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Over the past 20 years or so, I've eaten at THOUSANDS of restaurant, and have posted THOUSANDS of reviews, and 98% of the time, each dining adventure has been an amazing experience. But, every once in awhile, a dining adventure turns out to be a not-so-pleasant experience, and today... let's just say that I came away with a dining "misadventure," after lunch at Lola's Tequila Bar and Cocina, located in Roseville, CA. As with all restaurant reviews I publish, I have no affiliation with the restaurant reviewed, and there is no monetary gain on my part, as I am simply a person who likes to eat, and I love to write-up, and publish my dining experiences.
Photo: It's just past the 11:00 in the morning opening time, and I've arrived at Lola's tequila Bar and Cocina to enjoy a late morning lunch. The date is Friday, October 07, 2022, and I'm ready to enjoy the fine cuisine of Mexico.
Photo: As you enter the restaurant, you'll be greeted by a staff member - who ducked into the kitchen as I took the photo - and seated. As I "opened up" the restaurant, I had it all to myself, and she offered to seat me anywhere of my choosing, but I chose to sit at the bar.
Photo: The dining room is spacious, very comfortable, and features a mixture of booths and tables, with countless television monitors tuned to a major league baseball playoff game. If this restaurant looks familiar, it used to be known as Mas Mexican Food, and I paid a visit back on Saturday, December 06, 2014. Click on the link to review my visit, and to see the differences since Lola's came to Roseville.
Photo: The bar is quite compact, and is at the end of the restaurant, next to the kitchen. It's inviting, and there are several varieties of Mexican beer on tap, including my favorite, Pacifico.
Photo: I got a small peek into the preparation area, next to the bar. Lola's has remodeled the kitchen area, so it's not open like it was during the days when it was Mas Mexican Food.
Photo: The enclosed patio is large, very comfortable, and features lots of open seating, and a great view of Eureka Road. It's heated and mostly air conditioned, and like the main dining room, features many television monitors.
Photo: One page of the two-page menu lists all of your Mexican favorites. "Mexico City Tacos" grabbed my attention, but in the end, I went with "Molcajete," I seldom can resist such a treat.
Photo: As soon as I was seated at the bar, the lady who was working the meeting/greeting station at the entrance to the restaurant brought a large bowl of chips and salsa, on the house. When I asked her name, I couldn't hear it, due to the super loud traditional Mexican music playing in the background. Since the other lady - presumably her boss - didn't care to have her photo taken when my food was presented to me, I asked this lady to serve me and she agreed... only to renege when the food was delivered. Customer service? What's that at Lola's Tequila Bar and Cosina?
Photo: I enjoyed a large bowl of crispy, tortilla chips, fried perfectly, and fresh from the kitchen. The salsa was absolutely great, as it was made with fresh ingredients, and spiced "just right." The salsa even had fresh corn, which always adds a great touch to the salsa!
Photo: Meet my bartender, and my not-too-friendly hostess, who seemed to be the manager on duty on this late Friday morning, as she served me my large mug of Pacifico beer. What was her name? I don't know, as she refused to introduce herself, and refused to turn down the loud music, which made any sort of conversation difficult. She was a lady with an "attitude" which, in my "book," is completely unacceptable. May I offer a small token of advice? Sweetheart, when you come to work, leave your "attitude" at home where it belongs.
Photo: My "hostess" refused my request of a "food photo," so I took a "selfie," as I prepare to enjoy my lunch at Lola's Tequila Bar and Cocina. I have a "thick skin," and I've been "around the block," so I carry a small tripod for such occasions as I "enjoyed" today.
Photo: From the "Family Favorites" section of the menu, I went with a "Molcajete," and I enhanced it by ordering optional seafood. The menu describes this delicious dish as, "Sauteed chicken and beef strips, mildly spiced sauce, mushrooms, onions, tomato, jack cheese, green onions, jalapeņo peppers, avocado. Choice of corn or flour tortillas. Seafood optional." For the extra $2.50, I went with the optional seafood, as there is nothing better than a seafood molcajete. This fine selection started with a rich, red sauce, "mildly spiced," as stated on the menu, but in my opinion, it was spiced just right. Since I ordered seafood, my "Molcajete" included five or six large shrimp - I lost count - and two or three pieces of fish, most likely tilapia. Whatever the case... the seafood was simply delicious! A green onion, sauteed onions, mushrooms, jack cheese and a jalapeņo pepper rounded out the main course, and made for a delicious meal. In Spanish, the word "molcajete" literally translates to the stone dish the meal is served in, but when it comes to a restaurant menu, "Molcajete" refers to a stew, served in a stone dish. No matter how it's translated, "molcajete" means a great Mexican meal! I received a pleasant surprise, as along with the "Molcajete" my delicious lunch included Mexican rice, refried beans, and a small side salad that featured a couple avocado slices! "Molcajete" is served with a choice of corn or flour tortillas, and today I broke my mold and went with flour tortillas. Along with the generous bowl of chips and salsa, on the house, "Molcajete" made for a great lunch!
Photo: "Molcajete," complete with rich broth, shrimp, fish, onion, cheese and a jalapeņo pepper on top! Served with Mexican rice, beans, a small salad, along with a side of tortillas. I can forgive practically anything about a restaurant, including cleanliness issues, sloppy service, bad food and practically anything else. But when it comes to staff with an attitude, I draw the line, as I'm of the opinion that "attitude" should be left at home. Isn't a restaurant all about friendly service? Lola's doesn't seem to understand what the phrase "friendly service" means... Lola's Tequila Bar and Cocina joins the short list of Roseville's restaurants with "attitude," an unfriendly environment, and a restaurant that I will never visit, nor recommend to anybody. Hasta la vista, baby! Lola's Taquila Bar and Cocina Copyright(c) 2022 eRench Productions. All rights reserved. We've been on the web since December 22, 2002.
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