Restaurant “Tacos And Tequila” at Normandale Century Inn — Restaurant in Ontario

UPDATE: 3 years later, the restaurant still has amazing Mexican food so I can’t fault that… but I am disappointed with the service, being a new dog owner who likes to bring my dog places with me. It’s mostly an outdoor patio and then more seating out in a grassy area further back, and at the time, there was a description of this place being “Pet Friendly”… so naturally, I thought no issue of bringing my dog. My 2 problems: We were told that the grassy table area in the back was closed and not being used. (This ended up being a lie when a bigger group came as we were leaving & were willing to seat them in the back grassy area despite there being room on the patio) That dogs were not allowed near or at the tables anywhere and had to be past the fenced off patio area, and we were told they couldn’t be in the grassy back area either. As a dog owner, I have updated this place (for now) to state that this place is not pet friendly because I would never bring my dog here again (unless the restaurant was willing to let a portion of the back grassy table area be used for dog owners). They do get minor points for having water bowls available for dogs… but they weren’t clean (until requested) and having to leave a dog separated from its owners from a meal is not nice to the dog and can cause the family stress. Basically: If you don’t have and/or don’t bring your dog, you’ll have a better experience.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: Under new management: I cannot speak to the hotel’s accommodations because I didn’t stay there, however, the food, atmosphere, food, staff, & food left me fondly remembering my trip to Mexico. Now, I got to experience the “soft opening” menu so I don’t know how it will change, but I promise you anything you order is delicious and authentically flavoured. We ordered the nachos, enchiladas, chimichangas, & baja tacos (both the shrimp & fish versions), and we were very very happy with the selections (the drinks we ordered also added to the enjoyment)! Only mild comment is that I was surprised that there weren’t “mild or spicy” varieties offered, though personally, I don’t typically go for the “spicy” versions. Definitely looking forward to going back though to see the full menu of offerings & live music to complete the atmosphere as the pandemic restrictions lift. (& sorry about no food photos… was distracted by the deliciousness and forgot...

We came here on a recommendation... first impression was cute little patio, live music, Mexican food... we were all in!|No patio seats available, so we opted for a picnic table. Not a great choice... sugar ants EVERYWHERE. They don't bite, but was a nuisance- all over the table and us. Other picnic tables struggled with the same issue.|Our drink order was taken promptly. The only highlight... the Mexican mule drink was delicious. But that was the ONLY thing that was prompt.|One man band was playing - he was good. Until he took break. Then he left some canned music on repeat... it was SO annoying. Like elevator music you cannot escape from. A large party was seated beside us about 15 mins later & they promptly requested the canned music be stopped (thank god).|We were waiting to order, and lo and behold, the large party that came in after us got to order 1st. We finally order a steak burrito to split.|In the meantime, no one asks to refresh our drinks. Waitresses are spending lots of time at a table behind the singer with 3 young men drinking beer.|Food finally arrives. They knew we were sharing but did not cut it in half. No big deal. I do so... and a huge piece of gristly meat falls out. Meat is greyish in colour. Barely any cheese or sour cream to be seen.|My husband will eat ANYTHING, especially meat. He didn't finish his half. In fact, it was so bad we ended up deconstructing it... I pulled out all the rice & beans, he ended up with all the steak... there wasn't much steak & he still did not finish it. He thought it was inedible.|Still no one comes to refill drinks, ask about our dinner. Still lots of visits by wait staff to young men in the gazebo.|No one came to our table. I went in to the bar and asked for a bill and was told to ask the server. I finally flag the server down & ask for the bill. 15 minutes later, I had to flag a second server down to finally get our bill.|Yes, it was busy... we weren't impatient, but if you can visit a table of guys drinking pitchers of beer 7 or 8 times but cannot check in on a guest once... that is just poor service.|Between the bad food & poor service, sadly we will...

We came here on a recommendation... first impression was cute little patio, live music, Mexican food... we were all in!|No patio seats available, so we opted for a picnic table. Not a great choice... sugar ants EVERYWHERE. They don't bite, but was a nuisance- all over the table and us. Other picnic tables struggled with the same issue.|Our drink order was taken promptly. The only highlight... the Mexican mule drink was delicious. But that was the ONLY thing that was prompt.|One man band was playing - he was good. Until he took break. Then he left some canned music on repeat... it was SO annoying. Like elevator music you cannot escape from. A large party was seated beside us about 15 mins later & they promptly requested the canned music be stopped (thank god).|We were waiting to order, and lo and behold, the large party that came in after us got to order 1st. We finally order a steak burrito to split.|In the meantime, no one asks to refresh our drinks. Waitresses are spending lots of time at a table behind the singer with 3 young men drinking beer.|Food finally arrives. They knew we were sharing but did not cut it in half. No big deal. I do so... and a huge piece of gristly meat falls out. Meat is greyish in colour. Barely any cheese or sour cream to be seen.|My husband will eat ANYTHING, especially meat. He didn't finish his half. In fact, it was so bad we ended up deconstructing it... I pulled out all the rice & beans, he ended up with all the steak... there wasn't much steak & he still did not finish it. He thought it was inedible.|Still no one comes to refill drinks, ask about our dinner. Still lots of visits by wait staff to young men in the gazebo.|No one came to our table. I went in to the bar and asked for a bill and was told to ask the server. I finally flag the server down & ask for the bill. 15 minutes later, I had to flag a second server down to finally get our bill.|Yes, it was busy... we weren't impatient, but if you can visit a table of guys drinking pitchers of beer 7 or 8 times but cannot check in on a guest once... that is just poor service.|Between the bad food & poor service, sadly we will...