Mesa Fresca Latin & American Kitchen — Restaurant in Oregon City

We have been many times through the last few years and last night was awful. We ( my husband and I) asked to sit out side right next to the big window with a table that came in after us on the other side of the window inside, there were 2 servers and maybe 5-6 tables inside. We got our chips and salsa from the server with dark hair (the other was blonde), They had been chit chatting and doing other things we could see and were trying to be patient, we waited like 15 mins not having any water or ordering drinks, I finally went inside to the bar and asked if we needed to use the QR code on the the table or come into the bar to order and she just smiled and nodded then I asked again, so we do come in to order? She said yes and I could see a menu if I needed…I said well no you sat us right outside and pointed to our table you could very clearly see next to 2 other tables….She then asked if we were ready and I said yes, and I assumed she followed me out….she came out after a min we ordered our food and drinks. We got our drinks like 10 mins later, I asked for a double and got a single, when the server came back with our warm/cold food 20 mins later I made sure it wasn’t a double and the server told me no it was a single and even cut me off and said she knew I ordered a double but messed up and didn’t say anything about it 😂. There was 4 people that got seated at a table next to us right after we ordered our food outside with no new tables inside other then ours and theirs outside, that the blonde server was serving. By the time we were leaving like 15-20 mins later, they had their full meal all served to them with drinks and chips and salsa coming out regularly. I even asked our server if they thought we were going to not pay or something and that is why we were being ignored and asked if we started a tab so they have our card and payment at the begging of the meal, next time if we would be treated better….she just brushed it off and didn’t really even say no but that she was sorry for holding us hostage for so long. The portions of food was way smaller then last time, maybe it was just a bad time to go but for $67, 1 Margarita, 1 non alcoholic drink, 2 entrees with more rice then food was not worth the awful service, it was crazy. We were going to leave after the 20 mins we waited to get our drink order, then after the drink thing and another 20 mins of waiting but, were just annoyed and confused at the whole thing. The charge for using a card was never told to us either but I couldn’t tell if the server was intentionally being the way she was or maybe if it was just a compete misjudgment of the whole thing but either way it crazy and a bummer because the food is usually soooooooo good. We were there for atleast an hour if not pushing about an...

My husband and I just finished a lackluster meal there with our best friends. Here are my thoughts:

Atmosphere: Cool space, but uncomfortable chairs. The music and TVs are a little distracting if you're engaging in conversation.

Food: Slow to arrive, took 12 minutes between the first plate arrive to the fourth dinner finally being served. My steak fajita tacos were cold. White rice and beans were utterly flavorless. Perhaps that is the Peruvian way; if so, you have my condolences, Peru.

Service: Ahh, can it truly be called "service." There was a bartender and two servers on the floor. For a Friday evening, it wasn't that busy: probably 30 customers divided among 8 tables. We waited 10 minutes to order, 45 minutes for food, 5 more minutes for silverware. Drinks refilled, chips replenished? Surely, you jest. No. After being served 3-ounces of water in an Old Fashioned glass, I had to specify I'd like a larger glass of water. My friend ordered a burger, but got served a Beyond burger. When trying to pay, we stood the leatherette folder up on the edge of the table with the card 100% visible. The servers walked past several times, stopping to take our plates away, but never offered to process the payment until another 5-8 minutes had elapsed. Jesus Christ.

Prices: Tab came to $200 for four disappointing dinners, two mojitos and 2 IPAs. A side of guac was $12 for an ice-cream-scoop-sized portion. And it wasn't even aMaZiNg guacamole.

Listen, I'm used to healthy prices at dining establishments, but here's the crux of it: I'm delighted to pay a robust price * IF * I'm provided delicious food * OR * excellent service. You give me both those, I'm happy. You give me only one of those, I'm not thrilled, but will be back. You give me NEITHER of those? Enjoy your 1-star review.

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Was 5 star, now 4 (3.5 actually but rounded up) The pros: really good food, plenty of meat, vegetarian, and vegan options so everyone can get what they want. Friendly staff as well.

The cons: Pay attention to some of the menu items cost, guac is $12 each and is the size of a small single ice cream scoop or less...1/3 Cup maybe. Easy to miss and a bit overpriced. They now charge 3% on top of the bill for paying with a credit card and do not tell you about this. It's at the bottom of the ticket and easy to miss. I know accepting credit cards costs money, we have two small businesses and it's a cost (a deductible one) of doing business and to not very clearly and loudly disclose to your patrons that you are charging them extra for a card when so many people are using cash less often just feels dirty. Been coming here off and on for years and was disappointed to see the lack of communication...