El Catrín — Restaurant in Geneva

Updated review: had to revise the 3 stars review to 1 due to the aggressive reply by the owner, despite me sharing a good review initially, with personal observations for customers to know, especially living and dining in Geneva for over 7 yrs, and knowing where to go, if someone wants to enjoy a good meal and drinks according to what someone pays for(my review is at a personal capacity. One is free to take up my suggestions/ observations, I'm not enforcing them to anyone). However, this owner's went on a rant, and calling out greedy replies, perhaps to me, and telling me off not come. Also, this establishment thinks preparing cocktails in the afternoon with fresh lime, and serving them in the evening as fresh. Well, let the customer decide what is fresh at 17chf, which comes from a slush machine, or go to a restaurant who insults customer as greedy, if they ever think of ordering more than 3 tacos. It seems the owner/chef's cannot accept or have the capacity of receiving constructive feedback (despite the false claim in the reply), and the immediate reaction is to become aggressive, and use personal verbal attacks are evident, and it is very clear, how the establishment culture is. Also, the owner goes on detailed attacks on what our group ordered and ate. Perhaps, my friends were ok with their orders, but I wasn't impressed, so I just ordered lightly to be with the group. Also, the owner thinks I don't know the prices and quality of dining out in Geneva. One can imagine, if the clients shared their displeasure onsite, this owner's reaction would be. On that note, yes, I will not be going to this aggressive establishment ever again, and ensure my friends/colleagues know what I really feel about the place too.

First review: A Mexican restaurant with local music and milieu. The staff are very friendly, and speaks English, Spanish and French. The interior is colorful and the local music playing in the background gives it a Mexican charm. The music can be very noisy. The food is ok quality, but you don't get the bang for the CHF paid. Food presentation is good and fits Instagram, but not filling. The tacos are nice, but thin and the quantity is small. You need to have at least 4 or 5 tacos or more to feel full. Hence, be ready to pay at least 30+ CHF, just for tacos. The margaritas were a disappointment, because they aren't made fresh, perhaps, it comes from a slush machine at the bar, and the quantity isn't fulfilling for the 17chf price tag. The burrito brother's margaritas are much better, icy, and you get what you pay for, and a nice brain freeze tequila buzz as well. Overall, if customers want a quais Mexican ambience in Geneva, this place is ok, but for value for food & drinks vice, it's not my cup of tea. Hence, personally, wouldn't recommend this restaurant if customers want to really enjoy Mexican food that is value for money. I only go if I must (but not anymore, see above reasons). Living in California and visiting Tijuana time to time, my expectations for Mexican or Tex-mex cuisine are high, and expected better value for...

This a cute little place and it’s clear some care has been put into the design. It was very busy for Saturday brunch when I arrived at the end of the morning period, but quickly tables began to clear. I was asked to move tables, and I’m not entirely clear as to why because no one took the table I had been seated at. The service was surprisingly slow, I’m used to Europe having very attentive servers. I tried to ask questions about the menu in three different languages but was brushed off and told the server would return. He didn’t.

Eventually someone else did and I just picked something because I was quite hungry at that point and decided not to bother inquiring about the menu further. I picked a simple huevos rancheros with a coke.

The server admitted that she had forgotten me entirely when she brought me my drink 20 minutes later, and she offered some complimentary totopes and guacamole. The guacamole is different here, unlike any I’ve ever seen in Mexico; maybe from the north? Made with cucumber! It was fine. She brought it with two salsas of the El Yucateco-type, I don’t think they were made by the restaurant.

My huevos rancheros looked very good and included crema, queso fresco, and cilantro. I was surprised by the pickled onions and lack of avocado, but again, maybe this is northern style? I was disappointed by the salsa, it was thick and tasted like bolognese from a can: not spicy, no fresh tomatoes or onions or chile cooked into a salsa. The tortillas de maiz were very good.

I was left to myself to eat, and asked once if everything was to my liking. I had to go inside to pay as the servers disappeared again after clearing the table beside mine. They must have been short staffed.

I went really wanting the tacos al pastor, but I don’t think I’ll bother going back. Small changes to the menu would make it more like the food I grew up with and make at home when I am not...

I was feeling like eating serrano hot pepper, which is quintessential on real dishes from México. I called to inquire and Adrian confirm me that they had it on the guacamole, for the tacos and on everything I wanted. I even asked: are you sure it is serrano and NOT jalapeño? he said: It is serrano. When I arrive I was met by Adrian who now told me they didn’t have any. Although I was “lied to” we were hungry and we stayed and ate. the guacamole was saltless, excessive garlic and canned tomato paste on the soup (must be fresh tomato), the tortillas were falling apart on tacos and lukewarm Jamaica water. yak! The hot sauces maybe tasted rancid because they are served on poisonous bisphenol (bpa)plastic containers, drinks are serve with aluminum straws that can not be cleaned inside. (straws are only for people that can not drink from a glass) I guess this place is NOT for real mexican food connoisseurs. UPDATE: After the owner read this review and Violating privacy rules, he rang my phone around five times because he had number from my reservation and harassed me. He got very upset and said I was a liar and forcefully demanded me to delete the review tying to scare me. This restaurant owner takes reviews as an aggression and not an opportunity to improve his business. I even had to block the various numbers he called me from just to stop him from calling to harass me again and then I had to change my...