Esmeralda's Café — Restaurant in Durham

THE WORST!! I came to NC from Boston to scope the area. I'm planning to relocate. I walked in with my service dog, (vest on her clearly identifying her as a service dog) sat down and immediately approached by a waiter that dogs are not allowed. I repeatedly told them she's a service dog and the law allows her to be in any establishment. Her response "it doesn't matter, we don't allow dogs" I told her it's the law! I sat there going back and forth arguing, mind you the entire restaurant is staring at me. She said let me tell the manager because he's the one who said dogs aren't allowed. 20 min later, he comes out.. "dogs are not allowed" he asked me to show him the paperwork to prove it. OMG!! I said you have no right to ask me for paperwork, nor will I provide it. I educated him and said "You're allowed to ask me 2 questions ONLY. .. is she a service dog and what service does she provide. They gave up and said "OK.. whatever" basicly to shut me up. The owner needs to educate their employees because I've NEVER been so embarrassed in my life or had such an experience like this. I'll be sure to share my experience on every platform &...

My husband and I stopped in for lunch last week while we were waiting for new tires at Costco. We had a lot of extra time to kill besides what it would take to do the shopping and we didn't want to eat the junk at Costco. We started out walking to some barbecue place a couple of blocks away but I saw that Esmeralda's was right there and thought we should go there instead.

We're very glad we did! It's a simple, unassuming family-run business and both the service and the food were great. I ordered enchiladas and was pleasantly surprised to get a Honduran (I think) version that is very different from the wrapped Mexican ones but that were very good. The food was fresh, balanced and light but very satisfying. We also had some key lime pie for desert which was delicious but, having grown up in south Florida, I think could have had just a bit more lime to really nail it.

I'd like to see the decor maybe a little more coherent and less kitschy but it was a casual, comfortable atmosphere and I'm looking forward to going back next time we...

Made me feel very out of place. Stood in line he took 3 others order. when it was time for me to order he got on the phone went to the back didn't say I be with you or it will take a couple mintues, nothing. After standing in line for about 8 to 13 mintues being the only customer waiting to order food. Finally he took my order I wanted to order sweet tea instead he insisted I get soda twice, I told him I have the money to pay for sweet tea he then said something ina native language to one of the employees then said ok do you want sweet or unsweetened I told him sweet twice and nicely. He still gave me unsweetened tea. Really felt discriminated against in that Cafe. I hope he enjoyed what he did, that was not professional i would go to the news station about what happen but im not going to do that because I will not let one spoil apple ruined...