Don Taco — Restaurant in Alexandria

First things first, I want to say that our server tonight was amazing and that this review has nothing to do with what he did for us.

But with that being said, I will never come back and give my money to this establishment again! The front half staff was completely rude, and treated my party and me horribly. We came in and they treated us like we were going to do something horrible the entire time. They kept staring at us, and not paying attention to any of the other guests. Like we were going to dine and stiff them with the bill.

Then everyone behind us who came in, they treated them the way someone should be treated when you come to a restaurant. The hostess told us that we couldn’t wait in the restaurant until a table was ready, and when my friend asked if we could sit at the bar, she said only if you pay for something… my first reaction is why would you say that to us first off! And secondly, of course we would pay your service, that’s why we came to the restaurant in the first place.

Then when we were seated, she immediately said we had 90 minutes and that’s it, and our time already started before sitting down. We were seated right next to the entrance, and not one time did we hear her or anyone else mention to the other guests that their was a time limit, or that they couldn’t wait in the restaurant as they waited for a table to become available.

They sat us at the table closest to the door; and when they wanted to keep the front door open, they asked the table further from the door if they were comfortable with this. But they didn’t even bother to ask us, and we were closer. My sister had to ask them to close the door because it was freezing!

Then the table next to us on the other side was there way before we arrived, and they didn’t leave until maybe a few minutes before we did. And they didn’t get told that their time was up, they just left on their own. But they made sure to tell us when our time was up, and they didn’t even say thank you for coming or anything when we left the restaurant (except for our waiter).

The male hostess was nice and told us where to access the menu, but the two women hostess’ were rude and nasty to us from the beginning for no reason. They were even nasty on the phone days prior to us attending the establishment when we just wanted to know some information.

I highly recommend that NO one dine here, and find somewhere else to eat and spend their money on. They don’t need the meaning of the customer experience, nor customer service. I have already contacted the BBB about this visit, and I will never, ever, ever come back here again! Nor recommend this place to...

TLDR: Horrible, discriminatory front of staff service, will never return. Pre-pandemic i used to frequent Don Taco. It WAS one of my favorite places in old town. That is no longer the case. First off, the waiter was amazing. Very attentive from beginning to end. Now the hostess/other front of house very rude, instead beyond rude, except for the male host. Specifically the two female employees on 3/12/22. Initially i called to make a reservation since their website said we can do so, my party and I were celebrating a special occasion. I was told rudely, we don’t take reservations and was hung up on. I didn’t take this to heart, and we decided to go a couple days later. Huge mistake. My cousin and I arrived first, since we had a party of 5 it was a couple of minutes wait which we did not mind. The male hostess took our info, and we waited in the front for the rest of our party since it was 30 degrees outside. When they arrived, we were getting dirty looks from the two female staff members. Eventually one came up to use and told us we couldn’t wait in the front, my cousin asked if we could sit at the bar. We were told only if we paid for something. Like why wouldn’t we pay? We decided to wait in sephora for a total of 3 minutes. We were stared at and had eyes rolled at us our whole meal. As we seen them both be so kind to other patrons. We were sat in the front next to the host stand so they stood by our table the entire time we dined. Since we were by the door the hostess even tried to leave it open while it was windy and cold out! She only asked the patrons by the heater if they minded, not us directly in front of the door. Someone from our party had to let her know to please keep it closed as we were cold. It wasn’t a busy night, but it was made clear to us that we only had 90 minutes to eat. For every other table no reminder or letting them know about eating time limits. There were even tables that were there before us, and was still there when we left. As guests left, have a good evening and I hope you enjoyed your meal was shouted to them all. When we left they just stared at us. I stood at the door and looked back and she had her arms folded and just looked at me as if our party deserved all the treatment her and her co worker gave. I will no longer give Don Taco my money and will let my family and friends know to no longer come to this establishment. Good food will never overtrump...

Came this evening during the pub crawl. It was an absolute nightmare. When we came in we told the host that we were doing the pub crawl and were instructed to go upstairs. When we did, the female server (dressed as spider man in a skin tight suit which I find odd for serving.. but I digress) working upstairs told us that if we wanted a table we would have to see the host downstairs which we had and were instructed just to meander upstairs. She told us to wait at the doorway of the upstairs threshold and never came back. At that point 10 or so minutes had passed and a line began to form on the stairs. A male server (possibly a manager or a floater) came by and offered us a table and also seated those that were waiting in the stairwell. Once sat we were completely ignored by the server. We were not greated even though those that came in well after us had been. We were not offered a single thing other than an occasional unwarrented scowl or roll of the eyes from her. 15 minutes go by and the same manager (again possibly just a floater) came by and asked if we needed anything. We said we hadn't ordered yet and ordered drinks and chips. Once the chips and drinks came out (at this point we have been here for 20-30 minutes) the girl comes by and gives us some napkins. I ask if we could have some water but she says they have no clean cups even though I can see where they are retrieving water from with a plethora of cups that have been brought and placed there.. She comes back some time later and takes our order. Food comes out quick but she never comes back. We ask for another chips and salsa from and give her the ticket we were provided for the pubcrawl that ensures it is free but she contests and says that does not work but takes it anyway.. The chips and salsa never come. She is unattentive to us and is completely unprofessional and was somewhat aggressive when we asked for our tickets to be split. The same male manager (again possibly a floater) came by and said he was told that we needed something. We just said that we had asked for our tickets to be seperated and that we were ready to leave.. Once paid out we still tipped as we were unsure as to who would be receiving it, in hopes that it would go to the male that was assisting as he actually knows what he is doing while she unfortunately does not.

On the plus side the food was good even though she forgot to put in a portion of our...