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August 2022 by Matt Cone
What a sorry excuse for a Mexican restaurant, the lady in the reviews who said this was the best Mexican food in NC has lost all her marbles! This is absolutely my worst experience in Mexican food in the state , my wife ordered tostada's and they didn't even come out right and they broke a hard taco shell in half, how lazy ! I ordered 3 Chile rellenos and got 6.....looks like all they use is Kraft Mexican blend cheese. I'll never come back here we never got refills and my tiny margarita cost $15
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August 2022 by Lowell Connor
Meal, service and add on charges left me disappointed. Ordered special shrimp tacos. Got two in soft shell. No pico as on menu. Service was slow even though place was half empty. Only offered booth in bar, not dining room. Bill included “convenience” charge.Been there many times in previous years, but won’t be going back in the future. Convenience charge was the tipping point.
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August 2022 by Zoe Schneider
We lived in the EI area for 10 years and have visited twice a year for the past 12 years and we always enjoy El Zarape. This evening, our experience was entirely different than any other visit we have had. First, our waiter was inexperienced and seemed to have no one helping him. He worked very hard and we thought he did a great job for being in such a tough situation. Sadly, no one taught him how to run the cash register. When he tried to check us out, had some difficulty and asked for help, the young man running the bar (lightning bolt shaved into the side of his head - make sure to avoid this fellow) attempted to help, accused us of “not paying attention” when he grabbed another family’s bill and then tried to charge us three times the amount of our bill. He then said “he was not dealing with this” and stormed back to the bar where he promptly stood and watched television while eating a snack! The manager, after multiple attempts, finally handed us a bill to sign that had an incorrect amount but assured us our card would be charged for the correct amount. It was an absolute disaster with absolutely no one in charge and no apologies for the 30 minutes it took to pay an incorrect bill or for the unprofessional and disrespectful behavior of the bartender. We understand times are tough, everyone is understaffed, and hours are long. We have all been there. We never complained about our wait or the attempt to charge us for other family’s bills. But no one should be allowed to work in a service profession and treat others in this way. This restaurant has definitely lost our business. Based on the half-full parking lot and the lady behind us who waited 40 minutes for a take-out order, then had to leave without food because she was going back to work, I suspect our experience is not an unusual one.
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August 2022 by Laura Parrish
We've eaten at the restaurant every year that we visit E.I. We've given it 5 stars every year, but not this year. They must have changed ownership. There were 6 of us dining and every single one of our plates was inedible. The beef used for the taco salads, the enchiladas, and the burgers tasted horrible. This includes 2 children's burgers. The french fries also tasted bad. Not sure how you mess up a French Fry, but they managed to do so. Additionally, our server was the only employee working. Literally. I headed to the register to pay and had to wait forever. He finally came out from the back to the register so I could pay and said how horrible everything there was because he was the waiter, the cook, the host, and the cashier. Fortunately for him we were only 1 of 3 tables and 2 bar guests. No doubt why, because the place has gone to pot! For the last several years it's been busy all the time but not this year. The chips and salsa that was brought to the table was even off. The salsa was so spicy I couldn't eat it and normally I scarf a few vowels of that down! Such a disappointment. We won't be back to this restaurant again, sadly. It was always one of our vacation "Go-To's" for Mexican. But we'll have to find a new place next year. ?
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August 2022 by Erin S.
The first clue that this would not be a good experience was when I called the restaurant's phone number listed on Google to order take-out and no one answered (I called twice) and there wasn't even an outgoing message indicating I'd dialed the right number (I had). So I go to El Zarape to order and wait. I walked in and no one was at the host stand and I had to flag down a waiter (second clue). A guy comes from the back and takes my order but then disappears again. Still no one at the front, despite several parties coming in and the same poor waiter having to help them and keep track of his tables. I wait. 15 minutes goes by. There are a few tables getting their food. I go up to the bar to check on my order and the same guy that took it had no idea who I was and when I reminded him, he said "oh, there are no fish tacos" (3/4 of our order). It really wasn't possible to give me that information right after taking my order? He had no explanation and no suggestions as to what I might do. I walked out without anything because at that point this guy clearly had no interest in working and helping customers. I'd give less than zero stars if possible. And I have actually eaten the food on a few previous visits, and it was pretty decent texmex. But we will not be returning.
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July 2022 by martinn532
Let me start by saying I love Mexican food! This was by far the worst Mexican food I have eaten in 40 years, they make Taco Bell look good. We had medium sized margs that were mainly ice and very ordinary but they cost $15 my really good local in Denver charge $8 and it actually has a good shot of tequila. My Relleno was a small chili no cheese and no egg batter or wanton skin. My fellow diners had a Chicken Salad with next to no lettuce tasteless overcooked chicken and many slices of orange The other person had some chicken shrimp dish also tasteless. We hardly ate any of the food and complained about the quality. Note also I have eaten here a number of times in the past and has been ok to good. We are English and our accents are obvious and I think they gouged us on the margs reckoning we did not know better. We got nothing from management in acknowledgement of the awful food. I did something I have never done before I refused to pay the exorbitant $90 and gave $50 in cash said our evening is ruined by terrible food and overcharging for mediocre drinks and you can take or leave the $50. and that is more than it was worth IMO. The manager took the $50. The result of this he called the police after we drove off. We had a visit from the EI police who were told we had left without paying anything Needless to say we will not be going back. I sugeest you do the same.
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July 2022 by Bradley Dunlap
Stood in the doorway at the hostess station for 15 minutes. Not a single employee made eye contact, expressed anything whatsoever (like we will be right with you). The party of 5 in front of us got seated from a child in elementary school (not wearing the restaurant’s uniform so I assume the two children are one of the employee’s) after 15 minutes. I then brought in my wife and kids to wait inside- who were waiting on the bench outside due to limited space inside. Continued to wait 15 more minutes patiently and not a SINGLE employee made eye contact or had a single form of communication. There were dozens of open tables and booths, at most one person at the bar. Literally ZERO attempt to assist us. There was a large group that came in after me while I was waiting (a family of approx 8-10 people) that also waited but after 10 minutes of being ignored the dad said “let’s go kids… we are going to another restaurant.” This wasn’t a weekend, a busy day, a special occasion, or any other thing that causes inevitable delays. Completely disrespectful staff and this restaurant does not deserve business. I’m a local and hate righting reviews when I know what the service industry goes through here. I have no idea how they are still in business, at least at this location. Just disgraceful and pathetic.This happened on July 19th between 7:30 and 8:00 PM approximately.
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July 2022 by Mike Brown
I arrived at 830pm and specifically asked about seating as there was a line. 1 lady said "one moment" and then walked right past me. She never came back. Another guy said "uh no" when asked if we had to check in. He then said "15-20 mins" 10 til 9 he came back and told everyone waiting in line "kitchen closes at 9 soooooo..." I said well I'm glad you told me to wait in line. This place gets 1 star. I would avoid, at least after probably 7 pm. Awful. I won't be back and I'll tell everyone to avoid. Should have just said we aren't going to seat anyone else becssue we close at 930. Bad service.
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July 2022 by joe rose
Absolutely ridiculous service. Super rude and waited over an hour w no drinks. When another person came up to finally take our order he was super rude and mumbling things under his breath after any questions we had for him. Saying things like “this is crazy” and told us to “figure out what we were doing.” The first guy was friendly and so was the kid. Sadly we will never return here. We used to love this place but it has went way down hill
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June 2022 by Kristen Metz
Service was super slow. I had to go to the bar to get my water refilled. We were a party of 3 and all 3 plates came out about 10 minutes apart. When the first plate came out we were told they were out of one the plates we ordered. The food itself was fine. Not great but edible. I'm sure they were probably short staffed but the place wasn't exactly packed. I wouldn't go back.
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June 2022 by Carsyn Ross
service was terrible food was disgusting orders were wrong staff was rude and didn’t pay any attention to customers best service was from a 12 year old who sat us and brought us chips
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June 2022 by Mr. S.
Still the best Mexican food in the state of North Carolina. I have been eating here since I was a small child and I am nearly 30 now. Amazing food. Cool owner. Love the service I received here. ¡The burrito de carne asada es muy delicioso!
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May 2022 by Steph W.
We walked in at 7:50 they had a handful of tables. We walked out at 8:10 with no one saying anything to us no chips on the table nothing. Would not recommend! So sad because we loved their place in Atlantic Beach. For a small area that needs the money these restaurants need to do better.
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April 2022 by Amy J
Had a fun lunch, impressed by the reasonable prices and selection. My $7 enchilada plate was tasty and generous with lots of rice and beans accompanying it. Service was friendly and quick. We enjoyed the lively Mexican music in the background. Wish we had been able to come back for dinner; a local told us that they make a mean margarita.
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April 2022 by Jose G.
Very good.Waitresses we're very welcoming and kind.Would love the digits to all of them.Also the food was good but needed a few more seasonings and a little over cooked.Muy Bueno y los mecedoras son muy guapas tambien.
