TU CASA RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Maryland

I have been there twice...until yesterday. The food is not bad, but it is the most bland charcoal or Peruvian style sides and chicken that I have ever had from any place that serves that style of food.

Prior to my third experience, I would have given them 3 or 3.5 stars. On the last experience, I had a friend call in an order. I could hear their conversation the entire time. Not only did she have to repeat the order three times to the woman taking the order. Here is the part that I mention that NO customization were even made, it was straight orders off the menu!!! A half chicken meal, fajita meal, and 2 extra sides. My friend is well spoke and has good diction, so I cannot fault my friend. There was still confusion so it had to be handled by a manager. This took at least two times to repeat as well. Neither of us was looking at a watch during this process, but it felt like at least 10 minutes. We were told it would be ready in 10 minutes after they put the order in. When my friend arrived to pick it up, only ONE thing was ready, and they were STILL uncertain what the order was--or even the name of the person who put it in. ...and I heard them repeat the order on the phone before she went to pick it up!! When she returned with the food, it was CLOSE to what she ordered but not exact. I was willing to roll with that, as it all seemed in the ballpark...until I looked at the total charge. They did not provide a receipt but the bill was roughly $20 over the $35-40 we were expecting based on menu prices. I hope it was worth being overcharged to them because this review will be repeated on every site, and I will never go back again.

As an aside, I never never missed Pankas so much now.... They apparently closed down and had the most stellar black beans and charcoal chicken that I have ever tasted. El Gran Pollo is a pale comparison. They had, hands down, the best spiced of any Peruvian/charcoal chicken restaurant that I have been to. Not only that, every time I went they were not only easy to order with (and understand), but they never messed up an order (or overcharged us) once--even when we made customizations. If comparing the two, I would rank El Gran Pollo about 60% to Pankas in regards to taste, and El Gran Pollo is also more expensive than Pankas was. The only thing I would rank El Gran Pollo better for is their sauces. And that's not worth being overcharged $20 to me per order...or being stingy with the sauce if you ask for three or four sauces for two meals, and are met with glares and only being given two. (That is not anecdotal is it has happened to two other people who have been there.)

In short, Pankas please come back (or tell me how you made your black beans and chicken lol). I would happily eat there 3-4 times a month, if they did. El Gran Pollo will never get a cent from...

Our very first visit was very awesome!!!! We had the opportunity on meeting the Manager/Owner who was phenomenal and extremely professional! He came and checked on his customers, made small talk and made us feel very welcomed! I assured him that we will come back and we kept our word and made a 2nd visit!! However, our 2nd visit there, the cashier wasn't too friendly, took our order wrong and then she argued/went back and forth with me on telling me what I ordered vs what I didn't order. She rolled her eyes at me. I told her she could give me a refund but she went to the back/kitchen area, came back and told me they were remaking my food. I asked her 3 times to speak with the Manager, she lied and said that he wasn't there. I told her she was lying and told her he was there, because I parked right next to him!!!! She asked me which car was mines, as if that mattered!!! She went to the back, 2 seconds later she comes back and said he's on the phone having a meeting talking about the TVs. I wanted to give this 5 stars simply because of the Manager/Owner's professionalism but his cashier customer service was terrible and she's a liar/a deceitful young lady (I'm putting that nicely). I struggle on deciding if I'm going to revisit for...

I was under the misconception that this was a fast food restaurant (since it replaced McDonald's) but that could not be further from the truth. We had the most authentic and delicious dinner this weekend .. bistec a la pobre, chaufa chicken/rice, and chicken tacos. Each dish was a unique and absolute delight. The meat was tender and high quality and the fried plantains were a real treat. The portions were large and we had leftovers. husband picked up the food and reported the restaurant to be spotlessly clean and staff very friendly. One very small caveat was that we ordered flan and realized later we had received tres leches cake, but it was also delicious, so no harm done. I'm only sad that I did not give this place a chance sooner. Since we are currently unable to travel, this was as close as we could get, and an experience we all enjoyed. We will definitely be...