Margaritas Mexican Cantina — Restaurant in City of Syracuse

My wife and I came here while in Syracuse overnight.

We were seated quickly, and experienced attentive and polite service - which was the best part of the experience.

We started with the chips and salsa they provide to every table, and ordered some queso to go with the chips. The salsa was good, the Queso was a bit thin, but alright.

We each ordered a house lime margarita on the rocks - first off, the serving is huge, at least 3 times what I would typically expect, so not bad at $11.00 a margarita. However... they weren't great. They tasted like they had a eh tequila and way too much triple sec in them. We drank them, but certainly didn't crave seconds.

For the mains - I ordered the carnitas dinner, which they described as savory pulled pork... and it was... with no seasoning. The guacomole was mashed avocado, likewise sans seasoning, and the refried beans just tasted like pureed beans from a can. As a bonus - the pico, jalapenos, and avocado came in a bright green tortilla cup which was only mostly desolved by the time I had finished.

My wife ordered the chicken enchiladas, which also lacked seasoning, and came complete with a pile of wilting lettuce and tomato on them.

To be clear, the food wasn't bad, the pork and chicken were both very well cooked, and nothing tasted poor - it just was a far cry from being called "Mexican". The pulled pork was indeed a great pulled pork, and would have gone terrific with some mac and cheese and barbecue sauce - it just wasn't carnitas.

They DO tack on an automatic 20% gratuity if you go over $50, which for two people is very easy if you order drinks. It is noted on the menu, and is made clear on the receipt, though its odd they still provide Tip Suggestions of 18, 20, and 22% on the bottom of the receipt - I don't believe I've ever tipped someone 42% total.

Overall, I left full. The servings were plenty large. I feel like the food was a bit overpriced for what it was. I likely wouldn't return, but if you go in not expecting Mexican food,...

Went to this restaurant on 9/13/25. Second time. Was there in about 2021. Food was good, as it was on a prior occasion. We sat against the window, east side of building. The waitress was a pleasant lady, good service.

I’m won't return to this restaurant unless I see a change.

Customers take note:

You will automatically be charged a 20 percent tip eating here. As a customer you have no say about the tip amount. You ‘ll see it on your bill.

To the owner and/or manager of this restaurant. Tip amounts are based on the customers’ choice how much they wish to tip. Anyone in the business knows 20 percent is a very generous amount. Average tips are 10-15 percent. My mother was a long time waitress. She told me, you tip a server 15 percent, they will be happy, no complaint.

Also, what if the service is poor? The food’s poor? The time to be served/receive your food is poor? Happens all the time in the industry. The owner or manager at this place says you still will be billed 20 percent for the tip? Apparently so. They give no explanation about their tip policy, they just do it.

Manager, owner if you make this charge to benefit your serving staff, keep/attract good staff, think about lowering your menu prices, then customers will think about tipping generously. But like most restaurants, you have over inflated your menus prices in the last few years, people see this, and many don’t wish to tip high, with already high menu prices that you have. We had two dishes and a drink. $75. Four years ago this fee was around $40. Nearly doubled. Has inflation nearly doubled in that time? No. Greed. Don’t like greed. Like fair.

I won’t be back. Not with the owner saying no matter what, you will pay a 20 percent tip and have no...

My daughter came in about 230 pm on Sunday, we were seated with no wait time. Once seated it was 10-15 minutes before any staff staff checked on us. We waited patiently and scoured the enormous menu in the meantime. A server stopped by the table to see if we were being helped, she proceeded to bring us large glasses of water and salsa and chips. Within minutes of those arriving we were pleasantly greeted by a tall young man that introduced himself as our waiter, service was smooth sailing after that. Prompt and attentive service with a smile. The ambiance is upbeat Latino atmosphere with unique festive artwork and decor. I don’t make any claims to be a Mexican food aficionado, I just know what I like. The salsa was the average restaurant style, we ordered mini chimichangas split between beef and chicken that came with a warm white cheese dip. Those were delicious, I preferred the chicken. My daughter ordered the chicken quesadilla that looked amazing. I ordered the supreme enchilada which also looks amazing but unfortunately the enchiladas were all soggy underneath the pile of lettuce and tomatoes. The enchilada sauce was bland and had no heat or spice, the dish also needed additional sour cream and guacamole. It was ok overall, I would not order that entree again. The Margaritas were enormous and delicious! I had the Blue Margarita on the rocks and my daughter had Blue Pomegranate Frozen! I would have tried a second they were so good and well worth $15! Overall it was a fun visit, I will return to try other meal options, or even a Margarita and...