Walked in and was barely acknowledged by the cashier and host. Was led to the table where the menus were dropped and the host walked away. He said not one word. We waited almost 20 minutes and no one ever came to our table. Waiters and food runners serviced tables next to us and near us but not one person came to check on us. Took the menus back to the cashier and left. Never again. read more

I have never been to this restaurant, so I don't know if this is a one-off or if this is just normal service at this restaurant. The food was ok, nothing special. It was the service that was the problem. There were 7 of us. They brought one meal (it was an appetizer as a meal for my nephew), 5 minutes later they brought 2 more meals, then 10 minutes later (I am not exaggerating) brought the other 4 meals. The food wasn't hot (temperature wise.) Little things didn't occur like checking if our food was ok, refilling chips and salsa, refilling waters and tea. After we got to-go boxes, we waited so long for the check that I told everyone to go to the car and I'll ask the hostess to find our waiter for the check. When I went to pay, and they asked if everything was ok I said no. When my nephew said something about coming back, I said that we wouldn't be coming back. Neither the cashier nor the hostess was concerned about what was wrong, so I didn't say anything else. I realize when we got there that there was a line. But by the time we were served the restaurant was half empty. I hate to play the race card, but my sister and I are white (we got the first two meals mentioned above) our black friends are the ones that received their meals ten minutes later. Although to be fair, my nephew, who is black, is the one who had ordered the appetizer as his meal and received is meal first. I still gave the waiter the benefit of the doubt and tipped him $15 on a $70 check. read more

2/27/14 La Tolteca in La Plata, Maryland... has not improved in all this time..the food continues to go down hill and not sure why. I had the Fajita Taco Salad with Shrimp. The grilled vegetables were soft and mealy, and the shrimp were colorless and fishy..unedible..even the once amazingly good salsa was mushy and not fresh..it reminded me of something poured from a jar, and the chips were stale not fresh.. I dont know what to say..how many more chances should a restaurant get? I still say they have the best margaritas anywhere, and once the food started to go downhill you could still go for them and the chips and salsa...but, now even that has gone the way of Bad Food Alley.. I suggest you go to El Dorado instead, which is only a stones throw from La Tolteca for the most amazing Mexican and or Spanish cuisine. The staff as well has become zombie like, unenthused, and nonchalant. Leaving La Tolteca, is like leaving a bad movie, with stale popcorn...blah... read more

It seems like a local mom & pop place. Food is not authentic-Americanized. Poor service. Generic food that I can make at home. Prices were decent. Good place for the local high school kids to hang out. read more

I've been to La Tolteca about ten times. Nine times more than I'd choose, but unfortunately the place is popular with my workmates. I've tried most of the lunch specials, and a few regular orders. This place is a perfect example of the suckage of so-called "Tex-Mex" food on the East Coast. Food you're grandmother would make in Tennessee, nothing but salty, cheesy casseroles with flavorless ground beef and ketchup-based red sauces. "Tex-Mex" food really entails only two flavors: salty or sweet. There are no spices, and nothing really hot. And that describes the flavors you'll experience at La Tolteca: hallow and bland, with the nearly indiscernible tang of mild cheddar being the most dominant flavor. For most people living in Charles County, that will be sufficiently foreign, because by and large, people around here don't really want to eat anything too ethnic. My first time at La Tolteca, with a group of coworkers, I ordered a chicken mole burrito. For the rest of the lunch, my coworkers poked fun, and literally poked, at the mole sauce, derisively curious about the strange-looking substance, at the same time greedily dipping their chips into the appetizer dish of plastic white cheesy sauce. The mole was a very poor specimen: way too salty and smelling more of a burned oven than cloves and chocolate. They all ate one of the lunch specials, which are all the same exact thing with only slight variations: tortilla, cheese, minor amounts of meat, salty sauce, more cheese, bean pudding, rice, tomato, and dollops of sour cream and guacamole. Plenty of food--and perhaps this is the most important aspect when there's no need to exercise taste because everything is the same. The only thing I've had at this place that I'd get again is the fajitas. The sauteed peppers and onions were pretty good and the amount of meat is sufficient. But everything else I've had blows. Go to Eldorado instead. Pros: Service is prompt and efficient, especially considering the huge crowds they can get on weekday lunches. Cons: Not good Mexican food. Might be good Southern Maryland Tex-Mex food, whatever the hell that is. read more

One step above Taco Bell. I was expecting a lot more. Tired atmosphere, canned food, watered down drinks. Nothing inspired or interesting

After reading the reviews I am wondering if I ate at the same place. My husband had the chicken mole and the mole was very good. I had a combo dinner and the beef was not greasy which was great. Our server was very nice and made sure I always had a full tea glass. Nothing is worse than running out of tea and still having half of your meal and your server now where in site. The hot sauce is really my only complaint. It was a little on the thin side and I prefer roasted peppers in my hotsauce but I'm nit picking that point. read more

Food is better than average, prices are excellent, wait staff is authentic, never a long wait, drinks are great, best margarita around, family friendly read more

Great service, great food also very good pricing for the quality. The waiters are always great and actually have my order memorized. The restaurant is very clean and comfortable. Definitely the best Mexican restaurant in Southern Maryland. read more

Always very quick service..good food.. and always have the best margaritas. Been coming here for years. A good spot.

I was heading back to the DC area after a business meeting across the Nice bridge, was starving, so I stopped here for a bite and to rest up a bit before driving back. The food was OK, not great, but there was no wait and the staff were friendly so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I would recommend that they pay more attention to drinks and try to refill them. I realize that I was a single person dining alone and only drinking water with my meal, but I'd have tipped a little better if they'd come back even once to refill my drink. Next time through, I think I'll go elsewhere. read more

La Tolteca was always an "ok" Mexican restaurant. But now it's just gross. I don't know who has been seasoning the beef, but it tastes like dirt. And it's incredibly greasy. The food comes out lukewarm and the taco shells and chips are stale. The salsa isn't authentic either. I've frequented this place quite a bit. But for the last 3-4 months the food has been awful, sad to say. I'll give them one last try before I quit going for good. read more

Came in for a quick lunch with coworkers. Not a huge Mexican food fan, but I love tacos, so I got an order of al pastor tacos. Now, I've had some amazing authentic Mexican tacos all over DC and northern VA, but I wasn't expecting too much here in downtown LaPlata. I was wrong. The tacos were great with amazing flavored meat and seasoned with just cilantro and onion. Right up there with District Taco and other tiny taco joints. Well done. Wish I had known for past visits because I'm always underwhelmed by the normal enchiladas or taquitos (at every Mexican place, not just this one). read more

Never disappointed when I come here! Very clean and festive atmosphere. Always greeted immediately by friendly employees. The food (fried chimichangas and chicken burrito) were delicious! It was hot and ready in less than 10 minutes. The chips and salsa are tasty too! Our server was very kind and attentive. Love this place! read more

Great to visit on my trip. Use to come here regularly when it first opened. The food is just as good and the server just as attentive. Great Mexican food. I had the chili rellenos and guacamole. Wonderful! read more

Ate here on this past Mother's Day. We were seated quickly and the first gentleman that greeted us seemed like he was having a bad day, he took our drink orders then left, about a few short minutes later another gentleman came over to ask about drinks, we told him another guy came and took the orders, he was much more pleasant than the first guy. From there it was the second guy who took our food orders and assisted with our meal the rest of the evening, which was fine. The second guy was really pleasant and the stars earned here was because of him. On to the food, I had a special named after the restaurant, tolteca ultimate or something like that. Steak, shrimp and chicken,salad, guacamole rice and retried beans. The was was just ok. My daughter whose nine ordered chimichanga but she wished it was Taco Bell, my husband got T-bone steak, he was unimpressed. I really wanted to like this place, but sadly it just didn't make the mark. P.s the first guy who took our drink order, wished the guests at the booth right next to us Happy Mother's Day, but never said it to me. That wasn't a welcoming feeling. read more

This place is amazing. Great service. Waiters are so friendly! We go here a lot I recommend number 149

This place is so good!!! I used to live in LA so I know my Mexican food and this place is legit! The service is amazing, the restaurant is clean and the food is delicious and comes out fast! I come here often and am NEVER disappointed. :) read more

This place is GREAT!!! AUTHENTIC cooking at it's best. I've been to both the Waldorf & LaPlata locations, both give you generous portions. I moved to Atlanta for a few years and whenever I returned home, this was one of the places I just had to hit up!! Yummy. read more

The street tacos are awesome, my favorite around this area. Staff is friendly and attentive. Guacamole was a little bland but paired with the taco it makes for a fresh addition! read more

Food is always great here. The service is always superb and I can't complain about anything. The drinks are always so good.

Not a fan of La Tolteca. The guac was bland, the cheese dip runny, and the margaritas sickly sweet. Ordered shrimp and steak fajitas once and the shrimp had that frost bitten flavor....ew. read more

One of my all-time favorite restaurants. Great food, atmosphere, prices, and service. The whole package. Try the gold margaritas.

Restaurant was very nice. Wait staff wasn't overly friendly. Food was good. Great find in La Plata.

Carne Asada Fries!!!! Thank you for adding this to your menu.

The food is good and the service is even better. They are busy sometimes but do their best to keep all happy. best Mexican place in Southern Maryland. read more

Love, love, love this place! Great Mexican food but very inexpensive! Fast service and very friendly staff!

This is a very family friendly restaurant. The food is great and the margaritas are AMAZING! The owners are wonderful and friendly!

A fun place. Cheerful atmosphere, good food, friendly service. Love the giant margaritas!

This place has the WORST mexican food I have ever had. I got sick once from eating some beef taco entre. I tried it a second time a couple months ago and got sick again from a chicken enchilada. I wish Loredo's was still in business. Loredo's was so much better and worth the money. La Tolteca is not worth the time or money. read more

I have been going to this place for five years and can not say enough good things about it my family and I love their food and the price! We always ask for the same waitress (Marisa) she is an awesome server and always cheerful. Food is very good (no not the best you will ever eat in your lifetime) but you are getting a huge portion that is quite good for a very fair price! Serious give them a try and you will be back again and again. read more

All I can say best Mexican Resturant in La Plata! Every thing was delish!!hubby got Shrimp Fatjiitas and they were a Beauiful Sight! We had Spinach Quesdiila and Salad for starters! And I got The Number 149 as one of the other Yelpers suggested and she was right very good can't go wrong!! There chips are delish I always love Warm Chips there salsa good but does need to be spicy and cilantro in it but those warm Chips made up for it!! We got a side of Jalpenos and waiter bought a huge bowl with lots in it for 75 cents! We love hot!! Huge portions we both got Doggie bags! We will for sure be back! Service was so fast! Best service in La Plata too! Seems like everywhere in La Plata is on Slow time!! Lol lol Outback next door needs to get some Tips from this place! Our server was busy too he was really running to each and every table and really did a great job!! Oh I had one glass Sangria it was good but no fruit in it but it was so cheap for a Resturant I couldn't believe it! $3.75 a glass next time I will drink more!! Lol lol if you haven't been here yet you need to get there soon! Good and Fast! Also very nice people! Hands down best Resturant in La Plata and I haven't eaten at every one! I like it more then Marie's!! And I like Marie's! That's my 2nd favorite place here in in LaPlata! OutBack done I will never go back! Worst food and service! Applebee's is Hit Or Miss there!! Most of the fast food places are ok! The only Resturant I haven't been to yet is Road House Steak house and I here it's Hit and Miss there! I do not consider down White Plains in LaPlata so prime time and Ruccis doesn't count I love both those places!! Oh the other Mexican place in down town LaPlata sucks too you know the one El something!! Lol and the Mexican place in White Plains is ok but not as good as La Toleca now that I been to La Toleca I live closer and will be going there when I need my FIX!!! Lol read more

When I'm in town visiting my parents I always grab something from here. Nice staff and good food! Always a returning customer.

Authentic Mexican restaurant in la plata. Quality, classic Mexican food at reasonable prices. The chicken quesadilla is my favorite as well as the queso dip and frozen margaritas! read more

La Tolteca- maybe not your first choice for gourmet cooking, but here's a location who knows their clientele. Literally! I eat here probably a couple times a month, and the service is ALWAYS excellent. You're usually seated right as you walk in, and the tables/floors/dishes/bathroom, ect. ARE ALWAYS CLEAN! I think I've had a mix up with my order once, and they are so apt to take care of you! The food is your classic tex-mex faire, but the ingredients are fresh, the portions are huge, and the price can't be beat. I would most definitely recommended Tolteca to any one looking for a quick, warm, and delicious meal. To get what they paid for and more! Would consider coming for lunch, because while it never is overly crowded or noisy, you'll find a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere. Friendly, fun, fantastic. This is a location I will continue to go to, and as far as I'm concerned will never go out of style! In fact... I think I hear that taco salad calling my name now, and it's lunch time! read more

The service is always really great whenever we come here and the food isn't too bad. For being in Maryland it's the closest you'll find to decent, authentic Mexican food. read more

Love the food! Always way too much so you get to save some for later. The staff is always super nice and they remember you. We are frequent guests! read more

I loved the food here. You definitely get a lot for your money. You will not be hungry when you leave here!

The worst food I ever had. Sick for two days didn't eat leftovers. All the food in the different items used the same exact meat mixture little taste at all go up to the Mexican restaurant across from Andrews if you want some descent food. read more

Out of going there probably hundreds of times, I've maybe had a bad meal once. This place is great! Always good food, really good food, and cheap prices. Full bar and TVs for sports if you're like me and can't miss the game. Management is attentative and friendly. Check it out. Order the house margarita and the Texas Fajitas read more