Rachel K.
Yelp
Serranos used to be a much loved institution, not only by tourists passing through, but by locals and Montanan's in counties nearby who would make the hour or two trek during the summer to eat at what was once an amazing establishment and about the only good eatery in the surrounding area. After this once beloved restaurant changed hands a few years back, so did the service, quality, and attitude. Not in a positive way unfortunately.
Back in the day we would happily wait on the front patio with an excellent margarita or two that wouldn't break the bank. Chatting it up with those from near and far away while the smell of garlic, onion and chili pepper wafted through was a summer rite for those of us on our way to or from GNP, the Flathead Valley, or just as the final destination. Serranos was always busy with a wait time sometimes exceeding an hour or longer.
When our names on the list were called we would slide into a cozy booth, and moments later would come a basket of homemade fresh warm tortilla chips and some amazing salsa. That is no more. Now you pay if you want chips and salsa, which in my own opinion is a terrible business move. Also, who does that? I've never been to a Mexican restaurant that doesn't serve some free chips and salsa. I am not a penny pincher by any means, but I will never pay for a basket of microwaved pre bought tortilla chips and awful salsa again.
This may sound like I'm nitpicking, but, that being the very first negative interaction leaves a sour taste in my mouth, and unfortunately the problems don't end there.
Drinks. What was once an affordable cerveza or margarita has become priced gouged items as well. 1 single margarita costing around ten+ dollars in a small rocks glass is not feasible for some, so the only other option is to get a pitcher of margaritas, which is cheaper than by the glass, but is also going to ring out as a big chunk of the bill. It feels like you're getting conned.
There were amazing dishes like the seafood enchiladas, or the Rojo Diablo stew which you knew had been made with love and hard work, and nothing but the freshest ingredients. The previous owners always procured fresh ingredients and made everything to order. No artificially dyed yellow cheese or processed food items that would sit under a heat lamp until ready to serve. Many weekends there would be a special with fresh red snapper, halibut, or something else amazing- always fresh and always worth the money. The seafood enchiladas were to die for with hearty pieces of shrimp, scallops and real crab meat. It doesn't taste fresh anymore, the serving sizes have been reduced, and the cost has almost doubled. They did away with the ala cart menu, so no more adding a side tamale either. Lame
If the owners happen to read this, I would wish for them to heed just this small advice below.
1. Don't try to fix what isn't broken.
2. Don't bite the hand that feeds you- aka if you aren't treating your loyal and local repeat customer base well, you're better off shuttering the whole place. They have been there for you through tumultuous times, through the thick and the thin, and will continue to do so if you treat them right instead of price gouging them as if they're one visit tourists who will never be back.
3. You could be making a large profit hand over fist if you'd have left things the way they were instead of trying to be greedy.
Sincerely,
A life long Serranos fan who will probably not ever be back.
