El Fenix — Restaurant in Dallas

Do not go to this particular El Fenix. It is the worst run restaurant I've seen. Allow me to describe my evening and the humiliation we absorbed. We attned the Temple around the corner that happens to be the largest congregation in the US. There was no attempt to fix the issues on the part of the manager to fix anything to make us whole or to even care. I can assure the owner they will receive zero business from the congregation moving forward.

2 couples. One asks for a martini. The waiter tells us they don't have martinis. I ask for the manager and they made the martini. 2 of us are vegans. I explain in detail what a plant based diet is so there can be no confusion. The food arrives with dairy products. So now 2 can eat and 2 have to wait.

I want to cover the entire bill. So I got up to go to the bathroom. I asked the manager if she could get the bill and add a 25 percent tip and gave her my credit card.. I don't want the group to know what I am doing. So she agrees to meet me at the cashier as soon as I return from the bathroom. I return from the bathroom and cannot find her. I have to chase down employees to find her. She is brought back and hadn't taken one action. Ruins the entire plan and of course does not care. I'm embarrassed with my close friend.

We simply could not get service or attention and the restaurant wad nearly empty. The staff was laughing and not doing their jobs. Playing like elementary school kids and running around.

The servers neglected us and other patrons. We got nothing without me getting up. Drop a fork. No one to find for a fork. I have to get up and roam. It's very hot in Dallas and our water glasses were empty for over an hour. I had to leave the group twice to hunt the manager to get water. She brings a pitcher of water to the table and asks if I want water.

Take out containers. Yes. I had to get up again.

I told the manager that it was the WORST dining experience oof my life. She did not care or attempt to take any action to make us whole. I asked her who she reported to so I could explain about our evening and she refused to give any contact information. I told her my wife is a litigator and will find the corporate documents and find who is responsible and we will make contact. She will handle it from there. She tells me law suits are a great way to hold people accountable.

Our 5,000 member Temple will never attend this restaurant again.

DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT.

Follow up

Sir,

I am writing to express my profound disappointment with your recent apology, which I found to be hollow and insulting. All of us at the table are owners of successful businesses, and we understand that mistakes happen. However, when they do, we believe in making our customers whole, often through tangible gestures like gift certificates, rather than just words.

Your response failed to offer any form of compensation for the terrible experience we endured. This demonstrates a clear lack of responsibility and suggests significant cultural issues within your restaurant.

As someone with significant influence at the Temple, I can assure you that your establishment will not see any of...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at El Fenix, and I must say that it was a truly delightful experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by friendly and attentive staff who made me feel welcome.

The ambiance of the restaurant was warm and inviting, creating a perfect setting for a meal. The menu offered a wide variety of authentic Mexican dishes that catered to various tastes and dietary preferences. The flavors were vibrant and memorable, highlighting the culinary expertise of the chefs.

I was particularly impressed by the quality of the ingredients used in each dish. Every bite was fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared. The portion sizes were generous, ensuring that I left the restaurant completely satisfied.

What truly sets El Fenix apart, though, is the exceptional service. The staff consistently went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was enjoyable. They were knowledgeable about the menu, provided helpful recommendations, and were attentive to my needs throughout the meal.

Overall, I had an outstanding dining experience at El Fenix. The combination of delicious food, inviting ambiance, and excellent service truly made it a memorable occasion. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic and enjoyable Mexican...

My family and I have always loved El Fenix, and we've never had bad food there in 30 years. When we went on June 28, before we even saw our waitress, dad and I raved about the freshness of their food. For the first time, ever, I had stale chips. Not awful - restaurant suppliers are busy and overloaded and understaffed. Then - y'all know how you can barely touch your plate when they first serve you? I received mine and could touch it immediately. Enchiladas warm but not thoroughly, and tortillas also tasted a bit old.

Maybe this particular location just got shipped an older or mismarked batch of ingredients. I don't know. But it was Saturday and they had great business with pretty decent service to match. They had a very friendly manager visit each table as a routine and it matched the warmth and dedication of the servers. It was also a very quintessential environment that you couldn't even tell was smaller than a "standard" El Fenix.

This location deserves service. They're kind people and provide a lovely environment in a safe bustling neighborhood. I would just suggest speaking up about the food - I don't believe that could ever be their fault for being a...