Catrina's Tacos And Tequila Bar: Just Guac Away?

2 1/2 Snaps! Needs some work

The interior of the new location is bright and colorful

​The long awaited opening of Catrina’s Tacos and Tequila Bar finally happened back in January and I have been anxious to try it. The food at their former location on MacDill Avenue was tasty. This Mexican spot was originally scheduled to open back in July 2019.

The shrimp, fish and barbacoa tacos are medium sized and served on a stainless steel tray

​The interior is delightfully colorful. Mexican artwork bedazzles the walls and hangs from the ceiling, surrounded by a colorful paint and wood tones. There’s table seating for 15 and another 20 or so counter seats lining the open kitchen, wall, and bar. It’s an upbeat looking spot.
One person multitasks the front of the house. She seats patrons, gives menus, takes orders, and serves. She also instructs the cook in the kitchen while she is doing food prep. 
All meals include a small bag of freshly fried tortilla chips and a delicious house made salsa.  We start with an order of guacamole and chips appetizer. It’s supposed to be award-winning! I order 3 tacos: shrimp, fish, and barbacoa. My theory? Keep it simple and keep it good! Service is remarkably slow. With only two parties ahead of us it takes 30 minutes or more to get food and the guacamole and chips never arrive. There is no checking on tables during service and no attention to detail .
The medium-size tacos are served on a stainless steel taco holder. The shrimp is cooked just right and the accompanying sauce offers some serious heat. The meat in their fish taco is coated in batter and deep-fried and renders a crispy crunchy outside adding some nice texture to the bite, but it there is little flavor. The tortillas are corny and flavorful and taste homemade.

​They do not yet have their full liquor license, but their website says that it’s coming soon. It's hard to be a tequila bar with no liquor license unless they are giving it away, and they're not. Nonalcoholic beverages are mostly Coca-Cola products in cans. They accept cash payments only and there is an ATM on site (with fee).
Over all the food is good but the service really needs to step it up. Understandably a newer restaurant would have some hiccups, but these guys were at it for years at the old location. Leaving tables unserved and forgetting ordered items are avoidable issues possibly aided with the addition of more personnel. Humorously, one of the hashtags they promote on their website is #ifyoudon’tlikeitjustguacaway.  You decide.

Don't forget payment is by cash only