Esmeralda's Cafe — Restaurant in Las Vegas

Comfortable, clean, authentic home cooked meal served by a friendly staff. I felt like family!

My visit was unintentional, but I was grateful there was a place to hang out while waiting for bike repairs at a neighbor store. I was not hungry, but a beer is never a bad thing, for me.

Upon entering I was reminded of the Denny's in Tijuana where I have enjoyed the best Mexican meals of my life, so my appetite soon arrived.

The staff, who instantly acknowledged my presence, spoke limited English, but seemed to comprehend well and offered me any comfortable seat of my choice.

I ordered a beer from their limited options and enjoyed it in a frosted mug. Note: they are not a bar, but they have a few beers. While sipping I googled Esmeraldas's Cafe to see what the reviews had to say. After reading a few I decided on the Carne Asada Casamiento. Like clockwork a kind, soft spoken, Mexican, who very well could have been my server in Tijuana 30 years ago, graciously took my order and complemented my choice.

Americans, especially visitors to Las Vegas, have expectations of wait staff that, in my opinion, are irrational and completely unnecessary. I didn't come to this establishment for entertainment from the staff, I came to enjoy food I don't fix at home and of course my company, if I had come with company. I never understood why anyone would expect the lowest wage earner to dance around on worn out feet while at their grueling job (with the exception of Hugo's Cellar (and the like), where the wait staff has chosen the profession and are tipped accordingly. I also don't like noisy kitchens, bar noise, gaming machines and televisions. And more than anything, I DESPISE being interrupted when I am dining.

The staff was wonderful!! Polite, honest, helpful, pleasant, soft spoken and quietly did their job without disturbing me or interrupting the music that softly played in the background.

Note: I was the only non Spanish speaking person in the place and everyone in the place appeared relaxed and comfortable as if they were regulars.

My food arrived in minutes, the presentation was beautiful and the flavor was very good. The bargain price, $10.99 for a shrimp and beef plate, was reminiscent of the Tijuana Denny's also.

Javier's it was not, but I thoroughly enjoyed my experience...

This was my first time being very disappointed. I have told so many people over the years about this place. Where is the owner?

I called twice to place a to go order and was hung up on twice. I decided to come in, giving them the benefit of the doubt. I placed my order with the lady who usually runs the register. 10-15 minutes later I was told by one of the nice floor waitresses that they have no more of what I ordered. After revising my order I eat. When finished I go to pay my check ...there was some confusion with the lady at the register and she proceeds to help someone who came up after me. I so appreciated that the customer said “no help her first she was here first” more than once ...still confusion. She proceeds to insist on helping the other customer who at this point was visibly frustrated as well. Finally my check was calculated by one of the floor waitresses and given to the lady at the register to ring up. What is going on? Service and food were always the best and all colors such as myself were always...

I have been to this restaurant several times before to get takeout food and today I must say that they have lost a loyal customer today I chose to eat inside instead of taking my food to go I ordered chicken and onions oh my God how can you give someone old dried food and when they complain about it you don't even take it off of the check and you just say sorry.... I know that you will be sorry because I will spread the word just like I spread the word that you had good food I will spread the word that you serve old food .when you cut into a piece of chicken and the bone is visibly Brown dark dried out Brown and the pieces of chicken under the sauce are dried to look like a piece of wood that is not over cooked food that is old food so although you made $10.99 off of me today it'll be the last dollar...