El Cerro Azul — Restaurant in Virginia

This is is the best food (not just Mexican food) in Powhatan. We have been coming for years, and the food and experience continues to exceed expectations. This is not just cookie cutter Mexican food you can get anywhere. The recipes and flavors are authentic and nuanced, everything tastes fresh and homemade, and the cooking is on point, with tender and meat and vegitables cooked just right. Last night, I ordered Tierra y Mar, and was delighted by the flavors of rosemary and grilled lemon interwoven with the other spices and flavors. My husband urged me to try some of his Chorri Pollo. The chorizo is the best I have ever had- not too salty, mellow heat, surprisingly complex with warm spices that subtly remind me of Christmas. Not only is the food amazing, the service is phenominal (and fast!). It is a family restaurant with family atmosphere. Everyone you meet is kind, couteous, and treats you like friends and family. The manager regularly comes around to check on you, and we have had many wonderful conversations with staff about food, travel, and the community we live in. It was through these conversations we learned about the family's other startup, Abuelita's, down Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond, which we have gone to several times for an authentic Mexican home-cooking experience that I haven't had anywhere else in this area. These guys can cook!

Finally, we genuinely appreciate in a time when going out usually costs a fortune, the prices at El Cerro have stayed exceedly reasonable and the portion sizes have...

I’ve been frequenting this restaurant since moving to Powhatan almost two years ago; dine-in and take-out. I really loved this place about a year ago but unfortunately I’ve seen a huge decline in quantity and quality while still charging outlandish prices. I ordered take-out today only to realize they no longer offer complimentary chips and salsa with your purchase, not sure about dine-in. Not only that but the portion size for my arroz con pollo was extremely disappointing- it looked like a child-sized portion and cost me almost $17. I also ordered a Blue Margarita that cost $18.99 and I got a house margarita. In total, my meal cost me almost $45 and was not worth it one bit- to the point where I may dispute the charge with my bank for the poor quality. I’m willing to pay a higher price for take-out for the service and convenience but this order was so disappointing that I regret my decision on choosing to get food here. The staff and service on the other hand is always great and they’re extremely friendly. But unfortunately, that’s not enough to keep me as a patron and I’m not willing to chance this place again. I won’t be back for dine-in...

I ordered three entrees for pickup by a friend at 2pm and one was not included in the order. I had to speak to three different people on the phone get the additional entree prepared for later in the day when my husband could pick it up and I did all this so my husband would have a meal when he got home. I called back hours later to see if the entree would be ready for HIM to pick it up on his way home and had to speak to an additional two employees. I had also ordered salsa and white sauce in my original order which was also not included. When my husband went to pick it up the manager refused to give him the salsas bc he said I did not pay for them. Regardless if I paid, I ORDERED it and the entree was not included in the pickup. The manager refused to honor the original order and refused to include the salsa unless my husband paid an additional $13 dollars. Are you kidding me?! For the inconvenience and lack of professionalism the least they could do was try to make this right. NEVER going there again and my many friends and family will be told to go to el...