La Costa Restaurant

For a long while I have been curious about Rafael's Restaurant. Tonight seemed like a good night to give it a try since we had some shopping to do at Quarry Bend. The restaurant looks appealing from the outside and the decor inside is inviting. That is the only thing this place has going for it. I was thinking of an ice-cold Negra Modela and a fish taco. First negative: no alcohol is served. Looking around I don't know why I didn't figure that out immediately. We received our chips and salsa in a timely manner and the chips were nice and warm and the salsa was actually steaming. First time I've ever had salsa heated. It was way on the mild side and the chips were overly salty. The menu looked like it had enough variety and so I embarked on the fish taco adventure. It must've been 1 microwaved fish stick in a tortilla with shredded iceberg lettuce on it and nothing else. Hello, cabbage goes on fish tacos and if it says deep fried fish then it should at least have some crunch to it. Not this limp little thing! The bowl of sauce on the side tasted like ranch dressing made from some low budget powdered mix. And that was it. I accidentally ordered a la carte so didn't even have rice & beans but my husband did. I tasted his and knew I didn't miss out. The enchilada on his plate was so small I thought it was part of the beans. And it had no taste to it whatsoever. The relleno was bizarre and the stem had been removed before it was split and flattened. We were wondering if it was real...we drank water and our bill came to $15.31. We left hungry and disappointed. The owners don't have a clue about Mexican food. Once was more than enough to visit this restaurant. Pros: Decor inviting and good location in Sandy at Quarry Bend shopping ctr Cons: No idea how to cook Mexican food and no alcohol served more

I read the reviews thinking this was a good place to try. They are now located down in Quarry Bend and here is my experience on Saturday night. \r \r 1. Forgot to bring us complimentary chips and salsa\r 2. Forgot to bring us an extra plate\r 3. Nachos--the Pizza nachos were cold\r 4. Bean and Cheese nachos were ok\r \r It seemed more like a chain restraunt than a good, authentic restraunt. Nacho's were bland and not that great. \r \r If you want great Mexican food, go to Blue/Red Iguana or Lonestar\r \r No alcohol is a negative as well. \r Pros: New Cons: bland food, poor service, no alcohol more

this food is great if you love mexican food! most the food is delicious!! but if you want great service i would suggest asking for dylan to be your server he is a fantastic server and loves to make his customers happy more

My husband and I have been dining at Rafael's since the 80's. We would get their coupons in the happenings book. My brother-in-laws best friend sold happenings books at the time. He highly recommended that we try Rafael's. We have been dining there ever since. I crave their bean dip with cheese nacho's. Today is my day off of work and that is my favorite mexican food place to eat so I logged on to the web site to see if they were open at their new location yet. We have celebrated numerous birthdays over the years there and they have always been more than accomedating. Good food great service who could ask for more. Pros: great service Cons: far from my home more

We really enjoyed their food & the service was prompt , great apmosphere. we would go there again & highly recommend it to our friends. more

Since the early 80's, long before moving to their present location, my family has eaten at Rafael's, often. If you are really hungry and want to love every bite, this is the best there is. Nix franchizes. Appetizers=10. Any plate you choose, i.e., the dish you like=10. Strawberry-Banana Colladas=10. World-Class Flan=10. Home-made salsa=10. Clean, professional kitchen=10. And, guess who is always quietly whisk-brooming crumbs out front? Yep, it's the owners, themselves. They fear the rookies (non-owners) won't get the carpet presentable enough. Pros: No beer, Closed on Sundays, Big families OK Cons: Waiter turnover , Scones are too good, FriedIceCreamtoogood more

Rafael's Mexican Restaurant is a quaint place in the middle of a Sandy Strip Mall. Don't let that fool you, the food is delicious. It is my favorite chile verde in the valley. The owners take pride in their food and the ambiance. The restaurant is often decorated to reflect the season or an upcoming holliday. I have never had a bad experience at Rafael's Pros: Great Chile Verde, Home of the Big Jose, Best Mexican Food in Cons: No Beer, Not Open Sunday, In Sandy more