El Maguey Taquero Mucho Mexican Cuisine — Restaurant in South Miami

I used to come here often for good food and good vibes but something has happened where everything has gone down the drain. We had guacamole with avocados that were not ripe enough and the guac had no flavor. Every time we asked for something we were told "it's an extra charge", as if we weren't able to pay for it. They love these extra charges, $3.00 for less than 2 ounces of a side of sour cream, btw. Once we were here for about an hour, the waitress told us we were not able to split the bill, because "she didn't know how to" and our group accepted, I brought out my credit card to then be told that "it's cash only, our credit card machine is down, but we can accept zelle"....what??? This situation was really upsetting because she never mentioned cash only, to the EMPTY (FOR A REASON) RESTAURANT...we would've taken our business elsewhere. It was very sketchy. I told her she needed to figure it out because no one at the table had zelle we only have our credit cards. After she debriefed with her manager, she came back to say " all of a sudden, she can run the credit card manually". Funny. Hilarious. But you wanted zelle??? As I go to the front to pay, the manager now wants to berate me, for being upset, at how I talked to her employee. So mind you, the manager is there watching the whole interaction to then stay silent, not coming to our table to apologize for the inconvenience, but then wants to say how horrible I am, that I'm upset. I never yelled, I never cursed at the waitress, I literally just mentioned how unhappy I was with the service and experience towards the end.

If you walk in and wonder why it's empty, it's because management, and the waitress are trying to scam you to zelle them money.

Oh I forgot, we also watched them drinking...

First off , I want to say I really like the food at this place. I have eaten a few times here and I have enjoyed their food every time . However , tonight was a total disappointment. I ordered what I usually do , 3 tacos (2 carne asada and 1 carnitas ). The carnitas taco was inedible ,full of fat and while I know carnitas have fat , there was no “carne” at all just chunks of fat. I called the waitress over and I showed her that it was all fat and I would rather have it changed to another carne asada taco . Her response .. that is what Carnitas is . fat.. Umm no , its not , especially because I have eaten them before there and other restaurants and never had to return it. She did replace it with another carne asada taco . I then asked if I could have a little more red salsa . They serve chips and 2 salsas a green and red complimentary as an appetizer . She went ahead and brought more red salsa. When we get the bill, I see a charge for chips and salsa 3.99 . I ask her as she returns with the credit card slip since we went ahead and paid already, if there is a charge for chips and salsa , and she says No, the first ones are complimentary , so she says that since I asked for more salsa I got charged. So I then say , if If you were charging for “chips and salsa “, then you should have brought the chips as well as the other green salsa which you didn’t . She was dumbfounded. We just paid and left . I don’t mind paying for their salsa and chips if I ask for more , but let me know and then give my what I’m being charged for. I’m so disappointed because I really liked this place but today it just left a bad taste...

El Maguey is a very traditional restaurant. This very small restaurant is located on a very busy shopping center on Bird road... parking during lunch hours is a bit difficult but there are always a few spots open.... for dinner is much easier to park.

I came here for a quick lunch... after all.... is Taco tuesday!

Had a small Guacamole with chips and a trio of tacos... carnitas, al pastor and borrego. It all comes with rice and beans for like $11.00

The guacamole was very good. Nice and chunky and very flavorful. Tacos also very tasty and it was plentiful for a lunch... maybe next time I will skip the Guac and go straight to tacos or enchiladas.

Michelada beer with Modelo was very refreshing and spicy. I think that was like 5 bucks.

Overall it is a nice place... inexpensive and yet very comfortable and warming atmosphere. It has a little bar area and a TV for music videos all day long.

Service was courteous and friendly. Only one person for the dinning room... but since it wasn't packed it was all...