Santana's — Restaurant in Eden

First, I want to say I have wanted to go to this restaurant for a long long time, and was really excited that we finally had the chance to do it.

We went here for lunch yesterday. So weird, the Google says they open at 12:00 noon for lunch and we were there before 12:30 and they were already crowded.

If you've never been here before, you need to be aware this is also where Oakhurst Country Club is and their swimming pool.

Parking was almost non-existent, which was really bad considering that we needed a handicapped spot and had to park all the way on the right side of the building, where we finally found one.

We did not see anything labeled handicapped entrance, so with great difficulty we climbed up the stairs to get into the restaurant. It wasn't until we were to leave that we saw that there was actually an outside entrance for handicapped, but with so few spaces, and so many people in the pool, there wasn't a handicap spot to be had.

There needs to be more handicap parking.

It is either that, or some kind of ramp system in front of the restaurant or something on the right hand side of it needs to be installed.

As I said, it was extremely busy. It took our server Jeremiah a really long time before he was able to come and take our order.

Weird, in other Mexican restaurants that we've been to, when they give you two bowls for salsa to go with the homemade chips (which were really good), one of those bowls usually gets a more spicier salsa than the other. Here they didn't do that, they just put the same salsa in both bowls, it was good though.

Jeremiah was able to let us to use the Lunch Menu, even though according to the main menu they only do lunch menus Monday through Friday but can do other times for an extra dollar for the meals, we really appreciated him being able to do that.

At one point, after finishing the first basket of chips, we asked if we were going to be getting our dinner any time soon, the response was unfortunately that they are really really busy and there's people upstairs eating too, and will get us our meal as soon as it was possible.

That was the second point we almost walked out of there.

I almost wish we did walk out.

We finally got our meals, and we both got the fajitas - steak for myself and shrimp for my husband, the food was so not worth the wait.

The presentation of food was great, but although the portion size was good, the steak was very poor quality meat, and the shrimp was kind of rubbery.

It came with two tortillas each, and of course the Spanish rice, beans, and the fixings for the fajitas, and all of that was really good.

As as near as I could tell there's only one (and it's one person at a time) restroom that is for both men and women and it was handicapped. It was very nice and well appointed. It would appear at least one more restroom would be in order.

The atmosphere of the restaurant itself was pretty neat - it was decorated well, there were several TVs, and I think there was music too.

Anyway, when we checked out, and I was asked how everything was, for the first time in a very long time, I actually said it was okay.

Here's a couple of pics of our food.

I did give our server Jeremiah a 20% tip anyway. It wasn't because of the food, it wasn't because of the atmosphere, it was because I felt really bad for him to have to take care of so many people, and figured a lot of people wouldn't tip very well because they had to wait so long for their meals.

I understand that it is so hard to get enough staff to run an establishment these days, and am sure the restaurant is trying to get more help, and their staff should be commended for their efforts. But until they do get more staff, maybe they should limit the eating to the main dining room and close off the upstairs.

Anyhow, would I recommend going to this place, probably not, I would not go there again, and I'm not sure how Trip Advisor could rank them as # 3.

Next time we would like Mexican, we plan on trying the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant also in Eden, NC.

Take care,...

Great family friendly place, I'd say they have the best tacos of any mexican resturant In Eden, Nc . Have a picky family member that doesn't like mexican food? No worries here at santanas they pride themselves on great American food also, Burgers,Hot wings, country vegtibles, hamburger steaks etc . More importantly the price point Is great, and I, as well as my family( wife,son, and daughter) all enjoy eatting at santanas. Give it a try if you haven't, Probably one of the top three restaurants In Eden .

UPDATE 10/16/2020 Terrible experience on a friday after work, all I wanted was a redoak and some chicken tacos Asked a male worker In the parking lot was the bar open, he said not till 5 o'clock. Struck me odd considering it wasn't like that a week ago visiting. Keep In mind I visit multiple times a month, no big deal, go thru the front door the greeter asked me where Id like to sit, I said whats available? She said anywhere so I asked for the bar, She sits me In the bar, the male worker comes In scalds the girl In Spanish for sitting me In the bar, saying it was only 1 waitress for the whole restaurant. He doesn't ask me to move, but still she didn't deserve that. I immediately didn't fill welcome . I never sit anywhere but the bar area. I order my redoak and a chicken soft taco supreme just trying to get in and out, they bring me a beef soft taco supreme, I told them it was wrong, they offered to make it up but I just felt unwelcome, So I chugged my beer and hit the road. Long story short I wont return . Rockingham county has an abundance of mexican restaurants, redoak Is best on draft, but I pick up a 6 pack for a little more than a pint at foodlion, so Santanas can take their tacos and redoak and put it where the sun don't shine !!! This guy drinked my...

We had a baby shower there in a private room Saturday, September 1, 2018. Manny was the server for the room, of 50+ people! He was EXCEPTIONAL! He never gave the impression that he was hurrying, taking each order personally, adding on things from around the room (and remembering to whom they belonged!) I was the photographer and mostly up and around. Not only did I come back, and my food was place in a to go box for me, when I lost my check, he replaced it easily. He was trying to catch a break before working also a night shift party, yet took his time ringing us up (food was great- rice perfect, broccoli also PERFECT as was our entree'!) ALL the staff was smiling, holding doors,...