Rubio's Coastal Grill — Restaurant in Santa Ana

I had a really uncomfortable-bad experience yesterday at Rubio’s Santa Ana, Tustin & E. 17th St. I went in for taco Tuesday and for the “GOPADRES” promotion (Free taco with purchase). The code “GOPADRES” was not working on the app, so we decided to go into the store to order. The cashier suggested that I order the Taco Tuesday $3 Fish Taco Especial separately from the $6.49 salmon taco because the system will automatically give me the lesser one for free. For my second order, I got a $3.29 regular drink and the $6.49 salmon taco and used code “GOPADRES”, so I only paid for the drink $3.59 with tax. Upon payment, I confirmed with the cashier that I was getting the salmon taco and he replied yes. I didn’t check the receipt and I don’t know why I didn’t because I usually always do. I was thinking it’s only 1 taco, what can go wrong? I did not realize the error until I was seated at the table. I immediately went to the counter to inform the older man that I ordered a salmon taco NOT the fish Taco Especial for my second order. I asked for his name since he did not have a name tag on; Jesus, he’s the manager at this store, insisted my order is correct and pointed to my son, saying that he’s eating the fish taco especial right now. I explained to him that was a separate order and showed him my receipt for the one Fish Taco Especial. I don’t think he cared for my explanation, because Jesus was adamant that my order was correct even though I wanted a salmon taco not a fish taco especial; He refused to correct my order. He went on to say that my taco was free and I only paid for the drink. I told him I realized that because I used the GOPADRES code for the free taco but a salmon taco is what I ordered NOT a fish taco especial! I don’t see why it would be a problem considering the fish taco especial had not been served to me yet and technically the salmon taco is free with my drink purchase. Since he refused to correct my order, I politely requested for a refund for my $3.59 drink. I gave him back my regular cup which he angrily tossed in the trash can. He yelled: “Every time you come in here, you always create problems!” He said that he knows me and I come in often. He also yelled: “Don’t come back here again!” I told him that I’ve only visited this Rubio’s twice in 3 months. I remember interacting with Jesus from my earlier visits and he seemed nice and professional and I don’t ever recall having any prior issues or problems with him or this store. I don’t think I was creating problems. I just simply wanted what I had ordered and he refused to make it right. I left the store upset, embarrassed, humiliated because he was very loud, argumentative, rude and insulting towards me in front of all the customers. Sorry if this feedback is boring or repetitive. I hope no one has to go through this experience. I’ve been going to Rubio’s for a long time and I love it, but at this point, I don’t think I will be going to Rubio’s for awhile especially not...

I came in and ordered the 2 Chicken Taco plate with chips and rice on the side and a drink to go at 6:10:53 pm. I got my beverage and waited by a side high table just a few feet from the register. There were 3 other people that ordered before me and sat down to dine in. I didn't think the restaurant was busy at all since everyone seated had their food already except the customers before me so I didn't think it would take a long time to hear my name called out. I was watching a video on my phone while I waited then looked up and no food yet then then waited some more I looked at the time stamp on my receipt and 20 minutes had gone by!! You read that right 20 minutes. I walked up to the counter and spoke to Eileen the girl that took my order. She said was it a phone order? I said no you took my order and rang me up. I was surprised she didn't remember me because it wasn't busy at all. She looked at my receipt and looked around and she found an container on the counter with no ticket I actually saw it earlier but didn't think anything of it and figured it belonged to a previous customer. She opened the container and brought it to me and said oh I'm sorry I don't know where the ticket went. She may have apologized verbally but the look on her face no doubt said otherwise. I shook my head and was and walked out. I'm not the type of person to create a scene but when you're a paying customer and your food is just sitting on the counter and no one notices it or questions it PLUS your ticket goes missing within minutes of placing your order it goes without saying that Eileen and the counter service staff need retraining on how to handle food that's just sitting there over 5 min ((at least)) and her customer service skills could use a refresher. True Rubio's isn't a 5 star restaurant but they're in the business of serving people. This...

I have retracted my prior 5-star review and have now reviewed Rubio's with one star. We arrived one evening and waited to place our order. Once we ordered we sat down and waited for our food. And waited. Finally I went to check on the status of our order and it was sitting there waiting to be delivered to our table. I waited over two minutes before anyone noticed I was waiting. I explain that that was our order and I would be happy to take it back to the table with me. The gal said our order had just come up and she'd have someone bring it out.

When our order arrived the salmon was burned to a crisp. The cashier was good enough to offer to replace it so my husband ate the rest of the salad waiting for the salmon to come back. Find me the salmon came back and it was cooked properly. Any place can have a bad night so we didn't give it another thought.

What cause my rating to drop was when one of the men that worked in the kitchen went to the men's room wearing plastic food-service gloves. I thought it was odd that he left the kitchen wearing the gloves. I was appalled when he left the men's room several minutes later still wearing the same gloves.

We used to eat here a minimum of 3 times a week and we will move longer go to...