Vanessa G.
Yelp
I dislike leaving negative reviews, but I feel compelled to share my recent experience at Casalote Latin Bistro, where we rented the back area for a sisterhood event. Unfortunately, I left feeling disappointed and personally disrespected by a staff member who I later learned is the owner's daughter.
As an Afro-Latina who presents as African American, I couldn't help but notice a shift in how I was treated compared to others in my group.
I ordered the Costillitas Benedicto, which was described as slow-braised short rib, sweet corn arepa, poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and maduros. What I received was not as described (see video below):
* The eggs were fully cooked, not poached.
* The meat resembled ropa vieja (shredded beef), not slow-braised rib with a bone.
* The hollandaise sauce was an unexpected orange color and extremely spicy none of which was stated on the menu.
Due to all of these issues, I sent the dish back. I was told I could order something else from our prix fixe menu, but I felt so uncomfortable and turned off by the experience that I didn't want to risk another poor or potentially tampered-with dish.
Later, I was told I'd still be charged for the original meal I returned. Reluctantly, I agreed to the French toast but asked for the syrup on the side, as another guest had received hers pre-drenched and was unhappy about it. When I approached the waitress with this simple request, she didn't make eye contact, stared at her tablet, and responded curtly: "That's how it comes." I let her know that her tone felt unnecessary, and she replied, "Okay, if you feel like that, beloved."
She continued in a passive-aggressive manner, repeating "that was your experience, beloved" without ever looking at me. I then overheard her speaking in Spanish to another guest, saying she would not serve me again. She proceeded to offer that guest a complimentary shot, thanking her for being "a good patron."
This entire interaction felt unprofessional, dismissive, and frankly, targeted. The poor food quality, lack of transparency on the menu, and passive hostility from the waitress (especially toward a paying customer who did not present as Latinx) made me feel unwelcome and disrespected.
I will not be returning to Casalote and recommend they re-evaluate not only how they present their dishes, but how they treat their guests especially those who don't "look" like the culture they serve.