Monterey Court — Restaurant in Tucson

I have supported this place since it opened and I will never be back after tonight. They packed in the tables with a $10 cover charge to the point that no one could even move. There was not room for people just tables and chairs. They forgot that we would have to sit down. We were practically sitting on top of the table next to us. The food took an hour and a half to get to the table From the time of ordering. The owner argued with us about how long we waited and said it had only been an hour, which was ridiculous, even if that was how long. There was no excuse for it. The reason that it was running so far behind is, there was no room to wait tables. None of the weight staff could walk through the tables they were packed in so tight. Never ever ever will I go back. I took a video of how tightly packed the tables were sent it to several friends who couldn’t even believe it. They will not be back either. We are not going to pay a cover charge of $10 and be treated like cattle who can’t even get A food order. Worse was the fact that they had no problem getting their 12 and $14 each drinks out so they had no problem over serving people to the point that they might be impaired but couldn’t get them any food so they could offset the alcohol. There is absolutely no excuse for waiting for macaroni and cheese two quesadillas and a sandwich for well over an hour no excuse, and they are already known for their very poor food service, but this did it in never will they get a chance at my money again there are too many places I can go Monterey court just ruined themselves But when they are charging a $10 advance cover charge, they know exactly how many people are coming exactly how much staff to have on hand, etc. I’m sorry, but there was no excuse for this. I sat at the table over 20 minutes after I arrived before a waitress even greeted me she didn’t greet me, and until other people came to join me. Again, I was going to order appetizers and have them ready for people but it wasn’t possible. Nothing was possible at this particular venue. It was a huge cash grab for the cover charge. That’s all they were interested in. They put so many tables you couldn’t even move. It was obvious that what they wanted was the cover charge and could’ve cared less about food orders. They wanted the booze and the cover charge. And because of that, I will never ever go back. I highly recommend that others just skip this place now and give other venues like club, Congress and the other places that have developed in town a chance now. There are many more places now and we don’t need to put up with this. and I have been there many times, including celebrating my birthday with a bunch of friends there this year in January. It’s one of the go to places that I will never go to again. They lost me for good tonight. You don’t keep coming by a table and tell them that you can see the food being put on a tray in the kitchen and it will be there any minute and then literally I watched my time on my phone. It was 16 minutes from the first time the waitress told us that and another 18 before the food hit the table and that was after we were already complaining it had been an hour. But of course the manager /owner of the place argued with us that it had only been an hour which I hate to tell her is a ridiculous amount of time anyway, but she doesn’t realize that her waitress walked around with the order probably 20 minutes before she put it in, so yes, indeed, as we said, it had been well over an hour close to an hour and a half, since we asked for some food that’s not even unacceptable it’s ridiculous. And then she offered to comp some desserts for us. That is what the owner wanted to do. At that point we wanted to go home. We had been in her uncomfortable chairs and starving to the point of being angry. Nobody wants to stay for her dessert. We took it to go, but was ridiculous offering. She shouldn’t have charged us for those meals that we waited for at all. Again, just not going back not gonna be...

Monterey Court

Goodness gracious, I thought we had gone to the wrong location! Even as we parked, I was feeling skeptical, but then we went …in…to the outside, covered patio area that is totally hidden from the road. Wow! I love this spot!

First, as we walked in, tables are arranged under every covered area, and between each covered area the weather poured, as if Nature was invited to join in for the live music playing tonight. It is raining heavily, as I write this, and we are comfy and dry. This is awesome!

Oh, our experience! Yes, so immediately upon arrival, we had no idea where to sit but walked up to the bar and they instantly helped us to a seat of our choice, making perfect suggestions based on our preference. Our server, a young gentleman with a close cut beard, was nice and friendly, making sure we had our beverages of choice quickly and without any delay. And when we started we needed more time, he had no problem with it, did not forget us and was very attentive to when I made eye contact to give our order. (Whoever trained him did an excellent job! That or he is just that good.)

Food. First, before going into what we ordered, I get to tell you the specials are out of this world. It was just rude to be offered so many wonderful choices and to only pick one! (Eh, so don't just pick one, right?) And, ooh, it is much better to just tell them what you wish to drink than to have them tell you what they have; the bar is well stocked.

Now, where was I…oh, our order. My friend ordered the Monterey Burger, which 100% lean Angus Beef ($15, comes with a side and if you are gluten free, they have buns for you, no worries) and her side was potato wedges. I ordered the Mahi Mahi Tacos ($15, comes with a side and doesn't that just sound good?!) with chef's seasoned vegetables and sweet potato fries. Oh, wait- no, I changed my order to one of the specials- sorry, I forgot; I am starving and looking forward to eating…way too much. I ordered the Shrimp Scampi, with angel hair pasta, chef's seasoned veggies and sweet potato fries (yeah, I am feeling the carbs and haven't even eaten yet.) And forgive me, I don't remember the cost on my entré. I think it's $23(?), but don't quote me.

Oh my goodness, worth the wait- which wasn't as long as my tummy believed (it just growled at me). Cheers to the chef! My pasta has amazing flavor in the sauce and is light! My veggies came out buttery and crisp, my sweet potatoes are also just as crisp, with a nice, complimenting dipping sauce. My friend's burger came out "delicious" I am told (and is being devoured quickly).

Did I mention there is shopping? 8 independent shops that stay open through the concerts so you can shop between sets.

Oh and our server is Zac! Thanks, Zac! To Chef Eli, (I met him while on his smoke break as I was leaving) my food was excellent and you didn't know it, but my friend is also a chef and gave you compliments as...

I'm newer to Tucson. I will probably never return after what happened on New Year's eve. I love the music and it's a great place to dance whether you have a partner or not. You were a series of things that happened that evening including the owner trying to punish me for arriving 10 minutes prior to my reservation. That was the only conclusion we could come to since one of them the ladies in my party arrived even earlier and was seated immediately. It took us at least 20-25 minutes before we could place a drink order after repeatedly asking for a waitress. Each of us at the table were paying our own meals it made it clear that it was okay that our meals came at different times. We ordered our meal about a quarter till 8:00. It was four courses and it took forever to get the first two. I wasn't bad because we did get to do some dancing. But our main course did not arrive until 10:30! Did I mention it closed at 11:00 on that night. Yes New Year's Eve it closed at 11:00. The champagne toast which we paid extra for you got about an inch of champagne in a flute. We were supposed to toast the New Year in with New York but it was clear that barely a fourth of the restaurant had champagne at 10:00. Because it ended at 11:00 we were all planning to head to another location to close out the New Year's Eve party. After complaining because of the main course issue and not one person in our party did not receive everything that they ordered. They had to substitute half of each of our orders. We were treated like the issue with all of this was our problem and our fault. Our waitress was amazing she was tipped very well even after the owners yelled at her in our earshot. The owners did not apologize once but did offer us a 20% discount off of each of our orders which is a joke! Remember I said we wanted to continue our party somewhere else. The checkout process was such a fiasco that we were not only the last ones in the restaurant, they turned off the heat lamp so we were sitting there freezing being held hostage for our bills that we should not have had to pay, but they finally let us go at 5 min till...