Border Cantina
21420 Novi Rd, Novi, MI, 48375
Border Cantina Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Novi for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Novi for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Novi for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
21420 Novi Rd
Novi, MI, 48375 - Phone (248) 347-7827
- Website https://www.bordercantina.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : 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
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Kate G.
Awesome spot for some Mexican American food!! Stopped here after a long bike ride and was pleasantly surprised! Food was amazing!!! Service was efficient, food came out fast!!! I had hoped to sit on patio and soak up some much needed vitamin D but it wasn't here yet... my hubby is mexican and usually doesn't like americanized mexican food, but this place kept it authentic enough it was still mexican haha. Huge servings which was great for a post bike ride meal AND lunch the next day Shayna helped us out, she was great about being attentive without hovering. We will definitely be back! Hopefully when the patio is open!
(4)Anonymous R.
Margaritas are strong, food is good, service is better. My old lady and I always split the chicken fajita for ONE, not TWO. Very important you don't order for two. The portions are huge, if you get the fajita for one, you will still have trouble finishing with the help of someone else. Been going here for years. You get the occasional rubber and in your beans, but hey, nobody's perfect.
(4)Ann W.
A family-friendly Tex-Mex restaurant, Border Cantina offers typical fare including tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, chimichangas, flautas and fajitas. The large suburban restaurant includes a sizable bar area and two large dining areas. It tends to be very popular with large groups for birthday parties, retirement lunches, and casual work dinners. Despite numerous visits over the years, I generally have only a few things from the menu. I particularly like the steak fajitas, a bit under-seasoned this meal, served with onions and tomatoes on a sizzling hot griddle. Since the steak continues to cook a bit longer, I tend to order it just a bit underdone just so that it is perfect during the meal. The dish includes beans (refried or pinto) and flavorful rice, along with other familiar fajitas fixings: lettuce, shredded cheese, guacamole, and corn cakes. Corn cakes! They are spectacular here, moist and sweet, and so delicious that I substituted the refried beans for a double portion. What does not need doubling is the portion size, easily enough food for three. The fried ice cream featured vanilla ice cream from Guernsey's, a neighboring restaurant and dairy producer. With a crispy coating, a cinnamon-sugar shell, and chocolate, caramel and honey sauces, the dessert was incredibly sweet and fun to eat. The server was fantastic. He was eager, responsive and courteous, anticipating guests' needs.
(3)Amanda G.
This restaurant was a huge let down. Came here for girls night, nothing was terrible but nothing was really done well. Chips and salsa were just okay, drinks were expensive for how weak they were, and the food was downright bad. Is that chicken or tuna in my "Chunky Chicken Chimichanga!"? Why does the "white fish" on these "Tacos De Pescado!" smell soooooo fishy even around all this sauce? Why are there so many exclamation points on this menu? Are you trying to rev me up before I order so the food is more palatable? No thanks.
(2)E. Bremer M.
If you're looking for a place that serves good authentic Mexican food, this isn't it...not even close. If you're looking for a place to hang out and have a few drinks then yes, that is about all it's good for.
(2)Cara C.
Two things would easily improve this rating to five stars: one, bigger TVs and two, better chips. I want to be able to watch the Tigers' games on a respectable TV, not a 19" box TV (and I'd probably order a lot more beer and margaritas, too!). Half the time, the chips are stale and just "eh." The entrees are delicious, and portions are enormous. Sometimes I have qualms with the fajita meat, but it's tender and well-seasoned here. We've had quite a few different servers, and all have been top-notch friendly and quick. Overall, this is a pretty decent neighborhood joint.
(3)Christina K.
I don't get it...this place was packed on a random Tuesday night and the food was not that good. The chips tasted oily and were kinda crunchy, it was weird. I like my salsa spicy and this one was very mild to my taste. Ordered the fish tacos which was smothered in cheese and some mayo based sauce, it was definitely a calorie bomb! I had to scrape it all off to eat just the fish and beans. Hubs ordered a chicken burrito which was huge and the chicken was dry. Also the restaurant felt dirty and it's very dated. Will not be back.
(1)Angela H.
Our family of 5 wanted to revisit this restaurant after seeing a coupon in Local Flavor, a circular placed in area neighborhood mail. The coupon was for a free lunch, equal or lesser value with the purchase of 2 beverages. The hours on the flyer state the hours for the day we wanted to visit 11 am. We arrived a couple minutes after 12:00 pm and the doors were locked. We waited until 12:10 pm before calling the restaurant to ask along with some other patrons to open the door. There were no apologies just a statement that the door must be broken. Hours listed for Sunday on the door 12:00 pm. (website lists 12 on Sundays). All good though, we were excited to eat lunch. I ordered off the lunch menu - Tacos de Pescado. The sides were good, especially the corncakes. However, the fish inside my main dish was crispy and overcooked making it inedible. At the end of our meal, we presented the coupon to the server who indicated that her manager said she could not apply it to the bill because it was just for the Brighton location. The coupon clearly has the Novi address listed on it. When this was pointed out, the manager indicated that it may say that but was a mistake because Brighton has less business then the Novi location. She agreed to honor the coupon but we had to wait over 20 minutes because the waitress said it "takes time to reverse charges". Never heard this before!! The manager came over to us with our bill adjusted for a very nominal amount, not the full price of the coupon stating "just so you guys know, you ordered off the dinner menu (we did not!) but I adjusted your bill anyway - but just so you know you can't do this in the future". We were so upset but just wanted to leave. We will NOT ever visit again. If you do decide to visit call to clarify hours before visiting, do not order the tacos de pescado, and don't expect coupons to be honored.
(1)Ken S.
This is our goto Mexican place & I love it. Hell when I went to Mexico we were looking for place like this there, have to say Mexico disappointed LOL Great food, love the ambiance, service is ok cost is great. We almost always get the combo fajita for one and split it, it's more than enough food, we struggle to finish. I think the current beer specials are Sam's Octoberfest 3.50 a pint & miller lite 2.50 a bottle, so dinner for 2 and two Octoberfest's for about $20 Border Cantina is always a win
(5)Maya C.
Tonight's meal was very good! We were seated and served quickly. There seemed to be a lot of large groups tonight in the section my husband and I were seated in. I would have preferred to be seated away from the groups. They tended to be be pretty loud. But, the waitress, Kayla, was just as attentive to the larger groups as she was with us. Kayla was excellent! As always, the chips left a lot to be desired. But, if you ask for the hotter salsa, it does help. Besides, I needed to save room for my chimichanga. It is a large portion, bursting with seasoned ground beef and lots of cheese. It may not be authentic, but it is tasty. The prices are reasonable, the food is good and the service was fast and friendly. I have been here many times and will continue to return.
(4)Magnus L.
I had heard good things about this place so my hopes were high, perhaps a little too high. We started our with their queso dip. It was nice and thick, exactly like I like it in tex-mex. It lacked flavor though and the tortilla chips were just so-so. I wanted to try a selection of different things they have so I went with one of their combination platters, El Amigo. The mini beef chimichanga was the best of the bunch, it had a good beef flavor and was crunchy. The chili relleno was also pretty good. The enchiladas were just OK, they were kind of all melted together with the cheese so it was hard to say what was what. The wait to be seated was pretty quick especially considering it was a Saturday night and the service throughout the meal was good. I would consider coming back to try something different but it's not on my top life of mexican restaurants.
(3)Alexandria C.
I wasn't too impressed with this place. It seems that they focus on quantity not quality. I wouldn't ever go on my own nor suggest it as a place to eat. And they put yellow cheese on my tacos. The salsa was alright.
(2)Jamie L.
Literally my favorite mexican resteraunt! The best food. And a clean place as well! The staff is also friendly. Really great place
(5)Evie B.
Service was great! Hate that some restaurants don't list the price of their drinks. Prices should be on the drink menu. If you want spicier hot sauce, ask for the green verde sauce. Very SPCC. I mix the red and green. The fajita burrito was good, but the steak was tough and not very moist or flavorful. I also expected the veggies to be grilled/charred and not sautéed . The fajita wrap was yummy as were the lunch enchiladas. My friend didn't care for the chicken/ vegtable sopa. We ordered guacamole but I didn't care for it. Honestly it tastd like they used a package seasoning mix rather than fresh ingredients. The blue marguerita was yuuuumy $60 for 4 meals, app, and 2 liquor drinks, 1.soda. Not bad!
(4)Alex B.
This is my review of Alexandria C., and after my first time I'm slightly confused - she seems to be focused on quality over quantity, but doesn't deliver on either. To be honest, Alexandria C. is just bland. I can't tell if she's a half-brained, lazy moron, or if she just hasn't been trained properly. I wouldn't recommend Alexandria C. to my worst enemy. 1 star.
(1)Kate B.
The queso dip is litteraly just melted velveta cheese. Chips with the chips and dip were stale. Not just the worst mexican food ever, just the worst FOOD ever! One positive, you get really large portions of really crappy food.. avoid this place at all costs.
(1)Lynden G.
If you're going to go to a Mexican restaurant on Cinco de Mayo, make sure to get there before the crowds. Stopped in around 3pm when the place was empty and was there for roughly 2.5 hours until the crowd picked up. Our original server was friendly and very quick with our drinks. We got switched to another server who seemed to be preoccupied with dancing with his employees. Food wasn't as good as ive had, bland and not very fresh. The margaritas were delicious though.
(3)P G.
This place is legit! Went on a 40 mile bike ride with the wifey on a Saturday afternoon. Finishing the ride we needed some well deserved protein and a drink! Stopped at this little spot and was not disappointed! I ordered the chicken fajita burrito and the wifey ordered the fish burrito. Both hit a home run! So much food for the money. That's the way authentic Mexican restaurants work. They make sure you CANT finish it all in one sitting! Haha! Well they succeeded! :-) we didn't try any of their house wines or anything fancy. A corona and tecate was plenty for us. But we will be back very soon to change that! Thanks to Shyna for being a good prompt waitress. She was very nice and was quick and always made sure we were happy and taken care of. Only draw back was the patio wasn't open yet. Not her fault. We just enjoy the sun when it decides to stay out! Haha. If your looking for a quick Mexican bite that you want to eat in two sittings, drop by. And make sure Shyna helps you!! (Sorry if I miss spelled your name!!)
(4)Dominique K.
We like hitting this place occasionally on the way out to Plymouth Whalers' hockey games. Decent for Americanized/Southwestern fare. I particularly like the soft southwestern tacos and it's always no problem to order the dinner with "all rice, no beans". I like the little soft corn cake that comes with the dinner as well. Full bar with a nice selection of margaritas. Reasonable prices and quick service make this a good pre-game dinner place for us.
(4)Kaartik J.
Great place for Mexican in this area. Our server Ryan was friendly, helpful, and very professional. The portions are extremely large and the prices are also very reasonable. The wait time for food was a tad bit longer than usual but had no blemish on the overall great experience. Great service, great atmosphere, and great food. Plan to make a future trip here
(4)Karen W.
Once again, yummy food and,friendly staff. I have not,had a,bad experience yet! Thank ypu for always making my visit a great one! I will be back
(5)Christine B.
Popped in a whim yesterday with two teenage girls. I love that they still have a filling, reasonably priced lunch menu and quick service. If the food isn't particularly authentic, it is still good, and teenagers seem to love this place. Each of us had our own enchilada lunch combination, one each of shredded beef, ground beef, shredded chicken. The meat in these fillings is flavorful and delightfully tender. I still wish they had better chips!
(3)Amy H.
This place is awesome!! Hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Detroit. The bf and I have been here for both lunch and dinner, and our favorite dish to share is the combo fajitas (steak and chicken)...not for two, but for one. This is because the portions are HUGE here! For $13, we are both stuffed full from the combo fajitas for one. What a deal. They have a good selection of margaritas and Mexican beers as well. When we vacationed in Cancun, we were expecting to find Mexican restaurants like Border Cantina, but somehow we just couldn't find restaurants that we're as "Mexican" as Border Cantina lol. Decor here is nicely Mexican and warm, and the service is friendly. My favorite Mexican restaurant in metro Detroit - try them if you haven't yet!
(5)Joel C.
6-1-14 @ around 4 PM, was seated rather quickly, had more than one server taking care of us, so what times we were not sure who to ask for condiments napkins. Other than that very good service and most servers were attentive. Ordered jalapeno poppers for appetizer (they call them Texas torpedoes) can be called armadillo eggs, LOL. Those were good and made with real cheddar. friend ordered steak fajitas, and I ordered three soft tacos, food came out in a good amount of time, good portion of steak onions light peppers, steak seemed a little overcooked and chewy and lacked some flavor. But it was not bad, better than most places I've eaten, I had soft tacos with ground beef, seasoning of the beef was average at best, I am not trying to knock them but I've had much better. I had a good experience, good service but food was average, since I lived out west maybe I expect too much... That was my first experience, I may try again but definitely will try something different.
(2)Friend of D.
OK, for what Novi is (a suburban bedroom community), I think this Mexican place is decent enough to come to from time to time. Unless you are willing to drive to Waterford or SW Detroit, you simply are not going to get "authentic" Mexican food around here. This place has the usual 4-page menu with every popular Mexican food item and various combos. It was hot and fresh (despite the huge crowds) and the service was good, so I'll go out on a limb and give them 4 stars. But beware: the drink prices can be a bit steep (and can easily exceed the entree prices).
(4)Darrell K.
Went here recently. I still say it is one of the best little hidden spots around. You get allot of authentic food and the various Margaritas will knock your socks off.
(4)Bryan S.
Everyone's food was amazing! The fish tacos were very fresh and the cornbread side was outstanding.
(5)James H.
Went here with my family for the first time in about a year. This place has really gone down hill. Found hairs in our cold chip basket and the chips were obviously from a bag. Our meals were very bland and average. Lunch fajita portion was generous. Lots of other Mexican choices out there, so we will probably not return.
(2)Cari M.
I'm sad Border Cantina isn't closer to our home in Ferndale. It is by far our favorite Mexican restaurant in the Metro Detroit area. We order arroz compollo (probably butchering that spelling) but it is a dish with grilled chicken, rice, loads of veggies, and cheese. It is SO good- and I don't see this dish at other similar restaurants. The portion is huge, my boyfriend and I can easily share it (and we both have good sized appetites.)
(4)Kelly S.
This place was OK but it wasn't as great as I was hoping. The margarita I had was really good but the food was a little boring. I had their tres enchiladas (I think that's what it was called) & normally when I go for Mexican I have a ton of leftover food but here I didn't & not because it was so good I had to eat it all but the enchiladas didn't have much filling & were on the mushy side. I didn't eat everything on the plate but I also didn't take my leftovers home either. After I ate the bulk of the enchiladas there was still a good bit of the tortillas on the plate because it seemed like only the middle of each of them had filling. Their rice was good but it had peas in it...who puts peas in Mexican rice? I do like peas, they just don't belong in there. The service was good, the prices were decent (drink menu doesn't have prices...the margarita is $10) & the place was REALLY loud. I was with 1 other person & couldn't hear 1/2 of what she was saying to me from the other side of the booth. The restaurant was busy but not packed so the acoustics in there must just bounce every noise off the wall as I felt like I was in a wall to wall packed bar with how loud it was. I would eat here again if someone wanted to go here but I would never seek it out myself.
(3)Van N.
Food is ok but the service is terrible . I got here around 9:18 and they closed at 10:00 . The lady acted like they running out of all the food . The big restaurant ran out soup at 9:20 really ? She threw the straw on the table raised her voice and acting like we asking for free food . Really? Should've just left .
(1)Kerri H.
This place is awesome! :) in a nice area and not a lot of people. Great service and food
(5)Betty B.
I give it one star because as I am dining here there are a bunch of waitresses and the bartender fighting and yelling at each for the past 15 -min. Very uncool. Otherwise food good but I don't want a show.
(1)Ella M.
The first time I went there I was disappointed with cold stale chips and the salsa came with an extra large hair. :( I tried a second time. Same disappointment coupled with guacamole that tasted like paste. Bland food that comes from the microwave. The top shelf margaritas however are worth the trip if you aren't hungry.
(1)Paul F.
Been coming to border cantina since Nam. Love this place- good food + good price = good value. Great neighborhood restaurant. Chips are horrible tho which is the only reason for 4 stars
(4)J M.
Was always a fan of this place but am much less than thrilled these days. No issue with the service but the food kind of reminds me a little bit of lukewarm Taco Bell. There are too many good places around to waste any more time on this.
(2)Tamara Y.
This is about average, maybe a little above average, for Americanized suburban Mexican food. If you like hamburger or shredded chicken covered in inches of cheese, this is the place for you. I knew I was in trouble when I asked if they had carnitas. The hispanic waiter literally said "this is Novi, Lady." I pondered the tamales, but they were stuffed with beef. Meh. After consulting with him for a moment, I ordered grilled soft tacos with steak. They were decidedly ok. Not spectacular, but not sucky either. I has to ask for onions and cilantro, and resigned myself to the river of cheese. The chips and salsa we decent. I had a green horny margarita, mostly because the name was fun. It was ok. When I told my waiter that my drink needed less green and more horny, my request was promptly accommodated. The service was awesome. The waiter was attentive and funny and kept the margaritas coming.
(2)Connie G.
Dinner last night....I must say the Margarita had some tequila in it......the taco burrito was cheesy and tasty...the refried beans on the side were covered in cheese....my favorite is the sweet corn cake mini scoop on the side...yummy.....The interior is very nice and our waitress was very friendly and attentive....
(3)Hannah S.
This is one of my favorite Mexican places around town, and the food + service is always on point. Last night I stopped in with some friends for dinner, and our waiter was very attentive and friendly. As always our food came out super fast and it was delicious. I ordered the Fajita Quesidillas, which were delicious. I would recommend this place to anyone in the area!
(5)Emma C.
NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!! And what's with those horrible chips???????
(1)Ashley C.
Service is fast, atmosphere is nice, but the food leaves a lot to be desired. The chip appear to have come right out if the bag, no salt. The salsa was bland and so was my dinner. I had three margaritas, they tasted ok at the time, but this morning I was completely hung over. Why? Cheap tequila if course. Not sure I would completely recommend this place. It's just ok.
(3)Carrie L.
I hate to give it just 1 star because it's a good location and the staff is pretty nice. I keep trying it but I think I am finally done. The food just isn't good. This would be a perfect location for an upscale, truly authentic, Mexican restaurant. Border Cantina - please, please hire a new chef and change your menu. You could do so much better.
(2)Francine H.
Old Catina atmosphere , good food with left overs, awesome carry outs, made to order ie can substitute veggies for rice and beans, half off appetizers a steal under 6 $ a half rack ribs, nachos with real meat and cheese, platter to share etc! Just like a Cheers Bar for neighborhood! Lunch specials too and awesome service. Soo cute the owners sons one or the other on duty and always making sure customers are happy and having good meal! Looks dark and old world upon entry but has ambience of Mexican Cantina retreat! First to have skinny Margarita in area ! Fresh lime, agave and tequila! Check it out soon,!!
(5)Collette S.
We've been regulars here for years. The service has always been excellent and the food is delicious - depending on what you order. My favorite things about this place: 1.) you can get black beans instead of re-fried (with no upcharge - same for upgrading to flour chips) 2.) the little "corn cake" balls that come with the entrees - yum! 3.) the margaritas are fantastic - Mercedes Margarita, on the rocks, is one of the best around IMO 4.) good chunky house made guacamole 5.) food always comes out fast - so it's great when you're on a time crunch 6.) Huge water glasses for us thirsty people! The negatives - the tortilla chips are overly thick, hard, unseasoned, and consistently overcooked. The chips are the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars - I'd love to see a thinner, salted and seasoned chip. Definitely ask for the flour chips instead if you order guacamole. Also, once I ordered the fish tacos and it literally looked like shredded canned tuna and smelled awful, had that been my first experience with the food here I would not have returned. Service was still great that occasion and I was able to send it back for something else no problem. My husband loves the Chile Relleno entree (note: he always adds beef) and uses it as a benchmark for the dish at other Mexican restaurants... he has yet to have a Chile Relleno on par with Border Cantina's in this state, so he recommends it to everyone! I also like it but get it vegetarian. I've tried most of the entrees and my favorites are the nachos (ask for flour chips and get black beans instead of re-fried to make it awesome, trust me), the Enchiladas Rancheros (I always add jalapenos to give it a kick, slightly bland without), and the Mushroom Jack fajitas. Despite the negatives, it's still the best in the area in my opinion. We've moved in the past year and still make the now 30 minute drive since I've yet to find anything as good closer (and I am obsessed with trying them all!).
(4)Holly W.
We went here accidentally because we thought we had gift cards to here. (They were for On the Border). Anyways, we were pleasantly surprised. It was soooooooo good. We will definitely be returning. The chicken fajitas were awesome and the portions were huge.
(5)Bruce F.
I've been to Border Cantina a half a dozen times for their Happy Hour Appetizers and nothing more. The appetizers have been quite good. I especially like the Chicken Wings and Nachos. You must order/eat from the bar, but since the none smoking law went into effect, it makes no real difference except for the high top tables. 3 stars for the Happy Hour Apps. and I'll be Back....
(3)Lynn H.
This is a good place to eat if you're in the mood for Mexican and in the Novi area. I can't single it out for anything particularly unique or remarkable, but Border Cantina reliably puts out big portions of decent food at reasonable prices. The drinks are also on the large side, and also reasonably priced. Wait staff are friendly and fairly efficient, although a certain lack of professionalism denotes that more training could be an order. Half-off all apps (one per person) and a dollar off drafts and well drinks make this a good place to spend happy hour. The app menu is extensive, so you're bound to find something you like. If you want to make a meal of it, I recommend the botana, which is huge.
(3)Beth H.
Trekked out to Happy Hour with a friend. Oh how I love happy hour, but this one just wasn' t up to par. I was hoping for something that was a little more... well... happy. Quite, drab, family place. 1/2 off appetizers, limit one per guest. $1 off well drinks and margaritas. The regular margarita was weak. Decided to upgrade to the Mercedes Margarita (it's on the menu) and that sucker is deadly but it better be since it was double the price. So bravo on the drink, Border Cantina. Ordered two apps: taquitos and chile con queso. Taquitos were great, but the menu should have said "nacho cheese with chiles on top". I would not have ordered it if I knew it was melted velveeta with green chiles. My true test of a new (new to me) Mexican restaurant's worth is their chile rellenos. I ordered one, a la carte. *sigh* yeah. Don't do it. Not good. Service was super friendly but very busy for serving the whole bar area herself. My friend and I decided to go elsewhere, next time we meet up in that area.
(2)Nicholas A.
I got the chicken club wrap and thought it was delicious! The downside to Border Cantina is that I ordered it to go, waited 15 minuets at my house before leaving to go get it and the waited another 25 at the restaurant for my take out meal. As far as the food goes I would definitely say this restaurant is a 4-5 star. The wait time is definitely not as high. I would definitely recommend this place to someone looking for some good mexican food.
(3)Ernie M.
The crispy tacos were outstanding , do not waste your appetite on the soft tacos. Service was great. Worth the visit!! Ernie
(4)Jeff M.
This place ROCKS!!! I'll elaborate, but this really does describe the Boarder Cantina experience. Fun, friendly atmosphere, great for families or just a night out with friends. The food is great as well as the service. There can be a little bit of a wait during dinner time, especially on the weekends, but that's just because this is a great place and everyone want to go there. Definitely worth it for the money. Not pricy at all with full portions and lots of sides. Been there many times. If I was on FourSquare, I'd probably be the mayor! Boarder Cantina gets the Key to the City from me! Highly recommended.
(4)Donne B.
The baby mama and I went here and I had a up and down experience here. I didn't care for the decor I thought it could be better considering this place always seems packed, then we got the queso dip which was really good then I got my food, which was up and down also, the chicken and beef enchiladas were great but the cheese one was just awful. So that's why I gave it three stars it wasn't bad but it left wanting more, and has for the baby mama she's 7 months pregnant so everything but the bathrooms were good to her.
(3)Valerie B.
This place has been around for as long as I can remember ... It was great 20 years ago when we first tried it and then over the years it went downhill. So, when my daughter talked me into going this year I was hesitant- glad we went...great guacamole and salsa, delish enchiladas and over the top nachos! The margaritas are made with real lime juice and had just the right Amount of sugar! Great comeback!
(4)Steven P.
12/26/2014 update: It turns out Border Cantina has once again become a mainstay that we visit every other month or so but, no longer solely out of convenience. I think they have upped their game, cuisine-wise. At least their Suiza Enchiladas never fail to satisfy and my son always cleans his (kiddie) plate of chicken enchiladas. And, every visit since my last review 2 years ago, the service has been consistently competent, too. So, 2 stars gets a bump up to 3; instead of just meh, Border Cantina is A-OK in my book. 9/29/2012: We used to come here frequently out of convenience, but the fare was always standard, generic, and highly Americanized. Well, having returned to the area we decided to try it again and noted no significant changes. My chicken enchiladas were bland. My wife's veggie fajitas were abundantly portioned but nothing special. The service was cordial but not terribly professional. For example, I made (my usual) point of ordering the kids' meals immediately, asking that they be served as soon as the food is ready. However, the kids were actually served their entrees late. I'm certain we will still occasionally return, but Border Cantina is unlikely to ever become a destination of choice for any reason other than convenience.
(3)J M.
Oh Border - you are my favorite. To the reviewer who called it run-of-the-mill Mexican - hilarious. Border is FAR and away better to it's Northville/Novi area counter-part, On The Border (gag...terrible heartburn inducing drinks, bland salsa, beans that look like brown mud - as opposed to another color of mud?). That place is the epitome of run-of-the-mill commercial junk). This place is straight up fresh, house-made mexican and oh my god the salsa? LOVE. If you like spicy/hot, definitely ask for a side of the Salsa Verde (green salsa) to compliment the red table salsa. I have no doubt in my mind they make both of them from scratch and the verde adds extra kick and oomph that the regular salsa lacks (which it does, I will admit - but holy crap is it wonderful when you spice it up) The dishes are HUGE. I have eaten here probably 40+ times over the past 10 years and have never once been able to finish my whole entree. I get two more left-over meals EASY out of their portions. Great value. Also they douse your food in fantastic mexican cheese and their dishes reheat to first-time-bliss. I get the trio enchiladas and my fiancee loves their taco burrito. Both come with a delicious corn-cake and guac or sour cream and two sides. Their rice is fluffy and never dry, the beans are straight up refried goodness. The staff is always helpful/accomodating to any extras or side items you need, their Margarita (specifically the classic Sauza) is drool-worthy and you can sit on the patio in the summer. How much better can it get? This is not some kind of fancy establishment, very casual and the atmosphere is fun and laid-back to boot. Run of the mill? Pshh.
(5)Alex T.
So here's the deal with Border Cantina: 1. Bad Location - Unless you know of it, you're not going to find it while searching for someplace to eat. 2. Great Food - This place doesn't hold back. Huge portions, and great variety. Fajitas are phenominal. 3. Cool Theme - It took me years to figure it out, but there is an actual US-Mexican border in the restaurant. One side is Mexican themed, the other Texas. It's not very noticeable since the border is so similar on each side in terms of culture, but it's pretty cool, and unique. 4. Unique Drinks - I ordered a margarivesa (or something like that). It was half beer, half frozen margarita. If was great! 5. Reasonable prices - My girlfriend and I ordered the supreme fajitas for two. It came with chicken, shrimp, steak, peppers, onions, pico, beans, cheese, quac, corn paste (soo good), lettuce, sour cream, etc. It fed us for THREE excellent meals. For $27, that's pretty good. Anyways, this is definitely a local favorite in Novi. It seems to be losing business since it's no longer the "new and cool" place to be, which makes me sad. Be sure to support a great local business and check it out!
(5)Nicole W.
My all time favorite place to eat!! Always busy and the Mercedes margarita are so yummy!!!
(5)Andrew K.
This has been one of my favorite mexican restaurants since I was just a little boy living in Novi, Michigan. Going back there as a distinguished figure from Orlando, Florida...It was just as amazing as I remember. Delicious food, great atmosphere, and wonderful company. Chicken chimmichanaga is my jam! It is so delicious with shredded chicken and cheese inside a deep fried tortilla. Who can resist!!
(5)Frank S.
We were in search of a restaurant that would fill us up. This place did the trick. I had the whole wheat quesadilla with a side of Mexican rice (pictured above). The quesadilla was fantastic and I just barely finished it. I almost contemplated taking some of it home - which is rare - but I managed to finish. I didn't like the rice. It was good. But with the peas and carrots in it - it was a turn off for me. We were also given chips/salsa when we sat down (not the greatest), but no refills on that were given. The place was just above average but nothing special. Grade: B-
(3)Jenna A.
As far as local Tex-Mex goes, Border Cantina is fine. Their combination plates are good, and I like the whole wheat chicken quesadilla, but some items are premade and can't be altered (eg the spinach quesadilla). I'm never too trusting of restaurants that sell premade dishes. Might as well save some cash and make fresh tacos and guacamole at home.
(2)Neil Y.
Not authentic but not bad.: Two things to try here: the giant stuffed potato entree and the chicken wings. Everything else here is run-of-the-mill suburban Mexican food. My friends really enjoy this place but it's a little pricy for Mexican. I still think the 45 minute ride to any number of places on Vernor Hwy. is worth it. However, the hoards of people who flock here probably will disagree with me. The bar and wait area is small so it tends to get cramped while waiting. Certainly not my first choice but you'll get what you pay for and the portions are decent size here. The problem is, the tables are not. If more than two people order fajitas, the others will have to eat standing up. Take the ride to Mexicantown instead.
(3)M D.
The other reviewers have pretty much covered the good and the not-so-good about this restaurant. The service is fast and friendly, the prices are reasonable, the portions are huge, the drinks are excellent - and the food is okay but kinda bland, if you can find it underneath all that melted cheese. The little ball of cornmeal/bread, almost lost in the middle of the plate, is the best part. (I have to confess, I haven't tried the fajitas yet, but the smell wafting from my fellow diners' plates was mouthwatering. Next time, for sure.) And let's face it, there is a time and a place for everything, including interesting food. Which brings me to my next point -- What I'd like to add is that as a get-together spot for groups of friends and family it is second to none. The atmosphere and acoustics are perfect. Kids are welcome. There is just something very inviting and comfortable about the place. Give it a try and let me know what you think. I promise you, the food won't get in the way.
(3)Tom K.
One of my favorite restaurants of all time. Best fajitas; the steak and chicken combo for one will feed my wife and I plus left overs. Also the margaritas are awesome, I recommend the 4g. Not to mention you can feed a family of 5 for under 50 bucks! This place is a great local gem! Don't miss it and say hi to Oscar (greatest waiter of all time)
(5)Kara D.
Their food is very good, and the portions are enormous. Unfortunately their chips and salsa are quite lack-luster, and something I consider important at a Mexican restaurant. I recommend their salads, botanas enchiladas and tacos though!
(4)Ron D.
This is the best tex mex restaurant ever. Seriously, eat here. The Tacos Mexicanos are a gift from god. Get flour, 2 steak, 1 chicken, and prepare for the best meal of your life.
(5)Eddye T.
So it was a friday and my last day of work after 10 yrs with the same company. I decided I wasn't going to feel sorry for myself but treat myself to some good ole mexican food and margarita. After reading the reviews on here I ended up at Border Cantina. So when I get there the restaurant was very cute and really puts you in the mood for a margarita. The waitress was really nice although I don't remember her name. I order a margarita and enchiladas (beef, chicken, cheese). The margarita was pretty good and the enchiladas was a little bland but not bad. My bill came and it was $19.00 but the margarita was $9 by itself so not bad saying the margarita was to my liking. Let's fast forward to 3 days later.... I'm making a purchase at another establishment and my card was declined. I knew I didn't have much money in my account but it should of been enough to cover my purchase. After being humiliated I go home to investigate on-line and see that Border Cantina had two charges pending on my account. One for $19.00 + tip which was my bill and the second charge was for $33.00. At this time i'm thinking they must of accidentally charged my card for another bill. I called the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. Rebecca answered the phone and I proceed to tell her that I just lost my job and I had double charges pending on my account from Border Cantina. I told her as a result of the double charges my card was declined and I had an overdraft charge of $25.00. She went on to tell me the bank is at fault for the charge. She did add that they do normally put a tip on hold but they do not determine the amount but the bank. I told her I never heard of that before but I will contact the bank to find out why $33 was on hold for the tip when my bill was only $19. So I called the bank up and they laughed and told me that the restaurant determines the amount not us. I called Rebecca right back and told her what the bank said. I told her I'm not sure what their policy is but I was dining alone and there was no reason they should of put a $33 hold for tip. Not once did she apologize for the situation and/or even offer a complimentary margarita or dinner for the mistake. She proceeds to tell me that she will have accountant dept look into it and have them call me back the next day. It's been a week and I have not heard back from them. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed in the way they handled the situation and I expected more out of a family owned restaurant. I'm not blaming them for my financial issues but it would of been nice to have a little more compassion. My $19 bill ended up costing me $80.
(1)Sartaj J.
Been here only once, and unfortunately it's absolutely horrible. Chips tasted bad, enteree's tasted bad- not just for me, the whole family. We had to get up and leave because the food was horrible. Do yourself a big favor and go to On the Border instead.
(1)Katherine S.
Great service. Great food. Huge portions. The salsa is made fresh in the restaurant, and if its too mild for your taste you simply ask for hot sauce! Man, all you yelpers whining about that.. grow up :P. Want whole wheat tortillas? Extra lettuce? Extra anything? Ask!! They don't charge you for little extras some other big chain places. This is my favorite tex-mex place ever and everyone that I've taken here loves it as well. I highly recommend the chicken fajitas!
(5)Susan C.
Border Cantina definitely has some good aspects to it. The service is almost always prompt and friendly. The margaritas are great, especially a double gold on the rocks (my go-to 'rita when having mexican yummers). The food comes out quickly, which is usually a plus. However, sometimes in the rush to get it out, they sacrifice ample cooking time and you end up being served lukewarm food. To me, that is probably the worst slip-up a restaurant can make, because not only does the food not taste the best it can, but it becomes a food safety issue. That being said, if you can manage to get piping hot food here, it is usually pretty good, if a shade bland. The servings are ample, and most of the entrees come with a delicious scoop of homemade skillet cornbread. My personal favorite is the chicken flautas, and I always have enough for lunch the next day. Their fajitas are a major draw and probably the best I've had in Michigan. I always tell myself that next time I'll try their ribs, which smell insanely good. Really gonna try to get those ribs soon. The place is generally packed on weekends, and wait times can be a bit too long for me then. There's seating on the porch in nice weather. The bar area is a bit dark and stocked with regulars. The 2 dining rooms are much lighter with ample space. Not a bad place to go with a large party.
(3)Sarah G.
Honestly, the food wasn't fantastic. Growing up with Tex Mex, i appreciate good tex mex, but honestly, it wasn't fantastic. the strawberry daiquiri was great, but i got a combo to try a little bit of everything and nothing was fantastic or stuck out in my mind as awesome and need-to-have-again. I would try somewhere different, you can find better Mexican food, especially if you're looking for authentic.
(2)Kerrie M.
This place has disappointed me each and every time I have dined here!! (I usually end up there due to a friend's choice, NOT my own.) The food LOOKS good when it gets to the table but that is where it ends. Everything I have ordered from the fajitas, to the tacos, to the burritos have been tasteless. Bland. Boring. Yuck. I keep hoping that one time, I will stumble across something decent on the menu, but it has not happened yet..... and hopefully I will not have to visit again anytime soon..... The one redeeming quality that stops me from giving them one star is that their margaritas are pretty good. And the salsa is super fresh, not a hint of spice, but fresh. My overall advice is to avoid this place if you are looking for good Mexican food.
(2)Dietrich W.
This is my favorite Mexican join in metro Detroit. Food is absolutely killer here. I've since moved away, but any time I'm in town I make sure to stop by for a meal.
(4)Laurie S.
Love this place, we go there about every other week! The Rolls Royce Margarita's always hit the spot! My husband and I share a plate of nacho's, the kids eat of the kids menu and we can't believe how inexpensive our bill ends up!
(4)Adam W.
Let me preface my review with a warning. I try really hard to not be a snob about Mexican food, but I've finally come to grips with the realization that my year or so I spent in southern California has forever altered my tastebuds and I don't think any Mexican food I have outside of the southwestern United States or the country of Mexico will ever really live up to what I think it should be. And, of all the states I've been to, Michigan seems to violate the concept of Mexican food way more than anyone else. Border Cantina is, however, pretty standard midwest Mexican fare. Which is to say that it's all the items you'd expect (tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc.), usually served with a side of beans and rice. Let us not forget the free chips and salsa that come out before the meal. So what about midwestern Mexican food is so wrong? Well, it's probably what makes it so damn good. Everything is smothered in CHEESE. You're absolutely denied any of the other flavors of the ingredients or seasonings because everything is absolutely drowning in an abundance of cheese that will simultaneously clog your arteries and make you have a joy-gasm. I did particularly like the atmosphere here. Instead of being the typical flashy pastel-colored stuff with a bunch of stupid stereotypical music playing it was actually more tone-downed and slightly reminiscent of the taquerias I'd visited in Los Angeles (although this place was MUCH larger). Tastefully done, my folks. The service started out great too. But, that's to say it went downhill. Near the end of the night our server disappeared for about 15 or 20 minutes and was nowhere to be found. We had finished our meal, were not in a super rush to get out, but we had a fussy kid with us and would have iiked to leave quite a bit sooner. When our server returned, he did acknowledge he had been gone for quite some time... but that still was unacceptable. Other than this mishap, the service was alright but still nothing stellar (I hate having to ask for my refills instead of vice versa... or simply just being brought a fresh drink). Do I think this place is any better than any other Mexican restaurants around? Not really, but I'd probably head here before On The Border simply because it's a local business and we're in that whole recession thing (at least at the time of this writing). Just like Doc's, I can't really NOT recommend this place, but I'm a little hard pressed to advise you to pick it over any other place either.
(2)Susanne M.
We have been here many times and had a bad experience there today. I attempted to go on the website to express a concern but there is not an option for that. So obviously they do not accept "contact us" questions or comments. Our server was awful. Our sizzling plate was lukewarm and the vegetables were raw. We had to request everything twice. I waited much too long for my 2nd glass of wine. we were so disappointed tonight as this has always been our favorite Mexican restaurant. Maybe just a bad server but with no way to let management know is frustrating.
(2)Karen S.
We tried this place after hearing rave reviews, but were not really impressed. Dinner started with the "fresh" chips and salsa. The chips tasted store bought. I asked the waiter about them and he said they were made fresh every day. Sure didn't taste like it. My husbands meal was not he expected. When he told the waiter, he got a "too bad" attitude. The tile tables are cute, but uneven and we had to be very careful where we st our drinks down. Overall, nothing special and they apparently have enough regular business that a less-than-satisfied customer isn't really listened to. Not the place for us.
(2)Kris C.
The Border Cantina has a pretty solid reputation among the people I come in contact with. The food always looks like it was prepared fresh like some care was put into it. I loath Mexican restaurants that just slop food onto a plate, cover it in cheese and serve up a hot mess. One of my favorites is their Chile Rellenos but I always have a hard decision when it comes time to order. They have really good salsa along with the beans and rice. They make excellent Margaritas I love the top shelf on the rocks, so nice. I cant remember any bad service and the people are always very accommodating. The parking lot always look pretty full at typical meal times If you have to wait on a Friday or Saturday night it is worth it. Oh BTW the they do great take out too.
(4)Andrea P.
I ate here over the weekend with my boyfriend and two other couples. The location is a little tricky because it is on the quieter end of Novi Rd. We actually past the building before turning around. The service and drinks were good. The food was just mehh...
(3)Larry F.
Stopped here on the basis of positive Yelp reviews. On the upside, the place is clean and the service was friendly. On the down side, the food is very standard texmex fare. I had fish tacos that came with beans and rice. The fish was lost in the large tortillas filled with vegetables and sauce. The were OK at best. A good fish taco should focus on the fish. The beans and rice were quite bland. Someone in the kitchen needs to raid the spice cabinet. There was no hot sauce on the table to try and compensate. The cost was reasonable given the food and atmosphere.
(2)Steve T.
Great authentic Mexican food. Corn cakes are awesome bit need to be a little bigger. Guac is average but compaired to other Mexican places in the area its amazin. Recommend trying border cantina. It can get very busy at times but its worth the wait.
(4)Danielle W.
I really LOVE this place....It's awesome. We lived in Michigan for four years and every month we found our way back to the whole wheat chicken quesadillas and the corn bread appetizers. I miss it and always have a serious JONES to go back there when ever I visit my family in Michigan! The prices are very reasonable too!!!!!!
(4)Rob T.
Some of the most consistent mexican food in the area. It can be a bit noisy at times but the food is fantasic and if its not they don't hesitate to take care of it. I've had 1 bad meal in all the times I have gone (Fish Tacos were terribly cooked and smelled like the fish was old) and without even complaining. Just an overheard comment to my date it was taken off the bill with multiple apologies. The little corn cake that comes with each plate is worth the trip alone. Highest recommendation
(5)Rachel K.
I've been going to Border Cantina in Novi with my family since 1998, when I was in high school. I agree with other posters in that Border Cantina is always consistent. I tend to stick to their meals or the quesadilla, but I always know what to expect, which is nice. Even when they are super busy, your food comes out in less than 10 minutes after ordering. I know that this *probably* means that the food is pre-made/canned/not authentic (gasp), but hey, it's good.
(4)Brett L.
There are so many great things to say about this place. The chips are home made. Nice and fresh. The fresh salsa is GREAT, and since most people are really lame when it comes to heat, it's served mild. You want it hot? Get the salsa verde. It's green, it's hot, and it's amazing. You like it sorta hot? Get the verde and mix it with the mild salsa. VERY good. I get the taco burrito with extra sauce (which has bacon chunks in it!), and add a side of sour cream. The guacamole is also very fresh and very tasty. I LOVE the sweet corn cake and eat it before anything else when my entree comes. HUGE portions! I can really eat, and I have NEVER finished a plate here. The food reheats like a dream and I always finish what I take home within a day. The Classic Sauza margarita is AMAZING. Almost perfect every time. The value here is fantastic. The service is always friendly. Oh, and they have a small outdoor patio which is nice. I'm shocked at the "lame-o" reviews here. For under $10 a plate you cannot beat this place. I've been to Mexican town, and all the "chain" places you can think of. They all pale. Hands down. If you want "authentic SoCal Mexican", jump on a plane. If you want a quality meal that is inexpensive, and prepared at a local, family-owned restaurant, check this place out.
(5)Mike T.
Great place to eat! Lunch special for fajitas is same portion as the one for dinner but a few bucks less. Large portions and good tasting food all around.
(5)Vic L.
Its OK. I wouldn't travel far to go there. Their large super nachoes are very very huge. And I guess since its an appitizer, getting them at happy hour is like robbery. The salsa is ok, but the hot salsa just has never tasted right (good heat, bad flavor). But apparently its popular. On weekends there's often an hour or more wait.
(3)Susan K.
My husband and I had our first date here over 12 years ago and just recently started to go back there every once in a while for dinner. It still is one of the best Mexcan places in the area. The chips and salsa aren't the best - but the food is really really tasty. We will continue to make this a destinateion on date night.
(5)Edmund C.
Never have been disappointed. Usually get fajitas. Great ingredients, huge portions, good serice, fun atmosphere. The place gets packed on the weekends, and has been busy for years, so they're doing something right. Small but full bar attracts a crowd as well.
(4)Nicole B.
My husband and I have been here a few times and think this is the best Mexican restaurant in the area. The food is good, the atmosphere is great, but the service is hit or miss. I'm giving this a 4 star rating because if you're looking for good and more authentic Mexican food then this is your spot. Oh, and the margaritas are pleasantly heavy on the tequila.
(4)Nathan L.
I like myself some good Mexican food every now and then and this place is probably the best Americanized Mexican food place I've been. I say Americanized because of the amount of cheese and sauce that covers everything they make. Also, most dishes come with this sweet corn cake thing which is absolutely delicious.
(5)Jennifer H.
We ate here for the first time on a Friday evening. The parking lot was nearly full and it seemed like a popular place. Nevertheless, we were able to walk in and be seated quickly. The lights were dim, and the place was nicely decorated in a Southwest theme. The place also seemed pretty clean. The service was quick and friendly. I could tell that she was pretty busy handling a lot of tables, but the waitress seemed to be pretty efficient. Soon after we were seated, a large dish of chips and salsa appeared. The salsa was fresh, but very mild. The chips seemed like standard commercial chips. The menu was large and has all the usual Tex-Mex fare, with some good combination platters. The prices were typically just under $10 a plate. There was a kids' section on the menu, and there were also lunch specials. When the food arrived, it was about room temperature. My husband and I both thought the food temperature was strange. There was a lot of melted cheese covering just about everything, so the food must has been hot at some point. The plates that the food was served on were cool to the touch too. The food was also very bland. The food was definitely not spicy. This food is about par for Midwest Mexican. The check arrived in a timely manner and we were on our way. I should also mention that the restaurant also has a bar, and people seemed to be ordering lots of drinks. There was a good selection of beer on tap.
(3)