Don Julio Authentic Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Pine City

We just had an amazing experience here on Friday 3.18.22!

My boyfriend and I were on a road trip up to the cabin and were desperate for some good food. Hadn’t eaten all day. Nothing was open so we tried our luck at Don Julio’s. Checked to see if we could possibly do a quick order to go and noticed the staff was closing down, counting money, tables and chairs all put up for the night. This staff welcomed us in with smiles, offered us a seat and a man (possibly the manager) handed us menus and took our order. We looked over the bar, longingly, at the margaritas we didn’t think we would be able to try…

Not a minute later, a server counting out tips at the bar turned to us and sweetly asked us if we wanted a drink while we waited. I told her I understood the bar was already closed and cleaned up and she said “no problem”… (Yes!!) She promptly brought us over two original lime margaritas, salted to perfection and large enough to last us a full sit down meal. The food was brought out in record time, as we were half way through our drinks. Outside of Mexico, this has to be the fastest I’ve ever sipped down a full sized margarita. We paid, gave a generous tip to the staff along with a bonus of the cash my bf had in his wallet to the kitchen guys for allowing us to bypass Taco Bell tonight and fill our bellies with decent food that we won’t later regret.

We ate our chile relleno, enchiladas, rice, beans and chips furiously in a romantic picnic under the stars, in our car, in the parking lot. Tasted like heaven. This had to be the most refreshing road trip pit stops we’ve had in some time.

Thank you to the kitchen, servers and manager on duty tonight. Bless your hearts for staying open just a few minutes late so some weary and hungry travelers could get some sustenance!!!

We will 100% be back!!! Being in the hospitality business ourselves, we recognize that service like that, with a smile and such gracious, welcoming attitudes, is so overlooked and under appreciated. You all deserve raises!!!

Muchas gracias desde el fondo de...

We had been camping for a couple weeks and just arrived to a nearby cabin for a few days. We ran to town for some groceries and just didn't want to cook. We saw this place and thought we'd stop in. So glad we did!

As someone that doesn't eat meat, I was happy to see a section for vegetarians and I didn't have to order something "without meat". I ordered veggie fajitas. My son said his enchiladas were like his favorite back home and the other ordered a shrimp dish. He had a hard time figuring out how to eat it, LOL, and I'm no help, but he said it was delicious.

The servings were very generous and I had another meal out of mine to heat up at home later.

I had ordered a "cadillac" margarita with no salt and got a big margarita with salt. The server brought it back and another one was re-made for me. It may have been the owner behind the bar, not sure, but I was appreciative that they made a new drink and didn't pour it out over the salt into a new glass. I never understand why bartenders think that's ok if you don't want salt. He then delivered it to me personally. I'm not sure there was any grand marnier in it, but it was delicious and appreciate the service!

I'd recommend this place to anyone in the area. They seem to know the regulars, treated us out of towners kindly, and it's very clean! Great food and...

While I was on my way up to Duluth for a weekend of skiing and views, I decided to stop in Pine City for a quick bite to eat. While at first I began making my way to the local favorite, A&W, the beautiful exterior of the Don Julio’s building stopped me in my tracks. I immediately pulled a dangerous U-turn maneuver and parked my Nissan Altima in the parking lot. We were immediately seated and given warm chips with salsa, my favorite. I ordered two Coronas and the chimichanga meal. It was some of the best food I had tasted in my pathetic, miserable life. Luckily, I stopped in at the perfect time, with the Don Julio himself visiting his Pine City location. I shook his hand and simultaneously witnessed the twinkle in his eye reminiscent of witnessing the birth of a child. He gave me the biggest, warmest hug I have ever received, and it was hard to keep the tears from flowing out of my eyes. Upon returning to our table, I did notice that it took a while for the bill to make its way to our table. 10/10 recommended for anyone within a 50 mile radius of...