Señor Manuel's Restaurant Review - A Staple with Room for Culinary Refinement
Located at the bustling intersection of Nevada and Garden of the Gods, Señor Manuel's Restaurant is a fixture in the Colorado Springs dining scene, with a legacy that spans decades. This eatery invites a diverse clientele, from locals with storied connections to the establishment, to newcomers eager to explore its offerings.
Upon entering, diners are warmly greeted with a serving of chips and salsa, setting a welcoming tone from the outset. The chips, notable for their crisp texture, pair exceptionally well with the salsa. Unlike the thicker, robust salsas one might expect, Señor Manuel's version leans towards a thinner consistency. This lighter, more watered-down approach doesn't skimp on taste, offering a tangy and enjoyable start to the meal.
However, as the dining experience progresses, Señor Manuel's reveals a culinary juxtaposition. The menu, abundant in traditional Mexican dishes, suggests a rich tapestry of flavors. Yet, the execution often lands in the realm of mediocrity. While authenticity is not in question, the dishes tend to lack the depth and boldness anticipated from such an established venue. Generous servings do little to overshadow the fact that the food, overall, doesn't quite meet the expectations set by the delightful appetizer.
Service at Señor Manuel's, however, is a redeeming feature. The staff showcases a commendable level of attentiveness and a genuine commitment to ensuring a pleasant dining experience. Moreover, the restaurant's ambiance carries a certain nostalgic charm, reflective of its storied history within the community.
In sum, while Señor Manuel's Restaurant excels in creating an inviting atmosphere with its exemplary chips and uniquely thin salsa, the main offerings fall short of the culinary excellence one might hope for. It remains a destination for those drawn to establishments rich in history and character, yet it underscores the ever-present challenge of balancing tradition with the pursuit of gastronomic...
Read moreWhen I hear people say that Colorado Springs has terrible Mexican food, I imagine the people that are giving this place good reviews on google are the ones telling those people to eat here! I am not the type to be too critical or send food back but I have to say something to spare a family from wasting their money at this place. #1 the prices are OUTRAGEOUS. $120 for a family of 6, 3 kid menu orders and water ONLY and no dessert. A side of beans, not rice and beans, just beans is $6.25! My husband is convinced they are from a can. #2 the menu is unusual but not in a unique fun way. Macaroni for a side dish?? Yuck! #3 the flavor and texture of the food is AWFUL! The carne asada, which is an expensive plate, was the driest piece of beef I've ever tasted! The shredded beef in the chimichanga (picture below)was somehow WORSE! I should have dipped it in some water to make it easier to chew and safely swallow! Cheese is sprinkled on the rice and beans. That's a huge red flag! My husband was right when he said the rice tasted like spaghetti-o's! How is that possible?? I usually try to take our leftovers home from other restaurants but absolutely no way this time. I understand the economy makes everything difficult for local businesses but this place has lost a since of pride in quality and has decided to punish their customers for the sake of staying open and turn a profit. I want my husband to call tomorrow and get a refund because it was that bad. If anyone from management sees this, go ahead and respond to my review. Let's have a chat! It's not fair to your waitstaff to be excellent servers yet they have to pretend to like the food and offer recommendations to...
Read moreThis place was the WORST! DINNER BEWARE! If you have food allergies watch out. Normally a restaurant’s menu will list the ingredients in a dish but the menu at this restaurant doesn’t. We ordered the rice, beans (that seems to be refried beans straight out of the can), tacos and enchiladas to go. My husband (who mixes his rice and beans together) started eating while I was still serving the kids but immediately he started feeling sick. I started checking out the food trying to figure out why and noticed that the rice had diced mushrooms in it. He’s allergic to mushrooms. Needless to say we didn’t eat what we had ordered. I put everything in the fridge and the following day took the food back to the restaurant and spoke with the owner/ management about it in person. They were less than understanding and totally unreasonable. We were told that it’s our responsibility to let them know of our food allergies. I explained that it would be an understandable arrangement if they had listed that they used mushrooms in their rice. They didn’t care. They did everything they could to avoid giving us a refund and refused to give us one. This place will probably get more money from their insurance claim for the fire then they have gotten from restaurant patrons recently because this place is disgusting. Though, I did notice while originally ordering and waiting for our food that they were pouring strong alcoholic beverages which is probably the only reason why anyone would actually say that they enjoyed the food there. The alcoholic beverages were so strong that the people couldn’t actually taste how awful their food was or they were too drunk...
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