Que Onda Cantina Highland Creek — Restaurant in Charlotte

We ( my husband and myself an interracial couple) frequent this restaurant at least once every 2 weeks sometimes once a week and have always had a great experience until last night. When we arrived they were on a wait which was no problem at all. The issue was the lack of organization when it came to getting customers checked in. When we came in there were 2 other parties waiting. We checked in(or so we thought) and told them that we didn’t want to sit outside because it was calling for rain again. The young lady told us to give her a minute. She came back and advised she had us a table. Well I politely said that there was another couple( black) sitting there that had been there before us. So she apologized to them and sat them. When she came back up front she asked for our name and then she put it in the system( 10 minutes after we arrived) Then another group of 5 ( all white) walked in and they also advised they didn’t want to sit outside. Another lady( possibly a manager) came from the back and told them to give her a minute and she would get some tables pushed together for them. (Wait what?) we have now been here waiting 20 minutes, they walked in less than 5 minutes ago. Once they were seated Another group of 3 ( all white) came in. Then a man ( the manager) came up and at that time a table outside had opened up under the covered patio and I went to let the young lady know we would be ok sitting there. The man then called the party of 3 to sit out there and my husband told the man that we should be the next to be seated and he abruptly and loudly told my husband we had to wait. By this time I was getting very upset by others who came in well after us getting seated before us. The young lady told him that she had put names on the list and my husband again told the man yes that we should be the next one sat and the man again said rudely and abruptly “ you have to wait”. This caused people sitting around the front of the restaurant to turn and look to see what was going on. I then told my husband let’s go. This was a complete poop show and had absolutely NO ORGANIZATION and I also felt we were being profiled by our race. I understand this is a very small location with limited seating but y’all have to do better with the front end organization. My husband is a DM of a large restaurant chain and has worked in the restaurant industry for over 26 years so this is not how running an organized front end is supposed to work. We thought we had found our new weekly date night spot after moving here about a year ago but I think we will continue looking after...

The food was good...however an incident occurred with two families that was not handled properly. How this incident was handled by the owner/manager, made my experience less than pleasant.

A child had been crying at one table and a man at another tabled yelled for the child to stop. The father of the child exchanged words with the man. A waitress tried to encourage the father to calm down. The owner/manager came and yelled at the father. Both the father and the man that yelled initially, should have been addressed by the restaurant's owner/manager.

But in this case only the father was scolded. When the owner yelled and sided with the patron that started the incident, the family of the crying child got up to leave, without finishing their meal. The owner/manager then threatened to call the police, if they didn't return to pay.

A woman who Im assuming was the mother of the child turned around to pay. Its unfortunate that what was supposed to be a family outing for all tables (including mine) was ruined because of ignorance and poor management.

Children cry and often times at less than ideal moments. Its uncomfortable for the parents, but there is away to address it if you feel that your dining experience is being interrupted by the crying. However, if we were on a plane or at church service, the patron that initially yelled would not have behaved that way.

I don't want to make it racial...but the father was Indian, and he had every right to defend his son. Just as the man who yelled initially, had every right to enjoy his meal without a crying toddler. I believe the man that yelled initially was perhaps Hispanic or Latin (although he looked white). And I believe because we were in a Mexican restaurant he may have felt like he had the upper hand to address this Indian family the way he did.

Its just unfortunate...and sad. I really wish the owner/manager would have addressed both men. It could have been handled better and sooner, to avoid the scene that took place. In addition, there were children in the room that had to witness bad behavior on all parts without a positive outcome. Both men were equally wrong, but perhaps the owner/manager didn't see it that way.

I wonder if the outcome would have been different if the family of the crying child was white or Mexican by chance. Either way I just hope in the future that a better effort is made by management to hear both sides of the story before making threats or...

The service and management team at this location sucks. Not to mention the prices. Who charges for chips n salsa when you’re ordering food? The staff isn’t friendly at all. Our waitress was extremely rude and became very confrontational when questioned about an incorrect charge on my check. The manager didn’t make it any better when he came over to my table to discuss the charge. He was just as rude. He acted like he was doing me a favor by removing an item that was incorrectly added to my bill. Upon leaving, he told us to have a great day then proceeds to speak in Spanish saying to a member of his staff, “These are the worst customers I’ve ever met.” He said this as we walked out. What he didn’t know is my son is fluent in Spanish and was able to translate exactly what was said. Instead of me going back inside the restaurant causing a scene in front of customers, I called and requested to speak with the manager who had just told us to have a good day. He gets on phone with an attitude. I told him I don't appreciate being labeled as “the worst customer ever” he was shocked to know that we were able to translate the rude condescending comments he made about me and my family. He immediately got defensive and said we should not have been listening to his conversation he was having with his staff. Not once denying what was said. This place is ran like a zoo! Do yourself a favor and stay away from this place. Bring back the old owners and staff. The manager/owner and his staff need to close for a week of customer service training. I will continue to make everyone aware of this nightmare of a place and what my family and I encountered. I will never ever return! Update: they’re removing and blocking my post on their IG page! Oh I’m not giving up till I’m heard! What you did to me and my family isn’t right and I’m not...