I'm a California native living in NC. This is the first Mexican restaurant that has been anything like what I've been craving. Is it better than your favorite place back in Huntington Beach, Ventura, or Fresno? No. But they use cilantro and lime, there's no funky sweetness in their salsa, and their mole doesn't just taste like brown salt paste. It would be like 3.5-4 stars in San Diego. But it's 5 stars here. PS The carnitas taco is probably the best pork I've had since moving here. Definitely top three. read more

Horale! Real Mexican food in Chapel Hill! My family and I are California natives and recent transplants to NC. Added to that, I come from a Hispanic background. So, when a brown guy from California tells you he found a really good Mexican restaurant, you should listen. The Fiesta Grill is a really good Mexican restaurant that gets all the important things right. Fresh-made chips? Check. Fresh-made salsa? Check. Fresh-made beans and rice? Check. Even if a lot of places get these right many and ALL of the Mexican places I've tried in NC so far get this one thing wrong - premade taco shells! When I see a premade taco shell on a plate at a Mexican restaurant, I know the place will be mediocre at best. The taco shell is the barometer of the restaurant and premade shells are evil and have no place in our society. Having encountered this scourge at numerous restaurants in the Triangle to date, as I opened my taco order I thought, "Will I be let down yet again by the use of these vile inventions?" As if in response, my taco leapt out of the wrapper and shouted, "NOT AT FIESTA GRILL, MI AMIGO!" I was so pleased to see an actual fried corn tortilla when I opened my taco/enchilada combo order, I nearly shed a tear. I knew then that my family and I could now finally call NC "home". The taco was fantastic (though, a little soggy due to it being wrapped in foil, but it had been sitting a while as I took 30 minutes to get to my order that was ready in 10, so, kinda my fault). We also tried the taquitos, enchilada and an al pastor burrito. The enchilada sauce was homemade and tasted like chilies and spices, not tomatoes (no real enchilada sauce should ever taste like tomatoes), the meats were well seasoned and tender and the fresh onions and cilantro in the burrito provided the final piece of evidence that this was, indeed, a true Mexican restaurant seeking to bring peace and joy to the Earth. For if every Mexican restaurant did what Fiesta Grill does, we'd have exactly that. Su comida es muy deliciosa, mi amigos, gracias! read more

Long have I been hearing inquiries, "Ken, I know you love Mexican food. Have you been to Fiesta Grill in Chapel Hill? Is it authentic?" I did not experience FG first-hand until very recently I went to Chapel Hill/Carrboro to my friends' music gigs. Now I can say to them, "Yes. FG is two thumbs up kind of authentic, but by gods, was it a long wait just to get inside!" I guess being a small operation and our in remote location, even they couldn't expect this kind of fan base and loyal following. But you can't hardly blame them. What's 15-30 minutes wait for some downright awesome food? THE GOOD: Even though you have to wait, the nice proprietors of this establishment will allow you to put in your order beforehand, so when you get into your seats finally, the food should follow shortly after (and they surely did.) I ordered Tacos de barbacoa, de asada, de carnitas, or as I called them "The Taco Triple Crown." Barbacoa was super juiced, asada had very good flavor, and carnitas was crunchy and chewy. Ceviche arrived shortly after. Chunks of white fish (maybe shrimp too?) blended nicely with the salsa, sitting on crunchy baked/fried tortilla. THE BAD: (Actually, the bad is more good) The menu selection is immense! and there are so many good stuff on it! If this is your first time, it might take you some time to decide on one dish. Good thing I eat A LOT, so I can order more. As I sat down, I hailed the nice lady to add another dish (Camarones ala diabla) to my order. She looked quite concerned, "You order a lot food, you eat all?" "Oh yes. You don't have to worry. I can eat. A lot." The shrimps was saucy and spicy, just the right thing to kill the rice and bean that came with it. THE UGLY: The crime scene I left on their table, there are empty plates and used up napkins everywhere, and possibly an empty glass bottle of Tecate, or two. read more

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Fiesta Grill is a down-home place for great Mexican food! While most people in Carrboro head over to Carrburritos or Armadillo Grill, I head four miles west on 54 to this little joint. It's a popular place, quite busy for lunch and on the weekends. There's about 15 little formica tables but they're typically filled up during the middle of lunch hour. Lunch is a good deal, you start off with a small bowl of chips and some chunky salsa. (Great stuff, I've taken some to go!) There are about 15 - 20 lunch items, about $5 - $6 and I always seem to go for my favorites, a Chile Colorado (beef simmered in spicy red sauce) burrito or Chile Verde (pork simmered in green chile) burrito. They're different from the burritos I used to get in SF which you eat out of hand. Fiesta Grill serves them in a platter covered with sauce and cheese. You can add a side of beans and rice but we're talking mucho food at this point! Fiesta Grill also serves beers, jarritos (Mexican soda) and aguas frescas (I'm partial to the tamarind!) There's plenty of other stuff on the large menu which I've never tried but I'm sure it's all good. The smiling owner, Chuey, always seems to be there to welcome you in. There's a wall of birthday photos with people in their birthday sombrero, funny stuff. All in all, I'd recommend checking out Fiesta Grill if you're ever in the Carrboro area and up for some good Mexican. Don't run for the border, just drive out west on 54 to Fiesta Grill! read more

This place is a gem! Coming from California I was spoiled with authentic Mexican food growing up, so I was reluctant to give North Carolina a chance. We started with the ceviche appetizer, which came as a big portion with great flavor. We also ordered the shrimp fajitas (you can't go wrong) and the catfish with garlic sauce. I thought the fajitas could've used more bell peppers in my opinion, but they still were delicious and had tons of flavor. The garlic sauce on the fish was very garlic-y (which I love) and it paired so well with the side of sautéed veggies. We also got a side of mole sauce because we heard it was good, and it did not disappoint. I have a huge soft spot for mole and this was truly some of the best I had. As a whole, was this the most amazing Mexican food I've ever had? Not necessarily, but it was still flavorful, authentic, and pretty comparable to food I've had in California. But what really set this restaurant apart was the attentive service and staff. I would become a regular here because the food is tasty and they are really that nice. read more

Fiesta Grill - Ceviche App - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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After a run of bad restaurant experiences in last couple weeks, we decided to leave nothing to chance for Cinco de Mayo and make the trek out in the boondocks to Fiesta Grill. Pretty sure it's impossible to have a bad meal at this place. Started with the queso fundido. I like theirs better than any place I've ever tried. It's a big bowl of chorizo, tomato, onions and melted cheese with plenty of their sturdy chips for dipping. It's jam packed with flavor without being too spicy. I went with my usual of mole chicken. It's half a chicken baked with their their house-made mole sauce and comes with rice. This is they only place I've found that makes mole from scratch. It's very rich with cinnamon, chocolate and smoky chiles combining for a really complex flavor. Over the years we've tried a wide range of menu items and have never been disappointed. The chile verde is another stand out dish and the tacos are all great too. Bad run of bad food over! read more

Fiesta Grill - Roast Chicken with house-made mole sauce. It might look like a hot mess but the flavor is rich and complex. - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Love the food. I haven't eaten anything yet that doesn't taste awesome. You have to wait for your food, but it isn't cooked until you order. read more

Every good thing you've heard is true, from the friendly service to the fresh, tasty food with plenty of options for omnivores and others alike! It's easy to drive past Fiesta Grill as it's a rather unremarkable building off the side of the road, but let that filled parking lot be your guide - drive up, get out, and prepare yourself for something delicious. We came on a Sunday night that happened to fall right before the restaurant was going to close briefly for vacation time (this is very cool, for starters) and the place was packed with regulars dining in and getting food to go. We saw staff and customers greet each other warmly and though we were new, that hospitality was extended just the same. Service was never hover-y but neither were we left wanting for refills on drinks or any other amenities either. The food ranges from familiar Meximerican dishes that won't deter a picky palate to tacos made with more unusual cuts of the animal and everything in between, with plenty of meatless choices that are substantial and well-flavoured. I enjoyed my spinach enchiladas and the spouse ordered a burrito that was almost longer than his torso is wide - and no, he did not finish it (though not from lack of trying!). Don't let appearances deceive you on this one! While decor may be simple, the family atmosphere of the service and the fresh, filling food will provide everything you need for a casual, comfortable meal you'll want to experience again and again. read more

There is no question that this is the BEST Mexican food in NC!!! Everything is great and the people, service, etc are exceptional! I will be going as often as I can. read more

Had a burrito - Tasty but where's the meat? I was disappointed after all the glowing reviews this past year. Oh well. Maybe burritos aren't the best choice on their menu. I'll try them again... maybe their Chicken Mole which seems on the top of most reviews... read more

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! It's all beginning on a Friday when I am starving n boring. So I was like where should I go and eat. And fiesta grill just popped up. Ok I decided to drive from looking glass coffee. Although it is only 10 minutes drives in 54, i felt like I was in the middle of nowhere in that 10-minute-drive. But it was worth it! The owner is welcoming and really nice. I had chips first which is thick and crispy. It is delicious with the salsa. Then I had chimichanga (pork) What can I say ? Well it's huge and fantastic with their hot sauce. I would love to come back again and try other stuff. Looks like they have both traditional Mexican and American-Mexican food too! read more

Fiesta Grill - Huge! - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Great food, particularly the chicken mole. Small, simple place but very clean and hospitable.

Super tasty! It was slammed on a Sunday afternoon when we swung in for lunch. Service was great and food was even better. We got fajitas and the portion size was huge! I ended up taking half home and enjoying it the next day. Prices are definitely reasonable for the amount of food (think my dish was $14-16), and the salsa was pretty good, but just a bit warm for my taste. I think this is probably the closest to authentic Mexican to be found in Chapel Hill, if not the Triangle. read more

Small restaurant with very casual ambiance. Extremely friendly staff! Wide variety of food available, all cooked very well. Try horchata (tasted like liquid churro) also order mole. read more

Fiesta Grill - Dinner at Fiesta Grill - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

You can believe the hype. This place is the bomb. Excellent salsa and chips as soon as you sit down. Excellent service - they really go out of the way to make sure you're greeted and seated quickly, that you're acknowledged if there's going to be a wait. My favorite is the mole sauce enchiladas, and I've had some good good burritos here too. Clean bathrooms mean a clean kitchen, and their 99% health dept rating backs that up. I have never left here unhappy in any way. I wish they'd whip up a homemade habanero/lime salsa for people who like to set their mouths on fire, but the yucatec habanero bottled hot sauces suffice. read more

I am from Texas and try every Mexican restaurant in the area trying to find something that I like. This is probably one of the best I've found. The crispy tacos are made with real in house fried homemade corn tortillas, not the premade shells you get everywhere else. Everything I have had here - enchiladas, carnitas, tacos - are really good. The only thing I would change is - I am always wanting a chili con carne sauce on enchiladas and not just the orange/red sauce that you get around here. The weekend special of ceviche is awesome! I see people come in there to just get many orders to take home. It is a really large portion and fresh and tasty. read more

Excellent service and solid Mexican food is what you'll find at Fiesta Grill. A warm, family run restaurant that has many regular customers and a menu with quite a bit of variety. We often get the fajitas and recently got the enchiladas with mole -- we were clean plate members and had no room for dessert. Needless to say we were satisfied. They keep the chips and salsa coming so try not to fill up. Definitely check it out Fiesta Grill. read more

Yes!! We found it!! After having moved here from Los Angeles, we've been having an awful time trying to find good Mexican food. Fiesta Grill was perfect!! It reminded us of the delicious Mexican food from California. We ordered a carne asada and carnitas burritos. Everything was served hot and fresh, the meat was seasoned perfectly and not chewy at all. The salsa was delicious and fresh, our 2 year old gobbled it up! Service was wonderful, the wait staff was friendly and checked up on us often. Sure it's a little far away from where we live, but we'll definitely be making the trip out here again! read more

Went here for my birthday and it was great. Giving it a 4 star because you cant make a reservation even with a big party and there is not much seating so we had to wait 45 mins-1 hr. It was so yummy though and the workers were so nice. They brought out hats and flan for my birthday :) read more

My daughter and I were looking for an authentic sit-down Mexican restaurant, and decided to try Fiesta Grill. It was exactly what we were looking for. The service was good; we were greeted immediately and had drinks on our table in no time. The facility is not fancy, but immaculate. The food was excellent with generous portion sizes. I would absolutely come back and recommend this place! read more

Fiesta Grill - Yum! This is the "Dos" combination platter - cheese enchiladas and a tostada. - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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My husband's burrito was Huge - has to bring half of it home. Could be my favorite place for Carne Asada I've found so far!

The English-speaking service is so friendly that it's hard to rip this place to shreds, but truth prevails--this is one seriously overrated spot. Flour chips are unsalted, taste burnt. Salsa is dreadfully flavorless. "Hot salsa" consists of chili peppers and is both dismal in flavor and mild (but good for them for making it fresh and being at the mercy of the pepper's own spiciness). This is apparently the spiciest offering they have. We asked if they had habaneros, hoping/expecting a few fresh peppers, and they brought us a sad little bottle of El Yucateco green salsa. Torta. $5.95. I asked for mine to be made vegetarian with a fried egg. They accommodated my pain-in-the-ass off-menu creation with aplomb, but the outcome was unremarkable. Yes, it had the usual torta ingredients, but the experience of eating it was pretty much the equivalent of eating a lox bagel from a hospital cafe instead of, say, Zucker's in New York City. If you live in the sticks, I guess you'll take what you can get, but don't bother making the drive if you're in-town, much less in Durham. Not recommended. read more

This is a place the locals will tell you about and frequent. Excellent menu, very fair price very good service. Not a lot of seating area so be prepared to wait during busy times, it's worth it. salsa and chips are exceptionally good here, warm chips, chunky salsa. read more

I've been looking for a great Mexican spot in chapel hill for a while, and I think I found it. The prices were great for the portion, and the food was excellent! read more

Fiesta Grill - Burrito Del Mar - Mexican Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Upon arriving home from work yesterday evening, I found a bird sitting on my front porch. It was breathing heavily and sitting in its own poop, so I figured it was pretty hurt. Plus, I got REALLY close to it, and it didn't move. I quickly posted to my neighborhood listserv and got a few recommendations. After several phone calls, my husband and I were on our way to drop our feathered friend off at CLAWS, Inc, not far from Fiesta Grill. And impromptu date night began! When we pulled up to the restaurant, it was clear the place is popular. The parking lot was full, and there were a handful of parties waiting outside. I realized later that the Indy has just announced the restaurant's Best Mexican/Latin American in Orange/Chatham County win that very morning. The wait was a good 15-20 minutes. We waited around the side of the building, thinking that particular spot would be perfect for outdoor dining and that they could accommodate all of us waiting if they just put some tables down (and probably also got more staff). So about the staff: they're very friendly, but not very attentive. It took a while to get water and salsa refills, and our drinks were cleared away without a question about another round or an opportunity to ask for one. But the reason you go to Fiesta Grill is for the food. The menu is vast, and the food is quite good. It's actually the closest to central Californian Mexican food than I've had anywhere else, if that speaks to authenticity at all. That said, while my dinner was very flavorful and I ate all of it at the restaurant, I had Richie K's leftovers for lunch today and thought they were pretty bland. I'm glad we finally went to Fiesta Grill when we were in the neighborhood, but I probably wouldn't make the trip exclusively for it unless I was really homesick for California's Central Valley. read more

So I feel kinda weird only giving this place three stars. But now I also feel weird about feeling weird about that. Weird #1: everyone who dines here loves it!! They say it's delicious, fresh, and authentic! Praise-ful newspaper articles and "Best Of" awards dot the walls! Weird #2: it's a total dive and affords zero ambiance entirely Allow me to 'splain. You see, Fiesta Grill is a true hole in the wall. It almost feels like the dining room used to be a front porch or garage, but somehow attached to a trailer or mobile home, cuz that's what it looks like from the outside. It's bizarre, and not really in a quaint sort of way. The good news is, I (most) don't care about the dining room's lack of finishing touches or the gravel parking lot, or even the fact that it's getting to the middle of nowhere (not there yet, trust me, I grew up in Snow Camp). If the food knocked my socks off, five stars would be all theirs! Hence why I feel badly about not liking it more. I mean, my brother agrees with my mother in his assessment (great food, fresher, more authentic Mex). That never happens. Yet I'm not sold. My dish was just underwhelming - I can't imagine it wasn't canned refried beans topped with your typical Ameri-Mexican iceberg lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes. It tasted good and I ate aplenty, I just wanted a bit more pizzazz. Next time I'll opt for the fish tacos. Given the locale, it seemed against my better judgment on my first visit, but after witnessing the massive takeout and sit down business these folks are doing, I don't think freshness will be an issue. I look forward to reporting back with what I hope is great news for this little dive next time I'm in town. Bottom line: good food, great prices, full and happy people. read more

I love Fiesta Grill. I'm a pretty regular take-out patron. The food is good. I've tried a pretty large variety of items, and haven't had any complaints. My regulars are the nachos or the chimichanga. It's very consistent. Service is always quick and friendly. I don't like to eat in... the atmosphere is so-so and the wait is ridiculous. The food is worth it though. read more

Overrated Go to Captain Poncho's Taco Truck instead if you are looking to sooth your belly with lovely latino food. FYI-Fiesta Grill's Mole sauce is not for real read more

My wife and I are in Chapel Hill once a year and this restaurant is a "must" every time. The food is authentic - not "tex-mex" and we have never been disappointed. It is obviously a local favorite as well. The chips are hand made and the entres are scratch made and kitchen fresh. The restaurant is dated but clean. Get here early if you do not want to wait. Enjoy! read more

Simply put, this is the best Mexican restaurant in Chapel Hill/Carrboro. I had the chicken mole - half of a baked chicken smothered in mole, boatloads of it. With hints of cinnamon, honey, cayenne, and countless other flavors, it was delicious - I'm glad I had a lot to bring home. Go. Now. read more

I've been here in the past and was satisfied by the food, but not really blown away. After reading the highly rated reviews here, we decided to try it again this evening. I can't say it was really bad, but it was definitely uninspired. I had the pork tamal with typical "spanish" rice (bland with no veg) and beans (refried pinto - the only option). I am pretty sure the sauce on my tamal was the same Old El Paso canned enchilada sauce I used not two weeks ago. I saw the veggie quesadilla (huge!) accompanied by the same boring beans and rice and the gross mayonnaise-y type guacamole. Their fresh chips were great and salsa not bad, and they have lots of Mexican beer which is nice. The atmosphere is kind of dive-y but cool, like you're eating in someone's modular house with a giant kitchen and dining room. While the service was super friendly and *very* fast, and ambience pretty cool, I can't say it was even close to the best Mexican food I've had in NC. Most of the Mexican combination 1-30 joints are just as good, if not better. Pros: Beer, friendly, cheap-ish $10-$11, close to Carrboro, ambience, speed Cons: "cooked to order" food prepared with canned/low quality ingredients, ill-seasoned, small space (would not recommend waiting if there's a long line) read more

I had an excellent chicken mole. My fellow diners' dishes (crab enchiladas, shrimp cocktail, quesadilla) were received with equal enthusiasm. I have heard stories about how they had to reduce the number of tables due to somesuch local regulation, so our 20 minute wait was typical. There's nothing wrong with it per se, but it doesn't have the insanely high quality-to-price ratio that Durham's finest taquerias have. read more

If you live in Chapel Hill or Carrboro and never been to Fiesta Grill, then I have to ask one question, "why?" (Unless you have a very good excuse like you have no access to a car, or hate Mexican, but then, why are you reading this review?) In a word, this is the best Mexican you can get in the area. They have a wide range of dished, both Tex-Mex as well as more authentic Mexican dishes. One of the best dishes, and my guilty pleasure is the carnitas. The only problem is the well known issue of lack of seating. So get here early if you can, or else go in the summer when hanging outside with a beer is not a bad experience. So, unless you have a good excuse, get in that car and go try it out. read more

Great place, food excellent, very clean and family owned and family friendly! Best guacamole I've ever had! Authentic menu! I will be back for sure! read more

True facts about Fiesta Grill: the food is fantastic, you'll probably have a big enough dinner for leftovers, you can order beer, their horchata is amazing, and they have mole sauce. Awesome. More facts: seating is limited and it can get surprisingly crowded despite how far off the beaten CH-C path it is. Less awesome. Definitely give this place a try, but plan accordingly if heading out at peak hours. *Note about "good for groups": they can accommodate bigger parties, but the wait will be longer. If going with more than 4 or 5, avoid regular dinner time. read more

Araceli (server) is wonderful! The food is delicious. Carnitas platter and tacos with shredded beef are my favorites.

Not always easy to get a table, but great to-go food. well prepared food. I really recommend their mole sauce - its excellent and the tortas(mexican sandwiches) are a great deal! read more

MMmmmmm.... even after moving to LA where good Mexican abounds, I still miss their chicken mole. Probably the best traditional mexican home cooking in the triangle. Tasty food at cheap prices with big servings - definitely a combination for success for the Triangle - you can tell, as I've always had to wait at least 10-15 minutes for a table. Come for your b-day and you get to wear the big ass sombrero with a polaroid documenting the moment immortalized on their wall. Come on the weekends for their specials like ceviche and menudo :) read more

Great Mexican food! Second time here and I think it was even better. The fundido queso appetizer is great and the "Nando burrito" is so good. It's shredded beef, beans and cheese with ranchera sauce on top. I'm not a big fan of enchilada sauce but the ranchera is mild and doesn't take away from the flavor or the burrito itself. The place is small and has limited seating and is nothing fancy whatsoever, just great food and great service. read more

I had Fiesta Grill as a recommendation from a Chem teacher of mine who is a mexican food enthusiast. It was very comforting to hear that he's been to Mexico and the food here is supposed to taste very close to what he had there. I liked the fact that they bring out endless chips and salsa, where the salsa looks homemade and chunky and tastes fresh. The chips look like they are done there, and it's not oily like I've gotten at some other places around Chapel Hill. It's usually made fresh and is a great starter. You're likely to fill yourself up a little before the other food even comes out. First time I went there I had the Chicken Mole, and it came out delicious. The chicken was well-cooked and tender with a just-done texture at the bone. I'm always glad to get well-cooked chicken at a restaurant 'cause I usually completely avoid ordering it for fear of getting dried up meat that I can't eat. Unfortunately, I can't speak much for the Mole because that was my first time having it, but I can say that I liked it a lot. It was tasty, a little sweet, and boldly spiced. I'm glad they didn't go bland and underseasoned to suit what they think are the locals' taste buds. I've had just about enough of that with Bandido's and similar places. I've also had the Menudo and the Caldo de 7 Mares, both of which are pretty good. I'm not a big fan of imitation crab meat, which I got in the seafood soup, but it's not a big concern for those who are ok with that. The rest of the soup is great, especially the broth. The Menudo had a strange spice I didn't like, but I chalked that up to my inexperience with whatever they could've used and, once again, the rest of the soup was great. The stomach pieces had great texture. This is only available on the weekends, I believe. As for the appetizer, I had the ceviche, which is a pretty good dish. The acidity is just right and the fish is not overmarinated. I've had a lot of other ceviches in the area, my least favorite of which is the one at Carrburritos, so I would say I know my ceviches fairly well. In terms of tacos, though, I would say that I'm a bigger fan of the taco trucks because they are cheaper and oftentimes tastier in my opinion. Same with the tamales when compared to those sold at the Captain Poncho's truck. Overall, it's a bit of a drive down 54, but I would say it's worth it if you're seriously craving some Mexican food and wanted a place with great portions and flavors. I actually would give this place closer to a 4.5 rather than a 4. read more