Salty Cowboy Tequileria — Restaurant in Zionsville

My wife and I had dinner last night here. This was my 3rd time, and last unfortunately. So incredibly disappointed. The previous visits I was delighted and I'm not sure if there has been an owner change, chef, or what exactly, but it ALL changed. I do know they got rid of the fluffy and delightful in house made tortillas. When tacos are a major menu item, that change affects a lot. I got the Hooked Up tacos. Mahi Mahi is the protein on these. Since the menu change this was the closest to what I'd traditionally ordered. The fish was incredibly overcooked. Like dry canned tuna and so dry I was applying queso, salsa, and the wife's sour cream from her meal just to drag them down my throat. For $7.50 for a taco? That's a shame. Oh, the queso... I believe it is simply velveeta "Mexican Style Cheese" melted. God-awful salty plastic cheese. Seriously had the "American Cheese" flavor 100%. My wife often times will only order chips and queso. She couldn't eat this stuff. We both had the Patio Punch cocktail and it was incredibly disappointing too. Being a local who attends Ruoff concerts, I harkend to their pre-mix cocktails they serve. Watery, flavor of sour and mystery fruit. Not good. My wife ordered a burrito bowl and it was average. Chipotle was my impression. We also got The Trailer Park for an appetizer. Beans were ok, street corn dip was ok. Salsa I believe was canned "salsa-like" tomatoes because it was honestly the first time EVER I didn't eat it all. I applied table-side provided hot sauce and salt and pepper in a futile attempt to add flavor. It didn't. I don't know who in this day and age can't put out a decent salsa, but it appears we found it. My previous visits were found the restaurant was packed. This time it was half filled on a gorgeous Friday night. That tells me they're most likely getting the response to the changes made. I will not return unfortunately because I feel duped and would have complained if this all was given free much less the high price paid for this dissatisfied disaster. Other notes... Remove the short wall in your entry. We waited in the doorway for 5 minutes (with reservations) before a host even acknowledged us. During that time your wait staff and all other patrons had to squeeze by us. That little wall creates a jam at your doorway and a hazard. 4 times we had to squeeze to one side while a platter of food and drinks "slipped" by us as well as a couple times more when other patrons needed to get through. With no real waiting area? That doorway needs opened up. It's cute, but hinders flow horribly. In closing-Change now or something day soon become a new hair salon etc. Service was ok, but never asked how things were and we waitress ordered while different people brought food, also without asking. Then another fellow came and took our credit card. 4 different people and none concerned with food quality. We drove past 17 restaurants who also serve tacos etc to get here. Taco Bell would have been a...

*EDIT: I meant to put this information into my review a while back, but I created a post on a Facebook page for local foodies in central Indiana... pretty much with the same information as my review here... and the owner of this establishment dug out the receipt from when I visited with someone - based on what was ordered (because the person who paid wasn't me - and we don't have the same last name)... Everything I received in the response from the owner was deflecting and bragging... rather than acceptance & an admission to trying better in the future. Many others shared similar feelings about the place. I couldn't believe the owner wanted to dig up a receipt & try to debate that my total was different because he didn't want to factor in the tax on it... Anyway, definitely not an ideal experience or response in my feedback. I've included a picture of the owner's response to my Facebook post, in case anyone wanted to see it. Thanks!

Before getting into details of my review, I want to mention that, even if it's addressed somewhere online, there is a $1.50 price difference per taco between the online menu and the menus in the restaurant. Additionally, chips and salsa aren't free (not a big deal to us, but it would have been nice if it was included with meals). At some places, the staff members enhance the experience. At Salty Cowboy, the staff members simply exist. The hostess wasn't at the front when we arrived. She came around minutes later, and apparently she had asked how many way before getting to the front. I greeted her, and she just repeated her question impatiently. Our waiter was okay - just not really involved or almost detached. The table we were sat at had old food in the gaps between the slats covering/making the tabletop. The margaritas were mellow, which I didn't mind. My partner didn't care for the taste of what we got, though. The fish tacos (Pink Taco and Coco Colada) were good and reasonably balanced... Some genuine spice/heat would have improved things... Even some hot sauce on the table would have provided some opportunity to add heat. The chicken tacos my boyfriend chose were both "okay." All in all, we paid about $57 for small margaritas and a couple tacos each. This restaurant is not a place to go for an inexpensive, light meal. Perhaps the price point works for others without issue in the area, but I don't know that we'll make a point to return. Thanks for reading my review. Have...

After our second visit(third if you count delivery) last night, I have to say this place is super consistent and you can't beat the service. Our most recent visit we were blessed with amazing service from Whitney. She was always there when we needed her and made our visit the best it could be.

I always start out with the Old Fashioned because I love the Rye whiskey they use. I also tried a State Fair Lemon Shake up last night, and let me tell you I could have drank them all night long. Not too sweet not too tart just right for me and reminded me of summer time.

If you haven't been here before try the tableside guacamole, the mini chimis are another great choice. My favorite appetizer has to be the empanadas, the juicy, big chunks of chicken are just the right size and the rest of the filling just completes the dish.

For the main course, I always get an entree with a couple/few tacos depending on how full I want to get.

The burritos are delicious and full of a delicious filling. I have ordered the Tipsy Texan before and its in the top 3 burritos I have ever eaten.

The entrees are perfect size, most people wouldn't need the extra tacos but I love amazing food. The handmade corn tortillas are delicious. The flour tortillas do not disappoint. I always get one of each because I can't decide. The Angry Jalopeno, Pescado, The Pink Taco, Los Cabos, The Bullrider, and any taco with the rojo chicken are all my recommendations because I haven't had the chance to devour others yet.

Please please please try this place, don't second guess yourself you will not be...