EL VENADITO — Restaurant in Mexico City

So, this was a disappointment. I am in this area regularly, having coffee nearby, and have visited this cantina previously. However, I don't think I will return, for one big reason.

The food was ok, nothing special, whilst not terrible for the price. It is really just a bit bland, with little seasoning, but like I say, you can get by that because it is cheap.

The coffee is a cup of hot water, with which you mix in the coffee and sugar to your liking.

The atmosphere is ok, and overall it is the customers that make it.

Now, I am aware that this might sound a little privileged but hear it through. I use a cash card abroad for obvious reasons, and always keep it loaded to make sure I don't get caught short.

When paying for this meal, they rejected my card for insufficient funds, and so I showed that I did indeed have funds. They refused my offer of a transfer as it was not available at that moment, and you can see here I am trying to resolve the situation. I offered to go next door and ask to send them the money in exchange for cash as they know me well, a sign that I am not going to run off with 130MXN. The waiter marched me round and waited outside whilst I tried to explain, however it was not possible because the owner was not there. He suggested I go to the bank and withdraw cash, and that is fine with me, but I need to wait for others to pay so that he can escort me there, so I don't run off with 130MXN. I even offer to leave my keys as a form of deposit whilst I go there, but that is not good enough. He again marches in front of me to the bank. When we arrive the machine says insufficient funds despite them being there, which he has seen. He then tells me in front of other people that I not going to be allowed to not pay, and I explain that obviously I know that. It is 130MXN. He then insists we go to my house to retrieve the money where he waits whilst I borrow 130 MXN.

I fully understand that this looks bad. Foreigner expects special treatment when he cannot pay. However, I clearly demonstrated that I had the money and offered alternative ways of paying, as well as things to hold in deposit.

I won't return, which is a shame because now I need somewhere to watch the World Cup games and...

El lugar es muy tradicional, barato y sin pretensiones. La comida es buena pero a veces pasada de sazón o grasa, las porciones son generosas. Fuimos un sábado a las 5 y había promo de 2x1 así que fuimos 4 personas por lo menos 12 copas de solera con sus mezcladores, comida, café y agua mineral extra por $1300. Regalado. Las amenidades incluyen cantantes improvisados y uno francamente berreaba pero el último de la noche estuvo estupendo. Desde las 9 cierran la cortina y poco a poco se vacía el lugar. Tanto los meseros como las hostess son muy amables y serviciales, pusieron el partido Tigres América como se solicitó (aunque sin sonido). Limpiaron el baño muy rápido despues de que alguien tuvo un "accidente". Te estacionas en la calle pero es una parte tranquila, hay patrullas rondando así que tengan conductor designado...

Hacia como 20 años que no me prestaba aquí. Lo han renovado y quedó bien, aunque es muy estrecho por las columnas. La comida no está mal, de hecho hubieron unas tostadas de tampiqueña buenísimas... la bebida, apostaría a qué no es 100% lo que dicen, el ron que tomé no sabía a lo que debía. Cuidado.

La chica que cantó, háganle un favor y díganle que lo suyo es otra cosa.

El servicio, para llorar... no había tanta gente pero no pudieron sacar los platos en tiempo, nos dejaron esperando, un desastre. No sé si volvería dentro de los...