"I made a reservation for 7:30 PM on Saturday, August 15, and received a confirmation call later that day. My date and I arrived promptly at 7:30 PM and were greeted by a staff member who asked if we had a reservation. I confirmed, saying it was for Mike, and he pointed to a table behind us, indicating we could sit there. There was only one other table occupied by a party of six.
We noticed the waitress serving their meals but then going back inside without acknowledging us or informing us when she would be with us. The person who seated us did not bring menus or water either. After half an hour of just chatting with my date, she went inside to ask for menus. The staff member claimed we couldn't have been waiting that long, which my date promptly corrected him on.
Finally, we received menus from a waitress who asked how we were. I responded, "HUNGRY." At that point, I considered leaving, but with the challenges of securing a table during the pandemic, it didn't seem worthwhile. Ironically, no one else was in the restaurant that night aside from one other couple, while the restaurant down the street was bustling with customers. It seems that their staff knows how to communicate and serve better.
I don’t want to be too harsh, especially considering how many restaurants faced hardships during closures. As someone who works in the food industry, I try to remain objective. The ambiance and music from Brookline Blvd while we waited were enjoyable.
We ordered four tacos—two chicken and two short rib for myself, while my date ordered two chicken tacos. The waitress was accommodating with my date's request for corn tortillas due to her Celiac condition and asked if she could fire the order immediately. We agreed, and the food came out quickly. While the flavors were good, both the chicken and short rib tacos were served cold.
When the waitress asked if we wanted small plates, I accepted, along with a request for silverware and napkins. It felt like the food had been sitting ready to be served, much like at Chipotle. At that point, I had reached my limit. We finished, paid the bill, and left, feeling quite disappointed.
I had heard wonderful things about this restaurant and expected a great experience, especially given the favorable reviews and awards for their tacos. While they did taste great, I regret having to write such a negative review during these challenging times. However, this is a business, and if my business were failing, I would want feedback. With my experience, it's perhaps clear why they weren't busy on a Saturday night."
