Cantina Laredo

From the outside this restaurant looks like a fun tex-​mex place that serves amazing food. Once we sat down and looked at the menu we realized its just your regular chain restaurant Mexican food. It’s not bad but it’s not amazing. I ordered cheese enchiladas with the red sauce and they were mediocre, no real flavor. The rice was a bit dry but the black beans were really good and flavorful. The fresh guacamole was delicious. The service was really good, our waiter was really friendly but the music was really loud that we could barely hear him. It’s a little over priced for chain food. Probably wouldn’t go back.

Well… This is one of those places that you want to like, and you look at it from the outside and go «oh look, a classy tex-​mex place,» but then you get in and realize that the music is so loud that you really cant hear your partner. Our server seemed very courteous, but I’m only assuming this because I still have no idea what he said to me.
The chips are some of the best chips that I have ever had, and the mild sauce is great. Order that and enjoy it, but leave immediately after.
I ordered the steak at it was cooked perfectly, but was overpowered by all the absolute shit on-​top of it. Cooking a steak correctly is the hard part, not overwhelming it is the easy part.
Lastly, my rice tasted like generic uncle bens mixed with 6 limes and then left out over-​night. It was soo dry.
Maybe when Donald Trump becomes president he will maybe build a wall around this disappointing, over-​priced, and offensive to Mexican culture chain establishment.

The food was fantastic and the service was impeccable. We were waited by Jennifer and she was very helpful with our garlic allergies. My sister is vegetarian and she suggested a great fajitas with vegetables. I go to Mexico about five times a year and can definitely say they are the real deal. Manager came to our table to ask if everything was ok. Definitely one of the best restaurants at Destiny.

Portions that are way too small for the prices they charge. My chicken quesadilla had next to no chicken and they used so much butter that it tasted like a gross grilled cheese sandwich. The 11.75 Margarita tasted like Hi-​C with cheap liquor mixed in. A tenth grader drinking their first drink would not even be happy with this. Will not go back.

I think it was expensive for the food that we got. Portion was good but taste want there. Iordered some chicken for which i forgot the name, and it was overcooked and dry.
However, table side guacamole was very nice and tasty. Cocktails were good.
The staff are nice and atmosphere is quite and suitable for a date night.
It’s recommended for a date to have your side table guacamole with some cocktails. But food is disappointing.

I love the food here. Sunday brunch is great, with drink specials! The two salsas served with each meal are really great. Different from your regular salsa. I can make a meal on those alone!

At best this food is medoicre, at worst just awful. I started with the Ceviche, to which my server asked «do you know what that is?» After I had a few bites of it, I realized I should have answered «Yes, but clearly your kitchen does not.» This is because I had to stop eating it before getting halfway through it. The shrimp was so over-​pickled it was like eating rubber, and some unidentified pieces had a disgusting aftertaste. Ceviche should never be made without the freshest fish possible. When I let the waitress know that the fish was not fresh, she nodded and took the dish away without making any comment whatsoever. I expected to have a visit from the manager or chef, but nothing of this sort occurred. My server did not even take it off the bill, or offer anything to make amends for serving bad fish.
This experience makes me believe that things like this occur quite often at Cantina Laredo.
As for the other dishes, I had a so-​called «signature dish» of chicken enchiladas with mole. When I ordered it, my bibmette waitress again said «do you know what that is?» And again I could have replied «Yes, but your kitchen does not.» This is because the dish was basically 2 chicken enchiladas with hot fudge poured over them (but a lot better tasting than rotten fish!).
I also tried the dish that my dinner companion ordered and it was passable, but nothing special. She commented to me that «I did not think one could screw up beans and rice, but they managed to do it!» She actually had dined there before and said it was nothing special, but decided to give it another try.
I cannot see ANY reason for making such a mistake again.

We saw this place inside the Syracuse destiny mall. the décor is modern and clean. their chips came with the best salsa I have ever tasted. They have a nice selection of modern Mexican dishes. We choose the mole sauce over cheese enchiladas which was simply amazing! Great service!

Food is sometimes fantastic, service is always really crappy. I went there for brunch and ordered the Mexican version of French toast (I know bad choice already) but I’d had their other breakfast plates before, and they were good, but I wanted to try something new. When I got them they were completely raw and looked liked raw egg boogers. When we told the waiter it took him over 15 min to come back to the table to tell us he had notified a manager (it was like he was afraid) If somethings at least eatable I’ll go for it but not this time. 10 min later someone comes out to ask me what I can get instead but I this point I had jus eaten a part of everyone else’s meals and everyone had finished eating … they didn’t make me pay for it but still.
Another account I was there with family and overall at the end of the day the food was FANTASIC (really the only reason I keep going there) the server was awful! Our drinks were always empty, and he seemed to skip over our table to check on others. We ordered the queso (again delicious) it comes out hot and super melty … but we ran out of chips asked our waiter for more. 5 – 10 min later and we saw him at another table, waved him down and he said he forgot, disappeared and was no where to be seen and 5 min later we grabbed a different waiter who brought us chips right away. The dip, still good, was kind of a globby cold mess at this point and just made it not as enjoyable.

Visited on a recent Saturday evening. The place was only about half full, which can make you wonder what is to come. My previous visits have always been fine. Not great, not bad, but satisfactory. This one was about the same. I guess I’ve been lucky considering many of the other reviews here.
The service was friendly and mostly on top of things. I did have a drink come out wrong, but that was the only problem. My wife and I were both satisfied with our meals. The pricing and what you get don’t seem to quite match up though. Chips and salsa were great.
The mall has plenty of options and most of the time we choose elsewhere. But, just about every place has its ups and downs there. Unfortunately, Syracuse has limited options for this type of food so for that reason we pop in every once in a great while.

Absolutely the worst take out meal I’ve ever picked up in my life from CANTINA LOREADO, IN Destiny.
Bartenders were non existent, and original order came out wrong as well.
As good as the food is when you eat there, it’s unlikely I’ll ever return.

Cantina Laredo is an upmarket Mexican restaurant chain serving food inspired by the cuisine of Mexico City and adding a modern twist, with specialties & margaritas in stylish quarters, founded in 1984 in Dallas, Texas.
My wife came here with her mother one day for lunch and told me how good it was, so I went for lunch with a friend later in the week. She warned me that the service wasn’t the best, but it was still relatively new, so we chalked it up to that. It’s a nice, modernly decorated restaurant. Huge place, but we were only one of maybe three tables sat. We looked over their menu and they have an interesting choice of meals. Definitely modern twists on Mexican staples.
I went for Tacos de Pollo and my friend went for enchiladas. As I said, the restaurant wasn’t even close to busy, but it took maybe a half hour to get our two dishes to us. They were good. Not great. Not blown away by anything, but it wasn’t terrible.
A couple weeks later, my wife and I are at the mall and are craving Mexican. So we go to Cantina. We walk up to the hostess area and were told by the host that he’d be right back to seat us and he walks to the back. The restaurant is completely EMPTY. I don’t mean one or two tables seated, there is literally NOT ONE TABLE with customers. So we wait. And wait. 25 minutes pass, and the host never comes back. Not only that, not one employee, manager, server anything checks on us, much less even comes to the front of the restaurant.
So we left. We walked over to an escalator to go up a floor, and Cantina is in plain sight. We watched the host stand the whole way up. Nobody ever came back. After eating twice with not great service, then simply not being served at all on a third attempt, we decided we were never going back.
They only get two stars for the fact that their food isn’t half bad. A tad pricey for what they give you (not expensive, just pricy for what you get), but overall it COULD be a good place. Kudos to anyone who’s gotten good service, or even sat, more than once.

Cantina Laredo is one of the many dining choices at Destiny Usa. We had lunch here today and overall it was as three stars indicates «okay». Started off with the table side guacamole, I’m a huge guac fan but this was not my favorite, too heavy on the lime juice and not enough salt/​pepper, I do appreciate they make it fresh to order in front of you. Next up I had the beef enchilada lunch special. For around $ 10 it included 2 enchiladas with rice and beans. Everything in my entrée had good flavor but the ground beef in the enchiladas was really oily and greasy. My dining companions had a quesadilla and a kids mini taco meal which they enjoyed. Cantina is okay for a quick lunch in between shopping but I won’t be rushing back. Side note, the music is loud and competing with the mall music it was hard to hear our server but service was good otherwise.

We’ve reached a new low in the culinary arts. Scratch that – food. What we just had could be defined as neither.
It’s rare I even entertain to partake in a chain restaurant; events out of our control led to an impromptu suggestion and a shrug decision «why not». I was reminded in a manner that’s as subtle as being hit by a semi.
Service– slow and understaffed. Food came 2.5hrs after our arrival.
Selection– let’s put it this way — they said they were «out of» guacamole and avocados. Ahem, it’s a Mexican restaurant. If you’re out –close your doors and hang a closed sign!
Food– cold, over cooked, tasteless… Black beans like paste, rice undercooked. Details not necessary for balance, we were a party of 8, different dishes all same result.
Thank you Cantina for the slap me in my face reminder why I never eat at chain restaurants. I won’t waste my money or patronage again.

Horrible service! I ordered the mango chicken salad: the mango was from a can and my chicken came out cold and very undercooked (still pink throughout). The chimichanga came out soggy and without flavor.
The waiter finally came to our table when we were ready for the check and didn’t take the meal off of the check, nor offer a discount for a meal I couldn’t even eat. I will not be returning.

I’ve been going to cantina for about 2 years now. I mainly go in for the happy hour deals which can’t be beat. Monday to Friday from 4:30 to 7 and 9-​? Draft Beers are 3.00; margaritas are 2−4−1; they have a bar menu with extensive choices from ahi tuna tacos to sliders to flatbread. The wait staff have always been wonderful and some remember my friend and I. I have eaten dinner and for the price it is ok. The do have good food but for some it may not be enough for the price.
The only downside is the kitchen is not consistent with the food. I love the ahi tacos but after the first year this particular item is never cooked the same, so I’m guessing they are having problems in kitchen with food consistency. Other than that I love the place for happy hour!

If you are looking for a unique Sunday brunch experience, check out Cantina Laredo! They are rarely crowded the first few hours, but don’t let the small crowd of diners fool you. Their brunch specials have never disappointed, and they have recently jazzed up their presentation, so your entrée comes with a little pizzaz. My favorites include their Crab Cakes Benedict, which is a pair of perfectly — poached eggs atop 2 crab cakes, with a unique Hollandaise that has a Mexican twist to it. The fruit salad inside a fried cinnamon tortilla pairs nicely with the potatoes, too. I have also had their Huevos Rancheros, a classic Mexican breakfast done well. However, not to be missed are the Chilaquiles… oh my! The dish is essentially Chicken Enchilidas covered with eggs– yum!
Their special brunch items all come with a complimentary Mimosa or spicy Bloody Maria to boot.
Lunch and dinner are also done well, and they have great Happy Hour specials. Brunch remains my favorite though, because there is rarely a wait and the prices are very reasonable. I hear they have added a unique version of French Toast to the menu, which I need to go back and try. We have always received excellent service here, and they cater well to kids.

When Cantina first opened in Destiny a couple years back, everything we ordered tasted great, the service was excellent and after each visit, we knew we’d come back.
Unfortunately, the last two times have been mediocre at best. Yes, the fresh guacamole is still great, as are the fresh salsas. Unfortunately, the food has been hit or miss the last couple of times. This past Friday, I ordered the Chimichanga de pollo poblano and it was not cooked properly. Not only was the center stuffed with cold cheese (you could still see the grated marks), but there was very little, if any poblano (how do you stuff a poblano and lose the pepper?) and the batter was not crisp. The refried beans were very bland and the zucchini side dish was a bit mushy. My aunt ordered a chicken and cheese enchilada combo and she said the chicken was pretty good, but the cheese was just okay.
Side note: The place was fairly empty for lunch, but there was no hostess in site for at least 5 minutes. Another couple was also waiting and left before she came back.
The service is still very good. I just wish they’d get the food quality back where it used to be. For what you pay, it’s expected.

What a sad place with worse staff.
I once came for lunch, and there were DOZENS of empty tables (all in one room) and was told it would be 20 – 30 minutes to be seated. I assumed that there would be some form of a response after I pointed out all the empty tables such as «There’s a party» or «There’s poison all over those tables so no one can eat there». UNFORTUNATELY, our hostess «Didn’t notice they were empty» and eventually seated us. She said that she’s been turning people away all day.
Ditzy hostess aside, the food isn’t good and is FAR too expensive. The only good item is the table side guacamole that is made next to you. The rice is hard and feels like it was made in a microwavable instant rice bag. The burritos and tacos are less than filled.
Why pay $ 40+ for two people to eat when there are so many other options that are within walking distance in the same building?

We come here sometimes during the week for happy hour or on Sundays for brunch. It took me a while to decide how many stars to give because my experiences here have been so variable — hence the long review.
The food here can be really good, but it can also be completely inedible depending on the visit. For brunch, the only thing we will order at this point is the Crabcake Eggs Benedict. It has a Mexican version of the typical sauce, so be aware of that if you order it. The crabcakes are always delicious and very meaty. However, there is a 50 – 50 chance that your eggs will be very overcooked — think hardboiled yolk. However, when they are cooked correctly the dish is a perfect blend of flavors. We have ordered a couple of other dishes during brunch that have been overcooked, bland, and quite frankly not at all appetizing to look at or eat (offhand Huevos Rancheros and Enchiladas Veracruz come to mind). So, at this point we don’t try anything new for fear of yet another bad experience.
For happy hour, we have had amazing fish and chicken tacos and inedible fish, chicken, and beef tacos depending on the visit. When the tacos are good, they are so delicious! But when they are overcooked and lacking in flavor they are extremely unappealing. Can you sense a theme here?
I always love their chips and salsa. The two salsas are some of the best salsas I’ve had, and their chips are light, thin, and always fresh. In the past, I always ordered their Cinco Rita, but recently had one that was so sour I had to send it back. Now, because of the food consistency issues I’ve experienced, I don’t want to deal with drink consistency issues. So, I just get a tequila soda with a wedge of lime.
We typically have excellent service, but there was a recent Friday night that the bartenders were so busy making drinks for the tables that we sat for 25 minutes with empty glasses without anyone even checking on us to see if we wanted anything else. At that point, we just left.
Like I said, we still come here even given the lack of consistency. But, we only ever come here when I am prepared that if it is bad I’ll either deal with it or leave for another place if necessary — which has happened in the past. On a couple of recent occasions we have thought about coming here because I was craving some good tacos and then changed our minds because of past experiences. So, that should say something.
The manager is actually great, it just seems that the employees (mainly kitchen) sometimes don’t care about what they are doing. I can’t think of any other reason, as we have been here during different levels of business and different days/​times of the week.
Overall, you can have a great experience here or one of the worst you’ve had at a restaurant/​bar. Or anything in between. I hope they get their act together, because I really enjoy coming here when everything is good. And, in spite of the bad visits, we still come here because it is so difficult to find Mexican food in Syracuse that reminds us of CA.