Dos Amigos Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Castle Rock

Summary: Clean environment; excellent, properly prepared food; prompt service; employees pleasant, polite, helpful, and efficient; fair prices; No mistakes. Details: I’ve eaten at every Mexican restaurant in Castle Rock, CO, except one that is a franchise. Dos Amigos was my most recent visit. I can say unequivocally that Dos Amigos is the best of the best. Here’s why they deserve a top rating: Upon entering, I was welcomed with a warm smile and helpful attitude. Every person I encountered was pleasant and polite. I liked that the owner interacts with customers and busses tables or runs food when needed. The whole team contributes to efficiency. The business is a sit-down restaurant, but you order at a counter when you enter. You are then given a number flag, so they know where to find you when your food is served. Even if there are several people in line, their process operates smoothly and the wait is minimal – and, I should say, worth it. On my 1st visit I ordered a Chile relleno plate and a tamale. I visited 3 more times, once with my family and once with my son for breakfast. Some places in Castle Rock serve awesome breakfast burritos, but my large (they also have small) burrito at Los Amigos was the best I’ve had anywhere. My family members all raved about their dining experience. Extra points for that! My wife had fajitas. She said her meal was mouth-watering good, and she wants to go back. I ordered margaritas. On every experience, drinks (other than soft drinks which are self-serve) were promptly brought to the table. The wait time for our food was very reasonable, the portions were ample, and the food temperature was perfect in every case. The menu is comprehensive. I found the prices to be competitive with other restaurants in the area. The area around the order desk, dining room and rest rooms were all clean. I observed that tables were cleaned almost immediately after customers left. I liked that the tables in the dining area were spaced well enough to allow conversation and movement within the area – pretty impressive for a small, family-owned restaurant. There was not a single mistake during my entire dining experience over 4 visits (1 breakfast, 3 lunch). I recommend you give Los Amigos a try whether you dine in or take it out. It is my go-to place for...

I have been here twice and was not impressed either time. The first time I bought a shredded beef taco, ground beef taco, and carne asada quesadilla. The shredded beef tasted a little too intense, like they added too much of a certain seasoning when they marinated the beef. The ground beef taco was better, but it didn't do anything to stand out from other Mexican restaurants. The asada quesadilla was the same: not terrible, but I have had much better.

The second time, I ordered a carne asada taco and a carnitas quesadilla with no sour cream and add extra Pico de Gallo. I was told that the quesadillas don't come with sour cream, and the same guy who took my order and told me that brought it out to me with sour cream on the plate (I did dine-in) and didn't say anything. I also got a carnitas taco instead of a carne asada taco.

The green salsa that was given with the quesadilla was actually pretty good, but the brown salsa given with the taco had a really intense smoky flavor to it that I didn't like. The carnitas was okay, albeit dry in some sections of the quesadilla. It didn't have much taste, either. I have had really good carnitas that was super moist and packed with flavor, but this wasn't it.

The two redeeming qualities of this place are that the food is priced pretty cheap (was about $15 the first time and $12 the second time) and it is one of the few restaurants open early in Castle Rock that isn't fast food. For me, these are not enough to save the restaurant, but judging by other reviews a lot of people seem to like this place (it was super busy both times I went as well). I think a much better Mexican restaurant nearby is La Loma, but it doesn't open...

Placed order and asked for it in to go containers because I would take most of it with me after eating. After waiting 15 min and watching people come and go with their food who arrived after me I walked back up and asked the man who took my order if my food was ready. He said no and that he'd bring it to me when it was. I then asked, "in to go containers, right?" He replied yes. Waited another 20 min and return to counter to ask same man who took order that I never received my food and just needed a refund as my lunch break was no over. He said, "oh it's sitting right here!" I said no, I need a refund as I no longer have time to eat now. He proceeds to blame me stating I confused him. I said well you weren't confused the first two times when I placed the order and returned asking about it. He then proceeds to list all the reasons including "we are busy". If this is what they consider busy then that's pathetic. It was 2PM on a weekday with a few to go orders and only one table of people. He proceeded to place blame on me and everything else instead of giving my refund. Also, be aware they do not disclose the hidden 'service fee' when you pay. The only way you see this charge is when you ASK for a receipt print out, zero transparency which speaks volumes. I will never be back and which is too bad as my office is close and had talked this place up to co-workers who order out daily. I shared my experience and now this place is no longer an option for any of us...