Saturday night and they're busy. After a few minutes of waiting, the hostess doesn't show to seat me so I sit at the bar. After a couple of minutes at the bar, while bustling with three different people behind the counter, I wasn't offered a menu or asked for a drink order for a few minutes. So I ask for a menu. Their steak tip burrito is good. It's not La Abuelita good but I enjoy it. The chile relleno is odd but edible: wrapped in a flour tortilla, not deep fried, and filled with a nacho cheese with chopped bits of potato. This is not how a chile relleno is supposed to be but it's not awful. The beans and rice are passable. The tomato salsa is decent, redolent with chopped green onions. The white salsa is... sweet, unusual, but interesting for being unusual. Over the hour I sit at the bar, there are long periods of time where there is no bartender to be seen. Where do all *three* of these people have to be such that no one is manning the bar? *facepalm* Still, the strawberry rita they served me had some kick to it. I can only complain so much. I ask for the check and the bartender steps away to an '70s era calculator with attached printer. What the hell? Please, get a point of sale system if you want to be taken seriously as a restaurant. But then I get to the cash register and no one is present. Apparently, the cashier stepped away to sit at a nearby table and chat with friends. Amateur hour. So, please, if you must have Mexican in Ocean Pines, come here and don't waste your time in La Hacienda. That is unless you enjoy hating yourself for spending $20 per person or more on awful food and service.
(2)
Angela Z.
WORST FOOD EVER! Tried here cause we love margeritas and good Mexican food which this place has according to the reviews. Don't believe it, they must have the employees writing them. Table was cleaned by wiping the debris onto the seats. Ordered a pitcher of margeritas. Pitcher was full to the top with ice and the contents were not mixed so the first person(me) got just mixer while the next the next got all tequila. Really? Can't mix a margerita? Jalapeño poppers seemed to be a buyout and were served with a dipping sauce that was actually marinara. Ok if you ordered mozz sticks but... Taco salad- shredded lettuce & chicken with a few beans buried under the greens but no guacamole, sour cream, or dressing as on the menu and only one lame slice of tomato on top like it was a blt! Fajita plaza- total YUCK- scrap chicken, some beef, shrimp and peppers all cooked together with chorizo at the same time! You can't cook all of these in one pan at the same time! The chorizo was nothing but crumbled scraps and burnt, the shrimp was over cooked to mush, and the rest all tasted like shrimp. Old shrimp! Half a teaspoon of guacamole and sour cream mixed in with lettuce, tasteless rice and canned refried beans as the side plate. Had to get up and ask another waiter for help after several unsuccessful attempts to flag anyone down for our sour cream and guacamole. Waiter finally brought them, but our fajitas were cold by then cause we had to wait so long. Tried food and since it was so poor, we barely ate anything. Waited again to find waiter to get our check, who we could see, but he never looked our way. Finally got up to look for some help again when we saw our waiter outside walking up the sidewalk away from the restaurant. Didn't know this was a self serve sort of place. Waiter shows up ( yes, I saw you sneak back in when the other fellow came looking for you) and asks if we want boxes since since we barely touched our food. I said absolutely not and the food was awful. Next the manager appears as I am adding up the handwritten check to check it against the menu. Told him our full experience., but if he was really doing his job he would have known what was going on- btw, this was the first time I had seen him in the restaurant. The only good thing about the place was that the manager took our check and comped it completely. No apology, or explanation, but at least we didn't pay for this crap. Waiter got zero tip because I could see that he didn't give a damn. As we left I noticed that the floor was littered with the remnants of everyone's dinners that had been wiped from the tables. Obviously they care about their restaurants cleanliness as much as they the food or staff training. End result- avoid this place like the plague or you might end up with the plague!!!
(1)
Stephanie H.
Best Mexican food I have ever had, including in Mexico! Had the fajitas for two, skinny margarita, and husband has beef tostados also. Fajitas were enough for four people! Everything was excellent and very fairly priced. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Toya D.
Good (strawberry) margaritas. Great salsa. Decent food. Sh!tty service. Conveniently located right smack dab in the middle of our hotel's (Bedtime Inn & Suites -- I'll get to THAT later) parking lot, so being able to walk off the pound of nachos and fresh salsa I noshed on while waiting for my gotdamned food to arrive was a plus. I order the Special Lunch #3 (One beef burrito, rice and beans), which was good. After waiting forever and a day, you'd think my rice would be piping hot. (...and it wasn't!) Oh well. The bar was a ghost town and there were only 5 other people in the dining area. The hostess/bartender/waitress/waitress/busboy/cashier was super duper busy and didnt' have time to be cordial...I guess.
(3)
Erica W.
Food at most Plaza locations is excellent! I often go just for the white sauce/salsa and queso! Chicken and cheese quesadilla is my go to (for good reason), and its affordable and really quick.
(5)
Michael A.
This place is OK but not great. Enthusiastic greeting at the door but then good luck tracking down your server after you order for a drink refill. I had to ask 3 time to get extra tortillas. Got the fajitas for two with my wife a couple times. OK but not great. The serving size of the meat was OK but they bring out this tiny little plate of sides with some lettuce on it and, no joke, one tablespoon each of guacamole and sour cream. when I asked about it they said, "you want a side of quacamole and sour cream?" No, I want an amount appropriate to accompany fajitas for two. Sorry..... that is what they come with. Again, it is OK but has a lot of pretty thoughtless and inattentive wait staff.
(3)
Chris P.
This is so funny, people look at yourself in the mirror. If you looking for fancy 5 star restaurant why you eat in Mexican restaurant ?? DON'T BE HYPOCRITE AND SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE NOT. If you don;t have money don't blame place where you eat, blame your situation. Plaza Tapatia is on my BEST list, I travel all over the country and I can;t afford fancy restaurants but I love good food. That's what tapatia offers. Great authentic Mexican food. Every single dish is made the Mexican way. If you wanna eat burger go to McDonalds you hypocrite... And if you can't afford restaurant with fancy tables stop pretending that you can.... I recommend Tapatia, and no I'm not related and I'm not a employee.I can't even speak Spanish....
(5)
Roni Lynn B.
Food was good. Staff was pleasant. Our 5 year old enjoyed watching the waiter that doesn't use a tray to carry 6 or 7 dinners... all in all a great family experience. :)
(4)
Andres M.
Decent Mexican food in the middle of nowhere. The service was great. They were very accommodating. The menu is what you would expect in any Mexican restaurant in the US, nothing out of the ordinary.
(4)
C R.
A great find. Traditional Mexican food for a bargain.
(4)
Jay R.
Mango margaritas were great, service was very good and fast, and the food was delicious... Doesn't look too inviting from the outside but don't let that fool you - definitely worth the trip!
(4)
Brian OC M.
Plaza Tapatia serves the only "Authentic Mexican Cuisine" in the Ocean City area. The kitchen staff is all Mexican, and we think they do a great job with their menu. The whole dining area is kind of small, but they can accommodate tables as big as 10-12 people. It's a funky, colorful atmosphere with the usual velvet paintings of bullfighters and ceramic knick-knacks. You are served a complimentary basket of chips and salsa. You also get a bowl of "salsa blanco"... a house specialty. It's chilies, crema, spices, and is a great compliment to the fresh, red salsa. When I asked for something hotter, they brought out a bowl of hotter salsa made with tomatillos. We've dined here over a dozen times, and have enjoyed most everything we order... especially the beef burritos, which they make with marinated beef tips, and the chile rellenos. For the money, you get lots of food. Their lunch specials are a good value too. The menu is very extensive, with lots of sides, combos, and entrees. They have a big selection of Cervezas and make a decent Margarita. This restaurant is located in a "Sleep Inn" motel, but don't let that sway you... they really do a great job. And, this is the #1 location of a small, family-owned chain. There are other locations in Easton, MD, Seaford, DE, Cambridge, MD, Salisbury, MD, and Chestertown, MD. If you are in Ocean City, and want authentic Mexican food, this is the place.
(4)
Mike S.
I've eaten at worse places before, but this is up there. Teetering on a 1-star experience. Flies ALL over the dining room, slow service from an oblivious waiter, and food was barely above Taco Bell. Price was ok, but how much WOULD you pay for a shiny turd?
(2)
Fred B.
I have enjoyed dining at Plaza Tapatia for years and have ordered off their vegetarian menu for just as long. This past weekend, however, I decided to ask my waiter what they use to make the refried beans that come included with most dishes, and especially with their "vegetarian" dishes. I was shocked to find out they use LARD to make the popular refried beans! As most of you should know, lard is made from pork, or pigs! Consequently, dishes cannot be labeled "vegetarian" if a pork product like lard is used as one of the ingredients, right?!? I brought this to the attention of the night manager and he did apologize but did not promise to stop using lard for dishes labeled "vegetarian," or any other dishes. This was a good restaurant, but we need to keep complaining to the management to change from lard to vegetable shortening when preparing dishes specifically labeled "vegetarian," right?!?! In addition, lard is horrible for your health! I'm really disappointed in Plaza Tapatia and may never eat there, again.
(2)
Alicyn D.
I've always seen the several Plaza Tapatia locations while driving to and from Ocean City. We weren't in the mood for the typical OC fare so we asked our neighbors for a recommendation. They mentioned that Plaza Tapatia was great. While it looks quite sketchy from the outside it is very comfortable and clean inside. We ordered the Mango Margaritas and they were out of this world. I had acidic ones and this was perfect because it tasted more like a fruit smoothie than it did an alcoholic drink. For my meal I had the Tacos Al Pastor which were delicious. I'd definitely recommend Plaza if you are looking for decent Mexican and don't want to make the trek out to Tequila Mockingbird.
(4)
kate s.
I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone! The service was bad- the waiter took for ever to even acknowledge us, and to get our drinks. There were tons of flies all around, and worst of all my meal was just gross. The taco shells weren't fully cooked, the meet was watery and made the shells soggy, and there was no flavor at all. Than it took them forever to get us our check when all we wanted to do was leave. Please don't go here!
(1)
Janeen D.
This new location of Plaza Tapatia has really changed my opinion of this restaurant. Even though the "Marina Deck" sign is still on the front of the building, the inside is totally redone and is much more comfortable than their last location on Ocean Gateway-Route 50. The menu is still the same, but this restaurant is clean, the water tastes normal and fresh-(not well-water), and the service is friendly and efficient. Even though it has only been open for about a week, they were so busy at lunch and dinner times, as many in the area are excited about a new restaurant opening in the Pines. We had fajitas for two, which come with beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp. Very nice and arrived sizzling, as opposed to some other mexican restaurant close by...Everything is priced very nicely for the area. We had to ask for more salsa and lettuce. I do wish they would serve black beans though. Will be interesting to see what happens to that other mexican restaurant down the street...
(4)
C S.
Run of the mill food, same as most other Mexican restaurants of this type. Worth noting is the barely warm food. Cheese will not be even close to melted. It's all there is for this style Mexican in the area, so like it or lump it.
(3)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :12534 Ocean Gateway
Ocean City, MD, 21842
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
Evan L.
Saturday night and they're busy. After a few minutes of waiting, the hostess doesn't show to seat me so I sit at the bar. After a couple of minutes at the bar, while bustling with three different people behind the counter, I wasn't offered a menu or asked for a drink order for a few minutes. So I ask for a menu. Their steak tip burrito is good. It's not La Abuelita good but I enjoy it. The chile relleno is odd but edible: wrapped in a flour tortilla, not deep fried, and filled with a nacho cheese with chopped bits of potato. This is not how a chile relleno is supposed to be but it's not awful. The beans and rice are passable. The tomato salsa is decent, redolent with chopped green onions. The white salsa is... sweet, unusual, but interesting for being unusual. Over the hour I sit at the bar, there are long periods of time where there is no bartender to be seen. Where do all *three* of these people have to be such that no one is manning the bar? *facepalm* Still, the strawberry rita they served me had some kick to it. I can only complain so much. I ask for the check and the bartender steps away to an '70s era calculator with attached printer. What the hell? Please, get a point of sale system if you want to be taken seriously as a restaurant. But then I get to the cash register and no one is present. Apparently, the cashier stepped away to sit at a nearby table and chat with friends. Amateur hour. So, please, if you must have Mexican in Ocean Pines, come here and don't waste your time in La Hacienda. That is unless you enjoy hating yourself for spending $20 per person or more on awful food and service.
(2)Angela Z.
WORST FOOD EVER! Tried here cause we love margeritas and good Mexican food which this place has according to the reviews. Don't believe it, they must have the employees writing them. Table was cleaned by wiping the debris onto the seats. Ordered a pitcher of margeritas. Pitcher was full to the top with ice and the contents were not mixed so the first person(me) got just mixer while the next the next got all tequila. Really? Can't mix a margerita? Jalapeño poppers seemed to be a buyout and were served with a dipping sauce that was actually marinara. Ok if you ordered mozz sticks but... Taco salad- shredded lettuce & chicken with a few beans buried under the greens but no guacamole, sour cream, or dressing as on the menu and only one lame slice of tomato on top like it was a blt! Fajita plaza- total YUCK- scrap chicken, some beef, shrimp and peppers all cooked together with chorizo at the same time! You can't cook all of these in one pan at the same time! The chorizo was nothing but crumbled scraps and burnt, the shrimp was over cooked to mush, and the rest all tasted like shrimp. Old shrimp! Half a teaspoon of guacamole and sour cream mixed in with lettuce, tasteless rice and canned refried beans as the side plate. Had to get up and ask another waiter for help after several unsuccessful attempts to flag anyone down for our sour cream and guacamole. Waiter finally brought them, but our fajitas were cold by then cause we had to wait so long. Tried food and since it was so poor, we barely ate anything. Waited again to find waiter to get our check, who we could see, but he never looked our way. Finally got up to look for some help again when we saw our waiter outside walking up the sidewalk away from the restaurant. Didn't know this was a self serve sort of place. Waiter shows up ( yes, I saw you sneak back in when the other fellow came looking for you) and asks if we want boxes since since we barely touched our food. I said absolutely not and the food was awful. Next the manager appears as I am adding up the handwritten check to check it against the menu. Told him our full experience., but if he was really doing his job he would have known what was going on- btw, this was the first time I had seen him in the restaurant. The only good thing about the place was that the manager took our check and comped it completely. No apology, or explanation, but at least we didn't pay for this crap. Waiter got zero tip because I could see that he didn't give a damn. As we left I noticed that the floor was littered with the remnants of everyone's dinners that had been wiped from the tables. Obviously they care about their restaurants cleanliness as much as they the food or staff training. End result- avoid this place like the plague or you might end up with the plague!!!
(1)Stephanie H.
Best Mexican food I have ever had, including in Mexico! Had the fajitas for two, skinny margarita, and husband has beef tostados also. Fajitas were enough for four people! Everything was excellent and very fairly priced. Will definitely be back!
(5)Toya D.
Good (strawberry) margaritas. Great salsa. Decent food. Sh!tty service. Conveniently located right smack dab in the middle of our hotel's (Bedtime Inn & Suites -- I'll get to THAT later) parking lot, so being able to walk off the pound of nachos and fresh salsa I noshed on while waiting for my gotdamned food to arrive was a plus. I order the Special Lunch #3 (One beef burrito, rice and beans), which was good. After waiting forever and a day, you'd think my rice would be piping hot. (...and it wasn't!) Oh well. The bar was a ghost town and there were only 5 other people in the dining area. The hostess/bartender/waitress/waitress/busboy/cashier was super duper busy and didnt' have time to be cordial...I guess.
(3)Erica W.
Food at most Plaza locations is excellent! I often go just for the white sauce/salsa and queso! Chicken and cheese quesadilla is my go to (for good reason), and its affordable and really quick.
(5)Michael A.
This place is OK but not great. Enthusiastic greeting at the door but then good luck tracking down your server after you order for a drink refill. I had to ask 3 time to get extra tortillas. Got the fajitas for two with my wife a couple times. OK but not great. The serving size of the meat was OK but they bring out this tiny little plate of sides with some lettuce on it and, no joke, one tablespoon each of guacamole and sour cream. when I asked about it they said, "you want a side of quacamole and sour cream?" No, I want an amount appropriate to accompany fajitas for two. Sorry..... that is what they come with. Again, it is OK but has a lot of pretty thoughtless and inattentive wait staff.
(3)Chris P.
This is so funny, people look at yourself in the mirror. If you looking for fancy 5 star restaurant why you eat in Mexican restaurant ?? DON'T BE HYPOCRITE AND SOMEONE THAT YOU ARE NOT. If you don;t have money don't blame place where you eat, blame your situation. Plaza Tapatia is on my BEST list, I travel all over the country and I can;t afford fancy restaurants but I love good food. That's what tapatia offers. Great authentic Mexican food. Every single dish is made the Mexican way. If you wanna eat burger go to McDonalds you hypocrite... And if you can't afford restaurant with fancy tables stop pretending that you can.... I recommend Tapatia, and no I'm not related and I'm not a employee.I can't even speak Spanish....
(5)Roni Lynn B.
Food was good. Staff was pleasant. Our 5 year old enjoyed watching the waiter that doesn't use a tray to carry 6 or 7 dinners... all in all a great family experience. :)
(4)Andres M.
Decent Mexican food in the middle of nowhere. The service was great. They were very accommodating. The menu is what you would expect in any Mexican restaurant in the US, nothing out of the ordinary.
(4)C R.
A great find. Traditional Mexican food for a bargain.
(4)Jay R.
Mango margaritas were great, service was very good and fast, and the food was delicious... Doesn't look too inviting from the outside but don't let that fool you - definitely worth the trip!
(4)Brian OC M.
Plaza Tapatia serves the only "Authentic Mexican Cuisine" in the Ocean City area. The kitchen staff is all Mexican, and we think they do a great job with their menu. The whole dining area is kind of small, but they can accommodate tables as big as 10-12 people. It's a funky, colorful atmosphere with the usual velvet paintings of bullfighters and ceramic knick-knacks. You are served a complimentary basket of chips and salsa. You also get a bowl of "salsa blanco"... a house specialty. It's chilies, crema, spices, and is a great compliment to the fresh, red salsa. When I asked for something hotter, they brought out a bowl of hotter salsa made with tomatillos. We've dined here over a dozen times, and have enjoyed most everything we order... especially the beef burritos, which they make with marinated beef tips, and the chile rellenos. For the money, you get lots of food. Their lunch specials are a good value too. The menu is very extensive, with lots of sides, combos, and entrees. They have a big selection of Cervezas and make a decent Margarita. This restaurant is located in a "Sleep Inn" motel, but don't let that sway you... they really do a great job. And, this is the #1 location of a small, family-owned chain. There are other locations in Easton, MD, Seaford, DE, Cambridge, MD, Salisbury, MD, and Chestertown, MD. If you are in Ocean City, and want authentic Mexican food, this is the place.
(4)Mike S.
I've eaten at worse places before, but this is up there. Teetering on a 1-star experience. Flies ALL over the dining room, slow service from an oblivious waiter, and food was barely above Taco Bell. Price was ok, but how much WOULD you pay for a shiny turd?
(2)Fred B.
I have enjoyed dining at Plaza Tapatia for years and have ordered off their vegetarian menu for just as long. This past weekend, however, I decided to ask my waiter what they use to make the refried beans that come included with most dishes, and especially with their "vegetarian" dishes. I was shocked to find out they use LARD to make the popular refried beans! As most of you should know, lard is made from pork, or pigs! Consequently, dishes cannot be labeled "vegetarian" if a pork product like lard is used as one of the ingredients, right?!? I brought this to the attention of the night manager and he did apologize but did not promise to stop using lard for dishes labeled "vegetarian," or any other dishes. This was a good restaurant, but we need to keep complaining to the management to change from lard to vegetable shortening when preparing dishes specifically labeled "vegetarian," right?!?! In addition, lard is horrible for your health! I'm really disappointed in Plaza Tapatia and may never eat there, again.
(2)Alicyn D.
I've always seen the several Plaza Tapatia locations while driving to and from Ocean City. We weren't in the mood for the typical OC fare so we asked our neighbors for a recommendation. They mentioned that Plaza Tapatia was great. While it looks quite sketchy from the outside it is very comfortable and clean inside. We ordered the Mango Margaritas and they were out of this world. I had acidic ones and this was perfect because it tasted more like a fruit smoothie than it did an alcoholic drink. For my meal I had the Tacos Al Pastor which were delicious. I'd definitely recommend Plaza if you are looking for decent Mexican and don't want to make the trek out to Tequila Mockingbird.
(4)kate s.
I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone! The service was bad- the waiter took for ever to even acknowledge us, and to get our drinks. There were tons of flies all around, and worst of all my meal was just gross. The taco shells weren't fully cooked, the meet was watery and made the shells soggy, and there was no flavor at all. Than it took them forever to get us our check when all we wanted to do was leave. Please don't go here!
(1)Janeen D.
This new location of Plaza Tapatia has really changed my opinion of this restaurant. Even though the "Marina Deck" sign is still on the front of the building, the inside is totally redone and is much more comfortable than their last location on Ocean Gateway-Route 50. The menu is still the same, but this restaurant is clean, the water tastes normal and fresh-(not well-water), and the service is friendly and efficient. Even though it has only been open for about a week, they were so busy at lunch and dinner times, as many in the area are excited about a new restaurant opening in the Pines. We had fajitas for two, which come with beef, pork, chicken, and shrimp. Very nice and arrived sizzling, as opposed to some other mexican restaurant close by...Everything is priced very nicely for the area. We had to ask for more salsa and lettuce. I do wish they would serve black beans though. Will be interesting to see what happens to that other mexican restaurant down the street...
(4)C S.
Run of the mill food, same as most other Mexican restaurants of this type. Worth noting is the barely warm food. Cheese will not be even close to melted. It's all there is for this style Mexican in the area, so like it or lump it.
(3)