We went to Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lutz to satisfy our craving for Mexican food, and overall, the food was really good. We ordered the Burrito Don Julio, which came with steak, beans, melted cheese, and Mexican rice, along with chips, pico de gallo, and sour cream. We also tried the molcajete, which came with shrimp, chicken, and steak. Both dishes were flavorful and enjoyable, and we would definitely order the food again. We also ordered the Mexican Manhattan made with Don Julio. Unfortunately, it wasn't very impressive, especially considering the price point. The biggest downside was the service. The restaurant was busy but not packed, yet service was pretty slow, and we had a hard time getting drink refills. read more

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Happy to have found this place after visiting Busch Gardens. Delicious authentic Mexican food and excellent service. Our waiter Gerson gave amazing food recommendations and stellar service. Come check them out when in the area. read more

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I don't care for Mexican restaurants that make you pay for chips and salsa. This staple should always be complimentary. The food took a really long time, close to 45 minutes and it was barely warm when we got it. The flautas were good, the rice and beans just so-so. Not worth almost $20 good for an entree. Will not be back. Much better places to go. read more

They had great deals for Taco Tuesday!! I have birria tacos which were good IMO (8/10), but the elote was REALLY good, i didn't get it with the spice, It had mayo and cheese and it was savory with a hint of sweetness! My bf had the tacos and he said they were OKAY (6/10). Great service, cute and quiet ambiance. read more

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Pretty overpriced for the quality of food and service! Especially considering our server tried to be slick and make our 4 top plus a 1 year old a large party adding an automatic gratuity. I have been in the industry as a bartender, server, and shift lead for 10+ years and know restaurants don't start doing that until it's at least a party of 6. Adding those extra waters to our tab not only lowers your PPA but affects your tip. Like i said I have been in the industry and understand wanting to make sure you make money but unacceptable. read more

Don Julio on Bearss is a lovely place to spend an afternoon. Hidden in a small mall of stores, this really nice restaurant is rarely busy. Delicious food..we tried Chicken enchiladas and Chicken soup. Chips and salsa served with lunch, we were stuffed when we left. Excellent customer service, great waitress. Well worth stopping here for a good meal. Nice modern ambiance and authentic Mexican music. read more

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The birria tacos here are simply amazing! So flavorful, juicy, and satisfying. The service is always so nice; everyone is incredibly kind and welcoming, which just adds to the experience. Anything in this style of food is so yum to me, and Don Julio's does it right. I'll absolutely be back read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

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Excelente comida, auténtico sabor mexicano y Natalia y Angie nos dieron un servicio increíble. Todo estuvo delicioso, desde los tacos hasta las margaritas. El ambiente súper agradable y limpio. Definitivamente uno de los mejores restaurantes mexicanos que he probado. ¡Volveremos pronto! read more

We aren't from the area and met my sister and her boyfriend for a meal. None of us knew where to go so we picked this one randomly. I thought it was good. Out wait staff was excellent. I got the burria tacos and loved them. Such good flavor and I enjoy a good coconut mojito which is hard to find in the Midwest but seems to be a staple in FL. My husband got a steak burrito and he liked it but ended up with some tummy issues. We thought the sopapillas were hilarious. Not at all what we're used to but they were good. Seating inside filled up quickly and there's a few tables outside when it's a bit warmer. read more

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It's a small place. I was expecting the Don Julio the chain restaurant. Same name but different experience. One-word description would me l be "Meh". It's ok not bad not great, decent. If you not from Tampa skip Mexican for Cubano food. I had the steak fajita w corn tortilla which was good. Their guac tasted fresh and the tortillas were not stale. read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Menu cover - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

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Don Julio's is always a great time, my friends and I have been coming here since it opened. this was our last outing before moving and Gerson definitely made it one to remember. always recommend! read more

Great food and service. I had the Quesabirria Tacos. (as good as I had in Cicero, IL) read more

Great experience thanks to our waiter Gerson! I would definitely recommend this Don Julio's

I came in and waited 15 min at my table before I even got a menu. Ordered a margarita and got a glass of ice after waiting another 15 min . Ordered food when our waitress came for the drink order and it was another 20 min before we even got drinks . Another 20 after that before the food came . I had to ask 5 times for refolls before they came . Worst service I have ever had anywhere in the us I have been. But the food was good but not worth it read more

Good food, good portions. I like the carnitas and flan. On occasion there is live music.

Gerson was our server and he was very attentive and kind. the food was great as always!! We will definitely be a repeat customer.

Gerson was great! The food was good and everything was clean and music was nice we would love to come back. The food came out really fast too we were very happy. Thank you Don Julio. read more

The food was really good and fresh. Gerson was always smiling and was a very refreshing person to talk to.

I would improve quite a bit about this restaurant. The loaded nachos weren't bad but why they cost $4 more than the Don Julio nachos makes no sense as the menu shows the two as almost identical. Beware that chips are included but basic, completely flavorless salsa is limited. I guess people are guzzling salsa so this restaurant decided to nix the salt (must be too expensive) and for our party of 5 they gave us one small 2-3oz jalapeño shaped vessel of salsa and when we asked for two extra, since there were 5 of us, they charged us $2/salsa. Maybe that's a new trend at Mexican restaurants that I'm not aware of. The food was blah. We ordered burritos with many of them being without meat, so $12 for a flour tortilla filled with over cooked rice, a paucity of beans and cheese, and an extra $2 for cheese on top. No lettuce, tomatoes, or anything that could be considered fresh. Most places charge extra based on the protein with plain beans being the base option, but this place seems to want to take advantage of individual choosing not to eat meat. I'm not even sure why people come to this place other than the outdoor seating which was suboptimal and our table was as unsteady as a belligerently drunk idiot on the road. Oh, I almost forgot, we ordered cheese dip when we came and of course, we never got it. People were also smoking outside which is wonderful when you have small kids. Thanks for the second hand smoke! read more

Great food and great service! Very nice ambiance! Gerson was an excellent server! It was a little too pricey. read more

Good service and nice customer service and makes the food fast and funny staff. The atmosphere is always lively, with laughter echoing through the dining area. Patrons often find themselves returning not just for the delicious meals, but also for the warm interactions. Each visit feels like catching up with old friends, making it a favorite spot in the community. It's a place where great food and great company come together, ensuring a memorable experience every time. read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

Great spot for a casual lunch or dinner. Their shredded chicken quesadillas are great! Service is usually pretty decent as well as long as you're sitting inside read more

The service was terrible! Server didn't speak English, obviously no experience serving. Didn't offer any refills, didn't offer any dessert, was so incredibly out of touch. The frozen margarita was not frozen and the drink tasted salty. On a redo of the drink it was the same. I question the cleanliness of the machine? The taco salad was dry and was not layered with ingredients as typical which without a dressing made it worse. The queso dip was as thin as milk. Other items, tacos, burrito were eatable. We won't be back. The ambiance is enjoyable and could be a fun place read more

This place is cute, cozy, and really clean. The service was really good, and the staff are really friendly. The food is good and fresh. I would really recommend this place if you like fresh authentic Mexican food. read more

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My server Gerson was attentive and polite. He is a super great guy! The outdoor patio was quiet and comfortable. Our food was brought to our table in a timely manner. The food was filling and tasty, with good size portions. The cheese dip could've been better and the salsa was in a tiny container but other than that no complaints! read more

I read about this place somewhere, I can't remember if it was here on Yelp or somewhere else, but this kind of missed the market for me. I appreciate the small business aspect, so I still encourage everyone to go try it because my slice of pie might be different than yours (Example: I do not care for anything other than apple pie or pumpkin pie). The queso appetizer was just okay, nothing really special and it clumped up very quickly. The birria tacos were okay as well, not the best I've had. The corn elote was just 1 for that price, and again - not the best I've had. Friendly service & able to sit outside is a win! read more

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Really enjoyed the food, reasonably priced but super slow service even though only 3 tables were taken. Had to go inside to ask for a few things. Best salsa I've had in Tampa! Sangria pitcher was $30, they didnt have any brunch specials since they were out of eggs on a Sunday morning. Michelada geta a 10/10. Will order to-go from here often! read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Brunch-Michelada Sangria Pitcher - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

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THIS, thus is the BEST mexican meal I have ever had! The server, WOW!!!! Was she the the BEST!!!!!! Very attentive!! The food was extremely fantastic!!!!!! The atmosphere was on point. Will be coming back!! read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - 3 beef enchiladas with refried beans and rice. - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

This might be the worst "Mexican restaurant" I've ever been to. The food was bland, dry, and tasted like it came straight out of a microwave. My tacos fell apart before I even took a bite, the rice was hard as rocks, and the beans had zero flavor -- not even salt could save them. The service was just as bad. Our server acted like we were bothering them every time we asked for something -- even basic stuff like napkins or salsa. Drinks took forever, and when the food finally came out, it was cold. And the prices? Outrageous. I paid nearly $20 for two sad tacos and a spoonful of rice. You'd think for that price they'd at least serve food that was fresh and edible. Honestly, Taco Bell tastes like fine dining compared to this place. Save your money and go literally anywhere else if you want real Mexican food. read more

I love the cheese sauce! The Margaritas are so good! You have to try it! Best place for Mexican food

The food and service were great! Not very close to my home, but I will make an effort to go back. read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Birria Consome - 4 oz Elote, street corn - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

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Nice atmosphere and clean. Gerson was our awesome server. The food was exceptional and generous servings! We will definitely return!

Great food and atmosphere. Gerson was excellent. We got the quesabirria and the guac and really enjoyed both

Loved my lunch here! I had the birria tacos and equites which were both nice and satiating. Also their guacamole is super yummy and fresh. Thank you to our waiter gerson! read more

INSANE! This is not to be confused with the chain "Don Julio's" - but this homemade, cozy little place feels so authentic, cozy but also bumright w 18 ft ceilings. The BIRRIA TACOS are incredible, the guacamole is so good and I also got a cucumber margarita which was perfect. We were traveling and I was hoping for something worth it, this place is IT! read more

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We ordered the taco salad, rice, and chimichangas through Uber Eats. Delivery went smoothly. No missing items. Everything was absolutely delicious! Best Mexican food I've had in a really long time...best I've had since moving to Tampa, for sure! read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Taco Salad - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

I have been to the other location and was in the area and wanted to check this one out..very cute Restaurant and smaller than the other location..Tables outdoors to eat at as well...Chips and Salsa served and food came shortly after..ordered Barria Tacos and they were delicious.... read more

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I was giving this new location (at New Tampa, not bearss) the benefit of the doubt when I visited, even though a friend of mine warned me about the slow service and overall subpar food experience. Unfortunately, she was right. One star because I can't give zero :( I arrived at the restaurant a little after 4p on a Friday. My friends had already been seated and one had already ordered a sangria. There were maybe 2-3 other tables in the restaurant at this time. Lots of staff was present and seemed to be walking around looking for things to do. Understandable given the location is new and it's Friday, so it's hard to know who you will get for happy hour. I reviewed the drink menu which was decent, but was disappointed in that they couldn't make me a skinny marg (sour mix just doesn't ever sit right w my stomach). I decided to try the marg on the rocks anyway, and the third person in our party ordered a sangria. The first person still hadn't received their sangria. We also ordered guacamole at this time. Flash forward about 10 min later....i see my marg come up on the bar, but no sangrias for my friends. I then see the server go talk to the bartender and finally the sangrias popped up. Friend #1 waited about 20 min for her drink. No waters were ever brought to the table. Thankfully the chips weren't salted, although we had to add salt so I'm being facetious when I say that. My marg was eh - too much sour mix as always w these types of margs. The sangria my friends had was okay, no complaints that i heard. We had guacamole and queso. The queso was warm, but could've been a little bit hotter. The guacamole was good, no complaints. The server asked if we wanted to order more food, which we did, but we asked for a few more minutes. 10+ minutes later, she returned for our order. We ordered two quesadillas which come w your choice of meat (per the menu). We ordered one shredded chicken and one steak. The food came out pretty quick, but a few notes on this: 1. Sour cream on the plate came in a to-go container. Odd presentation for in-house dining. 2. The quesadilla was burned on the bottom 3. The flavor was lacking, needed more seasonings or vegetables in it 4. Server didn't bring us plates to eat from. We asked for plates when the food came, and we saw her walk over to the bar, ring someone up and bring a check to a table, and then go grab our plates; all while our food was sitting on our table and we weren't eating. During our meal we decided we wanted more queso, so we ordered it. When it came out, it was less warm than the first batch. Almost cool - so when our check came, we asked for it to be removed because we didn't even eat it. At this point, it has been over an hour at the restaurant, one drink each and food that left a lot to be desired. The server brought over our check and let us know the manager was not there yet (5:15 on a Friday now by the way), and she would split off the queso so I didn't get charged. Thankfully she had that workaround, but also, new restaurant w no manager present?!? Also, they charged $2 extra for the steak in the quesadilla (that was never mentioned by the server). I wanted to speak w a manager to share my experience, as I want new local restaurants to thrive. But since that wasn't an option, I sent an email on the restaurant contact form. No answer yet and I'd be shocked if I even received one. I liked the previous Mexican restaurant Vallarta's, but if this is how Don Julio's operates, it won't be here long. Recommend to sharpen up your server staff, turn up the temp on the queso, and down on the quesadillas, and sling some better margs. I'll be going to Vallarta's in Wesley Chapel unless I hear better things about this restaurant. read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Queso and Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

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*I ordered my food via Doordash, so the temperature of the food will not be taken into consideration* It's important to note that there was a considerable amount of filling in this burrito. I feel like I got a good balance of rice and meat. I would've liked to have gotten more beans, however, since I'm a big refried beans fan. The best part was that the burrito had yellow rice. Such a tiny detail makes so much of a difference. Everything tasted great too! I think it's impressive that such a simple burrito could be that delicious. The queso was a good standard queso - it satisfied my craving for chips and queso. Next time I'll have to try their guac! Overall, super happy (and very full) with my meal. I'm gonna have to check it out in person and grab myself a margarita read more

Don Julio's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - Burrito and chips and queso - Mexican Near Me - Lutz, Florida

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The service was great and the food was pretty good too! The queso was delicious. The salsa had a bit of spice to it but wasn't overly flavorful to me. Carne asada tacos were yummy, but just a tad dry. I also got a shrimp taco that was perfect! The taco salad we got came with shredded chicken which was nice and juicy. The margarita was strong but not overpowering enough to not taste good. It was a small restaurant but had a cute ambiance. Not 100% perfect but I would go back again! read more

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