Isla Bonita — Restaurant in Bainbridge Island

2 star because the salsa was really good but thats is it. We looked at reviews and decided to try this place. Learn from our mistake DO NOT. When we arrived there was a huge stroller blocking the bench to sit and wait inside. We stood for about 5 minutes before anyone came up front. Told them 4 in our party and we were told a 15 min wait. No problem we will sit outside because the bench is blocked. I noticed atleast 10 empty tables. Maybe due to covid , anyway after 15 min i go back in. No workers around. I call my other 3 outside and said come stand inside so they remember we are waiting. After another 5 minutes we were seated in a table that had been empty and set since we first arrived. I should have left then. We sat and waited 10 minutes then were brought salsa and chips..they were very very good. No menus yet. In fact 15 minutes later we took menus from another table. Should have really left then. Gave them the benefit of the doubt becaus eyou never know whats going on behind the scenes so went ahead and ordered. Tacos al carbon, bean and cheese burrito, pollo asado burrito, and tacos al pastor. 30 minutes to arrive at our table and LOOKED ok i noticed enchilada sauce on the bean and cheese burrito and knew instantly my son wasnt going to eat. Ugh....ill share mine. Then mine was put in front of me with enchilada sauce. I ordered tacos al carbon. So much sauce it wasnt a taco you could pick up. Soggy tortilla. Not sure if they qere trying to use up the sauce and covered everything with it or what. The pollo asado burrito was STUFFED WITH BROCCOLI hmmmmmmmmm. Interesting. Not sure why there was broccoli in a burrito but i do NOT recommend it. It was a waste of 120 dollars and i highly reccommend going somewhere else this is NOT REAL MEXICAN FOOD. This is an BROCCOLI AND ENCHILADA...

A quirky Mexican place with very good service, beautiful Mexican decor & hearty portions of food & cocktails.

On a very rainy late afternoon we hungry bunch searched through most part of Downtown Bainbridge & could not find anything that all 5 of us like. However Mexican is a popular cuisine, among the group, though with a misconception that it is very similar to Indian. We all picked Isla Bonita as our final destination for a late lunch.

The place was almost empty, when we got seated. A complimentary bowl of Nachos, 2 bowls of salsa & a portion of mushroom salsa was enough to stuff ourselves endlessly. One if the best salsa I have had, so was the mushroom salsa. The did ask for a portion of guacamole, which was charged additionally, however the bottomless chips were, just complimentary.

We ordered a Baileys Irish coffee with whipped cream, eduction was warm & delicious on a cold afternoon.

By the time we placed our orders for main, the restaurant was getting full, almost.

I orders a Pollo A La Crema, a chicken dish served with Mexican rice, & some corn tortillas, choice of beans & Salad. You can opt for a flour tortillas if you prefer them against corn.

Already stuffed with the chips, I almost fainted at the huge portion size. My main was a simple strips of chicken sautéed in onions, bell peppers, mushrooms in a light cream. It was garnished with Cojita cheese.

The dish was definitely delicious, went excellent with the rice as well as with the corn tortillas wrap that I made myself.

Such tasty food & huge portions, it was a treat, enjoyed the whole meal & the service, not to mention the complimentary chips & the best salsa ever.

Pro Tip - Go easy on the chips, order a small plate main, or take someone with you to share your main, these guys serve a real mean portion...

Our Bartender Jr was the best I have had in a long time. He took care of the whole bar area food and drinks with a smile at all times. He is fantastic. Now the food was the best I have had in a long time, it came out hot, the chimi changa platter was hot and tasty, my wifes fajitas were awesome and our chicken taquitos were the best I have ever had. The atmosphere is a mix of locals and tourist and everyone was having fun. Everytime we come to Bainbridge we make sure we eat there. The bar area is 21 and over, but there is also a restaurant side so everyone can enjoy this place.

We went back again and there was a bartender that did not work for the restaurant, but was just helping out. There were 4 of us big spenders and we sat at a dirt table that's all there was. and she went off on us. Rude and just so unfriendly it was sickning, I have never been treated like that in any restaurant I've ever been to. I was a manager at restaurant for years and if an employee did that they would of been fired immediately. There are choice words I could say about this individual but will not. We left and unfortunately will not go back. We loved this place but if you have someone helping you that acts like...