What an undiscovered little jewel. Authentic Mexican. My chicken with green mole was two large fork-tender breasts with just-right rice with a few chunks of tender veggies and yummy beans and cheese. My husband would not stay out of my plate. The service was fast and sweet. You can tell this is a family business run by people who truly care about the food. And it is extremely affordable. That should be in all caps. You won't find a better meal in Gainesville for anywhere near that price. But we'll go back at twice the price. Go. Tell your friends. This is a business that deserves our loyalty! read more

I am eating La Pasadita's steak fajitas as I type this. This only my second trip of many future visits. Don't expect much aesthetically from this small "hole in the wall" mexican restaurant. Expect good, fast service and excellent food. I am a Southern California transplant that has been in Gainesville 8 years now. I have always thought the Mexican food was lacking. It seems everything that passes as Mexican food here includes ground beef. La Pasadita has many authentic meats such as Al Pastor(I had this the first time), Lengua, Campechano, Carnitas, Chorizo etc. I am looking forward to trying their tamales, rellenos and enchiladas in the future. read more

Great food! Owned by the same people who own las margaritas and la tienda. Las margaritas is their "American style" Mexican restaurant while la tienda is much more authentic. La pasadita is closer to the la tienda experience. The tacos carne Asada and Al pastor are excellent. La tienda was my favorite lunch spot while I was a student but it's so far south from where I am now. I was always hoping they would open a "la tienda north" and now they have! The red and green chili sauce they serve with the tacos is home made and delicious. I think this type of sauce is what burrito brothers was trying to produce but they made kool aid instead. read more

Delicious--I will definitely be going back! Only downside was that the chips and salsa weren't complimentary. But the food was fantastic!!

This is a tiny place that I may not have found without a recommendation but it is excellent. Authentic Mexican food done right! I had a dish with chicken, jalapenos, & pineapple (forgot the name, oops) it was so good. All of the flavors blended perfectly. My mother is very sensitive to spice & ordered a combo with a taco, enchilada, & burrito & informed them of her sensitivity. She was so pleased with the food she said she later had a dream about it. The service was great & prompt too. The building is small but decorated very well. It makes for an intimate setting. Can't wait to go back! read more

In one week I've had the pleasure of eating here 5 times. I opened an office across the street and this is now my go to place. I think I might be a little obsessed to be honest. The corn tortillas are homemade and very fresh. Their take on Spanish rice is unbelievable. Never have I had potato with rice, but every time I get one, I am so excited. This place is very friendly, food is quick and the portions are plentiful. 5 star! read more

Authentic Mexican at its finest. Great service, better food. I got fajitas with chicken, sausage, and steak smothered in cheese sauce and they were amazing. My father ordered a chicken and sausage dish and he was very impressed also. The horchata was delicious. I highly recommend this place if you're looking for great authentic Mexican. read more

The best Mexican food in town! Portions are very generous and everything tastes fresh. Service is quick and staff is attentive.

Great authentic Mexican food. Speedy service even with our large group. The place is colorful, bright and open. If you're looking for a genuine experience, this is a must. read more

Not very impressed with the food. Carne asada burrito had potatoes in it, not sure if this was by accident. But I would have rather have steak. Pork tamale was microwaved and drenched in a sauce. Chips and salsa are not complimentary. Salsa tastes store bought. Overall not an authentic place but it's not terrible despite what I mentioned. But I will not be returning. read more

Food was pretty good. The chips and salsa are not worth it. They cost way too much and weren't that good.

This place is excellent! Their tortilla chips are the best chips I've had at any restaurant. I've been here several times, and I've ordered the Taco Salad many times, it's my favorite meal there. Their food is delicious, I highly recommend going! read more

Omg so amazing! Hole in the wall with authentic food!!! Try the pork tamales with green mole sauce- it will change your life

Excellent service, food and employees! You can always count on breakfast lunch or dinner. The seafood soup is always delightful and they make Mexican style tacos. Their food comes out quick and so delicious. It's usually packed around lunchtime! Don't forget to visit the store next door. read more

Excellent fast friendly service. Nice bright feel to the place. Had fajitas, couldn't eat but 2/3. Was very tasty. Definate come back.

The best Mexican food in town! The cheese chile relleno with red mole is incredible. My husband always gets the fajitas campechana and it's probably the best deal on the menu. They've started having a live Mariachi band on Thursday nights, they sound awesome. They don't have a liquor license but do sell beer, which is good enough for me! read more

This review is a bit overdue, but we really enjoyed eating here. Real Mexican food! They even had horchata, which was very good. I had the al pastor fajitas. Delicious pork, pineapple, onion, and pepper on a hot skillet. Homemade corn tortillas! Husband had chicken mole. Good sauce and nice chicken flavor. Chips were fresh out of the fryer. Enjoyed the colorful decor. We will be going back. read more

Amazing vegetarian options. This place is the best! We got the veggie taco salad and the veggie quesadillas and both had deliciously seasoned grilled vegetables and the quesadillas had perfectly melted cheese. Get the salsa too! read more

A+++ Best Mexican in town! I've eaten at several restaurants in Mexico and am extremely pleased with the food here! I ordered a red mole stuffed poblano pepper and my husband ordered a steak topped with chorizo, we loved our meals! Also, the service is fantastic here! Attentive and friendly host, waiter, food runner, and bus boy. Will definitely be making this place a regular! 5 stars! read more

Amazing Mexican food. The chips are fresh, food is super fresh and tasty. Best Mexican in gville hands down!

It's just where you go for authentic Mexican food with a very reasonable price:)

La Pasadita is great. If you like the food at La Tienda, you'll like La Pasadita. Good Mexican food for a good price. The colorful interior makes it a fun place for kids (mine had a blast inspecting all the painted chairs). I went there with 2 other adults who had all spent considerable time in the southwest, and we were all pleased with our meals. If you can't face the crowds at La Tienda, I highly recommend this place. read more

Best Mexican I've had in the Gainesville and Jacksonville area. Sooo tasty and super fresh. Chips made to order. Sauces were also superb.

The best tacos I've ever had!! The staff is friendly. It has a very casual atmosphere. I only have two critiques: 1. I wish they would have 4 tacos for $7.50 instead of three, since the taco sizes are small. And 2. They take a little too long to bring the food out. Otherwise, it's a great place to grab a bite and chill. It was my first time there and I will definitely be returning. read more

There may be other bigger and better known mexican restaurants, but without a doubt, this is the best, period! Food is always fresh and very flavorful. Have never gotten sick or dislikd a dish! Have been to other mexican testaurants, and they may look more pompous, but the food is what counts! You will ot be disapointed! read more

Great place. I've been twice and each time ordered the vegetarian fajitas. They came out smoking hot, and were spiced to perfection. Very fast, courteous service. It's very fairly priced. I can't wait to go back. read more

So much better then all the other mexican food in town. The others started great and went downhill. This place is amazing!!!!!!!

Really mediocre. Did not pass the salsa test. Everything tasted like it came from a can or bottle, Sexton style. Forget the trip.

La Tienda eat your heart out! La Pasadita is often overlooked in favor of it's more popular cousin on NW 13th, but ever since I discovered this gem I've never looked back. I've eaten in and gotten pick up countless times and haven't been disappointed once. Their traditional style tacos are unbeatable with perfect fresh corn tortillas that are neither too thick or likely to fall apart mid-bite. My personal favorite filling is the campechano, but every option is delicious. I was even impressed by the chicken tacos which I typically find bland at other establishments. These are juicy and full of flavor. The chips are always hot and fresh and the salsa is the perfect taste and consistency (at least if you are a cilantro lover like I am). My husband adores the enchiladas and they have several styles to choose from. This is definitely the best Mexican restaurant in Gainesville and one of the best I have visited in Florida as a whole. If you choose to eat in, the service is always quick and the waiters are friendly. read more

Authentic Mexican - fresh ingredients, the red Mole sauce was fiery pablano chocolatey goodness. Universes beyond its local competitors, this little hole in the wall is cozy and a good test of an authentic Mexican joint is do Mexicans own it and do Mexicans eat there? Yes and yes. You will not be disappointed. And not to take exception with the only one-star vote, suspicious among a cadre of four and five-star raves, BUT...well, he's from Texas and this ain't no TexMex, if you know what I'm saying. There are no cans here. This is the from-scratch real deal. Did I mention the affordability? You simply will not beat the price-point here, and you will be packing a to-go box of the more-than plentiful food for later. Respectfully submitted! read more

I've been trying to find a good traditional Mexican restaurant and this one is o. The food was great, and they finally had horchata, which is a drink I haven't been able to find well-prepared in a long time. read more

This was some of the best Mexican food I've had that wasn't homemade. Ordered the Shrimp con Crema and it was muy delicioso. Servings were a good portion and the atmosphere was pleasant. Coming here again when I return to Gainesville. read more

I found this authentic Mexican restaurant several years ago by accident and have kept coming back! Great sauces, and very fresh meat dishes but my favorites are the delicious seafood dishes. They have the best traditional grilled fish tacos I've eaten! Crunchy shells, grilled onions with cilantro & lime...I eat three! I enjoy their seafood taco salad and the seviche as well. Service is prompt and friendly and prices are reasonable. They have expanded the space this past year and have comfortable booths in the new space. My favorite Mexican restaurant! read more

My spouse and I nicknamed this place "Expensive La Tienda" because the menus seem so similar but you know what? La Pasadita's food mysteriously tastes a lot better, so it's worth it. We wind up here more often than anywhere else, honestly. Service is quick, food is good, and they don't make allergy-related mistakes at least as far as my spouse's gluten issue goes. It's nice to be able to count on a place like that. Anyway: flavorful, varied menu, etc. I love the "al pastor." read more

Little hole in the wall. Located at what looks a run down shopping strip. The tacos were amazing! My fiancé loved them as well. This is real Mexican food. This will definitely be our New Mexican spot. read more

Had tacos there today really good just bumbed salsa was not included in the chips and caso all around good authentic Mexican for this side of town read more

Great Mexican food and friendly service! If you are looking for authentic Mexican food at a great price this is the place!

Delicious authentic Mexican food. By far the best Mexican restaurant in Gainesville. The guacamole is the best I've ever had outside of Mexico and try to make it there whenever I'm craving Mexican food. read more

I am blown away every time I eat here. So delicious. Best Mexican food I have EVER had. I work in restaurants, have traveled, eaten all over, and every time I go I am so happy at how delicious my food is. It's obviously not a five star place, but the food is amazing. So if you haven't tried this place, understand the service staff gets a little weeded because it is so busy (because duh the food is so good) but grab a beer, and come chill because it is SO worth it. Total hidden gem. read more

I visited this restaurant with my wife and mother-in-law because she and my father-in-law had been there. They raved about it, and I trust them when they say a place is great, good, mediocre, bad, or "just-avoid". When I arrived, they gave us chips and salsa. Delicious, fresh salsa with just enough kick and golden chips, crunchy and fresh. They each ordered the three-taco plate, choosing six different styles of meat. I ordered the coctel de camarón (shrimp cocktail). The only shrimp cocktail that is probably better is the one I myself make. It had huge shrimp, fresh tomatoes and onion, chunks of creamy avocado, and just the right amount of spice. I then tried each of the tacos. I usually love al pastor tacos, but I actually could not tell you which of the six tacos was better. They all had an amazing flavor, with each meat cooked to perfection. The horchata was amazing. I'm short (he says after writing a novel), this restaurant is awesome. Yes, the wait may be long, but that's only because so many other people love it. And everything is made fresh. I would rather wait a few minutes extra for freshness, than speedy service for pre-made or canned food. read more