The Mexican House - Downtown — Restaurant in Barrie

First, I want to start by saying the food is incredible here! They truly cook up and serve authentic Mexican flavors.

However, I have to give a mediocre rating as I have been several times and found the service to be hit or miss. This last time, our server seemed disinterested and annoyed by our requests. To upgrade to a premium tequila in a $12.50 Marguerita we were charged a double shot for a single shot making making it $37.00 for two Margherita's. A tad outrageous as it was cazadores tequila, not petron. So basically $6 extra/drink. I suggested that this didn't make sense, as the cost of the drink was already priced to include a full shot. The waitress said she would only charge an extra $6 dollars instead of an extra $6/drink. I found this acceptable; however, when getting the bill she charged us the full $12 dollars. On top of this, they charge $2.50 for each side of guacamole, sour cream etc for a taco order. We voiced that this should be included in the menu price as it's a given to have such sides provided with this traditional mexican meal. We also waited a very long time for the food as there was only one cook and one waitress working. We were never asked if we wanted another drink after finishing our initial cocktail and enduring the very long wait to recieve our food. Infact, we were ignored. Any request, no matter how little i.e., requesting water, asking for an extra side of tortillas, or slasa verde for the food (when it finally arrived) the waitress' response was flat annoyance that she had to perform another task. Most of our requests were denied because she said the kitchen was now closed. Is the Chef the only one who can open a plastic tortilla package? She made us feel like we were resented for staying so late. But, it was the long wait for our food that had kept us there so late. There was a large table of 12+ inside that the waitress was focused on. We felt we were being pretty accommodating by patiently waiting for her to get around to us.

Yet, previously I had dined there as a solo guest and gotten exceptional afternoon service. After my meal, they were out of donuts and I expressed sadness I couldn't order them to take home, because they were so delicious. The waiter that day came back and said the cook would make them fresh for me. I bought half a dozen!

So, expect great food, but poor service, and being charged to death with add-ons, many which are typically included ingredients in a Mexican meal. Of course, save extras like premium alcohol or replished sides. Perhaps its a better spot for takeout for these reasons, or dining on busy days where staff is readily available...

Went here with a group of friends the other night. Our friends that brought us there have been telling me for years how good it was. Unfortunately something seems to have changed.

The service was bad, but a bit on the cold and indifferent side. Not unforgivable, but also not what you'd want when going out to eat.

The food on the other hand was absolutely terrible.

I got the Torta with Carnitas (pork). The best way I can describe how the meat tasted was that it was steamed ham. It was soggy, unseasoned, flavorless and boring. Not at all what you would hope for from Mexican cuisine. The Torta was topped with lettuce and guacamole, which also didn't taste very good. Because of how wet the pork was the bottom of the bread was nothing but a wet sponge and kind of gross to try and eat. The torta also came with fries, which were fine I guess, if you like them unsalted and dry.

One of my friends got the mole. She and others who tried it described it as being way too salty to the point of being inedible. When they sent it back all the server said was that it tasted fine to him.

Another friend got a dish (not sure the name of it), but it looked like beige vomit slopped onto a plate and apparently didn't taste much better because she didn't eat it. She had said she had eaten that dish from there before and it was completely different and amazing. Not this time I guess.

Two of my group got chimichanga. One got beef, the other chorizo. The beef in the first one was dry, unseasoned shoe leather and the burrito itself had been left in the fryer too long. Similar experience for the one who got Chorizo. The meat was barely seasoned and not at all what you'd hope for from chorizo sausage. The sides they got with their meal were also bad. I was told the rice tasted like they poured it out of a ready mix package but forgot to put the seasoning packet into it.

After tasting everything we told our server of our disappointment, unfortunately all they could suggest was giving us the bill. Fair enough.

From our experience I would not recommend this place. It's a shame too because it was one of my friends favourite restaurants, now they have to find somewhere else.

As a side note and one redeeming quality, the tortilla chips we had at the start of the meal were very good. It's just a shame the rest of it...

I debated on making this review as I’m a fan of this family owned restaurant, however I thought if nothing was said this may happen to someone else. We have always had a great experience, however today I was very disappointed with our service. Our server was a tall gentleman with a ponytail. We came to celebrate my mothers Birthday. 1st and foremost they never brought out the sauces they usually do. We were the only table without sauce and we felt uncared for. when we placed our order my husband asked for a quesadilla with chicken, for whatever reason the server said “ chimichanga “. We are NOT Mexican, although we are Latino so we don’t know what chimichanga is let alone order it. My husband figured this is what they call their quesadilla and said “ I guess” . We also asked for the arrachera where the server said those are 2 big plates and I let him know we were aware and that it was to share. The plates came and when my husband got his plate it was clear that there was a mistake and we told the server this is not what we ordered, he tried to convince us that we did and that this was not his mistake and that it was OURS. I was appalled as I’ve never experienced this kind of service in any restaurant I’ve ever been in. I told him to please take it away as it was not what we wanted. He asked if I wanted the quesadilla on top but that we would be charged for both plates and I told him we don’t want the chimichanga and he kept saying it was not his fault so it will be on the bill. I didn’t want to make a scene on my mothers birthday and politely asked that he take it away. My husband asked for a cake for my mom, so the servers came and sang Happy Birthday , when I heard one of the Servers ( who usually works the bar) sing “ happy Birthday Pochita” thinking I would not hear it, I’m not Mexican but I’m Latina and this to me was disrespectful. When I thought it wouldn’t get worse, we asked for the bill and the server put the chimichanga on our bill and gave us a to go bag to take it. In all honestly It felt like a slap to the face. They might as well have spat in my food. I honestly don’t know if I could get over this. They saved $20 on a plate we never wanted and lost a long term customer. Very sad. I feel bad for the owner who has built a great reputation to see it ruined by...