Garcia's Cantina & Cafe - Eagle River, Alaska

Garcia’s Cantina & Cafe: A Taste of Mexico in Eagle River

Garcia’s Cantina & Cafe is a beloved establishment located in the heart of Eagle River, Alaska. It’s a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, offering a vibrant atmosphere and a consistently high-quality experience centered around authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant has garnered significant attention for its dedication to traditional flavors and its commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all patrons. Located at 11901 Business Blvd #104, Eagle River, AK 99577, Garcia’s is easily accessible and a cornerstone of the community.

Location and Contact Information

The restaurant’s address is 11901 Business Blvd #104, Eagle River, AK 99577. For those wishing to contact Garcia’s directly, the phone number is 9076948600. A comprehensive menu and further details can be found on their website: mymenuweb.com. This website offers a detailed look at their offerings, including daily specials and the latest promotions.

Specialties and Menu Highlights

Garcia’s Cantina & Cafe specializes in delivering a genuine Mexican dining experience. Their menu boasts a wide array of traditional dishes, prepared with fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes. A particular standout is the pollo fundido, a Spanish omelet-style dish filled with cheese and chorizo. Many patrons have consistently praised this dish over the decades, citing its rich flavor and generous portion size. It’s a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to quality and its ability to maintain a classic recipe.

Amenities and Services

Garcia’s offers a comprehensive range of services and amenities designed to enhance the dining experience. Guests can choose to enjoy their meal either by dine-in or through convenient takeaway options. The restaurant provides fast service, ensuring a swift and efficient dining experience. For those seeking a relaxed evening, Garcia’s boasts a fantastic selection of great beer and great cocktails, expertly crafted by their bartenders. Adding to the experience, they also offer a delightful selection of great desserts.

Accessibility and Atmosphere

Garcia’s Cantina & Cafe is committed to providing an inclusive environment. The restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. They also provide ample free parking lot and free of charge street parking. The restaurant’s atmosphere is generally described as casual, cosy, and trendy, appealing to a diverse range of customers, including tourists, university students, and families. Live music is frequently featured, adding to the lively ambiance. Reservations are accepted, ensuring that patrons can secure a table in advance. The restaurant accepts various forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.

Customer Feedback and Reputation

Garcia’s Cantina & Cafe has a strong reputation within the community, as evidenced by its impressive 1169 reviews on Google My Business. The average opinion is a remarkable 4.3/5, a clear indication of customer satisfaction. Many reviewers consistently highlight the quality of the food, the friendly service, and the overall enjoyable atmosphere. The pollo fundido is frequently mentioned as a standout dish, with numerous customers expressing their fondness for this classic recipe. Patrons often describe the experience as a ‘must-visit’ when in Eagle River, with many stating they make a point of returning regularly. The restaurant caters to various needs, including offering high chairs and a kids’ menu, making it a family-friendly destination. Table service and a dedicated bar on site further enhance the dining experience. Comfort food, small plates, and a selection of spirits are also available, catering to a wide range of tastes. Lunch and dinner options are abundant, alongside late-night food and happy-hour drinks and food. Solo dining is accommodated comfortably, and the restaurant is well-equipped to handle groups.

Key Takeaways

Garcia’s Cantina & Cafe is more than just a restaurant; it's a community hub offering authentic Mexican cuisine in a welcoming and enjoyable environment. From the consistently praised pollo fundido to the diverse menu and comprehensive amenities, Garcia’s delivers a truly satisfying dining experience. Its convenient location, friendly service, and commitment to quality make it a top choice for both locals and visitors exploring Eagle River.

• Great Beer Selection
• Great Cocktails
• Great Dessert
• Live Music

👍 Reviews of Garcia's Cantina & Cafe

Stephanie W.

5/5

I fell in love with the pollo fundido over 20 years ago, the first time I had it. Still just as good now as it was then. Great portion. I always get the dinner entrée so I have 2 meals out of it. Friendly service. I don't live in Eagle River, but make it a point to stop in once or twice a year.

Kristi H.

5/5

No place on earth makes a pollo fundido like Garcias.
Best in the land!

sternonisoil

5/5

Tried Garcia's for the first time today, and it's fantastic. I will definitely be back. Hands down the best Mexican food I've had since moving up here, and the portions were awesome.

Mini chimis, sliders, chicken especial chimi, and the Pollo fondido were all fantastic.

Landon F.

5/5

We’re still on the hunt for the best Mexican food in Alaska… because it can be hard to come by, but Garcia’s did great today! We went in for lunch on a Saturday and it wasn’t too busy. The server was attentive and kept our table stocked with warm chips and salsa (2 baskets worth) throughout waiting and our meal. Thats one criteria for a good Mexican place… free chips and salsa 👏🏼 .

The food was pretty good! Nothing to freak out about, but it was flavorful and yummy. Just what we expected. Plus they have a cheaper lunch menu that we ordered off of and were full and satisfied. My big Chimi platter was only $15 which is a good deal I’d say. Overall great experience.

Joni

1/5

100% do not recommend. The service was poor (no one even came back to offer to refill drinks or ask how was the food until the end of the meal). The music was so loud that it banged through the seats and you couldn’t even have a conversation with the person across the table from you. Is this a restaurant or a wanna be bar? The food wasn’t good. The meat had been over marinated and tasted like beef jerky. I can’t find anything positive to say about our visit.

Mariah

5/5

I don’t head out of Anchorage much but this place was a great find in Eagle River! Very good food and excellent service. We got free chips and salsa, a free refill on our horchata, and constant check-ins from our waitress. I got the carne asada tacos with beans and rice while my partner got the carne asada chimichanga with beans and rice. We also got the Sampler Appetizer which is a MUST. Please check these guys out as they also have live music!

Justin F.

4/5

Mini chimis are a staple and good overall. A safe bet is to go with the fajitas. As far as Mexican food goes, coming from a person who lived very close to the Mexican border, the Mexican food here isn’t comparable. I’d say overall is a 5 out of 10 for the Mexican food specifically.
However, they make up for it with their fun atmosphere! They normally have bands play, and everyone is having fun and some people even get up and dance!

There’s homemade tequila is fantastic! however, for a single shot is extremely expensive, sadly!
However, on the same token, the house margarita comes in a tall glass and isn’t the best. However, if you do some drink menu exploring and ask for a large bowl glass they will give it to you. We have been here over a dozen times, and in general, our service has always been good.

With all these factors considered, I would give this place a four out of five for a Mexican place in Alaska because of what I have mentioned so far, and I have to be realistic,
this is pretty much as far away from the southern border as I can get 😂

So bring your friends, enjoy the music, get up out of your chair, and have fun dancing the night away!

jeanny J.

5/5

We drove from Anchorage to Eagle river to taste if we miss the most authentic Mexican food, servings is plenty and incredibly delicious Price is reasonable. made chips and Salsa is the best. Always be our Mexican restaurant .