If you are looking for the best Mexican restaurants in Buford, you've likely seen Hacienda on your radar. As a frequent visitor to their various locations, I walked in with high expectations for both the atmosphere and the kitchen. While the flavors on this visit were a bit of a rollercoaster, the exceptional customer service and stunning interior design make it a standout destination in the local dining scene. Hacienda stays true to its brand with an eye-catching and vibrant interior. The decor is a masterclass in modern Mexican aesthetics. Bold colors, intentional lighting, and a layout that feels both spacious and intimate. I was promptly greeted by a friendly hostess who seated me in a cozy corner booth, perfect for a quick business lunch or a relaxed solo meal. While the food had some misses, the staff at the Buford location is world-class. My server/hostess was super sweet, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. In an era where great service can be hard to find, the team here reminded me why this chain has such a loyal following. It's the kind of hospitality that makes you want to give a place a second chance, even if the kitchen had an off day. I opted for the lunch special accompanied by their signature queso and a pineapple juice. As a fan of the queso at other Hacienda locations, I had high hopes. It's a staple for a reason, though it didn't quite hit the peak flavor I've experienced elsewhere this time around. The salsa was also a bit of a letdown. It lacked that signature zest and kick you expect from authentic Mexican spots, feeling a bit under seasoned. I'd describe the burrito as mid. On the plus side, it was packed with protein, which was great for satisfying a serious hunger, but it lacked the flavor profile I usually associate with Hacienda's recipes. I have to be honest. The pineapple juice was a disappointment. It tasted more like sugar water than fresh fruit, and I'd recommend sticking to their margaritas or water instead. Hacienda in Buford is a beautiful space with a staff that truly cares about the guest experience. While the kitchen didn't quite meet the stellar mark on this particular visit, the protein heavy portions and the vibrant atmosphere still make it a solid choice for a quick lunch near the Mall of Georgia. Because the service was so incredible, I'm definitely open to returning to see if the flavors catch up to the hospitality. #ashsaidit #HaciendaBuford #BufordEats #GwinnettDining #MexicanFoodGA #RestaurantReview read more

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I rarely write negative reviews, but my recent experience left me genuinely disappointed--not only due to the food, but more so because of the deeply unprofessional handling of a serious concern. I dined here yesterday with coworkers and ordered the chicken enchiladas. Within just a few hours, I became severely ill and experienced what was unmistakably food-borne illness symptoms that persisted through the night and into the following day. Notably, this was the only meal I had that day, and my coworkers--who ordered entirely different dishes--did not experience any issues. Hoping for at least a reasonable and empathetic response, I contacted the restaurant the next day to inform them of the situation. Unfortunately, the interaction with the manager was both dismissive and unsettling. I was told that my claim could not be "verified" because no one else had called to report similar symptoms, and therefore they could not take responsibility. I was further informed that any possibility of a refund or compensation was off the table because I did not report the issue the same day and lacked medical documentation explicitly tying the illness to their food. What was particularly frustrating was the implication that my experience was invalid simply because others did not report the same issue. When I explained that my coworkers ordered different items, I was met with continued skepticism rather than concern. The tone throughout the conversation felt defensive rather than professional, and there was a complete lack of basic customer care or accountability. Food safety concerns should be taken seriously, and customers reporting illness deserve to be treated with respect--not interrogation. Even a simple acknowledgment or apology would have gone a long way. This experience with blatantly rude customer service and experience with their food has left me both shocked and appalled. Due to the combination of getting sick and the poor handling of the situation, I will not be returning. Their food wasn't even that good anyway. read more

Tucked away in the plaza next to the Snooze breakfast place by the Sprouts off Buford Dr is the chain Hacienda Bar and Grill. It's a small-ish Tex-Mex place that serves all the Tex-Mex favorites from burritos and tacos to fajitas. And yet... So let's start with the interior. It's small-ish where it could probably seat roughly 120 people total. It's definitely Hispanic kitschy in terms of decor from Frida quotes on the wall to a Mariachi band playing on a Sunday night dinner rush. Let's talk service. What service? Our server literally did not do anything except drop off the drinks and even then, that was a stretch since the IPA beers arrived after our food got there. Last time I checked, when ordering appetizers, those should come first and then once we're half way done w/ the appetizers, then you fire the main orders. So why is it that our appetizer hit the table only to have our main entree come about a minute later? That makes no sense. She didn't come to check on the food, she didn't refill our waters, she didn't even take the time to ensure our food was cooked to any type of standard. Let's talk food. Barely moderate in the enjoyable factor. Definitely filling but that's about it. We had the fajitas and well... the steak was bland, the fajita peppers were charred, there was barely any guac to even sample the flavor, the salsas were basic save for the red one having a very VERY mild tingle and it's considered the spicy version, the appetizers were quite disappointing as it was just a mixture of various items from a steak quesadilla drowning in a queso sauce, flavorless enchilada, flautas of dry pork, and all of it just drowning in a queso sauce that just did not allow for any separation of flavors. Which is pretty lazy. I did like the chips as they were light and airy yet extremely crispy yet still able to hold onto the bland salsas. Between the steak fajita for 2, the appetizer, and a beer; the price comes to a little over $60 plus tax and tip. Not worth the price tag for this place. You really would be better off with a Chipotle burrito or tacos read more

Beware of those creeping prices. $20 for a medium size. Margarita holy smokes. Beans and rice are a pretty cheap food item and liquor hasn't gone up to where they need to charge those kind of prices. read more

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My goal for today was to find a Mexican restaurants for catering. Came to Hacienda to get some quotes and to try a couple of items. After getting our quotes we decided to try the elotes and the empanadas the cheese/mushroom, beef and chicken. Our togo order came out and immediately I wanted to try the emotes. And can I tell you they where cold. Cold like they just came out the refrigerator. Then the guy can back to us, saying they got my empanada order wrong and they just gave me all chicken. And they will make me another order. I didn't say anything about the cold elotes, we where going back home anyway. But once we got home. I taste the empanadas, they really didn't taste that good to me. However, my significant other said they where ok. However, I will go back to try other items. read more

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202504231818 Quick seating, excellent, friendly service, excellent, savory food & good drinks that come in small, medium & large. Bathroom floors slippery. The Tacos Hacienda with your choice of chicken, chorizo or steak is delicious. The refried beans have an excellent flavor & are great for dipping your chips in. Clean, lively place. Live Mariachi. Very good. read more

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The food was delicious. I ordered the "House Special" which consists of shrimp, chicken, steak, grilled peppers and onions over a bed of rice covered in queso cheese. There was no skimping on the meat or taste. Will definitely order again. The atmosphere of the place was very chill as it was lunch hour but could probably be very lively during dinner or the weekends. Our waitress was very attentive. In my opinion it's priced higher than typical Mexican restaurants, but that's due to the location. Will definitely be back on a Saturday night. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - House Special - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

Rough experience. I wouldn't come back. From what I did taste, it was pretty clear the food went straight from the freezer to the fryer--or the microwave. Everything tasted old, and overly salted. After a few bites of the fried carnitas, I decided it was best to stop while I was ahead. I'll update this review if I end up needing to add more detail. read more

I only been on Tuesday and Thursday after Dr appointment which is around the same place I'll go on happy hour tho. The Beer is the medium jug size but is ok for $5 and cnts. I tried tacos al Pastor so good, and I tried recently the burrito carne asada topped with cheese dipping with a side of rice and guaca $12.99 I think, it was a good portion and tasted very good too!! Service only one person and she was attending the other side too, but she was good! It was afternoon still so I didn't mind. Ambiance it was chill day mariachi going on too on that Tuesday but we were leaving fun time!! read more

Hacienda in Buford is incredible! The food comes out fresh, flavorful, and full of that warm, comforting Mexican punch. And if you go on a Thursday, brace yourself -- their All-You-Can-Eat Tacos is basically a weekly holiday. You can mix and match fillings, try new combos, and every plate comes out hot, well-seasoned, and dangerously easy to keep saying "just one more." The ambiance is a whole vibe on its own -- colorful, lively, and upbeat without being chaotic. The music sets a fun energy, the décor feels warm and inviting, and the whole place has that "you're about to have a good time" glow. It's the kind of spot that works just as well for a casual night out as it does for a mini-celebration. And our server Jordan? Absolute legend. Super friendly, super attentive, and made bomb guac right at the table -- creamy, fresh, perfectly seasoned, and honestly worth the trip alone. If you're anywhere near Buford, hit this place. Between the ambience, the AYCE tacos, and Jordan's next-level service, it's a 10/10 experience every time. read more

I am a regular at this Hacienda. I never had a bad meal. The chips and salsa you receive before your meal is always fresh and tasty. I ordered the fish and shrimp this time and my partner ordered the Carnitas Mexicanas. read more

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Got a Carbon Burrito with steak. My tortilla was actually a little hard but the steak and rice were good. Server spoke little English which was slightly challenging and she was not attentive at all. We changed booths because one bench was completely slanted and felt like you were sliding off. Sodas are $3.99 - not worth it but didn't see the price beforehand. Probably wouldn't choose to go back. read more

Visited on a work trip and loved the food and ambiance! I came with a coworker who had been several times and recommended it. Huge menu for both food and drinks. I loved the inside- is definitely a fiesta atmosphere and makes you feel at home. The chile relleno that I got was great- well fried and seasoned. Will be back when I travel back to the area. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - Chillie Relleno - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

The food is great. But if you're going with family and friends on a Friday night I would not recommend... they have club dance music turned up super loud to the point you can barely hear what the person next to you is saying and can't hear the person across the table. The waitress struggled to hear our order and we had to send back one of our meals because it came out wrong because she couldn't hear the order. We have been on other days and it is fine, We probably won't be back on a Friday because we enjoy talking to our family and couldn't because the music was ridiculously loud. read more

I celebrated my birthday with friends last Saturday at this Mexican restaurant. During our time here, the energy was electric- live DJ music, colorful décor and friendly staff who sang song for me and made me feel I was in a Mexican birthday party. Let's talk about the food - delicious! We started with the cheese dip and the table-side guacamole, freshly made in front of us. For mains, we had the Salmon Chipotle, the James Special in a sizzling lava rock bowl and the La Hacienda Fajitas, served with six different proteins inside a carved-out pineapple. To wash it all down, we shared pitchers of frozen peach and mango margaritas. And of course, dessert was a must: creamy flan and churros with ice cream to top off the night. This place is a total vibe! If you're looking for a fun, festive and delicious Mexican dining experience, this spot is a must-visit. read more

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I have a love/hate relationship with Hacienda.. I find myself wanting to come back for the atmosphere, the chips & salsa and drinks but the actually food it's kinda meh.. :( For the price you're paying the portions are not great. Every time we ordered the tacos there wasn't enough meat on them and flavor wise they're just okay. The drinks are very strong but they actually taste good. I have to say I loooove their chips and salsa. They have two different salsas and our bowls were never empty. As soon as we were getting low someone would come and refill. I have to say service is great. We've had the same server every time we've come, Susana, and she's amazing! She's a sweetheart and super fast! The place is also super beautiful inside and clean. We love the decorations and we actually don't mind the loud music as other people have pointed out in their reviews. It is loud though. Overall we'd most definitely come back but there are definitely better options around the area. ESPAÑOL Tengo una relación de amor/odio con Hacienda... Me encuentro con ganas de volver por el ambiente, los chips & salsa y las bebidas, pero en realidad la comida es un poco meh... :( Por el precio que estás pagando, las porciones no es mucho. Cada vez que pedimos los tacos no tenían suficiente carne y, en cuanto al sabor, pues más o menos. Las bebidas son muy fuertes, y si saben bien. Tengo que decir que me encantan sus chips & salsa. Tienen dos salsas diferentes y nuestros tazones nunca estuvieron vacíos. Tan pronto cuando se nos iba terminando alguien venía a darnos más. Tengo que decir que el servicio es súper. Hemos tenido la misma mesera cada vez que hemos ido, Susana, y es increíble! Es súper amable y súper rápida! El lugar también es súper bonito por dentro y limpio. Nos encantan las decoraciones y en realidad no nos importa la música a todo volumen, como otras personas han señalado en sus reseñas. Sin embargo, si es ruidoso. En general, definitivamente volveríamos, pero definitivamente hay mejores opciones en la zona. read more

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Food good, service good, bar terrible. Unless you like sour mix... stick with beer if you want actual alcohol.

I love this place. I've gone multiple times to multiple locations and haven't been disappointed. The flavor and portion sizes are top notch. Even their sour cream has flavor! The staff are fun and lively. The whole vibe is fun, actually. Lots of Hispanic art work all throughout and I love that. I'll always be going. read more

Came for lunch. Great lunch offerings. Service was on point. Food arrived extremely fast and was hot and just as we ordered. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - Taco Salad - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

Always enjoy the food and service I receive here at Hacienda! I love their chips and salsa. The salsa is so good. I usually get the steak burrito and it is always perfect. read more

Michelle was awesome! One of best servers in the restaurant. Appetizers and drinks are phenomenal and the presentation is awesome!! Things to recommend shrimps, ceviche, quesadillas, margaritas and limón pepper wings! And just a tip order more than 3 drinks. read more

I was running late and asked my friend to order for me. When I got to the table, she told me the waitress hadn't been back so she hadn't been able to order. This set the bar for the service the entire meal. Someone from the back brought our food and she showed up beside him. We had to hunt her down to get our checks. My total was $26, I gave her $40 cash, and she returned 5 $1s to me. When I found her to make it right, she shrugged and acted confused, pulling my 2 $20's out of her purse. The food and company, however, were wonderful. read more

We were seated immediately and our staff was very friendly. Staff gets 5/5 stars. They're working very hard to make you happy. The insides are what you'd expect from a highly-trafficked Tex-Mex establishment. Loud, boisterous, and with floors a little slick from who-knows-what. (Act like you're walking on ice, if you value your safety.) There was a DJ propped up in the corner. While I appreciate the tunes, I'm always a stickler for being able to HEAR my friends. And it would have been difficult to do that if we'd stayed inside. Thankfully, there was space on the patio, and watching traffic cruise up and down the highway was kinda nice. The drinks looked good. Big and hopefully powerful. I didn't get to partake because I was driving. I'm not complaining. Some other time I'll go back and indulge. But my friends seemed to enjoy them. The molcajete is the way to go. I was disappointed in my burrito, but that molcajete, with it's big pile of steaming meat and veggies, was the clear winner. Next time I will get that. read more

More elevated than your average neighborhood Mexican restaurant which is reflected in their prices but omg I would go back again and again for that salmon salad! I even ate every single scrap of lettuce- the honey marinated salmon, grilled corn, avocado, tortilla strips- it came together so perfectly. YUM!! My kids enjoyed the ambiance too- they've got a typical kids menu so they got their chicken tenders, fries and cheese quesadillas- and they thought the mariachi band was fun! My husband liked his steak fajitas as well. Their margaritas were good (pretty presentation) and the variety is impressive. I had a hard time narrowing down which one I wanted to try! Not sure if they offer a flight but I'll be sure to look next time.. I also really liked the decor inside. Definitely a great addition to the Gwinnett exchange! read more

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Fantastic service. The food quality is high here with very delicious menu items. The ambiance was fun and u voting. There was a vendor making balloon animals and characters for the kids which was a big hit. The prices are in the higher side for Mexican food but you get what you pay for . The portions are more than adequate and the quality matches the cost . This may be my new favorite sit down Mexican food restaurant. read more

Love the ambience of this restaurant. The live music is so fun and festive. It's great for birthday parties or reunions. We love the food as well! So delicious! Always good! read more

My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant! The food, drinks and staff are 10/10! The restaurant is clean, comfortable and amazing!

Great service from River. Food was fabulous and the chicken soup absolutely delicious. Will ask for River again. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - Family Fun - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

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Stopped in on a Friday night. Pretty steady business. Service was great. Friendly staff. My husband ordered steak burrito, had three or four strips of beef and wrapped in med size tortilla. No peppers, onions, rice, nothing. For $18. Did come with a side of beans and a side of rice. I ordered burrito bowl. Good size, very salty. Couldn't eat even half. Nice decor and music. read more

Wrong music for venue. American music, with some Spanish lyrics. Service, appearance and speed in which food arrived; all were excellent. Food was average, or below. I ordered a steak burrito, and wife ordered a steak burrito bowl. My burrito was simply some pieces of steak rolled in a tortilla. Nothing else in content. Rice and bean presentation was good and had good flavor. Burrito was a complete disappointment. Wife's burrito bowl was so salty, neither of us could eat much or it. We ordered lemonade, and it tasted like mold. Possibly a dirty or moldy ice maker. On a good note; the fried ice cream was delicious. We changed our drinks and they still tasted like mold. We were genuinely anxious to try this new place. Sad reality is, many folks accept this as good food. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

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The food is authentic I have been three time. The guacamole is really good fresh and made back in the kitchen probably just before the bring it to the table. I've had the chimichanga the fish and shrimp tacos. The fajitas beef and shrimp are really good plenty to eat you need to have a box when you go home. The place itself has a wonderful happy face and the people are very nice. I certainly recommend it if you have not been and it's easy to find on main Street. I'd avoid prime times like Friday night at 7:00 to. That being said I don't want to go to a restaurant that's empty. read more

Today, had the alambrabras, and it was phenomenal! The service was great! The Mariachi band was over the top. And everything about the meal was so spot on! The entertainment simply spot on. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - Mariachi band!! - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

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Love this place! Drinks a good and food is too: the customer service is consistent and they are also so attentive. We come here pretty regularly and we enjoy it every time! read more

Google reviews on this new restaurant are not very kind. We decided to give it a try anyway, and I'm glad we did. Their margaritas are amazing. There's definitely a whole experience that goes with dining here. The table side guacamole was delicious. They make it in front of you, while wearing a sombrero and have a fog going. There were a couple of brown spots on the avocados they used, but I just avoided those pieces. Everyone enjoyed their meal, but I had a complaint about mine.... I asked the server what specifically was in the seafood enchilada. He went to check and came back saying it was shrimp, tilapia and calamari. I went ahead and ordered it. The calamari was actually scallops. I have a slight allergy to scallops. It's not dangerous for me, but for others it could be. Definitely need to know what's in your dishes. That's the only reason they are getting 4 stars. read more

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Visited the Cumming location. On Father's Day brought the family to the Buford location and it was well worth it. The food was delicious and the service was top notch. Juan, our server, was very attentive and very friendly. A very rare experience in today's restaurant industry. Dessert recommendation: try the flan. OMG. Not too sweet and perfect consistency. I am definitely making this place my go to for Mexican cuisine. read more

We're absolutely smitten with Hacienda Bar&Grill café in Buford! It's such a cozy and inviting space. Walking in, you're greeted by a vibrant atmosphere bathed in warm colors, charming artwork, and interesting decorative touches. The place is new and clean, creating a truly inviting experience, and the friendly waitstaff adds to the warmth The menu is very cool, and we've already visited three times, each experience only amplifying our desire to return. read more

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Absolutely amazing place for date night. We had the Molcajete Tejano and the Chicken Mole. Both were full of great flavor and visually appealing. Excited to see this restaurant come to snellville. read more

Hacienda Bar & Grill - Mexican Near Me - Buford, Georgia

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Steak bowl was very mushy and the steak was not cut into slices at all. I would try to eat a bit of my steak and get a piece that needed to be cut into 5 different pieces. Seemed they didn't cut it at all. The drinks had no prices and the waitress gave a vague idea which was not accurate and overpriced. The music was too loud and no reason for the lights coming from the bar in a restaurant. Way more expensive for my meal and drink than what it was worth and the food was mediocre. Would not recommend! read more

The food is great, it is delicious. Service so far has been good. And the ambiance is inside is great, truly gives you a Mexican restaurant vibe. read more

My husband and I tried this place for lunch today. The food was great. The atmosphere was fun. Service was good. They have a lot of unique dishes on the menu, so I was having a hard time deciding what to get. I went with the brisket flautas and they did not disappoint. They were so yummy. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu. Highly recommend. read more

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