ALEJANDRO, ALE-ALE-JANDRO! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve had the opportunity to dine at some incredible restaurants, including Pillars and Drake’s, and I can honestly say I’ve rarely experienced service as exceptional as we received from Alejandro at Pappasito’s in Arlington off I-30.
From the moment we sat down, Alejandro was kind, attentive, incredibly fast, and genuinely welcoming. He anticipated what we needed before we even had to ask, kept our drinks full, made excellent recommendations, and made us feel like valued guests throughout the entire meal. His professionalism and attention to detail made the entire experience memorable.
Outstanding food is important, but outstanding service is what brings people back—and Alejandro truly sets the standard. Pappasito’s is fortunate to have someone who cares so much about providing an exceptional experience.
Thank you, Alejandro, for one of the best dining experiences we’ve had. We will absolutely be back and will be asking for your section!
I’ve been going to the Arlington Pappasito’s for many years, long before I moved away from Texas. After moving back, I’ve been twice, hoping it would be as good as I remembered. Unfortunately, both visits left me disappointed.
We arrived right when they opened at 11:00 a.m., so I expected everything to be fresh. The service was excellent. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and everyone we interacted with made us feel welcome. I have nothing but good things to say about the staff.
The food, however, just isn’t what it used to be. Years ago, this location served Tex Mex that I thought was on par with some of the best in the area. Now it feels like the quality has slipped.
On my first visit, I ordered a combination plate with a chicken flauta and a braised beef enchilada. Neither one really did anything for me. The flauta was very large and somewhat dried out, and the enchilada just wasn’t very good either. The whole meal felt underwhelming. I waited a few months before giving it another chance.
The second time, I ordered the cheese enchiladas, which used to be my favorite. They didn’t have any of the cheesy, rich flavor I always used to enjoy. They tasted flat and somewhat dried out. The rice and charro beans were also disappointing because neither had much flavor. There just wasn’t anything memorable about them.
The smoky roasted red salsa is still excellent, and I also enjoyed the queso. Those were definitely the highlights of the meal.
The corn tortillas were a little dry, and while the tortilla chips taste good, they’re very thin. Every time you try to dip them into the queso, they break apart, making them hard to use.
I really wanted to enjoy this restaurant because I have so many good memories of eating here over the years. I gave it two chances before writing this review because I thought the first visit might have been an off day. Sadly, I had the same experience both times.
I hope the restaurant can get back to the quality it was known for because I’d love to become a regular customer again.
TL
tameika leday
6 days ago
My mom and I stopped by to get some food to go, and I was extremely disappointed with our experience. We ordered the chicken fajita nachos, and before leaving, I specifically asked the young lady working in the to-go area if the portion was large enough to feed two people. She assured me that it was.
If we had actually relied on her word, only one of us would have had enough to eat. It is completely unacceptable to charge full price for what turned out to be a kid-sized portion. On top of the dismal portion size, we ended up waiting over 20 minutes just to get our order. Charging customers those prices for such tiny servings is not cool. We won't be coming back.
VA
Vanessa Anderson
Jul 16, 2026
Out of all the times we've dined at pappasitos this location was disappointing. From tortillas being cold , bartender forgetting my tortillas(we ordered both corn/flour). My boyfriend waited until I got mine before he ate so his food became cold. The beef fajitas weren't near as good for the fajitas special. Bartender walked past us multiple times not checking on us. We wanted to go boxes and our check. It was not busy. and have always have had exceptional service at all other locations. When you spend your hard earned money and treat yourself you should enjoy your food/evening. I can't count how many times I've dined at pappasitos so thankfully this isn't my typical location and 1 bad experience out of many isn't too bad but still frustrating.
ES
Elvis Sanchez
Jul 5, 2026
Finding a restaurant that truly feels like "home" is a rare gift, but our recent experience at Pappasito’s Cantina was exactly that all thanks to the incredible service provided by Jay.
To be honest, it is rare that I feel so compelled to return to a restaurant two days in a row. Usually, we like to explore new options, but after our first evening meeting Jay, there was no question about where we wanted to go for dinner the following night.
From the moment we walked in, Jay’s approach to service stood out. He has that rare, genuine quality where he isn’t just "doing a job" he is truly invested in ensuring every guest feels welcomed, comfortable, and cared for. His kindness is immediately apparent; he carries a warmth that puts you at ease the second you sit down.
What truly sets Jay apart is his extraordinary level of attentiveness. He has a remarkable way of anticipating needs before we even had to ask.
Whether it was a quick refill, a recommendation that perfectly matched our tastes, or just checking in at the perfect moment to see how we were enjoying our meal, he was always there with a smile. It is clear that he is a thoughtful person who takes pride in the little details. He remembered preferences from our first visit when we returned the next day, which made us feel like old friends rather than just customers passing through.
His personality truly elevated the entire atmosphere of the evening. It’s one thing to have great food and the Tex-Mex here is undeniably fantastic but when the service matches that quality, it transforms a simple dinner into a memorable experience. Jay is a stellar example of what hospitality should be, and he is the primary reason we will be returning to Pappasito’s again soon.