Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Saratoga Springs

Hangry wife in the car, I sped to Costa Vida. There wasn't a moment to lose - men know the hanger and we fear it. As we drove up, she noticed that the drive-thru had a line of cars albeit not terribly long. She groaned, "Ugh, you can just come back and pick up the food." "The line moves fast," I desperately exclaimed, "I just waited in it last week and it was even longer." "No it doesn't move fast. Drop us off at home and come back." After I dropped her and our son off at home, I raced back to Costa Vida. I've waited in the drive-thru before and it was pleasant and fast-moving. So I decided to walk inside to order. I saw a hot mom in front of me with her daughter. I halted my gaze so that she wouldn't think I was looking at her child, but it wasn't the child I was interested in. She obviously works out. I wonder where she works out. She has to have money, I wonder how much - "Hi can I take your order?" Oh, it's my turn. I ordered. The next employee asked if I wanted guac on my salad. "Does it come with the salad or is it extra?" I asked. "I don't know." She replied. As I stared at her for a moment, I watched her slowly realize that wasn't an appropriate answer. She turned to another employee and asked the same question. Lucky for me, the salad did come with guac, so I gladly got some. It was a pleasant experience overall, at least compared to Cafe Rio. But Skid Row is a pleasant experience compared to Cafe Rio, so perhaps that's not the bar I should hold for Costa Vida. The lobby was dirty, and 4 employees were all eating on their break despite a long line. They need a break, though I thought 4 at a time may have been excessive given the circumstances. One of the napkin dispensers was empty. Where is that gym mom? She must have left. I grabbed some plastic ware. When I got home I took a shower while my wife ate. When I came back downstairs she was full and happy. I watched a TV show as I ate. She interrupted several times to tell stories about her day. That's fine with me; I've seen this TV...

UPDATE** Just went through the drive thru.. Messed up the order again! My steak salad was completely wrong... Asked for no rice, pico or strips and double steak (no way it had double). They also didn't add the shredded cheese like I asked.

I even had the girl repeat the order back to me before I went to the window and they repeated it back to me correctly. Obviously, there is some sort of system or communication error. I wish they could just get it right. Luckily I don't have major food allergies or I could never eat here.

Update*

After my last review the new manager of the store reached out comped our meal which I thought was very nice. We returned a week or so later and had a better experience.

It's too bad this location fails to live up to the other Costa VIDA location.AVOID THIS LOCATION!

Tonight's experience was finally enough to push me to write a bad review.

The the 4th time in the past 3 to 4 months they messed up our order. Usually, they just mess up the dressings or make a small mistake but tonight was a complete nightmare.

We waited in the drive thru line for 30 minutes just to order 2 salads with some specific requests like no rice, beans or tortilla strips. I also paid for double meat on one which I beleive they forgot.

Basically, they botched mixed up the orders. Nothing was right and both the salads had things they shouldn't have had.

Something similar happened 3 weeks ago and they just forgot a bunch of items in the order. We were mad enough to call and drive back and they were nice and refunded us the money but it took an hour of our time.

I love costa vida and their food but avoid this location. They skimp on the amount of food and just can't get any...

I give them 3 stars. Foods delicious when made right and they don't skip out on the meat and cheese parts.

Customer service needs alot of work. I don't know anyone, and they arnt always the same people, so these are stereotypical people that fot the role I see most of my 100+ visits.

Starting down their line, they always have a wonderful and good mood person there to see what you want. They'll sometimes socialise and set a great tone for this quick lineup visit. It's what follows that sucks. After the first person passes your food into the oven, the next person on the line steps up. Now this is a mix between a teen boy that doesn't say anything, to an emo teen who hates her job and life that probably not as bad as they make it out to be. Both of which barly listen to any adjustment requests from the norm and almost mess everything up. Then they pass it over to the final bagger, who also passes the order on. Half the time asking me anyways what the order is so that the next personal at the register can ask me again always. The final lady always seems to be either a lady who doesn't care, and doesn't charge for their godly overpriced not even 2 tea spoons of sour cream. Or one short person that just has to account for every little adjustment and finds any possible way to upcharge you.

I've been to so many different costa vidas, love their sweet pork burrito so much that I've been going regularly for 5 years to different locations throughout the state. This one just happens to be the closest to home and...