Fuego Comida & Tequila Lounge — Restaurant in Florida

Wow! It's time that we finally got an incredible restaurant in the Lakewood Ranch! Everything at Fuego, a Mexican steakhouse and seafood restaurant was spot-on. The Land of the Dead Margherita and their twist on the Old Fashion was to die for. We had a few appetizers which were delicious and the main course was well thought out, balanced and once again delicious! Everything from the atmosphere to the wonderful staff, the well-needed delicious food was such a delight. Thank you Chef and thanks to all of you who make this restaurant amazing!

My above referenced review still holds true for the time written and hopefully will remain true after Fuego Comida makes some much needed corrections. Please, please go back to your opening menu & concept. Please go back to using fresh ingredients. Please educate your staff on the menu and the bartenders on how to make proper cocktails. At a minimum, the bartenders should be able to make your menued items to perfection and the servers should be able to "tell" if those drinks were made correctly or not. When you first opened, your ingredients were fresh and that relayed into the tasting experience. Our last visit, which will be the last, was not good at any point and quite honestly was terrible. Drinks were wrong and too long to deliver. Food was not cooked to the request, was brought out at different times and there was a complete lack of taste that you so well delivered when you first opened. The steak that was served was completely the wrong steak. Serving someone a lesser cut is deplorable and also called stealing. Using canned corn and canned chilies is a practice for simple chain restaurants and certainly not an establishment such as Fuego especially because you tout your menu is fresh and imported from Mexico. The practice of using canned food while advertising fresh ingredients is also stealing. If you choose not to go back to your original menu using fresh ingredients and a staff that is fully aware of everything Fuego then reduce your pricing to equate a Taco Bell menu pricing scheme. Another note regarding your cocktails, simply pouring more booze than the actual recipe amount is very dangerous for your bartenders and your restaurant. Getting people intoxicated is a very dangerous practice and should be avoided. By serving your patrons with great cocktails, fantastic food and tremendous service will most certainly draw in the crowd that will fully support your business and you will excel in the Lakewood Ranch community. There are very few decent restaurants in our area and you guys provided something very special when you first opened. Unfortunately however you and your staff have fallen off the cliff. Please go back to your original opening concept and you will...

An Unforgettable Experience at Fuego — Thanks to Isabella!

If you’re looking for a place that combines upscale Mexican cuisine, a vibrant atmosphere, and world-class cocktails, Fuego Comida & Tequila Lounge in Lakewood Ranch is the spot to be. But what truly sets this place apart isn’t just the ambiance or the beautifully crafted dishes — it’s the people. And in particular, it’s Isabella, the bartender, who elevates the entire experience to something unforgettable.

From the moment you sit at the bar, Isabella greets you with a warm, genuine smile that makes you feel immediately at home. It’s clear she isn’t just working a shift — she’s crafting an experience. Her knowledge of tequila and mixology is second to none. Whether you’re a seasoned tequila aficionado or a curious newcomer, Isabella will tailor your drink to your taste with skill and creativity.

I asked her to surprise me with something refreshing but with a bold kick — what she delivered was a handcrafted hibiscus tequila cocktail with a smoky mezcal float that was pure artistry in a glass. Every ingredient was intentional, balanced, and delicious. She explained each element of the drink, adding stories about the tequilas they use and even recommending food pairings.

What makes Isabella exceptional is not just her talent behind the bar, but the way she connects with her guests. She has a rare ability to read the room — knowing when to engage in lively conversation and when to give you space to enjoy your drink. Watching her multitask between making drinks, chatting with customers, and keeping the bar spotless is like watching a conductor at work. She brings energy, grace, and professionalism that is rare to find.

Throughout the night, I watched her treat every guest — regulars and newcomers alike — with equal care and attention. She remembered names, drink preferences, and even stories from previous visits. That kind of personalized service is what turns a one-time visit into a ritual.

The restaurant itself is beautiful — a sleek, modern vibe with a rustic twist, and a tequila selection that will impress even the pickiest drinker. The food is top-tier too — try the lobster cigars or the enchilada skillet. But again, what truly made my night memorable was Isabella’s presence and service.

In a world where hospitality can often feel rushed or impersonal, Isabella is a breath of fresh air. She is the heart of the bar and one of the best reasons to keep coming back to Fuego.

Pro tip: Sit at the bar, ask for Isabella, and let her guide your evening. You won’t regret it.

— 5 stars all around. Thank you, Isabella, for making an already great restaurant truly...

I had hopeful expectations of this restaurant from the reviews and aesthetics as it was being built, and I was overall let down. First, entering the building. We walk up and wonder where to enter. The side door where you DO enter was questionable as there is no signage. We sat in the patio near the front and observed at least 85% of people doing the same thing, looking for the entrance and many passing by and turning around. Second, the menu is different than what is seen online. The drink menu cut significantly. The waitress said bartenders already quit and they’re still working out consistencies. Third, food temperatures were overly disappointing. When you order something in a skillet, you expect it to come to you sizzling and hot. I ordered the enchilada skillet. The temperature was just warm in the middle. The skillet itself was not that hot, like maybe the temp of holding a coffee mug. Flavor was good though. Then we ordered the brown butter skillet cake for dessert to share. With a name like that, totally expected it to come out hot with butter bubbling goodness. Nope! It was room temp, skillet not even warm! Caramel sauce not very good, didn’t taste homemade IMO. The dessert was also WAY too sweet!!! Sugar needs to be cut by at least half! We could not even finish it between the two of us bc it was so sweet. Fourth, service was good but slow. It was a solid 20 minutes before we got our first round of drinks. Drinks were creative. The butterfly drink is missing something. Day of the dead is cool and tastes good. Anyway, once I realized how slow service would be, I ordered things well ahead of when I would want them, taking the wait into consideration, and it was fine at that point. Lastly, the food was okay. Chips and salsa is okay, nothing exceptional compared to any other. Lobster cigars good. I totally appreciate the truffle queso that is served with them. Less is more when it comes to truffle oil, otherwise it can quickly become overwhelming. This is a huge pet peeve of mine at restaurants. But they had the perfect amount! Overall, it has so much potential and I’m hoping it is just due to newly opening, but it has a lot of work to do. I’d go again, but probably just for drinks. Give it a try and see what you think, but you’ll probably find...