Cottonwood Cafe

I'm a local, and took my parents who are from out of town to Cottonwood. Having been around Boston restaurants for years, I've gotten used to a bit of gruffness, some inattention but overall having pleasant experiences from place to place.\r This experience was not pleasant. The food was quite good, which thankfully saved the evening. The waiter was abyssmal. Host was very nice, sat us, and it all started well. But, after an inital hello and some water, we waited 10-15 minutes for the waiter to come back, he had walked by a few times and never made eye contact - I finally went to the host not wanting to be pushy and kindly asked for the waiter to come to our table to order. Other people who sat after us already had salads. It took a few more minutes after that. When he came back I mentioned the delay and he said ""I thought you said you needed a minute"". Inappropriate. He also forgot a glass of wine after that, and got my order wrong. That pretty much did it. Everyone else started eating without me while I waited. Ther was an apology from the waiter about the food mix up. I know waiting table is the worst job because I did it. This waiter wasn't mean, just bad - but it really put a kink on the whole dinner, and that's enough to make me not want to go back. Pros: good food Cons: service service service! more

The food that I have ordered there has always been very good and their margaritas are awesome-not like the sugary sick inducing or overly sour ones that are often served at bars and restaurants. I have been going there almost once a week for the past two years and it is still one of my favorite restaurants in Boston for meals under $ 20 per person. Service has never been spectacular and there are a couple of male servers who i think go to work to socialize, and I myself have had my meals ""mixed up"" in the kitchen, but whatever...it's affordable, good drinks and the after work scene is good. Pros: Great margaritas, enchilda verdes, zuni roll, nachos, chips and salsa Cons: unattentive servers more

I dine at the Cottonwood Cafe everytime I visit Boston and have done so since my daughter attended BU in the early 90's. Although I peruse the menu on every visit, I invariably order their fresh fish of the day with the wonderful sauces that accompany the dish. Bartenders and service people are personable and efficient. Although we researched other venues for our daughters's wedding reception, we held it there and all of the guests said it was the best wedding reception they had ever attended. Pros: Friendly atmosphere Cons: Can be noisy more

I had a really great time at the cottonwood last night. I was promtly seated and my server was there to greet me within minutes. I started with a traditional margarita, and some snakebites. They were excellent (maybe the best appetizer ever invented). I then had the chicken diablo. It was somewhat spicy, and very flavorful. To top it off I finished with the chocolat nachos. Yum. I had a really great time. THe food was awsome and affordable. I would reccomend the cottonwould to any one looking for a fun time with great food. Pros: Margaritas, food, ambience and definetly the snakebites Cons: I can't think of any more

My office staff loves margaritas. Clients coming into town, and I suggested a margarita tasting party. The booking was for 75 people, which sometimes it's not easy to handle. The night was great we had different tables with three kinds of margaritas with various tequila's, with authentic South Western appetizers.The staff was so friendly, and knowledgeable. There was a party next for the clients in upscale hotel and no one wanted to leave the Cottonwood to go there. The CEO of my company was there and insisted we book again for next year, and we did. Highly recommended. Pros: Food, Service, Margaritas more

We have been regulars at Cottonwood for the past four years, recently the service has gone downhill to the point where we had our last dining experience. We went on Saturday night and were seated with no problems. The restaurant was only about half full. As we sat and waited, we noticed our waitress standing at the table next to us chatting with the couple there. At this point, I looked at her and she saw us waiting. I decided to time her to see when she would at least approach us to take our drink order. I did this because on our last trip, it took over 25 minutes to get service. After 15 minutes of listening to the waitress talk to the other couple about her last vacation, we simply got up and left. It really is unacceptable considering paying customers are there to relax and enjoy a nice dinner. This was the last time we would dine at Cottonwood. Pros: Margaritas Cons: Service more

So once we were finally approached by a waitress, 15 minutes into our visit, we were rudely greeted. Not a great impression! The drinks were then ordered and they too took forever. (2 strikes) once we ordered aps and entrees the misery grew yet again, as everything we had was sub-par and some had to be sent back. I guess next time we know better. \r \r Cottonwood Never Again!!! Pros: Location Cons: Everything once you enter the door more

Excellent food and great margaritas!! The Fire and Spice, wow! Chocolate nachos are delicious! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends. Great for small groups too, you'll get a nice atmosphere, a lot of fun and it's not overpriced like a bunch of so called ""fancy"" restaurants, where you eat eat a little and you pay a lot!! The free parking lot downstairs is also very convenient, specially in Back Bay. Pros: great margaritas, good parking, good service more

My friend and I had a great time at Cottonwood , the server was very funny, a woman, and very professional at the same time, the margaritas were wonderful and food was great, the chocolate nachos left us begging for more. more

I went here for lunch, thinking it could be a nice change in place for a workday meal. My colleague and I place our orders... 45 minutes later, they admit ""there was a mix up"" and our orders haven't even been placed. Finally, when I ask them to wrap it to go, they don't even bring me what I ordered. Horrible, slow service and the food just isn't worth it. more

I had always wanted to try this place, and I would have been better off if I had left it that way. The food was pathetic. Honestly the description of what I ordered did not remotely resemble what was presented to me. And then, insult was added to injury when the waitress lied to me about my order telling me ""oh they are chili fries, there is a chili dust sprinkled on them"" ~ ""huh??"" What my partner got did reflect what was on the menu, but in a very minimalist manner. Oh, and our soups remained very much untouched after the first taste..... Cons: Slow, Terrible food, Terrible waitstaff more

One of the best steaks I've had in a while!!! And the margaritas are just awesome!! If you want to have fun in a casual environment, that's the place, no bs, you pay a fair price and get great quality... Pros: Price, Quality, Free parking more

Had a fantastic time last night! Band was a great addition to patio. Having the bar outside made for quicker service! Can the staff be more fun! They are laughing and enjoying their time as much as we are! The fresh fish is always the most outstanding thing on the menu! Delicious! Pros: Very fun, great food, and drinks! Cons: Music was a little, loud. more

not sure if the service was just so bad that it soured everything else, or what.....Sunday nite....they sat us at the back most table in the place, which was surprisingly bigger than both us of thought....the food was good, although the steak came out well-done despite my request of 'medium'...maybe our waitress forgot about us because we were so far back there, who knows.....very interesting choice of music...everything from Debbie Gibson to 'We are the World'...with a little John Cougar & Madonna mixed in there....not quite sure..... more

The restaurant was full,so I was shown to a wobbly table on the bar side.The margiratas were excellent.After waiting half an hour for our entree,we asked the waiter what was going on.He went to find out but never returned.I sat with an empty glass for fifteen minutes,then asked another waiter for a drink.The food was nothing special.This place is okay for drinks and apps,but I wouldn't recommend it for dinner. Pros: drinks Cons: service more

One of the best southwest restaurants in America!!!! Can NOT get enough..especially the brunch....Decor is one ont the best in New England ....love the bar...too many TV's for an upscale restaurant. Wait staff could smile more! more

Whenever I dine at Cottonwood -- or even stop by after work for a drink -- I am invigorated by the up-beat atmosphere. I love sampling their daily food and drink specials and the staff is always willing at answer my questions -- and even alter the dishes to my taste! Their are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu, too. Whenever I have friends come I take them to Cottonwood because the service and food is consistently great and the ambiance is equally wonderful. Pros: Validated parking, Fun environment, creative drinks more

excellent restaurant with superb food....i recommend the catch of the day- always something good....and drink all the margaritas you can handle. Pros: food, location Cons: parking more

This is more of the americanized tex-mex fare, but done extremely well! Some of the best margaritas anywhere, and yummy skillet plates make this a place not to be missed! more

I had a great time there. I recommend the strawberry margarita. It's awesome!!!!! Good service and food for a reasonable price, i definitely enjoyed the place. Pros: margaritas, good parking, good location more