A Few Hits, But Overall Not Quite Our Experience…read more
We recently stopped by Chulita for dinner with family. There were definitely a few things we enjoyed, but unfortunately, the overall experience didn't quite leave us wanting to come back.
When we walked in, the host asked if we had a reservation. We said no, and after a brief pause, she asked us to step out of the way because a guest in a wheelchair was trying to exit. Of course, we were happy to move and give them space. Once they were able to get through, we walked back in and were simply pointed toward a table near the entrance.
We completely understand that restaurants have to work around different circumstances and accommodate guests, but this was our first impression. A simple "Hi, welcome in!" or a little more direction when seating us would have gone a long way toward making us feel welcomed.
Our server for the beginning of the meal was actually covering for our assigned server, who was on break. He explained that he was just filling in until our original server returned, which was completely understandable. What stood out, though, was that he seemed more focused on explaining that he was only covering than on making us feel like he was happy to have us as his table. I honestly don't remember if he introduced himself because the emphasis was more on letting us know that our regular server was on break. Nothing was wrong with him covering our table, we completely understood but a little more warmth and enthusiasm would have made the interaction feel more welcoming.
I asked if I could get a Shirley Temple, but they didn't have the ingredients, so I went with a Mexican Coke instead.
Then came the food.
We ordered the esquites, and this was probably the dish where our expectations and what arrived at the table differed the most. Having grown up eating esquites in the traditional elotero style, we were expecting those familiar flavors and toppings. What we received was much more like corn with lime. I understand that restaurants put their own spin on traditional dishes, but it just wasn't what we were expecting when we ordered esquites.
I ordered the chicken tinga taco. The portion was definitely generous, but the chicken was a little dry. There was also so much chicken that it could have easily made two tacos rather than one very full taco with two tortillas.
The chips and guacamole were probably the easiest win of the night. One small traditional touch we missed was a lime wedge on the side. In our family, and in the restaurants we grew up around, serving lime alongside guacamole is a pretty standard and familiar touch. We also would have appreciated having salt at the table for those of us who like to add a little extra to our food.
Another small observation from a restaurant perspective: the white cloth napkins were perfectly clean when we received them. However, as we ate, they naturally picked up food, sauces, and whatever else ends up on a napkin during dinner, which made them visibly look quite dirty as the meal went on. This is one reason many restaurants opt for darker napkins, they tend to hold up a little better visually throughout the meal.
Our original server eventually returned from his break. At one point, he came over to refill my sister's water and stood very close behind my chair while pouring. I had to adjust myself so that we wouldn't bump into each other. Definitely a small thing, but those little moments of awareness can make table service feel more comfortable.
There were some bright spots. The ceviche was good, and the portions overall were generous. My 16yr old niece described her barbacoa tacos as simply "alright," so they weren't a standout for her, but everyone's palate is different. The churros were a bit odd of traditional Mexican churro, not quite sure how to explain this one though.
We also noticed that the table behind us seemed to have an issue with their order, and toward the end of our meal, it took quite a while to get our check.
I'm sharing all of this from a place of genuine feedback, especially because I come from a family that owns restaurants. I know how much goes into running a restaurant and how many moving parts there are behind the scenes. I also know that sometimes it's the smallest details, the greeting when someone walks through the door, the warmth of the server, a little lime with the guacamole, that can completely change how a guest remembers their experience.
For us, Chulita just didn't quite hit the mark this time. There were things we enjoyed, but when you add up the food, service, and little details, it wasn't an experience that made us want to return. Hopefully, some of this feedback is helpful because a few small changes could make a big difference in how welcomed and taken care of guests feel.
I think this version reads much more like a Yelp story than a checklist of complaints. It also lets readers understand why each detail bothered you without making you sound overly negative.