Los Dos Molinos — Restaurant in Phoenix

I wanted to like this place, I really did. My husband loves spicy food, so we are always on the hunt for something that meets his desired heat level. As soon as we walked in, I felt as though we weren't wanted, to the point that I wondered if we had just arrived before a mid-day closing, but that must not have been the case, because the place continued to fill up even as we were leaving. The servers were either very disorganized, or they have a different set up, because if we were assigned a specific server, I still don't know who it was. Water was served in the larger style shot glasses, which is fine if its just until you order, but 3 of the 4 of us had only water, and they never brought a bigger glass, or even a glass with ice. Not that the water was very good, or cold. The restaurant was freezing though, which is shocking because anyone who know me knows that I love the cold. As for my 7up, it was luke warm, with a couple ice cubes tossed on top. The salsa was hot as advertised. Although not hot enough that I couldn't handle it, and not nearly hot enough for my husband. They are one of those places that charges extra for everything, including chip and salsa refills, which we would have gladly ordered more of, if the wait staff had stuck around long enough for us to get a word out. They seemed in a hurry to be rid of us. To other reviewers credits, I ordered the shredded beef flautas, and my son got the beef taco, and they weren't bad. Not great, but not bad. They are also one of those places that doesnt want you to modify anything, so no, your flautas cannot be two different meats, and the dont allow substitutions. I can live with that, but buyer beware. My husband asked what the hottest thing on the menu was, and ended up with the ribs. Once again, he was disappointed. Not very spicy, and also not very good. My daughter ordered a grande burrito, which was grande, but thats about all I can give it. It was supposed to be ground beef, but it was swimming in so much bean that you couldn't taste the meat at all. As someone else mentioned, the beans tasted straight from the can, and the whole thing was super bland. Toward the end of the meal, the one of the servers came to ask us if we wanted anything else. When we said no, he just started clearing our plates. Some of us weren't even done eating. They had just apparently decided we had been there long enough. Well, okay then. We just lost our favorite mexican joint recently because of covid, and really had high hopes for this place. Sadly, we will...

Los Dos Molinos is an institution and throwing rocks at something we all know and love for “go to” New Mexican food is not something I take lightly. I’ve been to most of the locations including the now-closed store in NYC. The location I like going to is Los Dos Molinos Uptown on Camelback. The food has always been amazing but if you don’t like spicy salsa then this is definitely not the place for you. I absolutely love the carnitas plate with a fried egg on top. Wow! But in the last 4 times I’ve been there with a party size of 3 or 4, and over the span of the last 2 years, the table service has almost become non-existent. So, I’m going to finish this review on just the service at this location only. The standard customer arrival process: (1) Upon arrival, you will typically be seated by one of the servers. (2) The server that seats you, in many cases, is your actual server. (3) You will always be asked what you would like to drink. I think this can be improved in the table assignment “who-does-what” as it creates confusion later. And you will need a good stiff drink if you are one of the unfortunate souls on a “table island” with no service. Once the kitchen gets the food order, the kitchen staff and runners do an excellent job with delivery. But that order NEEDS to take place. While we waited, another table got seated (points 1, 2, and 3 executed) and within 5 minutes the server (same as ours) took their order and received their food. I tried to get ANY server’s attention and it is as if our table didn’t exist. I finally went to the one person not really doing anything figuring he was in-charge. After saying how long it had been he proceeded to tell me that they had received 30 food orders in 10 minutes. So, am I to assume you are telling me to go pound sand? Anyway, he became our server. It was now easy to see our table now that the table that came AFTER us had finished up and left. Things worked at lighting speed once I complained. Even offering us 3 complimentary shots of tequila. My advice would be to get any food here to go or eat at the bar only with a dedicated bartender. The restaurant is in a great location, has a cool vibe with the décor, and the food is great. But their service staff needs to learn some basic things on service because, as far as I can tell, it doesn’t exist and you’ll be stuck on a castaway table (movie reference) looking for something more than a coconut falling from the only tree on the island (did I mention the first bowl of chips and salsa are free?...

So far, my wife and I have tried two of the three Los Dos Molinos in the Valley. One in South Phoenix and the other in Uptown’. We’ve both come to the same conclusion. Recently we visited the Uptown establishment on a whim and we are both lovers and aficionados of New Mexican Cuisine. As the usual in Southwestern, New Mexican and Mexican restos, we were started with the mandatory chips and salsa. I must say, they brag about it with a plomb and brag very well about it. Both their green and red salsas are extraordinarily good, flavorful, chock full of incredible ingredients that make it fantastic. To me, green salsa is it! Caveat emptor, be ready for “hot” as they warn you in their business intro – they have no mild in their vocabulary or recipes! Yet with the heat and all you still can appreciate the terrific taste – it’s not just hot its tasty. Our margaritas came in handy to soothe the heat! The House Margarita, although on the sweet side, was fairly enjoyable. On the other hand, the OG Margie on the rocks is bland! Deciding to have an early dinner, I ordered the Enchilada Dinner consisting of a fantastically prep’d Carnitas, super tender and fall apart good, and what appeared to be homemade blue corn tortillas serving as a bed for everything to the extreme covered with New Mexico red chile, along with cheese and a perfectly fried egg, along with standard red beans & rice. Unfortunately for as tender and fresh the Carnitas were, they were bland and flavorless. It seemed as if the chef forgot to put in the ingredients! My wife’s dish was not far behind in the lackluster and apparent shortage in many elements of seasonings in her Carnitas of slow cooked pork, covered to the extreme hilt with cheese, and also served with rice, beans and a homemade flour tortilla. It’s unfortunate for those who respect, enjoy and appreciate that which is true and delectable New Mexican Cuisine. As I mentioned, they have three locations, we’ve tried two. Three strikes you’re out! For a plain, non-descript and run of the mill meal this location is just OK, if you’re looking for an excellent New Mexican Culinary delight there are a few other fine places out there...