La Bamba Restaurant

After planning to go to Quarry House this pdf Sunday night with them closed for the weekend and then having to walk out of Fire Station 1 since no one would give us menus or take our order, my wife and I decided to check out La Bamba. Overall, we were quite impressed. They didn't have all the drinks in stock. They were out of Pina Coladas and Mojitos. However, we shared a Mango Margarita and a Classic Margarita, both which were good but not quite as good as Mi Rancho on the other end of Downtown Silver Spring. The food was quite a hit. The chips and salsa were nothing to write home about but a good free appetizer. The Churrasco Guatemalteco (a Guatemalan carne asada) was excellent and tender. The Tilapia Frita (fried tilapia) was a ginormous whole fish and delicious. The service was good, fast, and attentive. However, I may have gotten an older menu since the prices seemed a few dollars higher on the bill than what I remembered seeing, but my wife thought it was right. I asked the waitress for a menu and they matched. Since I can't prove it and the menu at the end matched, I can't fault them and felt bad for asking the waitress. We look forward to trying the food here again and maybe some of their other drinks.

I won't give this place not even a star.Fui con mi hermano anoche y la comida esta muy fea, el servicio se lleva gran porcentaje de lo que consumes y no sirve para nada. no les recomendaria que fuera ahi para nada. hay muchos mejoresopciones con un mejor precio, porque el precio de este lugar es ridiculo para el tipo de comida que venden.

(4) ~ very good overall Guatemalan Food & Service. Definitely recommend:) Notes: The Parking Garage behind them is $0.70 per hour which is very inexpensive:) Guatemalan Food is different from Mexican, less spicy and more flavorful:) The Food here is also very economical in comparison to surrounding restaurants. Love their Pupusas, both Bean & Cheese & Pork & Cheese...probably the best I've had...so far;)DRINKS:** Water(tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;)** Maranon(cashew fruit juice) = very good & unique;)** Margarita(rocks & salt) = (4) very goodFOOD:** Homemade Green Hot Sauce = (5) Excellent! They brought it out with the Pupusas;) It's very flavorful.** Pupusas(Pork & Cheese) = (4.25) Very good, probably the best I've had...so far;)** Pupusas(Bean & Cheese) = (4.25) Very good, probably the best I've had...so far;)** Potato Salad(side) = (4) very good and shareable** Platano con Mole, Ajonjolin(dessert) = (4) really unique in a good way;)lol ** Costilla de Res(Beef Ribs) = (4) very good & very filling;)* Chips & Salsa = (3.75) Good* Chuchitos = (3.5) good

It was a relatively quite Memorial Day afternoon when I decided to have lunch in Downtown Silver Spring. La Bamba Restaurant proved to be a great choice for some Guatemalan fare with some wholesome flavors and healthy portions! I liked their presentation, the flavors of the Ceviche, the thin crusted pork and cheese pupusa and the excellent and attentive table service. What I did not enjoy was the Coconut Custard Flan had more caramel sauce and less coconut. I will definitely revisit and try other foods and experience the service again. Might have to pick a less busy weekend as parking can be pricey.

Me and four other colleagues came in here after a cold early winter day. I think this was the actual first day where the temps were in the mid 30's. We wanted to chill with some Coronas and Bamba Wings. We ordered the wings with some of their famous Bamba sauce. When we came in the place was loud and rowdy. I had no idea that the place was so popular. The bar was amazing, and we were treated great by our Server. I really was in the mood to try out some of their exotic tacos, but since nobody else was into ordering real food so I figured I would try the real food on another occasion. The whole ambience was cool too, and I don't believe that there is a place like it in Springfield. I was told that they have other locations, and each place has their own menu offerings.

YIKES! I'm only giving 3 stars because my food was tasty as always . My family and I have been coming here for YEARS because it makes us feel at home. However, this last experience was poor and I hope someone pays attention.I can for a late lunch with my sister and my son. We sat down at 330. The waitress must be New because I have never seen her before and I think she was having a bad day. We weren't greeted just asked what we were going to drink. We asked for a marañon and a coffee. We ordered right away because we were starving. We order the usual, 1 tamal, 1 doblada, and a churrasco (sub for carne adobada) IF YOU READ MY PREVIOUS REVIEWS YOU WILL SEE I ORDER THIS ALL THE TIME. When I told the waitress I wanted this she gave me a face and said This wasn't on the menu, i told her I ordered this every single time so she said well her manager was there so she was going to have to ask her. OK (annoying) That same waitress never came back. They switched or had someone else help us.. Another waitress came to the table after this and gave us some chips and salsa and there was a long hair wrapped around the chips (YIKES) They brought the juice about 10 minutes in and then said my coffee was coming.. 30 minutes passed and I had to remind her of my coffee.. it came with my foodThe last thing I want to add this time is the chairs for the children are not very safe. I have attached some pictures of the chairs for manager reviews.I want to say I am not writing this review to give the place a bad name. Mind you I come here often and I love the food. But with bad service and little details it makes people not want to come back. Please take this into consideration before losing a loyal customer

My favorite place in downtown silver spring! Get the tamales!This is an authentic experience with great staff and a wonderful atmosphere. You can also call in orders for pick up or pop in for to go and explore the neighborhood while you wait (to go takes about 20 min as things are made to order).

Really great meal, and a nice atmosphere. The margarita was perfectly prepared, the Tamales Carnita was quite tasty, but the Carne Adobada was *incredible*!!! Perfectly marinated and grilled, with perfect portions. Plus my server was genuine, helpful, and had a great spirit. This was a perfect way to end my day!

In my pursuit of trying the different options available in the Area, La Bamba entered my view. I feel like it West Coasters complain to no end about the Mexican food here and everyone complains of the Chinese food and that leaves most people on a loop of burgers, happy hours (wings), kebab, pizza and Ethiopian food for some. So why would I turn down an opportunity to try Guatemalan food in Silver Spring.I had actually been here once previously but I wasn't all that impressed. I don't know if it was an off night or if my palate was thrown off by getting pulled over earlier. Either way, I didn't do a review knowing that I would return.So I was going to order the Pollo en Crema which I think I should have ordered instead of following tradition and getting the Pepian de Pollo. Comparing Pepain de Pollo to Mexican Molé is an unfair comparison in my opinion. If given a choice I would get Molé somewhere else but I haven't had Pepian de Pollo any where else.The dish did come with tortillas caseras. They were very thick corn ones. Since it was four of them you can share with your table.The food was just aight. Nothing too special but solid. I liked the Salsa Verde in the blank bottle was really good. I would say that it is worth a try so that you see the differences Guatemala cuisine has between El Salvadorian and Mexican food.In sum, 3 Stars. I love the tables with the Guatemalan fabrics. The service wasn't the best. No one was rude. Just pretty slow with everyone's food from what I noticed. So that's that.

Food was good; service was lackluster and the place needed to be cleaned a bit. I would go back.