Jump to content
Chapala.com Webboard

What happened to Bruno’s?


Snafu

Recommended Posts

After reading about the great lunches at Brunos, we tried the hamburger with Mac&Cheese today.

Bruno’s used to be one of my favorite places, the Ribs being my favorite along with the salad. After Bruno got sick, they had a nice Canadian couple run the restaurant. I thought they did a good job but they got axed and replaced by Bruno’s daughter. Almost immediately the service changed. Bruno always made sure you got an extra plate for Rib Bones and always got a bowl of warm water and towel for hand cleaning. After the change in management, you had to beg for both. I put up with it because the décor, artistic wall paint and the decorations were so pleasing you didn’t want to leave.

Last time I was there, I ordered the Ribs, they were out. Same for my next choice. Finally settled on a steak. We waited and waited for the salad. They finally brought our meal and still no salad. When I complained, they told me they no longer served the salad unless we bought it separate. I had to ask why the waiter wouldn’t tell me that up front. At least ask if I wanted a salad. I mean what are we talking about, 3 pesos of lettuce? That was the last time I went there until today.

Today I walked in and was shocked to see the place. The beautiful artistically painted walls were replaced with what looked like slopped on Gas Chamber green paint. The comfortable chairs were replaced with folding chairs. Some stupid ugly dead tree serving no purpose in the middle of the restaurant. The cushions at our table were so dirty they were black. The place was disgusting.

The food was good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Geez, I hate to hear you were disappointed, but I still really love Bruno's. Vicky and Kelton closed for a week or two a couple of months back, did some major cleaning and painting. I've only been in once since then, but I thought it looked nice. I liked the circus paintings, but as restaurant owners, it's their call if they want to change the decor I guess. I did not notice any different chairs than there have always been, I know I'm generally sitting on a folding chair when I've been there but I haven't dined at every table. On the menu board on the bottom, it very clearly gives the price of the salads, you have a choice of blue cheese (the Bruno's classic dressing) or a small caesar. The salad has been extra for quite a long time. I have always gotten great service there. I'm not in any way disagreeing with your review, just saying that my experience hasn't been the same. They are still my favorite when I want a steak and nothing else will do...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am a Bruno's fan. Their lunches are a screaming bargain, and you have a choice of fries, salad or mac and cheese with your burger or ground sirloin 55 to 65 pesos. When they have the prime rib beef dip......heaven.

We don't go there for the decor, so no complaint about that. Their choice.

My only "beef" is that if you arrive for an early lunch, the grill isn't quite up to the task and tends to cremate the outside of your burger too much. Minor issue. Great place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Same as it ever was". And thank goodness! They threw some paint on the wall, changed some light fixtures, and put up different art. That dead ficus tree has been there for years. It always makes us laugh. Maybe it's holding up the ceiling. :lol:

The only other thing at Bruno's that has changed - like everywhere else, unfortunately - are the prices. And as mentioned, lunch remains a screaming deal. We love Bruno's.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Same as it ever was". And thank goodness! They threw some paint on the wall, changed some light fixtures, and put up different art. That dead ficus tree has been there for years. It always makes us laugh. Maybe it's holding up the ceiling. :lol:

It's not "the same as it ever was". We used to be regular customers at Brunos. We were there when the Ficus tree was alive and well. We just stopped going after Bruno quit keeping it up. If Bruno were there, or the Canadian couple that used to run it, you'd see a new Ficus growing today. Yep, trees die but not replacing it? You are right about one thing, it does look like they threw paint on the wall. For those of you that missed it, Bruno hired a local artist to paint the place and it was really incredible. In trying to figure out when the last time I was there, best I can come up with is 8 or 9 years ago when we were regulars. Maybe several years ago we tried one last time. That's when we found out they stopped serving salad.

So relax everybody, the food was really good. It's unfortunate for me that I remember how it was. When I walked in, the place just looked dirty, and unappealing. Based on memory, I expected more. I'll definitely go for a 65 peso lunch. I won't go for a 160 peso rib dinner. Cozumel is my place now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In trying to figure out when the last time I was there, best I can come up with is 8 or 9 years ago when we were regulars. Maybe several years ago we tried one last time.

You are no doubt right. It's not "same as it ever was". I'm a relative newbie, arriving in 2008. Bruno's is just the "same as it's always been for me" since we got here.

Food and service are still great (in my many regular and recent experiences) and that's all I care about. I hope you enjoy Cozumel. Provecho.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thread should be titled....."My journey from the drab of Bruno's to the glitz of Cozumel".

Where what is Cozumel? Been going to Brunos and Vickys for years. Had an awful experience a week or so ago. Think it was timing. We got the filet andd the ribeye they were literally inedible it was a togo order so no sending back. Today after reading all the posts on the hamburger thread we decided to go again got the Special burger best burger ever lakeside and burgers are my passion. Also got the mac and cheese based on the rave reviews and was so happy. They may not be consistent like so many lakeside but when they are good....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally I am glad that Bruno's decor has changed. i half expected a psychotic clown to enter and serve my last meal...

I used to stare at some of those murals and wonder which planet those people and critters came from. Someone assured me that circus horses do have broad backs, but still..................lolol.

The oddities never interfered with my enjoyment of the food. Yum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ordered the burgers to go this past Tuesday and they were delicious, as always! I also enjoy their french fries and house salad. Mine was cooked medium rare and my friend ordered well done. Both were cooked to order.

I also enjoy the Baseball Fillet and Ribeye. They are consistently good and the service is always pleasant.

Still one of my favorites in Ajijic!

Valerie :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I read a post recently that Brunos has changed the days it is open. I believe they used to be closed Wednesday. Can anyone confirm that Wednesday is Brunos closed day?

Their Facebook page says they are now open all week:

https://www.facebook.com/RestaurantBrunosAjijic/photos/a.491598657519056.111587.490748967604025/858114290867489/?type=1&theater

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Vicki says they are going to begin delivery! And they are open 7 days.

We had dinner this past Friday night of the salmon, basebol and liver and onions. All the dishes were fabulous and the sides never disappoint. The creme brulee was really good.

The cost has escalated easily 3 times since our first visit in 2004 however I willingly pay for excellent food, cheerful and reasonably timed service and no music with my dinner.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Today is Wednesday, and Bruno's is open. Now the "beef dip" is a regular menu item and it is absolutely "perfecto": real dipping sauce; very large thickly stuffed sandwiches on fresh rolls and your choice of sides: salad, mac and cheese or (I think) fries. Whole thing for 75 pesos. What a deal. Couldn't be happier.

Service: great.

Fresh new decor with delightfully colorful abstracts by Diane Pearl on the walls. I'm assuming all the regular menu items remain as before.

Prices have gone up everywhere since ten years ago, but Bruno's prices seem very fair for what you are served.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We haven't been there in a while, but stopped in for lunch today and both of us left very happy. The beef dip sandwich is truly excellent...it melts in your mouth and the au jus could be served alone in a bowl, it's that good. Fries were perfect...crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. Hubby had the mesquite burger with added cheese and bacon and a side of mac and cheese. The mac and cheese is divine. He rated the burger a very close second to his favorite Xander's burger at Gossips. We so wanted a hot fudge sundae but couldn't fit it in. Our meals plus two cokes came in at just under 200 pesos. We'll definitely make Bruno's a regular lunchtime spot!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We ate there for "lunch" today also, but that's really our dinner. Had the almost exact same experience. I had the beef dip with mac and cheese - so flavorful, both - and the partner had the steak sandwich with fries and side salad (which I stole part of since I can't resist that homemade dressing).

Bruno's is great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After all these reviews, we ate there yesterday with friends just to see for ourselves what the discussion was all about. No, the decor leaves a lot to be desired but the food and service was excellent. Two of us had the ribs which came with a really good baked potato, corn on the cob and fried cauliflower .. we ordered a salad to split. Then one had the chopped sirloin with caramelized onions which came with the same side dishes and one had the ribeye (which was plenty thick enough to be called a steak, tender and cooked exactly correct), same sides. All was excellent and we will all be back soon. Thank you all for bringing this restaurant to our attention again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...