Mayberry Cantina

Nothing specific to say about Mayberry Cantina.  

Unfortunately, the food just isn't very good.  It's not flavorful, and thus far, has not been cooked well; things came out either burnt or cold.  Way below average for Toledo.

Although it has a convenient location for some of Sylvania's western neighborhoods, if it were me, I'd keep driving to Toledo, or Maumee, or Perrysburg, or Dundee, or Monroe, or Oregon.  

I really wanted to like this place.   I've only eaten  there twice, thus, maybe just maybe, I'll give it another try.

I've read some reviews about this "cantina" and they are pretty harsh regarding the food. It's Mexican food people!  There's only so much you can do with the limited ingredients!  

My biggest complaint of past iterations of this menu was always the salsa. The first owners had to have had stock in Pace Salsa...it was not good, but the meals were decent.

The second owner seem to have their beans together. Their salsa seemed homemade. I enjoyed Number Two's menu the most, too.

Now, from what I hear, the Cantina is on its third owner, and I think they make Costco salsa runs regularly. This isn't so bad as my fridge has held a jug or three of this salsa.

I've also had burritos from each of the three owners.  All have been okay.  Again, it's Mexican food- or at least the American opinion of Mexican.  The burrito of my most recent visit was gi-normous!  I could only eat half after we started our meal with six loaded nachos.  The nacho chips were good.  They were the light and airy type, and not just the kind you can get out of a bag.  I have no complaints about the nachos or burrito, and my wife liked her soft, chicken tacos.  Seriously though, how can anyone mess these up?  Keep your ingredients fresh and simple.

I want to treat the current owner and manager of the current Cantina like a bad puppy because I want to like this Sylvania, local business establishment, but the following is what makes it difficult at this point.  

I have my rolled up newspaper in hand as I write this.

First, we walked in and waited to be seated.  There wasn't a sign that said "Please Seat Yourself," OR "Please Wait To Be Seated," so we waited.  I saw the manager/owner look at us from behind the bar, and then I swear he went to find a waitress or hostess because it's their job to seat us, but then he finally came back and told us we could sit anywhere.  No greeting.  Just, "You can sit anywhere."  

Bad Cantina!  Get a sign or have someone tell us immediately.  It was not busy for a Wednesday night...

...and here's why.

Karaoke in the dining area!

Bad Cantina!  To me bringing in karaoke kills the dining experience, even at nine o'clock at night.  It definitely wasn't helping business.  No one could sing.  Save karaoke for the Beer Stube or the Roadhouse where it's expected!  

So, we sat there for a while listening to bad renditions of whatever, and our server arrived to take our drink order.  I ordered a margarita, that was somewhat soapy tasting (my rating of margaritas is on a scale of soapy-the more soapy, the more likely it's a mix).  

What struck me was the fact that our waitress asked us after a long period of time, and after she took our food order, "Did you want chips and salsa?"   Yes, we did.

Bad Cantina!  Just bring on the salsa!  Even if it is from Costco.

Maybe this puppy just needs to learn.  Maybe it's because we went for Mexican food in December four days before Christmas.  I do not know, but there is definitely learning to be done.    

Lessons learned...hopefully.
Keep the food and ingredients fresh and simple.  
Manager in the blue shirt and jeans, be friendly and welcoming, and get a sign!
Servers, just put the chips and salsa on the table first thing.
NO KARAOKE!

Cantina, I'll be back this summer for a Corona and your next test.

This place is on it's third owners now, hopefully they make changes. service is pretty bad, but then again the food is not that good either. it is what i would call grocery store mexican- canned beans, pace salsa and bagged chips.