Vallarta's Mexican Restaurant - Carrollwood — Restaurant in Florida

This restaurant seems to be a love it or hate it from what reviews I've read. Someone insisted I try it so I obliged. I like the Mexican decor, the vibrant colors and decor, the colorful chairs and aside from the ceiling tiles that had seen better days, the aesthetics were pleasing. We were seated promptly and our waiter was attentive and friendly. The problem was the food. The salsa is ok, but it's very bland with very little in the way of flavor beyond canned tomatoes put in a blender. We added a little salt and munched on the warm chips. The queso was good, a little watery but had a good flavor. The drinks were just plain GROSS. the tea and sodas all had a very farty flavor (sorry but it's the perfect way to describe it) and it was really off putting. The steak tacos came out with very small chopped pieces of steak that seemed almost fried, they were hard and crispy and frankly not very good. Suspect and again, off-putting. The corn tortillas were very fragrant and I wish I had known to request flour tortillas but maybe I missed it on the menu, so this would've been an easy fix if it were the only issue. The tacos came with the sour cream and pico on a separate plate and the pico looked unappetizing. Picture what both fresh pico looks like and few day old pico looks in your head. What I got was the latter. Old pico, crunchy steak. Fart drink. Plain nachos with cheese had some queso ladled on them some soft Mexican melting cheese put on top then broiled. I was REALLY hoping they had authentic nachos which are just chips topped with only Monterey jack, with a side of refried beans and pickled jalapenos. It was not that.y wife got something with shredded chicken. It was not bad, tasted fresh and I shared a bit of it with her since I wasn't going to eat my entree. Vallartas seems to be a once great restaurant someone was really passionate about that has since gone way downhill while still not being quite bad enough to totally be unwilling to give a chance if they have something on the menu you are craving. It's possible it was an off day, because the guests I dined with said the steak is usually better than what I got. I wish I could leave a better review but when both my drink and entree are inedible, I think 2 stars is fair if...

There is a long walkway in. I did appreciate that there wasn’t pound music playing. The server didn’t really keep up with us ordering.

The server played on his phone while our food was being made. The water was 🤮. I had to go to him to order something else to drink. He didn’t understand a drink with no alcohol and no carbonation-no bubbles. You taste the tap 🤣and more.

The server was NOT the bartender, but fixed my “piña colada”. I had huge ice chunks so I couldn’t use the straw. I tried 2 straws and still couldn’t drink it. Never had a piña colada with salt around the rim in a beer mug before.👀 It was not blended so well! Syrup and chunky ice. 👎🏾 I guess he has never drank a blended drink before to even know it should be from experience. He didn’t check it or look at it.

The chips were warm. The servers weren’t busy so there was a lot of phone usage on the floor. They weren’t the most attentive servers.

The tacos weren’t anything special or uniquely tasty - bland. The cheese was different + and smooth. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Oh the guacamole salad🤣🤣🤣 Plate full of shredded lettuce, one half of a slice of tomato, covering a dollop of guacamole! Tada!!! BUT wait there is more… There are a few tiny pieces of jalapeños in the middle of the guacamole😉 (again that’s covered by the 1/2 slice of tomato) 👀 🤣🤣Surprise - Spicy🤣🤣

JUST LIFT TO SEE YOUR GUACAMOLE 👀

The bar’s back focal wall was pretty. +

The decor is unique, there are lots of colorful, unique art pieces.

They brought the food out 5min apart. We ordered tacos 🤔

We waited, waited, waited and waited for a check as the server played on his phone for more than 30min (on the floor) after we finished eating. Nobody came around and checked on us. 4 tables with 2 people each.

Personally not a place I would look to go back to...

Overall great first time. Was really busy for a Sunday evening, had a big family being served, you can tell lots of families may come here.

Atmosphere had a gentleman singing and playing acoustic guitar.

Person that waited on us misheard un-sweet tea for sweet tea and asked questions about what room temperature water meant. Used to serve unweet tea myself and most folk down here prefer sweet so I understand the mistake but to avoid this practice asking/repeating back to the customer "with/without sugar" or other words less likely to be misunderstood on the rare ocassion that someone asks for unweet. No need to spend time asking the customer to articulate differently something that's more familiar to you. Room temperature may sound like a rare term compared to "water no ice." but "água al tiempo" is common enough for me to know too when I'm accommodating and serving other fellow Spanish speakers. We all learn through experience of course. 😊

Food portions are generous for smaller individuals like myself and appropriate for bigger folks that need a bit more sustenance to feel full.

I typically order vegetarian and there were a few options. My plate felt huge and ended up taking some of the chimichanga leftovers with me.

To go boxes are available and even a plastic bag was provided which I was surprised by, used to just carrying the box home after I've had enough.

Overall...