19 replies to this topic

[Briarsmoke]

We go there several times a month usually but it's been a few weeks since our last visit. The food has always been excellent and the staff has been friendly, very competent and the service good. They've kept a lot of the same people working there for a long time. Last night (fri 5/20 aprox 5:30 pm) we went in for dinner and it was a totally different experience. Did not recognize one single person working there, the two people taking orders seemed quite unsure, got my order wrong twice, had to pay twice to get what I actually ordered because the girl left things off. When our food came the person wasn't even sure what he was handing me, and when I told him there was supposed to be more two people had to visit my table and look at my receipts in order for me to get what I ordered. While we sat there three other tables all had the same issue with incorrect food being delivered. There seemed to be chaos between the kitchen and service staff with arguments at the pass through window, the salsa bar was dirty and sloppy with food splatters all over, and it wasn't even really busy yet with the place not even half full. The food was fine but the place seemd completely different and in a state of disorder and unmanaged. Does anyone know if they sold out to a new owner? This is. A real disappointment because this has been a fabulous affordable little spot for a decade.

[Steve Heard]

My wife and I have noticed it as well. I asked the cashier if there were new owners,  and she said 'no' but if that's true, the alternative is that everyone quit or was fired. 

[granto]

+2.  thought "why did I not go to EPL"....

 

Saw the same thing happen at the Citrus Heights location a couple of years ago and never went back.

[Sandman]

Probably the result of the new La Fiesta that recently opened in Roseville.

[Deanna H]

I think they went downhill a couple of years ago. Right around the time they increased their prices significantly, their food quality went down. They changed the chips, the carnitas, which used to be excellent, weren't nearly as tasty as before, the amount of meat in the tacos seemed to be less generous, and it just seemed like there was a major change in the ownership or kitchen. We used to go there every week but have only gone there a handful of times since the change, just to see if things were improving. They haven't yet. The last time we went in the al pastor had no flavor. That's hard to do with al pastor. To be fair, their pollo asado is still good, but they just aren't the same gem that they used to be. It's really too bad. We miss them.

[bordercolliefan]

+2.  thought "why did I not go to EPL"....
 
Saw the same thing happen at the Citrus Heights location a couple of years ago and never went back.

What's EPL?

[Deanna H]

What's EPL?

El Pollo Loco?

[2 Aces]

I agree. Some of you people with your "clever" abbreviations need to remember not all of us are in your special, nerdy "club".

Would it take WAY TOO MUCH TIME to type 'El Pollo Loco' ??

Good Lord. Don't be so lazy.

[nomad]

EPL sucks too. 

[slowthegrowth]

Whew! Glad it's not just us. My wife brought home dinner the other night and her order was completely wrong. Wrong meat..had things she asked not to have. She has to bring it back the next day....they replaced it but didn't blink an eye (or apologize)....like this is a regular occurrence now.
REALLY too bad....they were always the go-to when out of ideas for dinner....not any more.

[redman]

This is a bummer - I wonder what happened? 

 

Well it's fortunate that we just recently got a new taqueria in town: Sutter Street Taqueria. I've been there several times and their food is seriously tasty! Be prepared that the prices are a little higher and chips and salsa cost extra, but the quality of the ingredients in the tacos and burritos is definitely a step above any of the other places in town. If La Fiesta is truly slipping, they picked a bad time to do it. Go check out SST (yes, I just made up a new acronym). 

[The Average Joe]

The only time I will pay for chips and salsa is when they are made fresh on site and something special. Nearly all mexican places offer them gratis...even when made on premises. Scooping generic chips out of a bag and plopping some commercial grade salsa into a cup is worth zero to me.  I will go to a place specifically for great salsa though.  I'll stil give them a try next time i'm down there.

[2 Aces]

Agree with Joe. If I find a place with great salsa, then I'll make a special trip there just to buy a quart at a time to keep at home. Haven't seemed to find any great salsas at the grocery stores, including Trader Joes.

[zook]

All this talk of mexican food and never any mention of El Tapatio. I always thought they had the best mexican in town. Oh and their salsa bar is free and pretty good.

[Sandman]

My wife makes the best salsa. Has won many taste competitions at my work. Cant stand store bought salsa. Way to salty... You just cant find pre made salsa that is as good as fresh. Doesnt exist. Weve tried.