El Jimador — Restaurant in Maryville

And the award for Absolutely the WORST MANAGER goes to this place. After ordering my lunch, I asked my server if they had any hot sauce for the burrito. He responded yes and that they also have a hot salsa. I asked if I could have some of the hot salsa. Later when my bill arrived I noticed a $1.99 charge for the hot salsa. At no given time when he suggested an offer to bring me the hot salsa did he mention that there was a charge for it. When I looked over my bill I noticed the $1 up charge that this restaurant charges each person. And then the $1.99 for the salsa. I did not say anything at the time and figured I would let it go and ask for a container to take what little bit was left home since I'm paying for it and also asked for a bag of some of the chips to take home to eat with the salsa. The server brought me a white paper bag with some chips in it. The bag was very greasy since the chips are fried. So I use my napkin to wrap around the bag to absorb some of the oil. That is the same napkin I used to wipe my hands and my mouth. Furthermore I had also opened the bag and stuck my hand in the chips to rearrange them so that I could fold down the bag a little more. After that the server came back and told me that the manager says it's $1.50 for the bag of chips. And when I asked why can't I just have them since I'm already paying $1.99 for the salsa plus a dollar up charge for choosing to eat there he said the manager said I had to pay it or they are taking the chips back. So I watched as the server took those chips back that I already had my hands in and my napkin that I used to wipe my mouth and put those chips back into circulation for the next guest. With the current situation of COVID19 going on, I am shocked that this business acts like this and that a manager could be so nasty and disrespectful to a customer who is trying to patronize their business. I would never go back to this place and eat especially now that I know they put food back into re-circulation that other people have touched. At this point I'd be leery of the chips left in the baskets on people's table that they didn't eat and wonder if they dumped those back into another basket and served to the next table. HORRIBLE MANAGER, HORRIBLE SERVICE, DISGUSTING...

As I strolled across the sidewalk twiddling my cane and greeting every passerby I noticed a quite audacious aroma coming from the local establishment across the street from me. At that moment, I wasn’t sure if it was the dehydration or a heat induced mirage but I soon came to find out that it most definitely was not. I approached what seemed to be a utopia of foreign flavor and delight that would intrigue all of the senses to even the most hardened of men. But of course, how was I to know if I was worthy of bearing sight of the door alone? Could it be a test of courage? A test of wit? Or perhaps, a test of endurance? How was I to know? But I soon came to realize that entry was not restricted to the elite. I nearly collapsed of disbelief. I entered the kingdom in awe of what I could only explain felt as transcendence. A whole new world unseen and all I could think to myself was, "Is this what my life has led up to?" It couldn't be a mere coincidence that I happened upon this mystical place. No. I was chosen by higher beings. But for what purpose? In thought I didn't notice the man that stood before me. The host! He escorted me through the halls of valor and to a table that I could only assume was crafted by the Gods themselves. And it was at this moment I came to a sudden realization that this was reality. This wasn't a wet dream, a fantasy or even mind control. This was my moment. Mine and no one else's. For in this hot summer time when the ground below us begins to sear, a silver lining emerges. Food worthy of the Gods approaches. The chef brings chicken in habanero, and even adds habanero powder to the crust. But the heat is restrained. You experience the fruity, delicious flavor of this without any spicy pain. I don't need any more pain. Hell, does anyone? In finality, I will say that my experience at El Jimador was sublime and my treatment near that of a gladiator most decorated. But I had hard poo the next...

The food was mediocre, at best. But the cost was ridiculous. We ordered takeout...2 meals and 2 extra side items, because we like to have leftovers. Our 4-item order was wrong in 3 ways. We did not get one item (a side taco) but were charged for it. We were charged (and received) a meal that we did not order and did not want. And one meal was not as described in the menu. In all, we were overcharged about $15. I called that night and was told that I should bring back the food to settle the dispute. The manager was not there. I explained that I live 20 minutes away and would not drive that far at night to try to fix a mistake that THEY made. I asked for a credit to my credit card. No way. I had to come in, talk to the manager, and get cash. I did that a few days later, only to be treated like trash by the manager. He never apologized for the mistakes that his staff made and basically accused me of trying to scam his restaurant. I could go on and on about how $15 does not matter to me but justice and doing the right thing do, but whatever. Bottom line...this manager was rude and insulting, the original server was wrong but lied to cover her mistakes, and I will never eat there again. And seriously, the food is mediocre. I threw out most of the leftovers. The extra meal they provided and charged me for was pork, which I'm allergic to. The manager asked me 4 times if I ordered...