Delicias Mexican Cuisine — Restaurant in Desert Hot Springs

Took my wife's family from Indio, California to Delicias for the first time, after my son's baseball game. While watching the game, I suggested for all of us to go to Delicias. This included my in-laws, sister-in-law, and her husband. I had been telling them about how much I love Delicias and that they were going to love it too... Not the case on this visit. We were all in good spirits and happy because with everyone's busy schedule, it's getting harder to get together. I was happy to see everyone and to spend time with them. I wanted to take them somewhere I knew they would enjoy. It all began with one of the waitresses getting bothered because we wanted a different table other than the one she suggested. They already had another party there and we would have been bumping into each other with the chairs. Since we were a party of 7 ourselves, we suggested for a more appropriate, roomier table, on the other side of the restaurant where the stage is. The main reason we suggested the other table is because we didn't want to be in the way of the other party already there and we wanted them to enjoy their meal without one of us backing up and hitting their chairs. The waitress suggested a booth, to which my wife replied "no, because it's still compact" and asked her if she could just put the tables together as she had on the other side initially. She rolled her eyes and had an attitude. The owner was bothered that my father-in-law asked him for more chips and salsa. If it costs extra, it's ok, we have money, just quit it with the attitude already; however, he never even informed us that it was an extra charge in the first place; would have been nice to know just as a courtesy. My mother-in-law ordered Cafe De Olla and requested creamer. The owner ignored her as well, about the coffee creamer twice. I got up after 10 minutes of waiting. I personally told him "why is it taking so long?" and he answers with "the Cafe De Olla already comes sweetened". I understand that, but she likes creamer and we are paying customers, not asking for things for free. And for your information, creamer isn't sugar and wouldn't have made it any sweeter, it's like adding milk. Some people prefer their coffee not black. His answer tells me that he had zero intention of bringing her any creamer because he assumes that everyone drinks their coffee like him. I found it almost comical that they took forever to bring some creamer and the soda refills, but were quick to ambush my mother-in-law for eating a little piece cake that she had just purchased at the Spa Resort on 8th street. To be fair, I do understand that there's rules about the outside food and I get it, but she just wanted to sample her cake- chill out Delicias. Give her a break after you refused to bring her creamer. They seem to be understaffed. I wonder if that's why they get annoyed when they see a party of 7. Actually, they were definitely annnoyed with our party of 7 because before we ordered, we requested split checks and they refused. They also didn't give us an itemized bill when it came time to pay, only a receipt with a total on it. When I got the check, surprise- there was gratuity automatically added which was never disclosed to us. No wonder why they wouldn't split our checks. I won't be coming here anymore, but if some of you guys that are reading this are feeling brave and adventerous do decide to go there, just bring some outside food and they will come to your table in a FLASH, pro tip 😆 😆 We could never have anything nice in DHS. The honeymoon stage of Delicias is over. They definitely embarrassed me and made me look bad for recommending them in the first place. To be fair the food is good, but I don't mind driving somewhere else where the food and service is better- you can't have one with out the other. With this kind of "service", I'm shocked they're even still in business. I miss Guadalajara Cafe in Palm Desert. Hope you're doing good Guero, where...

FYI- By far, this is not an authentic Mexican restaurant in any way. Only reason I gave it 1 star is because i couldn't give it negative stars. It takes staff an average of about 9 minutes to even greet or acknowledge customers and about 12 minutes to be seated even when there was only 4 tables taken. Food is poor to mediocre, cold and flavorless. Salsas are just a wet pico de gallo style obviously not spicy at all. I believe Pilar was our server and took out order wrong but we didn't complain, we just had our meal. She never checked back to see if we were ok but we finally called her back to ask for a spicy salsa which sj He told us that they didn't have any. After we were done with our meal a man that was normally at the bar (wearing a hat and eye glasses) approached us and asked "how was everything" we told him about a beverage that was wrong and he immediately got upset and said "im taking it off your bill right now " he picked up the drink and walked away, never even offered to replace the drink or ask if i needed something else. None of the servers seem to be 21 years old but they were all clearly working behind the bar. At one point I noticed a female server taking not one but two shots of what appeared to be tequila shots. Right before the server presented the check, she returned to our table and in a very upset manner she asked "what is the Problem. We did tell her about the wrong order, that they don't have any hot salsas, the omelet was cold and that the carne asada burrito was nothing but beans and rice and for some odd reason they put french fries in it. She told us that next time to ask for different food, at this point we told her that there might not be a next time. She told us " Thats FINE! This place isn't for everyone " she Placed the check on the table and walked away. I don't know if she was intoxicated or just having a bad day but this is no way to treat customers. The Food is bad but the Service is just plain pathetic. Do yourself a favor and stay away from this place. Its not worth your...

So yummy! Great modern Mexican with traditional taste.

Food: various street food dishes from grand-ma recipes. For vegan - less options: guacamole with mango was top. Served in a beautiful and tasty flour tortilla bowl. As vegan at first I was puzzled what to order but Cesar (one if the brother owners) is vegetarian and was kind to offer a huge plate of delicious sautéed veggies 🥦 (picture). This dish usually not on the menu but as it was rather slow, they could accommodate my diet. I could not stop eating it and took the rest home.

Service: At the start he had a rather beginner server and then Cesar took a great care of us. He is usually at the bar but was kind to run for and back to check on us. He was honest and shared that rice and beans are cooked with a chicken broth and offered a great alternative.

Interior & Ambiance:

Modern Mexican concept shows up not just in their food but as well in their well made design: bright surfaces of colours at the entrance that are perfect for the earthy - pastel landscape. Great touch on details like flags and well designed neon lamp. (trash can at the entrance could be removed else where though…) Local talented painter Cecilia made this huge intricate colourful mural on the wall makes this place so easy to find from the far :)

Spanish rock / pop music created a great atmosphere for the spacious dining room and the place was quite cool, I mean chilly as well 😝. I went outside to heat up and found the mural :)

Great convo with Cesar, I asked him why they don’t add more vegan / vegetarian dishes. He shared that they would like to keep traditional concept but they’re happy to modify their dishes to accommodate other diets.

Hope this place will grow and develop other brunches. What a nice experience. Often just one person brings whole dining experience to another level! Great job...