I have been coming to this restaurant for over 12 years and never had a bad experience. Until today.
Today at 8:30 pm, I got in a shouting match with the young, tall, lean, attractive male manager with dramatic large eyes (I didn't get his name) over being charged $2 for "grilled chicken" (that was never ordered) that was in reality, a compensation for the Al Pastor and Shrimp tacos, that were charged at $3.00 a piece (Two Tacos $6.00). We also got a very smart attitude from the server at the beginning of the dinner.
Went here with a friend and sat down to order. We ordered drinks and then proceeded to order food. I asked the server if they sold tacos, because there were no tacos or taco prices on the menu. He sharply retorted, "What do you think?! This is a Mexican Restaurant! Of course we have tacos!"
I said, "Ok, but you don't have tacos or their prices on the menu." And he said more politely, "We have tacos, what would you like?" Everything then seem to go more smoothly.
We get the bill. (see enclosed photo)
On the bill it states that my two tacos were $6.00 total and that there was a $2.00 charge for Grilled Chicken.
I waited for the server to come back and asked him; he turned around and went and asked the Manager about the charges. The server comes back and explains to me that the extra charge ($2.00 for grilled chicken, was in fact the higher prices for Al Pastor and Shrimp). He said the manager explained that the grilled food was more than the ground beef, which is the regular price of $3.00 per taco.) He also said, that extra cost was because the steak and shrimp were grilled. (?)
I told our server, that that he should have explained from the start and the prices should be on the menu. He said, "I just work here."
My thinking here was, if you charge me per taco, you should have that actual taco on the reciept and not a fake upcharge for $2.00 grilled chicken. I also told him he should have let me know that, when he brought the bill. I asked him to voice my concern with the Manager.
When we went to leave, I asked to speak with the Manager at the counter. He stood five feet away, so I asked if he could come closer so I could show him the bill and talk more discretely. He asked why?, so I explained that I didn't want to talk about this out loud in front of a guest waiting for her company. He came a little closer as I started telling him about our visit.
As I started to explain, he raised his voice and rudely cut me off, to explain that "shrimp and steak cost more than ground beef" I got offended and said, "please don't cut me off before I have to explain to you.... " and he said, "I already knew what you were going to say!" and it devolved from there.
We got into shouting match because he started saying that "You must not eat at many Mexican restaurants, because you would know that shrimp and steak cost more and that is why you were charged more." Once this was said, I got heated and told him that I was going to call his father (I assumed the elder gentleman who used to work during that shift, when the young man started a few years ago, was his father because of the way he spoke with him.). The young man raised his voice and said, "Get The Hell Out NOW! You will not threaten me with telling my father!" and grinning the entire time as if I made a mistake.
I said, "I am not leaving until I say what I have to say, and you do not disrespect me."
At this point we both were shouting.
I then stated that the issue wasn't about the shrimp or steak, but that 1) The server never mentioned any upcharge or knew why the receipt reflected what it did. 2) I didn't order grilled chicken and most restaurants have the actual price for each type of taco printed on their receipt and menu.
He continued to tell me to "Get The Hell Out!" and I parted with an, "F-U." as I left. Not very mature of me I know, but the manager set the tone.
I don't mind paying $2.00 for anything and I don't like to argue or confront, but the Manager 1) Didn't come to the table to explain, 2)Didn't listen to my complaint first, 3) Insulted me by insinuating my lack of knowledge of Mexican restaurants and prices for food., 4) Raising his voice, smirking and disrespecting me, 5) The server giving a snarky remark about question on the menu, and 6) Not having the server explain BEFOREHAND the upcharge for certain tacos BEFORE the receipt arrives.
The restaurant is ultimately at fault for not having taco prices on the menu or accurately listed on the receipt. The manager and I got into an ugly scene over $2.00 "grilled chicken" printed and charged on my receipt.
This was totally unacceptable and never happened before. I have never had a surcharge for tacos ever from El Rodeo (N. Olmsted location), snarky comments or a problem that wasn't politely solved. read more