Monte Alban Mexican Grill

Not sure where to start with this. The food, was absolutely fantastic. Fresh, good portion, served quickly. HOWEVER. The front of house staff was nothing more than rude and neglective the moment we walked into the door. My girlfriend and I were out celebrating her birthday and we waited for twenty minutes to be greeted by our server not even getting our simply-​put waters with lemon until well after that. We watched for twenty minutes as our server was greeting other tables that had sat after us. I gave it a little bit of time before going up to the hostess stand and asking for a manager. I explained to the manager that we were out celebrating a birthday, hoping for maybe a birthday song. It’s the little things like that that would have added to the overall evening. The manager was 100% NOT interested in what I had to say or in regards to the issue at hand. It’s the little things like that that make all the difference. So not only did we not get a birthday song, but our waitress was rude to us throughout the rest of our meal, which we only saw her at the beginning and end of the meal when she was rudely hovering over me. I’ve worked in the restaurant business for almost 15 years, so I AM familiar with what’s required to keep reoccurring business and I can safely say that we will NOT be going back here. Naturally, having had experience in this field, i have higher standards for what’s expected. There was NO regard from the management at all. Nothing was offered or compensated. And as you can see, I am irate over this whole situation as I am in fact spending the first 10 minutes after my meal, putting extreme thought and effort into this review. We were not asking for anything out of the ordinary, we just wanted a nice meal and the overall vibe that we received was a rude/​negative one. Almost as if somehow WE were the inconvenience. I am extremely disappointed with the management on this. How can a company grow when the people running it have little to no regard for their guests. Won’t be coming again, I hope perhaps your staff can learn something about basic core customer service skills.

Great food and service better than the Webster location I’m sorry The Carne Asada is the best I’ve had in Rochester hands down. Being from NYC where the best Mexican food is served I have to say great experience and food. The fried ice cream is also Amazing

Some of the best Mexican around Rochester, reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. Great portion sizes, friendly staff, and quality food. We love coming here for a relaxing dinner or lunch. It tastes fresh and flavorful, we love getting the tamales and fresh guacamole. Great décor as well.

Food here is always good, fresh guacamole always a treat, but what makes this location great is the staff. I wish more restaurants understood how a good staff can make all the difference. If you want to go to Monte alban go to Penfield location not Webster.

This restaurant has a great fiesta feel. It is a relaxing but fun atmosphere and the hostess and other workers smiled as we walked by them. The chips and salsa were delicious and endless. I had chicken burritos covered in nacho cheese sauce with beans and guacamole salad (guacamole on lettuce). It was delicious. The tortilla did not seem homemade but everything else was pretty original. My dad had the Mexican enchiladas and he enjoyed them as well. It was different to choose between beans and rice as a side, I feel that most Mexican restaurants include them both. After we ordered, we had our food in less than 10 minutes. I plan to return for happy hour to try a margarita!

This was an excellent Mexican establishment, the Food was delicious and waitress was wonderful.

Although they have messed up my order a few times in the past, their enchiladas and quesadillas and AMAZING!!! and on top of that the chips and salsa they serve with your meal are so good. Plus there is usually never too long of a wait which is a plus if you are in a hurry. Overall i love Monte Alban, it is the best place to get enchiladas in Rochester!

Ok… listen…this is upstate NY where the Mexican restaurants aren’t showing up in mass quantity, but this place is pretty legit. It’s inexpensive, the wait staff is always friendly, it’s huge and has plenty of seating and the food is decent. I’ve tried so many «Mexican» places around the area and this one is by far my favorite. Worth the drive for anyone!

This is our first time here and I’m 100% not sure why some people are tanking it poorly; this place is wonderful. We have been searching for a great Mexican restaurant and we have found it! The wife had a burrito and I had chiles poblanos!

I was expecting not to like this place but I was pleasantly surprised when I ordered take out from there the other day.
I ordered the cheese dip, steak fajitas and the cheese quesadilla off the kids menu. The cheese dip was ok, but it probably tastes better in the restaurant. I did however really like the tortilla chips and salsa they included with the order. The steak fajitas were Really good! I tried my son’s cheese quesadilla and that was even good, and cheap for a kids meal (under $ 4).
All in all the food is good and I will def go back again!

This is average. Portion is smaller than most Mex restaurants. Still looking for a better place to eat.

You know — I was really expecting not to like Monte Alban. I ordered take out so my expectations were already set really low, but the day and evening just called for it, and my God it was delicious. I won’t disagree that this may be delirium talking from the 12 — 13 hour work day I had just worked, but boy did it hit the spot!
I didn’t really go for anything fancy — just their habanero burrito, and it was worth every cent of the $ 10.99. The chicken was moist and full of flavor and texture, the spicy, citrus-​y habanero sauce combined with the guac dumped into the burrito was punchy and vibrant, and everything just seemed like it was cooked really, really well. The rice wasn’t overdone, the cheese was sparse enough that it didn’t take over everything and the combination of flavors was just a powerhouse for my mouth. Mega. Yum.
Without a doubt, I’ll definitely be back to dine in some time. To have this kind of quality from take-​out Mexican blew all of my expectations out of the water and has more-​than-​proven to me that Rochester DOES have some decent Mexican options in town. Get out of here chain restaurants, this right here’s the stuff I’m craving!

I loved this place, ‘in English and in Spanish’ … a very good meal! a little messy at attention but very attentive to whatever arises. Good homemade coffee! (I am tourist from Colombia so… lol) delicious desserts. Good cocktails and beers. Very reasonable prices. I had a really good and entertaining moments there ;-)
… I’ll be back!

I eat there weekly this week I had the worst service ever! 25 mins just for our drinks food even longer rude server!

First time here but will be back with family for sure. Good food. Great margaritas. Lots of flavor and quick service.

We come here about once a month. The food is always fresh and service prompt. It’s a nice open restaurant with lots of glass so your not closed in.
If you come for lunch they have a good fast menu with lots of choices.
The dinner menu is extensive and has all the traditional Mexican fare. I have had about ½ the items on the menu and they are all good. The food is always served hot and that is key for me. On Friday and Saturday they have live music which adds to the experience.
The stuffed pablano peppers are awesome along with the chori pollo plate is dxclsnt as well
Never had a bad meal or service. We live close by and come here as often as we can. You will never be sorry

Love love this place. Plenty of chips and salsa as you decide her you’ll have for dinner and enjoy a drink. I love the big margarita! I typically get the pollo fundido but have enjoyed other meals as well.

Went at 7:00 on a Friday night. We only had about 45 minutes and it was crowed so we were worried there wouldn’t be enough time. Fortunately after less than a 10 minute wait we were seated. Service was quite quick for the busyness.
We start with the quest fundido app. Much different from what I’ve had in other Mexican restaurants. Thin layer of cheese melted on the bottom of a cast iron fajita pan. A generous amount of very good chorizo on top. I make my own chorizo and this had that homemade taste.
Dinner was good. Hubby had a California burrito. Not exactly real Mexican but it was made with pork carnitas which was delish. I had the Mexican flag enchiladas with chicken. Their mole was excellent — homemade tasting as well.
My only complaint which is a huge complaint. I asked for a side of guac. They do table side guac but I just wanted a small cup to go with my enchiladas. What I got was green sour cream with tomatoes in it. Didn’t taste any avocado whatsoever. It was actually pretty gross. And they charged us .99 for it! Next time we will pay the extra for the table side guac just to get something that tastes good. Would have gotten 4 stars were it not for this.

There are NO good mexican restaurants in Rochester. I’ve been spoiled with my trips out west and Washington DC cultural cuisine.
Monte Alban is OK, it’s fairly solid. My husband would give it 3 or 4 starts but he’s from Syracuse so he hasn’t gotten out much. It’s a great place to take your family and kids do well here.
A few bottles of the featured tequila sit over lights which heats the bottles– boo. The salsa tastes like it came from a jar, which there are great jarred salsas, it’s just obvious it’s not fresh.
The guacamole is fresh and is a highlight for me but it’s just OK, I can make better at home. And the chips are not light and airy, they’re thick and dull. I’d rather save my $ 75+tip for 5 people and stay home and make it fresh myself.
Please, husband, don’t make me come here again.

Love this place. It’s our go to! Salsa and chips always fresh! Beers are huge and cheap.
Never had a bad experience and we always walk out full and not breaking the bank.