful presentations when they come out. (I kept eyeing other people's dishes as they came out of the kitchen!) I ordered the special of the day; I'm unsure of the creative name, but it was scrambled eggs with a creamy cheese/hollandaise-y sauce that was yummy as hell. The potato wedges that fanned out across the plate were also just what da doctor ordered. My friends chose Huevos Rancheros and something called Divorcivas (sp?)--2 eggs "split" by opposing chili sauces. I thought everything looked amazing and tasted killer. One drawback was our particular server. She was nonexistent and clueless on refilling my coke. The next time we go back we'll have to try the entrees, and sit in Lindsey's section. She's the cute blonde girl who DJ's in the area under an alias.
(4)Peter F.
Not your usual Mexican fare, semi nouvo. Very good. No liquor license, that's a shame. This restaraunt is making it on its great food alone.
(4)Sandy H.
Went there for lunch today, and worried when we arrived that we'd have to wait, the lot was that full. We were seated right away, though, and our server promptly offered us drinks. We both ordered iced tea and, I have to say, it was fresh, cold, and actually tasted like tea...wonderful! That is unusual since many places serve watery or instant iced tea. My husband ordered the chicken quesadilla and loved it. He commented about its very nice ("unusual," to him) presentation. I had the cheese chili relleno and liked it very much, too. The red salsa was lightly and very pleasantly spicy -- not overwhelming. This dish was also well presented. The highlights of our visit were the freshness of the food, the iced tea, and the fact that the wait staff had smiles on their faces even when they were not waiting on customers!!! I will definitely return because there were many other tempting dishes that I would like to try.
(5)S C.
Red Mesa is an very good Mexican restaurant -- and I would definitely recommend going there even if it's out of the way, as we did. The menu is a mix of typical tex-mex items and some authentic and creative Mexican offerings. They had a spicy grouper special which really stood out. We had a large group and everyone was satisfied. I did try a sip of the sangria which was ok. They make their margeritas using agave wine, not tequila - and I found the drink palatable, though on the sweet syrupy side. The service was good and friendly. One weird thing for a not-low-budget restaurant is their being sticklers about rationing 1 tray of chips and salsa per table with one free refill. That certainly seems out of place in an otherwise moderate-spendy type place.
(4)Rob H.
Fairly clean flavors and a solid but not trendsetting menu. The service was nice enough, and the place was very clean looking in the customer accessible areas. However, the food was decent, but not groundbreaking. Food seasoning was catering either to 'too spicy, heat without flavor' on the rare dish, or just bland with not a lot of depth on the other dishes. I rate this squarely above Chili's, which is not a huge compliment.
(2)Borg M.
I don't think this can be called Tex-Mex. I believe it is in a category called Nueva Latina. I love the food. The salsa is extra special. It's not surprising the this restaurant has been around for 10 or 12 years.
(5)Machelle P.
This is my favorite restaurant. Try the shrimp fundido, red mesa salad and the cedar roasted salmon.
(5)Ryan B.
Best Mexican inspired food I've had. We visited based on the Yelp reviews, and you guys came through for me again. We started w/ the chips and salsa, and agreed that it had a fantastic and unique flavor. My brother got the chile relleno and loved it. They serve a cheese or meat version and he got the meat. I can't remember what kind it was, but I do remember that the flavor was very good. Not an incredible dish, but very solid and I'd be happy to have ordered it. I got the Roast Pork Verde and it was outstanding. The pork was cooked almost perfectly, but a tiny bit on the dry side. The chile verde sauce was outstanding. I seriously think I could eat this dish every day. Both dishes were served with a side of beans and rice that were excellent. Cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Very tasty, and I don't normally like rice dishes much. My bro also got both red and white sangria and raved about them. He preferred the red but liked both. I didn't try them. The service was excellent. The server saw that one of our party was having trouble getting into a booth due to a health issue, and quickly offered to move us to a table without being asked. Nice job. He never interrupted our conversation with dumb questions like "do you want a refill". Overall, we never noticed him, which always indicates a good server in my book. The decor was good for a Mexican place, however, the bar is admittedly pretty low. Subdued and lacking the ridiculous bold colors and sombrero hats. Refreshing. Overall an excellent experience. I will make it a point to visit again when I'm back in St. Pete.
(4)Dana V.
The best Mexican food I've ever had. Simply awesome!! Get there early the place fills up quickly
(5)Tony O.
This was my first time to Tampa/St. Pete. and I wound up with a couple of free days before flying out. Checked Yelp for some good Tex-Mex and Red Mesa was at the top of the list. Looked at the menu and the stuff shrimp sounded great. When I arrived there were three daily specials that sounded great too, but I stuck with my plan. The stuffed shrimp were great. The broccoli in the "fresh" vegetable side was a little on the weak side, but not enough to take a star away. I would have preferred a small bowl of black beans instead of the veggies. I will put Red Mesa at the top of my return list anytime I'm in the area in the future.
(5)Susan H.
I like what another reviewer says in describing this restaurant: it is to Mexican food what Olive Garden is to Italian food. It's a nice sized establishment with very friendly (in my experience) wait staff. Their margaritas and sangria are not the best I've had, but their guava empanada and cheesecake desserts are to die for. The food selections are standard for what an American would expect of a Mexican restaurant. Their standard chips and salsa are also not the best I've ever had (see my review for Estela's restaurant). Overall, it's an alright place to go for lunch or dinner. I give it four stars because of the wait staff and the desserts.
(4)Jillian K.
The fried oyster appetizer and red sangria were both amazing!
(4)Denise M.
Thanks to Yelp, we made sure to try dinner here during our trip. We stopped by on a Wednesday around 8pm. The place was almost full, including the bar. (Free valet - woot!) Fantastic service inside as well. Tried the Chorizo Fundido for an appetizer, it came out bubbling with cheesy goodness. Thought it was better with chips than the tortillas it was served with. I had the tortilla soup (good) and hubs had the Arroz Con Mariscos (sautéed shrimp, calamari, mussels and scallops with mild poblano chile, tomatoes, spanish chorizo and cilantro rice) and practically licked the bowl. For dessert, we tried the special that night - bread pudding with mexican chocolate and bacon. Yep - scrumptious. I was worried about the bacon, but I couldn't even taste it. Definitely could taste the cinnamon in the mexican chocolate - a good thing! Everything came out piping hot - it was hard to wait for a moment or two before diving in. Checked out the breakfast and lunch menus online. We will try to get another trip in before heading home. It is definitely an upscale, unique take on mexican - not sure my teenager would have appreciated it. Leave the kids at home.
(5)Jeff L.
Pretty good, though not as good as some claim. Not sure how I would classify Red Mesa. It's 'based' on Mexican food, like Tex-Mex, but maybe somewhat more upscale version, I suppose. Get there before noon or after 1pm to avoid the long wait. It's become so popular that they now even have valet parking. I personally like their Fish burritos and their Combination dishes (pork in green sauce). The prices are maybe 10-15% more than what I would normally pay, but there aren't many restaurants like it in St. Pete. The food here tastes pretty good and the portions are excellent. Their service could be better. I'd give it 2.5-3 stars. I should mention that one time, i was served a glass of water with a large crack on the glass. Not sure if that's a reflection of their quality control or if it was a fluke.
(4)M S.
Love this restaurant. The flavors are so wonderful in everything I've ordered. The only thing is the wait time and the crowds during the busy nights. But sitting outside with a glass of wine is not so bad. Highly recommended restaurant!
(5)Patti Z.
Love this place. Food has so much flavor.
(5)Joe C.
This place is great. I went with a large group, and was able to try about 8 different things. We had some ceviche and some tuna as an appetizer. I usually go on about the different dishes, but honestly, it was all just really good. It's pricier than a traditional [seedy] mexican restaurant, it's a classy joint though. Place was an absolute madhouse and they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more, so I think I'm gonna stick to Tuesday night dinners here.
(4)april h.
Been three times. Don't get the hype at ALL. I'll take the baby sister - Red Mesa Cantina though. Much more consistent.
(2)John H.
was skeptical for sure. have not seen a good mexican restaurant in st pete area. wow was i impressed. chips came to the table. so so. they really could have used some salt. the salsa was good and smokey. wasn't too hungry so i went with a cup of frijoles charro and the asada taco appetizer w a side of fresh jalapenos (of course). the frijoles were HANDS DOWN thee best i have ever had. bacon chorizo, cilantro, onion. Thick, the beans cooked just right. I could have eaten a whole pot of them i am sure. While i was trying to finish my cup o' beans, our dinners came out. sizzling steak, chorizo, onion, cilantro, lime, seasoned well, cooked very well. the juices dripped down my wrist as i brought the corn tortilla wrapped goodness to my mouth. My new favorite mexican/tex-mex/fusion (i guess) restaurant in the st. pete/clrwtr airpor area. Captain Bob got a salad and it looked fresh and he said it was good, it seemed to me like a landslide of very good looking blue cheese tumbling down a greens mountain. the rest of the entrees seemed kind of expensive but i bet they are good.....breakfast on sunday? i wish we were here to try it. maybe next time...
(4)Kevin L.
Ate lunch here today: ceviche sampler great...highly recommend the octopus. Very tender, which I didn't expect. El Gordo burrito huge and very tasty. Others had taquetos and raved as well as thumbs up on ahi tuna taco. Will make a regular stop when in st. Pete. Service was spot on and enthusiastic.
(4)Georges L.
*Awesome, try the three burrito combo.
(4)Wanda B.
Really love this place but it is pricey for Mexican/Southwestern food. Yes, it is upscale and the food never disappoints. But we save it for special times.
(5)S G.
Pretty standard mexican fare. The place has free valet parking if needed. The special deal is if you order before 6 pm you can get a cocktail, entree and dessert (special) for $14. Not a bad deal for the food. I had the cheese enchiladas and my husband had the chicken enchiladas. Portion sizes reasonable and not too huge.
(3)Kara W.
One of the best restaurants in the state of Florida. Amazing sangria, salsa and fantastic flavorful entrees. Try the Shrimp Chipolte, my favorite (very spicy). You may have to wait on the weekends, but it's definitely worth it.
(5)Noel G.
Atmosphere is nice. Food is kind of upscale Tex-Mex. The food was just OK. It could use more spice and identify better with either Sonoran or Tex-Mex. It was kind of generic.
(2)Little G.
If you travel for a living like I do and love to dine in new places during lunch and spend your $$$$ enjoying yourself, then this IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO ..........Because I was by myself, I was NOT allowed to sit at a booth. Are you serious ????? They want more people than 1 to sit in a booth because more people usually spend more $$$$$. Well , I eat by myself and spend as much as 2 or 3 people because I will usually order alcohol instead of soda or water with lemon. I explained this to them. I also explained to them that I would be buying additional food to go. When I sit at a booth at a restaurant, it is my time to relax during lunch and during my extremely busy working days. I will not be returning here because of the customer service NO MATTER HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS. If you have ever visited this place in a group, try to visit alone to see how you are treated. I guess that I will have to spend my hard earned dollars somewhere else. Oh well, they are the ones to lose $$$$$$ because I eat out often and frequent this area often ( and know lots of people ) and spend lots of $$$$$ on lunch. Thank you !
(1)Matthew M.
don't even bother looking at the menu......... just get the filet mignon burrito. thank me later
(5)dave h.
I was looking for good place to eat in St. Petersburg while I was traveling to Tampa on Spring break with the fam and this place came up as good with all you local Yelpers. And thank you for the tip. Great mexican flavor and they are not afriad to spice it up, which is a good thing. We went with a large group of 8 or so and 2 kids, they did a good job or getting us seated (once our whole party was there). The server did an excellent job of taking care of all of us and was able to split the bill. The food was great, my carne asada was excellent, while my wife chicken dish had a great chipotle cream sauce on it that was well done. Overall, thanks to the local yelpers for this recommendation, we were very pleased with the entire establishment. We were also impressed at how inexpensive it was; we were planning on paying a lot because it seemed like a up scale place, but the prices were very reasonable; $12-20/entree. Only criticism is they only had 2 beers on tap, Dos XX Amber and Lager, i was hoping for a little more but when you are a Mexican restaurant, Dos XX is the good beer to turn too.
(5)erica p.
The sangria was awesome, our food was delicious and not at all heavy like most places serving burritos, rice and beans. There was much more nuance to the flavors here than in many tex-mex styled restaurants, and I'm glad we put it on our list to try while on vacation. While you don't really come here for the atmosphere (it feels like any big-ish restaurant), the food is well worth the trip.
(4)C B.
This place has amazing Mexican / Euro / French infused flavors! I love it, its always packed, so get a reservation! The salsa is so fresh, I usually buy extra to take home, so delicious! Great place guys!
(5)Gabriela D.
Super delicious authentic Mexican and super filling.
(4)jimi b.
Best description by someone else: "Best gourmet mexican food" Awesome chips and salsa. Maybe the best I've ever had. Yes. I said it. Best I've ever had. Santa Fe Chicken. YUMMY. I forget the description, but it came with spinach and pilaf, and it was maybe, the BEST CHICKEN I've ever had. Yes, I said it. Best I've ever had. Also, the spinach was amazing. I don't know how they made it taste so good. I don't remember clearly, but I think it said "tequila braised" GF had some spicy shrimp of sorts. It was pretty awesome as well. Price ranges from 12-15 for chicken dishes. 13-23 for seafood. They had many other items with steak meat/filet mignon/etc. Great atmosphere. Crowded but roomy enough, waiters are attentive and professional. It's one to revisit. Free Valet.
(5)Michael Z.
Spot on reviews. Went for brunch and the meals were creative with terrific flavor. I'm looking forward to my next visit.
(5)Renee W.
This place wasn't at all what I was expecting. I've been to the downtown cantina before, guess I expected more of that. Pros: free valet...that's about it. Cons: the food was mediocre, but really pricey. I got the duck enchiladas which were perfectly average, nothing special. My guy got the puntas de filet mignon. Very spicy and severely lacking in flavor. He loves everything spicy, but with nothing but spice, what's the point? My main problem was the service. I cannot stand when I feel like I'm not being paid attention to because of how young I am or the amount in our party (servers are notoriously bad at checking on a 2 top). The crowd here was mostly 40's-50's..I'm 25. Our waitress never checked on us, left us without drinks, and generally didn't seem to care. But she seemed to love the 6 top next to us.
(2)Matt B.
I just have to say that I really enjoy the atmosphere here and the food is better then good. This was my second time here and I selected the enchilada trio, and it was very good. Pair that with the white sangria and its almost perfect. On a side note the chips and salsa are pretty damn good too.
(4)Peter L.
Some friends had us join them for dinner here this past week. I am certainly glad that they did! It's not your gardener's Mexican. It is quite good in it's own right! On this night we ordered the Cedar Roasted Salmon ($18), Roast Pork Verde ($14), Chihuahua Combinado ($13), and Sonoran Combinado ($17). The plates were cleaned, and everyone left smiling. The homemade Sangria was a hit as well. The feel of the restaurant is upscale. The service was attentive. You might not find Pedro and Hector in the dining room, or a Speedy Gonzalez Combination Plate on the menu, but you will find a tasty dining experience.
(4)Rose S.
Very spicy chipotle shrimp! Spanishcuisine at its finest!! Sangria is also top notch!
(5)Kerry S.
went here for dinner last night with a friend when asking for a GREAT Mexican style restaurant......It was very chilly last night so we waited the 15 minutes for an inside table while having a hand crafted Margarita at the outside bar...The drink tasted fantastic but was about the size of an 'eye wash' cup and at 11 dollars was way out of line...but I let this slide due to the taste......but it would have cost me 50 bucks to get the slightest buzz. We ordered the chips and dips.... the dips FANTASTIC...the chips....meh...I have had better {even at Chili's}......yet they were very very filling even shared. I ordered the chicken taquitos and a Fish taco....The fish taco at 4.50 was small...tiny....actually really microscopic and so covered in the red sauce that is could have been a Gorton's fish stick...but the Taquitos were magnificent the BEST thing ever....my friend had the vegan fajita and said it was good until he had one of the taquitos and agreed that they were perfection and for 8 dollars a STEAL by comparison to the fish taco and the cocktail....the service was attentive and aware....anticipated any thing we needed and was on it in a second.......Taquitos and service 5 star.....taco and margaritas 2...thus the 4........Can't wait to come for happy hour margaritas and mas taquitos.....
(4)Rebecca B.
Delicious! I love chili rellenos and have not found any really great ones since moving to FL until now. The food was perfect and so was the service! Thanks Red Mesa!
(5)Geno K.
Best lunch I've had in St. Pete since moving here a couple months ago. I had the filet mignon burrito. I thought the description was a little rude: "Medium rare tips of filet mignon, jack cheese, poblano chile, red pepper, diced tomatoes and onion. As is, no exceptions." I'd never seen something like that on a menu. But they do it for a reason... it was INCREDIBLE. It tasted nothing like what I thought I was ordering, but in a very good way. When I think steak burrito, I think beef with some "other stuff." The other stuff makes this thing rock. Great staff. It was packed when I went around 12:30. Understandable. I'll be going back often.
(5)Danesh I.
My wife and I recently went to Red Mesa during a brief stop in St. Pete. Though it looks unassuming from the exterior, and the interior is nothing to write about, the food here is amazing. We tried the fried calamari as an appetizer, and I can't rave enough about the sauces which accompanied the perfectly fried calamari; both the chipotle and curry dipping sauces were divine. My wife got some fried shrimp as her entree and I decided to go with a combination platter with a taco, enchilada, and empanada. Both our meals were PERFECT. The empanada crust could make anything taste good, it was simply delicious! This restaurant is a must when stopping in St. Pete!
(4)Marty C.
Parking lot that was so small that we were forced to use the valet. There at 7:00 and only had a 10 min. wait. No reservations for groups of less than 5. The faux $8 margaritas are a bit disturbing in a restaurant at this price point. For appetizers, we had the fried oysters chipolte, crab cakes and the wild mushroom quesadilla. The oysters were large but the batter was way too thick and the flavor of the oysters was lost. The crab cakes were way over fried, more like a hard croquette. The quesadilla was fine but soggy on the underside due to the dipping sauce being sloshed over the plate. Two of us had the crab and shrimp stuffed snapper. The fish was over cooked and smothered in sauce. They should cut back on the sauce by at least 2/3s. Our third diner had the chihuahua combination which was good. Bottom line is the food would have been better with less sauce and they need to get a full liquor license!
(3)Robin O.
As first timers we don't what all the 5 star fuss is about. Glib waitress never there at right time. Four of us, a lot of semi flavorless and over cooked food. Tortilla soup bland and had tons of tortilla strips inside all completely soggy, inedible mush. Cheese enchilada was fair. Filet mignon dry and chewy. Shrimp "tacos" are grilled shrimp on 2 small open face, soft, store bought tortillas w/ thousand island dressing. Pedestrian at best, will not be back.
(3)Anthony T.
Fantastic, been here three Tomas and they never disappoint. Always fresh great food. Quick service, reasonable prices.
(5)Kevin B.
Excellent food every time. This is the most consistently good restaurant I have been to.
(5)Jennifer B.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete! The shrimp tacos are the best I've ever had- the flavoring is unreal and cannot be duplicated elsewhere. The black beans and rice are topped with a (maybe?) chimichurri sauce that is unlike anything else I've tried and I can't get enough of it! I've only been here for lunch and it's always so busy, but somehow it continues to be fast and the quality of the service and food is never compromised.
(5)Billy E.
I came for lunch, long wait for seating but I know the time of day I came that was to be expected. I ordered the duck enchiladas, the duck was very nice my complaint was the veggies on the plate. Over cooked and very very bland. The salsa was average, but overall was not a bad restaurant. Service was very friendly and attentive so I'd be willing to come back again.
(3)Jon W.
I think it's more seafood, nouveau American,french, tex-mex fusion than tex-mex. Which is a good thing. Whatever you call it they do a great job of it and the seafood is fresh and the sangria is fantastic. I had the crab and shrimp stuffed grouper with some kind of quasi-Mexican sauce poured over it that came with fantasticly fresh and tasty grilled vegetables. My friend had a the chicken Santa Fe that was stuffed with Gouda cheese making it very rich and tasty. We had the beef shredded tacitos (ok well that was tex-mex) for an appetizer with the traditional chips and salsa. (very good salsa by the way). The service was at a high level. I thought our waiter was very good. Nice local flair with a slight Mexican twist. I loved it! I may go back for breakfast.
(5)Meghan B.
When I think of Red Mesa, I think of girls' night out. Sure this would be a great place for a date or special celebration, but the pitchers of pink sangria and delicious menu options will leave you wishing you had your elastic waistband pants rather than looking super cute. Please don't wear elastic waistband pants here, though...it's a little too nice for that. I've tried a couple fish entrees, enchiladas, and their Chorizo Fundido appetizer (SO fun to say). All were great and made with quality and very fresh ingredients. One tip -- if you're looking to save a little money, go between 4-5:45pm Monday through Friday for the Sunset Menu. You get chips & salsa, choice of beverage (soda, margarita, sangria, or draft beer), entree, and a special dessert all for $14.00!!!! Such an awesome deal. Go for the pink, go for the pink!!
(5)Rod K.
Great place for Mexican food w/an up scale atmosphere The food is very good and the value is even better Mon through Fri till 6/pm is a fixed price special w/dinners, drink & desert We have been here few times w/friends and of the 8 dishes ordered ...everyone was very happy The service was very good too The only down side is they don't have a liquor license But has a nice beer & wine menu and wine margaritas (which were very good) A good place to eat.
(4)Michelle A.
First time I ate here I thought the food was way too spicy. I chalked it up to maybe It was just what I ordered. It's my Sons favorite restaurant so he always wants to go here for his Birthday. The last two times I have eaten here, I had the stuffed Shrimp and all I can say is OMG. Melt in your mouth goodness. 6 Large shrimp, stuffed with cheese and fried to perfection. Portion is plenty to eat. The negative to this place is it's overcrowded. The tables are very closely set and the noise level is loud. Expect to always wait at least 20 to 30 min to get a table. Even on middle week nights it's busy.
(4)Makeli S.
Seafood burrito was insane!!! Insane!!!!!
(5)P L.
Aloha from Hawaii! I can only review the customer service I received when ordering a gift card for my son who lives on St Pete Beach Florida. I emailed on a Tuesday morning and got a response within a couple of hours. The person on site who handles the gift cards was amazing! She made sure before hanging up, that everything was in order. She was pleasant, efficient and professional! I can't wait to visit my son in Florida and enjoy a night out at Red Mesa Restaurant!! Awesome customer service!! Mahalo Charisse!
(5)Dave T.
"Beeeeeeeessttt in the UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" was the recommendation I got from a friend local to this place. Not...exactly....but the pursuit of such things is admirable. They are definitely trying and succeeding at being more than a common Mexican restaurant. You can tell that the place was converted from a breakfast type place from the past. If you notice that then you will notice that they made every effort to soften each and every corner of the place to make their own theme. The food is creative. Many choice for breakfast including my two-tone eggs (green sauce on one egg, red on the other) with chorizo potatoes, and cactus thingys. A whole range of omelets, enchiladas, etc etc. Try it Dafe
(5)Sean D.
Since I live in Austin, I was a bit skeptical trying a Tex Mex place in Florida, but I have to admit that this place is great. I went with 8 people and everyone loved it. One of the best parts was the service... even with 8 people, there was always someone there to help us.
(5)Ken C.
It appears that I'm becoming the King of 5 Star Ratings. Truth is that I don't want to waste time giving bad ratings to businesses. As for Red Mesa ~~~ I love this place! Wonderful food that is several notches above the normal Mexican fare. The sangria is great and the service is always very personable. I highly recommend!
(5)bill s.
Let's preface with fact that I am a fan of Mexican Cuisine, it is pretty much a food group in our family. I had heard Red Mesa was very good, so we made a 30+ mile trip to visit. 2nd preface, it is really cold in FL this week, for us. #1 of three strikes - NO HEAT IN RESTAURANT. I don't mean poorly operating heat, I mean no heat. No apology, no comp soup, no extra candle. NADA. #2 no liquor, they do have beer, wine, and wine margaritas. Suggestion, if the wine margarita is any good, offer a 1.5 oz portion with you chips as a sample #3 strike- sides of rice and beans were cold, rice cooked to a consistency of wallpaper paste. Didn't stay for dessert, too cold. My wife never had both her gloves off during dinner. OK the good, yes there was good. The Crab and Shrimp stuffed grouper with Poblano Cream sauce was EXCELLENT. Chips and salsa were above average. Negro Modelo on draft excellent and served in a stylish gold rimmed glass- nice touch. The Pork Verde was average. Dear owner/manager, I tried to find you on Saturday 1/9 to tell you how I felt, but the staff couldn't find you, I did leave you my name and # on my cc receipt.
(2)John P.
We have eaten there as we live nearby. The food is good. But someone has to get the recipe for their Raspberry Tea - its is THE best best I have ever tasted. It does not taste like a pre mix Crytal lite. I hope someone can share the recipe. Great casual place, great attentive friendly staff.
(5)Amber O.
My business partner and I accidently stumbled upon Red Mesa during lunch time, i've got to say, great menu options and the food was delicious. I had the Tuna Tacos, which were amazing down to the rice and beans. The seasonings they use are unique and flavorful. can't wait to try some of the more traditional options. Wait staff was friendly and I will be returning on my next trip to St. Pete!
(4)Patty R.
Red Mesa has the best iced tea in Florida. I drink mine unsweetened and it's usually way too strong or way too weak. This was perfect. And it was a perfect start to a perfect lunch. I'm on a strict diet (trying to lose 100 lbs while going to restaurants is tough) and they had many things on the menu that were friendly. I stayed away from my favorites, like Calamari Frito and burritos with cheeses, opting for the tuna tacos (a delightful combo of grilled tuna, mixed greens, soy orange coulis, wasabi aioli and pico de gallo on soft corn tortillas), while my friend enjoyed the Trail Ensalata (baby field greens in balsamic vinaigrette with jicama, carrots, raisins, red onions, pumpkin seeds, strawberries and feta cheese), topped with ginger salmon. The two tuna tacos come with a side of a mildly-flavorful rice and beans, and because I'm watching portion sizes, I happily filled up on half the rice and one of the tacos and I will enjoy the rest for dinner. Since we were there at lunch time (1:00) on a Friday, before Memorial Day Weekend, it was quite busy and as we were a group of seven, we had to wait about ten minutes for our entire party to arrive but we were seated as soon as we confirmed that the remaining two people were within five minutes of the restaurant. Our very capable and pleasant waiter, Joe, was also very patient with 7 chatty women who needed the check split at the end of the meal. There are only two criticisms I have: they charge for chips and salsa ($5) (but it's really good) and one of our party experienced air conditioning condensation dripping from the ceiling duct but changing her seat solved that issue and we had a very enjoyable meal. I'm game for girls' lunch there until we've sampled everything on the menu. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Eedee F.
First time I've been here and I am not impressed. The amount of cilantro in the salsa masked any other taste. The shrimp and crab enchiladas were nearly flavourless and the menu description was lacking or I would have altered my order. As a side note, it is very difficult to move around in here, especially during busy times. The friend I came in with was also un-impressed.
(2)Ray S.
I've been here four or five times, tried a number of dishes here, and always ask myself why I don't come here more often. The food tastes great and wait staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The guacamole is terrific and a must with chips to start off the meal. Sunday brunch is great with a number of options for breakfast only, lunch only, and combinations. I'm a big fan of the huaracha de carne and machaca. This place used to be more crowded, especially with it being a little smaller, but the last couple times it has been very easy to get a table and they do take reservations. My only complaint is they lack a full bar. Everyone raves about the sangria, but it was a bit sweet for me. Then again I don't like sweet drinks so yeah...
(4)Susan B.
Great brunch! Excellent food, prices + service by Teresa was terrific!
(5)Holly G.
This food is terrific! My belly hurts from eating so much. Food is cooked really creatively with great flavor combinations.
(5)Cara A.
Red Mesa offers really fresh flavors and high quality ingredients. It isn't hole-in-the-wall pricing, but you will be really pleased if you go for lunch which is the best value.
(5)Drake M.
Pretty good Tex-Mex with a twist. The food was pretty good and the atmosphere was nice. My wife is a Mexican food elitist so she was sad that it wasn't authentic mexican food but I really enjoyed the Cajun Shrimp that I ordered. My moth had a nice burn the entire time I was eating it and a little bit after. I'll be returning here again just to try some other interesting dishes.
(4)Amanda E.
Maybe I had this place too build up in my mind but I wasn't overly impressed. The food was good and the service was fine, but this was our third time we tried to dine here, the other two times had almost an hour wait. I think the main thing I disliked was that it was pretty small and cramped. We were pretty close to the tables next to us to where we were almost part of the same convo. The tables and chairs weren't too nice or updated either- just something weird I noticed. The food was good enough to where I would probably go back- but not worth an hour wait.
(3)Thomas A.
Is there a better 'gourmet mexican' restaurant in St Pete? I think not! The level of pure, ecstatic, transcendant goodness is so high that it literally feels like a sensual release after eating here. I want to smoke, sleep, or even write poetry while basking in the post-dinner bliss delivered by Red Mesa to my soul-mouth. If you are on Yelp right now, trying to decide where to eat, and you have not been here, put down your smartphone immediately and drive here without delay. I am deadly serious. This place is easily in my Tampa Bay Top Five, regardless of genre. Favorite methods to achieve nirvana at RM: Appetizer: Chorizo Fundido - thick and spicy, served with warm, soft tortillas. Each bite melts in your mouth with a sizzle. Crab Cake with Habanero Mayo - beware! The Habanero Mayo is HOT. This place pulls no punches. You might find it odd to find a crab cake at a mexican place...but they hit a grand slam home run with this, putting most seafood places I've been to in the Pit of Shame, weeping with envy. Dinner: If it's your first time, try the Enchilada Trio...a magnificent Holy Trinity of goodness which allows you to taste a full spectrum of what RM can do with enchiladas. Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce!! Crab & shrimp enchilada with poblano cream sauce!!! Chicken enchilada with salsa roja!!!! You get one of each...and prepare to have your mind melted just like the delicate sauces on your plate! Did you hear me when I said Duck Enchiladas with raspberry Chipotle sauce?? Sweet Lord!! NOTHING I have tasted at Red Mesa has been bad, bland, or common. They obviously take pride in flavor and character...I am actually ashamed that you are still reading this instead of heading to your car to eat here... Oh, and by the way, they make a sangria which can make grown men weep.
(5)Janet M.
I've been going to the Red Mesa since it opened umpteen years ago but I'm just now getting around to reviewing it for some reason. You know when a friend raves about a movie or restaurant and then you go and you're nonplussed by it? And it's generally not because it wasn't great, but because your expectations were so high based on your friend's raving? I want to avoid that here, but it will be hard because I love this place so much. People, go to this restaurant. Even though they don't take reservations, and they generally make you wait until your entire party has arrived and the fact that you are all going to be there means I'll have to wait longer for a table, go there. People come from neighboring cities because this place is so fantastic, and I'm proud to say that I've inducted many, many friends and family into the Cult of the Mesa. :) Truly, this place is unique and a local gem. I think I've eaten just about everything on the menu. I probably average eating here 1-2 times per month, and over the course of ten-plus years, I'd say I've had one or two meals, total, that weren't spectacular and utterly satisfying. That said, there are some go-to dishes I usually recommend for newbies: Appetizers: Even if you don't like oysters (and I usually don't), try the chipotle oysters. Super crunchy, spicy and oh so tasty with a cold beverage. A great way to start. Their black bean soup is also yummy. If you want to go light on appetizers, just go with the chips n salsa. I don't know how they make their salsa, but I am convinced it has crack cocaine in it. It's that addictive. I'd drink it if it were socially acceptable to do so. Salads; Sometimes when I'm trying to be "good," I'll order a salad as an entree. I always do so reluctantly because I feel like I'm depriving myself. Generally, even their salads are awesome, though! I usually get the basic salad (can't remember if it's the Red Mesa Salad or the Salad al Pastor), and I usually get it with salmon or shrimp (and I generally ask for a little extra dressing on the side). Even though it's not decadent, it's filling, delicious and satisfying. Brunch: Hands down, their huevos rancheros. SO GOOD. A friend of mine once had a special there that was a Latin twist on eggs benedict that she raves about to this day. I had to stop eating eggs for awhile, and was relegated to the french toast with pecans and bananas. It was also delish, but I felt like it was something I could get anywhere. My BF likes the Migas (scrambled eggs with tortilla strips and onions) and friends have also raved about the Divorciados. Most of the egg-based entrees are served with sides of pico de gallo (fresh and spicy) and avocado slices. If it's warm out, try the OJ - fresh squeezed. If it's chilly, try the Mexican hot chocolate. Entrees: The stuffed shrimp never, ever disappoints. Big shrimp, butterflied, stuffed with a yummy cheese and herb mixture, deep fried and served with a wonderful chipotle cream sauce. I also love the Grouper Mojo be Ajo. A nice, generous piece grouper served with an awesome garlic sauce. You can also get Shrimp Mojo de Ajo, too. I gave up meat years ago, so most of what I eat is seafood, but I have had their steaks and can tell you they are fantastic. They also have a chicken dish that I recommend to my meat-eating friends - Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. It's like a Latin riff on Chicken Cordon Bleu and it's delicious right down to the mushroom cream sauce they use. Makes me miss being a carnivore. Even the sides here are fantastic - the steamed veggies (usually just garnish taking up space on the plate) are the first thing I eat and the rice/beans are also great. Desserts: If, after stuffing yourself, you have room for dessert (and even if you don't!), try either the coconut natilla - light, delicious custard served with fruit - or the fried ice cream, which they make with Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream (banana ice cream with walnuts and chocolate chunks). I think I realize now why I never reviewed this place before. I knew I would go on and on too long, and I see now that I have. Bottom line: I've almost never, ever had a bad meal here, no matter what I've ordered. Enjoy!
(5)Michelle M.
Best Mexican food in St. Pete! The food at Red Mesa may be better than any Mexican restaurant in Tampa as well. If you have never been to Red Mesa you must go! The guacamole and salsa are both superb... I could eat their chips and salsa all night! The Roast Pork Verde and the filet mignon chimichurri are two of my favorite items on the menu. Reasonable prices, great margaritas, friendly service are to be expected at Red Mesa.
(4)Derrick K.
Seated very quickly on a busy night for 2, 10-15 minutes. Served salsa and chips (delish!!) right away by a friendly server who was very helpful in menu suggestions. We got the pomegranate and raspberry sangria (the current special) and red sangria, both outstanding! We ordered the Fillet Mignon special and crab/shrimp enchiladas, both extremely good! Our food took a little longer than normal, was recognized by waiter and we were offered two complimentary sangrias! Would recommend to everyone and will definitely go back. Can't wait to try their bigger location with a night club and bigger menu!
(5)Derek W.
Even the raves of two beloved friends and trusted Tampa Bay food experts failed to adequately prepare me for the wide range of delights at Red Mesa. Everything here works wonders on the palate, and the culinary wizards here have blended creativity and comfort that's good to the last drop (of sangria, in my case). Words to the wise: Don't be fooled by the lackluster appearance and setting - the interior hearkens back to a likely past-life as a Denny's or one of its kind; the exterior is anonymous fast-food box architecture, buried amidst a commercial strip in St. Pete. The tamales on Red Mesa's special menu caught my eye first: hearty, meaty bundles of pork dipped in velvety homemade mole and sprinkled with queso fresco. Though a tad bit dry, the pork cubes were very flavorful, and I enjoyed alternating bits of tamale with bites of warm tortilla dunked in smooth guacamole and magnificently zesty salsa. The chicken tortilla soup was to-die-for, a far cry from the pedestrian renditions at more run-of-the-mill spots. A carrot-onion sofrito and fresh avocado slices added special distinction to what could easily become, for me, a daily indulgence...especially during winter. Most impressive to my girlfriend and me was the plate of crab and shrimp enchiladas we shared. The corn tortillas are dipped in chile, giving them a soft, light texture which pairs perfectly with the subtle spice and delicate richness of the seafood. By this point in the meal I was floating a few feet above the table, but not far enough away that I couldn't sip the tremendous red sangria that washed down the meal. I am now considering starting a campaign to bring Red Mesa to the Left Coast.
(5)John A.
Oddly enough, it took our friends from New York City to discover "the best" Mexican dining that on the West Coast of Florida. I was not familiar with Red Mesa, but in hindsight am delighted with the "snow birds" find! A group of six friends met for lunch (Reservations are probably a good idea even for lunch) and everyone sampled a different dish with unanimous kudos at each seat! The seafood selections are prepared with a perfect balance of spices and sauces such that the flavor of the seafood comes through without being "masked" as it usually is in other Mexican establishments. Service is smooth and flawless. I am now looking for a good excuse to drive across the Sunshine Bridge and indulge my palate soon.
(5)Robert J.
so I've been here twice over the past month and plan to come here a lot more. the food is absolutely to die for. you could tell the chefs here take pride in serving up some great looking and tasting food. the service was good but nothing to write home about. the food takes the cake!
(5)Jeff A.
Food was great. Enjoyed a very spicy beef dish which was worth every cent. Our server was a sweetheart, but the reservation process and initial greeting were unacceptable. Pretentious BIG time. I will return, but they need to remember they are not the only place in town!
(3)Sally B.
Our waiter was good & professional. Grilled mushroom quesadila app was flavorful. Crab & shrimp enchillada was flat & bland, steamed vegetables bland with no seasoning at all, Black beans & rice had a strange flavor that was not enjoyable, All in all, would not return. No mexican or latin flavors here that I'm familiar with.
(2)Karen D.
This restaurant was a last minute choice on our way back from Tampa. Since we don't live anywhere near downtown St Pete, I figured it would be a nice change. Red Mesa is a classy, more upscale Mexican restaurant with their prices reflecting the interior and atmosphere. It's rather small and pleasantly lit with air conditioning and comfortable seating. The food was good, but it wasn't fantastic. Tortilla chips were actually quite salty without the salsa and while the filet mignon burrito was tasty, the meat itself was tough, not tender. The chicken enchilada was at least flavorful. Service wasn't all that great. Mark, our waiter, dipped out as I was giving my order to serve the food that was ready. While I understand that food needs to be served immediately, he didn't even excuse himself. Our food came on a timely basis but the check did not long after we were finished. If my girlfriend hadn't asked for it we probably would still be there. Overall, great place to take someone on a date, but I'll stick to my homely restaurant like Carmelita's. EDIT: And the reason why I target waiters or waitresses by name is because THEY HAVE NAME TAGS. Name tags are used to identify the employee who is serving you, for which you can praise or criticize in a review. This particular waiter (Mark) was not very happy with the comments I had to say, and wrote a compliment note for me. EDIT: Waiter names are also listed on the bill, FYI.
(3)Steve S.
From out of town. Spicy filet mignon tips were tremendous. Solid meal. Would go again.
(4)M K.
Relocated from NYC to ST Pete 7 yrs ago and that's how long it has taken to find a Mex Restaurant that I would go back to a 2nd time! I found one in Red Mesa. Not your typical "taco joint" but rather a blend of taco meets gourmet. Service was fantastic and very friendly. I like that they have a specials menu which last for one month then changes.
(4)EJ P.
I have eaten at this place twice, and at the other restaurant once. Neither of these restaurants are very good. These restaurants would get 1 or 2 stars west of the state of Louisiana. However, since so many people in Tampa Bay have never actually had great Mexican or Tex-Mex food, they think this is the best Mexican food they've ever had. And that's because it is, because they haven't eaten Tex-Mex in San Antonio, TX, for example. Where they make tortillas that melt in your mouth But back to Red Mesa. I think I have found an accurate way to describe Red Mesa: The food that you get here tastes no better than the (Tex-Mex) food you would get at a Mex chain like Chili's, but Red Mesa fancies up the menu descriptions and jacks up the prices and adds a little hip restaurant decor in order to make you think the food is better than it really is. It's just bland, mediocre Tex-Mex style food that can be had at Chili's for much less money. Advice: If you are going to eat here, stay away from the appetizers and side dishes and the tacos which are outrageously priced. (In Texas they would laugh you off the street if you told someone you paid 5 dollars for a taco, like Red Mesa charges.) Try to order a "combination" platter that has 1, 2 or 3 items for one price. Stay away from the guacamole, which is NOT WORTH 7 dollars. Just try to fill yourself up with the chips and get a combo dish. Desserts are also mediocre.
(3)Josh S.
Meals like these make me feel like I need to sift through all my reviews and rerate them. Everything we ate was incredible, ambiance was to my liking, and service was flawless. I had Grouper Al Mojo De Ajo based on server recommendation, and my wife had Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken. Our daughter had a quesadilla from the kid's menu with cilantro sour cream. I will dismiss the kid's meal for the sake of the review, but it was still pretty good to be honest. I hate to overhype it based on one visit, but the grouper was one of the best entrees I have ever had. At the very worst, it's in the top 5 seafood dishes I've had. I commented to my wife that I would pay them $50 for the Mojo De Ajo(sauce) recipe. After coming to my senses, I've decided that I'm merely inspired to try to create my own from a Google-searched recipe. If I don't come close to recreating Red Mesa's version, then I will redirect my attention to the $50 offer. My wife's Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken was great too. Everything on the plate just goes so well together. I wish I remembered my server's name... I would thank him here. I think I am too nice, and possibly indifferent, when it comes to service, and even though I try to review it fairly, I never think much of it unless it's very good or very bad. In this case, from the entree recommendation to the perfect timing of every appearance our waiter made, he really enhanced the experience. I really wanted to try the Plantains Foster for dessert, but I'm sure I'll get my chance because there are about 20 other entrees I want to try as well. If I had one gripe, it would be the lack of a full bar and lack of a larger beer selection. But I guess I can try Red Mesa Cantina for that, I owe them that.
(5)Chris C.
We actually meant to go to Red Mesa Cantina but ended up here due to a confusion with our Google Maps. The atmosphere is festive, the waiters are attentive and helpful and the sangria is yummy. However, the food falls short. I had the Carne Asada. It was crispy on the outside and way too chewy for my liking. My boyfriend had the Enchilada Trio. It was the first time we saw an enchilada that was not smothered in sauce and cheese. It made it a bit dry but the meats inside were cooked well. I don't know if we just ordered the wrong things, seeing that the other reviews are 4 stars and up but for the prices, I expected a much tastier meal.
(3)Charlotte S.
There are some places I like to go to try new foods. Red Mesa is not one of them and I mean that in the most positive tone possible. I like the fact that I can eat here and get what I expect. I was in the mood for crunchy chips and their consistently yummy, finely chopped, full of flavor and slightly runny salsa. Their salsa has been the same every time I go and I appreciate the fact that I won't be disappointed when I take that first bite. I paired it with a Mediterranean wrap and I am in the most comfortable food lull a girl could ask for :)
(4)Cassie S.
Poor service. When I go to a Mexican restaurant I expect real Mexican food not fancy dressed up food made by white people. If you want authentic Mexican food this isn't your place.
(2)Jason M.
The closest Mexican food to Tex Mex in St Pete!
(4)Rick S.
Red Mesa is an oasis in a desert of Mexican slapdash mediocrity. The place serves a multitude of different Mexican flavors; many times simultaneously, which is usually risky business. For this place, which has two locations in St Pete, the plates are executed well enough to sway even the Mexican-food haters. (This is usually spawned from the swollen numbers of cost-cutting, soupy-beaned, I-could-have done-better-myself-and-I-was-born-in-China establishments in Tampa Bay.) The place is clean enough to want to go to after church, although having Brunch on Sundays til 2pm/3pm is kind if lame (opinion). As a word of caution, the parking can be extreme when it's busiest so if it's peak meal time you may want to consider more accessible options for your meal. As for the food itself, try the carne asada tacos. Two corn tortillas with asada mixed with chorizo and a bit of cilantro and onion with rice and beans with a chimichurri top. It's cheaper than the carne asada plate and tastes a lot better for some reason (go figure). In fact you'd be surprised how the cheaper foods are usually more satisfying than the pricier options. In short, the place is good, clean, hard to find parking, but a beacon of hope for Mexican food lovers in Tampa Bay.
(4)Alicia V.
This might be the best Latin food I have ever had. I had the Relleno Combo & it was awesome! The beans & rice were delicious! If your looking for good Latin food, Red Mesa is your place. The atmosphere was dim lighting, kind of romantic, casual, & quiet. The only bad thing I have to say is.... There was a large party there in our room. They were VERY loud & getting drinker as the night went on. We hurried & ate quickly. Because they were so loud. It was bad enough other people ask to be put in the other dinner room. I just hate we don't have one in Texas. It's worth flying to eat there. 5 stars all the way!
(5)Sherryl C.
Every time I have eaten here I was always impressed with the innovative melange of flavors. I recommend this restaurant if you like a delicious twist from the normal Mexican joints.
(5)Michele C.
Came from Tampa airport, headed down to Anna Maria island. This place was quick, delicious and on the way...what more could you ask for. Thanks for the great customer service!
(4)Toni F.
Food is consistently good! Been coming here since 1997 . AND THEY DO TAKE OUT RIGHT! Great job Red Mesa!
(5)Dave S.
We went here for dinner on Friday around 8:30. No wait to be seated for 3 people. Our waiter stopped by immediately and for the most part provided very good service. He kept our waters filled and explained everything on the menu. I usually ask a lot of questions and he did a great job answering them. The only issue we had was that we were contemplating dessert and he brought us the menu but it took him so long to come back for our order that we decided against it. Food overall was very good. Enchilada trio was unique and tasty, a bit too spicy but good. I really liked the duck enchilada, while the chicken enchilada had a sauce that I didn't like. We got a pitcher of White sangria and it was delicious. 3 of us shared this and easily got 7 glasses out of it - great value.
(4)Melissa R.
Honestly "THE" best Mexican food I have ever eaten! I, finally, was able to convince my boyfriend to eat there, he is not a fan of Mexican food at all, and he was totally wowed! It's his (and mine also) new, favorite place to eat in St. Pete. The restaurant has a great vibe and wait staff is very attentive but not over the top. We tried the shrimp fundido and fried oysters as appetizers and both were exceptionally good. I highly recommend to try any of the seafood dishes they offer. The shrimp tacos really have a great flavor and everything tastes so fresh. As for dessert, the guava empanada with vanilla gelato was fantastic! Our waiter recommended the dessert and we thank him for that!
(5)Jennie W.
Oh so good fish tacos! Queso is warm and creamy white cheese, so amazing. The music is really great and the outdoor setting is nice. They have private tables for celebrating. I would also say perfect for a fun date night or group outing! There's dancing and conversations to be had. I love the St Pete night life scene.
(5)Daniel H.
Like many others, this is my favorite restaurant in St. Pete. I come from Arizona, so my standards for Mexican food go beyond Don Pablos and Carmelitas. While not a "traditional" Mexican cuisine, I believe they take their menu to a whole new level. Everything is very, very good. I always end up eating way too much because I can't stop putting food in my mouth! It's so good! Tip: If you are there on Friday, try the seafood burrito.
(5)Loren P.
I love my friends who brought me to this place near Tampa Duck Enchilada!
(5)Chelsey D.
I've seen Red Mesa numerous times while I am in St. Pete, but have never stopped in until today. With all the great reviews on Yelp, I was sure to have a good meal, unfortunately I was just not impressed. I ordered the Yucatan Pollo, and was very underwhelmed by it. The piece of chicken breast, while colored bright red with seasoning, was bland and overcooked. The pickled onion did not mingle with the chicken well, and tasted of just vinegar. While it looked pretty, it brought nothing to the dish. The rice and black beans also did not seem to have any seasoning and was incredibly bland as well. If this is a Mexican restaurant, where is the spice? On a good note, the chips and salsa were very good. The chips were fresh and crispy and the salsa had just enough bite and cilantro to make it delicious. However, for the price I paid, I left hungry and disappointed. It will be awhile before I give this place a second chance.
(3)Jason C.
An amazing dining experience - delicious food, good service and great place. Not your typical Mexican fair - more modern, fresh and some great seafood items.
(5)MB V.
Upon arriving St. Petes, I was told on many different occasions one of the place to visit is Red Mesa. The food was so delicious. This isn't your typical Mexican food. The owner, who is the chef prepared all his sauces from scratch. We ordered: Shrimp fundido - yummy Calamari Trio enchilada - the duck was the best. Espresso run steak - WOW... Just WOW. It was soooooooo gooooooood! The mushroom sauce was so delicious. Sangria - it was so tasty. We went through two pitchers fast!!! I'm planning to visit this place one more time before leaving town. I will highly recommend this restaurant for those who are visiting town. Get there early as this place isn't big and the wait can be long.
(5)Francia R.
Food was overpriced didn't even taste good or authentic. I wouldn't go back to any Red Mesa Restaurant even if i was paid to go.
(1)Angela V.
Wonderful, creative, delicious, elegant. These are my choice adjectives for Red Mesa cantina. You definitely want to go in M-F before 5:45pm to catch the sunset menu. It includes a choice of sangria, margarita or beer, chips & salsa, choice of entree, AND DESSERT for just $14 per person. In this economy, this is by far the best value for such amazing food. There are about 10 options on the sunset menu, and I have only had 3, but plan on trying every one. The Enchilladas Rez are tender shredded beef enchiladas in soft corn tortillas with homemade tomatillo sauce. The portions are the perfect size. The meat was super tender and the sauce had incredible flavor. So far, my favorite is the Snapper al Tara. The snapper is only about 5 ounces, but is grilled to perfection. Caramelized on the outside but flaky and juicy in the middle. It is topped with a delicious mango chipotle sauce. YUM!
(4)Alex O.
The food was the bomb like tick, tick.. LoL. But seriously, damn good food, excellent service. Bit on the pricy side, but I'd recommend eating here.
(5)Steve S.
Overall great. The waitress was attentive and friendly. Cedar salmon needed a little more salt and was slightly undercooked for my taste, but they fixed it immediately. My wife had relleno. It was tasty, but they should have removed the seeds for her.
(4)Price B.
The food here is AMAZING. The duck enchiladas are so good, it's hard to try anything else. I don't typically like margaritas, but theirs made with agave wine is delicious. I don't know if I have ever been here and not been stuffed after. The portions are generous and well priced. This is typically the first place I take visitors.
(5)Sarah L.
Red Mesa is by far one if the best restaurants in St. Pete! I have been coming here for about 15 years and it just gets better each time. Try the duck salad or the chicken quesadilla.
(5)Dovonna R.
Yum! The food here was fresh and tasty. Service was quick and friendly, clean and calm atmosphere. It's definitely not your typical Mexican restaurant, be prepared for a refined experience. The ceviche appetizer is the real deal with a nice spicy kick! I had the duck enchiladas which were amazing and my husband had the burrito special which was equally impressive. Delicious and very satisfying!
(5)Danni L.
I come to Red Mesa for dinner a lot and I love their food! Took my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter here for lunch this time. It was their first time and I had raved about the food. Was a bit disappointed that all we could get was breakfast/brunch on Sunday from 9-2 and it was a limited menu. My food was great! I had the Shrimp Chilaquiles (minus the cheese and crema). My daughter's chicken Del Ray burrito was only luke warm and my son-in-law's beef Del Ray was very small for what he was expecting. The guacamole is not the greatest but their salsa is the bomb! Just spicy enough and very tasty! The desserts were very yummy. The Guava Empanada and the Churros (with caramel sauce) were just the perfect end to a not so perfect meal. I will stick to dinners at Red Mesa.
(3)Vladimir P.
Although the food is definitely not authentic, it is very good. You get a lot for your money with good service to go along with it.
(4)Shelley M.
Food was excellent! There were four of us, and we all ordered something different. I had a taste of each and every dish was delicious! Wait staff was attentive and kept our drinks filled. We will definitely be back!
(5)SH K.
Came here on Cinco de Mayo with some friends... nice atmosphere.. you get the sense that it has its fair share of regulars, which indicates the quality of food / service. The fish dishes are good! Portions by no means huge, but the taste is excellent!
(4)GEWELL L.
SERVICE: 7.25/10 FOOD: 8.25/10 AMBIANCE: 7/10 The only Mexican joint I love in St. Pete. Great date place. Jason and I would come here when we can.
(4)Mark H.
Until yesterday, I hadn't been to Red Mesa since about 2003, and I remember it being a lot better. Not that our lunch was bad, it just wasn't what it used to be. Either that, or my taste has changed, which is certainly possible. No matter how ya slice it, my taste buds approve of other Mexican eateries more these days. I ordered the carne asada burrito since the lunch menu was limited on entrées. For the price, the burrito was small. I know lunch portions are reduced, as they should be, but the price is usually adjusted as well. I felt like I paid too much for what I got. In addition, there were 4 pieces of steak in the burrito, so it wasn't like they jammed the undersized flour tortilla with meat, which is the least they could have done. Furthermore, the steak didn't have the flame-licked taste one might expect with carne asada. This stuff tasted like it was sitting in a prep table pan, waiting to be scooped out once a burrito order came thru. Also, the rice wasn't very authentic. When I think Mexican food, I think yellow rice. What I had was some sort of wild grain or rice pilaf hybrid, I don't know, but it wasn't Mexican. Overall, the meal was decent and edible, but not mind-blowing at all. The atmosphere and service was great though. Our waiter took good care of us, and he was timely in his duties. No complaints there. The prices were a little high for what we all got (there were 4 of us), so they need to work on that a bit. Lastly, I asked if the white sangria was made with cinnamon and our waiter said it was not. However, he either lied or doesn't know the truth, which is that the white sangria is indeed made with cinnamon. Will I return? Never. Too much exemplary Mexican grub in the bay area these days to settle for Red Mesa.
(3)Stephanie V.
I was driving back from Tampa to the Burg when I passed the north 4th Red Mesa and immediately flipped a u-turn to grab some lunch. I love the ceviche at the dtown location. Much to my surprise tho, the dtown versions aren't offered at this location. They do have a ceviche du jour which sounded good but I was hoping to get the Shrimp Los Cabos! I ordered the red sangria which was delish as usual! I also ordered the shrimp tacos with steamed veggies. I think a HUGE bonus would be if one could order tacos a la carte. I would have really liked a fish taco and a shrimp taco but had to do one or the other. Also, I would have totally been down to order a veggie taco if it was available (i am a closet vegetarian). Otherwise, my server (Therese) was awesome and the food came out quick and hot and yummy.
(4)Mitchel R.
Very good. Menu had so many options it was hard to decide. Very good upscale mexican. I would definitely go back.
(5)Josiah G.
Another 4th St. gem! Red Mesa has always been a solid experience Service has been up and down at times, but nothing out of the ordinary. The food, however, has always been above par and I will always try to drop by when I'm on 4th. Their tortilla soup is the best in Tampa!
(4)Randy E.
There are very few cities that we will visit JUST for the food, but we really do travel to St. Petersburg just to eat at Red Mesa. There is absolutely nothing on the menu that I haven't found to be outstanding. This has been, and continues to be, my favorite restaurant for almost 10 years.
(5)Christian M.
They have valet parking since the parking lot is small and they seem to get a lot of business. The margarita pitcher was tasty! The chips and salsa are homemade and also excellent. The enchiladas were good however the food was almost cold when we received it. If it wasn't for this I'd have given them 5 stars. Overall, I'd say it was a good experience and I may try them again.
(4)Ally S.
Food was great only if I was craving it. Not an everyday chicken or steak. Well, I would only go for special occasions like I did for my bday. Their drink was nicely maid. The only thing I hate about it was because they'll only seat your party group until all your guest arrived. So i had to wait for 30 minute or so with one person missing. So I took a point off for that..
(4)Nina M.
One of my favorite restaurants in St. Pete. I've never had a bad meal here. The service is always fast, attentive, and friendly. They do it well even when the place is packed, which is most of the time. Regarding the menus, there truly is something for everyone whether you're coming for brunch, lunch, or dinner. My favorites, in no particular order: guacamole, pretty much any taco they make, their chips and salsa, their cheesecake, red sangria, cheesy enchiladas. I just haven't had a bad experience and you won't, either. If you're in the mood for some flavorful Southwestern/Mexican style food, you can't go wrong with Red Mesa!
(5)Christina C.
Good food, but slow service if you dine at an off time. We came at 3 p.m. on a Sunday and surprisingly there were a good number of people there. That's a testament of how good the food is, even during a weird time to eat there are always people there. Unfortunately, our service was pretty slow. I thought our food would come quicker, but it took longer than normal. I really like the salsa that comes with the chips. It is pure sauce, no chunks of anything, and it has a great taste. On the menu it says only one refill which made me wonder how many refills someone ordered to prompt that. I got the Enchilada Trio to try all three types of enchiladas (crab and shrimp, duck, and chicken). I did the research so others don't have to ;). My personal favorite was the duck enchilada, which our waitress said was her favorite too. There is a sweet sauce on it that is delicious! Second favorite was the shrimp and crab. There was a good amount of shrimp and crab that was very fresh tasting. I don't want to say that the chicken was my least favorite, but how about we call it third favorite. It was still very good, but you can get good chicken enchiladas other places, probably for less. The rice and beans were also good, but nothing really spectacular. Next time I'm going to stick with the duck enchiladas! Inside it was nice and light. For some reason before we stepped inside, I thought it was going to have a snooty atmosphere, but it was pretty laid back. It is probably more formal at dinner, but when we went there were people in jeans and a t shirt.
(4)Lori C.
Let me start with I do not like Mexican food. This place was amazing. We started our dinner with Taquitos. They were awesome I was expecting those tiny ones like you get in the store! Anyway they were crisp and delicious. They came with a black bean sauce that I would love to be able to buy in a jar!! I ordered the combination platter with the taquito because yes I wanted another one the empanada and a taco. My dinner was equally delicious. I would have traded my empanada for another taquito! Don't get me wrong it was good but the taquito was better! I normally do not get dessert but we were kind of lounging around and just thought I would give it a try. We had the churros. It was three huge ones and on the side it had to dipping sauces a Mexican chocolate and a Caramel with a touch of goat cheese. The chocolate dipping sauce I could have done without. But I would have bathed in a bucket of that caramel!!!! We will definitely be coming back.
(5)Jessica C.
I love this place! I recently moved back to the area after 8 years, and was delighted to revisit this restaurant. It was just a wonderful as I remembered. The food, drinks and service were outstanding. On this particular visit, I was a bit under the weather, but still thoroughly enjoyed my meal as did my companions. Being sick, I had to miss out on the wonderful sangria, but the chips and salsa were delicious. I chose the Chicken Fernandez for my entree. It's a rather simple dish: grilled chicken breast topped with a chipotle cream sauce, served with rice and vegetables. Simple, but in the best way, and very very good. I can't wait to return to try some of the other menu items.
(5)John L.
Had lunch there on a Sunday afternoon. Everything we ordered was excellent. I had the mahi mahi taco & the fish was perfect. Two others ordered the Favorito Combo & loved it. We also ordered a side or salsa & chips & guacamole. Both very good & fresh.
(4)Sonia O.
Holy Mofongo!! I love love love this place. The mofongo is perfect. They add pieces of pork and it's juicy. I have gone to traditional Dominican restaurants and the mofongo isn't as good as Red Mesa. The best part. For 2 people with cocktails we spent about $60. That is not bad for the quality food. This is nice for evening dinner with spouse or even friends. The courtyard is very pretty. After dinner head upstairs to Push to dance the yummy food off.
(5)Michael D.
Okay so I may have been a little jaded at first because apparently on Sundays you can only order from the brunch menu until 2 o'clock. I wanted to order an item that I had seen on the full menu . I went ahead and decided to try some of the items on the brunch menu since my party and I had driven there. The restaurant also appeared to be very clean and the decor was modern. We ordered chips and salsa and guacamole for an appetizer. The chips were nice and crispy and the salsa tasted very fresh kind of spicy though. The Guacamole portion was very small not anything spectacular going on with the taste, considering the order of guacamole alone was nine dollars I was disappointed. The chips and salsa were not gratis (free) which I found a little odd for a Mexican restaurant. I ordered the Del Rey with shredded beef and refried beans. The plate looked appetizing enough I had just thought to myself that this wouldn't be enough to fill me up. It was a very small burrito for $9.50. Then I took my first bite ...disappointment. Not only were the portions small but my burrito was barely lukewarm. My wife ordered the chicken Del Rey with similar results. I know it may seem that I had a very disappointing experience with Red Mesa Restaurant but there was a saving grace... CHURROS!!!!! They were delicious! We have also ordered a guava empanada which had a cinnamon sugar coating like the churros but the filling was a delicious buttery creamy guava purée.
(3)Leigh C.
I would definitely choose the Red Mesa Cantina over this location. The food is overpriced and under flavored here. My husband and I stopped in on a weekend afternoon searching for our new favorite mexican spot in St. Pete. Let's just say, this wasn't it. Major bummer since it's so close to home. We'll definitely make the drive to Senor Taco or the Cantina downtown. I had a burrito and it was bland and very expensive. I can't recall what my husband got, likely fish tacos. He was not impressed, either.
(2)Chris M.
This was some of the most flavorful Mexican food I've had in tampa bay. I had the shrimp and crab enchiladas which were delicious. The rice and veggies that came on the side were just as good and flavorful. Everything was cooked perfect. Service was ok. Atmosphere was nice, nothing memorable.
(4)John I.
Great food but the place always pisses me off! Great food would give it 4 maybe 5 stars, but the bar tenders are consistently rude, it is always so cold my wife and kids are miserable. Another thing you go in with a table of 4 and order an app that comes with tortillas, but only 3, server won't warn you ahead of time and will charge you for extra tortillas, too bad by the time the extra tortillas come out the app is finished. That is always a nice little "fuck you".
(2)Wrighcl ..
We visited Red Mesa for brunch after enjoying dinner twice at the cantina location downtown. The line for a table had stretched outside so we elected to sit at the bar which turned out to be nice as we had a nice view of the kitchen. They do a fine job with presentation and the plates passing by were beautifully arranged. We started with a glass of champagne and ordered the Machaca and the California Eggs Benedict which was on special. The bartender was attentive and friendly although he was very busy. The Machaca was tasty and authentic. The California Eggs Benedict included a chipotle hollandaise that combined well with the avocado and bacon. The eggs were cooked perfectly and the yolk combined well with the sauce to provide a great end flavor. For dessert we had the Mexican Chocolate and Bacon Brioche Pudding. Applewood smoked bacon, mexican chocolate and brioche bread pudding served warm with with cajeta caramel sauce ice cream and whipped cream. This put us over the edge but was well worth it. Great brunch!! Will return for dinner!!!
(5)Nikki A.
Red Mesa is one of my favorite restaurants in St. Petersburg. I have spent countless birthdays, happy hours, ladies' lunches, and one memorable Cinco de Mayo in this restaurant. We always start with the chips and salsa, and if we are splurging, the guacamole. All delicious. I have eaten pretty much everything on the menu. A few favorites include the Duck Enchiladas, the Tortilla Soup, the Shrimp Fundido, and the Ginger Crusted Salmon Salad. Red Mesa is a cut above most "Mexican" restaurants; the take here is decidedly gourmet with a southwestern kick. I have tried two of the tortas (the Black Bean and the Short Ribs); both were just okay. ( I continue my quest for a good torta in the Tampa Bay area....) The Sangria is excellent. If you haven't tried Red Mesa, get on over there with a quickness.
(4)Snarky S.
One of those birthday choices. It's not cheap but it's not expensive. You get what you paid for. Amazing food, amazing mixtures put together. I took a picky eater once. She ordered her meal without the sauce. I asked them to bring it on the side so I could try it. After she tasted it, she stole it back from me, lol. It's casual but I wouldn't walk in like I came from the beach.
(5)Poch K.
Always my favorite food in the area, but get rid of Amanda. She is an impersonal c word. Don't think I've ever called anyone a c word in my life. Well, there's a first for everything. Bad service, get rid of her!
(2)Shane B.
Stopped here for the first time yesterday to grab lunch and was not all that impressed with the ambience so I chose to sit at the small bar, which only serves beer and wine. I asked for recommendations for a spicy dish and the bartender Amanda was right on by recommending the Ancho Chile Rub Mahi - Fresh mahi broiled in mild ancho chile rub, topped with sun-dried tomato butter served on a pool of salsa verde with cilantro rice, habanero aioli and fresh seasonal vegetables. The flavor was amazing and the spice level just right. The sauce actually has some curry in it, which made the dish even better. The mahi mahi was a nice size for lunch and super moist, the rice was perfect and the vegetables were seasoned very well too. The sangria was very good, even though I am not a big fan of sangria. Found out that even though this restaurant is owned by the same owners as the downtown location, the menu's are different. The service was great!
(4)Courtney W.
Me and my boyfriend really wanted to enjoy a nice Mexican restaurant that wasn't a cookie cutter chain. This place was close to our hotel and the food and service was excellent. The aroma of gourmet flavors fill the air. Thank you for a great lunch!
(5)Roseann S.
Umm.... what happened to this place? I remember when this place served DELICIOUS southwestern food. Now it's "southwest inspired"? What happened to that inspiration? Today, it's a Mexican restaurant and don't be fooled otherwise. The food was "meh" with "not-so-meh" prices. What was really off-putting was that the air conditioning vent above our table was leaking water - GROSS! And, health hazard. The decor is terrible with cheap tables and carpet... it looks like a converted office space, not a restaurant that's serving food at the prices it's charging. Do yourself a favor and skip it. If the former ownership ever takes this place back, I might come back. For now, I can get better Mexican, elsewhere.
(2)Mike M.
Was hoping they offered the burritos for dinner. Disappointed that there are no refried beans
(1)Nikki V.
Who ever heard of a Mexican place that doesn't have burritos! Not pleased with food or drinks.
(1)Laura G.
Went there for a coworker's birthday and had the chicken quesadillas. The smoked Gouda inside them made the perfect touch. But the birthday happiness came to a screeching halt when we got a $10 bill for a "cake charge". Much to our surprise, they charged us $10 for bringing in our own cake! They knew we had our cake yet did not say a word until the end when we were handed a bill. That is robbery and dishonesty! Had we known, we would have ate the cake back at the office. In hindsight I probably should have refused to pay it but I did not want to make a scene on my friend's birthday. I will think twice before going to an unethical place again.
(3)Mathew R.
I have been to many TeX Mex places in my life and was really disappointed in the place. The service was really bad and the did was mediocre bland and not worth trying out. I gave them one star but will not go back.
(1)Randy D.
THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE RESTAURANTS ANYWHERE! NO MATTER WHAT YOU ORSER, IT WILL BE DELICIOSO! The quality is second to none, the service is fantastic, the kitchen (open to the public eye) is extremely clean! Atmosphere is elegantly relaxed and comfortable. Don't let the cloth tanle cloths fool you. You will be as comfortable in shorts or jeans as you wod in a buusiness suit. My favorite entrees are (first and foremost) the Gorganzola stuffed shrimp. They are huge and the sauce they drizzle over them is beyond description! Suffice to say my taste bud have a monumental fiesta en la boca ( party in the mouth)! Tip: request extra sauce on the side to dip some shrimp into to coat....yuummm! The salmon on a cedar plank is also so awesome. The Chiles Rellenos are also delicious. Just notE that they do change up the menu but if there is something you like, just ask. Some things on the lunch menu aren't on the dinner one and vice versa. They are very accomodating. Soooool if the shrimp aren't on the menu, ask them for it! Whatever you have you can't go wrong with this place!
(5)Jason R.
This place proves that locals really give a shit about good food. It is always packed and for good reason. Really well conceived dishes, fresh ingredients and fantastic service. I live in Clearwater and happily hall my ass to St. Pete for this privilege. Docked them 1 star for forcing me to listen to some part-time musician struggling through Top 40 covers... but for this food I can deal.
(4)Kalvin K.
Awesome spot in St. Pete. We got lost looking for a gas station in the area and were hungry. Stumbled upon this little gem because we were looking for a good tex mex place and this place does not disappoint. Gladly looking to come back whenever I'm in St. Pete again. The pictures I took don't do the food justice, come in and check it for yourself.
(5)Shannon L.
Great Spanish food. Try the trio of enchiladas - duck, crab & shrimp and chicken. Sangria also tasty. A little upscale in price dinner for 3 including 2 sangria and a beer was close to $100 (including tip). Would go again.
(4)SallyCinnamon C.
One of our fave St.Pete restaurants. We prefer this location to the Cantina because of the complimentary valet parking. Every dish on the menu is pure perfection. Personal favorite is the Santa Fe chicken. Reservations are a must. It's that good ;)
(5)Morgan G.
El Gordo Burrito puts you in heaven! The Duck tacos and Shrimp tacos are outstanding. I love the Strawberry Mint Margarita too!! Two thumbs up for everything. Service is great even when they are busy! Highly Recommend
(5)Erica M.
After driving around downtown St. Pete for an hour looking for parking (and nearly getting run over and beat up by white trash...I digress), we arrived at Red Mesa frazzled, frustrated, and starving. They told us the wait for 3 would be about 25 minutes (we arrived around 9:15) so we decided to get a drink at the bar and wait. The space was CRAMPED...that place was hoppin'! We snuck into a little corner near the computer where the servers entered orders (sorry guys for being all up in your business) and enjoyed a pitcher of sangria and complimentary chips and salsa (both of which were delicious). We were seated before the 25 minutes was up and started with the ceviche - I think it was black grouper. The flavor was excellent but for $13, there should have been more fish and more plantain chips (I think that's what they were - we only got 3 chips for the entire order). I took our (excellent) server's recommendation and got the grilled mahi mahi served over mofongo. SO good. My husband's filet and chimichurri was awesome, and our friend's enchilada trio was good (but not great). We got fried plantains for dessert...not on the menu, but offered upon request. SO tasty. The service was very good, as was the food. We will definitely return!
(5)Kristina W.
Went here for lunch. The food was so yum! Loved it; will be back!
(5)JB L.
I've been here multiple times and they are ALWAYS packed and busy and fully staffed and for good reason. This place does it right. You get what you pay for and the price is a little up there but its very well worth it. The service is quick and always on top of refills. The food is amazing. I've tried many dishes and was always satisfied. Even the salsa is made with care and time, using roasted tomatoes and garlic... It's honestly the best salsa I think I've ever had. The food taste very authentic and never frozen. Save up a little cash and take your loved ones here. You will NOT be disappointed.
(5)Asia L.
I've just died and gone to heaven. And heaven is filled with these shrimp chilaquiles. Be warned: they're spicy. But the flavor punch is well worth it. This is my absolute favorite place for brunch and I actually went a month where I went every Sunday. It's super affordable, so this didn't really break the bank. Love love love this place. Every time I go I try something new and I haven't been disappointed yet.
(5)Denine M.
Service is terrible. Food is pretty decent. The hostesses and wait staff are very pretentious. They wouldn't even make the simplest of adjustments for a friend of mine that was a vegetarian. She liked one of the meals on the menu but requested that the meat just be taken out of it. They refused, and the waiter made faces at her request. This is not the first time I have had a negative experience with the staff at this location. I understand restaurants having an off day, but after returning several times and not seeing an improvement - no thanks. I will not return.
(2)Stacey W.
Well this was hugely disappointing, and not just because I was in the mood for a Margarita and they only serve wine and beer. It was hugely disappointing because it's so very, very, very mediocre. Apparently they take a limited number of reservations here, which we didn't have, so we were waiting for about 40 minutes on a Friday night (to be expected). They make a big deal of making sure your entire party is present before they'll even put your name on the list. Now really, this is just a personal pet peeve and has nothing to do with my overall review, but is this truly such a huge problem? Does it really matter if your whole party is there or not when you put your name in and there's a 30+ minute wait? Wouldn't it be just as effective to say you won't seat incomplete parties if that's what twists your panties? I'm just sayin'. We had everyone accounted for, so this want an "issue" for us, but I have to say, it gave me a bit of hope that the long wait and stringent seating rules meant we were about to eat some kick ass Mexican food. Alas my friends, this was only wishful thinking. The food was so, ... ISH! It was my husband and I, our two boys and a friend of theirs. The guacamole was tasteless, so don't bother. The boys wanted some basic nachos. Don't get excited, they asked for chips with melted cheese on them. The server looked at us like we were nuts. "Ummm.... we don't serve nachos." I said, "They don't want full nachos, they would just like some of the chips you have here on the table, with cheese melted on top." Her reply was, "But we don't have, like, dipping cheese." My husband decided to take this one and said, "No, not dipping cheese. Just regular cheese. So, instead of melting the cheese between two flour tortillas, like you do with a quesadilla, just melt the cheese on top of chips. Can you just ask if they'll do that?" She said, "I guess I can ask. But it's not on the menu." So guess what? They said they couldn't do it. Yes, I'm serious. I mean, for sure this is their prerogative, but would it have been that difficult? These are kids here. Anyway, I got the pork verde which was loaded with onions. The dish was easily 2/3 onion, 1/3 pork. Overwhelming onion taste and the onions were obviously used as filler. My husband got a mixed plate with a tamale, empenada and a taco. No complaints, but nothing to write home about, either. The boys got quesadillas and tacos, all of which were served cold. Our server was either new or just didn't know what she was doing. She never served us out ceviche, and getting it off of the bill at the end was a nightmare, even though we had informed her about the mishap when she served our main dishes. Because we doesn't get much help from her from the beginning of the meal on, we certainly didn't ask to reheat the boys' food. I really hope this experience was a fluke, or that maybe the downtown location is better? We just all thought it was a disappointing Mexican food eating experience. Oh well. Better luck next time.
(2)Steve K.
I had forgotten I had come here 6 months ago on my last trip to this area. After checking in with Yelp I was reminded I had been here before. Well it is still great food, great service, and very popular. Expect to wait a little for dinner but it is well worth it. The pineapple salsa that came as a side to my dish was outstanding. Highly recommend.
(4)Kateryna K.
This place is consistently sliding down in quality and service. They seem to take their customers for granted. The attitude is -if you don't like it, too bad, you can leave. I hope it is going to catch up with them very soon. I was meeting my boyfriend for dinner at 7:00 pm on Tuesday. He was running a little late from work and I got their first, starving and hoping to sit down and order an appetiser. They would not seat me because of their policy "to seat only an entire party". Not half of the party, which is reasonable, but an entire party! In this case it was just us two. So I had to stand in the front room be the bar and wait until he gets there while the place is 1/3 empty and no one waiting in line. When I tried to speak with a bartender and hostess about being seated since he is in the way. The bartender told me that if she had a dollar for every time she hears that someone is on the way and does not show up, she would be rich. Yes! That's precisely what she told me. As soon as he showed up, we left to a different place. The bartender had an audacity to charge me for the glass of wine I did not drink and waited for 15 minutes while the place was 1/3 empty. And this is just one of the recent instances with this place. The management is not on top of their game. The food is bland. Will not be coming back until something changes.
(1)Shane M.
I went here last week with my brother. Since Mexican food is Colorado is distinct, I was really interested to see how it differed here. There are plenty of high-end menu options over your typical Mexican restaurant and I had a fantastic 14 oz ribeye (with some sort of blackening spice) and an excellent corn blend. Really top notch. Service was terrific, chips and salsa were too. The only reason it wasn't five stars is because I went to the bar while we were waiting for a table and the bar tender was more interested in talking to a coworker than she was in getting our beers. Still, that's hardly a big deal in the grand scheme. I'll go back the next time In in St. Pete!
(4)Andy S.
The food here is always very good. The main thing that I have not liked is mostly just a preference thing. Personally I feel like it is a little bit too fancy and I don't really feel entirely comfortable. It is a little too formal for me, at least at dinner. The place just kind of has a stuffy feel to it which is weird for a Mexican place. If you go, I'm sure you will have good service and you will like everything that you eat. Just don't think it's one of those super casual Mexican restaurants which are loud and Carefree. I would not bring kids to this restaurant.
(4)Lisa C.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) ALWAYS consistent 2) Some of the freshest and creative Mexican I have had outside of Mexico 3) Some of the best cooked fish I have ever had 4) Lots of Ceviche options which are beautiful, fresh & clean tasting 5) Wonderful red & white sangrias 6) Servers who have been there 10+ years and who are warm, personable and not overbearing 7) I am craving the last Mahi dish I had there I could go on and on. Seriously, this place has always been 5 stars for me for many reasons. The decor isn't as fun as their sister site, Cantina but the food here is just perfect. I would highly recommend: Duck Tacos, Ceviches, Side dish of Plantains which are cooked to perfection with a beautiful finishing glaze, The Mahi dish over Mofungo (OMG!!!! amazing), The Spinach salad with add on's of Fried Goat Cheese medallions and a piece of perfectly seared Salmon, Specials of the day.... etc. I have never had a bad experience in over 9 years I have been coming there!
(5)Todd B.
Seriously, you wouldn't think it about a Latin American restaurant in St. Pete, but this was fantastic. I should point out that I give it 5 stars as far as Latin/Mexican places go - it is one of the best I've been to in FL - but it's not necessarily a 5 star restaurant over all. Its a casual restaurant - inviting atmosphere, not fancy at all. It was very busy when we arrived, but the service was fantastic and the server who helped us knew the menu inside and out. She was excellent. My girlfriend is 1/2 Latina, and extremely picky about her Spanish food. I actually expected more of a Mexican restaurant, and while they have some Mexican items, the menu is much more of a Latin American menu than a Mexican menu. She loved it (see her 4 star review under Melissa Z), and if she loves Latin food, then you will too. Be warned though - when they say something is spicy, they are not kidding. I got the Puntas de Filet Mignon. To quote their menu directly, "filet mignon tips in chipolte chile butter with bacon, tomato, jalapeño, poblano chile and onion. served with black beans, rice and tortillas on request." It is as wonderful as it sounds, but it made me sweat. Okay, that's not saying much, I'd sweat sitting outside in a blizzard naked (don't picture it, you'll get sick), but this stuff was extremely spicy. I loved it. Check this place out - it's amazing and you won't regret it.
(5)Crystal P.
Some of the best Sangria I've had in a very long time. That alone was worth my drive from Tampa. Thank goodness for booze! Make reservations as this establishment can get really busy. The dining room is crowded and parking can be tricky. We arrived early evening and because we had made a reservation we were seated right away. The service started off great with our drink and appetizer orders taken quickly but after our entrées arrived our service all but stopped. With spicy food it's nice to have drinks to go with it. We waited so long for refills while our waiter was chit-chat crazy with two females at the bar that we were forced to flag down another server to refill our glasses. Bummer....our time here would have been much more enjoyable and the food probably would have tasted better had our service not tanked so bad. I do remember the Spanish rice being really good, but everything else was just ok....not terrible....just...meh... If anything I'd return with some girlfriends for chips and salsa and some afternoon Sangria (it was really good)
(3)Christina G.
We attempted to go to the Cantina in DTSP but there was a 2 hour wait, hostesses were extremely unhelpful and pretty dismissive. We were a party of 7. Everyone wanted RED MESA, you know how that is when you anticipate something, nothing else will do ;) So, I called the 4th street location, the hostess that answered said that they don't take call ahead or reservations for over parties of 4 but if I could wait on the line she would see what she could do. A few minutes later she asked if 45 min wait would be OK. She wrote our name on the list and I said we will be right there! After we arrived we all got drinks and I don't think we waited more than 25 mins for our table. Here's what we had: The flavors were spectacular and fresh: Chorizo Fundido Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken Palomilla Steak Filet Mignon Chimmichurri Carne Asada Even though we were STUFFED we ordered desserts: Mexican Chocolate And Bacon Brioche Pudding Creme Brulee Cheesecake
(5)Alicia P.
This place is good. No doubt. I like the creativity in the tex-mex cuisine. My sister in law loves this place. We had ceviche, it was ok, the texture wasn't great. My husband really didn't care for it at all. Then we had our entrees, which were pretty standard, very decent sized portions and the taste was good. Not a huge fan of chains, we would go back if someone really wanted to go there, but it's not a place that we think of when we say "HEY, let's go for some southwestern fare."
(3)Ketan S.
Not too many options for vegetarians. We had the chips and guacamole and the cheese quesadilla which were pretty good. Very nice ambience. Good place to go out for a date
(4)Claire L.
Completely different from the other red Mesa in st Pete but supposedly same owners. Asked for the half hot chocolate half coffee and apparently they only make it on Sundays? Chicken tortilla Soup was gross and salad was dry. Actually quite disgusted at the entire place. Was like a Mexican diner and completely different from other location! Do NOT go here if you've already gone to the other location or you will be left very disappointed.
(2)Kelleigh M.
Red Mesa is one of the best gems on 4th street. The menu is unique and fresh, the servers have been there for awhile, and their chips and salsa are delish. I love this place. I've taken my coworker and my manager here (which are both vegetarian) and they have thoroughly enjoyed it. I do prefer this location over their cantina in DTSP.
(5)Mary M.
So good! The duck enchiladas are out of this world good! Great service. Small dining room, so I would suggest reservations. Definantly going back!
(5)Hillary V.
The building & staff... This restaurant is pretty cute. The parking situation is a little weird. There's a small bar inside along with regular table and booth seating. I went to Red Mesa at 9:25 on a Monday night. When we left, we were the last ones there. I looked at the sign and it said they closed at 9:30. I was shocked. Our waiter was so cool about us being there after it closed. So kudos to him. The drinks... Their margaritas are VERY good. They don't want for tequila like some of the ones I've had around here. Our only complaint is the salt on the rim is not quite right. The food... I had a combination platter. The Chihuahua comes with a pork tamale, a picadillo empanada, and a shredded beef taquito. I have never eaten a tamale or taquito in my life, but I absolutely, positively LOVED THEM. I ended up having to pack half of it because I couldn't finish it, and it was still good the next day. Overall, Red Mesa is absolutely worth a visit.
(4)Carey F.
The menu is pretty extensive and the food is well prepared, however, the atmosphere is rather stuffy and the tables are a bit too close for comfort.
(3)Shawn K.
This place rocks. The food is fresh and delicious. Every item on the menu seems well thought out and they really deliver a work of art here. We had the veg enchiladas, veg combination plate (which includes a spicy stuffed bell pepper), and black bean soup. Everything was delicious. And the wait time for food was about 10 mins on a busy night. The prices are quite reasonable, may get expensive if your trying to feed 10 people, but for 2 to 4 people its definitely manageable. Cant wait to visit this place again.
(5)Evan F.
Service is often hit or miss, but the tacos and drinks are both excellent. The best Mexican in St. Pete. Sit outside because the atmosphere is really nice. The bands that play usually aren't very good but overall it's a great place.
(4)Melissa Z.
Red Mesa is the oasis in desert of fast food country. Thank God for Red Mesa. Chose this place as the inaugural dinner of my moving to St Pete from Atlanta. Service was outstanding. Extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu to help guide you through the wonderland of latin american cuisine. There is a very wide range of spiciness level, so something is sure to please everyone. This restaurant boasts about its fresh seafood and meats and vegetables, for good reason. Keep in mind, this is more latin american than mexican. If you're looking for some place with lots of tacos or buritos, this ain't it. So, atmosphere is a big thing for me. I'd rather sit at home and fix my own self something rather than sit in a restuarant that looks like a boring shell of a cafeteria. This exterior is nice and welcoming; doesn't look like a hole in the wall, so this is good enough for a date. The interior could do with a little more latin american decoration, but it is inviting enough. We will be back. Random note: valet is available. wth. I mean, the restaurant parking lot is small. It's a waste. but I guess there are some prim madonnas that like have someone else do something that they could easily do.
(4)Dana S.
Red Mesa is great. I went my first time recently on a Sunday afternoon. It wasn't too busy but there were a lot of tables filled. I was seated right away. The food is great and the chips and salsa are pretty good. Didn't like the salsa at first but it grew on me. I ordered the Steak and Chorizo Quesadilla and it was so good. Great flavor and comes with four slices of quesadilla and some guacamole. I asked for some extra cilantro and was charged $1 for it. I thought that was kinda ridiculous. My boyfriend got the Steak and Chorizo taco and he was pleased with it, he just wished the portions were bigger for the price. My only complaint was that with the Filet Mignon burrito is "as is, no exceptions". I really wanted to order that but I can't handle spicy foods very much and it comes with poblano chile and red pepper. I'd love to get it without that :(
(4)Darryl M.
This place is the real deal. The Grouper is awesome. Grouper a la plancha was the specific dish I had. 5:30 pm and the place is packed on a Tuesday night. Get in early or make a reservation. The service is also terrific.
(5)Melissa A.
Since moving to Largo it's been a while since i've been here but we dined here recently and I was underwhelmed to say the least. The chipotle oyster appetizer used canned oysters, I swear to God. Tasted it right away. After that I was very hesitant to order a $30.00 entree so we just had a few tacos and the chicken tortilla soup. The tacos were good as was the soup. Nothing blew us away. The tortillas are inside the soup and soggy, while this may be traditional I would appreciate some fresh one's added to the top (as they do with the avacoado) for some crunch. Sangria was like fruit punch with no fruit. They really need to offer margarita's, real one's not wine based posers. The interior is screaming for a face lift. The shaggy do look of the dining room needs to go. I won't be rushing back any time soon.
(2)Jason N.
I wish this place was closer to my house... plain and simple.
(5)Ali C.
Great for Sun brunch as they have breakfast and lunch items and a decent kids selection. It's from 9a-2p on Sun. Not as glitzy as its sister Cantina downtown but the food is amazing! Huevos Rancheros is awesome. Beer and wine only and they charge for chips/salsa - still worth it. Enjoy!
(4)Michael A.
red mesa your my favorite fusion restaurant in all of pinellas ...there food is a blend of southern gulf coastal meets southwestern and besides the duck enchiladas i have enjoyed literally everything on the menu.fresh ingredients homemade sauces and nice fat gulf shrimp..this restaurant always impresses
(4)Brenda C.
So if you haven't been to Red Mesa, I am highly recommending you go. If food was the only criteria this place ranks a 5 star! Best Mexican food since I was in Mexico. The enchiladas trio soo good. Dishes like that are why I love duck. Yes, I said duck. The fundido appetizer was delicious, and easily enough to start the 4 of us off. My cohorts got Chicken enchiladas and Chile rellenos. No complaints on the food. The only downside was the restaurant is on the small side and had crammed tables into it. We were at a booth and I got knocked in the side and head by waitstaff, who never even apologized. And don't turn your head or a derriere might be your calling card. One less table for some space and this would be a 5 star review.
(4)Kelly F.
This is my second time coming to red Mesa. The service is great the food is good but the wait times are long and the food is overpriced.
(4)EandD S.
Red Mesa gets 5 stars for delicious food and wonderful customer service. I sat at the bar and was greeted by Teresa, the bartender/ server/ phone call answering service/ take out deliverer. Seriously, she is a gem! If the owner of the restaurant reads this - give Teresa a raise! Now as for the food and drink, I selected the enchilada trio and white wine sangria. My favorite of the enchiladas was the duck with raspberry sauce - an amazing flavor combo- but truly all three enchiladas were delicious. The sangria was tasty too. This restaurant was recommended to me, and I will in turn recommend it to others who are visiting the St. Pete / Tampa Bay Area.
(5)Hillary B.
Huge fan of this place. Its very popular-as it should be-so make a reservation! We came on a Saturday night around 9 and were seated in about 30 min. The margaritas are fabulous, and there's an outside bar with heaters above the bar--absolutely heaven in January/February. My friend had the cucumber margarita which was so creative! And delicious! I had the cadillac margarita which is a more traditional yet top shelf margarita and it was great. This place was pretty loud, it was almost like eating in a night club. Our waitress was very competent though and got everything right for us. Delicious food, and I love corn tortilla tacos. This is just a great place--I highly recommend it.
(5)Annie C.
Loved it!!! Brought some friends with us tonight and we all had a great experience. Our waitress was fabulous, the food was cooked to perfection and I love their salsa!!! Just a lil zing
(5)Grace A.
I have been going to Red Mesa for years and thought I should write a review. This is my absolutely favorite restaurant. It's where I go when I am happy and when I am sad. They have the best red sangria I have ever had. The service is quick and friendly. There is so much good food on the menu that I don't tire of going there. My favorites are the Pastor salad with steak, roast pork verde, cedar roasted salmon, and the skirt steak...but there is so much more. It is a very busy restaurant so go early or late or take 5 people and make a reservation.
(5)Marqus R.
Red Mesa Restaurant was a surprise to me since I usually expect Mexican restaurants to be sort of smallish, specialty places. Instead, Red Mesa is kind of like a big short order diner type of operation with all kinds of breakfast, lunch and other dishes flowing from a little kitchen jam stuffed with workers quickly turning out an endless variety of various dishes, not only regular menu items but daily specials as well. Red Mesa is to Mexican somewhat as Olive Garden is to Italian though Red Mesa does far, far better job for Mexican than Olive Garden does for Italian. Matter of fact, I found the food at Red Mesa to resemble a very nice Mexican home style of preparation with many simple offerings such as a breakfast of chorizo patties and eggs. I found the service to be top notch, friendly, fast and efficient. The menu and daily specials make for a substantial food selection not only of common Mexican food items but of some rather unique combinations and all served in full platter portions. Another feature I happen to like is that you can have a full view of the kitchen, which to me is a real plus since I tend to always question what actually goes on in any hidden kitchen, particularly (pardon my bias) in Mexican or Chinese establishments. The only draw back being that it is a beer and wine only establishment. The sangrias and wines are very good, as are the beers, which since bottled are pretty much unscrewupable, but forget those wimpy little wine based margaritas as there are wines capable of taking the place of a real tequila.
(4)Shauna E.
Eh... I wanted to like Red Mesa. I can appreciate what they're trying to do here(finer Mexican dining), but this place fell flat for me. We were a group of three on a Saturday afternoon, and the place had about 4 tables full. Our server took awhile to get to us, and when he finally did, he seemed flighty and distracted. We ordered our beverages and he seemed disappointed that two of us had water instead of a charged beverage. Once drinks were ordered, it took another long wait to get him back. I'm not trying to nit pick but we were literally one of four-to-five tables in the restaurant at this point. I had the vegetable enchiladas which were painfully small for the $9 price tag. The sauce was OK-- it was well flavored but the veggie filling was watery and flavorless. The rice side tasted reheated. I can't even remember if the beans were any good. The best part was the queso fresca on top. My husband had the mushroom quesadillas ($9.50) which he found bland and didn't understand the side of balsamic vinaigrette for dipping. My sister had the blackened chicken taco salad for $12.00 which was probably the best of all entrees but still teeny tiny. The chicken was fantastically seasoned though. Our server checked back on us once, noticed the half-eaten plates and stayed away until he dropped the bill. No refills, no inquiry into how things tasted, if we'd enjoyed, etc. I'm sure we wouldn't have complained because obviously he doesn't control the portions or price, but SOMETHING would have been better than nothing. All in all, I might give this place a shot again but it won't be my first choice for sure. The portion sizes, lack of service, and overall weird vibe of the place has turned me off for now. Not to mention the final $40 bill for 3 appetizer sized lunches. Save your money.
(2)Sarah S.
So this is one of the best restaurants in St. Pete? At least that's what people say. Kind of American fusion Mexican here. Ambiance is eh. Too many tables jam-packed into a small space. They don't dim the lights for dinner until about 7:30 or so. If you arrive before then, it'll feel a little cafeteria style. OK maybe I'm being too harsh. It's just when people say "Oh my gosh you have to try this place" I assume it'll be GREAT. It was good. I wouldn't go out of my way to impress out of town guests here. But the food was yummy. Loud- you can bring your kids. Not dressy. Our waitress forgot our wine. We were seated very close to the waiter and waitress computer station and could hear them all complaining about their tables all night. That was unprofessional. Food GOOD Service OKAY Ambiance MEDIOCRE
(3)Andrea S.
This place is great! The food is really delish, the quality of ingredients is superior to any other Mexican restaurant. It was fresh, presented beautifully, and everything we ate was full of flavor. Our server was knowledgable about the menu, and we were seated right away. I will be back again soon.
(5)Simon I.
This mexican influenced establishment serves up mouth-watering infused dishes. What is lacks in the interior decor, it more than makes up for it, through drinks and food items. The Pork Verde served with tomatillo chile verde sauce with black beans, rice is perfectly tender and flavorful paired with a white Sangria, its a finger licking, lip smacking killer combo. Take a taste and you'll be hooked. The Shredded Beef Taquitos have nothing small about them in the taste department. These perfectly fried goodies have no grease handing around, and served piping hot are great accompaniment to your taste enjoyment. The Tamale are well balanced in being moist and flavorful and served steaming with with chile morita sauce, queso fresco with fresh pico de gallo. Mmmm... my mouth is watering already writing about them. Waiter! two orders of Tamale please. Did I mention the Sangria? Either the red or white Sangria are must have here. Early evening over weekends and late evenings on weeknights are best time to visit here. Any other time you will either find the place packed with lunch crowd or weekend dinner crowd. The wait staff are good with their attention and are helpful. The shinning star here are the food not the wait staff. The interior decor is nothing to write home about, but it is open, bright, and airy. Red Mesa is a MUST visit.
(4)Jess P.
Filet mignon burrito. Need I say more? Sooo freakin good! And the guacamole is superb. But they give you a couple tortilla shells instead of chips, which isn't quite sufficient. :/ Red Mesa does NOT look like a place that would be very good. Has kind of a corporate feel with the booths and the name and stuff, but color me surprised. Don't judge a book by its' cover because it definitely delivered. :)
(4)Kristina F.
I love meeting clients and colleagues here for lunch. Their chips and salsa is just fantastic. Good seasoning and a nice bite makes for an easy snack before lunch. I am a creature of habit. I love the Red Mesa salad with fried goat cheese. This is the only restaurant of the group (Cantina and Mercado) that has fried goat cheese. It allows me to enjoy a salad and still have a little bit of guilt. Jessica was my server and was polite and attentive. The wait staff is ever present but not too pushy. They allow us to have a conversation, but are there to fill glasses and clear plates. Always a nice place for a business lunch without breaking the bank. It is also a nice change from downtown.
(5)Michael P.
I get this isn't Texas- I didn't expect a lot from the Mexican food in Florida. But wow, this place is a giant disappointment - especially after all the hype it had. My biggest complaints: 1) Asked for no onions in the quesadilla, they couldn't do that BECAUSE THEY PREMAKE THEIR QUESADILLA. That might be the easiest thing to make, ever, and they pre make it. 2) No fajitas..? Are you serious. 3) No margaritas?!?! I know they have them at the cantina but damn - figure that out.. You're a Mexican restaurant missing the first three things I think of about a Mexican restaurant.
(2)Eric H.
Great place to eat. Food came quick and was delicious. The Mesa Burger was the best. This place ought to be called Grey Mesa as there not a single Red Mesa in the place.
(4)Malinda L.
Really enjoyed my experience here. Had the chihuahua trio. So so good. The sangria is amazing as well. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Rusty N.
I love Red Mesa! I have tried a lot of their menu, and everything is quite good. But I keep going back to their Carne Asada! It's FANTASTIC!!! Their ranchero beans are insane as well!
(5)Virginia G.
Oh the disappointment. I hadn't been here in years and when my dinner date suggested it was very happy to oblige. I love Mexican, faux Mexican, tex mex, authentic, if it has enchiladas, I'm in! So we came on a Saturday night and had a 20 minute wait or so. Sat at the bar and had a beer (with a super nice and efficient bartender) Our table was ready on time and we were escorted to a booth in back and approached by our waiter who was told "whatever you do, don't let our glasses go empty" lol Apparently he heard the opposite. So we started with the ceviche, shrimp ceviche, Im not a fan of this . Im a traditionalist and like fish in my ceviche, along with shrimp, but not just shrimp. Anyway, it was , ok. It was fresh and service with jicama, which I like but the serving was very skimpy for the price range. For dinner he ordered the salmon with a ginger crust and chipotle glaze , I ordered a combo platter with cheese enchiladas and chile relleno. His dinner was good! Salmon was perfectly cooked, the glaze delicious, nice and smokey flavor yum. Mine? Not so good. The cheese "enchiladas" were about 3-4" long and narrow as a slim cigar and burnt on the bottom. Ick, My Relleno, who made that disaster? No where near traditional, the picadillo was just off. I mean there was nothing good about this dish. I shared my disappointing meal with him , to make sure I wasn't just being a finicky witch, and he concurred. awful. Just awful. We passed on dessert, and another drinks as obviously that wasn't in the cards. SO disappointing. I wanted to love this place. I might even try it again and hope for better, but I certainly wont order that again.
(2)Tony H.
This place was bustling when we arrived for diner but we were seated quickly (there were 6 of us). Our server was great and was attentive but not intrusive and allowed us to enjoy our meal. The food was delicious and all of the ingredients tasted fresh and none of the food had the prepared-earlier-and-just-warmed-up taste. Parking is complimentary valet but we found a spot near the entrance to self-park. The atmosphere was fun and pleasant with unique decor and not your standard Tex-Mex with some pictures of pueblos and cowboys. We'd certainly eat here again if we were in the area.
(4)Laura C.
Fantastic tacos and service. Young lady was helpful in describing menu and chiding options for us that we're perfect.
(5)Malary J.
If you want some amazing Spanish food, Red Mesa has a wonderful and delicious selection of Spanish food! I've never been disappointed by anything that I have ordered.
(5)Amy B.
Brandon absolutely loved this place... I however got the flu directly following our visit here so I thought it was food poisoning until it lasted days and days. I had had the taco salad and Brandon had a burrito, he really enjoyed his meal and the chips and salsa were definitely tasty. They have really good drinks here too! We will have to come back so I can try it again, hopefully without getting sick the next time!
(3)Marinda H.
Nice atmosphere and the place was hopping at lunch. Parking lot is small, many cars parked on residential side streets (which I'm sure the homeowners 'love'). I've been to the Cantina on 3rd and not been overly impressed with their typical mexican offerings (enchiladas, tacos, burritos, etc.) so tried something more entree oriented - the Shrimp Al Mojo De Ajo (sautéed shrimp in a buttery tasting tomato and garlic sauce) with rice and veg - shrimp was nicely sauteed and tender, veg were nicely prepared - al dente green beans and carrots. Good dish, but nothing I will be dreaming about. Price was $11 which is reasonable for this dish but I find their prices for typical mex fare over priced for mediocre food. One complimentary basket of chips per table and you have to ask for it. Salsa is nothing interesting. Good service.
(3)Olivia O.
We came here for lunch during a work day. We started off with some chips and salsa which we were charged for. Based off their website our first basket should have been free since we didn't get any refills. Next we ordered the shrimp fundido which came with 3 very small tortillas. When we asked our waitress for another tortilla she informed us she would have to charge us, this seems a bit ridiculous. Finally we both decided on the chicken quesadilla which I found to be pretty good except for the sauce it was presented with on the plate which was extremely sweet. Overall I would say the service and experience was below average.
(2)Justine S.
Food was outstanding! I really don't think we could have gone wrong with anything on the menu. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jakkajan D.
My doctor recommended this place. Guess I should start listening to my doctor! Hands down the best Mexican food I ever had. No need for a long review. Just go eat there. You'll see.
(5)Jason C.
Came here with a friend for brunch. I had the Divorciados. The salsas ended up being a bit less flavorful than I had imagined, but the eggs were well-cooked. My friend had a similar experience with her dish. In terms of other aspects, the dishes were well-priced, and the service was good. It seemed like there were a lot of great options on the menu, and the decor was fun. I would definitely try them again some time.
(3)Jessica M.
I typically don't get a quesadilla at a Mexican restaurant for the desire to have something extraordinary, but this quesadilla was just that. Fantastic, like a party in my mouth. The gouda cheese, onions, and chicken mend together so well, then on the plate they add a sweet red sauce and a black bean and corn salsa, I literally don't think it could've been any better. As a chef's daughter I look for good flavor combos, and this was expertly crafted, and plated to perfection. Best chicken quesadilla I've ever had in my life. My husband got the chicken enchilada, without the Verde (typically served with one Verde and one roja).... and he loved the amount of flavor in his dish as well... it's hard to make common things stand out to me, but this place has it down, from the difficult specialties to the commonly seen dishes. We will be back!
(5)Jess D.
It was the first time my girlfriend and I came to Red Mesa on 4th St N. I've been to the Red Mesa in downtown, which gave me a good comparison restaurant. Our server was very nice and didn't hover. One thing I was surprised by, is 1) they charge for the chips and salsa, 2) they don't make mojitos here - devastated - and 3) the restaurant didn't really seem like a Mexican restaurant on the inside. The decor was sort of bland; I felt like I was in an Olive Garden. Now, for the food! I had the shredded beef enchiladas with beans and rice. Absolutely fantastic. Full of flavor and texture. My girlfriend had the steak tacos, and wasn't a fan, unfortunately. She expressed that the steak didn't have much flavor, and her tacos, beans and rice were very oily. I will return, though, to try the dinner menu. I left full and happy.
(4)Carrie C.
We wanted a quiet, weekday dinner out. Red Mesa's sunset dinner fit the bill perfectly! We had a wonderful dinner starting with white citrus sangria with chips and salsa. My shredded beef burrito with poblano peppers was outstanding. Deliciousness in every bite. My husband had chicken and was equally pleased. Although there was no room left for dessert, it was part of the package and we tasted with delight. Michael informed us of the specials of the day as well as took excellent care of us. He also updated us with their new summer hours and specials. We felt cared for and that's a great feeling.
(5)Carrie B.
Great patio and service with amazing duck tacos, decent sangria and ceviche. While spicy the queso is quite the bomb! Definitely worth checking out in St Pete!
(4)Lauren C.
*My 500th review* I came here for Sunday Brunch with family. I had visited Red Mesa many years ago, but never for brunch until this particular visit. The menu is a vast selection of both breakfast and lunch items, ranging from torta breakfast sandwiches and burritos, to shrimp omelettes, combination plates and salads. As you can see, I had a hard time deciding what to get. What makes the decision even harder is that everything is so reasonably priced, especially considering the large portion sizes and delicious flavors. Most meals range from $6.5 - $10, a bargain for such a great meal. Our server was attentive and continually checked in on us, but we weren't ready to order until her 3rd visit to our table. I finally settled on the "chuy combinado" - pork tamale, chicken tostada and chicken enchilada topped with savory chili sauce and a side of refried beans. Everything came out hot, fresh and tasty, no doubt. In this case, my eyes were bigger than my stomach and I simply couldn't finish my meal, so I took part of it home for later (and it made a mighty tasty leftover meal later on I must say). We enjoyed relaxing and visiting with family here, the environment was nice and the server continued to stop by regularly. We didn't feel rushed and walked away satisfied.
(5)Nate B.
Great food and great service. Mushroom quesadilla was really spot-on for taste and balance. Mojo shrimp...the sauce made the dish. Great kids menu that goes beyond burgers and hot dogs, but not so out there that you can't find anything. The strawberry sangria was recommended. Wouldn't have tried it otherwise, but Natalia, our waitress, said it was overlooked, so we went for it. A hidden gem! We'll definitely be back to try more of the menu. Very convenient, very fast, and very good food. Well done, Red Mesa!
(4)Andrea W.
When in St Pete and bringing guest from out of town I can count on Red Mesa to impress them! Gorgeous outdoor patio dining area. Perfect Margaritas. Sublime Eggs Benedict with Avocado - save room for the Churros! I love this place!! Great service in a perfect St Pete downtown location - I've had many a perfect meal here and I love this restaurant I've recommended this place more times than I can count - super nice place all around!
(4)Warrick A.
This place is always busy, but worth it. The service is excellent and the food delicious. I love the homemade black-bean soup. Their salsa and chips are complimentary, and I recommend the margaritas . Awesome place to eat , full menu and not expensive. Only downfall , the parking in rear is often full to capacity .
(4)Jennifer H.
Been here 3 times and never disappointed each time. The food is AMAZING and plentiful. It's a small place and it can feel a bit cramped at busier times, which makes me wish they were a bigger restaurant. They definitely deserve to be larger. Their food is incredibly filling though, I can eat lunch here and be full the entire day! I kinda wish they had some healthy plate /small plate options, because then I might be able to eat here more often!
(5)John B.
MESA (me-sa), noun - an isolated flat-topped hill with steep sides, found in landscapes with horizontal strata. In rock climbing, once you reach the summit you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the view! At Red Mesa, once you reach for your fork you experience the exhilaration, the conquest and the taste! As you disembark your land conveyance vehicle and traverse the parking lot to the first plateau(the front door), you catch slight notes of kitchen aromas wafting in the St Pete air. Tantalizing and true reminders of the real purpose of your mission. Once gaining a strong foothold on the plateau, the Sherpa guide(hostess) assists you to your base camp. Your second guide sets you up with all the gear you need to successfully scale the savory slope of epicurean delight. Joe, as our base camp guide, gathered the intel necessary for our rations. Our party of four perused the ration sheet(menu) and detailed the desired canteen(kitchen) output as required for proper nutrition on this gastronomic expedition. Our server was quite busy, so service was a tad slow at first, and I had to remind him I needed some lemons(to prevent scurvy?). Joe turned out to be a pretty nice guy, and I even shook his hand before we mounted our pack horses to depart. Okay, back to ground zero, review-wise. Two of us chose the Norteño Combinado, a steak empanada with chile morita sauce and queso fresco, a shredded beef taquito with guacamole and black bean sauce, and one crisp shredded beef or chicken taco. Served with congri(black beans and rice). In one word? Delicious! In two words? Deliciously delicious! Lots of flavor, with a slight touch of spicy heat in the empanada. The taquito provided a nice crunch even while lathered in a creamy guacamole sauce. I will order this dish again. And again, and again! My better half(or three fourths?) ordered the Trail Ensalada(salad). Unfortunately it was missing the pumpkin seeds as described in the menu. Otherwise a nice salad, although a little light on the full-feeling factor. She was satisfied, but felt a wee bit wishing she could have sampled some of my taco! What a beautiful woman will do to maintain her girlish figure! (I love you to the highest elevation and back, Honey!) Our fourth climber, er, party member ordered the Del Rey Burrito with shredded beef. This thing was the size of a gold bar you might find ensconced into the steep hillsides below the mesa. She advised it was a perfect blend of taste and temptation! I was surprised she was able to eat almost the entire burrito! Throw caution to the wind! The atmospheric conditions within the plateau(the atmosphere in the restaurant) are reminiscent of a lot of Mexican restaurants, but with a feeling of quality and no kitsch. This is certainly a higher end establishment and it shows in the quality of ingredients and food fare. Most days, at dinner hours, expect quite a line-up of eager, hungry patrons at the door. They do have some comfortable waiting seating for a few lucky folks. Now for a nice, warm and fuzzy human moment.... Once we were seated, I noticed a charming young family seated next to us. Handsome guy with a beautiful wife and three of the most adorable little girls this side of the Rio Grande. Sometimes you can feel 'goodness' and 'love' within a room, and I certainly felt this effect emanating from this family. I was moved to step over and tell them my feelings. They were very appreciative and receptive. They gave details on how fortunate they were, and that their littlest cutie was their 'Miracle Baby'. A great feeling and reaffirmation that this world still has a LOT of good, decent people in it! There were some nice goodbyes when they left, I felt as though I had known them for years! Much to our surprise, when we finished our meals, our server Joe appeared with a platter of some decadent looking mountain of light brown goodness topped with whipped cream! This was the 'Fried Ice Cream' - chunky monkey rolled in corn flakes, flash fried, topped with Mexican chocolate sauce and whipped cream. He announced that this loving family asked for and paid for us to be able to enjoy this treat! We were all very taken and moved. It was a crazily delicious and dangerous treat to our tastebuds! So very thankful to them, where and whom ever you are! Overall, our climb to the Red Mesa summit was a complete success! We did not get to plant our great nation's flag on the peak, however. They would have frowned at us digging into their nice clean flooring. Darn!
(5)Jenni M.
We had a lovely dinner here while visiting friends who are regulars! We were promptly greeted and stated by a friendly hostess. We ordered a pitcher of the red sangria for $22 which was perfect for the 4 of us to share. The sangria is one of the best I've had and the touch of cinnamon was perfect. The chips and fresh salsa were nice while we were waiting for our meal. For dinner I ordered the carne asada which was amazing. A perfectly tender cut of meat with guacamole, rice, and soup. The order was large enough that two of us could have shared. The real show stopper was the pork ribeye that my fiancé ordered. I'm not usually a fan of pork but this was amazing. So juicy and tender with a nice sear on the outside. It came with a side of fried plantains which were wonderful, and rice and beans. We live on the west coast, but the next time we come back we will be visiting Red Mesa. A great atmosphere, reasonable prices, and delicious food!
(5)Ken K.
This was the second time I have dined at Red Mesa. I thought maybe the first time they just brought their "A" Game, as everything was perfect...(really, perfect!) So, this time I was expecting perfection, but prepared for disappointment.....NOT SO! Perfection, Again! The salsa served with the chips (a big factor at determining the quality of a Tex-Mex restaurant) is nothing short of fantastic... Four of us for dinner, four different meals, and everyone remarked how wonderful their choice was. It is possible to eat healthy here, and that's a big bonus. As I am from Texas, home of really good Tex-Mex food, I can tell you that Red Mesa is at or above the level of my favorite Mexican restaurant on earth - La Fogata, on Vance Jackson St. in San Antonio, TX. If, for some reason, you can't get in to Red Mesa, just jump a Southwest Airlines flight to San Antonio....that's about how far you will have to go to tie this place...
(5)Charles M.
Awesome food! Great service! Love the sangria and they have the best chili relleno I've had outside of Texas!
(5)Nicole D.
Delicious! Consistently delicious every time I go! Amazing flavor and complex blends. Yum yum!
(4)Theresa H.
My friends have been telling me to try this place and finally went there tonight. I wish I listened to them when they first told me about it. We ordered guacamole with chips that were delicious, they also brought us their salsa that was perfect, not mild and not too spicy. Now let me get to the main dish, which I'm still thinking about. I ordered the Shrimp Al Mojo De Ajo, its aroma so mouth watering, I cant describe the flavors, they just exploded in your mouth!! Fresh shrimp, garlic, cilantro, tomatoes, veggies, rice, in this to die for sauce. Its one of the best dishes I have had in a long time. I wanted to lick the plate!!!! I cant wait to go back. It was busy, nice ambience, loved it!!!
(5)Jasmine P.
My parents and I are from Texas, so for our first day in St. Petersburg, we were looking for something familiar. Red Mesa was a great surprise, and I'd call it more "flex-tex", Florida tex-mex! My dad and I will eat pretty much anything, but my mom is a little more picky (she'll stick to chicken, but only if its cut up small). The menu here was perfect for all of us. We all ordered off the "sunset menu" (4-5:30p, you get a sangria or beer, a select entree, and a delicious dessert for $15). The food came out reasonably fast, but we had plenty of chip/salsa to satisfy us. I got the shrimp salceado (pardon the spelling), and it was delicious!! Plenty of sauce and the shrimp was well cooked. My parents got the two chicken entrees (enchiladas and a chicken breast dish) and they were both delicious as well! Two things that I really loved: the rice (soft, flavorful) and the dessert (a Cinnamon and coconut cake with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, yum!). The service was pretty good, nothing notable but not terrible. I don't usually like going to the use place twice when I'm out of town, but I may make an exception for this place!
(5)Katy D.
Nice looking restaurant. Staff was friendly. The food has a great presentation, but was just okay. Was a little disappointed in the guacamole- the cost is $9, and it's nothing special. The refried beans were very good. I ordered the shredded chicken Del Rey Burrito, and was not very impressed. The churros and caramel sauce were amazing.
(3)Philip E.
Ok as well traveled as I have been,this is by far the best Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at. We started off with warm tortilla chips with 2 homemade salsas. One was a traditional red chili based salsa and the other one was the fire breathing habanero one, both fantastic. Dinner was a sirloin steak special covered in a cilantro chili sauce with retried beans and yellow rice. 5 stars! My friend had the chimayo skirt steak in a chili cream sauce, omg amazing. Then dessert was a homemade churro over pumpkin mousse with chocolate ganache. Everything exceeded expectations, will come back as soon as this week.
(5)