The Original La Canasta Mexican Food — Restaurant in Phoenix

My family and I have been going here collectively for 30 plus years. Chips and salsa are great . My husband loves the bottled salsa. I love the salsa in the bowl. The food is always delicious, served hot and great flavor.

Today was a different experience all together. Sadly it was also my last.

We arrived at 2:50 and were seated right away. 3:10 still NO drinks and no one had even acknowledged we were sitting there.

Meanwhile two more couples showed up. They were both seated and promptly waited on. The couple that arrived just right after us had been served their food long before us.

At 3:30 I asked for the manager from the girl manning the call window. I told advised her of the situation and asked for our bill for our drinks. We were leaving.

She said the manager was in the back and would be with us shortly.

Our server showed up with our food. I told her we didn't want it and would take the bill for the drinks. She disappeared and for the next 10 minutes we sat.........waiting for the manager.

After the manager NEVER showed up to the table, I then asked for the manager again. We were told there wouldn't be a charge for the drinks and he (the manager) was in the kitchen.

The manager proceeded to speak to me from across the kitchen saying he was packing our food for us to take with us.

I told him we don't want it and I asked him why he found it acceptable to not come speak with us after our initial request.

He said there was a "mix up" with out check "and it had been misplaced."

So I asked why the server or himself didn't come out and communicate that to us. He said he was going to.

So let me get this right; you have customers sitting in the dining room for now 45 minutes, and you don't think you need to tell your customers what's going on???? Its ok for them to continue to wait even AFTER they've asked to speak to a manager. Even AFTER they've asked how much longer.

He handled the entire situation extremely unprofessionally. No apology.

He was extremely agitated and aggressive when he spoke to us.

Nothing about this situation makes me feel like a valued customer.

Note: My family and I are caucasian. The couples that showed up after us and were served before us were not. The couple that received their food before us were not.

I'm very disappointed in the way management handled this whole situation!

Good bye to good food. SO LONG to feeling like we...

it was my sons 18th birthday last friday and my dad suggested that after work him and my mother would pick up my kids and meet me there for dinner for the occasion. When I got there there was a sign posted that said they were hiring for various positions, I figured it is perfect location for a second job because I could walk there in the evenings when I finish my normal job in the day so I asked for an application. I started to fill it out while I waited for my family and eventually had to use the bathroom. So I proceeded to the bathroom, did my bathroom business and tried to fix my make up before returning to the table but before I was done putting on my lipstick... THE GIRL WHO GAVE ME THE APPLICATION BURST THROUGH THE DOOR AND TOLD ME I HAD TO GET OUT! I replied with excuse me? I asked her if I was doing something wrong and she said that the bathroom was for paying customers only and that I WAS TO LEAVE NOW! I told her that I hadn't done anything to deserve to be treated this way and that I was planning to eat there with my family and she said she didn't care, that I HAD TO LEAVE RIGHT NOW! THEN QUICKLY CHANGED HER MIND AND SAID WELL WHATEVER, BUT MAKE SURE WHEN YOU GET OUT OF HERE YOU HAD BETTER MAKE SURE TO GO BUY SOMETHING FROM THE GUY UP FRONT. THEN LEFT BUT I COULD HEAR HER YELLING FROM ACROSS THE RESTAURANT THAT THE WOMAN IN THE BATHROOM NEEDS TO GO BUY SOMETHING BEFORE SHE LEAVES! That was ridiculous, I know there are many homeless people roaming the street near there but I am not homeless, I don't small, I wasn't making a mess, and I don't look like some sucked up druggie. True I had not yet started to order for everyone but that doesn't mean I had no intentions on eating there. the experience was very embarrassing, I didn't know what to do and at that point I wasn't going to give them any money for anything. so my dad picked me up and we ate at La Perla in Glendale instead. much...

I grew up going here for family events the place was always crowded and the service and food was always amazing. I ordered enchilida's no clue why I did because I am super picky when it comes to those. I did not like them however I do no feel that is their fault. I ordered something I have a hard time liking. I did look upset the whole time at the end The owners daughter or she might own it now I believe , offered me something free to go home with she said she noticed I didn't like my food. I loved the beans and everything else. However the reason why I was upset was we were looking for the hostess stand because there used to be one. We were talking about the change. I noticed a younger couple pointing at me laughing. whispering back and fourth and looking at me. My guess is I was being fat ashamed because I went to the restroom to try and see why they were laughing at me checked my hair and make up anything someone could find funny but I found nothing. I was depressed the rest of the meal and even struggled not to cry, I went from 102 lbs to 200 now after I had my son. So the weight gain is hard on me. So to feel judged over my weight in such a way hurt, to be pointed and laughed at. The ordering at the counter was odd. the extra charge for the chips and salsa threw me off. I missed the old family atmosphere this place had. However the Owners are still kind people. To the people complaining about it being dirty the its not dirty this place is old as dirt most likely just needs a makeover. The food is still amazing. The staff is still friendly. Id give it 5 stars if it wasn't for me not liking the new counter ordering and extra charge on...