On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina image

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

Restaurant Meal takeaway Mexican restaurant Catering service Taco restaurant Tex mex restaurant Burrito restaurant

One of the Most Revieweds in New Brunswick


Address

51 US-1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Website

www.ontheborder.com

Contact

(732) 979-2192

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

3.90 (3K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (20) service (8) salsa (8) drinks (8) time (7) chicken (7) chips (7) experience (7) minutes (7) options (7)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Madhu S. 1 year ago on Google • 97 reviews
    Recently visited this place for dinner and we all had a wonderful time there. There was a 15-20 mnts wait time as it was a weekend. Food was good along with the Quick/decent service. The best Brownie Sunday I’ve had in recent times, I just loved it . Below are some of the snaps from this place …..
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Chris H. 2 years ago on Google
    This resturant was in need of a good sweeping. The server Jessica was very good 5 star. The food was very average. The chicken on the salad came cold. The carna steak was cook well but was very bland in flavor. The chips and salsa were excellent. For those reasons we gave it a 4 star.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 E M. 1 year ago on Google
    I was going to give this place the benefit of the doubt, as this place is clearly understaffed, but this was an overall terrible experience. Waited 30 minutes for a table, then waited another 15 for our waiter to show up, just for the waiter to go away for another 10 minutes, and then comes back to take our order and drinks. Took 30 minutes to get queso and our appetizers. The queso was almost water like and did not taste like usual visits. Then, another 25 minutes latee we get our food. It was not good. The photos I put speak for themselves. They also forgot a spoon and took over ten minutes to get me a spoon again. And when I opened the napkin it was in, it clearly wasn't cleaned. As we left, the staff seemed bored and some didn't seem to care. Now, I'm sick because of this food. This was an abysmal experience for me and my family. We won't be returning for a while, but may give them a chance in the future. Look at different options in the area if you're looking to eat somewhere.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Ty N. 6 months ago on Google • 240 reviews
    Ok: chicken flauta, beef empanada, refried beans, rice The chips are super salty and everything is very ok. Portion sizes are pretty decent but the fajitas seem pretty expensive and the proteins can easily overcook on the hot plate. The place is pretty understaffed with each table trying to flag the waitress and even newly patrons asking other diners where one can fine a waitress.

  • 2/5 Jarnail S. 4 months ago on Google • 8 reviews
    It’s sad to see how much worse the quality of food is relative to a few years ago. My family had been coming to this location for the past 15 years or so, lots of nostalgia. But I think we’re done coming here now. Everything is extremely bland. The peppers and onions in the fajita looked very old, chicken is dry. Rice is watery, no flavor. Salsa is very sweet. Soup isn’t what it used to be either. Just bland. The service however is decent. I’m not sure how much control they have over the recipes / seasoning / ingredients, since this is a franchise. But jeez. Do something 🤷 If you want an actual authentic Tex mex experience, Jose tejas is far superior, cheaper, and faster.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gangesh Y. 2 years ago on Google
    We ordered food for 9 people. All the dishes were great, taste nice. You get complimentary chips and salsa. You can swap meat with beans for veg options.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 AP S. 2 years ago on Google
    We tried to go for dinner many times in recent weeks around 8 -9 and we didn’t get a chance to have a table as they were very busy or lack of staff to serve ( that’s what we were told). So finally we visited this place very few days ago and this time around 6.30PM and we had a table in the next minute. Our server was very friendly and helpful. This is my first time to this place. Interiors/ambiance was colorful, good but looks very old. Tortilla chips with a sauce is the first thing that we were served before taking our order. We loved the sauce. Ordered live guacamole making and it tasted awesome. Drinks looked and tasted perfect 🤩. Restrooms are not really good. Will go back again.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Iswarya M. 4 months ago on Google • 46 reviews
    We had a friends birthdays here. We ordered good amount of food which excellent. And the service is so good. They are so friendly. I ordered a secret dessert for my friend in the end. While serving it everyone gathered around and sang birthday song for her. She felt so special. I loved it. 😍
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dheer G. 1 year ago on Google • 30 reviews
    Even though the food might be expensive, you get so much value for the food it almost feels impossible to finish. The dine in has significantly more food then the takeout, but the food was really good other than the tortilla felt a little cold and undone but other then that it tasted great. You can mix and match the rice and beans and even though the vegetarian options are very limited, there is still variety and the live guac and unlimited chips and salsa are always really nice to have. Overall I would recommend just be prepared to see lots of meat on the menu so you might have to ask for a vegetarian menu, they were very accommodating to our allergies and restrictions though. The drinks were really good too, as they are constantly serviced them.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Yash K. 2 years ago on Google
    I have been to this location two times and overall I’d say it’s decent food. They have tons of starters, fajitas, combos, mesquite grill options, drinks, and much more. The presentation of the foods is well done and the taste is mediocre with the portions being good enough. The staff is very friendly and super helpful.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Jay P. 3 months ago on Google • 7 reviews New
    I wasn't going to initially write a review, but it was when the manager insinuated the hair under my chicken was mine, which left a bad taste in my mouth. I ate about 10-15% of my food (Mexican Grilled Chicken) when I saw a hair under my chicken. I called over our waiter, who was very apologetic and asked if I wanted another one. I politely declined due to a lack of appetite and sent back most of the food. The manager came over and wanted to hear about what happened and said "our cooks wear hats and gloves, so it is VERY weird that happened." He repeated it a few times, which gave my girlfriend and I the impression he was saying it was my own hair (I was wearing a hat myself). He left by apologizing over the experience - I just wish that interaction was handled better.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Shyam J. 1 year ago on Google
    Quality has gone down the drain. We came here to celebrate a birthday. Vegetarian fajitas used to be good. Instead it was just a bag of different zucchini steamed and spread in a platter. And the tortillas were uncooked, like in grocery store, stuck to each other. I am sure we are paying for the food, then why such careless service and pathetic food quality? And the funny happy birthday we used to have was more "let's get it over with" attitude.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Omar J. 1 year ago on Google
    This visit was an embarrassment. I bragged how good the food and service was to my husband, however, on 12/16/22 our experience was lackluster at best. The floors weren't cleaned. We sat next to dirty tables for approximately 15 mins before they were cleaned off. The waiter, Mathias, was inattentive with an uncaring attitude. Another waitress had to attend to us, as it appeared that our original waiter forgot about us. I doubt we well return tk this location.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Bala S. 3 months ago on Google • 89 reviews New
    Food is not that great compared to it use to be before. Service is also worst. Wont go ever again TIO Taco is better and more reliable food

  • 4/5 Silky S. 2 months ago on Google • 86 reviews New
    Tried this Mexican restaurant on recommendation, they have good vegetarian options, portion size is good too! Nice selection of drinks! We went for lunch on weekday and it was empty!

  • 5/5 SS “srrs” D. 5 months ago on Google • 63 reviews
    Probably the best OTBs I have ever been to, food is always on point consistent. Service is impeccable, a big shoutout to Matthew amazing waiter. The only thing they could improve on is keeping the restrooms cleaner, otherwise a great OTB location.

  • 5/5 Andre Logan R. 4 months ago on Google • 35 reviews
    The food was very good but more importantly the staff made every bite better with their warm attitudes during our Real Estate investment event. Our server was amazing 😍 everyone loved her and although I was busy entertaining my guests. I wasn't too busy to notice that she was providing a high level of service. So wanted to drop in and say thank you. -Andre Logan Realtor

  • 5/5 Sandeep K. 6 months ago on Google • 26 reviews
    First time coming On the Border and I was actually impressed. At first I thought this was going to be like Chili’s, but this was worth it. I ordered the Southwest Chicken Tacos and it wasn’t that good. There was too many fried onions as topping and it was greasy. Also there tacos were dry and it need more sauce. After requesting additional sauce and putting salsa on the tacos then it tasted better. Also, we tried the Chicken Queso and another chicken dish and both were very tasted. The chicken was grilled perfectly and was soft and tender. Overall great restaurant with lots of selection for food and drinks. Thank you!

  • 4/5 Tanya F. 10 months ago on Google
    There was plenty of free parking, handicapped accessible entry, and restrooms. Child friendly, as several were present and seemed to be enjoying themselves. The food was good. Our waitress was a little forgetful, but not rude. The salsa and chips were very delicious! We would eat here again.

  • 5/5 Stephen D. 9 months ago on Google
    Great restaurant and decor was authentic Mexican. Everything was delicious. Isabella was a great waitress. We will be back ! 5 stars for sure!!

  • 2/5 Pradeep H. 9 months ago on Google
    Firstly the dirtiest floor and chairs every seen. I cleaned the chairs myself and sat thought it was a mistake. I remember reading a similar comment before going but ignored as it was only one. The drinks were good but food was terrible. Veg Fajitas was only with onions and a very few other veg pieces along with burnt mushrooms. No tortillas given until asked. By the time tortillas were given after I asked, the veggies were cold. Rice was bland. Guacamole given in the plate was super salty and wondered if no one had tasted it while making. The jalapeño firecrackers were literally dipped only oil (deep fry is different but this was like poured oil on the pieces). Had always been to several Mexican restaurants but never going back to this one. We had never wasted food in any restaurants before but this time it was totally off. Definitely not recommended. Instead of these big chains, go to small Mexican restaurants which will amaze you. 2 stars is only for drinks and service was also fine.

  • 5/5 Ketan C. 11 months ago on Google
    Great place, great appetizers and awesome food, portion sizes are big enough for you to take some back home

  • 1/5 Aqsa K. 1 year ago on Google
    Horrible horrible experience!!! The food was cold , service was tooooo bad, we had to wait 15 minutes for the silverware and the food was beyond edible. Will advise everyone to stay away from this location( Brunswick ) the salsa bowls were dirty from all sides with dried out salsa stuck on it, the server had no manners and was wearing a dirty shirt and put our drinks on the table while holding them by the rims. We left the half eaten food right there and wanted to leave but had to wait another 20 minutes for our check, it was a nightmare!!!!

  • 4/5 Khushi P. 2 years ago on Google
    Perfect place for dinner with friends or family. The food was pretty good, but felt like options were limited for vegetarians. However their dips are excellent, also the staff is super friendly.

  • 5/5 Jay T. 2 years ago on Google
    Such a lovely experience to dine in here. Frozen Margaritas are the best along with chips & salsa. Love the fact that they accommodate vegetarian friendly options in almost all their dishes. Definitely recommend this place


Call (732) 979-2192 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Happy hour food
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy hour drinks
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Counter service
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Curbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
    • ✓️ No-contact delivery

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