Bad Day At La Rosita.

I really hate to make this thread after the generally good past experiences at LaRosita. However, yesterday my girlfriend and I were left with a bad taste.

Let me also note, My girlfriend and I at times have semi-ridiculous orders due to being vegetarian and finicky on top of that.

On to the experience. Sunday afternoon we arrived at La Rosita and were very pleased to see they were at last able to have plentiful wait staff on hand as they ahd been searching to fill these spots. We were seated right away, given our drinks and chips. It came time to order and my girlfriend requested a burrito minus the lettuce, tomato and sour cream. Our waitress then informed us they no longer remove anything from any of the dishes. So instantly I had to change what I was going to order, and of course my girlfriend did as well. We found it odd but really didnt think much of it as we still found something to eat to meet our tastes and this new policy. As we are waiting for our food a table is sat next us with a party of 7. They had a different server, we hear them ordering, and they are asking for something to be withheld on each entree. The server entered and delivered their orders like this without issue. We were pretty furious at this point but we had already ordered and decided to politely inquire at check out.

My girlfriend went up to pay the bill as I ran into a friend of mine also dining. My girlfriend found that our server was also who was was working the counter so she inquired about the policy. The server stated that they only hold vegetables from the dishes. My girlfriend stated that's what she wanted held from the dish. The server then told her that they couldnt do that. Apparently it degenerated from there and left my girlfriend frustrated to say the least.

In the end it's really disheartening to have such an experience. I've loved La Rosita immensely since we discovered it just a few months ago. Now I'm not sure about going back and m girlfriend doesnt wish to return for quite some time. I hope this is just a simple communication issue amongst the staff and something no one else encounters.

The server stated that they only hold vegetables from the dishes. My girlfriend stated that's what she wanted held from the dish.

Sour cream is a vegetable?

haha, in some circles maybe?

My son & I ate @ the Grantline location circa 6:00 yesterday. It was excellent as usual but we did notice the hand-written, bi-lingual signs stating "No Substitutions per El Jeffe". We were the only Caucasians in there which is always a good sign in my book.

Almost every Mexican restaurant has a sign saying substitutions are not allowed (except maybe beans vs rice) but I've never seen one that won't let you delete something from a dish. I can't see any reason they wouldn't allow a deletion since it saves them money in the long run.

Maybe the problem originated from a misinterpretation (a language problem?) Instead of a new rule?

No Substitutions and No Ommissions are two different things. Plus there's the matter of across the board enforcement of the policy regardless of whatever it is. Also if the policy was posted would have been even better at the Market St location.

Also whatever it is, it's not my restaurant, they can make whatever policies they want. So long as they are clear to everyone.

Also whatever it is, it's not my restaurant, they can make whatever policies they want. So long as they are clear to everyone.

I have a friend that is lactose intolerant. He had the same kind of problem at the original C.town Rd. location. After three attempts of asking for no cheese and receiving cheese, he gave up.

Almost every Mexican restaurant has a sign saying substitutions are not allowed (except maybe beans vs rice) but I've never seen one that won't let you delete something from a dish. I can't see any reason they wouldn't allow a deletion since it saves them money in the long run.

Maybe the problem originated from a misinterpretation (a language problem?) Instead of a new rule?

I don't think you'll find a language problem at either location. There was a slight issue with language at the original but all you had to do was point at the menu, which will never work if you want to delete something.

Sounds like the food was fine. As for communication problems, we've noticed that some servers are more proficient in English than others, and some of the more English-challenged servers don't do as well with special requests.

I talked with restaurant owner about this very same thing a while back. If the kitchen is slammed, modifying the standard menu items can really create some chaos in the kitchen and delays. If the they are not so swamped, it is not so much of an issue.