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Started By
Message
Velvet Cactus has really gone downhill since Covid
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:03 am
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:03 am
Went Sunday for the first time in a long while. Not saying their food was "great" but you can tell they made drastic cuts after Covid restrictions and never went back.
The menu was cut in half, the enchiladas were just dry and pretty bland (brisket, pork, shrimp), and their salsa, that they serve hot (temperature), was literally so hot we put a few ice cubes in it just to cool it down so we could eat it. Was like they served it fajita style - sizzling.
Their tex mex eggrolls used to be a favorite of mine but they reduced the portion size, upped the prize, and they tasted like frozen stuff you'd bet from Applebees.
All the various tacos were gone. Really no specials outside of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
QR code menus but they had paper menus if you wanted one.
Place was still busy, but can't see myself ever returning. A real shame.
The menu was cut in half, the enchiladas were just dry and pretty bland (brisket, pork, shrimp), and their salsa, that they serve hot (temperature), was literally so hot we put a few ice cubes in it just to cool it down so we could eat it. Was like they served it fajita style - sizzling.
Their tex mex eggrolls used to be a favorite of mine but they reduced the portion size, upped the prize, and they tasted like frozen stuff you'd bet from Applebees.
All the various tacos were gone. Really no specials outside of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
QR code menus but they had paper menus if you wanted one.
Place was still busy, but can't see myself ever returning. A real shame.
12
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:06 am to LSUZombie
I was at the BR location yesterday.
They drastically downsized the menu during Covid, but their fantastic chili is back thankfully so that part seems to have recovered.
The food I ordered was very good and if anything larger than usual portion sizes.
It was fairly slow but was busy and normally I get fast service there.
QR code menus are annoying.
So unless you're referring to Lakeview, I disagree. It's not great Mexican but it's serviceable and the queso/salsa are good.
They drastically downsized the menu during Covid, but their fantastic chili is back thankfully so that part seems to have recovered.
The food I ordered was very good and if anything larger than usual portion sizes.
It was fairly slow but was busy and normally I get fast service there.
QR code menus are annoying.
So unless you're referring to Lakeview, I disagree. It's not great Mexican but it's serviceable and the queso/salsa are good.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:16 am to LSUZombie
quote:
Went Sunday for the first time in a long while
I was there as well on Sunday. Family split the "mixed grill" fajitas. Not as good as El Gato Negro but it was alright. Weather was perfect and their outdoor seating area is really great on a good weather day like Sunday.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:18 am to LSUZombie
Velvet Cactus has been shite since day 1. I'm not sure how they could "go down hill".
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:29 am to metallica81788
quote:
I was at the BR location yesterday
I honestly forgot that place existed
Posted on 4/4/22 at 11:38 am to LSUZombie
This is about the Nola location-
Let me just say that I never would have rated them as great, but I always thought they were pretty good and didn't get the hate for them shown here. There are so many places on south La that are just dumps serving grease and cheese, so I thought Velvet was a step above, especially when you compare something like steak fajitas.
I think they benefitted from the Covid stuff after the initial few months of the outbreak started. They turned their whole parking lot into a sit down area that you had to order using the app to order and pick up food. Everyone drinks alcohol there, so they had to be making a ton of $$$.
During Christmas time they turned half the parking lot into an area with Christmas trees, fake snow, music, etc with private tables under clear domes. Those things stayed booked solid for four weeks. I think it was a $250 minimum spend for the table or something goofy like that.
I agree with the OP, there quality has gone down, the portions have shrunk a great deal, and they are still having staffing issues.
They are run like a crappy chain now more than ever.
I was there two weeks ago and it seemed like it was the normal tacos were still there.
Let me just say that I never would have rated them as great, but I always thought they were pretty good and didn't get the hate for them shown here. There are so many places on south La that are just dumps serving grease and cheese, so I thought Velvet was a step above, especially when you compare something like steak fajitas.
I think they benefitted from the Covid stuff after the initial few months of the outbreak started. They turned their whole parking lot into a sit down area that you had to order using the app to order and pick up food. Everyone drinks alcohol there, so they had to be making a ton of $$$.
During Christmas time they turned half the parking lot into an area with Christmas trees, fake snow, music, etc with private tables under clear domes. Those things stayed booked solid for four weeks. I think it was a $250 minimum spend for the table or something goofy like that.
I agree with the OP, there quality has gone down, the portions have shrunk a great deal, and they are still having staffing issues.
They are run like a crappy chain now more than ever.
quote:
All the various tacos were gone
I was there two weeks ago and it seemed like it was the normal tacos were still there.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 12:47 pm to notiger1997
My post was about the Baton Rouge location. Maybe fajitas are the way to go because our meal was not good.
Disagree with someone saying it was never good. Was solid for what it was.
Disagree with someone saying it was never good. Was solid for what it was.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 1:04 pm to LSUZombie
I always enjoyed the Lakeview atmosphere and the drinks. The food was basic restaurant tex mex and nothing more.
The Baton Rouge location doesn't give off the same vibe to me. The food seems worse honestly. I ordered some tacos once and the tortillas were cold and tasted like mission tortillas straight from the grocery isle. I'll hit up Tio Javi's or Superior instead.
The Baton Rouge location doesn't give off the same vibe to me. The food seems worse honestly. I ordered some tacos once and the tortillas were cold and tasted like mission tortillas straight from the grocery isle. I'll hit up Tio Javi's or Superior instead.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 1:28 pm to notiger1997
quote:
think it was a $250 minimum spend for the table or something goofy like that.
That included the booze and food. You just had to spend that much which wasn’t hard with 8 people. The fajita platter and apps they put out for those tents were awesome.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 1:30 pm to LSUZombie
It was terrible even before Covid. Can't believe how bad the fajitas are for what they charge
Posted on 4/4/22 at 2:42 pm to Carson123987
I too was never a fan of Velvet Cactus (Lakeview).
Always a wait, food was very overpriced for the quality. The drinks were good... but in no way did it make up for the food and the wait times.
Haven't been in over a year.
Always a wait, food was very overpriced for the quality. The drinks were good... but in no way did it make up for the food and the wait times.
Haven't been in over a year.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 2:49 pm to metallica81788
quote:
The food I ordered was very good and if anything larger than usual portion sizes.
What did you order? We went with enchiladas, which are pretty safe, and they were honestly so dry and bland they weren't worth finishing.
Sprouts and street corn were decent sides though.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 2:50 pm to LSUFanHouston
I used to live right around the corner on Lane and General Haig. Velvet Cactus was a place I always frequented, but for differing reasons - mainly the drinks, atmosphere, and women. The food was never that. 
Posted on 4/4/22 at 5:06 pm to GentleJackJones
quote:
mainly the drinks, atmosphere, and women.
I guess if I'm trying to post up on the MILF action... it's a good place for that.
Posted on 4/4/22 at 6:13 pm to LSUZombie
The fajitas are the only good thing on the menu. They have stayed consistent with those for me at least...
Posted on 4/4/22 at 7:06 pm to LSUZombie
Has it ever been uphill?
Posted on 4/4/22 at 8:33 pm to LSUZombie
quote:
QR code menus but they had paper menus if you wanted one.
Nothing wrong with your review, but do people really get upset about this?
Posted on 4/4/22 at 10:22 pm to notiger1997
quote:I’m glad they kept this because we use this area a lot. I don’t see myself ever eating inside again (the food has never been better than average Tex mex) but I’m mainly there for Margaritas and chips/quest/salsa and for my kids to run around.
I think they benefitted from the Covid stuff after the initial few months of the outbreak started. They turned their whole parking lot into a sit down area that you had to order using the app to order and pick up food. Everyone drinks alcohol there, so they had to be making a ton of $$$.
Posted on 4/5/22 at 5:10 am to LSUZombie
The BR location has always sucked. The atmosphere is really cool if you’re just looking go for drinks but the food is arse
Posted on 4/5/22 at 10:28 am to LSUZombie
Yah, went with family a few months ago. Not good.
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