Condado Tacos — Restaurant in Detroit

Usually stop by for a quick bite to eat, but my experience yesterday night was terrible.

As we walked in, we decided to get at the bar, there was an NFL game playing and wanted to be close enough to see. We were met by the bartender and the host screaming at each other. "Why are they here blah-blah-blah, they could've went to a table" Before even greeting us. The bartender proceeded to throw a fit and came from behind the bar screaming saying "I told you I wanted a break." Followed by her swinging a bar chair at the host. I don't know if their interaction was playful but it was completely unprofessional. The screaming and the dramatics made me and my girlfriend as well as many other customers in the restaurant feel very uncomfortable. As a person who comes to the restaurant at least 3-4 times a month, I consider myself a regular and now I am in debate if I want to come back. After this whole feud our bartender finally greeted us and before we could ask for a water (important for later) or anything to drink she was already on the other side of the bar... on her phone. When we were finally able to order our first words were "two waters". The drinks weren't good, a rotten lime was placed inside of it, we both did not finish them. The food, which is usually one of my favorite snacks was below average this time around and to our luck their Direct TV went out and we couldn't even watch the game. Whole time still no water. Our bartender at this point is still on the other side of the bar so we ask a server. Who responds with, "I'll tell the bartender", as she proceeds to walk past the server station with a (water) gun and the ability to maybe make the waters herself. Still no waters, still no football, still very uncomfortable. After we are halfway done with our food, our server finally comes by to ask if we needed water, 20 minutes after we clearly asked for them, but the server arrived with them at the same time. Why come to work if this is how you treat regulars who come in, spend good money, and tip good? I do not understand. The service picked up a bit towards the end with a guy coming to ask if everything was okay and the bartender coming around, but was met with another situation when she started calling me pet names in front of my girlfriend. For one no, and second you didn't even want us at the bar in the first place. Still left a decent tip because of the upcoming holiday.

As a bartender, I know what it's like to be frustrated at work but what I will never do is yell and cause the biggest scene because the host allowed someone to come to the bar to spend money. Also as a bartender, I would never put rotten fruit in a drink. I know how easy it is to just make two waters and drop them off with out attitude. By far one of the worst restaurant experiences I've had ANYWHERE.

I would like a follow up...

This was my first time going to Condado tacos. It’s been on my saved list for a while as they list vegan options on their menu. Staff were friendly & had a bar atmosphere. My first mistake was going in thinking the food would be Mexican. It was nothing close. In other reviews I’ve seen it compared to Taco Bell & Chipotle. (Flavor is worse than both & quality is just above Taco Bell but well below Chipotle.)

The food lacked flavor, was cold & honestly looked like something my 8 year old made. I ordered two build your own tacos: one with beans & rice and the other with vegan chorizo & poblano. The beans & rice taco was cold with black beans straight from a can. The fajita veggies on top were overcooked & cold. There was no seasoning or flavor whatsoever. The vegan chorizo & poblano mix was confusing. I’m HOPING it wasn’t actual meat. It tasted like cinnamon & there wasn’t a poblano in sight (nor flavor.) I took exactly one bite of each & was so disgusted I stopped eating. We had ordered guac for an appetizer and I have to say it was the strangest flavor I’ve ever had. It was over seasoned with unidentified spices that don’t belong in guacamole. Again, one bite & done.

My husband ate half of his flavorless chicken burrito & found a large hard chunk of something in it. When the manager came over to assist, he pulled up a chair next to our table, sat down with us, grabbed a napkin & started exploring the object. He guessed maybe jicama or a cabbage stem. Who knows but it was disgusting and it felt very uncomfortable & unprofessional the way he dissected it tableside as if he doubted US for their cross contamination. He took the burrito off of the bill with little apology. Neither he nor our waiter asked why my whole tacos were left. Oh well. We will...

So, my husband and I stopped by to order carry out and decided to grab a beverage at the bar. The host who processed our order assured us that he would deliver our food to us at the bar the moment it came up. So, there we sat waiting for our food at the bar, and after finishing our drink we thought it strange that our order had not come up particularly with there being so few people there when we arrived. But we assumed that maybe it may have been quiet a few carryout orders, because we saw several come up and place at the front for pick up. Finally, after finishing another drink, we asked the bartender if she could check on the status of our order. Begrudgingly, she wandered to the hostess station and picked up a bag we had noticed sitting there for at least 30 minutes and returned asking our name. To everyone’s surprised and our disgust, it was our order. She promised to go and speak to the manager. He approached us and apologized profusely, offering to remake our food right away. I asked how long, he assured me right away. Ten minutes later he returned again apologizing. Here is where my problem comes in. We weren’t offered anything other than an I’m sorry for our inconvenience. Honestly, the meal is on us for your HOUR wait is what I would have expected. But instead, I heard “we’re sorry.” When I asked what he planned to do for our inconvenience, he offered a gift card. My husband agreed and he returned with a…:what for it… $15 gift card. Mind you, our drinks tab was $40 bucks while we sat waiting for food. I’m gonna have to give Condado’s a thumbs down. When you mess up make it right with the customer. Trust me, it’s in your best interest. The cooks did a good job on the food. The only reason they didn’t...