5409 Capitol Blvd SW, Tumwater
Date of visit: 1/22/09
What we had: Tamale/enchilada combo, enchiladas verde, taco salad, wings, quesadilla, kids nachos
I don't even know where to start.
A chicken taco salad was ordered, but ground beef was served. The two enchiladas combo was ordered, but only one arrived on the plate. The quesadilla ended up being 1/2 instead of a whole one. The kids nachos consisted of tortilla chips with a sprinkling of cheese melted over it.
Service was on par with the food. The restaurant wasn't even 1/2 full and it took 20 minutes before someone came to take our order. The chips and salsa weren't refilled and there were only 3 sets of silverware available for our party of 6. The kids wanted dessert (they were still hungry after those crappy nachos) and when a menu was requested, the waiter sped through the offerings. We decided to go elsewhere for dessert.
When paying for the meal, the cashier asked how the food was and we mentioned the discrepancies on the bill (being charged for 2 enchiladas when only one came) and unsatisfaction with the meal. She nodded and ran the transaction without a word.
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13 comments:
Totally not surprising. We never eat there. But, where can you go for good Mexican food in the area? Like real, authentic Mexican food?
Tacos Guaymas has two locations- Lakewood and Tacoma. They offer some fantastic authentic dishes like a whole fried fish, ceviche, and various tongue items. Chicken is marinated forever and comes out tender and flavorful. Make sure to stop at the salsa bar to try various kinds of salsas and pickled veggies.
Wow! You left 3/4 a star? I was there and in hindsight I wish I hadn't left a tip. The service was absolutely horrible and while the food was "okay" - all the mistakes were unacceptable.
It's a bummer because Tumwater doesn't have very many decent restaurants. El Sarape used to be a good one.
The only good El Sarape is the one on Martin Way near Sleater-Kinney, and even that isn't nearly as good as when I was a kid. But it's better than the Tumwater and the westside Olympia locations.
Suggestion for future review: Curry Corner in Lacey. It's in a strip mall at behind one of the gas stations at the corner of Martin Way and Meridian, but it tastes so much better than the location sounds.
What about Peppers in downtown Oly? Have you tried that? I usedtato love it but haven't gone in a long time. Am wondering if it fared well after it moved away from Legion.
The best Mexican food I've ever eaten (I've never been to Mexico) was in Chehalis at La Tarasca. Their mole is out of this world, the chocolate isn't sweet like you find most places, it's bitter but subdued. Everything about it was subtle, like mole should be. I can't wait to go back.
Ok...what about Quality Burrito in downtown Oly? What little I've had there blows me away. Good serving sizes (read big) and great prices. Let's go.
I think ElSarape is amazing. I have never had bad service and the food always taste fresh. Maybe you guys went on a bad day. No one is perfect all the time...
Love your blog! Thank you for sharing! :-) Linked to it from SF St. Bakery. I'm also world traveler and sometime writer. Grew up in Los Angeles (and am back here now) but I lived in Olympia 2006-2009 and L-O-V-E it ... your reviews are awesome! Are you on Yelp? You should be. Also, Facebook, Twitter? I'd love to know when you post an entry. I'm Tori Sloane on Facebook/Twitter and Tori S. on Yelp. Thanks again for the blog! :-)
Tori
I 2nd the motion re: Curry Corner. Best Indian I've had in Cascadia, although I haven't been to tons of Indian in Seattle. I went there w/a friend whose family is from Mumbai, and he was pleased. And he's never pleased w/Indian food from restaurants. Quality cuisine, and locally-owned.
nice post. thanks.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! :)
I think that El Sarape used to be amazing but everytime I've been there in the last few years it has been horrible. I think it a classic problem in family owned restaurants. They start really well, stay good for awhile and then the quality control person dies or moves on or something. Sad day though...good Mexican food is music to the soul. I will say to El Sarape's credit, they taught me what Mexican food was as a child and there food from probably 1990 to 2000 is what I compare most other Mexican food to.
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