Cantina Laredo is not only amazing, but they serve delicious gluten free food. As a celiac, I am very picky on which places I visit to eat because I get sick so easily! Cantina Laredo staff was super prepared to answer all of my questions, and they even have a separate prep area for gluten free food- which I loved. They served me the best tacos I've ever had, and I cannot wait until we get to eat there again!
(5)
Robert F.
This was my 2nd time visiting this location. The 1st time I was there for drinks and appetizers. Enjoyed it enough to come back for dinner. One of the special dishes this evening was pan seared Mahi Mahi. It came out perfectly prepared with a light crust. It was paired with asparagus that was nicely seasoned with a spicy black pepper blend. The hostess was not that competent, but our waiter made up for it by being extremely attentive to our group. I will definitely return when I am visiting the Huntsville area again.
(3)
Jonathan H.
Great staff and great food. If you're looking for burritos and tacos this isn't your place. If you want great food that is inspired by Mexican dishes then this is for you. The ribeye is always a great option here. The flavor is only enhanced by the spices. I've been here several times and I've never been disappointed yet.
(5)
Charles G.
So, three and a half years later, my wife and I still come here fairly regularly. Further, we've brought tons of people here, all of whom could find something they enjoy eating. The service has been consistently the best of any similarly priced restaurants in the area, the quality of the food has been consistently great, and the only possible downside is the high price on drinks. Since it's been several years, lots of meals, and even a few special occasions later, I figured it was time to review again since I think the current rating is not indicative of the many experiences I've had here. Since that last review, we have refined our dish selection to: Appetizer: guacamole without a question Entrees: my wife gets the fish tacos almost every time. They are probably the most reasonably priced and portioned selection on the menu, so I'm very happy on both counts for this dish. I have had it before, too, as well as their carnitas taco, and they are a great go-to. However, my new go-to here is the pork, goat cheese, and apricot sandwich with a fried egg on it. No, it's not even close to being healthy, but if I wanted health food I wouldn't begin a description with pork. This has been consistently good as well, but I do order the apricots on the side as it is a lot of apricots with a juice/honey glaze that might overpower the sandwich for some, although I think it make sense with the strong flavors of carnitas and goat cheese. Dessert: still the Mexican apple pie. We fight over it to this day, making it one of only two fight-inducing desserts in this area (the other being Carrabba's and the only other on record in Atlanta at Canoe).
(5)
Heather W.
The beans, rice, and salsa were all mediocre. With that said... the service, booze, and everything else was wonderful! Just a tad pricey.
(3)
Erik N.
Gourmet Mex. Big bar if dining alone. Camerones de Poblanos is delicious. Before 7:00 drink specials.
(4)
Tabitha C.
Great service and great food. Note: The prices are higher than Taco Bell. My entree cost about $10. Also the guacamole is delicious. It's made in front of you at your table. This was my first visit and definitely not my last.
(5)
Crystal R.
All I had was their delicious and potent frozen house margaritas and chips and salsa during their happy hour, but from that alone they get my kudos and future business when I return. At $4 a huge margarita glass, I was happy as a clam.
(5)
Mark J.
Ate there on June 15th. The 2 of us split the Fajitas Tres. The steak was cheap and hard to chew, and the rest of the food was just so so.
(2)
Megan D.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I love how thin the chips are and the salsa is also very good. The guacamole is the best I've ever had and it doesn't hurt that it's made right in front of you. I give it four stars because it is expensive if you go during dinner, lunch isn't as bad. Our last two visits, they got my bf's order wrong. The tacos are okay, I love that they are small and street style, but they aren't very flavorful. I loved the fish of the day when it was salmon with chimichurri sauce, but it was somewhat expensive even though I got it during lunch.
(4)
Elle E J.
Good chips and salsa. Great guac. A super tasty margarita. And that's it... Not to mention everything is very overpriced. You're basically paying for the location. My meal was bland and dry... I received just about the same sentiments from the group I was dining with as well.
(3)
Mike M.
Ask for the Cowboy Ribeye - it's not on the menu!!! It is AWESOME! Service and food are always excellent!!
(5)
Tom P.
(5)
Shera A.
(5)
Arrow H.
(4)
Jason E.
(2)
Erdal B.
(4)
Justin W.
(4)
Jonathan S.
(4)
Susan C.
(5)
Keith W.
(4)
Rebecca B.
(3)
Lana J.
(2)
Jenny P.
My favorites at Cantina Laredo are the margaritas (house and specialty), the guacamole, the fajita nachos and most recently the chicken tortilla soup. It's very different from other tortilla soup I've had. Kind of like a non-spicy Mexican version a lightly creamy chicken soup. I've never had a meal here that I didn't enjoy. It's kinda on the side for what you get, but not so much that I don't stop by more than I probably should.
(4)
Jill E.
We had a great dinner at Cantina. Our servers were so sweet and patient with us while we tried to decide what to order. They allowed our son to get up and help make the guacamole as well which kept them excited about eating out. We had the chips/salsa/and cheese to start as well as the taquitos and cerviche. All of which was delicious. I ordered the chicken fajita tacos and was able to add/remove items that I didnt want on it. It was really good & actually my son ended up eating alot of it as well. The mango margarita was a bit strong, but I was glad to know they didn't cheat me any of the alcohol! Overall, we had a great meal and were appreciative of the great staff!
(4)
Autumn S.
I like the food and appreciate the fresh, veggie heavy dishes they offer. The Thursday night drink specials are awesome and the servers are always friendly and keep the water glasses full. Bonus for the fresh guacamole they make table-side and the patio so you can dine al fresco. Stay away from the bland sour cream sauce topped dishes and you'll be fine.
(3)
Isaac N.
I stopped by here one day for happy hour. Great margaritas, they make them pretty strong. You also get free chips and salsa. The chips are fresh and the salsa is awesome, one is cold and one is served warm. I love them both! The bar area got very crowded though so get there early if you want a seat.
(4)
Aurora B.
The food was okay but a little heavy for our Mexican Food taste...I had chile Relleno with cheese and the breading was too heavy. The fresh guacamole was good. The very best was our waitress Amber...she was the friendliest and best waitress we have had in a long time and made us want to go back and try it again. If you go...ask for Amber, it will make the food better!
(3)
jonathan f.
I always enjoy this Cantina Laredo when I'm in town for business. The one in Nashville just doesn't seem as nice and there is a nice enviroment in this store. All drinks have been good, the service is almost always good and I have never had any issues with the food. Check out the lunch specials.
(4)
nova w.
Don't have these where I"m from, really felt the need to post this- fantastic restaurant. The take on Tex-Mex is great, not super heavy but made with great ingredients. Actually had a tamale (and I DON'T eat tamales) and the taco al pastor is truly an must try. Margaritas were good and the tequila selection is on point. The chips and salsa were good but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere is low key- and that's just fine. The chile relleno was only ok, not impressed with that at all. Following what everyone else says it's a bit pricey so be prepared to pay a bit more than most Tex-Mex spots.
(4)
Bryan H.
The guacamole they prepare at the table is sooooo very good. I could make a dinner out of it. I have tried 4 different plates there and most were good. Sorry I can't comment on what they were but for the most part the meals were all good. Service is a hit or miss.
(4)
MaLisa C.
I had been here once before and had an enjoyable experience but I'm basing this review off my last visit two weeks ago for my birthday dinner with friends. I called to make a reservation two days beforehand and wouldn't you know it, when I got there on that Friday night, guess who didn't have my reservation! You would think between the two people I talked to in the 5 minute span of time someone would have written my name down for 9 people (yes, it took TWO people and that long to make the (non-) reservation in the first place!)...Anyway, that perhaps was the only major bump in the evening. My friends and I stood outside for another 25 minutes waiting for the blinding blue buzzer to go off. When it went off we were led to our table...where it was obvious the hosts had written down other people's reservations because their tables were set up....Moving on... Our waiter was very nice and answered some of our questions. Most of us had been there before but he was still very helpful and quite fast considering he had 9 additional people by himself and two other large parties! We didn't have the fresh guacamole but they were very quick to replenish our chips. We all ordered drinks which were nice and strong, but a bit bland. The Strawberry Mojito especially. Not enough sugar with the muddled mint leaves (this ended up being an extra drink that everyone drank), all you could taste was pure rum. We added sugar and it was fine though. My pomegranate martini was pretty good, I've had better. Everyone that had margaritas seemed pleased though. For the meal I had Enchiladas Veracruz: chicken, spinach & Monterrey Jack cheese. If you don't want something too heavy, I think this is the way to go. Served with rice and beans....now wait, when I say beans, I mean green beans. Which was A-Okay for me since I don't eat refried beans. It was just a surprise when the plate was brought out at first. We have to remember this is upscale "Mexican" food. The rice was very good though, I'll take a bowl of that home, thanks! Both times I've visited Cantina Laredo the food has been salted well and flavorful. I'm very satisfied with the cooking. Service has been excellent and helpful. Now if only we could convice them to get rid of those scary orange chairs! I'm always scared for people when they sit...they look like they'll fold up! This place is great for a night out with friends, as long as they get your reservations! OH! We were sitting there after eating dinner and there was another lady celebrating her birthday. They brought her a slice of cake with sparklers in it! Being my friends they told our waiter to bring me something on fire too! Out came a "sparkling" brownie and my friends somehow got the whole section we were in to sing Happy Birthday to me...*embarrassed face* The brownie was very rich and delicious but I'm glad I had all my friends to share it!
(4)
P M.
I've eaten here probably 9 times. I agree with others who say it's a little "pricey," and I have to say, that after taking my Mother there last Saturday, the majority of their Mexican items are completely flavorless!! I ordered a big platter w/ a variety of things on it, primarily "to go," so my husband could have half of it and the following were just gross: the chicken enchilada (rubbery tortilla, and nothing but chicken inside the enchilada); the chile relleno (dipped in a gross batter, which was really thick and flavorless, when I removed the batter to salvage what I could from the chile, it was a super-flavorless chile, so I couldn't eat it and it sat in a big messy pile on a side dish); tamale, (ditto -- same nasty batter, didn't eat a bite of it!) Oh, and I had a beef taco al carbon on that gigantic platter, which actually had flavorful beef in it! (again, why aren't there any ingredients in the taco, beyond the main ingredient - beef -- is it me, or don't thing like onion, lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc. really enhance a taco or enchilada?) At dinner time, in particular, the wait staff is in "stalker" mode, checking on the table too often, and I've noticed they consistently fail to keep the water glasses filled, too. Having said all the "bad" I must add that my husband had 1 of their fish specials, it was either Salmon or Tilapia the other night, and it looked great and he said it tasted good. Personally, I'll stick with the "top shelf guacamole" (it could use a few more tomatoes) now and then, the ceviche (which is always good!) and the sopa de tortilla (which is good and is actually GREAT when you can get it served *hot.*)
(2)
Jeremiah Q.
Awsome patio, great Margarita's, nice drink specials on Thursday. Food awesome but a bit on the high price side. Usually very clean, great informative staff. Guacamole is worth 9 bucks. Fresh and yummy. (5 dollars at Rosie's and it was probably made yesterday) Penny punchers not for you.
(4)
Brent W.
I had lunch at the Cantina Laredo on a beautiful Friday afternoon with two of my friends who both work in the fine dining industry. We each shared five dishes all of which were very tasty. The gaucamole is made from scratch at the table, and their apple pie dessert is phenomenal. Our bill was just over $60 for the three of us. I give Cantina Laredo 4 stars; it just didn't have that special something that would bump it up to 5. Pros: Good food Good price Good service Cons: Didn't have that special something to bump it to 5
(4)
Lesley G.
This restaurant is consistently great, with respect to both food and service. We frequently choose Cantina Laredo for special occasions, but it's also perfect for a regular lunch or dinner. The mango margaritas are awesome; the botanas platter has everything you need to make your taste buds happy; the fresh guacamole can't be beat; and every meal I have had was delicious. I HIGHLY recommend this Cantina Laredo!
(5)
James B.
Ah! Catina Loredo... An acquaintance insisted I go to Catina Loredo. She being of Hispanic heritage insisted it was the "only" authentic Mexican in town. Time will tell if that statement holds true. I'm in Huntsville for the long haul and there are plenty more Mexican joints for me to try before I pass that judgment. Long story short I tried Catina Loredo with the wife and another couple visiting from out of town. Our experience has led me to never return. The Bad: Prices are high; it's Bridge Street shopping center so I wasn't surprised by that. We ordered the Guacamole, which they make fresh at your table. A fun experience and it tasted fine. We place our order, and then our waitress proceeds to check on us 1 time in 45 minutes!!! I Might add that we were dinning during the late afternoon, early evening hours, not the dinner rush. The restaurant was sparsely populated. FINALLY, are food is brought to the table. I take a few bites of my dish, and in looking around the table. Instantly I know that there is a mutual consensus. All of our food is cold. And I'm not talking luke warm, I'm talking it could have came out of the refrigerator. I'm sure in that 45 minute wait our food was ready, sitting somewhere, but certainly not under a hot table or heating lamp. It takes another 15 minutes for our waitress to even check on us again... When we inform her our food is cold, I kid you not, her response, "Oh shit!"... Kiss your mom with that mouth? By this point we are starving and just want to leave. We inform our waitress to just forget it and bring us our bill. Of course management comes over, but to be honest our group is treated like we are trying to scam them for a free meal. The full, completely uneaten food sitting at our table should be indication enough that we didn't have such intentions.
(1)
Melissa A.
The best Mexican food we have eaten since we moved away from Texas. Ben was one of the best waiters we have ever had. They allowed our dog on the patio outside which is a big thing for us. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Tiffany D.
Catina Laredo is ok. Not that good for an upscale Mexican place. I have been there several times and was not super impressed. It's worth at least one try I guess to say you have been but I would suggest sticking with Phil's and Rosie's.
(3)
Amanda W.
The service was impeccable, the food was authentic (it is Alabama, after all). The margarita was probably one of the best I've had, and I used to tend bar! Strong, but deceptively smooth. I had the pork tacos (can't remember the official name) and the margarita with the shot on the side. To respond to previous posts: I travel (a LOT) and this was an extremely good representation of Mexican food. It rivals border towns in both texas and California. The price was comparable to any other restaurant of this calibre, and the portions were the right size. I actually brought some back, as I found it to be too much food. I would totally come back if I lived here!
(5)
Larry J.
Went the first time last night. Its defiantly an upscale experience and the food was very good. I'll be back.
(5)
Chris R.
OK, I am not going to write a book, but I will give you a bit of a back ground about me. I grew up 7 miles from Tijuana in San Diego. My first restaurant I worked in was a Mexican joint. So I grew up around this. OK on to Cantina Laredo, food was good, not awesome, but awesome Mexican is hard to come by. This would be in my mind the best Mexican in Huntsville, there are some creative dishes, and also they have Mole on the menu. Mole a traditional central / southern Mexican dish considered to be a national dish. The main reason though I'm writing is to report on the service. WOW it was incredible! LIZ at the bar was fantastic! She was super attentive, and helpful with suggestions. Great smile, great attitude. I couldnt sing enough praises about Liz. All bartenders should learn from her. OH, btw... get the guac, its great. There are some reviews that say this isnt gourmet food. To be honest, its a chain restaurant, I dont know to many "gourmet" chains. Regardless I thought it was good. The service was outstanding.
(4)
Derek B.
A good lunch with good service. Three of us had the chicken and cilantro salad. It was good but not as good as Panera Bread's avocado salad just around the corner.
(4)
Kris S.
I had high hopes. This is a very nicely decorated restaurant with attentive wait staff, and fresh, decent food. But this isn't a Mexican restaurant. I can pay much less for more authentic Mexican at other restaurants, and it will probably taste better. OK food, but why go back?
(2)
Meghan N.
Cantina Laredo is not only amazing, but they serve delicious gluten free food. As a celiac, I am very picky on which places I visit to eat because I get sick so easily! Cantina Laredo staff was super prepared to answer all of my questions, and they even have a separate prep area for gluten free food- which I loved. They served me the best tacos I've ever had, and I cannot wait until we get to eat there again!
(5)
Robert F.
This was my 2nd time visiting this location. The 1st time I was there for drinks and appetizers. Enjoyed it enough to come back for dinner. One of the special dishes this evening was pan seared Mahi Mahi. It came out perfectly prepared with a light crust. It was paired with asparagus that was nicely seasoned with a spicy black pepper blend. The hostess was not that competent, but our waiter made up for it by being extremely attentive to our group. I will definitely return when I am visiting the Huntsville area again.
(3)
Robert B.
For all the haters, this place is a self-described gourmet Mexican restaurant. When is the last time you went out for gourmet and didn't shell out more money than you normally would? Get over it people. If you want to eat cheap Mexican food, then go just about anywhere else! Like others have said, get the table-side guacamole. You won't regret it. There is no replacement for fresh guac, and it goes really well with just about anything you could order from the menu. I am a fish taco snob (amongst other things), so I really can appreciate any place that can make them correctly. In the South, this is much harder than you would think. First of all, you can't just use any white fish; tilapia is a sad poser of a fish. Use Mahi-Mahi, it's just that simple. Secondly, the fish is not fried, it should be grilled or pan-seared. Fortunately, Cantina Laredo hits the nail on the head with their Tacos de Pescado (fish tacos). The only complaint I have was that they use a little bit of melted queso next to the shell. Fish and cheese do not go together; however, since it didn't really take away from the overall flavor of the taco, I'm going to let this one slide. The cilantro-infused rice was also wonderful. The house margaritas are made with Cointreau (not triple sec). As a former bartender, I can say that this exactly how I would make a marg for myself. Bottom Line: There are not that many nice restaurants in Huntsville, so you should check it out at least once. If $10 table-side guac and $8 house margaritas are out of your price range then you may want to check out Applebees.
(5)
Katie F.
I have family that lives in Huntsville, and whenever I visit I make sure to stop by Cantina Laredo. They have the BEST guacamole, served and made fresh right at your table. Honestly, nothing else on the menu compares. My boyfriend and I always just stop in and order the guac with some drinks. That's expensive enough. I'm not for the more upscale Mexican food... it's just not my cup of tea. They do an outstanding job on it though, from what I can tell. Just wish there was a plain burrito of sorts that I could order for a meal. Sadly, everything is a little fancier (and pricier) than that. The place is enormous and capable of handling large crowds. Always had great service as well. Parking can be a wee bit of a pain since it is located within the mall area.
(4)
Amanda W.
The service was impeccable, the food was authentic (it is Alabama, after all). The margarita was probably one of the best I've had, and I used to tend bar! Strong, but deceptively smooth. I had the pork tacos (can't remember the official name) and the margarita with the shot on the side. To respond to previous posts: I travel (a LOT) and this was an extremely good representation of Mexican food. It rivals border towns in both texas and California. The price was comparable to any other restaurant of this calibre, and the portions were the right size. I actually brought some back, as I found it to be too much food. I would totally come back if I lived here!
(5)
Larry J.
Went the first time last night. Its defiantly an upscale experience and the food was very good. I'll be back.
(5)
Thomas W.
(4)
Natalie J.
(5)
Mike A.
I'm tempted to give this place five stars, as it completely redeemed our experience from the night before at the nearby Rosie's. Seriously, I was tempted to never eat Tex-Mex/Mexican food out again after that dining fiasco, but it was with welcome delight I enjoyed a sublime Casa Rita on the rocks here with my Ensalada De Cilantro Y Pollo, capping it off with a Dos XX Amber. The chips and salsas were fresh and balanced. Clean establishment with excellent service.
(4)
K L J.
Gaaah - salty! Service was good, but a tad more familiar than I prefer. At the end of the meal, the server, um, sat down with us and started yakking. Which can be OK, but we weren't really that into him. (Nothing personal, dude.) Very attractive. Pretty good choices, but not a good value for non-outstanding Tex-Mex. Tasty overall, but needed a bucket of water nearby for the rest of the night. Try Taqueria El Cazador for much better food and value, if considerably less ambience. Same with Bandito Burrito. If it's the atmosphere you're after and don't mind just-OK Mex (good, just not great), try any of the Rosie's. You can do better than this.
(2)
Taylor H.
Such a great experience! The hubby and I walked up to Cantina Laredo at 5:15 on Black Friday expecting a wait time, but we we're sat right away. I struck up small talk with the hostess, which passed the introduction to our server perfectly. Taylor was fantastic: he gave us a moment to look over the menu while he grabbed us waters. When I mentioned we had never been here, he told us all his personal favorites, how they made their margaritas, and the evening specials. The hubs and I ordered drinks and entrees, and both came out in record time. The food was delicious and while the portions were on the smaller side (thank you!) the ingredients were fresh, the avocado was plentiful, and the tortillas homemade. Taylor was wonderful and if we lived in the area, we'd definitely be back!
(5)
James L.
Nice decoration and atmosphere. Subpar food, with a higher price tag. I understand that the location and atmosphere may demand a higher price, but with that higher price should come higher quality food. The Lime restaurant in Bridgestreet not only has more flavor, and a better staff, but its also much better priced. This is not gourmet food. Its bland and disappointing.
(2)
Bryan H.
The guacamole they prepare at the table is sooooo very good. I could make a dinner out of it. I have tried 4 different plates there and most were good. Sorry I can't comment on what they were but for the most part the meals were all good. Service is a hit or miss.
(4)
Mike S.
It's not that I'm not into gourmet Mexican. In fact, my 2 (and a quarter... maybe a half) star review has little to do with the fact that my taste buds aren't acquainted with "gourmet" but on the contrary... in my opinion... this isn't it. When I think of upscale Mexican, I think of this one memorable joint, Masa Azul in Chicago right down from L'Patron which is pretty awesome in its own right... where was I again? Oh yeah, Cantina Laredo. It's not that the food is terrible;no, I actually think they do mainstream vegetables better than most of the restaurants in Huntsville. But what I do think is that the cooking is... uninspired. So what's left when you have a chain proclaiming upscale without the inspiration in the back or the "soul" of a hole-in-the-wall cucina is simply just boring. But again it's not the food... at least not directly. For me, this Laredo in particular has a service issue. Might as well be dia de los muertos every day here because the waitstaff will go completely ghost on you. Gone... like grandma and her pozole... speaking of which, why isn't that on the menu? I just don't understand why you can order guacamole made fresh at the table to have it seasoned with table salt. My lunch crew always laugh at me about that complaint but... It makes a difference. I also don't know why you can get only about 17 tortillas with a bowl of guac with refills only once every 23 minutes. To the bright side.. More cascabel ribeye is actually a fine meal. One of the best steaks in town when they're on their game. The tres leches cake is sweet, tart and light. Everything else though... "not bad." The bar is just short of miserable for a "mexican" place, since there's only big name tequila. No mezcal. A few interesting specialty drinks, when they have the mixes in house. I typically can always pick (at random) the one they don't have. So make what you will of this review. Again, it's not 2.0 stars, more like 2.25 - 2.5...and really it's not the food, it's everything else.
(2)
Erin S.
Wonderful.
(5)
Trevvor C.
(2)
Tom G.
There are positives and negatives about Cantina Laredo. The chips and salsa they provide before the meal are way excellent. The service is fine, nothing notable either way. The meals themselves are okay, a little less sauce than I like my Mexican food. The rice is a definite pass. It was dry and flavorless, making me think I was mistakenly eating a garnish or plate decoration. The avocado enchiladas were disappointing, with less avocado than I would have liked. I probably won't go back.
(2)
Jess N.
Really nice atmosphere. The guacamole was really good and the enchiladas Veracruz were great. Nice place to eat for a visitor.
(4)
Rob D.
The decor, the food, the prices, and wait staff are all really great. However, you are only as good as your first impression. Your host rolled his eyes at me when I walked in and when he sat us, his counterpart hostess didn't even look at me. I don't look especially extraordinary and don't believe this sort of behavior was warranted. Also, it must have been close to shift change because there was a group of ten teenagers in your uniform seated right by the door looking sad and angry at everything. Believe me, I understand teenagers, but maybe you should have your staff waiting to go on somewhere away from the main dining area. Long story short: great place, horrible hosting and unprofessional staff. Wish I could give you more than two stars.
(2)
Tiffany D.
Catina Laredo is ok. Not that good for an upscale Mexican place. I have been there several times and was not super impressed. It's worth at least one try I guess to say you have been but I would suggest sticking with Phil's and Rosie's.
(3)
Chris R.
OK, I am not going to write a book, but I will give you a bit of a back ground about me. I grew up 7 miles from Tijuana in San Diego. My first restaurant I worked in was a Mexican joint. So I grew up around this. OK on to Cantina Laredo, food was good, not awesome, but awesome Mexican is hard to come by. This would be in my mind the best Mexican in Huntsville, there are some creative dishes, and also they have Mole on the menu. Mole a traditional central / southern Mexican dish considered to be a national dish. The main reason though I'm writing is to report on the service. WOW it was incredible! LIZ at the bar was fantastic! She was super attentive, and helpful with suggestions. Great smile, great attitude. I couldnt sing enough praises about Liz. All bartenders should learn from her. OH, btw... get the guac, its great. There are some reviews that say this isnt gourmet food. To be honest, its a chain restaurant, I dont know to many "gourmet" chains. Regardless I thought it was good. The service was outstanding.
(4)
Derek B.
A good lunch with good service. Three of us had the chicken and cilantro salad. It was good but not as good as Panera Bread's avocado salad just around the corner.
(4)
Kris S.
I had high hopes. This is a very nicely decorated restaurant with attentive wait staff, and fresh, decent food. But this isn't a Mexican restaurant. I can pay much less for more authentic Mexican at other restaurants, and it will probably taste better. OK food, but why go back?
(2)
Robert B.
For all the haters, this place is a self-described gourmet Mexican restaurant. When is the last time you went out for gourmet and didn't shell out more money than you normally would? Get over it people. If you want to eat cheap Mexican food, then go just about anywhere else! Like others have said, get the table-side guacamole. You won't regret it. There is no replacement for fresh guac, and it goes really well with just about anything you could order from the menu. I am a fish taco snob (amongst other things), so I really can appreciate any place that can make them correctly. In the South, this is much harder than you would think. First of all, you can't just use any white fish; tilapia is a sad poser of a fish. Use Mahi-Mahi, it's just that simple. Secondly, the fish is not fried, it should be grilled or pan-seared. Fortunately, Cantina Laredo hits the nail on the head with their Tacos de Pescado (fish tacos). The only complaint I have was that they use a little bit of melted queso next to the shell. Fish and cheese do not go together; however, since it didn't really take away from the overall flavor of the taco, I'm going to let this one slide. The cilantro-infused rice was also wonderful. The house margaritas are made with Cointreau (not triple sec). As a former bartender, I can say that this exactly how I would make a marg for myself. Bottom Line: There are not that many nice restaurants in Huntsville, so you should check it out at least once. If $10 table-side guac and $8 house margaritas are out of your price range then you may want to check out Applebees.
(5)
Katie F.
I have family that lives in Huntsville, and whenever I visit I make sure to stop by Cantina Laredo. They have the BEST guacamole, served and made fresh right at your table. Honestly, nothing else on the menu compares. My boyfriend and I always just stop in and order the guac with some drinks. That's expensive enough. I'm not for the more upscale Mexican food... it's just not my cup of tea. They do an outstanding job on it though, from what I can tell. Just wish there was a plain burrito of sorts that I could order for a meal. Sadly, everything is a little fancier (and pricier) than that. The place is enormous and capable of handling large crowds. Always had great service as well. Parking can be a wee bit of a pain since it is located within the mall area.
(4)
Samantha S.
Average. It was a rainy Sunday on an extended trip in Huntsville and my husband and I both wanted Mexican. I remembered seeing this place during a day of shopping so we stopped by to grab a bite. We ordered the table side guacamole and two entrees. It wasn't worth the high price tag. I've had much better mexican and text-mex food.
(3)
Lexis G.
This place had some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Very flavorful and even the presentation of it was beautiful. I was waited on by a gentleman named "Conor" and he was one of the nicest guys ever. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Deb C.
This place always is always emitting wonderful scents of delicious food - so being the weak willed person I am, I was drawn into its clutches (and I brought a friend). We got the guac (which we totally didn't realize was almost $10 until later) and it was yummy. I got the Honey Shrimp Salad. It came with grilled shrimp, jicama, mangos, roasted walnuts and goat cheese crumbles with honey vinegarette. YUM. I love jicama - and it went very well with the vinegarette. The shrimp wasn't detailed which is kinda annoying, but whatever. The portions were good. My only qualm with this place was that our waiter was the definition of flustered. I wasn't even sure he got our order because he was so all over the place. But everything came out okay and the food was very enjoyable.
(4)
Jeff E.
Overpriced, flavorless Mexican food and bad service. The 2 Mahi Mahi tacos were served on what had to be 3" tortillas containing possibly 2 oz. of fish per taco. Tamales were probably the worst I've ever had and seemed to be microwave burned. We had been traveling and were very hungry. Even so, we were very disappointed. We won't try Cantina Laredo again.
(1)
Nicolle M.
My second time to this chain yet in another city. They got a 3 from me for the chips and salsa and delish margaritas! I ordered the Enchiladas de Camarones, again. It was OK-good but my meal was lukewarm...not good. I doubt I will rush back to this restaurant chain any time soon. I'd rather find the local Mom/Pop Mexican spot.
(3)
Thomas W.
I'm a bit skeptical of the fancy Mexican joints. However, this joint did not disappoint! The table side guacamole was very good and it is worth the $9.50 price that comes with it. I'm a vegetarian so I had the Spinach Enchilada's. They were fresh and well prepared. The service was prompt and excellent!!! I even had a Mexican waiter!!! Normally at these fancy Mexican and Chinese restaurants you never see anyone who is Mexican or Chinese working there. Overall, a good place for the family, although a bit pricey.
(4)
Natalie J.
Amazing! Meat cooked to perfection, wonderful service, variety in menu - highly recommend the Fiesta Grill (for two).
(5)
Lala G.
I went to Cafe Laredo for drinks and chips at the bar. Although I didn't even try the food, I enjoyed the vibe. The staff was super friendly, and I was thrilled to find a decent, relaxed, happening restaurant in Huntsville. It was very crowded last night, and I was alone, standing in the crowd, when a waiter just walking by offered to get me a drink. A while later, a different bartender found a chair for me. I'd have to say it was the best hospitality I've ever experienced at a crowded bar. Had a margarita which was very good, and strong. Wine was decent - nice selection. And the chips and guac were good. The guac was freshly made, comparable to decent mexican places in California or Texas. I expect to become a regular. After eating, I'll come back to see if it should get 5 stars. Thanks for bringing a nice restaurant to Huntsville!
(4)
Mike L.
Food was good, not great but the service was bad. The wait staff would just walk by when our glasses were empty. Several times we had to ask for more water. They never brought us any more salsa even after we asked for it and put the bowl on the edge of the table. Very good food, if you like being ignored by the wait staff.
(2)
Frodo B.
Since I grew up in CA, I think I am a good judge of mexican food. The food is actually pretty good, especially the guacamole! Unfortunately, I was turned off when I went there recently and all the portions had been reduced and/or the prices of the dishes had gone up. For example, the chocolate cake (which was amazing) was half the size that it was when I ordered it a few months ago. I like mexican food, but I don't like getting ripped off!
(3)
Chris T.
I took my brother and girlfriend (out of towners from Illinois) here last weekend. First of all, it's in the Bridge St. outdoor mall, a place well known for overpriced, underwhelming culinary experiences. Walking into the joint, the decorations are modern and clean. There were very few people on a Saturday afternoon, except a bunch at the bar. Bad sign, or indicative of cocktail quality? We shall see. We didn't get served for a good 15 minutes, and almost decided to 'tail it. I've been through this schtick before at Bridge St. We did end up getting served by a knowledgable woman who gave us free guac. Let me tell ya, this guac is as fresh as any I've had. The server brings all of the individual ingredients and whips the stuff up right there, including scooping out the avocados. Nice. Brilliant salsa too, freshly made. Perhaps we cheaped out a bit on entrees (enchiladas for all!), but I give them a 6/10. Nothing too special. Next time, I'll go with the fish. The margaritas are better than I've seen in Key West. Big ups to the bartender.
(4)
Michael R.
Always disappointed when I go to Cantina Laredo. Margaritas overpriced and watery. Food mediocre at best. Plenty of good Mexican in Huntsville. Don't waste your time at this dog.
(1)
Laurie N.
Slightly above-average corporate chain fare. The tableside guacamole often lacks flavor and is disappointing at best. Some interesting combination plates, most large enough for two to share. I suggest ordering from the apertivo menu: good, fresh and flavorful ceviche; the Botanas Platter offers a good tasting experience. I would skip the overpriced maragaritas and wash your meal selections down with a mexican beer.
(3)
Good T.
My wife wanted to go here for her birthday last night. We had gone once before and didn't like it but couldn't remember for sure. All in all it may have been the worst food that we have had in Huntsville. Our meal for two came to almost $50 with tip and no drinks. Our $10 guacamole was the worst that I have ever had: unripe avocado and way to much lime. My chicken was very dry in my tacos and our rice and beans were completely flavorless. I will say that our waitress was extremely nice and attentive, although we were never asked if there was somehing wrong with our food when both of our meals were left half eaten and the guacamole and chees dip were virtually untouched. I would not recommend going here to anyone and would much prefer Casa Blanca or La Almeda which would be 60% cheaper.
(1)
Tracey W.
Everyone says the guacamole is great, but I haven't tried it as I don't like avocados. There is virtually nothing on the menu for vegetarians so I don't go although my husband likes it.
(3)
James L.
Nice decoration and atmosphere. Subpar food, with a higher price tag. I understand that the location and atmosphere may demand a higher price, but with that higher price should come higher quality food. The Lime restaurant in Bridgestreet not only has more flavor, and a better staff, but its also much better priced. This is not gourmet food. Its bland and disappointing.
(2)
Nick B.
Awesome atmosphere and great food. This is an upscale restaurant that catters to the shopping crowd. The service (for me) was quick and easy. the waiter was attentive and easy to get along with. Chips and salsa were instantly brought to the table. i could have had the salsa for a meal - it was delicious! looking at the menu and around, i noticed a lot of people were getting the table side quac...i chose to forgo that and head straight for the mole sauce. To me, if a restaurant can make a good mole sauce, with authentic flavors, then they have the right to be considered authentic. So i ordered the chicken mole enchilada. The mole was good - not great, but still good. it was a little too smoke (a hint of being burned), but it was still tasty. it came with grilled veggies and rice. Not a big fan of the spanish rice, but that is just me. One thing that i would complain about is that it is not enough. One enchalada for ten bucks? oh well, that salsa made it amazing!
(4)
Mike A.
I'm tempted to give this place five stars, as it completely redeemed our experience from the night before at the nearby Rosie's. Seriously, I was tempted to never eat Tex-Mex/Mexican food out again after that dining fiasco, but it was with welcome delight I enjoyed a sublime Casa Rita on the rocks here with my Ensalada De Cilantro Y Pollo, capping it off with a Dos XX Amber. The chips and salsas were fresh and balanced. Clean establishment with excellent service.
(4)
K L J.
Gaaah - salty! Service was good, but a tad more familiar than I prefer. At the end of the meal, the server, um, sat down with us and started yakking. Which can be OK, but we weren't really that into him. (Nothing personal, dude.) Very attractive. Pretty good choices, but not a good value for non-outstanding Tex-Mex. Tasty overall, but needed a bucket of water nearby for the rest of the night. Try Taqueria El Cazador for much better food and value, if considerably less ambience. Same with Bandito Burrito. If it's the atmosphere you're after and don't mind just-OK Mex (good, just not great), try any of the Rosie's. You can do better than this.
(2)
Taylor H.
Such a great experience! The hubby and I walked up to Cantina Laredo at 5:15 on Black Friday expecting a wait time, but we we're sat right away. I struck up small talk with the hostess, which passed the introduction to our server perfectly. Taylor was fantastic: he gave us a moment to look over the menu while he grabbed us waters. When I mentioned we had never been here, he told us all his personal favorites, how they made their margaritas, and the evening specials. The hubs and I ordered drinks and entrees, and both came out in record time. The food was delicious and while the portions were on the smaller side (thank you!) the ingredients were fresh, the avocado was plentiful, and the tortillas homemade. Taylor was wonderful and if we lived in the area, we'd definitely be back!
(5)
Mike S.
It's not that I'm not into gourmet Mexican. In fact, my 2 (and a quarter... maybe a half) star review has little to do with the fact that my taste buds aren't acquainted with "gourmet" but on the contrary... in my opinion... this isn't it. When I think of upscale Mexican, I think of this one memorable joint, Masa Azul in Chicago right down from L'Patron which is pretty awesome in its own right... where was I again? Oh yeah, Cantina Laredo. It's not that the food is terrible;no, I actually think they do mainstream vegetables better than most of the restaurants in Huntsville. But what I do think is that the cooking is... uninspired. So what's left when you have a chain proclaiming upscale without the inspiration in the back or the "soul" of a hole-in-the-wall cucina is simply just boring. But again it's not the food... at least not directly. For me, this Laredo in particular has a service issue. Might as well be dia de los muertos every day here because the waitstaff will go completely ghost on you. Gone... like grandma and her pozole... speaking of which, why isn't that on the menu? I just don't understand why you can order guacamole made fresh at the table to have it seasoned with table salt. My lunch crew always laugh at me about that complaint but... It makes a difference. I also don't know why you can get only about 17 tortillas with a bowl of guac with refills only once every 23 minutes. To the bright side.. More cascabel ribeye is actually a fine meal. One of the best steaks in town when they're on their game. The tres leches cake is sweet, tart and light. Everything else though... "not bad." The bar is just short of miserable for a "mexican" place, since there's only big name tequila. No mezcal. A few interesting specialty drinks, when they have the mixes in house. I typically can always pick (at random) the one they don't have. So make what you will of this review. Again, it's not 2.0 stars, more like 2.25 - 2.5...and really it's not the food, it's everything else.
(2)
Tom G.
There are positives and negatives about Cantina Laredo. The chips and salsa they provide before the meal are way excellent. The service is fine, nothing notable either way. The meals themselves are okay, a little less sauce than I like my Mexican food. The rice is a definite pass. It was dry and flavorless, making me think I was mistakenly eating a garnish or plate decoration. The avocado enchiladas were disappointing, with less avocado than I would have liked. I probably won't go back.
(2)
Jess N.
Really nice atmosphere. The guacamole was really good and the enchiladas Veracruz were great. Nice place to eat for a visitor.
(4)
Rob D.
The decor, the food, the prices, and wait staff are all really great. However, you are only as good as your first impression. Your host rolled his eyes at me when I walked in and when he sat us, his counterpart hostess didn't even look at me. I don't look especially extraordinary and don't believe this sort of behavior was warranted. Also, it must have been close to shift change because there was a group of ten teenagers in your uniform seated right by the door looking sad and angry at everything. Believe me, I understand teenagers, but maybe you should have your staff waiting to go on somewhere away from the main dining area. Long story short: great place, horrible hosting and unprofessional staff. Wish I could give you more than two stars.
(2)
Jason E.
I'm sorry, but I just can't see how this place is worth the price. We came here over the weekend, after a disappointing experience shopping for some decent wine glasses, and stopped for a quick bite. We split the Nachos Al Carbon (with steak) appetizer and each had a margarita. The nachos were delicious, the margaritas were ok. None of it was worth the price. With tip and all we got out of here for just under $50. $50. Five-zero. For some nachos and a couple drinks. You can get a much better margarita, with Grand Marnier and good tequila, for $6, maybe even less, at Casablanca. It's called the Border Margarita and it is the best 'rita in town. The profit margin on the margaritas here at Cantina Laredo must be HUGE. So, you're paying extra for fancy presentation and atmosphere. Once-in-awhile, that's fine, make it a date night. The nachos were quite good and the service was attentive, but nothing about the experience can justify the bloated prices. But I must be wrong since it has been around since Bridge Street opened. Maybe I am missing something. They've classed up Mexican food a little bit, but last I checked, Mexico isn't exactly a classy place.
(2)
Erdal B.
Fast, delicious and affordable Tex Mex restaurant. Homemade margarita is awesome. Service is quick and friendly.
(4)
Justin W.
I've only had fajitas and their apple pie dessert, but I thought they were both great.
(4)
Jonathan S.
Good quality food with quality ingredients. Salsa was flavorful without being over the top. Surprisingly, the "Mexican" ribeye gives steakhouses a run for the money. Some of the food was a touch over salted. Definitely a go to restaurant!
(4)
Susan C.
Love the food and drinks at Cantina, but my favorite part of many visits there is the service. Cantina Laredo has exceptional servers and Cedric is a phenomenal manager!
(5)
Keith W.
Their ingredients are a cut above the usual Mexican restaurant fare, their chicken fajitas are presented with a grilled chicken breast cut into strips, for instance. I prefer their carnae sauce on the chicken enchiladas over their usual sour cream sauce. I also like to get the zucchini or sauteed spinach substituted for the rice.
(4)
Rebecca B.
Nice, but slightly overpriced, place - modern decor is pleasant, food was good & service attentive, but not hovering! Table side Guacamole is my favorite in any Tex-Mex restaurant & it was well made & tasty...the menu is interesting & with some variety - not your average Tex-Mex place :-)
(3)
Lana J.
Ate here during an overnight stay on our way to FL. Restaurant is located in very cute outdoor shopping area and the restaurant itself looks great - looks more upscale vs cheesy Mexican restaurant. Good wine, good chips & salsa. Rest of the food was pretty mediocre, however. It just wasn't that flavorful.
(2)
Autumn S.
(3)
Isaac N.
(4)
Aurora B.
(3)
(4)
P M.
(2)
(4)
Brent W.
(4)
James B.
(1)
Samantha S.
Average. It was a rainy Sunday on an extended trip in Huntsville and my husband and I both wanted Mexican. I remembered seeing this place during a day of shopping so we stopped by to grab a bite. We ordered the table side guacamole and two entrees. It wasn't worth the high price tag. I've had much better mexican and text-mex food.
(3)
Lexis G.
This place had some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Very flavorful and even the presentation of it was beautiful. I was waited on by a gentleman named "Conor" and he was one of the nicest guys ever. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Erin S.
Wonderful.
(5)
Jonathan H.
Great staff and great food. If you're looking for burritos and tacos this isn't your place. If you want great food that is inspired by Mexican dishes then this is for you. The ribeye is always a great option here. The flavor is only enhanced by the spices. I've been here several times and I've never been disappointed yet.
(5)
Charles G.
So, three and a half years later, my wife and I still come here fairly regularly. Further, we've brought tons of people here, all of whom could find something they enjoy eating. The service has been consistently the best of any similarly priced restaurants in the area, the quality of the food has been consistently great, and the only possible downside is the high price on drinks. Since it's been several years, lots of meals, and even a few special occasions later, I figured it was time to review again since I think the current rating is not indicative of the many experiences I've had here. Since that last review, we have refined our dish selection to: Appetizer: guacamole without a question Entrees: my wife gets the fish tacos almost every time. They are probably the most reasonably priced and portioned selection on the menu, so I'm very happy on both counts for this dish. I have had it before, too, as well as their carnitas taco, and they are a great go-to. However, my new go-to here is the pork, goat cheese, and apricot sandwich with a fried egg on it. No, it's not even close to being healthy, but if I wanted health food I wouldn't begin a description with pork. This has been consistently good as well, but I do order the apricots on the side as it is a lot of apricots with a juice/honey glaze that might overpower the sandwich for some, although I think it make sense with the strong flavors of carnitas and goat cheese. Dessert: still the Mexican apple pie. We fight over it to this day, making it one of only two fight-inducing desserts in this area (the other being Carrabba's and the only other on record in Atlanta at Canoe).
(5)
Heather W.
The beans, rice, and salsa were all mediocre. With that said... the service, booze, and everything else was wonderful! Just a tad pricey.
(3)
Erik N.
Gourmet Mex. Big bar if dining alone. Camerones de Poblanos is delicious. Before 7:00 drink specials.
(4)
Tabitha C.
Great service and great food. Note: The prices are higher than Taco Bell. My entree cost about $10. Also the guacamole is delicious. It's made in front of you at your table. This was my first visit and definitely not my last.
(5)
Crystal R.
All I had was their delicious and potent frozen house margaritas and chips and salsa during their happy hour, but from that alone they get my kudos and future business when I return. At $4 a huge margarita glass, I was happy as a clam.
(5)
Mark J.
Ate there on June 15th. The 2 of us split the Fajitas Tres. The steak was cheap and hard to chew, and the rest of the food was just so so.
(2)
Megan D.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I love how thin the chips are and the salsa is also very good. The guacamole is the best I've ever had and it doesn't hurt that it's made right in front of you. I give it four stars because it is expensive if you go during dinner, lunch isn't as bad. Our last two visits, they got my bf's order wrong. The tacos are okay, I love that they are small and street style, but they aren't very flavorful. I loved the fish of the day when it was salmon with chimichurri sauce, but it was somewhat expensive even though I got it during lunch.
(4)
Elle E J.
Good chips and salsa. Great guac. A super tasty margarita. And that's it... Not to mention everything is very overpriced. You're basically paying for the location. My meal was bland and dry... I received just about the same sentiments from the group I was dining with as well.
(3)
Mike M.
Ask for the Cowboy Ribeye - it's not on the menu!!! It is AWESOME! Service and food are always excellent!!
(5)
Tom P.
Absolutely fantastic restaurant. I believe they have the best desserts in Huntsville -- the apple pie and brownie are amazing. I really like the cilantro rice. The guacamole is also very good. I have eaten here a ton of times, usually at least once a month.
(5)
Shera A.
Cantina Laredo is usually my first stop when I land in Huntsville! It was this trip too, but it was also my last stop which gets to my point. I was about to catch a flight out and was cutting it really close, but wanted to take my brother there because it was his birthday so I called and spoke to Cedrick the manager and he made arrangements for my food to be ready as soon as I got there so I could sit down and eat with my brother. He was so kind and helpful. The food was fabulous and so was the service! They will have my business everytime I'm in town, even more than once! My family doesn't live in Huntsville, but I will have them going there even more now. It was always my favorite and has never disappointed. The fish tacos, fresh guacamole, chicken quesadilla, and cheese dip are my favorites! If you want to treat yourself to good food and excellent service go there! I believe our waiter was Ashish and he was superb. He even got my brother a drink, chips (that were still hot) and salsa to go!
(5)
Arrow H.
It is good to see the manager walking around during the 2pm time today, 5 July. Service is much better than last time. Salsa and chip server actually refreshed salsa and chips. Seems like they are adopting the Rosie management style. Ordered beef and cheese enchiladas. They taste good. Seasoned well.
(4)
Trevvor C.
Cantina Laredo is to Mexican what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese. In other words, they take what's typically found as a hole-in-the-wall and "upscaled" it to a cleaner, better presented environment with more exotic choices and inflated prices. A cup of soup for $6.29, the "Fiesta de la Parrilla" (basically "grill party") for 25.99, and a "Mexican brownie" for $6.79 are some of the different and pricey items on the menu. The food is okay, although one stand-out to me is the "Ensalada de cilantro y pollo"--a salad with fajita chicken, black beans, avocado and topped with cilantro-lime dressing that is quite tasty. The servers are pleasant, but try a little to hard to make the place seem even more high-end than it is, making guacamole from the avocado centerpiece on the table and parading out presentation desserts on a sample tray during the meal. Overall, the cuisine (it seems odd saying that about Mexican fare, which to me is usually something more akin to comfort food) is mediocre, despite all the hype, and it's not worth many return trips.
(2)
Ari W.
so, just quick update -- I've been back few more times after my last review. The food were consistently good, but service could be slow sometimes. They have a new special called "3 courses", which, basically, is the "appetizer, entree, and dessert", for $15.99. The food was solid, and the portions were generous. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to try this restaurant. They don't always give you this 3 course menu, so just ask for it.
(4)
Panda B.
Way too overpriced for the food. It's just another mexican place with same old menu and drinks. We had to order 3 times because they were out of one ingredients or another. The 3 time was finally a go... The first 2 times we ordered was not a special item. They were on the menu so not sure why they didn't have it... The food was okay but not great and definately not for the price. It's a nice place but not worth it... I rather some other whole in the wall mex food and margaritas...
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No 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.
Ari W.
(4)Jill E.
(4)Jenny P.
(4)Lala G.
(4)Mike L.
(2)Tracey W.
(3)Nick B.
(4)Laurie N.
(3)Chris T.
(4)Michael R.
(1)Panda B.
(2)Nicolle M.
(3)Melissa A.
(5)Jeff E.
(1)Deb C.
(4)Lesley G.
(5)Meghan N.
Cantina Laredo is not only amazing, but they serve delicious gluten free food. As a celiac, I am very picky on which places I visit to eat because I get sick so easily! Cantina Laredo staff was super prepared to answer all of my questions, and they even have a separate prep area for gluten free food- which I loved. They served me the best tacos I've ever had, and I cannot wait until we get to eat there again!
(5)Robert F.
This was my 2nd time visiting this location. The 1st time I was there for drinks and appetizers. Enjoyed it enough to come back for dinner. One of the special dishes this evening was pan seared Mahi Mahi. It came out perfectly prepared with a light crust. It was paired with asparagus that was nicely seasoned with a spicy black pepper blend. The hostess was not that competent, but our waiter made up for it by being extremely attentive to our group. I will definitely return when I am visiting the Huntsville area again.
(3)Jonathan H.
Great staff and great food. If you're looking for burritos and tacos this isn't your place. If you want great food that is inspired by Mexican dishes then this is for you. The ribeye is always a great option here. The flavor is only enhanced by the spices. I've been here several times and I've never been disappointed yet.
(5)Charles G.
So, three and a half years later, my wife and I still come here fairly regularly. Further, we've brought tons of people here, all of whom could find something they enjoy eating. The service has been consistently the best of any similarly priced restaurants in the area, the quality of the food has been consistently great, and the only possible downside is the high price on drinks. Since it's been several years, lots of meals, and even a few special occasions later, I figured it was time to review again since I think the current rating is not indicative of the many experiences I've had here. Since that last review, we have refined our dish selection to: Appetizer: guacamole without a question Entrees: my wife gets the fish tacos almost every time. They are probably the most reasonably priced and portioned selection on the menu, so I'm very happy on both counts for this dish. I have had it before, too, as well as their carnitas taco, and they are a great go-to. However, my new go-to here is the pork, goat cheese, and apricot sandwich with a fried egg on it. No, it's not even close to being healthy, but if I wanted health food I wouldn't begin a description with pork. This has been consistently good as well, but I do order the apricots on the side as it is a lot of apricots with a juice/honey glaze that might overpower the sandwich for some, although I think it make sense with the strong flavors of carnitas and goat cheese. Dessert: still the Mexican apple pie. We fight over it to this day, making it one of only two fight-inducing desserts in this area (the other being Carrabba's and the only other on record in Atlanta at Canoe).
(5)Heather W.
The beans, rice, and salsa were all mediocre. With that said... the service, booze, and everything else was wonderful! Just a tad pricey.
(3)Erik N.
Gourmet Mex. Big bar if dining alone. Camerones de Poblanos is delicious. Before 7:00 drink specials.
(4)Tabitha C.
Great service and great food. Note: The prices are higher than Taco Bell. My entree cost about $10. Also the guacamole is delicious. It's made in front of you at your table. This was my first visit and definitely not my last.
(5)Crystal R.
All I had was their delicious and potent frozen house margaritas and chips and salsa during their happy hour, but from that alone they get my kudos and future business when I return. At $4 a huge margarita glass, I was happy as a clam.
(5)Mark J.
Ate there on June 15th. The 2 of us split the Fajitas Tres. The steak was cheap and hard to chew, and the rest of the food was just so so.
(2)Megan D.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I love how thin the chips are and the salsa is also very good. The guacamole is the best I've ever had and it doesn't hurt that it's made right in front of you. I give it four stars because it is expensive if you go during dinner, lunch isn't as bad. Our last two visits, they got my bf's order wrong. The tacos are okay, I love that they are small and street style, but they aren't very flavorful. I loved the fish of the day when it was salmon with chimichurri sauce, but it was somewhat expensive even though I got it during lunch.
(4)Elle E J.
Good chips and salsa. Great guac. A super tasty margarita. And that's it... Not to mention everything is very overpriced. You're basically paying for the location. My meal was bland and dry... I received just about the same sentiments from the group I was dining with as well.
(3)Mike M.
Ask for the Cowboy Ribeye - it's not on the menu!!! It is AWESOME! Service and food are always excellent!!
(5)Tom P.
(5)Shera A.
(5)Arrow H.
(4)Jason E.
(2)Erdal B.
(4)Justin W.
(4)Jonathan S.
(4)Susan C.
(5)Keith W.
(4)Rebecca B.
(3)Lana J.
(2)Jenny P.
My favorites at Cantina Laredo are the margaritas (house and specialty), the guacamole, the fajita nachos and most recently the chicken tortilla soup. It's very different from other tortilla soup I've had. Kind of like a non-spicy Mexican version a lightly creamy chicken soup. I've never had a meal here that I didn't enjoy. It's kinda on the side for what you get, but not so much that I don't stop by more than I probably should.
(4)Jill E.
We had a great dinner at Cantina. Our servers were so sweet and patient with us while we tried to decide what to order. They allowed our son to get up and help make the guacamole as well which kept them excited about eating out. We had the chips/salsa/and cheese to start as well as the taquitos and cerviche. All of which was delicious. I ordered the chicken fajita tacos and was able to add/remove items that I didnt want on it. It was really good & actually my son ended up eating alot of it as well. The mango margarita was a bit strong, but I was glad to know they didn't cheat me any of the alcohol! Overall, we had a great meal and were appreciative of the great staff!
(4)Autumn S.
I like the food and appreciate the fresh, veggie heavy dishes they offer. The Thursday night drink specials are awesome and the servers are always friendly and keep the water glasses full. Bonus for the fresh guacamole they make table-side and the patio so you can dine al fresco. Stay away from the bland sour cream sauce topped dishes and you'll be fine.
(3)Isaac N.
I stopped by here one day for happy hour. Great margaritas, they make them pretty strong. You also get free chips and salsa. The chips are fresh and the salsa is awesome, one is cold and one is served warm. I love them both! The bar area got very crowded though so get there early if you want a seat.
(4)Aurora B.
The food was okay but a little heavy for our Mexican Food taste...I had chile Relleno with cheese and the breading was too heavy. The fresh guacamole was good. The very best was our waitress Amber...she was the friendliest and best waitress we have had in a long time and made us want to go back and try it again. If you go...ask for Amber, it will make the food better!
(3)jonathan f.
I always enjoy this Cantina Laredo when I'm in town for business. The one in Nashville just doesn't seem as nice and there is a nice enviroment in this store. All drinks have been good, the service is almost always good and I have never had any issues with the food. Check out the lunch specials.
(4)nova w.
Don't have these where I"m from, really felt the need to post this- fantastic restaurant. The take on Tex-Mex is great, not super heavy but made with great ingredients. Actually had a tamale (and I DON'T eat tamales) and the taco al pastor is truly an must try. Margaritas were good and the tequila selection is on point. The chips and salsa were good but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere is low key- and that's just fine. The chile relleno was only ok, not impressed with that at all. Following what everyone else says it's a bit pricey so be prepared to pay a bit more than most Tex-Mex spots.
(4)Bryan H.
The guacamole they prepare at the table is sooooo very good. I could make a dinner out of it. I have tried 4 different plates there and most were good. Sorry I can't comment on what they were but for the most part the meals were all good. Service is a hit or miss.
(4)MaLisa C.
I had been here once before and had an enjoyable experience but I'm basing this review off my last visit two weeks ago for my birthday dinner with friends. I called to make a reservation two days beforehand and wouldn't you know it, when I got there on that Friday night, guess who didn't have my reservation! You would think between the two people I talked to in the 5 minute span of time someone would have written my name down for 9 people (yes, it took TWO people and that long to make the (non-) reservation in the first place!)...Anyway, that perhaps was the only major bump in the evening. My friends and I stood outside for another 25 minutes waiting for the blinding blue buzzer to go off. When it went off we were led to our table...where it was obvious the hosts had written down other people's reservations because their tables were set up....Moving on... Our waiter was very nice and answered some of our questions. Most of us had been there before but he was still very helpful and quite fast considering he had 9 additional people by himself and two other large parties! We didn't have the fresh guacamole but they were very quick to replenish our chips. We all ordered drinks which were nice and strong, but a bit bland. The Strawberry Mojito especially. Not enough sugar with the muddled mint leaves (this ended up being an extra drink that everyone drank), all you could taste was pure rum. We added sugar and it was fine though. My pomegranate martini was pretty good, I've had better. Everyone that had margaritas seemed pleased though. For the meal I had Enchiladas Veracruz: chicken, spinach & Monterrey Jack cheese. If you don't want something too heavy, I think this is the way to go. Served with rice and beans....now wait, when I say beans, I mean green beans. Which was A-Okay for me since I don't eat refried beans. It was just a surprise when the plate was brought out at first. We have to remember this is upscale "Mexican" food. The rice was very good though, I'll take a bowl of that home, thanks! Both times I've visited Cantina Laredo the food has been salted well and flavorful. I'm very satisfied with the cooking. Service has been excellent and helpful. Now if only we could convice them to get rid of those scary orange chairs! I'm always scared for people when they sit...they look like they'll fold up! This place is great for a night out with friends, as long as they get your reservations! OH! We were sitting there after eating dinner and there was another lady celebrating her birthday. They brought her a slice of cake with sparklers in it! Being my friends they told our waiter to bring me something on fire too! Out came a "sparkling" brownie and my friends somehow got the whole section we were in to sing Happy Birthday to me...*embarrassed face* The brownie was very rich and delicious but I'm glad I had all my friends to share it!
(4)P M.
I've eaten here probably 9 times. I agree with others who say it's a little "pricey," and I have to say, that after taking my Mother there last Saturday, the majority of their Mexican items are completely flavorless!! I ordered a big platter w/ a variety of things on it, primarily "to go," so my husband could have half of it and the following were just gross: the chicken enchilada (rubbery tortilla, and nothing but chicken inside the enchilada); the chile relleno (dipped in a gross batter, which was really thick and flavorless, when I removed the batter to salvage what I could from the chile, it was a super-flavorless chile, so I couldn't eat it and it sat in a big messy pile on a side dish); tamale, (ditto -- same nasty batter, didn't eat a bite of it!) Oh, and I had a beef taco al carbon on that gigantic platter, which actually had flavorful beef in it! (again, why aren't there any ingredients in the taco, beyond the main ingredient - beef -- is it me, or don't thing like onion, lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc. really enhance a taco or enchilada?) At dinner time, in particular, the wait staff is in "stalker" mode, checking on the table too often, and I've noticed they consistently fail to keep the water glasses filled, too. Having said all the "bad" I must add that my husband had 1 of their fish specials, it was either Salmon or Tilapia the other night, and it looked great and he said it tasted good. Personally, I'll stick with the "top shelf guacamole" (it could use a few more tomatoes) now and then, the ceviche (which is always good!) and the sopa de tortilla (which is good and is actually GREAT when you can get it served *hot.*)
(2)Jeremiah Q.
Awsome patio, great Margarita's, nice drink specials on Thursday. Food awesome but a bit on the high price side. Usually very clean, great informative staff. Guacamole is worth 9 bucks. Fresh and yummy. (5 dollars at Rosie's and it was probably made yesterday) Penny punchers not for you.
(4)Brent W.
I had lunch at the Cantina Laredo on a beautiful Friday afternoon with two of my friends who both work in the fine dining industry. We each shared five dishes all of which were very tasty. The gaucamole is made from scratch at the table, and their apple pie dessert is phenomenal. Our bill was just over $60 for the three of us. I give Cantina Laredo 4 stars; it just didn't have that special something that would bump it up to 5. Pros: Good food Good price Good service Cons: Didn't have that special something to bump it to 5
(4)Lesley G.
This restaurant is consistently great, with respect to both food and service. We frequently choose Cantina Laredo for special occasions, but it's also perfect for a regular lunch or dinner. The mango margaritas are awesome; the botanas platter has everything you need to make your taste buds happy; the fresh guacamole can't be beat; and every meal I have had was delicious. I HIGHLY recommend this Cantina Laredo!
(5)James B.
Ah! Catina Loredo... An acquaintance insisted I go to Catina Loredo. She being of Hispanic heritage insisted it was the "only" authentic Mexican in town. Time will tell if that statement holds true. I'm in Huntsville for the long haul and there are plenty more Mexican joints for me to try before I pass that judgment. Long story short I tried Catina Loredo with the wife and another couple visiting from out of town. Our experience has led me to never return. The Bad: Prices are high; it's Bridge Street shopping center so I wasn't surprised by that. We ordered the Guacamole, which they make fresh at your table. A fun experience and it tasted fine. We place our order, and then our waitress proceeds to check on us 1 time in 45 minutes!!! I Might add that we were dinning during the late afternoon, early evening hours, not the dinner rush. The restaurant was sparsely populated. FINALLY, are food is brought to the table. I take a few bites of my dish, and in looking around the table. Instantly I know that there is a mutual consensus. All of our food is cold. And I'm not talking luke warm, I'm talking it could have came out of the refrigerator. I'm sure in that 45 minute wait our food was ready, sitting somewhere, but certainly not under a hot table or heating lamp. It takes another 15 minutes for our waitress to even check on us again... When we inform her our food is cold, I kid you not, her response, "Oh shit!"... Kiss your mom with that mouth? By this point we are starving and just want to leave. We inform our waitress to just forget it and bring us our bill. Of course management comes over, but to be honest our group is treated like we are trying to scam them for a free meal. The full, completely uneaten food sitting at our table should be indication enough that we didn't have such intentions.
(1)Melissa A.
The best Mexican food we have eaten since we moved away from Texas. Ben was one of the best waiters we have ever had. They allowed our dog on the patio outside which is a big thing for us. We will definitely be back.
(5)Tiffany D.
Catina Laredo is ok. Not that good for an upscale Mexican place. I have been there several times and was not super impressed. It's worth at least one try I guess to say you have been but I would suggest sticking with Phil's and Rosie's.
(3)Amanda W.
The service was impeccable, the food was authentic (it is Alabama, after all). The margarita was probably one of the best I've had, and I used to tend bar! Strong, but deceptively smooth. I had the pork tacos (can't remember the official name) and the margarita with the shot on the side. To respond to previous posts: I travel (a LOT) and this was an extremely good representation of Mexican food. It rivals border towns in both texas and California. The price was comparable to any other restaurant of this calibre, and the portions were the right size. I actually brought some back, as I found it to be too much food. I would totally come back if I lived here!
(5)Larry J.
Went the first time last night. Its defiantly an upscale experience and the food was very good. I'll be back.
(5)Chris R.
OK, I am not going to write a book, but I will give you a bit of a back ground about me. I grew up 7 miles from Tijuana in San Diego. My first restaurant I worked in was a Mexican joint. So I grew up around this. OK on to Cantina Laredo, food was good, not awesome, but awesome Mexican is hard to come by. This would be in my mind the best Mexican in Huntsville, there are some creative dishes, and also they have Mole on the menu. Mole a traditional central / southern Mexican dish considered to be a national dish. The main reason though I'm writing is to report on the service. WOW it was incredible! LIZ at the bar was fantastic! She was super attentive, and helpful with suggestions. Great smile, great attitude. I couldnt sing enough praises about Liz. All bartenders should learn from her. OH, btw... get the guac, its great. There are some reviews that say this isnt gourmet food. To be honest, its a chain restaurant, I dont know to many "gourmet" chains. Regardless I thought it was good. The service was outstanding.
(4)Derek B.
A good lunch with good service. Three of us had the chicken and cilantro salad. It was good but not as good as Panera Bread's avocado salad just around the corner.
(4)Kris S.
I had high hopes. This is a very nicely decorated restaurant with attentive wait staff, and fresh, decent food. But this isn't a Mexican restaurant. I can pay much less for more authentic Mexican at other restaurants, and it will probably taste better. OK food, but why go back?
(2)Meghan N.
Cantina Laredo is not only amazing, but they serve delicious gluten free food. As a celiac, I am very picky on which places I visit to eat because I get sick so easily! Cantina Laredo staff was super prepared to answer all of my questions, and they even have a separate prep area for gluten free food- which I loved. They served me the best tacos I've ever had, and I cannot wait until we get to eat there again!
(5)Robert F.
This was my 2nd time visiting this location. The 1st time I was there for drinks and appetizers. Enjoyed it enough to come back for dinner. One of the special dishes this evening was pan seared Mahi Mahi. It came out perfectly prepared with a light crust. It was paired with asparagus that was nicely seasoned with a spicy black pepper blend. The hostess was not that competent, but our waiter made up for it by being extremely attentive to our group. I will definitely return when I am visiting the Huntsville area again.
(3)Robert B.
For all the haters, this place is a self-described gourmet Mexican restaurant. When is the last time you went out for gourmet and didn't shell out more money than you normally would? Get over it people. If you want to eat cheap Mexican food, then go just about anywhere else! Like others have said, get the table-side guacamole. You won't regret it. There is no replacement for fresh guac, and it goes really well with just about anything you could order from the menu. I am a fish taco snob (amongst other things), so I really can appreciate any place that can make them correctly. In the South, this is much harder than you would think. First of all, you can't just use any white fish; tilapia is a sad poser of a fish. Use Mahi-Mahi, it's just that simple. Secondly, the fish is not fried, it should be grilled or pan-seared. Fortunately, Cantina Laredo hits the nail on the head with their Tacos de Pescado (fish tacos). The only complaint I have was that they use a little bit of melted queso next to the shell. Fish and cheese do not go together; however, since it didn't really take away from the overall flavor of the taco, I'm going to let this one slide. The cilantro-infused rice was also wonderful. The house margaritas are made with Cointreau (not triple sec). As a former bartender, I can say that this exactly how I would make a marg for myself. Bottom Line: There are not that many nice restaurants in Huntsville, so you should check it out at least once. If $10 table-side guac and $8 house margaritas are out of your price range then you may want to check out Applebees.
(5)Katie F.
I have family that lives in Huntsville, and whenever I visit I make sure to stop by Cantina Laredo. They have the BEST guacamole, served and made fresh right at your table. Honestly, nothing else on the menu compares. My boyfriend and I always just stop in and order the guac with some drinks. That's expensive enough. I'm not for the more upscale Mexican food... it's just not my cup of tea. They do an outstanding job on it though, from what I can tell. Just wish there was a plain burrito of sorts that I could order for a meal. Sadly, everything is a little fancier (and pricier) than that. The place is enormous and capable of handling large crowds. Always had great service as well. Parking can be a wee bit of a pain since it is located within the mall area.
(4)Amanda W.
The service was impeccable, the food was authentic (it is Alabama, after all). The margarita was probably one of the best I've had, and I used to tend bar! Strong, but deceptively smooth. I had the pork tacos (can't remember the official name) and the margarita with the shot on the side. To respond to previous posts: I travel (a LOT) and this was an extremely good representation of Mexican food. It rivals border towns in both texas and California. The price was comparable to any other restaurant of this calibre, and the portions were the right size. I actually brought some back, as I found it to be too much food. I would totally come back if I lived here!
(5)Larry J.
Went the first time last night. Its defiantly an upscale experience and the food was very good. I'll be back.
(5)Thomas W.
(4)Natalie J.
(5)Mike A.
I'm tempted to give this place five stars, as it completely redeemed our experience from the night before at the nearby Rosie's. Seriously, I was tempted to never eat Tex-Mex/Mexican food out again after that dining fiasco, but it was with welcome delight I enjoyed a sublime Casa Rita on the rocks here with my Ensalada De Cilantro Y Pollo, capping it off with a Dos XX Amber. The chips and salsas were fresh and balanced. Clean establishment with excellent service.
(4)K L J.
Gaaah - salty! Service was good, but a tad more familiar than I prefer. At the end of the meal, the server, um, sat down with us and started yakking. Which can be OK, but we weren't really that into him. (Nothing personal, dude.) Very attractive. Pretty good choices, but not a good value for non-outstanding Tex-Mex. Tasty overall, but needed a bucket of water nearby for the rest of the night. Try Taqueria El Cazador for much better food and value, if considerably less ambience. Same with Bandito Burrito. If it's the atmosphere you're after and don't mind just-OK Mex (good, just not great), try any of the Rosie's. You can do better than this.
(2)Taylor H.
Such a great experience! The hubby and I walked up to Cantina Laredo at 5:15 on Black Friday expecting a wait time, but we we're sat right away. I struck up small talk with the hostess, which passed the introduction to our server perfectly. Taylor was fantastic: he gave us a moment to look over the menu while he grabbed us waters. When I mentioned we had never been here, he told us all his personal favorites, how they made their margaritas, and the evening specials. The hubs and I ordered drinks and entrees, and both came out in record time. The food was delicious and while the portions were on the smaller side (thank you!) the ingredients were fresh, the avocado was plentiful, and the tortillas homemade. Taylor was wonderful and if we lived in the area, we'd definitely be back!
(5)James L.
Nice decoration and atmosphere. Subpar food, with a higher price tag. I understand that the location and atmosphere may demand a higher price, but with that higher price should come higher quality food. The Lime restaurant in Bridgestreet not only has more flavor, and a better staff, but its also much better priced. This is not gourmet food. Its bland and disappointing.
(2)Bryan H.
The guacamole they prepare at the table is sooooo very good. I could make a dinner out of it. I have tried 4 different plates there and most were good. Sorry I can't comment on what they were but for the most part the meals were all good. Service is a hit or miss.
(4)Mike S.
It's not that I'm not into gourmet Mexican. In fact, my 2 (and a quarter... maybe a half) star review has little to do with the fact that my taste buds aren't acquainted with "gourmet" but on the contrary... in my opinion... this isn't it. When I think of upscale Mexican, I think of this one memorable joint, Masa Azul in Chicago right down from L'Patron which is pretty awesome in its own right... where was I again? Oh yeah, Cantina Laredo. It's not that the food is terrible;no, I actually think they do mainstream vegetables better than most of the restaurants in Huntsville. But what I do think is that the cooking is... uninspired. So what's left when you have a chain proclaiming upscale without the inspiration in the back or the "soul" of a hole-in-the-wall cucina is simply just boring. But again it's not the food... at least not directly. For me, this Laredo in particular has a service issue. Might as well be dia de los muertos every day here because the waitstaff will go completely ghost on you. Gone... like grandma and her pozole... speaking of which, why isn't that on the menu? I just don't understand why you can order guacamole made fresh at the table to have it seasoned with table salt. My lunch crew always laugh at me about that complaint but... It makes a difference. I also don't know why you can get only about 17 tortillas with a bowl of guac with refills only once every 23 minutes. To the bright side.. More cascabel ribeye is actually a fine meal. One of the best steaks in town when they're on their game. The tres leches cake is sweet, tart and light. Everything else though... "not bad." The bar is just short of miserable for a "mexican" place, since there's only big name tequila. No mezcal. A few interesting specialty drinks, when they have the mixes in house. I typically can always pick (at random) the one they don't have. So make what you will of this review. Again, it's not 2.0 stars, more like 2.25 - 2.5...and really it's not the food, it's everything else.
(2)Erin S.
Wonderful.
(5)Trevvor C.
(2)Tom G.
There are positives and negatives about Cantina Laredo. The chips and salsa they provide before the meal are way excellent. The service is fine, nothing notable either way. The meals themselves are okay, a little less sauce than I like my Mexican food. The rice is a definite pass. It was dry and flavorless, making me think I was mistakenly eating a garnish or plate decoration. The avocado enchiladas were disappointing, with less avocado than I would have liked. I probably won't go back.
(2)Jess N.
Really nice atmosphere. The guacamole was really good and the enchiladas Veracruz were great. Nice place to eat for a visitor.
(4)Rob D.
The decor, the food, the prices, and wait staff are all really great. However, you are only as good as your first impression. Your host rolled his eyes at me when I walked in and when he sat us, his counterpart hostess didn't even look at me. I don't look especially extraordinary and don't believe this sort of behavior was warranted. Also, it must have been close to shift change because there was a group of ten teenagers in your uniform seated right by the door looking sad and angry at everything. Believe me, I understand teenagers, but maybe you should have your staff waiting to go on somewhere away from the main dining area. Long story short: great place, horrible hosting and unprofessional staff. Wish I could give you more than two stars.
(2)Tiffany D.
Catina Laredo is ok. Not that good for an upscale Mexican place. I have been there several times and was not super impressed. It's worth at least one try I guess to say you have been but I would suggest sticking with Phil's and Rosie's.
(3)Chris R.
OK, I am not going to write a book, but I will give you a bit of a back ground about me. I grew up 7 miles from Tijuana in San Diego. My first restaurant I worked in was a Mexican joint. So I grew up around this. OK on to Cantina Laredo, food was good, not awesome, but awesome Mexican is hard to come by. This would be in my mind the best Mexican in Huntsville, there are some creative dishes, and also they have Mole on the menu. Mole a traditional central / southern Mexican dish considered to be a national dish. The main reason though I'm writing is to report on the service. WOW it was incredible! LIZ at the bar was fantastic! She was super attentive, and helpful with suggestions. Great smile, great attitude. I couldnt sing enough praises about Liz. All bartenders should learn from her. OH, btw... get the guac, its great. There are some reviews that say this isnt gourmet food. To be honest, its a chain restaurant, I dont know to many "gourmet" chains. Regardless I thought it was good. The service was outstanding.
(4)Derek B.
A good lunch with good service. Three of us had the chicken and cilantro salad. It was good but not as good as Panera Bread's avocado salad just around the corner.
(4)Kris S.
I had high hopes. This is a very nicely decorated restaurant with attentive wait staff, and fresh, decent food. But this isn't a Mexican restaurant. I can pay much less for more authentic Mexican at other restaurants, and it will probably taste better. OK food, but why go back?
(2)Robert B.
For all the haters, this place is a self-described gourmet Mexican restaurant. When is the last time you went out for gourmet and didn't shell out more money than you normally would? Get over it people. If you want to eat cheap Mexican food, then go just about anywhere else! Like others have said, get the table-side guacamole. You won't regret it. There is no replacement for fresh guac, and it goes really well with just about anything you could order from the menu. I am a fish taco snob (amongst other things), so I really can appreciate any place that can make them correctly. In the South, this is much harder than you would think. First of all, you can't just use any white fish; tilapia is a sad poser of a fish. Use Mahi-Mahi, it's just that simple. Secondly, the fish is not fried, it should be grilled or pan-seared. Fortunately, Cantina Laredo hits the nail on the head with their Tacos de Pescado (fish tacos). The only complaint I have was that they use a little bit of melted queso next to the shell. Fish and cheese do not go together; however, since it didn't really take away from the overall flavor of the taco, I'm going to let this one slide. The cilantro-infused rice was also wonderful. The house margaritas are made with Cointreau (not triple sec). As a former bartender, I can say that this exactly how I would make a marg for myself. Bottom Line: There are not that many nice restaurants in Huntsville, so you should check it out at least once. If $10 table-side guac and $8 house margaritas are out of your price range then you may want to check out Applebees.
(5)Katie F.
I have family that lives in Huntsville, and whenever I visit I make sure to stop by Cantina Laredo. They have the BEST guacamole, served and made fresh right at your table. Honestly, nothing else on the menu compares. My boyfriend and I always just stop in and order the guac with some drinks. That's expensive enough. I'm not for the more upscale Mexican food... it's just not my cup of tea. They do an outstanding job on it though, from what I can tell. Just wish there was a plain burrito of sorts that I could order for a meal. Sadly, everything is a little fancier (and pricier) than that. The place is enormous and capable of handling large crowds. Always had great service as well. Parking can be a wee bit of a pain since it is located within the mall area.
(4)Samantha S.
Average. It was a rainy Sunday on an extended trip in Huntsville and my husband and I both wanted Mexican. I remembered seeing this place during a day of shopping so we stopped by to grab a bite. We ordered the table side guacamole and two entrees. It wasn't worth the high price tag. I've had much better mexican and text-mex food.
(3)Lexis G.
This place had some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Very flavorful and even the presentation of it was beautiful. I was waited on by a gentleman named "Conor" and he was one of the nicest guys ever. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Deb C.
This place always is always emitting wonderful scents of delicious food - so being the weak willed person I am, I was drawn into its clutches (and I brought a friend). We got the guac (which we totally didn't realize was almost $10 until later) and it was yummy. I got the Honey Shrimp Salad. It came with grilled shrimp, jicama, mangos, roasted walnuts and goat cheese crumbles with honey vinegarette. YUM. I love jicama - and it went very well with the vinegarette. The shrimp wasn't detailed which is kinda annoying, but whatever. The portions were good. My only qualm with this place was that our waiter was the definition of flustered. I wasn't even sure he got our order because he was so all over the place. But everything came out okay and the food was very enjoyable.
(4)Jeff E.
Overpriced, flavorless Mexican food and bad service. The 2 Mahi Mahi tacos were served on what had to be 3" tortillas containing possibly 2 oz. of fish per taco. Tamales were probably the worst I've ever had and seemed to be microwave burned. We had been traveling and were very hungry. Even so, we were very disappointed. We won't try Cantina Laredo again.
(1)Nicolle M.
My second time to this chain yet in another city. They got a 3 from me for the chips and salsa and delish margaritas! I ordered the Enchiladas de Camarones, again. It was OK-good but my meal was lukewarm...not good. I doubt I will rush back to this restaurant chain any time soon. I'd rather find the local Mom/Pop Mexican spot.
(3)Thomas W.
I'm a bit skeptical of the fancy Mexican joints. However, this joint did not disappoint! The table side guacamole was very good and it is worth the $9.50 price that comes with it. I'm a vegetarian so I had the Spinach Enchilada's. They were fresh and well prepared. The service was prompt and excellent!!! I even had a Mexican waiter!!! Normally at these fancy Mexican and Chinese restaurants you never see anyone who is Mexican or Chinese working there. Overall, a good place for the family, although a bit pricey.
(4)Natalie J.
Amazing! Meat cooked to perfection, wonderful service, variety in menu - highly recommend the Fiesta Grill (for two).
(5)Lala G.
I went to Cafe Laredo for drinks and chips at the bar. Although I didn't even try the food, I enjoyed the vibe. The staff was super friendly, and I was thrilled to find a decent, relaxed, happening restaurant in Huntsville. It was very crowded last night, and I was alone, standing in the crowd, when a waiter just walking by offered to get me a drink. A while later, a different bartender found a chair for me. I'd have to say it was the best hospitality I've ever experienced at a crowded bar. Had a margarita which was very good, and strong. Wine was decent - nice selection. And the chips and guac were good. The guac was freshly made, comparable to decent mexican places in California or Texas. I expect to become a regular. After eating, I'll come back to see if it should get 5 stars. Thanks for bringing a nice restaurant to Huntsville!
(4)Mike L.
Food was good, not great but the service was bad. The wait staff would just walk by when our glasses were empty. Several times we had to ask for more water. They never brought us any more salsa even after we asked for it and put the bowl on the edge of the table. Very good food, if you like being ignored by the wait staff.
(2)Frodo B.
Since I grew up in CA, I think I am a good judge of mexican food. The food is actually pretty good, especially the guacamole! Unfortunately, I was turned off when I went there recently and all the portions had been reduced and/or the prices of the dishes had gone up. For example, the chocolate cake (which was amazing) was half the size that it was when I ordered it a few months ago. I like mexican food, but I don't like getting ripped off!
(3)Chris T.
I took my brother and girlfriend (out of towners from Illinois) here last weekend. First of all, it's in the Bridge St. outdoor mall, a place well known for overpriced, underwhelming culinary experiences. Walking into the joint, the decorations are modern and clean. There were very few people on a Saturday afternoon, except a bunch at the bar. Bad sign, or indicative of cocktail quality? We shall see. We didn't get served for a good 15 minutes, and almost decided to 'tail it. I've been through this schtick before at Bridge St. We did end up getting served by a knowledgable woman who gave us free guac. Let me tell ya, this guac is as fresh as any I've had. The server brings all of the individual ingredients and whips the stuff up right there, including scooping out the avocados. Nice. Brilliant salsa too, freshly made. Perhaps we cheaped out a bit on entrees (enchiladas for all!), but I give them a 6/10. Nothing too special. Next time, I'll go with the fish. The margaritas are better than I've seen in Key West. Big ups to the bartender.
(4)Michael R.
Always disappointed when I go to Cantina Laredo. Margaritas overpriced and watery. Food mediocre at best. Plenty of good Mexican in Huntsville. Don't waste your time at this dog.
(1)Laurie N.
Slightly above-average corporate chain fare. The tableside guacamole often lacks flavor and is disappointing at best. Some interesting combination plates, most large enough for two to share. I suggest ordering from the apertivo menu: good, fresh and flavorful ceviche; the Botanas Platter offers a good tasting experience. I would skip the overpriced maragaritas and wash your meal selections down with a mexican beer.
(3)Good T.
My wife wanted to go here for her birthday last night. We had gone once before and didn't like it but couldn't remember for sure. All in all it may have been the worst food that we have had in Huntsville. Our meal for two came to almost $50 with tip and no drinks. Our $10 guacamole was the worst that I have ever had: unripe avocado and way to much lime. My chicken was very dry in my tacos and our rice and beans were completely flavorless. I will say that our waitress was extremely nice and attentive, although we were never asked if there was somehing wrong with our food when both of our meals were left half eaten and the guacamole and chees dip were virtually untouched. I would not recommend going here to anyone and would much prefer Casa Blanca or La Almeda which would be 60% cheaper.
(1)Tracey W.
Everyone says the guacamole is great, but I haven't tried it as I don't like avocados. There is virtually nothing on the menu for vegetarians so I don't go although my husband likes it.
(3)James L.
Nice decoration and atmosphere. Subpar food, with a higher price tag. I understand that the location and atmosphere may demand a higher price, but with that higher price should come higher quality food. The Lime restaurant in Bridgestreet not only has more flavor, and a better staff, but its also much better priced. This is not gourmet food. Its bland and disappointing.
(2)Nick B.
Awesome atmosphere and great food. This is an upscale restaurant that catters to the shopping crowd. The service (for me) was quick and easy. the waiter was attentive and easy to get along with. Chips and salsa were instantly brought to the table. i could have had the salsa for a meal - it was delicious! looking at the menu and around, i noticed a lot of people were getting the table side quac...i chose to forgo that and head straight for the mole sauce. To me, if a restaurant can make a good mole sauce, with authentic flavors, then they have the right to be considered authentic. So i ordered the chicken mole enchilada. The mole was good - not great, but still good. it was a little too smoke (a hint of being burned), but it was still tasty. it came with grilled veggies and rice. Not a big fan of the spanish rice, but that is just me. One thing that i would complain about is that it is not enough. One enchalada for ten bucks? oh well, that salsa made it amazing!
(4)Mike A.
I'm tempted to give this place five stars, as it completely redeemed our experience from the night before at the nearby Rosie's. Seriously, I was tempted to never eat Tex-Mex/Mexican food out again after that dining fiasco, but it was with welcome delight I enjoyed a sublime Casa Rita on the rocks here with my Ensalada De Cilantro Y Pollo, capping it off with a Dos XX Amber. The chips and salsas were fresh and balanced. Clean establishment with excellent service.
(4)K L J.
Gaaah - salty! Service was good, but a tad more familiar than I prefer. At the end of the meal, the server, um, sat down with us and started yakking. Which can be OK, but we weren't really that into him. (Nothing personal, dude.) Very attractive. Pretty good choices, but not a good value for non-outstanding Tex-Mex. Tasty overall, but needed a bucket of water nearby for the rest of the night. Try Taqueria El Cazador for much better food and value, if considerably less ambience. Same with Bandito Burrito. If it's the atmosphere you're after and don't mind just-OK Mex (good, just not great), try any of the Rosie's. You can do better than this.
(2)Taylor H.
Such a great experience! The hubby and I walked up to Cantina Laredo at 5:15 on Black Friday expecting a wait time, but we we're sat right away. I struck up small talk with the hostess, which passed the introduction to our server perfectly. Taylor was fantastic: he gave us a moment to look over the menu while he grabbed us waters. When I mentioned we had never been here, he told us all his personal favorites, how they made their margaritas, and the evening specials. The hubs and I ordered drinks and entrees, and both came out in record time. The food was delicious and while the portions were on the smaller side (thank you!) the ingredients were fresh, the avocado was plentiful, and the tortillas homemade. Taylor was wonderful and if we lived in the area, we'd definitely be back!
(5)Mike S.
It's not that I'm not into gourmet Mexican. In fact, my 2 (and a quarter... maybe a half) star review has little to do with the fact that my taste buds aren't acquainted with "gourmet" but on the contrary... in my opinion... this isn't it. When I think of upscale Mexican, I think of this one memorable joint, Masa Azul in Chicago right down from L'Patron which is pretty awesome in its own right... where was I again? Oh yeah, Cantina Laredo. It's not that the food is terrible;no, I actually think they do mainstream vegetables better than most of the restaurants in Huntsville. But what I do think is that the cooking is... uninspired. So what's left when you have a chain proclaiming upscale without the inspiration in the back or the "soul" of a hole-in-the-wall cucina is simply just boring. But again it's not the food... at least not directly. For me, this Laredo in particular has a service issue. Might as well be dia de los muertos every day here because the waitstaff will go completely ghost on you. Gone... like grandma and her pozole... speaking of which, why isn't that on the menu? I just don't understand why you can order guacamole made fresh at the table to have it seasoned with table salt. My lunch crew always laugh at me about that complaint but... It makes a difference. I also don't know why you can get only about 17 tortillas with a bowl of guac with refills only once every 23 minutes. To the bright side.. More cascabel ribeye is actually a fine meal. One of the best steaks in town when they're on their game. The tres leches cake is sweet, tart and light. Everything else though... "not bad." The bar is just short of miserable for a "mexican" place, since there's only big name tequila. No mezcal. A few interesting specialty drinks, when they have the mixes in house. I typically can always pick (at random) the one they don't have. So make what you will of this review. Again, it's not 2.0 stars, more like 2.25 - 2.5...and really it's not the food, it's everything else.
(2)Tom G.
There are positives and negatives about Cantina Laredo. The chips and salsa they provide before the meal are way excellent. The service is fine, nothing notable either way. The meals themselves are okay, a little less sauce than I like my Mexican food. The rice is a definite pass. It was dry and flavorless, making me think I was mistakenly eating a garnish or plate decoration. The avocado enchiladas were disappointing, with less avocado than I would have liked. I probably won't go back.
(2)Jess N.
Really nice atmosphere. The guacamole was really good and the enchiladas Veracruz were great. Nice place to eat for a visitor.
(4)Rob D.
The decor, the food, the prices, and wait staff are all really great. However, you are only as good as your first impression. Your host rolled his eyes at me when I walked in and when he sat us, his counterpart hostess didn't even look at me. I don't look especially extraordinary and don't believe this sort of behavior was warranted. Also, it must have been close to shift change because there was a group of ten teenagers in your uniform seated right by the door looking sad and angry at everything. Believe me, I understand teenagers, but maybe you should have your staff waiting to go on somewhere away from the main dining area. Long story short: great place, horrible hosting and unprofessional staff. Wish I could give you more than two stars.
(2)Jason E.
I'm sorry, but I just can't see how this place is worth the price. We came here over the weekend, after a disappointing experience shopping for some decent wine glasses, and stopped for a quick bite. We split the Nachos Al Carbon (with steak) appetizer and each had a margarita. The nachos were delicious, the margaritas were ok. None of it was worth the price. With tip and all we got out of here for just under $50. $50. Five-zero. For some nachos and a couple drinks. You can get a much better margarita, with Grand Marnier and good tequila, for $6, maybe even less, at Casablanca. It's called the Border Margarita and it is the best 'rita in town. The profit margin on the margaritas here at Cantina Laredo must be HUGE. So, you're paying extra for fancy presentation and atmosphere. Once-in-awhile, that's fine, make it a date night. The nachos were quite good and the service was attentive, but nothing about the experience can justify the bloated prices. But I must be wrong since it has been around since Bridge Street opened. Maybe I am missing something. They've classed up Mexican food a little bit, but last I checked, Mexico isn't exactly a classy place.
(2)Erdal B.
Fast, delicious and affordable Tex Mex restaurant. Homemade margarita is awesome. Service is quick and friendly.
(4)Justin W.
I've only had fajitas and their apple pie dessert, but I thought they were both great.
(4)Jonathan S.
Good quality food with quality ingredients. Salsa was flavorful without being over the top. Surprisingly, the "Mexican" ribeye gives steakhouses a run for the money. Some of the food was a touch over salted. Definitely a go to restaurant!
(4)Susan C.
Love the food and drinks at Cantina, but my favorite part of many visits there is the service. Cantina Laredo has exceptional servers and Cedric is a phenomenal manager!
(5)Keith W.
Their ingredients are a cut above the usual Mexican restaurant fare, their chicken fajitas are presented with a grilled chicken breast cut into strips, for instance. I prefer their carnae sauce on the chicken enchiladas over their usual sour cream sauce. I also like to get the zucchini or sauteed spinach substituted for the rice.
(4)Rebecca B.
Nice, but slightly overpriced, place - modern decor is pleasant, food was good & service attentive, but not hovering! Table side Guacamole is my favorite in any Tex-Mex restaurant & it was well made & tasty...the menu is interesting & with some variety - not your average Tex-Mex place :-)
(3)Lana J.
Ate here during an overnight stay on our way to FL. Restaurant is located in very cute outdoor shopping area and the restaurant itself looks great - looks more upscale vs cheesy Mexican restaurant. Good wine, good chips & salsa. Rest of the food was pretty mediocre, however. It just wasn't that flavorful.
(2)Autumn S.
(3)Isaac N.
(4)Aurora B.
(3)P M.
(2)Brent W.
(4)James B.
(1)Samantha S.
Average. It was a rainy Sunday on an extended trip in Huntsville and my husband and I both wanted Mexican. I remembered seeing this place during a day of shopping so we stopped by to grab a bite. We ordered the table side guacamole and two entrees. It wasn't worth the high price tag. I've had much better mexican and text-mex food.
(3)Lexis G.
This place had some of the best Mexican food I've ever had. Very flavorful and even the presentation of it was beautiful. I was waited on by a gentleman named "Conor" and he was one of the nicest guys ever. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Erin S.
Wonderful.
(5)Jonathan H.
Great staff and great food. If you're looking for burritos and tacos this isn't your place. If you want great food that is inspired by Mexican dishes then this is for you. The ribeye is always a great option here. The flavor is only enhanced by the spices. I've been here several times and I've never been disappointed yet.
(5)Charles G.
So, three and a half years later, my wife and I still come here fairly regularly. Further, we've brought tons of people here, all of whom could find something they enjoy eating. The service has been consistently the best of any similarly priced restaurants in the area, the quality of the food has been consistently great, and the only possible downside is the high price on drinks. Since it's been several years, lots of meals, and even a few special occasions later, I figured it was time to review again since I think the current rating is not indicative of the many experiences I've had here. Since that last review, we have refined our dish selection to: Appetizer: guacamole without a question Entrees: my wife gets the fish tacos almost every time. They are probably the most reasonably priced and portioned selection on the menu, so I'm very happy on both counts for this dish. I have had it before, too, as well as their carnitas taco, and they are a great go-to. However, my new go-to here is the pork, goat cheese, and apricot sandwich with a fried egg on it. No, it's not even close to being healthy, but if I wanted health food I wouldn't begin a description with pork. This has been consistently good as well, but I do order the apricots on the side as it is a lot of apricots with a juice/honey glaze that might overpower the sandwich for some, although I think it make sense with the strong flavors of carnitas and goat cheese. Dessert: still the Mexican apple pie. We fight over it to this day, making it one of only two fight-inducing desserts in this area (the other being Carrabba's and the only other on record in Atlanta at Canoe).
(5)Heather W.
The beans, rice, and salsa were all mediocre. With that said... the service, booze, and everything else was wonderful! Just a tad pricey.
(3)Erik N.
Gourmet Mex. Big bar if dining alone. Camerones de Poblanos is delicious. Before 7:00 drink specials.
(4)Tabitha C.
Great service and great food. Note: The prices are higher than Taco Bell. My entree cost about $10. Also the guacamole is delicious. It's made in front of you at your table. This was my first visit and definitely not my last.
(5)Crystal R.
All I had was their delicious and potent frozen house margaritas and chips and salsa during their happy hour, but from that alone they get my kudos and future business when I return. At $4 a huge margarita glass, I was happy as a clam.
(5)Mark J.
Ate there on June 15th. The 2 of us split the Fajitas Tres. The steak was cheap and hard to chew, and the rest of the food was just so so.
(2)Megan D.
This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I love how thin the chips are and the salsa is also very good. The guacamole is the best I've ever had and it doesn't hurt that it's made right in front of you. I give it four stars because it is expensive if you go during dinner, lunch isn't as bad. Our last two visits, they got my bf's order wrong. The tacos are okay, I love that they are small and street style, but they aren't very flavorful. I loved the fish of the day when it was salmon with chimichurri sauce, but it was somewhat expensive even though I got it during lunch.
(4)Elle E J.
Good chips and salsa. Great guac. A super tasty margarita. And that's it... Not to mention everything is very overpriced. You're basically paying for the location. My meal was bland and dry... I received just about the same sentiments from the group I was dining with as well.
(3)Mike M.
Ask for the Cowboy Ribeye - it's not on the menu!!! It is AWESOME! Service and food are always excellent!!
(5)Tom P.
Absolutely fantastic restaurant. I believe they have the best desserts in Huntsville -- the apple pie and brownie are amazing. I really like the cilantro rice. The guacamole is also very good. I have eaten here a ton of times, usually at least once a month.
(5)Shera A.
Cantina Laredo is usually my first stop when I land in Huntsville! It was this trip too, but it was also my last stop which gets to my point. I was about to catch a flight out and was cutting it really close, but wanted to take my brother there because it was his birthday so I called and spoke to Cedrick the manager and he made arrangements for my food to be ready as soon as I got there so I could sit down and eat with my brother. He was so kind and helpful. The food was fabulous and so was the service! They will have my business everytime I'm in town, even more than once! My family doesn't live in Huntsville, but I will have them going there even more now. It was always my favorite and has never disappointed. The fish tacos, fresh guacamole, chicken quesadilla, and cheese dip are my favorites! If you want to treat yourself to good food and excellent service go there! I believe our waiter was Ashish and he was superb. He even got my brother a drink, chips (that were still hot) and salsa to go!
(5)Arrow H.
It is good to see the manager walking around during the 2pm time today, 5 July. Service is much better than last time. Salsa and chip server actually refreshed salsa and chips. Seems like they are adopting the Rosie management style. Ordered beef and cheese enchiladas. They taste good. Seasoned well.
(4)Trevvor C.
Cantina Laredo is to Mexican what P.F. Chang's is to Chinese. In other words, they take what's typically found as a hole-in-the-wall and "upscaled" it to a cleaner, better presented environment with more exotic choices and inflated prices. A cup of soup for $6.29, the "Fiesta de la Parrilla" (basically "grill party") for 25.99, and a "Mexican brownie" for $6.79 are some of the different and pricey items on the menu. The food is okay, although one stand-out to me is the "Ensalada de cilantro y pollo"--a salad with fajita chicken, black beans, avocado and topped with cilantro-lime dressing that is quite tasty. The servers are pleasant, but try a little to hard to make the place seem even more high-end than it is, making guacamole from the avocado centerpiece on the table and parading out presentation desserts on a sample tray during the meal. Overall, the cuisine (it seems odd saying that about Mexican fare, which to me is usually something more akin to comfort food) is mediocre, despite all the hype, and it's not worth many return trips.
(2)Ari W.
so, just quick update -- I've been back few more times after my last review. The food were consistently good, but service could be slow sometimes. They have a new special called "3 courses", which, basically, is the "appetizer, entree, and dessert", for $15.99. The food was solid, and the portions were generous. I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to try this restaurant. They don't always give you this 3 course menu, so just ask for it.
(4)Panda B.
Way too overpriced for the food. It's just another mexican place with same old menu and drinks. We had to order 3 times because they were out of one ingredients or another. The 3 time was finally a go... The first 2 times we ordered was not a special item. They were on the menu so not sure why they didn't have it... The food was okay but not great and definately not for the price. It's a nice place but not worth it... I rather some other whole in the wall mex food and margaritas...
(2)