Scott K.
Yelp
*Las Casuelas es Pretty Buenos*
Haven't been here since my childhood but wifey's never been so we decided to give em a try on a Saturday night with a resy made 2 days in advance.
The restaurant is huge, the decor is authentic...and kinda reminded me/us of a Mexican Villa Resort while on vacation.
Arrived 15 minutes early and nicely asked if it's "okay to grab a quick drink in the bar?" but Christain, the young snooty host, in an unfriendly tone says "no, you need to be seated now" WHOA (Strike One) yet the couple that was before us didn't even have a resy were seated right away as I observed lots of empty tables. Perhaps the host is the owners son or nephew and gets away with this type of behavior??
I requested a booth with my resy and it was confirmed while checking in with the snooty host. The sweet hostess that "showed us to our table" first escorted us to a booth right smack next to an open double-door that leads to the outdoor patio on a chilly night. When I asked to sit somewhere else, she had to ask (the cold snooty host) and then shown to a much better booth in a quiet corner.
(Intentional Walk)
Immediately after being seated, Brian, the awesome bus boy/dude/fine young man brought us chips & salsa & water. I asked him for some water without ice and he brought me a glass twice the size and said "I got you bro."
(Lead-off Triple)
Then our kind & friendly waiter, Javi, arrived to welcome us and after a little chit chat, we found out he's been there over 20 years (RBI Ground-rule Double)
Their prices are reasonable...the menu is very extensive...and even though I knew in advance it was gonna be a chicken fajita night for me, wifey needed a little time to decide -- tho I predicted to myself & her that it was going to be a combo plate night. And that she did.
Meanwhile, Brian appeared to refill another basket of their excellent fresh & warm tortilla chips without us asking...and he refilled our water glasses too. Because at that point, wifey decided to have a skinny margarita after dinner in the bar so we could listen to their house-band jamming.
Before we know it, the food runner arrives with our "piping hot plates." The first thing I noticed was my fajitas weren't "sizzlin" like I'm used to seeing & eating...but the portion was enormous (like I read on the menu is a 1/2 pound of chicken) and I skimmed on lunch so I could devourer the entire plate & meal (Solo Homer)
Unfortunately, they made a mistake with wifey's combo plate and brought a wrong item she didn't order (Strike 2) which we both noticed right away. They took away her plate and returned a few minutes later and corrected their error. (Sacrifice Fly)
My fajitas were pretty good. I'm not complaining. But I've had better. The pinto beans were hot & good but the rice was kinda warm and tasted like it was made long ago. The corn tortillas were okay, but one of the 3 stuck to the parchment paper (not cool) The guacamole was lackluster and it had more filler than guac (perhaps sour cream?)
Wifey thought her meal was pretty good/okay but had better and I agree because I sampled everything (see pics) but I thought the tamale was very good and stood out the most
(She had leftovers to take home which turned into my planned-overs the next day :)
7th inning Stretch:
After dinner we ventured to the busy bar for a drink & live music. Unfortunately, the skinny margarita on the rocks was dreadful and filled with soda water. Huh?
(Stee-rike 3)
But the bartender kindly remade it and was better/okay not good nor great.
(Hit By Pitch)
Post Game Show:
Upon leaving, we exited the restaurant from the same main entrance we arrived. At that point the restaurant was empty and there were SEVEN young hosts & hostess (lead by the snotty host) gathered together engaged in small talk & joking around with each other, and not a single one acknowledged us -- which is one of my biggest peeves when dining out. As a host & hostess, your job is to do 2 things -- welcome & greet guests upon arrival then knowledge them at departure. (Ball 4 take your base) *Note to Management: train & encourage your team of hosts & hostess to be a little more hospitable*
But all in all the service otherwise was outstanding and 5 stars. The band in the bar was tight and very good. The food was 3 stars but the chips & salsa deserve a BiG HiGH 5 -- rounding the bases to 3 stars due to the awful margarita and unfriendly vibes from the host.
Juego Terminado~~Game Over