Cafe Mexico — Restaurant in Victoria

Well this is my first ever online “complaint” post but I’m so disappointed with Cafe Mexico I decided to share my musings. Partly nostalgia by me and my disappointment in change but also some really bad misfires and lack of attention to details. I’ve been three times now since the Reno’s and tonight will be my last. The first was for my birthday with about 10 family members (this was a usual spot for me and my sister to celebrate our bdays and have a family dinner every year) They told my mother on the phone they couldn’t do reservations on Friday nights. To just show up early and put your name down. My mom goes early and there’s over a 45min wait but we all show up and patiently wait for a table and low and behold we notice there’s a table of at least 12 reserved for other another party. By the end of the night the manager admits his staff were wrong and a reso was allowed but by that point it’s all too late. They’ve gotten rid of their frozen lime Margaritas, no cholula hot sauce on the table and they’ve changed the menu but thankfully still have a section of their classic dishes. Ok I can deal with that! Second visit all is well. I’ve pulled a Beyoncé and prepared for my visit with packing my own cholula in my purse. They still have old items that are tried and true and delicious. Chips and salsa a must have! My chicken tinga burrito is great. Unfortunately after eating 3/4 of my burrito I bite down on a large chunk of plastic of what I believe was perhaps from cheese wrapping (similar consistency). I mentioned it to the waitress who apologized and offered a new meal. That’s a nice gesture but after 3/4 done I don’t have room for another meal and honestly my desire for a burrito is gone. No discount no compensation offered. Still we give it a third try. I wish I hadn’t. Spent $75 on honestly the most disappointing meal. Chips were not fresh. Not hot. Not the same delicious crispy ones I have loved for all these years. They were thin and stale and tasted like store bought. The guacamole was flavourless. They’d removed my favourite item (chicken Tinga quesadilla) so I opted for another tried and true taquitos. They were covered in cabbage and sauces. Not what I had hoped for. I can appreciate new menu items and specials. The redone decor is clean and modern. The vibe is different yes, but I can live with that. After all I’m going to a restaurant for the food. The only thing that’s remained as good as it’s been all these years is the salsa. That’s it. New menu with The few remaining tried and true items being revamped and awful. I won’t be back and am sorely disappointed they felt the need to change everything. I always remember it being busy and quite often packed. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it? So I guess I say farewell to a favourite restaurant. Adios Original Cafe Mexico...

Cafe Mexico is an absolute gem! My dining experience here was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere set the stage for what would become one of the best meals we've ever had.

The Chicken Tinga Burrito was a flavorful explosion; the slow-cooked chicken had the perfect balance of spices and was complemented beautifully by the fresh ingredients wrapped in a soft tortilla. The Chile Relleno Chicken was equally impressive, with its perfectly roasted peppers stuffed with savory chicken and topped with a rich, tangy sauce.

The Enchiladas de Pollo were a standout, offering tender chicken wrapped in corn tortillas and bathed in a delectable red sauce. Each bite was a testament to authentic Mexican cooking. The Pollo Asado was grilled to perfection, juicy and full of smoky flavor, paired wonderfully with its side accompaniments.

Street Corn was a delightful surprise – charred to perfection and seasoned just right, it was a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. And no Mexican meal would be complete without Chips, Guacamole, and Salsa. The chips were crispy, the guacamole creamy and fresh, and the salsa had just the right amount of kick.

To top it all off, we indulged in their amazing Churros for dessert. They were crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with a side of rich chocolate sauce – an absolute must-try!

Cafe Mexico not only serves incredible food but also provides exceptional service. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure our dining experience was perfect from start to finish. If you're looking for an authentic Mexican culinary adventure, look no further than Cafe Mexico. Highly...

I frequented this restaurant 20 years ago as a student. I loved it. I would get the chicken tacos. They were large, tasty and came with Mexican rice, refried beans and salsa. I even continued to go there after getting food poisoning. It was that awesome.

Fast forward 12 years I was in town for a visit. Of course I went right there. Prices had gone way up. 17$ for the chicken tacos. I asked the waitress if it came with rice and beans no, that’s 5.50$ extra. Salsa? 3.75$ extra.

But I was here I got the tacos. Out come three little tiny tacos. It must have been one chicken leg shredded between them. The corn tortillas were a bit larger then a toonie. The beans had the flavour and consistency of play-do. The rice was hard, crunchy and old. And again, gave me food poisoning.

The waitress in the end didn’t ask if we wanted to split our bill. She just put it in front of me and looked at me expectantly while my two female companions overlooked their lacklustre experience of watery, dissapointing guacamole reveling in the fact that the waitress single handedly revived chivalry or sexism.

Speaking to a local foodie he said “why didn’t you ask me, it’s a tourist trap that has been coasting on former fame. If you want good Mexican go to the one on Quadra street. Authentic”

I also had Mexican at fisherwharf. Really nice and fresh. Much better value. Or if you just want a gem restaurant Ferris Oyster bar which hasn’t increased its prices or lost quality since...