Riverside Restaurants: Tijuana Flats In Five Points

[Metro Jacksonville]

Riverside Restaurants: Tijuana Flats In Five Points



Five Points couldnt be busier with new life and restaurants.  Now Tijuana Flats is open at the corner of Margaret and Riverside, replacing the space vacated by Sushi Cafe as it moved to a different part of the complex.  Join us after the jump for words from Janice Price

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http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-riverside-restaurants-tijuana-flats-in-five-points

[Adam W]

What's HCF? I noticed the term here and in the Tapa That review. I assume it's something unsavoury, yet I Googled it (and looked it up on Wikipedia) and couldn't find anything.

I used to occasionally eat at Tijuana Flats when I worked at BoA on the Southside. I liked it. Pretty good and the portions were fairly large as I recall. We used to do take away, so I can't attest to the experience of eating in the restaurant.

I think it'll be a great addition to Riverside and Five Points.

[RiversideLoki]

It's a misspelling of HFC "High Fructose Corn Syrup".

[funwithteeth]

Tijuana Flats isn't bad, but every item on the menu tastes exactly alike. The tacos taste like the burritos, which taste like the quesadillas. As for the Riverside location, I realize space is at a premium, but it's a little inconvenient that the only trash cans are outside.

[Bativac]

I like Tijuana Flats and I feel like they have a better chance of sticking around awhile and providing consistent food and service, if their other locations are any indication.

[Adam W]

Thanks Loki. That makes sense. I really wonder if there is actually none whatsoever, though. That stuff is practically ubiquitous.

[Captain Zissou]

Tijuana Flats isn't bad, but every item on the menu tastes exactly alike. The tacos taste like the burritos, which taste like the quesadillas. As for the Riverside location, I realize space is at a premium, but it's a little inconvenient that the only trash cans are outside.

I don't think T-Flats is the highest quality or most delicious taco place I have ever had, but that's not why I go there.  I go there because they have the best customer experience I have ever had.  Their food is consistently good and generous portions for very cheap.  The customer service is THE ABSOLUTE BEST OUT OF ANY RESTAURANT EVER.  The only two local places I have been to that compete in that area are Ruth's Chris and Epping Forest Yacht Club.  That's two $200 dinner places competing with a $5 taco joint.  The guac is fresh, the sauces are great, and the food is tasty for the price.  T-Flats is well worth a try.  Go for the Flautas if you want insanely delicious and then you can branch out if you want to try the more standard fair.

[Liz Barringer]

Two words...Taco Tuesday's!

[RiversideLoki]

Love those flautas... mmmmm...

[ben says]

I just can't go into TF and spend that kind of money, no matter how inexpensive, on glorified Taco Bell. Everything tastes the same and the interior/decor is obnoxious. For 1/2 of what you'd spend at TF, you could go to Pepe's or Mr. Taco and get real Mexican food. I live 2 blocks from TF and still refuse to eat there.*

*I fully expect at least 5 comments along the lines of "you suck"--"you're a food snob"--yada yada yada...

[tufsu1]

comment #1

[funwithteeth]

Tijuana Flats is only slightly better than Taco Bell.

[sonoandrea]

I agree with Ben...Pepe's and Mr. Taco are, by far, the best Mexican food in Jacksonville.

[cline]

TF isn't considered "mexican" food.  It is more Tex-mex.

[Captain Zissou]

That's like saying Primi Piatti is more Italian than Carraba's.  It goes without saying that it's not as authentic as restaurants owned and run by actual mexicans and steeped in Mexican traditions, but that doesn't mean that you can't eat there.    Mr Taco has a very limited menu that barely begins to scratch the surface of what Mexican cuisine really is.  The same is true for Pepe's, but I have less experience with that restaurant, so I'll let that slide.  Sure T-Flats isn't crazy authentic, but it's not meant to be.  The two places you rave about have good tacos, but they are far from fantastic mexican food.