Last week, I met some friends at Cantina Louie, a popular taco chain in Jacksonville. We didn’t realize just how popular the spot was, for, even on a Tuesday evening, the wait was rather long. But it was well worth it.

The much-needed chips and salsa and margarita combo hit the spot. You can choose from a variety of flavored margaritas, and I opted for the pineapple one while my friends went for a spicy version and a strawberry margarita.

Come food time, the restaurant’s menu offers both large entrées and individual tacos. I like the individual taco concept — it’s affordable and lets you try more than one flavor and combination. The Hot Surfer Chick taco came with chicken breast, pineapple salsa and sriracha ranch, a solid taco. But my favorite, by far, was the mahi taco, where lightly breaded mahi, slaw, chipotle crema, pickled red onions, Peruvian sauce and mango salsa were all wrapped up in a warm tortilla. The flavors were absolutely bursting in my mouth, and I would likely order this one again.

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My friends also went for the different taco combinations, from a surf and turf with shrimp and steak to a straight steak taco.

The best part? The individual tacos are $4–5, so you leave fulfilled and happy without feeling you spent too much on your meal.

— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor