Catrin Cantina

I would highly recommend Cantina a most go to place for GREAT Mexican food. Martin is very serious about his food and how it tastes he making sure that you are happy and satisfied with the food and like, enjoy his restaurant. His staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable about his dishes. I'm a personal friend of the owner and his wife Terry.

In short, 9.2/10 Now that I'm getting back into the yelp game need to input our 3 experiences here. The serving staff is always fast and attentive never once had a bad night. The food is extremely flavored with a lot of funny gimmick trays and carts. The inside is decorated like a modern spooky feel but inspired with southern America decor. This restaurant IS the number 1 Mexican food place on this side of the water and if you disagree it's either because you have never experienced true Mexican cuisine or you're just a hater. I have ate at every single place on this side of the water and Catrin Cantina is a different level from Jose tequilas/ La fiesta/ Mezcal/ Mexico Lindo/ I can go on... They lead the way with flavor and environment. If you're on the fence just go! Take the drive to try this place! You only live once and letting one or two bad reviews deter you isn't how you should live. Also, get the fajita's for your first experience because that is how you need to experience their flavor of food. Catrin Cantina I sincerely hope you guys succeed! Y'all haven't even been open a year and have changed the game for southern America cuisine in NewPort News. Keep it up! P.S Catrin Cantina/ Mezcal/ La Fiesta/ Jose Tequilas IS the top places in that order and if you disagree go eat what you feel LOL food is subjective.

Sophia and I headed here for Newport News Restaurant Week anxious to try some of their dishes. They opened up last year in the Richneck area and from how it seemed via responses online was worth going to. Let's see how the result turned out below.The initial plan was to have lunch one Saturday after we went to the movies, but they were packed with a 15-20 minute wait so we left. On the following Thursday, we came for dinner and again, it was packed but the wait was only 10 minutes. But they didn't take our name down or even ask. Kind of strange. Inside, the decor is beautiful. They certainly know how to keep it spotless. And there were candles lit everywhere. Definitely gives you a calm vibe. They also had a musician perform acoustic guitar for the night. When someone plays a Britney Spears song really well, you know they have talent.Now this is where things take a turn. Within minutes, the server came by giving out menus and taking our order for drinks (waters for both of us). It took probably 5 minutes for him to come back. Immediately, I noticed there weren't enough waiters/waitresses walking around. He did come back and told us they weren't offering the dinner menu for restaurant week. No real biggie since our backup choices didn't cost that much more. I selected the asada quesadilla which consisted of grilled chicken, cheese, onions, and beans with salad on the side and Sophia selected a chimichanga dish with beans and rice.And then.....the wait. For most of the time, we had water and chips with salsa and white sauce. Remember when I said not enough waiters on hand? Turns out the kitchen staff was undersraffed as well. With a huge volume of customers, you would think the speed of meals would increase. But not here. People that were seated when we first entered around 6:30pm were there for over 2 hours. Our food did not arrive until just after 8pm. And that was after they brought food that we did not order (tacos and a burrito).Well, our food did come 10 minutes after the snafu. My quesadilla was good and I took half of it home where I finished the next night. But something didn't look right. Typically, I've had these dishes where it was either split in 2's, cut into quarters and in the middle would be salad or sauce to spread. The presentation had the quesadilla hanging over the salad. This was a first and had the both of us having a 'WTH??' moment. Honestly, I actually let out a laugh. I even showed co-workers the picture and they jumped back. Not kidding with that. Maybe they thought the presentation would wow customers, but I'm pretty sure many of them were having a puzzled look like we did.I really wanted to enjoy my visit, but with everything that took place, it was hard to walk away with a smile. To be honest, I would be surprised if they lasted for over 3 years. It's one thing to start off with below average service when you first open up, which is common for any new business. But if you have this issue months later, something needs to be fixed. I am really sorry if this review sounds harsh, but customers deserve better in return. Most likely, we won't be back :(

I want to give 4 1/2 stars- this is my new favorite Mexican restaurant. You'd never guess it from its location and exterior- just seems like it should be in a better location. When you're driving there be careful turning in. The staff are amazing and attentive and are quick to greet and seat you. I have been three times in the last two weeks and it's like that every single time. The food and drinks come quick too so you're not hungry waiting long. Everything is fresh they serve- ingredients are so important and they don't skimp here. I recommend the Catrin Pinchos and Elotes. Both were perfection taste wise and delicious. If you want good date ambiance the candles are nice that they light and the sound isn't bad there- you can have good conversation. Definitely give this place a try- you won't be disappointed.

New Mexican restaurant in the area and decided to give it a try and the food, service and decor was all great! Food: Salsa and White sauce-good and the the white sauce had a little kick! Grilled chicken taco salad-very tasty and did not skimp on the meat. Birria Tacos-very good! Chimichangas-got this to-.go and have a great portion size of rice and beans. This was also delicious. Pricing was very reasonable! Service was excellent and nice. Inside there are plenty of tables and booths as well as a bar area. It feels very cozy inside.

We stopped here on a whim while in town. The food, servers and restaurant space were very nice.We ordered the elote and fajitas with steak and shrimp and a couple of mojitos. While the food was good, the drinks were very weak. The mojitos tasted like lime kool aid.Overall, we enjoyed our visit.

Food was amazing and well seasoned. Also the ambience is very nice for date night. Great service and nice drinks with affordable pricing.

My new favorite Mexican restaurant. The ambience was excellent there were roses hanging from the ceiling, candles lit and music playing in the background. The margarita was great and I was pleased with the customer service. I also like how they present the food. Some comments mentioned food being bland but I got The Catrin fajitas which was spicy and full of flavor which I like. Yesterday was my first of many visits.

The place is small, but really cute and nice. The food is ok. If you are from the area the food tastes like plaza Aztec but plated in a more appealing way. Service was fantastic.

The service was fine, I walked in and was helped immediately. The ambiance is nice, it's dim and has nice lights glowing throughout the restaurant. I didn't wait long for my food which comes to the issue. I ordered the Carne Azada, when I got home which was five minutes everything was warm so I had to heat it. I was given a large piece of meat but there was no flavor, no grill taste, it tasted rubbery and there was a tone of hard spots that I didn't eat. The rice and beans came in a small container similar to the salsa. The rice and beans had seasoning but the beans were not refried like I'm used to and the rice was ok. I do not think this meal was worth the money. I heard good things about this restaurant but that may depend on what you get. I wasn't pleased and probably won't be back.