The District Pub & Kitchen — Restaurant in El Paso

Update on my review AFTER the owner replied below 6/14/24:

No, the jukebox had not been paid for by customers. Not once had anyone stood up to pay for the jukebox. I worked for an establishment that had a similar one - and, when customers haven't paid into it, the establishment has preprogrammed what will play. Don't make excuses for disgusting music choices which your establishment actively chose to put on the machine and program to play during downtime when no money has been paid by patrons. It's also apparent when looking at the jukebox if there are songs in the paid queue or not, but the owner apparently thinks it's ok to lie to customers about this on a public forum.

As for the fee - I'm glad the owner is gaslighting over the fact that their fee is still absolutely an abusive practice. "oh it's just 0.24" yea we had a small check compared to many others I'm sure, and if you do that 100-200x/day, that 0.24 becomes literal tens of thousands at the end of the year. (tell me you don't understand how percentages work though...) Good job on being OK swindling customers because you can justify in your mind that it's only a few cents. If it's only a few cents according to you then adjust your menu prices, pay your staff better, and remove the cc fee. It's an abusive practice to expect customers to tip your establishment on a service fee which literally has nothing to do with the service provided.

The response the owner gave is gross, out of touch and in some points completely lying. Why people would patronize the establishment is beyond me but I will do what I can to let people know not to go to this establishment. Every part of the experience, from beginning to end AND the owner response all give me serious concern.

I'll include the most abhorrent part of our visit at the bottom of this review. The staff were friendly but jesus it took way too long to get our check after asking and indicating we were in a hurry. I had to go to the bar to ask her to print the check which she still hadn't done.

The food was mid at best for what else is available in the area. Not bad but absolutely not anything to write home about.

The atmosphere was questionable with the jukebox playing the most racially charged rap half the time and racial slurs from the chosen music. Fine, if that's what you like to listen to, I guess whatever but it was unappealing as customers to have to listen to it for a hour.

What was the final straw for me though was check. I do not understand why companies continue to think this is ok. The check came and had recommended tip percentages on it which is fine. That's helpful for some people who can't do basic math. But they add a credit card fee if you pay by card (which I didn't see notated anywhere BEFORE getting the check, well after we'd ordered and eaten - and maybe it was, so I'll admit that there's a possibility it was, but they should do a better job of this. And in some states, tacking on a cc fee is illegal. Unsure about in TX) and they then give you the slip to sign but it now shows an increased tip suggestion because THEY WANT YOU TO TIP ON THE ADDITIONAL FEE!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY ABHORRENT to ask you to tip based on an added fee they chose to slap on! This is gross and abusive to customers.

I'm so sick of companies trying to nickle & dime customers via tips instead of just paying their staff a livable and appropriate wage and adjusting menu prices as necessary. Asking customers to tip on your fee is more than just a little wild. I'll not only never be back to this place, but I'll make sure everyone I know living in this area avoids the...

To answer your response to my review:

Who was your manager? Nobody ever came to talk to us! I don't know who gave you that information. We were given 1/2 of a table and no more than 6 chairs (for a reservation of 10).

Certainly a bad call from the Locomotives to announce a watch party at this place. We will never go back to The District and we will never attend any Locomotives events if they will be similar to this experience. The Locomotives need to find a different venue for their events.

Not having an assigned waiter to a table is unacceptable. Waiting 20-30 minutes for a drink is unacceptable. Waiting an hour for chicken wings is unacceptable! If you consider that being prepared and up to standard, it is not certainly the service I am used to. There were almost 200 people inside (not counting the patio) I counted them. A front staff of 6 bartenders, 4 cooks, and 2 managers is not enough for 200+ people. What is the capacity for the place?

You didn't have complaints because there was nobody to complaint to. I was the person who sent the message to all the Colombian people who went to your establishment. Almost everyone complained to me and we have agreed that we'll never be back. We would have complained but it was impossible to get a hold of a waiter and the managers never checked on the costumers.

The doors to the patio were opened halfway through the game. If that was venue, I would have added 2 big screens in the patio and I would have sat people outside.

Overall a terrible experience!

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

This place was a disappointment. I was asked to convoke the Colombians in El Paso to watch the Copa America final game at The District West. They had done an advertisement campaign stating that they will be showing the game and that reservations were needed. This is how it all unfolded:

1- I reserved a table for 10 people and upon arrival they gave us half of a table with only 4 chairs. 2- The owner of the establishment had the best table in the restaurant and him and his friends all had chairs. In my opinion, business owners need to take care of their customers and not just use them to make money. 3- They were unprepared and understaffed for the event. People waited 1 hour and 20 minutes for an order of 6 chicken wings. People waited 20-30 minutes for a drink. Our table did not have an assigned waiter and we kept having to order at the bar. 4- They announced the watch party was a family event and there were children sitting on the floor because there were no chairs.

We had watched all the other games at the Union Drafthouse on Sunland Park and we never had these issues. We certainly will not watch any of the pre World Cup games or World Cup games at The District. I was trying to convoke everyone elsewhere to help other business, but The District was not up to standard. We have all agreed that we will go back to the Union.

Restaurants and bars need to stop benefiting from customers and take care of them. If you don't know how to organize such events, don't! The fact that the owner of the restaurant had the best table and had 15 + chairs was inconceivable. Next time just host a party for your friends and don't convoke people to support your...

I was about to be in way to Whataburger by UTEP and suddenly I saw this restaurant which remind me someone said this place serve better than Chico’s Tacos and I decided to give a try but I refused to over spend since it’s my first time. As I sat down I have waited pretty much time since two ladies were busy talking to two guys and I was very patience. She finally offer the menu and asked me what I want. They didn’t have sweet tea??? So I order coke and I got small size of coke? So I order chip with Queso and rolled tacos. I pretty much got my order at least like three minutes and my coke was about to be empty. As my coke was empty she is no where to be found and I had coke empty entire time while she’s disappear. The food was blahhh. It’s fairly enough for anyone to finish since I’m paying for meal and server need to be hustle hustle and never asked if everything is okay. I approach to front and ask for check and same time she brings me refill? I was like what the heck. I left no tip because my tipping is very good and the server didn’t focus anyone out waiting and she spend lots time talking to guys and other guy too. I wouldn’t careless if I’m not important but this is what she gets. ZERO tip. My average tipping is $5. I wouldn’t suggest anyone to pay visit to this place unless if they want to flirt with one lady with fat lip. That’s...