Paco’s Tacos

Only reason I am giving it a 2 stars instead of 1 is because I used a groupon and got a good deal but wow, what a disappointment! I drove from Freehold and given the amazing authentic Mexican restaurants we have here, that was pretty silly of me and all for a groupon!
The food:
Steak enchiladas were dry and not even warm enough to melt the cheese on top.
Chicken tortilla soup was basically a clear chicken broth with pieces of stale chicken and some veggies floating around and here I was expecting a rich flavorful creamy soup!
Sante Fe chicken is virtually the worst «Mexican» thing I have ever eaten. It sounded promising but it was a bland DRY chicken breast with cheese melted on top covered in raw tomato slices. Luckily since their food is never hot, the tomato slices didn’t completely get soggy. In garbage, not edible even with hot sauce to give it SOME flavor.
The service is terrible. Run by a bunch of silly high school kids.
The décor was nice. It had character and I was impressed. Would have loved to make this my regular joint but NO.

ok so there’s not new owners and they’re trying to experiment with Portuguese food. BUT it still doesn’t explain the slip of food. Wish they would stop changing the menu. We are preferred customers and wish it would stay awesome. The help are laxed in service and seem to not want to be there. Hope it doesn’t go downhill all the way I really love this place and would like to see it shine. Really miss the old crew of waitresses but she only works 2 days a week. Now I’m shy about going back. don’t want to be disappointed again.

I went there yesterday despite the old reviews, for early dinner. It was easy to find along Rt 520 by Rt 79, with ample parking. The décor is pleasant and just right for a storefront type, pretty cozy and in the right amount of lightings. There were a huge Family reunion dining group of about 20 – 24 going on when I entered. There were pretty busy at close to 5 pm and well served by waitresses. This place is BYOB, and I sure would return there with a wine and a friend in the near future!
I had ordered a special appetizer of the day, Pico Pico shrimp, contained a 7 – 8 good medium sized shrimp in pleasant spicy tomatoey sauce with slivered onion and cilantro!!! Excellent! Just for $ 10 and good for 2 people
Then I had the shrimp and scallop dinner for $ 17.95, which is a bit like the appetizer with more scallop. The scallops were ok and smaller than usual sea scallop.
I would return and have the usual authentic Mexican fare like Carnitas Taco platter with my wine… Their salsa with chip is excellent with just right basic tomatoey kind, contained chopped onion, green chiles and fresh cilantro flakes. You may want to spike some hot sauce as I had done with habernao green sauce … There are several kinds of hot sauces on the dining tables throughout. I saw my fave hot sauce on the other table which was empty, I reached for it, no problem… I would give a 5 stars but haven’t tried their other fares and no Happy hour as its BYOB as there were no liquor store on their shopping plaza.

I will add to the accurate claims that this place is absolutely horrible. Simple side of guac for chips takes 20 minutes. Waited over 50 minutes for our food. No manager on staff to speak with and the waitress said it was because they were so busy with takeout. Then don’t be a restaurant, be take-​out. Plus I didn’t see many people coming in for their takeout.
Bland, crappy versions of Mexican staple dishes in both taste and presentation. And cold. Another family at a nearby table was also perturbed by the delay. And the place was only about 60% full. I was going to give it two stars only because my daughter liked her chili. But since one Unilocaler gave it 5 stars and completely skewed and screwed up the ratings based on what the rest of us experienced, my one star may adjust the reality.

You can change the address, you can make fake reviews, but people on Unilocal aren’t idiots. This is obviously the same business that has multiple TERRIBLE reviews with the address slightly changed.
And don’t write me another nasty email for having left honest reviews of your business or I flag it.