Madre — Restaurant in Liverpool

Arrived and informed half the menu was out of stock. Same when ordering my drink, choose Heineken instead. Drinks arrived ordered food, again informed my choice of food was also out of stock from the very limited menu with most items crossed off. Reluctantly choose the 3 fish tacos & ordered another Heineken at the same time... seemed to wait a while for my second drinks so my girlfriend asked for this to be chased up?

I went to the toilet’s, walked to towards a door that says Toilet.. I was shouted at saying toilets upstairs Went upstairs and stood their looking puzzled? Facing the kitchen hatch were plates of food were being served to waiters/ waitresses then informed the room just left of all the plates of cooked food was intact a toilet? No signs just looked like an old cupboard? Just as ruff inside, Not great! Right next to cooked food as well...

Returned to my table still no drink? Again asked for a waiter to chase up this simple order of a pint of lager? Plenty if staff and the restaurant didn't seem full ?

Food arrived, still no pint. Made the request a third time, looked at my food with disappointment 3x tiny soft flour wraps? I assumed tacos were crisp like corn shells?

The 3 tiny fish bites served on a mini plate appeared to be swimming in water? Couldn't understand why? No veg or guacamole just a watery sour cream? Wondering if I should have ordered the £5 tray of salsa etc?

Glad I didn't table next to us did Tiny shot glasses that may have had a teaspoon size portion in each glass?

I thought the 3 tacos for £10 seemed cheap for Albert Dock prices? Turns out eh size and lack of food was the opposite of cheap? You need to spend a lot more for a tiny complete tacos? That's if you're lucky enough for it not to be substituted for something that's not really a tacos? Also added the mango chilli salad side for £5 to my order, again lots of water at the bottom of this bowl.

Having completely forgotten about the second drink I ordered 50 minutes ago, randomly arrived just as were left our food! I did mention my disappointment at this point & and was quickly told we won't be charged for drinks? Still feeling left out of pocket I asked for the bill? My girlfriend asked me were the toilets were? Which I couldn't really give a simple answer to? Unless the tiny ruff toilet right at the top next to the kitchen are unisex toilet? Single cubicle.

Bill arrived but no option to pay? Waitresses just walked away? So for the 5th, 6th time? Asked another member of staff for assistance?

I was asked? Cash or card? Card please!

Bill came waitresses took my card out of my hand and confirmed a contactless payment without showing me the amount on the screen? Which felt a bit wrong to me? Then asked if it wanted a receipt? I replied YES of course!

Receipt came Bill wasn't correct even with the drink knocked off? Was actually lower that it should have been? Yet again another mistake? Felling very frustrated I decided I was going to check my online banking before leaving to make sure the amount on the receipt was debited as the bill was wrong and the very strange way payment was taken with no receipt being present at the point of payment? The receipt needed to be chased up by additional staff...

Lucky the amount charged did match the receipt, even though it was wrong again and again.

Over the Course of out visit it wasn't just one incompetent staff that seemed unable to deal with basic rolls but 4 or 5 different staff?

Even when we were seated the lady said to us don't bother ordering via our APP it's a nightmare! I can't wait to get out of gear when my shift finishes!

The early warning signs were their with first impressions and more than half the menu being out of stock? But with Covid restrictions in place we would have found impossible to book elsewhere last minute in peak season and time.

Left feeling gutted! After our experience after really looking forward to trying something a little different? Substituting tacos for tiny wraps without asking did feel very ignorant?

Others were...

Madre is a Mexican restaurant that truly delivers on quality and flavor. Our meal began with the classic starter of guacamole and chips, and we were not disappointed. The homemade chips were crispy and perfectly seasoned with salt, while the guacamole was fresh and bursting with flavor. Every ingredient, from the lime to the coriander, to the jalapeño and tajin seasoning, came together in harmony.

To drink, we ordered the Black Cherry Margarita & Mezcal Margarita, which was a standout. Nothing better to have with delicious Mexican food.

We then moved onto the tacos, starting with the Birria de Res. The slow-cooked beef shin was incredibly tender and juicy, and the Oaxaca cheese and tatemada salsa added a nice depth of flavor. The tortillas were toasted to perfection and seasoned with the tatemada salsa, which made for a perfect pairing with the beef.

The Baja Fish Tempura taco was exceptional, with the MSC-certified Atlantic pollock cooked to perfection. The crispy batter gave way to a soft and perfectly seasoned fish, and the toppings of chopped tomatoes, coleslaw, onions, jalapeño aioli, and salsa Mexicana made for a well-rounded and flavorful taco.

The Tuna Tostada was another favorite, with a generous amount of fresh tuna paired perfectly with avocado and jalapeño. This dish was a unimaginable, and the flavors came together beautifully.

The special Ribeye Carne Asada was cooked to perfection, and the warm baked flour tortilla provided the perfect vessel for the meat. The queso, crispy onions, and soft tortilla added to the texture and flavor of the dish, making it a well-executed and memorable dish.

The CDMX Ribs were another highlight, with the succulent and juicy ribs marinated in Mexican cola, chili, and lime. Topped with red onions, these ribs were so delicious that we wished they were served in taco form.

The quesadillas were another great dish, with the homemade chorizo adding a nice kick of spice. The melting gruyere and mozzarella cheese were the perfect complement, and the dish was elevated even further with a dip of delicious salsa verde.

We finished the meal with nicely made churros, served with chocolates and a margarita sorbet, which were the perfect sweet end to a wonderful meal.

Overall, Madre is a must-visit restaurant for anyone who loves authentic and flavorful Mexican cuisine. Each dish was expertly executed and delivered on both taste and quality. The attention to detail and quality of ingredients is evident in every dish, making it a truly exceptional...

Madre in Liverpool is a true gem for anyone seeking authentic Mexican food, and our recent visit exceeded all expectations. We booked through First Table, which not only secured us an early dining slot but also gave us an incredible 50% off the bill—a fantastic deal for the quality of food and experience we enjoyed.

We opted for “The Selection” at £30 (£15 for us) per person, and it was a brilliant showcase of Madre’s culinary expertise. The variety was impressive, and every dish was executed to perfection. The elote (Mexican street corn) was a standout, charred beautifully and coated with cheese, chilli, and lime, delivering a smoky, tangy kick. The pork belly was melt-in-the-mouth tender with a crispy edge, while the crab tostadas were light, fresh, and packed with flavour.

The birria tacos were a real highlight, filled with rich, tender meat and served with a deeply savoury broth for dipping. We also enjoyed chicken wings, which were crispy and coated in a tangy buffalo style sauce, as well as chicken tacos, which were simple yet perfectly balanced. The bone marrow was an indulgent addition to the meal, rich and decadent. To finish, we had the ice cream sandwich—a dessert so delicious that we had to order a second one. It was the perfect sweet conclusion to an unforgettable meal.

The cocktails at Madre were exceptional, showcasing authentic Mexican ingredients and featuring high-quality tequila and mezcal. Each drink was vibrant, well-balanced, and a perfect complement to the dishes we enjoyed.

The service at Madre was faultless. The team were warm, welcoming, and clearly passionate about what they do. When we chose “The Selection,” they asked about our preferences and spice tolerance, tailoring the dishes to suit us perfectly. Every course was served promptly, and the staff’s knowledge of the menu and drinks was impressive, enhancing the overall experience.

Madre is a restaurant that gets everything right—delicious food, excellent service, and a lively, authentic atmosphere. The combination of bold, authentic flavours and attentive service made for a memorable evening. Thanks to First Table, it was incredible value for money as well.

We left with full stomachs and big smiles, already planning our next visit. If you’re in Liverpool and craving outstanding Mexican cuisine, Madre is an absolute must-visit. Don’t hesitate—book a table and prepare to be...