Pattaya_Brian Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 The reason for the varied opinions on Tequila Reef is because the place is incredibly inconsistent. I've lived here for 9 years and it's been that way for at least the last 8 years. I could be wrong about this, but my impression over the years is that the owner spends most of his time in Angeles City. The staff appears to have been trained, they just don't appear to be very well supervised. That leads to doing things the "Thai way." You would think that there would be an urgent Desire to correct that, but that has never appeared to be the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expatdude Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I know good Mexican, having lived for many years in an area with good Mexican restaurants and having traveled extensively in Mexico, eating local the whole time. I have only eaten at Tequila Reef once--never went back because the food was so mediocre (I did like the ceasar salad oddly enough). My only other experience was with another board member who just wanted some food and we were in the area, so we went and he got a Mexican plate. It was mediocre at best. I too find it hard to believe that Mexican nationals recommend this place. The Tex-Mex buffet on weekends at Beefeater's is vastly superior, in my opinion, and a good value. Yes, I am only a customer--I have no other connection with Beefeater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar stool Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 " I wouldn't slam a restaurant on an Internet board after one visit unless the food or service had been atrocious." .. THE FOOD WAS ATROCIOUS .. that is what I am saying :-) I too would not slam a restaurant after one bad experience. I understand that some days are better than others. I have eaten there 3x ... The first time I ate there was because I was missing food from home (California/Texas) .. The only reasons I went back to this restaurant were to give it a 2nd/3rd chance One time bad experience ... maybe I am having a bad day .. 2x bad experience .. maybe I am having a bad day ... or the restaurant is having a bad day .. 3x bad experience .. this is not a coincidence .. I will not go back to the restaurant .. and I will tell others of my bad experience .. If you think this is even close to good food (whether you call it Mexican of Tex-Mex) I wonder if you can even taste at all? Maybe all food tastes the same to you? The place sucks. The food sucks.. Bland. Small portions. Boring food. .. In defense of the restaurant though I will say that it is impossible to get good ingredients for Mexican food in Thailand. I HIGHLY DOUBT the poster above that says he has friends from Mexico that says this is good food. .. Go to this restaurant if you want .. but, if you have ever had Mexican?Tex-Mex in the USA or Mexico then you WILL be disappointed. In Thailand you can easily find fresh coriander. For a change they could cook an authentic Mexican coriander soup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baise moi Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 I know good Mexican, having lived for many years in an area with good Mexican restaurants and having traveled extensively in Mexico, eating local the whole time. I have only eaten at Tequila Reef once--never went back because the food was so mediocre (I did like the ceasar salad oddly enough). My only other experience was with another board member who just wanted some food and we were in the area, so we went and he got a Mexican plate. It was mediocre at best. I too find it hard to believe that Mexican nationals recommend this place. The Tex-Mex buffet on weekends at Beefeater's is vastly superior, in my opinion, and a good value. Yes, I am only a customer--I have no other connection with Beefeater. I have no dog in this fight and this is my last comment here but I am confused. First you say you've only eaten there once - why would someone order a ceasar salad in a Mexican place is beyond me, however it suggests that even though you lived in an area with good Mexican restaurants, you're not particularly fond of Mexican food - and the second time you were there with "another board member" whose plate was mediocre because he said so? Or did you eat as well? For the record, I've also lived in an area with good Mexican restaurants in the US - if not the best - and also traveled extensively in Mexico, which more or less equalize our stand. And I don't care how hard is to believe my remark about "Mexican nationals recommend this place" it is not bullshit in fact one of them just left two weeks ago. The only thing I am skeptical about in return is that you really like Mexican food, if that is your claim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonlondon Posted April 15, 2014 Share Posted April 15, 2014 Best Tex Mex in world is Houston, Texas. San Antonio and Austin are right there with Houston. LA and Phoenix - it is not as good because it is healthier TR does their best with the ingredients they can get - for example, guacamole is difficult to get here. The Petron margaritas "on the rocks" - while expensive - are spot on. Some folks seem to have a hard on for this place - I don't get it - they try and do a pretty good job - better than anyone else in the area. I try to get there 1 x a week - soft taco is pretty good, cheese enchilada is pretty good - marg = great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expatdude Posted April 16, 2014 Share Posted April 16, 2014 I have no dog in this fight and this is my last comment here but I am confused. First you say you've only eaten there once - why would someone order a ceasar salad in a Mexican place is beyond me, however it suggests that even though you lived in an area with good Mexican restaurants, you're not particularly fond of Mexican food - and the second time you were there with "another board member" whose plate was mediocre because he said so? Or did you eat as well? For the record, I've also lived in an area with good Mexican restaurants in the US - if not the best - and also traveled extensively in Mexico, which more or less equalize our stand. And I don't care how hard is to believe my remark about "Mexican nationals recommend this place" it is not bullshit in fact one of them just left two weeks ago. The only thing I am skeptical about in return is that you really like Mexican food, if that is your claim. Based on my own experience and what I have heard, I just find it hard to believe that anyone who knows good Mexican food would like Tequilla Reef. I could be wrong, but nothing in my experience nor anything I have heard has led me to believe they serve good Mexican food, nor even good Tex Mex. I wish I were wrong. I ate some ceasar salad because the time I went was for one of their buffets and it was there. It was the best thing I ate that day. I love Mexican food. Ceviche, Tacos al Pastor, on and on. One of my favorites was a fish(and shrimp) taco truck in La Paz; some of the best food I've eaten in my whole life. I've had meals on the street in Merida that I still remember to this day--including a chicken mole that was out of this world. The best Mexican food I've ever eaten in Pattaya is the food I cook myself. I've eaten at Mike's, too. It was ok, but for the price I want more than ok. I tried Sunrise a couple times too, and was not impressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvasians/latins Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 And many say, Long John Silver's makes great fish and chips!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tequilareef Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 Well guys, thanks again for all your input as we certainly do have a great Caesar Salad along with our other food. We run good restaurants in both locations with some people preferring Pattaya more than Angeles City. Having a foreign restaurant in Thailand and the Philippines is not as easy as one would think, in fact doing business in Asia period takes hard work, tenacity and pride to be successful. That last statement would hold true anywhere. Personally, I'm a big foodie and give restaurants 3 or even 4 tries before I pass blanket judgement but that's just mean, to each his own. Much appreciation for all your comments. Tequila Reef Cantina Bar and Restaurant Established 2001 Soi 7 Pattaya Beach Road Tel:(038) 414-035 Pattaya: Tequila Reef Pattaya Restaurant FACEBOOK - TWITTER - YOUTUBE Join Philippines Addicts the World's largest Philippines Sex Travel and expat forum with over 62,000 members today! Be advanced immediately ONLY if you are advanced on Pattaya Addicts with over 150 posts. PM me on PIA! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duvel Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 Best Tex Mex in world is Houston, Texas. San Antonio and Austin are right there with Houston. LA and Phoenix - it is not as good because it is healthier TR does their best with the ingredients they can get - for example, guacamole is difficult to get here. The Petron margaritas "on the rocks" - while expensive - are spot on. Some folks seem to have a hard on for this place - I don't get it - they try and do a pretty good job - better than anyone else in the area. I try to get there 1 x a week - soft taco is pretty good, cheese enchilada is pretty good - marg = great I doubt it is difficult to find avocados, chillies, coriander and limes in Thailand to make fresh guacamole. their ≠there ≠they’re; theirs ≠there’s; your ≠you’re; its ≠it’s; whose ≠who’s; bearback ≠bareback; loose ≠lose; too ≠to; wander ≠wonder; then ≠than; men ≠man; women ≠woman; know ≠now ≠no; quiet ≠quite; site ≠sight; except ≠accept; of ≠'ve; waist ≠waste; sure ≠shore; etc. (et cetera)
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