View Full Version : Uncle Julio's



Pages : 1 [2]

soonerguru
06-04-2018, 07:42 PM
My dream - Rick Bayless comes back to OKC and opens up a Frontera/Topolobampo equivalent.

Yes. I haven't had high-quality upscale Mexican here since Adobe Grill closed. Barrio's is a swing and a miss. Would love to have chef talent like Bayless in OKC.

tuck
06-05-2018, 05:53 AM
Barrios has never tried to be upscale Mexican cuisine; Barrios is Tex Mex. Adobe Grill was far from upscale; it was more interior Mexican cooking than most. Upscale Mexican and authentic/interior are two different things. Rick Bayless can't generate the revenue in Oklahoma that he's used to in larger markets. He's also closed several of his Red O restaurants on the west coast. His restaurants are fantastic; not sure Oklahomans would enjoy paying his prices on a regular basis.

soonerguru
06-06-2018, 01:04 AM
Barrios has never tried to be upscale Mexican cuisine; Barrios is Tex Mex. Adobe Grill was far from upscale; it was more interior Mexican cooking than most. Upscale Mexican and authentic/interior are two different things. Rick Bayless can't generate the revenue in Oklahoma that he's used to in larger markets. He's also closed several of his Red O restaurants on the west coast. His restaurants are fantastic; not sure Oklahomans would enjoy paying his prices on a regular basis.

Barrio's is Tex-Mex? It doesn't really check that box for me either. The atmosphere, particularly the patio, is outstanding. The food quality, however, has been wildly inconsistent after multiple visits, and the menu is just not very good. Perhaps my use of "upscale" was misleading.

Adobe Grill offered gourmet Mex-Mex food from different regions of Mexico, and it was absolutely outstanding. The move from Moore to Shartel, however, seemed to knock it off its game a bit. It was still very good but lacked the charming ambiance of the original location.

I do remember Cabo de Sol and I really liked it, too. Wasn't Barry Switzer one of the investors there?

sooner88
06-06-2018, 08:21 AM
Barrio's is Tex-Mex? It doesn't really check that box for me either. The atmosphere, particularly the patio, is outstanding. The food quality, however, has been wildly inconsistent after multiple visits, and the menu is just not very good. Perhaps my use of "upscale" was misleading.

Adobe Grill offered gourmet Mex-Mex food from different regions of Mexico, and it was absolutely outstanding. The move from Moore to Shartel, however, seemed to knock it off its game a bit. It was still very good but lacked the charming ambiance of the original location.

I do remember Cabo de Sol and I really liked it, too. Wasn't Barry Switzer one of the investors there?

Barrios beef fajitas are my favorite in the city currently (haven't had Uncle Julio's at this location)... those flour tortillas are great. The spicy salsa is great too.

ctchandler
06-06-2018, 10:24 PM
For anybody that cares, Adobe Grill was owned by the founders of the original Cocina De Mino, a Tex-Mex restaurant and it started out really good over on South East 29th street. Adobe Grill was excellent with authentic Mexican cuisine.
C. T.

soonerguru
06-07-2018, 01:20 AM
For anybody that cares, Adobe Grill was owned by the founders of the original Cocina De Mino, a Tex-Mex restaurant and it started out really good over on South East 29th street. Adobe Grill was excellent with authentic Mexican cuisine.
C. T.

I care. Their food was outstanding. And the original Cocino de Mino was very good Tex-Mex by Oklahoma standards. I can't remember the names of the owners, a couple, but I wish they were still in the game.

soonerguru
06-07-2018, 01:27 AM
I fondly remember El Chico due to the pickled carrots and onions on the table and complimentary hot corn tortillas at the start. Most of the neighborhood Taquerias around San Diego have a salsa bar with carrots and onions. Chips are not usually complimentary though unless specifically part of your meal. The old Ninfa's in Houston et al. had awesome pickled carrots and onions. Maybe not how I judge a great Mexican place, but it can be an important part of the mix.

I once read in Texas Monthly, the judge of a good Mexican restaurant are the cheese enchiladas.

Absolutely this. And Uncle Julio's does not remotely deliver in this regard compared to the standout Tex-Mex joints in Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Their gloppy cheese covering sadly obscured the chile con carne, and coupled with the overwrought onion application, was almost gag inducing. Yet, despite this likely fatal flaw, other items were quite good, such as the beef enchiladas and the aforementioned starters. Also, the atmosphere is quite fun (if you are not herded like a head of cattle to your table). Their lethally good margaritas were on point and we experienced attentive, energetic service (although many of the servers are itinerant, so unless they are the world's greatest trainers, don't expect an encore performance once they pull up stakes and move on to the next rodeo). On edit: I once was treated to dinner at the original Houston Ninfa's and it was freaking fantastic. My mouth is watering right now just thinking of that food memory.

Pete
09-09-2018, 07:57 AM
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/julios090318.jpg

Wishbone
10-07-2018, 05:57 AM
Finally made it by here last night. I would say it was pretty good. No cheese sauce and a unique bland hot sauce with your chips. Fajitas were pretty good. I would compare the price and atmosphere to Mama Rojas but the food at UJ is not as good as MR imo.

Uptowner
10-08-2018, 02:02 AM
Went back for a second try yesterday. Didn’t mess around and got steak fajitas for 2. It seems this place is focused on fajitas and margaritas. They did not disappoint. Serious $$$$, but the steaks quality reflected the price. Tortillas seem to be made on site in both corn and flour. It’s just a different speed than we okies are used to. Price and quality is up, there’s no yellow goup (don’t get me wrong I love queso) and they’re lacking old standbys like chimichangas and 5 ingredients sold 100 different ways.

Overall I give it two thumbs up. I’d love love love a place like la salsa, not to be confused with la salsa grille, they have locs in Vegas, Arizona, and California. It’s cooked to order, fast casual, counter service with a huge salsa bar. Chips come with every order and you help yourself to 12 or so salsas. Such a good concept.

Dustin
10-08-2018, 06:32 AM
Finally made it by here last night. I would say it was pretty good. No cheese sauce and a unique bland hot sauce with your chips. Fajitas were pretty good. I would compare the price and atmosphere to Mama Rojas but the food at UJ is not as good as MR imo.

I ate here about a month ago but forgot to write a review.

My sentiments pretty much are the same. My party left after eating here thinking the food at Mama Rojas was much tastier.

ctchandler
01-17-2019, 08:34 PM
Yesterday I finally went to Uncle Julio's and it was very good. A little pricey but it is an upscale Mexican restaurant. I will go back.
C. T.

ctchandler
01-17-2019, 08:40 PM
By the way, what happened to the dates on this thread? I have a post dated 2005 talking about where I live and I moved here September 2017.
C. T.

ctchandler
01-19-2019, 09:51 PM
I went here last week and I really enjoyed it. I'm not a fajitas fan but my enchilada dinner was really good. My friends that I ate with really liked their fajitas.
C. T.

okatty
01-19-2019, 09:59 PM
I went here last week and I really enjoyed it. I'm not a fajitas fan but my enchilada dinner was really good. My friends that I ate with really liked their fajitas.
C. T.

C.T. - if you like guacamole, try their table side guac. It’s good. I agree with you, it’s pricey and isn’t my favorite but is a fun place and a nice setting. The patio on a warm night is really nice - right now just a warm night would be nice regardless of food!!:)

ctchandler
01-20-2019, 09:43 PM
OkAtty,
I'm not a fan of guacamole but I'm also not a fajita fan but the next time I go I will order fajitas with chili peppers (not bell peppers) and a cheesy sauce instead of guacamole. I'm an odd duck. I hate bell peppers.
C. T.

David
01-21-2019, 11:24 PM
I have a similar opinion of bell peppers, but I order fajitas quite commonly and just pick the meat out from between the peppers and onions.

On a related note, I particularly like the steak fajitas at Uncle Julio's.

MadMonk
01-22-2019, 09:25 AM
My wife and I dined here a couple weeks ago. We really liked the atmosphere; enjoyed a couple drinks by the fire on the patio while we waited for a table. Will be nice in the spring with the views of the pond and fountains.

I had the combo enchilada plate and I liked it, but don't remember anything memorable about it. I really enjoyed the queso blanco, and the drinks we ordered were plenty potent. Service was pretty good too. I hadn't seen the chocolate pinata before, but the table next to ours got one. Looks fun.

Food: 7
Service: 8
Atmosphere: 9
Value: 5

Over all, I'd give it a 7. It was a bit pricey for the food we received, but for a nice date-night out it was a fun experience. We probably won't be going regularly, but is a nice once-in-a-while place for us.

And I don't care what the food snobs say, places like Ted's, Alfredo's, etc. are just fine and a better value if you don't require an upscale experience every place you eat.

okatty
03-19-2019, 10:02 AM
We broke in their patio for spring 2019 late yesterday afternoon - you could tell it had not been used much. Food was going to the wrong tables, service was generally haphazard, etc. But with that weather there was nothing material to complain about.

There were quite a few people up on the Chalk upstairs patio as well.

I am in full scale "spring fever" mode. :)

Midtowner
03-19-2019, 10:15 AM
We tried Julio's and for the money, I don't think we'll be back. Service was pretty slow, it was loud and crowded. The food was so-so. I remember eating at Julio's in Dallas 20ish years ago and it was outstanding. Very spicy, strong flavors, great environment, cost similar to other tex mex joints. They've gone corporate and it shows. Able's is still the best in town.

okatty
03-19-2019, 10:32 AM
I'd take the food at Abel's every time over UJ. Best thing I have had at UJ is the table side guac.

However, that UJ patio, the swirls and some nachos were just fine for that perfect weather yesterday.

MagzOK
03-19-2019, 10:55 AM
Yes, it's way overpriced for what you get. No complaints on the food -- it's good, but we don't think it's worth the cost. Abel's exceeds UJ's in cost and taste. This is not the same Uncle Julio's I used to eat at in the DFW area growing up. I also agree that it's very loud in there with nothing to absorb sounds.

Pete
03-19-2019, 11:18 AM
I honestly don't know how they can manage their staff for that massive patio.

When the weather is nice, it's completely full. Otherwise, virtually empty.

I suspect they do their best to call people in to meet the demand but you just have to know the staff gets stretched when you get a particularly nice day and people flock into that big outdoor space.

okatty
03-19-2019, 11:24 AM
^I think that is exactly right. Yesterday they were overrun since it was so nice. By the time we left, every table outside was full. We had at least 4 servers try to give us food we didn't order. It was a nice place to be regardless!

ScottCole1212
03-19-2019, 12:04 PM
The problem I see with Uncle Julio's is that they are using an outdated POS system that it creating lag time on the patio. I'm the OKC Sales Exec for Toast, Inc. out of Boston and restaurants are just now noticing how new technology can improve sales and customer service. My Toast Go that is rated #1 and launched in May 2018 is the best in the industry. I allows servers to take orders table side and send drink orders to the bar and food to the kitchen without leaving the patio. This keeps servers where they need to be and food runners getting the food out to the tables. So much time is wasted with servers taking orders on paper and running inside to use the POS terminals to input orders. Until restaurants understand and accept the changes happening with technology and stick with their Legacy POS systems the **** show on the patio will continue and that leaves customers unhappy.

BoulderSooner
03-19-2019, 12:14 PM
The problem I see with Uncle Julio's is that they are using an outdated POS system that it creating lag time on the patio. I'm the OKC Sales Exec for Toast, Inc. out of Boston and restaurants are just now noticing how new technology can improve sales and customer service. My Toast Go that is rated #1 and launched in May 2018 is the best in the industry. I allows servers to take orders table side and send drink orders to the bar and food to the kitchen without leaving the patio. This keeps servers where they need to be and food runners getting the food out to the tables. So much time is wasted with servers taking orders on paper and running inside to use the POS terminals to input orders. Until restaurants understand and accept the changes happening with technology and stick with their Legacy POS systems the **** show on the patio will continue and that leaves customers unhappy.

toast is a fine product but to say that they can't have great service on the patio without it simple is not true ...

ScottCole1212
03-19-2019, 12:17 PM
I say put it to the test and figure it out. Evidently the way they operate isn't happening.

BoulderSooner
03-19-2019, 12:30 PM
I say put it to the test and figure it out. Evidently the way they operate isn't happening.

currently they are a smashing success .....

they basicly just opened their patio for the season ... i'm sure they will be more than fine

ScottCole1212
03-19-2019, 03:16 PM
I never said or meant to imply that they weren't a smashing success. I was there last summer on 3 different times and noticed the same situation. Never said that they lacked in customer service just suggesting how they could improve servicing their customers which is #1 in the restaurant industry. My clients at Chisholm Creek are; Hatch, Sidecar (uses Toast Go on the patio), Chalk and Birra Birra.

Uptowner
03-21-2019, 05:30 AM
toast is a fine product but to say that they can't have great service on the patio without it simple is not true ...

Sweet, while we are shamelessly promoting, can I suggest aloha, focus, square up? How about micros, it seemlessly puts servers in a position for customers to pay for their meals. Have I mentioned lightspeed, upserve, or touch bistro? #spamflag

Pete
03-21-2019, 07:08 AM
Back to UJ's, they seem to be absolutely killing it at Chisholm Creek.

You can certainly find much cheaper and even better food, but they have a winning combination of beautiful space, great presentation and their prices and food are good enough to attract big crowds.

Plutonic Panda
03-21-2019, 02:28 PM
^^^ Yes they and another place that is amazing and does really well is Yokozuna.

okatty
04-07-2019, 03:29 PM
Went to UJ’s today - they are now using a pay at the table system through a small tablet which does a default 20% tip that you can adjust up or down. We were last there in mid-March and it is new since that time anyway.

Pete
05-28-2020, 08:09 AM
They have now reopened.

BoulderSooner
06-09-2023, 08:41 AM
had uncle julio's last night for the first time in a while and had a very good experience ..

they had the very back closed off (i'm sure because of lack of staff) but had the entire patio open and the rest of the restaurant full ..

we had very good food and service ..

nice to see them back finding their groove

Richard at Remax
06-09-2023, 10:23 AM
I don't know why it gets unwarranted hate, but I have never had a bad experience or meal there. The patio is real nice after dark.

Pete
06-09-2023, 10:37 AM
I don't know why it gets unwarranted hate, but I have never had a bad experience or meal there. The patio is real nice after dark.

I really like it.

It's expensive for Mexican food but sometimes it's great just to go to a nicer place and have a nice evening.

Libbymin
06-09-2023, 10:52 AM
Yeah that's my only real gripe about it is that it's a little overpriced. Food and atmosphere are both very good though.

sooner88
06-09-2023, 11:04 AM
Uncle Julio's is pretty solid, but there are much better Texas-based Tex Mex restaurants that are fajita-focused that I would love to see here.

El Tiempo in Houston would kill it here: https://www.eltiempocantina.com/

Richard at Remax
06-09-2023, 11:05 AM
I'm a big Lupe Tortilla fan too

Mesta Parker
06-09-2023, 05:12 PM
My wife and I had lunch there today for the first time in a couple of years. She had the two fish taco lunch, I had the shrimp fajita lunch. Both had ice tea. The food was excellent. Walkout price with tip was $58, which is a bit pricy for lunch.

Jersey Boss
06-09-2023, 08:06 PM
My wife and I had lunch there today for the first time in a couple of years. She had the two fish taco lunch, I had the shrimp fajita lunch. Both had ice tea. The food was excellent. Walkout price with tip was $58, which is a bit pricy for lunch.

You are being very diplomatic with the word "bit".

soonermike81
06-09-2023, 09:04 PM
I'm a big Lupe Tortilla fan too

Love Lupe Tortilla! Probably our favorite tex-mex chain.

April in the Plaza
06-09-2023, 09:22 PM
i heard that okc is supposed to be getting a Roll Em' Up Taquitos pretty soon. it looks pretty fire from what i can tell on instagram.

https://rollemup.com/menu/