Blue Goose Cantina Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in McKinney

My family & I had a bad experience regarding the bartending staff.

My party of 6 met up for Sunday Brunch on 2/25/24 at 11:30AM, just to enjoy the day together - family catching up etc. We had a lovely dining experience on the outdoor patio, & our waiter (Hayden?) was phenomenal. We had ordered drinks with our meals, but the most any of us had was one individual who had 4 mimosas — the drink special of the day. We closed out our tabs with our waiter outside, & decided to stay a little longer just to enjoy our time together before going separate ways. After we finished our meals, we decided to move inside to the bar area because it was too warm to continue to sit outside.

Upon sitting at the bar (where there were only 2 other guests), it was very apparent that the bartender was not excited to have a “large” party to service. She was not friendly with us from the very beginning, but had no problem being friendly while serving a coworker & an individual who seemed to be a regular patron. We were not being a rowdy crowd by any means. We were very respectful and patient both outside and inside, and had done nothing wrong to make anyone believe any of us were drunk (because we weren’t — just normal adults enjoying beverages with our food).

We were only able to order 1 round of drinks from the bartender, who was already frustrated to have to serve us. After our first, and ONLY, drink at the bar, we witnessed the bartender leave to find the manager & our server from outside, in an effort to cut us off. Our entire party was able to comprehend and witness what was going on. Again, at this point in time, the MOST that ONE individual had was 5 drinks total, some had 3, 4, etc. and there was one of us that had ZERO alcoholic beverages to drink. It was insulting, honestly. It was very clear that the bartender did not want to serve a “large” party, & made an effort to “cut us off”.

After witnessing the bartender leave to find a manager, the manager returned (with what we presumed to be our original checks in her hand, possibly to show us how much we have had to drink as if we were incapable) & we immediately closed our tabs & left. We were not drunk, & it was very clear to us what was going on. We left around 2:50PM.

I have been a respectful patron of this restaurant for years, and so have many of my friends & family who live in the area. I also am not someone who EVER leaves poor reviews on places, however the experience my family had today while enjoying our Sunday together was unacceptable & I feel that they (and the public) deserve to know that Blue Goose Mckinney needs to do better as an establishment who’s focus is on “guest service.” I’m very aware of how the service industry works, & understand that it is important to not over-serve patrons for their own safety as well as the safety of others. However, this was clearly a situation where the bartender, herself, did not want to serve a “large” party, and opted to attempt to cut us off after a few drinks — even though we had been nothing but polite and respectful during our entire stay.

To the bartender - if you do not want to work to make money for yourself, just stay home? Do not waste the time of the business you work for & also the customers who would have enjoyed to tip you well for service.

To the Blue Goose Manager Sheryl — communication with our party to experience with your own eyes that we were not “drunk” would have been nice. We would have gladly stayed for a couple more drinks & left (responsibly, as we did) & tipped well? We had no intentions of sitting there to get hammered all day, & possibly would have only one last drink before all the shenanigans that you had to endure from the bartender?

To our waiter Hayden — you were very nice & a great server. Thanks, dude.

If you’re planning on going for a quick meal, sure! The food is good. Wait staff is nice.

If you’re planning on going to enjoy the drink specials, don’t waste your time, go somewhere else. They clearly do not want your money at the bar to drink...

Ate at this location for lunch after reading the reviews. Nice location just off the highway with plenty of parking. As we entered, there was a seating area for those who visit this location during peak times. As we continued through the doors towards the front desk, we met an employee who was friendly and smiled. After we were seated, she was our host. The sweet tea was spot on and not too sweet. Chips were airy and light. The salsa was good with its crushed red whole tomatos and blended with cilantro but no spice or heat. This is usually an indication of the area they are in, as I have found to be the case with previous reviews at other locations. The environment was inviting and colorful with touches of Hispanic culture or a Mexico feel. The bar was huge and had several flat screens for their guest. I saw a tortilla machine and tried the after lunch. They were delicious and homemade, which is a huge plus!! Lunch was good. I had the lunch beef fajita nachos, which were more like mini tostada's. They were good, but be warned, there are only 4 for the price. It's more of an appetizer than a lunch portion. 5 would have been good even if you increased the cost by $1. My friends ordered the quesdila's, which was a bigger lunch portion. The chicken salad w/ jalopeno ranch dressing was prize winner this go around! Cost was about average, but again, the fajita nachos was a smaller than normal portion. Overall, it was a good place to visit with family or friends. No adult beverages this go around, so we might have to make another visit. Don't forget about the outside...

Eating chips and queso while cruising my reviews and see that somehow I've yet to review Blue Goose - a place my wife and I go to at least once a week. This very well could be an alternate timeline that Loki caused, but while I'm here I guess lemme tell you some stuff about this place in your reality.

It used to be LEGIT. (I'm not yelling, I'm emphasizing.) Six star territory. Service was unmatched, food was unmatched, margaritas were... well, those are still the same and great and... will sneak up on you. But, then somewhere along the way management was shaken up, the menu was messed with a little, corporate played musical employees, and the place wasn't quite the same - still isn't as amazing as it used to be.

However, we're regulars so that must mean something is bringing us back, and it's not just the $2 margaritas on Tuesday. It could be the chips and jalapeno ranch, or chips and salsa fresca (order it, seriously), or the chips and Hatch Chile salsa (when it's in season), or chips and queso with added beef. Or all of the above. Seeing a pattern here?

Maybe it's the house made flour tortillas. I'd say it was the fajitas, but the flank steak isn't all that, but the chicken is good. Go with the chicken. Or the nachos, those are pretty good, too. I mean, the menu's got a lot of winners, but unless you enjoy food roulette every time, find your one thing and order it religiously. It gives you more time to enjoy that...