Gabbi's Mexican Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

ayneges

Joined 4 years ago

Inconsiderate Service. My fiance and I love the food at Gabbi's; however, we went there last Friday and we had a very unpleasant experience. We showed up when there were about 3 groups of people ahead of us on the list to be seated; and we waited nearly 45 minutes before leaving due to other groups coming after us and not having to wait more than 10 to 15 minutes to be sat. We noticed that the groups that came after us but sat before us seemed to be friends of the gentleman at the front of the restaurant who was overseeing the seating priority. It's a shame that we have to give up Gabbi's now, because the food is delicious; but we're no longer comfortable giving our business to a restaurant that doesn't treat all their patrons equally.

Recommends

rwellington

Joined 7 years ago

Nice looking place, good food, loud, crowded, and excessive wait even with reservations.... Went for dinner on Sunday. We arrived 15 minuets early for our 6 PM reservation and where told it would be a while before we were seated. We waited outside at one of the table till they sat us at 6:30? I asked twice about our table and was told the table it was almost ready. As with almost everything it is not what is said but how it was said and that hostess has yet to learn that. There was never any apology for the delay.

The place is very attractive and crowded. The space has too many tables for the space. The hard surfaces echo the noise level, which lessened the ambiance. The food was very good and very well presented. Our table had a Puerco Poc-Chuc, shrimp with green mole, and the Arrachera (skirt steak), all where very good but not EXCELLENT. The cocktails where good but expensive around 12-14 dollars (almost has much as the entries) but did provided an interesting selection. The wine selection was also nice.

With more attention to customer service and some maturation, Gabbi?s can be a very nice place.

Doesn't Recommend

floramar

Joined 5 years ago

Tiny Portions, BAD, BAD Service!. When I called the restaurant the first time to make a reservation I was surprised to not get an answer, not even an answering machine letting me know the restaurant was closed due to a street fair going on that day. I should have known that a place without an answering machine doesn?t have customer service as a priority. Nevertheless, I gave it the benefit of the doubt and came to Gabbi?s Kitchen based on the Zagat Guide?s food rating. On my first experience the service was mediocre, but the staff was not rude, and although the portions are tiny, the food was good. I came back to the restaurant with a group of 5 people (my elderly parents included) today and arrived at exactly 11am, right when the restaurant is supposed to open. After waiting by the hostess table and being ignored by the hostess, whose name is Jessica, I walked over and asked for a table. We were told the restaurant was not open yet and we had to wait outside!!! There were tables outside ready to be sat in, but she SPECIFICALLY asked to wait outside because she was not ready to sit us! My elderly parents and I patiently waited 15 minutes past 11am before we were finally sat! Again, the food was good, tiny portions but the service was so bad I definitely will not be back. Javier?s at the Irvine Spectrum and in Newport has fantastic food, same price range ($15-$20), but they really understand customer service. Sorry Gabbi?s Kitchen, your food is good, but if you continue to employ people like Jessica you will loose many clients.