A friend and I wanted Oaxacan food for lunch today and after considering going to guelaguetza which has a branch in the same neighborhood, we settled on trying Tlapazola which he heard good things about.
Not to be hyperbolic, but really the only good thing that I can say about the place was the agua frescas were nice and refreshing and the wait staff was attentive. The food was not very good at all though.
I ordered the carnitas which I have had many, many times over the years and pretty much know what I am getting. Perhaps I am unaware of the style of preparation but when they brought the plate to me the pork was steamed or boiled with very little flavor. I have always known carnitas to be roasted pork with nice caramelization, not steamed. The other problem was that the dish had very little seasoning and little flavor. My friend's dish (a combo plate) was likewise very bland.
I very seldom write negative reviews, but my experience was pretty much the complete opposite of most of the people on this site. Perhaps I caught them on an off day or the dishes we ordered were not their best ones, but from this experience I don't think I will be coming back.
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