Hacienda Don Jose — Restaurant in Texas

Hi Augustin, I wanted to share what happened at your restaurant a few days ago. I'd like to know what YOUR policy is.

My husband and I stopped in for a late lunch last Friday. The food is always good, we hadn't eaten all day and we only had an hour

Although the restaurant was 90 percent empty (maybe 4 or 5 tables), the hostess sat us next to a booth with a woman and a young child.

The child began shrieking. These weren't happy playing noises, rather ear splitting, spine shivering, annoying loud shrieks. The two women with this child were happily oblivious to the discomfort their little one was creating.

Before our lunch and drinks could be delivered, the shriekbaby had rachetted it up to the point where enjoying a quiet lunch was impossible.

As no employee wanted to deescalate the issue, we simply asked for our lunch to go. NO COMPLAINTS, just a simple request to take our lunch home so we could enjoy our food without the side of shrieking toddler.

One of the women hears this request and jumped up from her table and began berating my husband and myself.

Your waitstaff and manager said nothing.

Then, the woman began going to each table, simultaneously complaining and apologizing. She was clearly working herself up.

At this point, we just decided to leave. The drama was nauseating.

I asked to speak to your manager.

He explained that there was "nothing he could do"

Here is where you might be able to help him.

There was PLENTY that could have been done, and a decent manager would have done it.

First, in an empty restaurant, it probably wasn't a good idea to sit us right next to a misbehaving child.

Next, as soon as this child began acting inappropriately and it's caregivers did not respond, someone should have sent a small plate of finger food to the table and maybe something for this child to play with (coloring book, spoons to play with etc).

You accomplish two things here, your team could have aided to calm this child and you set the expectation that your restaurant is not McDonald's or Chuckie Cheeses (where screaming children are expected and the norm)

Thus, you maintain control of your restaurant AND keep ALL of your customers happy.

But none of that happened.

As a result, two tables walked out of your restaurant.

A horrible impression was left with the few patrons that were there.

The cost to the restaurant was in the hundreds of dollars and sullied the reputation.

It is simply unacceptable to spend 100 bucks on dinner and drinks not to be able to enjoy it.

Please let us know when management changes, we'd love to give your place...

Hands down better than any visits I had to Del Pueblo which I once considered above average. Located at the very left corner of the shopping center is the entrance to this restaurant. The bar is located straight ahead to the right while the family dining is to the left. They will greet you there and ask your preferences for seating and accommodations. They do have a couple tvs with different sports on like f1 and football. The service was courteous and professional, the drinks refreshing but the food has been excellent both times I've been here and tried different items. The waters came with straws and they do have an alcohol drink menu. The server informed us of the many choices of flavored margaritas offered since we were interested in one and that the special of the day was the Lime Rita for 8.99 which was perfect on the rocks and your choice of salt sugar or tajin for the rim. The ingredients fresh, the Salsa Rojas is very good and served warm and the Salsa Verde was chilled neither were too spicy. Chips were light and crisp not oily. The queso wasn't the greatest but it certainly wasn't bad or overly spicy. The grilled chicken in the Ixtapa was moist and smothered in jack cheese w/ tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, jalapenos served with fresh guacamole, Spanish Rice, Sour cream, Pico de Gallo , Charro or refried beans and your choice of corn or flour tortillas. I had the corn and they were very nice, not store bought. The Enchiladas Flameadas con Pollo had a fresh Pico de Gallo and the enchiladas was topped with a very yummy creamy chipotle pepper sauce with melted mozzarella atop the enchiladas which had grilled onions, chorizo, chicken fajita and poblano pepper strips in them. All cooked to perfection. The side of Spanish Rice was also cooked properly and tasty. Service overall was superb as was the...

We dined in on a Saturday afternoon, it was our first time sitting down and eating here, but not our first time ordering food. We were warmly greeted and asked if we preferred a table or booth. We decided on a booth as somehow it provides privacy. Chips and Salsa were given as a courtesy. The red sauce has a better flavor, but as a true Mexican, it wasn't spicy at all! The green salsa was served cold, which is intentional, but I wasn't a fan of it. I get it, the salsas need to appeal to all different types of taste buds so they can't be spicy, but wish they had a special off the menu salsa for heat seekers! I wasn't feeling too well and didn't want something heavy or greasy, so we both ordered Caldo De Pollo with a Beef Taco Al Carbón. The wait time was short. Our caldo was brought out hot, but I'm weird and like mine steaming. The broth had a great flavor. The chicken served in the caldo is chicken breast, no bones which is how I like it. Compared to our first time having the caldo, the chicken this time around was less. The rice was a little bland, but we dumped it in the broth, so it really didn't matter. The taco was delicious! The beef was well marinated and tender. The entire wait staff was courteous and friendly. The traffic started picking up in the restaurant closer to the end of our meal. We also noticed there was a gentleman playing and singing live music. Next time we're in the mood for Mexican cuisine and don't want to drive to the Northside of town, we will be stopping here as it is convenient and only 5 minutes...