1st time visiting this restaurant and the service and atmosphere were very unnerving, to say the least. I wasn’t greeted, and it took a full 3–4 minutes just to receive a menu — and the place wasn’t even busy.
Nevertheless, I still placed an order, and for my food to cost $31.90, the entire meal was incorrect. I called last night and was told someone would contact me — never received a call. Today, I spoke with a very rude female (twice) who said the manager, Brandon, would call me back. Once again, I never received a call.
I then called back three additional times and no one answered. Worst experience I’ve had so far in Tuscaloosa. Thank God for Amex, because I’m sure they wouldn’t have refunded me.
Poor management and very disappointing customer service. I highly recommend y’all get it together.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
habrooke war
Ended up stopping in on a whim and we had the best food and service. We will definitely be back. The chorizo queso was amazing and our entrees were as well. We had birria tacos, Mahi bowl, chicken and rice, and a chimichanga.
Amazing place, the food was soooo good, especially the chicken quesadilla, and steak tacos. Maybe the BEST Margaritas in town!! Will be back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pete Palmer
Excellent food, great service. A bit loud for conversational purposes but would highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
jordan Gomez
The best Mexican food in Tuscaloosa! Don’t miss out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
vinny camarota
Came in for a margarita . Place was empty i asked if they can use fresh limes in my margarita and bartender gave me a hard time saying she didnt have fresh limes. Interesting. Also had no cointreau or grand marnier. This is supposedley a mexican restaurant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jeremy Gentry
This place was so good. Food was amazing. Flavorful, filling, and different. Go check it out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shay
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/8/2025 I had an absolutely phenomenal experience at Central Mesa! I ordered what’s typically listed as the Mahi Bowl but swapped the mahi for pork belly — and it was divine. The presentation was beautiful, a colorful arrangement that felt like art in a bowl: crispy pork belly pieces perfectly seasoned and caramelized, served alongside vibrant slaw, black beans and corn, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and fresh avocado slices over a flavorful rice base. I opted out of the chipotle crema, and even without it, every bite was full of texture and flavor. The balance of crunch, spice, and freshness was spot-on.
My server was incredible — friendly, attentive, and genuinely creative. Since I don’t drink alcohol, I asked if she could make me a mocktail with pineapple, mint, and something sparkling. What she came up with was perfect — refreshing, balanced, and beautifully presented with crushed ice and a sprig of mint. It tasted tropical and sophisticated, the kind of drink that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself without compromise.
It’s rare to find a restaurant where both the food and service hit every note. Central Mesa impressed me on all levels — atmosphere, hospitality, and culinary quality. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu (and probably get another pork belly bowl!).
Highly recommend this spot for anyone who appreciates creative Southern-Latin fusion with top-tier service and flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa, Pork Belly Taco
mckenzie fallon
Steak birria tacos and blackberry margarita was amazing. If you are in Tuscaloosa don't overlook it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicole
Food was great when you finally received it. Took us 45 minutes or more to get our food. Waitress refilled water, but wasn’t very friendly. Food was great though!! Place was clean.
Food was great, service was excellent and I will return while visiting my daughter at UA!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Monica Watson
My husband and I played winner picks dinner and this is where I chose for drinks/apps. We got the pineapple infused margarita and it was excellent. The street corn appetizer and the chorizo queso were AMAZING! 10/10 would highly recommend. The two appetizers we got were more than enough for 4 people if you have a group. Very good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura Fritzke
Absolutely phenomenal! 🌮 We all had the Birria tacos, tender, flavorful, and unforgettable. The classic margarita was spot-on: not too sweet, with just the right lime kick. The decor is stunning, with exposed brick arches and beautiful details throughout. And our server was the sweetest, warm, attentive, and kind. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sun Sonja Johnson
Very good Birthday meal!! Nice waiter from Huntsville,AL.
Onyx Johnson
Everyone is so nice, and beautiful. Natalie was the person who hosted us and she was so nice. The whole restaurant is beautiful. I jumped into my food before i could get a picture. I do recommend if you are passes though
1st time visiting this restaurant and the service and atmosphere were very unnerving, to say the least. I wasn’t greeted, and it took a full 3–4 minutes just to receive a menu — and the place wasn’t even busy.
Nevertheless, I still placed an order, and for my food to cost $31.90, the entire meal was incorrect. I called last night and was told someone would contact me — never received a call. Today, I spoke with a very rude female (twice) who said the manager, Brandon, would call me back. Once again, I never received a call.
I then called back three additional times and no one answered. Worst experience I’ve had so far in Tuscaloosa. Thank God for Amex, because I’m sure they wouldn’t have refunded me.
Poor management and very disappointing customer service. I highly recommend y’all get it together.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ended up stopping in on a whim and we had the best food and service. We will definitely be back. The chorizo queso was amazing and our entrees were as well. We had birria tacos, Mahi bowl, chicken and rice, and a chimichanga.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chorizo Queso, Chips, Tinga Chicken Chimichanga
Amazing place, the food was soooo good, especially the chicken quesadilla, and steak tacos. Maybe the BEST Margaritas in town!! Will be back soon.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent food, great service. A bit loud for conversational purposes but would highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best Mexican food in Tuscaloosa! Don’t miss out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came in for a margarita . Place was empty i asked if they can use fresh limes in my margarita and bartender gave me a hard time saying she didnt have fresh limes. Interesting. Also had no cointreau or grand marnier. This is supposedley a mexican restaurant
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
This place was so good. Food was amazing. Flavorful, filling, and different. Go check it out
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/8/2025
I had an absolutely phenomenal experience at Central Mesa! I ordered what’s typically listed as the Mahi Bowl but swapped the mahi for pork belly — and it was divine. The presentation was beautiful, a colorful arrangement that felt like art in a bowl: crispy pork belly pieces perfectly seasoned and caramelized, served alongside vibrant slaw, black beans and corn, jalapeños, pico de gallo, and fresh avocado slices over a flavorful rice base. I opted out of the chipotle crema, and even without it, every bite was full of texture and flavor. The balance of crunch, spice, and freshness was spot-on.
My server was incredible — friendly, attentive, and genuinely creative. Since I don’t drink alcohol, I asked if she could make me a mocktail with pineapple, mint, and something sparkling. What she came up with was perfect — refreshing, balanced, and beautifully presented with crushed ice and a sprig of mint. It tasted tropical and sophisticated, the kind of drink that makes you feel like you’re treating yourself without compromise.
It’s rare to find a restaurant where both the food and service hit every note. Central Mesa impressed me on all levels — atmosphere, hospitality, and culinary quality. I’ll definitely be back to explore more of the menu (and probably get another pork belly bowl!).
Highly recommend this spot for anyone who appreciates creative Southern-Latin fusion with top-tier service and flavor.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Salsa, Pork Belly Taco
Steak birria tacos and blackberry margarita was amazing. If you are in Tuscaloosa don't overlook it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was great when you finally received it. Took us 45 minutes or more to get our food. Waitress refilled water, but wasn’t very friendly. Food was great though!! Place was clean.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was great, service was excellent and I will return while visiting my daughter at UA!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I played winner picks dinner and this is where I chose for drinks/apps. We got the pineapple infused margarita and it was excellent. The street corn appetizer and the chorizo queso were AMAZING! 10/10 would highly recommend. The two appetizers we got were more than enough for 4 people if you have a group. Very good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely phenomenal! 🌮
We all had the Birria tacos, tender, flavorful, and unforgettable. The classic margarita was spot-on: not too sweet, with just the right lime kick.
The decor is stunning, with exposed brick arches and beautiful details throughout. And our server was the sweetest, warm, attentive, and kind. We will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good Birthday meal!! Nice waiter from Huntsville,AL.
Everyone is so nice, and beautiful. Natalie was the person who hosted us and she was so nice. The whole restaurant is beautiful. I jumped into my food before i could get a picture. I do recommend if you are passes though
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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