La Buena Vida - Durham

Reviews

• WW

  Wes

  2 days ago
  1.0
  First time here and unfortunately the last. This restaurant really lacks on food quality and taste. We dined here for dinner, table of 5 and everyone had the same exact views. The service was subpar, the food didn't have much taste and was hardly warm let alone hot. I've never been served fajitas that didn't sizzle, instead I was served fatty meat swimming in grease. What a shame. I'd like to say the service here was good but it wasn't, our server lacked the skill to be courteous and attentive, we asked for the manager twice, instead of actually getting what we asked for he said "everything good, you want boxes? Boxes for greasy food and brown guacamole? No thanks. Now I can't fault the drinks, the selection and creativity is awesome! We wouldn't dine here again. Visit Mezcalito instead, you won't be disappointed.
• HL

  Heidii Liukonen

  3 days ago
  2.0
  Had a very disappointing first experience here. We went in person to place an order to go. We hadn’t been told how much of a wait we should expect - I wish we would have asked but it didn’t seem super busy (it was around 5:15pm). We sat in the bar area while we waited. After about 45 mins, we were asked if we had been helped. We mentioned we were waiting for our order to go. I gave them the receipt so they could go check our order since they never asked our name. The guy that took my receipt to go check never came back. Then about 10 mins later a different guy came to us to advise the order would be out shortly. When we finally got our food, we just left immediately without checking (the bag was stapled shut and we just wanted to leave). We did not get everything we ordered. We were missing the rice for the tacos, and we did not get our order of queso that we paid extra for. Overall this was a super disappointing experience, especially on Valentine’s Day. Obviously I understand it might take a bit longer on a holiday, but if you can’t keep up with those dining with a reservation (as mentioned in other recent reviews) then don’t allow an order to go. We spent $70 on 3 entrees and cheese dip, and after reviewing the prices on the menu, I think we were overcharged too but I never got my receipt back, so I can’t check. I will not be going back and I do not recommend. The photo attached is the chimichanga, which looks like it had been sitting for a while.
• SH

  Sarah Hassan

  3 days ago
  1.0
  We waited over an hour and a half for our food and nearly an hour just for someone to take our drink orders. It felt like we were an afterthought the entire time. Multiple servers came to our table, yet the service still felt disorganized and unwelcoming. Despite having a reservation, our table was not ready and still needed to be cleaned when we arrived. One of our plates came cold, and an order incomplete. This experience completely ruined my birthday dinner. I understand it was a holiday, but this level of service is truly unacceptable. Other guests, even those who arrived after us, were served their meals and taken care of better than we were.
• JB

  Joshua Boone

  4 days ago
  1.0
  Didn't ever get to the food. Went and had reservations for a birthday we were seated promptly received chips 10 min in and then another 10 min to wait to place drink order. 10 min more to receive drinks. 3 sweet teas had food floating in them and 2 other drinks had old napkin particles stuck to the outside. Asked for the waiter to replace said I'll be right with you and walked off. 10 more min still no drinks and no food order. Also definitely dont recommend if you have children some things are quite a bit adult atmosphere here and no kids menu. All in all 40 minutes in no drinks no food order so we left and put cash on table for the few drinks we did get.
• KD

  Kelly Doss

  Feb 6, 2026
  5.0
  Visited for first time tonight for our anniversary dinner. Really enjoyed the atmosphere/decor/music and reading through the eclectic drink menu. Best restaurant salsa I've had! Had the Hibiscus Blunt and Tequila Tonic to drink and chicharrón ceviche and birria quesadillas to eat, all delicious! Luis H was a friendly and attentive server who was more than happy to answer any questions we had. The one exception--please take the Bigmak tacos off the special menu. I've never had Wagyu beef and was really looking forward to it, but it was burnt and very dry and it was the first time in my 44 years that I've sent food back. We will definitely be back! Next time we'll come later at night to fully take advantage of the vibe as we wished there was a little more energy to fit our mood.

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