3Cs Tavern — Restaurant in Southington

We really wanted to like this place, based on all the great reviews, and support a local business. We went on a Friday night. Overall, the experience wasn't worth $65.

SERVICE: When we walked in, there wasn't anyone at the hostess desk. A manager walked by us without saying anything, like "Someone will be right with you." She walked right into the office in the lobby without a word. We didn't wait long before being greeted by the hostess and brought to a table.

Our server was very busy but nice and did her best. We didn't receive utensils or napkins until after our appetizer (brought out by another employee) and couldn't ask because our server was taking care of a larger group. We shared the small napkin brought over with a drink we ordered. We did get utensils shortly before our food came out. We left her a 20% tip because the food quality and atmosphere is not a reflection of her.

FOOD/DRINK: We ordered a chorizo and cheese app, chicken tacos, and fajita platter. The chips and salsa were probably the best of everything. The chorizo was pretty straight forward with only two ingredients, but still missing flavor. The tacos weren't actually tacos but burritos soaked in excess liquid from the pulled chicken. Rice, beans, and fajita meat were very bland. Beans tasted like they were straight from a can. Margarita was weak.

ATMOSPHERE: Maybe it was where we were sitting (near the kitchen) but the carpet was very dirty and the booth was not secure (kept moving). There was also a rowdy (adult) birthday party with kids running around and wrestling each other in the other room. Kind of wish we were sat at the bar so we...

12/7/22 Here’s a nice little authentic, mom & pop Mexican restaurant tucked into a strip mall in Southington on Queen Street (AKA restaurant road). I met up with old friends Dave & Patti N. for lunch at their suggestion, and I’m glad I did. They seem to know all the best little chow joints in this whole town! A bowl of nacho chips and in house made salsa was promptly brought to our table along with the drinks we ordered. The salsa was clearly made of fresh ingredients and was very good. I started with a bowl of their Mexican chicken soup that had vegetables, lots of rice, and Mexican spices that made it stand out from the run of the mill chicken rice soup. All very fresh ingredients, and just a nice hint of heat and flavored with fresh cilantro. I opted for the beef fajitas that came to the table of sizzling hot onions, green peppers and beef steak chunks served on a scorching hot piece of stoneware. Sides included the typical rice and refried beans, along with guacamole and sour cream. A very generous portion of everything and really excellent tasting. Patti had the chili con carne with a side of refried beans & rice. I sampled the chili…that’ll be what I’ll have in my next visit. It was fantastic and spiced just right for me (I’m not a fan of overly hot, spicy foods). Dave had an enchilada with the ubiquitous refried beans and rice that looked very tempting. We left the restaurant completely...

I had high hopes for this restaurant. It is not a great restaurant but it is not a bad one either. The people were super nice. The food however left me wanting. Again not bad but nothing really noteworthy. The chips were really good the salsa was meh. I ended up getting the three enchiladas and none of them really stood out that well. The cheese enchilada was more like a block of cheese than a tasty savory mix. The sauce on it was a traditional Mexican sauce which while I recognized it, is not one that I care for and was sweeter when it really shouldn't be. The beef enchilada was okay but a little gamey. The chicken enchilada was also okay but nothing great. And to wrap things up the Coke I had, tasted off, flat or something. The total bill including tip was $23. For the quality of the food I just don't feel like I received value for my money even though as I mentioned above, everybody was super nice and the service was actually really good overall.

Edit: It's of interest to note the restaurant responded to this review 9 months after...