Glasgow’s Cafe

I had seen this place for years and was quite surprised when I finally ate here. Came with a group of 6 people during busy lunch rush and it did take quite a bit of time to get our food but it was great when we got it. Most lunch specials come with a taco that was really good and I liked my enchilada. We had 2 vegetarians eat with us, and there was no problem getting us food substitutions to work. I look forward to going again.

I’m not sure how this is even still open. Awkward, empty, blah food, no margaritas.

The best burger and fries in town. Great value. Great service. And awesome authentic atmosphere. Go in!

I had passed by this building several times, and thought it was closed: with the gravel-​paved parking lot, the rundown exterior of the building, and the fact that I never saw any vehicles in the parking lot, this place being closed was an easy assumption to make. However, when I passed by this time, I saw a few vehicles in the parking lot. Now that I knew that this restaurant was open for business, I was willing to give it a try.
The inside was a lot more spacious than I had expected. The interior seats about 20 – 25 parties, and on the walls has a painting of a lady, as well as … an enormous fake swordfish??? Umm… That’s different. However, after sitting down in the atmosphere for a few minutes, I started smelling and feeling all of the dust in the building; I had to sneeze a few times.
Upon looking at the menu given to me by the server, I could immediately tell there was something wrong: the menu shows that they serve Vault, which a drink that hasn’t been produced for a few years. I asked for root beer, which was on the menu, but they did not serve root beer. I ended up ordering a drink that wasn’t even on the menu: orange soda.
The rest of the menu includes American sandwiches and burgers, as well as Mexican dishes.
Shortly after I ordered my entrée, I received chips and salsa. The chips were next to perfect: crispy and thin with a perfect amount of salt. However, the salsa was not nearly as good: it tasted like watered-​down spaghetti sauce mixed with canned jalapeños.
While I was waiting for my entrée, the server gave me a complimentary beef taco. The beef in the taco tasted like spicy chili with no beans: it was good.
Lastly, the entrée came out. I had ordered the «El Paso»: one pork tamale, one enchilada (I chose beef), refried beans, and rice. The server warned me that the plate was hot, so I took caution. I used a chip to start eating the refried beans: however, the beans burned my face and left a burn scar! (Usually «hot plate» means just that, not «scolding hot food» as well!) Eventually, the food cooled down, and I gave it another try. The rice and beans were good, but the enchilada and the tamale were VERY salty. I was getting full from the salt alone!
What Glasgow’s has going for it is its service and tortilla chips. Everything else is sort of «blah».

I had such high hopes… and they weren’t fulfilled. I’m really a bit sad as I’ve been seeing Glasgows from the hotel room all week, a short, plain, brick building with aging 70’s sign that says «Mexican and American» and a tired look and feel. Over the week I had imagined a family restaurant, stuck in the 70’s, run by a hardworking family, serving food much better than the impression left by the outside of the building. I checked out the reviews on Unilocal,looked promising, so decide to walk over myself and try.
Pros:
— That throwback look and feel, if you are expecting it, of the mid-​late 70s, including paneled walls, kitschy light fixtures, booths and furniture that looks like its been there since opening in 1964 but well cared for.
— Really very good service. Obviously family run and service was covered by a mother and daughter with natural smiles and friendly service.
— Family friendly. I really enjoyed the family of four, Mom, Dad and two kids, that were obviously enjoying their night out and each others company, with all laughing aloud at one time or another.
— Chips & Salsa. Nice thin warm chips and homemade salsa with a unique flavor.
— Taco appetizer with all order. Good flavor, fresh toppings, crisp shell.
— Price. Affordable for a famly.
— Relaxed atmosphere. No rush to get in and out.
Cons:
— Note what I haven’t mentioned — the main course food.
I ordered the «Durango», a chile relleno and tamale combination. I judge mexican by the chile relleno — and it was sadly a fail. Was long tube of green chile, filled with some substance somewhat ressembling cheese, battered and fried till it was almost crispy, yet tough inside. This was served with the requisite standard of rice and beans. I so wanted the rice and beans to be ok, however they both tasted like the bottom of the pan had been slightly burned, leaving a lightly bitter aftertaste. I found myself eating the chips and salsa throughout the meal to cut the bitterness.
I am so sad, so disappointed that what could have been a great local, family, mexican food dive, what could have been a regular stop in my regular visits to the area, didn’t really live up to the possibility. I have actually convinced myself that I have to try it again next time — just to give it a second chance — something I really want it to live up to the next time around.

Very generous portions of food, including the free chips and salsa preceding our Mexican dinner orders. Friendly service. The food was so-​so — I’d say it was «okay» (not terrible, but not wonderful either).
The furniture and décor was quite outdated, reminiscent of the early 1970s, but then again, I came to like the unpretentiousness of this place. I appreciated the booths and the atmosphere was cozy. I could envision going there with friends… a good place to «get plenty of grub» and kick back with friends. :)
Warning: As of October 2010, they do not serve alcohol. This is a dry county! ;)

Good burgers with fresh from the garden veggies, the homemade onion rings are to die for! Salsa is wonderful as well! Odd mix of Mexican and American on the menu, but they know what they’re doing. This is one of my favorite places in bentonville!

I gave it a 4 and I’ll tell you why. I have experienced let-​down WAY to many times in the nostalgia arena — I’ve found that places I loved as a kid BLOW as an adult — cases in point, Pancho’s, Taco Tico, CiCi’s Pizza… I could go on. FINALLY — a happy ending!
I grew up visiting my Grandparents in Bentonville, AR (from New Orleans, LA) and I can honestly say that Glasgow’s was my FIRST experience with Tex-​Mex — in the 70s! I loved it then — I remember looking forward to going to Glasgow’s.
We’ve moved back to the area and I’ve been eyeballing Glasgow’s at least once a week. What used to be a little stone building in the middle of nowhere is STILL a little stone building with huge hotels all around it. Finally got my husband and son to go — with MY Dad for Father’s Day. YUM! Queso kinda yuk — but the salsa was really good. I liked the regular, my husband like the hot. I got an enchilada and tamale platter — came with rice and beans — and it was GOOOOOD. More? How ’bout the fact that every plate comes with a FREE TACO as an appetizer?! And not a dry, watery taco — it has that good ol’ fashioned taco sauce. They’re not messing around.
It’s old school. Is it pretty? Not particularly. Are the servers in some crazy Mexican getup? No — thank you. The prices are right, the food is good, and I believe it’s still owned by the same family since it’s beginning. Support Local!
As God is my witness, we will visit again!

Ok. So this is another place that I have anticipated being one of those «nostalgia» joints my wife is always yakking about. And by nostalgia, I mean she remembers it’s greatness… yet once she talks me into it, it normally sucks.
Well her Dad was in the mood for this joint tonight for Dads Day… so we met him there.
I was pleasantly surprised. The food was actually pretty good Tex-​Mex.
It def has an old school vibe to it… and by old school I mean 1970s roadside diner feel. Dark paneling with a jukebox that greets you as you walk in.
I had the Chile Rellenos (craziest version of them I have ever seem) yet they were actually pretty good. Think 2 giant fried looking cylinders… I’m telling ya… crazy looking… but good.
They also have some standard American fare (burgers etc etc). Will have to try them sometime.
Service was friendly… and it is apparently family owned and run.
What is crazy is no telling when this place opened… but I hear it was in the middle of nowhere basically and serving Tex — Mex… In NW Arkansas… crazy.
Def worth giving it a shot if you never been.