I don't know what is wrong with these reviewers... we have been eating at Jalepenos for years and the Mexican food has always been excellent! The customers tell the tale: the restaurant is always very busy.
Had the steak and portabella mushroom fajitas and was not impressed, might have had 3 small chunks of meat. Wife had Aztec soup that was luke warm and enchiladas that were like mush. The gay waiter was very annoying, owner seemed nice. 
The service was flawless, but the food was merely edible. If you live on Cape Ann and you really have a hankering for Mexican food, I recommend buying a Mexican cookbook and making it yourself. It will turn out ten times better than the canned refried beans, pallid salsa and par-boiled Costco rice you'll get at this place.
The worst part is that I got a headache from the constant stench of ammonia. Each time a party finished and left, their table got a thorough spritz of Windex.
Posted by: Janet at January 19, 2010 10:17 PM 
I always feel like I would have enjoyed a 99 cent Taco Bell taco more, and saved $25.00's. The food is microwaved and mediocre at best. The margarita's are excellent though.
Went there for lunch with my parents and thought it was ok. Mom got a Cranberry Margarita and said it tasted like frozen water with alcohol. Plus her food was wrong. My meat made me sleepy but my drink was AWESOME.
My friends parents own it, and i LOVE it there!!! great stuff. So... only GOOD reviews from now on, people!!!! i love the place! so does my friends. 5 stars.
They used to offer a Monday buffet for locals which at least kept me supporting the place, even during non buffet days. Tried just about everything on the menu and
cannot understand how they stay in business. They need to hire a Mexican chef and get their prices in line with Mexican food.
yo
soooooo.........this place is incredible!Well actually the food sucked but the band playing was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: groupie at July 31, 2008 09:30 PM
People keep telling us they love this place. But after going back THREE times now, its only disappointed us more. It's really just awfully cooked food. The black beans tasted like paste and my chicken was so overcooked that i couldnt eat it. Really bad. Really really bad.
Posted by: e at July 27, 2008 08:13 PM
i ordered a burrito and was like "where is the other half?" it was a tiny friggin burrito and it was way too expensive. it tasted OK. mexican food is supposed to be cheap and delicious. this was a rip off. since there is so little mexican on cape ann this place should represent and step their game up. i may just open a burrito place that will blow these jabronis out of the water.
Posted by: g stacka at June 29, 2008 12:35 AMThis is an acceptable Mexican restaurant, but far from authentic. The prices are at least 4 times the price of very good Mexican food, in the Southwest.
We go there occasionally, because there is nothing else in Gloucester. But for those of you who think this is authentic or of value, hop on a plane and travel.
Posted by: bill at January 29, 2008 11:21 AMBest on Cape Anne. Great food. friendly folks. And mole dishes. Love it. 
I have tried Jalapeno's three times - because I love Mexican food - but have been disappointed each time. I may be mistaken, because I have never actually ordered the nachos, but is that Cheezwiz???
If you like authentic, flavorful Mexican food go to Cielito Lindo in Beverly - I have eaten there twice so far, and the last meal I had there was a perfect 10 - the best Mexican I have had anywhere in New England.
Posted by: Food Lover at October 3, 2007 07:54 PM
always really good
The selections were very imaginative and broad. More interesting options than most Mexican restaurants in the Northeast. Our dinners were both delicious. Service was friendly and on time.
I have been to jalapenos more times than I can even remember. I've been with just my husband or with my ENTIRE family and I've never had a bad experience until the last 2 times that I went. I was there w/ my whole family and were rushed out so fast because the waitperson's shift was over. They took their money and left us sitting there still eating. It was so rude. Then the last time I was there it was with my husband and the bartender (who was also our waitperson at the visit before) was friendly at first and then all of the sudden just snapped. I think I'm only going to give it one more chance, and I know my family feels the same way, because if it happens again, I probably won't go back.
As far as the food is concerned, though, I've only had one bad experience: wilted salad greens and extremely SOUR salad dressing.
Posted by: anon at April 4, 2007 10:53 AM
Best Margaritas this side of the Mississippi! Great atmosphere and food. It's always packed but that's because it's too much of a good thing and too much of a good thing can be wonderful!
gettin a little sick of the poor service, although i can tell there ar ea few new people there... the chick gaoronera (no idea how to spell that) and calamari (crispy) freakin awesome. perfect margharetta is perfect... but still, acopoulcos is better
I have been going to Jalapenos since they opened and return frequently. I am addicted to their Sopa Azteca! Other favorite dishes are Pollo Gaonera and the Chicken with Mole. Any time the service has been slow was the result of the place being toally slammed with patrons - something that any reasonable person could live with.
The food here is FAR from pricy, especially considering the portions. I have yet to have anything disappoint me: service, food, drinks, atmosphere all included. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: ? at August 17, 2006 03:01 PM
I'll give it at least one star because our waitress was very attentive to our party of six and earned the bulk of the 20% tip I left. The food? Better than the slop they serve at chain Mexican restaurants but certainly not exceptional. Even the House Margarita sucked! I can whip up a better margarita at home ANY day. I read the reviews, here, before I went and have come away with a vote of dissent. WAY too expensive for what you get, IMHO. We were greeted by one of the owners who told us the food wasn't really Mexican but a blend of cuisine from his homeland of Costa Rica and the other owner's homeland. Thumbs down!
I guess my husband and I are in the minority... we really are not impressed with the food. If cold, almost unidentifiable, shredded chicken in warm dishes is "authentic"... I guess we will stick with the fake stuff :)
I think it is WAY over priced too.
The sangria is good though ;)
Posted by: Wendy at August 3, 2006 11:02 AMhttp://www.capeannweb.com/images/2star.gif
Whoever thinks this is GREAT or AUTHENTIC Mexican must be from another planet. It beats Taco Bell.
food was delicious and came out quick!! Nice margaritas too!
Best steak quesadilla EVER!!!
And the Margarita's are to die for!!
mmmmmm
, always good!
Everything about this place is great. What else can I say? :o)
Yes, the service is slow, but the food makes up for it. And if you go for the Monday buffet, that's even less of a problem...especially if they have the spicy Mexican mussels (only seen that once, but soooo good!) I really don't think you can go wrong with this place.
I was happy to find authentic mexican when I moved here, I ahve had better I will not lie, but I must concede the food was worth the price, service was slugish though, that is the main reason for three instead of four stars. I will say one thing though the appetizers are large enough to be the main entree so be conscience of this when ordering.
Posted by: mike at November 5, 2004 11:20 AM
The BEST mexican food around. Very authentic. Everything I've had there has been excellent, great margaritas too!!!
My husband and I frequently eat at Jalapenos but we had two outstanding experiences there. The Monday night buffet was great with plenty of selection, the presentation was clean and inviting. Then we had dinner on a Friday night ordering from the menu section that we've not yet tried and were delighted with our meals. The service was great.
Posted by: Deb and Brian at May 28, 2004 12:13 PM
Best mexican food around. Something for everyone. Prices have increased but still are ok. The drinks are also the best round. I always recommend Jalapeno's to people and they always tell me thanks that was a great place and the food is outstanding. The wait staff is great and Himi is the best.
Jalapeno's is excellent, a great value, and really delicious authentic Mexican food. Good family place, too.
(I;m so sorry! That was supposed to be for the Gloucester House.
No problem - we deleted it. Thanks for a number of excellent reviews. Honest, yet polite!)
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