La Fiesta Restaurant & Cantina — Restaurant in Waco

La Fiesta is a second home for me and my husband; today was not that day.

We were warned that it was about to change to a $10 food minimum and before 8 PM. That was fine, considering food here is pricy compared to some other places in town, we always spend more than $10 on food anyway. We got there tonight and planned on 2 apps and some margs, then realized it wouldn't hit the $10 minimum. We added a dessert. When we got the bill, the add-on of carne asada on the app (which was discounted before) was ALMOST as much as the app! So, the app was $4.50ish and then we paid full-price for additional meat, which hadn't happened before. I brought it up to the waiter, and he was irritated but said he would get the manager. I don't blame him on that; it was one of the busiest nights I'd ever seen there.

The manager comes and hadn't seen this issue before. He comes back saying the first time we had done this, we got a discounted rate. This time, this is the real price. He gave us $0.99 off the order... Well, not great. But if that's true, it is what it is. Excellent managerial service would've knocked it off this time but warned us for the next. I would've gladly accepted that even more. But I paid it...

As we were leaving, it hit me that the whole reason we even ordered something extra was the $10 minimum, and if we had known that adding carne asada was going to be charged FULL PRICE at HALF-PRICE APPETIZER HOUR, we wouldn't have ordered it. I saw the waiter at the cashier station on the way out and tried to let him know for future patrons, and he would not make eye contact with me and hardly nodded his head. Now, we go regularly, and that is because we also love the employees (especially Max - he is the most friendly and sincere waiter out there!) But the rudeness we were treated with by him... That makes me just not want to come back. He may have just been having a hard, busy day (as we really didn't see him much tonight anyway...), and this was the icing on the cake. But I don't tolerate that when I could eat at home for a fraction of the cost.

We won't give up on La Fa just yet (best margs in town!), but if this is a continuous experience, we will find another...

Well, La Fiesta Restaurant. It's one of my favorite destinations for decent Mexican food. But one of the things that motivated me to go to La Fiesta Restaurant was their margaritas, but this time, I was surprised; several surprises, be honest. It was 6 pm, and since it was full, they gave me the option of sitting outside on the patio; It was a bad idea because the heat was on another level. 🥵 But it was my decision so I couldn't complain about that. The waitress really earned my respect, because being the only crazy people who preferred to be outside, she was always looking out for us, our order came out quickly, and the waitress was always looking out for us at all times.

Probably wonder what my surprise was?

The menu was dirty, like really dirty...

I ordered a quesadilla, and the quality of the quesadilla was a bit strange. There was too much oil. The mushrooms were not caramelized, and the spinach was still wet. But maybe the dish is like that, or maybe that dish is good for others but not for me; maybe it's just my problem.

But the surprise came when I ordered a Beer'garita. They didn't have the glass they always used for that specific drink, and they gave me a regular 32oz glass but empty. They did not communicate anything to me to let me decide if that was what I wanted. They only poured half a glass with frozen margarita, I estimate that they poured at least 8oz of Margarita. I guess they thought I would pour the beer in, but I was really expecting a full glass. I was surprised when I got the bill, and I realized that they charged me for the margarita as if I had a full margarita... 😆 $10 for half a glass? Really? 😳🥺🤦🏼‍♂️

I don't know, I think they should have given me the option to decide if I wanted it that way, or at least that they charged me for half a glass. I didn't complain there because I'm trying to review the places I go depending on the experience I have as a normal person...

But I really took a "Sour Drink" this time with this experience. I haven't been in La Fiesta for a long time, and I'm already looking for another place where I can find a good Margarita, where they give me a...

Fun place - and sour cream chicken enchiladas are to die for!! Decor : Absolutely a nice and clean TexMex environment. Charming spaces and tables are not too close together. Music is softly playing in the background. The bar is large with three TVs. Very warm and inviting. Score: 10 out of 10

Chips: Chips are medium thickness, unsalted, very nice. Score: 7.5 out of 10

Salsa: Salsa has a beautiful traditional tomato based flavor medium on the spicing and low heat - flavorful. Score: 9 out of 10

Chicken Quesadilla w/ onions & peppers: Skip this one. The chicken is absolutely bone dry, tough, and overcooked. The peppers and onions are beautifully sautéed al dente and the cheese veg and meat ratios are proportional. Score: 2 out of 10

Guacamole: Very nice, but had bit of saltiness to the point I could not enjoy it. (Note: I also don’t use much salt myself, so the average person may not even notice it.) Score: 2 out of 10

Beef Enchilada with chili con Carne sauce: Good portion. Meat is moist, not greasy, but also not seasoned very much. The chili carne sauce was nice but had a bit of sweetness (possibly sugar added). Was enjoyable, but not outstanding. Score: 7 out of 10

Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada: Amazing! Outstanding! Absolutely get some! The chicken is extremely moist, absolutely perfect seasoning with just a gentle hint of heat. The sauce has a beautiful tang from the sour cream and the correct consistency. Good portion. Can’t wait to come back and have them again. Score: 10 out of 10

Server (CiCi) Absolutely wonderful. Very attentive refresh my drink without me asking for it and very courteous. Score: 10 out of 10

Overall Score: 7.5 But for the guacamole and quesadilla issues, score would be 9 out of 10.

DEFINITELY go for the Sour Cream Enchiladas!!!! I’ll be...