Los Compadres Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Inverness

Service is poor, food is good.

We have been here about a dozen times and the service has been progressively diminishing. Our server tonight was Middle aged male server who stood around talking most of the time we were at the restaurant. Apparently, his daughter is also a server there. From what was said, she was not our server but was trying to help her “dad”. If it wasn’t for her we would have had hardly any service at all... she was obviously trying to do a good job while he literally did nothing Except stood 15 feet away from us, talking with other coworkers. He stood there in plain sight of us, and us him, even when we were obviously done eating and waiting for the check for 10+ minutes. He asked me if I wanted my margarita salted which came with absolutely no salt... his daughter fixed that. Or salsa refill he brought out seemed like it came straight from the freezer. We have eaten at countless Mexican restaurants Including multiple times at this one, and have never had ice cold salsa. It doesn’t seem normal to me that you would want to complement fresh hot tortilla chips or even some salsa on your hot meal, with ice cold salsa. Btw, it was not busy at all. We were probably this guys only table while his daughter was obviously taking care of multiple others.

When the manager came before we left and asked how our meal was we told him the food was great but the service was poor, again. I don’t like complaining and I try to be constructive if possible. He offered to discount our meal but I really did not want that. Yea, the service was not great at all but I still wanted to pay for my meal because the food is great and it never goes to waste.

After we left, I thought about it more and realized that I did not specify That our service was poor from the male server, and not the female server. I didn’t want her to get in trouble so I called to clarify this and speak to the manager again. When I called and asked for the person who picked up the phone after greeted me with “what do you want”. This was obviously not the same manager. Like I said we have eaten here multiple times and I have talked to him on multiple occasions. I could tell that this was obviously not the same person from his voice, accent, and way he talked to me but and it was like it was someone acting as a manager. I am also a manager and work in customer service. A manager would never greet a customer with “what do you want”. At least not a good one like he has seemed to be in our other meetings. When I tried to explain that I wanted to speak to the manager about my service in the restaurant this evening, the person on the phone just kept saying “OK, what do you want“. I asked to speak to a different manager and the person refused at which point he hung up on me.

We have been to Habaneros Mexican Grill 10 to 12 times and the service has progressively gotten worse. When I came here to share my experience, I see that multiple other reviews are similar, good food/poor service. Hopefully someone comes to a realization quick and makes some changes or they will end up like many other startup restaurants in Inverness, closed within a year or two. We love the food but after the conversation, or lack there of, with the “manager “, we won’t be back nor will we continue referring people to this restaurant.... but with “management” like that, I doubt they care. 4+ stars for food, negative 3 stars...

Update 03/2025

Los Compadres is my favorite Mexican food in the area. Hands down their choriqueso and tacos al pastor are the best!

2022 review: Turned in to Los Compradres on a whim as I pondered what I might have for dinner. I had never been prior to this visit.

On the front door was posted a sign about a credit card surcharge due to the cost of processing. I appreciated that from the get-go, so there were no surprises when the check came. I am glad they put it out there up front, and thanked customers for choosing cash if they chose to dine there.

Walked in and it smelled just like a Mexican Restaurant should smell... like a fresh baked corn tortilla. It was a warm welcome. ;).

We sat down and perused the menu. We elected for a Chorizo Queso to start. They provided chips and salsa so the queso seemed a good accompaniment. This salsa was amazingly smoky and cold on the lips. The consistency was smooth with no awkward chunks to push around and avoid. An a-game start to my meal. The queso shows up with a heaping spoonful of house made chorizo. It had a great spicy flavor (but not hot) and it was smooth and creamy. The fresh warm chips were thin but mighty and made a great scoop for my queso and top notch salsa.

I elected Tacos Al Pastor which is my go-to and to which all will be judged when it comes to Mexican food. If Tacos Al Pastor is on the menu, it is on my plate. My husband enjoyed four Enchiladas Verdes - two chicken and two shredded beef.

The Al Pastor exceeded my expectations. The tiny bits of pineapple burst sweet juicy flavor against the spicy pork chunks. It was topped with the traditional onion and cilantro, and I chose corn tortilla for my base. What a dish! They were exactly what I expected, what I wanted, and what Al Pastor should be.

The enchiladas were equally as flavorful. The shredded beef had a consistency of a slow cooked pot roast and a seeped in rich gravy like flavor. The chicken was shrdded and juicy - ready to get topped with the lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, or crema that came with the plate.

We ended with a classic - Fried Ice Cream. Again, they met my high expectation. It came out as a light and crispy fried shell bowl, carefully cupping a coconut covered fried ball of ice cream, topped with whip cream and chocolate sauce. Plus a 🍒. Divine.

When the check came, it showed two different prices - one for cash and one for credit which showed the surcharge added. Again, I loved the transparency of this method. I chose to pay cash - which is unlike me but I appreciate and sympathize with the message they were conveying.

Needless to say, I am super, super pleased with my visit to Los Compadres. I'm glad I took the turn and will undoubtedly return for the housemade guacamole made tableside which I reluctantly...

I ordered the super burrito and was totally disappointed. First it took 45 minutes for an order I was told was going to be 5-10 minutes. I called over the phone and ordered and waited in the lobby about 15 minutes after ringing the bell before anyone arrived. The lady came and came back quickly to only sit the 3 couples that were waiting in the lobby, that arrived after me. She finally bring out the Burrito and my chimichurri sauce I ordered. The Burrito wasn't even warm. I asked for it to be cut, it looked ripped. One side had beans, the other didn't. One side had avocado the other didn't one had tomato and lettuce on top the other didn't. The best part was the sauce it was perfect! What did the dummy do(me)? My dumb behind called in to try and get an explanation about the burrito. The girl who answered claimed to be the manager and told me, he probably started at one end and wrapped it wrong as far as the beans but the burrito comes with different toppings on each half. Didn't offer to replace it or anything. I'm like, can I order the biggest order or chimichurri. She tells me it's 4 dollars for 6 ounces. I couldn't belive it but I'm like, what the heck, I've already wasted $16. Get the sauce home while I make my own burrito and it's maybe about a tea spoon of chimichurri and the rest just liquid. I couldn't believe this mess they had given me. I usually drive from Inverness to ocala and the villages twice for Mexican food because I love it and tried this on instead and in my opinion, the customer service and food quality needs help! Tremendously. My average food orders typically run anywhere from $50-$120 and they do well for customers but you just missed out on about $800 a month with the service I received and you can ask china first. I don't mind spending money for food but not when...