Don't let the exterior scare you, once you're inside it's truly a Mexican gem. Really great…read moreenvironment, service and food quality. I had the costillas rib eye and were so good!!

Nice clasic Mexican Rancho setup. Food is very good. We had The Ribeye, Chicken Fajitas, Fajita…read moreStuff potato, Sabana Española(cheese covered fajita), Molleja Taquitos. All very good.Service very polite and friendly. Only downside is parking. There's is virtually none.

First of all the dinning room is very spacious. Chairs are comfortable. The staff is super friendly…read moreand always greet you with a smile. The menu has a wide variety of dishes to choose from cannot go wrong with anything you choose. I ordered a ribeye steak tender and juicy. Cornbread. Grilled octopus. Order what you like every is delicious. Desert we ordered crepes wow. I have returned many times. Never a disappointment. I will try to try the whole menu

La primera vez en visitar este restaurante ,me encantó todo , una buena manera de comenzar el día…read more,almorzando rico ,nos encantó la decoración, buena y rápida atención muy amables todos , la comida deliciosa y café y un digestivo delicioso muy amable el bartender . Lo recomiendo ampliamente .

First time coming to Chilmoli and had an amazing experience thanks to our server Kat who explained…read morethe flavors, spicy level of the food, and fan favorites. By the way, heads up, they do charge 5 bucks for the glass water which was not mentioned.

Hurts to write this review because, on a good day, this place can genuinely go toe-to-toe with some…read moreof the best steakhouses in the country. Unfortunately, tonight was another disappointing experience, this time while celebrating my brother-in-law's birthday. Our reservation was for 7:15 PM. They are very quick to text you reminding you that your table is reserved for a limited amount of time, which is ironic considering how long the service actually takes. Our server was friendly and seemed knowledgeable about both the menu and the restaurant's background. However, every single recommendation he made throughout the evening happened to be one of the most expensive options on the menu. And I mean EVERYTHING--from the cocktails to the dessert. At some point, it starts to feel less like genuine recommendations and more like an attempt to increase the bill, especially when a 20% gratuity was already included. Our server recommended that we place our orders right away because the evening rush was about to begin. He then left and didn't return for another 25 minutes to actually take our order. Our table was directly next to the kitchen, where the chef spent much of the evening loudly yelling at the staff. It was loud enough that the surrounding tables were clearly noticing, and it made for a very awkward dining experience. Straight out of a *Hell's Kitchen* episode. Two hours into our reservation, we were finally served our guacamole. Yes, it took TWO HOURS to get guacamole. I ordered the 36 oz. cowboy steak medium, which should have had a hot pink center and been cooked to approximately 135-145°F internally. Instead, the steak arrived well done, with a severely burnt crust and gray meat throughout. It was so overcooked that I could honestly still be chewing it as I write this. Keep in mind, this is a $100+ steak. I decided not to complain because, at that point, I was starving and did not want to wait another two hours for a replacement. What made it worse was that no one even came by to ask how the steak was. And skip the truffle fries. They should honestly be called "truffle strings." Good luck finding an actual potato in them. For a $200 tab for two people, this was extremely disappointing. I'm posting the receipt to show that our drinks were ordered at 7:19 PM and our bill wasn't paid until 10:30 PM. That's a **3 hour and 15 minute dinner**--and no, it was definitely not that long because we wanted it to be. By the end, I was more than ready to leave after spending what felt like half a shift at work sitting at the table. What makes this review especially frustrating is that I know this restaurant is capable of being excellent. I've had experiences here where the food and service were truly exceptional. That's why it's so disappointing to see such a huge disconnect between what this place can be and what we experienced tonight. I genuinely hope they are able to turn things around because this restaurant has the potential to be one of the best. Unfortunately, tonight was nowhere close.

The main courses were good, but the caprese salad was excellent. The service was very good as you'd…read moreexpect. I really enjoyed the ambiance and upscale vibe.

Tried the lunch menu and their chicken caprese was really good! Great service as well.read more

The food was great and the service was great. It is dark in there but they brought an extra light…read moreto the table and it was nice.

Just like SPI. A bit pricey but food is very good. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxread more

Amazing food and service every single time! The waiter that…read morehelped us not only recommended a great wine but also paired it perfectly to our meals.

This was probably the best food I have ever had from a restaurant. We sat outside and had a very…read morenice view of the water. The service was very quick, and the staff was very nice.

Food was great and the service was awesome! Thanks George For taking care of us! i will definitely…read morecome back!

A Hidden Gem of Authentic Mexican Flavor and Elevated Hospitality…read more If you're searching for a truly unforgettable dining experience, look no further than this incredible spot. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm that set the tone for an exceptional evening. Let's talk about the food: the grilled octopus was nothing short of perfection--expertly charred on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired beautifully with fresh, vibrant microgreens. Every bite was a masterclass in balance and flavor, showcasing the kind of culinary skill that can only come from recipes passed down through generations. The authentic Mexican flavors here are deeply rooted in tradition, yet elevated with a modern touch. It's clear the chef-owner has honed their craft under Michelin-starred mentors. That level of expertise comes through in every dish--from the nuanced seasoning to the thoughtful plating. And then there's the drink: La Paloma de Mi Corazón--hands down one of the most refreshing, clean-tasting cocktails I've ever had. Bartender Benito is a true artist behind the bar, blending flavors with precision and passion. He absolutely rocked that drink! The customer service was exceptional throughout. Attentive without being overbearing, every staff member made us feel genuinely cared for. It's rare to find a restaurant where both the front and back of house operate in perfect harmony. Whether you're a local foodie or just passing through, this place is a must-visit. Authentic, elevated, and unforgettable. Can't wait to come back. A Hidden Gem of Authentic Mexican Flavor and Elevated Hospitality If you're searching for a truly unforgettable dining experience, look no further than this incredible spot. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm that set the tone for an exceptional evening. Let's talk about the food: the grilled octopus was nothing short of perfection--expertly charred on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired beautifully with fresh, vibrant microgreens. Every bite was a masterclass in balance and flavor, showcasing the kind of culinary skill that can only come from recipes passed down through generations. The authentic Mexican flavors here are deeply rooted in tradition, yet elevated with a modern touch. It's clear the chef-owner has honed their craft under Michelin-starred mentors. That level of expertise comes through in every dish--from the nuanced seasoning to the thoughtful plating. And then there's the drink: La Paloma de Mi Corazón--hands down one of the most refreshing, clean-tasting cocktails I've ever had. Bartender Benito is a true artist behind the bar, blending flavors with precision and passion. He absolutely rocked that drink! The customer service was exceptional throughout. Attentive without being overbearing, every staff member made us feel genuinely cared for. It's rare to find a restaurant where both the front and back of house operate in perfect harmony. Whether you're a local foodie or just passing through, this place is a must-visit. Authentic, elevated, and unforgettable. Can't wait to come back. A Hidden Gem of Authentic Mexican Flavor and Elevated Hospitality If you're searching for a truly unforgettable dining experience, look no further than this incredible spot. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm that set the tone for an exceptional evening. Let's talk about the food: the grilled octopus was nothing short of perfection--expertly charred on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired beautifully with fresh, vibrant microgreens. Every bite was a masterclass in balance and flavor, showcasing the kind of culinary skill that can only come from recipes passed down through generations. The authentic Mexican flavors here are deeply rooted in tradition, yet elevated with a modern touch. It's clear the chef-owner has honed their craft under Michelin-starred mentors. That level of expertise comes through in every dish--from the nuanced seasoning to the thoughtful plating. And then there's the drink: La Paloma de Mi Corazón--hands down one of the most refreshing, clean-tasting cocktails I've ever had. Bartender Benito is a true artist behind the bar, blending flavors with precision and passion. He absolutely rocked that drink! The customer service was exceptional throughout. Attentive without being overbearing, every staff member made us feel genuinely cared for. It's rare to find a restaurant where both the front and back of house operate in perfect harmony. Whether you're a local foodie or just passing through, this place is a must-visit. Authentic, elevated, and unforgettable. Can't wait to come back. The most important part is that if you ask for water you will get FIGI water because Brownsville water has contaminants that are EPA approved but in the long run not safe. GARDENIA HAS CUSTOMER HEALTH AND TASTE IN MIND.

This was quite the experience coming here. There are so many customers pouring in to grab to go…read moreorders, so you need to be patient while the staff takes care of them too at pretty much the same time as you if you're dining in. We arrived for an early lunch and tried the brisket and mixture so we could have both lean and fatty. Most everything is a la carte, so if you're used to making fajitas or tacos out of everything you will need to buy a package of freshly made, freshly heated tortillas, beans, and ask for cilantro and onions. I had to purchase a mild and a habanero salsa as well. Overall, we had a great experience as we dined in one of the corner tables. Service was friendly and like family. The food was so delicious but let's face it, this is not craft central Texas bbq partly because the food is smoked using mesquite and there is the mexican influence being so close to the border. Because of this, although the brisket was delicious in its own way the star of the show is the barbacoa here. It's so good its addicting. This is without saying, but Vera's is a must stop if you're coming to Brownsville for any reason.

Hard to pass this place up. Reminds of a time longago when I "built" a subterranean bbq pit where I…read morelived, briefly but not nearly enough so, on a small ranch I bought in the Fresno foothills... during one of those "gotta get away from all this sht" periods. A friend had experience with dynamite and knew where to get enough for my crude purposes. Amazingly quick and easy to create a hole in the ground. I doubt that's how Vera dug hers even if this is Texas. My own system imho was better, likely because I applied my creative talent almost exclusively to chivos and wild pigs. But the bbq here is great to be sure with a lingering aftertaste that somehow tells you it's not been cooked in a backyard Weber. Indescribably essential experience if you're in the area.