Art S.
Yelp
Your first impression of Habaneros (in Metairie) will be the sign that says, "This must be the place." While it takes continued food consistency and outstanding service to maintain and build on positive experiences, it takes an all-hands-on-deck effort combined with a great deal of professionalism (and some luck) to turn around a negative one.
After a negative experience in March of 2024, where we encountered slow service and a lack of attention to detail, we decided to give Habaneros a second chance visit (to err is human), and we are thrilled that we did. The transformation in staff and leadership was remarkable, breathing new life into the establishment. Not only did we return for a second visit, we elected to parlay the positive experience and returned on Mother's Day. Here's how our experience went:
Our first return visit was on Saturday, May 4th, 2024, the afternoon of the Kentucky Derby. We chose to sit outdoors in the patio area, and the Management graciously fulfilled our request to watch the Derby in a display of their accommodating nature. We were delighted by the unique flavors of the frozen happy hour margaritas, particularly the raspberry and mango. The Queso Fundido (Queso with Chorizo) was a standout, a perfect blend of cheese and spice that left us craving for more.
On to the entrees:
We had the Verdes Enchiladas, a flavorful dish with grilled chicken, and the Quesadilla, which was generously filled with shredded chicken and a variety of cheeses. We followed up with Coffee and dessert. The staff's recommendation of the flan, a baked custard dessert topped with caramel (similar to the French version of crème caramel), was a delightful discovery. The sense of intrigue and excitement in trying these new dishes was truly invigorating.
Our server, Eddie, was a true professional, highly knowledgeable about the menu and spot-on in meeting and anticipating our every need. After receiving and paying the check, we requested to speak with Management as we felt it was important to share the significant turnaround in our dining experience. We learned that our server, Eddie, was training other staff members, which is a testament to his skills and the positive changes at Habaneros. Also, it quickly became apparent that the new management was a big part of the positive differences we experienced at Habaneros.
Our Mother's Day visit went smoothly and was just as impressive as the previous visit on the day of the 'run for the roses' event, where we enjoyed margaritas and an added surprise found in the shredded chicken taco salad. The answer to 'this must be the place' is rhetorical. The next time you find yourself in the mood for some vibrant atmosphere, with its lively music and colorful decor, infused with great food and culture, head on over to Habaneros in Metairie . . . this is the place!