El Jimador Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Virginia

Initial impressions weren't great, there were two workers when you immediately walked in, over at the side of the bar and they just look at you dumbfounded. We gave a warm hello and asked about seating as they looked like they worked here and they just pointed towards the right to the host stand that we didn't see as we thought any employee would be more helpful and welcoming.

The host welcomed us and asked how we were before seating us. Everything felt awkward. We got...greeted? By our waiter who never gave us their name or any spiel that you would expect at a restuarant. We were asked for drinks, literally he just said, "drinks?" And we hadn't even opened our menus yet to even see what drinks they offered. After a second of looking I ordered a mule and my other got a mojito.

After receiving our drinks, I could tell how very green all of these workers are. The mule I was served was in a glass with a blue stripe. It tasted like a margarita. There was no mint and I tasted no ginger. Mules are also traditionally served in a copper mug, so I didn't get the drink I ordered. I sipped it and just let the matter drop for the moment and when the waiter came by again, I asked for a drink menu to try another drink in the hopes it was a one off. Thankfully my other drink was a margaritas and since that's what I was served first off they really couldn't muck that up.

Food was crazy bland. Like if they served that to their own mother, dishonor to the bloodline. Salt and pepper is seasoning too. I got the baja cali burrito, I had to salt and pepper to make it edible, there wasn't any heat whatsoever so I had to add tapatio. As a girl born and raised in Cali, don't let this burrito stop you from eating authentic Mexican in California itself because we don't claim that burrito, it should be renamed.

The ultimate chimi was also equally as bland. It was recommended because it was bigger and was said to be more filling. It's more filling because it's 90% lettuce and random reheated frozen veggies. There was lima beans and a pea or two hidden in there.

The kids pizza literally looks like the microwaved mini pizza dinners you get at the grocery store and I'm pretty sure it was microwaved. Was filmsy to hold so it never actually baked.

Finally we ended with the fried ice cream.

You ever eat a meal and end up so disappointed that a sweet treat might help bring the mood up?

Yeah. It's okay. Us too.

Tiniest scoop of ice cream that wasn't breaded enough to get that satisfying crunch. No cinnamon garnish to give it that little kick of flavor.

I honestly don't feel like the workers there care for money and I don't think this place will last long.

Edit: I read the owner plans on opening another location at embry mills. Please don't. Fix this restuarant before you end up on kitchen nightmares. There's enough garbage in Stafford let's...

I recently dined at this establishment, and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. I took a few days to cool off before writing this review, as I wanted to provide clear feedback on the issues I encountered.

On my first visit, I found the food to be decent, but the portions were small and the prices were slightly higher than expected, not matching the value received. Despite this, I decided to give the restaurant a second chance, which I now regret.

During my second visit, I ordered a dish and explicitly asked the server what ingredients were included. I was directed to the menu, where the ingredients were listed, and was assured that nothing else was added. However, when the dish arrived, it included additional ingredients that were not mentioned. This lack of transparency is concerning, especially for those with food allergies.

I then decided to order something simple that I thought couldn’t be messed up—a cheese quesadilla. The menu listed it at $4.00, but I was charged $7.xx. At this point, I was frustrated and just wanted to settle the bill and leave. I was prepared to pay the incorrect amount, but I wanted to highlight that they don't provide full disclosure of ingredients and don't adjust the bill unless prompted.

I called the server over, requested the menu, and pointed out the price discrepancy. Only then did they acknowledge the need to adjust the bill, and they ultimately decided to dismiss the bill entirely. However, I still had to stop and get something else to eat afterward, making it a complete waste of time and money.

The numerous low reviews are a true indicator to stay away from this place. I will be sure to share my experience with others to help them avoid a similar...

The food was good but not the very best I've had. Very good, but not the best. I'm a very picky and kind of a foodie so it really has to be GREAT for me to give 5 stars. This is a solid GOOD and probably better than that. I might up it after I try more stuff.

The chips and salsa were excellent! Definitely made there. I ate all the chips until the salsa was gone. Yummy. And I'm NOT an empty carb person.

This time I got the $19 del Mar, I think. Whatever it was called, it was the last item in the house specials. It had grilled beef, chicken, shrimp, scallops, colored bell peppers, zucchini, onions, mushrooms, and came with queso topping, which I got in the side; also rice. I actually liked it better without the queso. I honestly forget what my roommate got. He's not an adventurous eater. But he ate it all.

They have an extensive menu with a wide variety of dinners, specials, most of the typical Mexican food, but it has very nice options that aren't just tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, etc. And the folks there have always been very nice and extremely helpful.

(This paragraph is sort of repetitive, but I didn't want to delete it. 😆) The food is NOT chain Mexican restaurant style food. It's more upscale than that although you can probably find most of the "typical" Mexican items. This restaurant has a LOT more than that though.

I WILL go back, there's so much to try and it was good, solid food. Plus it's close. 😁

Honestly, the entree and specials seem much more authentic than many other...