DE ORO Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Carmel

I cant begin to explain the completely unprofessional and judgemental experience I just had at this location. I arrived with 3 of my co-workers for dinner and drinks. We had 2 others arriving to our party a bit later. I ordered a pitcher of margaritas because quite honestly, it's more cost effective than buying two separate glasses or more as I knew we planned to be there for at least a couple hours. When asked if I wanted 2 glasses, I responded that I would like 1. After staring at me with a scowl on her face she walked away. By this point my co-workers mentioned how rude the waitress had been and seemed to be judging me negatively for my purchase choice. We then begin to realize that one by one, all the staff are taking turns staring at my table. Then a man walks to our table who I can only assume is the manager and proceeds to tell me that they dont "normally sell pitchers with one glass to people" and asks me if someone is driving me when we leave. What terrible and unprofessional service! It is one thing to cut off a customer who is intoxicated. It is completely different to lecture a grown adult about choosing something off the menu you gave me. I will also point out that at no point during my visit did ANYONE ask for my ID to confirm I am of drinking age or to realize that they are lecturing a 31 year old adult. I did proceed to order a meal with my drinks when the rest of our party arrived, as well as requesting a second glass for my co-worker who shared the pitcher I ordered prior to her arrival. Our waitress continued to be rude for the rest of my party's visit as well as looking over to us multiple times after serving other tables but failing to stop at our table to see if we needed anything. I paid my full bill for my meal and that pitcher but quite honestly I feel like I should have had my bill comped for the ridiculous spectacle I was an unwilling participant in, but I've never in my life felt the need to do that and for that reason I didn't this time. I regret the visit, but I regret the choice to pay this establishment for service like...

I went here with my mom for a quick bite and we were not impressed. When we first walked in, the restaurant wasn't very busy. However, it took a while for a staff member to finally greet us and seat us at a table. After we were seated, a waitress gave us some chips and salsa to start. The salsa was very bland which was disappointing. I added salt and pepper to it which still didnt help. I then asked for hot sauce to improve the flavor of the salsa which did help. However, it cost me extra for the hot sauce! I then proceeded to order arroz con pollo and my mom ordered enchiladas. The waitress was very monotone and seemed annoyed the entire time. Our food came out very fast which made me question the quality. Nothing that is fresh is made that fast! Turns out, I was right to question the quality. It looked as if they put no thought into the presentation of the plate. My chicken and rice was watery and the chicken tasted like rubber. It was as if they had cooked it in a microwave. My mom's enchiladas were not much better. When I told my waitress that my food wasnt very good she didnt even ask me what was wrong with it. She just took the plate away and asked if I wanted something else. I of course declined as I knew anything else would probably be subpar as well. In addition, no manager came over to make things better. It seemed as if no one cared. I was a waitress for 7 years and I am normally very lenient towards other restaurant workers as I know the struggles of being in the industry. However, this was absolutely horrible! Poor customer service and the food was not only the opposite of authentic, but was poor quality as well. I would not reccomend this...

So I rarely post reviews, BUT I felt compelled to tonight after my first experience with this place. I walked in at 9:08pm thinking they closed at 10pm, as that is what my google map/search told me. As I walked in, I was informed the kitchen was closed, and I could see it looked like they were closed. I told him it said you were open until 10. He apologized and I said can we still get a quick pitcher of margs as that is what we really were after. He, to my surprise, said yes no problem. Sat us. Promptly brought the margs, and then out of no where brought us chips, salsa, and two large tins of queso, and said it's on us. I informed him, no way, I will gladly pay for that, and he said no, it's on us. And then proceeded to recognize that my friends and I were all wearing soccer gear and asked if we played in a league together and was asking about our team and record and was like genuinely interested in us, EVEN THOUGH we were the assholes that walked in 10 mins after they closed expecting service. You really don't find service like that these days. They instantly made me a customer for life. And I eat A LOT of...