Machete Tequila + Tacos — Restaurant in Denver

The lowest reviews you’ll read about this restaurant are due to poor service — and this is 1000% accurate. I won’t presume that it was due to us coming in as a minority family of 4, or if our server was just an exceptionally rude human, but the only reason I mention the former is due to how nice she presented following receiving a highly undeserved 20% tip (we always tip service workers because this is a tough economy).

It was Friday, August 15 at 8:37 p.m. when we decided to stop in because I had previously eaten take-out and recommended this place to my family that was visiting from out of state. We sat out on the patio and our server was a white woman in her early to late 40’s with brown hair and wrinkled, unkept attire. She had a very nonchalant attitude and when I asked what non-alcoholic options she had, she listed the flavors (flavors, not drinks). I was already trying to be quick about my order, because everyone at the table ordered alcoholic drinks and I didn’t want to be obvious that I wasn’t joining them. Or make them feel bad that I wasn’t drinking. I proceeded to ask what flavors the non-alcoholic margarita included and she said, “the same flavors I just listed.” This really pissed me off and I just said, “Nevermind.” She was super rude and careless. Like, imagine a server being snarky toward you while you’re trying to enjoy a fun evening, and then expecting you to remember all the FLAVORS (not drink options) listed for a drink you hadn’t even mentioned initially?!?

I think she realized how rudely she came off when she asked me again, “so, you don’t want a drink.” I responded, “no,” and then she went along…

This RUINED my entire dinner and experience even though my spouse kept telling me not to let it bother me.

Everyone has a bad day, but she seems like a genuinely unkind person that shouldn’t be in the service industry. Also, bad days shouldn’t affect your customers or patrons.

The food is amazing but it’s not worth being treated that way. People work too hard for their money to be treated like THAT! I will possibly come here for take out, but will never eat here again. The parking also sucks, and you will have to search for awhile to find good street parking, so keep that in mind. And they only have queso fundido, not queso —...

Absolutely horrendous service. I work in hospitality and never write bad reviews because im one of yall. But holy moly I cannot comprehend how absolutely terrible the service was. I was merely part of a large group, not the organizer or anything. The server was clearly upset about taking a large party and was short and rude to the group and also did not touch tables at regular intervals (so we got one round of drinks and no check back to order more). When asked about splitting checks he informed us he could not split them. There's no modern pos system that doesn't allow split checks. This policy is pure laziness. I've worked 40+ groups and split checks. Seated guests at separate distinct tables are not hard to keep track of. But then again, our server was clearly intoxicated. He even tripped over a chair. Then at the end of the night when check needed to be paid, it was our responsibility to calculate our checks including tax. Absolutely ridiculous. That is not service to a guest. Inevitably, there was an unpaid balance (which doesn't happen with split checks btw). When people were visibly irate about the check situation he tried to blame the party for "not paying the room fee". I was a server for several years and now I am a FOH manager. In my years in hospitality, I cannot fathom ever being so incredibly rude to a guest. The organizer not paying the room fee is not the party's fault. That is the manager who approved the party without the fee. Take that anger to the manager, not to us. This was clearly a complete breakdown of service from a management level. So while the server was God awful, this sort of situation ultimately comes from...

The ambiance was nice, we went during lunch on a crisp Saturday afternoon. Pleanty of seating available and the waitress was prompt to take our order. The decor was quirky and fun and it seems that the cocktail options are a hit. Of course, I only assume because I didn't order any. The food, what a disappointment. I opted for a quesadilla with arrachera (grilled skirt steak). The presentation was off, they provided a quesadilla with an insipid handmade tortilla and I kid you not, a side of a sad cactus salad that was literally five pieces of cactus that looked more like a garnish. Typically, quesadillas are full of flavor with the meat and cheese. Not this one. My husband's food was one of the priciest menu options at $20 an entre for grilled sirloin. However, it's strips of sirloin sautéed with onions and bell peppers. To many it would be considered fajitas; and may I say it was so heavily smothered in grease, he left half of it. I'm just so disappointed in denver cuisine. It's really a hit or miss. This place although like very "authentic" and had great decor and ambiance, the food was lacking flavor and presentation. Some thing Mexican food is known for. I can't say I'll return to this place, but you're welcome to try it and prove me wrong. Don't take my...