Las Tablas

I went there for my birthday with a small group of friends and had an amazing time. The atmosphere was warm and quaint, the food was cooked perfectly, and the service was very quick. I would not hesitate to recommend Las Tablas to my friends and family.

Pros: Mouth watering empanadas

Posted 10/04/09

I am an African American female, 44 years old, and my daughter and I visit the Irving Park location on Saturday 2-20-09. The music and food was terrific but they failed to give us any green vegetables/salads with our meal, which I thought was odd. However, I became very annoyed by the waiter and PR person coming over to our table (ONLY ? as if to single us out because we were black), asking us ?if we were okay, what?s wrong, do you need anything else, why are you waiting.? As if to say, ?hurry up eat your food and leave our establishment.? I noticed they never asked anyone else these questions or bothered any other non-black consumers visiting their establishment. Our so call waiter never asked if he could refill our drinks, he even tried to talk us out of desert. On top of all this, the waiter kept rushing us through our dinner, as if he did not want us to be there. We could not enjoy any of the entertainment or our food because the staff was so unprofessional and rude with a smile. My began to feel very uncomfortable and wanted to leave. Advice to the owners, the next time people of African descent or visit your restaurant, try not to make it so obvious that there not welcomed!

Pros: good parking and excellent music

Cons: poor customer service and food

Posted 02/21/09

Review is for 2942 N. Lincoln Ave location Although a steak house, my wife and I (both vegetarians) tried the paella here and were blown away. It was loaded with vegetables (brocolli, beans, Yuca, etc) and came with four fried green plantains (not the overripe sweet plantains). We also had sweet plantains with sliced Guava and melted cheese... amazing. The guava plays off the subtle sweetness of the plantains very well (i will definitely serve this at my next dinner party). Service was friendly and attentive (they brought us an appetizer we didn't order, let us keep it, but didn't charge us for it!) Meat dishes are clearly the preference for most patrons, but the appetizers are nearly all vegetarian and the veg. paella is awesome. We got a 2-person order of paella ($24) and two appetizers (~$6 each) and had half the paella to take home! We went to the 2942 N. Lincoln Ave location.

Posted 09/27/08

My friends and I were out for a late lunch, and there aren't too many choices in this area. I saw the restaurant and we decided to give it a try. There was only one table occupied when we walked in. It only took a few seconds to greet, seat us and give us menu's. After that service went downhill. We were served odd tasting water from an open caraffe that was just sitting around. Then we sat and waited, and waited. After twenty minutes, we notice the waitress and the waiter arguing and pointing in our direction. They separate, and the greeter/waiter storms off to the kitchen and returns with food for himself. The waitress wander over to us and says she is sorry, that she thought our order was already taken. Obviously she knew she never took our order, or she would have asked us "Have you ordered?" Were they flustered by having to take care of two tables at the same time? She then asks if we know what we want. Ummm, yeah, kinda, we have been studying the menu for almost half an hour now. I could have cooked the meal from memory at this point. We ordered our food, and asked for soft drinks. Let me suggest something to this "restaurant" If you do not give refills, STATE IT IN YOUR MENU, along with the size of the glasses that softdrinks are served in. Another 10 minutes for drinks. The Soft drinks were served in tiny cylinder glasses, like the kind served at nighclubs or bars. It was a tiny glass full of ice with a spritz of soda. I was so thirsty I downed the whole thing in two sips. Now, if i was at a bar, I wouldn't have a problem with the size, but I am at a restaurant, not a bar. Here is a tip cheapskates, people like to eat AND drink, so serve a decent sized soft drink for pete's sake, or at least give free refills. For $1.25 per drink, you should get a little more. Next the waitress plops down two containers of sauce. And then the next wait begins, wait for your food, and wait to try and get a drink refill, wait to starve to death.

Pros: none

Cons: everything

Posted 06/26/08

I remember the days of yonder at Las Tablas - eating your meat off of wooden planks and sharing a picnic table with the couple next to you. Since moving the location across the street, things have undoubtedly changed. While the new location must have cost some major $$$ - it's REALLY nice - it just doesn't feel 100% right. I can't pinpoint exactly what's "wrong" but there's something. Maybe it's just because my first Las Tablas experience was lasting. Regardless, the food is still excellent, the service is fine, nothing beats a BYOB, and there isn't a cleaner bathroom in the city.

Posted 06/24/07

Meat is very good for the price and well seasoned. BYOB makes more an extra good value. The potatoes and fried cassava are also fantastic. Nice service too. Great for a casual but fun night out.

Pros: BYOB, good value

Cons: Busy

Posted 12/03/06

MALA EXPERIENCIA, LO RESCATABLE LOS BATIDOS (MORA EN LECHE Y GUANABANA, MUY BUENOS) LA COMIDA NO ESTA BIEN CALENTADA. SERVICIO ES REGULAR PERO FALTA PERSONAL, LO QUE PROVOCA DEMORA Y ERRORES, ESPERO QUE MEJOREN EL SERVICIO.

Pros: SHAKES, NICE MUSIC ON WEEKENDS, SANGRIA.

Cons: FOOD IS HOT OTSIDE BUT COLD OR FROZEN INSIDE, OWNER IN BAD MOODE.

Posted 07/10/06