We had a large group and server was very nice and helpful. The food too a bit long to come out but was all hot and seemed fresh. I had the veggie tacos with black beans and rice. The corn tortillas were not very good but the inside veggies and black bean hummus. The rice and black beans were good. The chips and salsa were tasty. Overall it's a decent place and worth a visit. read more

I had the Stuffed Pablano. It was average at best. THe chips are gross, salsa was ok. NOT impressed, I do not understand why they are busy, my guess is the people in the area dont know what its supposed to taste like. Will not be back. read more

Not bad but not great either. I ordered chicken tacos and the chicken was decently tender but there were lots of bits of cartilage not removed. Seemed a bit bland to me.and lacking in seasoning. Chicken quesadilla only had chicken and cheese in it, nothing else. Served with sour cream and Guacamole that was pretty good. It was ok but not somewhere I'd run to go to again. read more

Delicious fresh salsa & chips. Fun atmosphere & very friendly/helpful staff. I felt the menu lacked in variety & authenticity of Mexican cuisine. While it is the best I have come across so far (I have recently relocated here from the south), it is just not that perfect Mexican restaurant for me. read more

I had a dinner here with some co-workers a few weeks ago, and I was impressed that they bought out whoever was next door and doubled their seating space! Now the waits shouldn't be so bad! Like my other trips, the food was great and the service wasn't bad. It's solid authentic Mexican food. read more

Great Mexican! I love their fish tacos. The tortillas are like heaven in your mouth. Everything has an unexpected sweet flavor to the spice. It is delicious! I have not been there since they expanded into the space next door, but I am excited to go back. They also have really good fried ice cream. My husband and I were going there frequently and it was hard to pass up the ice cream. They have really tasty combo plates. I love their black beans. I have enjoyed every meal I have had there. It is a little pricey for Mexican food. Two entrees and fried ice cream gets your bill up to $40. But it is well worth it. read more

Great little place. We arrived and had to wait at 7pm on a friday. The waitress:hostess asked if we made reservations. We didnt. She made use feel like we should have. No big deal. We waited 10 minutes and got sat. We open the menus and the menus are covered in food debris. Sick! Wash your menus! Not a fan to see someone elses slobber on a menu! Not a good first impression. Complimentary Chips arrived and were plentiful and very crunchie and salty! Pico was so fresh and delish ! We really enjoyed it. We ordered the QUESO as an appetizer... Expecting a large bowl of creamy cheese.... I mean for 9.95, it had to be a big bowl of cheese right? Nope. It was sorta a mix between NACHOS and SOUP! With a whacky flavor... Almost sweet or mustardly tasting. We liked it, just wont ever order it again! Not our ideal of great queso. We ordered gorditas and there were fantastic and flavorful! Rice was delish! Black beans tasted out of a can! Bleck! But the shredded beef gordita was fantastic... And saved this review! We will be back! We were seated next to the door and it was cold and no one from the staff seemed to care. We brought wine because its BYOB.... But noticed other tables had BYOB bottles of tequila... And after reading the menu they offer virgin pitchers of margaritas for a reasonable price! Add your own tequila! Arrriba! Check this place out... Just check menus first(they are soiled) and DO NOT BOTHER with the queso .. You will be less than pleased! Parking is a complete bitch too, might I add ... A total nightmare trying to exit...as its one way! Nightmare ! Nightmare! read more

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So much food!!! One of my all time favorite places! Food is delicious and Cathy is always such a great waitress. read more

Cactus Blue - The trio! Plus margaritas! - Mexican Near Me - Emmaus, Pennsylvania

I live in Houston and travel regularly to Bethlehem on business and have been doing so for three years. I've been a regular at Cactus Blue the whole time. It's darn good spanish food and you don't find a lot of that up north at all. I eat there every time I'm in town. The prices are great, the food is great and the service is great. it is very warm and informal. I have a weakness for their fish tacos (blue) and their chips and salsa (homemade) read more

We arrived thirty minutes before closing. Staff would not let us sit down or order to go since they were closing "soon". Waitress who refused to allow us in the restaurant was very rude. I definitely don't recommend this place. They obviously don't care about their restaurant. read more

This restaurant has been a favorite of my wife & I for years. We're usually in about once a week. While the food isn't what I'd call authentic Mexican, it is Mexican-ish, and mild enough that my wife enjoys it. Tonight I ordered the Trio Blue which comes with a shrimp taco, chicken burrito and chicken caesar salad. They also put rice and black beans with the platter. My dinner came out with the taco and burrito, but the chicken Caesar had no chicken or Caesar dressing. The black beans had almost no black beans, just a cup of juice that I managed to fish about 8 beans from. When I asked the waitress about the chicken in my chicken salad she flatly told me that it doesn't come with chicken. I was surprised, she offered no help to check the menu or would ask anyone in the kitchen. She just told me my dinner didn't come with a chicken salad, but she would place an order if I wanted to order one... I didn't want to make a scene that would interrupt other diners so I let it slide. I don't know what happened to this place. Service and Food prep hit rock bottom tonight. So if you want to try Cactus Blue be aware you may not get what you pay for... I guess maybe it's time to move on. Casa Toro has always been another favorite so... read more

A Groupon brought me back to Cactus Blue after a few years, in which time the restaurant continued to win "Best of the Valley" for Mexican food. I love Mexican food but I can't eat spicy peppery deliciousness. I had the carne asada which was perfectly done. I'll write the rest of my review from the perspective of my dining companion. Fred. He's not much of a conversationalist but he'll be straight with you. Fred said: The salsa is more like pico de gallo and the peppers in it are fresh and they kick ASS. The rice is really good, and I love my fajitas. I brought in a few bottles of beer and as long as they brought me a glass I'm happy. The flan was not flan like I know. I know flan. This flan was like a big coconut macaroon. I'm not complaining, I love macaroons. OK back to me. I think the food is good, but I enjoy Mexico Lindo and La Lupita more. read more

Went to Cactus Blue tonight for the first time and it was absolutely incredible! They were celebrating their 15th anniversary of opening, which we were just lucky to be there for that! Our server was extremely friendly and walked us through the menu while making some great suggestions. The food was delicious! I had one of the samplers, all the meats were cooked perfectly with a ton of flavors, and the star side of the dish were the beans!! The appetizers, entrees and desserts we all tried were amazing!Can't wait to go back and try some more items! read more

First experience here was just OK. Actually, the restaurant and service were pretty good. Unfortunately, the food was somewhat disappointing. Everything was presented well, but it just didn't have the Mexican flavor. I don't know if it was just an Americanized set of recipes or what. read more

I've been here a couple times for special events and really enjoy it. The prices are reasonable, service is great, and the menu is large. It is a family oriented place which always made me feel awkward coming in with a group of rowdy guys and a couple cases of cheap beer. I greatly prefer Cilantro. read more

This is OK Mexican food--certainly not the best I've ever had, but decent. I got the Trio Mexico, which consisted of 2 enchiladas, a bean and cheese taco, and a tostada. The staff was really nice, and it is BYOB--if you bring liquor (or also if you don't), they'll make a pitcher of margarita mix for you. read more

Ditto on shrimp tacos, they have a tasty seasoning and are now my favorite treat! I order it "blue" style which is lettuce cilantro and cheese.. for some reason they forgot the cilantro 2 visits in a row (even after I asked about the cilantro). I simply asked for extra on the side and put it in myself (I order it blue just for the cilantro yum!). I tried beef and fish tacos too, didn't like them. My friend got the Caesar Burrito which I thought would be weird but turned out to be very tasty! He also got the gordita which was just as good, but humungous. They give you fresh tortillas to snack on while you wait for dinner, but watch out, they are heavy and quite filling! Orange soda good, mango good, all natural. Sangria soda weird. The place is spacious now, they took over the spot next door and knocked down the wall. The staff is nice. The ambience is simple and casual but festive. Will be back again and again for those shrimp tacos. read more

I had gone here after hearing rave reviews from all the local news outlets, and I left pretty disappointed. Maybe I don't know what Mexican food should be like, but I felt like the dishes here we very americanized. The food presentation was good. but the food seemed pretty mild and bland, and the provided hot sauce wasn't hot enough to give it much flavor. read more

I came to this place after all the great reviews and reader choice awards this place has won (although none recently). I came away disappointed. First they seated me against the wall with the uncomfortable wooden bench seats. I do not like the fried type chips and the salsa which is not a sauce but just cut up tomatoes, onions and seasonings. I had the burritos which where were just okay but not much meat inside. I thought overall the taste was bland. In fact both our burritos we ordered were alittle cold in the center which lead me to believe it was microwaved with the fact that we got food rather quickly. Granted the place during the week had many customers. Seemed none stop coming in and going so this place is popular but personally I would prefer Fiesta Ole locations or the chain On The Border. read more

Arrived around 6. Stood at the door for 5-10 minutes. Waiting to be seated, there was plenty of seats open. But still took a bit. Finally sat down, they took our drink order fairly quickly. Also they provide free chips and salsa. Once we ordered our food it was brought out quickly. Well we suddenly realized that we didn't have any utensils. I had to look for someone to give us some. That was a inconvenience. Anyway my partner order the trio Mexico, which he enjoyed. I had the nachos, I was not a fan. The prices are moderate. I may try them again and see how the second try goes. Otherwise I think it's an OK kinda place. read more

Cactus Blue - Nachos with shredded beef. I definitely won't get it again. - Mexican Near Me - Emmaus, Pennsylvania

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Very good! The chips they put on the table to start are fresh and delicious. I was there during lunch. The portions are large and prices are reasonable. When you order lunch it comes with a free soft drink! read more

I dine in here occasionally and get take out too often to admit to. Minus one star because the chicken can be kind of dry-- I think others may have alluded to this. After one bad chicken run-in, I turned to steak and never looked back. The chips are insanely good- perfect amount of salt and crispy bite to them. Try the guacamole, served in a fried tortilla bowl. My usual steak chimichanga is huge, the rice is flavorful. I only wish they did traditional refried beans instead of refried black ones, but those are good too. Better than most mexican I've sampled in my hometown Brooklyn, but there's just not that many options in South Brooklyn anyway. read more

Learned about this place several years ago with all of the local accolades it has received and have been frequenting CB ever since. Bert's Enchiladas which went went from a special to permanent item is the best entree. Chips and Pico are excellent and they expanded a couple of years ago so very roomy and welcoming for all group sizes. read more

I haven't been to this place in a couple years...but I still remember having a good experience here. I still recommend this place to friends when they're looking for Mexican food. It's hard to find good Mexican food and not be judgmental when you have a father who is Mexican and cooks for you...but Cactus Blue is pretty decent. My family and I frequented this place quite often. They never seemed disappointed, but never thrilled either. I remember this place always being BYOB too. I only ever order one thing. The beef gordita! It's huge and delicious. Hopefully if I go back soon it'll taste as good as I remember! read more

Probably the worst Mexican food in the valley. Bland, flavorless, and uninspired. Queso should not be grainy.

Picked up from this location twice all the food is excellent. The people are friendly. I enjoyed the Mole enchiladas very much. Impressive to me was how clean the chicken was in whatever we ordered. By this I mean it had no greasy bits or such in it. It was moist, and very flavorful. Definitely a goto place for excellent food. read more

When we first arrived we sat for about 10 minutes simply waiting for our server to come. She certainly wasn't anywhere to be found as we watched her wait on the tables all around us. I will say that once she did come she took care of our needs (drinks, food) very fast. Once our entrees came we didn't see her again until we grabbed her to get the check. The food was very dry and seemed to need some extra sauce to provide flavor to the disappointingly bland food but, as our server never returned to ask about our food we were out of luck on extra sauce. Prices were very reasonable. Entrees $11 - $16. If you don't mind driving a little further for your mexican food, we recommend Feista Ole in Emmaus. We've never had a bad meal there. read more

This by far is the BEST mexican restaurant in the valley!! Everything is so flavorful and portions do not disappoint!!!

Just had our second meal at Cactus Blue and once again had a very good experience there. I had the Burrito Blue with shrimp and thoroughly enjoyed it. The portions are generous and I left feeling that I had just the correct amount of food. Our waitress was attentive and pleasant and seemed to enjoy her work. If Mexican is your thing, I'd definitely suggest giving Cactus Blue a try. read more

Food was dry and overcooked. Small menu for a Mexican restaurant.

To the owner: Thanks for ruining what was meant to be a pleasant lunch I was treating my sisters to today with lousy service, inattention and overcharges to our bill. Your waitstaff obviously didn't show up today, because the one server seemed like she was handling both dining rooms and was overwhelmed. I don't need your scheduling problems to become MY problem. We waited 10 minutes for the dishes to be cleared, almost another ten to get our inflated check. And when did you start charging for the beverage that the menu clearly states comes with the lunch special??? Also, the kitchen can't understand simple instructions, like no lettuce on the plate!! We have come frequently in the past, but today's fiasco means you won't be seeing us again!! read more

We are visiting the area and didn't want fast food again! Did a search and they came up- really glad it did! People are very friendly- waitress was super fast and attentive! Food was great and the portions were HUGE!! If we lived here it would definitely become a place we would visit often!0 read more

Have not been for years and my wife and I went for lunch this week. Simply awesome! We had the Burrito Blue (one pork and one chicken) and the quality and quantity of the ingredients was excellent. The rice and beans are authentic and terrific. And lastly, the simplest of things sometimes make a big impression: House made tortilla chips and fresh pico were outstanding. Notes: although excellent, the rice was too much on top of the wonderful burritos. Simply couldn't make a dent in them and felt bad (maybe ask for 1/2 portion). read more

Life changing chimichangas! This is a local favorite of mine, don't sleep on this place. We ordered the vegetarian chimichanga, which is large enough to be shared by 2. It came with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, rice, beans, AND a side of chips and salsa! And it was ready within 15 minutes of ordering on a Saturday afternoon. Their food doesn't disappoint, is always a hefty serving, and priced right. read more

Horrible! Food is not good. Would never eat here again. Horrible service. Very unauthentic Mexican. Freezing inside with fans blowing over the table. The fried ice cream was ok. It's a by on and if alcohol was served the food may have tasted better. read more

Gross. This is not delicious fresh food, it is boxed, canned and microwaved. The owners should be ashamed of themselves. What puzzles me and my family is that people think that it is good. Wtf? I wanted to stand up in the restaurant and yell what is wrong with you people for seemingly enjoying this crap? Alas, I will never go to this fake food restaurant ever again. The search for a decent restaurant in Lehigh Valley continues..... read more

We had an awesome experience tonight for dinner at Cactus Blue. We were served by a server named Kathy who was fantastic throughout the entire dining experience. She was very attentive, made sure our meals and drinks were always full and just overall super friendly. read more

Favorite Mexican restaurant HANDS DOWN. The food is delicious and the service is always great. It's BYOB and the menu is full of options for everyone. Always my go to when I want enchiladas read more

Service...Placed a To Go order for 1 enchilada dinner with guacamole that took 40 minutes to arrive. The order I received was 3 flour tortillas with bell peppers, iceberg lettuce, and rice and beans. Food...Not Mexican but a Mexican-Puerto Rican hybrid. The rice was soggy, lacked flavor, and had a can of Veg-All dumped in it. The tacos were godawful...A microwaved flour tortilla with lettuce and bell pepper. The beans were good. Front house were confused. I was asked three times if I was ordering take out and they took the order on the third try. The order arrived 40 mins later and had no utensils. While I waited for utensils, the server who appeared to be in charge had a surprised look on her face and asked if I was still waiting for the take out. If this kind of chaos happens in the dinning area I can't image what goes on behind the scenes in the kitchen. This is a failed attempt at a restaurant ran by people who obviously know nothing about the business. read more

Wonderful, fresh lunches and dinners. Fun and festive atmosphere ... byob ... always a Favorite !!!!