La Tonalteca - Dover DE in Dover - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

This place demands you tip. They will ask you not to come back if the tip isn't to THEIR standards. Horrible and disgusting way to treat customers.

Always great food & service. Food is served quickly and sizzling hot! Service is always friendly. I'm not sure if this a family owned establishment, but there is wait staff that's been there for 10+ years, which is nice to see.

Went for the first time for their buffet. Was good and pricing was good .

My son is going to have to find a new taco spot. We were charged $1.99 for sour cream and $1.50 for cheese. That's crazy after spending almost $11 for 3 "American style" tacos which consist of: flour tortilla & some bland chicken. Then there's a 30 cent take out fee and a tip! In the end I spent almost $20 for one person to have some very mediocre tacos with expensive toppings, and fries. The restaurant was dark, mostly empty and smelled like old cooking oil, and the hostess who took the order seems depressed.

Food was great my stomach never been this happy ,i dont think i can ever go to another mexican restaurant without thinking about this one.Service was amazing the manager was very handsome and drinks were great too so if there’s any cougars looking to get fukd up and have a nice view COME HERE‼️

Food wasn't very good. Neither of the three of us there enjoyed it.

Bad service waitress took long to ask me for my order and she ain't even know about the lunch or drink specials Food was just as bad I got the chicken quesadilla and it was not good at all. I do not recommend!

Food was amazing I ordered #223 it’s a quesada somthing grande with beef and it was to die for! This place comes very highly recommended by me! The server was very nice and the food came out fast and hot! I most definitely will be returning

The restaurant was packed as of Cinco De Mayo, which we already knew. The service was good as per Zuleka who was our waitress. The food was very good as for it being crowded and short staff. The restaurant has alot of historic features of Mexico. It was nice to see that. I probably come back when it's not busy just to get a better experience.

Please open a location in Malden, MA I’m BEGGING you ♥️🎉

Food was delicious. We went for the sat/Sunday buffet. Have zero complaints on food quality. However i expected more than one salsa choice. Giant, delicious shrimp. No cocktail sauce. Best crab legs I've had in a restaurant (they seasoned them) but no melted butter. Over all I'm happy but a couple more condiments would be amazing

We went for the buffet. Got there at 2pm ( buffet hrs are 11-4) and the selection was sparse at best. Food was dry and limited. Dessert was ice cream and all scoops were dirty from sitting in the tubs.

Food...ehhh. service, ok, cool building. Margaritas good .

I'm not sure if there is a new owner, but definitely not what it was once. This may be a thing, but I've never had peas and carrots in Spanish rice, which had no flavor, so it didn't really affect anything. I used to love the mole sauce, but they couldn't pull that off this time, but they did let me swap it for a chicken quesadilla, which unfortunately was not good either (chicken was very tough,stringy and watery). Nachos supreme was so watery they were soggy on the bottom and not from cheese. It was as if the chicken was left sitting in a pot of water on heat all day. I will say the Pollo loco was very tasty, although the amount of food decreased and the price increased. This was, at one time, the best food, awesome price with fast service with a smile, and I hope they can get back to that.

I enjoyed my visit, food and service were great.

Had hair in my food server was rude and had flys wouldn’t come back when said about hair they said is off clothes n can’t help with refund

The last time I visited this place I was very disappointed with the food, the vegetables were in poor condition and the food was very limited.

Placed an online order and waited past the time it was supposed to get picked up, walked in and was told that their online services were not working so instead of any cooperation i was told to call (they wouldn’t let me cancel in person for whatever reason), i called and cancelled but never received a cancel confirmation or a refund for the order

The food is good the atmosphere is good and sometimes the food comes out cold and sometimes it doesn't but if it does you just have to be polite and say something not to be insulting

It was great food, cheap. Strong margaritas. And good service. Tuesday margaritas 2.99 😉

I was told about the buffet option by a family member so we wanted to try it out. We came in around 2pm and it was supposed to be til 4pm. We were sat immediately served complimentary chips. We went up to the buffet and majority of the items were either empty or dried up. There were still some food items that were decent enough to make it worth it like the steamed shrimp and chicken & steak fajita. Had to ask for items to be refilled like taco shells, sour cream and guacamole. There were two soup items, one was some seafood looking thing that didn't look too appetizing and the other one was empty and dried up. The shrimp ran out and we had to ask for some more which took some time to get brought out and it wasn't the same as what was originally out on the buffet line. They also ran out of plates, but at that point we were just tired of asking for stuff to be replenished that we just called it quits. Service was so-so, they didn't really clear tables that often. The few selections of food we tried were ok, but we probably wouldnt return again.

This place had good food, great service. They just have some issues with the ceiling vents needing cleaning.

Best food, service. Nice atmosphere and the Queso was to die for

Ceiling tiles and filters or the Ceiling were hanging and were FILTHY! The food was good but questioned the cleanliness of the facility! There was an abandoned car in the parking lot as well with what looked to be remnants of homeless people all around the dumpster outside! I think I'd rather go somewhere else next time!

Food was looking good and hot. We ate it up befor I took any pics.wow Will be back soon !!

WOW!!!💥💥💥 Fab food, service, super fast getting it out of kitchen. Delicious!!! Loved Veggies in my DelMar Fajitas. Perfect!!!Listened to special requests & there it was!

Too busy trying to make a book in the tent to the customers. Just can’t find good help these days.

Every time me and my husband come here we get the same waiter and he’s awesome

Great food and prices! We really enjoyed our time together there! Also they had a buffet which was really nice and surprisingly good!

Service was awesome and food was quick and delicious

Ordered on phone 20min before, and still waited for 20 min for one item

you can ask for a whole avocado and they will give it to you. it gets charged as a guacamole dip. very important information to have. also the enchiladas mexicana have been my go to for a while, very much enjoy.

The food was good, but not great. The tamale was too soft, and the rice was bland. The chicken enchiladas were good, but the beef enchilada was made with ground beef, so it was a bit odd. The atmosphere felt very authentic, but mixed with slow service and too much quiet, the food did not impress. The lunch specials were priced well, but for a dollar or two more, I would have made a different choice for lunch.

A Dover area gem if your looking for good authentic tasting Mexican food! The fajitas, spicy tomatillo salsa, and the weekend buffet make this a great choice for lunch or dinner. If your grabbing a beer, get an ice cold Dos Equis Amber on tap. Service via phone is not always available when they are busy, but the service in person is generally good and they will accommodate any needs for menu item changes. There is plenty of parking on location as well!

I’ve only ever gotten the Chicken Taco when I go & it’s DELISH!!! I always find it extremely cold, which may not be a bad thing if you’re a hot person, it’s just not something I like. I also find the window area is not the cleanest. They’re not shy with the alcohol & I personally only need 1 maybe 1.5 drinks. The food & drinks is why I’m rating it a 4.

Great Mexican.... cool bar inside. Cheap and nice folks...

Very slow table service. Request a box ( if you usually take some home) AND the check when your food arrives.

Steak and chicken was a little over cooked

Enjoyed a very good lunch with a friend today. The host/server kept a friendly smile. She was attentive to us and our food was prepared well. The presentation of our entrees was neat, with nothing splattered all over the plate. Looked very appetizing. Our food was also served hot, which a lot of times, by the time it gets to the table, it's usually barely warm, in a lot of places. Definitely worth the visit. Prices were also very reasonable.

Sin aire acondicionado fue atroz estar ahí siempre lo demás buenísimo, pero hoy malo malo

Amazing customer service the waiter really listened to what we wanted and accommodated the menu for us. The homemade salsa was amazing all I can say it was fast it was friendly and it was damn good

It was....good. Not a big crowd. Still loud with crying kids. And kept getting pinched by the old worn seat cover in my booth. Needs some serious updating.

An order was placed on three, 3 , different online ordering companies, all three were canceled . One even took a payment , called to see how long and confirm . Then the staff turned off the computer or canceled the order . If the don't want business why offer online ordering. Waste of time and don't want customers great I say let's not go to the at all and let them close

Food was great and service was perfect. Highly recommended

It was a Friday and the place was fairly empty and hardly any staff. It took forever for even water to get onto the table.

I really loved the food, location, and atmosphere. The server was new. However, he did fine (delayed). Best guacamole ever! I really like this Rio Locatiob!!

Not the best Mexican food in the area for sure. Service was poor. Not the worst place I've ever eaten but you can do a lot better.

It's a dated / dark overly themed Mexican restaurant. Chips ok, salsa ok, tacos ok, service ok (typical fare). Really nothing to.bring me back. The table was sticky.

Why cancel my delivery order? When will I get my money back? That was all I had to spend so now I won't be able to eat. I'm pregnant & very hungry so for once I ordered out. I just want my money back so I can eat.

Food is good, drinks delicious but Hostess didn’t even realized my party of 13 was standing in front for over 5 minutes. Then she showed us to our table and I had to go find the menus because she forgot. service could be better , the place has potential need better management

The food is pretty good. The price isn’t unreasonable. The service could use some work. They are very inattentive. I was recently there, and I had to wave down the server every single time. She never once checked to see if I needed anything. Normally, I wouldn’t care, if I could get my own drinks and such, but since I can’t, it makes a big difference to me when I think about places to go. I was thinking about Mexican food just now. I might have considered going there if the service wasn’t so bad. Instead, I think I’ll go to La Hacienda. The food is at least as good, actually better, and the service is many times better.

Cute restaurant and fun little experience. The staff was nice and the food was decent.

Good food, good service unless they get busy. But even then if they take to long or forget about you due to being busy they try to make it up in other ways. Overall it's made my list of places to frequent. Drinks are decent. Not great but not bad either. Prices are reasonable and overall no reason not to visit.

I cam here to get the Tuesday margaritas, we were met with a rude waitress. It took 10 minutes for her to come ask for drinks. We asked for a margarita pitcher on the rocks, specified that we did not want them frozen. The waitress came back with another lady with a frozen pitcher and try to make us pay for it after we said we did not want it. Then she proceeded to get the manager who asked if we wanted our margaritas on the rocks, which we said yes, and he went back to the bar. then the two waitresses came back 15 minutes later, and said they no longer have margaritas, which was a lie. Terrible service she never asked us once for food; took very long to come back between the issues.

Good food. Margaritas improved when we ordered a separate shot to pour into them. Would like an IPA selection even though IPA's are not very Mexican 😀

I ordered cheese dip and guacamole and did not receive chips with my order. Chips don’t come with the dip? I called the restaurant and the employee just set the phone down….great customer service spend money on countless orders from them and this will be my last. I’ll take my business elsewhere.

Great food, great prices ,quick service and delicious drinks.

Well, the atmosphere is true Authentic Mexican. My friend enjoyed the food and mango margaritas. Well go again. My girlfriends and I have frequented. I am full.

We love the salsa and chips. Everyone enjoyed their entrees

Always a pleasure eating there. Delicious food excellent customer service and very clean and beautiful place. I've been eating there for over 28 years and it has never disappoint.

The food today was outstanding! I tried the lunch special #107, a crazy lunch, just fantastic.

Excellent buffet and top notch service 👌

Glad this place is still open wish it was still as popular as it was back in 2014

Went there will my sister's to get drinks. Usually love this place until tonight when the waiter stole my phone I saw her grab it under a plate but I thought she was picking up her own phone when I ask for my phone back they said they didn't have it so I'll be back with the cops tomorrow. & I'll NEVER eat there again.

This should be your go to for Mexican, way better food than the competitors.

Services could've been better. Margaritas weren't good. Food was good and hot

Pollo Loco...so good!!! Also the burrito deluxe and chicken tacos

The building, furniture, and decorations give it that authentic vibe. The food is good, but not spectacular. Portions are slightly smaller than other comparable restaurants. Service is great with attentive servers.

Always good food and good service.

A very tasty and reasonably priced menu. You will walk away happy .

Portion was small. Service was non existent. Wasn't busy.

Food and service were both good!

Mexican authentication verified ✔️ . Very kind staff and all speak Spanish and the servers know English and are timely. The owner is seen on every single one of my trips and is very welcoming.

The food used to be better. It seems like they have cut back on shrimp and filing in quessadia. It used to be fuller and be falling out when delivered. Now I opened it and the shrimp were very sporadic and very sparing.

Amazing food, best shrimp tacos ever. They were very generous with the special sauce on the side which was my favorite. Wait staff was all super nice and right on top of everything. This will be a regular spot for us, can’t resist great food and good service!

I love the food 😋 and I would like to recommend the shrimp tacos 🌮

Chicken tortilla soup had NO chicken in it strange. It was loaded with avocado and sour cream?! Never had that in other places the avocado i knew the sour cream tho made it better ngl. The tortilla strips on it were quite good but wouldn’t get it again. Now the fajitas. Chicken was good perfectly and seasoned SOOO GOOD. The vegetables coulda used more time on the onions and more salt atleast. A little less onion and more peppers and red peppers woulda been good. I recommend getting without tomato bc it gets all mushy. I work up in DE often so having a good Mexican restaraunt to go to is good. I will come back but try a different appetizer.3/5

Faux cantina style. But clean and well cared for. The food was good but not great. However, my burrito was filled with chicken that was done perfectly but otherwise a bland burrito. Service was ok..knowing the shortage of personnel He was attentive and got all orders correct. Nice and friendly.

Food is terrible. Tastes like melted American cheese and old meat. We were sat and waited at least five minutes for someone to even come and offer us beverages, and the food came out in seconds after ordering tasting like reheated slop

Our community looks to go out for dinner every couple of months and LA Tonalteca is usually the place everyone wants to go. The food is great, the waitresses/waiters entertaining, and the atmosphere is nice! Love the decor too! They always have good food and fun there!

Dinner out with friends. Hubby was pleased with his shrimp tacos, while I enjoyed the classic tacos. Both were generous servings. Friends both had fajitas. Plates were overflowing and were declared delicious.

Our local go to place for Mexican eats. Tonight's waiter Javier was adorable.

Stay away from here. If I could give 0 stars I would! My friend went today to eat and saw a roach! Gross! She called them over to her table and they called her a liar. Wth. Not only did they still charge her for her food, but they took double the money. Run away from here!

They forgot the side of tortillas we ordered. The “side” of rice comes in this huge container with maybe 1/2 cup of rice for over $2. First and LAST time we will be eating from here

We definitely are not in Cali any more. The Mexican food around here needs some help!!

Not very clean. Food on menus. Table not wiped down.

Simply delicious food. I had a burrito there that I devoured. Salsa is good though I wish it had more heat. The service is very nice. Definitely worth a stop, and my wife and I have been plenty of times and will plenty more. Newer review: still tasty, though churros were a little sad. My newest review: service has taken a giant leap downhill. I tried calling the place an order and after 8 attempts with either no answer or picking up and hanging up I gave up. I went to the place to order in person and it took 5 minutes before anyone even approached me. I haven't tried the food yet as it still hasn't been made, but I'm not sure I want to come back based on the service. And I shouldn't take it personally. While I was there the phone rang three times and they never answered. Dropping from 5 to 3 stars.

Today's visit was a pleasant surprise. The food was very good today and the staff was very friendly as well.

It was good as always love the magritas

Awesome restaurant we had a great time service was good

My 1st time here and enjoyed it immensely! Food was delicious and then after ordering realized they had a buffet haha. Definitely going back!!

This used to be my favorite Mexican spot, probably won’t ever go back. Took my family out to eat here tonight. Waited 15 minutes to be seated. Waited another 15 for our server. They didn’t have Carnitas even though it’s on the menu. My daughter asked for apple juice, they didn’t have that so ordered orange juice. She got cranberry juice. Waited an hour for our food, two customers that were seated 20 minutes after us had already been served. For the first time in my life we got up and walked out of the restaurant an hour and 15 minutes after arrival having never even got our order. Thanks Gloria…

Second best Mexican food I've had in Dover, although that isn't saying a lot. The restaurant has a very comfortable and authentic vibe. The food is delicious and very reasonably priced, and the service is friendly and quick. Plenty of vegetarian options for those that need or desire them as well. I changed my review to a 4 from a 5 after trying more items on the menu. Some are fresher than others. The garlic mojo shrimp is covered in that gross pre-chopped garlic that comes in a jar. Update: I came back to Dover for work a month ago, and the service we got (sitting at the bar) was terrible. There was no bartender, just a server who infrequently returned to the bar. We waited a while to order and for everything in between, when the server actually understood us or didn't make a mistake.

Not good. Would never return here.

It takes WAY too long for your food to get here, and the service is bad, it's says the food is authentic but a Chinese buffet is tastes better. I literally asked for a straw 3 times and I did not get it.and they mixed up my cousins drink which was a lemonade with FANTA! Also the Art is weird I went to the bathroom and had a face looking at me. Oh and yes I am Mexican

Extremely dissatisfied. Wasn’t given utensils or napkins. Server didn’t check on us. I had to go get utensils myself after attempting to flag down the server. Went through half our meal with no drink. Then part of our order didn’t come so we asked to have it taken off the bill and the server couldn’t understand us and instead thought we wanted the stuff that didn’t come out and brought it out even tho we were finished with our food and ready to go. There is one of these restaurants in Dover and I enjoy going there but I will NEVER come to the one in Rehoboth again. The food was decent but the serves was not.

Waitress took order brought food had to hunt her down to get check.

Tacos are my favorite! I think that every time we go there that's what I get! 😁 Yummmmm!

Rude owner/staff. They give you dead eyes and long face when you go pick up order as a driver

This place is going to the ground. So sad I ate here for over twenty years. For over six months there has been a balloon stuck in the ceiling fan. The front door does not close, I can only imagine what the kitchen looks like