MeXo Tequila & Mezcal Bar and Restaurant — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

First time here with my boyfriend. We had high hopes since it has been almost a year of not longer since starting to build the actual restaurant. We came here for lunch and it was 12pm.

Very nice interior walking in, the bar on the left was visually striking but as far as the dining area, there was nothing too striking. The menu involved very authentic Mexican vocabulary and was pretty out there as far as appearing to your average customer. I don't think most people would have an easy time deciphering the menu. Our server was Josh and seemed slick at first but really deliver POOR service. We ordered the chef's special guacamole and was pretty good but the chips were stale and for advertising that they make homemade chips, this made it red flag number one. We asked for fresh chips and they were better although nothing special and not salted... The guacamole was interesting with the sweet flavors of the Mashed fruits but pretty average for a 12 bowl of guacamole, and had way too much salt. Low dimension of flavors all around for that dish. Then we ordered our entrees..... I got tostadas tinga de Pollo and the flavor was great with the tostadas. Kinda small portion size but I was expected that. There was a pile of scraps of some sliced cucumbers, romaine and onions in a random pile next to my tostadas and then this very random pile of finely shredded lettuce but it was a really small pile. I didn't understand the addition of these random piles when my tostadas had all of those ingredients minus the cucumbers. My boyfriend ordered the sandwich with braised pork leg (can't remember the meat) and received the incorrect sandwich... The sandwich he got was a vegetarian sandwich which shows that the server didn't even check or notice that the sandwich was wrong before delivering it to our table. Amateur move..we told him it was wrong after he checked back and he apologized and asked if he could make a new one..my boyfriend declined since he didn't mind the veggie sandwich and was also on a time crunch. We finished our meals, but our server was so damn slow with getting us our check/clearing plates that my bf had to leave because of work. Honestly when your customers decline your request to offer dessert, that means they are ready for their bill. It doesn't mean that you as the server disappear for the next ten mins...he came back out finally because the other female server (great service) has to get him to tell him he had a table. He came out to the table and saw me and went back to get the check like HE COMPLETELY FORGOT altogether. Upon receiving the bill I saw he didn't comp the meal, offer any discount, or any incentive to return because of the mistake he made with ringing in the wrong order.

I understand we all have off days but we were Josh's only table.. JUST ONE TABLE.

Kind of inexcusable in my opinion and we will NOT be returning. This place doesn't really get me excited about giving it another chance. It won't be long before Mexo is gone like the rest of the restaurants in GR that come and go. They have a great mission, but with their obviously low amount of capital (newly built patio with no chairs or tables to actually seat people), and poor menuand bad service they will not last...

The first sentence is YOU MUST TRY THIS PLACE!! Spending a birthday weekend in Grand Rapids and trying many places. This one was a little off the beaten path and it was a Mexican restaurant. I love Mexican food, but a member of our party does not. He went because we did. Definitely a great choice.

Mexo has all the main fare dishes, but with a flair and spice. The first dish out was the duo salsa. I've never had a hotter salsa, but it's so good you keep going back for more even though you're on fire. The salt on the house made chips helped to soften the blow as well as the pickled vegetables served with. That's brilliant idea.

We were next served the Pulpo Ceviche and also a smaller guacomole. Accidentally, they brought two Pulpos to the table, which I sent one back. As Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, "Big mistake. Big." I'm still dreaming of that Ceviche. It has octopus in it and is sweet, tangy and delicious. Definitely get that. The guacamole as well was good, but too small. Restaurants have a bad habit of trying to make the presentation with guacamole happen by placing on top of a lot of lettuce. It's not happening, folks. It's just making us lose our money when the guacamole stays on the leaves and the leaves overpower the dip. Let's work on that, shall we?

Moving along to the main dish - Smoke Mushroom Tacos. They were good. My table loved them, but seemed to be missing a little something. Maybe a sauce or spice or lime. Just something. I'd not order them again, but would love to go back and order their vegan enchiladas. I'm not vegan; however, the info looked great.

Lastly the dessert, Quarto Leches Cake. Now, I'm not from Mexico, but I did live in El Paso for two years and they have Tres Leches Cake, which is my favorite, favorite. I was sooo excited and my group had to listen to it. I think there was one too many leches in the cake on this one. Our waiter, Justin -- and amazing waiter -- said there was goat cheese in the mix. That must be the one. I'm thinking the goat should be put back out to the pasture so we can get back to three.

All in all, loved this restaurant. Didn't expect the bill, though. It was pricey. We only had three drinks and the food I mentioned. Hmm. Might want to keep tabs on that, if you're...

🌮🔥 Mexo - A Culinary Gem in Downtown Grand Rapids 🔥🌮

My fiancé and I are absolutely thrilled to share our incredible experiences at Mexo, and we can't rate this place highly enough! Chef Oscar's talent in bringing the pre-Hispanic flavors of Mexico to downtown Grand Rapids is nothing short of brilliant.

👨‍🍳 Chef Oscar's Expertise: Chef Oscar's culinary prowess shines through in every dish. His dedication to showcasing the rich history of pre-Hispanic Mexican cuisine is evident, and the result is a menu that takes you on a flavorful journey through Mexico. The use of all fresh, local ingredients elevates each dish, making it a true culinary delight.

🍽️ Authenticity at Its Best: Mexo stands out for its commitment to authenticity. Each bite tells a story of Mexico's culinary heritage, and Chef Oscar's careful curation ensures that the flavors are vibrant and true to tradition. It's a refreshing departure from the ordinary, and we appreciate the effort to bring something unique to the table.

🌿 Fresh and Local: What sets Mexo apart is the emphasis on using fresh, local ingredients. Chef Oscar's commitment to sourcing locally not only supports the community but also ensures that every dish is bursting with freshness. It's a farm-to-table experience that adds an extra layer of excellence to the dining adventure.

🍴 Fantastic Experiences Every Time: We've had the pleasure of dining at Mexo multiple times, and each visit has been nothing short of fantastic. The warm and inviting ambiance, coupled with the passionate staff, creates an atmosphere that enhances the overall dining experience. It's more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey.

🌟 Must-Try Dishes Include:

Tamal Stack Red Snapper Carne Asada Pulpo Ceviche

In conclusion, Mexo is a hidden gem in downtown Grand Rapids, offering an authentic and delightful culinary experience. Chef Oscar's brilliance and the dedication to using fresh, local ingredients make it a standout choice. If you're looking for a unique and memorable dining adventure, Mexo is the place to be!

#Mexo #GrandRapidsEats #CulinaryGem #ChefOscarMagic...