Church Street Cafe — Restaurant in Albuquerque

Not fit for large parties. Food comes out cold. Chicken Fajitas are all veggies, 1 thigh for $25. Mariachi band is not needed for the size of this venue as it’s just too loud.

Brought a party of 20. Called ahead and was told we could only do 1 check for parties over 6 people. At the end of the meal, the owner/ manager tells us that “you should have never have had a party this big on one check!”

Lobby ATM only lets you take out a max of $20 ( unheard of!). Staff is rude and inattentive. Bartender doesn’t know how to make a drink correctly, mojitos need to be muddle or shaken at least.

Promises made by staff fell short when they couldn’t/ didn’t deliver. Just all around poor service and management.

Would really love it if they would have just admitted to being unable to handle a large party instead of ruining an evening.

After having worked and managed restaurants and bars for 11 years, I can say with the utmost understanding that this was not simply a server issue, but a systemic failure from management down. Poor training, poor management, poor service, leading to an overall failed experience.

Updated: In response to management response. Our party consisted of 18 people and never grew, in fact we had two people from our original 20 person reservation who couldn’t make it.

Additionally, the tip left was not $10, we left the servers (each) a 20% tip in accordance with the receipt total. The secondary liquor bill sprung on us at payment, which should have been disputed as the same items were on the original check, also received a 20% tip. Since the bill was paid on a business credit card, the tip has to fall in line with IRS provisions for what we’re allowed to provide as a tip on business meals. All of this was conveyed to the servers at the start and conclusion of service. Please be sure to provide truthful responses. Additionally, a buffet option was not offered to our party. Had that been an option, we would have gladly considered it as we understand the effort required to serve a large party, hence why we called in advance to ensure that your operation was able to accommodate a group of our size.

I’ve worked in a Tex-mex kitchen with one chef, one sous chef, a prep cook, a dishwasher, and 5 servers, routinely serving food for 6-700 people daily, often with parties of 20+ people and additional outside catering orders. Daily preparation, consolidation of the menu to share ingredients, and proper timing are key in managing a restaurant operation. Perhaps instead of insulting your customers, you may take a look at your operation and find areas for improvement and efficiency optimization.

We liked the food that was prepared correctly, but missing order items, incorrect items being delivered, and inattentive service are not things the customer can correct for you.

I appreciate the stresses of both running a small business operation and a restaurant operation as I have done both. However, I cannot lie to the public and recommend others with large groups to frequent your establishment. If you have a policy that you can’t accommodate large groups other than buffet style, then just put that out there when groups call. Or split the groups into more manageable groupings for your operation and communicate expectations to your...

This was my first visit. I swear on a stack of Mad magazines that I nearly always give 5 star reviews (easy to verify here in Google). The service was interesting. The waitress was excellent, extremely attentive. The hosts didn't notice me standing at the front of the line at the host station. When I was asked what I needed (not the number in my party), I said with a grin that I needed to be seated with my group. The host disappeared. The second time, different host, a group behind me were asked how many in their party. I was opaquely invisible and spoke up, "hello, dear". The host said there was no group there by that name and turned her attention to the group of young women behind me. No idea why that happened. Fortunately, the first host, who did know the group by name, reappeared and walked me to the table. I am a 63 year old woman with a fine sense of humor and I smile a lot. Is it that I am trying a new streaked gray and brunette hairdo? That I was wearing a red cotton blouse, super bright paper bag bermuda shorts in a jamaican-like red and orange flower print with basketball shoes and blood red laces. No, clearly not invisible, something else. No idea. I arrived on time and 15 minutes late at the table. My compañeras were super happy with their food choices. The atmosphere was excellent outside on the patio aside from something putrid decaying near the wall in the 90 degree weather. I'm sure it was just a super bad day for odors. Something died in the heat. I ordered Marie's vegetarian sandwich and it was sliced bread with sliced peppers and onions between them. This was a surprise snack, no protein, not lunch. I know I just happened to choose the only plate that they plan to take off the menú on the next version. Bad timing. I will go back, for sure, and try something on the new menu, preferably pure New Mexican food with a bottle of nice Rio Grande red wine, dry and muddy... And don something more contemporary, like a plain solid brown cotton dress with loafers. The company was outstanding. The experience was like an alternate telling of Alice...

This past Saturday (6/7/2025) for the church fiestas my mom made reservations for seven.  My friend and I had been there the night before and had a great time.  But Saturday was a different story.  The waiter was not only slow but rude.  When we first got seated he showed up at the table and introduced himself, but made it a point that we had to say his name correctly and even showed it on a piece of paper.

It was weird as if he did not seem to be wanting to work.  After dropping off the waters he walked away while we were trying to ask for lemon. He came back and one in the group said his name incorrectly. He made it a point that the guest say his name correctly.

Then the issue with getting food, it took forever.  The night before along with the waters the waitress brought us some Chips and Salsa.  This time the waiter said we all had to order entrees to get the sChips and Salsa.  There was one person that ordered an entree and the others ordered appetizers and a la carte tacos, it was not like we didn't order food.  We asked for salsa for the tacos and were charged for the two little bowls.

Then there was the issue of the nachos.  We ordered two and the menus mentioned all that came with them.  one came without beans.  but after he dropped off the orders he did not come back so we asked another waitress to call him and even then it took him forever to show up.  When he did we asked about the beans and he said that we have to ask for them as they are not included.  The menu mentions them so not sure what he meant by that.

The overall experience we had was not what you'd expect from a popular place and definitely not the same one we had the day before.  oh, and the place was not busy at all.  The waiting staff was idle and standing in the hallway chatting.

So for my writing.  The food is the BEST, but the service...