Christine A.

A friend of mine was raving about this place and insisted that I should try it. Maybe my expectations were too high, but it was just not that great. The salsa they give you is straight up canned tomatoes with some seasoning and onions. It tasted ok but obviously not fresh or anything special. I got the Seared Sesame Tuna Salad and it wasn't really anything special either. The cilantro-lime dressing was the best part. The lettuce and onions and such were very warm and a little droopy, as if it was sitting under a heat lamp for a while. The tuna was cooked way more than just a sear, making it lose the flavor and texture I look for with seared tuna. Not worth the $13. In terms of service, the hostess was very friendly and polite with explaining their check-splitting policy. However, oh my LORD, we had the slowest server in the world. We spent WAY too much time waiting for her to come take our order and bring us our check. She was extremely uninterested and had absolutely no energy. It made the experience pretty dull. I don't think I'll be returning any time soon.
(2)
Coty S.

It's over, I have avoided Boca Fiesta long enough. I just had to see what the big deal was. Just like The Top, it is mostly overpriced meals served by Gainesville's super-trendy tattooed cool kids. Or, at least they think they are cool. One waiter here is ripping off Zach Galifianakis pretty hard, but in his own skinny vegan way. I never though of Zach as a fashion icon, but Boca Fiesta is known for causing confusion about fashion...oh, and food. This place is about as awesome as a Chili's, but I hear the kids like it because they are open late and have cheap drinks. I could barely get through the pitcher of Margaritas that we ordered, it was rough because we must have been drinking too early. They are a late night option, open until 2am most nights, which is rare in Gainesville. Luckily, we arrived just as they opened so the mobs were still asleep in their expensive downtown condos. We had the place all to ourselves. Oh, and there was plenty of parking at the Sun Center for free. I added pulled pork to my pile of stale nachos. I was worried it would be like the super bland pork at The Lunchbox, but at Boca it was decent. The chips are not fresh and a little too thick for my taste. The cornbread was so damn dry, and the greens are from a can. However, the cilantro lime salad dressing is delicious- so it works on anything, even their little side salad. Our favorite item here has to be the fried okra! Anything okra related has me hooked, and Boca's is lightly breaded and not over cooked. Almost $11 for two tacos, yeah whatever. You know you are going to get screwed on prices when you come here, that is a given, so don't try to fight it. However, the Tilapia Tacos were pretty darn good! The balance of meat to sauce to slaw ratio was as fulfilling as a cardboard can of cheese balls. There is nothing authentic about this place, and if some real taco trucks were to open in Gainesville, then locals might receive an education. But, I don't see anything like that happening in the next decade, so Boca Fiesta will surely continue to prosper at their current prices.
(3)
Dianne R.

This place has great food. But incredibly over priced. The portions are minuscule. I'm from Gainesville and have eaten virtually everywhere. Not worth it to me.
(1)
Camille S.

The Paloma is one of my favorite drinks! Spicy and tequila? Doesn't get much better than this
(4)
Ben S.

The service is slow here, but that meant there was plenty of time for the reverse landing strip bikini wax I wanted. My girlfriend said it was the cleanest one yet. Their clippers are really good. Even though they got my order wrong, while I waited they touched up my reverse landing strip.
(3)
Monica V.

I cannot speak for the night life but the food is delicious and this place is great for vegans or vegetarian. I am personally neither but I have friends that are and it's a rare occasion that I don't have to see sour faces while eating because the only veggie choice was a salad. I love their salsas and their staff is kind and accommodating. I try to go as often as I can! Also if you are meat lover they have some rare types of meat like alligator and I believe snake. I have never tried either but I'm sure it's tasty. I recommend the tacos, empanadas, and believe it or not the taco salad (the lime-vinigrette is to die for).
(4)
Andrea M.

Decided to go for a late birthday celebration hoping to get some good birthday specials but unfortunately they didnt have any. The service was good and timely. We ordered mixed drinks but I wasnt really thrilled about it. The best part was the gator tacos. Best ones I have ever had. The gator bites are lightly fried and paired with a sauce that completes the dish. Definitely a dish to try there.
(4)
Suyin L.

A Mexican place with kangaroo, carmel, gator meat......
(4)
Alyssa C.

I've eaten here twice. This place is pretty good, but not great. The salsa is not very good. It tasted a bit like ketchup. The chips the salsa was served with were fine and the guacamole was alright. The guacamole we ordered was in a "make it yourself" style. It came with avocados, a masher, a tiny container of salt, a tiny container of garlic and a tiny container of paprika. I wish I could have requested larger quantities of the condiments to add to the guacamole. It was quite bland. The food itself is pretty good. Again, not amazing. My boyfriend got the chicken burrito and I got the black bean burrito. The burritos were good though it felt like some sort of flavor was missing a bit. My boyfriend loves the sides that you can get with the burritos. He absolutely loves the cornbread here. The food overall is pretty good and seems like it would only be a small step away from being great. Maybe more seasoning? (I'm not talking heat here, just flavor.) We would come here again if we were in the area and wanted Mexican food but we wouldn't specifically seek out this place for lunch/dinner.
(3)
Kaitlin H.

The outside was decorated nicely and the tables were nice and big, perfect for a group. I got the steak taco salad. I think that for the price it was small, but it was pretty good. The salad dressing was extremely salty, I'm glad I didn't pour it all on; but it was also delicious!
(3)
Debra G.

Great late night drinks and dinner. Excellent margarita and beef taco. My husband loved the Floricane and burrito. Friendly service. Will come Barack.
(5)
Jenna N.

The margaritas here will knock you on your ass. They're glorious. I always enjoy the laid back feel of this place, especially--not many places compare to the relaxed outdoor seating on a warm evening. I've had one terrible service experience here but when I stop to think about the food, all is forgiven. My favorites are the quesadillas, taco salad, and pizzadilla (I think that's what it's called?!). The DYI guacamole is always an enjoyable snacktivity.
(4)
Kevin C.

Yes
(5)
Landon E.

Came here with a very large group, but the service was still rather good. It took a while for me to get my drink (in a group of almost 20) but everyone else's food and drink were there in time. The atmosphere outside is very casual but still has a somewhat intimate ambiance. The food was fantastic and very well priced. Their empanadas are FANTASTIC, I hadn't had a proper empanada for a while and it was great to have one with the perfect seasoning of beef and cheese on the inside and absolutely succulent and crispy crust. Would definitely go there again.
(5)
Hannah M.

My first experience here was horrible and the restaurant has yet to impress me. The food was sub-par with disappointing salsa and horrible cornbread, the burritos were okay but nothing to write home about. Gainesville has a lot of great places to get a good taco (like the Top's Taco Tuesday or taco loco) so we were shocked when these were so lack luster. The service was another blow to the experience. Servers seemed to care about talking with each other more than serving. Multiple times we felt as if we were not "cool" enough to be at the restaurant by the way we were treated. Overall, I have never had a great dining experience at Boca Fiesta but I gave it 2 stars since their drinks are not bad (although overpriced in comparison to drinks in the same area). The atmosphere of the restaurant tries to be hipster but it fails on providing good service and food. Go for a drink with friends but don't set your heart on high expectations.
(2)
Morgan D.

Boca has the best (only?!) Mexican food in downtown Gainesville, and possibly the strongest margs in North Central FL. The fact that they are served in mason jars is a nice touch, too. The environment is pretty hipster/veg friendly (tempeh galore), but friendly and welcoming to everyone. Great place to go for big groups or celebrations. Strangely, the free chips always make my stomach hurt...so, proceed with caution!
(4)
Chris M.

Since trying the fried Mac and Cheese my first time, coming to Boca Fiesta has become a tradition and obligation when visiting Gainesville. Their food is simply really really good! Still a bit too expensive, but the service has improved. Must Haves: - Burger with chipotle sauce - Fried Mac and Cheese
(4)
Nancy L.

On of my most favorite restaurants in Gainesville. The gator burrito is my go-to menu item, obviously paired with a house margarita. I've ordered the sliders and they were also amazing. Brunch is pretty popular on Sundays. I regularly bring my out of town guests here for a great local Gainesville experience.
(5)
Chad P.

Food was good overall. The servers seemed like a bunch of stoners. The food took forever and everyone received their food at completely different times (about 5-10 mins apart each). I may go back, but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way to go here. The club part is fun, but there were a TON of creepers.
(2)
Harrison S.

Ok I'll give you this - I've only tried Boca Fiesta once, but it wasn't enough to get me to return. Service was adequate, but the food was slightly below average and not impressive. I ordered two steak tacos (at the recommendation of my waitress) and got a side of beans and rice with the jalapeno cornbread. Let's start with the tacos: they came with all of the things you would expect in a taco (meat, lettuce, salsa, cheese), but not really anything else. The steak was decent; a little bit chewy and the seasoning was unimaginative and slightly lacking by my standards. The cheese was a pre-grated cheddar and I would expect a more authentic Mexican cheese for a restaurant known for tacos, but at least they put enough on there. The salsa fresca was decent - kind of fitting with the theme of this review - not bad, but just eh. Overall, not bad, but not very impressive either. There are better places in Gainesville to get tacos. The rice and beans were decent. I could tell that the rice had been cooked a while ago because it was dry and not very hot, but it was still alright and the beans weren't bad, but didn't have a strong flavor. Both the rice and the beans could have used a little bit of salt, but with a small serving of hot sauce, they were good. The jalapeno cornbread? Highlight of the meal. They know how to do cornbread here. It was nice and crispy on the outside and soft and crumbly on the inside. It had a mild jalapeno flavor - not spicy at all. It was, however, a little greasy on the outside which made me kind of cringe at the thought of putting the Country Crock they gave me on it. Additionally, the chips and salsa served at the beginning of the meal were not very good. The chips were not salty and the salsa had a very strong tomato flavor. The waitress talked up the dessert so we decided to give it a try. Couldn't have been more disappointed. The dessert tacos were frozen and very difficult to eat because they were so hard. Additionally, the waffle cone taco shells they were in were soggy and not crispy. If you have sensitive teeth - beware. Mine were recovering for a while from the amount of pressure it takes to bite into one of those and then fight off the extremely cold contents. Very odd texture and poor implementation of an idea that is just trying too hard. The Apple Cinnamon Empanada was better than the tacos for sure. This one is actually worth getting, but didn't really have enough cinnamon to cut down the sourness of the apples, in my opinion. Walk over to Mochi and get something there, if you want dessert. Overall, not terrible, but certainly not great. Not my choice of restaurant for a night out in Gainesville.
(2)
Chelsea J.

Do NOT go with large groups. It is an absolute nightmare to try to pay the check. They won't split it for you.
(2)
Nelli P.

It takes a lot of contaminated food to make a vegan ill. I come from the school of, "I left it in the car overnight? Meh, it's vegan, it's still good!" Considering I have yet to get sick from food I have left out all day and then made the irresponsible decision to still eat - I can't imagine what Boca Fiesta must be putting in their Vegan Queso. Then again, I probably should have known better than to eat "queso" that looked like lumpy, white vegetable gravy. In my defense, it was really late and we were really hungry! I had vowed to stop ordering food at Boca Fiesta but my friend ordered queso and chips for us to share and so share I did. We were both extremely ill the entire night with the same symptoms. The vegan queso was the only thing we had in common. After that, I vowed to only ever get drinks at Boca Fiesta. I won't be doing that anymore either. The last time I went there I paid $7 for a hard lemonade that had no alcohol in it! I had three people try it just to make sure I wasn't insane and everyone agreed I had been given a regular lemonade. They were so busy, with only one bartender working the bar, that it wasn't the effort to go back and get another. Boca Fiesta is a good venue, so I still go there to hang out with friends and watch other people get food poisoning.
(1)
Jemal Wade H.

The WORST customer service and attitude I've ever experienced at any food establishment. If you're looking for a cultural apathetic 'indie' vibe place, then this is it. We got there and the place was half empty and it took them about 10 minutes just to seat us and then once we sat down it took another 15 for them to even notice we were there. We had to get up multiple times to ASK for service and every time we got attitude from someone. By the time we got our food, it had been an hour and a half and it was cold an soggy. When we complained we got MORE INDIE ATTITUDE. Instead of apologizing they got defensive and made it seem like it was our fault. The waitress never came back to our table to refill our waters the entire meal!!! NEVER going back again and I would stay away if I was you... Oh yeah....they were playing bad punk music quite loudly too. And by 'bad punk music' I mean 'not good punk' say Green Day Vs The Clash
(1)
Adam E.

I always make it a point to stop here when in town for Gator sports and concerts. Great atmosphere, great food, great beer selection and not at all expensive. Located in a great little part of downtown. I love this place.
(4)
Andrew C.

Visit Date: 10.14.2010 This place broke one of the cardinal rules of food service: food delivered to the customer should be of the appropriate temperature. That means dishes meant to be hot is served hot, while dishes meant to be cold is served cold. The rice & beans and jalapeno cornbread side items of my fried gator taco platter came out DEAD COLD. It was as if those items were sitting out in the open kitchen the whole day and they didn't bother heating them up. Other than that, the gator tacos came out fine, and tasted good. The ground kangaroo empanadas came out hot, and were tasty as well. Yep, I had kangaroo for the first time (and gator for the second time).
(2)
Morgan L.

Boca Fiesta is in the hipster quadrant of town, which typically means pretty decent food. However, this really isn't the case. As far as Mexican/tex-mex goes in Gainesville, this would be my last choice. I go to trivia here (which is amazing! And the reason for that extra star) and everything I've had has been pretty flavor-less. The service takes forever (even for takeout) and the ground beef is flavorless. The chips and salsa is good, but that alone doesn't warrant eating here. My biggest issue with boca is the pricing. Everything is super expensive! It's like $3 for one taco that I could have gotten at Taco Bell for $0.89. Only not as yummy as Taco Bell. If it was cheap to go with the taste, then maybe I would eat there during the two hours I'm present for Trivia. If I've been sitting at a restaurant for 2 hours and haven't bought anything, there's a problem. Also, be forewarned if you have any sort of smoke allergy not to sit outside. As I mentioned, this is a hipster joint - the cloud will engulf you. And as much as the adorable dogs they bring makes up for that, I just hate going home with a migraine.
(2)
Devin H.

I ate here a thousand times in four years, Courtney from Cape Coral is the only server worth a toot. You go girl.
(4)
Jon W.

Well I was prompted to write this because I went in for brunch and ordered eggs "over medium". They said "we only do over easy or over hard, we can't do that, our kitchen isn't that advanced". What is so hard about doing them a little longer than over easy, and a little less than over hard? If Waffle House can handle it, Boca should. This was just the final straw though. Boca used to have great food, though consistency was never present, it ranged from ok to really good. Lately it has dipped to consistently bad. The food just isn't well prepared, and you never know what you are going to get, even if you order the same thing every time. I've had cornbread as a side there at least 20 times, and have never seen the same cornbread twice. It can look like it was bought at Publix, or look very home made. It can be sweet, or it could be salty, no way to tel till you order. The burritos have especially been inconsistent. While I've had awesome ones before, it has been at least a year. Now the meat is often soggy (especially the gator which should be crispy), and the vegetables seem like they must have been out for a long time. I'm done with Boca, and have heard that phrase from several people lately when mentioning them. Even when getting my hair cut the other day, I mentioned Boca as it was near by and she replied "I'm done with them!".
(2)
Maelyn L.

Interesting location and decoration. I think the menu was limited. I tried a gator borito. It was interesting. Waitress had body odor that lingered long after she left the table.
(3)
Alexis A.

Summer time in Gainesville just seems to go hand in hand with late nights spent at Boca Fiesta. The beauty of Boca is that it is so much more than just a hip Mexican joint, but before I get ahead of myself let me talk food with you. The food at boca is pretty darn good and they offer a variety of items on their menu ranging from tempeh and tvp for your vegan girlfriend to kangaroo, gator, and snake for the adventurous at heart. They always feature a particularly weird meat on their menu (gator is always on the menu) which changes every month, so if that's your thing, check their Facebook for updates. I can't say I've tried any of the game but I can say that the tempeh tacos are magic (vegan queso ftw). The drinks are cheap as are most Gainesville establishments but they have an excellent beer selection and yummy mojitos which you can customize to your liking. What I like most is that you can take your food and move on over to the Palamino Pool Hall (next door) or The Backyard Bar, which is the outdoor bar/patio/dancefloor space between Boca and Palamino. I think all the establishments are owned by the same people. All three are good and its nice that they give you the freedom to choose. Now on to the good stuff! Tuesday and Thursday night's the Backyard Bar hosts Trivia Night. Grab a group of friends and head on over a little earlier than 8:00 so you can grab a table. The last time I was in town visiting friends I had such a good time even though we didn't win. I'm not sure if they still host their summer outdoor movie series, but when I still lived in Gainesville it was a real treat to see Breaking Away on their outdoor projector screen whilst enjoying a mojito in their courtyard. Lastly, Friday night means only one thing at Boca: Malibu Nights! The Backyard Bar gets transformed into a beach-themed (just the decor not you) dance party with nothing but a canopy of string lights, the moon and the stars shimmering above your head. This place gets crazy packed during the summer. If you thought the heat and humidity was already unbearable, prepare yourself for the inferno dance party you are about to enter. You will walk out drenched in sweat, that's a promise. And if you don't, well that just means you aren't doing it right! One star off because the service can be a hit or miss. Other than that, I definitely recommend going to the mouth party that is Boca Fiesta. You'll be sure to eat, drink , dance, and be merry! PS: Unlike The Top, Boca has plenty of places to lock your bike. If the metal railing in the front of Boca is full, there is always the Hippodrome or Maude's or practically anywhere you see a railing in the Sun Center. Definitely a plus!
(4)
Jocelyn R.

Love this place! I'm kind of surprised it doesn't have a higher rating. It is VERY Gainesville (hipster/hippie/all-natural) which usually turns me off a little, but I have had very good experiences here. Their burrito is DELISH, and they have mashed sweet potatoes as a side. Um, yum. Also, their margs are really really good. I think my favorite part of this place is their adorable outdoor seating. Its so cute at night when they have the lights on. Its a very enjoyable dining experience and the service has always been good when I've been. I would recommend it!!
(5)
Chelsea A.

Ok, this is my 3rd review of Boca Fiesta. When I first started going there three years ago, they were good and had a promising future. They started going downhill and unfortunately, they did not stop. I went here this week and I'm sad to say it will be my last time there. First, my sister and I stood at the empty hostess stand for a solid 5 minutes without being acknowledged by anyone. Finally, a guy who I am still not 100% certain worked there asked if we'd been helped. We said no, he said "soooo... do you want... a table?". I couldn't help but laugh and told him yes please. He ended up waiting on us the whole night, and while I could tell he was really trying it seemed like he was on crack and just wandered in and decided to help us. They completely changed the menu. It has all the same foods but they now have everything a la cart. I like the idea but the prices all went up as a result. Also they charge for chips and salsa after the first basket now. We ordered margaritas which we always loved in the past. It took 15 minutes to get them, by which point we ate all the chips. They were awful. My sister got a jalapeÃ±o one (they used to be so good!) but he brought it to the table and there was no jalapeÃ±o in it so he took it back to the bar. Not a huge deal, but after waiting 15 minutes for a drink it was pretty lame. While we were waiting for our food, two servers decided to have a conversation behind the hostess stand. One was upset that she got a $0.39 tip on a $9 tab and was wondering if they just didn't have anymore change to leave. NO, I am pretty positive the reason the tip was so low was because the service at Boca Fiesta is TERRIBLE. We waited so long to pay the bill that I am positive we could have just walked out and gotten the meal for free. Of course we did NOT do that, but it was tempting. If the owner really wants to make the restaurant better, he should improve the service and not make stupid menu changes.
(1)
Kylie S.

Things I like- their vegetarian options, their basil cocktails (with basil picked fresh from the garden) and their layout. Things I don't like- they suuuuuuuuuuck for large parties. I've had to attend too many going away parties and birthdays here and they take FOREVER to figure out your check, will still get it wrong, and kind of ruin your after dinner glow because you need to sit down with your friends and hash out all the details and figure out what the waiter got wrong. This has happened to me at least 5 times, no kidding. The waiters also have a hipster 'I'm too cool to be serving you' vibe that I don't enjoy. As a former retail sales person who always did their best to bring service with a smile it pisses me off.
(2)
Jeff B.

Eh..there's better places to eat in this city. Had the gator tacos, apparently the only way they cook it is to cut up the delicious meat into tiny little pieces, bread the hell out of it until you can not decipher the meat you are eating, served on a tortilla. Tasted like fried...anything, which is still never bad in my book. Trivia is fun as well.
(3)
Rachael S.

I tried the TVP burrito and the Tempeh burrito and subbed the vegan queso for the cheese in both. Also got the beans and rice. Both of the burritos were super, super delicious. TVP -Ground beef style The TVP ground beef style was seasoned just like what I imagine spicy taco meat to be like (it made me think of a chili-cheese burrito). It was extra spicy because of the queso, but I was informed that it's still a bit spicy on its own as well. It was filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, whole black beans, and rice (and a TON of the TVP--it was overflowing). I think I will be dreaming about that TVP until I go back there. I love places that offer hearty, flavorful, meat-substitute options. Tempeh--w/acovado The Tempeh w/avocado had a great flavor as well. The texture of the tempeh wasn't overly apparent, but it did add a great flavor (and the flavor was distinctly different from the TVP), but the tempeh wasn't overflowing like the TVP was. The avocado isn't incredibly prevalent either; everything kind of melds together inside. So if you're dying for some guac, I'd suggest ordering an appetizer of it. I was told that the Tempeh is not spicy on its own (but it was quite spicy because of the queso). It, too, was filled with lettuce, tomato, onion, whole black beans, and rice. The black beans and rice (side) were very tasty. They were whole black beans instead of refried. They appear to be the same beans and rice that are in the entrees. I really enjoyed the chips and salsa, too. The chips were super thin, crunchy, and not salty. The portions were quite filling, too. We got one burrito entrÃ©e style (with 2 sides) and one ala carte (without sides), and the two of us were completely stuffed (with some leftovers). I can't speak about the actual-meat options, obviously, but the veggie options were innovative, unique, and delicious! Service was great as well. Plenty of refills, and she was very informative as to what was vegan and what wasn't.
(5)
Robert P.

Good tacos and burritos. Many meat and vegetarian options. They usually have some sort of exotic meat taco (on the chalk board over the bar). I generally get the tvp hard shell tacos or tempeh burrito with salad and rice & beans. They are open late and only sell tacos a la carte later in the night. I'm always happy with their food.
(4)
Analia C.

food was great, service was sluggish - I went during the fest and I get they were busy but eh.
(5)
Daniel G.

Excellent new business! We went the second day it was open. The lady got the tempeh tacos and I got a steak burrito. Both were excellent. Vegan, vegetarian, and carnivorous choices abound - including vegan queso dip. We both had margaritas, which are freshly made and have no HFCS. Menu is set up such that you choose a type (burrito, tacos [hard/soft], salad, or tortillapizza) and then add either vegetarian or carnivorous elements. You then have the option of choosing two from: salad, rice & beans, or grilled corn. Meat options are $9.00; vegetarian are $8.00. Portions left us both full. There's plenty of outdoor seating. Beer, wine, and margaritas are cheap. UPDATE: Went for $6 two taco lunch special. Definitely worth it.
(5)
Paula E.

It's always good to take a couple of days to consider your experience thoroughly...so I'm going to go with a 3.5 overall. Experiencing Boca Fiesta proved to be a challenging objective due to my deep loathing of Gainesville. One must also add into this equation that when I was 15, I used to frequent all the Against Me! shows and was deeply infiltrated in what we called "the scene". Needless to say when the chance presented itself I had no doubt in my mind that my destination was going to be Boca Fiesta. I had heard stories about their rare meat selection that varied from Kangaroo to Snake, which was probably the most enticing thing of all. Unfortunately, when I got my hands on a menu, the only thing "out of norm" was their alligator meat...and having lived in New Orleans...well, you can fill in the blank. The good thing about BF is that it provides a different dining experience from the usual, franchised, tex-mex joints in Gville. We had the Gator Bites which were pretty abundant, I had the Lobster Roll which was disgusting (DON'T BOTHER) and my boo had the burrito which was decent, nothing out of the norm. So if you average the dishes out, that's what you get. We went a second time and friends had their tacos which I would certainly consider eating on any given day. Another positive outlook on the experience is their pretty cheap and awesome drink specials. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a laid back, off-the-beaten-path, sort of Happy Hour then look no further. and last but certainly not least....:drumroll please: THEY HAVE ABITA RESTORATION ALE! If you know me this could potentially be enough to give them a 5 star review...but I decided to sleep on it instead.
(3)
Christine C.

I'm not quite sure what to say, beyond that it's fairly typical tex-mex food, and in Gainesville. Service is very friendly and waters were always filled up quickly. But the food is fairly standard, and I didn't find it quite zomg-delicious, but more rather that it just filled up my stomach and it wasn't horrible. Their gator bites are actually fairly decent, but I'm not sure it makes the Mexican food taste any better.
(3)
Tony H.

I stopped here for breakfast during Fest this past weekend, and was thoroughly underwhelmed. I foolishly opted for the breakfast burrito which was one of the more boring breakfast burritos I've ever had. I also tried a few of my friend's gator bites, which were tasty (I'd never had gator before). But my real problem is with the service. It took entirely too long for our table of 8 to get our food. We were there first thing in the morning when they opened and there were relatively few other customers in the restaurant. It took probably 45 minutes for our food to arrive, which resulted in me missing The Menzingers' acoustic set that I was really looking forward to. Also, our watier had a bit of an attitude. I'll probably go back next time I'm at Fest, primarily because my friends love the place and I do want to give their food a fair shot. But after my first experience, I'm unimpressed. UPDATE: I ate here again for Fest 11 (2012) and was much more impressed the second time around. I got a gator taco, a pork taco, and a margarita, and it was the perfect dinner before more drinking and show-watching. The two experiences average out to a 3-star place. Maybe next Fest, I'll upgrade it to 4.
(3)
Therese K.

Gator tacos are great and the bar has a really fun atmosphere.
(4)
Matt H.

So I've lived in Gainesville for 3 years and never knew about Boca Fiesta. Maybe I had heard the name in passing but never gave it a second thought. Then my buddy came in town yesterday on business so we met up outside his hotel(Hampton Inn DT Real Nice!!) and go watch some soccer at Tall Pauls. We get buzzed and start talking about how amazing "a true taco" would be at that exact moment. Then someone sitting next to us tells us "hey you gotta go check out Boca Fiesta like 50 yards that way." Mind you it's 12:30am so we were skeptical that any place worth a dime would be open that late on a Wednesday night in downtown....but we figured no hurt in giving it a look-see. So we stumbled over(and I literally mean stumbled over) and gave it a shot. The salsa was fresh, the chips were crisp, the queso was authentic, and the tacos were out of this world. And our bartender had a huge tattoo on her chest/clavicle(i dig hipster). What more could you ask for at 12:30am on a Wednesday night?? We were in heaven. The next morning I questioned if the food was as good as I remembered (because I was a little intoxicated) but upon logging onto yelp I saw all the great reviews so that kind of confirmed my first impressions despite my inebriated state. I can't wait to go back sober!
(4)
Crystal M.

I've been here a few times, but never ate food or drank, just came for social things. However, last night our group wanted to get some food, so now I can finally review this place! Boca Fiesta is next to the Hippodrome. All I know is that it is partially owned by a former Against Me! band member and they serve exotic meat burritos/tacos. By the time I arrived, I was a tad *tipsy* so my boyfriend and I split "loaded fries" and got another beer each. The cheap beers were cheap. Mine was like $2.50. Very good :D The fries came out in about 15-20 minutes. At first we looked at it and said "oh, no, these are nachos... we ordered fries" until we realized that their version of fires was sliced round potatoes. Hm. The fries were plentiful, kind of worth the $8, kind of not due to taste. The "fries" were soggy as a baby's diaper. Kind of gross. There was a decent amount of cheese on it, a few tomatoes, some lettuce and a black bean or two, with 3-4 sliver of onions on top. I also got to mention we initially wanted queso, but they were out. Factors into my 2-star rating. Overall, would go back for beer, but not for food.
(2)
Jim B.

Wow. Pretty bad overall. 4 of us went for noshing and cocktails on a Wednesday night... we got there in time for happy hour - I had a frozen margarita that was heavy on the tequila, light on anything resembling flavor. OK - who can complain about a serious drink, right? The service was alternately indifferent and missing in action. The staff is full on hipster, heavy on the trucker beards. Sadly, hipsterism seems to equal weak service in Gainesville. The two tacos I ordered (1 fish and 1 gator) were so salty that I could barely eat them. Food should be seasoned with salt, not buried in sodium. My friends reported the chicken version was good - and there was a special of the day involving buffalo and taquitos that was reported as quite good. Bleah. I think I'll avoid this disaster in favor of something better.
(1)
Bryne Y.

I really want to love Boca Fiesta, but the truth is it's only okay. I've never received service here that was anything other than ambivalent. The menu choices are extremely impressive, especially for vegetarian and vegan diets, but the flavors aren't as sharp as they could be. I ordered a couple of TVP tacos, waited forever for them to arrive and when they did, the TVP was cold. I love that they have things like watermelon and corn on the cob as side dishes, though, and the beans and rice are done very well. I also had a tempeh burrito here once that I remember as very good, but that had to have been over a year ago so it's not exactly useful information now. The atmosphere could use a facelift, too--it feels more like a bar than a restaurant, it's loud and again, the staff doesn't seem to be as attentive as they should be. ALSO--be aware that your server will tab you out and make you pay before you receive your food. Good if you're in a hurry, but a complete hassle if you want to order anything else beyond your initial order.
(3)
Maria Christina V.

Heard lots of great things about Boca Fiesta and finally went over the weekend. Its a great place and I will definitely go back. I should preface this by saying Im 100% mexican and know my mexican food. Its hard for me to find good mexican food in Gainesville but Boca Fiesta does a pretty good job! We got chips and salsa right away after we were seated. And the salsa isnt like that jar salsa you get at the store, this was really good and tasted fresh. We ordered margaritas with their house watermelon infused tequila. I imagined the drink to be very watermelony but it was just a hint which I really liked. $6 may be a lot but I definitely enjoyed it :) The server told us first about their specials, one of which was empanadas. I imagined these to be like the ones at Emilianos, which are kinda small (like the size of the palm of your hand) but the flavors sounded delicious - chili chicken, beef queso and tempeh - so I had to order one and got the chili chicken. While we waited for our food, another server asked if we wanted a plate of chicken enchiladas that had been mistakenly made and they were going to throw out; of course we said yes :) They were really good. Packed with LOTS of meat and the sauce was tasty. They werent swimming in sauce and cheese like you see at most mexican restaurants, which I appreciated. Our empanadas came out and I was so surprised to see how HUGE they were! Like the length of my foot! And hot and crunchy and DELICIOUS! And only $3.50!! 1 emapanada is more than enough food for one person and the chili in the chili chicken empanada was amazingly good. Not spicy, but green yummy chili sauce that oozed with the chicken. I would definitely go back to get this!!!! For 1 HUGE empanada, 1 Newcastle, 1 Margarita, chips and salsa, and a free order or enchiladas, we paid $15 ... Not a bad meal out! :)
(4)
Amanda G.

I think my problem with Boca Fiesta was my ex-boyfriend. Don't laugh, I'm for real. I have been 3x since we broke up and it's been awesome. They haven't been out of food like my previous occasions. The margaritas have tasted strawberry and still gotten me drunk as all get out on 1 and service has been awesome. I will say each of these times I've only been with one other person, so maybe large parties trip them up. Maybe the negative karma of that relationship was bringing down everything in my life!
(4)
FoodGirl G.

Blackened mahi fish tacos, side of avocado, very tasty. Chips and salsa, good but not outrageous as hoped. Collard greens - would I put this on the menu at a Mexican-type place, no, but they are nice. Gluten-free beer and all-around decent drinks selection, check. I've come back twice. Glad it's downtown! However, for really delicious Mexican food I head to La Tienda every time. Now THAT is some damn fine food.
(3)
John F.

Aww yeah. I thought the food here was really good. And that made up for the somewhat lackluster, slow service. The menu is pretty cool. Gator burritos? Apparently sometimes they also have kangaroo? Awesome. I like places that add something a little, I guess exotic to the standard fare. Being lame, I went with the chicken. It was good. I would say it was one of the better burritos I've had, honestly. Corn on the cob as a side was cool; who doesn't like a little ear of corn? So, basically: good food, mediocre service. I would recommend checking it out if you're in town. But not if you've got somewhere you need to be in a hurry.
(4)
H D.

Unique twist on taco night. Fish tacos are amazing. Everything I've tried is excellent but I always go back to the fish tacos. Dining area is quite loud during their peak hours. Service isn't the best.
(4)
Chet L.

Went here two weeks ago on a not overly crowed night. Sat down, couldn't get served to save my life. Asked scruffy guy walking by twice if I could get a menu, he said sure both times. When that never happened I walked up to the bar to get the margaritas I've read so much about here. You guys know margaritas aren't supposed to have ginger ale in them, right? Went back outside, still got ignored by scruffy guy, and was appalled when he interrupted the really mellow band to tell them they only had 5 more minutes. I really wanted to try the food here. But if someone doesn't want to take my money, I'm not going to sit there all night waiting for them to change their minds. Maybe I'm just not hip enough looking, as one reviewer said of the perceived hipness of this place. My prediction: Shortly this location will go back to being known as the place that used to be the Hardback Cafe.
(1)
Justine B.

Who doesn't love tacos? I wish I could rate Boca Fiesta a little higher because I am a big fan but their service won't let me. On a few occasions the servers have completely forgotten we were there and we had to chase someone down to put in our order. I try to only go when I am not in a rush and have time to just hang out. Food wise, I am not a vegetarian but I order their tempeh all the time because it's so good! I always get soft tacos and I'm rarely disappointed. I suggest getting their watermelon with cashews as a side dish! So refreshing and yummy. And the salsa they give you for the chips is so good...we always get more. Lastly, the prickly pear (pretty sure that's the name of it. it's bright pink) margarita is heaven! You have to try it.
(3)
N M.

Boca Fiesta has so much potential. The location and ambiance are REALLY excellent. The outdoor seating reminds me of a favorite restaurant in Green River, Utah that I loved - very cozy and welcoming. The decor inside is great. Everything else (tables, chairs, etc) seemed a little tattered. It is trendy, yes. The people from The Top also come here. You will feel uncool and want to check your own ID to make sure people your own age are allowed in - but they are welcoming. However, the service is really bad, and that is for all customers across the board, don't take it personally. Asian restaurants that have bad service generally have the best food. That is not true in this instance. The servers apparently pool their tips, which has the effect of no one server really caring about any particular table. If this restaurant is to survive, this is the first thing that MUST change. The food was OK, but quite sub-par in most ways. Chips were too greasy; TVP was WAY too salty. Actually everything was way too salty. However, the fish tacos were the best I've had in G'ville, I will admit. I do admire the simplicity of the menu. The other major gripe I have is that the beer list is about as creative as what I could find at any towny bar in G'ville. Some micro-brews, but people, WHERE ARE THE IPA's? People who know and love good microbrewed beer are religious about IPA's. I was shocked that there was a very poor representation of the category. There were some interesting beers on the list, but to not have IPA is like not having beer. Would it kill you to add a dogfish head 60 (or 90) minute at least? If you want to hang out at a cool funky downtown bar/restaurant, that happens to serve sub-par Mexican food, you will be DELIGHTED with Boca Fiesta. If you want the best mexican food in town it is worth the drive to La Tienda!
(3)
Dan S.

I dunno, i don't get the negative reviews? I guess I'll let y'all know what I got and you can come to your own conclusions. First, the setup is great. The owners are friends/partners with the Palomino Pool Hall dudes, and they share ownership and staffing of the Back Yard Bar courtyard, which is a sweet setup. Let me elaborate by saying this place is ideal for getting some beers and letting the kids run around. The recent sand pit addition is even more awesome for such occasion. OK, so the food. The chips and salsa, I dunno, i like em. We got mountains of them (3 times), they are free, and I thought the salsa was tasty. I ordered the gator burrito, and it was dynamite. Super tasty. For sides, I got watermelon with cashew pieces (interesting but not worth the extra cost of a side!) and the jalepeno cornbread (super tasty, but also v. small). I love the fact that each month they offer up some wacky, gamey type of protein offering, like kangaroo meat or frog legs wrapped in bacon. Big points for that bold move. If you are veggie or vegan, they offer ample selections of that stuff as well. So the choices are nice. I will say the prices are quite high though - don't mind paying that for the exotic meat stuff, but $10.50 for a burrito and two (very small) sides is a bit much. Drinks: OK, I am not sure why they would not be serving up anything decent on draft, but the draft beer selection is pitiful. However, the highlight is that they don't care if you walk over to the Palomino, grab a pint of something delicious, and bring it on back to your table. More bonus points for both businesses for being so awesome on that tip. The house margaritas are made with agave, and are doubles, and they are $5. So that too is a wonderful thing.
(3)
Joey S.

I've really enjoyed eating at this restaurant for past several times I've been there. The food is great, but I have to say the service is a bit slow and the A/C hasn't been repaired since the place opened, which for some people can create really uncomfortable and sweaty situations. If you like sweating and eating good food, then this is your place.
(3)
Jen W.

I asked the server to be 100% honest with me if the burrito w/ stir fry veggies and vegan queso dip was good; he promised it was and it sure did deliver! Funny that I just got through telling my co-worker that I couldn't be vegan because I'd miss cheese, but this meal hit the spot. Very full of flavor!! I also got the collards and loved them - having grown up in the South, they were spicy and yummy just like my dad made them! Outside patio added to the enjoyment of the meal.
(4)
James V.

Wow, I'm really surprised by the negative reviews; I have been here with my wife about 5 or 6 times and we love it. There are two things that keep me coming back : 1) They seem to pay attention to the little things, and the food is always high quality. And 2) The margaritas are outstanding, easily the best in town. The chips are fresh made and delicious, and the salsa is just great. I was really surprised to hear complaints about the salsa, either people have gotten something different than I have or they don't know what they're talking about. Plus we love the make your own guac, the avacados always seem to be just perfectly ripe. We get it every time even though it's too much food to eat. And the margaritas. They are strong, cheap, and delicious. What more do you need? This isn't a place that's going to change the way you think about Tex-Mex, but it doesn't need to. It just does everything right, and at a decent (if not rock bottom) price. The only caveat I will add is that we usually go early (on our way to a show) so our service is pretty efficient. The one time we went at peak hours it was a little slow, so some of the reviewers may have a point about being understaffed. But I just don't get the negativity, this is a great neighborhood joint, I definitely recommend it.
(5)
Megan D.

Cutest employees EVER!!!!!!! Fun place to get drunk and eat a burrit!! Movie night rules!!!
(5)
Allen H.

I have been here several times for lunch. Several different choices for protein in your meal : gator, fish (tilapia IIRC), chicken, etc. I usually get the tacos. Queso is tasty, but similar to what you get at Moe's. During some parts of the week they have a limited menu over lunch. Essentially you lose some of the side dish options and other entree choices but the price ends up about the same. While it's not my first choice for lunch, if you are in the downtown area this place is worth trying at least once if only to get gator tacos..
(2)
Diane W.

Holy crap Worst.Dinner.Ever Ahhh were do I begin...ok so we had a big party about 15 of us for a friends b-day. We sit down and order drinks and my bfs drink had a bug in it. Strike one. Not only did they not comp it but they didn't even really apologize, the waitress which we found out later was the manager just laughed. After she got him a new drink I kid u not she disappeared for an hour and fifteen minutes. By the time she reappeared (many eye daggers were thrown) she was like "oh are u ready to order"?? OF COURSE WE ARE!! Our drinks are empty so are our chips how log do u think it takes 15 people to decide what to eat off your meager menu???? 20 minutes top! Also may I add she was lookin a bit broke I mean atleast wash your hair. So we get our food(another hour and 15 later) and most of it's cold. She replies "well it's all fresh" ......so? Fresh doesn't mean cold?!!!! Ugh then my two sad tacos were doused in their pace salsa which tasted like tomato sauce. My sad little muffin was cold too. Then I had to pay for it. Le sigh. We called later to complain because my friend just wanted to get going (after 2.5 hours who blames her) And they sent us a 10 dollar gift certificate on a piece of paper with a dinosaur on it wtf..... DONT GO HERE
(1)
Skuyler J.

I haven't been here since Fest 8, but (like every punk's) it was one of my top destinations. The chips and salsa were awesome and I can't remember much else. It was Fest weekend and four months ago, but... The margaritas are really awesome My seitan taco was a little too salty The prices were actually pretty solid The beans/rice weren't what I was expecting I guess because I'm used to socal Mexican food of refried pintos and Mexican rice. This stuff was still okay, just different. The service was pretty great considering how overworked they must have been at that point (Sunday) and Warren brought us our drinks and seemed like a sweetheart.
(4)
Chas N.

I highly recommend the chicken burrito with habanero hell, but if spicy isn't your bag, habanero is totally optional. It's just my personal preference. All menu items come with sides (YES!), and I choose the side salad with the cilantro lime vinaigrette, with rice and beans. Also, definitely check out the taco of the month. My roommate and I make sure to get out to this place at least once a month to see what crazy thing they come up with - kangaroo meat, boar, rattlesnake, and rabbit to name a few. Find someone who you don't mind sitting down with for a conversation (service can be slow) who lives for inspired food that is often off the beaten culinary path. Make sure you sit outside, especially if the weather is nice. It's often a lot less crowded and the table and chairs are actually stable. The patio is really a nice slice of Gainesville, and the two large tables outside can accommodate very large parties (10+). This place is really fun, but not a destination for picky eaters, as the every menu item is far from your basic meat cheese and lettuce. For me, this place is definitely worth finding parking downtown.
(5)
Mandy D.

The food is only ok, nothing special. I do really like their chips and salsa. Margaritas are pretty good, would be excellent for like $1 less. Love the outdoor seating area, that plus chips and salsa and drinks would be the way to go.
(3)
Jordi M.

My boyfriend and I went here for dinner and we were very impressed. We ordered the fried mac and cheese as an appetizer and when it came it was HUGE. After eating the chips and salsa and the fried mac and cheese we were too full for our meals. My boyfriend ordered the chimichanga and I ordered a chicken burrito. We ate them later in the evening at home and they were so good. We will definitely go back here again. The rice is very seasoned and not like a traditional Mexican restaurant, but it's still good. The sauce on the chimichanga was really good. The atmosphere is nice and they hire alternative workers, but everyone was very nice.
(4)
Nic P.

I love Boca Fiesta. I go once a week at least. My favorite drink there is the Hard Arnold, it's basically the alcoholic version of an Arnold Palmer. Can't go wrong with that. My favorite dishes there are any of the tacos or sliders. Brunch is another great thing about this place. They do huevos rancheros and breakfast burritos right. Plus, they still serve chips and salsa during brunch!!
(5)
Damien S.

I have a Yelp list called "What Happened?" My night that began at Boca Fiesta belongs on this list. And it's all the $4 margaritas' fault. These are potent libations. So potent, I can only recall the decent $4 corn on a stick (street-style elote, well seasoned and smokey, with the limey tang but scant on queso fresco), indulgent fried mac and cheese balls ($8, vegans rejoice: a vg version is avail), and a cavalcade of assorted tacos. Which, you ask inquisitively? The gator, tuna and pork, ya Nosey Nellie. Individually, of course, although a combo of those proteins might be interesting... Nope. It'd be disgusting. Guaranteed. On their own, they played nicely in their unique houses. The three pack of snackos plumped with ahi tuna seared in a sesame crust and topped by a cucumber-pineapple salsa are light pink and refreshing; the fried gator death rolls itself in chipotle aioli, and the street pork (onions cilantro hot sauce) handily beats the pepper jack covered alternative. Outdoor seating will showcase live music or a proper 90s buttrock Pandora stream. Because no matter how hipster a place called Mouth Party tried to be, they'll always succumb to late night Nickleback.
(4)
Alice C.

Boca Fiesta is one of those places you want to like more than you actually like. The location, the big open bar, the outside seating, the ambiance, the exotic meats that you have never eaten before, it is all good. I love the owner guy, he is terrific, and so is the chef guy. Oh, and Schylar: love, love, love Schylar to the moon and back. So, why did I not give it 5 stars? I have a few minor gripes and one major gripe. Minor gripe, #1: the salsa is really disappointing for a place that works hard to be original and different. The salsa tastes like a sweet supermarket salsa that you purchased in a hurry for a party because you did not have time to make your own, and your party sucked because the salsa sucked, and then the next day your friends re-evaluated their opinions of you. The salsa is that disappointing. Minor gripe, #2: they pickle EVERYTHING! They pickle their onions, they pickle their peppers, they pickle their hot sauces. They pickle everything! And even when you promise that you will not talk into people's noses at the bar, they will not bring you raw onions. I promise I will not drive other people away with my breath! My major gripe is that Boca Fiesta staff can be a little rude to people they feel are not cool enough to sit and eat out on the patio. My husband and I are accepted because we are interracial, Chucky Taylor wearers, who have several tattoos each. We are fringe without being clichÃ© fringe, so we are cool in their eyes! But, if you are a conservative looking parent, or even worse, if you are elderly, they can be absolutely rude, and that is decidedly not cool in my eyes. So, here is my call to action; find a cute, lonely, elderly person and take them to full bottle mimosa brunch this Sunday at Boca Fiesta! OMG! I forgot to put that under the things I love! Ten dollar full bottle mimosa's - LOVE!!! But, not as much as we love Schylar.
(4)
Laura Terese H.

I had reviewed Boca before, Twice in fact. My tastes have changed and so has the menu and experience. Fun fact. I have only ever sat inside once, I prefer the outside even when its raining! another fun fact, my first impression of Boca was pretty unimpressed. I really think that years ago I just made wrong choices and maybe that day the food was not my friend. Since then every visit has been a relaxed, chill, delicious good company and service blessing. Boca is quite a place to go people watching, that is why we 3 sit outside. I now eat mostly "vegetarian" so I appreciate that Boca has options upon options upon freaking options. I have had tacos/burritos/quesadillas/vegan mac and cheese balls etc....I get them with the "stir fry" which is poblano peppers, cabbage, and carrots. I also love their tempeh and Tvp on anything. My favorite thing to get is the quesadilla with the stir fry AND the Tempeh add avocado. its a perfect amount of food. Salty and nutty from the tempeh, spicy and crunchy from the stir fry. You do get a basket of chips and salsa, which is large enough for 3 people to snack on. I always ask for their Habanero pineapple hot sauce, just remember its so hot...you only need to DOT. Service? never had an issue. They are always friendly, know the menu, ask if we are vegans if there is a concern, and fill our drinks and tummies with a smile.
(5)
Serena W.

Service was good... Food was GREAT! the only negative was that it's super dim inside of the restaurant.
(5)
James J.

A night of debauchery, at least in my world, leads to late-night eats as well. You can justify the poor dietary decisions as a means of "sobering up" or invent another excuse if you like. Boca Fiesta stands tall as a great choice in this context for several reasons, but when weighing this tex-mex spot fairly against other competitors, the scales reveal some key areas needing improvement. The Space With prime real estate right next to the Hippodrome Theatre, Boca Fiesta already has a huge advantage over similar restaurants in town. The main entryway is the one directly facing the theatre, but you can also cut through the pool hall that also happens to be owned by the same group of people. There's ample outdoor seating, and inside you'll find a quaint bar, booths, and tables to accommodate hungry patrons. The decor on the inside I find quirky: they've got large paintings of saint-like skeletons on the walls and a section of the inside is devoted to instrument accessories (i.e. drum sticks, drum heads, etc.). Odd but definitely classic Gainesville. The Service Here is where our metaphorical scales start shifting a bit. I've been to Boca Fiesta for brunch, lunch, dinner, and as a late-night biter. Over the years the service has continued to remain spotty. The same can be said for the time it takes to get your meal or drink in general. It's also not uncommon that your table is not tended to for a while, especially if seated outside. And typically I wind up here with a group of 4 or so, all of us being fans of chips and salsa. Maybe I am being too critical, but I suspect the wait staff must be encouraged to avoid a 2nd basket for tables. Even when I have ordered guacamole or queso, it feels like you have to flag someone down and ask, sometimes resulting in a reluctant "OK". The place isn't going to shut down over a few fried triangles of tortilla, so boost the customer service a bit and just eagerly replenish them. Even chain tex-mex places know this to be the way to happy customers. The Food Boca Fiesta's menu does pretty much all of the heavy lifting in my opinion when it comes to how they measure up. They carry all of the tex-med essentials like chimichangas, tacos, burritos, etc. with a solid quality. They truly do shine, however, in the variety department. First off, they carry tempeh and TVP (aka textured vegetable protein) so your vegetarian/vegan crowd is covered in spades. Stack on top of this rare/unique proteins like buffalo, kangaroo, and bison and this is where Boca inches into positive territory. Notable items I've had include: - Chimichanga (B): Huge, rich, and extremely dangerous with queso drizzled on top - Guacamole (B+): It's guac, sure, but they bring you the diced avocado and let you mash in the other ingredients to your liking. Love this. - Nachos (B): If you're strong enough to resist the free chips, ordering nachos for your meal will be a win. Plenty of them and a nice blend/amount of toppings. - Vegan Mac & Cheese (A): Nice amount, incredibly indulgent but really...so very worth sharing PRO TIP: They stop giving out the free chips and salsa after ~10pm so late-nighters beware! Final Thoughts They have some in-house sauces that are killer, my favorite of which is the pineapple habanero. Use it sparingly and if you're in the "I kinda like hot" camp don't get it. Brunch is also solid here, and it doesn't draw a crowd like the other, more traditional options in town so you won't have to wait an hour to get a table. With a just little more hustle and enthusiasm by the servers Boca Fiesta would definitely see more of me.
(3)
Scott T.

It's just OK. I never seem to get really good service at the bar and the food is OK it's a little loud and noisy nice to sit outside when it's not raining.
(3)
Laura H.

A fun little place tucked to one side of The Hipp--nice outdoor patio, comprehensive menu of traditional Tex-Mex favorites, some with a nice twist. I asked for a suggestion, and heard that the chimichanga was the way to go; my friend ordered the tuna tacos. And then...we waited. And waited. And waited. The restaurant wasn't packed. There was staff visible all over. So was it the kitchen that was short-handed? We never knew. And that's when they lost a star. Both entrees had lovely presentation when they finally arrived, and were very tasty. The chimichanga was chock full of chicken; the tuna tacos looked and tasted lovely and fresh. But by the time the food arrived, we had 10 minutes to eat. After having waited for 35. In other words...don't go if you have anywhere else to be that night.
(2)
Crissie L.

Wish I would have come here last night!! Loved everything about this place. I loved the chill environment. I had a house margarita, delicious chips and salsa, a very flavorful pork taco and a good tender steak taco. Tacos were served promptly and they were pretty full with meat along with a good amount of cheese, lettuce and fresh pico de gallo on top!! All for a great price!! I only come to Gainesville twice a year, I will be coming back here for sure!!
(5)
Felipe L.

It's okay. Their free salsa is disgusting, but the tempeh burrito/tacos are very delicious.
(3)
James O.

Very mediocre food, horrible waits, and the margaritas really are average. Its about as Mexican as a gringo wearing a sombrero.
(2)
Jason G.

I have come here many times over the years but tonight made me leave a review. I ordered ahead because it was raining and the nice lady that answered was very patient with me and put an order in for us. They were closing the kitchen in 10 minutes and she got us some burritos. We arrived and had a delicious stumpknocker by Swamphead and the food came right up. The chicken burrito (no cilantro or Pico DE gallo) was incredible, especially with the habanero pineapple hot sauce. The mashed potatoes were delicious and the kale salad topped it off. Will definitely come here more often.
(5)
Meryl C.

Maybe my expectations for this place were set too high, but I was slightly disappointed with my experience here. First of all, the staff was not very friendly. I didn't necessarily feel welcomed when I walked in, and my server seemed somewhat disengaged and even a little bothered. As for the food... maybe a notch up from mediocre. I was happy about the complementary chips and salsa, but after a chip or two I was over it. For my entree, I ordered the Tempeh Tacos with two sides- the garlic mashed potatoes and a side salad. The tacos were skimpy and a bit... mushy. The side portion of mashed potatoes was minuscule. I think my favorite part of the meal was the lime-cilantro vinaigrette for my side salad. Maybe I just chose the wrong things to order, but I'm not sure I will be returning to try anything else.
(3)
Lucas F.

Cool, hip, punk vibe with a dim setting and plenty of outdoor seating. The pork burrito and the gator burrito are always winners and the fried Mac and cheese balls will put you into a happy little coma of melty goodness Trust me the Mac and cheese balls are worth the belly ache they're ballin Great drink menu, reasonably priced. Love this place!
(5)
Caitlin M.

Pretty bland. I've tried this place about four times and I've always been disappointed. The only reason I come here is I cannot stay away from their deep-fried vegan mac n cheese balls- which I must give credit where credit is due, they are amazing- plus they're open late sometimes. Other than that, the burritos have no flavor and the food is overpriced.
(2)
Jessica K.

I'll return because: -Server was straight out of Little House on the Prairie, weird as shit, and totally lovely. She did a nice job. - The margaritas are $6 and totally solid. - There's tons of patio seating. - They serve food super late. Not sure about weekdays, but the kitchen is open until 1:30am on weekends. That's incredibly awesome. Call about weekdays, maybe, but there's a good chance it'll be one of few options that is both open AND serving food. I'll change my strategy when I return because: - Salsa tasted super odd. Boyfriend stopped me from eating to investigate it because he was sure there was seafood in it. Weird. - Our entrees were fine. Good, maybe. I had enchiladas with the TVP (an amazeballs offering--- so much better than tofu cooked poorly) and they were not enchiladas at all and were pretty dry, but I would try something else with that TVP. Also, no sides or bonus noms, which is pretty lame. Boca Fiesta pretty clearly suffers from a crippling identity crisis. I have no idea what they're going for, but they're not fully achieving it, whatever it is. They do have weird meats as specials: kangaroo, camel and goat when we were last there. They have some Tex-mex classics alongside a burger menu. It has a nice atmosphere, but if anything is going on next door, the music obliterates the atmosphere.
(3)
Jimmy H.

Bland, salty, make that super salty food. I guess drunk college students might like it. The service was slow, and the whole place just feels dark and weird.
(2)
Cheryl C.

We were in Gainesville for the book sale and a friend who lives in the area suggested we eat here. We would have never found it otherwise! it's tucked away in some back streets where parking is a pain but definitely worth the effort. They have quite a few vegan offerings and apparently make a great margarita, but I was driving and not vegan, so I went with a cheese burger, fries and sweet tea. I was really pleased with the presentation and very happy with my meal. Homemade thin sliced potatoes, almost chips but not quite, very delicious! The burger was big and tasty, pretty large serving. My daughter tried the gator bites and I snitched a couple and really liked the flavor and texture, the dipping sauce reminded me of Raising Cain's sauce in Louisiana. The staff was really nice, our server was attentive and very helpful. There is a really beautiful outside courtyard dining area which connects to a pool hall. The price was very reasonable. Defiantly a great experience I would like to repeat when in the area again. We finished up with a great cup of coffee at Starbucks tucked away across the street. Defiantly an area to park and spend a few hours waking around. Lots of interesting stores and artwork scattered about the area.
(5)
Camille C.

Everytime I've gone here it's been awesome! The food: amazing, fresh, flavorful I'm vegetarian and I love that they serve numerous plates with tempeh, which is delicious btw, you can't even tell it's not animal meat -the tempeh empanadas taste just like a meat one, and I would know, I'm from Miami and I'm Hispanic so that says it all. -the servers are normal, not overly nice or fake nice, just people doing you the favor of bringing your delicious meal to your table but they're still nice about it -and their selection of beer is pretty awesome and different so I love to always try something new when I go. -also, it's a very clean and well maintained place, the outside is nice and cozy, especially at night, great for a date! (Oh, and awesome music) So obviously they deserve 5-stars One of my favorite restaurants in Gainesville so far
(5)
Elle M.

Very fun place! I love the margs. Tempeh tacos and burritos are what I usually have. The outdoor seating is very nice at night time and I believe dog friendly. Prices are good. Fun backyard bar behind boca that has all kind of events going on. Check it out for sure!
(5)
Andrew R.

Service was...lacking. No one got a refill in the two hours we were there (party of six.) I was charged for an item my food came without, but I never had an opportunity to tell the waiter because he never came back after the food was delivered. Food was decent but not good enough to make up for the service.
(2)
Patrick R.

Mouth Party is pretty good but I had one big issue. Our waiter had a really weird outfit on (snug fitting short jorts & a not-buttoned-up-enough hawaiian shirt). Like, I give the food 4.5 out of 5 stars and I give the dude's outfit 0 out of 5 stars. That outfit sucked. Frankly it ruined the whole experience for me. Definitely don't wear such a dumb outfit and try to serve me food. They give you chips and salsa for free doe and for that, I will return. Just hoping that waiter isn't there wearing such shit clothes. Ya know what? No, I'm not goin back, just in case he is.
(2)
Farrah S.

I went here on a Monday night for their 2-4-1 margaritas, and I must say, I am officially a Boca Fiesta fan. I entered through the backdoor patio, and there was Karaoke going on. The tea lights, music, and weather were juuuust right. Good feels. My friend and I took a seat at the bar, and when the bartender ID'd my friend, he realized it was her birthday. He offered her a free shot without hesitation (seriously, what bartender does that?). She ordered the margaritas (which are delicious), and I told the bartender to surprise me with a drink. He made me a drink called the "So Fresh & So Green" which had gin & cucumbers. It was amazing! After our drinks, we ordered the gator burritos. The gator was seasoned perfectly and there was a generous amount of gator. It kind of tasted like a Chipotle burrito with gator (I love Chipotle). Awesome vibe, good food, great drinks, and fair prices. I'll probably go back in a few days and will update the review if I need to. TL;DR - try a so fresh & so green, enjoy the backyard patio, 2-4-1 margaritas on Mondays, & the gator burrito is tasty.
(5)
Gabriel R.

100% BADASS VEGETARIAN!! This place freakin rocks man. No lie, their food is pretty fantastic, especially their vegetarian tacos with their delicious fresh salsa and DIY guac.. omg.. im getting so hungry writing this.. stop reading just GO! You will NOT be disappointed!!
(5)
Andres H.

Best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to! Haven't found anything on the menu I don't like.
(5)
Tessly D.

Good food, but rude communication. Our waitress was very nice, but the hostess was extremely rude about explaining the check splitting and gratuity policies. They won't split checks for parties more than 8. It's fine if this is their policy, but it could be communicated much more politely. They very much give off the attitude that they're doing their customers a favor by accepting big parties (which most downtown Gainesville restaurants do), rather than focusing on good customer service.
(3)
Mel B.

I come here all the time and in a special place in the depths of my black heart there exists a soft spot for Boca, but the service is truthfully hit or miss. It's a hipster, college bar; if you want consistent. attentive service go to Dragonfly or BJs or something. Lot's of vegan and carnivore options. I highly recommend the fried mac and cheese, vegan queso (RIP :(, I'll never recover from your expulsion from the menu), steak quesadillas, empanadas, and they're weird meat of the month. I've had ostrich, rattlesnake, duck, and kangaroo tacos. They were all freaky and all delicious. Decent drink menu and selection. Highly recommend the mojitos and margaritas, which can be easily customized Another perk is that its connected to Backyard, which is a bar with a stage and Palominos, which is a pool hall. You don't have to leave the area to experience different types of entertainment Also, they have trivia and movie screening nights!
(4)
Job W.

Good food. Great service. The people who work here really make the place. They're very accommodating. The blonde bartender is super friendly and made the birthday celebration there a complete success. If you plan to drink and eat, this the place to go.
(5)
John C.

Very fresh food and friendly, attentive service at the table and bar. Would definitely go back again. Good selection of beers. Excellent vegetarian options. Nice to see tempeh on the menu.
(4)
Kelly M.

My first time here was a pretty great experience. It was later in the night, the restaurant was dark and pretty busy, but not too loud or crowded. We were sat right away and service was good. The nachos were huge and delicious. The tacos were great, especially the steak tacos. The rice and beans was also great. It was such a good experience and the food satisfied. I will definitely return here.
(5)
Sebastian K.

Boca fiesta Gainesville Will over charge you. Bring cash. They will add drinks to your tab. When the manager says they will by you drinks next time but not change your tab you know something thievery is up.
(1)
Patrick S.

The first time I came here they let me eat rattlesnake, the next year they fed me kangaroo, and I just ate a camel.
(5)
Lindsay T.

The food is good and the margaritas are strong but the hipsters who work here are so rude and inconsiderate to anyone who isn't like them. And they don't refill the chips (wtf). So yeah, don't come here unless you're with a big group that wants a cheap meal downtown (like me right now)
(2)
Julia R.

Great place for vegetarians! My boyfriend loved his TVP tacos. A lot of outdoor seating (we were in from Chicago during April, so this was a huge bonus). Good food. I got the fish tacos with a side of mashed potatoes & rice/beans. The mashed potatoes were awesome and flavored with rosemary. Salsa & chips were delicious. The grilled corn with mayo/cheese/chile (elotes) were also delicious, though I've had better. Server was unbelievably chatty, which was a little off-putting. Maybe people are just nicer in places that don't have winter.
(5)
Hannah B.

Love the veggie quesadilla, chips and salsa are good, but it's the atmosphere that gives it 4 stars. Great outdoor seating which I love. I've had good service and just okay service but never bad service.
(4)
Stephanie R.

Meh. Inattentive service, weak drinks, over priced food, lackluster sides. They served chips and salsa right away, which was nice. However, salsa was bland and the chips were never refilled, even though we had plenty of salsa left. Got the steak burrito with JalapeÃ±o corn bread, and watermelon slices. Originally I misread the menu and thought I was getting a watermelon salad, which was my bad, but I mean really...just make a watermelon salad. How lame is it to serve just plain watermelon? The steak was good, but overall it was just an ok burrito. They don't serve any sauces with it, which to me, is just crazy. Even Taco Bell gives you sauce...I mean it sucks..but they offer it. The avocado, which costs $1 extra, was sliced so thin it was almost impressive. What a cheat. The jalapeÃ±o corn bread, which was really just a little corn muffin, was ok. Nothing special. I also ordered a gin and basil cocktail which was good, but in my opinion, pretty darn weak. Definitely not $8 worth of alcohol. Now to the service...or lack there of. Server was friendly enough, but she pretty much took our drink and food order, delivered our drinks, and then disappeared. It was a struggle to flag her down for a 2nd drink, which is really a bad call on her part, since more drinks means more money, and more money means more tip. One of our friends arrived late and he ended up just going directly to the bar to get his drink. Not to mention no one really came by to ask us how our food was. Also, won't split check AT ALL for parties of 8 or more? Not even two ways? DUMB. Took our 10 person group 20 mins to figure out our bill. Redeeming factors: food is not awful, atmosphere is fun, my company was great, located right next to Palomino pool hall (which is a great fun pool hall). I might go back, but really, I can get much better tex-mex (and service)at La Tienda or The Top, for a much nicer price.
(2)
Joshua P.

Service was slow as expected but food was plentiful and tasty. We got the vegetarian tacos and a rice bowl. Yummy! Would return!
(4)
Jennifer Z.

I love the atmosphere and the food! Just avoid the bar when there's a tall, short-haired blonde (dyed) working. She's less than friendly & walks away when you're in the middle of ordering.
(3)
Mike W.

While I cannot say Boca Fiesta is "bad" really, I cannot see what all the hype is about, either. They do have a great location and an attractive atmosphere so I am really pleased to see a restaurant in this location doing well, since several have failed here. The quality of their food seems fairly high and they offer both vegetarian options plus exotic meats (gator, even kangaroo!), so that's something unique. However, their tacos--at least the ahi tuna tacos I had--were of small portions and not remarkable in any sense. The margarita I had also was only decent, not really impressive. However, the service--despite being busy--was fine and the atmosphere really is pleasing and nice. I would go back probably and give them another try, but for tacos or the like, honestly, I'd be happier with La Tienda, but that's probably just me. For anything related to Mexican, I want really authentic Mexican whereas Boca Fiesta is clearly Mexican-inspired (which is totally fine and what many people seek) and it's a great idea, I just find it falling between your typical Baja-style California taco place and something more posh but still fun: there's just a lack in quantity and despite their innovative approach, I didn't find the taste outstanding, either--at least in what I had.
(3)
M C.

This place has a hipster feel. Everyone is nice & you are greeted immediately upon entering. It is very clean & well maintained. The food is too expensive for what you get. We ordered gator bites & got a very small potion. On the positive note, the gator is from a local lake. We also got nachos. They were skimpy & had a lot more chips than toppings. The house margaritas were really good & strong. They are made with fresh lime & orange juice rather than that sugary mix that most places use. There is also a huge outdoor patio that has pepper plants growing up the walls. I love the fact they grow some of their own ingredients. Overall, the food is just too pricey for the portions. In addition, there is no parking close by. It was a pain to get a spot on Friday night.
(3)
Matthew R.

I would prefer to give a 3.5 if I could. I have been twice and enjoyed it both times. Service was nice and seemed prompt. I have gotten the pork, beef and duck tacos. I did try my friends camel "empanada" thingy. They were all tasty. The duck was my favorite. The meaty portion was generous and juicy. The pork was my least favorite because it was dry and relatively tasteless. I have to say the chips were not very fresh or warm (both times), and the salsa was... just.. so. They either use good quality canned tomatoes (maybe san marco) or they sweeten the salsa. This is just my preference, but it seemed too sweet. But it was freshly prepared with cilantro. It would have made all the difference if the chips had been warm. Maybe use a heat lamp, I don't care. I will say the hot sauces are pretty good. Again, they all seem pretty sweet. But I will say the habanero hot sauce put me back on my heals for a few minutes and looking for more water:-) which I like! My kids really enjoyed their tortilla pizzas and our server was great about checking up on us. The restaurant seems geared for a younger crowd and it seems like a fun atmosphere. Overall, I liked it. And will return when I want a somewhat cali / tex / mex hipster type vibe. This would be a great place to go on a lunch to have a extra beer or two.
(3)
Michelle A.

Dinner was delicious. Variations for everyone and tasty chips and salsa for starters. In our party, we tried burritos and salads with tempeh, chicken, beef and YUMMY gator. Did I mention the gator was delicious? The sides were darn decent--rice and beans, side salad with lime-cilantro dressing. I ordered extra dressing to top off my beans and rice. As good as the dinner was, the drinks were disappointing. The tequila was good, but the mix was both weak and bitter. Imagine a couple of underripe limes dumped into a vat of water. Just not good. Next time, I will order a tequila shot for dessert, instead!
(4)
Bobby K.

so here is a comprehensive guide to boca fiesta: i live next door to this lil gem, so i eat here about 3 times a week, and god knows how much ive spent at the bar. This place could be amazing, has the potential to be great, but falls flat due to two specific things: the food and the staff. The food is truly hit or miss. sometimes my quesadilla comes out in 10 minutes and is delicious, and sometimes it takes an hour and a half and its missing the chicken. The staff comprises of 10% awesome people, and 90% homeless gypsys. I always ask for Kelley because she consistently makes sure i have a great experience, and I tend to bring about 10 people at a time and she always serves us and takes care of everything, including sending back the occasional experiment the kitchen drops on us. If you go, i would recommend asking for her. Shes also super knowledgable about the menu, and helps you with substitutions and what not.
(2)
Jessica B.

Great food, drums and dinosaurs! Our service and food was great. Vast variety of food covering everyone. From gator for the exotic to vegetarian and vegan dishes. Full bar for the drinkers and a movie night! Plus drum sticks and guitar strings are at the bar for musicians!
(5)
F J.

not being from the South, the concept of a "Gator Burrito" was so fascinating that I could not resist. There is a cool mix of actual families and raggedy hipsters that show up here. Was at the bar during football off-season, but they do have a TV showing games. Beer is all under $4, you get a massive amount of tortilla chips, my burrito was incredibly filling. Chill people working there too. Talked with the bartender about hangin' out in Miami, music touring, the economy, and old school party stories. Good times.
(4)
Anita L.

Had the fish tacos and my boyfriend had the tempeh burrito. Good portion, not enough for leftovers, but enough to fill you up. Price is appropriate. The fish taco tasted a little off to me and just fishy. I got it in Jalapeno Heat Wave -- super super spicy!! Too much for me to handle, and I will not get next time. We had to wait a little bit for a server to take our order, and we were unsure of who the servers actually were due to such casual/indie/punk dress (which the majority of the patrons were in as well). I found the rice and beans to be super salty (the price particularly), but it was nice with the lime cilantro vinagrette. Decent meal for $20.
(3)
Elizabeth R.

Mexican food is my favorite and this place is just awful!! These people tried to copy the taste and success of The Top but in a mexican style. The only similarity between this and The Top is the hipppie weirdo staff and strange thrift store decor (I put up with these things at The Top because the food is good but the food sucks at Boca Fiesta). You can always tell if a mexican place will be good by their rice and beans. Their beans are dry and flavorless and their rice is disgusting and bright yellow. Even taco bell is better...and thats saying a lot. If you want good mexican food you have to go to La Tienda Latina or Chipotle.
(1)
lance s.

have been there 3 times on tue. night before i do my radio show. really enjoy their antelope greco pizza for 5. great service by Adam and decent wine selection. always lively bar conversations and great music
(4)
Marcela R.

Chips and salsa grow on you but once we ordered our meals it was really impressive. They rotate their specialty meats and this time around we had the rattlesnake/rabbit sausage tacos- soooo tasty! The gator tacos were a bit too breaded but they were tasty nonetheless. They have awesome locally made hot sauces which add a special kick to your special meat. The jalapeno margaritas were also good but they could be a little stronger. ;)
(4)
Rolf B.

I was in town on business, staying at a nearby hotel, and decided to try Boca Fiesta. Big mistake. I ordered two steak tacos to go with cornbread, but they were out of cornbread. It was taking awhile, so I went outside to make a phone call. Finished my phone call, went back inside, still no food. I inquired as to what was going on with my food, and one of the gals went back to check on it. Returning, she told me they were "almost ready, another two minutes" In other words, they had lost my order. I had already paid and invested a lot of time in these tacos (and I was starving), so I decided to wait another few minutes. I finally (FINALLY) got my order back to the hotel room and opened up the bag. No utensils to go with my rice (thanks for that) and no napkins (thanks for that too). If I wait 30-something minutes for two steak tacos, they better be the best tacos ever. These were not even close. Oh well, at least I leave town tomorrow.
(1)
Ce G.

First. Had a blast! Met some friends there Tuesday night. Great music, friendly staff. Went with their suggestions on dinner and ordered the Fish Tacos (soft). They were actually pretty good. However, what's with the chips and salsa? Stale chips and a red colored bowl of something....I guess to make you thirsty so you'll keep ordering more beer. Anyway, probably won't drop any more money on the food but will definitely be back for happy hour!
(3)
Eric A.

Boca Fiesta is approximately 5 paces as the worm crawls from my office. You'd think this would excite me beyond belief, knowing that a quick, good lunch is practically downstairs. Unfortunately, good and quick aren't descriptors for their food. The restaurant is owned and run by the former drummer of Against Me! (the exclamation point is part of their band name and not symbolic of any excitement on my part). Don't get me wrong, he's a super nice guy and I have a huge amount of respect for the band's work ethic and success. It's just that "former drummer" in no way qualifies you as "current tex mex entrepreneur." Besides our ex drummer, the place is run (overrun?) by gainesville townies. You know, the tatooed, dirty looking people who usually smell bad and drink PBR at Common Grounds or the Top or The Atlantic. Don't get me wrong, I love those places and go there regularly, but you know who I'm talking about. The first time I ever went, the waitress looked like she was sick (her nose was actually running) and we spent a literal hour in the restaurant, 45 minutes of which was waiting for our food. This was compounded by the fact that there was NO ONE ELSE THERE. We were the only table. How long does it take to make a god damn burrito? I got the veggie burrito, which includes sauteed peppers and onions, beans and rice, salsa, avocado, and vegan queso. Despite what should make for a typical tex-mex taste sensation, it was tasteless and soggy. A friend urged that I give the place another shot, which I did. This time, I tried the tacos. They were tasteless and soggy. Also, they were only 2 and quite small at that. 8.50 for two tacos and some beans and rice sounds like a rip off to me. Did I leave it at that? Of course not! I went back for a 3rd shot (this is all over a period of ONE YEAR, I'll have you know, thus giving them ample time to get their shit together). This time, I tried the breakfast burrito which included eggs, potato, cheese, and salsa. Hard to mess that one up, right? Wrong! Terrible. It tasted stinky (perhaps eggs cooked at too high of a heat - at least I hope that's why), was soggy and tasteless. Noticing a trend? UNDAUNTED, I've gone back for a 4th and 5th time and at best found something on the menu that isn't a flat out waste of money. It's the 5 dollar bean burrito. It's still soggy and has minor taste improvement from the other items, but is still a really depressing burrito for 5 bucks. Let's call it like it is, this place flat out sucks. The food is terrible and overpriced, the staff is borderline unsanitary, and the service is really slow. I ordered the burrito to go from the bar and after waiting for 15 minutes for the damn thing, no one would bother ringing me up. I calculated the bill to the exact cent and left it on the bar, leaving without even the slightest notice of the staff. I literally reconsidered leaving an extra dollar as tip and ended up not doing so. One other thing boasted about on the menu is the homemade limeade sweetened with agave nectar. It tasted like a kid dissolved sugar in some water and then added a squirt of "lime juice" from those plastic lime shaped bottles you can buy at the grocery store. It was 3 dollars and pathetic. All in all, Boca Fiesta is a party that I'd rather not be invited to.
(1)
Ryan F.

decent food at a decent price. i always walk away pretty satisfied and full, which is about all you can ask for. its not the best mexican food in town, but the atmosphere is good and the margaritas are pretty solid, with some interesting options (who knew a jalapeÃ±o margarita would be so delicious?). beer list covers most the bases from schlitz/pbr cheapies to microbrews for a bit more, but still reasonable. the monthly 'weird meat' specials are usually worth checking out as well. solid patio/outdoor area shared with the pool hall that often has live music is a plus. the only real complaint i have would the service is sometimes lacking. as someone else mentioned, it seems they dont have sections for waiters, and just have everyone cover all the tables, which seems to = no one is really accountable for a single table. if i had a quarter for every time i would have liked another margarita but ended up not getting one, or for every time i waited 15 minutes just to get the check, i would have several quarters. maybe add another server to the schedule for the dinner rush, or just break it into sections like most food places. otherwise, a good addition to downtown, and a solid mexican joint for us eastsiders.
(4)
Elyse H.

My roommate and I went to Boca Fiesta after a recommendation from a mutual friend. I had the steak tacos and my roommate got the chicken burrito. It was the same price, but I think you get more for your money with the burrito. The steak tacos were decent and the chicken in the burrito was full of flavor. The salsa for the chips tasted like tomatoes from a can, but I gotta say... it grew on me. The only thumbs down I'd give it is the $1.29 charge for the tiniest bit of sour cream.
(3)
Jameil W.

I had high hopes for this restaurant after seeing the menu. We tried to order the Tebow toothpicks (fried jalapeno) but the waiter said they might not be available because of the late night menu... he never came back to let us know we wouldn't be getting that. Whatev. We had margaritas to entertain us and they were AWESOME!! I really thought we had some great food in store for us. We're Mexican food fanatics and try to eat it on the regular. Anyway, we got the six pack of tacos-- pork, chicken and fish. Bland, bland and bland. And amazingly all of the meats essentially tasted the same. Not awesome. Those delicious margaritas, we had 2 each (with a nice tequila menu) and I would definitely like many more. The saving grace. But the food? Pass indefinitely.
(2)
Kate N.

Another restaurant I had high hopes for, but luckily this time my hopes were met! This place is a fantastic bargain for the food you get. They start you off with a boat load of free chips and salsa and aren't reluctant to give you more if you want. For lunch I had the gator soft taco and it was delicious. My first time eating gator. I went back that weekend for late lunch/dinner and had a tempeh burrito which was pretty good. Not as good as the gator, but it was solid. I will say the service was much better at lunch, but that was probably because my friend and I were the only people in there. But even if you have to wait a bit on service, it's still worth it. I will say it's not a great place if you're on a low-carb/Atkins diet. There's a salad that you can add whatever meat you like to, but that's about it. Otherwise omnivores, vegans, and vegetarians would find plenty to eat here.
(4)
Cait B.

I really want to like this place. The decor is awesome and the food's been good (minus the stale chips we got last time I went) but I feel that the service could really use some work. Especially if you have a big group I would highly recommend going elsewhere. We tried to go for a friends birthday and when I called I was curtly told they "don't make promises" on reservations. They don't split checks on parties over 8 and we were brusquely pointed towards the ATM when we expressed some concern over whether anyone in our party had enough cash/felt comfortable covering everyone. The last couple times I've been there I just felt like the wait staff had never heard of customer service. I've waited thirty minutes for someone to take my order, almost an hour for a margarita. It's be a great place if they got their wait staff to care, but then again maybe that's their schtick.
(1)
Jacqueline B.

It's disappointing to give this place two stars but the place is pretty disappointing!! It's a good concept and a great venue but the kitchen staff totally lacks skill and intention in making food. Case in point, the black beans have been so bland the three times I have been there, I've had to add a ton of salt and salsa and still feel like it would be far better to top open a can of "Kirby" beans and stay home. Also, the rice is totally awful!! There was so much oil in it, my plate had a puddle of orange goo under it. The salsa is ultra crappy too...it's either pre-made jar salsa or just stewed tomatoes with the bare minimum ingredients required for salsa. The prices are way to high for the quality. Ten bucks for two tacos and super crappy sides. Really? I'd rather just stay home and make my own vegan tacos and be surrounded by positive people than waste my time and money here. Disappointing for sure!!
(2)
Quay X.

Best Margarita in town. Get away from the greasier/chain offerings in town for a solid take on tex-mex. I've ordered the veggie, gator, and chicken tacos. The soft tacos were a little soggy once, but overall the meals were very good. Fresh ingredients, well seasoned entrees, free chips and salsa. The lunch special is a great deal. I'll eat here anytime someone offers!
(4)
Kimberlee O.

Fabulous food. Amazing margaritas!! Way fun. We've eaten there four times and each time, it's better. They're going to start a Sunday Brunch. Can't wait!
(5)
Vince V.

The service was absolutely terrible. I left a single cent as a tip.
(1)
Joshua N.

I'll have to agree with the negative reviews for the food at this place. I've given it multiple chances over multiple visits that were months apart and this place still hasn't gotten it's food together. I don't care if food is "authentic" or not if the food is good, the problem is the food here just isn't good. First, the chips and salsa, the joke is the salsa is marinara and that's still the case. I even had a conversation with someone who used to prep the salsa and he was talking about the first time he prepared it and he asked "are you sure this is right?" They assured him the mediocrity was acceptable and that's the problem with this place; the mediocrity is acceptable because it's cool or whatever. I don't care that the place is run by hipsters or that it used to be the Hardback (my band played the last night of the hardback), if your food sucks, your food sucks. Rice that tastes like the yellow rice you buy in a bag in the grocery store. Steamed corn with no seasoning on the outside. Burritos that are completely tasteless and soulless. I'd rather go to one of those shitty chain burrito places than this place or better yet go to La Tienda. I'll give it one extra star because the service was good. The waitress even made us some special "spicy" salsa, which meant putting some hot sauce in their normal salsa. It was definitely better than the marinara salsa that they normally serve.
(2)
Stephen M.

only a 3 star average!? you can get booze and mexican food (with plenty of legit vegetarian options) late into the night. also movie nights outside. the queso is awesome. so are the regular chips and salsa. the tvp tacos are so good i'm craving one now, from california, which is why i'm writing this 5-star review.
(5)
Bela T.

I started going to Boca not too long after they opened. Since that time, the food has definitely improved. Recently I had the opportunity to visit a friend away from Gainesville. We went to a local Tex-Mex place there and I wanted to return my food. It was the dullest crap I've had in a long time. It occurred to me that my taste buds have gotten used to the eclectic style and flavorings of Boca fiesta. It's not gourmet food. It's not five star food but it is different and fun. It mixes my two favorite regions on one plate. Mexico meets the south. Collard greens and tacos!! Yes please. I love going there and hope the place sticks around for a long time. As far as service goes, as a long time Gainesville resident who frequents places that are locally owned, I can honestly say the service here was no worse than any other place of the same vein. Maybe slow at times. Nothing worth getting all bent out of shape about.
(4)
Where A.

This place is so cool! The ambience is hip and young. The waitors are friendly. The salsa is amazing. We ordered the chicken burritos and they were soo yum. The ingredients were fresh, cilantro added such a good edge and they had to be the best burritos I've had. I kept thinking about how good they were for days later.
(4)
Lili Z.

Great food a a decent price! They just opened up over the summer and a definitely sure to last. The food tastes fresh, and they're free salsa is fantastic. The best tex-mex you'll find in Gainesville. They have an exotic meat that changes every month. Movie nights on Mondays and drink specials throughout the week. The service was great too. I highly recommend it!
(5)
Danny M.

alright, so eating at Boca Fiesta was probably the only great thing about going to The Fest this year. i was really impressed, every single aspect of dining in this restaurant extremely well. the prices were more than moderate, the food was beyond delicious, and the service was friendly and laid back.(my favorite!) i ordered a GATOR-Burrito and washed it down with the best house-margarita that i have ever had in my entire life. the gator was so delicious, moist and breaded to perfection. the chips-n-salsa were equally good, the salsa stuck out quite well. Ive never seen so many big beard waiters in my entire life. i wish i would have been there when a different option to gator would have been available, i heard at times they serve rabbit, rattlesnake, and even kangaroo meat. if your ever in gainesville and a want a unique tex-mex experience then you should definitely check out Boca fiesta. it seems like leaving the band against me! really worked out for the owner.
(4)
Rach H.

Haven't been in a while, but really like the homemade guac. The service is what usually turns me off to come back. They also have homemade margarita mix which is nice.
(3)
J A.

this place was great! sat at the bar and had super friendly service and a great gator-taco-salad! reasonably priced and delicious! recommend to anyone who is on a budget but still looking for quality food!
(5)
Mike M.

We had a great experience! All of the items we ordered had excellent flavor combinations and portions were ample. The jalapeÃ±o margarita was quite interesting. Would highly recommend!
(4)

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Address : 232 SE 1st St
Gainesville, FL, 32601
Phone (352) 336-8226
Website https://www.bocafiesta.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

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

Claim Restaurant

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

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Boca Fiesta

232 SE 1st St, Gainesville, FL, 32601

Boca Fiesta Menu

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