Abi Azteca Germantown — Restaurant in Maryland

To quote my father on yelp,

"Great food, but the staff is racist, and short-sighted. I'd give it 5 stars, but the prejudiced attitude and actions of the staff there gave me indigestion. Want to read more? I'll tell you exactly how to spot their tactics, but it's better if you have a Spanish speaker in your group, so you'll know what they're saying and doing.

So, I've visited that restaurant about fairly often; about 10 times/year on average. I went there because the food is reasonably priced, it tastes great, and it's conveniently located. However, the last 2 times, there were unusual billing practices--for example, charging the 18% gratuity for a party of 3 on a $40 ticket. This most recent instance (today), I brought my wife and 2 kids for a nice Saturday lunch. The staff seemed friendly enough, but again the ticket had the gratuity added in for a party of 4 and $45. Unlike me, my wife speaks fluent Spanish and does not like unexplained expenses. She talked to the waitresses and FIRST, they told her that's their restaurant's policy. I thought that was odd because it isn't written down anywhere and the usual trigger for automatic gratuity is a party of 6 and over $50 ticket. When she called them out on that, their SECOND excuse was that it was their standard policy to write the gratuity in as part of the ticket. I was hearing and understanding bits and pieces of this exchange, and my wife pointed out that the couple seated next to us paid with a card and left a cash tip. Then they fell back on their THIRD excuse, which was the worst and most offensive: the wait staff at Abi Azteca in Germantown, Maryland said that they calculated an 18% gratuity, not on the amount of the ticket, not on the size of the party -- as both of those notions had been debunked -- they charged me because they said I am black, and black people don't tip. Some irrelevant background on me is that, yes, I'm black. And I'm also a fairly big tipper. We always tip more than 20% because I used to work in a restaurant in Brooklyn, NY and I know how tough it can be. But for me, it never got to the point where I was willing to steal from customers because of some race-based stereotype. The waitresses would not say this to me... instead they chose to say it to my wife in Spanish and in hushed tones. I think it's time for some daylight in Abi Azteca. People, you need to examine your checks when you go there and challenge anything that looks out of the ordinary. I suspect they have been doing this for some time. Are they really racist? I don't know, but they based their attempted theft on racist beliefs. So if you plan on eating there, you have to wonder what creative excuse they will use to try to get an extra $5 or $10 from you. Too bad, because my tip would have been much more than the $7.50 they got, and they lost a family. Please post if this has happened to you as well. Sunlight is the best...

(FOOD AND DRINKS ARE ALWAYS GREAT AND AFFORDABLE) I don't normally write reviews but today I was looking for the phone number to order some carryout and notice some bad ratings, took my time to read it an I think is unfair judge a place when you get upset because you didn't get it your way, You visited once and had a bad experience? Please ask for the on charge express yourself...... I've been on this place many time's food and drinks are really good and price is pretty affordable NY steak with sides for $12 to $14 fajitas mix with Shrimp's for $16 beef,chicken or seafood soup from $10 to $14 bucks ...I eat at this place a least once a week nothing to envy to BIG TEX MEX -SALVADORAN AND SPANISH food Restaurants.. Service is always good even at busiest time's I've seen owner's an manager's came out to serve tables and take care of people... Once my Shrimps cocktail wasn't that good I told the manager that this is my first time I get disappointed at this place at the time I paid my check my server Miguel gave me a $25.00 gift certificate for my next visit I was surprised but he told me that Sandra one of the owners have sent me this to excuse that I wasn't completely happy on that visit... AS I SAID YOU CAN'T JUDGE A PLACE FOR ONE BAD EXPERIENCE. ....and the way you treat people you will be treated... At that time I wasn't happy but I respectfully ask for the manager when she came out,I pointed with good attitude and the answer make me feel that they definitely appreciate customers going into there place... I even visit there location on ARLINGTON VA and always a pleasant experience....

I definitely recommend this place You can get great food and drinks for a fair price even if is not in happy hour.....

Me and my family appreciate that they always make us feel well attended.... GIVE IT A TRY AND...

The food is OK. But the service is horrible not only they don’t know how to speak English properly especially the waitress (Mayra) but has a very disgusting attitude with a customer that’s gonna be tipping her and it’s not obligated to do it. It’s embarrassing for someone that is your same race have to behave with that type of attitude and I know for a fact, she does not have her credential because her English is very poor. For that type of behavior is uncalled for and especially with this type of situation that is going on Right in this moment. The owner itself should do something in regards of this with his waitress with his bartender with the staff that he has. Because if they behave this way with me how many other customers they have done that too? If they are not happy with their job, they should quit and find another and not be taking their frustration with others. I am furious that I wasted my money my time with that type of behavior and I’m coming from work. Just wanted to relax waiting for my children to finish The high class it’s unnecessary and I am paying isn’t like I’m not paying for my food. If the owner doesn’t do anything that says a lot, the type of restaurant they are running. And I’m writing this for other people that wanna know exactly the review is not even worth it to waste your time and energy with this type...