If I could give 0 stars, i would. My Friends and i came down for vacation and decided to try Jose's Cantina. My boyfriend and i went here yesterday, the waitress was hovering over us and we ordered the beef fajita nachos, being a safe choice. The beef fajitas were the nastiest i've ever tried. They were so bland and tasted like liver. We decided to go back today, to give it another try, that was the worse decision. Our party of six spent about $200, and that was after about $50 of food was taken off. I ordered a buffalo chicken sandwich, which the sandwich consisted of TWO chicken strips, and the bread was stale. I ordered the chicken fajita quesadillas, being the safest choice. They were cold and the chicken seemed to be boiled, with no seasoning, with the charro beans also cold. When complaining about the food, the manager was more concerned about his money rather than the food provided, responded with the chicken sandwich complaint with "we serve this everyday". Going here was a waste of time and money. read more

Our waiter was extremely helpful when we had questions about the menu, and thanks to his recommendation, I ordered the best blackened mahi mahi tacos! Highly recommend getting them if you're looking for a delicious seafood taco! The person I was dining with ordered the crab nachos, and they did not skip on the meat! We were both impressed with how much crab meat they put on them! 10/10 recommend and will be coming back again! read more

We had a party of 10 and everyone said overall the food was not good. We all got something different, I got the gramps platter and a crawfish Étouffée. The gramps platter was probably the best thing on the table (don't get refried beans tho GET CHARRO). We had someone get the stuffed shrimp (not good), the crab cakes (they were okay she said), a shrimp platter (not horrible but not something to talk about) , the fajitas (generally very mediocre and not worth the price point((rubbery chicken)), the seafood platter (they said it was edible), the pork chops (they were decent), the friend alligator (it was actually good). The gumbo and the Étouffée STAY CLEAR it tasted like the ingredients had turned. So far most tables are getting things taken off because it was awful. Just be careful of what you get if you come here. read more

Jose's Cantina - Crawfish étouffée - Mexican Near Me - Crystal Beach, Texas

See all

Food is great 95% of the time ...the lady upstairs is very friendly and provides great service.. Very clean place read more

My favorite place on the island. Laid back atmosphere, staff was friendly, food wasn't too pricey and came out quickly and hot. The shrimp platter was amazing and loved their salsa! read more

We stopped in this past weekend while visiting Crystal Beach. Our favorite pizza spot had sold out, and we were left to find something on our way back to the house. We've been to Jose's Cantina before, and wow...they give you a lot of food on your plate. With Covid-19 controlled seating capacity going on, we were surprised to see that they could get us a table right away on this Saturday night. There was a line outside for pick-up orders, which they had a pass-through window for. It was a pretty efficient-looking set-up. Waitstaff was pretty quick to get to us with paper menus -- still large array of offerings, and really cold beers. I ordered the beef fajita taco plate, knowing leftovers would warm well for lunch on Sunday. Lord, oh, Lord, the three tacos were huge, the beef tender and flavorful and the charro beans to die for. I had no room to even try the fluffy rice. I ate one taco and took the rest to go. Sure enough, great next-day meal. Hubby got a burrito, which was huge. It ended up being a really good meal; and we made note to go back as a preferred meal spot! Tip: only order something that will reheat well, because you will have leftovers. read more

4.5 stars... Good service and good food. I always try tamales for my 1st time at a Mexican restaurant. José's was definitely above average and their chili sauce on the tamales was delicious. read more

Well this place was all around horrible unfortunately. Went in for some quick and cheap breakfast and left with some upcharges and an upset stomach. I ordered the spinach omelet, with a side of fruit and some toast. After waiting for nearly 40 minutes to get our food, we decided to ask for some chips & salsa. They gave them to us right as our food was coming out. THE CHIPS WERENT FREE. They are only free apparently if you are eating lunch or dinner options. They did not tell us, and everyone at the table was charged 1.50 for chips (so that equaled nearly 15$ for two baskets of chips which were never refilled). My fruit was literally stinky and rotten and totally unacceptable to be served to customers. The omelet was really poor quality as well. The service was really bad too, very little attention was paid once food was out. I would not recommend eating at this establishment, based on the fact that they serve patrons rotten food, charge a ridiculous amount for some chips (without notice), and because the overall quality of the place was low. read more

See all

Came to enjoy a good stress free meal. Waitress was on point and appeared to be the only one working. All other staff made audible remarks when other customers came in an hour and a half before closing. Staff stacked chairs and closed the place down around us with an hour left before closing. Our waitress appeared to be the only one still helping anyone . Most staff appeared to be put off by being at work. read more

Crystal Beach end of summer pet vacation ~ dogs were welcome on the patio, food was really good. Karla was very accommodating, kept cold beer in front of us & brought out water for our puppies ! read more

So...I don't think I've ever felt more unwanted at a restaurant. The food sucked, but that wasn't even the focus of the evening. We ate at the bar, and the poor attitudes rules the night. Getting beers, ordering food...all took flagging someone down. They were there....they just wouldn't look at anyone. There was one bartender (chic with large gauge ear things) had the attitude of a barback serving mimosas during an Easter rush (absolutely pissed to be there), and she was acting busy....but wasn't. I mean, she was acting like she was in the weeds with 2 bar tickets...and two minutes later, she's holding someone's infant walking around the host stand. But when she came back to the bar, she was again far too busy to take a drink order. Couldn't get her to do anything. Up to and including: we seriously watched two employees fight over who would get us eating utensils - WHILE HOT FOOD SAT IN FRONT IF US, unable to eat it. I just can't. Why two stars? It was July 1st...holiday weekend. But also, that's the thing. They weren't busy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Wouldn't go through that again if I was paid. Cheers. read more

I have never been served so many chips in my life!! If you hate the mexican places that only bring you a couple baskets of chips then charge extra then you'll LOVE this place. Beer was cold, food was good, and service was outstanding even with 3 toddlers at our table. Place is huge and was running like a well-oiled machine on a Mon night. Our server Cody was bustin his a** all over the place and we appreciate that these days. Will certainly return. read more

Absolutely trash Mexican food. The shrimp tacos were decent but everything else was bad. Bland, look warm, everything tasted canned or microwaved. I know it's a tourist trap kind of place but it's kind of hard to mess up Mexican food in Texas that bad read more

Good service by Brittany. I ordered the fried seafood combo with catfish, oysters and onion rings. Bad choice as there was way too much thick, fried batter for my stomach. Hubs got the combo fajitas with beef, chicken and shrimp but no shrimp was added. Ok experience on the pricey side for the quality offered. read more

Beware. They charge the same price for a virgin pina colada as one with booze in it. If that's the case, bring me the shot of rum and I will drink it. Ridiculous. read more

Great service and ambience! Appropriately crowded every night we were there, but we never waited too long for a table.

Had it once and the food was decent. Then called to place a Togo and they put me on hold for 10 mins. Then they answered and said we are not taking to go orders. I said okay can I come in and place an order and she said no. fOR real? At least tell me before I waste 15mins... read more

This is a little diamond in the rough. It's a little dumpy and unassuming but the food is amazing! I had the burrito and it was the simply amazing. It stuffed full with meat and all the fixings, covered in melted cheese - divine! Highly recommend! read more

Jose's Cantina - Burrito Supreme for the win! - Mexican Near Me - Crystal Beach, Texas

This place is SO DANG GOOD!! From the yummy chips and salsa served free when you're seated, to the delicious lip-smacking Texas queso with ground beef, to the fantastic service we had from Cody, this place is a spot we will be visiting more than once when we're on the island!! read more

Ate here after a long day at Schlitterbahn. Food was OK but service was great. Amy C was a great waitress & sweet. Regular nachos was a huge serving, crab cake was good & the taco salad. I do like the Watermelon mule. read more

My wife and I visited Joe's Cantina for lunch after taking the ferry from Galveston to Crystal Beach. Menu had lots of choices of both seafood and Tex-Mex fare. I ordered fried shrimp and my wife ordered chicken Tostadas. Shrimp was average but the Tostadas were very good. Wine and beer prices were very reasonable. We will go back to Joe's. Staff is very friendly. read more

Give me Taco Bell instead. Service is ok, but food has absolutely no flavor. Guacamole tasted frozen, fajitas needed plenty of seasoning. Skip this place. 2 star rating based on service alone. If there is another Mexican restaurant on the island, go there and skip this place. read more

We have eating here several times and the food and service are outstanding! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!! Best Mai Tai's ever!!

Went there tonight with my son and daughter in law tonight. Food was decent. A little too salty. But then again I coulda told them to go easy on the spice on my grilled shrimp Service could definitely be better. It wasn't that busy when we were ready to leave. And our waitress was too busy talking and socializing to bring our check. FINALLY she brought it after yelling for her 3 times. Then took forever to come back. We asked her to spilt t and she got an attitude. We still tipped her. But her lack of concern for us changed her tip considerably read more

all the food was undercooked, waiters on there phones 24/7 had airpods in the whole time and a kid was running around chasing the waiters. very unprofessional and the food took awhile to come out. read more

Just WOW I was referred by the locals. I had a Hawaiian mimosa and a fish bo boy with onion rings. They put love into everything the dips and chips where even good. I highly recommend stopping in and enjoying a meal. read more

See all

Stopped in for dinner with the family. Service was awful, but when you have a party of 6 or more the gratuity is automatic. The waitress was not attentive, we got appetizers with our meal versus before. Was told they did not have salads, though the menu says otherwise, only to see another table have salad. Had to ask for refills and server spent most of her time talking with staff. read more

No one wearing a mask but the server. Thank goodness for that! Food was good...but absolutely no attempt at social distancing.

Linda!! By far the best! Wish we had a place like this where we lived!! We are very happy they are here!! Will be sure to visit again soon! Thank you! Margarita was excellent!! read more

Jose's Cantina - Fried platter and my son enjoyed the oysters - Mexican Near Me - Crystal Beach, Texas

Iced tea is great! For the chopped steak, and calamari appetizer, take the ferry to Galveston. The food was bland. Dirty rice? No cajun spice. Zaterain's out of the box is better. Baked potato? Well it is difficult to mess one up unless it has been baking all day. Dried out and dull. Chopped steak. Large portion, really large. Taste? None. Catsup adds a lot of flavor. Mushrooms on the chopped steak, awesome flavor. Cheese sauce, think extra extra mild Rotel, extra mild. And thin Smothered in onions. More than enough to almost equal half of the chopped steak. Not bad but too many. Service, see the other reviews. Juke box was stuck on one song for almost our entire time. Wait staff is friendly but overwhelmed. There is a steady clientele so either they don't leave the area or other items taste better. If you have to eat here, start at the bar first. read more

Alligator was great, service was quick and friendly. The sauce they give with the chips was amazing. I'll come back here definitely!! Recommend for sure! read more

Excellent fajitas! Service was great! We were cruising the beach and was starving. Craving Mexican food we decided to give it a try. Glad we did!! read more

Jose's Cantina - Mexican Near Me - Crystal Beach, Texas

NEGATIVE STARS Watch it here, I asked 4 times for the Chile con queso... Jessica the waitress asked me back for the large or the small. I again reiterated the Chile con queso which only comes in 1 size. So we were given the wrong thing and charged double for what we ordered. On top of given red beans and rice when we asked for rice and beans, then charged when we ask for the correct item ordered. Also not one of the 4 kids would eat the beans here, and I quote "Worse than cafeteria beans!" Plus gratuity when the service was not up to par! Watch it!!! read more

We got our food to go. Service and food were great. I had the burger. I really liked it. My husband got fajitas. He liked those, too. The green salsa is spicy and yummy. read more

Overall a good experience for Mexican food. We had a group of 10 and got a late start (9:00pm) after a long day on the beach. They were very friendly and were understandably strict to the Covid protocol. Drinks were good and came out quick and our food came out hot and on time. Food was good, not great but it was late and they squeezed us in before closing on a Tuesday night. We'll be back read more

Delicious food! Friendly and good service. They gave my children quarters for the gum ball machine so that made a lot of points! Shrimp Cocktail was to die for! Shredded chicken Burrito was huge and very good. My daughter had Alligator bites and she likes them, they were taste. Enchiladas were also very good! We would definitely eat here again! read more

Today was our third visit for them to get our order totally wrong. Understandable with a new waitress and being busy. What's not understandable is not receiving the order after they took it back to correct it. Everyone at our table was served but my wife. To add to the disappointment, the little pric# of a manager came to our table to justify their mistake. Did not try to resolve the problem other than taking the order off our bill. read more

Had seafood nachos and quesadillas with shredded chicken. Chips and salsa were good. Guacamole was fresh made. Service was great and you can definitely tell it's a local favorite. read more

Extremely mediocre and lacking in flavor. My wife and I both got chicken fajita enchiladas (mine were Suizas, her's were ranchero) and the chicken was awful. The refried beans tasted burnt, and the rice was bland. We also got a chili con queso, which was so generic it couldn't offend, nor did it offer anything redeeming. Service at the window was fine and they were fast, but meh... read more

I'm giving this place 2-stars just because so many people seem to like it that I keep thinking we must be trying the wrong thing. We've been 5-6 times now, and only twice did we get the correct order. The food, at best, is mediocre. We ordered shrimp po'boys to go and got home to discover completely dry bread, with some wilted lettuce and one paper thin tomato slice per sandwich. There was also 7-8 small fried shrimp. No dressing of any kind on the sandwich or the side. The real kicker is hat it looked like regular bread but tasted like it had been sprinkled with sugar. Overall, I want to like this place but the food and service are very subpar. read more