El Camino Cantina Bowen Hills — Restaurant in Brisbane City

Terrible place with a terrible manager. We had a group booking for 20+ people for my friends birthday which we have done for a while on different special occasions and we were told that that we couldn’t do the Tex Mex for majority of us unless every single person in the group did Tex Mex despite those who had driven, religious reasons or personal reasons that will not be drinking and would be ordering their own separate food from the normal menu. I spoke with George (the manager) and explained the situation with the hand full of people who wouldn’t be doing the Tex Mex menu and explained that there was nothing anywhere stating that every single person in the group needs to do it. I tried to come up with a compromise for those who weren’t doing the Tex Mex Menu which was those few sit in a group at the end of the table we had booked and he stated that he would put those people at a separate table on the other side of the restaurant away from everyone else who was celebrating our friends birthday. With 17 of us in the group wanting the Tex Mex Menu which is $1513 from just us 17 not accounting those few who would be ordering their own seperate food plus the additional drinks we would have ordered as well, I’m disappointed in the place and George (the manager) and the level of service provided. Jess one of the waitresses tried to help with the situation and explain to the manager the plan and she was dismissed by George (the manager) quite rudely which I find absolutely disgusting because Jess recognised us from the numerous times we’ve had a big special event there. Last time we had no issue with this and Jess was absolutely amazing in her service which encouraged us to buy more for the night! After speaking with the manager and reaching no compromise whatsoever our group of 20+ left without ordering anything and went down the road to Wingshaus and had a great time, each of us had numerous drinks, shots and food and Wingshaus was so accommodating and really saved the night. We all thoroughly enjoy El Camino Bowen Hills but after lasts nights appalling results we will not be going back again and will instead choose somewhere else to dine which is very sad as we have been exclusively going to El Camino Bowen Hills for years. The only good thing about this place is Jess and her complete and utter devotion to the customers having a great night and providing a great service to encourage those to come back! Jess really should be the manager for Bowen Hills because she does a much better job...

A dinner with 7 yesterday on Sunday 25th Feb 2024 was a let down. Brazilian waitress sat us down offered no further assistance. An Italian waitress run off her feet I had to fetch a couple of times to explain whether it was QR code or table service. Specials and menu was never explained. 2 of our group ordered on QR code and the rest ordered via waitress. With only one large group of 12 and our group of 7 in the venue and another couple. Overall 21 covers at Bowen Hills.

Drinks took forever to arrive, some frozen cocktails were ok, green apples & lychees, beer, soft drinks and mock tails.

Do not order mock tails they are overpriced and taste horrible.

Tried ordering some drinks at bar as our drink order hadn't arrived after 30mins. But couldn't as bar man was out of the bar most of the time and not paying attention to people trying to order at the bar. Waitress then chased me to the bar to pay for drinks and food order not done via QR code despite 30 mins and still no drinks served to our table.

QR code food orders came 10 mins after drinks. The other food ordered via waitress took 45 mins after ordered. Our food arrived 30-40mins after QR code food came. Also ordered 2 guacamole with chips only 1 arrived. And then had to ask wait staff 3 times for missing dish.

Burritos, burrito bowels, a variety of tacos, and guacamole was ordered. Very average food for 45-60 min wait. Also guacamole was more onion, & tomato than avocado.

El Camino Bowen Hills was not busy and is not run well. Even waiting an hour for food which was served in a lack luster way suggested staff front of house and kitchen do not want to to be there or needed more staff or be better trained.

A disappointing dinner and drinks overall. Staff kept making the excuse that they have lots of people in the restaurant which wasn't the case.

Also decor looks like an American diner and place is lit up like a carnival. Sombreros are the best thing on offer too, may return...

Ordered pulled pork nachos. The pork was cold, like just out of the fridge cold. So I guess they cook it ahead, put in the fridge and serve when ordered. Odd to have cold nachos but suppose less risk of bacterial growth then if reheated???

The pork had no seasoning for tex-mex that's the whole point right? By seasoning, I don't mean salt, I mean spices and flavouring. If it were a RSL sure, fine leave the meat plain but that's why it's served with gravy at least.

Glass of red was terrible. Maybe they should of kept it in the fridge with the pork or just not bought $2 wine. Considering you can get a decent bottle of Aussie red at any liquor store for $15 you'd expect at least that quality at a restaurant. When they can charge at least x4 the cost of the bottle.

Service one star cause it's just QR code to order and pay. Almost surprised you didn't have to grab meals from the counter. Not sure why RSL is becoming the benchmark but many of those provide menus and take your order. Still guess it doesn't matter these days, but hard to rate on service when there isn't any. There was one or two other tables of 2 ppl when I was there yet they forgot my drink. So really it's almost a self service restaurant. Perhaps it's different for large tables.

Atmosphere - place felt soulless. Like there lots of decor but not well tied together or executed. Each piece on would be good. So like the coloured lights are ok, but then they have only red and blue chairs. Like why not the same 4 colours as the lights, make the dining furniture a little chaotic and fun and mismatched, not like a public primary school who simply bought the 2 colours that were on sale at the paint store. I also don't recall any music to help with the atmosphere. Not saying has to be anything special, just the staff's personal playlist ... Or do what RSL does and put on the radio.

Guess my feedback is that perhaps the owner could get a few pointers...