Barrio Queen — Restaurant in Scottsdale

Barrio Queen is an upscale Mexican restaurant that aims to bring us fancy pants tacos and the like. Now, I don't consider myself a basic biach, and have eaten 10 course meals. I love a good fancy experience and often literally put on my fancy pants to eat at such establishments.

Nevertheless, starting with the chips and salsa one realizes one is in a sort of mediocre romantic comedy where one does not want to keep watching but has this uncontrollable desire to keep doing so. The chips (yes oh so homemade) ranged from perfectly cooked to burnt, to soggy, to under and over seasoned all in one basket. And by gods were they thick! (That's what she said.) The salsa was fresh but really needed salt and spice. I think it had the potential to be fantastic. But this romantic comedy ended very sadly where I was simply too hungry not to devour three baskets. I watched that movie to the end and felt utterly ashamed after.

Next was the table made guac and housemade habanero sauce. Once again, so much potential that was lost with a lack of seasoning and spice. Is it because all the rich folk that drive their Bentley's around truly do not have a sense of pallet that this restaurant insults the spices that make Mexican food? I mean, I only drive a lowly Tesla, so maybe my tongue has not refined to the point where I can tell the unique differences between a pinch of salt and a pinch and half of salt in a giant vat of guac?

Lastly, was my vegan chili relleno. For those of you who don't know, that is essentially stuffed poblano pepper. Such high hopes. It wasn't as sad as the romantic comedy starter, but it felt like a mid tier James Bond film. There were some really exciting and sexy moments, but overall, I left feeling a bit used like a Bond girl. I would only go back if my colleagues felt the need to go back, but would not choose to myself.

The service was average as well. Nice enough but SLOW as a 1930s black and white film. And by the gods were the prices outrageous for lunch. Once again, probably meant to weed out us "lowly folk" so the Bentley drivers can look down at us from afar while eating their...

Barrio Queen Scottsdale is one of three franchise locations in the Greater Phoenix Area. "Mexico-City" regional venue, serving imported fare to the state of Arizona. Scottsdale's location while flawed, did succeed in certain specific categories; aesthetic presentation via chef, preluding quality standards- (7/18). This published review is intended to pay homage to Barrio Queen Scottsdale's under-represented star of the show.

With that being said, table-side service did little to represent the chef's capabilities. Simple menu item requests made by our party were vehemently denied, a decision made based on ego, devoid of chef-consult. (Request to substitute chicken for pesce, house cocktail spirits for import label, etc.) denied by our server. Elementary modifications respected under the majority of circumstances- reducing waste & posing no great challenge the chef.

This strange behavior made under a state of total, egotistical self-assertion created an unnecessary hassle when placing an order. Having to manually remove meat from menu item: (Chilies en Nogada) created both an unnecessary hassle & prompted preventable waste. Questionable service aside, menu items were aesthetic in presentation, contained fresh ingredients & unique flavor combinations. Barrio Queen franchise lays claim to several locale "specialties". Table-made guacamole + pomegranate- receiving the most media traffic.

Did it live up to the hype? Yes; but was "thrown together" with little concern for outward appearance. (Revised photo edit provided as further courtesy in respect of the venue.) Disbelief probed further curiosity to place orders from each sub-section of the menu. (Chilies en Nogada, bruleé, pomegranate guac, gulf-shrimp & chipotle mashed gratin.) When dining at Barrio Queen Scottsdale, there is a certain degree of inconsistency to be expected. Scottsdale's chef is undoubtedly talented, which begs the question;...

The server EDDIE was great. But the food was horrible, the chips had no flavor the salsa was boring. They're spicy salsa tasted Like store bought garbage. Salsa from the dollar store could have tasted better. Both different sets of enchiladas ordered. Had no flavor and no meat, the best part about it was the salt on the side. The marguerite Were horrible in both sets of margarita flights tasted different. Taco bell sells better chips. The manager listened to all my complaints. The first impression of the restaurant should have told us how bad the food and the service would have been. Because the hospitality was so bad, nobody even said "Hello" "nobody said how are you tonight?" Nobody said. " give us just a moment we will be right with you" The best part of the whole dinner was the free water. The server made GREAT table side guacamole but beyond that I would tell everyone unless the owner wants to reach out to never ever go. I have no idea how they have 3.3k reviews with an average of 4.4 stars. If I could leave 4 stars for Eddie and ZERO for everything else I would. And PS was told the chef was there and has been for years. I own multiple retails store and I would fire every person cooking food in that place. Have you ever heard of Los Angeles dumpster diving? I could of found better food in...