Beware: Espadas Brazilian Steak House

[hal]

Beware of Espadas Brazilian Steak House. Ten of us went there
as a group. When it came time to pay the bill, we were informed
that there was a 15% "service" charge added on to the bill. We
assumed that this was the tip. However, our waiter and the manager
insisted that this was not the tip. They said it was a "tax". We
paid the bill along with the tax and added a 15% tip. Later that
evening we were informed that Spadas had cheated us. We went back
the next day and not only did they admit to cheating us, they also
seemed rather proud of the fact. So beware, there is no tax on
food in Playa del Carmen. STAY AWAY FROM ESPADAS BRAZILIAN STEAK HOUSE. :evil:

[james]

I'll list the good things I've heard about this place:

[Chrissy Lou]

So, James, is that a comprehensive list?

Hal, sorry you had a bad experience. But thanks for sharing it with us.
Maybe they will get as good as they have given! :evil:
We never had a problem with the places we ate or shopped (no,we didn't go to this place). Most of the places to which we went are on the PlayaInfo Deal card.

I guess that is what I like most about this forum, all the great advice!
Everybody keep up the good work!

[kjtom]

dear BB, hal & James ... I am a bit stunned ... I ate twice at espadas in winter 2001 and had no problem with food, service or la cuenta ... I thank Hal for his consideration of the BB campesinos ... I searched for an espadas card but can not find it among my playa stuff ... I am currently writing and really updating a travel guide etc on pdc and have espadas listed as a recommended place ... anyone can get a bad meal even a bad lobster at the best places (a lobster at Hemingway's in Sarasota for example) ... but arrogant price cheating is major league bullstuff ... I noticed in Best of Playa post that someone else praised Espadas, but James is , as we say, The Man and he listed his good things as zippo as we can see ... I recall my bill for the all-you-can-eat meat rodeo as the tab of whatever it was, plus a service fee which was no where near 15 percent which went to the guys who cut the meat at table ... the waiter explained the fee was for the cutters not him and that I was free to duke him or not duke him ... I duked him a bit .... I think Hal was too kind to tip on top of the baloney 15 percent charge but you are a style guy ... I told the manager who was all kinds of a gracious host that the rodeo was better than the Portugese eateries of Newark, NJ which is known (the Ironbound section) for its brazilian and portugese culture and food of which he was well aware ... but if they ran that garbage by me they would see the North Jersey junkyard dog in me for sure ... eat your cuenta... call a cop ... mi amigo is el presidente de municipal medina (or whoever at any point in time) is a phrase I picked up in my virgin trip to pdc some 9 years back ... it is an outrage when this trash goes down in a town with many good eateries ... it reminds me that I once received a bogus and illegible bill at Ronnie's Steak House years ago and politely refused to recognize same until it was rewritten in clear script ... it came back a solid 15 percent lower with sanctimonious apology by the ultra elegant hostess ... I paid, of course, but left a gooseegg for a tip with a note "not in Newark" ... and Ronnie's is as good a restaurant for ambiance and food as I have ever been in ... but never again .... k

[JimS]

The Ajua also used the same approach with me - 12% and a conversation with personnel the next day was ended when the man walked away. The couple passing by just then , thanked us for the info.
I am in the process of sending them a copy of the message I am posting on 2 travel websites.

[Mossy]

Espadas was our "gonna get screwed at least once" on vacation outing last year. To say the food was "okay" would be generous, but the service was just piss-poor. We probably would have even overlooked the food if the staff had been somewhat accomodating. It took forever to get a drink, 4 or 5 waiters stood around while they ran some poor kid to death. The kid couldn't have been more than 14-15 yrs old and was sweating his ass off running back and forth waiting tables and cutting meat. I didn't even try to decipher the bill, we just wanted out of there at all costs.... As I said, we wrote it off and went on. Also, we stuffed a tip in the kid's pocket, hopefully out of sight of the others...

[hal]

Thought it was time to bring this tread to the top again. I just saw another thread about credit card information being stolen by this same place. I really don't understand how a great place like Fridas had to close and this dirt bag dive can stay in business. Refer to "Credit card info stolen" thread. I realize this thread is not as exciting as the "boobs on the beach" thread but it may save you money and heartache.

[Rothmila]

I always try to execise extreme financial caution when traveling in Mexico especially the touristy areas - the temptation is too great for some to 'rip off' a bit extra since the odds of getting caught are so remote.

I had my credit card info stolen and used once - now I do not use credit cards in Mexico (even the credit card company indicated that extreme caution should be exercised, especially in Mexico. Mind you this will not / has not detered me from returning to Mexico.

I for one will place Espadas Brazilian Steak House on the not to frequent list - spread the word and this place will follow Fridas (unfortunately) out the door -thanks Hal.

[ryberg]

I have no connection with Espadas or any reason to think one way or the other about them, either in this case (about which I know nothing, of course) or in general. Same goes for me and Ajua or a lot of other places, for that matter. However it is important to clarify and understand one point:

ALL restaurant service IS subject to 10% in sales tax here in Playa.

The question is only whether a given establishment has figured that tax into the prices shown on its menu already or whether that tax is added at the end. This and related information is explained in my post here on the thread JoanieBlon started here.

Steve

[hal]

What was the additional 5% for? We have eaten at many restaurants there and have never been charged this tax. However, maybe it is as you say that it was included in their prices. I will ask first next time I go to a restaurant in Playa. By the way, Espadas did finally admit to cheating us and they also thought it was real funny. Sorry Steve, we had way too bad of an experience at Espadas. I won't back down on my opinion of this place.

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by hal

What was the additional 5% for? We have eaten at many restaurants there and have never been charged this tax.

Follow that link to my post and you'll see in more detail what the valid possibilities for taxes are, with some related commentary. I have no answer for that question, but the main point concerns the 10% IVA being applicable, as noted above.

Steve

[Rothmila]

I guess, as usual, it's ... caveat emptor.

[hal]

Thanks for the info Steve.

[PalmtreeMaya]

Hal... sorry to hear that happened to all of you... did they put all ten people on one bill or separate?

[hal]

All ten were on one check. I do appreciate Steve's help in clarifying the tax. We were all told that there was none. Steve should know since he is in business there.