Jose's Cantina — Restaurant in Saint Ignace

We stayed at a hotel near to this restaurant and thought it would be perfect, as we could walk there within a few minutes, it was right on the water and it’s MEXICAN food. I mean what more is there to love? There were some bad reviews I ignored, as I thought people were being picky maybe. Walked in, had a quick 20 min wait, and got seated on the balcony overlooking the water. They had such an amazing band playing, my son immediately got up and we danced to the songs :). My husband and I both ordered margaritas which were great! My husband ordered some type of chicken burrito, I ordered a shrimp burrito and my son had kids enchiladas. Everything was great so far and the food was brought to our tables. My waiter asked me to cut into my burrito to make sure it was the shrimp burrito. I cut into it, and saw shrimp. He walked away satisfied. After I actually took another small cut into into it, I realized it was maybe the seafood burrito instead of shrimp, as there was faux crab/lobster etc. honestly not a huge deal. I took a bite and enjoyed it. Another waitress walked up to me and asked if it was a shrimp burrito or if it was her seafood chimichanga for her table?! I told her I think there’s other seafood in it, so maybe? She grabbed my plate, as she stated I was given the wrong food (which, I was) and that my food would be out shortly. About 5-10 mins later my waiter came back out with my plate. He nicely apologizes for the mistake and walks away. At this point my family is halfway done eating. I’m excited to finally have my food, so I dig in. When I cut into the burrito, it’s completely chicken. Nothing else in the burrito. I waited a few mins and then got up and politely informed another waitress that I think I had the wrong food order again, as I ordered the shrimp burrito. Our waiter came out and apologized. I asked him if my my order might be done soon? If it hadn’t been done, to please not even make it as we did not have time to wait - we were doing to see fireworks and at this point my family was pretty much done eating. I didn’t want my 3 year old to have to wait another 20-30 mins to get food when he was already bored of sitting there. Our waiter went in the back to check and came out a few mins later saying they did not have my order and would have to start from scratch. I said I was sorry but we were in a time crunch and we couldn’t wait for another plate to be prepared. He apologized and walked away. The chicken burrito ( that I had already cut into was still in front of me). We had come there because we were hungry obviously and me being a prior server, I know they cannot do anything with this food. I took a few bites. At most I ate about 35-40%. The waiter came back up with our bill and explained that he was able to “drop the price from my original order.”. I originally was like okay- maybe half off, that’s cool, I will work with that. When we got the bill, it was for the fill price of the chicken burrito. Our waiter had actually meant that he would drop the price from my more expensive shrimp burrito (that I never received) to the lower but full price of the chicken burrito that I was given but I had never ordered. Lol lkle thank you for dropping the price for a meal I never received, and you want me to be appreciative for you giving me a meal that I never ordered and paying full price? Ho early ridiculous. I didn’t expect a free meal, however with my meal being brought to me wrong TWO Separate times, I would have expected at least some sort of discount, as I ate a portion of the food that was left in front of me that I didn’t even order.

*As much as I was annoyed with the whole experience, the kicker here is that about 4-5 hours later husband and I started having severe stomach/gas pains. We have had them now for a little over 24 hours. It’s weird that we both have this going on, and we both had burritos with chicken and queso. Not saying it’s from the restaurant, but honestly that’s the only thing we can think of that we have eaten similar in the...

5 out of 5 tacos! 🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮

You might think the prime attraction of St. Ignace, Michigan, is the annual car show. But let me steer you in a slightly different direction and introduce you to an unexpected gem: Jose's Cantina, where the cars are cool, but the tacos are cooler.

The moment we rolled into town with our crew of eight auto-enthusiasts, we were welcomed into Jose's Cantina like long-lost amigos returning home. As we stepped in, the waft of tortillas crisping, carnitas sizzling, and salsa simmering hit us like a left hook from a Lucha Libre wrestler.

At the helm of this gastro-galleon were the ever-charming Robert and his wife, a dynamic duo more welcoming than a warm tortilla on a cold Michigan night. Their heart and hospitality infused into every element of this true-blue Mexican joint, creating an atmosphere more inviting than a margarita at sunset.

And speaking of sunset, the staff of this quaint cantina are clearly nocturnal creatures, or perhaps just insomniacs. As the evening ticked into the early morning, they kept the bar aglow, ensuring our party never went dry, pouring tequilas smoother than a Cadillac's ride. Their sense of humor was as sharp as their cocktail mixing skills, their jokes making our sides split more effectively than a clumsy waiter with a piñata.

Now let's talk about the real MVPs, the food. Jose's Cantina had our taste buds dancing the salsa with their authentic Mexican cuisine. The enchiladas were so enchanting, they could've convinced a vegetarian to switch sides, and the guacamole was so fresh, it might've just signed up for college.

In the great automotive spectacle that is the 2023 car show, Jose's Cantina was like finding a classic '57 Chevy in a sea of modern sedans: timeless, authentic, and brimming with character. The only horsepower here was in the galloping flavors of each dish, and the only convertible was us—converted into die-hard fans of this must-visit eatery.

As we left Jose's Cantina in the wee hours of the morning, full of delicious food, laughter, and memories, we knew we'd hit the jackpot in the culinary lottery. It's safe to say that no matter where our travels take us, there's one pit stop in St. Ignace, Michigan, that we'll keep returning to—be it for the cars, the tacos, or the unforgettable company.

So next time you're in town, do yourself a favor and take a detour to Jose's Cantina. Just look for the place with the warm lights, welcoming laughter, and the smell of Mexican culinary magic wafting into the night. But be warned—you might come for the car show, but you'll stay for...

Jose’s Cantina is a rare gem in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—a place where authentic Mexican cuisine meets stunning lakefront views, warm hospitality, and a fun, vibrant atmosphere. From start to finish, our experience here was nothing short of outstanding.

Chef Roberto Gallo and his talented kitchen team are masters at blending bold, traditional Mexican flavors with local freshness. You can taste the passion and authenticity in every bite. The menu isn’t just Tex-Mex—it’s the real deal. Think house-made salsas, slow-cooked meats, rich mole, and vibrant seasonings that bring the dishes to life.

We kicked things off with a fresh margarita pitcher—hand-shaken and zesty, made with real lime juice and top-shelf tequila. It paired perfectly with a heaping plate of nachos, generously loaded with melted cheese, fresh greens, jalapeños, and a drizzle of crema. The tortillas are crisp and clearly made in-house or locally sourced.

The Seafood Burrito was outstanding—overflowing with perfectly cooked shrimp and whitefish, seasoned with a mix of smoky heat and citrus, wrapped in a soft tortilla and topped with creamy sauce and fresh herbs. The Portabella Enchiladas were a delightful surprise: rich, earthy mushrooms in a bold red enchilada sauce that tasted like it came straight out of a Mexican abuela’s kitchen.

And the showstopper? The Steak and Whitefish Fajitas, served sizzling hot, with smoky aroma and color that tells you the chef knows his way around a cast iron skillet. The marinade on the steak had depth—cumin, garlic, and chili blended perfectly—and the whitefish was flaky, fresh, and seasoned just right.

The bar menu is extensive with craft cocktails, Mexican cervezas, and a thoughtfully curated tequila selection for purists and cocktail lovers alike. The live music on the outdoor patio, combined with views of Lake Huron, creates a truly unforgettable dining experience.

The restaurant itself is immaculately clean, with polished wood, festive décor, and a family-friendly atmosphere that’s still lively and fun for groups or couples. The service was exceptional—our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and offered great recommendations with genuine enthusiasm.

Whether you’re a fan of Mexican food or just looking for a standout dining experience in St. Ignace, Jose’s Cantina delivers authenticity, quality, and hospitality in every way. Chef Gallo has truly created something special here. We can't wait...