Papa Juans Mexican Restaurant

My husband I and I went to Papa Juan's today for lunch. We have done that many times in the past few years. Normally we have really enjoyed the food and service. Today was a very different experience all together.

As soon as we walked in the waitress gave us a look like it was a burden to serve us. I took her at least 10 minutes to get our drinks and chips. I could understand this completely if she were swamped but there was only one other table occupied.
Was sat there for near 30 minutes before our order was brought to us. I have the Burrito plate and my husband had the crab chimi. Our son ordered a taco and mac n cheese.
Wow where do I began on the food???? My son's mac n cheese was clearly from a box. Seemed to be generic. very sticky and clumped together. His taco was crunchy on one side and soggy on the other like something had been spilled on it. My food was luke warm at best and the cheese was filmy. the rice was half cooked and kinda crunchy. I asked for it to be fixed and the waitress rolled her eyes but brought me another plate. My husband had a small cup of sour cream with his meal. It was watery and tasted like it was curdled. I asked the waitress for something spicy and she said and I quote " I don't know what to tell you." I asked if i could please have some jalapenos or something and again rolled her eyes at me.
I went to the bar and asked to see a manager. This is where it gets fun!!
The owner Stefano came to our table. That man is the worst at customer courtesy that I have ever seen in my life!! He came over and said Yeah. I asked him if the sour cream looked funny to him. Nope it was just "done" that morning. I asked made this morning? He said no it was fresh and it just came in that morning. I said that it tasted funny and he stuck his finger in it and took a bunch and ate it!! Said it tasted fine. I i said that normal sour cream doesn't have water in it. He said " So what! It has a little water in it ! Big Deal"
I showed him my son's taco and the waitress piped up saying that it has been sitting there for 15 minutes! I told her that it was sitting on the other side and this side was soggy. Again rolled the eyes!! I told the owner that we had been there many times for lunch and never have we been treated this was and his response was " I have been the owner for 11 years and I have never in my life seen you in here!"
I did tell him that I was not comfortable paying for the horrible service and disgusting food and he said that if I didn't pay then he would have me arrested!!

I was furious!!!!!!!!
This man has no business sense and horrible people skills.
He has no right to treat people this way. I don't care if he owns the place or not.

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I would rate this #1 but Villa Patio in Marion is still my favorite. Papa Juans however is a Cedar Rapids institution with great margaritas and excellent food. For the past few years Papa Juans has had a split personality and is also an Italian restaurant called Stepanos. The Italian selections are also very good. The bar can be quite noisy on a friday or saturday night but that is part of the charm - watching locals wind down after a hard work week. Until recently, you had a choice of dining in the large smoking dining room, the smoking bar room, or the non-smoking room. That is now a thing of the past because the Iowa legislature recently passed a non smoking law which now makes Papa Juans an even better dining experience.

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The margurittas are excellent here and the quesadillas are also good, thats the only thing that I usually eat when I come here. Would highly recommend if in the area.

PROS: Margurittas and Quesadillas.
CONS:

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Papa Juans is a mexican-food restaurant that has a wide, varied menu.

It also has a bar, and a loud one at that.

We visited on a weekday evening, with our baby, and the people behind us were using language that made me totally uncomfortable during our entire visit. The whole place seemed loud, and I did not care for the atmosphere.

The food was good, and portions generous. The service was good.

Since it is more of a bar, the interior is somewhat dark, and smokey.

This would be an OK place probably for a couple to have a night out, but I would not recommend bringing your children. We were disappointed with our experience there, and have no plans to return.

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I love this place! The food is excellent and well priced...but the real reason I love this place is the margaritas...but I warn you...THEY PACK A PUNCH! My wife had her bridal shower there and they had a ball. I suggest the shrimp quesadilla for a dish...it is great!

PROS: Great Drinks, Great Food!
CONS: The Drive Home!

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