Very tasty lunch today with a giant plate of enchiladas mole. Seriously, for lunch out was very big!! The rice was tender and the lettuce salad very fresh. I also ordered a small size bowl of cheese dip to have with my chips and salsa. It all hit the spot! My server was so nice and checked on me just enough, but not overkill. read more

La Hacienda - Enchiladas mole lunch portion! - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Tried La Hacienda in Chapel Hill after hearing good things about their margaritas and they definitely lived up to the hype! We ordered the Mango Margarita, Piñita Rebelde, and Amor Prohibido, and all three were really good. If you like fruity margaritas, you'll enjoy these. For food, we tried the Fajita Burrito, Pollo Caliente, and Pollo El Mazatlan. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful. No complaints on the food side. Only reason I'm giving 4 stars is the service. We were sitting outside since we had our FurBaby with us , and the service was pretty slow. After our food came, it kind of felt like we were forgotten. I had to go up to the front to ask someone to refill chips & salsa and even to get a to-go box. Overall though, good drinks and tasty food. If you're in Chapel Hill and craving Mexican with solid margaritas, it's worth checking out! read more

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The food was great! The service was lacking we had to ask for refills and they never came by to see how things were just asked if we needed anything else after we asked for a box while he walked by. The temperature was also very warm inside I don't know if their AC was not working but it was cooler outside than it was inside. read more

This is a review as constructive criticism, I'm in no way shaming them! Food is okay at most but I've found there are days some of the items can be decent. They offer in my opinion very little real Mexican cuisine and more to sell to "white people" or to parties, they have a great lunch special deals but other then that it's a hit or miss with staff. I've had some severs who are great some that just seem like they don't want to be there and I understand your upset to whatever but you chose to apply for the job and work there, I've noticed at least towards me that I've been treated rudely and I have to find someone to get me a drink refill and this is during slow hours. There is no excuse but I have had 2 servers younger ladies who have treated me decent one of them I can't remember her name she is a thinner taller Latina she treated me great never missed drink refill and when something was missing she got on top of it. I've been a server before and know the hustle but at the end I know I chose that job. Hire better servers who don't work better if they think someone's is gonna give a good tip or not. Ambience is alright I think the seating could use a change feels outdated and I've noticed if you bigger person not obese but even a little bigger it's awkward for them to sit comfy. The bar area feels to snug and could use better servers better food. My biggest tip is the chips and salsa the salsa taste like tomatoes paste and sour it's not giving me a latina flavor spice flavor with chips it's gross. read more

We found dog hair in two of our entrees and when we brought it up to the manager, he questioned us and rolled his eyes, even after we showed him the dog hairs. He told us none of his cooks had white hair, which we explained made us even more worried, since it was likely pet hair from their clothing. It was by far the rudest interaction I've ever had with someone working in a restaurant. I've never written a review on Google but I decided to for this because of how terrible on an experience it was. read more

It was really really nice to sit outside and enjoy chips and salsa. The service was good, she forgot a few things sometimes but was nice. Would return again especially for a margarita outside in summer! read more

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The El Pastor Torta was amazing, we had fantastic service from Estephanie. I would definitely stop in again when I visit Chapel Hill.

For years now, we've passed by La Hacienda on our trips to Wegmans, Whole Foods, and various restaurants along E Franklin St and Fordham Blvd (15-501), north of S Estes. We finally checked this place out and thought it was A-OK. Currently, the average Yelp rating for La Hacienda is 3.5 stars with 142 reviews. 3.5 stars sounds about right to me. In short, the food was good, my margarita didn't taste great, and service, while not bad, could've been better. If you're looking for a classic, casual Mexican restaurant experience, this place should suffice. La Hacienda is old school. It was here long before Wegmans (opened February 2021) and many of the other retail, restaurant, and residential developments in the vicinity, close to Chapel Hill's northeast border with Durham (15-501). The earliest Yelp review for this place was posted in July 2007, so you know it's OG. La Hacienda has stood the test of time. During our Tuesday night visit, the front of the house was deceivingly empty. There was no one on the patio and, from looking through what windows I could, there was no one in the dining room either. However, when we were seated, I realized where all the people were -- everyone had been seated towards the back of the restaurant, in two dining rooms. It was nice to see that we weren't the only customers. That said, it wasn't too busy. I'd guess the two Monterrey Mexican Restaurant locations nearby were busier at the same time. The music inside was loud when we arrived, shortly after 6pm. A bit too loud for me. I think they turned it down a few notches after we and more customers arrived. It was evident as soon as we sat down that this place has been around a long time. The cushioned seats in our booth were flat and worn out. They'd lost their springiness and support. I could feel the indentations of where other people sat over the years. And just in general, the furniture, decor, etc. looked like it hadn't been refreshed in a while. Nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, it adds character to a place. The clientele was a mix of the typical "academic-looking" older Chapel Hill crowd (middle age up to senior citizens), college students, and the working class. The menu was chock full of options. Some notable things: (1) Breakfast is served all day. (2) Lunch specials are available 11am-3pm. (3) Be sure to check out the daily specials when you first enter the restaurant. I didn't see them posted anywhere else. For us, on a Tuesday, we got $2 off any of the Special Ritas (margaritas). (4) Examples of unique items offered include Parrilladas (combination meat platters), Mexican Pizza, and Molcajete (another combination meat dish, served in a stone mortar/bowl). (5) Fish tacos weren't listed with the other tacos, but instead under the seafood section. Here's what my wife and I ordered: * Cha-Rrita (discounted at $8.75, regularly $10.75) special margarita - tequila, Gran Gala, simple syrup, grenadine, fresh lime and orange * Cheese Dip (small, $3.50) * Three Tacos with Rice and Beans ($11.25) - my wife chose all Al Pastor, but you can get mixed meats/fillings; served with corn tortillas with onions, radish, cilantro, and lime on the side * La Cazuela ($16.75) - marinated chicken breast, ribeye steak, and chorizo, topped with melted cheese and served with rice, beans, guacamole salad, and tortillas (choice of corn or flour; I chose flour) Sadly, the Cha-Rrita didn't taste good. My wife loves a good margarita and this was not that. I tolerated the flavor much better than her. The drink tasted like Dimetapp (children's cold medicine). On the bright side, the drink was big and strong. I definitely felt good and buzzed after dinner. Speaking of big, we found the portion sizes here to be quite generous. Just take a look at my photos of the tacos. Lots of meat. And fresh, good quality ingredients too. I also think this place is a decent value, so it's got several things going for it. The tacos were delicious. The al pastor pork was marinated well. It was tender and flavorful. For "authentic" Mexican tacos (tortilla, meat, onion, cilantro, radish), I really liked the presentation style with the tacos on a stand and the ingredients laid out on the side. It was colorful and customizable. La Cazuela was excellent. It was a meat and cheese smorgasbord. I loved that I could get chicken, steak, pork, and dairy in almost every bite. All of the meats were tender too, though I'm sure the melted cheese and tasty ground chorizo helped a lot. This was a filling and satisfying dish. The chips and salsa (complimentary) and queso were par for the course. The chips were corn. Thick and crunchy. Service was alright. Our server was nice, but she could've been more attentive. She spent lots of time hanging with her friends at the bar, which I didn't have a problem with, but it did result in slower service. Not a big deal, just didn't seem super professional. The staff wore black uniforms and had radios with headsets. read more

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Stopped by La Hacienda for a quick lunch outside to enjoy the sunshine. The service was a little slow and also the waitress repeated our orders back to us correctly, but the food still came out wrong after taking a while in the first place. The food was pretty average Mexican food, but it satisfies the craving. The guacamole definitely could have used a little salt, but the pickled onions were a good addition. I got the street tacos- one pollo and one asada- both standard. They were a tad greasy, but adding rice, beans, and onions added a lot of flavor and freshness. Overall, just an okay experience. read more

La hacienda esta un buenisimo restaurante. Hoy tenia una server buenisima que fue amable y se llama Estefania. La comida no solomente fue delicioso y mexicano classico pero tambien la comida fue artistica tambien. Tenia Tamales Rancheros y fue incredible con mucho savor. Los bebidas esta muy divertida con decoracion y los bebidas classicas de mexico con una gire de alegria. En los paredes hay artie incredible tambien moderna y classica de mexico. Como una artista me encanta esta lugar y la vibra del restaurante. read more

No hace mucho fui a la Hacienda y quedé fascinada la comida muy rica y sobre todo tuvimos una mesera muy amable y agradable que nos hizo sentir en confianza ella es Estefanía Ordoñez, muy recomendado el lugar y sobre todo el servicio !! read more

New menu and outside designs and paintings. Service has been excellent everytime I have been. Tamales are chicken or pork. The chicken tamales are for someone on a bland diet, in my opinion. I like spices that may be pungent tart or hot. The chili con queso is not available as such but there is a queso dip that has jalapeños. (Nothing like the rotel tomatoes and velveeta cheese invented by Matt in Austin, 1950s or 60s.) It is good, but mine this time was served lukewarm rather then hot. Thetortilla chips are great. Good salsa too. Enchiladas are cheese, pork, ground beef or chicken. read more

The food was amazing and the portions were good size. This is our favorite spot. The atmosphere is always great. Nice music and great vibes. The servers are always amazing. Estephany was great! We have come for years and it's been consistently good. read more

The food is pretty good. For my first time, I always get a chile relleno, cheese enchilada, rice and beans; they did a good job with it, especially the relleno. Our service was excellent, friendly and available. The atmosphere was nice. It got a little loud as it filled up, but always OK. Fantastic value: the dinner was under $12, and I got a draft pint of Negra Modelo for under $6. So I left a big tip. read more

Great service! Go almost weekly. Accommodating, great food, bigger portion sizes than you would expect, servers work incredibly hard. The owner can be seen rolling up his sleeves, bringing out orders, and talking with patrons. Music is not too loud. Cozy and roomy. Outdoor seating was redone and is very nice! read more

Food tastes like chemicals. Terrible and inedible. Nasty. Worst Mexican place. Threw out almost the whole meal.

Great food, great service, and great prices make La Hacienda one of my regular favorites. They offer outdoor seating, which is dog-friendly! Enchiladas Suizas are my absolute favorite, but the fajita quesadilla is a close second. Salsa has a nice kick, chips are plentiful, and margaritas are strong. What more could you ask for in a neighborhood Mexican place? read more

La Hacienda - Dog-friendly patio seating! - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

First time here, met a friend for lunch on a chilly yet sunny January day. We ate outside on the deck, where nine tables were in a space where 15 would have been in the before times. My dining partner recommended the lunch specials, and I had already chosen one: ACC - Arroz con Camerones. It arrived with actual silverware, on a real plate, brought by a polite, masked, socially distanced waiter. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and seasoned, and the rice fluffy and tasty. There was cheese atop, as well. The chips and salsa served while waiting were good - better than most, and the salsa tasted fresh and homemade. It was a welcome return to semi-normalcy after ten months of quarantine. read more

La Hacienda - Outside seating, socially distant. - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The place was clean and welcoming enough. Our server greeted us after a brief wait. We placed our order and then began a lengthy wait. After about 30 minutes, the server returned to announce that the kitchen was just then starting to work on our order. The restaurant was fairly empty. Why there was such a long wait could not be explained. Once the food did arrive, it was a little disappointing, especially after such a long wait. We will continue our search for an acceptable Mexican restaurant elsewhere. read more

Drink specials!! Bartender was very knowledgeable of the drinks def recommend!! Great bar and many options read more

La Hacienda - Drink Specials - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Walking in this place is very clean, we were sat immediately and the staff is very polite, food was amazing! read more

La Hacienda - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Food was amazing and so was the customer service! Me and my whole family loved it! Will be going back!

Food and service are typically right on point and as expected. We probably won't be going back as they now have implemented a 4% credit card surcharge. read more

La Hacienda - Combo with no cheese - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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food and service was great. the staff was very friendly and the restaurant is very clean

We shared a plate of fajitas which were delicious and authentic. We were craving queso and started off with the large queso which was a perfect appetizer. The margaritas were very delicious and in a very fun glass that lit up. We will be returning whenever we want some good Mexican food. read more

Our server was named Liz and she did a fantastic job. Food was delicious and service made my experience even better. I'll be a returning customer! read more

Just finished a really lovely Sunday lunch date with my husband here. It was fairly quiet around 12.30 when we arrived and filling up as we headed out, and the dining is casual and comfortable. Overall the food was great - we tried the fajita quesadilla and the burrito Tar Heel with steak - both were delicious! Steak was cooked great and a great balance, not too cheesy or oily or anything. The cheese sauce (which I don't usually like) was light/mild and yummy, and side of rice was flavorful. The salsa and hot sauce stood out, both homemade. Our service was great- everyone was friendly and our service was timely without feeling rushed. The patio looks like a great way to spend a warm evening (the flowers caught my eye on the way in), we will be back to enjoy for sure! read more

La Hacienda - Patio terrace caught my eye on the way in! - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Dining in here during the pandemic felt safe by how tall the booth seats were and how they spaced their guests out! My fiancé and I were immediately served a basket of chips and salsa (and we had our own bowls! A little thing but I loved having my own salsa hehe). They had a LOT of great food options and it was actually quite difficult for us to decide what we wanted to eat. I ended up with a Caldo de Res and he got the Chorizo Steak and they were both absolutely delicious! They both came out at a reasonable time and the portion sizes were appropriate. We were able to have room for dessert, so we got fried ice cream, which was also enough for us to share! However, the waiter didn't check in on us except to ask for our orders and give us our meals, so we weren't able to ask for water refills and new napkins when we needed them. Otherwise, he was very nice and quick! Overall, wonderful music and vibes (yes, we found ourselves dancing while eating), great selection of menu items, and I can definitely see us coming back to try more food! read more

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I've had alot of Mexican food in my life. The food here is some of the best I've ever had. Great service, great food, and great margaritas! read more

Absolutely amazing food and great deals especially for chapel hill, definitely a stop by if you are in chapel hill you can feed the whole family for a great price with some amazing servers that make sure you always have refills. Also amazing ambiance with great music and quiet dining with clean tables and glassware. read more

We sat outside for last nights dinner. The service, food and drinks were all really great. Highly recommend! Our waitress was the absolute best. read more

La hacienda has the perfect outdoor seating arrangement. We came for dinner and as expected the service was great. It was what you expect from a Mexican restaurant. Good service and good vibes. The portion sizes of the food was massive! We each got a plate and took them home for leftovers. The prices are also crazy good!! I got the chicken quesadilla and the outside was crispy and the inside was STUFFED! Very tasty! My sister got the chicken flautas which was chicken inside the fried tortilla roll. Also delicious. No complaints here. Chips and salsa did the trick. read more

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Yeah, it's an odd layout inside but I don't see that as a thing. I had a plan for Taco Tuesday when I parked but I decided to have the Carne Asada instead. A very nice portion of beef and cooked properly. Served with rice and beans and a small side of a salad garnish, there was an odd hunk of cheese in there too. Unexpected. I'd only suggest that perhaps my waitress could maybe have smiled a little bit. It's a job, not a walk to the gallows. read more

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Cute interior and spacious patio. Extensive food and drink menu, but the drinks didn't have the prices. The food prices are pretty affordable but the quality is average. The fajitas were under seasoned. Quick service and huge drinks. read more

La Hacienda - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Well, I would wait to order until you get your appetizer. This is what's left from 2 people with the special nachos. The margaritas are on point. Make sure you take the time to visit. Worth it 100 percent. read more

La Hacienda - Special Nachos. BEFORE ordering regular menu items. So good! - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chilaquiles were so good. Waitress asked if I wanted them spicy and I was like obvi. I will definitely come back. Drinks aren't as strong as I'd like. I've ordered delivery before and it's def better In person but always good. They were open on Thanksgiving which was impossible to find in NC! Love them. read more

I had a chicken & steak fajita, my husband had tacos al la diabla. He enjoyed his meal a lot. It was a lot of food for me (leftovers are always great). I also ordered the queso cheese which I enjoyed with the chips as well as on top of my fajitas. The service was very friendly and I appreciated that the staff all still were wearing masks indoors too. read more

Lovely time and great food and drink! Service was prompt and the ambiance was quiet and nice. The best part was the drinks that had an extra touch of fun with the rubber ducks and lights! Will definitely come back! read more

La Hacienda - House margarita and blue curaçao margarita - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Dined at lunch time with a party of 11. Not only did we have exceptional service, the food was absolutely amazing! Our waiter did not try to get us in and out quickly. which was nice since we went during lunch hour rush! Thanks again! We will definitely be back! read more

This restaurant is now adding a 'customer assistance charge' which it turns out is an additional charge for using a credit card. As far as I know, no other restaurant or store adds such a charge to their bills. We will be boycotting this restaurant and we hope others will as well. That's not the only thing that disturbed us this time. My wife ordered chalupas which in the past have consisted of tortillas covered with beans, lettuce, tomatoes and guacamole. Today she received tortillas they left out the lettuce and tomatoes. We sent them back until they fixed them. read more