Torchys Tacos — Restaurant in Fort Worth

I am so sad to write this review, as Torchys has been our spot for almost 9 years here in DFW. I will say, this is not a “Torchys Alliance” issue but rather a Torchys corporate issue, because I’ve noticed this now at multiple locations. The food is just NOT good anymore. The staff here at the alliance location are incredible and very accommodating. They cleaned the tables super quickly and are attentive to needs, nice and friendly. The atmosphere is cool and inviting. But the food is just so bad. My salmon on my Mr Orange was dried out and tasted like it had been microwaved, they soaked all the tacos down in so much oil and sauces now to probably try to cover up the lower quality food, that it’s super unenjoyable, and the meat on my Wrangler was horrible. All fatty beef that tasted old. They also swapped out real potatoes for what tasted like homemade tater tots you make for yourself at home. Gross. I noticed a couple of years ago when they changed the chicken fajita recipe and it was a super disgusting oily chicken mess, that things were moving in a bad direction. But now things have gotten so much worse. Even my husband who normally likes most food items told me his republican was not good at all. Everything just tastes lower quality, especially the meat. I want to say I heard Torchys was under new leadership the past few years- well new leadership, listen up. The food ain’t good. I’ve eaten at 3 locations in the past 6 months and all of them had food quality issues. I don’t think it’s the restaurant staff or people preparing the food - whatever has been changed has made a huge impact on taste and quality. Everyone knows Covid made large companies cut costs. Much like BJ’s brewhouse that also went WAY down in food quality after Covid. But the problem is you cut the wrong things in this instance. The franchise won’t survive long because old patrons know the difference in food quality, and new people will not be lured in with great food like they used to. I hope the management at this locations forwards this to Torchys corporate and that they take it seriously. If you have money invested in this business, you want it to succeed, do you not? Shareholders, investors, corporate - whoever is making decisions, you need to take this criticism as a way to get back on track. Move back toward what was in place before all the changes. You are getting closer and closer to chain restaurant death! Too much competition out there! Time to get back to the basics of...

Food and Drink Handlers Issues-First time picking up an order from this location as it is newly opened in the Alliance area. I walked in and pick up is in the far right of the building by the cashier. The drink was not with the order so I asked the cashier about it. She handed me a cup to prepare the drink myself. I refused and explained only employees with a food handlers card should ‘prepare’ the food and drinks. She offered to do it after she was done with her current customer. Perfect, not a problem. At some point she asked for assistance from someone who appeared to be with management. He came over and asked what I needed. I told him I was waiting on the drink. He said that they always give ‘us’ the cups to make the drink ourselves. I did a partial explanation again of why Im not preparing the drink and attempted to leave which at that point he went and prepared the drink himself.

If I’m a dine-in customer or picking up as the actual customer, I 100% do not mind preparing my drink. But I was there picking up for the customer’s pre-paid order. I only get paid to pick up and deliver orders with the expectation I front the cost of my gas and time to do so. I do not get paid to take my time and prepare drinks for a restaurant I do not work for. On top of that, the pick up area is on the far right of the building and they expect drivers to go all the way to the far left of the building to prepare drinks that only employees with a food handlers card should be preparing for the safety of their customers.

I really hope they create a delivery system that incorporates preparing drinks in the back where food is also prepared to be included in the 98% of the other restaurants in this area that do so without hesitation.

They get a two star as I am a customer of this brand and have always enjoyed my food. Going forward I now know not to order delivery from here until their current process has...

The cashier seemed indifferent and was unable to answer basic questions about redeeming points. We never seem to have anything to redeem, even though we visit the restaurant frequently. The main issue was the delivery of our food. We did not receive the chips, guac, and queso (considered an appetizer) before our main food. When I asked the gentleman about the missing items, he acknowledged that he saw those items and said he would be right back. Several minutes passed, and I looked into the restaurant (we chose to sit outside), and I noticed a girl socializing with her coworker who was eating on what seemed to be her break. She had our food and was resting it on her coworker's table. It may have been a few minutes, but she brought the food out once we made eye contact. My issue is her lackadaisical approach to service. When I expressed my concern, she dismissed me with a quick "I'm sorry" without listening and walked away. Are there health codes, risks, and general food safety practices associated with putting food in front of another person? I will need to research, but I'm reasonably confident this goes against general safe food handling practices (TFER) due to the risk of contamination. Furthermore, it's also plain rude and poor service. Perhaps she could visit with her coworker before or after she has food...