The margaritas are strong and very tasty! Don't get the strawberry daiquiri but the food is also good. Great place for Osu students, great happy hour deals!
(4)
Laryn C.
I had a wonderful experience at Cazuela's... It was a bit crowded (the dining room is small when the patio isn't open), but the service was fast and friendly, and the food was comfortably between American-Mexican and authentic Mexican cuisine. Within two minutes of sitting down and ordering drinks, warm tortilla chips and salsa were brought to our table. The waiter was extremely nice (and cute) and answered any questions that we had. The menu is relatively extensive - you can make all sorts of combos or just order a meat or vegetarian platter. Our food took no time at all to come out and it was cheap for all that you get! The only drawback to this place is that it's usually over-crowded with loud college kids. It's definitely not a place you want to go on a date (unless you can get the patio on a weekday), but if you're looking for good Mexican food that you don't want to pay crazy prices for and isn't totally Americanized like Mad Mex, then Cazuela's is a great choice!
(5)
Kenley M.
The phrase "hit-and-miss" describes several aspects of Cazuela's: the food, the service, the availability of seating. But not the price. The price always hits.
(3)
Emily H.
Cazuela's has definitely gone downhill since opening. You used to get your food in 10 minutes. Last time I visited, it took our surly waiter 15 minutes to tell me they didn't have chiles rellenos. I've never seen anyone resembling a manager here, so I get the sense the waitstaff doesn't feel like they're held accountable, and they're probably not. Their recent strategy seems to be increasing the alcohol offerings and decreasing the food while having an attitude about everything. Unfortunately El Vaquero's seems to be having the same problem lately, and they have more seating. Depending on which location is more convenient, I'm equally likely to check out either.
(3)
Judson B.
Love this place. Great patio for drinking delicious margaritas with your food. Decent prices. Sometimes it can get packed though. It isn't that big of a place so try calling ahead because parking can be a pain.
(5)
Matthew M.
By the droves of college students who frequent Cazuela's, one might expect it to be a gem of a place to eat. In truth, i think it's the close proximity to OSU and its patio on High Street that account for its popularity. The food isn't bad, just mediocre, but the two or three time i've been there it's taken a real long time to get service and for the food to come out of the kitchen. "How long?", you ask? Long enough that i could go in clean shaven and have a five o'clock shadow by the time my enchiladas arrive. So long that i could order my rellenos at Cazuela's, drop a letter in the mailbox addressed to myself at my new Cazuela's address, receive the letter at my booth, read the letter, go outside and burn the letter per the instructions in the letter, walk back in, and still have to watch a few minutes of Mexican soap operas before my rellenos arrive. Of course i exaggerate, but the last time i was in there with a grad student friend of mine, we couldn't friggin' believe how long we were sitting there. Cazuela's really must consider getting more, or better, help. Cazuela's is clearly in a good location, but it's going to have to get better in order to attract anybody other than undergrads who want to sit around hanging out for hours.
(2)
Jared W.
Living less than a minute walk from Cazuela's I really wish it was a good place to grab a solid bite to eat, but it simply isn't. The staff is very slow, inattentive, and overall not very good, and the food is mediocre. It certainly is far from authentic Mexican food, and there are a number of Mexican places I'd rather eat in Columbus. The food is also fairly overprices for the portions you receive, and in my opinion you'd be better off just heading down High Street to Moe's/Qdoba/Chipotle to get the same quality "Mexican" food for less money or going to a real authentic Mexican joint.
(2)
Jacinta Y.
So I have mixed feelings about Cazuela's. I had a fantastic margarita and some great tacos for a really great price here. However, the service was really questionable. Our waitress didn't really seem to be fully interested in working with us, disappeared for awkwardly long stretches of time, and simply did not fulfill some of our requests. Maybe it was just an off day though? At any rate, I'd probably be willing to give Cazuela's another shot in the future.
(3)
Brianna M.
My friends really love this place; I think it's just okay. The best thing about Cazuela's is the patio and the happy hour. I truly enjoyed my frozen margarita. They had lots of different flavors, including the first pomegranate one I've ever seen. I liked it. Can't say it truly tasted like pomegranate but it wasn't bad. I ordered the Tres Marias, which is three enchiladas with different fillings and sauces. By far the best sauce was the green sauce. It was a little spicy and had the most flavor out of everything. I'm going to order something with the green sauce next time. And there will be a next time. Like I said, my friends love this place.
(3)
Alex H.
Food is ok, but a fun place to drink and eat Mexican food for cheap. They have had many problems with their food quality in the past I hear, just as a heads up.
(2)
Mary Jane M.
I went here to meet some friends for dinner and it definitely wasn't as great as some had exclaimed. Perhaps it had to do with being intoxicated while eating there, but while sober it definitely is not amazing food. The Service wasn't too terrible, especially for how packed it gets, and the unlimited chips and salsa is great. The margaritas here are also good.
(3)
Sam L.
Food is OK. Nothing spectacular, fairly bland. I find myself here when I want some strong drinks at good prices, Happy hour is the time to go for sure. Other than that its a bit too expensive for some mediocre Mexican food. The wait staff is very friendly/polite though, so that's a plus.
(3)
Jazz M.
Was excited to try but used mouth wash and washed hands when I got home. 1. Dirty. As in grimy. I could scrape gunk off the table with a credit card. 2. Powder guac. Not real guac. The chunks are onion. 3. Terrible service. 4. Overpriced for the mediocre food. 5. I wish I would've just gone to Taco Bell.
(1)
Louis F.
pretty good food! I sat on the patio which was filled with guests. fun environment. I had a neon margarita and vegetarian burrito and left satisfied!
(4)
Ryan M.
Let me start off like Julia J.: There are many other Mexican joints in Columbus that will give you better service, serve you better drinks and have more delicious food. That being said, it's almost passable. I ordered a Chile Relleno and it came out flat and firm, like a green piece of leather. Normally, the poblano is braised and cooked, stuffed with queso chihuahua...I think that might have happened at some point along the way, but can't be sure. This dish should be TENDER and juicy, not dry and tough. The waitress told me to use my knife(which, had me rolling with laughter). That was still difficult. As for the other stuff...the other dishes seemed o.k. I'm still happy driving 10-15 miles to Los Camperos for authentic Mexican.
(2)
Daniel W.
I come here with friends, friends of friends, girlfriends and their friends. I love the Margarita here and the outdoor patio in the summer. The staff is Authentic, the atmosphere is nice, and the food is always excellent. Been here many times while a student at OSU. & never been disappointed. P.S. Don't do the burrito challenge.
(5)
Mindy W.
Definitely not my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Columbus, but it beats El Vaquero by miles. I like to come here simply because it's close to my house and they have a patio. If Las Patronas had a patio, I would never waste my time coming to Cazuela's. The service isn't stellar, their margaritas aren't the best and it gets really packed. Like most Mexican food places, their carnitas are really good. I'm not sure I've ever had bad carnitas, though. They are very particular about the chips, which I understand as it's on campus, but I always feel like a criminal if anyone I'm with asks for more. Honestly, this used to be my second favorite Mexican restaurant in Columbus. My biggest complaint would be the time they asked me and my dining partner to move. We were sitting at a two seater, and a large group came in. Instead of letting us finish, they literally asked us to move so they could accomidate the larger party. I get it, you want to make money, a larger party will help you do so, but ever since then, I've really disliked coming here. They didn't really help with moving anything, and it was quite mortifying to have to carry all of our stuff from one table to another in the middle of eating. How rude! Since it is a college bar/restaurant I don't feel like I can let myself come here and complain about the wait/ bad service/ lack of chips. There are other places I can go instead, places where I'm not the oldest person there at the ripe old age of 25, places where I don't mind waiting and places with better food and drinks (La Casita, duh)
(2)
Melanie B.
There's sort of an unspoken rule among grad student instructors: we don't usually hang out at campus bars. The last time (before today) I was at Cazuela's, one of my (sinfully blonde college co-ed type) students accosted me here and sort of just longingly gazed drunkenly at me. Mmm. Come on, it's forreal dangerous. So, okay fine, in my case I avoid campus bars because I have very little self control and would like to keep my job. ;) But, Amy G., rock star that she is, is graduating tomorrow (!!!) so I met her and Erin M., along with Amy's mum, for lunch/drinks at Cazuelas after her last final and before she moves away (*sob*). Fortunately no accosting happened today - however, it was senior pub crawl, much to our horror? amusement? titilation? (oh wait, that last one's just me.) Anyway, aside from the seniors who were clearly starting early, everything was lovely. Just to set the mood, I noted one mega-margarita drinking girl writing on another mega-margarita drinking girl's "bar check list" t shirt "You look like a dildo." Yes, these are the fine students we educate here at OSU). The bonus of Cazuela's in the summer is the patio, which we enjoyed under the shade of an umbrella - it's HOT today. I ride my bike by Cazuela's to/from school all the time, and often gaze longingly at this patio - the only drawback is that most of the time, it's crammed with college co-ed and Greek life types... but otherwise, it's pretty ideal. Today it wasn't too bad - most of the students are still taking finals or gearing up for the aforementioned pub crawl. The food here is good, and seems pretty authentic (ps I love it when the white bred co-eds eat real ethnic food without even knowing it, because the place has good drink deals, etc). Amy's tacos looked amazing - authentic style, with soft shells and just meat with cilantro and whatnot. My veggie burrito was good, I liked the squash in it, but it wasn't anything that made me exclaim or wiggle. Oh and they played Lady Gaga FOUR times while I was there. (That's is plus ten cool points in this pop culture teacher's book). Everyone seemed to enjoy the food/convo/experience, and I'm really glad I have something to override the last awkward experience I had here. Really, girls. Don't tempt me. ;)
(3)
dana v.
Oh...tippity-top-rate melt-in-your-mouth carnitas in columbus ohio! God bless this midwestern town. I'm already planning our next date: all-you-can-drink horchata and --- dare I try your seafood specialities? I dare. and I do.
(5)
Sally W.
As a happy hour margarita scene, I get it. They have a nice casual atmosphere and serve their daquiris with absurdly wide straws. But why do they even bother serving food? They got my order wrong, and it didn't even look anything like the picture on the menu. More like pink chicken crammed into a flour tortilla from Giant Eagle. If I were drunk at 5 on a Tuesday (hey, some people were and I'm not judging) maybe I wouldn't care, but what I got was not Mexican food.
(1)
Cristin S.
When I went to OSU and it was a Thursday(Well maybe any day) and happy hour you could either find me here or laying at the oval any given time! I would come have appetizers and margaritas and then start my night! The servers became friends and this is a perfect place to start or meet friends for a quick getaway! Is this a 5 star restaurant? No! But it's a solid, easy, good, choice!
(4)
Kelly L.
From service to food everything was perfect when my boyfriend and I visited Casuelas. Our server "Shaggy" (I feel terrible I cant remember his real name) gave me an excellent recommendation and was helpful and swift without being overbearing. We WILL return excitedly because the memories created here were flawless. Thank you for upholding standards of service and quality of food :)
(5)
Anando S.
Food is incredibly good, authentic and value for money. To boost it all its open very late. What brings down the rating is the terrible interior (which is still acceptable due to the economic value for the food) and lack of hygiene (unacceptable). There was filth on the floor along with lots of wasted food and nobody even bothered cleaning it.
(3)
Tabitha T.
Cazuela's is one of my favorite Mexican food places in Columbus, and definitely the best within 5 minutes of my North Campus house. I have tried several things there and loved them all: fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, and the PUERTO VALLARTA which I really recommend!! The Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful dish with shrimp, tilapia, and other assorted yummies, with melted cheese on top. Their margaritas are also really good. Oh, and if you want a free burrito, just finish their Mucho Macho burrito (basically filled with meat and salsa/hot sauce, and covered in hot sauce). If you eat the whole thing, it's free! They have lists of people's names on the wall who have finished it. A tip: get something on the side to cool the heat, like a cheese dip or sour cream or something. Regarding the service times other people have mentioned, it was really slow one time when we arrived within 30 minutes of close and they were busy cleaning up and putting things away (I imagine...) but aside from that, I have never had a problem with slow service or anything. I have been at many different times, too - sometimes busy, sometimes crowded - but if they had slow service before, they've definitely gotten some more help since. By the way, I'm from San Diego, so I have somewhat discriminating taste when it comes to these places, and I'm also living on a grad student budget so I can't go out to eat much. Still, I go to Cazuela's at least every 2 weeks - I think that really says something. Try it!
(5)
Tim J.
DON'T try the mucho macho burrito. By far hottest thing I've ever attempted, and my friend who did the triple atomic wings at Quaker steak with no problem only got thru half. After that fiasco, we ordered a couple apps, which were pretty good. Great chorizo in the queso fundido, and the sampler had a great variety, though was average quality. Service was pretty weak, oddly it was a Canadian guy who really wasn't that friendly or attentive. Wouldn't cross it off places to go back to, but I'll wait for another beautiful day and sit on the patio, and have a drink while people watching.
(3)
Joe E.
It would be nice to rank them a 4.5 for I sit on a fence. Been a regular since Cazuela's opened and most times we're greeted by a familiar face and/or served by a familiar server. I only knock them down for many visits they forget to bring my requested hot salsa (their standard is great, tastes homemade, but I prefer the spicier "salsa picosa"). In the earlier years, they didn't seem to 'get' little things like making sure menus and seats are clean (but would quickly correct it when pointed out). Fortunately, I've not seen that for some time now. This is one of the few restaurants I visit frequently - perhaps ten or more times a year. They've morphed through several improvements to decor and seating. The employees who have known us for years are genuinely sincere in making us feel part of the family. If you like the chain Mexican places its probable you won't like Cazuela's... or it will convert you to the mom and pop establishments. The food is good... actually excellent for the price, drinks are worthy of a second round and the patio is especially lively. I usually order one of a limited number of items (am vegetarian) and my Amigo and I both agree the same plates taste slightly different each time. Not radically different, but enough to know they're not ladling sauces from a can. They draw a campus crowd that meshes well with older peeps. Sometimes it can get a little rowdy late at night, but I've never witnessed anything over the top. Yes, I've had better Mexican... in other cities. The cuisine is one of my favorites and I'm perpetually scoping out new places around town. Cazuela's is one of my current top two or three.
(4)
Jackie P.
Cazuela's has what I like best: Tequila, Ice, and Artificial flavoring. Not all the hoopla of actual fruit in my margarita, because sometimes, I want that fake imitation flavor! And at 5.50 Jumbo lime marg's from 2-6, you can't beat that with a stick. Once I come in, I never leave. Don't make the mistake of ordering 3, however. You'll need carried out, literally. I've never eaten here, so I can't comment on the food, but the chips are always fresh!
(4)
Rich S.
I lived (essentially) across the street for 3 years and never ate here because the food is typical mexican american Sysco truck hot turbo garbage. The patio with gaggles of college girls lured in by cheap margaritas is the only thing this place has going for it.
(2)
Megan S.
I always enjoy the food here, but the service isn't exactly up to par. I went with a few friends, and there was an issue about lost property, and the staff were everything but helpful. The server tried avoiding us, and when we finally pulled their leg enough to get the manager to talk to us, he refused to look through receipts because it was 'too much paper'. If I were trying to keep a customer, I would do what I could to keep them satisfied. He could have fixed it, but he was too lazy to sift through a few receipts, and that says bad business to me.
(2)
Elizabeth B.
This is college food. Only the young without taste opinions or drunk can appreciate it. We started with about a half hour wait. We were willing to wait to sit outside , but from December 21st to January 1st the staff was pretty pushy about having use take an inside table. We ended up next to a loud table of drunk people and were unable to even have a conversation. I did the pick three combo, my food was just okay. Nothing to really rave about my dinner companions didn't like their meals at all and didn't even finish them. One of my party goes went for the Mucho Macho Burrito. Just don't do it unless you are wishing for an agonizing death. He gave it a valiant effort and made it about half way through. Our server was quick to bring the milk and sour cream. Once the challenge was failed I tried a bite. It burns the lips, has no flavor except fire, and worse yet it one of those the builds heat in time. One bite and I was in trouble. Even though I felt fine my sinuses decided they needed to drain and my right eye leaked tears. I'll never go here again, no matter how convenient.
(2)
Megan B.
Cazuelas was a favorite of my friends and mine all through school. Their flavored frozen margaritas are delicious and strong. The are very worth the money. The food is yummy and authentic. It can fit into a college kids budget. The patio is great for a spring day of drinking. It is small inside and gets packed quickly... Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a little. Recommend for sure!
(4)
Cory S.
Margaritas. Drink. Go home and pass out. It's cheap and if you feel like getting ripped on a warm sunny day at 2 in the afternoon, this place is your ticket.
(4)
Zach M.
It's in the university district and is a quick, cheap Mexican foot joint. You really can't expect much, yet it still disappoints. The patio is ok. The drinks are pretty respectable and that saves this place from being one star. The food is bad. Real bad. Undercooked, under-seasoned, bland tasting. Honestly the worst tamales I've ever had. Also it's pretty dirty is that type of thing bothers you. Not necessarily the kitchen (I have no idea, but am not optimistic) but more like my silverware had stuff on it and there is stuff stuck to the menu and my glass is chipped dirty.
(2)
Alex K.
I can't say I expect anything more. Every day from 2-6pm, and also at night from 10-11pm, it is happy hour. All I gotta say is: Half price appetizers. I love to get the sampler, which is normally $11 but it's $5.50 instead, and you get 7 awesome items. With all you can eat chips and salsa, it's a great deal. You can get a pitcher of margerita and get a free $6 appetizer. ALL DAY. Definitely worth it. Ask for the spicier salsa (they have 3 grades) and it's delicious. Personally, I really like the food, and I've lived in San Diego, home of the best burritos north of the border. Finally, the Mucho Macho burrito - an ultra spicy habanero burrito you have to finish in half an hour (they just added the time limit). Good times but very painful. Good servers, good, cheap food (at the right times). Can't ask for anything more.
(5)
Katie K.
I enjoyed the nacho chips and seemingly freshly made finely chopped salsa, plus the queso blanco dip with chorizo. My entree was the Puerto Vallarta, which was shrimp and tilapia on a bed of rice with beans and veggies, and I would give it a B+. Not bad at all. My husband, on the other hand, made the mistake of ordering the Mucho Macho Burrito, thinking that he does like spicy foods quite a bit. Well, it's a horrific concoction of searing pain and no other detectable flavors. We didn't notice the warnings posted on the wall about this dish until after we ordered. He regretted it because there were other things on the menu (which is large) that looked good. The service was friendly, although the place could use a good cleaning (sticky tables and floors). We sat inside, but the patio looked like a good place to be. In our mid thirties, we were older than most of the other customers.
(3)
Kevin M.
I came here for dinner recently, and the patio was packed. We wanted food, so we sat inside. The table we sat at had just been wiped down, as had the booth seats - which were therefore wet to the touch when we sat in them. At some point during the meal I got this enduring whiff of cleaning fluid or some other unpleasant smell coming from... somewhere. I got the vegetable fajitas, after being told that they don't actually make chiles rellenos (and one or two other things on their "make your own combo" list). Pretty much everything I was served was near-flavorless. My dining companion's meat-and-bean dish was in an odd sauce that tasted vaguely like it had been made with ketchup. So, I don't know that I can recommend eating here. Nonetheless, it's one of the few places on campus with a patio, lunch is absurdly cheap, and there are margaritas. That alone will ensure brisk business (90% of which is college-aged), but I doubt I'll be back.
(2)
Kimberly C.
This place has a great happy hour, with half price apps. I went here for lunch today, food was sooo good! Patio is relaxing, since the weather has been nice it was a treat to sit outside the first time I went. Chile rieno (sp?) and the queso dip is def. delicious. Will definitely come back.
(4)
Stephanie B.
I just finished a review of El Acapulco's up by the Crosswoods area a few hours ago. And Cazuela's Grill reminds me a lot of that place. Why? If you read my other review, you'll know what I'm talking about. I feel like every one of these authentic Mexican restaurants is the same. They are so similar in style, their food options are the same, and all their food tastes the same. I don't know how they do it. It's like they're all owned by the same person or company. Maybe they are. But I don't really think that this is a good thing, because I like variety! And I hate walking into one of these places for the first time and already knowing what my experience will be like. This was true for Cazuela's the first time I was here. Perfectly predictable. But the second time I was here was worse than I expected. Cazuela's is located just north of OSU campus on High St. Thus, it's not easy to find a good place to park unless you get lucky with a spot on one of the side streets. It's just this little place right on the corner of High and Northwood. It looks pretty cute from the outside. I remember when this place suddenly opened up. I was living on Norwich at the time, so I was thrilled to have a Mexican restaurant just down the block from me. It was like a 5 minute or less walk from my house. But unfortunately for me, I just wasn't that impressed with it. I'll talk about the second time I came here since it's the freshest in my mind. We drove there and found a place to park on a nearby street. It was an afternoon on a Saturday and I went with two friends. We were seated inside since it was cold out and we ordered some drinks - not alcoholic. I've heard good things about their margaritas, but it was too early in the day and too cold outside. We were sitting there with our menus, ready to order for the longest time. Our server had disappeared after giving us our drinks and was nowhere to be seen. After about 15 minutes, he appeared again and took our order. Like in my review for another authentic Mexican place, I'll tell you that nothing stood out on the menu as being original. It was the same stuff that you can find at any one of these kinds of restaurants. I went with the carnitas fajitas because it just sounded so good. I was hungry and was in the mood to build my own fajita with all the fixins they give you. We were all hungry. But we were in for a long wait. Our food took at least half an hour. And they weren't even busy! There were only 2 or 3 other tables in there at the time. We ended up staying here much longer than we intended to. And from what I've heard, this is common here. Don't visit this place if you want a quick meal. And I think there was only one server in the whole restaurant (which isn't big at all inside, but still). It was almost as if he was cooking the food and serving it, too since he'd disappear for so long! When our food did finally come out, we were ready to chow down. By this time we needed refills on our drinks, and our server was quite slow in refilling them. My two friends liked their food. They didn't really think it was anything special, but we were all so hungry that they were just glad to finally be eating. My carnitas fajitas were such a disappointment. I didn't think I could go wrong in ordering them, but apparently I did. The soft flour tortillas were good and warm, and the toppings for the fajitas were great - slices of avocado, pico de gallo, cheese, etc. But the carnitas (pork) just looked...not fresh. It was like overcooked and sort of hard. Hard to explain, but it didn't look fresh and juicy. It was as if all the juice was overcooked out of it or perhaps it had been sitting out all day. Either way, it was the worst carnitas I've ever had. I was able to salvage some of it and use it for my fajitas, but I had to pick around most of it because it was too tough and chewy to put on my tortillas. Such a shame, because I was starving and would have liked to eat it all. I didn't think that the portion sizes here were all that big, either. Both of my friends finished theirs quickly and I ate what I could. We all still felt like we could eat more. This place is pretty cheap so the prices aren't bad, but that's not really that great if it's not even enough food. It took our server quite some time to come back and bring us our check. And I suppose that I could have complained about my meat, but our server wasn't exactly the friendliest guy and he was hardly around, so I figured that it's just chalk this experience up as a miss. What this place might be really good for is sitting out on the patio and drinking margaritas. Maybe if you're not even ordering food, you can enjoy simple chips and salsa and their patio is really nice. It's surrounded by trees and looks like a really great place to sit and relax with friends. I left feeling cheated and I haven't been back and don't plan on it, especially since I no longer live in the area. Unless I go back for the margaritas and patio.
(2)
Brent C.
My brothers and I are regulars here on Thursday nights and love it. We have our own Cazuelas margarita cups and refill are only 8 bucks! The food is really good and the waiters are great. Benjamin is especially great.
(5)
Pete C.
With the OSU area being surprisingly devoid of genuine Mexican restaurants, Cazuela's seemed like manna from heaven when it first opened a few years back in it's North Campus location at the corner of High and Northwood. With the exception of Mad Mex, which has the manufactured "one-of-a-kind charm" of a Volkswagen Beetle, the only other option OSU students have for a meal within walking distance that bares some semblance to Mexican food is Taco Bell. Needless to say, we can close the book on that issue right there. I'm a firm believer that if you've seen one authentic Mexican restaurant in Columbus, you've seen them all. In that regard, the menu at Cazuela's is nothing out of the ordinary- a predictable selection of fajitas, taco platters, burritos, enchiladas, and so on and so forth. Clearly, this is no attempt to reinvent the wheel. They keep things simple here at Cazuela's, and thankfully they do a darn good job at it. The chicken strips in the fajitas I ordered on my first visit were at that perfect halfway point between adequately cooked and burnt to a crisp- just what the doctor ordered. The tortillas were soft and free of crispy, stale edges, which happens a lot more than one would expect at places like this in Columbus. I sampled the beef enchilada that my friend adjacent to me ordered and was equally impressed- gooey, cheesy, melted goodness that made Mad Mex and El Vaquero look foolish for ever trying. One thing that needed work however, was the salsa, which was runny and downright disappointing compared to the otherwise delicious spread of food in front of us. What really makes Cazuela's shine is its outdoor patio. Nestled under the shade that's generously provided by the canopy of trees lining Northwood Avenue, this small wooden enclosure bustles with energy provided by a friendly waitstaff and a dinky set of speakers that blasts hokey mariachi music for patrons to tap their feet to while they anticipate the arrival of their entrees. Even if you're just in the mood for a couple Coronas or a stiff margarita at happy hour to start the evening out with, the patio is a perfect place to chat with friends and watch the busy foot traffic of High St. pass by. If you're too late to snag a table outside, however, it might not even be worth it to stick around and eat in the indoor dining area. Fashioned from what used to be the living room of the house that Cazuela's now inhabits, the dining room feels more like the locale of a bad softcore porn movie than a Mexican restaurant. The walls are painted an obnoxious bright orange color and are dominated by enormous mirrors, which is likely to freak out anyone with more than just a couple of drinks in their system. If they'd tone it down a notch and ditch the Studio 54 mirrors, the place might feel a little more cozy and inviting. Instead, it manages to give off the vibes of a tanning bed dialed up to eleven. Regardless, the addition to Cazuela's to the otherwise spotty dining scene of the North Campus area is greatly appreciated and worth checking out. Whether you're in search of a Mexican feast of epic proportions or just a few drinks in a colorful and festive atmosphere, Cazuela's is the place to be.
(4)
Johaun C.
benefits from a great location. seriously, there are so many awesome places to eat around columbus, and their business would blow up if they could get on-campus somewhere. let me start off by saying i've only been twice. on that note, Cazuela's is mediocre to good mexican. like all other taquerias, meal starts off with mandatory chips 'n' salsa. salsa is good, nothing exceptional, but some of the chips from the fryer tended to be not-so-much crispy as oily and limp. i am a die-hard fan of authentic tacos and was unpleasantly surprised at how expensive their individual tacos are compared to other, much better taquerias (see Cuco's). regardless, i ordered the fish tacos (i get em anywhere i can), which were a recent addition to the menu. 3 of em came out with the ubiquitous rice and beans. the fish was of decent quality, but didn't have much grill flavor at all. worst of all, all mexican tacos should come with AT LEAST lime, onions and cilantro and sometimes even with some sort of sauce or salsa or vegis. these were literally pieces of fish in corn tortillas with a small spoonfull of pico di gallo. i had to ask for some wedges of lime. as for service, i doubt this is typical, but i really hope it just happened to be our waitress' first day because she kept forgetting things and mixing up orders so much we all felt sorry for her. the churros for dessert were the only real bright spot. like i said, only been here twice and it always seems packed, but i think this is largely due to a wonderful campus location without any real competition around.
(3)
Kaity K.
As an Ohio State alumnus, I have only fond memories of Cazuela's, and so obviously this is the place a few college friends and I chose to meet this weekend to catch up. It's still the same simple Mexican dishes with the same delicious margaritas that I remember! They have a huge selection of margarita flavors; I'm partial to the Yazi (kiwi and raspberry... Yum!). The happy hour features specials on the jumbo size, which packs a pretty heavy punch. The chips and salsa are constantly being brought to the table and are fried in house. They're always hot and delicious, and I could just sit and mindlessly put them into my mouth long past the time when I'm full (and trust me, I have!) Service is really the only thing that's hit or miss... A lot of the servers are college students who would rather be drinking the margs than bringing them to your table, but that's to be expected in a college town. Usually, there isn't a problem, but the waitress who was there on Saturday complained the entire time (about how there were 8 of us at a table, she burned her finger, it was hot out, etc.) but she was still very efficient. Definitely brings back some great memories!
(4)
Dennis L.
Much of what previous reviewers have written hold true - this place can serve mind blowing meals when you're hungry, but is otherwise just another Mexican restaurant. Columbus is full of great Mexican food and it is hard to see how Cazuela's stands out. Other reviewer talk highly of their margarita happy hour, which I have yet to try. This is my usual when I work at the clinic next door - something quick and cheap that can get me through the night. I'll admit I've never dined in at Cazuela's which could bias my reviews of the place. Flautas, the chimichanga, and fish tacos are all items I've tried as take-out with good result. I've yet to try to Mucho Macho Man challenge described by the other Yelpers, but I'm up for anything that results in a free t-shirt. The service is incredibly fast, the waiters are always very patient, and the prices are very reasonable for the portion sizes. The actual restaurant is a bit cramped and is usually a full house on most evenings. I can see wait times being pretty long if dining in - take-out has been relatively fast. It is clear it needs a nice new coat of paint and some wiping down. However, if Mexican restaurants are anything like Chinese restaurants, then the more of a dump they look the better the food. I'll continue to come back to explore their vast menu, but it is not a restaurant that I would seek out if I wasn't in the area.
(3)
Kiara E.
The food here can be hit or miss. I usually get a seafood chimichanga, however Cucos has better Chimis. Service leaves a lot to be desired...however....they have the challenge! Bring your most "Macho" friends and attempt the Mucho Macho Man challenge. I have witnessed this challenge at least 8 times (including some people trying more than once). The challenge is to eat a rather larger burrito (pork or chicken) AND sauce, in under 20 minutes. No milk, but you can have a pitcher of water. Watch your formally-macho friend's eyes start to water as they eat the ghost peppers inside the burrito, and struggle to chew the less than appetizing texture. There may be puke involved. Always a fun time! The challenge costs $10, unless you can finish it, and it will be free, AND YOU GET A T-SHIRT!!!! :P
(4)
Mary S.
If you get there early enough in the afternoon their margarita happy hour is bangin'. The margaritas themselves are very tasty! As for the food, the chips and dip are decent and my friends and I haven't had a bad experience with the other dishes. The beans and rice are good and I would recommend the chipotle chicken (if you're a fan of spicy food). Never had any issues with the service, though they are pretty laid back (which I don't mind too much, but I know it bothers some people). I think they mostly hire college and high school-aged students. The atmosphere of the patio is nice, especially in the summer when there aren't five billion OSU students milling around. Never eaten inside the building, will have to try that one of these days. Would recommend.
(3)
Melvyn D.
Food is delicious. The margaritas are good. Haven't had any real problems. The service is usually great, they bring water out for my dog when we sit on the patio! Once out of a hundred times the waitress was a bit rude, but in general the place is great.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
This place is definitly my go-to for day drinking in the sun, they have a great patio and delicious margaritas in just about any flavor you can think of. It's pretty laid back and casual and the staff is always very friendly. They also have very addictive cheese dip and guacamole.
(5)
Naiying C.
Everything is pretty subpar, I know you shouldn't expect much since this is the university district but at least you can do a little better. The interior...just feels dirty. I guess when you are really drunk and don't care about what your food taste like, this is the place to go!
(2)
Atom W.
Great location with a patio! Northwood at High Street. I like that El Yucateco hot sauce is on the table. I am also a sap for good free salsa, so we begin on two high points. Tonight I am having the pick three combo ($9.75) beef chimichanga, beef sopa, and a spinach quesadilla with rice and Refried beans. The rice is fluffy and full of flavor, however the beans (garnished with quesadilla cheese) were a little bland. The sopa was soft and chewy, both opposite of the desired texture. The spinach quesadilla is perfect! Browned and crisp tortilla, and melty cheese and spinach inside. Loved it! The chimichanga was also great! The queso was not too spicy, and they didn't fry the tortilla too crisp (a common chimichanga error). I think all-in-all it was a great meal. The service was friendly, prompt, and knowledgable about their menu. My food was out very quickly and prepared pretty well. In spite of a few minor issues the food was phenomenal, and a great value for under $10. I will be returning to this location, and recommend others give it a shot!
(4)
Colleen R.
Cazuela's is a good place to grab decent Mexican food. I've tried a few things here - margaritas, quesadillas, nachos and tacos. The food is ok. It definitely isn't authentic, but most people don't seek out great Mexican here. Most people come here for the margaritas which are tasty. They are fruity, sugary and filled with an ungodly amount of calories I'm sure. I like the raspberry flavor. My biggest complaint is the size! Any night (especially Thursday-Saturday) is going to be packed. I went here with friends on a Thursday night, and we had to wait for an hour to get a table. During the evening/night, college kids come here to sit and drink.... and drink.... and drink.... and don't move. When the weather is good, the patio opens up so there are more seats, but during the winter it is impossible to get a seat. My best advice is to keep your expectations low for the food and order a margarita.
(3)
Madison R.
Was in the area with a friend today and stopped by for a late lunch. I made a meal out of the quesadilla ($4 during happy hour) and a margarita. Totally hit the spot. Super cheap.
(4)
Luke T.
Cazuela's has changed a lot over the past few years so I think an update is in order. This is still the best salsa I've had at a cbus Mexican restaurant, and I've been to many. However, they have moved slowly more toward catering to the drunken underage crowd. I'm sure that's a financial boon for them, but the place is a bit of a mess at times as a result. I still go here all the time, the food is still solid, service still quick. But they are now doing margarita happy hour and late night happy hour specials, a refill glass night, and several other promotions that just bring in an annoying contingent and keep the place packed and dirty. They also have a burrito challenge now. Numerous people have beaten it, but the deal isn't its size so much as the heat, from what I understand. Still open late, still cheap, just overrun with underage drunken kids.
(3)
Lauren H.
I had been here once many years ago and had a decent experience. The other night i was craving Mexican food so I stopped here after work to get some to bring home. I was kind of disappointed that they had no where for you to wait for a to go order. When I got home with my order I opened the two boxes and realized that they had forgotten half of my order, which wasn't very hard. And the food looked like an animal vomited in the container. The food had no taste and overall it was incredibly disappointing.
(2)
Peter L.
I should have listened to all the reviews warning against trying the Mucho Macho Burrito. The waiter even told me not to get it multiple times, but I insisted. I mean, it's $10 and it's free if you finish it -- how hard could it be? HUGE mistake. If you're curious how a mouthful of ghost peppers tastes like, let me just tell you. IT TASTES LIKE PAIN. Like pain that makes you want to saw off your tongue while you're pouring sweat, shaking in your chair and crying. What a huge mistake. Well, four tall glasses of water, a couple beers and an hour later, I ate some fish tacos. Cazuela's is pretty standard Mexican food, nothing too crazy good or bad. Having a patio is cool, but the service was pretty slow. The place is A-OK.
(3)
Kara K.
The boy & I went to Cazuela's this past Friday night. I had done a class project on Cazuela's senior year of college, but somehow it still took me five years to eat there. There's really nothing special about it. It's your typical campus area restaurant - full of college kids, lots of drink specials, and not very clean. We left feeling full, but not very satisfied. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't very good either, just meh. It was cheaper than El Vaquero's, but still not worth it. As we left the boy remarked that for kids living on campus without a car this is probably a good option, but those with a car (or who don't live on campus), they'd be much better off driving to El Vaq's or El Rancho Grande.
(3)
Ben K.
Good mexican food, pretty cheap/ good drinks, friendly folks. The building is ok, but this is a a campus joint, so you cant expect too much. I think the food is good. For the price, I cant complain. The servers are pretty nice too and do speak English well. I would have given four stars, except the last few times I have gone it has been to place a large carry-out order for a group, and this new manager guy has told me the package I normally order for this group is not available and never has been. Both times I have had to show him an older receipt of the order so that he will ring it up the correct way. That guy is a bozo, but aside from him, the place is great! :)
(4)
Nijole T.
Ok are the prices and the fast and super friendly service, the food not mindblowing whatsoever. Happy hour daily until 6 pm can't be beat, we got the sampler for $5 which covered all the bases with flautas, chimi, quesadillas and sauced. We also got another chimi like app which wasn't so great, tastewise and quality just isn't there but I imagine after a couple of the super cheap drinks they offer this can pass as descent mexican fare. We also got an enchilada, burrito and house salad so that we get to sample a bit of everything, all that for $20 and we were stuffed! Unfortunatly the only dressing they had was ranch, but they gave me guac and salsa so I was pretty happy with that. Meatwise, we tried the al pastor, made with steak which was the meat, the chicken shredded and boiled not so great, the carnitas very fatty and I just prefer flour over corn tortillas. The sauces also were not very good, but still edible. In all perfect for broke college kids which is what Cazuelas was packed with, meaning not recommened for a quiet family meal, but great to get drunk for cheap and soak it up with greasy fast food.
(3)
Ashley K.
The food is ok and the service can sometimes suck, but their margaritas are the bomb digity
(4)
Mary M.
Who puts sour cream in guacamole? We just moved to Columbus and were doing a "bar crawl" from our new house to campus and had to cut things short after we both got a stomachache from the too sweet margaritas and sour-cream-guacamole. Staff were all very friendly and nice, so I hate to give this place a low rating, but I wish the food was better!
(3)
Valissa W.
The scene: a lovely late summer eve on Cazuela's patio, a happy and hungry group of friends has convened for dinner and drinks. After waiting more than 5 minutes for any sort of acknowledgment from the staff, the following ensued: "Oh, excuse me, can we get a menu please?" *crickets* "Oh waiter? Uhhh... hi?" Waiter, grumbling, "What?!" Fifteen minutes later he returns with a drink menu only, which he plunks down without even making eye contact, never to be seen again. Much like the still hungry and formerly happy group of friends.
(1)
Elizabeth N.
Went there on a somewhat busy weeknight and was impressed by the service and surprisingly fine with the food. I had spinach and mushroom enchiladas and they were crammed with vegetables and swimming in just enough delicious cheese. It wasn't knock your socks off amazing, but it was good, arrived about six minutes after I ordered it, and went well with the delicious margaritas. Bottom line: if you live or work near here and you're craving some Mexican food and you're not too particular about whether it's authentic, you don't need to drive anywhere to find.
(4)
Clayton L.
Context: Weekly Drinks Time of Visit: Thursdays, 9:30PM Even though I have it less frequently, Cazuela's is still a personal favorite of mine. However, just because I love it, doesn't make it automatically worthy of a good review. First note goes without saying: it is a college establishment. I occasionally see non-college-age individuals there, but they would definitely be in the minority. The decor is a little strange, but the atmosphere is very casual. There is very little seating inside, so expect a wait in the winter months. The patio outside is pretty large and is an excellent place to dine. Meals are about $8-$10, but from 2-6PM and 10-11PM M-F, they have margarita specials and half-price apps. Chicken Nachos end up being like $4.00, which is pretty good. The margaritas are probably full of well liquor and an ungodly amount of sugar, but I always get them (tip: raspberry and mango strawberry are very good). Service is inconsistent: it depends on the server. They can either be really good (fill your water, bring you lots of chips, etc.) or absolutely atrocious (barely acknowledge your existence). This review can't accurately reflect why I was a frequent customer of Cauela's: you really just have to go and try it for yourself.
(4)
Nicole W.
Wish I had read the reviews before I stumbled on this place. Was preparing for a day of studying and thought I deserved a fun lunch. We sat on the patio and it was dirty, dirty, dirty. The food was dryyyyyyyyy. If the tacos aren't good...there is no hope for the rest of the food! And the poor server was so sweet and looked like a tired, older man who had way too many tables and so it was slow - but I left feeling so bad for him. Passsssss.
(2)
Julia J.
There are many other Mexican joints in Columbus that will give you better service, serve you better drinks and have more delicious food. Still- my visit to Cazuela's Grill after a buckeye game was a pretty good experience for that needed post-tailgate meal. I would come back here on game day if there wasn't a wait, but otherwise, I'll let the OSU student community enjoy it on their own.
(3)
Luke A.
As authentic as it gets. This restaurant is very close to OSU Columbus campus and it has a lot of options for lunch. We had a beef fajitas and flautas(1 per person) and it was both good. The waitress will add chips for you for free! It could have been more spicy and i suggest to get their beef fajitas :D
I'm so disappointed! D: It's unfortunate that one visit can ruin such a lovely idea of a place, but that was my last visit to Cazuela's. I ordered the chimichanga and wasn't nearly filled by it - it was downright small. As my friend and gf sipped on margarita's, I decided to order the food challenge habanero burrito they had advertised on the wall. The burrito took about 20 minutes to get to me, and in this time I was about ready to walk out. When the burrito came to me, the first thing that pervaded my senses was the sight of it. A large burrito with a cup of pulverized habeneros piled on top. My friend noted that it looked like the chef made the burrito and threw up on it, and I couldn't agree more. I took my first bite, and immediately regretted it. DISGUSTING. COLD. UNPALATABLE. These were the first words to come to mind. Disgusting: why would they serve this to anyone? It's just tortilla and cold refried beans! Cold: I repeat, it tasted like they pulled it out of the fridge and tried to microwave it for 10 seconds to heat up the outside. Unpalatable: I don't know how knowledgeable most people are about hot peppers, but the habanero is not only 100 times hotter than the jalapeno, but it also has a very pungent, bitter taste to it when not prepared right. I learned this training for a hot wing challenge involving naga jolokia peppers (10 times as hot as habaneros) where I ate habaneros I grew in my garden raw to prepare for the event - and as testament that I'm not a spicy food or food challenge wuss, I got through 4.5 out of 6 of those wings. One bite into this disgusting slump and I realized that whomever prepared it was trying to make the most gross, unappetizing, unpalatable burrito possible. Never again, never again. And that makes me sad, because my first impression was so good.
(1)
Katie B.
This place is waaaay overrated. I can't blame them too much for slow service since they've been busy every time I've been there, but the quality of the food can't really be accounted for. I've received stale chips here before, and I've received lukewarm food on several occasions. The fajitas are usually the safest bet since they come out so hot. The margs are very strong here, which is really the only redeeming quality in my book.
(2)
Amy G.
OSU students, this is not Taco Bell. This is not Chipotle. This is definitely not Qdoba. But this is one of the things I miss most from home: delicious, greasy-spoon, comforting Mexican food. If you come here expecting sanitized quesadillas, salads heaped with grilled chicken, avocado, and ranch, or burritos with rice in them, hell, you're going to be sorely disappointed. But if artery hardening joy and massive, rum-heavy drinks are what you seek? Welcome to heaven. Cazuela's, in a small storefront just north of campus, has a huge menu, catering to American palates with slightly Mexicanized versions of burgers and chicken parmigiana but, trust me, just go for the Mexican-American classics. The spicy-sweet tamales here are delicious, the chicken enchiladas are rich and homey, tacos bring options of flour or corn tortillas, and the quesadillas-- yes, those I teased a moment ago-- are huge and filled with flavorful sauteed vegetables and mild Mexican cheese. For me, the shining star is the nachos supremos. A half order runs around $4.95 and it's definitely the best dining deal around the campus area. Heaped with beans, queso, lettuce, tomato, ground beef, and chicken, it's rich and hugely filling. Top it with Cazuela's excellent salty, slightly smoky, spicy chorizo-- definitely worth it for the extra dollar. Oh, and the drinks. Cazuela's owners often have great discounts available to students; just check their website for coupons before heading over. They also have wonderful happy hour specials like half price appetizers and are always playing great reggaeton selections. Contrary to other reviewers, I've also found the service polite, attentive, and speedy. With all the chain restaurants springing up around the campus area, who really needs another place to grab wings and beer? Try something new and support a local establishment by heading to Cazuela's.
(4)
Andrea M.
If you want to settle with so-so Mexican food, this is the place to go. Not terrible, but nothing to write home about. I actually think that it's completely overpriced for what you get. I have been here a few times, and besides the margaritas, I really wasn't impressed with the food. The chips are ok, kind of bland and generic, but chips nonetheless (and free). The last time I was here, I came with my boyfriend, and both him and I were disappointed with the food. I ordered a taco salad and he ordered one of the combo meals, and both meals were skimpy portions of food for how much we paid. If you want real, quality Mexican food, I would recommend going somewhere else. But the margaritas are terrific! Thus why I gave this place three stars and not two. They have this jumbo margarita deal, where if you buy this huge margarita glass for $15 (ish), you always get refills after your purchased margarita. They also have a fairly decent patio on the side, so it's fun to sit back and people watch on a nice day.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Samantha A.
The margaritas are strong and very tasty! Don't get the strawberry daiquiri but the food is also good. Great place for Osu students, great happy hour deals!
(4)Laryn C.
I had a wonderful experience at Cazuela's... It was a bit crowded (the dining room is small when the patio isn't open), but the service was fast and friendly, and the food was comfortably between American-Mexican and authentic Mexican cuisine. Within two minutes of sitting down and ordering drinks, warm tortilla chips and salsa were brought to our table. The waiter was extremely nice (and cute) and answered any questions that we had. The menu is relatively extensive - you can make all sorts of combos or just order a meat or vegetarian platter. Our food took no time at all to come out and it was cheap for all that you get! The only drawback to this place is that it's usually over-crowded with loud college kids. It's definitely not a place you want to go on a date (unless you can get the patio on a weekday), but if you're looking for good Mexican food that you don't want to pay crazy prices for and isn't totally Americanized like Mad Mex, then Cazuela's is a great choice!
(5)Kenley M.
The phrase "hit-and-miss" describes several aspects of Cazuela's: the food, the service, the availability of seating. But not the price. The price always hits.
(3)Emily H.
Cazuela's has definitely gone downhill since opening. You used to get your food in 10 minutes. Last time I visited, it took our surly waiter 15 minutes to tell me they didn't have chiles rellenos. I've never seen anyone resembling a manager here, so I get the sense the waitstaff doesn't feel like they're held accountable, and they're probably not. Their recent strategy seems to be increasing the alcohol offerings and decreasing the food while having an attitude about everything. Unfortunately El Vaquero's seems to be having the same problem lately, and they have more seating. Depending on which location is more convenient, I'm equally likely to check out either.
(3)Judson B.
Love this place. Great patio for drinking delicious margaritas with your food. Decent prices. Sometimes it can get packed though. It isn't that big of a place so try calling ahead because parking can be a pain.
(5)Matthew M.
By the droves of college students who frequent Cazuela's, one might expect it to be a gem of a place to eat. In truth, i think it's the close proximity to OSU and its patio on High Street that account for its popularity. The food isn't bad, just mediocre, but the two or three time i've been there it's taken a real long time to get service and for the food to come out of the kitchen. "How long?", you ask? Long enough that i could go in clean shaven and have a five o'clock shadow by the time my enchiladas arrive. So long that i could order my rellenos at Cazuela's, drop a letter in the mailbox addressed to myself at my new Cazuela's address, receive the letter at my booth, read the letter, go outside and burn the letter per the instructions in the letter, walk back in, and still have to watch a few minutes of Mexican soap operas before my rellenos arrive. Of course i exaggerate, but the last time i was in there with a grad student friend of mine, we couldn't friggin' believe how long we were sitting there. Cazuela's really must consider getting more, or better, help. Cazuela's is clearly in a good location, but it's going to have to get better in order to attract anybody other than undergrads who want to sit around hanging out for hours.
(2)Jared W.
Living less than a minute walk from Cazuela's I really wish it was a good place to grab a solid bite to eat, but it simply isn't. The staff is very slow, inattentive, and overall not very good, and the food is mediocre. It certainly is far from authentic Mexican food, and there are a number of Mexican places I'd rather eat in Columbus. The food is also fairly overprices for the portions you receive, and in my opinion you'd be better off just heading down High Street to Moe's/Qdoba/Chipotle to get the same quality "Mexican" food for less money or going to a real authentic Mexican joint.
(2)Jacinta Y.
So I have mixed feelings about Cazuela's. I had a fantastic margarita and some great tacos for a really great price here. However, the service was really questionable. Our waitress didn't really seem to be fully interested in working with us, disappeared for awkwardly long stretches of time, and simply did not fulfill some of our requests. Maybe it was just an off day though? At any rate, I'd probably be willing to give Cazuela's another shot in the future.
(3)Brianna M.
My friends really love this place; I think it's just okay. The best thing about Cazuela's is the patio and the happy hour. I truly enjoyed my frozen margarita. They had lots of different flavors, including the first pomegranate one I've ever seen. I liked it. Can't say it truly tasted like pomegranate but it wasn't bad. I ordered the Tres Marias, which is three enchiladas with different fillings and sauces. By far the best sauce was the green sauce. It was a little spicy and had the most flavor out of everything. I'm going to order something with the green sauce next time. And there will be a next time. Like I said, my friends love this place.
(3)Alex H.
Food is ok, but a fun place to drink and eat Mexican food for cheap. They have had many problems with their food quality in the past I hear, just as a heads up.
(2)Mary Jane M.
I went here to meet some friends for dinner and it definitely wasn't as great as some had exclaimed. Perhaps it had to do with being intoxicated while eating there, but while sober it definitely is not amazing food. The Service wasn't too terrible, especially for how packed it gets, and the unlimited chips and salsa is great. The margaritas here are also good.
(3)Sam L.
Food is OK. Nothing spectacular, fairly bland. I find myself here when I want some strong drinks at good prices, Happy hour is the time to go for sure. Other than that its a bit too expensive for some mediocre Mexican food. The wait staff is very friendly/polite though, so that's a plus.
(3)Jazz M.
Was excited to try but used mouth wash and washed hands when I got home. 1. Dirty. As in grimy. I could scrape gunk off the table with a credit card. 2. Powder guac. Not real guac. The chunks are onion. 3. Terrible service. 4. Overpriced for the mediocre food. 5. I wish I would've just gone to Taco Bell.
(1)Louis F.
pretty good food! I sat on the patio which was filled with guests. fun environment. I had a neon margarita and vegetarian burrito and left satisfied!
(4)Ryan M.
Let me start off like Julia J.: There are many other Mexican joints in Columbus that will give you better service, serve you better drinks and have more delicious food. That being said, it's almost passable. I ordered a Chile Relleno and it came out flat and firm, like a green piece of leather. Normally, the poblano is braised and cooked, stuffed with queso chihuahua...I think that might have happened at some point along the way, but can't be sure. This dish should be TENDER and juicy, not dry and tough. The waitress told me to use my knife(which, had me rolling with laughter). That was still difficult. As for the other stuff...the other dishes seemed o.k. I'm still happy driving 10-15 miles to Los Camperos for authentic Mexican.
(2)Daniel W.
I come here with friends, friends of friends, girlfriends and their friends. I love the Margarita here and the outdoor patio in the summer. The staff is Authentic, the atmosphere is nice, and the food is always excellent. Been here many times while a student at OSU. & never been disappointed. P.S. Don't do the burrito challenge.
(5)Mindy W.
Definitely not my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Columbus, but it beats El Vaquero by miles. I like to come here simply because it's close to my house and they have a patio. If Las Patronas had a patio, I would never waste my time coming to Cazuela's. The service isn't stellar, their margaritas aren't the best and it gets really packed. Like most Mexican food places, their carnitas are really good. I'm not sure I've ever had bad carnitas, though. They are very particular about the chips, which I understand as it's on campus, but I always feel like a criminal if anyone I'm with asks for more. Honestly, this used to be my second favorite Mexican restaurant in Columbus. My biggest complaint would be the time they asked me and my dining partner to move. We were sitting at a two seater, and a large group came in. Instead of letting us finish, they literally asked us to move so they could accomidate the larger party. I get it, you want to make money, a larger party will help you do so, but ever since then, I've really disliked coming here. They didn't really help with moving anything, and it was quite mortifying to have to carry all of our stuff from one table to another in the middle of eating. How rude! Since it is a college bar/restaurant I don't feel like I can let myself come here and complain about the wait/ bad service/ lack of chips. There are other places I can go instead, places where I'm not the oldest person there at the ripe old age of 25, places where I don't mind waiting and places with better food and drinks (La Casita, duh)
(2)Melanie B.
There's sort of an unspoken rule among grad student instructors: we don't usually hang out at campus bars. The last time (before today) I was at Cazuela's, one of my (sinfully blonde college co-ed type) students accosted me here and sort of just longingly gazed drunkenly at me. Mmm. Come on, it's forreal dangerous. So, okay fine, in my case I avoid campus bars because I have very little self control and would like to keep my job. ;) But, Amy G., rock star that she is, is graduating tomorrow (!!!) so I met her and Erin M., along with Amy's mum, for lunch/drinks at Cazuelas after her last final and before she moves away (*sob*). Fortunately no accosting happened today - however, it was senior pub crawl, much to our horror? amusement? titilation? (oh wait, that last one's just me.) Anyway, aside from the seniors who were clearly starting early, everything was lovely. Just to set the mood, I noted one mega-margarita drinking girl writing on another mega-margarita drinking girl's "bar check list" t shirt "You look like a dildo." Yes, these are the fine students we educate here at OSU). The bonus of Cazuela's in the summer is the patio, which we enjoyed under the shade of an umbrella - it's HOT today. I ride my bike by Cazuela's to/from school all the time, and often gaze longingly at this patio - the only drawback is that most of the time, it's crammed with college co-ed and Greek life types... but otherwise, it's pretty ideal. Today it wasn't too bad - most of the students are still taking finals or gearing up for the aforementioned pub crawl. The food here is good, and seems pretty authentic (ps I love it when the white bred co-eds eat real ethnic food without even knowing it, because the place has good drink deals, etc). Amy's tacos looked amazing - authentic style, with soft shells and just meat with cilantro and whatnot. My veggie burrito was good, I liked the squash in it, but it wasn't anything that made me exclaim or wiggle. Oh and they played Lady Gaga FOUR times while I was there. (That's is plus ten cool points in this pop culture teacher's book). Everyone seemed to enjoy the food/convo/experience, and I'm really glad I have something to override the last awkward experience I had here. Really, girls. Don't tempt me. ;)
(3)dana v.
Oh...tippity-top-rate melt-in-your-mouth carnitas in columbus ohio! God bless this midwestern town. I'm already planning our next date: all-you-can-drink horchata and --- dare I try your seafood specialities? I dare. and I do.
(5)Sally W.
As a happy hour margarita scene, I get it. They have a nice casual atmosphere and serve their daquiris with absurdly wide straws. But why do they even bother serving food? They got my order wrong, and it didn't even look anything like the picture on the menu. More like pink chicken crammed into a flour tortilla from Giant Eagle. If I were drunk at 5 on a Tuesday (hey, some people were and I'm not judging) maybe I wouldn't care, but what I got was not Mexican food.
(1)Cristin S.
When I went to OSU and it was a Thursday(Well maybe any day) and happy hour you could either find me here or laying at the oval any given time! I would come have appetizers and margaritas and then start my night! The servers became friends and this is a perfect place to start or meet friends for a quick getaway! Is this a 5 star restaurant? No! But it's a solid, easy, good, choice!
(4)Kelly L.
From service to food everything was perfect when my boyfriend and I visited Casuelas. Our server "Shaggy" (I feel terrible I cant remember his real name) gave me an excellent recommendation and was helpful and swift without being overbearing. We WILL return excitedly because the memories created here were flawless. Thank you for upholding standards of service and quality of food :)
(5)Anando S.
Food is incredibly good, authentic and value for money. To boost it all its open very late. What brings down the rating is the terrible interior (which is still acceptable due to the economic value for the food) and lack of hygiene (unacceptable). There was filth on the floor along with lots of wasted food and nobody even bothered cleaning it.
(3)Tabitha T.
Cazuela's is one of my favorite Mexican food places in Columbus, and definitely the best within 5 minutes of my North Campus house. I have tried several things there and loved them all: fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, quesadillas, and the PUERTO VALLARTA which I really recommend!! The Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful dish with shrimp, tilapia, and other assorted yummies, with melted cheese on top. Their margaritas are also really good. Oh, and if you want a free burrito, just finish their Mucho Macho burrito (basically filled with meat and salsa/hot sauce, and covered in hot sauce). If you eat the whole thing, it's free! They have lists of people's names on the wall who have finished it. A tip: get something on the side to cool the heat, like a cheese dip or sour cream or something. Regarding the service times other people have mentioned, it was really slow one time when we arrived within 30 minutes of close and they were busy cleaning up and putting things away (I imagine...) but aside from that, I have never had a problem with slow service or anything. I have been at many different times, too - sometimes busy, sometimes crowded - but if they had slow service before, they've definitely gotten some more help since. By the way, I'm from San Diego, so I have somewhat discriminating taste when it comes to these places, and I'm also living on a grad student budget so I can't go out to eat much. Still, I go to Cazuela's at least every 2 weeks - I think that really says something. Try it!
(5)Tim J.
DON'T try the mucho macho burrito. By far hottest thing I've ever attempted, and my friend who did the triple atomic wings at Quaker steak with no problem only got thru half. After that fiasco, we ordered a couple apps, which were pretty good. Great chorizo in the queso fundido, and the sampler had a great variety, though was average quality. Service was pretty weak, oddly it was a Canadian guy who really wasn't that friendly or attentive. Wouldn't cross it off places to go back to, but I'll wait for another beautiful day and sit on the patio, and have a drink while people watching.
(3)Joe E.
It would be nice to rank them a 4.5 for I sit on a fence. Been a regular since Cazuela's opened and most times we're greeted by a familiar face and/or served by a familiar server. I only knock them down for many visits they forget to bring my requested hot salsa (their standard is great, tastes homemade, but I prefer the spicier "salsa picosa"). In the earlier years, they didn't seem to 'get' little things like making sure menus and seats are clean (but would quickly correct it when pointed out). Fortunately, I've not seen that for some time now. This is one of the few restaurants I visit frequently - perhaps ten or more times a year. They've morphed through several improvements to decor and seating. The employees who have known us for years are genuinely sincere in making us feel part of the family. If you like the chain Mexican places its probable you won't like Cazuela's... or it will convert you to the mom and pop establishments. The food is good... actually excellent for the price, drinks are worthy of a second round and the patio is especially lively. I usually order one of a limited number of items (am vegetarian) and my Amigo and I both agree the same plates taste slightly different each time. Not radically different, but enough to know they're not ladling sauces from a can. They draw a campus crowd that meshes well with older peeps. Sometimes it can get a little rowdy late at night, but I've never witnessed anything over the top. Yes, I've had better Mexican... in other cities. The cuisine is one of my favorites and I'm perpetually scoping out new places around town. Cazuela's is one of my current top two or three.
(4)Jackie P.
Cazuela's has what I like best: Tequila, Ice, and Artificial flavoring. Not all the hoopla of actual fruit in my margarita, because sometimes, I want that fake imitation flavor! And at 5.50 Jumbo lime marg's from 2-6, you can't beat that with a stick. Once I come in, I never leave. Don't make the mistake of ordering 3, however. You'll need carried out, literally. I've never eaten here, so I can't comment on the food, but the chips are always fresh!
(4)Rich S.
I lived (essentially) across the street for 3 years and never ate here because the food is typical mexican american Sysco truck hot turbo garbage. The patio with gaggles of college girls lured in by cheap margaritas is the only thing this place has going for it.
(2)Megan S.
I always enjoy the food here, but the service isn't exactly up to par. I went with a few friends, and there was an issue about lost property, and the staff were everything but helpful. The server tried avoiding us, and when we finally pulled their leg enough to get the manager to talk to us, he refused to look through receipts because it was 'too much paper'. If I were trying to keep a customer, I would do what I could to keep them satisfied. He could have fixed it, but he was too lazy to sift through a few receipts, and that says bad business to me.
(2)Elizabeth B.
This is college food. Only the young without taste opinions or drunk can appreciate it. We started with about a half hour wait. We were willing to wait to sit outside , but from December 21st to January 1st the staff was pretty pushy about having use take an inside table. We ended up next to a loud table of drunk people and were unable to even have a conversation. I did the pick three combo, my food was just okay. Nothing to really rave about my dinner companions didn't like their meals at all and didn't even finish them. One of my party goes went for the Mucho Macho Burrito. Just don't do it unless you are wishing for an agonizing death. He gave it a valiant effort and made it about half way through. Our server was quick to bring the milk and sour cream. Once the challenge was failed I tried a bite. It burns the lips, has no flavor except fire, and worse yet it one of those the builds heat in time. One bite and I was in trouble. Even though I felt fine my sinuses decided they needed to drain and my right eye leaked tears. I'll never go here again, no matter how convenient.
(2)Megan B.
Cazuelas was a favorite of my friends and mine all through school. Their flavored frozen margaritas are delicious and strong. The are very worth the money. The food is yummy and authentic. It can fit into a college kids budget. The patio is great for a spring day of drinking. It is small inside and gets packed quickly... Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a little. Recommend for sure!
(4)Cory S.
Margaritas. Drink. Go home and pass out. It's cheap and if you feel like getting ripped on a warm sunny day at 2 in the afternoon, this place is your ticket.
(4)Zach M.
It's in the university district and is a quick, cheap Mexican foot joint. You really can't expect much, yet it still disappoints. The patio is ok. The drinks are pretty respectable and that saves this place from being one star. The food is bad. Real bad. Undercooked, under-seasoned, bland tasting. Honestly the worst tamales I've ever had. Also it's pretty dirty is that type of thing bothers you. Not necessarily the kitchen (I have no idea, but am not optimistic) but more like my silverware had stuff on it and there is stuff stuck to the menu and my glass is chipped dirty.
(2)Alex K.
I can't say I expect anything more. Every day from 2-6pm, and also at night from 10-11pm, it is happy hour. All I gotta say is: Half price appetizers. I love to get the sampler, which is normally $11 but it's $5.50 instead, and you get 7 awesome items. With all you can eat chips and salsa, it's a great deal. You can get a pitcher of margerita and get a free $6 appetizer. ALL DAY. Definitely worth it. Ask for the spicier salsa (they have 3 grades) and it's delicious. Personally, I really like the food, and I've lived in San Diego, home of the best burritos north of the border. Finally, the Mucho Macho burrito - an ultra spicy habanero burrito you have to finish in half an hour (they just added the time limit). Good times but very painful. Good servers, good, cheap food (at the right times). Can't ask for anything more.
(5)Katie K.
I enjoyed the nacho chips and seemingly freshly made finely chopped salsa, plus the queso blanco dip with chorizo. My entree was the Puerto Vallarta, which was shrimp and tilapia on a bed of rice with beans and veggies, and I would give it a B+. Not bad at all. My husband, on the other hand, made the mistake of ordering the Mucho Macho Burrito, thinking that he does like spicy foods quite a bit. Well, it's a horrific concoction of searing pain and no other detectable flavors. We didn't notice the warnings posted on the wall about this dish until after we ordered. He regretted it because there were other things on the menu (which is large) that looked good. The service was friendly, although the place could use a good cleaning (sticky tables and floors). We sat inside, but the patio looked like a good place to be. In our mid thirties, we were older than most of the other customers.
(3)Kevin M.
I came here for dinner recently, and the patio was packed. We wanted food, so we sat inside. The table we sat at had just been wiped down, as had the booth seats - which were therefore wet to the touch when we sat in them. At some point during the meal I got this enduring whiff of cleaning fluid or some other unpleasant smell coming from... somewhere. I got the vegetable fajitas, after being told that they don't actually make chiles rellenos (and one or two other things on their "make your own combo" list). Pretty much everything I was served was near-flavorless. My dining companion's meat-and-bean dish was in an odd sauce that tasted vaguely like it had been made with ketchup. So, I don't know that I can recommend eating here. Nonetheless, it's one of the few places on campus with a patio, lunch is absurdly cheap, and there are margaritas. That alone will ensure brisk business (90% of which is college-aged), but I doubt I'll be back.
(2)Kimberly C.
This place has a great happy hour, with half price apps. I went here for lunch today, food was sooo good! Patio is relaxing, since the weather has been nice it was a treat to sit outside the first time I went. Chile rieno (sp?) and the queso dip is def. delicious. Will definitely come back.
(4)Stephanie B.
I just finished a review of El Acapulco's up by the Crosswoods area a few hours ago. And Cazuela's Grill reminds me a lot of that place. Why? If you read my other review, you'll know what I'm talking about. I feel like every one of these authentic Mexican restaurants is the same. They are so similar in style, their food options are the same, and all their food tastes the same. I don't know how they do it. It's like they're all owned by the same person or company. Maybe they are. But I don't really think that this is a good thing, because I like variety! And I hate walking into one of these places for the first time and already knowing what my experience will be like. This was true for Cazuela's the first time I was here. Perfectly predictable. But the second time I was here was worse than I expected. Cazuela's is located just north of OSU campus on High St. Thus, it's not easy to find a good place to park unless you get lucky with a spot on one of the side streets. It's just this little place right on the corner of High and Northwood. It looks pretty cute from the outside. I remember when this place suddenly opened up. I was living on Norwich at the time, so I was thrilled to have a Mexican restaurant just down the block from me. It was like a 5 minute or less walk from my house. But unfortunately for me, I just wasn't that impressed with it. I'll talk about the second time I came here since it's the freshest in my mind. We drove there and found a place to park on a nearby street. It was an afternoon on a Saturday and I went with two friends. We were seated inside since it was cold out and we ordered some drinks - not alcoholic. I've heard good things about their margaritas, but it was too early in the day and too cold outside. We were sitting there with our menus, ready to order for the longest time. Our server had disappeared after giving us our drinks and was nowhere to be seen. After about 15 minutes, he appeared again and took our order. Like in my review for another authentic Mexican place, I'll tell you that nothing stood out on the menu as being original. It was the same stuff that you can find at any one of these kinds of restaurants. I went with the carnitas fajitas because it just sounded so good. I was hungry and was in the mood to build my own fajita with all the fixins they give you. We were all hungry. But we were in for a long wait. Our food took at least half an hour. And they weren't even busy! There were only 2 or 3 other tables in there at the time. We ended up staying here much longer than we intended to. And from what I've heard, this is common here. Don't visit this place if you want a quick meal. And I think there was only one server in the whole restaurant (which isn't big at all inside, but still). It was almost as if he was cooking the food and serving it, too since he'd disappear for so long! When our food did finally come out, we were ready to chow down. By this time we needed refills on our drinks, and our server was quite slow in refilling them. My two friends liked their food. They didn't really think it was anything special, but we were all so hungry that they were just glad to finally be eating. My carnitas fajitas were such a disappointment. I didn't think I could go wrong in ordering them, but apparently I did. The soft flour tortillas were good and warm, and the toppings for the fajitas were great - slices of avocado, pico de gallo, cheese, etc. But the carnitas (pork) just looked...not fresh. It was like overcooked and sort of hard. Hard to explain, but it didn't look fresh and juicy. It was as if all the juice was overcooked out of it or perhaps it had been sitting out all day. Either way, it was the worst carnitas I've ever had. I was able to salvage some of it and use it for my fajitas, but I had to pick around most of it because it was too tough and chewy to put on my tortillas. Such a shame, because I was starving and would have liked to eat it all. I didn't think that the portion sizes here were all that big, either. Both of my friends finished theirs quickly and I ate what I could. We all still felt like we could eat more. This place is pretty cheap so the prices aren't bad, but that's not really that great if it's not even enough food. It took our server quite some time to come back and bring us our check. And I suppose that I could have complained about my meat, but our server wasn't exactly the friendliest guy and he was hardly around, so I figured that it's just chalk this experience up as a miss. What this place might be really good for is sitting out on the patio and drinking margaritas. Maybe if you're not even ordering food, you can enjoy simple chips and salsa and their patio is really nice. It's surrounded by trees and looks like a really great place to sit and relax with friends. I left feeling cheated and I haven't been back and don't plan on it, especially since I no longer live in the area. Unless I go back for the margaritas and patio.
(2)Brent C.
My brothers and I are regulars here on Thursday nights and love it. We have our own Cazuelas margarita cups and refill are only 8 bucks! The food is really good and the waiters are great. Benjamin is especially great.
(5)Pete C.
With the OSU area being surprisingly devoid of genuine Mexican restaurants, Cazuela's seemed like manna from heaven when it first opened a few years back in it's North Campus location at the corner of High and Northwood. With the exception of Mad Mex, which has the manufactured "one-of-a-kind charm" of a Volkswagen Beetle, the only other option OSU students have for a meal within walking distance that bares some semblance to Mexican food is Taco Bell. Needless to say, we can close the book on that issue right there. I'm a firm believer that if you've seen one authentic Mexican restaurant in Columbus, you've seen them all. In that regard, the menu at Cazuela's is nothing out of the ordinary- a predictable selection of fajitas, taco platters, burritos, enchiladas, and so on and so forth. Clearly, this is no attempt to reinvent the wheel. They keep things simple here at Cazuela's, and thankfully they do a darn good job at it. The chicken strips in the fajitas I ordered on my first visit were at that perfect halfway point between adequately cooked and burnt to a crisp- just what the doctor ordered. The tortillas were soft and free of crispy, stale edges, which happens a lot more than one would expect at places like this in Columbus. I sampled the beef enchilada that my friend adjacent to me ordered and was equally impressed- gooey, cheesy, melted goodness that made Mad Mex and El Vaquero look foolish for ever trying. One thing that needed work however, was the salsa, which was runny and downright disappointing compared to the otherwise delicious spread of food in front of us. What really makes Cazuela's shine is its outdoor patio. Nestled under the shade that's generously provided by the canopy of trees lining Northwood Avenue, this small wooden enclosure bustles with energy provided by a friendly waitstaff and a dinky set of speakers that blasts hokey mariachi music for patrons to tap their feet to while they anticipate the arrival of their entrees. Even if you're just in the mood for a couple Coronas or a stiff margarita at happy hour to start the evening out with, the patio is a perfect place to chat with friends and watch the busy foot traffic of High St. pass by. If you're too late to snag a table outside, however, it might not even be worth it to stick around and eat in the indoor dining area. Fashioned from what used to be the living room of the house that Cazuela's now inhabits, the dining room feels more like the locale of a bad softcore porn movie than a Mexican restaurant. The walls are painted an obnoxious bright orange color and are dominated by enormous mirrors, which is likely to freak out anyone with more than just a couple of drinks in their system. If they'd tone it down a notch and ditch the Studio 54 mirrors, the place might feel a little more cozy and inviting. Instead, it manages to give off the vibes of a tanning bed dialed up to eleven. Regardless, the addition to Cazuela's to the otherwise spotty dining scene of the North Campus area is greatly appreciated and worth checking out. Whether you're in search of a Mexican feast of epic proportions or just a few drinks in a colorful and festive atmosphere, Cazuela's is the place to be.
(4)Johaun C.
benefits from a great location. seriously, there are so many awesome places to eat around columbus, and their business would blow up if they could get on-campus somewhere. let me start off by saying i've only been twice. on that note, Cazuela's is mediocre to good mexican. like all other taquerias, meal starts off with mandatory chips 'n' salsa. salsa is good, nothing exceptional, but some of the chips from the fryer tended to be not-so-much crispy as oily and limp. i am a die-hard fan of authentic tacos and was unpleasantly surprised at how expensive their individual tacos are compared to other, much better taquerias (see Cuco's). regardless, i ordered the fish tacos (i get em anywhere i can), which were a recent addition to the menu. 3 of em came out with the ubiquitous rice and beans. the fish was of decent quality, but didn't have much grill flavor at all. worst of all, all mexican tacos should come with AT LEAST lime, onions and cilantro and sometimes even with some sort of sauce or salsa or vegis. these were literally pieces of fish in corn tortillas with a small spoonfull of pico di gallo. i had to ask for some wedges of lime. as for service, i doubt this is typical, but i really hope it just happened to be our waitress' first day because she kept forgetting things and mixing up orders so much we all felt sorry for her. the churros for dessert were the only real bright spot. like i said, only been here twice and it always seems packed, but i think this is largely due to a wonderful campus location without any real competition around.
(3)Kaity K.
As an Ohio State alumnus, I have only fond memories of Cazuela's, and so obviously this is the place a few college friends and I chose to meet this weekend to catch up. It's still the same simple Mexican dishes with the same delicious margaritas that I remember! They have a huge selection of margarita flavors; I'm partial to the Yazi (kiwi and raspberry... Yum!). The happy hour features specials on the jumbo size, which packs a pretty heavy punch. The chips and salsa are constantly being brought to the table and are fried in house. They're always hot and delicious, and I could just sit and mindlessly put them into my mouth long past the time when I'm full (and trust me, I have!) Service is really the only thing that's hit or miss... A lot of the servers are college students who would rather be drinking the margs than bringing them to your table, but that's to be expected in a college town. Usually, there isn't a problem, but the waitress who was there on Saturday complained the entire time (about how there were 8 of us at a table, she burned her finger, it was hot out, etc.) but she was still very efficient. Definitely brings back some great memories!
(4)Dennis L.
Much of what previous reviewers have written hold true - this place can serve mind blowing meals when you're hungry, but is otherwise just another Mexican restaurant. Columbus is full of great Mexican food and it is hard to see how Cazuela's stands out. Other reviewer talk highly of their margarita happy hour, which I have yet to try. This is my usual when I work at the clinic next door - something quick and cheap that can get me through the night. I'll admit I've never dined in at Cazuela's which could bias my reviews of the place. Flautas, the chimichanga, and fish tacos are all items I've tried as take-out with good result. I've yet to try to Mucho Macho Man challenge described by the other Yelpers, but I'm up for anything that results in a free t-shirt. The service is incredibly fast, the waiters are always very patient, and the prices are very reasonable for the portion sizes. The actual restaurant is a bit cramped and is usually a full house on most evenings. I can see wait times being pretty long if dining in - take-out has been relatively fast. It is clear it needs a nice new coat of paint and some wiping down. However, if Mexican restaurants are anything like Chinese restaurants, then the more of a dump they look the better the food. I'll continue to come back to explore their vast menu, but it is not a restaurant that I would seek out if I wasn't in the area.
(3)Kiara E.
The food here can be hit or miss. I usually get a seafood chimichanga, however Cucos has better Chimis. Service leaves a lot to be desired...however....they have the challenge! Bring your most "Macho" friends and attempt the Mucho Macho Man challenge. I have witnessed this challenge at least 8 times (including some people trying more than once). The challenge is to eat a rather larger burrito (pork or chicken) AND sauce, in under 20 minutes. No milk, but you can have a pitcher of water. Watch your formally-macho friend's eyes start to water as they eat the ghost peppers inside the burrito, and struggle to chew the less than appetizing texture. There may be puke involved. Always a fun time! The challenge costs $10, unless you can finish it, and it will be free, AND YOU GET A T-SHIRT!!!! :P
(4)Mary S.
If you get there early enough in the afternoon their margarita happy hour is bangin'. The margaritas themselves are very tasty! As for the food, the chips and dip are decent and my friends and I haven't had a bad experience with the other dishes. The beans and rice are good and I would recommend the chipotle chicken (if you're a fan of spicy food). Never had any issues with the service, though they are pretty laid back (which I don't mind too much, but I know it bothers some people). I think they mostly hire college and high school-aged students. The atmosphere of the patio is nice, especially in the summer when there aren't five billion OSU students milling around. Never eaten inside the building, will have to try that one of these days. Would recommend.
(3)Melvyn D.
Food is delicious. The margaritas are good. Haven't had any real problems. The service is usually great, they bring water out for my dog when we sit on the patio! Once out of a hundred times the waitress was a bit rude, but in general the place is great.
(4)Elizabeth R.
This place is definitly my go-to for day drinking in the sun, they have a great patio and delicious margaritas in just about any flavor you can think of. It's pretty laid back and casual and the staff is always very friendly. They also have very addictive cheese dip and guacamole.
(5)Naiying C.
Everything is pretty subpar, I know you shouldn't expect much since this is the university district but at least you can do a little better. The interior...just feels dirty. I guess when you are really drunk and don't care about what your food taste like, this is the place to go!
(2)Atom W.
Great location with a patio! Northwood at High Street. I like that El Yucateco hot sauce is on the table. I am also a sap for good free salsa, so we begin on two high points. Tonight I am having the pick three combo ($9.75) beef chimichanga, beef sopa, and a spinach quesadilla with rice and Refried beans. The rice is fluffy and full of flavor, however the beans (garnished with quesadilla cheese) were a little bland. The sopa was soft and chewy, both opposite of the desired texture. The spinach quesadilla is perfect! Browned and crisp tortilla, and melty cheese and spinach inside. Loved it! The chimichanga was also great! The queso was not too spicy, and they didn't fry the tortilla too crisp (a common chimichanga error). I think all-in-all it was a great meal. The service was friendly, prompt, and knowledgable about their menu. My food was out very quickly and prepared pretty well. In spite of a few minor issues the food was phenomenal, and a great value for under $10. I will be returning to this location, and recommend others give it a shot!
(4)Colleen R.
Cazuela's is a good place to grab decent Mexican food. I've tried a few things here - margaritas, quesadillas, nachos and tacos. The food is ok. It definitely isn't authentic, but most people don't seek out great Mexican here. Most people come here for the margaritas which are tasty. They are fruity, sugary and filled with an ungodly amount of calories I'm sure. I like the raspberry flavor. My biggest complaint is the size! Any night (especially Thursday-Saturday) is going to be packed. I went here with friends on a Thursday night, and we had to wait for an hour to get a table. During the evening/night, college kids come here to sit and drink.... and drink.... and drink.... and don't move. When the weather is good, the patio opens up so there are more seats, but during the winter it is impossible to get a seat. My best advice is to keep your expectations low for the food and order a margarita.
(3)Madison R.
Was in the area with a friend today and stopped by for a late lunch. I made a meal out of the quesadilla ($4 during happy hour) and a margarita. Totally hit the spot. Super cheap.
(4)Luke T.
Cazuela's has changed a lot over the past few years so I think an update is in order. This is still the best salsa I've had at a cbus Mexican restaurant, and I've been to many. However, they have moved slowly more toward catering to the drunken underage crowd. I'm sure that's a financial boon for them, but the place is a bit of a mess at times as a result. I still go here all the time, the food is still solid, service still quick. But they are now doing margarita happy hour and late night happy hour specials, a refill glass night, and several other promotions that just bring in an annoying contingent and keep the place packed and dirty. They also have a burrito challenge now. Numerous people have beaten it, but the deal isn't its size so much as the heat, from what I understand. Still open late, still cheap, just overrun with underage drunken kids.
(3)Lauren H.
I had been here once many years ago and had a decent experience. The other night i was craving Mexican food so I stopped here after work to get some to bring home. I was kind of disappointed that they had no where for you to wait for a to go order. When I got home with my order I opened the two boxes and realized that they had forgotten half of my order, which wasn't very hard. And the food looked like an animal vomited in the container. The food had no taste and overall it was incredibly disappointing.
(2)Peter L.
I should have listened to all the reviews warning against trying the Mucho Macho Burrito. The waiter even told me not to get it multiple times, but I insisted. I mean, it's $10 and it's free if you finish it -- how hard could it be? HUGE mistake. If you're curious how a mouthful of ghost peppers tastes like, let me just tell you. IT TASTES LIKE PAIN. Like pain that makes you want to saw off your tongue while you're pouring sweat, shaking in your chair and crying. What a huge mistake. Well, four tall glasses of water, a couple beers and an hour later, I ate some fish tacos. Cazuela's is pretty standard Mexican food, nothing too crazy good or bad. Having a patio is cool, but the service was pretty slow. The place is A-OK.
(3)Kara K.
The boy & I went to Cazuela's this past Friday night. I had done a class project on Cazuela's senior year of college, but somehow it still took me five years to eat there. There's really nothing special about it. It's your typical campus area restaurant - full of college kids, lots of drink specials, and not very clean. We left feeling full, but not very satisfied. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't very good either, just meh. It was cheaper than El Vaquero's, but still not worth it. As we left the boy remarked that for kids living on campus without a car this is probably a good option, but those with a car (or who don't live on campus), they'd be much better off driving to El Vaq's or El Rancho Grande.
(3)Ben K.
Good mexican food, pretty cheap/ good drinks, friendly folks. The building is ok, but this is a a campus joint, so you cant expect too much. I think the food is good. For the price, I cant complain. The servers are pretty nice too and do speak English well. I would have given four stars, except the last few times I have gone it has been to place a large carry-out order for a group, and this new manager guy has told me the package I normally order for this group is not available and never has been. Both times I have had to show him an older receipt of the order so that he will ring it up the correct way. That guy is a bozo, but aside from him, the place is great! :)
(4)Nijole T.
Ok are the prices and the fast and super friendly service, the food not mindblowing whatsoever. Happy hour daily until 6 pm can't be beat, we got the sampler for $5 which covered all the bases with flautas, chimi, quesadillas and sauced. We also got another chimi like app which wasn't so great, tastewise and quality just isn't there but I imagine after a couple of the super cheap drinks they offer this can pass as descent mexican fare. We also got an enchilada, burrito and house salad so that we get to sample a bit of everything, all that for $20 and we were stuffed! Unfortunatly the only dressing they had was ranch, but they gave me guac and salsa so I was pretty happy with that. Meatwise, we tried the al pastor, made with steak which was the meat, the chicken shredded and boiled not so great, the carnitas very fatty and I just prefer flour over corn tortillas. The sauces also were not very good, but still edible. In all perfect for broke college kids which is what Cazuelas was packed with, meaning not recommened for a quiet family meal, but great to get drunk for cheap and soak it up with greasy fast food.
(3)Ashley K.
The food is ok and the service can sometimes suck, but their margaritas are the bomb digity
(4)Mary M.
Who puts sour cream in guacamole? We just moved to Columbus and were doing a "bar crawl" from our new house to campus and had to cut things short after we both got a stomachache from the too sweet margaritas and sour-cream-guacamole. Staff were all very friendly and nice, so I hate to give this place a low rating, but I wish the food was better!
(3)Valissa W.
The scene: a lovely late summer eve on Cazuela's patio, a happy and hungry group of friends has convened for dinner and drinks. After waiting more than 5 minutes for any sort of acknowledgment from the staff, the following ensued: "Oh, excuse me, can we get a menu please?" *crickets* "Oh waiter? Uhhh... hi?" Waiter, grumbling, "What?!" Fifteen minutes later he returns with a drink menu only, which he plunks down without even making eye contact, never to be seen again. Much like the still hungry and formerly happy group of friends.
(1)Elizabeth N.
Went there on a somewhat busy weeknight and was impressed by the service and surprisingly fine with the food. I had spinach and mushroom enchiladas and they were crammed with vegetables and swimming in just enough delicious cheese. It wasn't knock your socks off amazing, but it was good, arrived about six minutes after I ordered it, and went well with the delicious margaritas. Bottom line: if you live or work near here and you're craving some Mexican food and you're not too particular about whether it's authentic, you don't need to drive anywhere to find.
(4)Clayton L.
Context: Weekly Drinks Time of Visit: Thursdays, 9:30PM Even though I have it less frequently, Cazuela's is still a personal favorite of mine. However, just because I love it, doesn't make it automatically worthy of a good review. First note goes without saying: it is a college establishment. I occasionally see non-college-age individuals there, but they would definitely be in the minority. The decor is a little strange, but the atmosphere is very casual. There is very little seating inside, so expect a wait in the winter months. The patio outside is pretty large and is an excellent place to dine. Meals are about $8-$10, but from 2-6PM and 10-11PM M-F, they have margarita specials and half-price apps. Chicken Nachos end up being like $4.00, which is pretty good. The margaritas are probably full of well liquor and an ungodly amount of sugar, but I always get them (tip: raspberry and mango strawberry are very good). Service is inconsistent: it depends on the server. They can either be really good (fill your water, bring you lots of chips, etc.) or absolutely atrocious (barely acknowledge your existence). This review can't accurately reflect why I was a frequent customer of Cauela's: you really just have to go and try it for yourself.
(4)Nicole W.
Wish I had read the reviews before I stumbled on this place. Was preparing for a day of studying and thought I deserved a fun lunch. We sat on the patio and it was dirty, dirty, dirty. The food was dryyyyyyyyy. If the tacos aren't good...there is no hope for the rest of the food! And the poor server was so sweet and looked like a tired, older man who had way too many tables and so it was slow - but I left feeling so bad for him. Passsssss.
(2)Julia J.
There are many other Mexican joints in Columbus that will give you better service, serve you better drinks and have more delicious food. Still- my visit to Cazuela's Grill after a buckeye game was a pretty good experience for that needed post-tailgate meal. I would come back here on game day if there wasn't a wait, but otherwise, I'll let the OSU student community enjoy it on their own.
(3)Luke A.
As authentic as it gets. This restaurant is very close to OSU Columbus campus and it has a lot of options for lunch. We had a beef fajitas and flautas(1 per person) and it was both good. The waitress will add chips for you for free! It could have been more spicy and i suggest to get their beef fajitas :D
(4)Brent H.
I began frequenting Cazuela's back in Spring 2008 before this establishment became a campus area gold mine that it is nowadays. Drinks were reasonably priced, service was decent, & food had a seasoned Mexican flavor. For around 7-8 bucks, I would feel stuffed with the portion sizes. Moreover, the atmosphere on the patio was great where my good friends & I could enjoy a margarita or two & not have to worry about rushing in & out within 30 minutes. The restaurant did a decent job of keeping the Mexican authenticity of its food, drinks, & following the all-important custom of the customer asking for the check when they were ready (versus handing you the bill first). I would tip Antonio or one of the servers a decent amount and get on with my evening. Now, here's the kicker. Cazuela's became so busy over the years that they began compromising their food standards while raising prices. Naturally, I understand that food prices will rise with inflation & that a small business has to be more efficient when serving more customers. At the same time, jacking up dinner prices, lowering portion sizes, and making the food very bland will not fool anyone that is accustomed to authentic Mexican cuisine. For example, their enchilada sauce (claimed to be house-made) tasted like they dumped a cold can of tomato paste on top of the tortilla. The salsa isn't too bad when the cilantro is actually freshly chopped, but has a rather runny type consistency. In turn, I usually ask for the pico de gallo. That specific instance made me reluctant to order food for quite some time (and for good reason). I'm a reasonable person and like to give people the benefit of the doubt if the food doesn't taste too bad. Mexican food we experience here in the United States is a Tex-Mex adaptation with every meal starting with tortilla chips and salsa. When I was studying in México, lunch or dinner began with a bowl of limes, green & red chile sauce w/ fresh baked French bread. This occurred in multiple cities (Mexico City, Puebla, Morelia, & Guadalajara) incase any of you plan on visiting in the near future. My point is anyone that tells you Cazuela's is the most authentic Mexican food is probably doing you a disservice to your ethnic food pallet and wallet. Yeah, I know it's Ohio and what do you expect to hear from lots of white people that claim their food "has too much kick" after a few shakes of cumin powder on their taco/chimichanga. On a side note, it is hilarious to see a bunch of (mainly) drunken idiots attempt the Mucho Macho Burrito challenge. The rules are listed on the wall if you or one of your friends feels the urge to taste a burrito doused in habañero juice to the point where your labrador retriever wouldn't even consume such matter. I warned you, don't be like my friend & burn 12 bucks only to piss off your digestive system the next morning. On the positive side of things, I will give credit to Cazuela's for having a vegetarian section on the menu. There are a decent number of options, and the menu does a decent job at explaining the contents of each dish. If I am really hungry, I usually order the vegetarian fajitas if you want to call it my food recommendation. For the carnivores, I hear the carnitas & chicken is decently flavored, but don't take a veteran vegetarian's word for it (we have other reviews for a reason). Tasty margaritas with multiple flavor options & a decent outdoor patio make Cazuela's has a good atmosphere if you just want to chill and have drinks with friends or make it a casual date. Senior crawl & OSU home football Saturdays, not so much. Happy hour pricing is decent from 10-11 p.m. However, it is best to go during the week versus on the weekend when all the regular OSU students come en masse with their huge 18.99 margarita glasses (that can be refilled at a discounted rate). It's a nice concept if you go there a lot, but I'm still going to call it highway robbery even at the lower price. For anyone that chooses to go based on this review, I wish you and/or your friends a good experience and decent weather follows as well. The patio truly is a great place to people watch or wind down from a long day of classes without the noise of an annoying DJ ruining the atmosphere with some cliched radio promotion. Cheers! -Brent
(3)Steve G.
I'm so disappointed! D: It's unfortunate that one visit can ruin such a lovely idea of a place, but that was my last visit to Cazuela's. I ordered the chimichanga and wasn't nearly filled by it - it was downright small. As my friend and gf sipped on margarita's, I decided to order the food challenge habanero burrito they had advertised on the wall. The burrito took about 20 minutes to get to me, and in this time I was about ready to walk out. When the burrito came to me, the first thing that pervaded my senses was the sight of it. A large burrito with a cup of pulverized habeneros piled on top. My friend noted that it looked like the chef made the burrito and threw up on it, and I couldn't agree more. I took my first bite, and immediately regretted it. DISGUSTING. COLD. UNPALATABLE. These were the first words to come to mind. Disgusting: why would they serve this to anyone? It's just tortilla and cold refried beans! Cold: I repeat, it tasted like they pulled it out of the fridge and tried to microwave it for 10 seconds to heat up the outside. Unpalatable: I don't know how knowledgeable most people are about hot peppers, but the habanero is not only 100 times hotter than the jalapeno, but it also has a very pungent, bitter taste to it when not prepared right. I learned this training for a hot wing challenge involving naga jolokia peppers (10 times as hot as habaneros) where I ate habaneros I grew in my garden raw to prepare for the event - and as testament that I'm not a spicy food or food challenge wuss, I got through 4.5 out of 6 of those wings. One bite into this disgusting slump and I realized that whomever prepared it was trying to make the most gross, unappetizing, unpalatable burrito possible. Never again, never again. And that makes me sad, because my first impression was so good.
(1)Katie B.
This place is waaaay overrated. I can't blame them too much for slow service since they've been busy every time I've been there, but the quality of the food can't really be accounted for. I've received stale chips here before, and I've received lukewarm food on several occasions. The fajitas are usually the safest bet since they come out so hot. The margs are very strong here, which is really the only redeeming quality in my book.
(2)Amy G.
OSU students, this is not Taco Bell. This is not Chipotle. This is definitely not Qdoba. But this is one of the things I miss most from home: delicious, greasy-spoon, comforting Mexican food. If you come here expecting sanitized quesadillas, salads heaped with grilled chicken, avocado, and ranch, or burritos with rice in them, hell, you're going to be sorely disappointed. But if artery hardening joy and massive, rum-heavy drinks are what you seek? Welcome to heaven. Cazuela's, in a small storefront just north of campus, has a huge menu, catering to American palates with slightly Mexicanized versions of burgers and chicken parmigiana but, trust me, just go for the Mexican-American classics. The spicy-sweet tamales here are delicious, the chicken enchiladas are rich and homey, tacos bring options of flour or corn tortillas, and the quesadillas-- yes, those I teased a moment ago-- are huge and filled with flavorful sauteed vegetables and mild Mexican cheese. For me, the shining star is the nachos supremos. A half order runs around $4.95 and it's definitely the best dining deal around the campus area. Heaped with beans, queso, lettuce, tomato, ground beef, and chicken, it's rich and hugely filling. Top it with Cazuela's excellent salty, slightly smoky, spicy chorizo-- definitely worth it for the extra dollar. Oh, and the drinks. Cazuela's owners often have great discounts available to students; just check their website for coupons before heading over. They also have wonderful happy hour specials like half price appetizers and are always playing great reggaeton selections. Contrary to other reviewers, I've also found the service polite, attentive, and speedy. With all the chain restaurants springing up around the campus area, who really needs another place to grab wings and beer? Try something new and support a local establishment by heading to Cazuela's.
(4)Andrea M.
If you want to settle with so-so Mexican food, this is the place to go. Not terrible, but nothing to write home about. I actually think that it's completely overpriced for what you get. I have been here a few times, and besides the margaritas, I really wasn't impressed with the food. The chips are ok, kind of bland and generic, but chips nonetheless (and free). The last time I was here, I came with my boyfriend, and both him and I were disappointed with the food. I ordered a taco salad and he ordered one of the combo meals, and both meals were skimpy portions of food for how much we paid. If you want real, quality Mexican food, I would recommend going somewhere else. But the margaritas are terrific! Thus why I gave this place three stars and not two. They have this jumbo margarita deal, where if you buy this huge margarita glass for $15 (ish), you always get refills after your purchased margarita. They also have a fairly decent patio on the side, so it's fun to sit back and people watch on a nice day.
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