- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Abuelo's
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
80 reviews for Abuelo's
Review Highlights
-
"Abuelo's has excellent Chile Rellenos." In 3 reviews -
"I loved my green chile sauce that was on my enchiladas." In 12 reviews -
"Of course it isn't considered "authentic" Mexican food." In 3 reviews
Loading...
80 reviews in English
-
Review from Patricia O.
Tacoma, WA
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have visited Abuelo's many time at different locations and the service is always good no matter which location.
One of my favorite dishes is the chicken and zucchini in a cream sauce. The sauce is is well balanced and very tasteful . The portions are big but they have a Senior menu and a lunch menu with same choices and smaller portions.
I would not say this is the most authentic mexican food but is probably one of my favorite mexican restaurants in the area and I like it because it offers a variety of dishes besides the traditional tex-mex ones. -
Review from Becky A.
Gilbert, AZ
5/13/2012
We've been here twice. The first time I thought it was great. Chips and salsa were really good. Waiter asked us if we liked a hotter salsa and brought some out. Margaritas were good too. I had the Enchiladas de Cozumel. Crepes filled with guacamole and topped with a white wine sauce and shrimp, scallops, spinach and roasted red peppers. OMG....it was so yummy. Ridiculously fattening and bad for you, but yummy! Second time we sat on the patio, which is kind of depressing, and we were the only people out there. The dish I ordered was not great either.
So, one great experience, one average. I'm sure we'll go back though. -
Review from Dawn D.
Gilbert, AZ
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
After all of the hype this places seems to have I must say that I didn't really see what all the rave was about.
Pro's:
Quick Service
Unique Atmosphere
Great Chips & Salsa
Con's:
Dishes are to big, and quality is lacking.
Servers are not a knowledgeable as they should be
Will we go back? Maybe.......... -
Review from Dan M.
Gilbert, AZ
Updated - 4/15/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Visited several weeks ago and enjoyed it so we are back at again. Had the stuffed chicken medallions which is one of my favorites at Abuelo's and always much better with a couple of margarita's.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/26/2012
Visitied Abuelo's for the first time in several months. We have always enjoyed ourselves everytime… Read more »
-
-
Review from Tarrah C.
2/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ok, this is going to be a little hard for me to review......First, since I appreciate people who help me find places I can eat at that have many dairy free options, and I like to do the same for them, I'm telling you (the anit-moo juice crowd) now, this is NOT one of those places. Pretty much everything on the menu has cream or cheese as an integral part of the dish. Even the tortillas are warmed on skillets covered in butter. So, if you are like me, I would skip this place.
However, if you are like the majority of the population who enjoy dairy products spread all over your food, you will love this place! It's not really Mexican food as much as it is Tex-Mex. Lot's of enchiladas and tacos and burritos. The portions are HUGE...you definitely get a lot of bang for your buck! Everyone at our table (we were a table of 20) was very happy with their meals....The chips and salsa were really good too!! (I usually judge a restaurant such as this by their chips and salsa...) I ended up having a salad with cheese and whatnot removed, and salsa for dressing, as most of the dressings also had dairy in them......
Service was SUPERB! As I mentioned, we had 20 people at our table.....we were seated in less than ten minutes, our water and chips were never dry......and we only had one waiter!! He did SO well! He knew the menu very well too, and was able to help me find something I could eat.
So, 4 stars for service and everyone being happy, and one star docked for there not being more allergen friendly dishes...... -
Review from John D.
Mesa, AZ
4/12/2012
Love Abuelos! Best Mexican food!
-
Review from Brian H.
1/8/2012
So when my old professor suggested we meet here I was astonished at the grandiosity of the place, not unlike a colonial governor's palace on the Mexican Riviera: "Damn, he said a Mexican restaurant, pero este es un pinche EMBAJADA de la comida mexicana!"
First off, this is highly gringified Mexican food, mellowed out for the more sensitive gringo palates of suburban Chandler (right up professor's alley, as he's from Indiana). If you want the real thing, go to Guadalupe, or better yet, South Tucson. That said, the food wasn't bad at all, in fact, it was quite good. Frozen margaritas packed a punch, and the place is quite charming, with lots of hanging potted plants and colorful murals. Service was prompt and polite. Whether its totally worthy of being a self-proclaimed embassy of cuisine is in doubt, but Abuelo's is definitely reasonable, given the price. -
Review from Nat Q.
Chandler, AZ
3/27/2012
Awesome food!! I thought everything was really good here.. Chips and salsa were great too and service was very good.
-
Review from Elaine Q.
Tempe, AZ
4/1/2012
I love their pitcher of margaritas!
-
Review from Monica O.
Was shopping with my son, daughter and her fiancé Sat afternoon and I said I was hungry and daughter said she wanted tamales and I was like no, I'm not getting tamales, I want a burger, so we kept shopping and then I said are you guys up to trying something new, and they said yea, so I said let's try Abuelos, and man are we glad we did!
When we got their we 1st ordered the Abuelos dip sampler, which had a cheese dip, a bean dip and their avocado cream, which was like a guacamole whipped with air, not my fav, but everyone loved the bean & cheese dip. Also ordered a pineapple infused maragarita, man that was delish!!
I ordered the Nogales, which was beef & chicken rolled into a flour tortilla enchilada style, that my friend was a perfect dish!! Others ordered the Sonora, Tilapia Veracruz, beef and cheese enchilada combo! All the dishes were perfect and delish!! The heat was there I was a happy camper!! Love the spicy food!!!
Look forward to coming back and trying other items on the menu!
Oh by the way the daughter that wanted tamales, never ordered them, she went with the enchiladas LOLListed in: Some Like it Hot, International Love
-
Review from Gabriel W.
Tucson, AZ
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a go-to place for me and my family when I'm in town. The primary reason? Well, the really good quality food, of course. But more than that, this is a place that has quality food for all types of people. My mother is someone who very rarely eats Mexican food because the spice (and really ANY spice at all) is too much for her. I, on the other hand, like things fairly spicy. Others prefer to be sweating heavily into their dishes...so understandably, the wide variety of preference can be hard to cater to. This place has it all, and did I say quality? Quality food here. Just quality...
...And quantity! Pretty big dishes. Others have complained about the severs but I've never had a problem. Drinks stay full, people are nice and are not hovering over your table constantly. Ive never been spoken to rudely or any of that nonsense, just kind of typical average dinner-going experiences all around.
The decor and atmosphere are quite nice. You really get the feeling you're in some fancy casita owned by some drug lord somewhere in Mexico. Was that racist? Whatever. Its inviting, its a little flashy, it gives your eyes somewhere to wander if your date is boring as sin.
They have their own unique spin on things for a restaurant of this type: ie offering potatoes as an option to rice & beans, monstrous combo plates, etc. I like that because it makes it an experience you're really not going to find elsewhere too easily. Keeps me coming back.
Overall, I highly recommend this place. Yeah its gringo mex fare, but its pretty delicious anyway. Great place to have a beer or five with your meal, and I think you'll be coming back often as well.Listed in: Phoenix Phood
-
Review from Ryan J.
1/21/2012
It is as if Paula Deen and her band of merry sons commandeered the kitchen of this place. I'm not saying it isn't pretty tasty. How could it not be when all of the standard Mexican recipes have been adulterated with copious amounts of butter, cream, and over fatty additives. I'd love to see what the calorie count is on these dishes because I'd wager that the vast majority are in 4 digit country.
-
Review from Brian N.
Phoenix, AZ
1/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here on a Saturday night. We waited about 20 minutes. Seated promptly and served great tortilla chips with equally good salsa. Didn't get our place settings until after our food came out, but the server was wet courteous.
-
Review from Russell S.
Tempe, AZ
10/23/2011
I recently went to Abuelos with my wife for a date night before hitting the movies across the street. We were seated promptly.
I enjoyed my 4 enchilada plate. I've never had an avocado enchilada before. I mixed up the other enchiladas with pork and beef with various sauces on top. The beans and rice were good and reminded me of what I'm used to in certain place ins California.
My wife had steak/shrimp fajitas. She enjoyed her meal. The only complain was the small amount of cheese, sour cream, etc that comes with the plate. The steak was juice and tender and the shrimp was cooked nicely.
Our food came out quickly, as we ordered and hot.
The server was attentive.to our need, refills and also returned the check in a timely manner
Was this the best mexican fare I've had, no, but I definitely think the food is above average.
The inside wasn't what I normally think of at a Mexican place. Had a nice ambiance and atmosphere that I've grown accustomed to at most mexican places I've gone to throughout the US.
Overall, I was happy with the meal and experience and will be back again. -
Review from Pam H.
Chandler, AZ
9/28/2011
Took a guest to Abuelo's for dinner. I was very embarrassed. First off, the atmosphere was nice. Very unique! Our service was great but there was not a lot of people there. The chips were good but the salsa tasted like they squirted Macayo's taco sauce into a bowl and called it fresh!( My guest came up with this comparison!)
My guest had a steak fajita chimi plate that came with rice and beans. The presentation was gorgeous! The cheese sauce on top tasted like the canned Nacho cheese sauce you might get at a state fair. In fact...my guest said that was all he could taste! The refried beans were very bland. No lard for sure! The rice resembled a Chinese fried rice which was just weird! He hated it so much that he didn't eat much.
I had the steak Fajita's which were supposed to be marinated.(NOT)! It was over cooked(some spots were even burnt and crunchy) fatty cheap steak. My guess, Flank or Skirt steak! The veggies under it were not Mexican! They consisted of broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, a few peppers and a lot of onions. It was served with a bowl of pinto beans. They were soupy and tasted like liquid smoke! I didn't eat much of my dinner either!
I have traveled many places and dined in many exquisite establishments. This in no way resembled Mexican or Spanish cuisine in any way. Just gross and VERY over priced!
http://spoonfulpersuas... -
Review from Liz S.
Gilbert, AZ
10/6/2011
I went with my family to celebrate father's day.
I will start with the positives. delicious food, great decor, friendly servers, tasty drinks, quick service, yadda yadda yadda.
My only complaint would be the hostesses. They were both polite enough with the "Welcome to abuelos" "thanks for coming" but paired with the least enthusiastic manner. They lacked personality. The girls both looked like they were not thrilled to be there.
If the hostesses made me feel like they were glad to have me then I would've given the restaurant five stars! I would recommend eating here. Hostesses will not ruin your meal. -
Review from Ron L.
Gilbert, AZ
12/22/2011
Went there for my neices graduation last week. There were twelve of us and everyone had something different. The chicken fajitas were great and I heard no complaints from anyone. The sangria and margaritas went down pretty easy as well.
-
Review from Richard W.
Chandler, AZ
1/26/2012
Ok...I know we live in Arizona...and have alot of great authentic Mexican restaurants around...that being said....I frequent Abuelos about once every two weeks....be it with co workers or with my wife. I give this place 5 stars.....
I know it's a chain but I think the food is tasty...the ambience is really very nice too. Relatively speaking its cheap too. I think their chips and salsa are pretty good. I usually judge Mexican restaurants based on their chili rellenos they have two kinds one filled with cheese and the other shredded beef...both are delicious.
They have the standard rice and beans that most Mexican restaurants serve with everything...but they have an option called "papas con chili" ...imagine a cheesy mashed potato casserole...I don't think Mexican when I request it with the rice because I'm not a big fan of beans....but I still think it tastes good.
I recommend this place if your looking for a good bite! I've probably been here a total of 15 times or so...and have never had a poor experience. -
Review from Anthony P.
Chandler, AZ
1/8/2012
Great Mexican food restaurant, the portions are huge, so if your on a budget it is easy to split. If I want sit down Mexican this is my first choice by far. Prices are decent, very clean, and people are friendly.
-
Review from Christina D.
Phoenix, AZ
1/7/2012
I have never, ever had a bad experience here....the food is fabulous (I'm partial to the Avocado Enchiladas) and the margaitas are the best. I've never had anything less than excellent service. I wish they were closer to me!!!
-
Review from D. D.
Phoenix, AZ
7/9/2011
Solid 3.5 stars.
The dip trio was tasty. My pineapple infused margarita was great, too bad it's just barely a splash over ice for $8.25. My fajitas were yummy, I was pleased to find a variety of veggies (not just standard onions/green peppers) on my skillet. The portion was just right, enough for 3 tortillas w/no leftovers. Our server was nice/attentive but didn't not hover or ask questions when our mouths were full.
The interior reminds me of a Vegas type of "courtyard" restaurant enclosed in a hotel. Weird. Anyway, we'll definitely be back. -
Review from Rachel E.
Phoenix, AZ
4/4/2011
First off, i've never met a person, let alone hostess, so depressing, rude, and not helping. We politely said hello and asked for a booth, she looked at us like we were from Mars, and didn't say a word. Whispered something to another girl, who sat us, without a word.
The only reason this restaurant is getting 1 star, is because of the delicious cheesecake dessert and cup of coffee, awesome! Also, the ambiance is fantastic, fabulous idea with the cloud ceiling.
Our server, Brittany, was rude, impatient, short, and the least bit helpful. The only reason I know her name is because I heard her greet another table next to ours. She didn't check on us more than once, the very polite busser lady took better care of us!
The food was NOT traditional, completely chainy, heavy, and full of oil. I guess i'm just spoiled with good Mexican food from where I live...
The salsa tasted, (and looked), like tomato paste. The chips were light and delicious though.
Basically, there is a reason the other Abuelo's have closed. -
Review from Kacee M.
Chandler, AZ
12/21/2011
Love this place. it's a must when people come visit from out of town. the food is great, and the prices aren't bad. The staff is hit or miss. never seen a manager going around before... but if you want to be left alone and EAT.. then your good. nice and clean place. patio is nice if you don't get some family with brats next to you while your on a date night but that's not the resaurant's fault it was that bad mom's. :)
-
Review from Joseph P.
Phoenix, AZ
Waitress wise:nice, attentive, good. Food wise: 2 people from a group of 6, liked their meal. Chips greasy and thin. salsa thin and watery. Reynosa
salad appeared w/lettuce and seasoned ground beef. That's it??? Had to say: "where is the rest of my salad? Missing 5 ingredients... Brought out the rest of it... but, come on... it sucked. Enchiladas (steak) were good,
cheese con queso is the best thing on the menu...Drink wise: Get the seasonal Samuel Adams, not a great beer selection..Nice clean restaurant..just needs to get better food.. -
Review from K P.
Chandler, AZ
4/21/2012
I'm a person for whom bad service can "break" any meal. In the service category Abuelo's did not disappoint. On our weekday lunchtime visit we were seated quickly, our chips and salsa arrived within two minutes, and our server appeared just a moment behind. Initially my daughter declined appetizers so we could actually eat our lunch, but I couldn't resist - ordering Spring Rolls from the tapas section and a Shrimp Cocktail from the "regular" appetizer list. The Spring Rolls were "eh," (and I wouldn't order them again) but the Shrimp Cocktail was amazing and actually the most tasteful item of those ordered. It consisted of at least a dozen shrimp, and was served in a huge margarita glass with pita chips on the side. It was definitely a sharable amount for four people, but the two of us ate it all and were then too full for our "real" lunch. Within 5 minutes of presenting our volcano hot entrees, our server returned asking if we'd like a box for leftovers. Two full plates came home. Reheated Mexican food is never good but we made an attempt for dinner...yuck. Although this is hard to admit, next time I'll do as my daughter says and just order lunch sans appetizers (Daughter = 1 / Mom = 0). The food looked good, and on our next visit, we'll eat it.
-
Review from joann m.
Chandler, AZ
10/17/2011
Chips were good but crushed to little bits. Shrimp cocktail was terrible. Cilantro rice pretty good.
-
Review from Barbara C.
Chandler, AZ
11/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a very bad judge of Mexican food (disclaimer here...I'm talking about Mexican food eaten in the US, not the wonderful food eaten in Mexico). Really, unless it's completely disgusting, it's all the same to me. Tortillas, rice, beans, cheese. By food alone none of my Mexican reviews would vary more than 1/2 a star up or down. Again, when I go to Mexico, now that's a different, very yummy story.
So I'm going to judge the restaurant. It's actually cute. It has a large, covered, internal patio. Which unfortunately is always full, I gotta aks if they take reservations. But the ambience is nice, and the staff is friendly. I disagree with other posters that it's expensive...it's average, and really, you get huge portions. Ok, so they have large portions at Filiberto's too, but here you pay for the service and the ambiance. So I didn't think it was that pricey. I also like that it can accommodate large parties...restaurants like these are always hard to find. Where do you take the grandparents, greatgrandparents, grandchildren, parents....? here. I don't think it's the place for hip people to hang out, or maybe not great for a romantic date, but it is perfect to bring your grandparents on your birthday, or your dad on father's day. Every place has its purpose. -
Review from Natasha Y.
Phoenix, AZ
4/25/2011
Soooo I was checking out my Yelp profile and decided to up my ante with another review... this time, not so great.
I was starving (what else is new?) on a Friday night so I dragged my boyfriend out for some Mexican fare. Let's start at the door: the hostess didn't look too excited to greet or seat us. Our server took our drink order, we received our trusty chips and salsa, and got to work.
The menu was pretty standard for an "upscale" Mexican restaurant, seafood selection and all. After the server described "The Monterrey" plate as one you could fit a turkey on, I was convinced. This hefty entree consists of four different types of enchiladas, a chile cheese relleno, chicken taco, and guac... how could we possibly go wrong?
The plate arrived ginormous, as promised; I just wasn't particularly impressed by any of it. As much as I love food, I am a quality over quantity kind of girl, and this entree was not cuttin' it. I honestly can't point out anything in particular that I did not like about the plate, it just wasn't memorable, finger lickin' good, or (please insert cliche here).
When dessert was offered, we politely declined. Our waiter dropped the check fleetingly and muttered a "Thank You" or something of that sort as he zipped past our table. I do give the place props on decor, as the paintings, statues, and lighting throughout the restaurant are impressive and reminiscent of the culture of Mexico. -
Review from Heather M.
Albany, NY
11/13/2011
Yum! After reading several reviews about other Mexican restaurants in the area, I decided to take my friends to Abuelos and I'm so glad I did! We started off with the Dip Sampler which was yummy & hot! The chips were endless and the waitress happily accommodated our requests for a spicier salsa. My friends ordered the Avocado enchiladas and the beef enchiladas with a crunchy chicken taco on the side. Both couldn't stop raving about the fresh ingredients and authentic taste. I ordered the Shrimp Yucatan Fajitas. They came out sizzling and were delicious!
The waitress was so friendly and helpful, the layout of the restaurant was authentic and kind of gave us a feel of the Venetian in Vegas with the high domed ceiling. I will definitely go back to Abuelos! -
Review from Nick B.
Ladera Ranch, CA
3/10/2011
There happy hour is pretty good. The tacos are cheap and they have some other rather affordable options. Sorry to say I don't remember the exact prices. Beers are also affordable and the happy hour food options are both satisfying and filling.
The happy hour prices are only available in the bar and the seating is somewhat limited, so unless you're willing to wait for those seats or get there right when happy hour starts you might not want to try it.
Service is prompt and helpful and I have been pretty satisfied every time we've been. -
Review from Sanjith J.
Chandler, AZ
2/2/2011
Not vegan/vegetarian friendly at all. The beans have bacon in them. The server was able to hook it up with some veggie fajitas, off the menu, but still not exactly the kind of thing I would really want to pay money for.
Felt a bit sick after words, so my assumption is that either the food was tainted or that I accidentally ate some sort of animal protein that my body is not able to digest well.
The only reason why I'm not giving Abuelo's is because my server was super helpful in finding me something to eat. -
Review from Jennifer G.
Pinal, AZ
Updated - 9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have recently fallen in love with their spinach enchiladas with queso sauce. Seriously, the best spinach enchilada I have ever had. Because of this, I have determined I like Abuelos even more and upped their score to 5 stars. Also, I have never had bad service here and the atmosphere is beautiful.
Listed in: Best Chains, Best chips, salsa, guacamole,…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
6/27/2010
It's been far too long since I have been here which is sad because its probably one of my faves for… Read more »
-
-
Review from Bryan C.
Chandler, AZ
11/13/2011
Really cool looking place, but all of the creativity is in the design of the building and it doesn't seem like any is put into the food. Hit a street taco vendor instead.
-
Review from paul T.
Scottsdale, AZ
11/11/2011
Best place for Mexican in AZ. I am curious--people who give this a bad rating--what place do you find better for Mexican? Macayos??? Carolinas? Both are disgusting compared to Abuelos. would love to know what places these people find to be good--odds are they are horrible places.
Get the grande. It is the best Mexican dinner in Arizona. but be hungry! -
Review from Andrea K.
3/16/2009
Wow, I can't believe these negative reviews. I went there last week for the first time and I have to say that I thought that it was wonderful. Besides some service blunders I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.
My mom never had Mexican food before (GASP!) except for the basic Taco and Taco Salads. She ordered the enchildas as did I. Their salsa was great. I loved my green chile sauce that was on my enchiladas. And I LOVED the Sangria. I got a litre of Sangria for $9.95. Can't go wrong there.
Of course it isn't considered "authentic" Mexican food. Who cares! It still tasted excellent. -
Review from Shawn And Katrina N.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/17/2010
Abuelos is a solid 3.5 star place, that I'll kindly round up to 4 stars due to the consistency I've experienced with the food and service over the past few years.
Abuelos is one of those chains, that if you didn't specifically tell me I probably wouldn't know it was a chain. They serve a little bit higher end Mexican food... kind of like if Garcia's had a wealthier older brother. The decor is really nice and inviting... complete with the vaulted and painted ceilings, which I'm always a sucker for (I know, I'm easy to please).
The food isn't an A+... it's more like a solid B, but it's a consistent B. There are a couple of dishes that I get on a regular basis. One is the steak & enchiladas, and the other is called "Mis Abuelos Manjar". The steak here is suprisingly good for a Mexican place... actually it's one of the more reliable places to go get a good and affordable cut of meat. Mis Abuelos Manjar is basically a couple of enchiladas which are smothered in sauce then topped with two eggs; pretty tasty. Also, I gotta throw a shot out to the roasted salsa they serve; you have to specifically ask for it; it's served warm and it's oh so good.
I've never left Abuelos and thought I'd had the best meal of my life, but every time I go, I leave full and glad I made the choice to go there.
As a sidenote, if you go to this Chandler location, ask for Theresa... she's a fun waitress.
3.5/5. -
Review from Sara V.
Phoenix, AZ
3/18/2010
Chain Mexican food...that is actually good!?!?! No Way!! But yes! This is one Chain you can't turn your nose up at!
Whether it is for lunch or dinner, I am never let down with their food or service! Their lunch menu is affordable and good serving sizes, so you don't feel like you are breaking the bank.
Dinner has so many choices, but I will only name the two I rotate between. I am a huge Chile Rellenos fan, I order them every where I go and I am particular about where to get the good ones. Abuelo's has excellent Chile Rellenos!
The next dish that is probably the best one on the menu and they know it, is their LOS MEJORES DE LA CASA, which is 2 small perfectly cooked bacon wrapped beef tenderloin medallions and 2 shrimp with bacon, cheese and jalapenos, mmmmm so so so Good!!! Good along with all its synonyms in the thesaurus!!!
If you haven't tried it yet, go! What are you waiting for!?!?!? -
Review from Sarah G.
3/4/2008
When I walked in I was impressed, it's Beautiful, it's has this inside outside kinda feel with the courtyard setting.
The menu was extensive and everything sounded delicious. I saw food that looked really good being served to other tables.
Unfortunately the food was not as good as it looked and certainly not as good as the restaurants interior would have you believe.
I got a taco and enchilada combo, the taco shell was a generic hard shell like those found at Taco Bell, the chicken inside ( I Kid you not) was the exact same chicken used at Taco Delmar and the meaty enchilada sauce well, it must have been by Hormel.
Everything had a different kind of peppery tasting spice that did not work well competing against each other.
It's like the Rainforest Cafe of Mexican food.Listed in: What a Waste!
-
Review from Chuck R.
6/20/2009
Lots of glitz and glam, little to back it up.
Food was meh... really expensive too.
Margs were good but I can get the same for cheaper.
My friend got sick from the food she ate...
Not impressed... never went back. nuff said -
Review from Colin M.
Chandler, AZ
9/21/2009 1 Check-in Here
Abuelo's doesn't make bad food.
Abuelo's also doesn't make good Mexican food.
If you're looking for toned down versions of Mexican fare with the occasional winner, then their menu may delight you. But it's also for the most part very forgettable. You'll walk away feeling satiated and maybe even like you got your money's worth, but there's no afterglow of delicious Mexican goodness.
The glitz, the glam, and the consistently good service can't make up for the fact most of the food is just bland as hell. As someone else mentioned, it's not lack of quality ingredients; the produce is fresh, the cuts of meat are decent, and it's cooked well. There's just no flavor, much less any spice. Guy likened it to an upscale Del Taco--that's unfair to Del Taco; they at least have the balls to serve food with taste.
What's more disappointing is they weren't nearly as bad several years ago when they opened. There was still better Mexican in the Valley, but I could leave Abuelo's without feeling like I ordered a Bland Platter.
