Mexicano's — Restaurant in Christchurch

Great food, but terrible service, would not return because of the service. Went here for my friends farewell dinner, arrived at the bar 20mins before our table was booked so went to the bar to get some drinks, there was 1 bartender on. He just ignored us for about 5mins, instead of saying hi I'll be with you shortly or something... as he was busy, so we awkwardly watched him making drinks. We would have left if it was just us out for dinner. So we waited patiently since we were meeting people there. Then he said sorry I'll be with you soon, finally said something! Waited another 10mins, finally got our drinks. Waited for our friends to arrive they arrived at 6pm, a small petite lady which appeared to be the manager came over and asked if we had a reservation we said yes and told her the name it was under she quite Rudley said you only have till 7.15pm and then you have to leave we have another reservation, I thought that was really rude and rushed, I've never experienced this at a resturant. So anyway went to the table got some more drinks, it took quite a while to come out, then ordered food, they didnt have burritos which is odd since its Mexican.. ordered our food. Food came out was delicious! Ordered another drink before the food came out and so did my friend 15mins later the drinks still hadnt arrived, asked a waitress and she said sorry the bars busy I'll check.. still no drink 10mins later, asked another waitress she said sorry I'll check... still no drink my other friends had ordered drinks during this time and theirs had come out, which was odd. At this point we were getting really annoyed, then they brought my friends drink and not mine and took off again. My father then ordered a Corona and I asked again where my drink was? Again told sorry I'll go check, then the same rude manager from the start comes over and says sorry you cant have your drink now you have to leave the table for the next reservation is here and waiting... thought this was extremely rude, I told her I had asked 3 times and waited at least 45mins for my drinks she said sorry but was still so rude, I will never return to this place, because of the terrible service! I get the feeling they dont really care anyway because so many people fo there anyway, they probably just have bad service and get...

I’ve got to stop doing this to myself: getting excited about Mexican food only to remember I live in New Zealand where Mexican food equals tacos or quesadillas. It’s not even real tacos, it’s the tacos your mom makes based on a recipe she found online or the back of a box. A Canadian bartender recommended Mexicanos. I figured Canada was closer to Mexico than New Zealand. Silly me.

To begin my rant, what’s with New Zealand’s obsession with día de los muertos? Every kiwi Mexican restaurant based their entire atmosphere on a holiday which is noted once in one’s school days as a tradition but frankly, Quinceañera is more commonly mentioned and celebrated. Día de Los muertos is a footnote by comparison yet every kiwi restauranteur who wants to serve “Mexican food” also seems to think this is the only theme available. Mexican restaurants should be filled with Latino folk art, chiclet dispensers, and sombreros. The walls should be painted the colors of the Mexican flag with murals of Mexican dancing or village squares in the blank spaces. There should be classico mariachi playing too loudly through the speakers. I miss Mexican men in black loafers with mustaches cooking and serving food alongside members of their extended family as they poke gentle fun at their customers to make you feel as a part of their family. Most of all though, I miss items which don’t share all the same ingredients on the menu which have bold flavors because the cook isn’t afraid to take risks. I’m tired of bbq places calling themselves Mexican food because they serve food on a flour tortilla. Is this a scathing review of Mexicanos? Not really. I’m just suggesting we stop serving a caricature of Mexican food. I suppose I’ll have to resign myself to the fate of never seeing a kiwi Mexican menu offering camarones a la diabla, or tacos Al pastor or pollo con creme, or flautas, or refried beans. sigh Mexicanos is ok if you’re looking for standard kiwi bbq on a...

Overall we had a lovely time, but that was more to do with the company I think. Food was yummy and would bring me back, however they are very small portions and not alot to them, however cost wise I didn't think it was to bad. The venue itself has a lovely charm to it, but we were seated at a high table, very uncomfortable seats, you have to sit on your jackets or scarfs etc, half way through I found the hooks under the tables for bags which was great as there was nowhere to place them. We kept getting bumped into, I got hit with a serving tray on my back, my friend got knocked numerous times as the staff were passing to go to other tables. Also, the tables are so close together that when clearing glasses etc the staff are right on your shoulder. Another got knocked near her face when plates being cleared. Our server from the get go was not very personable, not at all friendly and unless we got her attention (which felt very rude) we were never asked if we wanted more drinks, how everything was going etc, I sat on one wine for 2 hours! No dessert menu given, and she started clearing the table while some were still eating, also went to take a plate of food that was being eaten from. There were a couple empty tables which is why I think we were allowed to stay 2 hours, but it definitely didnt feel like she wanted to keep us there. The staff member at the till was the opposite, very friendly and much more...