Taco Vida — Restaurant in Northfield Township

My family and I have been long time customers of Vida and have notably liked the quality of food there. Today we ordered from there again and since my mother likes the vegetarian taco, she asked them if they could make a 'bean taco' instead. Understandably, the employee on the phone said no but we can sell you tortillas and beans separately and you can make them which she reluctantly agreed too. Vida then charged us for the beans + tortillas but we never received them, prompting my mother to call to complain, which resulted in her getting hung up on by an employee. She calls back on my father's phone and talks to the manager on duty who explains how they, 'have bigger fish to fry' and how he doesn't know how they will refund my mother's money. 0/10 customer service, this is not the first time they have messed up an order or been impolite to us specifically. Will not be dining from here again.

Vida 'owner', I have seen your reply: It seems like you only READ half the story. My family's discontinuance of ordering from your lousy service was NOT because the accommodations we asked for weren't met, it was because you guys didn't give us some of the food that we ordered, and then when we complained, YOU hung up on my mother, the customer, and THEN didn't even want to give us the time of day to 1) talk to the manager about the situation 2) refund the meal. If you would like to 'tell your half' of the story then go ahead and do it here so your customers can see.

I'm glad you don't let customers be rude to employees. In my family, and in the REAL world, customers don't let people who WE pay money to, to HANG UP on us after not delivering on the things we paid you to do CORRECTLY.

I am glad you have worked hard to serve those in our community and surrounding communities but clearly there are large, gaping holes in the structure of your establishment, particularly in order organization and customer service as shown by my family's experience this evening.

P.S. if these low-star reviews and their replies by you were broadcasted on a screen outside your restaurant, you would have...

This place definitely has a great buzz. Their artwork, customer enthusiasm, branding and popularity makes it irresistible to go. Waiting in line was not bad, although I was under the impression it would be faster. The woman who took the order was stressed and uncaring, and she let you know. Her demeanor was less rude and more abrupt and direct. However, when I yelled thank you enthusiastically and gestured for the receipt, she had already stopped looking at me and slammed my receipt into a pile. I was standing right in front of her... I don’t like to be still fumbling with my wallet as the next customer is ushered over.

I waited almost exactly a half hour for my 3 tingas de pollo tacos, chips and salsa to go. There was no room to wait, and a half dozen customers and I kept on our feet to get out of the way of restaurant processes. It was strange how they called out the numbers... the first porter/server called the first digit long and the second short... I found myself having to decipher his callouts several times. Then, the woman who took my order cycled positions with the young man. When my food was up, she didn’t think to turn around where I was waving my number card from where all to go orders were waiting. instead she just ran around the restaurant with my to go bag calling out my number. She comes back and she sets it down and almost walked away when I finally headed her off lol.

To be fair, the place had obviously began to fall behind shortly before I got there. But the lack of organization and floor planning and decorum certainly didn’t help.

My food: not amazing. Tacos are forcefully rolled into a messy tube. They are small as well. Inconsistent and skimpy topping on the tacos, and the chicken inside was tough and old or over cooked-tasting. The chips are essentially Fritos in triangle form... just without the salt and flavor. Soooo last decade. There are 2 days worth stacked open air next to the bathroom. I’d rather pay 30 bucks for a super-strong margarita, chips and guacamole, and The Best tacos al pastor from De Campana in...

QUALITY TACOS - Can’t even find places like this in the city. The Tacos are generously portioned on a single tortilla. They have an array of Taco’s to choose from, and you’re sure to not be disappointed. (Should mention, it’s TACOS only. Hence “TACO Vida” - Taco Life)

THINGS I LOVE: You can tell they use a home-made maza (makes the tortilla), and they serve sizable portions that’ll fill you up

Fresh ingredients, ALWAYS. I’m surprised at how they blend their veggies with their various tacos; they compliment the Tacos well

SALSA! Oh boy, probably my best part about this joint because it’s rare to find authentic salsa with a nice kick. I love salsa rojo, but verde is good too.

Taco of the Week: Recently saw they had a Mahi-Mahi, so I dropped in and was not let down. I love this initiative, very unique and keeps me looking forward to returning

THINGS TO IMPROVE:

Size/Location. Personally, I think it’s just about the right size, but others are entitled to think otherwise. It’s a Taco joint, don’t expect to dine in lavishly and or with a big party.

Wait-Time: Sometimes food wait times can be inconsistent when ordering over phone for pickup. But this shouldn’t bother because they take their time preparing. Quality takes time, so be patient (:

OVERALL: Looove it. Taco Vida is here to stay, and I do hope they succeed to establish another location down the road. For the price, you can plan on getting by with 2 tacos (and be full) if you’re on a budget. I look forward...