Matador Charleston — Restaurant in Charleston

UPDATE: Matador’s “response” to my review wasn’t to apologize or address the experience like they did for the other guests in the bar area who also posted negative reviews. Instead? I started receiving emails and text messages from the LDS Church claiming I had requested in-home visits by their elders. That was within hours of my review going live. Coincidence? I doubt it.

Fast forward a few weeks and now — wait for it — I’m getting contacted by the Church of Scientology in Charleston. I don’t live in Charleston. I didn’t reach out to them. But somehow they have my name and email. If you think this is a string of bizarre religious spam luck, you’re more trusting than I am.

Here’s what this tells me: instead of responding to my review like professionals — or at minimum, like grown adults — someone at Matador thought it would be clever to retaliate by submitting my information to religious organizations as a joke.

Not only is that petty, childish, and wildly inappropriate — it’s an abuse of customer data and a disgusting reflection of the leadership culture at this restaurant. Petty retaliation and passive-aggressive harassment is not how you handle criticism. It only confirms what my review already exposed — this place is a mess from the top down.

I’ll give them bonus points for creativity tho. Too bad they weren’t smart enough to let a little more time pass so it wasn’t obvious who did it, or picked a Scientology Church in the correct area. But then again more evidence of their half assed approach. However, their time would be better spent researching management and customer service practices that aren’t toxic.

If You Enjoy Being Treated Like a Nuisance While You Freeze to Death, Matador is the Place for You

Let me start by saying this: the food at Matador was actually good. But you know what’s hard to do? Taste your food when your teeth are chattering, your fingers are numb, and the wind from an open door is blowing directly down your spine like a punishment from the gods. That’s right — Matador has figured out how to ruin a perfectly good meal by making the entire dining experience an exercise in physical endurance and psychological warfare.

It was freezing inside the restaurant. Not “bring a sweater” chilly. We’re talking arctic tundra with gale force winds screaming through the dining room. Everyone — and I mean everyone — in the room was visibly shivering. Diners were wrapped in coats, huddling over their food like it was the last warm thing on earth. And yet, Matador insisted on keeping the door wide open like we were hosting a dinner party for polar bears.

I personally got up to close the door. Twice. Because, you know, basic human decency and common sense. Enter Jes — a manager with the charm of a DMV line and the warmth of a parking ticket. She reopened the door and proceeded to chastise us like misbehaving children. When we politely explained we were freezing, she was dismissive, condescending, and downright rude — to every single person sitting in the bar. Her tone wasn’t just unprofessional, it was borderline abusive.

At that point, we asked to speak with another manager. We were told — I wish I were joking — that he had to ask permission from a higher-up to close a door to protect guests from hypothermia. Seriously. And when the GM finally came over, not only did he fail to make anything right, he backed Jes up. Zero accountability. Zero empathy. Zero effort to salvage the situation. It was like customer service had been outlawed and they were celebrating it.

So here’s the takeaway: Matador might know how to cook a decent meal, but they are utterly clueless when it comes to hospitality. You’ll pay premium prices to be treated like an inconvenience in your own dining experience. Between the cold, the contemptuous staff, and the astonishing lack of management competence, it’s clear they don’t value their guests — they tolerate them.

Matador, you’re not running a restaurant. You’re running a clinic on how to destroy customer loyalty in one...

I went here because of a recommendation from a friend, so I was excited to give this restaurant a try. There was something off-putting soon as we walked in. The hostess was dry and unwelcoming, no kind of friendly demeanor. Our server, George, seemed nice at first, but then became impatient and inattentive. My friends ordered some drinks, but ended up not liking them. Rather than be genuine and see what he can do to make it right, his attitude changed. He seemed offended and offered in a half-hearted tone to get them something else. It took a long time for him to get back with us to take our order. He seemed more interested in serving the other tables. We had to flag him down to tell him we were ready to order. He said, "Oh are y'all ready to order now?" in a tone that suggested he was waiting on us when it was the other way around. One of my friends asked a question about a dish to see if George could recommend it. He said, "I'll give you some more time since you're really not ready and I gotta check on another table." At that point, I was fed up. I told my friends let's leave. I've never had a server leave a table in that manner while taking an order. I don't know what kind of day or night he's been having, but me and my friends have nothing to do with that. When we notified someone who appeared the be the manager (we asked if she was) she gave us a disdainful look. We told her we were leaving and we didn't drink any of the drinks given to us. All she said was "okay" and let us walk out. She didn't even bother to apologize and see of there was anything she could do. I never like to assume any place is racist, but the way in which me and my friends (I'm a POC and my friends are Black) were treated seemed like micro aggressions against us. We noticed how engaging George was with other tables and how uninterested he seemed when we got to our table. I would not recommend this place based on its poor...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Matador in Charleston, and it was an experience that exceeded all expectations! The moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that perfectly blended modern chic with rustic charm.

One of the standout features of Matador is their robust tequila menu. It's clear that they've put a lot of thought into curating an impressive selection of tequilas from all over Mexico. The menu is expertly laid out, making it easy to navigate through the different varieties and aging processes. Whether you're a tequila connoisseur or a curious novice, there's something for everyone. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to help you find the perfect pour to suit your palate.

Speaking of the staff, the service at Matador is nothing short of exceptional. The team is prompt and attentive, anticipating needs before you even realize you have them. Their attention to detail is impeccable—from the timing of the dishes to the meticulous presentation, every aspect is handled with professionalism and care.

Now, onto the food—absolutely phenomenal! Each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, and it truly shines through in the flavors. The plates are beautifully presented, resembling works of art that are almost too stunning to eat. From the vibrant colors to the intricate garnishes, it's clear that the chefs take great pride in their craft. Every bite was a delightful explosion of taste, leaving me eager to try more.

In conclusion, Matador offers an unforgettable dining experience. With its extensive tequila menu, outstanding service, and exquisitely fresh and beautiful dishes, it's a must-visit spot in Charleston. I can't recommend it highly enough and can't wait for...