Tios Mexican Cafe and Tequila Bar — Restaurant in Ann Arbor

I’ve been to Tio’s several times and I have enjoyed the atmosphere and variety of food. Great tequila selection for those gainfully employed, good margarita pitchers for broke students. Service tends to be good. Except...

The last time I came to Tio’s was an example of exceptionally rude service. They were slightly busy but not full. At first we were told there were no tables and to sit at the bar. After we took our seats our bar tender literally told us that he wouldn’t take our orders “for a long time” and estimated that we’d be waiting for twenty minutes, and told us to go to a table.

Hostess then directs us to a miraculously uninhabited table. Fine.

We go to order drinks, my good friend was refused service because of his international ID card. Our server unconvincingly claimed this was a “Michigan State Law” and that to be served, he needed a Michigan ID or a passport.

I thought this was a little suspicious. Not only does every other liquor-serving establishment in Ann Arbor seem to accept my friend’s international ID, but the BDubs a block away from Tio’s has a giant book of the forms of valid ID from various countries! Our server claimed that they could get in “serious legal trouble,” but I can’t imagine a huge chain like BDubs would be so nonchalant about breaking the law, and never get caught.

I looked up the Michigan LARA laws and the section on approved forms of identification does not prohibit licensed liquor establishments from accepting international ID. I am aware that servers tend to use the “state law” excuse as an avoidance tactic, so perhaps it was just our waiter who was to blame.

However, if this rule indeed is a Tio’s policy, and not just the decision of our server, I have to call it discriminatory and unwelcoming to the multitude of international students and residents of Ann Arbor, especially for a town that prides itself of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. The Michigan Daily has written an article about the discrimination that international visitors face at bars all over the state, and I am sad to see that an Ann Arbor establishment has added its name to the list of offenders.

For what it’s worth: we canceled our orders and ended up going instead to Agave on Main St, which has a way better selection of tequila and better taco Tuesday prices! Our waiter there gladly accepted my buddy’s ID.

Edit to add: Owner, you're disappointed in my review? Nobody likes a sore loser. Just take it on the chin instead of trying to shift the blame to me for having had a bad experience there. I'm disappointed in your restaurant. And after your pathetic non-apology, I'm badmouthing you to everyone I know. Congrats, you mad...

I went because I saw decent reviews and it was conveniently located. Our waitress provided sub par service by far. It literally seemed like she had issues the simple things like bringing water to the table. I might understand the poor service if you guys were packed, but that wasn't the case. If that wasn't bad enough after spending over $100.00 on just simple food all four people I took here got horribly sick afterwards. I'm normally the person to recommend places to people, Tios is not on that list as it stands with me.

So I wrote this review a bit ago, albeit not the most flattering review, but it was honest.

This is the response from the supposed owner below.

Aaron, I apologize that you felt the service was not up to our normally high standard. I will discuss this review with the waitstaff. In terms of your getting ill, that is something we take very seriously. Can you tell me exactly when you were in and what you ate? We prepare everything from scratch and make most items to order so did you all eat the same thing? If something was not cooked properly that could result in you getting sick, but you all would have had to eat that one thing. If you think everything that came to your table made you ill, I would have gotten sick as well because myself and 2 other managers taste everything in the kitchen before service. Also, I would have expected to get more such complaints. Perhaps if you give me some specific information we can sort this out. A common source of foodbourne illness is improper hand washing. Did you and your guests use the bathroom while you were here? I would recommend asking your party if they are all familiar with proper hygienic techniques. Thanks

What I find interesting about this is just the simple things about not taking responsibility for having a piss poor excuse for restaurant service.

The pair of stones it takes to accuse a group of people that ate at your establishment of having not washed their hands in the bathroom is your excuse for food poisoning? You claim your management personally tastes every food item leaving the kitchen? I might consider talking with your staff a bit better and consider yourself lucky I didn't already call the health department to inspect this poor excuse for a restaurant. I'm sure you'll get all upset that I'm not going to let you bad mouth this complaint like every other one I've seen from...

My husband and I were in the city for the afternoon and we kept smelling the delicious smells from the parking garage, and after asking where the yummy scent was coming from, we were told to head over to Tios Mexican Cafe. I remembered this place in college but I don't think I ever actually ate there, so I was excited to give it a try. It was a seat yourself situation being in the middle of the day on a Monday, and we sat down. We were greeted by a friendly woman who asked if we wanted anything to drink and then we never saw her again. We waited close to 10 minutes for someone else to come over to us to take our order and when he did, he was very nice. My husband had to get back to work and we were hoping for a quicker lunch, but that clearly wasn't going to happen. We waited for a while, probably close to 30 minutes for our food. And we were easily one of 3 couples in the entire restaurant. No reason it should have taken that long, given the lack of patrons. We both ordered beef chimichangas and a side of mexican rice. He also ordered fried plantains for us to share. The chimichanga was far too watery. When I cut into it, juices seeped from it. Also, a high content of beans, and not enough of the other things. It also had hints of nutmeg in it, which was odd to me and I didn't like. The rice, it had lots of stewed tomatoes in it, which I get can be part of mexican rice, but I didn't love them, also, it was overcooked and kind of mushy. The fried plantains were not what I was expecting. I anticipated fried-in-a-pan type plantain, not breaded and fried plantain. Which was super odd. All in all, not bad, but not great either, and probably will never go back. The decor in the place was quite nice though. There is a big blue sky with white clouds in the center and very spanish looking orange tiles with cobalt blue and emerald tiles. They have an array of hot sauces displayed as well for sale, for gifting, or for yourself, and they all have very clever, punny names. I enjoyed the warmth of the place and wished I liked...