Nico's Tacos + Agave Bar — Restaurant in Minneapolis

WORST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE EVER!

Ok, so I normally don't spend time writing reviews, especially really long, negative ones, but I simply have to post about my family's experience last night at Nico's on 50th and Penn in Minneapolis.

I implore anyone reading this to make it to the end because it is kind of unbelievable.

First, a little context--this was my mother's 77th birthday dinner and we chose Nico's because we'd been there before when it was Taqueria Tinto (who sold to Nico's) and had a good experience. Yesterday, however was the total and complete opposite of that, and was frankly the worst restaurant experience I've endured.

Here are the key things that happened to make this such an appalling evening:

--Eight of us were seated at 5:05pm. --Drink and appetizer orders were taken quickly enough and arrived normally, but things went downhill from here. --One of our party was simply going to make a to-go order, but every time the server was asked to take the order, he said, "hold on a second, I just need to check something." Well, he never checked and never took the order, and our guest eventually left with nothing. --He struggled with a 2nd appetizer order --He did not return for dinner orders for over 20 minutes and had to be summoned to do so. That all sounds bad, and the server wasn't great, but he was not the worst part of the evening.

Here is the main issue--3 people in our party had to re-order their dinners several times because "the kitchen was out" of every menu item they requested. Here are the menu items they were out of (it's only 5pm):

**Pozole **Sopes of all kinds **Ceviche **Octopus tacos

At no point did the server tell us up front that some menu items weren't available. It was only after he took an order and brought it back to the kitchen that he was told they didn't have it. Then, he'd have to slink back to us, apologize, and say they were out of something. My 11 y.o daughter first ordered the ceviche, then the Octopus tacos, then the sopes, only to have the server return each time to say they didn't have it. They made her cry. It was so infuriating. This also happened twice to my sister, and once to my wife, all with different food.

Once we finally were able to all order something that was actually available, it then took another 30 minutes for the food to arrive, well, at least some of it: --They forgot my father's meal --they only brought half of my wife's meal --they left off certain parts of my meal --they served the tacos that my daughter never wanted in the first place on the wrong type of tortilla that she can't medically eat! --They forgot half of my other daughter's meal which was a kid's menu item--how hard is it to remember rice and beans??!! --Also, the food came in waves; I received mine, but it took another 10 minutes for everyone to get their plates (minus my father, of course, who still didn't get his) so the food was cold for those of us who waited for all to be served.

Then, they tried to rectify the missed food, and sort of succeeded, but not entirely because the chicken tamale that they forgot for my wife came out as a vegetarian tamale, or at least a tamale with no chicken!!!

While all of this was happening to us, we noticed that other customers were suffering through similar occurrences, and we saw at least 2 parties get up and walk out in anger.

Eventually, we couldn't take it anymore and complained to the host/manager who said he would "take care of our entire meal and provide us dessert." Well, they gave us 50% off the bill and a $200 gift card and we never got the dessert. Nico's, do you really think we will ever be back to claim that gift card??

So, all in all, the evening was a complete and utter restaurant catastrophe. Comedy of errors doesn't even really begin to describe it. Fortunately, we have a great sense of humor and we are all laughing about it today, but Nico's we are not laughing with you, we are laughing at you and we will never be back, and we will tell everyone to avoid you...

I am beyond impressed with what the Victoria family has done at their newest location. My family and I have been locals at their Hennepin location for years and have loved it. The food at Penn is incredible with a slightly different menu than the Hennepin location and a variety of options. The servers are incredibly helpful if it's your first time, I've found my favorite dishes and combinations through asking questions and receiving suggestions. Whenever I bring friends I always suggest the flight of salsa as it allows you to try three different salsas for an amazing price. Though I love the house look of Hennepin, this new location is absolutely stunning. The vibrant colors and beautiful plants were all that we could talk about at dinner (besides the delicious food of course). I've always loved visiting family owned business and the Victoria family restaurants have always been my favorite. Every time I run into the family they're incredibly welcoming and take time to interact and connect with their customers. It's so amazing to see how hard working not only the Victoria family is, but all of their staff as well. They all care so much about the restaurant and each other and have truly created a beautiful community within this industry. I hope everyone has the chance to stop by and experience Nico's Tacos and...

If you are Mexican do not come here. Frankly it was insulting. The tacos come with no salsa. I could not believe my eyes. Ok, now a small thing. They were out of elote, which I understand. Totally cool.

Sitting here right now and the shrimp tacos as well as the pastor tacos taste like cardboard. No seasoning. As a Mexican I wish I were kidding. We had a date here and both of us disliked the food. Super disappointed because the set up outside is so nice. The flavor is just not there. I’m rooting for them to succeed but Jesus that was bad.

Other things of note for my Mexicans. A side of rice is $6. Roasted onions on the side are $4. Price your items as you see fit. I understand.

If you want true upscale Mexican in Minneapolis go to Colita. Amazing place. If you want tacos go anywhere but Nico’s.

EDIT: Someone in leadership came to talk to me right away as we were walking to my car. Very kind guy. I’m sure they’re awesome people but as I mentioned to him the food was bad. They’re very popular in the neighborhood so take my review with a grain of salt. But if you’re Mexican definitely take the review...