Las Barcas — Restaurant in Huntington Beach

I have gone to Las Barcas several times since the 90s, and have always considered Las Barcas quite mediocre when it comes to Mexican food (there are so many Mexican food options in SoCal). I don't tend to write reviews on mediocre establishments; however, after this experience I felt compelled to write. I've had a few negative experiences with Las Barcas in the past; most of them have been annoying but ignorable. Tbh, I don't remember the details of my last negative experience with them; all I can remember was that I was quite annoyed with their customer service when I had an issue with my order.

I decided to give Las Barcas another shot; I was in the mood for Mexican, and the establishment is literally around the corner from my mother-in-law's.

I'm a green sauce lover and don't care much for red sauce, so I asked if it was possible to order the #7 "Chunks of Beef" burrito BUT substitute the red sauce for green sauce. I was told this would be permissible. The cashier asked me if I wanted cheese on that burrito (which I thought was strange because the menu already said it had cheese), so I asked if I had to pay extra for cheese. Cashier said I didn't, so I agreed to take it with cheese. After paying and waiting for it to be prepared, I thought that the price I paid was a little high, even with my tip. Took a closer look at the receipt; apparently I was charged an extra $1.50 for the burrito to be "wet" (sauce and melted cheese). I asked the cashier what the difference was between MY "modified" #7 burrito and their #10 "El Grande" burrito (which is wet, and costs $1.50 more than the #7). He said the #10 was a little bigger, and that it had sour cream and guacamole with it. So I CLARIFIED with him that for an extra $1.50 more than the BASIC #7, I could get a BIGGER burrito, one that ALSO included sour cream and guacamole, AND one that was wet. He reluctantly admitted it with a sheepish "yes." I told him that he got my original order wrong (clarifying that he indeed said cheese was NOT extra), and since I was charged an extra $1.50 that I had not intended to pay, I asked if I could get the sour cream and guacamole on the side, since I essentially paid for an "El Grande" (and a smaller-sized El Grande, at that). He asked "which one," and though I wanted BOTH sour cream and guac, I acquiesced and said I would take the side of guacamole. The OTHER cashier (who was a part of this conversation the entire time since there were no other customers in line) overruled him and said "no," if I wanted any sides I needed to pay extra for them.

They messed up on my order (the red sauce was inside the burrito, which I didn't care for). I paid more than what I actually ordered. And through this I didn't ask for a refund, or for them to redo my order. Instead, I provided a very SIMPLE solution to the problem, which was for them to simply give me what I had essentially already paid extra for (sour cream and guacamole).

After they told me "no, no sides of guacamole or sour cream unless I give them more money," I simply left. I wasn't going to argue with them. I just gently told them that I would not be coming back (though I'm sure it didn't matter to them). As I said, I don't normally leave reviews on venues which are mediocre, but in this case I am because my experience with their customer service was so negative. The food isn't "bad" per se, but it is definitely nowhere above average. If you don't mind mediocre Mexican food, be my guest. Just know that if you encounter any problems with your order, you are not bound to get much help, as has been my experience in the past (their attitude has always been that the establishment is correct; they don't seem to place value on their customers' happiness or satisfaction). This is just not the type of business I like to patronize, when there are so many others out there. Three stars for the food, but the lack of customer care brings their overall rating down to two stars. Now I wish I never left a tip when I signed the credit card slip — I essentially paid extra to receive...

We've been coming here for decades. After moving out of state, this was one of the places we used to have to hit while visiting.

Not anymore.

The food is good, so I'll just say that up front. Where Las Barcas now falls short is that they nickel and dime you for any extras you may need.

Need a sour cream? That's $1.49. Need 4 extra flour tortillas because they only give you 3 (yes that's right, 3) in their large chicken fajita meals-that'll be another $2.15...oh, and that's for a 3 pack, so you can only have 3.

When you spend nearly $100 like I just did on a meal for 5, then go back within minutes to the same guy at the front (who's keenly aware of how much I just spent on dinner there), you shouldn't try to squeeze more out of the customer. Maybe it's a lack of training or bad leadership. If I were the manager, I would train my employees to just offer a sour cream or a few extra tortillas especially to high paying customers.

That would've been a much more memorable and pleasant experience, and this review would not exist, and we would still continue to stop in like we have for decades. This ends here. Adios, mi amigos.

Btw, I ordered the small guac which is the equivalent of 1 cup, and it cost $8.49 +tx. You heard me right. WTH?? Are they buying their avocados from Beverly Hills or something?

The guy taking my order either was very distracted, or just really unorganized. I had asked for a combo plate with my tacos which should've come with beans and rice. I swear he heard and acknowledged me, but no beans and rice (for Jesus Christ) with my meal. However, I did get an extra fish taco that I paid for, but didn't actually order. Also, my daughter wanted one of her fish tacos to be spicy, again a head nod acknowledgement, but alas, no caliente pescado.

I'm really disappointed in this experience, it really was the last gas, and as a result, we won't be returning again on our future regular...

Was invited in Saturday October 4th to this place by my best friend bragging how good this Mexican place is. So I figured let's try it. They (friend s) oder first and a minute later I placed my order of a birriataco with rice and beans. My friends got their order, we sat outside to enjoy view of the airshow that they were having nearby. I patiently waited while my friend we're almost done with their food. I went inside to find out what was taking so long, a gentleman ask if my order was 975 and I said, "yes" he reply she is making it now. I said ok and walked out to say down. Minutes later the sam gentleman came with my order by now both my friends were done with their food. I annoyingly said to the guy, really? This is ridiculous to wait this long for just a taco. Which he reply it's only been 19mins. I said I place my order a minute after their order pointing out to the tray with the food plates on the table in front of me. He did not apologize for the delay or inconvenience. He made no comment that they were busy due to the airshow. He rudeness and attitude was uncalled for. Frankly, I will not recommend this place to my family members or friends. Their birriataco was tasteless and my friend's chicken quesadilla was nasty the chicken was dried and tasteless too. If I did not say anything to the guy that brought my food was because he was too busy talking on his cell phone a few feet from where I was sitting. What a bad experience. I should have rated this place...