Border Cantina is good. The food is pretty heavy like I want my tex mex to be. They have a great bar selection, rolls royce margarita is the way to go if you have the cash. They could tweek their quality a little bit. I am not saying they serve old food, everything there is fresh. I just wish that they treated their fajita steak with more regard. Either upgrade a bit or marinade the meat with something signature. Everything is there if they just took it a step or two further they would have a solid four star if not five star out of me. If there is one thing I think all the local mexican or tex mex restaurants need to do it take a serious look at their SALSA. Make it, dont buy it, and give me a lot of it. Bring it in a soup bowl. Its cheap to make and its hard to make bad. Just get the freshness on point and the salsa will fall together. On the other hand Border Cantina has the best salsa in Livingston County but like mentioned it could be a little better. You will never leave hungry and there is not a shortage of greatness on the menu. Arroz Con Pollo is my favorite, best deal is the fajitas for two though, its more like fajitas for three or four.
(3)
K M.
Whoever owns this place is clearly just letting it go. It needs major updating and repair. This location is a gold mine.....I can't imagine how successful it would be if they actually tried. Nobody who's works here is over 20 years old and I've only seen a manager once. The food is halfway decent, but the only thing bringing us back is its practically walking distance from where we live. Sadly, this place will continue to go down hill.
(2)
Jeremy M.
Love the rolls Royce margarita. Not a fan of the food, service or dreaded odor in this place.
(2)
Jackie N.
Horrible service. Forgot to put 1/2 of our meal in, so I had to wait while my husband ate. Had to ask twice for hot sauce, and server forgot my husband's beverage. The food was awful. "Seasoned" chicken had no flavor, rice was awful and saucy. Will not be back.
(1)
Carol R.
Friday night, we were able to get in right away, didn't have to wait for a table. Service was friendly and good. Food was good as well. I felt like the place could use some updating, It feels a bit dated. Overall, we had a nice time.
(4)
Jade S.
The more I go The worse it gets. I always get the fajita chimichanga and the last time I swear they put a whole onion in the chimichanga. barely any chicken in the chimichanga its self. Best part of the meal is the cornbread ball on the side
(3)
Zach S.
I Have been coming my since I was really young; the service was fantastic back in the early 2000s but recently it has been bad. Me and my girlfriend went there on a wedsday at 3 and the place was empty. We waited 20min and no one ever came to take our drink orders we left and went else where. The food has always been good but I am so disappointed with what has happened to the service here.
(2)
Joe M.
Had lunch here today. The fajitas for lunch were delicious and a very big portion. The salsa is fantastic must be definitely made in house. Restaurant could be a little cleaner but the food was fantastic.
(4)
Mark A.
My wife and I ate lunch here in April of 2015. The place is run down, with mismatching light bulbs everywhere, missing or water damaged ceiling tiles, and in general disrepair and not very clean. My chimichanga was alright. It reminded me of the bland Mexican food that one gets in large portions at a low class diner in a tourist town, which probably came into the restaurant frozen. My wife ordered fajitas and said she hated it, and as a result we can't go back. The service was fast, but not friendly or happy.
(2)
Richard Z.
Border cantina Brighton mi is going south fast have to wait for tools and napkin let alone water . Had a problem with the salsa bowl and chips it wouldn't stay on the chip manager is a world traveler she likes the watered down tomatoes " made fresh the day before when? The chicken fajita onions were raw not sliced but huge clunks of onion . Sent back to fry onions . Came back burnt chicken was okay at least , the chef has no class in what he places for presentation to appeal to customer ME . Waiter Was new by two daze the place needs a cleaning I can't imagine Gordon Ramsey being happy here for dinner. The place in town would be rewarded if they make a better effort on first impressions .
(2)
Sarah B.
Holy moly. Rude, inattentive wait staff. They act like they are doing you a favor by dropping by your table at any point. You have to flag someone down just to get served or the check. The food is not authentic and the cocktails are watered down. I've been here a few times and it hasn't improved. The cheese enchilada is too cheesy and greasy and the rice and beans are soggy. If you want surly service and mediocre food (at best), then by all means, come dine at Border Cantina. Stay away!
(1)
Coryanna K.
The food was ok. The service was below average, although, I should note that she did tell us she was new and was still training. Made the wrong impression: to blah to go back.
(2)
Rob V.
The food was good and the atmosphere was fun.Good place for a small party with family and Friends.
(4)
Kimberly T.
Had a great time tonight! Have young kids and the server really took extra time to make sure they were happy!
(5)
Valarie M.
My family and I were in the mood for Mexican tonight and being new to the area, decided to give this place a shot. I wish I would've Yelped it before making the decision to do so as the reviews and ratings are more than accurate. I give this place two stars. I normally am very hesitant of leaving such a low rating, and I do not take the decision to do so lightly. However, I feel no guilt in my choice. Here is the roundup: Decor/atmosphere- This place is pretty typical of your cheesy Mexican "cantina". Nothing sophisticated or modern about it. I was particularly annoyed when the staff came out clapping and sang their Happy Birthday number to a customer. Can we all agree to retire this? Give them a free dessert or a generous coupon next time! It was pretty busy when we arrived and I was excited when we pulled into the parking lot to see it fairly full. Normally that is a good sign. Now I'm just puzzled! Service- Our waitress was decent. Not super friendly but not cold either. I'm very neutral on this. It was a busy evening so I will give her credit for being on top of everything. One thing that I did not like (and this is truly my biggest pet peeve with service) is that she did not use a pad and pen to write down our order. There were three of us and we all had unique orders, take this off or add that and it always makes me nervous that they will forget something requested when they opt to rely solely on memory. As a waitress/waiter, you are constantly multitasking, it is very easy to forget a small detail. To no surprise, the salsa I asked for did not come when the meal was delivered. It was something very small but could've been avoided by simply marking it down and cross checking before delivery. It's the little things that will set you apart. Food- This is the biggest reason (as it should be) for the lack of stars. It was below average. The queso dip we ordered with our chips for an appetizer was tasteless. Literally felt like I was eating glue with no flavor. I couldn't even say it was a bad flavor...just nothing. The salsa that came with it was decent though. My son ordered a cheese quesadilla but only ate one piece. He didn't find it worthwhile. I ordered nachos. They weren't bad but it would've been nice to see freshly sliced jalapeños on top as opposed to the canned slices they delivered. Again, it's the little things! My boyfriend had a Chimichanga and was unhappy with the whole dish. I had a glass of wine which was fine, but he ordered one of those margaritas with the upside down Corona in it and when they delivered it, it was just.....sad looking. It was in a regular glass that should be used only for soft drinks and was so watered down, we laughed about how it looked like an upside down beer in a glass of Green Tea. The whole meal was not memorable in any way. Price- The price was within reason I suppose. Two entrees, a kids meal, two drinks and and chips and cheese for about $40. Although, we would be happy to pay more for better quality. In summary, I see no reason for us to come back here. It was apparent that they are comfortable with sub par food and I don't see that changing anytime soon. If they were to just take things up a notch flavor wise and rethink the whole "novelty" Mexican joint, then I could see myself giving it another go. As it stands now, it is a total waste of time and money.
(2)
Vincent R.
Not sure why there are so many negative reviews for this place because my experience here was really good. We got in around 7 on a Saturday night and there were a good amount of people there but it was still excellent service. I'm not easily impressed by service but despite being understaffed they filled our waters, checked our orders, and refilled our margaritas in quick, unpestering fashion. The food itself was tasty if not entirely authentic Mexican. The Georgia Peach Margarita was delicious and the Fajita Chima was Huge and delectable. If your appetite is not huge you might want to share an entree or plan on boxing it. All but one table in the restaurant needed a box apparently. The atmosphere was aless classy than some Mexican restaurants I've been to hut that was trumped by the food and the service. This is the place for Mexican in Brighton area.
(4)
Misty W.
I struggle writing this review. I am from the southwest and so I know I'm not going to find real Mexican food here and feel it's unfair to expect to. That being said, not expecting "authentic", Border Cantina has some truly delicious dishes... They have a chicken taco dish I really like, served with soft corn tortillas, though it's not truly a taco as they serve the tortillas flat and mounded with toppings. Even so, when craving something Mexican-like, this is a delicious nod in that direction and we enjoy it from time to time.
(3)
Lauren P.
Where do I begin... The movie theater cheese dip they endorse as "queso"? Served w pita chips... The inch thick breading around my chili relleno? The refried beans I was served when I clearly asked for black? The caked on leftover remnants of food from previous patrons attached to the inside of my pop cup? The offer of lava cake that ended up being a non existent item on the menu? Shall I continue?... Needless to say, Border Cantina is a sad Mexican restaurant in a way that almost makes me feel sorry for it, until I remember the $40+ my boyfriend dropped there... Sorry Border Cantina, we will take our business to more consistent local Mexican restaurants!
(1)
Rita M.
We have been going to Border Cantina for years. The food has always been great, and the service top notch. Everyone always worked together, and very friendly. So when we wanted to have Mexican food friday 3/27/15 of course we headed to Border Cantina. Upon arrival we noticed all the waitresses were new. The restaurant was not busy at all. After being seated and waiting for our waitress for 10 minutes, I finally went to the hostess desk and asked what the problem was. A waitress finally came to take our drink orders. She was not friendly in any way. My husband and I always split a favorite dish. We ordered said dish. When it came it was not the usual dish. The sauce was thick and tasteless the vegetables, not as good. I would not recommend this restaurant anymore. In the past we always bragged to everyone about Border Cantina.
(1)
Brian W.
been there for lunch, great service and food.
(4)
Jennifer Z.
Service leaves a lot to be desired at this location. First time we went in, my boyfriend's silverware wrap smelled like an ashtray. Yuck! Food is very good, we used to frequent the Novi location regularly. Last week when we went we ordered margaritas and a meal, and got our drinks half way into our meal. We were told the bartender was busy putting together a carry out order. Call me crazy, I thought you took care of the customers on hand first. May not go back, will probably road trip to Novi instead
(2)
J D.
I have eaten here twice. Both time mediocre. Edible, but not that good. Had burritos both times. Table was sticky once. Service kind of lame. There is usually a decent crowd eating there. But I don't understand the appeal. Frankly, I prefer Taco Bell across the street.
(2)
Becki B.
We always have a good time at Border Cantina. Although they always seem to have a steady stream of customers, the wait is usually minimal. I am totally addicted to chips and salsa anywhere, and the stuff we've gotten here has always been yummy. The entrees were as expected, which is usually exactly what I want in a Mexican restaurant. We've had delicious burritos, tacos and fancier nachos than just my chips and salsa. The waitstaff has always been friendly and reasonably efficient. When they weren't too busy, they've usually had a few minutes to chat. What better way to earn your tip than by developing rapport with your customers!
(5)
Debbie C.
Portions, flavor and service exactly as expected for this pricepoint and location. I prefer thinner chips, so I would give 'em 5 stars if they improved that.
(4)
Cassaundra Y.
I am from los Angeles. So trust me when I say I know Mexican food. This is not Mexican food. It's an imitation that's not even up to par. First off-steak Burrito was not tasty. Onions and bell peppers were not grilled all the way, and had no seasoning very bland. Second-Shrimp tacos were disgusting. Shrimp tasted like it was frozen, was chewy and tasteless. Had it smothered in cheese and had very little lettuce. Ok here is the mistake. For shrimp and fish tacos you should be using cabbage not lettuce with some crema or a cream based sause not smothered in cheese. Couldn't even finish the meal. Cheese tasted like it was processed, not fresh. Didn't even eat the rice or beans, my coworker said they tested like they were out of a can. One part I did eat was the sweet cornbread, that was about it. And there was a box that said suggestiones--- that's not even Spanish if that's what they were trying for.... Geez. Service was good, I will say that. Oh and no horchata! How do they not have horchata!!!? Good thing I am just visiting.
(2)
Ani B.
food is edible, just. daughter and i were tired from shopping and she wanted mex rather than italian. our mistake. both got the cheese enchilada plate with rice, beans, sweet corn cake. they used an abundance of cheese on/in enchiladas and beans. best thing was the corn cake. this place is obviously american. nothing really stood out as good to go into detail about. can't even remember the chips and salsa. inside shabby and even dirty. will never go back.
(1)
Salvatore S.
Not what is used to be years ago, thats for sure. I think some people here with a 5 star rating never had decent Mexican food.
(2)
Kyle B.
Chips are cold.....not room temperature.........cold! The "queso" was straight up nacho cheese like you would get from seven-eleven. Asked for beef in the queso....no beef! Watched the waiter open my taco with his bare hands to see what it was......c'mon! Our dinner came out wrong and the server argued with us about what we ordered. Wow! Foreign object in my food. Ewww. Avoid this place! Only good thing is that the margaritas are strong.
(1)
Ted P.
The nastiest place I've ever seen dirty the menus were cover with dripping salsa from the last 30 customers. I washed my hands in the bathroom before I sat down but when I seen menus dripping left overs I was ready to vomit I have no idea how the mi health department would let this place stay open!!!
(1)
Mike R.
I have been eating here for twenty yrs this used to be a solid Tex-Mex place with good food. I came in 3 months ago and it was horrible. I was really hoping they just had a bad night so I tried it again tonight. My draft was warm my food was gross i barely ate any of it taste like pouring a salt shaker down my throat. now 1 hour later I can't get off the toilet I'm still hungry
(1)
Kim R.
I am an easy going eater, but this was horrible. Our food took forever and was cold. I was eating just to eat because I was hungry....no satisfaction, just a sad dinner
(1)
Brian B.
The food and service is trash. Garbage, frozen, flavorless food. Mexican food should be bright, spicy and fresh this place is awful.
(1)
Shane M.
Pretty solid tex-mex place, nothing exceptional, but nothing terrible either. Last time I was sat next to the kitchen/bar which wasn't great, there were empty seats elsewhere too, but I'm not too picky. Drink specials are great, they also have great guac!
(3)
Robb T.
I'm not understanding the four and five star ratings here - or how I let them dupe me into trying this place. So... I'm thinking that maybe I caught them on a bad day, or not. Or maybe it's the best that Brighton has to offer... I hope that's not true. The service is decent, the prices are ok, and the food comes fast... probably because it's been sitting on a plate waiting to be microwaved. Since the day before yesterday. It was the kind of food you force yourself to eat to be polite at your grandma's house. (Not to bring your grandma into this...) Nothing was even remotely satisfactory. Even my beer was warmish. Yes, the portions are huge, but that's probably to make you feel better about the quality. "All this was only nine bucks?!" What a steal! In short, it's like a tacky, even-more-disappointing version of Chi-Chi's.
(1)
Charlie M.
This is the most filthiest restaurant I have ever been in. If the dining area is this disgusting, I can only imagine the kitchen area. Don't be fooled by thinking it is the outdated and run down appearance of the dining area, truly look at the filth in every inch of the place. It will make your skin crawl-nasty!
(1)
Sylwia H.
I was really hungry for mexican food the other day while visiting family. Calling this mexican is a joke. The food was terribly bland and just loaded with cheese. Cheese is all I remember from my tamales and rice dish. The black beans on the side tasted as if you eat them straight out of a can covered completely in cheese. Even if you call this tex mex, the food quality is just worth zero stars. Just thinking about it makes me sick.
(1)
Luke H.
Great food, good prices. I had the shrimp tacos the last time I was here and they were delicious.
(4)
Moo B.
The worst Mexican food I've ever had. I'm upset that I spent hard-earned money at this establishment. The reviewers are right. The queso is nothing but lumpy, canned nacho cheese. The "chips" are fried flour tortillas cut into wedges. They come out soft and cold, not crisp and warm. The "ground beef" looks and tastes like canned dog food. The chicken tacos are inedible. The onions and green peppers look to be boiled or something. They're limp and have no color or taste. We waited for over a half hour just for someone to take our carry out order. Not surprised since the whole place looks to be run by teenagers. Clearly this establishment is hurting for revenue so they must hire the cheapest employees and buy the cheapest ingredients. I've never felt insulted by a meal before. Today is a day of firsts -- and lasts -- because I'm never going back. I rarely write negative reviews but I had to break one out for Border Cantina. I feel cheated and sick to my stomach.
(1)
Dan M.
Wish I could like the place. Salsa and chips are good, but the food is so bland. I've given them a try twice. First time we went it was during a dinner rush. Service wasn't bad but the food was so uninspired. Don't think I've ever seen a real south-of-the-border employee up in this place. Second time through was during lunch and I was craving Mexican food. There was seriously one other couple in the place. Our waiter took forever to come over, then we ordered drinks, just Cokes. He came back ten minutes later with water and said he forgot what we ordered. Then he finally brought us salsa and chips with the Cokes. I honestly think they were probably puffing the magic dragon in the back since it was so dead at that time. On that trip the food was bland as well. Not worth it, drive yourself down to Armando's or something and get a real fix for your Mexican craving. This place will definitely disappoint you.
(2)
Dani A.
I returned here a few weeks ago with the fam for my mom's birthday. We split the fajitas for two which were as usual very delicious. I do however have one new thing to rave about. Usually I go for a classic margarita, but upon the waitress' suggestion I decided to try the peach margarita. She kept going on about how good it was and how it was a staff favorite so I decided to give it a try and omg was it awesome. After my first one I ordered a second as well. Also if they ask- get the sugar rim. Another great meal and good service. And to you peach margarita- I will be back.
(5)
Jane T.
Service was fantastic, the food kind of all tasted the same, I hope you are a cheese lover and the place could use a good dusting/cleaning.
(3)
Patti M.
This is my husband's favorite place to eat. Always fast and friendly. We do not typically go out to eat during busy times, and always get seated fast. We also have done take out. Food is always good, never greasy and we just love it. One thing, I think they could have better chips. But the chips just fill me up and I can't eat my dinner, so I just skip them. :) My girlfriends meet here for drinks from time to time too :)
(4)
Jenn H.
If I could give this place no stars I would. wait staff was to busy hanging and chatting in the door way to actually greet anyone. napkins and silverware under our table. Our nasty chips showed up to the table cold and stale and the salsa was frozen. My husband ordered a draft beer and was given a bottle of warm beer. Waitress thought Carne Asada was a drink (It's steak) when my Carne Asada finally showed up the middle was frozen and it looked as if it came from a box. (for 15.99) I sent my food away and refused anything else. one bite into my husbands food (fajitas) and he gaged from the taste. we ended up speaking to the manager who stood at our table in a dirty shirt holding a broom and dust pan and told him we we're not paying for the food. he finally gave in a walked away and we hit the door. I will never ever return to this dirty place again.
(1)
Jess O.
Oh-so-good Mexican food! I've dined here a few times over the past few months and the food's always delicious. The corn cake on the side is probably the best part. Service can be a bit slow but it's worth the wait. (Their Novi location is just as good, if not better!)
(4)
Brooke C.
We love this place. My husband and I are able to split a dinner and neither of us leaves hungry! The food is always great and the menu is representative of what you order. You also get a free meal on your birthday with purchase of another meal!
(4)
Glen R.
I like mexican food, authentic or otherwise, but I just can't get excited about this place. The portions are decent for the price... OK I admit it, there is just one thing I can't get over, they put peas in their rice! I know in some parts of Mexico this is traditional, but it just throws me every time. The tomalito (corn pudding) they serve is the only reason it get 3 stars. Average at best, find a taqueria somewhere and have a good time.
(3)
Lori H.
I went here on a busy Friday and was too 15/20 minute wait. No problem. The 21 yr old bartender would not serve my 40 yr old bf a beer because he hasn't grabbed his I.d. No problem his fault. I had my marguerita that cost over $8 and we decided to go closer to home. Since it was standing room only, I didn't quite know where to set down my empty glass. Rather then set it on the bar near a patron or bother a busy server with their hands full, I set it on the bar near the service bar just as a young blond male server was walking up. I said "sorry" as I passed him because I didn't want to be in his way on a busy Friday and as I walked away, here is the response I got from the unprofessional server..."Excuse me!! Would you like me to take care of that for you?!!!" What??!! To which I replied. "Yes I would thank you. You DO work here don't you??!" Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen and I won't be going back to this one. Completely inappropriate behavior by the staff. Need training on how to treat people with respect in the SERVICE industry. If that were MY house and someone was trying to return one of MY glasses, I would have dutifully taken it for them and not sarcastically chastised them across a crowded room for TRYING to find an appropriate place for it. Way to go BC. I will relate this experience to everyone I know, although I'm sure your mediocre establishment will keep chuggin along. Bottom line... Don't go here unless you want to be treated like crap.
(1)
Valerie B.
The last year or so we've noticed the quality of food and general environment has really gone downhill but tonight was an exercise in frustration, to say the least! It started when the waitress argued about what one of our party had ordered, then bought out refried beans on all of the meals, rather than the black beans that were ordered and then blamed the mix-up on the "confusion" caused in the kitchen when we requested they correct the order. I ordered the Sopa De Tortilla (tortilla soup), which was supposed to come with cheese and tortilla "strips" but what they brought out was clearly a canned chicken and vegetable soup with a lump of mozzarella cheese in it and a flour tortilla folded in half and stuck down into the soup, which was luke warm. This was the most unappetizing soup I have ever been served! We will no longer be visiting this establishment. If this is the way they treat their regular patrons then they will not be getting anymore of our business!!
(1)
Dennis P.
Great food and well priced. The portions were huge!!!!!
(5)
Brad M.
Terrible "Mexican" food and even worse service!!! Went there while on vacation visiting family. Out of our 6 meals, one was correct! Yes one. Ordered 3 enchilada dinners (all with chicken) and 3 taco dinners. One of the taco dinners was ordered with 2 hard tacos and 1 soft. Well they came out with 2 soft tacos and 1 hard. Our waitress seemed confused so I figured it may be messed up before it even came back. The second taco dinner was supposed to be only chicken and cilantro. No cheese or anything else (for medical reasons specifically stated no cheese). Also the sauce on the side. It came out with the beans covered in cheese and each soft taco shell was covered with cheese too. The last taco dinner was actually correct believe it or not. Two of the enchilada dinners came out with just cheese only. The third came out with the enchilada sauce on the side, and no sour cream. When we asked the waitress why there was no sour cream she stated that it didn't come with it, which it said on the menu it did. Then she told us that we asked her for that sauce on the side as well instead of stating it was a mistake. And proceeded to tell me that they make enchiladas without the sauce on them And just pour it on at the end. Lol. After all of this food was brought to the table we told her that we all needed silverware and she didn't come back out with the silverware until the tacos were remade. To top that off the cheese on the tacos had been scraped off somewhat but were still the same tacos even though she said they were fresh. Ate a few bites of the food just to see if it was even good tasting and it was very bland! Never got drink refills once. Owner came out and apologized for everything and comped our meal, along with offering gift certificates (which were polite fully declined). However such a bad experience that it didn't matter at that point...Wish I could give 0 stars.
(1)
Wanda L.
I love Mexican food and I love authenticity. I have read some other reviews on Yelp regarding Mexi restaurants that question the authencity and expectation based on who's doing the serving. I have to agree with that in a way and at the Border Cantina it was mostly young caucasion individuals. I am Latina, although not Mexican in origin, and had dinner there with my boyfriend and one of his old best friends (who both happen to be super white haha). Anyway, my salsa and chips and the extra guac I ordered were okay/passable. My entree (a chopped steak type dish) was pretty good and had a nice amount of heat which was A+. The service was okay-to-decent. The chick server forgot to bring the extra bottle of hot sauce I requested. I also thought it was kind of weird that they music they played in the restaurant was not typically Mexican, but more Caribbean/salsa/merengue type stuff. I noticed that happens at On the Border resturants too. Most non-Latino people wouldn't be able to pick that out though. I like the latter type of music more anyway, but, again, not too authentic. I do look forward to going back to Border Cantina though and trying more of what's on their menu. The place looks to be pretty popular and was pretty packed full while we were there. They must be doing a little something right.
(3)
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Address :8724 W Grand River Ave
Brighton, MI, 48116
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No 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
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.
Jay S.
Border Cantina is good. The food is pretty heavy like I want my tex mex to be. They have a great bar selection, rolls royce margarita is the way to go if you have the cash. They could tweek their quality a little bit. I am not saying they serve old food, everything there is fresh. I just wish that they treated their fajita steak with more regard. Either upgrade a bit or marinade the meat with something signature. Everything is there if they just took it a step or two further they would have a solid four star if not five star out of me. If there is one thing I think all the local mexican or tex mex restaurants need to do it take a serious look at their SALSA. Make it, dont buy it, and give me a lot of it. Bring it in a soup bowl. Its cheap to make and its hard to make bad. Just get the freshness on point and the salsa will fall together. On the other hand Border Cantina has the best salsa in Livingston County but like mentioned it could be a little better. You will never leave hungry and there is not a shortage of greatness on the menu. Arroz Con Pollo is my favorite, best deal is the fajitas for two though, its more like fajitas for three or four.
(3)K M.
Whoever owns this place is clearly just letting it go. It needs major updating and repair. This location is a gold mine.....I can't imagine how successful it would be if they actually tried. Nobody who's works here is over 20 years old and I've only seen a manager once. The food is halfway decent, but the only thing bringing us back is its practically walking distance from where we live. Sadly, this place will continue to go down hill.
(2)Jeremy M.
Love the rolls Royce margarita. Not a fan of the food, service or dreaded odor in this place.
(2)Jackie N.
Horrible service. Forgot to put 1/2 of our meal in, so I had to wait while my husband ate. Had to ask twice for hot sauce, and server forgot my husband's beverage. The food was awful. "Seasoned" chicken had no flavor, rice was awful and saucy. Will not be back.
(1)Carol R.
Friday night, we were able to get in right away, didn't have to wait for a table. Service was friendly and good. Food was good as well. I felt like the place could use some updating, It feels a bit dated. Overall, we had a nice time.
(4)Jade S.
The more I go The worse it gets. I always get the fajita chimichanga and the last time I swear they put a whole onion in the chimichanga. barely any chicken in the chimichanga its self. Best part of the meal is the cornbread ball on the side
(3)Zach S.
I Have been coming my since I was really young; the service was fantastic back in the early 2000s but recently it has been bad. Me and my girlfriend went there on a wedsday at 3 and the place was empty. We waited 20min and no one ever came to take our drink orders we left and went else where. The food has always been good but I am so disappointed with what has happened to the service here.
(2)Joe M.
Had lunch here today. The fajitas for lunch were delicious and a very big portion. The salsa is fantastic must be definitely made in house. Restaurant could be a little cleaner but the food was fantastic.
(4)Mark A.
My wife and I ate lunch here in April of 2015. The place is run down, with mismatching light bulbs everywhere, missing or water damaged ceiling tiles, and in general disrepair and not very clean. My chimichanga was alright. It reminded me of the bland Mexican food that one gets in large portions at a low class diner in a tourist town, which probably came into the restaurant frozen. My wife ordered fajitas and said she hated it, and as a result we can't go back. The service was fast, but not friendly or happy.
(2)Richard Z.
Border cantina Brighton mi is going south fast have to wait for tools and napkin let alone water . Had a problem with the salsa bowl and chips it wouldn't stay on the chip manager is a world traveler she likes the watered down tomatoes " made fresh the day before when? The chicken fajita onions were raw not sliced but huge clunks of onion . Sent back to fry onions . Came back burnt chicken was okay at least , the chef has no class in what he places for presentation to appeal to customer ME . Waiter Was new by two daze the place needs a cleaning I can't imagine Gordon Ramsey being happy here for dinner. The place in town would be rewarded if they make a better effort on first impressions .
(2)Sarah B.
Holy moly. Rude, inattentive wait staff. They act like they are doing you a favor by dropping by your table at any point. You have to flag someone down just to get served or the check. The food is not authentic and the cocktails are watered down. I've been here a few times and it hasn't improved. The cheese enchilada is too cheesy and greasy and the rice and beans are soggy. If you want surly service and mediocre food (at best), then by all means, come dine at Border Cantina. Stay away!
(1)Coryanna K.
The food was ok. The service was below average, although, I should note that she did tell us she was new and was still training. Made the wrong impression: to blah to go back.
(2)Rob V.
The food was good and the atmosphere was fun.Good place for a small party with family and Friends.
(4)Kimberly T.
Had a great time tonight! Have young kids and the server really took extra time to make sure they were happy!
(5)Valarie M.
My family and I were in the mood for Mexican tonight and being new to the area, decided to give this place a shot. I wish I would've Yelped it before making the decision to do so as the reviews and ratings are more than accurate. I give this place two stars. I normally am very hesitant of leaving such a low rating, and I do not take the decision to do so lightly. However, I feel no guilt in my choice. Here is the roundup: Decor/atmosphere- This place is pretty typical of your cheesy Mexican "cantina". Nothing sophisticated or modern about it. I was particularly annoyed when the staff came out clapping and sang their Happy Birthday number to a customer. Can we all agree to retire this? Give them a free dessert or a generous coupon next time! It was pretty busy when we arrived and I was excited when we pulled into the parking lot to see it fairly full. Normally that is a good sign. Now I'm just puzzled! Service- Our waitress was decent. Not super friendly but not cold either. I'm very neutral on this. It was a busy evening so I will give her credit for being on top of everything. One thing that I did not like (and this is truly my biggest pet peeve with service) is that she did not use a pad and pen to write down our order. There were three of us and we all had unique orders, take this off or add that and it always makes me nervous that they will forget something requested when they opt to rely solely on memory. As a waitress/waiter, you are constantly multitasking, it is very easy to forget a small detail. To no surprise, the salsa I asked for did not come when the meal was delivered. It was something very small but could've been avoided by simply marking it down and cross checking before delivery. It's the little things that will set you apart. Food- This is the biggest reason (as it should be) for the lack of stars. It was below average. The queso dip we ordered with our chips for an appetizer was tasteless. Literally felt like I was eating glue with no flavor. I couldn't even say it was a bad flavor...just nothing. The salsa that came with it was decent though. My son ordered a cheese quesadilla but only ate one piece. He didn't find it worthwhile. I ordered nachos. They weren't bad but it would've been nice to see freshly sliced jalapeños on top as opposed to the canned slices they delivered. Again, it's the little things! My boyfriend had a Chimichanga and was unhappy with the whole dish. I had a glass of wine which was fine, but he ordered one of those margaritas with the upside down Corona in it and when they delivered it, it was just.....sad looking. It was in a regular glass that should be used only for soft drinks and was so watered down, we laughed about how it looked like an upside down beer in a glass of Green Tea. The whole meal was not memorable in any way. Price- The price was within reason I suppose. Two entrees, a kids meal, two drinks and and chips and cheese for about $40. Although, we would be happy to pay more for better quality. In summary, I see no reason for us to come back here. It was apparent that they are comfortable with sub par food and I don't see that changing anytime soon. If they were to just take things up a notch flavor wise and rethink the whole "novelty" Mexican joint, then I could see myself giving it another go. As it stands now, it is a total waste of time and money.
(2)Vincent R.
Not sure why there are so many negative reviews for this place because my experience here was really good. We got in around 7 on a Saturday night and there were a good amount of people there but it was still excellent service. I'm not easily impressed by service but despite being understaffed they filled our waters, checked our orders, and refilled our margaritas in quick, unpestering fashion. The food itself was tasty if not entirely authentic Mexican. The Georgia Peach Margarita was delicious and the Fajita Chima was Huge and delectable. If your appetite is not huge you might want to share an entree or plan on boxing it. All but one table in the restaurant needed a box apparently. The atmosphere was aless classy than some Mexican restaurants I've been to hut that was trumped by the food and the service. This is the place for Mexican in Brighton area.
(4)Misty W.
I struggle writing this review. I am from the southwest and so I know I'm not going to find real Mexican food here and feel it's unfair to expect to. That being said, not expecting "authentic", Border Cantina has some truly delicious dishes... They have a chicken taco dish I really like, served with soft corn tortillas, though it's not truly a taco as they serve the tortillas flat and mounded with toppings. Even so, when craving something Mexican-like, this is a delicious nod in that direction and we enjoy it from time to time.
(3)Lauren P.
Where do I begin... The movie theater cheese dip they endorse as "queso"? Served w pita chips... The inch thick breading around my chili relleno? The refried beans I was served when I clearly asked for black? The caked on leftover remnants of food from previous patrons attached to the inside of my pop cup? The offer of lava cake that ended up being a non existent item on the menu? Shall I continue?... Needless to say, Border Cantina is a sad Mexican restaurant in a way that almost makes me feel sorry for it, until I remember the $40+ my boyfriend dropped there... Sorry Border Cantina, we will take our business to more consistent local Mexican restaurants!
(1)Rita M.
We have been going to Border Cantina for years. The food has always been great, and the service top notch. Everyone always worked together, and very friendly. So when we wanted to have Mexican food friday 3/27/15 of course we headed to Border Cantina. Upon arrival we noticed all the waitresses were new. The restaurant was not busy at all. After being seated and waiting for our waitress for 10 minutes, I finally went to the hostess desk and asked what the problem was. A waitress finally came to take our drink orders. She was not friendly in any way. My husband and I always split a favorite dish. We ordered said dish. When it came it was not the usual dish. The sauce was thick and tasteless the vegetables, not as good. I would not recommend this restaurant anymore. In the past we always bragged to everyone about Border Cantina.
(1)Brian W.
been there for lunch, great service and food.
(4)Jennifer Z.
Service leaves a lot to be desired at this location. First time we went in, my boyfriend's silverware wrap smelled like an ashtray. Yuck! Food is very good, we used to frequent the Novi location regularly. Last week when we went we ordered margaritas and a meal, and got our drinks half way into our meal. We were told the bartender was busy putting together a carry out order. Call me crazy, I thought you took care of the customers on hand first. May not go back, will probably road trip to Novi instead
(2)J D.
I have eaten here twice. Both time mediocre. Edible, but not that good. Had burritos both times. Table was sticky once. Service kind of lame. There is usually a decent crowd eating there. But I don't understand the appeal. Frankly, I prefer Taco Bell across the street.
(2)Becki B.
We always have a good time at Border Cantina. Although they always seem to have a steady stream of customers, the wait is usually minimal. I am totally addicted to chips and salsa anywhere, and the stuff we've gotten here has always been yummy. The entrees were as expected, which is usually exactly what I want in a Mexican restaurant. We've had delicious burritos, tacos and fancier nachos than just my chips and salsa. The waitstaff has always been friendly and reasonably efficient. When they weren't too busy, they've usually had a few minutes to chat. What better way to earn your tip than by developing rapport with your customers!
(5)Debbie C.
Portions, flavor and service exactly as expected for this pricepoint and location. I prefer thinner chips, so I would give 'em 5 stars if they improved that.
(4)Cassaundra Y.
I am from los Angeles. So trust me when I say I know Mexican food. This is not Mexican food. It's an imitation that's not even up to par. First off-steak Burrito was not tasty. Onions and bell peppers were not grilled all the way, and had no seasoning very bland. Second-Shrimp tacos were disgusting. Shrimp tasted like it was frozen, was chewy and tasteless. Had it smothered in cheese and had very little lettuce. Ok here is the mistake. For shrimp and fish tacos you should be using cabbage not lettuce with some crema or a cream based sause not smothered in cheese. Couldn't even finish the meal. Cheese tasted like it was processed, not fresh. Didn't even eat the rice or beans, my coworker said they tested like they were out of a can. One part I did eat was the sweet cornbread, that was about it. And there was a box that said suggestiones--- that's not even Spanish if that's what they were trying for.... Geez. Service was good, I will say that. Oh and no horchata! How do they not have horchata!!!? Good thing I am just visiting.
(2)Ani B.
food is edible, just. daughter and i were tired from shopping and she wanted mex rather than italian. our mistake. both got the cheese enchilada plate with rice, beans, sweet corn cake. they used an abundance of cheese on/in enchiladas and beans. best thing was the corn cake. this place is obviously american. nothing really stood out as good to go into detail about. can't even remember the chips and salsa. inside shabby and even dirty. will never go back.
(1)Salvatore S.
Not what is used to be years ago, thats for sure. I think some people here with a 5 star rating never had decent Mexican food.
(2)Kyle B.
Chips are cold.....not room temperature.........cold! The "queso" was straight up nacho cheese like you would get from seven-eleven. Asked for beef in the queso....no beef! Watched the waiter open my taco with his bare hands to see what it was......c'mon! Our dinner came out wrong and the server argued with us about what we ordered. Wow! Foreign object in my food. Ewww. Avoid this place! Only good thing is that the margaritas are strong.
(1)Ted P.
The nastiest place I've ever seen dirty the menus were cover with dripping salsa from the last 30 customers. I washed my hands in the bathroom before I sat down but when I seen menus dripping left overs I was ready to vomit I have no idea how the mi health department would let this place stay open!!!
(1)Mike R.
I have been eating here for twenty yrs this used to be a solid Tex-Mex place with good food. I came in 3 months ago and it was horrible. I was really hoping they just had a bad night so I tried it again tonight. My draft was warm my food was gross i barely ate any of it taste like pouring a salt shaker down my throat. now 1 hour later I can't get off the toilet I'm still hungry
(1)Kim R.
I am an easy going eater, but this was horrible. Our food took forever and was cold. I was eating just to eat because I was hungry....no satisfaction, just a sad dinner
(1)Brian B.
The food and service is trash. Garbage, frozen, flavorless food. Mexican food should be bright, spicy and fresh this place is awful.
(1)Shane M.
Pretty solid tex-mex place, nothing exceptional, but nothing terrible either. Last time I was sat next to the kitchen/bar which wasn't great, there were empty seats elsewhere too, but I'm not too picky. Drink specials are great, they also have great guac!
(3)Robb T.
I'm not understanding the four and five star ratings here - or how I let them dupe me into trying this place. So... I'm thinking that maybe I caught them on a bad day, or not. Or maybe it's the best that Brighton has to offer... I hope that's not true. The service is decent, the prices are ok, and the food comes fast... probably because it's been sitting on a plate waiting to be microwaved. Since the day before yesterday. It was the kind of food you force yourself to eat to be polite at your grandma's house. (Not to bring your grandma into this...) Nothing was even remotely satisfactory. Even my beer was warmish. Yes, the portions are huge, but that's probably to make you feel better about the quality. "All this was only nine bucks?!" What a steal! In short, it's like a tacky, even-more-disappointing version of Chi-Chi's.
(1)Charlie M.
This is the most filthiest restaurant I have ever been in. If the dining area is this disgusting, I can only imagine the kitchen area. Don't be fooled by thinking it is the outdated and run down appearance of the dining area, truly look at the filth in every inch of the place. It will make your skin crawl-nasty!
(1)Sylwia H.
I was really hungry for mexican food the other day while visiting family. Calling this mexican is a joke. The food was terribly bland and just loaded with cheese. Cheese is all I remember from my tamales and rice dish. The black beans on the side tasted as if you eat them straight out of a can covered completely in cheese. Even if you call this tex mex, the food quality is just worth zero stars. Just thinking about it makes me sick.
(1)Luke H.
Great food, good prices. I had the shrimp tacos the last time I was here and they were delicious.
(4)Moo B.
The worst Mexican food I've ever had. I'm upset that I spent hard-earned money at this establishment. The reviewers are right. The queso is nothing but lumpy, canned nacho cheese. The "chips" are fried flour tortillas cut into wedges. They come out soft and cold, not crisp and warm. The "ground beef" looks and tastes like canned dog food. The chicken tacos are inedible. The onions and green peppers look to be boiled or something. They're limp and have no color or taste. We waited for over a half hour just for someone to take our carry out order. Not surprised since the whole place looks to be run by teenagers. Clearly this establishment is hurting for revenue so they must hire the cheapest employees and buy the cheapest ingredients. I've never felt insulted by a meal before. Today is a day of firsts -- and lasts -- because I'm never going back. I rarely write negative reviews but I had to break one out for Border Cantina. I feel cheated and sick to my stomach.
(1)Dan M.
Wish I could like the place. Salsa and chips are good, but the food is so bland. I've given them a try twice. First time we went it was during a dinner rush. Service wasn't bad but the food was so uninspired. Don't think I've ever seen a real south-of-the-border employee up in this place. Second time through was during lunch and I was craving Mexican food. There was seriously one other couple in the place. Our waiter took forever to come over, then we ordered drinks, just Cokes. He came back ten minutes later with water and said he forgot what we ordered. Then he finally brought us salsa and chips with the Cokes. I honestly think they were probably puffing the magic dragon in the back since it was so dead at that time. On that trip the food was bland as well. Not worth it, drive yourself down to Armando's or something and get a real fix for your Mexican craving. This place will definitely disappoint you.
(2)Dani A.
I returned here a few weeks ago with the fam for my mom's birthday. We split the fajitas for two which were as usual very delicious. I do however have one new thing to rave about. Usually I go for a classic margarita, but upon the waitress' suggestion I decided to try the peach margarita. She kept going on about how good it was and how it was a staff favorite so I decided to give it a try and omg was it awesome. After my first one I ordered a second as well. Also if they ask- get the sugar rim. Another great meal and good service. And to you peach margarita- I will be back.
(5)Jane T.
Service was fantastic, the food kind of all tasted the same, I hope you are a cheese lover and the place could use a good dusting/cleaning.
(3)Patti M.
This is my husband's favorite place to eat. Always fast and friendly. We do not typically go out to eat during busy times, and always get seated fast. We also have done take out. Food is always good, never greasy and we just love it. One thing, I think they could have better chips. But the chips just fill me up and I can't eat my dinner, so I just skip them. :) My girlfriends meet here for drinks from time to time too :)
(4)Jenn H.
If I could give this place no stars I would. wait staff was to busy hanging and chatting in the door way to actually greet anyone. napkins and silverware under our table. Our nasty chips showed up to the table cold and stale and the salsa was frozen. My husband ordered a draft beer and was given a bottle of warm beer. Waitress thought Carne Asada was a drink (It's steak) when my Carne Asada finally showed up the middle was frozen and it looked as if it came from a box. (for 15.99) I sent my food away and refused anything else. one bite into my husbands food (fajitas) and he gaged from the taste. we ended up speaking to the manager who stood at our table in a dirty shirt holding a broom and dust pan and told him we we're not paying for the food. he finally gave in a walked away and we hit the door. I will never ever return to this dirty place again.
(1)Jess O.
Oh-so-good Mexican food! I've dined here a few times over the past few months and the food's always delicious. The corn cake on the side is probably the best part. Service can be a bit slow but it's worth the wait. (Their Novi location is just as good, if not better!)
(4)Brooke C.
We love this place. My husband and I are able to split a dinner and neither of us leaves hungry! The food is always great and the menu is representative of what you order. You also get a free meal on your birthday with purchase of another meal!
(4)Glen R.
I like mexican food, authentic or otherwise, but I just can't get excited about this place. The portions are decent for the price... OK I admit it, there is just one thing I can't get over, they put peas in their rice! I know in some parts of Mexico this is traditional, but it just throws me every time. The tomalito (corn pudding) they serve is the only reason it get 3 stars. Average at best, find a taqueria somewhere and have a good time.
(3)Lori H.
I went here on a busy Friday and was too 15/20 minute wait. No problem. The 21 yr old bartender would not serve my 40 yr old bf a beer because he hasn't grabbed his I.d. No problem his fault. I had my marguerita that cost over $8 and we decided to go closer to home. Since it was standing room only, I didn't quite know where to set down my empty glass. Rather then set it on the bar near a patron or bother a busy server with their hands full, I set it on the bar near the service bar just as a young blond male server was walking up. I said "sorry" as I passed him because I didn't want to be in his way on a busy Friday and as I walked away, here is the response I got from the unprofessional server..."Excuse me!! Would you like me to take care of that for you?!!!" What??!! To which I replied. "Yes I would thank you. You DO work here don't you??!" Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen and I won't be going back to this one. Completely inappropriate behavior by the staff. Need training on how to treat people with respect in the SERVICE industry. If that were MY house and someone was trying to return one of MY glasses, I would have dutifully taken it for them and not sarcastically chastised them across a crowded room for TRYING to find an appropriate place for it. Way to go BC. I will relate this experience to everyone I know, although I'm sure your mediocre establishment will keep chuggin along. Bottom line... Don't go here unless you want to be treated like crap.
(1)Valerie B.
The last year or so we've noticed the quality of food and general environment has really gone downhill but tonight was an exercise in frustration, to say the least! It started when the waitress argued about what one of our party had ordered, then bought out refried beans on all of the meals, rather than the black beans that were ordered and then blamed the mix-up on the "confusion" caused in the kitchen when we requested they correct the order. I ordered the Sopa De Tortilla (tortilla soup), which was supposed to come with cheese and tortilla "strips" but what they brought out was clearly a canned chicken and vegetable soup with a lump of mozzarella cheese in it and a flour tortilla folded in half and stuck down into the soup, which was luke warm. This was the most unappetizing soup I have ever been served! We will no longer be visiting this establishment. If this is the way they treat their regular patrons then they will not be getting anymore of our business!!
(1)Dennis P.
Great food and well priced. The portions were huge!!!!!
(5)Brad M.
Terrible "Mexican" food and even worse service!!! Went there while on vacation visiting family. Out of our 6 meals, one was correct! Yes one. Ordered 3 enchilada dinners (all with chicken) and 3 taco dinners. One of the taco dinners was ordered with 2 hard tacos and 1 soft. Well they came out with 2 soft tacos and 1 hard. Our waitress seemed confused so I figured it may be messed up before it even came back. The second taco dinner was supposed to be only chicken and cilantro. No cheese or anything else (for medical reasons specifically stated no cheese). Also the sauce on the side. It came out with the beans covered in cheese and each soft taco shell was covered with cheese too. The last taco dinner was actually correct believe it or not. Two of the enchilada dinners came out with just cheese only. The third came out with the enchilada sauce on the side, and no sour cream. When we asked the waitress why there was no sour cream she stated that it didn't come with it, which it said on the menu it did. Then she told us that we asked her for that sauce on the side as well instead of stating it was a mistake. And proceeded to tell me that they make enchiladas without the sauce on them And just pour it on at the end. Lol. After all of this food was brought to the table we told her that we all needed silverware and she didn't come back out with the silverware until the tacos were remade. To top that off the cheese on the tacos had been scraped off somewhat but were still the same tacos even though she said they were fresh. Ate a few bites of the food just to see if it was even good tasting and it was very bland! Never got drink refills once. Owner came out and apologized for everything and comped our meal, along with offering gift certificates (which were polite fully declined). However such a bad experience that it didn't matter at that point...Wish I could give 0 stars.
(1)Wanda L.
I love Mexican food and I love authenticity. I have read some other reviews on Yelp regarding Mexi restaurants that question the authencity and expectation based on who's doing the serving. I have to agree with that in a way and at the Border Cantina it was mostly young caucasion individuals. I am Latina, although not Mexican in origin, and had dinner there with my boyfriend and one of his old best friends (who both happen to be super white haha). Anyway, my salsa and chips and the extra guac I ordered were okay/passable. My entree (a chopped steak type dish) was pretty good and had a nice amount of heat which was A+. The service was okay-to-decent. The chick server forgot to bring the extra bottle of hot sauce I requested. I also thought it was kind of weird that they music they played in the restaurant was not typically Mexican, but more Caribbean/salsa/merengue type stuff. I noticed that happens at On the Border resturants too. Most non-Latino people wouldn't be able to pick that out though. I like the latter type of music more anyway, but, again, not too authentic. I do look forward to going back to Border Cantina though and trying more of what's on their menu. The place looks to be pretty popular and was pretty packed full while we were there. They must be doing a little something right.
(3)