Delicious! Was out for a drive while visiting the area recently was hungry and stumbled on this place. Was seated immediately in a lovely seat outside with warm sunshine on my face (they did offer to pull the shades if needed). Chips and salsa were brought as soon as I was seated and the waitress was ready for my order. Feeling a bit indecisive but hungry I wasn't sure if enchiladas or tacos were the way to go. Based on the recommendation of the waitress I went tacos and opted for one steak one chicken. Didn't have to wait long before being presented with a delicious looking plate of food, which of course I excitedly dug right into. Overall the food was very good but I must say the carne asada was AWESOME! Both had amazing flavors and really didn't seem to lack anything. Didn't try anything else but would highly recommend the carne asada anything (plate or tacos) if In the area. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Carne asada and chicken tacos - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

Came for dinner after drinks. Ambiance was ok. Wait staff was great and prices were pretty reasonable. Being on the ground floor, couldn't see much of the oceans. But thankfully every patio table has a small fire pit. Was great for the cold night Food is good. Everyone enjoyed their meal. Chips and salsa was amazing. Their chips are on the thinner side. I'm def coming again. read more

Delicious food, great drinks & good service from Charlie. Started with All The Loves margarita which is not too sweet, perfect blend of rosemary-mango-habanero tequila. Not too sweet with a mild kick. Don't skip the Mexican Elote Spears for an appetizer. Absolutely phenomenal! Shrimp tacos were really good. Felt like the prices were decent as well. read more

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The food is so good. It's a busy area and parking is a little challenging but the food and drink and the vibe make it all worth it. The ceviche is hands down my favorite dish and I will come here many times just for that and a drink. It's a great place to catch up with friends or enjoy the salty beach air with a great cocktail and appetizer. You can't go wrong!! read more

Update: we came back for our anniversary, we are shocked the churros has changed a lot, the sauce was not chocolate and the churros is way different than what we ce here for, and the mango margarita has no mango flavor. The beet salad only had a single beet in it read more

Food quality has gone down hill and prices have increased. Extremely overcooked inedible dry Seabass. Overcooked Carne Asada. Margarita cloudy and suspect looking. Very sad to see food quality has gone by the wayside. Location is prime for the location so they can get away with charging high prices and sending out whatever they want from the kitchen. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - DRY Seabass verging on inedible. Very sad - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Absolutely love this restaurant. Great place to grab some fish tacos while you're having a pleasant day at the Delmar Beach. The service is very fast and friendly also very family friendly. You get a nice view of the beach and there's something for everybody. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Baja Fish Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

Wow, wow, WOW! We're from out of town and were looking for a good place to eat Mexican food. Google suggested this one. I've learned not to get my hopes up, even if the place has 5 stars. So, I decided to put all expectations aside, even that they would have mole, a favorite, and just allow myself to be in the moment and maybe even be surprised. Well, that's exactly what happened. We were over the moon to discover the flavors awaiting us there. The ambiance was warm and inviting, as was all the staff. Our food came quickly. I was so pleasantly surprised to discover they had mole and, so, ordered chicken enchiladas with mole sauce. I think it was the very best one I'd ever had. My son ordered carne asada tacos and said the same thing about his. They even had his favorite strawberry lemonade. Both mole and strawberry lemonade can be kind of hard to come by, especially this good. We left happy, not bloated or uncomfortable, having had just the right amount of food. Some places give way too much food, and many serve bits of food around salt and sugar, but not here, and, still, the flavors popped. I would highly recommend this restaurant. We'll probably even be making the hour drive back for more. It is so worth it. read more

The tacos are very good. I really like the carne asada tacos. They come with this really good cheese shell in the tortilla that's amazing. Also, the service and ambience are good. I highly recommend coming here on your next visit to del mar read more

Visited Tamrindo Del Mar and loved the vibrant flavors! The dishes were a perfect blend of freshness and spice, transporting my taste buds straight to coastal Mexico. The atmosphere was lively and inviting, making it an ideal spot for a memorable meal. The view was spectacular. Highly recommend trying the specialties for an authentic experience! The guacamole, tacos, burritos everything was delicious #TamrindoDelMar #MexicanCuisine #FoodieAdventures #TasteOfMexico #FoodReview #Yum read more

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I wonder how many customers Tamarindo gets solely due to overflow from Monarch upstairs. That's how we ended up here! Regardless, it is a trendy Mexican spot with delicious and fresh tacos, a relaxed ambience and friendly service. read more

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Had the pleasure of visiting Tamarindo Del Mar for the first time on a Sunday around brunch time. It's wasn't super crowded and was a nice day out. The decor and vibe of the restaurant were pretty cool! Parking was easy enough. Underground pay parking. I was there about 2 1/2 hours and paid $9. The service was good. Not excellent! The food was delicious and priced well for the portions. The rice was actually very fluffy and airy. It really balanced the shrimp dish which had a very flavorful and rich creamy sauce. I'd have to say- the chips and salsa might have been the best part. I love tasting different salsas and their salsa was definitely good! Overall a nice spot to check out if you're in Del Mar! read more

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I was not impressed about the food. I had grilled shrimp, it tasted okay, I little chewy. But I expected a better plate for 27dollars than 6 pieces of shrimp with half of plate filled with rice and no veggies at all. Across our table there were 2 men sitting with a dog. The older guy let the dog sit on the seat and stand on the table! Even if am an extreem dog lover, I think that's gross! Our server was doing her job but there was no enthousiasm serving. So sad because its a nice spot. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

An old childhood friend who has lived in San Diego for over 20 years picked this place for us to meet with our families. I loved the outdoor seating area, the fact that it has an attached (pay-to-park) parking garage, is only a few blocks from the beach, and is next door to (currently) the #1 gelato place in the nation! Our server was incredibly kind and patient, especially because both of my kids were riled up from being stuck in the car with the July 4th holiday traffic for over an hour. Thankfully my friend had been here before and was able to make quick recommendations on the food. The chips and salsa were good, and made even better after she asked for the spicier salsa! We started with the queso fundido, sans chorizo since we are all vegetarian. The tortillas and fundido were both well-made and flavorful. The kids had ordered off the kids menu - burritos and quesadillas. I remember thinking, that's a lot of food for a kids meal! Great portions - you will definitely have left overs. The adults shared the Peruvian red potato rolled tacos - wonderful if you're a potato fan, and the crispy zucchini tacos - which were fantastic! They definitely do not skimp on the spices or flavors which lets the authenticity of the food shine. It was a beautiful day out and it was lovely to enjoy the ocean air and catch up with our friends. I would come back next time I'm in the area. read more

Great spot in Del Mar for some solid Mexican food! Food: Good sized food and drink menu. The elote and rolled tacos were good options for sharing. Forgot to take a picture of our tacos but would definitely get the Octopus + Mahi tacos again. Service: Out waiter was solid and consistent with checking in. No complaints! Ambiance: Our group were seated in the patio and I think I prefer the patio over the inside (on a nice clear evening like we had). Beach vibes and a lot of seating for groups. Water: Solid water service but was focused more on my margarita! read more

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Have the SPICY Marg! It was so well balanced and refreshing. We came in with our kids. They were so accommodating and helpful. Thank you Liz and Zach. My wife and I started with 2 double spicy margaritas and nonalcoholic cocktails for the kids. We ordered the new shrimp ceviche which was so fresh and authentic. Our entrees were the fig mole and shrimp skewers. The food quality was excellent. To end the dinner we tried one of their new dessert cocktails. Super relaxing and welcoming restaurant. Thank for the extra care of our young kiddos. read more

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We had a great experience and enjoyed the setting and the fireplace. What stood out is our server, Leila. She was sweet and attentive. I would certainly return. read more

Mexican joint in Del Mar Plaza. The trendy Elote Spears were good. The Rajas enchiladas were also good and recommended. The wife enjoyed the Fish Vera Cruz. The patio is smothered in dogs (not always the best behaved ones)! They have a separate menu for dogs. read more

6 of us had dinner last night. Location and atmosphere and service are great. I had the pescadore Vera Cruz that I had before. It used to be made with Seabass but now it's Cod. The portion is much smaller. Tastes ok but the portion left me hungry. read more

Cute restaurant across from the beach in Del Mar. I had the Shrimp Diablo which was delicious. I would probably ask for it without the Jack cheese next time since I'm not much of a cheese person. I asked for the dish to be prepared extra spicy and they added Serrano peppers and what appeared to be cayenne pepper. Still, it wasn't spicy to me. I added the habanero salsa (+4.00) I asked for on the side and that did the trick. I also ordered a double margarita and it was delicious, well balanced with no sugary additions, it tasted really clean. My husband got the chicken enchiladas and loved it. Service was excellent as well. Good people watching on the patio due to the popular gelato spot right next door. If I'm ever in the area again, would definitely stop in for a margarita and possibly food, too. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Shrimp Diablo - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

Elote spears were FIRE! Overall the food was tasty. Cocktails were delish. Service was on point. And the open air dining area was lively with music. My wife loved the carnitas taco! Beef short rib was tender and juicy. My new fav. We will definitely be back for more! read more

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We went here for happy hour and each got a marg then split the chile like shrimp, elote stuffed avocado, and bbq spare ribs. Between the three of us this was definitely a sufficient amount of food. We didn't expect the elote stuffed avocado to come fried and unstuffed as it did. I will say, the chile lime shrimp was amazing and the coconut rice was so good! These were all going for a great price on happy hour. Our waitress was also very friendly and brought the energy to our happy hour. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Chile lime shrimp, elote stuffed avocado, bbq ribs - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

This place was bustling around dinner time on a Friday evening. Some larger parties, some more intimate couples. We were out on a whim for date night and really liked the ambience here. They were quick about offering housemade chips and salsa and I loved the salsa. Sometimes, restaurants pack a lot of spice into their salsas, but I am weak and cannot handle my spice, so I appreciated the milder sauce they had here. We kind of went wild on the food ordering. Started with some elote, which were grilled very nicely in spears. Eating them was a bit messy. I had the short rib tamarindo which was our favorite dish of the night. Beef was super juicy and tender and the entire plate of food was absolute flavor town. Great mix of textures so your palate wouldn't get bored. Definitely a great entree. My partner had chicken enchiladas and subbed the sauce for fig mole. The mole was fantastic but I'm not a huge fan of chicken enchiladas. One thing we quickly realized here are the generous portions. But not quick enough to not order an additional plate of food first. We also shared a plate of octopus and mahi tacos, which were loaded and not "street taco"-sized which we thought they'd be. The mango pico is so fresh and balances the creamy spicy of the chipotle sauce. As if that wasn't enough, we were crazy and also ordered dessert. We had the flan which came with churro crisps that I loved but my partner felt meh about. The flan itself was smooth and delicate. Not too sweet either. Parking was easy in the garage underneath the plaza. I recommend dinner here and the only reason we haven't returned is because we don't live in the area. You'll leave with a happy belly (and plenty of leftovers if you order insanely like we did). read more

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Great location, you cannot miss this place right by The Monarch. Reservations were easy to make online, had no issues there. Sasha was very sweet, and man this place was busy, I mean yeah 5 de Mayo, everyone was running up and down getting people their food. Good job everyone. Appetizers tried: Ceviche 7/10, more veggies and mango than shrimp itself. It was good but very different than what I am used too. Elote (Corn): 15/10 must have, the citrus sour cream combo with the chili was absolutely delicious! Entrees: Oaxacan Mole: 10/10: now if you've had mole, especially from Oaxaca, you know there is a kick to it but this one was great, the beans and rice the little pot was so cute! Level spice a solid six. Gulf shrimp Diablo: 15/10 (this was my pick) absolutely nailed it in every department, serving size- the cilantro rice, bomb. Spice level: eight! Carne asada plate: 30/10 whomever does the marinating of this is invited to the carne asada. Even amounts of the softest meat the onions were well grilled and seasoned Drinks: tamarindo, so good and spicy. I loved every sip I took. Sasha, you rock girl. You made our experience here wonderful. THANK YOU!!!! You should get bonus points. Checking in with the host: 0/10 well the host has the most valuable impact for new customers like myself. However we were not greeted kindly, actually had a lot of sass coming from this host in which immediately I was stunned because I've heard good things about this place. I ignored the rude host and was still positive in giving this place a try, even though that was enough for me to not recommend this place to anyone yet even then stay. I would have given this location a 5star, due to Sasha's great service and the food, however, the interaction with the host was unacceptable. Especially since we found out later that she is the GM of this place. Thank you Liz, Manager of this location for hearing my feedback regarding your host that evening and I hope she does not greet others the way she did to us. read more

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I haven't been here in awhile since my first visit but this was a good one! We were getting together with some family and everyone had been asking about going here for dinner on a Sunday night. We were easily able to get a reservation and it wasn't too busy even though it was a perfect day outside. We sat inside at a corner booth space which was nice because we had lots of table space. We enjoyed the chips and salsa (probably a little too much) so we did not indulge in any appetizers. We all ordered different entrées but I went with the sea bass as it is my favorite fish to order. Everything was super flavorful and it honestly was the perfect portion, at least for me, I really enjoyed it compared to my last visit. There is a paid lot you can park in below the shopping center in case street parking is difficult. Everyone seemed to enjoy it and we had a great time getting together at this spot. read more

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Del Mar, Ca. We dined here before a show at The Sound. I selected this place because I could not get a dinner reservation at any of the other restaurants in this huge complex. It is categorized as Mexican but it is more like Cuban/Latin. We arrived a bit early for our res and had to wait outside for ten minutes. Not too bad, the place was very busy (The Whole Complex Was) and it was only 5:30. I noticed that the hostess was able to accommodate a party of nine without a reservation as long as they agreed to stay and hour and a half or less. She was busy and efficient at trying to get walk in's seated. Impressive. The waitstaff also was alert and prompt. Immediately upon being seated chips and salsa appeared. The salsa didn't look that great but was good. It had a roasted chile flavor with no hint of vinegar. The chips were machine cut typical triangles but tasted fresh and crunchy without being oily. Our waitress arrived soon to take our drink orders but we knew what we wanted from the on line menu. The elote is excellent, not done in the Mexican style (Not Smothered in Mayo). The corn is cut length wise into easy to eat spears. It tasted like it had been roasted on an open fire, not sure if it actually was. The sauce has a good amount of heat but no lingering burn, I loved it. The fig mole chicken is a must if you like mole, just because it showcases what is possible with this dish. Nothing like the Mexican version, the chocolate does not have the typical bitter aftertaste. The chocolate and spiced, combined with fig, begats a silky textured, faintly sweet combination of the ingredients, none overpowering. The chicken is plated as a stack of pulled tender breast meat cooked in a mild chile sauce. The mole is presented in a small terra cotta pot along with rice and black beans. The rice is really good. A lime cilantro hint of flavor but not fried. It is light and fluffy and delicious. The black beans were just ok. Poured onto the plate like a liquid reminiscent of a cheap Mexican take out. They should consider serving the beans without the liquid, my opinion. The liquid mess uglys the plating. The shrimp enchiladas are another wonderful dish that departs from the traditional Mexican. Fresh tortillas, lightly baked encasing perfectly cooked shrimp with the tails removed. Crispy lettuce gives it a crunch and the combination of sauce and spice is excellent. I read that portion size was too small for some reviewers but I found both dishes to be adequate in this respect and I can eat a lot. All our food arrived quickly and we did not even finish our chips. The waitstaff is friendly and attentive. I was a bit put off by the dirty floor on arrival but it was quickly swept up. The lavender lemonade is a failure. It is not fresh squeezed lemonade but tastes just like lemonade from a drink dispenser. They add lavender and tamarind syrup and the final product just does not work. I would summarize it as a bit yucky. The downside to this complex is parking. You are channeled into this driveway leading to an underground garage with no way to turn around or escape. You take your ticket from the machine to find that there are many cars idling or slowly roaming about looking for a space. The machine must know how many cars it has let in but the machine doesn't care. Cars follow pedestrians hoping they are leaving. The restaurants in this complex DO NOT VALIDATE your parking stub. It might be a lot easier if you are willing to walk a bit and find street parking on the other side of the road heading south. read more

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A wonderful casual restaurant to enjoy some authentic Mexican food with a twist. Service was very good even though it was a weekend and the place was full . In my list of places to repeat in the San Diego area read more

I came here for the vibes around Del Mar. However, the food itself was a bit subpar. The "auga fresca" definitely tasted like boxed juice, with a bit of a medicinal taste. The chips for the free salsa & chips at the start were very thin and overseasoned. They were able to accomodate my gluten-free request for the enchiladas, which was appreciated. They unfortunately didn't have any specific type of vegetarian enchiladas, so it was cheese enchiladas. It was pretty average overall, nothing particularly remarkable in terms of flavor. The ice cold lettuce/tomatoes placed right on top of the enchiladas also made for a strange temperature contrast, which was easily fixed by placing those on the side. Overall, the food wasn't terrible, but also not great given the ton of options in San Diego and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, I probably wouldn't actively come back here unless it was part of some large group event. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Cheese enchiladas, gluten free - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

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Great upscale Mexican food in a high-energy atmosphere! Tamarindo is a good dinner choice with a sea breeze right in downtown Del Mar. I came here with a friend on a busy Saturday night and had an awesome meal. I highly recommend trying a margarita or cocktail because they offer many unique twists on the classics. The Pisco Sour and Mariposa were both excellent choices. If you like seafood, try the Octopus + Mahi tacos. They're top notch! All in all, I'd recommend Tamarindo to anyone who's out in Del Mar. I can't wait to go back again sometime soon. Pro Tip: Sit at the bar to avoid a long wait. The bartenders were friendly and happy to give menu recommendations. read more

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I'm Addicted to this place. Please try the tamarindo Margarita or tamarindo lemonade. The staff is always so friendly. Food is amazing and the ambiance is great for a date or casual dining. This has become my go to spot for Mexican near the beach. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Costa Rican Ceviche - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

The shrimp diablo here is to die for! It is one of those dishes that stays on your mind. The atmosphere is great, love the outdoor patio and fire tables and in such an ideal location in downtown Del Mar. The service is exceptional. On one visit my daughters friend ordered a spicy margarita that was a bit too over zealous on the spice for her & our server immediately took care of recommending & getting her a different drink that she enjoyed & did not charge for the one she did not like. The drinks are great too, not only fantastic taste but beautifully preparation. Great place to bring out of town guests as well. Have been and definitely will continue to come back. read more

Had a beautiful meal here outside in the breeze. Pictures looked gorgeous and I enjoyed new flavors, which is always a plus. Even if you are seated inside, they keep the doors open so you get a bit of the light and breeze. Service was attentive and relatively quick too. Parking is behind the restaurant in a garage, with the first hr free and every +30 min, +$3 (as of 05/2024). Seaside Molcajete - came steaming with a rim of crispy cheese. Gorgeous presentation and seafood in the stew was cooked beautifully. Comes with a side of toasted bread, but when we ran out, we found tortilla chips worked reasonably well. A seriously beautiful meal/appetizer depending on how many people you have. Highly recommend this for larger groups! Mexican Elote Spears - gorgeous presentation and seasoned well. I would order again if I wanted to impress someone, but if I wanted these again I'd just make them myself. A smaller detail, but I could appreciate that after we ate here, no one felt excessively bloated as heavier foods can often cause. Other items on the menu also look incredible - I will definitely be back. read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - elote spears - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

Visited with a friend during the sunset hour around 5 PM. Great patio and solid service. It was busy for a weekday evening. People waiting to be seated by 6:30 PM. Happy hour is only at the Bar. read more

We went for Mother's Day celebration. It was a first time trying there, we had made reservations so got the table promptly. We ordered chicken enchiladas and Baja fish tacos and some drinks. Unfortunately within the first few bites a long piece of plastic was found while eating enchiladas. I was shocked and let the server know and they apologized, got another one made and didn't charge me for it. The food is average, have had much better tasting Mexican food, service was slow. Their food mostly tasted bland. Ambiance was good outside in patio. Overall ok to try once if you are in the area but not going to be my go to! read more

I've been here twice now. The first time, we stopped by here to check out the the place after celebrating February birthdays. We were all too full to eat, so we just ordered a couple of cocktails. They brought out complimentary chips and salsa for us. For drinks, we ordered the Pisco sour and a mojito. Service was friendly and quick! I came back the second time to try their dinner menu. I munched on their yummy chips and salsa while waiting for our food and drinks to arrive. I got the lavender lemonade, while my friend opted for the Breeder's Margarita. The drinks were really pretty and refreshing! For food, we shared the Peruvian salmon ceviche, queso fundido, and seaside molcajete. The ceviche was light and queso was delicious. The seaside molcajete came with and abundance of seafood! It was quite the presentation and was very filling. It was nice sitting outside by the fireplace. Tamarindo certainly is a nice spot to enjoy some Mexican food while they play some Latin tunes. read more

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My boyfriend and I stopped in last minute on a Friday night and we had an amazing experience! We were seated almost immediately and the service was outstanding. Our waitress was constantly checking in on us. I couldn't decide on a cocktail and she made an awesome recommendation for a blackberry lemon margarita. Since we were just grabbing a quick bite, we ordered the Mahi and octopus tacos which were DELICIOUS! The vibe was so relaxing and I couldn't stop dancing in my seat because the music was so good! I will definitely be returning, this spot is pure gold. read more

The food tastes good, but the portions are small for the price. The cocktails were basically all ice--two sips and they were gone--so there was nothing special to justify the cost. The service was nonexistent: the waitress dropped off water and never came back. Despite that, we were prompted to leave a 25% tip by payment machine set as the default. With already overpriced food and zero service, it's hard to see what that tip was supposed to be for. read more

Great spot for Mexican food in Del Mar! The view is so beautiful and the staff is incredibly friendly... not to mention dog-friendly. My friend brought her and they offered a doggy menu and water. Such a nice touch. We ordered fish tacos and shrimp tacos with a side of rice and beans. They were tasty! I also liked the seasonings on the chips! Would deff return! read more

Tamarindo Del Mar - Fish and shrimp tacos, rice & beans, and chips! - Mexican Near Me - Del Mar, California

We had most our meals here during holiday and everything we had was excellent. The service is slow but the food is worth the wait. The bar drinks are not consistent but otherwise I do recommend eating here while staying at The Diria read more

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After the horse races my husband and I wanted to eat dinner in town and explore the cute downtown strip in Del Mar! This was place was extremely popular and had great vibes! Definitely a fun place for a date night or out with friends for sure. We made reservations and good thing we did bc it was packed! We ordered Chicken Mole which had a great flavor. You couldn't taste the fig which we were concerned about, however it was pretty sweet for my palate. My husband however enjoyed it. The shrimp Diablo was good but the sauce was not as flavorful as I would have liked and also too watery for my liking. This definitely didn't taste as authentic as I was used to. The salmon ceviche was nice but nothing amazing. Chips and salsa were great bc we're starving. I would say this place is nice to try but I prolly wouldn't come back! read more