Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Norwalk

Another PYE, I had wondered who was going to be there. Andrew just told me. "a lot of friends". He was not kidding when I see so many familiar faces. I invited my good Yelp friend, Stephanie P. who was very impressed with everything the restaurant had to offer from food to service to the Yelp friends in attendance. I was just surprised I knew almost half of the group which seemed like a Yelp reunion rather than a Private Yelp Event.

What did impress me was the fact that Andrew took the time to print everyone's name on a label so everyone can refer to each person by name. Even the waitress knew everyone by their name as the orders were delivered by food runners and waitresses. Craig and his guest ordered almost the same thing as I did but agua-chile style instead of shrimp cocktail style. Mine was the Campechana cocktail which only came with saltines as their dish came with tostada chips. I couldn't see what Lily ordered but Jorge had the wet burrito which is what I would normally get with carnitas. This restaurant's menu seems to boast seafood just like their other location in Long Beach. I think this location does much better with the food, presentation and taste. Extra avocado was not a problem but is extra charge. The guacamole was served in a large molcajete bowl and always great for sharing. Glen ordered the fish which was the whole half filet of a white fish and just as much rice on his plate. I think he requested no beans. I can see Andrew down at the end with a mixed hot plate as it was steaming and sizzling all at the same time everyone taking pictures. I don't remember what Vince ordered but he was sitting at the head of the table. More Yelpers arrived later as another table was added and more food delivered.

As we were all talking and catching up and comparing notes and pictures, we all turned for our picture as the waitress was nice enough to snap one for us. We also noticed after when a group of waitresses huddled around a table crowning someone with a sombrero for their birthday. What a great idea as we all clapped along and to plan to have them bring that same excitement to our table. Lawrence and Glen agreed we should ask the waitress to sing happy birthday to Andrew as Ben had disagreed telling us we shouldn't. Fia was walking around the large table chatting with a few people, I got her attention to grab Andrew to sit down so they can come sing. Simon pointed out to say they are already on their way. The entire table all sang along and clapped as Andrew now has the sombrero on top of his head blowing out the candle on the ice cream dessert.

Not too long after everyone was stuffed and ready to go. As Craig and Wen left, Steph came over to say goodbye to Stephanie P. as they had a moment together sharing the same name with name tags at different seats. The waitress was nice enough to offer separate checks. I even requested for a refill of Jamaica to go which she didn't charge me for it. I hope I shown my appreciation in my tips as usually in a big group. It is unusual that gratuity was not added to our separate checks. This is how I remember what a real Mexican restaurant was like and they brought back that memory for me even for this PYE. I'm sure the next time we are in this area, we can all come back and visit the cantina for margaritas and tequila shots as I was eye-balling Glen's margarita in a tall beer glass. No skimping on drinks in this place but I was also the driver which means just aguas frescas for me. The next time Andrew has a birthday, we will be back to celebrate again next year!!!...

I usually never leave bad reviews but this had to be done. I celebrated my birthday here with my family this week and I accidentally forgot my birthday card at the restaurant. The card was a gift from one of my family members and when I realized I had left it on the table, I called but they had already closed. I instantly emailed them and waited the next day for a reply but nothing. I called early in the morning and a manager answered, I explained my situation and the manager on the phone told me he did not see anything in the "lost and found" area but to call back later that afternoon to speak with Edgar who was the manager from the night before. I called back and they had me wait 30 minutes and never responded until I hung up and called back. The manager on the phone the second time was Pedro and his excuse for the wait was that his boss was there and he got caught up talking to him. Again he says that no one saw anything. He continued to ask me how exactly it looked and I repeated myself so many times and still continued to say sorry but there wasn't anything there that I might have lost it else where. I know for a fact I left it on the table. I have a few friends who have worked at this location and they told me that the workers steal here so I wasn't surprised that they didn't find anything. I asked Pedro the manager if he had asked the bus boys, or server Jesus if they saw anything and he stuttered and said they didn't see anything. They were not helpful at all and...

The food is really good ver flavorfull, which is why we keep coming, but honestly unfortunately the three times that we came we had a bad experience with the service and policies, let me explain. The first time we came they had a change in they ordering system, the waitress was learning and took a very long time taking the order which is understandable, but they forgot to bring a dish out and the rest of us waiting made our food cold and they didnt even apologize or offer to bring it with out charging that dish. Second time my daughter wanted just a simple chorizo con papas and didnt want the sides that come with it, but they still charged us for the whole plate and werent flexible with the way they charged us. Very disappointing. They could've just charged as a la cart instead of the whole plate. The whole family came including my mom who is a senior and doesnt eat the amounts as an average adult. She wanted an albondiga plate but the kids size, they did not allow her to purchase the kids size, if we are paying for it and we are consuming it shouldn't be that strict just because they want to sell a more expensive dish, this is really ridiculous and shouldnt be so strict with their customers that way customers have a great experience and keep coming.

Managment should be considerate and offer options for...