Good Food, Great Decor, Great Prices. Need I say more?
(5)
Greg R.
It's probably the best Mexican food in the sw area.
(4)
Corie S.
I always get the chicken fajita salad and it's super cheap and tastes awesome! It comes in a tortilla bowl and has guacamole and cheese in it. Plenty of food! I always have some to take home! Chips and salsa while you wait for your food too!
(5)
Heather S.
It's Cinco de Mayo! Order up a big plate of yum. Inexpensive food typical of Stateside Mexican restaurants. Nothing to wow, but nothing to disappoint either - My version of comfort food. Colorful interior with lots to keep toddlers occupied and cheap beer prices for the parents. What's not to like?
(4)
sherrie p.
I love this place. You'd never know it from the street because it is a strip mall but when you open the door you are in Mexico. I've been to Mexico and the American tourist area has this kind of interior. It's colorful and fun. Very reasonably priced. The food is amazing.
(5)
Elizabeth F.
This is definitely a decent Mexican joint in Gainesville! Few good things and a few bad things though. First off, the wait was atrocious. Granted it was a Friday night, yes, BUT this place is super tiny and everyone waiting was packed like sardines waiting in between tables, near the cash register, and around the bar. We felt bad because we were constantly in everyone's way but there was literally nowhere to go. Now for some good. The margaritas were definitely on point! The food was decent too. Nothing absolutely amazing but definitely no complaints either. I had the beef tacos by recommendation from our waiter and they were good. We did end up waiting a while for our food to come out but maybe that was due to them being busy? I don't know. Also, they have giant beers for cheap. I would definitely go to Mexico Lindo again but I'd probably be more cautious of what time/day I went.
(3)
Rob H.
Sooo good, sooo flippin' good. You walk through the door, and poof... ...your in Mexico! The only negative is the waitstaff are there for you at first, but once you get your food... ...then not so much. Their margaritas are awesome. The atmosphere is eclectic, and there is always something to look at. It is ALWAYS busy... ...so in my eyes that is a great sign. Too bad I am moving soon, and won't be able to enjoy this place anymore. :( Just flat out fantastic... Try the Chicken Jalisco, and the Chicken or Steak Suissa...yum!
(5)
Chelsea B.
Ok, so this place definitely does not serve the most authentic Mexican food in town, but it's not horrible either. Also, the decor and customer service are outstanding, and our sever was very patient with my Spanish.
(4)
Greg R.
It's probably the best Mexican food in the sw area.
(4)
Kathleen S.
This is a sister restaurant to Las Margaritas on NW 43rd street... so you can expect similar great Mexican food, salsa, and of course Margaritas. The owners went a step further in this restaurant and did a much better job with the ambiance! I love the Mexican tile floors (and they are Sooooo much cleaner than restaurants with carpet on the floors - puke!)
(4)
Brea G.
The atmosphere is festive and they've got a nice patio so you can sit outside. As others have mentioned there are lots of bright colors and has a comfortable atmosphere. The food was decent but nothing special. The chips weren't stale (always a plus) and the salsa was OK. I'll probably go back at some point.
(2)
Dawn H.
Good Food, Great Decor, Great Prices. Need I say more?
(5)
Laura C.
Very, very good. Stopped here for lunch while driving from Orlando to Atlanta with our kids. (Thanks to Yelpers). Reasonable prices, good service, clean, fun decor, very good food. Only about 5 minutes off I75.
(4)
Ashley B.
Almost the same as Las Margaritas, only smaller. The margaritas are delicious. The chips & salsa are bland. I forget what I had the first time, but I recently had the fajitas, and they were great. I recommend going for lunch, as it's likely to be less crowded. Expect to wait whenever you come here. The outside tables are first-come, first-serve, yet I would never sit there again- WAY too many bugs. Ew. The service outside is also bad, one server for all 7 tables. We had to ask him repeatedly for the same things. Also, as this is located away from the "college-y" part of town, it closes rather early, so watch out! As far as Mexican in Gainesville goes, you could do worse for some tasty food!
(3)
MeXOhXMe X.
I really liked the atmosphere. It was bright and festive. The hostess was a little cold and rude, but I let that slide. My waiter was eager and spoke little English, but hey, that's part of the experience, right? When I opened my menu, I was surprised at how familiar it looked. Now, is it just me, or is the menu completely identical to Las Margaritas? Maybe I'm imagining it, but the layout and the selections seemed no different. The same holds true with a few other places in town. All of the authentic style mexican restaurants seem to blend together in my mind. My food came out in a timely manner and was okay. I'm not a fan of the cheese they used, again reminiscent of the other mexican restaurants in town. All of the vegetarian meals seemed cheese heavy, and that was a downside for me. Hoping to curb the taste, I ordered a side a guacamole. I received a small dollop of guacamole that was pretty weak on flavor. Unfulfilled, I decided to try for dessert. I selected the sopapillas. It was surprisingly small, maybe 4-5 inches in diameter, and topped with four dots of whipped cream. It was barely enough for one person, let alone myself and my two companions. The people I was with actually really enjoyed their food, so maybe I was just too off put my the cheese and it's a matter of personal taste. I don't know, but I actually much preferred what I got at the commercialized restaurants like On the Border. That will be sorely missed. I would sooner visit Moes or Chipotle to get my mexican fix.
(2)
Jenkitty C.
My new favorite Gainesville Mexican food! The decor is wild, bright, and fun. The service is usually at least decent, but tends to vary. The food is GOOD. I love places with atmosphere..it completes the sensory experience of eating.
(5)
Mary R.
Good Mexican food with great drink specials. The even have a Mariachi band on Tuesday nights.
(4)
Apara W.
Good food, nice options for vegetarians, esp Burritos. We normally alternate between La Fiesta and this place. Luis is great:-)
Very good food and good prices. Same menu as Las Margaritas (same owner). Lunch prices are awesome. Burritos are very good. Nice atmosphere and a patio for when it's not 105 degrees outside. Free chips and salsa and the salsa is good. Never been disappointed.
(4)
Kim S.
Great food! Best guacamole I ever had.
(5)
Diana N.
I love this place! By the time my fish tacos come out, I'm already full from their chips and dip!!! Waitstaff is friendly, food is delicious, and atmosphere is great!!!!
(4)
Emilia B.
Thank goodness there's a yummy and authentic Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. This place opened in Sept '08. I believe that El Amigo on 39th Ave closed recently, and I'm not a fan of Las Margaritas or La Fiesta. The menu is extensive. My husband ordered a fish taco special (the fish was not fried, but grilled, which I have not been able to find in G'ville). The fish was tender and sweet. I ordered a basic chicken quesadilla, and it was yummy in my tummy and a great and fulfilling deal for under $4! Their queso is a little hot and yummy (I'm a big cheese fan). The prices were quite acceptable. We didn't wait that long for our meal. We will definitely be coming back for dinner and lunch. The restaurant was fairly busy on a Wednesday night, which is a great sign. The decor is amazing! A child in the restaurant commented to her mom about how colorful it was in there. The chairs, tables, walls, etc., are all multi-colored with bright and pastel colors, giving the restaurant a relaxed and vibrant feel. It is a pretty casual place and would be appropriate for taking the whole family. Highly recommended!
(5)
Troy H.
This is place is great. The food is very good and have always had great service. I have not been back for a few months, but every time the wait was short (even when packed). There were always plenty of smiles to go around. I would have to say that the bar is a little small, and since they do not allow drinks outside there are few places to wait on a table.
(4)
Ali M.
I've eaten here several times and while the food is good the service has been disappointing. I've had the same waitress the past few times but my most recent trip prompted me to write a review bc it was so awful. My friend and I split a steak chimichanga and the waitress brought out a chicken chimichanga. I normally wouldn't even have mentioned it but bc my friend doesn't eat chicken we asked that the order be corrected. Rather than fix the mistake the waitress insisted we ordered chicken and rudely walked away and sat back down without changing the order! We then addressed it with the hostess who went back into the kitchen where we could hear the waitress screaming about it. We were so shocked at her behavior that we ended up leaving without even eating. I'm really disappointed bc the food is delicious, however being that this wasn't the first bad encounter I will not not be going back again.
(2)
JJ F.
Yes , I finally found a good place to eat in Gainesville.Feels like the real thing. Authentic taste, friendly atmosphere. Big margarittas. Perfect Friday night happy hour place.Nice easy drive outside of Gainesville in Archer. I felt like I was on vacation in Mexico! Wish there were more non chain restaurants like this here
(5)
K S.
Best Mexican food in Gainesville, hands down. I went when they first opened and it was kind of empty. Now there is usually a wait. It's really caught on. Why? Because the food is delicious and cheap. Chimichanga, enchiladas, chile rellenos, burritos...I can't think of anything I've had that I wouldn't suggest. Plus, I'm a huge fan of over-decorating in restaurants (chop stix). You don't feel like you are in Mexico there. You feel like you are in a mildly tacky Mexican souvenir shop. Me lo gusta.
(5)
Caley C.
The food are very good, the price is even better. The restaurant is nice and clean. Would go back again for sure.
(4)
John S.
After a coworker raved about this place, I finally made the painful trip of driving 5 miles down the road from my neighborhood. Anyone in Gainesville knows how bad the traffic can be but coming the Mexico Lindo was totally worth it. They give you too much awesome food. The atmosphere and decor is awesome. Very colorful and bright. Probably a good place for kids too. And then they come out with an endless bowl of free salsa and tortilla chips and I know I'm gonna be satisfied. The food came out kinda slowly but I was well distracted with the well-cooked, crispy chips (I'm looking at you, Moe's) and spicy salsa. I got the pick 3 combo: you pick 3 items off a list of basic burritos, tacos, etc and its $6.99. Note that by this time I'm half full from eating all those chips and the prospect of getting 3 more burrito-type things is awesome. I mixed up it up with a chicken enchilada and a beef burrito, along with a beef tostada. Everything came out hot and the veggies were fresh too. The enchilada was filled with tender shredded chicken and tasted awesome. The one and only issue I had with the place was the seasoned beef. It was salty. Really, really salty. And maybe over-seasoned. I could only eat a little until I realized it really wasn't edible. It was like canned corned beef was fried and put into a burrito (yes, I've done that before). I decided to do what I should have done a long time ago: leave the food alone. Even though the beef was super salty, I'd go again. I'd order the chicken all around. And maybe I wouldn't eat so many damn chips. Either way, if I'm headed west on Archer and I want to be 100% full of Mexican food, I'm heading to Mexico Lindo.
(4)
Bill C.
Very good atmosphere. Service a little inattentive. We liled the decorations and the music.
(4)
Jake D.
I cant believe this place is rated so highly across the board.... I was just there and I didn't experience anything 5 star worthy The food was not terrible, but not great. I went with a group of 4 friends, we tend to try each others food to get a variety and try new things. I cant remember what everybody ate but I ordered the chicken queasadia's (i know its spelled wrong) others ordered burritos and such. I was just terribly unimpressed by anything they had to offer, it seemed to me like nothing new or exciting. The service was...... bad. Brush up on your Spanish before you go because most of the servers and employees speak very poor English, well let me be fair... i cant make that general of a statement but from what I experience it would appear that a portion of the wait staff speaks poor English and can sometimes be hard to understand. Slow service and even a little impolite at times. -- I might go back if I'm on that side of town and for some reason have to have Mexican, but chances are I will not put in a return visit. try it for yourself but don't go expecting anything more than average
(2)
Carrie J.
BLAND!!!!! We had the fajitas, quesadillas and the taco salad. None of these items had much if any spice. If you like non-spicy mexican food than this is your place!!!
(1)
Jeff F.
When we were in Gainesville and my wife was pregnant she was here almost daily. The restaurant opened up and became what we measure all other mexican food by. The staff, especially, Luis are the best. They all still remember our son as "touchdown" and that was 4 years ago. One of my favorite dishes is the Chicken Jalisco with extra veggies and no rice and beans. We love this place top to bottom.
(5)
Ali K.
In general food is good. The nachos are ok but make sure you don't eat too much since some of food portions are big. The fajitas are a little dry but still good.
(4)
David S.
It's the best Mexican place in Gainesville! I was there for lunch and they gave free chips and salsa (I don't know if they do that for dinner.) Prices are great. Chicken quesadilla was only $5! The waiter was really friendly and was always attentive to our needs. Definitely going here often; glad I found out about it. Oh yeah, they have Mariachi night once a week. I can't remember the day but find out before you go. The live music was fun and they come around to each table and play for you. They have a tip jar that they carry around with them.
(5)
Gavin D.
Hands down the best Mexican food in town. The service is always friendly and the food comes out very quickly. It does get crowded but even at it's busiest, you never wait long for a table (and if you're willing to sit outside under the cover, you'll never wait). The food: I usually order the fajitas or quesadilla fajita (for lunch it's under $7 and sometimes under $6.00 if it's on special) which is a huge amount of food and certainly enough to make you want to take a ciesta. Pro tip, if you come and it's not busy, see if you can order the hamburger (top 5 in town). Plus, free chips and salsa as many restaurants do (another pro tip, order the pancho dip). Drinks: The beer here is very reasonably priced, where else can you get a pitcher of shock top for $7? The margaritas are also good and pretty cheap. The service They only have a handful of servers so if you go here regularly, you're bound to know them by name. I have been here plenty of times and I have yet to have bad service. The food/drinks always come out quickly and the servers check and recheck on you to make sure everything is correct, which it always is. Overall, this is a great family owned joint in town with awesome food, great service, and fair prices. I will continue to support them as long as I am in Gainesville.
(5)
David L.
How have I not reviewed this place yet? If we don't show up on a Friday night, they might report us missing. The food is always consistent and a great value. Having tried many items, I like the Chile Colorado or fajitas the most. But you can't go wrong with any chicken, steak or the newer seafood dishes. Apart from the food, we really come back for the people. Awesome family business and family atmosphere, people that are always happy to see you. These guys know how to work hard while creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Striking and unique decor too. See ya Friday.
(5)
Bill V.
We were in town to visit my daughter and grandsons (9 and 11) and after much debate Linda Vista was the restaurant selected because of their varied menu and hopes it would provide something for everyone to enjoy for dinner. We weren't disappointed! My oldest grandson and I wanted seafood so he ordered a Red Snapper and mixed veggie dish he enjoyed while I ordered a seafood Quesadilla which was full of shrimp and scallops... very tasty! Others ordered Taco Salads and my youngest grandson, whose taste is not as adventuresome yet, ordered a hamburger and endured a lot of good-natured ribbing about it. Since it was warm we elected to sit outside on the terrace which that Tuesday evening was deserted and enabled the boys to blow off some steam before the meal. Our server was very friendly and prompt with our orders. The prices were about what we typically pay at other Mexican restaurants we go to at home and as stated earlier, the food was delicious. We will go again on our next visit with the grand kids.
(4)
Alice C.
I want a TexMex restaurant near our home that I can love - Linda Vista is not it. Salt, salt, salt! Linda Vista is not a Mexican restaurant, it is a salt delivery system, it is a salt mine, it's a salt-o-rama, it is an, a-salt, on my tongue. Salt is not a flavor substitute. Salt and sugar are a lazy, MSG like, health deteriorating fraud to trick humans into thinking something they are eating is pleasing. Give me fresh bright flavors; hold the salt. At Linda Vista, we got off to a bad start when the waiter did not introduce himself. A waitperson, like the chef, shares in a very intimate relationship with diners. I believe chef's should come out and talk with diners, but that may be idealistic on my part. Servers on the other are there in person to bring you food that you eat, they get to interact with you and share, become part of the dining experience. Touching and eating are two of the most intimate things we do, we are going to share something very intimate together, so introduce yourself and welcoming me to the restaurant. After the bad start, I was still looking forward to chips and salsa. The chips were okay, but the salsa came out ice cold, runny, and flavorless. Then the drinks came out. We had Sangrias, Margaritas. They reminded me of my Utah days when they asked "with or without." There was a slight hint of booze, or they may have been Star Trek Synthahol. I would serve this Margarita frozen to a child as a Slurpee without hesitation or fear that I could be giving alcohol to minors. I ordered the chicken Toastaguac for dinner. Toastaguac, is that the coolest mash-up name you have ever heard? It is not a Toast Monster, it is not a Guac Monster: it is a TOASTAGUAC! The guac monster was wasn't all that bad, real hass avocado, but the toast monster was burnt. The whole thing, the mash-up, was saltier than a horny a sailor on leave and just as tasteless. I asked for onions in an attempt to flavor my dish. There was an upcharge for a little bowl of onions. The toastaquac, a huge plate of food, was $4.10, and a little bowl of onions was an extra buck. Upcharges bug me. Even though my husband kept telling me what a huge bargain this place is to eat, I feel overcharged. We walked out salt bloated, stuffed, and totally unsatisfied. I will not be able to wear sexy shoes for a week, and my wedding band is imbedded into my ring finger. I am still looking for a TexMex restaurant near my home that I can love.
(2)
Alejandro R.
I have been coming to Mexico Lindo/ Linda Vista since it opened. It was once co-owned by the gentleman who owns Las Margaritas which explains why the food is pretty much identical. I have been to several Mexican restaurants in the Gainesville area and I think Linda Vista takes the cake. The homemade salsa they serve is delicious and their guacamole which is made fresh to order is excellent. I have tried several items on the menu but tend to stick to flautas, carnitas, and the fajitas. The one thing that sets this restaurant apart from it's doppelganger (Las Margaritas) would be the service and consistency. I know what to expect each visit and am never disappointed upon leaving. If you're looking for a Mexican restaurant in the Gainesville area then look no further.
(5)
Pierre A.
For a Mexican American restaurant the selection is broad. We ordered the taco salad with chicken - good bet ( don't eat bowl and cut out the carbs). Like the Echiladas Especiales, they give you a mix of each type of filling. Enchiladas Rancheras is a cheesy fajita that was a good add. Not a fan of the beef tacos but the chicken, steak or beans are good quality. Next time going to try the fish tacos?? I'll let you know....
(4)
Tiffany P.
I. Love. This. Place. It helps that it is very convenient to my new apartment, but every time I've been I've got nothing but super polite and attentive servers/bartenders, excellent food at a ridiculous price. 2 for $6 margaritas or house wines (along with some other options) all day every day? Um. Yes please! I had two margaritas and a lunch special my first week here (before I was working of course) and my bill was something like $11. $11 is what I would expect to pay for a decent entree anywhere in DC/Bethesda. Fabulous. Love it!
(5)
Meryl C.
I've been having some trouble finding decent Mexican food in Gainesville. I decided to give Linda Vista a chance, and I was not disappointed. It wasn't outstanding, but it's the best I've had in this area so far. Upon arrival, we were greeted instantly, asked if we wanted a table or a booth, and seated. The table service was reasonably quick but probably could have been a little better, considering they were not very busy. The complementary chips and salsa were just ok- the salsa was not spicy at all. For my entree I ordered the vegetarian fajitas, and I was very pleased with the presentation, as well as the portion size. They definitely compensated for meatlessness with an abundance of grilled vegetables- mushrooms, green bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots (I opted for no onions). The dish arrived very hot, and I was very satisfied with my plate of sides and toppings- rice, refried beans, lettuce, guac, and sour cream. My only complaint would be about the rice. It was slightly dry, and had a strange, unidentifiable aftertaste. Definitely not the most pleasant rice I've tasted. Overall, I was satisfied with my experience at Linda Vista. The food was very good... but not amazing. Our server was friendly and fairly timely with everything, until the end when she was hard to find to ask for the check. This place is good if you're looking for a reasonably priced Mexican meal, but you most likely won't be blown away.
(4)
Gainesville-Fl J.
BEST MEXICAN food in Gainesville!!!! Eat here 1-2 times a week and Always Great!!! Best service and awesome food!!!
(5)
Red C.
Better than that Mexican place on Newberry but not 5 stars. Service is slow... Painfully slow. The portions are large and the price is pretty cheap. The burritos are HUGE and could easily feed two people. The food is always the same quality which is great but not that jump out of your seat good Mexican food you seek. Standard Mexican food.
(4)
Bob T.
I don't normally like Mexican as much as the wife does but this place has outstanding Mexican food. Very accommodating for our group of ten. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Salsa and chips, cheese dip, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and everything else tried by our group was given enthusiastic thumbs up. Another great Yelp find.
(5)
Mel B.
This is one of those rare places that has really good service and really good food for a very reasonable place. I often get it to-go, which is somewhat unfortunate as the service is super friendly. I highly recommend the lunch specials, which are cheaper than the dinner prices and still SO MUCH FOOD. I usually get the quesadilla fajita which comes with the quesadilla, avocado salad, rice, chips AND salsa. I'm not sure who can eat all that food in one sitting, but i don't care because I just bought two or three meals for 7 bucks. Enchiladas Suizas are also amazing. It's not really that authentic (you'll have to go to La Tienda for that) but its so good and cheap, it doesn't matter. Good place for a date or a casual lunch.
(5)
Leigh Anne B.
Been going to this place for at least a year now. At first, I had nothing but great things to say. Service, food, atmosphere were all excellent. In the past few months, things have gone downhill. On at least four occasions now, two within the past week, the service was subpar, food orders were served and were incorrect, and attempt to ask about these issues proved unsuccessful. After being sat at the table, I waited and watched as others who were seated after me/us got their drink orders taken and were served their meal. Service was slow and I don't mean five minutes slow. I mean... I could have been told where to sit and have had time to go next door to Publix deli and have a sandwich prepared before someone came to take a drink order. They got our drinks (tea) incorrect and it seemed too much to have asked for a water as it was never brought to the table. I had to ask a different waitress for a refill of my drink, as ours was no where to be seen. I ordered my dish without tomatoes and it came with tomatoes. I would have been happy to let someone remedy the issue except our waitress never came back to our table after the meal was served. In fact, she never asked anything about our meal or even if we wanted the check. We had to go to the register to ask for the check. I am extremely disappointed with how things have been going as the visit before this one (within the same week) was exactly the same, but with a different set of issues and different waitress. Guess we will need to find another place to eat this type of cuisine even if it means additional driving time.
(1)
Tracy C.
I absolutely love this place the drink specials are fabulous the food is great and very reasonable. The chili rellanos and the chili poblano's are to die for, along with the pico de gallo and chips and salsa! And it is very inexpensive and a lot for your money one the best Mexican restaurants in Gainesville!
(5)
Reviewer P.
Linda Vista (Formerly Mexico Lindo) is the best Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. It is way better than Las Margaritas, which is owned by this owners brother. The food is great, and is very cheap compared with other mexican restaurants. The quality of food is great, and the quantity is enormous. The service there is great, and the atmosphere resembles Mexico. Overall, would recommend this to everyone, and should try out.
(5)
Darren F.
This is one of the best places that has really good in service and really good food for a very affordable prices. Linda Vista is the best Mexican food in town. The food comes out very quickly. It does not get crowded even at it's busiest days. The atmosphere is great, and the drinks are always great too.
(4)
Kathleen S.
This is a sister restaurant to Las Margaritas on NW 43rd street... so you can expect similar great Mexican food, salsa, and of course Margaritas. The owners went a step further in this restaurant and did a much better job with the ambiance! I love the Mexican tile floors (and they are Sooooo much cleaner than restaurants with carpet on the floors - puke!)
(4)
Brea G.
The atmosphere is festive and they've got a nice patio so you can sit outside. As others have mentioned there are lots of bright colors and has a comfortable atmosphere. The food was decent but nothing special. The chips weren't stale (always a plus) and the salsa was OK. I'll probably go back at some point.
(2)
Brad K.
Love the Lindo ! Probably the best Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. Tuesday is Mariachi night. Usually a 4 or 5 piece group. I usually get the the pork carnitas (fried pork), it is seasoned perfectly and always cooked so it's super tender. I than order soft shells, sliced guacamole, and some extra limes and proceed to make myself my favorite soft pork taco with guacamole and lime juice..mmm good. They also have this appetizer called 'Pancho Dip' it's only like $4..so worth it..get it ..you'll love it. I would give them 5 stars, but their salsa is the normal blender salsa all the Florida restaurants seem to serve. I wish it was like the Acapulco in Old Town San Diego. Large chunks of onion, tomatoes, and lots of cilantro. We usually get out of Lindo for the three of us drinking waters for around $25 including tip which is really good for a family dinner night out. Lindo is very good.
(4)
Doctor B.
After enjoying some outstanding Tex-Mex on a road trip through Texas and New Mexico, we (wife, hypercritical son and me) returned home to Mexico Lindo to see how it stacked up. Conclusion: this is probably the best Mexican good you're going to get around here, and that's not too bad. Here's how it went. Minutes after sitting down, we were served the usual chips and salsa except: the chips were warm and fragrant, probably fresh from the oven. Nice touch. The salsa is served in a small carafe along with a small dish for you to use. This salsa was more sauce-like than chunky, but the flavors were good and the heat was just right. We ordered a the fresh guacamole appetizer, a tamale, the carne asada and the fajita quesadilla. Our waiter prepared the guacamole at the table. Starting with 3 avocado halves, he scooped out the fruit into a bowl, mashed it and added onion, cilantro, salt and pepper...about as fresh as guacamole can get. It should have been awesome but was only okay, probably because the avocados themselves were not too flavorful that day. Someone should quality check these things before they leave the kitchen. My wife liked her tamale. I didn't try it. The fajita quesadilla, a mixture of chicken, cheese and onion served on a folded tortilla wrapper, was a bit too cheesy. The additions on the plate- beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream and salsa - were good. It was a tasty dish, but too much cheese is cheating. The carne asada featured thin steak that had been marinated in a garlic mixture, cooked to doneness. It was a bit chewy. Cut it slivers, I combined the steak on a tortilla with the provided tomato, onion, avocado and lettuce; it was good, not great. A second tortilla prepared the same way along with some of the salsa that came with the chips was better. Overall, I'd call the cuisine authentic, good, but a level below the outstanding meals we had in Texas and New Mexico. Still, we'll be coming back because it's the best we've had in town so far.
(4)
Wendy V.
Driving through Gainesville on a road trip. Saw this place here on Yelp. Loved it. We sat at the bar. Very nice atmosphere. Great drink specials. Great food. I had the fajita quesadilla and every bit of it was tasty. The free chips and salsa are great. The salsa has just the right amount of heat. My boyfriend had the pick 3 combo. The chili rellano was his fav. Only downfall was that all margaritas are made from a mix (but still tasty). the bartender was great.
(4)
Elisaina D.
We had high hopes when we read the Yelp reviews and then became more excited when we walked in and saw the decor. The cognitive dissonance began with the over-fried chips served with about the blandest salsa ever. Tastes like tomato soup. And about the same consistency. Then came the margaritas. If you enjoy watery Pine-Sol, you'll love the margaritas here. On the bright side, the Pacifico I ordered instead was ice cold, and served with a lime wedge. We ordered table side guac, which was made with 1.5 avocados, too much onion, not enough lime, and no heat. And when we asked the sever to add some diced jalopenos, he said he's bring them by - and never did. And we were there on a slow Wednesday night. Entrees are reasonably priced, but very average. Don't order the taco salad unless you want cheese soup with bits of lettuce floating in it. Left the place feeling gross overall and not terribly satisfied with the meal. I'd avoid this place in the future.
(1)
Cmore S.
Decided to try based on Yelp reviews. Wasn't steered wrong. Go for lunch and try the extremely economical lunch specials. My family and I had 3 of them and not only were they delicious, they were HUGE. Our waiter was helpful in deciding meal choices, he was friendly and attentive (even if he did wear a Seminole apron)
(5)
Steve P.
My wife an I love coming here. We have done take out and done in almost once a month. The food is real authentic Mexican and full of flavor. The atmosphere is great, and the drink specials are always fantastic.
There is a difference between good "Mecican" food and great "Mexican" food. Mexico Lindo falls in the good category. I had fish tacos, and they were really good. The chips don't seem homemade, but they are still good with the salsa. The guacamole is ok, sort of store bought variety. But, it us still a nice place to have lunch while the kids are eating Korean food next door!
(3)
Thomas B.
** FOOD POISONING ** Victim #1 (me): Cheese Enchiladas Victim #2 (My 10 yr old godson): Cheese Quesadillas Victim #3 (friend): Chicken Margarita with Rice & Beans Victim #4 (my friends wife): Carne Asads with Rice & Beans The status of the other 6 people that we're in our group is unknown. Symptoms hit me approx 3-4 hrs after eating (and that's all had eaten that day). Symptoms for my godson we're within an hour of eating. My friends have a less severe case, with a general feeling of illness. Nuff Said!
(1)
Coleen D.
Service is fast and friendly. Margaritas are beyond yummy. LOVE the Chicken Margarita and the Grouper Palapa!
(4)
Simon P.
Have eaten here many, many times for lunch and dinner. Never had a bad experience. We enjoy the atmosphere, which is authentic and colorful Mexican style. It's a much more pleasant environment than La Tienda on 13th street, and not as noisy and chain-like as Chuy's at Archer/34th. The staff are super friendly and helpful. We have never had a bad experience with the service. The food is consistently excellent. It's generally similar to Chuy's but with a somewhat larger menu and definitely lower prices. The fish tacos are great. Once in a while the rice/beans on the side dish may seem a little dried out - as if reheated. But the main courses are reliably good. They are not too heavy or drowning in melted cheese like at Chichi's or other fake-mexican national chain restaurants. Three people can eat lunch for about $25 plus tip, not including alcoholic beverages. The house frozen margarita is ... well okay it's made from a mix. Tastes like frozen limeade with tequila. But at $4.99 it is still reasonably tasty, and it's frozen, and most importantly it contains a noticeable amount of tequila. You can actually taste the alcohol. That is more than I can say about the frozen margaritas at some other mexican restaurants, which are basically a frozen lemon/lime Koolaid slushy with nearly zero alcohol. In fact Mexico Lindo is pretty nearly the only restaurant where I ever order mixed drinks. Mexico Lindo is a pleasant, informal neighborhood mexican restaurant that gives a good value for the money.
(4)
Joe L.
For Mexican food in Gainesville, Mexico Lindo is hard to beat. They have fast service, good prices, and nice portions. They are often busy at peak hours. I love the Carne Asada tacos and enchiladas suizas.
(5)
Cory S.
One of our local favorites! My husband loves their tacos. I love the vegetarian burrito and the vegetarian fajitas. Best of all, the house margaritas! Two for $6 during happy hour (11-8!) - you would expect substandard cocktails at that price, but they are always delicious! The food is, as well, always fresh tasting and delicious! Great service, good food, and a fun mariachi band on Tuesdays - we have eaten here more than anywhere else since moving to the area.
(5)
John G.
Have been here a dozen or so times since moving over to this side of town. Still amazed every time I leave at the bill and how good the food is. Scallop burrito has the large good quality scallops in it and not just a couple. Love this place!
(5)
Laura Terese H.
Took my sister here on a saturday afternoon for lunch. Place was not busy at all. She said it looked like someone transported the mexican pavilion from Epcot to Gainesville. Its a very ...colorful place. We sat in a booth with a giant wooden braying donkey statue. I have been to their other restaurant and have been here twice before this. Its always been a reliable place for good food and service. It was lunchtime, so the lunch specials were in full effect. I had the Carnitas, and she got the fish tacos. I also ordered some guacamole for the chips. I like their salsa just fine, i just had ta have the Guac too! Its lunch portions, which are perfect. She really liked her food and mine is always consistently yummy. The waiter was very attentive and lunch for the both of us including drinks and guac was less than 20 bucks.
(4)
Mike W.
Though owned by the same family/group as both la Tienda and las Margaritas, it's nowhere near the quality of the former and about the same level as the latter. Like las Margaritas, it's Tex-Mex more than authentic Mexican, probably because that's what the owners believe most people in Gainesville desire. The food isn't bad per se, but mundane and certainly nothing great. For this style of Mexican-American, la Fiesta (either location) is far better in my experience. Several other reviewers have commented they felt ill after eating here; that's never been my own experience but after reading it, I will now stay clear of Mexico Lindo given that there's better alternatives anyways. The atmopshere is in fact beautiful, colorful, and festive, however, it is also often very very cold inside. Like, you need to bring a hoodie, seriously. The service is fine but not exceptional and it does get quite busy here on weekends. My recommendations for Mexican--providing you like authentic Mexican and not Tex-Mex--are either la Tienda here in Gainesville or Pepe's down at the junction of I-75 and SR 40 in Ocala. For Tex-Mex, la Fiesta is good stuff.
(2)
Coty S.
Bringing it down to three stars because last time I ate here, I was sick for almost a week in bed. The food is good, but not as good as Las Margeritas. Even though they pretty much have the same menu, the quality of the food lacks.
(3)
Julie F.
Love this place! Best food in town and really friendly staff. I've easily become a regular here.
(5)
Shannon H.
This place is great and prices are awesome. We stopped in for lunch and you can not beat $5 for the portions they give. The chips were perfect and the salsa had just the right amount of heat. My husband had the mexican stew and it was fabulous. The rich sauce and large amounts of meat were so tender. I had the flautas that were a good size and the chicken was soft and tasty. And while I did not partake, they hada well stocked bar. We will be back and next time for happy hour!
(5)
Tiffany C.
For now this is my preferred Mexican restaurant in Gainesville, but there are still a couple more that I need to try around town. Menu: Wide variety of food. They offer platters so you can have a variety of the more traditional Mexican food such as taco, burrito, stuffed peppers.Combination platters are around $7.40. Other entrees with chicken, beef or fish each cooked in a special sauce are around $8.50. Lunch specials have almost the same thing as in the dinner menu but for a reduced priced expect to pay about $5 to $8 depending on what you get. Food: The first time I went there I had the Grouper Palapa - which is grouper topped with a sauce made out of red wine, onions, poblano pepper & mushroom. It came with rice and refried beans. I liked the sauce a lot and got it with chicken when I went back for lunch. The fish was a little on the dry side and it had a very fishy taste so I didn't like it as much. Refried beans are very tasty, best one I have tried by far. I have also tried the chicken Acalpulco which is marinated with orange and pineapple. It was average and it would have been better if it had more flavor. Chips and salsa are on the house. Ambiance & service: Very very nice decorated, very colorful and festive. The many times I have been there the service was excellent. Great price, great service, great place, and of course great food!!
(4)
Laura B.
Decent Mexican place. Will eat here again. DH's pork was cooked nicely and well-seasoned. My chicken flautas were good, but nothing to write home about. I was able to order horchata, even though it was not on the menu. It was not the best one I have ever had, but nice that they offer it. Have eaten at Mexico Lindo twice more since I wrote this post. I will stick with the three stars, but wanted to advise people against the quesadilla. The cheese in the quesadilla is soft, gooey, and processed tasting - much like "queso" (that cheese dip people in FL like to eat at Mexican restaurants). If the owners/employees of the restaurant are reading this, please rest assured I did not need two quesadillas on my plate and would rather the cost saved on just one quesadilla be used for real cheese. The prices at this restaurant are very low, but quality seems variable between items. Beans and rice were still good, as were chips and salsa and margarita. Place was very busy last night and has a great neighborhood restaurant feel.
(3)
Paul D.
Surprisingly good food. I think one of the best Mexican restaurants in Gainesville that serves real horchata, green sauce enchiladas, etc. Good service, affordable prices, decent decor. Its in a strip mall that hides its potential but the food and service are great.
(5)
Heather S.
It's Cinco de Mayo! Order up a big plate of yum. Inexpensive food typical of Stateside Mexican restaurants. Nothing to wow, but nothing to disappoint either - My version of comfort food. Colorful interior with lots to keep toddlers occupied and cheap beer prices for the parents. What's not to like?
(4)
Elizabeth F.
This is definitely a decent Mexican joint in Gainesville! Few good things and a few bad things though. First off, the wait was atrocious. Granted it was a Friday night, yes, BUT this place is super tiny and everyone waiting was packed like sardines waiting in between tables, near the cash register, and around the bar. We felt bad because we were constantly in everyone's way but there was literally nowhere to go. Now for some good. The margaritas were definitely on point! The food was decent too. Nothing absolutely amazing but definitely no complaints either. I had the beef tacos by recommendation from our waiter and they were good. We did end up waiting a while for our food to come out but maybe that was due to them being busy? I don't know. Also, they have giant beers for cheap. I would definitely go to Mexico Lindo again but I'd probably be more cautious of what time/day I went.
(3)
Rob H.
Sooo good, sooo flippin' good. You walk through the door, and poof... ...your in Mexico! The only negative is the waitstaff are there for you at first, but once you get your food... ...then not so much. Their margaritas are awesome. The atmosphere is eclectic, and there is always something to look at. It is ALWAYS busy... ...so in my eyes that is a great sign. Too bad I am moving soon, and won't be able to enjoy this place anymore. :( Just flat out fantastic... Try the Chicken Jalisco, and the Chicken or Steak Suissa...yum!
(5)
Chelsea B.
Ok, so this place definitely does not serve the most authentic Mexican food in town, but it's not horrible either. Also, the decor and customer service are outstanding, and our sever was very patient with my Spanish.
(4)
Laura C.
Very, very good. Stopped here for lunch while driving from Orlando to Atlanta with our kids. (Thanks to Yelpers). Reasonable prices, good service, clean, fun decor, very good food. Only about 5 minutes off I75.
(4)
sherrie p.
I love this place. You'd never know it from the street because it is a strip mall but when you open the door you are in Mexico. I've been to Mexico and the American tourist area has this kind of interior. It's colorful and fun. Very reasonably priced. The food is amazing.
(5)
John S.
After a coworker raved about this place, I finally made the painful trip of driving 5 miles down the road from my neighborhood. Anyone in Gainesville knows how bad the traffic can be but coming the Mexico Lindo was totally worth it. They give you too much awesome food. The atmosphere and decor is awesome. Very colorful and bright. Probably a good place for kids too. And then they come out with an endless bowl of free salsa and tortilla chips and I know I'm gonna be satisfied. The food came out kinda slowly but I was well distracted with the well-cooked, crispy chips (I'm looking at you, Moe's) and spicy salsa. I got the pick 3 combo: you pick 3 items off a list of basic burritos, tacos, etc and its $6.99. Note that by this time I'm half full from eating all those chips and the prospect of getting 3 more burrito-type things is awesome. I mixed up it up with a chicken enchilada and a beef burrito, along with a beef tostada. Everything came out hot and the veggies were fresh too. The enchilada was filled with tender shredded chicken and tasted awesome. The one and only issue I had with the place was the seasoned beef. It was salty. Really, really salty. And maybe over-seasoned. I could only eat a little until I realized it really wasn't edible. It was like canned corned beef was fried and put into a burrito (yes, I've done that before). I decided to do what I should have done a long time ago: leave the food alone. Even though the beef was super salty, I'd go again. I'd order the chicken all around. And maybe I wouldn't eat so many damn chips. Either way, if I'm headed west on Archer and I want to be 100% full of Mexican food, I'm heading to Mexico Lindo.
(4)
Bill C.
Very good atmosphere. Service a little inattentive. We liled the decorations and the music.
(4)
Jake D.
I cant believe this place is rated so highly across the board.... I was just there and I didn't experience anything 5 star worthy The food was not terrible, but not great. I went with a group of 4 friends, we tend to try each others food to get a variety and try new things. I cant remember what everybody ate but I ordered the chicken queasadia's (i know its spelled wrong) others ordered burritos and such. I was just terribly unimpressed by anything they had to offer, it seemed to me like nothing new or exciting. The service was...... bad. Brush up on your Spanish before you go because most of the servers and employees speak very poor English, well let me be fair... i cant make that general of a statement but from what I experience it would appear that a portion of the wait staff speaks poor English and can sometimes be hard to understand. Slow service and even a little impolite at times. -- I might go back if I'm on that side of town and for some reason have to have Mexican, but chances are I will not put in a return visit. try it for yourself but don't go expecting anything more than average
(2)
Carrie J.
BLAND!!!!! We had the fajitas, quesadillas and the taco salad. None of these items had much if any spice. If you like non-spicy mexican food than this is your place!!!
(1)
K S.
Best Mexican food in Gainesville, hands down. I went when they first opened and it was kind of empty. Now there is usually a wait. It's really caught on. Why? Because the food is delicious and cheap. Chimichanga, enchiladas, chile rellenos, burritos...I can't think of anything I've had that I wouldn't suggest. Plus, I'm a huge fan of over-decorating in restaurants (chop stix). You don't feel like you are in Mexico there. You feel like you are in a mildly tacky Mexican souvenir shop. Me lo gusta.
(5)
Caley C.
The food are very good, the price is even better. The restaurant is nice and clean. Would go back again for sure.
(4)
Corie S.
I always get the chicken fajita salad and it's super cheap and tastes awesome! It comes in a tortilla bowl and has guacamole and cheese in it. Plenty of food! I always have some to take home! Chips and salsa while you wait for your food too!
(5)
Ashley B.
Almost the same as Las Margaritas, only smaller. The margaritas are delicious. The chips & salsa are bland. I forget what I had the first time, but I recently had the fajitas, and they were great. I recommend going for lunch, as it's likely to be less crowded. Expect to wait whenever you come here. The outside tables are first-come, first-serve, yet I would never sit there again- WAY too many bugs. Ew. The service outside is also bad, one server for all 7 tables. We had to ask him repeatedly for the same things. Also, as this is located away from the "college-y" part of town, it closes rather early, so watch out! As far as Mexican in Gainesville goes, you could do worse for some tasty food!
(3)
MeXOhXMe X.
I really liked the atmosphere. It was bright and festive. The hostess was a little cold and rude, but I let that slide. My waiter was eager and spoke little English, but hey, that's part of the experience, right? When I opened my menu, I was surprised at how familiar it looked. Now, is it just me, or is the menu completely identical to Las Margaritas? Maybe I'm imagining it, but the layout and the selections seemed no different. The same holds true with a few other places in town. All of the authentic style mexican restaurants seem to blend together in my mind. My food came out in a timely manner and was okay. I'm not a fan of the cheese they used, again reminiscent of the other mexican restaurants in town. All of the vegetarian meals seemed cheese heavy, and that was a downside for me. Hoping to curb the taste, I ordered a side a guacamole. I received a small dollop of guacamole that was pretty weak on flavor. Unfulfilled, I decided to try for dessert. I selected the sopapillas. It was surprisingly small, maybe 4-5 inches in diameter, and topped with four dots of whipped cream. It was barely enough for one person, let alone myself and my two companions. The people I was with actually really enjoyed their food, so maybe I was just too off put my the cheese and it's a matter of personal taste. I don't know, but I actually much preferred what I got at the commercialized restaurants like On the Border. That will be sorely missed. I would sooner visit Moes or Chipotle to get my mexican fix.
(2)
Jenkitty C.
My new favorite Gainesville Mexican food! The decor is wild, bright, and fun. The service is usually at least decent, but tends to vary. The food is GOOD. I love places with atmosphere..it completes the sensory experience of eating.
(5)
Mary R.
Good Mexican food with great drink specials. The even have a Mariachi band on Tuesday nights.
(4)
Apara W.
Good food, nice options for vegetarians, esp Burritos. We normally alternate between La Fiesta and this place. Luis is great:-)
Very good food and good prices. Same menu as Las Margaritas (same owner). Lunch prices are awesome. Burritos are very good. Nice atmosphere and a patio for when it's not 105 degrees outside. Free chips and salsa and the salsa is good. Never been disappointed.
(4)
Kim S.
Great food! Best guacamole I ever had.
(5)
Diana N.
I love this place! By the time my fish tacos come out, I'm already full from their chips and dip!!! Waitstaff is friendly, food is delicious, and atmosphere is great!!!!
(4)
Emilia B.
Thank goodness there's a yummy and authentic Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. This place opened in Sept '08. I believe that El Amigo on 39th Ave closed recently, and I'm not a fan of Las Margaritas or La Fiesta. The menu is extensive. My husband ordered a fish taco special (the fish was not fried, but grilled, which I have not been able to find in G'ville). The fish was tender and sweet. I ordered a basic chicken quesadilla, and it was yummy in my tummy and a great and fulfilling deal for under $4! Their queso is a little hot and yummy (I'm a big cheese fan). The prices were quite acceptable. We didn't wait that long for our meal. We will definitely be coming back for dinner and lunch. The restaurant was fairly busy on a Wednesday night, which is a great sign. The decor is amazing! A child in the restaurant commented to her mom about how colorful it was in there. The chairs, tables, walls, etc., are all multi-colored with bright and pastel colors, giving the restaurant a relaxed and vibrant feel. It is a pretty casual place and would be appropriate for taking the whole family. Highly recommended!
(5)
Troy H.
This is place is great. The food is very good and have always had great service. I have not been back for a few months, but every time the wait was short (even when packed). There were always plenty of smiles to go around. I would have to say that the bar is a little small, and since they do not allow drinks outside there are few places to wait on a table.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Dawn H.
Good Food, Great Decor, Great Prices. Need I say more?
(5)Greg R.
It's probably the best Mexican food in the sw area.
(4)Corie S.
I always get the chicken fajita salad and it's super cheap and tastes awesome! It comes in a tortilla bowl and has guacamole and cheese in it. Plenty of food! I always have some to take home! Chips and salsa while you wait for your food too!
(5)Heather S.
It's Cinco de Mayo! Order up a big plate of yum. Inexpensive food typical of Stateside Mexican restaurants. Nothing to wow, but nothing to disappoint either - My version of comfort food. Colorful interior with lots to keep toddlers occupied and cheap beer prices for the parents. What's not to like?
(4)sherrie p.
I love this place. You'd never know it from the street because it is a strip mall but when you open the door you are in Mexico. I've been to Mexico and the American tourist area has this kind of interior. It's colorful and fun. Very reasonably priced. The food is amazing.
(5)Elizabeth F.
This is definitely a decent Mexican joint in Gainesville! Few good things and a few bad things though. First off, the wait was atrocious. Granted it was a Friday night, yes, BUT this place is super tiny and everyone waiting was packed like sardines waiting in between tables, near the cash register, and around the bar. We felt bad because we were constantly in everyone's way but there was literally nowhere to go. Now for some good. The margaritas were definitely on point! The food was decent too. Nothing absolutely amazing but definitely no complaints either. I had the beef tacos by recommendation from our waiter and they were good. We did end up waiting a while for our food to come out but maybe that was due to them being busy? I don't know. Also, they have giant beers for cheap. I would definitely go to Mexico Lindo again but I'd probably be more cautious of what time/day I went.
(3)Rob H.
Sooo good, sooo flippin' good. You walk through the door, and poof... ...your in Mexico! The only negative is the waitstaff are there for you at first, but once you get your food... ...then not so much. Their margaritas are awesome. The atmosphere is eclectic, and there is always something to look at. It is ALWAYS busy... ...so in my eyes that is a great sign. Too bad I am moving soon, and won't be able to enjoy this place anymore. :( Just flat out fantastic... Try the Chicken Jalisco, and the Chicken or Steak Suissa...yum!
(5)Chelsea B.
Ok, so this place definitely does not serve the most authentic Mexican food in town, but it's not horrible either. Also, the decor and customer service are outstanding, and our sever was very patient with my Spanish.
(4)Greg R.
It's probably the best Mexican food in the sw area.
(4)Kathleen S.
This is a sister restaurant to Las Margaritas on NW 43rd street... so you can expect similar great Mexican food, salsa, and of course Margaritas. The owners went a step further in this restaurant and did a much better job with the ambiance! I love the Mexican tile floors (and they are Sooooo much cleaner than restaurants with carpet on the floors - puke!)
(4)Brea G.
The atmosphere is festive and they've got a nice patio so you can sit outside. As others have mentioned there are lots of bright colors and has a comfortable atmosphere. The food was decent but nothing special. The chips weren't stale (always a plus) and the salsa was OK. I'll probably go back at some point.
(2)Dawn H.
Good Food, Great Decor, Great Prices. Need I say more?
(5)Laura C.
Very, very good. Stopped here for lunch while driving from Orlando to Atlanta with our kids. (Thanks to Yelpers). Reasonable prices, good service, clean, fun decor, very good food. Only about 5 minutes off I75.
(4)Ashley B.
Almost the same as Las Margaritas, only smaller. The margaritas are delicious. The chips & salsa are bland. I forget what I had the first time, but I recently had the fajitas, and they were great. I recommend going for lunch, as it's likely to be less crowded. Expect to wait whenever you come here. The outside tables are first-come, first-serve, yet I would never sit there again- WAY too many bugs. Ew. The service outside is also bad, one server for all 7 tables. We had to ask him repeatedly for the same things. Also, as this is located away from the "college-y" part of town, it closes rather early, so watch out! As far as Mexican in Gainesville goes, you could do worse for some tasty food!
(3)MeXOhXMe X.
I really liked the atmosphere. It was bright and festive. The hostess was a little cold and rude, but I let that slide. My waiter was eager and spoke little English, but hey, that's part of the experience, right? When I opened my menu, I was surprised at how familiar it looked. Now, is it just me, or is the menu completely identical to Las Margaritas? Maybe I'm imagining it, but the layout and the selections seemed no different. The same holds true with a few other places in town. All of the authentic style mexican restaurants seem to blend together in my mind. My food came out in a timely manner and was okay. I'm not a fan of the cheese they used, again reminiscent of the other mexican restaurants in town. All of the vegetarian meals seemed cheese heavy, and that was a downside for me. Hoping to curb the taste, I ordered a side a guacamole. I received a small dollop of guacamole that was pretty weak on flavor. Unfulfilled, I decided to try for dessert. I selected the sopapillas. It was surprisingly small, maybe 4-5 inches in diameter, and topped with four dots of whipped cream. It was barely enough for one person, let alone myself and my two companions. The people I was with actually really enjoyed their food, so maybe I was just too off put my the cheese and it's a matter of personal taste. I don't know, but I actually much preferred what I got at the commercialized restaurants like On the Border. That will be sorely missed. I would sooner visit Moes or Chipotle to get my mexican fix.
(2)Jenkitty C.
My new favorite Gainesville Mexican food! The decor is wild, bright, and fun. The service is usually at least decent, but tends to vary. The food is GOOD. I love places with atmosphere..it completes the sensory experience of eating.
(5)Mary R.
Good Mexican food with great drink specials. The even have a Mariachi band on Tuesday nights.
(4)Apara W.
Good food, nice options for vegetarians, esp Burritos. We normally alternate between La Fiesta and this place. Luis is great:-)
(5)Chris N.
If you're a fan of Las Margaritas you can stop reading now. Mexico Lindo has the same owner, menu, prices and service. The major difference is a fresher décor. For the uninitated expect great authentic Mexican food, very low prices, great service and delicious specials.
(5)Troy B.
Very good food and good prices. Same menu as Las Margaritas (same owner). Lunch prices are awesome. Burritos are very good. Nice atmosphere and a patio for when it's not 105 degrees outside. Free chips and salsa and the salsa is good. Never been disappointed.
(4)Kim S.
Great food! Best guacamole I ever had.
(5)Diana N.
I love this place! By the time my fish tacos come out, I'm already full from their chips and dip!!! Waitstaff is friendly, food is delicious, and atmosphere is great!!!!
(4)Emilia B.
Thank goodness there's a yummy and authentic Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. This place opened in Sept '08. I believe that El Amigo on 39th Ave closed recently, and I'm not a fan of Las Margaritas or La Fiesta. The menu is extensive. My husband ordered a fish taco special (the fish was not fried, but grilled, which I have not been able to find in G'ville). The fish was tender and sweet. I ordered a basic chicken quesadilla, and it was yummy in my tummy and a great and fulfilling deal for under $4! Their queso is a little hot and yummy (I'm a big cheese fan). The prices were quite acceptable. We didn't wait that long for our meal. We will definitely be coming back for dinner and lunch. The restaurant was fairly busy on a Wednesday night, which is a great sign. The decor is amazing! A child in the restaurant commented to her mom about how colorful it was in there. The chairs, tables, walls, etc., are all multi-colored with bright and pastel colors, giving the restaurant a relaxed and vibrant feel. It is a pretty casual place and would be appropriate for taking the whole family. Highly recommended!
(5)Troy H.
This is place is great. The food is very good and have always had great service. I have not been back for a few months, but every time the wait was short (even when packed). There were always plenty of smiles to go around. I would have to say that the bar is a little small, and since they do not allow drinks outside there are few places to wait on a table.
(4)Ali M.
I've eaten here several times and while the food is good the service has been disappointing. I've had the same waitress the past few times but my most recent trip prompted me to write a review bc it was so awful. My friend and I split a steak chimichanga and the waitress brought out a chicken chimichanga. I normally wouldn't even have mentioned it but bc my friend doesn't eat chicken we asked that the order be corrected. Rather than fix the mistake the waitress insisted we ordered chicken and rudely walked away and sat back down without changing the order! We then addressed it with the hostess who went back into the kitchen where we could hear the waitress screaming about it. We were so shocked at her behavior that we ended up leaving without even eating. I'm really disappointed bc the food is delicious, however being that this wasn't the first bad encounter I will not not be going back again.
(2)JJ F.
Yes , I finally found a good place to eat in Gainesville.Feels like the real thing. Authentic taste, friendly atmosphere. Big margarittas. Perfect Friday night happy hour place.Nice easy drive outside of Gainesville in Archer. I felt like I was on vacation in Mexico! Wish there were more non chain restaurants like this here
(5)K S.
Best Mexican food in Gainesville, hands down. I went when they first opened and it was kind of empty. Now there is usually a wait. It's really caught on. Why? Because the food is delicious and cheap. Chimichanga, enchiladas, chile rellenos, burritos...I can't think of anything I've had that I wouldn't suggest. Plus, I'm a huge fan of over-decorating in restaurants (chop stix). You don't feel like you are in Mexico there. You feel like you are in a mildly tacky Mexican souvenir shop. Me lo gusta.
(5)Caley C.
The food are very good, the price is even better. The restaurant is nice and clean. Would go back again for sure.
(4)John S.
After a coworker raved about this place, I finally made the painful trip of driving 5 miles down the road from my neighborhood. Anyone in Gainesville knows how bad the traffic can be but coming the Mexico Lindo was totally worth it. They give you too much awesome food. The atmosphere and decor is awesome. Very colorful and bright. Probably a good place for kids too. And then they come out with an endless bowl of free salsa and tortilla chips and I know I'm gonna be satisfied. The food came out kinda slowly but I was well distracted with the well-cooked, crispy chips (I'm looking at you, Moe's) and spicy salsa. I got the pick 3 combo: you pick 3 items off a list of basic burritos, tacos, etc and its $6.99. Note that by this time I'm half full from eating all those chips and the prospect of getting 3 more burrito-type things is awesome. I mixed up it up with a chicken enchilada and a beef burrito, along with a beef tostada. Everything came out hot and the veggies were fresh too. The enchilada was filled with tender shredded chicken and tasted awesome. The one and only issue I had with the place was the seasoned beef. It was salty. Really, really salty. And maybe over-seasoned. I could only eat a little until I realized it really wasn't edible. It was like canned corned beef was fried and put into a burrito (yes, I've done that before). I decided to do what I should have done a long time ago: leave the food alone. Even though the beef was super salty, I'd go again. I'd order the chicken all around. And maybe I wouldn't eat so many damn chips. Either way, if I'm headed west on Archer and I want to be 100% full of Mexican food, I'm heading to Mexico Lindo.
(4)Bill C.
Very good atmosphere. Service a little inattentive. We liled the decorations and the music.
(4)Jake D.
I cant believe this place is rated so highly across the board.... I was just there and I didn't experience anything 5 star worthy The food was not terrible, but not great. I went with a group of 4 friends, we tend to try each others food to get a variety and try new things. I cant remember what everybody ate but I ordered the chicken queasadia's (i know its spelled wrong) others ordered burritos and such. I was just terribly unimpressed by anything they had to offer, it seemed to me like nothing new or exciting. The service was...... bad. Brush up on your Spanish before you go because most of the servers and employees speak very poor English, well let me be fair... i cant make that general of a statement but from what I experience it would appear that a portion of the wait staff speaks poor English and can sometimes be hard to understand. Slow service and even a little impolite at times. -- I might go back if I'm on that side of town and for some reason have to have Mexican, but chances are I will not put in a return visit. try it for yourself but don't go expecting anything more than average
(2)Carrie J.
BLAND!!!!! We had the fajitas, quesadillas and the taco salad. None of these items had much if any spice. If you like non-spicy mexican food than this is your place!!!
(1)Jeff F.
When we were in Gainesville and my wife was pregnant she was here almost daily. The restaurant opened up and became what we measure all other mexican food by. The staff, especially, Luis are the best. They all still remember our son as "touchdown" and that was 4 years ago. One of my favorite dishes is the Chicken Jalisco with extra veggies and no rice and beans. We love this place top to bottom.
(5)Ali K.
In general food is good. The nachos are ok but make sure you don't eat too much since some of food portions are big. The fajitas are a little dry but still good.
(4)David S.
It's the best Mexican place in Gainesville! I was there for lunch and they gave free chips and salsa (I don't know if they do that for dinner.) Prices are great. Chicken quesadilla was only $5! The waiter was really friendly and was always attentive to our needs. Definitely going here often; glad I found out about it. Oh yeah, they have Mariachi night once a week. I can't remember the day but find out before you go. The live music was fun and they come around to each table and play for you. They have a tip jar that they carry around with them.
(5)Gavin D.
Hands down the best Mexican food in town. The service is always friendly and the food comes out very quickly. It does get crowded but even at it's busiest, you never wait long for a table (and if you're willing to sit outside under the cover, you'll never wait). The food: I usually order the fajitas or quesadilla fajita (for lunch it's under $7 and sometimes under $6.00 if it's on special) which is a huge amount of food and certainly enough to make you want to take a ciesta. Pro tip, if you come and it's not busy, see if you can order the hamburger (top 5 in town). Plus, free chips and salsa as many restaurants do (another pro tip, order the pancho dip). Drinks: The beer here is very reasonably priced, where else can you get a pitcher of shock top for $7? The margaritas are also good and pretty cheap. The service They only have a handful of servers so if you go here regularly, you're bound to know them by name. I have been here plenty of times and I have yet to have bad service. The food/drinks always come out quickly and the servers check and recheck on you to make sure everything is correct, which it always is. Overall, this is a great family owned joint in town with awesome food, great service, and fair prices. I will continue to support them as long as I am in Gainesville.
(5)David L.
How have I not reviewed this place yet? If we don't show up on a Friday night, they might report us missing. The food is always consistent and a great value. Having tried many items, I like the Chile Colorado or fajitas the most. But you can't go wrong with any chicken, steak or the newer seafood dishes. Apart from the food, we really come back for the people. Awesome family business and family atmosphere, people that are always happy to see you. These guys know how to work hard while creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Striking and unique decor too. See ya Friday.
(5)Bill V.
We were in town to visit my daughter and grandsons (9 and 11) and after much debate Linda Vista was the restaurant selected because of their varied menu and hopes it would provide something for everyone to enjoy for dinner. We weren't disappointed! My oldest grandson and I wanted seafood so he ordered a Red Snapper and mixed veggie dish he enjoyed while I ordered a seafood Quesadilla which was full of shrimp and scallops... very tasty! Others ordered Taco Salads and my youngest grandson, whose taste is not as adventuresome yet, ordered a hamburger and endured a lot of good-natured ribbing about it. Since it was warm we elected to sit outside on the terrace which that Tuesday evening was deserted and enabled the boys to blow off some steam before the meal. Our server was very friendly and prompt with our orders. The prices were about what we typically pay at other Mexican restaurants we go to at home and as stated earlier, the food was delicious. We will go again on our next visit with the grand kids.
(4)Alice C.
I want a TexMex restaurant near our home that I can love - Linda Vista is not it. Salt, salt, salt! Linda Vista is not a Mexican restaurant, it is a salt delivery system, it is a salt mine, it's a salt-o-rama, it is an, a-salt, on my tongue. Salt is not a flavor substitute. Salt and sugar are a lazy, MSG like, health deteriorating fraud to trick humans into thinking something they are eating is pleasing. Give me fresh bright flavors; hold the salt. At Linda Vista, we got off to a bad start when the waiter did not introduce himself. A waitperson, like the chef, shares in a very intimate relationship with diners. I believe chef's should come out and talk with diners, but that may be idealistic on my part. Servers on the other are there in person to bring you food that you eat, they get to interact with you and share, become part of the dining experience. Touching and eating are two of the most intimate things we do, we are going to share something very intimate together, so introduce yourself and welcoming me to the restaurant. After the bad start, I was still looking forward to chips and salsa. The chips were okay, but the salsa came out ice cold, runny, and flavorless. Then the drinks came out. We had Sangrias, Margaritas. They reminded me of my Utah days when they asked "with or without." There was a slight hint of booze, or they may have been Star Trek Synthahol. I would serve this Margarita frozen to a child as a Slurpee without hesitation or fear that I could be giving alcohol to minors. I ordered the chicken Toastaguac for dinner. Toastaguac, is that the coolest mash-up name you have ever heard? It is not a Toast Monster, it is not a Guac Monster: it is a TOASTAGUAC! The guac monster was wasn't all that bad, real hass avocado, but the toast monster was burnt. The whole thing, the mash-up, was saltier than a horny a sailor on leave and just as tasteless. I asked for onions in an attempt to flavor my dish. There was an upcharge for a little bowl of onions. The toastaquac, a huge plate of food, was $4.10, and a little bowl of onions was an extra buck. Upcharges bug me. Even though my husband kept telling me what a huge bargain this place is to eat, I feel overcharged. We walked out salt bloated, stuffed, and totally unsatisfied. I will not be able to wear sexy shoes for a week, and my wedding band is imbedded into my ring finger. I am still looking for a TexMex restaurant near my home that I can love.
(2)Alejandro R.
I have been coming to Mexico Lindo/ Linda Vista since it opened. It was once co-owned by the gentleman who owns Las Margaritas which explains why the food is pretty much identical. I have been to several Mexican restaurants in the Gainesville area and I think Linda Vista takes the cake. The homemade salsa they serve is delicious and their guacamole which is made fresh to order is excellent. I have tried several items on the menu but tend to stick to flautas, carnitas, and the fajitas. The one thing that sets this restaurant apart from it's doppelganger (Las Margaritas) would be the service and consistency. I know what to expect each visit and am never disappointed upon leaving. If you're looking for a Mexican restaurant in the Gainesville area then look no further.
(5)Pierre A.
For a Mexican American restaurant the selection is broad. We ordered the taco salad with chicken - good bet ( don't eat bowl and cut out the carbs). Like the Echiladas Especiales, they give you a mix of each type of filling. Enchiladas Rancheras is a cheesy fajita that was a good add. Not a fan of the beef tacos but the chicken, steak or beans are good quality. Next time going to try the fish tacos?? I'll let you know....
(4)Tiffany P.
I. Love. This. Place. It helps that it is very convenient to my new apartment, but every time I've been I've got nothing but super polite and attentive servers/bartenders, excellent food at a ridiculous price. 2 for $6 margaritas or house wines (along with some other options) all day every day? Um. Yes please! I had two margaritas and a lunch special my first week here (before I was working of course) and my bill was something like $11. $11 is what I would expect to pay for a decent entree anywhere in DC/Bethesda. Fabulous. Love it!
(5)Meryl C.
I've been having some trouble finding decent Mexican food in Gainesville. I decided to give Linda Vista a chance, and I was not disappointed. It wasn't outstanding, but it's the best I've had in this area so far. Upon arrival, we were greeted instantly, asked if we wanted a table or a booth, and seated. The table service was reasonably quick but probably could have been a little better, considering they were not very busy. The complementary chips and salsa were just ok- the salsa was not spicy at all. For my entree I ordered the vegetarian fajitas, and I was very pleased with the presentation, as well as the portion size. They definitely compensated for meatlessness with an abundance of grilled vegetables- mushrooms, green bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots (I opted for no onions). The dish arrived very hot, and I was very satisfied with my plate of sides and toppings- rice, refried beans, lettuce, guac, and sour cream. My only complaint would be about the rice. It was slightly dry, and had a strange, unidentifiable aftertaste. Definitely not the most pleasant rice I've tasted. Overall, I was satisfied with my experience at Linda Vista. The food was very good... but not amazing. Our server was friendly and fairly timely with everything, until the end when she was hard to find to ask for the check. This place is good if you're looking for a reasonably priced Mexican meal, but you most likely won't be blown away.
(4)Gainesville-Fl J.
BEST MEXICAN food in Gainesville!!!! Eat here 1-2 times a week and Always Great!!! Best service and awesome food!!!
(5)Red C.
Better than that Mexican place on Newberry but not 5 stars. Service is slow... Painfully slow. The portions are large and the price is pretty cheap. The burritos are HUGE and could easily feed two people. The food is always the same quality which is great but not that jump out of your seat good Mexican food you seek. Standard Mexican food.
(4)Bob T.
I don't normally like Mexican as much as the wife does but this place has outstanding Mexican food. Very accommodating for our group of ten. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Salsa and chips, cheese dip, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas, and everything else tried by our group was given enthusiastic thumbs up. Another great Yelp find.
(5)Mel B.
This is one of those rare places that has really good service and really good food for a very reasonable place. I often get it to-go, which is somewhat unfortunate as the service is super friendly. I highly recommend the lunch specials, which are cheaper than the dinner prices and still SO MUCH FOOD. I usually get the quesadilla fajita which comes with the quesadilla, avocado salad, rice, chips AND salsa. I'm not sure who can eat all that food in one sitting, but i don't care because I just bought two or three meals for 7 bucks. Enchiladas Suizas are also amazing. It's not really that authentic (you'll have to go to La Tienda for that) but its so good and cheap, it doesn't matter. Good place for a date or a casual lunch.
(5)Leigh Anne B.
Been going to this place for at least a year now. At first, I had nothing but great things to say. Service, food, atmosphere were all excellent. In the past few months, things have gone downhill. On at least four occasions now, two within the past week, the service was subpar, food orders were served and were incorrect, and attempt to ask about these issues proved unsuccessful. After being sat at the table, I waited and watched as others who were seated after me/us got their drink orders taken and were served their meal. Service was slow and I don't mean five minutes slow. I mean... I could have been told where to sit and have had time to go next door to Publix deli and have a sandwich prepared before someone came to take a drink order. They got our drinks (tea) incorrect and it seemed too much to have asked for a water as it was never brought to the table. I had to ask a different waitress for a refill of my drink, as ours was no where to be seen. I ordered my dish without tomatoes and it came with tomatoes. I would have been happy to let someone remedy the issue except our waitress never came back to our table after the meal was served. In fact, she never asked anything about our meal or even if we wanted the check. We had to go to the register to ask for the check. I am extremely disappointed with how things have been going as the visit before this one (within the same week) was exactly the same, but with a different set of issues and different waitress. Guess we will need to find another place to eat this type of cuisine even if it means additional driving time.
(1)Tracy C.
I absolutely love this place the drink specials are fabulous the food is great and very reasonable. The chili rellanos and the chili poblano's are to die for, along with the pico de gallo and chips and salsa! And it is very inexpensive and a lot for your money one the best Mexican restaurants in Gainesville!
(5)Reviewer P.
Linda Vista (Formerly Mexico Lindo) is the best Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. It is way better than Las Margaritas, which is owned by this owners brother. The food is great, and is very cheap compared with other mexican restaurants. The quality of food is great, and the quantity is enormous. The service there is great, and the atmosphere resembles Mexico. Overall, would recommend this to everyone, and should try out.
(5)Darren F.
This is one of the best places that has really good in service and really good food for a very affordable prices. Linda Vista is the best Mexican food in town. The food comes out very quickly. It does not get crowded even at it's busiest days. The atmosphere is great, and the drinks are always great too.
(4)Kathleen S.
This is a sister restaurant to Las Margaritas on NW 43rd street... so you can expect similar great Mexican food, salsa, and of course Margaritas. The owners went a step further in this restaurant and did a much better job with the ambiance! I love the Mexican tile floors (and they are Sooooo much cleaner than restaurants with carpet on the floors - puke!)
(4)Brea G.
The atmosphere is festive and they've got a nice patio so you can sit outside. As others have mentioned there are lots of bright colors and has a comfortable atmosphere. The food was decent but nothing special. The chips weren't stale (always a plus) and the salsa was OK. I'll probably go back at some point.
(2)Brad K.
Love the Lindo ! Probably the best Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. Tuesday is Mariachi night. Usually a 4 or 5 piece group. I usually get the the pork carnitas (fried pork), it is seasoned perfectly and always cooked so it's super tender. I than order soft shells, sliced guacamole, and some extra limes and proceed to make myself my favorite soft pork taco with guacamole and lime juice..mmm good. They also have this appetizer called 'Pancho Dip' it's only like $4..so worth it..get it ..you'll love it. I would give them 5 stars, but their salsa is the normal blender salsa all the Florida restaurants seem to serve. I wish it was like the Acapulco in Old Town San Diego. Large chunks of onion, tomatoes, and lots of cilantro. We usually get out of Lindo for the three of us drinking waters for around $25 including tip which is really good for a family dinner night out. Lindo is very good.
(4)Doctor B.
After enjoying some outstanding Tex-Mex on a road trip through Texas and New Mexico, we (wife, hypercritical son and me) returned home to Mexico Lindo to see how it stacked up. Conclusion: this is probably the best Mexican good you're going to get around here, and that's not too bad. Here's how it went. Minutes after sitting down, we were served the usual chips and salsa except: the chips were warm and fragrant, probably fresh from the oven. Nice touch. The salsa is served in a small carafe along with a small dish for you to use. This salsa was more sauce-like than chunky, but the flavors were good and the heat was just right. We ordered a the fresh guacamole appetizer, a tamale, the carne asada and the fajita quesadilla. Our waiter prepared the guacamole at the table. Starting with 3 avocado halves, he scooped out the fruit into a bowl, mashed it and added onion, cilantro, salt and pepper...about as fresh as guacamole can get. It should have been awesome but was only okay, probably because the avocados themselves were not too flavorful that day. Someone should quality check these things before they leave the kitchen. My wife liked her tamale. I didn't try it. The fajita quesadilla, a mixture of chicken, cheese and onion served on a folded tortilla wrapper, was a bit too cheesy. The additions on the plate- beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream and salsa - were good. It was a tasty dish, but too much cheese is cheating. The carne asada featured thin steak that had been marinated in a garlic mixture, cooked to doneness. It was a bit chewy. Cut it slivers, I combined the steak on a tortilla with the provided tomato, onion, avocado and lettuce; it was good, not great. A second tortilla prepared the same way along with some of the salsa that came with the chips was better. Overall, I'd call the cuisine authentic, good, but a level below the outstanding meals we had in Texas and New Mexico. Still, we'll be coming back because it's the best we've had in town so far.
(4)Wendy V.
Driving through Gainesville on a road trip. Saw this place here on Yelp. Loved it. We sat at the bar. Very nice atmosphere. Great drink specials. Great food. I had the fajita quesadilla and every bit of it was tasty. The free chips and salsa are great. The salsa has just the right amount of heat. My boyfriend had the pick 3 combo. The chili rellano was his fav. Only downfall was that all margaritas are made from a mix (but still tasty). the bartender was great.
(4)Elisaina D.
We had high hopes when we read the Yelp reviews and then became more excited when we walked in and saw the decor. The cognitive dissonance began with the over-fried chips served with about the blandest salsa ever. Tastes like tomato soup. And about the same consistency. Then came the margaritas. If you enjoy watery Pine-Sol, you'll love the margaritas here. On the bright side, the Pacifico I ordered instead was ice cold, and served with a lime wedge. We ordered table side guac, which was made with 1.5 avocados, too much onion, not enough lime, and no heat. And when we asked the sever to add some diced jalopenos, he said he's bring them by - and never did. And we were there on a slow Wednesday night. Entrees are reasonably priced, but very average. Don't order the taco salad unless you want cheese soup with bits of lettuce floating in it. Left the place feeling gross overall and not terribly satisfied with the meal. I'd avoid this place in the future.
(1)Cmore S.
Decided to try based on Yelp reviews. Wasn't steered wrong. Go for lunch and try the extremely economical lunch specials. My family and I had 3 of them and not only were they delicious, they were HUGE. Our waiter was helpful in deciding meal choices, he was friendly and attentive (even if he did wear a Seminole apron)
(5)Steve P.
My wife an I love coming here. We have done take out and done in almost once a month. The food is real authentic Mexican and full of flavor. The atmosphere is great, and the drink specials are always fantastic.
(5)AaronErin D.
Was excited because of the reviews on Yelp, honestly wouldn't come back. The decor and atmosphere was very authentic feeling and the staff was extremely polite. Our server was very friendly and immediately arrived after being sat. The food was eatable at best, I personally ordered the spinach quesadilla off of the lunch menu and it was nothing that I would ever eat again, was basically a pile of slop on a plate. My fiancé ordered a chicken burrito but was brought out a beef and potato burrito? We were in a hurry and don't ever send back food so he ate that instead. Was almost like a Taco Bell quality. Not very impressed. Stars go to the friendly staff and good salsa.
(3)Glenn B.
There is a difference between good "Mecican" food and great "Mexican" food. Mexico Lindo falls in the good category. I had fish tacos, and they were really good. The chips don't seem homemade, but they are still good with the salsa. The guacamole is ok, sort of store bought variety. But, it us still a nice place to have lunch while the kids are eating Korean food next door!
(3)Thomas B.
** FOOD POISONING ** Victim #1 (me): Cheese Enchiladas Victim #2 (My 10 yr old godson): Cheese Quesadillas Victim #3 (friend): Chicken Margarita with Rice & Beans Victim #4 (my friends wife): Carne Asads with Rice & Beans The status of the other 6 people that we're in our group is unknown. Symptoms hit me approx 3-4 hrs after eating (and that's all had eaten that day). Symptoms for my godson we're within an hour of eating. My friends have a less severe case, with a general feeling of illness. Nuff Said!
(1)Coleen D.
Service is fast and friendly. Margaritas are beyond yummy. LOVE the Chicken Margarita and the Grouper Palapa!
(4)Simon P.
Have eaten here many, many times for lunch and dinner. Never had a bad experience. We enjoy the atmosphere, which is authentic and colorful Mexican style. It's a much more pleasant environment than La Tienda on 13th street, and not as noisy and chain-like as Chuy's at Archer/34th. The staff are super friendly and helpful. We have never had a bad experience with the service. The food is consistently excellent. It's generally similar to Chuy's but with a somewhat larger menu and definitely lower prices. The fish tacos are great. Once in a while the rice/beans on the side dish may seem a little dried out - as if reheated. But the main courses are reliably good. They are not too heavy or drowning in melted cheese like at Chichi's or other fake-mexican national chain restaurants. Three people can eat lunch for about $25 plus tip, not including alcoholic beverages. The house frozen margarita is ... well okay it's made from a mix. Tastes like frozen limeade with tequila. But at $4.99 it is still reasonably tasty, and it's frozen, and most importantly it contains a noticeable amount of tequila. You can actually taste the alcohol. That is more than I can say about the frozen margaritas at some other mexican restaurants, which are basically a frozen lemon/lime Koolaid slushy with nearly zero alcohol. In fact Mexico Lindo is pretty nearly the only restaurant where I ever order mixed drinks. Mexico Lindo is a pleasant, informal neighborhood mexican restaurant that gives a good value for the money.
(4)Joe L.
For Mexican food in Gainesville, Mexico Lindo is hard to beat. They have fast service, good prices, and nice portions. They are often busy at peak hours. I love the Carne Asada tacos and enchiladas suizas.
(5)Cory S.
One of our local favorites! My husband loves their tacos. I love the vegetarian burrito and the vegetarian fajitas. Best of all, the house margaritas! Two for $6 during happy hour (11-8!) - you would expect substandard cocktails at that price, but they are always delicious! The food is, as well, always fresh tasting and delicious! Great service, good food, and a fun mariachi band on Tuesdays - we have eaten here more than anywhere else since moving to the area.
(5)John G.
Have been here a dozen or so times since moving over to this side of town. Still amazed every time I leave at the bill and how good the food is. Scallop burrito has the large good quality scallops in it and not just a couple. Love this place!
(5)Laura Terese H.
Took my sister here on a saturday afternoon for lunch. Place was not busy at all. She said it looked like someone transported the mexican pavilion from Epcot to Gainesville. Its a very ...colorful place. We sat in a booth with a giant wooden braying donkey statue. I have been to their other restaurant and have been here twice before this. Its always been a reliable place for good food and service. It was lunchtime, so the lunch specials were in full effect. I had the Carnitas, and she got the fish tacos. I also ordered some guacamole for the chips. I like their salsa just fine, i just had ta have the Guac too! Its lunch portions, which are perfect. She really liked her food and mine is always consistently yummy. The waiter was very attentive and lunch for the both of us including drinks and guac was less than 20 bucks.
(4)Mike W.
Though owned by the same family/group as both la Tienda and las Margaritas, it's nowhere near the quality of the former and about the same level as the latter. Like las Margaritas, it's Tex-Mex more than authentic Mexican, probably because that's what the owners believe most people in Gainesville desire. The food isn't bad per se, but mundane and certainly nothing great. For this style of Mexican-American, la Fiesta (either location) is far better in my experience. Several other reviewers have commented they felt ill after eating here; that's never been my own experience but after reading it, I will now stay clear of Mexico Lindo given that there's better alternatives anyways. The atmopshere is in fact beautiful, colorful, and festive, however, it is also often very very cold inside. Like, you need to bring a hoodie, seriously. The service is fine but not exceptional and it does get quite busy here on weekends. My recommendations for Mexican--providing you like authentic Mexican and not Tex-Mex--are either la Tienda here in Gainesville or Pepe's down at the junction of I-75 and SR 40 in Ocala. For Tex-Mex, la Fiesta is good stuff.
(2)Coty S.
Bringing it down to three stars because last time I ate here, I was sick for almost a week in bed. The food is good, but not as good as Las Margeritas. Even though they pretty much have the same menu, the quality of the food lacks.
(3)Julie F.
Love this place! Best food in town and really friendly staff. I've easily become a regular here.
(5)Shannon H.
This place is great and prices are awesome. We stopped in for lunch and you can not beat $5 for the portions they give. The chips were perfect and the salsa had just the right amount of heat. My husband had the mexican stew and it was fabulous. The rich sauce and large amounts of meat were so tender. I had the flautas that were a good size and the chicken was soft and tasty. And while I did not partake, they hada well stocked bar. We will be back and next time for happy hour!
(5)Tiffany C.
For now this is my preferred Mexican restaurant in Gainesville, but there are still a couple more that I need to try around town. Menu: Wide variety of food. They offer platters so you can have a variety of the more traditional Mexican food such as taco, burrito, stuffed peppers.Combination platters are around $7.40. Other entrees with chicken, beef or fish each cooked in a special sauce are around $8.50. Lunch specials have almost the same thing as in the dinner menu but for a reduced priced expect to pay about $5 to $8 depending on what you get. Food: The first time I went there I had the Grouper Palapa - which is grouper topped with a sauce made out of red wine, onions, poblano pepper & mushroom. It came with rice and refried beans. I liked the sauce a lot and got it with chicken when I went back for lunch. The fish was a little on the dry side and it had a very fishy taste so I didn't like it as much. Refried beans are very tasty, best one I have tried by far. I have also tried the chicken Acalpulco which is marinated with orange and pineapple. It was average and it would have been better if it had more flavor. Chips and salsa are on the house. Ambiance & service: Very very nice decorated, very colorful and festive. The many times I have been there the service was excellent. Great price, great service, great place, and of course great food!!
(4)Laura B.
Decent Mexican place. Will eat here again. DH's pork was cooked nicely and well-seasoned. My chicken flautas were good, but nothing to write home about. I was able to order horchata, even though it was not on the menu. It was not the best one I have ever had, but nice that they offer it. Have eaten at Mexico Lindo twice more since I wrote this post. I will stick with the three stars, but wanted to advise people against the quesadilla. The cheese in the quesadilla is soft, gooey, and processed tasting - much like "queso" (that cheese dip people in FL like to eat at Mexican restaurants). If the owners/employees of the restaurant are reading this, please rest assured I did not need two quesadillas on my plate and would rather the cost saved on just one quesadilla be used for real cheese. The prices at this restaurant are very low, but quality seems variable between items. Beans and rice were still good, as were chips and salsa and margarita. Place was very busy last night and has a great neighborhood restaurant feel.
(3)Paul D.
Surprisingly good food. I think one of the best Mexican restaurants in Gainesville that serves real horchata, green sauce enchiladas, etc. Good service, affordable prices, decent decor. Its in a strip mall that hides its potential but the food and service are great.
(5)Heather S.
It's Cinco de Mayo! Order up a big plate of yum. Inexpensive food typical of Stateside Mexican restaurants. Nothing to wow, but nothing to disappoint either - My version of comfort food. Colorful interior with lots to keep toddlers occupied and cheap beer prices for the parents. What's not to like?
(4)Elizabeth F.
This is definitely a decent Mexican joint in Gainesville! Few good things and a few bad things though. First off, the wait was atrocious. Granted it was a Friday night, yes, BUT this place is super tiny and everyone waiting was packed like sardines waiting in between tables, near the cash register, and around the bar. We felt bad because we were constantly in everyone's way but there was literally nowhere to go. Now for some good. The margaritas were definitely on point! The food was decent too. Nothing absolutely amazing but definitely no complaints either. I had the beef tacos by recommendation from our waiter and they were good. We did end up waiting a while for our food to come out but maybe that was due to them being busy? I don't know. Also, they have giant beers for cheap. I would definitely go to Mexico Lindo again but I'd probably be more cautious of what time/day I went.
(3)Rob H.
Sooo good, sooo flippin' good. You walk through the door, and poof... ...your in Mexico! The only negative is the waitstaff are there for you at first, but once you get your food... ...then not so much. Their margaritas are awesome. The atmosphere is eclectic, and there is always something to look at. It is ALWAYS busy... ...so in my eyes that is a great sign. Too bad I am moving soon, and won't be able to enjoy this place anymore. :( Just flat out fantastic... Try the Chicken Jalisco, and the Chicken or Steak Suissa...yum!
(5)Chelsea B.
Ok, so this place definitely does not serve the most authentic Mexican food in town, but it's not horrible either. Also, the decor and customer service are outstanding, and our sever was very patient with my Spanish.
(4)Laura C.
Very, very good. Stopped here for lunch while driving from Orlando to Atlanta with our kids. (Thanks to Yelpers). Reasonable prices, good service, clean, fun decor, very good food. Only about 5 minutes off I75.
(4)sherrie p.
I love this place. You'd never know it from the street because it is a strip mall but when you open the door you are in Mexico. I've been to Mexico and the American tourist area has this kind of interior. It's colorful and fun. Very reasonably priced. The food is amazing.
(5)John S.
After a coworker raved about this place, I finally made the painful trip of driving 5 miles down the road from my neighborhood. Anyone in Gainesville knows how bad the traffic can be but coming the Mexico Lindo was totally worth it. They give you too much awesome food. The atmosphere and decor is awesome. Very colorful and bright. Probably a good place for kids too. And then they come out with an endless bowl of free salsa and tortilla chips and I know I'm gonna be satisfied. The food came out kinda slowly but I was well distracted with the well-cooked, crispy chips (I'm looking at you, Moe's) and spicy salsa. I got the pick 3 combo: you pick 3 items off a list of basic burritos, tacos, etc and its $6.99. Note that by this time I'm half full from eating all those chips and the prospect of getting 3 more burrito-type things is awesome. I mixed up it up with a chicken enchilada and a beef burrito, along with a beef tostada. Everything came out hot and the veggies were fresh too. The enchilada was filled with tender shredded chicken and tasted awesome. The one and only issue I had with the place was the seasoned beef. It was salty. Really, really salty. And maybe over-seasoned. I could only eat a little until I realized it really wasn't edible. It was like canned corned beef was fried and put into a burrito (yes, I've done that before). I decided to do what I should have done a long time ago: leave the food alone. Even though the beef was super salty, I'd go again. I'd order the chicken all around. And maybe I wouldn't eat so many damn chips. Either way, if I'm headed west on Archer and I want to be 100% full of Mexican food, I'm heading to Mexico Lindo.
(4)Bill C.
Very good atmosphere. Service a little inattentive. We liled the decorations and the music.
(4)Jake D.
I cant believe this place is rated so highly across the board.... I was just there and I didn't experience anything 5 star worthy The food was not terrible, but not great. I went with a group of 4 friends, we tend to try each others food to get a variety and try new things. I cant remember what everybody ate but I ordered the chicken queasadia's (i know its spelled wrong) others ordered burritos and such. I was just terribly unimpressed by anything they had to offer, it seemed to me like nothing new or exciting. The service was...... bad. Brush up on your Spanish before you go because most of the servers and employees speak very poor English, well let me be fair... i cant make that general of a statement but from what I experience it would appear that a portion of the wait staff speaks poor English and can sometimes be hard to understand. Slow service and even a little impolite at times. -- I might go back if I'm on that side of town and for some reason have to have Mexican, but chances are I will not put in a return visit. try it for yourself but don't go expecting anything more than average
(2)Carrie J.
BLAND!!!!! We had the fajitas, quesadillas and the taco salad. None of these items had much if any spice. If you like non-spicy mexican food than this is your place!!!
(1)K S.
Best Mexican food in Gainesville, hands down. I went when they first opened and it was kind of empty. Now there is usually a wait. It's really caught on. Why? Because the food is delicious and cheap. Chimichanga, enchiladas, chile rellenos, burritos...I can't think of anything I've had that I wouldn't suggest. Plus, I'm a huge fan of over-decorating in restaurants (chop stix). You don't feel like you are in Mexico there. You feel like you are in a mildly tacky Mexican souvenir shop. Me lo gusta.
(5)Caley C.
The food are very good, the price is even better. The restaurant is nice and clean. Would go back again for sure.
(4)Corie S.
I always get the chicken fajita salad and it's super cheap and tastes awesome! It comes in a tortilla bowl and has guacamole and cheese in it. Plenty of food! I always have some to take home! Chips and salsa while you wait for your food too!
(5)Ashley B.
Almost the same as Las Margaritas, only smaller. The margaritas are delicious. The chips & salsa are bland. I forget what I had the first time, but I recently had the fajitas, and they were great. I recommend going for lunch, as it's likely to be less crowded. Expect to wait whenever you come here. The outside tables are first-come, first-serve, yet I would never sit there again- WAY too many bugs. Ew. The service outside is also bad, one server for all 7 tables. We had to ask him repeatedly for the same things. Also, as this is located away from the "college-y" part of town, it closes rather early, so watch out! As far as Mexican in Gainesville goes, you could do worse for some tasty food!
(3)MeXOhXMe X.
I really liked the atmosphere. It was bright and festive. The hostess was a little cold and rude, but I let that slide. My waiter was eager and spoke little English, but hey, that's part of the experience, right? When I opened my menu, I was surprised at how familiar it looked. Now, is it just me, or is the menu completely identical to Las Margaritas? Maybe I'm imagining it, but the layout and the selections seemed no different. The same holds true with a few other places in town. All of the authentic style mexican restaurants seem to blend together in my mind. My food came out in a timely manner and was okay. I'm not a fan of the cheese they used, again reminiscent of the other mexican restaurants in town. All of the vegetarian meals seemed cheese heavy, and that was a downside for me. Hoping to curb the taste, I ordered a side a guacamole. I received a small dollop of guacamole that was pretty weak on flavor. Unfulfilled, I decided to try for dessert. I selected the sopapillas. It was surprisingly small, maybe 4-5 inches in diameter, and topped with four dots of whipped cream. It was barely enough for one person, let alone myself and my two companions. The people I was with actually really enjoyed their food, so maybe I was just too off put my the cheese and it's a matter of personal taste. I don't know, but I actually much preferred what I got at the commercialized restaurants like On the Border. That will be sorely missed. I would sooner visit Moes or Chipotle to get my mexican fix.
(2)Jenkitty C.
My new favorite Gainesville Mexican food! The decor is wild, bright, and fun. The service is usually at least decent, but tends to vary. The food is GOOD. I love places with atmosphere..it completes the sensory experience of eating.
(5)Mary R.
Good Mexican food with great drink specials. The even have a Mariachi band on Tuesday nights.
(4)Apara W.
Good food, nice options for vegetarians, esp Burritos. We normally alternate between La Fiesta and this place. Luis is great:-)
(5)Chris N.
If you're a fan of Las Margaritas you can stop reading now. Mexico Lindo has the same owner, menu, prices and service. The major difference is a fresher décor. For the uninitated expect great authentic Mexican food, very low prices, great service and delicious specials.
(5)Troy B.
Very good food and good prices. Same menu as Las Margaritas (same owner). Lunch prices are awesome. Burritos are very good. Nice atmosphere and a patio for when it's not 105 degrees outside. Free chips and salsa and the salsa is good. Never been disappointed.
(4)Kim S.
Great food! Best guacamole I ever had.
(5)Diana N.
I love this place! By the time my fish tacos come out, I'm already full from their chips and dip!!! Waitstaff is friendly, food is delicious, and atmosphere is great!!!!
(4)Emilia B.
Thank goodness there's a yummy and authentic Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. This place opened in Sept '08. I believe that El Amigo on 39th Ave closed recently, and I'm not a fan of Las Margaritas or La Fiesta. The menu is extensive. My husband ordered a fish taco special (the fish was not fried, but grilled, which I have not been able to find in G'ville). The fish was tender and sweet. I ordered a basic chicken quesadilla, and it was yummy in my tummy and a great and fulfilling deal for under $4! Their queso is a little hot and yummy (I'm a big cheese fan). The prices were quite acceptable. We didn't wait that long for our meal. We will definitely be coming back for dinner and lunch. The restaurant was fairly busy on a Wednesday night, which is a great sign. The decor is amazing! A child in the restaurant commented to her mom about how colorful it was in there. The chairs, tables, walls, etc., are all multi-colored with bright and pastel colors, giving the restaurant a relaxed and vibrant feel. It is a pretty casual place and would be appropriate for taking the whole family. Highly recommended!
(5)Troy H.
This is place is great. The food is very good and have always had great service. I have not been back for a few months, but every time the wait was short (even when packed). There were always plenty of smiles to go around. I would have to say that the bar is a little small, and since they do not allow drinks outside there are few places to wait on a table.
(4)