Elviarita’s Cantina & Catering — Restaurant in Benicia

Zero stars. Carne asada was absolutely disgusting. "Manager" tried to hide it under the salad. Our server (she was cool) told us the manager scooped the dregs of the bin into the bowl, and it was obvious because the "carne asada" was nothing but gristle and leather. Not a bit of pink anywhere. It looked like deep fried ground beef. The person who ate a little of it got sick later. Just soaked with grease. So gross.

When Brittany came out to address our concerns, she was amazingly belligerent. Zero customer service skills. She said her server was incorrect, the meat was fine, etc etc. I could not believe she was standing there arguing with us about this. Turns out she was the one who plated up the salad, and she got called out on trying to hide nasty gristle in our order. She sure didn't like that. Things got heated because her attitude was atrocious.

Finally she said we didn't have to pay for anything, so we left. Then she comes out, takes a photo of my license plate, and threatens to call the cops on us for not paying! After she told us to leave without paying!

So I immediately drive to the police station to settle this ridiculous situation. Cops were lovely, and of course I agreed to pay for our bill, minus the disgusting bowl of grease.

She filed an order of trespassing so I'm not allowed back in Elviarita's 🤣🤣🤣 sucks for them, because I was a regular ordering chicken dishes for the last few years. Never had the carne asada though, so never had an issue before.

No big loss, Sandoval's is awesome and the cop who helped me said the cops and firemen all go there anyways. He knew all about Elviarita's manager issues, said they get called to deal with drama there from time to time. Reading these reviews, I can see why.

Good luck with...

Let me start by saying, staff is very nice! Very laid back. Welcoming. Answered all our questions. Great! The food though...not so good. I ordered the 2 chicken taco plate, so it came with rice and beans, and a lemonade. The tacos seemed to have been made the day before, and reheated in the microwave. The fried taco shells were OK, but the chicken was very tough. It was also covered in kinda crusty cheese, so it was like leather. The portion of chicken was quite small and absolutely tasteless. Normally, tacos are piled high with meat (like at Otaez, in Oakland). I felt really cheated. Oh, and there were like (4) strips of chopped lettuce stuffed on top of the tacos. Looked and tasted like an afterthought, as if a line cook said, "Oh, these need some greens," and just chucked some greens on top. They added nothing to the dish. What about chopped tomatoes or avocado? What about all the "fixings" you can (traditionally) add to your tacos? Where were those options? Nowhere to be found 😒 Also, the portions of rice and beans were small. Rice and beans are the cheapest food, so they could have been waaaay more generous with these sides. I must say, though, that both were delish! The rice was light and fluffy. I ate every last grain, and the pinto beans very flavorful. Bottom line: don't order the tacos. Go to Otaez in East Oakland if you want tacos....

*note: how quickly things change. Review below was 4 months ago. Just visited restaurant this week and well the customer service was not the same. Perhaps understaffed is the reason for the below average food presentation, preparation, absence of quality and flavor this time around? The waitress outside seemed bothered when we politely asked if a table was available outside. I think this might be the last time going here. The disorganized method of ordering at the BAR while a one lonesome bartender takes food orders as a longer n longer line forms in the middle of the crowded restaurant, while they're also making cocktails per customer is not efficient nor a comfortable way of ordering for a customer. What happened to this place? Hope improvement is in their future or a call to Gordon Ramsey for help asap.Good luck🍀

4months ago; -Good customer service. Bartender and waitress working hard during busy dinner hours, attentive and professional. Would give 5stars but the food needs a little invigorated recharge in flavor and freshness. It's not authentic Mexican cuisine. As multicultural Mexican American, Spanish and Italian roots, the food is missing those key elements that would push it forward in a positively delicious...