Drinks were okay. Service was very poor and rushed. Did not enjoy the food at all and it was pricey.

Wonderful food and ambiance. The waiters were really friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. We had the duck mole and carnitas, and both were excellent both in presentation, flavors, and textures. My one recommendation: order the extra tortillas when you place your order because it might take a while to come out. Ana was our waitress and she's great at her job. This place is always a lovely experience. read more

The spicy carrots were delicious. The vegetarian blue corn quesadilla dried out quickly. The volume of noise and the amount of people jammed together made it impossible to enjoy conversing w our friends. I would not return given how many patrons are jammed together. The food is delicious but it felt like a factory setting read more

Overall, a good Mexican food spot for a nicer ambiance and more unique dishes. My friend found this place in the SF Chronicle. This reminded me a bit of dining at a restaurant in Mexico as opposed to eating the local street food. We got seated inside and as a heads up, they ask if you want chips and guac (which we said yes). It wasn't complimentary but rather $8. We ordered the smoked trout tostadas, pozole, pork carnitas, grilled swordfish, and carne asada. All were quite good, especially the pozole and pork carnitas. What surprised us the most was the black beans in some of the dishes that soaked up so much flavor. I'm usually not the biggest black beans fan, but in these dishes, I enjoyed them. Everything was quite flavorful and not dry at all. We had the cardamom cake and pot de creme for dessert which was good. Nothing too crazy but good portions. Service was ok overall, nothing spectacular. Was nice to try this spot and it was busy on a Saturday evening. read more

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Note: This review is for take out. I did not visit or see the restaurant in person. Pozole - size: small; I would say this is good to share with 2 people if there were more dishes that were being shared amongst each other. It came with two tortillas and a small container of finely sliced radishes, guacamole, one lime wedge, and other garnishes like diced onions and tomatoes. I would say the flavor was in the garnishes with the soup. I love hominy and the pozole contained a lot of it along with decent-sized pieces of meat and cartilage. Charred Beets - I believe there were 6 pieces (3 beets, halved) laid along a bed of the green chile, whipped pumpkin and sesame seed butter. I was unsure about this one from the menu as I wasn't sure if I was going to like the type of sauce it came with, but to my surprise it was pretty good! The beets had a great texture and were charred on the rounded side. Could easily share this dish with more people if you're only willing to have 1 half or maybe 1 whole beet per person. The flavor on this might surprise you! All in all, I would try making my way to dine-in someday and to try other items off their menu. read more

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Arrived to no host so another worker had to assist and kept looking around for the hostess. We made a reservation a month prior, the table wasn't ready, but we managed to get seated at a table with other diners. The woman who brought water was very welcoming. The prices on the menu are $5-10 more than the menu on their website. It's a nice dining room, but very loud and the piped-in music makes it worse: I couldn't hear what my date was saying across the table. We started with the smoked trout tostadas. This is kind of ceviche style, and they were delicious. These are "street taco" sized tostadas by the way. The portion was OK but for $20 it could've been a bit more substantial. The duck mole: the duck was nicely unctuous and cooked amazingly, but very salty. The mole had the consistency and taste of hummus. Needless to say it was thick, gloopy and tasted only of cumin. The little salad on the plate was plastered in it. The grilled swordfish Valencia style was just an overly sour salsa verde with a couple chopped green olives with the fish sitting in the watery liquid. The salsa had a kick, but tasted mostly of lime, it was also cold. The swordfish however was grilled perfectly and the portion was great--for $35 I'm glad it was. Beans and rice seemed an overly salty afterthought, and if you don't want beans, too bad, it's served in the same bowl as the rice. The service was almost non-existent--no one checked in on us or asked how things were; there seemed to be only one person taking orders in the dining room and three-four people running around. Our appetizer plates sat in front of us for 15 mins, so when the entrees arrived the runner had a hard time clearing the table and simultaneously putting down the entrees. We didn't see our server again until the end when she gave us the check. Suddenly the charm came on when the tip came up. I appreciate what they're doing, but for that price point there are far better options. read more

We ordered: - Spicy Carrots - Summer Corn Tamales - Blue Corn Quesadillas - Pork Carnitas - Roasted Chicken Mojo De Ajo - Chocolate Pot De Crème Experience (5/5 stars): *Food: items we'd recommend getting would be the spicy carrots & roasted chicken. We ended using the sauce from the spicy carrots as a dip for everything. The roasted chicken was juicy and flavorful *Price: ~$28 entrees *Service: good, friendly *Ambiance: cozy Overall, I'd come back here! (: read more

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This place was so incredible. I love the decor outdoors. We were seated by the giant palm tree and yellow umbrella. I almost felt like I was on vacation. Food was tasty. The drinks were strong. The hostess was gracious enough to accommodate us without a reservation, can't wait to come back. The chips and salsa were mid but we're gonna over look that. read more

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I was visiting Oakland and some friends brought me here for my last dinner- mentioning it was the hot new thing for locals. PSA the way seating works is that all with reservations are let in at 5 but you can nab a table if you get there early- they'll just have you wait to the side. For food we got drinks and split the fish tacos and a national dish with yogurt sauce and pomegranate. For a NA drink, I really enjoyed the fermented soda which was a healthy size, interesting texture, and not too sweet. The fish tacos we all agreed were Great even as an entree... for one each. The fish- fucking HUGE. While I didn't get a desert I got coffee and thought they'd bring out espresso but instead got a full set up with mini glass pot for myself. It was very cute and perfect on a cold night. The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the pomegranate dish- for a stuffed pepper dish with meat I would have preferred it hotter. read more

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My bf and I just finished a hike nearby and randomly picked this restaurant after. We had no idea it was so popular and we luckily got there right before opening and lined up. We got super lucky and didn't wait long for a walk in table. The food was phenomenal, I'm salivating just writing this review, I definitely want to go back. The two dishes that surprised me the most were the spicy carrots and the duck carnitas. They were so flavorful and all the ingredients complimented each other. They were both unique dishes that I've never had before and I would 100% order again. All the other dishes were amazing as well, the blue corn quesadilla was simple yet delicious. Overall ambiance was wonderful, loved the outdoor patio so my dog can have dinner with us. I brought his kibble and they offered us a water bowl. read more

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F*****g delicious ! You gotta try it (get the ribeye it's *chefs kiss*. This place is BUSYYY so make sure to get a reservation beforehand.

This was a great find to have a girls' night out! Drinks were amazing and the food/service was superb! Everything on the menu is good. My favorites were the spicy carrots, the smoked trout and the chicken (I could have eaten the whole chicken! Street Parking might be tough so plan accordingly! read more

Bombera - Spicy carrots - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Both service & food are EXCELLENT. Had their fish taco. Delicious. Their carrot appetizers are out of this world as are their signature cocktails. read more

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I had a beautiful experience at Bombera last night! The restaurant is charming and the staff was so friendly and inviting! I love that the portions here are generous! The food of course is so good! I highly recommend trying the mole's and whole chicken read more

Bombera - Whole chicken - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Bombera's spicing is life-giving. So generous. So full of flavor. I will order mole every time I come here. I appreciated the welcoming eye-contact from the Chef when we walked in. Maíz is honored here. As soon as we tasted the tortilla chips we knew we were in for something special: a reverence of corn that translates to the tastebuds. My sweetie said they were the best chips he's ever eaten in his life. The carrots are a must-order. The mole that came with the tamales was divine. The spice levels and spice combinations are potent, balanced, and delicious. There's a range of tenderness, like in the fluffy black beans and surprising charred beets, and an integrated power, like in the dynamic vegan mole, that's an absolute pleasure to taste. We dined at Bombera last night and just made a reservation for Wednesday! We both agreed at the end of our meal that we'd return within the week because we both loved it so much. When you have this many females in positions of power at a restaurant it's going to translate to above-and-beyond excellence. This is what we experienced. The chefs and staff deserve all the praise. I love Oakland and I love this place. read more

Bombera - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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One star. We came to Bombera to celebrate my mom's birthday, hoping for a special night out, but the service completely ruined the experience. We were served by a staff member with facial piercings (nose rings and a large lip piercing) who was rude and dismissive from the moment we sat down, and it didn't get better as the meal went on. Celebrating a birthday should feel special, but instead we were met with curt, unpleasant service and zero warmth or hospitality. Given how important good service is to a dining experience, this alone is enough for me to hesitate before coming back or recommending it to others. read more

Bombera is the bomb digity! Great food, atmosphere and drinks. Would definitely recommend calling ahead and making a reservation. Both times I've been to the restaurant for dinner it was very crowded. There is both indoor & outdoor seating. For starters, the trout tostada is a wonderful appetizer paired w/ their array of cocktails or a simple tequila shot & beer. As you move into entrees, I must say the chicken is easily the fan favorite. Along w/ the option of a whole or half chicken, it comes w/ rice, beans and tortillas. Although be ware, both time I ate here by 6pm, they had already ran out of the dish. I would also recommend the duck that is cooked perfectly (falling off the bone w/plenty of moisture) w/ black beans, rice and homemade tortillas. While the wing dishes (duck and chicken) were clearly my favorites, you also can't go wrong w/ the carne asada nor their homemade blue corn Quesadilla. The amazing atmosphere offers a perfect place for a date night or a get together w/ family and friends. read more

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I've been meaning to try Bombera for awhile, so I was excited to finally get the chance to check them out. I ended up getting the fish tacos, duck, and mango gem salad and splitting it all with a friend. First off, the mango salad was excellent, very citrus forward and flavorful. It's pretty much the same recipe the chef used during their Cosecha days. The fish tacos were huge and fried well. The duck dish was also super tasty, although I wish the portion was a bit larger since most items here are meant to be shared family style. I thought the general vibe was quite nice. Definitely a packed and chatty atmosphere with lots of outdoor seating. They even had blankets in case customers seated outside were cold. I would say that Bombera offers some tasty food options and great atmosphere. I do wish some of the portions were slightly larger given the price point, but that doesn't detract from the food quality itself. I'll be coming back to try more dishes! read more

Bombera - Duck Leg with rice and beans. - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

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After hearing all the praise and positive reviews about this place for quite some time, my expectations were high. Sat outside and the vibe and visuals were sweet and comfortable - really the best part about this place for me. While waiting for my friend to arrive, I was asked twice in the span of about five minutes by two different folks - "chips and guacamole?" Politely declined. Was asked a third time by our server a short time later when my friend arrived. Gave me the impression they're told to upsell the guac/chips?? Odd. I had asked the server for a tequila recommendation, and what I got was very good, but at $25 for a small shot glass of it, it should be. I can't eat garlic and asked the server what could be made without it. Basically nothing but the fish tacos and a couple of the salads. That's not their fault that I can't eat garlic, but, honestly, good Mexican food does not typically rely this heavily on garlic in every dish, so... disappointing. I got the shishito pepper salad which was good. Tasty, unusual, nicely plated. However, as another reviewer pointed out - the fish tacos were close to inedible. Absurdly large piece of deep fried thickly encrusted fish that dwarfed everything on the plate. The cod and thick crust had little to no flavor, left a pool of grease on the tiny tortillas it sat on (literally) - the cabbage was soaked in the grease - really disappointing. My friend got the carnitas which was good, but I've tasted as good elsewhere. Golondrinas' carnitas rivals or beats this for a quarter the price. The service was fine, pleasant enough but sort of robotic, nothing memorable. All in all, at $115 bucks for two people not including tip - I will definitely not be back. Really expected better from all I had heard. read more

tldr; excellent experience, get the spicy carrots! This was my first time eating there, and it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The restaurant is in an old firehouse, which adds to its charm, and Chef Dominica Rice-Cisneros is doing something really special with the food. She takes traditional Mexican ingredients and flavors and combines them with fresh, high-quality California produce, meats, and spices. It reminded me of some of the most exciting restaurants in Mexico City--places that respect tradition but aren't afraid to get creative. We started with the spicy carrots and queso fundido. Both were great, but the carrots were amazing. The almond chili salsa on top made them one of the best things I've ever eaten. For mains, we had the carne asada huarache and fish tacos. The tacos were excellent, but the huarache completely blew me away. The steak was incredibly tender--no knife needed--and as good as anything I've had at a top steakhouse. Even though we were full, we went for dessert and were glad we did. The cardamom cake and chocolate pot de crème were the perfect way to end the meal--rich but not overwhelming. Service was friendly and attentive. If you go, try to sit outside--it's heated and way quieter than the inside, which can get loud because of the firehouse acoustics. Parking was easy on the street. Bombera is one of the best restaurants in Oakland right now and I'll be going back. read more

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Everything, I mean everything, was perfection. Food, drinks, service, atmosphere. It's my go to happy place.

One of the best spots in the Bay Area for elevated Mexican. The environment is lively, and can flex for a fun night out with friends or cozy date spot. The food is simple and well made. Favorites are definitely the yam quesadilla, fish taco, and spiced carrots. If you can't make a reservation, it's worth the short wait. Never had a bad night there read more

Bombera - Spiced carrots - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

While it took us a while to get going with drinks...the food and ambiance here are top notch. The carrots with chili crunch oil and almonds and beans is a real standout. The carnitas and chicken had a delicacy to the preparation, married with very bold flavors and textures, elevating the simple and ubiquitous into something memorable . Execution is very good, the drinks are good, the service is warm if a bit slammed at peak hour. The ambiance is homey but sophisticated - we had a table on the patio with heaters and stayed well past the end of our meal with drinks and conversations. Bombera is an Oakland standout and worth going out of your way for. read more

Bombera - The patio and lots of food - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Unique and fascinating Michelin related upscale Oakland Mexican food place is without a par really ;one of the best restaurants in the East Bay and open on Monday, for example but the leading lady has done a great job from Cosecha to Bombera- it's been a pleasure to sample your cuisine read more

Parking is really ass here I've seen a lot of break in so park safely guys other than that this place is so cute for photos food was good no regrets read more

We had a reservation so we're very promptly seated, the atmosphere of this place was really nice and warm! A lot of people inside Toasted beet was just the one beetroot sliced down the middle but I actually hate beetroot and went along with it because I'm weak in a group setting if everyone else wants it. However this tasted great! Spicy carrots was recommended to us by our server. It was simply carrot with chilli sauce so nothing to write home about.. also it was not spicy in the slightest Carnitas came with a bunch of beans and black tortillas. The meat itself was pretty dry and again nothing special For some reason when I saw swordfish on the menu I expected the whole swordfish snout to come out and myself become overwhelmed with excitement. So to see the slab of fish (which was also dry, nonetheless, despite the sauce) was an L Fish Tacos were gigantic. Imposing. Thick, solid, tight. Like the taco shell was spiderman(tobey) and the fish taco was the train. However it also tasted like a train, too much batter for the fish and tasted more oil than desired. Overall a lovely place to sit and vibe in, I wish I tried their giant cookie which was indeed giant, however, the food was subpar for the price and effort to come out here. Maybe you can stop by and try some other dishes read more

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No, this place was not as good as I had hoped. For starters the online menu did not match what the menu actually was the evening that we visited. I wanted Chicken Pozole but the menu there and verified with our waiter was chicken and pork. Since I don't eat pork, I had to pick something else. The salsa and chips were ok however the chips were a bit on the greasy side. The fish tacos were just ok, flavor wise however, the fish was fried in a puffy batter which made the fish too big for the tortillas. The corn tamales were very spicy. Again, the online menu indicated that the tamales were supposed to be chicken not corn. Even the green side that came with the tamale was too spicy. The ambiance was great and our server was ok but could have been more attentive. read more

It pains me to write this... The food 10 out of 10. The service is zero? From trying to book a reservation to being greeted to being sad at the wrong table to delayed service to order a drink to menus being plopped down on the table to the waitress messing up our order, unapologetically and refusing to take it back or take my re-order and then perceived to charge me for it along with dropping off a to go Box in the Middle trying to negotiate my actual order... Simply it was wild and weird and we stayed cool and calm and peaceful and chill but got no love back again the food 10 out of 10 the service is zero I could go into more detail and talk about how they started breaking down all the tables on valentines while several couples were still eating and turned the vibrant outdoor seating into a mausoleum, but I think I've made my point. Our new dilemma is do we go back for that 10 out of 10 food?! What a bummer thanks for valentines! read more

Bombera - 0 for service....10 for food. - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Excellent high quality food. The service was friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu. This is a great place for a solo date or celebration dinner. read more

Really fantastic restaurant adjacent to a quiet residential neighborhood. We had the mango salad -- outstanding -- and the whole roast chicken, which comes with delicious aromatic black beans and rice. We will be back to eat them again and to try other dishes on the menu. Service was great, the staff a varied group representative of Oakland's multicultural vibe. The place is quite noisy, but it was packed so this is expected. read more

I never knew about this little gem. We were a group of 7 and did not have reservations. But luckily they were able to accommodate us. Cute spacious restaurant with amazing food and atmosphere. This place was busy but the food comes out fast and hot. We were also given complimentary taquitos from the chef. They were delicious. We would definitely return! So many other items on the menu to try. And will make reservations next time. read more

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The vibe, food and service were very impressive! I went on a weekday, but it was still super lively and the vibe of the restaurant was so fun. Whether you're going with friends, family or out for a date night, it's the spot! I ordered many items at the menu, but the two I recommend would be the pork tamales, duck mole verde and cardamom cake. I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of duck, but I decided to take a risk and I'm so glad I did, it made me a smoked duck lover! One of my favorite parts about trying new restaurants is taking risks and trying new things... It doesn't always go well, but when it does, you don't regret it! Also, thank you to our waitress who was super joyful and very kind to us during our time dining. I would definitely go back again to get more duck and try the Horchata! read more

Went on a Friday for a date night after seeing this place on "Check, Please!". Overall, really good food and vibe, but the service was not it (more on that below). There were also a few touches that I thought could have been better. Spicy carrots were excellent and a standout for me. I love my salsas spicy, and the carrots were slathered in a very spicy, nutty salsa. The masa in the tamales was literally perfect. They were a starter plate, but I could easily have had that as an entree. We ordered the rotisserie chicken, larger plate meant to be shared, which came with beans, rice, and veggies. The chicken was so juicy and all the little fixings were great additions. Service-wise... We waited at the host stand for a few minutes because there was nobody there. When the host arrived, she said our table wasn't ready (we made reservations). We had to practically flag down a server each time we wanted to order something. I physically had to get up from the table by the end of the meal just to ask for a check, because nobody was around. When we did have our food, not once did someone stop by to ask how everything was. Would definitely like to go back another day, but I do hope the service improves because it was a big let down. read more

Beautiful space, beautiful energy, delicious food, perfect rainy night in Oakland and at Bombera. It was our first time visiting and enjoyed the food so much. Service was amazing! Drinks were tasty, horchata was flavorful, food was delicious! Such a beautiful gem, wishing this business/community space a wealth of kind visitors and longevity to more years to come. Thank you for a memorable night. read more

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What a surprise! I enjoyed the chips and salsa, agua fresca, taquitos, tamales, and churros. I'd def return! read more

I've been meaning to try this recent recipient of the Michelin Bib Gourmand award. I've been following owner and chief Dominica Rice-Cisneros since she was at Cosecha café at the century-old Swan's Market in downtown Oakland. What a unique experience. The space is open and bright with beautiful colors and personal touches and accents. The Redwood Heights area in Oakland is one of my favorite neighborhoods. The staff is welcoming and professional. Chief Dominica waved and said hello to me from behind the open kitchen when I walked in. My meal began with Chips, Salsa & Guacamole and a Sandia Margarita made with Watermelon puree. Dinner included a DUCK CARNITAS MOLE VERDE ( Sonoma Liberty Duck leg confit, mole verde, rice, Oaxaca black beans & tortillas.) Everything was perfect. I finished up with CHOCOLATE POT DE CRÈME (Mexican Chocolate, toasted pecan, whipped cream, chocolate butter cookie.) It's about wants after all. One of the most enjoyable culinary experiences I've had in a long time. Prices are reasonable. Reservations are needed and wait time for reservations are getting longer as word gets out. But if you are solo you can get a place at the bar without much of a wait. Matt says I'll be back. read more

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I want to love Bombera so much but why is the service always so consistently bad? I really debated this review because I don't think any of the bad service is malicious at all, and so I want to be generous. I held off on this review for years because I thought maybe it was just a few off days, but it keeps happening. First time here about 3 years ago, it took over an hour for our entrees to arrive. We had to flag down a waiter several times to even get any attention or ask about our food. And mind you, we hadn't ordered appetizers so we literally had no food besides chips for an hour. But the food was GREAT, and it's a wonderful spot on the neighborhood, just let it go. But since then it doesn't seem like the service has gotten any better. Wait time for food is consistently high, and very difficult to get anyone to even check on you. We just went recently for an anniversary dinner, and there was no one even at the host stand. We had to wait ages for our food, and when we wanted a check, we couldn't even find our server for 20 minutes, despite literally standing up at our table and looking around. The place is so popular and bustling (which is good!) that it seems very hard to get any attention. Now I still think the food is excellent. I guess this review is just to say, this is not a place I'd go if I wanted decent service. I actually don't even care about super attentive service as long as my time isn't wasted. Drop the check off before you disappear at least! I'm even happy to get up and grab my own take out boxes, I don't mind if service is more casual or DIY but don't hold us hostage waiting and waiting for simple things. Don't you want to turn over the table and get a new seating in there? Why are we sitting waiting to leave and unable to because we can't find anyone to pay our bill? In this last instance we even gave our card over as SOON as we finally got our check, and then our server disappeared without collecting it. Don't hold your patrons hostage please. Definitely not a place to go unless you want to be waiting a fair bit. read more

5 Stars - A Must-Try Dish at Bombera! I had the Carne Asada Huarache Supreme at Bombera in Oakland, and it was absolutely incredible! The grilled filet mignon was perfectly cooked--tender, juicy, and full of smoky flavor. The crispy Oaxacan cheese added a deliciously rich and slightly salty crunch, balancing beautifully with the creamy guacamole and bold salsa roja. The Oaxacan black beans provided a deep, earthy element, and the heirloom blue corn tortilla tied everything together with its fresh, slightly nutty flavor. Every bite was layered with texture and authentic Mexican flavors. If you're looking for a dish that truly stands out, this is it. Highly recommend! read more

Bombera - Carne Asada Huarache Supreme - Mexican Near Me - Oakland, California

Delicious, fresh and cozy! The atmosphere on the patio was absolutely lovely. Lots of heaters to ward off the fall chill. We ordered: Carrots: very mildly spicy but notably smoky and warm. A great shareable treat. The sauce is the highlight and made the navy beans and carrots richer and heartier. It reminded me a lot of my fav brand of chile crisp. Michelada: SUV-sized refreshing bubbly treat with a straw coated in addicting candy-like sweet and salty chamoy. Trout tacos: 2 per order atop a bed of lightly dressed mesclun and translucent radish. So delicious, light yet filling- 2 was the perfect amount per person in addition to drinks and the app. Additional tacos avail on request. Will definitely be back when in town. read more

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I don't see the hype... Ambience was hip with subtle Mexican decor. First waitress offered to start us with chips and salsa like they were included (usually the case in more authentic Mexican spots) but we asked and were told that they are NOT free ... I did not appreciate the trickery Spicy carrots were well cooked but the dish served about 6 small carrots on a bed of black beans. Was hoping for more carrots. Chili almonds was a nice touch 2/5 Fish tacos the fish was too large and tempora battered. The corn tortilla was old and brittle and broke easily. Crema salsa was pretty good 2.5/5 read more