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    Crystal Park Cantina

    4.0 (746 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Crystal Park Cantina Photos

    CRYSTAL PARK CANTINA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Crystal Park Cantina

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    Steak tacos and a shrimp taco to taste (swapped with a friend)
    Alexandra D.

    Charming location with a cozy mountain-town vibe, delicious flavors, and attentive service. This spot was recommended during our work trip to the area, and we couldn't have been happier to visit. Though the restaurant is small, it's clearly a local favorite. We were warmly greeted upon arrival and seated within minutes. The chips and salsa set the tone--smoky with just the right kick, absolutely addictive. For my entrée, I ordered the steak tacos, served with rice and beans that were bursting with flavor. I also had the chance to sample a shrimp taco, and if I had to choose again, I'd go for the shrimp. Lightly battered and topped with a pineapple-mango salsa, it was a perfect balance of crisp, sweet, and savory--truly mouthwatering. All in all, I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a local gem in Manitou. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

    Chips and salsa
    Seema Z.

    Not sure why this place gets rave reviews. Must be a supply demand issue wjth tourist crowd at Manitou springs. The chips were not crispy and salsa tasted like from a jar. Service were incredibly slow slow a Sunday afternoon and indoors is noisy. The pork burrito was filling but average. And molcjete did not have enough meat for what we usually expect of this dish. Go if hungry if not find other spots

    Very tempting wine...genius marketing
    Alex W.

    For a very Mexican looking restaurant it was surprisingly very white. Wanted some authentic Molcajete and what I got was a white washed version....no bowl no cactus, one green onion, a piece of red bell pepper and a sliver of an onion. The Enchiladas were decent, but this was not what I was expecting. I will say ambiance wise it did look like a Mexican restaurant. Will prolly eat somewhere else next time. Also they had bottle wine right in front tempting me the whole me idk if that was some sales scheme or what but I almost folded.

    Jalapeño Cilantro Margarita
    Sarretta M.

    Very busy due to Mother's Day! And it seems like they had empty tables, although people were waiting outside because they did not have enough servers. But the food is just that good! The chips and salsa are wonderful and my husband and I shared a delicious margarita.

    Enchiladas, rice and beans.
    Mickele B.

    While this restaurant is a bit out of the way, it is destination worthy! There was a wait, so we decided to eat at the bar. My companion and I ordered cocktails which were outstanding and prompt. The menu is loaded with options that are prepared very well. I ordered the enchiladas, which were not spicy. They offered an optional roasted jalapeño which did the trick. Chef's kiss! The restaurant is clean and comfortable. But small!

    Sorry no doggies
    Darlene C.

    We went here for lunch today 7/9/24 and it was pretty good. We got there for an early lunch around 11 and looked like the firsts guests there. (We have been on a mission to find good Mexican food here and it's hard) We were seated fast and got nice cold water brought to our table which we decided to sit out on the patio and it was really nice plus they had umbrellas so was helpful with the sun out. The salsa wasn't the best salsa (just hard to find a really amazing salsa which has a good kick, :( so that was a bummer but I've had worse so it wasn't that bad but wasn't something I would want to go back and try again). The pulled pork tacos were great thought. It was done well and had a good flavor too and the beans were awesome and rice was different than what I'm used to but it was good. Every one was friendly and service was great too. We love to try new places and glad we stopped here to try. We will go back again to try something else but probably on our next vacation.

    Patio & Husband

    Off the main roads and worth the side trip. What a cute place! We were greeted by friendly staff and seated on their sweet outdoor patio. Our server, Bella, was friendly and attentive. The Sangria was an excellent starter. Many of the entrees offered a choice of 4 different sauces. I had the chicken enchiladas with a mole sauce. It was served with fragrant saffron rice & beans. My husband had the Mixta (Chile Relleno, Fish Taco and a Portobello/Spinach Enchilada). Everything was yummy.

    Cantina Chicken Wings

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    5 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    3 days ago

    The food at this place is amazing. Some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. If you are ever in the area I highly recommend it.

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    6 days ago

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    8 days ago

    Quaint place, excellent food and service. Trey was attentI've, informative, and a delight. Highly recommend for cocktails and a meal.

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    3 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Excellent food and warm ambience. The outdoor patio is inviting and the margaritas are super yummy. My favorite is the chile relleno.

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    2 months ago

    First time there. Had the fish tacos and a margarita. Really like the thin chips. We will be back.

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    2 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Coming from New Mexico, we found it okay. Nothing tooo impressive. We got the steak burrito and molcajete. Service was on slower side.

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    10 months ago

    We come here every year when we vacation in Manitou. It never disappoints. By faaaar the best restaurant in Manitou Springs.

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    8 months ago

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    1 year ago

    A locals favorite. Unique setting, and good food. Can be hard to find a table, especially in summer, so make a reservation.

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    2 years ago

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    10 months ago

    Good drinks, yummy food, LOVED the ambiance. I will definitely be coming back. The service was great too, super friendly.

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    Page 1 of 19

    Ask the Community - Crystal Park Cantina

    Does this restaurant take reservations?

    last time I checked...No

    Do they take reservations?

    No. You stand on the porch and wait

    Do they have their own parking?

    Yes. Its a stand free restaurant with parking spots located a long the street

    Hey, is it possible to order your meat/fish/chicken with only salt and fresh herbs no lemon or marinade for a need to follow a special diet which is very strict/medical diet? Thanks!!?

    Probably! They made some adjustments to my dish for my dairy allergy. Might want to give them a call before coming though.

    View All 6 Questions

    The Loop

    The Loop

    3.3
    (489 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    It was a cold and rainy afternoon. I came looking for their fireplace. It wasn't on - it's May -…read more but they turned it on for me, which I appreciated. I came for some comfort food and found it in beans and rice. I haven't been here in ages, but it's still very good. I also ordered a burger so I could take most of it home. The burger was delicious. I didn't intend on having any alcohol, but ended up ordering a house Margarita, rocks and salt. Here was my only disappointment. It was mostly ice, not much Margarita. Turned out that was okay, because it wasn't the tasty, award winning margs they used to have. It was yellow looking and didn't taste great. I drank it because it was fifteen dollars, which shocked me. I think I got a couple of dollars off for happy hour. It was drinkable, but not delicious. It didn't make me want to linger and it certainly didn't make me want to have another. I wonder what happened to their award winning margarita recipe. This was the first place I ever had a margarita and they used to be so delicious. I turned 70 this year. Had a lot of margs here when I lived closer. I'd still come back for their beans and rice, and because it's the Loop. But would either upgrade the marg or skip it altogether.

    Horrible, horrible service. Took almost 20 mins to get a drink order in. Took almost 40 mins to get…read morefood. They messed up 2 of the 3 orders, one unfortunately with someone with an allergy who had asked for modifications. Place was not busy during lunch hour around 1330 with only 6 tables with customers at any one time. Would not recommend. Edit: our server comped one of our meals and apologized for the delays and errors at the end of our experience

    Photos
    Lunch
    Lunch
    In Hacienda Villarreal
    In Hacienda Villarreal
    Margaritas-strawberry

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    Margaritas-strawberry
    Alfonso's Mexican Food

    Alfonso's Mexican Food

    3.8
    (228 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $

    Service is usually quick and friendly, the ambiance is what it is. Basic but it does not matter…read more I have been coming out to the Springs to visit family for over 20 years. EVERY time I visit we go to Alfonso's once or twice. I have always ordered the Carne Asada burrito and it has stayed the same every visit. I always say I will try something new but I love that burrito. I hardly give 5 stars, this is for being so consistent with the food I enjoy.

    This past summer, I met friends in Colorado Springs for a concert. On the way to pick up more…read morefolks in our "concert party", my buddy said that we will stop at Alfonso's for a quick bite to eat. As we pulled up, I honestly was slightly concerned...but I also knew my buddy knows good food! We both had the Carnitas tacos. The order was called and we picked up our tacos in a styrofoam to-go container. My friend said that we had time so we ate in Alfonso's. Honestly...nearly the BEST carnitas tacos (complete with a freshly roasted Jalapeño on the side) that I have ever tasted in my life...no exaggeration! A month later, I took my Veteran buddy to the VA in the Springs. We were both hungry afterwards, so I said that we are going to try Alfonso's...and he just needed to trust me. For background...this Veteran friend is THE pickiest eater I know...hands down! I ordered for both of us. At first he told me, "no onions". When I told the server to not put onions on his, we both kinda looked confused...then my Veteran buddy said, " it's ok, onions are fine". Bottom line, my buddy said that these tacos were the best he has ever had.

    Photos
    Alfonso's Mexican Food
    Birria taco with Consomé
    Birria taco with Consomé
    Alfonso's Mexican Food

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    Zapata Mexican Taco Shop

    Zapata Mexican Taco Shop

    4.3
    (216 reviews)
    6.3 mi
    $

    Fantastic the food was like a party in my mouth. The margaritas are yummy too. Good portions for…read moreprice. Clean with a salsa bar.

    I wanted to like Zapata. I really, truly did. I had faith in my comrades who had reviewed here…read morebefore me, faith that they would surely not steer me wrong. But I was let down pretty terribly. Excitement was high as we ordered a Pastor Burrito, Birria, Chorizo, and Pastor Tacos, and Zapata fries. The fries were cold. I don't know how it was too hard to warm up some premade fries, but it managed to happen. The one part of the fries that was good was the pork. And I still wasn't blown away. It really seems like they just can't find a happy medium, because the fries were cold but most of the meats were cooked crematorium-style. I mean, absolutely burnt to a crisp. I also just don't know how hard it is to mess up a good chorizo, but it managed it happen. My Birria Taco was luckily pretty good, but I was just severely disappointed by everything else. Nothing stood out as being especially good-decent, even, in most cases. And we didn't even get any chips to go with our large assortment of salsas. What the heck, man. The pork bumped this review up to two stars, and the pricing was decent, but we still had to spend an extra $20 at a nearby gas station to get the taste of overcooked meat and sadness out of our mouths. I'm not sure how it got this far on Yelp, but I'm going to be the person to say that Zapata may have been the biggest culinary disappointment in my year so far. No wonder, considering the meat tastes like it's been forgotten in the fiery depths of a bonfire for weeks too long.

    Photos
    Salsa bar
    Salsa bar
    Burrito Pastor...little did she know at this point that the pork was extremely overcooked.
    Burrito Pastor...little did she know at this point that the pork was extremely overcooked.
    Taco Birria

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    Taco Birria
    Los Carnales Mexican Food

    Los Carnales Mexican Food

    3.9
    (79 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $

    Burrito Alert I swung by Los Carnales after a long night…read moreshift, running on fumes and coffee, with a mission: breakfast burritos for the whole crew (a.k.a. my family who turns into gremlins if fed differently). I played it safe--same burrito for everyone: egg, sausage, potato, cheese. No room for debate, no sibling warfare over who got more cheese. And let me tell you--these things are MASSIVE. I'm genuinely worried one might count as a carry-on item. A very polite young man handed me the bag out the drive-thru window, and I nearly dropped it--it was so heavy I felt like I was accepting a bowling ball made of breakfast joy. They came with a ton of red and green salsa--both awesome, but the red one? Spicy, smoky, and a wake-up call to the soul. I swear I saw stars after the first bite. Yes, I waited a few minutes while they were made fresh--but you don't rush greatness. These burritos are a hug wrapped in foil. I will now be a regular. Possibly even a mascot. 10/10, would risk forearm strain again.

    Cinco De Mayo Specials were amazing at Los Carnales!! Staff provides excellent burritos, tacos,…read morechimichangas , mexican plates, churros, horchata, melon, and bottled mexican sodas . Green salsa and spicy salsa are best in the area. Tables and booths are available in side and so much biz is handled through take-out window. Parking available around back. Gigantic spicy green pork burrito with a mex bottled non-alcoholic Sangria is delicious. It reminds me of a popeye burrito that I would get near the el camino real in silicon valley. Melon and Horchata are very refreshing, too.

    Photos
    Burrito and girlfriend
    Burrito and girlfriend
    Drive through menu
    Drive through menu
    2 steak tacos

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    2 steak tacos

    Crystal Park Cantina - mexican - Updated July 2026

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