Green Lemon — Restaurant in Tampa

Pros: When I was headed to green lemon for my first time two of my main concerns were parking, and finding seats. It was a Saturday and some how some way I managed to find parking immediately despite it being a full house;also, finding seats was a little uncomfortable but I'll explain it in my cons. Fortunately a couple at the bar got up and we both took a seat, Ryan the bar tender took notice of us immediately before we even took our seats and handed us some menus. This surprised me because I didn't think he paid us any attention, he was super busy, despite all the clients he had attended to he was able to correctly take our order and make our drinks "pronto" or in other words FAST. Their waitresses are super nice, whatever questions I asked I got a pleasant response. In fact IN some bars folks tend to order behind your back and I'm guilty of doing this, but at Green Lemon it didn't seem intrusive when others did it, because the waitresses were there to help-their service was that fast, that good. The food surprised me, it was that delicious, I ordered their hard shell tacos and it was a burst of different flavors in each one, each was truly one of a kind. Our drink orders included a sangria, long island, and two margaritas with a Corona on them both-Fair warning to the faint in heart this drink will hit you hard. For dessert we were treated to two dessert bowls filled with ice cream, whip cream and churros-Amazing. For my CONS review I really wish the bar was bigger and as I stated earlier the reason why we felt uncomfortable when we walked in to get seats was because of the host that day. I strongly believe in being a positive person despite the place not having seats available, I almost left, she didn't even offer me to look at the bar, or even recommended me to order to-go, I actually ended up walking to the bar and the wait for two seats at the bar wasn't even that long, she's totally unfamiliar with her surroundings. She's a beautiful young lady but definitely needs to be on her P's & Q's, and smile a lot more. Overall this place deserves a 5 star because of quality. What they have to offer is worth every cent. One suggestion, try adding ceviche to the menu, I was looking for it. Most Mex-Fusion restaurants in Miami and Palm Beach have them and it's always popular. I was intrigued it wasn't in the menu but like I said...

Read my review below first. We have eaten here numerous times already. It was wonderful. But two MAJOR issues this past time - all circling around a lack of good management.

1. A member of our party is a recovering addict and has NEVER requested even a virgin drink in over 40 years - until yesterday, wanting to celebrate Father's Day. He was given an alcoholic drink!!!! Trent, the manager, denied it, but my BIL's wife also had the same drink and both got a buzz.

2. Like that wasn't enough, my wife, who gets deathly ill from gluten, was served GLUTEN! She is in bed as we speak, hasn't eaten, full-on migraine, and may be needing to go to the ER. Our server stated severe gluten allergy, but they still brought out a gluten quesadilla. Flour tortilla, not corn. When we asked the person bringing the food, she nastily said, " YES. It's gluten-free!" WRONG. Our server confirmed it, but yet again Trent denied it.

3. Trent blamed it on our server, who we have had multiple times and ALWAYS takes great care of us. This is how you treat your employees? By throwing them under the bus?

4. Suggested solutions? Trent GONE. Then train your back room staff, and your food runners the importance of getting orders correctly! That is basic expectations when eating at ANY restaurant! We will NOT be returning, and that's sad. But our health is more important!!! UGH.

5. Management please don't respond - it means nothing until you make the necessary IMPORTANT changes - see "suggested solutions".

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FULL FIVE STARS! If you get sick or have reactions from gluten, and are required to eat gluten-free/celiac, this is an awesome place with options, and a DEDICATED FRYER!!!! Yes, even their crispy, yummy fries are GF!!!! All the food is delicious, filling, and relatively cheap - and best thing is.... you don't get sick after eating it!!! Also try the Crispy Trees - OMG! There aren't but two GF Mexican restaurants around the Tampa area, so really happy the food is awesome. We had Daisha twice as our delightful, personable server (see pic!). Will be asking for her each time. :) Guess I'd better buy stock in the company and get some of my money back over the next...

Cinco de Mayo in SoHo with Tuesday! The Green Lemon in the Old Hyde Park section of Tampa was alive and vibrant for the Mexican celebration! It's definitely the place to go when you want to fiesta! It was jammed packed and wild in the middle of the afternoon which led us to question what was it going to be like after the sun went down? As soon as we walked in the huge Ice Carving was being filled with tequila and the chilled shots were flowing for FREE throughout the restaurant! With as many people as were jammed into the establishment the service was still fast and the food was being served surprisingly fast! They were prepared for the crowd and handled everything with silky perfection! It was controlled chaos but a really fun vibe that made you happy to be part of the excitement! Unlike a local Irish Pub in Crystal River that was totally unprepared on St. Patrick's Day.

No wonder Trip Advisor has this rated as the #1 Mexican Restaurant in Tampa! This modern hangout offers upbeat Mexican inspired street fair! For our appetizer we started with the Trio Dip, freshly my chips with guacamole, queso blanco & lime salsa! It was outstanding and we both really enjoyed the queso blanco! The Don Julio 1942 Tequila Margarita was top shelf! So good I had to have another! Next we went with The Street Trio any combination of three street tacos from their extensive selections! Our three choices were Kung Fu'd Tuna, blackened seared rare tuna, pickled onion, mango, cucumber, avocado topped with cilantro and drizzled with Mexican siracha aioli! Second taco was the Camarones, grilled shrimp, crisp cabbage, cilantro, pickled red onion topped with charred jalapeno salsa! And last but not least was the Pescado, blackened Mahi, crisp cabbage, pickled onions, avocado and topped with Verde salsa! These were some of the best-tasting tacos we have ever had and they were so good we ordered another three of the exact same ones!! We for sure will return and imagine this is a great place for Taco Tuesday with my Tuesday!!...