El Presidente Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Augusta

I've passed this place many times as I walk along the promenade by the river. I finally decided to stop in one beautiful evening in Augusta. The patio was about half full when I got there at 6:30. Be sure to go inside to request a table on the patio. The menu is extensive and includes all of the typical choices you have at Mexican restaurants just about anywhere in America. I chose chicken fajitas and an upgraded margherita. Service was not fast.. but it was a nice night so I didn't mind. The drink was served in a plastic cup which meant the rim salt was pretty much gone when I picked up the cup. The flavor was surprisingly not good. I waited about 20 minutes for my dinner. It was served on a hot sizzling skillet... just as you would expect. The serving was generous but unfortunately had no flavor. The chicken was bland and the peppers, etc. were definitely overcooked. The flour tortillas were warm but also lacking in flavor. BTW, as is typical, you get 3 tortillas but you can get more if you ask...but there is an extra charge. It took awhile to get the check. Note that you may be charged a 3% service fee for using a credit card. The place did fill up by the time I left and others seemed to be enjoying their meals. I was disappointed but that doesn't mean you will be. Give El Presidente a shot if you are...

It was not busy at all. I saw only five people ( 1- single and 2- couples) that were getting service, unless there were a few in the back that I did not see. We made eye contact with a few workers that were just walking around doing nothing, or at least it appeared they were doing nothing, and they did not acknowledge that we were there. It took about 10 minutes for someone to seat us. Once we were seated, it took another 15 minutes (stopwatch) for us to get serviced (very patient); I finally decided to go and get someone; it may have been longer. We yet were served, but the waitress (who said she was the manager) lacked quality customer service, she wasn't horrible, she just appeared not to care that we had been waiting for so long, since they weren't busy. We still gave a tip because she served us, and I believe in tipping, but your service determines the amount. We also left a friendly note with a few suggestions.

I've been a waitress before at a high traffic restaurant, so I know how frustrating it can be, and I also understand that every day isn't going to be peaches and creams. Will I go back? Not to the one downtown. I will stick with Vallarta Restaurant or try...

The food was excellent. I ordered a medium rare Steak Ranchero with a Amaretto Sour and a sweet tea. The waiter brought me my steak and my Amaretto Sour. She didn't bring me my sweet tea until after giving me my check which at that time me and all my friends were already done eating. I asked her nicely if she could bring my sweet tea over three separate times. She didn't bring it until we were getting ready to leave which was way to late. She gave me my drink in a to go cup that made no sense to me. I might as well have not been charged for it but I was charged for it. I would have left a tip because the food was so tasty and she was nice but everyone else at my table got their cups of water and alcoholic beverages while I lacked my sweet tea. I asked nicely for my one missing drink and I didn't get it until the end of my visit. Sweet tea is my favorite drink. I would have loved to drink the sweet tea as I ate my Steak Ranchero for the first time. That was the whole point I ordered sweet tea it was to have it with my steak. That was very disappointing. I hope that Mi Rancho can do better on my next visit. This made me feel like my one small request wasn't...