El Torero Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Cortland

This is a great example of how poor management can lead to a place's downfall. (Cortland) My husband has been a customer for over 10 years; I started coming four years ago. My first visit alone was a disappointment. Their menu indicated that kids ate free, and they didn't honor that. Their manager, "Kevin," said they had already changed the days of the promotions and that even though the menus still said the same thing, they wouldn't honor the promotion, and that I could do whatever I wanted (literally, that's how he responded). There was no problem because I ignored his rudeness and paid the full amount of my bill. I let this go because on my previous visits with my husband, ALL the staff had been very friendly, except for the manager, "Kevin," but since I didn't have to deal with him most of the time, I just ignored him. Our visits were frequent, sometimes more than once a week. I'm Mexican and felt very comfortable with the atmosphere, the food, and the service. I always recommended them and brought my friends and acquaintances, but every time this guy appeared, something went wrong. I passed on him again because he moved to another location, and Juan was the manager. His service was extraordinary, until Mr. Kevin returned, and they also changed servers. This is when the service began to decline... About a month ago, they served us a coleslaw that was spoiled. I'm not usually picky, however, I approached Kevin discreetly and without even complaining, because he was the only one available, and I told him about it. He yelled at me and told me it wasn't true, that the salad was fine. I just wanted to avoid inconvenience to another customer. I returned the salad and complained to one of the waitresses about his rudeness. Obviously, we didn't even receive an apology. We stopped going because the service became slow and to avoid seeing this man's face. We returned today. Juan welcomed us very well. The waiter who served us was very friendly as always. He made us delicious micheladas. He took our order, and everything was fine until it came to the bill. When I asked the waiter about a $2 charge, he told me that Kevin had asked him to charge me for a lemon we ordered. It's important to mention that I've NEVER been charged for lemons, and that this manager's attitude is appalling. I don't know if it's a personal issue with me, and I don't care, but after this visit, we will NEVER return, unless they take him away from this branch. We don't plan on returning while someone so self-centered and rude is in charge of...

!!!!! *five stars for real always and every way but the manager * !!!!-the new? Or unknown to us manager. Mind you my husband and I have been coming here often and a long time, just usually not on Saturdays.

I order my normal margarita (it’s given as a smaller size, I think medium, but that’s ok they are busy) and multiple employees offered to take our drink order. As we are at the bar (it’s busy restaurant wise but there are seats open at the bar area) I notice the 4 other people at the bar are all drinking large pitchers with straws after I receive my smaller marg.

I ask our server about it and they say yes it’s pitcher night (64oz for 14.99, the medium probably 16oz is 10.50) I ask the (white, not Mexican I’m sorry I’ve never seen him before there) if I can just get maybe 3 of these for the price (still less ounces) of the pitcher because the special, and he says yes….as I see another server split a pitcher, into two smaller pitchers for another couple.. how wonderful.

Anyway as we go to cash out and I get my final drink, this clearly doofy mufo says that because I asked for a medium I get a medium price and that’s how it is, and he’s sorry they were too busy to explain the specials. Nah, you said otherwise too.

I wouldn’t expect the owner to want to keep this clearly busboy only quality person in the position he is.

🥰WE DO LOVE THIS PLACE.🥰

THE FOOD, SERVICE, and everything otherwise is always wonderful. Idk who let this guy manage a damn thing. Sorry not sorry. I’ve worked as management and service in bars and restaurants and I wouldn’t want him messing up my regulars with his shenanigan type...

There was a party of 5 of us. 3 adults 2 children. We asked to sit on the patio we were instructed to head out and find a seat and someone would be right with us. There were 2 tables inside with guests at them and two outside with guests at them. We were the largest party. We went out and their were not tables set up for more than four people, so we took it upon ourselves to move a chair to a table. Not really a big deal however also not great customer service. We sat down, and a couple moments later a week just appeared and went to one of the other tables there were guests at. She didn't acknowledge us at all. Related a little longer still no service. We were getting a little agitated, but still waited. Another server appears with the staff of menus and we briefly thought okay here we go. However behind her outbox a party of six, it took them a while to figure out where they were going to sit, and we at this point we're very upset. The 1st waitress reappeared with a tray of chips just as we decided to leave. NO ONE said a word to us, not sorry, not we will be right back with you, NOTHING. As we were leaving there were several employees gathered around the bar just standing talking, one of them said thank you, I stoped and said, "We we're never served, we waited for 10 minutes and no one spoke to us, so we are leaving." I could have seen if they would have been busy, but to walk out and see them just hanging out talking. Not impressed. We went to another restaurant to celebrate my nephew's birthday and Thankfully had a...