Jalapeños Mexican Grill

Mexican restaurant · Tuscaloosa

Jalapeños Mexican Grill

Mexican restaurant · Tuscaloosa

1

1845 New Watermelon Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406

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Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null
Jalapeños Mexican Grill by null

Highlights

Tuscaloosa’s beloved Jalapeños dishes up hearty Tex-Mex classics like fajita gumbo and boasts Alabama's largest tequila menu in a casual, lively spot.  

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1845 New Watermelon Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 Get directions

jalapenostuscaloosa.com

$$

Information

Static Map

1845 New Watermelon Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 Get directions

+1 205 342 3378
jalapenostuscaloosa.com
jalapenostuscaloosa

$$

Features

dine in
takeout
delivery
wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 30, 2025

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The 15 Best Restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Home to the University of Alabama

"When Jheovanny Gomez followed his then-girlfriend (now wife) from Colombia to Tuscaloosa, he never thought he’d co-own four restaurants. But two years after he arrived to study at UA, Gomez helped open Jalapeños Mexican Grill, which has been serving the area since 2001. Aside from a standard array of Mexican dishes, the restaurant offers some more ambitious items, including the legendary fajita gumbo: seasoned chicken, shrimp, steak, and pico de gallo, all covered in cheese sauce. Jalapeño’s latest location, in Temerson Square, is home to the largest tequila menu in Alabama, ranging from flights to signature margaritas. On any given night, Gomez can be found helping out at one of his restaurants." - Jen Bowman

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-tuscaloosa-alabama-university-bama-ua
View Postcard for Jalapeños Mexican Grill

Carole Headley

Google
Love Jalapeños! This is one of our favorite places to go for good food, good service and a warm, friendly atmosphere. We have several favorites. Pork belly tacos, Dirty Rice, Chimichanga, Fajitas and the new menu item, Maicitos. You can’t go wrong here.

Primetimesha

Google
Greeted As soon as you enter, Seated right away! Fast Service, Great Drinks, Nice &Friendly Services ,Great Drinks &Food! I'd Highly Recommend To Anyone &I Will be Coming Here More Often!

Daniel Halsey

Google
Nothing really fancy and food or atmosphere. Basically just convenient. Shrimp tacos are exceptional. Other than that keep track of your credit card, which might be taken and tried to use at the local Walmart. Seriously. Happened.

Joslyn Abrams

Google
This ain’t the place to come if you 1) like Mexican food 2)like good service 3) In a hurry Drinks weren’t refilled chips weren’t refilled NO ONE asked if we needed help. Two parties who were seated after us, ordered after us left before us. Our server just didn’t come back. Trash trash all the way around. I would give it zero stars if that was an option. Saw our server twice he had on gloves the entire time. Just horrible if it wasn’t for good company I would have clowned. ZERO OUT OF FIVE.

Christopher Amabile (Chris)

Google
This was a nice place! The food was good and the service was fine. Reasonably priced too. I give it four stars. Don't expect the greatest waiters, though they do a fine job.

Zack Richardson

Google
Was treated as if I didn’t matter in this location, waited nearly 5 minutes to be seated, and the hostess seemed irritated that she had to sit me. Waited nearly 10 minutes for the waiter just to get my drink order, had to stand up to even be noticed by him. I will say he brought the food and drinks in a good time, but didn’t check on me again for nearly 20 minutes while he talked to the hostess and played on the phone. I won’t be back and the bad thing the food is really good. This is not the first time I was treated this way here but it will be the last

Swapanthi Mandalika

Google
I had a horrible experience here. Ordered a vegetarian meal and confirmed several times that there would be no meat. But alas, it did contain meat. While paying, I politely informed the hostess, who did apologize but also said, "I don't cook. Did you send it back?" as if the whole thing was my fault. Again, horrible experience, food and service wise. Never going back and would never recommend.

Stephanie Roden

Google
Is it new policy to make 3 customers share one 4 ounce ramekin of salsa when 3 meals were ordered? Gross. I won't be back anytime soon. You can keep your health violations to yourself. Two stars because the quesadilla was good at least. Yes, I called first, thinking it was a mix up. Management said that 4 ounces was what you get with a take-out order even if 12 meals were ordered.
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Olivia A.

Yelp
Great service,food and drinks! Recommend the arroz con pollo or the signature gumbo.
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McKinley H.

Yelp
This place is still a staple among my friends. Chips and salsa are always fresh, and your food comes fast. Drinks are tasty and prices are some of the best around. My personal favorite part of this place is that because it's so far "off-the-beaten path," it avoids the huge crowds found in Tuscaloosa on the weekends. You know you can come here, find parking, and never wait to be seated.

Gary B.

Yelp
We've eaten here several times. Love the owner and his community involvement. Food is usually always good. However we'll probably go to the Rose Blvd location in the future. Waitress spent a lot of time looking at her phone, several times had to get others to bring extra napkins etc. When cashier asked if everything was alright we said everything except the service - but she didn't ask about it or seem concerned.

K G.

Yelp
Their special gumbo soup was SO good. We ended up going twice in one visit. The inside was cool. The spicy margarita was okay, average. Chips and salsa good.

Garrett W.

Yelp
Great Food!!! Great service! and very good atmosphere for a big group and please go on your birthday it's awesome!
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Chase R.

Yelp
The food is amazing. Love going on Taco Tuesday you can get some great deals. The service was so nice and friendly. And the place was clean and very nice for it to be a dinner rush when I went.
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Matthew L.

Yelp
I have eaten here several times but today was terrible! Took several minutes for chips to be brought out, the lime in my margarita was spoiled and then found a hair in the salsa! The waiter, which was the manager, was inattentive and completely undisturbed about the lack of service and the hair in the salsa! Had to flag him down anytime we needed something, wasn't extremely busy either! Hostess was rude and unconcerned with our service too! No apology or even an offer to make it right. Very disappointed! May not be back!
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Richard W.

Yelp
I can't say enough about the fajita gumbo. Actually I've had most of the menu and still haven't found something I don't like. Margaritas also are amazing here. Service is hit or miss depending on how busy they are and your waiter, but the food is always amazing.
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Kelsey C.

Yelp
I love coming here because there is never a wait but it's always really packed. The food is also really delicious and comes out quickly. My go to is the fajita salad, add shrimp, and no chips. We tried their gumbo last night and added chorizo which was yummy but I feel like for your entire meal it would be a bit too heavy in my opinion. The restrooms are always extremely clean and the staff is very attentive.

Dana J.

Yelp
Very upset today at Jalapeno's. I usually love this place and the crew. But, today the service was awful, we did not get our chips and salsa until we flagged someone down, then after eating some of it, there was a hair in our salsa, the manager was not friendly, the margarita had a bad lime in it that looked like it had been sucked and the manager never said he was sorry about the hair and never checked on us. We had to hunt him down. We even needed our table cleaned up after a slight spill and no one came over. The hostess was not kind either when we told her what happened. She was quit rude. Today is 11/10/23 at 12:30. We would have at least liked an apology or our meal or margarita's comped. Very disappointed and not sure we are going back and we have been going at least 3 to 4 times a week. It has defiantly become our place, not sure now.
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Emma H.

Yelp
Awesome place! Love the food and chips. ( of course). Definitely go there!! If it's you Birthday they always do something special!
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Ron E.

Yelp
If you are a fan of real Mexican food, then this is the place for you! Great food, tap beer & full bar.
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Yancey C.

Yelp
Love their food. Very well done. Service is too notch as well. As frugal parents, we really appreciate the kids eat free Mondays. Recommended
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Nancy C.

Yelp
Stopped here for a bite after a motorcycle ride. Quick and friendly service. We split a dinner and they were very accommodating. Place was clean. Would recommend! Give it a try!
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Rachel M.

Yelp
I was eating too fast to take pictures of my food! Everything was absolutely delicious but the enchilada sauce was so rich and thanks to my waiter for letting me order off menu
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Joshua W.

Yelp
Awful food and terrible service. The fajitas were bore like roast beef. It was not charged and sizzling. They have no pork dishes and I am.pretty sure I could not buy a drink refill.
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Jill H.

Yelp
Although the service here is always good, the food quality continues to decline. I had the worst fish tacos ever here tonight. The beef taco replacement made Taco Bell look like haute cuisine. The margarita was lime koolaid. I don't think I'll be coming back.
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Robert H.

Yelp
Best Mexican in Tuscaloosa hands down. Most of the Mexican restaurants in Tuscaloosa could care less about the food quality and only care about the margaritas. Great meal today for lunch. The waiter did a great job of filling up my water and takin the order, but I had to wait forever to get my bill so that I could pay. The fajita gumbo is where it's at.
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Sumer K.

Yelp
Alex is THE BEST! He makes the best margaritas and always makes sure we have everything we need!

Austin D.

Yelp
Food is very good, but also highly overpriced. Buffalo wings are absolutely amazing. Watch out for the dirty rice though, ITS HOT!
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Chris M.

Yelp
Whenever I'm in Tuscaloosa and in the mood for Mexican food this is where I go. Their signature house special, the jalapeños gumbo is absolutely incredible - I get it with chorizo. The place is very clean, service is quick and friendly and in the many times I've been here I'veI've always been very pleased with them.
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Nikki I.

Yelp
Horrible service. No real social distancing. Margaritas were what you would expect from a Mexican restaurant that is not real authentic. Food was okay. We haven't really eaten at any other Mexican restaurants but if this is the best Tuscaloosa has to offer I would probably just skip eating Mexican.

Isaiah B.

Yelp
Horrible service. Took me an hour to get a single drink, chips and salsa were both very bland, guacamole tasted like pure avocado no seasoning salt nothing. Overall save ur time and go to Los tarrascos in either south Tuscaloosa or northport both better options.
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Calvin B.

Yelp
This place is super delicious! Taken my family here a few times for dinner, and was pleasantly surprised each time. I've been here several times, and everything that I've ordered off the menu is delicious. Everybody in the family was super satisfied with what they've ordered every time we've been here. This place does get busy, and parking can be a challenge. The parking lot that is by this restaurant is simply not large enough to accommodate the crowds that come to this establishment. There are TVs in this establishment, and they play sports, mostly. Overall, I would say it's a pretty solid dinner option for people who want to night out, or want to take the family out to dinner. Just be aware, you may not find a place to park.
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Nikki C.

Yelp
Fun trendy place with good atmosphere, service and food!! Loved the steak burrito and margarita. The lunch special was a steal at $5.50 For a taco, enchilada and burrito. Tea included!
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Todd T.

Yelp
Very mediocre food had to send my food back twice and it still wasn't right my shrimp dish had a very strong fish odor and also were not deveined decent service not enough servers
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Raven G.

Yelp
One of my favorite spots in town. And their meal kits were an awesome treat during COVID.
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Dana J.

Yelp
One of the best Mexican restaurants in town. Try the Mexican gumbo! It is so good. They could do better on their cheese sauce. It is not thick but runny. So we never get it. Great margaritas!
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Laura M.

Yelp
Really yummy food with lots of options! It's pretty cheap so you cannot come in expecting the best quality. Some issues with not getting the exact thing that you order. But over all Jalapeños is pretty reliable, cheap, tasty, and there is not usually a wait! Oh and of course there's complimentary chips and salsa!

Alli O.

Yelp
Very good service and good food. My family and I eat there a lot when we want mexican food

Margo S.

Yelp
AMAZING. The best Mexican food in tuscaloosa. Never step into Taco Mama again... Jalepenos has..wait for it. FLAVOR!!! NuT.
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William T.

Yelp
Atmosphere: Classic Mexican Wait: not on a Wednesday night Salsa: Highly puréed and slightly spicy (good) Chips: thick and crispy (I prefer my chips much thinner) Server: Entree: fajita nachos Fajita meat- DELICIOUS Cheese- no where near enough cheese Chips - still not a fan I came here to get some work done while at deer camp. Hoping they would have wifi to access. Unfortunately that was just a pipe dream.
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Ashley A.

Yelp
We love going to Jalapeños! My daughter calls it the "Quesadilla house" and has always chosen it for special occasions. We all love the donkeys out front. Jeovanny is an awesome guy who really gives back to the community. We visit both locations and it's a true neighborhood feel.
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Edwin K.

Yelp
A friend recommended this place so I decided to give it a try. Things I liked: - The meals were cheap which is a good thing when you want to eat but not break the bank - The wait time was very short. - The food was good and hot. I actually burned by tongue. - Customer service was amazing Things I didn't like: .......
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Jim F.

Yelp
Now back in the day when this restaurant was close to campus, I used to go there once a week. The food is great. The service is great. The prices are great. The new location leaves a little to be desired, but if you're a student it's definitely worth the occasional drive out to New Watermelon Rd. Here's my take. Definitely start with the cheese dip with some Jalepenos and a sweet tea. After that it's up to you. The fajitas are great, the combos have something for everyone, and-if you are feeling unconventional- the Mexican chicken fingers with cheese sauce never disappoint. I am getting hungry just writing about them. Bottom line: The best Mexican restaurant in T-town.

Robert F.

Yelp
Excellent food, service and drinks. Margaritas actually contain alcohol and priced right. Kid friendly. Nice atmosphere. Taco Tuesday specials are affordable even for large families.
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Miranda S.

Yelp
Love their food! Especially the salsa! Can't beat the margarita prices! Plus,there pretty good! :) Its fast an reasonably priced. We love this location. Always very friendly staff.
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Katie K.

Yelp
As a Texan, I'm not easily impressed by Mexican food. My friend said she thought her meal was tasty, but she's an uncultured swine from New Orleans and wouldn't know real Mexican food. The hostess was very sweet though

Lori S.

Yelp
Very good food! I ordered the fajita taco. Plenty of food! Very flavorful. The chips and salsa are good. I also got a Margarita that was good. Servers are pretty friendly. Service is prompt. Just be aware that they are sometimes packed. Very popular place for locals. They close mid day for a few hours, also.
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Daniel H.

Yelp
Most of the food here is Tex-Mex, which I am not a fan of, but there are a few decent dishes if you try. The steak and pepper dish (#13 I think) is solid. There is lots of spice in this one. The staff is friendly and kids eat free on Mondays.
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Dawn K.

Yelp
Jalapeno's has fresh, great food and outstanding service. Fajita gumbo is scrumptious, the cheese dip, guacamole are addictive. Everything is freshly prepared and delicious! I've never eaten anything there I didn't like. All of the staff are very attentive and eager to please. I always look forward to eating at Jalapeno's!
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Max K.

Yelp
The locals say this place is better than a lot of the more "college" spots to eat Mexican but I disagree. The food and service wasn't bad but it didn't live up to the hype. I didn't really like the salsa or guac but the fajita quesadilla was pretty good. Nothing to write home about here.
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Benny J.

Yelp
I love this place. It's cheap and they have a great menu. Texmex for sure. Every time I have been here the staff works super hard, great service. One of favorite bargains in town.

Ted S.

Yelp
Food was alright. Everyone at my table was so devastated when they told us they didn't serve COKE products. Almost got up and left.

Mike C.

Yelp
It's ok. The food was alright and the Diet Pepsi is great but the food gave me lots of unrelenting gas. I farted for probably 12 straight hours.
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James L.

Yelp
Typical Tex-Mex joint dressed up as a Mexican restaurant. It was pretty busy when I went this past weekend, but that's no excuse to wait over 20 minutes for the waiter to drop by and take our order. We went as a small group (6 of us) and my girlfriend and sister ordered a margarita pitcher to share. When they brought the pitcher, I thought it was a joke. I could've used this "pitcher" as my beer mug. Service definitely left a little to be desired, and the food was pretty good, but not as good as the reviews may imply. I won't go out of my way to eat here again. But I also won't refuse to go if someone else suggests it.
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D B.

Yelp
I went here with some friends on a Friday night, and it was super fun! They have a FANTASTIC happy hour that lasts a lot longer than you'd expect (until about 7pm--$2 margaritas, yes, please!). Great food, decent service. Only downside is that they have somewhat limited parking, so be prepared to drive around the lot a few times before finding a place.
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
This is my favorite Mexican spot in Tuscaloosa. I have been coming to Jalapeno's since college. Yummy Margaritas, cheese dip, cheese enchiladas ... I've never had a bad meal at Jalapeno's
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MustangQT M.

Yelp
Great food. Yummy salsa and queso dip. Very clean and nice atmosphere. But we were with a large group...and the service wasn't great. Water, chips, food all took a long time to come out.

Audra G.

Yelp
The food was great, service was lousy! We came at around 8:15pm, and there were only about 4 other occupied tables. Our orders were taken quickly, and then after our food was brought out we never saw the waiter again! I also asked for salsa on the side, didn't get it. A passing manager noticed my empty glass and refilled my water, and that was the only "service" we got. I had to get up and hunt for napkins, eventually asking the hostess because no waiters were to be found. After we finished the meal, we waited over 15 minutes for the check, didn't get it. My boyfriend had to get up and once again bother the hostess for our check. I wish we could've tipped her, because our waiter sucked. It was ridiculous. The food was good, and atmosphere was a cute Mexican/Tex-Mex bar and grill style, but I won't be coming here again for a looooong time because of the service, or lack thereof.