Chiquitos

Chiquito

Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

What is it that annoys us so much about theme restaurants? Apart, of course, that they think it's OK to charge £3.99 for a can of diet coke.

We tend to associate them with all things corporate and bland, walk in through the door and you could be anywhere; Hanley or Havana, it hardly matters. Perhaps we should get over ourselves, quirky and niche is all well and good, until it tips over into pretension.

Walk in through the door of the Hanley branch and you are in theme eatery heaven, as you are in any other establishment along the bustling enclave that is The Hive. That though is a good rather than a bad thing.

The menu is simple, made up of Mexican favorites that can be encountered in any supermarket. Here though they are cooked well and presented attractively. The staff are attentive without being fussy and the decor is on the right side of authentic without working the theme too hard.

Does all this equate to an experience comparable to dining out in Mexico City? That is something for hipsters to think about as they stroke their beards. My own guess is probably not, but if you're looking for good food in pleasant surroundings then say viva to visiting soon.

The waitress was rude and forceful. The food was at a low standard and the minute we put down our knifes and forks the waitress got our bill. The bill was a shocking price. No wonder the waiter was barking at us to have another drink! £20 for 3 drinks and £38 for 2 meals. Shocking

My overall experience at Chiquititos was atrocious. Now on my summer holiday back from college and seeing my friends for the first time in months I was shocked to learn that after ordering alcoholic drinks, and verifying we were over 18, we were given Virgin drinks and charged for alcoholic drinks. This authority proves the the cowardliness of the staff to not admit to giving us nonalcoholic drinks for not believing us in being over age even after a few of us showed school Ids and American drivers licences. Paying £6.75 for a non alcoholic tex on the beach which ended up being quite literally juice was unfair and rude. The food was also in explicably awful and over priced for how crappy it was. This welcome home experience after my first night home was not right and I highly do not reccomend this experience to anyone else.

I have been coming to this restaurant for a long time but the fact I was sneakily given Virgin drinks and charged otherwise for so was flat out a no.

Service was good. Food was ok but not worth the money. I have had Enchilladas before and this tasted nothing like it. Honestly I could have made better. Should have gone to Italia Bella.

Went to this restaurant for dinner as a party of 4 . Never again. The restaurant wasn't very busy but had to wait ages to be served. Finally ordered our food and still after 40 minutes nothing arrived. We complained to the waiter who said it will be out in a minute. Still after 10 minutes nothing. My husband complained to the manageress and her attitude was disgusting. After 5 minutes the food arrived and was cold sent both adult meals back. The replacements were just as bad. The assistant manger was great and reduced the food bill by 50%. My husband paid but I wouldn't of paid for any of the adult meals. I will never visit this restaurant again if I ever visit edinburgh. Slow service and horrible food.

me and my family went for a week end out and ended up dining at Chiquitos(Durham city center), and we thought the food was amazing . We had to wait 25 mins due to not booking before hand but to us this was the only fault. The staff were very polite and food was lovely some of the best I have ever had! As soon as we walked into the restraunt, the staff greeted us with a bowl of salty popcorn with a twist. Our family really enjoyed this service!

We went and spent £50 last night at Chiquitos at Croydon Purley Way and can honestly say it was the worst ever restaurant we have ever been to.

We were given a complimentary dish of salty popcorn, no doubt to make us thirsty and order more overpriced drinks. Then they got half of our order wrong and expected my boyfriend to start eating his before my food arrived, so he requested to have his food brought at the same time and when the correct food did arrive, when his came out again it was dry and tasteless, while my pulled pork fajita looked like a plate of vomit.

Overpriced, awful experience and this morning we had the joy of suffering from sickness and diahorrea. It wouldn't have been so bad, but my boyfriend is from South America and he said that "nowhere on the south american contintent would they serve dog food like that, not even in prisons" Avoid this restaurant at all costs.

Vicky, Penge.

Really enjoyed my experience here in Stevenage food was yummy service was great staff were friendly and welcoming to help to any extended needs. Overall was good service and was pleased to leave happy and full. Only thing I could complain about is the general bad smell of the bath rooms other than that I feel it is a great place for dinning out.

Considering I am a regular at the chiquitos restaurants I'm very disappointed in the service I received on my visits tuesday the order I placed was a medium rare stake and I got a well done steak that was ridiculously chewy my mum also ordered and medium rare and received what looked like a thin slice of leather when discussing this with the waitress she then argued with us and forgot on a numerous occasion are side orders as I'm writing this I am still waiting for my glass of water I ordered 10 minutes ago

We went along for fathers day for a meal without booking. We were seated within 15 minutes but the area was a little cramped.

It was very noisy but then it was busy and full of kids, but the music was way too loud too making it hard to make conversation.

To be fair we all enjoyed the food and the final bill was pretty low due to their Dads Eat Free offer.

I would try it again when a little less busy.