On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

We had been sitting at our table for over 10 minutes and no one even acknowledged us. It was a bad way to start a meal. After my husband complained to the manager, we watched the service staff fight over whose table it was and then a sweet girl took our table even though the rest of her tables were on the other side of the restaurant. Because we complained, we received a free queso and dessert. They took great care of us. All in all, I am not thrilled with OTB after today.

Husband and I went to this location twice and never again. Went for the first time a few months ago and the place was empty so we thought the service would be great, but it wasn’t. The food was pretty good which made up for it so we thought maybe we just didn’t have a great server. We went again last week towards the end of happy hour and the place was packed. Sat next to the soda fountain behind the bar. Server seemed nice and took our drink order promptly. Table was sat next to us and the server took their drink order. Few minutes later I noticed our drinks sitting near the bar melting (swirls). 10 minutes later the server finally literally got the drinks turned around and put them on our table and took our order. Didn’t say anything, but was irritated. 10 minutes later the people next to us get their food. 15 minutes later people next to us are almost done eating their food and we haven’t even gotten ours. Meanwhile since we are sitting so close to the kitchen, I can tell that all they are doing back there is reheating food which really shouldn’t take 30+ minutes. Also, since we were sitting so close to the kitchen we got to witness the immaturity of some of the staff; goofing around, chasing each other, and even KISSING in plain sight. Finally our food arrives and it’s room temperature and not seasoned at all. Server didn’t even bother coming back again to ask how things were nor to refill our drinks. Finished eating and sat there with our plates stacked waiting another 10 minutes for the server to come back with the bill. Good drinks, unseasoned food, and horrible service! Won’t be wasting our time going back.

Awesome happy hour with and awesome bartender! The only way to go is sit at the bar and ask for Daniel! He took such great care of us! We will definitely be back thanks to him

I’ve always liked On The Border, and the quality of the food is most always on point (there are a few times it’s less than adequate). Today we ate there and our server was Daniel… probably the best service I’ve had.
Daniel was fast and friendly. He had the right balance of serving (filling chips, drinks and salsa etc.) without hovering around the table interrupting the meal. Will ask to be seated in his section next time around for sure.

Been here several times. Food is awesome and you can’t get a better margarita. They have happy hour specials and the staff is very courteous and friendly. Food arrives quick and hot. One of my favorite places.

It took way to long for a bowl of soup, which was ordinary. The Mexican Martini helped make up for it. It was excellent.
However it is ridiculous to allow employees to eat their chicken fil A lunch in the bar over about 30 minutes. On duty or not.

Love this place. It’s more quiet and out of the way than the one closer to our home so we choose it most every time for great food. Came last night for my free birthday treat.

The service was okay. Friendly staff at to go counter. However the food was horrible. I ordered steak quesadilla as they were out of the spinach and mushroom. The food was freshly prepared as it was hot but it was not good at all. It was very crunchy almost like eating cheese toast and the meat tastes very gamey.

Why did I keep chewing that food?. . I felt like I was a rottweiler and my owner just tossed a steak over the fence and I was just trying to break it apart with my teeth. No flavor in the steak fajitas whatsoever. The server that I had was obviously overworked, but also not getting any help from their lack of scheduling a bus person on a holiday weekend. I hate to give this review since it’s so close to the house but, I won’t be coming back. Nothing in the aftertaste of the meal was appeasing.. Ugh.. I’ll stick with polanco’s

This has become our go-​to spot for late night happy hour. The low price point at happy hour is what draws us in and makes this place a must stop on a weekly basis. Sundays through Thursdays, they run happy hour apps and drinks from 9 – 11. You can get a margarita, a shot, and a small plate for like $ 6. That sounds pretty good to me!
But, cheap food doesn’t scream great food. The salsa is alright. In Texas, it feels like we grow up with salsa in our bottles and develop a taste for what we like. I like my salsa chunkier and spicier, but as this is a chain, I think the lowest common denominator sense of Mexican cuisine runs throughout the menu.
However, at this location, the way our food is prepared is outstanding. My new favorite fries are their avocado fries. Fresh avocado, lightly breaded and fried nicely. A little shake of salt, a dip into their spicy cream sauce, and I’m on cloud nine. We also frequently get the stuffed jalapeños and they’re cooked well, but the jalapeños themselves taste and look canned. Come on, OTB. Whoever is cooking at this location deserves better raw ingredients because they send out tasty dishes every time. I can’t image that fresh jalapeños would really add that much cost to the bottom line.
We’ve also become fans of their fajitas. The tortillas could be better, but again, I’m finding fault with the supply chain, not the way the food is sent out. We usually stop in late and have found our service consistently great. We’ve had about 4 or 5 different servers, and each was pleasant and attentive. But, again, we’re going at around 10 when dinner service is usually over.
Oh, and the drinks, again we’ve gone at night, but the bartenders on at night are great. We normally get margaritas and find them perfect every time. Plus, the price can’t be beat. A margarita and an extra shot of tequila for $ 4 equals gold. Tequila, lime, and the right mix of tart and sweet comes through time and time again.
Service, drinks, and well made food are easily 5 stars. The actual starting ingredients OTB seems to use (i.e., the mediocre salsa, canned jalapeños, flavorless tortilla soup/​tortillas) could use some revisions.
All in all, I recommend this place for happy hour, especially if you’re with a big group looking to drink and eat on the cheap.

Lousy service worse food. The salsa was smashed tomatoes in Luke warm water. The quest was ran faster off the chips than water does down the drain in their bathroom. This once was our families favorite lunch restaurant. Not anymore. Corporate needs to retrain the kitchen or close the doors on this location. Don’t even bother coming inside. Drive right on by.

This restaurant is fine. That’s it. The service was good and the food came out fast which was nice. The food was good but no wow, nothing special. The flavors seemed a little watered down and needed more pop. It’s like Tex-​Mex for people from Wisconsin who don’t know any better. I always eat all my food here it’s just not my favorite place to go. I’m sure I’ll still be back again soon though.

Nothing like a 30 minute wait while staring at 6 open tables. Other reviews are correct. Terrible terrible service. Find another place it’s not worth it.

Worst dinner experience ever. Can’t rate the food here because after we got seated n waited 20 mins, we decided to leave. Other tables got seated around us after us and got there chips n salsa n drinks. We were totally invisible to the waiters! Terrible service!!! Don’t come here!

I’ve had better tex-​mex but i guess its good for the price. Not a good stop for someone looking for authentic mexican food.

I came here again last night. Once we were seated, we were totally ignored for 7 or 8 minutes. No chips or drink orders.
The place was about 65 percent full. None of the servers seemed like they wanted to be there. And I’m sure they didn’t, but sometimes you just have to put on the right face.
The food came out quickly, and it was very good. Gets two stars because of the servers’ attitudes.
I just didn’t have a fun dining experience there.

This place is a paradise! Nice drinks, delicious food, and the Kahlua Ice Cream Pie makes me wanna stop by everyday on the way home from work!

This location is really hit or miss. I’ve been an OTB fan since high school but the Parks Mall location is way better than this one. If you go during happy hour or during any busy time expect to spend lots of time waiting to be seated and then on your waiter. I understand that that is standard in restaurants but if I’m going to OTB, I would rather drive a bit longer to get better service in Arlington.

My dinner companion needed a giant Burrito fix, so we ended up here: started with the fried avocado fries (wedges with batter and deep fried). Tasty.
Fish tacos were huge, meal for two really. Good but I’ve had better. The giant burrito lived to be eaten the next day for lunch.
It’s a chain, nothing unique, and not really authentic in any way.

I have eaten at this OTB many times and they have never disappointed. The food is always delicious and the service is fantastic. And like another reviewer stated, it’s very clean as well. I can’t think of any dish on their menu that isn’t good to be honest, and I’ve tried many. I do recommend you try their Brisket Tacos. And if you are a true cheese lover, be sure to order some Queso for your chips (although your server is very unlikely to forget to ask you if you want some). Usually my great reviews are short like this one. :o) Once the review gets too long and complicated, it’s usually because things weren’t what they should have been. OTB is top notch.