Buena Vista Restaurant
| Address: | 220 N Harrison St, Algonquin, IL 60102, USA |
| Phone: | +1 847-658-6150 |
| Rating: | 3.6 |
| Working: | Closed 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 9AM–9PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 23
Reviews 25
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Grant Dahlke
I can’t honestly remember a worse – and disappointing - dining experience in 30 years of paying for meals as an adult. My wife and I used to love this place when we lived a little closer and would go for Saturday night dinner and then on way home do the weekly grocery shopping. Big night on town huh? It’s been a few years since we last visited but an on-line deal site ran a $30 value for $15 deal so we thought that would be worth the trip. We took our two teens and upon arriving at 6pm on a Sunday night they were kinda surprised we thought so highly of this “dive” as they called it. They weren’t off the mark too far. We stood at the door like idiots waiting for the one server to seat us. I guess the three tables of three to four customers per table was too much to handle to even acknowledge us, so we sat at the only clean table left as the other two were piled with used dishes from a previous diner. After about five minutes, we finally got some menus and we all ordered one entrée priced around $7.95 each. Three soft drinks (which were never refilled) and one margarita. Took about 20 minutes for the food to arrive and the waitress THEN brings the chips and salsa. No other sauces to accompany the meal. Still, we looked forward to the great food we had experienced in the past. Blah, Bland, Boring, Bad. About the only thing that had flavor was the one salsa brought with the chips. We spooned that onto our food to give it something. Oh, the Cokes were pretty good. The margarita was basically lime juice with no alcohol. The other bright spot is I have a growing teen son who’s always hungry and the size of the King burrito filled him up. So, I was just going to chalk this up as average and just enjoy we spent time together as a family. We then sit for 20 minutes waiting for the waitress who now only has two tables to serve bring left over boxes and the bill. Finally I just go up to the take out counter (which only had one take out the entire time we were there) to get some boxes and give her the certificated that’s good for $30 value. That’s when this really gets bad. She proceeds to tell me the Chimichanga special I ordered and the drinks are not covered and the bill is $57 and we owe $27. My wife and I look at each other flabbergasted as we figured we were about $12 over the certificate value. I tell the waitress who speaks very broken English that there must be a mistake (since she made mistakes the entire evening delivering the wrong food to the few tables she had). The only exclusion on the certificate is alcohol. I tell her our food should be around $32 and ask what the drinks cost. $2.50 for each Coke. So that’s $7.50. At this point, we owe $9.50. She continues to argue with me then calls to some older gentlemen who comes up, looks and the certificate, and then starts yelling at me in Spanish. Unfortunately, my vocabulary is rudimentary so I have no idea of what he’s saying. She keeps pressing buttons on the register and keeps saying special and drinks not included. I finally tell her to call the police because I’m not leaving, but I’m not paying either and that they are ripping me off while I’m not trying to take advantage of them at all. After about 15 minutes of her muttering and me continuing to say I am only paying for the over cost in food and the margarita, she comes up with $16 as the total due. That would include tax so I’m assuming the margarita was $5. I paid and we got out of there as quickly as possible. We finally get out to our car at 7:30….1.5 hours later for what was worse that Taco Bell. I wouldn’t eat here again if it was free and I’m mad at myself for not looking at the reviews first before buying the certificate because it’s obvious based on the reviews on various sites that this place has gone wayyyyyy downhill. To top it off, my teen daughter was going to take a walk and gets ½ way down the block…and has to run home because she got the runs from the place! AVOID AT ALL COSTS….PLACE SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN!
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Laura F
The food was so greasy, ordered crunchy steak tacos, got grilled flour tortilla with steak and cheese inside but a udfle of grease. We were the only customers in the restaurant but an employees daughter was running around screaming and the service was THE WORST! She couldnt answer any of our questions and instead of taking are of us, she stood on the other side of the counter talking. Will never return
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Susana Huerta
I was walking in the park in front of this restaurant, so I decided to walk in to see if they were still open. I never noticed the "open" sign, so politely I asked if they were still serving; and the lady there very rudely said "no, we are closed, the sign is off!". I always wanted to eat in this restaurant, however, I will not. I will not waste my time and money on a bad service.
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Michael Pernice
By far and without a doubt one of the most authentic mexican establishments in the suburbs. It is cozy and inviting and Juan runs the kitchen with a flair. Want your sopas without bread? just ask. Not a dish from Mexico that Juan cannot make with his own signature flair. And be sure to.order tje guacamole excellent!
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Amanda Weber
Favorite Mexican restraunt. They offer grilled and shredded chicken, and their grilled chicken is heavenly. Staff is always very nice and this restraunt offers chips and salsa when you dine in. Love it!!!
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Nancy Krause
Horrible service food is bland waited30 minutes after asking for check before I walked up and paid and then the lady lectured me for going up to pay complete waste of time and money
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Sol DeMuth
Shrimp enchiladas are amazing! The habanero citrus salsa is delicious and very spicy. Great restaurant, I plan on making many return visits.
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John Brossard
Love their salsa. Made with roasted tomatoes it is to die for! Nice view of the Fox River, though the service can be spotty.
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Thomas Stadie
It is a small family business they are quick to serve you and are really nice. I would recommend trying this place.
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GranitroK Inc.
Excellent service and exceptional food. Great view of the river when you eat. Or walk to the river and eat :)
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Dana McCurry
Have never dined in. It is pretty small. The food is amazing and authentic and at great prices!
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matthew cheng
Good food for decent price. One of the better tortas I had in Illinois. Food came out fast too
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ella gene
All of there drinks had been expired at least 1 year ago and the kitchen appeared to be unclean
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JUST SAYING
Took over an hour to get our food.only one cook during dinner time will never go here again.
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Craig Newman
Food was good, views of the Riverwalk are nice. Inside needs updating and cleaning though.
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Michael JN
The fries are one of the best I have ever had and the tortas are amazing.
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Jim Petykowski
Been a few years since I was there but some very good Mexican food.
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Ricardo Cabral
Friendly and good I will be back for more food.
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Tyler Powles
Fajita Burrito!!!! And very nice staff
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Dr. Monica Dr. Frank
Very good and authentic Mexican food
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Carl Szabo
Quaint with delicious food
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betty moone
Margaritas are the best
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Pam
Cute place. Good food
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Jacob Palma
Very good food!
CR
Cruz Plaza
Great good.
