Tijuana Flats

Great food, excellent service. The hot sauce bar was very fun. The counter guy came over and explained the the 10 – 12 different hot sauces and dropped off some chips so we could try them out. Chipotle doesn’t stand a chance in this neighborhood.

This is another solid chain restaurant that as long as the management and staff have everything under control, the food should be as expected. Which is exactly what I have found at this location.

Got a couple of burritos, a chimichanga, and beans and rice along with chips and queso.
The veggies were fresh and crisp. The queso was a seemingly food-​processor-​mixed dip which reminded me of a Velveeta-​based queso dip; it was pretty tasty but a little more interesting chunkiness would’ve been better. As another reviewer mentioned some of the chips were stale; those that were included with an entrée were soggy, but a separate bag they provided were nice and fresh.
The meats were good, but like Moe’s and other Mexican places it seems like they focus on finding cheap, easy to cook meats and lean on the sauces and toppings for flavor. The problem is that there’s a disconnect between the bland flavor of the meat and the strong flavor of toppings; they ought to go together more harmoniously instead of just feeling like you’re chomping into a layer cake made of meat, cheese, veggies and sauces.
Their hot sauces assortment is great, ranging from «sissy» jalapeño-​based sauce to formidable endorphin-​rush-​inducing ridiculously hot sauces using Ghost Jolokia and Habanero and other crazy hot peppers. I’m a fan of spicy and there’s no shortage with their unlimited sauce bar.
I can’t dislike a place that has Sam Adams on tap, I’ll definitely be back to sample some more.

I LOVE this place’s dos enchiladas. They are delicious. I’ll definitely be ordering from them frequently in the future. The reason I did not give a full 5 stars is because the chips I have gotten the last 3 times I have ordered have been stale/​soggy. Not crunchy at all. If they change how they make their chips so they are crunch, I would give them a solid 5 stars.

Always love this location! However tonight when I called in to order (close to quitting time) the girl on the phone was kinda rude & basically rushed me off the phone! Usually I wouldn’t do this to a restaurant but when I was pregnant months back and always had late night orders the manager was always really nice when I called to place a order (&also in person) !! Which is why I thought it was okay. Now I know it’s not. Food was delicious as always tho!

I am a fan for life.

Go on Tuesdays for Taco Tuesday. 2 tacos, chips, and a drink for $ 5. Or Thursday for a burrito, chips, and a drink for $ 5! Awesome service!

Super friendly, clean, and pretty speedy service. Love the hot sauce bar. The only thing they should change is put tofu or some type of meat substitute for us vegans. Its a college town, lots of vegetarians and vegans. Other than that its still great food even if I have to use beans as a substitute in my burrito instead of meat! :)

It’s a solid Mexican chain restaurant. The quality at this particular store is good and it is also consistent. The menu has a wide selection of fare that ranges from tostadas to some big burritos. Tijuana Flats main attraction is the hot sauce bar. It goes from mild to wild. The food is good and the sauces are always fun to play with.
The service at this restaurant is pretty quick. Its good for a lunch spot on a fast paced workday. The wait staff at this store have always been quick and attentive. They are quick to get the tables wiped down and turned over when it gets busy. Your drink cup wont go empty either.
There isn’t much of an on tap selection, but if you’ve hit the hot sauce bar like you should have, beer only need be cold and wet anyways.
This store is generally more cleanly than other Tijuana Flats that I have visited. The restrooms at the store are much better when compared to others.
There is a small patio out front at this location that is nice to chill out on in the cooler weather.
I’ve tried to find something special about this place but its lackluster. Its missing ambiance, aura, atmosphere, and aspect. I suppose there are a few who might find this a good thing though.
Parking can be a complete pain here. Whoever designed the parking lot should be revoked from civil engineering. There isn’t enough parking and the lot doesn’t allow cars to leave or enter easily when its busy. If it is busy, save yourself from the scratch and dent follies and park in the Lowe’s lot. Its a short walk.
Thanks for reading my review. Click a link below and tell me what you thought. :)

TT@TF
Taco Tuesday at tijuana flats! Good food, fun, lively atmosphere. What’s not to like?
It’s infinitely better than Taco bell but also not a five star restaurant. Good food at reasonable prices.

This place is amazing! The best thing that i always recommend when i go with friends is to get the cookie doe flatas that come with chocolate dipping sauce. Every thing on the menu is great and if you come to this location instead of the University location you can actually find parking.

I’ve been meaning to try out Tijuana Flats for quite some time, but never got around to it until today. Today, I had a sudden, persistent burrito craving.
I no long eat at Chipotle (Google «Chipotle» and «guns» for details). I had also been meaning to try Willy’s Mexicana Grill but their Gainesville location has closed (apparently as of only a few days ago), and Tijuana Flats was next on my to do list.
So:
Insanely great service! Order at the counter, they bring it to you at the table (I ordered to go, but ended up eating at a table because it was pouring rain). The lady taking my order was more friendly than it’s possible to convey in text and extremely helpful in explaining the menu options. Then when I wandered over to the hot sauce bar (more on that in a minute), the manager happened by to discuss the sauces with me.
The place was also clean, invitingly laid out and decorated, etc. I’d have no problem taking my mom there if she was a burrito fanatic (she isn’t).
Now, the food: This is not a «San Francisco Mission District style» burrito. It’s more loosely wrapped, but it’s definitely a healthy portion and in the same general price range as the San Francisco style chains I mention above.
Instead of going down a line specifying each element and watching them build it, you order at the counter and it comes out a few minutes later (they were fast; they weren’t especially busy, of course, but usually slow places are slow even when they’re not busy).
I ordered the chicken and bean burrito, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that refried beans were an option. Not that I mind black beans, but refried are a favorite of mine. The included toppings from which to choose are jalapenos, onions, tomatoes, sour cream and lettuce. I had everything except the lettuce.
Their burritos come with a side of chips and a choice of salsa, queso or guacamole. I had the guacamole.
The burrito was hot (as in warm, not as in spicy), the ingredients (including the guacamole for chip dipping) all seemed to be fresh, and everything was delicious. I’m a big eater but I was reasonably full after eating, even considering that I split the chips and guac with my wife.
Now, the hot sauce bar. It didn’t occur to me to count the number of options, but 20 sounds about right. Sauces range from very mild to a «death wish» option weighing in at 1.2 million scovilles (the unit of «heat» measurement for these things).
I chose one of the «fairly hot» habanero-​based varieties labeled «Spank My Ass and Call Me Sally,» and spread just a little on my burrito. Plenty of heat, but plenty of good vinegar-​based hot sauce flavor, too. The key point here is that you can choose a sauce you’re comfortable with instead of getting stuck with something bland if you’re a heat-​seeker or having the roof taken off your mouth if you’re more of a mild type. Oh, and for those who can’t do without, they DO have an in-​house sriracha option.
After eating my burrito, I went back inside to take a little sample of the «death wish» sauce. This is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to know the scoville measurement of a sauce I was having, and I was a little afraid. But frankly it wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected. I wasn’t a big fan of the flavor (it’s a darker flavor and I do like the vinegar-​type), and the heat was a little bit uncomfortable but not «OMG, will someone PLEASE get me a gallon of milk!!!» or anything like that. I’m told they do sell hotter sauces by the bottle from behind the counter.
If I have any complaint at all about Tijuana Flats, it’s that they have no «shredded beef» option for their burritos. It’s ground beef or steak (or cheese, beans, pork, or chicken). But that’s not really a major complaint. The food is great, the service is great, the atmosphere is great, the price is reasonable. I’ll be going back.

Something is going on here. Last two times cold, gloppy, sloppy mess. I hope they get I it together soon. Used to love it.

Very good Mexican at a reasonable price. This place has tons of hot sauces and all the regular Mexican options. Try the fish tacos and plan for extra time if you go here around lunch because they’re packed.

I have a really hard time finding a safe and tasty place to eat since I have Celiac Disease. The manager bends over backwards to make sure I always have something awesome and safe to eat. I usually just take my own bag of tortilla chips, and he recognizes me and even double and triple checks to make sure I have an awesome experience dining out. Definitely recommended!

I looove Mexican food and I really wanted to like this place, unfortunately it just doesn’t work. The fish tacos were incredibly greasy, their beans are terrible, their rice is terrible and the chicken quesadilla was nothing to write home about. I just don’t see why people go here…

Great food, fresh and quickly served without feeling fast-​food like. Fun atmosphere (not loud) that’s lively but good for all types of crowds like families and groups. Good menu options including options for vegetarians, too. Great food, great deals throughout the week, too, for the budget friendly folks.
I went for Taco Tuesday at lunchtime and there was a mistake in my order (I order 2 orders and only 1 was placed). A guy (didn’t get his name, wish I had, but perhaps he was a manager?) came out to verify the order and when I clarified it should have been two orders, he not only didn’t charge me for their mistake despite my offer to pay, but also apologized and rushed the 2^nd order to be made. That’s good customer service!
Tijuana Flats always has the most upbeat, positive, good energy employees. A refreshing change from most places!

Funky décor, intimate setting, and really good tacos! On Tuesdays they have a taco meal deal, which is definitely worth the trip. Did I mention their tacos are BIG? I always order crispy tacos with ground beef. The ingredients are fresh, the meat is well seasoned and the tacos are perfectly crisp.
One time I had just had dental work, so I couldn’t eat my regular taco… so I ordered a «No-​ritto», basically all the guts of a burrito in a bowl. YUM! Again, perfectly seasoned meat, fresh ingredients, and a big portion.
I love their chips, and always opt for the queso dip, mainly because I’m a cheese junkie… I will eat it on anything at any time of day!
I almost forgot to mention their hot sauces… DUH!!! They have a hot-​sauce bar! There are so many to choose from and the selection changes each time I visit. I can’t decide which is the best, but they have something for all tastes, from very mild (mild «hot» sauce… hmmmm?), to so hot you’ll go blind! And I am a hot sauce connoisseur, usually love hot sauce, but can’t go so big when on lunch break from work. YIKES!

Awesome new location for T Flats. The downside to the W University location was parking and how busy it was. This place still gets some traffic but you can always find a table.
Taco Tuesday is an absolute must if you are comming here. For 4.99 you can get two tacos chips and a drink. The tacos are great both chicken and beef and hard and soft shell.
The service here is top notch! We ordered slasa and ran out of chips and they brought more without having to ask. They also are awesome on keeping up with refills.
Overall this is a great location and a solid place to eat.

Believe it or not it was just OK for me. There has recently been an explosion of tex-​mex restaurants popping up in Gainesville. Now there’s Tijuana Flats.
Ordering experience is your typical, walk in, order, sit down experience.
Food was just OK, nothing great. I got the pork Chimicanga super sized.
Cost was $ 10+ just for the super large (which wasn’t that super large) Chimicanga and water
Service was excellent, for the most part, the manager was busting his butt and doing a great job servicing tables, the servers were sort of slacking. It’s a real hustle and bustle kind of place at lunch. Everyone at our table commented on how they want you in the door and out as soon as possible with continual «can I take that, can I take that?» comments.
So far Tijuana Flats is better than Mo’s, better than Willy’s for me.