I've been a loyal fan of La Taqueria for some time, having visited the restaurant three times now. As someone who's lived in both Arizona and Colorado for over a decade and traveled extensively in Mexico, I consider myself to be quite well-versed in authentic Mexican cuisine. In Vancouver, where authentic taco spots are few and far between, La Taqueria has always stood out to me for its quality.

However, after my most recent experience, I will not be returning.

First off, La Taqueria's prices have always been on the higher side, but this last visit was a breaking point. I never imagined I'd pay $9.50 for a single taco, but it felt justified for a special celebration with my partner. That was, until we walked in and noticed a change. There was a sign at the entrance indicating that orders had to be placed at the counter. When I asked the cashier about this, they explained it was a permanent change made by management to "increase efficiency."

We ordered two drinks, chips and guac, and four tacos. The bill came to $85, and I was then prompted to tip 18%, 20%, or 25% for what was essentially self-service. While I empathize with staff who rely on tips, I was shocked at being asked to tip nearly 20% for no table service—other than food being brought to the table, there was no interaction. To make matters worse, the restaurant had hired a DJ for the evening, which made me wonder why they were investing in entertainment but cutting down on customer service.

I understand that times are tough for restaurants, but it seems like La Taqueria is focusing on maximizing profits while minimizing staffing and guest experience. It felt like a money grab—charging premium prices for a casual dining experience and still asking customers to tip heavily. For nearly $100, I expected much more than what felt like a glorified fast-food experience.

The food is excellent, and I won't deny that. But after this experience, I cannot justify coming back to La Taqueria, where the service model feels exploitative both to customers and staff.