El Canelo Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in North Kansas City

Below is the review I posted regarding this place a few years ago.

Recently, I went into this location and tried to order a lunch menu item. My order was only $10.99. I thought it came with a combo of meat/shrimp. The cashier advised that I have to choose one or the other. I ask for an additional price to add the shrimp. He quoted 3.75. I said that will be okay.

He continued to fake me to wait as he served other customers as they came in after me. Afterwards, he turned the page and pointed to another item That was $16.99. I mentioned I’ll just take the one meat. Then, he told me that I’d have to pay a $1.00 to carry out my food. I told him that that’s okay and left.

As I stood there, another staff (male) came and stared at me. My slang (mean-mugging me). So, I ask the cashier did he need to attend to him.

The service has changed since I moved back and I’m concerned that they don’t cater to my kind. I was willing to pay and I was delayed.

I decided to leave and I will not return. Additionally, I’ve noted unpleasant experiences and made a decision to only post positive experiences.

Yet, I believe this warranted to post when you’re trying to comply with the options and support a local small business. Still, I’ll try to keep these to a minimal.

Excellent flavor and freshness! Yum!!! I would like more shrimp in my meal as l ordered shrimp and chicken. I had a lot of chicken in the fajitas combo I ordered. Beautiful establishment, friendly staff and...

My husband and I found this restaurant by chance. We stopped in for some chips, salsa & margaritas. All were good. However, the place has a musty smell and is very humid. Not sure if this is because they don't run their air conditioner or if there's an issue with it. The 2nd time we visited.. the waiter either couldn't under stand me or chose not to. I asked what their Chalupa was and he sputtered & couldn't explain. The food comes out pretty quick but after the food, slow. The 3rd time we took our son, grandson & daughter in law with us. I ordered the Chalupa, it ended up being a flat tortilla with beans, guac, lettuce & cheese. Not very appetizing. From what I understand and researched a Chalupa is fried dough with toppings either curved or flat. This was neither. My daughter in law ordered Spinach enchiladas off the Vegetarian menu. The enchiladas were stuffed with only spinach with a small amount of cheese on top. They had no flavor whatsoever. Again we received our food fast. But then it stopped, the waiter sat in a booth at the back of the restaurant & Ignored us. Never refilled our glasses & never asked if we were satisfied with our meals. We couldn't get his attention because his back was to us. My husband literally had to get up and walk to the back of the restaurant to get his attention. The restaurant this time was again very humid and warm. When we went outside in 89 degree weather it...

Many early reviews appear to have been from friends, or were posted by the restaurant itself--its not a five star restaurant! Interior is nice, but when we were there they sat everyone right on top of each other and did not make use of the second room. We were in a booth--it was too tight and our feet could not reach the floor which made it difficult to get in and out of the booth. Food was below average. Had spinach cheese--all they did was put a very large amount of spinach in a bowl and then add a little cheese. They did not even stir it up. Way too much spinach (especially as compared to some other restaurants) and very little taste. Somewhat better after adding hot sauce. One of us had the cheese enchiladas--served without any lettuce or tomatoes, and my wife said they tasted like plastic. Another had chili relleno and said that initially she thought it was okay, but later concluded it had too much batter and was very tough to cut--like it had been overcooked. Third had some kind of beef nachos that barely were okay. Fourth had a beef burrito--it was very ordinary and needed more flavor.

Our overall impression was they should try to do a few items well instead of having an extensive menu and doing the items poorly. Since then we have talked with two others--both said the food was tasteless and they would...