La Margarita Express — Restaurant in Salem

UPDATE: Food is still top notch. I got the flautas again, but all pork this time. I liked them best. There was live music which was great. The staff is super friendly. The only negative thing I can say is that it is hard to get a waiter to your table. It could just be because they were busy, but several times I had to catch someone while they were walking by to get more water, take my food order, ask again for the things because they would get forgotten by the first person. But they were always very nice about it and I was not in a hurry, so it wasnt a big deal. Just wanted to let you all know in case speed is important.

I stopped by to try this place on a lunch break. It took awhile to be seated and awhile for my order to be taken. In fact the waiter never came by to take my order, I had to flag the hostess down and ask if I could please place my order. She said he would be out soon. Upon waiting more she came back and said she would take the order for me so I could get back from my lunch on time. The hostess was amazing and was going above and beyond her job duties. There was only one waiter working and he didn't even check on me until the hostess had brought me my check. All in all I waited at least 5 minutes in the doorway waiting to be acknowledged, 15-20 min to place my order (which again no one ever came to do it I had to flag someone down). Once order was in I didn't have to wait long for it to be cooked and delivered and it was indeed very good. That with the service from the hostess was why this was not a lower rating. Bottom line: if you are looking for prompt service I would avoid here but if you have a ton of time stop by, the...

We've had breakfast twice there and it's all we can do to restrain ourselves from going back again and again. Our first time there, as I parked the car my husband went into the restaurant to get on the waiting list. He used my number so they could text me when they were ready for us and I almost couldn't believe the text I received saying the wait time was 150 minutes! Yes, 2-1/2 hours! Oh my. It turned out to be just under 2 hours for a wait time so be prepared to have other plans while you wait and they'll text you a heads-up to make your way back to the restaurant. So worth the wait!!! We did not have any alcohol (bloody mary, mimosa, etc.) but the coffee was delicious with plenty of refills and real 1/2 and 1/2. We had creme brulee vanilla custard french toast, bacon (really good bacon unlike most you'll ever get anywhere else with a lot of meat and large 'farmhouse style' slices), chicken friend pork chop and biscuit with lots of gravy. So much food we always take about 1/2 of each meal home with us and next time we're getting bloody marys! The converted house building is so cute inside--just what you'd expect--very intimate and interesting with great service. Sometimes you get quality, sometimes quantity but not usually both and this place...

First off, the papusas are pretty Flippin good. That's the only good thing I have to say about the food. The free tortilla chips are overcooked, and it feels like I'm eating 5 year old stale chips that someone's grandma decided to pull out of the pantry and serve at an old peoples home get together. If that's your cup of tea, we'll then you'll love them.

The tamale... Let's just say they are like eating chicken wrapped in mush. I know my tamales, and it's more like a mush wrap than anything.

Again, though, the papusas are delicious.

I've been here approximately 3 times. Every time, I've waited over an hour for my food. The waiters/waitresses are very nice. That being said, waiting over a fricking hour for food is absurd. Idk if they are driving out to the fields to wrangle up some pigs and chickens for the dishes once your order is placed, but gosh damn it takes forever. And I mean, Foooooorever. So if you're someone who doesn't like to sit and fiddle your thumbs for a ridiculous amount of time, meanwhile, starving to death, this isn't the place for you. If you like doing all of that, then this is the place for...