by J D. on I have to say that I am fond of the food but fact that it NEVER comes out correct (the way that I ordered it) is a pain in the ass - especially on Taco Tuesday when the place is slammin'. I don't have difficult orders, either. I feel that 2 consecutive bad experiences out of 5 total visits here warrants this review. Crappy experience #1: The guy with the curly-ish hair and small ponytail who mans the cash register (hereby known as "Ponytail Asshole") and takes the orders doesn't really listen to you then argues with you when your order is later delivered wrong. Our order consisted of the following: -2 veggie tacos - Nick's way -2 crispy tacos with beans, cheese and rice -nachos (the $2 ones that you get on Tuesday) -1 Elote (corn on the cob) -jalapeno poppers -1 watermelon agua fresca What we got was 2 soft tacos with beans and cheese (missing the rice and crispy factor), a side of sliced, raw jalapenos peppers (is that even on the menu?), no watermelon ague fresca and got charged for the regular nachos (around $6?) which my bf never noticed because he just pays...he doesn't really look at the prices. When we mention it to the bartender, (pleading for a little help) he just shrugs his shoulders saying "separate company....sorry" and I have to go back and wait in that long-ass line to explain the mistakes. Ponytail Asshole then proceeds to look through the receipt tape to see if he charged us for poppers and the agua fresca and when he realizes he did not (for the poppers), he charges me. By this time, I've been standing at the counter 5 minutes plus the additional time in line for the 2nd time. No apology...no oops, no nothing. Just that smug "we're Nick's Crispy Taco's....we get Marina girls in here on Tuesdays" sort of dick-faced look. Crappy experience #2: Another time, (on Taco Tuesday) our order came out wrong...again. This time, there was another guy at the counter taking orders. Now, this guy is actually nice. It's the hipster guy with the headband. If you've been here before, you know who I mean. Anyway, he can never figure out the buttons to press to get a crispy taco with just beans, cheese and rice. My bf has severe allergies and has to leave out all of the other stuff (just wanted to make a point that we are not high-maintenance by choice). We thought that the order was in right because he repeated everything back. When it was delivered to our counter/section (NEVER any tables on Tuesday) and I told Ponytail Asshole that it was wrong and unfortunately inedible, he grabbed the order ticket out of my hand looked through it and rolled his eyes, just staring at me like, "you really expect me to fix this when it's so busy?". Perhaps he was demoted to food deliver that day due to his order entering incapability. I had to plead with him and say that bf could not eat it due to allergies so he reluctantly snatched the food away and walked off. While the order was being fixed, bf found a seat at the bar and we were in the process of moving our existing food and beer when our little number (the one that tells the food delivery people where to drop the food) was taken away. We still had food coming! Arrrgh!!! After that, we stupidly asked the bartender for help and again..."sorry, separate company" - Really, bartender? Really? Anyway, my bf had to go hunt for the missing food through a ridiculous crowd of douchy Marina people who treat this as their happy hour/pickup spot when they are slumming it. It's a restaurant, people. If you're not eating, go away. Anyway, I will not be returning on Tuesdays but on another weekday...more than likely. I bought a few of those damn rateclubs deals so I guess I have to use them. I think that this place does much better when they are not busy. The "Taco Tuesday" prices are not worth the shitty service. Save yourself the trouble and come in on any other day of the week.
by Jame Mazzawi on much like other reviewers, the mural at the king cole bar is what initially drew me in. the "theme" of the mural is the king farting while his servants (cabinet members? handlers?) all react. luckily, ive been able to get a table each time, and ive been "dressed appropriately," which makes you feel grown up as you shell out $20 for your black label (rocks) and your girlfriends glass of pinot noir...and no, eating copious amounts of the free wasabi peas is not a natural hedge. this place is marked by a strangely disparate ambiance. on the one hand its a taste of high-society: the service is not overbearing, but quietly attentive, the drinks are stiff and large and on the other? the last time i was there my girlfriend and i were flanked by a balding, middle-aged banker and his 23-year old asian prostitute, and nelly (andele, andele mami, EI! EI!, uh ohhhh! whats poppin' tonight?).
