Las Fuentes — Restaurant in Niles Township

Last night 7 friends and I had dinner at Las Fuentes. We had 7 Pm reservations that were made three days in advance. We arrived on time and were seated at two round tables that had been pushed together to seat 8 people so at least two members of the group had to sit with most of their backs to the guests at the other table. We did not complain. For 42 minutes we sat without any server approaching us. The restaurant was busy but not every seat was filled. Again we did not complain. We were patient because we recognize that establishments are having difficulty getting enough help. We had no water nor chips and salsa during this time. When service finally appeared we got some chips and salsa and water. Some time later(way too long) the server came back to take our order for drinks. We thought we were wisely ordering our drinks and our menu items at the same time to speed the process. That turned out to be hopeful thinking. It was another wait for the drinks and guacamole ordered for the table(S). By 8:50 when we still did not have our meals, I went to the manager and explained the situation and indicated that two hours was unacceptable to have to wait for food and we were leaving if we were not served by 9PM. Our food arrived in shifts starting at 8:58. Four meals were delivered and 5 minutes later the other four arrived. We observed that during the evening it appeared "to go" orders were coming out of the kitchen. Our guess is that Grub Hub or whatever delivery, was taking precedence over on-location diners. That is a strong conclusion but not a verified fact. By this time it was too late for me to be able to eat, so I packaged my food. Others said the food was okay...not great...but they ate theirs...everyone was very hungry. We had to ask for the check when we were done and they had the audacity to add a 20% tip for the meal. An offer of a free drink, a reduction of a small amount to the bill, or even a very gracious apology would have gone a long way to assuage our frustration...nothing was forth coming. All rooms in the restaurant were in use and with the lack of workers, they should have closed some tables and not allowed so many diners to be seated. They were not equipped to handle the diners they had. On top of that, the patio was open which led to more stress for the staff. Had we been told they were over booked and the wait would be long we could have gone elsewhere. There were so many ways and accommodations they could have made to ameliorate the situation but did not. I will never go there again and I believe the others in my group felt the same way. It appeared there was an utter disregard for the customers in the restaurant. If I could have given it a zero,...

Absolutely the worst experience ever. I went in on 5/12 I called ahead and made reservations for 6pm. We got there a little bit before 6 it was really packed for mother’s day and I went up to the front to let them know we had reservations I spoke with a brunette girl and she said that they would get our table ready. We waited .... She kept seating people ahead of us that did not have a reservation I know this because she asked them ... some of these parties where bigger than ours. There were what looked like 2 host one girl wearing a black shirt and the other a yellow and they were just chatting amongst each other while others we were waiting finally the girl in the yellow shirt came back up to us and asked if we were a walk in or a reservation I told her I had told the other girl 30 min ago we had a reservation and she said oh and then came back 3 min later to sit us down, We did not get seated until around 635 after every one else had been seated . Then when we sat down we ordered drinks and the waiter kept forgetting someone’s drink it was 7 of us. He still forgot my mother’s drink and he told us that we should order our food now because it would take an hour before we got it ... we said fine we ordered appetizers also. We waited till about 730 and no appetizers our drinks were empty the table next to us told us they were sitting at their table since 530 and barely received their food that was ridiculous. A table behind us a woman spoke with a waiter and he was rude to her and did not want to speak with her told her to speak with a manager and she spoke with a lady with curly hair but she was rude also the woman went back to her table with her husband and sons and they got up and left. Our waiter finally came around and I asked him when our food would be coming and he went to the back to ask but came out of the kitchen and was walking around other tables finally we decided to leave around 745 he was near our table we hunted him down asked for our check for drinks and he said our food order was barley going to be put in! That was crazy ... worst mother’s day for my mom and sister! No apologies or anything. I understand that it was busy but come on get...

One star for the changes they chose to make out of the pandemic syndrome? They are unable to fill the place with the abundance of cultural delicacies & the well maintained quality " comfort foods" they were so respected for? The lunch & after crowd was hunkered down in their homes/ work & beds only! With only 3 tables instead of waiting for one they survive & provided a surprisingly meal close to the past but less & more $ due to supply & demand with the rampant inflation, price gauging we all are NOW EXPERIANCING!

1,2,3 ?🙄

THE SERVICE WAS LIKE ⚡ LIGHTNING & CONSTANT!

THE FOOD WAS FULL OF MEMORIES & HAD TO TAKE SOME HOME FOR THE MEMORIES TO LAST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER! (AN EXTRACTED TOOTH TEMPERED MY CHOICES ? YET THE STAFF & SERVERS Accommodated US WITH A " MILDER VERSION/ SOFT TORTILLA'S WITH THE COMPLEMENTARY NACHO CHIPS & KEPT THEM COMING: SOFT & WARM CAREFULLY WRAPPED 🎁 WHICH LET ME ENJOY THE FOOD BEYOND MY EXPECTATIONS?)

THE PRICE WAS : " right" under the CIRCUMSTANCES but our tip to show our appreciation for the extra effort beyond our normal because the service was beyond other pandemic normals! Hoping that the servers may have a bit of joy & that nice feeling when they go on with pandemic living ' a little bit from us to them made the memories seasoned well! Our Honda is gone & it liked to go to the dealer across the street as much as we did visiting Las Fuentes! Now they are a good detour from A & B for a treat & good food with good price..

With God's help and better leadership to find & accept a real cure: we can all get back to the way we were but with too many " casualties" along the way , unfortunately! But the good & determined will survive & we will all learn from it to prepare our children & their children's children to be the best they can & overcome adversity & be proud to lead the way by example!

If your near or far : give them a try or a revisit : it made us a little happier & hopeful for the future knowing we all have to help get us back to the future!...