El Jinete Mexican Grill and Bar — Restaurant in Mount Pleasant

I've had 3 separate experiences with this place and all of them were bad. 1st when they just opened, staff was rude and seemed confused by simple requests. 2nd time was a about a month later, we gave them a second a chance thinking that they would've worked out some kinks from being new. We walk in an hour before the posted closing time, knowing what we wanted so we could order quickly knowing they'd want to shut down the grill. The open sign was on and everyone was just sitting around. We walk in and immediately someone says "we're closed". Now I've worked customer service so I understand how frustrating last minute customers can be. But as a restaurant, if your sign says open and the hours on your door are listed, nothing is posted about closing the grill an hour before closing time. They did eventually seat us and serve us but were extremely rude about it and made me feel very uncomfortable. The last time a door dasher that I know was told there would be a 5 to 10 minutes wait. That's fine, it's a restaurant on a busy night, understandable. But when they ask (kindly) how much longer because they make money per delivery the manager says "not my problem" and proceeds to tell them they are banned from the restaurant. Didn't plan on going back anyway. And a warning to anyone picking up and delivering food...it'll be a long wait and you might get "banned" if you ask how long it'll be. Honestly, I don't know how they are still...

The decor of this new restaurant is very nice. I was greeted right away and taken to my table. I was served chips and salsa and the ice cold beer in a bottle quickly. The meal was served promptly.

None of the wait staff, nor the greeter, nor the manager smiled to make me feel welcome at any time during my visit.

I ordered a steak medium rare. It came to the table well done. My waiter asked how my meal was and I said this is not a medium rare steak (see photo). He asked me twice if I wanted to replace it, I said no. The colorful vegetables were both so salty I couldn’t eat them.

The manager came to the table. He offered to replace the meat, again I declined. I discussed the saltiness of the vegetables and he said he would check with the kitchen. When he returned he was rude and said the kitchen did not make a mistake. “It may just be the way you taste.”

I have given this restaurant a one star rating because of the decor, the ice cold beer, the chips and salsa, and the prompt service, which I liked. And, the unfriendliness of the staff and attitude of the manager.

They did not charge me for the meal. They charged me for the beer. I had to ask for a receipt when I paid the bill. They seemed unwilling to give me a receipt.

I was disappointed with...

Definitely do NOT recommend eating here! I figured I'd have lunch here since they are a newer restaurant that just opened up in town, plus I love me some good Mexican food.....but I was seriously disappointed! The place looked beautiful inside and the seating was comfy but looks can be deceiving! To start off with, the staff that I happened to interact with shouldn't be working in a customer service setting. My party was shown to my table and she set the menus down and walked away. No letting us know that our server would be with us shortly or an "Enjoy your meal." Not a word! Then the server was nice enough but he didn't seem to care to much about his guests. I had to ask him 3 times for my drink and then 2 more times for a straw. That's just a couple of things that went wrong...but you get the point! I'm not even going to go into detail about the food.....but it was NOT good! This isn't just a case of me being petty. I work in a restaurant! I've been a server/hostess for years! I'm as understanding & non-judgmental as you can get when it comes to being a guest in a restaurant! This place just wasn't good! Plain & Simple. Moral of the story..... pick a different place to eat! Don't even...