La Palapa Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in Ellicott City

Unfortunately, I have to give them a 1. I wish it could be lower. This was my second time going to this spot. The food was pretty good and the service was great. Unfortunatley, things took a turn for the worse. While eating I noticed the manager, Steve, was going around to the tables and asking how everyone was doing and how the food was. My bff and I were talking so I didn't think much more about it. We were there for quite some time but not longer than others that were outside. Finally the manager, Steve, comes over and asks us how everything was. I excitedly said it was very good and then the unthinkable happens. He shares we were at this table for over x hours and there are people waiting for an outside table and could be do him a 'favor' and move to a table inside. I quickly asked, thinking of the table of 4 people seated at an 8 top (2 tables put together) that was there before I arrived, if this goes for everyone. He quickly stated it does. We quickly obliged and got up to leave but something just wasn't sitting right. First he didn't go over to the other table and ask them to move inside and in looking around we were the ONLY African American group in the entire restaurant. There was another woman and another man each at a table with others. I thought it was important for me to share my perspective with him and how we took his request because there are always more than one way of looking at things. When we spoke with him to share how we perceived things he quickly started interrupting and dismissing what we had to say. Additionally while we were talking he wasn't even looking at us. I shared that I felt some kind of way because he came up to the ONLY African American table and asked us to move. He also stated that he didn't even look around and notice we were the only ones. Now this may be true but if we are bringing that to his attention, that would have been a great opportunity for him to empathize or share that he totally missed that. Instead he dismissed us and shared he could give us the GM's number. Throughout this whole conversation, the table sat empty. We then find out that there were in fact 2 tables of people waiting. Which is even more concerning. Why not ask the white gentlemen who were there longer than us and taking 60 minute smoke breaks to leave and go inside so both parties could be seated once they split the tables up? Why pick the ONLY African American group of 2 ladies that will only free up 1 table when you need 2. Also, we waited to see if he asked anyone else to move tables and he didn't. His actions and dismissiveness confirmed what I thought couldn't possibly be happening. I've never been asked to move tables because I've been sitting too long in my 48 years on this planet, this is a first. I also checked the menus and signs on the door because I know because of COVID-19 restaurants are imposing time limits, there was nothing. If that's the policy, apply it to everyone, not just the one African American group. I will not be going back to this place and if you are African American I advise you not to as well. This left a very bad taste in my mouth. My money is green just like everyone else. I'll spend it where I am treated like everyone else and appreciated as a customer. Also, when I stay longer at a table I tip extra to compensate the servers........until today. This was embarrassing for him to come over to only us. Bad...

This restaurant is located inside Old town Ellicott city. They do have limited parking out front which is also shared with the store next to them. The interior is fairly open and casual. They have two bars , the bigger one is out front and with a smaller one for the inside area.

We ordered steak quesadilla , steak, Threaded beef, Mexican, corn, chicken fajita, queso dips. The steak was very good , so was the corn and the fajitas. The threaded beef dish tasted OK. Kind of blend. and the queso came out with sourness to it, that’s why we barely ate it. Personally, I enjoyed their homemade spicy sauce, the most. Make sure you ask for it if you are a spicy eater.

We had two waitresses came to our table , the first one came around, and she couldn’t understand our questions, that’s when we find out she barely speak English. Then the second one came to take our orders also brought our food, and she was very nice and patient.

However, I do like to the point out . The overall vibe we received from this restaurant was not very friendly or inviting. And the reason being, when we walked in it was around 4 PM, the restaurant was empty with only two tables with customers. As we were walking into the inside room. There was a greeting table with a male standing behind it and a waitress standing out on the other side of it. Clearly we can tell the men probably is the night manager or some in charge, and he did not greet us at all. He just looked at us.

Then later on after we finished eating , I wanted to take some pictures and footage of the restaurant for review purpose, and at that time he was standing by the bar casually chatting with a bartender and another female, Not only he didn’t even acknowledge when I walked by the bar right by him,, instead, he walked away, felt like he purposely avoided me & pretending there was nobody just walked by him.

Just Such an odd feeling. I don’t think we will return to this restaurant. I’m sure you can get the same kind of food at a different Mexican restaurant with much better services.

Do Not recommend by...

We usually love la palapa. The food and drinks are great. The staff has always been friendly. I'm writing a bad review because I am completely disappointed in the managers decision to shut off the entire outside seating to the general public for an entire Friday afternoon for a private reservation during one MDs only nice weather days. Howard county lacks desperately in outside venues. La Palapa is one of the few. We drove in rush hour traffic to get to La Palapa give told the outside seating was closed off to the public for a 6:30pm event. First we were there at 3:30. So you decided to shut off the entire outside for the entire afternoon? I wonder how much money you must have in order to make that happen? I don't think it's right for a public establishment to only serve the rich. La Palapa is not a wedding venue, it's not a business venue. It is a public restaurant FOR the public. They do not offer any public acknowledgement of this closure to the public on their website or social media because they want people to come and force them to sit in the dark interior. This is now the 5th restaurant in Maryland we have had this happen to us. People do not want to drive in MD to be told we won't serve you because someone bought out our space! Establishments need to start respecting the general public's time and service. I am extremely...