Kathy M.
Yelp
Let me preface by saying I wanted to like Mezcali...so much! I live in the neighborhood and visited when Mezcali first opened. My husband is a vegetarian and didn't like the cauliflower tacos, so we chose not to return again until March 2025.
Fast forward to March 2025. When we walked in, we informed the hostess that there were two of us for dinner and we did not have a reservation. After doing a quick lap, she informed us that there was a table available, but it was being set and she would seat us shortly. After 15 minutes of standing in front of the hostess stand with no communication, the hostess asked if my name was Elizabeth (no).
After a few more minutes, we were finally sat, but it took us another 10-15 minutes for someone to come over. In fact, I had to flag someone for water because I was starting to cough from talking so loudly over other guests. Upon receiving water, we ordered drinks (still not from our server). Finally, we met our server when he brought us our margaritas, but unfortunately, mine arrived with a hair in it. I asked for another one. Later, when we received the bill (covered below), I saw that my drink was not "comped", and a manager never visited to apologize. Now that I think about it...our server never apologized either. He just said he would get me a new one. As someone that previously worked in hospitality, a hair is grounds for a free drink or manager visit. I don't need both, but one, or at least an acknowledgment, would have been nice.
We ordered appetizers - nachos - which arrived quickly, but bland. Our entrees (Baja Bowl & Steak Tacos for me) were delicious, but once again, my husband struggled to flag down someone for a 2nd margarita. Thankfully, the food runner who delivered my entree offered me another drink.
Later, we received the bill. I was shocked by my charge for the "hairy margarita", but also shocked to discover my husband was charged $5 for replacing the carne asada in his bowl with falafel. Not only does this not make sense given the cost of chickpeas vs. steak, but the $5 up-charge was not indicated on the menu nor was it communicated upon ordering. On the menu, falafel was listed as a "sub" option. Meanwhile, making a margarita "spicy", for example, was clearly advertised as a $2 up-charge. When I questioned our server about the $5, he attributed the cost to Mezcali being a Manhattan restaurant. I've lived in Manhattan for 10 years and have never seen an up-charge for replacing meat with a vegetarian option (especially considering the fact that my husband does not eat meat for religious reasons).
All of that said, the ambience is fantastic. You just have to know what you're getting. Like I said, I wanted to like it. Unfortunately, I cannot.