Since reading and seeing the film "Like Water for Chocolate", this film ranks high for me in the food film genre. The character, Javiera oozes with love and passion for unadulterated food from her hands in a presentation worthy of an art masterpiece. The town of Villanueva and the community inspires one to want to visit New Mexico. The scenery is breathtaking. I enjoyed both Dania Ramirez and Maria Conchita Alonso as strong women leads. True, the film is predictable, but in a good way.
35 Reviews
Cute
kz917-129 May 2018
Cute movie focusing on the heir to the Tortilla Hut franchise looking for their next big dish. On his culinary tour he comes across a fiery local chef that cooks with love. He gets stranded and learns way more than he bargained for. Will he be banned from her restaurant and her heart by duplicitous dealings from his sister? Cute premise and actors. Lovely movie for the whole family.
A great romantic comedy...
paddleranger26 January 2019
Don't know what he sees in her...Opposites do attract. No surprise, he finally sweeps her off her feet, none to soon. Funny guy, a beautiful Woman with a wonderful daughter. What could go wrong.
They all make the best of things in the end. If life was only so simple...
They all make the best of things in the end. If life was only so simple...
Beautiful Scenery
susankgandy26 March 2020
I enjoyed this movie. It was predictable, I admit. But to see the beautiful views of Taos and surrounding areas I would watch it again. I liked the way that green chili was the most important ingredient too. Very New Mexican. ... from a long time resident.
Terrible screenplay, awkward dialog, lousy directing, bad acting....
MovieIQTest24 July 2018
It's a shame that HBO hired a lousy screenplay writer and made a supposedly good concept gone so bad. The scenes in this film all looked staged, contrite, and pretentious. Maria Conchita Alonso used to be a pretty good actor, but she ruined her face with terrible plastic surgery, so her face now looked so weird and out of a place in a 840+ small village in New Mexico, and played a quite unimportant and unnecessary role as the mother of the leading female character, Javiera Torres, played by Dania Ramirez, an actor with limited talent but nonetheless was also further ruined by the horrible screenplay, the dialog made her confusing, pretentious and weak. Andrew Carter who played the goofy and sneaky boy friend of Javiera Torres, was a very weird cast; a white guy existed in a 99% small Latino village, hooking up with a local single mother with a cute and smart young daughter, was such a highly unlikely ridiculous figure in this film, and his acting in this film was just terrible and fake. Santino Fontana, who played the leading character, Joel Flanagan, was trying so hard to act and look like the co-heir of his family business, but didn't look and feel like a convincing enough figure. Then, again, all the other supporting actors, playing touring retirees or other vague characters, acted terrible and awkward, also further ruined by the lousy screenplay and bad directing. Those local villagers acted so unnaturally.
Beautiful locality cinematography, nice little Latino village(town?), some macro shots of the fascinating Mexican dishes. The romance? Forget about it, man. We've seen many films about the food, cuisines, family biz...but this "Off the Menu" is the weakest and the worst one.
Beautiful locality cinematography, nice little Latino village(town?), some macro shots of the fascinating Mexican dishes. The romance? Forget about it, man. We've seen many films about the food, cuisines, family biz...but this "Off the Menu" is the weakest and the worst one.
Predictable but enjoyable
srpollock14 March 2020
Unoriginal and lacks chemistry
andrewrye-065358 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I wasn't going to review this movie until I saw the other 'glowing' reviews. There is nothing you haven't seen 100 times before and done better. The leads lack chemistry and the story is predictable.
The lead male is unlikeable and his girlfriend quite rightly leaves him. He travels to a small town in New Mexico and gets the girl, I have no idea why. Also if you check out the actors they are from everywhere except New Mexico or even Mexico. Bit of a shame. The language and accents are all wrong. I'm tired of friends and family rating these types of movies way above where they should be. So I'm giving it a 2, it just doesn't add to the genre.
Off The Menu
januszlvii24 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Off The Menu is a nice little movie. Is it a classic? Absolutely not. But it is not a dog of a film either. What makes it work are four things. 1: The New Mexico scenery. 2: The little girl Sophia Torres (Makenzie Moss), she is not the usual bratty kid smarter then adults. 3: It is NOT a chick flick. The movie is told primarily from the perspective of Joel Flanagan (Santino Fontana) a lawyer and heir to a chain of Mexican fast food restaurants named Tortilla Hut ( think Pizza Hut meets Taco Bell). As a guy I certainly prefer that. 4: The character growth in Joel: He goes from a self centered person ( he is nicknamed Galileo because he thinks everything revolves around him) and being unable to think of an entire good deed in his life ( when asked by Sophia) to giving up a cushy job and massive trust fund to be with Sophia and her chef/restaurant owner mom ( Javiera (Dania Ramirez)). Spoilers ahead: He actually bikes 900 miles from Irvine, California to Villanueva, New Mexico just to be with Javiera and Sophia. It is actually a good thing he did because Sophia stole a truck and almost got herself drowned trying to reach Joel ( of course, he saved her). Javiera asked Sophia why did you do it? She said "I wanted to get Joel, can we keep him?" Of course, he is staying. She thanked Joel for "saving my baby" and his response was "No, thank you for saving me." The ending happened one year later in the restaurant with Joel and Javiera married ( and her pregnant), and Sophia calling Joel daddy. Everyone ends up "Happily Ever After." 7/10 stars.
Am I Missing Something?
adventureye19 June 2018
Right from the start I was disappointed in the acting, the chemistry, the script and the inaccurate portrayal of Mexican/New Mexican culture. Then I thought, oh wait! Maybe it's tongue in cheek, maybe it's satire, maybe it's meant to be like this? After a half hour or 45 minutes I realized it was just not a very good film. Couldn't even finish it. I completely agree with @andrewrye-06535 and @funambuline on this one.
Best actor
riopuerco23 March 2020
Don't look for food, or culture, or acting, or narration...
funambuline11 April 2018
I would perhaps have been able to enjoy a viewing of that movie on an afternoon hangover on tv 10 years ago. Can't believe it's from 2018.
Has anybody in this movie ever been to Mexico? Has anyone any idea about mexican food? (Or directing actors? ).
It's kind of fascinating how much it's bad on every detail.
Has anybody in this movie ever been to Mexico? Has anyone any idea about mexican food? (Or directing actors? ).
It's kind of fascinating how much it's bad on every detail.
I hate RomComs. This charmed the pants off me.
rglenn-9168213 April 2018
I went into this movie not liking RomComs, but this movie's charm - both leads are dripping with it - beauty, and food porn won me over. With everything going on in the country, this warm and lovely movie was a welcome respite.
I still don't like RomComs. But this film is a hug in movie form.
and thats way more than it deserves
sandcrab27729 September 2021
This could have been the great indie except the male lead was a total butthead and violated all principals of love and fair play ... just where is this small latino village in new mexico ... that;s correct, it doesn't exist ... a restaurant needs more than a secret recipe or a garden that produces jalenopena peppers ... boo.
Interesting story dragged down by a very lackluster script.
TxMike24 January 2021
I don't always do this but after watching this movie I had to look up the script writer. It turns out she has no experience and it shows. The whole movie contains many examples of awkward or disingenuous dialog, which serves to break the smooth flow of the movie.
Nonetheless my wife and I enjoyed the movie, we were mostly entertained for a Saturday evening at home after dinner, via Amazon streaming movies. The actors are for the most part very effective in their roles.
This is not a Hallmark movie but it follows that basic pattern. An attractive single man happens upon an attractive single woman, they experience slight attraction, then great friction, all to be resolved by one heroic act or another by the man.
It is set and filmed in New Mexico, a fast food chain with a Mexican food theme needs new ideas. The handsome brother of the CEO sister is dispatched to search out some of the best in the Southwest, for new ideas. He gets stranded in a small town and meets a Mexican lady with the best food around.
It is for the most part a very inconsequential movie but is enjoyable if you are in the right mood. I enjoy Mexican food, and I also enjoy cooking it, so it was easy for me to "get into" the themes here.
Nonetheless my wife and I enjoyed the movie, we were mostly entertained for a Saturday evening at home after dinner, via Amazon streaming movies. The actors are for the most part very effective in their roles.
This is not a Hallmark movie but it follows that basic pattern. An attractive single man happens upon an attractive single woman, they experience slight attraction, then great friction, all to be resolved by one heroic act or another by the man.
It is set and filmed in New Mexico, a fast food chain with a Mexican food theme needs new ideas. The handsome brother of the CEO sister is dispatched to search out some of the best in the Southwest, for new ideas. He gets stranded in a small town and meets a Mexican lady with the best food around.
It is for the most part a very inconsequential movie but is enjoyable if you are in the right mood. I enjoy Mexican food, and I also enjoy cooking it, so it was easy for me to "get into" the themes here.
Es un mapa del tesoro
ciscokidfpm21 April 2020
From the opening song- all downhill.
Lakestrzelecki6 September 2020
Dissapointing
mrsgraves6666 May 2019
Charming romantic comedy
johnm-9821 February 2018
Off The Menu is smartly told story of two people falling love. The somewhat irresistible chef is overcome by the charms of the outsider, but he falls under her spell as well. Off The Menu isn't perfect, but it plays on the basic human themes of emotion and love. A very nicely told story that couples will enjoy.
New mexico
ajonoubeh10 December 2021
I think they got confused about the difference between mexico and NEW mexico. There's a big difference and the movie portrays it as a small Mexican town. Good watch if you're from New mexico cause its hilarious and infuriating at the same time.
nice
Kirpianuscus13 August 2020
Like each Hallmark romance, the word "nice" is the first definion in mind of viewer. Maybe, more for food, mother, daughter of the feminine main character. So, all predictable. And, in different doses, seductive. The only problem - why Joel Flanagan seems so...stupid ? Sure, Santino Fontana gives a decent work but the traits of his character are too...naive. Dania Ramirez is just inspired option for the role of Javiera. But, no doubts, the clues are Makenzie Moss and Maria Conchita Alonso.
Not New Mexican At All
mattblasing11 December 2021
As a born and raised Burqueño, this movie was straight up insulting. Looking through the credits and seeing actors from DR, Guatemala, and California, I'd be willing to overlook the poor screenwriting if our culture were represented well in the least. Shooting the movie here doesn't count.
If you're a Californian that wears huge fedoras it's bolo ties condescendingly or ironically, you may enjoy this movie. If you're #nmunited, don't waste your time. This movie was a slap in the face.
If you're a Californian that wears huge fedoras it's bolo ties condescendingly or ironically, you may enjoy this movie. If you're #nmunited, don't waste your time. This movie was a slap in the face.
Overrated romantic comedy
anajman4 May 2020
A cute story but a slap in the face to New Mexicans
knight-12083 December 2022
I had trouble looking past the writers/studio so blatantly misunderstanding and misrepresenting the traditional Hispanic culture and cuisine of New Mexico.
I gave it a fair chance, even forgiving the opening scenes - a hot air balloon flying over lush, green, rolling hills (non-existent in NM) and Latino workers picking green chile in the mountains (where NM green chile doesn't grow). Even after Joel declared "I hate Mexican food" in the company meeting (and again to Javiera's daughter), I thought the story would be about his journey, learning the strong distinction between Mexican and New Mexican cuisine. I was very wrong.
Because it needs to be said -
New Mexico is *not* Mexico in the same way that Mexico is not Spain and Argentina is not El Salvador. New Mexico hasn't been part of Mexico for almost 200 years. It's people, the food, the drinks, the music, use of the Spanish language, and the accents (if any) are all distinctly separate and unique.
The only thing the film got right was the spelling of "chile" (and perhaps that it was filmed largely in NM). The repeated callouts of "special chile sauce" were particularly funny, since NM green chile is most commonly served roasted/plain/diced and not as a sauce. The cooking scenes using raw, unroasted green chile were a travesty. And, for crying out loud, the official state question is "red or green?", yet red chile wasn't mentioned once.
Dania Ramirez, a Dominican-American actress with a stereotypical Spanish accent, was an interesting choice for the role of Javiera. It was not representative whatsoever of a traditional, hispanic woman from New Mexico. Not to mention the other family members in the story.
Although it completely missed the mark in the cultural and historical respect, the story itself was charming and entertaining. The acting could have been better but I didn't find it as bad as some other reviewers did.
I gave it a fair chance, even forgiving the opening scenes - a hot air balloon flying over lush, green, rolling hills (non-existent in NM) and Latino workers picking green chile in the mountains (where NM green chile doesn't grow). Even after Joel declared "I hate Mexican food" in the company meeting (and again to Javiera's daughter), I thought the story would be about his journey, learning the strong distinction between Mexican and New Mexican cuisine. I was very wrong.
Because it needs to be said -
New Mexico is *not* Mexico in the same way that Mexico is not Spain and Argentina is not El Salvador. New Mexico hasn't been part of Mexico for almost 200 years. It's people, the food, the drinks, the music, use of the Spanish language, and the accents (if any) are all distinctly separate and unique.
The only thing the film got right was the spelling of "chile" (and perhaps that it was filmed largely in NM). The repeated callouts of "special chile sauce" were particularly funny, since NM green chile is most commonly served roasted/plain/diced and not as a sauce. The cooking scenes using raw, unroasted green chile were a travesty. And, for crying out loud, the official state question is "red or green?", yet red chile wasn't mentioned once.
Dania Ramirez, a Dominican-American actress with a stereotypical Spanish accent, was an interesting choice for the role of Javiera. It was not representative whatsoever of a traditional, hispanic woman from New Mexico. Not to mention the other family members in the story.
Although it completely missed the mark in the cultural and historical respect, the story itself was charming and entertaining. The acting could have been better but I didn't find it as bad as some other reviewers did.
Silverman never lets us down!!
dvalways9 April 2018
Go see this fun and romantic movie.If you enjoy Hallmark movies then you will LOVE this one...Quality..If you love cooking and romance, there is chemistry throughout. A must see. Also Family friendly a plus for many.
Slightly offensive
ebaca-2033715 October 2022
As someone who grew up in New Mexico, I wonder if the film makers actually know anything about it. Firstly they call the food Mexican... it's not Mexican it's NEW Mexican, there is a huge difference! Movie mixes several Hispanic cultures. Makes New Mexico seem like it's Mexico, half these things I've never seen! We also don't go around in Mexican pesant blouses, ponchos and broom skirts. The acting is pretty rough, and the lighting is horrible. The actresses accent is horrible and distracting. They also misspell chile... when you're talking about NM, it's chile not chili.. get with it. The actual story line could be good, but the lack of research in this movie is super distracting.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
