Disappointing Experience - Unethical Billing Practices
The main reason I'm writing this review is to warn others who might be considering visiting this restaurant.
I went this past Saturday with a friend visiting from Colombia who was craving food from his home country. I originally had another restaurant in mind, but he insisted on trying this one. I wasn't familiar with it before our visit.
The place was noticeably empty -- only two other families were dining in. My friend ordered a Colombian drink called Refajo, which was new to me. It's essentially a mix of beer and soda -- nothing particularly special.
For our meal, we both ordered the Bandeja Colombiana. The food was just okay, with no standout flavors or anything that impressed either of us.
However, the real issue came when it was time to pay.
The server brought over a portable credit card machine but did not present an itemized bill beforehand. She simply asked for my card and charged it without explaining anything. That immediately raised a red flag.
Out of curiosity, I asked if the tip had been included. She replied "yes" -- a 15% tip had already been added without any notice or consent. I was surprised and asked why she had done that without giving me the option to choose the tip amount. Her response was defensive and dismissive, offering to "give the tip back in cash" if I had an issue. But for me, it's not about the money -- it's about transparency and principle.
I requested the itemized bill, and another staff member brought it to me -- but it was already closed. Interestingly, on this finalized receipt, it said "15% tip suggested" -- yet the charge had already been processed with that amount included. So essentially, they forced the tip onto the bill without any discussion or option.
This kind of dishonest practice reflects very poorly on the integrity of the establishment. It might not be the server's individual fault, but it absolutely should be communicated to customers before charging.
If this happened to me, I can only imagine how many others have been unknowingly overcharged in the same way.
To anyone considering dining here, think twice. There are many other Colombian restaurants that offer both better food and respectful, transparent service. read more