Las Palapas - Callaghan — Restaurant in San Antonio

One of my favorite breakfasts is a good machacado plate, bits & chunks of dried beef (carne seca, beef jerky) mixed into scrambled eggs. I like mine "a la Mexicana" with some pico de gallo also mixed in. Some restaurants ask if you want it all la Mexicana, but a la Mexicana is Las Palapas standard rendition of this classic scrambled omelette. I specifically noted the traditional use of dried beef to highlight the fact that Las Palapas uses seared steak, which has a different texture and taste. There were 1 or 2 bites that were a little tough, about the same as with carne seca. With that in mind, I want to say IT IS DELICIOUS!!! The chew, texture, and taste are different, but it actually enhances the foodie experience. Variety truly is the spice of life, and this preparation hits every note for me.

The refritos were delicious, perfectly seasoned, very flavorful, just loose enough to scoop with the tortilla, but sticky enough to hold the machacado in the taco! Also very good dipping the hash brown potatoes, too.

And the papas ... The potatoes were a good size dice. Some places chunk them so large that it's hard to get one piece into your mouth. These were diced so that several pieces made a nice bite. I prefer this because each piece contributes more surface area to the whole bite that there is more seasoning and browning adding more flavor. And these were seasoned to command the spotlight on their own.

Tortillas ... I got the corn tortillas. I know, flour tortillas are the preferred taco, especially in San Antonio, but corn was the original tortilla, and I love the good ones (the bad ones fall apart). These were delicious and held the refritos and machacado (& salsas) till the last bite. Also, I don't think they are very popular because it took a few minutes to make them, and they were served piping hot fresh off the griddle.

The red and green salsas were both delicious. I slathered them on my food, but was never offered any chips. I didn't ask. I would have liked about 3 chips, but the only thing I would have used them for would have been to taste the salsas. Ultimately, my analysis is that both have great flavor if not particularly hot.

Tea, half-&-half sweet, well done, served with a ¼ wedge of the lime.

Now, a word about the service ... It wasn't great. But, I want to qualify that by saying the place was hopping, 3 wait staff covering the dining room, and it was packed at 11:15 am yesterday (Saturday). There were several tables open when I arrived, but they quickly filled up. I was dining alone & was glad that I chose one of their smallest tables. That said, there were a few minor glitches in my service. The waitress asked if I wanted flour or corn tortillas, & I specified corn. My plate was served without tortillas or salsa. Another waitress came out with a tortilla container and asked if I wanted flour or corn. When I said corn, she turned around and left. A few minutes later, my piping hot corn tortillas were delivered. It took another few minutes to get salsa. I'd have been happy with either the red or green. They brought both. I think they had to fill the tiny Solo cups for my order, and didn't look to see how other tables were served. At one point, waiting for the salsas, my waitress came out with a later seated tables food. But as soon as her tray was empty, she went back and grabbed salsa for me. Like I said, the place filled up after I arrived, & everyone was hustling. The only misstep was that the tortillas and salsa were not brought with the plate. But, she did look at me every time she walked past and asked if I needed anything, so I definitely was not being ignored. I gave 5 stars for everything else, but only 4 stars for service, but I still left a 33% tip - I wouldn't deduct tip for an honest error in the heat of battle.

Overall, a very good dining experience which I shall be revisiting from time to...

Terrible service. Felt as if I was being discriminated against as soon as I walked in. This was my first time going and didn’t know that you seat yourself and then they bring you menus. I simply walked to the counter to ask for menus and was told they bring them to me however the server standing next to the guy that I asked for menus felt the need to mumble something about me behind my back. Little did I know the guy that was mumbling about me was going to be my server! His name is HECTOR. He was very rude to my table but friendly and very caring to other tables. Wouldn’t even approach my table but would ask “is everything ok” while standing at another table. Never offered to refill drinks and towards the end never even bothered on even coming back to my table. As well as the dirty looks we got from other employees for no reason? As the only black people in the establishment and the only ones receiving terrible service, I can’t help but feel like race was the determining factor. After the terrible service, and waiting over 10 minutes for a last minute refill that I never got, we decided to wrap things up and leave, since we never received a ticket, we had to walk to the counter to pay. At the counter, low and behold, there’s my server that never returned to my table to check on us or refill drinks, hector. He never opened up his mouth, didn’t even tell me my total but placed the receipt on the counter for me to just look at. I guess he couldn’t talk to me because I am black. My total was $35 and some change. I gave him $40 and I was only given $3 in change so do the math. After that, didn’t even receive a salutation, a goodbye, a thank you, none of that. Worst experience ever. I came to this restaurant because it was close to the hotel I was staying in and I was craving good Mexican food however all that I received was terrible service, and overall unwanted feeling, and was gypped out of $1. The whole experience was disgusting. Will NEVER return to this establishment nor will I ever recommend anyone. Please take heed when visiting especially as a person not of Hispanic or...

Don’t try to go inside if the drive thru is long. It’s a waste of time. Literally stood in line just for two drinks. No one said “We will be with you shortly”. Everyone did what they were doing and passed me by. Then the manager acknowledges me and asked if I needed help. I said yes I just need to order some drinks. He then walks to the back of the restaurant and just ignored my response. Then a young man that was hanging up front when I got there comes back up after getting a person a menu and silverware. Answers a phone call. Hands it to the manager. Then checks another table. Comes back to the back of the counter and answers another phone call as I’m obviously standing there waiting for service. I asked if he just stands there and looks pretty. He said he is a waiter but yet I saw him just take someone’s order prior to me walking in. Then the young man asked my name and tries to take my order. Then the manager comes out from the back and tells the young man that he gots it. Asked what I needed I said to order drinks then turns around and starts packing to go order. Very disrespectful and not even worth getting food or drinks just because of bad service. I tried to stay patient as I had a child who was thirty in the car. It makes people lose their appetite. It’s uncalled for, no acknowledgment, no engagement… and then coming from the manager. Maybe it’s cause I’m gay.. or bad customer service. Regardless, the service sucked and I would never spend my hard earned money at a place that doesn’t know how to treat...