This is a family-owned and family-run authentic Mexican restaurant located across the street from the Kroger gas station of the Towers Shopping Center, in Roanoke, Virginia. I dined here with a friend a year ago and we both loved their Choriqueso appetizer (a thick sauce made up of chorizo and melted cheese) to be enjoyed with tortilla chips. I enjoyed it so much that I checked-in and posted a close-up photograph of a chip being dipped in the melted cheese with chorizo sauce. However, my visit was soured when the owner mixed up my beef chimichanga order for chicken and refused to fix it, which stopped me from posting my planned positive review back then. Hoping they've improved service, because that appetizer was delicious.
Today, I decided to return and give it a second chance. I arrived around lunch time and the place was deserted. Only one car parked in the parking lot, which I assumed was the owner's and the only sign of life was a red OPEN sign posted on the front of the restaurant. I parked my Lexus in their parking lot, walked to the entrance, and slowly pulled on the door to see if it opened, and it did. I found the dining room empty and no one around. Then after a while, a very friendly and respectful lady came out of nowhere with a warm, welcoming greetings. She tried to talk to me to see what I wanted to drink, and when I noticed she was having problems with her English, I immediately switched to Spanish, and asked her for an Horchata. Then I proceeded to order the Choriqueso appetizer, and asked her if the chips were included because I noticed on the menu that chips and salsa were listed as an appetizer with a charge. Luckily they were. After she came back with my drink, I asked her for the name of an item I saw its picture on the menu. It was called Molcajete and I ordered it as my main entrée. It was listed as having chicken breast, steak, shrimp, chorizo, cactus, and onions, and was served with rice, refried beans, and corn tortillas. It seems this dish got its name from the bowl where it was served. A molcajete is a traditional mortal and pestle made from volcanic rock that's heated to serve dishes like grilled meats, keeping them bubbling and steamy at the table. In all this time I was the only customer at the table, and only a party of two visited the restaurant while I was there. I believe that it might be the view of an empty parking lot that steers people away. Plus, the fact that Towers Shopping Center has Pancho Mexican Restaurant, one of my favorites, for its decor, ambiance, quality and variety of food, and its amazing customer service.
Finally, my server's husband and owner of the restaurant showed up to serve my main entrée since the molcajete was heavy. He was cold and didn't even say hello, just put the entrée on the table and left. The husband and wife had completely opposite personalities. My server came to check on me several times during my meal, which by the way was very delicious with the exception of the steak that was thin and tough. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. For dessert I had a Flan. It was well made and delicious. At the end I ask my server for the bill and while I waited went to the restroom to wash my hands. When I come back the bill is on my table, but my server is no where to be seen, only the owner was out. So I paid him with a credit card at the cashier's counter. He goes to the back and comes back with my slips to sign. I find strange that he didn't allow my server, his wife, to come out to thank me for coming and say goodbye, because with her personality and good manners I know she would have.
When I got home I checked the receipt and to make sure I had my credit card and found that it was missing. Immediately I called the restaurant and he answered the phone. He checked around and told me it was not there that I must have it, again with this defiant attitude, and way of saying things. I told him I had checked and it was not here, and asked him to please check again carefully. He finally comes out and tells me he found it inside the credit card machine. I drove all the way back to pick it up. He gave it back to me when I got there, with not even an apology. I hope you understand why I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. I wouldn't hesitate to dine there again, but to enjoy the positive I would have to tolerate the negative. read more