The chimichanga changed after we returned after covid, they added some kind of red sauce or salsa I may not taste the spice but it completely changed the flavor of the chimichangas when they added this. I talked to the manager and he said they did start adding a sauce or salsa. It ruined my favorite dish that we came there for 37 years before Covid. We all would get it. My family decided to celebrate my husband's birthday there very recently I decided what can go wrong with my second favorite Chicken Fajitas. Well, the below is what I got. Only a couple little green pepper pieces, a couple onion pieces and more tomato pieces than both peppers and onions. Where are the peppers and onions? This picture is the whole meal all burnt and dry. This is such a downgrade from a typical fajita. I dipped a chicken piece in sour cream to wash it down, it was dry. I brought it home and my son ate it and couldn't believe what he saw when I said it was Chicken fajitas. He hated it, it lacked all the flavors that make it good and it was hard to chew. I've tried a lot of foods there, I am not fond of anything but the 2 loyal dishes I loved. Both have been destroyed. If you add salsa to a chimichanga then you won't notice a difference but if you don't you certainly will notice the flavor change. For 37 years it was our favorite place, now it's the very bottom of a list of places to eat, actually we have nothing to order from there anymore. I couldn't even enjoy the hot tea, I asked for lemon and was told you don't have any but gave me a lime ruined the tea! I read on one review you said it's the same as it always was there but you're wrong, chimichangas are not as they used to be after adding the red sauce in it, lemons gone, dry fajitas without peppers and onions you can actually taste and see. Your quality of food has definitely changed for the worst, regardless of you saying otherwise. I will not tell people how great your place is anymore but tell them not to go if they're expecting the chimichangas they've loved for years, because they're gone. 2 different restaurants with Chicken fajitas 2 different presentations- which is more desirable looking. And yes this is the amount of fajitas minus 1 small piece of chicken on the last picture that Mexican Gardens gave, for $20- with a little guacamole, sour cream and rice on a side plate. Price is not justifiable to us considering the quality of this dish I got. The last 2 times we went the restaurant wasn't even half full, which is odd considering every other time in the past before past 2 years we had to wait quite a while to get in and not hardly any empty seats. With a table for 8 it took about 5-10 minutes to put it together. The only 2 times in 37 years the restaurant wasn't full and it was a weekend when it's usually very packed in the past, and those 2 times were within about 6 weeks recently this year. So sad it used to be one of the very best, we passed over all other Mexican restaurants to go there, not anymore. So sorry to leave this horrible review but thats how bad our experience was. read more

Mexican Gardens - Mexican Gardens Chicken Fajitas burnt and little amount at that - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

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I ordered veggie fajitas and they actually came with vegetables. We met here to celebrate my father in law's birthday. He got the chimichanga, my husband the botana and my mother in law the quesadilla. We all had leftovers! This was on the heels of a bad experience at Mr, Miguel's so I was thrilled with my meal! I always liked them for their seafood burritos which they no longer offer ( aka Chichi's). I'm sure we will be back read more

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I've never made a review before but the food at Mexican Gardens was SO BAD that i just couldnt help myself. DO NOT GO HERE It make look a bit fancy on the outside but the food is absolutely atrocious and im 100% sure most of these people making positive reviews are paid to make them. The rice was dry and bland everything was bland I couldve made it myself and it still wouldnt taste that bad. If you want to torture your tongue and stomach then this is the restaurant for you. read more

Mexican Gardens - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

Really good food! I loved their steak! The waiter was a little quiet when he was talking but over all a really good place to eat!

For years, Mexican Gardens has been my favorite of the numerous Mexican restaurants in and around Allen Park. Next year we market 50th anniversary if it makes it. I recently went to the restaurant and we had a party of 10. The service was awful, but not as bad as the food it was cold poorly seasoned and just awful. Don't go there. You'll be disappointed it's slop. read more

Foods is always good here. Service is good as well. I've never came into this restaurant and had a complaint yet. It's not as good as a Mexican restaurant in detroit but its my first choice by far if I do not want to go all the way out to detroit! I ordered a small botana and it still was huge and my son ordered the queso burrito. We were so hungry and they looked so good we didn't even get pictures of them. We also ordered the churros, and I had a Mai Tai it was yummy read more

Mexican Gardens - Cream cheese stuffed churros - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

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We have been coming to this restaurant for years! The food and service is consistently good. My favorite is Chicken Milanese. Oh my! Served with four warm tortilla wraps, refried beans and rice, and a side salad! I am in heaven and you will be too! read more

Mexican Gardens - Chicken Milanese - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

This is the only place that I'll really order Fajitas. Theirs are excellent. I think I got the best order of them ever today. Everything was perfect. Christopher was our server and he was awesome too. The staff has their stuff together today. It was a grand slam. I can't wait to come back. read more

A friend was eating there, and the staff was talking about how great Trump is. Diners don't need to listen to the waitstaff's political agendas. The management did nothing. So no thanks. Food is ok. Rather heavy in the old style. read more

I've been dining at Mexican Gardens for over three decades. I've always enjoyed the food and counted it as a favorite restaurant of mine. Last night my experience was completely ruined by a member of the wait staff standing at a table near me, LOUDLY preaching her politics to the table she was waiting on. This wasn't a one off statement. She stood and preached for at least 10 minutes. Long enough for me to get upset, flag the hostess, ask for the manager, and wait for the manager to arrive. She continued yelling her politics while I was complaining about the issue. When I told the manager I was uncomfortable, he asked me if I wanted to move tables. When I said, no, I'd like you to ask your employees to keep in mind they're in a professional setting and that they shouldn't be shouting their political opinions for the whole dining room to hear, he smirked and said he was sorry I felt that way. He then approached the waitress and WAITED for her to stop talking before pulling her aside. My appetite was ruined by the utter lack of concern about an employee, in the course of their job duties, standing on a soap box and hollering their political opinion. It's safe to say I will never go back. Thirty years of patronage gone. read more

We visited Mexican Gardens for lunch. We were greeted at the door by a very nice host and seated right away. Our server was actually the best that we have had at a restaurant in a quite a long time. We both said that we were reminded of what service used to be at restaurants in the past. As part of the lunch service, customers receive a bowl of delicious soup with shredded chicken, noodles and vegetables. We shared the steak fajitas. The meat was very tender and tasty. We plan on returning soon for lunch! read more

Having to witness staff wax politically in favor of trump ruined our meal. The food was mediocre at best anyway, avoid this place at all costs. read more

The food isn't as good as it used to be. And it was upsetting to find out they dont have fresh lemons or limes. How hard is it to go grab some at the fruit market just down the street. read more

Just ok. I did enjoy my food. Server asks if we wanted cheese or sour cream for a few items. We said sure but did not expect it to be an up charge. read more

The food was good, but not authentic Mexican. I have no complaint, but I can't rave about it either read more

The service was great! Nice looking place but looks can fool you! The food was garbage 90% of our group of 45 people agree, I believe that the the people who give a good reviews of this restaurant have to be friends or family. I lived in Southwest Detroit most my life and ate at good and bad Mexican restaurants. The food at Mexican Gardens is by far the worst I've ever tasted it's just garbage. What a big disappointment! read more

We always enjoy getting food from here. Delicious and consistent good service. We carry out more than we dine but the food is always great either way! read more

Still a no. Downriver and anyplace South of here has better food. Like La Chalupa off of Summit exit 2 or the others which have opened up in Lambertville or Temperance or off of Alexis in Ohio( Cinco de Mayo). read more

I called in for a pick up - small botana (beans/chorizo) - nothing extra. I paid close to $18 and it was not even the size of a standard carryout box/container. I was half that size! I've ordered the same thing from several other Mexican restaurants in the area and NEVER got so ripped off! If you want good Mexican food (with portions equal to the cost) go somewhere else!! read more

This is an updated review from a few years ago, which was very glowing. Our families have enjoyed going to Mexican Gardens for over three decades. It was considered by us as the best Mexican food in the entire Downriver area. Unfortunately, things seem to have changed. Last night, we held a birthday gathering for a special member of our family (Wife, Mom, Sister, Grandma, Aunt, etc.). A couple of days ahead of the event, we called and asked what we needed to do to prepare for a group of 13. We were told to show up early and that they would take care of our needs. We showed up as instructed, but were told we could not have one continuous table for our group, though we explained that it was a birthday celebration honoring someone important in our family. The older gentleman in charge told us it wouldn't be practical for our group. Not sure how he knew what was best for us, but we gave in to his determination, as we didn't want to stain our event. He kind of made it sound like this was against their policy or something. They seated us as two separate groups. The irony is there were two other groups in the very same room with end-to-end tables, making each of them as single group. One had a dozen people and the other had around 20 people. While we were there, they seated another large group that was larger than ours, also as a single group with end-to-end tables. Not sure why were were denied, but it definitely made our celebration more difficult. And then came the food. It was not the same. For example, we frequently have enjoyed the burrito dinner, which is what a few of us ordered. The flavor quality was fair, at best, to poor. The burritos were missing flavor, the rice barely had any seasoning, and the beans were horrible. The steak in the fajita that someone else ordered was not very good either. Something has changed. We ignored other social media postings describing the change in the quality of the food. Not any longer. The unfair treatment by management, combined with the lower quality in the food, has made us decide to check this place off our list of favorites. After decades of visits and recommendations, we won't be back, and you can guess what my recommendation will be. All I have to do is describe our experience. Everyone in our group shares this same opinion. Time to move on. For the record, the wait staff was superb. We honored her with a generous tip. read more

Went there today with my daughter we had a fantastic meal great service the prices are very reasonable want good food and great service go there read more

This review is solely based on my dish, everything else was good! We went to Mexican Gardens after leaving Camino Real because we never got greeted after we got sat, plus there was country music playing. So weird in a Mexican restaurant, (only in Downriver, right)? Service was great, we got there within an hour of them closing and you could tell our server was busy, but she was on her game. Quick, attentive, polite. She even left me a pitcher of water (I tend to guzzle water down). Food came out really quickly. The menu looked good, not too big, but covered all the basics. I opted for my favorite, cheese enchiladas. I remember coming here years ago and not liking the cheese enchiladas because they were served with a sauce on top instead of the usual cheese blanket like I'm used to. However, I decided to give them another shot. My favorite cheese enchiladas are from Mexican Village in Detroit, but I'm on the hunt to find good cheese enchiladas Downriver. The enchiladas came out and looked good, but they were so SALTY! Specifically, that red sauce they put on top was super salty. The enchiladas themselves, were good, nice ratio of tortilla to cheese, tasty. Honestly, the Spanish rice was even saltier than the enchiladas. and the refried beans were salty, too. I've never experienced a dish that salty that it was hard to finish. I made it through half, tried to scrape most of the sauce off the enchiladas, boxed them up and didn't even bother with the rice and beans (normally my fav part)! Bummer! We also ordered guacamole and it was delicious. Fresh, perfect balance of garlic, salt, cilantro, tomatoes, onions. My bf ordered a burrito with flank steak covered in queso and that wasn't even salty! Little light on the flank steak in the burrito, but overall it was good. I don't think I will be back. read more

Mexican Gardens - Chips and Guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

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Always good and somewhat normal hours. Drinks and food are always fresh. Even open on Sunday

The service is good and the place is pretty clean, but I can't say I'm too impressed with the food. I ordered the burritos and they were the driest burritos I ever had in my life don't get me wrong. The chicken seemed like it was OK quality but I prefer chicken that isn't super dry, more like a chicken Tinga read more

Mexican Gardens - Chicken Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

A friend and I decided to come here after our other Mexican spot was closed on Mondays. We were seated super quick when we got in. The place was busy and were given salsa and chips right away. The waitress came around and made sure to intro herself. She was running around but was rocking it. We got some guacamole and a drink to start off with. They came very quick. The guacamole was bland and we needed to add some salt to it. The salsa tasted like it came from a can. I ordered some chimichanga and my friend got a burrito. My food was not good and I did not finish it. I did not even take it home. My friend said her food was alright but she did not finish her food at all. I probably would not come back here as there is so many other good places to go to. But the service was amazing and whoever our waitress was rocked it. She was the reason I gave the place a 2 star. So make sure you keep her around! read more

I regret that it has taken me this long to visit this restaurant. The service was great and the food was phenomenal. At least mine was. I believe it was the beef chimichanga. We also got the super nachos. Those were decent but a little dry. They mostly had beans but could have benefitted from some tomatoes, salsa or sour cream. Food was delivered fast and the prices were about $14-16 for most items. Pre-inflation, I would have expected the portions of food to fetch 10-12, if that helps you compare. read more

Chips that taste awful, oily and burnt. My drink I ordered from their "the rock" special and just don't do it. Too much flavor syrup and way too much alcohol. My chicken enchiladas were so SALTY!!! The rice and beans were good but everything else. Not a vibe!!!! I tried to take my drink to go since the new law but the waitress told me no. I was just trying to remake it at home, better. The waitress got complaints from the booth behind me about chips and I'm sure she could see how I didn't enjoy a single thing tonight! PS we added blue raspberry to this drink!!! And actually the chips were NOT a staple! Said by the customers surrounding us! Nice try, trying to save your restaurant, but I made a post on FB and not a SINGLE person disagreed with me about how trash this place is. WILL NOT BE BACK, the owner tries too hard when they could take accountability and own up to it. read more

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We have been coming here for years with excellent servic. Today... Was just the worst experience. After a week in the hospital with our twin babies we decided to go out for dinner. Between our servers nasty attitude, Server ordering the wrong food, the managers lack of care for the situation. I hade to write this review. read more

I love their food and it frustrates my husband that I don't want to get any other Mexican food. But today topped it off for me. I am a vegetarian and I ordered our lunch off the app. By rushing to get the order in while still getting my work done I had ordered a meal with beef instead of beans. I didn't realize it until my husband brought the food home and I called MG to confirm. They made me the correct meal for free!!! They didn't have to do that because it was my error. Thanks Chris!! You and your staff are awesome!!! read more

Over the last few months the meat in the fajitas has became sparse. I understand the cost increase, but then don't cut the meat ratio.

RESPONDING TO THE OWNERS RESPONSE; "she apologized that we were unaware" - THAT'S NOT AN APOLOGY. She should have apologized for the lack of communication either via the menu, or the server about this situation. You words are correct though. She apologized that we didn't notice something, When asked where on the menu the price was for additional sides she got nasty, when I mentioned the server never mentioned anything she was simply annoyed we were still there. i already acknowledge the dish doesn't come with sour cream, there was a breakdown somewhere about noting on the menu about how MUCH this condiment would cost, and mid-meal, the server should have mentioned it; especially since we ordered THREE more. $1.39?.. maybe next time someone will get soaked unexpectedly for $2.79 each, or possibly $3.99 (EACH) - of course I expected to be charged extra, not $1.39 for what amounted to a tiny melon-baller sized amount of sour cream, (sticker shock) It's bad business and terrible customer service with the managers poor/combative attitude. A waiter having a bad day, or maybe a dish that isn't quite what I hoped for is forgivable, and would give a place a 2nd chance. Managerial attitude like what we received....? You guys can't come back from that. Will NOT be returning. Also: a bar that doesn't carry lemons, never heard of that before, you guys are certainly "one of a kind". ORIGINAL REVIEW: This place has certainly slid downhill post pandemic. This was our GO-TO place for Mexican whenever we were within 10 miles of the location. The food WAS excellent, and and at a fair price as well. This all changed on our recent visit (6/2/24) and we will not be returning. We ordered the usual botanas, which are still extremely good in quality, those flour chips are unique and really make the dish. Unlike previous times we were there, there was no sour cream or salsa on the side. We had the waiter bring out some sour cream, and what he brought was the smallest container possible, enough to maybe cover a couple of chips. So later on I said, bring us 3 more, which he did. When the bill came, I was charged $1.35 for each sour cream, that's over $5 just for sour cream!!! When I mentioned this at checkout, the cashier abruptly stopped my conversation and went and got the manager. This manager informed us that the dish not longer comes with sour cream, (inferring that it used to) and that it would be extra. I mentioned that the price of the 'extra" was neither mentioned on the menu or, or by the server, and that the size of what was brought out was laughably small. Her dismissive attitude was "well now you know when you come back next time" to which I replied, 'there won't be a next time'. My gripe is that it is customary for the dish to come with SC, but if they want to cut back and not include it, that's their choice, but when asked for specifically, it should be on the menu, or if mentioned mid-meal (after menu's are gone) the server should be mentioning this. In addition, they could have charged anything they wanted, I probably would have been good with $0.79, or maybe even a buck, if the size of what was brought out was larger. In addition, I asked the manager did they just make up that number, maybe next time they'll charge $3.99 each, and no one will know until the bill comes. You can go to the grocery store and buy a LOT of sour cream for $5, and these restaurants get it wholesale. In addition, we ordered a diet Pepsi with lemon on the side, and were informed "we are out of lemons". How does this happen, when you are low on lemons, you have someone run to Meijer and get a bag of lemons. The manager acted in a way that is textbook "how to NOT act like a manager", blaming the customer when the initial inquiry was made on the charges. She acted defensive and confrontational rather than working towards a resolution to the issue , like a singular charge for 1 SC- not times FOUR They may have gotten their extra $5, but they lost 2 customers that went there 2-3 times a year. Very unfortunate and sad. read more

I've spent like 20 years coming here as my dad's FAVORITE 'mexican' restaurant. And it was always mine too. I'm in my mid 30's and for as long as I can remember my dad and I always got the SAME THING. Wet beef burritos. We used to be here 3, 4 times a month. Perfection. The waitresses took our order, it came perfect, every single time. For 20 YEARS The last 2 years we have been maybe 4 times total. We ordered our 'wet beef burritos' and suddenly the waitresses had no idea what we were talking about. "You want beef burritos?" No... the wet beef burritos, that we've ordered for 20 years. Like beef burritos with the sauce on them..." And they started bringing us beef burritos with the sauce on the side. The first couple times we were ok with it... whatever, we'll pour it on ourselves. But it wasn't the same. We spent a year getting dry burritos with sauce on the side even when we specify NOT ON THE SIDE. ON the burritos. Then the last year.... everything tasted different. Our wet beef burritos that we added our own sauce to started tasting like plastic. And after taste we can't explain. The cheese was like... a cheaper version of the original or something but it hasn't ever been the same. Our favorite appetizer, the queso, after 20 YEARS OF PERFECTION went from being thick, stringy deliciousness to watery mess. I'm actually getting upset as I write this because the consistency was unshakeable my entire life... and now these last 2 or 3 years have been absolutely awful. read more

Love the crispy corn chicken tacos and brown gravy enchiladas ,the Mexican sandwich was a big hit also , service was excellent always a very clean restaurant read more

Nice food, welcoming service, quick serve. Nice and warm greenhouse room to stay during winter. Fair price too! read more

Mexican Gardens - Tacos al Carbon & Chicken Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. My server told me they had no lemons or limes for my beverage, even though the bar had them. I go to the bar to ask for a lime wedge and get told by the store manager that I have to get it through my service so that I can be charged for it. Charged for a singular lime wedge. This place is still stuck in 2020 with the servers too scared to touch a lime and everybody wearing masks with dividers everywhere. Feels like we're still in a pandemic in this sad excuse for a Mexican restaurant. read more

In the area, starving and not familiar with the restaurants in Southgate. We stopped at a place called Bj Brew house, checked out their menu and found that they had no seafood options which doesn't work for me... we searched some more and came across this Mexican restaurant!!! Boy am I glad we did. Upon entering we were kindly greeted and seated and soon as our tushes hit the leather we we given ice water, homemade soup (which was magnificent) chips and salsa. We ordered our food, I had shrimp fajitas and my sister had chicken enchiladas she said her chicken enchiladas had the best enchilada sauce she had ever tasted. My fajitas were delectable!! A tad bit pricey for fajitas (18 dollars) but worth it so no complaints. Also, they had a very clean bathroom! And..... the guacamole is to die for, literally. read more

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I got invited to mother's day by my son. The wife got a really delicious Double Chicken Fajitas she Loved. Grandkids ate good Chicken Nuggets and Cheese Quesadilla. They ordered a Queso Fundidio which was spot on Wonderful . Me the Old School Mexican Sandwich with chunky Beef absolutely worse ever eaten. I was raised on these in Sw Detroit, never had one with the Meat outside. Had chunks of potatoes. Zero flavor and extremely overpriced 16 bucks never again. My dogs devoured the leftovers. A super waiter on top of his game 5 stars for him. Place packed with Happy Gringos eating TEX MEX food, not a true authentic Mexican restaurant which we have 60 plus to choose from Downriver. Just not for me, you may like it, search out the smaller Mexican Taqueria places for True Mexican food where Mexican families eat. #texmexfood #mexicansandwich #fajitas #quesofundidio #greatservice #highprices #downriverclassic #downriverfriendseat read more

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Ordered carry out tonight for our anniversary dinner. Food was warm, not nearly hot nor was it cold. We ordered 2 of the $11 enchilada meals, one chicken, one ground beef, both with rice & beans. The enchiladas were very small but were at least tasty. The rice had an odd, almost burnt smoky flavor to it; We didn't care for it. Ordered a small bag of chips ... $4 for a small which were cold & didn't come with salsa! How coukd they not be warmed up?? Not worth it!! $1.50 each for a small bottle of water and a can of Coca-Cola. We could've purchased a larger plastic 20 or 24 oz bottle for $1.60 up the street! We had to request napkins & plasticware as they do not come w/the meals. $30 before tip for 2 small meals, 2 beverages and a bag of chips? I'm glad we decided to support a local company over a national chain, but I don't feel we received our monies worth :-/ read more

Mexican Gardens - Chicken enchilada meal w/rice & beans - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

I heard mostly good things about Mexican Gardens, so we decided to come here after a swimming lesson at the YMCA. After all, it was Taco Tuesday. We started with a large bowl of guacamole. The avocados were fresh, but it was lacking in flavor. There didn't seem to be any hitn of lime or even salt. I was pretty disappointed. I settled on the Mexican Combo, which comes with a cheese enchilada, tamale, taco and tostada with rice and beans on the side. The cheese enchilada and tamale weren't too bad, but I have to say the beans were awful. They are pretty much refried beans from a can and they weren't too tasty or even visually appealing to look at. The taco was okay and the same beans were on the tostada so I didn't even attempt to eat it because I didn't like that taste at all. The place was busy, there were quite a few customers, but overall I just wasn't too into the food. My friend ordered the enchiladas, and only ate one and didn't eat the rest. He wasn't impressed either. There are so many other good local Mexican restaurants, this may be my least favorite. read more

Mexican Gardens - Mexican Combo - Mexican Near Me - Southgate, Michigan

Worst service ever. Dirty and unsafe. Phones are down and so I walked in to order and STILL received wrong carry out order. Left and came back. Hostess dropped a fork on the filthy carpeting and started pulling apart the wrong food with it, breathing all over it while talking . Telling me to keep the food. Grossest experience of my life so far almost. Walked out. TOTAL WASTE OF TIME & MONEY If you care about your body do not walk in these doors. Yuck. read more