Salsa Latina — Restaurant in City of Albany

When you build a good experience.. Customers tend to tell one another about that! But a bad experience could really hurt a company so I try not to broadcast any bad experiences that I have with a restaurant nor company!

However, This was most definitely the WORST EXPERIENCE THAT I’VE EVER HAD!!

It’s a typical Friday Evening in Albany, NY.. BUSY! I walk in and see that MOST tables are full all except for ONE table. As I stand at the bar waiting to ask for a drink and a desert; the Manager walks over and asks if I’m there for a “Pick Up Order”. As I kindly let him know that I’d like a booth and a drink/desert menu. First he DEEP SIGHS 😩 THEN Thankfully to his defense, a KIND BARTENDER comes to his rescue and mentions that there’s a booth available.

I was HESITANT to sit down due to the UNCOMFORTABLE feeling that the “Manager” had given me. Still AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT I sat down.

I asked for a margarita 🍹 when it came out; it was much stronger than anticipated. I took a sip and instantly DID NOT like the taste. I WAITED 40min for anyone to come to my table and ask me for my next order. @ First, I didn’t make a Big deal over it due to the fact that I’m considerate and it’s a Friday so of course it’s busy! When the waitress FINALLY came around, I mentioned to her that the drink was too strong and I did not like the taste.

Not once did she ask if id like anything else.

I instantly asked her to return it which she DID NOT & I asked for a water. I kindly, asked for a desert and a water then went about my business.

About 50min later, the waitress comes to retrieve my drink, water, and desert. Drink still FULL.

Out of good faith I would have thought that perhaps because I did NOT like the drink, immediately mentioned it to the waitress, and asked for a water instead. That perhaps the drink would be discounted or taken off the bill.

When I saw that it wasn’t, without an attitude I mentioned it to the waitress. 5min (THE FASTEST TIME THAT I HAD SEEN WHILE BEING @ THIS RESTAURANT DURING MY TWO AND HALF HOUR EXPERIENCE)

The manager INSTANTLY came over with an ATTITUDE & told me that the margaritas are naturally strong (agreed, however this one in particular I just did not like and I mentioned it to the waitress yet no attempts were made to rectify the situation)

He said that he needed to make money and that when he goes to a restaurant; regardless if he likes the food or not that he still pays.

In this economy, I can NOT FAULT HIM HOWEVER; not once did he apologize for the waitress not making mention of it.

Not once did he attempt to rectify the situation. I wasn’t asking for a free meal nor initially for the drink to be discounted. An apology would have be sufficient.

NOT ONCE DID I RECEIVE THAT!! I was charged my full bill MINUS $8 out of a $17 drink THAT I DID NOT DRINK!!!!!

Upon leaving, I called to ask for the managers name because after paying and being treated as if I were wrong for not liking their drink. I didn’t focus on the manager name. They told me that the managers name was ROBERTO CARLOS (not sure if it’s accurate or not) However; what I do know is that even after hearing about my unfortunate experience in their restaurant not once did they apologize nor ask what they could DO BETTER IN THE NEXT TIME!

It’s so unfortunate, because I had genuinely liked this restaurant prior but needless to say I WILL NOT GOING THERE EVER AGAIN!

Sadly, one bad review won’t make nor break their restaurant BUT THEY CERTAINLY TAINTED MY EXPERIENCE THERE TONIGHT AND ILL NEVER BE GOING THERE AGAIN NOR WOULD NEVER EVER REFERE ANYONE...

One of our favorites Salsa Latina has moved from Central Ave to newly opened location at 579 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 (across from St Peter's Hospital). Note their other location is in E. Greenbush, NY. We visited this new location on Fri 1/03/25 evening. WOW, what a beautiful new restaurant here. Same great food in a beautiful new setting. Check out the mural in the dining room. Many Mexican & Peruvian dishes as before. Great menu for larger groups who want to sample both cuisines. Small bar with booths & tables & larger dining room. Nice atmosphere, music is Spanish & the volume does not intrude on dinner conversation. Attentive staff greeted as we walked in and said we could sit anywhere in the dining room. Our server, Kassy brought us menus, complimentary salsa & authentic, warm tortilla chips & took our drink orders. A medium house margarita on the rocks w/ salt for me ($16.) & a glass of Chardonnay for my wife ($9). For dinner I had Salsa Latina's chicken Enchiladas (3) w/ ranchero sauce & refried beans ($15). My wife had Pollo al Carbon, 2 grilled chicken breast fillets over grilled tomatoes, onions, & peppers ($20). Served on sizzling skillet, note to staff: please serve this w/ a side plate so as not to eat or slice the chicken directly from the hot skillet. Thank you. We interacted w/ Kassy & 3 other waitstaff. All were very attentive & competent. They did honor our online 10% off coupon. This was a good value dinner even at full price. Hours: M-Th 11am-9pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-9pm. Street parking only. Muchas Gracias to all at the new Salsa Latina and we will visit again soon. Nick & Liz,...

The food itself was good. My friend and I went for lunch we waited patiently after being told two-seat ourself 15 minutes went by and we were never greeted by wait staff after 15 minutes we decided to get up on our own and go to the buffet. Upon finishing our first plate and returning to the table with our second we were then asked if we'd like something to drink never once did she discuss any specials what beverages they actually had or drink specials even recommendations we both ordered a Sprite even though it actually come in for a house Margarita that I heard was actually delicious. Now almost an hour and 10 minutes into our dining experience we still haven't seen our waitress again and have been looking for our check for a few moments at this point. I got up and approached the cash register and asked if there was an owner or manager I could speak to simple reply was yeah..... Me presuming he was the manager began to voice my concern which was completely disregarded after handing me my check he calls our waitress over and our waitress asked if there was a problem with a chuckle. Well yeah there was a problem the owner hearing our conversation and my complaint manager whoever he is never offered an apology which is Free by the way for poor service. I won't be returning unless it's for a...