La Nopalera Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Jacksonville

I decided to come to this location off Roosevelt for dinner to celebrate my fathers birthday. I would of gone elsewhere but there's a particular plate my dad always like to order. The restaurant was nice and roomy compared to a few other La Nop. Unfortunately service went down hill from here as well. We had an older lady who served me and my family. She never tried to engage or converse with us. I get it if she couldn't if the place was busy but they were fully staffed and only 4 other parties and my family were the larger of the group. We had 5 adults and 2 kids and a 1 year old. She took our drink orders but dont even mention anything about drink specials. She ends up walking away since we were still deciding on food. She comes back as we were ready and started with my brother on law. Despite him not using the menu she assumed he wasn't ready and walks away from him to come and take my order. I let it slide. So I start to tell her my order and she tells me what I'm ordering is one or the other. I explained to her one is chicken taco salad and the other is a shrimp taco salad. She tried to argue with me even though I'm clearly pointing my finger at the menu and specifically telling her what I wanted. Think she realized she was wrong but didn't apologies. She took all our orders and food finally came out. After giving our food she never came to check on us or ask if anyone in my family wanted refills. My plate came with the enchilada, chalupa, and taco as pictured. My taco came all soggy and literally covered in lettuce. Also way to much red sauce and my chicken was very salty. End up just eating the enchilada and chalupa. So I ate 2 items but was going to pay for the 3 items I ordered. Towards end we asked 3 to go boxes. Before I could even tell her how many boxes she literally just walked off. I was baffled which at this point I raised my voice and said we need 3 boxes. She comes back with our receipt not even look at me and hands me my to go boxes and my receipt. At this point we had very poor service by this server. My sister noticed gratuity was added...15% for both our checks. I always tip more then 15% and sometimes at 15% even if service provided wasn't so great. Well I didn't think this server deserved that. I asked the young lady about my bill and she wasn't sure and took it back to the lady. Another lady comes back out and I explained to her our experience leading up to the to go box situation. The other server tells me manager is busy. At this point there's only 3 other tables which all had food served but she tells me manager is busy and is helping in back. Ok fine no problem. She removed the gratuity and here's the kicker...the rude server comes back to my table and tells me I can keep my money and she doesn't need my tip. My sister tells her to keep moving and just walk away. I responded back to the other server and said this was the kind of service we received since we sat down. The whole entire time not one servers around my table and there were 3 had even apologized to what transpired in front of them. The funny thing about this was another young server who came to oick up plates told my sister the older lady is always like that. So yeah I'm shocked she's not canned yet. Probably worst service my family as had in a very long time. Unfortunatley we had this person that served us. Probably won't be back to this location...

There was a very long wait before anyone took our drink order. Waitress apologized but was still rushing us; if we weren't responding immediately, she was half way to next table. The wait to get our food was even worse; never waited more than 20 mins at most at any other Mexican spot (Salsas, Cinco de Mayo or other LaNaps). Once we got food; waitress never returned. My nachos were not made as prior times; had to use the complimentary chips to eat with it. We didn't get water or anything because she never returned to check on us. We had to keep asking hostess for things including the bill. Neighboring table couple was getting antsy cause they were ready to leave but she didn't return for them; we had to tell them to take tab to register by extit. Now waitress returns after hostess found her and says she doesn't have our tabs. Asked if she gave it to us already?! Then said there was a problem with the POS and to go to register. There was a long line and when it was our turn; the waitress had told the gentleman before we approached that she did have tab. He then asks for the tab; we said she just told you she couldn't get or print. He then asked where we sat; showed him 3 times. Waitress returns then starts to ask what we ordered. Felt like the twilight zone. She was apologizing again while saying we ordered more things than we did. We ordered 2 margaritas, a California burrito and nacho supreme which remnants were still on table. Not sure if they were understaffed. The apologies from waitress seemed shallow as to not get things to escalate; she knew she was wrong and no true consideration was given. Once I paid for my bill; I said yes when he asked if I wanted a copy of receipt. He walks off; I think he said brb. He returned and asked "how can I help you?". Lady behind me laughed and I asked if he was serious. Reminded him that he left to get cooly of receipt; I thought. He then prints it in front of me.

I was so done. The customer service on 2/3/2024 was beyond horrible. Nicest person was the hostess. This was a huge turn off. This was 2:40 pm until a bit after 4; mostly waiting, thankful for good...

I have held off making this review and continued to give this location chance after chance. However, I officially believe this to be the worst La Nopelara location in Jacksonville. For starters, service is always incredibly slow. And typically there are only 4-6 total other tables. I have had to flag down servers that weren’t mine multiple times for checks, refills, straws, utensils, you name it. And as mentioned, it’s not typically busy when this is happening, despite there visibly being 3-5 servers working, most on their phones. Secondly, I always order the same dish with the same simple modification (sub grilled chicken for shredded) and every time I am told it can’t be done, then they have to go chase down a manager and someone in the kitchen, before coming back and saying ok. It’s a three ingredient plate- chicken, tortilla, and cheese, so this is a simple modification. Next- pricing. A pitcher of margaritas (flavored) is 19.99 at every other location. Here, it is 28.99. Same with by the glass— the Kingsley location says $5.99 a glass on their website, the menu here is $9.49. They have the drink prices almost doubled comparatively to other locations. The website for this location actually says $23.99 when you few their menu, but the menu that comes to the table and the price they charge is 28.99. I understand price variations by location, however, this is a big jump and adds to the dinner bill quickly. The food quality (and how quickly …well, slowly) at this location does not hold a candle to the other locations. Finally, I have had the misfortune of seeing a COCKROACH crawling across the top of the booth while I was eating. I alerted the manager at the time and did not want to leave a review about it, but at this point it has added to a number of cumulative bad experiences. I don’t enjoy being the person to leave this negative of a review, however, after 10+ poor experiences, I hope management does something to improve this location for future guests as I certainly do not...