El Aguila Méxican Cuisine — Restaurant in Pleasant Hill

They don't seem to like their customers. It's really strange. They appear to genuinely care about producing quality food and they give the feeling of a hard working small business, but our experience has been less than positive. We hired them to cater a large party a few months ago and they cancelled the day of. They told us that their supplier was a no-show and that they would not have the food needed to cater our event. On the day of the event, our friend went in to the restaurant and had no issue ordering the food items that we had been told would not be available that day. So when it came time for my son's birthday party, we went with another caterer (for lunch) because were weren't confident that El Aguila would be able to follow through. But we love the food so we took a chance and booked them for the much smaller get together that night (dinner). Once again, they bailed. This time they cancelled on us by email. Perhaps we just got really unlucky. In both occasions, they seemed sorry, but when they didn't offer a discount or some sort of concession for our next event, I got the impression that this is standard practice for them. For us, we only ever tried to use them for catering 2 times, and both times were a bust. Also, they need to figure out the chip situation. Last time I was in there and picked up about $80 worth of food. As I was walking out, I noticed that for the 6 meals I ordered, there were only 4 bags of chips. I pointed out that a couple of chips were missing. They told me that some of the meals came with chips and a couple didn't. I said, no problem, please ring me up for 2 bags of chips. They said, sorry 2 bags of chips doesn't satisfy the credit card minimum. I pointed out that I just spent well over the credit card minimum and that I lived just down the street and have spent literally thousands of dollars at their restaurant over the years. She said that she was sorry, but that she couldn't help me. The bottom line is that they make good food, but they won't bring it to your party, and make sure you count your chips before you pay or they will send you home...

Let me preface this review by saying that I almost didn't even want to write this review because I actually thought there was a chance that this had to be a fluke. I'm not sure. Take note, I don't think I even have ANY one star reviews in all of my time writing them on Google Maps.

We ordered two burritos, one chicken and one Al pastor. We also ordered one steak taco. I always like to get multiple meat types because every place has different things they do well, but trying the Al pastor is usually my priority. If that is good, I'm always willing to go back.

First: price. About $25 for two burritos before tax and tip. Not cheap, but it's not outrageous either. Willing to pay for quality.

As I was eating my burrito, I was at least five bites in before I even detected a single bite of meat. I thought to myself that this had to be a mixup. Maybe I had gotten someone else's veggie burrito order. My wife, at that moment, also commented that hers had no meat in it. Mind you, she's not even a big meat eater and she was looking confused as to what was going on.

I peeled open the burrito and at the VERY END there were just a couple little pieces of meat. I guess my accidental order switch hypothesis was incorrect. My wife gave up and walked away from her food half way through.

I tasted the steak (asada) taco. Obviously there was meat, but boy was it bland. I don't even think there was any flavor at all except the plain taste of beef.

For a total of $33 I was royally dissatisfied in a way that I can't recall ever feeling of almost any Mexican food. Believe me when I say I've had more than my fair share.

If there was some redeeming qualities, I would give it another go, just to be sure, but there's no way I'm risking another $30.

I will say this: the lady behind the counter was...

As soon as I opened the door I was greeted and seated and offered a drink. I was going to order to-go but glad I stayed a while. The customer service really is top tier, I felt like family by the time I was leaving. I ordered the Enchiladas Potosinas (3 handmade corn tortillas filled with black angus brisket braised with poblano chile strips and caramelized onions. Served over fire roasted tomatoes and guajillo sauce, with a sprinkle of cotija cheese and a side of spanish rice and organic black beans), this is a bit spicy but oh so flavorful! The masa is organically colored and flavored with chilis! 🌶️🌶️🌶️ I also read some reviews that were raving about the empanadas so I tried this also, I was expecting a side dish but they are a full meal themselves. You get 2 large empanadas fully stuffed with shredded potato and cucumber topped with sour cream and Cotija cheese with a slaw salad and salsa on the side. I ate as much as I could and now have a full meal for lunch again tomorrow! I was tempted by the tres leches cake on the way out so I grabbed one of those for after dinner tonight. El Aguilar has earned themselves another lifelong customer, I'll be back as often...