Habaneros Modern Taco Bar — Restaurant in Halifax

Ate here for the first time in a little over a year, used to get this pretty often when I lived in the area. Sad to say I won’t be getting it again, at least never from this location.

First and foremost, I am ALL for hiring immigrants. But why would you put someone who doesn’t understand English as the cashier?? It just seems cruel to them and to your customers.

This afternoon I lined up with 4 people ahead of me. I overheard communication issues when the first two people were trying to pay. The woman at the cash kept giving them the wrong change back and was being defensive when called out. When it was the man in front of me’s turn, the regular employee had to do something in the back, so she took over the taco station. He had to repeat everything he wanted at least twice, and when he told her he wanted cheese on only the second one, she put corn on instead. He requested a new taco as it was mixed pretty heavily with everything, and instead she took her finger and wiped half the stuff off and wrapped up the taco without replacing the stuff. The man didn’t say anything but he looked bewildered and annoyed.

When it was my turn to place my order, the woman asked if I wanted fries or a drink with one of the burritos I was ordering, I told her no combo just the burrito but I had other items. She then tells me it’s $13 and again I repeat, I HAVE other items! She got very annoyed at me “I ASKED you if you wanted something else!” - in very broken English. And I again told her that I said I didn’t want a combo. She then huffed and rolled her eyes at me, I asked for the other two items for my family’s meal and every time I finished saying one item she would loudly go “IS THAT ALL”. I was originally going to give her cash, but after watching her with the other woman I had meant to switch to debit but was so taken back by her attitude that I still accidentally gave her cash instead and was also given the wrong change. It was only off by $1 and some change so I didn’t say anything cause I wasn’t happy with her attitude towards me either.

As for the food itself, it’s gone downhill badly and the proportions are terrible and not worth the money. One of my burritos was a jumbo, the other a regular and he put the exact same amount of beef on both. When I confirmed it was a jumbo and questioned him about it, he said that I didn’t pay for extra beef. No I didn’t, but when I say I want the largest burrito I expect it to have more meat than the smaller one.

I decided I’d also get a drink to go and asked for a regular fountain pop and handed her change. I was given the smallest cup there and I asked if this was a regular or a small? She told me that was a regular and the other “small-medium” ish size cup was a large. That cost almost $3 and when she ripped me off on the change again, I did call her out and she just shrugged and walked away.

What a terrible attitude and atmosphere of a restaurant. Also, the poutine was disgusting and it looked like someone had added fat or mayo to the bottom. Fries were undercooked and bland.

I didn’t understand the hate towards the owner before when I lived there, but I...

I’ve simply had it with this horrible restaurant. NEVER order in advance and pay online. When you go to pickup your order lots of items missing and not available on the day you’re there. But they do nothing for the charges they’ve put on your credit card. Always an excuse…..”we’re not making that today”. So what are you going to do to make up the difference in price bc I paid online and 2/5 items ordered, you’re not making that today. Unprofessional. The location is horrible. You have to walk around the building to get in as there is no access from the parking lot. The parking lot of for Starbucks and pretty narrow and small as it is. Decided to give them a 4th chance and went today. Asked for a menu. The worker behind the counter told me to look it up online. There’s a hanging sign from the ceiling with 5 items on it. She told us to read the sign. The online menu has more than 40 items. This place is filthy

I highly recommend to go anywhere else. I see most online reviews that aren’t glowing, aren’t acknowledged. Only the good reviews. Horrible place. Nasty workers....

There's a fellow who works here, he implied that he is from Yarmouth (from other reviews I see here, maybe his name is Matt?), who is a real gem. I only wish I loved my job as much as he seems to love working at Habaneros/Cheese Curds. I have never been made to feel more welcome or cared for at any restaurant that I can remember. We came in after being turned away from another Habaneros location as they were closing early, and wonder of wonders, the staff actually seemed pleased to see us, despite the fact that they were fairly busy! While ordering a rude and clueless delivery driver walked right up in front of me and tried to pick up his order: Matt had the grace to treat him politely and tell him where he needed to go, while still being able to pass a joke, not too unkindly, that let me know the faux pas wasn't unnoticed. In a world where a lot of staff in restaurants and businesses are either due to Covid or using Covid as an excuse. being short, brusque, rude and confrontational to patrons, we need more...