San Luis Grill — Restaurant in Cincinnati

So today my mom and I went to get lunch here to try it out. We arrived around 12pm and we were waiting for at least 5 mins and there weren't any customers. There was one woman who was grabbing ice but had her coat and hoodie up and weren’t sure they were open. We nicely asked if they were open. She said in Spanish, "yea". That's it. So we sat down and waited a couple more minutes to be served. She never greeted or said anything and just stood there so we said our order and immediately felt like we were bothering her. Then another worker came around and they both were just talking and she was on her phone. We heard talking about what we had ordered but didn't hear exactly what was said. It was just quiet and awkward there. I went to the restroom and there was dead ROACH in the restroom. I wish I would've taken my phone but I wish I would’ve gone back to take a pic. We thought maybe the food would be okay.... It got worse because a few more minutes went by and the server got on a phone call on LOUD SPEAKER!!! She continued to talk on the phone on loud speaker the entire time, EVEN while SHE CAME TO GIVE US OUR FOOD. We never saw her wash her hands in between using her phone and handing our food. We were so SHOCKED because We couldn’t imagine the amounts of germs and bacteria on her phone. Like it takes 20 secs to wash hands… We could still hear her entire phone conversations the entire time which just made us uncomfortable. The food was okay maybe like a 4/10 but it wasn't to die for. We both got the seafood soup. Everything was just MEH. The vibes were just weird and the server was not...

Summary: authentic mom and pop Mexican food on the west side

When reviewing eateries, context is key. This is not a Michelin restaurant, not does it have tablecloths or fancy art or anything over the top. The beauty of this restaurant is its authenticity. This is real, home made Mexican food.

I ordered the chicken mole. It’s tough to find good mole around here. A lot of the chain-like restaurants serve their mole too sweet and not enough of the earthy goodness found in a true traditional mole.

San Luis Grill nailed it. It was one of the best mole dishes I’ve ever had!

The atmosphere is mom and pop. There is a small grocer attached next door (through which you enter and exit). It’s very clean and well lit.

We enjoyed our dishes with some varieties of Mexican made beer (Corona for myself, Modelo for my buddy).

This is a great haunt for those lovers of authentic and delicious Mexican food. Knowing some espanol is helpful but not necessary. If you only speak English, just be patient and kind...

Small local spot attached to a Mexican grocery with standard offerings ranging from desayunos (breakfast), almuerzo (lunch) and Platos fuertes (dinner meals).

Prices are very reasonable. We got queso fundido ($4), 4 tacos at $2 each, 1 plate of fried plantains and agua horchata ($2.50). Everything was very good and served quickly. The pollo taco was more chicken tinga than cubed chicken. The beef was more ground beef than sliced carne asada. The carnitas taco was very good. All were served hot with two grilled tortillas, cilantro and onion.

Chips and salsa were served as we sat. The horchata was my favorite - clearly homemade and not powder.

Service was very fast - it was one girl working the restaurant and cashier and was very attentive.

Highly recommend for well priced, true...