About two years ago I reviewed The Cactus Grill. It was outstanding then and continues to be excellent. It was Taco Tuesday.We ordered five. Two ground beef were beautifully constructed between hand made corn tortillas. The taste was really good and they were loaded with lots of toppings. We also enjoyed birra tacos which were crispy. The toppings included cilantro, onions and radishes. They included a little tub of au jus ( not a Spanish word) but savory. The birra tacos were not included in the promotion but worth the extra dinero. Everything was packaged in sturdy plastic containers and extra red and green hot sauce were included. The order came with tortillas chips and salsa. We enjoyed the experience. read more

To start off, our choriqueso was soup. With perhaps 20 small chunks of chorizo in it. Texture aside, the taste was even more watered down. Me being the Karen I am asked if I could get some shredded cheese melted in it, and that actually took it from a 5 to an 8 out of 10. Although she did charge us $1.50 for that. The chips were nothing to write home, or to Yelp, about, but the salsa was surprisingly flavorful and not 70% water! However, we continue along our theme of watered down textures and tastes in the next chapter. Chapter 2: Chilaquiles and Birria Ramen I hesitated to order any chilaquiles after the appetizer experience. And so I asked to try the chilaquiles salsas before committing to the dish. And can I just say, thank the heavens I did. The salsa roja tasted like tomato water, legit, unfortunately. And the salsa verde was warm pepper water. Hydrating, if anything, but lacking in flavor entirely. And so I went with the birria ramen, thinking, you know, as an Asian man who loves Mexican food, this should be perfect, right? Uhhhh, wrong. Very wrong. And I feel like at this point you could guess what I'm gonna say. The birria ramen looks beautiful, honestly. But the consommé, you guessed it, tastes like WATER. There have been some Mexican restaurants with sides of consommé that I have unabashedly slurped out of the sauce container. But for the one that's SUPPOSED to be slurped, I couldn't bring myself to do it. And you would hope the actual meat in the ramen would make up for the lack of flavor in its broth. And yes, on first bite the birria gives you an addicting burst of flavor. But the birria itself is surprisingly dry, considering it's quite literally suspended in liquid. So following that first bite is 30 seconds of chewing and grinding down this dry, tasteless chunk of birria. So by the end of the meal, you might have lost more calories chewing than you gained from eating it. The noodles were thick and had an odd starchy flavor to them - I had hoped they would have at least absorbed some notes of birria, but they instead brought a unique and undesirable taste to my mouth. And unfortunately, about 90% of this dish is these noodles, so if you're not a fan of their flavor, you're in for a long haul. With all the cilantro and onions in the bowl it honestly tasted more like a birria pho, with subtle herby notes rather than a punch of birria flavor. So if you frame it that way, it at least doesn't fall short of ALL expectations. My ex's chicken and rice was good, I think. Kinda hard to mess that up. Not like I can reach out now and ask her how it was, lol. Service was alright, drinks were.... well you could probably guess how the drinks were. Whole experience was awfully watered down, if that ain't obvious by now. Two stars. read more

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3/15/25 Family and I (9 of us in total; our mom, sisters, BIL, nieces and nephews) went today after the Disney on ice show and they took care of us well. Got us seated in 10-15 mins. Kids enjoyed the entryway displays. Place was moderately busy but not to much or like the other popular and more mainstream places closer to the roadside. They had a selection of dinner options with a good amount served. And my niece didn't like what she ordered (steak burrito) so they took care of it and brought something out chicken right away. Very quickly for the last minute change. I ordered one of their dinner specials (red pozole) and I came out not as I expected or read being I had no idea it was or just included a soup. But possibly I missed that or cross read it with the other dinner options. Idk...? But the hot sauce with the tortilla plate stuff was pretty sassy. And I like very hot stuff. But similar situation with the salsa. It was a bit hotter than I expected or usual is what dine in joints like this offer as the everyday table wide option. And we got the multiple option appetizer (guac & 2 different quesos) were also great. Everything came as expected but Red pozole I ordered. I must have missed or confused that with something else. read more

This Mexican restaurant is a rare find in Fort Wayne. We have been here many times and the food is always so fresh and the service is always so friendly. The owner is always there and smiling and greeting guests. This lunch experience was no different. The prices are exceptional for the food you receive. They also have complementary salsa and chips. I wish more people knew about this restaurant. It is located in a strip mall with a bunch of shops and is very unassuming. We did have a hiccup with our bill where I didn't realize I was charged the full amount for a soda when my son had a kids meal after we left. I just messaged the owner on social media and he corrected it without any problem. That's what we need to see in businesses, honest, good food, and friendly service! I wish more people in Fort Wayne would come visit. read more

Cactus Grill Mexican Restaurant - Chimichanga with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Fort Wayne, Indiana

I love the nachos the ground beef is so good.the service was good but it took awhile for the food.and it was clean.

DO NOT EAT HERE. I'm serious, there are so many other better Mexican places in town. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY. Service: BAD. Food: below average. So it's a casual Sunday new year 2026, my family and I get done hiking around Franke and we decide to try this place out. Wrong choice. To start off, my mom goes to the bathroom, comes out and reports that the bathroom has no TP or paper towels... What's odd is a few tables are finishing and then that leaves us as the only table in the place. But it's 1:30PM on a Sunday, so fine. Our waitress comes over (very young girl with very long nails), we order and also mention the toilet paper and paper towel issue in the ladies restroom. Mind you we're seated against the wall in a booth right near the restrooms. When she takes our order, she doesn't use a pen or notepad; just memorizing. I think, ok, we're literally the only table in here, she probably won't have any issues. Wrong again. Since I have a gluten sensitivity, I ordered their enchiladas specifically asking for corn. So we get our meal, enchiladas covered I the sauces and looking good. Still, by the way, we have not seen any female employees go back to the bathrooms to restock the toilet paper or paper towels. So I'm starting to have an internal dilemma thinking I might be crazy..."is this really corn, or are these enchiladas flour..." So I'm halfway through my meal and I just ask our waitress. Turns out it's flour, not corn like I ordered.... So I have them remake it. Then the bill comes, we got charged for both the first (incorrect) order and the second one. ****They got my order wrong. I asked for them to remake it. And they charged us for both!****** We asked why and they said "we have to charge you for both because the food was half eaten." Uhhh...well no shit???? What am I going to do, assume she got my order wrong when we were the ONLY table in the entire restaurant?? Our server has no other tables, there was NO ONE else in the entire restaurant...so I'm thinking, of course she got our order right, there's only three of us at the table. Why wouldn't I be eating it??? I never leave reviews but this restaurant is dogshit and the experience was utterly humiliating for all of us. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. read more

The guacamole was good and so was the salsa Both the house margarita and the mojito were too sweet. Both entrees were bland and chewy (Steak tacos and chicken enchiladas). The tres leches desert was served frozen. Service was good and the manager was also friendly, but the food was disappointing. read more

This is the best Mexican place I have found in Fort Wayne. Staff is super friendly even when they are busy. Food is the closest I have found to being like Southern California. They have bottled Mexican Coke! Which is awesome. It has a relaxing atmosphere. Nothing but good things to say about this place, 5 stars! read more

Cactus Grill Mexican Restaurant - Great food! - Mexican Near Me - Fort Wayne, Indiana

Thank God Bandidos is gone. It made room for real, flavorful, authentic Mexican dishes (with a few revamped fun recipes thrown in). The executive chef is The Birria King, hands down the best Birria in FTW. I tried it in every form & it's never disappointed. The salsa and chips are perfection. The pink mojito pair's wonderfully with the Birria Flautas & rice. Ask for the spicier salsas for some variety & kick- if you dare..... The wait staff & hostesses are pleasant & polite. The atmosphere is fun & eclectic. The kitchen is spotlessly clean. read more

Cactus Grill Mexican Restaurant - Birria Flautas - Mexican Near Me - Fort Wayne, Indiana

I was really looking forward to coming here for lunch to give them a try since Bandidos left. I was not very impressed with this first visit. The restaurant was pretty dead for peak lunchtime. I ordered the triple flavor appetizer and planned to just do chips and various dips for lunch and maybe get a tamale or dessert. They don't have tamale here, but that's ok. The triple flavor is supposed to come with guacamole, choriqueso and a Mexican refried bean dip that is covered in cheese and chorizo. I was surprised to find that my version came with guac, choriqueso and then just another thing of queso. When I requested that it was supposed to come with the beans, the waitress tried to relay the message to the kitchen but I'm not sure what the issue was that it didn't get communicated between them to fix it properly. My server was new, so I didn't get too hung up on it. She came by with a side of refried beans, but they were just normal bland refried beans and about a quarter cup worth of them to boot. I'd say generally that the food here is pretty bland. The queso didn't really have much flavor without the chorizo, the salsa pretty much tasted like tomato with a hint of onion and everything was way under seasoned. I will say that the guacamole was decent and on the spicy side which was a welcome surprise compared to my other dip choices. The chips also seemed to be lacking seasoning as well. I tried the Mexican Fried Ice Cream. It was pretty tasty! I'd say it's more of a to share dessert though, pretty large for a single serving. I would give this place another chance, but right now they are about as good as Bandidos was - which isn't saying much. read more

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Took a friend, last night, her first time, there. She liked the clean smell and beautiful floors! We sat down to excellent service, delicious food and lovely atmosphere! One of my fave places! Check them out! read more

First time here the food was great fast and very very tasteful friendly staff nice atmosphere

This place was great! The owner is super nice and the charro beans and tacos were amazing!!! I will def be going back!

The food is outstanding each time we have been there. The staff is friendly and the owner is always there and a super nice man. Service is great and its very laid back. It is very comfortable and casual. It is our go to place for great Mexican food read more

Needed a reward for not smoking cigs, so i popped in here for lunch. I was hoping for actually good Mexican, not Cebolla's or Banditos. I was not disappointed. Its a large place, moderately decorated, one big room where you can see the kitchen. Looks like they are still moving in. They do have a dancing jalapeño with a cutout for the face- selfie op! Lots to choose from with out having that tome of a menu most family mexican eateries have. Lets call it well curated. Jamaica tea was refreshing and lightly sweetened- but not "southern Sweet". Chips fresh, salsa pretty good, lots of chunks and flavor; not just canned tomato. Server recommended the Beef Birria tacos: they were delicious- cheesy with fresh cilantro and radish accompanied my a small dish of special salsa and au jus for dipping. All tasty and clearly made with skill. Then i tried the Charro beans, and ,oh my. Excellence. I don't know if I've had better, certainly not in Indiana. Looks like they have brunch on Sat and Sun with specials you can only order then, including Pazole, which I can't wait to try next time! Service was fast, friendly and helpful, thank you! read more

This has become one of our favorite restaurants in Fort Wayne. The wait staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. Need to try the house made sauces sampler. The spicy imposter is my favorite . I have never been a big fan of mole sauce but their sauce is incredible. The Quesa-Birria tacos are hands down our favorite. Great place to take your family. read more

The Food and the service was EXCELLENT. Lime Margarita was fantastic. Ambiance was perfect, very clean. We WILL be eating here many times in the future. read more

What a nice, bright, clean restaurant! Everything was shiny and new. Service was friendly. Sadly, the thing I came here for (their 2 vegan options of falafel salad and mushroom appetizer) they didn't have. :( I was told from the beginning that they were out of the falafel but wasn't told they were out of the mushrooms until 15 minutes into waiting for the meal. So all I had were chips (good), salsa (very good), and guac (bland but salvaged with adding salt and pepper). If/when they have their menued vegan options in stock, I would try again because I was looking forward to them. read more

First off we waited for over and hour to be seated and there were tables open, when we were seated we sat down it took 20 min for the waitress to even order with no drink or food the customer service was horrible, server was rude and yelled at us because something that was on the menu they didn't serve, after we ordered the waitress ripped the menu out of my hands aggressively. After waiting for another 40 min and we saw other people who came in after us being served and they left before we even ordered. we finally received our food and the food was burnt and meat was uncooked. Everything tasted uncooked!! And made my family member puke 10 min after starting to eat and now she is puking blood at home. Now we are all sick. Idk what was in the food but we didn't even finish or take our food home with us. DO NOT GO HERE YOU WILL GET SICK!!!! read more

Date nite a couple weeks ago! Chicken quesadillas were the best found so far in Fort Wayne! Margaritas not so much! Service was ok considering customers! Need to freshen up the atmosphere! read more

Quick, efficient service. The food was excellent. All 3 of our kids really enjoyed their meals. Much above the average Ft Wayne Mexican fare. read more

This place is a joke of a Mexican restaurant. It is bad as bandidos was and they just passed down the salsa recipe which is the only positive food item. Definitely not authentic Mexican food and I strongly recommend you to go somewhere else if you are craving Mexican. read more

Well me and my friend went on the weekend to go try they birria ramen but when we went there they didn't have any they were in the process of making some.. well if it's only a weekend special they should make more. But had to order something else and it was not bad. Definitely would make a second attempt to try it again read more

This is located in the old Bandidos place off Lima and coliseum. Private parking lot lets you walk up easily into the two very heavy doors to open. TBH the inside looks the same. They have the full bar with $5 margaritas. Their menu is a perfect size with many different options. We ordered take out with a El Chica kids meal. No fries sub beans, Fideo soup, cheesecake with strawberry topping and it came with a kids drink and chips and salsa. The Fideo soup was big but lacked flavor or seasoning. Very bland. Think watered down tomato soup. I added beef powder salt and pepper. The chips were good but lacked salt and their salsa is just plain tomatoes. Very bland and lacks flavor. The kids meal was super dry and the burrito had very little filling. It was honestly the worst Mexican I have had here. These three items cost me about $18!!! I recommend going just once. maybe try dine in and support local. I may try dine in and give it another try but it was terrible food to say the least In my opinion. read more

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Stay away from any menu item that has tomatillo salsa. Very sour like a bottle of vinegar level sour!!

The food was ok. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. I enjoyed atmosphere. I would not make a special trip to Fort Wayne just to eat here. If we were close and someone wanted to eat I would be agreeable to eating here again. read more

Chicken Tinga Flautas were AMAZING!! Victor was our waiter and did an incredible job. Definitely a fave for future shopping breaks and lunches. read more

I visited this earlier this year back in June. It was decent in its' appearance - clean and the space between tables was adequate where I was seated. The music was the same old Mexican circus music with accordions. There weren't very many people during what should've been the lunch hour rush for most places in the middle of the week. However the menu was sparse and the food was not very good or proportionate for the price that I paid ($13.00) not including the drink or tip. It was about four cups of actual food product (enchiladas) swimming in red sauce! I had several waitresses and the food was cold by the time it arrived. This was not an impressive visit and I most likely won't go back ever again. I don't know who all is giving the high praise but from my own personal experience - HONEST personal experience and not opinions of others or coercion this is one of the worst places in town to eat! This is just another Bandido's. Very disappointing to say the least. read more

Food was very good and tasted freshly made. Had my sisters birthday there with 15 people and waitress was very attentive.

I have literally ordered from here 4 times in the past week. It is now what we order every Tuesday for their $2.50 taco Tuesdays. Their service is very friendly and quick, their food is always amazing, their salsa is some of my favorite now. read more

Fresh Mexican food and friendly staff Hot sauce was homemade and margaritas were strong read more

The third time eating here, love it!!! I have had asada tacos, arroz con Pollo, and flautas (beef and chicken). All delightful! Flautas and arroz con Pollo are tied for my favorite! Salsa so good my niece was drinking it! I hate onions but still eat the salsa for the taste and consistency (around the onions). Very little spice, which is my preference. LOVE the queso! Best I have had, perfect blend of spices and consistency! I daydream about it! Rice is also sooo good, probably my favorite in comparison to other places! I don't like guacamole, but my family raved on it. The mushrooms appetizer was a hit as well! Fried ice cream was a little non-traditional, in the best way! Churros were great! Flavored lemonades and adult beverages are very tasty! Mint lemonade was a fave of my nieces. Great staff! Had Chris tonight, so friendly and welcoming! read more

The place is good, food so good is well. I lake de birria ramen, is so fire. I like the decoration and the familiar atmosphere, it is true that it is in the old Bandidos but the decoration is totally new. I must go back to try the fried ice cream. read more

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Service was outstanding!!! The place is nice big and open, great view of the kitchen. Food was really good. Will definitely recommend!

I got the ramen it was old and the noodles was hard I threw up in the parking lot and was sick the whole next day don't do it to yourself

I don't normally post anything on here... but I'm so impressed with this place I just had to share. Very clean and comfy. Was greeted with a big smile. The house queso is the best I have ever had. I absolutely could not stop eating my enchiladas suizas even though I was about to burst! Highly recommend... if I could find more stars I would! read more

Excellent service, clean, airy atmosphere, and very tasty food. I recently moved to Fort Wayne from Arizona (where great Mexican cuisine is around every corner) and was pleasantly surprised to find a Mexican restaurant that I would recommend to friends back home. The mole sauce is truly a 'wow' experience; not for the uninitiated, but for those who know what mole is and are seeking the real deal, give this restaurant a try. Have already been back for a second visit and found their green enchilada also very good. Even the chips and salsa are a superior flavor. read more

Inattentive service. Mushy, bland chimichanga. Not recommended. Yelp wants .ore letters but tbis is all i have to say.

I was stationed in San Diego for 3 years, came back on leave, this place's food, and feel was similar if not better than the mexican restaurants in San Diego. I would highly recommend this place if you are after an authentic mexican restaurant. read more

The only positive feedback would be the fantastic salsa. Poor service from the waitress. Had to ask for knapkins and utensils. Food was horrible. They were out of chicken, so we opted for beef. No flavor! Not going back! read more