Trejo's Catering — Local services in Hot Springs

This is the first bad review I've ever given a business, but it's deserved. The server was awful. We had a party of five (four adults one child). We were greeted about five minutes after we were seated with chips and salsa. The server brought the wrong beverages twice.

Extremely slow and inattentive service was an understatement from the start and it continued throughout this long ordeal. Once the correct drinks were brought, no refills were offered or provided (until we we're attempting to pay). We were never checked on once the food was delivered. Note: this was after OVER an hour wait AND the restaurant was almost empty. I only observed our server to have one other table, who appeared to be getting similar service. Once the food was finally delivered, it was delivered in five minute increments as if we didn't order together. Some of the food was cold, some hot and the childrens quesadilla was so greasy it was floating in the plate and soggy. I attempted to flag down the server to discuss the quesadilla and my soup being cold, but she did her best to ignore me the two times she walked by after all our food was delivered. No one was pleased with the taste or condition of the food.

I finally decided to chalk this up as a loss and get out of there. Well, getting our ticket proved very difficult as she continued to ignore me as we were creeping up on TWO hours at the establishment. I finally flagged down a lady who was sweeping right next to me and asked her if she could get the server or provide me with a ticket. Finally the server came to our table and asked, "Do you need refills?" OMG. I politely told her I just needed our ticket. She brought it. I handed her my credit card to pay and she walked away. She returned with the bill again and said she had not charged us enough for my husbands ONE drink and she was adding a "dollar or so" to the total!!!! At this point, I just wanted to be out of the restaurant and said, "fine". Instead of ringing up our bill, she then strolled to the other side of the restaurant with my credit card in hand to help other employees sing Happy Birthday to one of the four other tables that were occupied. After observing we were standing up to walk toward her, she ran our transaction and brought the receipts.

I'm sorry, but everything from this...

6 months ago, I rated this place 1 star and I meant it. I hadn't been been back since. Yesterday, we decided to give it another shot. They have obviously overhauled the place. Our server, Sara, and her co-workers completely changed my family's mind about Trejo's. It was slow when we arrived, but became busy very quickly. Kids eat free on Tuesdays, so that was no surprise. We were served promptly and all of our food was delicious. Refills on our waters took a little while, but that was partially our fault because we chug water and basically need a pitcher of water at our table to make things easier on our servers. We probably should have requested one. And as I said before, they were busy, and Sara had half of the restaurant as her section and still did a great job. My husband and I have a combined 30 years of restaurant experience, so we understand when things get busy. We didn't get dirty looks when our kids were being loud, and when we were ready to go we were offered take out boxes, instead of having to ask for them. The lady even boxed our food for us. She asked us how our day had been and was very friendly. The manager came to our table personally and put our take out boxes in a bag for us. We weren't expecting that, but appreciated it very much because trying to get food and 3 kids together simultaneously is a bit difficult, and that was acknowledged in a nonjudgmental way. Needless to say, Sara was tipped about 30%, and we will definitely be dining at Trejo's again. This revised review was at the request of my 11 year old son, who also hated our previous experience, which I will not describe because it is no longer relevant. My kids, my husband, and myself all left happy...

I have been going to this location when it was still Papa Poblanos so I guess it's safe to say i've been there alot. Unfortunately this location has gone through some changes I don't care for. For one this location is nearly impossible to get into if you are coming from the college or Mount Ida, you nearly have to drive down to Cajun Boilers and turn around in rush hour to get there. It used to have an open parking lot, but apparently something happened and now it doesnt. The other big complaint I have is quite a sad one. Given how long I have eaten here I have noticed some changes in how they charge for things (comes with time so that's understandable) However when you charge for something to go onto your meal for extra and used to not charge for it, don't lie saying you always have. I had a waitress (who still works there as of this review) who had the gall to argue with me when i've been eating here longer than she's been employed by the restaurant. I don't care if it's $40 to add it, just say so and be honest saying it's a new policy they have. Instead she argues with me saying I have paid for it before and i'm aware of it. Even if I had had it charges a thousand times before (which I haven't), still inform your customer about the charge to avoid confusion later. The owner is a great man, but doesn't seem to address issues like he could/should. I have come to him to inform him of said problems, but nothing seems to have changed at this location.

It should be a cardinal sin to argue with a customer about anything, but if you had to take anything away from this review, go to the central location, it's smaller, but I have had much...