| Address | 3300 Wisconsin Ave.NW, Washington, DC 20016 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Mon-Thu; 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Fri & Sat; 10:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sun |
| Phone | (202) 686-7222 |
| Fax | (202) 362-5649 |
| Website | www.cactuscantina.com/ |
Decent Tex-Mex food that beats the pants off of the chain restaurants. Go for such options as the fajitas and their specials. Be prepared to deal with long waits and the occasional novice server. Their sister restaurant, Lauriol Plaza, offers a somewhat better menu, but its popularity means even longer wait times for seating. At least you quickly get tortilla chips and a respectable salsa dip once you sit down at your table at both restaurants.
amazing veggie fajitas - different from the sister restaurant lauriol plaza, but almost as good, and without the wait. service is spotty - on this night it was terrible, but it's been great in the past. and they keep their kitchen open later than most restaurants in town, even on weeknights.
Out of this world food, very fresh and authentic. The tortillas are made right on the restaurant floor and taste like nothing I've ever had. Margaritas are just okay, but the food is amazing. Incredible deal for outstanding food - make sure to try the chicken soft tacos and the guacamole.
Definitely get the tortilla soup -- the best thing on the menu we tried. Guacamole was good and the smoky salsa and extra thin chips worth visiting for. The spinach quesadilla, however, was bland and soggy.
Recommend this place for a drink and happy hour, but not the best for dinner.
This was my first time here and I was plesantly surprised as I typically don't like Mexican or Tex-Mex food.
We went as a team dinner for work and sat outside. Service was good, though not real quick and not as attentive as we would have liked. For example, we ordered a chile con queso and it came only moments before our entrees arrived and long after we had ordered.
The Margaritas are great and appropriately strong.
All in all - a pretty decent place. And much better than Guapo's down the street in Tenleytown
Wanted Hot Tortilla soup on a cold Dec. Night.
The soup was delicious and almost a meal in itself.
The main course was also big and filling with all the accompaniments.
Next time will probably have soup and a started as the main course.
The Lamb is cooked perfectly and not charred or underdone. The spinach enchilada is has lots of variety in the accompaniments.
Service was fast and friendly.
The only complaints: The chips before the meal need less oil on them and the presentation of the soup could be improved. Less sloshing and a bit of flare.
Great place to grab some drinks and chips and hang out in a lively atmosphere, but I would not seek it out for dinner. The margaritas and pina coladas are good, but the sangria is just ok. However, I have eaten there a few times and never been satisfied with the meal...always greasy with little taste. Stick with the drinks and salsa and have a good time with friends!
I always love going to Cactus Cantina with a few of my close friends. We have some great memories here and have had some delicious meals (especially fajitas) and margaritas. There's almost always a wait for a table and for your food, but it's well worth it, especially while enjoying chips and salsa.
It's an excellent place to go to in a big or small group as they are always accommodating.
If you haven't tried the Cactus, you should!
The crab and shrimp quesadillas were fantastic and, wow, I could not BELIEVE how strong my margarita was! (I mean, I guess I'm not complaining, but then I was trapped there, unable to drive for at least an hour and a half!!)
This and its sister restaurant Lauriol Plaza are very popular but the food isn't that good. Try Alero on Conn. Ave. in Cleveland Park and DuPont Circle instead. That atmosphere is much quieter and there's the very best Mexican food.
How much money have I dropped at this establishment over the past decade? (How many times have I stumbled down the street after a few margaritas to lie on the Cathedral lawn?)
This is the best Mexican restaurant in town. Even my mother, who lives in LA -- home of excellent Mexican food -- made me take her here TWICE when she visited because she was so impressed.
I love everything about the food, the ambiance, the outdoor patio tables... This is one of the few places where the margaritas don't have a strange, slightly chemical off-taste. And man, do they go well with the fresh chips and salsa.
The only complaint I have is that the amount of cheese on dishes like chicken enchiladas has decreased dramatically over the years. A minor point, though, cos they still taste great.
Cactus Cantina is the sister restaurant to the well known Lauriol Plaza. While the Plaza has a line out the door on Friday or Saturday nights, there are always tables at the Cantina. Cactus Cantina also offers great outside seating, which is harder to get on the recent warm days, but the enormous dining room inside, rarely turns people away.
The meals at Cactus Cantina are hot and hearty. They have an assortment of combination plates when you just can't decide between the enchiladas or tacos. Cactus Cantina's menu is also enormous giving tons of options to picky eaters. The complimentary chips and salsa are also excellent, coupled with a pitcher of margaritas or sangria, Cactus Cantina makes a great place for a large party or happy hour crowd.
Cactus, like its counterpart Lauriol Plaza, is a great place to get some Tex Mex food. And OHHHHH the margaritas... they keep me coming back! The wait is less lengthy at this Cleveland Park establishment than you'll find at the downtown Lauriol and the clientele is more "college" than young adult. But, the food is still delicious and the staff is great!
This place has the best Tex-Mex in DC! The beef fajitas and guacamole are to die for! The swirl margaritas aren't bad either but watch out - they're strong!
Cactus Cantina is a neighborhood place that is worthy of a drive from MD or VA. The margaritas are kind of strong, but very tasty. The fajitas look and taste great. Just remember to order cheese and sour cream to go with the fajitas, as they are only served with pico de gallo and guacamole. The chile con queso is meatless, but still disappears quickly, especially when eaten with warm, fresh soft tortillas. The wait staff can get a little harried, but the food is totally worth any service issues.
