The food is meh--they have THE BEST queso though--and their bar drinks are tasty with generous…read moretequila. Ambiance is great.
Service, however, has been very inconsistent. We've had some good-ish and even a few really good experiences, but when it's bad, it's REALLY bad. On our first visit after they opened, the menus were filthy. I was handed one with food on it, asked for another--same issue--and a third--also dirty. I got up and left. After waiting a few months, we returned and became regular-ish customers, even recommending the place, though it was never our favorite.
I'm writing this after the worst service we've experienced--twice in 8-9 days. Our waiter (name tag "Irving") didn't listen. We both had to repeat drink orders. We each asked for "no rim," he repeated "no rim," then asked if we wanted salt or sugar on the rim. Again, we said "no rim."
I asked if the jalapeños were "very fresh"--meaning spicy. He became oddly hostile, repeating "it's fresh, it's fresh!" so aggressively I couldn't even request it be strained. I said never mind and asked for water; my husband did the same. The waiter stared and said, "So you just want WATER?" We said yes. He walked off.
We waited while others were served. No water, no order taken. We flagged someone (not actually a waitress, as we later learned) and simply asked for our water, stating we hadn't been served yet. After more waiting, Irving returned, set down water, and said, "So you have a problem with my service and want to talk to the manager?" We were confused. He repeated, "You complained about my service and want to talk to the manger. You want me to get the manager?" That's not what we said--we only asked for water and noted we hadn't ordered yet.
He then argued again about the jalapeños. At that point I said, "I NOW want to see the manager--I didn't before, but now? I do!" He kept arguing and claimed, "Everything is recorded here. The conversation is recorded". He even looked up as if pointing to a device. I said, "Really? Then good! Go get the manager! I want this 'recording' replayed! I want to hear i!" I also told him arguing with customers is bad service. He stood there until I repeated, "Go get the manager! I want to hear the recording".
No manager ever came.
A waitress named Jermina stepped in, recognized us as regulars, and took over. I told her I'd tip her since she was helping us. She was great, understood the jalapeño request immediately, and provided good service. We eventually ordered drinks, ate, and asked for a to-go cup.
Later, we realized the to-go drink was missing. We returned, and they claimed they tossed it because "the ice was melting." That didn't make sense, and no refund was offered. Fine--but don't lie.
Also, the earlier person we flagged was not waitstaff and apparently told Irving we complained.
We've noticed high staff turnover. While that's common in restaurants, this place seems above average. There are a few good servers, but only maybe 3-4, and we never know when they're working.
We've had more bad than good experiences. Aside from queso and margaritas, most menu items are mediocre, and breakfast is outright bad. Orders are often wrong. One jalapeño margarita we took home was so spicy it burned my mouth and throat. A manager once offered to remake it--but only if we came back (we live 20 minutes away).
Did I mention the manager never came to our table?
My advice: don't dine in unless you're willing to risk poor service. There are better Mexican restaurants in Copperas Cove. We gave this place plenty of chances, but the service is consistently lacking--servers don't listen, and some argue with customers.
Two stars: one for queso, one for jalapeño margaritas.
UPDATE: just saw the response from the owner. We NEVER were rude, it was actually the other way around as we were being treated rudely by "Irving". Then to receive a message from him within yelp? Seriously? He's got the attitude problem. And since you're willing to back bad customer service on your "team" part, we will never eat at, or recommend, your restaurant again.
The manager never showed up, and "Irving" did indeed say the conversation was being recorded. I guess he lied to you and stated he never said that. And his responding to me privately here on yelp just goes to prove you've got a person with a major chip on his shoulder. It's all good! Good luck. I pray your business continues to do well as I would never want to wish anything negative on anyone. I do wish "Irving" would learn from this. Or maybe it's that he is a family member and that is why he feels he can behave that way and why you are backing a liar and person with a major attitude? Yup! I'm going with that! I just brought the star down to one because zero is not an option.
Thank you & God bless!
