I love tacos but I did not want an 'ordinary' taco guy, I wanted something a little bit more special for my daughter's 5th and dad's 60th joint birthday party. So to ensure the quality of food my guests would eat I requested a tasting which Mike agreed to prepare in my home for a fee. The food he served was great, the meat(s) were moist and well seasoned. He even showed up wearing a chef coat. He was professional and courteous and quickly won me over. I agreed to pay a base price of $10/pp for a total of 60 people and I paid extra to add quesadillas, a nacho bar and for delivery, set up and service. Mike requested a 50% cash deposit which I paid the day of the tasting.
The day of my event I received a call from Mike and I was told his wife was going into labor and he was literally pulling into the hospital...? Mike will not be able to cater my event, he is sending Rick.
First, Rick shows up, alone, with no help. He takes longer than expected to set up. Dinner service should have started at 4pm, it starts at 4:45pm. My invoice included a $125 delivery, set up and service fee.
Second, I ordered 3 types of meat for the taco bar: carne asada, pollo asada and carintas. The chicken was not white, it looked dark. The 'other' meats looked grey. I honestly could not differentiate between chicken or carne asada or carintas; they all looked the same. The meat Rick served was NOT the meat Mike served the day of the tasting. I ordered 3 types of salsa: mango, chile verde, and red traditional. The mango salsa was missing.
Third, quesadillas. I ate one but did not see guests eat any. I paid $50 extra for my guests to eat quesadillas but Rick did not offer or inform my guests that quesadillas were an option. At least not that I am aware of. Quite frankly I don't think he offered because he could not keep up with the line of people standing in front of the grill ordering tacos since he was the only person setting up, manning the grill, plating and cleaning up.
Fourth, nachos. I paid an $100 extra for a nacho bar. I wish I would have taken a picture of the condiments and set up, simple black bowls with chopped onion, tomatoes. Rick had no time to replenish. The chips were set up at the end of the table. For those guests who I did get a chance to inform that nachos were available, they were unaware they could request chicken or meat be added...Rick was too busy just trying to keep up with the tacos.
In hindsight I thoroughly regret not having gotten a 'regular' taco guy. At least 'he' would have brought an assistant and I would have paid 1/2 of what I paid Mike/Rick.
Very disappointed. read more
