Coal Bros Taqueria — Restaurant in San Diego

Ordered tacos and elote on Morena Blvd to go. Grill was empty when i was ordering didnt look like they were busy at that time. Counter guy tells me 10-15 minutes for my order to be ready. Tell counter guy I'm allergic to shrimp so please separate my tacos (shrimp tacos for my wife). 45 mins later i see people eating tacos from the place. Go outside to find out whats happening and I believe they didn't even have my order on the grill until I came out. Guy standing there gets his taco. I asked him how long he was waiting tells me 5 - 10 mins. So I complain.

Counter guy says "things happen." No apology no nothing just "things happen." He did say the guy's taco was cold so no wait time for him.

After more complaining Grill guy asks me if I want my money back. it is now 10:30 pm if I go somewhere else at that point won't be eating for another hour + not much open at that hour to choose from. So I say I want my food (mostly for my wife who is patiently waiting at home).

While standing there i see the guy working the grill and he is handling the raw/cooking shrimp with same tongs he is handling corn, tortillas, other meat, etc.

Complain about that told them I'm allergic and he's using same tongs on all items both raw and cooked. Counter guy says that I only told him to separate the tacos (whenever shrimp involved I make sure to mention I am allergic to staff). Either way I am certain there is question of cross contamination handling raw meats and cooked meats and other items without either using separate tools or washing the tools especially handling seafood.

Counter guy again asks me if I want my money back. I tell him I want the food. I tell him that if they would have told me it was going to take 45 mins I would have not ordered at that time. Now it's too late don't have many options (and I have wife at home waiting for dinner). He asks me if i ever worked in the restaurant industry. I say what does that matter? Because "things happen" and I would know that if I did. I guess it's part of the "restaurant industry" to promise something and not deliver on it and not accept responsibility?

Told him I won't be leaving a good review for the place. He then chuckles. I said I guess you don't care about your reviews huh?

Didn't take more than 10 mins for food to be ready once they actually started working on it (as originally promised). They screwed up but couldn't admit it then try to blame me for not understanding the restaurant industry and scoff when I suggest I won't leave a good review. More importantly there appears to be a lack of food safety protocol in handling raw and cooked foods with same utensils. But what do I know, I don't work in the restaurant industry.

To their credit, other than laughing at my suggestion of leaving a bad review and no real explanation for why it took so long, they were polite during my protests and did ask if I wanted my money back. I should have asked for the tip I left back, which of course when paying by card is taken beforehand, but didn't think of it at that time. Maybe I didn't leave enough of a tip to warrant putting my food to cook on empty grill until 45 mins later.

Would have liked a simple "we screwed up we apologize" other than arguing with me about my lack of knowledge of the restaurant industry or failure to acknowledge they were wrong about anything including safe food handling practices.

Also, my wife really enjoyed her tacos and elote. Unfortunately for my wife, I won't be ordering from...

Carne asada taco & burrito: A mild flavor followed by some strong punches.

Black Al pastor: Undertone of mildness covered in strong flavorful black Al pastor.

Guacamole: mild and flavorful

Freshness: Was ok, not fresh, not stale. Almost in the middle. Sauces were fresh. Guacamole was fresh. Meat and tortilla was about in the middle.

Size: tacos were a larger size, fair for the price. Burrito was flatter. For the price a bit small.

I came on a Monday at 5pm right at opening, appreciated that they had a different flavor profile. It was good. Will try again another time when they have ribeye or chicken signature tacos.

2nd visit: I tried the signature rib eye and chicken tacos today. Both were very good and echo my precious sentiments. $9 per taco is very expensive for the signature...

Our downtown office ordered via GrubHub based on someone's experience with them at another location. When I went to pick up the food the staff was smiles and nice. The moment I asked if the food was labeled for each person's order THEY told me that it was not indicated on the receipt and the attitude began. I was begrudginly given a pen and the handwritten order slip. I asked for assistance to figure out which tacos were which; they were NOT happy to do that but did. I asked for additional green sauce and was told NO THERE IS NONE (meanwhile it was in the food prep area). The food is average, at best. Other local shops have much better choices, much better portions, for much better prices and service...