Hands down the best quality ingredients and super attention to service. Ask about their happy hours for beverages and appetizers

Wow! First time visiting, my husbands birthday weekend and he wanted to go to Uncle Julio..luckily they couldn't seat our party of 2 adults and 3 children until 10pm today..oh well! Ended up visiting this gem. Don't let the location fool you. It's in a small shopping strip and the entry doesn't look very inviting. However, you step inside and are greeted and seated in seconds! You wouldn't think so, as the place was busy and bustling. Their dining room is huge and very quaint. Our waitress was so nice!! She was prompt and funny and just overall great service. Now onto the food: OMG- the food! Guacamole - needed a little salt but that's ok because table salt works just fine. The guac itself had delicious just ripe avocados and it was a bit spicy but not enough where you need water. Chips & Salsa- Salsa was so tasty! It had so much flavor. The chips were crispy and not stale or too salty and thick! Kids quesadillas w/ chicken: topped with so much cheese and seasoned chicken, drizzled with a little Mexican crema and some guac salsa. My kids loved it!! Steak & chorizo fajitas: seasoned so well. The chorizo was cooked perfectly and the onions and peppers were just right. The rice was flavorful and seemed to have been cooked in chicken broth (which adds to the flavor). The refried beans (omg!) sooo good! Then your usual side of lettuce, salsa and sour cream to top it off. Chicken and shrimp fajitas: my husband had these and needless to say he finished every single bite. Everything was cooked so well. Lastly! Mango frozen margarita and peach margarita; the bar did amazing with these drinks. They were not weak in flavor but also not overpowering. Just great. Only thing I did not like was that the chips don't seem to be complimentary like you may find at other restaurants but honestly they were super cheap. All in all- this was authentic Mexican food cooked with love & the customer service was incredible. You can really tell the owners strive to make a good impression and this translates into their staff which does an amazing job. I'll definitely be back!! P.S. wish I'd taken more pics but we were hungry!! read more

Jalapenos - Chips and Guacamole oaxaca - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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This spot has a nice ambience, good service, and most importantly amazing food! Tried a variety of tapas and the paella. read more

Jalapenos - Ceviche Acapulco, absolutely delicious! Would highly recommend. - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Delicious food. I used to prefer Chevy's but now I am going here instead for my Mexican food fix. The carnitas tacos are seasoned perfectly, I'm not sure what they have on the meat but it's delicious. The salsa is just perfect, not too hot but not too mild. read more

Jalapenos - Chicken fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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Let me start with a positive - this was fast. However, I'd rather eat fast food. Had the burrito and a grilled sandwich. My burrito tasted old and tired - tired chicken, old tomatoes nothing was fresh. The same for the sandwich. The atmosphere was tired and dingy as well. I would have probably not stayed but a friend recommended. I will not listen to that friend again. read more

I came to this delightful restaurant about a year ago for a job interview and I was so nervous that I only took passing notice that the food was amazing. I'm glad I got to come back under less stressed conditions to truly enjoy the food because it is excellent. If I hadn't know this restaurant was there, I probably never would have given it a chance (it's hidden in a corner of a strip mall and doesn't look like much from the outside). The inside is very warm and welcoming and has great ambiance. The service we were given from the gentleman who seated us and our server was top notch. The food was amazing. We had a number of the plates off the tapas menu and everything was excellent. Our favorites included the albondigas de pollo and the Oaxaca guacamole. The sangria was divine, make sure you don't forget to order some! We will definitely be back! read more

A to go to place. Never had a bad meal very good food at a reasonable price. Meet friends and neighbors

One of the best restaurants in Annapolis. Don't let the strip mall location throw you off. Always great food and drink. Go there a bunch.

Great specials and wine list. Service was 5 star. Cuban steak was excellent. I would recommend for anyone in the area looking for Latin food and a good atmosphere. read more

If I could give this restaurant eight stars, I would. I liked it more when it was a "hidden gem" because it was a lot less crowded but I am glad that everyone is enjoying this amazing place. Over the past decade, I've made my way through this vast menu and everything is amazing. When friends ask me where to go in Annapolis, this is typically my first suggestion. The quality is excellent and the portion size is more than adequate. Their drinks are also fantastic, especially the Sangria. Please do yourself a favor and the next time you're looking for something different, head out to this restaurant and you won't be disappointed. read more

Jalapeños is a solid family restaurant when you're looking for some pretty good Mexican food. We've been here on a number of occasions--more often than not with a large group of people (10+). With reservations, we've always been accommodated nicely. It's especially great to get the private room in the back, which has a large table perfect for a family style gathering and some added privacy from the main restaurant goers. Based on a recent visit, I would give jalapeños a 3.5. Our waitress seemed to struggle a bit with what should be basic information. For instance, though the menu describes multiple types of tequila and my mother in-law was looking to try an anjeo tequila, the waitress seemed to not understand that there were different types of tequila and was unable to recommend one. For food, they provide mass quantities of their nacho chips and salsa, which I don't know if these were complimentary, but they were tasty. We also ordered their guacamole to start, which was delicious, though a small portion. My partner chose three tapas for his meal, which weren't a lot to write home about (Chorizo de Toluca, Croquetas, and pollo albondigas). I went with the ropa vieja. I really enjoyed the ropa vieja that comes with plantain, though it was a huge portion. Leftovers tasted good as well! Probably will be back at some point in the future, but it's not at the top of my list to return to. read more

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Finally got around to posting my review from a book club meeting a few months ago. First off, really odd location. It's not far from me but just a weird spot for a restaurant. The prices are a little painful. And yeah I get the whole small plate thing, but I just can't justify paying the prices I paid for the amount of food I got. I got a margarita (can't remember the flavor this far out now) and I remember it being a little too sweet. All I ordered for myself was queso which was fine and some chorizo to bring home for my husband (which he said was good but was obviously demolished in a second). I don't know why people love this place so much.... I'd rather make my own Mexican food at home or go to Chevy's. read more

Came here with a group for some pre-bachelorette party dinner. We had allll the carbs! There was a lot to choose from on the menu and I opted for an entree versus tapas. I did steal some cactus from the friend sitting next to me as I was excited to try something new, along with sampling some of the margaritas - all delish! In the end, we all left full and impressed with the service on a busy day with a larger group! PS. The restaurant doesn't look like much from outside in the parking lot plaza, but it's very sprawling and nice inside! read more

I want to do a quick review while everyone is still in town! I highly recommend grabbing lunch or dinner at this place. Beautiful atmosphere, gracious owner and the food is amazing. Very generous pours in the drinks and a tapas menu that is out of this world...I wish I had taken photos. They also have the standard fare of enchiladas, fajitas etc. but again - a divine selection of tapas. read more

Guacamole lacked taste...after asking waiter to bring some onions it perked up. Classic margaritas are nothing to write home about. Comfy, cozy environment. I'm not planning on revisiting when there are many other local, Mexican options. Food & drinks not up to par anymore. read more

Great food, awesome service and the atmosphere is great! If you haven't checked out Jalapeños go check them out!

Still 5 stars come early! Best Happy Hour in Anp

Best Spanish (Spain) restaurant. The happy hour is filled with multiple choices each one is better than the last. Don't miss the fried calamari or mussels. Your dinner should include paellas either one offered is delicious. Try the piscado Indio a fish fillet with a bean sauce. Yummy flan for dessert. Drinks are full bodied. Worth a visit but make reservations for dinner. read more

A hidden gem! From the outside, it looks like an average restaurant in a strip mall. But inside, it is beautifully decorated, Old World Spanish style (that may not be the exact name for it, but that's what it felt like to me!). Staff were friendly and accommodating. They even had an excellent live guitar player who played just loud enough to hear and enjoy while having a conversation but not overbearing. The food was delicious. Will definitely return when I'm passing through again! read more

Very Disappointed. We have eaten at Jalapenos many times in the past and been very pleased. This evening was our first time back since the pandemic subsided. Tapas has been added to the menu and we looked forward to trying it. The food was excellent as it has always been, but the service was so awful we didn't even want to stay for coffee and dessert. Our waiter was all smiles and happiness but paid us no attention. When our several Tapas dishes arrived we asked for plates to eat from. "Of course, right away." They never came. We ate off our bread plates since our waiter never came close enough during our dinner to flag him down. We had also asked for him to check with us because we might want to add a dish. Again, he never checked, nor did he bother to come by to refresh our empty drinks. A busser arrived as we sat waiting for our waiter after we finished eating and took a way a few dishes. Two plates with mussel shells and other debris remained as well as several small spills and crumbs on the table. The table was not wiped nor the dished taken away, even when our waiter finally showed up with the check. I paid in cash rather than chance waiting for him at the dirty table to process a credit card. No one asked if we enjoyed our meal as we left. Too bad, they could use the feedback. We are debating if it is worth another try. read more

Dined here with 3 others and had a very pleasant experience. One of us had a house red to drink that they enjoyed, I had the house margarita which was okay at best, and my girlfriend had the frozen strawberry margarita which was actually pretty tasty! Chips and salsa are made in house and I enjoyed them thoroughly, you do have to order and pay for them though! The guacamole was fresh made for our table, but lacked salt or citrus. The carne asada was good, but was served as a nice big rib eye steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables, rather odd pairing for traditional carne asada. Steak was juicy and cooked to perfection! The paella was pretty good, but far from the best I have ever had. The rice, while seasoned well, was very moist which felt unfamiliar compared to the paellas I've had in the past. Needless to say it was still well prepared and executed. The waitstaff was very friendly and very attentive! read more

Our favorite "Mexican" joint in Annapolis, even though their menu is an eclectic collection of dishes from all over. It's a great tapas place. We typically share 5-6 small plates. Margaritas are a must! The decor is quaint; can't put my finger on the theme but there are huge throne-like chairs, interesting wall murals, and a water wall. There's also a bar with high tops but we always like to eat in the dining room. read more

I love this place! Love how comfortable it is. I like how clean everything is. FOOD is amazing! (You just have to try the right dish) Zaneli is the best! Salmon en mantequilla is also great! read more

Jalapenos - The best! - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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Ordered: Chorizo Quesadilla and Queso and chips. The queso was very good and cheesy. The chips were fresh. The quesadilla very tasty. This review get 4 stars because the queso was outstanding. I went during lunch time and it was very quiet and the service was very quick. Bill: $19.27 read more

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By far the most underrated Mexican restaurant in Annapolis. The appearance from the outside would lead you to believe nothing much is happening on the inside but then you walk in and it's beautifully decorated. There is fine dining options to the left or you can sit in the bar area to the right. As for the food, I ordered a burrito and my fiancé ordered fajitas and both were fantastic! They both came in generous portions and were presented very well. Chips and salsa were provided as well. Not to mention the server was very attentive and pleasant! read more

Jalapenos - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Always great service combined with outstanding food. Atmosphere is inviting and relaxing.

Pretty happy with Jalapenos! The ambiance is a bit more upscale than your average mexican/spanish spot in the area. It was the perfect place to meet my Mom for dinner. Pros: - Guacamole was fresh! Our server was able to modify the recipe for an allergy at our table. - Enchiladas were delectable. - Relaxing atmosphere. I wanted to stick my hand in the waterfall but I didn't. - You can make reservations over the phone (smart move fyi). Cons: - House margaritas didn't have much flavor besides a slight sweetness going on. I've always heard that Jalapenos is known for their margaritas. We ordered house margaritas because the options with call liquor had flavors (pomegranate, etc.) I'm willing to chalk it up to a fluke. - The dining room lighting was dim. Like really dim. Good thing my cat bit me six months ago and gave me a mutant night vision gene. read more

Today my husband and I were craving Mexican. We chose Jalapenos because we had a good meal the last time. This visit was just as good. I got shrimp fajitas they were yummy! The only thing h that was bad about this visit was the iced tea.... it was old. I highly recommend this place with possibly a soda. read more

Jalapenos - Shrimp fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

Good authentic dishes - somewhat pricy for a Mexican joint and paying for Chips and salsa is a crime that's a Chili's thing. Enjoyed would go back read more

Carnitas Tacos Moist, tender, and flavorful. All of the spices came together nicely, especially the fresh cilantro. The tacos were delicious! Queso We spruced ours up and requested them to add chorizo, for an extra charge. Yummy. The chips were a little to thick for my liking, I prefer very thin tortilla chips. Still the chips were good. Sangria I have mixed feelings. The wine choice was good, however, the fruit flavor was not bold enough. It was decent but I've had better. read more

I love the small plates, select a few and make a meal of it. A few tips for this restaurant! It can be a little pricey...go for happy hour and sit in the bar side for the best deal. Drinks are always delicious...try the margaritas....they never disappoint. I also really like the wings! Sounds strange...but give them a try. read more

Excellent tapas. Had guacamole Oaxaca, jalapeños, sirloin and potato, and green beans (don't remember the actual names. Very delicious, very fresh. read more

We ordered several different small plates including the lamb chop the scallops and the mushroom.. very flavorful highly recommend!

The patrons of this amazing restaurant probably wondered why this crazy guy was kissing his smart phone! What I was actually doing was thanking my Yelp Mobile App for helping me find this hidden gem. And I do mean hidden. I was in town on business from Philly. I let my GPS do its thing and it wound me through a maze of plazas to this small strip of stores. You'll look at the outside and say to yourself- "Just another strip mall Mexican joint." When you walk in I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised. The decor is beautiful and the property is deeper than you might think. There are quite a few tables and a small bar. When I visited the place was packed but there was a single chair at the bar calling me. I sauntered over and snagged it. The bartender quickly made me a fantastic margarita. It was strong with the ingredients in perfect proportion. My love affair with this place was beginning. By the way, by bartender was great and his customer service throughout my dinner was just fine. By coincidence several of my bar neighbors were just receiving a large assortment of tapas. They were plated beautifully and the aromas were intoxicating. It was all I could do to resist snatching them away from them for myself. That would have been even more embarrassing than kissing my phone! I decided to order three tapas of my very own. Chorizo de Toluca - Toluca style chorizo, sauteed with tequila-cilantro butter and served over potatoes. Albondigas - Spanish style de pollo meatballs sauteed with almonds and Spanish brandy cream sauce. Setas - A variety of mushrooms, Portabello, Oyster, Button and Crimini sauteed in garlic, white wine, parsley and roasted pimentos. They arrived quickly and OMG this was great cuisine. The temperatures, seasoning, quality of ingredients, everything, was fantastic. Every bite brought a smile to my face. If you are new to tapas, expect the plates to be smaller than entrees. Most folks will order two or three. Prices vary but $8-$10 is typical for most of them and worth every penny. I save FIVE STARS for truly exceptional places and these folks earned them from me. If I'm ever within 50 miles of Annapolis, it's a certainty that I'd visit again. read more

Jalapenos is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Do not let the fact that it's in a strip mall fool you! The owner welcomes you at the door and takes you to your table. He's always been friendly and accommodating to us. The place is nicely decorated with comfy chairs. There's even a fire place! I can't speak for the happy hour or drink prices, but the food prices are average. Every server I've had has been friendly and attentive. My mother and I stopped in here for a late lunch this afternoon. After we were seated, we were promptly given chips and salsa. Our server came over to take our drink and food order. We ordered the Croquetas appetizer (béchamel mixed with beef, rolled in bread crumbs and egg and fried.) There are five to an order. They came out hot and delicious. We both ordered the Torta Cubana sandwich for our main meals. The sandwich had roasted pork, smoked ham and Swiss cheese with mayo, mustard, and pickle on ciabatta bread, with homemade chips. The sandwiches were excellent. The sandwich had quite a bit of pork throughout, the ham was hot and soft, the cheese was gooey and melted, and the pickles were hot, but crisp and crunchy. Our server checked in about mid-way through our meal to see if everything was to our liking. It was the first time my mom had dined at Jalapenos and she wants to come back the next time we're in the area. read more

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When I visited Maryland with my family this was actually one of our favorite restaurants out there that we randomly stumbled upon. Definitely worth trying if you are into this type of food. The place has a very charming and cute ambience as well. Great place to go on a date or to take your wife. read more

Ehhhh this place is ok. I seriously was so disappointed. I wanted some authentic mexican food and i just wasn't impressed. First of all they charge you $4 for chips and salsa, its not complementary. I ordered the fish tacos and they were sooo bland and small, almost like appetizers. My friend got the ceasar salad(typical nothing special) and the arroz con pollo. The chicken was dry and the rice was not tasty. Overall, dissapointed. I was really excited about this place because i entered it was pretty busy. But most likely i wont be coming back. read more

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I grew up in San Diego and I'm a Mexican food addict, so I will always opt for a Mexican restaurant if one is available - especially a REAL / nice / fancy one, not just some lame tex-mex loaded with processed and frozen foods reheated for your gastronomic disappointment. I had to go to Annapolis for a meeting, so I checked Yelp before I went. This place sounded interesting, so I figured I'd give it a shot. Don't be fooled by the strip-mall appearance from the outside. Inside, this is a very nicely decorated, mostly Spanish (think tapas and paella) and some Mexican restaurant. I don't know anything about the owners or management, but it had the feel of a warm, friendly family-run type of restaurant. Anytime I find mole poblano or something similar like chicken mole enchiladas on a restaurant menu, I always have to try it. Although it's not a common find, I have tried it at restaurants all over the country. I must say that the chicken mole enchiladas here at Jalapenos was hands-down THE BEST I've ever had. It was absolutely to die for. If I hadn't been wearing my uniform at the time, I probably would have picked up the plate and licked it clean. Oh, do NOT go here looking for any of your typical "Mexican" dishes like burritos or tacos. The menu here has quite a variety of awesome entrees to choose from. Please note that I try very hard NOT to give out 5-star ratings. I try very hard to withold that 5-star rating as something truly extraordinary. If you like Spanish or REAL Mexican food and you're in the Annapolis area, then you should go out of your way to try Jalapenos. read more

Jalapenos - Jalapenos from the parking lot - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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I'd always heard how great this place was so I dropped by for lunch one day. Service was a bit short even though the place was only half full. I ordered the fish tacos which contain marinated fish in citrus juice and herbs. They are served in flour tortillas with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and lime cilantro mayonnaise w/sour cream. I also went with a side of guacamole. The tacos were light and okay, but they needed to either be spiced some more or left in that marinade a lot longer. I really didn't taste much. They do come with charra beans and white Spanish rice which were good. And the guacamole side was outstanding. I could have made a meal off of that. In fairness, I should mention the atmosphere. It's authentic and blends Spanish and Mexican culture. The music is very enchanting and the menu boasts entrees from both cultures. The layout of the place is also distinctly different and authentic in its own right. I really liked the atmosphere here. You do also get some pretty supreme chips and salsa before your order arrives. These are definitely a cut above the rest. So all in all, I found Jalapeno's a mixed bag. Fairly mediocre food and quiet service in a very nice atmosphere. You be the judge. It was probably my one and only visit. read more

Jalapenos - Fish Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Annapolis, Maryland

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(03/06/2011) I think Jalapenos is more of a Spanish and pan-American restaurant, so one shouldn't really expect a list of chimis, burritos and quesadilla combos like at the Taco Bell, or even at your usual taqueria. The tapas list is extensive. I went with a large group, some who got the pedestrian quesadilla and fajita, and some who ventured a little further. I ordered 4 tapas plates -- one thing to note, the tapas portions are huge, entree-like. Everything was really delicious (descriptions below): Higado de ternera con cebollas (Thin sliced veal liver sauteed with onions, served over house potatoes, finished with cumin butter): tender, nicely seared livers, cumin butter a fragrant and earthy foil to the liver. Piquillos Rellenos (Piquillo peppers stuffed with goat cheese served over roasted tomato sauce): flavorful breadcrumb and goat cheese filling, tangy, piquant peppers. Ceviche Levantino (Shrimp, scallops and calamari marinated in a citrus sauce, olive oil, cilantro and garlic): tart, creamy "tiger's milk", seafood a little overdone and tough, but was tasty. Guacamole "Oaxaca" (Traditional "Oaxaca" style guacamole made fresh to order with cilantro, onion, jalapeno pepper, tomato and avacado served with chips in the traditional "molcajete"): fresh, chunky, could use a little zip, like acid and salt; came with crispy house-fried chips. Tamales Del Norte (Corn masa with chicken, jalapenos, and tomatoes wrapped in corn husk): smooth, moist, corn filling, not dry, tender chicken. Portabello Champinon (Tender portabello mushrooms lightly sauteed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar sauce, garnished with cabrales blue cheese and pine nuts): not pretty to look at on the plate, but very savory, reduced sauce was a strong punch of flavor, Cabrales nice little creamy and pungent notes. Cordero Asado (Rack of lamb, rubbed with rosemary and served with black mole): chops were cooked to a perfect, rosy, medium-rare with a nice sear on the outside, mole was dark, complex, hint of smoked chilis and chocolate. Flan (Custard with caramel sauce and candied orange peel): ultra-smooth and creamy, rich, eggy custard, caramel was slightly bitter (in a perfect brulee way), candied peel also bittersweet and very nice complement. The place doesn't look like much on the outside, and it's at the end of a lonely strip mall, but once inside, it was almost like being transported to a villa in some subtropical climate. It was bustling (packed on a Sunday night), service was professional and friendly. It's an out of the ordinary, one might say extraordinary, Hispanic food experience. read more

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