Por Favor El Cajon — Restaurant in El Cajon

Avoid this place if you want quality food, decent service, and an accurate bill! Went with our family on Saturday for a late special lunch after a dance recital at the Magnolia Theater, while the art walk was happening. The lunch and service were anything but special. We were "served" and I use this term loosely, by Slyvia. No smile, no greeting, abrupt, and once the food was brought out by a runner, no other contact, whatsoever. We asked and then proceeded to wait for the bill while she acknowledged, then ignored us, until we finally just stood at the register. It appears from the two other reviews from the same day, that this was how everyone was treated. Our food was not great either, unfortunately. Very little spice, lousy salsa, and taquitos that tasted like fish! After finally getting the bill, which was really pricey for the food received, we reluctantly left a tip of $10, which was indicative of the poor service, and generous for the way we were treated. Really didn't want to tip at all, but assuming the tips are shared, the food was brought out by someone else, and the bad service and food, wasn't their fault. Fast forward to today, as I was going through my credit card charges, my total was now an additional $10 more than my included tip! "Someone" literally stole $10 more for a bigger tip than was given! We were furious, so we went back to the restaurant today, and there was Sylvia. Asked her to speak with a manager about about being overcharged, and she reached into her book and took out $10 cash! The whole experience was terrible. It made our special lunch unpleasant, and as residents of El Cajon, embarrassed for picking the restaurant for our family. Lousy service is wrong, and shouldn't be rewarded with a nice tip, but stealing from a customers credit card should not be tolerated by...

We used to enjoy this restaurant frequently prior to the pandemic. Beautiful outdoor seating, suburb food and engaging service. As with so many other things there has been a definite change since the pandemic. If you enjoy plain diced tomatoes similar to canned as salsa - no salt, no ,jalapenos, onions, cilantro, or lemon or lime seasoning you will enjoy the salsa. If you enjoy stale (as if prepared early morning) chips cold and without seasoning - then enjoy, If you request hot sauce and are provided about 2 TBSPS, great. If you like your Carne Asada nachos with diced Carne Asada well done and bordering or being burned this dish is for you. If you like your refried beans thick and similar to canned beans with cheese thrown on top- not melted- go for it. My husband really enjoyed his shrimp in a light sauce and cooked to perfection. I found the cheese enchiladas less than edible with its dark brown sauce made of ????. The frozen strawberry margarita was a bit watery and the regular margarita made from Tequila from who knows where- enjoy. You can can have this less than memorable dinner for 2 for $120.00. Grant it it was 3:00 on a Sunday afternoon but very disappointed considering the past greatness of this restaurant that we so...

• AVOID AVOID AVOID *

I don't know where that 5-star review came from; we also came for the art walk over the weekend. Felt like some apps and a margarita so my group stopped by Por Favor since it's really well located and didn't look bad. Well, looks can be deceiving...

First off, couldn't identify who worked there. Couldn't get help, couldn't get seated. Nobody would help us. Finally managed to tag someone and they told us to sit anywhere we wanted outside. Great! Nope. Had to go get our own menus. Nobody came to our table. They saw us; we glared at them. Nobody helping us. No drinks. No chips and salsa. Nothing.

Gave it 10 minutes, used the restroom, gave up. Found out the lady who was NOT helping us was the owner. Wow. Atrocious. I've never had an experience like this; my review here isn't doing it justice. Avoid this place.

I would give negative stars if I could. Wait until the owner sells or passes on.

Side note: We drove 15 minutes over to La Mesa and ate at Casa Gabriela and it was fantastic. Vote with your wallet and go...