Metro Detroit: Novi’s Border Cantina
This week we are in Novi at Border Cantina for Happy Hour. While we are not sure exactly when Border Cantina opened its doors, we can say it has been a long time. We have been coming here for what seems to be over 30 years. We try and base our blog reviews on our own experiences, and not the opinions of others. In our 30 years we have always been pleased with the food and service here. There seem to be a number of varying reviews online that may sway some people away from dining here . . . but not us.
Keep in mind that they are a Tex-Mex style restaurant. A few negative reviews were that everything is smothered in cheese, well that is Tex-Mex style. If you know what you are walking into, you shouldn’t be surprised. Tex-Mex cuisine originated with the Tejanos (Texans on Mexican decent) from South Texas region between San Antonio, the Rio Grande and El Paso. Tex-Mex cuisine is characterized by it’s heavy use of shredded cheese, beans, meat, chili peppers, sour cream and spices like Cumin.
Border Cantina is your traditional Mexican style restaurant you might expect it to be when you walk in. You’ll immediately notice the cultural murals painted on the walls and colorful tiles on the tables and floors. The space is wide open and seats a good number of people. On Friday and Saturday nights it can get crowded but the wait is usually no more than 20-30 minutes. The atmosphere on the weekends can be lively and filled with chatter, Mexican music playing in the background and the constant ringing of the carryout phone. We were there for Happy Hour so it was more laid back. There were still some carryout orders being called in but the restaurant was not packed.
Their menu offers a wide variety of options. There are the “typical” menu options you would expect to find at your traditional Mexican restaurant, tacos, fajitas, burritos chimichangas and such which come with the options of beef, chicken, steak, fish or chorizo. One thing you typically do not see on a menu at a Mexican restaurant is BBQ Ribs. Here you can find them on their appetizer menu along with nachos, botanas, and a layered Mexican dip just to name a few. The portions are pretty big and great for sharing. Whenever we order 2 entrees we usually end up taking home food.
The best part about their entrees it that they all come with a scoop of their cornbread which is super delicious.
Since it was Happy Hour, we focused on the ½ off appetizers and discounted drinks. We started with a tall Dos Equis Amber Ale, our favorite beer at Mexican restaurants. While most Mexican restaurants carry Dos Equis, not all have the amber on draft, so it is nice when we see it ad we have to get it.
You can get most, but not all, appetizers for ½ off. We ordered the botana, an order of the Taquitos, and a large nacho.
The nachos were awesome. Not just chips thrown on a plate and covered in goo. These were layers of chips and cheese with beans and baked until the cheese was melted thoroughly and then topped with tomato, onions, scallions, sliced jalapenos, and generous portions of guacamole and sour cream. The botana (the nachos more distinguished brother) was the same layered goodness except the beans sometimes are mixed with chorizo, a spicy Mexican sausage. The botana is topped with a generous amount of green olives, diced tomatoes, scallions, sliced avocado and sour cream. Both were amazing and delicious and at ½ price well worth the cost. The Taquitos were also good but definitely overshadowed by the nacho and botana.
They have a lot of cool looking drinks as well!
Border Cantina is located at 21420 Novi Road between 8 and 9 Mile in Novi. They are open 11AM – 9 PM Monday thru Thursday. 11AM – 10 PM Friday and Saturday and 12 – 9 PM on Sunday.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker