Taqueria La Perla Tapatia — Restaurant in California

Ordered take-out for my wife and I. The food we ordered included cheese enchiladas, chicken chili relleno burritos, chili rellenos plate, meat tacos (not sure what those were called), nachos, and flan. I found the food mostly tasteless, as did my wife.

The chili relleno plate included just one, so added two more (for a total of 3) which was another $12. Yet what really concerned me was that the chili rellenos eggs batter was way overcooked (no longer fluffy at all), in fact I could see scored marks on the bottom of them, and there was very little sauce, so nearly dry. The chilies themselves were chewy and did not taste fresh. And the side of guacamole was dark and runny. I've eaten at MANY Mexican restaurants and the these chili rellenos were the worst I've had. The other food was marginally better.

The cost was not cheap. All total we spent nearly a $100 for 5 meals and a dessert. And this place, like many these days, prompts you to tip them after they charge you a take-out fee. We did tip some, but not the suggested amount. And since when did it get acceptable to expect the patron who orders food to-go and then pays a "to-go fee", to expect a tip on top of this? And lastly, considering the prices I expected the restaurant to be a nice family dining experience. It's not. We were thinking of eating their initially, ... so glad we didn't. And "2 stars" was being generous. As for all the 5 stars, these folks must have a lot of family...

I went there tonight with my boyfriend and his daughter. They got carne asada plates (lacking in flavor) and tortilla soup (amazing). I ordered a carne asada street taco (pretty good, a little heavy on the onions), a fish taco (tasted okay, but the toppings drowned out the fish entirely - and I was surprised it wasn't a piece of fried fish, but that's only because I have never ordered a fish taco anywhere before and not gotten fried fish), and the 4 flautas (no idea how those taste).

Here's where the one star review comes in: I pulled up the menu using their posted QR code when I walked in the door, which shows $4.99 for the flautas. When she rang them up, they were almost double at $9.35. I pointed the discrepancy out to the cashier, and she said, "Oh, that's not right, they're $9.35." She did not offer to fix the price (as simple good customer service would be) , so I had her remove them.

Not honoring the lowest marked/advertised price violates California's Business and Profession's Code 12024.2, which states that the correct price of any item is the lowest posted, quoted, or advertised price for which the buyer qualifies (club, coupon, minimum amount purchases, etc.). The store is responsible for removing expired shelf tags and sales signs. If there is a price sticker on the item and it is lower than the shelf price, the sticker or price tag is what the business should consider as the lowest or...

I ordered two “Meat Quesadillas” to go, as listed on the kids’ menu. But when I got home, I realized they had given me the regular “Quesadilla with meat” from the main menu — without the rice and beans that usually come with the kids’ version.

My child really loves rice, so I had to go back and explain the situation. I told the staff I was happy to pay the difference.

The young women at the front counter handled everything in the best possible way — professionally, kindly, and with great customer service. They added the rice and beans to the order without charging me.

Admitting a mistake is already a sign of integrity. But fixing it immediately — that deserves real admiration.

A huge thank-you to the staff. Next time, I’ll be sure to leave a generous tip — just in case one of them covered the cost out of her own pocket.

To the management: hold on to these employees — they’re a big part of what makes your place...