Native central Texan here. I've lived in Rockdale for going on 3 years now. I've had more than my share of Tex-Mex, and even when it's not great I can usually find something to like.
I've been here quite a few times over the past few years. The food is always mediocre, and they always have new young servers. Which is great if you're training them and treating them right. But I'm not sure that's happening here.
The waitress couldn't care less about service. Maybe she doesn't know, there's a whole generation now that doesn't. I still left her 20%, maybe I shouldn't have. I had to ask for every refill, chips, water, lemonade. Whatever, I'm not overly critical or picky. It takes a lot for me to leave a restaurant disappointed.
I told her when I came in that I had the birthday reward loyalty coupon. Then again when we were finished. Then again when it wasn't reflected on the check. "It comes off automatically when you swipe your card." Oh really? That sounded suspicious.
They use ToastTab here. So I pull up the QR code for the coupon. It says: "Show to staff in store to connect an order to your loyalty account. If using a linked card this happens automatically." OK, I think, if I was using the same card I used last time it would apply automatically. But I'm not using a linked card, so I say, "I think you need to scan this QR code.". There's even a 16 digit code under it they could use to type in. But they don't know how to use their own system.
So she calls over the manager. We repeat this whole conversation, then he says I just need to type in my phone number and it will associate my new card to the account. I do not like places saving my account numbers all over the place, but ok I say, it's my birthday tomorrow after all, and I'm here alone with my two children. So I type in my phone number and scan my card. The manager makes a comment about it not coming off, and then leaves. I sit here for a minute, on the tip screen, with the waitress looking over my shoulder, evaluating my options. I'm trying to set a good example and not get upset. So I tip my usual baseline amount and think to myself, surely I missed something here. The waitress leaves to go get the receipt.
Well she brings it back and sure enough, there's no birthday discount. $65 for two entrees, $13 + $15 and a $12 queso. Worst of all, they charged $10 for a kids meal, a single tortilla with some cheese, with a small scoop of beans and rice and a child's lemonade. Then the icing on the cake: they've started charging an unadvertised Credit Card Surcharge.
I've had guisada at many, many places. The guisada here is consistent at least, but it has never impressed me, to say the least. So I tried the barbacoa enchiladas. I wished I had gotten the guisada. The $12 bowl of queso is more expensive than one of my favorite Austin restaurants, who still charge "only" $10. And it's way more authentic than this was. But it's the $10 kids meal that wasn't 50¢ worth of ingredients that gets me. Two tiny triangles of a single fajita tortilla and a spoonful of rice and beans.
This experience epitomizes why we do not patronize restaurants anymore. Truly a sad and disappointing experience. I knew the food would be what it was when I walked in. But this service is the killer.
It's not worth $10 to risk me losing my temper in front of my kids. I'm surprised it's worth $10 for them to lose a customer. That $10 birthday coupon would have simply canceled out the kids meal, or the $10 tip I left. I don't believe that the manager doesn't understand how to use their own system. And if that's true, it proves what I already know is the problem here: it's not the servers, it's the management.
Literally every other Mexican/Tex-Mex I've had between Austin and College Station has better food and a better experience. I wish I would have gone to Joe's across the street or tried Maricela's next door.
Oh, it did add my card to my account. But my birthday discount is still there waiting for me to use it. I can't say I desire...
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