Home United States Missouri Restaurants Papi’s Cocina & Cantina Restaurants

Papi’s Cocina & Cantina

4.3 284 reviews 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM 808 S Illinois Ave, Republic, MO 65738, United States

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At Papis Cocina Cantina, culinary passion meets community warmth. Located in Republic, MO, this vibrant eatery welcomes guests to enjoy a delightful array of Mexican comfort food, from mouthwatering Birria Tacos to savory Carne Asada. With a focus on accessibility and a casual atmosphere, Papis is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite. The extensive beer and cocktail selection complements the flavorful menu, enhancing the dining experience. Guests praise the exceptional service and unique flavors, making it a beloved spot for families, friends, and solo diners alike. Come savor the essence of Mexico at Papis—where every meal is a celebration.

Photos

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Amenities & More

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Drive-through
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
  • Delivery

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Live music
  • Serves local specialty

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Dining options

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Bar onsite
  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • Groups
  • Tourists
Note: Amenity details are aggregated from verified visits, the venue's website and Google. They may change without notice. We recommend confirming key details (pet policy, accessibility, reservations) directly with Papi’s Cocina & Cantina before visiting.

Reviews for Papi’s Cocina & Cantina

4.3
284 reviews
5
100%
4
18%
3
11%
2
7%
1
14%

Review highlights

Based on 284 reviews

Reviews for Papi’s Cocina & Cantina consistently highlight the restaurant’s flavorful and fresh food, with generous portion sizes frequently noted. The wide variety of menu options appeals to many, with standout dishes such as fajitas and specialty margaritas receiving particular praise. The drink offerings, although well-made and unique, occasionally prompt mention of pricing transparency. Service is generally positive, with friendly and helpful staff enhancing the dining experience, despite rare moments of inconsistency. While some customers have observed a slightly higher price point compared to other local options, the quality of food and drinks appears to justify this. Overall, Papi’s Cocina & Cantina is recognized for its vibrant flavors, ample servings, and inviting atmosphere.

Rhonda White
Apr 26, 2025

Food is consistently delicious, no matter what dishes we've tried. Generous portions as well. I've checked a few on the provided list that we've tried and can recommend, but we have not yet tried anything that was not delicious, we've been here a lot, and there are a lot of options. (Highly recommend the jalapeno cucumber margarita with your meal as well).Service can occasionally, but rarely, be a coin flip depending on your server. However, overall this a great place for food and drinks and I recommend it a lot!Parents and adult children always very happy to meet here for lunch or dinner...it's one of our regular go-to's. We typically do spend a bit per person here, as we generally get adult beverages with our meals, but you can definitely get a great meal for less than what we normally spend.

Georgia Morningstar
Apr 23, 2025

We drove down for an event and decided to try this place out based on the menu, and it was definitely worth it. Our wonderful waitress answered all our questions and was so helpful. She also made the most amazing margaritas we have had. I had the prickly pear and my friend had the cucumber jalapeno and I'm not sure either of us could decide which was the best. The food was delicious and we both agreed we would make the drive just to eat here again.

Smoking Man
Apr 10, 2025

Huge portions of delicious food! Be warned the drink menu has no prices and one Margarita is 15 but they are very good margaritas.

Tina Freund
Mar 31, 2025

We were a bit skeptical coming in because it was completely empty at 12pm a a Saturday, but glad we stayed! We shared the fajita nachos and ordered a carne asada taco. Very yummy That only have regular salsa, not spicy, but still tasty. They also have Miller lite

Tanner Myers
Mar 19, 2025

The first trip was okay, I think they were still working the bugs out. I had a chicken burrito but the second trip were the fajitas with chicken steak and shrimp! Wow!! The food was so fresh and bright the salsa and chips are some of the best around. The price point is a lil higher than typical in the area but the quality seems to really be there for me. You can find them on Facebook remember to give them a like.

Alan Chapman
Mar 19, 2025

The first thing you always get at any Mexican place is chips and it is your first foray into what you might expect. The chips were heated and the salsa had a kick. This was a great start. I ordered the Papi's burrito with chicken and it was garnished with all kinds goodness. It also had a little kick more then some places. Staff were really nice and attentive. The location was clean and easy to get to. This place was awesome and probably the best in Republic/Billings area.

Brian Newton
Feb 14, 2025

Very good food and great service. We had a large party but the managed our orders and tickets flawlessly. The salsa was great with chip, definitely better than a lot of places. My mother's order came out wrong and they corrected it immediately and quickly. Everyone in our party left there with full a belly and a satisfied appetite. We will come back for sure.

Frederick “Jay” Johnson
Feb 05, 2025

This was one of the best Mexican dining experiences I have had in some time. The FOOD was EXCELLENT, the SERVICE was FANTASTIC, and the ATMOSHERE was PERFECT! You can watch sports, enjoy live music, or have a romantic date. The food was seasoned perfectly, even the refried beans were delicious. The salsa was definitely made fresh and had a little kick! You'll love the music and overall vibe of this Tex-Mex cantina. You definitely have to give them a try.

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Quick info

Address
808 S Illinois Ave, Republic, MO 65738, United States
Price range
$10–20
Category
Restaurants

Opening hours

  • Monday (Today) 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Tuesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Wednesday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Thursday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
  • Friday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
  • Sunday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Location

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