Darla’s Southern Cajun Bistro — Restaurant in Las Vegas

I was told by my sister that Darla’s was the best soul food place in town, so I went there about a month ago with my two grandchildren who are both eight years old, my husband and my brother the men sit at one table and my granddaughter and I was seated at another table, although we were together, they separated us instead of putting 2 tables together, I didn’t ask why. Needless to say the service was poor. We sat down and waited forever to get a drink of water, and when we got it, we had to ask for it, my brother, my husband and my grandson had gotten their food before us and was already finished by the time our food came the food wasn’t the best it didn’t have any flavor, I couldn’t spread the butter on my toast due to it being hard, and when I quietly mentioned it to my waitress a suggestion (to let the butter packs sit out) “she said (with attitude) “they are out!!” and walked away, I ordered a piece of German Choclate cake, prior to asking if it was made from scratch and being told “yes it is” needless to say it wasn’t and I was VERY upset once I took the 1st and only bite because it wasn’t from scratch, I wouldn’t have never paid $6 for a slice of box made cake. I make and sell cakes from scratch my favorite is German chocolate cake so when I saw that there was German chocolate cake I got super excited and soon disappointed shortly after once I made it home. I ended up giving it to the kids because they don’t know the difference. I was lied to in that is what angered me the most, I feel like if the waitress wasn’t sure I didn’t know she should have went and asked someone who did know, and I vowed that I wouldn’t go back, so my niece is in town from New York and she wants to go somewhere to eat some good food, I normally go to Gritz Cafe, which I’ve taken her there many times before and she absolutely loves it however, I want to take her to Darla’s and give them another shot. Hopefully I’m not embarrassed and I won’t regret it. I believe that this could be a successful restaurant if the staff paid attention to their customers and was open to...

Having missed an opportunity to try Darla's when I was in town visiting family for Easter--tried to stop by on a Tuesday before I left, it was a top priority as soon as I landed back in town the Thursday before for Mother's Day...and it definitely was a great experience...

Nothing sets the tone for a great dining experience than the welcome greeting of your host...and Tasha definitely let us know we were in good hands. That was followed by great service. Then came the food...

I had the smothered pork chops with spice cabbage and rice&gravy. My mom had red beans and rice with andouille sausage. Served fresh and hit, it was more than enough and it was all good. In addition, to top it off, I had a slice of sock-it-to-me cake...and a slice of 7-up, to go. Both were good. However, as good as our experience was, the table next to us, had the shrimp and grits...and, now, I had to try that...and that's what I did, today...

To avoid the possibility of a wait on a Saturday morning, I got there at opening. Again, greeted by Tasha AND Chef/Owner Albert, I knew I was in for another good experience...AND the shrimp and grits did not disappoint. The interesting twist to this dish is the grit "cake"--instead of grits. This had egg, green onions and bacon. The sizeable shrimp are placed on top and smothered in a nice gravy. I ordered a side of catfish to complement the meal...well-seasoned it did just that...and another great experience in the books. So, another star for consistency...

Darla's is definitely in rotation for my Vegas visits...and I will make sure my fellow visiting and local...

My first time (and last time!!) there - I order to go and turns out the waitress added in a $9.30 tip!! Without my consent! It's giving grift and scam. When I ordered, she says my receipt will be on the bag. Ok. Tells me to take a seat and the food will be out shortly. It was then that I still had the menu, so I recalculated what I ordered - boom, my aha moment. Once it dawned on me that my total wasn't mathing, I brought it to her attention and asked for a refund. I get told no, that there isn't a manager available to override it and that she isn't authorized, so I should call or come back so the owner can assist me. Long story short (the owner did assist me when I went BACK up for my refund that same day, tells and shows me on the computer "Appears like the tip won't get processed, on our end, come see me tomorrow - Saturday and I can take it off". Yall, I ordered on Friday - the restaurant processed the bill including the involuntary tip (over $9 for to go??? Come on!!), it posted to my bank on Monday and this restaurant is closed til Wednesday! Saturday was still pending on my end.

So what an unfortunate ordeal! I hope this restaurant vets their employees, invests in better portable card reader systems that don't tack on 11 -13% tips on unsuspecting customers. It feels too organized and calculated to be a mistake (your receipt will be on the bag - a "to go" bag, how often do people discard the bag because they just ready to eat, and boom, they're out $9 and some change or more based on a few other reviewers).

Please do better...