Los Chicos — Restaurant in Zephyrhills

This restaurant is bright with ample parking and a covered patio with fans. Inside is colorful and bright. Booths surround the room with several tables in the center. Although it appears small inside they've smartly planned out their space and no one or nothing is crowded. The restaurant is clean. It didn't take 10 mins from the time I walked in and ordered till I received my food ready to go. They offer a 10% discount if you pay cash or they do charge 3% additional fee if you plan on using a credit/debit card. Luckily I had cash that day. Their prices have not increased as many restaurants have which was a nice change. My server was friendly and prompt.

Got 2 of the pick 3 enchilada dinners (still only 11.95) with ground beef. This is our go-to meal at most Mexican restaurants. Was surprised the sauce wasn't normal ranchero sauce on the enchiladas (possible mistake?) The sauce tasted like mole sauce, very sweet and unappealing. I have never had mole sauce, but do not know of any other sauce that is that sweet used in Mexican sauces. And as my luck goes they were slathered in this sauce. I tried my best to scrape off the sauce and best I could tell the beef filling was good so next time I will leave off the sauce if they don't have a regular ranchero or sour cream sauce. The beans were tasty, but the rice contained peas and carrots and didn't have the flavor of Mexican rice. I'll just opt for double refried beans next time.

The salsa and pico was amazing! Their pico has lots of avocado chunks which is a wonderful change from most other restaurants. The chips were warm and crispy even after I arrived back to my location to eat. The queso is yellow cheese style. Not my favorite, but it wasn't bad.

All in all we will return and give this really eclectic restaurant another try! Maybe I can change this to a 5 star rating on...

THIS is one of those reviews I do NOT like to have to write. BUT, if we don't write honestly, then what's the point?

Let me start off by saying that we've eaten at this place for a lot of years. My family has had celebrations here. I've taken my now grown kids here often.

I walked in just after noon, on a rare solo dine. There were only 3 tables taken up, not busy at all.

THE SERVICE. The hostess was business-like, not very welcoming. She was also to be my server. During the entire service, she was barely hospitable. She NEVER stopped in to see how my food was. The closest I got to a smile was when she asked me twice if I wanted dessert. Funny, because I watched her interact in a much friendlier way with 2 other sets of diners, who I'd say are 'regulars'.

THE ORDER. I ordered the Lunch Chimichanga, for $11.95. I asked for chicken inside. The server/hostess asked if I wanted green sauce? I said I usually get that luscious white queso sauce. She advised that would be a $2 UPCHARGE. (WHAT?? Aw, c'mon!). For me, a Chimichanga ain't right without that white queso sauce so I begrudgingly said okay to that ridiculous 2 dollar upcharge.

THE FOOD. NOTHING like I've ever experienced at this location! The flavors were oddly muted, like they wanted to come out but couldn't. The small amount of guacamole was watery and tasteless. The portions were a lot smaller than what I've ever had here.

And that 2 DOLLAR UPCHARGE white queso? Very thin consistency with about a 1% taste. A total waste!

THE FINAL WORD. Based on this experience, PLUS some of the other reviews, I'm done. As Zephyrhills is growing, so are the opportunities for ever-better cuisine. I count Los Chicos...

I am astonished that this place has a four star rating. It’s clear to me that most people don’t know what authentic Mexican food tastes like (the same can be said for Pancho Villa’s in San Ann).

We were there at lunch time, early afternoon.

To begin with, the place is dirty, really dirty. The carpet is worn and clearly hasn’t been shampooed in quite a while. It feels sticky and grimey and cloying.

The salsa comes with store bought tortilla chips. The salsa is served in a monkey dish (read tiny) and there’s a charge for more. It was the best part of the meal.

I don’t even remember what I ordered. It was supposed to have steak, but I could barely find any and what I did find was dried out and tough. The beans tasted from a can and the rice was so dry, it was crunchy. Not undercooked but like it has been out for way too long. The portions were microscopic and were no way worth the price we paid.

The service was mediocre and it was clear that the server would rather be anywhere else but there. We had to ask for refills on iced tea.

BTW - they don’t have a license for hard liquor, only beer and wine. For those of you thinking you’re going to get tequila in your margarita, you won’t. Wondering why it tastes like all mix? That’s what it is.

If it were possible to give a negative rating, I would. This place is bad. Stay away! Take an extra 20 minutes and drive to Los Vallarta’s in Wesley Chapel, it’s...