Don Diego's Restaurant — Restaurant in Terrace

We have lived in Terrace for several years and have watched this restaurant steadily decline in quality. When we mentioned this to friends, they all agreed and told us that the place has been under new management for about 3 years and is no longer as good as it used to be. We went again recently and will not go back. The service was poor - the waitress who took our order came back about 10 minutes later to ask us if she had taken our order! We then waited for a good 35 minutes. Eventually the food came. It was very disappointing. Apart from the usual boring heap of potato mash (how about a different side for a change?!) the ribs tasted like they were boiled; the chicken was rubbery and lacked flavor. No one came to ask us if everything was ok. Canadians are excellent at doing meat on the barbecue. Anyone could have done better than what we were served. We asked to speak to the chef, and initially were told, sorry, too busy. When he did materialize he wasn't very cordial, the first words out of his mouth being "what's wrong with the chicken?" Did he know? We voiced our concerns whereupon he became upset, told us to leave and not come back. How is that for accepting criticism? This place is still dining out on a reputation it had years ago. Also the lack of choice in local restaurants together with the influx of people into the area ensures that Don D. is busy every night but that is not because of the great food. Maybe the desserts are good but when you have a bad main course, you just want to leave, never mind ordering dessert. We know that locals do not think this place is as good as it used to be. Don Diego - it is time to face up to reality and brush up, not only on your cooking skills and service, but also on your attitude. You'd be dead in a...

Okay, Terrace, seriously, if you haven't been to Don Diego's yet, you are doing yourself a disservice. I just had an experience there that was genuinely five-star, and I'm still thinking about it!

First off, let's talk about the incredible feat I witnessed: there was essentially one server running that entire place – front of house, taking orders, serving, everything – all by herself (aside from the kitchen, of course!). And she was absolutely amazing and incredibly attentive. She handled everything with grace and a smile, making sure everyone felt taken care of. You just don't see that kind of dedication often. Even the cook came out to check on things, which was a great touch and showed how much they care.

The food itself? Oh my goodness, it was absolutely delicious. You could taste how fresh everything was, which makes such a difference. I loved the assortment of hot sauce on the table, giving you options to customize your spice level. My crab-stuffed chicken dish was fantastic, bursting with flavor and clearly made with care.

But, and prepare yourselves for this, the real, undeniable winner of the night was the banana cake. I am not exaggerating when I say this was absolutely the greatest cake I have ever had in my entire life, and I'm 44. It was moist, perfectly sweet, and just pure heaven. And it wasn't just a sliver – it was a MASSIVE piece! In fact, the only downside to this entire restaurant experience was how sore my stomach was afterward, because I literally couldn't stop eating the cake! I kept telling myself, "just one more bite," until it was nearly gone.

Don Diego's isn't just a meal; it's an experience. Incredible fresh food, phenomenal service, and a banana cake that will haunt your dreams (in the best way possible)....

We booked Don Diego’s for our wedding welcome party after previous good experiences here. Unfortunately, the experience was an absolute embarrassment and ruined the night before our wedding.

We were reassured repeatedly by the owner that if we filled the restaurant (which we did), we would have it to ourselves between 7:00 and 7:30. Instead, when our guests arrived, the place was packed — including a table of 14+ people. Only two servers were working, so service was beyond dismal. My elderly family members waited over an hour for a glass of water. The bridal party was literally bussing tables, and the bride herself had to hand out chips just so people had something to eat while they waited.

By 9:30 pm, the bride and groom still hadn’t received food. They had to ask for it to-go and leave their own welcome party hungry while most of their guests were still sitting without meals. This is not just poor service — it’s completely unacceptable.

When the father of the groom tried to negotiate (at the very least) free chips, removing the $35/plate charge the owner had previously insisted on, or dropping the automatic gratuity, the only concession she made was letting go of the $35/plate charge. She still charged the regular menu rate — which, considering the abysmal service, is wildly overpriced.

The truth is simple: the food is good but overpriced, and the owner is greedy. This place used to have a good reputation, but it’s gone completely downhill. Don Diego’s is not just badly run — it’s a reflection of an owner who values squeezing every dollar over honoring commitments, hospitality, or basic human decency.

Save yourself the disappointment. Terrace...