Land & Ocean — Restaurant in Ridgway

I had the unfortunate experience of dining at this establishment for lunch on Thursday, August 24, and I must say it was quite disappointing. I ordered a fish taco plate, a small ceviche, and Mexican chicken fried rice, which came to a total of $49 and change. I opted to pay with my credit card and refrained from adding a tip at that point, as I typically provide tips in cash based on the quality of service received.

I signed the credit card receipt and handed it back to the owner. He looked at the receipt and in a snarky tone said "Thanks for the tip". I explained my tipping philosophy; I believe in rewarding good service rather than presuming it. Sadly, this interaction set the tone for what would be an overall unpleasant dining experience.

The food itself left much to be desired. The fish tacos, comprising a piece of mahi-mahi on a corn tortilla, were lackluster. While a cabbage salad accompanied the dish, dressed with vinaigrette, there was a noticeable absence of the expected creamy fish sauce that could have elevated the flavors. The small ceviche I ordered also fell short of expectations, lacking the vibrant and enticing flavors that should characterize this dish. Even the tortilla chips, served unceremoniously in a baggie, failed to impress with their taste and texture.

The Mexican chicken fried rice was only marginally satisfactory. It lacked the bold flavors that one would associate with Mexican cuisine, leaving me underwhelmed and unimpressed. Given the steep price I paid for these three lackluster items, the overall value was undoubtedly poor. Spending $50 on a meal that fails to deliver in taste and satisfaction is a disappointment.

However, the biggest deterrent to any potential return to this restaurant was the owner's attitude towards tipping. Rather than focusing on providing exceptional service to earn gratuities, the owner seemed to exhibit an entitlement to tips before any service had even been provided. This disregard for the importance of genuine service left a significant negative impression on me.

In conclusion, my experience at this restaurant was marked by subpar food, lackluster flavors, poor value, and an off-putting encounter with the owner regarding tipping. The promise of an exciting and flavorsome meal was entirely unmet, and the overall atmosphere was overshadowed by this unpleasant encounter. I certainly have no intention of returning to this establishment and cannot, in good conscience, recommend it to others seeking an enjoyable...

After we ordered, the owner (I presume) asked if we wanted guacamole. It sounded like it came with our food. When he asked what size I said small and figured there would be a charge but I did not expect a $10 additional charge for small guac and 10 chips in a sandwich bag.

Before he started making our food I asked the price for guacamole and all he said was “I charged you more.” I told him nevermind on the guac but he refused to reimburse me saying he couldn’t open the drawer. I had paid in cash.

Then it got weird. He served other people their food outside but when our food was ready he aggressively knocked on window for us to come and get it.

The food was OKAY, not great. My mom lost her appetite when I found a hair in my food. Normally we clean up after ourselves, but this time we left our unfinished food on the table.

Basically the menu is misleading, like other people have said. The owner was rude and passive aggressive toward us, but seemed nice enough to...

My best friend and I ate here about a week and a half ago and it was excellent. I had just received some really bad news about our rental car, which was in the shop, and was, frankly, in no mood for eating anything at all, but she convinced me that we needed to take a breather so we stopped here. I visited Costa Rica many years ago and was instantly taken back there when I stepped in - the menus, the music, the atmosphere... it felt just like being there! We both had fresh juice with vodka (much needed and sooooo tasty!) and chips and guacamole to start with. The guacamole was the best I have eaten in years! I then had gallo pinto and she had the potato picadillo quesadilla. Both dishes were excellent and the amount of food was perfect for us. We left feeling MUCH better after a delicious, authentic meal. Wish we lived closer - I would...