Cafe Capistrano Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Raleigh

So my wife and I live locally. We hadn’t been here before but the reviews were decent, and we like supporting local places in lieu of big chains whenever possible.

First we walk in, and a younger guy greets us, seats us and hands us a menu.

10-12 minutes later, we get someone to come by and take a drink order and we ask about a kid menu. He tells us the kids options and then walks away to get drinks and chips.

Returning we order and we ask for kids chicken tenders that he offered not 6 minutes earlier and they were out…. Not a great start but not the biggest deal. Next they have Lipton tea, not sweet tea, a bigger deal to my wife than myself. But in NC, don’t list that on a menu if it’s not real sweet tea. Know your market people…

Finally we get food, not all of it. I ordered cup of pozole, that never made it to the bill, or my table. The food was ok, but basically very bland. A Chimichanga, Enchildas Verde, and a kids hot dog meal at a CaliMex Joint shouldn’t leave me wishing for the hot dog.

Lastly after the worst Margarita I’ve probably ever ordered, and our standard beverages sitting dry on table for at least 10 minutes. I held mine up to let the waiter know what to do since he obviously had no idea what was going on anywhere but on his instagram feed. If it had been psycho busy, or he had more than 2 tables with a total of 6 people I’d have let it slide. But you F’d up the food, offered some you didn’t have, and let me run out of beverage. Not a sitting tipping performer I’d wager.

Guys best of luck keeping the doors open if this is how the place runs day to day. I get it said California Style Mexican on the door, but I’d bet that neither culture...

We went to lunch here a half hour before closing. There was only one other table eating, but they left shortly after we arrived.

The bland waiter who acted like he hated life, and us, gave the 3 of us one salsa dish. For hygiene reasons, (Covid) (double dipping), we asked for separate salsas. He said he'd have to charge us. Really? All the other Mexican restaurants I go to honor this at no extra charge.

I ordered a quesadilla. He asked what kind of meat I wanted. I asked what were the choices, and he told me. I selected steak. He failed to tell me there was a $3.50 surcharge on that. Had I known, I would not have ordered that. Maybe it was on the menu, but he clearly saw that I wasn't looking at the menu.

The music was blaring. It was so loud, it affected our conversation. We politely asked the bland waiter if he could turn the music down, he said that was the lowest setting. Really? After we payed, he immediately turned the music off ("Leave!", hint-hint). Now, WHY couldn't he have turned it off before? No one else was inside at this point. Just us.

I asked for a refill on my drink. He vaguely nodded (did he hear me?), then went to the back of the room and apparently forgot my request. When a male at our table reminded him, then he brought it.

The chicken soup tasted like lime juice.

The bill came to almost $20, and it wasn't really that good.

This place is WAY over-priced. The waiter was as cold as Antarctica. The only reason I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 is because the artwork on the wall...

2017 4 star review:

Great food. Great service. Great atmosphere. I have been coming here for years and am never disappointed. Actually, I don't think a person should live their entire life without ever having a Cafe Capistrano Shrimp Chimichanga. I have literally searched the world for the same. Literally no one makes it like them. Check it out.

2024 1 star review:

I just left lunch at what used to be one of my favorite places to eat. Rather than having a relaxed joyful time we arrived as the only patrons to a freezing cold room and were seated. We were served. Then immediately given the check which was completely off-putting especially since we were interested in dessert. We heard people in the kitchen yelling goodbye over loud music and shutting the kitchen lights and music off. I asked the waiter if they were closed and he said they decided to close early since it was slow. I let him know how inappropriate it was to make a patron feel so unwanted in the restaurant. Every customer should feel welcome no matter what. We packed up quickly feeling like we were being kicked out. I realized that the incredible food meant nothing when paired with horrible customer service and unprofessionalism. I have been a consistent faithful patron for the last 10 years. When meeting clients and meeting with coworkers and friends I always recommended Cafe Capistrano. It's the end of an Era. I hope they realize the absence of patrons at lunch time as well as their choice to freeze us out is sealing...