Vel's Amigos Continued

we have ate at Vels for many years and never had a bad meal .

Ok, fairly confusing visit. Have been going there for over a decade. We sat down, ordered drinks and some flour chips and cheese. Flour chips were undercooked and room temp, cheese was not much better. But things happen..right? So, my date orders chicken fajitas, and asks for the beans to be put on a separate plate (she did not want them, and I was going to have them with my fajitas I planned to order). Got told immediately that "substitutions are not allowed". I said nobody was asking for a sub, we just want the beans it came with served on a side plate. Server argued the point a couple more times, then finally agreed to "go check".

She comes back and says they will not do it. About this time the bartender (manager?) chimes in to tell us that "substitutions are not allowed" because the cooks are very busy and don't have time to put the beans on a separate plate?. Now, I am getting pissed. then he tells us if we want to delete them and then order a side of beans it will come on a side plate, naturally being charged for. So basically, if we pay you, you will serve them on a side plate? By this time the server had just walked away so we waited for her to return.

While we waited for her, the bartender decided it was all very funny and started gossiping about us to another server (while pointing toward our table). My companion then ordered a cheese enchilada, and I declined to order anything else. So this single enchilada then takes about 20 minutes to show up, and it is obvious it was sitting under a heat lamp or just out in the open as the cheese on top had hardened again. She finished her food and we paid and left.

I worked in restaurant management for many years, and simply cannot fathom a service environment where using a side plate was such a monumental task that we would rather piss off a customer then use one. I realize the new owners are probably still getting acclimated, but this was the ... well, you fill it in!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 3

Service: 1

I usually don’t like to write bad reviews but this one tops the cake for me. Our waitress was nice and tried the best of her ability which is the only reason I am giving this place a 2 star. At first walking in we weren’t even seated by the hostess we had to choose our spot. We then sat down and ordered some chips and queso. The chips were stale and the queso wasn’t even fresh they microwaved it. They charged $2 for the chips and almost $5 for microwaved queso. I then proceeded to order chicken fajitas and my brothers ordered enchiladas. Their enchiladas did not come with sauce and honestly tasted like enchiladas that you would buy store bought frozen to put in the oven. When my fajitas came out the first bite of the chicken it was a rubbery texture. And honestly the chicken fajitas at the prison tasted better than this. I asked the waitress if she could just substitute it for steak because I don’t want salmonella poisening. She did and then my steak fajitas came out and the steak was ALSO rubbery. I’m not sure how one manages to make both rubbery steak and chicken but this place did both. Honestly, the food that I was taught to make in my home ec class in high school tasted 5 times better than this. They charged me $40 for two entrees, chips, queso and drinks for sub par service and bad food. I could go to turn water right now and get three tacos for the price of $13 with exceptional service and be satisfied with what i paid. They are way to overpriced for the food they present to their customers. I will never be coming back here and will never recommend this restaurant to anybody else that I know.

Tried giving them a 2nd chance after they fumbled the camera in the bathroom situation where they took no accountability. They turned me away before their posted 1:45 pm closing time for lunch (were still people in there eating). Will keep my business at Carlito’s where they are always welcoming!

We've been going here since it began. Although, we haven't been here since it changed ownership. While they have updated the building and interior.
The food: The menu is still the same. That said, they now charge for chips (your choice of flour or corn). The salsa isn't really salsa. It's some crushed tomatoes with little to no flavor. If you don't eat anywhere else you won't be that disappointed. Since I am a pescatarian, they have only a few items on the menu that you can get. While as a party of three, we didn't take long to order. The refried beans were basic. They tasted like they're from a can. The rice was passable, as long as you don't go anywhere else. The sour cream comes in a packet. The condiments (pico de gio and guacamole) are in disposable cups. Great if you're ordering to go, not so much if you're doing a dine-in.
The service: This is one of the few things they did above average. Our drink order was filled very quickly. It would be the same throughout the meal. Not the most friendliest, but she checked the boxes.
The atmosphere: So, they did some major upgrades. Freshening the look (yes, it's been years, but it is new to us). The decor fits well. What pulls it down is that they have booths that are for two people. If they're busy, you may find yourself in a small booth. Add in our 2 year old grandson, and limited space means you have to watch your elbows while eating.
Overall, they have some areas of opportunity. They would do well to go see what their competition are doing. The Mexican cuisine scene in our area is very high. Having a large Latino presence means average doesn't work anymore.

Vegetarian options: Very limited, with vegetarian fajitas being their main. I can't recommend the beans and rice.

Dietary restrictions: They have no listings for what type of oil they use. Nor do they have anything on their menu that addresses it.

Parking: This has been a positive since the beginning.

Kid-friendliness: There is no kids menu on the main menu. I don't know if they have one.

Wheelchair accessibility: This ground floor business has two entry points. They have a variety of seating options. Although navigating in either dining room is not favorable. The bathrooms are even less accommodating.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

Salsa was can tomato sauce. Chicken fajitas just don’t even order. Definitely will not go back.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 3

The food is soooooooo gooodddddddd I love it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Service was great food was warm and delicious. Definitely going back

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Flour Chips and Salsa, Beef or Combo Burrito

I grew up in donnellson and loved going to amigos. When I’d come back to town I would grab a plate of tacos and take them home. Their chips were awesome, the salsa was excellent, and nothing beat those fried taco shells.
First time back in 6 years, in town to see family and as always, Amigos was my must go to locarltion to visit.

Disappointing is not even close to how bad the food was. The salsa was like a can of crushed tomatoes, the beans had no flavor, and the tacos were bland.

They even wanted to charge for chips and salsa.

Was told it is new owners, and you can tell. Will be my last time going there. Sad to say that but the new owners destroyed this place.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Recommended dishes: Soft Shell Taco, Rice or Beans

Better Mexican food at Taco Bell. Classic example of Midwest Mexican. The food was not seasoned well. Very bland compared to actual Mexican food. Big disappointment.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 3

Food and service is excellent been eating there for years

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Soft Shell Tacos and Pork Enchiladas, White Queso, Soft Shell Taco

The cheese enchiladas are good.I ordered a Chile Relleno which when they served it was a pepper slice with cheese on top of another slice of pepper. I asked the waitress if maybe they got my order wrong and she assure me that this was 'THERE VIRSON' of a Chile Relleno. If I had been advised when I ordered it that it wasn't a real Chile Relleno I would have ordered something else. I used to go there all the time but not anymore. If you have a Chile Relleno on your menu than serve it..If it's not please tell customers when the order is put in. I now go to LA Casta next to the Eagles..there Chile Rellenos are the best I've ever eaten, except when I'm in Mexico.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

Paid $56 dollars for 10 tacos and a side of rice. Didn’t have access to the menu since it was a call in order but asked for a to go menu when I picked it up. It would have been nice if the person taking my order would have suggest we order in meals vs Ala Carte everything. Was $15 difference plus less food, seems shady to take advantage of call in out of town orders.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 4

Service: 1

Atmosphere is wonderful. Their customer service is always really great and on point. Their food is where they lose most people. If you are not used to Tex-Mex food, this is not the place for you. Its simplistic and straight to the point. Not a lot of flavor, but decent. If you are just looking to scratch that itch for some Mexican food this could be the place for you.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Very good waitresses and food is ready within 10

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Soft Shell Tacos and Pork Enchiladas