I really REALLY wanted to like this place. There's 3-4 of us that go out every Friday afternoon for some drinks and apps. With more and more places closing or getting worse this place was close, looks nice and in general is not a totally bad place.
We went a couple times and things were pretty good. Nice patio and good happy hour. We went a week ago and my friend and i had our normal Long Island Ice Teas. Now, I've had them from Hawaii to NYC and when they're made right, they're refreshing and nice., When they're made bad...the WORST drink on Earth.
One sip and we both gagged, looked at each other and did the Ug dance. I took them back to the guy and my friend played it safe with some scotch and I thought I'd try a margarita. DUMB MOVE Ron. The bartender kid said they didn't do a lot of cocktail biz so they had no Grande Marnier and he said they squeezed their own limes.
Now, the margarita is the most popular drink in America so you'd think people could make it right - especially in Arizona. Not so. I knew the taste I was tasting but put my thoughts on hold. This time the food scored a 6 with the chips limp and greasy (actually dripping) and needed a replacement.
We decided to give this one more try this last week. I made the same mistake of ordering a Rita. When i asked the waitress/bartender (after another bad drink) it turns out the kid last week wasn't even a bartender... AND YET HE'S MAKING A COMPLICATED LONG ISLAND? And... turns out my taste buds were correct.. they use Pope's lime - Not fresh. Pope's is the worst with that weird heavy aftertaste that is as fake a the lemon and lime juice you buy in the store in the plastic fruits.
If you're going to run a place and invest the money and time, USE FRESH QUALITY INGREDIENTS. I don't think i'm asking too much.
So many places are cutting corners, lacking service, poor food...they must think the public will put up with anything to drink and eat out. NOT SO. Fill up your bar with some good stock, Make your own sour mix, teach your waiters NOT to be a bartender and get some consistent food coming out from the back. There's too many options when eating out to go to places that don't care enough.
Again... just keeping it real.