We moved to NJ about 5 months ago from Texas and have been missing Mexican food. Â There are so many so called Mexican restaurants around that are really south American food and seasonings. I was pleasantly surprised by the food at Cactus Charly. Â Even though it isn't the best Mexican I have had, it is still good. Â I had a combination plate. Â The chimichanga was good, although not a traditional one, the flavor was still right on. Â The chile relleno was very flavorful, a bit spicy but good. Â The burrito was more like a taco, but it was ok. Â The salsa and chips were ok, the salsa tasted a little bland, but passed as a salsa. Â We ordered a queso fundido with chorizo, authentic tasting, but the tortillas that came with it were not warm enough, i think they warm them in microwave. Â Overall, I plan on making the drive back, not the best I have had, but one of the best in Jersey so far.
Review Source:I can say this is a solid Mexican restaurant with a lot of really good choices. Â I have been there 3-4 times and each visit has been consistently good.
Tonight we ordered pollo en mole verde, beef enchiladas, and chicken soup. Â The mole was the highlight by far. Â Check it our for yourself.
I'm not clear on this whole star routine with even 1 star equaling a minimal positive with a  caption of "Eek! Methinks not."
FOOD WAS SO BAD, I ALMOST DIED.
After ordering the ice cold stale refrigerated Guacamole which had a huge amount of filler consisting of lettuce and then put on top of more shredded
lettuce, the Mexican government stamped my passport "persona non grata" (really).
Carnitas was so dry, I think the pig came out of the desert. (They do have pigs in the desert, don't they?)
Thank goodness for the sauce that came with the tasteless Flautas.
Mediocre tasteless talapia tacos and a very watery thin bean soup even though that had some flavor.
I thought the re-fried beans were passable and and so was the shrimp Quesadilla.
Done!
This is by far the best mexican around. Before this I would have to go to baja fresh for mexican, thats how bad the mexican restaurants around Maplewood are, yes fast food was better. But no more Cactus Charley is a really fantastic little place it gets loud but the food is awesome and the staff are warm.
Review Source:I have only had lunch at this restaurant but found it to be EXCELLENT; Â I have eaten there a dozen or so times. I can understand why some people found the service slow and I Â understand. They have a slim dining room staff - just one waiter and one busboy. The service is slow but worth the, seemingly, Â poor sevice; just be prepared to be patient. Â The owners should be more attentive. They have been in the business long enough to know when the busiest times of day are , and, what days need extra staff. Shame on them BUT the food is worth it...
Review Source:Dont waste your time or money. Â Ordered the steak with beans and rice. Â The steak must have been frozen as trying to eat it is impossible. Â Looks and tastes like the steak was cooked in the microwave. Â $17.00 for a hockey puck, no thanks. Â Called to give a heads up the manager, his response "thats the way we cook them, no one ever complains..."
Review Source:Very solid. Good food, good service and a great atmosphere. It's your typical Mexican restaurant. It's not upscale and doesn't pretend to be. It's down-home, quality eats in a relaxed atmosphere. It's BYOB so it gives you the feeling you're at someone's Mexican home and can have whatever you want to drink. The food is great. My wife and I each ordered burritos and both were very large, very filling and very good. The options are your standard fare so you know what you're in for before you go. It's not the biggest restaurant but it seats a lot of people and when the weather is nice there is outdoor seating. Probably one of the strongest Mexican places in the area. There are many choices nearby but many continuously fall way short and don't follow through on the more authentic style of central Mexico like this place.
Review Source:Ehhh. Â Not very impressive or authentic food and the space is cramped. Â If I want this style of Mexican ill just go to toro loco in south orange. Â More menu options there and a much better atmosphere. Â the people saying that there is FINALLY a good Mexican place in the area definitely do not know the area very well...
Review Source:LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this place! Â I've lived here a year and was so not satisfied with any Mexican restaurant I'd gone to... then, drum rollllll, we come across this small gem!!! Â No alcohol, but you can bring your own tequila and they'll blend it for you and serve you a Margarita :) Â It's small but it's packed! Â The food is good... Â flavors are spot on! Â Guacamole is really good too! Â The fajitas are smokin' good! Â The sides are great - refried beans. yellow rice, etc - I know you're thinking, those are staples, no biggy - but they're prepared and taste better than any other Mex restaurant I've been too here. Â Also, they have this topping for your food that chopped cilantro, onions, jalapenos and maybe s/t else, and it's soooo good! Â Okay, I'm going to stop now.
Review Source:For many years I really disliked Mexican food. The flavors and smells were not enticing to me. A business associate choose Cactus Charly for a lunch meeting about a year ago. To my surprise (and I think as a testament to the authentic cooking) I loved my lunch and devoured everything on my plate. What it lacks in ambiance, it is really like a cave in there, it makes up in having amazing, tasty and reasonably priced food. I am glad I discovered this place and it is my go to restaurant for Mexican food.
Review Source:Finally a GREAT Mexican restaurant in the area. Â Small, but can seat many. Â Some of the best tasting tacos I have ever had in NJ. Â Good rice and beans too. Â Great portions, priced perfectly. Â Service was friendly and very helpful. Â I cannot wait to come back and will be recommending this to everyone.
Review Source:Really cheap, pretty good grilled chicken quesadillas. The tortilla is tasty too.I got take-out and the guy who took my order was super friendly. Everything was ready within the time frame he predicted. Cute little restaurant if you want a reasonably priced night out. More authentic than the fancy Mexican places in New York, and Charly's advertises itself as authentic so what more could you ask for?
Review Source:Best place ever! I've been trying to find a good mexican place for years and this place is it! Great service, reasonable prices and awesome food. I've had chicken tacos that come with rice, beans and a little salad. The fajitas are tasty too. I can honestly say I lick the plate clean whenever I come here which is now every week. I highly recommend this place!
Review Source:Had dinner here with my friend and was not  impressed. We waited almost 10 minutes after we sat down for our table to be cleared of all of the dirty dishes.  Our appetizer came out before we were even offered a glass of water (we actually had to go inside and ask for it). We ordered the Queso as an appetizer, portion was tiny! My friend had the Chayote which was probobly the better of the 2 entrees. I ordered the appetizer portion of the chicken quesadilla - it was lukewarm and had WAY too much cheese in it.
I'd rather go to Toro Loco!
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. In fact, they owe me stars.
I ate there last night with a friend and had to wait 10 minutes for our table to be cleared off while the waiter took another order and did who knows what else. Â Then we got our chips but no napkins, utensils, or waters. Â We were already unhappy with the slow service so we ordered the queso fundido immediately. Â While we waited, and not before finishing the chips, I had to go up and ask for napkins and waters. Â The bus boy brought those over but no utensils still. Â
The queso was HORRIBLE.  it was the greasiest, most overcooked tiny portion of jack cheese with a sprinkling of chorizo that could easily have been  a teaspoon of breadcrumbs.  It came with four corn tortillas but no utensils.  We finally got them as I was using a napkin to absorb some of the grease from the cheese.
My friend's food came out first. Â Three chicken quesadillas on a place with sour cream and salsa. Â I told her they looked like she could have made them at home. Â She took a bite and confirmed that she could have made them at home... but they would have been better. Â She ate half one one and couldn't eat anymore because they were so bad.
My chayote plate came out second but the waiter first decided to drop off a check at another table while holding my meal. Â The moment he set my plate down, a swarm of tiny insects descended from somewhere and I was unable to take a single bite of food without waving my had furiously over my plate. Â I ate a third of my food and couldn't take it anymore. Â I put my napkin over my food and asked for the manager. Â
There was no manager there but the waiter told us there would be no charge because everything was so terrible. Â We left him a $5 and got the heck out of there and away from the bugs.
Wow, this place is a pleasant surprise! Â Maplewood now has a formidable Mexican restaurant. Â The building used to house New World Caterers, and has been converted into a casual eatery with colorful Mexican murals on its walls. Â But more importantly, it serves VERY tasty food that is, as far as I know, authentic in nature, and certainly is seasoned properly and not drowning in cheese.
We shared a very good chunky guacamole (needed a bit more lime juice, but delicious) and quesadillas filled with very good chorizo as appetizers. Â The chips and salsa are quite good, too. Â The chips were warm and crisp, but completely greaseless.
Entrees were burriitos with shredded beef in a mild tomato sauce, enchiladas with shredded chicken in a very good green sauce and the California Burrito Loco filled with roasted pork. Â All three were delicious, but the enchiladas were the winner hands down. Â All came with superb yellow rice and refried beans (do they use lard? Â it tastes like it!).
They also have Mexican Coca-Cola made with real sugar, and in glass bottles. Â I don't usually drink soda due to its evil use of high fructose corn syrup, but this Coke is the bomb, much lighter on the palate and not too sweet. Â
By all means, try this place before everyone else rushes in. Â It only has ten tables or so. Â Service was friendly and competent. Â Our whole bill came to $55 before tip. Â Not bad for food of this quality and freshness!
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