Prickly Pear Cafe

This is a nice place, but the food is, well, bland for my taste. I think it tries to cater to people who don't usually eat Mexican or "southwest" cooking. You might have to go to Detroit to get the real thing around these parts, amigo...

The restaurant is small but cozy, the nice booths give a lot of privacy and the mexican decor is the theme throughout. The waitstaff is highly inefficient and our server in particular had that flakey over enthused Red Robin sort of personality, I don't enjoy that, I want somebody who is waiting on me to be real. All that said, I can get past the sketchy service because the food was fantastic. I had the shrimp and scallop quesadilla and boy was it delicious. The dish was perfectly seasoned and had just the right amount of acidity. The portion was generous and I'm sure I we be able to squeeze a second meal out of it at lunch tomorrow.

Just went last thursday. I had the Shrimp and Scallop Quesadilla, IMG !! Enough for two; it was awesome. Sit outside if weather permits, great people watching.

Don't let the other reviews lead you astray. The food at the Prickly Pear is just ho-hum; it reminds me a lot of the food that's available at leisure dining chains. It's no better than the sum of its parts, and the parts don't impress as either exceptionally high-quality or authentically southwestern. I've eaten here three or four times with people who think there's something to this place (dark lighting, acoustic din, strong drinks, perhaps?) and each time I leave mildly disappointed. There's definitely a quantity-over-quality approach and salt prevails over vinegar and chilies and citrus. Just about everything comes with heaps of black beans that are barely seasoned. Some extra cilantro, chilies, and onion for the black beans, or a twist or lime and garlic for the guacamole would go a long way, but it's all very bland. However your guts will be full and you'll have plenty to bring home. If you must, the meat-and-potatoes (or rather, meat and sweet potato fritters) plates are the way to go. If you have a craving for this sort of thing, go to Sabor Latino down the street, then spend the money you saved on atmosphere and an after-dinner drink.

I completely adore the Prickly Pear. Their food is wonderful, even if there is sometimes a wait to get a table. I moved to Boston a couple of years ago, and the Prickly Pear is right at the top of the list of things I miss. Definitely a do-not-miss of Ann Arbor. =D

Love the Food! (yum yum) Love the street side eating! (oh the A2 people watching-at it's best!) Love the pitchers of Margaritas! ( the best I've ever had in Michigan!) But up until this spring- this place had THE WORST service staff! Mean and nassssty- I guess you could say they were...well Prickley! we used to call them "The Natzis!". A slooow down in the economy has humbled them quite a bit and I now enjoy every minute of this southwest inspired expierence!

The Prickly Pear has been our favorite restaurant since we began visiting 18 years ago. My fave dish is the shrimp/scallop quesidillas at $18.99, and for dessert they have the BEST cheesecake in the world. Their frozen strawberry daquiris are simply amazing too! Seafood lovers might also enjoy the coconut scallops or pumpkin scallops.

Absolutly the best place in town! Everything is always great. I talk about this place so much and reccomend it to so many people, they should be paying me. Personally, I don't like Mexican food at all (this place is no Mexican), but the combination of flavors and ingredients of things I don't usually eat drive me crazy. I wish this place was open all night!

Very small place, so sometimes seating takes awhile. Overall a good place to eat. The warm cheese and pepper salad is the bomb! I've always had goos service and good food her. Some of the food is a little bit expensive (but not outrageous).