Clandestino Gastro-Bar — Restaurant in Azusa

I felt like 2025 has been one let down after another when it comes to all the new foodie spots I'm trying for the first time.... So, let's start from the beginning. This place started off pretty packed, but hey, good places turn people in and out, and waiting isn't something I'm afraid to do. After finding a place to park I take off inside to put my name on the list from the looks there about 6 or 7 groups ahead of me but that didn't matter because I was set to try the Ribeye Chilaquiles!!! I make my way inside and I asked for a table for 3, the young lady said it would be a 30 minute wait and took my number down to send we an update link so I knew when the were ready for us. Thirty minutes went fast, and we were being seated inside. The place is packed with people inside and out, people are talking, eating ordering it seemed like man this place is a well oiled machine. Our waitress asks us if it's our first time and begins to tell us what they are famous for "The Ribeye Chilaquiles" oh and yes that's what we were there for... So unordered through Ribeye Chilaquiles with 3 eggs and 3 types of sauce for the wifey and I. My daughter wanted the kids' chicken nuggets with fries. We also ordered drinks. I did order the Hortchata because the waitress was raving about it, and it was food probably my favorite part of the meal!!! Out came my daughters meal fries were burnt and chicken nuggets very of like Mc Donalds but darker in color... My daughter said dad it looked like they bought them from Mc Donalds and recooked them... our meal didn't come out for another 15 minutes, which I would have thought they could have planned the delivery of meals better so we could have all eaten at the same time. Out came our plate the famous Ribey Chilaquiles and it looked great. Problems start first they leave it on the table with no plates and forks. I guess we have to eat it by hand, LOL. I wave down a waitress and ask for plates mean while I swear if the air conditioner went full blast as soon as our plate was delivered and the vent right on our table directly blowing full blast on our food. The waitress arrives with our plates and forks so we can eat. I promise on everything that I only enjoyed one bite warm before everything else was ice cold!!! If you have ever eaten Chilaquiles, cold tortillas smothered in sauce isn't good, nor is a cold ribeye.... Our waitress comes by and asks how the food is, and of course, I said it's cold. Your air conditioner is blowing full blast on our plate. Can you help us out.. She apologized and went to turn down the air.... One minute later, it's turned back up, and we'll let's say that's murder she wrote... My wife and daughter wanted to leave because they didn't bring jackets and well the Chilaquiles dead in the water or should I say ice!!! My wife did enjoy the beans and potatoes because it come in a metal bowl and retained the heat. Our waitress came back and said sorry I tried lowering the air but the manager said it needs to stay on high.. So I just asked for the check and thanked her for trying. I think if we got to eat our food hot, warm but not ice cold we would have rated them a 4 Stars if the would have brought all the food out at the same time they would have recieved 5 Stars... So when you see my rating, it's because they failed to give my family and I what most people want when they come into a place to eat... ... Good food, good service!! I'm not sure if we will come back, but if we do, maybe I will ask to be seated outside. Everyone outside seemed much happier than...

Where do I start? I hate having to give 1-star reviews, but there were just too many red flags during my visit that can't be ignored.

Tried going to this place for the first time for brunch and it ended up being a regrettable and forgettable experience.

I put my name in for a table for two just 25 mins after they opened and waited the same amount of time just to be seated when the restaurant was only 15% full...so why did we wait so long?When I walked in to be seated, even though I counted 4-5 waiting staff walking or standing around near the entrance, apparently there's a rule that only the hostess can seat customers. So we lost another 5-7 minutes waiting for that. Luckily, the hostess and the waitress we got were both very kind and attentive, so they shouldn't get any of the blame here.

After being seated, we ordered our drinks and food right away just because we knew what we wanted to have. We ordered a mimosa breakfast sampler, ribeye and chilaquiles plate, and the clandestino breakfast plate. While waiting for the food, the chips they brought us were mushy and lacked any flavor. A different male server came out and dropped off more drinks and napkins and didn't say a word. We were thinking are they not allowed to communicate with customers because they aren't waiters? Like...who does that?

The mimosas tasted completely watered down and lacked any unique flavor. Had to ask for napkins and silverware and salt & pepper instead of it just being brought over as soon as we sat down.

When the actual food came out, we had more issues. Half of the ribeye steak was all fat, and I'm not talking about just around the edges, it was literally half of the entire steak. The chilaquiles were bland, the two eggs looked more like one egg, and the French toast was average. For spending that kind of change on the meal we expected more.

They share the parking lot with Smart & Final, so even though we didn't have trouble parking because it was early, I can see why others complain. You have to end up parking on the street or even worse, across the street if things are really busy because their parking lot is too small.

The only real positive was the music and the company I was eating with.

For a place with a higher than average price tag for food, an attempt at a high end feel judging by their neon signs and 'modern' attempt at decor, and an added outdoor patio section that's really only there because the inside is too small, I felt it fails on many different levels.

I won't be going back and wouldn't recommend others to go either, it's really...

Went there for dinner for a friend's birthday based on the reviews. The restaurant is in a venue that shares the parking lot with Smart n Final and some apartments. There are lots of signs where parking isn't permitted, so one needs to be careful of that.

We noticed the gauche decorations in the patio but decided that it doesn't matter if the food is good. The menu promised a couple of options for vegetarians, nothing for vegans. It also advertises sushi.

We got seated right away. Shortly thereafter, the server came to our table and told us many options were unavailable (sushi, charcuterie board, and a couple of others). We asked if the potato taquitos were available, as advertised on their menu. She returned a minute later to tell us they were not available. As the vegan in the party, that left me with the one option I didn't want: veggie tacos. (I'm a runner and needed carbs for dinner). I asked whether the tortilla soup had any meat in it, and she said it didn't, "but it's just made with chicken stock." Some basic knowledge of vegetarian/vegan palates would've been helpful. Then the girl proceeded to tell me they had salmon, fish tacos, asada, etc. She also kept on pushing the endless drinks like the margaritas and the margarita flight for $45!

The prices are high and don't reflect the venue itself. They seem reflective of the gauche decor, especially in the patio, rather than the entrée options or service.

We left, given our limited options, and won't be returning any time soon.

While I realize meat is a staple if many Mexican entrées, in this day and age, restaurant owners should offer a couple of options for vegan/vegetarian options. The demographic is growing, and carnivores are also becoming more conscious of their eating habits; therefore, they make an effort to curb their meat...