What's up with the mexican kitchen

[HadItUpToHere]

I went by expecting to eat last night but it was closed. I had dropped by a night less than a week ago and it was also closed. Have I missed a post on it?

I didn't have my glasses on and didn't bother to get out of the car to check any notes on the door. Does anyone have an update?

Are they just closed for the holidays?

[BayStBum]

My wife says the family closes it for a couple of weeks around this time every year. Not sure when they're repoening, though.

[virgo]

When they used to have the other location, I also remember them closing for a few weeks around the Christmas holidays

[IBB]

Why in the world would they close on the darn weekend.. HELLO!!! That is the best time! DUH!!

[thrillseeker]

I have yet to eat there. My mom and I tried to eat there one night. We went around 5:30 got a table and drinks then it was like an hour later no food. Mom is a diabetic so we had to leave because she was gonna go into withdrawals. It was horrible. We kept asking for our waiter and finally got the other waitress and ordered a salad which never came. It was an experience. Hopefully I can go when they open back up. I really want to try it out.

[dyates]

Yeah, they've always closed for the holidays and it's definately not like it used to be. We used to go to Mexican Kitchen every week. The service is shit...the food isn't the same...just a huge disappointment. I've been going to Mexican Kitchen since I was a kid. We went to the new location about a month or so ago...turned me off for life I think which sucks because I loved Mexican Kitchen.

[Bahlk]

Why in the world would they close on the darn weekend.. HELLO!!! That is the best time! DUH!!

My wife ate there all the time and she says the family goes back to Mexico for the holidays to visit family. Seems like the would make a killing during the holidays if they were to open though.

[LipsofanAngel]

They open back this week. Not today though- because they'r ealways closed on Monday. We sit at the bar, and those guys are great!! Best service we get anywhere. I'm ready for Wednesday! (we go on wed. of each week.) :)

[proudtobefrompetal]

I'm going Friday with friends - I CAN'T WAIT!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[LipsofanAngel]

I'm going Friday with friends - I CAN'T WAIT!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:
we sometimes go on Fri. nights too.. I'll have to let you know if we go this week on Wed. and Fri.!! I'd love to meet ya ;)

[cndygrl]

They usually do close for about 2 weeks at Christmas. They definitely would make a killing at Christmas.

I go about once every 2-3 weeks for lunch. The service has not been bad at all.

[JMC]

Service and food seems exactly the same to me.

[Kitty]

Service and food seems exactly the same to me.

Same here.

However, when they first reopened, the wait time was somewhat longer than before because so many people needed their "Mexican Kitchen fix" they had more business than they could handle.

That seems to have leveled off.

The only difference we've noticed is they raised the prices just a bit.

[dyates]

Unless it's changed dramatically in the last month...the service and food is horrible unless you're sitting at the bar drinking it up..then sure..they're gonna do a great job there. The more drinks they hand over the more money and tips are made. :smt105

[R1ZOOM]

The wait time was long at first, but it is very reasonable now, and the food is still very good IMHO.

[dyates]

They changed the rice. It's not the same :(

[R1ZOOM]

They changed the rice. It's not the same :(


Oh, I don't eat the rice, sorry. The meat and cheese burritos got really greasy for a couple of weeks though. I was really disappointed. They seem to have everything that I usually get worked out now though.

[LipsofanAngel]

Unless it's changed dramatically in the last month...the service and food is horrible unless you're sitting at the bar drinking it up..then sure..they're gonna do a great job there. The more drinks they hand over the more money and tips are made. :smt105
I don't think 2 beers will make me or my guy turn in to a lush and give an outrageous tip. But considering we are "regulars", we're very nice to the same 2 bar tenders there and have good conversation with them. And the food at the bar is the same as it is at a table.
Implying that they only give us good service because we get drunk was not necessary.

[dyates]

I could careless how many drinks you have or your bf for that matter. Why would I? Normally that is the objective for bartenders is it not? Get as many tips as you can by keeping the beer, whiskey, or whatever flowing for the customers so I wasn't implying anything about YOU. If that was my point I would have just come out and said it just as you did. You really should learn to stop being so paranoid.

[LipsofanAngel]

I could careless how many drinks you have or your bf for that matter. Why would I? Normally that is the objective for bartenders is it not? Get as many tips as you can by keeping the beer, whiskey, or whatever flowing for the customers so I wasn't implying anything about YOU. If that was my point I would have just come out and said it just as you did. You really should learn to stop being so paranoid.
okay, dyates. I'll learn to be less paranoid when you learn to be less of a judgemental ....... :smt023

[dyates]

I'm not being judgemental...there you go again :confused:

[dyates]

I think the service there is crap....you think the service is great. Okay, nice...move on...we disagree...not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last.

[LipsofanAngel]

I think the service there is crap....you think the service is great. Okay, nice...move on...we disagree...not the first time and I'm sure it won't be the last.
lol, really? ha, I was moving on by not replying to your last post. :kekeke:

[Honey]

I love the Mexican Kitchen. I don't know anything about the rice being different because I don't eat the rice but the stuff I do like seems to be the same. We have been regulars there since they were on Hardy Street. Gosh, that is probably twenty years ago. Never ordered a beer though. Service was slow during the re-opening phase but I think that is because everybody and his brother couldn't wait to eat there again. I will say another thing my hubby does not like to wait on his meal and there are only a few places he will wait. Mexican Kitchen is one of them so the food must be good.

[dyates]

lol, really? ha, I was moving on by not replying to your last post.


O RLY? I see that ;)

[dyates]

We have been regulars there since they were on Hardy Street. Gosh, that is probably twenty years ago.


It was Honey. They were on Hardy when Mom and Dad would take us on Fridays to eat. It was Mexican Kitchen on Fridays and Morrison's on Saturday nights lol. Man that's been ages ago it seems.

[LipsofanAngel]

I love the Mexican Kitchen. I don't know anything about the rice being different because I don't eat the rice but the stuff I do like seems to be the same. We have been regulars there since they were on Hardy Street. Gosh, that is probably twenty years ago. Never ordered a beer though. Service was slow during the re-opening phase but I think that is because everybody and his brother couldn't wait to eat there again. I will say another thing my hubby does not like to wait on his meal and there are only a few places he will wait. Mexican Kitchen is one of them so the food must be good.
yeah, I never get the rice so I don't know if that's different or not. I don't get rice at any mexican place though...I always replace the rice with beans. It definitely took them a while to get things going good when they first re-opened... appears to be smoothed out now though.

[fuzzis]

I could use a margarita right now. :smt102

[JMC]

I could use a margarita right now. :smt102


I hear ya, 1 or 5 would be good right now.

[Honey]

Fuzzis is the margarita the drink that has the worm in it? I remember something about a worm in the movie Urban Cowboy.

[LipsofanAngel]

Fuzzis is the margarita the drink that has the worm in it? I remember something about a worm in the movie Urban Cowboy.
that's just some tequila Honey :)

[dyates]

Oh, Urban Cowboy....haven't seen that movie in forever.

[Honey]

Oh yeah Urban Cowboy. Hubby says they look like drug store cowboys but I think they look just fine.

[Honey]

Oops sorry I didn't mean to get off topic. Now about that rice.........

[LipsofanAngel]

Oops sorry I didn't mean to get off topic. Now about that rice.........
haha s'ok Honey... we understand. You just got a little confused about worms and alcohol and cowboys. Betcha don't find that kinda stuff in sewing threads or ice cream trucks ;)

[Honey]

I just can't talk about cowboys, blue jeans, and boots. They are my weakness.

[Kitty]

We have been regulars there since they were on Hardy Street. Gosh, that is probably twenty years ago. . .

I remember a date taking me to dinner at the Hardy Street location when I was in college, and that was over 25 years ago.

I remember us taking Daughter to that location when she was in her infant seat.

It was the only restaurant to which we'd take a baby because they had ceiling fans. Daughter would sit/lie there in her infant seat, staring at the ceiling fans spinning around.

She had her bottle. We had the Mexican Kitchen sauce. Life was good! :smt001

[R1ZOOM]

Betcha don't find that kinda stuff in sewing threads or ice cream trucks ;)


That ice cream truck she looked at in Texas might have had some worms in it from the way she described it.:ohnoes:

[LipsofanAngel]

HOORAY! I got my "fix" tonight!!! It was packed in here, so the service was a bit slower. Still great though. And they had an acoustic guitar player in the bar area... it was a fun time had by all :)

[proudtobefrompetal]

I've been eating MK since it was at the Hardy Street location. That was my absolute favorite place to eat growing up. I agree that the service in the new location is slow... but I don't see how anyone can say the food is not good. But I've said for years, you either love MK or hate it. I for one LOVE IT!!!

Lips... we're going for lunch Friday, not supper. Guess we'll have to meet some other time. :(

[Bubba]

Know some folks that make the drive down a time or two each week from Laurel to the Kitchen.
I remember the Hardy St. location.
And I also remember the Mexican Kitchen in Columbus back in the early '80s. Had the "hottest" hot sauce I can ever remember. Does anyone know if that one is still in business?;)

[jkspatty]

The last couple of times we went the food was as good as ever. The service was a bit slow, but as long as I had chips and sauce I was ok.

[LipsofanAngel]

The last couple of times we went the food was as good as ever. The service was a bit slow, but as long as I had chips and sauce I was ok.
isn't that the truth! ha actually helps save us some money because we fill up on chips and sauce so much that we don't order as much food. 2 chicken enchiladas or 2 hard tacos is all I ever need.

[R1ZOOM]

isn't that the truth! ha actually helps save us some money because we fill up on chips and sauce so much that we don't order as much food. 2 chicken enchiladas or 2 hard tacos is all I ever need.


I hate it when they run out of the fried taco shell chips and bring out those regular tortilla chips. They are too sweet and just don't taste right with the sauce. Luckily that only happens every now and then.

[jkspatty]

I hate it when they run out of the fried taco shell chips and bring out those regular tortilla chips. They are too sweet and just don't taste right with the sauce. Luckily that only happens every now and then.



Oh my God, that has never happened to me. I would go all Tony Soprano in there!:smt103

[LipsofanAngel]

I actuallly like the tortilla chips... It's part of why I like sitting at the bar, because that's what they give you. Although I've always loved MK, the taco shells were not my fave. I think it's great that they now have the option of getting either.

BTW, we went again tonight. Fantastic as usual :) Keep up the great work Scott, and good to see ya ;)

[proudtobefrompetal]

I hate it when they run out of the fried taco shell chips and bring out those regular tortilla chips. They are too sweet and just don't taste right with the sauce. Luckily that only happens every now and then.


THAT'S WHAT IT WAS!!! I couldn't figure it out yesterday when I went. We had the tortilla chips instead of taco shells... it just wasn't the same. It was good - just not the same.

[R1ZOOM]

I went Wednesday and Friday for lunch. It was very good both days. They brought out the chips Friday but I requested the taco shells and they brought them right out.

[usmfiz]

I love it..ate lunch there one day last week. Great service, and the best 'mexican' style food around.:clap:

[proudtobefrompetal]

They brought out the chips Friday but I requested the taco shells and they brought them right out.


I'll have to remember for the next time I go - the chips just aren't the same.

[LipsofanAngel]

ummm in case you didn't know- MK rocks my socks off!! I had a blast tonight! "S" and "B" you guys are awesome! And I'm wishin "D" were back with us on Friday night and not just Wed.

Anyone that doesn't like MK- well, as a professional, you're just "off"- sorry ;) HOORAY MK!

[birthdaybunnie]

ummm in case you didn't know- MK rocks my socks off!! I had a blast tonight! "S" and "B" you guys are awesome! And I'm wishin "D" were back with us on Friday night and not just Wed.

Anyone that doesn't like MK- well, as a professional, you're just "off"- sorry ;) HOORAY MK!

We drove by tonight and the house was packed at 6:30...We have never eaten there and all our friends rave about it. I guess we will have to try it soon. :laugh:

[ERTgrenadier]

Yea, Mexican Kitchen always close for a couple of weeks around Christmas beaue the family goes back to Mexico to visit his family. Also, I have HEARD (haven't confirmed it.) that, that is where the get supplies and bring it back into the states for the food, so it's kind of good they close.

My family, and I go religiously almost every week. Plenty of chips and sauce and 3 beef tip tacos for me. I really thought me and my family were the only people who didn't like the chips. It's just not the same :smt009, the taco shells are part of the tradtition! Sadly, last night we sat in the bar and only got the chips.

[mac]

It wasn't the taco shells that got me-- it was the fact that they served them with chili sauce.

[Kitty]

A guacamole salad and a split plate. :smt023:smt023

With the sauce and taco shells, of course.

[jkspatty]

It wasn't the taco shells that got me-- it was the fact that they served them with chili sauce.

Chili sauce? Is that something new on the menu?

[ERTgrenadier]

What do you mean chili sauce?

And check this out, about a week or two back I heard some lady ask, "Do you have somethin like that thing at Taco Bell?" .............................

[Kitty]

And check this out, about a week or two back I heard some lady ask, "Do you have somethin like that thing at Taco Bell?" .............................

Taco Bell. Not to be confused with real Mexican food.

[noway]

I always get the medium plate with cheese.. Taco shells are the best... I want to try a large plate but its just to much... Tonight sounds good..

[LipsofanAngel]

For any of you who sit at the bar but don't want chips, I'm sure you could just ask for the taco shells. I've seen some folks at the bar get them before. I'm just ready for the new cooler to get fixed... I've been missin my Dos Equis draft :)

[cndygrl]

I went last night. The food was great as always. Unfortunately, they sat us in the back room where there was table of 8 kids and 3 adults. Won't sit back there again.

[pinkytuscadero]

I went last night. The food was great as always. Unfortunately, they sat us in the back room where there was table of 8 kids and 3 adults. Won't sit back there again.



Yikes!:smt118

[LipsofanAngel]

If y'all only knew. :ohnoes: I worked there when it was at the Hardy Street location. If you leave some of those broken taco shells on your table, a waitress comes along later and reuses them on another table. That was the owner's policy. You had to reuse all the leftover shells before you could serve your customers fresh, new ones that haven't been touched by strangers. I got my rear chewed for throwing them away during my first week (btw, I was there only 2 weeks LOL). That's nothing as compared to what goes on in the kitchen area. :ohnoes: Almost everything is canned so I don't understand why people rave over that place when they can go get the same canned crap at the grocery store. :smt105 Oh and the husband and wife that own it are wackadoo! I don't know if they still run it, maybe the kids do now, but those people have ISSUES! Honestly, I don't get why people like that place so much. ACK!
well, I watch the bar tenders get fresh ships or shells each time we run out... and we'd all probably have a heart attack if we knew things that went on everywhere. MK hasn't made me sick, and the owners are nice people.

Some people love it, some hate. To each their own.

[Green Tea]

well, I watch the bar tenders get fresh ships or shells each time we run out... and we'd all probably have a heart attack if we knew things that went on everywhere. MK hasn't made me sick, and the owners are nice people.

Some people love it, some hate. To each their own.

You watched them getting shells from where? Are you seeing them open brand new sealed packages? Are you seeing them heat them up?

Leftover shells were put in the freezer and reheated. I guess they thought that killed what bacteria might be on them. Heck, it may be acceptable as far as health inspections go. I have no clue.

You are correct, some people love it and some people hate it and everyone has the right to express their opinion. I don't take anything personal against the people who do love it. I may not understand why, but I'm certaintly not going to get all huffy about it. Sheesh.

[LipsofanAngel]

uh, GT I wasn't getting "huffy" with ya darlin. And yes, I've seen the chips come out of a sealed package. I don't know what goes on behind closed doors there. As with any place I eat- I'd rather not! Ignorance is bliss after all :)

[Natural Sunshine]

I can remember an old friend of mine telling me one time that the Mexican Kitchen had the cleanest kitchen of anywhere in town (he was a fire inspector).

[birthdaybunnie]

I agree. If we really KNEW we would never enjoy food again. I look at it as just boosting my immune system. Luckily, I have never gotten sick (to the point that I thought I was dying) from any food. Made some salsa this weekend that is supposed to be the Mexican Kitchen recipe and it was really good!!

[LipsofanAngel]

I got my Dos Equis back tonight!!! yay :) And my MH "reqruits" better get on here and post! Please, put some folks in their place and set the record striaght! ;)

[R1ZOOM]

I ate at MK last Wednesday for lunch, Friday night for dinner (with a margarita ... yum yum) and then again Tuesday night because I had a craving. I've seen them clear the tables, and everything goes into a single tub looking thing. I hardly doubt they fish the used chips out to reheat and reserve. If they do then maybe more places should try it because they sure are good!

Really, when I hear something bad about food or a restaurant that I like a lot and have NEVER had a bad experience at in years then I usually just think about what I'm eating and it makes it all good. When you consider your eating charred innards of another creature (especially when you've seen and smelled burnt human bodies before), or things that were growing in the dirt and probably fertilized with some type of animal feces it kind of puts everything into perspective. Food is actually pretty gross if you think about it.

I've never had a bad experience in Mexican Kitchen in all the years I've been eating there, which is a lot more that I can say for a lot of other Hattiesburg eateries where I've seen roaches on the wall, in the food, mice running around, etc etc.

[Honey]

EW. Thanks. I not hungry now.

[jkspatty]

I agree. If we really KNEW we would never enjoy food again. I look at it as just boosting my immune system. Luckily, I have never gotten sick (to the point that I thought I was dying) from any food. Made some salsa this weekend that is supposed to be the Mexican Kitchen recipe and it was really good!!


I love that! "I look at it as just boosting my immune system". What a great attitude to have. :smt001

[jkspatty]

Oh, and MK is deeeeeelishh, reused shells and all!

[thrillseeker]

I have to agree with ya'll. I had MK for the first time on Sat night. It was awesome. I like La Fiesta but this was just more original and not what Americans think of as Mexican. I have had the shells and the chips and I happen to like the chips but the shells werent bad either and they were both fresh not reheated. We had a great server and the wait wasnt too bad. They were busy and we had our food in 40 minutes. Not too bad since the first time we attempted to go there took almost 1 1/2 hours and we had to leave before food got there. This will be put on my places to eat out in the Hburg list. I suggest if you havent tried it to go and see for yourself. It was GREAT!!!!! And the company I had wasnt half bad either. ;)