Mexicali Cantina Grill — Restaurant in Swampscott

So this was my second visit to Mexicali Cantina Grill. My first experience a month ago was great. The visit last night, not so great. So I know that it is likely that all restaurants are struggling to serve customers with many staff out sick however first impressions were not great. The place seemed empty and for a table for three we were told it was going to be 25 minutes. No explanation why but I can assume it was because of low staffing. A kind explanation would have helped. Then the waiting area that were told we can wait in was full of to go bags. The couch was being used for lining up take out bags so we couldn't sit. I asked if I could get a drink at the bar and stand in the waiting area 5 feet away from the bar and the answer was no. Even when people were standing behind chairs at the bar, drinking. No explanation, just no. After 30 minutes, we sat. We were told no lime juice for the margaritas?? That was strange. I could still order one but it would be just mix, no fresh lime juice. I tried one. Not great but passable but again devoid of lime juice it wasn't great. Then I recalled from my last visit that they serve a nice 18 Oz glass of Mondello in a cold glass. When I asked for one, I was told they were out. I settled for a 16 Oz Pacifico. Good, in a chillled glass but again I am not sure what the shortage is or why. Then I ordered a Street Burrito. It came promptly which was good but is was only warm, not hot at all. I was so hungry it didn't matter. I ate it. So just not sure what is happening at this restaurant. Are they struggling, not reordering stock and going out of business soon? I wasn't looking for a 5 star dinner but from what I was hoping to get from my last experience, it was a let down. No Mondello and no lime juice at a Mexican restaurant?? Curious to say the least. I think it might be time to move on to another...

One of the rudest experiences I have ever had a restaurant. The staff is unorganized and does not know how to handle customer complaints. It is cinco de Mayo so it is understandable that things are a bit Hectic however the restaurant is only doing takeout. Not only are they only doing takeout but they tell people when to arrive in order to pick up food. Upon a arrive, I stood outside waiting with no direction as to go about getting my food. One woman asked my name after about ten minutes and once I approached her. She went inside then never came back out so I entered the restaurant and was greeted by a man at the desk. He took my name then looked at the +20 bags around before returning to what he was doing without giving me any information about when or where my food was. So I left and waited another 20 minutes before going back into the restaurant. As I entered a woman, without a mask, began to yell at me to leave and if I was not happy to just cancel my order. Her excuse was that it was cinco de Mayo however they are only doing takeout and have told people when to arrive so it does not make any sense how they would not have the food ready. I also witnessed two delivery men pick up two orders each and leave without a problem which does not make sense. In addition, after speaking to others waiting outside it was clear that some had been waiting an hour or more for their food. One in particular had been waiting for an hour after he ordered at 9am this morning. This restaurant is unorganized and the employees are rude, I would not...

I would like to start by saying I do not like to write bad reviews and haven't up until this one. I had been to mexacali twice and really enjoyed it, the decor,music, service and food. Today I was looking forward to the same experience and brought my son and his girlfriend .from the very beginning ,it was nothing but a disaster.the diet coke was clearly flat and my son's gf glass was obviously dirty on the rim! The waiter denied it was flat and said it was from cans. My son speaks fluent Spanish and insisted he bring clean glasses and cans of diet coke. No issue. So clearly he didn't get the coke from cans We ordered our food and when he served it ,2 of the 3 entrees were wrong but he denied it. The hostess confirmed it .and re took our order my son's gf waited to eat and her got cold while we waited for ours it put such a damper on our visit .they live out of state and on our lunch.when they brought our food the second time mine was ok but my son's was once again wrong. But he decided to eat some of it bc he was hungry but barely ate. I was so upset I didn't even want to eat at that point. We just wanted to leave and got the bill. They should have atleast taken my son's lunch off of the bill as a courtesy. Left no tip bc the waiter did not deserve it. I have only done that once in in my life .I will never go back or recommendit sorry to say it was the worst restraunt experience and the food was not that good .the place was empty. We were his only table..only tdecor and...