Juan's Mexican Cafe and Cantina — Restaurant in Virginia

The fish taco's use nice fish, blackened if desired. I emphasize this dish because I was in San Diego once and everyone was raving about fish taco's so we went over to this restaurant on the beach and they served up what amounted to a fish stick on a taco shell. I couldn't believe it, I was excpecting grilled fish or something a bit better than a breaded deep fat fried fish stick. In San Diego off all places. Juan's delivered what I was expecting. Excellent.

The enchilada's are average. The carnita (pork) is shredded or pulled; personally I perfer chunked up pork shoulder. The burrito's looked good and my date stated that the grilled chicken burrito was very good. They have a cart they wheel over to your table and make a fresh guacamole to order, which I found to be a wonderful touch.

There are vegetarian choices on the menu.

I do not recommend the Black Bean soup. I eat beans most everyday, I make them from dried and sometimes I open a can and rinse the beans. Juan's Black Bean soup tasted exactly like a can of black beans, freshly opened, not rinsed, heated up and sprinkled with a tablespoon of chopped up jalapeno and onions. That was a disappointment.

There is a hot sauce rack on every table with several choices of hot sauce (hot, green, and regular).

The service... I've been there several times, on differing days and differing times. Today the service was very cordial and timely. But... We had to ask for drink refills (soda and tea), we had to ask for chip refills, we had to ask for extra napkins, we had to ask... it wasn't that busy. Usually when we hit restaurants the wait staff is tripping over themselves ensuring that our needs are met... and I might add that our needs are few. Hot wings? Wet? Yes I would presume that a few extra napkins might be in order. Water refills... where spicy food is the norm... sure... you would think.

A couple of years ago this place was GREAT... but are they resting on their laurels? I wasn't too impressed. In fact, this might have been the last time for me. Sorry Juan's... you...

We decided to do takeout 08/10/2024. Upon calling, I could tell it was either a new employee answering the phone or that there would be a language barrier. After saying my order twice to the first gentleman (who lacked phone etiquette), a woman took over to whom I had to repeat three more times. In the process of the order, she repeated as I said, basically confirming that she had it under control. We ordered the Big Juan with a side of queso dip. I specifically said (you guessed it!) all five of those times we wanted NO CHICKEN and EXTRA STEAK. Upon arrival to pickup the food, they repeated the order CORRECTLY back to us. We were excited - we haven't been out for good food in a loooong time so we were surely looking forward to it. We got home and saw a regular Big Juan - no extra steak, including chicken. The queso dip was basically warm milk. I think the Pico de Gallo was the only food that was how it should have been, maybe a day past perfect but still edible. We usually get the good ol' chips and salsa/white dip as a complimentary palate starter, but we were disappointed to not even have those. The prices reflected on the online menu are not up to date. We paid 15% more than expected. I certainly hope they are not scamming customers like this in house.

We've gone to Juan's since they've come to Hayes. The quality (or lack thereof) has gone downhill substantially and I can surprisingly see that reflected...

I have raved about Juan's since they opened in Gloucester. Have told many friends about it. I think they have the best Mexican food around. However I had to walk out tonight. We were seated right away as our table was called ahead and did receive our chips but we're not spoken to at all. The waiters, waitresses and manager walked by us 20plus times and we didn't even get a simple "we will be with you in a minute". We sat at a table for 10 min before we finally said something to the host and then nothing changed so we left. I was then begged to stay as we walked out. I am not sure what has happened to the service but it has gone beyond poor. I understand it is not fast food so you don't get waited on right away but a simple "we will be right with you" to acknowledge you goes much further than being completely ignored. I love the food, and especially the great specials Juan's does, but it will be a long time before I go back. To be honest this is actually the second time this has happened, however we stuck it out and didn't leave the first time. This is very disappointing as it is my family's favorite restaurant and when we say we are going somewhere my kids say "let's go to Juan's". I am very saddened I am going to have to tell them no. I hope this is read by management and the issues are taken care of immediately.

A very...