Ixtapa Cantina

I went there for an early bite after a day-long medical exam (fasting!). I ordered 3 tacos "pastor" and sangria. The very friendly waitress served me traditional tortilla chips and salsa while I waited. The chips were barely OK (on the stale side), the salsa also, and the tacos were just a tad above average but with abundant shredded cabbage (I'm more accustomed to lettuce).
The music was not too loud and an interesting mix of international folk/pop. The place is very large and has multiple rooms which were all empty at 4:30PM.
Given that I was one of only two patrons, and that this was just before dinner time, I would have expected outstanding food, which this was not, much alas...

Ordered via the default app on their website (Grabull) - what a ripoff! Charged $96 for 4 entrees! Ok, my bad I should have realized that the prices were high, but my uncle was paying and didn't seem bothered by it. Picked up the order; the items on the check were wrong and the check price (for 4 entrees) was only $61. Turns out you are paying on average $5 per entree extra just to order on that app, plus a service fee! And the food was just ok. Beware: only order by phone and don't pay until you pick it up.

What a great place to go! We called ahead for a table of 20 and they took care of us all without any major problems. One dish was coming out late? They immediately let us know and apologized, asking that person if they wanted anything else in the meantime. Nothing was missing in the end, we all got our drinks and our food and the bill came out perfectly (and quickly too, prompt service all around). We would happily go back and eat here again, with a small crew or for another big outing.

I ordered Uber eats from here and THIS IS WHAT SHOWED UP!! Whoever is running this restaurant. Shame on you. We are already in a recession and you charge $15 for this?!?? What is wrong with you.

Stopped in for lunch. Left most of it on my plate.

These people cook like they have never heard of seasoning.

I got the "surf and turf" which came to 3 shrimp on a pile of onion and green pepper (no mushrooms even though it said they were included on the menu), and 2 burnt pieces of skirt steak that had never encountered salt or pepper.

The rice wasn't dry, but it didn't taste like anything. Same for the beans.

Everything was so unseasoned and bland I thought I might be coming down with covid for a moment.

The best thing on the plate was the guacamole.

The server was nice, so that gives it 2 instead of one star, but damn.

I now understand why the place was empty.

We moved to the area several months ago and had considered eating here a few times, but were deterred by some of the negative reviews. To those reviewers: fie on you, and a pox on your houses! I wish we had ignored those reviews and tried Ixtapa sooner!

Service was very friendly and efficient, the place was nice inside (basic cantina decor), etc. And the food was really enjoyable!

I grew up in the Southwest, so I know what really good Mexican food tastes like. And our food was delicious.

I'll be realistic, though. It's not on par with the best restaurants in San Antonio or Southern California. But neither are 99 percent of the Mexican restaurants in the US. When it comes to Mexican food, I'm hard to impress, and I was impressed.

I did notice that negative reviews tended to be of meals that were delivered. I wouldn't order Mexican food delivered. In my experience, it just doesn't travel well. My advice is to go there. There's plenty of parking nearby in a metered lot behind the building. It's also pretty convenient to bus stops.

I had a combo with enchilada, chimichanga and taco. Got different filling for each, and it was all good. I especially loved the barbacoa taco.

One sign a Mexican restaurant cares about quality--the beans and rice were great. In a blah Mexican place, they'll basically just be there to take up space on the plate. Theirs were well spiced, seasoned, and cooked perfectly.

I'm looking forward to trying more dishes there.

Solid spot. It's hard to give a review on the service and atmosphere because I went during a down time. The food was pretty good and I like the presentation of the rice & beans in the tortilla cups. I had the shrimp and bacon tacos which were pretty good.

Got takeout from here for the first time. Delicious food! Generous portions! Prices were fair. Our order came with plenty of sauces and some tortilla chips which was a nice surprise. I would highly recommend this place, looking forward to going again.