Chupito — Restaurant in Vancouver

We've been wanting to come to Chupito for quite a long time, and with the announcement of their end-of-season closure, we finally decided to book for dinner to make sure we didn't miss out on what we thought would be a gem.

Excited to try this spot, the night started out great with the welcome margaritas. The place is pretty cool as well, cozy and tucked away in an alley. The food in general was all fresh and delicious (oysters were especially great). Cocktails were fine, more on the hit-or-miss side (frozen margarita was great, but the Acapulco didn't have much flavour). However, the service was rather lacking and somewhat disappointing.

Our friend has allergy concerns and although he's quite easy-going with whatever options are offered to him, even if limited (he said he doesn't want anyone to feel annoyed about accommodating him), the server reacted in a bit of an annoyed and flustered manner, which was pretty off-putting. Indeed, our friend's allergies are a concern, but we weren't really expecting this reaction from the server... it was quite odd, especially compared to the multitudes of other restaurants we eat at together regularly, where he mentions his allergies each time with normal acknowledgements from servers. Our friend stuck with a "safe" appetizer and some drinks after talking with another server (who we believe may be the owner - she was nice).

Aside from that, a few extra touches with the service could've gone a long way.

Chips and salsa were brought to our table when first seated, but no napkins or dishes until a bit later. The salsas were awesome, but the salsa bottles were covered and dripping in sauce, resulting in our hands getting all grimy when handling them.

Food and drinks were brought out a bit inconsistently (albeit quite fast), with a couple dishes and a drink that were almost forgotten. Tables were small but the food was sort of plopped down on our table over our plates (my plate almost fell on my lap when one dish was placed on the table).

In general, although we probably had the last slot for the night, the service felt quite rushed and we felt like we were a bit of a nuisance or afterthought. Plates and cups were not distributed to everyone at the table, rather, just placed on one side and we passed them on to everyone in our (small) group. When we were paying the bill, we were given more napkins (after eating?) and were offered blankets which was a bit odd as well, as we were weren't going to sit around after the bill is paid and dining/drinks were done.

Before eating here, we were also looking forward to getting the tres leches but totally forgot about that due to the feeling of being rushed (and the server did not ask if we were wanting a dessert either - our main course plates were taken once done and then we were immediately given the bill).

We were super excited to try Chupito, but left feeling kinda awkward and rushed. Again, the food was great, but the service needed some work. Maybe with the upcoming closure, the server just didn't care anymore, but it wasn't ideal. As locals, we dine out regularly and love trying new and unique spots (and stay loyal to spots we love as well), but I'm not sure if we'd go back if they'd reopen...

We’ll aim for balance here — there were some high points and some low points. My partner and I were excited to go to Chupito’s on a Friday summer evening — she had been there before, while I hadn’t. I’m relatively newly diagnosed celiac (I know, the GF mafia is real) so, we figured Mexican was a good choice, and we’re both foodies. From the start it was a bit of a strange welcome with two servers not quite on the same wavelength — a trend that continued for the evening. We both had 2 cocktails, and left stone cold sober so, they had more of a mocktail vibe without the mocktail price. Our server seemed on top of my GF special needs but, turned out, for tostadas (not fried in a gluten-filled frier), we were charged extra ($2) for each order of 2, despite that I didn’t really have a choice (like charging extra for bread at an Italian restaurant - kind of uncool). The hotter salsas, we were told, had soy (gluten) in them so, we asked if there was another option for something spicier - one was presented but we were asked to pay $1.50 for it (weird for a Michelin recommended high-end restaurant with $20 cocktails on the menu). Our server at the end seemed a bit embarrassed and removed the $1.50 from our bill, which was nice but also felt awkward for all involved. Somewhere along the way before that, we were told one of the salsas offered at the start was actually GF so, we had no idea what was happening really — I guess we’ll find out tomorrow if it was GF or not! The pollo asado was amazing; great flavours and really delicious with and without the corn tortillas. Overall, the vibe just felt a bit off — higher-end and good food, but getting nickel and dimed for those prices just doesn’t feel right, particularly when it comes to a dietary restriction in a city renowned for accommodating dietary restrictions. I live in Rome much of the year and, honestly, it’s easier to get GF pasta in Italy (hassle and charge-free) than my experience tonight. It’s still a lovely atmosphere, and the food was great. Just the hospitality that needs a little tweaking, and lay off...

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Please add more words to this: Overall a very good restaurant. Location was very interesting, as it was off a back alley. Once you walk down the alley you can hear the music and see a sweet, quiet outdoor patio space that reminds you of a restaurant in someone's front yard. Drinks were all amazing. Every one had its own unique twist and flavor, especially the Zipolite. Food was all as expected. Massive amounts of flavour in some, and others very simple and tired and true. Tuna tostada, tacos and the tres leches were all very good, and were all modern takes on some classics. Service was great. Waitor was very helpful in recommending items, patient and made sure everything came fast.

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Overall, this is a very good restaurant with a unique charm. The location is intriguing, tucked away in a back alley that creates a sense of discovery. As you make your way down the alley, you are greeted by the sound of lively music and a quaint, serene outdoor patio that feels like an inviting extension of someone's home.

The drinks were exceptional, each with its own distinct twist and flavor profile, with the Zipolite standing out as a particular highlight. The food lived up to expectations, offering a delightful contrast between dishes bursting with robust flavors and others that were simple yet satisfying. The tuna tostada, tacos, and tres leches were all impressive, showcasing modern takes on classic favorites.

Service was a standout feature. The waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, providing excellent recommendations and ensuring that everything was served promptly. Overall, the experience was marked by a combination of creative cuisine, pleasant ambiance, and...