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Samantha Garcia Chapa
Sep 5, 2026
It had been a long time since we visited La Playa, and we always hear people rave about it, especially the margaritas, so we decided to give it a try last night. Very hopeful for a good experience and Mexican food.
I do want to start by saying the hostess and our waiter were both very friendly and kind throughout our visit. We were quickly seated. Unfortunately, the food, drinks, and overall value were disappointing.
We started with a margarita and went with the top shelf liquor that was recommended. When it arrived, the consistency was very watered down and it tasted mostly like alcohol. The goblet was also much smaller than what we’re accustomed to at other Mexican restaurants, especially considering the price.
For dinner, four of us shared a mixed Botana for 4, while the fifth person ordered a burrito and specifically requested no enchilada sauce or cheese on top. We appreciated that the rice and beans from the Botana were served on four separate plates, but the beans were cold and the rice was barely room temperature. When the Botana arrived, I honestly thought it was intended for two people because of the portion size and was told it was, in fact, for four. Most restaurants are more generous with their portions.
The nachos were also disappointing. The chips seemed like regular bagged chips with shredded cheese melted over them, with very little beans or cheese. The meat was okay, but again, it wasn’t hot. We also had to ask for the sour cream, tomatoes, and jalapeños. There was no onion, avocado or guacamole included.
Our daughter’s burrito did come out with the enchilada sauce she had asked to leave off, but our waiter was nice about it and had it corrected. That was the best item of the night and was actually warm.
The next day, I called and spoke with a manager simply to provide feedback. He was polite, but I felt there was an explanation for every concern rather than much acknowledgment of our overall experience. Regarding the watery margarita, I was told the liquor and flavoring are added “hot,” causing the frozen margarita to melt. I was also told our waiter should have recommended two Botanas for 2 rather than one for 4. We had actually debated between ordering for 2 or 4 and chose the Botana for 4 to have enough for everyone. That alternative was never suggested, nor did we think it would be necessary. We reasonably expected a Botana for 4 to be proportionate to the larger serving we ordered.
The manager also mentioned that managers normally make rounds and check on tables so concerns can be addressed during the meal. However, no manager ever approached our table.
Unfortunately, the last thing that we experienced was seeing a waiter kill a cockroach in the dining area while we were eating. Manager did say they recently had pest control.
Again, the hostess and our waiter were friendly. However, for what we paid, the portions, temperature, quality, and overall experience simply didn’t match the price. We could have gone to elsewhere, spent less, and had a much better meal with hot food.
Unfortunately, this was a 2 star experience for us.