Asadero Ballard — Restaurant in Seattle

I don’t even know where to start with this review. The experience was terrible from beginning to end. What’s most disappointing is that when I first moved to Seattle, this restaurant used to be one of my favorites. Coming from Texas, I was on a mission to find good Mexican food and a solid steakhouse—and this place had both. Their Wagyu steak was great, and their Mexican food was always on point. Today, I brought a friend who’s from Texas. We love introducing each other to good new spots, and I was excited to share this one. That excitement quickly turned into regret. We walked in and were seated, but no one came to our table for over 10 minutes. There was only one other table of customers, and several employees were just standing around chatting in a circle. I had to turn around and stare into the kitchen just to get someone’s attention. Eventually, our server Casey came over and introduced herself. She brought us three types of salsa, pickled onions, and six tiny tostadas. After bringing our drinks and taking our order—Papa Josper for my friend which was a undercooked baked potato with and Wagyu Vacio Tacos cooked medium for me—we also asked for guacamole. I ordered a non-alcoholic Strawberry Spritzer, but it came out extremely tart and with a strange yellowish tint. I tried to get Casey’s attention, but she was in the back standing in a huddle chatting with co-workers. My friend and I had to wave our hands and even got help from a busser who shouted her name multiple times before she came back. I explained the issue with my drink, and Casey said it was strawberry syrup—though it didn’t taste or look like it. I asked for a Diet Coke instead. When the food finally came, I asked for grilled onions and more salsa. My friend requested more creama. What I received was a single ounce of salsa, a tiny portion of crema, and four small whole grilled bulb onions—not the sliced grilled onions you'd typically expect of a Mexican dish. To make things worse, my Wagyu steak was cooked well done—not the medium I asked for. That’s incredibly disappointing considering the quality of steak this place used to be known for. When it came time to get the check, I asked for some salsa to go. Casey brought me a tiny 1 oz plastic container. As my friend was trying to put the lid on, Casey helped—but placed the inside of the lid directly into the palm of her hand to remove another stuck lid. That was disgusting, considering it was going on my food. Then came the bill: $89. I expected it to be pricey, but this seemed excessive for two small meals. Turns out: The guacamole was $15.99 (which we asked for after placing our order). The 0.5 oz of crema was $2.99. The grilled onions I didn’t even want were $2.99. The 1 oz of salsa was $1.99. And the tostadas that came with the salsa? $3.99. I asked why we were charged for basic things like salsa and crema—Casey said “everything additional is charged.” None of this was mentioned beforehand, and it's not on the menu as separate sides. I then asked why I was charged for tostadas if they were served with the salsa. She said the salsa doesn’t come with anything, and that the tostadas are extra. I literally laughed and asked, “So what am I supposed to eat the salsa with?” Her response: “Tostadas are just extra.” At that point, I asked to speak with a manager. Casey and the manager, Damien, were standing together laughing and talking while we looked directly at them for over 10 minutes. When Damien finally came over, I explained everything—from the poor service to the absurd charges. I also made it clear how sad it was to see a restaurant I once loved fall so far in quality. I mentioned that I’ve never been charged for salsa in any restaurant that serves Mexican food—and still, no one took the feedback seriously. That lack of concern is what finally pushed me to write this review. I usually don't bother with negative reviews, but this one felt necessary. Please do not waste your time going to the Ballard location. Maybe the one in Kent, WA is better, but this one has truly...

My girlfriend eats at this restaurant often and invited me for dinner. We arrived early so it wasn't very busy, but they did ask if we had reservations so I'm assuming that that's a good thing to have if you are arriving during prime time dining hours. She advised me that the guacamole is amazing and so we ordered that to start. It was delicious and the presentation was really nice for the side garnishes and salsas. I also appreciated the touch of them bringing citrus options for our waters. Overall a very lovely first impression. I ordered the house salad and the fish tacos for my meal. The salad was "meh". Not awful, not terrific. Just bland and though the dressing had potential, it was just missing something. I probably would not order it again. The fish tacos on the other hand were hands down, by far, the absolute best fish tacos I have ever had anywhere in the world, and I have lived oceanside in Mexico. The seasoning of their red snapper was unbelievable and the fish was cooked perfectly. The cabbage slaw, cream sauce and the tortillas were just perfectly balanced with the fish. I have been dreaming of these tacos ever since eating them, and will be back for them without a doubt.

Service wise, everyone was very pleasant, but my insane pet peeve at restaurants, especially the ones that are higher-priced like Asadero, are when staff walk past your table multiple times, when it is very clear that you have finished eating or drinking something, and they neglect to take away your dirty dishes, glassware, cans, napkins, etc., even when your table is overflowing with dirty dishes. I sat with an empty beer can at the end of my table (I always try to be helpful in placement of empty dishes/drinks) for over an hour and a half. My friend was finished dining for over 20 minutes and had clearly indicated on her plate that she was done, and my salad plate too, was empty. I finished my meal, and my drink, another 15 minutes later, and about 10 minutes after that, the 3rd time our server passed us empty handed, I had to specifically flag her and ask her to remove the dirty dishes off of our table. There were at least 3 other team members who had passed our table no less than twice each, who also walked past us empty handed for at least 30 minutes. If wait staff are not properly trained, I guess maybe it's not their fault that they don't know how to care for tables fully, but having waited tables for many years in college, I just find this neglect unacceptable, especially when someone is earning $40 to $50 in gratuity on just our table alone. I hope management sees this review as an opportunity to level up their service to match their mostly...

Me and my family have been here multiple times, we have never had an issue with the food or service until today.

Our server was great, our food was as wonderful as ever but our experience was far from it.

The host separate from our female server was named either Cody or Cory (he was the only other server present) was dismissive from the moment me and my wife (who happens to be black) stepped in to be seated. It was a Tuesday lunch, we were the only customers in the restaurant @11:30 am, delivery ppl were in and out of the door while we waited for our appetizers. The host never came to offer refreshments (like he did the all white table that came in 30 mins after we walked in) but handed us off to the female server instead.

We had our food and about 40 mins later when it was time for us to leave, Cody(Cory) came and stood in between us and the door, which is also where he normally stands. He stood there keeping an eye on us( we felt uncomfortable and started to notice him subtly keeping an eye on us). The second the waitress came and we gave her our card, he left his post and went to the back of the house. Which is where he was hanging out for the entire 40 mins we were there. He only came to the door right when it was time for us to pay.

We called him to our table, after paying, and asked him if he had experiences with ppl eating and ditching at this particular location. He said no, he said it happened once about a year ago. My wife asked him why he came and stood at the front of the house between the time we were done, and the time we paid. He said he was scheduled to work next week, and he was looking at his reservations in the system. We told him we felt uncomfortable and watched. He was so pompous in his response! He faces my wife and says "you are delusional, you made this about race and I didn't" a few words were exchanged and we left. This is so sad because it was one of our favourite place in town.

Like everything in life it's the response that tells you everything. While we felt uncomfortable with being watched, the aggression with which he responded to our complaint (after we paid and tipped) was very revealing. This is so unlike the stellar service we were used to here. The way he attacked back at my wife , the aggression behind it said so much.

I really hope the owner sees this review and removes this pompous male server from their staff (everyone else has been great). If you are black you don't deserve to be treated like a thief especially when you are paying $80 per...