Mula Cantina — Restaurant in McAllen

So we visited this location yesterday. It was our friends birthday and we had done lots of research on the different local restaurants . Mula came up more than once. We looked at videos on TikTok and everything looked really nice and colorful and we love a place that has music playing so we were really excited. We walk in almost instantly after opening at 5 PM. The restaurant was empty. There were no no other guests waiting to be seated but one of the waiters seemed a little annoyed that we didn’t have a reservation. When we looked at the website, it did not state that a reservation was needed for parties of two or three. But we were sat, and our waiter was friendly and attentive however, something that we were a little taken back by was that at one point a larger party walks in and he comes back to our table and says, is there anything I can get for you? I may be away for a while because I will be taking care of another table which we fully understand and had no issue with. It was just surprising that considering how empty the restaurant was with other waiters being around that it wouldn’t be handled by someone else, or that we would be attended to by someone else while he took care of the larger party. We asked for whatever we needed and made sure to not bother him while he was there, but there was a long period of time where we all went without drinks. Nobody stopped in to check on us, and eventually the manager Memo stops by our table. He asked us how our food was, we ordered the Cajun pasta, the shrimp, tacos, and trompo tacos. The pasta and the shrimp tacos were delicious. Absolutely delicious and flavorful. It was a good portion. The pricing is on point for what you’re getting however, the trompo tacos were different than what I had ever had before. However, we did try to keep an open mind. We all ate off off everybody’s plate, and we all agreed that meat was really burned. On the menu it does say blackened, so we understood that the color of the meat would be a different color than the typical red, but there were lots of pieces that were chard, and it was just not that great. Because it was our friends birthday we had mentioned that early on, and asked them if they had any sort of little show or specific thing done for birthdays. Obviously, we understand that some of those things need to be paid for that was never an issue, but they tell us that there is a birthday treat on the house so when we are done with dinner, we ask, could we have a menu of the desserts and could she have her birthday cake? Memo said yes to us directly then rolled his eyes and walked off. It was something that was not hidden and was very intentional. We were very uncomfortable after this and after seeing all of the reviews online I can agree that the food is good, the environment is really nice and it’s a pretty cool place to go to if you want a celebration but I probably will not be returning as it was not very welcoming. I did not feel like we enjoyed our food, and it was had nothing to do with the food itself. It has everything to do with the way that the servers at management handle the guests. At the end of our dinner, I asked for the ticket and paid cash for the entire bill and the gentleman says okay your note has been taken care of, and does not return the change which was not much but it was just interesting that that was just something that was just done. I am in the custom of leaving tips in cash for waiters as it is easier for them and that way they don’t have to hold on wait to receive their portion of it. I did leave that on the table despite our experience but I did want to make sure that if other people are interested in visiting this location that they understand that you will enjoy your food. You will enjoy the environment, but you might not get the most welcoming of staff to attend to you. If that is something that does not bother you then this may be a place for you if it will make you feel uncomfortable, you might want to consider a...

Celebrating a friend’s Birthday Dinner on a Friday. This was your first time at the establishment. The restaurant was not taking anymore reservation when we called at 4pm when they opened so we decided to just walk in as recommended. When we arrived we were greeted by hostess and we’re told there was a 30-45 minute wait so we decided to wait. Your party hadn’t arrived so we decided to walk up to bar as we weren’t told that the bar was self seated. They had 3 bartenders, 2 experienced and 1 green one. The drinks were good however, the 2 experience bartenders seemed to be overwhelmed by the waiters request and neglected us for the most part. We finally got your table 1hr 45 mins later(hostess should have be upfront with actual amount of time/ waiting time)and we decided to close out our taps at the bar. As a result, of the bartenders being overwhelmed, they were not keeping tap of the drinks we were consuming and end up overcharging by 3 drinks nothing crazy. We decided to put the drinks on one tap to make it simpler for everyone instead of trying to break it down; in height sight we should have.

We had ask for an outside table but were given an inside table by a cellar which was ok but the atmosphere was not the same as outside. The waiter didn’t have great knowledge of the menu and didn’t recommend much. The appetizer were ok but the entrée were trash. The steak was under cook. We requested the meat to be cook well done instead we were given rare meet. We ask our waiter if meat can be cook as requested but when it came out again it was “burn” not well done. FYI gang section portion are extremely small. Waiter hardly was around was off communicating with other tables and coworkers. For the price we spent on everything we felt it was not worth it .

of us celebrated a friend's birthday Restaurant is nicely decorated, staff is very attentive, restrooms are clean. While we waited for the food we ordered drinks and beer, the beer was not cold. We ordered fajita parillada except they were out of fajitas. We then ordered chicken fajitas, Porterhouse steak and a several Salmon dishes. The chicken fajitas were dry, the salmon despite I requested it medium, it came out well done and dry. The Porterhouse steak had the flavor of torch they used in preparing before serving it. Possibly the torch show is of interest to some, the steak did not taste like a top notch steak. We were advised they are one of the few that has high quality steaks, maybe so but the preparation ruined it. The whole table was over $600, definitely will think twice...

I was just there December 27 to celebrate my birthday with my family! The decor n the bar tender gentlemen were great other than that… I’m not even going into details of the not so good service from the waiter, especially being the only customers at that time … When your waiter decided to give himself some extra few dollars tip! After I signed my receipt in which he also refused to provide me with my copy! He told me my total was $94 which was covering only the drinks we had,( hence we split the bill between2 and one covered the meals. also refused to provide her with her receipt as she selected to be printed!) and I asked is your tip already included since we were 6 guest? Yes he said the 18% is included! Ok I signed! He then grabbed the machine n punched in some buttons, I quickly glanced and noticed the amount changed!!!! I said I need a copy of receipt he refused!!!! That’s not RIGHT in my opinion! That’s theft! It’s not the 5-6 dollars more he decided to take from me after the 18% we were charged already! It’s the PRINCIPLE

Sadly I wrote in on email and was not going to post here, but since I’ve yet to contacted by any management I was left with no choice!

Customers make sure you check your receipt and demand your copy!

UPDATE! Called today12/29/23 @3:10 pm when a gentleman answered the call , I asked to speak to a manager or person in charge he proceeded by hanging up on me! So unprofessional! I called right back, young lady answers and advises no managers available and that I can not be helped! I politely asked what other form of communication is available due to I’ve left VM’s and sent emails reviews and no call backs or emails?! She has no idea , don’t blame her on bit! She offers to assist! I said can you refund my debit Now?! Of course she can’t! So I would like to speak to management that can refund what was stolen by their employee! Again! It’s...