Jalisco Town Modern Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Gainesville

All style, no substance.

We were really hoping this new “modern Mexican” restaurant would impress, but unfortunately, it fell flat in just about every way that matters. While the atmosphere and presentation are Instagram-worthy, the food didn’t live up to the hype or the price tag.

We started with chips and salsa, which any good Mexican restaurant should get right. Sadly, the chips tasted stale and the salsa lifeless, which set the tone for the rest of the meal. We ordered margaritas that were advertised as 22oz, but came in surprisingly small glasses filled mostly with ice. The orchid and rosemary garnish on top was nice for taking photos, but at their price point, the drinks felt misleading and disappointing. For food, we ordered the "Money Bag" chimichanga (cute concept, but it came out with a soggy bottom), birria tacos, and queso. The portion sizes were decent, but the quality just wasn’t there. Flavors were underwhelming, and it felt like more attention had been paid to presentation than taste. For dessert, we decided to try the "fried ice cream" which turned out to be a little misleading as well. It was a dense scoop of icecream placed in a fried tortilla shell, which quickly turned soggy. We couldn't tell if the ball of ice cream had actually been fried or not, but it was oddly dense. Overall, the experience was very underwhelming.

Jalisco replaced an authentic Mexican spot (Blue Agave) that served better food at lower prices. The shift feels less like innovation and more like gentrification disguised as “modern”. It’s disappointing to see flavor and tradition pushed aside for aesthetics and trendiness.

Overall, if you're looking for great Mexican food, this probably isn’t it. Come for a photo maybe, but I wouldn't recommend this restaurant for Mexican cuisine in...

Here are some examples of restaurant reviews:

Excellent Food Reviews

"The Rustic Spoon has redefined farm-to-table dining for me. Their heirloom tomato salad burst with flavors I didn't know tomatoes could have!" "Sushi Zen is not just a meal, it's an experience. The omakase menu took me on a journey through the finest flavors of Japan." "Mama Mia's Trattoria is like being transported to a cozy trattoria in Naples. The homemade pasta is a game-changer!"

Great Service Reviews

"Our server, Alex, was a true gem. His extensive knowledge of the wine list helped us find the perfect pairing for our meal." "The staff member who served us went the extra mile. They remembered our names and preferences, which made us feel appreciated." "Our waiter had a great attitude and was incredibly helpful. They made our dining experience not only enjoyable but also memorable."

Ambiance Reviews

"The soft lighting and exposed brick walls created a cozy, intimate atmosphere perfect for our date night." "The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of the city skyline." "The outdoor patio was a hidden oasis in the heart of the city, with lush greenery and twinkling fairy lights."

Overall Experience Reviews

"From the moment we walked in, we were treated like VIPs. The host greeted us warmly, our server was attentive, and the food was a culinary delight." "This hidden gem offers a perfect blend of casual comfort and gourmet cuisine." "The cozy pub atmosphere with its dark wood paneling, leather booths, and roaring fireplace was the perfect spot to enjoy comfort food."¹...

My partner and I went there for dinner after work and the night was just mediocre. We ordered the queso fundido and the table side guacamole. The queso was great, but the quacamole was bad. It wasn’t mashed very well, still very big chunks. Wasn’t mixed very well, so it was salty in some parts sour in others. We mixed it up, but it defeated the purpose of the table side service.

We got our meals. I ordered the fajita burritos which were great but the rice was soggy and really really salty, and the beans were bland. My partner ordered the burrito that was inspired by the Mexican flag. I think it’s called Burrito El Mexicana. The red sauce tasted like pure jarred marinara and the green sauce tasted like pure lime. It made my partner pucker their lips. It was also supposed to have steak AND chicken in it, but it was ONLY rice with two strips of steak.

Also, when waiting for everything it took forever. We were there from 7:00pm to 8:45pm and most of that was waiting for what we ordered and waiting for our waiter to ask to bring us the check. There were only 7 tables other than us with three or four people at each of them.

The price DID NOT match the food what so ever. We paid $70+ for what we got. I really wanted to dispute it. But my partner didn’t want to cause a scene.

I do not recommend this place to anyone looking for Mexican food. The service was terrible and the food was very...