Village Taqueria and Grill — Restaurant in Town of Dryden

The restaurant itself has always been a very nice place to be. Warm wood features that are inviting and classy. What’s unfortunate is that the service and food don’t live up to that.

When we first walked in we stood there for about five minutes without being greeted despite there being two servers at the desk chatting to each other and at least one other server walking past us. They looked at us, saw we were waiting to be seated and actively decided not to say anything at all. Not an amazing first impression. Finally someone came from back, looking like they probably work in the kitchen, immediately greeted us and got us a table. And I thought, ok, they’re probably short staffed and busy, and wrote it off.

Once at the table, our server promptly came over and asked what my wife she would like to drink and skittered off to retrieve it. Lucky for me I was fine with the same drink because that’s what I got. Ok, maybe the server is new, nervous to be doing this, or whatever. It’s fine… We ordered. Our order included chips and salsa because apparently that’s not something that’s just included? That’s fine too… Chips were fine, salsa was watery and bland. We added salt, in fact.

When the food came I was hopeful that it would make everything worth it. Well, it just didn’t. The enchiladas were fine but the sauce was bland. Rice and beans were not very well seasoned either. The chicken nachos were ok but the queso (touted as homemade) was also bland. It was literally just small bits of chicken, chips, gloopy queso and fried jalepenos.

Overall, this is just not someplace I will go back to. We have some great Mexican restaurants in the area, so this one just...

Well, let's start off with it. It was nice to see an unused building brought back to use... I had high hopes... getting there, we had to wait as there were only 3 of us and the tables emptied. Apparently, we for larger groups ... not to mention a back room that was not full!! 15 minutes... ok, whatever... with staff was friendly enough and obviously busy. HOWEVER, when ordering a Sizzling plate Fajita and the $24 all meat one!!!! And saying Is it really gonna come out sizzling?? Told yes it does. Then your expectations are just that.. !!!! Again my hopes where high. Not only did it come out not sizzling the container for the tortilla shells was Literally hotter, then the cast iron that was to be sizzling! To top that disappointment there was barely any meat or vegetables on that NOT sizzling plate, mind you got all 3 meats see the photos of the $24 meal I could have gone to McDonald's got a hotter meal and more food... I seriously went home and ate leftover ribs from a week ago that tasted better cold than my cold blan food. My wife at least enjoyed her taco salad. Keep in mind she prefers less flavor and spices . My mother in law had the same as my wife.. said it was alot for her but flavorless!!! Maybe it was just a bad night.. maybe food cost is so high they are high priced and cutting back on flavor and quality!!! Last note I had many other places where always comes out sizzling and a pile of vegetables with meat, leaving me full.. Sadly, they fell very short!!! For now, 2 stars as the friendly enough staff kept it...

My meal was delicious (Street tacos, which I chose "as a meal" with rice and beans").

My dining companions ordered margaritas, which didn't arrive, until our meals were served (and only, after I'd mentioned to the hostess that they'd been waiting. I was told they were still being made, but I suspect they were sitting on the bar, and no one had checked on them).

One of my companions ordered a chicken dish (fajitas, or something of that sort). Unfortunately, they'd used dark meat (which they weren't fond of, I'm not either, just a personal preference).

My other companion ordered a burrito, and was of the opinion that since they'd been asked which type of beans they wanted (black, or refried), that the beans would have been served on the side. They instead were an ingredient, in the burrito.

A couple dining nearby also had some difficulties.

The restaurant was apparently short staffed, which is unfortunate, as a lot more patrons arrived after we did. Though by the time we were leaving, more staff seemed to have arrived.

Unfortunately for the restaurant, they'd just received a good write up, in the local paper, so this was not the best time to be unprepared.

I'll probably go back, in a couple of months, to see if things improve.

I think of they try a bit harder they'll be successful.

Don't...