Cantina El Tesoro

07/13/2008 Posted by 404Foodies

We've frequented this restaurant a few times since it opened. The first time we went we loved it--thought the food and service were incredible. Tonight we went for our last visit; the overall experience was subpar: -They were out of SALAD at 6:30. -Uninformed/lukewarm server--couldn't answer basic menu questions and was distracted. -Taco garnishes in wasteful containers--they shouldn't use plastic to-go cups on the table. -Garbage all over the front yard - Plastic cups, napkins, straws, limes, cigarette butts. We are Decatur residents who eat a lot of Mexican food and we were so excited to have a new addition. We visit both Raging Burrito and Taqueria weekly because of their consistency and dependability. Sadly, we won't be back to El Tesoro.

Pros: Food selection

Cons: Ambience, music, service,

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/12/2008 Posted by kjenks

My family has eaten at el tesoro twice now. first time was not a good experience so we gave it a second shot months after it opened. cannot complain about the food and bar but that is as far as i will go. the service is terrible. the waits are terrible. the hostesses are non responsive (unless you are a party of 2). i have spoken with the owners and nothing changed. i will not go back to the restaurant ever again. i love the food, but cannot stand the fact that on a friday night they dont know how to staff appropriately (1 waiter for a 6 table section that can seat 22 people). i hope they figure it out bc there are too many other great options in decatur for great food and service - try anywhere on the square. i wonder if la casita (previous restaurant by same owners) didnt make it for the same reasons??? i do not recommend this restaurant unless you want take out.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/26/2008 Posted by veritati

Being restaurant owners ourselves, we visited despite the bad service reviews. We know the early trials of the opening days and weeks in a restaurant. The food was exceptional. We loved the flavor of the tomatillo salsa. The carnitas, though different from the traditional shredded way I make it, was full of lime flavor and mixed wonderfully with the beans and rice. The tacos were exceptional as well. Our server was friendly and informative. We asked to try the tortillas before ordering, and he was happy to accommodate us. We were looking for authentic and we found it. Except for the lack of home-made tortillas, Tesoro was exceptional. We look forward to returning again and again when we are in Atlanta!

Pros: Flavorful Food, Eager-to-Please Service

Cons: No home-made tortillas, but good nonetheless

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/20/2008 Posted by christy2

A friend and I went for a weekday lunch, despite reading some rather 'bad' reviews, but we found the experience to be just the opposite. We had eaten there when it was Jake's Ice Cream Shop, and the change was wonderful--beautiful colors and furnishings turned it into a lovely restaurant that was conducive to relaxed dining. We were seated immediately, greeted by our server, Nick, our drink order taken, and delivered promptly. Both of us really enjoyed purusing an interesting menu with items that were not the usual fare, and kidded that we would either have to have an extra table to hold all the items we wanted, or return very soon. We placed our orders, and they appeared within a short time, hot and delicious. Susan had the fish taco, which she said was delicious and I had chiliquiles with pork, which was great. The only 'fault' would be Susan's refried black beans that were a bit too pureed. Other than that, we'll be back soon and often--we'll be trying dinner with the husbands next! . Delish!

Pros: Convenient parking behind the restaurant, good service, nicely deocrated, good atmosphere

Cons: none

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/31/2008 Posted by lillybatlanta

We ate at Tesoro for lunch on a Saturday. The margaritas and tacos were terrific! My favorites tacos were the pescado and chorizo. I also like the atmosphere -- the patio is great. I'll definitely be back.

Pros: Excellent food; cool patio

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/30/2008 Posted by kokoATL

I have been to Cantina El Tesoro twice for lunch with coworkers. The first time I ordered the pork taco and a tres hongas taco. The pork was awesome. The tres hongas was ok. It didn't have that much flavor. The chips and salsa are good, as is the guac. Yesterday I got the brisket taco and the duck taco. Both were bad. I never thought duck could be tough and tasteless. The brisket was really tough as well. I could not bite through it. It seems like the only meat they do really well is pork. The service at lunch is very nice. I don't think I'll be trying this place at night because of all the horror stories mentioned in the other reviews. I think the sister restaurant (Cantina La Casita) in EAV is better as a whole.

Pros: good pork, chips and salsa, guac

Cons: brisket, duck

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/06/2008 Posted by Anne8177

Where did the last person eat? I have been to El Tesoro twice and will never go there again. The first time I went I thought the poor service was just because of the recent opening, but the second time I had a truly obnoxious server -- the food is just not that good (although I liked the guac) and a yard full of screaming children is not my idea of a great dining experience. Do yourself a favor and skip this one!

Pros: Good if you have kids you don't want to watch

Cons: Poor service, so-so food

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful

05/06/2008 Posted by jasonlgreene

I'm just amused at these bad reviews on Cico de Mayo yesterday, from people who can't just get a margerita and wait. This place is new, having growing pains. But the food is excellent, if you can wait your turn. Why not try it for lunch, and see how good it really is. It will get better with waits, it's only been open a few weeks. The receipes are authentic, and very good. Yes sides are extra. No it's not like low class La Fonda Latina, where everything is covered in chili gravy. If that's the kind of Mexican you are looking for, please go. If you can't have one of their very good drinks, sit on the lawn, relax and wait, go else where. We love the place, cool house, and know how to just kick back.

Pros: Original Mexican Family Receipes, Prickly Pear Margerita's!

Cons: Long Waits, Get A Drink & Relax On The Lawn!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/05/2008 Posted by ReedDT

If I could give El Tesoro a lower rating than 1 star, I would in a heartbeat. The drinks are decent, the food is decent too, but the service is downright dreadful. After waiting for about 70 minutes, my party of 4 noticed a free table that was available. Seeing the opportunity, we asked if it was okay to sit down. Much to our surprise another, later arriving, party came and sat down immediately. I was not happy and tried to speak to the hostess about it. Maybe we got overlooked on the list. From the sound of other reviews, it looks like this isn't outside the normal type of behavior from El Tesoro service. Upon bringing this up to the hostess, she shrugged and said they were here before we were. I asked to speak to a manager, and a rude young fellow working at the hostess stand said, " I'm the owner. I don't care if they arrived after you; you aren't eating here anyways." ... Summarily, we were kicked out. Unbelievable. Five Star Service right there. /sarcasm This was the second time that I have eaten (or tried to eat) at El Tesoro; and now the last. If I were to give a word(s) of advice to El Tesoro, I'd ask that they seriously consider working on their customer relation skills. They've lost a potential customer and with it anyone that I would recommend this place to. A quick critique (and bit biased opinion): Bad for big groups: Small tables, only a few bigger tables inside. Good for kids: mindless self-entertainment in the grassy yard. And they wont mind the slow/bad service! More time to play! Good drinks/Good selection. You'll spend time/money at the bar before ever getting to a table. Good food. Well, so-so. No filler on the plates. Sides (rice and beans) are extra. Salsa and Chips upon ordering...$2 each. Take it from the other reviews. Spare yourself the hassle of the service. Head to any of the La Fonda Latinas instead.

Pros: food, extensive tequila list, kid friendly

Cons: Seating for parties 4 and smaller and bad service and more bad service

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/05/2008 Posted by jaz2004

So weird. I have never been treated like this! My friends and I waited for 45 minutes to eat. While we’re waiting, four “frat boys” walk past everyone, look around, and casually sit at a table that just cleared. Stunned, we watched as the waitress began to hand out menus to them. Two of us asked her why she seated them when so many people were waiting. She said they “asked for menus” and that she couldn’t say no. We explained that we had been waiting for quite a while. She said sorry. We asked to talk to a manager. He came up, we explained our story and he said there was nothing he could do. The waitress then offered another table that just opened up. We sat down, but we told the manager that we didn’t feel like it’s fair for the “frat boys” to still be seated while there were others that had waited just as long as us. The manager then asked us to leave. Yes, they kicked us out just because we asked for fair treatment for all. Needless to say, we’re never going back.

Pros: Don't know. They didn't let us eat!

Cons: SERVICE IS TERRIBLE

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful