Milestone parties across San Antonio turned stressful when a mariachi group booked under the name Mariachi Toritos failed to appear for multiple big moments, including a wedding, a quinceañera and an 80th birthday, according to several customers. One woman says she paid $1,200 for her son’s wedding, and another says she paid $550 for a daughter’s quinceañera. They and others say they never received refunds, even after one customer took the dispute to small-claims court and won. The no-shows forced hosts into frantic, last-minute hunts for replacement musicians and left cultural celebrations feeling smaller than planned.
As reported by KSAT, the complaints center on a man identified as Arthur (Art) Flores, who booked performances under the name Mariachi Toritos. People interviewed by KSAT described paying deposits in advance, then dealing with calls and messages that went unanswered and cancellations that arrived only hours before events were supposed to begin. KSAT also reports that its own attempts to reach Flores by phone were unsuccessful.
Small-Claims Win, Still Unpaid
One of the plaintiffs, whose review appears under the name Melinda P., says she paid $550 for her daughter’s quinceañera and eventually took the dispute to small-claims court. A judgment was entered in her favor in February 2024, but she says the money still has not been paid. The Better Business Bureau lists a one-star review from “Melinda P.” that lays out the timeline and notes the court-ordered judgment. Those public complaints indicate the dispute has stretched on for years and that refunds are not always coming, even when a judge weighs in.
Police Reports And Civil Filings
Another customer, Myrna Gonzalez Childress, told KSAT she paid $500 in October 2025 for her mother’s 80th birthday, only to have the mariachi cancel. She has filed a civil complaint and is scheduled to appear in court this month. Gonzalez Childress told KSAT, “You are a thief.”
KSAT also reports that Cynthia Montoya, who says she paid $1,200 for her son’s wedding, filed a criminal complaint with the San Antonio Police Department. As of April 1, 2026, KSAT reports that police had made no arrests.
Online Complaints Show A Pattern
Public business listings and consumer-review sites include multiple accounts from customers who allege last-minute cancellations and urge others to be careful. The MapQuest listing for Mariachi Toritos pulls in Yelp reviews with warnings that go back several years, and complaint-aggregation sites like RevDex carry similar stories. Those entries, along with the Better Business Bureau review, point to a pattern of booking disputes tied to the same contact information.
What Customers Can Do
Customers who believe they are owed refunds are advised to keep contracts, receipts and text or email records, and to consider filing in Justice of the Peace (small-claims) court. TexasLawHelp provides a step-by-step guide on how to sue in justice court and what evidence to bring. Local filing rules and tips for Bexar County are available through the county FAQ page, which explains where and how to submit small-claims paperwork. If you suspect criminal theft, you can file a police report with the San Antonio Police Department and keep copies of all communications and payment records for investigators or for a judge…