I waited awhile to post this review as I reached out to the restaurant directly and have yet to…read morehear a response so I am posting my email here since the experience was one of the worst I've had. We went to dinner here May 30th.
Dear Iguana Roja Owner,
My Mom, Dad, and I came into your restaurant this past Saturday around 7:00 PM. My parents have been loyal patrons of your restaurant for the past six years and have always enjoyed the food, the service, and the warm atmosphere. That history is what made our experience that evening so surprising and disappointing.
When we arrived, there were only two other tables occupied (each with two guests), and my parents immediately mentioned how unusual it was to see the restaurant so empty. Despite the light crowd, our margaritas, beer, chips, salsa, and guacamole took a long time to arrive. We were already a bit puzzled, but we stayed patient.
However, after placing our food order, we waited approximately 50 minutes for our meals--which was baffling, considering how few people were in the restaurant. My dad eventually got up to check in, only to find all the staff gathered in the back, laughing and socializing. When he asked the male server about our food, we were told "the cook is working on it." More time passed, and when my dad checked again, the staff was still congregated in the back.
When the food finally arrived, it was incorrect. My dad specifically requested no mushrooms--twice--and his fajitas still came with mushrooms. I asked for no sour cream or cheese, yet my rice and beans had both. At that point, we voiced our concerns and asked why it had taken so long, especially with such a quiet dining room. We had finally received our food at about 8:15.
Rather than addressing our concerns calmly, the male server became defensive. Eventually, three staff members were at our table, each placing blame on someone or something else. It honestly felt surreal--like something out of a movie. Staff were openly complaining about working double shifts, and even the cook came out to say she hadn't gotten any sleep the night before and that she also worked a double shift. While we empathize with tough shifts, this is not something guests should be pulled into.
The team did apologize, and they comped our entire bill, which we appreciated. But the apologies were laced with excuses and finger-pointing, and the whole experience felt far removed from the kind of service and atmosphere my parents had always loved here.
I chose to write directly to you, not post on Yelp, because I believe you care and have an opportunity to get things back on track. My parents mentioned that the restaurant always felt different when you (owner) was there--welcoming, bustling, and well-managed. We truly hope it can return to that.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We wish you the best and hope our feedback helps spark some positive change.
