The Velvet Cactus — Restaurant in New Orleans

I don't normally leave reviews, but I felt a personal responsibility to share a regretful experience that my family and I had at this establishment on Monday, December 27th. We decided to come here at the request of my mother who spoke highly of your restaurant. When she told me the location, I had my reservations but it was what she wanted.

Upon entry, we were not asked for Proof of Vaccination or a Negative covid test. This didn't bother me, but I did wonder why out of all the restaurants in New Orleans, this particular one was not being held to the same standard and following Orleans Parish Mandates.

We were told that our table would be ready when my mother received a text message. We never got the text, but a hostess explained that the table we were congregating around would be ready for seating when they put down our chips and salsa. We waited, and no one ever came to put chips and salsa down, but we sat down anyway as we were with young children and an infant who were becoming restless. Salsa finally came, but we had to flag down our server, and ask for the chips that didn't come with the salsa.

I took note that after another 13 minutes, our waitress finally came around and took our drink and appetizer orders. As we conversed amongst ourselves, I observed that other patrons in the restaurant started receiving their appetizers and food. Our waitress never checked in during the entire duration of our time there, and we even had to flag her down after another 18 minutes just to take our food order. Our food never came and we watched several tables around us eat. At this point, we were hungry and frustrated, and after 29 minutes of waiting for our food, we flagged down our waitress again to get it to go. That too took an unreasonable amount of time. After being there for a little over 2 hours, we finally got our check and our to go boxes which were also packed very sloppily.

I understand that there is a staff shortage in the midst of a pandemic, but we are not unreasonable people (I have personally worked in the hospitality industry and have the upmost respect for its workers because of what they endure with ungrateful and disrespectful patrons). However, when my mother tried to talk to the hostess about speaking to a manager, her indifference and the audacity to be annoyed with my mother for having a legitimate complaint was very familiar, and something that we have experienced way too often to not take note of. When we first entered the restaurant, I noticed we were 1 of 2 black families (an older gentlemen and his wife sat further down from us), so it didn't surprise me when the manager made no attempt to speak to us about the poor service we received from both the hostess and our waitress. Communication can go a long way so that people do not feel ignored or looked over, but it has been awhile that I have felt such an extreme and deliberate level of indifference.

Also, the food is over priced and...

Respectfully, after reading these reviews… either a lot of people like bad food or our cooks were sincerely lazy — I’m not convinced in giving this place another shot. Came last night about an hour before close to have a quick bite — Never been but heard a little about it, looks really cool in and outside! The greeters were pleasant but the hostess tried to pin our group of four back to back with a huge group of ten. Like literally, the tables were so close, I could’ve turned my head a little bit and kiss the man behind me on the cheek. We asked for a booth to give us and anyone else personal space and the hostess (shoulder length curly black hair) seemed annoyed at our request. We chalked up her attitude to her having a bad day and didn’t take it to heart. We were seated with a really wonderful server (forgot his name — gentlemen with the clear framed glasses and not 21 yet)! We ordered really yummy chips with guacamole and fire margaritas!! My friend and I ordered the same quesadilla and the other fajitas and BOY, it went downhill fast. The runners came out with our food and arbitrarily placed the food anywhere on the table, didn’t even ask who’s was who’s. It was obvious they were rushing us as they barely acknowledged us speaking when we asked for a couple extra plates (which they never brought). We asked Ms. shoulder-length curly hair hostess for a couple plates because we couldn’t locate our server only to be met with, “Who is your waiter?”. I held my tongue because I too work in customer service but the irritation was building. She brought us back two plates annoyed and yet again… we ignored her attitude and thanked her. THE FOOD was awful, I should’ve taken a picture. The fajitas were cold, skillet wasn’t even sizzling, tortillas were literally in the wrapping in shreds, corn was not fresh and the QUESADILLAS, oh my God… The quesadillas were so greasy, I couldn’t even eat the entirety of the first slice. Our quesadillas were literally sitting in grease and oil, if you picked one up, it was literally dripping. (A worker there warned us it would be but I didn’t take heed). We tried to “go along, get along” but I couldn’t hold my tongue. Our lovely server got us in touch with the acting manager (a super kind woman with a turtleneck) who IMMEDIATELY noticed our oil rig slip and slide on a plate. She mentioned the managers were at a Christmas party and the kitchen was being lazy tonight… go figure. She comped the food we didn’t eat and was so sweet about it. We ordered more drinks (again, drinks were FIRE!!!) and left. I’m looking at some of these other reviews and can’t help but take our experience personal because I don’t see how anyone could have an awesome dining experience after what we had. Special thanks to the waiter and the acting manager, though! You both deserve all the...

We used to go here all the time. The last three times it has been abysmal…culminating in our very last visit tonight. For starters, parking is always a nightmare going to Velvet Cactus but that’s tacked on and you do it for the food. Tonight was no exception. When we got there we lucked out with a table but we noticed that a lot of the staff was horsing around. We were seated quickly and proceeded to sit for 20 minutes without having a single person come take our order. We tried to flag down several waiters and no one came over. We had one girl notice us and she came with some chips and told us our server would be with us but alas that never happened. After a total of 20 minutes we got up and left. On our way out I told the hostess that we had waited for 20 minutes with no service and her only question was “Where were you seated?” I pointed to a table and left. This is the third poor experience we’ve had here. Needless to say we won’t be returning. I’d advise anyone else against going as well. Such a shame. It used to be one of our favorites.

EDIT: (1/5/25) I unfortunately cannot find a way to respond to the Owner's response to my original review so I'm posting my response here. Whatever the staff told you about us relocating tables was a lie. The table at which we were seated was straight back from the hostess stand, make a right and the second table on your right. She placed the menus there and the silverware and told us our server would be right with us. We didn't move from that spot. If she seated us there in error, that's on her, not on us. The only time we stood up was to leave the establishment 20 minutes after being seated and not having received...