Pelon's Baja Grill — Restaurant in Norfolk

I called to place an order for pick up and the server Julie L. placed me on hold, which was fine. I was on hold for approximately 10 minutes and at that point I figured she forgot about me so I decided to hang up and call back. I tried calling back several times and I got the busy signal each time. Clearly she never returned to the phone to take my order or she would have noticed that the line was dead and put the phone back on the cradle. I finally get through after several attempted calls and she placed me back on hold. At that point I decide to drive to the restaurant and place my order inside. It was NOT “busy” when I walked in. NO LINE. Yes, there were several customers inside the restaurant, but definitely not the definition of “busy”. She offered to take my order and informed her that I had been trying to place an order on the phone and she did apologize for the weird phone incident and then said “it got really busy, it happens you know”. I was surprised by her response, but proceeded to place my order. “Vegan carnesada fries chica style” (I literally only order the same thing the exact same way every time I eat here). When she brought my order she apologized again for the phone incident and I said it was all right and wished her a happy holiday. I checked my order before leaving after having learned this lesson TWICE before when Julie takes my order because she often gets it wrong. As I feared, it was not “chica style”. I returned to the counter where the cook asked me if something was wrong with my order and I told him I ordered it chica style and he very politely said he would fix it for me. From the kitchen I can hear the server’s voice yell “what was wrong with it? She didn’t say chica style!” Server Julie proceeded to charge out of the kitchen and yelled at me “You did not order that chica style!” and I said “yes, I did” and she said “No you didn’t” and I said “yes I did, I literally order the same thing, the exact same way every time I come in here.” She continues to yell at me saying “You did not order it chica style, or if you did, then I did not hear it!” I responded that “the only reason I check my order before leaving now is because you do this almost every time I order it and no one else has ever messed it up before except you. There have been two other occasions in which you did not make my order the way I ordered it in which you acknowledged your mistake and apologized.” She said “I don’t know you!” in the most rudely disgusting voice and facial expression I have ever witnessed in the service industry. So what happens next? Sever Julie tells me “it’s $2.00”. I was in such disbelief that I said forget it, refund my card, I don’t want it, and I’m never coming back here again. The cook came out to see what the commotion was (as Julie was yelling at me in front of everyone in the restaurant) and could see that Julie was yelling and apparently very angry and that I was complaining about my experience and he politely gave me the bag and apologized for my troubles and told me not to worry about the $2.00 for “chica style”. I cannot believe my experience with this woman. I literally order Pelon’s at least twice a week for like 3 years and have never EVER had a problem with my order or customer service from anyone else except this lady. Why she decided to verbally attack me and embarrass me in public, I’ll never know. I do know that myself and my family are NEVER EVER eating from there again. We all have bad days, but there is absolutely no excuse for her treatment towards me. Definitely something out of a nightmare. UPDATE: The owner personally contacted me regarding my complaint of my recent experience. She was very understanding and polite to me and we had a great conversation which left me feeling satisfied. I changed my original rating from 1 star to 4 stars, because I feel that everyone aside from the particular server from my original post deserves a fair rating as well. The food is great and I'll miss it, but I feel too much anxiety about the situation to return to the...

The undisputed champion of Baja style in the 757! If you're looking for an authentic taste of a Southern California fish taco joint right here in Norfolk, look no further. Pelon's Bar and Grill isn't just a restaurant; it's a whole vibe. From the moment you walk in, you're transported to a laid-back, sun-drenched surf shack where the food is fresh, the drinks are cold, and the atmosphere is always buzzing. This is, without a doubt, a five-star Hampton Roads treasure. Let's talk about the tacos, because they are legendary for a reason. The classic Pelon's Fish Taco is perfection on a tortilla: a generous piece of perfectly battered and fried fish, crisp shredded cabbage, fresh pico de gallo, and that signature, utterly addictive white sauce. Every single bite is a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you get it fried or grilled, or opt for their incredible shrimp, carnitas, or carne asada, you simply cannot go wrong. But the magic of Pelon's doesn't stop at the tacos. The burritos are massive, expertly wrapped masterpieces, with the "D-Rex" being a local rite of passage. The fresh-made guacamole is chunky and vibrant, and the "Wailin' Wedges" are the perfect side to soak up every last drop of deliciousness. The bar complements the food perfectly, serving up potent margaritas and an excellent selection of Mexican beers that are always ice-cold. What truly seals the deal is the atmosphere. Whether you're at the original Ocean View location, feeling the salty air just steps from the beach, or soaking in the vibrant energy of the Ghent spot, Pelon's feels like a genuine, community-loved hangout. The staff is consistently friendly, fast, and welcoming, treating you like a regular even on your first visit. Pelon's is the real deal. It’s a place that has perfected its craft, delivering incredibly fresh and flavorful food in an authentically relaxed and fun environment. It's not just the best Baja-style food in Norfolk; it's one of the best restaurants, period. An...

Beware the $145.00 taco. I stopped at Pelon’s Baja Grill in VA Beach for lunch today. The carne asada tacos were just so-so, but what came during our visit has prompted me to write. Don’t patronize this place, not because of the food but the property owners. They signed a contract with Aristocrat Towing and seem to be running a scam. Within seven minutes of arriving, a tow truck driver had loaded our SUV onto his tow truck and then said we’d need to pay him to get the vehicle unloaded. (Pelon’s small parking lot is clearly marked as only for patrons of the shops.) I showed him my restaurant receipt and explained I was getting lunch at Pelon’s. He continued to demand money and refused to release our vehicle without payment. Clearly, this wasn’t kosher and the guy was trying to intimidate us, so we called the VA Beach Police Dept. While waiting for the police, the tow truck driver repeatedly changed the amount we were being charged. He told us the police said they wouldn’t arrive for a long time and therefore we shouldn’t wait, that we were impeding him from doing his job, and he would have us arrested. The police showed up just a minute after this last verbal barrage. The two cops verified my lunch receipt and confirmed my visit with Pelon’s restaurant. Then they told us they have no jurisdiction since this is a civil matter and therefore we’d have to take Aristocrat Towing to a civil court. They were simply there to make sure there was no physical altercation. (Why bother confirming my receipt then?) Since we didn’t feel safe with the belligerent driver, (a skinny meth-head looking man) the police took us to an ATM and stayed while the driver unloaded our SUV. So patrons beware, your lunch can cost you a whole lot more. The food here wasn’t good enough to warrant this experience. I still can’t believe we got totally robbed of $145 by this scam. We...