Papi Grande’s

Two words: STAY AWAY!!! this evening was probably one of the absolute worst dinning experiences I have had in a long time. I don’t know where to even begin. I suppose the most common place to start my review would be with a run down of the food we ate. Well, I’d love to be able to do that, except that 45 min after we placed our order, we hadn’t even received the typical complementary bowl of chips and salsa. Our waiter advised when we sat down, that the chips were still being made, but that they would be done momentarily. It was only 2 of us for dinner and we ordered the shrimp tacos, a chimichanga, and nachos. For 45 min we sat and watched as table after table that was seated after us were given chips and received their meals. We received nothing. Our waiter did stop by once to say that the food would be coming out shortly about 20 min into us waiting. When we finally had enough and told the waiter to bring us the check for the soda we had, we commented how we had not received any food, his response was, «I didn’t get any chips either.» I am only left to assume that the waiter was implying that no one in the kitchen bothered to prepare the bowl of chips for him to bring to us. Seeings how every other waiter was able to procure chips and food for their tables, I can only conclude that his response was an ill conceived means of apologizing for either forgetting about us or just a flippant brush off.
Overall, the restaurant appears that it is predominately catering to the college and UB student crowd, focusing more of their attention on the bar aspect of the restaurant. They have a fairly large bard with ample seating around it. Given its proximity to the movie theater, I’m sure the restaurant will do well as many movie goers will stop in before and after their show.
The overall décor is minimal and the seating is less than comfortable. My partner was able to feel every bump and kick from the children seated behind him in the booth. The only thing that would make me think I was sitting in a Mexican restaurant were the Dios de los Muertos skulls adorning the wall above the bar and the occasional sombrero hung on the wooden boxes framing the ceiling lamps.
We will NOT be returning to this establishment.

Im only giving one star because I cannot leave no stars. Didn’t even make it to order food because my group had to leave. The chips and salsa came out and the salsa was horrible. Chips were not fresh. Ordered a strawberry margarita and you can tell it’s just a mix. Taste like nothing but sugar. We tried a white sangria and it was topped with cinnamon. The taste was so horrible. I would never eat here again.

Nice place. Burrito was ok. Chicken chimichanga was very good. Loved the Mango margarita and the churros. Especially the strawberry compote/​jam on the side with a caramel drizzle. Wait staff was friendly. Overall experience was good so will come back again!!!

I was so disappointed in everything we had, chimichanga tasted like they dropped the container of salt all into it, my husband had their «signature burrito» which had no flavor to it at all! My children both had their Nino Nachos and didn’t finish their food. This review comes from a family who believes in finishing everything on their plate and not wasting food… That «rule» was tossed out the window half way into eating our meal and me feeling sick to my stomach. Our hostess and waitress however were very friendly and kind, other then that I really hope they can figure it out because if they keep the same food quality they won’t last more then a year. Sorry but it’s worth driving the extra 15 minutes to transit to eat at La Tolteca

The food was very good, and the service was fantastic. The atmosphere is cozy. Plenty of TVs to see your favorite games. They did a great job remodeling the place. One of the better Mexican places to go and eat. Well worth checking out.

I am surprised by some of the reviews since we had an excellent experience. Our food was hot and served within 15 minutes. Servers were very attentive as well.
I really enjoyed the enchiladas’. Carne Asada fajita was also very flavorful.
Hoping they work out the prior issues since I can ensure you I will be back. Cheers.

Well, we came with low expectations considering the poor reviews. Let me now echo those reviews. The food was dry, bland, and lacking creativity. I don’t understand a restaurant/​bar that splurges for an illuminated bar, flat screens, etc. but offers pedestrian food that screams «Run away!» Harsh? Maybe, but this venture is probably en route to folding. Cocktails were ³⁄₅ with Cucumber Jalepeno being the clear favorite. Pass on Papi…

They just opened a few weeks ago, but I’m sure they’ll be a regular place for a night out. The food is fresh and VERY good. I had a delicious Chicken Chimichanga and my wife had Chicken Fajitas. The atmosphere is just right for a casual meal before or after a movie, the music adds to the feeling of authenticity; I was quickly reminded of past visits to Nachi Cocum on the beach at Cozumel. The service was great, and Scott (our waiter) made some awesome recommendations. We finished off with a fried ice cream that was spectacular. Since the departure of Don Pablo’s, we have longed for a yummy Mexican restaurant nearby. We are so glad Papi Grande’s is here!

We stopped in before our movie on Sat night to have a couple drinks at the bar. We weren’t planning on eating but upon recommendation from the girl behind the bar we ended up getting chips and queso and the eggrolls both were delicious. Service was great it was pretty busy and food did take a little time as to be expected with new openings how ever the service we received was so warm and welcoming we will def be taking her recommendation of coming back to try the rest of the menu and see her again great job

Went on Friday night (1÷8÷16). Very friendly server, but the food was awful. I ordered the Carne Asada fajitas and the Wife ordered some type of burrito. First off, there was about 4 «large» pieces of meat interspersed with some little bits and a ton of peppers and onions. No cheese, some jasmine rice (is that Mexican?) and literally an ice cream scoop of the driest refried beans I have ever seen. The salsa and chips came first, chips were good but the salsa was terrible. All in all, $ 52 for «Mexican» when I could have received better food from Taco Bell in the same plaza.

I came here with my friends tonight. The service was decent. We were told there was about a 15 minute wait. We got taken within 5 – 10 minutes or less. After we were seated we ordered our drinks which took a good 10 minutes to arrive and then our chips and salsa came. The chips were very soft and not crunchy at all. The salsa tasted like the kind you get out of a jar, definitely did not taste homemade. We ordered our food which seemed very over priced. About 12 – 15 dollars for 3 tacos, rice, and beans. I ordered the burrito bowl with shrimp. We arrived there at 7 pm and finally had gotten our food at 8:15. It was a very long wait for our food and when it arrived, I had gotten a burrito and not a burrito bowl like I had ordered. The rice was inedible and was hard and not cooked fully. The beans were not good either. Instead of coming back to check on how everything was, our waitress didn’t come back for a good 15 minutes. I finally resorted to calling another waiter over to tell him what the problem was and he sent our waitress over right away. After asking her to remake my food and my friend’s food as well, that took another 30 minutes. Before the food came out, our waitress told us that she was sorry about what happened and if we had told her earlier something was wrong she would have taken things back right away but we could not have done that because she didn’t come back to check on things for a good 15 minutes after we got our food and left before we could say anything was wrong. I got my burrito bowl which was not served in a tortilla shell bowl type thing that you normally would get with a taco salad, instead it was served spread out on a plate that was plastic! The burrito «bowl» was better than my burrito, but still not worth the wait. Like Debbi T. said, even I can make better Mexican food at home. I would not recommend coming here at all. There are better places to go for Mexican food for better prices as well.

I agree with Debbi T’s review. Pretty disappointed. We said the exact same thing when we left — we make better Mexican at home. Salsa was awful, chips were good though. Food pretty blah and surprised they served on plastic plates. Not worth the high price. Our server, Hunter, was very nice and attentive.

My Family stopped for dinner today. We were exited that a new Mexican restaurant was to be open. Although the servers were pleasant and friendly the food arrived about 30 minutes later kind of luck warm. Plenty of chips but salsa no so good. If you are lucking for authentic Mexican fare, this is not the place.
Is kind of Americanized, side portions were small (scoop of rice, scoop of re fried beans).
Couple the things we ordered were not available, french fries for the kids and the Fried Ice Cream (a must). They play music other than Mexican or Latino.
It just opened a few days ago, hope it gets better, as for us we wont return again.

Service is good, server was pleasant. Décor is nice, presentation very nice. To bad the food was so bad. I make better Mexican at home. Salsa is awful tasted like it was out of a can, food very blah would not come again. Very disappointed, was looking forward to some good Mexican so close.