Don Quijote

As a Valparaiso local, I like to sit outside on nice days. I’ve been to Don Quijotes two or three times, and I always order the same little appetizer.
I get the fried cauliflower, which is delicious! It’s light and crunchy, very good. I believe it comes with a dipping sauce, but I don’t recall liking it. It really needs to be dipped in some ranch or something ;D but that wouldn’t exactly be «authentic», would it?
Other than that, nothing else is vegetarian/​vegan on the menu. Kind of a disappointment, so hopefully one day new veggie meals can be added to the menu.
I’ve always gone in the early afternoon, so I’ve never seen the place fill up. Only one waiter/​waitress works at that time, and I’m pretty sure they cook up the food, too! Even my simple cauliflower takes quite some time, but I don’t really mind the wait. However, I do mind the occasional rude employee who seems to always be in a rush (even when the place is empty). The last time I went, perhaps last summer, I had a big WAITRESS who had a very unpleasant mustache, which unfortunately distracted me every time she walked out.
Still, if you want authentic, meat-​filled Spanish cuisine, and don’t mind a little wait, you should give Don Quijote a try!

Great unique place in Valpo. The paella for two and sangria are great choices. The desserts are really good here as well. The prices may seem high but you get what you pay for here. The service and atmosphere are excellent. This is one of the best dining options of NWI.

I went to Don Quijote for Mother’s Day 2015 with the entire family for dinner! Parking was a bit tricky, but try side-​streets and watch for shoppers leaving nearby. The place isn’t very large, but it’s a nice size with interesting Old World décor and a small stage on which a guitarist played. Call the restaurant to ask when flamenco dancers will be there. Ordering for family members who haven’t been to a tapas place before was very tough, but the Spanish waiter was very patient and easy-​going and explained many things to my family in Spanish.
We got a couple free appetizers while we waited for our food; the vegetables in an oily dressing/​sauce were delicious! The Tortilla Espaniola was bland; skip next time. Croquetas were good. For kids, don’t order the bland American food; take in the experience and just try small bites of the best-​selling items for them. Even kids will like some of the delicious items. This place isn’t really worth it for picky eaters, though – too pricey. I don’t remember the other food items others had, but the desserts we had were delicious – such as the pera al vino. (By dessert, you’ll be stuffed, but make room.) The tastiest part and definitely refreshing on a hot day was the Home-​Made LIMONADA; I ordered a virgin one and everyone else begged me for sips. Typically it’s made with a white wine cooler, apples/​peaches, citrus fruit, cinnamon, etc. (sangria style); mouth-​watering! My recommendations for going here are taking the server’s recommendations about the best sellers and ordering a few at a time. If you like it, order more; otherwise, order something different. Try the limonada!

I’ve been to this restaurant twice. Once a long time ago, and I can’t even remember what I had, but whatever it was, I remember not being impressed. About a month ago, I ate here with a large group of people, and I have to say, I was impressed. The seafood paella was very good. Also had some spicy potatoes, and a ton of other tapas items, including a crab salad type dish.
I’d say the key to this place is you have to go big. It’s quite expensive to do so. I sampled both kinds of sangria and I have to say it’s some of the best I’ve had.
Also, I found the service to be very attentive, and we had 8 children with our group, and they were catered to in a polite way as well.

Last night a group myself and 9 close friends gathered at Don Quixote for dinner. It was no special occasion, just a fun group that gets together whenever we can coordinate our schedules to enjoy each others company with good food. Our evening was beyond our expectations. The owners and our hosts for the evening, Carlos and Elena along with their attentive staff made feel as if we were in their home, gracious and expert service, every dish beautifully prepared, excellent flavors, generous portions. Paella was loaded with mussels, crab legs, scallops, shrimp. A refreshing salad of potatoes in olive oil with fresh onions and other seasonings, patatas bravas was spicy and delicious. The have an excellent wine list, we enjoyed several bottles of a wonderful Tempranillo, rich full-​bodied Spanish red. All in all I cannot thanks our hosts enough for a delightful evening.

Delicious authentic food. Melt in your mouth croquetas, out of this world albondigas and the absolute best service. Spectacular dining experience!

How cool to have an authentic Spanish restaurant in small town Indiana. The service here was very attentive. The portions were a good size and the presentation very pretty. I just didn’t really think the food tasted that good. I had the paella and found the flavor lacking. It was very fishy, but for me, not in a good way. The other dishes we ordered also didn’t hit a good note for me. This place is very popular with the locals so it much be doing something right. But based on my experience, I would not try it again and would probably not recommended it.

Very impressed. The food is top notch, with rich deep flavors and quality ingredients. There is a great variety on the menu; there is a tapas menu and also a selection of regular-​size meals. Before our meal, we had bread with garlic butter, and an appetizer of marinated potatoes/​onions/​peppers which was amazing. The bread was nice and soft with a perfectly crispy crust.
I recommend the tapas combination platter — croquetas were my favorites but also the tortilla a la española, chorizo, and spicy marinated mushrooms were excellent. The strip steak was good too (separate meal, not part of the platter). Just when I thought it couldn’t get better, our waitress brought out the dessert tray full of unique options. Try the tarta de cuajada — a simple custard baked with a slice of pound cake in the center, or the red wine poached pear with ice cream. The perfect evening was rounded out with five-​star service from a knowledgeable and friendly waitress, Spanish décor inside that made me wonder whether I was still in Indiana, and a fun little semi-​connected shop next door full of Spanish import goods. Eating here was like a mini-​vacation!

My favorite restaurant ! Love to come here when visiting my sister. The food is awesome, service fantastic and the owners for over 30 years are the best people ever.

I had high hopes for Don Quijote, but I was disappointed. The food was not fresh, and service was underwhelming. There were fruit flies in my wine. The manager never came to see me. The bread was cold, not even room temperature. The croquetas and meatballs had good flavor, but the empanadas were greasy and tasted like they were made last week and heated up in a microwave. Again, disappointing. Go to the city for Spanish food. ¡Qué lastima!

We went tonight for our 40^th anniversary meal. This is our favorite place for special occasions over the years. Carlos and Elena took great care of us. Everything from a cauliflower appetizer to my salmon and mahi mahi entrée were delicious. Kathy had a tortilla espagnola, which she liked. We finished by splurging on Elena’s Spanish style desserts. The sangria was also tasty and refreshing. It is a great restaurant with terrific community-​minded owners.

The food was mediocre at best. Red pepper does NOT equal saffron. None of the food had much flavor really. Pork app was dry and tough, artichokes were obviously canned or jarred in a brine, NOT fresh as advertised. Empanadas were soggy and just tasted like tomato. Custard with poundcake dessert was the highlight, sadly. We went here because we had a groupon, would NOT go back.

Great authentic Spanish food! It was like being back in Valencia with my host Mother. Everything is delicious and the atmosphere is great. The first place I visited when I moved into town three years ago, and I love going back. Food takes a bit of time to come out, so definitely get an app, but worth the wait. Great things take time! One of my absolute favorite desserts is the frozen key lime pie — SO GOOD! Definitely a must-​visit restaurant.

My all time favorite place in Valpo. I’ve been going here since I was a kid. The food is amazing! (Just make sure you like garlic) My family always does a bunch of Tapas and then shares. It’s the only way I’ll eat here. Their croquettas are heaven. Such incredibly moist chicken in a garlic herb butter sauce. It’s like a chicken nugget on steroids. My second favorite tapa that I always make our table try is their Squid In It’s Own Ink. Don’t be fooled by it’s appearnce it’s actually very sweet and by the end of it you will be soaking up the ink sauce with your bread. For dessert you have to try Elana’s Lime Pie. It’s the best I have ever tasted and it has been a substitute for my birthday cake for the past 3 years. The service is great and we always love talking to Carlos and Elana. They will make you feel like family here.

Fantastic anniversary meal. Great food. Chef is always very accommodating to my requests to have the fish steamed rather than grilled.
When you eat here it is like you have been brought into the chef’s home and he is cooking for you. This is definitely an experience everyone should try. Probably my favorite restaurant as far as atmosphere and food quality. Wine is reasonably priced by the bottle.

I brought my son here for his birthday and wish I hadn’t. The food tasted very fishy like it was old fish the rice was like uncle ben’s instant rice it was one of the worst restaurants I and my son have ever eaten. I would never eat there again the place should shut down and lock the doors for ever.

Decided to visit on impulse– and we’re glad we did! Made a reservation on Open Table but didn’t really need it on a Friday night at 8:30. Service was great and food and recommended wine were both outstanding! For two people, the combination entrée plate was the perfect amount of food and a great way to get a feel for a lot of the tapas all at once. We will definitely come back when we’re in Valpo again!

Unbelievable fresh fish on Friday Night! Get any of the fish specials. Owner Carlos Rivera, truly knows and understands seafood/​fish. Carlos and Elena are wonderful hosts. The staff are very attentive, friendly and helpful.

I must say, I was impressed with this dining occasion in downtown Valpo! Live music on a Friday night and everything. :o]
Top dishes we tried:
— grilled fresh mushrooms with garlic and olive oil
— the moorish style pork skewers; they were so tender and juicy!
Honorable mention dishes:
— garlic shrimp
— meatballs
— Patatas Ali-​oli
— jamon and manchego special
Noticed on the way out that some of the crackers and cookies sold at the front of the restaurant were expired. :o\

PLEASE DO NOT REPEAT OUR MISTAKE AND SAFE YOUR $ 50!
I have never been treated so badly after spending $ 50 for two appetizers, rice with ¹⁄₅ of a small chicken, and a weak sangria! Don’t get me wrong, the wait staff was very pleasant. My hubby is from the area and just wanted to try this place. So, we ordered two appetizers, a sangria, and a child size portion of the chicken and rice to start (mind you this was $ 44) and we asked the server if this is okay since we are just tasting – she nicely says yes. So then the owner Carlos goes out into the hall of his EMPTY restaurant and yells «kid portions are for kids» and other none sense. So, my husband gets up and goes into the hall and asks if everything is okay and if we should leave before we spend anymore money.
Luckily for the wait staff they were very sweet and we stayed. We have had tapas in Indianapolis and we received more for our money in Indianapolis.
Other incidents:
The combo plate doesn’t say what is included and there are no substitutions – even for one item that is beef for another item that is chicken and the same price… even if there are no other people in the restaurant and you don’t eat beef… but whatever…
After ranting like a child the cook/​owner Carlos stalks past us looking crazy twice without apologizing or acknowledging or existence in an EMPTY I repeat EMPTY restaurant. I know that you are thinking that we are dumb for staying but I wanted my hubby to get to try this overrated place that he has wanted to go to for years and I love him more than I dislike Carlos :-)
The food was actually tasty but the portions were too small even for tapas. The empanada is one empanada cut in half for $ 6, usually you at least get two or three but it had a nice flavor. The chicken croquetas tapas dish was tasty but uneventful. The arroz con pollo lacked flavor and wasn’t worth the hysterical fit that Carlos exhibited. We thought that it must be some magnificently delicious gem but it was meh even though we were getting hungry by the time it came out (20 minute wait which we were told after we ordered it). The Sangria tasted like watered down juice so we gulped it down like water lol. It was a nice juice to be honest…