Q: positive

A: This restaurant has such a family feel to it! When we walked in, the tables were all packed with huge families and friend groups, showing you that this is a place you share with loved ones. We were seated quickly and when the waiter came over, he asked if we had any questions about the menu (considering that half of it is written in an Asian language, I'm sure this is probably a concern!). We ordered the Japchae, Combo plate, and a spam masubi. A few seconds later, the waiter comes back with all these complimentary apps! What?!?! Awesome surprise. There were boiled peanuts, anchovies, bean sprouts, and radish/cucumber/bok choy kim chee. I liked the bean sprouts the best; the dressing on it reminded me of seaweed salad. Then we got our food. The spam masubi was a nice huge chuck of rice, spam, and seaweed. The Japchae was a very large serving and it had some out of this world mushrooms and bulgogi in there. The noodles were sweet and slightly chewy; an interesting texture. The combo plate was excellent, a great way to try a little of everything so you know what you like. The BBQ chicken was my favorite, and the kalbi beef was juicy and flavorful. The Jun meat was not my cup of tea, I didn't like the egg batter. Of course, I was really excited about the mac salad: very tasty and black peppery. I have to say someting about the waiter, because he is really what made this such an enjoyable experience. I think he knew it was our first time there, so he kept giving us hints about what was good and how to eat some of the stuff. He was sooo laid back, kind, funny, and welcoming, like we were best friends or something! At the end of the night, the door opened and a big gust of cold wind came in. My husband, who refuses to wear jackets, shivered and the waiter gave him some tea in a to-go cup to warm him up on the way to the car. How sweet is he?

Q: negative

A: Based upon all the positive reviews (OBVIOUSLY RELATIVES!!) my son and I went in here... let me start by this is in a section of town that I would NEVER be caught in... absolutely NOT AFTER DARK!! One of the highest crime areas in Mesa!! After we locked the car, we go into this place and it is a complete and utter RUN DOWN DUMP!! We were the only ones there and this older hispanic man was running around with trays and bags and acting like a lunatic. He NEVER ONCE even acknowledged us. Finally after about 10 minutes I asked him if we could get some service and he RUDELY told me that he had orders of tamale dozens to get out and he didn't HAVE TIME!! WHAT?? You have a restaurant establishment and you don't have time to wait on a customer that has driven to your place to buy your friggin' food?? I guess my look on my face startled him... and then he said if I wanted to wait he would be with me in a bit... then he immediately went into the back room and left us once again! I turned to my son is complete astonishment and I asked him if he wanted to wait and he replied that we had driven all the way over here... that we might as well. So we had a seat and continued to watch this maniac run to the trays and trays of tamales out front and then go in the back... I watched this for another 20 minutes. Then he disappeared for quite a while and by that time we had been there 45 minutes... CAN YOU IMAGINE WAITING 45 MINUTES FOR A FRIGGIN TAMALE?? He never did come back out and so we left TO NEVER COME BACK!! Maybe your tamale's are good but to offer this kind of non-service with a DON'T CARE attitude.... is absolutely reprehensible. YOU SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS!! My first call is to the City of Mesa Health Department!! I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE!!

Q: positive

A: This sort of drive-in is a vanishing breed. Rather than going in to eat, or pulling through a window in a hurry, you pull up to the box and try and get everyone to look at a tiny menu. Then someone brings it out to you and you figure out how everyone will get what they ordered and eat it in the tiny space of your vehicle. Awesome, and that is just the experience. As to the food? Very respectable, especially if you stick with the burgers. Perhaps even some of the best in town, keeping in mind that these are not gourmet by any stretch of the imagination. Just straight up simple hamburgers, and that's the way they should be done sometimes. While other South 21 locations (notably the one in Matthews) take credit cards, not sure if this one does - at the very least, you're making someone walk a good distance. You might want to take cash.

Q: positive

A:
Someone pinch me because this was the BEST italian food I have ever had! Such an old school place and I can't believe how many times I drove by it and never stopped in. It looks unsuspecting on the outside but goodness...the food is to die for! The marinara sauce is the stuff dreams are made of and the Eggplant di Amore? OH LAWD! I've gone to this place twice already and I will definitely be going again in the future. Oh...and make sure you try the garlic loaf. AMAZEBALLS!