Papas Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Lake Stevens

Good service and great true Mexican food, not the bland Mexican food of other places that taste the same no matter where you go in America. Papa's opened a few years ago and has been a solid restaurant fixture in Lake Stevens ever since. Walking in transports you to a nice rustic feeling with the beautiful bar and wood accents throughout the restaurant. You're immediately greeted by a whiteboard written with the day's specials quickly followed by a smiling server who will escorted you to a table or booth. Or you can mosey up to a tall seat at the beautifully crafted wood bar with an array of taps and bottles of liquor on the wall behind it. Mexican music creates an ambiance and TV's around the restaurant always have sports or sport shows on for your enjoyment. After perusing the menu, your server will take your order correctly the first time. And bring you your drinks, beer or cocktails. Chips and a tasty bean dip are quickly brought to your table and are always free while you sit. You can get up and fill cups of salsa from the freshly made salsa bar that features a half dozen differing types of salsa ranging from mild to spicy; I'm partial to the jalapeño salsa and the avocado salsa. The menu is varied and very descriptive of the food choices. I like the very spicy Tacos Mexicanos with 3 flour tortillas filled with 3 different meats, the grilled chicken quesadilla, and any of the fat burritos smothered in sauce and some cheese. Or you can begin your meal with a starter menu item such as shareable nachos. The servers are consistent everytime you come as Papa's is family owned and run. Chances are your server will be one of the two brothers with the other one behind the bar pouring mugs of beer or shots of tequila while also making satisfying margaritas. The father wanders around chatting with people and making sure your food is as you like it and that you're comfortable and happy or need a drink refill. All the family are very nice and talkative if you like and are proud of their restaurant. There's even a back private room for special events such as birthdays, anniversaries, work gatherings, etc. The bathrooms are kept very clean. They also have a side patio for eating outside on nice days. I highly recommend coming to Papa's for a delectable exquisite meal at brunch, lunch or dinner. You won't be...

I mean this as constructive criticism as I want to see local business in my area thrive.

The food was not good: The chips were heated but tasted stale. The salsa comes in the same small plastic containers Taco Time uses for their hot sauce. Past that initial cup, you need to go get your own salsa.

The steak in the fajitas was bland. No seasoning. The onion in my fajitas were undercooked. The rice was overcooked and looked / tasted like microwave instant rice. The tortillas were dry and served in nothing but tin foil, no container so did not stay warm.

My wife asked for enchiladas with cheese inside and sour cream on the side but got neither and we were charged for the sour cream. The chicken in the enchiladas were dry with no seasoning. Also it tastes as if the chicken is frozen, then precooked at least a day in advance. One of the enchiladas had a huge half layer of onion in it. They were not generous with the red sauce.

The staff seemed to just not care: The servers were nice enough but are obviously affected by the poor management and lack of customers as the apathy was thick in the air. Not once were we asked how the food was. (I can only assume they knew why) I saw 2 staff on the floor but only one seemed to be actually working the tables. So we did not get a chance to ask about the lack of cheese and sour cream or for the water we never got.

After reporting the onion in the enchiladas, someone came out I had not seen till this point. They did not introduce themselves so I could only assume they were the manager but could not be sure. I got a terrible excuse about the onion possibly being in the red sauce before pouring it, but I've never received such a half hearted, disingenuous apology in my life with no attempt to remedy the event.

Price: So for all this and tip (yes I tipped. This is not 100% on our server) was 45 dollars for 2 underwhelming meals and 2 sodas. If we were charged 30, I may not be making this review but their prices are not justified for the product.

Conclusion: Again, I want to make clear this is not in malice, I really hope for their success. But the place was empty at 6pm and that speaks to the quality. I would love to give this place another chance but until big changes are made in quality, I will not be...

Been here a few times but it’s been quite a few months since our last visit and have always been pleased. Seems like it’s gone downhill some. Came in for taco Tuesday today, and the tacos were ok. Not great, but not bad. Only one server working (who has served us before) for only 3 occupied tables and service was mediocre at best today. Server was pleasant but walked off after we ordered our tacos before I had a chance to order my daughter’s food. Had to go follow him to order her meal. Once our food arrived, he never checked on us. My boyfriends beer was flat and my daughter polished off her plate and wanted more, since he never came back to check on us I had to go back to him again to order her some more and tell him about the beer. He did promptly fix the beer and bring a new one which we appreciated. Restaurant was not clean at all. Salt and pepper shakers were covered in food and sticky, looks like they haven't been wiped in weeks. We actually wiped the salt shaker off ourselves because it was so gross. Bathrooms were a mess too. Seat covers not in the holder and just sitting off to the side, toilet paper holder was hanging sideways on the wall, visibly dirty floors, etc. Used to be one of our favorite places around but we won’t be back, salsa bar is the only thing they have going...