I was really disappointed with my experience at Tabu in downtown Tucson. Based on their website, the restaurant looked amazing, so we chose it to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to the expectations at all.
When we arrived, there was a two-man band playing decent music, but the PA system and speakers were far too loud for such a space, making it hard to have a conversation. Service was slow from the start, our waiter took a long time to come over, and when my drink finally arrived, it was completely flat and had to be replaced.
The biggest issue was the food. We placed our order and waited over an hour and a half. During that time, i asked multiple times if our food was coming out. The waiter kept checking in and asking if we were okay, and each time we clearly said we were still waiting for our food. Eventually, he told us they only had one cook working. After waiting that long with no food in sight, we had no choice but to cancel our order entirely.
If you’re going to operate as a full-service restaurant, staffing appropriately is essential. Whoever owns or manages Tabu really needs to hire more kitchen and floor staff so the restaurant can function properly.
I’m sharing this as a warning to others: be prepared for extremely long waits, food that may never arrive, and overall poor service. Sadly, this was a very disappointing experience and not a place I’d recommend at this time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rebecca Strobel
What an embarrassment. The bar staff were rude. Slow - slower than I’ve ever ever seen. It was a 40 Minute wait for drinks and food has still not come. The bartender was condescending. Unbelievable.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Enrique Peralta
Place is clean and staff was attentive. However, the band was too loud. They were good and if it was at a party or club it would be great BUT it is not a club it is a Sunday afternoon. At least don't use speakers, it is a relatively small space with hard floors. I can FEEL the base guitar, geez. I'm coming with family to talk and it is impossible to carry on a conversation. The only appropriate situation is if I came here exclusively to listen to this trio. They are good but inappropriate.
Vanessa Vosen
Salsa verde spaghetti and steak fajitas were excellent!!
chris stone
Food was so good. Bartender was alone but still took the time to greet me when I came in. Would definitely try this place if you haven’t yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ioannis
Very good! Friendly servers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alanna M
Tabu is a beautiful place, nicely redone building on Congress downtown. They had attractive servers, live music when we were there, and the drinks are where they've spent the time and attention. Food was edible, but in a city with amazing Mexican food it's definitely lacking. Under fried chimis, meh sauces and stringy tough chicken in both dishes we tried. Would go for drinks but not food again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Amy Padres
Loved it here! The atmosphere was so fun. We stopped by for some celebratory drinks and Jesus was the best! He was very knowledgeable about liquors and asked different questions regarding what we like, didn't like, etc. and ended up making us some amazing drinks! Definitely recommend a visit and if Jesus is behind the bar you'll have the best time (and drinks)!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Mia
Can’t wait to go back to see Jesus again! Love the atmosphere and drinks!
Jesus was my bartender and was very knowledgeable and attentive. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michell Padrés
Tabu has to be one of the best bars in Tucson. From their food menu to their drinks, presentation and flavor are all there. They also have the best bartender, Jesus, he really knows his mixology. Thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sara Righter
Our bartender Jesus was so welcoming and attentive. The cocktail menu is delicious and has something for everyone! Excellent experience overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Claudeth Padres
Great place, with some great drinks and food. Make sure you get those drinks with Jesus, he is the best bartender there and if you don't know what to drink he will give you some great options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
OP Lion President
Jesus is, by far, the most engaging and professional bartenders I've had the privilege to be served by. Will definitely be returning.
Cute spot to have casual drinks.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I was really disappointed with my experience at Tabu in downtown Tucson. Based on their website, the restaurant looked amazing, so we chose it to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to the expectations at all.
When we arrived, there was a two-man band playing decent music, but the PA system and speakers were far too loud for such a space, making it hard to have a conversation. Service was slow from the start, our waiter took a long time to come over, and when my drink finally arrived, it was completely flat and had to be replaced.
The biggest issue was the food. We placed our order and waited over an hour and a half. During that time, i asked multiple times if our food was coming out. The waiter kept checking in and asking if we were okay, and each time we clearly said we were still waiting for our food. Eventually, he told us they only had one cook working. After waiting that long with no food in sight, we had no choice but to cancel our order entirely.
If you’re going to operate as a full-service restaurant, staffing appropriately is essential. Whoever owns or manages Tabu really needs to hire more kitchen and floor staff so the restaurant can function properly.
I’m sharing this as a warning to others: be prepared for extremely long waits, food that may never arrive, and overall poor service. Sadly, this was a very disappointing experience and not a place I’d recommend at this time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What an embarrassment. The bar staff were rude. Slow - slower than I’ve ever ever seen. It was a 40
Minute wait for drinks and food has still not come. The bartender was condescending. Unbelievable.
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Place is clean and staff was attentive. However, the band was too loud. They were good and if it was at a party or club it would be great BUT it is not a club it is a Sunday afternoon. At least don't use speakers, it is a relatively small space with hard floors. I can FEEL the base guitar, geez. I'm coming with family to talk and it is impossible to carry on a conversation. The only appropriate situation is if I came here exclusively to listen to this trio. They are good but inappropriate.
Salsa verde spaghetti and steak fajitas were excellent!!
Food was so good. Bartender was alone but still took the time to greet me when I came in. Would definitely try this place if you haven’t yet.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good! Friendly servers
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tabu is a beautiful place, nicely redone building on Congress downtown. They had attractive servers, live music when we were there, and the drinks are where they've spent the time and attention. Food was edible, but in a city with amazing Mexican food it's definitely lacking. Under fried chimis, meh sauces and stringy tough chicken in both dishes we tried. Would go for drinks but not food again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Loved it here! The atmosphere was so fun. We stopped by for some celebratory drinks and Jesus was the best! He was very knowledgeable about liquors and asked different questions regarding what we like, didn't like, etc. and ended up making us some amazing drinks! Definitely recommend a visit and if Jesus is behind the bar you'll have the best time (and drinks)!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Can’t wait to go back to see Jesus again! Love the atmosphere and drinks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Jesus was my bartender and was very knowledgeable and attentive. Will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tabu has to be one of the best bars in Tucson. From their food menu to their drinks, presentation and flavor are all there. They also have the best bartender, Jesus, he really knows his mixology. Thank me later.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our bartender Jesus was so welcoming and attentive. The cocktail menu is delicious and has something for everyone! Excellent experience overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place, with some great drinks and food. Make sure you get those drinks with Jesus, he is the best bartender there and if you don't know what to drink he will give you some great options!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jesus is, by far, the most engaging and professional bartenders I've had the privilege to be served by. Will definitely be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
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