Q: negative

A: This is a fine place to meet friends or just sit and watch the action. The service is horrible however. Only about 6 other people there when I was there and it took over 20 minutes to get a beer. The waitress never came back and I had to go to the bar for a refill. Customer service at this hotel needs an upgrade as much as the hotel itself.

Q: positive

A: Anyone who's been to South Phoenix knows that Mexican restaurants in that area are about as ubiquitous as bad drivers in Phoenix. My husband and I have lived in the area for 9 months or so but have always been a bit intimidated by just how much selection there is. To make matters worse, there aren't many Yelp reviews of places around here, so we keep feeling like any choice we make is uninformed. (Whatever did we do before Yelp?!) One night, we decided to drive down Central and look for the restaurant that was the most crowded with locals. (Naturally, Poncho's was crowded but we have been there before and find it good but not particularly authentic). Las Glorias--a white and blue building with fish painted on it--was packed, so we made a mental note and decided to return. We came back on New Year's Day when it was decidedly less crowded but the food did not disappoint. In fact, it was downright delicious and this place is definitely our new local favorite. As you can see from the pictures, this place is even more themed inside. There is kitschy nautical decor everywhere--my personal favorite is the lighthouse on the wall that lights up. This place could be covered in real barnacles, though, and I wouldn't care. The food was just that good. To start with, the tortilla chips were hot and fresh out of the oven and the salsa was perfect with the perfect consistency and flavor. For our entrees, I got the Camarones Culichi ($12.50), and my husband got the Camaron y Filete Empanizado ($12.50), which is essentially breaded fish and shrimp served with rice, beans and salad. My shrimp were the freshest I've had in Phoenix with a sweet flavor and firm texture and the culichi sauce (a spicy green chili cheese sauce) was creamy but spicy at the same time. Even when I had finished the shrimp, I found myself dipping chips into the sauce. Can't let something that good go to waste! My husband's fish and shrimp were also excellent, with a slightly spicy and crunchy breading. They were even better dipped in one of the provided hot sauces (don't remember the name but it had a brownish color and tasted smoky). Our experience at Las Glorias was so great the first time that we decided to order to go from there recently. It's nice that they have a website with a menu since most local Mexican places do not. That time, we sampled the Camarones a la Diabla (again, great shrimp and kickin' flavor), the Crab Enchiladas w/ green sauce (incredible flavor and not too rich, but we could have gone without the few shell pieces we encountered), and the Ceviche Tostada (super fresh and perfectly spicy and a steal at only $3). You may have a local Mexican spot you love but there's something distinct and really wonderful about a seafood-only Mexican restaurant with eccentric decor and excellent fresh food. Venture on down Central (yes, south of downtown) and try it for yourself!

Q: negative

A: I heard ownership changed...and since I was at the cleaners next door, my timing seemed right. I have since been advised the ownership did not change, only the management. In entering the NEW front door for Papaya Thai, even though the Open sign is on, I see no one and hear no one. I walked from the front door to the back but no luck. I picked up the go menu and was just about to leave when I hear a voice. Turning to my right, there is an entryway into the Pho restaurant next door. I asked if the Thai restaurant is open and was advised it is, I would just have a seat at a table in the Pho restaurant. Between the 32 seats in the Thai restaurant and about 40 in the Pho place, plenty of seats. I am the only customer in either one...about 3 PM on a Monday afternoon. Decorations are subtle, everything appears clean. Hostess/waitress comes by with an order pad and asks what I would like. I ordered Som Tom, no green beans or shrimp (not listed in the menu, but I have received one or the other too many times) and Thai hot, as it is listed on the menu how I should order. Hostess did not know the Thai name for the papaya salad (she seems to be Chinese). I pointed at papaya salad on the menu. She wrote down my order and headed to the kitchen. I got out my cellphone and proceeded to update on the news of the world. A couple minutes later, the waitress called from the kitchen door, asking what I would like to drink. I requested water and was served water in a glass with a slice of lime in it. About 10 minutes passed from order to delivery. A properly prepared Som Tom is made up of julienned green papaya, garlic, fresh tomato, palm sugar, thai rat chile, freshly squeezed lime juice and fish sauce. The salad that appeared has the traditional salad ingredients along with ingredients that have no business being in the salad. Som Tom does not include cilantro. This version had the green papaya, fresh tomato and fish sauce. The chile looked to be red chile from Mexico (the seeds are bigger than thai rat chile) and the zing from the lime was not there. Portion size was admirable, 2 cups on a lettuce leaf. Still not worth my time...

Q: negative

A:
Hard to find for out-of-towners. It's across the street from Dominos on Green St. Decently fast service - took just under 10 minutes to get 2 tacos and a deep fried quesadilla (say it like Napoleon Dynamite's grandma). The tacos are somewhat authentic w/ cilantro / lime / onion. They put mayonnaise (interesting) on under the meat on the tortilla, but it was hardly tasted. My big complaint is the tacos and quesadilla were extremely dry. They have two salsas - an orange and yellow colored salsa. The salsa tasted good on the chips, but not good enough or complimentary for the entree. The girl who took everyone's order was very nice so customer service was good. Lastly, the restaurant only seats 12-14 people (elbow to elbow) so eat out if you wish. Ultimately I would not eat here again, but if you read other reviews and decide I'm off my rocker, take it to go and buy an extra bottle of water because your mouth will be dry after eating.