I recently have been going out to lunch once or twice during the week by myself. I changed jobs about a month ago and at my new place my caseload is not completely full yet, so most days I have a couple of hours available to leave for lunch. One of the first places I tried by my new work was On the Border (I know, I know....but it is literally right next to my office...so the convenience factor won that day). I actually have somewhat enjoyed On the Border in the past: fairly inexpensive lunches, good and strong margaritas, and pretty quick. Not THIS On the Border. I sat in the bar area, because for most places the bartender gives the best service. Again, not THIS place. The bartender only had 3 other 2-tops besides me, and gave me close to the worst service I have ever had. He walked very slowly wherever he went, and was incapable of multi-tasking. It took the 3rd time walking past me to ask for my drink order. He actually never greeted me, and would not look up when speaking. He said only 1 complete sentence to me the entire time I was there: "What would you like to drink?" After that, it was 1 or 2 word phrases at a time: "Ready?" (That was my cue to order), "Everything good?" (That was his way of making sure my food was good, and I didn't need anything else, "Okay" (That was after I had to ask for the check because I was done eating for 10 minutes), and "Thanks" (That was his way of thanking me for coming in and hoping that I have a good day). The food was actually pretty good...what you would expect from a "Mexican" chain restaurant. I ordered the build your own burrito, kind of like Chipotle but with way more choices (which a did by circling items on a pad of paper...I'm sure my server was relieved when he did not have to talk to me any further). I chose a roasted pork burrito, chimichanga style with rice, sour cream, and jalapeo bbq sauce. It was pretty tasty. It came with a side salad, but my waiter had neglected to ask my dressing choice when I ordered. So I asked for dressing when he dropped off the food. The conversation went like this: "Oh, can I please get some dressing for my salad? What kinds do you have?" He said, "Ranch, blue cheese, and honey mustard." Then I said, "Don't you have like a jalapeo vinaigrette?" He said, "Yeah." And then walked away to grab it for me. So overall, he was not the best server. Maybe he has difficulty saying big words, or more than 7 of them at one time. Or maybe, just maybe, he REALLY hates his job. So Buddy, if you are reading this...please...for the love of God, quit your job, and find something that will bring you joy....or at least is not as excruciating as your current job must be.
(2)
True M.
On the border, how you disappoint me so. This place is not the place to be getting delicious Mexican food, that is for sure. I felt that there was nothing special at all about the food, it was instantly forgettable. Tasted like taco bell to me, but more expensive. It just sucks. I prefer authentic Mexican food really, I'd rather buy Mexican food out of those taco trucks because they have way better and cheaper food than this place.
(2)
Kurt A.
This is just down the street from us and are we ever glad! Sure it's chain-store Americanized Mexican food but we were very happy. We've been there twice; once for lunch and once just for an afternoon snack. Between us we could not finish the appetizer sampler. Service both times has been solid and friendly.
(4)
Cat M.
Amazing service! At no other location or restaurant have I received such incredible customer service. The food is moderate: what is to be expected from an American take on Mexican food, and also moderately priced. For two people we've never exceeded $40 with drinks and appetizers. What really stands out to me about this location is how exceedingly friendly the staff is. My boyfriend and I go in maybe twice a month because we know we're always going to get impecable service when we have our date night. One waitress, without me asking packaged up a to-go soda after we paid, when I had a headache! (The caffein helped a lot!) Another time my boyfriend accidentally burned himself on a fajita plate (they warn you for a reason,) and the waitress brought him burn ointment and a bandaid!! Recently, our waiter has been remembering our orders, and even stops to talk with us. None of it ever felt forced, they are just genuinely nice people who really care about their customers. If you want to be treated right, go to this location!
(4)
Frank K.
The OTB location at Quebec & C470 has a nice covered & enclosed patio and a casual dinning room inside decorated in a touristy Mexican motif. Only recently learned that the OTB chain is no longer operated by Brinker International of Chili's, Maggiano's, & Macaroni Grill fame. Maybe this explains some of the changes to the menu, food quality, & service that we have experienced? The Beef Fajitas used to be really good, tender, and made with skirt steak, not sure, but suspect they are currently using sirloin or some other cut and they are not as good. Still love the Chicken Tortilla Soup it is some of the best I have found because they make it with a clear chicken stock. The new menu is hard for me to navigate because there are too many "pick this, chose that, create your own" options. Service can be slow at times even when the restaurant is not crowded. Biggest gripe is food preparation is high in calories and sodium so if you are dieting check out the nutritional info at ontheborder.com/PDFs/OTB…
(3)
Tony G.
OTB is a solid Mexican restaurant with good eats at affordable prices. I love taking my family for a bowl of those CHIPS.. MMM good. Get up the good work and we will see you soon.
(3)
vicki c.
This restaurant used to be so busy you had to wait to get in. Now I know why it is deserted. I ordered the fajitas that were tough and overcooked. The marinade that used to make it so good was not there. Just a pile of onions and green peppers. Hubby ordered fish tacos.. which, by the name too fishy smelling and tasting. After he complained the waitress said, they had the problem day before , but decided to try selling them again.. duh...so... On the Border should be Off the border.
(1)
Dee B.
There's been quite a few times when I walk into this restaurant and the hostess is never at the stand. they always have great food and the service has always been good. Unfortunately today the restaurant was really slow. I walked into the bar and waited 10 minutes and didn't get acknowledged. the bartender went outside came in,saw me and NOTHING! Got no chips or water. Who is managing this restaurant today?
(1)
Dave H.
It's been over a decade since I set foot in an On the Border ... and it will probably be another decade. Nothing particularly bad, but ditzy service and dreadfully mediocre chain Mexican food. The price was right, but there are better, more local Mexican places more worth the cost.
(2)
Michael C.
I love On The Border, it is hands down way better than Hacienda Colorado food wise. The staff are attentive and helpful.
(4)
Ashley N Angel G.
Visiting from New Mexico, decided to try on the border. The staff is super friendly and so polite! The food was really good! Our server was awesome. (Jair) thanks for a great experience on the border. :)
(5)
Jim K.
We enjoy their Happy Hour on Friday's, and lunches over the weekend. It is a great family atmosphere and we have usually had good service. They give our girls a dough ball to play with while waiting for our food. I recommend this location
(4)
Sam A.
A party of 10 adults on a Wednesday night. Overall well taken care of by several servers. Lack of greeting at the door, slow set up and seating after phoning ahead was a downer. Chips could have been much warmer too.
(4)
Aydee R.
Definitely not coming back here for lunch, after telling the server my time was limited he still took 15 min just to bring my card back. This is not an isolated incident which is why it upset me
(1)
Brian J.
Great Place, one of my favorite places to eat. Our waiter was in training, he did an outstanding job.
(4)
E W.
We found this place as we were in the process of moving across the country. Thinking it would be quick and just your normal Mexican restaurant, On the Border has become one of our favorite places to dine. The service is always amazing and the staff is friendly. I am a frequent of two beef tacos and they have yet to disappoint. We've had the steak and chicken fajitas and those too are on par. The drinks are amazing and inexpensive. It's nice to walk into a place and they know your face and start making your drinks right away. The outstanding customer service will always keep us going back for more.
(5)
Eric L.
I've never been impressed with this location. The only reasons I went back and gave them a second and third chance was because I had a gift card I won at work. The service is slow and the wait staff I had weren't friendly or attentive. The food tastes overly processed and not fresh. There are much better Mexican alternatives in the area.
(2)
Daniel K.
Not good my chimi tasted like old grease and the service was sub par we had to sit with our empty plates on the table for 5 min. Also we had to ask a random server to take our payment. Also not busy at all
(2)
Peter K.
Service was a disaster. Food was mediocre. Afterwards the manager apologized & compensated me with a punch card good for a discount after 5 visits. Are you kidding? I'll never be back.
(1)
Le Meow C.
This was my second time coming here. The first time we came to eat here it was night time and we got served right away. I got some enchiladas which weren't bad and we left with a good impression. The second time not so much. We walked in hungry just to be told they weren't serving food, just appetizers in the bar. (We saw someone in the dinning area eating) We asked why don't they and what time they stop serving food and the hostess didn't answer. Rude. We walked right out. Come on people, it wasn't even close to closing time. If places like red robin serve their entrees all night, so can you. At least say it somewhere that you stop serving food at a certain time. (Or make sure you don't have people eating in the dining room for everyone to see) Waste of my time and gas. I'll never eat here or any on the border again.
(1)
Fred D.
Watch where you park GOT a $307 towing fee and a $50 cab fare to get my truck back new Hampshire plates Boycott this place
(1)
Sean M.
Service Disaster!! Waitress was new and terrible.. Not her fault, they should've trained her before throwing her to the weekend wolves. Sad for her, but a little funny. Poor girl. Crap move by OTB to have rookies on the floor. The place has really gone south. Service, food, everything. Decent TexMex is hard to find in Denver, but OTB was always a decent B- punt. Guess even those days are gone. Adios OTB. Sad day.
(1)
Jose P.
This place is a joke. Walked in and was seated. Waited 45 minutes - YES 45 minutes and didn't get served. Walked right out the door and nobody even said anything when we walked out. To be honest the food looks terrible and the place was a mess. I am not just saying that because we didn't get served, it's just being honest. In some funny way I think this place actually did us a favor. I doubt this place will even be in business next year.
(1)
Adam B.
Not a fan. On the Border needs to get On their Recipe Classes. Just FYI for all those looking for good Mexican food, this is not it. If you have eaten at On the Border, you have not eaten Mexican food but an American version of something that may or may not be common somewhere South of the United States. Service here was just a little sub par, not horrible. The only redeeming quality was the salsa, free and pretty decent. But unless you like to chronically show up to places to sit down and tip for salsa, you need to look for greener pastures. There are some epic places out there you need to try. Leave On the Border for the next time you have to find shelter ASAP during a zombie apocalypse, which is hopefully never.
(2)
Pat L.
So I tried the soft corn hatch chile carnitas tacos this time, and gotta say, not that impressed! The pulled pork was dry, even after smothering it with salsa and more chili which is a no-no where I come from. Oh well, don't know until you try it. I should have said something, but I was hungry enough to eat my own arm off, and besides, I don't want any unwanted organic matter in my food when it comes back to me! Oh, and another thing, (and I don't know why it peeves me so), but the waiter just took my glass of water to refill it instead of bringing me a new glass. I can't stand that! Don't leave me high and dry man! Maybe I am just being high maintenance, but something about eating spicy Mexican food with nothing to drink leaves me a bit uncomfortable. Not my typical experience there, so rather surprised. You can do better guys!
(2)
Drew O.
Decided to try On the Border for their "Taco Tuesday" and was very disappointed. The service was unbearably slow for a business lunch. We somehow waited 10 minutes to be seated with nothing but open tables to see. Once we were finally seated we waited another 10 minutes for our server to take our drink order. When we were finally served our food I was not impressed with the flavor or size of the tacos. Even worse was the price, somehow "Taco Tuesday" ended up costing $14 for 3 small tacos.
(2)
Erin H.
Forgettable, bland, chain Mexican food. The office came here for lunch recently for a coworker's birthday. Nothing we ate was great. Some things were really not so good. And, service was very confused. We started off sharing some appetizers. The queso was passable. If you know me, you know that I am addicted to queso and I'll eat just about any variety that's put in front of me. But, this certainly did not stand up there with the best. The guacamole was one of the better things. Flavorful, but too salty! I did enjoy the chips and salsa though. I ordered a combo with the chicken tortilla soup and a green chili chicken enchilada. The birthday girl ordered a combo with a guacamole tostada and a pork enchilada. Somehow neither of our enchiladas came out with the rest of the food. When they did arrive, I'm pretty sure she got my chicken one and I got her whole meal. What I thought was just lettuce, tomato, and cheese on my plate turned out to be another guacamole tostada. So, we boxed it up and sent it home with her. The soup was decent. One of the best things I had. But, again, not that good. The enchilada was blah. I seriously wasn't sure if I was eating chicken or pork. Oh, and don't even bother with the skinny margarita. The only way I'll be back is if lunch is someone else's choice and I feel pressured to join.
(2)
Samantha E.
Generic Mexican food for the most part, but this On the Border has some good things about it: --Nice patio, with good view of the sunset if you sit on the west side. --Great chips and salsa. Very addictive. --I'm a big fan of the fajitas, particularly baja still with zucchini and other extra vegetables. --The margaritas aren't super strong, but they're tasty. And the watermelon is pretty good. -- Prices are reasonable. A few bad things: -- Service is sometimes iffy. They seem understaffed, so it's not entirely the servers' fault. --The queso pretty much just takes like velveeta. --While the tableside guacamole is quite good, the guacamole you get as a side with some dishes leaves a bit to be desired. --Tacos are only okay. Definitely don't take any home as leftovers, they don't save well. I'm giving OTB three stars, but I'll definitely be back for more fajitas and margaritas.
(3)
Jenny L.
It's what you would expect from a chain Mexican place in highlands ranch. Most if the time has good service and drink specials. If you want something more authentic drive to Denver or Aurora and any strip mall place's food is just as good.
(3)
Megan W.
Look, I love On the Border. Their sour cream & chicken enchiladas are delicious, brisket tacos yum, but holy crap the service here is always horrible. Waiters take forever to come back with chips/salsa/refills/your order. And it's like I'm always inconveniencing them. Since we've lived here(January) we've been maybe five times, different times and nights and they are never busy so IDK why the wait staff has better things to do than wait their tables.
(1)
Kristen D.
I love this place. The happy hour is always so good and the workers are always so nice. I highly recommend their Happy Hour is awesome M-F 3-7. Also sign up online for club Catina - tons of good email coupons!
(5)
Jese S.
A frequent work lunch haunt for the Verizon crowd. It seems like it's been years since I came here for lunch. They have expanded the menu to include some really great new items. Sadly some of the old favorties are now gone. This location is usually busy but handled well by the staff. We sat in the bar so we could chit chat with our favorite bartender of the past 13 years Katelyn. The staff here is normally very accomidating and the patio in the summer is great. it's a chain but they maintain a good quality of food output.
(3)
Brig A.
Went for all you can eat enchiladas. We were at the restaraunt for nearly 2 hours and I left frustrated over the speed of service. Plus three of my enchiladas were cold. It was just not a good experience.
(2)
Amy D.
The fish tacos were exactly as delicious as I remember them being at this same restaurant back in Boston! And the service here is incredible. I have to say, every single waitress, bus boy, and manager in this place said hello, checked on us during the meal, and said good bye! The energy was great. Lots of wonderful food here, I will definitely be back.
(5)
Ambu S.
I went for the late night happy hour on a Saturday. Ordered one of their house margaritas and a queso chicken. Margarita was fine but the queso chicken seemed a bit too salty with the cheese they used. The place is pretty nice with a quiet ambiance perfect for having a conversation. The waitress seemed pleasant and the orders came out not too slow. I ordered the flan for dessert and OH GOD, NAILED IT. Maybe it was because it was the first flan I tried but it was so light and literally melted in the mouth. Not eggy, just perfect. It was so good that I tried making it at home and realized how good theirs was. The chips and salsa they give on the table was so nice that I filled myself with it and had less space left in my tummy for the actual food I ordered. The place overall is not out of the world but definitely nice. I am going back for sure but maybe a month or 2 later.
(4)
Dan C.
Worst service ever! GF ordered bloody mary wasn't told there are 2 types, brunch style and regular. Needless to say we were charged the higher priced one @6.99. Her lunch was fine with exception she requested no rice and received 2 scoops of rice and no beans. Plate went back for correction. I ordered the endless taco's and not once did our server asked if I wanted more. Honestly this place has gone down the hill and service is showing this. We had a bad experience earlier this week with take out but thought it was isolated. Oh and for the record we were not tucked away in back of the restaurant, we were right behind the hostess station. We both left in discuss and for now On the Border is off our list!
(1)
Kristin S.
I might get slaughtered for this, but I like OTB. No, it's definitely not authentic Mexican food, which I love, but it does serve its purpose of a casual dining "Tex Mex" chain. And for the record, I haven't found an abundance of fantastic "authentically delicious" mexican restaurants around the Denver area. OTB has consistenly good margaritas, chips and salsa, and queso. They do change up their menu frequently, so it is hard to get attached to any one menu item, but I do enjoy their apps and margaritas... Went last night - Had very great service and food. No complaints!
(4)
Jessica J.
I am not a huge OTB lover, but I do like this location due to its proximity to my office and Park Meadows (well Quebec & 470). If you need an basic Mexican fix and want to plop down and relax instead of getting take out (say of the Chipotle variety), OTB does the trick. I always have good service here. It is never too busy at lunch. Plus they have a fairly good lunch menu. I like their tortilla soup and the queso is always a pleaser! So for a lunch time place - I like it a-ok!
(3)
Alyson A.
On The Border has consistently good food and great prices for said food. We don't make it out to this location very often (I live more near the Cherry Creek area). We were seated in a very busy section (one large family with 2 toddlers and one baby seated next to us) that our waitress seemed to be bogged down by. She didn't come by our table for quite some time, which always puts my husband in a funky mood. Our drinks weren't refilled quite enough, but again, she had this monster table (among her other full tables) that was taking up most of her time. The toddlers were legitimately RUNNING around the table in circles, being heathens (while the parents did nothing). It was ridiculous. We counted 3 times where they almost tripped a server (and two times the server had full trays of glassware). At what point do you kick these people out??? We were there on a date (yes, we're the casual food joint type), and it was pretty much ruined by this terrible table. So why the 4 stars? Most of this wasn't the restaurant's fault. Do I think they should have talked to the table about their heathen crotch-fruit? Absolutely. A simple, "your children could get hurt running around in our restaurant" would have sufficed. We were cringing every time a server walked with a tray, blind to the little ignorant children they were about to bowl over. We brought over half our food home because at that point, we just couldn't take it anymore. So sorry to you, waitress-that-we-can't-remember-your-name. It's not you, it's them, but we may not be back for a while considering the crowd.
(4)
Luke F.
We go to On the Border almost weekly for the fajitas, the best part is the fresh tortillas. Our recent visit was late on a weekday and the serving staff great as always!
(5)
Brian W.
Standard "Cantina" style Mexican. Nothing fantastic nothing at all to put me off. We had a gift card, I wouldn't avoid this place at full price but wouldn't go far out of my way either.
(3)
Katie R.
Because my cousin was returning home from a summer in Minnesota, we decided to celebrate her arrival with some tasty Mexican food...and On The Border it was! I have only been here a handful of times and each experience is different. some good, some bad and this particular experience was just plain average. nothing special, and yet still good. Star 1 = The food, although not authentic, is pretty darn good. I ordered the chicken & shrimp fajitas and they did not disappoint. The fish tacos are good too...along with the homemade tortilla chips :) Star 2 = The margaritas are HUGE. I got the house marg, and was surprised by it's fishbowl size, and yet, enjoyed every last drop. Star 3 = The patio is awesome, overlooking the mountains. It's the perfect place to enjoy a meal & company as the sun goes down. however.... -The service is slow & frequently messes up on orders. Our poor waitress didn't see the 3 other people that sat down at our table and weren't served drinks until 15 minutes later, in addition to ringing in and delivering the incorrect order. -The hostess seated our party of 8 awkwardly near the front door and smack in the middle of a busy pathway, so not only was the amount of customer traffic busy, but constantly having your chair bumped by people eager to use the bathroom, isn't the greatest.
(3)
Jason J.
When I really feel the need for Mexican food... this is not the place I come to. However when I want a decent burrito I plop in here for lunch. They have burritos that you can customize every single thing on it that are very scrumptious. And I always get the queso to go along with the chips and I admit sometimes I'll come here just to get the queso. Service is always excellent!
(3)
Leah Marie B.
Aye Carumba! This chain used to be a solid choice for those looking for Mexican-American food but the quality has defintely headed south! This is the second OTB I've eaten at in the last month and both experiences were disappointing. This visit I was greeted with a strange, rank odor...like spoiled milk. The waitress had the most annoying voice ever - like nails on a chalkboard. The restaurant was virually empty. Only three tables being used and yet we waited a long time for our drinks and chips. Our meals came fast but was over cooked and dry (chimichanga, taco, empanadas). The waitress then disappeared for a long time again. All in all, not great.
(2)
Two T.
I've forgotten how good On the Border is! The meals were excellent and the portions were huge! It's been a while since I've been to OTB but man oh man, I was instantly reminded why I would always eat there back in the day! Sign up for their eclub, they send a lot of valuable coupons including free dessert right off the bat. You'll want to sign up the day before you go in so you have enough time to get your coupon. I might be heading in tonight, they sent me a coupon for free guac since its national guacamole day!
(5)
A M.
I love this place for a nice quiet place to eat lunch. The serving size is perfect! I love the queso and the chips. The salsa is full of flavor, but is never spicy. I could use a little more spice. My all time favorite is the beef chimichanga with queso dip on top and black beans on the side. The staff (and Manager) are fabulous at this location. Ive been to the OTB in Lakewood near Colorado Mills Mall and the food and staff were awful.
(4)
kelsy m.
Always yummy. Had 2 choose-your-own tacos - brisket and something else. The salsa is amazing! I was cold inside with the A/C this time. Sometimes there is room on the patio. You can watch the tortillas being made. They have Coca-Cola.
(4)
Neal C.
It is alright. I like it for what it is..a chain restaurant that sells decent Mexican food. We like to sit outside on the deck and enjoy the bunnies hopping around. Drinks are really good.
(4)
Floyd R.
Nice decor and service. Good basic tex-mex with reasonable prices.
(4)
Kelly T.
Originally, the journey started out in the direction of El Tepehuan. Then we passed it somehow and realized it a little too late. I maintained that I wanted to eat Mexican food because I had been dreaming of a Chimichanga since the moment the notion of Mexican food was brought up. He began throwing out names of Mexican restaurants that weer on the way back home. There were a few the piqued my interest until he uttered the fated words "On the Border." I curled my upper lip in disgust. He balked and asked how I could be so judgmental if I had never tried the food, and declared that we were eating at On the Border for dinner. Since he was driving, I obliged, but I voiced my opinion as to exactly how our dining experience would be. Our waitress would be blond, 19 years old and weigh about 112 lbs. And here is her script: "HIYEEE, MY NAME IS SARAH, WELCOME TO ON THE BORDER! CAN INTEREST YOU IN A BORDERITA GRANDE MARGARITA OR MAYBE SOME OF OUR MINI TACODILLAS? THEY ARE SUPER DELICIOUS!" We would, of course say no, get water and order entrees (although I did order a Margarita and it was fairly strong). The food would arrive looking uninspired and bland and completely uncharacteristic of what you get at a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant (you know, where you can't tell where the rice ends and the refried beans begin and the entire Chimichanga is covered in sour cream, guac, cheese and anything they could physically cram into the inside of the Chimichanga). We wouldn't even get the requisite "Watch out, hot plate" warning that is basically standard at a Mexican restaurant. Well, I should open a fortune telling business, because I was nearly spot on with one exception: Our server's name was Mark and he hated his job. So basically, if you are in the mood for food that is trying to copy Mexican food, but lacks any real ethnic inspiration, I would really recommend this place. If not, maybe you should try one of the seventeen other Mexican restaurants that are in your neighborhood.
(3)
Cass D.
I'm downgrading my rating of this restaurant due to the fact that they no longer have the healthy options on their menu that they used to.
(3)
DJS N.
Just had lunch. Good food worth a visit. Not amazing Mexican food but enjoyable with good service.
(3)
James B.
I keep dropping in for the lunch specials, they've stepped up their game. Good portions and tasty. Low-ish prices - Under $10.00. Chicken lunch fajitas are worth it. You'll see me in here again, keep up the good work.
(4)
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Address :8555 S Quebec St
Highlands Ranch, CO, 80126
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Lacey M.
I recently have been going out to lunch once or twice during the week by myself. I changed jobs about a month ago and at my new place my caseload is not completely full yet, so most days I have a couple of hours available to leave for lunch. One of the first places I tried by my new work was On the Border (I know, I know....but it is literally right next to my office...so the convenience factor won that day). I actually have somewhat enjoyed On the Border in the past: fairly inexpensive lunches, good and strong margaritas, and pretty quick. Not THIS On the Border. I sat in the bar area, because for most places the bartender gives the best service. Again, not THIS place. The bartender only had 3 other 2-tops besides me, and gave me close to the worst service I have ever had. He walked very slowly wherever he went, and was incapable of multi-tasking. It took the 3rd time walking past me to ask for my drink order. He actually never greeted me, and would not look up when speaking. He said only 1 complete sentence to me the entire time I was there: "What would you like to drink?" After that, it was 1 or 2 word phrases at a time: "Ready?" (That was my cue to order), "Everything good?" (That was his way of making sure my food was good, and I didn't need anything else, "Okay" (That was after I had to ask for the check because I was done eating for 10 minutes), and "Thanks" (That was his way of thanking me for coming in and hoping that I have a good day). The food was actually pretty good...what you would expect from a "Mexican" chain restaurant. I ordered the build your own burrito, kind of like Chipotle but with way more choices (which a did by circling items on a pad of paper...I'm sure my server was relieved when he did not have to talk to me any further). I chose a roasted pork burrito, chimichanga style with rice, sour cream, and jalapeo bbq sauce. It was pretty tasty. It came with a side salad, but my waiter had neglected to ask my dressing choice when I ordered. So I asked for dressing when he dropped off the food. The conversation went like this: "Oh, can I please get some dressing for my salad? What kinds do you have?" He said, "Ranch, blue cheese, and honey mustard." Then I said, "Don't you have like a jalapeo vinaigrette?" He said, "Yeah." And then walked away to grab it for me. So overall, he was not the best server. Maybe he has difficulty saying big words, or more than 7 of them at one time. Or maybe, just maybe, he REALLY hates his job. So Buddy, if you are reading this...please...for the love of God, quit your job, and find something that will bring you joy....or at least is not as excruciating as your current job must be.
(2)True M.
On the border, how you disappoint me so. This place is not the place to be getting delicious Mexican food, that is for sure. I felt that there was nothing special at all about the food, it was instantly forgettable. Tasted like taco bell to me, but more expensive. It just sucks. I prefer authentic Mexican food really, I'd rather buy Mexican food out of those taco trucks because they have way better and cheaper food than this place.
(2)Kurt A.
This is just down the street from us and are we ever glad! Sure it's chain-store Americanized Mexican food but we were very happy. We've been there twice; once for lunch and once just for an afternoon snack. Between us we could not finish the appetizer sampler. Service both times has been solid and friendly.
(4)Cat M.
Amazing service! At no other location or restaurant have I received such incredible customer service. The food is moderate: what is to be expected from an American take on Mexican food, and also moderately priced. For two people we've never exceeded $40 with drinks and appetizers. What really stands out to me about this location is how exceedingly friendly the staff is. My boyfriend and I go in maybe twice a month because we know we're always going to get impecable service when we have our date night. One waitress, without me asking packaged up a to-go soda after we paid, when I had a headache! (The caffein helped a lot!) Another time my boyfriend accidentally burned himself on a fajita plate (they warn you for a reason,) and the waitress brought him burn ointment and a bandaid!! Recently, our waiter has been remembering our orders, and even stops to talk with us. None of it ever felt forced, they are just genuinely nice people who really care about their customers. If you want to be treated right, go to this location!
(4)Frank K.
The OTB location at Quebec & C470 has a nice covered & enclosed patio and a casual dinning room inside decorated in a touristy Mexican motif. Only recently learned that the OTB chain is no longer operated by Brinker International of Chili's, Maggiano's, & Macaroni Grill fame. Maybe this explains some of the changes to the menu, food quality, & service that we have experienced? The Beef Fajitas used to be really good, tender, and made with skirt steak, not sure, but suspect they are currently using sirloin or some other cut and they are not as good. Still love the Chicken Tortilla Soup it is some of the best I have found because they make it with a clear chicken stock. The new menu is hard for me to navigate because there are too many "pick this, chose that, create your own" options. Service can be slow at times even when the restaurant is not crowded. Biggest gripe is food preparation is high in calories and sodium so if you are dieting check out the nutritional info at ontheborder.com/PDFs/OTB…
(3)Tony G.
OTB is a solid Mexican restaurant with good eats at affordable prices. I love taking my family for a bowl of those CHIPS.. MMM good. Get up the good work and we will see you soon.
(3)vicki c.
This restaurant used to be so busy you had to wait to get in. Now I know why it is deserted. I ordered the fajitas that were tough and overcooked. The marinade that used to make it so good was not there. Just a pile of onions and green peppers. Hubby ordered fish tacos.. which, by the name too fishy smelling and tasting. After he complained the waitress said, they had the problem day before , but decided to try selling them again.. duh...so... On the Border should be Off the border.
(1)Dee B.
There's been quite a few times when I walk into this restaurant and the hostess is never at the stand. they always have great food and the service has always been good. Unfortunately today the restaurant was really slow. I walked into the bar and waited 10 minutes and didn't get acknowledged. the bartender went outside came in,saw me and NOTHING! Got no chips or water. Who is managing this restaurant today?
(1)Dave H.
It's been over a decade since I set foot in an On the Border ... and it will probably be another decade. Nothing particularly bad, but ditzy service and dreadfully mediocre chain Mexican food. The price was right, but there are better, more local Mexican places more worth the cost.
(2)Michael C.
I love On The Border, it is hands down way better than Hacienda Colorado food wise. The staff are attentive and helpful.
(4)Ashley N Angel G.
Visiting from New Mexico, decided to try on the border. The staff is super friendly and so polite! The food was really good! Our server was awesome. (Jair) thanks for a great experience on the border. :)
(5)Jim K.
We enjoy their Happy Hour on Friday's, and lunches over the weekend. It is a great family atmosphere and we have usually had good service. They give our girls a dough ball to play with while waiting for our food. I recommend this location
(4)Sam A.
A party of 10 adults on a Wednesday night. Overall well taken care of by several servers. Lack of greeting at the door, slow set up and seating after phoning ahead was a downer. Chips could have been much warmer too.
(4)Aydee R.
Definitely not coming back here for lunch, after telling the server my time was limited he still took 15 min just to bring my card back. This is not an isolated incident which is why it upset me
(1)Brian J.
Great Place, one of my favorite places to eat. Our waiter was in training, he did an outstanding job.
(4)E W.
We found this place as we were in the process of moving across the country. Thinking it would be quick and just your normal Mexican restaurant, On the Border has become one of our favorite places to dine. The service is always amazing and the staff is friendly. I am a frequent of two beef tacos and they have yet to disappoint. We've had the steak and chicken fajitas and those too are on par. The drinks are amazing and inexpensive. It's nice to walk into a place and they know your face and start making your drinks right away. The outstanding customer service will always keep us going back for more.
(5)Eric L.
I've never been impressed with this location. The only reasons I went back and gave them a second and third chance was because I had a gift card I won at work. The service is slow and the wait staff I had weren't friendly or attentive. The food tastes overly processed and not fresh. There are much better Mexican alternatives in the area.
(2)Daniel K.
Not good my chimi tasted like old grease and the service was sub par we had to sit with our empty plates on the table for 5 min. Also we had to ask a random server to take our payment. Also not busy at all
(2)Peter K.
Service was a disaster. Food was mediocre. Afterwards the manager apologized & compensated me with a punch card good for a discount after 5 visits. Are you kidding? I'll never be back.
(1)Le Meow C.
This was my second time coming here. The first time we came to eat here it was night time and we got served right away. I got some enchiladas which weren't bad and we left with a good impression. The second time not so much. We walked in hungry just to be told they weren't serving food, just appetizers in the bar. (We saw someone in the dinning area eating) We asked why don't they and what time they stop serving food and the hostess didn't answer. Rude. We walked right out. Come on people, it wasn't even close to closing time. If places like red robin serve their entrees all night, so can you. At least say it somewhere that you stop serving food at a certain time. (Or make sure you don't have people eating in the dining room for everyone to see) Waste of my time and gas. I'll never eat here or any on the border again.
(1)Fred D.
Watch where you park GOT a $307 towing fee and a $50 cab fare to get my truck back new Hampshire plates Boycott this place
(1)Sean M.
Service Disaster!! Waitress was new and terrible.. Not her fault, they should've trained her before throwing her to the weekend wolves. Sad for her, but a little funny. Poor girl. Crap move by OTB to have rookies on the floor. The place has really gone south. Service, food, everything. Decent TexMex is hard to find in Denver, but OTB was always a decent B- punt. Guess even those days are gone. Adios OTB. Sad day.
(1)Jose P.
This place is a joke. Walked in and was seated. Waited 45 minutes - YES 45 minutes and didn't get served. Walked right out the door and nobody even said anything when we walked out. To be honest the food looks terrible and the place was a mess. I am not just saying that because we didn't get served, it's just being honest. In some funny way I think this place actually did us a favor. I doubt this place will even be in business next year.
(1)Adam B.
Not a fan. On the Border needs to get On their Recipe Classes. Just FYI for all those looking for good Mexican food, this is not it. If you have eaten at On the Border, you have not eaten Mexican food but an American version of something that may or may not be common somewhere South of the United States. Service here was just a little sub par, not horrible. The only redeeming quality was the salsa, free and pretty decent. But unless you like to chronically show up to places to sit down and tip for salsa, you need to look for greener pastures. There are some epic places out there you need to try. Leave On the Border for the next time you have to find shelter ASAP during a zombie apocalypse, which is hopefully never.
(2)Pat L.
So I tried the soft corn hatch chile carnitas tacos this time, and gotta say, not that impressed! The pulled pork was dry, even after smothering it with salsa and more chili which is a no-no where I come from. Oh well, don't know until you try it. I should have said something, but I was hungry enough to eat my own arm off, and besides, I don't want any unwanted organic matter in my food when it comes back to me! Oh, and another thing, (and I don't know why it peeves me so), but the waiter just took my glass of water to refill it instead of bringing me a new glass. I can't stand that! Don't leave me high and dry man! Maybe I am just being high maintenance, but something about eating spicy Mexican food with nothing to drink leaves me a bit uncomfortable. Not my typical experience there, so rather surprised. You can do better guys!
(2)Drew O.
Decided to try On the Border for their "Taco Tuesday" and was very disappointed. The service was unbearably slow for a business lunch. We somehow waited 10 minutes to be seated with nothing but open tables to see. Once we were finally seated we waited another 10 minutes for our server to take our drink order. When we were finally served our food I was not impressed with the flavor or size of the tacos. Even worse was the price, somehow "Taco Tuesday" ended up costing $14 for 3 small tacos.
(2)Erin H.
Forgettable, bland, chain Mexican food. The office came here for lunch recently for a coworker's birthday. Nothing we ate was great. Some things were really not so good. And, service was very confused. We started off sharing some appetizers. The queso was passable. If you know me, you know that I am addicted to queso and I'll eat just about any variety that's put in front of me. But, this certainly did not stand up there with the best. The guacamole was one of the better things. Flavorful, but too salty! I did enjoy the chips and salsa though. I ordered a combo with the chicken tortilla soup and a green chili chicken enchilada. The birthday girl ordered a combo with a guacamole tostada and a pork enchilada. Somehow neither of our enchiladas came out with the rest of the food. When they did arrive, I'm pretty sure she got my chicken one and I got her whole meal. What I thought was just lettuce, tomato, and cheese on my plate turned out to be another guacamole tostada. So, we boxed it up and sent it home with her. The soup was decent. One of the best things I had. But, again, not that good. The enchilada was blah. I seriously wasn't sure if I was eating chicken or pork. Oh, and don't even bother with the skinny margarita. The only way I'll be back is if lunch is someone else's choice and I feel pressured to join.
(2)Samantha E.
Generic Mexican food for the most part, but this On the Border has some good things about it: --Nice patio, with good view of the sunset if you sit on the west side. --Great chips and salsa. Very addictive. --I'm a big fan of the fajitas, particularly baja still with zucchini and other extra vegetables. --The margaritas aren't super strong, but they're tasty. And the watermelon is pretty good. -- Prices are reasonable. A few bad things: -- Service is sometimes iffy. They seem understaffed, so it's not entirely the servers' fault. --The queso pretty much just takes like velveeta. --While the tableside guacamole is quite good, the guacamole you get as a side with some dishes leaves a bit to be desired. --Tacos are only okay. Definitely don't take any home as leftovers, they don't save well. I'm giving OTB three stars, but I'll definitely be back for more fajitas and margaritas.
(3)Jenny L.
It's what you would expect from a chain Mexican place in highlands ranch. Most if the time has good service and drink specials. If you want something more authentic drive to Denver or Aurora and any strip mall place's food is just as good.
(3)Megan W.
Look, I love On the Border. Their sour cream & chicken enchiladas are delicious, brisket tacos yum, but holy crap the service here is always horrible. Waiters take forever to come back with chips/salsa/refills/your order. And it's like I'm always inconveniencing them. Since we've lived here(January) we've been maybe five times, different times and nights and they are never busy so IDK why the wait staff has better things to do than wait their tables.
(1)Kristen D.
I love this place. The happy hour is always so good and the workers are always so nice. I highly recommend their Happy Hour is awesome M-F 3-7. Also sign up online for club Catina - tons of good email coupons!
(5)Jese S.
A frequent work lunch haunt for the Verizon crowd. It seems like it's been years since I came here for lunch. They have expanded the menu to include some really great new items. Sadly some of the old favorties are now gone. This location is usually busy but handled well by the staff. We sat in the bar so we could chit chat with our favorite bartender of the past 13 years Katelyn. The staff here is normally very accomidating and the patio in the summer is great. it's a chain but they maintain a good quality of food output.
(3)Brig A.
Went for all you can eat enchiladas. We were at the restaraunt for nearly 2 hours and I left frustrated over the speed of service. Plus three of my enchiladas were cold. It was just not a good experience.
(2)Amy D.
The fish tacos were exactly as delicious as I remember them being at this same restaurant back in Boston! And the service here is incredible. I have to say, every single waitress, bus boy, and manager in this place said hello, checked on us during the meal, and said good bye! The energy was great. Lots of wonderful food here, I will definitely be back.
(5)Ambu S.
I went for the late night happy hour on a Saturday. Ordered one of their house margaritas and a queso chicken. Margarita was fine but the queso chicken seemed a bit too salty with the cheese they used. The place is pretty nice with a quiet ambiance perfect for having a conversation. The waitress seemed pleasant and the orders came out not too slow. I ordered the flan for dessert and OH GOD, NAILED IT. Maybe it was because it was the first flan I tried but it was so light and literally melted in the mouth. Not eggy, just perfect. It was so good that I tried making it at home and realized how good theirs was. The chips and salsa they give on the table was so nice that I filled myself with it and had less space left in my tummy for the actual food I ordered. The place overall is not out of the world but definitely nice. I am going back for sure but maybe a month or 2 later.
(4)Dan C.
Worst service ever! GF ordered bloody mary wasn't told there are 2 types, brunch style and regular. Needless to say we were charged the higher priced one @6.99. Her lunch was fine with exception she requested no rice and received 2 scoops of rice and no beans. Plate went back for correction. I ordered the endless taco's and not once did our server asked if I wanted more. Honestly this place has gone down the hill and service is showing this. We had a bad experience earlier this week with take out but thought it was isolated. Oh and for the record we were not tucked away in back of the restaurant, we were right behind the hostess station. We both left in discuss and for now On the Border is off our list!
(1)Kristin S.
I might get slaughtered for this, but I like OTB. No, it's definitely not authentic Mexican food, which I love, but it does serve its purpose of a casual dining "Tex Mex" chain. And for the record, I haven't found an abundance of fantastic "authentically delicious" mexican restaurants around the Denver area. OTB has consistenly good margaritas, chips and salsa, and queso. They do change up their menu frequently, so it is hard to get attached to any one menu item, but I do enjoy their apps and margaritas... Went last night - Had very great service and food. No complaints!
(4)Jessica J.
I am not a huge OTB lover, but I do like this location due to its proximity to my office and Park Meadows (well Quebec & 470). If you need an basic Mexican fix and want to plop down and relax instead of getting take out (say of the Chipotle variety), OTB does the trick. I always have good service here. It is never too busy at lunch. Plus they have a fairly good lunch menu. I like their tortilla soup and the queso is always a pleaser! So for a lunch time place - I like it a-ok!
(3)Alyson A.
On The Border has consistently good food and great prices for said food. We don't make it out to this location very often (I live more near the Cherry Creek area). We were seated in a very busy section (one large family with 2 toddlers and one baby seated next to us) that our waitress seemed to be bogged down by. She didn't come by our table for quite some time, which always puts my husband in a funky mood. Our drinks weren't refilled quite enough, but again, she had this monster table (among her other full tables) that was taking up most of her time. The toddlers were legitimately RUNNING around the table in circles, being heathens (while the parents did nothing). It was ridiculous. We counted 3 times where they almost tripped a server (and two times the server had full trays of glassware). At what point do you kick these people out??? We were there on a date (yes, we're the casual food joint type), and it was pretty much ruined by this terrible table. So why the 4 stars? Most of this wasn't the restaurant's fault. Do I think they should have talked to the table about their heathen crotch-fruit? Absolutely. A simple, "your children could get hurt running around in our restaurant" would have sufficed. We were cringing every time a server walked with a tray, blind to the little ignorant children they were about to bowl over. We brought over half our food home because at that point, we just couldn't take it anymore. So sorry to you, waitress-that-we-can't-remember-your-name. It's not you, it's them, but we may not be back for a while considering the crowd.
(4)Luke F.
We go to On the Border almost weekly for the fajitas, the best part is the fresh tortillas. Our recent visit was late on a weekday and the serving staff great as always!
(5)Brian W.
Standard "Cantina" style Mexican. Nothing fantastic nothing at all to put me off. We had a gift card, I wouldn't avoid this place at full price but wouldn't go far out of my way either.
(3)Katie R.
Because my cousin was returning home from a summer in Minnesota, we decided to celebrate her arrival with some tasty Mexican food...and On The Border it was! I have only been here a handful of times and each experience is different. some good, some bad and this particular experience was just plain average. nothing special, and yet still good. Star 1 = The food, although not authentic, is pretty darn good. I ordered the chicken & shrimp fajitas and they did not disappoint. The fish tacos are good too...along with the homemade tortilla chips :) Star 2 = The margaritas are HUGE. I got the house marg, and was surprised by it's fishbowl size, and yet, enjoyed every last drop. Star 3 = The patio is awesome, overlooking the mountains. It's the perfect place to enjoy a meal & company as the sun goes down. however.... -The service is slow & frequently messes up on orders. Our poor waitress didn't see the 3 other people that sat down at our table and weren't served drinks until 15 minutes later, in addition to ringing in and delivering the incorrect order. -The hostess seated our party of 8 awkwardly near the front door and smack in the middle of a busy pathway, so not only was the amount of customer traffic busy, but constantly having your chair bumped by people eager to use the bathroom, isn't the greatest.
(3)Jason J.
When I really feel the need for Mexican food... this is not the place I come to. However when I want a decent burrito I plop in here for lunch. They have burritos that you can customize every single thing on it that are very scrumptious. And I always get the queso to go along with the chips and I admit sometimes I'll come here just to get the queso. Service is always excellent!
(3)Leah Marie B.
Aye Carumba! This chain used to be a solid choice for those looking for Mexican-American food but the quality has defintely headed south! This is the second OTB I've eaten at in the last month and both experiences were disappointing. This visit I was greeted with a strange, rank odor...like spoiled milk. The waitress had the most annoying voice ever - like nails on a chalkboard. The restaurant was virually empty. Only three tables being used and yet we waited a long time for our drinks and chips. Our meals came fast but was over cooked and dry (chimichanga, taco, empanadas). The waitress then disappeared for a long time again. All in all, not great.
(2)Two T.
I've forgotten how good On the Border is! The meals were excellent and the portions were huge! It's been a while since I've been to OTB but man oh man, I was instantly reminded why I would always eat there back in the day! Sign up for their eclub, they send a lot of valuable coupons including free dessert right off the bat. You'll want to sign up the day before you go in so you have enough time to get your coupon. I might be heading in tonight, they sent me a coupon for free guac since its national guacamole day!
(5)A M.
I love this place for a nice quiet place to eat lunch. The serving size is perfect! I love the queso and the chips. The salsa is full of flavor, but is never spicy. I could use a little more spice. My all time favorite is the beef chimichanga with queso dip on top and black beans on the side. The staff (and Manager) are fabulous at this location. Ive been to the OTB in Lakewood near Colorado Mills Mall and the food and staff were awful.
(4)kelsy m.
Always yummy. Had 2 choose-your-own tacos - brisket and something else. The salsa is amazing! I was cold inside with the A/C this time. Sometimes there is room on the patio. You can watch the tortillas being made. They have Coca-Cola.
(4)Neal C.
It is alright. I like it for what it is..a chain restaurant that sells decent Mexican food. We like to sit outside on the deck and enjoy the bunnies hopping around. Drinks are really good.
(4)Floyd R.
Nice decor and service. Good basic tex-mex with reasonable prices.
(4)Kelly T.
Originally, the journey started out in the direction of El Tepehuan. Then we passed it somehow and realized it a little too late. I maintained that I wanted to eat Mexican food because I had been dreaming of a Chimichanga since the moment the notion of Mexican food was brought up. He began throwing out names of Mexican restaurants that weer on the way back home. There were a few the piqued my interest until he uttered the fated words "On the Border." I curled my upper lip in disgust. He balked and asked how I could be so judgmental if I had never tried the food, and declared that we were eating at On the Border for dinner. Since he was driving, I obliged, but I voiced my opinion as to exactly how our dining experience would be. Our waitress would be blond, 19 years old and weigh about 112 lbs. And here is her script: "HIYEEE, MY NAME IS SARAH, WELCOME TO ON THE BORDER! CAN INTEREST YOU IN A BORDERITA GRANDE MARGARITA OR MAYBE SOME OF OUR MINI TACODILLAS? THEY ARE SUPER DELICIOUS!" We would, of course say no, get water and order entrees (although I did order a Margarita and it was fairly strong). The food would arrive looking uninspired and bland and completely uncharacteristic of what you get at a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant (you know, where you can't tell where the rice ends and the refried beans begin and the entire Chimichanga is covered in sour cream, guac, cheese and anything they could physically cram into the inside of the Chimichanga). We wouldn't even get the requisite "Watch out, hot plate" warning that is basically standard at a Mexican restaurant. Well, I should open a fortune telling business, because I was nearly spot on with one exception: Our server's name was Mark and he hated his job. So basically, if you are in the mood for food that is trying to copy Mexican food, but lacks any real ethnic inspiration, I would really recommend this place. If not, maybe you should try one of the seventeen other Mexican restaurants that are in your neighborhood.
(3)Cass D.
I'm downgrading my rating of this restaurant due to the fact that they no longer have the healthy options on their menu that they used to.
(3)DJS N.
Just had lunch. Good food worth a visit. Not amazing Mexican food but enjoyable with good service.
(3)James B.
I keep dropping in for the lunch specials, they've stepped up their game. Good portions and tasty. Low-ish prices - Under $10.00. Chicken lunch fajitas are worth it. You'll see me in here again, keep up the good work.
(4)