Address: | 7500 Montpelier Rd, Laurel, MD 20723, USA |
Phone: | +1 301-725-3111 |
Site: | lapalapatoo.com |
Rating: | 3.6 |
Working: | 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM 11AM–12AM |
MA
Mark Eisner
I like Mexican food, though usually it is remarkably bad for my waistline. My diet, wallet and happiness would have been well-served if I had followed the "red alert" klaxon intoned by the grossly overcrowded parking lot and entrance-way. We had plans to meet another couple, so I parked about a football field away, girded my misgivings about the potential for poor service, and wandered inside. My instincts were correct. Amidst a cheerfully and traditionally adorned smallish dining room in Southwestern decor were (1) several empty tables and (2) A gaggle of easily a couple of dozen unseated patrons. The waiting horde crowded into the dining room proper, which could have been an indicator of an uncommonly good restaurant experience. Could have been... Perhaps (as my wife contends) through our ill fortune or more likely (as I maintain) through incompetent "front of the house" management, two large parties in front of our group of five had not been seated and could not be seated until an already seated large party of patrons had left and their tables had been "turned." To their credit, the waiters dropped continuous if courteous hints to the languishing diners to conclude their evening and depart. Finally after a seemingly interminable delay, this did occur. After about 45 minutes (after having been told 20), we were seated at a table that had been vacant the entire time we were standing. Those large groups in front of us had paralyzed the staff, see. The large groups in front of us also contributed to unreasonably slow arrival of menus, drinks, order placement, etc. The food and drinks themselves were fine - solid but unspectacular Tex-Mex, but by the time we finally did eat I was so soured on the experience that I have vowed never to return. Did I retaliate in the form of my tip? - a little. This is my revenge; thank you for reading.
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Kelsey Tyson
This is my familys go-to restaurant for a casual night out. The house margaritas are delicious (and surprisingly strong). My favorite meal is tacos al carbon (one with chicken, one with steak). My family usually gets the fajitas, California burrito, or chili rellenos. We always get the chili con queso appetizer and usually get the guacamole. It can get pricey but the food is so delicious its absolutely worth it. Update 8/11/16: Im disappointed to say that I have now been to la palapa top three additional times since my initial review and my opinion has changed... 1. They no longer have daily specials (kids Monday, taco Tuesday, fajita Wednesday, etc). Ok fine, but they need to take these specials off their website if theyre not going to honor them!!!! When I mentioned this and showed the website to our waiter and just said they no longer have specials and did not adjust our check. 2. The margarita pitchers hold EXACTLY 5 glasses of margarita and are the same price as 5 individual margaritas. You used to save at least a couple bucks by getting the pitcher! 3. Our waitress was busy with a ton of tables so when the young man brought our out I asked him for water refills. He grimaced and said "I guess" then a couple minutes later our waitress came out with water. Really?? He couldnt even help out a bit and had that attitude? My family and I have loved this restaurant for years, but after spending $150 a pop for mediocre service and inflated prices on three separate occasions, I think its time to find a new stop for our night out.
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A Private User
Sunday evening, two of us went for dinner and sat at the bar. The server was friendly enough but more interested in her friend who appeared to be an off duty employee. We ordered our drinks and dinner. After a long wait, another off duty employee arrived and began shouting to other servers and acting in an obnoxious manner. He got up from the bar and went behind the bar, climbed up into the sound system control area and proceeded to change the music and turn it up loud. What began as a quiet Sunday evening with Mexican background music now had become a loud night club with drunken off duty employees. We got up from the bar and tried to be re-seated in the restaurant side as we had already ordered dinner. There was no one at the podium to seat us, after a minute, we simply left. The management needs to be on top of the situation. Too bad that professionalism among the staff is so low.
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Stephane Grabina
had a great dinner yesterday evening. I had the fish taco special, my wife had the pork burrito and kids had a hot dog and bean taco. food was really good. the only tip Id recommend to the owner is to train the hostesses. we were greeted and sat by the waitress. I saw several customers walk in without being greeted by anyone and walking around aimlessly not knowing where to go. also Id separate the bar from the main dining room. ..when we walked in there were two different sound systems playing one in the bar and the other in the dining room...I asked the waitress if she could tell someone to pick one and turn the other one off. and to her credit she did. overall I gave them five stars because these were only minor issues that I think are easily fixed. I will definitely be coming back with the family as the food was great and the waitress was awesome.
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A Private User
I went to La palapa too last night, I arrived and get into the mood of mexican place by the two marichi guys that were singing live at the place. The service was excellent. It was a crowded Friday night and I received drink and food flawless, my server recommend the Cadillac margarita which is a margarita with top shelf tequila, gran manier and the margarita mix...So good. For Dinner I got The BURRO LOCO, is a burrito fajita stile topped with chile con queso....to die for. My friend had the Golden margarita made out premium tequila good choice too. and she has FRUTAS DEL MAR...a spicy seafood medley that you have to try. We didnt make it to the Dessert but they seem to have a great fried icecream. The best Part was the bill. Nice mexican diner, nice live mexican music for very little money.
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Coby Kay Callahan
I hate writing bad reviews. I rarely do it, but... The service is awful. We sat and waited for a server this evening and no-one ever came. There was another server that was sweeping next to us (he also got in out way when we were walking to the table - I guess sweeping his section and going home were more important). I went to the host stand and told her we had not been helped. Still, no-one came. We left and told the 3 people at the host stand why on our way out. No-one cared. Also, no-one knew what the specials were when we walked in and asked. I was just asking if the website specials were still correct. Again, no-one cared. I really want this place to be great. I live close by. But, every time they let me down. Very disappointing.
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A Private User
Excelente comida,,excelente atención,,,y un ambiente muy agradable,,,me encanta el plato frutas del mar,,posee una variada gama de mariscos,,rodeados de una delicada y sabrosa salsa,,,,les recomiendo por supuesto las fajitas de camaron son espectaculares,,,,,las margaritas divinas,,,love la palapa too...
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A Private User
My family and I have suffered food poisoning on two separate occasions! After the first time, we thought maybe it was something else we had that day that made our innards go into fits. However after the second time, its definitely something with the meat (i.e. chicken) or the sanitation of the kitchen that nearly had me calling 911. After reporting the issue with management, it was totally pointless. They were not apologetic and basically said there is nothing wrong with the food. Well, hopefully they will listen to a third party (i.e. health inspector).