Mariscos Playa Azul Café — Restaurant in South Padre Island

Being in South Padre Island, TX, I was truly hoping for best experience in Meixcan food. Alas, I was treated in this restaurant with absolutely mediocre Mexican food. Few things to mention, 1) Waitress we had was absolutely new and could not explain difference between Chipotle, Devil and Flourentine sauces. Despite mentioning several time while placing order that we don't want Beef or Pork or refried beans in our food ingredients but my daughter got beef served in Enchiladas and Tacos. 2) Their prices are way higher for the average quality and quantity, they better improve the quality or soon be prepared to go out of business or become just make-shift restaurant at Ramada Inn, of which they are part of 3) This is a restaurant that doubles up as Ramada Inns breakfast place and it shows all over when you gouge their ambience when entering the place, 4) I have never seen any Mexican restaurants seving Enchilada without Guacamole on the side but here you need to order separately and they charge $12 extra for it (part of Pasta Plate in the menu), mind you, if you are a Guacamole fan like my family 5) Despite our order was only simple 4 items straight-from-the-menu, they charged us $6 extra on a dish that we didn't order so be watchful to compare your check and don't pay directly overlooking such possible errors. I am not saying they do it intentionally but its a good check point based on my first-hand experience.

After writing all of above points I think I am being too critical of this restaurant but let also tell readers of this review that we tasted Shrimp In Chipotle sauce which was good (my only complain is less quantity for $15 price).

I am not sure how some other reviewers gave 5 star or 4 stars as I don't see the restaurant truly deserves it. It could be family, friends, relatives as # of reviews were under 100. I am giving 2 stars because of 1 dish was good (Shrimp In Chipotle Sauce) and later one lady put in efforts to give us a taste of Devil sauce with small fish portion as I wanted to know how spicy it was. It was not spicy for me but I eat hot spicy food as my staple diet.

Hope this helps the readers and also restaurant owners to improve the quality, quantity and service as well as ambience....

Excellent location in the middle of everything in town. It is inside the Ramada hotel on the 1st floor. The service was phenomenal very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere is quiet as is fairly new place within the last three years but this place packs a punch of flavor in their dishes. The food is meticulously prepared, the ingredients are fresh and the presentation is similar to or better to higher cost restaurants in the area. The owner was present that day and it was a pleasure to meet her. This is a family run restaurant and well ran grandma is the one regulating everything there so you know everything is exactly how she wants and their flavors unbelievable. We tried their caviche, tacos, chips with their salsa sauce not quiet a salsa but this green or reddish sauce is the bomb. We also tried their cucumber and lemon agua fresca this one is also made on site with freshly squeezed or grinded ingredients. Their seafood soup and shrimp tacos are absolutely delicious. Today we tried their breakfast items such as the chorizo with papas and their veggie omelette. We have tried numerous restaurants across the Nation and this one is right up on the top five. Come and check them out Maryam and her family will treat you like family. This a BYOB establishment as they do not serve alcohol but you can bring your own and enjoy their dishes. Their serving are big so you could share a meal between two people and be full. You are not leaving here hungry I can guarantee you that. Support your...

We arrived at appx. 20:50 CST, but experienced several delays. Appx 20” to order drinks. Another 20” to get the drinks, and then order 3 entrees - no complicating appetizers, salads or soups.

First entree (enchiladas) didn’t arrive until 21:48 - 58” from arrival! Second entree (ceviche tostada) didn’t arrive until 21:59 1’09” from arrival! My entree (Chipotle Fish) arrived at 22:00 but it was Chipotle Shrimp! Finally the correct plate at 22:10 or so. Neither son nor his GF were pleased with their dishes. Bland. Enchiladas were dry and ceviche had no line taste at all - nor of any other seasoning.

Curiously, my entree proved to be the absolute best fish plate at a Mexico or Mexico adjacent themed restaurant I’ve ever had in 40 years of eating out. The mujer who owned the place said she had made the Chipotle sauce minutes before the order - the sauce recipe needs to be classified and trademarked it was so spot on! She further added the fish was sea bass. Spur of the moment I didn’t push back, but in hindsight it’s strains credulity that a spring break high demand Ramada Inn serving estaminet would spend so much on sea bass without even listing it as such on the menu. In any event, it was fanatastic.

Overall, if one can stomach the huge delays and order the correct items once can reasonably expect...