The food was amazing! The waiter was quick and recommend the best dishes. Shrimp fajitas were not…read morefishy and not over cooked. The salsa was so good I brought some home with me.

Thanks, Yelp! When I was hungry after antiquing, you led me here. Nice work!…read more I'm not overly familiar with the Lakeland dining scene (I probably owe it to myself to change that), so needed help satisfying my constant craving for Mexican. The Yelpiverse offered several options. The many mentions of kind service drew me here. And indeed, Yelp was right on. Alex was amazing. He was so friendly and helpful-never made me feel rushed. That was just the thing I needed, after a long work week. So, Tapatio's is on Memorial, not far from Lakeland High School. It's a cute, golden yellow building with several beautiful flower planters and crepe myrtle trees out front. It's eye-catching and yes, there's a big private parking lot. Inside, it's big but cozy. There are two separate dining areas: one up front, facing Memorial. The other is along the side. I was seated in the front area. It's colorful, comfy and homey. There's a wholesome vibe here that makes me wonder if this a family operation. I felt very welcomed. And I absolutely loved the complimentary chips and salsa. The fresh, light chips were served warm and came with two salsas: regular-and a side of spicy, that you can mix in with the regular to your ideal heat level. The menu is large... and it took me a long time to decide. Alex was so patient. I had a margarita, which wasn't too sweet (yay). I also ordered a small side of queso blanco dip and a side of flour tortillas. Frankly, I was stuffed after that, but I didn't want to miss out on anything-so I ordered the lunch "pick two" and went with two tacos: one hard taco with beef and one soft taco with chicken. It came with one side-I went with rice. What a great value for money this was: a huge helping for $11.95! The tacos were stuffed full of meat, that was cooked well. I really enjoyed all the little extra touches here, the attention to detail. There was a paper doily under the cheese dip cup, on the little plate. I liked the engraved logo on the wooden salt and paper shakers on each table and all of the wall art and decor objects. You can tell the owners/staff care about the business and the customers. I wish them all good things and huge success.

We were greeted, after a few minutes, at the table and placed both are drink and food order. My…read morebrother, ordered the chicken fajitas, and enjoyed them thoroughly. I ordered the Shrimp Quesadilla and they changed it and made it a bigger portion for about the same price. The menu was brand new, since our last visit, and it was quite nice. Lots of options, but I seem to always get the same thing. I really love the Shrimp Quesadilla! Our server, was quick to bring our refills on our drinks and she was very pleasant. We had a wonderful experience!

Food was good service was excellent and drinks were strong. My go to for Mexican cuisine in the…read moreLakeland area. Always a good time.

Our only Mexican restaurant we frequent Best flavor,…read moreservice, and quality Bring our friends when they are visiting They all agree

This place does not disappoint. From attentive staff, nice decor, Lakeland mural and delicious…read moreauthentic Mexican food. The serving size are usually shareable as well. They always keep me coming back

Great tacos and service! Sauces were nice and spicy!…read more Food came out in good time and hot.

A+ al pastor tacos, absolutely fantastic…read more my only complaint would be portion size, but for the price, you are 100% getting great value great vibes, great service

We stumbled upon this little hole-in-the-wall called Taqueria El Gordo, and let me tell you... if…read moreyou're craving a truly traditional Mexican experience, this is the place. It's family-owned, simple, traditional nothing fancy, but the flavor more than makes up for it. On top of that, the family running the place couldn't be more humble and welcoming. I tried a gordita for the first time; a homemade tortilla stuffed to perfection. Everything is made fresh to order, even the tortillas. You can actually see them working their magic behind the counter, mixing the batter, molding, frying, and cooking right there in front of you. We ordered four gorditas; two carnitas and two steak: each one loaded with mozzarella cheese, sliced avocado, crema (their version of sour cream), onions, and cilantro. Oh my God, now I understand why it's called a gordita -- it's packed! For the price, you can't beat it. Two gorditas filled me up, and for about $12 total, it's a steal!!! The quality, freshness, and homemade taste easily surpass most restaurants charging twice the price. We also tried their chilaquiles -- another knockout dish. They use the same homemade tortillas, cut and fried, then topped with their house-made red or green salsa (depending on how much heat you can handle), Mexican cheese, crema, onion, and cilantro, all served over rice and beans with two perfectly fried eggs on top. The green salsa packs more spice, but the red can be blended to your liking. Every bite was pure comfort and flavor. They even make their own chicharrones from scratch and serve authentic Mexican sodas like Coca-Cola in the tall glass bottles; the ones made with real cane sugar, not the syrupy stuff we're used to here. Now, let me be clear -- if you're one of those people who expect your food within five minutes, this isn't your spot. Everything here is made fresh, from scratch, and that takes time. People who truly know and appreciate homemade cooking understand that real food doesn't happen within five minutes. So come in, relax, and let them cook. Let them pamper you with their gift of delicious food. Don't rush them, and don't get impatient, this is a humble family who takes pride in perfection. I guarantee you won't find the same level of flavor, love, and authenticity anywhere else. So far, we've tried two items from the menu, and both were absolute hits. We'll definitely be coming back! Not just because the food is amazing, but because we love supporting humble, hardworking families who pour their heart and culture into every dish they serve. Taqueria El Gordo is a must-try gem for anyone who appreciates true homemade Mexican food made with love. There isn't any other like them here in Lakeland!

Overall great experience! The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the prices were…read moregreat. I will certainly be visiting this spot again in the future.

Great little find in Lakeland if you are looking for authentic Mexican food. The restaurant is…read morelocated beside a Mexican grocery store and is very quaint. The food was amazing with fresh ingredients and everything tasted like incredible. Their salsa is spicy and so so good! I ordered the beef chimichanga which was humongous and served with all the fresh fixings of rice, lettuce, and beans. The ambiance is very authentic it is located in a strip mall. Service was very friendly and they were very understanding of my shellfish allergy. Will be back!

La Morentina is located inside the Mega Mercado market. This restaurant simply put is an amazing…read morechoice for Mexican food. The service was friendly enough and while the place has a very humble ambiance, but i find that the best Mexican food comes from these humble, mom-and-pop places. I went with the tacos and the food was definitely amazing. If you are in the area, check them out. You will not be disappointed.

Daniel was quite literally the best server we have ever had anywhere. Food was delicious and hot!…read moreMusic was perfect, not overwhelming.

Fun Mexican atmosphere with decent food…read more The chips come with three different salsas, but I could personally pass on all of them. None of them are much like traditional Mexican restaurant salsa. But maybe some people love that. Definitely swap your refried beans for the papas. So delicious.

We recently got some carry out when visiting our son at Juancho's Birrieria and it was fantastic…read more They nailed out order and were very polite to deal with even in this crowded night. Great service. While we didn't dine in, the restaurant was festive, casual and cozy. Looked like w great place to dine in. The food was impeccable. My quesadilla taco combo was amazing. Down to the rice and beans as well. Highly recommend.

I am on cloud nine! The food here is absolutely amazing! I just left and am sad I live over 2 hours…read moreaway from this gem. They stay busy. We went at 3pm on a Tuesday. Food came fast, tables were clean, and staff were friendly. Five stars all around: -Surf and Turf Quesadilla -Quesabirrieria Taco combo -Caramel Churros -Corn -Drinks: LimonCon Pepino Aqua Fresca & Horchata

Authentic and great. Small family owned and wonderful. Make sure you have a healthy appetite…read more You will be requesting a take home container.

Tostadas de barbacoa: On this occasion as my plate arrived,…read moreit was like receiving a culinary masterpiece, each perfectamente crafted and brimming with everything you could want in a traditional Mexican dish. The tostadas were crispy and golden, offering a satisfying crunch that contrasted beautifully with the rich fillings. Each tostada was generously piled with juicy, tender beef that prácticamente melted in my mouth. The beef was so succulent and flavorful, with just the right amount of seasoning and spice, it was a masterclass in how to prepare this type of meat. (Made me recall tostadas I enjoyed in Tlalnepantla)

The aroma of flavors packed with tender succulent meat just makes you want to take the day off and…read morekick up your feet just to eat it all. The welcoming service I received was one of a kind. Look no further for your authentic Mexican food. This hidden gem is the spot to go!

La Calentana Mexican Store and Restaurant is a small market with a few food trucks outside. Service…read moreis friendly, but the ordering and paying process is a little awkward. You order at the truck and then go inside the market and pay. I ordered lamb, asada and chorizo tacos and all were good. It came with both a green and red sauce and both were very good, though I liked the red a bit more. They have tables outside and it was pleasant enough to hang out and enjoy my tacos. Prices were great, as well. Five tacos were just over eleven dollars tax included. All in all, I would definitely recommend La Calentana Mexican Store and Restaurant. I will give it five stars overall.