Mexican Cafe - Annapolis

**Critical Review:** The Mexican Cafe's main advantage is its convenient location within walking distance of downtown Annapolis, making it a suitable place to kick off a bar crawl with hearty appetizers and a margarita before heading into the main area. While their margaritas are enjoyable, it’s unfortunate that they are served in plastic cups, which feels rather inappropriate for a $10 drink. Additionally, the salt doesn't adhere well to the plastic rim, resulting in a sticky mess that ends up all over your hands. When it comes to authenticity, the food leaves much to be desired. A significant portion of the menu features deep-fried items and dishes smothered in cheese, leaving you feeling overly stuffed by the end of the meal. Moreover, the lingering smell of fried food tends to cling to your clothes and hair long after you leave the restaurant. On my last visit, my girlfriend and a friend ordered two different steak options: steak tacos and steak fajitas. Unfortunately, the steak was overcooked and tough, resembling leather—definitely inedible, so we sent it back. We opted to replace the steak tacos with shrimp tacos, which were disappointing due to their stingy portion of shrimp. However, the chicken fajitas we ordered instead were satisfactory. Lastly, the service at the Mexican Cafe is typically slow and leaves much to be desired in terms of efficiency.

The food here is fantastic, delivered in a relaxed and friendly setting. We were barely seated when chips and salsa arrived at our table—what’s not to love? The menu offers a mix of traditional and diverse options. I’ve never had a bad meal here, even since their early days on Forest Drive in Bay Ridge. The portions are generous and made with care. They also have a wonderful array of cocktails, including some delicious margaritas! If you're looking for a fun and satisfying dining experience in West Annapolis, this is the place to go!

Terrible service. My friends and I visited this restaurant and waited 45 minutes just to have our simple non-alcoholic drink orders taken. Meanwhile, other diners who arrived after us received their food and drinks before us, and we ended up waiting nearly an hour. To make matters worse, the management staff was rude and dismissive when we inquired about our wait time. They have lost three customers because of this experience. I do NOT recommend this place at all.

We have been here before and it was nice fun. Today it went downhill. Walked in it was early evening and wait staff mumbled and look unhappy to see us service got worse. Waitress spent her whole time talking to couple. Food was slow. Restroom was dirty and overflowing garbage. Looks like they need owner on premises. Too bad.

I absolutely adore this cozy spot! Every dish is delicious, but the stuffed jalapeños are truly the highlight! They have fantastic food and drink specials every day of the week, and when the weather is nice, the patio offers a delightful atmosphere. It's one of my favorites!