Cocina Mexicana — Restaurant in Lancaster

I had a pretty awful first experience here. Going during peak hours on a Taco Tuesday was probably a bad idea, but here's my story: My daughter and I walked in shortly before 6pm. Walked past 2 employees on my way to the counter (which is where I assumed you order from, no one ever offered to sit us down and take our order, there's no sign that says "please wait to be seated" or anything.. No one even said hello..) Someone else just finished up their order at the counter as we arrived. As they left the counter, so did the employee at the register, so my daughter and I stood there and waited. Finally the employee returned to the register. Employee seemed to be spaced out into another situation happening in the dining room(?)(he was staring blankly past me, toward the dining room).. We seriously stood there for another 2-3 minutes for this guy to snap back to Earth. Then he looks at me and says "is this for here, or to go?". Great, so I'm at the right place to order, I guess. I tell him our order is to dine in. He asks what table I'll be sitting at (uh, idk? Whatever empty one I can find?) It took about 7 whole minutes to order 4 whole tacos. This is where I lost all hope: 43 MINUTES LATER (I referenced the timestamp on the receipt) we finally received our 4 tacos and side of rice, delivered to our table... wrapped in aluminum foil. To go, I guess. No bag or anything though. No one offered drinks, silverware, anything. I politely remind the employee that we're dining in, and ask him for some silverware and 2 plates. I watch him serve some other people their food first, in no particular hurry, before we can finally eat our food. Still no drinks or anything but it's fine, I left a bottle of water in the car, I had a hangry daughter, and we just wanted our food. The ONE star on this review is accredited to the fact that the pork had some INSANELY good flavor cooked into it. The chicken tacos sucked though, they were CAKED with onions (I ordered our toppings specifically, and did not ask for any onions. I like onions, my daughter doesn't) That was the first and only time I'll ever watch my daughter NOT finish a taco. That is also the first and only time I'll be visiting this restaurant. They're tacos. I'll go somewhere else (or even make them myself in a third of the time and price)....

Short version: their food made grocery store microwaveable tex-mex food seem like a Michelin starred dinner. Waitress and staff: rude and lost and at first unwilling to accommodate a larger Hispanic group but when a similar sized Caucasian group came in after us they were sat immediately and with nothing but smiles. Bad food bad service 0 stars would not recommend

Long version:

It would not be wise to call yourself authentic Mexican food if everything tastes like it comes from a can, box, or is microwaved. Check other reviews who share the same comment: their queso fundido and queso con chorizo, so easy to do right, yet their version is sour and congealed like it was days old. Tinga is meant to be shredded chicken and chipotle sauce brought to simmer so sauce can reduce and coat the chicken and onion, their version is a dry reheated chicken with a sprinkle of red sauce over the chicken right before serving. Rice and beans taste worst than Taco Bell’s. Another reviewer of this restaurant suggest going to chipotle instead and I agree!

The waitress was asked for a bottled mineral water and empty cup and a lemon/lime wedge. She said she would have to ask if they had lemon/lime and didn’t bring anything until she was asked 3+ times. What kind of place that serves tacos or any Mexican food might not have lemons/limes? Service was super slow and it was hardly busy. Makes it hard to not want to leave $0 tip but we left 18% anyway just not to feed their possible prejudice against people of their own ethnicity. I had never left a review before but I wanted to warn others not to waste their time and money. Do yourself a favor and try another restaurant in the...

We love this place, and there's so much to love. In Lancaster City there is no better place to get great fresh made Mexican food.

The chicken tamale's are so darn good and if you add a little of their fresh made salsa verde, even better! Cocina has a chicken vegetable soup that is perfection. The chicken is tender and the portions are huge and the broth flavorful and satisfying.

I really enjoy their Torta sandwiches, the bread is made locally to their specifications and it's just good stuff. My favorite is the chorizo and egg Torta and I recommend it.

Over the years I've enjoyed many of their huevos rancheros varieties and they are all good. Cocina has an excellent recipe for flavorful chorizo that I recommend you try with their scrambled eggs.

They have glass bottled Mexican coke too which is always a treat.

On a daily basis the specials on the menu board offer a tempting variety of good foods and soups so you can always just come in and get the special and have a great meal.

Cocina has a friendly staff who are always happy to help and make you feel at home. Give this wonderful little place a try. Cocina Mexicana has good homemade food that never...