Kalaveras — Restaurant in Bellflower

Had been wanting to meet up with two other family members for dinner one day and we all finally got away from our busy work schedules for dinner in the evening, and decided to come here. First time customers , but upon arrival its almost like they were giving us every reason to leave. Bad energy from the beginning, no clue why! Maybe they were having a bad day but no matter what it is, that shouldn’t carry over to customers. We came in with a smile and that soon changed. To clear any doubt we definitely weren’t giving any reason for them to refuse service, we were dressed casual , nothing offensive, not being rude, or loud in any way, just simple customers wanting to enjoy a meal and catch up. Let me explain, when we get there and we walk up main entrance from street side on bellflower and right away a server instead of greeting us or something (which is no biggie) but its common practice at restaurants like this i would figure, just simply tells us we are at the wrong spot with a not so welcoming voice. Tells us we must go to the back side of building because there’s other people waiting there so we understand since they were there first i guess. Get bad energy but we understand So we follow instructions and awkwardly walk through fairly empty restaurant to the back since thats what the server told us we must do. Note there was also no signage saying we must enter on parking lot side or wait back there so that causes confusion for first time customers not aware. So when we get to the back, there is no server to acknowledges us, no one there to ask us how many in our party to put us on a waiting list or something similar . So we just stand there while others sitting down already probably waiting to be called. When a party gets called and server comes to waiting area, we are hoping server would finally acknowledge us to take a name or ask us how many but doesn't so we are clueless of whats going on. We go back to just standing by door and still no server or host comes to acknowledge us. By then its probably been 15 min since we got there and no ones asked us how many in our party yet. We obviously could run back into restaurant and flag someone down but obviously thats not what you do as a customer, they should acknowledge you! But soon after, multiple parties have been called and the waiting area is practically empty but us. Then the same server from the beginning in the front is actually the one who comes to waiting area in the back and FINALLY acknowledges us ! And even after all that she doesn’t seat us but instead just starts going on her little microphone and gets back to us saying its probably going to be another 15-20 minute wait still on top all that mess. That was the Second thing we heard from a server, No one ever got our party count which was small and also no name or anything. Almost like they knew we were there but not really acknowledging us. So After telling us “wait time” , we never suggested anything about leaving but she asked us and i quote “you guys want to wait”, and after that we understood the message loud and clear. No one in the waiting area but us, plenty of tables in restaurant and you cant figure out how to sit a small group down no matter what your server situation is. Asking if we are going to “wait” is kind of hinting like we should leave . So after hearing that me and the other two in my group got the same energy like we were not really welcome, so we were just fed up and decided we should just go somewhere else since we seem to not be wanted there . Maybe they are looking for a specific clientele in there restaurant and want to protect a certain image. I would have respected them more if they just simply deny us from the beginning for whatever the reason was they acted like that with us, instead of trying to play it of like they were “busy” and there was a “wait”. Being Mexican and being in many Mexican restaurants, thats definitely not how an authentic Mexican restaurant would present itself. Comes off as discriminatory and will never attempt to eat...

WAS FORCED TO GIVE YOU A STAR WHICH YOUR ESTABLISHED DOES NOT DESERVE IT. This restaurant is actually a HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT AND AN EMBARRASSMENT . WE went today to celebrate my mother's birthday and as we walked in we saw that this restaurant is very small and should be listed as a bar and not as a restaurant. The list of things that need urgent attention with this restaurant is endless... We had reservations because we were a big party of 13. The employee called Andrea was very rude and was not very happy to greet us or help us in anyway. We felt like we were there begging for service. Wich we felt very frustrated with the situation. To start of we had to stand there and wait for them to decide if we would be able to get seated even when half of our group was already seated. Andrea was very rude and had no customer service skills what so ever. We were not there to ask for any hand me downs we were there to try something new and exciting but quickly turned into something very shameful regretful and frustrating. First off They dont provide customers with the essentiald for example paper towels/changing tabel in their restroom. We had to ask for paper towels several times.. The line for the buffet was never ending and was not enough variety of food for the amount of money they are charging per plate.. By the time i arrive to the beginning of the shaffing dishes they were empty that i found myself wondering what was left for me to eat. The whole set up was very disturbing and very confusing. The buffet was broken down into two separate sections that were in to different areas. The menudo was not a menudo it was just a pot full of broth. To be fair They did supply the very poorly chopped onions and cilantro. wich by the way cilantro is not an ingredient that is served with menudo it's actually served with oregano.. but this was the least of our worries..we asked for pancake syrup but never seemed to arrived along with 3 of our drinks. Which we had to keep reminding the waitresses to bring. I finished my plate and i decided to go for seconds with was a huge bust because as i stood in line i realized that there were several dishes empty and the choices were very limited and was near empty to wear i found myself scraping the bottom of the pan. That was so embarrassing and disappointing I walked back to our table thinking what a mistake and was not pleased with my mimosa which was very watered down and you could taste the cheap champagne. As we stopped the waitress yet again and asked politely for our drinks and for paper towels yet again wich brings me to my next comment and or question is it typically for a restaurant to limit customers to only one paper towel a visit. What is up with that??.. You would think they would provide you with endless paper towels since you are paying $16.00 the plate. It was very disappointing to discover that they do not provide a changing table who does that?? In this time and age ? What kind of restaurant is this ??? Too top it all off the music was very loud and did not allow us to even have a conversation amongst ourselves. Wich brings me to the following question the food was not worth $16.00 DOLLARS A PLATE AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS NON EXISTANT.. SO WHAT IS MY $16.00 PURCHASING??? WHICH MAKES ME THINK.. THIS A AN OVER PRICED BAR/GRILL WHICH IS RIPPING PEOLE OFF AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE RATING THEREFORE HELPS THIS UN ETIQUETTE PEOPLE CONTINUE RIPPING CUSTOMERS OFF.. WILL NEVER COMEBACK TO THIS POOR EXCUSE OF A BAR AND GRILL.. MY ADVICE TO THE OWNER IS PLEASE PLACE YOUR STAFF ON CUSTOMER SERVICE REHAB AND HIRE COMPETENT EMPLOYEES THAT ACTUALLY LIKE WHAT THEY DO. AND FRIENDLY ADVICE HIRE BILINGUAL EMPLOYEES.. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS ON POINT IN THIS BAR/GRILL WERE THE PORTRAITS...

I loved the service and the ambiance here drinks are great too… I briefly spoke to the manager who seated us on Taco Tuesday very welcoming to my mother and I. Of course didn’t mention to them that I blog on google about were I visit…I feel that if you don’t say anything the service is more authentic and they give what they’re really offering to the customers! 💯😎I’ve visited twice in one week both time were good definitely nice place to enjoy great selection of mixed drinks , Margarita Flights and beer of your choice and Micheladas …with all honesty I feel the wet burrito was lacking carne azada beans and rice was plenty but highly suggested maybe not cutting carne azada too small other than that the taste of my food was very good their horchata was delicious kids enjoyed that and their kids menu…and I couldn’t say no to their watermelon jarrito with the chamoy and Tajín was on point…and garnished just so PRETTY with an Orchid. Taco Tuesday was also great hadn’t visited here in like 3 years prices went up too in their tacos but worth the price $1.49 for tacos Loved the Chicharrón and the Mushroom tacos the most then the Al Pastor…their Happy Hour menu and appetizers are tasty too loved the Tacos Gobernador which I highly recommend getting the larger size not the appetizer size Lol! A tasty red chile tortilla with shrimp and cheese so cheesy and deliciously paired with their mango pico de gallo Yummy , Mom enjoyed a refreshing Jamaica Margarita and I picked the Piña con Chile💯❤️🥰Alexis was our server she was super attentive to our needs and our order was very understanding that I had my walker so she offered to go get our tacos and garnished them with sides that were really good spicy guacamole and then a red salsa that was just right not to spicy just in case…but she also recommended getting the larger Gobernador tacos from the menu …should of listened to her well! I will have to return to their Happy Hour again and then some❤️loved the setting of the different iconic singers and actors on the walls! The Artwork is eye catching and matches to their names Kalaveras… oh by the way parking 🅿️ available in the back but handicap accessible throughout the restaurant …until we...