Brother and I decided to have Mexican for lunch after being out and about and I know this place is close by us. I've been here quite a few times.! I serve you chips and salsa or other Mexican restaurants now charge for it! I had a fajita burrito, which was excellent along with the refried beans and rice and my brother also had a burrito some sort and they both came out piping hot! I love the Mexican theme of this restaurant, and the service was great. She made sure that our drinks were always filled! read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Fajita burrito - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

It was fine. The restaurant was accommodating for our large party and was available promptly in the lower level. The staff was kind but there was language barrier which was a little difficult to get past. My daughter's food was also a little off and has unusual items in the rice. read more

I visited this restaurant in the Boardwalk area based on a recommendation from friends who were also staying in the same hotel as I. It is a modest looking restaurant with booth seating inside and a small outdoor patio overlooking the Boardwalk pond area. I sat on the patio to enjoy the beautiful early evening weather. The food is authentic Mexican and the portions are huge! I ordered the vegetarian burrito with spinach and mushrooms, and I never thought vegetarian could taste so good! The sauce that came with the burrito was excellent. Chips and salsa are provided once you are seated and you can definitely tell the sauce is homemade. (I asked for a second serving to add to my burrito!) The service was exceptional from the gentleman that took my order. When he came with the check, he provided a complimentary dessert, which consisted of a large chip with a whipped cream dollop and chocolate drizzle. It was the perfect way to end the evening. The prices are very reasonable for the portions provided. I highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the University City area of Charlotte, NC. read more

I placed an online order on July 4th at 11:10 PM, and my order was confirmed by 11:15 PM. The restaurant's posted closing time, both on its website and on the door, was 12:00 AM, so there was no indication they would be closing early. I was staying at a nearby hotel and waited for my food, but nothing ever arrived. At 11:47 PM, I called the restaurant to check on my order. The person who answered, claiming to be the manager, told me they had decided to close early. I calmly requested a refund, but he told me I would have to get my refund online and then hung up on me. I walked from my hotel to the restaurant to speak with him in person. When I arrived, he was locking the doors. I told him I was the customer he had just hung up on, but he again said he couldn't help me, rushed to his car, and drove away. I have this entire interaction on video. The following day, I returned to the restaurant and spoke with another man who also claimed to be the manager. He said he was aware of my order and instructed me to call (919) 426-5198 to request a refund. I called the number while standing right in front of him, and no one answered. He then used his own phone to call, and a woman answered. He explained that I needed a refund, and she stated that refunds would be issued to everyone who placed orders that night. When I asked whether she needed my order information or confirmation number, she said no and that all affected customers would automatically receive refunds. The entire experience felt unprofessional, frustrating, and suspicious. I never received my food, was treated disrespectfully, and was repeatedly given the runaround instead of receiving a simple refund. I have since filed a complaint with the appropriate consumer protection agency and look forward to this matter being resolved. This entire situation could have been avoided with honest communication and proper customer service. read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - This the man claiming to be manager night from which I called. - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Service was great with a friendly staff. Food was good as well. I certainly would come back and recommend. I do want to try the lamb. read more

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friend has a peanut allergy and we asked him do they serve anything that is peanut free in that question conjure up the manager he tells us that they don't serve anything that is peanut free so we decide to leave because our friend can't eat, and he crashes out disrespects us cusses out. Screaming for us to leave, until we left . read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Racist guys restaurant , - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The food was delicious. The portions were large and extremely flavorful. The staff was extremely attentive without hovering. Great atmosphere and dining experience. read more

I've been going to Zapata's for over 20 years. But in the last few years the food had become so so and things were tired. Originally we would go almost weekly but in the more recent years we would go maybe once a month or less. The service was always good but the food was tired. Zapata's was tired, looked and felt tired. Recently Zapata's came under new ownership and boy what a difference. The new owner has revied the Zapata's of old. He added and changed the amenities like new tables and chairs, woke everything up, but the best is the food and beer. The beer is always very cold as it should be. The food is real Mexican with excellent flavors. The quantities are right on. You will not go away hungry. The staff are great. I say well done and we are back to visiting 6 to 8 times a month for both lunch and dinner. I offer a shout out of thanks and congratulations to the new owner. Well done and thank you. If you like good Mexican food, great service, cold beer and more at a reasonable price, try Zapata's. You won't regret it. You will truly feel valued as a customer. read more

The service and food was absolutely amazing! I highly recommend eating here! The ambience was just as amazing!

Good service and good food consistently. My go to order here is their burrito. it's flavorful and comes with rice and beans. prices are affordable as well. On the weekends they have drink specials as well. It's located on the boardwalk and you can leave there and take a scroll or check out other shops in the area. Definitely recommend trying them. read more

Please be aware they are under new management. Carlos is doing a GREAT job going back to some of the old recipes. BUT, if you don't see it, do be afraid to ask for it. He is also updating some of the decor of the restaurant (specifically the tables and chairs on the patio). New specials on food and drink make dinning on a specific day enjoyable ... and don't forget Cinco de Mayo is coming up - ENJOY!! read more

Hello I ate here tonight on a date and ordered the Arroz con pollo. On the menu it says special red sauce NOTHING about it having nuts in it. I have a DEADLY nut allergy and the waitress did not ask if i had an allergy and took 10 minutes to get back to me if the sauce had any nuts in it. She then took another 5 minutes NO urgency at all to tell me it had peanuts while my throat was closing and I was having a reaction. I then had to leave because I was so sick from the peanuts I threw up all my dinner after i got home. We then tried to call for a partial refund and the man on the phone said I should've asked even though nothing was said on the menu nor did our waitress ask. He then proceeded to blame me for my experience and the "food i ate earlier today" on me being sick. I didn't eat anything earlier which i stated but still he was rude. DO NOT GO HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY ALLERGIES!!! read more

If I could give a 0 I would. Went to dinner and a friend got the ACP. Our server could not care less about us and lo and behold there were peanuts in the ACP... not stated anywhere on the menu or asked by the server. We called to try and get our money back, the man on the phone was extremely rude and tried blaming it on my friend for "something she ate before". I'm sorry, do you know how a nut allergy works? Do not go here if you are allergic because the workers do not care and will make it your fault for their neglect. read more

My family and I are visiting from New Jersey and are staying at the Hilton University Place. A short walk brought us to this amazing restaurant. The food was delicious; the entrees could easily be two portions/meals. The complimentary desert was a nice light touch as well. We look forward to returning again in the near future. My daughter especially enjoyed her tres leches cake! read more

I asked if a Paloma could be made with strawberry purée added. The manager refused, which I understand if it's not something the bar offers. However, the way it was communicated felt dismissive specifically the comment "we are not out the country." Because of that, I chose not to order a drink. A more professional explanation or alternative suggestion would have made the experience better. read more

Me and my son came here for a late lunch. I had the barría tacos with rice and beans and my son ordered a chicken quesadilla. All of the food was delicious. Our server was attentive and very nice. I love the atmosphere we sat outside on the patio on a unseasonal warm day in front of the fountain. read more

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I'll start this off by saying my family usually frequents the location in Ballyntyne and we haven't had anything but good experiences there. I love the coziness and authentic feel of this location. The wooden carved chairs and cheerful bar really set the mood. Sometimes the food and service can really hit the spot, but other times it's a complete miss, like how our recent visit was. We probably won't be going back to this specific location. My meal was fine, your standard beef fajitas, could have gone for more steak and peppers. I asked for a side of sour cream that I never got and the chips and salsa weren't refilled in the usual way. The real issue came when one of our family members got the chicken taquitos..chicken. They ended up just being full of potato with very few strands of chicken. We would be okay with that if the menu stated that it contained potato's, but it did not. The appetizer taquitos do, but that's not what was ordered. We told the waiter and he seemed indifferent. A manager then came up and offered another item, so she got the chicken fajitas. Which were decent. But...when the check came they charged us for the messed up taquitos and the fajitas, as well as the sour cream that I never received... the sour cream charge was 2.50 and I never received it. We paid for what we ate and left with a bad taste in our mouths. read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Beef fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

This was my first time patroning this establishment and KEVIN was AMAZING! He was very personable and knew the menu well. I can always appreciate when the server knows the menu extensively and can make recommendations. The food was 4/5 but the service made all the difference. Kevin was down to earth and funny. I will be back here again. read more

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The food was just okay. I had the chicken with cream sauce, but it wasn't very good. The server seemed a bit confused, but they were polite, which helped balance things out. Overall, the service could have been better. I don't think I would return for a second visit. read more

My friend and I decided to meet up after work for a bite to eat and some drinks, so we chose Zapatas, a Mexican restaurant not far from my office in the university area. We arrived around 4 PM, and since it wasn't too busy, we were seated quickly. The service was great from the start. They started us off with a variety of dips and tortilla chips which was a nice touch. I opted for beef tacos and sangria, while my friend went for beer along with the combination meal, which included burritos, refried beans and rice. The tacos were delicious, perfectly seasoned, and paired well with the drinks. It was the ideal start to our Friday night, with great company and great drinks. Would I come back? Absolutely. Zapatas offers a fantastic experience with great service and flavorful food, making it a definite go-to spot in the area. read more

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My friend ate here tonight, and she has a nut allergy, which was completely ignored and resulted in an allergic reaction. The waitress didn't notify her of nuts in the ACP red sauce, and when my friend had an allergic reaction, the waitress had no urgency in providing assistance or letting her know whether or not nuts were in the food (she took 10 minutes to give come back to the table). Now that she's back home, my friend calls the restaurant for a refund, and was denied one. Not only that, the man who answered was extremely rude blamed my friend for not notifying the waitress of a nut allergy, of which the waitress didn't even bother to ask about in the first place. He refused to take the blame for the restaurant's food, and implied it was something she ate earlier in the day when she hadn't had anything prior. On top of that, she came home with her throat closing up and had to throw up her food. The workers are super negligent, so please don't eat here if you have any allergies!! read more

The Aesthetic: The atmosphere is vibrant and lively, it's a great family restaurant with views of the water and boardwalk outside. The decorations are loud, but so is the restaurant, it's a lot of fun! The workers are kind and always have a huge smile on their faces. The Price: The price is average, it definitely isn't expensive compared to the fancier Mexican restaurants, I think it's just right. The Value: No matter what you order, you are going to get a large plate of food here. One entree is easily shareable (see pics) between two people. You get a massive value for the cost. The Parking: This plaza has so much parking, you will not have trouble finding a spot, even on a busy Friday or Saturday night. You may just have to walk a little further which won't hurt with the amount of food you're about to enjoy! My Order: The Enchiladas de Crema and the Burrito de Cerdo al Horno are to die for, they are incredibly rich and tasty. Don't fill up on chips, that's always my first mistake here. The Conclusion: This is the perfect family or friend night out! Grab a cerveza and a pal and get ready to indulge! read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Burrito de Cerdo al Horno - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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This is the type of hole in the wall that reminds you why hole in the walls are the best. Zapatista looks simple on the outside, but is a lively and delicious go to! Service is always friendly and food is always delicious. Service is also surprisingly fast, even on Cinco de Mayo. If you're looking for tasty, authentic Spanish food and not the over priced mini tacos like in the city, this is the spot. Highly recommend! read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Arroz Con Pollo - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

A solid 3 restaurant but I will go to 4 stars celebrating that the original plan for our party of 10 didn't workout and I had to scramble for a substitute. I called the restaurant and we were told to come on in! After pushing tables together, 2 more showed up to dine and without batting an eye, they were quickly added to our tables. The staff were quick, patient, and the orders came out correctly with one exception. We had one member who is allergic to red pepper and her dish came with an errant one in the bowl probably from the fast pace of the kitchen getting our food out quickly. We were served some chips and two heat levels of salsa. They were ok... I ordered a chimichanga with fajita chicken. The sauce was above the out of the can tomato sauce but I had to hunt for chicken. read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Grilled chicken Fajita Chimichanga... with refried beans and rice. An average entree - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

They advertise on their menu peach, raspberry and different fruit margaritas. I was told there were only mango and a house margarita which was $5 and utterly disgusting. The waitress badgered me to order as soon as I sat down. Mind you, I was only here for 5 min. Will not be back. read more

Wanted to go here after walking on the boardwalk for a while, and it was fire tbh. The food was really good and had big portions, I got a steak taco which wasn't on the menu but I guess you can order really whatever taco you want so that's good, it wasn't too big but it was peaceful and the service was pretty fast--in like 20 minutes we were seated, given drinks, and given food. Hope to go again sometime when I'm on the boardwalk :) read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Steak Tacos & Refried Beans - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Food wasn't good at all! Over cooked and very bland! Service was extremely good! They are all very nice and attentive! Ambiance, whew ‍we saw Roscoe the roach and had to exit stage left, QUICKLY!! read more

Service was a little slow. Kitchen forgot my salad and some of the items that come with the salad. Drink was ok. read more

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We are visiting Charlotte from Tennessee. Growing up in So.Cal, I could eat Mexican food everyday. I chose this restaurant due to a few factors. It was close to the hotel, the menu was varied and huge, and it had lots of good reviews. We ordered cheese dip, and I was a little nervous as I am spicy sensitive. It was perfect for the table. Good flavor and just the right amount of heat. I ordered the chicken burrito. It had red sauce and cheese dip on it. It was delicious! My hubby ordered the"Worlds best tacos". Even though I am not a soft corn tortilla fan, these were also delicious. When we come back to Charlotte we will definitely be back to dine here. read more

Visiting for the weekend in Charlotte and dropped in for a bite as it was across the street from our hotel, not expecting anything. We got sat immediately and were greeted with chips and salsa and our server Hassell came to our table right away taking our drink orders. Minutes later, we were served our beverages, exactly as ordered. We asked for recommendations and she helped us choose between several dishes. We placed our food order and in less than 25 min we were served our dinner. The food was on point and delicious and exactly what I would expect from a family Mexican restaurant. Our server checked in on us multiple times and we had a great experience. read more

I have zero clue why I have never been here before now! Clearly I have been missing out! I wanted some birria tacos and decided to try theirs out for lunch. Honestly probably the best ones I've had thus far! And their broth actually had chunks of meat in it, first time I've had that happen and my God was it amazing! And I NEVER eat refried beans yet I found myself eating theirs lol. Everything seriously was delicious. Staff was friendly, place was very clean and has a nice decor. And the fried cheesecake was to die for. I will most certainly be back! Going to have to go for dinner one day and get a margarita. read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

The food was great. The jalapeno margarita was subpar. We had a party of 6 and a gratuity was automatically added to our bill which no one in the group noticed. The service was fine but not excellent or worthy of double tipping. read more

Love the food and vibe! Nice cozy mexican food joint with vegetarian options. Loved the bombay chimichanga. The service is great too! They also offer baskets of chips and salsa! read more

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Went for the purpose of $4.99 margs. And they charged us $9.00 per marg. Sign said "4.99 margs" and the waitress said because we got flavors it did not count, as it was only house margaritas. (Pic below saying MARGARITAS.) Waitress was very rude and barely spoke a word to us. Honestly, never going again. Food is CRAZY over priced. And not even okay customer service. :)) called and spoke to the manager and they had nothing to say;))) read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

Was in town for a conference and decided to walk here. Cute authentic Mexican spot with large portions. The drinks could have been a little stronger but overall I had a pleasurable time and definetly enjoyed my food and service. read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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One thing you'll never have to worry about is portion size. You'll never leave hungry after dining here. Super Nachos are good but missing something. Maybe some liquid queso and jalapeños to make the dish really sing. The guacamole is fresh made and is a nice topping on the dish. The Chalupa/Enchilada combo is massive. If you're not familiar, a chalupa is basically a deep fried flour taco. Crunchy and bubbly and goes great with either ground beef or shredded chicken breast. The Mexican rice and refried beans are a solid complement. They run daily drink specials all day too. They're mostly margs though so pull up them pants! It's gonna get real... read more

Previous review: Ordered delivery twice. Twice my beef burrito was a rice burrito. 85% rice and 15% beef. What a rip off. Updated review: Decided to give them one more try since we used to love this place. Big mistake. Did not include the rice and beans with my wife's order. Called them. They couldn't care less. Ironically, my beef burrito was full of rice and beans, but almost completely rice. The photos are after I peeled open my burrito to find nothing but rice. Save yourself the frustration, order from Charandas. We've had good experience with them. Will never order from Zapata's again. Well done. read more

Zapatas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Charlotte, North Carolina

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People are extremely nice and kind; and the food is delicious!My favorite is the Mexican Stir Fry. I like to add lots of extra salsa (the kind that is served with the complimentary chips) to this dish. They are so kind to keep bringing it until I have enough! Thank you!!! Cathey W read more

Food was amazing! customer service was outstanding! I visited the one in University and I would definitely come back again.

Just wanted somewhere quick to eat and Mexican is usually easy. Well, the service here was excellent. Super nice and quick. The food on the other hand not so great. I should have known when the chips and salsa weren't even good. Salsa had big chunks of tomatoes and onions and chips were not even warm. The food came and mine came wrong so they took it back. Got it back right but it just tasted bland and blah. I had the taco and enchilada combo. The chicken was just boiled no seasoning . The tortilla was greasy and the sauce had no flavor at all. On the table we had a spinach quesadilla which seemed uncooked and again no flavor. The chicken quesadilla also seemed like just chicken and cheese in a tortilla . With some rice and beans . Just disappointed as we were hungry ! Maybe we picked the wrong things but generally all Mexican has good sauce and salsa. This didn't have either. Wish the food was as good as the service ! Sorry won't be back here. read more

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