La Playa

A little pricey but these are the best burritos in town. The portions are huge! It's a must have every time I'm in Pacifica visiting family. The ordering line can get a little cramped. It's a well lit casual family taqueria. Order your food "here or to go" get out the way and wait. The service is adequate enough. I will also say I get the feeling the staff deals with alot of customer crap in this area. If you know - you know.

The food was great, portions great, my service was great! Unfortunately, the couple behind me was verbally abused by the women (I believe she was working the bar). The couple ordered and sat down after I had received my food and they sat behind me next to the window. The man got up to get something and his partner asked him to bring some hot sauce (we were sitting right in front of the restaurant). Apparently, he stepped (one step) to far into the counter space. The women told him to get back (very loudly), he said okay and that he just wanted some hot sauce. She told him to get back to his table, he apologized and headed back to his table. She followed him, all the while carrying on about how they had rules (don't talk back to her, don't yell at her or across the restaurant, don't go behind the counter...), and if he didn't like it to get out. They said that they have been eating there for years and have never been treated this way and that they knew the owner, and he has always been very nice. He apologized again, said that he didn't step behind the counter, and they didn't yell. (Seriously, I didn't see or hear them do anything inappropriate). She said she didn't care and they that could leave if they didn't like it. They asked for to go boxes, she continued to carry on all the back to the bar, then proceeded to complain to a couple sitting there about the couple out front. Loud enough you could hear her across the restaurant. This has to be the worst example of how NOT to treat customers (or people in general). I actually thought I was on an episode of "What Would You Do?" If he did stepover the "counter line" there are so many other ways to handle this professionally.I did hear the couple say they would not be back, and I know that's not the ambiance I want to spend my time or money in. It's unfortunate because the food was great, and the guy at the counter was great too.

We originally wanted to go to Burger Board but due to the area being so close to the beach, it was extremely busy and there wasn't seating for our large party. So we decided to go to La Playa instead because it was a bit emptier. When you walk up, they tell you to order at the counter and then find whatever table is available. You block the exit as you're standing at the counter looking at the menu so lots of people will be sliding by you to leave, which is okay, but you can't help feeling a bit in the way. As a Type 1 diabetic, I asked if there was nutrition information available so I could count carbohydrates correctly. I was shut down immediately with a "No. We don't do that here." That was a little off-putting to me, especially with the rude delivery of the man standing behind the register, but I shook it off and proceeded to order the Grilled Chicken dinner plate with a salad (which they only charge 1.25 for and it is good!!!) If you're lactose intolerant, beware that they do add cheese to this salad, yet another thing they don't put on the menu that could cause a problem for those with food sensitivity. My family pushed some tables together and we were able to sit comfortably and enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant while we waited. The food came out pretty quickly and the food runner was amazing, dashing around and handing everyone their orders. Those of us who ordered waters did have to wait an additional five minutes after the food was served to get our drinks, even after reminding the food runner, but he was so busy that it was understandable that he forgot. He seemed to be the only person coming out from behind the counter to help guests so shout out to him! Our table ordered a variety of dishes: the nachos, the burgers and fries, and the bean and cheese burrito. I have to admit, the food was pretty good! 7.5/10. However, the service is why I knocked my review down to three stars. I think this restaurant could benefit from a more traditional, sit-down kind of service and it would allow the awesome food runner to become an even more awesome server and receive tips for his hard work. Secondly, the front of house guy who takes orders needs a bit more customer service training because his gruff demeanor and dismissal of me when I asked for help navigating my disability is the thing that I will remember the most from this experience. For those with diabetes, food allergies, or other sensitivities - this might not be the best spot for you as they will not provide any nutritional info about what they're serving. For those who can process food regularly and aren't looking for a dining experience where you have a waiter - you will enjoy yourself!Edit: Based on the other reviews, I knew the owner was rude but wow! Dropping my review to two stars. You clearly took what you wanted from this review rather than reading the facts stated. 1. It was carbohydrate content, not calories, that I needed. 2. There was no line out the door. There were people leaving the restaurant, but my family were the only people coming in to order. We were nothing less than kind and patient, it was your employee who was curt.3. If you cannot accept constructive criticism about your business without becoming defensive and rude, you are going to continue to lose customers and get horrible reviews. Your explanation about a lack of employees makes sense (especially based on the way you're accused of treating them) and would have sufficed without the "don't tell me how to run my business" tacked on the end. I hope God continues to bless your business and move in your life because the attitude that you have is truly deplorable.

The food is fantasticIts a local place they took order just as you arrive and before you get seated so you have to place your order then find a table!The order line gets busy easy as the only person taking in person orders are also in charge of taking phone orders.The feel and vibe is very nice and super noisy.Overall its fun place to eat with friends.They do have bar as well.Keep in mind that The food portion is pretty big.

La Playa is a staple for me whenever I visit Pacifica. Today we had the chicken tortilla soup, chicken enchiladas (one red and one green), and 2 margaritas (one skinny and one Cadillac). The food is consistent and the service is always great! Pedro, at the bar, is always there to greet you with a smile and provide any recommendations. I can't wait to come back again soon.

La Playa is the best Mexican food joint in the sleepy little beach town of Pacifica. The quality of food and chill atmosphere make for an enjoyable experience on any evening or weekend, and the staff does a decent job of servicing the register and bringing dishes, chips and salsa, and drinks to guests after they're seated. It can be on the expensive side for Mexican food, but the dishes come with all the accoutrements - rice, beans, guacamole, salsa, lettuce, and really fluffy corn or flour tortillas. The restaurant is situated in a small strip of store fronts and food spots off Highway 1, right by the Pacifica state beach. True to its name, and because it's got a fairly large parking lot for the 6-7 businesses that occupy the space, sometimes it can be tough to find parking on a nice day where everyone wants to be by the water. Still, during regular weekday business hours there's no issue finding a spot to park and walk in. Similarly on a Friday or Saturday night the restaurant can be quite busy, especially since it has a bar area where people can stand and order drinks without being seated, but I've not seen this area become so busy that it's a nuisance to guests who are there to dine.I've read some other reviews complaining about the staff, but I haven't experienced any negativity first hand. The handful of times I've been to La Playa, the man at the front register was smiley and friendly. It should be noted that not all the staff speak English, and that might be the source of some of the "service-related issues" that other reviews complain about. But for me this is a good thing, as I like a Mexican restaurant that employs people who truly get the Mexican food experience.Of course, the food is the spotlight. I typically get the chile verde dinner plate and not only is it quite enormous, but it's some of the best chile verde meat I've had in recent times. It's tender and flavorful with just the right amount of kick. Since it comes with all the sides and some delicious tortillas, I end up eating 5+ tacos that I make myself off the plate every time I go. It's delicious and I leave satisfied every time.Pro-tip: chips and salsa are free, so keep asking for more and more and they'll keep bringing it out. Don't feel bad gorging yourself on their tasty chips.

This time, unlike the last, I remembered to take out my camera before l dug into eat my meal, and the fellow at the table next to me asked if he could take a picture too, to send to his girlfriend! Once again, l could only finish half, so l'll have more for the next day again.

When you enter, you pay first then seat yourself. Pay in cash to avoid a 4% charge on your card. There is 2 separate lines, one for the food, the other for the bar in the back. Bring another person with you at the bar if you have more than 2 drinks or the pitcher for help to bring back to the table. As for the food, I thought they would be small but they're actually big which is great but I should have just ordered one super taco. Taste is good & crunchy. The design of this restaurant is cultural & nice.

I had a Muy deliciosa shrimp cocktail and my friend enjoyed shrimp tostada. The shrimp cocktail was one of the best I've had! Food and Ambiance were great! Had to wait almost 10 minutes though after our food was prepared. Saw it on the counter. But there was only one serving. "Very nice guy." Need more help....

I love their burrito!!! This place looked like well established and known for locals. Location is great near the beach and plenty of parking. The guys that work there are seemed nice enough. There were helpful during my visit and a good place to hang out.