Habaneros Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Knoxville

In Knoxville for a med appointment, and upon recommendation from a friend, I took my first foray into Haberneros. They have a typical menu of Americanized offerings while maintaining an authentic flair. The lunch menu was typical, but offered a number of appetizing offerings. I jumped in. If they have any reason for me to return, they had to make Arroz con Pollo (ACP to the regulars) with tender, marinated chicken, good, tender rice, smooth, tasty queso blanca that isn't runny or separating, and in a combo that both looks good and isn't bland. Check, check, and check. I liked it. Strike 1 averted. I ordered a Dos Equis 24. Cold, beer glass was correct, refreshing. Strike 2 avoided. My plate arrived right out of the oven, piping hot, perfect texture on the queso, Strike 3 avoided. The waiter appeared subtly almost out of nowhere, attentive, very little wait for him after being seated, beer poured and served in just a few minutes. Order promptly taken and disappeared. I had only a very short wait for my food. Impressive, I was made to feel very welcome and the waiter checked back on me at appropriate intervals. While I have been to a couple of higher end Mexican restaurants, for the price, the service and food quality, Haberneros offers economy with many of the advantages of more high end places. If you like your Americanized Mexican food that is good quality and a small but notable flavor difference to the good, you will not go wrong with a lunch or...

On Tuesday, March 13th, we went for a special supper. I was looking forward to coming here. The ratings (4.5) and many positive comments also enticed me more to come here.

Unfortunately it was not what we expected. While the food was good the service left alot to be desired.

When we arrived, the guy showed us to a booth but did not ask us if we wanted a table (we moved to a table ourselves). When I ordered the Fajitas, the waiter did not even bother to ask if I wanted flour or corn tortillas. While we were eating the waiter never came by to see if we needed something else. Twice my husband tried to get the waiters attention but he ignored us. Then I accidentally spilt my drink and some of it when onto the lettuce. I had to use all the napkins to soak the liquid up. When the waiter came, he reached his arm across my food to take the plate holding my tortillas, he dumped the tortillas (thank God they were in a foil or they would have went onto the table) and used it to gather the mess. I asked him for more napkins which he never brought back. He never offered to bring me a new drink nor nor chamge the lettuce.

It was not horrendous but it was not good service. If I was the health inspector they would have gotten a ticket, even if the food was good. It was the service given, or rather not given that was not good. Even my husband was disappointed. We are never going...

Rude! They wanted to argue the fact of how shrimp fajitas are made. We've been going there for a few years now and we always get the shrimp fajitas. We only go In the evenings. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE FOR LUNCH! Tonight was different. They brought us our fajitas to our table and they were made with squash and carrots. WHAT???? I simply advised our waitress that something was different and we just wanted conventional/traditional fajitas. She looked at me like she wanted me thrown through the window. They told me that fajitas only come with peppers and onions on the lunch menu. WHAT???? Who eats fajitas with carrots and squash? Maybe some people do, but in all the years of going, we have never had to request our fajitas a certain way! She actually brought the manager to our table to reiterate that the fajitas come with carrots and squash in the evenings. Maybe everyone was having a bad day or maybe they had to deal with some other dissatisfied customers this evening. Just seems the overall quality of food and customer service has been declining over the past 8 months or so. I think we will take a break and search elsewhere for...