Buenavista Mexican Cantina | Hampton Cove

⚠️ Warning: DO NOT EAT AT THIS ESTABLISHMENT unless the place is very busy. If the dining room is buzzing, you might actually get a hot, fresh meal. Otherwise, you’re rolling the dice with your health.

My family has eaten at this restaurant on three occasions. The first two experiences were fine. By “fine,” I mean the service was friendly enough and the food was hot and fresh.

The most recent visit, however, was HORRIFIC—an unmitigated disaster!

We arrived 45 minutes before closing. Knowing this might annoy someone—especially the kitchen staff—I respectfully asked the host: “Are we too late?” His response: “Oh, no! You’re fine; plenty of time.”

Translation: “Plenty of time to unload the sad, shriveled scraps festering under heat lamps, the things we should’ve thrown out hours ago.”

What landed on our table was a culinary crime: reheated regret… Chernobyl on a plate!

$120 and two days later, I’m still recovering from food poisoning. Thankfully, my family merely picked at their cold, dry, decrepit meals. I, on the other hand, was starving—at least by first-world American standards—so I scarfed mine down. MiSTAKE!!!

What happened to decency? Is taking pride in one’s work a passé notion nowadays?

I intend to notify the health department. I will also make the restaurant’s manager aware so they can look into their food safety practices and hopefully prevent anyone else from getting sick.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I don't usually leave bad reviews, but the food was nasty, floor was disgusting, service was ok. AND they charge an extra 3% if you use a credit card. Never again.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Really great menu. Great friendly staff. All 20 of us loved the different meals

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I hate leaving reviews that aren’t 100% positive, but in this case I’m very disappointed that the quality and service are slipping, compared even to last year. We have ordered from here many times but the value for money has gotten worse over the past year. Food is ok but not as good as other similar places in the area (El Paso), and is usually more expensive. The last time I ordered I asked for an extra side of rice, which they charged me for and never gave me (we did pickup). I called and asked for refund of that portion back to my card and the young man said something about his manager and then hung up on me, and I never received the refund. Not a good practice, regardless of the amount of money.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

The restaurant is cute Americana meets Mexican, my food came out cold which sucked but it looks like they are pre-made and frozen then microwaved hence why the outside of the breading was luke warm and the middle was completely cold. I got the chile rellenos. ( which seems hard to find good ones in alabama) The service was good our waiter was very nice. But the food is just nothing truly to write home about. Also the music is super loud so it almost gives to much of a bar feel instead of restaurant.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Great food but the hostess was very rude and slow didn’t look like she wanted me to be there, while I was waiting to be seated she was sitting at the bar for around 20 mins before coming to seat me and my family and after she came and had us seated she tried to flirt with my youngest son, she was a white girl with dark hair

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 1

Excellent food and service!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Atmosphere is nice and decorated very well! I had an issue with my take out order and the manager on duty listened and fixed my problem! Thank you!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The food is alright, not at good as Phil’s but alright if your really hungry. The chimichanga is about 90% dough and 10% meat. Wouldn’t really recommend but wouldn’t say it’s a bad place to eat. It’s Just alright.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 3

I love their chicken soup.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The view is absolutely perfect
At night

And every bartender I have met
Has been great!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I'm trying to like this place as it's one of the few places in town without driving over the hill into Huntsville. We've been here twice. Atmosphere is great. They had live music one night and it was pretty good. Service has been fine. I struggle with the quality of the food. Individually, some items were good, but the food was not fantastic. I hate to leave a poor review, but the food reminds me of a quick dinner you might make at home from a box/can. Tonight I had Chili Colorado and I opted for the tomatillo sauce (I know the sauce is traditionally red). Steak came with potatoes in the sauce... It really tasted like little pieces of french fries rather than potatoes. I highly doubt we will return. Cute vibe though.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Food, service, and atmosphere is top notch!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food is great. Service is good. They are attentive and friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We love going to Bueno Vista and we love sit at the bar because of Nelson, their bar tender and “the restaurant celebrity”, he makes your dining experience just great. He’s a wonderful bar tender and commentator ant the same time and always suggests what to order if you tell him what you are hangry for. The menu is great, the atmosphere is cozy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5