I'd give three stars for friendliness because the servers lacked that little bit of warmth that makes guests feel genuinely welcome. A simple smile and something like, "Welcome to Papa Joe's! My name is LaTasha or DeShawn, and I'll be your server. Can I get you started with something to drink?" would have gone a long way. Instead, a female employee came to our table without saying a word, placed the utensils down, and walked away. Later, our male server had much the same demeanor. We never learned his name. He wasn't rude just very robotic and flat in his interactions. I asked a couple of questions, we placed our order, and that was about it. For me, a Mexican restaurant should have a warm, lively, welcoming atmosphere. Unfortunately, that was missing here. I honestly receive a friendlier greeting at Olive Garden. Now for the good news: the food was excellent. The chimichangas were delicious, and the birria tacos were absolutely outstanding. The dining room had a pleasant, neighborhood Mexican restaurant feel that I really enjoyed. That part alone makes the restaurant worth trying. I think the owner would benefit from investing in customer service training or hiring servers with stronger people skills. Social media marketing on TikTok and other platforms may bring people in the first time, but it's the hospitality that keeps them coming back. Westminster has plenty of good restaurants, so standing out requires more than great food, it requires making guests feel appreciated. As for me, I'm honestly undecided whether I'll return. The food was very good, but I also value a genuinely welcoming dining experience, and unfortunately, Papa Joe's fell short in that area. read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - Very good! - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

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Huge portions and great flavors. I really like the food. The restaurant ambience is low key and humble. But really, I'm not there for the ambiance I'm there for the damn good food! Service is always friendly. read more

Great people and good 10/10. Authentic and delicious. From management down great service. Recently got a to go order for work overnights. By the time I ate it I realized they didn't put the sides in. My beef enchiladas were damn good. I called the next day and said the sides were missing, can I just get them since they were paid for. Since the meal was so good I added a meal too. I go to pick it up and pay for the added meal and they comp'd the whole thing plus added the missed sides. Guy at the counter said it was our mistake, we got you. I felt that. Places just don't do business like that anymore and do right by their costumers. We will be back again. read more

Good Food ... I always get Fajitas Texanas. They come on the sizzling plate and have a cream sauce that's unique to this place. Service is always good! Place is clean, and has a good ambiance. read more

Beautiful mom and pop restaurant. Artwork all around the restaurant, nice and color. Everyone makes you feel like family. Food is really fresh, seasoned and tastes so good. read more

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Very disappointed with my order tonight. Ordered a taco salad with a combination of chicken, shrimp and steak, all that I received was the shell, lettuce, steak and a little cheese . No tomatoes, no onions, no sour cream. Not sure how you got it so wrong. read more

I get to Westminster once a year, and I will positively go to Papa Joes every visit. I had enchiladas and my wife had a borrito. The meals were very good and service was great! Looking forward to next year, if not earlier! read more

We were hungry, passing through Westminster, fancied Mexican food, and decided to give it a try. We were immediately greeted and seated (that rhymes!), and within 2 minutes were provided menus and offered beverages. Within 12 to 15 minutes, we had our meal. I didn't fancy a lit of meat or anything too heavy, thus decided on the vegetable burrito after eating neatly and entire bowl of chips each. It was quite tasty, although not really all that warm. The servers were quick with refills (diet Pepsi) and promptly provided with the bill without us feeling at all rushed. I paid using the QR code on the bill, which was quite convenient. They have a full bar and several massive TV screens plating sports, albeit not obnoxiously loud. The restaurant is located in a strip mall with a slightly slantedand large parking lot. There are shopping carts, so beware! I rated in a 4 of 5 for authenticity and service being excellent, , and the food being good. read more

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Ordered a chicken chimichanga online. The dish comes with several choices for sides, I chose double rice. The dish is also served with guacamole & pico de gallo of which I declined both, that is why these are missing from the photo. The food was ready when they said it would be. The staff was polite and service was timely. The chimichanga was stuffed with chicken that had a consistent and balanced taste. The rice was good with uniform color, taste and texture. Will return to this restaurant. Looking into the rest of the restaurant, the ambiance was warm and welcoming. I am planning on dinning in at some point in the near future. read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - The Chimi - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

It reminds me of living in NM. They have green chili and a good red sauce. The enchiladas are really good.

Excellent food Excellent wait Staff Friendly atmosphere Restaurant all around Great Atmosphere Staff has great attitude and Helpful read more

Brought the whole family in for dinner because the first option we went to was dark and was more for drinking. We ordered a variety of dishes: some familiar, some new. The steak burrito was very good and the portion was just right. We also ordered the sopa de siete mares and we love that there was such a nice variety of seafood and the soup was well-spiced. The carne in the carne asada and the entomatadas was not what we were expecting though. I felt the meat was too thin and had the texture of a jerky almost. I compare with pictures of what carne asada looks like and it looks too flat (not meaty and juicy at all). Perhaps this is the authentic way of doing things (I am not sure) so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt with the 4/5 rating since the flavors were still there. Good, friendly service. read more

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Margaritas where great, and the food was delicious,Friendly staff and good service. U won't be disappointed

Hidden gem of authentic Mexican cuisine, great service from Cruz on several occasions. Have tried a variety of foods and each satisfied my taste buds with tantalizing spices and combinations. Al pastor chimichangas is amazing! Jaimica drink was unique and satisfying. A favorite place for guaranteed enjoyment. read more

my family and I have been coming here for as long as I can remember. i moved away but every time I come back in town we have to come to papa joes for dinner because the food is so incredible. the rancheros fajitas are one of a kind and I'm addicted to their habanero salsa. the margaritas are also amazing. love it here so much!! read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

Before all else, I just have to commend how great the food and service is in this establishment. Wow! The entire family was completely satisfied after our visit here. It's super cheap for the amount and quality of food received! Also, we are also all gluten free, so having such a knowledgeable server was also such a plus. She was able to direct us on what to order, and we were all completely okay afterward! read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - Super hot, super good chicken fajitas! - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

God, what an incredible Mexican restaurant. The tacos are to die for and the salsa is excellent. I recommend Papa Joe's for anybody who loves great Mexican food. Very friendly as well as fast. 5/5 read more

We ordered tacos Al pastor, chicken enchiladas, chicken quesadilla, and tamales. All the food was really good. They also gave us a lot of sauces on the side that were flavorful as well! read more

Everything was going pretty well. I was placing a take-out order when i noticed an African-American (he seemed like he was new) looked like he was getting reprimanded? He literally stepped out of the bathroom and was trying to explain something. Then, I noticed another Hispanic worker (male server) scold at him as the African American quietly went back in the bathroom. He comes out with his head down..did he get fired? But he didn't do anything wrong. The guy places the new shirt he just received and tries to leave outside when the Hispanic chases him down and shouts at him something along the lines of him having a better attitude the next time he comes back. The Hispanic was very animated--he reminded me of the photo in the lobby of the man trying to be chivalrous. Nice try, buddy but this isn't a Hollywood production. Go ahead and mind your business next time so that you don't get embarrassed and called out in another review. Word travels fast in country towns, after all. This place seems like they are discriminative towards hiring black people. Not a black person, hired in sight. Don't go here -- they are prejudiced. I'd rather wait in line and go to Chipotle. At least they like black people, there. I will not represent such a mockery of representing equality to the city of Westminster if this is how rudely they treat black people. Welp, they only want your money, black folks!! Check out Cane's or Chick-fil-A across the street, even Buffalo Wild Wings. Even the local sushi spots, even Del Huerto's. This place needs to learn a lot, like getting rid of that Hispanic male server. What an asshole! Say what you want as you look for another job -- the nice, black man returned back the shirt and you had the nerve to shoo him away. If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. If you don't see the black man back, then you know. Work discrimination, at its finest. read more

Papa Joes is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Westminster. Whenever I'm in town I make sure I'm able to grab one of their yummy Chicken Tortas. My most recent visit was during quarantine, so I was unable to eat inside. However, once I got home the food tasted just as delicious as it always does. read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - Chicken Torta - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

The worst service ever including the order was wrong several time. The beans were cold ... the waitress was the worst with this arrogant attitude... my first & last visit read more

Shrimp fajita salad was ok. Some of the salad greens were wilted because of the heat Of the fajita veggies, which is a personal preference that I dislike wilted salad. The queso was delicious! Chips were not as salty as I'd like. I did like the pico de gallo. The chicken tortilla soup tasted plasticky unfortunately.. so had to throw most of it away. read more

First time here and the chile rellenos came out cold and greasy. I had to warm them back up which made it even worse. Seems like typical Mexican food for local folks who have no taste. Will try again but not impressed whatsoever. read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - Greasy chile rellenos - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

I absolutely 100% love this bathroom, I loved the smell, (before I did my buisness), I also enjoyed the music that played in the bathroom, it made me feel like I was in a cinematic experience set in Mexico, Every now and then a song would come on that would be slow, and I'd look at myself while washing my hands sentimentality. read more

Doing our bit to keep small business alive this week (in the midst of Covid 19) , and ordered from Papa Joe's Mexican in Westminster. They will do either curbside pickup or delivery within a five mile radius of the store (for a small fee). Delicious food. Great staff. Buy local! read more

Used to be one of my fav Mexican,,,today not so much...the whole place smelled of strong disinfectant, so much so that it effected the taste of our food,,,,we should have left when we walked in and were overpowered by the odor......I had way too much gristle in my chicken burrito...just gross! And to top it off the toilet was clogged , thankfully they had another,,,with very loose toilet seat......I will never go back.....very disappointing! read more

I am totally shocked!!!!! A friend told me that if I were ever in Westminster to stop in to Papa Joe's for some authentic Mexican food. I vividly remember telling him that "there is no way that Westminster has authentic Mexican food". Ken I stand corrected. The Carne Asada tacos were taste. The chips and salsa I would rate at a 7/10. The taco's I grade out at a 8/10. Really good food at great prices. If you are in or around Westminster you have got to this this place a try. read more

Papa Joe's Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Westminster, Maryland

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Great place, Cancun burrito is fantastic, we have eaten here probably more than 20 times over the years and are rarely disappointed. These is some irregularity with the servers at times, but that is to be expected in a tight and fluid labor market, but overall the food has always delivered. read more

The food is tasty enough, but the prices are high for what they offer. I supported them through the pandemic, purchasing food to take home that could not be anything but cold. I was happy to do it because the food was tasty when I could eat in. Then the prices began a steady march north; I felt it was a poor reward for my loyalty, and I regard the prices as too high for the quality of the food. I retired from visiting twice a month about a year ago and have not been back since; it is possible my information is out of date but I tend to doubt it. Also, during the pandemic someone posted wacky conspiracy theory fliers all over the walls for a few months. Fail. read more

Great Mexican food, go early, it gets crowded. Authentic food, I like the tamales and tacos. My wife gets shrimp tostados everytime. Cant go wrong with the Sangria. Glad they have the new location, a lot more seating. I don't give many 5 stars, this is a gem in Carroll read more

We went back here after a bad experience hoping for something different and better but what we got was incredibly ill. They told us it's gluten free and once we got home everyone that was allergic to gluten got extremely ill and feeling terrible. I will never come back and I will never recommend this to any friends or family. Extremely disappointed and horrified. If they lied about that I'm worried what else they've lied about!! The waitresses have terrible personalities and terrible terrible bathrooms. It's disgusting. read more

NO STARS!!!..After checking with the staff in the morning and being ASSURED I could place an order for lunch for our office I was told at the time that I placed it it would be IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE READY WHEN NEEDED!!!...NOW REMEMBER I CHECKED EARLIER IN THE MORNING!!!...If you serve lunch...first why do you open at 11:00 only take orders then???....you have staff to take the order....if you can't handle a big order...please don't say you can and then not take it when I wait to call it in!!!...you just made our office lunch more difficult than it needed to be!!!...and honestly...you did not even CARE!!! Carol S. read more

I have lived in the area for years, but have paid little mind to this little place in Westminster. The only regret I have is not visiting this place sooner! Immediately upon walking in, the atmosphere is fantastic! The tables are set away from the "lobby" area and it is all very vibrant. Walking to sit down, I noticed how clean everything was, and there was a great "buzz" to the place. As waiters passed tables, they were talking with the "regulars" and you could tell that this was a place that people loved and frequented. Our waiter was very honest and helpful, the chips and salsa are fantastic (!), and the service is quick! I ordered chicken tacos and they were amazing! I highly recommend! We will be going back very soon! read more

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This place was completely disappointing to me. I love tacos, but the meat tasted unseasoned and not at all fresh. I was praying that I wouldn't get food poisoning. The meat looked like cat food or canned meat. I don't think I will ever go back .the only reason for two stars is because my husband's burrito was somewhat tasty. I would have been better off going to Taco Bell. And it wouldn't have cost as much. read more

I've been going to them for many years and the food is always outstanding miss going to a restaurant many many years ago called Chi-Chi's and Papa Joes is a very very close with excellent food and service! read more

Really like this place. Very authentic great taste friendly service and you can get hot sauces. Good beer selections. Do not order the fried ice cream..horrible version. But everything else is really good read more

My wife and I have been eating here since they opened and we have never had a bad meal ever! Tonight we wanted to go back because we had just eaten there last week and enjoyed it so much. Holy cow was it wonderful again tonight. I got the Elote and Steak Fajitas and my wife got a Burrito. Man the Elote was some of the best I have ever had!!! The whole meal and service was spot on! We are so lucky to have such great Mexican food in Westminster!! Thank you guys for being there for us!!! read more

Great service, we were greeted on our entry and told to sit anywhere. Once seated we were greeted within a minute by our server who promptly brought us our drinks. This is authentic Mexican food and not Americanized. The menu was extensive. I kept it simple and had a steak burrito which was excellent. Great service and food. I would definitely recommend this to others. read more

This place was good. Every since they moved. It's been terrible. The seating sucks. Don't try to go with a big party you'll be waiting forever. The cream sauce was awesome now it's just plain missing something. So bland. We used to come here all the time and loved coming. Then it became just carry out because the wait and service was terrible. Now its no that's the last place I'd go. We just tried to go there and ended up going next door to forbidden Palace and got Chinese cause the wait for a party of six was just to long. In short don' come here read more

My family's favorite Mexican restaurant in the world! Try the spicy pork tacos, chicken tortilla soup, chicken tacos or steak tacos.