Casa México image

Casa México

Restaurant Mexican restaurant

One of the Most Reviewed Mexican restaurants in Ottawa


Address

1491 Merivale Rd, Nepean, ON K2E 5P3, Canada

Website

casa-mexico.ca

Contact

+1 613-695-7899

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday: 1 to 7 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: tacos (35) great (22) good (19) delicious (17) Mexican (13) atmosphere (13) service (12) taco (11) fresh (11) band (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Nonglak namjairak f. 1 year ago on Google
    The best Mexican food in Ottawa! Every time I go there, it reminds me of Mexico. If you are a fan of authentic corn tortilla, this place is the best one! They gave you generous amount of meat in the tacos too!
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 james43867 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing food, friendly service and a vibrant restaurant. No complaints from me. The food came out in about 10 mins, was hot, aromatic, juicy, and some of the best Birria I’ve had. I would recommend this spot to anyone craving some high quality Latin food. I got the QuesaBirria Tacos, they were filling and cheesy for days. At $27 for 3 tacos it is higher on the price range but totally worth it for the quality you get. Come here with friends or family and have a few dishes to see the range this place has.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jessica P. 6 months ago on Google • 344 reviews
    Tried 4 tacos for dinner, left to right: 1 - Birria: I guess I was expecting like, the full Birria as I've seen elsewhere, where the tortilla is dipped in the consomme and then cooked. The beef was delicious, very juicy and flavorful. 2 - Al Pastor: Other places I've had Al Pastor, the pork has had some char on it and had a lot more flavour. It was well spiced, but lacking that char I was hoping for, and I found the pork fairly dry. Somewhat disappointing. 3 - Chorizo: These were pretty good, my second favorite after the Birria. The chorizo was well crisped, there was the right amount of cheese on it, and the flavor was good. 4 - Beef Tongue: I've had beef tongue before and this one had a different flavor I couldn't put my finger on, but it wasn't something I expected or particularly could appreciate, and it didn't taste like the seasoning used. A few pieces were also quite overcooked and tough, which isn't what I'm used to with beef tongue either. The salsa verde was also very watery and made the chorizo next to it somewhat soggy. Overall, my least favorite. So overall, the tacos were largely fine, nothing special, the price was about average. The atmosphere was nice, the service was fairly good though they never refilled the water. All around, based on the high reviews for this place I'm somewhat disappointed. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good as I was expecting.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Amelie M. 5 months ago on Google • 203 reviews
    Update for Oct.31, 2023: Hubby and I have been on the hunt for the best tacos in Ottawa, trying several different places, and we've concluded that the best ones are here. Incredibly flavourful and they have way more choices than anywhere else. And if you go on a Tuesday, all tacos are $5 so can't go wrong with that. My favorites are the league, the gringa, and the avocado one. And the fish ... Heck, they are all good! And we love the horchata too (drink). And the margaritas of course! Another update! A must try are the Quesabrillas. They are fried tacos filled with meat and cheese and you dip it in a consomme. Very salty but oh so good! If you get the platter you get 8 and it's cheaper than getting two sets of the individual plates, which only have 3. Good to share! Another surprising favorite is the deep fried avocado taco. Incredible! Update: we hadn't been back since the pandemic, just kinda kept forgetting about this place but decided to go for my birthday as hubby and I are slightly obsessed about Mexico these days... I'm so glad we tried it again! They have really expanded their menu quite a bit and it's even better than last time. There were 5 of us and we all loved our food. And most of their menu is GF, which makes me sooooo happy! The margaritas were also excellent. We will definitely be back. Great little place! Authentic mexican fare that is flavourful and fresh. Even the corn chips are made fresh! I had the El Pastor tacos, which were amazing, as well as the beef tongue ones, which were also good. Hubby had the enchiladas and was very happy with them. The decor is very festive and the wait staff are friendly and attentive. I did find it a bit pricey considering the small portions but worth it. They have $3 tacos on Tuesdays though. Oh they have a patio! Will be going back for sure!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew K. 2 years ago on Google
    We made a reservation for dinner - it got quite busy and filled up as the evening went on so that may be something you want to do, too. Customer service was great, and the pricing was fair - not cheap, but not expensive. The decor was really nice, and the restaurant has a great intimate vibe. Go on a Friday evening - they have a Mariachi band that plays live music and it was a great addition to the experience. Most importantly, the food was great. We tried the enchiladas, a variety of tacos, a gordita, and some churros. You can tell that there was care given to each component of the dish (refried beans, vegetables, the tortillas, each sauce, etc.) and none of the ingredients were thrown in as a second thought. We will definitely be back!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher L. 1 year ago on Google
    Cozy, authentic Mexican cuisine. Pleasant staff, excellent decor, and a great selection with the menu. The enchiladas were delicious, as was their home made tomato soup Took family here for Father's Day, and they were very accommodating.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Faith-Anne W. 8 months ago on Google • 53 reviews
    Super delicious place to get some Mexican food. We came on a Tuesday and while they were busy, they still had space to fit our family of 6. We ordered their chicken enchiladas (with green (Verde) sauce), cheese quesadillas (plain cheese for the kids), 3 assorted tacos, and for dessert churros. Everything was super fresh, simple and delicious and best of all it came so quickly that we were in and out in under an hour (great for our tired kids!). The standout for me was the enchiladas which I ordered without radish and tomatoes.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jevan J. 7 months ago on Google • 110 reviews
    This place is overpriced, the price for one taco is too high and some tacos are small and dry. I will not return for this reason. On the positive, the food has lots of flavour and the atmosphere is great. Service is very slow and could also be improved. Can you believe pictures below is over 50 dollars that’s crazy to me
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anshi J. 4 months ago on Google • 6 reviews
    The food is delicious!! If you’re craving a spicy, fresh and creamy meal you should have the chilaquiles. The sauce was the right level of spicy but if you don’t have a high spice tolerance make sure to mention it to the waiters. The mix of the cottage cheese, raw onions with sauce and tacos was just to die for! My favorite part of the entire meal was the drink - horchata. It was creamy and had so many spices. The ambience was cool, low lit and everyone looked like they were having a good time :)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Karl P. 1 year ago on Google
    Been here a few times now and have really enjoyed the authentic Mexican cuisine, wide selection, friendly staff, clean dining area (and patio) and Friday night mariachi band! We got a large plate of nachos and then I got three different tacos - one each with chicken, pork, and beef. This is a gotta go kinda place.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 B J. 1 year ago on Google
    I love Mexican food. But based on two dishes from this restaurant, I was not impressed. I ordered the taco bowl. I was thinking it would have a deep fried bowl, but it was actually just a ceramic bowl filled with taco ingredients. Rice at the bottom of the bowl, with raw onion, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and a few other ingredients...unfortunately, the ingredient of taste was not included. I had to add salt to taste something. I ordered beef, since the initial price was vegetarian. The little dalop of beef was about 1/4 cup. I don't remember it having any taste. Service was great...very attentive. I was there the night a Mariachi band played. They added to the atmosphere.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Becky R. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious food and a fun atmosphere! As you you walk in you’re welcomed by friendly staff and a bright and festive decor. The menu is excellent as well. As a vegetarian I normally have minimal options, but Casa Mexico has a well rounded menu with a lot of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael M. 2 years ago on Google
    Very nice spot. A bit hidden, so we passed it when looking for it. Atmosphere is awesome and the decor is great. Solid service, just enough to care, no upselling and definitely not hounding you while eat! (This is a huge pet peeve of mine) Food was delicious, will be going back soon. The tacos are A1, but that's just my opinion.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Louise R. 2 years ago on Google
    Atmosphere was very home-y and humble. Quick service too, but most importantly AMAZING FOOD! Had the tamales, elite, quesabirria tacos and their churros, all being super affordable. 10/10 would recommend!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Arina A. 10 months ago on Google
    Great service.Drinks are good. But the food is just okay and didn’t have much flavour. The portions are not big either. Their churros are pretty decent and tasty.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Danielle G. 11 months ago on Google
    Omg!! We we’re just driving through Ottawa for one night and this was such a great spot to stop for dinner. The decor is so festive & the staff were super friendly / helpful. Spicy Margarita was a great way to get the tastebuds rolling, then we had Pico de Gallo, Chips & Guac, plus the Elote for an appetizer. Everything was so fresh & delicious. We were super impressed with the tacos as well - we had the pulled pork, beef & chicken options. loved every bite! & the tortillas didn’t fall apart which I find is common with fresh corn tortillas. We asked for extra hot sauce and sour cream which we didn’t even really end up needing the flavour was so good. YUM!!! We left really happy. Highly recommend for some delicious authentic Mexican cuisine.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sayf G. 2 years ago on Google
    Came here on the first Friday where the Mariachi Band 🇲🇽 band had returned! The live music was incredible and the atmosphere just delightful! I honestly felt like I was back in Mexico, great vibrance! Now, onto the food review 🌮 The nachos were incredibly crispy! The topping were flavourful and tasted quite fresh! I ordered the enchiladas as my main course, and just wow! I highly recommend a side of their green spicy sauce! 🌶 the shredded chicken was impeccable! Highly recommend! 🌯🫔
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Christopher S. 1 year ago on Google
    After a hectic day at work I decided to treat myself on a Friday night. I can’t say enough good things about this place, I don’t even know where to start. The staff was so friendly and just took so much pride in their culture and food. I loved the queso and my quesabirria tacos. I also treated myself to some nice desert and it was increíble! I cannot wait to come back!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Josh C. 1 year ago on Google
    Pros: excellent authentic food, good friendly service. Local family owned business. Cons: only one bathroom, they were sold out of several items I wanted so they were minor inconveniences overall. Pros far outweigh the cons. Overall I’d give them 4.75 so I rounded it up to 5*. Definitely recommended.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Maria B. 11 months ago on Google
    I recently visited Casa Mexico for the first time, and overall, I had a great experience. The restaurant was incredibly busy, but I was lucky enough to snag a spot on the outdoor patio. One thing to keep in mind is that the parking lot is a bit hidden, so be sure to keep an eye out when driving in. To start, I ordered the mangonada with 2oz of tequila, and it was a unique and unforgettable experience. The combination of sweet mango and tart lime flavors mixed with the strong kick of tequila was a perfect balance of flavors. Additionally, the 2oz Cuba libre was also excellent, and I was impressed with the strength of the drink - definitely not something you'll find at every restaurant in town. For my main course, I opted for the fiesta with res tacos, and it was absolutely delicious. The tender beef mixed with the fresh vegetables and spices made for a flavorful and satisfying meal. The only downside to my experience was that I never received the water that I requested, and I had to ask for additional items myself when they brought the food. However, given the extreme busyness of the restaurant, I can understand how this might happen. To wrap up my meal at Casa Mexico, I decided to order churros for dessert, and they did not disappoint. I went with a combination of both chocolate-drizzled and caramel churros, and they were the perfect sweet ending to my meal. The churros were warm, crispy, and coated in just the right amount of cinnamon sugar. Overall, I highly recommend Casa Mexico to anyone looking for great Mexican cuisine and strong drinks. Just be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the hidden parking lot. Don't forget to try the mangonada with tequila and the churros for dessert - they are not to be missed!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Zoe F. 5 months ago on Google • 28 reviews
    We came here for Taco Tuesday to try this place out. The whole atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in the movie Coco, it’s so colorful and vibrant. The tacos were delicious, and the tacos were only 5.50 each! Our favorite would be the Gringa, the melted cheese crust really adds to the texture. The fish taco was rated the highest amongst the group. Shrimp taco was good as well. We also tried the beef tongue taco which had too strong of the meaty flavor and nothing else which is not my cup of tea. I would highly recommend trying out this place on a Tuesday!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bytown F. 2 years ago on Google
    Amigos!!! This Restaurant has the best Traditional Mexican food in Ottawa. It feels like you are in Mexico specially the beautiful and unique interior design, when you go in there. This is a family owned and operated business and they have the most delicious Mexican food made from authentic ingredients.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Jessica O. 2 years ago on Google
    Stopped in on a taco Tuesday and tried 4 different types of tacos as well as the quesabirria. The food was good but nothing really stood out unfortunately. In my opinion the tacos are pricey for how small they are and if it hadn’t of been taco Tuesday I would have been pretty unhappy with that. Quesabirria was good but extremely greasy. Didn’t leave a lasting impression enough to warrant another visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Hansi 10 months ago on Google
    I bought takeout here - when I got home I was shocked by how small the portion sizes were considering the price ($47). I bought the “large” Birria en consomé ($18) from the soup section of the menu and 4 tacos (each $6). In my opinion, those tacos were worth $4 each at best (I’m being generous). I could’ve eaten one in a single bite. The staff weren’t great either. I don’t understand how this place has such high ratings, maybe it’s the atmosphere at the restaurant?? I’m confused and very disappointed.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 AP 1 year ago on Google
    This place is a hidden gem, I would go back for their vegetarian nachos. It was 10/10. They also do Taco Tuesdays and I got 3 Pescado tacos which were amazing, also tried Mushroom tacos and wasn’t disappointed at all. The fish tacos were not out of the world but definitely worth it for $4 on Tuesdays! You have to place an order for min 3 tacos when you go for Taco Tuesdays ! Nice staff!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Brian O. 6 months ago on Google • 97 reviews
    Tortilla soup, nachos, taco bowl, churro. Soup lacked flavour and was quite watery. Nachos were delicious and would be enough for a main course. Taco bowl was quite dry, even after adding salsa. Flavours were good, though. Churros were delicious. Overall a bit expensive in my opinion.

  • 4/5 Drake W. 7 months ago on Google • 53 reviews
    Came on a taco tuesday. Quesabirria was pretty good but relied too much on the broth. The meat was a bit dry on the regular tacos. Great atmosphere and service. Might be worth checking out their Friday night Mariachi band.

  • 5/5 Rebeka Elza B. 6 months ago on Google • 19 reviews
    Really cute and homey place. I had two vegetarian tacos (veggies and deep fried avocado) and soup. It was really good! I never saw avocado pieces in soup before and it was great :) the staff were friendly as well. If you don't eat spicy food, make sure to tell them in advance! I made that mistake when I thought not spicy sauce meant not spicy to Mexicans, but overall great experience, would go back when I visit Ottawa again :)

  • 5/5 Lilian D. 2 years ago on Google
    I love to eat here for the friendly service and the bright, cheery ambiance. The tacos are delicious, all the ingredients taste fresh, no filler. The selection on the menu is great. My tip is to take advantage of Taco Tuesday to try different kinds. The shrimp and mushroom ones have become my favourites! Don’t forget the hot sauce on the side…so good. I usually get the horchata as well - refreshing and not overly sweet. Sometimes they will have soccer on the TV, so if you are a fan, it is a bonus :)!

  • 5/5 Neil B. 1 year ago on Google
    TL;DR: absolute gem and feels so authentic! Amazing atmosphere, magnificent food, incredibly priced! This place is just incredible! Everything about it is just so authentic; the food, the staff, the atmosphere, all of it! We also got the extra added bonus of being there on a Friday night when they had a mariachi band playing and it was absolutely incredible! Plus, as a side note, there were couples, families and groups of friends here, so they really seem to be a place for every occasion. Starting with the drinks, absolutely delicious! We had a margarita and a dacquri and both were fantastic. I have to say, when it comes to the spicy seasoning on the rim of the margarita, they could have brought me a bowl of it and I would have eaten the whole thing. It's so flavorful and just such a memorable little detail! For the food, I don't think I can really do it justice. We had the chicken enchiladas and the birria tacos and they were absolutely outstanding. The tacos were tender, juicy, fresh toppings, and just the right side of messy! The enchiladas had such perfect sauces with them that had a stunning mix of spice and freshness that made every bite better then the last. Their menu is really broad, and because it all sounds great, it makes picking something difficult. I have to mention at this point that I'm not great at spicy stuff, and I'm not too familiar with Mexican food. But, our server was really helpful and able to help me pick something not too spicy but something I was familiar with too, so I really appreciated that level of helpfulness. When we got the bill, we couldn't believe how affordable it was! Considering how amazing the food and service was, we expected it to be a lot more - even with a tip! This place really is an absolute gem. Restaurants like this are incredibly rare these days. I cannot recommend it enough. My only tip is to go hungry. It's all so delicious and it's such a pleasant, fun, vibrant place to be! Absolute winner!

  • 5/5 Kruti B. 2 years ago on Google
    I don’t remember how I found this place, but boy I’m glad I did. We went on a Friday when the Mariachi band played, as per the host’s recommendation. We made reservations and were sitting right by the band so it was unexpectedly louder than expected, not the best spot to have conversations. Nevertheless, the service was excellent, the band was excellent, the food was to die for and the so were the drinks. The only thing I would want to add to this restaurant is make it bigger with a dancing area so ppl can dance while the band plays! Great vibes though! Would recommend everyone to try it out at least once. Will be going there often.

  • 5/5 Jeff S. 2 years ago on Google
    Always great here. Run by family and friends, Authentic Mexican fare. Reasonably priced, delicious. Everything done there, the fresh tortillas, the mole sauce, the spicy chorizo etc. Great selection of tacos for lunch, $5-$6 each. This visit I had a chicken mole and a chorizo w/beans & potato. Fantastic.

  • 5/5 TGW 9 months ago on Google
    Mariachi fun...…..What an excellent little spot on Merrivale rd. My wife and I went on our anniversary and were pleasantly surprised by the warm and exciting atmosphere. The food was very authentic and the servers were most gracious, but the atmosphere was just an out of the park home run. We happened to be there on a Friday when the Mariachi band was playing, talk about setting the mood. They played a song for my wife and I and she got teary eye's when they sang. Great Mojitos and great fun. Highly recommended.

  • 5/5 Ryan D. 8 months ago on Google • 1 review
    Amazing spot! Truly traditional Mexican cuisine! The atmosphere, cuisine, service, chef's, drinks (especially the margaritas) are amazing. And the portion of the nachos 👌 Not to mention on Friday there's mariachi bands that play. Overall fav dine in Mexican cuisine.


Call +1 613-695-7899 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Plenty of parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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