Los Comales Mexican Bar & Grill “Perkins” — Restaurant in Memphis

Racist

My experience at this particular location was very unwelcoming. I am African American and the primary culture at this restaurant is Hispanic hence the name. I have come to this restaurant about a year and a half. During Covid, the restaurant went through lots of staff changes. In the past 3 months that I have been at this restaurant I have had a Hispanic waitress ask me to pay at the register while I was dining in at a table, my card was charged off an extra time one week and I reported it to the restaurant manager who politely dismissed me and said it was a "accident." I gave the restaurant a break for about 3 weeks given that I had been there EVERY Friday before these occurrences spending $30.00 every Friday plus tips. I have seen police coming in to take reports. A friend suggested that I use cash. I really enjoyed the food so I thought what the hell maybe its just "new people". I return after my break and immediately I am flagged by a waitress who tells me she does not take cash she specifically needs a card before I have even ordered.

Now I feel like its personal they have been targeting me. I asked the manager did he have a problem servicing African Americans very loudly before I left. I will not return. I want to feel safe while I am eating. I was not offered a refund or a apology for the past charge off. They still have the same waitresses employed. Its beginning to feel to much like the "good old boy" network at the Perkins location in East Memphis. I spoke with a local Hispanic man coming to dine in. He confirmed what I was feeling and stated that some privately owned local restaurants Hispanic restaurants do discriminate. So much for trying to support black and brown business.... Here me say I am not attacking ALL Hispanic businesses. I had a issue with this specific business as a African American woman who dines alone. It was not something you see immediately when visiting, but the staff recognize everyone...

I was sitting at the table with some friends and a phone came up missing. The waitress denied picking up the phone by mistake or on purpose. After tracking the phone the phone was showing that it was still in the same location but moving throughout the restaurant. The assistant manager was called to the table and he said he would review the video recording and get back with us in 10 minutes. He never returned. I asked my friend to have the phone company make the phone alarm. The phone was found at a he front of the restaurant in the menu bin. No one confessed to stealing the phone. After our party was totally disrespected, we refused to leave without someone being held accountable for stealing the phone. The manager came over to the table and stated he would review the tape. He came back and said he could not see who did it because the camera was not clear.

No apology was made.

The waitress and assistant manager worked together to cover up the theft of the phone.

I would not recommend anyone Patronize this restaurant. Your phones, wallets, purses, and credit cards are not safe. Eat here at...

Our waitress, Karen, was very friendly and helpful with deciding on what we should order. We started off with their chips and salsa, which was very good. The chips were freshly fried and the salsa was full of flavor, but not too much heat like some places do. They also serve a jalapeño based sauce that has a great amount of heat, but I honestly wasn't as fond of the flavor as much. It was our first visit, so we played it fairly simple with a mixed Fajita burrito for me, and a shrimp burrito for my wife. To say that it was delicious, would be a gross understatement. Every bite was amazing! The beans and rice were the best I've had in a long time as well. I eat Mexican food at least 2-3 times a week and this has to be the most authentic tasting and delicious I've had in a very long time. The prices were more than fair, especially considering the quality and taste of the food. I'm glad we found this little gem. We will most definitely be coming back to this location when we're back...