Fireside Chicken and Tacos — Restaurant in Rockwall

My family and I have been here several times and have always had a pretty good experience. This time was a little different. When we walked in there was only one other family sitting inside. And it looked like they were almost through with their meal, as some were getting ready to leave the table. As we approached the counter, the woman asked us what we would like. Though attentive, she was really personable. She showed emotion helping my son with the video games. Our food arrived. My wife ordered the three tacos and I ordered the Smooth Criminal burrito. My wife ate one of her Al pastor tacos. But said it was extremely dry. So much that she couldn’t eat any of the other two. I get my burrito, but looking it, it looks sooo good. I cut into and the first bite was just that. Delicious. Second bite had some meat in it as well as potatoes. I don’t know what it was, it was really dry. And as I ate more I ran into big fatty pieces of meat. The only saving grace was pouring queso on it. Not going to lie, I did finish it. Hey, I was hungry. lol. Though we will most likely come back, because I said, other times was great. I will probably order something different.

Update 06/06/2025 We have been here several times since my initial review. But I can only "review" once. But every single time we have been since, something has been wrong. So much so, that before yesterday, my wife and said we weren't coming back. But we asked our son what he wanted for dinner and he insisted on Fireside. Reluctantly we agree and made the trek. I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted, so I went with the old standby, the smooth criminal burrito and my wife switched it up for the chicken enchiladas and my son got the cheese quesadillas. There was literally two other tables that had people and they had their food already. And it still took over 30 minutes to get our food. Then finally it came out. I instantly thought " As long as it took it better be good" Well as always it "LOOKED" good. I take a bite and the rice inside my burrito is so over cooked it was practically burned. Pair that up with the dry as sand potatoes, and I couldn't even get through half of it. My wife's enchiladas looked amazing. Upon that first bite under the sour cream and queso fresco, it looked like they just dumped an entire bottle of their green hot sauce on it. Don't get me wrong, we love spicy food. Real spicy, not watered down spicy. But the spice should pair well with the rest of the food, not make it inedible. Burned rice as well and flavorless beans. She asked if I wanted it. Because i didn't eat my food. I ate what I could. So, to sum it up. 1: Awful customer service. Lady at counter not personable and just irritable looking. 2: Not good food. 3: Asked to tip prior to getting your own food and having to bus your own tables. So 1+2+3= We will not be...

You cannot beat the value, quality and friendliness of Fireside Chicken and Tacos.

Between the fresh (free) salsa bar and extras like (free) homemade tortilla chip basket...then your food arriving at about a 50% larger size than you'd expect...Fireside delivers.

I've tried nearly everything on the menu and there are no bummers. So don't be stressed out about what to get.

Surprises, however, include the Greek Wrap, the Fish Wrap...and although the 'chicken' is in their title, IMO it's underpriced by at least $2-3 for what you get...and very tasty. I suggest ordering their fresh tortillas and filling them with the several (free) salsa options, chicken and a squeeze of fresh lime (also on the bar).

Don't let the older-type strip center its in dissuade you - or the non-traditional business name and initial shock when looking at the menu. I see a lot of puzzled faces of first-timers in line, and I just speak up and say "just order anything and you'll be happy"...and invariably, those same people thank me on the way out the door with wide smiles on their faces...and statements like 'we'll be back for sure!"

And the owners/management couldn't be any more committed, friendly and genuine.

Very welcome addition to Rockwall! :)

Glad to sign my name to this review...

-Darin...

When you eat in a fast food restaurant, you do not tip. At Fireside C & T, I stood in line to order my food, filled my own drink, and cleaned up my table. The only service was the food was delivered to us, just like Whataburger. Beyond that, there was no service.

To be fair, the food is good here. I'm just speaking to the tipping trend that's popping up in many low service establishments.

Why in the world, other than a money grab, did I have to stand in front of the order taker and select a tip amount. They are looking right at me, which was very confrontational.

I'm old school, a tip is the customers way of saying, "I liked my experience here". Todays version of a tip is to put me under pressure to pay extra before service is rendered, and it was especially irritating for them to expect a tip when there isn't a commensurate level of service!

There are plenty of good food establishments that do not pressure me for a tip, up front... without service. I choose to eat...