Casa De Pico — Restaurant in La Mesa

My family and I have been coming here since they were located in Old Town.

I also frequent their two other locations, one still in Old Town, the other in Encinitas.

Unfortunately, my family (and everyone I would bring here) will most likely never be back again to any of their restaurants after the latest experience, which sadly was the culmination of several mediocre to poor outings there.

I ordered take out today and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. I arrived a few minutes beforehand to make sure I got the dinner as fresh as possible.

I was told they were just waiting on one out of the two items I ordered. Ok, cool, sounds great.

After 20 minutes of waiting, after a few unsolicited updates about a busy kitchen, and continuing to “wait on one dish,” I asked for the manager who said they would check on my order. I was told they were going to remake everything and it would take 2 minutes. They forgot about it, essentially.

After 5 or so more minutes of waiting, I asked for a refund as I didn’t want to wait any longer and was already well behind schedule.

The supervisor, Jacqueline, took about 5 minutes to refund my order, despite me saying I wanted to leave, seemingly just spitefully taking as much time as possible to delay even getting me my money back.

At no point did she offer anything, or even apologize, and when I asked why that was the case given the level of service, she just gave me a blank stare and said she was going to offer something, but I asked for a refund and now I’m out of luck.

She basically let me know that she could have done something (despite at no point offering), but is choosing not to despite wasting an hour of my time with waiting and 30 minutes of driving.

I doubt I’ll soon forget the glazed over, almost dead inside (you know that empty stare) look of contempt. It was as if there wasn’t a single strand of care about the situation in the slightest, with that type of response and behavior apparently normalized. It’s a rare thing to see that sort of detachment from any level of normal service industry empathy.

Mistakes happen, but utter disregard for an hour of a customer’s time is a clear sign that my 35+ year long relationship with this restaurant ownership group is over.

There’s no reason overpriced Mexican food is worth the bad attitude, terrible customer service, and cold entrees.

I’m tired of defending this place, the nostalgia from what it used to be is too worn out. It’s just not worth the nonsense to pay almost $50 for two undersized items sitting under a heat lamp for 20 minutes while they figure out what they’re doing for the better part of an hour.

All in all, one of the worst take out experiences imaginable. To leave without the food and without even an apology? It’s a joke.

I wouldn’t risk it if I were you, try something more authentic, or of better value, or really any place that values your service beyond giving you blank stares while metaphorically shrugging their shoulders at ruining your night, as if that’s just how things operate around there.

Receipt is attached to verify. The $5 tip on two items maybe wasn’t enough and offended their sensibilities with take-out tipping, who knows?

Goodbye Casa De Pico, you were sliding by on being mediocre, but mediocre with attitude and inconsiderate behavior just doesn’t...

Ridiculous, overpriced their rewards program is stupid, and the managers will argue about the rewards program because the “operations and people above don’t let them “ And to “follow the rules next time “ excuse me I just spent $150 at your establishment oh and don’t try to speak to Lino the GENERAL manager he will never get back to you .

OH AND THEY WONT GIVE YOU A STAMP IF YOU DONT LEAVE A TIP. IT WAS ABSURD I LEFT A TIP AND THEY BROUGHT MY CUSTOMER COPY AND HE TOLD ME I “HAD TO LEAVE A TIP FIRST” ( it was already left on the table but I almost took it back with that type of behavior)

He make 1.5 million a year and can’t even respond to an email about concern and bad service.

I am a college student who relied on the rewards program and have brought many family members and friends from out of state here. I have watched the prices increase the past two years and at first the rewards was great but now it’s ridiculous

I had my family spend $400 IN ONE MONTH HERE. THEY ARE NOW GIVING YOU SEPARATE CARDS EVEN THOUGHT YOU PAY ON ONE CARD AND AT THE SAME TABLE FOR A “FREE ENTREE” ( mind you it’s only $9.95 off a $25.00 entree )

I support locals but when they make it hard and difficult especially when you have a ton of rewards it one drink and entree which equals $30-$50 for one stamp to have a fit to use one card and compile a card after spending hundreds to get $9.00 off

It’s so greedy and will be telling fellow students never to come to this overpriced , complicated rewards scheme again

IF THEIR REWARDS WAS BETTER I WOILD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND BRING MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY HERE BUT ITS OVERPRICED AND RIDICULOUS

CRAZY how it took the owner to reply in less then 24 hours but Lino to never reply to my email back...

Disappointing, again. Not my first, definitely my last. The neat dining atmosphere only gets you so far the first few times around. Granted, it was a combo Mother's Day & Graduation Day this time. I took my newly graduated college kid and mom together. We were told 45 - 1 hour wait. Got seated in 30 min (nice) but in the sun with virtually no shade despite table umbrellas (not their fault, obviously). We munched on free chips & salsa. Then began the torture. 45 min in and no service, not even water (again, we're in the sun, no shade). Wishing we hadn't eaten the chips now. I asked the staff if a waiter was coming. They said they are slammed and our waiter was likely busy. 15 min later the manager (I think) took our order. Still no water despite asking. We pulled an overworked bus boy. He got us water. Finally our food and cocktail beverages arrived, but the server had no time for follow up questions. Made me feel like we were a burden for asking. Never did see our waiter/manager again until the end. We found the bus boy. He got us soda after we finished our cocktails long ago. We tipped him cash directly. The food was just ok. I asked my table if anyone wanted dessert and they simultaneously yelled NO! I motioned for the check after waiting forever to catch the eye of our waiter/manager. Waited another eternity to get the check, then to get my credit card back. I would have rather waited outside longer and had attentive service than be seated right away and be treated like a bother. We went the following weekend to El Torito for my father-in-law's birthday. It was a 180 in food and service. Never returning to...