Le Lai Eastern Restaurant

Texas law requires that restaurants that charge service fees or mandatory tips must clearly disclose the fee to customers before they place their order or receive their bill. The notification should be in writing and easily visible, such as on the menu or posted prominently in the restaurant.

No where in this establishment does it say, there is an auto gratuity. I was already planning on tipping my server, I never actually look at my receipt. I’m glad I did this time because even the server had no idea there was a gratuity already included in the sale.

I will be reporting this accordingly because what they are doing is illegal.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great good and great service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place has DELECTABLE food. I love their cashew chicken, broccoli chicken and egg rolls. Their broccoli is delicious and crunchy. The service is quick and the atmosphere is very nice.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nice, clean, casual atmosphere, great service. Food tasted fresh, and generous servings. A lot of the classic dishes are listed on the menu.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

Order a dish that was very salty. The server was very nice and apologized for the dish. Now the manager on the other hand, she had an attitude when she walked up to the table. Told her that the dish was very salty her response was the dish is what it is. If I wanted a new plate it would be just as salty. And I that would still have to pay for the dish I wanted it or not. Need less to say the manager messed up my lunch with my wife with her bad attitude and lack of attempt to make it right. One and only time eating there.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Ask for the amazing Hilario! Excellent service and the food is spot on! So tasty……So Full!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The new owner has really done a great job fixing this place up and the food is amazing since he added his own touch to the food. It's just a great atmosphere and good vibes and food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had my first case of food poisoning from this place. I was so sick that I couldn't go to the ER or doctor during the worst of it. The illness completely passed within a few days. I wasn't the only one affected.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Great food and service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great lunch specials!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fast service, extremely fresh, every thing was good and full of flavor..

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The Interior was well-worn... paint shipping booth fabric splitting; past needing a face lift! We should have taken that as a sign to not stay to eat.

We had been here a few years ago and enjoyed it... but it had seemed that everything that had previously made a good dining experience was gone. The menu had also changed, and it too was a red flag that this place was void of attention to, or desire to convey even a standard dining experience. The food came out hot (this is the one redeeming factor)... we ordered the Chicken Pad Thai and what came out was a soggy mess of overcooked rice noodles drenched in some sort of tomatoes sauce with maybe 8 small, dried overcooked pieces of what I'm guessing was at some point chicken, there were maybe 6 pieces of bell and red peppers that were not fresh (the red pepper pieces were actually so old, they were slimey).
It was the worst meal I have had in McAllen and a slap in the face to the great cuisine of Thailand.

After waiting for a waiter, in the near-empty resturant, to clear the dishes and bring a check... we discovered a sign at the bar... to 'Pay Here'.

I very rarely take the time to leave a bad review, being in the food industry, I know every location has an off day; but on this occasion, the experience was so offputting, I felt that others must be warned.
As for the Pad Thai, we mentioned it to the girl who processed our payment (at the bar), saying that it was most disappointing and tasted like a tomatoe sauce... she replied, 'oh it is... they make it with Ketchup and some herbs'. That says it all, and that's how it tasted!

Shame on anyone claiming to be a 'chef' for letting food of that quality leave the kitchen!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Food is fresh and hot! Place smells clean. Servers are friendly. Definitely will be our favorite now.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This place is phenomenal. Been coming here for over a decade and it has always been amazing. Food quality, and quantity and prices are fantastic. Can’t be beat.

Excellent food very fresh good service

Update: portions have changed