Tijuana Flats — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

First, let me make it perfectly clear that this rating is NOT for the entire Tijuana Flats chain, just this specific location. I have dined at many Central Florida locations since their inception nearly two decades ago and love their Tex-Mex concept, kitschy artwork, and wonderful public outreach and charity sponsorship.

Let me suggest their weekly specials on Taco Tuesdays & $5.99 Burritos Thursdays, as they are a great deal, also their occasional weekend specials. Join their Flatheads and use their app.

This restaurant along Roosevelt Blvd is at the far south end of a long shopping plaza which stretches from 9th St North anchored by a Publix almost down to Gandy Blvd. A plethora of apartment buildings have been built behind and west of it so the foot traffic has improved tremendously from a few years ago.

This was not my first visit obviously. My personal favorite item is the Mega Juana burrito. It is enormous stretching across both ends of your plate. You'll need a fork and knife because it's far too large to handle like a taco. Each item you order is customizable from the wheat or corn tortillas to the beef, steak, or chicken to the variety of vegetables and toppings. Might I suggest blackened chicken as it never disappoints. Also make it wet, with salsa for the chips or with queso.

The choices on the Hot Bar are another favorite. From their Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally habanero and jalapeno versions to a tangy peach & Vidalia onion habanero flavor to a wonderful Bee Sting honey with habanero sauce.

This location, perhaps for its clientele, chooses to make it's tacos and burritos cold. Ingredients are fresh and savory. Display is consistent with other locations. But when I bite into my dinner, complete with black or refried beans and rice smothered Wet with Queso, I expect it to be warm. At least a little.

Here it's like eating a cold salad over a tortilla....

I come in here quite often and I have noticed over the last couple of months things have gone downhill at this location. There has been multiple times I have called ahead to get an order for takeout due to having a short lunch break or just trying to get home quickly. I will stay on hold for more than 10 to 15 minutes and will walk into the restaurant with the phone ringing to maybe one or two customers in the store. The employees are in the back joking and just hanging out while the phone is ringing. Happened multiple times and I understand things happen and people get busy. But when I sit on hold for 20 minutes and walk into a very slow restaurant, with my phone on speaker showing them I’ve been sitting on hold it’s very frustrating. I am not want to leave reviews but I spend a good amount of money at this restaurant and if there is a owner or manager that sees it I just wanted to bring it to your attention. The cherry on top was the food/burritos were very sloppily made the last few times I have been in there and I wanted to wash my hands and obviously employees use this restroom and there it was no soap in the bathroom as you can see in the picture so I don’t understand how they’re washing hands but seriously guys come on . Get it together I love Tijuana Flats food but this is getting very frustrating and I live...

Worst dining experience I've ever had. It was a beautiful evening so i chose to sit in their outdoor area.. except that it was dirty with trash all over the ground. When the server came to the table, i ordered a sangria. Never saw her or the sangria.... After 10-15 minutes i was able to find anonymous server to again request a sangria. Mind you, in addition to myself there was a family with some children outside and a total of 4 people inside... The server brought my sangria and i gave her my food order. She then said that their "policy" is to pay at this time!!! Before i knew if i was ever going to see my food, if the order was correct, or in case i wanted another drink/dessert etc!! I didnt pay then and as it turned out my order was not right. I ordered a rice bowl with chicken and black beans... Except they forgot the chicken. There us another Mexican restaurant in the same strip mall which i will definitely try next time. Will never again go to...