Not sure if it was first day jitters or a lack of preparation, but my introduction to Schenectady's Mexican Radio wasn't a experience I'd like to repeat. Going to a restaurant on its opening day can be both exciting and dreadful for any restaurant-goer.
I know the opportunities and pitfalls opening day presents to staff, but something just didn't feel right on my Mexican Radio experience this past weekend. Let's go to the tape for further review:
Ambiance: The Schenectady location, which is downtown on State Street, right across from the Bowtie movie theater, seemed massive, not comparable with the stalwarts of El Loco and El Mariachi in Albany. This made it feel less intimate for Mrs. Average Joe and I. While normally I don't put too much weight on this, it did contribute to our overall experience.
Staffing: We sat for 20 minutes without a single server coming over to check-in on us. This is no bueno, especially on opening night. What's more, we had to go to the bar repeatedly to ask for our drink orders and for water refills. I don't like having to play waiter for my own dining experience. Again, no bueno.
Food: For myself, I love chorizo and all of its glory and so I just had to have the Cajun Burrito. Crumbled chorizo and shrimp are a slam dunk for me. While it tasted good, the price tag of $20 for a burrito left me lighter in the wallet. I'm not adverse to paying top money for a meal from time to time, but paying $20 for a burrito is up there. Lesson learned.
Mrs. Average Joe ordered the enchiladas with green tomatillo sauce. The waitstaff got the order wrong and the meal had to be sent back. This was definitely a miscommunication from the waitress, who seemed overwhelmed and confused on her first day. The manager informed us that the meal would be taken off the bill, which we didn't ask for but was a great gesture. However, when the bill came to us, the item still remained, leading us to rehash the conversation again.
Overall, I will go back to Schenectady's Mexican Radio as I don't want to be a curmudgeon and make light of a great opportunity coming to our region. I'm hoping these opening jitters won't be a long-term trend
While Mexican Radio is another option for Mexican fare, I wouldn't be sweating bullets if i was El Loco or El Mariachi.
I'll give them until this winter before they close for good. Meanwhile, I will enjoy the cheap version of this place, TACO BELL.
ReplyDeleteThe cheap version of this place is La Mexicana on State Street, just down the road a bit from Mex Rad in Schenectady. I even hear La Mex now has margaritas. Granted, it's a lot less fancy. But you can get three of their delicious burritos for under $20.
ReplyDeleteI agree with anonymous when he calls Taco Bell the cheap version. La Mexican should the the cheap version of what it should be like. Win-win. . .
ReplyDeleteI went there yesterday with my family. They made us wait more than half an hour at the bar, saying there were no tables were available. The place was a sea of empty tables! We finally asked for a manager, who moved us from the bar to one of the many empty tables. The food? Top dollar for mediocre results. It's hard to believe these people run two other restaurants. Have to give it them on the decor, though. Very nice renovation. Do yourself a favor and skip the food; come for a drink at the bar.
ReplyDeleteI also went to this place with wife and kids and had the same terrible experience as far as wait staff. We waited for over an hour and never got any inquiry as to our order preference. When I did order the food, I was and am still astonished at the outrageous prices of their fare, not to mention the lack of wait staff when I had to be my own waiter, server, bus boy and after this, was reluctant to enjoy their massively overpriced junk food. NEVER AGAIN, SCREW ME ONCE, ITS YOUR FAULT, SCREW ME THE NEXT TIME, ITS MY FAULT FOR COMING HERE. TELL THEM TO GO FUCK THEMSELVES.
DeleteANOTHER BULL SHIT STORY from a FACEBOOK member. Stefanie Merritt Williams, the purple haired retarded person that is swapping spits with Ann Kozlowski, both from First Street in South Troy, is claiming in her personal blog, that she attended College after graduating from High School. She claims that she attended Ashford, yet as a recent graduate from their on-line classes, I inquired and they have never heard of this retard. Not bad for a high school dropout with a muffin top and more rolls of fat than a jelly donut.
ReplyDeleteKrissy Cow-nuts is the name of the drug dealer at 425 First Street in South Troy. She also runs drugs and sells meals out of her kitchen to anyone that is dumb enough to buy her soul food. The purple haired wham job from across the street, that resembles the Pillsbury Dough boy, is another special school drop out that thinks that she is hot shit, walking around smoking her cigars and letting her drunken Father transport her in his silver car. This overgrown 60+ year old teenager thinks that his shit doesn't stink either. He gets busted one more time for DWI, and he will get a long term in the jail. Too bad his daughter with the purple hair has to pay his rent from her welfare check, as he drinks up all his weekly SSI check and the house is filled with an overcrowded number of people on the first floor.
ReplyDeleteI think Average Joe's run out of steam or just plain lost interest in doing it anymore.
ReplyDeleteThat's fine just take the blog down.
Hey all--I got the best veggie lasagna the other day at Carol's.Place
ReplyDelete( 536 - 540 Pawling Ave, Troy NY Call (518) 271-7700 )
I'd say their pizza is one of the best in the area--if not the best.
I went to their Italian buffet the other day--excellent.
(they only have it a couple times a month)
http://www.carolsplaceandtheeatery.com/
Speaking of an excellent Italian buffet--I went to this one:
This is the best kept secret in the area. Homemade everything and tastes great!
The last Saturday of the month they have an Italian buffet Noon to 3
721 Snyders Corners Rd, Poestenkill, NY 12140
http://poestenkillchristianchurch.com/
THANK YOU JANE SNAY, for your snide remarks in the food sections. You can run but you cannot hide.
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