Cactus Restaurant & Bar Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Soup
  • Chili
  • Salad
  • Sandwiches and Wraps
  • Burritos
  • Enchiladas
  • Quesadillas
  • Tacos
  • Fajitas
  • House Specialties
  • Sides
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Cactus Restaurant & Bar

  • Appetizers
  • Soup
  • Chili
  • Salad
  • Sandwiches and Wraps
  • Burritos
  • Enchiladas
  • Quesadillas
  • Tacos
  • Fajitas
  • House Specialties
  • Sides
  • Desserts

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  • Amara M.

    We like the Monday special. $10 margarita pitches. Who can beat that? But honestly the food is just okay. I enjoy it but I've had better. It's a great spot to hang out with friends and have a few drinks. The enchiladas are my go to on the menu!

    (3)
  • Chloe R.

    This review is not based off of my service and atmosphere, it is based off the food ONLY. Our waiter was great and it's not the waitstaff's fault if the food sucks. First of all the Margaritas are what everyone is saying- Mix lime juice and salt. I couldn't taste any alcohol whatsoever, and barely got a buzz off an entire pitcher. I would say if they made their drinks stronger the atmosphere is nice and it would be a great place to come on a Saturday night with friends, but I can go elsewhere for a stronger drink! I ordered the cheese enchiladas, they come with rice and beans. For $13 I expected fresh and quality food. Instead I got what looked like it came straight from the mircowave to my table. A greasy-oily slop of cheese over some stale tasting sauce and hard tortilla underneath it. The beans were crisp and splitting open (definitely mircowaved) and the taste overall was stale, mircowaved and greasy. The point of mexican food is the freshness and this was definitely not fresh. I sent it back after two bites and did not order anything else. My boyfriend ordered a veggie burrito and it was dripping with water from the old mushrooms that were inside. But I have to say, the presentation of the burrito looked nice it was just the taste of it that really did not settle. He was so hungry he ate it anyways. I would say for the people who are running this place, make sure your kitchen is not reheating old and stale food because customers can tell the difference. The quality of the food and your business would strengthen so much if you had fresh ingredients and not just slop on a plate.

    (1)
  • Mike D.

    Absolutely terrible in every aspect. My fiancé and I came here on a Saturday at 5:45. All of the waitstaff were standing around the back of the restaurant looking at us awkwardly. Eventually the bartender greeted us from behind the bar and pointed to the table where we will be seated. I ordered "The Cactus" margarita, and it was salt lime juice and water. Not a drop of tequila in it. I'll give it to them that the salsa was good because of the added chipotle. However, they have the audacity to charge $4 for an extra basket of stale chips. Our food came out reasonably quick. My fiancé ordered the chicken fajitas and I ordered the 5-Alarm burrito. Mine was dry as a bone, bland, and not spicey at all. I'm reasonably sure that they got a frozen burrito from wava and heated it under a panini press. My fiancée chicken was also dry and just over all bland. Then came the waiting. We asked our waitress for the check and then she disappeared for 20 minutes. I asked her again as she passed by our table, and still had to wait another 10 minutes. It's a different story if they were the only show in town, but this is Main Street manayunk. There is no reason for places like this to be taking up space if this is the quality and service they are offering.

    (1)
  • Ron H.

    Worst service ever. After sitting here at a table for 20 minutes, I'm writing this review before I get up and leave. We saw the GM/owner standing in the doorway, asked if they had a bar, and when he said yes, asked of we could have a table outside and sat down. With 8 tables outside, there are 3 girls at one table, already with drinks, the other tables all set but empty. We sat, he went inside (I thought to get menus for us) After about 5 minutes, my girlfriend got up to go inside and had to ask the same guy for menus. No excuse for not knowing we were sitting there now! After 5 more minutes, same older man in a polo shirt came out and sat 2 women next to us. With in 2 minutes a waitress came out to take their drink order. Asked if they had any questions on menu, and then took their food order! She looked at me (as she had to squeeze past to get by as we were closest to the sidewalk) and said "I'll be right with you". After a few minutes she came back out and went to the first table of girls to take another drink order, looked at use and went back inside. After 5 minutes, with not even a glass of water, and the table after us placing their drink and food order, I decided to poke my head in the door to see if they were just really slammed...they're not. There's maybe 8 people total inside. i'm going to put my phone down for 10 min before I start writing this review incase they come out with an excuse for the lack of service, or just wont come over with my phone out. Its now been 25+ minutes total. No waitress, no drinks, no chance in hell I'm going to sit here like a fool and wait to be disappointed even more. I don't care if they have kobe beef tacos with free tequila shots, I'm going next door where I know I can get good food and equally as good service. I highly recommend avoiding this place. There is a taco shop a few storefronts down to the right and one about 1.5 blocks in the other direction with a liquor license, both with excellent service and food. Go there, avoid the same disappointment we had.

    (1)
  • Nigel M.

    Yeah so, the service sucks and the cleanliness isn't in accordance to a few servsafe guidelines... (Reference the picture I posted)

    (1)
  • Jared J.

    Cactus Catina, you could call the cute sister of The Bayou. I have gone to Cactus countless times and really enjoy the staff and decor. They have countless specials throughout the week. Cactus also offers some of the best salsa in Manayunk, probably because of the use of Chiptole peppers to give it that awesome taste. The Chips are generally unlimited, however i did notice they added 4 bucks to order them, although I have never been charged it. The bartenders are outstanding here, friendly, cordial, and try to get to know the customer. My favorite is taco Tuesdays, and their pork tacos are outstanding. They also offer a deal on yelp that you can get a free app, equal to the price of a food item purchased. My only contention would be that the drinks are on the weaker side, however, they are still well priced. Check out Cactus you wont be disappointed.

    (4)
  • Megan M.

    I was in Manayunk for a charity bar crawl a couple of weeks ago, and we stopped at Cactus for some nachos. Like most bars in the area, a bouncer was checking IDs at the door. I felt like I was fresh out of college. We grabbed a round of drinks which were moderately priced and ordered Cactus nachos. There was some kind of creamy corn sauce on the chips. The first couple of bites tasted great but my stomach felt like lead after 3 chips. These nachos are loaded and the "small" portion is huge. It also looked like there was an entire pint of sour cream dumped on top of the nachos. Four friends couldn't finish half of the dish. Cactus nachos weren't bad, but I'd never make the trek out to Manayunk just to eat there. I'm spoiled with Loco Pez, Dos Segundos, and Sancho Pistola's all within walking distance.

    (3)
  • Amanda M.

    Ugh. The only good thing about this place are the wings. Service is always terrible, margaritas are water + sour mix, food is meh, and did I mention how poor service is? Go for wings on wing night. Go elsewhere for anything else.

    (2)
  • Deandra B.

    What the actual f. I came from Houston, Texas. Looking to enjoy a nice margarita and some basic Mexican food. My expectations were not that high, obviously. But when I say worse margaritas ever... Honey, was there even tequila in it? It was watered down and frothy. Food was tasteless. I'd rather eat Taco Bell. Everything was as though it came out of a can. Server was nice but oh no, the food and Ritas were hideous.

    (1)
  • Tommy M.

    Honestly, this place is just okay. I've come here a few times for the brunch buffet and the bloody mary special, but never have I been wow-ed. The bloody mary bar is great, but getting another round takes an incredibly long time (seriously where were the servers?!). The three times I've been here for brunch, there were no more than three other people in at the same time, and I hate to say it, but I can totally see why. Even having tried brunch menu items aside from the buffet, I think everything is average. The food does its purpose (fill me up), but I expect a bit more from a place on Main Street. Perhaps I should come in for another meal, but I don't ever make the trek from West Philly to Manayunk, and I don't see this place as my reason to travel.

    (3)
  • Gia M.

    Be sure to bring your ID on a Friday or Saturday night if you roll up after dinner. Because this is a popular college destination, you can usually count on a bouncer barring access on those nights. That being said, Cactus is really popular and is usually packed to the gills with that crowd on the weekends. Once you're inside, the decor is fairly spartan, although the walls are bright shade of golden yellow, which evokes the southwestern/Mexican theme. My friends and I got a pitcher of sangria, which was a little watered down to my taste, but it was really cheap on special, so that was a win. I also ordered the beef enchiladas, which were all right--they came absolutely covered in cheese, which overpowered the simple beef flavors within (I say simple because it was just mildly spiced ground beef inside). Rice and black beans (not refried) come on the side. This kind of food is great for a late Saturday evening snack (or really late dinner) if you're out on the town. The salsa for the chips basket is indeed delicious and has just the right burn. I gobbled that up fairly quickly. Just to clear up the question of the "free" chips and salsa: first round is always on the house. If you ask for another basket, you pay $4 for the pleasure of getting unlimited refills of the basket for the rest of the night. The service was really good, though, and the waiter didn't even bat an eye at the wildly inappropriate conversation that was going on under his nose, so kudos to him!

    (2)
  • Kristin P.

    I used to come here on Sundays for a delightful brunch with friends but I now refuse to. I've gone on other nights as well. It's just not good. The food is ok. The drinks are alright too. I used to love the sangria but on more recent visits, it's always seemed like something was missing. The wings are great, but not worth it when there are so many restaurants in the area. What really gives this place two stars is the lack of decent service. It's terrible! Every time I'm there it's terrible. Once I had a server make a mistake on my food and she said I'd have to pay for a new order. Why? I didn't mess up, you did! Her reasoning was that they aren't corporate so they can do what they want. Umm ok. I'm glad you don't care about your customers. I want to try it again. Maybe they've gotten better, but it's just so hard when, like I've already said, there are so many better restaurants nearby.

    (2)
  • Robyn B.

    Awesome guacamole, the cactus nachos with sweet corn (we added chicken) is delich too! Great vibe, great service. We'll be back soon!

    (4)
  • Dave M.

    I posted this four years ago and a friend just notified me some clown at this restaurant responded this post was fake. It is 100% genuine so nice attempt manager guy.

    (1)
  • JP V.

    Waitress brought us a round of drinks and appetizer, then completely disappeared. Wasn't busy. Had to get the bartender to cash us out.

    (2)
  • Ashlie V.

    Stopped in for a snack-big mistake. The chips where chewy. The queso was chunky and tasted like a powdered cheese mix. The Bloody Mary tasted like shrimp marinara. The service was sub-par. Don't think I'll be going back to experience the remaining menu choices.

    (2)
  • Sue U.

    We thought we'd try the spot out since we've walked by often. Now kinda regretting it. Service was slow, food mediocre and on top we were charged for drinks we find have.

    (2)
  • Thomas H.

    Next time I won't experiment. I can't even give a half a star.... Stale chips..... Stale bread... Dry meat... They have horrible service. It has been over an hour and I did get a single drink and ordered... It is not busy.... But alas nothing has been received. Patience won out for food Nothing to be excited about. Disappointed.

    (1)
  • Michael F.

    How impressive is the food at Cactus? Considering nearly everything went wrong with my recent dining experience, pretty damn impressive. We arrived on Saturday for a quick bite. It was busy, so we were sat all the way in the back, by the bathrooms. It took nearly 10 minutes to get water to our table and another 5 for chips and salsa. Once we ordered (another ~ 10 minutes), we didn't see our waiter again until the bill. Apps took quite a bit of time to get to the table, my margarita sat at the bar for a good 10 minutes before it reached the table, our dinners came out while we were still eating the app, and they gave me pork instead of beef in my enchiladas. So how good is the food? Well, there salsa might be the best I've ever had. I love their margaritas, and both the pork and beef enchiladas were solid - yes, they corrected my order without an issue. Honestly, the food is 4 or 5 star worthy, so I am going back on a calmer night to let them earn those extra stars!

    (3)
  • Justin M.

    Amazing service and can not be taco Tuesday. Great ownership and solid food. awesome margaritas.

    (4)
  • Hali R.

    I am giving this 4 stars because the service was wonderful. Everyone we saw walking around helped us out. The staff was working together filling waters, grabbing our plates, getting new beers...it was very good! 25 cent wings were awesome but I will mostly be back because of the service! Everyone was so friendly!

    (4)
  • Valerie F.

    Cactus is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area, always delicious food and hear service! I highly recommend their shrimp burrito and loaded burritos (I usually alternate between those two choices). Their bar had a great selection of tequila as well As non-tequila options. I just recently Tried the brunch buffet on a Saturday and was pleased with the spread but wish they had more Mexican breakfast options. I had a private party for my birthday in the upstairs area and it was fantastic! I can not say enough about how great the waitress was who served us and for $25 a person we had open bar, a Dj, the whole area to ourselves, food and a private waitress to serve is drinks! My friends are still raving about what a great party and great deal this was and I highly recommend cactus for a birthday party!

    (5)
  • Katie P.

    When the owners of the bayou opened this I was really hoping it would be exactly like the bayou but with Mexican food. Would love a place with really cheap tacos and Margs in manayunk. It's nicer than that. The space is night. Food is good but not the best I've ever had. Margaritas are good but pricey. The really hot burrito is actually cry hot so watch out.

    (3)
  • Stephanie B.

    Great specials and most of the food is good. I recently had the shrimp fajitas and they were disgusting. I made this know to the server and was still charged for them. I won't be coming back because of this.

    (2)
  • Laura H.

    The $10.00 pitcher of margaritas are half the size they were last year so it's no longer worth the trip. Food has never been consistent.

    (2)
  • C M.

    Owner was tending the bar and although it was somewhat slow the owner honored his free app and bought a round on the house due to his slowness. He's a good guy and you should definitely try the firecrackers because they are great but will mess you up!!! It's a challenge! Always a good time here!!

    (4)
  • Todd S.

    Well, what can I say. I almost gave it a one star, but remembered that when I checked in on yelp, we received a free appetizer! What's with places not knowing about that. 2x's I have checked in and had that promotion come up and both times... Unaware or it. Interesting. The appetizer, chicken spring roll, was the best part of the meal. Both entrees left a lot to be desired. Mine, the chicken quesadilla, would have been good, but all of the chicken was severely dehydrated?? The other entree, shrimp fajitas, lacked appeal. The tail was on the shrimp? I am thinking that this is a hit or mIss spot that in the future I will be missing. 2 stars out of 5, but the good was 1 star.

    (2)
  • Dawn S.

    Meh. The food sucks, to be honest. I mean, it's greasy and fatty -- which can be good, very good, even -- but it's just too poor quality to be worth eating again. The taco shells look like the type you buy from the supermarket, they put too much cheese on their nachos (which, seriously, for me is basically impossible). HOWEVER, they give you free chips and salsa, which is always a plus, the service is friendly, and they have cheap margs. It's worth a shot for people on a budget or people who want to get marg-wasted. But, if you care about the quality of your food, you should go to tacqueria feliz a few blocks down the street.

    (2)
  • Dana S.

    Solid place, tucked away on main street. They have southwestern style food which is pretty solid and a good beer selection. Definitely need to take advantage of their specials, my favorite is Margarita Mondays which offers $10 pitchers and comes with free chips and salsa. When the weather's nice there's outdoor seating. Defintiely worth checking out.

    (3)
  • Vanessa T.

    Come here for drinks only, service is great, price is fair and drinks are good. As for the good, go somewhere else. The rice is way too dry. I ordered fish tacos and it was fried fish that was overcooked and mostly dried up. My friend ordered beef with rice and that was a horrible experience as well. I do love their salsa and chips tho, the salsa had the perfect amount of spice, the kind where you need to keep eating so you don't feel the spicy taste.

    (3)
  • Juliana L.

    Went with friends last night for the first time. We all wanna get back there ASAP, such a fun night. Colleen, our server, was really great. Not only was she super genuine and nice, she took great care of us and our order. Margaritas tasted fresh, we got a few pitchers...gotta say Im pretty sure they were weak. Pork soft tacos were very good, split them with a friend and totally wished I'd gotten my own. My other friend got the five alarm burrito, he was disappointed it wasn't spicier. Don't worry he just drenched it in hot sauce- so no harm done. I'm a big fan of Mexican food. This is a great casual spot, gotta get back on a Monday for $10 pitchers.

    (4)
  • Kelly C.

    Stopped in for lunch once and the food was good and it came out really fast! There were homemade chips and salsa too, which I love! The prices are really fair and they seem to have great drink specials. I just moved to the area and I'll definitely be back!

    (4)
  • Danielle D.

    The outdoor seating is ok. Kinda stinks to have people walking through as you eat. They could place tables better. This place is perfect for snacking and getting some marghs. We usually get chips and salsa and wings. The selection of margh flavors are great. Very refreshing. They will do skinny margh for you if you ask.

    (3)
  • Ernesto Hideyokidz C.

    Came here back in October. We were originally seated in the front, but there was a loud bar crowd and my friend wanted to be moved. We were relocated to the back facing the bathrooms (I would've preferred the bar noise over toilet flushing but that's no one's fault). I would recommend the Baja tuna, it was pretty good. Note to the owner though, guacamole fresco is not worth $9 -- chips and dip kind of have to be perfect for that price... not stale and weird tasting. It was also crazy cold, I kept my coat on the whole time Our waitress was really trying to give us the best experience she could despite all the weird kinks in our dining experience, one of which being a large man working the back computer. I'm not sure if he was the owner or a manager, but he was so loud and goofy that I thought he was drunk. He basically would stand at his post and converse with diners at the bar and surrounding tables, meaning he was shouting/conversing from across the room. We thought it was kind of strange (and rude), especially since it looked like he was in a position of authority. The same thing happened with someone at the bar yelling across to a neighboring table. It was a mess. Our waitress was visibly embarrassed so we tipped her well hoping she'd know we didn't hold her accountable for anything, but really, I don't get what the deal was... it was kind of like a zoo...

    (2)
  • Julie J.

    After Flat Rock (see previous review) cancelled a private party 48 hours before the event, Cactus came to the rescue! Michael (daytime manager and bartender extraordinaire!) and Tony hooked me up last minute with the best deal in town and no one could tell the party wasn't planned weeks in advance! We had about 40 people in the upstairs area of the bar with a private bartender and an open bar which included a selection of craft beers. They put out appetizers including their famous wings and had a DJ spinning great music, you would think I paid a fortune for such a great atmosphere, but it was actually cheaper per person than the deal stupid Flat Rock was offering! The service was exceptional and everyone had a great time. In my other experiences at Cactus, the food is great. The Cactus Nachos with pulled pork are so delicious and a total guilty pleasure. On the lighter side, I almost always order the fajita salad with chicken. The sangria is also wonderful and they have a great selection of Tequila for every price range. If you are looking for great tex-mex food and a laid back and friendly atmosphere, visit Cactus, you won't be disappointed!

    (5)
  • Chad G.

    This place is terrible. The manager was yelling at its employees in the middle of the establishment. The food was not fresh at all. The rice tasted like it was leftover from last night. Chicken was disgusting and dry. The breakfast buffet looked more pathetic than a complementary hotel breakfast. I will never eat here again and suggest you don't make the same poor choice as me.

    (1)
  • Samantha M.

    Went here for early dinner with 3 of my friends about a week ago. We asked for a table and the host immediately asked to see all of our ID's. Now, not all of us are 21, and none of us even were planning on drinking at all. Maybe this is standard for manyunk or something since it's a bit of a party area, but i've never had this happen to me anywhere. It was awkward and seemed like they didn't want us there( the place was basically empty at this time, btw). This kind of made me want to leave but I was hungry and like I said the place wasn't busy. Now, i'm not normally that crazy about Mexican, mainly because i'm a somewhat picky eater, but i'm trying to be more adventurous. We explained that we just wanted something to eat and they dropped it and seated us. We were given chips & salsa to start which were pretty good. They have different specials on different days of the week and the day we went was something like $6 quesadillas. So, I figured I'd try that. The quesadilla was probably the best I ever had! It was great and really flavorful. Our waitress was fine, not memorably great or bad. Not sure if I would come back here just to eat because of the awkward seating thing, but like I said the food was very good.

    (3)
  • Joanna L.

    Recently had a great lunch here. I can only comment on the fare since it was a workday, but both my mom and I were pleased! We ordered the shrimp quesadilla and fish tacos. Enjoyed both dishes! There was plenty of shrimp on the quesadilla and they provide you with homemade salsa and several hot sauce options which I love. Those weren't homemade, but that's no biggie for me. I will definitely be back here again. Next time, I'd like to try their margaritas! They have a ton of different specials listed on the wall too. Wish I lived in walking distance. Seems like it would be a great happy hour spot.

    (4)
  • Karl G.

    Went here for Sunday brunch by myself. I was pretty exhausted from the night before since I was alone in my new apartment up a few blocks for the first weekend night and binge-watched CSI: Miami on Netflix. I used to watch this show a lot with Cynthia (my ex-wife) but she was always more of a CSI: NY fan. I know that's not what caused us to split, something so trivial. But it just became a thing where I'd come home from the office (I'm an actuary). I mean, I love my line of work. Risk valuation is a constant challenge. And I just got some new responsibilities training kids just out of college starting out as actuaries. But I let the stress get to me, I guess. But we have some deadlines we have to meet for our client before they can start constructing that parking garage in Conshohocken and the risk modelling can get a bit difficult. I really needed to learn to not take my job home with me. I wish I had a better work/life balance. I mean, what's more important -- being there for Bradley and Bryan (our twin sons) for their dance recital or staying home to crunch Excel spreadsheets? I just really messed a lot of things up and I know that no but it's too late. 14-years of marriage gone. Anyways, the brunch at Cactus is TREMENDOUS. It's a simple little buffet -- nothing too fancy, but all of it so tasty! The western hash browns were cooked just right, scrambled egg bin was done to perfection and they even had some soft-shelled taquitos. I had a Bloody Mary and it was too spicy, but to be fair I made it myself at the Bloody Mary bar so it was my fault, like everything has been for 14 years.

    (5)
  • Molly S.

    Cactus is a the perfect place for a low key night out with friends. Great prices for Main St, especially during the week with all of their specials. The food is super filling and the service is nice and efficient. You can tell how they all work as a team. Also I've been here a few times and the servers and bartenders really make an effort to remember your name. Very friendly! Great beer selection too!

    (4)
  • K. B.

    Ate outside so can't speak to the experience in the restaurant. However the food (fajitas) were tasty and the service was prompt. Seems like a good place to chill.

    (4)
  • Crys J.

    Love this place on Mondays....$10 pitchers of margaritas! Definitely delicious and worth the money.

    (5)
  • Rita M.

    I have had a real mixed bag of experiences at Cactus. When I have come in with my roommates who are regulars, I receive kind, prompt service, and tasty drinks. I really enjoy the weekly specials, particularly the Margarita Mondays. The Cactus margarita has a touch of orange that adds just the right amount of juicy sweetness. Other times, I have had really bizarre and slow service. Recently I came in for an early lunch and the waitress pointedly asked for ID...at noon...on a weekday. Not that I am under 21, but sometimes I bring friends there that are underage and I don't understand why they need to be ID'd to enjoy a meal, especially before dinnertime. Not that the food there is exceptional. I enjoy the taquitos and the fajitas the same way I enjoy Qdoba, Chipotle, etc. Just generic Tex Mex fare. I would give Cactus 2 stars but some of the folks there are extremely nice and I do like to come in for drinks, just not dinner.

    (3)
  • Hannah M.

    More of a 2 1/2 stars but I haven't had a bad time here so bumping it up to 3. I've always had a good experience with the service (attentive and fast) and it's awesome if you get a table outside! Now onto the food & drinks. If you go for margarita Monday you will end up being sick from all of the sour mix before you get any kind of a buzz from them. Margs & sangria are watered down. They measure the shots instead of just pouring them straight. Tecate is $5 - really? It's one of the cheapest beers on the planet. I appreciate that they give you chips and salsa for free (some other places on Main Street charge without warning...) and the flavor of their wings is great but the Quesadilla kind of sucks. It was really dry. Use more cheese! I'll still come back to try more food options but not without getting my buzz on at home first.

    (3)
  • Prasanna R.

    I am glad, I didn't dine in this restaurant. After a meal on Manayunk, I just wanted to get a drink with my friend. I should have known, when the tables were empty. My friend got a Mojito and I got a Mexican coffee. Bartender actually had no clue, how to make it. And when I got it, it was tasteless. When I started looking around, I realized how lousy was the service. Expect some rude service. And I never had a whiff of the good aroma, which comes from a Tex-Mex restaurant. My least choice to dine around in the area.

    (2)
  • Justine J.

    The chips and salsa here are awesome - best salsa dip I have ever had. I wonder if they make it because it tastes so refreshing. The Mexican pizza (with chicken) was OK. When we came it was so busy that service was so bad. But the food was good enough that I would come back again. Oh the nachos and cheese were good too. It's saucy cheese too, none of this slices of velveta melted on top where it hardens

    (3)
  • Liz J.

    The cactus has the worst food, mediocre at best servers, and watered down, sugary drinks. I've never once had a good experience and would never go back...not to mention the crowd is so broey, and its hard to find a girl there that isn't fried from the tanning salon. Oh and the $10 margarita pitcher is disgusting and consists of nothing but sour mix. Don't waste your money.

    (1)
  • Jen S.

    Food is great! Serving size is pretty good. Beer is a bit pricey, but they have a good selection.

    (4)
  • Katie D.

    Cactus has pretty good food. The waiters and waitresses are always friendly. They have really good weekday specials, too. Plus, they give you unlimited chips and salsa, which might be one of my favorite things about the place. Their margaritas can be kind of expensive. On Mondays, they do Margarita Monday, which means you get a pitcher (maybe 4 margaritas) for ten dollars. They're a little watered down, but it's still a pretty good deal. I'd recommend you check it out during happy hour for some good specials.

    (4)
  • Jill M.

    This was the worst Mexican food I ever had in my life. Taco Bell is more appealing. I knew from the chips and salsa that it wasn't going to be good and I should have left but didn't. Playing it safe, I ordered chicken quesadillas but they were awful. It seems like they use a mix of cheeses and it isn't good. Service was good and prices are reasonable but the food isn't edible.

    (1)
  • Brad C.

    This is a fun place for a casual meal or drink... The specials are excellent,, especially the 10 dollar margartia Mondays and 25 cent chicken wing Wednesdays.. The waitresses are young and cute and always helpful.. The food is consistent and I recommend the quesadillas, burritos and sandwiches... If you are a craft beer fan, the selection on both draft and bottles is excellent.. The games are on the TVs also so if you like to watch the game along with your meal and drink its a good place for that... Its a young crowd here too so be prepared for that...

    (4)
  • Chris M.

    This place deserves your attention. Locally owned, full of craft beers (that are good), a LOT of food, beer, drink, margarita specials. Food is good, good bang for your buck. This isn't a romper-room full of the kiddies like Mad River. Like the ambiance, love the tacos and salsa. Will be back!

    (4)
  • Patrick M.

    No-thrills Mexican fare, but their fatal flaw is their stinginess. When ordering a margarita pitcher, it is expected that one would receive a wholesale discount from the individual drinks. The individual margarita is $8 (too high to justify in itself), however a pitcher costs $32 and it doesn't even fill four glasses! I have never been to an establishment where you pay a premium for buying in bulk. We also ordered the nachos with guacamole and chicken (each of which commanded an additional $2 charge). When the nachos arrived, it was obvious they didn't include additional chips for the added portions and the chip to topping ratio was amiss. Needless to say, we tried to make the best of it but were left with no chips and unconsumed food. We asked for additional chips but were told we couldn't have any. If the restaurant isn't named Taco Bell, an additional 50 cents worth of tortilla chips should be a given. Manayunk is full of great restaurants eager to please their patrons. Cactus is not one of them.

    (1)
  • Amber M.

    We ordered sangria, we did not enjoy :-( Also the tortilla chips were uber salty and stale. No thanks!

    (2)
  • Sarah L.

    EHHHH Nothing to write home about

    (1)
  • Eric P.

    Terrible Margaritas, Spotty Service and Mediocre food just about sums up our experience at Cactus. The guacamole was the only thing that salvaged this place to 3 stars. I ordered the fajitas and got 4 small pieces of chicken (seriously, 4! I managed to make one fajita). Given how overpriced everything was, we certainly won't be returning anytime soon....

    (2)
  • Ryan D.

    I do not know why this is at 3 stars! Their over all atmosphere is great! Start off with a free basket of chips and salsa...their beer and mixed drink selection is huge. The bartenders are friendly! One night my room mate were there on an empty week night B/Sing with the bartender all night and he def knocked off a round or two of drinks for us. We left him a nice tip! The daily specials are unbeatable! Margarita Mondays! $10 pitcher! Normally they are $28....not worth $28...but on Mondays...well worth it!! Their burritos are great! I think once i had one that was sub-par...but that was one time. All of their other Mexican food i have had is excellent! The buffet on the weekends!!! def try it! for $8 you get eggs, sausage, pancakes, sausage, bacon, small burrito, pastries, fruit, and great drink specials. Sangria is very good! Not too strong but still good. 5 star bar in Manayunk!! I go two-three times a month... if you are in the Manayunk sport and social league you get a free drink after the game. So after our Sunday softball games we usually go there instead of the bayou now!

    (5)
  • Jon P.

    Good local place for some above-average mexican food and drinks. Nothing to blow you away, but a tasty/cheap taco tuesday and other entrees are pretty solid as well. They host a $8 brunch buffet on Sunday. The bunch is good for the price and it's $2.50 bloody marys and mimosas. Bring your crew here for a good hangover breakfast at 1/3 the cost of the brewery brunch (although theirs is definitely better).

    (4)
  • Lauren W.

    Having eaten at several Manayunk restaurants and bars, I totally get the varied reviews. Service and food quality in this neighborhood is often incredibly hit or miss. Fortunately for me, Cactus was totally a hit! Granted, I hadn't eaten all day, and by six ish this girl was STARVING. Our original restaurant plan ended up being closed on Mondays (why do people do that?), and I remembered a friend telling me about the Monday specials at Cactus. Turned out to be 9 dollar fajitas, any style, and 10 dollar (!) house margarita pitchers. The margs ended up being delicious, and surprisingly strong and labor intensive for 10 dollars. We sat the bar; I like to do this in order to stare down my bartender to ensure maximum tequila pours. JK. Kind of. The whole menu looked delicious, if you know what you're getting yourself into. Guys, this is total Tex Mex; not authentic by any stretch. To save myself time and deliberation, we both just got the pulled pork fajitas after the bartender assured us anything with pulled pork was their specialty. And the meat was really good, guys. Tasty and tender. Nothing ground breaking about the fajitas, but everything tasted pretty fresh. Ingredients that were supposed to be cold were cold and ingredients that were supposed to be hot were hot. Service at the bar, even by a bartender in training, was excellent as well. BF and I stuffed ourselves and got a little tipsy (maybe mostly me) for under 40 bucks. steal in manayunk! As with any other nearby location, go to Manayunk on OFF nights. Mondays & Tuesdays. Go early or late, depending on when the place is least crowded. Sitting at the bar generally ensures better service, bartenders in Manayunk have the slowest turnovers and are generally better than the waitstaff. Not the rule, just a suggestion.

    (4)
  • Amy J.

    A solidly three star restaurant. We stopped by for lunch during the Manayunk Arts Festival to rest our legs and enjoy the air conditioning. The wait staff was very friendly and efficient dashing from table to table helping customers. We were expecting a Mexican restaurant, but this place is more of a tex mex establishment with typical bar decor. They serve "Americanized" Mexican meals like burritos and tacos that didn't have any exotic ingredients. The plates were plastic (picnic type) which was odd, but maybe it was just due to the arts festival. The food was ok. I had the breakfast burrito which was good, but not spectacular. It came with a side of tortilla chips, but no salsa was offered.

    (3)
  • Tiffany B.

    First off... The menu says Caesar salad with croutons. A Caesar needs croutons. We had to ask for them after the salad was served to us. Some other girls at another table had the same problem. I thought perhaps it was a new chef or something but now seeing all these bad reviews, I'm not so sure. Secondly, they have this advertised deal on the board and the waiter told us all about 25¢ wings... The wings were ok, nothing special. But, here is the problem and we learned a lesson as we don't really look at bills for accuracy all the time. We had already had our card swiped and then I looked at the bill and thought it was pretty high for what we got. I saw that they had charged us 8.95 for the wings! I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt that it was a simple mistake but something tells me this probably happens a lot. I'm glad I noticed. It was nice to be able to sit out on the sidewalk and they will probably still thrive with all the drunk idiots that frequent this area at night.

    (1)
  • Chris M.

    It's rare, but every now and again I will fill an appeal to the Official Council of Yelp Ratings to request that a star be added to a business' review. It's an elaborate process that involves a meeting of dignitaries from around the globe, but sometimes, as in this case, it's worth it. Well, the council has spoken, and I hereby add a star to my previous review of Cactus. We stopped in to watch a midday Phillies game today, and had a great experience, thanks mostly to the very friendly demeanor of Mike the bartender. He recommended that we order some of the wings, which were .25 on Wednesdays, and different than your usual buffalo wings. They are a smokey mix of a chipotle bbq sauce and wing sauce. I was really glad he did, as they were awesome, fried to crispy perfection. They also have a pretty impressive beer selection. To go with the TexMex theme, they have a wide array of Mexican beers, but they also have the full PBC line in bottles, and several other creative selections. I would definitely recommend stopping by for lunch one day.

    (4)
  • Kara M.

    The margs are good. We had a few appetizers- I wasn't a huge fan of their fundido- it seemed to have more of an italian sausage in it rather than chorizo, the guac was slightly bland, the salsa was very good and their shrimp dish was good but seemed more Italian then Mexican. All in all it was a good experience.

    (3)
  • May T.

    I'm a big fan of free chips and dips and whatnot, however, I am not a fan of stale chips and flavorless dip and this happens to be what I got at Cactus. I enjoyed the decor but the food wasn't really anything special or out of the ordinary, especially with the prices they charge. They have taco Tuesdays where tacos are 2 bucks each...Let's just say I'd refer you to taco bell before telling you to come here for tacos. In any case, also on Tuesdays, they have their "Cactus Margarita" for 5 bucks. I'm not gonna say it's a great deal because it tastes like something straight outta the mix bottle, therefore, something I could've made for myself and a bunch of friends for much less than $5 per head. I've eaten at the Cactus twice- the first time wasn't a great time and I swung back for a 2nd round just in case I could prove myself wrong but alas, I've come to the conclusion that I won't be making a 3rd trip here.

    (2)
  • Kumar S.

    Decent Margaritas. Food is actually very good. Don't compare to a gourmet restaurant but for a bar they have a good selection of quality food that is tasty too

    (5)
  • Gerard M.

    When I went to use my free app offer that yelp gave me no one knew what to do. I eventually got some really horrible nachos and service. The only redeeming part of this place is when DJ Ronnie is upstairs.

    (1)
  • Shane W.

    I'm a fan... I find myself getting the quesadilla almost every time I'm here, but the tacos are good as well. The free chips and salsa are always a plus, and I like their salsa even though it's a little different. The guac is good, but a little costly for what you get. Had the margaritas before, and they are good, but really expensive (unless you go on Monday for their special). Fortunately, they have a pretty decent beer selection for other days of the week. Overall, a good option for when you want a casual mexican-ish meal.

    (4)
  • Aleks K.

    After a day of other deliciousness, namely Devil's Den, my best friend and I ended up here to warm ourselves a little before we trekked home. We shared their sampler. $16 for a huge pile of chips, 3 jalapeno poppers and 4 sliced up taquitos. Seriously, folks? The employees were all having a pow-wow at the bar on Saturday night. Good thing we weren't really looking to eat a meal or we'd be mighty upset. Salsa roja and chips were flavorful and fresh. Guacamole hit the spot. Taquitos were blah and doughy.

    (2)
  • Elise R.

    I have always had great service , and great food. Tortilla chips and salsa are so tasty. $2 Taco Tuesdays and .25 cent wings Wednesdays cannot be beat.

    (5)
  • Roy H.

    This is a pretty chill place to hit for lunch on the weekends, they were playing some really good alt music too. Exactly what I was in the mood for after a crazy weekend. Service was good, but it wasnt very busy so thats expected. Everyone was very friendly too. I had a shrimp burrito. It was great - nice and spicy, good portions. I havent had too many shrimp burritos so this was a pretty sweet find!! My friend and I also had some sangria (was the special that day). It wasnt the best I have ever had, but it was still pretty good.

    (4)
  • Stephanie Z.

    I saw someone post that the chips were stale and I just had to say that all of their chips are the freshly served kind... not like a Tostitos brand. ...and that salsa! It is smokey and delicious and damn near dangerous to consume! I have often found myself at the bottom of many a chips and salsa basket wanting more and more! The chips are a bit salty BUT when paired with the smokey salsa it works. Plus, it will give you a chance to sample some of their really well thought out beer selections. Good deal I think! (The Tequila flights will get you in trouble... do it) The real shining stars of this fine Mexican establishment , besides Tony the owner, is: 1) The pulled pork. Anything with the pulled pork is sure to make your mouth happy. Nachos, Tacos, Enchiladas... have it in everything. EVERYTHING. Put some of their mashed sweet carrots in the mix and you will NOT be disappointed. 2) The margaritas. On the rocks and any flavor is awesome. Check their listing because they have drinks specials where the Margaritas can keep flowing at a fabulous price! Give it a try... and then slather yourself in pulled pork. Good times will follow!

    (4)
  • Jessica S.

    My coworkers & I have had some FUN & INEXPENSIVE happy hours here. The good: Cactus seated our party of 10 in no time @ 5:30 for happy hour, we took advantage of their $10 margarita pitchers Monday night happy hour special, we were promptly served free chips & salsa, the service was great (there when we needed them, not overbearing). The total bill came to $25. The not-so-good: Since our group was so large we sat in the dimly lit back of the restaurant - half booth half chairs. The air duct over the booth seating was dripping with condensation and half our party got a little wet (it was a small price to pay for being in a nicely air-conditioned space on a hot July evening). The chips were a little stale, but I'm being bratty by complaining because they were FREE. The margaritas were heavy on the mix, light on tequila but for $10 a pitcher I'm compelled to lower my standards. On a separate occasion I came with a smaller group & sat outside for their happy hour. Again, specials were great & the staff were very accomodating. The only problem I had was with the tiny tables - our group of 3 ordered the nachos & portabello quesadillas to split. Our 4-top table couldn't accomodate 3 small appetizer plates & 2 entree sized plates & it was a little tricky trying to find a spot to rest your drink. Expect what you pay for - and you'll have an enjoyable time @ HH with Cactus.

    (3)
  • Flo W.

    Me and my boyfriend went there Saturday for my birthday just to try something new and it was ok. I believe it was the day of the festival so there was a lot of outside seating and they used disposable plates and cutlery. My appetizer was delicious. I had ordered the Texas Shrimp which consisted of 6shrimp in a spicy butter sauce that came with dipping bread. The shrimp could have been seasoned but the sauce with bread is delicious. I didn't enjoy my beef tacos . It was more of steal which tasted like vinegar . I'll give it another chance in a week or two. The service was great. Didn't receive salsa and chips however.

    (3)
  • Jonathan C.

    I'm not a connoisseur of Mexican food by any means, but to me, the food at Cactus was exceptional. The guacamole left something to be desired, but other than that, I enjoyed every last bite of my steak fajitas and the gargantuan nacho appetizer my friends and I ordered. The reason I only gave this place a three out of five star rating is because of the quality of the drinks. One thing I AM a connoisseur of is Long Island Iced Tea's. And quite frankly, their was absolutely HORRIBLE! The margaritas were okay... but if you ask me, drink wise... stick to the beers when you are here. They have quite a selection.

    (3)
  • Laurie S.

    Best pulled pork sandwich I've ever had!!!! Great prices too. The salsa was also very good. The waiter was very polite. Definitely try it.

    (5)
  • Noell M.

    After paying a few more visits to this "cantina" and having a better experience each time I am now ready to reward Cactus with another star! The one major gripe I had with Cactus in my previous review was that it seemed understaffed and the bartender doubled as the waiter and then again as the hostess. They must have read my review because now they have plenty of servers and a bartender who has plenty of time to make you a drink and have a friendly chat! The seem to also have expanded their brew menu by adding some Philadelphia Brewing Company(!!!!) and other microbrews. Also, try the wings.....more tangy than spicy and have an amazing crisp to them....on Wednesday's the special is .25/wing. I am so happy to see that this place is making improvements and bettering themselves.....Cactus is now is my top 5 bars along Main Street!

    (4)
  • Sarah L.

    I don't really care to be suffocated by a packed house of college-aged twenty somethings, so my boyfriend and I stick to this place on Monday nights when we don't feel like spending money on a big fancy dinner and we have nothing in the house to whip up. Their staff on Mondays is always attentive and pleasant. Their margaritas are pretty darn tasty (I just try to forget I am drinking tons of well tequila) and their key ingredient is the o.j. they use...a healthy splash always gives a marg good taste. Their complimentary salsa and chips is a nice bonus, although I end up snacking on it because on my buzz, not because I am particularly fond of the flavor - it's heavy on the garlic. Twice I've had their shrimp burrito - a cream sauce can seriously make anything taste good. Their wings (only had them as their special) are actually pretty darn tasty. One of the better wing deals/taste in this area in my opinion. All is all, just go to enjoy a pitcher of margaritas, sit at the bar and watch the Phils. Nothing fancy...but sometimes that's all you need.

    (3)
  • Hilary P.

    Their brunch is more satisfying than their dinner. Then again, I've never had a bad breakfast burrito. Their nachos are particularly underwhelming for a Mexican joint. The tequila selection here is impressive but whatever else they're adding to their margaritas is not. If you can't make the pilgrimage westward to Plaza Azteca, Cactus will probably do the trick (service is attentive and friendly).

    (2)
  • Elisha C.

    Update: I have eaten the food. Cactus gets another star for that! First off, the fajitas. The servings are HUGE and all the fixins come out sizzlingly hot. My only minor gripe was the way the lettuce, sour cream, etc came out all on one plate. It made putting the fajita together a little tougher if there was something on there you didn't want. But the real gem, crazy as it seems, are the firecrackers. See, I love poppers. They're spicy, fried and filled with cheese which basically makes them meet three of my four major food groups (the other being chocolate, of course). But the firecrackers aren't the wimpy frozen things you get at any pizza place in town. Oh no, these are huge singe-your-mouth peppers filled with a wonderfully melty gooey blend of cheeses and fried to crisp perfection. They're messy, certainly unhealthy and burn even my mouth a bit, but they are by far the best cheese-filled pepper concoction I've found. Firecrackers = worth a whole new star. (Was tempted to write about the firecrackers without giving an extra star, though, just to reflect the irritation I feel with their frequent and lousy guest bartenders. I don't care how cute she is, if she can't pour my drink and take my money get her the hell out from behind the bar!)

    (4)
  • Mayi C.

    HORRIBLE FOOD!! I don't tend to leave bad reviews but this place's food was horrible! Also, costumer service was pretty bad. To start, the hostess was very condescending then went ahead and plaed my husband and I in a very small and on the way table. The appetizer was good but then my food came out and it was cold. The meat in my tacos tasted sour and disgusting. The rice, that was included in the dish, was dry. And the worst thing is that the food was very bland. Now, we all know Mexican food is supposed to be very flavorful! So this place was a total fail! NEVER EVER coming back!

    (1)
  • Nathalie C.

    We went on a Tuesday when tacos are $2 and margaritas are $5. Not bad right? I had three tacos (pork, chicken and beef) and one margarita. The pork taco was the best by far, but it was basically like a Taco Bell taco. The margarita was gross. Wayyyy too much sugar and not enough tequila. I know it was a "deal" but it was so bad that I couldn't even finish it. It's pretty hard to mess up a regular margarita but out of the four of us NONE of us liked our margaritas. We left the restaurant feeling like we should have spent the extra dollars and completely enjoy our meal. On the bright side, our waitress was really nice and she had a great memory.

    (2)
  • Noheli T.

    The pitcher of sangria was delicious! We ordered the chips and guacamole and they were only ok. There was nothing special to them.

    (4)
  • Tough C.

    Really a sports bar. Ordered chicken enchiladas which, including the black beans and rice were lukewarm. My friend's burrito was hot. I declined to have it warmed and ordered a chicken fajita salad which was fine. Service rather lackadaisical. No reason to go back.

    (2)
  • Terri B.

    Wow, I'm really shocked at how low people have rated this place. I think it's great! This is my first stop on any Main Street voyage that involves booze. My roommates have dubbed Cactus the spot for "one quick drink". We like the atmosphere. It's not overly crowded and the staff are really nice. While the place itself might be narrow, it's not a huge deal. There are usually plenty of places to sit. The bartenders do a great job as well! And most of all, we LOVE THEIR MARGARITAS!!! I hated 'ritas until I had one here. We usually get a pitcher because nobody wants just one glass. True, I've a stale tortilla once or twice (hence the loss of a star) but the salsa is good and the food is pretty consistent.

    (4)
  • Jill D.

    Very average- I have given this place a second chance the other weekend and that is the last it gets. The nachos looked so good based on the menu description but when they came, it was luke warm with tons of chunky non-melted cheese with corn. It seemed like they poured a can of creamed corn with cheese all over the nachos. The steak fajitas were a huge disappointment- the steak was over marinated and there was hardly any steak but tons of onions and peppers. Not a fan and wouldn't go back.

    (2)
  • Meredith C.

    Not the best Mexican food around but certainly not the worst. Good service, good prices and options for people looking to eat healthy!

    (3)
  • Ritu K.

    Having grown up with awesome Mexican food in California I'm not a huge fan of tex-mex. We were in the neighborhood and I was craving a sangria so here we were. Great attentive service!! Nice table outside for people watching. Food was ok. I wasn't a big fan of my water downed sangria and was sad to see no fruit in the drink. Although at $3.50 a pop (it was 1/2 price sangria day) it worked for me. They had bottles of Negre Modelo (one of my fave beers with Mexican food) which was awesome. My husband had the pulled pork enchiladas which were yummy. Not awesome, but definitely good, especially with the beer. I had the chicken salad which was ok. The flavors were overpowered by the onion and I couldn't really get a sense of the chicken salad. Chips were good, salsa was kind of bland. Great addition to the neighborhood and great place to grab a drink (skip the sangria). Ok for food.

    (3)
  • Jay B.

    Was okay drinks was a lilttle watered down but love the fish taco

    (3)
  • Jane H.

    I anticipated a long night of drinking so I didn't get to sample anything from their extensive list of specials. But the steak fajita salad... one word: Yummmmm.

    (4)
  • jon v.

    Cactus is the only restaurant I've been to where I've had to stop eating the food because it was so terrible. I gagged several times while trying to eat their beef "enchiladas". It was just a plate of greasy ground beef and a big heap of burnt cheese. It didn't even come with enchilada sauce to help drown out the disgusting mess of whatever it was on my plate. I had their nachos previously which are actually pretty good, but holy crap were their enchiladas impossible to eat without gagging. The margaritas came with flies in the mix, too. I won't go there again for sure.

    (1)
  • Janine G.

    My first experience with Cactus was on a Memorial Day, which probably gave me a far more favorable impression of the place than I normally would have gotten. Service was lightning fast (of course, the place was dead!), bar staff was pleasant...plus, Cactus does $10 margarita pitchers on Mondays. This alone kept a friend coming back on a number of Mondays thereafter! Actually having meals before 8 PM at Cactus, however, is an entirely different world. I've now been there for brunch, weekday dinner, and weekend dinner, and have seen one HUGE theme -- almost entirely absent wait staff. This would be a little more forgivable if the place had more than 10 tables! When celebrating a friend's birthday, 25 minutes went by between being able to order drinks and food. Outrageous! However, I do have to hand it to their incredibly friendly owner, Tony; when he found out what happened, he offered us two rounds of shots on the house. As for the food, not bad...I'd definitely recommend them for Sunday bunch (especially if you find other Main Street spots too crowded).

    (4)
  • J Lyn S.

    Yay I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. Went there for a girls night out and immediately ordered pitchers of sangria & margaritas oh yummy! Drinks were excellent, service was pretty good. Two bathrooms for the whole restaurant... not good =0( We ordered the cactus nachos which were up there in my top 5 best nachos of the world!! Excellent nachos!! I was stupid and ordered something else thinking it would be just as good. Nope. My recommendation is nachos & sangria and you will be set. Also the dj kept changing the songs we liked. Like we would hear it for 30 seconds and then he would skip..poop =( I would totally go back for the nachos & sangria!!

    (4)
  • Alex V.

    I managed to get to Cactus a few months ago and forgot to review. I'm not quite sure if Cactus is a bar trying to serve food, or a restaurant looking to push drinks. Either way, there is something about this place that just seems a bit off. The guac was promoted as being very good, but it was ordinary at best. Our entrees were not horrible, but nothing to write home about either. Even the drinks were ok, but I've definitely had better margaritas. The space was kinda cramped, but it was nicely decorated. The next time I'm going through Manyunk, I would definitely give it another shot, but its not an establishment that I would to consider to be a "destination."

    (3)
  • Steve S.

    Been wanting to try Cactus since I read about it in the Inquirer. Not impressed. The chips were below average (mass produced, not home made)...and very stale! The salsa tasted like pureed tomatoes with specks of cilantro...it was awful...no flavor! If you're going to be a southwest/mexican themed restaurant, it's essential to have respectable chips and salsa. The so-called spicy caesar salad was average (and not spicy)...it could have been worse, but also could have been much better. The chicken tacos were ok, but not much flavor or creativity. The Lobster Quesadillas were ok, but again, could be better. The limes in our drinks were old, discolored, and dried out. I requested some extras and they were more of the same. The service was spotty, with very young, unexperienced, and poorly trained servers. Mens bathroom was exceptionally clean. Bottom line - there are so many better southwest and authentic mexican restaurants in the philly area. I won't be going back to this one.

    (2)
  • Leo M.

    Terribly prepared faux mexican. I would have preferred Taco Bell. Maybe they're better not on Race Day, but I am hesitant to even bother trying again.

    (1)
  • Brian D.

    Went here with a group of 9 people on a Saturday night for dinner and sat upstairs. The food was very good as was the service, particularly for a group of our size. No complaints here. I will definitely return if I'm craving some Mexican food.

    (4)
  • Caroline V.

    Had to try this place out since Tony C moved from Bayou over to here. Since I'm a fan of the bayou then Cactus had to be great too. There's food and drink specials every night. We got a pitcher of margarita for $10, it was delicious and was plenty for 2 people. The food was really good and I really have to go back for the lobster fajitas. They're $8.95 on mondays!!! HELLO!!

    (4)
  • Caroline H.

    Well I went back here this past weekend to give it a second try. . . MUCH BETTER. Serivce was A++, the waitress was very attentive and kept our beer and drinks flowing. They give you complimentary chips which they kept re-filling for us, always a plus. We started with guacamole which was a decent size portion and a pitcher of sangria. (Buy the drinks by the glass--its cheaper then a pitcher that gets you only about 3 drinks) I ordered the chicken fajita salad which was very fresh and the chicken was juicy. The others that were with me had quesadillas which were huge and very tasty. We couldn't finish all our food because there was too much! All in all a much better experience then when it first opened.

    (4)
  • Dave J.

    Great specials in Margarita Monday and Taco Tuesdays, but the food is not the best and the service was all reactive... requiring some kind of signal to get their attention. Nice atmosphere with some outdoor seating which can be hard to find on Main St.

    (3)
  • Rebecca H.

    Cactus is a great, casual tex-mex on Main Street in Manayunk. Nice beer selection, great as a restaurant or just for drinks at the bar.

    (3)
  • Tom S.

    My girlfriend and I dropped in on a Wednesday, just after the place had opened. This is really the only time I can enjoy Manayunk, when the raunchy bar crowds are still stuck at work, and on this night it made for a great early dinner. We hit up their 25-cent wing special for starters, and shared their pork enchiladas and "loaded burrito," the latter of which was smothered in a generous helping of rich, creamy cheese sauce. It was some excellent Tex-Mex, loaded with chili flavor but never too hot for comfort. My Malbec was tasty and my lady's margaritas were very fruity, just to her taste. Not much to complain about, but I can picture the late night scene looking quite a bit different from what I've just described.

    (4)
  • Audrey J.

    First time I went to Cactus was on their opening night. No remarkable memory of that evening but I'm all for not judging a restaurant on their opening night. I was looking for a decent and inexpensive place to grab lunch with a friend, and Manayunk area is not easy: you either have sandwich shops or fine dining... Cactus turned out to be a good balance. The food was almost better than I expected and the service very nice... I ordered the Fajita salad (fresh and tasty) and my friend had the pulled pork which he was raving about. Don't expect anything but a decent casual Tex-Mex, and you won't be disappointed.

    (3)
  • Dana C.

    I went here for the 1st time last week - sad to say it was horrible. Not sure how you can mess up a margarita, let alone a taco but both were disgusting. The bartender was seemed so uninterested & played on his phone the whole time. Will NOT be back.

    (2)
  • Meghann p.

    I went for breakfast with 7 people on Sunday. We had a great time. Service was great and so was the Sangria....it tasted just right..! Everyone enjoyed their b-fasts...everyone got omelets or wraps. I am looking forward to doing a dinner there. I saw they are doing a Fajitas and Ritas on Monday night....$8.99 for fajitas and $5 for ritas. 1/2 price sangria on sundays!

    (4)
  • Melynda D.

    Went here with the hubster and some friends for a friends birthday party. When we first arrived, we'd wondered where we were going to sit, because we'd made a reservation for 8 people, and there were no available tables. The waitress immediately went back to where our table was to be, and told the people who had sat themselves, that they had to move, due to the table being reserved. Most places don't even do that anymore, afraid to "butt hurt" a customer. So for that I give kudos. Brave waitresses = Ok by me :) I ordered the espresso martini (can't remember the exact name but I know it had espresso in it, and I had two of them) Muey Bueno! I ordered enchiladas and oh my goodness it was almost too much food for me . I moved here from Oregon over a year ago, and had been trying to find a tex-mex/mexican place worth a crap, and now I've found something to tie me over until my next mexican/tex-mex adventure at least, and I know if In Manayunk, Cactus is where I'm at for some grubbin food, and some stellar martinis!

    (4)
  • Emily F.

    Was in town for business and stopped here for dinner on a Monday night. Monday happens to have a lot of specials including $10 margarita pitchers and $8 fajitas. The margaritas were awesome, fajitas were great, although didn't come out on a sizzling plate, which I was expecting. Service was very good, prices were reasonable and the food was tasy. I'd definitely go back or reccomend it to friends for a fun dinner out.

    (3)
  • Mark F.

    Absolutely horrible. The chips were stale. The food is overpriced and terrible. The service was the worst I've ever experienced. We were finishing our beers, and the server asked us to "order something else" if we wanted to continue to sit there...this is after paying $50 for a crappy meal. I don't know who the server was the evening of 9/1 for the outside tables, but I would recommend a new staff.

    (1)
  • Liam M.

    Went a couple friends to get some margaritas and dinner. The margaritas were not good (tasted like straight mix) The "specialty" margaritas do not come with a salted or sugar rim, and you cannot request it. Advertised on the menu as mixed with Jose Cuervo- id be willing to bet it really isn't Cuervo and if it is they put so little in it you would never guess. The food is not terrible but it not worth anywhere near what they charge. I ordered $9.00 quesadillas that we're probably only worth $5-$6. And there was only a pinch of pico de gallo served with them. One of my friends ordered the nachos and cheese. There was almost more cheese on the plate than chips. That was $6. The service was not good. Before we were able to order out drinks, the hostess had to come check all of our IDs. The waitress was not able to do this. I guess the hostess was a human ID scanner or took special ID checking classes because she didn't have a handheld machine with her. I won't go back.

    (2)
  • Katelyn P.

    My boyfriend and I were excited to try this mexican restaurant in Manayunk, however, we were HUGELY disappointed. Once we sat down we looked at the menu and wanted to leave but our waiter brought us stale chips and salsa so we thought we should stay. We went on a Sunday morning so I ordered coffee. The waiter said he had to make a pot which I should have taken as a bad sign. I guess its my fault for still ordering it and at a Mexican restaurant. Once I finally got it it pretty much tasted like tar even with excessive amounts of splenda and cream. So on to breakfast. I ordered the breakfast burrito which the waiter said was the best thing on the menu. It tasted like rotten eggs. There was no salsa or any other condiments to cover up the awful taste It's basically fake mexican and you should just drive a bit further to Northern Liberties and go to Dos Segundos if you want good mexican cuisine!

    (1)
  • Kevin W.

    came here and had the tortilla soup and it was great in fact Iam surprised as to how low the other yelpers have rated this place.Even though it was the weekend and place was crowded I received great customer service.We returned for their $2.00 taco special and they were also very good

    (4)
  • Sheila G.

    Went here with a few of my girlfriends to celebrate our birthdays. The drinks were not that great. I had a watered down captain and diet coke. However, my friend had a skinny girl margarita. It was a homemade one and it was so strong neither of us could drink it. The salsa and chips were outstanding. It was the best salsa I ever ate. And, unlike other who wrote reviews, we asked for more chips and they gladly gave them to us. My one girlfriend and I shared the shrimp burrito and steak quesadilla. There was not much presentation to the dishes, which I usually like and came with no sides. However, the shrimp burrito was amazing and so filling, I didn't need anything else. I also really like the steak quesadilla. Now for the service. It was ok. Not great but not bad. Waitress did not work hard for the tip and really wan't pleasant, but she wasn't miserable either. But then again, it's Philly so I never expect much. We went on a Friday night and the place was packed. I would definitely go again and bring my son who is a salsa connoisseur!

    (3)
  • Melinda J.

    I ABSOLUTELY fell in love with this place. I finally found a great mexican restaurant on Main Street! It was a great atmosphere to relax and have a couple of drinks while eating some delicious food. I had the Strawberry Margarita which was delicious and the chicken quesadillas that were so filling! The wait staff were very friendly and accommodating. Our server gave us the remote to change the channel for the TV in front of us which was so nice. I definately recommend coming here and trying the place out! I took a look at their weekly specials, and they look great! I know that I will be back!

    (5)
  • Nicole A.

    Literally the most HORRENDOUS service I have ever experienced in my life. The food is what you pay for. At 9-15 dollars a plate, you aren't going to get anything out of this world. I went there with a few friends for a quick bite, and they screwed up 4 out of 5 orders. Not to mention having to ask for the complementary chips, silverware, and side dishes about 10 times. Also, they brought all of our food out at separate times. The first person got his dish 15 minutes before the second. It was just mind boggling that this place is owned by The Bayou, which is one of my favorite stops in Manayunk. Bottom line is, if your going to spend your money for someone else to make you food, spend it elsewhere.

    (1)
  • cynthia a.

    there is a charge for tap water!! if you want water, you have to buy a small bottle for $2.!! also they add and 18% tip to the bill even for 2 people. food was so-so. ran out of chips so no chips with the guacomole, and no salsa with entrees unless asked. very disappointing.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Music : Background
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Cactus Restaurant & Bar

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