We've been here before a few years ago and enjoyed it;
otherwise we wouldn't have come back. Things have obviously changed and not for
the better. I booked this as a post 50th Birthday celebration
and for the convenience of location next door to the cinema. I booked online
and was able to get a table timing to coincide with the end of the film. When we arrived there was along queue and people were being
told that there was 35 minute wait for a table. I had both text and email
booking confirmations. When we got to
the front of the queue and told who I assume was 'the manageress' that we had a
booking, I got that sinking feeling as the expression on her face suggested
that there was a problem. There wasn't on checking her clipboard our booking
was there. How unprofessional! Why not maintain a smile whilst checking and
then deal with a problem if there is one? Having had a snack in the cinema, we only had main course,
desert, coffee and drinks. My fajitas were all stuck together and I had no
spoon for the soured cream, guacamole and salsa. Have you ever tried
assembling a fajita with these dressings as they run through the prongs of your
fork? Our coffee arrived quite some time before our desert! My
coffee was topped with whipped cream and there was no saucer. It wasn't long before the whipped cream began
to melt and I was mopping it up from the table with the one and only paper
serviette. My sundae arrived again topped with whipped cream and again
with no saucer or plate. There was no spoon. My coffee had come with a
'sundae spoon' but as I don't like poking myself in the eye whilst drinking
(quite reasonable I think) I had put my spoon down on the wooden table top.
(Not the cleanest dining table that I've seen!) Our waiter who was
'authentically Mexican, Spanish or similar' asked You use same spoon or you
like new one? As I've had to put this one on the table, I'll have a clean
one please. It wasn't long before the whipped cream was melting on my
sundae and running onto the table in the absence of a saucer or plate. My one
and only paper serviette was unable to cope with the deluge. Please either
provide a plate or saucer or change your serviette suppliers to the ones
advertised on TV that can cope with a bath full of water! If there was one 'nice touch' our table had balloons as I'd
included then fact that it was a celebration in my booking. The other side to
this however, is that our experience confirms other reviews of this restaurant
that the staff don't care; even when they know it's a special occasion. Chiquito is overpriced for the standard of food and service.
Along with a few other fast food restaurants at Tower Park, they have a
'captive audience' and some if not all are taking advantage of the fact! This
meal cost us all but £60.00 and wasn't worth it. For the same money we
regularly get three courses of better food with equivalent drinks and coffee at
our local Prezzo, who always deliver friendly and professional service in clean
and pleasant surroundings. But they're not next door to the cinema. Fast food, fast (slapdash) service and poor value for money.
If you want a quick meal before or after a film, take your chances. Remember
to book, or you could have a lengthy wait. If you do book, prepare yourself
for that sinking feeling when the manageress gives the impression that there's
a problem before even checking your booking! read more
