Los Arcos Steak & Lobster — Local services in Truth or Consequences

I've been coming to T or C throughout the years for more years than I would like to admit, but I'd never been to Los Arcos. We were hoping for a treat, but it was unfortunately a huge letdown, enough to come out of a review respite.

We called to see about reservations, but they said they don't accept them. They said the bar was first come first serve. Great.

We get there, and they say the wait is 40 minutes. I think this must be 8 pm in a town that retires early so that seems weird. They then say bar is only appetizers, not full service, which was not disclosed over the phone.

A waitress comes up in the bar and asks what we want. We have no menus except a small food menu which appears to have more than appetizers. The waitress confirms that they do serve more than appetizers, a bar menu. But I am still confused because I would like wine, and there seems to be no wine menu. She then brings a wine menu. I asked for two waters but never see them. She disappears and a different guy shows up. The different guy is one of the rudest waiters I have ever met. For an establishment pretending to be high end this is utterly despicable. Even for a low end restaurant, it would be unacceptable. I ask what their mushroom prime rib sandwich is. He's like exactly what it sounds like. I'm like what does that mean? What's on it? He's like mushrooms...you don't know what a mushroom is? Then, he finally starts muttering random ingredients in a demeaning tone, but honestly I'm still having a hard time picturing this sandwich with such rude disjointed explanations. As a contrast, I was at another high end restaurant recently. I asked if they could tell me about their house wine. They went on and on about favor profiles, etc. It was way more information than I needed, but at least showed an attention to customer service.

Suddenly they had a table ready even though it had only been 5 minutes. Our new waiter was very attentive which is why this gets 2 stars instead of 1.

My husband observed partway through the meal that this place had been open 50 years or something, and it didn't look like the decorations had been ever updated.

My husband likes to order dessert first, and he got the brownie sundae. It was very run of the mill, probably would have tasted better at a Chili's or Applebees. The brownie didn't have much flavor other than a strong sugar taste. It was definitely not a multiple bites dessert from me.

We got the ribs appetizer which was completely dried out, very sub par, definitely not worth the high price tag. It was strange, despite advertising their green chile cheeseburger, it was only available on the bar menu, but the waiter let us have it. It was somewhat decent. Again another reason for the two stars instead of 1.

I had the soup of the day which was okay...especially since it was amongst the first things I ate, and I was starving.

I also had sauteed mushrooms...which were you guessed it okay.

At the end of the meal, the price tag was the real disappointment after such a dismal experience.

Now, this is of course, comparing to foods in other towns which is maybe not completely fair. But regardless basic human kindness was lacking in the bar waiter. That should have been a given for any restaurant.

Don't...

New 5/14/24 Had a very pleasant waitress, Marisol!!! I asked her to bring me the best thing without asking any questions. I was tired and the menu has no pictures 🤣 I let her know what I had last time and that was her only restriction, just don't bring me that. She surprised me with a wonderful beef kabob that was very very excellent tender and tasty. Very pleasant experience I think this is the best restaurant in all of Albuquerque!!

First visit 5/11/24 Would have given it six stars if there was such a thing!! Bobby was awesome. Seated me right away, had a rib-eye steak for me. Been here for 50 years. Like a diamond in the rough. The only place in town to eat. I’ll be here every night I can!! The ribeye was one of the best I’ve had. It was tender and perfectly cooked, which is very rare these days. It came with a loaded, baked potato, and some broccolini that was excellent. I was so hungry prior to dinner I asked for the soup and it was some type of chicken potato chowder Green chili that I’ve never had before and it was very tasty. As an old man often seem to unintentionally offend the younger generation they really don’t tolerate my banter… I attempt to be kind however, my directness is often misunderstood. Server was a little pensive, not sure my old man blunt personality worked with her. She did maintaine a high level of professionalism while being a bit curt. Then a “seasoned” man (like me) came over to take my empty dinner plate and asked me if I would like dessert I said yes please just bring me your best dessert don’t ask me any questions. Just bring it. He inform you that it was $75 I said I said is that for two he said no it’s for one and I asked him. Maybe I should have a menu then he told me he was just kidding, what a great comedian hit my happy spot made me smile and warm inside. We chatted for a bit then the waitress brought me a great dessert. One of the best Tiramisu’s I have had a long time. I informed the waitress that I didn’t see The desert on the receipt when I went to pay and she then matter fact, informed me that her boss paid for it. Thank you for the dessert Willie!!

What impresses me most is the work ethic of Bobby and Willie they are still showing up on the job not sitting at home just reaping the rewards of their hard work for the last 50 years. I sincerely hope the younger generations appreciates how hard those of us 55-year-olds have had to work so hard to give them all they have today. I cannot recommend this place highly enough you must come and enjoy the experience!!! Yeah Thank you for a...

Driving more than a little over six hours not planning to stop somewhere, although being hungry I made a venture here. The fried mushrooms and the oysters were absolutely phenomenal and were the highlight of the meal. I rarely write reviews and tend to deal with issues and concerns on the spot and have resolutions resolved as to give an opportunity back to the restaurant. The entrees were lacking in execution or direction as the food was left bland or to be desired. The sauce and dressings need to be executed to the ideals of those leading the back of house or rework the recipes used as the dressing for salad were nowhere near any level of Caesar dressing had, coming from a culinary background, I have to say I’m highly disappointed in the salad to dressing ratio. The salad was not even cut into bite sized pieces and the composition or plate up even for a steakhouse was left to be desired. For a place to be charging $$$ prices and working in higher fine dining this was an insult and adding to the injury, you go to order dessert only to be told the kitchen is now closed ? Who closes the kitchen amongst Covid given the regulations Before even giving guests an opportunity to get dessert, yes I still believe in giving chances and opportunities to fix the wrongs made but this is downright inexcusable. If a manager is present is it not your job to ensure that from the beginning and especially the ending that things went smoothly especially to find out how the food was, ya know compliments are great but eventually for self improvement you need to look towards criticisms and have the what can I do or how can I do this better and take accountability and see a vision through from beginning to the end. There is many other things that could be said but to keep things as constructive as possible I will...