Cocina Real

Customer service is the worst. We went on Father’s Day around 5pm — not terribly busy. We were seated immediately. That is about as good as service we got. After that, the waiter was visibly annoyed that we were not ready to order after 5 min of sitting down. We asked for table side guacamole — never came. Our food came in a timely manner but we could not eat any of it since there was no silverware. Multiple attempts to ask for silverware were ignored and I finally got up and picked up the silverware in my own from the stash — but our food was cold by then. Drinks were delayed but margarita was decent. No water was given despite multiple times asking for water. Waiter never came by to check on us and at the end of the meal, just dropped off the check. We asked for boxes and again were ignored. No one came to pick up the check until another waiter noticed and disappeared with the card for about 10 minutes. We paid and left with no thank you for coming. Of note, the restaurant was about 40−50% full by then.
Overall, food was as expected. Drinks were decent. Service was the worst.

Sorry to have to post this. We have patronized Cocina Real (formerly Mi Concina) happily for many years. Food is consistent, service is always fast, the chips are yummy. HOWEVER, it has come to light that this company owes tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of unpaid wages. I hope they will correct this and address the issue publicly. Until those two things happen, we won’t be coming back.

In my opinion, one of top mexican restaurants in the Madison/​MIddleton area (I’ve tried a variety in the area and growing up in San Diego, CA, I’d like to think I have a high bar for good mexican food!). The food seems fresh, and has a bit of a kick though not so much that the rest of my family can handle it. The meat in the fajitas and the burritos are moist and tender and the service is attentive. They have a variety of menu items and a kids menu. I will definitely be back!

I’m not sure who all the one-​star complainers are, but we got good food and service very quickly in a clean, inviting establishment. What else do you cry-​baby foodies want?

Ran in for what I thought would be a «quick» carry out order and ended up waiting at the bar for a half hour as 5 men including the manager mindlessly tried to get my order right… my friend and I couldn’t help but laugh at first… first they gave me the wrong appetizer and when I tried to explain this to the waiter he told me he was getting the manager. they lost my receipt during this time and there were only two other customers in the restaurant .I ordered cheese and bean dip, 2 sides of rice 2 sides of salsa and chips were extra because they apparently did not come with either the large salsas or queso dip for a total of $ 29.I also ordered tortillas on the side 3 different times and ended up without them because somehow they forgot them. the manager shoved the receipt in my face showing me that I indeed I had not ordered tortillas …ok …50cents to carry out the food and the queso dip ended up spilling out into the bag .the salsa was good but I couldn’t help but inspect every bite I took… not a good experience at all… tools

Good food, good selection of Mexican beers, friendly service and reasonably priced. Big fan of their fajitas! Their margaritas are favorites of some of my friends. Not too loud, enough space so it never feels crowded.

My daughter and I this place! Great service, food is excellent! Chips are warm and fresh! Been going here since we moved to Madison almost 2 years now

I would stay away. This was the worst Mexican food experience I have ever had, including Taco Bell and other fast food. Service was painfully slow, even getting seated or water and chips. Chips were bland and salsa even blander. The burrito fajita came after a 20 minute wait and was disgusting. No other word for it. It was drenched with sour cream, soggy from the grease, and the ingredients tasted as if they were from a local school cafeteria. I couldn’t finish more than one bite. The server stopped by after another 10 minutes, and I asked for my check. No concern for the quality of my meal or even a thought for my experience. Eat at Taqueria Guadalajara on Park St. instead.

Stopped in for lunch. Food was good, price was very reasonable, and the service was spot on. I will return.

Cocina Real is about 10 minutes walking distance from my home and I eat there often. Been going there for 10 years. They offer reliably good, not great, Mexican food for a reasonable price.
I usually have enchiladas or one of the seafood specials. One of my particular favorites is the Enchiladas Sonora, which has smoked chicken, spinach, poblano peppers, and pinto beans with verde sauce.
A recent addition to the menu is a soup that has broiled shrimp, chicken, rice, and fresh slices of avocado. I REALLY like that. It’s medium spicy so it probably isn’t for everyone’s taste.
My next project is to test fire all their chicken entrees.
This place isn’t particularly fancy but I have found it to be a good value for the money. I’ve always had good service too, but I usually come on Monday evenings when it isn’t particularly busy, either.

New to the area we visited for lunch with high hopes for authentic carne asada tacos and Tostadas. The room and seating were good, the service was prompt and friendly, but the food fell flat.
Everything tastes as though it came from a Sysco foods can, including the guacamole and salsa. We were comparing our food to Los Gemelos on Odana Rd where the meat tastes homemade, the salsa and guacamole are fresh, and prices feel almost too low.

I’m always up for finding a new Mexican restaurant to enjoy! Sadly, this one just didn’t cut it. I ordered the combo platter (14 I think) and was excited to try their tamale! The waiter informed me that they hadn’t made any yet. Okay, it was right around 1pm, they may have run out already with the lunch rush? I look around and the place is relatively slow with plenty of tables open (maybe people don’t go there for late lunch).
So, I was able to replace the tamale with a beef chimichanga! When my meal came, I really couldn’t pick out which was which (burrito vs. enchilada vs. chimichanga). After a little while, I realized the chimichanga was slightly crispy than the other two. Still, no idea which one was a burrito.
My friend ordered some rice milk (there’s a name for it and I’m not about to get that wrong), unfortunately she had to remove an ice cube that had an unidentified black speck on it (gross) — but kudos to her for finishing the drink (I would not have been able to).
Service was pretty quick and we were in and out in 30 minutes for lunch (again, they weren’t that busy — but I still like it when I can have a quick meal). I have certainly had better, but unfortunately I have had worse (mostly why I couldn’t justify a 1 star rating).

Had some tasty lunch food here — fast too. I gave the shrimp chimichanga a try. It had hearty amounts of shrimp and the red sauce was tasty. I really liked the guacamole. First time visit so I’ll be back.

Decent Americanized-​Mexican food; if you’ve been to Laredo’s, the food is identical — it’s actually the same company/​group. A solid option for lunch. Group of us had a celebration lunch here today; we have visited as a group several other times as well — experience is usually the same.
+ Prompt seating; very spacious — good spot for groups
+ Fast service; chips/​salsa/​drinks arrive almost immediately; refills are fast
+ Table-​made guac is quite tasty
+ Lunch specials provide a good value; I’ve never had one, but my tablemates have always enjoyed them. The Mexican Omelet looked especially good — eggs, bell peppers, tomatoes, chihuahua cheese, chorizo, jalapeño sauce and avocado…
+ I usually order the El Tesoro salad — marinated chicken, grilled asparagus, radish, cucumber, and mixed greens.
— Chips during this last visit tasted off; the oil was either burned or old, and the salsa was extremely watery.

Cocina Real was accurately described as sorta upscale Mexican. Maybe Mexican diner for Americans… which isn’t a bad thing. It’s consistently pretty good. We’ve been coming here for years. Margaritas are decent, the main dishes are suitable for sharing. In general, they are busy the service can be a bit slow… if they aren’t busy, the service is fantastic.
Tonight we split fajitas Guadalajara — pork, chicken, beef. It’s decent and plenty big enough for two.

Horrible service. Slower than a dying snail in the Tijuana heat.
Went there for lunch, ordered and had to leave 40 minutes later because my food never showed up. At least I got a few chips to eat. Gotta love not being able to have lunch on your lunch break.
I will never go there again.
Gracias for nothing.

Good food, clean, and good service. We have visited here that past two Sundays, and we have had great food and excellent service. The new location is clean, and very well kept. Our food came out quickly, and everything we have ordered has been great.

We have been to cocina real a few times and find that there are two things to order. Number 1 is the nachos con mariscos. Enough for two with plenty of chips, cheese and seafood (shrimp and scallops). The other thing to order is a margarita, especially on 2 for 1 Tuesdays and Thursdays. We have tried other menu items and found them to be utterly terrible (we have not tried the fresh guacamole). We have noted thst kids do seem to like other menu items…
So, get nachos con mariscos and margaritas and you will love this place!

I don’t give many 5 star reviews and I just ate here yesterday and again today.
First, don’t expect fine cuisine. I’m not sure when Eric S. ate here, but the vegetables in my fajitas were DEFINITELY NOT frozen. Granted, I got the Fajitas Guadalajara, and it had peppers and onions. Neither were frozen. They still had that crunch and taste from having been fresh before grilling.
This place is an upscale, greasy spoon Mexican place, and it does it extremely well! My fajitas were $ 14 and I ate 3 huge fajitas in the restaurant and still had enough for 3 more at lunch the next day!
Finally — the guacamole and the flan — fresh guacamole — has chunks of avocado in it and is made to order. They also use enough lime that it only browns around the edges by the next day. The flan — oh my god… The first time I had it — perfect. So smooth and creamy… Was a spiritual experience.
On top of this all… Freshly fried and still warm corn tortilla chips, and fresh salsa… What more can you ask for?