Cantina Laredo - Great Mexican Food

... sweet 'tar, SN :wub:

Luna Del Noche closed for a variety of reasons, including because their lease was suddenly canceled, the manager/owner was overextended running restaurants in far apart locations, and lack of experience with the ebb and flow of business in a tourist area.

Hispanic staff members were quite annoyed about the rumors that it closed because they were all "illegals" who were deported in an immigration raid. There was an incident (which happened months before it closed) where the police were called because of a fight, but if you think local businesses get shut down for hiring illegals you haven't been to a construction site lately.

I heard that Thursday is ladies' night, and margaritas are half-off.

This is true! We went on a Thursday and when the bartender mentioned that it was ladies' night, it was the icing on the cake.

Luna Del Noche closed for a variety of reasons, including because their lease was suddenly canceled, the manager/owner was overextended running restaurants in far apart locations, and lack of experience with the ebb and flow of business in a tourist area.

Hispanic staff members were quite annoyed about the rumors that it closed because they were all "illegals" who were deported in an immigration raid. There was an incident (which happened months before it closed) where the police were called because of a fight, but if you think local businesses get shut down for hiring illegals you haven't been to a construction site lately.

From what I remember the hispanic workers were legal to work in Texas but not Florida. And they did close the restauarant for not paying rent..heard that from the horse's mouth.

Ate there last night, and let me add to the great reviews. Terrific atmosphere, good food, and the mango margarita was excellent ($8).

going tomm night with a bunch o' ladies. I will report on the wait, drink prices and food. can not wait....

going tomm night with a bunch o' ladies. I will report on the wait, drink prices and food. can not wait....

Good, you can come home and SD&C!:clap:

Ate there last night, and let me add to the great reviews. Terrific atmosphere, good food, and the mango margarita was excellent ($8).

Did we see you there? The food was good, atmosphere was great, service was excellent, and the Margaritas went down way too fast.

We were tired this evening, so rather than cook, decided to do the takee-outee at Cantina Laredo on the positive vibes from this board. I drove for pick-up at 7pm and what proved to be a good omen found the only parking spot directly in front of the entrance. The place was full and the bar was rockin'. People seemed to be having a very good time. We ordered beef fajitas and something called the Durango - chile relleno, and chicken and spinach enchiladas. We also order their "top shelf" guacamole. I brought it all home in two huge bags - portions are quite large and enuf for leftovers. The fajitas were good and I particularly liked the tortillas - not heavy or doughy. The guacamole was very good and a bit on the spicey side; chips were fresh and crisp. The only downside was the refried beans which seemed like they came from a can. Prices were most reasonable, perhaps even a bargain given their location (It will be interesting to see if Moe's survives). This is great for me, because now I can suck down a few margaritas and drive home without getting on 98😀

They have a brunch on Sundays with gratis Bloddy Marys, tequila flights, and other interesting temptations. A keeper.

wow drsvelte, you and I had the same review. great guacamole...great prices...big portions...great and friendly staff. i had the beef tacos and my wife had the chicken fajita. i only eat mexican every 2 or 3 months in Az. but i will go to cantina laredo more often than that when in SoWal. :clap: :clap:

i dont know why everyone thinks cantina laredo is sos great...there food is very bland and doesnt have much flavor at all. Its a typical chain mex place. It doesnt even compare to cocos. Ill never go bak to cantina laredo. there was nothing good about it at all. each time we went and got the guacamole it had no taste what so ever. Even after u added salt and pepper it was stil missing a lot. Cocos all the way!!

i dont know why everyone thinks cantina laredo is sos great...there food is very bland and doesnt have much flavor at all. Its a typical chain mex place. It doesnt even compare to cocos. Ill never go bak to cantina laredo. there was nothing good about it at all. each time we went and got the guacamole it had no taste what so ever. Even after u added salt and pepper it was stil missing a lot. Cocos all the way!!

To each his or her own. That is what makes America great! I have to say that my review of Cantina Laredo was also great -- atmosphere, friendliness of staff, knowledge of staff, prices, menu choices, and food quality. I must not get out much because I've never eaten at a Mexican chain restaurant anything like Cantina Laredo. I think the closest place in comparison would be LaPaz, and the two are very different. I've eaten at CoCo's many times, and while CoCo's prices are much lower, IMO, so is the quality of the food and drinks. However, I will say that CoCo's has a great staff and the owners are really nice too.

well we just moved here from the midwest and there are sooo many mexican chains there and the decor in cantina laredo is nicer but the food is very similar. Im all about the little mexican stands that actually taste like the food is from mexico and i thought cocos was one of the best ive ever been to and ive been to a lot of little privately owned mexican joints..but hey we all have our own opinions and i respect that!

If you're looking for hard core Mexican, I've heard good feedback on that place on 331 in Freeport, and Destin Taquerita, and there are also a couple other places in FWB that have sprung up to follow the immigrant construction workers. (There's a place in Mary Esther advertising beef tongue tacos and goat tacos for one)

We gave Cantina Laredo a try a couple weeks back, and we enjoyed it. They actually made me like my side of roast vegetables, the salsa was good, and almost everything was well-prepared for what it was. My complaint was that the chicken, though still edible had crossed the line to a little bit overcooked. Overall it was good, but for us, La Paz is more in line with our tastes and preferred price point.

Cantina Laredo was ok. I liked the food the couple times that I went but had bad experiences customer service wise. They were gracious enough to take a few things off the bill though. Hopefully, in time the kinks will be worked out service wise.

Went to Cantina Laredo last night and had a great experience. Food and atmosphere was a definite thumbs up!!

had a good lunch at cantina laredo today, but its just way to "chainey" for me. give me coco's any day.

I've enjoyed the food at Cantina Laredo,though the service has always been rough but friendly. I do wish they would serve me the Botanas Platter the same way each time. A dozen visits and a dozen differences. No beef bite on the kabob, no cheese in the poppers, no poppers...etc.. As for Coco's....ho-hum... overpriced and boring..service was no great shakes either, rarely have I been so effectively ignored by a waitstaff. Can anyone suggest a restaurant anywhere in the panhandle where nachos are made correctly by putting the cheese dip on the nacho chips and then baking in the oven? I've tried a score of Mexican restaurants from PC to Shalimar and all use bland grated cheese that's barely melted. Carnitas tacos at El Chaparal (sp) in Fort Walton on Beal. Taco's at Destin Taqueria and Valentino's? or whatever it is called ..the block place..at 331 are so-so. I do love the hand made tortillas at 331 though. Don Pedro's steak tacos are the tastiest in the area imho...served as they say there "mexican style".

Can anyone suggest a restaurant anywhere in the panhandle where nachos are made correctly by putting the cheese dip on the nacho chips and then baking in the oven?

I bet you can get some of those, less the baking in the oven part, at the SW High School football games this fall. Of course, you must first get past the plastic they sell as cheese.