Talk of The Villages Florida
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-   -   Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill-Never Again (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/restaurant-discussions-90/fiesta-grande-mexican-grill-never-again-66935/)

texasfal 01-02-2013 09:55 AM
Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill-Never Again
 
Went there Firday night for dinner with my husband. Ordered drinks, appetizer and entrees. Ate the chips and salsa. Asked for more salsa - we're from Texas and we like spicy. Roland the waiter said he'd have to charge us $1.50 for more salsa. We protested and asked to speak to mgr. Roland said since we didn't know about the charge he'd give us one more dish of salsa for free. Got the bill and we were charged $1.50. We asked again to speak to mgr. Roland told us he would not come to table. As we were leaving we told hostess we would not be back. Very nice girl said the owner was there and to please let her talk to him. She came back and said that the owner said it was too bad we weren't coming back but that we ate a lot of salsa. (Two little bowls that together didn't amount to 1 cup!) Anyway, guess we're back on the trail of decent Mexican food in Florida.

jnieman 01-02-2013 10:05 AM
That's really strange that they tried to charge you for extra salsa. They have not done that to us and we have been there lots of times. I wonder if it is a new policy. I know sometimes there are communication problems with the staff there not speaking very good English. Hopefully this won't happen again as we also love salsa.

Bonny 01-02-2013 10:10 AM
Hard to imagine that someone would trash a restaurant because they weren't getting more of something for free. Just sayin', it's just my opinion.

cathyw 01-02-2013 10:17 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by texasfal (Post 602729)
Went there Firday night for dinner with my husband. Ordered drinks, appetizer and entrees. Ate the chips and salsa. Asked for more salsa - we're from Texas and we like spicy. Roland the waiter said he'd have to charge us $1.50 for more salsa. We protested and asked to speak to mgr. Roland said since we didn't know about the charge he'd give us one more dish of salsa for free. Got the bill and we were charged $1.50. We asked again to speak to mgr. Roland told us he would not come to table. As we were leaving we told hostess we would not be back. Very nice girl said the owner was there and to please let her talk to him. She came back and said that the owner said it was too bad we weren't coming back but that we ate a lot of salsa. (Two little bowls that together didn't amount to 1 cup!) Anyway, guess we're back on the trail of decent Mexican food in Florida.
Yes, but how was the appetizer and the entrees that you ordered.
If the food was good, I would definitely go back, regardless if I got extra free salsa or not.

Trayderjoe 01-02-2013 11:20 AM
We enjoy Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill
 
Sorry to hear about your misadventure. We happen to enjoy Fiesta Grande Mexican Grill and have always had good food there. :mmmm:

I don't know if your issue was a communication issue as another poster had proposed, if a second bowl of salsa is charged for (we usually only use up the one bowl we are given) or if this is a new policy or not. I have been in other establishments where only the first dish of chips and salsa is free and additional of either incurs charges.

The short of it is that the waiter at least informed you BEFORE he brought the additional salsa of the charge, so he did a good job there, although the follow-up may have been lacking.

In any event, good luck in your search for other Mexican restaurants, and if you find something good, please let us know! :)

keithwand 01-02-2013 11:26 AM
Funny; I don't usually like Mexican but have eaten there once and we enjoyed it.
They offered us more chips and salsa and no additional $$ but that was a few months ago.

Peachie 01-02-2013 11:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonny (Post 602735)
Hard to imagine that someone would trash a restaurant because they weren't getting more of something for free. Just sayin', it's just my opinion.

Bonny, perhaps I can help you understand... this is a Mexican restaurant and they most likely buy salsa by the gallons, the cost for a half cup is pennies for them. The OP and her husband ordered drinks, appetizers and meals and they weren't provided another 1/2 cup of salsa upon request, unless they paid $1.50. I don't know if you've eaten at this Mexican restaurant but the salsa servings vary by the server some half full little containers and some quite full. They were denied the ability to speak with the manager, which is recommended by everyone on this forum. Not a great business decision by a Mexican restaurant to charge extra for salsa.

If that isn't enough to help you understand, I'd like to share our experiences at this restaurant which we had frequented often. My husband and I don't order drinks and we don't have appetizers but always ordered the higher end price meals plus a beverage and left a nice tip and are very low maintenance diners.

We went there about three months ago and requested a booth for seating from the woman who was hostessing, (there were 3 open booths at the time). She informed us they kept the booths for larger groups and we could not have one. I explained it was our wedding anniversary and we would really prefer a booth if possible. She said no, took us to a table next to the walkway from the bar and kitchen. We then watched as she proceeded to seat the next two couple to arrive in individual booths, even though tables were open. It was a less than pleasant experience dining where we were seated that evening.

We had gone back again despite that evening until two weeks ago. Once again this woman was hostessing and when we requested a booth, she said none were available. My husband and I discussed it and said we would wait until a booth opens up. We sat down along the wall straight ahead of her stand where she could see us waiting. My husband walked to the men's restroom at that point and there was an empty booth! While he was gone, another booth opened up in the front and was promptly cleaned. A couple walked in a this point and this woman took them to the booth to be seated that had just emptied out. At that point we left and won't be going back.

We had no agenda with this person and were pleasant. We were not demanding or demeaning to this woman, had simply made a request for booth seating. She on the other hand, had plenty of issues. We decided not to return to this Mexican restaurant and weren't going to share this information until we found the OP's opinion being dismissed.

There are many very good restaurants and why should this couple spend their money at a Mexican restaurant that won't serve them a nickel cup of salsa for less than $1.50. And surely you realize this isn't so much about the price of the salsa and is more about the attitude and service at this restaurant; they shared their experience. Other people will make their own decisions where to dine.

JoeC1947 01-02-2013 11:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cathyw (Post 602739)
Yes, but how was the appetizer and the entrees that you ordered.
If the food was good, I would definitely go back, regardless if I got extra free salsa or not.
They filled up on chips and salsa!:1rotfl:

Once I watched a man sample 4 or 5 different cold cuts at Publixs and not buy any. What some will do for a free lunch.

Bonny 01-02-2013 11:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peachie (Post 602760)
Bonny, perhaps I can help you understand... this is a Mexican restaurant and they most likely buy salsa by the gallons, the cost for a half cup is pennies for them. The OP and her husband ordered drinks, appetizers and meals and they weren't provided another 1/2 cup of salsa upon request, unless they paid $1.50. I don't know if you've eaten at this Mexican restaurant but the salsa servings vary by the server some half full little containers and some quite full. They were denied the ability to speak with the manager, which is recommended by everyone on this forum. Not a great business decision by a Mexican restaurant to charge extra for salsa.

If that isn't enough to help you understand, I'd like to share our experiences at this restaurant which we had frequented often. My husband and I don't order drinks and we don't have appetizers but always ordered the higher end price meals plus a beverage and left a nice tip and are very low maintenance diners.



We went there about three months ago and requested a booth for seating from the woman who was hostessing, (there were 3 open booths at the time). She informed us they kept the booths for larger groups and we could not have one. I explained it was our wedding anniversary and we would really prefer a booth if possible. She said no, took us to a table next to the walkway from the bar and kitchen. We then watched as she proceeded to seat the next two couple to arrive in individual booths, even though tables were open. It was a less than pleasant experience dining where we were seated that evening.

We had gone back again despite that evening until two weeks ago. Once again this woman was hostessing and when we requested a booth, she said none were available. My husband and I discussed it and said we would wait until a booth opens up. We sat down along the wall straight ahead of her stand where she could see us waiting. My husband walked to the men's restroom at that point and there was an empty booth! While he was gone, another booth opened up in the front and was promptly cleaned. A couple walked in a this point and this woman took them to the booth to be seated that had just emptied out. At that point we left and won't be going back.

We had no agenda with this person and were pleasant. We were not demanding or demeaning to this woman, had simply made a request for booth seating. She on the other hand, had plenty of issues. We decided not to return to this Mexican restaurant and weren't going to share this information until we found the OP's opinion being dismissed.

There are many very good restaurants and why should this couple spend their money at a Mexican restaurant that won't serve them a nickel cup of salsa for less than $1.50. And surely you realize this isn't so much about the price of the salsa and is more about the attitude and service at this restaurant; they shared their experience. Other people will make their own decisions where to dine.
As I said, it was just my opinion & I wasn't rude about it.

Skybo 01-02-2013 11:56 AM
I'm not doubting anyone's negative experiences, but I am surprised. We eat there very frequently and almost always ask for additional salsa, which we've always received at no charge. As recently as a week ago, the waiter walked by our table and offered us additional salsa without us even asking. So this must be a very new policy or else a fluke with the staff that was working.

And for those who've never been there, there is a reason for this whole salsa debate...they bring a big bowl of chips and a teensy amount of salsa .... barely enough for even a third of the chips. It's actually kind of weird. We wonder about it every time we go. But we really like the food and we've always had good service.

Richard1366 01-02-2013 12:05 PM
Perhaps their salsa is home made, much more expensive than the purchased stuff. You must have enjoyed it, why not ask, if it was the purchased stuff find out the brand, buy some then go home and stuff your face with it.

batman911 01-02-2013 12:13 PM
I think most Mexican restaurants offer free chips and salsa to munch on while you wait for you order to be served. I also believe charging for more salsa is a bad business management decision. Why not just raise the prices a little on everything to cover the cost? Most customers do not enjoy being nickle-dimed.

Mr Hanky 01-02-2013 12:27 PM
:ohdear:A Mexican resturant charging extra for salsa would be like an Italian resturant charging extra for bread!:ohdear:

notlongnow 01-02-2013 12:50 PM
Quote:
Hard to imagine that someone would trash a restaurant because they weren't getting more of something for free. Just sayin', it's just my opinion.
JMO but it is hard to imagine a restuarant, especially a mexican restuarant that would send a customer down the road over a cup of salsa.
I live in Texas and eat at mexican restuarants all the time over several decades and have NEVER paid extra for salsa, no matter how much I ate.
I think most mexican restuarants use the chip and salsa to help keep you busy while they are trying to keep up with orders.
EB

Golfingnut 01-02-2013 01:35 PM
It is all relative. We lived in Wash D.C. so we (AFTER 3 YEARS) still can not believe how inexpensive all the restaurants are here in the Villages. And yet the complaints continue. I wish everyone could realize how fortunate they are to be able to live in a place like The Villages and for that matter even be alive long enough to live here.

GGGGGEEEEEEZZZZZZZ Please count your blessings and let the extra cost of salsa go, always tip at 20 % or more and tell management they are doing a great job on your way out the door. You, the wait staff and the management will all feel better.

Bonny 01-02-2013 01:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Golfingnut (Post 602803)
It is all relative. We lived in Wash D.C. so we (AFTER 3 YEARS) still can not believe how inexpensive all the restaurants are here in the Villages. And yet the complaints continue. I wish everyone could realize how fortunate they are to be able to live in a place like The Villages and for that matter even be alive long enough to live here.

GGGGGEEEEEEZZZZZZZ Please count your blessings and let the extra cost of salsa go, always tip at 20 % or more and tell management they are doing a great job on your way out the door. You, the wait staff and the management will all feel better.
Okay, so where's the "like" button. LOL We need one of them. :icon_wink:

notlongnow 01-02-2013 02:15 PM
Quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is all relative. We lived in Wash D.C. so we (AFTER 3 YEARS) still can not believe how inexpensive all the restaurants are here in the Villages. And yet the complaints continue. I wish everyone could realize how fortunate they are to be able to live in a place like The Villages and for that matter even be alive long enough to live here.

GGGGGEEEEEEZZZZZZZ Please count your blessings and let the extra cost of salsa go, always tip at 20 % or more and tell management they are doing a great job on your way out the door. You, the wait staff and the management will all feel better.
__________________
Having said what I said, I can't disagree with any of this quote.
If I knew that from this day on that my trade-off was pay for salsa-live in The Villages I would pay no problem and smile while I was doing it.
That being said, where I live now free chips and salsa are a fringe benefit and I hope it stays that way here.
EB

texasfal 01-02-2013 03:06 PM
I think we were mostly dismayed that the manager would not come talk to us and at being dismissed by the owner. Oh well, guess we're back to Belleview for Tex-Mex. Thanks for the comments.

BaylorBear 01-02-2013 03:22 PM
El Ranchito at La Bodega
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by texasfal (Post 602850)
I think we were mostly dismayed that the manager would not come talk to us and at being dismissed by the owner. Oh well, guess we're back to Belleview for Tex-Mex. Thanks for the comments.
Sweetie, the Hubs and I (in Austin, TX until our home here sells) only eat at our little El Ranchito right buy the post office in La Bodega! Can drive there in the golf cart and the owners and staff are just as fabulous as their food!! Highly affordable, too and no charge for extra salsa; in fact, if they see it getting low, they fill it up with a smile!:mmmm:

gomoho 01-02-2013 03:23 PM
Just exactly where is this restaurant???

rubicon 01-02-2013 04:04 PM
Mexican is my first choice so the chips and selsa issue doesn't disturb me as much as the OP's comments concerning the manager and owner refusing to speak with them I am also more disturbed by Peachie's story of game playing over a booth.

Restaurant hopping is not my thing so when we do go out my expectations are that the restaurant must at least attempt to convince me that they make a good faith effort to provide quality food and service.

kimball 01-02-2013 04:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by texasfal (Post 602729)
Went there Firday night for dinner with my husband. Ordered drinks, appetizer and entrees. Ate the chips and salsa. Asked for more salsa - we're from Texas and we like spicy. Roland the waiter said he'd have to charge us $1.50 for more salsa. We protested and asked to speak to mgr. Roland said since we didn't know about the charge he'd give us one more dish of salsa for free. Got the bill and we were charged $1.50. We asked again to speak to mgr. Roland told us he would not come to table. As we were leaving we told hostess we would not be back. Very nice girl said the owner was there and to please let her talk to him. She came back and said that the owner said it was too bad we weren't coming back but that we ate a lot of salsa. (Two little bowls that together didn't amount to 1 cup!) Anyway, guess we're back on the trail of decent Mexican food in Florida.
Have been there may times. Never experianced any such problem. Aways have as much Salsa and Chips as we care for. Food is good. Service is fine and personnel are pleasant. Prices are reasonable and have never had any kind of problem. Why is it that some Villagers are never satisfied. Got to be more to the story.

gomoho 01-02-2013 04:41 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomoho (Post 602858)
Just exactly where is this restaurant???
Well my curiosity got the best of me so I confirmed this is the restaurant in Colony Plaza. Can't believe anyone would give them a bad rap. Have always had outstanding food at reasonable prices and yes they charge for extra chip and salsas I believe it says so on the menu. Everytime my son comes to visit he requests we go there 'cause we have always enjoyed it so much. Sorry the op had such a bad experience, but have to disagree with their opinion.

StarbuckSammy 01-02-2013 04:58 PM
The comments by Texasfal and Peachie were straightforward and to the point. They made their case and I agree with them. How do you justify the fact that the manger/owner refuse to discuss the matter? And how about the seating in the booth...I would have walked out the first time.

I would have been upset in both of these circumstances. How can you not?

Serenoa 01-02-2013 06:14 PM
They must have been double-dipping their chips. You know.....dip your chip & take a bite.....and then dip the same chip again. If you don't double-dip you stand a better chance of having your salsa & chips come out even......problem solved! :icon_wink:

BTW, don't EVER double-dip when multiple people are using the same bowl of salsa, outside of family of course. It's like putting your whole mouth in it. Yuck.:ohdear:

missypie 01-02-2013 06:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serenoa (Post 602948)
They must have been double-dipping their chips. You know.....dip your chip & take a bite.....and then dip the same chip again. If you don't double-dip you stand a better chance of having your salsa & chips come out even......problem solved! :icon_wink:

BTW, don't EVER double-dip when multiple people are using the same bowl of salsa, outside of family of course. It's like putting your whole mouth in it. Yuck.:ohdear:
Seinfeld episode.

gomoho 01-02-2013 06:23 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by StarbuckSammy (Post 602913)
The comments by Texasfal and Peachie were straightforward and to the point. They made their case and I agree with them. How do you justify the fact that the manger/owner refuse to discuss the matter? And how about the seating in the booth...I would have walked out the first time.

I would have been upset in both of these circumstances. How can you not?
I'm wondering if it was a communication issue - quite a few of the folks working there don't understand english and need to get someone to help them. Don't know if this is what happened, but a possibility.

blueash 01-02-2013 06:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by gomoho (Post 602950)
I'm wondering if it was a communication issue - quite a few of the folks working there don't understand english and need to get someone to help them. Don't know if this is what happened, but a possibility.
Oh, I don't know about that. I tried ordering in Spanish and they had NO idea what I was saying.

Serenoa 01-02-2013 06:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by missypie (Post 602949)
Seinfeld episode.
Sorry, couldn't pass that one up. Wondered if there were any other Seinfeld
fans on here. But at least I did embellish it somewhat.:icon_wink:

perrjojo 01-02-2013 06:48 PM
:undecided:
I guess I am just wondering; in the big scheme of life, how important is this?

CarolSells 01-02-2013 06:54 PM
The "Official" Fiesta Grande Mexican Grille Policy
 
I called the restaurant and spoke with the hostess. I inquired about their chips and salsa policy and I quote, "Two baskets of chips and two dishes of salsa per table are on the house. Additional servings are $ 0.75."

Me: "Is that every day at any time?". The hostess "Yes".

Time of call - 6:45 p.m. on 01/02/2013.

I realize that food isn't free for the restaurant but I have to say that I don't think I've ever seen an actual charge for the chips and salsa but I would imagine that the idea is to turn tables and serve menu items and drinks.

Just my $.02.

Peachie 01-02-2013 07:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by perrjojo (Post 602967)
:undecided:
I guess I am just wondering; in the big scheme of life, how important is this?
perrjojo, I'm sure in the scheme of your life our treatment at that Mexican restaurant that evening meant nothing. But after dressing up a little bit to enjoy an exciting anniversary evening together following a very difficult, grueling year and being in a very happy mood, the incident took the glow off the celebration. To receive the same treatment from this woman, who by the way spoke perfect English, the next time we were to be seated by her finished it for us. We had forgotten about the incident with her until she began the same tactics at this last visit which was the first time she saw us again.

We were baffled by her treatment, we're moving on. When we drop over $50. for our next Mexican meal, it won't be there. And if the OP and her husband dropped $50. to $60 dollars on food and beverage, perhaps the restaurant could have been gracious enough to provide them another 1/2 cup of salsa. This appears to be a case of "my ox isn't being gored so get over it". Just sayin......

perrjojo 01-02-2013 07:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peachie (Post 602979)
perrjojo, I sure in the scheme of your life our treatment at that Mexican restaurant that evening meant nothing. But after dressing up a little bit to enjoy an exciting anniversary evening together following a very difficult, grueling year and being in a very happy mood, the incident took the glow off the celebration. To receive the same treatment from this woman, who by the way spoke perfect English, the next time we were to be seated by her finished it for us. We had forgotten about the incident with her until she began the same tactics at this last visit which was the first time she saw us again.

We were baffled by her treatment, we're moving on. When we drop over $50. for our next Mexican meal, it won't be there. And if the OP and her husband dropped $50. to $60 dollars on food and beverage, perhaps the restaurant could have been gracious enough to provide them another 1/2 cup of salsa. This appears to be a case of "my ox isn't being gored so get over it". Just sayin......
I understand your frustration but after just reading that one of our TOTVs 17 year old grandson is in a coma and on life support with no signs of brain activity, it just reminds me that we ALL need to learn to let some things go. Don't go back to the restaurant if you so choose but don't let it spoil your day.

casita37 01-02-2013 08:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueash (Post 602961)
Oh, I don't know about that. I tried ordering in Spanish and they had NO idea what I was saying.
Reminds me of a humorous experience...once, in Puerto Rico, I went into a fast food burger joint. I asked for a "hamburguesa con queso, por favor". The young man didn't understand me, so I asked about 3 or 4 more times, getting slower and louder, lol. I finally walked over to the menu board on the wall and pointed to the cheeseburger.

I was lamenting my treatment to my husband. He, the eternal optimist, suggested, gently, "Perhaps he didn't understand your southern accent??"

buggyone 01-02-2013 11:32 PM
I have been to the Fiesta Grande restaurant. Personally, I do not like the taste of their food at all. The tomato sauce is too sweet (the manager said they add sugar) and the ground meat did not taste fresh. Since I did not like the taste of the food, I am not going back. However, that is my personal view on the flavor of the food.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

sueandskip 01-03-2013 05:05 AM
WOW ! I have eatin here many ,many times and have requested special seating and have never had any problems.... I am not sure what is going on ,but on another related note maybe it's a budget thing....Olive Garden no longer gives free wine samples, so all you wine haters that take the free sample to fill up Aunt Marthas glass to give her a free glass of wine , the game is over....Just sayin , maybe this is there way to save a little, but the seating thing is rediculous...

champion6 01-03-2013 12:10 PM
There seams to be a pattern. We had a similar experience at this restaurant about 6 weeks ago.

My wife ordered chicken quesadilla which was served with a small cup of sour cream on the side. When she had eaten about half of the serving, she realized that she was almost out of sour cream and asked the server for more. As anyone would expect, he brought her another small cup.

When the check was delivered, I was surprised to see a $0.75 charge for the extra sour cream.

End of story... I paid the check and we left.

janmcn 01-03-2013 12:25 PM
It was reported on the news earlier today that McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King are slowly phasing out their dollar menus. It seems that the price of food is causing certain deals to be discontinued.

Barefoot 01-03-2013 12:28 PM
[QUOTE=Peachie;602760]
They were denied the ability to speak with the manager, which is recommended by everyone on this forum .

Actually, complaining to the manager isn't recommended by everyone on this forum. We expect that we'll love some places and not others. Some of us vote with our feet, and simply avoid places where we've had an unhappy experience.

Mr Hanky 01-03-2013 12:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by champion6 (Post 603275)
There seams to be a pattern. We had a similar experience at this restaurant about 6 weeks ago.

My wife ordered chicken quesadilla which was served with a small cup of sour cream on the side. When she had eaten about half of the serving, she realized that she was almost out of sour cream and asked the server for more. As anyone would expect, he brought her another small cup.

When the check was delivered, I was surprised to see a $0.75 charge for the extra sour cream.

End of story... I paid the check and we left.

I have heard enough to make an informed decision . I will NOT be going to this eating establishment. Thank you all for your most valuable input.


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