Castañeda's Mexican Food — Restaurant in Pomona

We regularly feasted on the various tacos from Castaneda's Mexican Food. That is until one of our daughters gave us an unusually stern warning and told us to stop eating there as people have found "stuff" in their food.

We hadn't had any issues with our food the several years we had eaten there. I have noticed slow service going through the drive through. On a side note, I don't like the idea of not being able to see the workers making the food. Especially with the pandemic, I want to make sure that our food is being properly prepared. And speaking of the pandemic, we have been careful of fast food places, and have been only to a select few places. Which basically means, we hadn't been to Castaneda's in over a year.

With the lock down being essentially over, my wife stopped by last week and came back with chicken tacos. She was in and out of the drive-thru in minutes. They were absolutely delicious! I asked my wife where she got them from and see said Castaneda's. I was like, is that a new place? She said no, it's the place we used to go to. I was shocked as the meat was well seasoned (appeared to be almost ground chicken), thinly sliced lettuce, cheddar cheese, tomatoes and crunchy shells. These things were good.

Well, those tacos made such an impression on me that I was craving those same tacos again one week later. My encounter wasn't so swift as my wife's going through the drive-thru. I was in the drive through for about 25 minutes. It didn't appear that they were busy either as i couldn't see anyone inside.

I get home and I'm starving. Started tearing into one of the tacos and what do I bite into, three pieces of jagged chicken bones. Yes, three separate pieces that could have easily broke a tooth had I not been careful chewing. The meat was tasteless and was chunked. This was definitely not the same taco meat I had one week earlier. My wife even commented that the tacos were horrible and didn't have any type of seasoning.

The place is not cheap, and with my worse nightmare coming true with sharp chicken bone fragments in the meat, I will NOT be returning. Sadly, I believe in patronizing our local businesses, but not Castaneda's who don't appear to have any quality control over...

The food was good, but had Uber Delivery n bag was not tied so Uber Driver can easily have access to food not very hygienic is it? I called to provide me feedback n whomever answered was defensive we always make a knot- hmm if I'm calling n telling her then not always. In addition, I suggested some kind of sticker to confirm it's sealed n again we don't have stickers, um obviously duh that's why it's a suggestion. My humble opinion to owner train those who answer phone calls on customer service skills as your business can be far more successful with a pleasant experience. Positive note- presentation of food on containers was nice ,however I get grossed out knowing food was not sealed in bag n for that reason I won't order or eat here, as unfortunately I did not eat my food. Another the person who answered phone then also asks was anything wrong with your food? Oh well - I just told her, unknown if something wrong as I do not know for certainty if my food was looked into by Uber driver who also, to mention car was not clean inside or out, and that in itself brings on more grossness or began my entire ordeal. 3 suggestions just tie a knot on bag, invest on restaurant stickers, and work on training your staff on customer...

Like their food... particularly the carnitas mini tacos, enchiladas & breakfast burritos. HOWEVER, do NOT go on a Sunday when you may encounter a male employee who will try to RIP YOU OFF. First time a few weeks ago, he tells me I can't get carnitas in a mini taco. WRONG. Menu lists options: asada, chicken, cabeza, carnitas, lengua, etc). I order carnitas tacos at least 3X per week here for at least the last 6 months. He tried to tell me "some things on the menu are wrong." Excuse me?? Asked for manager; ended up getting free carnitas tacos. Now, TODAY, ran into him again. This time he tried to rip me off. Mini tacos are $1.99 each. Today he tried to tell me each taco is $1.99 but it's an "extra $1.99 for carnitas in them." WHAT??? There are LAWS against this kind of false or deceptive pricing. THIS IDIOT NEEDS TO BE FIRED. He is violating the law and shows zero respect for customers. Otherwise, the other employees who handle the drive-thru are friendly and wonderful, drive-thru is open 24/7, the food I've ordered has always been tasty... including the mini carnitas tacos I got today at the advertised...