Casa Tapatia Mexican Restaurante & Bar

My review mirrors some of the reviews from three or four years ago. There is still a funky smell of sewage. The rice and beans were bland, possibly canned and/or cooked days(? ahead of time. My order (a grilled chicken dish I can't remember the name of came out very quickly and was a bit dry, so also probably was cooked before I got there. It doesn't sound like it's improved over the earlier tripadvisor reviews I've read. I don't know who's leaving positive reviews, the food was nearly average at best which saved it from a one-star rating.

I chose this restaurant from a recommendation at my hotel. I arrived about 8:15 pm on Saturday and the restaurant is open until 10:00 pm. The hostess seated me right away. There appeared to be only two other tables seated in the restaurant.My server came quickly to take my order. The menu didn't include drinks so I had to ask for a drink menu. I ordered fresh guacamole and chips, a classic margarita, and spinach-stuffed chicken breast. My fresh guacamole (small for 8.95) was served in a small dish which was about two tablespoons of guac. I was very surprised at how small the portion was for that price. Additionally, it did not taste like it was freshly made. Perhaps made fresh for the day, but certainly not made to order as the menu suggested. It was bland, with no flavor or heat. Note: While I was still eating my appetizer, one of their servers started putting up chairs and closing down the section I was seated in. The time is 8:26 pm and the restaurant advertises it closes at 10:00 pm.My margarita tasted like a pre-made bottled mix, not made fresh to order. The tequila pour was very conservative as well. My main dish came very quickly. I noticed my wrapped utensil was just a fork, so I had to stop my server and ask for a knife. I was immediately concerned when I cut into my chicken. It was tough to cut through. My first bite was very hard, dry, and barely warm. I turned the chicken over and cut through the middle and it was just as hard. After a few chews, I discovered the chicken was reheated. My guess is it was made in advance and reheated as ordered or it had been sitting on a warming table for many hours. All of the flavors were lost and it was smothered in a yellow cheese mixture. I only took two bites. Overall, the free chips and salsa were the best part of my meal (and I'd offer the salsa didn't taste fresh and the water tasted like unfiltered tap water). My server was engaging and efficient at first. Then disappeared on me. She didn't notice I didn't finish any of my meal. The restaurant was clean and presentable. The front hostess stand and the carry-out area seemed a little messy. I didn't visit the restrooms and look around the rest of the establishment. The sign advertised they were accepting applications for servers. Overall this experience was not commensurate with the 4-star ratings of this restaurant. Either this was an off night, or the restaurant has gotten away from what they were good at. I don't recommend this restaurant at all.

Great service and loved the potato nachos. Overall we had a great experience and the food was delicious!

Disclaimer: this review was written by a South Carolinian, where Mexican restaurants are very hit or miss compared to Texas, but we found this place to be delicious. Everything tasted like it was made fresh and full of flavor, right down to the salsa and tortillas. Margaritas were not watered down either. Make sure you ask for their hot sauce also house made and delicious! I got the Pollo Cilantro and forgot to take a photo at the beginning, so here it is half eaten. My husband got the California Burrito and said it was the closest thing to his favorite burrito of all time from Salt Lake City. Glad we found this place!

Best fajitas we have had in a long time! Fresh guacamole, excellent margaritas, and fajitas and tamales that were authentic and OUTSTANDING. Service was exceptional. Three kids and two parents were all happy and full when we left.