La Palapa Too Mexican Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Columbia

I like Mexican food, though usually it is remarkably bad for my waistline. My diet, wallet and happiness would have been well-served if I had followed the "red alert" klaxon intoned by the grossly overcrowded parking lot and entrance-way. We had plans to meet another couple, so I parked about a football field away, girded my misgivings about the potential for poor service, and wandered inside.

My instincts were correct. Amidst a cheerfully and traditionally adorned smallish dining room in Southwestern decor were (1) several empty tables and (2) A gaggle of easily a couple of dozen unseated patrons. The waiting horde crowded into the dining room proper, which could have been an indicator of an uncommonly good restaurant experience. Could have been...

Perhaps (as my wife contends) through our ill fortune or more likely (as I maintain) through incompetent "front of the house" management, two large parties in front of our group of five had not been seated and could not be seated until an already seated large party of patrons had left and their tables had been "turned." To their credit, the waiters dropped continuous if courteous hints to the languishing diners to conclude their evening and depart. Finally after a seemingly interminable delay, this did occur.

After about 45 minutes (after having been told 20), we were seated at a table that had been vacant the entire time we were standing. Those large groups in front of us had paralyzed the staff, see. The large groups in front of us also contributed to unreasonably slow arrival of menus, drinks, order placement, etc. The food and drinks themselves were fine - solid but unspectacular Tex-Mex, but by the time we finally did eat I was so soured on the experience that I have vowed never to return.

Did I retaliate in the form of my tip? - a little. This is my revenge; thank you...

Authentic Mexican food served in a lively atmosphere. Lots of choices and favorites on the menu. Everyone starts off with ample warm nachos with their homemade salsa that has just the right amount of spicy kick. The bar has all the standards and can mix up some obscure cocktails as well. Portion sizes are decent without being overwhelming. Everything I've had here on my numerous visits has been served nice and hot (well, as far as the hot food goes).

Service is generally quick, but there are times it bogs down, either from unexpectedly large amounts of customers or the occasional missing staff member. Everyone is friendly and accommodating. Menu items can be modified for those who want things just their way. Prices are quite reasonable. Make sure to leave some room after your meal for dessert. The sopapillas are to die for.

Despite being essentially by the corner of the parking lot, they have managed to put in a cozy outside dining area with a nice party atmosphere in which you can really enjoy your meal when the weather is nice. Speaking of parking, the little retail area where the restaurant is located suffers greatly from a lack of available parking, and the traffic paths are a major pain when people are standing in wait of someone to leave in order to get their spot. This retail strip has accumulated a number of popular restaurants and there can be zero available parking at peak dinner hours. It is best to park in the hotel lot across the street when this happens. Even then, the complete lack of parking planning and available space hurts La Palapa Too and every other restaurant and shop in that space....

I went to La Palapa with some friends for the first time tonight. I'll start with the few highlights:

-The horchata was delicious -The margaritas definitely had alcohol in it -The chips and salsa were alright

The bad: -All four parties were greatly disappointed with our meals.

-The frozen margaritas were poorly blended, overpriced for the small size, with giant chunks of ice.

-Three jalapeno seeds do not make a jalapeno margarita.

-There were not enough chips for four people and when we asked for more we received even less than the first time and no salsa.

-The "shredded" chicken burrito was mostly chunks of what tasted like dry flavorless boiled chicken. The "melted" cheese on the top was hard as if it had been reheated.

-the chimichanga did have good sauce, but instead of the beef and chicken being mixed together they were separate entities. It was beef on one half and chicken on the other.

There was very little seafood in the seafood chimichanga. We were unable to locate any crab between all of us. 80% was onions and green onion. Admittedly, it was a mistake ordering a seafood item at a Mexican restaurant.

-The mole enchilada had tortillas straight out of the bag. The enchiladas were entirely chicken on the inside with nothing else. The mole sauce was okay.

The prepackaged mints on the way out was probably the most delicious item of the evening. Will...