Coba Cocina

Lexington, United States

3.5

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 859-523-8484
Website:
www.cobacocina.com
Address:
2041 Richmond Rd, Lexington, KY, 40502
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.2 miFontaine @ Richmond Inbound - Stop 333
0.2 miFontaine @ Richmond Outbound - Stop 5014
0.2 miFontaine @ Dinsmore Outbound - Stop 332
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Valet, Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Trendy
Noise Level
Average
Music
Background
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Tue, Wed, Sat
Coat Check
No
Smoking
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
Yes
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes
Has Pool Table
No

Today

Today –
Local time (Lexington) 6:43 PM Thursday, November 28, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Some guys are born curious. They can’t just wonder what’s around the corner. They’ve got to go see for themselves. The Greers are like that with food. You might call them culinary explorers. You might run into Lee tracking the true cubano in a Tampa barrio, the perfect pork chop in a Rio churrascaria. Phil sweet talking the secret of sweet corn tamales out of an ancient abuela in a Yucatan taqueria. One or both hot on the trail of the tastiest brisket taco. The most piquant Peruvian ceviche. The most authentic salsa. Margaritas that’ll make you want to mambo. Whatever wows them on their travels, they bring right on back home. To wow you at Coba Cocina, Cobar Cantina, and Cocoh! Confectioner.

History

Established in 2013.

Excitement from the Ends of the Earth! World Class Wow in Lexington. We know that Coba Cocina, Cobar Cantina, and Cocoh! Confectioner will wow you!

Meet the Business Owner

Lee and Phil G.

Business Owner

Some people travel through the world with their eyes open. Some don’t. Good thing for Lexington, Lee Greer is an eyes-​open kind of guy. Everywhere he goes — and he goes everywhere — he’s on the lookout for the unique and the unusual. Lee can honestly claim that just about everything that’s ever wowed him, just about everywhere on the planet, is now a part of Coba. Everything is personal, everything has a story. And even though it’s all looking good now, he plans to never stop looking.

Phil Greer is a patient man. It was only when Midwestern tastes began to open up to the bolder, spicier, more exotic flavor profiles of Cuban, Latin American, Mexican, Tex Mex and Baja cuisines, that he knew the time had finally come for a restaurant on the scale of Coba. Not in New York or Las Vegas or Chicago, but in Lexington, Kentucky.

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20 reviews of Coba Cocina

No registration required
Place rating: 3
Lexington, KY
I will start off by saying that they are known for there lighted Jelly fish fish tank. It is pretty cool from other times we have gone. However tonight the lights weren’t on and our boys were disappointed that they weren’t. We asked the server and he said «oh they have been off for a couple days and they can’t figure out why» if that is what they are known for you would think they would have someone in to fix it right away. Was pretty disappointed.
Now onto the food. Miss the complimentary chips and salsa. My kids love it and instead they have replaced it with some Mexican corn bread muffins with some kind of spread that wasn’t that great that honestly would have been better if they didn’t bring them out at all. My oldest son (5) who eats anything and everything took one bite and said he didn’t like it. Onto our dinner the server recommended the Mahi Mahi pibil
Which was a chef special. The fish was wrapped in a banana leaf and topped with a pineapple mango salsa and included rice and black beans. I got it and it was awesome I thanked out server for the recommendation. My wife got the chicken fajitas and she really like them. For desert we ordered the Mexican hot chocolate thing with vanilla bean gelato, it was ok but probably will stick to the gelato or sorbet in the future.
Would have given them an extra star if the tank was working and they had the complimentary chips and salsa over the Mexican corn bread muffins.
Place rating: 4
Indianapolis, IN
My sister lives in Lexington, and on a visit a few years ago, she and her boyfriend took me by a «really cool building that’s coming up.» I saw a neon blue place with a huge fishtank inside, and they said it was a restaurant opening soon.
This Christmas season, my parents and I went to Lex, and we met her boyfriend’s parents. They easily accommodated our group of 7 (I think we had reservations.) I wound up with a cheese quesadilla, roasted sweet potato bisque, and a strawberry hibiscus agua fresca, and I had other options as a vegetarian, which I appreciate. All were incredibly good, as was the mango-​cucumber salsa.
Everyone in the party seemed quite happy with their food and drinks. I can’t wait to go back. Next time I’ll try out the gelato too. The décor is fun (check out the weird floors by the bathroom sinks) and the service was friendly.
Place rating: 5
Lexington, KY
After two times eating here, I can finally leave a review that I feel comfortable with. This place is AMAZING! I’m a vegetarian, and while they do not have tons of veggie options, they have enough. The first time I went I got the lettuce wraps for my meal and they were absolutely delicious. Today we went back and I ordered the fajitas — portobello and veggie. It came with sour cream, pico and guac. Plus rice and beans. Let me tell you, I think I could eat this for days. Everything tastes SO fresh. The beans were amazing and tasted like they had a little kick to them. The rice was perfectly seasoned. I’m just more than happy with this place and I recommend it to anyone looking for some delicious filling food!
Also! The service that we have had both times had been phenomenal. Very professional nice staff!
Place rating: 5
Tulsa, OK
This place is amazing. I’ve been twice and loved it both times. The décor is out of this world and the jellyfish tank is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Guys, take your dates here! I did and she has mentioned how much she would like to go back!
Also went with a couple of friends and we were willing to wait 40 minutes to be seated. I don’t know about you but I generally refuse to wait but this place is worth the wait.
Some things can be a tad expensive but I can almost guarantee they are worth it.
They recently changed chefs so this has caused some issues with the food. Hopefully the chef will get his act together and it will go back to being the best place in town.
Place rating: 4
Lexington, KY
Excellent food, slow service… But food was so good it’s worth it!!! highly recommend the fresh chicken Fajita’s!
Appetizers: bean dip!!!
Place rating: 4
Lexington, KY
A fun fusion menu. Enjoyed brisket quesadilla. Great service and unique décor. Wonder if the super cool lights are Chihuly.
Place rating: 4
Independence, OH
Impressive building and décor! The staff were very attentive and spot on too! We split a couple tapas to start then I had 2 tapas as my dinner! I enjoyed all of them — pork belly taco, short beef empanada (spicy!), chicken flautas (my fav), and arepa. My friends enjoyed their fish tacos and Monterey chicken too! We ordered the banana pudding for dessert — it was very salty and wouldn’t get it again.
Very nice atmosphere and great service — I’d def go again!
Place rating: 1
Lexington, KY
Bad receptionist very rude and food is average
Place rating: 1
Minneapolis, MN
Such a let-​down! Web site, location appears impressive with too-​good-​to-​be-​true prices. Ordered the southern fried chicken tacos. Didn’t even try the chicken– it was extremely fatty and gristly; had an odd color and appeared wet/​slimy. Didn’t eat. When the waitress checked in U.S. She asked if I wanted a box– no– it would seem like if you pushed your entire plate aside after picking through all of the chicken in a like beside the taco, she might ask if there was an issue, but never did.
Definitely will NOT be back.
Place rating: 4
Lexington, KY
Alright Lexington… you gotta try this place again. I was not impressed the first few times. It was all show – The food was okay but nothing special. I have to say they may have it figured out, but you gotta get back there.
Pork Belly Tacos are crave worthy. The Brisket tacos also great. The mushroom quesadilla was very tasty. Some of the most flavorful queso I have had and the guacamole is fresh and flavorful as well… and I lived in TX for 12 years.
It’s not cheap, but the quality of food is certainly mostly worth the price paid. The cocktail with cucumbers, cilantro and jalapeño…sounds weird, but I think of it often. Refreshing AND unique.
Go, sit on the patio and enjoy. Service could use some work… it’s just ok. Building is still like nothing else… so worth a look… now the food is worth the visit too.
Place rating: 2
Lexington-Fayette, KY
This place is strange. It’s so bizarrely trendy and hip that I feel uncomfortable just being there with all the bubbling fountains and round edges. The table we originally sat at was on a piece of floor that buckled so hard that whenever a server passed by it would shake the whole table. She eventually noticed and just said «looks like the floor is loose, I’ll tell management» and then continued to walk all over it, sending our table into convulsions until we had to move. For such a place that’s trying so desperately to be upscale it was falling apart. The prices for everything were pretty high since it is trying to be hoity-​toity, but not obscene. Still, paying $ 4.50 for a refrigerated can of Cougar Bait seemed a bit much. At least pour it out for me so I feel like I’m getting something special.
On the upside, the brisket tacos I had were really, really good. We tried a flight of all the spiciest salsas which were also quite unique (but not really that spicy). The empanada was OK, but not worth $ 5. The plantain chips were excellent. Our server Spencer was on point and seems to be wasted at a place like this when he could be working somewhere better.
Overall, I doubt I would go back. While I really liked the brisket and the sides I had, the price tag implies a type of dining experience that definitely wasn’t there. I’d much rather pay 1⁄8 and go to Maria’s Kitchen or Old San Juan. This place is obviously a tourist trap.
Place rating: 5
Manhattan, NY
First time at this place and I was thoroughly impressed. The building itself and décor are of note– Bose speakers line the wall and the LED lights accompany two bars and the jellyfish tank in the middle of the eating area.
The staff was incredibly friendly and sincere, both at the host stand and at the dinner table.
Cocktails are creative and colorful without being fru-​fru and overdone. The food was also excellent.
The place was a little empty for a Thursday night, but don’t let that fool you — I think the location is just a little wacky.
Place rating: 4
Nashville, TN
This place is a trendy setting on this inside with the décor, and some decent flavors to match. I went for Burger Week and enjoyed it!
Place rating: 4
Lexington, KY
When this place first opened, I was really impressed. My second visit was not as promising, so I was hesitant to re-​review without a second visit. My wife and I visited again tonight for our third visit and were once again delighted.
They have removed the chips and salsa as a free appetizer and changed it to mini-​corn muffins with an oddly sweet butter. I liked it, but I did miss the chips and salsa. To counter that absence, I did order the tres salsas appetizer with chips (featuring the previously free bean dip, a smoky tomatillo lime salsa, and a mango cucumber salsa. Any one of these could potentially become monotonous if alone, but being able to switch between was excellent. For $ 4.50, this wasn’t too expensive. Even got a free refill on warm chips!
My main entrée was their fajitas picante (I opted for steak). It was plated with rice, pico, shoestring onions, and nacho cheese with guac on the side. Definitely not your run of the mill-​fajitas. It was amazing– almost like steakhouse-​style fajitas or something. Portions were crazy huge too… I can’t wait to dig into my leftovers tomorrow at work!
My wife opted for their coconut shrimp tacos with a side of elote (Mexican corn). The coconut shrimp tacos were sweet while being both crunchy and soft at the same time. The elote was very tasty as well… Very buttery and creamy, with just a hint of spice… Almost like eating a bite of corn chowder! She was extremely pleased.
At $ 40 total, it was a little pricey for us, but definitely worth a repeat visit.
Place rating: 5
Lexington, KY
I love this restaurant. First, the atmosphere is outstanding. The jellyfish tanks are so cool. And, for the food… we sampled the trio of salsas. Very good. Then, the server brought a jalapeño muffin that was incredible. I also had mixed fajitas. Very tasty. I would definitely drop by for a great meal again.
Place rating: 1
Lexington, KY
The menu changed drastically in the winter, both price wise and the food options. They used to have the best fish tacos in town, now they are some of the worst. The first time that I tried Coba’s after the menu change, they took away the chips and added the corn bread muffins and they were out of the muffins.
Brace yourself… this one is a doozy. Tonight my husband took one bite of his chicken tender and found a hair on his meal. Granted, that is going to happen occasionally. It was what happened next that cuts the cake. About three minutes after they took his plate away, the waitress brought back his SAME EXACT MEAL minus the hair. He knew it was the same meal because the one tender had the bite taken out of it. The waitress had the nerve to admit that she watched them put it on a new plate… yes, switched the same food with the hair over to a new plate and she brought it out to him. Wow! So not only was the kitchen staff despicable, so was the bar tender waitress.
I will say that they comped mine and my nephew’s meals. But both of our meals were nasty too. I had the shrimp tacos and the pieces of shrimp were like the frozen breaded store bought ones. The fries are no longer the same either, they were cold and rubbery. But hey, they were free. I wouldn’t go back here even if the food AND drinks were free, and that says a lot.
Place rating: 4
Lexington, KY
So Coba Cocina has been good, if not great, from the beginning. The view, food and service has been top rate and automatic. There were many food options and a lot of service constancy that you never had to worry about.
And now, with the new chef, the food has gone a step above where ladder goes. I think the new improvements have made this a guarantee good evening… except tonight.
Apparently after our 1 hour wait (which was acceptable) our waitress figured we had either never cooked or been here before.
Before I tell you how bad she was, let me say the Fajitas, guacamole, picante fajitas, and kids polo asada was great. The food was well prepared and delicious.
Back to the service. When we asked for Queso, she said the kitchen was out, and it would be a 20 minute extra wait. Apparently she has either mistaken «Queso» for unfrozen ice, or still feathered chicken. I guess someone had to run to the Disco Kroger for supplies.
Keep mind, that along the way it took us 15 minutes to finish the first basket of chips, and another 40 minutes for them to find wax paper for the second basket.
When the end was near, we asked for the usual «treasure box». We were informed that the treasure box was broken, despite us seeing the box 25 feet away. How does a box with a hinge get «broken»?
We will be back, but if I see our waitress again. I’ll stick with whatever I got upstairs.
The rating is based on previous experiences, not tonight.
Place rating: 4
Lexington, KY
My wife and I were invited out with some friends and they suggested Coba Cocina. We were cautiously excited about trying Coba. We had heard some very mixed reviews going in, so our expectations were relatively low. Big mistake!
We started off the night with the pork belly tacos & queso appetizers. I have had Kogi BBQ’s pork belly tacos back home in LA, so I know a good pork belly taco when I see one. These were awesome! Spicy, full of meat and a great full flavor. I had 1 ½ tacos and probably could have eaten 2 or 3 more had I not been weary of getting too full too soon. The queso was also creamy and flavorful. Things were looking up.
I ordered the Monterrey Chicken for dinner and my wife ordered the Tilapia Tacos (grilled). Wow! The mixed veggies that came with the chicken were amazing. Full of flavor, fresh, and hot. I’ve been on a low salt diet since the new year, so they seemed a little salty for me, but the average person wouldn’t notice. And even still they were great. The chicken, drizzled in Mexican cheese and sitting in a bed of grilled mushrooms and spinach was awesome. The portion was huge and I could barley eat 1⁄3 of it. I sampled my wife’s taco and it was great too.
We will be back. Well done Coba, well done.
Edit 4÷22÷2015
We went back last night with some friends. Still very good, but wanted to adjust from 5 to 4 stars. We shared the fajitas. Service was excellent, food was very good. 5 stars was a tad too high.
Place rating: 3
Lexington, KY
We have been here three times. First time when they first opened and our meals were DELISH. Second time no one liked their meal, bland and just not good. This time it was pretty good. We ordered the shrimp Diablo tacos, my husband really liked them. I had the chicken tacos and they were pretty good too. I didn’t care for the bland black beans and rice. For an app we had the short rib empanadas and they were tasty. My son ordered a cheeseburger from the kids menu and no joke there was more bun than burger, you had to find that patty! Our kids love coming because of the jellyfish tank so although it isn’t our favorite we let them call this dinner choice, jellyfish rock!
Place rating: 3
Lexington, KY
I’m from California and have had my fair share of good Mexican good. This is not high quality Mexican food in my book, it’s rather mediocre. The chips were a mix of fresh and stale. The salsa and bean dip were ok. I wanted a piña colada but ordered a Bahama mama at the waitress’ suggestion. Not good, I took it back. My husband ordered a watered down margarita. Sigh. Next came the food. I ordered tacos that I thought were fried. They came in a hard shell you buy at a supermarket. The rest was fine, nothing to write home about. My husband’s fajita platter had a random nacho cheese sauce you’d find at a ballgame. He mainly ate because he was hungry, not because it was delicious.
The décor is mismatched for a Mexican restaurant too. It feels like it should be a dance club or an Asian fusion restaurant. It has high ceilings and blue lighting. Perfect for someone who knows how to cook to take over, lol.
Wow, I was emailed back by the business about my experience and told there would be a new chef. I’m pleasantly surprised and impressed at the level of service by their social media. I’d definitely come back once the menu changes to give them another try.