Tapatios mexican restaurant — Restaurant in Bemidji

Another new Mexican restaurant in town, first impression very small on the inside probably not a good place to go for a large crowd or big birthday party, I would suggest call ahead for sure if over 5 people. Today was a Friday and we got there at 4:00 pm. It was a good time for today because it started filling up quick by the time we left before 5 there was already 10 people in line extending out the door. We were quickly seated with our chips That were freshly fried, and salsa which was not very chunky but had good tomato flavor with hints of cilantro, next to no heat, which is ok because I was very happy to see they had my El Yucateco Habanero red hot sauce that added great heat and extra flavor. Yummm, We ordered the Choriqueso cheese sauce (queso cheese with chorizo) appetizer, again very good, I ordered a naked tamale but came with taco meat on top, won't get the tamale again, I don't mind the fact that masa was too thick because most of them up north are, my problem is that this particular one had absolutely NO seasoning in the masa, which made it very bland to were even the good amount of meat filling inside could not help it. The taco meat on top was just like you would get at taco johns (disappointing), I'm thinking this is what they put in their tacos as well. So I was not a fan. My plain cheese enchilada was typically good, I order them naked as well so I can add my queso cheese on top. My hubby, got the molcajete fiesta, this was by far the best dish of the evening, full of chicken and beef fajitas, shredded pork (carnitas) chorizo, mushrooms, squash and onions, they forgot the squash but made up for it with all the meat, hubby was very happy, they served this with a side of rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo and heated flour tortillas. Rice and guacamole had little or no flavor, but then the molcajete made up for it. Waiter we had was very good, he did seem to be getting overwhelmed but pulled thru. Would it be worth a 15 person line wait, NO, I would really wait till the crowd subsides before trying. We have had better from other areas up here, but, it was good typical Mexican food. We didn't really think it was anything special, but, Will we go back? Yes of course we will, there is...

For a new Mexican restaurant to try wasn't bad definitely better than Mi Rancho in Bemidji. Getting into the building is difficult unless you come in the back way from KFC. The parking lot was a mess and nobody seemed to know how to park properly. I could see getting in and out being a nightmare on a busy day we were lucky and went during lunch hours.

When you walk inside it seems very small and crowded. I can never see going there with a very large crowd. The floors were extremely slippery so you need to be careful when walking. Definitely does not seem handicap accessible. The inside has a little charm but it seems more like a cafe then it does a restaurant. The restroom was a single one with plenty of room inside. It was definitely clean but it had almost no water pressure or even hot water.

We were waiting on right away and there was very few people in the building. We chose to sit in a booth in the back corner. Our server was extremely nice and helpful.

The chips were good and hot sauce just ok. It was good but nothing over the top or make you want to go back for more.

My husband got the single order of steak fajitas with extra pico, sour cream, and tortillas. When you look at his picture you can see he never got anything extra unless that is their size of extra. He did have to ask for more tortillas because he never got his extra.

My street tacos were good but nothing over the top. The steak was done well but they could have just put seasoning on it. The hot sauce for the street taco had flavor just not hot at all.

Overall it is not a bad place but nothing to write home about. It for sure was not the worst Mexican restaurant but definitely not the best. It was much better than Mi Rancho unless things have changed since the last time we were there. I would recommend going during lunch hour or when not very busy. We would go back if we wanted Mexican...

I don’t know what suddenly changed with this place the last month, but I don’t like it.

I have eaten here probably a dozen times since they opened, and every single time I get the flaming fajitas. Every single time it has been delicious, and I have never been able to finish my entire meal, which is basically a trademark for this type of Mexican restaurant. But 3 times ago, I got takeout for the first time with in store pickup, and the fajitas were just super bland, watered down and soggy. So the second time I got takeout I was hoping it was a one-off mistake. Unfortunately the food was the exact same, and the amount that I actually got was less than half when I dined in. So I figured maybe it was related to the take-out, and that was all. But the next time I dined in, the chips and salsa were both different than what they usually have, and also the menus changed. Not only that, but when I got my fajitas, the quantity was the same as the previous 2 times I ordered take out, and the flavor was bland.

What’s the point of spending $20 on fajitas if you’re not going to be able to get enough to take home leftovers???

All these changes lead me to believe they are transitioning to new managaement or trying to hop on the “shrink-flation” train that so many restaurants have lately. They keep the price the same to keep up the appearance nothing has changed, but the equality and quantity takes a massive hit in order to increase their profit.

I’m going to give it a few weeks and try it again, but if this is actually the new path they are planning on following for the business model, I’m not going to be eating here anymore, and I’ll find a new...