Do you not let the outside of this place fool you. Inside is a wonderful gem of a restaurant! We decided to try this place based on other yelp reviews and we were very happy that we did. It wasn't too crowded when we arrived and we were seated fairly quickly. The menus on the table are paper and specials are on the board. My husband and I both decided to try fajitas which were on the Tex-Mex menu. I ordered the steak fajitas and he ordered the chicken fajitas. These were some of the best fajitas I have had in my life! I don't know what they use for marinade, but I would love to have bottles of it in my cupboard! The green sauce they give you with the fajitas is amazing! The black beans are some of the best black beans I have had out anywhere! If I had any complaints it would be that you need just one more tortilla. Three is just one short of enough. I really wish this place was close to home, but it's probably good that it's not. The next time I come I definitely want to try some of the real Mexican dishes on the menu. We were told that we cook was from Mexico City, so we were not surprised that the food was so good. I definitely would recommend trying this place out as soon as you can! Great food here. The drinks looked really good to. We ordered the chips and salsa also. The chips were a little on the thick side but definitely fresh and still hot and the salsa was good too. For dessert we shared some flan. It was a little under done in the center but it was still very good. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Don't let the sign fool you, this place is much bigger than it looks on the outside. We ordered chips and chunky guacamole - this was delicious. Their fresh chips were cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. Mexican pizza with chorizo and jalapeños - it was good but I couldn't get my brother to try it. His wife didn't care much for it. This was a better choice than the carne asada tacos I ordered for the meal and was substantially more food. Carne asada tacos - I really wished these were better, but the asada was lacking much needed flavor. On top of it being disappointingly bland, it was also extremely dry with the 2 tortillas per taco. My brother had some delicious sauce with his burrito that spruced up the dryness and flavor. I would not recommend this. The margaritas - my bro had the mango margarita - it was very sweet. His wife and I both had a taramind marg and it was pretty good. She also tried the cinnamon marg but it was way too sweet - as I anticipated - and we left it mostly untouched. The cool thing about their margs is that they serve it in individualized shakers to fill up the glass when it gets low. read more

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Omg, I haven't been here in such a long time and don't know why after eating there today. I had the best chicken enchiladas I think I've ever had! The sauce was amazing and had a little bit of a sweet flavor and I think they put chocolate or something in it. It was fantastic! The homemade chips were warm and wonderful. Their salsa is outstanding and the guacamole is also really good! I would be giving this five stars only they really need to do some refreshing on the inside of the place as it's looking a little dated. Our server was fabulous and I will go back again for sure!y read more

The food from the talented chief is creative and original. The staff is very personable and welcoming.

From an ethnic standpoint, my/our reviews of Mexican food are valid. The food is decent to okay for approximating authentic Mexican cuisine, But it is way, way over priced given the building, atmosphere, quality, and location. For drinks--the margaritas are so, so but we find them better at other places like Mystic. read more

Friendly staff, clean restaurant, okay food. I tried the pork & pineapple Al pastor chinichanga for dinner and then a tres leches for dessert. The chimichanga was decent but nothing outstanding. The portion was a good size. The tres leches didn't really wow me. I wasn't a huge fan of the chocolate on top or the texture of the cake. Overall, okay experience here. It was my first Mexican restaurant in Groton so I'm not sure how it is compared to other places but it was good not great. read more

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We go often. Usually order from the Specials menu. Food has always been good, we're treated like old friends. We've sat in dining room and bar. Service is always good no matter where we land. We'll go back... Again and again... read more

Never again. This place is more like a dive bar than a restaurant. The service was good the waitress was friendly but the food was not good. It was a Sunday and possibly a smaller menu? I had their version of a taco salad, not good. This had arugula mixed green lettuce with Italian type dressing if some sort on it. The steak was little and very chewy. I have never seen a cucumber in a taco salad before and it should not be in there. The guacamole on it was runny and flavorless, it looked old like it was left over from the night before. Some kind of pepper strips possibly from a can and pickled, it was hard to tell. It was like and Italian salad with some Mexican toppings thrown on last minute. The best part of it was the taco shell bowl and that is basically all I could eat. If I could give less than one star I would. Skip this place, it makes taco bell look gourmet. read more

Just had dinner for the first time here tonight. Limited menu but they also have specials everyday & the food was great. Great service. Authentic Mexican food. Very nicely plated! Very cute & cozy interior. Would recommend if you're looking for something new to try. read more

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We just came from here and were very pleased with our meal. We both got burritos, one steak, and one "today's special" pork with a spicy pineapple sauce. Both came with delicious black beans. We also ordered chips and salsa. They make their chips fresh each day right there and they're so much better than the kind that come from a bag. Their salsa is very good, too. The service was really quick and the young lady who served us was very kind and friendly. Her name was Julie. Another young lady who works there, Erica, is very sweet, too. The restaurant is usually busy in the evenings but the lunch crowd is rather small. Parking is plentiful. Manana's is located across the street from the Big Y grocery store in a smaller shopping center. We will definitely go back next time we're in the mood for Mexican food. read more

Stopped here for lunch. We found the place on Yelp. It did not disappoint. The food was fresh and delicious. We both had burritos. The sauce on the burritos was incredible! The salsa was also delicious and fresh. We will be back! **Make sure to try the house hot sauce. read more

Manana Cafe - Steak and chicken burrito. - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Came here a 2nd time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo but this time, my boyfriend and I brought a couple of friends, one of which is 100% Mexican. The food, once again, was very bland and lacked the bold flavors that Mexican food usually delivers. However, the biggest disappointment was the cerviche we had ordered for the table. After taking a bite of the appetizer, we actually had to call the waitress over to make sure that she had brought us the right food. The ceviche we were served was a scoop of guacamole in a cup of watery salsa. No trace of seafood was detected by the 4 of us. Another unforgivable flop of the night was the queso. Never have I had queso that was so mild in cheese flavor that I wonder if they had used any cheese at all! Seemed more like a roux of butter, milk and flour. Even more curious was that the viscosity of the dip was thinner than our margaritas! As much as I love Mexican food, I don't think I will be returning to this establishment to satisfy my cravings. Any suggestions for tacos in the area? read more

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Went on a Friday night and it was busy. The staff was friendly and accommodating. We had the house margarita which was good. It was very loud so we needed to yell to chat. The food was very tasty. The biggest problem came when we needed to use the restroom. They did not have a working restroom and they told us that they had an agreement with the bar next door to use their restroom. This will keep us from coming back until they have that fixed. read more

Snaking around 95 to avoid heavy traffic on a Sunday afternoon, Manana Cafe was an "eenie meenie minee moe" stop. If you appreciate festive alcoholic beverages, the variety of these colorful and fruity choices will definitely appeal. (On a long drive, we abstained.) Husband and I both ordered specials. I opted for tuna tacos, husband for a braised beef burrito. The sliced tuna in my order was perfectly cooked. Seared on the outside, rare on the inside. Chunks of mango and shredded cabbage accented the fish. Three things detracted from what might have otherwise been a really standout plate: the rice was bland, the tacos tasted as if they were straight out of a package - without a quick flip in a pan, and the dish in general could have used more spicy kick. My husband enjoyed his burrito. I tasted a tiny forkfull and thought it, too, could have benefited from additional seasoning. Service was hospitable and pleasant. Seeing so many other five star comments prompts me to wonder if other dishes would have hit the mark. If readers of this review enjoy Mexican food that is on the subtle side, and enjoy those fruity beverages, Manana may indeed be the place for you! Final score: 3.5 for food read more

Manana Cafe - Tuna tacos - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

This is the first time I have eaten here. I can't imagine what could have prompted people to give this place less than 5 stars. When walking in we were like, "ok this will be interesting" and the menu's were just printed pieces of paper, but the food? Omg, it's chef level fare. I lived in Miami Florida and Sarasota Florida or several years, and I have missed not having a good place to find Latino food in general, and this place fits the bill perfectly. Some of the best Mexican food I have had in many many years. read more

Authentic Mexican cuisine with superbly-fresh ingredients makes for a delicious meal that would cost far more outside the strip mall setting. Warm, inviting people, food, and decor create a wonderful lunch or dinner break. Just GO! read more

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Food was ok but the chips and salsa are good but there are some things that could have been better but lovely staff

Their margaritas an beef tacos are excellent. Sit at the bar because the company from the owner and bartender alone is worth the trip. read more

Manana Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

I'm from Texas and love Mexican and Tex-mex as one would expect. I ordered the steak fajitas and when they arrived I was disappointed they weren't in full sized skirt steak strips as most restaurants have them. They seem to be serving thin strips of beef like you'd find in a stir fry. The fajitas also came with a topping plate of cream, salsa verde, rice, and refried beans but notably missing lettuce, and pico de gallo. read more

Manana Cafe - Steak fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

Perhaps the best Mexican spot on this sid of the river. Consistently ordered from here when I was living over here, never disappointed at all read more

After a day of Exploring Bluff Point State Park, I was a bit hungry and wanted to eat before the hour drive home. I stopped in around 8pm on a Sunday night, not exactly dressed for the elegant interior this place boast, but the server didn't bat an eye and gave me free reign of where I wanted to sit since it wasn't really busy. I sat in the bar area which had a row of counter stools and about 4 two person tables. I asked the waitress about Tequila choices and told me she didn't know Tequila enough to recommend anything. However, she went back and got the Manager/Owner (?) to help answer my question. The manager was super friendly and gave me a detailed explanation on the types of tequila there were. I told him I like a sweet, rich, aged tasted, like a bourbon and he was able to give two suggestions. I went with the Dos Luna's with Sangrita. The Sangrita complemented the Tequila quite nicely. I was very happy with my choice. I also ordered a side of chips with guacamole and told the server that I may eat it all so she suggested to check up on me and bag the chips when they were half done. I thought that was very nice since I am horrible at self control. The manager even came by and added lime to the packed up guacamole so it wouldn't get brown on my way home. How sweet. The main dish I had was the Mole Chicken. I always find that every place makes their mole sauce differently, and, thus, I like to try it at every place that serves it. This mole sauce was very mild and more of a red sauce with black beans mixed in. It was delicious, but if you are expecting a pungent rich cacao taste, then this sauce is not for you. That said, the half chicken was tender and fell off the bones quite easily. The whole dish was sprinkled with sesame seeds, giving the dish a unique complimenting taste. Overall, I found the experience very enjoyable. The service was excellent and the food delicious. read more

Manana Cafe - Mole Chicken with Rice and Black Beans. - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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We have visited mananas many times and never are disappointed. The staff is phenomenal! Very fun friendly and courteous. The owners are genuinely good people and will probably have you in stitches laughing if you get them on a roll. The food is consistently great! Hands down some of the best in the area! Never ever had a mediocre or bad meal. The drinks are just as great and will not leave you disappointed. Check them out well worth every penny spent. read more

I have to give it 3 stars only because the guacamole was not made fresh. The chilli con carne was amazing but the fish taco special was way over breaded And the burrito sauce tasted like soup not fresh tomato sauce. I was a bit underwhelmed. read more

Manana Cafe - Fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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A great place for a group dinner the tacos are good. The spices are great and the food is plentiful. It's in a strip mall but super convenient if you are in the area. The swordfish is good. We liked the Margueritas with a good flavor. read more

The food here was inedible, honestly to the point where I'd call it offensive. On top of that, the tables were sticky and not well cleaned. I will not be returning and I suggest you find somewhere else to eat. read more

I tried their spicy margarita and sola patron, and they were really good. Not too sweet, but the flavor is there. I ordered their spicy fish tacos from the specials menu, and was impressed wjth the amount of veggies, fish, and pineapple salsa they used. They loaded them up! I will definitely be back and bring my husband next time. read more

Manana Cafe - Special: Spicy fish (flounder) tacos. - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

This is our go-to spot for margaritas and dinner. The tamarind margaritas are the best I've had, and we love their queso. Owned by a local family, prices are fair and portions are generous. read more

Lunch wss awesome, and the service was top notch. See Shannon for all of your Margherita needs. read more

Manana Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

The owner of this place really cares about the quality and experience of your visit here. Each and every time he has visited our table, regardless of business, to see how things were going. We brought our three little ones here on an early Saturday and he was extremely appreciative of our visit and made everything perfect. This is our only go to Mexican restaurant as the food quality is top notch and prices extremely reasonable. read more

Manana Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

***DATE NIGHT*** First time back in a LONG time. Pork tacos were Out-Fricken-Standing. Outdoor seating both under the tent or just in front is welcoming. The staff is top notch as always. Service was excellent. We really miss our Sunday Fundays. I wish Manana and their entire staff the best of success. Hopefully this madness ends soon so we can all resume normalcy if that is possible. Great job and thank you so much for a nice evening out. read more

Stopped in for lunch..love the decorations and friendliness! I had a chicken chimichanga which was not on the lunch menu but the staff had no problem accommodating my wishes! My wife had the taco salad...which she enjoyed but you should be aware it is not your traditional taco salad. Mixed fancy greens seemed to be tossed in a vinegar based dressing. Food was absolutely delicious! Chicken had a great flavor! I only wished they would offer refried beans as I don't enjoy black ones as a side. We will be back! GRACIAS! read more

Manana Cafe - Taco salad with chicken and Chicken Chimi - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

This place was okay. The burritos were stuffed with grilled peppers and onions but not noted in description. May not go back read more

Manana Cafe - Chimichunga - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

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We've eaten here about a dozen times. Never had a bad meal yet! Staff is always friendly and prices are reasonable.

We are on the hunt for amazing Mexican food in Connecticut. We have yet to find it. This place is good, ok. Not great. The inside is nice and clean. Not a ton of space. Some of the tables are pretty close together which makes you feel like you are part of the same party, when you're not. The food was good. Nothing too memorable. We get something new each time we got in(which is a small handful of times) in hopes of finding something we love. The staff is nice and helpful read more

I have a handful of friends who have studied at UConn Avery Point, and according to them, Mañana is a hidden gem. I can, at the very least, affirm the "hidden" part. Unless you're on the lookout for this joint, it's not terribly easy to find -- even though it's off a major road. The storefront is small, and the sign, while sunny and bright, is strangely inconspicuous. I came here for a noon lunch on a Wednesday, and it was surprisingly uncrowded (perhaps a consequence of the whole "hidden" thing). As a result, the service was very fast. The portion sizes were decent, just enough to keep you full until dinnertime if you came in with a healthy appetite. However, compared to more authentic Mexican restaurants, which serve huge portions, it was a bit disappointing. I guess I can't complain too much, though: My meal was $11 after tax and tip which, in this day and age, isn't easy to beat. As for the food itself, I think my fellow Yelper Guy H. put it best: "If you want 'foodie' Mexican food, head on over". read more

Growing up in San Diego, one thing I'm incredibly particular about is Mexican food. My first test of a great Mexican restaurant is there chips and salsa and then followed by their rice and beans. Mañana not only hits the mark, it exceeds it. Located in the heart of Groton, it is a must stop if you're craving exceptional Mexican food. My boyfriend and I both went for the enchiladas. The mole was incredibly flavorful, the chicken moist, and the rice and beans a sure hit. The customer service is phenomenal. We sat at the bar and felt right at home. The margaritas are custom-made, and with each serving they give you a small excess container for you to self pour. Would highly recommend the Hibiscus Margarita. 10 out of 10 for value, service, and quality! read more

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My wife and I love the spicy fish tacos! We usually order take out and I have always had a great meal. They have a bunch of different fish tacos to choose from and they are all great! read more

Drinks- they have a very huge selection of tequila. The staff was very knowledgable of the drinks and the prices were great Food- the food there is very good and tasted extremely fresh. I had the the guacamole and pork enchiladas with black bean sauce and it was amazing and beyond expectations. Service- everyone was very courteous, professional, friendly, and polite. The owner was extremely friendly and personable. Everything was very timely as well. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a great Mexican restaurant experience. read more

Manana Cafe - Pork enchiladas with black bean sauce - Mexican Near Me - Groton, Connecticut

My husband and I are from out of state and we stopped by for lunch.... we have been to a lot of Mexican restaurants and the food here was not very good and the service was not great either. I don't know if it's due to COVID-19 or it's just 2020 either way it's your choice. Good Luck!! read more

Always clean inside and tastes fresh. The margaritas can't be missed and everything is a good sized portion