Address: | 11880 Spectrum Center, Reston, VA 20190, USA |
Phone: | +1 571-485-7929 |
Site: | ontheborder.com |
Rating: | 3.6 |
Working: | 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–10PM |
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Chris Cavanaugh
Two of us visited On the Border in Reston, VA on Saturday afternoon March 22, 2014. The menu selections were bountiful and some nice differences from the other chain Mexican restaurants. We had some complimentary chips and an appetizer. I was delighted not to be inundated with Cilantro—so popular, so awful and almost unavoidable. Our server was not attentive. Still, I would return. Then things turned for the worse. One of our entrees came with a long hair baked in; not fallen on the food. That happens. But this was a hair encrusted with food. Gross. At some point I looked up at the ceiling and that’s where I was truly disgusted. The first seating area to the left of the entrance there is a ceiling vent in a fibrous material. Both the ceiling vent and the ceiling were coated black with dirt. If the dirt and inattention is this obvious in the public area, what must the other, more private areas such as the kitchen look like? We asked to speak to a manager. A man came over, listened to our concerns and although not requested, he kindly comped a meal. He apologized for the hair. He noted the dirty ceiling and vent as if he’d never noticed them before. He said when the staff had time to clean; he would see that they attended to this dirt. My concerns are that he never introduced himself as to his name or job position and he seemed surprised by the dirty vent. Ignoring such basics seems rude and unprofessional. I’d be happy to return to On the Border but I really don’t think I could return to the Reston location. I’d almost have to have a tour to show that the restaurant was undeniably clean.
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Scott Sweder
Full transparency: I received an email asking me to write a review after my recent dining experience, so here I am. I am a fan of this variety of Mexican food. Theres something deeply satisfying about the flavors that On The Border has created with their dishes, and it hits exactly the right spot that I crave. The staff here are exactly what youd expect: Knowledgeable about the menu and friendly to all patrons. Ive dined here easily over 10 times in the past few months because its tasty to me. Weve had a few less-than-amazing experiences, but you know what? Everyones human, it happens. We were treated well and told them its no big deal, the staff is great about handling situations. If I had to play favorites, Id choose: Chicken Empanadas, Stuffed Jalepenos, or the Appetizer Sampler to start. Southwest Chicken Tacos or the Green Chile Pork Carnitas Chimichanga to eat. Sopapillas to finish. Their daily specials are great, too, a personal favorite being the "Fiesta Trio" on Sunday: Soup/Salad (Avocado Ranch is deeply satisfying on the salad, just enough spice to make a great salad), Chicken Fajitas, and Sopapillas to finish all in one convenient combination. Fantastic. To wrap up: Its not perfect, but nothing is. I think its good, it makes me happy, I hope the staff is happy, and I hope youre happy if you make the trip here to eat.
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Brian Reston
I;m going to start by saying I like On The Border restaurants overall,,,as a chain restaurant, theyre pretty typical fare - not much different than Don Pablos or the old Chi Chis chain as far as Mexican chain restaurants go....youre always better off going to a small family owned restaurant . This particular location has to be the lump of coal in their corporate crown...Ive gone here several times for carry out and have had a problem almost every single time. Theyve given me coupons for free food because of mess ups before...but just once Id like to have a problem free experience and not have to deal with inept couldnt give a hoot customer service up front. Youre incredibly lucky if #1 - they get your order right, and #2. You get your complete order. I wish there was another Mexican restaurant that featured a similar menu nearby - I know theres Anitas and I think theyre waaaay better..but they dont just have the same range of dishes...so...if you dont mind abysmal service from a poorly managed chain restaurant served by teenagers who couldnt care less that youre even there...then this place is just the place to go for your daily dose of consumer neglect....quite frankly, I think Im done with this location and will write it off as one of those places that either cant fix whats wrong, but more likely, just dont care
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Jon Lillard
I have been at an off hour (2PM on a Friday) and had fine service and good food (which is why this is 2 stars and not 1). However, last Saturday I waited almost 10 minutes just to finally speak to a hostess only to be told there would be a 30 minute wait, So we finally just sat in the bar area, which is perfectly fine with me. However, I basically paid $20 for 2 glasses of Margarita mix for my wife and I. I honestly could not taste a drop of alcohol. I only finished half the drink which is something I NEVER do... borderline alcoholic here! The food this time around tasted like the cook spilled a bag of salt on our meals. I could only get through about 1/2 and my wife only made it through about 1/4. I didnt do myself any favors by not complaining to management. I have a hard time bringing myself to complain to people who handle my food, so how they would have reconciled the issue I dont know. Im just hoping they see this review and try to step up their game. Dont be cheap, put the alcohol people are expecting and paying for in the drinks. And be better prepared to handle a Saturday night crowd.
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Esakal Fan
We went to OTB, Reston recently for dinner. We were welcome and seated by a teen age girl who was busy in "text"ing. Soon we noticed that the place is run by a bunch of irresponsible teenagers who are just there to have fun. The waiter (again 17 or less) who took our order had an inappropriate message :"I suck %^$&* everyday" written on his palm. The waiter was very eager to show off the message to the guest he was serving, I tried to ignore but finally reported this to restaurant manager. The manager apologized, went and hid in kitchen. He never showed up back again. Overall experience was not satisfactory. The food wasnt bad though.
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Echo Keif
Terrible service. There were more than ten open tables and we waited 20 minutes to be seated. Finally seated and ready to have a drink and move on... Waited another 15 minutes and they slung some chips at us. Still no water or acknowledgement from a server. Another 10 minutes... Now the hangry welling up inside is finally too much... Off to another restaurant and never again. I will give them that this was my VERY worst experience here, but I have never had a great experience. I have ordered vegetarian dishes and they have brought me plates smothered in meat sauce... Its just not worth bothering with again.
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N Shap
We had chicken fajita tonight and the chicken was terrible. It is supposed to be grilled chicken but it is a foamy chicken I think it is pre cooked and they throw it on the pan it taste like the artificial chicken .Any pan fried chicken taste hundred time better than their grilled fajita chicken .Pico de Gaio was harrible Flour tortillas were uncooked . The only think decent is a little rice and beans that they serve with the food.On the Border is going down and I think the few left location will close the same as they closed Vienna location. Do not waste your money on this horrible restaurant. Nancy