Two women celebrated Cinco de Mayo with a lavish meal at Talavera Cantina in New York City’s Bronx neighborhood but fled without paying the $112.77 bill. Surveillance footage captures the pair departing the Mott Haven restaurant on Taco Tuesday, May 5, during its peak night.
Details of the Incident
The women ordered frozen margaritas, chips and guacamole, and tacos, enjoying the Mexican holiday feast alongside a third friend who left earlier. Owner Britney Cariño notes they grabbed the check tray and exited abruptly, even snapping a photo of the Mexican flag on their way out.
Talavera Cantina, which opened in 2023, faced short staffing that evening with only Cariño and her sister serving tables. This marks the first such incident for the business, despite the busy alignment of Cinco de Mayo on a Tuesday.
Owner’s Response and Menu Insights
“Instead of waiting for their check to be cleared like everyone else, they took my check tray, got up, and left,” Cariño stated. She described the act as particularly egregious against a small, woman- and minority-owned establishment in her own neighborhood.
The restaurant offers three tacos for $12.50 to $15.50 and chips with guacamole for $16.50. Happy hour reduces $15 margaritas to $10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, with a standard 20% gratuity added. It remains unclear if the total includes a tip.
Potential Police Action
Cariño vows to file a police report with the NYPD if the women do not return to settle the bill. She has publicly shared the footage to identify them, stating, “I will not take this down until this is resolved.” No updates confirm whether they have paid.
Recent Dine-and-Dash Context
In a related case, a notorious Brooklyn dine-and-dasher, Pei Chung, 34, avoided trial in March after a judge deemed her mentally unfit. Chung repeatedly stiffed upscale restaurants, leading to arrests and a stint at Rikers Island for evaluation. Charges were dismissed, but she remains detained due to immigration status.
