La Bamba Jarocha — Restaurant in Playa del Carmen

My oyster experience at this restaurant was unfortunately abysmal. In my initial order, over five oysters had cracked shells and the entire dish was incorrect. Worse still, the oysters were room temperature, a major red flag for freshness. Disappointed, I sent them back and reordered, hoping for a better outcome. Sadly, the second batch arrived with the same issue - multiple broken shells lurking within. I had no choice but to return them again.

To my dismay, the server dismissed my concerns, claiming that broken shells are "normal" for their oysters and insisting no one had ever complained before. Not once did he offer an apology, leaving me feeling frustrated and frankly, concerned about the restaurant's food handling practices.

On a brighter note, the empanadas were absolutely delicious, showcasing the kitchen's potential. However, the oyster fiasco casts a long shadow over my overall experience.

Important Takeaway: While the empanadas are tempting, I strongly advise against ordering the oysters. Broken shells indicate improper handling, which can pose a health risk. Until the restaurant addresses this issue, it's best to steer clear of this potentially...

Update to previous review - DO NOT GO... They are now ripping off tourists with outrageous prices !! I used to recommend this place, but not anymore after my visit on 4/9/24. Whether it's one employee doing it now, or not, they are now upcharging food for tourists. I order snapper fried whole. A guy (not my waiter) brings out the fish for me to look at it.. I say ok, and ask how much in spanish. He looks confused, and rattles off 500 pesos. Ive order this before, and it was a small snapper which I asked for. I said "verdad?" questioning the price and he said again, 500 pesos. I should have left.. But I said okay. Than a minute later, right in front of me.. I look around, and my waiter is putting my order through the computer.. That guy walks over to him and points and says, No, 500... my waiter looks at him, and he says again.. 500, pesos.. it's 500 pesos... I knew it !! So, this place has lost me as a customer, and quite frankly, I hope they lose enough business to shut down. If you going to pay for overpriced seafood, go to El Pirata.... Also, on top of it all, my fish was WAY OVERFRIED ! ...

My experience at the establishment was regrettable and disappointing. Despite high recommendations, I encountered several issues, including being charged a tourist price and receiving subpar service. The lack of transparent pricing for menu items resulted in an unexpected and disproportionate bill of nearly $500 MXN, roughly $30 USD, for a single fried fish dish without additional sides. Comparable meals at Mexican restaurants in the United States cost significantly less.

Moreover, the quality of the food did not align with the steep pricing. The fried fish lacked flavor and value, unlike similar dishes available elsewhere. Additionally, the highly touted specialties, such as the stone bowl seafood and soup, failed to impress. Excessive use of cheese detracted from the intended flavors, resulting in an unsatisfactory dining experience.

Regrettably, my visit culminated in an unpleasant aftermath, as I experienced gastrointestinal discomfort for two consecutive days post-meal. Considering these factors, I cannot in good conscience recommend this...