Came here on a Friday around 5pm and it's not busy at all. They have the great courteous service that you come to expect from Cactus and of course delicious food. Carne Asada (5/5) The skirt steak is ordered medium rare and it's as expected soft, tender and absolutely delicious. Everything else that came with it like the corn fajitas, black beans and corn is just a wonderful and complements the steak very well. My only gripe is that the " spicy" sauce is not spicy at all. Not even mild lol. If they as you if you want chips and guac always say yes! The chips are light and crispy and guac tastes amazing. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Carne Asada - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came back to Cactus for happy hour (ends at 5p) and ordered Tex mex queso, chips and salsa, and the spicy ahi tacos. The Tex Mex Queso was amazing. It has chorizo on top, taking it to another level. Will definitely get it again. The chips and salsa were refilled for us which was great. The margarita was good too. Will definitely come again - solid happy hour. However, the service was pretty slow despite not being too busy. No worries as we weren't in a rush. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Tex Mex Queso - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Soldi place in Seattle. The staff was very kind, ambiance positive, and food was good Decor-lots of lighting and large center bar. Food-I enjoyed the food. The tortilla soup had a bit of a sweet twist. It was differ t from other chicken tortilla soups I've had, however it was good. This place hit the spot. read more

Enjoyed lovely brunch here last Sunday. The weather (temp) was just on the edge to sit inside or outside, yet the heaters kept us cozy on the patio. Service was personable, friendly & prompt. My Brisket Benedict was tasty, hubby had the chorizo skillet, also a winner. read more

Ah I'm trying to remember the managers name this evening...I want to say Brandon maybe? But omg he is AMAZING! Can't thank him enough for making my first night in Seattle a great one. The food was so delicious and the servers I had were both spectacular. They convinced me to try their infamous guacamole and queso dip, it did not disappoint. I also had the chicken and mushroom entree that was delicious! Safe to say I did not finish everything and got full of chips and dip lol. Brandon even brought me a flan on the house and I could barely get down two bites. Thanks Cactus for everything. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Tasty southwestern style Mexican food. Portions are decent and the food tastes pretty fresh. I recommend the Burrita or the brisket bowl. Drinks are also delicious. Service is welcoming and the ambiance is nice for a weeknight dinner. I do think it is a bit pricy for what you are paying for, however. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great, food, service and ambiance! We walked here from our hotel and it was super convenient and quick. I'd recommend for locals and tourists alike. Will be back. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great food and awesome service! The carne asada, chicken tacos, queso dip, and prawns on polenta were all delicious - everything we tried. Finally, I would say that the flan was spectacular--definitely the same quality as I've experienced in Mexico. read more

Always great service at this location. Today I tired the Chimayo Enchiladas which includes organic blue corn tortillas, chicken, housemade chorizo, spicy green chile sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, and pico de gallo. This also came with a side of black beans and red rice. I would say the flavors of this dish were mild, but if you put some of their beautiful salsa on top, it completely enhances the dish. The salsa is fresh, has beautiful texture, and a nice kick. It pairs perfectly with their fresh fried chips that are both light, crispy and beautifully seasoned. Always a great meal. read more

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We ate lunch here after our flight. Chips were fresh and crispy. Great salsa and guacamole. Drink menu was creative and delicious. I had the special crispy crab tamales. Our server was excellent. Very casual atmosphere but was very loud. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Crispy crab tamales. - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here for dinner after attending The Seattle Dragon Boat Festival with my team. We had a large group of 20 and there was plenty of seats indoors but decided to sit on the patio as it was such a nice day. The wait staff were courteous and very patient in getting our big group order in. Our waitress was very attentive in explaining their best sellers on the menu. Our group ordered a variety of stuff from their menu, but I'd say their Tacos are one of the best I've ever had. Between the Camarones, Baja Fish, and Ancho Chicken they were all delicious. So good that our group ordered extras so that everyone can experience their "to die for" tacos. This place is a great for large groups. Metered street parking is available right outside the restaurant. read more

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Walked over from our hotel for dinner and were greeted and sat immediately. Unfortunately, they put us in the area right by the kitchen entrance/exit so staff were around there the whole time. However, everything else about our dinner was fantastic. The staff were great, the food was delicious, and the drinks were yummy as well. Nicely decorated inside with comfy booths too. read more

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Nice spot with a great view of the water. Waitress was very attentive and food was quick to come out. Very delicious! Will be back soon! read more

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Lively spot for post-work drinks and dinner! Went for a work event, as it is one of the few restaurants in SLU that can accommodate a large group. The food isn't the best Mexican food I've ever had, but the quality of everything I tried was solid. I got fish tacos which tasted fresh and was cooked really well, and the guac looked as if it had been made to order, though I felt that both were a little too light on flavor. The churros came out piping hot and were a nice treat to end the meal on. Not sure if I'd personally choose to come back, but overall had a good experience - the food, though fresh, just wasn't super memorable for me. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Fish tacos - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here for the first time for brunch on a Sunday. We sat down right away inside, and they also have outside seating available. This is a great option instead of waiting in a line at nearby Portage Bay! The service was very friendly and quick. They took our order right away although they were pretty busy running around. I thought the food was quite good! My friend said hers seemed like a smaller portion than usual and she had been here before. I got the Migas dish that came with potatoes, tortillas, and scrambled eggs. I liked that it came with a side of salsa to add on top too. The flavor was good and it was very filing! The perfect meal after running 3 miles! I would definitely come here again for brunch at least. Not sure how the dinner fares. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Tasty Mexican food restaurant! On a busy Saturday night we were seated right away. Plenty of seating for small or bigger groups. Food was tasty. Sangria was a bit too sweet for me. But everything else was great. Good service and ambiance! read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Baja Fish Tacos - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

As a cactus LOVER I decided to give the south lake union location a try. Absolutely did not disappoint! Such yummy brisket nachos, iced tea, and fajitas! The ambience was super lovely and I love having a cactus location in this part of the city. Our waiter Henrik was super attentive and friendly. He said everything with a smile and was very fast with refilling drinks and salsas and generally bringing whatever was needed. Definitely a location I will be back to! read more

If you are ever in the area and looking for something extremely tasty this is the place. I had the steelhead tacos, and just when I thought I was done the GM "Brandon" brings me a complimentary order of Flan. He mentioned that since this was my first time here I had to try it. Will definitely put Cactus at the top of my list for Seattle. My waiter Phoenix was top notch and reminded me that excellent customer service still exists. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Blackened Steelhead Tacos were absolutely delicious, I don't think I have had corn that was as tender and flavorful as this. - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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amazing food and service I came for happy hour and got my food super fast! It was delicious and then because it was my first time they gave me free flan I'm so happy I will be back :) read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The food was amazing my wife and I went with her cousin. I got the Gaucho breakfast tacos and both were stacked and delicious. My wife got the tres leches French toast it was good a bit sweet for me but good. Her cousin got the cactus Benedict's and she said it was very good. I may get that the next time I'm in. Service was absolutely terrific she kept my coffee hot every time it got 1/2 down she filled it up. The atmosphere was clean and beautiful setting. We went on Easter Sunday and surprisingly it wasn't that busy. I would definitely go back again and highly recommend. read more

Pretty good! Ordered delivery and it came quickly and was fresh. Liked the shrimp/steak fajitas a lot - handmade tortillas were great. It also came with generous toppings (guac, pico, cheese, etc). The fish ceviche was pretty average - probably wouldn't order it again but not bad. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Peruvian Ceviche - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Easily the best Mexican food I've ever had. Food was fantastic, staff were extremely sweet. Meal included a first timer dessert special which was a sweet surprise! Would definitely come back and recommend to try if you're in the area. read more

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Went for their famous weekend brunch from 10am-2pm. It did. It disappoint. Was more food than we both expected so we had leftovers for later! Servers were super attentive and great vibes! The churro waffle is a thing of art. Not sure how they get something so crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Definitely a great thing we split! read more

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I had the steak fajitas and they were absolutely amazing. The steak was flavorful and tender. The corn tortillas were slightly fried (?) and honestly the best tortillas I have ever had. When put together with the fixings it was a mouthwatering experience that I will never forget. The restaurant even comped a dessert. Staff was very friendly and attentive. read more

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Good food, avg drinks and good service, this is what cactus is for us. We love the austin style guacamole which is a mix of traditional guacamole and queso . The micheladas are avg and we also tried the seafood enchiladas which as ok.the pablano chille relleno is so good tho. the place is nice and clean and with patio seatinh read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Bar - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Rob behind the bar took exceptional care of me and my friend the other night, he went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. Shout out to the Manager Rand as well he's a true professional. read more

Great place for food and drinks with some great vegetarian options and optional outdoor seating! We seated ourselves outside and server came by in some time. They were polite and gave some good recommendations given it was our first place eating at any Cactus. We started with vegetarian Nachos which were disappointing. Both the entrees, however, managed to make us forget the sad nachos. Butternut squash enchiladas were really tasty and well done. Roasted corn quesadillas were good but the portion size was small. Overall recommend this place - just don't order Nachos and try their Guac-Chips instead. read more

Took my friend who was in town here & it was so good!!! The service was friendly & we got our food hot & fast. The ambiance is chic & inviting. Definitely a cute date night spot or a place to bring friends or family that slightly elevated in town but not too casual. Would definitely be coming back :) read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Chicken Fried Chicken - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cactus is basically the one chain I go to on a fairly regular basis. Each location has a nice atmosphere, good tex-mex food, and plenty of vegetarian options. While they all have the same overall theme, the décor is unique to each location and it's kinda fun to see the differences. At this location I went very shortly after opening on a Sunday where I was very promptly greeted by the host, who warmly passed me off to the bartender. Service was fantastic! Super friendly and quick, there's nothing not to love! For this trip I decided to go with the jackfruit tinga tacos, which I've had many times before. The product I received here was actually a smidge better than what I've received at other locations. Not 100% sure what was done differently, but they should keep doing it! I definitely like that they not only have veggie options, but it's not the super standard grilled mixed veggies. Tacos come on homemade corn tortillas, which are really good! It's always a little bit of a bummer that they don't do the double layer that you typically see for the small tacos - where you don't have to worry about anything falling out because it just makes another taco, but I'm armed with a fork so it's all good! If you drove, don't be me and look for street parking! There are too many apartments now and street parking isn't as easy as it used to be. I saw some signs in Cactus stating that there's a free garage somewhere nearby and there are also the Amazon garages that are free on weekends. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Hibiscus Spritz and cute bar tops - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

We went in with a group of 13 people for dinner and they accommodated us quickly and beautifully. The service was excellent. The food came out promptly and orders that we had wanted split they split correctly. The previous day we went in for lunch with a group of five. We were planning on going to the restaurant across the street, but saw Cactus and it looked good so we went in. They were clearly delighted and did a fabulous job of serving us. They were so friendly and so delighted that we had picked them that they gave us a dessert of flan gratis. The next time we go back to Seattle, I am sure we will go back and eat a Cactus again. read more

I just wanted something good to drink and eat.henrick was awesome!!!! Recommended great food and drinks. After I was done I had to get a second desert. Everything was delicious! read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Proper spicy - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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We came to Cactus to celebrate a birthday, and overall had a great time even though it got off to a bit of a slow start. There was a 30minute wait just to place our order which felt a little long, especially since we were pretty hungry. That said, the staff was friendly and the vibe was nice, with both indoor and outdoor seating options depending on what you're in the mood for. We tried a few different things, including the **birria burrito, seafood enchilada, shrimp, and pizza. Everything was delicious especially the birria burrito -- super flavorful and satisfying. The drinks were also really good and perfect for a celebratory night out. This place is a great pick for groups or special occasions but just be ready to wait a bit if it's busy. We'll definitely be back for the food! read more

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Upscale Mexican spot in the heart of Seattle--good food, but prepare for the price tag. I recently visited Cactus, a modern Mexican restaurant that's popular with the downtown Seattle crowd--especially Amazon employees working nearby. I'm giving it 4 out of 5 stars because while the food and drinks are well-crafted, the pricing and automatic gratuity policy can make the bill feel heavier than expected. Ambiance: 4.5/5 The restaurant has a vibrant, modern vibe with stylish decor and a lively energy--especially during peak hours. It's clearly designed to attract the after-work crowd and weekend diners alike. Be aware that it can get pretty packed, so I recommend making a reservation if you're going during lunch or dinner rush. Authenticity: 4/5 Cactus leans more toward modern Mexican fusion than traditional recipes, but the flavors are well-balanced and thoughtfully prepared. You won't find ultra-traditional dishes here, but the kitchen does a great job of elevating Mexican staples with a creative twist. Flavor: 4.5/5 Every dish we tried was solid. Fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and well-executed cooking all around. Their taco platters and enchiladas were especially impressive, and they have a strong cocktail list to match. It's clear they care about flavor and presentation. Cost: 3.5/5 This is where things start to dip. The prices are on the higher side, and when you're dining with a large group, they automatically add a 20% gratuity. With food and drink costs already higher than average, the total can quickly add up. While I respect tipping, I prefer when it's optional based on service quality--not automatic. Service: 4/5 The staff are efficient and friendly, despite how busy the place gets. That said, wait times can be long during peak hours, and you might end up waiting even with a reservation. Still, the team handles the volume well overall. Final Verdict: 4/5 If you're in downtown Seattle looking for flavorful modern Mexican food in a trendy setting, Cactus is a dependable choice. Just go in knowing that it's a bit pricey, and the automatic gratuity might catch you off guard. Good food, good drinks--just bring a full wallet. read more

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Today we decided to go here because there was no wait and we were in a rush. We got the Chicken and waffles, tres leches French toast, chorizo and egg skillet, and the cactus Benedict. Food: it was pretty good, I really enjoyed the French toast. The sauce in the chicken was BOMB, but the others were okay. We liked the cactus Benedict a lot though. Service was fairly quick and the server was really friendly. He did awesome. We were sat right away as well. Prices: a little higher, the photos make the portions look kind of small but it's actually pretty big and shareable. We got a complimentary flan too, they're so nice! Love the service here. The only con: they take forever to close you out. It we finished eating at like 11:40 we got our change and stuff back by 12:10, which isn't a huge issue but we were just in a rush. read more

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Had the Fajitas and flan for dessert. Both food and service were amazing. Will definitely recommend

My family & I went to the SO LK Union Cactus for dinner last week. Great food, great service & a very friendly Hostess. We will be back

Came here on a Sunday evening around 6:45. There was about a 15 minute wait. The service was great and the food came out pretty quickly. The place is decorated nicely. I liked the jackfruit chimichanga a lot! It had a lot of flavor and the sides were really good. The vegetable burrita tasted like vegetables for the most part. Want to come back here to try their brunch menu. read more

Cactus Restaurants - South Lake Union - Burrita Vegetable Lenera - Tex-Mex Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The food is always great and super healthy. The feeling in the restaurant is cheerful and sunny. The staff is engaging and helpful. I am a happy repeat Customer. read more

Food has been great every time I've eaten there. Very attentive and caring for gluten free coworker as well.

Service and food were fantastic when we went in for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. The drinks were decent. The seafood enchilada was a great mixed variety of seafood covered with a butter based broth and melted cheese. Amazing! $18.50 The chile Relleno was also fantastic! The spice from the Poblano was perfect and the cheese that stuffed the pepper was delicious and stretchy. I would highly recommend it. $18 read more

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