Costa Vida

I don’t mind this place, keep in mind it is not «authentic» in any way. I would compare their food to mucho burritos but I would much rather choose mucho.
Costa Vida are extremely stingy on their serving sizes and practically count each individual piece of chicken or beef they give you. They are also relatively over-​priced, gouging for every penny they can get out of you. They even charge extra for salsa or sour cream, which is usually always included at every other Mexican place I have been to.
I would eat here again but not very often to save my wallet and especially when I’m not that hungry.

Food is very good. Service is slow and gets backed up. Price is too high. Expect to pay 12 or more a person. Food is slightly better than mucho burrito bit 25% more expensive

My husband and I always visit this place because I do believe it’s better than mucho burrito. The food is really good. The meat is juicy and they do cook it in front of you. However sometimes they give me two pieces of chicken and I feel like I’m just eating bread. They need to weigh their chicken and make sure they are actually giving enough meat. I also want to mention for any salads or any burritos make sure you get them to drain your beans or you will end up with soggy food.

I really wanted to like it, i love texmex food, you really don’t get much for your money, and it is really sweet (beans and the pork), i had the veggie salad, and about 15 min after i ate it i got sick, something was wrong with the black beans, my family ate other stuff and they where all ok, but pork was sweet, and the tacos where very soggy, too bad, was so looking forward to making it a regular spot. also the kids meal really small, maybe ok for 5 and under.

I agree with the other reviews, unfortunately not authentic :(Taco Bell is actually better bang for your buck! I would compare it to a sub par Chipotle– but completely bland.
The space is large and well laid out, friendly guys behind the counter and a lot of options to choose from. I was optimistic when I saw them making fresh tortilla shells which is a plus! However, the gouging started with the tiny kids meal and small salad I ordered. Hubby had the burrito and it was huge but there was extra charge for ‘smothered’ and sour cream and guac. My son had the two taco meal and it was really small for the $ 12 price tag, then tack on the extra guac and drink he was well above $ 15. Everything was terribly soggy and just not seasoned well. Mucho burrito puts this place to shame. The amount of meat in my salad prob had only 2 ounces and the amount of guac they give you isn’t substantial and part way through the meal the tortillas were soaked through.
The raspberry chicken salad I had was terribly sweet, almost jam like. I barely got through it and had enough. Had I known it was that sweet I wouldn’t have ordered it, booooo. Thankfully there was a fountain of horscheta to wash it down. It’s an acquired taste but I really was pleased to see that option!
1 star for the fresh tortillas and another for the horscheta. I should have went with my gut and went to Paros souvla next door, chicken on the spit had me salivating as I walked by. OPA!

Its not authentic. But it tastes like food! I arrived and they were out of rice. It turned into a 30 minute wait for rice and steak to be cooked. Which I gather would be a peak experience for this place in terms of FRESH. It was a sopping mess as enchilada ahould be. Everything was premade and besides steak and I believe chicken. .it is not xooked on premesis or by any employee or i dare say even in this country… The price is expensive, just as expensive as other Mexican places in calgary… but they are authentic… this place is not. I almost died from tacotime so I have sworn off the massive chain taco places as death pits… this is a «no other choice» mexican place for me. Ill go to los chilitos or el barrito before I g3t desperate enough to come back here. 15 $ for two enchiladas or 1 burrito or a salaf or nachos of bland mexican compared to 4 of the most amazing mini tacos made by old mexican grannies… cant compare.

Worst «Mexican» Food Ever! Very bland (no taste) and Way too Expensive. Was my first and last time to go. Will never recommend to anyone its very disappointing. I wouldn’t be surprised if the place shuts down.

Good and quick Mexican food. I ordered a burrito type of lunch combo. It had a bit of everything (burrito, beans, veggies and guacamole on the side) The service was friendly and the staff provided some recommendations since I had no idea what to order?
They also provided me with some sort of Costa Vida card to use next time. Food tasted good and fresh. Will be back again to try something else out.

This place is in Royal Oak. Good Mexican food, an alternative to Mucho Burrito. I ordered the Chicken Burrito, and got it smothered. It was extremely tasty and filling. A bit pricy though, but there was a deal as it as a combo, and for $ 9.99, not too bad. The service was friendly and the staff seemed to be talkative on this one Friday evening.

Well we decided to give Costa Vida another try (had a coupon). The portion size of the enchilada meal has reduced since the opening. The sweet pork could have been a bit more. The corn tortilla was tough. The Refried beans were like gravy. The lettuce and salsa were minimal. The food was tasty but the quality and quantity is not where it should be. The funny thing is they show a video on their in store tv’s and the meal you get doesn’t look like what you get.

Not good. Would not go here again. The quality of mexican was very dissapointing (worse than fast food taco bell).

Figured I would try this place as I love Mexican food and have been waiting for it to open. Turns out I have been here twice on the same day… MY FIRST AND LAST TIME!
The staff seemed uninterested in helping me out. Then I noticed that the bean buckets were caked with a cement like substance that looked like VERY old product. I ordered the fish tacos, and when they were finally done, the price seemed to be almost 50% more than I anticipated. The tacos were much smaller than the burrito’s that are half the price. I had to leave without taking the product, or paying for it. It just seemed too sketchy and way too expensive for what was made. A fresh grill, it is not.
Mucho Burrito, I’m sorry I ever doubted you. I will be back soon, and often. This place, on the other hand, needs to up their game considerably or face the dire consequences that other low quality, high priced operators face…

I have been to this Costa Vida around 8 times now and I have to say I love it. I would highly recommend the sweet pork burrito especially on a Saturday as it is on special. The amount of food you get for $ 8.79 is amazing I can barely finish it and it is so good. Two things that make this a four star review and not 5, the ordering process is slow and unorganized and the drink situation is unorganized. Instead of an ice machine there is a bucket on the counter filled with ice. Not a huge deal just wish the people behind the counter would be more organized. Other than that I would recommend this place to anyone I love it.

This review is for Costa Vida. No idea why it is listed simply as Royal Oak as that is not what was originally entered for this new business.
I have seen huge line ups here on the long weekend and wondered what all the fuss was about! Well, it is a new NW Restaurant (whoohoo!) and it is Mexican!
It boasts itself as a ‘Fresh Mexican Grill’.
Is it like Mucho Burrito? Yep! Just with more seating. And not as friendly.
Came in at 3pm on a weekday. Not busy. Staff were just kind of standing around which is not acceptable really as I could see as I went along here so many things my staff would be doing if this were my place. IE almost no forks in the self serve area, the bin for cilantro for topping selections was out which bummed me out as I love it! The tables needed to be wiped down, floors, that kind of thing.
There are daily specials which I liked and so I got the Tues special — 2 sweet pork enchiladas. Extra of course for guac but for sour cream too? C’mon!!! Gouge!
There are the usual tacos, salads, enchiladas and a whole bunch of sides. I was disappointed that there were no specialty drinks at all, only pop to choose from.
The hottest enchilada sauce (red) is NOT at all hot but there is Tobasco right around the corner to help yourself to.
The only thing served warm on my plate were the black beans, unfortunately. And they needed seasoning.
You can tell they try to cut costs as they are stingy with absolutely everything they put on the plate. I asked for a wedge of lime and staff had to ask someone else there behind the counter if I could have one?!
My meal with drink was $ 9. Check out the Specials to save cash for sure. The guy ahead of me ordered a nice looking salad which I would consider for next time. This time, I went for my fave Mexican dish though. It was just ok, nothing special about it but I did like the whole wheat tortilla option.
I would not make a special trip here if you live across town or if there is a huge line I would say skip it.
Mucho Burrito has warmer food that will fill you up more for the same price and the ingredients are just as fresh. And their sour cream is included there.