La Catrina Tacos & Tequila Bar, Jacksonville — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Update for October the 2nd 2024. We went back again for lunch and it wasn't just a fluke this place is just as fabulous as it was two weeks ago! This time our waitress was Nicole, and she never missed a beat! She was right on top of everything, she suggested the charro beans and boy was she right they were fabulous! I believe we have found our new favorite Mexican restaurant! ...................................................... It's not often that I do five out of five! This place was phenomenal. Right from the start we were greeted by the hostess and seated, we are sometimes a little slow and looking around new places we've never been on our way to our seats, our hostess actually stopped and waited on us! That is very rare! No sooner than we were seated chips and salsa appeared on our table seemingly out of nowhere. I heard a voice from my right side say hello I'm Maria I'll be your server can I get you started with some drinks. These folks work together like a well-oiled machine. Maria was obviously in charge of our table however we had several wait staff visit us during our meal. My wife had the speedy Gonzalez and I had the lunch special number five. Both were phenomenal by the way, I love the way they serve the salad in its own separate edible bowl. Some restaurants put it on top of the chimichanga this way I have my choice. My wife had a special request for her order and came out first. Maria came to check to make sure her order was correct before my food even came out! The closest we've come to this kind of service was on a cruise ship. This restaurant was spectacularly decorated. There were vibrant colors lots of lights and fun festive music playing in the background. The outside patio area was just as impressive. I have a tendency to look at other folks food and plates going by me being served to other customers and wonder what it is. I saw many things that I would like to come back and try. We were there for a late lunch on a Monday afternoon I can only imagine that this place would be hopping on a weekend night. We will definitely return and try other things on the menu and probably set out on the patio with our dog. It seems this place is fairly new but they sure have it together on the service side. It's not often that I find customer service and a wait staff that is this efficient and attentive. We had two lunch specials at 8 bucks each, two soft drinks at 3.50 each, all for less...

I’m on the fence with this new restaurant. To start is has a great atmosphere inside, the walls have fantastic paintings and the overall vibe is very inviting. For a narrow dining room and the combined outside seating area they have surprisingly a good amount of seating. My first visit seating was quick and the salsa and chips are brought out quickly. The salsa has a nice kick to it which I enjoy. My first meal was the specialty tacos. I tried the Mahi Mahi, Baja fish tacos, Sriracha Shrimp tacos. Surprisingly the Baja fish tacos were my favorite. The other two were just okay. A bit messy. Also tried the blueberry pineapple margarita, which was exceptional.

My second visit was the chimichanga meal with shredded chicken. The meal is huge! In fact the toppings of lettuce, sour cream and guacamole was stacked on so much it made my crispy shell soggy. The presentation will make you smile but the dish itself for me was just okay. I prefer grilled chicken in my chimichanga that’s offered at several other Mexican restaurants I visit.

My 3rd visit, we tried the fajita taco salad with grilled chicken. Again presentation was fantastic with that awesome looking crunchy shell staring back at you, but as you’re digging in the salad it was all grilled onions, peppers, beans, tomatoes, cheese and plenty of grilled chicken. We hardly had any lettuce and had to order some more because our meal was turning out to be a mushy mess between the grilled juices, sour cream, tomato juice and guacamole. We couldn’t eat half of it. I expected a better meal. I also received an extra $1.50 charge for ordering lettuce.

My critique on this restaurant is their sacrificing quality over presentation of the food. If management reads this you need to start sampling your own food and work on ratio of food proportions because it’s off its mark. It’s kind of like a mixed drink, your portion of alcohol, bitters and sweets need to...

La Catrina Tacos & Tequila Bar – Jacksonville, FL “A vibrant spot with one of the largest tequila selections in the city.”

Walking into La Catrina, you’re immediately hit with energy—bright décor, lively music, and the unmistakable aroma of fresh-made tortillas and smoky agave. Known for boasting one of the largest tequila selections in Jacksonville, the bar doesn’t disappoint. The shelves are lined with everything from ultra-smooth blancos to aged, complex extra añejos—perfect for sipping or crafting custom margaritas.

We were warmly welcomed by Darcy and Rocio, who took excellent care of us from start to finish. Friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about both the food and drink menus, they helped elevate our visit beyond the average night out.

To start, we ordered the ceviche as an appetizer. While the flavors were fresh and the seafood quality was great, I personally would’ve preferred it served in a tall glass with a generous pour of V8 juice, more in line with a classic coctel estilo mexicano. A more broth-forward presentation would have added that bold, zesty kick I was craving.

Still, paired with a top-shelf tequila flight, it was a solid start to a flavorful evening.

Bottom line: If you're looking for a spot in Jacksonville with a standout tequila collection, friendly service from folks like Darcy and Rocio, and vibrant atmosphere, La Catrina delivers. Just ask if they can customize the ceviche to your taste—you might just get that perfect V8-style...