Mother's Cantina

The food here will blow your mind.....not kidding....staff is money....drinks are bangin....all you need to know....if your in the OC and you have a craving for Mexican food you would be remiss if you didn't get your grub on at this fine establishment......

Was visiting OC a few days ago and came in here for dinner with a friend.  We stood at the door for five minutes while waitresses passed us by and ignored us.  A couple came in after us (obvious friends with staff) and were seating immediately.  We finally went over to the bar and explained to the bartender that we weren't being seated and took up there.

We both ordered drinks (El Toro and Frozen Strawberry Margarita) to start while we checked out the menu.  The frozen margarita came out of a drink machine and was so sweet and barely cold - definitely not frozen.  The El Toro was also way too sweet and just a strange combination (peach schnapps and red bull?).  Partly my fault for choosing it but I think it could have been made better - it tasted like 100%schnapps.  Moving forward, we ordered some queso and chips.  The dip was pale and bland with lil flecks of we're not sure in it...but it didn't matter because it had no flavor.  For an entrée I chose a combo dish of chicken chimi/bean enchilada/beef taco.  The chimi had barely any chicken and was mostly black beans and tons more queso.  I thought it was strange they asked me what kind of beans I wanted in it.  I've only had a lil refried beans before in a chimi and I thought it was more for sealing together the edges.  They crammed this more like a burrito and warmed it in the oven - not fried.  Both our places were scalding hot (which they did warn) because they brought them straight from the oven.  The enchilada and taco were okay but the beef a bit greasy.  All and all - the food was mediocre at best.  

One bartender was nice and attentive but he was really the only one that acknowledged us.  We weren't alone in this poor treatment tho.  A couple that came in while we were eating was simply directed by a waitress (sitting down at a booth on her cell phone) who pointed at them to just take a seat where ever.  The rest of the staff walked around avoiding eye contact and looking busy.  No friendly vibes here...

Personally, I figured if the service wasn't that great that the food would make up for it based on the reviews here.  Unfortunately, the food and service were a total let down.  Not that I'll find myself back in this area any time soon but I can cross this "authentic dive" off my list and never head back.  Sorry guys - just wasn't feeling any part of it.

Ocean City can be very challending if you are a vegetarian. Luckily Mother's Cantina has plenty of veggie friendly options and the food is quite good.
Highly recommend cheese quesadillas and portabello fajitas. The portabello mushroom seasoning is not for the faint-hearted though so beware.  
The decor is fairly low-key and it can get crowded at times, but the staff seemed friendly and efficient. Very late evenings there seems to be a bouncer at the door so if you're looking to dine with a child or a teen it's best to get take out.
All and all it's a good choice.