El Divino Dining & Cocktails — Restaurant in McAllen

Epic failure!!! Went here for valentines day dinner. After being seated we noticed that 6 tables sat after us were being waited on, for us, still no wait service. Brought it to the attention of the hostess and she sent a temp waitress who we know and adore, and yet another waiter came by and said hi to us. The 5 course meal ranged from mediocre to just plain horrible. The regurgitated shrimp appetizer tasted like day old refrigerator shrimp barfed up by Ed Couch/Elsa goats (no disrespect to the goats), served cold and smelled horrific. As it was served by the lethargic waitress, she proceeded to tell us how the "chef" had won the McAllen Top Chef award. She neglected to tell us that he was competing against the chef from El Pato and the fry cook at a local burger joint. Course 2 was a $4 HEB lobster tail served with the corn you get out of a cup at the local snack joints. Also old and smelly but digestible. I got a txt from a friend who was watching me from another table, "how was the shrimp, LOL!" Pork bellies are next on the menu.....served with who knows what and syrup....Almost pulled it off but who wants sweet bacon? Next was the 1.5 oz filet, served nice and dry (I know it had been sitting in a rack or under a heat lamp). At this point I asked the waitress for salt and anything that would help cover up the bland excuse for protein being laid before me. She acted insulted and said the chef doesn't allow salt to be placed on the tables. To help us get through the rancid taste in our mouths they brought a mini testicular looking crème brulee in a raspberry sauce (served cold but doable). Went to the bathroom, saw a co-worker in there who was going off about the size and price of the meal, came back out and asked for the check. After 2 hrs of being at the table I really couldn't wait for the last course, I wanted out. We got the last course, ice cream melted, not bad but again, probably sat under a heat lamp. Check $500 for 2 adults and 2 kids. Kids were not drinking but after this experience they will probably become alcoholics. I don't ever write reviews, but after having a 60-75% fail ratio at this place its time people know. On a previous experience a waiter passed off lard as a bacon infused bread topping (another EPIC failure). Most people in McAllen think high price = quality (either from ignorance or a lack of decent eateries in the area). Please be warned, go to any franchise restaurant for a better experience, come to El Divino if you want to be seen throwing away your money for some of the worst food you will find in the world. This is no longer the original El Divino where Isaac would come up, seat you, and say "let me order for you" and then have heaven melt in your mouth. This place has a kid who watched a little too much HGTV, got some Manteca and a few other dumpster items to come up with an infusion of garbage my dogs would...

@ Will, I decided to edit my response to your commentary hoping that we will best be served if you understand why I was so disappointed with our experience. I have enjoyed eating at your establishment on many occasions. Some times not so much.

First, you mention me knowing Issac. I don't really know him but he always recognized us as regular customers and made sure that we had a pleasant experience at all his establishments and it was consistent. I hope you agree that there is something to be said for consistency.

Second, as for your Texas Monthly accolades,who cares? You belong to the same club as Isabel's Cafe and the BBQ joint in Los Fresnos. Throwing that out was nothing more than an excuse, and excuses are only good for the person giving them. Did you and/or your manager inquire with your staff about our experience? We absolutely communicated it with at least 3 people. We even wrote a note on the voucher and called the next day. Did you take any corrective action? I am your customer not your enemy.

I may have been a little harsh in my review but my experience was far worse. To add insult to injury the waitress placed a $78 tip on the check.

My disappointment comes from the fact that we had a bad experience, we communicated it over and over, and we called and you. You chose to ignore it. I promise you that if we had the same experience at McDonald's, Outback or any other place someone would be courteous enough to fix the issue or at least apologize. I expect far more from a place like yours. You should too. Call me.......you...

Go through the reviews and you will see some that like this place, others that don't. My experience as well, went there with 5 friends earlier in the week and had a decent experience - spent around $800 for the 6 of us for appetizers, dinner, and drinks. That experience was around 6-7 pm. The last experience, there were just two of us and got in at 10:50pm, after a show, and watched the couple in front of us get seated and ordered food. We sat at the bar, waited for 15 minutes to be asked our order, and then told the kitchen had closed. We ordered our drinks, waited another 15 minutes to get them. Upon finishing our drinks, no one ever checked in with us to see how they were, if they could get anything else for us, I gave up and left cash and walked out. From what I observed, the staff was either busy helping those guests that had ordered food (perhaps focusing on "their" percentage of the total bill), yes food was still being served when we were told the kitchen had closed, or busy talking amongst themselves. Nice atmosphere, but will I be back? NEVER! There are other locally owned restaurants that are very interested in keeping all of their customers by providing great and consistent service to all (whether you have a large...