El Chubasco — Restaurant in Park City

El Chubasco El Chubasco, located in Park City Utah, has been my small local Mexican- restaurant of choice. Growing up as a local in Park city I have spent the last eighteen years heading over there with my family after being famished at church. It is one of the lucky restaurants that have been around my entire childhood and has built up a loyal customer basis for the local ski bums and tourists looking for some taste that this south of the boarder. The area in which it is located is in a small strip mall, which has several other local restaurants such as Superman, Sammy’s Bistro and franchise restaurants like Booster juice and Einstein bagels around it. The fact that it is the only cheap authentic Mexican restaurant in Park city-Café Rio does not count as authentic- forces there quality and service to be superior. Also due to it being surrounded by other restaurants, it is rarely ever very busy-except for Sunday morning around 1p.m, and during the entire time Sundance is in town. Upon walking into the restaurant you will immediately be in awe of the beautiful authentic Mexican décor. As a child I lived in San Miguel D’allende, Mexico for a time period and can give you my word of genuine Mexican authenticity of the décor. Red, green and white ribbons hang from the ceiling fans rotating above your head in a rhythmic fashion. The walls are filled with all of the numerous awards the restaurant has won and pictures of old Hispanic architecture, old faces, and soccer jerseys. All the wall decorations seem to tell a story of the founding of the restaurant, as well as portray Hispanic heritage as a whole. The service can be a bit slow at times, but I have never had the problem of waiting too long for my food. You order in the front of the restaurant (they do not mind if you wish to practice your Spanish ordering), are given a number, and then are treated to endless home cooked tortilla chips and the exotic salsa bar. The salsa bar is the dominating element to the restaurant; it is the first thing you see when you walk in. I would recommend the peach salsa and a peach colored salsa near the doorway. The darker the salsa the hotter it seems to be, don’t be afraid to try all nine or so salsa’s because they all have their own unique flavors’ and spiciness. I am a bit unadventurous with my food choices, and normally like to stick to my two favorite foods in the restaurant. When I was about 11 or twelve I liked to order just the generic cheese quesadilla. But as I got older I got envies of how my brothers would order the shredded beef enchilada. I got go on all day about my love for the beef enchilada’s at this restaurant but in just a few words, the beef always taste fresh and moist, the sauce it is covered on is full of flavor, and the authentic black pinto beans and rice complete the meal. My father would always order the “mondo bowl”, which is a very exotic soup with all kinds of seafood thrown in it. He is a 20 year local Park city resident who orders the same thing every time we go, so you know it has some sort of magic to it. Finally as some last thoughts my mother who is also a long time resident always orders the fish taco’s which is made of a handmade tortilla, covered in a special sauce and garnished with a side of beans rice and a lime to add to the drooling flavor of the fish. The Horchata, which is my favorite Hispanic drink, is a kind of vanilla cinnamon drink which i would highly recommended someone possibly falling in love with it. I need to go eat now, but go give El Chubasco’s cheap authentic...

They get 1 star because they are open on Sunday. I ordered a "California Burrito" - I noticed that Avocado was missing on the menu description. So upon calling to place an order i inquired why Avocado is not included in the California Burrito, for how can a Burrito be labeled as "California" with NO AVOCADO!? The girl on the phone assured me that Avocado is most certainly in the Burrito. So I ordered a California Burrito. Upon my arrival to pick up my order, I went into the restaurant and was told that Take Out was Three Doors Down (great band the way - ha ha)... so I ventured to the Take Out door... the girl came out from the back and I announced that I was there to pick up my order... She pulled my order, I paid and she said thank you have a nice day, then i looked in the bag and saw the Chips...but no salsa. I asked if the salsa was in the bag... she then gestured to the refrigerator behind the counter, behind her... and she said I could order from what was on the picture menu of salsa choices, stating I could have a maximum of 4. Mind you, there are approximately 2 Tablespoons each. After bringing the food order home to my Hotel, I noticed that there was NO Avocado in my California Burrito, yet a small dollop of Guacamole was on the side. Seriously??? I was lied to! I was betrayed, misled and swindled!! The food isn't Authentic Mexican. It's Utahs meager attempt at Mexican food. Disappointed.

EDIT IN RESPONSE TO MANAGEMENTS "RESPONSE"

I was lied to. Avacodo is very different from Guacamole. Sure, it's a "main ingredient" but not the same dude! If your going to tout to be a Mexican Restaurant, then take my advice and be authentic and real. Dont tell patrons that Avacodo is in the Burrito if its guacamole! Tell the truth, say, no Avacodo, but guacamole!!! And "flippant" comments are appropriate in this case, because I was swindled. And the amount of salsa offered is minuscule... be real and offer free salsa, like true Mexican Restaurants do. I'm sorry for your Emoyees if they are not trained properly. Its not the employees fault, its managements fault! Basically, this restaurant will eventually fail due to poor...

• UPDATE *

The owner, Kreg, quickly responded to my review asking me to give him a call. We talked on the phone and he immediately took accountability for the poor experience and assured me that he does not support taking unauthorized tips from customers. He sent me some vouchers to compensate us for the mistake.

I recognize that one employee does not represent the whole company and I really appreciate the quick and sincere apology from Kreg. I'll gladly support and recommend a restaurant that has leaders like Kreg owning up to the poor experiences and doing what he can to make it right.

• Original 1 Star Review * The food was fine. I would give it 4 stars and recommend it. But I really don't like to be taken advantage of.

My family ordered our food and the woman at the register asked if I wanted a copy of my receipt. I said yes. I gave her my card, paid for my meal, and she gave me my card and my receipt for $36.78. I was never asked or given the chance to leave a tip. Also, I'm certain I didn't leave a tip because I never tip in advance. Fortunately, I get a text every time a transaction happens on my cards. The text I received just seconds later showed a transaction for the exact amount of the 15% suggested tip ($41.79). I assumed maybe it was a mistake and would process for the correct amount in a few days. Here I am months later and that's the charge on my credit card.

I know it's only a few dollars, but I can't support a restaurant that carries out it's business this way. I'm hoping it was just a one-off honest mistake, but I can't in good faith recommend...