Cactus Cantina of Fairhope — Restaurant in Fairhope

I don’t typically leave reviews on businesses however, even the following day, I’m still bothered by our experience at Cactus Cantina that I can’t help but share. Let me preface with the fact I’ve never been to this restaurant before. We were attending Fairhope’s NYE event last night and decided to stop-in on our way to the ball drop area, just to grab a couple of drinks. With that being said, we were not aware of what time the kitchen closed, or anything. We saw people dining in a restaurant and decided to test our luck. From the very moment we opened the door, it was as if we were the most unwelcome guests at the establishment. The hostess was rude, snarky, etc because (I assume) the kitchen was closing. We assured them we weren’t really eating and were just looking to get a drink. Keep in mind, the restaurant was full of people at this point. The hostess didn’t say a word, just walked off to talk to a server about us wanting to come in. The server came over and rolled her eyes and said they were cleaning a table. STILL, we weren’t aware of what the issue was with us being there. Eventually, we were escorted to the dirtiest table in the restaurant. Soggy food under the table, used paper napkins in the chairs. It was a little gross. At this point, we really weren’t trying to cause a stink. We were just trying to get in and get out. The server came over to the table to get our drink order. She made it VERY clear that we were not wanted there. From the tone in her voice to the LITERAL scoffs when she asked us if we were on one check or separate and we told her separate (No exaggeration, that literally happened). Once she brought us our drinks, she asked if we wanted anything to eat before the kitchen closes. Only Two people ordered something (3 tacos and an order of loaded fries). When she got to the last girl at the table she said “I really wish I could give you more time but I can’t. And they won’t let me.” Our friend was too stunned to even order. At this point, we really weren’t even treated like human beings. The food that was allowed to be consumed was good. But we were so uncomfortable the entire time that we really couldn’t enjoy it. We quickly finished our drinks, paid our tabs and exited the building. We weren’t even the last table in there. There were several tables still occupied.

Coming from the service industry, I just have to know how management can allow their staff to treat customers with such hostility and hatred? If you didn’t want us in your restaurant, tell us to leave. We would have gone next door to Ravenite or one of the other restaurants that would have (and did) welcome their guests.

I’ve never experienced anything like this in our town. If you’re looking for a great atmosphere and great people, I’d recommend going around the corner to Agave where you’re not treated like the scum on the bottom of their shoes and the margaritas are not watered down glasses of salt, AND you don’t have to dine in fear.

What a way to welcome...

Not a great experience at this location. My coworkers and I came here on our lunch break. We ordered what was advertised as their fresh fish tacos, and their shrimp tacos. Our waitress did not ask what sides, and after we ordered we realized that our meals came with two sides. When we asked our waitress about it she just said if someone doesn't order a side she just doesn't write one down. As a sever for ten years myself, I didn't feel like that was good service. Giving a paying guest all information and options should be a must. The food runners brought us multiple trays of food that wasn't ours. Our waitress came over, and was talking to the food runner about the order being incorrect. She looked at us and said "We really need a translator in the back. Everyone in the kitchen only speaks Spanish and we have no idea what they're saying." When they finally brought our food out it was a mess. The shrimp I ordered was under cooked, and the fish tasted fishy. My friend had a bone in her fish tacos. Trigger fish is not a fishy tasting fish. My sides that I ordered were sloppy. The kitchen had put two servings of grits on my plate, except I ordered grits and beans. So they covered half the grits up with beans. It was excessive. The waitress never refilled our drinks unless we asked, same with chips and salsa. I brought this to our waitresses attention, and she let us know that she will tell the manager. As it is, I would personally not recommend this establishment. I hope...

Went for a nice lunch with my husband and MIL and was very disappointed. I have visited the cactus cantinas in gulf shores and orange beach and had wonderful experiences and thought this would be the same. First my husband stood at the front and waited to be seated while the hostess sat and talked with another employee for multiple minutes. My husband finally asked if we could be seated when no one came to seat us. The table they sat us at was so dirty my mil had to ask them to wipe it down before she could sit, and no they were not busy at all maybe 3-4 tables in the whole restaurant. Our server barely came by the entire time we were there. And I ordered the boom boom shrimp tacos which come fried... well ALL of my shrimp were not shelled and still had the tails underneath the breading. I only attempted to eat one taco at the restaurant and stopped eating it when I bit into shrimp tail and shell. I took my other taco home hoping it wouldn’t be the same... well it was. It was awful. I don’t know if they were having an off day or if it was poor management but I don’t plan on returning and wouldn’t recommend...