Santo

I had high expectations before going. And what a disaster. Food was poor, hardly authentic and completely overpriced. I sent my dish back as it was a plate of tasteless slop wrapped in corn products. Waitstaff were rude and completely ignored us.

HUGELY disappointed and definitely won’t be returning.
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SweetCheeks
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Sounds like there is an issue with consistency at least. We had burrito and tacos options of what we took to be the same dish (char grilled vegetables). Whilst there is a price difference we still expected the cheaper tacos to provide a meal given the £6.80 price tag - it was a pre-meal snack at best, not even a starter. The menu is confusing and misleading!

The £9.90 burrito was more substantial but bland. Falling well short of a restaurant standard meal. Given the mix of positive and negative reviews it seems that there is either huge variation in quality between dishes or days - neither is acceptable at the price.

BTW, the night time cocktail bar area is a store room duing the day. We ate our lunch amongst various boxes of supplies. A decent meal may have compensated but as it was we left feeling ripped off, hungry and substaintially poorer. If this as an authentic mexican experience I for one would give it a miss.
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Len
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 29, 2011

Wow, can't believe the comments below are for the same restaurant that I visited, sounds to me like someone (ex-employee, perhaps, or employee of another restaurant) has got a bad case of sour grapes! Anyway, we went there the other night and the food was fantastic - genuine Mexican, not the Tex-Mex rubbish that passes for Mexican in so many London restaurants. I loved the decor - sort of minimalist with a Mexican twist - and the staff were, well, slightly crazy but great fun. All in all, a great find, tucked away at the top end of Portobello, and I for one will be happy if the hooray henries and notting hill wannabes stay away, this place is too good to share!
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Neil and Sue
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 24, 2011

i can only thing of one thing when you say Santo to me !!!! VOMIT !!!!

this was simply the worst experience in my cullinary life.

Food is not authentic ! cold, expensive (I mean we are talking Tacos and Nachos here) and the portions are smaller than small.

Basically its daylight Robbery (good for them they open at night).

my advice: AVOID, try Camino accross the road if you are looking for Mexican as if you like food...you can only be disapointed at Santo's !
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

IT IS A NICE PLACE, ORIGINAL, BUT TO BE HONEST THERE ARE BETTER REALLY MEXICAN CHOICES IN LONDON!!! IT IS EXPENSIVE ONE!!!!! IN OTHER MEXICAN RESTAURANTS YOU CAN EAT AND EXPEND LESS AND WITH A REALLY NICE QUALITY OF FOOD
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RF
6 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, June 09, 2010

I have a dual nationality english-mexican...I have lived in Mexico in the past and can tell you that the food they serve at santo is 100% mexican cuisne, not stupid tex-mex. I was reading other reviews and I can't understand why some people did not like it, probably people that have nothing to do except write bad things about restaurants.. I am honest and can say that this restaurant serves amazing food, they have wonderful and caring staff and when you walk into the place they treat you like theyve known you for a long time. So what you get is authenticity and the food, drinks are the best!

So guys don't waste your time eating out in some wannabe mexican restaurant! Just go to Santo and get a taste of the food and the country!

Love it!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 08, 2010

Spent a fantastic night here last night..we didn't book but despite the place being so hectic they managed to squeeze us in after a cocktail standing at the bar. I love a heaving restaurant so to be honest I was won over before I even sat down. Having travelled in Mexico I have some expectations about what I should get but am often sorely disappointed by the watered down Americanised versions you get in most London Mexicans. Not so Santo.. we had queso fundido.. melted cheese with soft flour tortillas and tostadas de jamaica.. amazing hibiscus flour and avocado on crispy tortillas..then we shared a few cazuelas.. cochinita pibil (pork in banana leaf), Birria ( a lamb stew), cactus leaves in salsa verde and some amazingly fresh guacamole and other bits and pieces, all amazing. Service was good, slightly slow, but expected on a Saturday night rush hour. To top off the whole experience, a dj arrived at about 10 playing some amazing old funk and bluesy tunes. We didn't leave till around 1am and there was still dancing and drinking going on. I'll be heading back soon! 10/10.
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Jenny B
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, October 18, 2009

wanted to like this place as quirky and friendly (and not expensive) but sadly didn't deliver on the food and drink front. had margueritas and burritos, which should be their staple but burritos in particular were a disappointment, bland in the extreme, starter of cheese and chorizo quesquidilas was good but offset by what followed. maybe should have gone for something more adventurous, but if they don't get the basics right....shame.
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LondonGlen
6 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, September 25, 2009

I had been hunting a decent mexican restaurant in London. Having been to Mexico, i am aware that the food is a mile away from tex-mex, it is an unique cuisine that if cooked by someone who knows how, has many ingredients and can be a fine dining experience. Santo has a laid back atmosphere, but i understand the head chef is a Mexican chef / owner of the place, and the food to me reflects this - it seems genuine and complex, and not the usual tex-mex stodge you might get . More so than any other London Mexican restaurant i have eaten at (Wahaca, Taqueria, and Mestizo). Try the enchiladas, and the Full Mexican breakfast (if your hung over on the weekend) . It definately satisfies. i recommend.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 22, 2009

Really cute place, great food and charming staff. But yes, not a place to go if you're in a hurry, they are laid-back to the point of vertical. But otherwise I like!
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Jane
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 19, 2009