Tacos La Chule Mexican Restaurant & Bar — Restaurant in Rockford

We were refused table service last night because we did not include a tip when we paid for the food at the counter BEFORE we ate. You don't order from a menu at the table, you stand at the counter and order food. I told the guy behind the counter that we would be dining in and we will be drinking water only so that he was aware that we would be eligible for the FREE chips and Salsa and he would know to bring our water to us. Because it is not a sit-down table service restaurant, they charge for chips and salsa if you aren't dining in and they also won't give you a drink if you don't tell them you are dining in. So I gave him my order and paid for the food at the counter, but did not leave a tip since it is COUNTER SERVICE (no waiters). Everyone knows that tipping is determined by the quality of service you receive during your dining experience and so it is given AFTER the meal. . After 30 minutes of waiting (they told me it would be awhile for the food) they had not brought us chips and salsa or water so I asked politely if it would be possible for us to get some and they kindly obliged. Finally, after 45 minutes of waiting at our table, they gave us our food in a bag of to-go-boxes. I told him how I was extremely clear when I paid that we were DINING IN. He said, he didn't know what I told the other guy, but we are getting it to go regardless. After some confusion I realized they were sending us a message because we didn't give a tip or order drinks that we were not welcome to dine in. They were busy with customers waiting to be seated and we were not tipping so we were getting the boot. Again, I'm not 100%, but I am pretty sure this...

This place was not only the worst Mexican restaurant we have ever been to, but also hands down, the worst restaurant we have been to.

Here are our largest complaints: The parents at the table next to us had two young children and had ordered chicken strips for them. The strips were quite literally raw in the middle and this wasn’t realized until their 2-year old took a bite. Their complaints were not handled apologetically at all and they left before the adults’ food arrived.

As others have said their chips and salsa come in a bag and tiny plastic cup which is just weird. I actually liked the salsa but the chips were bad. Some were quite stale and others were not cooked fully and droopy/doughy.

My daughter’s nachos were clearly microwaved and for not long enough.

My husband’s steak tacos were downright cold and flavorless. For my meal, I didn’t think it was possible to mess up a quesadilla but they sure did just that. No spices whatsoever and the meat was cold.

When we first arrived, the Hispanic family at a nearby table left before finishing their meal, leaving most of it on the table. That should’ve been a sign follow them out the door.

The manager asked how everything was and we were very honest with her. She offered no apologies but did remove one of our meals from the tab.

We were honestly amazed that we didn’t get food poisoning. This one won’t be in business long.

The reviewers that are espousing that this place has the best Mexican they have ever eaten have clearly never eaten Mexican food.

We will happily stay with our favorite Delano Mexican restaurant and...

Wow! Blown away with how rude they were! Would give 0 stars, if that were an option! Never had such an experience at a restaurant. My husband, 2 daughters and I met my mother there for a late lunch. After we got our drinks and ordered, someone came out from the back and asked us if it was our first time there. We said, "Yes, it is." So he made sure to add "Please be sure to not make a mess while youre here..." We hadn't even received any food yet! The only thing that happened was my 2 year old, spilt some soda on the floor, which I wiped up! When our server started bringing our food, I asked if they requested to everyone who came in, to "not make a mess." He said, "We have if people are being really messy." I blinked at him, stating, "We haven't even gotten our food yet...." He said, "I didn't tell him to come over here. We asked for to-go boxes right away, and the guy who was rude to us brought them for us along with our bill. He "thanked" me for ordering a Mike's Hard Lemonade, as "he has been trying to get rid of it for 3 weeks...."

Whaaat???? They both young guys who obviously have NO customer service skills. We couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Also, there was only 1 other table with people there! They had left by the time our food was delivered, so they were not even slightly busy, not that any of us were surprised. Would never...