Mauricio's Grill & Cantina — Restaurant in California

So, let me just say first off that the food and drinks here are wonderful and also reasonably priced. The atmosphere is usually welcoming and when my co-workers and myself went out for an evening of relaxation and drinks last week, we were looking forward to our usual wonderful experience. The servers and bus boys are generally great!! For all of these reasons, we enjoy Mauricio's very much. But, this last visit went all wrong. We were greeted by our server Jorge, who am I starting to think must have some relation to the owner because only entitlement such as this would render one with the ability to get away with such poor service and total lack of disregard that he was on the job-to "serve us". We were a party of 6 and asked to please have a happy hour menu. He literally brought us "one menu" and when we asked for a couple more he said something along the lines of "really"? and rolled his eyes. He brought back a couple menus, which appeased us for the time being, and we figured he must have been having a bad night since the place suddenly got busy.

But throughout the entire time we were there, he appeared annoyed at the order in which ordered our drinks and food, rolling his eyes when a couple of us made alterations and at the end of the visit he REFUSED to split up our bill. I understand it is a pain to split bills up, I truly do. Yes he straight refused and we asked three separate times. Finally he says, "are you really going to do that to me?", and told us to, "Figure it out".

One nice co-worker agreed to put it all on his card and we left the establishment.

No tip was left, and none was earned. Honestly, our food should have been free.

To the owner, if this is your relative, you should note that he is going to cause a lot of lost business because while I cannot speak for my co-workers, I have a pretty good inkling none of us will ever give you our business again.

Problem splitting the bill? Problem solved-there will never be a bill again because we will never visit.

Guess we will have to find another establishment who can be "bothered"...

A critical review of my experience here. Some good things I do have to say, despite 2/5 stars (1/5 now because the guy who checks the reviews likes to talk): I was quite happy with the Birria Tacos I had ordered The outside of the building is very impressive

Some things that range from inconveniences to actual concerns: Horchata I ordered did not taste as expected. Very sweet/creamy like rompopé, but didn't give me any sense of rice or cinnimon Seating for our service used chairs due to size, issue is how closely seated we all were. I was constantly bumping into others while I was seated. Made me feel like I was in the cafeteria in high school again My 22y.o. brother was not required to show ID for alcohol. I was tempted to see if they'd let my 19y.o. sister order just to test, but I didn't bother. Your management has been warned before, long before me, that the changing table for babies in the Women's restroom is far too tall for anyone to comfortably (and honestly safely) for someone to lift their child up and change them. I'm adding onto this: not only after several months after saying you'd look into this and no change was made, there is also no changing table in the Men's restroom as well, which is an obvious oversight I shouldn't have to explain.

My general experience had potential, but some things I couldn't really look past even after being happy with the food itself. I did not hate my experience, but I am not in the position to come back or suggest this place to anyone else.

Hey guy that's checking the reviews: Even my MEXICAN wife says this place is whitewashed. You don't have the juevos to respond to me still but respond to others days after their post. Unless of course I actually have some solid...

We have been long time loyal customers of Mauricio's for nearly 30 years when they were on the opposite side of Rosedale Hwy. While we know everyone has had to raise their prices, for close to 10 years now, Mauricio's has had the highest prices out of every Mexican restaurant in Bakersfield. We go to a lot!!! The quality and taste in food has gone significantly down in the past several years and yet the owner keeps raising the prices. For the past 2 years we keep saying we won't return, but always give in because of the service we receive from all of the waitresses and waiters. Tonight was THE LAST straw, as now you only get one refill on your drink and then have to pay $1.95 for each one thereafter. So now not only are they the most expensive Mexican restaurant with just mediocre tasting food, but now we can't even enjoy our sodas. No thank you! We helped support them over Covid and this is how they repay their customers. We will stick to our favorites like Rancho Grande!

In regards to your response to me, maybe you should instruct your servers to not fill the cup with 3/4 ice or use a larger cup. You pay pennies for the soda. It's the abundance amount of ice that is costing you, as the owner. And no, your tortillas are not all you can eat. We have paid extra if we have wanted more for our fajitas. That being said, we have always appreciated the endless chips and salsa. (Not even the salsa is consistently good anymore, though.)

You may notice that your restaurant is never packed like back in the day, so you can either choose to make some changes or keep wondering why your business is going elsewhere. You are the one trying to make a living, as well as...