Reviews (58)
Monica P
There are several Mexican restaurants in the area, but I like Cacique the best (along with their second location, Mexicali Cantina). My most recent visit was with my husband and two friends on Feb 24th.
Their salsa is great and chips fresh and crunchy. I ordered the chorizo con queso as an appetizer. I had expected it to be a chili con queso but with the chorizo. Still, it was very good and served with toast.
I typically order the roasted chicken, which is served with sliced onions, peppers and tomatoes in a Spanish sauce (along with black beans and rice) or the roast duck, both very good. This particular evening, I tried the shrimp tacos, which was one of the specials of the evening. There were three on the plate. It was quite filling but I wish the shrimp were larger. Overall the flavors were good and my dinner filled me up (came with yellow Spanish rice and salsa). Tony tried the swordfish, first time ever, and he really liked it. He's really not a fish eater but he was quite satisfied and plans to buy some for us to cook at home. One friend ordered the broiled salmon with vegetables and the other the trio special: scallops, steak, and shrimp. We were all happy with our meals.
Everytime we go to Cacique, it's always filled. The place can be a little noisy but it didn't bother us.
Service is always good and we never have to wait long for our meals.
In the summertime, if you get lucky, you can sit outdoors.
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KG
I went there few times and they always served the food so fast. you don't have to wait too long. It's not the best Mexiacan restaurant I've been to, but the food is tasty. Worth to try.
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Mary
Love this place! Food was excellent, generous proportions, well prepared and presented, very tasty. Service was good, but not speedy, gave me and my friends plenty of time to talk. Will definitely be back.
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MeliMel
Cacique is great! Fabulous food and great atmosphere - never have been rushed - in fact, we stay there for hours and are always welcomed.
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jsgu
the food is the best on town!!!! great service, atmosphere,and asolutely great, great food! of course i will comebac and i recommend it! go to cacique you will like it! because is the BEST!!!!!!!!!
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Mark
This is the best Mexican/South American restaurant in Frederick. I've eaten her about 10 times and I have always had great service and fantastic food.
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Greg
Food was great the first couple of times but it seems the quality of food has diminished. The last time we ate there we were with a group of six. The service was horrible even though the place was nearly empty. We took our complaints to the manager who happened to be the owner. I was in disbelief at the poor customer service The owner claimed he didn't need to worry about the offensive or lack of .service because his restaurant is always packed
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JimB
My wife and I eat Mexican Spanish food out frequently. I brought a compliant about the bill to the owner. He treated my wife with disrespect. When I approached him about his customer service skills he said he didn’t have to worry about my opinion because he had a full restaurant. There are better Mexican restaurants in downtown Frederick with friendly wait staff.
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Anonymous
We've been here about 4 times with my parents, always on Saturday evenings, the busiest time. Always excellent food and service, short wait times without a reservation too. On our most recent visit, the they accommodated our request for a particular appetizer they used to offer as such but now is only offered as a meal. We had a couple coupons this time, and the waiter automatically used the one that gave us the greater discount.
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Sonny Jr.
Prices quite reasonable for a downtown restaurant. Food is nothing transcendent, but generally good. Never had any problems with the service.
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Den in Frederick
While I've got to agree with the other posters that Cacique's service is slow, their food is worth the wait. The seafood is fresh and delicious, the menu is always interesting, and the atmosphere is very nice.
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A
Really good chips and salsa, and good food but on the day I went, a June lunch the service was pretty iffy...neither the server's trainer nor the newbie could answer questions about pupusas...but the food was excellent and very reasonable. will go again and again. strange the address on google maps was the wrong road!
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Adam
Not a bad Mexican place. The restaurant is always very busy, so it can be a bit noisy, but the food's pretty decent. I recommend the stuffed poblano pepper (It might be called some form of chile relleno). I've had much better ceviche than what I got here, though it was overall okay, just too lemony and not enough lime or cilantro. Be sure to end the meal with some fried ice cream!
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JP
Great food!! The service was a little slow, but our overall experience was good! We will be back to dine!
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Texas Transplant
I moved to Maryland from Texas 3 years ago. Good Tex-Mex is severly lacking here. However, I think I have found another great Mexican resturant. The salsa had just the right kick to start the meal. The portions and flavoring of the food was spot on. Slow cooked chunk beef in the enchiladas, fresh vegetables, fajitas superb. My only complaints that prompted the four stars is wait time from order to food arrival. The second is the fact that the crispy tacos were soggy on bottom from sitting in juice too long. I definately recommend them.
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Alan
The food and atmosphere are very good, but the service is extremely slow. Don't go there for lunch on a workday unless you have at least 2 hours to spend, and be sure not to park at a meter since you may get a ticket (meters have a 2 hour limit). There is no problem getting a table for lunch, and you will get chips and salsa while you wait for you meal. A great place to catch up with friends, since you will have plenty of time to talk. They have about an equal number of Spanish and Mexican dishes, so they should also be listed as a Spanish restaurant. It is a great place to eat as long as you aren't in a hurry.
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Yesenia and Kathleen
Love this place and expecially the chocolate dessert. It's heavenly
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cindy
after reading all u ppl have wrote i disagree with the ppl that say it was bad service,thats only when its busy.but overall the food is dilicious and u should try the paella it is really good.nice job cacique
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Kristen
The food is some of the best in Frederick but the service is always slow. The last time we went the drinks came with dinner which was not good.
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Keef
As a Frederick resident who dines out frequently, I've tried just about every eatery in town. Cacique has been my favorite for some time. Absolutely delicious food and seldom a wait for a table.
I will agree with the comment that table service is - on occassion - a bit spotty, but that is small price to pay for the generous portions and the best, authentic Spanish cusine in the area.
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Rachel
The food in cacique is like no other mexican restaurant you'll likely come across in a long, long time. The only problem that seems to be a consistent experience is the service being very slow. Often times, waiters leave customers for a half hour or more, especially once food is delivered. Trying to get refills is really rather a pain sometimes.
But if you're looking for the best mexican cuisine in Frederick, this is the place.
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Melanie
Steak salad is amazing!!! Servers are always pleasant! Highly recommend Carlos! Yum!
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Thomas
We thoroughly enjoyed the menu, service, food and ambiance. The Spanish dishes are a pleasure. Seasoned with a light delicate touch.
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Janis
Consistently good food. Their well-proportioned ceviche is beautiful! We always order off the Spanish side of the menu. The Mexican (Tex-Mex really) looks to be of the standard "slop on a plate" variety.
But the Spanish food is bright and fresh.
The mussel appetizer served in a broth made with garlic onion and ginger is fantastic. Make sure to sop up all the sauce with bread!
I find their house sangria a bit too sweet for my taste.
I can't wait for them to ban smoking so that you don't have to pass through the poison to reach the dining room.
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Christine
Best Spanish/Mexican food in town! Who could beat the Mejillones Andaluza for $7.00... thats an entree in itself, and that's an appetizer on the menu! Also, their salteado's have great flavor and their seafood is always fresh! Its a wonderful experience and very quaint inside.
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ggj
After reading all the reviews, I don't know what went wrong with our experience. We like authentic Mexican food--this wasn't. The food was luke warm and the service was awful.
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Anonymous
Great food - the carne asada is to die for.. however the service is a little lacking.
The overall atmosphere is a hurried one - my boyfriend brought me and a few friends here for my birthday and we got the attitude from the server and the staff of being rushed, snooty, snobby, and as if they couldnt wait for us to leave.
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Anonymous
Food is delicious. Reasonably priced and there is rarely a wait to be seated. I would definately recommend Cacique!
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Pamela.
We always love dining here. The service is always great. I enjoyed a "whole"fish course that was amazing. My children always find new things to try.Great place!!
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Kara
Great food, great service, nice atmosphere. Excellent chips & salsa, but try the guacamole -- it has to be the best in Frederick. Love the margaritas by the 1/2 pitcher, perfect for sharing.
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Anonymous
Excellent Restaurant! It is my new favorite. The food is great and reasonably priced. There is also a large menu to choose from. The salsa and chips are great as well. The servers laugh when you try to talk Spanish to them (unless of course you can actually speak Spanish.) I enjoy dining in the bar area, it is a little more casual than the dining room.
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Anonymous
Great food and strong margaritas. The vegetable fajitas are some of the best that I've had.
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Anonymous
The food, drinks, and atmosphere here make this our favorite restaurant of any kind in Frederick. Do yourself a favor and order the Spanish dishes- they are all fantastic, especially the Salteado dishes and the black beans. The chips and salsa are fresh and light, and the sangria is great.
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Anonymous
The food is wonderful, prices aren't too bad & the portions are quite large. the atmosphere was great, relaxed, service is wonderful.
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Susan
I have never had a bad meal here. Spinach Enchiladas and the Carne Asada are favorites. Friendly service, reasonable prices.
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Ruth DiGiovine
My friend, Leslie and I drive from Leesburg, VA and Baltimore to meet and dine at Cacique's as often as we can. The food, margarita's, service and atmosphere are consistently above the norm.
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Anon.
We have not eaten entrees here, but the appetizers are great. There is something just AMAZING about their chips!! I feel silly about wanting to rant and rant about the fabulous chips but honestly we've never had them so tasty and light and crispy, and the salsa is amazing. (and on top of it all I hardly ever eat chips and salsa).
The margaritas, while many of my friends claim they are the best in town, I find to be far too sweet.
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Emily, Kevin, Herman, Newman and Carmen
When we first arrived, we were instantly greeted with a bowl of salsa and chips which were excellent. The heat in the salsa was balanced and easy on the pallet. The meal service was prompt and friendly.
Complaints:
1.) The avacado salad dressing was made with too much mayonaise.
2.) The main course dishes had the food "slopped" together which makes it difficult to identify just exactly what you are eating.
The food is "good" and most likely this is the best mexican in frederick.
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Deb
One of my favorite restaurants in Frederick. I tend to ignore the Mexican part of the menu and go to the, South American (?), Peruvian (?) portion. They have a duck that they prepare with a tomato and olive type sauce that is wonderful. They also have a seafood dish made with mussels and scallops that comes with a tomato and I think wine sauce. Finally, I HIGHLY recommend the dessert, tres leches.
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Victoria
First visit last night, with friends who have been numerous times. Service and food excellent. Will definatley return.
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Bob Ohm
We ate here June 28, and I must admit, this was not our first choice, BUT...after reading the recent reviews of La Paz in their new location, I started looking for an alternative. Cacique's food is terrific! Our group of four had three different entrees, and each was excellent. The two ladies had the lobster, which at $25 was a real steal. The other gent had the bacon-wrapped shrimp, and had more than he could eat. I had the paella, and although it was very good, wished I had ordered something else after seeing the other's meals. Appetizers were very large: we had an order of mussels and and order of chorizo con queso, both were excellent. The mussels were enough for an individual meal! Service was a bit above average, but not spectacular. Ambiance is OK, not too noisy, very eclectic crowd, a wide variety of attire, middle-of-the-road decor, and an overall comfortable "look and feel." We recommend it!
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ilovegoodfood
We like this place. Good menu featuring spanish and mexican food. Each entree we ordered was reasonably priced and delicious! Get a pitcher of sangria too, it's pretty good - not super-sweet like some other places. Like other reviewers have said, why eat at the average restaurant by the creek, when you can come have the good food here?
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Gina V
Excellent service!! The food is also great and reasonably priced. I will definitely be back.
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happy customer
friendly waitress, nice service and good food. One of our favorite food destinations in Frederick.
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Tom
Great food was had by all of our 4 person party. Service was good. The only thing needing improvement is to expand the beer menu.
Recommended!
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Tom McCabe
Great food and not just the usual burritos. Explore the menu like I did...Stuffed chicken breast with a green mole sauce. Black beans will never taste the same after you try these smokey gems!....We've eaten here 4 times and always with good service as well. Muy bueno!
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CR
Great food, reasonable prices. Service was excellent. My husband was thrilled with meal, a Spanish dish. If you go on a Saturday you should make reservations. Will definitely be back again.
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Vicky S
This is the Best Mexican and Spanish in Frederick. Sorry La Paz this is real dinning. Great seafood, beef and chicken. Great food, our family has been back several times.
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Anonymous
friendliest and most thorough bar service i've ever had (she actually gave me decriptions of drinks without my having to ask). it was a busy saturday night, to boot.
the food here is great and totally affordably priced. portion sizes are too big to finish. if you want a good time without spending a lot, this is a sure thing. will be back again and again.
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Kimberly
What a great meal! The atmosphere is relaxed and the service was very good. I especially liked the seafood offerings...the menu is extensive and portions are generous.
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Anonymous
Awsome!!The food is exellent.The service is good enough.We have been twice and both times were a pleasent experience.
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Kim
I LOVE this restaurant. I always take people there when they visit Frederick and they love it. I have a friend from Germany who lives in Frederick and it is our favorite place to go downtown.
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