El Fenix — Restaurant in Dallas

Not that this is going to do any good but I just can’t not in good conscience. Tell other people about how horrible this experience was. I walked into the restaurant at 8:30 and was the only person in the restaurant other than the staff. My white person came up to the table and hat on so much cologne or perfume that I could not breathe. It was so strong that it lingered after they walked away from the table. I ordered everything at one time to make life very simple. I asked for queso to start with. I also gave the person my entire order as well. The queso came out at the exact same time as the entrée which defeats the purpose of ordering an appetizer. After dropping off my food, the white person goes and sits down at a table directly in front of me and gets on their phone and start talking. Never once looking my direction. I was drinking tea and after I finish the glass, I placed it on the edge of the table so that it could be seen that it needed to be refilled. I went the entire meal without getting my tea refills and the same weight person being on the phone talking. When I finally did get the persons attention, they came over and asked me did I want more tea. I said yes and please bring me my check at the same time. She took away the glass and left me with nothing to wash down white little articles of food I have left. When she did bring back my tea, she forgot my check. Remember that I was the only table in the restaurant a single diner, so how is it that hard to remember that you need to bring these things out? I would like to say that this was an isolated incident, but the last three times that I’ve been in this place I’ve gotten the absolute worst experience from the weight staff ignoring me because I was a single diner. I grew up on the L Phoenix brand and it was for my family would go for special occasions and now that I’m the only person left in my family I try to go back there out of nostalgia and remember the good times but I cannot go back any longer because it has become something that I don’t recognize any longer It’s turned into an absolute nightmare, and I cannot understand how this restaurant stays open with this quality of waitstaff. I will stay on the positive side the last time they came in and this type of experience happened. The manager was sweet and actually ended up waiting on me herself. She was such an incredible person, and I cannot say enough about how much I truly appreciate it for taking the initiative to make sure that I had a quality dining experience after the waiter had ignored me. But I will not be back, and I can honestly say in good faith I will tell other people please avoid this restaurant because you will not get...

THIS RESTAURANT HAS ROACHES!!!!! 09/15/2025

A coworker and I visited today because they were advertising $1.07 enchilada plate specials to celebrate their 107 year anniversary. They open at 11:00 am. We arrived just after 12 pm. The restaurant was sparsely occupied, nearly empty. We attempted to order the special and were told that they had a huge rush of people who were waiting outside when they opened and the special was only offered to the first 50 guests. We arrived to a restaurant that was nearly empty. So we were left to assume all those people got their food to go. Or maybe, just maybe, they weren't telling the truth.

Anyway, we placed our orders and halfway through the meal, ROACHES emerged from under the table onto the tabletop. We called our server over, pointed out the roaches. He said, "Oh my god, what are you doing there?" He walked away to grab a towel, came back on grabbed the ROACHES with the towel and then asked, "Would you like something else?"

NO WE DON'T WANT ANYTHING ELSE!!!!

We asked for a manager. The manager came over to the table with the expression and attitude of "What do you want?" We explained to him what had just occurred. He looked to the server as though he was asking him to confirm what we were saying. The server nodded as if to say, "Yes, they're telling the truth". The manager then said, "We just had the exterminator here at 5:00 am...I'm not sure how this could happen...".

They didn't charge us for the meal. This was a horrible dining experience. I've been going to this location for years and every experience lately has been...

Pro: Food was good & hot.. Order was correct! Chips & hot sauce were Great.. Con: Waitress had absolutely no personality! Not sure she wanted to be there or even liked her job!! Asked for more hot sauce several time( bowls were tiny) , she would bring it out in a couple ( I mean 2 tiny bowls) and literally pour it into my tiny bowl! I was sitting there thinking I hope it doesn’t splatter on my khaki pants or shirt.. Probably not smart to do that , just give me the other tiny bowl!! If you don’t want to bring more out maybe give me a bigger cup & u don’t have to keep refilling them up!! We did have 3 men at the table that could probably drink the hot sauce.. I’m not sure she smiled once.. just a complete straight face, no emotions! We were waiting for our ticket & my husband is like where she go? My son was like she’s on lunch break.. he’s like really? I looked up, yes she was on lunch break.. so he got up went to front area.. she seen him & jumped up went straight to ticket counter & brought it to table.. I don’t mind her eating but her personality set the tune for the whole meal.. we we’re leaving, bathroom definitely needs to be cleaned .. no soap in the dispenser.. how are they washing their hands & serving us?? Now it was extremely hot in that restaurant & it’s extremely hot outside, so maybe she was just miserable & hot! Because I couldn’t get out of there fast enough it was so hot! And yes I did tip her because they work hard for their money!! And our food was correct.. smile will go...