Casa México Merivale — Restaurant in Ottawa

TL;DR: absolute gem and feels so authentic! Amazing atmosphere, magnificent food, incredibly priced!

This place is just incredible! Everything about it is just so authentic; the food, the staff, the atmosphere, all of it! We also got the extra added bonus of being there on a Friday night when they had a mariachi band playing and it was absolutely incredible! Plus, as a side note, there were couples, families and groups of friends here, so they really seem to be a place for every occasion.

Starting with the drinks, absolutely delicious! We had a margarita and a dacquri and both were fantastic. I have to say, when it comes to the spicy seasoning on the rim of the margarita, they could have brought me a bowl of it and I would have eaten the whole thing. It's so flavorful and just such a memorable little detail!

For the food, I don't think I can really do it justice. We had the chicken enchiladas and the birria tacos and they were absolutely outstanding. The tacos were tender, juicy, fresh toppings, and just the right side of messy! The enchiladas had such perfect sauces with them that had a stunning mix of spice and freshness that made every bite better then the last. Their menu is really broad, and because it all sounds great, it makes picking something difficult.

I have to mention at this point that I'm not great at spicy stuff, and I'm not too familiar with Mexican food. But, our server was really helpful and able to help me pick something not too spicy but something I was familiar with too, so I really appreciated that level of helpfulness.

When we got the bill, we couldn't believe how affordable it was! Considering how amazing the food and service was, we expected it to be a lot more - even with a tip!

This place really is an absolute gem. Restaurants like this are incredibly rare these days. I cannot recommend it enough. My only tip is to go hungry. It's all so delicious and it's such a pleasant, fun, vibrant place to be!...

I recently visited Casa Mexico for the first time, and overall, I had a great experience. The restaurant was incredibly busy, but I was lucky enough to snag a spot on the outdoor patio. One thing to keep in mind is that the parking lot is a bit hidden, so be sure to keep an eye out when driving in.

To start, I ordered the mangonada with 2oz of tequila, and it was a unique and unforgettable experience. The combination of sweet mango and tart lime flavors mixed with the strong kick of tequila was a perfect balance of flavors. Additionally, the 2oz Cuba libre was also excellent, and I was impressed with the strength of the drink - definitely not something you'll find at every restaurant in town.

For my main course, I opted for the fiesta with res tacos, and it was absolutely delicious. The tender beef mixed with the fresh vegetables and spices made for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

The only downside to my experience was that I never received the water that I requested, and I had to ask for additional items myself when they brought the food. However, given the extreme busyness of the restaurant, I can understand how this might happen.

To wrap up my meal at Casa Mexico, I decided to order churros for dessert, and they did not disappoint. I went with a combination of both chocolate-drizzled and caramel churros, and they were the perfect sweet ending to my meal. The churros were warm, crispy, and coated in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar.

Overall, I highly recommend Casa Mexico to anyone looking for great Mexican cuisine and strong drinks. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the hidden parking lot. Don't forget to try the mangonada with tequila and the churros for dessert - they are not...

I recently visited Casa Mexico and unfortunately had a disappointing experience with the service and bar staff. From the moment we were seated, it was clear that the new trainee assigned to our table was not being properly guided by the more experienced staff. He barely checked on us, and instead of stepping in or helping him improve, the other staff just watched from the sidelines. It made for a frustrating and inattentive dining experience. I ordered the tamarindo drink, which I’ve had before and usually enjoy it should have a balanced sweet and slightly bitter flavor. However, this time it was completely watered down. Even after mixing it well, it still tasted like flavored water. When I brought this up, the bartender with glasses, who made the drink, responded with attitude. Rather than addressing the concern professionally, she coached the trainee on what to say to us, essentially dismissing our feedback. What really surprised me was their unwillingness to make things right. We were told, "This is how we make it here," and that they don’t remake drinks or offer exchanges period. It felt more like we were dealing with a rigid family business that prioritizes their process over customer satisfaction, which is disappointing. Most places would either adjust the drink or take it off the bill if the customer isn’t satisfied, but not here. That said, aside from the drink and poor service from the trainee and bar staff, the rest of the food and atmosphere were good. If they had taken a bit more care in training their new staff and ensuring they deliver decent customer service, it could have been a much...