Espiritu Mesa — Restaurant in Mesa

I hate to write a bad review because I've been coming here since you've opened but yesterday's service was absolutely horrible. Your bartender was talking over me and we were 1 out of two parties there on a Saturday night. He was so fixated on making sure his banger was on and what song was playing than actually taking care of his customers at his bar. Before I can even finish my sentence, "WE DONT HAVE JACK DANIELS" so instead of offering to make me something similar he just turned me down, and I opted for a Mexican Coke. Then he was asked to make a Batanga and made a Fernet and then proceeded to tell my friend that he was wrong, my friend from out of town is actually a bartender as well at an Italian bistro. It's just icky to me to argue about a drink that you clearly got wrong (my friend even pulled up the recipe to a Batanga) 🙃 then he must of went and told one of his waitresses because she was looking at us and chuckling with him. It made both of my friends so uncomfortable, furthermore making me look like an idiot for saying how great this restaurant is and recommending it in the lineup for the night. Lastly, I want to recommend you get rid of this guy. I politely asked if he could put the food on my check, and yet again, he interrupts me and says louder than me, "no, no, I'm going to split it in half." Dude seriously? There's like 5 people in your restaurant, you can't distribute the check accordingly? But before I can even ask him he cut me off AGAIN. I get his ego got hurt because he made a cocktail incorrectly and still wanted to argue, but c'mon man, I was friendly with you! May I add that three ladies came in around 11:30ishpm, He says to them we a closing in a few minutes you need to make your orders. Don't advertise that you close at 12am, then rush your customers to place drink orders. It's tacky and inconsiderate to us spending our hard earned money, especially in this economy. I only wanted to put the food on my tab because I wanted to make up for the horrible service we got from the bartender. And when he interrupted me, my friend just handed him his card to not prolong our night there and just go somewhere else. Greatest papas al disco though, arriba Sonora! kudos to the chefs, Ellos SI se merecen 25% tip pero el bartender, tho? 0/10. we went to the arcade bar and saved the night. Wish I could tell you the name of the bartender but his name wasn't on our receipt, smart move. Saturday night 8/17 from 10pm-11:30pm, despite all this my friend tipped him $26. Hope you...

Absolutely the worst customer service experience I have ever received!! I am writing to express my extreme disappointment with the recent experience I had at Espiritu this evening Saturday Sept. 30th. As a loyal customer who has enjoyed your establishment, it pains me to bring this matter to your attention.

We came in as a walk-in with our party of 4. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by the hostess, who seemed disinterested and unfriendly from the start. Her lack of enthusiasm was noticeable, but what transpired next was truly appalling.The hostess informed us that a table was available for us, but we’d have to be out in an hour and that all the open tables currently had reservations—this was not the issue. I told her great we could definitely be out in an hour. She reneged abruptly and told us it wasn’t available. We went back and forth with what she initially told us and what she changed her answer to, and then we left. When we turned our backs the hostess said “Well attitude is everything”. After hearing this remark, we walked back and asked to speak with the manager.

The manager was apologetic yet seemed more concerned with how busy the restaurant was, understandably. While this discussion was going on, the hostess stood behind with a smug look on her face and clearly not sorry for HER remark or HER attitude. As someone who works in the hospitality industry with other restaurants and bars across the valley, I am beyond disgusted with the behavior and customer service of this hostess’s demeanor.

What was meant to be a pleasant evening with friends turned into an uncomfortable and embarrassing experience, all thanks to this unfortunate incident. This is not the level of service that we have come to associate with Espiritu.

I believe in the importance of providing feedback to improve service, and I hope that you will take this matter seriously. I urge you to investigate this incident promptly, take appropriate action with the involved staff member (the hostess), and reinforce the importance of respectful and courteous customer service among your team.

I sincerely hope that this was an isolated incident and that my future visits will be free from such distressing encounters.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I hope to see improvements in customer service...

I've had ESPIRITU on my dining bucket list for a while now but when we read they were having their 3rd Anniversary celebration I realized I'd been waiting far too long.

A 5pm reservation was all we could get...and I could see why...at 5:05 there was a line down the block. The space is small and narrow with an eclectic, funky bar on the left when you walk in. We continued to the back of the restaurant, which was dark and intimate, but very cold. I was immediately wishing we were in the front near the bar, but it was actually cozy and romantic as the night went on.

We ordered an Espresso Martini and a Margarita and they did not dissapoint. My husband started with the special of the evening, Pozole, and I had the Gem Salad. Sidenote...my heartfelt thanks to the Chef for accomodating my garlic and onion "allergy." I usually look for the most boring this on the menu and ask them to remove anything in the garlic and onion family...but there was nothing "boring" about this menu and I was really looking forward to a dining experience. They made a custom dressing just for me and the salad was fresh, clean, and delicious. My husband enjoyed the Pozole but did find it a tad salty. For our entrees my husband had the Korean Short Ribs, and I gave the Chef carte blanche as long as he took into consideration the no garlic/onion situation. The ribs looked delicious...and I was presented with 3 steak quesadillas, wrapped in the most delicious homemade corn tortillas. They even made a special pico with just peppers, tomatoes, and cilantro which was a nice, bright addition to the plate. My dining mate found his meal to be a little cold but the flavor made up for it.

Our servers were friendly and accomodating and the music was great, adding a fun, and exciting vibe to the restaurant. We'll definately return...and bring...