Zavala Mexican Bistro

135 Boston Post Rd, East Lyme
(860) 691-1200

Recent Reviews

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Jessica F

Fantastic. We have warned the bartender she'll get sick of seeing us. Excellent burrito. I get the chicken. Amazing drink menu, friendly staff. This is the best new find in years. I feel like food like this is generally found in cities. Even totally full, I can't wait to come back here.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Cat Gasta

Excellent selection of authentic dishes and delicious specials. I’ve never seen such an extensive selection of tequilas at their bar; amazing. Locals should realize this gem is bringing the A Game to us! Friendly service and they continue to update their interior in fantastic ways. A local treasure for sure!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Restaurant Rating Critic (Nyconnection)

One Server for 2 tables over 6pp and 6 other tables. It was a little concerning with refills and table checks after food delivered. Like no dressing for a salad.
The food was good but not wowing.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 2

Rachel Corbett-Wilson

We went to happy hour today and the food (beef tacos and pork quesadillas) and mango margarita were SO good! We will be back!

Brent D'Roofer

Great people amazing food Killa happy hour

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

David Alan

We've been regular customers since early on and all of our experiences, especially with the amazingly delicious and scrumptious menu choices, are always outstanding!! One of my all-time favorites is the Pan Fried Flounder, over Mexican veggies and rice!!! And the spicy (not too spicy) pineapple glaze is wicked good!!! My better-half loves their Shrimp Tacos and Fajitas!! The staff is so friendly and efficient which makes our visits that much better!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

D. R

Very good food👍🏼 great quick service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Bethel Rivera

This was by far the worst experience ever. Decided to go on Cinco de Mayo so we expected them to be busy . The wait for the table wasn’t so bad about 15 minutes. The problem started as soon as we were seated. We waited at least 20 minutes ,not one person came over to say hello offer us water. nothing. I finally had to go up to the entrance and ask for a server. She comes right over we order a picture of margaritas and an appetizer. Thank god for the appetizer, we would have been sloshed without it. At the same time we also put in our entrée order. We got our margarita pretty quickly the appetizer came out rather quickly as well, and then we waited and we waited, and we waited all the tables around us were getting served. People are coming, people are going Then people were seated right next to us. They ordered their food and within minutes they received their order and my son looks at me and he says they just got our food. We didn’t say anything at least 30 more minutes goes by and now I’m getting really pissed. I asked for the owner. The guy working says he’s busy. I said I don’t care if he’s busy I want him over here now! Well he never came over But the original lady who was acting as a hostess came back over. We told her what happened and then the waitress walks over with the order that was supposed to be for the table next to us with a dumbfounded look on her face that she couldn’t believe the people already had their food. She tried to give us the food and we were like we don’t even want it now And we’re not paying for any of this and we got up and we left. I have never experienced anything like this in my life 90 minutes we were there never received our food we had to go to Burger King, in and out. Got better service there than we did at a sitdown restaurant. Pathetic. I only gave the food three stars because the nachos actually were pretty good if I could’ve gave zero stars for the service, I definitely would have. Definitely do not recommend this restaurant. 👎🏻👎🏻

I’m sorry, but your rebuttal to my review does not make up for the lack of attention and service that we did not receive last night. when I asked to see you, they told me you were too busy to come out. I’m sorry I was there 90 minutes yes 90 and all I got out of the 90 minutes was margaritas And nachos. Not one person came over to check on us. Ask if we needed anything, wonder how come we weren’t eating. So please…. I go out to a lot of restaurants. I love good service and I’m a great tipper when I get it. But last night, using Cinco de Mayo as an excuse, that was very first part of my review. Yes I know That it’s Cinco de Mayo and I expected a wait. I did not expect to be ignored when I was finally sat. 👎🏻🤯🤦‍♀️🙄

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Jayson York

Worst restaurant experience. After waiting 15 mins for a table which I am ok with, I then I had to ask for service after 20 mins for a drink, not even a water. We ordered no problem, got our app tables were leaving, then more people came they sat and got service right away, the table next to ordered then got thier food within a min, I realized it was our food, 20 more mins go by they got their food, our waitress was shocked they already ate. I just had to leave i so disgusted by the service I got.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Eileen Wang

Hidden gem! The BEST Mexican food I've ever had! Black bean dip was amazing and so was their nachos

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Tracey Trower

Great place for happy hour and dinner. Food was delicious and the staff was super friendly. Huge selection of tequilas if you're looking to try something new. Parking can be a little tricky when the neighboring dance classes are getting out, so watch for little dancers.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chips and Salsa, Churros

patrick barton

Having traveled due to the military for the past 15 years, I’ve tried quite a few Mexican restaurants. Unfortunately in this experience the food came up short of expectations. We saw the chorizo queso on the menu and what came out was just chorizo on a skillet with some cheese sprinkled on top. I’ve never ordered a queso and not had it been something warm and cheesy to dip some crispy tortilla chips in. I ordered the steak fajitas and was surprised how bland the food was. No seasoning on the steak. No lime to squeeze on it. No Pico De Gallo. And the tablespoon of hot sauce that also was very mild. Ultimately no acid to balance the flavors. Just a really boring flavorless fajita. We also ordered the Baja fish tacos, which I thought were pretty good but my wife thought were overcooked, kinda mushy, not flaky at all. Its tough to fry fish I suppose. My wife ordered the flounder and she thought it was soggy from the fryer oil. Lastly I just sat down to eat my burnt flan that I took to go. Not exactly a great experience. Won't be returning to spend $110.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

Ellen Clark

Inexpensive and good happy hour.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

John

Me and my girlfriend went for lunch.
Nothing i ordered was authentic tasting. I have had mexican food in mexico...i have had many other similar foods from various countries and this was the worst. The prices are too confident for what they deliver. The chefs tongue must be numb. He couldnt even serve a good juice. Pineapple disgusting, cranberry was weak. The food was bland and i felt the 100.00 bill was a joke. Never again

Mark

Zavala has fantastic food and an incredible library of tequila and mezcal. I also believe they have the best happy hour in the area. This place is a wonderful spot.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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