El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
5637 Sunrise Blvd, Citrus Heights, CA, 95610
El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Citrus Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Citrus Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Citrus Heights for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
5637 Sunrise Blvd
Citrus Heights, CA, 95610 - Phone (916) 967-2900
- Website https://www.eltapatiocuisine.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Joyce M.
We were in town for the night and friends took us here. They said they have tried many Mexican restaurants and this is by far their favorite. My husband and I were not disappointed. If I am new to a Mexican restaurant I usually go for the Chile Verde. It's one of my favorite meals and then I can compare to other places. This was truly the best Chile Verde I have found. It was the perfect amount of spice and sauce and not too salty. The refries were great and I'm really particular about those. I wasn't a huge fan of the rice as it came with peas etc., I know some folks make it this way, but I am not one of them. The service was excellent. When we were there they did not have their liquor license yet. Our friends thought they would have it by then and when they mentioned this to the server (manager?) he apologized and told them next time they came he would buy them a margarita. I thought that was pretty nice. We live out of state and there is not an El Tapitio near us anywhere, but next time we are in Citrus Heights we will be there. Decor is good and ambiance is perfect. Give is a try.
(5)Kim R.
I stopped here for lunch recently due to the Yelp reviews. First, I will say the servers were very attentive...almost too attentive. Not only my server, but it seemed like every other server also, stopped by my table to check to see if I needed anything. But, since I was reading as I ate, too much service got to be annoying after a while. They were at least trying to give excellent service. As to the food, I had a taco and a cheese enchilada. Since I don't like the Mexican Queso Blanco, and was informed that it is mixed with the cheddar, I asked if I could have my food with just cheddar. After going back to the kitchen, I was told that was doable. I ordered and we repeated 'cheddar cheese only" 3 or 4 more times. My food came out quickly, but it was loaded down with AMERICAN cheese slices like you give a child on a grilled cheese sandwich! They had cut it into smaller squares and filled the enchilada with them, and topped the taco with them also. And the cheese in the enchilada wasn't even melted-it was just squares of the American cheese. What the heck?!!! I looked at the server and said we had discussed cheddar cheese, he nodded and said this is it. I said, no way, this is American cheese and no Mexican food I've ever had would ever have American. I don't know why they even had it in the restaurant to be frank. I had him take it back and talk to the cook. He came back, said yes, it was American, not cheddar, (duh) and they were remaking it. The food was finally brought back out, and it was cheddar this time. As to the taste, it was just okay Americanized boring 'Mexican'. Not bad, but not great either. All in all, will I go back? Nope. I had hopes that this would be a good place for Mexican, but sad to say it's just another bland Americanized 'Mexican' restaurant...sigh.
(2)Andi R.
Had to tell everyone about the superb service!!!.... Called about a couple weeks in advance to make reservations for about 20. I kept in contact with the staff and provided a "preorder" to ensure our office was in and out within a reasonable amount of time, especially since we had a large crowd. Once we arrived, our table was set up, the staff was ready, and already taking drink orders. The general manager even took the time to come over and thank us for coming in, and even made her rounds with the rest of our party. The food was excellent and started coming out about 15-minutes after arriving (yes it was fresh, and hot!). They even allowed us to have separate checks! Who still offers that these days? We had a great time, food was delicious and service was excellent and fast! I can't thank them enough for doing such a great job. Mario helped organize this event and was so humble and patient during the entire process. I highly recommend this place for large parties, or simply if you want great Mexican food!
(5)Casey R.
Fantastic Fantastic sit down Mexican Restaurant.... I feel like sit down Mexican Restaurants are dying out and Taquerias are taking over. It's nice to see one that delivers like a sit down should. You HAVE to try their cheese sauce dip! The only bad thing about it is that it will make all over cheese dips taste significantly inferior. I got a bean and cheese burrito for my main meal and it was one of the best I have ever had! Great great great, can't wait to be hungry again.
(5)Debbie H.
Beautiful restaurant and very welcoming atmosphere. The place was spotless! The hostess and waiter were friendly and helpful. Definitely can tell they are still getting over the "new restaurant jitters" as a few things didn't flow smoothly but the kind and helpful staff made up for any bumps. The chips and salsa were good. We were initially worried when we saw the menu said one free basket per table and $1 for each additional basket. However, they kept ours filled without charge so possibly meant for those who just order a drink. Might be good to clarify. Food was good. Chicken Mole enchiladas were delicious . . . chile colorado burrito was good and the side of corn tortillas were excellent. The Tapatio burrito was OK but could have used a bit more spice. Service wasn't speedy but they kept an eye on our water and drinks so we were happy. Definitely will return. Wishing them great success!
(4)Julie M.
Excellent Service and food was very Delicious! We were seated promptly and everyone was very nice, the manager came over to welcome us and make sure we were taken care of. We ordered the lunch specials and I ordered a virgin Margarita, very refreshing on a hot day. Our meal came and it was HOT. The server was excellent and attentive. We will definitely come back!
(5)Teresa D.
Bomb carne asada! This place is legit. Great customer service. The portions are more than generous. They have live music weekends. It's a nice place for families to visit.
(5)Tammie L.
WORST SERVICE EVER. We had a party of 4 and sat at the bar to drink and eat our dinner. 3 of our party received their food timely like in 20 minutes. I ordered one bean tostada and it took over 30 minutes. We asked the bar tender's helper if she can check on my order. She asked the bar tender and he looked at our order. It appeared that he forgot to put in my order. He never told me that he forgot nor aplologized. We waited another 15 minutes. When he finally brought my tostada...I shared that I was just writing a bad review on the service. He said why would you do that? I said that the service was very poor. His response was that's what happens when you sit at the bar". REALLY???? Not once did he apologize nor did he offer to remove it from our bill or offer another drink. This was my Father's Day celebration with my son and it was ruined because of bad service. It made our time there very awkward and uncomfortable. We always had good times there. Not only was the service bad, they had a chip bar. I saw someone use their bare hand to scoop chips into their bowl because there was nothing to scoop the chips with. I told the bar tender and he did nothing. Waiters were coming out with food and didn't know who the food belonged to. It was very disorganized and chaotic. I used to love this restaurant. Now i am sad because I will never go there again. The bar tender could have had more people and soft skills. I know it was busy but that is not an excuse. If your going to work at a restaurant you have to be kind, own your mistakes and make it better for the customer.
(1)Kristina Q.
The food is AMAZING, I've never dined in so I don't know how the service is. They are a bit pricey for two chicken tacos and a side of beans and rice it's $12.xx. I've been here a few times and each time I paid with my debit card. They have told me the total is 12.xx and that's what would show up on my debit. After a day or two they would change the amount and it would go up to 13.xx? I contacted my bank but i still don't know why the restaurant is changing the amounts before the transaction processes. So I would recommend you check your bank statements after going here!
(3)Lovely L.
WOW~! How have I not reviewed this place yet? My beloved El Toritos ditched us and we got this DELICOUS place in its place. It's all goooood. The inside decor is so cool that I had to walk around and take a gander. Very nice. So many reasons why I bestowed 5 stars: 1) The customer service is top notch. They go out of their way to ensure that you have a wonderful and fulfilling experience. Once they screwed up my order and replaced it within minutes, and comped me the price of my drink! WOW! 2) Reasonable prices. They have lunch specials that are a very good value for your money. 3) Large portion sizes. We are always needing a doggy bag. 4) Family friendly atmosphere. The lady manager comes around and remembers us and our kids. They have crayons for the kids. 5) Food is DELISH!!! Seriously! The salsa, the bean dip,never ending chips, the entrees, the alcohol. Every bit of it has been excellent and I cannot find one thing to bitch about. Come check it out!
(5)Dan K.
I've had the chance to go to this place a few times. The food is always fresh and authentic. I have yet to have a bad experience. I definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone that's looking for some delicious, authentic Mexican food.
(5)Jen A.
I was skeptical about this place because it used to be el torito and that place is gross. It took me a really long time to stop in here and I'm mad at myself for taking so long. The food is really delicious. They give you bean dip and salsa to munch on while you wait and a mariachi band roams around in there serenading people. Each time I've gone I have gotten the carnitas and they are yummo! I've even ordered them to go and they package them up really nicely. It's my new favorite place in the fair oaks/citrus heights area.
(4)Cindy O.
Was really disappointed that I couldn't order off their menu. I was told I had to have their Sunday brunch buffet. I knew what I wanted before I got there. I have never been to a buffet / restaurant that you couldn't order off the menu!!! The buffet was average, but then again, not what I wanted...
(3)David Y.
Had dinner there last night for the first time. Love, love, love this place. Food? Great. They bring you bean dip, for free, with a big basket of tasty hot corn chips! The service was the best I have had in a restaurant in as long as I can remember. I only wish they were closer to where I live in Chico. I would give them 7 stars if I could.
(5)Amanda K.
Loved this place! Do not let the rough exterior fool you, this is an excellent Mexican restaurant. The house margarita is delicious and huge for under $7. We came in starving and they brought (free) bean dip, and a great fresh salsa and homemade chips. The menu is huge and has lots of variety. The chicken mole enchiladas were amazing! The service is great and has a family feel to it. We felt like regulars after one trip. Try this restaurant!!
(5)Keith P.
Possibly the best Mexican food that I have ever had. We have our local favorite Mexican restaurant and was treated at El Tapatio for my birthday by my brother and his wife. They thought it was better than our local favorite and they were definitely right, The tortilla soup was delicious and more food than broth. Full bar... Great service! Will definitely return.
(5)Jeanette S.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in town! They really deserve this five star review. The food was great and the service was even better. Will definitely be returning.
(5)Erica K.
It's Super Mario!!! Fantastic customer service! He told me that Luigi is the cook and princess peach is the hostess. I have taken my family from out of town here and when they visit this is where they like to go. When you have a chance, ask to sit in Super Mario's section. Seriously, that's what he wants to be called. Food is great and consistently great!
(5)Lori H.
Very good food. Great atmoshere... a beautiful restraunt. ... The service is just ok.
(5)Rick R.
January 18, 2015, NFL Conference Championship... I've been here four times since the first visit about four months ago. It was good the first three visits. The service was good, the food was good, and the food was delivered to our table promptly and fresh. Today was the exact opposite experience. So bad I may not come again. We decided to sit in the bar to watch part of the AFC Championship game I'm going to make this short because I'm upset about paying $80 for the worst restaurant experience I've had since I can recall. I don't want to make this review worse because of my emotional state so I'll just get to the points: The bartender was our server. In a nutshell, she sucked. Just terrible service. The slowest service I can recall. Basically we saw her at our table once every 30 minutes on average... Our first round of drinks came quickly. Our second round of drinks were ordered about 30 minutes later because the bartender ignored us and just about everyone else. About 60 minutes after being seated, she took our food order About 45 minutes later the food was served The food had clearly sat under the heat lamps for a half hour judging by the fact that all the food had a dry, crispy top layer from the heat lamps. Just terrible! Hard crunchy rice, beans with a dried scum on top, dry carnitas, etc. Oh! And after she delivered our food she didn't bring my tortillas for the carnitas which I ordered Those took another 20 minutes for her to bring after I asked for them the second time... So I sat there for 20 minutes picking at my carnitas without tortillas Then it took 30 minutes to get her attention to bring the bill. Then another 15 minutes to take my credit card This is the first time I can ever recall leaving without paying my server a tip. Wow, that was an ordeal...
(1)Kristy U.
I love this place, family owned and the Best Margaritas around.
(5)Dan A.
Everything was fresh and tasty. The service we received from Super Mario was quick, efficient and friendly. We enjoyed our visit and we look forward to eating here again.
(5)Nikko S.
Great service and fantastic authentic Mexican food. Hands down best Mexican restaurant I've ever been to! I also love the vibrant architecture inside, it's so pretty! Will definitely be coming back.
(5)Wendy F.
Tried for the first time tonight! Super delicious and excellent service. Super happy we gave it a shot !!! Can't wait to try the seafood rellenos next time!!!
(5)D G.
I have been here several times. We even had our Easter Sunday brunch here. They had a really nice buffet and great service. I am craving their chile reillano as I type this....yumm
(4)Angie W.
First time here. It was amazing :) i have been craving good Mexican for a while, *almost caved in and went to chevy's*. This was what I was looking for. The staff was super friendly *Estelle was our server*, the foods is fresh, and the tortillas are made every morning, and you can tell. I will be back.
(5)Marco B.
The best place for great Mexican food and live Mariachi on a Sunday. You're greeted with a bowl of beans and salsa with your chips.The steak and chicken molcajete is the best item I've had. The corn and flour tortillas are hand made in the restaurant. So good! The mariachi is there Sundays 4-6 pm.
(5)Scott C.
Fabulous food. Had the spinach enchiladas and they were perfect. The salsa here is also great. Next time I am in the area I will stopping here. The staff were also very friendly.
(5)Joser P.
This is a really good restaurant for Mexican food. There food is really good. There service is even better. You're constantly checked on, chips refilled with salsa and bean dip, and always topped off for drinks. I used to love El Noverillo the best, but there service has gone down hill. This is my new favorite Mexican food restaurant.
(5)Xelha P.
Excellent place to eat all around great service great food! Definitely will be back. Place speaks for itself.
(5)Sandra P.
Delicious! Incredible friendly staff and even though we did take out the food was amazing at home! Highly recommend!!!
(5)Jeff B.
What a fun place and the food was incredible. We had the Burrito Tapatio and a combination plate with a Chile Relleno and enchilada's. I am completely amazed at how distinct their flavors were. All the sauces worked to compliment the flavors of the char-broiled meats. I was more than satisfied with the taste and quality of the food and the service was very personable. I will, absolutely be back.
(5)April C.
Ever thing is homemade. Very tasty. Homemade corn tortillas are absolutely delicious. Portions could be a bit larger but the robust flavors keep us coming back.
(5)Christopher D.
We were happy to see this Mexican restaurant finally reopen after its predecessor El Torito closed its doors. Happily once it received its full liquor license the crowds returned ... No wonder there as Mexican food without margaritas is almost a sacrilege. The decor and menu is strongly Mexican... With the standard combination plates. One obvious exception is the Carne Asada plate which is thinly sliced steak, marinated, spiced and cooked to perfection.....its tender enough to cut with a fork and served with sautéed onions and mushrooms. Add the guacamole and choice of freshly made corn or flour tortillas and you have a taste combination to delight any meat eater. The refried beans, rice and salsa are great with chips never running out. Soft drinks served in large glasses so that too is plentiful. The staff is friendly and keeps a close eye on your table so refills whether chips , salsa or drinks are always being offered. One down side .... even with large separate rooms and a bar far away... It can get noisy when people are having a good time. Seating and booth size is spaced out and comfortable. Oh please leave the mariachi band at home cuz they were way too loud to the point of making you want to pay them to go outside. This place is great... Traditional and family ok. No music senor and I will forever be your friend
(4)Christina L.
I love this place! The food is always good, affordable and large portions. And an eight dollar off coupon is a pretty good deal!
(4)Randy M.
On our second visit, very disappointed. Sat at the bar to watch the game on a Sunday. Grabbed a good seat but it hadn't been cleared yet. Never did get cleared. Had to ask half way through our drinks to take all of it away. Didn't get wiped either. We were taking or time before ordering some food. Then we noticed their fruit fly infestation. There were like 7 or 8 fruit flies on the TV. Then we noticed them buzzing around our drinks, face, and chips and salsa. I will not accept "It's that time of year" which you'll hear some restaurant people say. It comes down to cleanliness. Then we asked the bartender if the bean dip offered with the chips and salsa were vegetarian. His response, "I don't know". He didn't even try to find out! Paid for our drinks and left. With all the choices for Mexican food, probably won't return. We like to spend our hard earned money wisely.
(2)howard h.
We went here for lunch before noon today. After being seated, the waitress took our drink orders. That was the beginning of the poor service and unexplained delays. After bringing the chips, salsa and bean dip with my cup of coffee, the waitress disappeared for 10 to 15 minutes... I was waiting to tell her that I needed cream for my coffee and we wanted two glasses of water. The food was really good. The service by our waitress was really s-l-o-w. The meal itself was fine but much was lost in the less than prompt delivery of it to our table. Hence only 3 out of 5 stars. We may go back to give them another try because their food was that good - NOT because of the low level of service provided by our waitress.
(3)Kayla N.
I just moved to the area and I have tried about 5 different "mexican restaurants" and none of them even slightly compare to this one. I went with my whole family and everyone was very happy with their food. Good customer service as well. Thank you!!
(5)BeBe M.
Maybe I shouldn't have gotten my food to-go, but I was sorely disappointed with the flavor and overall quality. I expected so much better, given all the great reviews from others. I won't return.
(2)Jrod H.
This place is an absolute Gem. By far one of the best Mexican Resturants in sacramento . The menu has many choices and the portions here are HUGE . Every time I come here the place is packed but always get seated very fast . Very nice staff and good service . This place gets my 5 stars ...
(5)Allyson M.
This place was expensive for a Mexican restaurant, but the food quality and portions certainly justified the difference. The service was also outstanding. We will return soon!
(5)Cynthia G.
This was our first time here, and I have been looking forward to seeing what all the hype was about. Plus, I'm Mexican so in my mind I'm a self-proclaimed expert on the cuisine. With that being said, the service was exceptional, from the man who greeted us and sat us, to our server, Mario, to the utility guy who always filled our drinks. I ordered the mole chicken enchiladas; my husband had the pollo en mole; and my daughter had the kids mini quesadilla. Plus we ordered the fresh guacamole as an appetizer. First off, the chips were fresh, warm and crispy. The salsa and bean dip (complimentary) were tasty. The guacamole was made at our table (fast!) and was perfect! The rice that came with our meals was fresh fluffy and very authentic. The refried beans were also very authentic and yummy! But the mole on both of our dishes was impressive and definitely authentic! We have two opinions on this review-mine as a Mexican and my husbands as a Caucasian and we were both very impressed and will definitely return! Oh and our daughter enjoyed her quesadilla too!
(5)Bonnie S.
OMG first time here after change. Felt like I was in Mexico. Gen'l Mgr. came over and introduced herself. Gave a little history of restaurant. Said food is handmade from scratch except bar food Ie. Poppers etc. Food was to die for, service was excellent. If I could give more than five stars this establishment certainly deserves it. They're doing everything right!! I'll be going back again and again and again. If you like true authentic Mexican food give this place a try. You won't be disappointed. The ambience was authentic, everyone was friendly. Made sure basket of chips was full as well as the salsa and bean dip with shredded cheese which then melted.
(5)Dawn B.
I want to give them 5 stars because they are SO darn friendly. But 5 stars is "perfect" (although they were darn close)... We went for dinner on a Saturday night @ 6:30pm - no wait for a table. They were having "customer appreciation night" and gave out a rose to each girl and a chance to win a gift basket. The hostess in the lobby was extremely friendly and talkative as I waited for my boyfriend to arrive. After we were seated, every single person who passed made sure we were comfortable and thanked us for coming. I was almost suspicious because they were SO nice LOL Free chips and salsa/bean dip were much appreciated and quite good. The traveling mariachis were very good and were nice enough to ask us if we wanted to have them do music at our table (instead of forcing it upon us). We declined but only because we were in conversation. The ambiance is very good - they are in a former "El Torito" building. Boyfriend ordered "Enchilada Marineras" which was seafood in cream sauce - he really enjoyed it. I had "Enchilada Suiza" (chicken in green sauce). It was good - the green sauce wasn't the tastiest I've ever had, but the chicken quality was excellent. The portions were large and food was served piping hot - they made a point to tell us everything is made from scratch and to order, which can lead to a wait time for your food when they're busy - we didn't have to wait too long though. Boyfriend somehow had room for dessert (?!) and order the Xanchos. He was in heaven! Can't wait to return and have a bigger appetite and enjoy their hospitality.
(4)Eric H.
Classic Sonoran comfort food. Very large portions, the Chile Relleno and the homemade tortillas were awesome. The GM and all of the staff who served us were very nice.
(5)Billy P.
Food was awesome with big portions. Waitress was very nice and kept my tea full. Can't wait to come back and get something else
(5)John H.
Formerly El Torito back-in-the-day. Super colorful decor inside. Staff was attentive, cheerful, and personable. Made for an easy experience. Fajitas for 2 - more than enough tasty fillings on the sizzling tray to plop into hand made flour and corn tortillas. Great fresh flavors. We brought enough leftover home for another meal for 2. Definitely will be back but will order less and eat less chips at the start.
(5)Willie J.
Went for lunch, I liked how even though they weren't too busy at 2pm, we were seated far away enough from other guests to feel like we had privacy, for 2 drinks and 2 combo plates it was about 30.00, plenty of food portion wise, staff was friendly, engaging, prompt, thorough, and attentive, beans might have needed a touch more salt (I come from a Mexican restaurant, so its just my ocd w seasoning speaking) rice was AMAZING-some of the best ive ever had reminded me of being in Cabo, the shredded beef was seasoned well, chicken was seasoned well and juicy, def will go back wallet permitting, they have happy hour starting at 3pm, 4 apps n drinks. the décor was str8 out of Mexico, beautiful tiles, murals, use of space, archways etc. yellows blues reds greens. def a must try! I think the negative review may have been an off day in the kitchen? Word of advice, crap happens sometimes, doesn't hurt to speak up in the moment if your not happy with speed or service, don't just sit there stewing and hungry lol ask a waiter "how much longer?"
(5)Matt F.
Bomb mexican food salsa is killer service is always great and drinks are always good and has good pours! Try the Carne Asad or molcajete with the perfect margarita!
(5)Ruben G.
This place has very authentic Mexican food. The atmosphere is also authentic and fun. The margaritas are very good and reasonably priced. Try their happy hour. Plenty of big screen for sporting events. Good service and good food, a nice combination. I highly recommend.
(5)Shirley W.
This place is rated as the best restaurant in Citrus Heights. The waitstaff is outstanding and every time I have been there the owner has come over and spent time talking with us. I love Mexican food and this is my favorite Mexican restaurant! Great decor, but best of all the food is absolutely delicious. Try it you'll like it! I guarantee it! Highly recommend it!
(5)Lynette H.
I absolutely love this new place in Citrus Heights. I've never been disappointed when I have gone there and the staff and owner are awesome!
(5)Patrick A.
I love the service here and we usually end up here on a weekly basis now. Great happy hour specials with $3 margaritas that are nice and strong. The good is great! They start you off with free chips and salsa. Don't forget the green sauce! Cheap appetizers and very reasonable prices on their meals. $10 burritos. $13 for a three item entree. You'll be happily tipping extra fire how great the service is!
(5)Leslie C.
Lilia was amazing! She was prompt and new what we wanted before we had to ask. The $8.00 coupon with the check in is supposed to only be used for dinner but she checked with the manager and ok'd the discount! Not mention the food. THE FOOD! Amazing tacos, enchiladas, chile rellenos! She was a perfect server (I'm a server myself) and would love to have her on my team at my job!
(5)Kim C.
Came for lunch on Easter with a group of about 20. The service was very attentive and all orders were correct. I don't eat meat do I ordered the veggie burrito which was interesting and tasty. It had cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms and onions instead of your typical beans and rice. I saw other veghead-friendly options on the menu too including spinach enchiladas and veggie fajitas. The waiter even kindly asked if I wanted to hold the sauce because it had a beef stock base, which I definitely appreciated. Since I held the sauce and requested more whole beans in place of rice, I asked if I could get a bit of avocado and though a little iffy about it, he hooked me up! Everyone seemed to enjoy their food except for the one who ordered the black bean soup. She said it was boring and tasted like eating beans straight from the can. Prices were fair and there were no issues with all the separate tabs flying around. Docked a star because the table was very dirty and the chair feet got stuck in the tile grout, making it very difficult for the older ones of the bunch to sit down/stand up.
(4)Lisa R.
I really enjoyed the food here it was very tasty and the prices were good! Next time I will come on Sunday when they have the mariachi s playing
(5)Tara K.
Tortillas fresh and yummy... Fish taco was not deep fried. rice and beans perfect.... Salsa and chips were awesome.. can't believe I've never come here..
(4)David R.
The portions are large. Large enough to eat half the entree and take the other half home for later. The prices were great. The bowl of chips they give you are large too. What I'm trying to say is that if you want lots of good Mexican food with a friendly staff, at a very reasonable price, come here! Angie was our waitress and she made us feel welcome and it really made for a great experience.
(5)Sarah Y.
Best authentic Molcajete outside of Mexico. We frequent here often. It is the best Mexican in town, hands down,
(5)Gena S.
This restraunt and it's staff are amazing. Their Sunday brunch has great options and they let you stay and eat and don't rush you.
(5)Rachel C.
Our Mother's Day dinner was first thrown off by the homeless man sitting on the bench when we entered the establishment. Then my husband proceeded to locate a hostess who seated us promptly. Our server was attentive and processed our order quickly. However my house margarita tasted like dirty water and sweet pre-made mix that I couldn't finish it. The carne asada was delicious. My husband order Chile Verde he said it was okay. I think next time we will take the time to drive to Tres Hermanes.
(2)Nicole C.
Not only is the food here AMAZING, but they have the best customer service I have experienced in a long time. Upon entering we were greeted by the owner who quickly seated us. Moments later we were given chips, salsa, and bean dip, and greeted by our friendly waiter. Even when I sent my drink back (nothing wrong with it, just not my thing), the waiter was very gracious and made sure I was happy with the replacement drink. The service here is genuine; even the person picking up our plates asked us how are food was, and we were thanked for our patronage on our way out. Oh, and most importantly there were women visiting the tables to serve free tastings of tequila! It doesn't get much better than that! I will most definitely be returning!
(5)Mariah B.
I love this place. My family went here for mothers day. But, wish the place was more bigger cause it was so crowded and there are small areas inside the restaurant. Also the floors were slippery and i almost fell when walking on them. My chair would slide everywhere. I love the colorfulness they had inside and all the decorations everywhere and there was a mariachi band that walked around different places. My grandfather loved it because we are mexican and he totally talk to them in Spanish loving everything. The bean dip they had i thought was just going to be bean dip but it has spices in it that made it hot they should lower the bean dip spice because if a little kid got their hands on that it would be to hot. I got a cheese and bean burrito i didnt know it came with this red sause all over it i would of gotten something else it was alright i couldn't couldn't eat to much of it. The tortillas had a weird flavor but there are flour and corn tortillas that was cool
(4)Oana B.
Anyone who says this place is mediocre has no taste buds. El Tapatio has the absolute best mexican food we have ever had here or abroad. And we have mexican food all the time. Make sure to ask for bean dip along with your chips and salsa (it's free! And delicious to boot!). They also have a spicier green salsa which is great if you like it hot. We recommend: Chipotle Chicken plate - this alone is worth coming for. Carne asada plate - HUGE compliments to the chef on this one. Never there was a better grilled piece of meat. Molcajete bowl - also goes great with the crane asada All the entrees are huge so there's enough to share or take home after! Also, the ambiance is fantastic! Feels like vacation.
(5)Tony B.
This was my fourth time eating here with different friends and family members. Last Friday we had dinner again and I had something different for the fourth time. This time I had the mocajete dish. It was amazing. The carne asada, seafood burrito, guacamole table side, chicken taquitos and seafood chile relleno were all excellent. This is the best food Mexican food in town. Glad their open. Will be back for more new items. Thanks for the great service!!
(5)Lakisha C.
Everything was extremely fresh and delicious!!! The chips and salsa were great. And I loved the bean dip :) Both of our plates were absolutely amazing!!
(5)Randee B.
My first visit here when they first opened earlier this year left me unsure and I wasn't in a hurry to go back. I decided to give it another try after that experience just to be fair, and boy, am I glad I did because now I'm hooked! The salsa is some of the best I've ever had... it is SO good and I could make a meal on that and the chips alone. The alcocholic drinks or a little pricey, but my daiquiri's are always very good. Then, there's the food. Three words, my friends... YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY! I love their shredded beef enchiladas with green sauce, personally. The chimichanga's are very good too... This place is one of my favorites now, for sure. Bueno!
(5)Chelsie R.
Their food is sooo good, from what america knows as authentic it tastes authentic.. Chile verde is awesome, tacos are so good, and i recommend the fresh table side guacamole, and happy hour is a sweet deal. Love this place
(5)Lori N.
The atmosphere is bright and inviting. The food was so good. Our waitress Fatima, was great very friendly and helpful. I had the shrimp fajitas seasoned to perfection with homemade tortillas. The food was served hot and fast too. Loved it! I will be back again.
(5)Danny N.
First time here. Food was incredible. Had the Super Burrito. Chicken was moist and great quality. And the service was excellent, very attentive!! Will definitely be returning! The portions are huge so you won't be disappointed.
(5)Erik L.
I use to love going to El Doridos at the same location and was not happy it went out of business. When I saw this place open up I was wondering how it woild compare. Well, it is just as good. The only little complaint I had was that is was very cold im the resturant. I mentioned it to the waitress and was surprised to see the A/C turn off a few minutes later. So needless to say I was very impressed and will be coming back very soon! Alejandra our waitress was very good as well!!
(5)Nancee G.
Great place to go. Ask for the green salsa if you like heat and spices... also the green sauce on the carne asada burrito is fabulous. Frankie and Angie are great waiters and the Manager always asks how you are doing. We go at least once a week and the food and service is spectacular!!!! Thanks again for the great food and service.
(5)Jennifer B.
What a nice addition to the Sunrise corridor! I was heart broken when El Torrito closed up on the hill, and then the building just sat empty. El Tapatio has preserved a lot of the things I loved about El Torrito, and added their own dash to spice it up a bit. The lunch special was excellent, and I am looking forward to going back again.
(4)Sam D.
Decent, clean, with nice staff. When things get busy, expect to wait a bit for drinks, food, and the check. Overall the food is okay.
(3)Robert R.
The first time I went here was after a bad experience at La Placita DOS. We arrived and we're greeted like old friends. Excellent service.....and the entire staff stays attentive during your entire stay. Everytime I have been there I have had a great meal with great service. Only one time we had an issue with a female wait staff. It was close to closing and she made it apparent that she wanted to leave and we were holding her up. Very rude! But other than that every experience has been great. Try the carne asada plate......it's huge. Even harder to eat the whole plate after you have eaten all the chips, salsa, and bean dip. Highly recommended. Check it out!
(4)Art C.
Went with friends during happy hour to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The bar was bustling, we sat down to order cocktails and asked about the happy hour specials as the sign over the bar posted happy hour from 3 to 7, 7days a week. Our server said that since it was Cinco De Mayo that happy hour prices did not apply. I pointed to the sign and was told by the server that he could not do anything about it. We decided to leave.
(1)Karen S.
Okay food; excellent service! I will absolutely be going back in a few months to give it another try... The staff was very friendly and the manager came over to chat at one point, nice guy. Our server was friendly and our sodas were filled several times. I had never tried a mole sauce, so our server asked the kitchen for a sample; it was a whole bowl! woah! It was a very nice gesture. Definitely went out of their way to do that. My date and I both had the enchiladas sauiza. I tried one ground beef and one chicken. The best way I can describe it, is that they were a little watery. Not sure if it was the green sauce, or the meat itself. They tasted okay, just a little too moist and lacking a real punch of flavor. The rice that came with the meal was fluffy and light; but needed a little more flavor and salt for my tastes. The chips and salsa were good, as well as the basic bean dip they serve. Perhaps I will try an overall more flavorful dish next time, like chile colorado! To be continued... Note: The bar is yet to be open for service; seems they are still waiting for licensing stuff to be finalized.
(3)Brittany N.
This place used to be our favorite mexican food in the Citrus Heights area; we moved out the area so it was hard because of the drive to come here. We decided to make the trip and come eat our favorite food, only to be very disappointed. Several complaints; the food was horrible!! My fiance didn't even receive his food the whole time I was eating mine. I got the street tacos the meat was so dry and chewy and hard to eat I almost choked. The alcohol was tasteless and sweet for a Bulldog Margarita that I normally get. Even though they took my fiance food off and the alcohol beverage. They just said sorry poor customer service. The place I loved alot has become no horrible... I won't be going back ever as a once loyal customer they lost our service.
(2)Tyler S.
Great food, fair service. Waiters either come too often or not at all. The Yelp check-in deal is nice, but the waiters don't seem overly thrilled about it. Be prepared for them to handle your phone to confirm it.
(4)Dave L.
From the chips, to the last bite of carnitas, this restaurant knows Mexican food. The staff are friendly, the tortillas are fresh, even the salsa was outstanding. I'm stuffed. Thanks El Tapatio, we will be back!
(5)Brenda V.
Came on happy hour and the best margaritas and food we have had on a long time. We hung out at the bar and never had to ask for anything. Our food was great, the prices were reasonable..3 dollars margaritas were very good. atmosphere was was nice and looking forward to coming back soon.
(5)Jess T.
Cadillac Margaritas were very good! Service sucked. At first it seemed all good. One of the managers came to the table in the beginning and was talking to us about our service adnd we were talking about how great it was that she did that. After that, it went downhill. The 3 others in my party got their food but not mine. I ordered nachos, doesnt take very long at all. I had to ask the waiter twice if my food was coming and the others at my table were already done by the time I got my food. And then I asked for some salsa to 2 different waiters and after 10 minutes I got nothing. I finally was so fed up, I went to speak with a manager which I have never done before! Once I finally got my salsa, it was put on the table very abrutly. Its a mexican restaurant, there should always be salsa on the table! Luckily, they brought me another margarita on the house so only slightly made up for it because I wouldve rathered had my food paid for but Ill deal. The food was still very good though. I would suggest not sitting in the bar since they do not know how to multi-task in there.
(2)Steve B.
Totally homemade tortillas and fresh ingredients. Place was packed but service remained high and speedy. Big plates, you won't go away hungry. Great atmosphere and friendly staff. Manager walked the floor several times talking with guests and making sure that everything was perfect. We have been here a few times now since they opened and it keeps getting better, obviously it's why it seems busier every time we visit.
(5)Gabriel V.
We we there for dinner on a recent Sunday evening. The food, the ambiance, the service were all a very pleasant surprise, as this was our first visit. The strolling singers in mariachi dress were the "icing on the cake". We will definitely return to this eatery. Muy delicioso.
(5)Elissa L.
Horrible experience working with Jennifer Scribner. Rude, Inflexible, Arrogant demeanor just want to make money. Protocols did not work.
(1)Leslie O.
The first time I went, I had the best relleno and talk with the floor manager who was a friend of the owners. Unfortunately, since then I've been two more times and the food on the plate was lukewarm both times.
(3)Kimberly A.
I love their salsa, not to chunky, not to liquidity. They also give you a bowl of bean dip, which my boyfriend loved. The enchilada was delicious, the seasoning on the meat was so good. My boyfriend said those were some of the best beans and rice he had at a Mexican joint. The service was great, super attentive. This might become our new favorite Mexican spot.
(4)Micah A.
Disappointing, especially with higher ratings than my tried and true nearby Mexican stops. - Overpriced - Underwhelming skinny / premium margarita - Gigantic menu, really really needs to be streamlined and simplified - Reminded me of Midwestern 'Mexican' food. Overly cheesy, heavy and made for white people that don't like spicy flavors. - Asked my server what she liked and couldn't answer. Instead said that "people lime the fajitas." - Bar looked good. Perhaps my drink would have been better of supervised. - Asked for a more spicy salsa, and they did and it was great. That was the highlight.
(2)K F.
My husband and I were looking for a place where we could become regulars...We finally found it here! The carne asada is to die for! We love how they make the guacamole table side. The wait staff, especially Matt, is always very attentive and friendly. Do yourself a favor and make yourself a regular also!!
(5)Todd D.
Yep, was just as good this time as the first time. Mario was our server and he was excellent!! Food was delicious and served piping hot! Love this place!
(5)Giovanni S.
First time coming here tonight (2/17/15) and wow have I been missing out! Great food, great customer service and great overall experience!! It's was also nice to have the general manager greet us and check up on us to see how everything was! I will definitely be back! Hard to find restaurants with this type of quality and authentic tasting Mexican food in this area. Ours drinks was always full and we were always checked up on. Kind of felt like celebrity status! lol but seriously! Great place!
(5)Tim M.
The server was very friendly, and quite comical. The deco seemed unchanged since it was El Torrito, which was pretty decent already. Ordered the fajitas with steak and chicken and flour and corn tortillas which are both homemade. The steak was good, not too fatty and gristly. The chicken was still fairly moist, and the veggies were perfect. The only issue we had which removed a star was that the tortillas ran out, and by the time we got our (only one order of corn, forgot the flour) our food was not very warm anymore, and I don't eat fajitas without tortillas. Over all still very good though.
(4)Heidi D.
We got excellent service with a large party. The food was also very good, everyone enjoyed their meal. The chips and salsa while you wait include a bean dip which is also neat. I could eat their fajita tortillas plain any time.
(4)Brandon C.
I used to go here almost every Tuesday when it was El Torito for taco Tuesday. When it was El Tortito the food was pretty good and so was service. We were very excited to finally see someone open up again for business. We went here before they had liquor license and the food just was not great. It lacked flavor, my corn tacos were so soggy you couldn't pick the taco up or it would fall apart, and the service lacked big time. They greet you with a big smile and seat you right away. But out waitress was horrible. We came back again hoping it was just bad luck and the same thing happened. The carne asada tacos were so dried out almost not edible. Different waitress this time. She came by the table maybe three times to check on us and this was not at a busy hour. Third strike your out!! We came back for the third time and sat at the bar. It was happy hour and we ordered a couple of margaritas. Drinks had maybe a shot if that. They were way to sweet. This time we sat at the bar hoping we would have a good bar tender waiting on us for food and drinks. Come to find out the same waitress waits on us at the bar. We waited for our food for 35 minutes. The place was not busy and our waitress was no where to be seen. I cancelled the order with bar tender and paid for the drinks and left. It is to bad that a couple of lazy employees can ruin a restaurant. We had high hopes for the new business and gave them multiple chances but they failed. Maybe the owner or manager will catch on and tighten things up for them. It is a beautiful building and great ambiance I must say.
(2)Kristi R.
Fast service, very friendly. Delicious chips/salsa/beans to much on while waiting. I actually hate beans, but I liked these & even ate the ones that came with my meal (which normally stay on my plate untouched). Husband had the burrito verde and I had the enchilada and tostada. We both loved our meals. The tostada was stacked kind of high so I ended up having to eat it with a fork, but it was still good. We used the check-in deal and got $8 off which was great, but I was annoyed they charged us for a soda and tortillas which we did not have. I was going to mention it & have it removed, but my husband took pity since the check-in deal was good so we paid it anyway. But it did leave a sour taste in my mouth and unfortunately it's probably what I'm going to remember most about this restaurant. Our ticket wasn't that complicated - 2 entrees and 2 waters. How can you mess that up when ringing up?
(4)Nurhidayah S.
Seriously one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been! The salsa and bean was so good. I ordered Carne Asada without beans and the even the meat is so thin, the middle is still pink! It tastes amazingly good. The owner, I assume, keep checking on customers and I think that is so great. I highly recommend this place. Everything is made from scratch and the guacamole is just so awesome. The food is cooked to order, too. I'm definitely going to be back again.
(5)Kelly W.
Every time you come here, service is spectacular, everything is neat and tidy, the bathrooms are super clean, and everyone is so kind. We come here with our children, and they welcome our kids without inconvenience like some places do. I highly recommended dining here for a date night, or family night! Oh, and the Flan is SPECTACULAR!
(5)Marie K.
Amazing food and excellent customer service! The carne asada is so flavorful and tender. My husband and I came for Sunday Brunch and everything was delicioso. There was quite a variety so I wasn't able to sample everything, they had homemade corn tortillas and a taco station, an omelet station, menudo and posole; enchiladas, chile verde and rojo, salad bar, desert bar, beverages were included including mimosas. Yum! we will be back again.
(5)James M.
Our waitress, Angie, was very accomodating and helpful. The bus boy, Hector, kept us in water and chips. Food was great, the chef even made me a gluten free dinner. Definitely a place to keep coming back to.
(5)Tania V.
HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!! Our waiter, "Freddy" was so rude to us that he did not get tipped. He walked up to our table obviously irritated for whatever reason and he couldn't even answer a simple question. I asked him, "Do you have vegetarian beans here?" He said, "No the beans are made of lard, unless they're boiled." I said, "So your boiled beans are vegetarian?", and he said, "No." What the hell?!! He made no damn sense! We asked him for more chips and salsa and he ignored us. We asked him again, and he had this poor pregnant lady come and deliver them to us. He was totally slow and inattentive. We had to prompt him for everything, water, silverware and he would not even clear our plates. I will never go back because of this guy. Freddy is rude, inattentive, slow and should not be a waiter! He doesn't like waiting on people so he should search for another job. If Freddy is your waiter, do yourself a favor and request to sit in someone else's section because you will be treated badly and ignored the whole time. ATTENTION!! El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant Management, FIRE THIS JACK ASS before he runs off more of your good customers.
(1)Linda L.
A welcoming place with prompt service and people who love their jobs- Susan the manager just has a magical way if making every one feel "at home". She came to our table to be sure we were happy with the food and service. Truly a home away from home restaurant. The food was fresh and delightful! Options on the menu allow you to to go for non fried versions of tacos which were great! They also offered spicy as opposed to less spicy and bland meats. Ask about options before you order. "Happy Hour" is a great deal and opportunity to try the variations in spiciness and freshness on the menu. Loved it!
(5)Priya J.
I just ate there a couple hours ago, and am honestly surprised that this place has such good reviews on yelp. I'll start with the positives. I absolutely love the decor. It's fun and colorful, and full of Mexican culture. The positivity pretty much ends there. Where do I start? First, the water guy poured water into a glass of sprite, assuming it was water. When I ordered my food, I couldn't decide between crab or shrimp enchiladas, so I asked our waitress if it was possible to get one of each. She said yes, and scribbled it down. I also ordered whole beans. Also keep in mind that guac and sour cream were also part of the description of this item. We waited for about half an hour for our food to arrive, and for a person who gets hangry, this is problematic. I almost wished I overstuffed my self on their chips and halfway-decent salsa. When my food finally arrived, there was refried beans on my plate, and there was no guac and sour cream to be found. I tried to call someone over, who stopped me halfway through a sentence to tell me my waiter will handle it and ran off. I didn't even tell him what the problem was. I got a hold of the manager and explained the issue. She took the plate and I shortly after I had a new plate. There was still no guac and sour cream on the plate. I couldn't even tell this to her, because she ran off. Half way through my meal, a waitress dropped off a side of guac and cream. How nice! But it would have been nicer if I had it from the start! And then, after she ran off, I noticed that both of my enchiladas were shrimp and not one crab one shrimp like I had asked. I didn't bother to complain again and vowed to write this review. Was this woman writing down the alphabet while taking my order? And don't even get me started on the food! Cream sauce on a seafood enchilada? Is salsa not worthy enough? It was comparable to classico's Alfredo pasta sauce. I could have made a better enchilada at home and next time I will. Never again.
(1)Foodie For Life L.
Stay away from the buffet!!! I knew better but my hubby insisted because of the free margaritas. All the food was bland and dry, horchata had no cinnamon, jello was all watery, churro filling had a gross filling , and the list goes on and on. The margaritas came out in baby glasses and we asked for it blended and it still came out on the rocks. Just a horrible experience. Yelp really let me down this time. :' (
(1)Lauren H.
The food was terrific (I LOVE their refried beans- and I'm not normally a consumer of legumes!), our server was attentive, the margaritas were excellent (I recommend the banana-peach), and the atmosphere was vibrant and appealing. Looking forward to my next visit to El Tapatio!
(5)Stephanie H.
Glad to see a decent Mexican place back in CH. I've been here a few times since it opened for lunch and dinner. They haven't screwed up yet, and the quality is fairly good. I ONCE had to send it back because the cheese in my enchiladas wasn't really melted well, but I had no attitude, and they seemed happy to comply. No biggie. I'll keep coming if they'll keep up the good work! :)
(4)Meadow P.
The food here is delicious and the decor is muy authentico! I've been here twice now and it's been a good experience both times. The meal starts with chips, salsa and bean dip. The bean dip is very good. Each time I've ordered the enchiladas. They are well seasoned and cheesy. The chimichanga has also been ordered in my party with positive reviews, as well as the chicken and mole. The restaurant is huge so there is lots of seating for parties small to large. A highlight of the restaurant is the beautiful tile work and frescos on the walls. I was sorry to see El Torito go, but El Tapatio makes a fine replacement!
(5)Ben S.
I love this place so much, the corn mush on the side is really good. I think about it at night . The food is fresh and hot, like it should be plus very tasty. My favorite spot for sure
(5)Priscilla A.
Good Food for the price, cant go wrong.
(5)Diane J.
Service is excellent! Food is delicious!! I had a two item chicken taco and cheese enchilada. The chicken taco is one of the best I have ever had. Mario was our server, he was excellent he was even singing to the music that was playing. We love it here!
(5)David F.
Great atmosphere. Guacamole made at the table could not have been better. Perfect Margarita was tasty. Veggie burrito and spinach enchilada were quite. The service was very attentive too Hard to find a negative here Vegetarians note that the rice is made with chicken stock. Otherwise quite easy to eat vegan or veg
(5)Megan Elizabeth Reeves ..
Excellent restaurant! Wonderful menu. The spinach enchiladas and veggie fajitas are incredible. Service couldn't be better. Alex is great.
(5)Janis S.
Clean clean clean! Delicious fresh food; tortilla chips & refried beans/ salsa marvelous!! El Tapitio never disappoints! Bravo!
(5)Myron G.
Stopped in for a Margarita but place looked, smelled and sounded GREAT, so we stayed for dinner. Nice staff and we'll done remodeling of prior restaurant. We'll be back! Chili Colorado and enchilada combo are great choices. Homemade tortillas could be done better. 3 dollar Margaritas are a good Sunday offering.
(4)Wendy L.
This place has hands down the best Mexican food ever! Me and my bf loves this place, did I mention home made tortillas that are full of deliciousness? Yes DELICIOUS!! I always get the carnitas which melts in your mouth like no other. If your looking for authentic Mexican food this is defiantly the place to go! I totally recommend you will NOT be disappointed.
(5)Janae M.
LOVED IT! I went here for my birthday dinner and couldnt have asked for anything more. The bacon wrapped shrimp n carne asada dinner was unforgettable. I might have to go back today for lunch. Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. I had a party of 35 and although a few of the children recieved their dinner late. Ages 10 and under eat for free on Sundays.
(4)Justina B.
This place has the best service and best mexican food i've ever experienced. Everything is always on point! we've been here several times!!! The tequila chicken is delicious and so is their chicken chipotle salad!! we take all our family that visits here and we've never had any complaints. I've never tasted anything bad here and also their free bean dip with chips and salsa is sooo delicious!!! Friendly customer service!! awesome place
(5)Brandy G.
This is a great Mexican restaurant. Had Corona on draft, white sangria, and combo fajitas. One of the best I've had in Sacramento. The food came out so quickly and was so hot. The staff was welcoming, attentive, and very friendly. We will definitely be coming back and bringing our friends and family.
(5)Anthony W.
The food was great and I loves the atmosphere. There are some great architecture things to see.
(4)Song K.
Awsome service and great food. Iike how they make fresh tortilla chips. Food was pretty flavorful and their salsa is outstanding.
(4)Stephen P.
Amazing! The Mole is legit! Everything is made from scratch. Staff is super friendly and the GM is one of the best I have ever seen. And I was a server for years. This place is a must try.
(5)Danielle G.
The food was amazing, and service was exceptional. I came in at lunch and sat at the bar- there was no wait. Bartender and staff were super friendly. I had the fish tacos- sooo good! Definitely check this place out.
(5)KD T.
Food is EXCELLENT, compared to other Mexican restaurants in general area. We arrive on a Sunday afternoon when they were having a buffet brunch an so the place was packed. The amount of people here apparently was a surprise to staff as the servers repeatedly apologized for the delays in service, but then o don't expect fast considering each server had like 45 people to wait on. Overall a good experience, while at a different restaurant it probably would have been a disaster. Prices are reasonable.
(4)Jack F.
Excellent food.... How they can do, what they do with cheese and a tortilla I'll never know. Excellent service. The Carne Asada meat was awesome. I will return.
(4)Agnes A.
Where is the air conditioner? Good selection of beers/food but how can you sit in the bar when there is no air conditioner. That big industrial fan sitting on the chip counter ain't gonna make it in Sacramento. Get kind of a swamp cooler feeling in there. Gave it two weeks and walked in the other night. Walked out...same fan.
(1)Trista H.
A little pricey but really delicious! I had the camarones Mexicana. So yummy! I would come back!
(4)Christian A.
So amazing. We went on their 1 year anniversary & they had a dinner buffet going on. I'm not usually all about buffets, but they were on top of it making sure they had fresh trays of food ready, it was clean and so tasty. It came with 2 margaritas included per person which was the icing on the cake. Our server was Alexandria who was so friendly and attentive. Her bubbly, awesome personality made our dining experience even more of a delight. I will definitely return and tell everyone I know what a wonderful experience it was overall. New favorite spot, right here!!
(5)Marissa W.
Delicious & definitely worth the wait! Very friendly staff also. Will be back again in the future. :)
(4)Ava L.
Not only was the food terrific, but out waiter and the staff were so friendly and seemed to really care about our experience. We will definitely be back and hope that others will come to El Tapatio, too. Oh, yes, and you won't believe how beautiful the restaurant is... a multi-sensory treat for all. If my picky 11 year old loved it, I feel very confident in recommending this restaurant to those of you with kids, too!
(5)Tim C.
From the time we arrived until the time we left we were treated like kings. The food was first class and the staff was over the top friendly. If I could give them six stars, I would.
(5)Sarah S.
The have great service and food. The staff is knowledgeable. When I go to the restaurant I ask for Mario. He is extremely friendly and makes me feel at home. Highly recommended if you love Mexican food.
(5)Patrick B.
Last night was my fourth visit to this great Mexican restaurant on Sunrise Blvd. I have tried various enchilada and tamale combinations, albondigas soup, burrito colorado, the fresh tableside guacamole, among others. All great. The salsa is good, but I wish the chips were made in house or were the thinner, crispier quality. The flour tortillas are excellent. They also have a good bar.
(4)Sue B.
The music is awesome on Friday evenings. So upbeat and fun. Food is delicious. This is the place to go!
(5)Fernando V.
Awesome! I visited this Exceptional Restaurant today for lunch. As I walked in I was greeted with a very attentive and happy staff. The place was very clean and organized, to my left was the Tortilla Station... the management team and wait staff were very involved and super customer service oriented. As soon as I sat down the fresh chips and salsa arrived. My Server was Great! She asked if it was my first time and I said yes so she told her favorites and I made my decision. I went with the Pork Carnitaslunch plate with rice and beans pico and super tasty fresh Guacamole. Let's not forget the homemade Horchata that blew any I have tasted. The place is super cool with the decor and don't get me started on the Mariachi... I will definitely be bringing my friends and family. The menu has something for everyone. If I could give this rating 10 stars I would without any hesitation. I can't wait to come try the other items on the menu.
(5)Amar Azucena C.
I have been here twice. The Food is really good but the service is very very slow. I also got supper sick in the evening after I had lunch here. Not sure if I would try it again
(2)Bryan A.
This place has rock star status!! They do Mexican food right, and the restaurant business right!! Great service, friendly staff, great food, especially the salsa and guacamole!! I will be back often.
(5)El O.
Service= is there an above excellent? Drinks= strong Mariachi=awesome and funny group of guys Happy hour=yesssssss (by the bar) I'm a sucker for good service and this place is at the top. They are friendly, quick, helpful and have a sense of humor. Food is good, drinks are surprisingly really strong :D ....love this place
(5)Jamirella C.
I always see cars here and I now know way. Pretty good food, very colorful decor with quick service and about $14 for most plates. They give you beans with the chips which were really good. Oh and there home made tortillas were so so good! I got the corn and they were so soft and fresh I thought they might have given me follower on accident. My chipotle chick was good but very spicy, which would have been fine but they did not specify that it was spicy on the menus. I'm sure we will go back it was good.
(4)Jeff L.
Very disappointed. We had high hopes, especially after reading all the great reviews on Yelp. The service was marginal at best - our waitress looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights. She got most of the order wrong and the wait time was ridiculous. The menu photos are deceiving. For instance, the vaunted Molcajete was pictured as lots of grilled meat, chicken, shrimp, etc. hanging over the edge of the stone bowl. Instead, the bowl was filled with a green sauce and had some pieces of meat floating around in it. The place is OK, nothing special. Again, really disappointed.
(2)Plantbased A.
We had a group of 4, (2) from FL searching for some good Mexican food, and (2) "locals" that are no/ low oil vegan eaters. The FL folks really liked the refried beans, chips and salsa (that came right to the table when we sat down) and each meal they ordered. The vegan's were pleasantly surprised by the delicious guacamole (made at the table), black beans, veggie fajitas (prepared by request with no oil/ margarine) and rice. Thus, 4 stars for the food and friendliness of the wait staff.... However.... ... like others mentioned - service was rather slow and unorganized. Waiter was very friendly and commented on items "to come" but the wait time between being told we were going to get something vs. when said item arrived to the table was rather long (and got a bit annoying/ comical). When our meals arrived, they were piping hot (vegan's had to send back the fajita accessory plate due to cheese and sour cream topping the beans and rice), but we all waited for a few mins for the tortillas...(a key food delivery mechanism!). Overall, since we weren't in a huge hurry and enjoying each others company the overall experience was 4 stars. Getting the $8 off for "checking in" on Yelp was a nice bonus.
(4)Juan B.
I just went for the first time and I must say the food is Delicious! I had the molcajete and was Hot just how I like my food.. :) I was sweating Lol great service.. I will be coming back to this place.. Very authentic Mexican food.. Must try..
(5)Georgia F.
Yummy new Mexican place that replaced the old el toritos..I had the shrimp Diablo the first time and they don't skimp on the size or amount of shrimp. The sauce was tasty with a building heat that is amazing. I love a good heat and the complimentary house salsa is very fresh.
(5)Olivia D.
It's been a hard life for a Mexican here in citrus heights. There aren't many restaurants here that actually taste authentic. This place is great, mariachi plays, the salsa es enchiloso and my server was great. If you're like me and it's been a long search, park it here. Clean, friendly, and request a Jenni Rivera song and believe me the mariachi will deliver!
(5)M S.
I usually get a feel for a mexican restaurant by their chips and salsa and this one didn't dissapoint. Salad I had was really good however the server could not tell me what the dressing was made of. This is important to someone watching calories. Regardless, wait staff should be familiar with the food. Otherwise I was promptly greeted and led to my table. The one big turnoff was the over flowing trash bin outside the front door. I realize it may not belong to this establishment but as an eatery seeing this leads me to wonder if they are not concerned with cleanliness nor attention to details where it really counts. Granted it was later in the evening and maybe they maintain it at the close of business but they should monitor the situation and change out the bin more often. A customer first impression starts before they even step one foot into the restaurant.
(4)Al F.
We returned for another delightful visit tonight, wow, this place was packed with diners! And, I bet everyone enjoyed their visit as much as we did! The staff remained super friendly, and genuinely seemed to love being there too! Nothing worse than being waited upon by grumpy servers, I don't think you'll find one working at El Tapito, that's for sure. Tonight I had Bacon wrapped Shrimp with Monterey Jack Cheese, rice and beans, and my wife had Shrimp Diablo, seriously hot stuff! We ordered table side Guacamole and were not disappointed! The fresh home made Flour Tortillas were a real treat. Our only regret, being too full to try one of their desserts. Maybe next time we'll start with dessert first, skip the chips and salsa and go for something lighter on the menu... Nah, not going to happen! Check out the 2 new food plate photos I uploaded tonight, those plates are big enough to replace a Mexican Sombrero for the hat dance! BTW, I did mention to our waiter, that the salad placed on the plate didn't really work, the plate was seriously very hot, and it knocked the heck out of the lettuce. The salad should be placed on a separate plate if they expect people to eat it, this was the only negative I could find.
(5)Onesmilingteacher ..
Walking in, I noticed I was the only Mexican eating there. Walking out, I knew why! Enough said!
(1)Nancy C.
First time here under the new name and it was excellent. The service was impeccable. We didn't have cocktails but they look so good. Next time!
(5)Kathy C.
This is our new go-to spot for authentic Mexican food. Five stars for the service, food and ambiance!
(5)Janice R.
My family and I were looking for El Torrito and found El Tapatio instead and decided to give it a try. Yes, they were all very friendly and the place was nicely decorated. However, the service had a lot to be desired. Very disorganized with no one person assigned to our table. Everyone was just running around with no real direction. We had demolished two containers of chips and had yet to get our food after 1 1/2 hours. It was the worst service i have ever experienced in my life. My taco salad was even thrown together with iceburg lettuce a few tomatoes and some ground beef "that's it." No cheese, no beans. Maybe it was an off night as their ratings are so good. I will never be going back there though, or referring anyone else.
(1)Jamie R.
I don't normally do this but this time i feel compelled! This place was awful! Maybe just a bad night, i don't know, but an hour after i got home from eating here i began barfing all night long. Don't get me wrong , the staff was very nice and i thought we were in for a treat once the chips, salsa and bean dip came. That stuff was tasty. I ordered ground beef enchilada and taco and it was God awful! The ground beef! Ugh! Plus it took forever to get to us! Honestly, just thinking of eating here is gagging me, so I'm done! Eat here at your own risk!
(1)Clare C.
Deeelicious chicken mole enchiladas!! And best horchata I can remember drinking. The ambiance is romantic and lively with a full 10 man mariachi band. Staff was quick and friendly, great with kids. Triple thumbs up from my family :)
(5)Meredith T.
The food was soooo good. Their chips and beans are so authentic and yummy. We ordered the fresh guacamole, taco salad and enchiladas with red sauce, green sauce and mole. Everything was delicious! We also had great service, staff are all friendly, our drinks stayed full and received our check quickly. I will be recommending this restaurant to everyone I know.
(5)Sandy R.
The environment is really a pleasant experience, great service, awesome and yet delightful food. You definitely get your money's worth, it's my first visit coming here and I most certainly will be returning again with more family and friends. I was going to use a coupon but it was worth the money I paid regular price. You will definitely need to share with someone if you get a fajita burrito and the guacamole is made in front of your table if you order it for chips. Also sat next to the fireplace which was nice since it was a chilly day.
(5)Zachary B.
The service here was terrible. Our waiter Frankie was fine, it wasn't his fault. (He was friendly and competent.) I think the kitchen is just slow, but also every other person in there with a name tag was dead weight. I had the shredded beef tacos which weren't very good, but my wife had a tamale and my father in law a chile relleno and they both said it was very good. So maybe I just drew the short stick on that, but it would have been hard to enjoy good food because the service was so slow. The worst part of all was the temperature of the restaurant which was like a sauna. It's pretty clear when every infant in the room is crying. Everyone in attendance looked equally sweaty and irritated. I had to find an excuse to get fresh air. My father had a constructive word with the manager on the way out who didn't have anything to say. In conclusion, maybe I caught them on an understaffed day when the AC malfunctioned, but I probably won't be back for a while or ever.
(1)Paea I.
By far the worste customer service ever like come on yall deserve a 1 star for sure need to improve on that asap!!!!!
(1)Dhanji D.
The most authentic Mexican food I've had since coming back from Mexico. Service is fantastic. I can't say anything bad about this restaurant.
(5)Sara L.
Food was pretty good ! The only - thing I can say about this place is it might not be very kid friendly . No kids menus so we got my son the famous taquitos . He enjoyed them! The weighted was very friendly and the service was pretty good all in all id eat here again.... The chimichangas were delicious !
(4)Kim W.
I love this place! Food is always great and service as well. We are so happy we found our go to mexican food!
(5)Vanessa S.
The best Mexican food around! We are new to the area and really wanted to find a new favorite, and this is definitely it! The food is authentic and delicious and the prices are very reasonable. The best part is their service. You feel welcome from the moment you step into the restaurant, it is very clean, and the drinks are good too!
(5)April A.
We were greeted and seated within seconds of walking in the door on Friday evening. There was no wait. I thought to myself "well that's not a good sign because they aren't busy. "As we walked through the bright and colorful restaurant I realized that they were busy but the place is huge. The seating is great! Big tables, big booths and big food!! We were served water right away which is something I hate waiting for. The wait staff were very attentive and not annoying. The only thing I was not impressed with was the salsa which tasted packaged not fresh but I didn't spit it out. I ordered the Molcajete on the waitress' suggestion once I told her what I liked and it was amazing. My boyfriends food was awesome also but can't remember what he ordered. (A shrimp dish) All in all some of the best Mexican food I've had in a while. Definitely will go back.
(4)Diane M.
1st time here and found the place very nice. We decided to sit in the bar for Happy Hour. They not only brought us chips and salsa, but also bean dip! The waitress was friendly and very attentive. I had the Chili Relleno with rice and beans. Portions were large and tasted good. We'll be back!
(4)james r.
Nice ambiance and very clean. The chips and salsa start out very fresh and flavorful. You also start off with refried beans as a side to the chips, kinda cool. I had the car it as plate, which was very tasty and quality pork. I was happy that there wasn't lots of fat or grease. Very high quality with homemade corn or flour tortillas... Great happy hour as well $3 beers and house margaritas. The margaritas are.fresh and flavourful. . I will definitely be back...
(5)Marilyn G.
We decided to try El Tapatio after reading the reviews since we love Mexican food. I must say it was excellent food. We will definately come back. The salsa was really tasty and the table side made guacamole was some of the best I've had. My spouse had enchilada jaiba which has crab meat and I had enchiladas sunset which was chicken meat filled topped with 2 fried eggs. They were both so great. The alcoholic drinks weren't skimpy on the alcohol and tasted just as great. I would recommend this place to anyone. At least try it once and you'll be hooked!
(5)Purrrple B.
Just sooooo good and flavorful. And our service was great. We will definitely be back.
(5)Nick D.
So far I have been there once and I already love it. From the food, to the service, drinks, and decor this place makes you want to go back. I won't expand because there are so many other reviews, but I don't think anyone would be let down by this restaurant.
(5)Laura G.
We had a grad party of about 20 family members for my son tonight , awesome service , great food , friendly staff ..new favorite restaurant !!
(5)Cindy M.
Fantastic across-the-board! !! Excellent service, Jimmy Espinoza (with the angel tatoo lol)the assistant manager is so attentive! Food is so fricken good, even the flan they comped us, which I hate, was so yumm!! Great prices and absolutely gorgeous establishment !!
(5)Espi B.
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants. The staff here is unbelievably nice, the drinks are amazing and the bartenders are great. They bring you tortilla chips with hot sauce and beans. Would definitely recommend coming here.
(5)Natalie T.
One of our new favorites. Great atmosphere---beautifully decorated. Great food and excellent service! We both got burritos and they were both amazing and the salsa was the best we've had in a long time!
(5)Noella F.
Our first visit at Tapatio and we were very disappointed. Wonderful hostess however all of the other employees were not on their game. Grumpy; slow service; terrible TV shows blasting on the big screen (info-mershal for wrinkle cream). When we asked to have someone please change the channel they could not locate the remote. By the time we were asked if we wanted to order, we had a headache from the loud commercials, we paid our drink bill and we went next door to Logans and had a wonderful time. Ask for Megan; she is the best in west.
(1)Steve P.
Went in last night got a superb dinner was a little slow to get served but the ac was out in half the restaurant no big deal great food love this place and the fresh guacamole
(5)Michelle F.
We love the steak at this place!!! Their food is delicious and service is quick. So happy we stumbled across this place a few months ago.
(5)Ronnie B.
Our first visit here and will not be our last! This is the old "El Torito" on Sunrise but far better! Excellent ambiance, service and authentic, fresh meal! Used the $8.00 Yelp app for discount; "Super Mario"our waiter, didn't even give it a second glance-he said "don't worry, it's taken care of" and it was deducted from our bill. I had the mahi fish tacos and my husband the "Three Comadres"-chili verde, chili rellanyo and chili colorado-Every bite of everything was tasty and satisfying!
(5)Justin S.
A very pleasurable experience. Friendly hostess, genuine, prompt service and great food. I was not disappointed!
(4)Aaron V.
I don't always give a 5 star review, but the restaurant earned one. My wife planned my 40th birthday party here and it was for 30+ people. This restaurant was very accommodating. The servers kept the chips, salsas, bean dips, and drinks coming until the whole party arrived. The food was spot on and the mariachi music was a great touch for the party. Thank you to the servers for making it a relaxing party for me and my family and friends.
(5)Stacy K.
This place is faaaaantastic. I'm one of those crazy people who expects good food AND good service - this place delivers on both. I can't say enough about the friendly (yet not annoying so) service - it's clear when a business puts effort into this expectation when everyone who works there is equally polite and helpful. The decor is fun, the food is fresh, and the margaritas are impressive. Keep doing what you're doing! I think we might become regulars....
(4)Salem M.
Updating review .. Service is always great, which is something I love and adore. But there food is actually just mediocre. I feel as if they hype up there carne asada way to much when in regular it's just thin meat thats chargrilled, nothing special it has no flavor. Simple style do it your own Mexican dishes. I prefer Chandos in arden over this place. I deff don't think I'll be coming back for the food, maybe the service and few drinks.
(2)Geoff M.
Ok, Damn on the chicken mole!!! This was totally off my radar screen, but came as a reco from bartender. I am glad I asked. It was great, a sweet delight to the chicken. Service was great, Margs (Happy hour) where a great price, ok, but out of a gun(pre-made). The other dink to prevent a 5 star, the salsa for the warm chips. It was good, but if you have warm chips I want a salsa with a bite!!
(4)Alexandra H.
Love this place!!! Walked in, greeted promptly...very friendly hostess and wonderful waitress. Super helpful with choice making haha, everything we ordered was amazing.... I can't wait to come back and try the flan, I was too stuffed to eat any! I had the shrimp wrapped in bacon "Monterrey"....i definitely recommend it. The refried beans that they serve with the nacho basket was delicious as well, I just wish that the salsa was a little fresher? It seemed almost jarred. Either way, definitely coming back for the great food, great atmosphere and delicious food!
(5)Kayla M.
Delicious food. Chips and salsa are amazing. Got the chicken taquitos and would definitely recommend them!! Will be returning here as soon as I can!
(5)Ruth Q.
Great food and service!! We had the chicken fajitas and they were excellent. The chicken was grilled perfectly and the tortillas were grilled and fresh . Our server was very sweet and attentive . We will be back .(guacamole is the best!!)
(5)Tony P.
Another really good and family owned restaurant. Chips and Salsa are very fresh and the shredded beef tacos are off the hook. Nice decor, very bright! They have a lady that hand makes tortillas all day long. You can see her right as you walk in on your left hand side. Staff is friendly and attentive. Chips come with very good hand made salsa and a refried bean and cheese dip. We will be back for sure.
(5)Bonnie W.
I love this place! Love the ambience, the food and the service. This is my new favorite Mexican restaurant.
(5)Stacy B.
We recently visited this restaurant and it was awesome! The staff was super friendly and the general manager stopped by our table a few times to chat with us and check in. Our food was delicious, and I will state that I'm super picky about Mexican food after living in So. Cal where there are many delicious places for mexican food! The chips and salsa and bean dip was also really good. It was decently priced and we will definitely be returning. Who can resist homemade flour tortillas, I mean, come on!!!
(5)Shera E.
Great meal. Best Mexican food we've had in a long time! The servings are huge so you definitely get plenty for the price. The menu was huge with a lot of variety. Very impressed with this place.
(5)Candida R.
Watch out Carmelita's - there a new place in town! I have to say, I was very impressed with the food here. Having spent a lot of time and Mexico and being of Mexican descent, I am VERY picky about Mexican food in general, especially in the states. This place is as authenticate as you'll find in the Sacramento suburbs! I ordered the seafood chili rellenos and my husband had the chimichangas. Both were very good. The rellenos were cooked right, the peppers roasted, the batter light and fluffy and barely there. Perfection. The stuffing was delicate. Next time I will ask for less cheese, but that is a personal preference. My husband like his dinner as well, good beans, excellent salsa, I even liked the chips! The inside is beautiful, the staff is very attentive and friendly. The place has only been open a few weeks, but it was busy and I think they all did a great job. The owner is the nicest guy. We look forward to our next visit!
(5)Victor C.
Great place for delicious Mexican dishes. They have a great customer experience and best of all they have great food. Hand made corn tortillas plus the unusual authenticity of Mexican food these days is rare. I will visit this place again no question.
(5)Patricia M.
Our new favorite restaurant. Great food, great staff. If you don't like (loud) Mariachi just avoid Sunday 4 - 6. We keep finding new favorites. This is not your routine Mexican restaurant.
(5)Mollie W.
Came here after friends said that this place had great Mexican food. We went with the family and had mediocre food and overpriced margaritas. We weren't impressed. Another family member suggested we give this place another try and so we did with 6 other family members and once again the service was horrible and food was beyond bland and the drinks were extremely overpriced ($9 for a shot of house tequila, really? ). Won't be back.
(2)Bear T.
I had the molcajete (with carne asada but you can get chicken, shrimp or a combination of 2 or 3 of the meats). It was served in a hot stone pot with sautéed cactus, green onion, bell peppers and a whole Serrano pepper in boiling hot (family recipe) salsa verde. It was beyond tasty. I had to stop myself from eating. Wifey also had the carne asada and she loved it. Tender enough to cut with a fork and well seasoned. We both liked their salsas, red and green. We didn't order dessert but fried ice cream almost made it to our table. We were just too full!
(5)Jasoleen W.
Having moved from SoCal, I really miss good authentic mexican food. After reading Yelp reviews we decided to give this place a try and we are so happy that we did! Food is great and so is the service! The menu may a bit overwhelming, but everything we've tried has never disappointed us. Portions are plentiful!
(5)Rosa B.
Me and the fiancé were pretty excited to try this place. Atmosphere was okay. Friendly service I guess. The chips and salsa is decent. My fiancé ordered the carne asada. And I ordered the carnitas. Carne asada was good. Seasoned perfectly and tasted great. My carnitas were TERRIBLE. I had to shred them myself (which I dont really mind if its authentic and tasty) but it wasn't. It was so dry I was chewing for what seemed like hours. I could barely shred it. The taste was average of what I could get from it. We ordered corn tortillas. Waitress brought us flower anyways. We didn't even bother making a fuss because its a minor error. The beans were okay and rice was good. The price is average for typical mexican restaurant. But I do not want to eat here again. I'd rather make the drive to our usual authentic spot, its cheaper and the food is amazing. I wouldn't put my jaw or wallet through this place again.
(2)Miranda C.
Had a wonderful dinner experience here with family a little over a week ago. We had a party of around 20 people and were celebrating 4 birthdays. The restaurant was very accommodating and gave us a private room all to ourselves. Service was great and the food and margaritas are good too. Our server "Alejandra" was very attentive and in spite of so many people to take care of, made sure we always had everything we needed. They even gave us dessert and brought out sombreros for the birthday people to wear and took photos and printed them on site for us! Very impressed with this place would definitely come here again!
(5)Lyn L.
I have been here twice now, once on a very crowded weekend evening and once for a weekday lunch. Both times the food was delicious. On the crowded weekend the service was a little slow but apparently everything is made to order so takes a while longer. On the weekday lunch the service was excellent, our waitress, Alejandra, was adorable and very nice and efficient. The food was again very good, there was 4 of us and everyone enjoyed their meals, especially those homemade tortillas. Yum.
(5)Joe A.
Where do I start? Have you ever dated a gorgeous, sexy woman? One that you couldn't keep your eyes off because she was that gorgeous. Then when you finally make it past 3rd base you're thought is..... I've had much better. That's what happened to me at El Tapatio. The restaurant is beautifully decorated! The food looks delicious! But when I headed for home.... well completely disappointed. The carnitas were dry (like a day old). The tortillas, that were supposed to be homemade were certainly store bought, the rice had corn in it (yuck). The waitress brought us 2 different orders before we got the right order. The soda and beans were good though. $60 for lunch is too much for any lunch. If sparks shot from my rear I might consider $60 being ok. Will I ever go back? Um, no.....
(1)Chelsey C.
I'm not hard to impress and easily pleased. My first and only visit was horrid. We arrived with my 5 year old son, ordered promptly with drink orders and food because u knew my son was hungry and chop chop!! We didn't get our food for 35 minutes. Our order consisted of a toastada, quesadilla, and bean burrito. After asking when out food war coming up we finally received our hardly warm food. After asking for new food (which was brought out right away) the manager came by and apologized, staying that they were under staffed and didn't schedule for the holiday (mlk day)...granted there were a total of ten tables being occupied. The manager even started rubbing my mother's back letting her know how sorry she was. To me that was inappropriate to touch my mom but that might just be me. Or checks came promptly, check was 20.75 & gave them $21 and after bringing the receipt back, the waitress asked if we wanted any change. I was disgusted by the lack of professionalism.
(1)Maureen P.
Went for lunch Yesterday. Had the Luncheon special, two Chicken enchiladas, comes with rice & beans. They bring you large basket of chips and salsa and bean dip. Had a nice long talk with Hector the Manager. He said bar should be open next week. Good atmosphere and food was very good. Prompt and Very Friendly staff. They make their own fresh tortillas. Will definitely be back.
(5)Debbie B.
Great food! Great prices! Big servings! My husband and I went here for the first time last night and were pleasantly surprised!! It looks much like the El Torito that was the previous occupant. Big, bright, cheerful with several separate dining areas. We took a look at the bar area and it was the same with lots of TV screens...looks like a fun place to watch sports. Now for the more important info. The margaritas were large and tasty. I had the regular and my husband had the Cadillac....loved them! The salsa and bean dip that came with the chips were also very good. The salsa was fresh and very flavorful and the bean dip was warm and creamy. I had chile verde which is my usual test for a Mexican restaurant and they definitely passed. The pork was tender, moist and lean. The sauce was perfectly seasoned as were the beans and rice. My husband had the combo fajitas with steak and chicken. It was served piled high on the sizzling platter. The meats were perfectly cooked and also lean and flavorful and the veggies were the same. The servings were HUGE! We both took about half of our dinners home. The prices are fantastic! Our tab came to about $43 for 2 margaritas and 2 huge yummy entrees. The service was friendly and quick....we are so happy to find such a great Mexican restaurant nearby. We will be back soon!
(5)Nancy S.
My boyfriend and I decided to try out a new Mexican restaurant, El Tapatio, and were so glad we did! The service was warm and friendly from the greeting by the hostess, to Tim, the awesome bartender, to the visit by Hector, the manager, who checked on us. The atmosphere is really colorful and inviting, and we both appreciated the friendly and efficient service of the bartender. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the wonderful cocktails that Tim suggested. I had a great margarita, and then he made me a horchata martini--so yummy! The food arrived quickly and it was great! We consider ourselves to be Mexican food aficionados as its our favorite food and we were both impressed. We will definitely be back soon!
(4)John Y.
I'll be honest, we went here a couple of months ago, and I WANTED to leave a review, but I forgot. SO here goes: Walking in, it's a very nice restaurant in the old El Torito location, but it's fixed up inside. We were greeted and sat right away, it wasn't super busy, but there were a few customers. We waited for MAYBE 2 minutes, 3 at the most before a waiter came by to get our drink order. Very polite, and prompt. He brought our drinks along with some chips and salsa and bean dip. Yep, bean dip is included, awesome, right? The salsa was decent, the bean dip was good, did I mention it was included? So after looking over the menu, and going through 2 bowls of bean dip, I settled on a combo platter, I had a taco, a beef tamale and beef enchilada. The food was decent. Not amazing, not bad, but it was okay. The beans and rice had good flavor, taco and enchiladas weren't tex-mexed out. It wasn't overly expensive, pretty good amount of food for the money, and did I mention free bean dip? If I had to put it on a list of my favorite mexican restaurants, it would have to be #3, but that's out of 3. But hey, top 3 aint bad, huh? The short stroke is this: Great service, decent food and FREE BEAN DIP!
(3)Cheryl L.
Everything very good! Great service, fresh chips and salsa. The fajitas are tasty with generous proportions. I took my family and everyone agreed that it was one of the best Mexican restaurants they have gone to in quite some time.
(4)Hubert H.
Best guacamole in the area, specially when prepared by Frankie. Very friendly service even il during busy times.
(5)Michael C.
Excellent experience from start to finish. I had the combo platter and my wife had the veggie fajitas. Plates are huge but flavorful, staff was friendly, and the absolute best part was the sopapillas. Definitely must try for dessert! Our server, jimmy, was very attentive and polite. Can't wait to come back and try the cocktails!
(5)Ken U.
Went for dinner on opening night. Terrific results of remodel. Excellent food -- taste, presentation, portions. I had combo with chile relleno & chicken enchilada, wife had beef burrito. Very welcoming staff, good service, given it was first day. Wide selection on menu. No liquor license yet, so bar not open. But soon. We will be back. Should be perfect for large groups as well as small. Edited to add: We've been there several times since the above, usually with friends or family. Always excellent food and good service. Our guests are always blown away by the decor. Sometimes the server is a little slow bringing the check to the table after lunch or dinner, but that is a small thing overall. And now the bar is open, for those who want a beer, wine, margarita, etc. Edited 7/25/2015 to add: The lunch entrees are very big, mostly two-item combos (not typical for lunch entrees at Mexican restaurants, which are typically one item plus beans and rice). And they are priced relatively high compared lunch entrees at many other Mexican restaurants. The food is excellent and servings generous, so you get what you pay for, BUT you might want to consider ordering one item a la carte if you don't want more food than you can eat. The server yesterday seemed flummoxed by my request for an a la carte chile relleno plus rice, pointing out how expensive that would be (five dollars additional for the rice), so I said never mind, and just had the chile relleno. (Costwise, if I really wanted both, I'd have done better to order a combo but without beans, I think.) Good choice, as the chile relleno by itself was a full meal (along with the customary free chips and salsa and bean dip). On a past visit, I found a single a la carte chicken enchilada likewise to be a full meal.
(5)Brittney R.
This place is absolutely AMAZING!!!!! I am huge with customer service and this place kills it every time!!! They are so friendly and welcoming. They actually stop to ask you how your day is going and try to get to know you. This place is my new favorite in town and their food is also fantastic!!!! Their chicken taquitos are unreal and the churros are my favorite way to end it all! So delicious!!
(5)Casey E.
brought my wife here for Valentine's day. took 40 min to get food then they brought me the wrong dish. I ordered beef. at other mexican restaurants that was shredded beef but here at el tapatio it is what resembled del taco beef. bottom line . poor service and bad food equals a bad Valentine's day thanks guys
(1)Rick A.
We have had the pleasure of having lunch here twice now. We were warmly greeted . Our server MARIO was " S U P E R". I had the Chili Relleno and shredded beef Enchilada. My wife had the Chili Relleno and a taco. Both of our meals were Great... Made from the freshest ingredients around. The salsa is the best we've had anywhere. EL TAPATIO RESTAURANT is our new favorite place to go. We Recommend it Highly....You won't be disappointed .. give it a try.
(5)Brian S.
The best food and service I have had at a Mexican restaurant! The beans, rice and fajitas are the best!
(5)Jenny A.
I really wanted to like this place-Read a few good reviews on here, so the hubby and I came for Saturday date night. Tortilla chips come with salsa and bean dip and fresh guac. We had a margarita & piña collada = strong. We order...hubby got a beef burrito & I ordered camarines a la diabla-shrimp in spicy sauce with tortillas. Our entrees came and it looked great...but it all goes downhill from there because all of a sudden I felt funny. Then the 'Oh God' feeling...ran to the restroom and it's a bad puke scene from the Exorcist. Not sure exactly what triggered the bad reaction but it manifested very quickly. My husband didn't get sick & he had a bite of my meal. We left since I was in a bad way...needless to say I have been sick all Easter weekend.
(2)Brian S.
Saw this place but never went in. Finally came in a enjoyed a great meal. Service was outstanding. The food came out hot and fresh. Large portions leaving plenty to take home for another meal either as a late night snack or for lunch the next day. I will be coming back for more.
(5)Elaine G.
Wow. This place is fantastic! Where to begin? We came in and were greeted by a very friendly young lady who asked where we wanted to sit. We were immediately given menus and asked what we'd like to drink. No trying to push alcoholic beverages, which was very refreshing. As another reviewer saaid, the wait staff was attentive but not in our faces. Again, refreshing. We were immediately given chips, salsa and refritos. The chips were warm and fresh. The salsa and the beans were absolutely delicious! I had the enchiladas de nai as (crab in a white sauce). My husband had the camarones al diabla. The waitress asked what spice level he wanted! The food was at our table in less than 10 minutes. It was hot, fresh and wonderful. The portions were very generous. Traditional Mexican music was playing. It was delightful. Again, very refreshing. No disco. No hip-hop. Mexican music, and very good Mexican music. We'll be back.
(5)Amanda P.
We just went here for the first time and our food was great. We definitely will be coming back. Our server's name was Estella and she was very sweet and checked on us multiple times to make sure we were happy with our food. She came back to our table at the end of our meal and not only invited us back again, but she even asked our kids what their names are and engaged them in conversation which not many servers do. I'd recommend this restaurant and we will be asking to be seated in Estella's section next time we come!
(5)Yareli R.
The place was gorgeous , it was such a well made place and has so many little details that entertain you ! The food was pretty good , on some of the foods they could have done better but mostly it was really good . You just have to know what you ask for! And the workers are the nicest people and give great service ! Overal we were satisfied.
(5)Kimberley H.
First time here... we were not disappointed!! We will definitely be back!! Reasonable prices, great food and the horchata martini is delicious!! Homemade flour and corn tortillas made my already delicious meal even better. Two thumbs up!
(4)Troy M.
Excellent service, and I think they have some of the best salsa in the area, try there green salsa too, it's excellent. I thought there food was fantastic and they gave great portions for the price. I'll be back for sure
(5)Marv M.
Had dinner here tonight. Dinner was "MEDIOCRE" at best. Portions were small in comparison to most other Mexican restaurants we've been too. Chimichanga had very little meat. Same for the Pork Tamale. My Mai-Tai was VERY SWEET and apparently had little alcohol in it. One bright note, service and ambiance was quite nice. Overall, most disappointing.
(2)Natalie A.
This place is the best mexican restraunt in Sacramento! Ever since it opened they have been so genuine, excellent food and they give excellent customer service! Angie our server is the sweetest person I've ever met! My favorite plate here is the steak molcajete, it comes piping hot but very delicious!!
(5)Eddie S.
Love this place!!!! Good mexican food and great service. Bring the family and have a great experience. !!!!
(5)Grey B.
My husband and I have been to this place many times and it's always been fantastic. I was going to lunch with about ten co-workers and I suggested this place. It was terrible!! I was embarrassed because I told everyone how great it was. The waiters don't wear name tags so I couldn't tell Hector, the manager who our waiter was. They were slow, overcharged all of us, and the waiter was rude.
(2)Anthony R.
Been there twice since they opened. Great service great food wait staff is very attentive. Would recommend to all my friends.
(4)Cory L.
Sorry, but this was some of the WORST Mexican food I've ever had. The refried beans tasted like they had come out of a can. The "salsa" was obviously jarred and poured. I ordered my usual carnitas tacos and man... The carnitas had NO flavor to it at all. The service was good... Until we were ready to leave. Took FOREVER for the waitress to get around to bringing us our check despite walking out of the kitchen, looking at us and ducking back in several times. If you want really GOOD Mexican, go to La Fiesta on Greenback.
(1)Nancy G.
The staff was very pleasant and gave excellent service. The food was excellent in presentation and flavor. Chips served with good salsa and beans. Carna Asada was the bomb. Margarita also excellent. the ambiance was colorful and again would give a excellent. Plenty of parking, prices affordable. I will 100% recommend.
(5)Tim J.
Great First Experience We have been looking for a good Mexican restaurant for a long time. We looked at the reviews and decided to give them a try. Customer Service was prompt from the minute we walked in. Warm chips, salsa and refried beans arrived within minutes. Friendly staff, very attentive. The food was authentic and there was plenty of it! Great Find, and they have their liquor license. Cant wait to hear the new DJ,,,,, Tim and Rhonda
(5)Gretchen K.
I went with my dad for the first time tonight. The decor was colorful and festive. The chips and salsa came with a delicious bean dip. We both had margaritas that were generous in size and tequila. My dad was also appreciative that they served Coke products - not a big deal to me since I don't drink soda but he looooves his Diet Coke. We ordered two of the fajita quesadillas - huge portions and beautiful presentation of the beans and rice in green and red tortilla bowls. I ended up taking half of mine home, it was just that big. We wanted to try the fried ice cream or flan but were too full. Our server Jimmy was very professional and attentive (but not hovering), as were the rest of the staff. He made sure our water/soda/salsa were full and that we were happy. We will be back soon.
(5)Leonard F.
The food was served much hotter than the first time we ate here. Everything tasted good but the chicken in the chimichanga was a little dry. My dining companion likes that the chips come with salsa and bean dip when you only get salsa at other places. I might give them another try after they get more established but for now there are other places I would prefer to eat.
(3)R F.
This place is a GEM! Adorable inside decor, authentic and delicious food with generous portions (go at lunch and you have dinner, too). Why was I afraid to try this place? Why isn't it packed? Well, maybe outside they could use some help painting it building a bit more of an appealing color. Aside from that they are just set a bit back from Sunrise and have faded into the background.
(4)Gabriel G.
Great food, service is the best in town. Everything made from scratch, there are here to stay.
(5)Al H.
Had lunch here today and thoroughly enjoyed it. Tortilla soup was great, as were the fish tacos. Bit pricier than El Torito but food was excellent so... Will definitely return.
(4)Allison W.
Service was great and so was the food. The atmosphere was very welcoming and had a family feel to it. The owner is running a great business, he even personally came out to our table to check and make sure everything was ok. Environment and good was top notch!!
(5)Marcy F.
I happened upon this place due to it's next to the "China Buffet," I decided to try it1! Some nice ladies recommended the "chile rellenos," they were so GOOD! I also can't say enough for the decor, this place is "BEAUTIFUL" and the biggie, QUIET!! In the words of Arnold, "I'll be back'!
(4)pamela s.
My husband and I had a terrific dinner at El Tapatio tonight. The service was impeccable, Chips, dips and warm wonderful bean dip were served immediately. I ordered a "scratch margarita" ...best ever!! My husband had the taco salad...loved it. I had the 3 items offering...Chile relleno, chicken enchilada, beef taco...all had fresh tasting ingredients, tomatoes, lettuce, meat, cheese, onions, the rellleno and taco were especially tasty!! We high recommend this Mexican restaurant.. Bright and spacious interior. Easy parking.
(5)Jaeand S.
This was our first time eating here. The food was really good. The meat in the burrito was delicious and perfectly cooked. Loved that chips were served with complimentary salsa and refried beans with cheese. The only thing that was a little concerning was our waitress asked us "do you just want salsa? Or would you like guacamole too?" We said yes, expecting a small dish the same size as the salsa already at our table. We were surprised when she began to make guacamole in front of us and knew at once that the side wasn't complimentary. We were surprised when we got our check to find that it cost $8. It was good, but I wouldn't knowingly buy guacamole at about the same price as an entree. We felt that when it was offered the waitress should have at least warned us that there is an extra charge. We were still happy with our meal and would definitely come back again.
(4)Steven D.
they got beer now !!!!!!!
(5)Joey A.
Well, it took the place of El Torito which had fallen down several years ago and never could get back up. The food is OK, not the best. The Ground Beef taco's are like sloppy Joe's in pre-made crispy taco shells. Some of the food is just blan and...well...made for the demographic I think? The Service is TOP NOTCH and they do a good job of keeping drinks filled and chips and salsa on the table. The Chicken is bland as well and most of the sauces I tasted were also of can-quality. I just wasn't as blown away by this place for the price... I think Felipe's on Auburn Blvd has far better Taco's and better food. However, The Deep Fried Ice Cream is AWESOME here and you must try it!
(3)Mike S.
This is an upscale Mexican restaurant. The food was very good and the Corona on tap was a nice bonus. I had an enchilada & chile relleno and my wife had tacos. It was all good. My only complaint is that the salsa is pretty weak. It is tasty but there is no warmth there. You can augment it with the sauces on the table.
(4)Zach B.
My first visit to El Tapatio and just wow. This place has a great feel and look to it when you enter. Nice mellow music, colorful and don't forget to look up at the very lovely painting above your head at the entrance. Next up is the tortilla station where you can watch them make their flour and corn tortillas fresh. The tables are very comfy with sturdy high backed chairs. While you check out their menu they bring you chips salsa and refried beans for dipping and freshly made guacamole if you like. The menu is huge and everything looks so good. Had the two combo with beef burritos. They were the best I have ever had. Even the beans had a little spice instead of being plain. Couple at the next table ordered a shrimp salad which they finished cooking at table then mixed right there. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful in order to make sure you have a great experience. The manager servando was just great. Was making sure all customers enjoying their food and visit. Great guy. If you want a great place to eat that is casual and we'll put together you NEED to go here.
(5)Alicia A.
I must admit I love Carmelita's in old Fair Oaks. The bar, appetizers and atmosphere are awesome but the dinner is not what it use to be. My husband and I usually go to La Fiesta if we are craving decent Mexican food. We decided to give this place a try after reading the reviews. The place is BEAUTIFUL! I love the chips, salsa and bean dip. It did take a little while for server to come by, and awhile for our drinks to arrive. But the place was pretty crowded so it was expected. Our server was very friendly! I had the shredded beef chimichanga and my husband had the carnitas. Everything was delicious! Especially the homemade corn tortillas. Very tasty and not too greasy. They give you very large portions of food... We took almost a whole meal home. My husband had the flan and I had the churros for dessert. Both were super yummy. This will be our go to "authentic" Mexican restaurant from now on.
(4)Amy And Paul G.
GREAT service, and good food and drinks! Our server offered to split the bill for 9 of us ladies - we will be back again for the good Happy Hour which we were allowed to partake in from the regular dining room (not always the case in restaurants). Loved the salsa and my steak street tacos. We'll be back for sure!
(4)Beth B.
Great food & drinks. Love the new interior.
(5)Patricia M.
My husband and I have lived here for over 9 years and haven't found a Mexican Restaurant that was good enough to go back to. We are very happy we found El Tapatio. The service was great and the food was excellent. It is so nice to have a Mexican Restaurant to go to. Also, the margaritas were the best...
(5)Sarah C.
Beautiful surroundings, delicious food, tasty margaritas and authentic music! Love it!
(5)Deanna C.
This place was awesome. Our server was very friendly and was attentive. The staff was coming by asking us if we needed anything frequently. You don't get that much anymore so I really appreciated that. And to top off the great service the food was fabulous. Great job guys! I will defiantly be coming back here!
(5)Michelle S.
The food and service were amazing! Definitely some of the best Mexican food in this area! I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)D C.
Very good food. Very good service. The most attentive service I've seen around the Citrus Heights area. The portions are huge. We rarely take food home, but both my wife and I took around 1/4 of our plates home. The salsa and chips are great. I had a combo plate with an enchilada and tostada. Both were good, but I want to try the Steak Mexicana next time.I would say the flavor is middle of the road for California. Not authentic, but closer to Tex-Mex which I honestly prefer. I was raised tn Texas and this place would be passable there--and that is a huge compliment from someone who could get great Mexican food on literally every corner in Texas. They don't have their liquor license yet, but that is coming and I predict this place will be hard to get in to at busy times of the day. It's great to see a good restaurant in this location because the one there before was atrocious.
(5)Kepano M.
El Tapatio is now the real deal for Mexican cuisine...From décor, service and preparation of the food, everything is first rate. Unfortunately, I couldn't completely enjoy the occasion because I began to feel more and more guilty as it became apparent that I wouldn't be returning any time soon to the Mexican restaurant that has taken care of me for the past 10 years...
(5)Mahatma G.
This is the first 5-star review I've given a restaurant. Our experience at El Tapatio was fantastic! The decor inside is beautiful and colorful. The service is absolutely top-notch. The food is the best Mexican this area has seen since we lost Casa Ramos. Honestly, I felt like we were on a cruise. The service was that good. Dinner was served super fast and was delicious. The handmade tortillas are amazing and the bean & cheese dip is a refreshing and delicious change from the usual salsa (although they bring you that too). This is our new favorite Mexican restaurant! Give it a go. You will NOT be disappointed!
(5)Jamie C.
My family has been here twice already and planning to go for another visit and bringing family to try out our next favorite new place to eat! I can't say enough great things about this restaurant. Don't judge by the negative reviews. When you eat here, you will have excellent service! You may have a visit from the man who helped get this restaurant on it's feet. His name is Hector. You feel his passion in this business. Jimmy was our server and he was so observant, he noticed which hand I used for lifting my drink, therefore he knew where to place the drink on the table. The chips, salsa, and bean dip is always fresh and hot and brought to the table quickly. The food had always been perfect temperature and flavor has been just right! You will feel welcomed and treated with respect at this restaurant and will be back, once you taste their food at El Tapatio! If you crave authentic delicious Mexican food, you must try El Tapatio! You will not be disappointed, you will be back very soon for more. The quality of the food and atmosphere far surpasses El Torito's which this building used to be.
(5)Marques H.
First time at the El Tapatio and the experience was great, fast and friendly service. And I haven't ben to Mexico before but I would say the food taste real authentic especially the beans they serve that comes with the salsa and chips. Everything was clean. I would defiantly will return....maybe every week lol Ijs.
(5)Judy K.
Some things aren't quite as good as they were. El Tapatio is getting too busy? Went there last week. the salsa I raved about was not as good as before, and this is prime tomato season in Sacto. The bean dip no longer comes with the regular salsa and chips. The flour tortillas that they make on the premises, were lousy; too greasy, dry and heavy. Skip the tamale. The chimichunga was still fabulous! Love their chili verde. Most of the main entree items were still very good.
(4)Taylor S.
I've been here twice now, both great experiences! The food is AMAZING and you can tell everyone here takes pride in their work and this restaurant. It's a beautiful place with friendly people. Love love love it here!! I highly recommend the carne asada burrito, it's delicious! :) the only thing I would say would make this place better is if they hired a host, it's kind of confusing when you walk in what to do. There's no one at the front greeting you so you just have to wait for someone to notice you. But on after that it's all uphill from there! :)
(5)Sherry C.
Loved so many thing about this place. The decor/ambience was perfect for a Mexican restaurant. The chips were hot and crispy and the salsa not too spicy. The even brought a small bowl of beans and cheese for dipping. My husband ordered the Enchilada/Chalupa combo plate. The beans and rice were very good, not to dry and the Enchilada was good as well. The Chalupa however, not so good. The flour tortilla was super thin and not very crispy to begin with. Once they added the wet, juicy shredded beef, the whole thing turned soggy. The same thing happened to my taco, the meat was tasty but way too wet. I also had a pork Tamale that was too spicy for me and honestly, just average. We both wanted to LOVE this place but it's just not as good as we hoped. We may go back for lunch sometime, but just for chips and table-side Guacamole and Enchiladas.
(3)Lena L.
I have found my mexican spot finally! Chili relleno is totally killer but you really gotta try the rice- I know it sounds crazy but the rice surprised me with its flavor. The only thing I don't recommend is the house salsa- it's too tomato-sauce like. But you can switch it out for pico de gallo. The service was awesome and it was nice to meet the general manager during our visit.
(5)Natasha H.
Food was very good. The chips and salsa were excellent! However, the service was what really dissapointed. Staff were very disorganized starting with our server who didn't come to our table once seated for fifteen minutes. If you plan to use a yelp coupon be prepared for some resistance as they seemed annoyed when we tried to use it.
(3)Todd B.
Well well well. The fajitas were awesome. The chips and salsa was awesome. The service was awesome. The owner came but to see if everything was ok. They just started a new Sunday buffet that we didn't partake in but it did look good. All and all I have to say that this is by far the best Mexican restaurant I have ever been to and I would argue that it is the best in Sacramento. If you come here let me give you one word of advice. FAJITAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)Jc S.
Love this place! Home made tortillas and great food!
(5)Laura B.
The food is good and portions are huge. My husband can eat a ton and he couldn't finish off the fajitas. Also, it had the feel of a family owned restaurant. Our waiter was very nice and the general manager came by twice to play peek-a-boo with my 2 year old. Only negative is that the salsa wasn't as good as the el toritos that had been at that location.
(4)Eric E.
Fantastic food. The cheese dip is great and the Carne Asad is so tender. Just,moved to the area will be back Get Angie she is great!!!
(5)Patrick P.
I also had the Carnitas. It was dry.It was better when dipped in the gravy like sauce served with it. My server was Randy. His service was very friendly, but almost too friendly aka fake. he kept calling me amigo. It was annoying. The chips and bean dip were good but the salsa was boring and tasted like a canned salsa. Also, they did not have alcohol at this time. Still waiting on a permit or something. I might go back to check out the bar/appetizers, but there's no way I'll have dinner there again.
(2)Nick K.
Excellent food and excellent service! If you white or mexican either way there is stuff on the menu that you will find amazing. Tortillas are hand made and after my second time going in one week I still am happy with both of the plates I ordered each time as well as my wife's.
(5)J D.
Food is amazing. Service is slow in the bar during happy hour, a big duh of course. But, I just felt we were ignored and not taken care of. Can't stress how good the food is though. I think tonight was just a bad service night.
(3)Carolyn K.
Excellent flavors. I just had a quick lunch special of a chicken taco, cheese burrito, rice and bean. The flavors were not your canned sauces and expected taste. We'll be back. Oh - and the staff can not be beat!
(5)Debbie P.
We celebrated a friends birthday here today and the food and service were awesome! This is my third visit and they just keep getting g better. Great skirt steak- tender with lots of flavor- fresh salsa and chips- the list goes on! Shared a plate with someone else and still had leftovers to take home. They also brought out the sombrero for the birthday girl, sang to her, and treated her to a nice cream sundae.
(5)A N.
My family and I went here for dinner to night and had a great time. The hostess told us that the wait was a 20 minutes. We observed that everyone smiled as they were leaving. Some patrons were greeted by name as they approached to get their names on the wait list for a table. We knew right away they were return customers, thus we anticipated that the food must be good enough for them to return enough that the staff members knew them by name. The service was timely, courteous, professional, yet friendly. Each area had a team that worked together to meet our needs. As we were arriving at our table, the server brought chips, salsa, and two cups of refried beans. The salsa was delicious, mild enough for my wife and son. The waitress asked if we'd like a salsa with a little more heat. But of course. the little bowl came right away. The carne asada plate my wife ordered came with a generous size real skirt steak deliciously marinated and grilled to perfection. Thank goodness it wasn't some kind of chewy mystery beef. The carnitas I ordered had the right tangy from the marinade, cooked to the right tenderness, seeded to a nice brown with just enough crisp. Our son's kid's meal was the right size and just as delicious, he thought. It was a reasonably priced as well. Thanks!!!
(5)Mark C.
I will often judge a Mexican restaurant by the salsa and chips. This tell s me immediately whether they have cooking skills to follow and with El Tapatio, I was not disappointed. Fantastic red salsa (ask for the verde version also- spicier!) followed by an amazingly flavored chili verde and chili rellano. A bit pricier than others locally but worth the price for very tasty food. Well worth a try.
(5)Dee P.
Food is good. The staff is great! The only real problem was the mariachi band. Great music, but they stayed at one table full of very drunk people. The people kept paying them so they stayed, 10 very loud songs later they moved on. It was a very distracting and loud dinner experience. Too much!! Other than that it's a nice place.
(3)Taylor C.
I am not much of a Mexican food fan, however, this place blows my palette out of the water! The seasoning, sauces, and produce are always fresh and delicious! My parents have become regulars because the staff is so friendly! Better and more authentic than any other Mexican food restaurant in the greater Sacramento area!
(5)Valarie W.
Delish! Food, service, price and experience were all top notch! Very authentic too! Definitely coming again.
(5)heath p.
Excellent Food, Hospitality, Ambiance,and customer service!!!! Servando the manager made us feel like family as soon as we walked into the door. Alejandra was our server and she was very on point with her service and recommendations, every thing she recommended was utterly delicious. Servando sat with us and his people skills were superb, he laid out his vision and it was all about satisfying the customer, which is something that is a rare now days. The carne asada was so tender you could cut it with a fork and the quality in taste did not disappoint. Hector was also a delight to speak with, he informed us that he uses nothing but the highest quality of beef and ingredients. I cannot say enough good things about El Tapitio, my hat is off to you guys for doing this thing RIGHT! We have needed this in Sacramento for a long time, keep up the GREAT WORK!
(5)Howard J.
This is a very wonderful place to eat... Me and my wife came here for the first time today and loved it. The food was excellent and freshly cooked. The servers are very polite and knowledgeable of the menu and were very on point with their service. The manager even personally came around and checked on us and welcomed us to the restaurant. Overall this is a very warm and inviting atmosphere and will most definitely be coming back.
(5)Gregory O.
First time back since the new ownership. Great first impression, clean and bright! The service was great, we had Mario and a coupe others were very attentive without being overzealous. Carne Asada burrito was fantastic. I'll be ordering the Carne Asada plate next time!
(4)Candy O.
Excellent food? My husband and I have eaten here three times so far and it keeps getting better and fresher. Their chips are homemade like everything else on the menu. We heard about this place when the owner contacted us about their windows--we are a local glass company and I could not wait to try their food. Amazing to say the least! Hector is the owner and he is always walking around and visiting with patrons. The bar is gorgeous and hubby liked their tequila. If you are searching for a new authentic Mexican restaurant, please check this place out!!!
(5)Henry Z L.
This was our first time here tonight, after weeks of waiting for it to open. When we entered, everything was very bright and we were greeted very warmly by the staff. We were seated very promptly and was just impressed by how much better the interior looks compared to the old place. Alexandra was our server and she was extremely pleasant, cordial, and not afraid to offer suggestions. Dinner was excellent and the deep fried ice cream hit the spot. Overall, a great first experience and we will be returning again. Please keep it up, stay consistent, and welcome to the neighborhood! :-)
(5)Rick B.
The best and service around. Owners are awesome. They a a great happy hours for some chips, beer and street tacos. Dinner menus is full of choices.
(5)Haley K.
Pros: large menu, happy hour, chips & salsa, atmosphere! Cons: very good but not great/incredible food Our waiter was VERY nice and attentive/helpful. Very gracious with continually getting us more chips and refills of the salsa, refried bean dip, and verde salsa we had to ask for. (No cost!) Happy hour was 3-6 and 9-close, $3 margaritas and app specials among others but had to order drinks from the bar separately. The menu had many options in a range of prices $3-20. Cheapest are a la carte options which I enjoy since I dont need all the sides. Most meals around $8-12. My shredded chicken enchilada was good, but was a bit dry to my taste. I am picky with chicken though. I got two of the $1.50 happy hour steak tacos ($2 normally) and they were okay but the meat was a bit overcooked. The fresh cilantro and onions were a good touch. Others at my table got a steak burrito, stuffed pepper, and tamales and they all really liked their meals which is why I didnt consider going down to 3 stars. The atmosphere was really really beautiful, so detailed. Decorative tiling on the walls, high ceilings, perfect place for a kids birthday or a dinner with friends.
(4)Donna S.
Seated promptly .. and with a party of 8! Excellent waitstaff .. Very friendly & accommodating! Nicely decorated & clean. We ordered several items from the menu but must say the Mocajete has to be the best! Stays hot throughout the meal, served with fresh flour and/or corn tortillas, rice & beans. Also, they continued to bring us fresh tortilla chips, salsa & bean dip! All our orders were yummy & we took home several boxes as well! We will definitely be back!
(5)Tricia F.
Oh mylanta...the Chicken Taquitos are so awesome!!! Honestly, anything you order you won't be disappointed!
(5)Betty R.
My experience was definitely a five star. The food, the service, the place... All five stars for me. The decor here is so pretty to me. So bright and colorful that it made me smile the minute I walked in. Whomever made this place look so pretty gets five stars too! The service was super. Fatima was our waitress and she was super nice and thorough and so was the food runner. As soon as we sat, she came over with chips and a bean dip as well as some salsa. Our food was delicious. I ordered a three item dish that came with some rice and beans. I couldn't finish it but it was pretty tasty later on.
(5)Nicole D.
This is my second time here and it is absolutely FANTASTIC! Every employee is beyond friendly and make your experience enjoyable. The ambiance is bright, cheery and warm. The chips are great and served with salsa and bean dip. Even when it is busy, the service is prompt and attentive. I ordered the Cancun salad expecting a decent house salad like at most Mexican restaurants. Instead, I was greeted by the server carrying a plate of sizzling fajita veggies and chicken, and a bowl of green salad that included avocado, cheese and pepitas. The dressing was a chipotle vinaigrette. I can honestly say this was one of the best salads I have ever had. Will be back soon!
(5)Jack R.
I swear that our waiter's nametag says "Super Mario!" Cracked us up when we saw it, unfortunately he didn't find it as funny as we did when I asked him, "Where's Luigi?" He didn't understand my humor and he didn't care. In fact, I had to flag him down twice to get our order. I had the 3 combo plate with the taco, enchilada, and chile relleno. First things first, the tac tasted just like Taco Bell. Same crappy meat, same crappy shell. Kid you not, you try the ground beef taco here and tell me that it doesn't taste exactly like Taco Bell. The chile relleno was the best out of the three, great spice, great flavor. The enchilada was okay, not great, but not terrible. My brother's two cheese enchiladas were okay, but hey, they just had cheese in them, right? I know people go CRAZY over their bean dip, but people, the bean dip is just the same as the refried beans on your plate, so don't go nuts over nothing special. Same with the salsa that people go CRAZY for since it's homemade, but once again, it's chopped up tomatoes, onions, etc. Big whoop, right?
(3)Sina S.
Best Mexican restaurant I've been so far. Their food, their service, their everything. Very nice staff. And very great food.
(5)Antoinette P.
Unfortunately went to the bar to grab a quick bite. The bartender was lovely but it took forever to get my appetizer and it definitely wasn't worth the wait Won't be returning
(1)Mia C.
It looks like a big yellow house from the outside. Their ambience cannot be beat. They do have a few decent vegetarian options as well. Tried the 2 enchiladas combo with Chicken and Beef Enchiladas. And also the Spinach Enchilada. Food was alright. I liked the fact that the meat was lean and comparatively higher quality.
(4)Adrianna P.
Mas por favor-More Please..... My family came here for brunch today and right away we were greeted with such wonderful customer service. They were packed and any place packed, they must be doing something right. I don't eat Mexican much but I'll definitely be returning. For brunch it's $18, all you can eat that includes bottomless mimosas. They offered classic and mango... of course I went with mango. Now the food....one word....perfecto. I feel like when you order Mexican you never know what to order because there's too many options!! OMG the enchiladas sound delicious or actually I want tacos, wait I really want rice and beans with fajitas. Whatever it is you want they got it. They have a buffet bar with a variety of goodies. I got shrimp, enchiladas, chicken chile verde, and some other tastey things. They have a taco bar with homemade tortillas hot and fresh in front of you with the choice of chicken, steak, or pork. They have a soup section, an omelet bar, a fruit bar and a dessert bar. They also have a variety of fresh juices and one of my favorites horchata. Food-Muy Bueno Service- Excellente As Arnold would say....I'll be back
(5)Felipe L.
Working in Rancho Cordova, I was craving a Molcajete, it's a meal cooked on a super hot volcanic stoneware this one included thin ribeye strips, shrimp, and cactus in a green cili sauce, so when it arrives at your table it is piping hot, so I had to compare this to the one I tasted in TJ Mexico, it came pretty darn close, except for some minor details, did not have avocado, and I had to add some salt, plate also came with salsa, it was good but I think they use canned tomatoes and that kills the experience since canned tomatoes taste slight sweeter. They also provide a small plate of beans as a dip, but it would have been better if it were black beans. But overall very good food, I will be coming back when in town.again.
(4)Cynthia C.
The service was great and everyone was friendly. They refilled our glasses and chips right away. I love how the place is decorated and its theme. Its so colorful and bright & so is the staff. The manager visited us to make sure everything was ok and it was actually great! They give you chips with red mild salsa and beans. Most places only do the salsa. There was also a green salsa they brought out that was really good, but had a kick at the end. Had their 2 item build your own with cheese enchilada and chimichanga. Comes with rice and beans. Was around $12 for the entre. They were both excellent and the plate was huge, but could have had a little more flavor on the rice. I would do 4.5 total, but I will round up to a 5 star because the service was excellent and nowadays that's hard to find! Definitely will be back for more!
(5)Kana S.
Best tamales ever! Chicken or pork. Great customer service, they treat you like their friends.
(5)Jessie D.
Still the best service in northern California best brunch I love the all star service they make me feel like family
(5)Cecilia H.
Two words : homemade tortillas... Need I say more? I will definitely be back food and service were great.
(5)Leslie B.
Great Mexican food! I'm not a fan of El Toritos, so I'm happy there's a new place in town. Pros: Authentic Mexican food with interesting choices Large tasty portions Fresh chips, salsa and beans to start Friendly service Nice atmosphere Yelp coupon! Cons: Food took a long time A bit pricey-but the coupon helped Bad soda...not sure what was up with the soda. I first got diet coke and that tasted funny, then got a regular and that tasted off too Overall my family and I were impressed. The food tasted great, large portions and cool decor. It was nice to be greeted when walking in and having someone opening the door for us coming and going. The manager also came around to see how things were-nice customer service touches. We will be back!
(4)Jamie S.
A girl at a party we went to told me about this restaurant and how much she loved it. Hubby and I came here on a Saturday night. The place was pretty crowded with lots of families. I like kids, I really do...I just don't like YOUR kids when they're crying or walking around unattended when I'm trying to have a nice dinner with my husband after working all week. Just had to do a quick rant - sorry. Anyway, we started with salsa, bean dip and chips which they brought out soon after we were seated. The salsa was layered with flavors and had a bit of a slow, sneaky kick. It went perfectly with my margarita. I had two margs while I was there. The first one was a top shelf margarita which was really good - you know - the traditional top shelf margarita. The second marg I ordered was called the "world's best margarita" (or something like that). That sounded presumptuous so I figured in the interest of research and knowledge that it was my duty to check it out. Yum! It was like a regular margarita with the addition of Disarrano (an amaretto flavored liqueur). Not sure if it was the world's best but it was pretty darn good. I ordered the veggie burrito stuffed with vegetables - onions, peppers, cauliflower, carrots, corn and I think mushrooms too. The meals come with sides of rice and beans and a little scoop of corn cake. My husband ordered a taco/enchilada combo plate. My burrito was huge but I couldn't stop eating because it was so good. My husband cleaned his plate. As we were dining, the manager was walking around and talking to everyone. She stopped at our table, introduced herself, asked if we were enjoying our visit and told us a little bit about the restaurant. She said that it sometimes takes a little longer to receive the food because everything they make is fresh, including the tortillas. Nothing is premade. They don't even make the tortilla for your burrito until the order goes in! The food was fresh and delicious and if it takes a few extra minutes then I don't mind. That's what margaritas are for, right? if I had to find something that could have been improved upon it would have been the service. Our server was friendly and attentive but there were a couple of times when we had to look for her to get her attention (like when we needed silverware or a drink refill). It was a busy night so it didn't bother me that much but because of that I didn't feel like I could give them 5 stars. If the service would have been on par with the food, it would have been a home run. Oh yeah, total bill with dinner and 4 drinks was under $60 - nice!!
(4)K B.
This is my third time being here and I still love it. I just might get the Mexican Pizza for the third time. They also serve beans with there chips.
(5)Douglas Y.
This place was packed with a 20 minute wait. I was very excited to try the place since it has such good reviews. Walking in brought back good old memories of El Torito and the many many happy hours and margarita filled nights I once spent here. The bright colors and decorations add some visual pop to the place. There were a large number of people here for the Sunday Brunch which is served 10am-2pm $17.95 unfortunately we missed this window. Our server was friendly but way too busy. It took a long time to place our order, get silverware, get our food etc. I think her section was the banquet, large table area and she could have really used more help. My wife ordered the steak fajitas $16.95 the veggies were yummy but the carne asada was grey and beyond redemption. The meat was so overcooked my wife had to spit out a couple of bites and to me it looked like the meat was boiled. After talking to the manager she removed the item from our bill and assured us this was not the norm. I had a three item build yourself Macho Combo $13.49. I choose a taco, enchilada and chimichanga. The sauces were very good but my shredded beef was pretty dry and flavorless. Perhaps beef is just not a good choice here. If we come back I think we will try some of the specialties like carnitas or chicken since the beef failed on two dishes. I am keeping this rating 3 stars and giving Tapatio the benefit of the doubt.
(3)Paul K.
We used Yelp to find this gem - absolutely delicious!!! Chile Verde, Chili Colorado and margaritas ... All excellent! My only question-when are they coming to Placer County?!? Family owned and great pride on the food - and it definitely shows!! And a special note - our waiter Super Mario was outstanding!! The best service we have had at a restaurant in a very long time. This is the wife ---I love it here, feed me, give me Margaritas and then a nap ...this was a 10+++
(5)Emily G.
very good and authentic Mexican food for decent price. used the $8 off entree upon check in today and got a ridiculous amount of food for only $14!! amazing. very cute decor inside too.
(4)Courtney O.
This is our go-to spot for local mexican! We usually sit in the bar which has lots of tvs for sports and has great happy hour specials from 3-7pm. Can't beat $3 margs or drafts! Chips and salsa also come with a tasty bean dip topped with cheese! The service is always fast and friendly and the food delicious.
(5)Marco M.
Took my dad and his wife here. The interior is pleasant but all of our food ranged from barely edible to mediocre. My dad was very disappointed with his steak burrito. The waiter was flashy and laid on the "Latin charm" and my dad and I are both Latin so it felt uncomfortable, like watching a Speedy Gonzalez cartoon. He stopped being charming when I tried to use the special yelp coupon on the meal. He claimed the manager had an emergency and had to leave so they couldn't accept it. When I persisted he reluctantly took the discount off the bill. Not going back.
(2)Eric C.
I am finding a lot of fantastic Mexican food places in the greater Sacto area, and I couldn't be more excited. If I were to decide to let myself turn into a gluttonous, obese blob of dumpy-fleshy goo, Latin cuisine would be the culprit. I wouldn't say it's my favorite style of food, but it is definitely a food that I am almost powerless to eat in moderation. Most legit Mexican restaurants serve you more than enough food, regardless of what you order, and El Tapatio is no different. The place is, without question, colorful upon entering. We were seated immediately on a Saturday afternoon, and our hostess was very friendly. Our waiter was very friendly as well and gave us plenty of time to browse through the menu before taking our order. We munched on chips, salsa and bean dip while we waited. It didn't take long before we had food sitting in front of us. I ordered the Burrito a la Diabla with chicken. It was fantastic. Not an overpowering spicy kick to it, bit enough of one to clear your sniffer real good! I scarfed it down along with the beans and rice which were also very good as well. No To-Go box on this visit! My girlfriend and her mom had the Carne Asada, and they loved it. They very much enjoyed the fresh baked tortillas they serve up on the side, and I had to agree. I could make a meal out of those with beans and rice. So Good. Checking into Yelp got us %50 off one of our entrees and our waiter happily honored it. I am giving El Tapatio four stars. I will be back again, and there is a very good chance this review will be updated to five stars. Our first visit was a most pleasant experience. If you haven't tried this place yet, you should bookmark it now. It's worth the fuss. And be sure to check out my photo of the burrito I devoured. It didn't stand a chance! The Basics: Plenty of parking (private) during the day The place is clean (and did I mention colorful?) The bathrooms are clean The staff is courteous, friendly and prompt
(4)Sean B.
This place is pretty damned cool, and I did not realize they are actually a chain based out of Oregon. I had a combo plate of Steak, Chicken, and Mojo di ajo (I think) shrimp. The shrimp were loaded with garlic and mushrooms and cooked to perfection, the chicken was a little dry but still good flavor wise and the steak did not even need a knife to cut, it was really tender. Wifey had Monterey Shrimp Fajitas... Which meant BACON WRAPPED SHRIMP FAJIITAS!!! They were HUGE prawns and really tasty, my son had that as well, and my daughter had a steak burrito that was big as her whole arm, needless to say there is leftovers for lunch today. They also make some of the best Cadillac Margaritas in town. Our waitress Alejandra was amazing, and really had pride in her company and their product, not something you see every day. Definitely some place you need to check out if you are wanting good Mexican Food.
(5)Danielle V.
Adorable restaurant and AMAZING food. Thank god for this place because I have no idea where else I would go for authentic Mexican food. Their mole is delicious as is everything else. Plus you get bean dip with your chips and salsa! The owners are so friendly as well, always do their rounds and stop by to talk and make sure everything is perfect. I appreciate the theming of the restaurant, really makes the experience!
(5)Alfie C.
This place is amazing. We had dinner here after visiting my mother-in-law at ManorCare Health Services right down the street. It is in an area where there are plenty of places to choose from. One evening we were craving Mexican and since this place was nearby we gave it a try. We were greeted by one of the waiters and seated promptly. The menu selection was very good with many options to choose from. I had the carne asada, my wife had the cheese dip and my daughter carnitas plate. All of our orders were very delicious and well prepared. The good was very tasty and the service was great. Our waiter checked on us very regularly, even considering there was a large party across the way from us. We will definitely be coming back to this place.
(4)Leticia S.
Exelent like always, great service The food right on time ,Eduardo who took care of my my friend and I ,he was very friendly always asking us if we needed anything else ,the food is so good at this place I'll be back soon (:
(5)Charissa D.
Omg amazing!! HH is great and every single employee including the manager was amazing! They were so nice and full of smiles! I think the bartender was Armando... I think that's what it said on the receipt, he was great. I love the atmosphere! I used to go to the El Torito before but this place is way better. And they have a salsa bar. Yum yum!
(5)Robin B.
I have gone to this restaurant numerous times. And I just can't get over the quality of food and how great it is on a consistent basis. For me I go to, chili relleno. I can just have it all the cart and it's perfect huge Chili's that are not overcooked so good. They still have a little crisp in them there usually a dark green. A lot of times you go to Mexican restaurant in the over cook the chilis, they boil them and they're just horrible. But not here , the chilis are divine. The cheese is rich and creamy the coating of the chili it's a light tasty , coding does not overwhelm. If you want a real treat have the guacamole made at your table, so good. I've never seen him have a bad avocado.
(4)Vickie G.
Great place great food! Just checked Yelp check in offers...Just to let all you fellow Yelpers know...there is a offer buy one dinner...get the second dinner for - $8 off! We only paid about $10, only $5 each for me and my friend. I have been here a few times. Service is great and so is the food!!!
(4)M R.
We live right down the street and enjoy walking over here. The management team is awesome. The staff is friendly and great service. Food is wonderful.
(5)L B.
Amazing molcajete - nuff said. don't be scared if you've never had nopales. we split the 3 meats and still had leftovers... Plus home made tortillas! Yummmmmmmmmmn.
(5)Debbie B.
Love this place. Great fast service. Friendly too. Best Mexican food I've found in area.
(5)Jenni T.
The Husband and I came to El Tapatio because we were in a need of a new Mexican Food place in which we could regularly visit. We saw all the great reviews and loved the old El Torito that was here previously, so we decided to come by on a Saturday night to get dinner and watch the Giants World Series game. We decided to sit in the bar because of the game, and were pleasantly surprised to see a spacious bar with a ton of places to sit. There is a nice wraparound bar if you want to pull up a chair to the bar itself, or you can sit in one of the many tables that they have in the bar area. The bartender immediately came out to bring us menus and throughout the evening we were helped by various servers; all of whom were super friendly and nice. We loved how the bar had TV's everywhere (so there wasn't a bad seat in the house to catch a glimpse of the game) plus a large projector and screen which almost covered one wall of the bar. Nice! The Husband ordered the Molcajete and I got the two item combo with an Avocado Tostada and Cheese Enchilada. We loved the fresh Chips, Salsa and Bean Dip that was brought to our table that we scarfed down the first basket by the time we ordered! They kindly brought another. The Husband loved his Molcajete, it had Steak and Chicken inside with a great spicy sauce that had a complex layer of flavor. Amazing! The meal also came with rice and beans and when all was said and done, he took leftovers home which rarely happens! I thought my Avocado Tostada was good with a nice crispy shell, avocado, beans, cojita cheese and cabbage. I also liked my Cheese Enchilada which was cooked perfectly, but could have used some more sauce on top. The beans it came with were great, and the rice was good too, though a little dry. I think we found our new regular Mexican Food spot!
(4)Britney M.
We really liked this place the first time we came, but the second time was a much different experience. We were seated just on the outside of two large parties and the mariachi band was playing so it was impossible to have a conversation. I ordered the chicken tortilla soup, which is what I had gotten the first time, and loved it. Great flavor in the broth, good portion, I was a happy camper. The second time I had just gotten over food poisoning (from somewhere else) and noticed that they used a bunch of the red/ pink tortilla chips so the whole bowl of soup was light pink, including the chicken! Logically, I told myself it was just the dye from the chips transferring to the chicken, as the chicken was perfectly cooked the last time, but my stomach flip flopped and I couldn't eat. The manager who does frequent table touches came by and noticed I hadn't eaten, I explained to her my situation and she reassured me it was just the dye from the chips, I told her I understood but it had completely killed my appetite, she took it away and left it on the check. I was appalled, I've never had to pay for food I didn't eat, and if you were going to charge me for it you should have let me keep it so my bf, or heck, even my dog could have eaten it. I was really bummed about this experience because we really liked this place the first time around.
(3)Nanette C.
There is NO PLACE more welcoming - Susan the manager just has a magical way if making every one feel "at home". Truly a Mi Casa eh Su Casa restaurant. There is NO better Mexican food in all of No.CA. All the ingredients are farm fresh as ORGANIC as a professional establishment can get. They are even the first restaurant, I've ever seen that uses "to-go" containers that are NOT styrofoam and are made out if recycled material!!! As for the staff, they are always cheerful and helpful! You know it's a GREAT place when the staff is HAPPY! So to recap: WELCOMING - FRIENDLY - DELICIOUS - HEALTHY/ORGANIC - ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS! It can NOT get any better than this! Thank you and may you have long standing and SUCCESS!
(5)Sheree G.
I've been on several occasions and the food is always Fresh and delicious. Staff is friendly and the place is nicely decorated and clean. The start you with fresh chips, salsa and refried beans. Ive also tried the Sunday brunch buffet with free mimosas. This is a great way to try allot of there menu especially if they have crab its worth the price. This is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. My only complaint is having gone on Valentines Day, the service wasn't very good but they seemed very overwhelmed that night, so I won't be going for any holidays again. Other than that night its been fantastic!
(4)Laurie H.
Seriously the BEST Mexican food I've had in a long time. The waitress Alejandra was awesome. She was very attentive & was constantly checking our table. The best part was probably the bean dip that came with the chips & salsa you get when you first get there. This place is right across the street from work so I'll definitely be coming back.
(5)Scott R.
I have lived next to this restaurant for almost a year and never came here cause I don't really care for Tapatio HOT SAUCE. I figured I'll try it cause I didn't want to drive very far. I love this place now. Let me explain I lived in Modesto and have many Hispanic friends so I know what good food should taste like. This place is great, I mean even the rice taste awesome, and I'm not a fan of rice. Tomatillo salsa hands down awesome. Just try to find Tomatillo salsa somewhere else, don't worry I'll wait. Your not going to find it. Carnitas cooked in its own lard de Buche style, this means of the neck which is super tender. I strongly recommend. The server Frankie was awesome, great advice fast and on point. My new favorite place.
(5)Leah S.
Food is awesome, came in with my daughter on a Friday and it was so busy but the staff is so fast they made very pleasant and the food was great loved everything, a special thanks to our waitress Sahery
(5)Killer S.
This place is okay
(2)Sharon P.
Was basically on par with Chevys which isn't saying much. Good for your typical greasy Americanized Mexican food cravings. Service was slow and they messed up one of the orders. They give you free bean dip, chips and salsa which is nice to munch on while you are waiting. I got the hard taco and cheese enchilada. BF got the chimmichanga and chicken burrito. The meat overall was kind of bland. The rice and beans were good. Not much else to say about this place, what you see is what you get.
(2)Travis L.
Absolutely love this place!! Dont let the size of the place fool you!!! Hector and his team are over the top when it comes to quality and customer service.. they make you feel lile part of the family and food is amazing!!!
(5)Phil D.
Went on a Saturday and was surprised there was no wait for a table. The service was ok although it took a while to get drinks, the portions were large and the food overall was fair, I tried the fish tacos (3) they were ok but too wet with sauce. Also it took a long time for the check to arrive when we were done . I had to flag down the waiter and then had to wait 10min for my change
(3)Loretta T.
Love it!! Susan makes you feel like family and the food is fabulous!! Loved El Torrrito and was afraid it wouldn't be as good. They have an excellent selection.
(5)Rebecca R.
We have been looking for a good Mexican restaurant and have to look no further. My husband is a vegetarian and found so many dishes to eat he had a hard time choosing. He ended with spinach enchiladas which were delicious. I enjoyed a very stuffed chile relleno which was perfection. I ordered a chicken enchilada as well. The only mishap was they failed to give me tomatillo sauce and gave me red sauce instead. But the food was so good, I forgave them. The service was excellent and on a Saturday but there was no wait because they have a large number of seating. The noise level was also low which is nice so you don't have to shout to be heard.
(5)Mike L.
Have been in several times for happy hour drinks and snacks with my wife and another couple. I have noticed that the service is very good and the staff is very friendly. The guacamole made fresh at your table is a real treat. They keep the chips coming and drink glasses full. Used to go here when it was El Toritos and was really bummed when they left because we liked it too. It is a hard act to follow but they have done an excellent job. Will be back for more. Tip: The buffalo wings really rock!
(5)Thomas H.
Good food! Great service. Huge portions. Very cool decor. I recommend this place. I haven't been here for a while we will definitely be back.
(4)Maureen N.
Alejandra took wonderful care of us again. She's an awesome server. Love the cheese enchiladas and sweet corn cakes.
(5)P P.
I was referred here by some friends that love this restaurant. Went for lunch. Weekday. Early, not too busy. Was on lunch hour. I was greeted promptly by the friendly hostess who seated me. Next was the bean dip & salsa. Both were excellent as were the chips, very fresh & not greasy. Ordered cheese enchiladas. This is one of those restaurants that has hot plates, the waitress carried it in a potholder. The enchilada sauce was the orange, mild type. I really prefer the red, spicy type, but won't hold it against them as the food was great, the service was friendly from ALL employees and a girl kept my drink filled, never ran out.... and I drink a lot of water/ iced tea with Mexican food. My bill was brought promptly & was headed back to work early! Looking forward to returning & trying other dishes as well as a margarita!
(5)Victor R.
Great atmosphere, authentic Mexican food, great service and prices okay for those who want to be served with courtesy. The food is great! I highly recommend it. The aguas frescas are pretty fresh and dont taste like fountain ones. (Not sure if they are or aren't but they taste good).
(5)Michelle L.
Celebrating a challenging closing! Happy Hour margaritas, appetizers to share, and split dinners with our spouses. Everything was delicious. Service was excellent.
(4)Bruce O.
Great stop for dinner along Sunrise Blvd. We arrived at about 5:30 on a Saturday. We were immediately seated in a booth near the fireplace. Our server was prompt. Explained menu. Brought chips salsa and bean dip. And more. We had the veggie and steak fajita burritos.
(5)Zack S.
This place is amazing. Easily one of my favorite restaurants near my house. Everything on the menu is spectacular, the plates are MASSIVE, the homemade tortillas are fantastic, and best of all, they pour 24oz beers. The skirt steak is insanely good. I usually don't like steak, but good lord, it was perfection on a plate--tender and marinated. The service is great if you get one of the male waiters. They're all really funny and attentive to the table's needs. There's this one crazy lady that is an unfortunate combination of super slow, super oblivious, and super strict, and I always hate it when we get placed in her area, but whatever. It's just one person. Everyone and everything else is so great that I can't rationalize taking off a star. It can be kind of loud, but it is a family restaurant, so I can't complain. Sometimes they have live music in the bar area, too, and that adds to it. Overall it's pretty laid-back (with the exception of that one waitress). If you like hot stuff, ask them for their spicy salsa. They keep some in the back that's damn good and they'll only bring it if you ask.
(5)Michael Y.
Great service, great food, fair pricing. They give you chips and salsa and some bean dip to start as well
(5)Lisa B.
Fun restaurant! You can't walk in and not be happy with all the bright colors. Chips are fresh and salsa is tasty. Love the yelp check-in-- save $8. Thanks! Ordered the chile relleno/chicken taco lunch combo w/ rice and beans ($9 range). The chicken was a little dry, and I thought the cheese in the chile relleno was a little chewy. Lunch date with my daughter, who ordered an adult meal (the waitress was kind enough to tell me we had to order two main size entrees, to use the yelp check-in deal). Daughter had the 2 taco combo-- chicken and beef. I wasn't a big fan of the beef. Ground beef that just wasn't right. I'm used to fresh carne asada, or shredded beef, not ground beef. The rice and beans were good though. For $2.50, the horchata was a treat in a tall, large, glass coke cup, sprinkled with cinnamon on top. Yum. Our total was about $20 with tax and tip and the yelp deal. Not bad for a sit down meal. Looks like a fun place for a birthday or family celebration. A step up from El Torito in terms of authenticity, but not totally authentic, as most of the people eating there were not Hispanic :). I would return, as their food was good (not great), service was friendly, and decor upbeat.
(3)Alice B.
We went here based on the Yelp reviews and I think something must have been off that Friday night. After being seated we waited 10 minutes for menus and had to ask for a margarita. Drinks came promptly, second round of drinks came and we had to asked for chips. We said we were ready to order. Chips, salsa and bean dip delivered and were excellent. A family of 4 next to us asked for the manager because their order had taken very long to arrive and one plate was cold and one was a wrong item. The waitress took the two plates. No manager arrived and when the waitress returned some time later they asked for to go boxes as they wanted to leave. After they left the manager came to the empty table. We advised they had left and we had been seated 45 minutes ago and still did not have our meal. He apologized and asked if we would like to order another drink. We declined but I asked for water and my husband asked for a soda. These came promptly. The waitress came by twice and told us our order was on its way. Another 15 minutes passed and on the third time being told it was on its way we asked for our check to pay for our drinks and soda. She apologized and seemed genuinely embarrassed. We didn't see any need to ask for the manager as the other family didn't get a timely response and we were hungry and wanted to leave.
(1)Lexy J.
I decided to give it another try and was pleasantly surprised. This time the food was up to par and the bathrooms were very clean and smelled good. Lot's of TV's in the bar area.
(4)Sonia C.
Great service they gave me and my sister here. We loved that they made their own tortilla chips too and served beans along with salsa for the chips. The food was tasty and good portions I had left overs. I did the pick your own plate with a cheese enchilada, chimichanga, with a side of beans and rice. The inside of restaurant is cute and great like a mission or cantina theme with decorations. I grew up with home made Mexican food so it's nice to find good Mexican food that isn't Chipotle.
(4)Moni M.
My mom dragged us here ... I have to say I really enjoyed my carne asada. We will be back , I like the way we were treated for a large party they did well.
(5)Monica M.
Food was ok when my husband and I went there but we have had better and the band they had playing it was so loud you couldn't even hear your self talk or you could not talk to the people you came with it was so loud and people that were working there didn't really care about taking care of the customers, we won't be going back there
(2)Melissa R.
Great place. Wonderful decoration. Everything was very fresh. Get the guacamole. They make it at your table. But we waited 45 minutes for our food restaurant looked somewhat busy. I would come here again but hopefully have less of a wait for food.
(4)Carol H.
Hoping to find a great Mexican restaurant in the area, Still hoping. It was quiet time so the service was more than ample. You know it's been a while since we had our lunch there, but my go dish is always a chille relleno. I recall not thinking I would ever order it again, somehow strange from most rellenos. This is not a great review but wanted to get a word in about the relleno, not being the best, but will say beans and rice were the best and the chips and salsa and beans were exceptional as an appetizer.
(3)Gricel C.
Great place. Food is legit Mexican, and I'm Mexican and picky. Bean dip is yummy and not from a can, tortillas are made fresh. Service is great too, especially Estuardo. Super attentive and exceptional. Every time we've been in he has been excellent. Thank you Estuardo. We come back because of him.
(5)Michael T.
This place really was excellent. The carne asada was amazing! The chips and salsa were perfect as well. I don't know why it took us so long to try this place out. The atmosphere was nice and the service was good and quick. But the best part was the food.
(5)Mark P.
Great time on Sunday afternoon with the family, Tony, our server, was just the right amount of attentive, not intrusive, but engaging and there when you needed him, the manager came and checked on us and informed us that they make soup to order, that made Maya, my daughter very happy. The Mariachi band was one of, if not the best one I have ever had, very engaging, talented and made it fun for the younger kids, they made my wife cry when they played here request "Volver " Reminds me of the glory days of El Torito, maybe a little better even.
(4)Kim D.
I've gone here a few times in the past but always just sat at the bar to enjoy a drink or two and listen to the very talented mariachi band that roams around the restaurant on Sunday afternoons. (not during football season) Last night I was craving Mexican food so I decided to give it a go. I walked in, was immediately seated by a friendly hostess and was promptly greeted by my server. She came bearing chips, salsa, AND refried beans. When people serve chips and salsa without me having to pay for them, they immediately get one star in my book. But free beans too? Heck yes! The chips tasted fresh and the salsa was delicious and spicy. Something that really stuck with me was the excellent service that I received. "Amigo" is a word used frequently by the staff and I like that. I also really like the vibrant decor and laid back atmosphere. Fellow yelpers who check in receive a pretty sweet coupon that is eight dollars off your second entrée. The menu is very large and intimidating. For me, there were definitely too many options. Some people like the variety though I guess. I ordered a cheese enchilada and ground beef taco a la carte. The food came out fast and was very hot. My cheese enchilada was uber cheesy. So much so that at one point my boyfriend saw me eating some of the left over cheese that had oozed out and was staring at me like a crazy person. Whatever! I'm not ashamed! What can I say? Cheese is my vice. I went on to the taco and was pretty bummed because the side of the shell facing the plate had gotten soggy while I munched on the enchilada. I don't know if it was because I chose ground beef and it just wasn't drained enough or what. I read other reviews and discovered I wasn't the only diner who experienced this problem . Next time I will just opt out on the taco. I got the flan for dessert and really liked it. I have never had flan before though so I don't really have anything to compare it to. Overall I'm unsure whether to give el tapatio three stars or four, so I will settle on a 3 1/2 even though I'm technically not allowed to do so officially. I will be back and maybe then I will have a more definitive answer. To be continued.
(4)Lindsey S.
The food is pretty good, but the 2-3 times I've been here, the service has been slow.
(4)Tasha H.
Delicious food and outstanding customer service. From the moment we were greeted at the door until the check came we were well taken care of and thoroughly enjoyed our time. I ordered a 2 item combo with pork tamal and chicken enchilada. Husband got carnitas with flour tortillas. Kids got chicken and cheese enchiladas. Each item was wonderful and filling. The fresh guacamole made table side was on point. The owner (assuming she was) stopped by to check on us and then came again to laugh about the baby sleeping on me through lunch. Very friendly and just the perfect accompaniment to a wonderful lunch. This place will be a regular for us.
(5)Kris K.
Many wonderful dishes. Adore the chicken in Mole sauce and enchiladas made of. Also the Carne Asada plate. Oh, Wonderful chorizo. Fresh flour and corn tortillas, an exemplary green (very hot) and red (medium) salsas, and top notch service. We eat here at least twice a month. They also have an outstanding bar w yummy jalapeno margaritas!!!!
(5)E K.
I was here with my family. I loved the warm ambiance of this place, how it's decorated with the fire place and all, especially since it was in winter time. The service was nice and the staff were friendly. However, the food wasn't all that good and the refried beans tasted really greasy, which was disappointing because I loved everything else, except their food.
(3)Patti R.
I've been here twice now and can honestly say it's terrific. Plenty of parking, good food served quickly and it's very tasty! They tend to stay open until 10 pm during the week and later on weekends...this is very much needed!! When you first sit down they bring you a ginormous basket of chips, two sides of salsa and refried beans. All the tortillas are handmade and taste delicious! So far we have sampled, chile relleno, chicken enchiladas, tamales, chicken chimichangas...all were terrific and the portion size was huge! They also have happy hour that I hear is off the hook...that will be my next thing to try! Parking is plentiful and very well lit, I like the fact the lot is easily navigable back out to the street. The only reason why I took off one star is only because the menu is packed full of so many items, that it's a bit confusing to read and figure out what you want--if they could streamline it a bit, or do seasonal menu's that might be a bit better. Plus, if you do a Yelp check in, you get to save $8 off your second entree!! Ole!
(4)Oksana Y.
This place is awesome!! First let me staying that the food was amazing! Everything was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The flour tortillas are made fresh everyday in house and the guacamole is made in front of you when ordered. They have lots of staff, seem to all be friendly. My husband came here for lunch a few weeks ago and highly recommend it and I would do the same. Also when in side it feels like you are sitting in a Spanish courtyard. All the beautiful tile makes it so international.
(5)Kevin D.
Best Mexican food in Citrus Heights. Great service, great food, fun decor. Happy hour is great!
(5)Jason Z.
As advertised- the meal & service was amazing. We had Super Mario as our server. I ordered a shrimp fajita meal- Mario suggested that I try Steak & Shrimp Moccajete. It was awesome- it came out bubbling and hot!! It's a must try meal
(5)Sarah C.
Very large entree dinners and lunches that can feed 3 people. Lacks flavor of authentic Mexican food and lacks heat from chile dishes. A great place for lots of food with mild to near no flavor. Not a place to eat if you're used to real authentic Mexican cuisine! An American Mexican restaurant. Lots of decor that probably cost the chain a pretty penny but nice to look at while dining.
(3)George P.
This is a 2 time a week place. I have had over 6 different dishes and everyone outstanding if you want great food at a good price this is the place
(5)Marlen P.
I was in town for the day and yelped my way to find a Mexican restaurant. came across el tapatio and decided to give it a try. I have to say it's something new. they make it feel like if you're almost in a Mexican pueblo. I had their chicken chipotle which was delicious. their menu can be a tad bit price but the size of the the plates accumulates to the price. paid $140 for 6 people including margaritas and desserts so not too bad. p.s. they have mariachi on Sundays.
(4)Lisa G.
I love this place! The food is great, the service is great, and the watermelon margaritas are amazing! Thank goodness El Torito closed and El Tapatio moved in!
(5)sheri d.
Excellent flavors, our party of 6 was happy with various selection. Big menu! Nice employees.
(5)Mitch A.
I'm glad the GM Susan convinced me to come back, cause I chalked the 1st visit up as a wash, but this 2nd visit exceeded my family's expectations. Food was great AND service to match, Super Mario is the "whole enchilada" when it comes to service also, thanks Susan for the hospitality, we'll definitely be coming back! :-)
(5)Corey S.
Food is just ok, not worth goong out of you way for or passing a taco truck for. Margaritas were really watered down. Probably really 2.5 but it had a nice ambience inside so I'll go with a 3.
(3)Nicholas M.
Food is great and happy hour is cheap. Great ambiance except for the news being on in the bar. Kinda killed the vibe. But I'll keep coming because I dig the place!
(4)Deborah F.
Personally the tacos were good. I was charged 75 cents for each Taco to add cheese. The tacos were $1.50 each and very small as you can tell. You can get a better deal at Taco Bell. I can understand charging for cheese, but $3.00 extra for not even an ounce of cheese is crazy. Maybe 75 cents for all four. Needless to say..I will order tacos to go and add my own cheese.
(1)Marissa F.
This place is awesome! I just had their Sunday brunch and it was amazing. So many different things to choose from and bottomless mimosas! They make their own tortillas fresh and you can have as many as you want. The staff is so wonderful and the service is exceptional. Our drinks were never empty! Definitely a fun, family friendly place to dine in.
(5)Sean P.
Food is good. The combination plates are a good value, large portion sizes. If you order al a carte it can get expensive though.
(4)Jeff B.
This place surprised me. El Torito used to be in this building if my memory is correct. I ate their once when it was El Torito and it was forgettable at best. El Tapatio is awesome!! My first visit I had the carne asada and it was fantastic. Hands down the best carne asada I've ever had. Last visit I had the molcajete and it was crazy good. I've never had that dish before so I can't compare it to anything but I can tell you I will be ordering it again. The rice and beans have been flavorful and cooked to perfection both times.
(5)Rosa R.
Visited the restaurant a couple of weeks ago for the first time and was amazed! Everything was delicious! I've been to many Mexican restaurants and this my favorite. I decided to pay another visit today, ordered a Molcajete with the 3 meats and loved it. The food is delicious and service is great. Today we were approached by the General Manager, Susan, and made us feel welcomed and gave that extra customer service value that people usually do not get at other places. After the previous visit and todays visit, I am definitely coming back. Loved it! Did I mention they have hand made tortillas?!! That just sums up a perfect meal. Update 7/26/2014 Returned today and ordered a molcajete again and it wasn't as good as the one I had before. I also ordered a drink and wanted to give some to my son and the waiter said they had no refills. The waiter gave us poor service. It was an older male in his 50's with a mustache. Last time I visited they gave refills. I'm disappointed with this place now. Other waiters served us better than the one that took our order. Not going there anymore, especially if that same waiter takes our order. Next time her is rude about things we are walking out. Service was bad, but the thing that made it better was the other waiters pretty much doing the job that this waiter had to do. Thought this would have been the best place, but apparently not. I am dissatisfied in service given, well in particular that man who was just plain rude and unfriendly. The other waiters get an A+!
(3)Cheska D.
Our new fav mexican restau in the area..food is delish...place and decor is so authentic..the manager or owner is so nice,staff is friendly..ordered chile verde and chile colorado and a flan...its the bomb!
(4)Brittney Niecy O.
My fiance and I went here for the first time last night and it was an awesome experience. There was a line, but we didn't end up waiting that long and even though we didn't wait to long someone came out and apologized for the wait. The interior is colorful and festive, and there's alot of separate sections. It was do beautiful and fun. Our server was very attentive as well as any other person who walked passed our table. The chips and salsa were delicious and our entrees were even more amazing. I can't remember the name of them, but everything was fantastic. I had the coconut mijito, which was also very good. I can't find one bad thing to say about this place! The atmosphere, service, and food were all amazing! I really can't say enough. My daughter's birthday is coming up and I'm pretty sure we will be spending her birthday dinner here. Anytime I am craving mexican food, this is where I will be coming. After coming here I think anywhere else would be a dissapointment.
(5)Sean D.
This is my first yelp review. It was such a great experience that I had to say something. They make fresh tortillas and theyre awesome. I didnt have the heart to ruin them by filling them with the contents of my plate. The chicken mole (my go-to choice) was amazing... Usually restaurants just dump mole on chicken breasts, but the chicken here was really tender and the mole was seriously a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Not to mention, my plate was enormous! They really need to change the name of the restaurant though, usually "tapatio" restaurants are pretty basic. This place was decked out! Very clean. Our server was on point! Eddie was always checking up on us. the owner even checked up on us... Twice! And to top it all off, the prices were perfect. Everything was around $12. I live in Sacramento, but I will not eat at any other mexican restaurant. They also serve beer! I'm sold.
(5)Maggie R.
Excellent Dining experience! Food and service was excellent! If you check-in on Yelp you get $8 off the second Entree too, We loved the Mariachi Band, they have been singing non-stop since we got here! Love this place & will definitely come back for mas! Everyone MUST come here.
(5)Daniel C.
Went here for the first and the last time .., the manager / bar tender. Can't make a drink. Try to buy a round of Cadillac Margaritas with don Julio. And one mailbu pineapple. And this douche. Made the. Margaritas with house. Booze. And. When we called him on he offer to call the cops and throw us out. Worst Service. This place can suck it
(1)Brittney M.
So pleasantly surprised! Super clean and extremely friendly staff! Quick service and good food! Our server (Sahery?) was such a doll and was on top of her shit! The floor manger was visibly making table touches which is so rare to see these days! As we were finishing up and on our way the manager, our server, the busser and another server wished us a good day and said goodbye. Even if the food was bad (which is isn't AT ALL) I'd go back based on their customer service alone! HUGE PLUS!
(5)Matthew M.
The best Mexican food around!!! You can taste the freshness!!! Soooo good lol and the atmosphere is great to!! Nice polite staff... Was honestly the best service I have had in awhile
(5)Maria T.
This place is just incredible. The atmosphere is beautiful and very authentic. I'm Mexican abs I can tell you that it is genuine and well made food. So many unique dishes and excellent service. They even make the guacamole in front of you! Definitely a must try.
(5)Tamie O.
Yummy! Service was fast and friendly. Lovely restaurant with comfortable seating. Food was outstanding. I got enchiladas de mole, husband got a carne asada chimichanga and little one got the mini quesadilla and everything was spectacular. Best mole I've had in years! The kid's quesadilla had chicken in it and I feel like that never happens...and it was delicious! The carne asada was tender and delicious and would be excellent in any dish. We will definitely be regulars now!
(5)Karen D.
First off, I ordered a strawberry-mango margarita & it was way too sweet, I couldn't drink it so I ordered a Pineapple Mule which was much better. We proceeded to order food at 7:15pm & didn't get our food until 8:00pm. After 40 min we asked the waitress how our food was coming along & she said it was very busy & she would have someone check on it. The restaurant didn't even seem that busy. When my husband got his food, it was rather cold, like it had been sitting for a while, which was disappointing. I also asked for a side of sour cream with my meal & it never came. My husband's sister got her food before her drink, which is not right either. Overall, this restaurant has very poor service & we will not be coming back.
(3)Kameron W.
El tapatio really takes the cake on the Mexican restaurant that I have been too they have authentic tortillas and food also they come out with chips salsa and beans, the service started off slow but picked up after they got used to our party overall I give it 5 out of 5 also their skirt steak is perfect!!
(5)Carly B.
I have been there 3 times in the last three weeks.... I can't get past the fajitas.... They are by far, the best I have ever had..... The seasoning is amazing.... cumin possibly? They come with all the fixings... I had the trio, with chicken, steak and shrimp. The home made tortillas are very tasty as well.
(5)Amy T.
Best Mexican restaurant I've been to in a long time. Wonderful customer service along with delicious food and great margaritas too! Definitely worth coming back to.
(5)John C.
This restaurant is located where the old El Torito use to be. When it first opened I was skeptical but afterwards was very pleased. This place gives you big portions of food. There salsa is very good and always ask for their fresh guacamole because the wait staff will come to your table and make it right in front of you. All their dishes have been excellent.
(4)Crissie H.
This restaurant has the most delicious meals.we love it here. The service is a 10 + the staff is on top of making your visit a pleasant one. We totally recommend this establishment
(5)Jessica N.
First time at this restaurant and we LOVED it!! Excellent customer service and food was mouth watering delicious!! This will definitely be our go to place for mexican food.
(5)Lucy N Robert L.
Hands down, El Tapitio has some of the best Food in the Sacramento Area. Service is a solid A++. Every time I go there it just keeps getting better the Management is always looking to improve which makes a wonderful atmosphere. I highly Recommend the weekly happy hour menu and drinks at the Bar!!!!! As long as I work down the street I'll always go to El Tapitio weekly!!!!
(5)Jessica P.
This is officially our go to for authentic delicious Mexican food! The place is clean and absolutely gorgeous on the inside. The drinks are incredible and the food is to die for. Not to mention the wonderful service. We'll be back!
(5)John W.
I've only eaten here once, so really need to try again before making a definitive review. The food was good, apart from the avocado tostada. It wasn't bad, it just got lost on the plate and couldn't really be distinguished from the bed of lettuce, rice and beans when I cut it up to eat it. Salsa and bean dip with the tortilla chips were very good, as was the chili relleno. So I do need to try other dishes for a better opinion on the food. Reason I only gave it 3 stars has more to do with the bar than anything else. I ordered a Cadillac Margarita. Got it but no Gran Marnier. Took over 20 minutes to get it. In all fairness, whom I assume to be the manager made me another and comped my wife's tequila shot. The Margarita still was mediocre, I blame the sweet and sour...which can ruin a drink if it's not good. A suggestion, Islands sweet and sour and Dr Swami and Bone Daddy sweet and sour are head and shoulders above most, they'll make your drinks way better. I was also disappointed they didn't have tequila flights like El Torito used to have. IMO the bar in a Mexican restaurant should be well stocked with a variety of tequilas and specialty drinks, and not just serve a generic margarita. A separate dedicated drink menu would be good as well. My visit was within the first week of El Tapatio getting their liquor license, so it may just be they were finding their footing.
(3)Patty S.
I heard about this place and decided to go. Once inside I found a very nice place although a little funky, (i like funky!) The people were very polite and my taco plate with chicken was outstanding along with the chips and fresh salsa. I will be back!
(4)Monica W.
They have white cheese dip like in the South! When I took a trip to Georgia, I ate white cheese dip, and since then have not been able to find it anywhere else... Until now! The portions are very large and the waitstaff is friendly. We will definitely come back and want to become regulars!
(5)Scott V.
Hey Skip...everything looks like it's going well except for the alcohol license...when is that ever going to happen?
(4)Autumn R.
This is the Best Mexican restaurant in Citrus Heights. Very good and excellent service.
(5)Erica J.
Good food, great service and the matching ambiance to boot. Love their Chili Rellenos made from scratch. Very friendly, good size portions and plenty of parking.
(4)Sue R.
The enchiladas are great. Hubby got Chile Verde & said his was real good. Huge portions
(4)Karla G.
We tried this new place on Monday 06/30/14 for my fiancées and I 1 year anniversary. We decided to sit at the bar to try their happy hour specials. The staff was super friendly and we got seated right away, the chips were warm and crisp and the salsa and bean dip were delicious. They have beer on draft which my fiancée bed and I tried the mango margarita(I ordered on the rocks but it was brought as blended... It was so delicious I couldn't send it back or deduct any stars from this review). We ordered the chicken taquitos and street tacos (steak and Al Pastor). Everything came out fast and hot and looking amazing and it tasted delicious. We also decide to order 1 chile verde burrito and 1 chile Colorado burrito and they were huge! The meat was so tender and the sauces were on point! The manager came over to check in with us and we shared it was our first time there and were celebrating our first anniversary, she congratulated us and seemed very excited for us :) we ordered the cheesecake and flan to go and our server came back with our desserts let us know it was on the house for our anniversary!!!!! We were so surprised and grateful and when we tasted them at home they were a 10 out of 10! We lived it so much we went back for lunch this past Thursday 7/3/14...I got the enchiladas sunrise the egg on top of the green chicken enchiladas was cooked perfectly, my fiancé got the seafood relleno and the seafood inside the chile was cooked to perfection even the scallops were perfect! You all have to try this new star in the Citrus Heights area you won't regret it! It is an A++++++!
(5)Alvaro_Melissa S.
We're to begin? If I could give 10 stars I would. Let's start off with the food I had the la creama el pollo, wow what a delicious dish. The wife had the 2 item combination with was very tasty with the homemade tortillas. I appreciated the manger coming around and asking us how we were doing. She made our dinner feel very home like. I will come back for sure. Thank you
(5)Elizabeth L.
I'm all about customer service with great food. I've been here a few times and consistent service and consistency in the items have made me a repeat customer. I heard about this place from one of my Facebook friends. Their tacos are delicious and their tortillas are tdf. I had one of the happy hour margaritas. It's okay but id rather get one of their gargantuan margaritas for full price. My order each time has been consistent. What I order and what I get.
(5)Bruce H.
This place is Great!!! Have been here twice and have been completely satisfied both times! This last time I was in there for lunch with a friend. We chose to sit in the bar for lunch. First off the bar would be a great place to catch a game while having some drinks and food!! Plenty of tv's to watch!! Frank was our bartender and is also the bar manager. We asked for Top Shelf Margarita's on the Rocks and he let us choose which of their premium tequila's we wanted and then made some of the greatest margarita's we have had in recent memory!! We had a fajita dish that was made with bacon wrapped shrimp and Monterrey Jack Cheese. It was on the menu as a single order and when asked if we could get it in a fajita for two meal he happily obliged. Frank was a great bartender and he was just the tip of the iceberg!! The rest of the staff was very courteous and on top of it!! Several times employees asked how our meal was and if we needed anything. In a nutshell, I would HIGHLY recommend giving this place a shot!! It is in the same building as El Torrito's was for years. In an area of town that is in dire need of places to go and enjoy a good meal and a cocktail or two, this place hits it out of the park!!
(5)Steven D.
This place will soon make you forget Carmelita's changed their menu and raised their prices! Very nice family run restaurant from Oregon. Service is awesome!
(4)Casey C.
Service was beyond excellent. Our waiter constantly checked on us & joked around with us, he seemed to really enjoy his job. Mango & peach margaritas, yuck! They both had an awful, vomit flavored aftertaste to them. Not sure what they used to get the fruit flavor but it wasn't real fruit. Combo fajitas and street tacos were plenty and well seasoned, however everything was drowning in grease. I have never seen a sizzling fajita plate where the meat & veggies are swimming in oil. About an hour after eating our stomachs were so bloated and we felt miserable the rest of the night. The next day my stomach was still achy and bloated. Not sure if it was all the grease, or if they cook with lard, that didn't agree with our stomachs, but I will never go back. Our fave Mexican place is still Carmelita's with their fresh, perfectly seasoned food and real fruit margaritas.
(1)Regina D.
Very disspointed. First of all the water i was given had a lip print on it from some other persons lipstick and when i pointed it out to the waiter he acted as if i offened him. Like no im the one offened when a restaurant is serving dirty glasses to people. And second i asked for a straw and when i got it, it had whay looked like yellow grease all over it. So i asked another waitress for a different straw and told her about the one I got and she too acted as if i offened her. And to top it all off I find a blacl hair on my plate. Makes me question how clean you guys even are. Do you even wash your dishes? So grossed out by this place. 0 stars.
(1)Bill S.
I'm going to keep this simple because others have said it all: best Mexican food in the region, hands down. Everything from the sauces to the tortillas to the chips tastes freshly made. Seriously good Mexican food, and I know Mexican food. If you are a fan, you must try this place.
(5)Jana L.
Wonderful food! Excellent service, and the Mojitos were amazing! My new favorite Mexican restaurant. ..
(5)Danny M.
This place is great.Staff remembers us when we go in.Love the food.Super friendly ....A must try.
(5)Cici F.
I drive down Sunrise 5 days a week and I never really paid much attention to this restaurant. One day I was craving Mexican food (or just something other than fast food) and that's when I thought of this place. It's situated behind Bank of America off of sunrise. I must say that it wasn't very busy when I went which made me initially question if others knew something that I didn't (if you know what I mean). When I entered the restaurant I was quickly escorted to a small table and I was in awe of the decor. It really took me back to a scene in one of my favorite movies "Fools Rush In" lol. I felt like I was in Mexico. Like I was a guest in someone's house. I mean that in a good way. I felt welcomed and comfortable. Tortilla chips along with salsa and warm bean/cheese dip quickly arrived at my table. I decided on an appetizer instead of a full on lunch item (thinking that it would be less food). I ordered the Chicken Taquitos appetizer. It was quickly brought out to me and to my surprise it wasn't a small plate. I could only eat half of it! More importantly it was GOOD! Really Good!!! I had several people walk over to my table to ask me what I ordered. Overall, I had a good experience. The food was delicious and the service was great. I didn't feel ignored by the staff nor overly watched. I will definitely return here with my family and friends.
(4)Chloe F.
Friendly and attentive service along with a delicious meal. The menu has a lot to choose from and the portions are enough for leftovers
(5)Vivian D.
Just had dinner here and can't say enough good things about this restaurant! Food was excellent! Service was great! Atmosphere was incredible!! First time here and will be back!
(5)Desiree C.
I love Mexican food and consider myself a salsa snob. I can always tell if I will like a place by how good their salsa is. Well this place is on my list to return. The quality and quantity of food for the price is great, the atmosphere is wonderful and the service is great as well! We were greeted promptly and given fresh chips and salsa as we sat down. Our drinks arrived in a timely manner and our server went above and beyond in helping us decide what to order. I have very picky children and they actually ate the food here which is always a ++.
(4)Aaron N.
This place was amazing! Chips and salsa are off the hook! Definitely the best salsa in town ...got the carne asada burrito and it was very good and the fried ice cream finished off the night perfect! Definitely will be visiting again :) decor, service and food is absolutely phenomenal ...they play authentic Mexican music in the restaurant and it feels like you stepped out of Sacramento into Mexico... and the Happy Birthday celebration is fun too :) definitely give it a try!
(5)Sherry T.
El Tapatio is new to our neighborhood and we are so glad it is here. Our favorite Mexican food restaurant was 25 minutes away. We now have a new favorite - El Tapatio. The shrimp enchiladas are awesome. Ask them to use the large shrimp when they make it. My favorite is the carnitas platter - lots of freshly cooked carnitas with great beans and fresh, homemade tortillas. What a treat! The prices are reasonable and the decor makes you feel like you're sitting in a fine trestaurant in Mexico. Try El Tapatio, you won't be disappointed!
(4)David L.
Had dinner at El Tapatio this week. The ambiance was nice however that doesn't make up for the food quality. The service (speed of being seated and keeping the water glasses, chips and salsa full) was fine. The staff was friendly and attentive. However, the wait from ordering the dinner to it actually arriving was excessive (over 20 minutes) when the restaurant was only about 20% full. The chips and salsa were quite good and they have a hot green salsa that is very hot and flavorful. The beef tacos were soggy and tasteless. I ordered the taquitos with green sauce, however, they arrived with red sauce on them. Having already waited 20 minutes for the food, I did not send them back or mention it to the server. The taquitos were soggy and tasteless as well. They appeared to have been staged under a heat lamp for too long (perhaps most of the 20 minutes?). If I were in the area and wanted to have a margarita and some chips and salsa, I'd come back. However, for dinner, I would go elsewhere.
(2)Myque C.
I came for the food, and gave them five stars for the bar. Tim made a wonderful scratch margarita that was crazy full of flavor. The winner of the night, though, was the watermelon concoction he dubbed "Pink Passion". The service is great, the food is yummy and generous, but the bar is my favorite spot to be.
(5)Pamela R.
Excellent service-good food-love the freshly made tortillas!
(4)Julie N.
My fiancée and I visited El Tappatio about a month ago on a co- workers very high recommendation. We have been sold ever since. The food, service & drinks are out of this world!!! We love the salsa & pico de gallo. Their margaritas and Mai Tai's are the best we've ever tasted!! The food is fantastic!! Service is superb. We love this place!!! If you want superb Mexican food, awesome drinks and fantastic service, you should definitely give this place a try!! Best in Sacramento hands down!!!
(5)Casey T.
The was amazing, and the service was great! I was so impressed with that atmosphere, and I loved how they made the guacamole dip right in front of me! Their tomales are probably the best I have ever had. I will be back soon!
(5)Karyn S.
We love this place. The food and drinks are fantastic. Everyone is friendly and make you feel at home. Great place.
(5)Beckhay W.
First time here and we were impressed. Very fast and friendly service. They brought us a huge bowl of fresh chips and salsa along with a side of bean dip which was a nice surprise. We had steak and shrimp fajitas which were very flavorful. Pair them with the homemade tortillas and you couldn't have asked for more. I also had the chicken fajita salad which was good not great. The menu is humongous so I look forward to another trip and trying something else. Great addition to the lackluster Sunrise Blvd. choices.
(4)Steve M.
Came this evening and I think for the first time it was full. They had to take names. This is awesome because it means success. This is good because it is my favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant. One complaint weird colors on menu so can be kind of hard to read.
(5)Emily A.
Decided to go to this restaurant after reading how great their food was. The place also looked beautiful. I was planning to come back, until the waitress asked me and my cousin if we where "meseras" table waitresses. I asked him why he said that and his respond was "I don't know, someone said that." I will never come back to this place again. We felt uncomfortable and disrespected.
(1)C M.
My husband brought me here for Valentine's day and I must say the food is great and they have Excellent customer service!
(5)Joseph M.
Great food and service! Huge portions and reasonably priced. The tortillas are freshly made and delicious.
(5)Ryan H.
Great... Food poisoning! My daughter and I went there yesterday for Vday lunch. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the owner/manager was gracious and very involved in the restaurant. The food was slow to come out, 40 minutes after we ordered and full off chips. My daughter had the grilled shrimp with onions and mushrooms and I had the Supreme Molcajeta which was excellent! My only issue and a major one is my daughter ended up with severe food poisoning and a visit to the doctors office. Unfortunately the food poisoning overshadowed all that was good. So good luck to the rest of you guys.
(1)Jo K.
Tonight we ate here for the second time. We will be going back again and again. Food is delicious, service is excellent and love the decor. My husband had the shrimp and I had a combination plate with an enchilada and taco. The chicken was tender and delicious. They should be getting their liquor license next week. My husband is excited to try one of their margarita's. I am content with the great food and service.
(5)Jen R.
OUTSTANDING!! Great food, excellent customer service, incredible atmosphere! I cannot recommend this place enough. We called the day of for a party of 25. They accommodated us without any hassle. Chips, salsa and bean dip never ran out and our drinks were flowing. Our food came out quickly, correctly and pipping hot. My son ordered a pizza from the kids menu. It was not what he was expecting. They graciously exchanged it for a quesadilla without question and without extra charge. We will be back again and again. A new favorite for sure!!!
(5)Dawn B.
This place was great. Very colorful, great atmosphere, and really good food. The margaritas seemed a little weak, but it's all good. lol I had the peach/cucumber marg, which was pretty good, and my date had the jalapeno, which was spicy. We both had enchiladas which were really good. Service was great. It was a perfect night.
(5)Phil A.
Everything was good till they got busy then I waitresses forgot about us we paid 18 dollars for the buffet and did not get any service the last 45 minutes to bad the food was good till they got busy
(3)Ty L.
Great food I'd say was the best I've had in the Sacramento region with a great atmosphere. We we're greeted with a very large and plentiful menu. My wife and I ordered margaritas which were great. I also ordered a chimichunga which was phenomenal. The only thing that prevented this place from receiving a 5 star rating is with this huge menu there was a lack of vegetarian options. You would think with 4 pages of options there would be more dishes which cater to vegetarians. For myself I didn't mind a bit, for my wife on the other hand, she was limited to 2 options. So if you're a non vegetarian who is in the mood for great Mexican food and in the area of Sunrise and Greenback you need to check this place out.
(4)Donna T.
My husband and I stopped here for a late lunch/early dinner this past Saturday, which is usually not a good time (in between lunch and dinner). Not to worry...we had AMAZING, friendly service, the place is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! The colors, woodwork, tile work, and ambiance is beyond BEAUTIFUL! ; huge and spacious, but cozy all wrapped up into one. The wood carvings on the booths are artisan and directly from Guadalajara. This is the MOST beautiful Mexican restaurant in the Sacramento area. GREAT date night place for sure! FAB bar area; open high ceilings and a pretty decent bar menu. The food is your typical Mexican fare geared toward our American tastes, but done EXTREMELY well; brought to your table quickly, well-presented and piping hot...DELICIOUS. Save room for the fried ice cream for desert...yummy! We'll be back!
(5)Ophelia C.
My mom kept telling me how good this place is and now I believe her. Had the steak fajita salad and it wss full of flavor. The service is attentive too.
(5)