Food is pretty good. Not the best I’ve had ever good, but better than average. Service was acceptable. Biggest issue I had was the mandatory 20% tip (“service charge”) and still a “tip” line on the check. It was noted on the menu, but I still believe this does nothing to motivate the staff to try hard. I hope they are actually getting that 20% tip disguised as a “service charge”.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
A Google User
The beef enchiladas are my favorite with a margaritaKid-friendliness: I ordered my son a virgin margarita alcohol free
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katrina Engelhardt
Took my dad out. Told him to pick anything. The food was amazing ? ?. Lots of
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maxine Powel
very good thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Fajitas
Craig Bauer
Chile Verde was excellent! (I had mine in burrito form.) We arrived with a large party and no reservation and they found a way to seat us with a short, reasonable wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chile Verde
Sebastian Pereyro
stay away, not only the quality of this restaurant is at most mediocre, they will automatically charge 20% as service fee without notice. It is their decision, and you owe them this because you ate there ?. Do yourself a favor and find any other place.
Momma Bear
I was fortunate enough to find this local gem 3 years ago! Food is delicious and authentic. The service (from servers) is great even when busy!I would suggest that some if the young ladies that greet you had a different attitude, I'm a regular customer and some greet you with an attitude.Luckily, the servers make up for it!Went again this Monday with my husband as soon as they opened and our server JOE went ABOVE & BEYOND with his service! He's the reason I decided to leave this review! He's a great asset to La Cocina, hope to see him again! Great young man. And the food, like always, consistently fresh and delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant.For those complaining about the gratuity being included, NO you don't have to leave an additional tip like some mislead you to think. They actually cross out the part where it says TIP on your receipt. DON'T BE CHEAP! ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito El Jefe Hey-Fey the Challenge, Chicken Fajitas, Steak Fajitas
Dominic Valentine
Delicious food and the table side guacamole is ....
The food wasn’t bad; it was not what I expected and the refried beans were not to my liking. Those are personal preferences and I am likely spoiled being used to refried beans being more refried, a little more flavorful, thicker consistency and less pale in color…. I personally didn’t like the table topper that announced that the 20% service fee (to offset the business owner’s labor cost of doing business) was a “mandatory fee” that I “owed the restaurant” as a consumer, no matter how kindly worded. In my opinion, that is a discussion & issue to be handled amongst the employer and employees, not announced in a way to justify or guilt a customer into the overlooking the fee. If there is a tip division, then make that an employee policy and leave me as the customer out of the drama; it could also be reflected in the price point of the food items but that brings me to the next criticism- the price points are too high for the quality of products delivered.Although the service was satisfactory, having that added fee reduced my natural tendency to give a healthier tip especially when I saw the server doing the job of serving as well as busing. Additionally, the place was not full and when the hostess asked us if we wanted the bar or a booth and we asked for a booth- she said she’d have to go ask if she could seat the two of us- when she did- we were seated in the far back area. I felt like I was expected to choose the bar as a party of two and that it was frowned upon to seat just two people at a table(?).Everyone was kind and the food wasn’t bad- just not what I expected. You could tell many people enjoy this place a lot and maybe I didn’t choose the best menu items…. Perhaps the fee doesn’t bother you at all- it bothered me. There is also the possibility it was just an off day… who knows.
Good Chips & Salsa. Decent food. Biggest complaint echoes all of the other complaints: a 20% service fee added on to your bill. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a gratuity because it's not. It's basically a 20% Surcharge on the entire menu. Notice also that this service charge is taxed. You are still expected to leave your ordinary gratuity on top of everything else. So rather than be upfront & just increase their menu prices to include the 20%, they would rather play these underhanded hidden fee games. I hope that a recent state bill kills this business practice of hidden fees. And if it doesn't, I wish management would just go through these reviews and see that this is the number one issue customers have! So instead of my review (and others) being about the food and service of this restaurant, it is instead a rant about it's business practices...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Luke Wilson
20% service charge, and unlike what others say - it is not considered the only tip, and not crossed off. When the check was brought I asked about it and they said in case I want to tip.Couldn’t tell you anything about the servers, names, what their smile looks like, anything. Not impressed. Food is probably either you love it or hate it, we didn’t like it but the whole experience was tainted by all the negativity.Note to the owners: You are in a service hospitality business. First noticeable thing through the door is a sign asking us not to stay long - if I had to guess this issue is only with a small percentage of your patrons but instead of addressing it individually you are being negative to 100%.Next to that, multiple paragraphs of small print trying to explain about a 20% service charge I’m sure most miss. Service charge also buried on the menu.If someone happens to see it, that’s a negative first experience. If they don’t see it. You are ending with a negative surprise. Understanding if the service charge is a tip or not is confusing, based on reviews. We spent most of lunch discussing the ins and outs of the charge, not talking about the food or salsa.If you really want to set a flat tip, do it, own it, don’t bury it and cause confusion and negative impressions.Raise the prices 20% and advertise that you are a tip free restaurant. Change the conversation from we have fees, to we pay our people enough. As it stands we won’t be back and can’t recommend it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Joanie Slatlem
The food is delicious. The service sucks. The tip is automatically added so the wait staff could care less. They get their tip no matter what.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Tamara Durnil
Always friendly, fast with the chips and delicious food with options that aren't overwhelming! Worth the wait if you ever get caught up in the dinner rush.
Great Mexican
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is pretty good. Not the best I’ve had ever good, but better than average. Service was acceptable. Biggest issue I had was the mandatory 20% tip (“service charge”) and still a “tip” line on the check. It was noted on the menu, but I still believe this does nothing to motivate the staff to try hard. I hope they are actually getting that 20% tip disguised as a “service charge”.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
The beef enchiladas are my favorite with a margaritaKid-friendliness: I ordered my son a virgin margarita alcohol free
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Took my dad out. Told him to pick anything. The food was amazing ? ?. Lots of
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
very good thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Fajitas
Chile Verde was excellent! (I had mine in burrito form.) We arrived with a large party and no reservation and they found a way to seat us with a short, reasonable wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chile Verde
stay away, not only the quality of this restaurant is at most mediocre, they will automatically charge 20% as service fee without notice. It is their decision, and you owe them this because you ate there ?. Do yourself a favor and find any other place.
I was fortunate enough to find this local gem 3 years ago! Food is delicious and authentic. The service (from servers) is great even when busy!I would suggest that some if the young ladies that greet you had a different attitude, I'm a regular customer and some greet you with an attitude.Luckily, the servers make up for it!Went again this Monday with my husband as soon as they opened and our server JOE went ABOVE & BEYOND with his service! He's the reason I decided to leave this review! He's a great asset to La Cocina, hope to see him again! Great young man. And the food, like always, consistently fresh and delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant.For those complaining about the gratuity being included, NO you don't have to leave an additional tip like some mislead you to think. They actually cross out the part where it says TIP on your receipt. DON'T BE CHEAP! ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Burrito El Jefe Hey-Fey the Challenge, Chicken Fajitas, Steak Fajitas
Delicious food and the table side guacamole is ....
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Fajitas, Steak Fajitas
The food wasn’t bad; it was not what I expected and the refried beans were not to my liking. Those are personal preferences and I am likely spoiled being used to refried beans being more refried, a little more flavorful, thicker consistency and less pale in color…. I personally didn’t like the table topper that announced that the 20% service fee (to offset the business owner’s labor cost of doing business) was a “mandatory fee” that I “owed the restaurant” as a consumer, no matter how kindly worded. In my opinion, that is a discussion & issue to be handled amongst the employer and employees, not announced in a way to justify or guilt a customer into the overlooking the fee. If there is a tip division, then make that an employee policy and leave me as the customer out of the drama; it could also be reflected in the price point of the food items but that brings me to the next criticism- the price points are too high for the quality of products delivered.Although the service was satisfactory, having that added fee reduced my natural tendency to give a healthier tip especially when I saw the server doing the job of serving as well as busing. Additionally, the place was not full and when the hostess asked us if we wanted the bar or a booth and we asked for a booth- she said she’d have to go ask if she could seat the two of us- when she did- we were seated in the far back area. I felt like I was expected to choose the bar as a party of two and that it was frowned upon to seat just two people at a table(?).Everyone was kind and the food wasn’t bad- just not what I expected. You could tell many people enjoy this place a lot and maybe I didn’t choose the best menu items…. Perhaps the fee doesn’t bother you at all- it bothered me. There is also the possibility it was just an off day… who knows.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Good Chips & Salsa. Decent food. Biggest complaint echoes all of the other complaints: a 20% service fee added on to your bill. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a gratuity because it's not. It's basically a 20% Surcharge on the entire menu. Notice also that this service charge is taxed. You are still expected to leave your ordinary gratuity on top of everything else. So rather than be upfront & just increase their menu prices to include the 20%, they would rather play these underhanded hidden fee games. I hope that a recent state bill kills this business practice of hidden fees. And if it doesn't, I wish management would just go through these reviews and see that this is the number one issue customers have! So instead of my review (and others) being about the food and service of this restaurant, it is instead a rant about it's business practices...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
20% service charge, and unlike what others say - it is not considered the only tip, and not crossed off. When the check was brought I asked about it and they said in case I want to tip.Couldn’t tell you anything about the servers, names, what their smile looks like, anything. Not impressed. Food is probably either you love it or hate it, we didn’t like it but the whole experience was tainted by all the negativity.Note to the owners: You are in a service hospitality business. First noticeable thing through the door is a sign asking us not to stay long - if I had to guess this issue is only with a small percentage of your patrons but instead of addressing it individually you are being negative to 100%.Next to that, multiple paragraphs of small print trying to explain about a 20% service charge I’m sure most miss. Service charge also buried on the menu.If someone happens to see it, that’s a negative first experience. If they don’t see it. You are ending with a negative surprise. Understanding if the service charge is a tip or not is confusing, based on reviews. We spent most of lunch discussing the ins and outs of the charge, not talking about the food or salsa.If you really want to set a flat tip, do it, own it, don’t bury it and cause confusion and negative impressions.Raise the prices 20% and advertise that you are a tip free restaurant. Change the conversation from we have fees, to we pay our people enough. As it stands we won’t be back and can’t recommend it.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
The food is delicious. The service sucks. The tip is automatically added so the wait staff could care less. They get their tip no matter what.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 1
Always friendly, fast with the chips and delicious food with options that aren't overwhelming! Worth the wait if you ever get caught up in the dinner rush.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and great service!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5