This page is for archiving comments prior to 2009 for Paola's Burrito Place.
2005-10-14 13:56:49 The food is quite good, however the quality is spotty. Recently, after they got popular, I've been very unimpressed with the portions and quality.. Still a very good atmosphere and all you can eat chips! —RossHattori
2005-10-17 15:55:19 I have to confess that my favorite thing here is the Cheese Steak Wrap. Really embarrassing - maybe an artifact of my time in Philly. Anyhow, it's really good, if you're a CheeseSteak kind of person. —RossMessing
2006-09-13 11:11:02 I would argue that Paola's has some of the most authentic Mexican food in the area, and most definitely in the city. The last time I went I had chicken mole with a side of guacamole, both homemade and delicious. If it helps your decision any, it's the only Mexican restaurant I've been to in this city more than once. —RochesterGuy
2006-09-13 18:23:44 My favorite Mexican place in the city. Better for lunch than dinner though, if for no other reason than the lack of liquor license. —DanielMiner
2006-09-14 06:21:15 Their adds say "fresh" but every time I've been there I've seen them microwaving food they pre-cooked and then froze. Their food prep area is in full view, just like Taco Bell and to tell you the truth, I don’t see much difference. I’ve yet to see them actually “cook” anything there. Everything is pretty much heated in a microwave. I can say that the taste and presentation is definitely a step up from Taco Bell, but it’s only worth a visit if you’re already in the area. For authentic fresh Mexican food, the trip to El Rincon is worth it. —ZedOmega
2006-11-13 22:46:21 I gave this place a second try and I'm not impressed, nothing is "fresh" everything definitely tastes from pre-made sources (Cisco canned goods?). The salsa isn't salsa, it was a liquid tomato sauce with no spices or vinegar. The chips are cheap bagged chips, my chicken burrito was very saucy, and I don't mean that in a good way. I don't plan on going back, EVER. —TravisOwens
2007-01-28 16:42:41 Deeeeeelicious quesadillas. Oh, steak tacos too. Deeeeelicious. —MisterElkington
2007-04-29 15:48:48 I was desperate for some good Mexican... and Paola's is definitely the best I have found in town. The items I had tasted fresh and authentic. Have I had better, yes. But not in the greater Rochester area. —ScotFear
2007-06-07 00:01:42 It is a quick lunch joint. I usually get the Fajitas Mexicans Chicken. It is plentiful. The flavours are not overwhelming. I am not a big fan of the cheese/bean heavy Mexican fare so this dish works out for me. I am not sure where it ranks on the 'authenticity' scale but it is good eats! But...i have to say, I am not a big fan of the "salsa" either....it seems to share a remarkable similarity to tomato sauce. —OneLove
2007-08-02 10:26:06 My favorite is also the Fajitas Mexicanas (Chicken). I had it last night, and it was spicy and delicious. The chicken was tender and the tortilla soft. They also have a nice guacamole on the side, along with mexican rice, beans, and sour cream. —BenMargolis
2007-09-07 19:18:57 Had dinner here recently and had no complaints. The look reminds me of restaurants you see in border towns and throughout Mexico. —MarcVera
2007-09-25 11:57:58 I love the food at Paolas. Authentic, cheap, and delicious. One of my favorite Mex restaurants in Rochester! —MrRochester
2007-11-21 20:48:43 Definitely one of my favorite Mexican places in town. I've never had a bad meal, it's usually pretty fast, and the prices are fair. Sometimes the salsa can be a bit thin, but still tastes good. Limited parking and seating are really the only major issues - it's just not the same after sitting in a styrofoam container for the drive home. —McgMatt
2008-01-12 17:09:35 My son LOVES this place. He's been about six times. My husband has also been impressed. I've been twice and my meals have been bearly passable to downright poor. Don't order the tamales! They taste like they were made with Pepperidge Farm Stuffing Mix instead of cornmeal! Because my son has been so satisfied, I wonder if I just make the wrong choices. Another thing - they don't serve coffee. You are forced to selected beverages from a refrigerator case. The free chips are good but the salsa is not memorable and doesn't seem homemade. —AmyLa
2008-01-15 12:03:48 The Alamo has fallen - Don Pablo's is out of business! Quick - take over the building! Plenty of seating and parking for a bigger Paola's! ¡Viva la cocina auténtica! —McgMatt
2008-01-17 10:11:01 Definitely a great place, I had the Chorizo Burrito and was impressed by not only the taste, but the value as well. I love Moe's, but this place is a better value and the food is much more authentic. The salsa in particular is divine! —JoeLee
2008-01-17 12:21:51 Absolutely delicious Mexican. Definitely worth a visit or three. The prices are good, and they have food for vegetarians too. Two thumbs up! —JoannaLicata
2008-02-01 08:40:47 The best-quality Mexican food in the area, although that's not saying much. It's good food, but overpriced and with small portions. —OwenThompson
2008-02-10 08:41:49 I loved this place when it first opened. Arturo, the owner, was friendly and welcoming. Then his wife started running things more, and her specialty is dirty looks and shoddy service. It's obvious when she's cooking versus Arturo, as Arturo, while not as friendly these days, gives better portions and better quality. For the sake of his business, it would be best if his wife didn't enter the restaurant.
It used to be such good food, it's unfortunate that the quality and consistency of portions is so unpredictable. —AlisonSchaal
2008-05-15 15:58:45 I LOVE their salsa. I think it is homemade; it's not like any I've had before. The quality's gone down a bit in the past year, though; tortillas taste...chewy and not so fresh?? Just not great. I DO love their chips and salsa, though!! —kristinnen
2008-08-11 06:20:48 Had last night and not good. Could have been bought from taco bell, frozen and reheated. Salsa was runny and tasted funny - like it was made from tomato soup and liquid smoke. Quantity of food was pretty low, so there was neither quality or quantity. The place is not expensive by any means, but I could have fed the neighborhood taco bell for what I paid at Paola's for dinner for 2. —Ian
2008-11-17 20:24:39 I love Paolas. Been faithfully eating there since 2006. Grew up in Texas, and this is the closest to Mexican that I have found in Monroe County. Most of the other stuff is some kind of fusion or another. Southwestern, Tex-mex, or weird other things.
I wouldn't suggest ordering from their website. I haven't had good luck with it. —EugeneCain
2008-11-29 19:16:07 I just ate there yesterday, and was fairly satisfied. I ordered the "Viva Mexico" plate that came with a crispy taco, enchilada, and pork tamale with rice and beans. I also ordered a little dish of the guacamole. I thought the food was pretty decent approximately on par with the other places, but way overpriced and maybe a bit small portion-wise. For what I ordered plus a can of soda, it came to 13.79. Considering that this not an especially nice looking place and that it's basically self serve, I think this is way way too much to be asking. 8 or 9 bucks, tops, would have made the food go down much easier, or at least if they gave you more.
They really should be competing with the other mexican places in the city on price as their strategy. —AlexD1234
2008-12-22 16:31:30 Even though I internally questioned the legalities of having a toddler cash me out, I thought the food was decent. It is by no means my favorite Mexican establishment but you can tell the restaurant is working it's butt off to put out a good meal at a good price. It is worthy of repeated consideration by Mexican food lovers. —BatGuano
2009-01-01 12:37:31 Not sure I would know "authentic" if it hit me in the face, but we love Paola's. Great fajitas (half pound is plenty for two), great cheese sauce (with guacamole or beef), fresh salsa with wonderful flavors. One of our regular "take-out" joints... —LeGrandChien
