Mi Pueblo Authentic Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Spirit Lake

Tonight, I was truly disappointed in the service - or lack thereof - at Mi Pueblo. Their website and door sign says that they close at 9 PM, we got there at 8:15 PM and the door was locked. I called to see if anything was wrong and to see if we could just order some food to go thinking that they had closed for new seating. The server, who has served us multiple times as sitdown guests, said the kitchen was closed but that she could give me some chips and salsa. She informed me that they closed the kitchen down at 8 PM tonight (a Saturday night).

Thinking I could just buy some cheap chips and salsa, which were about to get thrown out at the end of the night, I said yes. She filled up a bag and gave me a cup of salsa (I told her not to give any pico or queso - because we wouldn’t eat it) without saying anything about the price. For both sit down dinner and take out, these are complimentary with dinner, so I didn’t think I’d be price-gauged with my consolation order.

I was silently appalled when she rang me up for $10.75!!!!! It was too late to change anything since she had already put the white paper bag full of chips, so paid the bill, even gave her a one dollar tip, and left. I couldn’t help but simmer after leaving.

Mi Pueblo, you guys are better than this. Just tell me you were closed and that you couldn’t take any new orders. Don’t gouge your loyal customers who come to you once or twice a month with a bag of chips and salsa for $10.75. I really hope that next time we come in you credit me half of that...

I was super excited to eat here because it had good reviews and it's Mexican food my favorite, and the last time I was in town, it was closed. Tonight, my family walked in, and we could see it was busy, but still wanted to give it a try. First off, no one greeted us when we walked in (no hostess maybe), and then a woman walked in made her way around us to see if her family of 10 could be seated in the back. So, not knowing what to do, I asked the busser if we were to wait to be seated, and he told me he would get someone right away. In the meantime, another woman walked in, and a server immediately asked her if she was there with us, which she replied no. Finally, the server spoke to us. Knowing it might be a problem to seat us a family of 8, we told her we could sit at separate tables. She said it would be about 20 minutes. We told her we would leave. She must have noticed we were upset because her tone changed as we said no. However, it wasn't because of the wait it was because of the attitude. The server seemed put off, rude actually because we weren't her regulars, which the other 2 women were. We got the feeling that had we been with the woman, they would have fit us right in. I get their your bread and butter, but visitors also help to pay the bills. Just my opinion. Really...

While they elevate the expected house chips and salsa (with a bit of kick) by serving it with a little vinegar salad, I recommend also ordering the queso (and stirring in the salsa). I am reassured by a friend who frequents the restaurant that most of the menu is good, but I can personally tell you we ordered out of the seafood section and were really pleased. The Diablo shrimp had nice flavor and the seafood chimichanga was crispy and stuffed with seafood, including Dungeness crab. They serve a fried, sugared, chocolate and berry drizzled,, whipped cream topped tortilla to all tables which was a perfect small sweet at the end of the meal. Highly recommended. Note: this is in the cute, historic section of Maine St. in Spirit Lake, the entrance is not so obvious as it is shared with the bike shop next door. There are about 2...