Hacienda Ruan — Restaurant in Long Beach

We were actually here to use a coupon for At Last Cafe next door... but they didn't open for 45 minutes, and we were starving, so we said "I wonder how the Mexican place next door is". Now, I judge a Mexican place first and foremost on the quality of its horchata - you can tell a real Mexican place by the fact that its horchata tastes fresh. You can tell a -real- real Mexican place by the fact that its horchata is an off-white color rather than looking like milk, and still has specks of stuff floating at the bottom. This place had that; it was quite possibly the best horchata I'd had. You can get refills of it for a dollar, too! I tried their three-item combo (one cheese enchilada, one beef tamale, one chili relleno). The enchilada was excellent; the tamale was interesting (felt a bit denser than I was used to), but still excellent; the chili relleno... just tasted like fried egg batter, I didn't see any chili in it. So 2/3 on that. The rice was good, too. And 8 bucks for all that, all covered in cheese and sauce - I certainly left happy, and full. Their service was... about average. Not the fastest ever, but by no means the slowest, either.

(Oh, and their salsa was...

Every time I visit Hacienda, it gets better and better. It's taste and aroma are decadent. I eat every morsel most sittings. The to-go orders are easily placed via phone and they have the quality of a fine, fancy restaurant , while making their food as home-cooked- tasting as ever!!! When tourists inquire, this is my time-honored recommendation, for local Hispanic food. They must have an authentic Grandma Ma in the kitchen, because it always has the "made with tender ingredients, LOVE & care" appeal to it. I love them and would eat them for any given meal. The painting within the restaurant is interesting, as well. I like finding new nuances, to it, each visit. It kind of looks like Cancún but has the vibes of a different country, like Cuba or...

Monday @17:45. Completely empty place. I ordered the asada burrito with guacamole. It was 98% rice and beans, 1% asada, and 1% cheese, and NO guacamole. The green you see in the picture is green salsa. When they rang up the bill they charged for guacamole. I explained and the cook came forward and said she added it. When I offered to show the picture, she scoffed, turned around without looking and went about her business without an explanation. I strongly believe they are selling burritos and not adding the expensive ingredients. I will never come back to this place. Never have I been to a worse place than...