La Terraza Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Raleigh

Below my expectations. I got a Groupon, so I could try more than if I was paying 100% for it all.

2 stars- Taco Salad... lacked flavor. The beans were the traditional grey-ish thin layer, but they tasted "grey". I dont think the pureed beef was seasoned at all. Like someone forgot. I added salsa, which helped, a lot. I ate most of it.

1 star - Fish Tacos... Most any Fish Taco would be hard to compare when you've had the origial American version in San Diego and heavily Mexican influenced versions in Florida and Texas. But these were NOT good... presentation? the avocado was bruised and riddled with grey/brown spots. The pico was, tired? Im not sure who puts this orange "sauce" on these... a strange velveta color, looking a but like french dressing, but a sour-cream-meets-taco-seasoning consistancy, with a dull flavor all-around, makes you wonder why Cerro chose to put the sauce on these. The fish... um, 1/4 to1/3 in thick fillets. Somethings just not right here. The flavor itself was not unpleasant, just left something to be desired. The texture with this dish failed to ha e a fresh appeal to it. I only stomached 1 of the 3... the best part was finishing with the 1/4 lime, which was fresh.

0 stars Combo 9. 1ench, 1burr, rice. Burrito : covered in tomato puree with loads of oregano is a definite no-go. Inside the flour tortilla was pureed flavorless beef. I have decent level of tollerance for mediocre food. I cant eat any more than the 1 bite. Enchilada: covered in a different tomato puree that was REALLY sweet, not meant for an enchilada... tortilla yet again, filled with flavorless beef puree. Rice... the kind of pinkish/orange kind. Color was familiar. Flavor was watered down. Sadly, was the only thing I might have wanted to pay for on this plate. Ate about 6 bites to identify the texture... mostly, a little over cooked... probably, if they threw it on the flat top for a bit to dry it out/firm it up, it might help. (Add a bit of choped tomato, some flavoring... etc, heck stir in a dab of salsa and fry, that would help!)

The side of black beans was surprisingly good, and flavorful. A shock considering the lack of flavor in everything else.

I review a lot of restaurants on Google Maps. I do my best to be honest, and fair. I believe that even though restaurants have high standards, that its possible to have a "bad day", and might be noticed if you only try a single dish. I think in 5 years of reviews, and as a level 6 Google tour guide, I might have only scored 1 other restaurant with 1 star.

This is just not good. I cannot recommend this...

Updated review below the beginning.

3 stars for service only. I understand revamping a menu with a change of ownership or brand, however they got rid of one of their most popular appetizers, halved the vegetarian options, and lowered the quality of every single ingredient in everything. I returned 5 times since the change since El Cerro, and was finally brave enough to order the enchiladas supreme which was my go to for several years. I was unimpressed and when I offered my dining partner a taste he said, "it tastes like they dumped dollar tree tomato sauce on perfectly delicious enchiladas to ruin them on purpose." Again, service has been impeccable as always, even though it seems the crew that has been here for years and years has left. Also, if you want a simple Margarita, don't come here. Ordered a house lime marg... Got a pineapple mango monstrosity with big garnish to make up for the fact it was filled with tropical juices I did not want and in fact asked to not have. House. Lime. Margarita. Anyway. It's still cheap and good portions for what you pay, but the quality of food is just... And if you loved El Cerro you are not going to want to pay more for the straight up out the can or jar US Foods you get. Once again, the staff is awesome, attentive and friendly. It's everything else that seems to try too hard to be classy or something and just... I had cheese enchiladas with tomato paste... Wtf

It is now 2 stars just because they have delicious Quesabirrias. They also raised the prices and cut the portions (but so has everywhere else). This is the second time I've come in solo and been ignored for over 30 minutes after I get my drinks. I'm...

We went for Cinco de Mayo & the food was good, but our waiter was HORRIBLE. He was nice at first… until we had to send a couple of drinks back due to them not tasting right. He caught a little attitude, but still ended up getting the drinks remade. Then, the same people in my party asked for condiments for their food and also told him about minor issues they had with it. He INSTANTLY caught a nasty attitude again and told us he wasn’t taking the food back or telling the kitchen because it would come out of his paycheck. He even said “everyone wants to have a problem all of a sudden” when that wasn’t the case. It was 2 people that spoke up and everyone else’s stuff was good. After some arguing, he decided to take the food off their checks.

The next problem occurred when it was time to pay. We had water and some drinks, so a couple of the girls went to use the bathroom while he split the checks- they left their wallets, phones, and keys at the table. We were not going to leave without paying. My bill was $25, so I paid with $40 cash. He tried to keep all of my change and I had to ask for it back. After going back & forth with him AGAIN, he finally gave me my change, but proceeds to ask me about the other girl’s checks who hadn’t paid yet. I told him they were in the bathroom, but they were still going to pay. He rolls his eyes & we paid then left.

I will never come back to this restaurant. I wish I could tell you the waiter’s name, but he never introduced himself, checked on the table, refilled...