Matador Mexican Cantina - Oakhurst, Decatur

We've eaten here about 8 times b/c of its location -- a quick walk from our house. The meals are just average and twice they were not good. I would skip the entrees and enjoy cheese dip and chips on the patio with a drink.

Posted 07/19/09

I'm a native texan so I realize I have high standards. however, I've tried Matador twice now, and the second visit ended with my entree in the trash. I ordered Fajita nachos. A simple dish. Usually involves nachos with fajita meat on it. What i was served, looked and tasted more like stir fry on top of tostito chips. Ridiculous.

And a side note--the "Texas" taco makes no sense. Texas BBQ is made from BEEF. And no mexican menu should have "cabbage" on it in any way.

Pros: quick service, cheese dip ok

Cons: inedible entrees, ridiculous menu

Posted 03/17/09

I decided to try out Matador Mexican Cantina and I am SO glad I did! Happened to go in on a Wednesday - $3 margaritas! What? And these were not "$3" margaritas. They were strong and delicious! Taco menu is terrific too! Texas Taco, Carne Asada tacos! Tilapia Tacos! Lobster Tacos! I also tried potato enchiladas with zucchini and parmesan cheese - yumm! The service was great - friendly and attentive. And the salsa was delicious too. I will be back.

Pros: Good value - yummy food - great drinks

Cons: maybe more vegetarian options?

Posted 01/18/09

Great Ritas and Carnita Tacos.
Cheese dip rocks
Service was great but what happened to the hot waitress that worked Wednesdays? That Mario Bros. fella just doesn't measure up

Pros: Hot waitress

Cons: Awful Italian place next door

Posted 08/05/08

Jason, one of the owners of Matador, and the staff are tremendous. I just had my graduation party there and I was so impressed with their commitment to service and excellence. My guests were delighted and it was generally a great time. I totally recommend Matador for private parties and for catering. They are so in tune with the needs of their patrons. The margaritas were awesome and the food tasty. **I especially recommend eating their guacamole. It is delicious!**

Pros: Awesome Staff, Great Margaritas, Fun Atmosphere

Cons: Not a thing!

Posted 05/11/08

I was very pleased with the service considering it was probably the busiest day for any Mexican restaurant. The staff was friendly and attentive. They lived up to their claim of having the best margarita in ATL. While waiting for a table the bartenders were kind and quick considering the volume. My family and I will definitely return. I highly recommend the carnitas. Delicious! Anyone who says otherwise is crazy.

Pros: drinks, staff, food, value, supporting a local business

Cons: i ate too much

Posted 05/09/08

Went for Cinco De Mayo. Party was great! It did take a long time to get a table but I guess thats what I get for going on Cinco. Anyway once we were sat server was very nice, busy but very nice. The owner came by to thank us for our patience on their busiest night of the year. Margaritas were great, good cheese dip and a great taco menu. Will go again!!!

Pros: Taco Menu

Cons: Busy

Posted 05/06/08

The management of this place is TERRIBLE, the poor guy looked like he had no idea what was going on, he certainly was not in control and it showed in the service which was horrible. The margaritas were the worst we ever had, and we've had a lot, best stick to beer. The sign over the door said best margaritas, what a joke. The food was bland and I can get better cheese dip at the grocery store. We were really hoping this place would be good as we love mexican food and it's right in my family's neighborhood. Huge disappointment.

Pros: parking

Cons: bad margarita low quality food

Posted 05/05/08

First, I should say that Matador is in my neighborhood so that makes it a more likely destination than many many other Mexican restaurants in the Atlanta area...that being said...
A. Margaritas- so, so taste like lime Kool Aid with a touch of naughty
B. Chips, Salsa are free flowing and better than the average cantina
C. Cheese dip and tacos are fine but nothing earth shattering
D. Service is well attentive
E. Kids? I don't have them, but they seem to enjoy it.
VERDICT? Great place to go if you just are in the neighborhood and want a Mexi-experience, but not for the food, maybe try Taco Cabana or Sala for a fancier Mexican experience.

Posted 03/18/08

Charged me for my childrens meals and the waiter refused to fix the check saying that they no longer did that despite adverts (including on this site) that say kids eat for free from kids menu Mon - Thu 3PM - 7PM with purchase of adult entrees. With service like that I cannot recommend them no matter what the food tastes like and it makes them guilty of false advertising. Hope that the extra money they made off of me was worth this bad review.

Cons: Bad service

Posted 02/25/08

went to matador for the 1st time last night. at first, the service left a little to be desired - the waitress didn't even look at or speak to us for almost 10 minutes. but i guess it was just because the place was busy. when she did greet us she was super friendly and attentive.

i asked her to recommend her faves and she suggested the tacos, of which there were a surprising variety on the menu. i ordered 3: the carnitas, the texas, and the shrimp. all of them were FABULOUS. the texas had me swooning from the 1st bite!! definitely recommend it, and will definitely be back for more.

Pros: great variety, good prices, authentic taste, fast orders

Cons: a bit crowded, slow-start service

Posted 08/27/07

First of all, guys, when you are writing reviews on yourself, try not to use "the staff is hot" in all of them. That said, This place is in my neighborhood and I go there all the time. As a former waiter and restaurant waitstaff manager, I can say from experience that the staff isn't fabulous but you get over it cause hey are nice. Also, I have a hispanic friend who loves the place so whomever said it was not decent Tex-Mex needs to get a grip. Loev the burrito, my mom who is picky as hell loves the lobster taco. Haven't had a bad meal yet.

Posted 08/15/07

This place has great cheese dip! The food is always consistent, and comes out of the kitchen quickly. Some of the staff is a little flighty, but that comes with the territory.

Pros: Cheese Dip, Cheap Margaritas

Cons: Parking

Posted 08/08/07

Great Spot!! Food was great portions were generous, took a party of 5 and the bill was alot less then we thought it was going to be. Will go back.

Posted 08/05/07

Food was good, went mid week and they had a Margarita special. $2 per glass. Yeah, enough said. I am a huge cheese dip fan and theirs passed.

Posted 08/05/07

I was at Matador, which is right next to my house, for the third time and I have to say that the food is about the blandest Mexican I have had. As a chef, I cook alot of different foods and Mexican is one of my favorites so I was very disappointed to once again have very plain food from this place. Is there a chef in the kitchen? If so he should be fired and replaced immediately. I know that most Atlantans might not know what real Mexican food tastes like, but it ain't this. This is just bad Tex-Mex. The staff is usually attentive and the prices are average. I don't think I will be going back any time soon or ever again. Sorry guys, I don't know if opening a Mexican place was the right choice. Get a good chef.

Pros: Stumbling distance from my house

Cons: Mediocre food at best

Posted 07/04/07

Set in the heart of this fabulous part of town - I stumbled upon this little gem. The best tasting mexican food I've had yet in Atlanta. The prices are super affordable. The guac was amazing - my date and I had two servings of the stuff. The service was right on - and on top of that - the staff is hot and super friendly. I am definitely going back to this joint. The crowd was a cool mixed crowd - low key and not haughty taughty. Definitely Best In Atlanta for Mexican Food !!!!!

Pros: Everything is amazing here ...

Cons: Parking - but where is parking not a con

Posted 05/02/07

i went to this restaurant for lunch...great relaxed atmosphere. the owners are very friendly and cute too. there were a TON of people there, but i still received great service. and the guacamole is the best i ever had. i also had fish tacos and they were awesome as well.

Posted 03/02/07

This place is awesome! I started off the night with a House Margarita and cheese dip...both of which were amazing. I ordered the Carnitas, and my date had the Carne Asada Tacos...There was not a drop of food left on the plates! The service was great, and the owners are hot (definitely a bonus)! I highly recommend trying this one out! It is now my new hangout for Monday Night Football because they have $1 Dos XX on draft and fantastic wings, as well as great TV's for your viewing pleasure! Thank god these guys moved into the neighborhood!! What did Oakhurst do without them??

Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Specials

Posted 10/19/06

OK, I do not normally right reviews but I thought I should share. Went up for $1 Draft Monday night nice big TV $1 Dos XX Amber on Draft not much more I could ask for. Went in expecting regular combo Mexican which they did have. My friend had a combo, said it was good, we had cheese dip, the best I've had. I had The Carnitas, they were great. Very comfortable atmosphere. The owners even came up and asked how everything was. I would definately recommend it to anyone.

Pros: food, service, price

Cons: not closer to my house

Posted 10/03/06

I was shocked when I saw a negative review for the Matador. I would have to disagree on several comments. I have never had to wait more than a minute to have chips & salsa brought to my table & my drink order taken. And I would also like to note that they don't even have "taquitos." Try a peach margarita... a taste of Mexico meets Georgia! And the enchilada suizas were incredible... highly recommended. AND do not leave with out tasting some churros for dessert.

Posted 09/06/06

I stopped in to the Matador because the Oakhurst Grill next door was closed; the "maragarita special" caught my eye. A mistake from the beginning--the restaurant was not understaffed, yet it took at least 15 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us or even bring water. They eventually brought us queso dip (tasted like velveeta) and comped it for us. Ordered maragaritas, which tasted like sugary mix and no tequila. The entrees were nothing to write home about, in fact Taco Bell would have been preferable to the rubbery, gristly pork in the taquitos and the questionable shrimp in the fajitas.

Pros: Location, outdoor dining

Cons: Margaritas, service, price

Posted 08/07/06