Latin Soul Restaurant — Restaurant in Staunton

I hate to leave a review like this because the family that owns this business is very nice. The service at Latin Soul is the worst I've had in Staunton, and this isn't a fluke, I've gotten food from them many times and never once had decent service. They only ever have 1 person manning the hostess both, waiting tables, manning the bar, getting to go orders. I don't think this is temporary short staffing, I think this is how they like to run their businesses because Sweet Addie's similarly is understaffed and has been this way the entire time they have been open. If the food wasn't so good, I would have given up on this place a long time ago. The food that I've had that was delicious are the Latin dishes. The best refried beans and Spanish rice I've ever had. The plantains are awesome as are the taquitos. If it wasn't for these items I would never come back.

My tips to navigate this restaurant:

Do Not eat in here. You will be thoroughly disappointed with service.

Do Not use their online ordering service. I've used it twice and had major issues both times.

Check your food before you leave the building. They forget items or run out of items and don't say anything.

Only call in with your order and take it to go. You will probably be waiting at the front wondering if anyone works here because you will see no staff for a few minutes, but eventually you will get your food and maybe be able to pay. I've also had several incidences where they had difficulties running a credit card for some reason. Perhaps cash could be the way to go.

Again if their food was bad, I wouldn't come back. But I do love several of their dishes. You all need to make some major changes to your service.

Edit: In response to Besy's comment: I am not surprised you have high ratings either, I'm not saying the food isn't delicious. I haven't "brought these comments forward" before because it has either happened in the presence of the owners (so you're already aware) or there is only one person working who is apologizing for the issue already and is also aware. There are several comments about service already on here, so this isn't a new issue. It's just reached the point where I feel like the best course of action to get it addressed is a public comment since it's happened so many times with no improvement so far. I am glad to know you plan to make some changes, I think you all have a great product that just needs improvement...

Wow!!! Just Wow! Wife took me there for lunch today and I was floored. Food was fresh and FABULOUS! I ordered the “small” chicken vegetable soup as a side to my chicken strip sandwich. The soup showed up minutes later and it was HUGE. I quickly realized, I messed up ordering two meals, but figured worst case… I’d have leftovers for dinner.

The soup was EXCELLENT! Veggies, corn on the cob, huge chunks of chicken all living in the most perfectly seasoned broth. When my chicken sandwich & fries showed up… I honestly didn’t want to stop eating the soup…. But those FRIES were calling me! Okay… just one… one more. Oh no, I’ve lost CONTROL! Fine.., try the Chicken Strip sandwich… oh where the hell am I?? This is a dream come true! The breading.., the tenderness as the chicken breast just mets in your mouth! So…I gathered my emotions quickly and knew I had to get back to the this awesome SOUP!

Deep sigh… My only regret was not trying something else on the menu.

It’s a Veteran owned business and i will tell you there is a new game in town folks…. I love this place! It is the best kept secret secret in Staunton as of this writing. DID I MENTION THE freaking SOUP? Honey, let me have a bite of the burger!!

Go now! Drop everything and do not pass GO! It’s got some serious LATIN SOUL! I may go back tomorrow…

Mike...

Ive been here twice now. once for brunch and once for dinner. we really wanted to like this as we've heard amazing things, but I have several complaints.

I know. inflation... I get it, but the portion sizes do not go with the prices, especially when the food quality just isn't there. I got the meatloaf under "specialties" so I thought it would be amazing. it was really bad. very dry and tough, even with gravy all over it, and ONLY tasted like pepper. the mashed potatoes were very gummy/gluey and also very peppery. I love seasoning and don't like bland food, so it's not that I'm not used to seasoned food. it was just overwhelmingly peppery and just bad textures all around service was decent. maybe a tad slow getting to our table but that's fine. no worries

overall, we will not be going again. is it the building? every restaurant that tries to open here...