My friend wanted to come here for her birthday dinner and it was such a good pick. The restaurant was packed so I could tell it was very popular. The set up is a little strange. There is one area on the right side of the building where you order food and they have smaller tables. The right side of the building has another room with larger tables, a bar and an outdoor patio. Since it was busy, ended up sitting at the outdoor patio but we were sitting next to a fireplace so it wasn't too bad. We ordered at the counter and they give us numbers so a waiter can bring it to our table. I ordered the elote off the cob and a carnita taco. I really enjoyed the food. It came out fast but still tasted fresh. The elote has a slight spicy kick to it which I enjoyed. My friend ordered the chips with the 3 dip trio option for the table. He picked an avocado salsa, mango habanero salsa and a pineapple jalapeño salsa. We loved it. The pineapple salsa was the crowd pleaser. The food is very inexpensive. My 2 items cost me only 10 dollars which is a steal at this time of day. My friends and I are already making plans to come back in the summer. read more

Terrible mechanics to order food. You have to order at the bar at one location & the point of sale at the Cantina part. You are assigned a number & the food comes out pretty quick. If you order the chips & salsa bar, you have to go to the Cantina part, wait in line while others order their food, make your selection & then head back to the stone cold food that came out 10 minutes ago. The salsa & queso were good, tacos birrias were good...but the steak fajitas? They were beyond well done in the "Congratulations!!" area of dry. I had a random piece of chicken thigh mixed in & that piece was also throwing a solo graduation party. For the hassle of the parking lot (good luck!!) & sub par food, avoid this place like moisture does the protein. read more

Desperados Cantina - Chips w queso & left to right arbol, avocado salsa & table salsa. The shining star in a sea of darkness. - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Great patio, highly recommend sitting outside. Some of the best guac & chips I've had recently. Breakfast Burrito was more than enough with the skillet potatoes. Chicken tacos were also delish! Service was good, definitely recommend and they have a bunch of different salsas to choose from. read more

Desperados Cantina - Guacamole Breakfast Burrito - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Amazing craft cocktails and one of the best Birria tacos I've had!! Food and drinks came out quick. Our server was not real friendly but I'll give her credit..she was the only one working at the bar that day. She did make a great craft cocktail. read more

Desperados Cantina - Birria tacos w side of Mexican rice - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Just above basic bar food but quick service. If eating inside the noise level is high. Nice hangout spot after work or good lunch choice when not so crowded. read more

This place has good food and the drinks looked amazing I didn't partake The salsa bar is top notch The avocado one was my favorite Tacos perfect size The only downfall is the setup If you want to sit outside you have to go across to the other part to order food and vice versa for drinks read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

You have to visit this place. The food, drinks, and service were excellent! My family and I loved it. The ambiance was perfect, and my father enjoyed the fireplace outside. It is a must try! You won't be disappointed read more

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Desperados is a two part restaurant. One side where one orders, fills drinks, and has some seating. The other side with a full bar and more seating. After ordering at the counter, one will be provided a buzzer that will go off when good is ready. Staff will still bring food to your table if you don't want to get yourself. The inside was well designed. Our group got a wide variety of food options. Our favorites were the guacamole, elote, birria tacos, and hot pepper fried chicken. All had really good depth of flavor and tasted really fresh. Some misses were the gringo taco and mexican rice side as it was lacking in taste or preparation style. I also tried the mezcal drink with egg white, passionfruit, and orange bitters. It was frothy, light, and well balanced. Staff were a bit short and not overly friendly but exposure to staff is minimal. I'd still recommend coming to enjoy some good mexican food here! read more

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We were so surprised to find excellent tacos in such a cool location! We are here from Los Angeles visiting family and asked to go get some good Mexican food for dinner. They didn't really have any good suggestions so we yelped Desperados and we're glad we did! They had been to the area and eaten at several other places in the same area but had just seen the cantina and didn't try the restaurant. We all loved it! We had multiple different orders between 9 people but I think the carne asada and al pastor tacos were probably the stars of the lunch. Both the charro beans and black beans were great Lots of really good and unique salsas to choose from. Super cool decor and great food. The brunch menu had us all wishing we could have tried more. Highly recommended! read more

New favorite taco spot alert! Desperados Cantina in Lexington is everything you want in a fun night out -- bold flavors, killer drinks, and a welcoming vibe that makes you want to stay a while. The tacos are next-level -- especially the birria and al pastor -- and the avocado fries are a must. Plus, the salsa bar with 20+ house-made salsas? Chef's kiss. Service was fast and friendly, and the patio is perfect for chill afternoons or casual date nights. Their tequila and mezcal game is strong, and the margaritas hit just right. Located in the heart of the Distillery District, this spot is bursting with energy and flavor. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Several of us came her for lunch while in the area for business meetings. The whole complex is very interesting and loaded with fun restaurants. This restaurant is wild, because you order in one building and then, if you're eating there, you walk across the walkway to a different place, the bar and that's where you sit. They'll bring you your food when it's ready. They have lots of interesting items on the menu, but whatever you get, try their salsas and sauces because they have plenty and they all are outstanding! Everything here is very fresh and the freshness comes through in the flavor. Their chicken tacos were great, but their charro beans were amazing! Service was excellent and very friendly, with a smile! Prices are great too, as you can get their lunch special for $11 which comes with 2 tacos and a side and a drink - awesome deal! Highly recommend stopping in here to try their tacos and other food... We definitely enjoyed it! read more

Desperados Cantina - Amazing Sauces! - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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This place gave off good vibes. The employees were very helpful and nice and the food was great. The black garlic salsa verde and avocado salsa were great! The vegetarian taco was better than the shrimp chamoy and pork bulgogi in my opinion. Would recommend. read more

Desperados Cantina - Chips and salsa - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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I came here yesterday with a friend for the first time during taco week and it was fantastic! Desperado is located in the distillery district which is a fun vibe for the weekend. The restaurant itself is divided into two spaces which makes it easy to find a spot to sit (there's also outdoor seating). The service was very friendly and the food came out quite fast! We both got the taco week special (3 different specialty tacos for $7.50). I also tried their horchata and it was incredible! Overall, a fabulous spot and probably my new favorite spot for tacos in Lexington! read more

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Love going here. The patio is awesome; love sitting out there when the weather allows. Love the margarita Mondays. Recent change to the margarita recipe and it's for the better. Avocado fries are my favorite. Queso is good but it seems like it's always a bit on the cold side and solidifies somewhat quickly. Tacos are good; I think they are a bit overpriced. Staff on the patio side are great! read more

My friends and I chose Desperados for our girls get together. It was national margarita day and the house margaritas were 5$ and delicious! This restaurant has two separate sections with a sidewalk in between. You order food and drinks at the bar. Food is delivered to your table. The servers were friendly and food arrived hot, fresh and fast. We sampled several salsas from the fresh salsa bar ( you choose three ). We also had queso and queso fundido. We loved everything. There are specials daily but always a variety of tacos available. Several of us got the pollo tacos and agreed they were very good. I tried a patron taco which was a special of the night. It had shrimp, peppers and cheese in a grilled tortilla (think cross between quesadillas and tacos). It was delicious. I also recommend the charro beans. The restaurant is cozy and fun and we had a blast! read more

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Fun place - can't imagine the parking situation on a weekend. Food is solid, should have tried the Birria tacos. Rice was a little dry. Would definitely go back, try a drink or two next time. read more

Had some fabulous drinks at the Desperados Cantina! We wandered in here after finding other neighboring bars to be too loud and crowded (UK Basketball game on). Service was quick and they had comfortable seating perfect for a small group. We didn't try the food, but the service was fabulous! read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Really good food and very nice atmosphere. You order your food at the counter though, but it was still a nice time. read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Salsa selection impressive. Tacos delicious, especially the birria tacos. Nachos are huge. Friendly staff. Have come back several times. Great location as well (next to Crank and Boom) read more

We got food to go and eat at Ethereal Brewing. Given it was right around dinner time and we only had to wait like 25 minutes, that worked out pretty well! Torta was pretty okay, the bread got super soggy very quickly, but the flavors were pretty solid. Tacos, according to my partner, were pretty meh and definitely needed some hot sauce or additional flavor. The restaurant looked pretty nice, so we'll have to try and eat there next time! read more

Desperados Cantina - Bulgogi, chicken, pork belly tacos - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Birria tacos buss. Great location with Ethereal right next door. Loved the pork belly taco as well, a little overpriced however read more

Desperados Cantina - Birria tacos - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

My first trip. Quacamole was exceptional. Tacos were dry not the flavor expierince I was expecting. Service not good Girl behind the bar never asked for refill and was not busy. Priced ok. read more

This is a great addition to the distillery district. I enjoyed a drink and some tacos while hanging out with friends on their awesome patio. Of course it helped that the weather was great but the inside looks cool too. There was a band playing which was a little loud but did add to the fun atmosphere. For my tacos I ordered the pollo and carnitas. Both were delicious. read more

Desperados Cantina - Carnitas and Pollo tacos - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Drinks are reasonably priced. Food portions are small. Very nice atmosphere on a nice day, excellent patio area overlooking the creek. read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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We visited Desperados Cantina on a Saturday night and didn't have any problem with ordering lines or finding a place to sit. This is a very busy area, but they manage the space well. Everything we ate was very tasty. I also felt like everything was fairly priced. My only complaint was that the vegetarian options were pretty sparse. Their one vegetarian taco was a little too niche to be appealing. We will definitely be back! read more

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Food was good. Good selection of tequila. Service wasn't great. The bartenders were more concerned with watching the Olympics on the tv behind the bar (meaning their backs were to the clients most of the time I was there). read more

Great ambience, delicious food, good portions and friendly staff. The tacos are soo delicious and ceviche is fresh. read more

Desperados Cantina - Ceviche, tacos Burria, chips and salsa. - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Mark behind the bar very helpful. First time here won't be our last. Kudos to the manager!!!!!! Very fresh food appreciate freshness.

This place is SMOKIN hot! The food is delicious and I love the salsa choices! I love mezcal and they have the best you can get outside of Mexico! The staff is super friendly! read more

Located near a few distilleries and a brewery, we were excited to find a quick restaurant to grab food. Orders are taken at the counter and then delivered to your table. There are two areas to sit, some outside and some indoor with a bar. We ordered tacos and Mexican rice. The flavors in the tacos were really good. The rice was enjoyable as well read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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Really flavorful and filling tacos at a good rate. Always quick and hits the spot for lunch. Also definitely get the Duros, a classic read more

Desperados Cantina - Quick and easy, full lunch (share the duros, so good!) - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Found some delicious tacos that hit the spot after a great whiskey tour at James E Pepper. The shrimp, pork belly, and steak tacos were all fantastic. The location was convenient, and the service was excellent. We grabbed seats at the bar and enjoyed a few drinks with our meal. They even had a surprising variety of Mexican beers and cocktails, which was a welcome sight in bourbon country! read more

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We have been to several Spanish restaurants throughout Lexington, but this is by far my favorite. We ordered several different things and everything was amazing, definitely recommend. read more

No bartender, no service, music was good but that's where it ends. The food was okay, more TexMex.

I had high expectations considering the majority of the reviews here are good but I was very disappointed. The prices are outrageous for what you get. The tortillas are cold and almost like they just opened a package from the grocery store and put minimal meat inside for the carne asada tacos. I asked about the salsa bar right next to the cashier and how much etc and the cashier just flatly said "75 cents" and didn't explain anything else. I paid $4 for a jarritos soda is a crazy price point. The inside was nice but I won't be back. The food was pretty flavorless and I did not like the shrimp taco at all, the sauce was very weird and the slaw had green apple which didn't pair well with it. read more

Desperados Cantina - Carne asada tacos and shrimp taco - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Liz, Caleb, Michael is were ICOOOOONNNNOCCCC!!!!!!!! My FAAAAAVVVS! they were oh so niceee and caring for my food and drinks and the service for fantastic read more

If there was an ability to leave less than one star I would. First thing was my tres leche cake tasted like it was soaked in onion juice. Secondly, by far the worst offense, we stat down at the bar right in front of two bartenders with my card out. Both looked at us and did not even ask if we wanted anything. In response I was like they are busy they will be with us in a minute. Nope, 19 drinks made later after looking at us 7 different times after walking by us 12 different times; we had to flag a bartender down who told us to wait cause he had to serve two other ppl who just walked up to the edge of the bar. I did notify someone that was at the front door who said he would take care of it but I don't feel like it will go on deaf ears as did our presence at sitting at the bar directly in front of both bartenders. read more

I love me a tequila bar and Desperados doesn't disappoint. Great tequila flight selection great tacos. I didn't groove on the service in that I had to keep chasing my drinks and food from one building to another. There bartenders could have had a little more pizzazz though. But I'll suffer through for good tequila and tacos. read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

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$7.50 for this + tip is actually criminal. And I wouldn't have gotten the other two salsas if I hadn't asked. Prices are higher than Mazunte Bodega, and the meat is worse quality. Every time I've gotten the carne asada tacos, they've had gristle read more

Desperados Cantina - Tacos Near Me - Lexington, Kentucky

Wow. Who knew tacos could be so good. Great atmosphere. Terrific food. Try it you'll like it