I really like this place. It's a great restaurant for comfort-style food that won't break your wallet. The truth is, Mexican is ALWAYS the right move. The nachos here are probably some of the best I've had. The quesadillas and enchiladas never disappoint. They have lunch deals that give you smaller portions for less $$ and it definitely is a convenient way to try out Tios if you've never been. It's nothing too special, hence why only 3 stars, but they're good at what they do and I enjoy the food. Lunch wasn't busy last time I went, but it could've been because it was right before break. Otherwise dinner was definitely hopping. If you're in the mood for some Mexican food outside of Chipotle, can't go wrong https://instagram.com/p/_cHcPrmQAt/ read more

Tio's Restaurant - Nachos grandes - Mexican Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Stop, don't go here. You can find a better Mexican spot in downtown Anne Arbor like Pancheros or Isalita. This place is a Tex-Mex restaurant, which if you are familiar with good Mexican food that translates to this is not good Mexican food. Also, they charge you extra for the meat on their a la carte plates, which is so moronic. They charge $11 for a chimichanga but charge $2.5 extra for any meat. Just add the meat and don't charge $13.50 for a pretty mediocre dish. read more

Tios is an Ann Arbor favorite for me. The enchiladas are really good. The best thing about tios is there crazy selection of hot sauces. You must ask for a wide variety of hot sauces and try them all out with your food, it's the funnest part. The churros are also really good as well as the tres leches cake. Those two are my favorite things there. read more

Tio's was one of my favorite spots when I lived here five years ago. By the look of the reviews on here, I was really worried I'd go back and have all my nostalgia be crushed. While this place clearly isn't killing it, I was so happy to get a few old favorites and see that they haven't changed much. The queso here is bomb and that hasn't changed. The nachos are still as I remember them too (probably pretty gross for you health-wise, and that's how I love them). I also got fajitas and they were unremarkable but not bad. Parking is the nightmare I remember it to be, but thankfully there's a parking garage not too far away. Overall, it's not the magical place I remember, but it's still not as bad as the one-star and two-star reviews. read more

Nope nope nope. Had a catered party from here, they didn't bring us everything we ordered and when confronted they stated next time we order they will hook us up. No thanks there will never be another time. Chicken was super dry, no sour cream, no quac, bland everything. Sopapillas were deep fried croutons with some cinnamon on them, bleh. read more

Love this place! The margaritas are wonderful, and they have delicious chorizo empanadas. It is hard to find a Mexican restaurant with empanadas. The short rib tostadas are also excellent. read more

I really want to like this place, but I'm always let down by the food whenever I come. The wait staff is friendly and attentive, and I've always had a great experience being seated and served (although it seems as though not everyone on Yelp have had this experience). The only glaring downfall is the food, but that's what we come for -- right? The most recent time I visited the spot, my friend and I had a variety of tacos, their burrito with ground beef, and a chimichanga with chicken. We came in pretty hungry, but ended up paying our bill having eaten only half of our food on our plates. And it wasn't because we were full. Other than a few special occasions like cinco de mayo celebrations, there is almost a guarantee that it won't be busy. They do have a fun trivia night on Mondays and I enjoy their guac (mostly because I enjoy all guacamole) -- but I can't really see myself voluntarily going there anytime soon. read more

My husband and I were in the city for the afternoon and we kept smelling the delicious smells from the parking garage, after asking where the yummy scent was coming from, we were told to head over to Tios. I remembered this place in college but I don't think I ever actually ate there, so I was excited to give it a try. It was a seat yourself situation being in the middle of the day on a Monday, and we sat down. We were greeted by a friendly woman who asked if we wanted anything to drink and then we never saw her again. We waited close to 10 minutes for someone else to come over to us to take our order and when he did, he was very nice. My husband had to get back to work and we were hoping for a quicker lunch, but that clearly wasn't going to happen. We waited for a while, probably close to 30 minutes for our food. And we were easily one of 3 couples in the entire restaurant. No reason it should have taken that long, given the lack of patrons. We both ordered beef chimichangas and a side of mexican rice. He also ordered fried plantains for us to share. The chimichanga was far too watery. When I cut into it, juices seeped from it. Also, a high content of beans, and not enough of the other things. It also had hints of nutmeg in it, which was odd to me and I didn't like. The rice, it had lots of stewed tomatoes in it, which I get can be part of mexican rice, but I didn't love them, also, it was overcooked and kind of mushy. The fried plantains were not what I was expecting. I anticipated fried-in-a-pan type plantain, not breaded and fried plantain. Which was super odd. All in all, not bad, but not great either, and probably will never go back. The decor in the place was quite nice though. There is a big blue sky with white clouds in the center and very spanish looking orange tiles with cobalt blue and emerald tiles. They have an array of hot sauces displayed as well for sale for gifting, or for yourself, and they all have very clever, punny names. I enjoyed the warmth of the place and wished I liked the food more. read more

I'm always impressed by the service and fantastic food. If we lived closer, we'd get to enjoy it more. The food is all fresh, served hot and you can tell that they take pride in it all. It's local-family owned and operated, not like most places. The owners are always there working and overseeing all aspects - including the menu. As new recipes are ready, they make their way onto the menu. Cornbread is some of the best I've had. My 6yr old would drink the queso with a straw if we let her. One item (that's not on the menu right now) was the pork chop with house-made Mole. The owners make the Mole with 21+ ingredients and it takes about 3 days! It's my Mole-of-choice and it's the one I compare all others to. I've never been disappointed with what I've ordered. Don't skip the Tequila either... A great selection. read more

We ate here this weekend and had a great meal. This is an old-school Mexican restaurant, with lots of traditional dishes, and some new-school tacos that were fantastic. Cannot recommend this place more and are excited to head back here next time we're in Ann Arbor. read more

Award goes to Tios for worst burrito in existence on Cinco de Mayo day fest, in which they held on the street with non-playing live music. Two $10 burritos, $4 Dos Equis, $11 Maragarita. $40 something and killed thought of checking out the restaurant for dinner. read more

Tio's Restaurant - Beef burrito. Baby food with traces of ground beef, similar to Taco Bells $1 bean burrito (Taco Bell taste better, no soggy wrap). - Mexican Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I just got refused service here for trying to use my valid government issued ID to order a drink. They would not listen to me nor let me show other forms of ID, they literally walked away from me. The drink doesn't matter but they embarrassed me and made me feel stupid. I'll be telling everyone I know not to go here. read more

From the large crowds tios seems to attract, you would expect the food to be a reflection of its popularity. Sadly, the masses of people who eat here have been duped. The food quality is very poor. It is rare to find bottom shelf ingredients being used so blandly and served in such small portions. The sour taste in my mouth comes not just from the "ketchup salsa" but by how tios blatantly overcharges the customers for what is clearly very cheap to make food. The owners feel no shame in this practice as they are never short of customers with the influx of thousands of students every year. It's too bad that a quick buck is more important than offering quality food that would bring me back into the restaurant. I suggest you look elsewhere. read more

If you're in the area with a hankering for Mexican, and a quick chipotle fix just won't cut it, Tio's is an acceptable option. Upon arrival, try not to look up; instead, find a table and order a drink as soon as possible. After consuming this drink, then you may crane your neck back at their interesting (?) attempt at painting a cloudy blue sky. If you've followed my instructions and raised you blood alcohol levels - even just a tad - then I can only hope for your sake that you won't be overwhelmed by the tackiness. Now, to be fair, there's some attractive (although discrete) tiling along the walls that should be more of focal point, and I respect the attempt at doing something different. Their classic margherita is OK- could've been stronger, and I doubt a single lime was squeezed in-house. Others commended their "margherita old-fashioned", and I'm inclined to agree as long as you like sweet drinks. Similar to the drinks, the tacos were adequate. I ordered duck, steak, and chicken tacos, and each one was mildly satiating. The above factors constitute a three-star review. However, I was disappointed with the hospitality when I politely asked the bartender to change the channel from NFL highlights to the MLB playoffs game (even verified with the football bros sitting at the bar). He said he was busy and would get to it when he could, but never did. And, alas, it turned out to be game for ages. read more

It's almost not worth Yelping about, but I fail to understand how this place continues to thrive despite poor quality food. It's not just that it's WannaMexican, the food itself sucks on a molecular level. I went here today for lunch at the behest of my officemates. It had been YEARS since I set foot in Tio's. How ironic it was to be waiting for our food while listening to The Doors "Light My Fire" in a pseudo-Mexican joint that does anything but. The similarities didn't end there. (coughcough) My taco salad was the most bland, boring pile of iceberg lettuce ever. Nothing has changed. On the upside, the service was good, but the place was pretty dead. Go figure. Maybe students have escaped The Matrix. They know they can get a better meal (and deal) at Chipotle on State Street. read more

Worst Mexican food EVER! And I'm not exaggerating. For $9.50 I just ate a "burrito" from Tio's. I'm not just displeased, I'm insulted, as should the Patron Saint of Mexican food be as well. First off, the shape: a burrito is not a bunch of crap slopped onto a tortilla and folded over. It should be round, with the edges tucked in. It should be pretty tightly rolled so that everything doesn't squish all over the place when you are trying to eat it. Second, and more importantly, it should have RICE!!! Not just any rice, but SPANISH rice. It's not hard to make. Start with rice, throw in canola oil, diced yellow onions, chili powder, tomato paste and some diced tomatoes. You're done!! And it won't hurt your profit margin because those ingredients are all cheap as dirt. What's more, your burrito won't taste like my hairy butt crack. Third, a vegetarian burrito is not simply a lack of meat. You should replace the meat with something like grilled bell pepper and onions. If you are NOT going to do this, then you should charge LESS for the veggie "burrito." To do otherwise is just evil. What I received was a glop of refried beans, with a bit of diced tomato and some red onion (never use red onion for Mexican food, it's always yellow). And if someone asks for no cheese but guacamole instead, PUT IT ON THE DAMN BURRITO! Don't make me do it. What you are selling is known, in the Mexican food world, as a BRC (Beans Rice Cheese) minus the R. And it usually costs about a $1.50. Because you can make it for about $.30. To charge $9.50 for this insult in a tortilla is maddening. If it hadn't been at a festival with lots of happy people I'd have angrily gave it back to you and explained all of this. But happy 12 year-olds staid my hand. This is why we have capitalism, ideally. So that a real Mexican food restaurant will come along and make good, cheap burritos and put you out of business. I hope you DO become a parking lot, or a whole in the ground, or even just a smoldering pile of refuse, as this would bring more good to the world. Tio's Restaurant? GO DIE!! read more

Expecting Tio's to be super-authentic Mexican isn't going to be too rewarding, as you've probably gathered from the other reviews. It's not my favorite Mexican food in Ann Arbor, but when I want a great milkshake and some nachos at the same time, it does the trick. And if it's late night? Even better. The restaurant just moved to the former Salsarita's location on Liberty. I have to say that I miss the previous location and the new space feels sterile in comparison. Part of it may be my own nostalgia, but part seems to also be that they really haven't fully settled in yet. Waitress service? The waitress was nice, but the change from ordering at the counter feels plain odd for now. I know it wasn't Tio's own choice to move, but it still feels a bit odd in the new digs. However, I'm happy they were able to find a new home (and that something positive came out of Salsarita's demise). Chances are, I'll wind up here again -- though it'll more than likely be a late-night drop-in. read more

We order carry out twice a week during this pandemic. We have a business that was shut down so we are careful to seek out the best options we can for a reasonable price so we can also support the restaurant community. We ordered for the first and last time from Tios. We picked it up and it was around $70 for four people. When we got home the order was not complete. The portions were very small and the food was not very good. We will NEVER order again. It was the worst experience we've had in the last 6 weeks. Terrible! read more

Horrible. Never got served and never coming back. We were seated quickly and our waiter took drinks and order. We waited 1/2hr+ before he came out into the dining area again and asked if we got our food. Which we obvious hadnt seeing as he was the only waiter working! We waited 15 more minutes without getting food or any additional service and left without being served. read more

After eating here I had the most serious spout of food poisoning I have ever had. After eating a taco ala carte my lips began burning profusely. When I got home the sickness started and did not stop for 10-12 hours. Two days off of work and all the offer me is a gift card. No thanks. I will not return. read more

Suggested Motto: "We misspelled 'authentic.'" (Or: "Tio's. Not for lunch.") (Or: "Non-Mexican food for people with too much money who don't know any better.") I went in for lunch, and I was mostly confused by the experience. The lunch menu was very small (a few options in small print on the back of the menu -- for example, only one kind of taco from the "taco bar" is on it). But the regular menu was very pricey (example: Chuletas $17.99) and not what I would spend for lunch. The place was mostly empty at 1pm on a weekday. Tio's seems uninterested in the lunch trade. Is the place a money laundering front? Maybe they make their money at night? I see they are open until 2am. But I persevered. As a native Californian, I know from experience it is difficult to find actual Mexican food or even Tex-Mex in Michigan. I've learned to lower my standards. And that's just what I got at this place -- low standards. I just noticed on the online menu they've misspelled the Spanish word for "Authentic" (the word is auténtico, they've got "authentico"). Seriously. You can't make this stuff up. I ordered three tacos, the auténtico (beef), the papa (potato), and the tingas (chipotle chicken). The papa was marked as a house specialty and it was good, but it reminded me of an appetizer that might be dreamed up by a national bar franchise. Potatoes! With cream! Wrapped in a tortilla! The tingas taco was unexceptional (but why is this taco's name plural while the others are singular?). The auténtico was terrible. It had no flavor at all. The salsa, which could have saved the day, was also flavorless. The tortillas were bleh. My big revelation when the waitress brought the food was, "Oh, no. I guess I'll have to go somewhere else and eat again." I spent $12.50 for lunch and I've only just made a dent. My auténtico was three teaspoons of ground beef for $2.49. Quite a profitable taco, I bet! (Oh wait, no customers. Never mind.) Another Yelp reviewer says that this is the place to go for milkshakes. Maybe it is. Whatever, man. But don't go for lunch. I just don't get what they are doing here. read more

I've lived in Ann Arbor for about 4 years, but I just recently visited Tio's, voted by Washtenaw County's Current magazine as the No. 1 Mexican restaurant consistently for years. I wish I still hadn't visited the restaurant. This is hands-down the worst Mexican food I have ever eaten. Even worse than the mushroom quesadilla I got in a Bay City, Michigan truck stop that advertised Mexican food. I made it about halfway through the overpriced web burrito that didn't even include rice and beans, and I suddenly felt very sick. Other than the fact they promoted other local business products in their restaurant, there is nothing redeeming about the food at Tio's. My vegetarian friend got the taco salad, which he described as BS. If you want real Mexican food, or at least food that won't make you feel sick, go somewhere else. On the upside, Tio's does have a nice assortment of hot sauces and salsas you can buy. That is the only reason Tio's gets 1 star, and also because I can't rate them any lower. read more

Tough crowd in the past reviews. I think online reviewers are naturally ornery folk. Last time I ate Tio's was last year, and unless it has changed horribly, Tio's is a fine place for Mexican food. Anyone who tells you that this is not true Mexican, probably doesn't understand there is more than one type of Mexican. Last I checked, there wasn't any Oaxacan style Mexican in Ann Arbor, but I digress. This is Americanized Mexican, and some of the best at that. I like Hot Dogs and I like Burritos. I recommend getting the Wet Burrito, the sauce is good and it lacks without it. Tio's never hits a homerun, but it can put down any Mexican food cravings. They probably still do their monthly salsa tastings (forgot which Sunday of the month), where you can try a bunch of salsas and chips, and they have a different special most days of the week. read more

Alot of locals hate on Tio's but I actually have a soft spot for this ridiculous place and I'm glad to see them settling in nicely into their new digs. The food, while certainly not the best Mexican you will have ever had (you've got to go to Ypsi to get good Mexican locally) will certainly hit the spot. I stick to the chicken tacos or the chicken nachos which are consistently good, even though it kind of tastes like something you could make at home. The owner is always around when I stop in- both at this location and the old one on Huron- and she's always friendly and accomodating. What keeps me going back to Tio's is the novelty of having a milkshake with my tacos. I don't know who came up with the idea of combining a full service "Mexican" restaurant with a make-your-own-milkshake menu, but it works for me. I recommend the peanut butter and chocolate combination. read more

Sorry people, Tio's is NOT Mexican food, and Taco Bell IS better. TB has put more thoughtfulness into their combination of flavors, seasonings, menu choices and uhh, HAVE more flavor. I know Tio's is an Ann Arbor institution, but that's about par for the course for a university town where students come from all over the world and may have at best limited knowledge of any authentic cuisines outside of their own or burgers and fries. Tio's is something unto itself, and for people who are too lazy to open a can of refried beans, pre-shredded 'cheese' and a pack of tortilla chips, I guess it works in a pinch. Sabor Latino is a short walk, and down State St. is the new Borimex Burrito place that really does have much closer authentic Mexican food. Lupita's in Detroit is the closest one can get to authentic Mexican food (and possibly Dos Hermanos in Ypsi). I would avoid Tio's at ALL costs. I have been to Mexio, (and Texas) and this is NOT even close to Mexican food, maybe if they changed their name to 'sort of Mexican food', or a hint of what Mexican's eat... There are enough Mexican immigrants (and local foodies) all over Southeast Michigan that could easily overhaul their menus and recipes to make Tio's a rousing success. read more

What was good: The delivery speed on a snowy day. What was bad: 1)I ordered 4 tacos for $2.50 a piece. They were all lacking in non-tomato based items. The tacos I ordered were the fish taco, Jamaican Jerk Salad Taco, Chicken Tingas Taco, and the Portabello Mushroom taco. I'm pretty sure the fish taco was a taco with fish sticks on it. The tingas taco came with more than just some lime juice coated on the chick but an 8th of a lime with skin and all which I unpleasantly found after biting in the my mountain of tomatoes, no chicken --chicken tingas taco. 2) I can go to Taco Bell and get the same quantity and quality for 1/4 the price. I've given Tios many chances since 2006 and I have to say nothing has changed. Less than mediocre and very overpriced. I'm done with Tios. Son I am disappoint. :-[ read more

Got 4 shrimp tacos, costed over 20$ and they wanted to charge for chips. Will never come back to this rip off

Disappointed. Overpriced. No flavor. No chips and salsa. Service not stellar. The waitress seemed bored with her job and ready to be done for the night. Having worked in a restaurant before, I know you have to have an upbeat attitude no matter how late and tired you are. First, I got a Sangria which was okay, not very sweet. At Mexican restaurants one would expect to get chips and salsa. It appeared that other tables did, but we did not. I'm not sure if you have to order them or what. I got the tacos authenticos. There was nothing authentic about the tacos. The meat was flavorless ground beef with specks of cilantro and onion. Typically authentic tacos are more of a steak flavored and garnished with cilantro and onion. What I had last night was plain ground beef with bits of cilantro and onion. You want good Mexican with a similar environment and don't want to worry about parking? Visit Maiz in Depot Town Ypsilanti. They also give you unlimited chips and salsa throughout your dining experience and the waitstaff is always friendly. read more

I was recently in Detroit to see the Red Wings take on the Blackhawks. We decided to go to Ann Arbor and see the University of Michigan, M-Den and "The Big House." After we got done at the M-Den, we were walking back to the parking garage and I saw this place. I recognized the name from Man vs Food. We decided to give it a try. Being from California, I have all the Mexican food I can imagine. When we sat down, I noticed the menu was very limited. I was shocked to find the place nearly empty considering it is right next to the University and we went around lunch time. The chips were very basic; however, their hot salsa had very good flavor. My cousin ordered the taco lunch special and I ordered the nachos grande. He enjoyed his plate. I didn't really care for mine. I got pork as my meat and had them hold the sour cream. The meat was very bland compared to most Mexican pork. The guacamole was typical guacamole. If I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't go back. The food was a little too bland and wasn't very complex. read more

The haters are right. This place is absolutely deserving of being hated on. It's rather expensive for the food they serve you---a meal will run about $10. The food is pretty boring. Even the hot sauce, which I have heard raved about sometimes, is unexciting. The hot sauce is somewhat spicy, and absolutely flavorless otherwise. For real tacos, go out to Ypsi. For cheap pseudo-Mexican affair, try Chipotle or BTB. read more

Had dinner here a couple of months ago, since we couldn't decide where to go, drove past, and I thought I might give them a try in their new location. My last Tio's meal was about 10 years ago, and after this experience, I realize I should have left well enough alone. There was a wait for a table, but no place to wait. So, the hostess asked for my mobile number, and told me to go take a walk around, they'd call me when the table was available. Ok... After 20 minutes, my phone rang. The call came from a 517 area code. Strange... Turns out, the hostess was calling me on her cell phone to tell me the table was ready. Now, call me crazy, but one could only think that with the prices Tio's charges for everything, they could afford to get the poor girl a telephone at the hostess station, so she wouldn't have to use her own. I can only assume this wasn't a clever way to get my number, because I am not attractive at all. On to dinner... After the waiter's eventual arrival (in fairness, the place is busy on Friday evenings, though I have no idea why), we ordered our dinner, starting with some non-complimentary chips and salsa. The chips tasted like they came from the supermarket (or perhaps Gordon Food Service), and the salsa was unremarkable. My girlfriend's tacos were barely average, while my burrito reminded me of why I stopped eating there a decade ago; regardless of how you order it, they're all the same. You get a soggy tortilla, stuffed with refried beans you could patch your driveway with, into which is mixed the barest trace of whatever meat you ordered, and thought you were getting. The Sangria was also the worst either of us have ever had. I think it comes straight from the 4-liter Carlo Rossi jug. In short, skip this place. You could get better Mexican food at the Wendy's Superbar, if Wendy's hadn't discontinued it. read more

Coming from California, I have pretty high expectations when it comes to Mexican food, but Tios is EXCEPTIONALLY bad. This place makes Chevy's seem authentic. I was REALLY disappointed by my meal there. I tried a bite of my friend's burrito at "Taste of Ann Arbor" and though it wasn't very good I thought it might just be the circumstances and having heard it was the "best Mexican in Ann Arbor" I thought I'd give it another chance. Now I can say, without a doubt it is the WORST Mexican I've ever had. A few points that really put it over the edge: 1) No free chips and salsa (come one, what Mexican restaurant doesn't provide that) 2) We ordered a side of chips and salsa. They may as well have been potato chips because the tortilla chips they served as were no where close to authentic. 3) The cheese in my burrito wasn't even melted. 4) They charged my husband for a refill on his soft drink. What is this Europe? Where in the US do you still have to pay for refills? Tios, apparently. 5) The service was terrible. I asked twice for a a box and the waitress didn't discount my husbands tacos (it was taco Tuesday). 6) The place SMELLS. Not in the good Mexican food way, but in the bad overused oil. I had to take a shower when I got home. I will not be returning to Tios. read more

The phenomena of charging for chips is something that I find to be distasteful and tacky. Overall the food was pretty good but pricey for what it is. Burrito, soup, empanada, came to just over $20 for lunch. Clearly I should have stuck to the special and that's it. Lunch burrito does not come with a side of beans or rice. Tuesday's lunch left me thinking this is the Spirit Airlines of Ann Arbor Mexican restaurants: you get a seat/entree but everything else is extra. Still undecided if I'll make this a regular place to drop by for weekday lunch. Our server, a taller blondish dude, was super fantastic. read more

This place has surely gone downhill since it opened. I really wondered what happened, because this place used to be my goto. It's been about 5 years since I was last here, but it's crazy to me how much can change in such a short period of time. While it has always been the only retauraunt I've ever been to that makes you pay for chips and salsa, the chips were always good until now. The salsa was tasty but the disgusting chips overpowered the taste of the salsa. Don't pay for nasty chips. I ordered the enchilada platter with beef. They key to Mexican food is always the seasoning of the meat and I was very disappointed with the quality of seasoning. The enchilada was also soggy which made for an even more lackluster dinner. I'm also not sure what happened with the beans that came with the meal. I've never had nasty beans at a Mexican restaurant and it's very rare that I dislike beans in general but I had to douse my beans in salsa because I hate to waste food. This trip was an overall disappointment. I gave it r stars out of respect for what it used to be and for the friendly staff, but had it been my first time there it would've been a one. read more

A few days before we moved to Ann Arbor, we had dinner at an AMAZING restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. Our server happened to be from A2, so we asked him about his favorite places in town. Tio's was one of his recommendations, so we sought it out when we were dead tired after a day of unpacking. Despite the rave recommendation, we were pretty disappointed in Tio's. Our server was earnest and helpful - when he was around - but our food took an exceptionally long time to arrive. We thought that chips and salsa were free, and ended up getting an order comped because our food was taking so long. When it finally did arrive, our fish tacos were tasty but unremarkable - but we were so hungry that it didn't matter. When our bill arrived, we, like many other Yelpers, weren't billed the correct amount for "Taco Tuesdays". We pointed this out to our server who promptly discounted our check, but the discounted amount was still more expensive than the bill should have been. The combination of unavailable servers, unremarkable food, and inaccurate billing pretty much guarantees that we won't be back again. read more

Tio's was a pretty big let-down. When we walked in, the waiting area was packed, even though there were plenty of open tables inside and out. Apparently they were down a waitress unexpectedly, which I understand happens, but there were people literally standing around rather than bussing tables, so my friend and I had to wait almost 25 minutes to be seated (while lusting after one of the many open patio seats). A quick look at the menu gave me a good case of sticker shock - WAY overpriced in my opinion. We were hoping to get some guacamole as an appetizer rather than just a side, but I felt totally gouged at 8 dollars for a tiny soup cup. We tried the sweet potato empanadas, mushroom burrito, and mushroom chimichanga. They were all okay, but nothing exceptional. I found everything very wanting for spice - even their "hot" salsa wasn't really hot! The margaritas were tasty, but not so amazing to warrant the 9-10 dollar price tag. Props to them on having a very vegetarian-friendly menu, but the food is not worth the price and the apparent lack of coordination of service was a big turn off. I won't be back. read more

Not the greatest place for Mexican food, although I am impressed with their tequila selection. For the quality of food, I think the price is too much. I had the mushroom enchiladas, and I found the food severely lacking in flavor--no salt, and a bunch of canned tomato sauce just poured right over the enchilada. There really wasn't anything stuffed into the enchiladas, and presentation wise looked like it came out of a microwave. I wasn't the only one who felt that flavor was lacking. I also would recommend NOT getting the Mexican pizza--my friend ordered it, and it did not look appetizing AT ALL. It looked as if it was sitting under a hot lamp for at good 15 minutes. The cheese looked like rubber, and the dried refried beans did not enhance the appearance at all. My friend didn't finish her food, and ended up finishing my friend's wet burrito instead since she was starving. I will say, their chip and guacamole was good. The avocados were nice and fresh, and I appreciated them making it right in front of us. Service: not the greatest. The waiters didn't seem like they knew what they were doing. We waited a good 30 minutes for our food, which doesn't include the time we had to wait for our drinks to be ordered, the chips to arrive, and the delay in getting the check served to us after asking. I'm giving this place two stars: one for the tequila selection, and one for the chips and guac. I don't plan on coming back any time soon--other Mexican food places to try instead! read more

I have to admit that Tio's has a special place in my heart, back in high school I used to go all the time since it was only two blocks from my school. Despite that, I think my rating is deserved. People love to rip on Tio's, and yes, some of their food isn't great. However, some of it is good. I like their wet burritos and enchiladas. Their corn bread is really good if you like sweet corn bread (which I do). What really pushed my rating up from 3 to 4 stars is their happy hour. It is really one of the best in Ann Arbor and yet no one seems to know about it. From 3-6pm Monday-Friday you can get good, huge $4 margaritas, $1 off beers, and $5 tequila flights (they have a good selection of tequila). Is it authentic Mexican food? Of course not. Will I go there every couple of weeks for nachos and margaritas? You bet I will. read more

I pretty much knew from the get go this would be some gringo Mexican, but their episode on man vs food intrigued me. First of all no chips and salsa at your table very lame. I tried their wet burrito and nachos. The wet burrito gets a C, very average ground beef and salsa, pretty bland. Their nachos get an F, first of all for ten dollars I except some queso, not just melted shredded cheese and beans, which is what, I was served. Additionally, I thought about ordering the chile reno and asked if I could have without onions, they told me it comes pre-packaged, this is seriously a place that could use the help of Chef Ramsey on kitchen nightmares. read more

My husband and I had lunch here yesterday. The ambiance was clean and comfortable, our server was friendly and attentive, and the food was just ok and overpriced. I ordered the portabello mushroom taco, the roasted edamame taco and the fish taco. All three were fine. I enjoyed that Tio's was being imaginative with their menu. The portabello taco was very flavorful although I thought it could use a bit more of the bean and mushroom filling. The roasted edamame taco was also fine. The individual edamame beans were delicious on their own; however their taste and texture were over powered by the spanish rice also included in the taco. The fish taco was spot on what you'd expect of a fried fish taco. Good, although it could have been better if topped with shredded cabbage and lime rather than iceberg lettuce. My husband ordered the taco salad which was a bit of a disappointment. It was a plate of tortilla chips topped with shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, black olives, diced tomatoes and a glob of refried beans. On the side was a serving of jalapeno ranch dressing. As you could assume, it was very bland. The dish easily could have been made at home, by a child. We also had margaritas. A sign in Tio's front window boasts they have the best margaritas in the state. I jokingly said to my husband "If these are the best margaritas in the state, we're in trouble". The margs aren't bad, they are what you'd expect at any passable Mexican restaurant. Nothing to write home about, but completely acceptable. Tio's is a place I know I'll probably return to from time to time but it'll never be a place I take friends from out of town - unless they want to take the $39.99 Mt. Nacheesmo Challenge, but my friends aren't really into stuff like that. read more