I'm not a Tucson native. Finding a good place to eat here is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most of the time my husband and I don't like trying new places because we're always disappointed. One day I decided we needed to give this place a try since it's so close to home. Called in an order for pickup. Waited for a few minutes in the almost empty restaurant before I was acknowledged and waited even longer for my food. I was actually shocked at how expensive the food was and hoped it was worth all my pennies. The food was dry and almost tasteless...three meals...all different...all equally bad. We barely ate half of the food and discarded the rest. My poor little pennies. I've eaten some bad Mexican food in Tucson, but didn't pay a small fortune for it. My mouth and wallet were so insulted, I wouldn't even sit outside to have a drink there. This place doesn't even deserve 1 star. read more

Delicious food. I had the chicken enchiladas. They were fresh and spicy, the way I like them. Husband had the salmon plate special and it was excellent. The right amount of spice and he loved the rice. We also had Happy Hour margaritas. Two thumbs up ! read more

I love this place great authentic Mexican food I love the salsa and cheap the flan is a must try delicious Im a regular

Sabastian behind the bar killing it, refreshing to see someone who works hard and is passionate about service

Really disappointing. Food was just decent, there was a bone in my taco salad, and the service was just slow and terrible. Worst part is that management didn't seem to care in the least when I complained. Won't be back, which is too bad since they're so convenient to my office. read more

Great food. Nice staff. I highly recommend. We are local and go here regularly. I recommend the enchiladas and the margaritas.

This restaurant has the best Mexican sea food in Tucson. I recommend the ceviche and the shrimp enchiladas.

The waitress recommended the sea bass; and while I had planned to have what I think of as typical Mexican food, I decided to try the sea bass. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed my meal and will definitely return to El Cisne. A suggestion to improve the beer list is to offer some local craft beers. read more

I grew up in Tucson and Mi Nidito has been our favorite family restaurant for decades. I was very impressed with El Cisne. It's becoming difficult to find a Mexican restaurant that serves real cotija cheese, rather than grated cheddar/monterey jack (ugh). So that is a definite plus. On a recent lunch (I was visiting from out of town) I had the ceviche, which was delicious. My friend had the chicken flautas, which were totally delicious. The chips/salsa were tasty. Service was attentive, altho we were there for a late lunch, and few patrons were there. I will definitely add this to my "go to" places for authentic Mexican food when I visit Tucson. read more

We live nearby and really like this place. The ingredients are very fresh and flavors good. The atmosphere is relaxed and the owners very personable. They catered our wedding reception too and they did a great job. It is our neighborhood go to place! read more

Disappointed.... Saw the restaurant one fine morning while shopping with my friend and decided that we should come back and try it for dinner. Knowing that this is a rather up-scale neighborhood we imagined the prices might be a bit high, but expected the food and service to be better than average. We were right about the PRICES! First, we walked in to an empty host stand and waited. And waited. Finally, a man that I assume to be the owner, spots us from half way across the room and shouts, "Two for dinner?"... Yes. He seated us, and we waited, again. Chips and salsa were served immediately (BY THE BUSS PERSON) and were very delicious! Salsa had a real kick to it, in fact, so much so that it would have been nice to have a glass of water, but as of yet, no server. Literally 15 minutes later (I wear a watch) a server showed up, and said there was some confusion, sorry, are you ready to order? And yes I was, especially a drink, which was not offered, but I went ahead and ordered an iced tea anyway, and then waited again. Our food and drinks came out at virtually the same time, which means the food was plated and served EXTREMELY quickly but, somehow was just luke warm, which means that the food here is pre-made, and scooped out of steam tables, perhaps to save on labor cost. (I'll get back to that in a moment)* First, I need to point out that I worked in the restaurant industry for 35 years. I really know what I'm talking about here, not just a complainer, and I know because I counted that there were only 14 others dining when we showed up... Now back to the food... Luke warm chicken fajitas served on a cold plate with ONE TORTILLA! My friends plate was ground beef tacos also luke warm, with store bought taco shells very similar to the kind you get from any grocery store. NOTHING ON THE TABLE! No salt shaker for the bland food, NO SPOON! (I had to pour salsa on my one tortilla fajita strait from the bowl) *(Back to that in a moment) As I left the restaurant, I decided to go around the back, so that I could drive east on sunrise and avoid the intersection. I noticed a food truck parked directly at the back door of el cisne. As a Former professional in the food industry I suspect this restaurants food is probably walked in the back door, because there is no possible way that it could be fast and cold at the same time. The Salsa IS Good! For two people to have below average mexican food, below average service, cost me 48$!!!! I DO NOT BLAME THE SERVERS, ALL WERE VERY NICE! I BLAME THE MANAGEMENT! THERE IS EXTREME CONFUSION, OWNER NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND GET SERIOUS RESTAURANT TRAINING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

The staff is very friendly and greeted promptly. The chips and salsa are great the hot salsa is perfect and fresh. The food was served hot and also fresh. Would go back again. read more

You need to go to BK'S on 12th street south of Irvington. Huero Cane lo used to be good,but they changed. Otherwise the roach coaches have the closest thing to a tacito or caramelo. Places like this are a farce. They know they can fool people who live in the richie areas. I saw this place and new it wasn't the real thing. I ate in Mexico over 100 times and had a Mexican Wife. Even if I was a millionaire...I wouldn't pay those prices. read more

I visited El Cisne as refered to by a good friend and it held true to everything he said. This place is the real mexican food experience with a modern twist. Not only did my entire party enjoy our meals but it was afforable as well! The bar is one of the best parts of the resuraunt! Cant wait to return with more of my friends. It's a MUST try! read more

El Cisne has a lot going for them...but then again...maybe not...I actually think the food was the best thing about this place. I walked in and immediately commented on how beautiful it was. Leaps and Bounds above the Papagayo it used to be. We were greeted by the manager who showed us to our table. I thought that was a nice touch. Then the trouble started....took about 10 to 15 minutes for the server to arrive to the table. The service was "eh". Less server, more order taker (anyone in the restaurant industry knows the difference). We got the best service from our busser/food runner and a neighboring server (who I think also tends bar on occasion) than we did our own server. I ordered a house margarita, which was satisfactory, but could have been better. It came time to order. My father ordered an appetizer of jalapeno rellenos and tortilla soup, I ordered the chile rellenos, my toddler a quesadilla and my husband got Shrimp Chuchie (spelling?). We waited....and waited...and waited....my husband and I sat with empty drinks for quite some time before I summoned the busser and asked if she could have our server come back. We finally got our drinks refilled, then waited...and waited...and waited. The restaurant was only a quarter full so we couldn't understand the hold up. Finally after about 30 min and a fussy toddler, my father flagged the manager down. The manager didn't ask what we needed, just said "Ill go check on your food." I cant decide if that was a good move or not, but shortly thereafter the service staff came out with our food. The server waited to tell me until my plate was in front of me that they had only one chile relleno left instead of the 2 I ordered, so she decided to plate my dish with one regular chile relleno and one seafood chile relleno at the price of just one chile relleno. My first thought was, sweet free seafood. My second thought was, well good thing I don't have a seafood allergy, because otherwise I would be waiting a lot longer for them to remake the plate. Luckily the food was fantastic. Perhaps slightly gringo, but still delicious. Everything I ate I enjoyed immensely. Finally the manager appears and apologizes for the long wait, and explains there was a large party who ordered right before us (kind of an excuse but not really). He did inform us the would be buying us dessert. So at the end of the meal, well almost, I was still eating, the service staff came out with three beautiful desserts: Homemade milk cake and two types of flan. They were amazing. Because I enjoyed the food sooo much is the only reason I'll be giving El Cisne another try. read more

Do not waste your time at this restaurant, awful food and the service was terrible. We waited 1 hour and 20 minutes for our food and it came out cold. No one stepped up to help, not even the owner who acted like she could care less. To many other great spots to go than this place!!! read more

We were referred there by the DeGracia Museum, and three of us ate and all three found it to be very good and actually so delicious and ambiance very very nice as well and service could not have been better read more

Wonderful food, hot salsa and live guitar. Service was friendly and professional. Ambiance semi-formal but relaxed,

Big menu with wide variety. Everyone in our party of four were pleased. Had the garlic shrimp, mole good as well.

Recently my husband and I thought we would try El Cisne since it is in our neighborhood. Much to our disappointment, the food was marginal and the margaritas were worse. Happy hour margaritas are half price because they are also half the size of a regular margarita, and the glass is filled to the top with ice; no tequila can even be tasted. My husband politely voiced his displeasure to the hostess, who has worked for the owner for many decades, only to have her get very snippy and defend the fact that the glass was full of ice. Knowing our displeasure, the hostess could have comped the drink, but did nothing to resolve the issue. We waited a long time for our food, and then waited even longer for our bill, and then had about a 10 minute wait until the server returned with our change. Only about half the tables were full, and we can understand why. The food was pricey, the service was slow and disorganized, and the hostess was condescending! There are plenty of other Mexican food restaurants in Tucson that are better than El Cisne! We get much better Mexican food and service for a lot less money at Cinco de Mayo on Fort Lowell west of Dodge. Needless to say, we will never come back to El Cisne. Save your money!!! read more

We had a great dinner at El Cisne. We attended a private party at the restaurant and not only was the food delicious but the wait staff was very attentive and helpful. Would definitely recommend this fine restaurant! read more

We followed a food truck to this location and while we were waiting for our food we saw this restaurant. We decided next time we wanted mexican we would try it. About a week later we came back and had the most mediocre mexican food I have had in a long time. It seemed fresh and well cooked but it lacked flavor. We had a cheese crisp topped with carne seca. The carne seca was a good quality meat but totally lacked any flavor. It could have been served in a hospital. We tried the red chile chimi next. It had a rich red sauce you could see but it also lacked flavor. The salsa was the only thing that had any sort of taste but was heavy on the garlic I prefer my mexican food to have a little kick so I do not think I will be coming back. If you know people who like mild flavors, this is your place. read more

We love El Cisne !!!!! My boyfriend and I have been pretty much regulars for about 6-7 months now. Salsa is awesome, food is awesome and the servers, bartenders and management are really great people. GO THERE, you will not be disappointed!!!! read more

Thought we'd grab a bite after church. We were attracted by the lovely interior of the restaurant, but everything fell apart from there -- food was mediocre at best. Service was terrible from there not being a hostess to the long wait for water, beverages, and our order being taken. I have had better Mexican food at the franchise restaurants such as La Salsa and Baja Fresh. When our drinks came, we asked for a cheese crisp which the server (hostess?) later told us she forgot and made no attempt to rectify. I was really surprised the place had been open a year. read more

I really like this restaurant because it gives good food and the environment awesome! The interior is classy decor, and there is a small patio out front. The lunch menu is reasonably priced too, though out doesn't include some of the more interesting things on the dinner menu such as Mexican fish soup. Salsa is spicy and fresh! read more

OMG- the best and freshest seafood! The Seabass is a winner. The Chrizo stuffed mushrooms appetizer was delicious. Nice light Mexican menue. Come, you will enjoy! read more

Had a perfectly fantastic night of being educated about the marriage of food and wine. The delicious foods, the aromas of the wine, the laughter and the people were amazing and made us feel like old friends. A spectacular night was had by all! read more

Fantastic chicken mole. Service was very friendly. Live music was a pleasant offering.

A clean and welcoming venue. However, the food leaves much to be desired. We saw our server three times during the time we were at the restaurant. The carne asada burrito was terrible--mostly lettuce. The chile relleño was soggy. The chips and salsa were great. The guitar player was fantastic. The manager couldn't care less about addressing the short comings of the food or the service. We had much had high expectations. read more

What a pleasure to have a "simply great" and authentic Mexican Restaurant back in the Foothills. This was the location that had been operated by Papagayo for about 20 years. It has been completely redone, and whoever owns it has done a great job - upscale yet friendly. Food is excellent and the service just as good. Prices are very affordable - especially for a Swan & Sunrise location. We have had both lunch and dinner. We will be regulars!! read more

The confusion began when our company dinner there was shy two seats that were supposed to be reserved. The food was not good, except the appetizers. The steak was tough, rice was cold. The waitress brought the dishes and didn't know who they would go too and had us pass the plates around the table to the appropriate person. The last complaint I have is both the restrooms were not in working order. read more

The place should really look at adding staff the bar only had one bar tender working. We sat at the bar it would take forever to get a drink. We order appetizer and they took a long time. The management really needs to look at having enough staff to handle the business. The music was good. read more

We have been here before and we're pleased with everything. We went for dinner on Wed. the 8th. The waiter seemed a little bit distant-somewhat not interested. We ordered and was asked if we wanted guacamole and sour cream with our dinners. My wife said yes and I really did not say one way or the other. Presume he thought I wanted also, so I got both also. When we got the check, the "add ons" as we found out were $5 for the guacamole and $2 for the sour cream, each--$14!!! When we questioned this, the waiter said that he said,"do you want to add these to your order". Neither one of us recalled his saying that. Felt really taken on that and one of each would have been sufficient for the two of us. His attitude was pretty much "too bad". In a good PR move, removing one of the two sides would have been appreciated, but that apparently never entered his thinking. We will very unlikely return. It's a 3 star because of this, otherwise, the food was good. Jim G. Tucson read more

Dining out at El Cisne this past Friday evening proved to be a disappointment. After being seated at our table for about five minutes the chips and salsa were delivered. The salsa was hot/spicy and we needed something to drink. The water arrived a good fifteen to twenty minutes after the salsa via a busboy and we wondered when our order would be taken. Finally the waitress arrived to take our order, probably 25 minutes after we sat down. One of the entrees we ordered was vegetarian enchiladas which contained ice cold vegetables. Yummy !! Not one member of the wait staff checked with us after the food was delivered to us, we had to ask for the check. This was the third time we have tried this restaurant and each time the service was sub standard. El Cisne could take some lessons on service from a lower priced Mexican restaurant down the road : Poco's and Mom. We gave El Cisne three chances, we will not be back. read more

We thought we would give this new restaurant in our neighborhood a try -- sadly we were very disappointed. We came for dinner Saturday early evening, called and made a reservation for 6 pm which was not necessary. My husband ordered the beef chimi and I ordered the chicken fajitas. I always thought that fajitas would be serve on a hot plate. Well I guess I was wrong. My dinner came all on one plate. Chicken took up 1/2 of the plate, the refried beans another quarter and the rice took up the other. I felt like I was at a cafeteria with tablecloth and a high priced menu. The beans were cold and the chicken luke warm. The only item that was hot was the flour tortilla and, oh..by the way, I only got one with my dinner. They also would not refill the chips. The reason for the 2 stars -- the salsa was fresh and they offered a mild and a hot version. For the price, I too do not think it worth returning. read more

If I could have given a negative star then I would have. Had the worst experience of my life here at this restaurant. We have friends visiting from scottsdale who were looking forward to a relaxing and good local food. They started off with serving us drinks that were a disaster and also were rude when we pointed out that we had ordered non alcoholic beverage! Later more than an hour passed before they even served us our entrees , and that too after 3 reminders. Then the last nail was that they served beef when the food that was ordered was vegetarian and the manager was the one who took our orders BTW. Horrible, disgusting! I questioned the manager and she was nonchalant about it, no apologies, obviously we stormed out of the restaurant. Never visit if you don't want a disaster. The servers are clueless and blank both on their faces and in their heads it appears to me. Horrible service, so much for owning a restaurant business. read more