Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Payson

My wife and I tried this Costa Vida in August even after hearing bad things about this location from our family who live nearby. When my wife and I got in line, there were only about 3 people ahead of us in line who hadn't started their orders. We waited there for 5 or 10 minutes before we finally started ordering. It took so long. I ordered a burrito and my wife ordered a quesadilla. They put my burrito in the conveyor belt oven and when it got to the the end of the conveyor belt, it sat there for a few minutes. It sat there long enough that the burritos of the people behind us in line piled up behind it. When one of the employees finally pulled the burritos off of the conveyor belt, she mixed my burrito up with the burrito of the gentleman behind me. I told her that the burrito she was trying to give me was his but she argued with my that she had taken them off in the order which they went into the oven. The guy behind me even told her that the one she was giving me really was his but the lady wouldn't listen to us. (I knew it was his because when they were making it they accidentally ripped the tortilla. They offered to make him another but he said it was fine. The one that she told me was mine had the rip in it.) I was so tired of waiting for my food that I didn't want to argue with her so I had her put lettuce and pico on it and I bought it. Sure enough the burrito which they had given me had a the wrong sauce and didn't taste as good to me. Costa Vida is one of my favorite restaurants but I wouldn't come back to this location again. My family told me that this location has slow service and inaccuracy. After one visit, we found that to...

This is the closest Costa Vida to my home. I have come here for years quite often. I am gluten intolerant and get the burritos with corn tortillas. I have always gotten this. Then out of the blue they said they won't do this anymore. It's only this location the other locations I visit all still make it this way for me and others. I have always thought the manager at this location did an excellent job, but not anymore. I am incredibly disappointed Payson Costa Vida. Also, at all of the nearby locations they seem to have stopped carrying that green Tabasco sauce that was delicious. What's up with that.

Update

It has been a few months since I posted my original review. Yesterday we tried to get me a gluten free burrito, and once again they outright refused! Then today my Dad went there and they happily did it for him. They seem to give me and others I know the gluten free burrito about fifty percent of the time. To be clear, I have always been polite when I ask for the gluten free burrito. I have never been rude or condescending. So I don't believe that I am causing this by my behavior. On the flip side, when I ask for the gluten free burrito about half of the time I am immediately treated as if I have just personally insulted the Costa vida customer. They treat me THE CUSTOMER! in a rude and condescending manner. The other half of the time, the employee is kind and polite. In conclusion, I have found that it is a gamble whether I recieve good service or not. I will continue to come to this location and ask for the gluten free burrito for a few more months to see if the problem ever gets...

(mini pre-review: good for vegans, maybe not picky kids) We're not from here, and we were hoping for some road food that could be made with no meat, eggs, or dairy, but was slightly better than Taco Bell (which is often our only option in some places.) The website descriptions of the food seemed promising, though I wish there was a little more information. The menu at the restaurant was so streamlined (I assume for easy ordering for normal folks) and it lacked a lot of important information. Luckily, the staff was knowledgeable, patient, and helpful! The rice is cooked with butter, and two of the sauces are made with a meat stock (ew, why?), but otherwise all the expected items were vegan. My picky child reported that the refried beans were spicy, but the adults thought everything was delicious, and all the veggies seemed high-quality. It's great to know there's a reliable option in this region. I see the owner responds to every review (dedication!), so I just wanted to say: you could easily make a veg-friendly menu for people who ask for it, listing the vegetarian and vegan options (the local chain Pie Pizzeria does this!). And, you don't need to make sauces with meat stock, all the flavor should come from the chiles and tomatoes! Otherwise, good job! We will...