2 /5 Evian Ballesteros: Finding Hacienda Meche isn’t exactly difficult, but the layout of the strip makes it feel tucked away, and there’s no clear exterior signage beyond small white letters on the glass door. It’s not obvious where to walk in, which sets a slightly confusing first impression.
Upon entering, I expected to be greeted and seated, but instead I saw a man in a baseball cap and T-shirt behind the bar chatting closely with three guests. No hostess stand, no signage, no direction. Two other staff members stood at the far end of the bar, simply staring rather than acknowledging us. We ended up seating ourselves.
Menus and drinks came quickly, along with chips and salsa. The horchata was fine nothing special and the water tasted normal. The chips, while seemingly homemade and flavorful, were served cold, and the salsa was clearly refrigerated before being brought out, which made the whole starter feel uninviting.
Our server was polite enough but lacked warmth or engagement. After ordering, it took about 15 minutes for our food to arrive, and we had to flag down the server for refills and more chips. Unfortunately, parts of the meal were cold particularly the “easier” items while the longer-cooking dishes were hotter. The overall flavor of the food was actually decent, but there were concerning moments: in one quesadilla and in a grilled chicken and rice plate, there was a strange, gristly bite that made both me and another guest gag. That same guest felt sick afterward and was unwell the following morning.
The menu doesn’t clearly indicate spice levels, and several dishes were heavier on spice than expected. A few plates were also noticeably greasy.
To top things off, gratuity was automatically added to both checks for our party of six which is common but there was no mention of this policy on the menu, in writing, or verbally from the staff. It would’ve been nice to be told beforehand.
In short, Hacienda Meche has potential with its flavors, but the service, presentation, and quality control left much to be desired. With better hospitality, attention to temperature, and menu clarity, it could be a solid spot but as it stands, I left more disappointed than satisfied.
