Local Cantina Brewery District — Restaurant in Columbus

First, I wanna begin by saying I have been coming to the local cantina location at 743 s.high street location for over 5 years as a loyal customer, I’m at every taco Tuesday spending over $30, not to mention occasional Thursdays (the math is outstanding on that), so i deserve the right to say what I’m about to say. I have been watching, taking notes for the last month so I can be on point with this complaint/post. Whomever is making changes, I really want to know, have you visited this location or any locations to feel the vibe of the store. Cause the new management is just not cutting it for a variety of reasons.

Second, let’s talk about the downfall (most locals not feeling this place anymore) of this location; the energy has shifted dramatically and I’m not a fan at all; let me just say, several other regulars feel the same! It all started I would say about a good two to three months when Previn (old manager) and Lydia (left the location). Loved them both!!! I was here when Hammer was the manger! This new manager with glasses will walk right past regulars, not say a word, not say how’s your order, nothing. Seems like she ls busy sitting at a desk and not being active on the floor; too serious and not friendly. Customer service is more that tryna fix a drink in 5 seconds, bringing food out like here ya go, and walking away quickly like they will get written up for taking extra time to say thank you for coming in. But you have managers who can just chill at the bar and talk to their partner or best friend for 45mins. Don’t make sense to me.

The “new” managers give me the feeling of bullies with the exception of one. Why??? Seem like they have replaced most the tenure staff and new ones running round here like a chicken with their heads cut off. I normally sit at the bar 90% of the time, now constantly waiting for bar tenders to check on me, ask me do I want another beverage, or simply being personal to just ask how my day has been. I work in healthcare, for over ten years. It use to feel so good to walk in and see Olivia behind the bar with a smile already beginning to fix my beverage cause she has took the time to know me as a loyal customer; to see Morgan and Josie smiling, and Kimmie also saying hey Keeta. JK, sees me sit some days, he says mustache ride?? I’d say yep, you got it. These last two months, nope. New staff have hardly customer service skills. Respectful and move like robots. Part of the reason I’ve been coming here is because of seasoned staff, they KNOW the customers AND the menu!!! Haven’t seen JK lately, what yall do fire him?! If so, for what?? I’ve seen that man get off and come back just to help Kimmie correctly activate my gift card I was purchasing! If the goal is out with the old and in with the new, I’m out and I bet this store will lose all the other regulars too; some have told me. We all talk.

Environment: let’s talk about the change of scenery! So this location had a shrine of Polaroid photos staff taken of customers or with customers because the love of just coming here, al posted behind the bar. This new management took 95% of the pictures down! Why???? This was a signature of this store. My pictures are gone. For me to come here by myself over the years and just sit at the bar and talk to a complete stranger about my pictures and the felt so good. Now what?? I can’t! Because the new managers, CEO who maybe have hired them and made changes never stepped foot in this store to feel the awesome vibe now dropped dramatically almost non existing. Condados will be my new spot and I will bring all my friends with me. Anyone knows marketing is best by word of mouth.

Seasoned staff energy has changed, they can’t talk to me for more than 2 seconds, the managers have completely came in and changed the vibe. I’m just so disappointed in this location and I will not be back as much or at all. The new staff have not done nothing wrong but most need to take customer service online courses, everyone don’t have social skills. Having social skills brings more money to the restaurant,...

Local Cantina Brewery District is closed on Mondays.

I had decided to eat there last Monday 8-1-2022] "on behalf of Google Maps" while on my way to a meeting [half a mile away] at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission [MORPC]. My plan had been to eat at Local Cantina Brewery District, to take photographs [outside and inside] to post to Google Maps, and to write a review to post to Google Maps.

As soon as I had arrived in the parking lot, I took several wonderful "outside" photographs that had featured the large orange awnings above their east and north windows; I then discovered that their door had been locked.

I had previously checked several on-line resources [the "Local Cantina" website and Google Maps] to verify that they would be open on Monday but evidently had not accurately read those resources.

I looked into the north door of Local Cantina Brewery District hoping to figure out if they had "gone out of business" or not. All that I had been able to see through their north door had been a completely-dark restaurant with all of the chairs up on the tables.

Two minutes after my arrival at Local Cantina Brewery District [after I had taken several pictures and then had found their door locked], I started to walk north on S. High St. looking for a different place to eat.

Several minutes later, I found another Mexican restaurant that is several hundred feet north of the northeast corner of S. High St. and Blenkner St.; I decided to eat there.

I took a picture of the outside wall [including the sign] of that other Mexican restaurant after I had eaten there; Google Maps immediately defined that photograph as the "default" photograph of that other Mexican restaurant [that appears first when one is doing a Google search for that other Mexican restaurant].

After having arrived home after my meeting at MORPC, I did additional research on-line and learned that Local Cantina Brewery District is open long hours on all other days but that they are closed on Monday.

I returned to Local Cantina Brewery District yesterday [8-3-2022 on my way to a different event in the downtown area and ate a very pleasant "early supper" there.

I ordered and ate my traditional "Plain Jane Cheese" quesadilla and "Street Corn"; my meal had been delicious; the staff had been efficient and helpful.

I definitely plan to return to Local Cantina Brewery District -- but not on a Monday -- when I am next...

Was visiting back from Chicago with my Boyfriend and had a bad craving for chips and salsa.

If you're in Columbus, Ohio and craving a taste of Mexico, look no further than Local Cantina! I recently had the pleasure of dining at this vibrant spot, where my taste buds were taken on a tantalizing journey. But what made the experience truly special was knowing that Olivia and the staff, worked SO hard to make sure we had a good experience!

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The colorful decor and lively music immediately set the tone for a fun and enjoyable meal. The menu was a delightful array of traditional Mexican dishes with a modern twist, offering something for everyone.

Starting with appetizers, the guacamole was a standout. Creamy, fresh, and perfectly seasoned, it was the ideal companion to the crispy tortilla chips. The street corn, with its charred sweetness and tangy crema, was a crowd-pleaser that transported my taste buds to the bustling streets of Mexico City.

For the main course, I opted for the tacos. (Of course) The Tempura shrimp is my new FAVORITE. (Thanks Olivia)

To complement the meal, the margaritas were a must-try. Olivia's recommendation margarita, was a delight that perfectly balanced sweetness and tanginess. It was evident that the bartenders at Local Cantina take pride in crafting cocktails that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Now… What truly made the experience exceptional was Olivia's attentive service. Her genuine enthusiasm for the restaurant and its offerings shone through, making the meal feel like a personal journey through the menu. Her recommendations were spot-on, and her friendly demeanor added a personal touch to the dining experience.

So, if you find yourself in the Buckeye State's capital, make sure to stop by Local Cantina and experience the magic firsthand. And who knows, you might even have the pleasure of being guided through the menu by the one and only Olivia! We...