El Gavilan Restaurant — Restaurant in Maryland

I normally do not like to write bad reviews for small businesses, however, my experience at this restaurant was terrible. Yesterday afternoon, my family and I wanted to try this restaurant because it is local. We entered the premises, and waited to be seated. Once we were seated, a waitress approaches our table. Instead of greeting us, she makes a remark to my mother about another customer who had been drinking too much. Then, she proceeds to take our order for drinks. This was already the first red flag.

As we are waiting for our food, another waitress comes to our table trying to take our order. We informed her that another waitress had already taken our order. There was clearly a miscommunication there. After this encounter, our drinks finally arrive. The drinks themselves were so flavorless that it felt like we were just drinking coconut milk. As we are drinking our drinks and waiting for our food, we see a lady approaching our table. The lady then THROWS UP NEXT TO OUR TABLE to the point where I felt the splashes of her throw up on my arm.

A waitresses then asks what happens, and immediately gets the mop. She pours half a bottle of fabuloso cleaner on the floor. At this point, we should have walked out because not one waitress asked if we wanted to move tables. I had to politely ask them to move us tables because we were uncomfortable sitting next to that mess.

The worst part of it all was that our waitress never checked up on us. Our food arrived once we switched tables, but she did not even bring the food. Our waitress also had the audacity to stand there and gossip with other employees, but not check up on us.

It took me 30 minutes to get our check which was ridiculous. I tried to make eye contact with our waitress, but she never bothered to assist us. I had to pin down another waitress to obtain the check. We noticed that multiple waitresses came to check up on the table next to us, but that is such a shame. The employees at this restaurant neglect customers which can really hurt a business.

For anyone wanting to visit this restaurant, please save your money and...

Silver Spring has been a Melting Pot for many generations. The local Latin population run some of the best themed restaurants in the area. This particular Salvadorian Restaurant focuses on exclusive authentic recipes, and the care they put into thier food really shows.

My visit to El Gavilan Restaurant was a truly wonderful experience that highlighted the best of authentic Latin American cuisine. Located in Silver Spring, this family-friendly spot offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, complete with a lovely outdoor patio. The food was the absolute star of the show. I especially loved the pupusa con loroco, a Salvadoran specialty made with handmade corn tortillas filled with cheese and loroco flower buds. The two I had were a perfect example of their authenticity, with a delicious balance of creamy cheese and the distinct, slightly tangy flavor of the loroco. It’s a dish you simply won’t find at typical Mexican restaurants, making it a standout. Beyond the pupusas, the menu is extensive, featuring everything from Bistec Encebollado to various tacos and specialty platters. The service was friendly and attentive, adding to the overall great experience. El Gavilan is a local gem that I highly recommend for anyone seeking flavorful and genuinely authentic Central American food. I can't wait to go back and try more of their dishes.

Trust me, it tastes every bit as good as it looks. The Taste was so good, I had to shoot video, so that you can hear the sound of that sizzling fajitas steak plate. The flavors are so amazing, that after eating the steak I found myself finishing off the sauteed onions which were beautifully flavored by the meat.

The only thing that I would change about this meal would be to remember to bring some friends along, so they could enjoy the food as well. I thanked the owner personally, because it's rare to find a place that makes food this good and gives such a wonderful presentation.

When the opportunity comes, I will come back and try something else on their menu. They also make a 20 oz steak that I bet...

While the restaurant had a cozy atmosphere and the food was decent, my overall experience was marred by the poor service provided by the waitstaff. During my visit, I noticed that the waitresses were frequently gossiping at the back of the restaurant and leaving customers unattended for extended periods of time. Despite arriving before another family, I had to wait an hour and a half for my carne asada, which was not served at the correct temperature.

Additionally, I did not receive my beverage until the hostess noticed that none of the waitresses were attending to me. While I understand that managing a restaurant can be challenging, I was disappointed by the lack of attentiveness and professionalism displayed by the waitstaff.

As a customer who values good service, I would suggest that the restaurant consider hiring additional waitstaff or providing additional training to the existing staff to ensure that customers receive prompt and attentive service. I believe that this would greatly enhance the dining experience and encourage more customers to return to the restaurant in the future.

Overall, while the food and atmosphere of the restaurant were pleasant, the poor service provided by the waitstaff detracted from the overall experience. I hope that the restaurant takes steps to address this issue and improve the level of service provided...