Ojos Locos Sports Cantina (Mesa, AZ) — Restaurant in Mesa

So I deliver food for a couple of hours here and there and one of my pick-ups was here the other night. Friends and I used too hit this location when was Old Chicago. 1st for years in Tempe. Then they moved too this location which I hit a few times as a friend lives right in surrounding neighborhood. Anyways, I had no idea Old Chicago had closed and figure Covid finished them off as it’s been isolation for what a year plus?!! So babbling on but just wanted to get it out there that yes it is sad OC is gone with such local history but ...... I picked up some grub for someone and was only there in the entrance for a few minutes waiting for order but I was intrigued. Of course Authentic Mexican Food is like my everything in life and could live, have lived, on Carna Asada since discovering Amados in Tempe back in late 90’s so my excitement level may be bias lol. So the food looked and smelled authentic and the place was hopping for a sports bar. It was a Friday but was early like 8:00 and there was no parking spots and people showing up non stop while I was there. Bomb music mixed with little Vegas style attire sported by the waitresses and they all seemed friendly and helpful then for games there are flat screens everywhere. So this review may be premature since I was only there briefly but if 1st impressions carry any weight I think this place could be legit. Something different as far as atmosphere in a sports bar go historically in AZ.... felt like quality and raise the roof atmosphere with a little Vegas twist. Check out their website and you will see the top shelf drinks and authentic food. The rest you will have too feel in the air as I did. I felt like taking a seat and grabbing a shot and a beer. Been a minute or two since feeling that vibe. I am going too check it out this weekend and will follow up with a true hands on experience review afterwards. I only have 4 stars because was only there briefly but if service and attitudes match the vibe this could be one too enjoy all you’re big games at plus happy...

I visited Ojos Locos Sports Cantina located at 1656 S. Alma School Road in Mesa, Arizona on a Thursday around 1:30 p.m. An easy observation is that the name of this restaurant is in Spanish, so it’s not surprising that the decorations inside this place are a Latin American theme which includes words on the walls written in the Spanish language. As it’s a Sports Cantina, there are several large screen televisions on the walls which were playing different sporting events. Since it was the afternoon, there were no live games being televised, but one television was showing recaps of last night’s NBA games. Another was showing Fútbol (Soccer) with captions in Spanish. There was also Latin style music playing over the sound system which had pretty decent bass. The name of the place, Ojos Locos, is Spanish for Crazy Eyes, which is in reference to the scantily clad women who work there. This restaurant is similar in nature to Tilted Kilt and Hooters in that regard. I was hungry for chicken wings, but when I looked at the menu, a dozen bone-in wings cost $18, so I changed my mind. Instead, I ordered the Gringo Burger, which came with a generous portion of French Fries. I also ordered a Coca-Cola. The cost after tax was $18.93. My server provided prompt service with a smile, and the food was delivered pretty quickly. The Gringo Burger plus fries was hot and delicious. She checked in on me a couple times during the meal to ask how the food was and if I needed anything. After I finished eating, she asked me how everything was and if there was anything else I wanted to order. After finishing this meal, I was full and satisfied, so there was nothing else I needed. I would recommend Ojos Locos to others and I’d come back, but probably not for chicken wings, which at $1.50 each is more money than I want to pay...

We took a friend who was in from out of town to this cantina for lunch, and it was a pretty rough experience. (4 of us total) They initially sat us under the speaker, and we couldn't hear each other yell over the music. Our initial server rushed us to order something so that we would tip her out before the end of her shift rather than just letting the next server take over our drinks. And then that server was rushing us to order a second round of drinks before our app even arrived. It was pretty empty in the restaurant, so we asked the hostess to move due to not being able to hear each other, and they told us a table to go to. then when we got settled in, we were told in an extremely rude manner by a different hostess that we weren't allowed to sit there. No apology when we explained that the other host told us to, only attitude about how it wasn't her who told us to sit there and apparently she's the lead (catty..). Our first two servers were extremely rude as well. Thankfully the 3rd server that we had and the one we ended up having when we were settled in was such a sweet heart and very apologetic for her co workers & the only reason for 2 stars for service instead of 1. The food was bland. I don't expect amazing food at a place like this, but taco bell has more flavor! 🫠the staff should also at least treat you like you're a human. Would recommend to enemies. Never again to cherished friends traveling...