El Jaripeo — Restaurant in Culpeper

Monday night dinner, party of 4. Everyone loved and ate all of their primary meal components. Might have been a little beans and rice left on a plate. So, food is good for a fair price.

We weren't digging the atmosphere for some reason, hard to explain why and they could use a bit of updating, but everything was there that you need including stocked soap and paper towels with no touch dispensing in the bathrooms, which are fairly clean.

When we arrived there was a long set of tables that clearly had a large group eating at them recently and they were very cluttered with crumbs. Understandable, but not what you want to see walking in the door. Took them a while to clean it up too, and when the person did, it wasn't the most logical or sanitary way to clean. Just a cloth towel to wipe/gather up the food debris, I didn't see anything for sanitizing but may have missed that even though I sat facing it the entire meal. I just found it to be illogical and not a great way to clean those tables. I would have a bench scraper or a little broom and pan for the chunks, then come back with some Lysol wipes on the table surface and chairs.

Speed of the food and service was a bit slower than other Mexican places who seem to have the food out so fast you have to wait to order for a while if you want to sip a cocktail before eating. Had we wanted cocktails, the wait for the food would have been about right. There were plenty of servers, so maybe it was that attention to detail in the kitchen that seems a touch slow. But they got...

GLORIOUS!!!

I was just driving down the road in search of ice coffee, when I saw this place boasting "authentic Mexican food". We'll see about this... I was greeted and served immediately. Within 15 seconds I had chips, salsa and a glass of good-tasting water in front of me. The menu was deep and wide, and included a rare gem... the elusive Chori Pollo! The food was served within 8 minutes of ordering, and was served on a plate hot enough to fry eggs on. The chori pollo was tasty - a flavor combination that delicately balanced both meats, with the cheese presenting the perfect catalyst of trifecto Heaven. The beans were perfect (not the gray watered-down rendition that the unaware cannot discern), the rice was light and fluffy, yet not dry at all. The warm flour tortillas were fresh and spongy. The salsa kicked a little compared to typical Virginian tastes, but was flavorful and unique. The chips were fresh and strong enough to hold my practice of mixing beans, rice and salsa. The restrooms were immaculate, the atmosphere was charming, and the staff welcomed me into their Chori Pollo family as if I was raised with them. I ordered two more servings to bring to my family, despite a long drive home, because this was just that good. Where else could I secure three amazing meals for less than $40??? Nowhere else. This was truly a GLORIOUS meal!!! I...

SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES HERE ARE AWESOME Unfortunately some of them are also very inconsiderate.. I ordered my food over the phone they told me about 25 minutes.. That was perfect and about the time I got there.. I walked in and waited around 10 minutes before someone even knowledged me (Keep in mind I was standing at the register and they were not busy at all).. They told me my food would be ready in 5 minutes.. That kind of upset me because again they were not busy and I ordered my food 35 minutes earlier.. I sat there and waited about 15 more minutes then asked about my food again and was ignored.. That really bothered me and another 10 minutes pasted before I was able to get anyone's attention.. That person told me a couple more minutes.. I ordered over the phone and was told 25 minutes and now I been in the store for 35 minutes now and my food still is not done.. Finally another 10 minutes later I recieve my bag. A total of 80 minutes after i orgionally called them.. This is unacceptable and very unprofessional.. Be truthful with the time frames that way people are not stuck sitting here waiting almost a hour for the food that was supposed to be ready in 5 minutes. The food is good for the most part.. They just lack professionalism and do not care if we sit there for a hour waiting.. Sadly I will never...