Dean E.
Yelp
After spending the day at the beach, my husband and myself wanted to try a new latin restaurant, as we usually frequent a nice Mexican place not too far from Barrio. But we wanted a change. Since Barrio received so many hi stars and reviews we decided to try it.
Our HUGELY negative experience began before we were even seated. We walked inside and were barely greeted by a young man we assumed was the host. He asked if we had a reservation.....I replied no. ( I then looked around as it was 5:45pm on a Monday and the place was empty other than a few tables)
He then says.....several time I might add "Technically......I am not supposed to seat anyone with out a reservation" I pointed out that the place was EMPTY. He simply repeated himself with the same line he previously stated. There was no apology, for instance a proper response would be 'Im so sorry, but we can't accommodate you at the moment, however, if you would like a table outside, I can put you there'. No he was rude and ignored my comment about being empty.
Ultimately we accepted a table in the shade outside.
I want to state that we own a Latin Restaurant in Bergen County NJ. That being said we are familiar with giving a positive customer experience.
Ok next comment are regarding the service and food:
We each ordered the Watermelon Margarita, ok not bad, nice presentation.
At $14 each one we were not going for a 2nd since they lacked alchohol.
I had a question on the menu (extremely limited and unusual menu) under the heading Las Otras. It was called Huarache. I asked the server for an explanation of the dish. He could not tell me and had to go ask the kitchen for a description. (shouldn't the server be familiar with the menu?)
Upon returning from the kitchen he still had trouble describing the dish other than saying was was vegan. Ok....so not ordering that if I don't know what it is.
We ordered the Guac and Chips, which was the only part of the meal we enjoyed. We ordered Chicken Tacos, Fish Tacos and Ceviche.
Chicken Tacos:
Actually were tasty even with the crazy amount of garnish consisting of pickled onion, fried onion and other garnished with drowned out the chicken.
Fish Tacos:
BUYER BEWARE! After 1 bite I couldn't stomach more. The smell of rancid fish and some pieces were even raw.
***At the end of the meal, the server didn't ask why we left 2+ tacos on the plate, he didn't even ask if we wanted it to go. (Of course we would not)
Ceviche:
OH MY GOD!!!! What a NASTY looking presentation and the taste was unpalatable. Slimy white and pink thinly sliced scallops covered with garnish. Please check photos below.
Notice on an 8" plate, 75% of the plate is barren.
I was so extremely disappointed with the entire experience from beginning to end. After being asked 3X by our server if we wanted anything else, and 3X being told no, he brings us a handheld unit and hands it to me saying "Here is your total" $111.47. ( I was like WHAT??)
Then I asked where the detail of my check was. He said "Oh, let me go print it out". WTH? Don't you provide your customers with a detail so they know what they are paying for?
Anyway, I couldn't pay and get out of there fast enough.
Also on the bottom of the menu in small print, it says "You will notice a 3.5% service charge on your receipt. This is our way of showing some well-deserved love to ALL of our team members in the restaurant."
I had also inquired from the server what this mean? Is it additional tip? I mean what the hell? He explained that servers in general get a low wage. So this was the managements way to use the collected Service fees to pay them a higher wage? OK correct me if I am wrong here, but don't they get tips like any other reputable restaurant? The hourly wage is the owners problem to compensate their servers, not the customer.
In closing, this was by far the worst dining experience in years from the moment we walked in to the end paying the bill.
NEVER AGAIN. And I warn all my friends and family to stay away.
To the Customer Service review responder, please don't bother sending me the automated cold generic response asking for me to email you to resolve the issue. It can't be done unless an honest, serious look at your staff, food and management is done. You can't take offense to these comments, the purpose is to understand what your customers are feeling.
With respect, a first time and lost customer