Cinco Cantina and Tequila Bar

The hostesses fail at offering accurate wait times — push you to the bar to buy drinks as you wait 2 – 3 times the predicted wait. The bar seems to be the only section of this restaurant that functions and has experienced staff — the kitchen took almost 30min just to serve a nacho appetizer — 2 hours after we walked in is when our plates arrived. Management really needs to get this place in order.

I agree with the previous posts regarding this restaurants customer service.
So heres how my night went.
Greeted by a hostess, seated, and proceeded to go over the menu with my friend who was visiting from out of town.
Then our server, Alan, approached the table and meekly asked if we wanted something to drink. I said we will have 2 waters. Waters came pretty quickly. Then we placed an appetizer order, queso fondido, chips, and salsa. We also placed an order for a Maria y Juannes, and my friend asked about the spicy margarita. Alan’s response to this question was «i dont like it. its too biter» then proceeded to sell my friend a frozen strawberry margarita. Which is fine, but as a manager of a busy restaurant i train my servers never to say something is bad, or they dont like it. Simply be proud of the products you offer and stand behind your menu.
Our appetizers came out, and the food runner said «sorry it took so long, i had the wrong table number, are you sure you ordered this.» i told him yes 2 times and then the 3^rd time i basically said YES this is what we ordered. Almost expecting him to start an argument.
Notice we have still not received our drinks yet. Once we finished most of our appetizer the drinks came out. Our server explained the delay was because of the lack of bartender, but what he didnt know is that our table is in clear view of the bar and i also noticed that the bar was mostly empty and the 2 men were standing behind the bar. The Strawberry margarita was delicious, frozen, and tasty. As far as my Maria y Juannes, it was warm, almost room temperature. Its a cocktail, shaken with ice, and it should be served cold. There was no evidence of ice, not one bit. I asked Alan to reshake the cocktail so that it was cooler. By then the manager stopped by to ask what the problem was, i simply stated that i enjoy my cocktails/​martinis a bit cooler and if he could just reshake it.
By the time our entrees arrived there was still no evidence of our server, water, or even the cocktail i asked for. We flagged someone down for a water refill while he was servicing and refilling his other tables. I waited a little into my meal before i simply asked him to cancel my martini. To me the idea of a before dinner drink is to have it BEFORE DINNER. I wasnt upset until the manager asked if my 2^nd drink was better. It really wasnt, it was amazing that it took him until we were signing the check to see if we were happy.
Basically here is my issue. Have better customer service. Servers dont play the blame game. Work as a team. If you are refilling water on one of your tables use your eyes and see if your partners tables need a refill or clearing of plates. Be professional. Understand that if there is an issue or a problem with food or drinks it should be corrected promptly. Be respectful. Ensure that you have done everything in your power to make sure customers are leaving happy.
What would have made my night better? 3 – 5 minute wait MAX for a cocktail. Refills of water without having to flag someone down, and seeing that the entire service staff (Bussers, runners, hostesses, servers, bartenders) are working as a cohesive team.

Closed

So many people are hating on Cinco. Is it weird that I actually had such a good meal and even better margaritas, that I went twice in one day? This is proof you can’t effectively judge a restaurant by only reading reviews.
I came in the early afternoon on my first round and dined al fresco. Cinco’s chicken fajitas are fire! Great portion size to share. The chicken was well– seasoned and it came with rice and refried beans – two sides that other places usually skimp on the topping plate. Their spicy margarita with chili powder rim is everything! You have the choice of ordering a regular size ($ 8) or a large ($ 12) and even so, the regular size is still huge. On my second round I came late in the evening. I had another spicy margarita, shared a chimichanga, and had an experience equal to the one I had before.
Maybe I caught Cinco on a rare good day or maybe I just see something in it no one else does. Everyone is blessed with their own taste and opinions and that is the beauty of the Unilocal community.

Im making this review based only on happy hour. This is a new place at merrick park. This place is really nice inside, great décor. it was pretty empty for a friday aftermoon.
The yeungling draft was $ 2 during happy hour. That was something to smile about :)

Worst service I’ve actually ever received at a restaurant, ever.
Went to Cinco last night for a friend’s birthday bash. It all seemed pretty great, had a private section, nice table and ambiance. Started with the Groupon special that was purchased for the party (The Groupon was for three flights of tequila for two, chips and guac for $ 19. A $ 50 value.)
The waitress was really nice at the beginning of the meal, took our appetizer and drink orders in a timely fashion, but then took about 20 – 30 minutes to bring the drinks to the table. (Mind you, I ordered a bottle of Stella and it still took 20 mins) The great thing is that the kitchen was fast and the food was coming out at a great pace. We all noticed that the majority of the orders were coming out fast, but incorrectly, missing certain sides or garnishes. Ordered quesadillas for an app, got carnitas tacos instead. (Asked our waitress if this is the quesadillas that I ordered and she said yes, asked another waiter and he said, no, it wasn’t)
After all this so far, we were starting to notice the night wasn’t going to be a good one, and we hadn’t even received the entrees yet. We had to place our drink orders multiple times before receiving them and the waitress served us all water a total of two times, we literally had to get up, ask for a pitcher of water and serve ourselves multiple times cause the waitress was nowhere to be found. Once we ordered our food, our waitress (as ridiculous as it sounds) started critiquing our side item orders. She told one of our party members that «Wow, going for the double starch on your meal tonight, huh?» this was right after she informed his wife that they were out of «Flour tortillas, but have corn tortillas. They taste the same, and are also a healthy alternative, like weight watchers, which is good for you.» I’m not even kidding.
We received our entrees shortly after the order. (That’s the only shining part of the evening, the speediness of the kitchen.) My fajita was missing the side fixings, and I wasn’t given a side plate for the meal. The majority of my friends orders were incorrect, missing sides, and even tasting a bit bland. A friend of mine had ordered the green rice for his Habarero Salmon and when he received the dish, he asked the waitress and she told him this «It’s done.» Not understanding, he asked what she meant and she did the neck chopping motion and said «It’s done for the night, we’ve run out, we have no more to serve you»
After all this, we ended up walking to the bar and ordering our drinks directly from there.
When it came time for the bill, there was a huge complication between the splitting of the bills and also the groupon offer I mentioned earlier. It ended up being an issue on behalf of the waitress and the way she split the bill in order to get a larger gratuity percentage off of our party’s tables. We called the manager over and told her the situation. While telling her this, the waitress walks to our table and starts screaming at the birthday gal who was speaking to the manager trying to sort everything out. Not only did she scream «Did I NOT give you good service?!» At the top of her lungs in the restaurant, but she started cursing alot, and basically stormed off cursing at us and at her manager. It was really distasteful and put everyone in the most uncomfortable position, our night was really ruined.
After talking to the waitress, the manager came back, and we thought she had sorted it all out. Apparently not. She came to our table and started screaming at us herself. (The Manager, really) Telling us that her waitress was a great employee and that she didn’t see what the problem was. After asking her to remove the 18% gratuity on the bill, because the service and waitress was horrible, she refused cause she said it was «law» to charge that amount for parties of six or more. Basically, she was telling us to get over it.
We payed our bill and left. While standing outside of the restaurant chatting, the manager comes out and tells us that there’s still a check open and that it hasn’t been paid yet. (The check belonged to the birthday gal.) But we all saw her pay this bill in cash. We came to the conclusion that the waitress had kept the cash from her bill and simply told her manager that we had left without paying it. Once we realized this, her husband and a friend went back into the restaurant looking for the waitress, and as soon as she caught sight of them, she hightailed it into the kitched and basically disappeared.
This was the worst service I’ve ever gotten. It was really, really, horrible. Horrible enough to make me log on to this website for the first time and write this review you’re reading here. Hope it helps some of you out.
Btw, this restaurant does not have authentic mexican food at all. If you want semi decent mexican, do yourself a favor and eat at Chevy’s or a mom & pop type place.

The Customer Service Gods really need to take over and revamp this place. No Reaally! Why does such a nice place in Merrick park have horrendous customer service???
First off, I came here a few months ago and the food was great and my server was on point. I came again last night and what happend!!! We came for $ 2 Tuesday for 3 $ margaritas and $ 2 dollar tacos. I was hyped to try out a new deal.
Disclaimer: I called management before to confirm the specials.
As soon as we walked in, we sat in the front patio, waited for about 10 min untill a server decided to come around. She didnt even bring up the specials as I needed to mention them. Then she took forever to bring our beer orders out, my bf decided to go to the bar to get some quicker service. 5 min later she finally comes back for our order… we ordered a varety of tacos and it look about 30 min… they were cold and the fish tacos were nasty! And oh yah when she brought out the tacos she says «oh for next time this special ends at 10pm and I said no the manager said 12pm when I called earlier. (Idiot) Then i ordered a margarita and she forgot that order too! I said no salt and 10 min later she comes back with a margarita with salt. WTH???
The place is horrible, I dont think it will last or at least 2 $ Tuesdays wont. I wont be back… maybe to just sit at the bar for the $ 3 margaritas. Guess how much the servier got in tip? Well i’ll leave that up to your imagination!

****************************PATRONS BEWARE
Worst place to go on a first date.
— Upon arriving there I overheard the manager yelling at his hostess about greeting everyone that comes into the resturant. Very unprofessional. He should have in-​brief this before the business open.
— Received the wrong order. I asked for a Carne Molida Burrito with Black beans and no sour cream. The waitress ignored me and brought me a Burrito with Red Beans and Sour Cream.
— 20 mins after finishing the Burrito I ran to the nearest restroom because watery poop was about to come down. The «Doo-​doo man» on the restroom who sells candy, gum and spray colognes was laughing at me. I got upset at him because he didn’t even offer any Pepto Bis. I paid my check and ran home to finish my business and didn’t worry about any one laughing at me. Grab about two incense so that the smell can’t get out.
— On my way home I told my date to drive because I couldn’t resist what was going on with my stomach.

This place has good service, is well located, but it has a chlorine smell about it, and the food tastes like what you would get in a cheap chain mexican place — i.e. bland and tasteless.
Strengths:
1) Very good service. The wait staff are attentive and do a nice job explaining the menu.
2) Good location in Merrick Park
Weaknesses
1) Rubbish food. completely tasteless and bland. Doesn’t even seem like it is fresh. Reminds me of a cheap chain Mexican like on the border, except worse.
2) The restaurant has a bleach like smell about it. Perhaps this is because I went when they opened at noon and it had just been cleaned. However it was not good.

Okay, I’m honestly rating solely on drinks and happy hour appetizers at the bar. I had an A-​OK experience here at Cinco, when I came for happy hour. I really enjoy their queso with chips, which is made with onions and peppers! I’ve never had the queso like that — yum yum!!!
They have drink specials, but honestly not many beer options — so don’t expect a happy hour with lots of variety. The crowd wasn’t bad, and it got packed really fast — which was our cue to leave.
Need to come back to try dinner for a review update!

When I first walked in I was really feeling the vibe. The décor and lighting made for a real loungey hangout and a decent happy hour destination. However, as soon as we started interacting with the staff the mood slowly but surely began to die out.
The bartenders were slow and unresponsive. Living in the crowded Miami scene you tend to get used to slow bar service, but not when there are only 4 other people sitting at the bar. Our bartender literally stood in front of me, took my wife’s drink order and walked away without asking what I wanted. Big WTF moment — but probably not as big as her WTF crappy tip moment, I’m sure. Booyah!
When we sat down with our group the service just didn’t get any better. It was extremely slow and all our table ordered was about 3 appetizers and 1.5 rounds of drinks. My puerco pibil was basically plain pork with tomato sauce (tasted like from a jar) poured over it.
Just about the only saving grace was the guacamole… but guac isn’t bringing me back out here.

Uno: Located in Merrick Park right next to Yard House.
Dos: Indoor and outdoor seating allows for a large variety of space for you to enjoy your food or drinks. Sadly, people tend to smoke outside making those sensitive to smoke not have an ideal experience outside.
Tres: The crowd tends to be a late twenties to mid fourties. The music that plays tends to cater the crowd. It ranges from 80s «classics» to modern pop.
Cuatro: The bar is massive, indoors and outdoors. Unfortunately, if you come during a prime hour (Friday /​Saturday night), finding a spot may be rather tricky. Unfortunately, every time I’ve come, there is always someone fighting the bartenders about something… and I’ve seen people tossed out several times. Pro top: Frank the bartender is a GREAT guy and does a great job with drinks, so be sure to become friends with him.
Cinco: I’ve tried a large variety of dishes and drinks, but that was a while ago. I usually come for drinks at the bar. What I do remember is that the food was good, but not great. If you’re planning to get a table, don’t show up during peak hours because there is a LONG wait. Expect to hug the bar while you wait.
Bottom Line: No hateraide here, but not amazed either. It’s ok to visit.

Went for lunch, and got there about 11:30a on Sunday. Lots of empty tables, and we were quickly attended to by friendly wait staff. It filled up pretty quickly after about 12:15p. Call me picky, but I’m not used to having to pay for a basket of chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant. The food was just okay, but it wasn’t bad. The delicious sounding lime and ajillo chicken fajitas were just grilled chicken. The sliders (which my 4 year old wanted) tasted like the freezer. But the atmosphere was nice, and I’ll bet the bar is fun.
Strangely enough, though I guess to be expected in Miami, the music was all cuban, not Mexican!

Um, why are all the Unilocalers drinking the haterade when it comes to Cinco? I went here last night for a gal pal’s birthday party and she had the private room booked.
After copious amounts of margaritas, my belly needed some grub and the beef burrito was ridic. When it first arrived, my friends (AKA the food police) were mortified by it’s size (read: it was the size of a brick).
Covered in ooey gooey cheese and stuffed with rice, beans and ground beef, I chowed down… as did my friends. Yes, the ones who were busting my balls for ordering it in the first place. Sheesh.
The décor is adorbs (think hanging lanterns) and the service was on point (a rare thing in the 305). And the DJ was playing ‘90s throwback tunes which had a few of us dancing like we were at Hot Wheels.
I will definitely going back for that larger-​than-​life burrito. Olé!

Was here for happy hour last Friday. Great environment, drinks were very good, apps were good. I had the guacamole and the fried jalapeños.
Happy hour specials were good.
Main dishes, not a fan, had the burrito and although it was HUGE nothing special, but to be honest didn’t really bum me out that much.
Music was very good, mix of 80’s, 90’s, top 40 and latin.
Def. going back again for happy hour.

we went for happy hour with a group of our friends on a Thursday night. While the patio was fairly crowded, the inside was fairly empty. Because this is a large restaurant, so the interior looked even more forlorn. We were drinking and eating snacks for a while on the patio then decided to move inside because of the heat. Once we moved inside, the service that was erratic at best on the patio became nonexistent.
After suffering through an interminable period of spotty ordering and delivery of drinks and snacks, one of our party called over the manager and made a comment about the glacial pace of the service. The manager took a bit of interest for a while but quickly disappeared when he figured we weren’t staying for dinner but just ordering drinks and snacks.
I ran into the manager again as my wife and i were getting into our car, he was also getting into his and leaving, it wasn’t yet 9pm.
Ineffectual manager leaving before the restaurant is closed? This restaurant will be history before the end of the year.
BTW: The snacks were nothing to write home about and the one main dish that was ordered, the chicken tacos, were no better.

Mexican is my absolute favorite kind of food. What I’ve come to learn is that usually the best comes from the hole-​in-​the-​wall places that may look a little bit on the sketchy side. Cinco is anything but that which is maybe why I was a bit underwhelmed.
I like the décor of this place and as a UM alum, I love the Sebastian on the wall. We got placed in a comfy booth and ordered a carafe of Sangria and chips with guac (added on goat cheese) and salsa. It was ladies night so the sangria was half off so definitely a great deal! The chips and guac came way before the drinks though (something about the bar being backed up) and when it did come, our waiter spilled the drink while pouring it into my glass. Said the fruit got him tripped up… He clumsily cleaned it up and didn’t really offer anything in exchange. Overall, the sangria was good though.
The menu is very extensive with all the Mexican staples like enchiladas, quesadillas, tacos, etc. and then some more creative dishes too. I went with the chile rellenos stuffed with chicken and cheese. My friends got the surf and turf fajitas and the chicken burrito. All of our portions were huge. We all ate about half of it and were stuffed.
The guacamole and salsa were probably my favorite part. The goat cheese addition to the guac was surprisingly delicious. I knew that I loved guac and goat cheese but never thought of combining the two. The chili rellenos weren’t bad but I definitely lacked a spicy kick. The beans and rice on the side weren’t bad though.
It’s definitely not a cheap place but you get large portions for what you pay for. They have a bunch of different specials depending on the night so maybe I’d come back and check that out.

Let me start by saying that I absolutely LOVE Mexican food. And every time I hear of a new Mexican spot opening up, I’m sure to be one of the first ones there. Being a frequent visitor of Yardhouse, I was beyond excited to hear of Cinco’s opening. Unfortunately, I was less than excited when I left.
I don’t want to bash the service TOO much because my friends and I went within their first 2 weeks of opening. But it was less than stellar and the food took absolutely forever to arrive. So I’ll give them a pass. But one thing that is unforgivable is the complete LACK OF FLAVOR in the food. I have never tasted such bland Mexican food in my entire life. I went with 4 of my friends, and this is what we ordered:
Me: Pork Tacos. Totally fatty and NO FLAVOR. I had to add a gallon of tabasco to even make them edible. I thought the rice was awful and the «refried» beans were anything but. They were very watery. My other friends ordered the Ceviche, Chimichanga, Chicken Tacos, Quesadilla. All of their opinions were the same. Zero flavor.
2 of us wanted to have a drink. We asked the waiter what his suggestion was, and he suggested a margarita that was topped with a corona (the name escapes me). He said it was their strongest margarita. It was the most watered down margarita I’ve ever had. Personally, I’ve gotten a better buzz from the frozen margaritas at Lime.
Hopefully they can improve on their food, or else I don’t see this place lasting too long. The place is beautiful and enormous. And I’m sure their rent is just as enormous. So hopefully they read this and take the constructive criticism that others have offered as well. More flavor! It’s Mexican food for crying out loud!

Hello, what happened to the service in these short months.
This place was empty, could the food have gone south so fast, a possibility, but not likely. The first thing I noticed was the bartender on the cell phone while pouring a drink to one of the very few at the bar. Now I hate to be a proponent of don’t text and pout as apposed to don’t text and drive, but it does lack some professionalism. I don’t think the manager will get mad, as he just walked by on the cell phone.
I sat at the bar for a few beers and ordered the mussels and clams, which sounded very good. sadly I never saw them because 10 minutes later the bartender (no longer on the phone) advised me that the kitchen had no mussels. Chicken wings for me then, and filet mignon taco’s. with a side of guacamole.
Really the only thing that stood out was the guacamole. the wings although spicy were unremarkable. the Filet Mignon tacos were over cooked and the chorizo sausages did nothing for the dish.
Oddly enough I was enjoying the food, perhaps because I hadn’t had breakfast, or lunch yet, and I just got my car back from the Collection, where now I would have to take up a collection. But, I kept getting drawn back to the service, or lack of professionalism from everyone on staff. It wasn’t just the bartender or manager on the cell phone, but from looking around it was the staff that was observed the dialing madness.
There is something lacking with the food, but there is a big something lacking with the management style here. Your only gonna do what you can get away with!

I came here as a favor to my girlfriend, who LOVES mexican food. I couldn’t care less for it. I walked in thinking «great, it’s empty, just what I wanted, another fake TexMex place, in a mall!» Let’s say I was more than skeptical.
As soon as we passed though the doors we were greeted by two very kind managers and were sat down in a large booth at the front.
I ordered «whatever that thing is that smells delicious» (Carnitas) and a Maria Juana cocktail and my GF ordered Steak taquitos and something berry cocktail something.
The manager passed by our table and checked up to see how we were. That was nice.
Now, granted, the drinks and food took a little long to get to the table, but our patience was rewarded.
Three «human sized» (not to small not to big portion) pork tacos were placed in front of me, beautifully plated with a side of beans as well as a side of rice with peas.
The taquitos were pretty good, with coleslaw on top, but, and I know this is going to sound oh so stupid, the star of the show was the rice.
If you come from a South American country, and try this rice, it tastes like the rice your grandmamma used to make for her Arroz Con Pollo and will catapult you back to your childhood. Memories of hammocks and family dinners will rush though your head. I was speechless, not to mention incredibly happy. We ate all our food like our mom taught us because, «there are many starving children in the world,» and unlike when you were 6, you’ll be more than thrilled to finish everything on your plate this time.
This is the kind of place you take your family, friends, enemies, strangers, anyone just so you have an excuse to come back and eat here.