On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Escondido

I took my mom to this restaurant simply because of the cute cantina appearance on the exterior. It was in a word: inviting. I hoped that the service and food would be as nice and make us want to return again in the future. Oh, and it was.

As soon as we were seated, we were presented with a bowl of chips lightly salted, and our separate bowls of salsa. Or should I say, “Spicy hot salsa?” Yum!We sat for a bit longer than I preferred before our orders were taken, but once Jesus was aware of our presence and desire to order, he was on it. He made sure that we were completely satisfied and made a few rounds just in case we wanted anything at all. I like that.

The food is 70% of what a review is all about, right? So let’s talk food. It was scrumptious! Absolutely inviting and a pleasant party in my mouth. We ordered the Border Queso Beef Enchiladas. My mom got ground beef that she was in Heaven with. I got shredded beef, and let me tell you, they did not skimp on the filling. I’m attaching a photo to show you just how filled those soft corn tortillas were. We got our money’s worth and will definitely be there again for that plate of wonderful.

We ordered Pineapple Rum Punch drinks. Don’t be fooled by the great flavor and no aftertaste of alcohol. There is rum in there, but such a perfect blend of flavors that you’ll want another. I only had one because I had to drive, but man I wish I could duplicate that at home! I loved it.

In the end, if you visit this cantina bar and grill, you will be like us… you’ll want to return in the very near future. The food was well worth the price and the service was good. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5, is the limited offering for wheelchair accessible persons. The hostess had to figure out how to best seat us, and placed us at an end table, removing a chair. Had that table already been taken, I’m not too sure where we would have sat. Doing this limited the walkway, but did not block it, so I was okay with it.

Visit this place and tell ‘em’ TC Freebird sent you. It may not get you a discount, but the plate is worth every dollar. I am proof of that. I never finish a plate of food. I get full fast, but I killed that plate! The rice and beans were perfect, which I’ve not been able to say about other cantinas. And the enchiladas? I’m telling you, you’ll scream out loud in joy before you realize what you’ve...

This was a major disappointment. We have not been into "On the Border" for a few years. Every time we drive by they are busy... but we like small family owned restaurants more than "Chains". But we remembered how great their chips and salsa was... so we gave it a try yesterday.

We started with a BORDERITA®, Lunazul Reposado, Gran Gala orange liqueur and fresh citrus sour. LIMIT TWO... because they have more Tequila in them. We swear... you could taste a hint of Tequila on the first sip... then none. It was a terrible margarita! And... the flavor was terrible too.

They brought the chips... and they are nothing like the the ones we remembered and loved. The new chips are super thin corn tortillas cut in quarters or halves. They are large chips... but bland. The Salsa is still very good.

We both ordered the SOUTHWEST COMBO. It has a Southwest Chicken Taco, one carnitas enchilada and a mini chicken chimi smothered in Border Queso. Served with Mexican rice and choice of beans.

After a 35 minute wait... Sarah returned to the table to tell us that they had lost our order in the Kitchen... but... they were rushing it and it was being cook now. 20 Minutes later... the food arrived "Cool and Coagulated". Sarah apologized and said they were removing one of the meals from the bill for the delay. And they did.

Certainly if hot the food would have been better. But even served Hot it was a poor excuse for good Mexican food. The Chicken Taco had fried Onion Rings in it. Not a flavor profile that worked for either one of us. The Carnitas enchilada was the closest thing on the plate approaching edible. But... the cheese on top was no longer hot... and it was coagulated. The Mini Chicken Chimi had no chicken in it... it was cheese. The Queso that it was supposed to have been smothered in... was served on the side... it was tasty... but coagulated with a skin on the top... and not even warm.

I replaced my BORDERITA with a 22 oz "Coors Light Draft" It was ice cold and delicious. We think the reason they are always busy ... is the liquor prices are very fair.

The service was friendly and well meaning. It was not Sarah's fault the Kitchen lost the order... but the extra delay and cold food that arrived just was not a good experience.

We will...

That was the first and I am sure is going to be the last time we went for our friend's birthday, I order a salad with chicken, after the sever brought the salad and After i started to eat, there was a ladybug in there, I called the gentleman and I explained it while I showed him the ladybug in my salad, instead taking the salad right away , he was trying to argue that it came from the air and landed on my salad, anyway I still respected them and very quietly I told him I just wanted to show it to you, after a while his supervisor came and apologized and I told her, I will call her and I did, and she said she is going to send me some coupon to make it up. After a month I called to just make sure she did what she said, and I talked to another supervisor there, she said:she will make sure to check it and she is sorry. I got so irretated that what did they thought that Iam i stupid or so, so I talked to one of their employee that named seezir (if I wrote it right) and another supervisor called me finally, but still none of them took their words that they said and I never asked for it, the food was awful and This was their customer service, awful , I never recommend this place to anybody to go, weasting money and time and for what I saw they are not respecting and value the...