Victoria Cocina Mexicana — Restaurant in Four Corners States

My experience was decidedly mixed, with issues of staff training and food safety. My server brought nicely warmed and salted tortilla chips and salsa, but not accompanied by the water I asked for. After two other tables had been served, I finally rose and got the server's attention to ask for water and was told, "I had to make their margaritas," an answer worthy of a petulant adolescent. Food safety issue #1: people have to be given a beverage with their food, so they can wash down something like dry chips that might stick in their throats (full disclosure: I am a former small restaurant owner).

I odrered Chile en Nogada, a dish I love and have made at home : a poblano stuffed with beef or pork (here, it's pork), dried fruit, nuts, warm spices such as cinnamon, topped with a creamy sauce thickened with ground toasted walnuts and garnished with pomegranate seeds. I was disappointed with this version, which seemed to have been obliterated by reheating in a microwave: searingly hot in some places, barely warm in others, while the sauce was straight-out-of-the refrigerator cold. Food safety issue #2: a meat dish unevenly heated, covered in a cold cream-based sauce, is a danger. I ate only a little. The pork filling is possibly the same over-braised or pressure-cooked pork used in other dishes. I tasted no spices, there were no dried fruits or nuts, the only texture came from the poblano seeds, of which there were many.

We were never asked how our food was, and our water was never refilled.

My lunch companion asked for a cookie after the meal, and the waitress said they have "big"ones when asked what was available. The cookie was a large pig-shaped biscochito, and came warm, smelling all cinnamony. The microwave, however, had struck again" we burned our fingers trying to pick it up, it was literally ateaming, and by the time it was cool enough to touch, it had turned rock-hard, but for the few seconds it was edible, it was delicious.

Both the wait staff and food issues here can be solved: train the employees thoroughly, and toss the microwave (it's sabotaging your food). And a hint: when a guest twice turns down an offer of a to-go box, they didn't like the food....

Tucson is renowned for its choices of Mexican food, as well as other restaurant choices. Victoria Cocina Mexicana is a stand- out choice. First, it's rare these days that the owner and/or head chef come out to greet you and thank you for coming to his or her establishment. Not only that, but then you see that same owner and head chef travelling around the dining room serving plates as well - that shows an attention to detail and customer-focused business. The waitperson service was otherwise brisk and efficient. The food was fantastic - we consider ourselves connoisseurs of good food, and this Oaxacan-styled kitchen just shines in every direction. As far as ambiance, the space is fantastic and the location perfect. If there was anything to talk about with room for improvement, I personally would put different chairs at the tables and would use opaque screening at the front windows, especially in the evenings, to give off that supper club vibe, but these are just the ramblings of my inner interior decorator. Ignore the very few naysayers and make sure you don't miss this offering from a family with decades of restaurant ownership and experience. The family tradition is obviously in...

Mexican food on another level. First I'll give the negatives; they were out of a few items, the tortillas are kinda thick, the chili verde could've been served at a hotter temperature, and the tortilla chips are also kinda thick and not very salty. So what. Minor details when compared to the positives. The food is really, really, really good. Like really good. Nothing is instant or low quality. Everything tastes homemade from scratch and cooked with love. The mole may have been the best I've ever had, with the chicken cooked perfectly as well. Rice is good. Black beans are good. Be careful with the salsa, it's spicy, don't eat any until after your drink arrives. Service is fast and friendly. And maybe the best part for some of you, the price. The meals are like $2-3 more than the local fast casual places (F----o's, N--o's, L-- B---o's, etc.). That's right. Gourmet high quality sit down restaurant food for just a couple bucks more than literal fast food. I'd eat here 3-4 times a week if I lived closer. Hurry up and try this place before the secret gets out and they raise their prices. For real dude. Oh yeah, we had a horchata with cantaloupe and pecans in it....