Mission Cantina

Let’s get started on this… My friend brought me here a while back because I was just starting to get into Mexican food. I didn’t have super high hopes for this place and I’m not sure why.
We walked in and waited about 20 minutes for a seat. Not really a great way to start off the evening but it happens, I let it slide. (Just a note, this happens every single time).
The drinks: ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. Their margaritas are to die for. The prickly pear margarita with salt; ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! There aren’t enough words in the English language for me to properly tell anyone how much I love the drinks here. There just aren’t. I am irrevocably head over heels.
The food: Amazing as well! I’m usually in it for beef and they know what they’re doing in the kitchen! Everything has a ton of flavor always. Check out the salsa sampler! I’m not usually a salsa fan but they have a sweet one on there that’s definitely worth the trip!
Service is usually the downfall. The waitresses that I’ve had (with one exception) have all been mediocre at best. They don’t seem to care a lot and would rather talk to each other or the bartender than do much else.
Just an extra tid bit, it’s always super dark in there. No idea why.

Wut. So good. We got the salsa sampler which was an awesome start to the meal. I got a quesadilla which was flavorful and I dipped in the house guac, which was super good. So many good feels from this place!

Great food. The veggie enchiladas are so good that I have yet to try anything else. I just wish they still served lunch. MC has the best Mexican food around.

Two words: loaded nachos. Best I’ve ever had. Mushroom quesadillas were good as well. Can’t wait to try the mole, which I have heard on good authority is awesome. Margaritas are creative, though a little ‘light’, if you know what I mean. Service is ok.

This is my favorite place in Amherst. They have the BEST margaritas and you gotta get the nachos … Everything’s not clumped in the middle. So evenly cheesed it’s incredible.

I absolutely love the food here. We always start off with the queso fundido; spicy and rich chorizo with a boatload of melted fresh white cheese topped with pico de gallo. The tacos are great, mole is amazing, and ALL of the margaritas are fantastic. Even though they only have 5 or so beers on tap, they always have quality brews. Pro tip: go early and save some leftovers for a midnight snack. The small space fills up quickly!

You know… I want to give it more. I’ve been here a few times, and my experience has been similar each time. I want to give you more, Mission, but love is not a one-​way street.
Food: excellent. Had the steak taco special last time I was there, and they were tasty. Definitely up there in my Mexican experience. But they won’t put steak on my friend’s salad, even for an extra charge, citing high steak prices (menu still says you can get steak on the salad). Seriously?
Our group ordered two chip/​salsa combos… The first one was clearly the bottom of the barrel: cold and some were so Greasy that they were chewy. The other came out piping hot and delicious. Unfortunately «my» order was the cold chewy order. Salsa: yum!
Drinks: I don’t drink much, so usually one drink and I can feel it. Well, the only thing I felt after the margarita was more thirsty and a whole lot of sour in my mouth. Not sure if there was even tequila in it. It kind of tasted like salty lemon juice over ice. My friend, who also rarely drinks, got a hibiscus margarita and said the same about the lack of any sort of potency.
Service: aye carumba! I think a wet sponge has more personality than some of these people. Everyone looks miserable. I’m eating salty food and drinking lemon juice. Just a couple check ins to see if we need water refills go a long way. A long long way. Like you lost a whole star because I was thirsty long way.
Like I said, I want to love you and your tasty tacos… But you didn’t even give me enough alcohol to cloud my judgement. I’ll probably be back because some of my friends can’t get enough, but I’ll stick to veracruzana or casa de nana.

Very good Mexican food for the area. They are known for their three salsa appetizer and margarita’s. My favorite restaurant for date night.

This is a really cool place in a sort of funny part of town; you drive up on a really empty country road and then there it is at the intersection. It’s a little jewel though! The food is soooo flavorful and VERY customizable. Very vegetarian friendly, too, which is important for a college town. Get a Michelada and anything with poblanos! You won’t regret it.

This place is awesome! The service was excellent. We sat at the bar and our bartender/​waiter was super nice and helpful with explaining the menu. The food came out quick and tasted fresh and delicious. Very reasonably priced.

Tried to use my $ 60 gift card there for dinner last night. My daughter gave it to me and I was taking her family to dinner. The waiter came back and said the card was only valued at $ 20. I had the receipt but the manager that was on could not access the info to verify my receipt. I had to put the $ 40 difference in my credit card. I’ve been trying to call to talk to Sam, the general manager, but no one answers. WTF… Bad business practice. They better make this right.
Just called and got a call back. $ 40 to be credited to my card. Advice: KEEP and/​or GIVE any receipts you get when purchasing a gift card.

Best drinks, best food– hate how long it takes to get in there sometimes but it doesn’t even matter because it is SO delicious. I love that they also have the food truck on Thursday nights!

Really great food. I miss this place so much! Always willing to go a little out of my way to grab dinner here.
I have heard a couple complaints about service from friends but I always dined here pretty late and had a good experience. Staff was accommodating and easy-​going. but really the food would make up for that either way.

Warning! Hours have changed and have not been updated online or on their store front! Just stopped by only to find the door is locked! Call before you go!

Happy to say things have gotten better. The food is (as expected) good. Specials are yummy (whether it’s the lamb tacos, tamales, etc) or they’re doing an app like taquitos or the bar has a special cocktail going. We are esp fond of the fish and shrimp tacos as well as the braised beef enchiladas.
Service has gotten better. Here’s hoping they can maintain it.

I moved here from California a few months ago and I’ve been on the search for an at-​least-​ok Mexican food restaurant (sorry, Mama Iguana, ick). On the recommendation of my fellow Unilocalers, I went here on the weekend, but early in the evening as recommended. Walked in the door at 5pm and got the last table.
The atmosphere is great (music is loud, but not too loud). This would be a great place for a first or second date. The lights are very low, so if you look good in the dark (or bad in the light), this is the place for you.
The salsa was fresh and interesting; I didn’t love the taste (heavy on the smoky), but it was fine. Our meals, especially the tacos, were great. Definitely the best Mexican food I’ve tried here in New England. Our wait-​staff was jovial and on-​the-​ball, the drinks were well-​made (and they have some great, creative specials) and overall, I’d return.

I just came back home from a late night dinner here and seriously Mission Cantina blew me away! From the awesome service that offered James, the bartender, to the ever most exquisite Mexican food I have ever tasted in my life, this place deserves more than just 5 stars! The ensalada cantina with shrimp was heavenly! What amazed me most was the taste of the grilled seasoned shrimp! And then the queso fundido… AMAZING!
Also the pear margarita that James recommended was the best I have ever tasted in my life since I turned 21! Mission Cantina really rocks and it now rocks my world!

Best Mexican food in the valley hands down! And I’m from Southern Cali so that’s saying a lot.
Seriously everything they makes is delicious. Menu is smallish but I kind of like that. If it’s your first time here do this:
1. Arrive before 6 to avoid the crowds. Only negative is that if you show up after 6 on a Friday with one other person you might have to wait up to an hour to be seated. It gets packed. :-/​Parking lot is also a hassle. ARRIVE EARLY.
2. Order the chips and three salsas for starters. The pineapple salsa is THE BEST THING EVER ON THIS GOOD EARTH.
3. Order a margarita. Yes do this. Maybe do this step before the chips. Drinks come quickly. Choose the salt rim. I recommend their classic margarita or the ruby grapefruit.
4. Get the taco combo plate LOADED. The fish tacos are particularly amazing and are pretty popular.
Note: The Chicken Mole dish takes awhile to cook so if your friends all order tacos and you get the chicken it might take you awhile to all get your food.
Overall: 4 Stars. I dream of eating this food everyday but my body nor wallet would be happy with me and the hassle of the crowds makes me cringe. I come here on special occasions or when the craving is too hard to bear.
Service is good. Could be more attentive.
Enjoy!

This is one of the best Mexican restaurants I have been to anywhere. The menu is simple, and delicious. I have had the taco plate, burritos and chicken mole. They are all my favorite! The chips and salsa is served with 3 interesting salsas, the queso fundido is also a good starter choice. They have a good selection of tiquilias and knowledgeable bartenders. Just a great place to visit.
If you go in the evening, go with the expectation that you will be waiting an hour. It is a good opportunity to have a drink while you are waiting and catch up with friends. The place will be completely packed. Parking is an issue as well, because everyone wants to eat here.

4.5 stars
simple mix-​n-​match menu, sides
fresh, flavorful food
potent cocktails, microbrews
chips come out hot, the guac is smooth
gluten free tortillas (ask for them) AND
gluten free fish tacos (yay)
fun ambience and décor
*always* a wait because it’s muy popular
parking is tight
the special blackened swordfish tacos were perfect; rice/​beans kinda bland tho
def be back!

In response to «Hector»
Héctor, en primer lugar, no quiero que se trata de un pissing contest. Su respuesta a mi post es una prueba que no se puede hacer algo tan simple como una tortilla de maíz. Cualquiera que haya nacido en México sabe cocinar la comida mexicana la manera adecuada. Si usted es en realidad el vocero para el establecimiento, por favor contraten «real» Los Mexicanos que saben cómo cocinar «real» la comida Mexicana.