Los Tapatios

I have been a regular at Los Tapatios since reading a Star Ledger Munch Mobile review in the late 90's (98 I think) It was a long time monthly favorite destination for some good authentic Mexican food for a fair price. At the time I think all of the employees were family and there was no liquor license and the food and service were always great. And we polish off 2 or 3 orders of the delicious guacamole.

My most recent visit about 3 weeks ago was anything but good. The waitress seemed to be annoyed that someone actually came in which is odd since the place was empty. The owner was in the bar (which they now have) and gave a nod and a wave upon recognizing me. The food came quickly as always and mine was fine but my son (10 yrs old)had his usual bistec vallarta and the meat did not look right but he ate most of it and I finished it. We both spent most of the night ill ( I will save the unpleasant details of needing both the toilet and a bucket)

I will give this place one last shot and write this experience off to a bad night based on 12 years of enjoyable experiences. Whenever I suggest "the Tap" to my son he quickly says no, to what was one of his most requested places to go.

I have long liked Los Tapatios.   I have eaten here 45 times since 2003, spending a total of  $1,537.75; but I won't be going back.   It got steadily better for the first few years, but has dramatically dropped in quality for the last three. Last night I gave e it one more chance, given my fond memories of good food and good experiences there  

The floor, which used to shine, was dull and dirty.  The one person there to wait tables stared at  me and stayed seated for 3-5 minutes.

"What do you want to drink?" she said unenthusiastically.

"A Mexican beer would be fine," I replied.

"We don't have any Mexican beer," she said.

"Not even in the adjoining bar?" I asked.  The proprietor owns the restaurant and the bar..

"They have beer," she said.

"I'd like a Corona then.  Do I need to go in there to buy it."

"I'll bring it to you," she said, still not smiling.

""Thanks.  These chips are stale and the salsa is watery," I said more to inform her than to complain.

"You want me to bring more chips?" she asked.  I had eaten only 3 of these.  "Not if they're from the same batch," I explained.

She seemed not to hear me or not to care, I couldn't tell which.  

When she brought the Corona, she never asked whether I wanted a glass.  "What you want to order?"

"Is the fried red snapper large or small tonight." I asked.   While the price does not vary, the size does.

"We don't have any fish tonight.  What else do you want?"

"My check would be nice," I said, gently.  I had lost my appetite..

While she prepared the check, the proprietor came through the restaurant after leaving the bar.  He is always friendly   He said he was glad to see me again, and updated me on his family.  I knew I was not coming back, so I did not see any reason to make it an unpleasant evening for him.   This was actually better than the last time I had dined here, when the fish was overcooked.   The chips were stale then too, and the salsa was watery then too.

I will miss Tapatios, but I'd rather hang onto good memories than risk more bad more experiences that I would rather forget.

Okay guacamole, bagged (stale) chips. Indifferent service--even though the owner was there and only two other tables were occupied. No drinks offered. The waitress returned 10 minutes after we'd placed our food orders to tell us they were out of pipian (pumpkin-seed) sauce. "Red or green" were the only options. I ordered green, she warned me it would be hot. It wasn't, and chicken enchiladas were a gloppy bland mess. Other dishes were poorly prepared, too--mostly bland, or with one overpowering flavor. Too bad-- there aren't many Mexican restaurants with liquor licenses in the area.