Milagros Latin Kitchen — Restaurant in Redwood City

I recently dined at Milagros, and while I thoroughly enjoyed the food and the vibrant atmosphere, the service left much to be desired. It's unfortunate that I have to give this establishment a lower rating primarily due to the subpar service experience.

Upon arrival, we were seated after around a 30 minute wait and informed by the host that we could order using their website. This wait was fine. They provided a QR code that led us to the digital menu, allowing us to place our orders and even pay directly from our phones. Excited by the convenience, we decided to utilize this feature. However, only a few minutes after we had submitted our orders, the waiter "I know you just sat here, but can I get you guys started with anything?" We informed him that we had already ordered through the website, to which he replied in an irritated tone said,"Next time, you can just order directly from me." It was clear that he was displeased with our use of the QR code, likely because he wasn't receiving a tip for that part of the service. He changed his whole attitude after we told him we ordered using the QR code. When he told us that we just sat here, his demeanor was regular customer service-y. We also didn’t just sit there if we had time to look through the whole menu, order the appetizers, the entrees, and our drinks. This initial encounter set the tone for the rest of the evening, as his demeanor and attitude were consistently poor. I was wondering if he treated all of his tables like this, but alas after watching him, he gave everyone the regular customer service-y attitude.

Throughout the evening, the waiter checked on us only once, seemingly out of obligation rather than genuine concern for our dining experience. It was evident that he had no interest in serving our table or providing any form of attentive service. His approach was brusque and lacking in hospitality. A particular incident occurred when one member of our party finished their cocktail, and the waiter rather forcefully asked if they wanted another. This behavior seemed driven by his desire to add items to his specific tab rather than genuinely ensuring our satisfaction.

Furthermore, there was a significant delay in receiving one of our drinks. Despite having received all our food, we were left waiting for a beer for nearly 20 minutes. Frustrated, we had to approach the bar ourselves to inquire about the missing beverage. Only then did the waiter finally bring it to our table. This kind of neglect further added to our disappointment, as it disrupted the flow of the evening and interrupted what could have been an otherwise enjoyable experience.

Overall, I left the restaurant feeling let down by the poor service. While the food was undeniably delicious, the atmosphere lively, and the music was bopping, the behavior and attitude of our waiter overshadowed these positive aspects. It is disheartening to think that a service element can have such a significant impact on an otherwise potential standout dining experience. I sincerely hope the management addresses these issues, as they have the potential to undermine the overall reputation and success of an otherwise promising establishment.

Looking at other low reviews, a lot of people are dissatisfied with the app ordering and prefer human connection with the waiter. I think there should be an option when checking in for a table to choose whether they want to order via app or via a waiter so that people can choose their experience. Having both at once leads to...

Visited again with coworker's for lunch and this place does not disappoint. Food was deliciously perfect. This time, I just had coconut shrimp taco and mini gorditos. I was stuffed. Service was fast from start to finish. The lady was super nice. It was packed for a Friday afternoon but it wasn't overly chaotic. Plenty of seating and it wasn't overly loud that you couldn't hear each other talk.

My first time here,  I had gone here for a Holiday lunch for work. Upon entering the vibe is very inviting.

Even if they were busy,  we were greeted and seated right away.   There was so much decor to look at.

We ordered:

Sangria (pitcher) - Strong and tasty, not overly sweet.

Chips and salsa  - All the salsas were amazing but that day I was leaning more towards the pineapple.

Jalapeno poppers - Not spicy but crunchy and flavorful. I couldn't get enough of this.

Veggie quesadilla - This was delicious but looked like it was more spinach and mushrooms.  I didn't see the epazote my co-worker was talking about.

Quesabirria trio - I was not impressed with this,  I was actually happy I didn't order this.  It was lacking. It wasn't cheesy or super flavorful. It was kind of bland even after dipping it in the consommé

Artichoke enchiladas - I tried this and it was mostly potato, hardly any artichokes.

Baja fish taco, churrasco steak taco, crispy coconut shrimp taco - I made my own little sampler order of tacos. The fish taco had a light crunch and you can taste the flaky fish but it wasn't fishy if that makes sense.  Churassco steak taco  - steak was tender and with all the toppings it was juicy and flavorful. Coconut shrimp taco, I think was my favorite. It was crunchy but not overly drenched in coconut.  All the tacos stood out in their own way and be prepared to get messy.... if it doesn't get all over the place it doesn't belong in your face lol.

Pozole - Ranked 7/10 by coworker. It was nice to be able to pour the broth over it, but lacked flavor

Cranberry mule- We ordered this after we were done eating.  I'm sorry but I do NOT recommend this! The aftertaste of rosemary, just left me asking WHY? After each sip. We struggled to drink this and figured chugging it down was the only way. I kept telling my coworker it reminded me of Fabuloso (cleaning agent)

Overall, I wouldn't mind coming back here again.  Highly recommend.  I'd love to try the...

Summary: Great Mexican restaurant in Redwood city that serves a variety of Mexican Dishes, Creative Tacos, and even more creative drinks. The Mexican food is well prepared but other local Mexican places beat it for flavor. What Milagros lacks for in taste, it makes up for in price, location, drink selection, and staff friendliness. COVID safe. Tables are well distanced and masks are required.

The Drinks: They have a great selection of drinks here. The margaritas have a good amount of alcohol for those looking to get boozed up. The drinks tend to follow a Mexican/Carribean theme with many coconut based drinks as well as a selection of margaritas.

The Appetizers: I love how they have so many appetizers at this restaurant. Dinging them a point for no free chips and salsa, which is almost the industry standard right now. They have several Latin American selections for appetizers, but the chips and salsa were good enough for us!

The Food: The food here is great but not amazing. Redwood city is one of the better known places in the Bay Area for good Mexican food and the competition is tough. The food is well prepared and not greasy. but that dings it a bit in the flavor department. Overall, this is a "healthier and typical high end version" of the Mexican food you can find on the street. Worth trying, but if you're only interested in food and not concerned with calories or health, there are other places. However, certainly a GREAT place to eat (just...