La Palapa Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Port Orchard

I will preface this by saying I'm from Southern California, so I probably have higher expectations that others. La Palapa was just okay. The portions were what I would expect, and the pricing is reasonable for the amount of food you get. I think overall, the whole group collectively felt that the food was just lacking flavor. Mexican food should be bursting with flavors and seasoning, this food was very bland. The carnitas inside my burrito was very dry. If your carnitas are so dry that the dryness is still obvious once inside a burrito full of wet ingredients, then it's a problem! One burrito ordered without beans had beans in it, and someone else's was made without beans instead. The horchata was the worst I've had, it was gritty and flavorless, and whatever powder base mix they must use didn't really incorporate properly and just kept sinking to the bottom of the glass like sand. It was also very off putting that they seemed to nickle and dime where they could. Next to sodas it said only one refill. While I probably wouldn't have drank more than two glasses worth, the fact that they had this on the menu kept me from ordering a soda. The kids meals come with soda, which my daughter isn't allowed to have, so I asked if they can substitute horchata instead since horchata was the same price. The woman said normally they weren't allowed to but she would make an acception. Why does it matter if an adult size costs the same? Those little things, combined with the lack of flavor was the nail in the coffin, and we all agreed we wouldn't want to come back. The one redeeming thing was their flan. We were hesitant to order it after the rest of the food, but went for it and ended up really...

Oh, where do I start? Let's start with the first things we noticed: Dirty, empty, picture menu on the wall reminiscent of mall food courts That should have been enough to send us running. Sadly, we stayed. We stayed for the horribly greasy, poorly seasoned, bland, indigestible food. We stayed for the interminably slow service, 10 minute wait just to get menus. Did I mention that the restaurant was empty? We stayed when we were brought the wrong meals. And no, not a language barrier issue - just a waitress who didn't give a ¶*@#. But when the bill came and we were charged for both the wrong meals and what we ordered, as well as drinks from the "bar" - that's when we got up to leave. When I asked to have the "wrong" items removed from the menu, suddenly the service went from lacking to outright hostile. We paid the bill, but I called my credit card company as soon as I got home and disputed the charge. Growing up in California, I have eaten in some truly crappy "Mexican" restraunts, but this is by far the worst place I have ever been stupid...

REVIEW UPDATE: 9/27/2019 - We came back for dinner and ordered their most expensive item on the menu, the Steak Ranchero and Carne Asada. As expected it was super delish! Plus the plate was gigantic! 😊 Check the pics I added for your curiosity. The Staff are wonderful, kind and friendly people. Even the Chef came to us and check on us and asked us if we liked our meal. I love my dining experience here. Giving it a five-star now! So guys if you’re reading this be sure to come and check it out. And tell them Mila Dijamco sent ya! 🤣😂

This is a small Mexican Grill who impressed us with super delicious meals we ordered for lunch. The refried beans taste like sweet milk! I can't believe how good my chicken tacos are. The chicken breasts are so tender and juicy and pico de gallo was super fresh and crunchy! Will recommend this place and come back another time for sure! Thank...