El Zarape Mexican Food — Restaurant in Redding

First time in my life a restaurant called me back to explain why they felt they were right! I use to really like this place and my boyfriend would eat here regularly. Like one customer said, the more you come here the more depreciated you are. This morning, he was doing road work and I decided to bring him some breakfast. I drove 10 miles north to get it. I ordered a bacon burrito with extra meat and cheese and I ordered myself a machaca burrito with potatoes. When I picked them up, I was charged $31 and some change, I was fine with that until I pulled them out of the bag and seen how small they were for the price. We had just spent $20 per burrito at M &M Ranch in Red Bluff the day before and it was worth every penny so I anticipated this to be at least half as good. I dropped his off to him in Palo cedro and drove south another 15 miles before I was able to eat my burrito, only to realize they didnt add in the potatoes. He said to bring it to their attention, so I did. I called and the owner answered, I explained what happened and she proceeded to argue that what I ordered didn't come with potatoes, I told her that I specifically asked for it to be added into my breakfast burrito. She was so defensive I then pointed out the fact that these burritos were ridiculously small for the cost, even the one with the add-ons was the same size as the one without . I was 20 miles away and was not expecting any kind of compensation I was just calling to let them know that there was an error made. Money is tight for everybody these days, $32 dollars is a lot to spend for 2 mediocre burritos. The owner became so defensive I told her that is fine, we will not be coming back anymore. A few minutes later she CALLED ME BACK and I answered anticipating an apology, all she did was proceed to break down why the burritos came up to 32 dollars and what I ordered didn't come with potatoes because that wasnt they way they come . She kept going on and on to the point I had to hang up on her. As a business owner, I would not treat my customers this way, I would never argue with them and I would NEVER CALL THEM BACK to defend why I was right. lets be real, it's potatoes, the labor cost of her call definitely exceed the cost of the potato she was trying to justify saving. Also, I usually get machaca for breakfast burritos but this was disgusting , half of it was filled with tortilla and half filling and the filling had the worst taste I had to throw it out and get something else. I drove that far and spent that much to take one bite and throw it away. Save your money and...

I walked to Zarapes from Motel 6. Walking past along streets with no sidewalks and highway entrances with no clear indication to drivers of pedestrians. Is this worth it I asked myself I could just order something. I made it and as I entered I can see about a 3 small tables are taken up and the place is practically empty. I could tell by the atmosphere that there was alot of pain in this place. No one was rude. The cashier was very friendly and kind but there was a backdrop of pain that filled the air. I asked the young lady what people considered their best item and she pointed me to the birria hard tacos with consome. I ordered that and left a 5 dollar tip bringing the total too 20 dollars. I grew up going to Tijuana Mexico all the time. My uncle owned a birria stand and I ask my mother every year too make me birria for my birthday. When I tell you I dipped my taco in the consome and took a bite and I had flashbacks. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING BIRRIA. AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING. Covid has really put these independent restraunts in a bad place. This Birria deserves to be put up there with the best. The only thing that is wrong about this place is that it just happens to be in a small town away from larger crowds. If your passing by Redding, CA. Stop at Zarapes and enjoy some amazing Birria.

Edit. I was gonna take picture...

Well because they're in my neighborhood I thought I'd give him a try but I had just made a whole big green chili pork myself so I just wanted rice and beans so I went in there and I said can I have a large container rice in a small container of beans with some cheese on top $16.06 is what it cost! Salsa and I got me a little pico de gallo in 1/3 little tiny container the lady in Spanish was telling the cook look at her look at her she's getting salsa she's getting pico de gallo in the tiny containers like I was stealing something no they just stole $16 from me for rice and beans I mean come on two things on the menu I could have got with rice and beans with and included an actual meat it would have cost me $16... geez Louise I mean come on it's like what $0.50 worth of condiments with my $16 of rice and beans you shouldn't be complaining over $0.50 of condiments lady I might be white and I might be wearing a cowboy hat and I might talk English but I...