2/28/2006

Fiesta en Jalisco

I am not going to become a restaurant reviewer on this site, but I love Mexican food and I tried the newest Mexican place in town yesterday, so I thought I would pass along my observations.

I know they are new, and I know they are working the kinks out, so I'll try not to be too hard on them. I will try them once more in a few weeks to see if they've improved. For yesterday, though, it was actually pretty marginal.

First, the time. 48 minutes in and out. Not too bad, but a tad long for lunch. The bad part, though, is how much of it was spent needlessly. 10 minutes seated before they brought me a menu, and another 5 minutes between tendering my cash and receiving my change. Thumbs down.

Second, I sat there quietly while they seated another couple after me. They promptly brought them chips, salsa and water, none of which I had received. When the gal walked by I asked her for some. She apologized, rushed off, and brought me the water. I never did receive chips and salsa, so I cannot tell you if it is good. Thumbs down.

Third, forgot my Diet Pepsi. Thumbs down.

Next, the food. I had two tacos and an enchilada, all picadillo. The tacos were marginal. Don't any new restaurants make fresh corn tortillas anymore? I can buy the boxed ones at home. The picadillo was good, not fatty or tough. Cheese? On a taco? What's that? Literally, one of the tacos had 5, count 'em, 5 shreds of cheese on it. Thumbs down.

The enchilada was fine. Good meat, very flavorful. Thumbs up.

Beans and rice were good. Thumbs up.

The salsa. Marginal. Very runny, and no spoon, so it's hard to get on your food. Not spicy. (Disclaimer: I like my food very spicy. Some might think their salsa is hot, but I don't know how even the most vanilla taste buds could be offended by this watery concoction.) Thumbs down.

Price? $10.00 even. Whoops, they forgot the pop, so $8.50 with one late glass of water (no refill).

Like I said, I don't want to be too hard on them; they're new. But if it's the same next time, I'll stick with the local favorites like Taco Treat and Maria's.

7 comments:

david said...

I've been eyeing that place, too, wondering if it will be Good or Bad. Between you and Norseman, it looks like I'll just have to try it myself!

Anonymous said...

You remind me of a guy I know who runs to every new restaurant the first few weeks they are open when they are still working out the kinks, had a sub par experience and then spends months bad mouthing the joint. "I'LL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN!"

Never go to a new place for at least the first 3 months.

GeeGuy said...

I'm sorry. I guess you didn't see this part: "I know they are new, and I know they are working the kinks out, so I'll try not to be too hard on them. I will try them once more in a few weeks to see if they've improved."

Anonymous said...

Good food and Great Falls casinos uh I mean "restaurants" this is a joke right?

Anonymous said...

We just moved here last year from Texas, and were we glad to see this place open up! This is as close to Tex-Mex as you'll find in this town, and we eat there often. The food always comes out hot and delicious and there's plenty of it.

Anonymous said...

I had a world of problems when i ate here. From rude staff to the hair that was found in my food. The manager rufused to do anything about it.

Anonymous said...

The new Fiesta Jalisco in Craig, Colorado finally opened after months of being told from neighboring Fiesta Jalisco in Steamboat Springs- it would be open soon. Anyway-months later we had to try it one week after opening. They certainly must have had their problems getting the work done on the newly aquired building. What a disappointment!!!We'll never go back there again!!!Our server "Ricardo" was very RUDE and unfriendly. His spanish made it hard to understand our English and vice-versa. The employees all spoke Spanish or some language ???? There is little talk between the employees and customers in this restaurant. They seat you and run off. The store in Steamboat is the same. We realise they were busy. When we arrived we were told 20 minutes. I waited 25 minutes- then went up and asked "How much longer- The same girl said 20 more miniutes. We waited. The 1st cup of Coffee was good, as I asked for a fresh pot as I always do in 50 years -(plus) eating at other restaurants. The second cup was horrible. I again asked for a fresh pot when made. "Ricardo" refused my 2nd cup. Later on he set a 3rd cup on the table- It too was undrinkable. I asked to talk to the manager- especially concerning "Ricardo's"
Rude attitude-- In the restaurant business, the customer is always right. He mumbled in his language, we think he said that he was manager. No HOPE to us. We'll eat across the street from them -- The better MEXICAN restaurant. They have always been friendly to us and We get fresh coffee too. Any apologies- Fiesta Jalisco? This is America-