Sergio’s Fine

Today is February 2, 2016 and my Husband wanted to take me out for the evening so I suggested Sergio’s. I have been wanting to go for over a year. This was our first and most likely our last trip to Sergio’s. We arrived at 5pm because it is Saturday and we wanted to make sure we didn’t have to wait in a long line like the other restaurants. I wouldn’t have given it a one but that is the lowest score they have, so the only reason I gave it a 1 was because of the wait staff and the Ostiones (Oysters) Casinos and the Tomato Cream Sauce that comes with the chips instead of salsa. The wait staff was very attentive but then again there were only 4 other couples besides us and that should have tipped us off that this place was not as good and the reviews claim. The oysters were very good but they would have been better without the parmesan cheese. The chips were old and cold. My Husband ordered Shrimp Gabrielle which is cooked in olive oil, white wine, butter, spices, and lime juice. The shrimp was over cooked and was so over whelmed with the spices you could barely taste the shrimp. I ordered Alvarado’s Combination de Mariscos and this is the description of my dish, «An Incredible combination of Oysters, Shrimp, Octopus, Crab, Crawfish, Squid, Frog Legs, and Mussels. All sauted and flavored with our unique spices, choose from either Chipotle sauce or garlic butter, and served with rice and vegetables.» To start when they set the plate down in front of me it looked like it was cooked in mud and not the garlic butter I asked for. The texture was like paste and as I said it was a mixture of mud and specks of black like you would find when you devein shrimp. Nothing was sauted, it was boiled and over cooked. It was so over whelmed with seasonings that was all I could taste which was very nasty. The frog legs were small bites of chicken. I know the difference between chicken and frog legs. I grew up catching and eating them. The texture and taste of frog legs is nothing like chicken. There was no crab, oysters, or crawfish and yes I know the difference. I found plenty of shells and grit. The octopus and/​or squid was so tough and rubbery it was like trying to chew a rubber ball and getting no where. When you eat octopus and/​or squid it is chewy but it will break up when you chew it. This didn’t I had to spit it out. The shrimp tasted like dish water and it too was so disgusting that I had to spit it out. When the wait staff came over to ask me how our meal is, I had taken only two bites and was pushing my food (if you can call it that) around. I told them it wasn’t very good, it had way too much seasoning, and it was very mucky looking. The wait staff said, «I am very sorry.» They did not ask me if I wanted something else. My Husband did but they didn’t. However, they went to speak to the owner and this was their excuse for the disgusting tasting and looking meal, «When they cook the octopus it causes the purplish color». The waiter said it is called and he used a Spanish term which sounded like poo poo. I told him it looked like poop and besides that they is way too much seasoning. The waiter said I will tell the owner but the owner never came out to talk to us and they did not offer me a discount or give me my meal (which I didn’t eat) free. The black beans were ok for something that came from a can. So if you decide to go there, then I warn you stay away from the seafood. Oh I also forgot to mention that the food was not even hot. It was slightly warm when they delivered it to our table.

The new setting, location and menu are a vast improvement on the predecessor restaurant, Siete Mares.
This is the best place in Waco to get many authentic Mexican dishes, in particular those of the aquatic variety. In other cases it is the only place in Waco that certain dishes are served.
I have been here several times and am always pleased with the service and quality of fare – a great value for your dining dollar.

Let me start by saying I visit Sergio’s about twice a month. The food is always phenomenal. If you like seafood with a spicy kick get here immediately. I gave it 4 stars because the service is regularly sub par. It’s got a cozy hometown feel but is still nice enough to bring a date or business meeting. The oysters casino are like freakin crack. I’ll put down a dozen on my own.

Excellent food. Fine service. Reasonable prices. Nice tasteful atmosphere. Sergio is an outstanding chef who cooked for a past President of the United States on a regular basis. As a price saving bonus, you are welcome to bring your own alcohol.

Delicious! My first time here and I got the Camarones Verde and it was yummy, my friend got the Camarones Gabrielle and hers was even more yummy, I will get that next time!

It is so rare to find seafood in Waco that is well prepared and more choices than fried. The shrimp is always good with many different options. The shrimp Gabriel is an excellent rendition of Geoffrey Michaels famous shrimp. The fish in a bag is an explosion of favors. Service is always excellent. We have been many times and always enjoy it. The pastor tacos are the best I’ve ever had. The amazing thing here is the variety.

Had to give this place 5 stars to «fix» the 1 star review. Staff is great. You can get the fish «whole»! Food is great as well.

My husband and I ate here on Tuesday, August 14, 2012. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. We placed an order from the menu, and the chef refused to cook it, even though it was on the menu! I ordered seafood enchiladas and they were so fishy. The black beans were from a can. The french fries were obviously frozen, not fresh. The food was, literally, indelible. Neither of us ate more than a couple of bites. Absolutely nothing was fresh. Gross, gross, gross.
The chef is trying to get this restaurant up and going after moving downtown, but he is not making a good impression. He is actually quite a diva. Siete Mares was 100 times better.
Oh, and the food is overpriced. Entrees begin at 14.99.
Do not come here. Trust me. You’ll thank me later.
One plus: The hostess/​waitress was nice and sympathetic.