Zapata's — Restaurant in Cody

As a local to Cody my family and I have not been to Zapata’s in years…always been too busy to go. Today we decided to go and now I remember why we will never go there again. The food was extremely overpriced! Our service was a joke, and the place was filthy. The place was not busy by any means on a late Sunday afternoon, however there were about 4 teenage employees just walking around seemingly doing nothing. Multiple dirty tables inside…so we asked to be seated outside…just as messy. We had 3 adults and 4 small children, one who is only 2 yrs old. The menu states all parties 6 or more will be charged an additional $20 service charge. One adult didn’t order anything because the waitress stated they were out of a lot on the menu. So for a total of 5 very small portioned meals (3 of them remember are kids orders) our ticket somehow still added up to over $126.00. My daughter had 2 tacos that were cold and had no meat…only shredded lettuce. When I asked the hostess about our ticket she said there wasn’t anything she could do and would talk to the waitress. After waiting at the counter for 10 minutes another young kid came and said he could help me. He then got a bad attitude with me a said to me that those are the rules and he can’t remove the service charge because it is clearly stated on the menu. I agreed it was on the menus but for a table that had bad service from a waitress who never checked on us, offered refills, pre-bussed the table, and dropped my kids food off his plate when bringing to the table, I was not comfortable with the amount of my bill. He said the good thing about being a tourist is that I would never have to eat here again! I then informed him I was a local and have been for over 20 yrs! He just looked at me and asked how I would like to pay? When I asked to speak to the managers he said they aren’t available….he didn’t even go check. What kind of establishment allows a bunch of cocky teenagers run the place and speak to customers that way. When I asked for adjustments to be made he replied with “ma’am there is nothing I can do…our POS system won’t allow it” UNBELIEVABLE! Worst place to eat in this town by far!!! The owner’s should be embarrassed or put forth some effort into teaching their employees how to talk to people. Tourists or locals! Your costumers should never be treated that way. I use to enjoy going there and have recommended it to many in the past but after today never again!...

We were told all the outside tables were reserved. We sat in the hallway, see pictures. We were told they would have to clean tables to seat us elsewhere. There were two dirty tables nearby. To try to be nice we took the hallway table. We were provided with chips and salsa right away, highlight of the experience. No one came to wait on us, when someone waited on a table behind us, who came in a while after us, my husband went to the hostess stand. The hostess decided to wait on us. She said they didn’t have sangria so I ordered bud light seltzer-black cherry, and my husband ordered a house margarita on the rocks. The margarita came after a while and my husband complained it had no tequila. I hate tequila, so I smelled it. Nothing, I then sipped it, nothing. I drank the virgin margarita. It had no alcohol. Another server herd us and insisted it did. I reiterate, I don’t drink tequila. It had no alcohol. No waitress ever came. Finally the hostess came and took our order. I ordered the special two spinach enchiladas, they were the worst enchiladas I’ve ever had I ate one because I was starving. My husband got the taco salad, which I thought tasted ok, but he said it had no taste. This has to rank up there as one of the worst dining experiences ever. Oh and no one was sat in the reserved tables outside, they were still empty when we left over an hour later. Photos of hallway seating. My hair only got snagged on one lady’s purse. And we we’re almost charged for a vodka tonic because the seltzer wasn’t in the system. We had to ask for a price adjustment. Don’t waste your time. Go to taco johns, the food is at least as good and you can’t get tequila...

I am local to the area. First time there (7/24/21 - 8:20pm). Most locals have a negative opinion of Zapata’s, but I thought we should try it ourselves. Just read the negative reviews and pay attention to the owner’s response. Eat at Michael's Tacos a much better establishment. Zapata’s service was less than stellar. The waitress was rude and inattentive. Had to ask for water at the beginning and silverware after the food was served. The full album Tom Petty music was blaring during the entire meal. The food was anything but authentic. The Chimichanga was a gigantic tortilla with just chicken (bland) and my full order of nachos lacked cheese - very dry. Asked for guacamole & sour cream, got one little blob of each. As you can tell by the photo lots of veggies but little to no cheese. Over heard our waitress tell the customers near our table they were wrong in the amount of food they ordered. She was not professional. Do not go there.

Sheesh! After reading more of the negative reviews the owner sure does not take constructive criticism well. “I have been doing this for 30 years” and will not change her attitude or business approach. Chastising locals for speaking their opinion. “My food gets shipped all over the US … shame on you…” seriously lacking customer relations. It’s reflected in her business model. Prices are steep. She preys on tourists and since they are there and gone she knows her client base will continue changing without issue or consequence. If you don’t believe me watch her response to...