Best margarita I've had in my life and at the same time the worst fish tacos I've ever had. The fish was brown, wet and smelled like it came out of a can. Great place to get hammered or do happy hour. read more

Best TexMex spot in metro Detroit! I've been to the Border Cantina 6 or 7 times now and am blown away with the food and service every time. There isn't a bad dish on the menu! My favorite is the "grilled soft tacos!". The bartenders are friendly and great at fixing up whatever drink you desire! I recently tried the Mesa Blue margarita (photo attached) and it was to die for. If you find yourself in the Novi/Northville you HAVE to try the Border Cantina. You WONT be disappointed. read more

Border Cantina - Yumm! - Mexican Near Me - Novi, Michigan

The best Mexican in the area! The fajitas are incredible! We got carryout last week and wow, even after driving it 20 minutes home it was still amazing. Huge portions, especially the massive toppings/rice/beans box they give you. And you cant top the sweet corn cake that comes with the meals, its so delicious! Our favorite place! read more

We were in search of a restaurant that would fill us up. This place did the trick. I had the whole wheat quesadilla with a side of Mexican rice (pictured above). The quesadilla was fantastic and I just barely finished it. I almost contemplated taking some of it home - which is rare - but I managed to finish. I didn't like the rice. It was good. But with the peas and carrots in it - it was a turn off for me. We were also given chips/salsa when we sat down (not the greatest), but no refills on that were given. The place was just above average but nothing special. Grade: B- read more

Still one of my favorites for Mexican, the portions are huge, the prices are fair, and the fajitas are the bomb.

Absolutely horrible food. Service was great, especially since we had such a large group but the food was bland and awful. My steak quesadilla was super chewy and rubbery. My husband's chicken burrito was definitely chicken from a can! For a Mexican restaurant, the flavor level was a 1! No amount of hot sauce or salt & pepper could save these dishes. Salsa was just okay, queso dip wasn't horrible but again not a whole lot of flavor. American "Mexican" food at best. read more

I had a delicious meal with my mother. She enjoyed the fajita quesadilla. I had the border burger. It was big but it was delicious the fries were good too. The service was also good wish they would either get rid of the back to back booths or readjust them. read more

Food: their salsa is great/fresh! Their food always a good value while still being good. You can have all white meat in chix dishes, which is great. I always have enough for the next day too. Value: 5/5 Ambience; fun little Mexican place...easy to miss if u don't drive slow enough! Service: fine Drinks are big! read more

Nice place, good prices, friendly staff. Its Mexican American, not actual Mexican, but they do a good job at what they do. Portions are large and both locations are enjoyable!! read more

Was there Monday night. Worse experience ever. Had a party of 11. One person. at our table was served his food 15 minutes before anyone else's food came out. When the rest of the food came out many of the entrees were cold. Complained to the waitress who didn't apologize or even care. The restaurant wasn't even that busy. Kids eat free with the purchase of an entree. We were charged for all kids. We have eaten here for years and were so very disappointed. It ruined the birthday. Here we are trying to support small businesses during COVID and wasted our money!!! read more

So it was a friday and my last day of work after 10 yrs with the same company. I decided I wasn't going to feel sorry for myself but treat myself to some good ole mexican food and margarita. After reading the reviews on here I ended up at Border Cantina. So when I get there the restaurant was very cute and really puts you in the mood for a margarita. The waitress was really nice although I don't remember her name. I order a margarita and enchiladas (beef, chicken, cheese). The margarita was pretty good and the enchiladas was a little bland but not bad. My bill came and it was $19.00 but the margarita was $9 by itself so not bad saying the margarita was to my liking. Let's fast forward to 3 days later.... I'm making a purchase at another establishment and my card was declined. I knew I didn't have much money in my account but it should of been enough to cover my purchase. After being humiliated I go home to investigate on-line and see that Border Cantina had two charges pending on my account. One for $19.00 + tip which was my bill and the second charge was for $33.00. At this time i'm thinking they must of accidentally charged my card for another bill. I called the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager. Rebecca answered the phone and I proceed to tell her that I just lost my job and I had double charges pending on my account from Border Cantina. I told her as a result of the double charges my card was declined and I had an overdraft charge of $25.00. She went on to tell me the bank is at fault for the charge. She did add that they do normally put a tip on hold but they do not determine the amount but the bank. I told her I never heard of that before but I will contact the bank to find out why $33 was on hold for the tip when my bill was only $19. So I called the bank up and they laughed and told me that the restaurant determines the amount not us. I called Rebecca right back and told her what the bank said. I told her I'm not sure what their policy is but I was dining alone and there was no reason they should of put a $33 hold for tip. Not once did she apologize for the situation and/or even offer a complimentary margarita or dinner for the mistake. She proceeds to tell me that she will have accountant dept look into it and have them call me back the next day. It's been a week and I have not heard back from them. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed in the way they handled the situation and I expected more out of a family owned restaurant. I'm not blaming them for my financial issues but it would of been nice to have a little more compassion. My $19 bill ended up costing me $80. read more

Some of the most consistent mexican food in the area. It can be a bit noisy at times but the food is fantasic and if its not they don't hesitate to take care of it. I've had 1 bad meal in all the times I have gone (Fish Tacos were terribly cooked and smelled like the fish was old) and without even complaining. Just an overheard comment to my date it was taken off the bill with multiple apologies. The little corn cake that comes with each plate is worth the trip alone. Highest recommendation read more

This place is legit! Went on a 40 mile bike ride with the wifey on a Saturday afternoon. Finishing the ride we needed some well deserved protein and a drink! Stopped at this little spot and was not disappointed! I ordered the chicken fajita burrito and the wifey ordered the fish burrito. Both hit a home run! So much food for the money. That's the way authentic Mexican restaurants work. They make sure you CANT finish it all in one sitting! Haha! Well they succeeded! :-) we didn't try any of their house wines or anything fancy. A corona and tecate was plenty for us. But we will be back very soon to change that! Thanks to Shyna for being a good prompt waitress. She was very nice and was quick and always made sure we were happy and taken care of. Only draw back was the patio wasn't open yet. Not her fault. We just enjoy the sun when it decides to stay out! Haha. If your looking for a quick Mexican bite that you want to eat in two sittings, drop by. And make sure Shyna helps you!! (Sorry if I miss spelled your name!!) read more

Border Cantina - Couldn't wait to dig in! The plate looked SOO good! Tasted SOO much better! - Mexican Near Me - Novi, Michigan

Was the first place we ate when moved here 20 years ago and have always eaten there at least 4-5 times per year for 20 years. Last few times food was poorly prepared service sub par. After all these yeArs you expect up and down. 3rd time in row same poor food and service over a 6 month period. Eat at your own risk. Too bad ... It was a good run read more

So disappointed. After loving this place for years it has fallen apart. Growing up in Northville this was our favorite Mexican restaurant and I am sad that it has become a lousy restaurant. The food is bland the service blah... we have given this place a good number of tries and we are officially done. RIP Border Cantina read more

We love the food at this place. Eat there at least three times a month. The complaint is not the food but the fact that you have to walk a gauntlet of cigarette smoke going through the front door and then again leaving. 5 people smoking right at the door because the weather was not good enough for them to be outside any further. Two other couples leaving at the same time found it just as disgusting. Nothing like finishing off a good meal with a mouthful of smoke. It was thick enough that our clothes smelled when we got in the car. The brainless management needs to decide whether they are running a quality restaurant or a shithouse bar. Forget the 20ft rule, the smokers were acting as doormen. read more

I ordered a vegetarian chimichanga for a takeout. When I got there they gave me a burrito instead and told me it's deep fried. Veg chimichanga usually has peppers and mushrooms and onions , mine was filled with turnip green. It was not good at all. They could have just told me on the phone that they don't have chimichanga or asked me if I am okay with turnip greens read more

The first time I went there I was disappointed with cold stale chips and the salsa came with an extra large hair. :( I tried a second time. Same disappointment coupled with guacamole that tasted like paste. Bland food that comes from the microwave. The top shelf margaritas however are worth the trip if you aren't hungry. read more

Have been coming here for years, and always felt frustrated with the service in the bar area, but never commented until now. The waitresses that are supposed to be waiting on tables have to double their time as bartenders. It causes slow service and cold food!! On more than one occasion I've had to send back my food because it's not hot, but I keep coming here and I don't know why! They just need to hire more staff and this place would get two more stars! read more

My husband and I had our first date here over 12 years ago and just recently started to go back there every once in a while for dinner. It still is one of the best Mexcan places in the area. The chips and salsa aren't the best - but the food is really really tasty. We will continue to make this a destinateion on date night. read more

As far as local Tex-Mex goes, Border Cantina is fine. Their combination plates are good, and I like the whole wheat chicken quesadilla, but some items are premade and can't be altered (eg the spinach quesadilla). I'm never too trusting of restaurants that sell premade dishes. Might as well save some cash and make fresh tacos and guacamole at home. read more

Great service. Great food. Huge portions. The salsa is made fresh in the restaurant, and if its too mild for your taste you simply ask for hot sauce! Man, all you yelpers whining about that.. grow up :P. Want whole wheat tortillas? Extra lettuce? Extra anything? Ask!! They don't charge you for little extras some other big chain places. This is my favorite tex-mex place ever and everyone that I've taken here loves it as well. I highly recommend the chicken fajitas! read more

OK, for what Novi is (a suburban bedroom community), I think this Mexican place is decent enough to come to from time to time. Unless you are willing to drive to Waterford or SW Detroit, you simply are not going to get "authentic" Mexican food around here. This place has the usual 4-page menu with every popular Mexican food item and various combos. It was hot and fresh (despite the huge crowds) and the service was good, so I'll go out on a limb and give them 4 stars. But beware: the drink prices can be a bit steep (and can easily exceed the entree prices). read more

I've been going to Border Cantina in Novi with my family since 1998, when I was in high school. I agree with other posters in that Border Cantina is always consistent. I tend to stick to their meals or the quesadilla, but I always know what to expect, which is nice. Even when they are super busy, your food comes out in less than 10 minutes after ordering. I know that this *probably* means that the food is pre-made/canned/not authentic (gasp), but hey, it's good. read more

I'm sad Border Cantina isn't closer to our home in Ferndale. It is by far our favorite Mexican restaurant in the Metro Detroit area. We order arroz compollo (probably butchering that spelling) but it is a dish with grilled chicken, rice, loads of veggies, and cheese. It is SO good- and I don't see this dish at other similar restaurants. The portion is huge, my boyfriend and I can easily share it (and we both have good sized appetites.) read more

A co worker told me this is the best Mexican food in the area! I was excited to check it out. I was underwhelmed! The chips and salsa were kind of bland. I had the chimi and it was ok. It is a nice, large restaurant inside. I was dining alone and as large and empty as the restaurant was, I was seated in the middle of one of the dining rooms. Anyway, prices were on par with other places. read more

I really LOVE this place....It's awesome. We lived in Michigan for four years and every month we found our way back to the whole wheat chicken quesadillas and the corn bread appetizers. I miss it and always have a serious JONES to go back there when ever I visit my family in Michigan! The prices are very reasonable too!!!!!! read more

This place has been around for as long as I can remember ... It was great 20 years ago when we first tried it and then over the years it went downhill. So, when my daughter talked me into going this year I was hesitant- glad we went...great guacamole and salsa, delish enchiladas and over the top nachos! The margaritas are made with real lime juice and had just the right Amount of sugar! Great comeback! read more

Food was subpar. I ordered the Bontana...cheese was not melted. My date ordered the chicken fajitas and the chicken looked horrible...dry with no seasoning. I won't return to this place. read more

Stopped here on the basis of positive Yelp reviews. On the upside, the place is clean and the service was friendly. On the down side, the food is very standard texmex fare. I had fish tacos that came with beans and rice. The fish was lost in the large tortillas filled with vegetables and sauce. The were OK at best. A good fish taco should focus on the fish. The beans and rice were quite bland. Someone in the kitchen needs to raid the spice cabinet. There was no hot sauce on the table to try and compensate. The cost was reasonable given the food and atmosphere. read more

So sad to give one of our regular places a one star review. We came in with no wait and were seated right away outside. After 10 minutes we asked the hostess to send our server out. After another 10 minutes we decided to leave after no one came to take our order. We mentioned to a waiter on the way out what had happened and he was less than apologetic, stating they were short staffed. He also said he saw us out there waiting (so why didn't he take our order)?? Disappointed as this is one of our usual local places. Will be back, but not on a Saturday night and probably just for takeout. read more

Wow just wow and not in a good way. This had to be some of the most non authentic Mexican food my husband and I have ever eaten. The beans and rice were inedible. We got the shrimp tacos, flavorless and the Tres tacos also flavorless. Will not be returning! read more

Just had my first carry out meal from here. My husband got a combo plate and everything was decent. It was a lot of food and pretty tasty. I got a layered beef dip. It was not bad. Maybe a little on the bland side, but it was definitely edible. The biggest disappointment came when we tried the salsa. He got two large; one mild one hot....at least that's what he ordered. They were both the consistency of water. It would hardly stick to the chip. Neither of them had any flavor whatsoever. When I say they had no flavor, I mean none. Except for the fact that my chip was wet I tasted nothing. The kicker....They were 7 bucks each. They both were run down the sink. read more

The baby mama and I went here and I had a up and down experience here. I didn't care for the decor I thought it could be better considering this place always seems packed, then we got the queso dip which was really good then I got my food, which was up and down also, the chicken and beef enchiladas were great but the cheese one was just awful. So that's why I gave it three stars it wasn't bad but it left wanting more, and has for the baby mama she's 7 months pregnant so everything but the bathrooms were good to her. read more

All of the portions are very large. They are great for carry out too. My favorite to order is the chicken and steak fajitas for two, and it's enough food to feed four people. They also have great margaritas. read more

I eat out a lot, steak was horrible if it was even steak... Salsa very runny - but chicken and shrimp in fajitas was average... 2 stars read more

Border Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Novi, Michigan

I wish Michigan understood what real Mexican is supposed to taste like... I'm better off cooking at home. Anyone can open a can of cheese sauce and call it queso read more

If you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant this is not the place to go. I am not a picky eater but I could not even finish my food. The salsa was bland and the food had too many strong spices that they add to Americanized Mexican food read more

Used to be my favorite Tex-Mex. Oscar was my favorite waiter. Stopped in recently. Both have gone downhill to the point I won't return. They used to be so good. read more

This place was great! Their margaritas (especially the strawberry) were top notch!! Literally might have been the best margarita I've ever had! The service was fast and friendly. The food wasn't really hot enough which made it mediocre in my opinion. I'd definitely give this place another shot. The food was yummy even tho it wasn't hot enough. read more