Standing round the corner from Trafalgar Square, The Texas Embassy Cantina is perfectly located for trapping unsuspecting tourists with the lure of authentic Tex-Mex food. But does this quite live up to its promise?

The Atmosphere
The Texas Embassy Cantina is by no means unfriendly, nor is it falling apart, but it is in need of some tidying up around the edges. Considering that such measures are taken to make this place feel legendary and authentic, this Embassy ought to take more careful ones to keep it up. Hats off, however, to the attentive Canadian waiters pretending to be Texans, who valiantly tried to enliven the place.

The Venue
Large, saloon-like and inviting, the Embassy tries to bring alive the stuff of legend (and films) with that glint of authenticity. Legend has it that the real Texas Embassy stood somewhere close in London over a hundred years ago. Surprisingly, this doesn’t descend into cheesy farce, despite the hen parties, as the venue is large enough to cater for those out on the town, the suited and booted, as well as the grannies with their grandkids who fancy burritos. The teach yourself Spanish CD in the loo was a nice touch.

The Food
The menu states that the food is authentic Tex-Mex, the Texan and Mexican food marriage that gave birth to many a beefy dish, nachos and hot salsa. Though, if the food is authentic, then Tex-Mex food is not amazing – the chicken for the fajita was dry inside and the guacamole was nothing to shout about. For these prices (about £10.00 and over for mains, just under £20.00 for steak) you’d expect more than what you get.

The Drink
The sauce is retro without meaning to be, and very very fun. You can’t go too wrong with cocktails that taste like opal fruits and slush puppy margaritas with many a tequila to choose from. It’s obvious that if you haven’t moved onto the bottled beers by then, the tequila slammers will be coming in thick and fast. This is what happy hours are made for, group drinking at its best.

The Last Word
Not the worst way to start your evening in town, if you like being only vaguely entertained. If you fill up on enough Margaritas, you may find this a riot, otherwise, grab a couple of Texans and head somewhere else instead.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (22)