Good Mexican food!

Pappasito’s is probably the best Tex-mex place in Atlanta. I lived in the city for two years and could not find anything even close. In fact the only thing that even is in the same league this side of Texas is Rosie’s Cantina in Huntsville, AL. Since moving to Charlotte, NC I have truly missed this place. My fiancé and I stop by every time we drive through Atlanta.

The fajita’s here are second to none. The meat is tender and grilled to perfection. Lots of vegetables and extras are provided. The salsa is always fresh and has a zesty cilantro flavor. We took a group there a few weeks ago and ordered margaritas for everyone. There were no complaints from anyone in our group. You really can’t go wrong with this place. They even have a nice patio that you can eat on when the weather is nice.

On a recent trip to the Atlanta/Marietta area in June 2006, my husband and I went to dinner at Pappasito's on a Saturday night with our three children, ages 15, 9 and 1. The restaurant is a branch of a Texas-based chain and is clearly popular with the locals. We were told there was a 45 min to 1 hour wait for a table. While waiting I had a great margarita and my husband had a Mexican beer. They must offer a pretty busy take-out service, as they had a whole section of counter and two staff persons devoted to it.

We waited outside with loads of others on benches. There were little ponds and water features and piped in music while you waited. When our name was finally called more than a good hour later, they asked us if a table outside was okay! My husband (who is always pretty calm) exclaimed in amazement that he did not wait over an hour to go back outside! Remember it was June in Atlanta. Think hot.

The restaurant was very, very noisy. There was a separate room in the back for parties that had glass walls and the aforementioned patio seating. One neat feature is they make the tortilla shells right in the restaurant where you can watch!

We were told the 'in thing' to order was the Shrimp Brouchette and the Fajitas. I ordered the combo for $19.95. My husband ordered fajitas. The kids both got chicken quesadilles. The children's menu one was priced at about $4 and the adult menu appetizer one was around $12. Go figure.

The waitress was pleasant enough, but the massive wait combined with the extremely loud noise level inside the restaurant took its toll on the little one and he could not cope. I had to take him outside as soon as the food arrived. Ugh. But I did not fret since I knew this place did a brisk take-out business, I just asked them to have mine wrapped to go. (Secretly, I wanted to take it back anyway, so I could enjoy it in peace.)

My husband reported his fajitas were okay and the kids had nothing good or bad to say about what looked like your run of the mill chicken quesadillas.

When we returned to the hotel, I was excited about digging into my meal and discovered that the waitress had basically taken what was on my plate and just scraped it on top of itself into a small take-out box. The rice, the shrimp and the fajita beef and vegetables were all just thrown together. The two fajita wraps were thrown on top inside the same box. They did not send the butter sauce that accompanied the shrimp, nor the side order of beans or any of the guacomole or picante that came with the fajitas.

I looked inside that mess of a box and I almost cried. I had spent over $20 for that! What a mess! The waitress knew I did not get to eat and I just can't believe she did that to me.

Our experience was unique and by the crowd waiting for tables, there must be an aweful lot of folks who would disagree with my review.

My suggestion: Go early or late to avoid the wait and take earplugs!