La Unica Mexican Restaurant Huntersville — Restaurant in Huntersville

I am writing this review not out of anger, but out of deep concern—for anyone who suffers from severe food allergies, especially peanut allergies.

Before dining at this restaurant, I took every precaution possible. I called ahead and asked to speak with the manager directly, clearly explaining that I have a life-threatening peanut allergy. I was assured unequivocally that no peanuts or peanut oil were used in any dishes. Upon arrival, I again reminded the waitstaff and asked them to inform the chef of my allergy.

Despite these precautions, I experienced full-blown anaphylaxis within minutes of eating. The reaction was immediate and severe: my tongue swelled, and I could barely breathe. This happened in front of my 10-year-old son and my elderly father—who watched helplessly as I struggled to make it to the front desk for help. Shockingly, the staff appeared completely unprepared and had no emergency protocol in place. I ended up calling 911 myself and was taken by ambulance to the ER.

Medical professionals later confirmed that my reaction was triggered by nut exposure—most likely from a mole or enchilada sauce, possibly made off-site. I genuinely believe the restaurant may not realize that some of their ingredients contain nuts, but that does not excuse their responsibility. As a food establishment, it is your duty to know exactly what is in your food—especially when someone puts their life in your hands by disclosing a severe allergy.

After a month of trying to contact them again, the manager finally returned my call, only to dismiss my concerns and shift blame, suggesting I “must have eaten something else earlier in the day.” Not only is this response irresponsible, it’s deeply disappointing. I simply asked that they cover the cost of the ambulance ride—something any accountable business would do under the circumstances. Instead, I was told to “take it up with their insurance.”

Mistakes can happen. But the utter lack of accountability, empathy, and preparedness in handling a life-threatening emergency is what compels me to speak out. This could have easily ended in tragedy, and I urge others with allergies to take extreme caution if considering...

So, based on the reviews and that it always seems to be pretty busy, we have given this restaurant three separate tries. The first time we went during lunch-- the chips seemed stale and salsa was generic and just not that great. I ordered an enchilada dish with shredded beef--the meat had an off-flavor, possibly spoiled or on the way, and was slimy and absolutely gross. I couldn't even eat it. Strike one. Went back a few months later for dinner, thinking perhaps we had just caught it on an off day before. Again not enthused over the bland, generic salsa. Chips were fine, not stale but lacked salt. This time ordered a dish with shredded chicken that lacked seasoning and was just a big, fat wad of bland chicken in a corn tortilla with a very soupy and also bland cheese sauce. Everything was soggy and gross almost immediately. There was lettuce with guacamole and sour cream on the side and the lettuce was wet and resting in a pool of water that leached over into the rice and beans. What is it with refried beans today? Most all mexican restaurants today serve the same runny, seem-to-be-reconstituted watery flavorless beans that are more a paste or gravy than bean dish. In the 70s and 80s where I grew up, refried beans were so flavorful and hearty, made with fresh real beans. They were made with lard and you could identify beans. Completely different than the soupy crap served ubiquitously today. We ordered the margaritas on special. Tasted artificial. We were really disappointed with the first two visits, but somehow our craving for mexican food took us back for yet a third visit. $7 for soggy tortilla chips with melted cheese goo? I don't even recall exactly what we ordered, a variety of dishes in the hopes that one of us would hit a good one. Nope. We were so disappointed. The food just isn't good. But, I suspect that people are just so used to getting very sloppy and generic mexican food in any restaurant they go to. The menus are nearly identical as is the mediocre-at-best food. It was my favorite cuising for more than twenty years, but we just can't find good Mexican...

Have been here several times for lunch with office friends. Always enjoyed it. Not so good tonight. Wife and daughter wanted a Marguerita and suggested La Unica. We knew that they closed at 10. We arrived at 9. I even asked the bartender Alex what time they closed because I did not want to impose if they were closing. Apparently Alex was not having a good night. After I had already asked him about closing time, within 5 minutes he told me 3 times that they closed at 10. Ok, got it dude! Then he proceeded to pour cleaner all over everything from the sinks to the floor.... while there are other diners at the bar!!! I would not usually go to this extent to complain about service at a restaurant, but after being in the business and making a living at it for 30 plus years, I have had enough of being exposed to substandard service no matter what level of dining that I go to. It is an extemely tough business mentally and physically. I understand that better than most. I paid my bills and raised two kids from busting my butt and collecting tips. If you are unhappy making at least 2-3 times minimum wage in the Food Service Industry, get out and make us both happy! So I am just supposed to go with the status quo? No. I will stay home and cook for myself which is much better than most restaurants that are in the area anyway!

P.S. Sorry for dogging you Alex, but that...