The Mexicali Shit List

realneo · Posted: 11 Apr 2005 03:20 PM Post subject:

I give waitresses a tip, the tip of my di..

spic-ole · Posted: 11 Apr 2005 08:02 PM Post subject:

elchrist · Posted: 13 Apr 2005 01:39 PM Post subject: Los Vagones

I ended up going to Los Vagones last Friday night. I didn't pick the spot, but was curious to check it out anyway since the place looks pretty cool from the outside with its four cornerstone train cars.

We were a large group, so I wasn't about to gripe about the delayed service. I was in fact very disappointed with my food. The food was horrible. I order some enchiladas because it's a real simple meal, yet it was so bland and lacked substance. I overheard someone in our group say that their hamburger patty stunk. WTF?

Anyway, apparently if you get off your seat and hit the bar area the waiter will follow you and ask if you're splitting. Makes sense, I suppose, but I did decide to leave and cancelled my drink order after that.

My bill wasn't too much, yet they felt the need auto-include the tip at 10%.

Too bad the food here blows because the atmosphere is actually pretty cool. One of the best in Mexicali, I think. There's even a band with a girl singer who sounded just like Shakira when they covered one of her songs.

Oh, and they also broke into someone's car inside of the small parking lot with the security guard on duty. Are there banditos at this place too?

Baloo · Posted: 14 Apr 2005 11:20 PM Post subject:

Without a doubt the small ghetto shacks are the best places. I don’t know if anyone has been to Cenaduria Chayos on calle 3ra, it has the best pozole, and tacos dorados, the negative is that they remolded a couple of years back and now it’s trying to be high class Cenaduria. I guess they want to imitate Cenaduria Selecta, which I think is over priced.

Now days when you go to mex everyone wants a tip. You go eat tip the waiter, the person in the restroom giving mints then charging for them, the six year old kid taking care of your car, the 40 yr old that claims he washed it, the guy that jumped on your windshield to give it a clean, and finally the people at the linea. I have respect for someone trying to get some cash for food but I think some of these people can get a real job.

Mars · Posted: 16 Apr 2005 04:42 PM Post subject:

verbal · Posted: 16 Apr 2005 05:07 PM Post subject:

Here I go generalizing things again, but here's my perspective. There is no real incentive to have great service in Mexico. Everyone wants to make a buck, but to what extent? Wages are pathetic in Mexico, and tips are minisculed at that. Plus, business do not have to worry about liability at all. If someone slips, so what. If you find a cockroach in your Coke, hey, you got a prize. It is the whole 'por pendejo or pa' que te dejas' mentality.

Yes, there are some nice mom-and-pop establishments that one can encounter, but for the most part restuarant workers are indifferent towards you.

The same for any service in Mexico. In the States people are called associates when in reality they are a simple employees. The difference? Attitude and perception. Still, in doubt then catch Office Space.

Thus, by expecting stellar service in Mexico one is definately setting themselves for a great pitfall. Bitterness is something I do not look forward to.