Borderland Mexican Restaurant

1.8 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  2     

Absolutely terrible. Service was the worst I've experienced in a decade, and the food was at best "ordinary". Don't go there.

Apr 30, 2012 

4 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  4     

Last time we visited Borderland a few months back we were disappointed to learn the previous owners had moved on, yet the service was reasonably good and we were pleasantly surprised at the slight lift in quality of the food.

This evening when we visited (a Saturday night) it was half empty, and for good reason. I remember when it was hard to get a table at Borderland on a Saturday night unless you had a reservation.

The two female and one male young waiters were absolutely abysmal and wouldn't be hired by anyone in their right mind even to pack shelves during the graveyard shift at a supermarket. They dripped with derision for the customers, lurked at the back pretending not to notice customers waving in their direction, and looked pained or offended whenever we asked a question like 'Could you tell us what the specials are today' (the blackboard was too far away for us to read) and 'could we order some coffees please'.

The food was still fine for a suburban Oz Mexican, but sad to say we won't be going to Borderland again, as it seems the current owners don't seem to give a toss, and by the look of the half empty restaurant on a Saturday night, the locals seem to have already passed their judgment.

Mar 24, 2012 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Appalling. The food here is bland, has no flavour. Beef Fajita is like a cheap chinese beef stirfry. Chili con queso was just melted cheese, no chili. Chili con carne was tasteless, the side salad was like weeds. The waitresses could barely speak english. A waste of money.

Mar 03, 2012 

4.5 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  5     

This used to be one of my favourite Mexican restaurants. I'm not sure if ownership has changed hands but has definitely changed! They not at all good with the allergy and dietary requirements as they used to be, they've become far more expensive and the dishes were so small we had to eat again when we got home. Think we'll be going somewhere else next time!

Aug 17, 2011 

3.8 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  2      Value  2     

Have been going to Borderland for around 15 years. Was always good value and good food. Went last week and the waitress, who may have been the senior staff was constantly 'upselling', in the end she had recommended far too much food and we even told her we were not too hungry before we ordered. When food arrived at the table, I told her it was too much food at which point she prentended she couldn't understand me.

The food was excellent as always, however, it has become way too expensive, it used to be a cheap night out, not anymore. And... dont' go there in winter as it's always freezing cold. They need to put a heater on!

I won't be back. I was so disappointed with the upselling and bad service. It's their loss.

Aug 15, 2011 

5 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  4      Value  5     

Always on the look out for good mexican, went here with the boyfriend and ordered chicken fajitas and the enchilada and burrito combo plate. All the food was pretty yummy, well cooked and the beef in the burrito was amazing, although I completely understand where people are coming from with small portion sizes. We were quite full but that's because we basically ordered 3 mains for the 2 of us. Makes it a bit pricey in the end but we really enjoyed the food. Atmosphere is pretty bland and staff have attitude, but we'd go back for the food alone.

May 14, 2011 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Where to start. Terrible service, waited 20mins for a bowl of corn chips with nowhere near enough salsa and guacamole. The guacamole was bland and more like baby food in texture. Our mains of chilli fajitas (not even remotely spicy) and chicken enchilladas (just chicken and too much cheese) took another 40mins to arrive. What was really annoying was the tortillas, sour cream and guacamole sides were brought out well before the fajitas made an appearance,around 30mins. Basically foods average, service poor and everything overpriced. We paid 80bux for 2 softdrinks, 1 beer, corn chips n dip, a serving of fajitas and an enchillada. Ridiculous!

May 13, 2011 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  1     

I arrived at 6 pm, myself and my 3 children. I advised the restaurant of food allergies for my daughter, and was then told that the kitchen could not guaantee that knives and cooking utensils were not mixed but that my daughter could have grilled chicken and salad. They then presented a dip (frijoles) that had cheese on it. The meal took 90 minutes to arrive, no apologies or explanation, many other patrons who arrived after us were served before us. One of the worst restaurants in Crows Nest.

May 07, 2011 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I absolutely love this restaurant! My friends and I visit quite frequently as we all love the food and the margaritas! The food is delicious, I can never go past the chicken quesadilla or the fajitas! The staff are very friendly and the outdoor dining area is great for those warm summer evenings! I definitely recommend Borderland!

Jan 15, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  2      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  1     

Only went here because our preferred Mexican restaurant was closed. Boy, we really should have skipped this one and gone to a fast food place. This place is one incredible rip-off - food court quality and meal sizes for sit down restaurant prices. The spice was non-existent, those of us in my party who like spice had to use copious amounts of chilli sauce from a bottle which we had to ask for.

Service was prompt enough but I hardly see that as a benefit when the food you are provided appears as if it was reheated minutes ago. The rice was flavourless, dry and clumpy as if it had been sitting there for hours. I have made more impressive Mexican food at home with a few of the supermarket kits. I could not believe the size of the burrito they served my friends and the price they asked for. I was shocked.

To add to an already miserable experience, when we went to pay we had to stand around for 10 minutes while the two waitstaff, and finally the manager looked up the prices of our bill items in their menu while fumbling around with a calculator. We are talking around 6 different, bog standard items here, no menu alterations or special requests - it was as if they had never sold a burrito or a fajita before.

The only positive I can say for this place is the back courtyard was nice and peaceful enough to sit and chat in, but I think I will give all this credit to my company at the time.

Dec 07, 2010