Very good. Flavors were subtle, not what I would generally associate with authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex, but very good. The restaurant was very nice, but clientele was attired in a wide variety of clothing. There were small children there, but I don't think it would be a kids favorite.
(4)
Matt W.
I was really underwhelmed by the dish I had but I tasted other things that I liked. That's the only reason the rating isn't lower. The tacos were awful. I had the brisket tacos. The tortillas were straight out of the package. They were barely room temperature and lacked almost any flavor apart from the giant purple onions. I can go to a taco truck and get authentic tacos made with fresh home made ingredients for $1.50 a piece. The tacos I had weren't worth that much but unpaid $15 for them. The dish I did like was the mango chicken mole. The chicken was cooked well and the sauce was excellent. Overall I would not recommend this place but if you find yourself roped into going with a group, stick with the creative, non-authentic dishes. Anything that looks like something on an average Mexican restaurant, you can probably get at an average Mexican restaurant and it will taste better and cost you less.
(3)
Sheila L.
Met some out of town friends here last night. Frozen margarita were good and drinkable, even when friends ordered theirs as doubles. Chips were greasy and stale. Wasn't blown away by the salsas provided. The spicy one wasn't very spicy IMHO. I detected a lot of roasted peppers so it had a bit of a bitter taste to it. It just wasn't very balanced, very one dimensional. I had the Ensalada De Cilantro Y Pollo which was supposed to come with fajita chicken. Instead it was served with cold, boiled, cubed chicken breast. The cilantro-lime dressing was nonexistent, so I had to use the inferior salsa to dress it. My companions had the beef tacos and they said they were fine, although they didn't finish them, so that can be telling. Probably won't come back unless my future dinner companions insist.
(2)
Julie S.
Came for brunch. It was delicious! From the crab cakes entree to the fish tacos everyone was very happy with their meal. Service was amazing and mimosas were only $2 on Sunday! Loved that your brunch entree comes with a mimosa or Bloody Mary.
(5)
Kristopher K.
We were told this place was great...horribly oversold! The food was not flavorful rather it was bland. The tortillas were what I imagine a tofu tortilla taste like. DO NOT GET THE QUESO. It's made from velveeta and just gross. Horribly overpriced and the service was drab at best. If you want a real Mexican meal just head to El Barrio cause it's better prices and A million times better than this place.
(1)
Morgan L.
The best steak tacos! They were juicy and tender! It's a classy Mexican restaurant with a cool atmosphere and good service. It's on the expensive end of the Mexican restaurant scale but worth it!
(5)
Sara Z.
Came her for late night apps. Service was fine, food was good. Nothing spectacular that I would make a trip for, unless I was in immediate area and wanted Mexican right away.
(3)
Lori T.
Went with friends for happy hour. The restaurant is beautiful. Staff is helpful. Appetizers are half price at Happy Hour. This is good because it can be a little pricey. The $4 margaritas are also good at Happy hour. Well drinks aren't bottom shelf liquor, which is nice. The selection of tequila is good. Other liquors not so much, But hey it is a MEXICAN joint :) I had steak tacos and Roger had empanadas. Both were delicious and small plates. The chips are salsa are gratis. Two different kinds of salsa...we preferred the hot one~ it is temperature and spicy hot. We will be back for happy hour. Carl is a good bartender. Fun times.
(4)
Stephanie B.
I only had time to enjoy the fresh guacamole, salsa and chips but my service was very accommodating and friendly (as well as fast). Easy to get in and out on a business trip lunch! Thank you!
(5)
De Z.
Horrendous food and service. I was at a corporate sponsored event and had the chance to eat here (thankfully on someone else's dime). To start things off, we were a party of 12. Our table was set up for a party of 8 so 4 people had to grab a booth close by. To be fair, the chips and salsa were actually very good but the accompanying guacamole was flavorless. It was made table side by some poorly trained high school kid who did not know better. My entree was the "Fish of the day" Not certain what fish it was but nonetheless is was super tiny and appeared to be fried even though the server said it was grilled. This was served with 4 spears of asparagus and some bland rice which was cold. The fish itself was flavorless and also cold. I got the feeling my meal had been sitting under a hear lamp as everything had that warmed over look to it. To top it off, the house margarita was probably the worst mixed drink i have ever had. I am so glad i did not have to pay for this train wreck of a meal. This restaurant has a great location and a pretty captive audience since it it right next door to the Westin Hotel but i seriously doubt the locals will support such a below par place unless they dont know better.
(1)
Carmen T.
Bad service, terrible tacos, even worse drinks. Skip this and go to one of the other restaurants in Uptown.
(2)
Sheri P.
Love this concept. Just what Birmingham needed. Amazing staff, great menu and the food was lovely. The salsa was a warm tomatillo and I can't remember the second. I liked the char but I usually like more of a chunky salsa. The plates were gorgeous and delicious. We had the tamarind marg and the mango marg. The ceviche was chopped larger than I usually like but the flavor was there. The mole was very tasty and I loved it. My husband had the relleno and he loved the rice. Said it was the best rice he has ever had. We also had the brownie- the brandy butter really made it stand out. I usually don't order desserts but we are very happy we did. The decor is clean, modern, and contemporary. Next time we are sitting upstairs. It looks really fun! The menu upstairs is a different "bar menu".
(5)
Jon S.
Great place to gather with friends or family. We've only sat upstairs the many times I've been here. Huge television for sports. Rooftop seating indoor or out with nice view. Lower level seems more intimate. Also patio seating downstairs. So many good menu items. Fresh guacamole, Ahi tuna tacos, nachos el carbon, queso dip and chipotle pollo fajitas are my staples. Make sure you share a Mexican Apple Pie too! It's too much for one person but so delicious. Service is slightly above average.
(4)
Michael N.
Please note this was a soft opening event I went to. There were a couple issues that stem from the fact that this was day one that I feel like I don't need to mention so lets just focus on the food. We started with the made table side guacamole and it was amazing. You can choose the ingredients yourself such as picked jalapenos or fresh jalapenos and with or without cilantro ect... All the ingredients were very fresh and that really came through in the taste of the guac. I chose the pork carnitas as my entree. It comes with rice and a a veggie on the side. The carnitas come served on the bone with three cutlets. It was cooked to perfection and the meat was so tender it fell right off the bone. The sauce on top was the perfect amount to complement the meat. Can't recommend it enough. My wife had the chicken tacos. The chicken was smoked which was a new twist for me at a Mexican restaurant and it was a welcomed change. The bite I had was wonderful. I look forward to going back once they have been open for a few weeks. The food is the star here for sure.
(4)
Lisa C.
Went to lunch here on a Sunday. Not much crowd. I asked to sit out on the patio. Was told by the hostess "No, it's dirty." I asked if they could clean it, and was told it would be 15-20 mins. Really? I guess the hostess picked up my incredulous vibe, and cleaned the table promptly. Drinks....well that was another 15 min wait, I overheard them tell the table next door they had spilled their drinks. Finally. Food and drinks arrived, I ordered the chicken fajita omelet. Holy hot sauce! It was covered in a sauce that made it too hot to eat. I was afraid it would burn my stomach (and I like spicy food but this was ridicuous). I honestly would be afraid to come back.
(2)
Sarah P.
Sunday brunch. Had the chilaquiles and a mimosa comes with (or Bloody Mary)- absolutely fantastic, every bite was delicious. Service was excellent. Highly recommend when in Birmingham, AL
(5)
Gordon K.
This uptown area is really nice and Cafe Laredo makes a beautiful impression on the eyes. I have only been once, so take this review in context with other reviews written here. I am writing a review now for reasons I will address later. I usually like to go a few times before writing a review because it is difficult to be fair based on one visit, but what I write about here will hold true regardless of the number of visits. There are few restaurants and no other nice one in Birmingham that serve house made mole salsa, so I made a point of getting the enchiladas with mole. This is also a house specialty. The enchiladas were good, but were a bad value at $14.00 before tax and tip. That makes them close to $20.00. That is for 2 enchiladas. Nothing was served with the enchiladas. There were no beans, no small pico de gallo; only, literally, 2 tablespoons of rice. And, the rice was pretty plain. You are served, as usual, chips and salsa with meals. The chips were thin and greasy, but okay. Salsa was fresh, but thin. There are only two complimentary salsas and they are pretty close to being the same. Noise level was high and there was a lot of milling about by employees. This is not a place for a romantic date or a relaxing outing. Sales tax is the confiscatory 10% Birmingham rate. Overall, I was not impressed and because of the value, will not plan to go back.
(3)
Ebone R.
Not a place to go with co workers for good service. The waiter just could not get it together. I ordered tea and sent it back because it was watered down. I was still charged for the tea. The Queso Laredo appetizer that I ordered came out warm and my main dish was cold. I had to send the entree back to warmed up. Due to having to warm the food up of course the taste is not the same. Very disappointed in the restaurant's service and quality of food.
(1)
Henry S.
I've have never seen a wait staff move so slow in my life! The waitress suggested chicken enchiladas (plural) however when my food came out, I had ONE ENCHILADA on my plate with a plethora of purple unions and some cold veggies! The staff on duty extremely disengaged ... I'll find a taco truck next time however the quest was delicious!
(2)
Jeremy E.
First off, the restaurant is beautiful inside and out. I especially love sitting at the upstairs bar, which is in an all-glass room, making it feel as if you were outside and giving great views of downtown. The upstairs also has a great outdoor patio. The happy hour at the bar is great, with half price bar plates and "Casa Rita" margaritas. The bar plates are all delicious, with my favorites being the crab cakes and empanadas. They also good liquor in all of their margaritas, including the happy hour one. Their chips are also very good, and come with two different types of salsa, one hot and one cold, which are both delicious.
(4)
Nick B.
My first visit here was quite fun! Was with some fellow Yelpers after a CMYE across the way at Bottle & Bone. The atmosphere, decor and size of this place all cater to those who want to enjoy themselves. Large layout (as are all the places I've been thus far in Uptown), modern yet nothing over the top. Did I mention there's an upstairs with it's own bar? No? Okay, there's an upstairs seating area that has it's own bar. Not to mention it's right next to the massive TV screen in uptown. From upstairs there's a huge open window as well as some covered patio seating... all with great views of the huge display. All I had was a beer during this visit (no food - but I'll be back) however, the complimentary chips and 2 types of salsa were quite fantastic! I do prefer the spicier of the salsas while the rest of the group preferred the milder variation... more for me! The flavors weren't very typical at all! Service was also great! Looking forward to returning to see how much food will add to the already fun experience!
(5)
Kollene C.
Yummy! A little expensive.... $10 for a margarita, albeit delicious the price seemed steep. I would avoid the tacos $12 for two tiny tacos was disappointing. The chimichanga was way more food and delicious. We sat at a high top in front of the bar, so the waitress was also the bartender and server so she seemed distracted. She didn't really have any recommendations I guess that's fine, it's just helpful for a first timer. I felt bad because it seemed like my questions about the menu annoyed her.
(3)
Keith B.
Things i liked here. Very clean first impression. Good hostess interaction. We hit Sunday at lunch so low crowd = super fast service and server. Like the non traditional music. Creates a fin atmosphere. Liked 2 salsas Roasted tomato was my fav. The warm tomatillo was spicy like i like it. I ate both salsas. Tried tacos barbacoa. Brisket was cooked perfect. Not fatty. Salsa on taco was hotter than chip n salsa which spiced up the taco just right. Server never left us hangins a single minute. Liked the manager checking on us half way thru. On presentation i thought the portions looked light on a long rectangle plate, but by the time i ate it all it was actually perfect size for Ten Dollars. Oh. The soft taco shell did not tear in half like other mex resturants. Loved that. Desserts looked great but passed at lunch. Gotta keep moving. Things i didnt like...NOTHING. ILL BE BACK HERE.
(5)
Kevin K.
Great setting, friendly service, and fantastic food and margaritas! I'll be going back.
(5)
Nicki N.
Wish that I had gotten the opportunity to experience the food. Made the mistake of going to the rooftop where it was first come, first serve. At that point, restaurant employees choose who they bus tables for. After waiting about 20 minutes for a table the party across from us left and someone promptly started clearing the table even though we had asked several employees for assistance. Definitely not the way to make an impression on a new party of 4. I understand being busy but clearing a table for a party that just walked upstairs rather than a party that had been waiting is simply bad business. I'll pass--walked over to Southern Kitchen.
(1)
Pat S.
I've been to Cantina Laredo three times since the restaurant opened earlier this year. On my first visit, I sat with a friend at the bar. After one drink, the bartender apparently thought we were invisible because she didn't ask us if we wanted another drink for about 20 minutes after our first was finished. We asked for our tab and it came about 10 minutes later, we paid immediately, and about another 10 minutes passed before we got our receipt. The restaurant was not crowded. We returned a couple of weeks later to meet friends for dinner. We arrived first and got a drink at the bar. Our friends came and we asked for our table. I waited at the bar to pay for our drinks - about 10 minutes. Eventually, I put money on the bar for our drinks and went to our table. We ordered a second round of drinks and our food and the food came before the drinks. The food was "three-star" at best, but it was passable. Last night, we once again returned to Cantina Laredo with a friend for drinks and maybe dinner. After being told the bar was out of Pinot Grigio ("We've been out of that for 2 days" we were told), my friend ordered a glass of Riesling.Before the wine came, the waitress returned to ask "Do you want to order something to eat now?" The wine came about 15 minutes later. We asked for our check and went next door to The Southern Kitchen. But we had to wait about 15 minutes because we were over-charged for our drinks and had to wait until the bill was corrected - it still was incorrect, but it was close enough and we didn't want to wait another 15 minutes while the bill was corrected again. I wanted to like this restaurant - I really did. But after giving the establishment three chances and receiving extraordinarily sub-par service on each occasion, I'm done. The sad thing is that because of the restaurant's location - near the Civic Center - I suspect it will succeed despite poor service. And for all of those people who wait 20 minutes for a drink, or to pay a tab, that is unfortunate. As for me and my friends, we will drink and dine elsewhere. There are far too many restaurants in Birmingham that give excellent service and serve superb food for me to spend my entertainment dollars on poor service and average food.
(1)
Rock S.
Food is okay, not great by any means. Service was horrible. Seems like management needs to teach the staff how to wait tables.
(3)
Clayton T.
Terribly bad and rude service for overpriced food. Third time here. Thought I'd give it another shot. 20 minutes for waitress to take drink order, ordered queso, didn't come back for 10 minutes. She couldn't suggest anything but brought cold queso to me and told me she needed order then or couldn't put it in. I left.
(1)
Janeka M.
I had a wonderful at the upstairs bar. Our drinks were wonderful and strong. The crowd was great for a Saturday and we stayed up there until they closed. The place is very clean and the decor is fantastic. This will be my hang out spot for date night or just girl time!! I did not order any food but the salsa and chip were great. I know they food is marvelous because I had some at the tasting of Uptown! Coming back soon... Heard about shrimp wrapped with bacon!!!
(5)
William E.
Their brunch is great. Complimentary mimosa or bloody mary didn't hurt either. Good experience overall, will return.
This is a really nice spot. The ambience is really nice. I prefer to sit in the upstairs area. They have excellent chips and salsa. The fajita tacos were good but the beef could have been grilled a little longer. Last but not least the Cabo flip margarita was delicious!!! It had a nice KICK
(4)
Casey S.
Was familiar with this restaurant after going to a Pennsylvania location near my home. When I saw there was one in Birmingham I bought a restaurant.com gift card and figured I would check it out. My review is similar to that of my review of the King of Prussia, PA location. Delicious food but average service. We sat at a table on a Tuesday night but the bartender was our server. She was attentive and helpful but seemed very overwhelmed by the patrons at the bar. I like both salsas served with the chips but they're both slightly over salted. The chips are great - thin and warm without being overly salty or oily. We ordered table side guacamole which was wonderful but took over 20 minutes for the guy to come over and another ten for him to make it. Our food came out shortly after. For entrees I had the torta de carnitas - the mixture of the pork, fried egg, goat cheese, and apricot preserves is epic. My one complaint here is the egg was sunny side up but the yolk was fully cooked. It should be runny! However the unbelievably flavored shredded pork made up for it. My mom got the fish tacos which she loved. The fish seemed fresh and she enjoyed the cabbage and aioli it was topped with. She loved the beans but found the rice to be too lime-y.
(4)
Morgan R.
We were really excited about eating here. It was our first time. We never actually got to eat because we left after the first drink. Our real problem was with our service. I ordered a margarita. The margarita came and was made perfectly. 5 minutes later my cousin showed up and also ordered a margarita, however, before the waitress left, she asked "do you have any happy hour specials?" The waitress said "yes, our margaritas are $5." I looked at our waitress and said, "Oh I didn't realize they were on special! Cool!" and the waitress responded, "Oh, no yours wasn't $5." Why not? I asked? She said, "Because you didn't ask about happy hour." What was the difference? Nothing. Same margarita. Just I didn't get the happy hour prince because I didn't ask. The server may have been doing exactly as she was told, but it definitely skewed my view of this establishment. Is $3 that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things? No, it really isn't. But with the response the server gave us, I will be happy to spend that extra $3 at different restaurant in the future.
Good food and great service from my waiter. However, if it's a nice day on a Tuesday afternoon don't sit outside. Apparently today is when employees their get paid. There were several of them sitting outside where the patrons sit chatting about their employment. They were unprofessional to say the least. Swearing and talking bad about the job. Take that elsewhere. Some of them were even nice enough to smoke on the patio.
(4)
Tony H.
In from out of town and thought I would try the fajitas here- always have the fajitas when trying a New Mexican restaurant. They solid- not great but solid. Salsa was ok- not much atmosphere
(3)
Rachel S.
This restaurant presents to be a Mercedes but is a pinto in the food quality department. I felt the food was overpriced based on food being below standard . As I read some of the reviews I noticed some mentioned there was a roof top bar seating area which was supposed to be cool well this was not offered as an option for myself and my guest. We had a late lunch meal so it was not busy at all. The menu is very limited; I was looking for more variety including seafood dishes. I was advised by the server that the Chimichanga De Pollo Poblano was really good but it was not what I expected. The chicken was too chunky, seemed like it was not marinated properly based on it did not have that tender slightly shredded texture that I would expect to be in a soft tortilla stuffed dish. It did not taste restaurant quality to me. It was served with overcooked rice and it was lacking some freshness. It came with zucchini vegetables which were on the chunky hard side. The only thing I really enjoyed was the pico de galo compliment which you could taste the natural sweetness and freshness of the tomatoes and I ate that separately because I did not want to waste putting it over the mediocre rice dish. My guest ordered the chicken and steak fajitas and she was not impressed with her food either. I ordered a margarita which was okay but again overpriced for the glass size. We were happy to get chips and salsa prior to the meal but we didn't think either salsa were impressive. The server was very nice and was the best thing about the experience. He was a young black guy with braces. We did not complain because he was so nice but my guest and I agreed we would not be going back.
(2)
Roger T.
Can you say tequila? Yep, i knew you could. Young, Aged, and reserve tequila there is one for you at varying prices. Happy hour is outstanding. The appetizers are half priced and just the right portion size. Free chips and salsa are always a plus, especially when there are two kinds of salsa to be had. The bartenders are knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. Nothing like a margarita for 4 bucks and you can get them either frozen or on the rocks. If you like upscale places but may not have the cash to always enjoy it be sure to check out happy hour. I do.
(4)
Alexis D.
This place is VERY overrated. The service is horrendous. Very slow. The food is expensive for what you get and taste wise is not all that. Trust me, I've had much better. The decor is nice and the drinks are good. But the food.... Not so much. Call me crazy but I thought a restaurant was supposed to be a place that focuses more on the food. With Cantina Laredo that's definitely not the case.
(2)
Kimberly-Myers D.
Two stars only because the service was good. Had the chicken with mango sauce, but sauce tasted mustard like and strange. Water tastes like chlorine right from the tap. Beef enchiladas with ranchero were so spicy you can't eat but a few bites. The atmosphere was upscale urban.
(2)
Casi C.
I had sunday night dinner here and I'd have to say its disappointing. We sat outside and the first thing I noticed is the table wobbled. This is more annoying then anything but I thought it was odd since they just opened 6 weeks ago. The upstairs was closed due to the lack of servers. I started out with the house margarita which tasted watered down. I've hear a lot about how their margaritas are made with fresh lime juice but you couldn't even tell. The Patron Margarita wasn't much better. One good thing about the drink menu is that Mimosa's are $2 all of sunday. The Mimosa's are pretty good but could have used a little less OJ. They were out of Guacamole and crab so we had the steak. Thankfully it tasted much better then it looked but it was nothing special. The Flank steak at El Barrio is much better. Overall I would say the service is good but the food is overpriced and average.
(1)
Happy T.
This is now the best Mexican restaurant in Birmingham. From start to end. Beautiful restaurant, does not look Mexican at all. They offer two menus. One for downstairs dining and the other for upstairs bar/beer garden scene. Since we were wanting to see the Alabama game, we opted for upstairs. "Small plate" menu not many choices, but offered variety. Ordered a house rocks margarita and my partner ordered frozen. Both made with high end tequila and fresh lime juice. They are great!!! Ordered table side guacamole, made freshly made next to your table. Had brisket tacos and beef quesadillas. All was wonderfully great. Now for the view. The center has a huge 30'x40' jumbotron. I have not seen a TV that huge. The bar and beer garden is design for their customer to view sporting events and concerts. This made for a fun experience in watching the Alabama game. I look forward to my return to eat in the main dining room downstairs.
(5)
Jenae S.
Official first Day Opening....Very beautiful decor and spacious seating. I had the Top Shelf guacamole and the Quesadillas Al Carbon. The Guacamole was delicious and very flavorful. If you love guacamole, this is a MUST TRY!!The quesadilla was good but I wouldn't say $11.99 good. Our waitress, Becky, was very nice and helpful. Last but not least, I had the Mango Tres Leches , which is a creamy vanilla cake with sweet mango sauce.. I give the CAKE ITSELF 5 stars... Absolutely YUMMY!!. I will be back to try their Happy Hour Mon- Fri 4pm-7pm with $5.00 14oz Margaritas and Ladies Nights on Thursday.. A great addition to the Uptown Entertainment District
(4)
Meghan C.
Rude hostesses, mediocre service. We won't be returning. The restaurant smells like burnt food, and the food is mediocre. I've made several reservations, and they can't seem to honor the reservation time. This isn't somewhere we will be returning.
(2)
Marty J.
Got here and the seater had no idea how to handle a large party of 8. They looked at us as if this never happened before. Could not answer basic questions regarding corn or flour tortilla? Left for another place.
(1)
Stephen S.
I *really* want to give this place a 5! The reason is that the Mexican food is simply the best I've ever eaten. And I say that as one who's lived in the Washington-Baltimore corridor for over 25 years. The quality of the food and the presentation was just stunning. It is a truly beautiful restaurant aesthetically as well. The only drawback is the staff. While service was adequate, it was difficult to hear what the waitstaff was saying. They also just didn't seem to be very confident or personable. They weren't rude at all, but a place of this quality should have high quality staff. Now, the place has just opened so this may improve over time. But as a frequent visitor to Birmingham for one of my clients, I will MOST DEFINITELY be back and I look forward to the day when I can provide this restaurant with an unqualified recommendation.
(4)
Miranda C.
One bartender on a Friday night?! We waited THIRTY minutes for our drinks!! The food was decent but way overpriced. The service is not accustomed to parties larger than 5. I won't be coming back.
(1)
Toi O.
I usually don't write reviews but I always read others who do write them. Well I must say that Cantina Laredo was absolutely delicious! I ordered the Fajitas and the table side guacamole. Our server was great, efficient and very knowledgeable of the menu items. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sonya B.
Delicious! I went on a Friday evening. While it was crowded, the atmosphere, food and crowd was great. Loving the newest edition to Uptown.
(4)
Andrew V.
Very over rated for the price. The guy took forever to bring us our drinks then he got our order wrong when he brought the food. If you want some good food at a cheap price take your talents to Chipotle.
(2)
Pat S.
We Had the tacos barbequoa and fish tacos. Both were pretty good. The guacamole table side was okay (but I've been to San Antonio so the comparison would be one star, but not fair). Nice surrounding, good atmosphere and comfortable location. Service was adequate, perhaps more training and smiles would help. Never good when the wait staff can't remember two selections and has to auction off the entrees. Food was good for the location, could be a smidge more authentic but it does not detract from the eclectic Mexican fare. Need something done with the Mexican rice ... most disappointing part of the meal.
(3)
Colinr R.
Sunday night dinner. Cons: out of guacamole, no crab, house Margarita watered down, outside tables were wobbly, chicken enchiladas had little chicken. Pro: $2 Mimosas all Sunday, service was fine Overall: barely a step above tex mex, for twice the cost
(2)
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Address :2301 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd,Ste 200
North Birmingham, AL, 35203
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch 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 : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Noite C.
Very good. Flavors were subtle, not what I would generally associate with authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex, but very good. The restaurant was very nice, but clientele was attired in a wide variety of clothing. There were small children there, but I don't think it would be a kids favorite.
(4)Matt W.
I was really underwhelmed by the dish I had but I tasted other things that I liked. That's the only reason the rating isn't lower. The tacos were awful. I had the brisket tacos. The tortillas were straight out of the package. They were barely room temperature and lacked almost any flavor apart from the giant purple onions. I can go to a taco truck and get authentic tacos made with fresh home made ingredients for $1.50 a piece. The tacos I had weren't worth that much but unpaid $15 for them. The dish I did like was the mango chicken mole. The chicken was cooked well and the sauce was excellent. Overall I would not recommend this place but if you find yourself roped into going with a group, stick with the creative, non-authentic dishes. Anything that looks like something on an average Mexican restaurant, you can probably get at an average Mexican restaurant and it will taste better and cost you less.
(3)Sheila L.
Met some out of town friends here last night. Frozen margarita were good and drinkable, even when friends ordered theirs as doubles. Chips were greasy and stale. Wasn't blown away by the salsas provided. The spicy one wasn't very spicy IMHO. I detected a lot of roasted peppers so it had a bit of a bitter taste to it. It just wasn't very balanced, very one dimensional. I had the Ensalada De Cilantro Y Pollo which was supposed to come with fajita chicken. Instead it was served with cold, boiled, cubed chicken breast. The cilantro-lime dressing was nonexistent, so I had to use the inferior salsa to dress it. My companions had the beef tacos and they said they were fine, although they didn't finish them, so that can be telling. Probably won't come back unless my future dinner companions insist.
(2)Julie S.
Came for brunch. It was delicious! From the crab cakes entree to the fish tacos everyone was very happy with their meal. Service was amazing and mimosas were only $2 on Sunday! Loved that your brunch entree comes with a mimosa or Bloody Mary.
(5)Kristopher K.
We were told this place was great...horribly oversold! The food was not flavorful rather it was bland. The tortillas were what I imagine a tofu tortilla taste like. DO NOT GET THE QUESO. It's made from velveeta and just gross. Horribly overpriced and the service was drab at best. If you want a real Mexican meal just head to El Barrio cause it's better prices and A million times better than this place.
(1)Morgan L.
The best steak tacos! They were juicy and tender! It's a classy Mexican restaurant with a cool atmosphere and good service. It's on the expensive end of the Mexican restaurant scale but worth it!
(5)Sara Z.
Came her for late night apps. Service was fine, food was good. Nothing spectacular that I would make a trip for, unless I was in immediate area and wanted Mexican right away.
(3)Lori T.
Went with friends for happy hour. The restaurant is beautiful. Staff is helpful. Appetizers are half price at Happy Hour. This is good because it can be a little pricey. The $4 margaritas are also good at Happy hour. Well drinks aren't bottom shelf liquor, which is nice. The selection of tequila is good. Other liquors not so much, But hey it is a MEXICAN joint :) I had steak tacos and Roger had empanadas. Both were delicious and small plates. The chips are salsa are gratis. Two different kinds of salsa...we preferred the hot one~ it is temperature and spicy hot. We will be back for happy hour. Carl is a good bartender. Fun times.
(4)Stephanie B.
I only had time to enjoy the fresh guacamole, salsa and chips but my service was very accommodating and friendly (as well as fast). Easy to get in and out on a business trip lunch! Thank you!
(5)De Z.
Horrendous food and service. I was at a corporate sponsored event and had the chance to eat here (thankfully on someone else's dime). To start things off, we were a party of 12. Our table was set up for a party of 8 so 4 people had to grab a booth close by. To be fair, the chips and salsa were actually very good but the accompanying guacamole was flavorless. It was made table side by some poorly trained high school kid who did not know better. My entree was the "Fish of the day" Not certain what fish it was but nonetheless is was super tiny and appeared to be fried even though the server said it was grilled. This was served with 4 spears of asparagus and some bland rice which was cold. The fish itself was flavorless and also cold. I got the feeling my meal had been sitting under a hear lamp as everything had that warmed over look to it. To top it off, the house margarita was probably the worst mixed drink i have ever had. I am so glad i did not have to pay for this train wreck of a meal. This restaurant has a great location and a pretty captive audience since it it right next door to the Westin Hotel but i seriously doubt the locals will support such a below par place unless they dont know better.
(1)Carmen T.
Bad service, terrible tacos, even worse drinks. Skip this and go to one of the other restaurants in Uptown.
(2)Sheri P.
Love this concept. Just what Birmingham needed. Amazing staff, great menu and the food was lovely. The salsa was a warm tomatillo and I can't remember the second. I liked the char but I usually like more of a chunky salsa. The plates were gorgeous and delicious. We had the tamarind marg and the mango marg. The ceviche was chopped larger than I usually like but the flavor was there. The mole was very tasty and I loved it. My husband had the relleno and he loved the rice. Said it was the best rice he has ever had. We also had the brownie- the brandy butter really made it stand out. I usually don't order desserts but we are very happy we did. The decor is clean, modern, and contemporary. Next time we are sitting upstairs. It looks really fun! The menu upstairs is a different "bar menu".
(5)Jon S.
Great place to gather with friends or family. We've only sat upstairs the many times I've been here. Huge television for sports. Rooftop seating indoor or out with nice view. Lower level seems more intimate. Also patio seating downstairs. So many good menu items. Fresh guacamole, Ahi tuna tacos, nachos el carbon, queso dip and chipotle pollo fajitas are my staples. Make sure you share a Mexican Apple Pie too! It's too much for one person but so delicious. Service is slightly above average.
(4)Michael N.
Please note this was a soft opening event I went to. There were a couple issues that stem from the fact that this was day one that I feel like I don't need to mention so lets just focus on the food. We started with the made table side guacamole and it was amazing. You can choose the ingredients yourself such as picked jalapenos or fresh jalapenos and with or without cilantro ect... All the ingredients were very fresh and that really came through in the taste of the guac. I chose the pork carnitas as my entree. It comes with rice and a a veggie on the side. The carnitas come served on the bone with three cutlets. It was cooked to perfection and the meat was so tender it fell right off the bone. The sauce on top was the perfect amount to complement the meat. Can't recommend it enough. My wife had the chicken tacos. The chicken was smoked which was a new twist for me at a Mexican restaurant and it was a welcomed change. The bite I had was wonderful. I look forward to going back once they have been open for a few weeks. The food is the star here for sure.
(4)Lisa C.
Went to lunch here on a Sunday. Not much crowd. I asked to sit out on the patio. Was told by the hostess "No, it's dirty." I asked if they could clean it, and was told it would be 15-20 mins. Really? I guess the hostess picked up my incredulous vibe, and cleaned the table promptly. Drinks....well that was another 15 min wait, I overheard them tell the table next door they had spilled their drinks. Finally. Food and drinks arrived, I ordered the chicken fajita omelet. Holy hot sauce! It was covered in a sauce that made it too hot to eat. I was afraid it would burn my stomach (and I like spicy food but this was ridicuous). I honestly would be afraid to come back.
(2)Sarah P.
Sunday brunch. Had the chilaquiles and a mimosa comes with (or Bloody Mary)- absolutely fantastic, every bite was delicious. Service was excellent. Highly recommend when in Birmingham, AL
(5)Gordon K.
This uptown area is really nice and Cafe Laredo makes a beautiful impression on the eyes. I have only been once, so take this review in context with other reviews written here. I am writing a review now for reasons I will address later. I usually like to go a few times before writing a review because it is difficult to be fair based on one visit, but what I write about here will hold true regardless of the number of visits. There are few restaurants and no other nice one in Birmingham that serve house made mole salsa, so I made a point of getting the enchiladas with mole. This is also a house specialty. The enchiladas were good, but were a bad value at $14.00 before tax and tip. That makes them close to $20.00. That is for 2 enchiladas. Nothing was served with the enchiladas. There were no beans, no small pico de gallo; only, literally, 2 tablespoons of rice. And, the rice was pretty plain. You are served, as usual, chips and salsa with meals. The chips were thin and greasy, but okay. Salsa was fresh, but thin. There are only two complimentary salsas and they are pretty close to being the same. Noise level was high and there was a lot of milling about by employees. This is not a place for a romantic date or a relaxing outing. Sales tax is the confiscatory 10% Birmingham rate. Overall, I was not impressed and because of the value, will not plan to go back.
(3)Ebone R.
Not a place to go with co workers for good service. The waiter just could not get it together. I ordered tea and sent it back because it was watered down. I was still charged for the tea. The Queso Laredo appetizer that I ordered came out warm and my main dish was cold. I had to send the entree back to warmed up. Due to having to warm the food up of course the taste is not the same. Very disappointed in the restaurant's service and quality of food.
(1)Henry S.
I've have never seen a wait staff move so slow in my life! The waitress suggested chicken enchiladas (plural) however when my food came out, I had ONE ENCHILADA on my plate with a plethora of purple unions and some cold veggies! The staff on duty extremely disengaged ... I'll find a taco truck next time however the quest was delicious!
(2)Jeremy E.
First off, the restaurant is beautiful inside and out. I especially love sitting at the upstairs bar, which is in an all-glass room, making it feel as if you were outside and giving great views of downtown. The upstairs also has a great outdoor patio. The happy hour at the bar is great, with half price bar plates and "Casa Rita" margaritas. The bar plates are all delicious, with my favorites being the crab cakes and empanadas. They also good liquor in all of their margaritas, including the happy hour one. Their chips are also very good, and come with two different types of salsa, one hot and one cold, which are both delicious.
(4)Nick B.
My first visit here was quite fun! Was with some fellow Yelpers after a CMYE across the way at Bottle & Bone. The atmosphere, decor and size of this place all cater to those who want to enjoy themselves. Large layout (as are all the places I've been thus far in Uptown), modern yet nothing over the top. Did I mention there's an upstairs with it's own bar? No? Okay, there's an upstairs seating area that has it's own bar. Not to mention it's right next to the massive TV screen in uptown. From upstairs there's a huge open window as well as some covered patio seating... all with great views of the huge display. All I had was a beer during this visit (no food - but I'll be back) however, the complimentary chips and 2 types of salsa were quite fantastic! I do prefer the spicier of the salsas while the rest of the group preferred the milder variation... more for me! The flavors weren't very typical at all! Service was also great! Looking forward to returning to see how much food will add to the already fun experience!
(5)Kollene C.
Yummy! A little expensive.... $10 for a margarita, albeit delicious the price seemed steep. I would avoid the tacos $12 for two tiny tacos was disappointing. The chimichanga was way more food and delicious. We sat at a high top in front of the bar, so the waitress was also the bartender and server so she seemed distracted. She didn't really have any recommendations I guess that's fine, it's just helpful for a first timer. I felt bad because it seemed like my questions about the menu annoyed her.
(3)Keith B.
Things i liked here. Very clean first impression. Good hostess interaction. We hit Sunday at lunch so low crowd = super fast service and server. Like the non traditional music. Creates a fin atmosphere. Liked 2 salsas Roasted tomato was my fav. The warm tomatillo was spicy like i like it. I ate both salsas. Tried tacos barbacoa. Brisket was cooked perfect. Not fatty. Salsa on taco was hotter than chip n salsa which spiced up the taco just right. Server never left us hangins a single minute. Liked the manager checking on us half way thru. On presentation i thought the portions looked light on a long rectangle plate, but by the time i ate it all it was actually perfect size for Ten Dollars. Oh. The soft taco shell did not tear in half like other mex resturants. Loved that. Desserts looked great but passed at lunch. Gotta keep moving. Things i didnt like...NOTHING. ILL BE BACK HERE.
(5)Kevin K.
Great setting, friendly service, and fantastic food and margaritas! I'll be going back.
(5)Nicki N.
Wish that I had gotten the opportunity to experience the food. Made the mistake of going to the rooftop where it was first come, first serve. At that point, restaurant employees choose who they bus tables for. After waiting about 20 minutes for a table the party across from us left and someone promptly started clearing the table even though we had asked several employees for assistance. Definitely not the way to make an impression on a new party of 4. I understand being busy but clearing a table for a party that just walked upstairs rather than a party that had been waiting is simply bad business. I'll pass--walked over to Southern Kitchen.
(1)Pat S.
I've been to Cantina Laredo three times since the restaurant opened earlier this year. On my first visit, I sat with a friend at the bar. After one drink, the bartender apparently thought we were invisible because she didn't ask us if we wanted another drink for about 20 minutes after our first was finished. We asked for our tab and it came about 10 minutes later, we paid immediately, and about another 10 minutes passed before we got our receipt. The restaurant was not crowded. We returned a couple of weeks later to meet friends for dinner. We arrived first and got a drink at the bar. Our friends came and we asked for our table. I waited at the bar to pay for our drinks - about 10 minutes. Eventually, I put money on the bar for our drinks and went to our table. We ordered a second round of drinks and our food and the food came before the drinks. The food was "three-star" at best, but it was passable. Last night, we once again returned to Cantina Laredo with a friend for drinks and maybe dinner. After being told the bar was out of Pinot Grigio ("We've been out of that for 2 days" we were told), my friend ordered a glass of Riesling.Before the wine came, the waitress returned to ask "Do you want to order something to eat now?" The wine came about 15 minutes later. We asked for our check and went next door to The Southern Kitchen. But we had to wait about 15 minutes because we were over-charged for our drinks and had to wait until the bill was corrected - it still was incorrect, but it was close enough and we didn't want to wait another 15 minutes while the bill was corrected again. I wanted to like this restaurant - I really did. But after giving the establishment three chances and receiving extraordinarily sub-par service on each occasion, I'm done. The sad thing is that because of the restaurant's location - near the Civic Center - I suspect it will succeed despite poor service. And for all of those people who wait 20 minutes for a drink, or to pay a tab, that is unfortunate. As for me and my friends, we will drink and dine elsewhere. There are far too many restaurants in Birmingham that give excellent service and serve superb food for me to spend my entertainment dollars on poor service and average food.
(1)Rock S.
Food is okay, not great by any means. Service was horrible. Seems like management needs to teach the staff how to wait tables.
(3)Clayton T.
Terribly bad and rude service for overpriced food. Third time here. Thought I'd give it another shot. 20 minutes for waitress to take drink order, ordered queso, didn't come back for 10 minutes. She couldn't suggest anything but brought cold queso to me and told me she needed order then or couldn't put it in. I left.
(1)Janeka M.
I had a wonderful at the upstairs bar. Our drinks were wonderful and strong. The crowd was great for a Saturday and we stayed up there until they closed. The place is very clean and the decor is fantastic. This will be my hang out spot for date night or just girl time!! I did not order any food but the salsa and chip were great. I know they food is marvelous because I had some at the tasting of Uptown! Coming back soon... Heard about shrimp wrapped with bacon!!!
(5)William E.
Their brunch is great. Complimentary mimosa or bloody mary didn't hurt either. Good experience overall, will return.
(5)Greg B.
I couldn't say enough bad things about terrible this place, but I'll try: 1. The food showed no evidence of being cooked, by that I mean that it didn't taste or even appear (!) appetizing. How hard is it to make food LOOK good? 2. Table side guacamole (having too many other ingredients) didn't taste like it had avocados in it! Less is more when it comes to this dish.... 3. Entrée: enchiladas were missing the spinach described on the menu. After another trip through the kitchen they returned to the table with uncooked spinach mixed in. Fail! 4. Hunks of red cabbage and canned pimentos strewn across the top of an entrée do not constitute a garnish. If it has to be scrapped off to get to the actual food then it does qualify as an annoyance. 5. Rancid (real) strawberries and dessicated (real) orange slices do not enhance the plastic replicas of the dessert tray selections. I'll admit that I just don't understand the point of presenting a dessert tray with plastic replicas in the first place. Presenting them with real garnishes that have dried and molded (no--I'm not exaggerating) is inexcusable. The coup de grâce was being given a receipt requesting that I respond to an online survey only to have the website refuse to accept the validation number on the receipt. I suppose it should not surprise me that they can't get their act together online if they can't get it together IRL! Guess what? No second chances for this doomed faux restaurant.
(1)Cheryl R.
This is a really nice spot. The ambience is really nice. I prefer to sit in the upstairs area. They have excellent chips and salsa. The fajita tacos were good but the beef could have been grilled a little longer. Last but not least the Cabo flip margarita was delicious!!! It had a nice KICK
(4)Casey S.
Was familiar with this restaurant after going to a Pennsylvania location near my home. When I saw there was one in Birmingham I bought a restaurant.com gift card and figured I would check it out. My review is similar to that of my review of the King of Prussia, PA location. Delicious food but average service. We sat at a table on a Tuesday night but the bartender was our server. She was attentive and helpful but seemed very overwhelmed by the patrons at the bar. I like both salsas served with the chips but they're both slightly over salted. The chips are great - thin and warm without being overly salty or oily. We ordered table side guacamole which was wonderful but took over 20 minutes for the guy to come over and another ten for him to make it. Our food came out shortly after. For entrees I had the torta de carnitas - the mixture of the pork, fried egg, goat cheese, and apricot preserves is epic. My one complaint here is the egg was sunny side up but the yolk was fully cooked. It should be runny! However the unbelievably flavored shredded pork made up for it. My mom got the fish tacos which she loved. The fish seemed fresh and she enjoyed the cabbage and aioli it was topped with. She loved the beans but found the rice to be too lime-y.
(4)Morgan R.
We were really excited about eating here. It was our first time. We never actually got to eat because we left after the first drink. Our real problem was with our service. I ordered a margarita. The margarita came and was made perfectly. 5 minutes later my cousin showed up and also ordered a margarita, however, before the waitress left, she asked "do you have any happy hour specials?" The waitress said "yes, our margaritas are $5." I looked at our waitress and said, "Oh I didn't realize they were on special! Cool!" and the waitress responded, "Oh, no yours wasn't $5." Why not? I asked? She said, "Because you didn't ask about happy hour." What was the difference? Nothing. Same margarita. Just I didn't get the happy hour prince because I didn't ask. The server may have been doing exactly as she was told, but it definitely skewed my view of this establishment. Is $3 that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things? No, it really isn't. But with the response the server gave us, I will be happy to spend that extra $3 at different restaurant in the future.
(2)Jen B.
For this review, I'm comparing Cantina Laredo to Americanized Mexican restaurants and to upscale chain restaurants. Because we all know this ain't Gordo's. Anyway, Cantina Laredo stuns on both counts. It's beautiful, it's spacious, it has a massive rooftop bar right under the Jumbotron. This week they'll air the first 'Bama game, but I wouldn't care if they were airing peewee hockey, I just want to go before word gets out about their sweet set-up. I went for lunch today, and it was my first visit. They bring two kinds of salsa to start; one is served warm, and it's out of this world! We also got the tableside guac, which is fun and a good show. The chips are too thin to manage the guacamole, but the flavor was great. My entrée was the molé chicken enchilada, and the lunch portion was just the right amount after chips and dips: one enchilada with a side of rice and grilled zucchini. The molé sauce was thick and rich, and the rice was just perfect. Even my unsweet tea was extra-refreshing. My only small complaint was with the zucchini, which wasn't the perfect complement to my Mexican lunch. Still, I'm always glad to get a fresh vegetable with my meal. The service was top-notch from all parties, with multiple managers stopping by to make sure our meal was delicious or invite us to check out the party deck. All-in-all, the experience was very resort-like. You'll appreciate the break in your work day, though you'll realize you're in the wrong business. They're going to be printing money come football season.
(5)Mulcher S.
Good food and great service from my waiter. However, if it's a nice day on a Tuesday afternoon don't sit outside. Apparently today is when employees their get paid. There were several of them sitting outside where the patrons sit chatting about their employment. They were unprofessional to say the least. Swearing and talking bad about the job. Take that elsewhere. Some of them were even nice enough to smoke on the patio.
(4)Tony H.
In from out of town and thought I would try the fajitas here- always have the fajitas when trying a New Mexican restaurant. They solid- not great but solid. Salsa was ok- not much atmosphere
(3)Rachel S.
This restaurant presents to be a Mercedes but is a pinto in the food quality department. I felt the food was overpriced based on food being below standard . As I read some of the reviews I noticed some mentioned there was a roof top bar seating area which was supposed to be cool well this was not offered as an option for myself and my guest. We had a late lunch meal so it was not busy at all. The menu is very limited; I was looking for more variety including seafood dishes. I was advised by the server that the Chimichanga De Pollo Poblano was really good but it was not what I expected. The chicken was too chunky, seemed like it was not marinated properly based on it did not have that tender slightly shredded texture that I would expect to be in a soft tortilla stuffed dish. It did not taste restaurant quality to me. It was served with overcooked rice and it was lacking some freshness. It came with zucchini vegetables which were on the chunky hard side. The only thing I really enjoyed was the pico de galo compliment which you could taste the natural sweetness and freshness of the tomatoes and I ate that separately because I did not want to waste putting it over the mediocre rice dish. My guest ordered the chicken and steak fajitas and she was not impressed with her food either. I ordered a margarita which was okay but again overpriced for the glass size. We were happy to get chips and salsa prior to the meal but we didn't think either salsa were impressive. The server was very nice and was the best thing about the experience. He was a young black guy with braces. We did not complain because he was so nice but my guest and I agreed we would not be going back.
(2)Roger T.
Can you say tequila? Yep, i knew you could. Young, Aged, and reserve tequila there is one for you at varying prices. Happy hour is outstanding. The appetizers are half priced and just the right portion size. Free chips and salsa are always a plus, especially when there are two kinds of salsa to be had. The bartenders are knowledgeable, friendly and attentive. Nothing like a margarita for 4 bucks and you can get them either frozen or on the rocks. If you like upscale places but may not have the cash to always enjoy it be sure to check out happy hour. I do.
(4)Alexis D.
This place is VERY overrated. The service is horrendous. Very slow. The food is expensive for what you get and taste wise is not all that. Trust me, I've had much better. The decor is nice and the drinks are good. But the food.... Not so much. Call me crazy but I thought a restaurant was supposed to be a place that focuses more on the food. With Cantina Laredo that's definitely not the case.
(2)Kimberly-Myers D.
Two stars only because the service was good. Had the chicken with mango sauce, but sauce tasted mustard like and strange. Water tastes like chlorine right from the tap. Beef enchiladas with ranchero were so spicy you can't eat but a few bites. The atmosphere was upscale urban.
(2)Casi C.
I had sunday night dinner here and I'd have to say its disappointing. We sat outside and the first thing I noticed is the table wobbled. This is more annoying then anything but I thought it was odd since they just opened 6 weeks ago. The upstairs was closed due to the lack of servers. I started out with the house margarita which tasted watered down. I've hear a lot about how their margaritas are made with fresh lime juice but you couldn't even tell. The Patron Margarita wasn't much better. One good thing about the drink menu is that Mimosa's are $2 all of sunday. The Mimosa's are pretty good but could have used a little less OJ. They were out of Guacamole and crab so we had the steak. Thankfully it tasted much better then it looked but it was nothing special. The Flank steak at El Barrio is much better. Overall I would say the service is good but the food is overpriced and average.
(1)Happy T.
This is now the best Mexican restaurant in Birmingham. From start to end. Beautiful restaurant, does not look Mexican at all. They offer two menus. One for downstairs dining and the other for upstairs bar/beer garden scene. Since we were wanting to see the Alabama game, we opted for upstairs. "Small plate" menu not many choices, but offered variety. Ordered a house rocks margarita and my partner ordered frozen. Both made with high end tequila and fresh lime juice. They are great!!! Ordered table side guacamole, made freshly made next to your table. Had brisket tacos and beef quesadillas. All was wonderfully great. Now for the view. The center has a huge 30'x40' jumbotron. I have not seen a TV that huge. The bar and beer garden is design for their customer to view sporting events and concerts. This made for a fun experience in watching the Alabama game. I look forward to my return to eat in the main dining room downstairs.
(5)Jenae S.
Official first Day Opening....Very beautiful decor and spacious seating. I had the Top Shelf guacamole and the Quesadillas Al Carbon. The Guacamole was delicious and very flavorful. If you love guacamole, this is a MUST TRY!!The quesadilla was good but I wouldn't say $11.99 good. Our waitress, Becky, was very nice and helpful. Last but not least, I had the Mango Tres Leches , which is a creamy vanilla cake with sweet mango sauce.. I give the CAKE ITSELF 5 stars... Absolutely YUMMY!!. I will be back to try their Happy Hour Mon- Fri 4pm-7pm with $5.00 14oz Margaritas and Ladies Nights on Thursday.. A great addition to the Uptown Entertainment District
(4)Meghan C.
Rude hostesses, mediocre service. We won't be returning. The restaurant smells like burnt food, and the food is mediocre. I've made several reservations, and they can't seem to honor the reservation time. This isn't somewhere we will be returning.
(2)Marty J.
Got here and the seater had no idea how to handle a large party of 8. They looked at us as if this never happened before. Could not answer basic questions regarding corn or flour tortilla? Left for another place.
(1)Stephen S.
I *really* want to give this place a 5! The reason is that the Mexican food is simply the best I've ever eaten. And I say that as one who's lived in the Washington-Baltimore corridor for over 25 years. The quality of the food and the presentation was just stunning. It is a truly beautiful restaurant aesthetically as well. The only drawback is the staff. While service was adequate, it was difficult to hear what the waitstaff was saying. They also just didn't seem to be very confident or personable. They weren't rude at all, but a place of this quality should have high quality staff. Now, the place has just opened so this may improve over time. But as a frequent visitor to Birmingham for one of my clients, I will MOST DEFINITELY be back and I look forward to the day when I can provide this restaurant with an unqualified recommendation.
(4)Miranda C.
One bartender on a Friday night?! We waited THIRTY minutes for our drinks!! The food was decent but way overpriced. The service is not accustomed to parties larger than 5. I won't be coming back.
(1)Toi O.
I usually don't write reviews but I always read others who do write them. Well I must say that Cantina Laredo was absolutely delicious! I ordered the Fajitas and the table side guacamole. Our server was great, efficient and very knowledgeable of the menu items. I will definitely be back.
(5)Sonya B.
Delicious! I went on a Friday evening. While it was crowded, the atmosphere, food and crowd was great. Loving the newest edition to Uptown.
(4)Andrew V.
Very over rated for the price. The guy took forever to bring us our drinks then he got our order wrong when he brought the food. If you want some good food at a cheap price take your talents to Chipotle.
(2)Pat S.
We Had the tacos barbequoa and fish tacos. Both were pretty good. The guacamole table side was okay (but I've been to San Antonio so the comparison would be one star, but not fair). Nice surrounding, good atmosphere and comfortable location. Service was adequate, perhaps more training and smiles would help. Never good when the wait staff can't remember two selections and has to auction off the entrees. Food was good for the location, could be a smidge more authentic but it does not detract from the eclectic Mexican fare. Need something done with the Mexican rice ... most disappointing part of the meal.
(3)Colinr R.
Sunday night dinner. Cons: out of guacamole, no crab, house Margarita watered down, outside tables were wobbly, chicken enchiladas had little chicken. Pro: $2 Mimosas all Sunday, service was fine Overall: barely a step above tex mex, for twice the cost
(2)