Antojitos Mexicanos — Restaurant in Appleton

We came in at just before 6pm on a Friday, called ahead to ask about a wait because duh. On the phone they said no wait, arrived and seated immediately.

We have been here with this group before, knew what to expect and did not have any questions on the menu, did not ask for more time to think, just sat - ordered- intended to enjoy. We love the food and atmosphere, normally have a great experience. This was not the case today...

We had 3 adults, one toddler, ordered waters all around enjoyed the chips and salsa. We put in our food order fairly quickly knowing it was a pretty full place. Our order was 3 mains, a side of rice and beans, and one N/A lemonade mocktail. Everything straight off the menu. Nothing complicated or crazy. We waited an hour and a half for our food and still nothing, so we spoke up to the waiter and asked him to bring the bill and pack up our order to go.

We needed to get home for the specifically timed meds of my rare disease 2yo. Not to mention a waiter who knows their stuff sees a toddler in their section and prioritizes moving that order along as best as can be done. When toddlers are done, they are DONE. So inform the table if there is to be a longer-than-usual wait for food or any menu item. Set expectations so if the plan needs to adjust it can. We know the kitchen or waiter forgot us because we saw MANY others come in be seated after us, order, eat, and go all before we got our second bowl of chips.

Many restaurant patrons complimented us on how calm and well behaved the toddler was, so you know this was not our first rodeo. We know what to expect, what is a reasonable time frame and how to be kind when mistakes happen and are remedied. This mistake was not remedied. Nothing was offered as far as a discount or even an apology from the manger. In fact the bartender had to flag down our waiter and remind him we were back there.

We had to go so we let the waiter know we'd need the food packed up to go before it arrived to our table and the bill immediately.

We got home only to realize the food was wrong. We should have verified, yes. But in our haste to get going with a now sleepy hungry toddler we did not. Incorrect tacos and missing the rice and beans side. On the phone they offered to remake the food, but since we were at home with the toddler safely past meds and bed time - we asked for a refund. Only a refund to the messed up main was offered, not a refund to the rice and beans which were missing entirely - and before I could say so the line was dead.

I get that Fridays are busy, that waiters forget things here and there, and that mistakes happen. But this was a super lame experience all around. We came home to the messy kitchen which prompted us to go out in the first place and still had to clean it up and cook to eat food - even though we paid in both time and money to avoid that chore today.

We will certainly think twice about visiting again after this food service faux pas. This is a price point higher than competitors in the area, and today that was not worth the extra or the...

Hope my story/review is a learning experience for the business owner. Please learn how to provide excellent customer service… It will benefit you… people like me who talk will either recommend or NOT recommend your business. Small example… I posted this to my person Facebook page and got lots of response and emotion from the public… read below…

"I went to Antojitos restaurant on College ave for lunch and ordered some guac and chips to eat at the bar while I waited for my takeout. After a while, I ask if that is coming out soon as I want it before hand and the socially strange bartender says "I think so" but never goes to check on it. I ask a 2nd time- nothing. Then my take out food comes out with the guac, so I say "I don't need the guac anymore since I wanted it while I waited." The manager? apologizes and says he will comp it and then hands it to me and says "please, you take it anyway, I will take it off your bill, again sorry." Well that would have been great customer service except the owner has to come and actually take it off the bill. The owner is verbally talking down to the bartender in front of me and then hands me the new bill. I sign it and go to leave and he says "wait, you can't have that, I took it off your bill so you didn't pay for it and he actually takes the guac away from me!!!" What kind of crazy is that? Bad Bad Bad customer service!

"Wow. I keep meaning to try this place, but maybe not." Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"yikes!!" Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"Whhhaaaat!!" Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"We had bad service there too frown emoticon" Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"That is terrible!" Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"Whoa! That's awful!" Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"Was the food good?" Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"Noo!! That is my favorite restaurant! Sad to hear people have had such bad service! frown emoticon" Like · Reply · 2 · 10 hrs

"Oh man…." Like · Reply · 10 hrs

"That's not good." Like · Reply · 9 hrs

"O.O" See Translation Like · Reply · 9 hrs

"Wow! I recommend Sangrias in Appleton or Margaritas in GB for good Mexican food…" Like · Reply · 8 hrs

" ….and good customer service smile emoticon" Like · Reply · 8 hrs

"Wow businesses like that are never successful." Unlike · Reply · 1 · 8 hrs

"Yikes!" Like · Reply · 6 hrs

"That's so lousy! My jaw would drop." Like · Reply · 4 hrs

"OMG! So I bet dude/owner takes the guac and chips, walks into the kitchen and dumps them in garbage of course. (or eats them himself) Better to say "so VERY sorry, my compliments!" What's the cost of the guac & chips? Less than $1.25 I'm sure. Cost of pissing people off and telling people about this? Priceless. And to talk down to the BARTENDER? For personal reasons I find this most offensive. LOL! wink emoticon" Unlike · Reply · 1 · 1 hr

"I had dinner there with Hunter the other night and they NEVER brought us our drinks and charged us for them. Then Hunter ordered a quesadilla with beans but got rice. I informed the server..when I got my bill i was charged extra for the beans he originally ordered!!! Never again will I visit this...

Tonight we got the chance to experience the newly renovated and expanded Antojitos Mexicano on College Ave in Appleton. We were NOT disappointed, to put it simply it was beautiful and delicious.

It’s swanky enough to be a solid go to when you want to dress up for a classy night out, but casual enough that you can go in jeans and a hat (like we did tonight).

The foot print is more than double the size, so much more spacious and open than ever before.  If you’re wondering how all that additional room is possible, it’s because the restaurant is expanded to fill the neighboring building as well. Joining the two buildings was done so well it looks like it’s always been that way.

Covering two buildings doesn’t mean it feels too open or not inviting, it’s quite the opposite. It has a cozy feel to it created in many different ways.  By adding sitting areas with couches, quaint tables, little nooks for drinks and appetizers and all the different looks and textures that were used, it feels like you’re able to experience the restaurant in many different areas, all with their own ambiance.  Many different styles of chairs and and seating ensure you’ll be happy to enjoy your time there while soaking in the beautiful decor, lighting and of course those you’re with. There’s even a large community table for groups or getting to know others.

The food was as great as always, with quite a few new additional items on the menu but also so many of the same items we always loved. If you’re like us, you’ll also notice new dishes, plates, and much more. It’s a like a new restaurant, but one where you know you’ll already love the food, drinks and staff.

Speaking of drinks, there’s now 2 bars. The original bar and back bar area is still there but now there is a new, very large bar in the front of the new part. We didn’t partake in having drinks tonight but the drink menu is expanded as well. Of course there’s the favorites like Margaritas (our favorite being the BMW), Mojitos, Paloma’s etc, but there is also many new drinks on the menu (craft cocktails, beers and others that we’ll have to explore over the years).

We can’t wait to go back again and again. Congrats the to Antojitos’s team on their new chapter and thank you for providing a place for your customers to create memories with each other, while enjoying delicious food and drinks in such a beautiful place! We’re lucky to have such an amazing place...