Papi Ricko Latin Kitchen & Lounge — Restaurant in Charlotte

Today, myself and two coworkers went to try this restaurant after a member in our group had previously dined before and enjoyed it. Our server, Shayla, greeted us and brought us waters after about 7-10 minutes being sat. She was very kind and bubbly. There was no one else sat at this time in the restaurant but we didn’t mind the wait as the employees were setting up decorations and we were enjoying the beautiful decor and looking over the drink menu. After the waters were dropped, Shayla asked us if we needed more time, which we did and we continued to look over the menu as everything looked so delicious and it was hard to make a decision. When Shayla returned for our orders, I was in between two meals–Papi Ricko Fries or Poblano Fettuccine, so my coworker asked Shayla, on my behalf, which one she recommended? Shayla spoke highly of both but favored the Poblano Fettuccine more so when it was my time to order, I went with that selection. When the food did come out, we all went to indulge our meals and when I ate my selection, it wasn’t my favored flavor profile. I immediately stopped eating after two bites as I truly did not like the flavor for myself. I must note, the meal was not disgusting, I just recognized it just did not fit me. My coworkers proceeded to enjoy their meal and I patiently waited for Shayla. After a while, my coworker saw Shayla and got up to let her know so she can check in with the table. It did take quite some time for Shayla to return and my coworkers were halfway complete with their meals. When she addressed the table, the wanted to know what happened and I politely apologized and stated that “it wasn’t that I think the food is nasty or that this is any reflection of the chef, I’m just a pickier eater when it comes to my taste and I personally didn’t like the flavor profile and was wondering if I can order something else on the menu or just return the meal to them and have it taken off”. Again, the plate was practically untouched. When Shayla returned, she informed me that her manager was on vacation and that after talking with the kitchen staff, they cannot take anything off due to it being a personal taste preference of me not liking the plate I chose. I have extensive time in the service industry from being a host, to a server, to management, so this decision was quite shocking to me however working many hats in the restaurant industry, I did not argue or rebuttal; I simple asked to close out my tab and I still did return the entire entree. I was not offered another selection and was not offered a discount at minimum, instead I was asked if I would like a box to take the meal in, after very clearly stating I did not like the plate, which I declined. I handed back the plate and paid for a meal I did not eat while maintaining the upmost respect.

Overall, the decor was beautiful and the menu (both food and drinks) looks delicious so I am by no means trying to bring down a blooming restaurant. But I do have to base my review off my personal experience, I truly was disappointed and was hoping to come back to try more things, but after my experience today, I will have to pass on returning. I do hope the restaurant continues...

Paid a $50 deposit for a birthday reservation for 12. We came, and enjoyed a lively Saturday night. Very club-type vibe after 10, with good latin music for dancing. It was fun, food was good, and waiter/staff were friendly and accommodating during the meal and party. They will also make a lively birthday presentation when they bring out the cake. Waiter had to be reminded to credit us the $50 deposit paid for the reservation...but no big deal One small service issue...we were told after we arrived they could not split checks into less than 4 people each... Can be problematic if you're a group of 12 single people. Would've been nice to know that in advance when making the reservation. A bigger service issue...we were told we could validate parking for the lot out front.. Ok. Checked in at the door, gave our tag #, they put it into their computer and told us that's all we had to do to validate for 3 hours. No receipt, no paper of any kind was provided. We were still ticketed. Presented ticket to the restaurant, their reply was just to follow the dispute instructions on the ticket... basically leaving us on our own. Dispute sent...Lot owner reply was that we had to provide printed proof of validation, which wasn't provided to us. $60 lesson learned... although there's apparently some disconnect in the process between establishment and lot owner which should...

When I went to meet my family at the restaurant . When we went inside my family was seating on a small table that’s hold only 5 . We was a party of 7 . I was thinking the server is going to add a table for us to be able to seat and eat but he only bring 2 chairs . My husband ask the server for water and he told him that was one glass on the table that’s nobody use . We order the food that comes cold to the table . My husband chicken wings was cold , my daughter in law pasta was tasteless , the tacos was good and my flank steak doesn’t have any flavor the asparagus was over cook the potatoes under cook . They don’t bring us silverware with the food . We ended asking for them . The drinks have a nice presentation but you can’t taste the alcohol neither the flavor . We order about 6 different drinks . The desserts have a cute presentation but only come 3 churros for17 Dollars , tres leches was dry inside $14 dollars . Finally they bring the water but they took forever to refill it . At the end the server never brings us the check to see if everything was right , he only brings the credit card machine to charge us. My son paid and add the tip . We ask him for a copy of the receipt. When he brings the receipt we realized we ended paying around 93 dollars tip for a 289 check because my son don’t knew they add the 20 % because he just came from...