Tijuana Flats

Always delicious and the employees are always great! Best taco salad around

I had long heard of Tijuana Flats, but never actually gone, when some good friends suggested it one Friday evening. So I expected it to be pretty good, and so it was!

The store-front location - set back and not terribly visible from the roadway - doesn't really present as Mexican, so one is unsure what to expect walking in for the first time. What greets you is entirely charming, but also perhaps a touch intimidating the first time.

The artwork splashed across the walls again doesn't really speak to the establishment's Mexican cuisine, but it's very colorful and charming. The open shelving one finds particularly behind the service counter does give that impression, but is rather more about utilitarian display of product; more on that shortly.

Walking in, the dining seems a touch cramped, but works okay in the arrangement presented. There is room to put together seating for slightly larger parties than the normal four; but the busyness of Tijuana Flats - and it is pretty brisk- might make it difficult. There is also reasonable seating (covered tables, a few benches) outside that do help.

Where it gets perhaps a bit intimidating for the first-timer, as I mentioned, is in the ordering of your food. Tijuana Flats is a modified fast-food style operation in that you go up to the aforementioned service counter to place your order and pay, and the food will be delivered to your table when ready. But the menu IS an actual, hand-held menu, which you pick up by the door and peruse while waiting your turn at the counter. Having never been here previously, this wasn't immediately obvious and a bit confusing, therefore intimidating; but having seen it, now, it does make sense and won't present a problem going forward.

What is offered on that menu, by contrast is very straightforward - very typical and traditional Mexican choices. For my first visit, I tried a chicken chimichanga, wet with salsa verde, and a pile of tortilla chips on the plate. A large ice tea, which I took with me from the counter completed the order. (I should note drinks are not self serve, but staff will cheerfully refill at the service counter.)

What IS self serve is Tijuana Flats' salsa/sauce bar, which has a gratifyingly large selection of hot sauces - some of which even a "fire breather" like myself has to be a bit careful in using. As my meal progressed, I took a great deal of enjoyment in sampling a wide variety of these. (I would have appreciated a little more light in what was a rather dim, nighttime setting to see everything more clearly, but that's a small nitpick.) Interestingly for hot sauce aficionados, many if not most are available for sale behind the counter (displayed on the open shelving I mentioned earlier).

The food, when it was delivered after a reasonable time to prepare, was well worth the wait. Excellent in proportion and very flavorful, all as well as one could hope for. The seasoning of the chicken was delightful, and the chopped and shredded veggies included were perfectly fresh. Priced

Not exactly a Megajuania taco with everything that I've had in the past. Manager stated, "it's double meat not extra produce". Not the normal friendly service we've come to expect after being a 10+ year 100 plus visits, customer. No offer for refills, or anyone checking on the quality of food. Hopefully just an "off day" .
Update: Pleased to say, went back today everything was fantastic as usual. Very attentive to all the details.

This Tijuana flats is nice. Everything is well clean from sauce spot all the way to the bathroom. The staff here are friendly and don't show no attitude, they even had a table ready for my family and I. They also check with you from time to time, LOVE IT!!