CK’s Cantina & Grill — Restaurant in Dallas Township

Just my opinion…but never, ever go to CK’s Cantina & Grill on a Friday night. Let me start with the good. I’ve been to CK’s several times including tonight, the first two were excellent. Great food, first class service, cold beer and the glass was never empty. (Let me also mention that the first two times were during the week on somewhat off-hour times, say 2pm.) Last night though (Friday night, 6pm), TOTALLY DIFFERENT experience. Does a Friday night versus a weekday really make that much difference?? Other than a longer wait, usually not, at least not at other places I’ve been to for dinner on a Friday. And it wasn’t like the place was buzzing to the brim. There were a number of available tables for seating, no one was waiting in line to be seated or standing outside waiting to come in and the place seemed to have plenty of servers and waitresses on hand. There were only four of us, my son, my father, my wife (who I had been bragging this place too…you have to go, great place, excellent food, and on and on) and myself. We go in, get a table, waitress shows up, order some drinks, chips and salsa, so far so good. Little did I know it was going to be all downhill from there. The drinks come out, cold and tasty. Then the chips show up, lame and tasteless (I have fresher, tastier week-old chips in my pantry at home). But hey, sometimes even Styrofoam will do when you’re hungry and having a cold one. Now the trick is, how do you eat chips tactfully without a plate and napkin…very carefully. Mr. Server, Ms. Waitress, can we get some utensils and napkins please? Sure, ok. Wait, wait, wait, oh look, here comes our food. Ms. Waitress may we please have some utensils and napkins, our food is here? I’ll get some right away. Here’s two sets, its all we have wrapped right now. (REALLY? It’s Friday night, your busiest night and all you have “wrapped right now” is two sets…) We’ll take the two and whatever you don’t have ‘wrapped’. My dad got the tacos, not impressed, “I get better tacos at Taco .…”. My Enchiladas were ok, nothing to write home about, BUT I was annoyed by the THREE people who stopped by the table asking if they could “get my plate out of my way” while I was still eating from it. Finally, I just had to say, “FOR THE THIRD TIME, NO!” (They must have got the message because no one came back, my son thought it was funny, I didn’t think so.) And he said the chicken wing Quesadillas were ok. The wife got a steak chimichanga, not impressed. The steak had more of a BBQ flavor to it than Mexican and apparently you can get them “dry” or “wet”, dry meaning with Parmesan Cheese sprinkled on it (YUK! We’re eating Mexican here, not Italian. I’ve NEVER had to request or even knew they had a wet and dry version, they just always brought me the “wet” version which I sincerely enjoyed my other two visits, who knew.) The waitress stopped by for her courtesy, “how is everything?” My wife expressed her disappointment with her meal and I guess they’re just use to that because nothing was done to fix it and the next time we saw her was when she stopped by with the bill and asked if we needed any to go boxes…BEFORE my son and I were even done with our meals, so much for another drink or dessert and so much for staying there any longer…packed up, payed the bill and left. Never again on a Friday. And there were still empty tables and no one waiting in line on our way out. No idea what happened, but if I ever go back it certainly won’t be on a Friday, I’ll stick to the weekday off-hour times and enjoy myself…terrible experience. (PS. The ladies room had no toilet paper in it and when the staff was informed, they said I’ll let them know…not sure who ‘them’ is but we suggest everyone carry a tissue with them as well if attending on a Friday...

On a Tuesday afternoon I needed lunch, fast food need not apply. Since it had been a long time, I tried CK's again. Overall, they did not disappoint. Now, would I call it authentic? IMHO, no. I'd lean toward southwestern. But the food is solid, and the prices are decent. They have quite a collection of tequilas, and other selections available from the bar. I tried the house margarita, the bartender made it wonderfully, and I loved the iridescent purple sugar on the glass rim. So pretty! It's the little things! I don't usually use other business names in reviews to be fair, but for those of you who are missing Chili's now that they are no longer in Wilkes-Barre, get to CK's and try the chicken tortilla soup... I'd swear it was Chili's recipe and I love it! I also had chicken street tacos with the sides of beans and rice that came with them. I thought the chicken was lacking, and the beans were bland. I finished everything regardless, the salsas added to the dishes. The patio wasn't open at that time, but it definitely seemed like it would be relaxing outside. (My only problem was that the door was open[good], but someone let their diesel engine idle nearby and all the exhaust filtered right into the place[bad]... please post a sign if this continues!) Another small suggestion- mix up the music a bit. I'll admit I was thoroughly enjoying the pop/dance stuff that was on, but you know, too much of a good thing... I've had so much classic rock shoved down my throat I've actually left places that stick with it. I know people who feel the same about pop, country, etc. I'd also wonder if there's another option for ALL those plastic portion cups for sauces, just put the salsas/condiments on the food instead, or have some decorative crocks that can be washed. I can't imagine the number they go through in just a day(don't look good on the plate either). Anywho, thanks for reading about my "complaints" but if anyone needs me I'll probably be on their patio with a mojito, and trying one of the loaded up chili dogs...

First time being there with the wife. Where do I start, walk in service to be seated immediate, sit down immediate service, so we order our drinks Waiter brings them quickly. Order food and it's at our table in under 10 minutes. If you want to go somewhere in the Dallas area and want a quick eat CK's is perfect. Now we went there on a Thursday night and it was sorta slow, but I'm sure a Friday and or Saturday would be busy especially in the summer. Overall drinks, I had a Corona, wife had death by chocolate and loved it, she had the hoagie wrap w/fries and she loved it, I had the burrito bowl and it was big and filling. Service was excellent, food was promt, overall was a perfect first time there and will be back next time with a group of friends. Support local small businesses, not chain stores it's places like CK's who strive in local...