The Altar — Restaurant in Medellín

I’ve never written a complaint before, but this really annoyed me. The food was great but the service was horrible. I originally ordered 2 Birria tacos and one mole taco. I also have an onion intolerance, not allergic, but not great. So I asked for no onions or coriander. The waitress who took our order didn’t write anything down, but I trusted her memory. Anyway, the food comes and I’ve gotten 2 mole tacos and one birria, covered in onions and coriander. Not what I ordered. I didn’t want to make a fuss about it, so I managed to pick all the onions out of the mole tacos and ate them both. But there were too many in the birria taco to pick out. So i politely asked for it to be swapped for one without onions, and to have another birria taco since I was still hungry. The waitress who took our order didn’t seem to care one bit and acted as if I didn’t tell her when ordering. Anyway, the replacement came, and I got one new taco without onions, and the exact same taco I returned with all the onions still on. I just had to roll my eyes at this point. So I returned them again and said I can’t eat it, it still has onions on, but sorry for being picky. She said a pathetic sorry, and took it back to the kitchen. I get the second replacement, and I have the exact same 2 tacos. However, they’ve just clearly tried to scrape out the onions, and still left half of them in. At this point I was just fed up. So I ate the taco without onions, and tried to get what I could with the other. Not an easy meal at all, but could’ve been so easily avoided. I was charged for the whole thing as well, without a single apology. I’m sure things are usually great and the food was good. But if you’re picky like me, just...

If you're on the lookout for an authentic Mexican dining experience, look no further than El Altar in the vibrant Barrio Manila of Medellín. From the moment you step inside, the warm and inviting atmosphere sets the stage for a delightful culinary journey.

The standout feature of my visit was undoubtedly the exceptional service provided by Sara and Sarai. Their attentiveness and friendly demeanor made us feel right at home, enhancing our dining experience significantly. They were knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations, which made our choices even easier.

Now, let’s talk about the food! The tacos at El Altar are nothing short of spectacular. They truly capture the essence of authentic Mexican flavors. My personal favorites were the carnitas, which were tender and flavorful, the mole, rich and complex, and the atun, which offered a refreshing twist. Each taco was perfectly crafted, with fresh ingredients and a generous portion, leaving us craving more.

If you're in the mood for tacos, El Altar is definitely a must-visit. The combination of fantastic service and delicious food makes it a standout option in Medellín. I can't wait to return and explore more...

We were unable to dine at the restaurant due to an unpleasant experience with a waitress who, from the outset, assumed we were trying to get her attention by making noises, which we absolutely did not do. We waited patiently until she turned around and then inquired if there was a table available for two. In response, another staff member approached us to inform us that such behavior was inappropriate.

In my 32 years, I have never returned a meal, even when dissatisfied, because I find it extremely uncomfortable, and my manners would never permit me to treat someone in such a manner. Consequently, we left and chose not to dine there out of principle, as she had ruined our evening. A younger, attractive lady with tattoos seemed to have an inflated sense of self-importance, which led her to misinterpret our actions and, in turn, drove away customers for the evening. She has been mentioned in reviews before, and I am surprised she still works there, given her unprofessional behavior and baseless assumptions. It’s a shame, as we had specifically added this restaurant to our bucket list...