Dale M.
Yelp
We've been dearly enjoying this restaurant for 30 years, it was comfortable and had an extremely old-school vibe.
Cozy and somewhat dark inside, coming in from busy 17th Street was a joy. A terrific escape from the surrounding urban hustle where the same waitress staff greeted and took care of you.
As for the food, absolutely wonderful. Thankfully, the food is still good although the chips are often undercooked. Weird, but whatever.
So why 3 stars? This is where I'm taking off the gloves and being brutally honest. Emphasis on 'brutal'.
Whoever at Mi Casa decided to remodel this place and literally rip the heart and soul out of this restaurant should be absolutely kicked straight in the crotch and booted out the back door, straight into the dumpster.
I say this with all honesty to the person who designed the remodel, "You're a fucking idiot with zero common sense and no knowledge as to theming and the absolute importance of ambiance within a restaurant."
This restaurant went from dark and comfortable to harsh and cold, with bright white walls, exposed cement floors and privacy barriers between booths ripped out, an oversized cashier counter as you walk in, installed where comfortable waiting area seating once sat.
The character of this place is now gone, sitting in a landfill where at least the rats can enjoy it.
If you're the person who designed this remodel, please take a moment, look in a mirror and repeat, "I'm an idiot and I don't know what I'm doing."
My advice, buy an annual pass to Disneyland and visit their restaurants to learn how professional designers theme restaurants.
STUDY THE WORK OF JOHN HENCH, the incredible designer behind Disney's most successful venues which even today are updated based on his work.
Now, I'm not a Disney fan boy, but I know first hand what goes into their design work and you, good Sir/Ma'am, need to learn from a pro as to how this job is done.
Thankfully the food at Mi Casa is still terrific and yes, we still visit, but we take it to go as I honestly can't stomach the bullshit, refrigerator-like interior of this place. I cannot begin to count how many meals my family and I have enjoyed within this restaurant, with Debbie as our waitress the same personality-less manager staring at you as you walk in. All part of the day to day to operation which we loved and enjoyed.
I read a review where someone stated this remodel was 'upscale'. Really? This remodel IS NOT upscale, it's a ridiculous attempt to perhaps make this place a bit fancier but it failed and failed miserably.
Removing any trace of heritage, personality and character from a restaurant doesn't make it upscale. And let's be honest here, 'upscale' is just a millennial term for 'lets raise our prices' for people who can't afford a house but can afford $18.00 for a scoop of ice cream at the latest pop-up craft creamery. OK, I'm getting off topic, sorry. I'm going to assign homework to whomever did this remodel.
Read this book:
Designing Disney: Imagineering and the Art of the Show (A Walt Disney Imagineering Book)
Learn the thought process of professionals who make the mediocre shine like diamonds purely through presentation.
Oh yes, we'll still be enjoying Mi Casa, we still love their food but for the love of God, pull your head out of your ass and get this restaurant back in shape.
If you read all of this, thanks, you're a real trooper and deserve a strawberry margarita.
I apologize for being this avuncular, but like Walt Disney once stated, "You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."