Karina C.
Yelp
We decided to celebrate Mother's Day at this restaurant, fully aware it would be a busy day, which is why we made reservations well in advance for our large family group. A few days prior, I received a call asking us to move our 11:00 AM reservation to 10:30 AM (or delay it to 12:00 PM), citing a mariachi performance schedule and a mid-day restocking period. Wanting to ensure our elderly parents could enjoy the experience without feeling rushed, we agreed to the earlier time.
Despite arriving at 10:10 AM and waiting in line to check in, we weren't seated until after 12:00 PM. The hostess, clearly overwhelmed and alone at the front, assured us we were checked in and the wait wouldn't be long. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Each follow-up was met with vague time estimates, and eventually, we were told they were waiting for a party to leave--one that refused to do so, despite being asked multiple times. At that point, we requested a manager, but his involvement was minimal and unhelpful. Rather than managing the situation, he offered to split our group up well over an hour later, something he could have suggested at the outset.
The lack of accommodations for our elderly family members (e.g., high bar seating as the only alternative) was frustrating, especially given that we had noted our needs in the reservation. By the time we were finally seated--after my family suggested how to rearrange tables--the buffet was practically empty. Only the taco and chilaquiles stations had food, and thankfully, the staff working those were incredibly kind and professional. They were, quite honestly, the only highlight of our visit.
The food itself was average at best, and the overall experience was severely lacking. Basic service elements--water refills, napkins, timely service--were missing. The gratuity, automatically included due to the size of our party, did not reflect the quality of service we received. To be asked if we wanted to tip more was honestly laughable.
I understand it was a busy holiday, but if the restaurant couldn't handle the volume, they should have limited walk-ins until after all reservations were seated. Communication was poor, planning was clearly lacking, and the manager avoided taking responsibility, leaving the front-of-house staff to absorb all the stress.
What should have been a special family celebration turned into a lesson in poor management and subpar service--at a price tag of nearly $1000. We did our best to enjoy the time together, but sadly, I would not return to this establishment, nor recommend it to others, especially for a special occasion.
