Rubi Agave — Restaurant in Homer Glen

Last night, we went to Rubi Agave for a birthday dinner with our group of four adults and three children. Unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired.

We started with drinks, but mine, which cost $11.95, came in a small glass filled mostly with ice—it felt more like a shot than an actual drink. The “Cookies and Milk for Santa” drink tasted decent, but the birthday person’s drink was forgotten entirely and, when it arrived, was also a small glass filled with ice. One person in our group ordered a margarita and was upcharged for the flavor, which we were not informed about until the bill arrived.

The chips and salsa were good, but the portion of chips was very small. If your table wants a refill, be prepared to pay for each additional basket. For my meal, I ordered the Bandeja Paisa. While the sausage was tasty, the overall dish was underwhelming, especially compared to authentic Puerto Rican food. The skirt steak (a mere 5 ounces) was overcooked, even though I requested it medium. The pork belly was under-seasoned and needed more cooking time to render the fat and achieve a crisp texture. The highlights of the dish were the chimichurri sauce, plantains, and side salad—not exactly what I was expecting to enjoy most.

Service was slow, with as much as 15 minutes passing without a staff member checking on our table. This was surprising given that there were only three tables and an eight-person party in the restaurant. To make matters worse, a 20% automatic gratuity was added to our bill, apparently for parties of five or more—even though our group only included four adults. This policy was not listed anywhere obvious, and when I asked the owner about it, he was dismissive, even bordering on disrespectful. He claimed it was written in the menu, but I never saw it.

Finally, despite it being a birthday celebration, no acknowledgment or effort was made at our table. We saw another birthday celebration taking place where the staff went out of their way to create a special moment, but nothing was done for us—even though our server was aware it was a birthday.

Overall, the experience was disappointing. The service was subpar, the food was average at best, and the value did not justify the price. I wanted to share my experience so future customers could be aware of...

Zero stars should really be an option at this point. I gave this place three chances, all three have been awful but I like to give places the benefit of the doubt and a chance to do better. However, this last experience took the cake from making reservations to dining in their establishment. From the owner to its bartenders, TERRIBLE SERVICE. I highly recommend taking your money elsewhere.

Long story: My family wanted to make reservations for a birthday. I sent a request through their website three weeks prior, no reply. Two weeks later, I called one morning, but they were closed and decided not to leave a message. I called back when they were open but the system hangs up on you after it says "someone will be with you shortly". I tried again a different night during operating hours but the same thing happened. A couple days later, I called during off hours to leave a message. Again, no reply so I thought I'd try on Instagram via direct message. No reply. We had errands to run in the area so we stopped in to make reservations in person. When we mentioned that the systems they have in place aren't working (thinking maybe they didn't know), the OWNER said "what do you want me to do about it?" 1. Terrible attitude. 2. This should have been our first sign not to book it.

We finally get the reservation set and had dinner this past weekend. At the end, we asked for a cake with a candle or something similar to celebrate the guest of honor. We waited for 25 minutes and they decided to bring it out when she went to the bathroom. We told our waitress she wasn't at the table and all she said was sorry, dropped it on the table and left. The sparkler went out before she came back so we decided to remove the cake so she wouldn't see it and ask for a new candle. The bartender decided to argue with us over a candle. It would cost them $10 for a new one so we offered to pay. He was getting loud and literally arguing (causing a scene in his own establishment) over a candle that we offered to pay for. We decided not to get the cake and went to the owner to see if he can take it off our bill. He said "yeah, whatever I'll take care of it" as if we were in the wrong for asking. Just save your money and don't go here. For 10 of us, it was $500 and not worth a...

Rubi Agave Latin Kitchen in Homer Glen, Illinois, provides an engaging dining experience with a mix of highlights and minor drawbacks. Here’s a detailed review based on my recent visit:

Upon entering Rubi Agave, the warm and lively atmosphere immediately draws you in. The decor is vibrant, reflecting a Latin flair that sets the mood for an enjoyable evening. The restaurant is clean but does feel a bit cluttered, possibly due to the numerous decorations and the large screen TVs playing music videos, which can be a bit overwhelming.

The service is one of the standout aspects of Rubi Agave. The staff is attentive and efficient, making sure that our dining experience was pleasant from start to finish. Our waitress was particularly quick, ensuring that we received our food promptly.

Speaking of food, the culinary offerings at Rubi Agave are impressive. The churrasco steak was cooked to perfection, bursting with flavor and tenderness, making it a must-try for meat lovers. The bandeja paisa was also a hit, though the pork component could use some improvement. Nevertheless, the dish was hearty and satisfying. The pulpo con papas (octopus with potatoes) was another highlight – fantastically prepared and flavorful, it stood out as a unique and delicious option.

For dessert, the choco flan was fair. It had a decent balance of chocolate and flan, but it didn’t quite match the excellence of the main courses. On the beverage front, the giant bar offers a wide variety of drink choices, all reasonably priced at $11. This makes it a great spot for those looking to enjoy a drink with their meal.

One aspect that could be improved is the volume of the music. While it adds to the lively atmosphere, it might be a bit too loud for some diners’ tastes, making conversations a little challenging.

In summary, Rubi Agave Latin Kitchen is definitely worth a visit. The combination of excellent service, flavorful dishes, and a vibrant atmosphere make it a great choice for a night out. Just be prepared for a bit of noise and a somewhat cluttered space. The overall experience, including fair prices, ensures that you’ll leave satisfied and likely planning a...