They only get one star because the staff was friendly. This place is DISGUSTING The food is…read moreflavorless and the restaurant is dirty. They need to clean all their fixtures. The booth I was sitting at had massive amounts of dust and residue all over the lamp. I wish I would have noticed it before I sat down and ordered a drink. I would have walked out IMMEDIATELY. The worst part about the food I ordered was this weird gravy sauce they put over the Mexican rice. I've never seen anything like that and I CERTAINLY didn't ask for it. I couldn't even eat all my food. What a waste, I will NOT be back.

The food was amazing, but the fried ice cream was not the same as I always rememberedread more

Our favorite Mexican!…read more We continue to be impressed over and over as the food here is amazing. Everything is so fresh and delicious and not greasy like a lot of Mexican restaurants. Every taco is fabulous, especially the pork belly. The entrees are great. Highly recommend the salmon or blackened mahi. Gluten free options are marked on the menu. The drinks are also incredible and I highly recommend the prickly pear margarita.

After trying a few other Mexican restaurants I chose this one because the Pork belly tacos. Upon…read morearriving we were told to pick our table. We chose to sit inside. Our server was Brandon, who was an absolute delight! He was so energetic, so friendly, and gave great suggestions. We started with drinks. I had a skinny margarita and my husband had a Frida (top shelf margarita) and our son had a Coke. First thing we ordered was the chips and salsa. The chips were perfect, not too thin and not too thick. They came with two salsas. Both were tasty. Not sure if there is a spicier option but we will check next time. I ordered the Birria tacos. They were so delicious! So much flavor! The avocado tomatillo salsa was perfect with it. My husband ordered the Al Pastor tacos. It was very traditional Al pastor. He loved the black beans. His words were " these are the best black beans I have ever had!" Our son ordered the chorizo tacos. First, I have never seen chorizo tacos offered in a Mexican restaurant. Secondly, they were amazing! To finish, I ordered the banana pudding and our son ordered the churro sundae. Both desserts were delicious. The portions were huge! All in all I say Nopal is quite the gem. Perfect portions and dishes that are packed with flavor. And service that goes above and beyond. We can't wait to go back. We will ask for Brandon!!!

Cool ambiance... service eh , I mean the server did his job nothing more nothing less. the menus…read moreneed to be redone. They are severely worn and the words are hardly readable. The Street corn is a joke. The tacos Al Pastor were dry unfortunately, so Was the tortilla. Came here only cause it was near by from where we were which was Harley Davidson. Don't think we will come again.

Highly Recommend! I…read morecome to Gainesville all the time for doctor's appointments and honestly can't believe I've passed this place a million times and never stopped in. I'm so sad I didn't discover it sooner -- because this food is amazing. Truly some of the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. The staff is incredibly friendly, down-to-earth, and made me feel so welcome from the moment I walked in. The whole experience was just easy, warm, and delicious. I really liked it here. A lot. And I'm definitely coming back every time I'm in town.

Very authentic Mexican food! This is a great Mexican staple for Gainesville. You order at the…read morecounter and choose a table, so a great place for lunch or a quick dinner. The service is always super fast. The food is always fresh and authentic. Not pictured are the birra tacos, which are my favorite and go-to item at La Tienda. The spice is tolerable, and the meat is always fresh. The nachos were a huge portion and had nicely seasoned meat. The queso was warm which was lovely

True Mexican restaurant. Very casual and basic. Some of staff speaks English but not all. Inside…read moreand outside dining. Order at counter and they bring food out. Cash discount on food. Good size portions. My husband had the chorizo eggs with beans and rice. Just ok. I tried the Huarache (house specialty) with Barbacoa beef. Masa pancake with meat, lettuce, shredded cheese, sour cream and avocado. Delish! We are from out of town but would definitely come back for if in Gainesville

If you're cruising through High Springs, Florida and you don't stop at El Patio, you're seriously…read moremissing out. These tacos are GNARLY in the best way possible. Packed, flavorful, and dripping with that real-deal, no-shortcuts authenticity. The meats are seasoned to perfection, juicy, and cooked with obvious care every bite hits hard. Fresh tortillas, bold toppings, and that perfect balance of spice and savor that o keeps you going back for "just one more." The vibe is laid-back and local, service is friendly, and the food comes out fast but never rushed. You can tell this is a spot that takes pride in what they're putting on the plate. Whether you're a taco purist or just hungry for something that actually delivers, El Patio is a must-stop. Come hungry, leave happy, and don't be surprised if you're already planning your next visit before you pull out of the parking lot. @travelingfoodguys APPROVED

This one-star review is not a reflection of our server or the quality of the food. We've always…read moreenjoyed eating at El Patio, and it's been one of our family's favorite places to visit whenever we're in High Springs. Unfortunately, after our experience yesterday, it will likely be our last visit. Our server was kind, attentive, and did exactly what she should have done. At the beginning of our meal, I clearly informed her that my mother has a severe, anaphylactic seafood allergy and that extra care needed to be taken to avoid any cross-contamination. She acknowledged it and noted it with our order. Partway through the meal, my mother asked if I thought there was shrimp in her food because she believed she had tasted it. There was only one bite left, so my husband ate it to check--and it was indeed shrimp. Because my mother has a life-threatening seafood allergy, every minute matters when it comes to preventing a serious reaction. I immediately notified our server, who handled the situation professionally and went to get the manager. Unfortunately, the manager's response was one of the most disappointing customer service experiences I've ever had. Instead of asking if my mother was okay or apologizing for what had happened, his first response was to ask whether we had "proof" there was shrimp in the dish. Since the food had already been eaten, of course there wasn't a piece left to show him. When I asked if he genuinely believed we were making this up, he nodded and said he "kind of" thought we were lying because "this happens all the time." Being accused of lying while dealing with a potential anaphylactic reaction was unacceptable. Food allergies are not inconveniences; they can be life-threatening. Luckily I had Benadryl on me to help sustain the reaction until we got home to give her further care. This review is ultimately about food safety and management. Restaurants have a responsibility to take allergy notifications seriously, and managers should know how to respond with empathy, professionalism, and concern when something goes wrong. Instead, we were met with accusations and disbelief. I also requested the owner's contact information, and initially no one was willing to provide it. Thankfully, our server eventually did. It's incredibly disappointing because we've loved El Patio for years. Sadly, this experience has completely changed how we view the restaurant. I sincerely hope ownership addresses both the kitchen's allergy procedures and the management training surrounding food allergies and customer care, because the next family may not be as fortunate

I usually go to Tioga, but today I brought my mom here and I'm so glad I did. I ordered the chicken…read morenachos, and let me tell you... these weren't just nachos. This was an event. A whole experience. A mountain of food so generous it could easily feed two people, layered like an edible masterpiece. The plate came overflowing with rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, queso, and shredded cheese, all draped over perfectly seasoned chicken. Every bite felt warm and comforting, the kind of food that makes you pause mid‑conversation because the flavor hits you in waves. Creamy, crunchy, fresh, savory... everything balanced beautifully. I also tried the al pastor, and it was incredible. Tender, juicy, with that perfect hint of sweetness and char that makes al pastor unforgettable. You can taste the love and intention in every bite. I loved that you could see the pineapple chunks because usually places just use pineapple juice . The atmosphere was cozy, the service was kind, and the food felt like it was made by people who care. If you're anywhere near Alachua, do yourself a favor and stop here. This place deserves all the stars.

Best Taco's in Alachua County and maybe even in Florida! Great service, incredible people, and…read morereally comfortable atmosphere. Great taste for the price too. I was very satisfied with the portions, and everything is made fresh to order. Presentation is really top notch. If you can't tell, I think the place and the people are amazing. Family owned too, so definitely a place to frequent and support. They also make the cakes(tres leches) in house! Seriously impressive place. I would recommend 10/10. Thanks so much Cilantro tacos team!

We sat at the outside bar as reservations were needed for anything inside. Our bartenders were…read morevery friendly, polite and did the best they could do, but were completely overwhelmed on this Graduation Friday. Place was clean, food was OK, yes just OK and wasn't even close to being served all together. The third plate was served after we finished all the other dishes. As I said, the bartenders were working hard but the overall service was terrible. No silverware was given, no drink refills were offered, no follow up on the missing food. Service just sucked! Especially for the prices ! Too many options to go back and have another bad experience. Today's busyness is not a surprise as I go through this every year, yet we're unable to take care of their guests.

We came to Cantina Añejo for a sorority moms & daughters event, and the vibe was definitely fun and…read morelively--it's right across the street from UF, so it's clearly a popular scene! Drinks were included with the event, and I ordered a Tito's with club soda and lime, but something was off. Not sure what they mixed in, but it tasted unusually sweet, almost like it had added sugar or syrup--which was unexpected for such a simple cocktail. On the plus side, we tried the chips and guacamole, and they were really good--fresh, flavorful, and a great snack to share. Overall, it's a good spot if you're looking for a social, energetic atmosphere, but the drinks didn't quite hit the mark for me. Might give it another try for the food or a different cocktail.