Casa Monarca Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

I’ve come here a bunch of times and have genuinely enjoyed the food; which is the reason I’ve continued to frequent this place -even though the service tends to be more on the slow side…

However, after today, they’ve lost two customers.

It started as any other visit. We were sat fairly quickly and our waitress came by a few minutes in to take our order and drop off some chips and salsa. Right off the bat, she did not introduce herself. That’s fine, she asked if we knew what we were drinking…We placed our drink orders and she walked away.

She eventually comes back with our drinks and asks if we’re ready to order. We order an appetizer and she runs away without giving us the opportunity to order our entrees or ask if we needed anything else. We needed more chips as we were almost out, we had no more salsa as we had eaten it all and we wanted more napkins.

Our appetizer, which was cheese dip, comes out almost immediately by a different waiter. Before he can run away I ask for more napkins, which he provides since they’re literally next to our table, and I then ask for more chips since we now have dip but no chips. He agrees and runs off - to never return. I understand that he wasn’t our waiter and obviously had no desire to serve us. What I don’t understand is why couldn’t he send our waitress over to take care of our request?

Eventually, maybe ten minutes later, once our queso is cold, our waitress comes to see if we needed anything. We say we need more chips and proceed to place our dinner orders. At this time, my friend decided to also order a second beer as he sees how horrible the service is and realizes he might not have another opportunity.

Our orders come, again brought by the other waiter and not ours, and he puts one chile relleno in front of me. I proceeded to ask him where the rest of my food was and he looks at me and walks away. At this point our waitress shows up and when I ask her the same question she proceeds to tell me I had only placed a side order. I shake my head and tell her that was not the case as I was expecting a dinner with beans and rice as I’ve ordered this meal several times before.

Instead of trying to rectify the situation, she instead begins to try and explain to me I must have ordered during lunch as they have different specials. Again, I tell her that’s not the case as I’ve never visited during lunch. Instead of taking accountability for her mistake she continued to offer up reasons why the mix up was my fault. It was at this point that, I asked how was it that she was bringing me a “side order” of chile relleno as there are no sides on the menu?

At this point she offered to bring me a side of rice and beans and says it’ll take a few minutes. Again, no apology, no accountability.

She eventually brings the rice and beans, drops the plate off by saying, “be careful it’s hot” and again runs away without checking on my friend to see if his food was ok or if we needed anything else. My dinner was a side order of rice and beans and one chile relleno - the equivalent of a kids meal for the price of a full entree.

We were never checked on again and the only other interaction we had with any of the staff was when we asked for our check.

When I go out to eat a meal the only thing I expect is decent service. That’s literally the bare minimum and you somehow they still missed the mark. Luckily, there’s a ton of other Mexican places that can, and...

A Mixed Review of Casa Monarca Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

During my multiple visits to Casa Monarca over the past year, I've consistently encountered issues that have unfortunately marred my dining experience. Each visit revealed a recurring theme: the staff often seemed inexperienced, with only a few appearing to have adequate restaurant experience. The most glaring problem has been the staff's evident lack of expertise, particularly noticeable in their unfamiliarity with house wines and tequilas, and the incorrect method of maintaining the house margarita.

The menu claims to offer freshly made dishes, but my experiences suggest otherwise. For example, the spinach dip seemed like a hasty combination of frozen spinach and liquid cheese, microwaved and served lukewarm – a far cry from the fresh, made-to-order quality I anticipated. Moreover, the restaurant's inability to provide informed recommendations for their house wines and tequilas was disappointing, often resulting in either a deer caught in the headlights or laying through their teeth giving me a completely unconvincing, nonsensical responses.

Another area that needs improvement is the handling of their "House margarita." The practice of keeping it in an oversized metal pot, supposedly manually mixed occasionally, is less than ideal. The standard expectation would be a constant mix in a machine, or a freshly crafted drink made to order.

Despite these shortcomings, Casa Monarca does have its redeeming qualities. Its location is a significant plus, situated conveniently near the beautiful Fort Lauderdale beach and the vibrant Wilton Mannors. Additionally, they serve their draft beer perfectly chilled, which is a welcome relief in Florida's heat. While the decor is somewhat cliché in its Mexican theme, it is clean and aesthetically pleasing.

In conclusion, while Casa Monarca has several areas that require urgent attention, especially in authentic menu offerings and staff training, its superb location and ambiance make it a spot worth trying. The potential for excellence exists, particularly if the management invests in hiring a professional chef who can oversee the kitchen operations and ensure superior food quality. Alongside this, the recruitment of experienced managers, as well as qualified and skilled bartenders, servers, and hosts. With these changes, I believe Casa Monarca could truly live up to its claim of being a premier Mexican dining destination in...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Casa Monarca, a vibrant Mexican restaurant. From the moment I stepped inside, I knew I was in for a treat. The overall experience was fantastic, with delicious food, refreshing drinks, a warm and friendly atmosphere, and numerous features that make it an ideal choice for families and special occasions.

What's a Mexican feast without some refreshing drinks? The bartenders truly knew their craft. From classic margaritas to creative and colorful cocktails, their drink menu had something for everyone. The drinks were expertly mixed, perfectly balanced, and served with a smile. Whether you prefer a traditional tequila-based beverage or something unique, they had you covered.

One aspect that impressed me was how they catered to families. It was a joy to witness the staff's genuine friendliness towards children. The restaurant had a welcoming ambiance that made families feel comfortable and at ease. They even had a dedicated kids' menu, ensuring that even the pickiest little eaters would find something to enjoy. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate families and make their dining experience enjoyable.

If you're looking to celebrate a special occasion, Casa Monarca is an excellent choice for birthdays. The staff was attentive and helpful in arranging a memorable celebration. The highlight of the evening was the lively mariachi band that serenaded us throughout our meal. Their energetic music added an extra touch of festivity and created a fantastic ambiance. It was a truly unique experience that made the celebration unforgettable.

One of the standout features is the fact that it's owner-operated. This personal touch was evident in every aspect of my visit. The owner was present and actively involved, ensuring that every guest was well taken care of.

In conclusion, this place is a gem among Mexican restaurants. The mouthwatering food, expertly crafted drinks, welcoming atmosphere, and family-friendly environment make it a top choice for anyone seeking amemorsble dining experience. With its owner-operated charm and the added bonus of mariachis, this restaurant truly knows how to bring the...