I've been here several times, mostly for lunch, and enjoyed it. It's not horrible for east coast "Mexican" food (and boy do I have stories), but it's been okay. But tonight was off. My husband's margarita tasted like it was half simple syrup. But the strangest thing of all was trying to get our check. The server took my credit card and disappeared for 15 minutes. I could see him working on our bill (and stopping to give directions to another server) and it looked like he was retyping our bill character by character on the server workstation. He brought the bill back without either the restaurant copy or the guest copy. When I expressed my confusion, he promised to get a manager to void the transaction and rerun our check, but when he came back he brought the bill...which was for a different amount. I'm keeping an eye on my credit card bill to see what I get, but I have a feeling I'll be going back in the next couple of days to straighten out the mess. read more

Pretty good overall, never had a bad meal there and the manager always greets us. Service is usually good, but last time we had a new server and she wasn't very attentive. Different special every time we eat here and I usually pick the special. Overall, this place is a favorite. read more

Food is yummy, margaritas are good. Has a more traditional feeling Mexican feel which I love. I really want to love this place but I'm giving it 3 stars because even though it is a very kid-friendly atmosphere (each kid was even given a balloon), the kids menu is a rip off. Each of our kids got the cheese quesadilla from the kids menu which came with a mound of lettuce and sour cream for $4.99 each (no sides). They each got a milk that was another $3/kid (but soda would've been included with the kids meal...ridiculous). We love that this place super close to maple lawn but this will not be a regular go to for this fam. read more

My family and I decided to give La Palapa Too another try after an intermediate experience over the winter and I must say that I am glad we did!! It was a busy night for the restaurant so we had to sit in the back room which was actually nice and private. Our waitress from the moment she arrived was upbeat, attentive, and very friendly. When I asked about the specials, she went on and on about this new hibiscus margarita so I decided to try it. She was right! It was amazing...and worth the 10 bucks. Our food was still mediocre tasting but came out swiftly and with no mistakes. Our waitress had multiple other tables but yet was still very attentive and sweet. I can't remember her name but she said she only works the summer which is a shame because this place needs more servers like this young lady!! She was even able to sell us dessert...fried ice cream...which was the best thing we had all night (aside from the margarita) :) My one complaint from the evening was how they are now charging extra for more chips and salsa!! Thats whack! You are a Mexican restaurant! I dont care how expensive it is...its not like the lime situation where tortillas are expensive. On the Border and other Mexican restaurants do not charge so why does La Palapa have to! But anyway...I'm glad we gave this restaurant another shot and I hope next time we go that waitress will still be there and the food will actually be amazing instead of mediocre..... read more

The Burro Loco (burrito) was excellent, and the hot salsa (you have to ask for it) definitely had some spice to it. I could definitely see how this place could be hit or miss, but I think I hit on a good entree and good salsa. I'll definitely go back, but based on other reviews, I'll still be cautious in ordering. I think the prices are a bit high, but I'm a fan of hole-in-the wall places, and La Palapa Too was definitely nicer than a hole in the wall. read more

Not sure which was worse, the service or the margarita. And that's without even mentioning the enchiladas. We should have driven a little farther and gone to El Azteca. read more

love this place. always a favorite for lunch when I'm on this side of town. guacamole is wonderful. service us great! lovely family owned business! read more

I have eaten at La Palapa Too 50 time since it is right down the street from my house. I have had great meals but the service is lacking. I still frequent the place but I go with the knowledge that the service is what it is. read more

Good Mexican restaurant. Not pricey. Decent Bar and happy hour prices. Has a couple of TVs to watch games in the Bar. Has outdoor seating, great for Friday nights in summer. Normally has a mariachi band Friday night. Very Food Allergy Friendly. Overall good family dining...... read more

I am from Texas, so yes I know my Mexican food....but I am also part Mexican and grew up with the real deal so I am pretty hesitant to try Mexican restaurants. My husband insisted we give it a shot so I agreed. For starters, the chips seemed kind of stale and the salsa was meh...way too much cumin for me. Opening the menu my first shock was the prices. Not used to what I am seeing for Mexican food so I was hoping the portions would be good and the food would be awesome. Portions were kind of ridiculous, for almost $13 (one of the cheapest items on the menu) I got two tacos (tacos al pastor; steak tacos with onion, cilantro, green salsa in corn tortillas) and a small portion of rice and beans. The tacos were actually good and authentic tasting. The rice had some crunchy pieces in it, not sure if it was undercooked rice or something else, they were so small I couldn't tell. Beans were pretty standard, you could make better at home though. The portions are what really got me, rice and beans aren't expensive so even if they had just put an extra scoop of each I probably wouldn't have felt so ripped off. My husband ordered a pork dish, it was one of their specials but I forgot the name. It was good but only came with two tortillas and again small portions of rice and beans, and a small bowl of the pork mixture. What was most annoying was the kid's meal. For 4.99 my son got two measly chicken tenders (likely to be the frozen kind), some fries (also likely to be frozen), and a soda...no milk or juice option as they clearly stated on the menu so we opted out of the soda. I will probably only come here if I really don't feel like cooking Mexican food at home and/or if I have a coupon. I'm not quite sure why they feel the need to charge so much for food that is relatively inexpensive to make. I understand businesses charge more than what it cost to make but it just seems like they're trying to get more than necessary. This is a tough one to rate because the food was good just grossly overpriced. read more

I've been coming here since the day the doors opened, and we just love this place - but it can be much better. My husband and I ate at El Azteca on our first date, so we decided to come to La Palapa to celebrate ten years. We go here at least once a month - sometimes twice - and we have celebrated a ton of major events here (New Year's Eve, our wedding rehearsal, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.). We love the chile con queso and appreciate the vegetarian options (although I wish there were more! I would love to see some veggie tacos like I have had in California or some interesting veggie enchiladas; I end up almost always getting the broccoli burrito or veggie fajitas - which aren't even on the menu for some odd reason - please add veggie fajitas!!). The guacamole is always great and the drinks are good (I like the azul margarita). I love going here with friends on a summer evening for chips, queso, salsa, and drinks. We get takeout frequently as well. The service pretty much always leaves something to be desired; at times, they are downright rude (like refusing to bring more than four glasses when we ordered a pitcher of drinks... really? They filled the four glasses then took the rest of the pitcher away so we couldn't have it!! We didn't go back for a few months after that experience...). Aside from the mediocre service, the food is really good. If I had two wishes for this place it would be first to see some new (and innovative) additions to the menu (check out what Mexican restaurants in California are doing; there are some amazing dishes that could be added here!). My second wish would be significantly improved service. Only once have I had a stellar waitress here. Come on - step up your game! read more

It has been years since I have gone here and it hasn't changed one bit. My bf and I got here at 11am Sunday for brunch, we were the first ones there. When we walked in I felt like I was walking into the aftermaths of a high school party. Everyone looked hungover and they were all feigning on dunking donuts. We were seated with just a lunch menu so I had to ask the waitress for a brunch menu. Our waitress had absolutely no personality! The entire time we were there the teenagers that were running the restaurant were running around flirting with one another and being completely unprofessional. 2 Latino men walked in to get seated and the hostess just stared at them since they didn't speak any English, once they were seated they were all laughing and told the one Latino teenager "that's all you man". If you have any kind of business there should be a manager managing the children you hired but also that manager should be able to speak Spanish. My bf got the breakfast burrito and I got the enchiladas off the brunch menu. My enchiladas were literally just flour tortillas wrapped around a pound of cheese with 2 eggs on top and my bf said his burrito tasted funny. This place needs serious help. The owners have at least 4 restaurants that I know of they should be well aware that a business can't be ran by teenagers. With no manager to make sure guests are treated correctly and to check quality of food they will be going down hill very quickly. I am beyond disappointed with my experience and I certainly won't be visiting any of their restaurants in my future. My overall rating for this restaurant is piss poor. read more

This is the place for some good Mexican. High quality dishes, good service, nice outside seating. If you're just in from Texas, you may not find the flavors the same, but this seems more like Mexico City and not northern Mexico fare. read more

Love this place! It's our go-to Mexican restaurant. Great food, nice people, awesome atmosphere- I love the glittering punched metal lanterns and the warm, fun colors. I've gone here to cheer up, to cool down, to celebrate- you name it. So happy to have it so close by to where I live. My favorite dish is the steak tacos al carbon. Favorite drink is their Sangria. One thing to watch out for- the Queso is ADDICTING. Love this place! read more

I'm a professional chef and I thought the food was authentic and delicious. The customer service was exceptional.

My niece and I went here for something new...we were quite pleased with our experience. The chips and salsa were good, and our meals came out quickly. The portions were just right and the meals (A chimi for me and tacos for my niece) tasted good. We plan to go back soon when we can sit outside. read more

Terrible service... Didn't take my order, didn't check to see if I needed another drink, didn't fill the salsa bowl for the chips... Just terrible and the food was plain read more

okay, so not as authentic as I would want them to be. I think too many restaurants try to put their spin on mexican food. This was tex mex, and their own mish mash of what they consider mexican fair. It was better than most other mexican food places I have experienced out here in maryland. I can say the atmosphere/ambiance was great, the place was clean, it was not overstimulating with noise like most restaurants are these days. So I would recommend going there with a friend for lunch for something different. You get the taste of mexican food, just not truly authentic. read more

This is an awesome place in Laurel Emily the bartender is the best! Super nice and knows what she's doing. She broke down happy hour really great and she will keep you talking if no one is here. $3 Margarita 1/2 appetizer and much more come between 3-6 for great fun, drinks and food prices. read more

I come here after work when i can. The bartender Emily is great she knows what i want as soon as i walk in. And is always a great person to talk to! The staff is very friendly to and the managers are very nice! Make sure Emily makes your margarita! read more

First time visitors. Great service from Corey. House margarita was delicious. We had the carne asada and the chicken mole and both were absolutely phenomenal. Best Mexican we've had in the area. read more

This review is for the bar- stopped in here to have a drink, I was craving a margarita! The bartender, Myra (I think that was her name), made me the BEST jalapeño margarita. If there's something I love, it's a spicy margarita. La palapa's spicy margarita was exactly what I needed! Not only was the margarita so good, but Myra was super friendly and totally made my afternoon. Love being able to go to a place I don't frequent very often and feel like I'm a regular. Will definitely be back! read more

My husband and i seriously love everything about this place! The food is amazing. The service is phenomenal. And the atmosphere is awesome! Definitely recommend this spot for a very fun time! We will definitely be attending again! read more

I was visiting from out of state with friends. After waiting in the cold for 40 minutes, they abruptly raised the cover fee from $5 to $10 per person. I was more than willing to pay the fee, but I only had $5. When I explained the situation, the bouncer was very short and rude to me. I wouldn't suggest this bar. read more

Rating is solely based on the quality of the food. The food deserves a 10. Kudos for a delicious mole dish and tacos al carbon. Other highlights: relaxed family atmosphere (immaculately clean dining area), welcoming and friendly hostess, and enjoyable live music (one man band). We went near closing time and as expected for the timing, felt rushed by server. Next time we will go earlier to enjoy a dessert and coffee. Kudos to the chef! Delicioso, felicidades. read more

Miriam, the hostess business owner is rude. We were seated at a table for the six of us. We asked to be moved b/c the air conditioning was blowing straight on us. She didn't want to accommodate us to move to another table we pointed out. She said a party was coming in and there would be a baby. There was never a baby at that table so she lied. She did turn off the air conditioning so that we would not have to freeze to death as we ate. She has difficulty working with the public and never smiles. Working with the public requires skills she obviously does not have. read more

My family has been going to La Palapa Too for years. A little over a month ago we noticed our favorites were tasting different. We thought maybe a different chef for the evening. So, we waited a while and went back yesterday. Our favorites have changed and not for the better. We were told there is a new chef and the chef and owner are making changes to the recipes. Our family will now find a new place for Mexican food. :~\ read more

This place is a nasty mess. We stopped in after a great meal at Kloby's next door. We saw the bar and it looked nice, so we stopped in for a margarita. The bartender was rude and condescending when I asked for a "drink menu". I had to ask twice. She made me feel stupid when rolling her eyes and commenting, "they are one in the same". (We later saw "drink menus" placed along the bar top, so they do have them.) We ordered and she placed both drinks to the opposite side of my friend. I had to reach across her to slide my drink over. The bar was dirty and cluttered with bottles that staff had used but not bothered to put back in their place. The glassware was dirty and looked like it was covered in a layer of scum. This was easy to see through the colorful lighting near the glass storage. THERE WERE FRUIT FLIES! They had placed lemon halves with cloves on the drink counter to try to combat the flies. There was a pair of plastic gloves and a stapler under the beer taps and towels scattered by the register. All of this while the staff chatted up with the only other patron sitting at the vacant bar. We were treated to an offensive Spanish conversation that staff participated in. My friend later translated for me. I am wondering if they were referring to me or another female patron. We have been by this place often and never walked in. If the service would have been kind and the bar clean, we would have tried to come back for dinner. Now, there is no way we will EVER go back. Yuck! Rude staff, dirty bar. read more

Used to be a regular. But their service got worse and worse overtime to the point that they stopped cooking the chicken and started serving it almost raw. They forgot to get water and we had to go fetch it ourselves. Every week they would forget some of the stuff we would order and we'd have to wait to remind them about it. They even refused to bring rice along with a lunch special and we had to pay extra to have rice as a side (They literally just served pepper and black beans in the Chili Relleno lunch special). Every week we went there, something new would happen. This one time they delayed my friend's order and served everyone else's, and after 15 minutes the waiter comes to out table and shows how she burnt her hand cause my friend seemed restless to get her food. My friend did not seem restless to get her food, she never asked anyone how long her food would take, but they decided it was ok to blame the customer for their carelessness after delaying the customer's food. The margaritas are great, but if they don't improve their service they are going to lose more and more regular customers like myself. read more

The 4 of us went there with 4 kids last night. The hostess told us that it would be 5 minutes. After 20 min of waiting, we asked how much longer it would be (as we saw other people doing) and an angry and rude lady who was in charge of seating came out of nowhere, chewed us out and said we would have to wait longer and that we were being impatient. We and others were shocked especially since the main lady there was inappropriate and rude....they obviously don't care if they lose business since other patrons waiting seemed to be ticked off as well (but they didn't get chewed out like we did). She then took one of us over to a cramped table for 6 and said that she can't seat us here and that it was dangerous for the kids since we would be in the way (We told her this was irrelevant since we said we needed a table for 4 kids and 4 adults). She still was rude and we left since they are not the only place that serves Mexican food in that area. I should say that we felt completely discriminated against because we had kids and the unfair and rude behavior that we received by this person (the main seating lady). Unacceptable! read more

Three of us went to La Palapa Too and two of us had horrible food. I ordered the pork burrito with red sauce and was offered a nice looking dish of a mid-sized burrito. The sauce was bland and the worst part was the cubes of meat - they were so fatty that the entire burrito was inedible (I offered a piece to my wife without telling her my opinion, and she also commented how fatty it was). Our friend ordered the Fajita Salad and received a fried tortilla basket filled with iceburg lettuce and a few pieces of grilled shrimp with fajita seasoning on top. Note - the free salsa with chips we got when we sat down had good, warm chips but the salsa was very very thin - about 90% liquid. We believe they are using the CHEAPEST INGREDIENTS POSSIBLE and living off of their location and atmosphere. Drinks were good, but STAY AWAY if you are looking for decent quality food. I went last night (Sat, 4/17/10) and I am still feeling queasy after just 3 bites of that horrible, horrible dinner. With so many good restaurants so close to La Palapa Too, go ANYWHERE ELSE . . . read more

I visited the patio last night. As the server approached our table I felt something hit my back. It was the salad dressing from my husbands meal. The server apologized however no one else ever approached us regarding my jacket, skirt, shirt or handbag all which were covered in oily dressing. She just started trying to wipe the handbag over , which was soaked . After dinner I went inside to ask someone to please wipe my bag down so I could carry it to the car (even in pockets). The girl looked at me and said she could get me some toilet paper but that was it . No apology, no nothing. We got in the car and my husband said " I have never gotten a bill for dinner and drinks after someone ruined my entire clothes and handbag yet alone expected a tip?"That's pretty horrible and unbelievable " all I could say was I couldn't even find anyone to talk to inside either . They couldn't have cared less which was evident by the fact they still gave a bill with not a single item deleted . I work in a restaurant and the owners or management would bend over backwards to fix this incident. Unbelievable , we won't be back. If you go to my Facebook page you can see my friends are shocked and appalled. read more

This has to be one of the worst management experiences in almost a decade. Took my daughter out for her birthday dinner to La Palapa Too. Upon arrival we requested seating for three and a high chair. What we later discovered was the manager, sat us at our table and did not return with a high chair. After approximately 5 minutes of my husband standing in anticipation the server came to take our drink order so we requested the high chair again. The orders were taken accurately and with a smile. The chili con queso appetizer we ordered was brought to the table by the food runner while placing it on the table all the chips and the queso bowl slid off the plate. Luckily the dip did not escape the bowl but all the chips were lost. The food runner looked at the chips on the table and walked away. That's right walked away for the customer to clean up! In addition, we thought new chips would arrive but sadly they did not...no replacement chips. When the server arrived with our entrees we explained what happened and new chips were confirmed to be delivered. At this time we requested eating utensils as the manager did not provide them when she sat us, after several minutes I went to the hostess stand and retrieved them directly. I gently communicated our issue to the manager per our servers direction to which we were told everything would be taken care of. A few moments later what we believe is the owner came by asking what happened to which we explained. For some reason she felt as though she needed to remove the uneaten queso from our table. Upon the conclusion of our entrees we were presented with the check with low and behold a small queso listed. We brought this to the servers attention in which she confirmed that the management changed it from a large to a small. WE NEVER HAD A SINGLE CHIP TO EAT THE QUESO THAT THE OWNER REMOVED FROM THE TABLE! I was so disgusted with being charged for something that never touched my lips that I swore I will never set foot in the establishment again. And yes we paid it and left. If a restaurant is that desperate let them have my money this time but never again. The only thing positive was the actual server who took care of us. read more

We had a terrible experience last night at La Palapa Too, and it was 100% due to the Manager's attitude. We had 3 children and 3 adults in our party and we were sat at 5:30 for dinner. Our food did not arrive until 6:30. The waiter was very nice and extremely apologetic and when he sent the Manager over to talk to us the guy couldn't have been a bigger jerk. We actually called ahead to make a reservation which the hostess took so when I told the manager this he said they did not take reservations and accused me "of taking advantage of his hostess!" The guy was absolutely off his rocker...then he started arguing with me about when we were actually sat...if he had simply apologized (like he should have) everything would have been fine. He eventually told us he was going to make things better...I assumed he meant comp a part of the bill. When the bill came they hit us for everything...I sent it back with the waiter to talk to the manager. 10 minutes later he presented me with the full bill once again with a $25 gift certifcate, basically asking us to come back again and spend more money! The manager was a POMPOUS JERK (and has no business being in the food service industry) and we will never dine there again...its a shame because we used to go there twice a week. read more