I really like this place. The food is great and everything. But the only issue I have and this is a warning to everyone else out there: don't ever go on a Friday night or on Wednesdays a little after noonish because that's when those obnoxious teenagers come read more

The food here is exceptional. We always get our order to go as the place seems to always be packed. I have started to unpack the bag in the store to find out what they missed...because probably half the time they forget to give me my Tres Leche Cake! They remember to charge me but forget to put it in the bag. The food is exceptional and always tastes fresh... Just wish I could count on taking it with me when I leave. read more

When you go to a chain, you expect some minimal of service conveniences... but not so at this Costa Vida. Everyone seemed to think they were doing me a favor by letting me eat there. Not one smile or positive remark. Just a whole shift full of people that seemed to be wishing they were somewhere else. They also nickle and dime you do death for anything extra. Want some side dressing? Pay extra! Want different cheese? Pay extra! I'm getting tired of that. And a tip for the manager... when a customer spends $50 on food, and you forget ring up the extra tortilla, just give them the tortilla for free. Don't ring up another transaction for $1. Just earn yourself some loyalty by giving the little girl a free tortilla. read more

DO NOT GO DURING RUSH HOURS. I just went there and ordered 4 salad for me and my family 2 our of 4 of those came out as ordered, they were rushing and passing them back and forth, after the 30 minute wait in line it took even longer for them to fix it, we then left thinking that we had the correct food, but after I got home I noticed my salad was switched with another customers resulting in me not wanting to eat it. I live 20 minutes away, a 40 minute round trip wasn't going to happen again. Over all the food is 2.5/5 at best with a 1/5 experience there and that's if you like food like chipotle. (It's also more expensive at Costa Vida) I wouldn't recommend it. You're better off going to chipotle or another Mexican restaurant. read more

Just ate there or should I say tried. My daughter loves their sweet pork so I figured why not try it. It was horrible. The chicken was dry and the "fresh" tortilla was rubbery. The rice was crunchy and the enchilada sauce was gross. Threw most of it in the garbage. So much for dinner. This will be my last time here. It's back to Cafe Rio for me! read more

I love Costa Vida! The workers are attentive and friendly. Quite often, the line in store is lengthy (for good reason) and I tend to visit during my lunch break, so I simply call in my order so that I have more time to enjoy it. I am excited that they now have online ordering! That will make ordering for the office much simpler read more

I have been coming to Costa Vida since it came to Arizona. The food, while not really Mexican at all, used to be good and the staff really went the extra mile. Over the last two years though, the quality of the food has slipped tremendously. Every encounter that we have had has been rushed, sloppy, and there is a general lack of care that permeates the atmosphere. The most recent experience involved a to-go order, two enchilada style burritos, that showed up as rice burritos (literally- nothing but tortillas and rice). A quick call down to the restaurant to correct the mistake resulted in a 50% off coupon for the next meal. No offer to fix the order, no refund, no apology... just a coupon for the next meal (which will most likely not be used). I really want to like Costa Vida, but the lack of care and quality make it too easy to choose Cafe Rio to appease my wife's cravings. read more

Our experience was disappointing from the get-go. The inside acoustics were terrible and you couldn't have a comfortable conversation due to the noise level. We ordered our food, which took about twice as long as Chipotle, even though it seemed this restaurant is trying to duplicate the model. The biggest problem was that we presented the Entertainment coupon for BOGO for lunch or dinner item. It was 12:15 so we assumed that qualified. Never before have we had a coupon with teeny-tiny writing specify it was valid from 2pm-5pm and after 8 pm. Why even bother creating such a coupon?? It will only upset people and make them feel tricked on their first visit, like it did us. The food was bland and didn't merit a second visit. The tortilla was too doughy and then got soggy from the juice of the pico de gallo salsa. Even if the food was awesome, we would not be back, due to the ill-intended coupon. Chipotle is a much better bet with consistently great food and service for a much better price. read more

Meh. overall a dud. I was holding my one year old son while standing in line for close to 20 minutes. The line wasent even that long and it took forevvveerrrr. When my son and I finally got to the ordering area there was no smiles or a hi, nothing. I felt like I was inconveniencing them by ordering food? They charged me for the quesadilla which I hear is supposed to be free for kids 0-4. Overall I will not ever be back because now I have a horrible stomach ache. read more

The food is so-so, but the service was awful. The employees were incredibly difficult to hear and it was the most inefficient line service I've ever seen. 11:45 on a Thursday, during lunch rush, only two of six employees were really doing anything. Stood in line for 30 minutes, maybe 10 other customers were in front of me. A line of similar length at Chipotle would have taken 10 minutes, tops. read more

Have been here a few times but won't be back. The food and price are decent however after the way they treated my friend, it's not worth it. She ordered ahead online at about noon, and it was a work day with only an hour lunch. By the time we got there at 12:25 it was still not made. We told the woman about our dilemma and she seemed very unsympathetic. My friend said we might as well wait in line it will be just as fast and the only thing she had to say was, "you could try." We finally get our order and..... Of course it's wrong. Thank goodness my friend checked the food before we left or I think she would have lost it. This time we got the manager he seemed to be a little more apologetic and tried to give us some free cookies to make up for the lack of service. read more

Costa Vida is amazing! My friends and I always compare Costa Vida to Cafe Rio, and I think Costa Vida is way better because it is a lot more fresh. Their sweet pork is to die for and this location is the best one that I've been to. read more

It's a shame when good food is held hostage by a rude staff. This is the only taco shop I've ever been to where nobody who works there seems to want to make a taco. If you do go, the sweet pork is very good. But be prepared to for a ridiculously long wait for remarkably few people. And when you finally do make it to the front, your food will be slopped together by people that obviously don't want to be there. Overall, the juice is no longer worth the squeeze. Go to Chipotle or Qdoba and save yourself some aggravation. Shame. read more

Opinions obviously vary. This is my favorite eating place - I get a large pork salad and it easily makes 2 meals for me. I get extra meat and save half for lunch the next day. I have had Costa Vida in other places and I think this one is as good as any! I don't like Chipotle or Cafe Rio either, so just goes to show everyone has their own taste! read more

Food is always good but I've had hit and miss customer service. The last time I came in I ordered on there mobile app and upon arriving they told me there was no order under my name, so I got in the long line to order food there. Thank god i looked at my bank account because I was already charged by them even though "there was no order." So then I went and spoke to someone else who said to give them 5-10 min and they'll have it ready. So I went and sat down, only to have another employee tell me a few minutes later my food had been ready and sitting there the whole time! Glad I let my food sit there an extra 10 minutes... read more

Save yourself the $14. Got the steak fajita quesadilla that cost $11. Which consisted of q little amount on steak and half a cup of some sad looking peppers. And I don't necessarily need service with a smile but the employees looked downright miserable. I felt bad for them. Salsa sucked too. read more

I hate that I even have to give 1 star. I kept hearing how great this place was from a friend and the reviews were good. Since I was nearby I decided to check it out. Never again. I got one of the lunch specials which was a chicken enchilada, rice and beans. Lets start off with the enchilada....I asked for green sauce (chili). I don't know what that was but it definitely wasn't green chili. The cilantro lime rice? Tasted like dried up white rice with some color added to it. You get a choice of black beans or pinto beans. I went with the pinto. Another...I don't know what was IN the beans but it was disgusting. My food was cold as well. Anyone that knows me knows that I never throw food out. However, today I did just that. I wasn't able to even eat it! I ended up throwing it away and I don't remember the last time I did that. I was so disgusted that I would not be able to even give it a 2nd chance. read more

I went there with a friend on a week day during lunch time. I was excited to try something that had a vibe similar to Chipotle. I was so excited they had a decent gluten free menu and it was all spelled out. Well, it seems their staff aren't aware or not willing to accommodate. They stated they couldn't make tacos for me because they would have to put them on the same flat wheel that they use for the flour tortillas to warm them. I looked shocked and thought...Well, put them on tinfoil and then put them on the warmer but no. They told me the ONLY thing I could have was a salad. Well, that's exciting - or rather isn't. The food was okay but truthfully I felt it was a little bland. I will admit that I like the kick Chipotle has. I thought the guacamole was okay but did enjoy the salsa. I felt the prices were a bit high especially for a quickie lunch. My friend who was with me, loved their food but I just found it mediocre. Granted, I am limited as to what I can eat due to the gluten free needs but gluten free shouldn't mean boring and incredibly limited especially when your website indicates otherwise. read more

Very disappointed with the service. Been going here for years and never had a problem until recently when they changed staff members. The last 3 orders I have called in or ordered online have been messed up horribly. And when I go back up t have them correct it, they give me attitude and are disrespectful. If I'm paying money for something I expect it to be the way I ordered it. I ordered a taco with lettuce, pico and cheese and not one of those were on it. It's really not that hard to read off of a piece of paper and follow directions. read more

One of my favorites. Sweet pork burrito is always a winner. Would have given five stars if only the dude that makes the burrito could manage a smile now and then - he always looks bored and like he's doing you a favor. Otherwise, it's all good. read more

The chicken tacos were great and the homemade tortillas they make right in front of you, and the way they grill the tortilla with your food is awesome. I asked for the raspberry chipotle sauce, which goes on your taco's, burrito's, etc., on the side rather than have them put it on my tacos for me. I think its the best way to go, as the chicken was good by itself. This way you can add as much or as little of the raspberry chipotle or mango sauce to your food as you want. I put a small amount on my rice and beans and ate the tacos as is, with sour cream. I actually meant to order a burrito but I said tacos. When I got to the cashier I asked her if she could put beans on my tacos, because I really like the beans and rice in burritos. She added a small amount of beans to each taco and then asked me if I wanted beans and rice on the side and I took her up on the offer. The place was packed and very clean. I like the atmosphere and decor over Chipotle. There seems to be a lot of places like Chipotle doing it better these days. I really enjoyed my food and would order the same items the same way again, although on my next visit I will give the burrito a try. Again, the food is good and the tortilla is awesome. read more

sweet pork burritio smothered. 'nuff said!

Love hate relationship with this place. Love the food but there's always about 10 people working behind the counter with only one really handling the food/behind the assembly line. Not sure what all the rest are doing but it doesn't help the movement of the long line that is constantly there. Food is really good though... read more

YUM! Seriously Sweet pork salad is ALWAYS fantastic, fresh and quick to grab when in a hurry!

Delicious!! We love it here and go all the time. The food is amazing, we usually get the chicken salads, but after reading these other reviews it sounds like I need to try the sweet pork ;) The wait can be very long at lunchtime, but it's worth it. And they are closed on Sundays which is a bummer. But I would highly recommend it, I refuse to go to Chipotle anymore, you can't even compare them read more

Love the sweet pork nachos.

Love the tortillas! Favorite is the Chicken Salad.

Love this place and really good food. Always call head, will save you time in line.

This place has the most terrible service and rude employees. If you go, get ready to wait in a long line and then be treated like absolute dirt by the employees. We ordered extra corn tortillas and they told us they had to make some fresh ones. After waiting 50 minutes we finally got six tortillas after we had ordered nine for our family of six. There was no apology for the wait and then when we asked for the extras they told us we didn't ask for them, which was crazy. No apology or sorry for the wait. The girl working the register tonight treated us with absolute distain. We won't be going back, but will take our business to Cafe Rio. One last note, the portion are small and they are super conservative on the toppings. Not worth the price for the food, the wait and the terrible service. read more

This place is amazing!! Well, other than they are always super busy and the wait can be long sometimes, but that's just because everyone loves their food soo much. My husband loves their burros and I always get their sweet pork salad. De-lic-ious! Totally worth the wait. read more

This is white Mexican food. Chipotle is better than this stuff. I tried the chicken burrito with mango sauce and I couldn't even eat the whole things. 3-4 bites in and I pretty much was done. Very bland and un-tasteful. If your looking for good food you wont be disappointed with chipotle. read more

I'm seriously obsessed with this place. My husband and I go every Monday because it is sooo delicious. The sweet pork is to die for! Absolutely recommend. Just avoid around dinner time because the line never ends! read more

The sweet pork salad here is really good but the reason I gave this place less stars is for a couple of reasons. One of the reason Costa Vida's score is lower was because the staff is not very friendly. Also the cleaniness factor kind of grossed me out as well. The employee would clean the counter with his gloves on & instead of changing before serving my food he handled my food right after with same gloves he used to clean the counter. Kind of gross. read more

This place is THE BEST!!!! The sweet pork pinto bean burrito is to die for!!! I highly recommend Costa Vida! Some people are complaining that the lines are long... but it's a busy place because it's so good. And the workers do their best and whenever I'm being served it goes by super fast. Sooo chill out people, this place is the bomb. read more

Great service, delicious food! I always take my family here when they come out to visit. I got the raspberry chipotle chicken and it was SO GOOD!! read more

Absolutely ridiculous wait for absolutely mediocre food I have no idea why anybody would wait in line as long as he do for this place with so many other great food choices in the local area I suggest staying away from here read more

We went to Costa Vida right after they opened in Gilbert, had been to the one at Dana Park in Mesa and was not that impressed, but thought we would give it another chance. We ordered and the total for the order was not right. They would not give me a receipt(cashier said I told her I did not want it) management was no help at all, contacted corporate and they sent it to the owner who ignored it as well. When ever I have had a problem at Cafe Rio with an order they always get right back to me. Even though the mango salad was good and the smaller salad was just the right size for my child we will not go back. read more

The food is great, the price is okay, the call ahead is horrible. If you call ahead plan on adding 15-20 minutes. Most of the time they don't even start your order until you get there. Very frustrating. read more

Their chicken salad had about 7 pieces of chicken and a whole box of lettuce. Not worth the money. Even cheap with amount of pinto beans they put in the salad. Overrated and not worth the money. read more

SWEET PORK! The lines are long, but the wait is worth it. Suprisingly the line moves very fast. My husband loves the chicken, I'm in love with the sweet pork. I want to be buried in it. read more