El Secreto Cocina Artesanal — Restaurant in Chiapas

The drinks are great, that gives it the 1 extra star.

Because the service and food didn't match.

The food didn't match because I asked for a medium steak, and they sent me a rare steak, I asked for it to be medium, and sent it back, they brought it back ajd it was still pretty close to rare.

I then showed them multiple charts of what medium looks like, this isn't my opinion, but is just fact of what medium is, they sent it back.

The chef then brought the food back personally to me to argue with me on what medium is, he was very unhappy and bothered you could tell. He said it was then cooked to medium well and for me to check it, I did, it still wasn't even medium, but I accepted it as I could eat it at that point after them cooking the same steak cut up in pieces now 3 times and no more flavoring on it because their cook doesn't know what medium is.

When I said "that's close to medium I can take it" he said "oh you consider that medium? That's not medium that's medium well"

I share the picture below of what it looks like after being cooked 3 times, you tell me what it is, medium well is what a hamburger is cooked to on standard to understand what medium well is.

At this point I can hear him in the back in the kitchen complaining, I assume they don't know I know Spanish but all the staff are laughing now at this point about us and made the whole experience very uncomfortable.

They offered nothing in return for ruining the food, and this place is expensive to begin with. You expect high class service, food, and cooks when going to a place like this.

Not a staff that laughs at you right in front of you, not just once, the entire time. Paired with a cook that doesn't know how to cook, and food that needs to be sent multiple times so your eating by yourself as everyone else finished by that point.

So you want to go here?

You tell me, is the steak below, after being cooked 3 times "medium well" (compariblee to a hamburger at mcdonalds)? It's not even medium yet, but It is between medium and medium rare so I...

One of the most memorable meals I have had. I cannot imagine making a trip to Mexico and missing having eaten here. The service was attentive. professional, and enjoyable. Rolando and Pako were an amazing team.

We ate around 8:30 and the restaurant was not busy. Even so, the place was immaculate, and decorated comfortably and open. We felt very welcomed.

We did not have alcohol, instead opting for the hot chocolate and cold tascalate con leche. We shared the duck tacos and the roasted pig leg.

Small tastes featuring local ingredients were first presented by the chef to prepare us for our meal.

The duck tacos on our visit were perfect, juicy and well seasoned for our taste balancing the fat with the sour of the red cabbage. The salsa Verde was amazing and creamy and mild enough for a gringo palate with no problem. The square of cheese was functional to hold the Tacos and add to the presentation but was a treat to finish each taco with.

The pork leg was something dreams are made of. Succulent and tender enough to cut or rather just separate with a fork. The skin a dark reddish brown color as crispy and beautiful as the best Peking duck. Even the most crisp portion was not burned and melted in your mouth. I think you would call this chicharon? Presentation and plating was of the highest standards. The accompaniments were beautifuly cooked and arranged. The beans cooked perfectly and enhanced the flavor s of the pork. The mole sauce on the side also balanced the fat of the pok. The roaster spicy hot green peoers were amazing although way too hot for my palate, although the sting was quickly dissipated by the fat from the pork. It was wonderful with the corn tortillas.

For dessert we had the corn flan adding the rich textures and flavors of San Christibal and Chiapas and a wonderful ending to a...

This is an excepcional Restaurant in the Real de Guadalupe area of San Cristobal de las Casas.

I stopped one night after having walked by it a few times and what I discovered was a true gem. My waiter Juan was very very good. I dont speak a lot of Spanish, but when I dine out, I insist on trying. Juan was patient, he was helpful, and he was a good guy!! I made it thru the night without speaking any English. Do while the restaurant was excellent, the cultural experience was also excepcional.

The Chef starts you off with a welcoming taste of what's to come. Tonight it was a nice salmon mix on a small tostada. I live on the Oaxacan coast so we don't see a lot of salmon. It was a nice change of pace and extraordinary in its taste. This is followed by a nice brown bread (pumpkin maybe?)with a great tzizki sauce to apply to the bread. The flavor contrast and the consistency juxtaposition was excellent.

For my meal I had Tacos de Pato (Confit Duck Tacos). These tacos (on blue corn tortillas) were just outstanding. They were as flavorful as anything I have eaten in months and they were very nicely packed with duck. They were delicioso!! I finished my meal with a wonderful Carajillo. This restaurant is excellent! The staff is professional, the Chef is a true talent and this experience...