Mi Cocina

I have been going to Cocina Real (or Mi Cocina) for years and I was excited to find that they were moving to the old Tapas Rias location which is very close to us (the other place was close as well -- this was just closer). We decided to try it out on a busy Friday evening. They have about twice as many seats for customers, but only the same amount of servers. One of the highlights of Cocina Real previously was the speedy service & good food. The food was ok -- once we got it. It took a while, but that wasn't the bad part. The first time they brought out they thought it was ours and they gave my daughter a plate of what she ordered - but none of the other food was ours. They took her food away and returned about 5 mins later with the rest of the tables food -- minus my daughter. One of the other people in our party also ordered fajitas and they failed to bring the accompanying tortillas - promising to return with them, which they did not. After waiting another 5-10 minutes the manager came to ask what was wrong and we explained that we hadn't gotten everything. Eventually they got the 2 tortillas for the fajitas (the giant pile of fajitas - so 2 tortillas didn't really cover it) and my daughters food. Once we finished we waited again. They took our plates. And we waited. And waited. And then they brought our check. And we waited. And waited. After paying I asked to speak to the manager. I complimented him on the new placed, acknowledged that I could tell they were having a few issues and that we were loyal customers. He didn't apologize - in fact his eyes were darting around the restaurant, barely interested in our feedback. They are definitely having some growing pains at the new location. Typically when we have family in town it's a no brainer to head there -- everyone gets a good meal at a good price quickly. I think we are going to wait awhile and let them work out their kinks. Very disappointing since they are so close to our neighborhood.
Jun 28th, 2012

was poor. This place is Mexican food for gringos...it is completely unauthentic. If you want a generic Mexican-themed place to get a margarita, eat something tasteless in a tortilla, and maybe even have a language barrier to battle, look no further. I'm often surprised how places like this manage to get Mexican employees - I would have to be selling McDonald's as 'American' food in Mexico to reverse that role. If you want good Mexican food, go to the places that don't need to get you drunk on margaritas for you to come back. There are plenty of decent places in the Madison area. If its in a small strip mall, it ought to be alright!
May 15th, 2012