Casa Azul Mexican Kitchen Shelby — Restaurant in Shelby

I was honestly surprised by how bad the experience was given I have heard so many good things about the place. The first time I went everything was decent not great but not bad and it was a pretty atmosphere so I was willing to go again. 2nd time started out normal but out food came it was cold and cheese dip had an odd after taste. I noticed it but thought it was just me until my seven year old started saying it tasted funny. So I told him to stop eating it and decided just to ask to have that removed off of our order. But our waitress never returned. I watched her check on all her other tables but never came back to ours. I had also asked for ketchup for my child’s fries and that was never brought to us. So after waiting awhile I decided to get up and go speak with the owner. He was not even slightly apologetic. He made a comment that the food deliverer person was not our waitress when I explained we didn’t get the ketchup we asked for. I told him “I understand but she never came back and he could have communicated to her that we asked for something.” When I explained the cheese dip had an odd taste and I wanted it removed from our bill since we only took a few bites before deciding not to eat it he asked if I knew what cheese dip was supposed to taste like. Then he stormed off. She finally comes to us with three bowls of cheese dip. I told her I was not interested in the dip at this point. So she storms off never returning. A second time I go find the owner and told him I wanted my check. He and the waitress were rude and I was ready to go. He made a comment that he was the owner to which I finally after biting my tongue through all of it told him all of our food was cold and nasty and I just wanted to pay and leave. Again I go back to the table and wait another 5 minutes before he finally brings the bill. The waitress comes back and takes our payment still with a go to hell look on her face. We pay and by the way WE NEVER GOT THE DANG KETCHUP. Its actually laughable. I wont be back. I can deal with food not being great but the smart comments, lack of service, and disrespect by the owner done me in. I hate complaining but what...

This was a new place for me and the family. Overall, we had a nice time here! What blew us away the most was the awesome atmosphere. Our server, Ari, was also great!

The food was very good. I had the Tamales and the wife had the Taquitos. Very fresh, good quality food and presentation. The little one had a beef taco, which he enjoyed very much.

I will say that the chips were excellent, but they were cold when we got them. My son's taco was also on the cold side. However, the Tamales and Taquitos were nice and hot when we got them.

The drink selection was very good. This place offers a large variety of margaritas. You'll also find your typical Mexican beers, such as Modelo in 16, 20, and 24 oz sizes.

In conclusion, we really liked this place and plan to go back again with other friends and/or family.

Update

Stopped by again for dinner after a family outing in the area a few days ago. The atmosphere is still great, and the food is still very good, as is the presentation. Had my 24oz Modelo like last time. No issues there.

However, the only recommendation that I believe might make a positive impact is training the servers to not essentially kick customers out too quickly (especially for dinner time).

For instance, after we all finished our food, I was still working on my beer, and close to finishing it. I was itching for another 24oz Modelo draft, and perhaps even a dessert to share with the family, but the server came back with the check and basically kicked us out leaving a lot of sales and a bigger tip on the table. Just saying, it really does affect sales and how the place is perceived by potentially high-paying customers.

With that said, I still think it's a good place, but the last service experience made me lower the rating to 3 stars from 4 stars. I will take a long break from this place, but will...

Anyone who follows me knows I tell it straight. So here is my review of this place. 3pm arrival. The meal pictured (mar zul?) was very delicious however, the portion/ cost ratio is severely out of balance for this area. If you are used to Papas or Dons portion/cost ratio you will be very disappointed. This meal only left me still hungry after eating it. Again this was very delicious and kinda spicy but was not satisfying on the appetite. Very small portion sizes here as i look around. Even the chips they bring out are minimal. Queso dip is very overpriced for what you get. I was thinking of trying one of their margaritas until i saw the size of everyone’s plate. $13 for 12oz seems steep when the other restaurants in the area offer ones that take half the table.

I’m a stickler on beverages going empty and my wife’s water has been empty for 15 minutes and my soda has been empty for 30. Waitress has walked by 3x and never asked out offered.

Upscale dining in Shelby is great but the local patrons won’t support it bc of the portion/cost ratio.

The final word:

1. food is delicious but overpriced for portion given
2. wait staff tends to be aggressively pushy and you feel rushed to order, eat & get out
3. I’m on the fence about whether I’ll come back. Food great but not sure if it’s worth the price and pushy staff.
4. my wife’s anxiety is through the roof from #2 above

In the time I’ve written this review, the staff here has “hinted” 5 times to leave. I’ve gotten more attention after my meal than before or during.

Again, extremely pushy staff that will claim they are only trying to show interest in your satisfaction while rushing you through...