Mariscos El Rey 1 — Restaurant in Aurora

PSA: I’ve had the pleasure of visiting this place this last Sunday(first visit ever)and I’ll tell ya. I’ve had one of the WORST experiences I’ve ever had going into a Mexican restaurant and I’m Mexican. I don’t go to many Mexican restaurants for that reason of holding such high standards. This last Sunday, myself and some friends had gone, greeted very friendly, waitress very polite food was amazing but the experience can turn all of that negatively real quick and that’s what happened this last Sunday when we were approached by musicians at this establishment. Minded while eating this gentlemen’s comes up to me and asked if I had a song request. I nodded no, as I had food in my mouth and I didn’t have a song to request. This same gentlemen says, would you like to hear “ el Columbia” again while still eating I said to the gentleman “ sure” after noticing he didn’t leave after stating “no” they sang the song. Out of the kindness of my heart I felt a tip was appropriate, this musician had the audacity to tell me it’s $20 a SONG! My jaw dropped! I was in shock that they would allow such charges from musicians when this establishment should be paying the musicians not the other way around or much less charging your sitting customers to pay for the music. The last comment from this musician was him telling me “ there is a ATM right over there”. I told the musician straight up this is a HUSTLE and I wasn’t going to give him anymore money. He got the point at this point and said no problem and walked off. Again shocked that this establishment would allow this. Your musicians need to be explaining such fees before signing to its customers if they expect customers to pay for the song and are these musicians registered with the state to allow such services/charges for music at this establishment? Last after telling this experience to a waiter walking by then telling our waitress(Betty) our experience not once did I see or hear from management as this was going...

Food isn’t the only source of a review and not speaking English is no reason to hang up the phone after a customer called 4 times to ask, “Do you have gluten and dairy free diet options?”. The last call resulted in, “I speak no English.” I then stated in Spanish that I speak a little Spanish. This just resulted in the female receptionist stating, “Monday?”

I can’t state that it’s a fact, but I have had many interactions over the phone with language barriers and asking about food allergies. I am often treated the same way and hung up on. Personally, I interact with multiple individuals who speak little English and they still remain respectful.

Looking at your reviews made me want to come visit and taste all the wonders your restaurant holds. I have anticipation around the type of service I’ve received. It’s a fact that your experience can change your opinion about the food’s quality and taste. Reception is the first impression a customer gets, please grow from this review.

UPDATE: the owner called me back and apologized, offered that they can accommodate a gluten/dairy allergy, and offered me...

Food tasted great. It took a bit long for the food to be prepared after ordered. The drinks were promptly brought and ordered first. My husband asked for a clamato preparado to be brought with the rest of the food when ordering our appetizers. Once or food was brought, our waitress totally forgot about the clamato but did not charge us it. When needing drink refills they were a bit delayed in arriving or asking us about refills and bringing them. We were a party of 6.... paying separately. When asked to split the bill she brought us the bills split up and then took them back saying they were wrong,even though our bills were rightfully split ...just the gratuity 18% tip was not included the first time around...so she added it in the second time around. We didn't mind too much as we were all going to tip about the same amount as the gratuity tip and maybe a little more all together. It was just a bit silly. It is a place with great tasting sea food. For which I would visit again, it just requieres a little patience especially...