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    Local Cantina - Upper Arlington

    3.8 (42 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

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    LOCAL CANTINA - UPPER ARLINGTON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Mac & Cheese buffalo chicken tacos

    Lots of different things to choose from. Unique tacos with Asian fusion and quesadillas. Includes unlimited chips and salsa. Service was good. Lots of TV's to watch the game. Wasn't very busy on a Sunday evening.

    Kristy D.

    I stumbled on this great place for an unplanned Taco Tuesday after a long travel day. The tacos were all delicious and a great price, plus they have a surprisingly thoughtful and varied alcohol selection!

    Exterior
    Chris L.

    Half sports bar, half Taqueria, the new UA branch of Local Cantina serves a fine taco and is going to be spectacular when they can open all their garage doors in fine weather. Lots of TVs if you wanna watch a game. Happy Hour M-F 3-6p. Try hard to get here on a Tuesday when all tacos are discounted! Serve yourself chips and salsa, as much as you like, free! Full bar Including 12 taps of craft beers and cider. The menu offers a long list of tacos and a short list of favorites like nachos, burritos, quesadillas, salads and even a chimichanga. I'm a fan of the soft and hard shell combo, that means a soft flour taco is wrapped around a crispy taco shell, very easy to eat :-) We visited on a quiet weekday for lunch, tried the mushroom quesadillas, fish taco, and a beef brisket taco. Kitchen was super extra fast, the food was delicious. The tacos are roughly street taco size, small but not tiny. A person can easily eat three, $3-5 each. Vegetarian rating: strong four stars, the refried beans are veggie, you can pick purely vegetables for your tacos, highly recommend. Many, many thanks to Daniela who was easily the best server I've met in these d*mned Covid years! I don't understand all the mustache references here maybe someone will explain that to me LOL

    Fawn C.

    We had no idea that a Local Cantina opened up in UA across from Lane Ave Shops. We were looking for a place to help pass some time waiting on a friend to get home from work. We happened to spot Local Cantina while driving through the parking lot of the shops. It was like a beacon calling to us. We quickly parked and then we not so safely ran across the street. There were only a handful of people in the restaurant. We slid into two seats at the bar. We asked if they had a happy hour and we were thrilled to find out that they offered $4 drafts from 4-6pm. We ordered up two pints and then grabbed some serve yourself chips and salsa. As we enjoyed our beer we got a chance to chat with the bartender. This particular Local Cantina is opened for lunch (the Grandview location is not). They are rather slow during lunch right now, so if you are hungry for tacos during the lunch hours, stop into Local Cantina! Free chips & salsa and amazing tacos! There, that is my PSA for the day. We love Local Cantina's tacos, so we couldn't help ourselves, we ordered up 4 tacos. The roasted carnitas (weezy style - soft flour and hard corn shell with queso & guac for $1 more), Nashville hot chicken, carne asada, and Hong Kong Phooey. I'll be honest, I'm not sure getting the roasted carnitas done weezy style was necessary. Each time I get that taco, I keep thinking, it just needs a little something more, so I tried paying a buck more, and really it wasn't necessary, it didn't improve the taco anymore for me. I like the taco, I just don't love it. On the other hand, it was the first time ever trying the Hong Kong Phooey and it was amazing!!!! A party in my mouth! So flavorful and yet balanced with the heat of the sriracha and the sweetness of the teriyaki. That taco and the Nashville Hot Chicken taco were amazing!!!! Something always makes us happy when we go to Local Cantina. Check them out in UA, during lunch would be even better!

    Crunchweezy Taco, Weezy Supreme Taco, Mac Attack Taco and side of Guacamole

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    2 years ago

    Stopped in before OSU-IU bb game for dinner was seated promptly, service was great and food and drinks were delicious.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Hailey is a very nice and friendly. Everyone at this establishment is as well and the service is very good!

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    3 years ago

    Gotta love the Lane ave Local Cantina. Friendly and genuine staff and great food. What more can you ask for when the craving hits.

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    3 years ago

    I had the best time here. The staff and food are amazing. Jordan was our server, and she made our night. I'll definitely be back to see her!

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    3 years ago

    Quirky little place. Apparently you serve your own chips. But the tacos were good. Waitress was very friendly.

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    4 years ago

    Delicious food and great atmosphere. Nice bar and lots of tvs in addition to having a family feel to it. Service was prompt and friendly.

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    Ask the Community - Local Cantina - Upper Arlington

    Catrina Mexican Cuisine

    Catrina Mexican Cuisine

    4.8(94 reviews)
    6.6 mi•Northland
    •$$

    We were very intrigued by the rating 4.8 stars (highest in the area) and read some of the reviews…read more We also were initially concerned by the first impression of this place; the place did not look open nor did it have any other customers. But Jafet greeted us with a friendly and polite manner and gave us a lot of information about the Mexican version of the cuisine (surprise!). We were impressed with the Michelada (with mango chamoy and dusting of Tajin) and Mezcalita (Mezcal with pineapple). So good. Step aside, Margarita! (Also not that popular or usual in Mexico) We ordered the Tacos Dorado and the recommended Mexico City Taco ("House Special") that had steak, refried beans, pickled cactus, and fries, wrapped in corn tortillas. We are amazed. Thank you Jafet, we will back for more Friday tacos!

    I realized I eat a lot of Mexican food! Working in the area, I do what I always do...Yelp what's…read morein the area. 4.8 starts out of 82 reviews. Let's go! I pull up and the parking lot is empty. Hmmm. Looks like an old Rax roast beef spot. Inside it had a festive vibe with a Mexican mix tape playing over the speakers. The gentleman takes my order and grab a booth. He takes your order and makes your food fresh! Fajita nachos Al Pastor with a Victoria beer. The Victoria draft came out in a frosty mug and it was cold cold. Yes!! As I'm waiting for my food, more customers start coming in. Made me feel better lol. I swear the music playing is a recording of a DJ at a wedding lol. Out come the nachos and they look amazing. He also brings a little stand for my cell phone so I can eat and watch YouTube. Never have I had that offered to me at any restaurant. His hustle, service and smile was appreciated. The nachos were really good. The marinated pork, cheese sauce, fresh chips, chunks of pineapple, sour cream and salsa verde just came together well. Bonus points for the cheese sauce. Not to mention I watched him prepare everything thru the glass counter. He's back there having fun then brings your food out with a smile. Love it. If it were super busy I don't know how he would keep up, but I appreciate his hustle. Yelp, your recommendation didn't disappoint. This was different than your typical sit down, chips and salsa, margarita special, blah blah experience. This was Cozumel in June, cruising around in the side-by-side, Oh look a cool roadside taco spot with an open center courtyard type of vibe. Minus the open courtyard. Check them out!

    Photos
    Catrina Mexican Cuisine - Plenty of seating

    Plenty of seating

    Catrina Mexican Cuisine - Al Pastor Fajita nachos

    Al Pastor Fajita nachos

    Catrina Mexican Cuisine - Fish Taco

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    Fish Taco

    Chile Verde - Chile Relleno

    Chile Verde

    4.0(238 reviews)
    10.6 mi
    •$$

    Best food ever. Been going here since I was 7 years old. The service is unbelievable. You will…read morenever find a place like Chile Verde!

    I will start by admitting that we are HUGE Chilli Verde fans. We have been loyal customers for…read moremore than 30 years following them as WE moved then they relocated to the Polaris area and yet we prioritize eatting at this family owned small business We visited on the perfect June day. Clouds are threatening rain but the day is in the 70's and inside/outside patio doors are open. After a warm greating, we were seated and our favorite chips and salsa were delivered . We are off to a great start! The salsa is house made with chunks of tomato, onion, peppers sourced from New Mexico and other spices that come together perfectly. This is one of those things you want a day old - it gives the flavors a chance to deepen and is the best salsa EVER. Our son joined us for lunch (which was a treat for us). BUT he is deeply committed to their kid's Mac & Cheese. (SMH) and the chips and salsa. Dont blame us; he was raised better than that! Hubs and I ordered the Lunch Shredded Beef Burrito. (Our favorite meal at Chili Verde.). The beef is fork tender and so flavorable. Wrapped in a fresh tortilla and served with your choice of red or green sauce on top. We opted to use that awesome salsa to top our burtito tableside. Lunch burritos include one side. Rice and beans are the default options but I ordered the corn and hubs ordered the mashed potatoes. Dinner includes 2 sides and a larger burrito. The mashed potatoes are hand-mashed with a few chunks here and there and lightly spiced. These potatoes are a family favorite. The corn is whole kernals seasoned with onions and bacon and lightly sweetened. This is my all time go-to! Hubs also recommends the pinto beans. Served as a whole bean served in a little gravy/liquid; the side dish is peppery and yummy. The secret is out about this restaurant and it is always busy. I recommend making a reservation through open table before you visit. I posted pics of today's lunch including our empty plates that we easily could have licked clean!

    Photos
    Chile Verde - Inside

    Inside

    Chile Verde - Blue Corn Pancakes - a staple in New Mexico!
*available for brunch*

    Blue Corn Pancakes - a staple in New Mexico! *available for brunch*

    Chile Verde - Cowboy Chilaquiles
fresh fried chips - red chile - choice of protein - eggs any style
*available for brunch*

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    Cowboy Chilaquiles fresh fried chips - red chile - choice of protein - eggs any style *available for brunch*

    Nada

    Nada

    3.9(674 reviews)
    3.7 mi•Arena District
    •$$

    I am a California native and lived in Arizona for 16 years. I have become skeptical of Midwest…read moreMexican food restaurants, but this place had great reviews, so I decided to give them a try. Wow, I am so glad I did. This was the best Mexican food I've had since moving from Arizona last year, and the service from Andrew was incredible. My teenage son and I loved the chips and salsas, and it was very evident that everything was made fresh in house. I had a refreshing margarita. My son ordered the quesadilla and loved it. I asked Andrew for a taco recommendation, and he said to get the pork al pastor. He did not steer me wrong. Those tacos were delicious, full of flavor and texture. I wish I could give Nada more than five stars. Everything about our meal there was awesome. I was happy to recommend it to other friends during the rest of my conference.

    Stopped in while in the Arena District for quick bite and beverage. Ordered Chips and Salsa (Ancho…read moreSalsa) which was ok but also ordered Quesadilla for apps and it was like a mini version (two bites) that i wouldnt order again for $12. Also note they intentionally serve this as burnt cheese (oozing out the side). Beverage wise, we ordered Nadarita(s) and they were small and little weak. Felt like college bar service and quality. Our server Khoi was nice and professional, but rarely saw him (never returned for additional drink or chip orders). Will visit again but have different expectations. Thanks Nada.

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    Nada
    Nada
    Nada

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    Mi Tradicion

    Mi Tradicion

    4.0(310 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    •$$

    I visited this restaurant which is a mini chain in Columbus. We were seated right away during…read morehappy hour in a table right next to the walkway. The server was a little hard of hearing and couldn't understand most of my order. When I asked about happy hour specials....he just explained the computer gives a discount. Thats it. No detail on which drinks or what food if any. I ordered the beef fajitas since I didn't really see anything unusual or interesting jump out at me. Chips and salsa - I thought these were pretty standard and the salsa tastes like something you could buy at the grocery store. Steak fajitas - these were pretty decent considering we were so far away from Mexico and Texas where Mexico food is usually much better. The atmosphere here is really festive and location is fairly convenient so maybe that's why this restaurant is so dang popular. My colleague also enjoyed his meal so that made things go well during the visit.

    Walking into this restaurant is like stepping into a Mexican fiesta. Bright colorful decor with…read moreupbeat music and vibe. Our server, who I think was the manager, seated us quickly and was super friendly and attentive throughout the meal. There is a long bar in one room where a couple locals were dining while watching a game. They also have a back room for larger parties and an outdoor patio. We ordered the beef enchilada, chile relleno combo, and also the chimichanga dinner. Both were very well prepared, and the sauces were definitely not store bought. We asked the manager and he did say that they make their sauces in house. I love that, especially since they were really good and had a deeper spice flavor than other places.

    Photos
    Mi Tradicion
    Mi Tradicion - Lunch fajitas chicken and Alex's margaritas frozen

    Lunch fajitas chicken and Alex's margaritas frozen

    Mi Tradicion - Colorful front entrance

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    Colorful front entrance

    Local Cantina - Upper Arlington - tex-mex - Updated September 2026

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