This the third time I have came here . and I lobe this place. The people here are super nice, and the food is great I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and they eat their food every time And the chips we have to get 3 refills on chips each time. A1 place.
(5)
Tom N.
They try super hard to take care of everyone, however they always seem short staffed. The food is amazing our favorite in the area. Parking can be a challenge they share a parking lot with Red Lobster. The drinks are good, a bit pricey but they do the job. No wifi.
(4)
Ann V.
I love Mexican and Tex-mex food. I didn't find a single thing here that I liked, not the slow service, not the slightly rancid chips, not the poblano served with a congealed blob of cold cheese inside, not the microscopic serving of guacamole salad, nor the unconcerned manager. Ick.
(1)
Jonathan K.
I have been very remiss about this. I have lived in the area, within walking distance (and staggering distance home) for almost two decades, yet have failed to review this place, my favorite local Mexican place - and considering the wealth of Mexican food joints nearby, that really says something. It changed managers/owners a few years back, and the difference has been astounding. It was absolutely OK before. Cheap, strong margaritas, decent food.But in the last couple of years, it's gone upward and outward. The service has gone from surly to stellar. The food and the menu is much more upscale. The prices HAVE gone up, from dirt cheap to just cheap. But the food more than reflects the price increases, which have been incremental considering the vast revamping and remodeling. I'm actually worried, because what HAD been a relative eyesore that no one knew had decent food is now a glittering jewel in the midst of fast food and chain restaurants on Cobb Parkway. The chips and salsa are good, not great. I get a real SYSCO feeling from the salsa, sadly. But they are free, so I'm not complaining. The margaritas are really good! No, they are not artisan, for the most part. But a little over ten bucks gives you a half pitcher, more than enough for two to share - or one to get his tequila evening started in full force. The portions are generous, and the vegetarian menu lets my meatless friends have a pretty large selection. I have managed to snag a few of their new entree items, and they are all worth the premium - though my dinner companion swears by the large combination menu as well. He likes rice and beans, I don't. I order off the a la carte menu, and can totaly fill up for less than seven bucks on a mushroom quesadilla. Especially, having (foolishly perhaps) eaten my weight in chips and salsa. The fajitas for generously portioned, obviously fresh, and more than reasonably priced considering the chain franchises that lurk less than a mile away. Service was good (in that I never either craned my neck looking for a server, not had to endure having a third party at the table) and the food is tasty. Yes, the margaritas could be a touch (or three) stronger, and it would be awesome if they made their sour mix from scratch. But you know what? If that happened, I bet a half pitcher would not cost ten bucks. This place is an example of good, relatively inexpensive, quality mexican food. And that is often all I want. They have several TVs, which are usually playing latin channels/sports. I only wished against all wishes that this place was open later on weekends. They would become a real serious destination if they stayed open until 2 on weekends.
(4)
Sanders M.
People that put this restaurant down or 1 star it let me just say to each their own. I can tell you from my experience tonight I got what I expected; reasonably priced combos for around 8 bucks and a full stomach. Service was average, the place was about 3/4 full. I will say that the guacamole you order from the kitchen is not the same as the table side. In hindsight I would have gotten the table side guacamole for 8ish bucks instead of the kitchen guacamole. #26 combo was very filling and the salsa that came with the thick chips was pretty good; though I added a little salt to the chips. As long as you know going in that your getting decent service and food at a good price you will enjoy yourself. It is all about your expectations going in.
(4)
M A.
It's been a while since a job change, and you know what? I kind of miss my outings with former co-workers to this place. Sure, the service isn't the best and if you ask for something without ________ they rarely remember. But that's not quite the point. There's memories here! The food itself is decent and your standard "Mexican" restaurant fare. Tons of combos to choose from, including a variety of vegetarian options. If you don't want a combo, the a la carte menu is cheap and easy way to construct your own meal. One good thing that has been added here is fresh guac. Cut up right there at the table with all the additions such as diced tomatoes and onions. I am behind this guac 100% and am so glad it's been added to the menu! So sure, Da Border - as my friends and I affectionately call it - may not be the best Mexican restaurant in town. But it certainly provides a good time with the right people. Stop in for lunch if you're in the area - it's really not all that bad!
(3)
Dean M.
If you like unfriendly and non-attentive staff, and you like an unclean environment, this is definitely your place. Otherwise, you might think of driving right past this place. The food was okay, and the service wasn't absolutely horrible, but I definitely felt like the staff could use some lessons in social interaction and manners. Except for one guy, they all seemed like they hated being there, and hated their job. I think I have talked to plants that have more responsiveness and personality. If you don't mind the downer you get from the staff, you might consider the cleanliness. It's not the cleanest place on earth. If you are concerned about cleanliness, it is definitely a place to skip. Definitely not coming back.
(1)
Tracie T.
I went here and expected the worst. I went with a co-worker that had never been before. We arrived at 5:15pm on a Saturday and the place was dead. I have to say we got a pitcher of margaritas that were great but not strong enough for my taste. The food was great. We both ate everything. The waiter was friendly and returned often to make sure we had what we needed. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that. After we were there 2 hours the parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for parking. I will definitely return.
(4)
Kim N.
Am I the only one with love for Border? C'mon... It looks pretty shabby, the waitstaff probably won't like you, and if you want a quick meal- it ain't gonna happen. ...but it's all worth it. I'm not a huge fan of most Americanized mexican food because I feel chain eateries just dress up Taco Bell's "grade E" meat with some heavy sauces, and offer fancy margaritas to wash down the grease. Border completely eschews this plan in favor of great quality, low fat cuts of beef and chicken, hot corn chips, incredible salsa, and rice cooked to perfection. I suggest dropping by during a casual lunch. Not a working lunch, mind you- a lunch where you can drink and beer and sit for a while. The lunch specials consist of a ton of food, and are usually under 5 dollars. Overall: Awesome food, very low prices, non-chain restaurant. The waitstaff is often slightly surly and their English isn't great- but who cares? You're getting a great meal.
(5)
Allison H.
To put it quite frankly, this place blows. Maybe it's what I get for trying a place I'd never been to on Cinco de Mayo, but still. Until reading the other reviews posted here I was willing to give this place benefit of the doubt and assume that the reason our service was so terrible was because they were just so busy and not used to handling it. Not so. It didn't take us long to be seated, but after we'd been sitting there for five minutes and seen at least 3 different servers walk past us several times each, we had to flag down the host and ask for some chips and salsa. They were brought promptly, but it took another 10 minutes before our server (who had walked past us at least 10 times by this point), came over and took our drink order. My sister and I ordered margaritas, and they didn't come out until after our food. I had the half order of nachos, which were not even mediocre, and one of my fellow diners' orders was wrong. we had to wait another 5 minutes while their food got cold to be brought silverware. I had to get water refills from the bar. I can't really say anything good about this place. When we ordered margaritas the waiter asked if we wanted salt and we said yes please and we got no salt. In short, the service sucks really really hard, and the food and drinks not NEARLY good enough to make up for it.
(1)
Caitlin L.
We eat Mexican food at LEAST once a week and we love to try something new. Over time we've found that the shadier the restaurant, the better the Mexican food is. We found Border driving down Cobb PKWY, it sticks out from its neighbors with its bright green and purple decor. The inside of the green and purple building is quite dark with a full bar and a good amount of seating, we chose to sit on the patio, drink a beer, and enjoy the warm weather. They immediately brought us the standard chips and salsa, except these weren't so standard. The salsa was hot, like full of habanero seeds hot. I can typically handle spicy food, but this was a bit too much for me. I don't know what someone does who doesn't eat spicy food at all. As usual I ordered my cheese enchilada and bean taco with beans an rice. The service here was pretty good and speedy. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. My taco was soggy. :( I know this can happen, but even when I go to The Bell my taco shell isn't soggy. The cheese enchilada was just okay, it kinda tasted funny. But I did like the beans and rice. The beans were still slightly chunky, just how I liked them. I most likely won't be returning here, but if you enjoy super hot salsa then this may be the place for you.
(2)
Lynn S.
-5 STARS!!!! I ordered the Spicy chicken burrito. Once the food came out there was only about 3 pieces of chicken in my burrito I refused to eat it because i wasn't about to eat a bean and rice burrito! once i explained this to the waitress she rolled her
(1)
Scott S.
When I walked in, the place smelled like skunked beer that had been left out from over night. Hungry, I proceeded to sit down with my two friends. My biggest objections is that they have a no substitution policy. Each dish is very specific making it very difficult for someone with specific tastes, allergies, or is a vegetarian. I ordered a tostada which consisted of a tortilla shell, some lettuce, chicken, and a slice of tomato tossed on the top. I guess perfect if you are 90 and have no taste buds. The service was not attentive and messed up one of our dishes and didn't come back until the end of the meal. As you can guess from my 1 star, I wouldn't recommend Border Mexican Restaurant based on menu restrictions, service, and the beer smell permeating the entire inside.
(1)
Michael K.
This is your standard locally owned Mexican joint that has that little restaurant feel. It is right down the street from my place and I am absolutely i love with the salsa. It has a certain little fire to it and has a sort of smoky flavor. I think it is some of my favorite salsa anywhere. They also have fajita nachos and fajita quesadillas that you must try. I would recommend getting the cheese on the top of the quesadilla. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone that wanted to know about good Mexican food and I have to many of my coworkers.
(4)
David K.
Awesome Margaritas! Had a giant Texas Margarita that was near perfect. Food was very good too. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Matt C.
your typical run-of-the-mill americanized mexican spot. came here on cinco de mayo this year, and though they were obviously slammed, service was great and the food & drink hit the spot. wouldn't drive out of the way for it, but if you're in the area, i'd recommend it. nothing to write home about, but definitely nothing to gripe over, either.
(3)
Brooke K.
For starters, let's just say the food was sub-par and the service was worse. The server acted like it was a total inconvenience to serve any of us....she bordered on rude. The food was....meh. Notsogreat.
(1)
Jen K.
This place has the worst Mexican food of all time. Either people in Atlanta have REALLY bad taste for Mexican or they've just never had anything authentic and good because this place should have 0 stars. It is TERRIBLE. It was recommended to me by several people...gross. i don't know what the heck they were thinking.
(1)
Danielle T.
This is my favorite local Mexican place! The older waiter is by far my favorite. He is attentive, fast, and makes everyone want to enjoy themselves. I like the outside eating area. It's perfect for those days when the weather is nice. The margaritas are great!!
(4)
Kelvin W.
The food was soooo good. I got the Fajita quesadilla, which is not like a quesadilla at all. It's more like a taco stuffed with peppers n onions & cheese. It was a pleasant surprise and super tasty. I ordered 2 house margaritas, I thought they were pretty weak, until I made it home and noticed it was rather buzzed. My only complaint was the service- the restaurant was practically empty and my server was gone most of the time. The quesadillas also came with this nasty Spanish rice. it left much to be desired.
(3)
Kesha M.
If you want to grab a good margarita, go here. If you want something to eat....go somewhere else!! Chips & salsa are good but the tacos, rice & beans were bland! My husband enjoyed his chimichanga but it wasn't anything to scream about. The food also came out so fast that either they knew we were coming or it's precooked & reheated! I could have gone across the street to taco bell & enjoyed my food! On a positive note, our waiter was good and attentive.
(2)
m p.
Best Mexican in Smyrna, and believe me I have tried several in Smyrna. The Spicy Burrito is enough for two and is delicious.
(5)
Caitlin B.
Nothing overly special about this place. The usual white people mexican food that seems to be the norm here in Atlanta. A little on the pricey side. And beware of lunch time - the line to pay is a pain in the ass.
(3)
Pam S.
I would rate them 0 stars if that was an option after the insulting incident we experienced last night. We (used to) go to this place frequently, but after last night (3/26/10), that will cease. 3 females + 1 male met at 6pm and had a pitcher of margs, Texas guac, cheese dip, and split a chicken/steak quesadilla plus a verde/shrimp quesadilla. An hour later, we ordered a second pitcher. At 8pm, I paid $27 for pitcher #1 and left to take my guy home. There was about 1/2 a pitcher left. I came back at 9:30 to re-join my girls. The girls were still working on pitcher #2, and I had the last 1/2 glass. The girls had ordered another cheese dip and fajitas in the 1.5hrs we were gone. Another guy - who had not been drinking - joined us at 10pm. Our waitress was off shift at 10, so we cashed out our $65 tab for all the food plus pitcher #2 with her and left a nice $15 tip. A young waitress came over at 10:10 and we ordered a third pitcher. She said she needed to talk to her manager, and upon her return she informed us we couldn't be served because we had already had two pitchers. Let me revisit the math for you: 4 people... 4 hours... two pitchers... a boat load of food... and a 5th party joining us. I have never been so insulted in my life. I asked to speak to the manager, and he came over with attitude. I explained to the two of them that I had just returned and our new friend had just joined us, and we should be allowed to order a pitcher. When I said I had been absent for 1.5 hours, the waitress actually said "oh, really? I don't think so." They conceded and said they could sell us a half-pitcher, but at that point, we were over their 'hospitality'. When I asked for the owners contact information, the waitress laughed in my face. When I asked her if she thought it was funny, she said yes. We are all late 20's/early 30's moderately conservative working professionals that are employed by a Fortune 500 company HQ'd here in Atlanta. We are respected, well-behaved, professional people. We live locally in Smyrna, and taking a $10 cab in the event we've consumed too much is ALWAYS an option. We do not condone drunk driving. I am still offended and will be writing a letter to Virgilio Padilla, owner. I am very disappointed in these guys...
(1)
Shica B.
My first impression was to simply sum up my review with the statement: Eh... but decided to use a few more words. Hubs & I were cruising around the place on our monthaversary. I decided to take him somewhere pretty nice (LOL) and decided that we would go to a place that I used to go when I lived right in that area. We slide up to Border (forgot all of our other gift certificates at home). No one was interested in seating us. Fine, we'll seat ourselves. When we sat down, no one was interested in paying attention to us. Just when I was about to convince him to sprint across the parking lot to Red Lobster, someone popped out of the woodwork with a basket of chips and we decided to stay. The parking situation is typically crowded. The lot was crowded, but when we got in, there was hardly 8 people there. The service was not provided at any rate of speed consistent with the number of folks in the empty restaurant. My quesidilla was OK, but I am tired of the ridiculous prices of a simple tortilla (what do they cost .10) filled with a 1/4 cup of cheese (worth about .20 tops) with a few pieces of meat thrown in (.50) that is folded over and heated for a few seconds. Just stop the nonsense, these things should be taco priced, not steak valued! Hubs got the fajita and was semi-impressed. I'm certain that the glimmer in his eye was due to the love and appreciation that he had been blessed to have me as his wife for 30 whole days. Two monthivarsary will definitely be somewhere a tad bit spiffier, perhaps where they even care to give you a seat. (don't forget the giftcards)
(2)
Maria S.
I went here for the first time the other day. I liked it. The food was authentic Mexican food. Really big menu and selection. Everyone was friendly. Much better then other Mexican places I have been too. They have a couple of TV's to watch games.
(3)
Lindy F.
"A tortilla is either corn or wheat. But a corn tortilla folded and filled is a taco, whereas a filled wheat tortilla is a burrito. Deep fry a burrito, it's a chimichanga.Toast a tortilla, it's a tostada. Roll it, it's an enchilada." -- One Day (2011) I love a good cheesy queso for my chips - this one was so addictive that I couldn't tell you if I tried the salsa...is that bad? Gooey, drippy, just the cheese. They offer it with lots of goodies, but that's for another trip. My lunch was pretty straightforward - I was hungry, I needed food (cheap and quick and still good tasting) and according to a friend - this would foot the bill. She was not wrong. We had a very polite waiter who brought us drinks pretty quick (unsweet iced tea for me) and also our bowl of queso. I looked over the lunch combos and knowing I like all the Mexican classics, I opted for the #3 - taco, enchilada with rice and beans. I swear, we blinked and the food came. As is usual at these places - the plate was screaming HOT. The taco (ground beef) was pretty good. Typical, crunchy corn taco shell (and by typical, I mean American) - but tasty nonetheless. The meat could have had more flavor - but I am used to the ground beef being bland in these places. My enchilada - I ordered cheese (as if I did not have enough cheese in my queso and melted on top of everything). I love my dairy. This was great - enchilada sauce was pretty authentic tasting and the cheese was pretty melty without burning the insides of my mouth. The rice and beans - as you would expect. I'm sure the beans are cooked with lard - which is why they are super flavorful and probably added to my waistline more than I would have liked. Our drinks were kept refilled and our check was dropped off without needing to ask (you pay at the front, BTW). Overall, a great experience and perfect for a quick lunch on a busy workday.
(4)
Heidi P.
Best cheese dip around for me. I love the plain queso blanco.. No meat, jalapeños, tomatoes etc necessary. The chicken and steak fajitas are delicious. Including the soft tortillas - dip those in your queso! Tacos and enchiladas are good. I'm not a huge fan of tequila or rum but it have had a few margaritas/daiquiris here and they're pretty good. Service is pretty good. They're very friendly and kind but they may be busy/slow. Their tee shirts crack me up, too: "Our English is not great but we won't make fun of your Spanish." They've got a cool patio that is currently being worked on. Great Mexican in the Cumberland area.
(4)
Adam C.
This the third time I have came here . and I lobe this place. The people here are super nice, and the food is great I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and they eat their food every time And the chips we have to get 3 refills on chips each time. A1 place.
(5)
Tom N.
They try super hard to take care of everyone, however they always seem short staffed. The food is amazing our favorite in the area. Parking can be a challenge they share a parking lot with Red Lobster. The drinks are good, a bit pricey but they do the job. No wifi.
(4)
Anne-Marie W.
The food here is solid. It's pretty obvious that they are serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The cheese dip with jalapeños is right on. Their salsa has just the right kick & isn't chunky, which I like. Great cheese enchiladas. I've had their margaritas too & they're really good as well. Service is kind of meh. You get chips, salsa, queso, drinks all pretty quickly. Food comes out quickly too. But God forbid if you need a drink refill or you want a side order of sour cream, because they don't check on you often. Servers are polite but not overly nice or friendly. Still, if you want good Mexican eats, this is the place. I go from time to time just to have that awesome cheese dip!
(4)
Dana R.
Yes, the service wasn't great, but the food and drinks were excellent. We'll be back.
(4)
Adam B.
This place was no good. The food was flavorless, and very pricey. Service was moderate at best. I will never go back again
(1)
Liz B.
This restaurant is fantastic. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Atlanta. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff is friendly, efficient and helpful. It has a fun authentic feel. I've been three times and always want to come back. Definitely try to table made guac.
(5)
Shawn P.
Service here is terrible. Had to ask for napkins. Drinks left unfilled. Server not very friendly. Server did not understand English. Hostess not friendly. Food was not very good.
(1)
Frank S.
This place is horrible. It took us an hour to get Mexican food and the manager/owner(Virgilio Padilla) would not even comp half off of the food. As a group we offered to pay full price of the alcohol. I got better service on Cinco de Mayo 2014 at El Azteca Sandy Springs(better food too). Do not go here at all. Crap food
(1)
Carol M.
I have only eaten the spicy burrito, many times. It is absolutely delicious. The service here STINKS!! Every time we go during lunch, we vow not to return. Today took the cake. It took about 15 minutes to get our chips and salsa and 10 minutes after we ordered drinks, they finally came. We're looking for another good Mexican lunch venue if anyone knows of one near Cumberland/Galleria.
(2)
Mark Alan K.
Have eaten here many times. The food is authentic. The staff is awesome. Love this place!
(4)
Danielle T.
This is my favorite local Mexican place! The older waiter is by far my favorite. He is attentive, fast, and makes everyone want to enjoy themselves. I like the outside eating area. It's perfect for those days when the weather is nice. The margaritas are great!!
(4)
Diedre R.
I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican Chicken Soup in the city. This place was not it. While theirs was edible, it wasn't nearly the best. It was mostly rice and broth. The place looks like a shack from the outside. Well, it looks that way on the inside too. Since I was placing the order to go, I asked if I could sit at the bar and have a margarita while I watied. The lady at the "Please wait to be seated" sign told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. Uh....okay. I plopped down on a bar stool and ordered up a margarita. I was so SHOCKED when she ladle out a glass of margarita from a "car wash bucket". You know those white buckets the car wash guys have. That may have subconsciously affected me, because I took one sip and wondered, where is the tequila? I did munch on some salsa and chips, the salsa was a plain variety with a little flavor. I wonder if this is stored in the kitchen in car was buckets also. I finished the margarita and chips and by then my soup was sitting next to me in a plastic bag next to the check. I felt around in the bag and discovered there were no chips and salsa. I've never ordered to-go food from a Mexican restaurant and didn't have chips and salsa. I requested them and was told that would be 50 cents. Uh...okay. Come to find out the 50 cents is for any to go orders, and you only receive chips and salsa with your to go order if you request it. It was about 3pm on a Friday, and every TV in the place was on Mexican Soap Operas. Probably won't go back. Not impressive at all, way too many other choices to choose from.
(2)
Michael W.
Service isn't that great. Food is good, staff is nice. The place appears understaffed in the past couple if months. Didn't get a drink refill at all today--and it took forever to get the check.
(3)
Thomas S.
I used to avoid this place purely on its proximity to Red Lobster next door but was persuaded to go by a neighbor, and was fairly pleased with what I had. The service was good, prices are average, and my nachos were on point. Their salsa tasted like, well, salsa. These days I'm tired of run-of-the-mill tex-mex restaurants serving tomato sauce. Here I was happy to find that while it was probably mass-produced, it was kinda spicy. The full platter of nachos is the perfect portion and wasn't doused in cheese like so many places have. Friends ordered the enchiladas, taco salad, and fish tacos. None complained and we all left the neighborhood tex-mex place full and satisfied.
(3)
Staci T.
Food was good - mega fast - wait staff didn't even look at me and basically threw everything at me tho! I'd recommend for a cheap dinner where you don't care about sitting in a dump - which sometimes the night calls for!
(2)
Greg A.
It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's quite good. The locals go here and I can understand why. Most combinations/specials are $5-$7, and the food is of excellent quality. Service leaves a bit to be desired, spilling soda on the table, running around the restaurant, etc, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)
Patty S.
Best Mexican in northwest Atlanta - give it a try. Our office eats here once a week. We can't miss.....So yummy
(4)
DeNay G.
Food is great but the service is kind of hit or miss. They are really quick to seat you and get you your chips and salsa. After you've placed your order the food is pretty quick to come out as well. Next is where we usually have to wait. Its hard to get a drink refill and get your check once you're done eating. I'm not sure if this is just because they seem short staffed. The Fajitas for two is a great price and really good. My sister and I like the Quesadilla Roja as well. Overall, pretty good. I'll take this place over La Parilla any day.
(3)
Pam D.
Chips and Salsa delivered quickly, yummy cheese dip, and strong margaritas...what else could you want? I had the Border Nachos for my dinner and I've got to say: I was impressed with it! I had a mix of steak and chicken, and they took care to make sure each and every chip had a little of both on it. Both proteins were cooked perfectly: the chicken nice and juicy, and the steak was tender. Very happy with my meal! Service was on-point as well. Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses full, and was helpful in giving advice on what to order. I don't normally go OTP, but when I do, I'll go to Border.
(4)
Brandeis C.
This is our favorite place to go for mexican. They have the best chicken nachos and margaritas. Thanks Border for helping us with our margarita fix.
(4)
Diedre R.
I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican Chicken Soup in the city. This place was not it. While theirs was edible, it wasn't nearly the best. It was mostly rice and broth. The place looks like a shack from the outside. Well, it looks that way on the inside too. Since I was placing the order to go, I asked if I could sit at the bar and have a margarita while I watied. The lady at the "Please wait to be seated" sign told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. Uh....okay. I plopped down on a bar stool and ordered up a margarita. I was so SHOCKED when she ladle out a glass of margarita from a "car wash bucket". You know those white buckets the car wash guys have. That may have subconsciously affected me, because I took one sip and wondered, where is the tequila? I did munch on some salsa and chips, the salsa was a plain variety with a little flavor. I wonder if this is stored in the kitchen in car was buckets also. I finished the margarita and chips and by then my soup was sitting next to me in a plastic bag next to the check. I felt around in the bag and discovered there were no chips and salsa. I've never ordered to-go food from a Mexican restaurant and didn't have chips and salsa. I requested them and was told that would be 50 cents. Uh...okay. Come to find out the 50 cents is for any to go orders, and you only receive chips and salsa with your to go order if you request it. It was about 3pm on a Friday, and every TV in the place was on Mexican Soap Operas. Probably won't go back. Not impressive at all, way too many other choices to choose from.
(2)
Michael W.
Service isn't that great. Food is good, staff is nice. The place appears understaffed in the past couple if months. Didn't get a drink refill at all today--and it took forever to get the check.
(3)
Kelvin W.
The food was soooo good. I got the Fajita quesadilla, which is not like a quesadilla at all. It's more like a taco stuffed with peppers n onions & cheese. It was a pleasant surprise and super tasty. I ordered 2 house margaritas, I thought they were pretty weak, until I made it home and noticed it was rather buzzed. My only complaint was the service- the restaurant was practically empty and my server was gone most of the time. The quesadillas also came with this nasty Spanish rice. it left much to be desired.
(3)
Rhett M.
Never again. I like cheap Mexican restaurants. I like the combination dinners. This place was a horrible experience. I had a margarita which the server got wrong on the salt...ok no big deal. The food tasted horrid. Then after our Margaritas were empty it took 15 minutes for the server to come back. We just moved to the area and thought this would be our new Mexican spot. We were wrong. Los Bravos is a much better option. DON'T GO HERE. I left with a stomach ache and still have one.
(1)
Erin E.
I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars because our server was very nice and friendly. He made sure we got what we ordered quickly and after reading negative reviews about the service this was a pleasant surprise. Our server was great. He took care of my table while also taking care of about four other tables. This is a fairly small restaurant. Our server was the only one serving tables alongside the manager. Now for the food! I would give the food 2 stars. It didn't taste like it was seasoned at all. I ordered the fajitas with chicken, shrimp, and steak and it was all very bland... just needed a little salt and pepper. The salsa was very watery looking... not thick or chunky. It tasted ok, just the appearance was watery. I also had two margaritas. They were pretty good. Service was good... food not so good... likely will not go back.
(3)
Nichole M.
Once again, I am pleased with my meal at the border. This time the service was much better! I was inclined to leave 5 stars because I've seen the horrible things that people have said about this place; honestly people are exaggerating. Their food is pretty awesome, please try the beef and cheese dip. I lovvve margaritas but currently can't drink so I live vicariously through my husband who said they're amazing at this place!! This time we got the fajita special for two, it was massive, to say the least! My husband and I are heavy eaters and we had plenty left over to take home. They give you this extra large skillet filled with grilled, tender, juicy steak and chicken with onions and peppers and two tall wooden skewers of what tasted like wood grilled lime shrimp. It was amazing!! It also came with two full sized plates of rice and beans with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and pico. And I didn't get charged for my side of shredded cheese, which is awesome, because most Mexican restaurants charge for everything! So all in all we got this enormous amount of heavenly food, an appetizer, and some fries for our head turning son Chase for under 40 bucks! The border gets my vote, this will be our spot for Mexican from now on.
(5)
Christina R.
So my boyfriend and I have probably been here 20 times in 6 months. The food is pretty good as long as you stay away from the steak. I don't know why but it taste funky. The service is up and down some days we are impressed others we have to basically flag someone over. The fact that we are regulars and the staff still doesn't know us is kind of odd. Over all the salsa is great we get big cups of it to go all the time. Try the border special or the border dip two of my favorites!
(4)
Mike M.
Had high hopes, but the salsa and guacamole tasted like it was from a can. Sorry but the food was bland.
(2)
Disappointed F.
My husband and I arrived there last night after having an awesome dinner at the Cheese Cake factory. We were seated on the patio and was not serviced water for over 20 minutes. We finally get up and go ask for a manager. He then come to the table to say I've passed by your table 100 times...he get our drinks and we received no service after that for over 1 hour. We look around and the whole outdoor patio is empty. People received their meals, bills, and we're out!! So we got up and went inside for and a waiter asked where what we needed. I explained our experience. Those drinks should have been free but we were still asked to pay for horrible service and our manager had changed his shirt to a soccer shirt...ready to hit the town I guess. We love coming here but this was the worst experience. I have them a chance to rectify the problem but they didn't...so here you go!!!
(2)
Marlon S.
Food is good; however, service is bad. I've complained to them about service on 2 occasions. The last incident involved the server giving me the check halfway through my meal. Apparently once you get the check, all service stops. This visit was at 11am and there was only one other customer. The servers were just sitting around at the bar and even looked in my direction...but not one felt compelled to help. I hate to scratch this place off my list, but I cannot accept this lack of service.
(1)
Cody K.
love this place... I almost never say that in a review either, I think. outdoor patio makes me feel like I'm on vacation; the food is pretty good but super cheap so it doesn't have to that great. servers are hard working and friendly, even though they don't speak a lot of english. perfect place for lunch. check it out.
(5)
Lindy F.
"A tortilla is either corn or wheat. But a corn tortilla folded and filled is a taco, whereas a filled wheat tortilla is a burrito. Deep fry a burrito, it's a chimichanga.Toast a tortilla, it's a tostada. Roll it, it's an enchilada." -- One Day (2011) I love a good cheesy queso for my chips - this one was so addictive that I couldn't tell you if I tried the salsa...is that bad? Gooey, drippy, just the cheese. They offer it with lots of goodies, but that's for another trip. My lunch was pretty straightforward - I was hungry, I needed food (cheap and quick and still good tasting) and according to a friend - this would foot the bill. She was not wrong. We had a very polite waiter who brought us drinks pretty quick (unsweet iced tea for me) and also our bowl of queso. I looked over the lunch combos and knowing I like all the Mexican classics, I opted for the #3 - taco, enchilada with rice and beans. I swear, we blinked and the food came. As is usual at these places - the plate was screaming HOT. The taco (ground beef) was pretty good. Typical, crunchy corn taco shell (and by typical, I mean American) - but tasty nonetheless. The meat could have had more flavor - but I am used to the ground beef being bland in these places. My enchilada - I ordered cheese (as if I did not have enough cheese in my queso and melted on top of everything). I love my dairy. This was great - enchilada sauce was pretty authentic tasting and the cheese was pretty melty without burning the insides of my mouth. The rice and beans - as you would expect. I'm sure the beans are cooked with lard - which is why they are super flavorful and probably added to my waistline more than I would have liked. Our drinks were kept refilled and our check was dropped off without needing to ask (you pay at the front, BTW). Overall, a great experience and perfect for a quick lunch on a busy workday.
(4)
Heidi P.
Best cheese dip around for me. I love the plain queso blanco.. No meat, jalapeños, tomatoes etc necessary. The chicken and steak fajitas are delicious. Including the soft tortillas - dip those in your queso! Tacos and enchiladas are good. I'm not a huge fan of tequila or rum but it have had a few margaritas/daiquiris here and they're pretty good. Service is pretty good. They're very friendly and kind but they may be busy/slow. Their tee shirts crack me up, too: "Our English is not great but we won't make fun of your Spanish." They've got a cool patio that is currently being worked on. Great Mexican in the Cumberland area.
(4)
Floyd R.
This place actually has great food and margaritas, and it is close to me and my wife's jobs. Their Nacho Supreme dish is great and everything I have ordered there has been good. Now, we had a horrible experience with insects the last time we sat out on the patio (earlier this summer) and that kinda spoiled the night for us and that is why I have to give it 3 stars. There are giant cockroaches/waterbugs (whatever you want to call them) that were under the deck-style flooring, and it is understandable that a food establishment will have some bugs nearby. However, we experienced a strange phenomenon on the night we were there. I have heard the saying that roaches scatter when they see light. Well, the cars in the parking lot on the front side of the restaurant face the outdoor patio. Every time someone turned their headlights on, they shined directly under the deck where these bugs were residing. The roaches must have saw this and guess where they decided to flee to? Yep - they went straight up. Up through the cracks in the deck where we were eating. We counted at least 10 to 15 of these big bugs crawling around on the deck every time this happened and they scared my wife to the point that we had to move to a table inside of the restaurant. The restaurant probably were aware that this happens because I can't see this being the first time so they should have invested in some type of pest control to eliminate that. You can buy that kind of stuff at the Home Depot down the street. Outside of the roaches on the deck, everything else about the place is ok. We'll probably sit inside if we ever go back. Probably sit at the bar lol.
(2)
Anne-Marie W.
The food here is solid. It's pretty obvious that they are serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The cheese dip with jalapeños is right on. Their salsa has just the right kick & isn't chunky, which I like. Great cheese enchiladas. I've had their margaritas too & they're really good as well. Service is kind of meh. You get chips, salsa, queso, drinks all pretty quickly. Food comes out quickly too. But God forbid if you need a drink refill or you want a side order of sour cream, because they don't check on you often. Servers are polite but not overly nice or friendly. Still, if you want good Mexican eats, this is the place. I go from time to time just to have that awesome cheese dip!
(4)
Dana R.
Yes, the service wasn't great, but the food and drinks were excellent. We'll be back.
(4)
Adam B.
This place was no good. The food was flavorless, and very pricey. Service was moderate at best. I will never go back again
(1)
Liz B.
This restaurant is fantastic. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Atlanta. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff is friendly, efficient and helpful. It has a fun authentic feel. I've been three times and always want to come back. Definitely try to table made guac.
(5)
Frank S.
This place is horrible. It took us an hour to get Mexican food and the manager/owner(Virgilio Padilla) would not even comp half off of the food. As a group we offered to pay full price of the alcohol. I got better service on Cinco de Mayo 2014 at El Azteca Sandy Springs(better food too). Do not go here at all. Crap food
(1)
Shawn P.
Service here is terrible. Had to ask for napkins. Drinks left unfilled. Server not very friendly. Server did not understand English. Hostess not friendly. Food was not very good.
(1)
Jennifer M.
I DO NOT recommend this place at all. This was the worse tex-mex restaurant that I've ever had. Food was not good and bland. The salsa and cheese dip were run down with water. I ordered the taquitos which comes with sour cream and guacamole... I barely got a spoonful of each. I left dissatisfied and disgusted and I'm not a picky eater! Service was ok. If you're just dying for tex mex make the extra 10 minute drive to another place.
(1)
Carol M.
I have only eaten the spicy burrito, many times. It is absolutely delicious. The service here STINKS!! Every time we go during lunch, we vow not to return. Today took the cake. It took about 15 minutes to get our chips and salsa and 10 minutes after we ordered drinks, they finally came. We're looking for another good Mexican lunch venue if anyone knows of one near Cumberland/Galleria.
(2)
Mark Alan K.
Have eaten here many times. The food is authentic. The staff is awesome. Love this place!
(4)
Alex C.
Nothing special here. Pretty good prices for good service at pretty decent portions. Lunch specials for $5 are a pretty big plus, but other than that, there are other options that are more legit if you want Mexican for dinner.
(3)
Christian C.
Went with a group of 7. Service was sort of friendly but very slow. Food was nothing special. Salsa was probably the best thing about the whole meal for me. Everything else was standard fare. I had 4 tacos and a small order of queso dip for about $13.
(2)
Ted L.
My wife and I and many friends have had lunch many times over the past 4 yrs. the good is great and fresh. The service is great and friendly. Of course over 50-60 times of eating there we have had 1-2 times with not up to par food and service. They are more than willing to substitute meals and the owner is very responsive to service problems. The meals are extremely good prices. Recommend highly.
(5)
Maggie O.
Border is my husband's and my go-to Mexican restaurant for almost three years. Prices are normal, food is good. There's not a lot of turnover in the staff, and for the most part, our service had been excellent (and we have visited The Border probably 30 times)!!! We normally share the fajita nachos and a pitcher of beer, and man, does it hit the spot. If you're in the mood for Mexican, we definitely recommend The Border, as we have always had a great experience!
(4)
Jam D.
Border Mexican Restaurant is a good place to grab the regular Tex-Mex cuisine. The best part about the place are the prices. The food is nothing out of the ordinary, but a good place to grab chicken enchiladas or carne asada tacos.
(3)
Carla R.
The food @ drinks are excellent!!! Service is so bad!!! This was my 2nd time visiting in over 5 years. I have been a patron for over 14 years & the service used to be wonderful! I will not be visiting again! I have driven over an hour just to visit & experience such rudeness!!!
(2)
Jeff W.
Some of the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant. Slow, inattentive, and indifferent to customers. Food is unremarkable. I will never return.
(1)
Kristen H.
There are two things I order when I eat Mexican food: chicken soft taco and cheese dip. That is all I want. Border is the best in the area based on my complex menu. The service could improve, but other than that: cheap good food = four stars. Also, if you're driving south down Cobb, drive past and make a U-turn at the next light. Kind of difficult to figure out best way to enter lot.
(4)
Cameron B.
Upon first impression this is a normal, cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. They, however, set themselves apart in my mind because they have great service. It became a challenge to see if we could empty our glasses, salsa bowl or chip bowl before we had more. I like that in a place. Food is around the norm, and normal price, but again give me good service and I'll be back!
(4)
Mark J.
The inside is clean and the wait staff is on point. The lunch menu was full of choices and the same with the platters for only a couple bucks more. The chips were homemade and they brought each of us in our party our own salsa bowl which was nice. I got three items al-a-cart and with tip my bill came to $10. Not too bad for a sit-down lunch. An A-OK experience.
(3)
Mike D.
Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I like this place. I've eaten here probably fifteen times, so that should speak for itself. Then again, I'm also the type of person who finds something he likes and sticks to it, whether I'm being ignorant or not. To make no attempt of avoiding a cliche, ignorance is bliss, so I keep coming back here. The food is rock solid. It always comes out quick and hot, it tastes good, and it's pretty cheap. Their queso is decent - sometimes I find that it can be a tad too runny for my liking, but to each their own. The service is alright. They've messed up my order once or twice, but they're quick to fix it. One time I got chicken instead of beef tacos, and I actually liked the chicken tacos almost as much, so go figure. The margaritas are good. I feel that they're not the strongest, but they're not weak either. They taste really good, and there's a variety of sizes - single, jumbo, 1/2 pitcher, monster, and full pitcher - to satisfy your alcohol craving for the duration of your stay. Pretty solid Mexican food. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I've found that those are the better places! Give this restaurant a try.
(4)
Kevin D.
for what it is it is one of the best in my opinion. Ive come here maybe four or five times in the last year and always leave happy, full, and content with my experience. Some of the diners below might want this to be something it isn't which is a fine dining establishment. Sometimes a laid back vibe, cheese dip within arms reach, and a horribly cramped parking lot leading to a hole in the wall is all I want. On a side note the food is actually quite different from the los bravos, monterreys, whatever other random tex-mex joints that seem to serve the same combination platters. Not different in a bad way but different in a very good way. I like this place because it's not the same as every other tex-mex joint for under ten dollars.
(5)
Tei A.
This place has to be one of my FAVS! Great salsa and even better... Very authentic traditional Mexican dishes that you can't get enough of. Very fulfilling and great for any crowd. Also, if you're a fan... the Queso dip is perfection.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Went here for the first time today with my girlfriend, and I must say-I was not impressed. The beans were not good, taco was meh, cheese enchilada was decent, but the jalapeno cheese dip was on point! Service was ok, but it was busy at lunch time so that's to be expected anywhere these days. Restaurant itself was pretty cool, felt like an authentic Mexican spot. Overall, I would go somewhere else if given the choice...but then again nothing bad enough to say "don't go there" either! So over all, my opinion was just decent.
(2)
Jang C.
Cheap lunches, but that's about it. The staff here isn't very attentive. We must have waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. While we were waiting, a couple of servers walked by us. There were a lot of empty seats. Finally, one of the servers (who walked by us about 5 times) took us to our seats. Maybe they were seriously understaffed. They didn't seem that busy though. I wasn't a big fan of the food. Their lunch combos were lacking in variety. I ordered 2 eggs with chorizo.... Wait a second, that was chorizo? I just remembered what I ordered as I'm writing this review. And no way I ate a chorizo. All I remember was refried beans, rice and eggs. Maybe the chorizo was in the eggs? Or it was too forgettable. I didn't like their rice. It was too dry. The eggs were okay. But you can't mess up eggs. If you do, you should not be cooking professionally. Luckily the eggs were done correctly. At least they passed that. Like I mentioned, one positive about this place is the low price. That's about it. 1.5 stars.
(1)
TJ M.
I've eaten here 3-4 times with a friend of mine. I've found the food to be tasty and the prices to be cheap. Never had a problem with service like the other reviewers seem to be saying, but maybe because my friend talks in Spanish to them? Not sure. I'd recommend it if you're looking for somewhere cheap to eat and don't want to go to a nearby chain. Parking has never been a problem, although it can get rather crowded. I've always managed to find a space, however.
(4)
Alex C.
Nothing special here. Pretty good prices for good service at pretty decent portions. Lunch specials for $5 are a pretty big plus, but other than that, there are other options that are more legit if you want Mexican for dinner.
(3)
Christian C.
Went with a group of 7. Service was sort of friendly but very slow. Food was nothing special. Salsa was probably the best thing about the whole meal for me. Everything else was standard fare. I had 4 tacos and a small order of queso dip for about $13.
(2)
Ted L.
My wife and I and many friends have had lunch many times over the past 4 yrs. the good is great and fresh. The service is great and friendly. Of course over 50-60 times of eating there we have had 1-2 times with not up to par food and service. They are more than willing to substitute meals and the owner is very responsive to service problems. The meals are extremely good prices. Recommend highly.
(5)
Maggie O.
Border is my husband's and my go-to Mexican restaurant for almost three years. Prices are normal, food is good. There's not a lot of turnover in the staff, and for the most part, our service had been excellent (and we have visited The Border probably 30 times)!!! We normally share the fajita nachos and a pitcher of beer, and man, does it hit the spot. If you're in the mood for Mexican, we definitely recommend The Border, as we have always had a great experience!
(4)
Jeff W.
Some of the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant. Slow, inattentive, and indifferent to customers. Food is unremarkable. I will never return.
(1)
Kristen H.
There are two things I order when I eat Mexican food: chicken soft taco and cheese dip. That is all I want. Border is the best in the area based on my complex menu. The service could improve, but other than that: cheap good food = four stars. Also, if you're driving south down Cobb, drive past and make a U-turn at the next light. Kind of difficult to figure out best way to enter lot.
(4)
Cameron B.
Upon first impression this is a normal, cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. They, however, set themselves apart in my mind because they have great service. It became a challenge to see if we could empty our glasses, salsa bowl or chip bowl before we had more. I like that in a place. Food is around the norm, and normal price, but again give me good service and I'll be back!
(4)
Mark J.
The inside is clean and the wait staff is on point. The lunch menu was full of choices and the same with the platters for only a couple bucks more. The chips were homemade and they brought each of us in our party our own salsa bowl which was nice. I got three items al-a-cart and with tip my bill came to $10. Not too bad for a sit-down lunch. An A-OK experience.
(3)
DeNay G.
Food is great but the service is kind of hit or miss. They are really quick to seat you and get you your chips and salsa. After you've placed your order the food is pretty quick to come out as well. Next is where we usually have to wait. Its hard to get a drink refill and get your check once you're done eating. I'm not sure if this is just because they seem short staffed. The Fajitas for two is a great price and really good. My sister and I like the Quesadilla Roja as well. Overall, pretty good. I'll take this place over La Parilla any day.
(3)
Pam D.
Chips and Salsa delivered quickly, yummy cheese dip, and strong margaritas...what else could you want? I had the Border Nachos for my dinner and I've got to say: I was impressed with it! I had a mix of steak and chicken, and they took care to make sure each and every chip had a little of both on it. Both proteins were cooked perfectly: the chicken nice and juicy, and the steak was tender. Very happy with my meal! Service was on-point as well. Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses full, and was helpful in giving advice on what to order. I don't normally go OTP, but when I do, I'll go to Border.
(4)
Brandeis C.
This is our favorite place to go for mexican. They have the best chicken nachos and margaritas. Thanks Border for helping us with our margarita fix.
(4)
Jennifer M.
I DO NOT recommend this place at all. This was the worse tex-mex restaurant that I've ever had. Food was not good and bland. The salsa and cheese dip were run down with water. I ordered the taquitos which comes with sour cream and guacamole... I barely got a spoonful of each. I left dissatisfied and disgusted and I'm not a picky eater! Service was ok. If you're just dying for tex mex make the extra 10 minute drive to another place.
(1)
Floyd R.
This place actually has great food and margaritas, and it is close to me and my wife's jobs. Their Nacho Supreme dish is great and everything I have ordered there has been good. Now, we had a horrible experience with insects the last time we sat out on the patio (earlier this summer) and that kinda spoiled the night for us and that is why I have to give it 3 stars. There are giant cockroaches/waterbugs (whatever you want to call them) that were under the deck-style flooring, and it is understandable that a food establishment will have some bugs nearby. However, we experienced a strange phenomenon on the night we were there. I have heard the saying that roaches scatter when they see light. Well, the cars in the parking lot on the front side of the restaurant face the outdoor patio. Every time someone turned their headlights on, they shined directly under the deck where these bugs were residing. The roaches must have saw this and guess where they decided to flee to? Yep - they went straight up. Up through the cracks in the deck where we were eating. We counted at least 10 to 15 of these big bugs crawling around on the deck every time this happened and they scared my wife to the point that we had to move to a table inside of the restaurant. The restaurant probably were aware that this happens because I can't see this being the first time so they should have invested in some type of pest control to eliminate that. You can buy that kind of stuff at the Home Depot down the street. Outside of the roaches on the deck, everything else about the place is ok. We'll probably sit inside if we ever go back. Probably sit at the bar lol.
(2)
Erin E.
I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars because our server was very nice and friendly. He made sure we got what we ordered quickly and after reading negative reviews about the service this was a pleasant surprise. Our server was great. He took care of my table while also taking care of about four other tables. This is a fairly small restaurant. Our server was the only one serving tables alongside the manager. Now for the food! I would give the food 2 stars. It didn't taste like it was seasoned at all. I ordered the fajitas with chicken, shrimp, and steak and it was all very bland... just needed a little salt and pepper. The salsa was very watery looking... not thick or chunky. It tasted ok, just the appearance was watery. I also had two margaritas. They were pretty good. Service was good... food not so good... likely will not go back.
(3)
Nichole M.
Once again, I am pleased with my meal at the border. This time the service was much better! I was inclined to leave 5 stars because I've seen the horrible things that people have said about this place; honestly people are exaggerating. Their food is pretty awesome, please try the beef and cheese dip. I lovvve margaritas but currently can't drink so I live vicariously through my husband who said they're amazing at this place!! This time we got the fajita special for two, it was massive, to say the least! My husband and I are heavy eaters and we had plenty left over to take home. They give you this extra large skillet filled with grilled, tender, juicy steak and chicken with onions and peppers and two tall wooden skewers of what tasted like wood grilled lime shrimp. It was amazing!! It also came with two full sized plates of rice and beans with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and pico. And I didn't get charged for my side of shredded cheese, which is awesome, because most Mexican restaurants charge for everything! So all in all we got this enormous amount of heavenly food, an appetizer, and some fries for our head turning son Chase for under 40 bucks! The border gets my vote, this will be our spot for Mexican from now on.
(5)
Jam D.
Border Mexican Restaurant is a good place to grab the regular Tex-Mex cuisine. The best part about the place are the prices. The food is nothing out of the ordinary, but a good place to grab chicken enchiladas or carne asada tacos.
(3)
Carla R.
The food @ drinks are excellent!!! Service is so bad!!! This was my 2nd time visiting in over 5 years. I have been a patron for over 14 years & the service used to be wonderful! I will not be visiting again! I have driven over an hour just to visit & experience such rudeness!!!
(2)
Christina R.
So my boyfriend and I have probably been here 20 times in 6 months. The food is pretty good as long as you stay away from the steak. I don't know why but it taste funky. The service is up and down some days we are impressed others we have to basically flag someone over. The fact that we are regulars and the staff still doesn't know us is kind of odd. Over all the salsa is great we get big cups of it to go all the time. Try the border special or the border dip two of my favorites!
(4)
Mike M.
Had high hopes, but the salsa and guacamole tasted like it was from a can. Sorry but the food was bland.
(2)
Cody K.
love this place... I almost never say that in a review either, I think. outdoor patio makes me feel like I'm on vacation; the food is pretty good but super cheap so it doesn't have to that great. servers are hard working and friendly, even though they don't speak a lot of english. perfect place for lunch. check it out.
(5)
Rhett M.
Never again. I like cheap Mexican restaurants. I like the combination dinners. This place was a horrible experience. I had a margarita which the server got wrong on the salt...ok no big deal. The food tasted horrid. Then after our Margaritas were empty it took 15 minutes for the server to come back. We just moved to the area and thought this would be our new Mexican spot. We were wrong. Los Bravos is a much better option. DON'T GO HERE. I left with a stomach ache and still have one.
(1)
Disappointed F.
My husband and I arrived there last night after having an awesome dinner at the Cheese Cake factory. We were seated on the patio and was not serviced water for over 20 minutes. We finally get up and go ask for a manager. He then come to the table to say I've passed by your table 100 times...he get our drinks and we received no service after that for over 1 hour. We look around and the whole outdoor patio is empty. People received their meals, bills, and we're out!! So we got up and went inside for and a waiter asked where what we needed. I explained our experience. Those drinks should have been free but we were still asked to pay for horrible service and our manager had changed his shirt to a soccer shirt...ready to hit the town I guess. We love coming here but this was the worst experience. I have them a chance to rectify the problem but they didn't...so here you go!!!
(2)
Ann V.
I love Mexican and Tex-mex food. I didn't find a single thing here that I liked, not the slow service, not the slightly rancid chips, not the poblano served with a congealed blob of cold cheese inside, not the microscopic serving of guacamole salad, nor the unconcerned manager. Ick.
(1)
Marlon S.
Food is good; however, service is bad. I've complained to them about service on 2 occasions. The last incident involved the server giving me the check halfway through my meal. Apparently once you get the check, all service stops. This visit was at 11am and there was only one other customer. The servers were just sitting around at the bar and even looked in my direction...but not one felt compelled to help. I hate to scratch this place off my list, but I cannot accept this lack of service.
(1)
Thomas S.
I used to avoid this place purely on its proximity to Red Lobster next door but was persuaded to go by a neighbor, and was fairly pleased with what I had. The service was good, prices are average, and my nachos were on point. Their salsa tasted like, well, salsa. These days I'm tired of run-of-the-mill tex-mex restaurants serving tomato sauce. Here I was happy to find that while it was probably mass-produced, it was kinda spicy. The full platter of nachos is the perfect portion and wasn't doused in cheese like so many places have. Friends ordered the enchiladas, taco salad, and fish tacos. None complained and we all left the neighborhood tex-mex place full and satisfied.
(3)
Allison H.
To put it quite frankly, this place blows. Maybe it's what I get for trying a place I'd never been to on Cinco de Mayo, but still. Until reading the other reviews posted here I was willing to give this place benefit of the doubt and assume that the reason our service was so terrible was because they were just so busy and not used to handling it. Not so. It didn't take us long to be seated, but after we'd been sitting there for five minutes and seen at least 3 different servers walk past us several times each, we had to flag down the host and ask for some chips and salsa. They were brought promptly, but it took another 10 minutes before our server (who had walked past us at least 10 times by this point), came over and took our drink order. My sister and I ordered margaritas, and they didn't come out until after our food. I had the half order of nachos, which were not even mediocre, and one of my fellow diners' orders was wrong. we had to wait another 5 minutes while their food got cold to be brought silverware. I had to get water refills from the bar. I can't really say anything good about this place. When we ordered margaritas the waiter asked if we wanted salt and we said yes please and we got no salt. In short, the service sucks really really hard, and the food and drinks not NEARLY good enough to make up for it.
(1)
Caitlin L.
We eat Mexican food at LEAST once a week and we love to try something new. Over time we've found that the shadier the restaurant, the better the Mexican food is. We found Border driving down Cobb PKWY, it sticks out from its neighbors with its bright green and purple decor. The inside of the green and purple building is quite dark with a full bar and a good amount of seating, we chose to sit on the patio, drink a beer, and enjoy the warm weather. They immediately brought us the standard chips and salsa, except these weren't so standard. The salsa was hot, like full of habanero seeds hot. I can typically handle spicy food, but this was a bit too much for me. I don't know what someone does who doesn't eat spicy food at all. As usual I ordered my cheese enchilada and bean taco with beans an rice. The service here was pretty good and speedy. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. My taco was soggy. :( I know this can happen, but even when I go to The Bell my taco shell isn't soggy. The cheese enchilada was just okay, it kinda tasted funny. But I did like the beans and rice. The beans were still slightly chunky, just how I liked them. I most likely won't be returning here, but if you enjoy super hot salsa then this may be the place for you.
(2)
Lynn S.
-5 STARS!!!! I ordered the Spicy chicken burrito. Once the food came out there was only about 3 pieces of chicken in my burrito I refused to eat it because i wasn't about to eat a bean and rice burrito! once i explained this to the waitress she rolled her
(1)
Staci T.
Food was good - mega fast - wait staff didn't even look at me and basically threw everything at me tho! I'd recommend for a cheap dinner where you don't care about sitting in a dump - which sometimes the night calls for!
(2)
Greg A.
It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's quite good. The locals go here and I can understand why. Most combinations/specials are $5-$7, and the food is of excellent quality. Service leaves a bit to be desired, spilling soda on the table, running around the restaurant, etc, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)
Patty S.
Best Mexican in northwest Atlanta - give it a try. Our office eats here once a week. We can't miss.....So yummy
(4)
Mike D.
Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I like this place. I've eaten here probably fifteen times, so that should speak for itself. Then again, I'm also the type of person who finds something he likes and sticks to it, whether I'm being ignorant or not. To make no attempt of avoiding a cliche, ignorance is bliss, so I keep coming back here. The food is rock solid. It always comes out quick and hot, it tastes good, and it's pretty cheap. Their queso is decent - sometimes I find that it can be a tad too runny for my liking, but to each their own. The service is alright. They've messed up my order once or twice, but they're quick to fix it. One time I got chicken instead of beef tacos, and I actually liked the chicken tacos almost as much, so go figure. The margaritas are good. I feel that they're not the strongest, but they're not weak either. They taste really good, and there's a variety of sizes - single, jumbo, 1/2 pitcher, monster, and full pitcher - to satisfy your alcohol craving for the duration of your stay. Pretty solid Mexican food. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I've found that those are the better places! Give this restaurant a try.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Went here for the first time today with my girlfriend, and I must say-I was not impressed. The beans were not good, taco was meh, cheese enchilada was decent, but the jalapeno cheese dip was on point! Service was ok, but it was busy at lunch time so that's to be expected anywhere these days. Restaurant itself was pretty cool, felt like an authentic Mexican spot. Overall, I would go somewhere else if given the choice...but then again nothing bad enough to say "don't go there" either! So over all, my opinion was just decent.
(2)
Jonathan K.
I have been very remiss about this. I have lived in the area, within walking distance (and staggering distance home) for almost two decades, yet have failed to review this place, my favorite local Mexican place - and considering the wealth of Mexican food joints nearby, that really says something. It changed managers/owners a few years back, and the difference has been astounding. It was absolutely OK before. Cheap, strong margaritas, decent food.But in the last couple of years, it's gone upward and outward. The service has gone from surly to stellar. The food and the menu is much more upscale. The prices HAVE gone up, from dirt cheap to just cheap. But the food more than reflects the price increases, which have been incremental considering the vast revamping and remodeling. I'm actually worried, because what HAD been a relative eyesore that no one knew had decent food is now a glittering jewel in the midst of fast food and chain restaurants on Cobb Parkway. The chips and salsa are good, not great. I get a real SYSCO feeling from the salsa, sadly. But they are free, so I'm not complaining. The margaritas are really good! No, they are not artisan, for the most part. But a little over ten bucks gives you a half pitcher, more than enough for two to share - or one to get his tequila evening started in full force. The portions are generous, and the vegetarian menu lets my meatless friends have a pretty large selection. I have managed to snag a few of their new entree items, and they are all worth the premium - though my dinner companion swears by the large combination menu as well. He likes rice and beans, I don't. I order off the a la carte menu, and can totaly fill up for less than seven bucks on a mushroom quesadilla. Especially, having (foolishly perhaps) eaten my weight in chips and salsa. The fajitas for generously portioned, obviously fresh, and more than reasonably priced considering the chain franchises that lurk less than a mile away. Service was good (in that I never either craned my neck looking for a server, not had to endure having a third party at the table) and the food is tasty. Yes, the margaritas could be a touch (or three) stronger, and it would be awesome if they made their sour mix from scratch. But you know what? If that happened, I bet a half pitcher would not cost ten bucks. This place is an example of good, relatively inexpensive, quality mexican food. And that is often all I want. They have several TVs, which are usually playing latin channels/sports. I only wished against all wishes that this place was open later on weekends. They would become a real serious destination if they stayed open until 2 on weekends.
(4)
Kesha M.
If you want to grab a good margarita, go here. If you want something to eat....go somewhere else!! Chips & salsa are good but the tacos, rice & beans were bland! My husband enjoyed his chimichanga but it wasn't anything to scream about. The food also came out so fast that either they knew we were coming or it's precooked & reheated! I could have gone across the street to taco bell & enjoyed my food! On a positive note, our waiter was good and attentive.
(2)
m p.
Best Mexican in Smyrna, and believe me I have tried several in Smyrna. The Spicy Burrito is enough for two and is delicious.
(5)
Kevin D.
for what it is it is one of the best in my opinion. Ive come here maybe four or five times in the last year and always leave happy, full, and content with my experience. Some of the diners below might want this to be something it isn't which is a fine dining establishment. Sometimes a laid back vibe, cheese dip within arms reach, and a horribly cramped parking lot leading to a hole in the wall is all I want. On a side note the food is actually quite different from the los bravos, monterreys, whatever other random tex-mex joints that seem to serve the same combination platters. Not different in a bad way but different in a very good way. I like this place because it's not the same as every other tex-mex joint for under ten dollars.
(5)
Tei A.
This place has to be one of my FAVS! Great salsa and even better... Very authentic traditional Mexican dishes that you can't get enough of. Very fulfilling and great for any crowd. Also, if you're a fan... the Queso dip is perfection.
(4)
Sanders M.
People that put this restaurant down or 1 star it let me just say to each their own. I can tell you from my experience tonight I got what I expected; reasonably priced combos for around 8 bucks and a full stomach. Service was average, the place was about 3/4 full. I will say that the guacamole you order from the kitchen is not the same as the table side. In hindsight I would have gotten the table side guacamole for 8ish bucks instead of the kitchen guacamole. #26 combo was very filling and the salsa that came with the thick chips was pretty good; though I added a little salt to the chips. As long as you know going in that your getting decent service and food at a good price you will enjoy yourself. It is all about your expectations going in.
(4)
Jang C.
Cheap lunches, but that's about it. The staff here isn't very attentive. We must have waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. While we were waiting, a couple of servers walked by us. There were a lot of empty seats. Finally, one of the servers (who walked by us about 5 times) took us to our seats. Maybe they were seriously understaffed. They didn't seem that busy though. I wasn't a big fan of the food. Their lunch combos were lacking in variety. I ordered 2 eggs with chorizo.... Wait a second, that was chorizo? I just remembered what I ordered as I'm writing this review. And no way I ate a chorizo. All I remember was refried beans, rice and eggs. Maybe the chorizo was in the eggs? Or it was too forgettable. I didn't like their rice. It was too dry. The eggs were okay. But you can't mess up eggs. If you do, you should not be cooking professionally. Luckily the eggs were done correctly. At least they passed that. Like I mentioned, one positive about this place is the low price. That's about it. 1.5 stars.
(1)
Shica B.
My first impression was to simply sum up my review with the statement: Eh... but decided to use a few more words. Hubs & I were cruising around the place on our monthaversary. I decided to take him somewhere pretty nice (LOL) and decided that we would go to a place that I used to go when I lived right in that area. We slide up to Border (forgot all of our other gift certificates at home). No one was interested in seating us. Fine, we'll seat ourselves. When we sat down, no one was interested in paying attention to us. Just when I was about to convince him to sprint across the parking lot to Red Lobster, someone popped out of the woodwork with a basket of chips and we decided to stay. The parking situation is typically crowded. The lot was crowded, but when we got in, there was hardly 8 people there. The service was not provided at any rate of speed consistent with the number of folks in the empty restaurant. My quesidilla was OK, but I am tired of the ridiculous prices of a simple tortilla (what do they cost .10) filled with a 1/4 cup of cheese (worth about .20 tops) with a few pieces of meat thrown in (.50) that is folded over and heated for a few seconds. Just stop the nonsense, these things should be taco priced, not steak valued! Hubs got the fajita and was semi-impressed. I'm certain that the glimmer in his eye was due to the love and appreciation that he had been blessed to have me as his wife for 30 whole days. Two monthivarsary will definitely be somewhere a tad bit spiffier, perhaps where they even care to give you a seat. (don't forget the giftcards)
(2)
Caitlin B.
Nothing overly special about this place. The usual white people mexican food that seems to be the norm here in Atlanta. A little on the pricey side. And beware of lunch time - the line to pay is a pain in the ass.
(3)
Pam S.
I would rate them 0 stars if that was an option after the insulting incident we experienced last night. We (used to) go to this place frequently, but after last night (3/26/10), that will cease. 3 females + 1 male met at 6pm and had a pitcher of margs, Texas guac, cheese dip, and split a chicken/steak quesadilla plus a verde/shrimp quesadilla. An hour later, we ordered a second pitcher. At 8pm, I paid $27 for pitcher #1 and left to take my guy home. There was about 1/2 a pitcher left. I came back at 9:30 to re-join my girls. The girls were still working on pitcher #2, and I had the last 1/2 glass. The girls had ordered another cheese dip and fajitas in the 1.5hrs we were gone. Another guy - who had not been drinking - joined us at 10pm. Our waitress was off shift at 10, so we cashed out our $65 tab for all the food plus pitcher #2 with her and left a nice $15 tip. A young waitress came over at 10:10 and we ordered a third pitcher. She said she needed to talk to her manager, and upon her return she informed us we couldn't be served because we had already had two pitchers. Let me revisit the math for you: 4 people... 4 hours... two pitchers... a boat load of food... and a 5th party joining us. I have never been so insulted in my life. I asked to speak to the manager, and he came over with attitude. I explained to the two of them that I had just returned and our new friend had just joined us, and we should be allowed to order a pitcher. When I said I had been absent for 1.5 hours, the waitress actually said "oh, really? I don't think so." They conceded and said they could sell us a half-pitcher, but at that point, we were over their 'hospitality'. When I asked for the owners contact information, the waitress laughed in my face. When I asked her if she thought it was funny, she said yes. We are all late 20's/early 30's moderately conservative working professionals that are employed by a Fortune 500 company HQ'd here in Atlanta. We are respected, well-behaved, professional people. We live locally in Smyrna, and taking a $10 cab in the event we've consumed too much is ALWAYS an option. We do not condone drunk driving. I am still offended and will be writing a letter to Virgilio Padilla, owner. I am very disappointed in these guys...
(1)
Tracie T.
I went here and expected the worst. I went with a co-worker that had never been before. We arrived at 5:15pm on a Saturday and the place was dead. I have to say we got a pitcher of margaritas that were great but not strong enough for my taste. The food was great. We both ate everything. The waiter was friendly and returned often to make sure we had what we needed. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that. After we were there 2 hours the parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for parking. I will definitely return.
(4)
Maria S.
I went here for the first time the other day. I liked it. The food was authentic Mexican food. Really big menu and selection. Everyone was friendly. Much better then other Mexican places I have been too. They have a couple of TV's to watch games.
(3)
Kim N.
Am I the only one with love for Border? C'mon... It looks pretty shabby, the waitstaff probably won't like you, and if you want a quick meal- it ain't gonna happen. ...but it's all worth it. I'm not a huge fan of most Americanized mexican food because I feel chain eateries just dress up Taco Bell's "grade E" meat with some heavy sauces, and offer fancy margaritas to wash down the grease. Border completely eschews this plan in favor of great quality, low fat cuts of beef and chicken, hot corn chips, incredible salsa, and rice cooked to perfection. I suggest dropping by during a casual lunch. Not a working lunch, mind you- a lunch where you can drink and beer and sit for a while. The lunch specials consist of a ton of food, and are usually under 5 dollars. Overall: Awesome food, very low prices, non-chain restaurant. The waitstaff is often slightly surly and their English isn't great- but who cares? You're getting a great meal.
(5)
Scott S.
When I walked in, the place smelled like skunked beer that had been left out from over night. Hungry, I proceeded to sit down with my two friends. My biggest objections is that they have a no substitution policy. Each dish is very specific making it very difficult for someone with specific tastes, allergies, or is a vegetarian. I ordered a tostada which consisted of a tortilla shell, some lettuce, chicken, and a slice of tomato tossed on the top. I guess perfect if you are 90 and have no taste buds. The service was not attentive and messed up one of our dishes and didn't come back until the end of the meal. As you can guess from my 1 star, I wouldn't recommend Border Mexican Restaurant based on menu restrictions, service, and the beer smell permeating the entire inside.
(1)
TJ M.
I've eaten here 3-4 times with a friend of mine. I've found the food to be tasty and the prices to be cheap. Never had a problem with service like the other reviewers seem to be saying, but maybe because my friend talks in Spanish to them? Not sure. I'd recommend it if you're looking for somewhere cheap to eat and don't want to go to a nearby chain. Parking has never been a problem, although it can get rather crowded. I've always managed to find a space, however.
(4)
Michael K.
This is your standard locally owned Mexican joint that has that little restaurant feel. It is right down the street from my place and I am absolutely i love with the salsa. It has a certain little fire to it and has a sort of smoky flavor. I think it is some of my favorite salsa anywhere. They also have fajita nachos and fajita quesadillas that you must try. I would recommend getting the cheese on the top of the quesadilla. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone that wanted to know about good Mexican food and I have to many of my coworkers.
(4)
David K.
Awesome Margaritas! Had a giant Texas Margarita that was near perfect. Food was very good too. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Matt C.
your typical run-of-the-mill americanized mexican spot. came here on cinco de mayo this year, and though they were obviously slammed, service was great and the food & drink hit the spot. wouldn't drive out of the way for it, but if you're in the area, i'd recommend it. nothing to write home about, but definitely nothing to gripe over, either.
(3)
Brooke K.
For starters, let's just say the food was sub-par and the service was worse. The server acted like it was a total inconvenience to serve any of us....she bordered on rude. The food was....meh. Notsogreat.
(1)
Jen K.
This place has the worst Mexican food of all time. Either people in Atlanta have REALLY bad taste for Mexican or they've just never had anything authentic and good because this place should have 0 stars. It is TERRIBLE. It was recommended to me by several people...gross. i don't know what the heck they were thinking.
(1)
Dean M.
If you like unfriendly and non-attentive staff, and you like an unclean environment, this is definitely your place. Otherwise, you might think of driving right past this place. The food was okay, and the service wasn't absolutely horrible, but I definitely felt like the staff could use some lessons in social interaction and manners. Except for one guy, they all seemed like they hated being there, and hated their job. I think I have talked to plants that have more responsiveness and personality. If you don't mind the downer you get from the staff, you might consider the cleanliness. It's not the cleanest place on earth. If you are concerned about cleanliness, it is definitely a place to skip. Definitely not coming back.
(1)
M A.
It's been a while since a job change, and you know what? I kind of miss my outings with former co-workers to this place. Sure, the service isn't the best and if you ask for something without ________ they rarely remember. But that's not quite the point. There's memories here! The food itself is decent and your standard "Mexican" restaurant fare. Tons of combos to choose from, including a variety of vegetarian options. If you don't want a combo, the a la carte menu is cheap and easy way to construct your own meal. One good thing that has been added here is fresh guac. Cut up right there at the table with all the additions such as diced tomatoes and onions. I am behind this guac 100% and am so glad it's been added to the menu! So sure, Da Border - as my friends and I affectionately call it - may not be the best Mexican restaurant in town. But it certainly provides a good time with the right people. Stop in for lunch if you're in the area - it's really not all that bad!
(3)
Adam C.
This the third time I have came here . and I lobe this place. The people here are super nice, and the food is great I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and they eat their food every time And the chips we have to get 3 refills on chips each time. A1 place.
(5)
Tom N.
They try super hard to take care of everyone, however they always seem short staffed. The food is amazing our favorite in the area. Parking can be a challenge they share a parking lot with Red Lobster. The drinks are good, a bit pricey but they do the job. No wifi.
(4)
Kelvin W.
The food was soooo good. I got the Fajita quesadilla, which is not like a quesadilla at all. It's more like a taco stuffed with peppers n onions & cheese. It was a pleasant surprise and super tasty. I ordered 2 house margaritas, I thought they were pretty weak, until I made it home and noticed it was rather buzzed. My only complaint was the service- the restaurant was practically empty and my server was gone most of the time. The quesadillas also came with this nasty Spanish rice. it left much to be desired.
(3)
Rhett M.
Never again. I like cheap Mexican restaurants. I like the combination dinners. This place was a horrible experience. I had a margarita which the server got wrong on the salt...ok no big deal. The food tasted horrid. Then after our Margaritas were empty it took 15 minutes for the server to come back. We just moved to the area and thought this would be our new Mexican spot. We were wrong. Los Bravos is a much better option. DON'T GO HERE. I left with a stomach ache and still have one.
(1)
Erin E.
I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars because our server was very nice and friendly. He made sure we got what we ordered quickly and after reading negative reviews about the service this was a pleasant surprise. Our server was great. He took care of my table while also taking care of about four other tables. This is a fairly small restaurant. Our server was the only one serving tables alongside the manager. Now for the food! I would give the food 2 stars. It didn't taste like it was seasoned at all. I ordered the fajitas with chicken, shrimp, and steak and it was all very bland... just needed a little salt and pepper. The salsa was very watery looking... not thick or chunky. It tasted ok, just the appearance was watery. I also had two margaritas. They were pretty good. Service was good... food not so good... likely will not go back.
(3)
Nichole M.
Once again, I am pleased with my meal at the border. This time the service was much better! I was inclined to leave 5 stars because I've seen the horrible things that people have said about this place; honestly people are exaggerating. Their food is pretty awesome, please try the beef and cheese dip. I lovvve margaritas but currently can't drink so I live vicariously through my husband who said they're amazing at this place!! This time we got the fajita special for two, it was massive, to say the least! My husband and I are heavy eaters and we had plenty left over to take home. They give you this extra large skillet filled with grilled, tender, juicy steak and chicken with onions and peppers and two tall wooden skewers of what tasted like wood grilled lime shrimp. It was amazing!! It also came with two full sized plates of rice and beans with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and pico. And I didn't get charged for my side of shredded cheese, which is awesome, because most Mexican restaurants charge for everything! So all in all we got this enormous amount of heavenly food, an appetizer, and some fries for our head turning son Chase for under 40 bucks! The border gets my vote, this will be our spot for Mexican from now on.
(5)
Christina R.
So my boyfriend and I have probably been here 20 times in 6 months. The food is pretty good as long as you stay away from the steak. I don't know why but it taste funky. The service is up and down some days we are impressed others we have to basically flag someone over. The fact that we are regulars and the staff still doesn't know us is kind of odd. Over all the salsa is great we get big cups of it to go all the time. Try the border special or the border dip two of my favorites!
(4)
Mike M.
Had high hopes, but the salsa and guacamole tasted like it was from a can. Sorry but the food was bland.
(2)
Cody K.
love this place... I almost never say that in a review either, I think. outdoor patio makes me feel like I'm on vacation; the food is pretty good but super cheap so it doesn't have to that great. servers are hard working and friendly, even though they don't speak a lot of english. perfect place for lunch. check it out.
(5)
Disappointed F.
My husband and I arrived there last night after having an awesome dinner at the Cheese Cake factory. We were seated on the patio and was not serviced water for over 20 minutes. We finally get up and go ask for a manager. He then come to the table to say I've passed by your table 100 times...he get our drinks and we received no service after that for over 1 hour. We look around and the whole outdoor patio is empty. People received their meals, bills, and we're out!! So we got up and went inside for and a waiter asked where what we needed. I explained our experience. Those drinks should have been free but we were still asked to pay for horrible service and our manager had changed his shirt to a soccer shirt...ready to hit the town I guess. We love coming here but this was the worst experience. I have them a chance to rectify the problem but they didn't...so here you go!!!
(2)
Lindy F.
"A tortilla is either corn or wheat. But a corn tortilla folded and filled is a taco, whereas a filled wheat tortilla is a burrito. Deep fry a burrito, it's a chimichanga.Toast a tortilla, it's a tostada. Roll it, it's an enchilada." -- One Day (2011) I love a good cheesy queso for my chips - this one was so addictive that I couldn't tell you if I tried the salsa...is that bad? Gooey, drippy, just the cheese. They offer it with lots of goodies, but that's for another trip. My lunch was pretty straightforward - I was hungry, I needed food (cheap and quick and still good tasting) and according to a friend - this would foot the bill. She was not wrong. We had a very polite waiter who brought us drinks pretty quick (unsweet iced tea for me) and also our bowl of queso. I looked over the lunch combos and knowing I like all the Mexican classics, I opted for the #3 - taco, enchilada with rice and beans. I swear, we blinked and the food came. As is usual at these places - the plate was screaming HOT. The taco (ground beef) was pretty good. Typical, crunchy corn taco shell (and by typical, I mean American) - but tasty nonetheless. The meat could have had more flavor - but I am used to the ground beef being bland in these places. My enchilada - I ordered cheese (as if I did not have enough cheese in my queso and melted on top of everything). I love my dairy. This was great - enchilada sauce was pretty authentic tasting and the cheese was pretty melty without burning the insides of my mouth. The rice and beans - as you would expect. I'm sure the beans are cooked with lard - which is why they are super flavorful and probably added to my waistline more than I would have liked. Our drinks were kept refilled and our check was dropped off without needing to ask (you pay at the front, BTW). Overall, a great experience and perfect for a quick lunch on a busy workday.
(4)
Heidi P.
Best cheese dip around for me. I love the plain queso blanco.. No meat, jalapeños, tomatoes etc necessary. The chicken and steak fajitas are delicious. Including the soft tortillas - dip those in your queso! Tacos and enchiladas are good. I'm not a huge fan of tequila or rum but it have had a few margaritas/daiquiris here and they're pretty good. Service is pretty good. They're very friendly and kind but they may be busy/slow. Their tee shirts crack me up, too: "Our English is not great but we won't make fun of your Spanish." They've got a cool patio that is currently being worked on. Great Mexican in the Cumberland area.
(4)
Anne-Marie W.
The food here is solid. It's pretty obvious that they are serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The cheese dip with jalapeños is right on. Their salsa has just the right kick & isn't chunky, which I like. Great cheese enchiladas. I've had their margaritas too & they're really good as well. Service is kind of meh. You get chips, salsa, queso, drinks all pretty quickly. Food comes out quickly too. But God forbid if you need a drink refill or you want a side order of sour cream, because they don't check on you often. Servers are polite but not overly nice or friendly. Still, if you want good Mexican eats, this is the place. I go from time to time just to have that awesome cheese dip!
(4)
Dana R.
Yes, the service wasn't great, but the food and drinks were excellent. We'll be back.
(4)
Adam B.
This place was no good. The food was flavorless, and very pricey. Service was moderate at best. I will never go back again
(1)
Liz B.
This restaurant is fantastic. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Atlanta. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff is friendly, efficient and helpful. It has a fun authentic feel. I've been three times and always want to come back. Definitely try to table made guac.
(5)
Frank S.
This place is horrible. It took us an hour to get Mexican food and the manager/owner(Virgilio Padilla) would not even comp half off of the food. As a group we offered to pay full price of the alcohol. I got better service on Cinco de Mayo 2014 at El Azteca Sandy Springs(better food too). Do not go here at all. Crap food
(1)
Shawn P.
Service here is terrible. Had to ask for napkins. Drinks left unfilled. Server not very friendly. Server did not understand English. Hostess not friendly. Food was not very good.
(1)
Jennifer M.
I DO NOT recommend this place at all. This was the worse tex-mex restaurant that I've ever had. Food was not good and bland. The salsa and cheese dip were run down with water. I ordered the taquitos which comes with sour cream and guacamole... I barely got a spoonful of each. I left dissatisfied and disgusted and I'm not a picky eater! Service was ok. If you're just dying for tex mex make the extra 10 minute drive to another place.
(1)
Carol M.
I have only eaten the spicy burrito, many times. It is absolutely delicious. The service here STINKS!! Every time we go during lunch, we vow not to return. Today took the cake. It took about 15 minutes to get our chips and salsa and 10 minutes after we ordered drinks, they finally came. We're looking for another good Mexican lunch venue if anyone knows of one near Cumberland/Galleria.
(2)
Mark Alan K.
Have eaten here many times. The food is authentic. The staff is awesome. Love this place!
(4)
Floyd R.
This place actually has great food and margaritas, and it is close to me and my wife's jobs. Their Nacho Supreme dish is great and everything I have ordered there has been good. Now, we had a horrible experience with insects the last time we sat out on the patio (earlier this summer) and that kinda spoiled the night for us and that is why I have to give it 3 stars. There are giant cockroaches/waterbugs (whatever you want to call them) that were under the deck-style flooring, and it is understandable that a food establishment will have some bugs nearby. However, we experienced a strange phenomenon on the night we were there. I have heard the saying that roaches scatter when they see light. Well, the cars in the parking lot on the front side of the restaurant face the outdoor patio. Every time someone turned their headlights on, they shined directly under the deck where these bugs were residing. The roaches must have saw this and guess where they decided to flee to? Yep - they went straight up. Up through the cracks in the deck where we were eating. We counted at least 10 to 15 of these big bugs crawling around on the deck every time this happened and they scared my wife to the point that we had to move to a table inside of the restaurant. The restaurant probably were aware that this happens because I can't see this being the first time so they should have invested in some type of pest control to eliminate that. You can buy that kind of stuff at the Home Depot down the street. Outside of the roaches on the deck, everything else about the place is ok. We'll probably sit inside if we ever go back. Probably sit at the bar lol.
(2)
DeNay G.
Food is great but the service is kind of hit or miss. They are really quick to seat you and get you your chips and salsa. After you've placed your order the food is pretty quick to come out as well. Next is where we usually have to wait. Its hard to get a drink refill and get your check once you're done eating. I'm not sure if this is just because they seem short staffed. The Fajitas for two is a great price and really good. My sister and I like the Quesadilla Roja as well. Overall, pretty good. I'll take this place over La Parilla any day.
(3)
Pam D.
Chips and Salsa delivered quickly, yummy cheese dip, and strong margaritas...what else could you want? I had the Border Nachos for my dinner and I've got to say: I was impressed with it! I had a mix of steak and chicken, and they took care to make sure each and every chip had a little of both on it. Both proteins were cooked perfectly: the chicken nice and juicy, and the steak was tender. Very happy with my meal! Service was on-point as well. Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses full, and was helpful in giving advice on what to order. I don't normally go OTP, but when I do, I'll go to Border.
(4)
Brandeis C.
This is our favorite place to go for mexican. They have the best chicken nachos and margaritas. Thanks Border for helping us with our margarita fix.
(4)
Danielle T.
This is my favorite local Mexican place! The older waiter is by far my favorite. He is attentive, fast, and makes everyone want to enjoy themselves. I like the outside eating area. It's perfect for those days when the weather is nice. The margaritas are great!!
(4)
Ann V.
I love Mexican and Tex-mex food. I didn't find a single thing here that I liked, not the slow service, not the slightly rancid chips, not the poblano served with a congealed blob of cold cheese inside, not the microscopic serving of guacamole salad, nor the unconcerned manager. Ick.
(1)
Marlon S.
Food is good; however, service is bad. I've complained to them about service on 2 occasions. The last incident involved the server giving me the check halfway through my meal. Apparently once you get the check, all service stops. This visit was at 11am and there was only one other customer. The servers were just sitting around at the bar and even looked in my direction...but not one felt compelled to help. I hate to scratch this place off my list, but I cannot accept this lack of service.
(1)
Jam D.
Border Mexican Restaurant is a good place to grab the regular Tex-Mex cuisine. The best part about the place are the prices. The food is nothing out of the ordinary, but a good place to grab chicken enchiladas or carne asada tacos.
(3)
Diedre R.
I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican Chicken Soup in the city. This place was not it. While theirs was edible, it wasn't nearly the best. It was mostly rice and broth. The place looks like a shack from the outside. Well, it looks that way on the inside too. Since I was placing the order to go, I asked if I could sit at the bar and have a margarita while I watied. The lady at the "Please wait to be seated" sign told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. Uh....okay. I plopped down on a bar stool and ordered up a margarita. I was so SHOCKED when she ladle out a glass of margarita from a "car wash bucket". You know those white buckets the car wash guys have. That may have subconsciously affected me, because I took one sip and wondered, where is the tequila? I did munch on some salsa and chips, the salsa was a plain variety with a little flavor. I wonder if this is stored in the kitchen in car was buckets also. I finished the margarita and chips and by then my soup was sitting next to me in a plastic bag next to the check. I felt around in the bag and discovered there were no chips and salsa. I've never ordered to-go food from a Mexican restaurant and didn't have chips and salsa. I requested them and was told that would be 50 cents. Uh...okay. Come to find out the 50 cents is for any to go orders, and you only receive chips and salsa with your to go order if you request it. It was about 3pm on a Friday, and every TV in the place was on Mexican Soap Operas. Probably won't go back. Not impressive at all, way too many other choices to choose from.
(2)
Michael W.
Service isn't that great. Food is good, staff is nice. The place appears understaffed in the past couple if months. Didn't get a drink refill at all today--and it took forever to get the check.
(3)
Alex C.
Nothing special here. Pretty good prices for good service at pretty decent portions. Lunch specials for $5 are a pretty big plus, but other than that, there are other options that are more legit if you want Mexican for dinner.
(3)
Christian C.
Went with a group of 7. Service was sort of friendly but very slow. Food was nothing special. Salsa was probably the best thing about the whole meal for me. Everything else was standard fare. I had 4 tacos and a small order of queso dip for about $13.
(2)
Ted L.
My wife and I and many friends have had lunch many times over the past 4 yrs. the good is great and fresh. The service is great and friendly. Of course over 50-60 times of eating there we have had 1-2 times with not up to par food and service. They are more than willing to substitute meals and the owner is very responsive to service problems. The meals are extremely good prices. Recommend highly.
(5)
Maggie O.
Border is my husband's and my go-to Mexican restaurant for almost three years. Prices are normal, food is good. There's not a lot of turnover in the staff, and for the most part, our service had been excellent (and we have visited The Border probably 30 times)!!! We normally share the fajita nachos and a pitcher of beer, and man, does it hit the spot. If you're in the mood for Mexican, we definitely recommend The Border, as we have always had a great experience!
(4)
Carla R.
The food @ drinks are excellent!!! Service is so bad!!! This was my 2nd time visiting in over 5 years. I have been a patron for over 14 years & the service used to be wonderful! I will not be visiting again! I have driven over an hour just to visit & experience such rudeness!!!
(2)
Jeff W.
Some of the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant. Slow, inattentive, and indifferent to customers. Food is unremarkable. I will never return.
(1)
Kristen H.
There are two things I order when I eat Mexican food: chicken soft taco and cheese dip. That is all I want. Border is the best in the area based on my complex menu. The service could improve, but other than that: cheap good food = four stars. Also, if you're driving south down Cobb, drive past and make a U-turn at the next light. Kind of difficult to figure out best way to enter lot.
(4)
Cameron B.
Upon first impression this is a normal, cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. They, however, set themselves apart in my mind because they have great service. It became a challenge to see if we could empty our glasses, salsa bowl or chip bowl before we had more. I like that in a place. Food is around the norm, and normal price, but again give me good service and I'll be back!
(4)
Mark J.
The inside is clean and the wait staff is on point. The lunch menu was full of choices and the same with the platters for only a couple bucks more. The chips were homemade and they brought each of us in our party our own salsa bowl which was nice. I got three items al-a-cart and with tip my bill came to $10. Not too bad for a sit-down lunch. An A-OK experience.
(3)
Mike D.
Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I like this place. I've eaten here probably fifteen times, so that should speak for itself. Then again, I'm also the type of person who finds something he likes and sticks to it, whether I'm being ignorant or not. To make no attempt of avoiding a cliche, ignorance is bliss, so I keep coming back here. The food is rock solid. It always comes out quick and hot, it tastes good, and it's pretty cheap. Their queso is decent - sometimes I find that it can be a tad too runny for my liking, but to each their own. The service is alright. They've messed up my order once or twice, but they're quick to fix it. One time I got chicken instead of beef tacos, and I actually liked the chicken tacos almost as much, so go figure. The margaritas are good. I feel that they're not the strongest, but they're not weak either. They taste really good, and there's a variety of sizes - single, jumbo, 1/2 pitcher, monster, and full pitcher - to satisfy your alcohol craving for the duration of your stay. Pretty solid Mexican food. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I've found that those are the better places! Give this restaurant a try.
(4)
Kevin D.
for what it is it is one of the best in my opinion. Ive come here maybe four or five times in the last year and always leave happy, full, and content with my experience. Some of the diners below might want this to be something it isn't which is a fine dining establishment. Sometimes a laid back vibe, cheese dip within arms reach, and a horribly cramped parking lot leading to a hole in the wall is all I want. On a side note the food is actually quite different from the los bravos, monterreys, whatever other random tex-mex joints that seem to serve the same combination platters. Not different in a bad way but different in a very good way. I like this place because it's not the same as every other tex-mex joint for under ten dollars.
(5)
Tei A.
This place has to be one of my FAVS! Great salsa and even better... Very authentic traditional Mexican dishes that you can't get enough of. Very fulfilling and great for any crowd. Also, if you're a fan... the Queso dip is perfection.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Went here for the first time today with my girlfriend, and I must say-I was not impressed. The beans were not good, taco was meh, cheese enchilada was decent, but the jalapeno cheese dip was on point! Service was ok, but it was busy at lunch time so that's to be expected anywhere these days. Restaurant itself was pretty cool, felt like an authentic Mexican spot. Overall, I would go somewhere else if given the choice...but then again nothing bad enough to say "don't go there" either! So over all, my opinion was just decent.
(2)
m p.
Best Mexican in Smyrna, and believe me I have tried several in Smyrna. The Spicy Burrito is enough for two and is delicious.
(5)
Caitlin B.
Nothing overly special about this place. The usual white people mexican food that seems to be the norm here in Atlanta. A little on the pricey side. And beware of lunch time - the line to pay is a pain in the ass.
(3)
Jonathan K.
I have been very remiss about this. I have lived in the area, within walking distance (and staggering distance home) for almost two decades, yet have failed to review this place, my favorite local Mexican place - and considering the wealth of Mexican food joints nearby, that really says something. It changed managers/owners a few years back, and the difference has been astounding. It was absolutely OK before. Cheap, strong margaritas, decent food.But in the last couple of years, it's gone upward and outward. The service has gone from surly to stellar. The food and the menu is much more upscale. The prices HAVE gone up, from dirt cheap to just cheap. But the food more than reflects the price increases, which have been incremental considering the vast revamping and remodeling. I'm actually worried, because what HAD been a relative eyesore that no one knew had decent food is now a glittering jewel in the midst of fast food and chain restaurants on Cobb Parkway. The chips and salsa are good, not great. I get a real SYSCO feeling from the salsa, sadly. But they are free, so I'm not complaining. The margaritas are really good! No, they are not artisan, for the most part. But a little over ten bucks gives you a half pitcher, more than enough for two to share - or one to get his tequila evening started in full force. The portions are generous, and the vegetarian menu lets my meatless friends have a pretty large selection. I have managed to snag a few of their new entree items, and they are all worth the premium - though my dinner companion swears by the large combination menu as well. He likes rice and beans, I don't. I order off the a la carte menu, and can totaly fill up for less than seven bucks on a mushroom quesadilla. Especially, having (foolishly perhaps) eaten my weight in chips and salsa. The fajitas for generously portioned, obviously fresh, and more than reasonably priced considering the chain franchises that lurk less than a mile away. Service was good (in that I never either craned my neck looking for a server, not had to endure having a third party at the table) and the food is tasty. Yes, the margaritas could be a touch (or three) stronger, and it would be awesome if they made their sour mix from scratch. But you know what? If that happened, I bet a half pitcher would not cost ten bucks. This place is an example of good, relatively inexpensive, quality mexican food. And that is often all I want. They have several TVs, which are usually playing latin channels/sports. I only wished against all wishes that this place was open later on weekends. They would become a real serious destination if they stayed open until 2 on weekends.
(4)
Sanders M.
People that put this restaurant down or 1 star it let me just say to each their own. I can tell you from my experience tonight I got what I expected; reasonably priced combos for around 8 bucks and a full stomach. Service was average, the place was about 3/4 full. I will say that the guacamole you order from the kitchen is not the same as the table side. In hindsight I would have gotten the table side guacamole for 8ish bucks instead of the kitchen guacamole. #26 combo was very filling and the salsa that came with the thick chips was pretty good; though I added a little salt to the chips. As long as you know going in that your getting decent service and food at a good price you will enjoy yourself. It is all about your expectations going in.
(4)
Jang C.
Cheap lunches, but that's about it. The staff here isn't very attentive. We must have waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. While we were waiting, a couple of servers walked by us. There were a lot of empty seats. Finally, one of the servers (who walked by us about 5 times) took us to our seats. Maybe they were seriously understaffed. They didn't seem that busy though. I wasn't a big fan of the food. Their lunch combos were lacking in variety. I ordered 2 eggs with chorizo.... Wait a second, that was chorizo? I just remembered what I ordered as I'm writing this review. And no way I ate a chorizo. All I remember was refried beans, rice and eggs. Maybe the chorizo was in the eggs? Or it was too forgettable. I didn't like their rice. It was too dry. The eggs were okay. But you can't mess up eggs. If you do, you should not be cooking professionally. Luckily the eggs were done correctly. At least they passed that. Like I mentioned, one positive about this place is the low price. That's about it. 1.5 stars.
(1)
Shica B.
My first impression was to simply sum up my review with the statement: Eh... but decided to use a few more words. Hubs & I were cruising around the place on our monthaversary. I decided to take him somewhere pretty nice (LOL) and decided that we would go to a place that I used to go when I lived right in that area. We slide up to Border (forgot all of our other gift certificates at home). No one was interested in seating us. Fine, we'll seat ourselves. When we sat down, no one was interested in paying attention to us. Just when I was about to convince him to sprint across the parking lot to Red Lobster, someone popped out of the woodwork with a basket of chips and we decided to stay. The parking situation is typically crowded. The lot was crowded, but when we got in, there was hardly 8 people there. The service was not provided at any rate of speed consistent with the number of folks in the empty restaurant. My quesidilla was OK, but I am tired of the ridiculous prices of a simple tortilla (what do they cost .10) filled with a 1/4 cup of cheese (worth about .20 tops) with a few pieces of meat thrown in (.50) that is folded over and heated for a few seconds. Just stop the nonsense, these things should be taco priced, not steak valued! Hubs got the fajita and was semi-impressed. I'm certain that the glimmer in his eye was due to the love and appreciation that he had been blessed to have me as his wife for 30 whole days. Two monthivarsary will definitely be somewhere a tad bit spiffier, perhaps where they even care to give you a seat. (don't forget the giftcards)
(2)
Maria S.
I went here for the first time the other day. I liked it. The food was authentic Mexican food. Really big menu and selection. Everyone was friendly. Much better then other Mexican places I have been too. They have a couple of TV's to watch games.
(3)
Kesha M.
If you want to grab a good margarita, go here. If you want something to eat....go somewhere else!! Chips & salsa are good but the tacos, rice & beans were bland! My husband enjoyed his chimichanga but it wasn't anything to scream about. The food also came out so fast that either they knew we were coming or it's precooked & reheated! I could have gone across the street to taco bell & enjoyed my food! On a positive note, our waiter was good and attentive.
(2)
Pam S.
I would rate them 0 stars if that was an option after the insulting incident we experienced last night. We (used to) go to this place frequently, but after last night (3/26/10), that will cease. 3 females + 1 male met at 6pm and had a pitcher of margs, Texas guac, cheese dip, and split a chicken/steak quesadilla plus a verde/shrimp quesadilla. An hour later, we ordered a second pitcher. At 8pm, I paid $27 for pitcher #1 and left to take my guy home. There was about 1/2 a pitcher left. I came back at 9:30 to re-join my girls. The girls were still working on pitcher #2, and I had the last 1/2 glass. The girls had ordered another cheese dip and fajitas in the 1.5hrs we were gone. Another guy - who had not been drinking - joined us at 10pm. Our waitress was off shift at 10, so we cashed out our $65 tab for all the food plus pitcher #2 with her and left a nice $15 tip. A young waitress came over at 10:10 and we ordered a third pitcher. She said she needed to talk to her manager, and upon her return she informed us we couldn't be served because we had already had two pitchers. Let me revisit the math for you: 4 people... 4 hours... two pitchers... a boat load of food... and a 5th party joining us. I have never been so insulted in my life. I asked to speak to the manager, and he came over with attitude. I explained to the two of them that I had just returned and our new friend had just joined us, and we should be allowed to order a pitcher. When I said I had been absent for 1.5 hours, the waitress actually said "oh, really? I don't think so." They conceded and said they could sell us a half-pitcher, but at that point, we were over their 'hospitality'. When I asked for the owners contact information, the waitress laughed in my face. When I asked her if she thought it was funny, she said yes. We are all late 20's/early 30's moderately conservative working professionals that are employed by a Fortune 500 company HQ'd here in Atlanta. We are respected, well-behaved, professional people. We live locally in Smyrna, and taking a $10 cab in the event we've consumed too much is ALWAYS an option. We do not condone drunk driving. I am still offended and will be writing a letter to Virgilio Padilla, owner. I am very disappointed in these guys...
(1)
M A.
It's been a while since a job change, and you know what? I kind of miss my outings with former co-workers to this place. Sure, the service isn't the best and if you ask for something without ________ they rarely remember. But that's not quite the point. There's memories here! The food itself is decent and your standard "Mexican" restaurant fare. Tons of combos to choose from, including a variety of vegetarian options. If you don't want a combo, the a la carte menu is cheap and easy way to construct your own meal. One good thing that has been added here is fresh guac. Cut up right there at the table with all the additions such as diced tomatoes and onions. I am behind this guac 100% and am so glad it's been added to the menu! So sure, Da Border - as my friends and I affectionately call it - may not be the best Mexican restaurant in town. But it certainly provides a good time with the right people. Stop in for lunch if you're in the area - it's really not all that bad!
(3)
Dean M.
If you like unfriendly and non-attentive staff, and you like an unclean environment, this is definitely your place. Otherwise, you might think of driving right past this place. The food was okay, and the service wasn't absolutely horrible, but I definitely felt like the staff could use some lessons in social interaction and manners. Except for one guy, they all seemed like they hated being there, and hated their job. I think I have talked to plants that have more responsiveness and personality. If you don't mind the downer you get from the staff, you might consider the cleanliness. It's not the cleanest place on earth. If you are concerned about cleanliness, it is definitely a place to skip. Definitely not coming back.
(1)
Tracie T.
I went here and expected the worst. I went with a co-worker that had never been before. We arrived at 5:15pm on a Saturday and the place was dead. I have to say we got a pitcher of margaritas that were great but not strong enough for my taste. The food was great. We both ate everything. The waiter was friendly and returned often to make sure we had what we needed. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that. After we were there 2 hours the parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for parking. I will definitely return.
(4)
Kim N.
Am I the only one with love for Border? C'mon... It looks pretty shabby, the waitstaff probably won't like you, and if you want a quick meal- it ain't gonna happen. ...but it's all worth it. I'm not a huge fan of most Americanized mexican food because I feel chain eateries just dress up Taco Bell's "grade E" meat with some heavy sauces, and offer fancy margaritas to wash down the grease. Border completely eschews this plan in favor of great quality, low fat cuts of beef and chicken, hot corn chips, incredible salsa, and rice cooked to perfection. I suggest dropping by during a casual lunch. Not a working lunch, mind you- a lunch where you can drink and beer and sit for a while. The lunch specials consist of a ton of food, and are usually under 5 dollars. Overall: Awesome food, very low prices, non-chain restaurant. The waitstaff is often slightly surly and their English isn't great- but who cares? You're getting a great meal.
(5)
Scott S.
When I walked in, the place smelled like skunked beer that had been left out from over night. Hungry, I proceeded to sit down with my two friends. My biggest objections is that they have a no substitution policy. Each dish is very specific making it very difficult for someone with specific tastes, allergies, or is a vegetarian. I ordered a tostada which consisted of a tortilla shell, some lettuce, chicken, and a slice of tomato tossed on the top. I guess perfect if you are 90 and have no taste buds. The service was not attentive and messed up one of our dishes and didn't come back until the end of the meal. As you can guess from my 1 star, I wouldn't recommend Border Mexican Restaurant based on menu restrictions, service, and the beer smell permeating the entire inside.
(1)
TJ M.
I've eaten here 3-4 times with a friend of mine. I've found the food to be tasty and the prices to be cheap. Never had a problem with service like the other reviewers seem to be saying, but maybe because my friend talks in Spanish to them? Not sure. I'd recommend it if you're looking for somewhere cheap to eat and don't want to go to a nearby chain. Parking has never been a problem, although it can get rather crowded. I've always managed to find a space, however.
(4)
Michael K.
This is your standard locally owned Mexican joint that has that little restaurant feel. It is right down the street from my place and I am absolutely i love with the salsa. It has a certain little fire to it and has a sort of smoky flavor. I think it is some of my favorite salsa anywhere. They also have fajita nachos and fajita quesadillas that you must try. I would recommend getting the cheese on the top of the quesadilla. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone that wanted to know about good Mexican food and I have to many of my coworkers.
(4)
David K.
Awesome Margaritas! Had a giant Texas Margarita that was near perfect. Food was very good too. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Matt C.
your typical run-of-the-mill americanized mexican spot. came here on cinco de mayo this year, and though they were obviously slammed, service was great and the food & drink hit the spot. wouldn't drive out of the way for it, but if you're in the area, i'd recommend it. nothing to write home about, but definitely nothing to gripe over, either.
(3)
Brooke K.
For starters, let's just say the food was sub-par and the service was worse. The server acted like it was a total inconvenience to serve any of us....she bordered on rude. The food was....meh. Notsogreat.
(1)
Jen K.
This place has the worst Mexican food of all time. Either people in Atlanta have REALLY bad taste for Mexican or they've just never had anything authentic and good because this place should have 0 stars. It is TERRIBLE. It was recommended to me by several people...gross. i don't know what the heck they were thinking.
(1)
Thomas S.
I used to avoid this place purely on its proximity to Red Lobster next door but was persuaded to go by a neighbor, and was fairly pleased with what I had. The service was good, prices are average, and my nachos were on point. Their salsa tasted like, well, salsa. These days I'm tired of run-of-the-mill tex-mex restaurants serving tomato sauce. Here I was happy to find that while it was probably mass-produced, it was kinda spicy. The full platter of nachos is the perfect portion and wasn't doused in cheese like so many places have. Friends ordered the enchiladas, taco salad, and fish tacos. None complained and we all left the neighborhood tex-mex place full and satisfied.
(3)
Staci T.
Food was good - mega fast - wait staff didn't even look at me and basically threw everything at me tho! I'd recommend for a cheap dinner where you don't care about sitting in a dump - which sometimes the night calls for!
(2)
Allison H.
To put it quite frankly, this place blows. Maybe it's what I get for trying a place I'd never been to on Cinco de Mayo, but still. Until reading the other reviews posted here I was willing to give this place benefit of the doubt and assume that the reason our service was so terrible was because they were just so busy and not used to handling it. Not so. It didn't take us long to be seated, but after we'd been sitting there for five minutes and seen at least 3 different servers walk past us several times each, we had to flag down the host and ask for some chips and salsa. They were brought promptly, but it took another 10 minutes before our server (who had walked past us at least 10 times by this point), came over and took our drink order. My sister and I ordered margaritas, and they didn't come out until after our food. I had the half order of nachos, which were not even mediocre, and one of my fellow diners' orders was wrong. we had to wait another 5 minutes while their food got cold to be brought silverware. I had to get water refills from the bar. I can't really say anything good about this place. When we ordered margaritas the waiter asked if we wanted salt and we said yes please and we got no salt. In short, the service sucks really really hard, and the food and drinks not NEARLY good enough to make up for it.
(1)
Caitlin L.
We eat Mexican food at LEAST once a week and we love to try something new. Over time we've found that the shadier the restaurant, the better the Mexican food is. We found Border driving down Cobb PKWY, it sticks out from its neighbors with its bright green and purple decor. The inside of the green and purple building is quite dark with a full bar and a good amount of seating, we chose to sit on the patio, drink a beer, and enjoy the warm weather. They immediately brought us the standard chips and salsa, except these weren't so standard. The salsa was hot, like full of habanero seeds hot. I can typically handle spicy food, but this was a bit too much for me. I don't know what someone does who doesn't eat spicy food at all. As usual I ordered my cheese enchilada and bean taco with beans an rice. The service here was pretty good and speedy. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. My taco was soggy. :( I know this can happen, but even when I go to The Bell my taco shell isn't soggy. The cheese enchilada was just okay, it kinda tasted funny. But I did like the beans and rice. The beans were still slightly chunky, just how I liked them. I most likely won't be returning here, but if you enjoy super hot salsa then this may be the place for you.
(2)
Lynn S.
-5 STARS!!!! I ordered the Spicy chicken burrito. Once the food came out there was only about 3 pieces of chicken in my burrito I refused to eat it because i wasn't about to eat a bean and rice burrito! once i explained this to the waitress she rolled her
(1)
Greg A.
It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's quite good. The locals go here and I can understand why. Most combinations/specials are $5-$7, and the food is of excellent quality. Service leaves a bit to be desired, spilling soda on the table, running around the restaurant, etc, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)
Patty S.
Best Mexican in northwest Atlanta - give it a try. Our office eats here once a week. We can't miss.....So yummy
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : 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.
Adam C.
This the third time I have came here . and I lobe this place. The people here are super nice, and the food is great I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and they eat their food every time And the chips we have to get 3 refills on chips each time. A1 place.
(5)Tom N.
They try super hard to take care of everyone, however they always seem short staffed. The food is amazing our favorite in the area. Parking can be a challenge they share a parking lot with Red Lobster. The drinks are good, a bit pricey but they do the job. No wifi.
(4)Ann V.
I love Mexican and Tex-mex food. I didn't find a single thing here that I liked, not the slow service, not the slightly rancid chips, not the poblano served with a congealed blob of cold cheese inside, not the microscopic serving of guacamole salad, nor the unconcerned manager. Ick.
(1)Jonathan K.
I have been very remiss about this. I have lived in the area, within walking distance (and staggering distance home) for almost two decades, yet have failed to review this place, my favorite local Mexican place - and considering the wealth of Mexican food joints nearby, that really says something. It changed managers/owners a few years back, and the difference has been astounding. It was absolutely OK before. Cheap, strong margaritas, decent food.But in the last couple of years, it's gone upward and outward. The service has gone from surly to stellar. The food and the menu is much more upscale. The prices HAVE gone up, from dirt cheap to just cheap. But the food more than reflects the price increases, which have been incremental considering the vast revamping and remodeling. I'm actually worried, because what HAD been a relative eyesore that no one knew had decent food is now a glittering jewel in the midst of fast food and chain restaurants on Cobb Parkway. The chips and salsa are good, not great. I get a real SYSCO feeling from the salsa, sadly. But they are free, so I'm not complaining. The margaritas are really good! No, they are not artisan, for the most part. But a little over ten bucks gives you a half pitcher, more than enough for two to share - or one to get his tequila evening started in full force. The portions are generous, and the vegetarian menu lets my meatless friends have a pretty large selection. I have managed to snag a few of their new entree items, and they are all worth the premium - though my dinner companion swears by the large combination menu as well. He likes rice and beans, I don't. I order off the a la carte menu, and can totaly fill up for less than seven bucks on a mushroom quesadilla. Especially, having (foolishly perhaps) eaten my weight in chips and salsa. The fajitas for generously portioned, obviously fresh, and more than reasonably priced considering the chain franchises that lurk less than a mile away. Service was good (in that I never either craned my neck looking for a server, not had to endure having a third party at the table) and the food is tasty. Yes, the margaritas could be a touch (or three) stronger, and it would be awesome if they made their sour mix from scratch. But you know what? If that happened, I bet a half pitcher would not cost ten bucks. This place is an example of good, relatively inexpensive, quality mexican food. And that is often all I want. They have several TVs, which are usually playing latin channels/sports. I only wished against all wishes that this place was open later on weekends. They would become a real serious destination if they stayed open until 2 on weekends.
(4)Sanders M.
People that put this restaurant down or 1 star it let me just say to each their own. I can tell you from my experience tonight I got what I expected; reasonably priced combos for around 8 bucks and a full stomach. Service was average, the place was about 3/4 full. I will say that the guacamole you order from the kitchen is not the same as the table side. In hindsight I would have gotten the table side guacamole for 8ish bucks instead of the kitchen guacamole. #26 combo was very filling and the salsa that came with the thick chips was pretty good; though I added a little salt to the chips. As long as you know going in that your getting decent service and food at a good price you will enjoy yourself. It is all about your expectations going in.
(4)M A.
It's been a while since a job change, and you know what? I kind of miss my outings with former co-workers to this place. Sure, the service isn't the best and if you ask for something without ________ they rarely remember. But that's not quite the point. There's memories here! The food itself is decent and your standard "Mexican" restaurant fare. Tons of combos to choose from, including a variety of vegetarian options. If you don't want a combo, the a la carte menu is cheap and easy way to construct your own meal. One good thing that has been added here is fresh guac. Cut up right there at the table with all the additions such as diced tomatoes and onions. I am behind this guac 100% and am so glad it's been added to the menu! So sure, Da Border - as my friends and I affectionately call it - may not be the best Mexican restaurant in town. But it certainly provides a good time with the right people. Stop in for lunch if you're in the area - it's really not all that bad!
(3)Dean M.
If you like unfriendly and non-attentive staff, and you like an unclean environment, this is definitely your place. Otherwise, you might think of driving right past this place. The food was okay, and the service wasn't absolutely horrible, but I definitely felt like the staff could use some lessons in social interaction and manners. Except for one guy, they all seemed like they hated being there, and hated their job. I think I have talked to plants that have more responsiveness and personality. If you don't mind the downer you get from the staff, you might consider the cleanliness. It's not the cleanest place on earth. If you are concerned about cleanliness, it is definitely a place to skip. Definitely not coming back.
(1)Tracie T.
I went here and expected the worst. I went with a co-worker that had never been before. We arrived at 5:15pm on a Saturday and the place was dead. I have to say we got a pitcher of margaritas that were great but not strong enough for my taste. The food was great. We both ate everything. The waiter was friendly and returned often to make sure we had what we needed. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that. After we were there 2 hours the parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for parking. I will definitely return.
(4)Kim N.
Am I the only one with love for Border? C'mon... It looks pretty shabby, the waitstaff probably won't like you, and if you want a quick meal- it ain't gonna happen. ...but it's all worth it. I'm not a huge fan of most Americanized mexican food because I feel chain eateries just dress up Taco Bell's "grade E" meat with some heavy sauces, and offer fancy margaritas to wash down the grease. Border completely eschews this plan in favor of great quality, low fat cuts of beef and chicken, hot corn chips, incredible salsa, and rice cooked to perfection. I suggest dropping by during a casual lunch. Not a working lunch, mind you- a lunch where you can drink and beer and sit for a while. The lunch specials consist of a ton of food, and are usually under 5 dollars. Overall: Awesome food, very low prices, non-chain restaurant. The waitstaff is often slightly surly and their English isn't great- but who cares? You're getting a great meal.
(5)Allison H.
To put it quite frankly, this place blows. Maybe it's what I get for trying a place I'd never been to on Cinco de Mayo, but still. Until reading the other reviews posted here I was willing to give this place benefit of the doubt and assume that the reason our service was so terrible was because they were just so busy and not used to handling it. Not so. It didn't take us long to be seated, but after we'd been sitting there for five minutes and seen at least 3 different servers walk past us several times each, we had to flag down the host and ask for some chips and salsa. They were brought promptly, but it took another 10 minutes before our server (who had walked past us at least 10 times by this point), came over and took our drink order. My sister and I ordered margaritas, and they didn't come out until after our food. I had the half order of nachos, which were not even mediocre, and one of my fellow diners' orders was wrong. we had to wait another 5 minutes while their food got cold to be brought silverware. I had to get water refills from the bar. I can't really say anything good about this place. When we ordered margaritas the waiter asked if we wanted salt and we said yes please and we got no salt. In short, the service sucks really really hard, and the food and drinks not NEARLY good enough to make up for it.
(1)Caitlin L.
We eat Mexican food at LEAST once a week and we love to try something new. Over time we've found that the shadier the restaurant, the better the Mexican food is. We found Border driving down Cobb PKWY, it sticks out from its neighbors with its bright green and purple decor. The inside of the green and purple building is quite dark with a full bar and a good amount of seating, we chose to sit on the patio, drink a beer, and enjoy the warm weather. They immediately brought us the standard chips and salsa, except these weren't so standard. The salsa was hot, like full of habanero seeds hot. I can typically handle spicy food, but this was a bit too much for me. I don't know what someone does who doesn't eat spicy food at all. As usual I ordered my cheese enchilada and bean taco with beans an rice. The service here was pretty good and speedy. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. My taco was soggy. :( I know this can happen, but even when I go to The Bell my taco shell isn't soggy. The cheese enchilada was just okay, it kinda tasted funny. But I did like the beans and rice. The beans were still slightly chunky, just how I liked them. I most likely won't be returning here, but if you enjoy super hot salsa then this may be the place for you.
(2)Lynn S.
-5 STARS!!!! I ordered the Spicy chicken burrito. Once the food came out there was only about 3 pieces of chicken in my burrito I refused to eat it because i wasn't about to eat a bean and rice burrito! once i explained this to the waitress she rolled her
(1)Scott S.
When I walked in, the place smelled like skunked beer that had been left out from over night. Hungry, I proceeded to sit down with my two friends. My biggest objections is that they have a no substitution policy. Each dish is very specific making it very difficult for someone with specific tastes, allergies, or is a vegetarian. I ordered a tostada which consisted of a tortilla shell, some lettuce, chicken, and a slice of tomato tossed on the top. I guess perfect if you are 90 and have no taste buds. The service was not attentive and messed up one of our dishes and didn't come back until the end of the meal. As you can guess from my 1 star, I wouldn't recommend Border Mexican Restaurant based on menu restrictions, service, and the beer smell permeating the entire inside.
(1)Michael K.
This is your standard locally owned Mexican joint that has that little restaurant feel. It is right down the street from my place and I am absolutely i love with the salsa. It has a certain little fire to it and has a sort of smoky flavor. I think it is some of my favorite salsa anywhere. They also have fajita nachos and fajita quesadillas that you must try. I would recommend getting the cheese on the top of the quesadilla. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone that wanted to know about good Mexican food and I have to many of my coworkers.
(4)David K.
Awesome Margaritas! Had a giant Texas Margarita that was near perfect. Food was very good too. Two thumbs up!
(4)Matt C.
your typical run-of-the-mill americanized mexican spot. came here on cinco de mayo this year, and though they were obviously slammed, service was great and the food & drink hit the spot. wouldn't drive out of the way for it, but if you're in the area, i'd recommend it. nothing to write home about, but definitely nothing to gripe over, either.
(3)Brooke K.
For starters, let's just say the food was sub-par and the service was worse. The server acted like it was a total inconvenience to serve any of us....she bordered on rude. The food was....meh. Notsogreat.
(1)Jen K.
This place has the worst Mexican food of all time. Either people in Atlanta have REALLY bad taste for Mexican or they've just never had anything authentic and good because this place should have 0 stars. It is TERRIBLE. It was recommended to me by several people...gross. i don't know what the heck they were thinking.
(1)Danielle T.
This is my favorite local Mexican place! The older waiter is by far my favorite. He is attentive, fast, and makes everyone want to enjoy themselves. I like the outside eating area. It's perfect for those days when the weather is nice. The margaritas are great!!
(4)Kelvin W.
The food was soooo good. I got the Fajita quesadilla, which is not like a quesadilla at all. It's more like a taco stuffed with peppers n onions & cheese. It was a pleasant surprise and super tasty. I ordered 2 house margaritas, I thought they were pretty weak, until I made it home and noticed it was rather buzzed. My only complaint was the service- the restaurant was practically empty and my server was gone most of the time. The quesadillas also came with this nasty Spanish rice. it left much to be desired.
(3)Kesha M.
If you want to grab a good margarita, go here. If you want something to eat....go somewhere else!! Chips & salsa are good but the tacos, rice & beans were bland! My husband enjoyed his chimichanga but it wasn't anything to scream about. The food also came out so fast that either they knew we were coming or it's precooked & reheated! I could have gone across the street to taco bell & enjoyed my food! On a positive note, our waiter was good and attentive.
(2)m p.
Best Mexican in Smyrna, and believe me I have tried several in Smyrna. The Spicy Burrito is enough for two and is delicious.
(5)Caitlin B.
Nothing overly special about this place. The usual white people mexican food that seems to be the norm here in Atlanta. A little on the pricey side. And beware of lunch time - the line to pay is a pain in the ass.
(3)Pam S.
I would rate them 0 stars if that was an option after the insulting incident we experienced last night. We (used to) go to this place frequently, but after last night (3/26/10), that will cease. 3 females + 1 male met at 6pm and had a pitcher of margs, Texas guac, cheese dip, and split a chicken/steak quesadilla plus a verde/shrimp quesadilla. An hour later, we ordered a second pitcher. At 8pm, I paid $27 for pitcher #1 and left to take my guy home. There was about 1/2 a pitcher left. I came back at 9:30 to re-join my girls. The girls were still working on pitcher #2, and I had the last 1/2 glass. The girls had ordered another cheese dip and fajitas in the 1.5hrs we were gone. Another guy - who had not been drinking - joined us at 10pm. Our waitress was off shift at 10, so we cashed out our $65 tab for all the food plus pitcher #2 with her and left a nice $15 tip. A young waitress came over at 10:10 and we ordered a third pitcher. She said she needed to talk to her manager, and upon her return she informed us we couldn't be served because we had already had two pitchers. Let me revisit the math for you: 4 people... 4 hours... two pitchers... a boat load of food... and a 5th party joining us. I have never been so insulted in my life. I asked to speak to the manager, and he came over with attitude. I explained to the two of them that I had just returned and our new friend had just joined us, and we should be allowed to order a pitcher. When I said I had been absent for 1.5 hours, the waitress actually said "oh, really? I don't think so." They conceded and said they could sell us a half-pitcher, but at that point, we were over their 'hospitality'. When I asked for the owners contact information, the waitress laughed in my face. When I asked her if she thought it was funny, she said yes. We are all late 20's/early 30's moderately conservative working professionals that are employed by a Fortune 500 company HQ'd here in Atlanta. We are respected, well-behaved, professional people. We live locally in Smyrna, and taking a $10 cab in the event we've consumed too much is ALWAYS an option. We do not condone drunk driving. I am still offended and will be writing a letter to Virgilio Padilla, owner. I am very disappointed in these guys...
(1)Shica B.
My first impression was to simply sum up my review with the statement: Eh... but decided to use a few more words. Hubs & I were cruising around the place on our monthaversary. I decided to take him somewhere pretty nice (LOL) and decided that we would go to a place that I used to go when I lived right in that area. We slide up to Border (forgot all of our other gift certificates at home). No one was interested in seating us. Fine, we'll seat ourselves. When we sat down, no one was interested in paying attention to us. Just when I was about to convince him to sprint across the parking lot to Red Lobster, someone popped out of the woodwork with a basket of chips and we decided to stay. The parking situation is typically crowded. The lot was crowded, but when we got in, there was hardly 8 people there. The service was not provided at any rate of speed consistent with the number of folks in the empty restaurant. My quesidilla was OK, but I am tired of the ridiculous prices of a simple tortilla (what do they cost .10) filled with a 1/4 cup of cheese (worth about .20 tops) with a few pieces of meat thrown in (.50) that is folded over and heated for a few seconds. Just stop the nonsense, these things should be taco priced, not steak valued! Hubs got the fajita and was semi-impressed. I'm certain that the glimmer in his eye was due to the love and appreciation that he had been blessed to have me as his wife for 30 whole days. Two monthivarsary will definitely be somewhere a tad bit spiffier, perhaps where they even care to give you a seat. (don't forget the giftcards)
(2)Maria S.
I went here for the first time the other day. I liked it. The food was authentic Mexican food. Really big menu and selection. Everyone was friendly. Much better then other Mexican places I have been too. They have a couple of TV's to watch games.
(3)Lindy F.
"A tortilla is either corn or wheat. But a corn tortilla folded and filled is a taco, whereas a filled wheat tortilla is a burrito. Deep fry a burrito, it's a chimichanga.Toast a tortilla, it's a tostada. Roll it, it's an enchilada." -- One Day (2011) I love a good cheesy queso for my chips - this one was so addictive that I couldn't tell you if I tried the salsa...is that bad? Gooey, drippy, just the cheese. They offer it with lots of goodies, but that's for another trip. My lunch was pretty straightforward - I was hungry, I needed food (cheap and quick and still good tasting) and according to a friend - this would foot the bill. She was not wrong. We had a very polite waiter who brought us drinks pretty quick (unsweet iced tea for me) and also our bowl of queso. I looked over the lunch combos and knowing I like all the Mexican classics, I opted for the #3 - taco, enchilada with rice and beans. I swear, we blinked and the food came. As is usual at these places - the plate was screaming HOT. The taco (ground beef) was pretty good. Typical, crunchy corn taco shell (and by typical, I mean American) - but tasty nonetheless. The meat could have had more flavor - but I am used to the ground beef being bland in these places. My enchilada - I ordered cheese (as if I did not have enough cheese in my queso and melted on top of everything). I love my dairy. This was great - enchilada sauce was pretty authentic tasting and the cheese was pretty melty without burning the insides of my mouth. The rice and beans - as you would expect. I'm sure the beans are cooked with lard - which is why they are super flavorful and probably added to my waistline more than I would have liked. Our drinks were kept refilled and our check was dropped off without needing to ask (you pay at the front, BTW). Overall, a great experience and perfect for a quick lunch on a busy workday.
(4)Heidi P.
Best cheese dip around for me. I love the plain queso blanco.. No meat, jalapeños, tomatoes etc necessary. The chicken and steak fajitas are delicious. Including the soft tortillas - dip those in your queso! Tacos and enchiladas are good. I'm not a huge fan of tequila or rum but it have had a few margaritas/daiquiris here and they're pretty good. Service is pretty good. They're very friendly and kind but they may be busy/slow. Their tee shirts crack me up, too: "Our English is not great but we won't make fun of your Spanish." They've got a cool patio that is currently being worked on. Great Mexican in the Cumberland area.
(4)Adam C.
This the third time I have came here . and I lobe this place. The people here are super nice, and the food is great I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and they eat their food every time And the chips we have to get 3 refills on chips each time. A1 place.
(5)Tom N.
They try super hard to take care of everyone, however they always seem short staffed. The food is amazing our favorite in the area. Parking can be a challenge they share a parking lot with Red Lobster. The drinks are good, a bit pricey but they do the job. No wifi.
(4)Anne-Marie W.
The food here is solid. It's pretty obvious that they are serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The cheese dip with jalapeños is right on. Their salsa has just the right kick & isn't chunky, which I like. Great cheese enchiladas. I've had their margaritas too & they're really good as well. Service is kind of meh. You get chips, salsa, queso, drinks all pretty quickly. Food comes out quickly too. But God forbid if you need a drink refill or you want a side order of sour cream, because they don't check on you often. Servers are polite but not overly nice or friendly. Still, if you want good Mexican eats, this is the place. I go from time to time just to have that awesome cheese dip!
(4)Dana R.
Yes, the service wasn't great, but the food and drinks were excellent. We'll be back.
(4)Adam B.
This place was no good. The food was flavorless, and very pricey. Service was moderate at best. I will never go back again
(1)Liz B.
This restaurant is fantastic. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Atlanta. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff is friendly, efficient and helpful. It has a fun authentic feel. I've been three times and always want to come back. Definitely try to table made guac.
(5)Shawn P.
Service here is terrible. Had to ask for napkins. Drinks left unfilled. Server not very friendly. Server did not understand English. Hostess not friendly. Food was not very good.
(1)Frank S.
This place is horrible. It took us an hour to get Mexican food and the manager/owner(Virgilio Padilla) would not even comp half off of the food. As a group we offered to pay full price of the alcohol. I got better service on Cinco de Mayo 2014 at El Azteca Sandy Springs(better food too). Do not go here at all. Crap food
(1)Carol M.
I have only eaten the spicy burrito, many times. It is absolutely delicious. The service here STINKS!! Every time we go during lunch, we vow not to return. Today took the cake. It took about 15 minutes to get our chips and salsa and 10 minutes after we ordered drinks, they finally came. We're looking for another good Mexican lunch venue if anyone knows of one near Cumberland/Galleria.
(2)Mark Alan K.
Have eaten here many times. The food is authentic. The staff is awesome. Love this place!
(4)Danielle T.
This is my favorite local Mexican place! The older waiter is by far my favorite. He is attentive, fast, and makes everyone want to enjoy themselves. I like the outside eating area. It's perfect for those days when the weather is nice. The margaritas are great!!
(4)Diedre R.
I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican Chicken Soup in the city. This place was not it. While theirs was edible, it wasn't nearly the best. It was mostly rice and broth. The place looks like a shack from the outside. Well, it looks that way on the inside too. Since I was placing the order to go, I asked if I could sit at the bar and have a margarita while I watied. The lady at the "Please wait to be seated" sign told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. Uh....okay. I plopped down on a bar stool and ordered up a margarita. I was so SHOCKED when she ladle out a glass of margarita from a "car wash bucket". You know those white buckets the car wash guys have. That may have subconsciously affected me, because I took one sip and wondered, where is the tequila? I did munch on some salsa and chips, the salsa was a plain variety with a little flavor. I wonder if this is stored in the kitchen in car was buckets also. I finished the margarita and chips and by then my soup was sitting next to me in a plastic bag next to the check. I felt around in the bag and discovered there were no chips and salsa. I've never ordered to-go food from a Mexican restaurant and didn't have chips and salsa. I requested them and was told that would be 50 cents. Uh...okay. Come to find out the 50 cents is for any to go orders, and you only receive chips and salsa with your to go order if you request it. It was about 3pm on a Friday, and every TV in the place was on Mexican Soap Operas. Probably won't go back. Not impressive at all, way too many other choices to choose from.
(2)Michael W.
Service isn't that great. Food is good, staff is nice. The place appears understaffed in the past couple if months. Didn't get a drink refill at all today--and it took forever to get the check.
(3)Thomas S.
I used to avoid this place purely on its proximity to Red Lobster next door but was persuaded to go by a neighbor, and was fairly pleased with what I had. The service was good, prices are average, and my nachos were on point. Their salsa tasted like, well, salsa. These days I'm tired of run-of-the-mill tex-mex restaurants serving tomato sauce. Here I was happy to find that while it was probably mass-produced, it was kinda spicy. The full platter of nachos is the perfect portion and wasn't doused in cheese like so many places have. Friends ordered the enchiladas, taco salad, and fish tacos. None complained and we all left the neighborhood tex-mex place full and satisfied.
(3)Staci T.
Food was good - mega fast - wait staff didn't even look at me and basically threw everything at me tho! I'd recommend for a cheap dinner where you don't care about sitting in a dump - which sometimes the night calls for!
(2)Greg A.
It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's quite good. The locals go here and I can understand why. Most combinations/specials are $5-$7, and the food is of excellent quality. Service leaves a bit to be desired, spilling soda on the table, running around the restaurant, etc, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)Patty S.
Best Mexican in northwest Atlanta - give it a try. Our office eats here once a week. We can't miss.....So yummy
(4)DeNay G.
Food is great but the service is kind of hit or miss. They are really quick to seat you and get you your chips and salsa. After you've placed your order the food is pretty quick to come out as well. Next is where we usually have to wait. Its hard to get a drink refill and get your check once you're done eating. I'm not sure if this is just because they seem short staffed. The Fajitas for two is a great price and really good. My sister and I like the Quesadilla Roja as well. Overall, pretty good. I'll take this place over La Parilla any day.
(3)Pam D.
Chips and Salsa delivered quickly, yummy cheese dip, and strong margaritas...what else could you want? I had the Border Nachos for my dinner and I've got to say: I was impressed with it! I had a mix of steak and chicken, and they took care to make sure each and every chip had a little of both on it. Both proteins were cooked perfectly: the chicken nice and juicy, and the steak was tender. Very happy with my meal! Service was on-point as well. Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses full, and was helpful in giving advice on what to order. I don't normally go OTP, but when I do, I'll go to Border.
(4)Brandeis C.
This is our favorite place to go for mexican. They have the best chicken nachos and margaritas. Thanks Border for helping us with our margarita fix.
(4)Diedre R.
I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican Chicken Soup in the city. This place was not it. While theirs was edible, it wasn't nearly the best. It was mostly rice and broth. The place looks like a shack from the outside. Well, it looks that way on the inside too. Since I was placing the order to go, I asked if I could sit at the bar and have a margarita while I watied. The lady at the "Please wait to be seated" sign told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. Uh....okay. I plopped down on a bar stool and ordered up a margarita. I was so SHOCKED when she ladle out a glass of margarita from a "car wash bucket". You know those white buckets the car wash guys have. That may have subconsciously affected me, because I took one sip and wondered, where is the tequila? I did munch on some salsa and chips, the salsa was a plain variety with a little flavor. I wonder if this is stored in the kitchen in car was buckets also. I finished the margarita and chips and by then my soup was sitting next to me in a plastic bag next to the check. I felt around in the bag and discovered there were no chips and salsa. I've never ordered to-go food from a Mexican restaurant and didn't have chips and salsa. I requested them and was told that would be 50 cents. Uh...okay. Come to find out the 50 cents is for any to go orders, and you only receive chips and salsa with your to go order if you request it. It was about 3pm on a Friday, and every TV in the place was on Mexican Soap Operas. Probably won't go back. Not impressive at all, way too many other choices to choose from.
(2)Michael W.
Service isn't that great. Food is good, staff is nice. The place appears understaffed in the past couple if months. Didn't get a drink refill at all today--and it took forever to get the check.
(3)Kelvin W.
The food was soooo good. I got the Fajita quesadilla, which is not like a quesadilla at all. It's more like a taco stuffed with peppers n onions & cheese. It was a pleasant surprise and super tasty. I ordered 2 house margaritas, I thought they were pretty weak, until I made it home and noticed it was rather buzzed. My only complaint was the service- the restaurant was practically empty and my server was gone most of the time. The quesadillas also came with this nasty Spanish rice. it left much to be desired.
(3)Rhett M.
Never again. I like cheap Mexican restaurants. I like the combination dinners. This place was a horrible experience. I had a margarita which the server got wrong on the salt...ok no big deal. The food tasted horrid. Then after our Margaritas were empty it took 15 minutes for the server to come back. We just moved to the area and thought this would be our new Mexican spot. We were wrong. Los Bravos is a much better option. DON'T GO HERE. I left with a stomach ache and still have one.
(1)Erin E.
I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars because our server was very nice and friendly. He made sure we got what we ordered quickly and after reading negative reviews about the service this was a pleasant surprise. Our server was great. He took care of my table while also taking care of about four other tables. This is a fairly small restaurant. Our server was the only one serving tables alongside the manager. Now for the food! I would give the food 2 stars. It didn't taste like it was seasoned at all. I ordered the fajitas with chicken, shrimp, and steak and it was all very bland... just needed a little salt and pepper. The salsa was very watery looking... not thick or chunky. It tasted ok, just the appearance was watery. I also had two margaritas. They were pretty good. Service was good... food not so good... likely will not go back.
(3)Nichole M.
Once again, I am pleased with my meal at the border. This time the service was much better! I was inclined to leave 5 stars because I've seen the horrible things that people have said about this place; honestly people are exaggerating. Their food is pretty awesome, please try the beef and cheese dip. I lovvve margaritas but currently can't drink so I live vicariously through my husband who said they're amazing at this place!! This time we got the fajita special for two, it was massive, to say the least! My husband and I are heavy eaters and we had plenty left over to take home. They give you this extra large skillet filled with grilled, tender, juicy steak and chicken with onions and peppers and two tall wooden skewers of what tasted like wood grilled lime shrimp. It was amazing!! It also came with two full sized plates of rice and beans with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and pico. And I didn't get charged for my side of shredded cheese, which is awesome, because most Mexican restaurants charge for everything! So all in all we got this enormous amount of heavenly food, an appetizer, and some fries for our head turning son Chase for under 40 bucks! The border gets my vote, this will be our spot for Mexican from now on.
(5)Christina R.
So my boyfriend and I have probably been here 20 times in 6 months. The food is pretty good as long as you stay away from the steak. I don't know why but it taste funky. The service is up and down some days we are impressed others we have to basically flag someone over. The fact that we are regulars and the staff still doesn't know us is kind of odd. Over all the salsa is great we get big cups of it to go all the time. Try the border special or the border dip two of my favorites!
(4)Mike M.
Had high hopes, but the salsa and guacamole tasted like it was from a can. Sorry but the food was bland.
(2)Disappointed F.
My husband and I arrived there last night after having an awesome dinner at the Cheese Cake factory. We were seated on the patio and was not serviced water for over 20 minutes. We finally get up and go ask for a manager. He then come to the table to say I've passed by your table 100 times...he get our drinks and we received no service after that for over 1 hour. We look around and the whole outdoor patio is empty. People received their meals, bills, and we're out!! So we got up and went inside for and a waiter asked where what we needed. I explained our experience. Those drinks should have been free but we were still asked to pay for horrible service and our manager had changed his shirt to a soccer shirt...ready to hit the town I guess. We love coming here but this was the worst experience. I have them a chance to rectify the problem but they didn't...so here you go!!!
(2)Marlon S.
Food is good; however, service is bad. I've complained to them about service on 2 occasions. The last incident involved the server giving me the check halfway through my meal. Apparently once you get the check, all service stops. This visit was at 11am and there was only one other customer. The servers were just sitting around at the bar and even looked in my direction...but not one felt compelled to help. I hate to scratch this place off my list, but I cannot accept this lack of service.
(1)Cody K.
love this place... I almost never say that in a review either, I think. outdoor patio makes me feel like I'm on vacation; the food is pretty good but super cheap so it doesn't have to that great. servers are hard working and friendly, even though they don't speak a lot of english. perfect place for lunch. check it out.
(5)Lindy F.
"A tortilla is either corn or wheat. But a corn tortilla folded and filled is a taco, whereas a filled wheat tortilla is a burrito. Deep fry a burrito, it's a chimichanga.Toast a tortilla, it's a tostada. Roll it, it's an enchilada." -- One Day (2011) I love a good cheesy queso for my chips - this one was so addictive that I couldn't tell you if I tried the salsa...is that bad? Gooey, drippy, just the cheese. They offer it with lots of goodies, but that's for another trip. My lunch was pretty straightforward - I was hungry, I needed food (cheap and quick and still good tasting) and according to a friend - this would foot the bill. She was not wrong. We had a very polite waiter who brought us drinks pretty quick (unsweet iced tea for me) and also our bowl of queso. I looked over the lunch combos and knowing I like all the Mexican classics, I opted for the #3 - taco, enchilada with rice and beans. I swear, we blinked and the food came. As is usual at these places - the plate was screaming HOT. The taco (ground beef) was pretty good. Typical, crunchy corn taco shell (and by typical, I mean American) - but tasty nonetheless. The meat could have had more flavor - but I am used to the ground beef being bland in these places. My enchilada - I ordered cheese (as if I did not have enough cheese in my queso and melted on top of everything). I love my dairy. This was great - enchilada sauce was pretty authentic tasting and the cheese was pretty melty without burning the insides of my mouth. The rice and beans - as you would expect. I'm sure the beans are cooked with lard - which is why they are super flavorful and probably added to my waistline more than I would have liked. Our drinks were kept refilled and our check was dropped off without needing to ask (you pay at the front, BTW). Overall, a great experience and perfect for a quick lunch on a busy workday.
(4)Heidi P.
Best cheese dip around for me. I love the plain queso blanco.. No meat, jalapeños, tomatoes etc necessary. The chicken and steak fajitas are delicious. Including the soft tortillas - dip those in your queso! Tacos and enchiladas are good. I'm not a huge fan of tequila or rum but it have had a few margaritas/daiquiris here and they're pretty good. Service is pretty good. They're very friendly and kind but they may be busy/slow. Their tee shirts crack me up, too: "Our English is not great but we won't make fun of your Spanish." They've got a cool patio that is currently being worked on. Great Mexican in the Cumberland area.
(4)Floyd R.
This place actually has great food and margaritas, and it is close to me and my wife's jobs. Their Nacho Supreme dish is great and everything I have ordered there has been good. Now, we had a horrible experience with insects the last time we sat out on the patio (earlier this summer) and that kinda spoiled the night for us and that is why I have to give it 3 stars. There are giant cockroaches/waterbugs (whatever you want to call them) that were under the deck-style flooring, and it is understandable that a food establishment will have some bugs nearby. However, we experienced a strange phenomenon on the night we were there. I have heard the saying that roaches scatter when they see light. Well, the cars in the parking lot on the front side of the restaurant face the outdoor patio. Every time someone turned their headlights on, they shined directly under the deck where these bugs were residing. The roaches must have saw this and guess where they decided to flee to? Yep - they went straight up. Up through the cracks in the deck where we were eating. We counted at least 10 to 15 of these big bugs crawling around on the deck every time this happened and they scared my wife to the point that we had to move to a table inside of the restaurant. The restaurant probably were aware that this happens because I can't see this being the first time so they should have invested in some type of pest control to eliminate that. You can buy that kind of stuff at the Home Depot down the street. Outside of the roaches on the deck, everything else about the place is ok. We'll probably sit inside if we ever go back. Probably sit at the bar lol.
(2)Anne-Marie W.
The food here is solid. It's pretty obvious that they are serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The cheese dip with jalapeños is right on. Their salsa has just the right kick & isn't chunky, which I like. Great cheese enchiladas. I've had their margaritas too & they're really good as well. Service is kind of meh. You get chips, salsa, queso, drinks all pretty quickly. Food comes out quickly too. But God forbid if you need a drink refill or you want a side order of sour cream, because they don't check on you often. Servers are polite but not overly nice or friendly. Still, if you want good Mexican eats, this is the place. I go from time to time just to have that awesome cheese dip!
(4)Dana R.
Yes, the service wasn't great, but the food and drinks were excellent. We'll be back.
(4)Adam B.
This place was no good. The food was flavorless, and very pricey. Service was moderate at best. I will never go back again
(1)Liz B.
This restaurant is fantastic. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Atlanta. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff is friendly, efficient and helpful. It has a fun authentic feel. I've been three times and always want to come back. Definitely try to table made guac.
(5)Frank S.
This place is horrible. It took us an hour to get Mexican food and the manager/owner(Virgilio Padilla) would not even comp half off of the food. As a group we offered to pay full price of the alcohol. I got better service on Cinco de Mayo 2014 at El Azteca Sandy Springs(better food too). Do not go here at all. Crap food
(1)Shawn P.
Service here is terrible. Had to ask for napkins. Drinks left unfilled. Server not very friendly. Server did not understand English. Hostess not friendly. Food was not very good.
(1)Jennifer M.
I DO NOT recommend this place at all. This was the worse tex-mex restaurant that I've ever had. Food was not good and bland. The salsa and cheese dip were run down with water. I ordered the taquitos which comes with sour cream and guacamole... I barely got a spoonful of each. I left dissatisfied and disgusted and I'm not a picky eater! Service was ok. If you're just dying for tex mex make the extra 10 minute drive to another place.
(1)Carol M.
I have only eaten the spicy burrito, many times. It is absolutely delicious. The service here STINKS!! Every time we go during lunch, we vow not to return. Today took the cake. It took about 15 minutes to get our chips and salsa and 10 minutes after we ordered drinks, they finally came. We're looking for another good Mexican lunch venue if anyone knows of one near Cumberland/Galleria.
(2)Mark Alan K.
Have eaten here many times. The food is authentic. The staff is awesome. Love this place!
(4)Alex C.
Nothing special here. Pretty good prices for good service at pretty decent portions. Lunch specials for $5 are a pretty big plus, but other than that, there are other options that are more legit if you want Mexican for dinner.
(3)Christian C.
Went with a group of 7. Service was sort of friendly but very slow. Food was nothing special. Salsa was probably the best thing about the whole meal for me. Everything else was standard fare. I had 4 tacos and a small order of queso dip for about $13.
(2)Ted L.
My wife and I and many friends have had lunch many times over the past 4 yrs. the good is great and fresh. The service is great and friendly. Of course over 50-60 times of eating there we have had 1-2 times with not up to par food and service. They are more than willing to substitute meals and the owner is very responsive to service problems. The meals are extremely good prices. Recommend highly.
(5)Maggie O.
Border is my husband's and my go-to Mexican restaurant for almost three years. Prices are normal, food is good. There's not a lot of turnover in the staff, and for the most part, our service had been excellent (and we have visited The Border probably 30 times)!!! We normally share the fajita nachos and a pitcher of beer, and man, does it hit the spot. If you're in the mood for Mexican, we definitely recommend The Border, as we have always had a great experience!
(4)Jam D.
Border Mexican Restaurant is a good place to grab the regular Tex-Mex cuisine. The best part about the place are the prices. The food is nothing out of the ordinary, but a good place to grab chicken enchiladas or carne asada tacos.
(3)Carla R.
The food @ drinks are excellent!!! Service is so bad!!! This was my 2nd time visiting in over 5 years. I have been a patron for over 14 years & the service used to be wonderful! I will not be visiting again! I have driven over an hour just to visit & experience such rudeness!!!
(2)Jeff W.
Some of the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant. Slow, inattentive, and indifferent to customers. Food is unremarkable. I will never return.
(1)Kristen H.
There are two things I order when I eat Mexican food: chicken soft taco and cheese dip. That is all I want. Border is the best in the area based on my complex menu. The service could improve, but other than that: cheap good food = four stars. Also, if you're driving south down Cobb, drive past and make a U-turn at the next light. Kind of difficult to figure out best way to enter lot.
(4)Cameron B.
Upon first impression this is a normal, cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. They, however, set themselves apart in my mind because they have great service. It became a challenge to see if we could empty our glasses, salsa bowl or chip bowl before we had more. I like that in a place. Food is around the norm, and normal price, but again give me good service and I'll be back!
(4)Mark J.
The inside is clean and the wait staff is on point. The lunch menu was full of choices and the same with the platters for only a couple bucks more. The chips were homemade and they brought each of us in our party our own salsa bowl which was nice. I got three items al-a-cart and with tip my bill came to $10. Not too bad for a sit-down lunch. An A-OK experience.
(3)Mike D.
Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I like this place. I've eaten here probably fifteen times, so that should speak for itself. Then again, I'm also the type of person who finds something he likes and sticks to it, whether I'm being ignorant or not. To make no attempt of avoiding a cliche, ignorance is bliss, so I keep coming back here. The food is rock solid. It always comes out quick and hot, it tastes good, and it's pretty cheap. Their queso is decent - sometimes I find that it can be a tad too runny for my liking, but to each their own. The service is alright. They've messed up my order once or twice, but they're quick to fix it. One time I got chicken instead of beef tacos, and I actually liked the chicken tacos almost as much, so go figure. The margaritas are good. I feel that they're not the strongest, but they're not weak either. They taste really good, and there's a variety of sizes - single, jumbo, 1/2 pitcher, monster, and full pitcher - to satisfy your alcohol craving for the duration of your stay. Pretty solid Mexican food. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I've found that those are the better places! Give this restaurant a try.
(4)Kevin D.
for what it is it is one of the best in my opinion. Ive come here maybe four or five times in the last year and always leave happy, full, and content with my experience. Some of the diners below might want this to be something it isn't which is a fine dining establishment. Sometimes a laid back vibe, cheese dip within arms reach, and a horribly cramped parking lot leading to a hole in the wall is all I want. On a side note the food is actually quite different from the los bravos, monterreys, whatever other random tex-mex joints that seem to serve the same combination platters. Not different in a bad way but different in a very good way. I like this place because it's not the same as every other tex-mex joint for under ten dollars.
(5)Tei A.
This place has to be one of my FAVS! Great salsa and even better... Very authentic traditional Mexican dishes that you can't get enough of. Very fulfilling and great for any crowd. Also, if you're a fan... the Queso dip is perfection.
(4)Jeremy P.
Went here for the first time today with my girlfriend, and I must say-I was not impressed. The beans were not good, taco was meh, cheese enchilada was decent, but the jalapeno cheese dip was on point! Service was ok, but it was busy at lunch time so that's to be expected anywhere these days. Restaurant itself was pretty cool, felt like an authentic Mexican spot. Overall, I would go somewhere else if given the choice...but then again nothing bad enough to say "don't go there" either! So over all, my opinion was just decent.
(2)Jang C.
Cheap lunches, but that's about it. The staff here isn't very attentive. We must have waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. While we were waiting, a couple of servers walked by us. There were a lot of empty seats. Finally, one of the servers (who walked by us about 5 times) took us to our seats. Maybe they were seriously understaffed. They didn't seem that busy though. I wasn't a big fan of the food. Their lunch combos were lacking in variety. I ordered 2 eggs with chorizo.... Wait a second, that was chorizo? I just remembered what I ordered as I'm writing this review. And no way I ate a chorizo. All I remember was refried beans, rice and eggs. Maybe the chorizo was in the eggs? Or it was too forgettable. I didn't like their rice. It was too dry. The eggs were okay. But you can't mess up eggs. If you do, you should not be cooking professionally. Luckily the eggs were done correctly. At least they passed that. Like I mentioned, one positive about this place is the low price. That's about it. 1.5 stars.
(1)TJ M.
I've eaten here 3-4 times with a friend of mine. I've found the food to be tasty and the prices to be cheap. Never had a problem with service like the other reviewers seem to be saying, but maybe because my friend talks in Spanish to them? Not sure. I'd recommend it if you're looking for somewhere cheap to eat and don't want to go to a nearby chain. Parking has never been a problem, although it can get rather crowded. I've always managed to find a space, however.
(4)Alex C.
Nothing special here. Pretty good prices for good service at pretty decent portions. Lunch specials for $5 are a pretty big plus, but other than that, there are other options that are more legit if you want Mexican for dinner.
(3)Christian C.
Went with a group of 7. Service was sort of friendly but very slow. Food was nothing special. Salsa was probably the best thing about the whole meal for me. Everything else was standard fare. I had 4 tacos and a small order of queso dip for about $13.
(2)Ted L.
My wife and I and many friends have had lunch many times over the past 4 yrs. the good is great and fresh. The service is great and friendly. Of course over 50-60 times of eating there we have had 1-2 times with not up to par food and service. They are more than willing to substitute meals and the owner is very responsive to service problems. The meals are extremely good prices. Recommend highly.
(5)Maggie O.
Border is my husband's and my go-to Mexican restaurant for almost three years. Prices are normal, food is good. There's not a lot of turnover in the staff, and for the most part, our service had been excellent (and we have visited The Border probably 30 times)!!! We normally share the fajita nachos and a pitcher of beer, and man, does it hit the spot. If you're in the mood for Mexican, we definitely recommend The Border, as we have always had a great experience!
(4)Jeff W.
Some of the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant. Slow, inattentive, and indifferent to customers. Food is unremarkable. I will never return.
(1)Kristen H.
There are two things I order when I eat Mexican food: chicken soft taco and cheese dip. That is all I want. Border is the best in the area based on my complex menu. The service could improve, but other than that: cheap good food = four stars. Also, if you're driving south down Cobb, drive past and make a U-turn at the next light. Kind of difficult to figure out best way to enter lot.
(4)Cameron B.
Upon first impression this is a normal, cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. They, however, set themselves apart in my mind because they have great service. It became a challenge to see if we could empty our glasses, salsa bowl or chip bowl before we had more. I like that in a place. Food is around the norm, and normal price, but again give me good service and I'll be back!
(4)Mark J.
The inside is clean and the wait staff is on point. The lunch menu was full of choices and the same with the platters for only a couple bucks more. The chips were homemade and they brought each of us in our party our own salsa bowl which was nice. I got three items al-a-cart and with tip my bill came to $10. Not too bad for a sit-down lunch. An A-OK experience.
(3)DeNay G.
Food is great but the service is kind of hit or miss. They are really quick to seat you and get you your chips and salsa. After you've placed your order the food is pretty quick to come out as well. Next is where we usually have to wait. Its hard to get a drink refill and get your check once you're done eating. I'm not sure if this is just because they seem short staffed. The Fajitas for two is a great price and really good. My sister and I like the Quesadilla Roja as well. Overall, pretty good. I'll take this place over La Parilla any day.
(3)Pam D.
Chips and Salsa delivered quickly, yummy cheese dip, and strong margaritas...what else could you want? I had the Border Nachos for my dinner and I've got to say: I was impressed with it! I had a mix of steak and chicken, and they took care to make sure each and every chip had a little of both on it. Both proteins were cooked perfectly: the chicken nice and juicy, and the steak was tender. Very happy with my meal! Service was on-point as well. Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses full, and was helpful in giving advice on what to order. I don't normally go OTP, but when I do, I'll go to Border.
(4)Brandeis C.
This is our favorite place to go for mexican. They have the best chicken nachos and margaritas. Thanks Border for helping us with our margarita fix.
(4)Jennifer M.
I DO NOT recommend this place at all. This was the worse tex-mex restaurant that I've ever had. Food was not good and bland. The salsa and cheese dip were run down with water. I ordered the taquitos which comes with sour cream and guacamole... I barely got a spoonful of each. I left dissatisfied and disgusted and I'm not a picky eater! Service was ok. If you're just dying for tex mex make the extra 10 minute drive to another place.
(1)Floyd R.
This place actually has great food and margaritas, and it is close to me and my wife's jobs. Their Nacho Supreme dish is great and everything I have ordered there has been good. Now, we had a horrible experience with insects the last time we sat out on the patio (earlier this summer) and that kinda spoiled the night for us and that is why I have to give it 3 stars. There are giant cockroaches/waterbugs (whatever you want to call them) that were under the deck-style flooring, and it is understandable that a food establishment will have some bugs nearby. However, we experienced a strange phenomenon on the night we were there. I have heard the saying that roaches scatter when they see light. Well, the cars in the parking lot on the front side of the restaurant face the outdoor patio. Every time someone turned their headlights on, they shined directly under the deck where these bugs were residing. The roaches must have saw this and guess where they decided to flee to? Yep - they went straight up. Up through the cracks in the deck where we were eating. We counted at least 10 to 15 of these big bugs crawling around on the deck every time this happened and they scared my wife to the point that we had to move to a table inside of the restaurant. The restaurant probably were aware that this happens because I can't see this being the first time so they should have invested in some type of pest control to eliminate that. You can buy that kind of stuff at the Home Depot down the street. Outside of the roaches on the deck, everything else about the place is ok. We'll probably sit inside if we ever go back. Probably sit at the bar lol.
(2)Erin E.
I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars because our server was very nice and friendly. He made sure we got what we ordered quickly and after reading negative reviews about the service this was a pleasant surprise. Our server was great. He took care of my table while also taking care of about four other tables. This is a fairly small restaurant. Our server was the only one serving tables alongside the manager. Now for the food! I would give the food 2 stars. It didn't taste like it was seasoned at all. I ordered the fajitas with chicken, shrimp, and steak and it was all very bland... just needed a little salt and pepper. The salsa was very watery looking... not thick or chunky. It tasted ok, just the appearance was watery. I also had two margaritas. They were pretty good. Service was good... food not so good... likely will not go back.
(3)Nichole M.
Once again, I am pleased with my meal at the border. This time the service was much better! I was inclined to leave 5 stars because I've seen the horrible things that people have said about this place; honestly people are exaggerating. Their food is pretty awesome, please try the beef and cheese dip. I lovvve margaritas but currently can't drink so I live vicariously through my husband who said they're amazing at this place!! This time we got the fajita special for two, it was massive, to say the least! My husband and I are heavy eaters and we had plenty left over to take home. They give you this extra large skillet filled with grilled, tender, juicy steak and chicken with onions and peppers and two tall wooden skewers of what tasted like wood grilled lime shrimp. It was amazing!! It also came with two full sized plates of rice and beans with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and pico. And I didn't get charged for my side of shredded cheese, which is awesome, because most Mexican restaurants charge for everything! So all in all we got this enormous amount of heavenly food, an appetizer, and some fries for our head turning son Chase for under 40 bucks! The border gets my vote, this will be our spot for Mexican from now on.
(5)Jam D.
Border Mexican Restaurant is a good place to grab the regular Tex-Mex cuisine. The best part about the place are the prices. The food is nothing out of the ordinary, but a good place to grab chicken enchiladas or carne asada tacos.
(3)Carla R.
The food @ drinks are excellent!!! Service is so bad!!! This was my 2nd time visiting in over 5 years. I have been a patron for over 14 years & the service used to be wonderful! I will not be visiting again! I have driven over an hour just to visit & experience such rudeness!!!
(2)Christina R.
So my boyfriend and I have probably been here 20 times in 6 months. The food is pretty good as long as you stay away from the steak. I don't know why but it taste funky. The service is up and down some days we are impressed others we have to basically flag someone over. The fact that we are regulars and the staff still doesn't know us is kind of odd. Over all the salsa is great we get big cups of it to go all the time. Try the border special or the border dip two of my favorites!
(4)Mike M.
Had high hopes, but the salsa and guacamole tasted like it was from a can. Sorry but the food was bland.
(2)Cody K.
love this place... I almost never say that in a review either, I think. outdoor patio makes me feel like I'm on vacation; the food is pretty good but super cheap so it doesn't have to that great. servers are hard working and friendly, even though they don't speak a lot of english. perfect place for lunch. check it out.
(5)Rhett M.
Never again. I like cheap Mexican restaurants. I like the combination dinners. This place was a horrible experience. I had a margarita which the server got wrong on the salt...ok no big deal. The food tasted horrid. Then after our Margaritas were empty it took 15 minutes for the server to come back. We just moved to the area and thought this would be our new Mexican spot. We were wrong. Los Bravos is a much better option. DON'T GO HERE. I left with a stomach ache and still have one.
(1)Disappointed F.
My husband and I arrived there last night after having an awesome dinner at the Cheese Cake factory. We were seated on the patio and was not serviced water for over 20 minutes. We finally get up and go ask for a manager. He then come to the table to say I've passed by your table 100 times...he get our drinks and we received no service after that for over 1 hour. We look around and the whole outdoor patio is empty. People received their meals, bills, and we're out!! So we got up and went inside for and a waiter asked where what we needed. I explained our experience. Those drinks should have been free but we were still asked to pay for horrible service and our manager had changed his shirt to a soccer shirt...ready to hit the town I guess. We love coming here but this was the worst experience. I have them a chance to rectify the problem but they didn't...so here you go!!!
(2)Ann V.
I love Mexican and Tex-mex food. I didn't find a single thing here that I liked, not the slow service, not the slightly rancid chips, not the poblano served with a congealed blob of cold cheese inside, not the microscopic serving of guacamole salad, nor the unconcerned manager. Ick.
(1)Marlon S.
Food is good; however, service is bad. I've complained to them about service on 2 occasions. The last incident involved the server giving me the check halfway through my meal. Apparently once you get the check, all service stops. This visit was at 11am and there was only one other customer. The servers were just sitting around at the bar and even looked in my direction...but not one felt compelled to help. I hate to scratch this place off my list, but I cannot accept this lack of service.
(1)Thomas S.
I used to avoid this place purely on its proximity to Red Lobster next door but was persuaded to go by a neighbor, and was fairly pleased with what I had. The service was good, prices are average, and my nachos were on point. Their salsa tasted like, well, salsa. These days I'm tired of run-of-the-mill tex-mex restaurants serving tomato sauce. Here I was happy to find that while it was probably mass-produced, it was kinda spicy. The full platter of nachos is the perfect portion and wasn't doused in cheese like so many places have. Friends ordered the enchiladas, taco salad, and fish tacos. None complained and we all left the neighborhood tex-mex place full and satisfied.
(3)Allison H.
To put it quite frankly, this place blows. Maybe it's what I get for trying a place I'd never been to on Cinco de Mayo, but still. Until reading the other reviews posted here I was willing to give this place benefit of the doubt and assume that the reason our service was so terrible was because they were just so busy and not used to handling it. Not so. It didn't take us long to be seated, but after we'd been sitting there for five minutes and seen at least 3 different servers walk past us several times each, we had to flag down the host and ask for some chips and salsa. They were brought promptly, but it took another 10 minutes before our server (who had walked past us at least 10 times by this point), came over and took our drink order. My sister and I ordered margaritas, and they didn't come out until after our food. I had the half order of nachos, which were not even mediocre, and one of my fellow diners' orders was wrong. we had to wait another 5 minutes while their food got cold to be brought silverware. I had to get water refills from the bar. I can't really say anything good about this place. When we ordered margaritas the waiter asked if we wanted salt and we said yes please and we got no salt. In short, the service sucks really really hard, and the food and drinks not NEARLY good enough to make up for it.
(1)Caitlin L.
We eat Mexican food at LEAST once a week and we love to try something new. Over time we've found that the shadier the restaurant, the better the Mexican food is. We found Border driving down Cobb PKWY, it sticks out from its neighbors with its bright green and purple decor. The inside of the green and purple building is quite dark with a full bar and a good amount of seating, we chose to sit on the patio, drink a beer, and enjoy the warm weather. They immediately brought us the standard chips and salsa, except these weren't so standard. The salsa was hot, like full of habanero seeds hot. I can typically handle spicy food, but this was a bit too much for me. I don't know what someone does who doesn't eat spicy food at all. As usual I ordered my cheese enchilada and bean taco with beans an rice. The service here was pretty good and speedy. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. My taco was soggy. :( I know this can happen, but even when I go to The Bell my taco shell isn't soggy. The cheese enchilada was just okay, it kinda tasted funny. But I did like the beans and rice. The beans were still slightly chunky, just how I liked them. I most likely won't be returning here, but if you enjoy super hot salsa then this may be the place for you.
(2)Lynn S.
-5 STARS!!!! I ordered the Spicy chicken burrito. Once the food came out there was only about 3 pieces of chicken in my burrito I refused to eat it because i wasn't about to eat a bean and rice burrito! once i explained this to the waitress she rolled her
(1)Staci T.
Food was good - mega fast - wait staff didn't even look at me and basically threw everything at me tho! I'd recommend for a cheap dinner where you don't care about sitting in a dump - which sometimes the night calls for!
(2)Greg A.
It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's quite good. The locals go here and I can understand why. Most combinations/specials are $5-$7, and the food is of excellent quality. Service leaves a bit to be desired, spilling soda on the table, running around the restaurant, etc, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)Patty S.
Best Mexican in northwest Atlanta - give it a try. Our office eats here once a week. We can't miss.....So yummy
(4)Mike D.
Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I like this place. I've eaten here probably fifteen times, so that should speak for itself. Then again, I'm also the type of person who finds something he likes and sticks to it, whether I'm being ignorant or not. To make no attempt of avoiding a cliche, ignorance is bliss, so I keep coming back here. The food is rock solid. It always comes out quick and hot, it tastes good, and it's pretty cheap. Their queso is decent - sometimes I find that it can be a tad too runny for my liking, but to each their own. The service is alright. They've messed up my order once or twice, but they're quick to fix it. One time I got chicken instead of beef tacos, and I actually liked the chicken tacos almost as much, so go figure. The margaritas are good. I feel that they're not the strongest, but they're not weak either. They taste really good, and there's a variety of sizes - single, jumbo, 1/2 pitcher, monster, and full pitcher - to satisfy your alcohol craving for the duration of your stay. Pretty solid Mexican food. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I've found that those are the better places! Give this restaurant a try.
(4)Jeremy P.
Went here for the first time today with my girlfriend, and I must say-I was not impressed. The beans were not good, taco was meh, cheese enchilada was decent, but the jalapeno cheese dip was on point! Service was ok, but it was busy at lunch time so that's to be expected anywhere these days. Restaurant itself was pretty cool, felt like an authentic Mexican spot. Overall, I would go somewhere else if given the choice...but then again nothing bad enough to say "don't go there" either! So over all, my opinion was just decent.
(2)Jonathan K.
I have been very remiss about this. I have lived in the area, within walking distance (and staggering distance home) for almost two decades, yet have failed to review this place, my favorite local Mexican place - and considering the wealth of Mexican food joints nearby, that really says something. It changed managers/owners a few years back, and the difference has been astounding. It was absolutely OK before. Cheap, strong margaritas, decent food.But in the last couple of years, it's gone upward and outward. The service has gone from surly to stellar. The food and the menu is much more upscale. The prices HAVE gone up, from dirt cheap to just cheap. But the food more than reflects the price increases, which have been incremental considering the vast revamping and remodeling. I'm actually worried, because what HAD been a relative eyesore that no one knew had decent food is now a glittering jewel in the midst of fast food and chain restaurants on Cobb Parkway. The chips and salsa are good, not great. I get a real SYSCO feeling from the salsa, sadly. But they are free, so I'm not complaining. The margaritas are really good! No, they are not artisan, for the most part. But a little over ten bucks gives you a half pitcher, more than enough for two to share - or one to get his tequila evening started in full force. The portions are generous, and the vegetarian menu lets my meatless friends have a pretty large selection. I have managed to snag a few of their new entree items, and they are all worth the premium - though my dinner companion swears by the large combination menu as well. He likes rice and beans, I don't. I order off the a la carte menu, and can totaly fill up for less than seven bucks on a mushroom quesadilla. Especially, having (foolishly perhaps) eaten my weight in chips and salsa. The fajitas for generously portioned, obviously fresh, and more than reasonably priced considering the chain franchises that lurk less than a mile away. Service was good (in that I never either craned my neck looking for a server, not had to endure having a third party at the table) and the food is tasty. Yes, the margaritas could be a touch (or three) stronger, and it would be awesome if they made their sour mix from scratch. But you know what? If that happened, I bet a half pitcher would not cost ten bucks. This place is an example of good, relatively inexpensive, quality mexican food. And that is often all I want. They have several TVs, which are usually playing latin channels/sports. I only wished against all wishes that this place was open later on weekends. They would become a real serious destination if they stayed open until 2 on weekends.
(4)Kesha M.
If you want to grab a good margarita, go here. If you want something to eat....go somewhere else!! Chips & salsa are good but the tacos, rice & beans were bland! My husband enjoyed his chimichanga but it wasn't anything to scream about. The food also came out so fast that either they knew we were coming or it's precooked & reheated! I could have gone across the street to taco bell & enjoyed my food! On a positive note, our waiter was good and attentive.
(2)m p.
Best Mexican in Smyrna, and believe me I have tried several in Smyrna. The Spicy Burrito is enough for two and is delicious.
(5)Kevin D.
for what it is it is one of the best in my opinion. Ive come here maybe four or five times in the last year and always leave happy, full, and content with my experience. Some of the diners below might want this to be something it isn't which is a fine dining establishment. Sometimes a laid back vibe, cheese dip within arms reach, and a horribly cramped parking lot leading to a hole in the wall is all I want. On a side note the food is actually quite different from the los bravos, monterreys, whatever other random tex-mex joints that seem to serve the same combination platters. Not different in a bad way but different in a very good way. I like this place because it's not the same as every other tex-mex joint for under ten dollars.
(5)Tei A.
This place has to be one of my FAVS! Great salsa and even better... Very authentic traditional Mexican dishes that you can't get enough of. Very fulfilling and great for any crowd. Also, if you're a fan... the Queso dip is perfection.
(4)Sanders M.
People that put this restaurant down or 1 star it let me just say to each their own. I can tell you from my experience tonight I got what I expected; reasonably priced combos for around 8 bucks and a full stomach. Service was average, the place was about 3/4 full. I will say that the guacamole you order from the kitchen is not the same as the table side. In hindsight I would have gotten the table side guacamole for 8ish bucks instead of the kitchen guacamole. #26 combo was very filling and the salsa that came with the thick chips was pretty good; though I added a little salt to the chips. As long as you know going in that your getting decent service and food at a good price you will enjoy yourself. It is all about your expectations going in.
(4)Jang C.
Cheap lunches, but that's about it. The staff here isn't very attentive. We must have waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. While we were waiting, a couple of servers walked by us. There were a lot of empty seats. Finally, one of the servers (who walked by us about 5 times) took us to our seats. Maybe they were seriously understaffed. They didn't seem that busy though. I wasn't a big fan of the food. Their lunch combos were lacking in variety. I ordered 2 eggs with chorizo.... Wait a second, that was chorizo? I just remembered what I ordered as I'm writing this review. And no way I ate a chorizo. All I remember was refried beans, rice and eggs. Maybe the chorizo was in the eggs? Or it was too forgettable. I didn't like their rice. It was too dry. The eggs were okay. But you can't mess up eggs. If you do, you should not be cooking professionally. Luckily the eggs were done correctly. At least they passed that. Like I mentioned, one positive about this place is the low price. That's about it. 1.5 stars.
(1)Shica B.
My first impression was to simply sum up my review with the statement: Eh... but decided to use a few more words. Hubs & I were cruising around the place on our monthaversary. I decided to take him somewhere pretty nice (LOL) and decided that we would go to a place that I used to go when I lived right in that area. We slide up to Border (forgot all of our other gift certificates at home). No one was interested in seating us. Fine, we'll seat ourselves. When we sat down, no one was interested in paying attention to us. Just when I was about to convince him to sprint across the parking lot to Red Lobster, someone popped out of the woodwork with a basket of chips and we decided to stay. The parking situation is typically crowded. The lot was crowded, but when we got in, there was hardly 8 people there. The service was not provided at any rate of speed consistent with the number of folks in the empty restaurant. My quesidilla was OK, but I am tired of the ridiculous prices of a simple tortilla (what do they cost .10) filled with a 1/4 cup of cheese (worth about .20 tops) with a few pieces of meat thrown in (.50) that is folded over and heated for a few seconds. Just stop the nonsense, these things should be taco priced, not steak valued! Hubs got the fajita and was semi-impressed. I'm certain that the glimmer in his eye was due to the love and appreciation that he had been blessed to have me as his wife for 30 whole days. Two monthivarsary will definitely be somewhere a tad bit spiffier, perhaps where they even care to give you a seat. (don't forget the giftcards)
(2)Caitlin B.
Nothing overly special about this place. The usual white people mexican food that seems to be the norm here in Atlanta. A little on the pricey side. And beware of lunch time - the line to pay is a pain in the ass.
(3)Pam S.
I would rate them 0 stars if that was an option after the insulting incident we experienced last night. We (used to) go to this place frequently, but after last night (3/26/10), that will cease. 3 females + 1 male met at 6pm and had a pitcher of margs, Texas guac, cheese dip, and split a chicken/steak quesadilla plus a verde/shrimp quesadilla. An hour later, we ordered a second pitcher. At 8pm, I paid $27 for pitcher #1 and left to take my guy home. There was about 1/2 a pitcher left. I came back at 9:30 to re-join my girls. The girls were still working on pitcher #2, and I had the last 1/2 glass. The girls had ordered another cheese dip and fajitas in the 1.5hrs we were gone. Another guy - who had not been drinking - joined us at 10pm. Our waitress was off shift at 10, so we cashed out our $65 tab for all the food plus pitcher #2 with her and left a nice $15 tip. A young waitress came over at 10:10 and we ordered a third pitcher. She said she needed to talk to her manager, and upon her return she informed us we couldn't be served because we had already had two pitchers. Let me revisit the math for you: 4 people... 4 hours... two pitchers... a boat load of food... and a 5th party joining us. I have never been so insulted in my life. I asked to speak to the manager, and he came over with attitude. I explained to the two of them that I had just returned and our new friend had just joined us, and we should be allowed to order a pitcher. When I said I had been absent for 1.5 hours, the waitress actually said "oh, really? I don't think so." They conceded and said they could sell us a half-pitcher, but at that point, we were over their 'hospitality'. When I asked for the owners contact information, the waitress laughed in my face. When I asked her if she thought it was funny, she said yes. We are all late 20's/early 30's moderately conservative working professionals that are employed by a Fortune 500 company HQ'd here in Atlanta. We are respected, well-behaved, professional people. We live locally in Smyrna, and taking a $10 cab in the event we've consumed too much is ALWAYS an option. We do not condone drunk driving. I am still offended and will be writing a letter to Virgilio Padilla, owner. I am very disappointed in these guys...
(1)Tracie T.
I went here and expected the worst. I went with a co-worker that had never been before. We arrived at 5:15pm on a Saturday and the place was dead. I have to say we got a pitcher of margaritas that were great but not strong enough for my taste. The food was great. We both ate everything. The waiter was friendly and returned often to make sure we had what we needed. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that. After we were there 2 hours the parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for parking. I will definitely return.
(4)Maria S.
I went here for the first time the other day. I liked it. The food was authentic Mexican food. Really big menu and selection. Everyone was friendly. Much better then other Mexican places I have been too. They have a couple of TV's to watch games.
(3)Kim N.
Am I the only one with love for Border? C'mon... It looks pretty shabby, the waitstaff probably won't like you, and if you want a quick meal- it ain't gonna happen. ...but it's all worth it. I'm not a huge fan of most Americanized mexican food because I feel chain eateries just dress up Taco Bell's "grade E" meat with some heavy sauces, and offer fancy margaritas to wash down the grease. Border completely eschews this plan in favor of great quality, low fat cuts of beef and chicken, hot corn chips, incredible salsa, and rice cooked to perfection. I suggest dropping by during a casual lunch. Not a working lunch, mind you- a lunch where you can drink and beer and sit for a while. The lunch specials consist of a ton of food, and are usually under 5 dollars. Overall: Awesome food, very low prices, non-chain restaurant. The waitstaff is often slightly surly and their English isn't great- but who cares? You're getting a great meal.
(5)Scott S.
When I walked in, the place smelled like skunked beer that had been left out from over night. Hungry, I proceeded to sit down with my two friends. My biggest objections is that they have a no substitution policy. Each dish is very specific making it very difficult for someone with specific tastes, allergies, or is a vegetarian. I ordered a tostada which consisted of a tortilla shell, some lettuce, chicken, and a slice of tomato tossed on the top. I guess perfect if you are 90 and have no taste buds. The service was not attentive and messed up one of our dishes and didn't come back until the end of the meal. As you can guess from my 1 star, I wouldn't recommend Border Mexican Restaurant based on menu restrictions, service, and the beer smell permeating the entire inside.
(1)TJ M.
I've eaten here 3-4 times with a friend of mine. I've found the food to be tasty and the prices to be cheap. Never had a problem with service like the other reviewers seem to be saying, but maybe because my friend talks in Spanish to them? Not sure. I'd recommend it if you're looking for somewhere cheap to eat and don't want to go to a nearby chain. Parking has never been a problem, although it can get rather crowded. I've always managed to find a space, however.
(4)Michael K.
This is your standard locally owned Mexican joint that has that little restaurant feel. It is right down the street from my place and I am absolutely i love with the salsa. It has a certain little fire to it and has a sort of smoky flavor. I think it is some of my favorite salsa anywhere. They also have fajita nachos and fajita quesadillas that you must try. I would recommend getting the cheese on the top of the quesadilla. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone that wanted to know about good Mexican food and I have to many of my coworkers.
(4)David K.
Awesome Margaritas! Had a giant Texas Margarita that was near perfect. Food was very good too. Two thumbs up!
(4)Matt C.
your typical run-of-the-mill americanized mexican spot. came here on cinco de mayo this year, and though they were obviously slammed, service was great and the food & drink hit the spot. wouldn't drive out of the way for it, but if you're in the area, i'd recommend it. nothing to write home about, but definitely nothing to gripe over, either.
(3)Brooke K.
For starters, let's just say the food was sub-par and the service was worse. The server acted like it was a total inconvenience to serve any of us....she bordered on rude. The food was....meh. Notsogreat.
(1)Jen K.
This place has the worst Mexican food of all time. Either people in Atlanta have REALLY bad taste for Mexican or they've just never had anything authentic and good because this place should have 0 stars. It is TERRIBLE. It was recommended to me by several people...gross. i don't know what the heck they were thinking.
(1)Dean M.
If you like unfriendly and non-attentive staff, and you like an unclean environment, this is definitely your place. Otherwise, you might think of driving right past this place. The food was okay, and the service wasn't absolutely horrible, but I definitely felt like the staff could use some lessons in social interaction and manners. Except for one guy, they all seemed like they hated being there, and hated their job. I think I have talked to plants that have more responsiveness and personality. If you don't mind the downer you get from the staff, you might consider the cleanliness. It's not the cleanest place on earth. If you are concerned about cleanliness, it is definitely a place to skip. Definitely not coming back.
(1)M A.
It's been a while since a job change, and you know what? I kind of miss my outings with former co-workers to this place. Sure, the service isn't the best and if you ask for something without ________ they rarely remember. But that's not quite the point. There's memories here! The food itself is decent and your standard "Mexican" restaurant fare. Tons of combos to choose from, including a variety of vegetarian options. If you don't want a combo, the a la carte menu is cheap and easy way to construct your own meal. One good thing that has been added here is fresh guac. Cut up right there at the table with all the additions such as diced tomatoes and onions. I am behind this guac 100% and am so glad it's been added to the menu! So sure, Da Border - as my friends and I affectionately call it - may not be the best Mexican restaurant in town. But it certainly provides a good time with the right people. Stop in for lunch if you're in the area - it's really not all that bad!
(3)Adam C.
This the third time I have came here . and I lobe this place. The people here are super nice, and the food is great I have a 6 year old and a 2 year old and they eat their food every time And the chips we have to get 3 refills on chips each time. A1 place.
(5)Tom N.
They try super hard to take care of everyone, however they always seem short staffed. The food is amazing our favorite in the area. Parking can be a challenge they share a parking lot with Red Lobster. The drinks are good, a bit pricey but they do the job. No wifi.
(4)Kelvin W.
The food was soooo good. I got the Fajita quesadilla, which is not like a quesadilla at all. It's more like a taco stuffed with peppers n onions & cheese. It was a pleasant surprise and super tasty. I ordered 2 house margaritas, I thought they were pretty weak, until I made it home and noticed it was rather buzzed. My only complaint was the service- the restaurant was practically empty and my server was gone most of the time. The quesadillas also came with this nasty Spanish rice. it left much to be desired.
(3)Rhett M.
Never again. I like cheap Mexican restaurants. I like the combination dinners. This place was a horrible experience. I had a margarita which the server got wrong on the salt...ok no big deal. The food tasted horrid. Then after our Margaritas were empty it took 15 minutes for the server to come back. We just moved to the area and thought this would be our new Mexican spot. We were wrong. Los Bravos is a much better option. DON'T GO HERE. I left with a stomach ache and still have one.
(1)Erin E.
I'm giving this restaurant 3 stars because our server was very nice and friendly. He made sure we got what we ordered quickly and after reading negative reviews about the service this was a pleasant surprise. Our server was great. He took care of my table while also taking care of about four other tables. This is a fairly small restaurant. Our server was the only one serving tables alongside the manager. Now for the food! I would give the food 2 stars. It didn't taste like it was seasoned at all. I ordered the fajitas with chicken, shrimp, and steak and it was all very bland... just needed a little salt and pepper. The salsa was very watery looking... not thick or chunky. It tasted ok, just the appearance was watery. I also had two margaritas. They were pretty good. Service was good... food not so good... likely will not go back.
(3)Nichole M.
Once again, I am pleased with my meal at the border. This time the service was much better! I was inclined to leave 5 stars because I've seen the horrible things that people have said about this place; honestly people are exaggerating. Their food is pretty awesome, please try the beef and cheese dip. I lovvve margaritas but currently can't drink so I live vicariously through my husband who said they're amazing at this place!! This time we got the fajita special for two, it was massive, to say the least! My husband and I are heavy eaters and we had plenty left over to take home. They give you this extra large skillet filled with grilled, tender, juicy steak and chicken with onions and peppers and two tall wooden skewers of what tasted like wood grilled lime shrimp. It was amazing!! It also came with two full sized plates of rice and beans with sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and pico. And I didn't get charged for my side of shredded cheese, which is awesome, because most Mexican restaurants charge for everything! So all in all we got this enormous amount of heavenly food, an appetizer, and some fries for our head turning son Chase for under 40 bucks! The border gets my vote, this will be our spot for Mexican from now on.
(5)Christina R.
So my boyfriend and I have probably been here 20 times in 6 months. The food is pretty good as long as you stay away from the steak. I don't know why but it taste funky. The service is up and down some days we are impressed others we have to basically flag someone over. The fact that we are regulars and the staff still doesn't know us is kind of odd. Over all the salsa is great we get big cups of it to go all the time. Try the border special or the border dip two of my favorites!
(4)Mike M.
Had high hopes, but the salsa and guacamole tasted like it was from a can. Sorry but the food was bland.
(2)Cody K.
love this place... I almost never say that in a review either, I think. outdoor patio makes me feel like I'm on vacation; the food is pretty good but super cheap so it doesn't have to that great. servers are hard working and friendly, even though they don't speak a lot of english. perfect place for lunch. check it out.
(5)Disappointed F.
My husband and I arrived there last night after having an awesome dinner at the Cheese Cake factory. We were seated on the patio and was not serviced water for over 20 minutes. We finally get up and go ask for a manager. He then come to the table to say I've passed by your table 100 times...he get our drinks and we received no service after that for over 1 hour. We look around and the whole outdoor patio is empty. People received their meals, bills, and we're out!! So we got up and went inside for and a waiter asked where what we needed. I explained our experience. Those drinks should have been free but we were still asked to pay for horrible service and our manager had changed his shirt to a soccer shirt...ready to hit the town I guess. We love coming here but this was the worst experience. I have them a chance to rectify the problem but they didn't...so here you go!!!
(2)Lindy F.
"A tortilla is either corn or wheat. But a corn tortilla folded and filled is a taco, whereas a filled wheat tortilla is a burrito. Deep fry a burrito, it's a chimichanga.Toast a tortilla, it's a tostada. Roll it, it's an enchilada." -- One Day (2011) I love a good cheesy queso for my chips - this one was so addictive that I couldn't tell you if I tried the salsa...is that bad? Gooey, drippy, just the cheese. They offer it with lots of goodies, but that's for another trip. My lunch was pretty straightforward - I was hungry, I needed food (cheap and quick and still good tasting) and according to a friend - this would foot the bill. She was not wrong. We had a very polite waiter who brought us drinks pretty quick (unsweet iced tea for me) and also our bowl of queso. I looked over the lunch combos and knowing I like all the Mexican classics, I opted for the #3 - taco, enchilada with rice and beans. I swear, we blinked and the food came. As is usual at these places - the plate was screaming HOT. The taco (ground beef) was pretty good. Typical, crunchy corn taco shell (and by typical, I mean American) - but tasty nonetheless. The meat could have had more flavor - but I am used to the ground beef being bland in these places. My enchilada - I ordered cheese (as if I did not have enough cheese in my queso and melted on top of everything). I love my dairy. This was great - enchilada sauce was pretty authentic tasting and the cheese was pretty melty without burning the insides of my mouth. The rice and beans - as you would expect. I'm sure the beans are cooked with lard - which is why they are super flavorful and probably added to my waistline more than I would have liked. Our drinks were kept refilled and our check was dropped off without needing to ask (you pay at the front, BTW). Overall, a great experience and perfect for a quick lunch on a busy workday.
(4)Heidi P.
Best cheese dip around for me. I love the plain queso blanco.. No meat, jalapeños, tomatoes etc necessary. The chicken and steak fajitas are delicious. Including the soft tortillas - dip those in your queso! Tacos and enchiladas are good. I'm not a huge fan of tequila or rum but it have had a few margaritas/daiquiris here and they're pretty good. Service is pretty good. They're very friendly and kind but they may be busy/slow. Their tee shirts crack me up, too: "Our English is not great but we won't make fun of your Spanish." They've got a cool patio that is currently being worked on. Great Mexican in the Cumberland area.
(4)Anne-Marie W.
The food here is solid. It's pretty obvious that they are serving authentic Mexican cuisine. The cheese dip with jalapeños is right on. Their salsa has just the right kick & isn't chunky, which I like. Great cheese enchiladas. I've had their margaritas too & they're really good as well. Service is kind of meh. You get chips, salsa, queso, drinks all pretty quickly. Food comes out quickly too. But God forbid if you need a drink refill or you want a side order of sour cream, because they don't check on you often. Servers are polite but not overly nice or friendly. Still, if you want good Mexican eats, this is the place. I go from time to time just to have that awesome cheese dip!
(4)Dana R.
Yes, the service wasn't great, but the food and drinks were excellent. We'll be back.
(4)Adam B.
This place was no good. The food was flavorless, and very pricey. Service was moderate at best. I will never go back again
(1)Liz B.
This restaurant is fantastic. It is my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Atlanta. The food is always fresh and flavorful, the staff is friendly, efficient and helpful. It has a fun authentic feel. I've been three times and always want to come back. Definitely try to table made guac.
(5)Frank S.
This place is horrible. It took us an hour to get Mexican food and the manager/owner(Virgilio Padilla) would not even comp half off of the food. As a group we offered to pay full price of the alcohol. I got better service on Cinco de Mayo 2014 at El Azteca Sandy Springs(better food too). Do not go here at all. Crap food
(1)Shawn P.
Service here is terrible. Had to ask for napkins. Drinks left unfilled. Server not very friendly. Server did not understand English. Hostess not friendly. Food was not very good.
(1)Jennifer M.
I DO NOT recommend this place at all. This was the worse tex-mex restaurant that I've ever had. Food was not good and bland. The salsa and cheese dip were run down with water. I ordered the taquitos which comes with sour cream and guacamole... I barely got a spoonful of each. I left dissatisfied and disgusted and I'm not a picky eater! Service was ok. If you're just dying for tex mex make the extra 10 minute drive to another place.
(1)Carol M.
I have only eaten the spicy burrito, many times. It is absolutely delicious. The service here STINKS!! Every time we go during lunch, we vow not to return. Today took the cake. It took about 15 minutes to get our chips and salsa and 10 minutes after we ordered drinks, they finally came. We're looking for another good Mexican lunch venue if anyone knows of one near Cumberland/Galleria.
(2)Mark Alan K.
Have eaten here many times. The food is authentic. The staff is awesome. Love this place!
(4)Floyd R.
This place actually has great food and margaritas, and it is close to me and my wife's jobs. Their Nacho Supreme dish is great and everything I have ordered there has been good. Now, we had a horrible experience with insects the last time we sat out on the patio (earlier this summer) and that kinda spoiled the night for us and that is why I have to give it 3 stars. There are giant cockroaches/waterbugs (whatever you want to call them) that were under the deck-style flooring, and it is understandable that a food establishment will have some bugs nearby. However, we experienced a strange phenomenon on the night we were there. I have heard the saying that roaches scatter when they see light. Well, the cars in the parking lot on the front side of the restaurant face the outdoor patio. Every time someone turned their headlights on, they shined directly under the deck where these bugs were residing. The roaches must have saw this and guess where they decided to flee to? Yep - they went straight up. Up through the cracks in the deck where we were eating. We counted at least 10 to 15 of these big bugs crawling around on the deck every time this happened and they scared my wife to the point that we had to move to a table inside of the restaurant. The restaurant probably were aware that this happens because I can't see this being the first time so they should have invested in some type of pest control to eliminate that. You can buy that kind of stuff at the Home Depot down the street. Outside of the roaches on the deck, everything else about the place is ok. We'll probably sit inside if we ever go back. Probably sit at the bar lol.
(2)DeNay G.
Food is great but the service is kind of hit or miss. They are really quick to seat you and get you your chips and salsa. After you've placed your order the food is pretty quick to come out as well. Next is where we usually have to wait. Its hard to get a drink refill and get your check once you're done eating. I'm not sure if this is just because they seem short staffed. The Fajitas for two is a great price and really good. My sister and I like the Quesadilla Roja as well. Overall, pretty good. I'll take this place over La Parilla any day.
(3)Pam D.
Chips and Salsa delivered quickly, yummy cheese dip, and strong margaritas...what else could you want? I had the Border Nachos for my dinner and I've got to say: I was impressed with it! I had a mix of steak and chicken, and they took care to make sure each and every chip had a little of both on it. Both proteins were cooked perfectly: the chicken nice and juicy, and the steak was tender. Very happy with my meal! Service was on-point as well. Our server checked on us regularly, kept our water glasses full, and was helpful in giving advice on what to order. I don't normally go OTP, but when I do, I'll go to Border.
(4)Brandeis C.
This is our favorite place to go for mexican. They have the best chicken nachos and margaritas. Thanks Border for helping us with our margarita fix.
(4)Danielle T.
This is my favorite local Mexican place! The older waiter is by far my favorite. He is attentive, fast, and makes everyone want to enjoy themselves. I like the outside eating area. It's perfect for those days when the weather is nice. The margaritas are great!!
(4)Ann V.
I love Mexican and Tex-mex food. I didn't find a single thing here that I liked, not the slow service, not the slightly rancid chips, not the poblano served with a congealed blob of cold cheese inside, not the microscopic serving of guacamole salad, nor the unconcerned manager. Ick.
(1)Marlon S.
Food is good; however, service is bad. I've complained to them about service on 2 occasions. The last incident involved the server giving me the check halfway through my meal. Apparently once you get the check, all service stops. This visit was at 11am and there was only one other customer. The servers were just sitting around at the bar and even looked in my direction...but not one felt compelled to help. I hate to scratch this place off my list, but I cannot accept this lack of service.
(1)Jam D.
Border Mexican Restaurant is a good place to grab the regular Tex-Mex cuisine. The best part about the place are the prices. The food is nothing out of the ordinary, but a good place to grab chicken enchiladas or carne asada tacos.
(3)Diedre R.
I'm on a quest to find the best Mexican Chicken Soup in the city. This place was not it. While theirs was edible, it wasn't nearly the best. It was mostly rice and broth. The place looks like a shack from the outside. Well, it looks that way on the inside too. Since I was placing the order to go, I asked if I could sit at the bar and have a margarita while I watied. The lady at the "Please wait to be seated" sign told me I could sit anywhere I wanted. Uh....okay. I plopped down on a bar stool and ordered up a margarita. I was so SHOCKED when she ladle out a glass of margarita from a "car wash bucket". You know those white buckets the car wash guys have. That may have subconsciously affected me, because I took one sip and wondered, where is the tequila? I did munch on some salsa and chips, the salsa was a plain variety with a little flavor. I wonder if this is stored in the kitchen in car was buckets also. I finished the margarita and chips and by then my soup was sitting next to me in a plastic bag next to the check. I felt around in the bag and discovered there were no chips and salsa. I've never ordered to-go food from a Mexican restaurant and didn't have chips and salsa. I requested them and was told that would be 50 cents. Uh...okay. Come to find out the 50 cents is for any to go orders, and you only receive chips and salsa with your to go order if you request it. It was about 3pm on a Friday, and every TV in the place was on Mexican Soap Operas. Probably won't go back. Not impressive at all, way too many other choices to choose from.
(2)Michael W.
Service isn't that great. Food is good, staff is nice. The place appears understaffed in the past couple if months. Didn't get a drink refill at all today--and it took forever to get the check.
(3)Alex C.
Nothing special here. Pretty good prices for good service at pretty decent portions. Lunch specials for $5 are a pretty big plus, but other than that, there are other options that are more legit if you want Mexican for dinner.
(3)Christian C.
Went with a group of 7. Service was sort of friendly but very slow. Food was nothing special. Salsa was probably the best thing about the whole meal for me. Everything else was standard fare. I had 4 tacos and a small order of queso dip for about $13.
(2)Ted L.
My wife and I and many friends have had lunch many times over the past 4 yrs. the good is great and fresh. The service is great and friendly. Of course over 50-60 times of eating there we have had 1-2 times with not up to par food and service. They are more than willing to substitute meals and the owner is very responsive to service problems. The meals are extremely good prices. Recommend highly.
(5)Maggie O.
Border is my husband's and my go-to Mexican restaurant for almost three years. Prices are normal, food is good. There's not a lot of turnover in the staff, and for the most part, our service had been excellent (and we have visited The Border probably 30 times)!!! We normally share the fajita nachos and a pitcher of beer, and man, does it hit the spot. If you're in the mood for Mexican, we definitely recommend The Border, as we have always had a great experience!
(4)Carla R.
The food @ drinks are excellent!!! Service is so bad!!! This was my 2nd time visiting in over 5 years. I have been a patron for over 14 years & the service used to be wonderful! I will not be visiting again! I have driven over an hour just to visit & experience such rudeness!!!
(2)Jeff W.
Some of the worst service I've ever had at any restaurant. Slow, inattentive, and indifferent to customers. Food is unremarkable. I will never return.
(1)Kristen H.
There are two things I order when I eat Mexican food: chicken soft taco and cheese dip. That is all I want. Border is the best in the area based on my complex menu. The service could improve, but other than that: cheap good food = four stars. Also, if you're driving south down Cobb, drive past and make a U-turn at the next light. Kind of difficult to figure out best way to enter lot.
(4)Cameron B.
Upon first impression this is a normal, cookie cutter Mexican restaurant. They, however, set themselves apart in my mind because they have great service. It became a challenge to see if we could empty our glasses, salsa bowl or chip bowl before we had more. I like that in a place. Food is around the norm, and normal price, but again give me good service and I'll be back!
(4)Mark J.
The inside is clean and the wait staff is on point. The lunch menu was full of choices and the same with the platters for only a couple bucks more. The chips were homemade and they brought each of us in our party our own salsa bowl which was nice. I got three items al-a-cart and with tip my bill came to $10. Not too bad for a sit-down lunch. An A-OK experience.
(3)Mike D.
Probably closer to 4.5 stars. I like this place. I've eaten here probably fifteen times, so that should speak for itself. Then again, I'm also the type of person who finds something he likes and sticks to it, whether I'm being ignorant or not. To make no attempt of avoiding a cliche, ignorance is bliss, so I keep coming back here. The food is rock solid. It always comes out quick and hot, it tastes good, and it's pretty cheap. Their queso is decent - sometimes I find that it can be a tad too runny for my liking, but to each their own. The service is alright. They've messed up my order once or twice, but they're quick to fix it. One time I got chicken instead of beef tacos, and I actually liked the chicken tacos almost as much, so go figure. The margaritas are good. I feel that they're not the strongest, but they're not weak either. They taste really good, and there's a variety of sizes - single, jumbo, 1/2 pitcher, monster, and full pitcher - to satisfy your alcohol craving for the duration of your stay. Pretty solid Mexican food. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but I've found that those are the better places! Give this restaurant a try.
(4)Kevin D.
for what it is it is one of the best in my opinion. Ive come here maybe four or five times in the last year and always leave happy, full, and content with my experience. Some of the diners below might want this to be something it isn't which is a fine dining establishment. Sometimes a laid back vibe, cheese dip within arms reach, and a horribly cramped parking lot leading to a hole in the wall is all I want. On a side note the food is actually quite different from the los bravos, monterreys, whatever other random tex-mex joints that seem to serve the same combination platters. Not different in a bad way but different in a very good way. I like this place because it's not the same as every other tex-mex joint for under ten dollars.
(5)Tei A.
This place has to be one of my FAVS! Great salsa and even better... Very authentic traditional Mexican dishes that you can't get enough of. Very fulfilling and great for any crowd. Also, if you're a fan... the Queso dip is perfection.
(4)Jeremy P.
Went here for the first time today with my girlfriend, and I must say-I was not impressed. The beans were not good, taco was meh, cheese enchilada was decent, but the jalapeno cheese dip was on point! Service was ok, but it was busy at lunch time so that's to be expected anywhere these days. Restaurant itself was pretty cool, felt like an authentic Mexican spot. Overall, I would go somewhere else if given the choice...but then again nothing bad enough to say "don't go there" either! So over all, my opinion was just decent.
(2)m p.
Best Mexican in Smyrna, and believe me I have tried several in Smyrna. The Spicy Burrito is enough for two and is delicious.
(5)Caitlin B.
Nothing overly special about this place. The usual white people mexican food that seems to be the norm here in Atlanta. A little on the pricey side. And beware of lunch time - the line to pay is a pain in the ass.
(3)Jonathan K.
I have been very remiss about this. I have lived in the area, within walking distance (and staggering distance home) for almost two decades, yet have failed to review this place, my favorite local Mexican place - and considering the wealth of Mexican food joints nearby, that really says something. It changed managers/owners a few years back, and the difference has been astounding. It was absolutely OK before. Cheap, strong margaritas, decent food.But in the last couple of years, it's gone upward and outward. The service has gone from surly to stellar. The food and the menu is much more upscale. The prices HAVE gone up, from dirt cheap to just cheap. But the food more than reflects the price increases, which have been incremental considering the vast revamping and remodeling. I'm actually worried, because what HAD been a relative eyesore that no one knew had decent food is now a glittering jewel in the midst of fast food and chain restaurants on Cobb Parkway. The chips and salsa are good, not great. I get a real SYSCO feeling from the salsa, sadly. But they are free, so I'm not complaining. The margaritas are really good! No, they are not artisan, for the most part. But a little over ten bucks gives you a half pitcher, more than enough for two to share - or one to get his tequila evening started in full force. The portions are generous, and the vegetarian menu lets my meatless friends have a pretty large selection. I have managed to snag a few of their new entree items, and they are all worth the premium - though my dinner companion swears by the large combination menu as well. He likes rice and beans, I don't. I order off the a la carte menu, and can totaly fill up for less than seven bucks on a mushroom quesadilla. Especially, having (foolishly perhaps) eaten my weight in chips and salsa. The fajitas for generously portioned, obviously fresh, and more than reasonably priced considering the chain franchises that lurk less than a mile away. Service was good (in that I never either craned my neck looking for a server, not had to endure having a third party at the table) and the food is tasty. Yes, the margaritas could be a touch (or three) stronger, and it would be awesome if they made their sour mix from scratch. But you know what? If that happened, I bet a half pitcher would not cost ten bucks. This place is an example of good, relatively inexpensive, quality mexican food. And that is often all I want. They have several TVs, which are usually playing latin channels/sports. I only wished against all wishes that this place was open later on weekends. They would become a real serious destination if they stayed open until 2 on weekends.
(4)Sanders M.
People that put this restaurant down or 1 star it let me just say to each their own. I can tell you from my experience tonight I got what I expected; reasonably priced combos for around 8 bucks and a full stomach. Service was average, the place was about 3/4 full. I will say that the guacamole you order from the kitchen is not the same as the table side. In hindsight I would have gotten the table side guacamole for 8ish bucks instead of the kitchen guacamole. #26 combo was very filling and the salsa that came with the thick chips was pretty good; though I added a little salt to the chips. As long as you know going in that your getting decent service and food at a good price you will enjoy yourself. It is all about your expectations going in.
(4)Jang C.
Cheap lunches, but that's about it. The staff here isn't very attentive. We must have waited for 10 minutes to get a seat. While we were waiting, a couple of servers walked by us. There were a lot of empty seats. Finally, one of the servers (who walked by us about 5 times) took us to our seats. Maybe they were seriously understaffed. They didn't seem that busy though. I wasn't a big fan of the food. Their lunch combos were lacking in variety. I ordered 2 eggs with chorizo.... Wait a second, that was chorizo? I just remembered what I ordered as I'm writing this review. And no way I ate a chorizo. All I remember was refried beans, rice and eggs. Maybe the chorizo was in the eggs? Or it was too forgettable. I didn't like their rice. It was too dry. The eggs were okay. But you can't mess up eggs. If you do, you should not be cooking professionally. Luckily the eggs were done correctly. At least they passed that. Like I mentioned, one positive about this place is the low price. That's about it. 1.5 stars.
(1)Shica B.
My first impression was to simply sum up my review with the statement: Eh... but decided to use a few more words. Hubs & I were cruising around the place on our monthaversary. I decided to take him somewhere pretty nice (LOL) and decided that we would go to a place that I used to go when I lived right in that area. We slide up to Border (forgot all of our other gift certificates at home). No one was interested in seating us. Fine, we'll seat ourselves. When we sat down, no one was interested in paying attention to us. Just when I was about to convince him to sprint across the parking lot to Red Lobster, someone popped out of the woodwork with a basket of chips and we decided to stay. The parking situation is typically crowded. The lot was crowded, but when we got in, there was hardly 8 people there. The service was not provided at any rate of speed consistent with the number of folks in the empty restaurant. My quesidilla was OK, but I am tired of the ridiculous prices of a simple tortilla (what do they cost .10) filled with a 1/4 cup of cheese (worth about .20 tops) with a few pieces of meat thrown in (.50) that is folded over and heated for a few seconds. Just stop the nonsense, these things should be taco priced, not steak valued! Hubs got the fajita and was semi-impressed. I'm certain that the glimmer in his eye was due to the love and appreciation that he had been blessed to have me as his wife for 30 whole days. Two monthivarsary will definitely be somewhere a tad bit spiffier, perhaps where they even care to give you a seat. (don't forget the giftcards)
(2)Maria S.
I went here for the first time the other day. I liked it. The food was authentic Mexican food. Really big menu and selection. Everyone was friendly. Much better then other Mexican places I have been too. They have a couple of TV's to watch games.
(3)Kesha M.
If you want to grab a good margarita, go here. If you want something to eat....go somewhere else!! Chips & salsa are good but the tacos, rice & beans were bland! My husband enjoyed his chimichanga but it wasn't anything to scream about. The food also came out so fast that either they knew we were coming or it's precooked & reheated! I could have gone across the street to taco bell & enjoyed my food! On a positive note, our waiter was good and attentive.
(2)Pam S.
I would rate them 0 stars if that was an option after the insulting incident we experienced last night. We (used to) go to this place frequently, but after last night (3/26/10), that will cease. 3 females + 1 male met at 6pm and had a pitcher of margs, Texas guac, cheese dip, and split a chicken/steak quesadilla plus a verde/shrimp quesadilla. An hour later, we ordered a second pitcher. At 8pm, I paid $27 for pitcher #1 and left to take my guy home. There was about 1/2 a pitcher left. I came back at 9:30 to re-join my girls. The girls were still working on pitcher #2, and I had the last 1/2 glass. The girls had ordered another cheese dip and fajitas in the 1.5hrs we were gone. Another guy - who had not been drinking - joined us at 10pm. Our waitress was off shift at 10, so we cashed out our $65 tab for all the food plus pitcher #2 with her and left a nice $15 tip. A young waitress came over at 10:10 and we ordered a third pitcher. She said she needed to talk to her manager, and upon her return she informed us we couldn't be served because we had already had two pitchers. Let me revisit the math for you: 4 people... 4 hours... two pitchers... a boat load of food... and a 5th party joining us. I have never been so insulted in my life. I asked to speak to the manager, and he came over with attitude. I explained to the two of them that I had just returned and our new friend had just joined us, and we should be allowed to order a pitcher. When I said I had been absent for 1.5 hours, the waitress actually said "oh, really? I don't think so." They conceded and said they could sell us a half-pitcher, but at that point, we were over their 'hospitality'. When I asked for the owners contact information, the waitress laughed in my face. When I asked her if she thought it was funny, she said yes. We are all late 20's/early 30's moderately conservative working professionals that are employed by a Fortune 500 company HQ'd here in Atlanta. We are respected, well-behaved, professional people. We live locally in Smyrna, and taking a $10 cab in the event we've consumed too much is ALWAYS an option. We do not condone drunk driving. I am still offended and will be writing a letter to Virgilio Padilla, owner. I am very disappointed in these guys...
(1)M A.
It's been a while since a job change, and you know what? I kind of miss my outings with former co-workers to this place. Sure, the service isn't the best and if you ask for something without ________ they rarely remember. But that's not quite the point. There's memories here! The food itself is decent and your standard "Mexican" restaurant fare. Tons of combos to choose from, including a variety of vegetarian options. If you don't want a combo, the a la carte menu is cheap and easy way to construct your own meal. One good thing that has been added here is fresh guac. Cut up right there at the table with all the additions such as diced tomatoes and onions. I am behind this guac 100% and am so glad it's been added to the menu! So sure, Da Border - as my friends and I affectionately call it - may not be the best Mexican restaurant in town. But it certainly provides a good time with the right people. Stop in for lunch if you're in the area - it's really not all that bad!
(3)Dean M.
If you like unfriendly and non-attentive staff, and you like an unclean environment, this is definitely your place. Otherwise, you might think of driving right past this place. The food was okay, and the service wasn't absolutely horrible, but I definitely felt like the staff could use some lessons in social interaction and manners. Except for one guy, they all seemed like they hated being there, and hated their job. I think I have talked to plants that have more responsiveness and personality. If you don't mind the downer you get from the staff, you might consider the cleanliness. It's not the cleanest place on earth. If you are concerned about cleanliness, it is definitely a place to skip. Definitely not coming back.
(1)Tracie T.
I went here and expected the worst. I went with a co-worker that had never been before. We arrived at 5:15pm on a Saturday and the place was dead. I have to say we got a pitcher of margaritas that were great but not strong enough for my taste. The food was great. We both ate everything. The waiter was friendly and returned often to make sure we had what we needed. There were a lot of kids in the restaurant and I was surprised to see that. After we were there 2 hours the parking lot was full and people were lined up waiting for parking. I will definitely return.
(4)Kim N.
Am I the only one with love for Border? C'mon... It looks pretty shabby, the waitstaff probably won't like you, and if you want a quick meal- it ain't gonna happen. ...but it's all worth it. I'm not a huge fan of most Americanized mexican food because I feel chain eateries just dress up Taco Bell's "grade E" meat with some heavy sauces, and offer fancy margaritas to wash down the grease. Border completely eschews this plan in favor of great quality, low fat cuts of beef and chicken, hot corn chips, incredible salsa, and rice cooked to perfection. I suggest dropping by during a casual lunch. Not a working lunch, mind you- a lunch where you can drink and beer and sit for a while. The lunch specials consist of a ton of food, and are usually under 5 dollars. Overall: Awesome food, very low prices, non-chain restaurant. The waitstaff is often slightly surly and their English isn't great- but who cares? You're getting a great meal.
(5)Scott S.
When I walked in, the place smelled like skunked beer that had been left out from over night. Hungry, I proceeded to sit down with my two friends. My biggest objections is that they have a no substitution policy. Each dish is very specific making it very difficult for someone with specific tastes, allergies, or is a vegetarian. I ordered a tostada which consisted of a tortilla shell, some lettuce, chicken, and a slice of tomato tossed on the top. I guess perfect if you are 90 and have no taste buds. The service was not attentive and messed up one of our dishes and didn't come back until the end of the meal. As you can guess from my 1 star, I wouldn't recommend Border Mexican Restaurant based on menu restrictions, service, and the beer smell permeating the entire inside.
(1)TJ M.
I've eaten here 3-4 times with a friend of mine. I've found the food to be tasty and the prices to be cheap. Never had a problem with service like the other reviewers seem to be saying, but maybe because my friend talks in Spanish to them? Not sure. I'd recommend it if you're looking for somewhere cheap to eat and don't want to go to a nearby chain. Parking has never been a problem, although it can get rather crowded. I've always managed to find a space, however.
(4)Michael K.
This is your standard locally owned Mexican joint that has that little restaurant feel. It is right down the street from my place and I am absolutely i love with the salsa. It has a certain little fire to it and has a sort of smoky flavor. I think it is some of my favorite salsa anywhere. They also have fajita nachos and fajita quesadillas that you must try. I would recommend getting the cheese on the top of the quesadilla. Overall I would recommend this place to anyone that wanted to know about good Mexican food and I have to many of my coworkers.
(4)David K.
Awesome Margaritas! Had a giant Texas Margarita that was near perfect. Food was very good too. Two thumbs up!
(4)Matt C.
your typical run-of-the-mill americanized mexican spot. came here on cinco de mayo this year, and though they were obviously slammed, service was great and the food & drink hit the spot. wouldn't drive out of the way for it, but if you're in the area, i'd recommend it. nothing to write home about, but definitely nothing to gripe over, either.
(3)Brooke K.
For starters, let's just say the food was sub-par and the service was worse. The server acted like it was a total inconvenience to serve any of us....she bordered on rude. The food was....meh. Notsogreat.
(1)Jen K.
This place has the worst Mexican food of all time. Either people in Atlanta have REALLY bad taste for Mexican or they've just never had anything authentic and good because this place should have 0 stars. It is TERRIBLE. It was recommended to me by several people...gross. i don't know what the heck they were thinking.
(1)Thomas S.
I used to avoid this place purely on its proximity to Red Lobster next door but was persuaded to go by a neighbor, and was fairly pleased with what I had. The service was good, prices are average, and my nachos were on point. Their salsa tasted like, well, salsa. These days I'm tired of run-of-the-mill tex-mex restaurants serving tomato sauce. Here I was happy to find that while it was probably mass-produced, it was kinda spicy. The full platter of nachos is the perfect portion and wasn't doused in cheese like so many places have. Friends ordered the enchiladas, taco salad, and fish tacos. None complained and we all left the neighborhood tex-mex place full and satisfied.
(3)Staci T.
Food was good - mega fast - wait staff didn't even look at me and basically threw everything at me tho! I'd recommend for a cheap dinner where you don't care about sitting in a dump - which sometimes the night calls for!
(2)Allison H.
To put it quite frankly, this place blows. Maybe it's what I get for trying a place I'd never been to on Cinco de Mayo, but still. Until reading the other reviews posted here I was willing to give this place benefit of the doubt and assume that the reason our service was so terrible was because they were just so busy and not used to handling it. Not so. It didn't take us long to be seated, but after we'd been sitting there for five minutes and seen at least 3 different servers walk past us several times each, we had to flag down the host and ask for some chips and salsa. They were brought promptly, but it took another 10 minutes before our server (who had walked past us at least 10 times by this point), came over and took our drink order. My sister and I ordered margaritas, and they didn't come out until after our food. I had the half order of nachos, which were not even mediocre, and one of my fellow diners' orders was wrong. we had to wait another 5 minutes while their food got cold to be brought silverware. I had to get water refills from the bar. I can't really say anything good about this place. When we ordered margaritas the waiter asked if we wanted salt and we said yes please and we got no salt. In short, the service sucks really really hard, and the food and drinks not NEARLY good enough to make up for it.
(1)Caitlin L.
We eat Mexican food at LEAST once a week and we love to try something new. Over time we've found that the shadier the restaurant, the better the Mexican food is. We found Border driving down Cobb PKWY, it sticks out from its neighbors with its bright green and purple decor. The inside of the green and purple building is quite dark with a full bar and a good amount of seating, we chose to sit on the patio, drink a beer, and enjoy the warm weather. They immediately brought us the standard chips and salsa, except these weren't so standard. The salsa was hot, like full of habanero seeds hot. I can typically handle spicy food, but this was a bit too much for me. I don't know what someone does who doesn't eat spicy food at all. As usual I ordered my cheese enchilada and bean taco with beans an rice. The service here was pretty good and speedy. Our food came out in about 10 minutes. My taco was soggy. :( I know this can happen, but even when I go to The Bell my taco shell isn't soggy. The cheese enchilada was just okay, it kinda tasted funny. But I did like the beans and rice. The beans were still slightly chunky, just how I liked them. I most likely won't be returning here, but if you enjoy super hot salsa then this may be the place for you.
(2)Lynn S.
-5 STARS!!!! I ordered the Spicy chicken burrito. Once the food came out there was only about 3 pieces of chicken in my burrito I refused to eat it because i wasn't about to eat a bean and rice burrito! once i explained this to the waitress she rolled her
(1)Greg A.
It's a bit of a hole in the wall, but it's quite good. The locals go here and I can understand why. Most combinations/specials are $5-$7, and the food is of excellent quality. Service leaves a bit to be desired, spilling soda on the table, running around the restaurant, etc, but the food more than makes up for it.
(4)Patty S.
Best Mexican in northwest Atlanta - give it a try. Our office eats here once a week. We can't miss.....So yummy
(4)