A mix of traditional Mexican & Central American dishes attracting local patrons to a simple setting. Based on 267 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.2 stars. Price $
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Drive-through ✔️ No-contact delivery
Address:
221 Carlton Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: (434) 295-4748
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Thursday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–9 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
D Versch
We started with the chips and salsa. The chips are house made and are not like the classic triangle chips you get elsewhere. They don’t break when dipping in the salsa. The salsa is very fresh with a rich tomato and cilantro flavor with a medium spice.
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Dawn Shields
Not bad. Tasted better than Guad. Next time I’ll ask for extra enchilada sauce. Their salsa was good. Chips are very thick & crunchy but good. I will be going back to try more. I didn’t see any flies & the server was nice & I didn’t have to wait like some of the other reviews. Prices reasonable too. I recommend for trying something local that’s new.
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Mike Cyberey
Went there for lunch based on some recommendations and was impressed. The food was fantastic, and the price was good considering inflation and how much other places are charging now. It’s probably the least expensive lunch buffet in town with real food. I will definitely go back.
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Major Hardington
A television constantly going at high volume for waitress kids.
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Gladys Arena
The music is extremely loud, me and my 4-month-old son, the food takes a long time, we were only 2 tables, the waiters with loose hair and not tied up, do not wear an apron, I left very disappointed before I came to the carnitas and restaurant and the staff was more friendly, they are dressed professionally, apparently the new administration does not know what they are doing to finish with a gold brooch, they do not come to the table to give them refills.
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Jessica Lamberty
Everything is delicious but the chips and salsa are out of this world. Love the chimichangas.
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Ben Lolli
Sometimes a massive plate of Mexican food is exactly what you need in your life. I have often found a hole in my life is best filled with homemade tortilla chips, fajita tacos, a side of refried beans and cemented a cold Modelo with lime. Cactus Mexican Restaurant in Charlottesville, Virginia, provides authentic Mexican cuisine at a reasonable price with friendly service. Now, I will say that it is hard for me to knock Mexican restaurants, so most Mexican places I will say are worth frequenting. I’m really into that category of food, and I love spicy, so when a dish is delivered with a giant, roasted jalapeno, I’m probably going to enjoy whatever else is on the plate. Some of the things I look for in a Mexican restaurant are the location and quality of chip and salsa. Is this place in a random location? Any good restaurant can survive in the busiest part of town, but if you survive off random a street then you know people are seeking out that food because it’s tasty! Additionally, you can tell a lot by a Mexican restaurant based on the chips and salsa. Did these come from a bag, or are they still warm? Is this salsa unique, or run-of-the-mill? All I’m saying is, Cactus is in a random location, with excellent chips and salsa.
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Derrick Stone
The food beats all the other Latin food places in town, hands-down. Honduran dishes and perfectly cooked,, tender meats. Carne asada you can write poetry about. Burritos you could park a mobile home on.
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Santiago Pinto
Hands down the best Mexican restaurant in Virginia, the interior is super authentic, the staff is really polite and the food is from another world. Whenever either me or my wife are having a bad day we come to eat here and it never fails to cheer us up.
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Mary Muse
Very friendly wait staff! Prices are very reasonable and the food is amazing! The tres amigos is the dish I ordered, and the pupusas were on point!! Highly recommended.
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