Happy Mexican Cordova — Restaurant in Memphis

Have been several times. Food is great but… the past two visits I have had this waitress, don’t know her name but she has braces, that is friendly at first then ghosts you. First time I had her after I ate my food and was ready for the check she was hiding near the restrooms talking on the phone for literally 20 mins. Then she eventually made I contact and I motioned for the check, “made a check mark in the air” and she held up her finger like give me a sec and walked into the kitchen on her phone.10 minutes later she brings me the check then goes and sits down at a booth and continues to ignore me. I ended up having another server take my payment, she never came back. So I left 10% instead of my usual 20%. Went again today for lunch with my wife. Had her. Food was good and she got it out fast (we were the only ones there). To my surprise there was a 15% gratuity added to my check for a party of two. There is no posting about this. I don’t mind tipping, I always do, but it felt retaliatory. Lastly it was 70$ for a couple margaritas with barely any tequila a cheese dip and two entrees. Compared to the several other Mexican joints within a mile that offer the same quality it felt pretty steep. I’m not coming back, I’ll go to my favorite place or...

I emotionally want to give The Happy Mexican 1 star and I’ll explain why. The property was not in good shape, not very inviting but my wife and I decided we still wanted to try the food. It took more than a half an hour to have our order taken. $7.99 for about an ounce of cheese dip? What? Another half an hour to get our food. Now I will say that the food was very good, seemed authentic. Enjoyable, spicy, great flavor.

I had to go to the bar to get a drink refill and that is a big pet peeve of mine when eating out. But wait there’s more… When they brought the check, they had added a 20% tip for two people at lunch. I’m sorry what? The worst service at any Mexican restaurant I have ever eaten at and you include a tip on the bill of 20% for 2 people at lunch? That is the behavior of a restaurant that doesn’t wants my business and one that is trying to sneak people adding more of a tip because they didn’t notice the one already on the bill.

There are many other Mexican restaurants in Memphis that have amazing food, but they respect their customers. The Happy Mexican doesn’t. Use your hard earned money on...

Tonight, I tried Happy Mexican for the very first time. The order was called in and my roommate picked it up (he ordered dinner here as well but naturally I don't speak him) I ordered 3 tamales, a side order of rice and a side order of refried beans. He gets home and lo and behold my order of rice wasn't in the bag. Ish happens. It was slightly irritating yes but nothing to blow a head gasket over, in my opinion anyway. I open my container of tamales and even as I write this, I'm still in disbelief... the sauce tasted, looked and smelled like MARINARA sauce. I had my roomie look, smell and taste it and he agreed that it was mariana sauce. The heat factor in/on the tamales is far from pleasant. I can handle spice just fine but this is the kind of spice that doesn't lend any depth of flavor, it's just flat out unbearably spicy of Satan-like proportions. I'm in mourning for the three poor tamales that were severely tortured and executed in the making of this dish. I never should have cheated on La Guadalupana Food Truck. I hope they...