Jose Tejas — Restaurant in Woodbridge Township

Unfortunately we didn't even make it to our table! We had a large group of family, 15 adults and kids. So I was VERY understanding when the hostess said that they couldn't seat us all together. They were seating us at one long table that they would squeeze an extra chair into (highchair) and the round table next to it. She told us the wait would be about 45 minutes. (I did get a text that our table was ready. I was very excited because it was only like 5 minutes. But another hostess informed me that they sent it by mistake.) So we waited patiently by the bar-top tables. Ordered food and drinks. That as you can imagine is hard to do with little kids and they were so good! But after 45 minutes was up and I still did not get a text message that my table was ready I went back to the hostess to check on the status. She had checked for me and said the previous guests were done and looked like they were heading out soon. So I said "ok thanks no problem". We waited 15 more minutes and still no news. I walked over to the tables myself and 3 tables were now empty while the long large table we were "promised" was being wiped down by staff. I was excited that we finally were getting our table. SO I went back up to the hostess and told her that I believe our table was ready. She agreed with me but had me still wait for the text message that the table was ready. I brought the kids to the bathroom while we waited for the text and then when I came back out of the bathroom I noticed a large group that came in after us was seated before us. STILL NO TEXT MESSAGE. I walked back over to the table and that large group was seated in the table we were "promised" while the two other round tables were empty. I am now furious. It is well over an hour and we still did not receive a notice that our table was ready. I complained to the hostess that they seated a different group in our table. The hostess KNEW they made an error and got the manager. The manager I talked to Yadira, wsas not accommodating at all. She tried to play it off that the 2 round tables were ours. And I explained that is not what we had discussed and the two round tables were separated by a WALL. She and I walked over to the tables and she tried to play it off like this was always the plan and that a window in the wall was an acceptable solution. I am blown away by the lack of ownership of the mistake. And instead of owning up to it and offering some sort of compensation on the bill, she wanted us to sit separated by a wall ???? and then started to gaslight me playing it off like I am a terrible person because they seated people in wheel chairs (in the table that we were told was ours) because its handicap accessible. That long table is the same height as all the other tables in the restaurant. They just had a large group like mine and messed up and gave it to a group that came after us instead. The audacity that she tried to turn it around on me is atrocious behavior. I am the customer. I am not demanding the table at this point I am asking for compensation for the lack of 1 common sense 2 deceny 3 ownership of a mistake 4 making us wait over an hour. AND if those two round tables were ours all along WHY was I never told our tables were ready???? STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED NOTICE THAT OUR TABLES WERE READY!! Those two tables seperated by a wall, were ready LONG before the larger rectangular table was. SO OBVIOUSLY AN ERROR WAS MADE. Not only did Yadira refuse to give us any sort of apology or compensation SHE WALKED AWAY FROM ME while we were discussing this issue right in front of her waiters at a pay station. I've never been treated so poorly at Jose Tejas in my life and I lived in Woodbridge for 99% of it. SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTING. This manager has NO customer service skills or etiquette. She doesn't know how to handle stressful situations and should not be a manager. I AM A MANAGER. I've worked in a very hectic service industry for...

For food, I ordered the fajitas, which were half chicken and half steak. I got jambalaya rice, sour cream, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, cooked and sauteed onions and peppers, and warm tortillas on the side. Everything was cooked well, the portions were huge, and everything tasted fresh. The meat was garnished with just a tiny piece of cilantro. Everything was presented on its plate, which made it very easy to customize my meal. For service, the hostess had my group of three sit within five minutes, and a whole section of the restaurant seemed open. The waitress seemed slightly rushed toward us as guests, but the service could have been better, not exceptional. Unlike other restaurants I have been to, the waitress did not attempt to get personal with my group. The menu was a physical copy that was very traditional and laminated with all the ingredients and prices. Everything on the menu was organized into categories such as quesadillas, fajitas, mesquite grilled, etc. The menu was quite extensive at first glance. The pricing of everything varies greatly. The most affordable item was $8.75, while some items cost $38.96. Some items are as affordable as the average guest at Jose Tejas, who would likely spend $20-30 per person, which is quite affordable for a table-service restaurant. The vibe at Jose Tejas is warm, inviting, and cozy. The decor resembles traditional Mexican furniture and finishes. The lighting is a little more dim, and indistinct chatters fill the room. The room feels comfortable, and the air feels average. For the table setting: The table was a dark, rustic wooden table with nothing on it. The dishes were all off-white China, and my chicken/steak was brought out on a hot skillet over a wooden board. The flatware was silver, and each person would unwrap two forks and a butter knife. The presentation of the table setting felt very comfortable and purposeful. For the furniture, the table and chairs were made of dark rustic wood, which was quite comfortable to sit on. The tables were a range in size, but my party was seated at a four-top, with one chair left empty. The hostess bought silverware wrapped in linen napkins. The linen clothes were white, with two or three blue lines running through one side.. The restaurant provides paper napkins when you ask for them. I visited the restroom at the end of the visit, which accommodate disabled people. Overall, the women's bathroom was clean and fit the Tex-Mex branding, as seen in the photo below. It was mostly clean. For the waiting areas, as soon as you walk in, there are tables by the bar that you may wait at with or without drinks in addition to the bar, of course. There are a few waiting chairs by the door, and the outside of the restaurant has a natural place to sit around and wait. In previous times that I have been to Jose Tejas and waited, my party usually got sodas/other drinks and chips and salsa while we waited to be seated. The restaurant's exterior matters the most to some people - that attractiveness from curb appeal. The exterior windows are framed with white, which compliments the green and red outside the restaurant because they are the colors of Mexico's flag. Outside the restaurant, a medium-sized restaurant advertises Jose's Home Meals, with the website listed. However, the most significant part of curb appeal is the massive "EAT" sign with an arrow, attracting potential guests' eyes to the highway exterior. On the other hand, the decal for Jose Tejas could stand out better during the day because the sign blends into the darker bricks that make up the building. There are no stairs to enter the restaurant, and the bathroom has a larger stall available for handicapped use. My party arrived at 4:55 and was seated at a table by 5:00 on an ordinary Thursday, so the restaurant had plenty of open parking...

Unsanitary practice handling food

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Date of Visit: 1/17/2024

I recently dined at Jose Tejas and I must say that my experience was far from pleasant. The restaurant's reputation preceded it, and I was excited to try their cuisine. However, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment due to an alarming and unsanitary practice I witnessed kitchen staff using bare hands to handle food.

Upon entering the restaurant, the ambiance was pleasant, and the staff seemed somewhat friendly. The menu offered a variety of enticing dishes, which further heightened my expectations. After placing my order, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my meal.

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was short-lived when I noticed an open door towards the kitchen where the food was being prepared. To my disbelief, I witnessed one of the cooks handling ingredients and garnishes, meats, cheeses, containers etc with bare hands, without wearing any protective gloves. This blatant disregard for basic hygiene was not only unprofessional but also posed a serious health risk to customers.

The sight of bare hands touching meat, containers salad, cheeses, raw food and then proceeding to handle other ingredients was extremely off-putting. It raised concerns about cross-contamination and the potential transmission of germs and bacteria. Such practices are unacceptable in any food establishment, let alone one that claims to prioritize customer satisfaction and safety.

To make matters worse, when I brought my concerns to the attention of the staff, they appeared dismissive the manager, apologized but was not sincere and seemed a bit annoyed Instead of addressing the issue immediately they seemed to downplay the severity of the situation, which only added to my frustration and disappointment. ( the manager did not charge for my plate steak fajitas, I was not able to eat it after viewing this unsanitary practice)

In light of my experience, I cannot recommend dining at Jose Tejas. The unsanitary practices I witnessed, particularly the cook using bare hands to handle food, not only compromised the quality of the food but also posed a significant health hazard. A restaurant that neglects basic food safety protocols raises serious doubts about its commitment to customer welfare and professionalism.

I hope that the management of [Jose Tejas takes immediate and effective steps to rectify these issues and ensure that such unsanitary practices are never repeated. Until then, I strongly advise potential diners to exercise caution and consider other establishments that prioritize food safety and customer well-being.

Note: It is essential to report such incidents to the local health authorities to ensure the necessary actions are taken to address...