Mucho Gusto Peruvian Cuisine — Restaurant in Fontana

There is a huge difference between liking the human qualities of a restaurant staff, and another completely thing: liking the culinary abilities of said staff. We drove long and far, based on the many positive reviews of Yelp users, and being avid admirers of Peruvian food, we really wanted to like the place called Mucho Gusto. Anticuchos Peruanos, $7.99. Two orders of this plate. These are made with beef heart, and in Peru are simply delicious, after being perfectly marinated and cooked on a live fire, they are offered in wooden skewers together with a spicy sauce, usually sliced potato grilled to perfection, and ready to eat. This version was not too shabby, although the beef heart was too chewy, but not bad for being so far away from Peru. 3.5 Stars. Ceviche Mixto, 2, at $14.99 each. Ceviche is a national treasure in Peru, and a place will make it or break it, by the quality and freshness of their ceviche. In theory this one consisted of white fish, variety of seafood, red onions, large corn, sweet potato, and of course the citrus juices that supposedly will cook the ceviche. First thing: way to expensive for what arrived to the table. Second thing: the fish was mushy, an indication that it had been resting in its citrus mix past the point of no return. The rest of the seafood very meager, and the shrimp included warm on the plate, while the citrus juice that comes with this plate, was bland, even though we ask for spicy, we did not get our wish, and the very worst thing about it, were the sweet potatoes that comes with this plate. They were so sweet that they had turned the citrus sweet, and when I asked our very nice server, she admitted that sugar is used to keep the sweet potatoes looking nice and orange. Ceviche and sugar, is like ice cream and salt, they do not mix, were not intended to mix, which turned this almost $15 a plate dish, into the worst memory now never to be repeated. So disappointed with this blunder, that all of a sudden I do not want to eat ceviche for at least 6 months, that is how mediocre the very expensive for what it was dish turned out to be. 1.5 Stars. Pescado a la Criolla, $10.99. This is a fried sliced piece of fish, not sure what kind, that comes with Peruvian rice (Peruvians make one of the best tasting rice in the civilized world), with a little onion salsa on the side. The fish was okey as it arrived warm and somewhat crispy. The rice was a monumental fiasco, for it was loaded with salt, so much in fact, that the lovely lady in our group who loves rice more than a Chinese after a hungry strike, did not even touch it after trying it. Curious as to why, I tried some, and after drinking a full glass of sad tasting water, I declared the rice inedible. 2 Stars. 2 Empanadas, $ 3 a piece. A sad excuse for an Empanada. Most who have tried well made Empanadas, would have right away discovered vital misses on these ones: one that the dough was basically sweet (what is up with this cook and sugar?!), second that the bottom was soaked in grease, third that besides this really dark ground beef, there seem to be nothing else added. Empanadas should have a filling of ground meat-if beef kind-pieces of boiled eggs, black olives, raisins some times, but these lacked finesse in the design and in the flavor department as a consequence. 2 Stars. Causa de Pollo, $6.99. A tasty Peruvian dish when done right, this one fell a little short of the mark by missing key ingredients, but edible never the less, and better than previous offerings. Still, not the best. 3 Stars. Peruvian Tamal, $7.99. Besides the exhorbitant price for this small tamale, it must be conceded that it was the revelation of the night. Excellent flavor, sadly they had run out of more, so we only got one, and among the 4 of us it was divided and truly enjoyed, for this Tamale had panache, and even at the price sold we all loved it. 4.5 Stars. Flan, $3.99. Not the best by a long shot. 2 Stars. Total came to around $92 plus gratuity over $103. Service was...

I should’ve know better than to be back. The first time that I came the service was good and the lady was friendly, so I was excited to make this my favorite peruvian spot in the IE. I came the second time and the guy behind the register was horrible. His service was as if he did not want to be working. Everything I asked for was a mission to him and if he had no time to cook to deal with HIS JOB! Came again, because I guess I like the abuse and it’s honestly hard to find Peruvian food out here. Sure enough this guy again!! First of all I ordered chicken and all they had was half a chicken. I asked if they can cook more and he said no that’s all they will have all day !! It’s only 1pm !! I asked for papa a la huncaina and he looked at me like I was crazy! Asked for extra aji since I ordered a total of 7 plates plus appetizers all to go and he said each “tiny” cup is an extra 2.50 !!! I asked for bread rolls and he said they are not selling bread right now ! WHAT!!! After being charged more than $140 for my meal and dealing with the abuse. I’m done. I rather make the drive to LA and eat some Pollo Inka than to give these people my money. It’s...

HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!! The food used to be good, not anymore. The guy that answers the phone is rude as all hell and must be new, he has no customer service skills whatsoever. We made an order of Chupe De Camaron which is our favorite and we have been ordering this for quite some time. It's a thick shrimp stew with potatoes, hominy and veggies, the broth is thick and it comes with a side of white rice. We get home and we got runny broth with 3 tiny shrimp and black stained potatoes, it was nasty we had to throw it put. $50 plus dollars down the drain. I called to let them know that what we received was not at all what we ordered and instead of apologizing or trying to make it better, he argued with me. What a horrible experience. We had all our employees, friends and families eating there, never again. They just lost over 100 customers and that's why they keep changing owners, lack of customer service professionalism. Whoever you are answering the phone you are in the wrong type...