El Cazador — Restaurant in Appomattox

My wife and I visited El Cazador for lunch today. It was disappointing. We got a bad server. A different server dropped off chips and salsa and said, "Your server will be right with you." She wasn't. She didn't take our order until a gentleman who had walked in after us had been served his meal at another table by an attentive server. The meal was then slow coming out from the kitchen. It was cool--it had been sitting. A different server finally brought it, but my meal was incomplete--the tortillas were missing. Our server had returned to the floor, so we tried to get her attention. She shifted slightly to hide from our view. I finally got up and asked her, face-to-face, if I had misunderstood the menu or if my tortillas were missing. At this point a manager overheard and, essentially, took over our service. The tortillas came out in 30 seconds, and I was able to eat. My meal--a spicy shrimp dish, Camarones a la Diabla, which I had enjoyed there before--had been ruined by too much scorpion pepper or ghost pepper sauce. I do not know if that version I'd had before or today's version was correct, but I enjoy very spicy food, and I cannot imagine many Virginia residents wanting to be surprised by ghost pepper flavor, a flavor much hotter than the hottest jalapenos or habaneros. The pico de gallo and the other vegetables were fresh, the portion size was generous, and my wife's spinach quesadilla was surprisingly good. But our one-course lunch had been ruined by exceptionally poor service, and one of the two entrees was spiced to the point that few could tolerate it, let alone enjoy it. After a 75-minute one-course lunch, we departed.

In the past El Cazador has been better, and the manager was very apologetic (although she offered nothing tangible in compensation). Most of the service staff is better, and I'll avoid this dish in the future if I return. But today's visit was outright bad, among my worst restaurant visits of recent years.

Management: if you read these reviews, the courtesy of an explanation is requested. I addressed these issues at checkout--you've had time to investigate...

First time customer, me and my wife stopped in to try Mexican cuisine. At the door was a special advertised as king Kong burrito. I ordered this special because I was so hungry. Me and my wife was served chips and salsa and let me tell you they was very good. When my order came it was 🔥hot. I hate being served cold food. This burrito was delicious. The meats inside with the flavoring was to die for. Chicken, beef, shrimp rice with green peppers, onion and black beans ... ahhhh it was divine. Pic in description shows how big it was. I could not finish. I managed to eat 3/4 of it. Compliments to the chef. Real Mexican food that has flavor!

Had to get that king Kong burrito again, my wife had the OMG nachos and she was saying how delicious the nachos tasted. We stoped in Sunday July 7th, as always that burrito was superb. Seasoning and always served hot. I was so full by the time I finished that burrito. I love this restaurant! Super waitress and waiters polite and taking care of refills. Always welcomed there. I believe it was the owner that even came by to ask if everything was ok with our meal. I believe this restaurant will be around a long time. Gotta try other meals they prepare but that burrito is calling my name. Definitely...

Me and my fiancée went here a few weeks back for lunch. When we arrived there was a small, hairy, man about 2'5" dressed in small purple and green robes with a brilliant wizards hat adorned with yellow stars all over standing at the entrance. When i went to the door i asked if he would please move aside to which he responded that he would only move aside if i "answered his riddles three." Puzzled i agreed to this battle of wit if only to allow us passage into the sacred restaurant. His first question was "have i accepted christ as my lord and savior" to which i responded that i havent. A smile crept out of his wrinkled face as he produced a pamphlet in his hands eagerly handing it to me. He began talking on and on about how important it was that i accepted him as soon as possible, However, as i skimmed the pamphlet i noticed something more sinester at play. This was no ordinary missionary eager to spread the word of god. It was a Jehovah's Witness. As soon as i realized this i ran as fast as i could back to my car with my fiancee in tow. The small man yelled for us to come back as he still had two riddles for us. I was able to resist the urge to go back and luckily got away. I wasnt able to actually eat here but that food sure...