After an extra long day at work, I was absolutely starving by the time we arrived late to Peppers…read morefor Cinco de Mayo. The place was completely packed, which honestly was expected for the holiday. We were originally told about a 20 minute wait, but after around 35 minutes, we finally went back up to check in and were seated at pretty much the only table available... right next to the DJ. At that point, though, I was so hungry that I honestly did not even care. We are more of an "old vibes" couple anyway, so we just rolled with it. The DJ even came over and let us know there were only a few more songs left, which I appreciated. Our waitress came over while dealing with what basically turned into a full dance party inside the restaurant, and she was honestly so incredibly nice the entire night. We told her we didn't mind the loud music at all because everyone seemed to be having a great time. She quickly got our drinks started, and honestly, I believe mine was some sort of pineapple and Hypnotiq margarita, but I was so exhausted that I completely forgot to take menu photos. For food, I ordered steak tacos with just cheese and tomato on flour tortillas, and wow... I genuinely think these were some of the best tacos I have ever had. We were seriously impressed. Overall, I would have easily given them five stars if it were not for the long wait, which honestly did not entirely feel like their fault considering how crazy busy the night was. I also would not mark them down for the vibe because, while loud, everyone was clearly having fun and celebrating. It was a long night, but the energy was great, the staff stayed positive under pressure, and I finally got to celebrate Cinco de Mayo the right way! PS Thank you for giving me an extra tee shirt! I'll be wearing it on our next cruise!

After a day of hopping around various places in Gainesville, we decided to stop here to eat dinner…read moreat the recommendation of the local family we were spending the day with. They have eaten here previously, but this was my first time as I am not from the area! Peppers is located right on W Newberry Road in a shopping complex. It is a standalone building with dedicated parking. We visited on a Thursday evening in July, and had no trouble locating the restaurant or finding a parking spot. On this particular day, there were people eating in but it was not overwhelmingly crowded. When we entered, we were seated right away. There were five of us total in the group, and we sat in a booth in the rear part of the building. There is booth seating, tables, and a bar. Upon being seated, we were served complimentary chips and salsa for the table. We were served two baskets since it was a larger party, and we able to get refills upon request. Some us us took advantage of the special that was advertised on the white board near the host stand, which was 2 for 1 Drinks. This included House Margaritas, Draft Beer, Pina Coladas, and Daiquiris. My fiance and I ordered two margaritas - him the Mango and myself the Watermelon. They were good, especially considering they were BOGO. I am not sure if we had to specify, but I noticed that other tables had much larger glasses than what we were served. I thought that is what we were ordering, but it is not what came out. Not a huge deal, but if you are wanting the larger size it might be best to specify. All of our food came out extremely fast. I was quite surprised with this, and it makes me wonder what the actual process is for preparing the food. It was all hot and prepared as it should have been, but I doubt a lot of it is made fresh to order. Personally, I ordered the Make Your Own Combo with Mozzarella Chile Relleno, Shredded Chicken Enchilada, and the Beef Burrito. I thought this was one of the better bangs for your buck on the entire menu. My favorite of the three items was the Mozzarella Chile Relleno, but nothing was terrible. My fiance ordered the Carnitas. He liked it, but it was not anything over the top or special in comparison to other carnitas dishes. The others we dined with also enjoyed their meals! I thought the pricing here was somewhat high, but not anything crazy. They had a lunch menu, which might be a good way to save a few dollars if you are looking to try out the restaurant. They had several different weekly specials, including the drink one we participated in, so that is another way to make your dollar stretch. Our service was okay - it was not bad, but not spectacular. All of the staff that we interacted with were nice and helpful when needed. Overall, we had a satisfactory experience dining here for the first time. Personally, I did not think it was anything unique or exceptionally delicious that I would seek out to eat here on a regular basis. However, nothing was necessarily bad, and I would recommend stopping if you are in the area and wanting some Mexican cuisine!

This is my second time here, and I'm so glad I found this place. The tacos are exactly the kind I…read morefell in love with about 20 years ago -- simple, authentic, and perfect. Soft corn tortilla, fresh onions, cilantro, and flavorful meat. That's it. That's how real tacos are supposed to be, and it's the only way I've eaten them ever since. It's rare to find a spot that gets true authenticity right, but this one absolutely does. I walked out happy and already looking forward to coming back again.

I had lunch at this little restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. I'm a big fan of street…read moretacos and found the perfect place. The restaurant setting is very simple with a strong similarity to a Mexican style cantina . I ordered the steak tacos with onion and cilantro on a corn tortilla. The meat was tender and full of flavor . Each taco was loaded with meat and trimmings. I ate many tacos all over the country and found my new favorite place.

When it comes to sit-down Mexican (or at least Tex-Mex) dining in the Gainesville area, Los Aviña…read moreis always the first choice for my wife and I, since we moved here 13 years ago. The prices are right, the service is great, and I've never had a sub-par meal there. We USUALLY choose from their combination dinners or lunch specials, and I'm particularly fond of their enchiladas and chile rellenos, but if you want to go a little higher-end their fajitas are absolutely fabulous and the "El Dragon Special" -- ribeye topped with grilled shrimp, grilled onions and mushrooms, plus sides (beans, rice, etc.) -- is amazing too.

I had the fish and shrimp meal and it came in a creamy, savory sauce that felt indulgent without…read morebeing too heavy. The shrimp were well-cooked, and the mushrooms added a nice earthy balance. Paired with fluffy Mexican rice and a fresh salad topped with avocado slices and diced tomato, the plate felt complete and well-portioned. The chips and salsa were a great start. They came out fresh and crunchy, though the salsa had a kick that might surprise you if you're sensitive to spice. Overall, the meal was delicious and comforting, with vibrant presentation and solid flavors. Would definitely return for another round.

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

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

If you can judge a restaurant by the quality of their refried beans . It would be a 10+ …read more Just had refried beans, chips & salsa. Excellent btw. Caught the end of the game. In case you didn't know. Spain Won. LOL ( as if I know anything about sports .. )

This popular Mexican restaurant in Alachua County in Gainesville offers authentic dishes like…read moreenchiladas and fajitas in a family friendly atmosphere. We were there for lunch. They brought out the freshest homemade salsa and chips for the table. I couldn't stop eating so they brought more. I had the Shrimp Quesadilla lunch special $12.25. It was so delicious and a bargain. The service was very friendly and efficient.

I thought I had reviewed this place previously but I guess I didn't. Anyways, I've been here two…read moretimes now and was satisfied once again! As a heads up for anyone wondering, they don't serve alcohol so this isn't a place to go when in the mood for margs. This place is close to my house so it's nice when not wanting to drive a long way. We went on a Thursday night and there was only one other family there. The server was nice, even with a language barrier. The most recent time I went I had a steak burrito and added cheese. It was probably the most flavorful steak burrito I've ever had in my life, and that's saying a lot. I was only able to eat half and even the next day was it still very delicious. My bf had the burrito supremo and he enjoyed his as well. We also had queso and it was a little thick for our liking but otherwise, not bad. This is for sure more of an authentic restaurant as they also serve sauces like mole so if you don't know what that is, you will be cultured. I look forward to returning!

I wish I could give a 3.5. Ended up going down to a 3 instead of up to a 4 because they no longer…read moreserve alcohol, which was a bummer because we were looking forward to beer and margaritas with our Mexican lunch. The decor was very festive, but overall the premises have definitely seen better days. The wall paint was peeling in places and the ceiling tiles were stained. Definitely an older place. But the service was very friendly. The salsa was delicious, as were the spicy and verde sauces that came with it. I loved the enchiladas. The bistek con mole was my favorite. My husband's Toluca had an amazing flavor, but the ribeye was very thin and a little tough. Would recommend the dish but maybe the chicken version. All and all, we are not running back, but we'd come by again in the future if we're out on that side of town.

Don't waste your money. The chips and salsa are half decent, but the food was not good at all…read more Think Taco Bell if you order their tacos. Rice and beans were cold. They're closing their store down to three days a week now it's probably a good idea.

Good service. The food is delicious. Get the green rice and the street corn. Wish they could make a…read morereal margarita though. Don't make a special trip but if you're in the area, it's worth the stop.

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!!!