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Name: On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
Address: 8230 Gateway Overlook Dr, Elkridge, MD, 21075
Telephone: (410) 312-1490
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.12

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

8230 Gateway Overlook Dr, Elkridge, MD, 21075

(410) 312-1490
Store is closed

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Menu

Appetizers

Border Sampler

Guacamole Live!

Empanadas

Firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos

Chicken Flautas

Grande Fajita Nachos

Fajita Quesadillas

Otb Dip Trio

Original Queso

Ultimate Loaded Queso

Guacamole

Avocado Fries
Soup & Salads

Sizzling Fajita Salad

Grande Taco Salad

Citrus Chipotle Chicken Salad

House Salad

Chicken Tortilla Soup
Tacos

Loaded Carne Asada Tacos

Grilled Fish Tacos

Brisket Tacos

Southwest Chicken Tacos

Dos Xx Fish Tacos

Taco Melts

Street-style Mini Tacos

Pork Guajillo Tacos

Achiote Chicken Tacos

Tacos Al Carbon Especiales
Fajita Grill - Create Your Favorite Fajita

Grilled Vegetables

Mesquite-grilled Chicken

Mesquite-grilled Steak

Pick Two

Pulled Pork (carnitas)

Seasoned Sauteed Shrimp
Fajita - Otb Signature Fajitas

Monterey Ranch Chicken

The Ultimate Fajita
Enchiladas - Classic Hand-rolled Enchiladas

Enchiladas Suizas

Ranchiladas

Tres Enchiladas
Enchiladas - Grilled Enchiladas

Avocado With Red Chile Pesto

Pepper Jack Chicken

Smoky Beef Brisket
Fresh Grill

Chicken Salsa Fresca

Jalapeno-bbq Salmon

Carne Asada

Tomatillo Chicken

Queso Chicken
Create Your Own Combo

Create Your Own Combo
Burritos & Chimi's

The Big Bordurrito

Three-sauce Fajita Burrito

Classic Burrito

Classic Chimichanga

Green Chile Carnitas Burrito
Desserts

Border Brownie Sundae

Kahlua Ice Cream Pie

Sizzling Apple Crisp

Sopapillas

Healthy Meal suggestions for On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Appetizers

Border Sampler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole Live! [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Empanadas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Flautas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grande Fajita Nachos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fajita Quesadillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Otb Dip Trio [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Original Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ultimate Loaded Queso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Guacamole [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soup & Salads

Sizzling Fajita Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grande Taco Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Citrus Chipotle Chicken Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

House Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tortilla Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tacos

Loaded Carne Asada Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brisket Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Southwest Chicken Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dos Xx Fish Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Taco Melts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Street-style Mini Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pork Guajillo Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Achiote Chicken Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tacos Al Carbon Especiales [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fajita Grill - Create Your Favorite Fajita

Grilled Vegetables [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesquite-grilled Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mesquite-grilled Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pick Two [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pulled Pork (carnitas) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasoned Sauteed Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fajita - Otb Signature Fajitas

Monterey Ranch Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Ultimate Fajita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Enchiladas - Classic Hand-rolled Enchiladas

Enchiladas Suizas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ranchiladas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tres Enchiladas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Enchiladas - Grilled Enchiladas

Avocado With Red Chile Pesto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pepper Jack Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoky Beef Brisket [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Fresh Grill

Chicken Salsa Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapeno-bbq Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carne Asada [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomatillo Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Queso Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Create Your Own Combo

Create Your Own Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Burritos & Chimi's

The Big Bordurrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Three-sauce Fajita Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Chimichanga [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Chile Carnitas Burrito [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Border Brownie Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kahlua Ice Cream Pie [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sizzling Apple Crisp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sopapillas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Elkridge for healthy meals suggestion.

Elkridge Deli Cafe ( 6325 Washington Blvd,Ste G )

KFC ( 6281 Washington Blvd )

Burger King ( 6241 Washington Blvd )

Visit below restaurant in Elkridge for healthy meals suggestion.

KFC ( 6281 Washington Blvd )

Burger King ( 6241 Washington Blvd )

Write An Anonymous Review

Deepa K.

Very popular place!Call ahead and make reservations especially if you are a large group and anytime close to happy hour.
(4)
Ravon H.

It's a chain so you would expect to get the same service and food no matter what location you go to. This one is about as good as any other. The food is decent and the prices are pretty good when you come during happy hour. The house margaritas are pretty good and cheap. I stopped in for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. It was crowded in the dining area so I sat at a booth by the bar. Service was friendly and fast. That bumped it up to 4 stars for me. Overall I will be back and enjoy some of the menu items.
(4)
Cindi M.

Great happy hour! They have the cheapest priced happy hour specials on drinks and food in the area. Always crowded, so get there early. Perfect to meet up with friends/business after work. They have a good Tex-Mex menu for everyone.
(4)
Daniel C.

Our group felt like Mexican, and while La Palapa was suggested I had never been to On the Border so we opted to go here. It's easy enough to get to, in a shopping center right off 175, and the place is very clean nice-looking. They are deeply committed to their theme, in that their limited beer list has several Mexican beers available and the only drafts are Dos Equis. They do have an extensive menu, although most items are offered with other items and as combos so it can be rather confusing. My Baja Combo was good enough, it came with chicken and cheese in a wrap and a very interesting fried avocado. Our server did a great job keeping up with our group, but ultimately this is a chain that feels like a chain and I think I would have been happier at the other place.
(3)
Tina G.

Seek and you shall find! After craving a cheeseburger for the past 24 hours, I decided to take action and seek out a cheeseburger. Since I'm dog sitting in Towson this weekend, I thought it was a good place to start. After setting filters on my search, Burger Bros was the place and I was not let down. I ordered a cheeseburger with all the typical fixings (lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, mustard, and ketchup) and I was not let down. Great food! Great service! I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Na H.

I visited On the Border for lunch and the food was okay, nothing to write home about as this IS a chain restaurant. The server, Anna, was very pleasant and started off with the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa. We added a bowl of queso ($6.29) to go along with the endless supply of tortillas that Anna replenished without a need to ask. Lunch was starting off well! I got the $12.99 special that included a choice of appetizer, main course and dessert. I chose the chicken tortilla soup, chicken fajitas with mexican rice, refried beans and soft tortillas and the brownie sundae. My guests got the border sampler platter ($12.99), which consisted of chicken quesadillas, steak nachos, chicken flautas and the traditional fixings (guac, sour cream, pico de gallo and queso). My other guest got the create your own combo ($10.79 for three) consisting of a crispy beef taco, beef empanada and enchilada with Mexican rice and black beans. All of the entrees were good, with the fajitas coming out smoking hot on a cast iron plate with grilled peppers and onions. I was provided a small plate of traditional fixings (see above). The soup was good consisting of a chicken broth with rice, cucumbers, tomatoe, avacado slices, chicken and topped with tortilla strips. The fajitas were good too, (l burned my finger touching the cast iron plate!). My guest who got the border sampler platter enjoyed it all but the chicken flautas, which they thought were overcooked and dry. My guest who got the create your own platter said that the food was tasty as well. We had to get to-go containers because we filled up on those endless chips, salsa and queso before our meals arrived. The brownie sundae arrived with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. It was enough that the three of us shared it and it was good. The meal was good and Anna was a pleasant and efficient server. The bill, in addition to lemonade for one of my guest ( water with lemon for the rest of us) came to $47 plus tip. Pretty steep, but it was worth it as l only come here occasionally.
(3)
Mark M.

Constant service issues. Every time we've there service is confused and very slow. I left today after 25 minutes with no service.
(2)
Christina S.

If you want a quick and good happy hour come here. House margaritas are delicious and only $3! Can't go wrong with that. Two of these is all you need. The food is pretty good too. Queso is amazing.
(3)
Jojo L.

Its a cozy place to hang out with friends, foods are average. Chips and salsa are great. Hostess and server are friendly. Place itself is great. The food takes 10mins wait but the free chips and salsa will do the works. All in all its worth coming back.
(3)
Jennifer B.

Went here today with a friend for lunch. We both had the enchiladas which were good but mine were pretty cold when I received them. The waitress was very friendly and the chips salsa and queso was very good.
(3)
Mike D.

Clean restaurant, attentive service, Mediocre food. I got the healthy chicken fajita taco dish - not bad for less than 400 calories.... good space to have a work lunch.
(3)
Lovepreet A.

Though I'm not too big on chain restaurants, I always find myself coming back to On The Border. The atmosphere is great and service is good for the most part. I love the food, especially the chicken entrÃ©es and burritos--though I have to admit it's not authentic or as "fresh" as smaller independently run places nearby. Prices are VERY reasonable and its a great place for gatherings!
(4)
Rick G.

On The Border has always been a trusty default Mexican location. Their salsa is the worst of any Mexican restaurant due to it being so salty. Chips are huge but also a bit too salty. Queso is thick and yummy. The Hatch Chili Carne Tacos with black beans offered decent spice and is one of the more authentic dishes but a server never returned with my request for some super spicy salsa.
(3)
Kai S.

Came with my boyfriend twice. The only thing I really enjoyed was the chips and salsa. The food is just ok, I told him we won't be returning.
(2)
Riddhika J.

I go here every now and then. Free chips with fresh salsa. The staff is always friendly and service is good. I love their cocktails especially mojitos and mango strawberry margarita. I am huge fan of their Grilled Enchilada with avacado. Its not too cheesy and have perfect crunch from grilled shell and creamy texture from avacado.
(4)
Rachael T.

The happy hour here is ridiculous. $3 margaritas ($4 for a giant one!) and $2+ appetizers. My friend and I got two giant margaritas, flautas, avocado fries, and two orders of empanadas (a surprisingly filling amount of food, especially with the free chips and salsa) for less than $20 total. We left totally satisfied - not bad at all!! Can't say that I would come here for a regular meal, but the happy hour is hard to beat!
(4)
Kerri M.

I hate chain restaurants, but this is one exception. I absolutely LOVE this place. Its kind of embarrassing, but that's alright. I mainly come here for the chips, salsa, & queso, to be honest. I always order the same thing, two crispy tacos with rice & black beans. I have veered from my normal order and I am always disappointed. Don't order anything other than tacos and you will be fine, but that's just my opinion. If you have room for dessert, please do yourself a favor and get the Khalua ice cream pie. Amazing. This location is fine. Never really had to wait, but then again we only come during odd ball times. The service can be kind of slow at times and they seem very stingy with their napkins (those tacos get messy!).
(4)
Carolyn C.

Oh geez... On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, how I have placed this review on the back burner hoping and praying that I would eventually get enough good experience here to rate them higher. I have been to this Elkridge location a million times, including every Wednesday during the summers of both 2013 and 2014, due to my margarita-obsessed kickball team. Therefore, I have tons of knowledge to drop: Let's talk service: I can't say anything about the hostess staff since I have always engaged my business straight to the bar area. The bar service helps you within 10 minutes of sitting down, not always fast but they are very busy so I understand. When sitting at a bar area table you don't always have the actual bartenders serving you and this is quite pleasant since they are bombarded with never-ending drinks to make for not only the bar area but the entire restaurant--This is a fact that I believe many people forget when writing reviews and waiting for their drinks. The waiters and waitresses in the bar area are all pleasant and accommodating. Many times I came in here with 10+ people every week and we could wait up to 30 minutes for a bar area table, however, they would make one for us when tables became available. There is some great outdoor seating available at this location for those perfect summer days and the staff that deal with outdoor seating is separate from inside (I believe they don't have additional tables inside to take care of) and tend to be way faster. Lets' talk food: When you first sit down you are supposed to receive a complimentary basket of corn tortilla chips and salsa. Who doesn't love free freshly made corn tortilla chips and salsa?! COME ON! The salsa has just the right amount of heat and body to it and the chips are HUGE and when empty, they even give you more (happy feet dance). Their menu is broken down for the health conscious people (like myself) and has a "Border Smart" area that contains entrees for 590 calories or less orders. This is super accommodating, especially if you are going to down three margaritas and need to know how much calories to work-off tomorrow. The fajitas, big bordurrito, classic burrito, enchiladas, and Mexican grille chicken are my go to orders. Please note that their sour cream sauce grosses me out. I always remember to order my burritos without it! Their taco salad, classic chimichanga, three-sauce fajita burrito, green Chile carnitas burrito, and mango chicken salad were pretty bad (flavorless, bland, boring, tasteless and not worth the money). Let's talk specials: On Saturday and Sunday's this location has "Border Brunch" from 10am to 2pm which includes brunch entrees starting at $5.99, $2.00 mimosas and $3.00 Bloody Mary's. Their mimosas are a bit dry due to the low-cost champagne they use and the Bloody Mary's are water-logged. "Enchilada Mondays" is available all day on Monday and consists of two enchiladas with rice and beans for only $5.99. You can choose from Beef, Chicken or Cheese (if you smile and ask politely they will add onions). "Taco Fix Tuesdays" is available all day on Tuesday and consists of $2.00 tacos. Wednesdays are known for their "Fajitas & Rice" and are super packed but with good reason: $7.99 chicken fajitas, $3.00 House Margaritas and $5.00 Corona Margaritas. Then of course they have a Monday through Friday Happy hour from 3:00pm to 7:00pm and a late night Happy Hour, both consisting of $2.00 beers, $3.00 margaritas, and appetizers starting at $2.00. I would advise you to stay away from ordering appetizers during happy hour, they are WAY too small and you are strictly getting the amount you are paying for. Seriously. I cautioned you, so don't get irritated when you see a spoonful of gauc on your plate. Let's talk alcohol: Sangria swirl, Strawberry swirl, watermelon margarita, strawberry margarita, and coronarita are the greatest drinks to order! Yes, it is true that their margaritas aren't that strong and me being only 129 pounds can drink three of them and pass my little handy purse Breathalyzer test. Let's talk over yelp reviews: I would have to say that the yelp reviews for this chain restaurant are a bit harsh. I would still rather come here then attempt to "make my own Mexican food at home," really guys? One must obviously venture out of their comfort zone and try more than just one entrÃ©e or plate of something to give a bad review, unless their experience was God awful. But in the end the food isn't THAT bad, especially with other Mexican restaurant chains in the area going out of business (pretty sure Don Pablo's is now Buffalo Wild Wings (ew)). Also I saw something absolutely horrendous in a fellow yelper's review who has decided to guide people from On the Border and up-to El Hidalgo. DO NOT GO THERE, you WILL get food poisoning. Please read my Yelp review on El Hidgalgo before venturing that way, it could save your stomach/time/money/maybe even life?!
(3)
Nina U.

Please just cook your own Mexican meal at home! Haha. Okay if you're lazy or just want to be served, I guess On The Border is an option but I would rather have Don Pablos or a non chain hole in the wall. The salsa is good and they serve chips made from corn tortillas cut in half so they're huge. The tortilla soup is decent along with the steak salad. The tostadas and enchiladas are just okay and our service was slow but the sitting at the high top bar tables or outside is cool. I needed a pick-me-up between Columbia shopping and On The Border made sure I didn't die of starvation.
(2)
Rummy V.

Best Mexican restaurant that I have been to yet! The service is wonderful and the food is very authentic as I have been to Mexico myself and was able to taste such wonderful food I must say that the food here reminds me of such!
(5)
Mersadies C.

Terrible. Terrible spacing. Terrible cold salsa. No wings. Syrupy PiÃ±a Colada. I just can't even keep reviewing. Never in a million years, what did the guy say under me? COOK YOUR OWN MEXICAN AT HOME. It's also FREEZING cold in the winter time in this joint. Lol never again.
(1)
Brady L.

The only thing negative I could possibly say about this place are the bartenders... To the point where it makes me not want to go back. I love the food, I love the drinks, I love everything about it except for the service I've gotten. This is my third time here and the worst experience. The male bartender's name is Ryan, but not sure what the females name is. I'm not sure if its because I'm younger (22) and they thought I wouldn't tip well, or what the deal was. However every time I finished one of my 8+ dollar margaritas, I had to ask for another one after 10 minutes of being ignored. Everyone else at the bar would be asked if they needed another drink, but my friends and I just sat there patiently waiting. I'm still not sure when I'll receive my check as I've been ignored for the past 20 minutes or so. I could have drank 2 more drinks in this time, but I guess they Dont want to make more money (?) The funny part is that two of my friends here are also bartenders and perplexed as to why we're being ignored. The funny thing is that I always tip 20% or more when I go out and especially sitting at a bar. I will now too, however I likely will not be back at this restaurant anytime soon.
(2)
Scott H.

Food is great, lots of options. 5 Stars if your hostess station gets a pager program. Good grief, they are under-equipped to handle large rushes.
(3)
Cynthia P.

Ever walk in a restaurant and the greeter gives you no smile. Just an irritated look? You know this isn't going to turn out well. No prices for drinks on the menu. Waiter guessed because prices change often. He had to go ask the bartender for price of traditional frozen margarita. I had time to focus on the restaurant which was filthy. Dust caked on the ceiling fan and the speakers as well as the light fixture over my table. Table next to me never got cleaned off. Brought the dust to the waiters attention and he said he never noticed it before but will bring it to the managers attention . Decided not to order food.
(1)
Lulu P.

Meh.. Chips were very thin and not much taste. I got a fajita the chicken tasted like I could make it. The one plus was it was a Wednesday so it was only $8. I got a margarita on the rocks; it was ok.. And $8. Not sure I would return.
(2)
Helen M.

Had lunch there today for first time. The fajitas were wonderful!! Hubby had one of the bowls which he loved. Went thru 2 bowls of chips and salsa. They also gave us chips and salsa to go as it was our first time. Service was great and yummy food!
(5)
Jody Z.

I'm not crazy about chain Mexican food, but my husband convinced me to give On the Border a chance. We came for an early dinner, hoping to take advantage of some happy hour specials, but the bar area was packed and you can't get those specials in the dining room. Oh well. I tried the Southwest chicken tacos, which sounded great. Chicken, a special sauce and crispy fried onion straws. Well, first off there was no lettuce or pico de gallo or anything on the taco. Secondly, the chicken was cold and dry. It tasted pre-cooked and nuked in the microwave. I couldn't even finish them. There are so many other Mexican restaurants close by worth checking out like El Hidalgo, Azul 17, or La Palapas. It wasn't the worst meal I've ever had, but since there are other options I prefer I won't be planning a trip back anytime soon.
(2)
Bethany G.

My sister, mom, and I walked in and there was a wait. 10 minutes, not bad. Table was called around that time. Was seated and waited another 5 minutes. Chips and salsa was dropped off without a word, but waiter/waitress never showed up to take drink order. After an additional 10-15 minutes, we walked out. We did say something on the way out to the staff about not having anyone so much as acknowledge our existence. No one batted an eye, not even an apology for wasted time.
(1)
Wang C.

I had the chicken fajitas- the meal was satisfactory minus the shells. They were plain- and tasted old. The atomosphere was pretty nice, and the banos was clean. I did get to try jalapeÃ±o dressing from someone in our group, it was close to stellar
(3)
Stephen S.

A very bad experience this evening at On The Border. My wife ordered a dish and specifically inquired as to how spicy the entree was. She was assured by the server that it was not very spicy. My wife wasn't able to feel her tongue it was so spicy. She sent it back for another dish and did not even receive an apology nor did she receive a manager's visit. My Tortilla Soup came lukewarm and I had to send it back to get it heated up. Again, no apology. This was such a bad experience we're probably not going back. Columbia, MD has so many Mexican places so any restaurant that wishes to compete has to be better than this.
(2)
Jeremy W.

Food okay. Service was horrible. Waited an hour for food and it came out cold and over cooked. Place was not crowded
(2)
Pooja T.

LOVE this place! ESPECIALLY for happy hour! GREAT food and drink specials! Watch out though, this place gets super packed super quick. I usually have just gone here for their great cheap taco specials and happy hour, but it has always pleased my belly! I love anything mexican so of course I like this place, but as a vegetarian, there's a lot for me to order. I am a big fan of the tacos. Always great. The service can be a bit slow, but it's probably because it is a chain restaurant and most families would go here for lunch/dinners. I would recommend this to anyone during their happy hour, even if you don't drink, because the appetizers and small plates are at a steal of a price. The margarita/sangria swirl is my favorite drink!
(4)
Chris L.

Good chips, good salsa, good margaritas, good service, mediocre food, reasonable price. That's the summary, now the details. On The Border serves freakishly oversize chips! Basically these are half tortillas instead of the usual one-quarter or one-sixth tortilla slices. Perfectly salted and served with a spicy salsa, the medium heat was great and totally unexpected, usually chain salsa is bland, bland, bland; not here. A fresh lime agave "primo" margarita was tasty with absolutely no sour mix to spoil it. My server said, nobody orders that one, guess I'm the freak LOL. The margarita prices are simply absent from the menu, so annoying. In the end it was $9.50 before tax and tip, not crazy but I really prefer to know up front, why hide the price? Dumb. Sitting outside was a big plus even with a little wind. My combo platter "New Mexico" was solid but unremarkable, quite a bargain for dinner at just $9. Accompanied by smoky refried beans (which were excellent) and what I would call a dirty rice, with fresh corn kernels in it. The rice was good, I'd much rather have this than a tasteless red-with-cheap-tomato-sauce rice. A pork (carnitas) enchilada was very plain, all too dry inside. A fried chili relleno was stuffed with mild cheese and pretty good. Both the enchilada and relleno were supposed to be covered with N.M. green chili sauce, and the little that I got was very good. But saving the day, my waiter was happy to bring more green chili sauce! Portion size was actually reasonable for one person, not a meal for two or more. The bus boys don't seem real motivated here, on a Tuesday night the tables stayed uncleared for a long time, inside and out. Didn't ruin my meal or anything but it just looked bad. Good value here, decent food and drinks but nothing especially memorable.
(3)
Eudora G.

Just 2 words. Avocado Fries.
(5)
Puneet M.

Decent place...mainly only go for their specials... HH prices are decent but it's usually pretty crowded so the service can be slow. The food is ok, nothing amazing but ok for a chain. Though I will say their salsa can have kick if you ask for the hot! So bonus for that. Overall, decent place for food and drinks, specials are really the only reason we coming back Cheers and I don't always drink HH specials but when I do I always save money.
(3)
Ma-e M.

If I have to go on the border to get better Mexican food, I will do it. On the border is definitely just on the border. They are not even close to Mexico. As a tourist in the border, you get more attention than being on the border. My order was simple but the service was lacking. Why so? You can't find somebody's attention to get order pushed to the kitchen. Why would you want to get caught on the border with the food they have? On the border's tacos are no better than Baja Fresh, California Tortilla, Chipotle, Taco Bell. Compare what you get on the border to these fast food tex-mex restaurants, and you are better off eating out of the border. Don't be caught on the border; food is better somewhere.
(1)
Joe P.

We had a family dinner this evening 10/17. Food was all very good. The server definitely had his hands full though. A little slow getting us all our food and keeping up with refills, but he was very apologetic. Overall good dinner and we will go back.
(4)
Doug S.

The food here is amazing. Last time I went, I was with a large group of people and it seemed to be a busy day for them. Despite this, we were all quickly and consistently serviced by our waiter, Mike. Never had to wait for a drink refill or for an empty plate to be taken away. I'd gladly come back here.
(4)
Pongo P.

12 minutes at a high top seat yourself table in the bar. Not one server, manager, or host greeted us or acknowledged that we were sitting at an empty table without menus, drinks or silverware. It should have been clear that we had just sat down and not greeted. We had 4 servers walk by Us Repeatedly without any acknowledgement or eye contact. I finally went up to the host stand (and waited another 2 minutes for the host to come back ). I asked if they were short staffed- she apologized and said yes. She seemed to genuinely care that we weren't being taken care of. We left. I wish I could rate the food or anything else but I just can't because I wasn't given the opportunity to. One previous review below is correct- the chandeliers in the bar area are very cool.
(1)
Nani A.

went today with my mom for lunch. we were seated at a booth immediately and our server christian was great. my mom got a huge burrito with salad and i got the mexican grilled chicken off of the border smart menu, which is like a "healthier" options menu. it was so good! came with cilantro lime rice and grilled squash and zucchini. so yummy!! the guacamole was tasty too, came with lots of cilantro and we squeezed lime juice on ours for some flavor. the salsa is always yummy and i love how spicy it is. didnt think the meal with be good because last time i went it kinda sucked but it was great! good service and good food!
(4)
Joe K.

For a chain of tex-mex restaurants this one is pretty decent. Service is a little slow, but then again it might be because they were a little understaffed for an early dinner rush (sort of explains why one guy had to wait 7+ tables). Drink specials, and happy hour pricing is decent but nothing too spectacular; however, it's the drinks themselves which are. A giant sangrita frozen margarita ($5) basically had enough alcohol in roughly 4 drinks -- very good value. The salsa is great, and the chips are huge! Which makes sharing a bowl kind of fun. As for the food, my queso chicken which came paired with fresh grilled vegetables and cilantro-lime rice which was delicious. Overall 4-stars!
(4)
Koral S.

I have had much better Mexican food. The only thing I enjoyed was the queso dip ... which after a while hardened into something that no longer looked edible. The options of meal combos were appealing ... Koral and G
(2)
Nikki G.

I usually have great service at this location, but my most recent experience with the hostess was irritating. I was planning on having dinner with a party of 4 on a Friday night. One member of my party called to make a reservation, which he was advised they do not make reservations on this particular night. He was told that they were very slow, and there was no need to call back since they were on their way. When we arrived there was an hour wait, and another hostess told our party that they do take reservations. She insisted that he should have pressed the other hostess to take the reservation. Please note, no one in my party requested we be seated before everyone else. We just inquired what the reservation policy was considering the restaurant was in fact busy. None of the hostesses owned up to being the one who answered the phone. Beside this particular experience, we always have plenty of salsa and chips. I am always asked about another refill before my glass is empty, and the empenadas are delicious. If you have a larger group you want to socialize with, the bar area has plenty of tables.
(3)
Beth S.

Tortilla soup was cold; entree that I specifically asked not to be spicy had my tongue and lips on fire. To top it off, after sending both back, the waitress had a board up her ass about two feet thick. Note to OTB: you are in a service business. Teach your servers how to act. No manager came to our table. I think I'm parting ways as it's not my first disappointing visit here.
(2)
Brooke W.

Good happy hour for $2 beers and $2-$4 snacks I almost always get the street style mini tacos with chicken, 3 stars because waitress never looked busy but didn't come check if I needed something also my toppings for my tacos lettuce, tomato, avocado didn't look fresh
(3)
Brian B.

Absolutely terrible!!!! The worst place I have ate at in along time. First we had a party of 10 so it was a larger table. Took forever for the drinks to get here. We ordered our food the appetizer never came out. Then almost every plate was wrong and two of them did not come out. Then the kitchen manger comes out with the worst attitude making it seem like its our fault that the food was wrong. We never got a refill on drinks. Then the waitress made us hand all of our plates to her when we were done and ready to leave. I told her how nasty the kitchen staff was and how they messed up the food and we never saw a manager. I will never go there again!!!!!
(1)
michele t.

Been her several times. Meals are above average, presentation is nice, and the wait staff is very polite and professional. Today I had the queso chicken with cilantro rice. It was very good. The cilantro in the rice was fresh, so the flavor really came out. The chicken was grilled and moist.
(4)
John H.

The most gringo oriented Mexican place I have ever been to. Everything tastes like it was microwaved. My standards for Mexican are very high considering I grew up 2 hours away from the border. This slop isn't anywhere close. Service is good but not worth making the trip for.
(2)
Jean G.

I love love love the chips, salsa & the margaritas!!! I go to On The Border for just these items. Everytime I go with my husband and/or friends and we get anything else we've always experienced upset stomachs later or the next day. I suggest going here for the chips and drink but nothing else.
(2)
Cassandra K.

We are definitely fans. We live in Keymar MD and drive to THIS location for the food and staff that never fail to WOW us! Although the long drive home is a rough one (when we just want to nap), it is definitely worth it every time. The portions are awesome and we force ourselves to NOT stuff it all down in the restaurant (so we have a carry-out box for the next day's lunch). The chips are ALWAYS fresh and the salsa is excellent...it all just keeps on coming, right along with our friendly waiter or waitress.
(4)
Adrienne W.

We've been here a couple times due to convenience but honestly, there are so many other "better" tex-mex/Mexican places to eat around here. And when I say "better" I mean "for the area" because I'm originally from San Diego and have YET to find REAL Mexican food on the East Coast. R&R is close, but put up against SoCal taquerias it falls behind. But I digress.... We had some interesting-in-a-weird-good-way avocado fries at our last visit. Grilled fish tacos were so dry I had to just eat the fish and toppings with a fork and leave the tortillas. I literally couldn't swallow when the tortilla was included. Worst part - NO SPOON CORNBREAD / MUSHY SWEET CORN THING!!!! That's the whole to reason go to a chain..... Stick with the fajitas, chimis, and other standards and you'll have an ok time. If you want a better time go to El Hidalgo or La Fiesta. If you want an even better, but more expensive time go to la palapa or azul 17
(2)
Lani C.

I used to like this place and use to go a couple times a month, but they have gone drastically downhill. The chips are usually stale and the food isn't very good. I had the fish tacos a few times and the last time they were greasy and a bit soggy. The chicken is dry in the dishes with chicken. The enchiladas have become greasy and stale as well. The worst part is everything went from being really clean to really dirty. The menus and tables are sticky. I had leftover food stuck on the inside of my water cup once. I've also had floaties in my water (no lemons were in my water). I loved this place and now it's no good.
(1)
Steven D.

Of all the On The Border restaurants I have been to, this location has the best staff. They always go above and beyond to make my family comfortable. Great Mexican food! I highly recommend ordering the Border Sampler or the Original Queso. For the entree, The Ultimate Fajita and The Big Bordurrito is absolute amazing.
(5)
Jason F.

Chips and salsa are good and complimentary. This place is just a more formalized version of fast Mexican food. My friend had the beef tacos which came out of the kitchen almost instantly. This tells me they have everything pre made (rice, beans, meats). Beans I can see being pre cooked, but this isn't supposed to be a cafeteria so quality suffers a little. He said they were good, but nothing looked too special. I had the fish tacos lunch special. Pretty generic and you can tell they threw some frozen fish into a deeper fryer and voila. They were ok, but I have had better fish tacos at the Cheesecake factory. Note: I've had real fish tacos in Southern California so I am not ignorant. The place is nice and our bartender(s) were friendly. I would eat here again, but I would not rush back. It is more or less the same as other chains such as Chevy's and Don Pablo's.
(3)
Amy P.

Pretty nice place with a cozy atmosphere. You can either sit inside or outside. Salsa is on a bit spicy side but I like spicy food so it was fine with me. Ordered quesadilla for an appetizer and it came out super fast and also very delicious. Our meals came out pretty quick too. I ordered Dos XX fish tacos and it was better than I thought. I would definitely go back for my Mexican food fix.
(4)
Walker C.

Salsa is very good (wife thought it was spicy.) food was delicious, service was average
(4)
Joseph C.

I only had a house margarita and a chicken/steak quesadilla while hanging out with some friends, but I like this place. For a chain the quality was pretty good and the decor was fun without being tacky. One of the few places in Columbia I would return to.
(3)
Chelsea W.

Good atmosphere and decent food! Can't really go wrong here. They've got a great happy hour that will make you ... Happy!
(4)
Ed B.

OTB used to be one of my go to Mexican places. I say used to because they have really cut back on portion size. Prices have remained the same which makes this place a bad deal in my opinion. The food quality is average to begin with... This is a chain restaurant what do you expect? Its usually pretty crowded on Saturday nights but I would recommend skipping if it's more than a 20 minute wait.
(3)
Brandy B.

I really love everything about this place. The food has always been fantastic, the margaritas are great, and we have never had bad service. On Friday/Saturday nights be prepared for a wait, but it's totally worth it.
(5)
Melissa L.

We stopped here for dinner on the way to Costco. The food was good (could have used a little more seasoning) however the portions were rather large so neither of us finished the meal. The restaurant seemed in to be well taken care and clean. The atmosphere was good, the servers appeared to work as a team along with several managers roaming. Our server was spot on with refilling our drinks and quickly grabbed our sauces that had been forgotten in the kitchen by the food runner. Overall, the food was good nothing great but we would go back for a quick casual dinner if we are in the area.
(3)
Darrell S.

Had an awesome dinner last night. My chicken quesadilla was awesome as usual and the wife had her usual margarita which she always loves. Only problem is that the bar area tables were a little dirty but that was to be expected. Wish that they had more outside seating though. Will defiantly be back.
(4)
Chris J.

Who forgot to clean? I come here often enough and never had a complaint until tonight. The waitstaff were good. But I could not stomach the food because everything seemed to be covered in dirt. Our utensils were not properly cleaned, the plate that my food came on looked unclean as well as the bowl with my soup. The booth was covered with dust and the floors looked disgusting. The booth we were sat in had a seat that was broken. You can see the the booth seat leaning towards the floor. This was a horrible experience for a place I used to like.
(2)
Brian H.

Physical space- clean, well decorated, pleasant. Service- very polite, efficient. and quick. Food- fajitas- chicken, shrimp, pork were all good. Steak had more fat than would expect with flank steak. Price- reasonable We would recommend this restaurant.
(3)
Johnny C.

4.5 / 5 - Salsa: Just the right amount of heat and body, and minced up nicely 2.0 / 5 - Entrees 3.0 / 5 - Appetizers
(4)
M. W.

Not good at all. The enchiladas are tiny and looked like something you'd find in the freezer section of Harris Teeter. The beef empanada isn't even close to authentic. Our sodas weren't refilled without us asking and the waitress didn't check to see if everything was okay with our meal until our plates had been cleared. Won't be going back.
(1)
Sebastian M.

Eat here every now and then with my family and gotta say its pretty good food but some times its hit or miss, love the giant chips and especially the salsa here some of the best Ive had sometimes I look forward to this chips and salsa more than the actual food. The brisket tacos are really good I don't know what the sauce is they put on the tacos but it definitely makes the dish, if you more of a salad eater I'd recommend the sizzling fajita salad with jalapeÃ±o vinaigrette (don't worry the dressing isn't spicy but its quite delicious but make sure its the right dressing because sometimes they get the jalapeÃ±o vinaigrette and their mango dressing mixed up and trust me you won't be a happy camper if that mistake is made)
(4)
Sushil N.

Continues to be our go to mexican since we always end up in this area. I have to commend this chain as they have a separate menu for allergy and food restricted folks!! Two thumbs up from this egg allergy foodie and my wife who is a vegetarian! Thank you for taking the steps to identify as well as ADD to your menu when options do not exist. This customer noticed and appreciates! We decided to sit at the bar last time we were there on a sunday night. Creatures of habit, we had drinks, nachos (pretty good!), enchiladas, and a vegetarian entree (burrito with avocado) which was excellent. Can't go wrong but be warned of the weekend crowd, they can get pretty busy.
(4)
Tracey C.

Love the huge chips and salsa. Food was excellent and the server was prompt and courteous. First time we have eaten here and we will definitely be back. The atmosphere was fun and cozy too.
(4)
Katie S.

Everytime I go here (last night was probably the fourth time) it seems the service and quality goes down a little more. The first two times the food, drinks and service were great. The last few times . . .meh . . .Last night, the bartender was very unattentive and busied herself more with cleaning and putting away glasses instead of checking on customers. You could tell she did not want to be at work and after we received our food, she never asked how things were until we asked for the check. The food (Achiote Chicken Tacos and Chicken Enchiladas Suiza) had almost no flavor and was lukewarm (almost like it had sat for awhile instead of brought right to us when ready). All in all, pretty disappointing. Won't be back here. Do yourself a favor and go to LaPalapa on Main Street in Ellicott City; better food and better service.
(2)
Marisa F.

It has been a while since I last visited On the Border and it reminded me that I need to come here more often. The restaurant is clean and I love the chandeliers in the bar area. On this visit I came for lunch to wait while I was getting new tires put on my car and I sat in the bar. Our waitress was very friendly and on top of everything. As I knew it would be a long wait I went ahead and started lunch with a margarita. It was a day late for National Margarita Day, but since I didn't get one then I knew I had to make up for it. They have quite a list of different margaritas to try and I ordered the skinny margarita. It was delicious! Not too sweet at all, just perfect. They have several different lunch options to choose from which is awesome. I decided to go with the pick 2 for 7.99 and got a chicken enchilada and beef soft taco. I will be back On the Border, I will be back.
(4)
Michele W.

good for a chain mexican restaurant. The salsa has just the right amount of heat and body. It would be better if the chips were served warm. There are lots of choices on the menu. Good margaritas. Friendly and attentive service. The firecracker stuffed jalapenos are my favorite! Cheesy chicken filling w/light and crispy batter served w/queso and a smattering of pico de gallo
(3)
Nhu P.

Was totally surprised! Don't usually go to chain restaurants but man, I was missing out. Had an itch for fajitas and this place delivered!!! The food is delicious, portions huge, wallet full!!! Will totally be going back to this place anytime I'm in the mood for tacos, fajitas, or margaritas!!!
(5)
T B.

Went out for dinner with wife. Sat down, and waited about 10 min before server showed up. Since we had the menu, we ordered everything right away. The original two items (appetizer and entree) that I wanted were not available for some reason.... (this was early Friday night). Thought that was odd. So, I ordered the pork chops entree, and it was so dry, I had a hard time cutting into it. The ceviche that we ordered as appetizer was the best part. I ordered a draft beer, which didn't come out until with the entree. It seemed like the service was really slow in the beginning and then, when we were finishing up, they were very attentive, as to hinting at us to pack up and leave. Not a pleasant experience. We thought about bringing our kids, but definitely not after seeing how slow they are.
(2)
Edward S.

Convenient location, average food. I've been to OTB numerous times, and each time I'm not exactly sure what keeps me coming back. For one, it is a cheap tex-mex style restaurant, where the chips and salsa are always welcome. Second, it is conveniently located right off of 175 near 95. Besides those two reasons, I've never found anything great about OTB. I think the better half really enjoys the fish tacos, and she is a sucker for the chips and salsa (Not as good as Mi Casa, but much better than Chili's). My food has always been serviceable, but just adequate. I've never walked away from a meal thinking, "I can't wait to go back to OTB." I don't do the fajitas because I think they are overpriced for the amount of food you get, so I typically go with the Southwestern Chicken or Carne Asada tacos. Again, three star level. What makes this place a two star restaurant instead of a three is the service. This place has the spottiest service. You can go during the dead of the afternoon and still feel like nobody is paying attention to you. Getting drink refills feels like a chore. Hello, spicy food, need more water. The saving grace is the dessert. Go with the sopaipilla, but if it is just the two of you, go for the small version. Not a bad deal. For food and value, it is a three or four star restaurant. Service gets a one.
(2)
A. P.

Had a really good experience this last go. Chicken, shrimp, beef and pork (ultimate fajita) was very good. Salsa was excellent (some at the table thought a little on the spicy side). Chips were always warm and crispy. Even gave us some chips and salsa to take home, didnt even ask !!
(4)
Nathan C.

Just to update - after multiple visits, I stand by their salsa firmly - it's awesome. I also had a really good fajita combo - chicken with the Diablo vegetables and the Honey Chipotle sauce. This was the first time there with the kids - and they do a pretty good job on the kids' menu. There's enough of a selection there to please even picky rug monkeys. Plus our waitress gets extra bonus Kid Points for bringing lots of extra napkins and making like lightning with the drinks and chips.
(4)
Mike C.

I had lunch at On the Border with my kids and had a very good experience. The service was above average, with the server frequently asking us how we were doing and quickly providing refills. The value is above average - especially the kids' meals. For $4.99, they get an entrÃ©e, a side, a drink, and an ice cream. The entire table started with a huge mound of hot tortilla chips (many as big as half a taco shell) and good, moderately spicy salsa. I was eating relatively light and ordered a fajita salad. They accommodated my vegetarian request and brought out a sizzling plate of tasty vegetables to put on a salad of greens (which included pico de gallo, sour cream, and guac). My kids enjoyed a huge hard taco and cheese quesadilla with French fries. Extra kudos for having a perfect tasting Coke! Given the clean and interesting dÃ©cor, the service, the value, and the food, I would certainly recommend this place.
(4)
Jennifer L.

OTB is a favorite. Great hang out atmosphere, good happy hour prices, good service. Summer means watermelon margaritas are on the menu, which I highly recommend. The salsa is tasty- spicy without being oppressive, and I love the menu. Before I went veggie I loved the Taco Melt, but now it's the Borderitto. Just ask for vegetables instead of meat and they'll add onions, summer squash, and zucchini. The Veggie Fajitas are also very good.
(5)
Justin L.

Very good tex mex. The enchiladas are great. It definitely hits the spot when we have a craving for good tex mex.
(3)
Ernest P.

2.75 stars due to lowered expectations: Dinner last week with the family. How darn ordinary could this place be. Got the guacamole and was surprised when we got a small scoop delivered to the table as opposed to made tableside. When we checked the bill though there are actually two versions--we got the smaller cheaper one. Oh well it was the highlight of the meal. Tablemate ordered a Shirley Temple (don't ask!) and funny the waitress asked if she wanted it with or without alcohol! Good stuff. Anyway the portabello fajitas were ok except there was practically no portabello on it. Cheap asses. The veggie burrito was ok but they put the rice and beans on the side and a paltry mix of veggies inside. Would have been nice to get veggies on the inside and give the burrito some bulk and let the flavors mix. Moral is veggie options are an absolute afterthought here, service is mediocre and as per usual these chain restaurants in the suburbs are always full. I don't get it!
(2)
Milan R.

I'll keep it brief and simple : If you want to eat a slightly upscale tex-mex that won't break your bank account then this is the place. I've been to OTBs in many locations across the country, and i havent really come out with a big smile on my face, but then again i haven't really frowned either. The OTB in Elkridge is right across from Costco, so it has ample parking which is plus. The restaurant is clean, well decorated and though a couple of waitresses there can look a tad bit excited, they are pretty cordial and attentive. As many have mentioned here, their complimentary chips and salsa is just great. And unlike some other salsas, this one is actually quite "exciting". I tried the fried avacados, grilled enchiladas and a veggie fajita. The fried avacados were, well, different..though i thought it was a bit too salty. The grilled enchiladas were great, though the sauce was a bit too bland for my liking. Stay clear from the veggie fajita though as it contained nothing but jalapenos and one large chunk of red pepper ! They can also do a bit better on the rice and beans portions for the amount of tortillas that accomponies the fajita. All in all, it isn't exactly the greatest tex-mex, not even close, but it is alright of a place and at $20/person dinner bill, you won't feel too dissapointed.
(3)
Rawland R.

My favorite place to take the family as they always take care of us! Chips were always warm and crispy with just a hint of salt, Salsa was excellent! To wash it down ice cold draft beer.... yuuummmy! Brisket taco's are now my favorite!!! Joe our server was fast and always had refills on the drinks before our cups were empty. (Joe is the MAN!) Will continue to take the family here at least once a month!!!!
(5)
Dave C.

They have a full bar and the food is always excellent. The beer mugs are also _huge_ compared to other establishments. Service is good, food is good. I've been meaning to try the takeout.
(4)
Maria M.

A coworker and I went here for lunch on a Sunday. We were seated right away but I think we came right before the rush as it became pretty busy 5 minutes after we came in. Anyways, the ambience was pretty nice. Tex-mex designs and lots of very warm lighting. Our waiter was really nice and very polite. He came by to check on us maybe 3 times in the 1 hour that we were there, just to make sure we were ok. The complimentary chips are really thin and crunchy. I thought I wouldn't like it, but it was actually pretty good. Not too salty, and not too bland. As for the salsa that came with it - perfect compliment to the chips. Not spicy. Just a hint of a kick, but good enough to the think crunchy chips. I ordered a salad... the southwest grilled chicken salad. The dressing was this mango vinegarette, which was actually pretty good. It was sweeter rather than tangy, but it still worked with the salad. I guess this isn't a real complete review because I didn't have one of their specialties, but it was good enough for me to go back again if ever my husband lets me bring him to a "chain" restaurant. Yay for this restaurant! =)
(4)
Sarah M.

Fantastic food! I was very pleasantly surprised when I ate here for a family party. Really great food and the place is nice and clean!
(5)
Romin A.

Not a bad place to eat. Their south west tacos are on point, very tasty. They make the substitutions I need and its perfect. Great place for family dinner and/or if you're on a date. Never had bad service. I have been going there for about 4 years.
(4)
Phillip G.

OK - maybe they were busy. It was a Friday night at around 8:00. But I don't go to a restaurant for a cute & busy server, cold beer and food that induces vomiting when you bite into it. Here is the story - the family is out for Friday night fun at OTB. The kids ordered cheese nachos and a corn dog from the kids menu. Mom orders the chicken fajitas (which turn out to be the only smart decision of the night). Dad - the "special" Avocado enchiladas. The corn dog was perfectly fine and consumed immediately by the six year old. BTY typically she is the last to finish her meal because most of the time corn dogs come out much too HOT for her to consume - which may tell you were this review is going. The cheese nachos could easily have been mistaken for triangular shaped floor tiles - not one of which was consumed. Upon my first bite of the Avocado enchiladas, I was completely appalled. I honestly had a problem politely chewing and swallowing -the dish was so cold and greasy. To her credit, the server quickly tried to make it right but the second dish was clearly another person's meal with both their side on the plate and the one I ordered in a side dish. The worst part is that the replacement dish wasn't that much hotter than my original order. It was still very greasy and certainly not a piping hot texmex dish that I would have expected from OTB. Management did come to the table and awkwardly acknowledged the problem, but it seemed like he wanted me to comfort him and to say it was OK. When I didn't do that he just said, "well that's the way we make it". I responded "well that is what I ordered" and that was the last we saw of him. Ironically, the manager did comp some items that we had ordered - the appetizers and the kid's meals. I still had to pay for the avocado enchiladas that are now in a landfill or a pig farm some where. I also paid for the chicken fajitas which feed Mom and the disappointed nacho kid. The fajitas were reasonably unrepulsive given their apparent history on the cooks counter (thank god for hot iron). I had cereal when I got home - probably for the best.
(1)
Heena P.

My mum and I went here two weeks ago for dinner. The hostess was extremely rude and it took her about 5 minutes to greet us, despite us waiting patiently. I understand that this place is rather hectic on a Friday night, but still no excuse to be ill mannered. The wait time took about 20 minutes. We ordered: Appetizers: Chips with Salsa (free) and fried avocado chips. Both were delicious! Mum: Grilled Enchiladas (vegetarian - avocado with red chili pesto) with a side of black beans and rice. It was about $10.00. She enjoyed her entrÃ©e. Me: Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos with a side of black beans and rice. It was about $10.00. I didn't really like taste of the corn tortillas, but other than that the food was decent. Positives: cheap, free chips and salsa (LOVED), quick service. Negatives: average food, horrible hostess but made up for with a sweet and polite server Overall, I'm on the fence about this place. It was neither a hit nor a miss. I won't be rushing back to this place anytime soon.
(3)
Natasha F.

Yummy! I'm never disappointed w/ On the Border. Their Guacamole Live is deliciously fresh (made at the table) and big enough for three. I usually get their combos which is always a good choice. Oh and the Blood Orange Margarita is to die for! Try to go during the month of October- On the Border is doing a huge charity fundraiser for the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation. I got a super cute leather cuff with a breast cancer charm for $7 ($4 went to Komen). Love it!
(4)
Lindsay M.

We had a good time last Sunday. Sam was our server, and she had good reccomendations, everything came out promptly and was correct. The food was great. Firecracker stuffed jalapenos were amazing (duh, they're spicy, but not burn-your-mouth-off spicy). A good time. We'll be back.
(4)
Becky J.

I enjoy the atmosphere here. The food is usually pretty good and I love the big glasses of beer that flow. Service is pretty good both at the bar and at the tables. I love getting free chips and salsa although I do wish they gave an less spicy but just as yummy alternate to the salsa.
(4)
Tom S.

Stopped in to check out a good ol staple of nachos. Ordered the steak nachos to go. I was pleasantly surprised. When I opened the container, the nacho chips were all laid out very neatly in one layer. The container is large so I don't feel jipped. The chips were large, light & crispy topped with beans steak and cheese. I opted for the black beans instead of refried beans. It comes with lettuce, sour cream, jalapenos, and guac on the side. They also gave me an extra bag of chips. The salsa was very good and definitely on the spicy side -- felt like I wanted more. The only thing I would criticize is there should be more lettuce, sour cream and guac. They ran out way before the steak nachos. The nachos feeds 2-3 people easily. I recommend the nachos. Next time, I'll stay for a margarita.
(3)
James J.

I am removing a star because the last time we went here the table/menus were dirty and the cups were dirty. Like there was dried food bits stuck to the inside of my water cup. Plus the service sucked big time. Luckily I have been here over 10 times now and know this isn't how it usually is, but if this was my first time going I would have rated one star and never come back.
(3)
Jim H.

About the same as every other location. Consistent food quality, friendly staff, good selection of cervesa... :) Good chain Tex-Mex!
(3)
Adam T.

Standard big chain Mexican food. Nothing too impressive, but it's all OK and I like it a little better than Don Pablo's. It's just a safe bet, but why would you go here when there are so many local places to try, like R&R.
(4)
Meghan M.

Love, love, love the salsa! I have had enchiladas, empanadas, and the bbq salmon and they were all very good also. The service and the happy hour specials are also reasons to go to OTB.
(4)
Jamie S.

Run of the mill chain restaurants and for Tex-Mex I've had better. I ordered the make your own combo and had a enchilada/taco/empanada. Nothing spectacular as far as the food goes. The space is large and inviting with chain-style theme appropriate knick-knacks here and there. I was sitting by the kitchen doors and could see a big sign on the inside door that reads "Full hands in. Full hands out". I guess this place really puts their employees to work. Of course I noticed many empty hands both in and out. Our waitress was sweet and polite and acted like she was just told in the back room that she better get this order right or else. Service was decent but seemed a bit forced. Hey, it's a chain. They probably work these folks to the bone. I'd come back here again if someone else was paying but if I'm in the mood for good Tex-Mex I'll go someplace else...unless I'm trapped in Columbia. Then whatcha gonna do?
(2)
Glory W.

Went the other day with a couple girls. One friend got a frozen strawberry, the other strawberry on the rocks, and I got a standard margarita. Margaritas are good, nothing to write home about, but if you need somewhere close and reasonably priced it's a good place to go. The strawberry margaritas are world's better than the regular ones.
(3)
Alexander S.

I come here often as the food is generally awesome. I enjoy the salsa but it seems to be a hit or miss and it is different in the California location vs the Maryland location. I prefer the salsa here at the Columbia location. The margaritas were great, all the food here is amazing except any of the "Combos" or enchiladas. The service is always great and the manager even came up to us and made sure everything was fine.
(4)
Angela M.

I drink OTB salsa like it's water. I go through about 3 or 4 dishes of it in a sitting and those close to me have learned to never share their salsa. This OTB is pretty new; I think it's no older than 6-8 months, but don't quote me on that. It's more contemporary and sleek than the Rockville and Bowie locations, but the awesome OTB food is still awesome here. The chicken burrito with sour cream sauce was stellar and hubby had the grilled chicken and avocado enchiladas, which he kind of ruined by taking out the chipotle sauce, but they were still tasty. It's nice to have an OTB up in this neck of the woods to quench my queso cravings since most other Mexican places in the area are pointedly awful (ergo La Fiesta near 108).
(4)
Karen W.

I didn't actually get the chance to eat here as the hostess team was so horrible that we waited 20 min for nothing. I have an expectation for good customer service when I choose a place to get my business and this place failed miserably.
(1)
Adrienne J.

Me and my mom drive out of our way for this great On the Border. The first time we went we werekind of iffy because of the terrible food and service we had at the one in Bowie a few years ago. Went here the first time and was pleasantly surprised with the fast, friendly service and hot fresh chips. Food came out fast and was hot and fresh. Must go to whenever I'm in the area.
(4)
Jon R.

By far, the worst service I've had as far back as I can remember. The server looked at me condescendingly when I didn't opt of guacamole with my fajitas for an extra 99 cents. After finishing our very average-tasting meal, the server walked by our table about a dozen times but never bothered to clear our plates. When it was time to pay, she walked by our bill (with credit card tucked into the pocket on top) several times before proceeding to sit down three tables away to socialize with 3-4 other employees. I don't know why I came back here.
(1)
Jeff M.

Their margarita menu is beautiful, but their margaritas are not good. Like Don Pablo's, it's a Taco Bell with a liquor license. Better Mexican food is only a few miles away.
(1)
John B.

We always have a good time there. They do get busy since they are in columbia, but they sure get people seated fast. The food is excellent every time. They stopped carrying my favorite beer, Blue Moon, though so I have not gone there as often as I used to.
(4)
Jen M.

I like this place more than don pablos now. I have always had wonderful service and it has a fun atmosphere. Food is great too!! Carryoit service is fantastic!!
(5)
Jacquelyn R.

I've been here like 10 times but my last experience was not too great...I asked the waitress for a margarita and a diet soda she dropped the margarita and took our order a food runner brought the appetizers and she didn't come back until our food was ready to be dropped. I had to go to the bar to get my own soda and I'm sure she still charged me even though I had to pay at bar but forgot to look. The food was not great but what should I expect from an Americanized Mexican restaurant?! I'm sure I'll go back just because I run outta places to eat...
(2)
Kelsy S.

They had awesome fajitas. I liked the three sauce burritos, cool idea (esp. for people like me who are indecisive). The Agave margarita was really strong but didn't taste very good. It def. has the feel of a typical chain mexican restaurant. Yay for free chips & salsa.
(4)
Charlotte B.

Got takeout: they said their specialty was their fajitas, so we tried those. Nice choices--pork carnitas, shrimp, grilled vegetables, etc. However, they were not very well prepared--the vegetables were not fully cooked! (tough, slightly crunchy 'grilled' zucchini) In general, the whole thing was quite disappointing and we won't be back. We could have cooked up something far better if we'd just stopped by Trader Joe's.
(1)
Lola S.

Don't go there- they hate babies! Well- this is more of a verbose emotional release than a critique. And it is not a critique about ON THE BORDER'S food because we were never able to try it. It's about their reception- which is stupid and un-trained. We went here for "Mother's Day" lunch because we were in the area and I love tex-mex. 2 adults- 1 highchair please. I asked how long the wait would be. The hostess looked baffled saying "well...if I put you here....lets see there are small tables here...but you need a highchair and we can't set you in a booth because it's hazardous for the baby, lets see this party came in around 1, they should be leaving soon, or I could put you..." BLAH BLAH BLAH- JUST TELL ME HOW LONG THE F*N WAIT IS!!!!!!!!! I ask what the wait would be if we didn't need a highchair (at this point- I'm hungry and totally willing to have him on my lap if we can just sit down and one handedly eat a few chips!) She says "about the same" ....as what? You stupid lame-o never told me how long in the first place- and skip the story time this time, will ya? "10-15 minutes" she decided after her 2nd table equation. Ok- put us down. There were no chairs available in the waiting area, so we stand. As we wait I spy 5 open tables in the bar section. 4 are booths- one is the illusive chair kind. I stroll up to the dumb girl again and ask if children can be in the bar area (smoke free and all) She says yes. I turn to head to a table and she yells "You cannot seat yourself in the bar area right now MAM! You have to wait your turn!!" (it's usually customary to have open seating in the cantina area, right?) A few more parties come in and get seated immediately yet still....5 open tables in the bar. I sit and feed a baby, I change a diaper- still no buzz from my little thingy- and now SIX tables open in the bar (4 booths 2 with illusive chairs for anyone counting). I stroll into the bar and do an actual count- OK 7 tables open. I'm feelin feisty & so I yell from the bar "We've got 7 tables open over here people, lets move 'em out!" All parties in the reception area waiting for tables hear me and get antsy. A couple people say "We don't mind sitting in the cantina!!" There are now 4 hostesses gathered around the restaurant layout wipe board looking puzzled as I approach them yet again. I'm beat to the punch by another couple toting one of those baby things. The mother says "have you forgotten about us? You've seated half a dozen people that arrived after us already" The hostess exclaims "No- it's because you have a baby, You need a table with chairs" So I look around...all the tables with chairs in the restaurant area have regular old adults in them- no babies. Obvious blunder on the part of the hostesses. At this point I can taste La Palapas and all of it's authentic family owned goodness and I chuck my stupid buzzer thingy at the hostess and it becomes embedded in her pimply forehead as she falls down bleeding. (Ok- that part was complete fantasy fabrication) I throw the buzzer thing on the ground stomp on it and scream HAPPY FN MOTHERS DAY! (ok, sorry- fantasy again) I set the buzzer thing down nicely and told them to have a nice day and to make sure to call their mommas after they got off work. 2 other couples waiting with babies leave with us. Happy Mother's Day?! I get to the car- google the # and ask for the manager. (i never do this) I get Pat. Pat was very sweet and very receptive when i tell him about his complete reject hostesses and how they need some desperate training on how to seat. ...To learn to save chaired tables for families. Like my grandpappy says- You're only as smart as your stupidest employee. In the end...I did not get to try On the Border and that stupid head hostess wench face made me so mad that i never will.
(1)
Sandi W.

This used to be my favorite place to eat. The last few times we've been there we have been disappointed. The wait staff is always very friendly and helpful. This last time we went we ordered chicken tenders for our almost 1 yr old son. Our food came before his and the chicken tenders were RAW inside. Thankfully he was too young to take bits or I don't know what I would have done. My food came out wrong the first time but since I asked for refried beans and cheese in burrio (which they don't have on the menu) I wasn't upset. We did ask to speak to the manager and the waitress started to cry. She went on to explain it had been a tough week and she really needed this job. We were not upset with our server but with the cook. They did take remove his meal from the bill and offered us a free dessert. Like I said I used to love this place but everytime we go something isn't right so we are giving On the Border a break for the time being.
(3)
Gomer K.

I'm a fan! I can't get enough of their fish tacos. A lot of places say beer battered but I can't ever taste it but finally a place where I can. I know this isn't real Mexican food but I've never had a bad meal here. My friend's brother from Phoenix said they had the best beef tacos he has ever had and after going to college in Texas I should know decent Tex-Mex. I kinda feel ashamed for liking this chainy restaurant but oh well!
(4)
Chuck K.

Traditional Tex-Mex food is tasty, but a little expensive if not during a special. Atmosphere is pleasant and traditional. Bar area is large with lots of tables. Service in the bar area tends to be slow and drinks can take a while. Free chips and salsa.
(3)

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Address : 8230 Gateway Overlook Dr
Elkridge, MD, 21075
Phone (410) 312-1490
Website https://www.ontheborder.com/locate/columbia-elkridge-md
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 11

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

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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On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

8230 Gateway Overlook Dr, Elkridge, MD, 21075

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina Menu

Appetizers

Soup & Salads

Tacos

Fajita Grill - Create Your Favorite Fajita

Fajita - Otb Signature Fajitas

Enchiladas - Classic Hand-rolled Enchiladas

Enchiladas - Grilled Enchiladas

Fresh Grill

Create Your Own Combo

Burritos & Chimi's

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Appetizers

Soup & Salads

Tacos

Fajita Grill - Create Your Favorite Fajita

Fajita - Otb Signature Fajitas

Enchiladas - Classic Hand-rolled Enchiladas

Enchiladas - Grilled Enchiladas

Fresh Grill

Create Your Own Combo

Burritos & Chimi's

Desserts

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Mark M.

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Jojo L.

Jennifer B.

Mike D.

Lovepreet A.

Rick G.

Kai S.

Riddhika J.

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Rummy V.

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