Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Raleigh

I love Salsa Fresh, always have always will and is why this is 2 stars and not 1, but this is an honest review in hopes it supports some quick fixes and positive growth. This location needs a deep, deep cleaning. The floors are sticky and gross, it has an unwelcoming musk to the air, and its overall in need of some TLC. Probably why the sanitation score is down a bit. It seems like it's been years since it's had a professional clean. Also, the staff today created a very unwelcoming feeling. There's nothing worse than feeling like you're a burden to someone taking your order and making your food just by being there. Interrupting them sitting at a table. Then to come and drop the food to the table and say nothing just walk away. It honestly can almost ruin your appetite. The food was still decent, but it felt lazy and the guacamole and some of the salsa didnt seem "fresh", and a bit old. All this goes against the very name of your business that I've supported and promoted for over 15 years. The duraleigh location used to give me some of the same concerns (gotten a little better there) so this location was always my favorite to drive out to, but today was very much a let down. I hope to update this review in due time to see that the place was cleaned and touched up cosmetically and just more welcoming. Get it together, or I won't be coming back and will warn others of the same. Please!...

This was my first visit, and it was underwhelming. When I walked in the door, I had the gut feeling that I should leave without ordering. The tables and floors were filthy (looked like they hadn't been cleaned properly in days) and I could smell a strong cleaning chemical/public restroom smell. I thought that I would give it a try since the menu had a similar layout as my favorite burrito place (C-Street in Wilmington, NC), but the taste and price left a lot to be desired. I ordered a spicy chicken BYOB which came with hardly any chicken and was mostly filled with rice. The bits of chicken I did get where dry and tasted burnt. Towards the end of my burrito I noticed a weird taste that I could only describe as the chemical smell that I had noticed when I first walked in. I am unsure if there was cross-contamination or not, but if the smell had a taste, it would be exactly what I tasted in my burrito. In addition, the chips were stale and the chip salsa was awful. The one thing that I did enjoy was the spicy avocado sauce. I will not be coming back and truly do not understand how so many people have given Salsa Fresh (this location in particular)...

Love this place. I also always order the same thing, a burrito. Or a boorito if you’re reading this in October. They DO accept cards.

It’s one of the only places that doesn’t give you floppy squash and zucchini. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you know what I’m talking about. If I have to eat one more floppy squash burrito/taco/salad/bowl, I’m going to jump off the moral high tower I’m already standing on.

If you’re going for aesthetic, it’s ugly inside. I mean really. The inside almost makes you regret your decisions as you wonder if you accidentally walked into a Subway in a gas station. But you’re safe inside Salsa Fresh, no where near that terrible Subway in Forks, WA. Don’t judge the book by the cover. Or maybe do like a 20/80 judgement split.

I added a picture of the menu. But really I order the “build your own” burrito, which I added as well. All fresh. The terrible burrito picture I added is: Vegi, rice, black beans, spicy pico, VegiMix. It comes with chips and they have a salsa bar. It really is my favorite little hidden gem and I rank it above...