Viva La Vida Spanish & Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Islip

I visited this establishment today for lunch and disappointment was the result. The cost of the meals and beverages at this establishment are above average for average peasant food (by Mexican standards). The seafood soup that my dining partner ordered was very small (coffee cup sized, not a bowl) and the cost was 11 or 12 dollars. The waiter received my friend's complaint about the portion size with indifference and no offer was made to make it right. He even asked if we wanted dessert at the end! That was very brave of him. He should have been brave enough to expand the portion, but no offer was made to do anything to right the wrong. I mean, I get it. People open restaurants to make a living.

This place has been here more than twenty years, across from the old Bronco Charlies restaurant, now a parking lot, from the 50s and 60s, the log cabin motif and excellent food being the most memorable. Viva La Vida will also be memorable...like a dentist's drilling of teeth can be memorable. Okay, the food did not harm us. I am trying to give a pleasant review, but it is difficult. This place was relatively empty for a noon meal on a Friday (01/11/19). It now makes sense. There are better options for dining than Viva La Vida. Like Taco Bell. Money is not the issue. Value is the only issue. Maybe they will soon be a parking lot for Mannino's?

I am trying to be fair, but I feel that the prices they charge for Mexican food is justifiable to them because their overhead is probably high. I did not tell them that I am a very discerning and picky Google reviewer, because I seek no favors from any proprietor. First impression: unfavorable.

There is a difference between good management and being cheap. A minimal 15% tip was given. $51.00 with tip for basically a very small lunch for her and a modest lunch for me... (chicken and the requisite additives to make it acceptable). Eleven dollars for a fairly nice glass of red wine from Spain. Value of meals I place at about eight dollars at cost plus labor and general overhead. Glass of wine should be five to seven dollars for a bottle which is sold for fifteen dollars at various outlets near me at retail. Sorry guys, you are likeable as people but I will not return. I was the guy in the tweed jacket with the lady and her beautiful Spanish smile. I was bothered because she was upset that I wasted my money here, but she smiled anyway while groaning under her breath.

Recap: Fifty one dollars with tip which should have been twenty-two to twenty-four plus seven for the wine. Value: $31.00 plus six dollar tip. $37.00 tops. A fourteen dollar overcharge. My hope is you saved those pesos for a future economic downturn.

Next time: Mannino's next door. They have proven themselves worthy of their price point due to exemplary offerings and top...

This review is to substantiate another review of this restaurant by Monica because I believe it is important to share what had happened. First I would like to apologize to Monica and her party as I’m very sorry she had to endure this poor dining experience and it was beyond my wildest thoughts this could have ever happened at a restaurant.

To reiterate, while attempting to use a (paid for) coupon with unlisted restriction specifics, the manager had approached our table in a very distasteful and rather hostile manor to state it could not be used on the day of May 5th. None the less not a problem as we had already made the decision to no longer dine at this location in the future. We then requested a refund of the money spent to purchase the coupon as we would no longer be returning. It was nearly immediately the manager began to raise his voice and specifically target my mother in an abrasive dialog. He continued on yelling and followed up with calling my mother “Stupid”. At this time I intervened as this was beyond unacceptable, and I too was met with being yelled at and called “Stupid” by the manager. Mind you this is loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear. A beyond poor display of self control and any sort of professionalism by the manager. It was at this time our party paid the tab and walked away. He continued by following us out to the parking lot which was perceived as very inappropriate considering I was the only male in a primarily female party.

I was in utter shock by the manager and his actions as they were completely wrong and down right nasty. I can further more confirm the claims of the managers alcohol consumption and mingling with other specific patrons as I believe there may have been others uncomfortable with what was going on as well. I would like to make mention that our server was incredible and did all he could to accommodate us and make us feel welcomed but was trumped by the poor mismanagement of the restaurant.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS, I could not stress the abhorrent respect and class of the management team at...

Holding that one star back only bc the dessert description was not very clear and took me by a very unexpected surprise. Item: Mango la tequila -Mango with mezcal ice cream (like a rum raisin flavor ice cream but tequila. Basically tequila MIXED INTO ice cream) ok sounds great right? Dish comes (see photo) smells like tequila but I can't figure out why it would smell so strong (even made my bf smell it) but I roll with it. Try the ice cream... Basic vanilla... Try the mango sitting in juice (so I thought)...felt like a spring break in Cancun gal.. smacked with a spoon full of mango and straight tequila! Definitely NOT what I expected. Used my BF coffee saucer and a fork to rescue the mango and ice cream from the tequila soup. All was well after that. The food overall was amazing. I HATE spicy food without flavor. Enchiladas a la mexicana had a very mild tolerable spice on the main courses. Salsa is very fresh tasting. Actually everything was very fresh. The rice had a burnt plastic, boiled in a bag, flavor to me but my bf had no complaints. Decor is super adorable. They have indoor and what looked like open screened window seating on the other side of the restaurant. Waiter was great from the start. Best of all we ate so much food but didn't walk out feeling like we engorged. Portions were perfect sizes. Didn't walk out smelling like food. Def recommend. OUR ORDER:chips and salsa (they bring to table), Pinchitos morunos, quesadilla w/ chorizo, enchiladas a la mexicana, chimichangas, flan, mango la tequila,...