El Jalisco — Restaurant in Texas

We were faithful customers at the old Faithville location; we'd go for the great Jalisco burrito and the excellent el pastor plate. The drive is a lot farther for us than before, but we like the food. To start, the food quality hasn't declined. The el pastor plate is actually better, no competiton from any local restaurants. The burrito needs to be served on a larger plate; the chili gravy was flowing over the sides, making a mess on the table. Our last visit, the noise was so loud, we couldn't talk to each other. There is no sound abatement in the building, and the ceilings and tile floor makes the acoustics worse. The hard-wheeled service carts sound like armored tanks rolling on the tile floor. Our waiter took our drink and food order since we knew what we wanted. My husband asked for extra chili gravy for his burrito. We waited and waited, then someone shows up with a bowl of chili gravy. We hadn't even gotten our drinks or chips & salsa. We flagged down our waiter, who apparently was serving tables on the lower level. You know there's a problem when the first thing he says is "I'm so sorry" everytime he appears. We finally got our drinks and chips, then two minutes later our food shows up. It was good as usual, but the early chili gravy arrival was cold and congealed by that time. We hurried to eat and leave because the noise level was unbearable. Every table around us had to scream at each other to have a conversation. We finally had to flag down another waiter to find our waiter because he had disappeared. We really like the food, even with considerable price hikes, but the atmosphere is unpleasant and service--that was not the greatest before--has declined. Next time we go we'll try to find a seating area that's not like sitting in an active heavy...

I don` t even know where to begin... The food, for one, is not authentic Mexican food like they claim. It is not even TexMex. I have never had such bland and underseasoned Mexican food ever. I've been to Mexico many times, along with Mexico City, Alcopulco, Monteray, etc... Their food does not come close to the food from other countries and it is not even Tex Mex. Taco Cabana blows this away. My wife and I are home cooks and we make better Mexican food then this. When it first opened, we were craving nachos and thought we would end our Friday with some nachos and margaritas...WRONG!!! The margaritas were so outrageously expensive, we could have bought a whole bottle of tequila for the price of two of theirs, and decided not to get any, and the things they called nachos, not even close! It was mostly boiled chicken with huge chunks of bell pepper and onions., with a very small amount of cheese and beans.They were just outright blizzare. Other times the beef that they claim are fajitas are not even skirt steak, it is boiled, underseasoned roast. They get our orders wrong when we drive through and our inhouse experience was less then pleasant. It was embarrassing when our relatives came down from Norway, and wanted to experience our mexican food. We sat outside while there were workmen jackhammering and installing beams, for a new adition. We could not even hold a conversation, it was so loud. Along with the food not being up to the standards of real Mexican food, the prices are outrageous, and now, as posted on there drive through, are subject to change..what, even higher then now? We have given this resaurant several chances but we are...

Update (2nd visit): I got a fajitas flameada plate and enjoyed it, though they only gave me two tortillas for all that food.

Some observations and opportunities for improvement (they definitely have growing pains to go through, being relatively new):

1- Some of my to-go orders didn't come with the changes that I asked for.

2- Things like avocados, guacamole, and sour cream should come in a separate container in a to-go order.

3- My server didn't check to see if everything was OK and/or if I needed anything (e.g., water refill). Also, I asked for limes with my water, but he brought lemons instead (which have seeds), and I asked for a dessert to eat there, but it was put in my to-go order instead.

4- They have to roll the bus cart down the ramp that leads to the crowded lobby to get to the tables in the lower level. This was clearly a design oversight.

5- They need to pave the parking lot and make it easier and clearer to access the larger section, to the side.

As a result of my second visit, I dropped a star, which seems fair. I still plan on visiting again and adjust accordingly. With better attention to detail, they can earn a better rating.

OG review: First visit...friendly staff, sturdy & fresh tortilla chips (unlike Chili's), savory salsa, excellent creamy green sauce, tender & juicy barbacoa. I'll be back to try other dishes.

That said, they're a bit on the pricey side, and their online payment system didn't work for me; not too big a deal, but hopefully...