La Buena Vida — Restaurant in Cary

I am utterly disappointed in this place. I have wanted to come here to visit for a long time to check them out. I love Mexican food. It was so excited to go in and try. I got there at around 1:30 PM on a Saturday. There were three different parties in front of me and they seem to be a little overwhelmed when they came in so I was being patient told him no rush to sit us. I did tell them there were four of us and one of those needed to be a highchair. The waitress came back. She said us next to a large party, which was totally fine. We had to set my grandson in a chair instead of the highchair because even though I asked four times we didn’t get it till almost being there 20 minutes. When we finally got somebody to come and talk to us, we were quick to make sure that we gave her our entire order because she did look like she was busy. This whole time I’m trying to be patient and understanding that this is going on. We gave our order I asked for more salsa because we only got one bowl and I ordered cheese dip. I ordered a drink from the bar. My daughter-in-law ordered a drink from the bar and we ordered two nonalcoholic drinks eliminated a Mountain Dew for the kids. No one ever came back. I waved down one guy who I asked for more salsa and more chips he brought one thing of salsa and chips. However, I asked him to bring more. He agreed that he would but still ignored us. We waited and waited, watching every single table around us. Get all of their drinks get all of their food, watching the waiters and waitresses constantly check on them, but not us. After close to an hour without having any of this we left I went and told them we left they apologized, but I don’t even think they really cared. It’s pathetic that this is the way our customer service has gotten to, and there was no reason for them to single out our...

From the moment we walked into La Buena Vida, we knew we were in for something special. The elegant decor sets the perfect tone for a memorable dining experience—chic, yet welcoming, with just the right ambiance to make you feel at ease. Our server, Dustin, was exceptional. His enthusiasm and knowledge about the menu really stood out. He was attentive without being overbearing, and made sure to keep us well-informed throughout the meal. Most importantly, Dustin took extra care to alert the kitchen about my tomato allergy, which I truly appreciated. Let’s talk about the food and drinks—wow. Each dish was crafted with such attention to detail, and every bite left us wanting more. The Mango Colada was a tropical dream, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess. Paired with the Casamigos Margarita, which was smooth and refreshing, we were off to a fantastic start. The Agave Chicken Tacos were a standout. The chicken was tender and full of flavor, while the agave glaze gave it a sweet, slightly smoky finish. Every bite felt like a taste of summer. The Queso Dip was a perfect starter—creamy, rich, and ideal for dipping the house-made tortilla chips. For the main course, the Grilled Chicken Chimichanga was a hearty delight. Crispy on the outside, with juicy, flavorful chicken on the inside, it came with just the right balance of spices to keep things exciting without overwhelming the palate. And the drinks? Wow. The bartender really knows her craft. Each cocktail was so deliciously balanced that I half-jokingly told my boyfriend I wanted to take her home with us -seriously, the drinks were that good. Overall, La Buena Vida exceeded all expectations. Great food, top-notch service, and a warm atmosphere. Whether you're looking for a casual bite or a special night out, this...

I hear the food is good. I wouldn’t know. Went there today with my partner and sister-in-law and were seated in a small section practically on top of several larger parties (one was a large birthday gathering), and more came in and sat nearly on top of us. The music was at a level that one could be forgiven for mistaking it for a club on a Saturday night, rather than a restaurant on Saturday afternoon. We ordered drinks after sitting for close to ten minutes (ladies got alcohol, I ordered a coke), as well as a white cheese dip. After sitting for ten more minutes, the alcohol came out (not great, according to my companions), and our server, seemingly just remembering my Coke, promised it would be right out. Ten more minutes went by, during which someone who wasn’t our server brought out the cheese dip that looked like it had sat on the counter for half an hour before coming out to us. Still no Coke. All of a sudden, the already deafening music that forced all the patrons sitting on top of one another to shout their conversations got even louder as a round of birthday drinks came out to the large birthday party. Fun! Still no coke. I’m pretty thirsty at this point from the chips and lukewarm lumpy cheese dip, so I decided I was done. I left and told my spouse to text me when ready for a ride. She texted me back that they were getting the check and leaving as well, and when the server came over to see what they wanted and where I had gone, there was STILL no Coke.

I get being busy, I get maybe being short-staffed. But maybe a restaurant should focus less on fun and more on the point of a restaurant: food service. I don’t know what this place is like on other days, and I never will. If you’re looking for a party, you’re in luck, even if it’s not for you. If you’re looking for good food service,...