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    Tempo Cantina - Downey

    4.0 (3.5k reviews)

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    TEMPO CANTINA - DOWNEY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for kids
    Happy hour specials
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Sitting area
    Eric G.

    This place is a pretty cool vibe during lunchtime not much of a crowd but good music was efficient. I will say when it comes to the wings I would probably dismiss them because they're not worth $10 for four wings but overall a really good deal for happy hour and the margaritas two for one for $14 was definitely a hit thanks Jay the sweet bartender for the service

    Kamillah V.

    It's very fun in here the music is a bit loud but we did have a party of 11 on a Saturday night ! I've only been to the Brea location before so it was my first time coming to this one. The parking is valet only unless you find street parking or maybe the other lots nearby don't care ? Not sure but it was $8! We had reservations so we got seated immediately. Staff is really friendly and the food was good just a little expensive. The bone marrow tacos are my favorite !

    Tariq A.

    This place was recommended by a friend, and I'm so glad we came--Tempo Cantina was an experience from start to finish. The atmosphere, the energy, and the overall vibe made it such a fun and memorable dinner. I didn't remember the name of the dish at first, but based on what we ordered and how it was served, I'm pretty sure I had the bone marrow. It was absolutely delicious--rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented, served with tortillas and fresh toppings that balanced everything perfectly. Definitely one of those dishes that stands out and makes you want to come back again. We also celebrated a friend's birthday, and the staff made it extra special by bringing out ice cream with candles, which was such a thoughtful and fun touch. Little moments like that really elevate the experience. Between the food, the ambiance, and the great service, this place checks all the boxes. We loved spending our evening here and will absolutely be back. Highly recommend for a night out, celebrations, or just a great dinner.

    Carne Asada
    Jaime R.

    Not worth the drive, time, or price. Tempo Cantina serves up mediocre Mexican food at premium prices--$24 for queso fundido and $34 for a carne asada plate you can get better (and cheaper) elsewhere. I paid less for two people at Holbox the next day than I did for myself here. The vibe tries to be Baja cantina but ends up all show, no substance. Service was spotty, they couldn't handle splitting a large party, and valet is $8--seriously? You'd have a better meal (and time) at Shakey's Pizza Parlour next door or your local taco stand.

    Menu
    Danny V.

    This is a great place to come have a celebratory event, whether it's a birthday, anniversary, night out with the boys or just looking for a place with a cool vibe. Great tasty food options and service with a smile. Parking is very limited unless you valet.

    Wings
    Tracy E.

    Hey tried this place near my job! Heard it was fun & had pretty good deals for happy hour. Well hey it's a ok place. Only valet parking at $8! Not cool. Found street parking 2 blocks away with my handicap mom. That was strike 1! Ok mom likes to walk and do we did. Got there sat in the dining area with friends. Bar was pretty loud. It's only 4:30pm. So we ordered off the happy hour menu. All items each $10. Kinda pricey for happy hour so I thought until I saw the dinner menu. It's pretty pricey for Mexican food. We ordered about 5-6 different things. Hot Wings there were only 5 pieces in our order. Taquitos only 6 1/2 pieces. A scoop of guac & chips, shrimp ceviche with 2 broken up tostada shells - size of a small soup bowl. Then we ordered the 3 street tacos. Now those were amazing. Great fresh salsa Great flavor hands down. Food was ok but the size for $10 each ‍. Our server now she was great. She recommended some drinks and those did not disappoint! It was a fun evening but as for return visit. Well probably not anytime soon.

    Margarita Flight
    Alex M. ..

    Definitely a spot just for drinks and to look cool and then head home. Don't get trapped into buying food. This flight was decent and I particularly liked the Mango and Cucumber. Cheese fries came out cold after a while and the tacos were soggy. How you mess up tacos at a Mexican spot lol. Servers are nice at least.

    Chilaquiles
    Brenda R.

    We went early when they opened! The service was slow. For a Mexican restaurant you don't even get chips and salsa. We ordered chips and salsa and we're charged extra for another cup of salsa! We got the 13.00 lunch specials that rang up at 15.00?? For 2 people 2 lunch specials and a bottle of coke came to 50.00. Oh the chips. And...I didn't eat my food...was not good!! I do not recommend on the food alone. There are alot of Mexican restaurants in Downey. The place is cute but food is bad...and we eat out very often #downeynative

    Tinga Taquitos
    Mich W.

    Came here cause I was in the area and luckily it was happy hour on a Saturday until 6 pm. Parking can be difficult, but you can find some in the nearby residential or it's $8 for valet. Very loud music and dark interior, service was fast though. Food was only okay, drink was decent for the price. Probably wouldn't come back though, was very average

    Michelle V.

    The law enforcement discount has unfortunately been discontinued, according to the manager at this location. However, the hospitality was excellent. We had the pleasure of being served by Johan--he was hilarious and made our evening smooth and enjoyable.

    Taj Y.

    As my first time I wanted to strongly give 5 stars but due to our waitress forgetting about us as soon as we ordered it's hard to give a 5 star or even anything over a 1 because we literally had to call for help each and every time Mind you we didn't receive our drinks until MID entree...almost when we were done eating...and it wasn't even that busy... Food definitely authentic with great taste.. and cooked to perfection....and the ambience is hella dope but customer service SUCKS ASS !! The manager should NOT be doing it all (while pregnant) it's a TEAM guys get it right to match the awesomeness you guys have.. I'll try again soon..

    Meg D.

    Didn't have reservations but good thing we cane in early. Took out of towners in this place to experience SoCal's tacos. The food & drinks were bomb! You cannot go wrong with anything you order. Place looked really cool, we sat outside and it was cool during that day. There is valet parking in case you cannot find street parking.

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    6 months ago

    Food was really good. The drinks were really good and the environment was great and it's highly recommended it.

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    Tempo C.

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    6 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    5 months ago

    So happy to learn this place has closed... big win to the neighborhood that endured the loud noise and disruption coming from this place

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    2 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    9 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    Tempo C.

    Thank you so much for your kind review!

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    6 months ago

    Eat here a lot. Good food. Great music and vibe. Love it! Service is good. Will always come back here.

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    8 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    Tempo C.

    Thank you for your kind review! Glad you liked the cuisine.

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    1 year ago

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    Page 1 of 89

    Tempo Cantina - Downey Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Tempo Cantina - Downey

    Are there bottomless mimosas on Sunday brunch?

    Yes, they are

    Do we need reservations for a party of possibly 15?

    It would best to reserve ahead of time. They're always busy.. if you show up specially on a weekend you will most likely wait for a while. Reservations are done online .

    Are we able to split the tabs?

    Yes

    Are kids allowed?

    Hi Ezequiel, there were 3 kids under 7 at the table next to me (one was an infant). I also saw tweens/teens with parents. Safe to say kids are allowed.

    Do you have carnitas?

    I believe so

    Is there live music on weekends?

    They normally have a DJ either live or virtual on the TV screens.

    Is this just a restaurant or lounge as well?

    It's a restaurant and bar. Great drinks!

    Is there still a time limit for tables?

    Yes it is now 120 minutes on weekends

    Do they have a time limit on tables for large parties?

    Yes. Last time I was there it was for about 3 hours

    What time is happy hour? :)

    They do have Happy Hour! I believe it was from 3 to 5 and then 9 to when they close! 😊

    Do they serve brunch on Friday's?

    Just the weekend.

    How long is the wait right now?

    Are the items under your "Wanabe vegan" section actually vegan or are they vegetarian? They list cheese and normally I'd asume vegan cheese but given the title of the section I'm not quite sure.

    More like vegetarian. You are right there is no "Vegan Cheese".

    Do they have happy hour on saturdays?

    Yes 2pm-6pm, 9pm-close

    Are kids allowed?

    i saw a few kinds inside :)

    Is this the same owner and restaurant as tempo urban kitchen in brea?

    Yes it is!

    What are their happy hour hours? Does it include Saturday?

    Do u hav 2 sho vaccination card?

    We did not have to show our cards. We did however walk in with masks.

    Are you requiring proof of vaccine?

    No.

    Hi what would be the best time to go for a walk in party of 10+?

    Make reservations on Open Table during happy hour.

    View All 92 Questions

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    Toast  Downey

    Toast Downey

    3.8
    (978 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$
    Veteran-owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Came in for the first time, it wasn't packed but the appetizers did take a bit to come out. The…read morefood and drinks were good but it was a bit odd that when we received the bill the tip was not printed on and the waiter wrote it in on the bottom and 18%. I have never seen this before which I didn't really like because I didn't see anything about a gratuity percentage for parties larger than 4 or 6. We still paid the bill in full including the tip but we still left unsure of it. Update: I was contacted by the owner and after the issue with the waiter adding his own tip, I was refunded that money back. Thank you for correcting this and hopefully it does not happen to others. We will definitely come again.

    Today was great day to come in for brunch! Not packed but a few diff parties were seated…read more 1st time here! So when we walked in I was super impressed with the quality of decor and quantity of seating! **just be careful of their swinging door- swings fast & both directions -DONT STAND TOO CLOSE ** We were seated almost immediately and then assisted by Carolina who was nice , eager and knowledgeable. We got YUMMY drinks , kinda reminiscent of Aguas frescas ! I recommend the cucumber lemonade!! Then we ordered our food also pictured! The French toast I got well done and it was so yummy like a hint of vanilla or something! The omelette was yummy fresh and perfect! Thanks to the chefs !! ** they have a large bar with tvs and drink specials (I saw all the fifa specials) - they also have outside seating and I can totally see them getting packed during games ** Thank you to everybody who brought our food and welcomed us in. It was very pleasant !! I'll def be back!!

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    Spicy Cucumber Margarita
    Spicy Cucumber Margarita
    Eggs benedict and bisquits and gravy
    Eggs benedict and bisquits and gravy
    Coco Pina Margarita

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    Poached Neighborhood Kitchen

    Poached Neighborhood Kitchen

    4.0
    (2k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Kid friendly

    I came during lunch time and it was packed. The host was so sweet and handed us some menus to look…read moreover while we waited for our entire party to arrive. Once we were ready she had our table already prepared. We have to order inside first before you can be seated. Once seated our food came out not too long after. Everything looked and tasted delicious! We ordered the chilaquiles verde, short rib omelette, tropical pancakes (seasonal), and the mango curd french toast (seasonal). The chilaquiles verde was savory and tangy. It wasn't soggy at all and definitely one of my favorite dishes. The short rib omelette was savory but didn't give me any wow factor compared to the other dishes I ordered. The tropical pancakes were so pretty. I only tried a piece of it without the syrup which I think was a mistake because the kumquat syrup was my friend's favorite. I definitely need to try it again with the syrup. Best for last, mango curd French toast was my favorite! I fell in love with sweetness and tanginess of the mango curd. The French toast was soft and you can taste the butter. I wish it was a main menu item. I'll definitely be sad to see it go. They have lots of seating inside and outside.

    Dining While Black…read more Location- Great setup, half indoor & outdoor. I was curious about the level of accessibility and clearer directions on where to stand when the line passes the framing of the restaurant. But Great Downey location! Diversity score 1-5: 1.5 As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace professional, in order to garner financial success of any business is to be intentional about representation in your business. Money is green and people of all backgrounds have access to it. In an effort to reach a larger marketplace, your staffing is the first step towards reaching financial goals and attracting more business. Diversity is not just about color but it also includes accessibility for the handicapped community, Braille menus, and possibly more signage that displays the type of service a customer can expect. Please contact me for consultation services. Service/Ambiance/Environment: The service is where my issue lies. I did appreciate that as we were waiting in line to enter, we were given menus to assist in deciding what we wanted before we reached the inside. The cashiers were both super nice and even offered a taste of the Rose' slushy which was phenomenal. When ordering at the register, the sweet service was continued and we chose where to sit. It was bright and busy inside and we sat right in front of the expo station. I was truly enjoying the environment and it had me reminiscing of my brunch days in New York City. My guest and I were chatting and enjoying our Mimosa's and then my guests food arrives first. Not that it matters but in service certain things do and the female presenting person SHOULD always receive their food first. That was a surprise to me but I didn't read into as I expected my dish to arrive right behind. It did not. My guest and I continued to chat and sip until 20 mins later, as I'm watching dishes leave the expo station, did I say "where is my food?" The young server at the expo turned and rolled their eyes and then finally gave me my food. This was a buzz kill. I only went down a rabbit hole about it until I noticed I was the only Black person present. First, why would it ever been ok to not have dishes arriving to tables separately without saying "ma'am we're a little behind.." or to my guest "do you mind if we hold your dish a bit so we can make sure the food arrives together?" Being a previous server in high pace restaurants, communication, apologies, and ensuring perfect service is the goal. Poached is not a store front or even a little diner type of place. It's a casual, upbeat, bright breakfast/brunch spot. And yes, on busy days things happen but to not offer a reason, or apology, and giving the customer attitude is unacceptable. Food: The description of the food is well written. The prices are reasonable. I ordered the short rib omelette with whole grain toast and house potatoes. When I Finally received my food it looked great and I was eager to dig in. A first bite of the omelette I was sadly underwhelmed. The seasoning left much to be desired and it seamed to be more of a birria short rib flavor and I thought I chose the dish based on being excited about the combination of meat and cheese (which was barely there). I enjoyed the bread and potatoes more than the omelette. Go again score 1-5: 2 I really think this restaurant and it's operation needs some massaging, the cooks need to be trained, and a REAL chef needs to help improve the quality and taste of the food.

    Photos
    Morning scramble and breakfast burrito
    Morning scramble and breakfast burrito
    Classic waffle
    Classic waffle
    We specialize in organic, farm to fork breakfast burritos, chilaquiles, avocado toast, omelettes, eggs benedict, waffles, mimosas, & coffee.

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    Mandala Cantina

    Mandala Cantina

    4.1
    (300 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    Speaks Spanish
    Locally owned & operated

    In order to honor Cinco De Mayo, with festivities that were okay for me, I went to Mandala Cantina…read morefor Latino beats and Loteria--- otherwise known as Mexican Bingo, which kind of takes the red, white and green flavor of the game. But quick understanding the term suffices. As I entered Mandala Cantina, I knew that I had stepped inside a vibe of Latin frenzy and buck--- it was replete with a sophisticated backyard boggie energy. Or in other words, the carne asada barbecue had adopted an elegant, glamorous and modern Talum motif that hit with bright mellow lights, beige beauty all around and a good time fueled by tequila shots and cocktails. I was sat at the bar, but I was warned that my sit would be bellow the regular bar line. So I sat alone, and I could look up at everyone else sat from by de-elevated sit. I was ok, I had arrived late, I was by myself with no reservation and on a whim, so I took my corner seat and did my best to forget that I sat below everyone's eye level. The party vibe was strong and palpable all across the bar. In fact, I have been to very few bars where the move was to sit, yet, the music and crowd almost demanded that we acted like we were on a club, but sitting down. More clearly, I wanted to move and dance but since there was no space, and we were playing Mexican bingo, we were implicitly required to sit and dance. For those who did not, the party still pulsed. There was this huge Cantaro (Mexican clay cup or vase) with six straws. So like a fishbowl drink that is commong in Tiki or Island theme bars, but in a large Mexican mug. This guy was moving it around while he was filmed in a way where he showed the drink for six like Mufasa showed Simba to the residents of Pride rock. So I am basically saying that all the people in the bar and crowd found a way to honor the old school hits of Reggaton and Banda that dominated the airwaves of the spot. I could not help but beat my head back and forth when Oye Mi Canto played and the lasers of the spot moved around wildly. In short, it was an experience that can be described as lit. The experience of game play was also electric. As soon as you entered, you were asked to pick a card from a large stack. You were also required to get some frijolitos-- small beans, that did not jump. I put all my beans into my card and removed them as my cards were called. I came close to winning, and maybe I did, but it was hard to focus amidst the noise and bop, so maybe I did win and did not register that one of my cards had been called so its frijolito remain on top of that square. Regardless, of the lack of victory I expeirenced I was still very happen I went here to celebrate Cinco De Mayo with appropriate festivities. After I soon sat, some tacos were placed in front of me. They were for my neigbor. I was honest and made them aware that they were not for me. After all a Mexico Hero-- Benito Juariez reminds us that respeto a lo ajeno es la paz. Or in other ways, respecting what is not yours equals peace.

    If I could give 0 stars, I would. I'm honestly disappointed with how disorganized Mandala was…read moreduring the Mexico game on July 5, 2026. I've tried multiple times to call and speak to a manager about what happened, but after receiving no response, here I am leaving a Yelp review. This wasn't my first time at Mandala, but it will very likely be my last. I made my reservation the same day Mexico won and reservations opened. I reserved a table for 8 people at 3:45 PM, which was the maximum party size available. I arrived around my reservation time, definitely before 4:00 PM, and security directed me to wait in the line designated for guests with reservations. By around 4:30 PM, the reservation line had barely moved, yet I watched other people walk up, give their names, and be let inside. At the same time, I could clearly see two reserved tables for eight sitting completely empty.I finally asked one of the waitresses, "I reserved for 8 people, and I see those two tables are empty. May I ask what the hold up is?" She asked for my name, looked up my reservation, confirmed it was there, and then told me, "It was canceled." I asked, "What was the reason? I've been here." She replied, "You never checked in before 4:00 PM." Which in fact I did, and security even confirmed that I had arrived before 4:00 PM. Despite that, no one was willing to honor my reservation. At that point I told her, "Only three people from my party of eight are here. Can we just get a table for the three of us?" She spoke with another waitress, and they came back saying it would be standing room only. I asked, "Why?" Again, they referred me back to my supposedly canceled reservation. By now I was beyond frustrated. While they spent another five minutes trying to "figure something out," I continued watching people walk up, give their names, and immediately be seated. Meanwhile, the two reserved tables for eight were still sitting empty. Then I was told, "The best we can do is standing room at the bar, or you can stand anywhere in the restaurant with one of the cocktail tables, but there's a $100 minimum per person." That requirement was never advertised or mentioned when I made my reservation. I reminded her, "This isn't my first time here." She simply replied, "Or you can stand at the bar. No minimum." At that point, it was so close to game time that I just wanted to get inside. We were never greeted--menus were simply placed in front of us. And throughout all of this, those two reserved tables for eight remained empty. The biggest lie I heard all afternoon was, "We're at capacity." I must have heard that at least 10 times. If Mandala was truly at capacity, how were people continuously walking in without reservations and being seated? Why were guests with confirmed reservations turned away while empty reserved tables sat untouched? Thankfully, the game was delayed until 6:00 PM, which gave us enough time to leave and take our business elsewhere. This was poor planning, poor communication, misleading reservation practices, and some of the worst customer service I've experienced. I wasted my time, my gas, and what should have been an exciting afternoon watching the Mexico game with family and friends. I expected much better from a place I'd enjoyed before. Instead, I left feeling ignored, frustrated, and completely disappointed. I rest my case.

    Photos
    Sin City refreshing
    Sin City refreshing
    Mandala cantina
    Mandala cantina
    Flan with a birthday candle

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    DIOSA Downey

    DIOSA Downey

    3.8
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    Casual dining
    Happy hour specials

    They forgot it was my birthday after asking me when I made the reservation and the hostess…read moreconfirmed it was my birthday,,so I had to remove 1 star. But overall the experience and atmosphere are amazing, I reminded them after I ordered myself a dessert and they brought me some nice ice cream and sparkler firework which was really cool and made up for it but I still had to pay for my dessert. The carne asada was too tough and chewy so don't order it. The smoked guacamole great, the empanadas great, the drinks great. Overall I would recommend if you could overlook a few service expectations.

    Unfortunately, this restaurant did not meet my expectations. I'll start with the positives--the…read morerestaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. The decor and ambiance make it a great place for celebrating a special occasion. I made reservations for my birthday dinner with a party of eight. I brought my own cake, and the staff was kind enough to store it in their refrigerator until we were ready for dessert, which I appreciated. Unfortunately, the service was where the experience fell apart. Since gratuity is automatically added for larger parties, it felt like there was very little sense of urgency or attentiveness throughout the evening. It took quite a while for our drink orders to be taken and served. Our food also came out at different times, with some side dishes arriving well after the entrées had already been served. The only explanation we received came later when a supervisor personally brought out the missing sides and apologized, explaining there had been a delay because they had to prepare a fresh batch of rice. While I appreciated the communication, it would have been helpful if someone had updated us sooner. During the meal, our server was changed, and we hoped the service would improve, but unfortunately, the experience remained the same. The food and drinks were beautifully presented, but the flavors didn't quite live up to how impressive everything looked. My rating is based primarily on the food, but if I were rating the service alone, it would be one star. Considering it was a Sunday and the restaurant wasn't particularly busy, the slow service was especially disappointing. Sadly, this wasn't the birthday dinner experience I was hoping for, and I don't plan on returning.

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    DIOSA Downey
    DIOSA Downey
    DIOSA Downey

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    Tempo Cantina - Downey - mexican - Updated August 2026

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