Mexican Cafe
609 Melvin Ave, Annapolis, MD, 21401
Mexican Cafe Menu
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Address :
609 Melvin Ave
Annapolis, MD, 21401 - Phone (410) 626-1520
- Website https://www.themexicancafe.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey, Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
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.
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Rob B.
Second helping, It's not getting any better. Margarita still very good.
(2)Kenny F.
This place was soo good before it moved to West Annapolis. Not sure what happened. My GF and I went there on a Sunday evening. It was kinda late, so the dining room was empty. The only people there were on the back deck. Maybe because the weather was nice. Or maybe because the dining room smelled like a dirty dish towel. The deck is nice though. A good outdoor spot. Too bad I won't ever be able to enjoy it -- well, not while the Mexican Cafe is still there. The food was OK (the stuffed jalapenos were the highlight). Very mainstream tex-mex. Nothing special at all. But the menu is a bit larger than most mexican restaurants. The service was great. That's the only reason it gets 2 starts from me. Prompt, attentive, friendly. Then again, we were one of 3 parties in the section, so who knows if this holds up when they get busy. The motivation for writing this review: the margaritas. According to their website, their groupon, and the some of the only positive comments from other yelpers, the margaritas are supposed to be good. Well, ours weren't particularly strong and they were served in a KEG CUP. Not even a large and sturdy Solo keg cup either -- a small, clear plastic cup. With salt on the rim. And they were $7.50 a piece. I know it was late, but for $7.50 you guys gotta serve your "world-famous" drink in something more presentable. Good luck, Mexican Cafe! Wait, I take that back. Stay the course! I'm always looking for a new place to eat in town, and it's a great spot!
(2)LISA H.
Saw on Groupon, so gave it a try. As soon as you walk in the door, you are hit with an old musty smell. I am not sure what it is but smells really old and overwhelming. I heard it could be the old carpet. The salsa/chips were fine. Refills on chips and salsa are not complimentary so that was a turn off. Fajitas were good. Also tried the beef enchiladas and they were yummy. But for the smell/old building/old carpet, I would revisit.
(3)Annie M.
I was not impressed.. at all. My boyfriend and I wanted to try something new today for lunch. He had been here before, once at the new location and several times at the old location. I had not been here before so it was really just new for me. My overall experience was awful. The service was not good at all. The hostess was also the waitress and probably also the bartender. But I guess it didn't really matter because at 2 pm we were one of the two filled tables in the restaurant. We walked in and there was no one at the front desk. A couple minutes later the host/waitress came out and told us to seat ourselves. She came up a couple minutes later with chips and salsa. Which is good because we were starving at this point. The bad part of it was that the salsa tasted like the tostitos salsa. Mehhh not my favorite. The waitress came back with water and we put in our order for a large guacamole. The guacamole was very bland. It tasted fresh at least.. but there was no flavor in it at all. The only good part was that a large bowl of guacamole ($8.99) was actually quite a large bowl of guacamole that could have satisfied at least three people, in quantity that is. Quality was not so great. My boyfriend & I resorted to dipping the guacamole in the salsa to get some flavor out of it.. It made me sad because guacamole is my favorite.. For our entrees, my boyfriend ordered the steak taco salad and I ordered the steak enceballado. I didn't try his salad but it didn't look very good. The salad was just lettuce and tomatoes with grilled steak in a tortilla bowl. The steak looked like it was a little overcooked. The lettuce didn't look too fresh. & There was also no dressing or anything on it. So basically he was eating tough steak on top of lettuce. It's okay though.. cause he took the salsa from the chips and salsa earlier and poured it on top of his lettuce. The steak enceballado was not very good. I couldn't finish it. The steak was tough and overcooked. The steak and green bell peppers were swimming in grease. It made me sick just looking at it. Also, the waitress asked if I wanted jalapenos in it and I said yes.. but sadly there were no jalapenos.. I didn't touch the pinto beans. The rice and steak were very bland. There was no flavor. No type of spiciness. It left me very unsatisfied. When we were given the check I asked the host/waitress about a discount for that day that was advertised on the door. She responded with "maybe..." and went outside to look at the door for the discount.. I'm sorry but.. isn't that something a hostess/waitress should know? She didn't seem like she knew what was going on... All in all.. The experience was very disappointing... I will not be back. Not even for the margaritas. Instead.. I will venture over to West St to get my fix for Mexican food.
(1)Nombre O.
One margarita will enhance the the food to palatable, two makes it exceptional and if you remember the third drink you need to call a cab! Best Margaritas in Annapolis... I think. The patio is a nice way to enjoy a spring afternoon and the service is always lively and makes you feel like you are with friends.
(4)Phil B.
I've been to Mexican Cafe when they were in the old location off Forest Drive a few times. It was fun - small, always busy and a surefire way to get your drink on with those powerful margaritas. I've also been to the newer location near downtown Annapolis and although its bigger and roomier I can't say that the experience got better. To be honest, this is a place to get a powerful margarita and have a good time. Don't be expecting high quality fare, because the food is not that great. There are many other Mexican places for that in Annapolis.
(2)Emma M.
This place was delicious!!!!' The service was fast and the waitresses were really friendly. Plus the proportions were so big I'm going to be eating Mexican for the next 2 days :)
(5)Montie Y.
Pro: Free Chips & Salsa Con: German Cockroaches, weak drinks, cold food. Ive eaten here several times and each time it gets worse. The food is never hot when served. Orange crush margs are weak. Last night a big nasty roach w egg sac crawled across the table.
(1)Eddie D.
Not sure how this place is getting anything over two stars from the Yelp community. We went and got seated quickly, and got drinks quickly. Overall, service was good. Free chips and salsa. Chips are great, salsa is good. No complaints. The guacamole is....meh. It's just bland. The entree's are standard fair, except not done well. Greasy meats and cheeses served with way overcooked beans (I imagine there's a pot of beans back there where the heat is always on, just cooking away). Rice is the same, over cooked "slop". No real flavors to anything. Got their "famous" deep fried avocado. Have you ever heard of Avocado's being cooked? No? Me either.....and now I know why. This expensive little dish is apparently filled with chicken and cheese.............where????? It all melted out during the cooking process. And what does deep frying an avocado do? It tastes like warm avocado. It isn't good at all. I had two bites, and let the rest of it turn brown on my plate. I won't be back. There's nothing special to this place. No good views, and definitely NOT good food. I paid way too much money for what we got. If you want Mexican food, Taco Bell is seriously a better choice. It's about that level of food quality, but you're only paying a dollar for a taco at TB, and not 10 bucks.
(2)Mark D.
We've frequented Mex Cafe for years, starting when it was nicknamed "Little Tijuana" on Bay Ridge. I've always liked the food, thought I know it isn't extraordinary. I love the margaritas and I LOVE the folks who work there. Great service and a true Annapolis experience IMHO. The move to the new building didn't do anything for them. The restaurant lost it's quaintness, but as long as the people are there, it is still the same place. Wish it still had the same magic as the old place. Maybe this one is trying to be a little too mainstream. But with the deck, still a terrific place for a margarita after work.
(5)Vaughn S.
Hard to believe this only has 3 stars here on Yelp. I've been here several times now and always had a great dining experience. The chips are excellent. The fresh salsa is some of the best I've ever had. The fresh guacamole and queso are outstanding! The deep-fried stuffed avocado is to die for!!! All that, plus excellent service to boot. EASY 5-stars!!
(5)Caroline M.
Horrible. Service was fast. So fast that they served my flauta ICE cold. I thought it tasted luke warm, stuck my finger into the center of it and it was still literally frozen. I flagged down a waitress who took my plate back to the kitchen, just to have it stuck under a heat lamp and returned to me- plate scalding hot- with the same flauta I had poked my finger in sitting there on the plate- gross. Besides the fact that there is nothing but disgusting Mexican food everywhere outside of Mexico or Southern California. At least I have Never found any worth eating.
(1)Mark F.
Food tastes like rubber because it's all clearly microwaved. Service is "okay", normal. The reason to go their however is to eat. If you want to eat some Mexican food I'd recommend another restaurant.
(1)Katherine S.
Food, not the best. Margaritas on the other hand are amazing. Best I town I'd say! If you do go and you're hungry try the drunken shrimp burrito or, for those with lactose issues, the kitchen sink burrito. Both are delicious!
(3)Ma-e M.
This is not the place you would admire its decor; it's not over-the-top, but outdated. When it comes to food and service, we had no complains. I like that the chimis I ordered were crunchy and tasty.
(3)Dirk J.
Food was OK. Standard fare though - meat with beans, tortillas, cheese and sauce. One day one of these mexican grills will do something different.
(3)Berl B.
The food was good. The margaritas were awesome. The service was okay.
(4)Megan F.
Food is mediocre but the margaritas will put you on your butt. I had two and encountered a hangover the next day. (cheap tequila?)
(3)David L.
Every time I come down to the Baltimore/DC area, I make a beeline for Mexican Cafe and their amazing Swordfish Tacos. Try 'em. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Bridgette H.
Everyone that's complaining about how Mexican Cafe doesn't serve real Mexican is COMPLETELY missing the point. You should have known when you saw that everything on the menu was swimming in queso or chili that this wasn't going to be an authentic Mexican experience- and if that didn't tip you off, perhaps the fact that it's owned by white people in Annapolis and staffed by kids that look like they go to Towson U (no offensies!) should have. WITH THAT SAID, the food is grossly delicious. Their serving sizes are way too awesomely large, and everything is greasy and cheesy. Their enchiladas put me into an a daze unlike any other Tex Mex I've had. I'm never disappointed when I go because I don't want a culinary masterpiece when I'm at Mexican Cafe. I want something that's going to make me feel wonderfully disgusting and put me in the bathroom in 10. If you go into Mexican Cafe with the right kind of expectations, then you'll be fine. If you go in expecting braised pork belly tacos finished with pickled onions and organic cilantro, you need to go someplace other than Annapolis to eat.
(4)Patrick M.
Here is my bottom line - up front: I always like going to the mom and pops and independent restaurants, but The Mexican Cafe is not a place I will be rushing back to any time soon. Truth be told, I'd rather deal with the crowds at Chevy's...the food is similar in quality, the margaritas are better and bigger, and the service is much more attentive, and Chevy's is right down the road. Rationale: This was my first time at this restaurant. Not the worst Mexican restaurant, but certainly not the best either. The food was OK, though the rice was incredibly dry. The guacamole was average. The salsa was actually bland (how do you make bland salsa?). I have eaten plenty of Mexican food from around the country, including in places like El Paso, TX where we communicated with the wait staff by pointing at the pictures in the menu, so I think I understand what good TexMex cuisine is suposed to taste like. This wasn't bad, but it was far from those great places in El Paso, middle-of-nowhere Arizona, etc. I had the mini flautas and the meat was seasoned well, except for the ground beef...that was not very good. It tasted a little like it had way too much salt and they tried to soften the saltiness with ketchup. For the most part, everyone liked their food in my party, but no one was particularly thrilled about it, except my 22yo who insisted we had to try this wonderful place. Margaritas: Several in my party had the margaritas since that is what this place is known for, and everyone recommended we just had to try. I guess we should have been a little suspect when "everyone" is comprised of our 22 year old and her friends. To the mature palate and experienced margarita drinkers, we were not impressed. The drinks were merely OK, far from the best we've ever had...and far from the best margaritas in Annapolis even. I'd put them on par with the margaritas you make yourself when you're hosting a backyard barbeque...sometimes ok, sometimes not, nothing to write home about. The first round had too much mix, the second had too much tequila. Either way, not great. This probably would have been a 4 star review except for the following: The service was sub-par. We were seated inside, and did not see our server for at least ten minutes. He came back with drinks then disappeared for another ten minutes. We were more than ready to order when he finally returned. The food arrived in short order, and we did not see our server again until we were ready to leave. No drink refills. No "how is your meal", nothing. We did spot him out on the patio talking with customers out there, but not apparently functioning as their server...though I could be mistaken about that. Either way, he didn't come around after we received our food until he finally came close enough and within line of site so we could flag him down. And when the check arrived it had a 20% gratuity already factored in. Boo...poor showing. We were a party of 5. I have never eaten at any restaurant anywhere where a party of 5 resulted in an automatic gratuity. Given the level of service, I would not have given 20%. But maybe the level of service was the way it was because our server knew he was going to get 20% no matter what. And to top that off, when he returned with the copy for me to sign (I paid with a credit card), it had a line for gratuity there as well. I wonder how many people have inadvertantly paid more than 20% gratuity because of that little scam. And yes, as far as I am concerned it is a scam. Again...not the worst place in town, but not the best. OK for a fix, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Maybe I will give it another try in the future and see how it compares. I'll update my review as needed.
(2)KM S.
We went here on a Saturday night and it was pretty crowded. We decided to sit inside because of the heat--however we soon realized that there was no air conditioning inside and the cooling was just by fan. We ordered the house margaritas and they lived up to their hype! It was definitely a fresh margarita that had a nice balance. K ordered the Burrito Asada with steak and M ordered the Tacos Authenticos with steak. When the food came out--we were impressed with the portion size. K really enjoyed her burrito and the Mexican flavors, while M enjoyed the meat and seasonings on his plate, but was not impressed with the soft taco shells. We were also shocked and disappointed that there was no bar to sit down and enjoy a few margaritas. Overall, this would have typically been a "4" rating; however, the lack of air conditioning hurt our meal and our experience, which is why we took away a star. We will try again on a cooler day!
(3)Rebecca S.
This is a fairly new Tex-Mex place near the USNA stadium, and when my dad said it was good after trying it out for the first time, I knew I was in for a bit of a treat. Beings that Dad is from South Texas, he knows his Tex-Mex. So this past weekend I took the opportunity to try it out with my sister before the Navy game. The menu is extensive, as they always are at a good Tex-Mex place, but my decision was immediately made when I saw the stuffed avocado on the menu. I had never seen that on a menu until I went out to a place in Houston with friends this summer, and it looked amazing. I figured I'd give it a shot, and went for the chicken and cheese. Basically, they take an avocado, remove the pit, fill the hole with goodness, and deep fry it. And it was GOOD. I also had a margarita, which was also quite tasty, and definitely strong. Sister had the pollo asada, and she really enjoyed it. It was a TON of food, though. The prices are a little steep for what it is, but that's really my only complaint. I'm a fan, and will most likely be back.
(4)Thomas J.
The "new" Mexican Cafe is certainly worse than the old location over on Bay Ridge. While the quirky charm to the beat up old building made up for its many warts, bad service, mediocre food, and lackluster margaritas are just annoying now. I'll recount the disappointments of tonight's visit: Wife's margarita was wrong (why did they bother asking whether she wanted salt??) Her sangria came warm (I'm not a big sangria drinker, but I'm pretty sure warm is wrong.) the meat in her taco was wrong (which also couldn't be picked up because it was covered in nacho cheese) The room was overbearingly hot (Northwoods take the AC with them???) those were the failures we weren't expecting. In addition we got to tolerate: screaming kids extremely slow service (plowed through 2 bowls of chips waiting for entrees) mediocre food. Those are par for the course at Mexican Cafe' The only real upside is that they're in annapolis. The only other "mexican" offerings are Chevy's and Austin Grill. Do yourself a favor and just get Thai or something.
(1)Mike R.
The food isn't that great. I guess if you're a 20-something collar-popping-jersey-shore-watching guy or a 20-something-dark-framed-glass-wearing girl, you would think it was good because you haven't had real Mexican food, except for that time you and you're friends got drunk on Spring Break in Cancun and threw up in the guacamole, not like you'd remember either. But for those who know authentic Mexican, you'll be disappointed. Chips are stale-ish, salsa is OK, guacamole is decent. I got the burrito, forgot the name but it's the "kitchen sink".. it was decent, filled with a fair amount of stuffing. It smells funny inside though, like a dirty bathroom... maybe it's the building. If you are from the mid-west, Canada or just a local with no Mexican food experience, you'll say "OMG THIS IS SO GOOD". Howver, if you are experienced in authentic, you'll click this review as useful.
(2)Kelley C.
I've been going to Mexican Cafe since I was in middle school and I still thoroughly enjoy it. The food is great, Americanized Mexican food.. absolutely, but you get big portions and everything tastes fantastic. Now that I'm old enough to drink... I love their margaritas. They're strong & they taste fantastic. I don't even usually like margaritas. My whole family enjoys coming here. And the waitresses are amazing. They're attentive, remember your order, and above all are friendly. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because the bathrooms aren't the cleanest. Still love it though.
(4)Melody C.
I gotta say after hearing about the Mexican Cafe, and how awesome the margarita's are from friends, I was pretty disappointed on my first trip. We sat outside on the patio and were quickly served with the free chips & salsa (which were very yummy). My bf and I finished off the salsa and got more when our friend arrived. We ordered a couple margaritas; I got the Orange Crush Margarita and my bf and friend got the regular house ones. I was really disappointed when our drinks came out served in small plastic cups. Huh?? I was expecting a large, nice margarita GLASS. Not a cheap little cup. A cup lined with salt looked a little ridiculous. I was confused but drank it of course. Strong. Decent, but nothing to write home about. I don't get the draw. I can dump massive amounts in margarita mix, too. Meh. I ordered a steak quesadilla (surpriseeee!) and was disappointed again upon first glance as it didn't come with any sour cream, and it wasn't even cut. Uh, ok.. A qdilla is usually cut into sections, but guess I'll just cut the pieces myself. The "salsa" sucked also, as it was just some pieces of tomato and lettuce & to top it off the steak inside was overcooked. Just a sad dish overall. My bf's pork was overcooked too in certain parts, but he did get a few very tasty pieces. Very just blah food. Disappointing visit for me. Maybe we ordered the wrong things. I might give it another shot if friends want to grab some margaritas, but not go out of my way.
(2)mike s.
Went there last week and ordered fajitas. They arrived not as the traditional still cooking on the pan hot, but buried under rice and beans on a somewhat cold plate. My wife ordered chicken quesadillas, but found only cheese in the tortillas This was on a Weds night, I would of hated to been there on a crowded weekend night I wanted to give this place a 2nd chance, since my first visit to the new location wasn't any better Adios! We are done with this place
(2)Sarah O.
This place is always crowded, no matter what time of day. We had a party of 6 this time and wanted whatever seating was first available since we were starving. We all ended up squeezing into a booth inside. The floor was sticky and the booth was wet when we sat (or slid in). It kinda felt like a slip n slide on your feet. The food, as always, was yummy. I tried the black bean queso for the first time; it was delicious and also had my first jalapeno popper there too. The margaritas are decent too; although, it wasn't until I was half tipsy that I noticed they come in flavors too. That gives me an excuse to go back and eat there again soon.
(4)Christine C.
The food was ok, we went for Lunch on a Saturday. There were only tables inside and the place could definitely use a little paint and a face life.. it's just yucky inside, I didn't really want to touch anything, the floor the table etc. Just eh, dirty looking. I had a spinach salad and a deep fried stuffed avocado which was interesting, but the batter was just a corn meal, it needed salt and it just wasn't anything to write home about. My husband ate a combo plate and he seemed to think it was ok, but nothing to rave about. Taco bell would have at least been cleaner! Ok, so if we go back it will be for the margaritas, but probably not for the food. The place is mostly outdoor seating. There is some indoor but it's grimey inside. Small parking lot around the building.
(2)Stephanie F.
I felt compelled to create an account based on my experience here this evening. The food was alright. The margaritas are pretty terrible, but get the job done. The service was pretty below average and this is why I felt the urge to comment. There were 4 of us, there is no happy hour special and he felt justified to add on a 20% gratuity to our check and not even bother to tell us. Even at a good restaurant, it is standard to add a gratuity to parties of 6 or more of 18%. This place is going to tank into the shit hole that it is and this joker totally angered me beyond belief. I will make sure to let my fellow Annapolitans know that it is not worth their time or money to get ripped off. I am not a huge fan of downtown, but for the money, I could have had real food, decent drinks and spent the same amount. The customary gratuity is less than classy and if it's not customary, screen your potential hires.
(1)Michael M.
I love local restaurants, love Mexican and try to avoid chains...what better set-up to make this iconic shack one of my local faves? Errr...food. On a good day it isn't vile. Think margaritas...lots of 'em (though only one will make you catatonic unless you're the size of a Redskin lineman). Know the ol' adage, 'eat, drink and be merry'? Two outta three ain't bad....how about 'eat (elsewhere), drink and be merry.' The shack is going the way of all things in the exurbs...being razed for a CVS Pharmacy, and relocated to West Annapolis. It will be interesting to see if it can retain its aura. And please say a prayer for the several thousand cockroaches who will be bereft and homeless very shortly!
(2)Sarah B.
I freaking love the Mexican Cafe. My husband has been going there for years and always talked about it. Finally, we went. The margs alone were worth the trip to Annapolis, but the food was really good, too! But, the KEY is very strong, delicious margs. Always the key. Food is fresh and there's plenty of it. Service is always top notch, as well. Friendly and quick. Can't ask for much more! Will surely be back again and again.
(5)Kristin W.
Delicious food, but service was less than stellar. We were sitting for about 10 minutes when I finally alerted the hostess that no waiter had approached the table, and she ended up waiting on us. I ordered corn tortillas, but was served flour tortillas. This is a problem since I am gluten free. The order was corrected. Had an awesome mango margarita, which they are known for.
(3)Lisa C.
Good food, good margaritas, chips & salsa. The service was a little slow but very pleasant & accomadating Reasonable prices. Definitely would return . Enjoyed the soft steak tacos the single scoop of guacamole was very generous.. I will return on our next trip.
(4)Mark M.
There are two, maybe two and a half, fantastic things about Mexican Cafe. The first is my first premium margarita! The second is my second premium margarita! These things are like crack to a drug addict. I need and order a third ... but am forced to split it with my girlfriend (hence, the "half") because my blood/alcohol level must be somewhere around 0.27. Yep, Mexican Cafe's margaritas - on the rocks with salt, of course - are Número UNO! Five Star! Tasty, not too sweet, strong (did I say strong?) ... perfect. Killer margaritas. I've been going to Mexican Cafe for years. The wonderful dive on Bay Ridge Road had character, where creaky wood, colorful paint and a one-staller bano gave way to top-notch margaritas and an inevitable good time with friends. Leases being what they are, I'm told that the owner's ended and Mexican Cafe was forced to relocate. The new location on Melvin Avenue lost some of the old character. Sad, but ok. That's life. I still frequent the place. So it pains me to give Mexican Cafe only three stars. I do so only because the food is just ok and the service is inconsistent, although always friendly. The menu is fairly extensive, and I've tried a lot of it. The enchiladas seem to work for me, as does the occasional stuffed avocado (fried and stuffed with chicken and cheese). The last ground beef taco I had grotesquely dripped with fat. Must have been 65% lean. The shredded beef taco is much better. This is Americanized Mexican food. But if you go in with eyes wide open, it works. And it does serve to soak up some of the tequila! (Which is a very good thing.) If you want excellent Mexican food, this is not your place. If you want excellent margaritas, it is!
(3)Lynn K.
This is one of the better Mexican-American food places I've been to. Their menu is more varied than most standard Mexican restaurants. I have never been a guacamole fan, but I tried some here (freshly-made, I believe) and it was delicious. They also have several options for quesadillas, such as cheese, jalapenos and onions, or spinach and black bean, or my favorite, the southwest grilled quesadilla. The atmosphere is casual, with indoor or outdoor dining, and there is a small parking lot, as well as street parking (the street is usually lined on both sides near the Mexican Cafe at dinner time). Overall, I'd have to recommend this place for above-average Tex-Mex food in a fairly average setting.
(4)Viv J.
I took my daughter to Mexican Cafe this past Sunday and the food and service was a let down. I usually go to Lauriol Plaza, Heidi or Chapala which has AWESOME food. However, I live in Annapolis and it was convenient. We barely ate our food it was so nasty. As an appetizer, we had the sampler with the fried jalapeno and it was way too much batter and hard as a brick. The nachos taste like crap. NEVER AGAIN! The service was terrible. We had to wait to be served and no one came back to check to see if our food was okay. We ended up asking for a take home container and threw it in the trash. I would rather drive the distance to get authentic Mexican food. Mexican Cafe food did not taste fresh!!
(1)Katie W.
All my love to Mexican Cafe! I can't believe I have neglected in giving Mexican Cafe a review! When I lived in Annapolis and surrounding area for 8 plus years, Mexican Cafe was like a second home to me. Seriously, I went at least twice a week and knew all the servers. People will judge Mexican Cafe for it's shack like exterior, dumpy parking lot, smelly booths, ect....but they just don't understand this is all part of the experience. It is Mexican food, and everyone loves Mexican food right? But, you don't really expect too much from it right - in the gourmet sense I mean. But, this is good Mexican food for the U.S.! And the margaritas....oooohhh the margaritas, whenever I had a bad day at work, with a friend, got some bad news, or just wanted to party, a Mexican cafe Margarita was the answer. (there are rumors they are made with everclear) and for $5.25 they are an awesome deal! The guacamole is always fresh and tasty and the menu is an endless yellow brick road down Mexican paradise. My vegan brother was so happy to come here, the chef is Vegan and there are many many vegan options (a rare dining out find!). The cook will work with you and will even create a dish to your liking. There is always a wait, and it is always crowded. If you can't find a parking spot in the cramped parking lot, find a spot in Giant across the street. Or don't feel like waiting or indulging in 1 or 2 or 3 margs? order take out at the specific take out restaurant next to Giant. I only wish I could find something comparable in the Chicago area, I have tried but have had no luck. Mexican Cafe will go down in history as one of my favorite restaurants of all time. I love you Mexican Cafe!!!!
(5)Chris S.
Great place for good, strong margaritas! The food is good but it's your usual americanized mexican food. Not much that is really authentic but still good non the less. Very large menu so it's easy to find something for anyone. This placed recently moved due to their old location being taken over for a stupid CVS...so glad they decided to re-open else where!
(4)Aindrea C.
Who doesn't love a good Mexican restaurant? What I especially love about Mexican Cafe is their plethora of unique menu options. My friends and I started off the way you start off any good Mexican meal: with margaritas. One of my friends and I got the signature margarita on the rocks - not bad, but definitely nothing to write home about. My other friend got the Pomarita which was quite tasty, but again no big deal. I have been told that our mistake was not ordering the Margarita Especial which I've heard is phenom (definitely next time!). The chips were thick and crisp and the salsa was nice and spicy! We started off with their stuffed jalepenos - O.M.G! The peppers are stuffed with either chicken & cheese or refried beans & cheese (we went with chicken), battered, fried and served up with a side of queso. Wow! So spicy, sooooo delicious! I would go back for those babies alone. Next I went for the stuffed avocado - again it came stuffed with either chicken & cheese or refried beans & cheese (I went with chicken again), battered, fried and topped with tomatillo salsa. I was wary at first - fry an avocado you say? - but decided to be adventurous (probably due to the margarita buzz). Wow. WOW. So amazing. The fried shell was thin, crisp and golden brown, the avocado was deliciously creamy (not melty at all like I feared) and the filling was rich and tasty! I highly recommend this to anyone who loves avocados. Definitely going to become a regular at Mexican Cafe. Ole!
(4)Chris S.
This place is absolutely terrible. My wife and I went there after having heard about it. The chips were stale, the guacamole was the same preservative-filled, store bought garbage you find in the dairy section of a 7-11. The rest of the food was extremely bland. Honestly, you'd be better off going to Jalepeno's or even the chain-joint, Chevy's than this place.
(1)Penguin S.
I used to live in Annapolis and eat here often. Now I eat here each and every time I come to visit! I come for the 'ritas. I LUV LUV LUV their margaritas! Two is getting me there, a third and I can't drive home! My girl and I always share the black bean queso dip and I normally get the app sampler, and wind up taking half home for the next day. I moved to Annapolis from Texas and never suspected to find good Mexican food in Maryland. Other than the Mexican Cafe, I've not. Now if only they weren't so busy! But it's worth the wait.
(5)Richard W.
What more can be said but only to confirm the bad reviews already given. First time I've been in years and since the move to W.Annapolis. Food greasy, bland, piled on slop. Nothing really fresh. Chips stale. Service slow on a slow Thursday evening where we had to keep asking for basics like water, silver ware. Table was dirty, smelly restaurant. We were a party of 5 and they had the gall to add a 20% tip. Avoid this place and get something half way decent by going to a chain if you want Mexican in Naptown. Let's hope they go out of business soon.
(1)Kate M.
Margaritas. That drink epitomizes this restaurant. The margaritas here are famous far and wide- as in people who visit Annapolis only once a year will make a point to swing by and grab one or two. Their food is quite tasty as well. The only draw back is that they have a wait time that can be pretty hefty at high traffic times.
(5)Nicky J.
The theme to all these bad reviews is that they are being written by people who appreciate and understand good Mexican food. Ask anyone who loves the Mexican Cafe where their from and I guarantee it will be the Annapolis area. I've lived in the city about 5 years and neither me nor any of my visitors can understand the obsession with this place. I literally do not think this area has been exposed to any type of quality or authentic Mexican food. Everything at Mexican Cafe is fried and I'm not sure my dog would eat the quality of meat they serve plus I saw a cockroach climb out of the walls (seriously). The jalapeno poppers and appetizers are all generic frozen food brands that I've seen them pour out of a plastic bag. I dont understand why people think this food is so inventive and mysterious when its really not that complicated. If your going there for the "famous" margaritas then news flash (you should want to kick yourself) they are literally suaza, cheap triple sec, and that generic margarita mix. The primo margaritas... yeah they just add the Rose brand lime flavoring which is essentially sugar. Whats the obsession when I could make these at home for a couple dollars? I have seen quite a few reviews saying that if you want a laid back experience and arn't picky that you'll love it. Personally I'm not going to waste $40 to get a bad hangover and eat greasy food in a crowded place where I can't even talk to my friends. But to each his own. To combat the other reviews where people claim that the restaurant was given bad ratings and not appreciated because its a dive.... well I certainly don't mind a dive because they can produce some of the best food. What I don't like is a dirty dive with poor health standards where I saw cockroaches and the staff rinsing plates in the backyard with a garden hose. I also don't appreciate a dive where food is comparable to taco bell and 5x the price. Unless you love taco bell or want a terrible hangover from cheap margaritas this is not your place. Otherwise go for it. If you appreciate or have had quality Mexican food before just stay away.
(1)Constantine K.
Great food and you won't find a better margarita. The only comparable place to this is the Rio; which is way the heck in Bethesda.
(5)Cam B.
The food and margaritas are great. The service is some of the worst I've ever had. It's a shame.
(3)Heather R.
I am totally enamored with the Mexican Cafe. The food is excellent-- some of the cheesiest, yummiest enchiladas I've ever had-- and the margaritas are famously potent. That said, the service could be better and the atmosphere is a little dingy. Eat outside if the weather permits, since it's always lovelier to eat outside and anyways, there's no AC on inside.
(4)Tonya H.
This place is so delicious! Everything is in huge portions so plenty to share or take home. A friend and I went here and ordered the sunken beef burrito and a chicken taco salad. After one margarita, you would never know you were hung over. And if you have two, you shouldn't drive for awhile. I'm going to miss this place. They also have outdoor seating. It's a small building but worth the wait.
(5)Molly G.
It hurts me to give Mexican Cafe one star, they really deserve zero. Mexican Cafe has the most inedible, pathetic attempt at Mexican food that I have ever experienced in my life. I'm convinced that the only things that keeps them in business are a.) The ridiculously potent margaritas and b.) a clientele of Annapolitans who sadly, do not know how good Mexican food can be. Like a battered spouse, I keep going back to Mexican Cafe... hoping for things to be different, and every time I am bruised and swear to myself never to return. I've tried the tacos, the chimichangas, the nachos, the quesadillas, the salads, the burritos, the fajitas. All horrible. Fatty and grizzled cuts of meat that my dogs turned their noses up to, bruised and overly ripe avocados, obviously microwaved quesadillas (you know the kind - with petrified cheese at the edges), chicken as dry as dust.... the list of complaints go on and on. They don't even have good salsa to dip the stale and overly salted chips into. The margaritas do their job and get you drunk fast enough to trick your tongue into thinking you can actually ingest the food. They are so strong that they are the color of the gold tequila that they are made from. I will say that they do come in very cute little cactus handled margarita glasses though. One saving grace for this place, is a REALLY nice and helpful server - I'm not sure of her name but she's always there - short and plump with curly red hair tied back. It's not her fault the food is gross, and she serves it up with a diner style side of 'hon' and 'sweetie.' Will I go back to Mexican Cafe? *Sigh* yes, probably - but only because it's a good place to meet up with friends, and its right down the street from my house. I'll just try to eat at home before hand so that I can skip the grub and just sip a margarita.
(1)Kelly R.
Both the frozen and on the rocks margaritas lacked any flavor whatsoever. Food was OK, but like what has already been written here, pretty much standard Americanized mexican food. Large menu though, with plenty of choices. Prices were good. Very popular among the t-shirt and jeans, baseball cap wearing crowd. Probably won't go back.
(2)Asieh C.
I'm sorry, I see all these stellar reviews, and I feel kinda bad about leaving this one. That said, I also feel it is my duty to write this so others with different standards for Mexican food aren't shocked when they get there. This place is almost single-handedly the worst food I have had since I moved here. I try every Mexican restaurant with the hopes that I will be pleasantly surprised. My only surprise in this restaurant was that not a thing I had was worth the price. Some of the chips were stale, the salsa bland, and the chicken in my tacos dry as dust. My boyfriend ordered the house pork burrito, which might have been good if it had not been covered in processed nacho cheese food product. I ate one bite of my taco and immediately asked for more salsa and limes. I tried to doctor it, but was unable to revive the poor, sad, desiccated pollo. The server looked at my plate, then looked at my face, and she didn't say a word. She just took the untouched plate away and I swear she had a look of shame on her face. If you're from California, save your money and go somewhere else.
(1)Kenneth H.
As always, the margaritas are awesome! The food is average, and could be much better with a little more attention. What seems to always be lacking is the service. March 13th...late on service, late on drinks, late on re-filling tortilla chips (we ran out ,she said), and my pet peeve, the classic eye roll and pained expression when I asked for a separate check. I no longer patronize places that give me grief about separate checks. I'll still go here for margaritas, but not for anything else.
(2)Nicole M.
Mini Flautas - so good and great little variety. I am not a margarita drinker, but hear they are great here. Parking can be a pain, but this is a nice little place to enjoy when it is warm enough to sit outside, but not so hot that you melt into wooden bench seating...
(4)nutron c.
We went to check this place out, the new location in west annap apparently, and were really disappointed. A Brain dead staff, no music ( i've never had mexican without music ) absolutely horrible margarita's, no happy hour, and the food is really the worse mex i've ever had, in fact thats what the food is like, happy hour food at a bar. a complete Shit Hole. sorry i know this review is rather harsh but i hate wasting money. They need a complete overhaul, a new chef with talent.. new staff and management, maybe then this place will be like a real mexican cafe.
(1)M M.
I wish I liked this place more. It's located conveniently within walking distance of my house, and I absolutely love Mexican food. However, we have given it a few tries, and while the service is friendly and prompt, the food is literally just okay. And I think it's pretty hard to screw up Tex-Mex! Everything is fried, and it all basically tastes the same. I don't think I'll come back unless they change their menu.
(2)Marissa D.
If you want to know about the margaritas, I'm sure they are delicious (aka alcoholic). I didn't try one. However, if you are asking about the food, I know dogs who eat better, more creative dishes then they serve at Mexican Cafe. My boyfriend and I were very excited as we received our tamale. It was, no doubt, decent. But what intrigued us was the chili freebie that came with it. We thought we couldn't get enough of it... WE WERE WRONG. We could absolutely get enough of it by the time it was through, because this chili was the filling for the enchilada, empanada, AND the taco. It was just pure laziness. We had a ton of leftover food and it was one of those times where the next day, we looked at each other and both called dibs on not being the one to eat it. Oh, but we did order a fried avocado, and that was pretty interesting. I guess the moral of the story is, if you go here, don't even think about ordering any kind of variety platter. Because, seriously, you'll find more variety and heart-and-soul Mexican food at Taco Bell.
(1)Richard S.
I'm a long time resident of Annapolis and everyone here knows the food and the service at Mexican Cafe stinks. But when the weather's nice and we can sit outside and drink Margaritas, we tend to look the other way on the awful food. Last night lived up to expectations, the weather was great, we got a table outside, the margaritas were good and the food was awful. But this time the service was particularly awful so i figured i would finally write a review. When i drove in I dropped my girlfriend off so she could put our name on the waiting list for a table outside while i parked. She went inside to see the hostess and she was rudely told to go outside and write our own name on the list!!!! this was a bit awkward because there were others who came in after us and everyone was fighting for the pen!. There is never anyplace to park, but i thought i was lucky and found a spot near the dumpster. when i got out of my car even though the ground everywhere was dry, i stepped into a huge puddle of mud practically ruining my shoes. I notice the smell and flies on the dumpster and the sitting water on the ground and was pretty disgusted. then i went inside to order margaritas, and were given two cups that were 3/4 full. then we asked for chips, which are always free, and were charged $2.65. I complained to the manager and she said all the mararitas were measured and despite the glasses looking somewhat less than fully filled, they are all the same. (whats the big deal with putting a little more mix in to top off the cups?) Then i said "since when did you start charging for the chips? and i was told quite rudely that they have been doing this for the past two years. NOT TRUE, since i was here in the fall and they didn't charge. I mean you get free chips at the table so WTF is with charging someone who is waiting for a table? So we are waiting outside for some tables to clear and as people left, no one seemed in any hurry to bus the tables so waiting guests could sit, even though there was a huge line.When we finally sat down to order we got our free chips but couldn't eat them because we had our fill on the chips we paid for. As we are eating the surly manager and two of her staff were sitting in the customer area smoking cigarettes, which is a big no no in this business. After we left i went around the back to get the car, this time avoiding the mud, and the same manager, was in the back this time, still smoking. What a dump! don't think i can bring myself to suffer though this place anymore.
(1)Jonathan C.
Get Nacho's at your local movie theater, they taste better than the food at this place.
(1)Lisa W.
We come from Rockville for the margaritas and amazing Tex Mex. It's totally worth the drive.
(5)Laura W.
Love this place, food, margaritas and the great people that work there. It is just a fun place to get away from it all! When family comes to visit, they want to go to the Mexican Cafe- because there is no other like it anywhere.
(4)Sean D.
Mexican Cafe has gut-bomb Mexican food. You leave this placed stuffed to the brim. The menu is huge, but you can get chips and dip for under 6 bucks. The margaritas are sublime and weekday happy hour until 5:30 is an unbelievable deal. The inside is real small however, and don't use the mens room.
(4)Brent W.
The Mexican Cafe is the restaurant in Annapolis that everyone tells you you HAVE to go, but then almost no one ever really mentions anything about the food. The talk is always about how strong the margaritas are, which being hammered, I imagine, could contribute to how good the food tastes. That being said, there are at least three better Mexican establishments in Annapolis: Jalapenos, El Toro Bravo and Restaurante Serrano and I'd go as far as to say that I like the margaritas better at El Toro Bravo (which also has a better downtown location and has recently remodeled). That aside, I'd recommend going to the Mexican Cafe at least once, if not only to add context for liking the other places better. They are the only one that offers outside seating which is great in the summertime; however, you are best going at an off time (early or late for lunch or dinner) so you are not left milling about waiting for a table. This is also a way to find yourself drinking one or two too many of the aforementioned margaritas which, in case you have not heard, are strong. The food is good, but not great in my opinion and the space is small and sort of dingey. There is also almost not parking so you might want to plan ahead or take your life into your hands and try to park at the shopping plaza across the street and run for it across Bay Ridge Frogger-style. So, if you are looking for good Mexican food in Annapolis, try the Mexican Cafe because the parking lot is not packed and the porch is not suffocatingly crowded for nothing. Then, once you've gotten over the novelty of margaritas that induce acid trip-like intoxication, move on to one of the other places I mentioned earlier and let the other people fight it out for a table here.
(3)Dirty T.
Mexican Cafe can be excellent if you know what to order. I'll try to help you along: - Margarita Especial. Mandatory. Do not get a regular margarita. This is the only thing you should be drinking at Mexican Cafe. Have a couple and then switch to beer. Three will hurt you. Four will erase your memory. - Chorizo Con Queso. Best app on the menu. Super thick, nuke yellow cheese with large chunks of chorizo and sliced jalapenos. You could fill up just on chips, salsa and this, but don't skip the.... - Verde Pork Burrito. One of my favorite things in Annapolis. The meat is always tender and they carmelize the skin so it's crunchy and flavorful. The verde sauce is a tad on the tart side, but it's a small complaint. The crowd is usually a decent mix of people. Families, 20-30 somethings, some black north face fleeces here and there (but not too bad). As far as atmosphere goes...yes, it's a bit dingy and dirty, but it's never put me off. The place has character, and with the build up of Parole...with the Gordon Biersch's and the Fado's, we need to keep places with character.
(4)Ian G.
This place has, without a doubt, the worst Mexican food I have ever eaten. As a white boy, I am fairly impressionable and tend to go along with what other people think, especially about "ethnic" foods. Unfortunately, not even my un-quenchable need for acceptance could overcome the disgusting food that this place and its counterpart across the street - Mexican Cafe to Go - serves. And let me say that this food is not really ethnic, or mexican, or even at the level of food that should be served at a "Cafe" - a lot of prison cafeterias would be embarrassed to put this slop on a death row inmates plastic tray. I have eaten the taco's, the chimi's and even tried a salad at this dump (I return due to friends insisting on meeting up there) - stay away from any cow served here - it has the flavor of dead cow, not carne asada. The chicken is manageable, but dry and ultimately disappointing. If you must dine, get something fried, because at least you will ensure your continued health. The margaritas are not good, they are just filled with swill tequila (of the plastic gallon bottle type) at a concentration that could cause blindness and/or immediate liver failure. If this sounds good to you, then it might be time for step one of twelve.
(1)Stephanie S.
this is the place to go for margaritas. food? meh, whatever. it won't matter after a couple of margaritas. they're that good.
(4)Merrill F.
This place has some amazing margaritas. The record right now (I believe) is held by a guy I know, for drinking 6 in a sitting (and not dying). 6. Enough said.
(5)Kellie S.
I lived in Annapolis for many years and did not really go here too much until I was of drinking age. On Fri, and Sat it gets pretty crowded so I would arrive early due to the waiting time. The food is good but greasy, and I do not eat here anymore due to a few encounters of critters running around. Someone I know had a roach crawl down from the wall and into her purse, pretty gross!!! So the last time I went there I just had the margaritas. I only intended to have one or two, everyone keeps saying that they are sooo strong. They are not real big so I thought I could handle it, give me another I said! Well I had three .... and lets just say I do not remember much after that. I went with a group of friends who ate while I kept my little secret to myself about what I knew (I didn't want to ruin their experience, and be that person) so I just enjoyed my alcoholic beverages. If your not looking to get that inebriated then I would stick to one or two margaritas at the most!!!
(3)Mac M.
The Mexican Cafe is trying hard to be something it is not. Went on a Friday night and first impressions are vital when it comes to restaurants, and our first one was the smell entering the door. As others have stated musty, and stale smelling. Please, please find a solution to this or change the entrance. Restaurant 101, don't but the garbage by the front door, same goes with smells at the front door. Our server was luke warm at best and not very attentive. Chips and salsa not very memorable, not the worst and not the best either. We started with the sopapilas which were a nice offering and the kids gobbled them up. My meal was chile relleno, ground beef enchilada and pork tamale. Chile relleno was packed with flavor from the sauce but the smallest offering I have ever seen. The enchilada was solid. The tamale served in a corn husk was an authentic touch but overly dry and no flavor,it was served with the house chili which confused me at first but you need it to add flavor to the tamale. I missed the usual rice and beans served with a plate but I don't think it would have added anything. My wife wanted soup on a cold November night and ordered the black bean soup. She explained it as two cans of seasoned beans in a bowl with rice and guacamole on top. Not our definition of soup, should be sold as a bowl of beans.No flavorful broth at all, just a liitle "juice" at the bottom of the bowl. She said the guacamole was good. Our two girls wanted chicken fingers and we had to send one order back because our oldest couldn't bite through the homemade strips, dry, tough and chewy. The youngest liked the chewy, tough challenge and wanted to keep hers. The mango margarita was a solid offering. If this place had a decent bar area I would come and hang out at the bar alot. This place has potential but falls short in some key areas. Spin the food the way you want it but execute it well also, that is key. It was a nice touch with the Mexican music playing when we arrived but 10 minutes later it was changed to a top 40 station. Sell the total experience of an ethnic restaurant which includes the music. Top 40 latino maybe. Just two cents from a world wide food traveler, maker and seller.
(2)Cindy R.
Great atmosphere, wonderful friendly service, really good food. (((I highly recommend going Thursday- Sunday, the other days are just not as good))) Don't go in a hurry, take your time and enjoy. The mole sauce is literally the best thing you've ever tasted! (....And I'm generally not a Mexican sauce fan) if you're looking for meatless meals, which is all I've ever eaten here, you will be in heaven! A wonderful vegetarian platter, and a great vegan burrito. This place is a gem. Great chips and salsa, Great strong margaritas too! (Get the house margarita!) if you don't like or agree with this review, I don't care, at all. I stand by this statement. Sorry, I've lived in AZ, CA, and TX, I know great Mexican food.
(5)Marisa F.
I went to the Mexican Cafe as part of a large party and I had a fantastic experience. Our waitress was on top of everything even though there were about 25 of us. She even made sure to split all of our checks for us! This was my first time visiting and the menu was fairly extensive. They kept plying us with delicious chips & salsa and it was difficult to choose from all the different margaritas. I tried the Agavarita and it was great, not overly sweet like some regular margaritas can be. I also tried the Chicken Mole Enchiladas and couldn't finish because the portion was so huge. I would definitely recommend making a reservation on the weekends, it's quite a popular place.
(4)Jim F.
Last Tuesday, August 26, 2014, my Wife and I decided to eat Mexican. We had seen the local reviews in the newspaper and tried the Mexican Cafe. To start we are long term locals to Annapolis and we know the previous restaurant located there. The Parking Lot is a nightmare to use being a postage stamp size. Access to dining room is walk through a haunted house. The "person" who finally told to seat anywhere was not friendly. Our Waiter had the mannerisms of the Adams Family Butler. We ordered Fried Plantains that had bearly seen a frying pan. They were sticky and minimum color. We order Beef Enchiladas for the Wife with Red Sauce and Pork Enchiladas for me with Green Sauce. These can with Flavored Rice and Red &Black Beans. These meals had background spicy heat in everything. There was no where to go for balance. We had eaten in many Real Mexican Restaurants in our travels and have had delicious meals without all this Spice Fire to cover for Imagined Mexican Recipes. To quote a Real Mexican Chef from a restaurant in Gallop, NM, " We cook with a minimum of spice heat to make our food flavorful and interesting not spicy hot to cover bad preparation"
(1)pseudo n.
When they moved from Bay Ridge/Hillsmere to their new location they didn't seem to make the transition well. Something is off and we've only been once since they moved. Food was so-so and it had a cramped feeling. Just not the same...
(2)V K.
My friend brought me here and I thought it was so good! I got grilled chicken enchiladas and it came with rice and beans. It was surprisingly very flavorful and its definitely legit mexican food compared to Chevys or on the border. Will come back!
(4)Gabriela C.
We went to this restaurant on Friday and it wasn't a very good visit. We got to the place and it was freezing everyone that was with us had to keep their jackets on cause it was so cold inside I felt like I was eating outside and we got our food and got really cold fast cause it was so cold inside. Plus my husband got his food about 10 mins after we got our food. Then finally went it came to checking out our party both had groupons and the waitress told us we couldn't use both. So we said okay and while we were talking to her to figure out the bill she literally just turn around and walked away while we were talking to her. That was really rude. So finally we paid and our bill came to 34$ and we gave our waitress a cash tip. So a few days later the pending transaction from that restaurant went through and I noticed the waitress decided to tip herself an extra 8$on top of the cash tip we gave her. I'm really upset and can't believe she would do that. SO beware of the waitress girl that works there I dont remember her name but she has really really pointy nails and has long brown hair.Just make sure you keep your receipt and take a pic of your original sign receipt so you have proof.
(1)Christie D.
We had a Groupon here so we checked it out. They do have a nice outdoor patio which is great when the weather is nice. For Mexican though, the food is just ok. The chips & salsa are below average unfortunately.
(2)Dawn R.
Let me start out by saying that the service here was great....really. Friendly, fast, attentive. I have nothing bad at all to say about the staff. Which is why this place gets 2 stars instead of 1. Unfortunately, even the great staff couldn't do much to improve the quality of the food in this place. I was with a date, and he RAVED about this place (doubt there'll be a second date if this is what he thinks is great food), and since I'd never been, we went. First of all, parking is a nightmare. Initially, I thought "Oh, the parking lot's really full, this place must be great!", but when I walked inside, I was shocked to see so many empty tables. As some others have noted, there is a funny, musty smell in here. I expected to walk in to the smell of delicious Mexican food cooking, but instead it smelled like a mop closet. We chose to sit outside instead.....outside was actually really nice, with picnic tables, strings of lights, and some cool metal bar signs. Our server, Jeff, was quick to take care of our drinks, and the noise level was low enough that we were able to have a conversation (although a little music would have been nice). I was going to order the chicken chimi, but was told that there is NO sauce on the chimi, only on the flautas, and the thought of sucking down a dry chimi was not appealing. So I went with my classic standby, cheese enchiladas. What a disappointment. The rice & beans on the side had no flavor at all. None. It was like they just boiled them in water with no seasonings, not even salt. As for the enchiladas, they were filled with more big chunks of onion than cheese, and what cheese there was, was nothing more than a little shredded cheddar that they didn't even heat up enough for it to melt. Really, it was like they just threw a handful on the tortilla, rolled it up, then threw some chili on top. No sour cream on the side, no salsa.....nothing. As for the chips & salsa, I noticed in Marisa F's review that she said they "kept plying" with chips & salsa. I hope she checked her bill, because their menu states that only your first round is complimentary, every refill is at a cost. REALLY? I have NEVER seen a Mexican restaurant that charges you for chips & salsa. The salsa was good, probably the best thing about the visit, but not so good that I'd pay extra for it. I really don't see myself going back here unless it's just to try the margaritas that everyone is raving about. But I'll skip the food.
(2)Kristen P.
I'm happy I did my yelping homework before dining at the Mexican Cafe (with a Groupon!) - reading my fellow yelpers' terrible reviews had me expecting the worst, and I was super pleasantly surprised. No, yelpers, you were not exaggerating - that smell was not welcoming. However, if you can look past the mildewy odor and venture outside, you'll be in for a treat. The free chips and salsa, pretty good - the chips didn't seem to be the freshest, but really, are they ever? We kept the meal pretty TexMex basic, steak fajitas and a carnitas quesadilla. The fajitas were gobbled up, though I didn't think they looked great. But my quesadilla was Fantastic! It was actually stuffed to the point of fatness, brimming with fillings - the meat was piled in, as was gooey cheddar, plenty of jalapenos (yum!), tomatoes and onions, with tangy guacamole on the side. Mmmm. Throw in two deliciously powerful margaritas and a lovely, funny and attentive server, and you've got yourself a definitely enjoyable experience. Only thing keeping it from 5-stars (other than the smell) would be the price. Go for the Groupon and enjoy!
(4)N C.
Three D's for this one: dirty, disgusting, and don't do it. It smelled musty when we walked in, and the service was awful. The Drunken Shrimp appetizer took forever to arrive and was drenched in a thick, goopy cream sauce that looked more like a clam chowder. I ordered the Chorizo Omelet and the egg part was fine but the potatoes inside were cold and the chorizo was not the delicious stuff I am used to -- it tasted almost like an Italian sausage. GB ordered the Kitchen Sink steak burrito ($15!) which was very large but was filled mostly with beans and rice -- very little steak, and again, it was $15!!! The salsa tasted jarred and the guacamole didn't seem fresh or house-made -- could they be using bagged? The only thing we actually liked were the tortillas, which were nice and chewy. Sorry to be so brutal, but nothing about this was enjoyable and it cost us almost $50 for an appetizer and two entrees -- no alcohol.
(1)Dou D.
Foods okay, but I ordered chicken fajitas with side salad for lunch today and I got chicken tacos with rice on the side. I wasn't determined to have fajitas and I didn't want to wait another 20 minutes so I didn't tell them they got my order completely wrong, but wth... Food's pretty nice. Chicken was tender and juicy, guacamole was fresh, chips were free... But I still can't understand why they would give you guacamole on the side when you order a burrito that's completely stuffed with avocado.
(3)Sabina B.
ROACHES! Just went in for lunch and there was a giant roach crawling on the wall. I did not see it until my friend and I were done eating. But it was downhill from the beginning. He ordered a coke and kept saying it tasted off. I took a sip and realize it was from a very dirty soda gun/dirty lines. They need to clean their soda gun and soda lines. I used to bar tend and know when a soda gun is dirty/lines are dirty. Nasty. I asked for a spinach and jalapeno quesadilla. The order was repeated back to me. My quesadilla had no jalapeno. The spinach con queso was lukewarm and we didn't get plates (2 of us splitting dips) but another table of 2 got small plates to eat their appetizers with. I also asked for the spicy guacamole and regular guacamole was served. I guess they were out of jalapeno? I also asked for 1 steak taco. I know she heard me because she asked me if I wanted soft or hard shell. It didn't ever arrive and I wasn't charged for it. Not sure why a burrito with a huge hunk of avocado in it had guacamole on the side. Weird. Our food was wrong, drinks nasty, server apathetic, and no manager. All with a side of roach. It took FOREVER to get our check. It's lunchtime- people have to return to work. We asked if there was a manager and were told no. My friend told the server that they had a roach crawling up the wall in the dining room. She said "Ok". Nothing more, nothing less. No apology, nothing. He then asked for a soda to go to be charged to his card so he could leave a tip (he shouldn't have but I made him b/c chances are this place doesn't offer benefits) and she kinda giggled and seemed confused. I kinda wish the manager(s) would teach her a few things including effective communication. I will not be returning. Luckily I was refunded on my groupon for this roach infested place.
(1)Don L.
Potential 4 star restr. Service very pleasant Server went out of her way to make coffee for me when customers are drinking margaritas in early afternoon. Sumptuous amounts of food. Immediate service of salsa & chips before ordering...nice touch! Advice: playing Mexican music would be a nice add-on.
(3)Poppy H.
Not the same since it's moved locations. Actually, pretty horrible. It smells of old food mixed with cleaning products when you first walk in. If you get past that, which unfortunately I did, you get slow, flat personality service. I asked for just a few more chips when my meal came because i use them to scoop up my rice and beans... server told me first basket was free but there would be a charge for additional... again, I just asked for a few more chips. Only reason for the two stars instead of one, is that the chicken mole was pretty decent. Tried three times since the move and won't try again.
(2)Robert K.
First time eating there since it was Northwoods. The Mexican choices in Crofton area are decent but wanted something different. For 6pm on a Saturday in Annapolis it was empty, but I was hungry. Overall very good. Excellent burrito, all meat vs standard filler. The chili Relenos were great as were the enchiladas. I know most of the reviews are mediocre but the place was good. I will go back the next time we are the mood for Mexican food.
(4)Bob C.
Unexpected treat! Friendly service and very fresh tasting food. Great house made salsas. Look for good Groupon savings too.
(5)S V.
I would give this 3.5 starts. The extra half for the really nice waitress we had. My family and I bought the groupon and tried this place out. As soon as you walk in there is a old stale feeling (and smell). Chips were a little stale and the salsa very average. We are all vegetarian, and the waitress was very nice about checking and accommodating us. We ordered a variety of things - enchiladas with the different sauces, a burrito, tamale. The mole spice was decent. But everything else tasted like it came from a can and not very fresh. The flavors were ok, but nothing very memorable. It was an ok meal, but it tasted like something I could whip together at home. Not sure I would go out of my way to go back.
(3)Zack C.
Poor service. The food was mediocre at best. Was overcharged and they didn't get the order right. Would not recommened. Bought the groupon but will never come back.
(2)Bobby F.
I came here recently on a weeknight with my wife not expecting too much. Located near the Navy football stadium off Taylor avenue, we parked in the near full lot. As we walked in, I immediately noticed a weird smell in the entrance. We were seated right away by the staff. From that point on the experience was great. Our server took our order promptly. I would definitely recommend the taquitos for appetizer. My shrimp fajitas were worth the visit. The only complaint I would have is that you have to ask for onions and peppers to come with the fajitas...Weird! Other than that the Mexican Cafe would be a place I'm recommend. Note: they also have a big margarita menu that looks like its worth trying out!
(4)Jason G.
I love this place. It might not be the most authentic Mexican, but everything here is to die for. Go for the tacos with ground beef in particular.
(4)S C.
Don't expect the same dish you ordered to ever be the same twice - very inconsistent. Manager at dinner (about 2 months ago) very rude. Wouldn't give us a booth because we were only 2 adults, then he gave a booth to 2 adults with a baby in a highchair - they should've been at a table. They weren't even busy and the booths didn't fill up. Very slow service. Food is ok when they get the order right.
(1)Mark P.
This place is the best! Margaritas are ridiculous (Careful how many you have, they are potent!) Food was great, tried the chicken suiza, lots of lime and garlic, all in all and awesome time and I will be back!
(5)Buffy M.
Drippy Wet Slop with Inferior Service is the title of the review. The staff was curt and rude. Our dinners were served to six people in increments of five minutes, which is a major violation of restaurant table service. I have theorized that the cooking staff did not drain the canned beans before they put them in the burrito since it was drenched with flavorless liquid. Everyone in the party was disappointed in the food. I am pleased to see that the Mexican Cafe is dying a slow and painful death as they are always advertising on Groupon. Jalapenos is a much more delightful option and Paladar is pleasant also.
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