Taboo Restaurant — Restaurant in Odessa

Took my wife and kids to dinner at Taboo. I’d been here before for a client dinner and had a good experience, but this time was completely different.

We started with the guacamole and chips as an appetizer, and it was clearly old- brownish, heavy on the onions, and not fresh at all. We flagged it immediately. The waitress offered to remove it from the bill, but I told her that wouldn’t be necessary if she just brought us a fresh serving with chips. By the time the replacement guac arrived, she didn’t bring any chips and we were already halfway through dinner.

Throughout the meal, every request we made, from clarifying the order to asking for a small side of rice for our daughter, seemed to visibly irritate the waitress. She made little effort to hide it, and even my wife commented on her expressions. The restaurant wasn’t busy, so there wasn’t an obvious reason for the frustration.

The most uncomfortable part came mid-meal when the waitress looked past me and asked my wife, “Are these your kids?” It was an odd, abrupt question with a strange tone. My wife nodded yes, and the waitress responded, “Oh, okay,” as if she were trying to confirm something. We were both taken aback. It felt like she had been silently judging our family dynamic the entire time, which made things unnecessarily awkward.

The food itself wasn’t much better - my steak came out unseasoned and underwhelming, especially for a place like this.

As we were finishing up, a man walked out of the kitchen with our waitress as she brought my daughter her rice, he looked directly at our table, and lingered at the bar while cleaning glasses, glancing at us repeatedly. When we left, he was watching us as we walked out. The entire thing just felt strange and uncomfortable.

We weren’t rude, we weren’t demanding, and we weren’t looking for problems. We were just trying to enjoy a dinner out with our family. Unfortunately, the service and vibe made that impossible. We won’t...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at TABOO and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the bartender, who truly went above and beyond to make my evening memorable.

From the moment I walked in, she greeted me with a warm and genuine smile, instantly making me feel welcome. Her kindness and pleasant demeanor were evident throughout the entire night. She took the time to chat with me, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring that my needs were met promptly.

Her expertise in crafting cocktails was impressive. Each drink she prepared was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. It's clear that she takes great pride in her work and genuinely cares about the satisfaction of her customers. Her attention to detail and passion for her craft were truly commendable.

Beyond her skill behind the bar, what stood out the most was her exceptional customer service. She was attentive without being overbearing, always checking in to see if I needed anything and making sure I was enjoying my experience. Her friendly and approachable nature created a welcoming atmosphere that made me feel like a valued guest.

In addition to the fantastic service, the ambiance of the restaurant was cozy and inviting, with a great selection of food and drinks that complemented the overall experience. The combination of excellent service, delicious cocktails, and a warm atmosphere made my visit to TABOO truly unforgettable.

I highly recommend TABOO to anyone looking for a great dining experience. The bartender's kindness and professionalism are a testament to the high standards of this establishment. I will definitely be returning and bringing friends along to share in this...

I need to first state that our server was the only decent part about our first and only experience at this establishment. Cassandra apologized repeatedly for the issues and did everything within her control to try to make this a pleasant experience. My Boyfriend took me on a date to Taboo last night. Upon entry, we were seated at a table where the cloth on the booths were absolutely filthy. We ordered drinks and appetizers and the drinks took more than half an hour to arrive. Our server explained that there was a party in the back and the bar was behind but…I saw two people working the bar and it still didn’t justify the delay in my opinion. The menu at this place showed that the restaurant lacked any direction. Was this a steak house? Sushi restaurant? Seafood spot? The items that came out with dry ice? Why!!? This isn’t hocus pocus. The ranch used was disgusting. Out of a cheap bottle, thin, just gross. The sushi roll ordered for my main entree was the Fabi roll. In theory it sounded good but it was doused in so much sriracha and something else you couldn’t taste anything other than that. The breading on the outside of the roll was gritty. It was a tiny roll with no more than 8 pieces and it was $30. Major disappointment. My boyfriend got the ribeye and mash. The steak had no flavor. Undercooked. Full of tendons..he couldn’t eat it. We got our food before we ever got a drink other than water. And we ordered a second round before our first ever came and it took another half hour to get those the bill was over $200 and I wouldn’t have willingly paid &50 for what we got. Shameful. We won’t be back and I wouldn’t advise anyone coming...