Casa Balbina Mexican Cuisine & Pancake House — Restaurant in Center Township

My Wife and I were looking for a place to take our Granddaughter and Grandson for dinner. My wife has Ciliacs and has to eat gluten free. Many Mexican meals are naturally gluten free so we opted for Casa Balbina. Upon arriving on a late Saturday afternoon we found a mostly empty dining room. We were promptly greeted and shown to our table. Our server was quick to ask if we would like to order some beverages. We noticed that a portion of the dining room was set up for a fairly large party. Soon several tables were prepared with warming tables and food. On cue several people started arriving and it became apparent that there would be a birthday celebration. I only mention this because our service and server remained on point with our little party of 4. On to the food. Each person in our group had a different entree. Everyone enjoyed their meal. It was delivered hot and the presentation was excellent. Ingredients were very fresh, portion sizes were more than adequate. My Wife and the Grandchildren decided they had room for dessert, I had my fill with my Loaded Burrito. The desserts looked great and according to the family equally delicious. You need to understand that this is not a high class restaurant but it was clean, nicely decorated and comfortable. If you’re looking for an excellent dining experience with a friendly atmosphere and staff at a very reasonable price then this...

The service was great, the atmosphere was great and the restaurant was very clean, however the food was terrible. The food is not authentic. It's a western spin on Mexican food. My wife and I ordered 3 tacos(carnitas, el pastor, and shrimp) and a ground beef buritto. The tacos were extremely greasy, and the meat quality was extremely cheap. The tortias were soaked in grease and flavorless, something you would find in a high school cafeteria. The al pastor taco was uneatable. The burrito was filled with wet sticky rice, something that is common amongst novice cooks, improperly cooking the rice. The meat was dripping with grease, and it was all flavorless. I feel sorry writing this review because the service was honestly excellent, the atmosphere is very nice and welcoming, and whoever owns the restaurant is very cleanly. However, to put it bluntly, it feels like they hired a chef that has never cooked before. My wife and I are not very picky with our food, and most of the time, if a restaurant is okay, it sits at 6 or 7, but this food was straight...

I've been a regular at Casa Balbina since they opened in the spring, and I can't say enough good things about the staff and service. One waitress in particular, Brenda has always made my dining experience exceptional.

Brenda's attentiveness is top-notch. She always makes sure I have everything I need and checks in on me with a smile. What sets her apart is her incredible memory for past orders. It's amazing how she remembers my preferences without me even having to mention them.

Not only is Brenda great at her job, but she also has a fantastic sense of humor. She adds a touch of fun to every interaction, making the dining experience even more enjoyable.

I highly recommend Casa Balbina, and if you have the chance, be sure to ask for Brenda as your waitress. She will go above and beyond to make your...