Mucho Ultima is the newest lackluster Mexican restaurant to hit the South Bay. It occupies the old Michi space on Manhattan Ave. in Manhattan Beach.
Now, I’ve eaten here twice. The food is good, not The-original -El Cholo-good, but decent. That goes for the service too. The prices are high – even by Manhattan Beach standards. Take one of my favorite items, for instance: the Tostada con Pollo Salad. It’s a normal-size salad, some might consider it an appetizer. It’s a whopping $13.95. Then there are the entrees. There are nine on the uninspired docket - the cheapest one starts at $18.00. (For enchiladas!)
A friend - we'll call him "John" - had a similar take on the place as me. Astronomical prices, so-so service. Still, it’s a fun atmosphere, it’s a got a hip (yet somewhat “forced”) vibe. Despite the fact that the last time John went to Mucho, they tried to charge him for a refill of the free chips and salsa. And despite the fact that even with a reservation, every time we've ever been there, we've had to wait in excess of 15 minutes for a table, John still thought it might be a good place to take business associates close to his home. Little did he know that for a table for 20, there are certain stipulations.
We'll Need Your First-Born
Diners should know what they’re getting into if they decide to take a large party to Mucho. To say the restaurant’s reservation policy is rigid is a huge understatement. After reviewing the contract, John had to laugh before picking up the phone and making a good 'ole fashioned verbal reservation with another establishment.
Mucho’s contract covers all basis to ensure the restaurant is covered in any possible scenario, stopping just short of requesting a signature in blood to seal the deal. For your convenience, I've included some excerpts of the contract here. Enjoy: “…We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for parties of 13-20 people. By signing this form, you understand that we do not seat incomplete parties and we do not hold a table for more than 15 minutes after the agreed reservation time. By signing below, you are authorizing MUCHO to charge a fee of $250.00 in the event that the reservation is not cancelled 24-hours in advance or $25.00 for each expected guest that is not present at the time of your reservation….”
Okay, 48-hours notice is a bit of a lead-time, but I’ll let that slide. $250.00 if it’s not cancelled 24-hours in advance and a $25.00 charge per person, if anyone’s late or not accounted for? Ridiculous.
But wait, there’s more: “…We will provide the appropriate space for your group for a period of 2-hours, starting at the time you are sat. Any time past the two hour time limit will be charged at a rate of $100.00 per 15 minutes, for the entire group. Please understand it is important that you inform us of the exact size of your party when checking in for your reservation. You will be charged $25.00 per expected guest that is not present for your reservation…”
Who signs this thing? Seriously. $100.00 per every 15 minutes that your party does not vacate the table? Really? What if the kitchen's backed up? Or, what’s stopping the server from taking his time to deliver the food, forcing the patrons to stay?
According to Andrea Zislis, a representative for Mucho, who responded to my email when I inquired about their minimum charge policy, “…Any minimum we would set on a party is based on the time and the area the party is to be sat- not on the number of guests. For example, if you request to sit in the patio for a private room and only have 12 guests, the minimum (charge) is the same if you have 30 guests.” (In John's case it was a $2,000.00 minimum for 20 people!)
Not sure who Mucho thinks it is, but as someone who often makes plans for large groups; and as a local who frequently offers recommendations for eateries in the South Bay; AND as someone who writes a little blog blasting poor business practices, I can say this is one place I won't be visiting anytime soon.
Save your money and walk to nearby Ercoles instead. You won't be disappointed. But don't take my word for it. Check out this recent five-star review of this long-standing Manhattan Beach gem.
Read the Mucho contract in its entirety. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll probably make a reservation somewhere else.
Now, I’ve eaten here twice. The food is good, not The-original -El Cholo-good, but decent. That goes for the service too. The prices are high – even by Manhattan Beach standards. Take one of my favorite items, for instance: the Tostada con Pollo Salad. It’s a normal-size salad, some might consider it an appetizer. It’s a whopping $13.95. Then there are the entrees. There are nine on the uninspired docket - the cheapest one starts at $18.00. (For enchiladas!)
A friend - we'll call him "John" - had a similar take on the place as me. Astronomical prices, so-so service. Still, it’s a fun atmosphere, it’s a got a hip (yet somewhat “forced”) vibe. Despite the fact that the last time John went to Mucho, they tried to charge him for a refill of the free chips and salsa. And despite the fact that even with a reservation, every time we've ever been there, we've had to wait in excess of 15 minutes for a table, John still thought it might be a good place to take business associates close to his home. Little did he know that for a table for 20, there are certain stipulations.
We'll Need Your First-Born
Diners should know what they’re getting into if they decide to take a large party to Mucho. To say the restaurant’s reservation policy is rigid is a huge understatement. After reviewing the contract, John had to laugh before picking up the phone and making a good 'ole fashioned verbal reservation with another establishment.
Mucho’s contract covers all basis to ensure the restaurant is covered in any possible scenario, stopping just short of requesting a signature in blood to seal the deal. For your convenience, I've included some excerpts of the contract here. Enjoy: “…We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for parties of 13-20 people. By signing this form, you understand that we do not seat incomplete parties and we do not hold a table for more than 15 minutes after the agreed reservation time. By signing below, you are authorizing MUCHO to charge a fee of $250.00 in the event that the reservation is not cancelled 24-hours in advance or $25.00 for each expected guest that is not present at the time of your reservation….”
Okay, 48-hours notice is a bit of a lead-time, but I’ll let that slide. $250.00 if it’s not cancelled 24-hours in advance and a $25.00 charge per person, if anyone’s late or not accounted for? Ridiculous.
But wait, there’s more: “…We will provide the appropriate space for your group for a period of 2-hours, starting at the time you are sat. Any time past the two hour time limit will be charged at a rate of $100.00 per 15 minutes, for the entire group. Please understand it is important that you inform us of the exact size of your party when checking in for your reservation. You will be charged $25.00 per expected guest that is not present for your reservation…”
Who signs this thing? Seriously. $100.00 per every 15 minutes that your party does not vacate the table? Really? What if the kitchen's backed up? Or, what’s stopping the server from taking his time to deliver the food, forcing the patrons to stay?
According to Andrea Zislis, a representative for Mucho, who responded to my email when I inquired about their minimum charge policy, “…Any minimum we would set on a party is based on the time and the area the party is to be sat- not on the number of guests. For example, if you request to sit in the patio for a private room and only have 12 guests, the minimum (charge) is the same if you have 30 guests.” (In John's case it was a $2,000.00 minimum for 20 people!)
Not sure who Mucho thinks it is, but as someone who often makes plans for large groups; and as a local who frequently offers recommendations for eateries in the South Bay; AND as someone who writes a little blog blasting poor business practices, I can say this is one place I won't be visiting anytime soon.
Save your money and walk to nearby Ercoles instead. You won't be disappointed. But don't take my word for it. Check out this recent five-star review of this long-standing Manhattan Beach gem.
Read the Mucho contract in its entirety. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You'll probably make a reservation somewhere else.
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