Is this place doomed? How many restaurants have been here before Que Onda? I can remember at least three.
Service was problematic, but I'll give the benefit of the doubt since they've only been open a few weeks. I mentioned that I wanted the $2 taco special, and our server had to turn around to scan the specials board to make sure my request was legit. After my coworker placed her order, our server tried to talk her into a different special that was in no way related to what she ordered. And then she had to confirm my order again before she left.
The food is pretty good. The flavor of everything we ordered was fine, but the temperatures were all over the place. My coworker's tacos were cold. Mine were warm, but the tortillas were completely saturated, telling me they sat for awhile before our server brought them over. My plantains were lava hot and my rice was room temp. Seems like the kitchen could work on their timing.
As we were wrapping up and waiting for the check, a different server came by to ask us if everything had been alright. He did that hands-on-knees stance you use when you're talking to children or puppies. It was uncomfortable. And then he stuck around for several minutes aggressively trying to teach my companion several phrases in Spanish. I could have done without the entire interaction.
Once they work out the kinks, this might be a decent lunch option. Uptown is sorely lacking in good taco places, so I hope the experience improves before the next restaurant moves into this location.