Luna Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Greater Strathcona

First time back to Huma since everything opened back up in full. We had tried to visit in 2020 but they were not open for dine-in - so it was super exciting to be back!

We decided on an early dinner - 5:30 was the plan. So glad we arrived 15 minutes early because the place may have only had a few tables of people when we arrived but by 5:45 the place was full with a line out the door. And with good reason.

They have signs on the door - they are hiring for a number of positions, and they want you to know they are short staffed - please be patient and kind. If the service we received is what happens on a Saturday night when they are understaffed then I can't even imagine what fully staffed could look like. Service was fabulous!

Our group of 4 ordered the following:

4 waters - which were constantly being refilled - our glasses were never empty and we actually didn't have to order this it was offered as soon as we were seated

3 Coronas - with lime of course

1 Diet Coke - from a can served with a glass of ice and a straw

Our beverages were always checked on - very well looked after

For appetizers we ordered the guacamole with chips and the pico de gallo with chips - even though the restaurant was filling up by this time our appy's came out very quickly. And they were delicious! Chips were crispy and not too salty. Guacamole was chunky and not over-mashed. Pico was fresh and not swimming in liquid. We easily could have doubled our order - and over indulged it was so delicious!

Entrees were

Camerones Diablo (pretty sure I spelled that wrong) - large plate of not-too-spicy shrimp in sauce with rice and beans etc. My sis-in-law ordered this as a redemption dish from a previous night out and was so happy! She ate every bite and loved it!

Ground beef burrito - my SIL's partner had this - and it filled the plate! This was a monster size burrito - filled with all kinds of deliciousness. He loved the beans, the beef, the cheese - oh he adored Mariel's cheese!

They both agreed this is their new favourite restaurant - this was their first visit. Hubby and I have visited a few times before.

Hubby and I both ordered the tacos - full orders each - so 4 each.

He ordered pastor and fish tacos. The plates are completely covered by those 4 tacos - its such an impressive sight! Hubby really enjoyed his because I never got a good look at those fish tacos they disappeared so fast.

I ordered pastor and suadero tacos. The pastor tacos were loaded with slices of pork - lightly spiced and perfectly cooked - there were a few tough pieces, my only complaint, and topped with 🍍 pineapple, onion and cilantro - perfect topped with the creamy green salsa.

The suadero tacos were piled with shredded beef that was so tender it just melted in your mouth. Topped with onion and cilantro it was delicious with the salsa roja.

We shared an order of rice and beans - I could eat a bucket of those creamy beans. They are nice and chunky while maintaining a rich creaminess - not sure how they do it but that's a real traditional recipe passed down from a grandma I think. Their rice is so tasty too - nice and grainy (I love a place that can cook rice that fluffs apart so nicely like this).

We always say we are going to share entrees next time so we can try some of the amazing desserts - but we never do because we love the food so much. And I guess I should say I love the tacos so much because I can't get past the taco menu! Next time I plan on trying the aguachile - its on my list every time and the tacos always win lol!

If you haven't been to Huma yet you really must give it a try - its well worth the money! The only way you can beat the deals here is to fly to Mexico! This is as...

This is one of the most unprofessional and disrespectful staff that I have ever experienced in a restaurant. Not only do they treat their customers with disdain and resentment, they make their customers wait hours (no exaggeration or hyperbole) for drinks and food, and that is after being lied to by the staff about how long you have to wait in line outside for your reservation.

After poor quality food, and waiting the equivalent of 2 hours for food service, and getting orders wrong, and charging for things we didn't order, the staff and managers had the audacity to ask for a 20% gratuity already applied to the final invoice. We had cash for our bill of over $400 and they refused to accept the cash payment with a roughly 10% tip because the service was abysmal and food quality was inferior. After refusing to accept our cash payment with a more than generous 10% tip, they demanded a credit card so they could apply the 20% tip they hadn't earned or deserved. We refused and gave them the $400 we owed and included a 10% gratuity and left. The staff and managers came out after us and threatened to call the police for theft, which is absurd because a tip gratuity is not legally mandatory and not theft when not paying it. Tip is earned and when service is warranted a tip of 15-20% is worth considering. The hostility of their actions and the audacity of their demands were outrageous, and simply because there is an autogratuity added to a bill, does not mean a customer has to pay that amount. Legally, a customer only needs to pay the invoice for food provided, and the tip gratuity is a customer's personal choice, not bound by law or enforceable through draconian threats of arrest.

Avoid this establishment, there are far better places for truly authentic Mexican cuisine...

Passion “Without”.

I’ve heard many great things about Luna. Recommended to me more than once by some business folk and along a drive I make fairly often. A nice spot in an area of the city that doesn’t have many options. Now, aside from convenience during “business lunch hour” there isn’t that much to get excited about. Mexican culture is so vibrant, so colourful…with such thoughtfulness and tradition. This space just didn’t translate into that. An open space with minimal decor and a heavy lack of passion.

Mexican cuisine is all about the marinades, the soaking, the sauces, the spices….that rustic char meets fresh. Giving things time to stew and soak up all that goodness…amplifying every element of flavour. Throw in some fresh pico, radishes and a whole lot of lime and we have a party of deliciousness. Unfortunately this space was anything but that. The food was so bland and boring. It actually felt like every dish we had were missing ingredients. It didn’t feel like someone passionate about Mexican Cuisine was behind the wheel, but someone without true knowledge of it and tastebuds that have never actually experienced it.

I unfortunately think the popularity of this space solely relies on the convenience factor of somewhere to eat that’s close to work and nothing more. Maybe it started as a passion project, but all I see and taste is inexperience. In order to truly shine I recommend a full revamp on the recipes. Find someone with a true passion for Mexican Cuisine who is also skilled in the culinary arts to help coach and bring you to a much higher level. You have so much more...