This review is for lunch at Tortas. This seems to be the one of most authentic Mexican restaurants in the area based on other reviews. I had the carne asada and carnitas taco plate and a small chicken enchilada with mole sauce. The carne asada and pork both seemed pretty dry to me. The chicken in the enchilada was ok and the mole sauce tasted pretty decent. The rice and beans tasted like those of any other American Mexican restaurant. Business was slow and the server was very attentive and friendly. I would probably eat elsewhere and save my Mexican appetite for another time and place. read more

Best authentic tacos in Lawrence. The chorizo is my favorite. I am also a fan of the cheese enchiladas and the guacamole. I wonder if this place ever gets busy. The times I've been, there were few to no other patrons. My boyfriend loves the fish and chicken tacos. Skip the salsa. It's not free, and it's barely edible. read more

I won't go here again. The chips and salsa aren't free and they just aren't good. We got a pork taco that tasted like old gross pork and it was disappointing. read more

The food was simply not good. I ordered the enchiladas and the red sauce taste like it came straight out the can and it was cheese deprived. I mean whats the point of enchiladas if ain't cheesy. Also they dont give free chips and salsa. I left still hungry. read more

The food is magnificent here. The chips are made of thick mealy corn tortilla, the salsa has complexity and is expertly spiced, the menu is authentic. It's obvious there is dedication and love for food here. read more

Have loved this spot since it was in a gas station. And the patio is great.

I'd have to say it's one of the 2 best Mexican places to eat in Lawrence. Tortas Jalisco and Cielito Lindo.

Excellent food and friendly service. The menu extends well beyond standard Tex-Mex fare. And the fresh- and house-made chips are excellent.

Service was pretty slow, waited forever to order anything. Food was ok, green salsa was ok not amazing. All and all its your average tex mex joint. read more

Seriously, this place is a gem. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the world. Go, you won't regret it.

We ordered take out from here a while ago, and it was one of the better Mexican restaurant experiences I've had in town. The food was fresh and as close to authentic as one could hope for in Kansas. read more

If you're looking for some Americanized version of Mexican food, this is not the place to go. The family who runs this restaurant is actually from Mexico and the menu reflects their roots. I'm no expert on Mexican cuisine but I can tell you that I've never had anything like what they serve at Jalisco's at any other restaurant. I've tried almost everything on the menu over the years I've been going there and it's not all for everyone. Some of it is quite spicy and some of it is kind of greasy. You have to know what you like and that can mean trying a few things that don't quite hit the spot to find the ones that do. That's just life. And if you want to try something that is more authentic than Tex-Mex or fast food, this is absolutely the place to go. You will have to appreciate this restaurant for its uniqueness or you'll just plain miss out on a great gastronomic experience. Keep an open mind! Many people complain that the chips and salsa aren't free and that does kind of suck. But they make both the chips and salsa fresh in the restaurant. It's worth paying a bit extra for some quality ingredients and amazing flavor. This isn't something from a jar or the back of a Sysco truck. It's real food. And it tastes sooo good. Just beware that it's probably spicier than the salsa most of us Kansans are used to. Also, refills are free and they'll let you take it home. If you ask nicely, they'll give you little cups w/ lids for the salsa. Well, they would probably still do it if you asked rudely but why be that person? If you're going here for the first time and you're not sure what to try, the tortas are a great choice. They're just sandwiches and the bread is delicious. Also, if you're an early riser, the breakfast dishes are incredible. My favorite thing about this place overall is that simple ingredients like beans, rice, chicken and corn come together as truly delicious flavors that never disappoint. I recommend this place to everyone I know. And I've seen a few picky eaters really enjoy themselves here. read more

By far the best Mexican restaurant in lawrence but still not up to my standard. Carnitas soft tacos were ok, pork did not taste freshly made but was still good, sauce excellent! Too bad flies bugged me throughout my dinner. read more

My boyfriend had been coming here for years and always told me it was the best Mexican restaurant in Lawrence. I didn't believe him until I visited for the first time and ordered the tacos nopales. They were so good! I also ordered a premium margarita. Sooo good. I can't say enough nice things about the staff and the food. read more

I remembered this place being good years ago. Came back and it was so bad. Service is lacking. My chicken was pretty raw in spots and the carne Asada taste like it was from something pre made or frozen. Super bummed. I'd suggest Taco Bell over this one. read more

First off, if you think you deserve free chips and salsa just because you walk into a Mexican restaurant, then have fun at On The Border and leave the real Mexican food for those who can appreciate it. Best Mexican food in town, some of the best I've had since I moved here from the southwest. Excellent horchata, which is always nice after going into every other "Mexican" joint in town and getting blank stares when I ask for it. I'm not usually a big fan of nachos but the ones here will knock your socks off. Warm, freshly fried chips, piled high with all the toppings. Although I've had a couple items that were merely average (the pork chimi, if I recall), for the most part I haven't been disappointed. I find it a good rule of thumb to order one of the specials -- I had blue corn enchiladas once that were fantastic. The fajitas are amazing, as well. Also, they're quick, friendly, and able to deal with large parties. And reasonably priced. Their actual tortas would make an excellent lunch, if I was ever there at lunch time. Also, they apparently serve a breakfast on weekends now which I would love to check out some time. read more

This place has been on a long down-hill slide. I haven't been back in some time but went back quire recently. It's a no go now. Chips are the usual quality, but the salsa is crap. The red salsa tastes like they're using canned tomato juice. It's lost it's nice smoky flavor. The green salsa is as mild as can be and also lacks flavor. The burrito was smaller than usual, but I don't mind that. I hate to mention a competing restaurant, but if you were a big fan of there chips. Go downtown and hit up Mexquisito. Last I checked they were still doing things right. read more

This was the worst Mexican restaurant I have ever been to. You have to buy chips and salsa which is unheard of for a Mexican restaurant, the salsa also was not very good. The food all was below average and the service was also terrible. I really regret coming and wasting money at this restaurant and wouldn't recommend it to anyone read more

I've been eating at Tortas Jalisco for years and have tried most of the things on the menu at one point or another. I have rarely been anything but thrilled with anything I have ever had. Hands down, my favorite place to eat. We always order the chips and salsa. The green salsa is the best I've ever had. The red takes a little getting used to because it doesn't have a real tomato-ey flavor. It's has kind of a smokey/chili pepper thing going on. The chips are the best I've ever had. Do I wish that it was complimentary? Sure. But I don't mind paying for this kind of quality one bit. The queso is also amazing, but we rarely get it just because it costs more and the salsa is so good. I have several favorites, but I would definitely recommend the gorditas (this ain't Taco Bell, trust me) or the California tacos above everything else. It's had to imagine being disappointed by those two. Also, don't be afraid to try the specials. Not every one is a home run, but they're always interesting. Oh, and the rice and beans are great here. That's something that can really separate you from the pack. The service can be a little slow, but that mostly due to the small number of employees. However, I've never had anything but positive experiences with all of the staff. They are very friendly and always take the time to answer any questions you might have. I have taken many people here over the years and not all have had as strong of a positive reaction as I have, but I don't think anyone has disliked it. I will caution you that if you like your "Mexican" food covered in cheese you will probably be disappointed. I urge you to give it a try. read more

I went here for the first time tonight because my friend told me how amazing it was. I ordered a chicken burrito and not but three bites into it i found a huge bone that was as round as my finger and about 4-5 inches long! It took them over 10 minutes to even take the plate out of my face.The manager was very unapologetic and did not give me my meal for free or even at a discount. I will not be going back! read more

Tortas Jalisco - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

To me, many Mexican restaurants seem approximately the same with a few nuances. Tortas Jalisco seemed to be a bit more different from the norm. To start off, on a not-so-good note, no free chips. I was a bit sad at first, but it saves you from eating the bottomless basket of chips and then having room for two bites of your entree. They did bring out the salsas with our meals, however. The salsas are different from what you find at most places; I did not love nor dislike them. The menu featured a number of tacos, Mexican sandwiches (the namesake tortas?), and also some items I recognized from a recent trip to the southern Pacific coast of Mexico - nopales and chilaquiles. My companion ordered the fish tacos, and enjoyed them greatly, and I ordered a tamale. The tamale was shaped a little differently than what I'm used to seeing, and was a bit spicier, but tasty. They offered black beans instead of the typical refried beans on the side. I also ordered a horchata, which was quite tasty. I really don't know much about horchata, and how it "should" taste, but I recommend if you are looking for a cool, sweet cinnamony drink. I was kind of in the mood for a chile relleno, which does not appear on their menu. Service was fast and friendly, prices fairly inexpensive. read more

Service was slow. The waiter tried to excuse this by saying he got more tables sat, but when we looked around on our Thursday night visit, there was only 2-3 tables total with people. Waiter never brought my friend a water even after asking him to three times, and he acknowledged the request each time. "Bean dip" was just refried beans with a little mozzarella melted on top. Homemade chips had no seasoning and we very oily. The salsa that came with the chips was pure liquid, but had an okay flavor, the green having a decent spice. When I asked for a chunky salsa, or pico de gallo, or even just diced tomatoes, waiter said they had nothing else. Um, pretty sure there were tomatoes on my friend's fish tacos when they came out. My rice was so over cooked it was mushy and looked like cous-cous or quinoa. The house specialty mole enchiladas were bland. Waiter didn't split our checks (there were four of us) automatically, and it was an ordeal to do so manually up at the bar. read more

This is my favourite Mexican restaurant in Lawrence. I keep going back there time and time again. I always go for any of the shrimp dishes and they are excellent. The spices are just right and the food didnt take too long to arrive. I was there for dinner and brunch/lunch and it was all good. Plenty of parking space. It's kinda hidden away from the main road (6th) but if you see Spangles, you've missed the turning. read more

Paying for chips and salsa? That's a turn off. Additionally, the chips were too thick in my opinion. Salsa, beans, and rice was very bland. In fact most of my food tasted bland except for an overpowering amount of jalapeños. The service was mediocre and they messed up the check at the end. Would not go back. read more

This place has excellent food, though it is pretty on par with the other Mexican restaurants in Lawrence. The reason I give it -2 stars is they charge for chips & salsa and the prices and quality are around the same as their competitors. read more

Easy parking, quick & attentive service (we were only 1 of 2 tables there). Chips and salsa were $3, but we ordered them anyway. The green salsa is something different and fun to try. Didn't love our food - enchiladas & tacos. Enchiladas were bland and the homemade sauce wasn't tasty. Tacos were bland as well until we poured green sauce on them, but did have fresh veggies. We went to try a new Mexican restaurant, but won't be back to this. read more

OK, to be honest, there isn't a single particularly good Mexican restaurant in Lawrence, which is rather disappointing considering the plethora of options in KC and Wichita. While the other Yelp! reviews might complain about mediocre enchiladas or rice, I'm just kinda sad that's what's people are eating at a restaurant that says "authentic Mexican food" on the sign at a place called TORTAS Jalisco. And the real shame is that the tortas are merely okay. The meat on the torta comes in strange tiny cubes, perhaps in an attempt to increase the surface area for marination. Unfortunately, the meat still end up dry and unsatisfying. This place doesn't really work out for foodies in search of "authentic Mexican food" in Lawrence. read more

Great experience. Not the norm Tex Mex fare, much better than the "chain" restaurant food. Loved the warm homemade tortilla chips, green salsa and queso blanco. Three of us dining. Specials were one of a kind and excellent, including shrimp poblano and variety plate. Bathroom freshly cleaned and mopped. Will definitely go back. read more

Reasonably solid Mexican (probably a 2.5 stars in So Cal). I have been here multiple times, and have never had the negative surprise of "queso" a.k.a. the plastic cheese product so popular in the Midwest. Remember that this is Kansas, so real Mexican food is worthy of bonus points and your patronage. If that is the food you want. read more

Ate there last night for the first time. Afraid it will be the last time. Terribly understaffed - one waitress. We had to seat ourselves (no big deal), but waited so long we finally went to the front and got our own menus. Had to pay for chips and salsa (first time I've incurred that), then when our meals came the plate was hot, but the food was cold. So disappointing. read more

I don't care that you have to pay for their chips and salsa...I would bathe in that green salsa if I could! Their tacos are delicious and authentic, too. Squeeze a little lime on the chicken tacos with some green salsa...heaven. read more

We were visiting my mother-in-law in Lawrence and we took her here, thinking it would be a nice outing. We love mexican food and I spent many years in SF's Mission eating at the taquerias. Well, the here food was excellent. The chips were fried fresh and and the salsas were fresh and tasty - the red had an authentic bitterness and the green was spicy. My wife had the guacamole and she loved it but I found the raw onions in it a bit much. The chiliquiles (w.o. egg) were the highlight for me. The downside is that the decor was low budget with the big girlie poster and long parlor tables but for the price, it was OK. I would repeat. read more

First off it's a terrible location, but you can't really help that so I went anyway. I got the steak burrito, it looked good but the steak didn't look or taste like fresh steak. All the steak pieces were identical and they were small and rubbery. The cheese dip was the best part . read more

Service is mheh. Food is the most unique Mexican food in Lawrence but falls short flavor wise.

My favorite Mexican food restaurant in Lawrence! Food is authentic, staff is friendly and prompt, and great prices!

This place has horrendous food, the meat tasted old and dry, the rice and beans tasted so bad i could hardly eat them. I barely ate half of my food and I asked for a take out box out of Politness. When i got home i dumped my food in my Trash can, and my hound dog who loves food and always looks for a snack, didn't even bother to try to eat it. Never again !!!! read more

Just OK mexican - I have had better in Lawrence. Expensive and not worth the money

Absolutely must try! Authentic delicious food! Not Tex-Mex style. Very different flavors. I am now addicted to their green salsa.

A Mexican restaurant has to be pretty bad for me not to like it and I found just the place tonight. The NOT complimentary tortilla chips were way to hard but great if you enjoy stale pita chips. The salsa was colored water. The entrees were disappointing at best. The atmosphere was as charming as a prison cafeteria and the margaritas were an insult to Mexico. I understand it used to be inside a gas station, which makes perfect since because when I got home I was full of gas. I recommend this place to nobody. read more

Great food. Service is a little odd at times but the food makes up for it. Chilaquiles is the best I have had.