This is a late review, I forgot to write but we were looking at places to take our son to and came across El Sarape and I immediately remembered it was a hard pass. I wanted to like this place so bad because the restaurant itself was nice inside but the food lacked flavor completely and I don't say that in an exaggerated manner either! We ordered margaritas and empanadas to start, my husband had the Perfecta Margarita and I had the scratch margarita. Mine tasted like a premade margarita, you can tell because the mix is always more noticeable than the tequila in those and they're a little extra citrusy, his was slightly better but almost like mine with an extra shot in it but for $17! No presentation just a cup slightly bigger than a regular not worth that much when the food is what it is. The food. We got empanadas to start. They smelled amazing! First bite and I was pleasantly surprised; took another and then noticed it was partially cold. I thought maybe it was just a spot that didn't heat or got cold but at the third bite it was just like it came out of a refrigerator. All of them were like that too. I brushed it off and told myself the taste was there so I had hopes for the Molcajete, the 3 Amigos. I knew as soon as it hit the table I was about to be disappointed because the Molcajete itself was cold, it wasn't sizzling or even warm it was just cold. When I say no flavor I mean none and for $40 dollars I expect meat, a good amount of it but we literally had a cold rock with veggies in it, three pieces of asada that looked like scraps, two pieces of extremely dry chicken, four shrimp that were okay, nopales that I don't care for regardless because I don't like them anyways and cheese that wouldn't melt because the rock was cold. Almost $100 dollars and we picked up McDonald's on the way home because we basically ate nothing. I didn't even eat the rice and beans and I'm Mexican! I grew up on those and they're normally the first to go. I know not to expect blow my mind Mexican food like I grew up with but this was actually the worst place we've had out here in the Lacey/olympia area. Our servers were okay but once our food came we didn't see them and it was a bit before we got our check and our card back after. We aren't people who like to complain or inconvenience others so we just paid our bill a left but I would not recommend or return unfortunately. I'm sorry. read more

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The décor improved, but everything else got worse. It was only mid (at best) as El Sarape, but somehow it went downhill. The worse chile relleno I've ever had. The sauce was watery, salty, and besides that largely flavorless. Even the rice and beans were bad. The mole wasn't good. The "salsa" was worse than generic store-bought. We were the only people in the restaurant, and still the service wasn't good. It was over-priced given how bad it was, and the small portions (the worst of all possible combinations). Avoid this place. Taco Bell has better Mexican food, is cheaper, with better service. read more

Decided to try this place with some friends who were visiting and ended up becoming quite disappointed with our experience. Although the food was decent, the service was terrible. Great hospitality and the overall ability to properly communicate with customers seems to lack with this location, and I feel like my odd phone call experience to the restaurant in advance to make reservations should've been a red flag. The phone call: I called the restaurant the day before my husband and I were planning to get together with our friends for dinner to see if I could make reservations. At first, someone answered rather quietly (I don't even think they mentioned the restaurant name, they just said something simple like "hello?") to which I asked if they take reservations and, if so, if I could make one for the following evening. The man told me to "hang on" which confused me a bit, but then the phone got passed to another person who spoke more clearly and professionally to take note of my reservation request. The night of: We arrived around our reservation time with our friends and their mother. Upon walking into the restaurant, we were greeted by a server who was passing through the foyer to deliver some food to a table. Shortly after, a younger woman came out of the kitchen to greet us, to which I told her we had a reservation for 5 people. She asked us to wait for a few minutes and that she'd be right with us. My husband and I exchanged some puzzled looks with each other considering that the restaurant wasn't that busy (about 1/3 to 1/2 of the restaurant was actually full). We waited for about 2-3 minutes until the waitress led us to the back to be seated in their biggest booth. Water was brought to the table fairly quickly and she didn't leave us waiting for too long before coming back to check on us.  The menu was interesting, and I mean this in the sense that it was limited on options yet it had a strange variety such as pasta and an option for a poke bowl. I guess this type of a menu layout is simple and makes decision making easier for people who have a hard time choosing what they want; I guess I was just hoping to see more to choose from.   Our experience took a turn the moment everyone started ordering. Our friend's mother speaks broken English, but she did her absolute best and, what we believe, was pretty clear when she asked to get a burrito that was meatless but had everything else in it. The waitress seemed to be getting confused and our friend's mother started explaining as an example that she wants beans and other veggies in the burrito still, just no meat. The waitress then offered the vegetarian menu to which our friend's mother declined. Her sons chimed in to say that she just simply wants a burrito with no meat. The rest of us placed our orders and enjoyed the chips and salsa in the meantime - the salsa was really good. About 15 minutes passed until everyone's food started slowly coming out. When our friend's mother's burrito came out, the waitress said it was a bean burrito. Our friend's mother was confused, asking if it came with any veggies and such. The waitress confirmed it was only beans inside the burrito and our friend's mother became a little sad and expressed she wanted a burrito with more than just beans. Instead of apologizing for the confusion, the waitress proceeded to double down and said "oh but you said you wanted a bean burrito" with a bit of attitude. The waitress then went on to say "you didn't tell me which burrito you wanted on the menu," then tried to bring a menu back to have our friend's mother look it over and see if she wanted it remade. Our friend's mother didn't want to make such a big deal out of it, so she respectfully declined and said it's ok. We were all baffled by the interaction; no accountability, no apology, just full blame towards the customer for the mistake.  Aside from this, everyone's food turned out good, that I will say went well here and makes up the 2 star rating. The portions were pretty big, pricing was decent and the temperature was perfect. At one point, our friend's mother asked if she could get some guacamole and sour cream on the side, and when the waitress brought it out she said "this will be free of charge." Clearly, this was her way of trying to make up for the burrito mistake, but we were glad to know that she wouldn't put it on the bill. When it was time to pay the bill, thankfully they only charged the burrito as a "side burrito" rather than at full price. After boxing up our leftovers and as we all made our way to the exit, not one staff member thanked us/said good night/acknowledged us as we left. There were only about 3-4 tables full of people in the restaurant, so we found it odd that not one of them took a moment to say anything.  I had some high hopes for this restaurant since, aesthetically, it looked great and the food was good. However, after the poor interactions from the staff I don't see us returning here. read more

El Sarape - Expresso Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

I recently went to El Sarape for a family lunch, we were pleasantly surprised by the new renovations and the elegant appearance. Service is always friendly and attentive. We had lovely food, although my husband thought the sauce on his burrito wasn't as spicy as he has hoped. read more

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The exterior of the building had us unsure at first, but the interior design is very well done. The salsa is probably the best we've had during our time in the PNW. It was smoked pepper salsa with just the right amount of spice. The horchata was "like drinking a Cinnabon" and delicious! The rest of the food was well seasoned and tasty. The service was excellent and prompt, which we appreciated with 2 little niños. Not the absolute best Mexican food we've had in the area, but definitely in the upper tier. read more

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I came here today for the first time, even though I've lived in Olympia for about 10 years. It has rebranded, and I can't recall how to spell the new name. I thought it was delicious, and the service was exceptional. The beans and rice tasted great. We went around lunchtime so the margaritas were six dollars and they were strong and good. The chicken enchilada and the bean and rice burrito were also really really good. I did not like the chile relleno as much just because it had a lot of egg on it and I like it with less egg, but that's just a personal preference. The waiter was charming, the experience was great. I will definitely be back. read more

How can this place have so many positive reviews on Google? Is there a secret to ordering food that has flavor and is made to delight? Maybe because I don't order alcoholic beverages, and don't have a buzz on, that my experience at Mextiza By: El Sarape fell flat. Looking at the dishes my tablemates were eating, I didn't see a whole lot of enjoyment there either. My Expresso burrito with barbacoa was huge, filled with probably two cups of rice. Sadly, maybe 1/3 -1/2 cup of barbacoa. My wife, who ate the leftovers I brought home, didn't even realize there was meat in it-- she thought it was vegetarian. So, mostly flavorless rice and beans in a flour tortilla, sitting in a tomato sauce that was one step above the Hunts tomato sauce that comes in cans. And a dollop of guacamole which was very acidic, watery, and had it not been green, I would not have guessed it was made from avocados. The whole thing was a great disappointment, and with the lack of culinary love, flavor, and meat, not good value for $19. A tablemate ordered carne asada prime- $35 for a thin, dry, tough piece of meat. The horchata was loaded with ice, and one of the drinks at the table came with a dollop of very fake whipped cream-- the kind that melts into watery white stuff and has an un-natural luster. The salsa was thin, and mostly onions and tomatoes-- very little cilantro. The chips were average, and the chip bowl was left to sit empty the entire meal after the first serving was finished. The waiters looked harried, and didn't refill water glasses. The night I was there they had a guitarist, but even that was messed up. I'm sure the management meant well, but it the music was so loud for a small space, that talking across the table wasn't possible. And sad when the guitarist walked around the restaurant, but his playing came out of the amps, 12 feet away from him. I would have so much liked acoustic-- and it would have fit the space much better. No reason to eat here again. read more

A Hidden Gem for Steak Lovers & Mexican Food Fans! I came here and WOW--this place exceeded my expectations. If you're craving authentic Mexican flavor with a steakhouse twist, this spot delivers. I ordered the Ribeye served on a sizzling volcanic stone, and it was honestly one of the best steaks I've had in a long time. Perfectly grilled, juicy, and full of flavor. The roasted veggies on the side made the plate pop with color and taste. The chimichurri was fresh and added the perfect zing. As a side I ordered the Champiñones al Ajillo--garlicky mushrooms in a bubbling cast-iron skillet. They were rich, herby, and impossible to stop eating. And to share we had some queso fundido with chorizo that disappeared in seconds! Drinks? I had a creamy horchata and a chilled Modelo --simple, refreshing, and perfect with the food. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, the presentation was beautiful, and you can tell the kitchen puts a lot of care into every plate. Plus, everything came out hot and fresh. Pro tip: Come hungry. The portions are generous, and the flavors are BIG. Definitely adding this to my list of favorite spots. Can't wait to come back! read more

El Sarape - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Their food was like warm and was not very good. Both my husband and I were very disappointed. The sauces on our food was very runny and my taco was soggy and did not hold together. Their Mola sauce was very thin and runny, etc. The beans were tasteless. The place was very nice and clean. The waiter was good . It was just the food. They changed their name to Mextiza but not the food. read more

I have coming here for 20 years or more. Since it changed...I have not ordered a dinner. Tonight i gave it a try. I was told Carne Asada was good, and i tried it with friends and it wasn't bad. Ordered it for my wife, asked for no jalepeno...and jalepeno included. She ordered the Papas Francesas, THEY ARE FRENCH FRIES!!! And they have no flavor as says it with garlic & parmesan. I got the Rib Eye, ordered medium....looked good with the grill on it...it was rare as hell. No seasoning either. It was suppose to come with a side, so I got the guacamole. Didn't get guacamole, instead I got 5 small containers; a sour cream, some weird dipping sauce, a small guacamole, salsa, and pico. I never asked for this. But got my chips. Yeah, something right. Refried beans...can't even explain..absolutely the worst we have ever had. Taste like the add some weird spices, and not creamy at at all. Sorry, but the food is terrible. Just being honest. Service, is ok, but kinda slow, and not even busy. I was hoping that trying a dinner would change my mind about this place, but the old menu...10 times better. read more

Don't not sleep on this place! The atmosphere is absolutely stunning! Service is amazing and the food is next level!! 10/10 crazy this is located in Lacy! HIGHLY recommended! The Carne Asada so unbelievably seasoned and perfect! read more

El Sarape - (TG) Carne Asada Prime - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Updated restaurant, great food, friendly staff, great atmosphere, and speedy service!

If you are a Lacey El Sarape fan, they are back open. However, you may not be a fan any longer. First off, let's start with the positives. The restaurant itself inside is absolutely stunning! The ambiance, the presentation of the food, it's all a 10 out of 10. I also love that they say they are shopping for fresh local ingredients from the local community. The menu however and flavor of the food leaves so much to be desired. They took our favorite meal off the menu along with many others. In addition to removing the chile Colorado they also no longer have the salads we enjoyed, or the burritos. Salsa, I've always been a fan of this restaurant because they (I assume) roasted their veggies. Instead now they are making a fresh salsa. I haven't been able to eat fresh salsa in 12 years because I developed an allergy to raw nightshades. Jalapeno Ranch, in addition to the salsa this was the ultimate side for your meal! It is now completely gone. Queso Fundído, I've never ordered this before from el sarapes but I was trying to give something new a chance. It was literally melted mozzarella cheese. No seasoning, nothing. It wasn't served nearly hot enough. It's meant to have chips dipped into it, and you couldn't even do that. I ordered chorizo as well with it. There was no flavor at all, simply burnt meat, no spice no anything. The first time they brought it out I dumped 2-3tbsp of oil off of it, and that was after trying to mix it in the cheese. They then sent us some out separately with the chorizo on the side. No oil this time but still no flavor. My meal, I ordered barbacoa enchiladas. Again, presentation was great. The rice and beans were somewhat comparable to previous from there (except beans were thicker with no added cheese). However the flavor of the food was not great. Additionally the portions of the meat in the enchilada was extremely disappointing. I took a picture of my second enchilada. I ate that one with cutting off half of the tortilla so I could actually taste the meat. Maybe 1 1/2 tbsp of meat. The verde sauce had minimal flavor except for perhaps fresh tomatillo. I know this might seem silly but this made me emotional. We've been coming to this restaurant for 30 plus years. For other people this might be just the change you needed to enjoy this restaurant. It's a beautiful date night location. Finally the bill... The pricing was disappointing because the flavor wasn't there. Previously my meal of chile Colorado would cost around $20. I received close to a cup of deliciously marinated and flavored beef, tortillas, and an equitable amount of rice and beans as tonight. Previously we were charged $10 for my daughter's cheese quesadilla. Tonight we paid more than double for that. Honestly if things remain as they are we will not eat here again. I wish them the best as a small business and hope they get the customers they need and want to make their business thrive. In the meantime I would love recommendations for your favorite Mexican restaurant, but first I need it to have some sort of cooked or roasted salsa. read more

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This is my second time here with my family and had a great experience both times. The restaurant is gorgeous inside and the food is tasty! the staff is friendly and service is great. Mucho gracias read more

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We've been going to Elsarape for over 20 years. Yesterday went there and noticed it was remodeled more from last year. So I will start with a positiveish. The inside is cute but not sure how functional fabric chairs are in a place like that. Now on to the negative and there were a bunch! The menu was a mess! Pasta and poke bowls? Nah. Also I use to get the enchiladas with mushroom and spinach and the ones they have now are totally different. Everything was extremely salty or sweet and over cilantro'd. So much salt my hands were swollen by the end of the night and I had a hard time getting my ring off. The chips and tomato compote they offer was very sweet. I miss the fresh warm chips and salsa that was spicy. Hoping the Elsarape on the Westside hasn't made this change. Also everyone had stomach aches after eating there. Definitely not going back to this location. read more

Best Mexican food I've ever had! Love the chicken Alfredo and chimichangas! :) Try this place it's amazing!

My fav mexican restaurant in all of Olympia. I have been to both their Lacey and Olympia locations and the food is amazing always. The minute you walk in the aromas fill you in and make u more hungry. I typically order their Three Amigos, street tacos and love it all. Their three amigos is beyond amazing - full of flavors. This time we also ordered their special for the day - quesa birria and boy I wish it finds a permanent spot on the menu. It was amazing. The consome was bursting with flavors and it was one of the best I have had here in WA. Their chips and house salsa (has a kick) are delicious too. We had their regular flan and it is anything but regular. Great flavors just how I like my flan to be. Quick service at this location, friendly happy staff serving happy customers getting fresh mexican food from the kitchen. I have tried drinks at their other location and its nice. The ambience is better at the Olympia location as compared to Lacey but honestly I care about food and less wait time. All in all I prefer the Lacey location cos its less busy on weekdays but both locations are great and food is consistent too. Ample parking. Highly recommend this spot. I always visit them everytime I am in town. read more

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My favorite enchiladas in the area! Definitely try the mole and chipotle sauce options. Their salsa is just the right amount of heat too. Recently renovated interior is very nice! And as always the service is attentive and friendly. read more

The food was very good. The only thing I wish was that the rice could have more flavor, but overall I love their chimichanga!! The servers were friendly and one came in and checked up on us. The overall vibe of the place is very home like which is a nice addition to the restaurant. read more

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They have remodeled and looks very nice. They changed their menu. I was looking forward to having the bacon wrapped jalapenos gone! I had the chimichanga with shredded beef with rice and beans....There was no flavoring in any of it. It all tasted the same. grandson had the pizza it was fry bread with sauce and a little cheese...was not crispy at all. Was very disappointed they changed their menu we have eaten their over the years and have loved it. The waitress was very nice and attentive was the good part. Please go back to the way it was. read more

Ordered lunch today 8/4 it was the worse food ever did you change cooks and recipes? Some one posted it to that since re-done it food was terrible and was expensive we'll probably won't go back read more

El Sarape - Lunch #2 - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

I have to wonder who owns this chain, as a corporation and who decided full on couches were a good idea for restaurant seating lol. Trying to be "new" and "hip" for who exactly? Terrible open seating I prefer walls, not kid friendly anymore either. Didn't even try the food. it's now over priced to pay for this ridiculous and atrocious "remodel" Service? Not sure seemed they fired all the employees I was used to and got a bunch of teens. Me, my wife and child walked right the hell out of this place. I've been coming here for 10+ years. read more

El Sarape - Lacey Location If you think you know what a Mexican restaurant looks and feels like, think again. El Sarape has been part of the community for nearly 30 years, but their recent remodel has completely redefined the experience. Forget the old clichés of 90s-style décor, this is something bold, modern, and forward-thinking. Mexico itself is changing, becoming a food giant in the global scene, blending tradition with fine-dining innovation. El Sarape brings that same spirit to Lacey. The menu honors the roots of Mexican cuisine while also presenting dishes with artistry and passion. I ordered the Ribeye, and let me tell you, this was the best steak I've had in Washington or Oregon. Cooked to perfection, served sizzling on a hot stone with a rainbow of peppers, three incredible salsas (mild to fiery), and fresh guacamole. Price? Just $36. In any fine-dining setting, this dish would easily cost triple. What truly impressed me, though, was the heart behind it. The owner came by to check on us, and as he shared his story, growing up in the restaurant world, traveling back to Mexico, and seeing firsthand how Mexican cuisine is evolving, it became clear: this isn't just food, it's a vision. He's willing to take less profit to bring his community something special. El Sarape is more than a restaurant, it's a hidden gem. * If you crave a steak? Nowhere in town does it better. * If you love traditional Mexican food? This is your spot. * If you're curious about a more refined, modern take on Mexican cuisine? You'll feel right at home. Food: Service: Courage to Innovate: This is the kind of place you want to tell your friends about, but also the kind of place you secretly hope stays your best-kept secret. read more

Nachos nachos nachos!!! I have been here 3 times and although their menu is vast, the nachos stole the show. Entering the amply lit cantina, you feel as though you are in Mexico...and you found that perfect spot. The wait staff greet you promptly with chips and salsa and water. From start to finish, we were impressed. My biggest complaint about nachos around the world is the lack of refried beans. At El Sarape, they LOAD the chips with beans. LOAD. Not joking at all and they were in the top 3 nachos of my life. Oh yeah...and the fried ice cream is life. Eat cautiously. read more

El Sarape - Sarape Nachos (TG) - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Came here for national empanadas day. They were ok. Nachos are good! And plenty. Great atmosphere. People were very nice read more

El Sarape - Empanada - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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We always head straight to the round table withe the fire! The atmosphere is inviting and love chatting with people around the fire. The food is great, I recommend the stuffed jalapenos. Chips and salsa and beans, yum! What I TRULY go there for is the coconut margarita!! THIS IS TO DIE FOR! Smooth and creamy with a coconut and sweet rim, OOoOO! I appreciate the service as well, they are quick to assist. read more

El Sarape - Coconut Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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Horrible services, I like the other administration. Never again.....one star because the Strach margarita

Epic fail on reboot, many food items no longer available, hardly any Mexican dishes....but you can get pasta? Got an enchilada and it came on a large plate swimming in sauce, rice and beans came in separate bowls....4 people at a table and nowhere to put anything....put rice and beans on same place and cut down on the sauce. Old menu and food 4 star, new menu 1 star. read more

El Sarape - Cheese enchilada and gallon of sauce - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

The food, absolutely fantastic. The handwriting on my receipt, beautiful beyond words... read more

El Sarape - The food, fantastic. The handwriting on my receipt... beautiful beyond words. - Mexican Near Me - Olympia, Washington

Good food. Good atmosphere. Okay parking. Helpful servers. Good location. Vegetarian friendly.

We have coming to El Sarape for 30 years and we were excited to come back for the remodel. Boy what a disappointment. The menu has completely changed. Does not even seem Mexican. Pasta and steak? No chimichanga. We ordered fajitas and street tacos. They lacked flavor. Fajitas used to come out sizzling which made it fun. These were cold with no sizzle. Street taco was only 3 tiny tacos. And when we got the bill we couldn't believe it. It was over $100. We did have two margaritas which were ok. The restaurant looks beautiful but the menu and price changes are not something we are good with. We will stick to the west side location. read more

We recently went in to have dinner and the remodel looks so amazing! We ordered the Chicharron de Rib Eye for an appetizer. Then we tried Pollo Diablo tacos and Carne Asada. We absolutely loved everything we tried!! Not to mention the Jalapeño Margaritas were fabulous too. It is a really nice change to have something new to try in Lacey. We are definitely adding El Sarape to our date night list!! read more

Good food always! Friendly staff. Great place to take your time with friends and family. A bit expensive but worth it!

Seeking out new destinations here in Olympia WA, we stopped at El Sarape. The parking lot was pretty full at lunch so we thought "it must be good." The decor was very nice and our server was very attentive. They did have a fire pit in the bar area and we decided to give it a try. My husband loved it, me not so much. I had the Caldo de Pollo and he had the quesadilla lunch special. My soup was about $12 and the lunch special was $11.50. The chips and salsa weren't that tasty. Lacked flavor. Unfortunately my soup was the same. The chicken was very dry and I have never ordered chicken soup that had broccoli (thinking frozen bag of mixed veggies) thrown in. Adding lime, salt and salsa did not help. Hubby's quesadilla was greasy and bland too. Hospitality and ambience earned the 3 stars. Seemed like there was quite a bit of regulars. We will give it another try. read more

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Came here after trying many Mexican restaurants in the in the area in the past. As soon as you walk in it's an experience, classy, friendly staff and a full blown fire pit at the bar. Our server was quick and very attentive, a plus! I ordered the macho burrito the wife ordered the tres amigos. When the food arrived it was hot and at first bite, all I can say is bliss! Love at first taste. Took me back to child hood memories of my grandmother's cooking, miss you abuelita. 4 stars for the food and service 1 star for the memories read more

we come here every time we pass through Olympia. But this time we were overwhelmed with the presentation of the food that we ordered for dinner. The restaurant closed for about a month earlier this year and then reopened after they remodeled the inside is not only beautiful, but the food is beautiful and delicious as well. We will keep coming back again and again. read more

Great service! Free chips and salsa unlike others in the area. Great food and very accommodating! Ignacio is an awesome server. They decorate for all the holidays. Very nice. This one in Lacey is our go to! read more

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Since the revamp the food has gone to crap. I understand upgrading the look of the restaurant, but why change the food? It used to be so good, I would order almost every week. Now I can't stand it. Either flavorless or just a god awful try at Mexican food. Very disappointing. Used to be one of my favorite places, but won't be eating here anymore. read more

The food was awful. There was absolutely NO flavor. I would not recommend this place at all. My mother in law had to put so much salt in her beans to even have some flavor. read more

Tried here because they've smelled amazing when I've picked up for Door Dash. Smells aren't everything. Their salsa has a bit of a kick to it, so that was good for me. My wife got a chimichanga with shredded beef. It was not "fried to perfection" as the menu claims. She said it was more like steamed. Her meat tastes more like pot roast. I got the Pollo Al Cilantro. Nothing impressive about it. There was almost no flavor to the chicken, but it was cooked well. I needed the pico de Gallo, sour cream, and rice to make it have any flavor. Oh, and our service wasn't great. We had to ask twice for extra salsa, and twice for our check. Not a great stop. read more