Del Ray Easter Brunch

I agree that the food is not great, but I think it is sufficient for the only mexican with in walking distance. We have gone there a few times and been satisfied enough. I hope they stay in business.

 

We ate there last year and the service was not good and neither was the food so we haven't been back. Heard too many neighbors with the same feelings so until we hear a lot of consistently good things we won't be back. I wanted to like it too.

 

Despite all the bad reviews, we decided to give it a try. We had their lunch buffet - it was all cold and had obviously been sitting out for quite some time. We complained that it was all cold - and so the waitress popped our plates in the microwave to warm it all up. Later that night, all three of us were sick! I vowed I would never returnthere again. I did however go there a few weeks ago for a margarita one night. That was very good - and I'd go back again for another. However, except for the chips, I will never eat there again.

 

Vicious cycle, less people come in, less money and less tips means less effort, etc I imagine.

I went there twice right after we moved in 6-7 months ago because I wanted desperately to be able to get good Mexican food so close, but unfortunately it seems their food is just not up to par. I'm pretty surprised they're still open since it seems most other people feel the same way. I wish there was a Mexican restaurant in the vein of "Chevy's" around here. I love the Mariachi House in the Lansdowne center but it is pretty pricey for Mexican food.

 

There use to be a Chevy's in the Dulles mall.

 

I'm a huge fan of Los Toltecos over in Countryside. I realize it's not as close as Del Rey, but their food is consistently good, a great amount of variety, and their servers are always very nice to us and very attentive.

 

My family likes Los Toltecos best, too.

 

i'm also very surprised they are still open. people are a slave to convenience i guess... if you're craving mexican, go to the closest place. Los Toltecos and that other place on market street in leesburg, can't remember the name... are much better! Even Anita's.... and I don't generally like chain restaurants, is better than Del Ray.

 

whoa!! what's wrong with Del Ray when you are talkin' tex mex? lotsa cheese- excellent flavor- I honestly want to know- b/c while they aren't my fave- i think they are pretty good. the only thing I don't like is how my clothes smell when i leave there...

please share!

 

There's no taste to the food. It's bland. My husband just said there's no flavor. I much prefer Los Toltecos. Now that place has taste!

 

i'll definitely give Toltecos a try- but which restaurant do you find bland luft- Del Rey or DonPablos? or both?

 

Don Pablo's definitely has more taste than Del Ray. If those were the only two restaurants left in the area, I wouldn't step foot in Del Ray.

 

Again I agree that the food could be better, but when I am craving mexican, Countryside is a far walk.

 

I find most of the Mexican restaurants to be bland in this area.....no taste or hotness at all.

 

The couple of times we've eating at El Mariachi in Lansdowne it's been really good! Of course, Lansdowne is not on the "convenient path" so we don't get there that often.

 

two things- request spicy- they will GIVE you spicy. most ethnic restaurants tone down their dishes so gringos don't cry while they eat! (ok- gringa negras included! lol) same Thai, Korean and Indian, to name a few. I made the mistake of thinking I could handle "vindaloo" at an Indian restaurant in NYC- both the waiter and my husband looked at me funy, the waiter said- so- you EAT Vindaloo before?" I said "no, but I looooove spicy food- bring it on!"

there were tears, sniffles and a permanent loss of taste buds on the right side of my tongue, but I ate it and enjoyed what I could taste!

and TWO- that's what hot sauce is for.

 

redon1 - that is so funny! Whenever I eat Asian, I always request extra spicey and love it, but I also made that same mistake at an Indian restaurant in WNY. We don't eat out for Mexican that often because I'm always disappointed and I've mastered making it at home and it's just right for us!!

 

there's a Korean red pepper story too, but I'll save that for a happy hour.. lol

i feel the same way about certain foods that I make well- refuse to bother with them in restaurants when i can do it better myself!

 

I could tell you about my visit to Wae Lu Oak in Tysons. I got the spicy tuna suchi as an appetizer. The Koreans have a whole level of spicyness that the Japenese haven't even dreamed of.

Our Korean waitress enjoyed watching me eat it. After I finished it (I'm no quitter!) and 5 glasses of water, she told me that even though she likes spicy food, she won't order that!

The rest of the spicy Korean meal was like a vacation after that app, but my sinuses were clear for the next 6 months!

 

I think I saw on the Mythbusters TV show that water is a poor choice for cooling off your mouth after spicy foods. The best choice for cooling the burn was....not beer....not water.... milk. And for Redon a milkshake would work also!