Cacique
26 N Market St, Frederick, MD, 21701
Cacique Menu
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Address :
26 N Market St
Frederick, MD, 21701 - Phone (301) 695-2756
- Website https://www.caciquefrederick.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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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Eric C.
We had reservations at 8pm. We arrived to find the restaurant fully alive. Great festive atmosphere. Seated right away. Chips and dip flowed. Our server and other staff were very attentive. Our appetizers were good, calamari and plantain. I had the seafood fajita and it was great, we also had paella and taco salads. Everyone was happy fried ice cream to spilt at the end of the meal.
(4)Chris C.
Omg. The food is bad. I eat here once a year hoping the food will get better but it's just bad. The meal I ordered was so much less tastie than Chipotle. The person I was with ordered fish that was clearly spoiled in taste. The health department needs to do a surprise inspection and the owner needs to hire a new manager. Omg. Stay away.
(1)Matt K.
We have eaten here many times over the years and have never had a bad experience. We have even hosted our company Christmas party here several times. The paella is always excellent as are the margaritas and the service. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Rich B.
This was the best restaurant meal I've had in Frederick in a long time. My Mom was visiting from NC and she was impressed too! Service was fast and friendly, and the chips/salsa were very good. We shared the 'Combination Saltada' and it was great--lots of shrimp, scallops (large), and beef! It was all cooked just right and very tender. I'm looking forward to taking my wife and kids soon.
(5)Rosanne S.
I would give this place an excellent review. Atmosphere was great, food was even better and the prices were very reasonable. Our waiter was a little behind in serving us, but he was so nice and friendly it made up for it. Salsa was great so were the fajitas and bacon wrapped shrimp ;) will eat there again the next time welfare in Frederick!
(5)Kate N.
I am giving Cacique and underwhelming 3 stars. Probably closer to 2.5. Let's put it this way: the food was good. Not bad. Not great. Kind of pricey for how 'okay' it seemed. I should noted that we really only had Mexican-style food here. I got the veggie fajitas, and my boyfriend got the roast beef and chicken fajitas. The flavor was good, but I always think it's kind of lame when restaurants throw a ton of celery and carrots in fajitas. Also, the guacamole is made with olive oil and lemon juice, which struck me as odd. The salsa was good but not outstanding. Same with the marg. Same with the service.
(3)Kyle N.
I went to Hood College in downtown Frederick and Cacique has always been a favorite. The wait time and service can vary, but I've always left happy.
(4)Monica P.
There are several Mexican restaurants in the area, but I like Cacique the best (along with their second location, Mexicali Cantina). My most recent visit was with my husband and two friends on Feb 24th 2012. Their salsa is great and chips fresh and crunchy. I ordered the chorizo con queso as an appetizer. I had expected it to be a chili con queso but with the chorizo. Still, it was very good and served with toast. I typically order the roasted chicken, which is served with sliced onions, peppers and tomatoes in a Spanish sauce (along with black beans and rice) or the roast duck, both very good. This particular evening, I tried the shrimp tacos, which was one of the specials of the evening. There were three on the plate. It was quite filling but I wish the shrimp were larger. Overall the flavors were good and my dinner filled me up (came with yellow Spanish rice and salsa). Tony tried the swordfish, first time ever, and he really liked it. He's really not a fish eater but he was quite satisfied and plans to buy some for us to cook at home. One friend ordered the broiled salmon with vegetables and the other the trio special: scallops, steak, and shrimp. We were all happy with our meals. Everytime we go to Cacique, it's always filled. The place can be a little noisy but it didn't bother us. Service is always good and we never have to wait long for our meals. In the summertime, if you get lucky, you can sit outdoors.
(4)Ginger W.
Wow. So, I had been here a number of years ago and would have completely agreed with the horrible reviews on Yelp. However, I was just there and I can absolutely say it has gotten much better. I am surprised at how bad some of the reviews still are, but I think I know why. I don't think they do Mexican well here, and they certainly DON'T do American Tex-Mex at all. I have gotten the impression that Mexican food in America is a little bit like Indian food in England: it doesn't even resemble what a Mexican person in Mexico would make, its a hybridization of old recipes and new preferences that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. So, maybe they do Mexican really well and I just don't "get it," or maybe they just don't do it well -- I don't know. When I want Mexican food, I generally have other places I go. What I do know is this: They make amazing, delicious, comforting, well-seasoned SPANISH and PERUVIAN food. I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain, where I lived with a woman who cooked every night -- and then we went out afterward and ate again. I love Spanish food, and they do a good job of it here. I know a few Spanish families in the area who seek this place out because of that. It's not tapas (another humorous American "interpretation" often seen), its dinner. And its delicious. Recently, I had an OUT OF THIS WORLD Peruvian plate of Lomo Saltado (Vietnamese call it Thit Bo Xao voi Khoai Tay Chien --spelling there may be way off). I was so happy with it that my parents were both begging me for a taste and I was genuinely hesitant to give any away. So perfect. SO perfect. We finished up the meal with tres leches cake. The trick to this is having a cake that is completely soaked with liquid but hasn't become soggy and fallen apart. Cacique delivered. It was AWESOME. I have had bad experiences in this place in the past, and bad memories die hard in a small town with few restaurants, but if you've only come here and ordered the guacamole and gotten annoyed (first, who the heck orders guacamole in a restaurant when its that cheap and easy to make at home?! ..anyway), give it another chance. Order something Spanish, something that they don't make at Taco Bell. Let the restaurant surprise you.
(4)Virginia B.
My boyfriend and I stopped here for lunch yesterday because everything people were eating on the patio looked good and smelled good. We were not disappointed. The chips were very thin, crispy and fresh and the salsa was average (not spicy at all). We ordered combination fajitas for two. We got a ton of food, lots of meat, so not your typical dish of onions and green peppers with a few strips of meat like you get at chain restaurants. The meat was seasoned and cooked beautifully. We were both stuffed and took half of it home. I would definitely eat there again.
(3)Carol P.
OMG, this place stinks! Food is absolutely horrible. We went to downtown Frederick today with my inlaws because a neighbor recommended this area, we end up eating here and every single item was horrible, it started with the Chips and salsa... we thought it would get better, my chicken quesadilla was awful, taco bells food is better than this place. My FIL ordered a burrito that was terrible, fish & shrimp tacos horrible, their corn tamale was like eating sweet corn out of a can. The only good thing about this place was the service, our waitress was nice and attentive. The place is actually nice (inside), but the food sucks.. I would say, go to Taco Bell or Anita's instead. At least you know what to expect there. Oh, their so called "hot habanero" sauce looked like my dogs throw up & it tasted like old bay spice and tomato paste.
(1)K G.
The service is fast and staff are friendly. The only food that I tried was carne asada. It was good and it was served hot, but it was served so fast that made me wonder maybe they had it precooked!
(4)Emily B.
Great service and awesome food. LOVE the fajitas!!! The salsa and guac are good too. :-)
(5)Julie A.
Better than the first time we went. Mediocre. If there's nothing else or other friends want to go, we'll go. But it wouldn't be my first choice. It seems like things are prepped in bulk, such as salsa, so we lose the flavors, freshness, and seasonings.
(3)Enoch S.
I normally don't write reviews, but I just have to this time. Just like anyone else, I've had less than stellar restaurant experiences, but this one was by FAR the worst. Frankly, I'd give it zero stars if I could. The food here is awful; I'm not sure how it could get worse. To start with: the guacamole--which was tasteless--was made with old, brown avocados. How does something like that leave the kitchen? Does anyone actually think that greenish-brown guacamole looks appetizing? For entrees we had 2 appetizers, bacon wrapped shrimp and plantains, and one actual entree, tilapia. Both apps were burnt; not just overcooked, but burnt. The tilapia was tasteless and cooked to the point that it was falling apart. It also didn't help matters that it was floating in a puddle of red grease. Strangely enough, the side veggies that came with it weren undercooked. Food not tasting great is one thing, but food like this means that someone doesn't care. I've never had food this bad in my life. Let me save you some time: go to Chili's, Chevy's, Don Pablo's, or any other crappy chain tex-mex restaurant you can think of. It's got to be better than this place. Better yet, save yourself some money by eating a pb&j at home.
(1)Natalie B.
The food is not spicy enough for my taste. Got the chorizo sausage appetizer, and expected some good spicy sausage. Instead it tasted like bland chicken sausage with cheese inside, not unlike that I've bought at Sam's club. Upside is that the chips and salsa were good. The margarita was decent. May return for the happy hour (bar area only) to give it another try. The entrée of an enchilada and taco with rice and beans were just okay. Too expensive for what you get. The décor is decent though, and there is a fireplace in the dining room that may just lure me back in the winter to give it another go.
(2)Victoria Z.
Last night was my third or fourth time eating here and the first to eat indoors as it was a bit chilly and not an option. I missed people watching outside, but the inside seating was nice and had an elegant feel to it. The chips and salsa offered are always fresh and taste great as are the margaritas that love to sneak up on you, you don't realize how potent they are until it's too late. The menu is also quite extensive so it is good for the pickiest of eaters. I had the chicken enchiladas which were delicious and I'm very picky when it comes to my enchiladas. My boyfriend had the chicken premivera which I almost ordered and forgot to steal a bite from his. It looked fantastic. Our dinner guest ordered some type of shelled seafood and I'm not a seafood fan but it looked like it was a quality dish. What prompted me to Yelp about Cacique today was the service. It's never been amazing in the past or horrible, just mediocre. Yesterday, however, it was blatantly obvious that the server wished he were somewhere else, I felt as if I were inconveniencing him! We always had to ask for refills (the only time I didn't it was done by another server) and he had seemed offended that I ordered water. If I hadn't had a good filling meal with that service I would only give this place two stars based on last night's experience.
(3)Brett H.
In my opinion this is the best Mexican restaurant in town. I have a few others I like, but Cacique never fails me. My wife and I came her on Valentines Day with no reservation, got in with only a reasonable wait considering the day and enjoyed the meal immensely. Best Chips and Salsa around btw. This last trip I had the old stand by, beef Enchiladas, very flavorful as always.
(5)Brandon S.
Food is delicious. Stopped in for lunch and had the skirt steak. I will be back
(4)Tiffany R.
We went there once and it was really nice and even my kid who is a picky eater enjoyed their food. Yummy, and we want to go back again soon!
(4)Orlangela A.
She said..." This is pretty good mexican food, a bit pricey though. The chips and salsa are usually my favorite part and the guacomole is amazing here. The rice and beans are yummy. The main dishes here are decent but nothing really stood out to me. I will go back next time im in the mood for fine dining mexican." He Said..."This is the first time I've seen white table clothes instead of dead roaches laying around at a Mexican restaurant. The atmosphere was good and so was the service. The food was definitely not canned and tasted very fresh. The chips were crisp and warm as well. The only bad part is the price. I didn't know that 2 chicken enchiladas cost 14 bucks. "
(3)Dana Z.
Eh, it is what it is, really. They have outdoor seating but unless you get there really early (I'm talking EARLY!) or really late, don't plan on sitting outside. I've been there a few times now and the wait to sit outside was pretty impossible. The decor is really nice. They have very white fabric tablecloths and napkins which I always feel bad because I always make a mess with the yummy free chips and salsa. (The chips are light and fresh) and I swear more salsa ends up on the tablecloth than in my tummy! :) They have a wide selection of menu items for both Spanish and Mexican meals. Each time I've been here it's very average... not bad, but not to die for. It's worth returning however because the service is good and overall it's a good place for dinner. Oh, and I strongly suggest getting a margarita... at least the one time I got one, they make em STRONG there. We got half a pitcher, and I thought I was gonna have to be carried out of there. Good times :-)
(3)Olivia Jeanne H.
My favorite Happy Hour in Frederick by far.... Mojitos mottled by HAND in front of us, massive margaritas (both only $4), with an EXCELLENT menu of perfectly seasoned and fried calamari, guacamole, quesadillas, and especially the mussels ($3-5). The new bartender is amazing, I wish I could remember her name, she has short blonde hair, tell her Mrs. Harbison sent you!
(5)Ace Of S.
I recently stopped in to this establishment for a drink and some eats. This place is a GEM. Our waitress (I believe her name was Elizabeth) was simply sublime. She reccomended the fajitas and she was spot-on. We downed a couple pitchers of their Sangria and let me tell you... they were BANG-A-RANG delicious. If they would let me bathe in it I would. Amazing Service. Phenomenal food. I'll be back... FO SHO.
(5)Stacey D.
I was visiting a friend for the weekend and we walked around Frederick to find a restaurant. Spanish and Mexican sounded good. Bad Idea. The service here was horrible. The waitress was not friendly and basically was miserable. It was probably because it seemed like the air conditioning was not on and it was stifling in there. When I asked the waitress what "Tails of Filet Mignon" is, she didn't quite answer the question. she said "the Tail". OK...i still didn't know what that meant and now am kicking myself wondering if that dish was better. It wouldn't be that hard considering my food was disgusting. The guacamole and salsa and chips were good, but its hard to mess that up. I ordered chicken stuffed with Spanish chorizo and it was god awful. Basically they took half of a chicken, gutted it, shredded up the meat in a fine powdery slop, mixed it with something and the chorizo, but really it tasted like uncooked bacon bits. I was expecting a stuffed chicken breast. not recommended. Pass it up and go for another restaurant.
(2)j i.
DON'T EAT HERE!!! I went to dinner here with my husband & his parents on 2.july.2012... his mother & I BOTH got terrible terrible food poisoning!!! I'm talking about the kind that wakes you up at 2:00AM barfing!!! then the diarrhea starts... it went on ALL night & into the morning... I'm NOT sure IF I passed out BUT my mother in law was found on her bathroom floor... it was so BAD that she was on her way to the emergency room!!! I couldn't keep water down until late the next day & I spent the next THREE days in bed... almost a week later I STILL don't feel 100%... I want to rate cacique NO stars but I HAVE to give one star to post my review!!!
(1)Kjirsten K.
I'll start with the positive. The server was very friendly, the watermelon margarita was delicious, and I enjoyed sitting out on the patio. Now for the negative. This was bad Mexican food. I got the Fajitas and found them bland and disappointing. The chicken wasn't really seasoned and I found the same was true with the rice, beans, and guac. I like a little spice and this dish had absolutely none. Also, I was kind of grossed out by the strange smell in the restaurant and the piles of chips in the corner, stacked up in baskets, lightly covered, and with several flies circling. Who knows how long the basket on our table had sat in the pile before being served to us? Yuck. The menu has an expansive list of spanish inspired dishes and it's quite possible that I simply made a bad menu choice. However, I'm not sure I want to take the chance of learning that's not the case.
(2)Jody M.
I ordered the Tacos al Carbon and my bf ordered the House Special Trio. The shrimp and beef were dry and tasteless. The corn tortillas were dry, cold and falling apart. The server seemed annoyed that we were there. Not a good visit at all. Do yourself a favor and go to Taco Bell instead, at least they give you a half-assed smile at the drive-up window.
(1)Mike B.
We visited Cacique's late Sunday afternoon and found there were ample tables available for seating. It was nice to have both Spanish & Mexican fare to choose from. We ordered an appetizer the of guacamole dip, which was very tasty. I enjoyed the Zarzuela de Mariscos, which was tasty and they were quick to bring some baguette slices for sopping the flavorful soup base. The wife enjoyed one of the Mexican combination dishes (Aztec Platter), which was ample. Their menu can be accessed from their web page ( caciquefrederick.com ). The place filled up as we were finishing the meal. Nearby garage (& street meter) parking was free for the holiday season. We would go back again.
(3)Nessa K.
Three hairs were found in the queso. Gets two stars instead of one because we didn't get food poisoning (which I was honestly expecting).
(2)Laura B.
Wow, this place was surprisingly bad. We were told it would be a 20 minute wait, then when the hostess was taking us to our table, another hostess had already sat another family there. So we had to wait 10 more minutes, because they just gave our table to someone else. When we finally sat down, there were no menus, no greeting. I had to get our own menus, which went totally unnoticed. We thought, "well I'm sure the food will be good." Wrong! Fish taco was way undercooked, and was overall, just bland. We'll not return here, there are so many better places in Frederick.
(1)Lindsey S.
Great place to go with a group of friends or family from out of town. There's something on the menu for everyone. My boyfriend doesn't like mexican-style, so he usually gets the lobster dish or the duck and leaves happy. Anytime I have a friend visiting, I know that Cacique is a great place to take them. I've never had any guest be unhappy with this restaurant's service or food. They have great margaritas...I usually get a pitcher since I'm catching up with my friends for a while!
(4)Christina H.
I am shocked by all the horrible reviews! If I had looked at Yelp first, I probably wouldnt have eaten here! I'm glad we did though (I think). Although the service was slow and crappy, we got there early enough for a table outside...which was nice, but cramped. House wines are no bueno (at least the pinot grig) so I switched to corona after one glass. Veggie fajitas were awesome, variety of veg, cooked and seasoned well. We got the mussels delight for an app...the broth was really yummy. Fiance actually drank the leftover out of the bowl...I pretended I didnt know him. Should note though, that I did experience some GI issues late the next day...didnt attribute it to Cacique, but based on the other reviews, maybe I should have?
(3)Effie N.
I have eaten IN Mexico and other Latin countries as well as other American Mexican eateries. First off the service was slow. Secondly the wait person who tended to us behaved as if he was doing us a favor. The rolling eyes and "sighs" were uncalled for- we ordered very simple items off the menu. The food took excessively long to arrive COLD- approx 50 minutes. The chicken dish I received was OLD chicken- not fresh at all. very disappointing. The bar area we have tried twice, again, attitude and SLOW... The service for the outdoor tables fare a wee bit better. Overall, not worth the trip. Will be going elsewhere...
(1)Heather C.
i like their margaritas and happy hours!
(3)Joyce C.
I came here a couple weeks ago with my husband and my cousin. She recommended this place as it's her go-to place for this seafood burrito. We got here around 8pm and it was busy but there were seats available so we got seated right away. They brought out the basket of chips and they were awesome. There is only one place around the Chicago-land area that sells chips like this so I was happy about that. It's the thin and super crispy kind, and they were fresh. The salsa could use some work though, as it was bland and watery. The menu includes both Spanish and Mexican cuisine. We ended up getting an order of the sweet corn tamal and split it between the three of us. It was a little dry and bland-ish. My husband ordered the seafood fajitas while my cousin ordered her usual, and I ordered the seafood paella. The orders came out pretty quick, even though the waiters told me the paella took longer to prepare. The seafood in all of our dishes were cooked properly, not overcooked at ALL!! The fajitas were probably the least favorite of the three dishes tried because it was the plainest. I loved my paella- the rice was moist, it had a good seafoody flavor and the fish/mussels/ clams/calamari included in the dish were not overcooked. My only complaint is that they scooped the paella onto a big plate table side and they took the pan with all the crispies away. My cousins seafood burrito had some kinda cream sauce and it was tasty. The portions here are huge and I ended up taking food home with me. I've never seen my cousin eat so much as she devoured the entire burrito. If we are ever back in the Frederick area and have a hankering for Mexican, we'd definitely stop by again.
(4)Aaron L.
We always seem to go to Cacique when we can't get into another restaurant, and really, this is a great restaurant. Not sure how there are always tables open here. The paella is very good and the sangria is nice.
(4)Nicole B.
Cacique gets 1 star...Must say, VERY disappointed! and Is there was a zero I would give it that. Our Sunday lunch started with me having to use the restroom there was ZERO toilet paper in both ladies stalls, I had to use a toilet liner to wipe...needless to say, I was NOT pleased. Stocking the bathroom should be one of the first things done when opening. I read other reviews about the guacamole and was hoping my experience would be better but it wasn't. It was yuck! Brown, lacking flavor definitely not made fresh that morning, I was definitely left over from Saturday. I am always surprised when I go to a spanish/mexican place and the guac its not good...I mean come on, it is not that hard to make guacamole! My husband and I shared a chicken fajita platter and though there was tons of chicken it was VERY over cooked and dry. The beans and rice that come with your fajitas was not even warm let alone hot. The service was not very good either. I had to refill my own water and he was very odd Not impressed, will not go back or recommend
(1)Brandi K.
Checked this place out with 2 friends from work the week before Christmas, and we had a great time. I ordered veggie fajitas and was very pleased with the quality--veggies were very fresh, and cooked and seasoned to perfection. My friends ordered off the lunch menu--one had a seafood wrap, and the other ordered the Sonoran Platter. Our meals were all around $9, which I thought was very reasonable given the huge portion size and quality of the food. The seafood wrap contained 2 enormous scallops, among other things. Menu is extensive, with both Mexican and Spanish fare. Many vegetarian options...I almost couldn't decide what to order, but the veggie fajitas were a solid choice. Next time I will try the spinach enchiladas. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas (excellent, and not too sweet). Waiter was attentive without hovering--he refilled our chips and salsa as necessary, without us asking. Chips and salsa were delicious, as noted by other reviewers. The lunch did end up taking far longer than expected, but maybe the waiter intuited that we were enjoying a ladies' lunch and were not in a rush. Interior was pleasant, and decorated for Christmas. Fire in the fireplace was a nice touch.
(5)Jose G.
Its just typical Spanish disguised as fancy... There's definitely much better places than this... I grew up eating this type of food and I was disappointed the one and only time I went.
(2)Marie L.
I love Cacique whether I am there for a family dinner or a girl's night out! The service is always amazing or almost amazing. The food never let's me down, either! I love their enchiladas, chips and salsa, caso, chimichangas, and how quickly they refill our drinks! Finally, 1/2 pitcher of margaritas?! It doesn't get any better than that for a girl's night out! Last thing, I LOVE THE EXTERIOR MAKE OVER! Go Cacique, I love you!
(5)Karen S.
Not bad, but greasy greasy. I had a pool of oil under my fajita plate. The veggies chosen for veggie fajita were a little odd (Brocolli and cauliflower?) I poured the grease out before putting leftovers in the box, and the next day for lunch a brand new pool of grease had formed. Ew.
(2)Lisa R.
I just cannot tell you which was worse -- the food or the service. We go out to eat in Frederick a lot and wondered why we hadn't been to Cacique for several years. So, even though there are several great restaurants in Frederick, we decided to eat there, since we could sit outside. It was a beautiful early Fall evening. To get right down to it . . . our waiter was unhelpful and we seemed to be bothering him when we ordered. In fact we seemed to bother him when we asked for anything. We waited 15 minutes for a beer to come out, and almost as long for the chips and dip. And this was when there were no more than 10 or 12 parties and several wait staff in this very large restaurant. Then the real problems started. The calamari was the worst I have ever had. And it smelled bad -- like fish that has been in the fridge too long. I ordered the shrimp tacos and did not even finish one of the two that were on the plate. The menu said the shrimp was "spiced" but I did not taste any spice at all. They were completely tasteless. Everything just smelled very fishy and not fresh at all. My husband had the seafood chowder (Zarzuela de Marisco). It was a big bowl of smelly water with about 7 small pieces of fish and a piece of lobster that was rubber -- for $18.99. Horrible, horrible, horrible!!! PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM HERE -- GO ACROSS THE STREET TO OLIVES OR ACACIA OR JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ELSE IN FREDERICK!!
(1)Tim R.
We have been a patron of Cacique for years. I always looked forward to dining out every couple of weeks because of the fact that we would be going to Cacique. But the last few visits have been horrible. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and were sorely disappointed with the meal and experience. We had a poor experience, not a bad one, about a month ago in which the service was slow, the meal was lukewarm at best, and there were a number of flies around our table (?). But we thought it was just a bad day, and so we decided to come back to our favorite restaurant and try it again. Unfortunately, the experience was not any better. Again, there were a number of flies around our table that would not go away. We were sitting in the middle section of the restaurant near the window. But we had the same problem when we sat in the bar area near the window as well. I'm not sure why the flies are such a problem here (?). The waiter didn't seem to really care whether we were taken care of or not. He was slow and inattentive. At any rate, we ordered and the food took nearly 30 minutes (or more) until it finally came out. And then my meal was lukewarm, at best, but bland. We tried to salvage the meal by ordering dessert. I loved their fried ice cream, so I ordered it but was more than disappointed when it came out. The ice cream was almost all but melted, with some chocolate thrown in, and the tortilla was stale and tasted not much better than a piece of cardboard with ice cream on it. Very disappointing from some of that great fried ice cream we used to get here. What happened? The worst part about all of this is that I wrote two emails to the management, about two weeks apart, detailing our issues, and I never even received a response. To say that we were disappointed is an understatement, especially given the fact that we have loved to dine at Cacique for the experience as much as the meal. But sadly, the quality has been consistently going downhill over the past year. We are taking our business elsewhere.
(1)Rebecca F.
After walking all over downtown Frederick to find a place to eat during an insanely crowded holiday weekend, we stopped at Cacique. They were busy, but we were seated immediately. Comfortable atmosphere, although a bit cramped. Bathrooms need some serious updating, as I accidently walked in on some poor woman since the lock was broken. The lady who served us was sweet as can be and was helpful to us as we picked out what to order. The chips were good, but the salsa was disappointing. Yummy sangria! My seafood enchiladas were average and not too expensive -- about the same as the local places around where I live. My hubby loved his tilapia, shrimp, and scallops in a red pepper based sauce. Hubby wanted to try the "tres leches" cake, which was different... He didn't really like it; it just wasn't for him. As for me, the cake kinda grew on me as I ate it. It was fun to try something new! We also had a flan, which was very good. We'd probably come back again, although it looks like there are lots of great places to eat in Frederick that we'd try first.
(3)Fenny L.
I suppose that any evening that ends with me climbing over a wrought iron fence to sit on a cast iron dog statue should be considered an unqualified success, but how much of that was due to the one and half pitchers of sangria I had while waiting for dinner to be served, and how much of it was due to the magic of the evening, I'll leave you to be the judge. It was the night before 4th of July, and having the day off, my husband and I decided to celebrate by going up to Frederick for a night of prowling. Who would have guessed, but that the streets of Old Town Frederick was packed with pre-4th celebrations! After wandering around a bit for a place to grab a bite, we come across Cacique, a Spanish restaurant with sidewalk seating, that boasted of a menu that had more then just burritos and enchiladas. We are quickly seated outside in a cute little fenced off area off the sidewalk. The table was small and wobbly, and we were definitely at a bit of a slant, however, this is one of the "quaint charms" of dining al fresco, right? Although we were brought waters promptly, we didn't see our waiter for nearly 10 minutes. When we finally saw him, we ordered a pitcher of sangria and the ceviche to start. For our entrees, I order the Pato ala Sevillana (half roasted duck), and my husband ordered the Salmon Mediterraneo. Another 10 minutes later, another server brings us some chips and salsa and our sangria. The pitcher of sangria was delicious - cold, sweet, fruity and intoxicating, it was lovely to be enjoying this beverage under the stars with someone you love while munching on crispy chips and tangy salsa. However the overall feeling of "romance" tends to pall after a while (I have no romance in my soul). About 15 to 20 minutes later (and we have almost finished the pitcher and getting *quite* full from the chips) we finally receive our ceviche. While it was decent, lack of a complexity of flavor made this dish rather flat for me. Another 30 - 40 minutes later, we finally get our entrees. My duck was quite delicious with a marvelous richness of flavor that I found surprising after the ceviche. However, I did feel that the duck was a touch overdone, as I tend to like my duck served medium - and this was definitely well done. I was much more disappointed in my husband's dish. His Salmon Mediterraneo (for $15), was just a medium square of salmon, lost on his big plate with some white cream sauce drizzled over it. It did not come with any sides or anything to compliment the fish. While the fish was good, it was by no means $15 worth of good, for just one square of fish. Very disappointing. The service, as you can tell, was rather poor. I know that the wait on the food is controlled by the kitchen, however, our server didn't do himself any favors either. During the long waits for our food, he never once checked up on us. In fact, whenever we needed anything, we ended up flagging down other servers or the busboy - because our server just couldn't be found. Also, as I mentioned before, the table was rather small. With two water glasses, two sangria glasses, a pitcher of sangria, and a basket of chips and a bowl of salsa, plus the usual table knickknacks our table was quite full before the ceviche arrived. During the 30 - 40 minute wait for our entree, no one came by to clear off our table, and indeed, once our entrees arrived, our server just plunked down our plates without removing a single item. Our table was so overcrowded that both of our entree dishes were half off the table, and the (now empty) sangria pitcher hung dangerously off the edge. After ordering a half pitcher of sangria, we ask for our check - and was able to finish the sangria before we ever saw our server again. However, like I mentioned in the beginning - we did end up killing a pitcher and half of sangria, and I climbed over a fence and made my husband take a picture of me on a cast iron dog statue, so obviously we had a fabulous time, regardless of how dinner was. We also made friends with the very nice couple that was sitting at the table next to us (I'm super friendly after a pitcher and half of sangria), and the night was beautiful. I will say that the sangria, the chips, salsa and my duck dish were commendable and worthy of a repeat, however, with the slow service and the lackluster flavors of the ceviche and salmon, I will be sure to only come back when it's just a casual night with my husband rather then a special occasion with friends.
(3)Lauren B.
+Seated quickly on a busy Friday night. +Nice atmosphere +I loved their super-smokey beans +good quesadilla +friendly, attentive service -not many vegetarian options -quesadilla needed more sides (more guac, maybe some pico, and def. some beans!!!) -hated
(3)Ane L.
If you like really good chips and queso then this is your place. Happy hour specials in the bar are great and the beef fajitas delicious. Love.
(5)Steph Y.
Decent Mexican place. The food was OK, but nothing special or out of the ordinary. Wasn't impressed. I wouldn't go back to eat here unless 1) someone out of town was visiting and desperately needed Mexican food that's close to where I live or maybe 2) to have some chips/salsa/queso and margaritas.
(2)Chuck S.
this place is really hit or miss. I've eaten there numerous times. i've had beautiful avocado topping a side salad, and I've had chicken that was grizzly and still had the skin on in a fajita dish. The staff tends to be a little inattentive. if they get a little more consistent, it could be 4 stars. try mexacali cantina on Patrick street instead. it thinks its the same owners but the service and food are much more consistent.
(2)Katie P.
A little pricey but the Seafood Stew is amazing!
(3)Twinkle P.
Definitely never coming back. Food was bland and boring.
(1)Amit K.
If I could give this place a zero star rating I would. Paella was awful, server mumbled and didn't care. Spinach burrito was bland as dirt. The quantity was enough to feed 4 people, quantity never comes above quality.
(1)Pete J.
Best spanish/hispanic/latino cuisine offered/in frederick. Blows la paz out of the water. Very reasonably priced mexican dishes and slightly more expensive spanish dishes offered. I have eaten here more than 10 times and have never had a meal I didn't like. Great margaritas, good food, pleasant waiters and good location.
(5)Brian H.
This was one of the most rude and dismissive restaurants I've ever been to. The food looked pretty typical - their paella looked like it was made from a Rice a Roni box though - clumpy and starchy. I was in a party of two - we arrived and were told there would be a 5 -10 minute wait and added our name to the wait list....20 minutes went by and had noticed several parties of three or four who arrived after us being seated before us...when we questioned the hostess why we had not been seated yet, she became very nasty, very rude and told us that it was their policy not to seat a party of two at any larger table - including a table that could seat only four - RIDICULOUS! I have never heard such a garbage explanation from any restaurant that valued their customers. Several other small 'couples' parties had also received the same treatment and were also becoming upset with their "YOU'RE NOT WORTH IT" attitude. They left and so did we - instead of seating our 'undesirable' parties of two, they had at least four 'couples' parties walk out disgusted and insulted. There are plenty of fine establishments in old Fredrick - and they got our business that night - and they treated us like valued customers and not like something that blew in from a trash bin like Cacique had. I won't ever go back there - I won't patronize an establishment that treats it customers in such an offhanded, dismissive and undervalued manner - when there are plenty of other fine restaurants that actually give a hoot about their customers, there's nothing so special about this dive that justifies their rude and disgusting treatment of customers. If you like to be treated like scum, then this might be just the place for you, but they'll never see one penny from me - or likely the other disgusted couples who were driven away by their snotty and rude hostess.
(1)Jess R.
The salsa was great, not too spicy - more flavorful. Guac was decent, could have used a bit more spice. I got the combo fajitas for one, and let's just say there was enough to feed at least two with the meat they gave me. The quantity of food for the price was decent. Why only three stars, because nothing stood out besides the chips&salsa. It was decent, but I don't know if I would rush back. Service was good, the place got a bit noisy - which ironically were just employees yapping.
(3)Elaine W.
Pricey!!! If you want tastier food & on a tight budget, go out of town to Columbia to On-The-Border restaurant ( a chain). They have an awesome drink menu and the tortilla chips, you can keep asking for more. Those things are addicting! The food is very tasty. I miss the fajitas. For something nearby that is also great, go to rt. 40 to the Casa Rico. At Cacique, it's white table cloth with vase & flower if you want romantic dining. They'll let you in even if they close at 10pm and treat you right at home. A friendly waitstaff knowledgeable about their menu items and good with suggestions. Great mexican food to boot but the price is not right even if you found a coupon in the paper.
(2)Curtis F.
I would have to agree with many of the reviewers on this place, that there is nothing spectacular about it, but nothing terrible (except for one thing, that will be addressed later). The food was better than I expected, although I don't expect much from spanish/mexican on the east coast. I grew up in SoCali so I have yet to find anything around Frederick that makes me think of home. I will give Cacique this though; they know what a chili relleno is. I can't tell you how many times I've ordered one around here, if I even see them on the menu, and have some sort of mashed-up ball of ground beef, cheese, and peppers thrown in served to me. Very odd. I was pleased with this fact enough, to be happy with the food. My girlfriend was not so impressed. The service on the other hand, was AWFUL. I mean, AWFUL. 2 couples had been seated next to us, and had left before we got our check. We are not slow eaters or anything, but it was un-real. When I ordered a second drink, I asked for it to be a double, thinking the bar-tender would get the hint, no such luck. I spoke with the manager about the Hour and a Half debacle, but he just looked at me and said "ok". No apologies, nothing. Since then I have had a hard time bringing myself to go there again. So the food is better than average for the area, and worth the money, I just hope you experience better service than we did.
(2)Jay L.
This place is really nice and very well run, 2nd best Spanish/Mexican cuisine in Frederick. Who's better? They don't care! Why? Because they own them! Cacique (good), Mexicali Cantina (sucks), and Mariachi (new) are all owned by the same people. Mariachi is new (on 355, no less) and exceptionally good-- 5 stars. The slouching difference is a bit in price where Cacique is a bit pricier though a bit fancier. If you don't like Cacique then you don't like Spanish cuisine.
(4)Sarah M.
I want to give this place 2.5 stars. Cacique is an OK Mexican-Spanish-Basque restaurant. It's not as good as Isabella's next door, which is why I am surprised that they have the same rating on yelp. If I were to choose between the two, I would definitely choose Isabella's. The food at Cacique is just, as I said before, OK. The chips and salsa are good, probably the best part of the meal. My bf had the tender pork ribs Yucatan style, and they were kind of dry. My mussels were OK, but the broth they were in was really salty. And don't get me wrong, I typically like salty, which is why the fact that the broth was too salty for me is borderline unacceptable. I am also the type that likes to sip on the broth, so this was disappointing. Some redeeming factors were the refried beans, which I very much enjoyed, and the service, which was good. I will probably return because I am curious about all these positive reviews on yelp. There were a lot of items on their menu, and we only had a few, so maybe we just didn't pick the right ones? Maybe next time I will try their paella or one of their burritos. I'll peruse yelp before going next time, and update my review.
(3)Joshua N.
My go-to mexican/spanish restaurant in frederick. I have not yet been dissapointed with their beef or pork mexican dishes and their spanish dishes are very upscale. Atmosphere is sophistocated but not formal. They have enough room that for lunch you don't feel crowded and can even fit in the occasional large group and still feel like you have alot of space to yourself. I've enjoyed their deserts as well. Have not been dissapointed yet and don't expect to be soon.
(5)Johnny M.
Anyone who doesn't think that Cacique has the most flavorful/authentic spanish cuisine has lost their damn mind. Go for lunch, get the Carne A Criollo.
(4)Jess E.
My first time eating here was such a disappointment. We had made a group reservation for dinner because there were 8 of us, but when we arrived we still had to wait a while before they could get a table for us. The service didn't get any better after that. First they gave us only 3 menus for the whole group, then we were ignored for a long time before someone finally came to take our order. We sat and watched at least two other large groups get seated after us, get their food, and leave before we even got our meal. When the food finally came, it was pretty average, and some dishes were overdone and dry; definitely not worth the wait. We spent 3 hours in that restaurant, and every time we wanted service it was a huge effort to find someone to help us. I finally had to get up and search the whole restaurant to find the manager just to get our bill, and when we paid they hassled us about using Downtown Frederick Gift Cards. I won't be trying this restaurant again any time soon and would not recommend it to anyone.
(1)R P.
Spent almost 20 years in California and my wife is a native Angelena, so we always approach anything "Mexican" in the DC area with very low expectations. The verdict after one visit: Cacique ain't bad. Salsa had flavor, which can be a challenge in the middle of winter. The fajitas hurt no one. Plenty of food, all not bad, but nothing that will set the world on fire. If you're craving fajitas, you'd have a hard time doing better in this area. But if you're a transplant from the West Coast, don't get your hopes up. The lomo saltado, on the other hand, was very good. Not sure how a classic Peruvian dish winds up on the "Spanish" part of the menu, but it's worth ordering. Quality beef tenderloin cooked nicely, sitting in a flavorful red-wine sauce smothered with onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos. No use of french fries as an ingredient, but clear, complex flavor and good beef. Next trip, we'll skip the "Mexican" part of the menu altogether.
(3)Guy S.
Had some dinner here last night. The place was packed, but it only took them five minutes to seat us. They had also ran out of chips so we got some fresh hot ones. I think their salsa is the best in town. I grubbed on the chicken fajitas (I know, what a lame choice) and they were good, but overpriced. My wife had some enchiladas and she dug them just fine. The wife also had a margarita, which she said was yummy (and big). Good service, atmosphere, and food.
(4)Scott R.
We had a nice business lunch here today. Not sure if this was a smart choice, with all the onions, beans, and salsa raising the probability of unpleasantness in afternoon meetings. Even so, our meal was solid. Good salsa. My Plato Sonora included a cheese chile relleno (built on a real, fresh, thick-walled poblano chile), and an enchilada with lots of fresh spinach. This wasn't reconstituted freezer fare, it was freshly made. The rice, on the other hand, seemed to have a bag of frozen vegetables dumped in for decoration. But that was a minor distraction.
(4)Greg S.
While I agree with most of the reviews about Cacique it is a step or two above La Paz, although not the greatest Mexican which I find virtually impossible in Frederick. This is one of 3-4 owned by the same people so if you miss one try another in town. They are all pretty similar, the most disappointing part is the consistency or lack there of. Try your luck at some of the smaller shops on the Golden Mile for a more authentic taste.
(2)Susan T.
My friend Rachel really likes this place. I'm sort of meh on it. I had good entrees but for some reason, I've never been bowled over by the place. However...it is ALWAYS packed which is bizarre. When the patio is open...there are people waiting to sit out.
(2)Hannah M.
We enjoyed our dinner here tonight. The service was fabulous...attentive but not overbearing. The food was great. We will definitely go back.
(5)Corey G.
This place is great! This is my families goto restaurant when we are on market street. The Fajita's are perfect they have a great talipia dish as well as the best chips and guacamole in Frederick. give it a go!!
(4)John C.
Cacique is my favorite place for a slightly more upscale Mexican meal in Frederick. I have never been disappointed in many dinner visits, including a few birthdays and a rehearsal dinner. Fajitas-for-two is a much better deal than the "single" portion, and is very flavorful, with the usual variety of meats and vegetables. It is probably the dish we've had most frequently. There is no greasy, crumbly, ground beef to be found here, unlike a lot of other restaurants. The enchiladas and burritos always have large, tender, flavorful pieces of beef and pork. The seafood with white sauce is also very good. The tres leches cake (cake soaked in three kinds of milk and chilled, with a whipped cream icing and raspberry sauce) is amazing, and everybody should try it at least once.
(4)Dennis H.
Great food. Great salsa. If you want good Mexican food downtown, Cacique is the right choice. Service is a little bit slow but the food is worth the wait.
(4)Veronica J.
This place is so blah. I don't know why all of my friends think it's the greatest mexican in the world but obviously their next choice of great Mexican would probably be taco bell. I can't count how many birthday celebrations I've had to go here for. The salsa is watery and isn't great, and neither are the chips. The only ok menu items are the drinks. I just wish Frederick would step their game up! Unfortunately I had to move back here and now I have to drive all the way to Lauriol Plaza and El Tamarindo for good food. Back to Cacique, the service is really slow. I've gotten better service at El Tamarindo on a sat night at 3am. Every vegetarian dish aside from fajitas, is loaded with gooey cheese. Who is making this menu??? Make vegetable enchiladas, make a vegetable taco or a guacamole taco not all veggie dishes need to be loaded with queso blanco... gosh throw some freakin goya on it! Gimmie some flava! Make a veggie empanada! Need I go on? This place and it's sister restaurant get two thumbs down, although the cantina does have better service and their spinach enchilada is good but not enough to keep me from driving to DC.
(2)Luisita S.
Not a bad place. Food quality is inconsistant. Service is friendly and good. I went back and had the steak and shrimp. The steak was full of gristle and was tough. The shrimp were dried out. I'm never going back.
(1)Joan F.
Hands down the lousiest restaurant I have been to in a very long time. Had dinner there tonight and it was awful! I mean everything was bad! We were a party of two and were told the wait would be 20 minutes. We went to the bar, where the hostess told us she would come get us when our table was ready, after about a half hour I checked back in with the hostess who told me that our table was almost ready. Hung out at the bar for about 10 more minutes, then my husband checked with the hostess who told him the table was being cleared. Yup... another 10 minutes passed, still no table. We watched as a couple walked in to the restaurant, walked over to a waiter who was standing by us at the bar, and we overheard the woman tell the waiter that they wanted to sit at the window table that was being cleared and that the hostess had told them that it was okay and the waiter sat them there... um HELLO... we've been waiting now for 40 minutes and you just strolled in. The couple sitting next to us at the bar couldn't believe this either and pulled the manager over and told her that they had been waiting a long time and those people just walked in and sat at that table... would you believe the manager said that she couldn't control where people sat. Unbelievable. We should have left right then and there, but, were seated almost immediately after this had happened. We ordered the combination fajitas for two. It took about 40 minutes for our food to arrive. The steak was really tough and chewy and the chicken breast strips were thin, dry and tasteless. I liked the guacamole until I bit down on a really large piece of avocado skin (about the size of a quarter). I would have complained to the waiter, but, didn't see him again until he brought the check.... which wasn't even our check..... my husband had to track him down to get the right bill and then never saw him again. Just crazy! This place is a total disaster, don't waste your time or money!
(1)Laurie V.
This was one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had. We just left a little while ago. We were a party of 10 with a 7 pm reservation. We were not seated until 7:20 pm even though there was a table available for us. The waitress took our drink order but did not take our food order for at least another 40 minutes. It was further downhill from there. One person in our party ordered a mojito and promptly returned it because it was bitter and sour. The rest of the party ordered sangria which tasted like fruity perfume. The dinner order did not come out for 2 hours after that point, We spoke to the Manager who had no idea what to do. He ran to the kitchen but lo and behold noone else in the crowded restaurant had any food on their table either. Shortly after the manager went to the kitchen the food began to come out. It was all cold and the chicken enchiladas contained completely raw chicken,. One person in our party ordered lobster and that was cold. Several people ordered a combination dinner of shrimp, scallops and beef with rice (Combination saltado) and it too was cold. Almost everyone sent the food back except for the cheese enchiladas which were room temperature. The waitress was very apologetic and cried and we tipped her since this disaster wasn't her fault. Obviously the kitchen at Cacique is a disaster. They did not charge us for the food but the manager never came out to apologize. Avoid Cacique at all costs!
(1)John S.
Really good Mexican food with reasonable prices. Enormous portions. We usually do not make a reservation since we eat a little later around 9-9:30pm, so no problem getting a table here. The service is good. A really fun place for a group.
(4)Josh M.
This is our favorite Spanish restaurant in Frederick. The chips and salsa are yummy, the fajitas and entrees are good-sized and delicious, and the ambience and service are wonderful. Prices are surprisingly reasonable. We usually recommend this place to people seeking finer dining at a good price in town.
(4)Michelle A.
We love Cacique, always great food! One of our favorites is their Chicken noodle soup! Yes, Chicken noodle soup. It is always made with fresh ingredients and the vegetables are always al dente. As long as it takes to make, I have to guess it is made when ordered. Also, noticed that our bowl sizes are never the same. LOL, always generous, but different sizes. I also always go for their Black Margaritas, yummy! Bon Appetit!
(5)Hall W.
First off... Get the server who looks like a clone of Arya Stark because she is just phenomenal (hint hint... we had a vegetarian in the crew and with 9 people, and she was still a champ). Everything from the chips (yes you can really judge a Mexican place by the quality of the chips) to the sangarita to the salsa was just simply spectacular. I honestly had better food here than I had in "elite" Mexican food places in Arizona and Texas. I especially like how the portion sizes while generous aren't insanely ridiculous. We ordered from across the menu spectrum and everything was a wow hot, fresh, and served quickly beyond belief...
(4)Margo S.
Great flavor,, great service, love this place. All that we have tried here is good !! Worth the trip to Frederick.
(5)Lorena B.
This was one of two downtown restaurants that were open on Christmas Day so my mom and I decided to eat here after mass. The host was really welcoming but the server didn't seem happy to be there, though frankly I don't blame him. Who wants to work on Christmas? In a nutshell, Cacique is fine. The chips and salsa were fine. The beef chimichanga was fine, though barely warm in the middle. The fried ice cream was fine. The drinks were lame. My mom said she couldn't taste any tequila in her margarita and my Sprite was completely flat. Oh, and my water glass was dirty. I'd give Cacique another try just because they're in a prime location but I'll stick to Tex Mex staples like burritos and nachos. Based on the first impression, it probably wouldn't be worth trying the Spanish side of the menu.
(3)Chelsea R.
Very accommodating staff. The food was a little casual for the atmosphere, but it was delicious. It seems like a good place to have a small gathering, because the dining rooms are very spacious and could easily be rearranged. I enjoyed my meal immensely (tacos) and will definitely be back.
(4)Melanie K.
We stopped in for lunch one Saturday a couple weeks ago. The tiny patio outside was crowded, but inside was rather empty. I thought it was going to be kind of dive-y (which I'm fine with!) based on the way the patio looks, but it was more high-end feeling when we got inside. I got the fish tacos and they weren't great The tilapia that was used didn't taste especially fresh and I was bummed that they used hard taco shells. They tasted stale and I would have preferred soft shells. Hubby really enjoyed the chicken taco bowl and I have to admit--the chicken was seasoned perfectly and was moist and delicious. Dad got cheese enchiladas and he liked his meal, too. Service was not stellar, either. Our waiter was friendly enough, but after we finished eating we waited around for a good 15 minutes with no waitstaff interaction before I got up to find someone to close out our bill.
(3)M K.
I've been here several times, and each time I'm disappointed. The decor is kind of dark and dank. The best part about this place are the drinks. I ordered a Sangria and couldn't finish it because I had to drive home. My friend had a Margarita that was also very strong, so if you're looking to get sloppy off of 2 drinks, go here! The service was slow, but clearly our waiter was the only one dealing with all of the tables in our area. It seemed like there weren't that many people seated anywhere else, so he had his hands full. They bill themselves as fine Spanish and Mexican cuisine, but that just means they have table cloths and cloth napkins. The food is OK, but there's definitely better, maybe not in Frederick though. This last time I went I ordered the Paella. It was not good. The rice they use for the paella is the same rice you get for the Mexican dishes as a side with the beans, which was a little disappointing. The description said there would be herbs and spices and made to order, but there was just some paprika. It wasn't that great. As we were walking out it looked like Isabella's had better food, but I think they're more expensive.
(3)John G.
The service was pretty good, and very prompt, but dining outside on the patio is a bit unpleasant. The sidewalk in front of the restaurant where the outdoor seating is located is on a moderately angled slope--doesn't make for comfortable dining. On that note, if you sit at the bar, the chairs will kill your backside. They were extremely uncomfortable. If you do dine outside, you're not eating alone as street people gawk and point and remark at what you ordered. Seems too busy a street for this place to have outdoor seating. Not very private or quaint (just looks it). Regarding the food....bland! Very bland! That's not a terrible thing, but when I order enchiladas, I expect the flavor to have a little zest. This wasn't the case. The others in my party agreed that their food was bland too. The ceviche is not authentic ceviche (as I eat it often in Mexico and know what it should look and taste like). The white sangria you should avoid like the plague. It's not good at all, but the red sangria is pretty decent. I'd never say it was the best I've tasted, but I could say average, and that's fine. The big problem though-- if you order a pitcher of sangria, be aware that it'll cost you $29.00 or more. I've never paid that much in my life for a pitcher of sangria. Maybe $12 at the most, but never almost $30. While they have a good menu, and the service is ok, I'd keep on walking and find something else. This place always seems to be hopping with people, but I suspect it's mostly for the restaurant's aesthetic appeal. In fact, that's probably it's best quality-- looks quaint. Try somewhere else, at least until this place gets its act together.
(2)Matt M.
My wife and I ate here this evening and we weren't impressed. I ordered the Mediterranean Salmon and we nearly burst into laughter when it arrived. A small slice of salmon with what can only be described as a few scraps of steamed mixed vegetables. ...and I mean literally a FEW. As in 3 of each. 3 small slivers of carrot, 3 small pieces of broccoli and 3 small green beans. The waiter seemed to notice my reaction and immediately offered to bring some extra beans and rice. So, I'm guessing this happens frequently. Look, I don't expect huge portions when I go to a restaurant. But I do expect to walk-out less hungry than I arrived. Is that too much to ask?
(2)A L.
A bit pricey for mediocre food. Avoid the tacos unless you like extremely soggy food. The bottom of the shell busted out of my tacos as soon as I picked each one up, from being so wet. Needless to say, they were gross. The service was decent but I won't be going back for the food.
(2)Mark R.
Only a couple of tables occupied during meal. Food was very good. Fajita portions were huge! Meat was cooked just right.
(4)Sophia L.
Service was slow but I got the mussels delight and it was about 30.00$ worth of mussels and clams but it was an appetizer for only 9.99. If you ever find yourself in federick I would recommend stoping bye.
(4)Lauren S.
I went to Cacique after the Maryland Craft Beer Festival and it was very good. The salsa and chips that come out are very good. For an appetizer we ordered the ceviche and it was very good, I would order it again. I got a Patron margarita and it was strong, but tasty. For dinner I got the Reynosa Platter which comes with beef fajitas and 4 Shrimp Brochettes as well as the standard guacamole, sour cream, and beans. The service was solid, I see reviews commenting on the poor service, but when I went it was great.
(4)Maria S.
Definitely one of my favorite places in Frederick to sit at the bar and have margaritas and appetizers. I always happen to have really friendly bartenders as well. Love this place! Fajitas here are also a win - especially the Fajitas for 2 with chicken and steak!
(4)Stephanie H.
Ehh... I had high hopes because I have been to this place for happy hour. Today so decided to step in for lunch with my boyfriend.. We sat outside which was nice. The waiter was not so great. We had to get someone else to bring us chips and salsa. Not very much a people person but he was "ok". The food was good, house marg is over sugary and the white sangria wasn't good. Overall, I wouldn't consider this my top place to go back
(3)Shannon W.
The service was very attentive and on top of our meals. We got out drinks and chips and salsa quickly, and both are homemade and delicious! The meat was tender and the sauces were incredible! I would go back whenever I can. The rustic feel and Fire place was very inviting.
(5)Russell J.
Hard to see all the bad reviews!! I've eaten here probably 15 times and it's always been great! The salsa is really good ( a bit thin, but that seems to be restaurant style for this kind of place). The ribeye is AMAZING!! The stuffed salmon is INCREDIBLE!! And the bacon wrapped shrimp...AHHHH....THE BEST!!! Soo good!!
(4)Bob B.
Can't miss. We've been coming here for years. This is our go to Restaurant in Frederick. We don't get out often with 3 kids, so it's key to find a good meal. We love the atmosphere with the decor, fireplaces, and medium lighting. Starters - Chips are thin and the Salsa is great. Not too mild, or too spicey. Entree - the Salmon stuffed with crabmeat is perfect every time and the Spanish Trio (Steak, grilled Shrimp, and Scallops) was awesome. Ask for the Habanero sauce - it's homemade, extremely tasty, and spicy. We Love this place !!!
(4)Devonshire B.
Everything was under-seasoned, bland and fell flat (Example: the 'mexican' rice tasted like plain rice). The salsa was 90% water. A waste of my money, as simple as that.
(1)Travis R.
Great place for people watching and sangria drinking. If you're not sitting outside, try Nola or Isabellas instead.
(4)K1 K.
Visited here this evening. This was my first visit to this restaurant. The overall visit was pleasant. I would certainly return. The restaurant can get noisy especially during the dinner rush. So noisy that it can drown out the mexican music playing over the speakers in the restaurant. However, not so noisy that you can't hold a conversation with the company at your table. I would say it is just lively. The wait staff is very attentive and courteous. They seemed a bit too busy for any real friendliness or banter, but given the crowd, they were still warm and welcoming. The food overall was excellent! We ordered a paella, the roasted chicken, and a mexican Plato that consisted of a burrito and enchilada. The paella was great. I would highly recommend. Great flavor, rice was not undercooked, and the seafood flavors really shined through. The Mexican food is just ok. If you coming here for the mexican dishes, I honestly say there are better and cheaper options. What really stole the show for us was the roasted chicken. Simply incredible! Perfectly moist and juicy. The sauce on top provided just the right amount of flavor. I would return just for the roasted chicken! Highly recommend that item! Overall, great dinner experience.
(4)Julia M.
Service is always terrible and the servers always seem extremely busy and frazzled. Asked for frozen marg, no sal... Got a separated, melting marg with salt. I've tea came in a small, cocktail glass, had to ask for silver wear and napkins. Good is always just ok.
(2)Chris S.
We spent the day in historic downtown Frederick. This place was recommended by another little shop in the area over all the other Spanish restaurants so we went. First of all we sat outside. It was nice. The service was absolutely the worst. Our server had no clue what was going on. Should have told me something when there was a Caucasian working here to stay away. She didn't ask if we wanted a beverage at all the entire stay. We had to ask for a sprite. Also ordered a beer and she was like a deer in headlights, we don't have that? I ordered a tecate! So I said just bring me a sol. Got it 30 min later when we got our meal. And yes had to say, I haven't received my beer yet. Rarely visited our table consistently out of water and never refilled but twice. Again when I ask. The rice is bland with no flavor. Beef chimi was ok, chicken chimi the same. Guac was like out of a can. Needless to say vey disappointed. I will not return! Ugh!! Was of $50 for me my girl and 6 year old to dine.
(1)Jay L.
Little pricy. Awesome chips, salsa, guacamole and service. Our appetizer was little too salty so waiter took it back and brought the new one, and gave us pitcher of beer for free. Been here many times and service was just awesome!!
(4)Patrick O.
I am usually a quick eater. I came here and ordered the seafood soup and ceviche and spent my time on it. The ceviche was amazing, the shrimp, calamari, scallops, and tilapia was very tender and flavorful. The soup was amazing as well. The atmosphere was enjoyable as well. I would recommend it as a good place for romance or with friends.
(5)Robin S.
I gotta tell you, this place surprised me in how great it was. Since I've had "really good Mexican food" in Texas, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to this type if food. Let's start with the atmosphere. The very relaxing and inviting ambiance made me not want to leave. The fireplace somehow seemed to fit. I loved it. A great place to hang out. The service was outstanding! Always refilling drinks & extremely polite. Plus, even though we were just hanging out & BS'ing on a Friday night, we weren't being rushed out the door. Ok, the food! Very very good Mexican (and Spanish) food. Not the best I have ever had, but pretty darn good. I had the fajitas, one of each - chicken, steak & shrimp. Yummy!! Oh, almost forgot - get their queso cheese dip to go along with the chips & salsa!!
(4)Mattie D.
We have eaten here several times, both small and large groups, and the food and service are both excellent! The Mussels Andalusia is the perfect starter or small meal..perfect every time with a wine garlic sauce so good you will ask for extra bread to get every drop. The Salteadas and the Rib eye steaks are also perfection.
(5)Sandra L.
Awesome food and great margaritas!! The food is very fresh and comes out hot and made to order. Not your typical run of the mill Mexican restaurant. The staff is friendly and atmosphere is wonderful. A must try.
(5)Aaron H.
Easily the second worst meal I had while existing in the DC area (nothing could be as bad as the flaming pit in Gaithersburg). To begin, after my wife ordered a mojito (which was listed on their menu), they brought out rum mixed with sprite and a splash of lime grenadine. We ordered a few appetizers, and the mussels came cold, with the butter congealed and hard. When I told the waitress that this was unacceptable, she offered to put them in the microwave and bring them back. I had to argue with her simply to get these taken off the bill. Everything about this meal was bad, but then again, the majority of restaurants in maryland are 1 star at best.
(1)Dan B.
In my opinion, Cacique is a solid Mexican/Spanish restaurant. Their steak fajitas are excellent! The steak is well marinated and grilled to perfection. Caramelized onions and peppers make this dish a memorable experience. The tortillas are freshly baked. You will not leave hungry! Forget about La Paz (that place is a joke!) down the street and enjoy excellent fajitas at Cacique, in my opinion. P.S. Don't forget to get a pitcher of margaritas to go along with your meal as their drinks are very good and refreshing.
(4)Gonzalo M.
Went last Saturday and had a great time.. The food was really good. I had ceviche and it was very fresh and delish. Our waiter Anthony was awesome, very attentive. He made sure we were having a good dinning experience and kept the drinks coming. Which brings me to the best part of the nite!! Being from SoCal, it's almost impossible to find Pacifico beer and anyone that can make Micheladas. Cacique does..the micheladas were perfectly done. Tangy and with a great kick..the heat was great for these cold east coast winters. Will most definitely go back!! Gracias Cacique, muy buen ambiente y comida!!
(4)J C.
I'm giving 2 starts for 2 reasons.... 1. Ideal outdoor seating spot, I come here with friends every time we are craving outdoor drinks and people-watching. 2. Great salsa. However, the service is consistently bad. Food is so-so. I love the taco salad, but other menu items are not as great. I've also had friends who have has terrible experiences with servers and bartenders here over the years. I typically retry this place every 3 months and the service ranges from ok to bad. Never outstanding. Which is unfortunate because on a slow afternoon, when I'm picking up a carry out order I genuinely enjoy my interactions with the staff and business owners. It's the actual servers and table service that lacks.
(2)Kim L.
I love their sangria but $30 is a bit steep for a pitcher. I had a shrimp, scallop and filet dish and i wondered why i wasnt asked how i liked my steak cooked...it was obviously one size fits all BUT while the steak was cooked more than i like the overall dish was wonderful -- full of great flavors and nice portion. The shrimp appetizer was wonderful but of course anything smoothered in butter, white wine and garlic is! I should have known better than to order a tiramisu at a spanish restaurant; nice but not the best. Yes, I will return.
(3)Justa D.
Another average Mexican restaurant in Frederick. Food is ok, service is ok but really needs to be better. Happy hour menu of food and drinks is pretty good.
(3)Gerry W.
My wife talked me into checking this place out. We're locals who want to check out local food places. Overall, the place is nice but I would not recommend it for lunch. Prices are high for lunch and it is too formal for regular people. I like refried beans but theirs had a funky taste to them. Everything else was good though.
(3)Jeff K.
Absolutely, the best Latin food you will find in the area! EXCELLENT portions, variety and flavor! Very friendly service!
(5)Susan W.
Just like Mexicali Cantina, this restaurant feels much more like fine dining than your usual Mexican restaurant. The service is cheerful and efficient and the menu has other options than just the typical burrito-taco-enchilada places. They, too, serve the seafood omelet which is scrumptious. It is not quite as inviting as it's sister restaurant and you do have to deal with street parking.
(3)Shruti M.
good but not great. Went here last Thursday with family who were visiting from out of town. Since our guests were in the mood for mexican, we decided to try Cacique since it was right in downtown Frederick. Normally, we are a group that will tear through some chips and salsa. However, the salsa was so weak and bland, that we finished the chips and didnt really touch the salsa at all or ask for another basket of chips. the salsa was runny and liquidy. no pieces of tomato or onions or anything typically in salsa. as a group we had ordered the seafood enchilada, the chimichanga, and the burrito. Our guests who ordered the seafood enchilada said it was good and the review on the chimichanga was also ok. neither was described as the flavorful or exceptionally tasty. the burrito was bland and seemed to be without spices or salt or something that would have made it more appetizing. the yellow rice was from a box. it had the greasy flat taste of box rice mix. the margaritas were strong and the service was really good, so i think this is more of a happy hour or drinks location, rather than a true dinner spot.
(3)Greg G.
We go to Cacique every couple of weeks for lunch. The food is good for what it is. Service is mostly good. I would recommend the guacamole.
(4)Angela S.
Probably the most fairly priced restaurant in downtown Frederick. Food was pretty good, too. Like most Market St. restaurants, there weren't many vegetarian choices...but that was ok, because the Vegetable Fajitas worked out just fine. $12.99 for a portion that I couldn't even finish! I had forgotten to mention to the waitress that I am vegetarian, but they must have guessed right because they brought me black beans and white rice instead of refried/yellow. The rice was boring, and the black beans seemed like they might have come from a can (but tasted fine nonetheless). The fajita mix was juicy and flavorful, but too much for the 3 small tortillas that came with it. Regardless, it was good and I'll order it again next time. The pre-meal chips and salsa were good, with the chips being thin, light, and crispy. One of the few downtown restaurants I'll return to.
(4)