Catalina's Authentic Mexican Cuisine & Tacos — Restaurant in Tyler

Ok, so I drove into Tyler to get some tacos and wanted to try somewhere new. The interweb brought me to this place, and I figured with a 4.8 on 33 reviews it must be good. Yeah, the tacos were good. Not great, but good. Certainly not as good as Los Gueros (currently my #1 in Tyler for tacos). What really irked me though: I followed a family of 4 in. The guy running the place comes to me after several minutes and says orders are taking a while; its going kind of slow. Ok, I say, no worries. Well, the family orders; more than a couple minutes later he takes my order. Two females walk in for a to go order. The family of 4 eats and leaves....and I still don't have my 4 measly tacos. The guy says (after the two females leave) "they ordered 50 tacos, and tortes, so things are...." yeah yeah right, but the family of 4 had their grub and was ready to split while I sat there. I watched an entire half (45 minutes) of a soccer match waiting. if the tacos would have been to die for, or the most amazing thing ever, I wouldn't have cared about the wait because it would have been worth it. As it is, though, all I can say is "meh." You can do better at other places in Tyler. Oh, almost forgot: 4 tacos (at $2 a piece) and a cup of lemonade: $12!!!!! And I saw him ring it up, it actually was $12.40-something so he "spotted" me the 40 cents I guess, but GOOD GRIEF that's $3 and some change for a lemonade?! give me a break. glad he was out of horchata, it probably would...

I did not think it possible, but I must admit Catalina's is the BEST, fresh, authentic, REAL Mexican food in all of East Texas!!! Hands down, this place is like going to visit family. Everything from their rice to the home made corn tortillas is excellent! Nicely seasoned plates, great selection of waters and sodas and their prices are very reasonable! I truly appreciate these wonderful people................like we told the gentleman last night.......your gonna need a bigger place!

ONE BIG improvement that NEEDS attention after going there a few times is the hospitality part. It would be excellent if they offered something like chips/salsa while your waiting for your food, which can take some time since everything is done fresh. The tables also need to be well stocked with the condiments that people need for their food, instead of having to resort to taking it off another empty table. Visiting your customers often and asking if there is anything else they need or possibly offering them a tiny sample of other items NOT on your menu, would make it easier for customers to want to try out the dishes your trying to offer them when you take their regular orders.

So, please do not take this as negative, but positive construction. Great little place and now they have another location deeper in Tyler! Great...

Delicious authentic Mexican food with two flavors of legit salsa! If you like flavor, but need food easier on the heat, go with the salsa verde. If you are a chilihead, like me, throw down with the red -- Not blow your head off hot, but spicy enough to feel it and still have good flavor.

My friend ordered the taco salad with steak, in a crispy tortilla bowl, and I saw no hesitation nor complaint. I tried the enchiladas with steak, covered in red chili sauce and traditional queso blanco. Very tasty, and the side of rice and beans were perfect! Because Catalina's is known for their tacos, I ordered ala cart a Carne Asada and a Carnitas taco, on corn tortilla, with onions, cilantro and lime. The Carne Asada was delicious, but the tender, flavorful pork Carnitas was a standout! Wash it all down with cold Horchata, or Lemonade with cucumber -- You'll be glad you came!!

Look for the small, deep pink sign. The entrance is at the front. There is a handicap ramp. Cute and simple, no fancy frills, but...