La Pagua

I’ve always enjoyed their quesadillas. They are very good. However, the service I received today was subpar. I ordered a quesadilla, a large queso, and asked for an additional bag of chips. Chips and salsa are complementary to any order. I often order an extra bag of chips, so that will have enough, which I’m normally charged about $1.50. The waitress charged me five dollars for an extra chips and salsa. I tried to explain that I just wanted an extra bag of chips and not an extra salsa. We went back-and-forth for four or five minutes with her refusing to just charge me for a bag of chips, claiming that that is not possible, even though I do it all of the time. She finally went to the back, and another lady came up and brought me a second bag of chips for a dollar. In addition, when I left the restaurant, my large queso ($10) was a tiny cup that was only half full (pictured below). Also, my quesadilla was chicken and steak instead of the steak and shrimp that I ordered. Service definitely needs some improvement.

I’ve learned to temper my expectations when dining on Mexican food outside of Texas. And while La Pugua isn’t the worst I’ve had, it’s also not worth a repeat visit. Salsa was extremely bland. Basically tomatoes and onions, maybe garlic. No cilantro and definitely no type of peppers or spice of any kind. My cheese enchiladas were acceptable, but the beans were generic. More than likely from a can. And if they weren’t from a can, then they need to reevaluate their recipe. Rice….again…average at best.

Tonight had to have been a bad night. We went there for my birthday and overall the visit was not good. First off, for the record the food was delicious, it was practically on point and by the far the ONLY main saving grace. The restaurant was clean, not perfect, but clean. The service however, was by far the WORST. The waitress, Francis, never really checked on me or my family regularly. I understand they were short handed, but even so, there was hardly anyone there eating. Then she got the bills wrong literally 3 times! That of course upset me and my family and was embarrassing. Secondly, even with the right bils after FINALLY managing to be right, food was overpriced and not worth the amount of money, Thirdly, the orders were almost not right, and the couple of entrees some of us ordered, was still FULLY charged even though some things were taken off, and we were told they "could not take off some amount". Like I said, the only saving grace for this visit was the food and cleanliness. Unfortunately, we will not be returning until all these issues are addressed. For the amount that was paid, we could of easily went some place else and have MUCH better service. Very disappointing, do better.

I had the fajita enchiladas and they seemed undercooked and we're just not very good at all. Not even the chips and salsa were very tasteful. But the service on the other hand; I cannot recall our waiters name but he did an EXCELLENT job! Atmosphere wise; kind of plain and not very comfortable or inviting in there. But as far as the location goes it is located in that shopping center on Johnston and it's a good close location to pretty much everything. But let's just say I will not be visiting there again anytime soon.