Food is good. Salsa bar. Service is great and fast. Very lively restaurant with live…read moremusic/entertainment. Our server Mia was super helpful and friendly.

We found Las Carretas Mexican Restaurant in Gainesville through a last-minute Facebook Valentine's…read moreDay event, and WOW what a surprise! The event said no reservations needed, so we showed up not realizing how popular it would be. The place was PACKED with a line out the door! Even so, we only waited about 25 minutes for a table on Valentine's Day, which honestly wasn't bad at all considering the crowd. We went specifically for their Valentine's special: 2 margaritas, fajitas for two, and dessert, such a great deal! The margaritas were delicious. We ordered the Rita sampler and the blueberry margarita tasted like blueberry pie, so fresh, organic, and absolutely yummy. We also ordered homemade guacamole, which was delectable, paired with fresh, crispy homemade chips. Our fajitas included steak, pork, chicken, and shrimp, and everything was cooked to perfection. The flavors were incredible!!! And can we talk about the restaurant itself? It's HUGE! It felt like one of those multi-level Times Square NYC restaurants, with multiple floors and even outside patio seating. It was like a magic trick walking through it! Our waitress, Lia, was fantastic, attentive, helpful, and so sweet despite how busy it was. The staff worked incredibly hard all night and it showed. Plentiful parking, amazing food, great atmosphere. We will definitely be back to this hidden gem we didn't even know existed in town. Thank you for making our Valentine's Day special after a long day of yard work

They only get one star because the staff was friendly. This place is DISGUSTING The food is…read moreflavorless and the restaurant is dirty. They need to clean all their fixtures. The booth I was sitting at had massive amounts of dust and residue all over the lamp. I wish I would have noticed it before I sat down and ordered a drink. I would have walked out IMMEDIATELY. The worst part about the food I ordered was this weird gravy sauce they put over the Mexican rice. I've never seen anything like that and I CERTAINLY didn't ask for it. I couldn't even eat all my food. What a waste, I will NOT be back.

The food was amazing, but the fried ice cream was not the same as I always rememberedread more

After trying a few other Mexican restaurants I chose this one because the Pork belly tacos. Upon…read morearriving we were told to pick our table. We chose to sit inside. Our server was Brandon, who was an absolute delight! He was so energetic, so friendly, and gave great suggestions. We started with drinks. I had a skinny margarita and my husband had a Frida (top shelf margarita) and our son had a Coke. First thing we ordered was the chips and salsa. The chips were perfect, not too thin and not too thick. They came with two salsas. Both were tasty. Not sure if there is a spicier option but we will check next time. I ordered the Birria tacos. They were so delicious! So much flavor! The avocado tomatillo salsa was perfect with it. My husband ordered the Al Pastor tacos. It was very traditional Al pastor. He loved the black beans. His words were " these are the best black beans I have ever had!" Our son ordered the chorizo tacos. First, I have never seen chorizo tacos offered in a Mexican restaurant. Secondly, they were amazing! To finish, I ordered the banana pudding and our son ordered the churro sundae. Both desserts were delicious. The portions were huge! All in all I say Nopal is quite the gem. Perfect portions and dishes that are packed with flavor. And service that goes above and beyond. We can't wait to go back. We will ask for Brandon!!!

I arrived with 3 friends on a Wednesday night 7:20pm and we sat on the patio. There was not a…read moresingle table occupied inside the restaurant. There were 4-5 other tables seated outside. Our server mentioned he was busy but would come by as soon as he could. No problem! Well....he silently dropped waters off about five minutes later and zoomed away. We flagged him down a few minutes later to order bar drinks. Two of us ordered beers and two ordered margaritas. The margaritas took forever and when they finally came out, they both tasted terrible. One tasted like pure sugar (all sour mix) and the other tasted like rubbing alcohol but not a tequila taste. My friend took them inside to the bar to swap them out since the server was too busy. The bartender said there was too much agave in their sour mix today. They ended up with beers. Finally by almost 8pm we flagged the server down and asked to order food. He was apologetic that he was inattentive. We ordered and the food came out quickly. Everyone enjoyed their food. The server asked us if we wanted dessert and made a recommendation. Two of us had a check together and the other two separate. The server struggled to separate the checks and was confused. Suddenly by 9pm the kitchen was closed, he had dropped off our checks, and quickly picked them up. As soon as the checks were signed he was picking up the signed receipts and bussing the table around us although 3 out of 4 of us had full beers from a second round. The server was very kind but I can only hope that it was his first week because he was in the weeds the whole time and there was another server on the patio, so at most they had 3 tables each. I don't know if the solution is to add another server for that shift or if he needs a smaller section but it was hard to watch and honestly I don't think I will return. Maybe the manager could have helped take drink orders or run drinks on the table.

Highly Recommend! I…read morecome to Gainesville all the time for doctor's appointments and honestly can't believe I've passed this place a million times and never stopped in. I'm so sad I didn't discover it sooner -- because this food is amazing. Truly some of the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. The staff is incredibly friendly, down-to-earth, and made me feel so welcome from the moment I walked in. The whole experience was just easy, warm, and delicious. I really liked it here. A lot. And I'm definitely coming back every time I'm in town.

This place if in survival mode needs to up their game . First off the service for the restaurant…read morenot being all that busy was poor. The food was awful chips were old tasting maybe the oil was rancid , cup of chicken and rice soup was loaded down with all rice which soaked up the broth and my beef burrito was saturated in grease wish now I would have taken a picture the flour tortilla was limp and soggy from all the grease the burrito didn't have hardly any beef in it to begin with . Zero quality control here ! I will stop here with my review but the rest of our food was horrible . Prices were exceedingly high for a Mexican restaurant, especially of this quality. Go somewhere else even Taco Bell would be better.

Very authentic Mexican food! This is a great Mexican staple for Gainesville. You order at the…read morecounter and choose a table, so a great place for lunch or a quick dinner. The service is always super fast. The food is always fresh and authentic. Not pictured are the birra tacos, which are my favorite and go-to item at La Tienda. The spice is tolerable, and the meat is always fresh. The nachos were a huge portion and had nicely seasoned meat. The queso was warm which was lovely

True Mexican restaurant. Very casual and basic. Some of staff speaks English but not all. Inside…read moreand outside dining. Order at counter and they bring food out. Cash discount on food. Good size portions. My husband had the chorizo eggs with beans and rice. Just ok. I tried the Huarache (house specialty) with Barbacoa beef. Masa pancake with meat, lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream and avocado. Delish! We are from out of town but would definitely come back for if in Gainesville

If you're cruising through High Springs, Florida and you don't stop at El Patio, you're seriously…read moremissing out. These tacos are GNARLY in the best way possible. Packed, flavorful, and dripping with that real-deal, no-shortcuts authenticity. The meats are seasoned to perfection, juicy, and cooked with obvious care every bite hits hard. Fresh tortillas, bold toppings, and that perfect balance of spice and savor that o keeps you going back for "just one more." The vibe is laid-back and local, service is friendly, and the food comes out fast but never rushed. You can tell this is a spot that takes pride in what they're putting on the plate. Whether you're a taco purist or just hungry for something that actually delivers, El Patio is a must-stop. Come hungry, leave happy, and don't be surprised if you're already planning your next visit before you pull out of the parking lot. @travelingfoodguys APPROVED

Came here for dinner, the inside is large, fun and festive. Our waitress was kind of lackluster,…read morebut we all have bad days sometimes. I got the Maria Special which is Chicken or steak, grilled. Topped with melted cheese, grilled bell peppers, onions and tomato to on a bed of rice for $9.99. I got the steak, it was pretty good. No complaints here.

I usually go to Tioga, but today I brought my mom here and I'm so glad I did. I ordered the chicken…read morenachos, and let me tell you... these weren't just nachos. This was an event. A whole experience. A mountain of food so generous it could easily feed two people, layered like an edible masterpiece. The plate came overflowing with rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, queso, and shredded cheese, all draped over perfectly seasoned chicken. Every bite felt warm and comforting, the kind of food that makes you pause mid‑conversation because the flavor hits you in waves. Creamy, crunchy, fresh, savory... everything balanced beautifully. I also tried the al pastor, and it was incredible. Tender, juicy, with that perfect hint of sweetness and char that makes al pastor unforgettable. You can taste the love and intention in every bite. I loved that you could see the pineapple chunks because usually places just use pineapple juice . The atmosphere was cozy, the service was kind, and the food felt like it was made by people who care. If you're anywhere near Alachua, do yourself a favor and stop here. This place deserves all the stars.

Best Taco's in Alachua County and maybe even in Florida! Great service, incredible people, and…read morereally comfortable atmosphere. Great taste for the price too. I was very satisfied with the portions, and everything is made fresh to order. Presentation is really top notch. If you can't tell, I think the place and the people are amazing. Family owned too, so definitely a place to frequent and support. They also make the cakes(tres leches) in house! Seriously impressive place. I would recommend 10/10. Thanks so much Cilantro tacos team!

Right across the street from the UF campus and a short walk to Florida Field for game day! Great…read moreplace to park yourself at the outdoor bar or even the inside restaurant & have some handhelds and adult beverages before the game. My past experiences here have always been good and the servers are attentive and willing to make your time there a fun time. On game days the menu is downsized to make it easier on the kitchen but what is offered is flavorful and presented in a nice fashion. So, for myself this is a spot I go to before many of the home games as it is easier than setting up a tailgate and then tearing it down. Now, I just park my car & walk to Cantina Anejo with my wife and relax and have a good time with my fellow Gator fans!

We sat at the outside bar as reservations were needed for anything inside. Our bartenders were…read morevery friendly, polite and did the best they could do, but were completely overwhelmed on this Graduation Friday. Place was clean, food was OK, yes just OK and wasn't even close to being served all together. The third plate was served after we finished all the other dishes. As I said, the bartenders were working hard but the overall service was terrible. No silverware was given, no drink refills were offered, no follow up on the missing food. Service just sucked! Especially for the prices ! Too many options to go back and have another bad experience. Today's busyness is not a surprise as I go through this every year, yet we're unable to take care of their guests.

Really solid tacos. I travel in Mexico quite a bit, and just generally eat tacos whenever I have…read morethe opportunity. I'm rarely surprised by food in Gainesville, I feel like I know what to expect and am fine with the "Gainesville version of ___". These are very good tacos by any measure. The birra is tasty and not oily, the pastor has a nice crispness with a balanced pineapple sweetness, and the chicken is well seasoned and not dried out. Overall a really good meal, affordable and filling. The interior is bright and pleasant, a fun stop for lunch.

We were driving through on I-75 and didn't want the normal fast food. We came here to order to go…read more However the food was so much we sat and enjoyed our meal outside. It ended up being a nice break and so worth it. The staff was very friendly and helped me With their menu. We ordered an el pastor burrito and the chicken quesadilla. The two sauces (red and green) were really good. The red was the hottest.