Food Concepts Intl, Lubbock, Texas Restaurant Details

Food:

Our experience at Abuelo's is a lesson in corporate stupidity. There was a time when going out to dinner at a nicer restaurant meant being in a relaxing, elegant atmosphere. This is what we were expecting at Abuelo's, with their very nice menu, very fresh food, and the friendly smiles of the people waiting to serve us. The decor is gorgeous. Large booths surrounded a large landscaped courtyard. The ceiling above looked like a clear sky just after sunset. Everything seemed set for a special father's day culinary treat in a serene setting where we could sit back and relax. Ahhh, maybe a little classical guitar, or some tasteful Spanish/Mexican songs could really complete this atmosphere, but.........

We walked to our table to the tune of Latin disco music, with the bass turned up to near distortion. As we were seated, the music was so loud that some ham-fisted lumberjack could have been keeping time on our tabletop. I asked the waitress to see if the music could possibly be turned down. It did seem to go down a bit, but the next song had the same steady disco beat. As the third number was a disco version of "I Shot the Sheriff," where you could hardly hear Eric Clapton singing far down the tunnel of this pounding bass, I got up to speak to the manager. I begged him to turn it down, which he did for a couple songs. In the meantime we were treated to a Nickelodeon-type teenage singer and then a rap song, all with the pounding bass.

I couldn't wait to get out of there. Between the bad music choices and then having the volume turned up to the point of pain, I can't tell you what the food was like. I ate to get done and get out. The manager said that the music is chosen by the corporate office and the local restaurant has no choice. Who are these corporate fools who spare no expense to create an elegant setting, and then drive people away with noise that precludes any possibility of relaxation? Idiots!