El Indio Real Mexican Food
407 NW 13th St, Gainesville, FL, 32601
El Indio Real Mexican Food Menu
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Address :
407 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL, 32601 - Phone (352) 377-5828
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
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 : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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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Kevin C.
Description: Cheap Mexican restaurant off 13th with shaded seating and two drive through lanes. A very solid alternative to late night taco bell or random day time tex mex cravings. Food & Service: I got the carne asada quesdilla which was a tad pricer then what I would like to pay but still very reasonable. Pretty sure there was guac in it too, so that's a plus. It was yummy and served its purpose. Service was quick and friendly. They also don't have a card minimum, which I feel like places like this do. Final Thoughts: If I'm ever on that side of town and craving some cheap Mexican food, I know where to go.Taco bell has been replaced. Note that if I want something a little bit better, I'd probably go to La Nop or Chuy's. For specific reasons mentioned above though, El Indio is the way to go.
(4)Jack H.
Do not go to El Indio if you are expecting the best Mexican food you can get, that's not why they're in business. El Indio makes good, cheap food. Really there are two menus: Mexican food and Cheeseburgers. The Mexican fare is fairly standard. Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, basically the collection of Mexican food ingredients we all know assembled in different ways. The chimichanga and quesadillas are standouts in my mind, the chimichanga coming with a very generous portion of rice and beans as well as lettuce and pickled carrots. The tacos tend to be messy, and in general the food is better eaten with knife and fork. El Indio also makes a pretty good double cheeseburger and fries. They're frozen patties and precut Sysco fries, but they fry them up to be nice and tasty. Honestly it's the best burger you can get quickly northeast of campus that isn't Relish. You won't go wrong just getting a cheeseburger here, I often do just that.
(4)Paul D.
The tacos are very good, especially the carne asada tacos. The tacos are small but priced appropriately. So, buy a few if you're hungry. El Indio has a convenient drive thru and is open whenever I need them to be. The service is always friendly. I love this place. Go eat there. Stay way from the fish tacos, my friend. They are really bad.
(3)Rod K.
EL Indio is a staple for me. They make good tasting tex/mex/latin food at a decent price. Don't go expecting "authentic" Mexican fare like you would get at La Tienda, because that's not what El Indio is. Service is great and the outdoor porch area is really nice spot to eat when its not June - Sept.
(4)Sarita S.
..my friend raved and raved about this place, we came to visit and this was the first place we stopped at...everything was superb! We got tacos,enchiladas,and burritos and it was all so tasty..! You can't go wrong eat here..!! The queso is a must have!
(5)Rebecca S.
I've been going to this restaurant since before the remodel... if you think it's a small outdoor stand now, just imagine what it looked like before the fancy covering with just a few umbrella-laden tables and a hard-to-read menu board and broken speaker! And I kept going anyway. Because it's a drive-thru and/or walk-up window, I compare this to a fast food restaurant and for that it earns all 5 stars. This is no Taco Bell, my friend. It's a Gainesville staple, and I make a point to make it (at least) one of my meals every time I visit the city now that I have moved. To be fair, I've almost exclusively eaten the carne asada soft tacos or burritos because I'm an addict, so I can't speak for the other meals. They also have my all-time favorite chips and queso here. Everything has always come out piping hot and fresh-tasting. Disclaimer: I haven't been since Oct. 2014 so I can't vouch for any new cook/change in management since I've been away!
(5)Brian A.
The worst name for a mexican place can't keep me away. The food is pretty good and fairly priced. This restaurant used to be a ice cream shop when i was a kid and El Indio has always served ice cream for long time resident who have a sense of nostalgia.
(5)Alan W.
El Indio is incredible! My friends call it LNDO and I literally couldn't even.... understand what the hell they were talking about. I got the carnitas platter and it was incredible. Their standards are VERY high, they got all of the orders right on target. When I ask them to not put this or that on my food, they didn't. This may be my stuff, but somehow I expect less, as if they would put it on the side or find a way to not listen. My experience with fast food is that orders are constantly wrong. This place is not only not fast food in culture, but I trust that the food is what I think it is. The shredded cheese actually melts, unlike plastic stuff. The refried beans, I believe have actually been refried. The carnitas are unbelievable. I could eat here again and again and again. LNDO for the win!
(5)Ryan C.
Above average mexican food at a fair price. Quick drive through service. If you ever think about visiting Taco Bell, go here instead. The carne asada is delicious. It's a big menu with something for everyone. The seating is outdoor only, but that adds to the experience.
(3)Amanda G.
I am shocked, hurt and disappointed that anyone would give perfect beautiful El Indio a bad review. You can roll yourself into a queso coma for like $7 here. They have lots of veggie options and the people are super friendly. It's not fancy, but it is good and delicious. A Gainesville delight.
(5)Charlie P.
I apply an El Indio test to gnv restaurants. If I can't eat as well there as I can at Indio for a fraction of the cost I fire them...go taco stand! El Indio cooks some recipes really well, but there are certainly weak spots on the menu. I am a big fan of their refried black beans & will get them as a filling side to flesh out a meal with a burrito when I'm broke. When I'm in a veggie mood I will seek out their Tempeh burrito. The Tempeh is grilled to give it a little flavor, but it benefits from adding fresh jalapenos for an up charge. The Cole slaw is very good, and usually so is the guacamole. Weak items include the rice, chips & hard shell tacos. I tried fish tacos once, years ago...nuff said.
(4)Nicole B.
AMAZING! I live in Midtown so this place is a great distance from where I live. I pass by it on my way downton so I decided to look up some reviews. I saw in here that the Carne Asada burrito was good, so I got it yesterday. Delicious!! Cheap too. High recommend
(5)Sir Paul L.
1.5 stars, felt generous and rounded up. I really wanted to love this place. I love the outdoor seating area, with TVs showing the world cup. But sadly, the burrito I ordered fell short in some ways. The way the building is built makes me instantly wonder what was the original business in this location. Who built the solid wood covering and when. It really is interesting. Anyway, on to the food. I ordered a veggie burrito. Properly, it comes with sour cream and guac. What surprised me is when he asked if I wanted hot sauce on the side. Puzzled, I told him I wanted hot sauce on it. He repeated the question, Do I want hot sauce on the side. OK, I am new here, I will play the game by your rules! I asked if it came with chips. Nope. Wrong answer, -1 right there. Chips should always come with a Burrito. Ok, now the kicker, chips are $1.45! That shocked me. That was 25% the price of the burrito! Now, I ordered them and they were great chips But if you must charge, then it should be no more than $.50. The burrito came out and it had rice, beans, sour cream and guac. The tortilla was steamed. -1 right there again! A great burrito place puts the tortilla on a grill. Then I find the little cups of hot sauce. Are these for the chips? How is one to put hot sauce on an already rolled up burrito?? So I ate a bland burrito with decent chips. I dipped the chips as best I could into those little hot sauce containers. The green sauce was all heat, a little over powering, with little flavor. The red sauce though was pretty disgusting. I expect pico de gallo and instead get tomato and vinegar. Seriously, it was so sour and no flavor. It was no more than a puree as well, so no chunks of fresh tomato, onion etc... Finally, can we talk environment for a second? Every order, whether to go or sit down right there in front of the TVs, was put into a plastic bag. Seriously? Do people need plastic bags to walk 10 steps to their seat? And to top it off, the drinks come in styrofoam cups. It's 2014 guys, please! Why was I feeling generous??
(2)Claire N.
Love this place. I eat here so much. Love their combo number two. Love the beans and rice, and the personalities behind the counter. Chat them up, because they're great. Also leave a dollar in the tip jar :) Also if you ask they'll give you a punch cars where buy 9 combos get 1 free, which I fill up every two or three months. Favorite quick place in town. So convenient for students to. They also recently updated the patio with tv's and nice seating Also, the twirps who don't like the sauce are wrong. I live my life for that salsa verde. I put that all over the rice. So good.
(5)Darshan P.
Mexican is my favorite meal. Especially cheap mexican. This place is pretty cool - fast, really cheap mexican food and it has a Drive Thru! I order ground beef hard tacos which are normally my favorite and these were pretty standard. I also got a chicken enchilada - I love enchiladas and this did not disappoint. It was a pretty good size for a really reasonable price.
(4)Cassie R.
El Indio is LEGIT. The prices have been hiked up recently compared to some of the menus going around online, but it is worth it! The food is delicious and fresh, the staff are friendly and always the same faces, and the variety of items on the menu makes it hard to stop going back to try more. My favorite of the Mexican fare is, quite honestly, the shredded beef tacquitos--I constantly have cravings. I really enjoy the Horchata, which is a super cinnamon-y sweet and delicious cold drink. Recently they've expanded their menu to include burgers, which I am eager to try!
(5)Griffin H.
The food tastes good and all but it's definitely over priced for the quality and especially for the small amount of meat you get in a lot of items compared to the cheap, carb laden nature of most of the menu items. If they'd give you more meat and price more appropriately I'd give higher marks.
(2)Mel B.
El Indio will kind of ruined Taco Bell for me - which isn't a complaint, really, once you consider the grade D meat you're chomping on... Anyway.. focus. SO: It's an itty bitty drive through with some outdoor seating. All the food is super cheat and super delicious and the portions are perfect. I recommend the carne asada tacos or the carne asada enchiladas. Plus, there's tons of vegetarian and vegan options too! The bean burrito is particularly delicious. They also sell horchata and jarritos (mandarin is the best flavor) Only downsides are sometimes it takes a while and they close pretty early for a college town.
(5)Chris C.
This place has good food but doesn't give out free refills which is annoying. It also is pretty cheap and you get a lot of food.
(3)Collin W.
I love this little drive through and have been going there for years. The food is always great. They recently did some renovations and spruced up the building. Try the fish tacos!
(5)Michael P.
Wow....very good carne asada burrito...chips an white cheese dip superb....washed down with horchada
(5)Mike D.
The food is subpar texmex if they even manage to get the order right. I love mexican food but I have never liked beans. No big deal, I just order everything without them. Not at el Indio. The last three visits they added beans regardless of how explicitly I insist they don't. This latest visit the waitress repeated back to me "no beans" and wrote something down. When I pointed to the beans and said this is not what I ordered, she got argumentative. I have worked in restaurants. I have helped customers with celiacs and garlic allergies have a pleasant dining experience. If the customer makes a substitution you say ok and you do it. If the customer says this is not my order, you fix it. You don't argue with them. If there is a problem you fix it or you lose customers. If you want texmex in gainsville, get Las Margaritas. If you want real mexican food, get La Tienda.
(1)Diana D.
Though I haven't gone to EVERY Mexican/Tex-Mex place in Gainesville, I've tried quite a few (as well as in Ocala/St. Aug areas) and I'm telling you, El Indio is amazing. Obviously it's not a normal sit down place but this is the closest I've found to California-style Mexican and it is delicious. I've tried basically one of every category on the menu and enjoyed it all. Nachos are delicious and totally worth the price considering how much food you get. LOADED. The queso is a great addition to the nachos (or anything if you're into dips or wet burritos and the like). The tacos are great - shredded beef are pretty good but I actually prefer the veggie (beans). Quesadilla had tomatoes in it which was not what I'm used to but still was fantastic, although a bit "wet" (not so much greasy as just wet from the tomatoes). Enchilada plate was pricey but you get a ton of food and I finally found a shredded beef enchilada that can compare to So Cal Mexican. Burritos are huge and delicious in chicken or shredded beef. Horchata is a nice treat. Haven't tried breakfast but I will one of these days. The value for what you get is good, if not excellent. It's so much better than Taco Bell but not overpriced because it's not a sit down place. I have yet to eat outside and of course the drive through is not super fast but even so the staff is great and I've never waited more than a few minutes. I've been looking for food that tastes like this but doesn't come from a big chain company, and this is definitely it. I frequent El Indio and as long as I live in Gainesville I will continue to!
(5)Lauren M.
I was looking forward to writing a great review on this place as it was recommended. Haven't been in many years. The service was good but the food was meh. We got the Taco salad and Nachos. The nachos were only Ok. The chips were very oily. The Taco salad was made with what I can only describe as a meat paste (slightly better than Las Margaritas Nine Lives meat paste). The shell was so oily that it sat in a pool of oil in the styrofoam container. And we ate it late night but it is still"giving" today. Don't think I'll be going back. I would only recommend going if you don't plan on having company over the next day. If you get my meaning...
(2)Jason B.
I used to eat here 2-4 times per week when I lived across the street. It was also a stones throw away from the other awesome burrito joint in town, Burrito Bros. I loved them both. When I didn't eat at one, I ate at the other. It was an addiction mixed with convenience. This was 16 years ago. I went back today. Its still the same. It looks the same. It still tastes the same. The salsa tastes exactly the same. The bean and cheese burrito tastes exactly the same. The nachos - the same. The only thing different, is that they have a mural on the side of the building and they fenced in the area where the tables are that are sandwiched by the 70s style double drive thru (nobody ever goes on the passenger side). Its still awesome. Even though Burrito Bros gets most of the fame, this place imo is better and so is the parking.
(5)Raymond L.
The prices are perfect and the food taste fresh and delicious. The soft carne asada steak tacos are my favorite. They also offer orxada (horchada) a delicious rice milk, cinnamon and vanilla drink.
(5)Robin W.
I've been a fan of El Indio for almost 20 years! Plenty of items to choose from, and pretty quick service. It's a good sign when the staff speaks Spanish...it let's you know you are getting more authentic Mexican cooking.
(5)Laurie D.
Every trip to El Indio makes me love it more and more! I would rather go to El Indio than any Mexican restaurant in North Florida. I have learned what to order with my numerous trips to El Indio. My first favorite item is the shredded chicken quesadilla which you can tell has fresh ingredients and is full of flavor. My new favorite is the tempeh quesadilla which has so much flavor that I would always eat vegetarian if it was this good, cheap, and easy. My last favorite item is the queso, it so delicious! Things to remember about El Indio: you will get red sauce even if you don't want it, you will have to pay for tap water, and this is not corporate fast food so things will be slightly different every time you order it.
(5)David W.
I worked at El Indio for 2 years. I am going to tell you exactly how everything is made, exactly what to order, and exactly what to avoid. I'll also explain the day-to-day variation that some people have noted in their meals. Let's start with the variation. This place is mom-and-pop, and the owner (Alvaro) is super relaxed. This means that employees get to eat as much as they want without paying (AWESOME!) and it also means that the hand of the person working middle (food making) determines portion ratios. There is no set standard taught to the employees by management. That's why you might feel like one day you had more beans to meat, and the next day a lot more meat to beans. It is what it is. The beauty of El Indio is that nearly everything is made from scratch. The chef comes in at 7:30am every morning to prepare everything, and it takes about 4 hours. Carne Asada is literally a chest of a cow, trimmed, sliced and diced each morning, and then 1/4lb bags of diced steak are filled and salsa (also home made) is put in with the meat to marinate it. They are then placed in the refrigerator. The salsa, as I said before, is homemade. The hot sauce is also homemade. The refried beans are also homemade in the biggest damn pot in the world (I hated cleaning that sucker). The recipe is pretty simple, and it involves a decent amount of cumin and cilantro. There is surprisingly little oil in the refried beans. The chicken is whole chicken, shredded by hand, and then set to simmer for 2 hours in a homemade sauce. Flavor does vary, because there are usually two morning chefs on staff, and for some reason their take on the chicken sauce varies a lot. The shredded beef is also homemade, and it comes from the same portion used for the carne asada, but it is shredded instead of diced, and it is left to marinate in a different sauce with oil and a little bit of cayenne pepper. The tempeh is locally sourced. The tortillas and tortilla chips are your run of the mill bulk purchase tortillas, so don't expect anything amazing here. Homemade flour tortillas would be great, but with the number of people they serve in a day I think that the effort would be too much for the reward. That's just my opinion. Flour tortillas are nowhere near as easy to make as corn tortillas. The ground beef. Oh the ground beef. Just don't order it, ok? Trust me. Everything else is homemade and good quality. The ground beef is purchased bulk and the state it comes in is essentially a 12"x8"x8" gelatinous cube with meat crumbles inside of it (the gelatinous part is fat). It's then melted in a saucepan and put into the serving tray. Unappealing. Also, be sure to put a buck in the tip jar. Employees don't make much, and a little tip goes a long way, since there are usually only 3 people on shift. I mean 30 bucks over the course of an entire evening (that's an average of 20 cents per order) takes $8/hr and turns it into $10/hr. Just saying. And everyone who works there is a sweetheart. If you see a short round lady with painted eyebrows, her name is Layla. Tell her David said hello. She works at both the 34th street and the 13th street locations and she will light up your day, I'll tell you what.
(4)Elizabeth R.
I really really wanted to like this place, the drive-in is so cool. The food unfortunately is really boring and low quality. The taco shells and tortillas are horrid, their beans are tasteless and their rice tastes like dishwater. They have a nice green salsa though. This is not real Mexican food.
(2)Coleen T.
that phrase describes the food I had at El Indio. "meh, I've experienced better' I got two soft tacos... one chicken, one fish. They were predictable, cheap mexican food. Pretty bland as others have mentioned. On the bright side, employees were nice, service was quick and the food is dirt cheap. I won't count this place out... I want to try a taquito or a chimichanga next time (things are always better when fried).
(2)Scott N.
Good food, low prices, friendly staff, outdoor seating. Love it! No indoor seating means drive through will likely be the method of choice during the "winter" or on rainy days.
(4)Olga L.
El Indio is one of those places you go to when you're starving, not in the mood for anything in particular and don't want to spend a ton of money. You're lazy, it's consistent, and you don't have to wait long. I usually get the chicken or tempeh burrito combo. The tempeh is my favorite, and I can't be picky since they're one of the only cheap places in the neighborhood serving it. Their combos come with rice, beans and a drink and are around $5-6 for a ton of food. As others have said, the food is pretty bland, but you can always ask for sauce and they aren't stingy. They have several good sauces, but my favorite is the green cilantro one. I usually only wait 5-10 minutes for food during lunch hour, which isn't bad considering it's a cut above Taco Bell or McDonald's. Give it a shot next time you're not feeling particularly picky.
(3)Adam W.
Meh. it's ok. food's ok. prices ok. speed is ok. i go to this restaurant mostly because of the location - hardly any competetion in the immediate area for other choices of restaurants.
(3)Nelli P.
Oh, El Indio, my beloved guilty pleasure. El Indio is where you go when you want food that satisfies your craving for "gut-busting-bad-for-you-but-not-nearly-as-bad-as-Âtaco-bell" food. It's tons of beans and rice (and cheese, if you eat cheese). How can you go wrong? (I mean how can you go wrong while you're eating it, not digesting it) Eating at El Indio is like being Goldilocks from "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" First you have to pick what you want to eat. I'm a sucker for refried beans and El Indio's are not oily or gloppy, they're not too whole or too smushy - they're just right. I love their fried taco shell. Because it's a taco shell. Fried. When it comes to finding a place to sit, choose carefully. The tables in front sometimes have an ant problem and the last thing anyone needs is to be covered in red ant bites. So, look around first and pick the right place to sit. El Indio's portions are generous. I typically end up saving half my entree for another meal. On days when I'm feeling famished (or just dumb) I will devour an entire Tempeh Taco Salad, after which, I feel over-due for a nap. So, have a sleeping space prepared. The staff at El Indio has always been super sweet but they don't always speak the best English. So be precise and clear when you order. And if you're ordering vegan, the easiest method is to state your item and say, "Non-Dairy" Example: "May I please have the tempeh taco salad, non dairy?" This is how they always communicate it to one another and I've learned from experience that saying anything different (such as without cheese or vegan) will only lead to confusion and a cheese-filled order. It may also be for this reason I always end up paying a different price for the same item. Sometimes my tempeh taco salad with rice is $7 and sometimes it's $10. I've found the language barrier to be enough of a deterrent from every figuring out why. I do not recommend the guacamole as it's very runny (it's actually shot out of a condiment gun). It's fine in burritos and such, but not enjoyable on its own as a side. Sure, it's a fast food place, but please tip them anyway. I always see people leave the window without leaving a tip and these guys work really hard in a cramped space to make you food - a little gratitude goes a long way. El Indio isn't for everyone. It's a go-to for my friends and me on days we're craving mexican food. But I've known others that wouldn't eat there if their life depended on it. I had an ex who would always say, "I can't believe you eat that." And I would mentally respond, "I can't believe I date you!" To each their own.
(3)Mike W.
I want to like them. A friend worked here back in the day, it's the closest we have to the classic SoCal taco stand--outdoor seating and the whole nine yards--and the location is great. Sometimes the food also is great, but a lot of the time it's so-so. Plus, despite their manta of "Authentic Mexican", it's quite Americanized: no al pastor, no effort towards real tacos but much more towards how California does Mexican. Which really, is just fine: La Tienda has the authentic side of things covered. The problem as I see it is that the tacos--which are what I most often order--are too gooey, too muddled, and the flavors don't come through. Too often, there's a hint of meat taste, too much cheese, and just the faintest bit of the rest of it. I guess bland would be a good way of describing it. Sometimes, as my previous reviews indicate, they get it spot-on and the flavors come together and it's awesome but recently it's not been the case. I hope they've just hit a lull in their stride: they've been here at least two or three decades and they seem sincere about their business and pleasing their customers. I'll go back, and considering the prices, you could do way worse for lunch or dinner in this town. I just don't feel they're four stars anymore.
(3)Kaitlin H.
This is the best, cheapest Mexican food in town!
(4)Jenkitty C.
It will always be one of my favorites. What's not to love?
(5)Angie L.
This place is great. They have good tasty Mexican food that 9/10 times is fresh. We've been eating there for years. The steak burrito is delicious!!
(4)Analia C.
I had the shredded beef and the guac ground beef hard tacos. Both were reasonably priced and tasty. I prefer the shredded beef, I found the ground beef to be too salty. I tasted my boyfriend's carne asada soft taco and it was delicious - too bad it doesn't come in a hard shell. We used the drive thru service; it was fast and our order was accurate.
(3)Chelsea B.
I completely respect low-budget, local burrito joints, but El Indio just doesn't impress me. The food is bland and greasy. I hate when restaurants try and enhance the flavor of their food by adding onions. I love onions, but when they are used in excess for that sole purpose it's so obvious. Also, everything is the same color and texture. I ordered a meal consisting of several different items and I couldn't tell the difference between the different components (beans, burrito, rice). The guacamole was the only thing that prevented me from imagining that I was eating a plate full of brown. I do appreciate the authenticity (although I've had much more authentic Mexican food in both Florida and Kansas, and think the only thing truly authentic about El Indio is the staff), and I'll always choose local over chain dining. El Indio seems to have generated quite the dedicated clientele, as I've heard numerous Gainesville residents rave about the food and service. I haven't eaten El Indio since last semester, but my coworkers ordered it just last week, and both of their orders were completely screwed up. They asked to speak with a manager who acted unconcerned and unapologetic. I've eaten El Indio several times, and I'm sure that before I finish graduate school I'll end up eating there again. Honestly, I think my main issue is that I need to try this place on the way home from a night out.
(2)Stephanie M.
Hands down my favorite fast Mexican place in town. You'll never wait too long or spend too much. Carne asada anything (burrito, taco, quesadilla) is a must. For veggers, the tempeh burritos are amazing and flavorful. Vegans, plenty of options already vegan or ask for anything on the menu to be prepared dairy free. Only get the nachos if you're eating there. They'll be soggy by the time you get home. If you are eating in the outdoor seating area El Indio has to offer, I suggest the wooden benches on the south side of the building. You'll be shaded by umbrellas and tall trees and get a great view of the weird and cool desert themed mural on the wall. Bonus item! Breakfast burritos. Damn, these are good! Add chorizo and get there before 11am!
(5)Nick S.
***BEEF O' BRADY'S NICKLE AND DIME ALERT*** NO REFILLS on drinks Water .30 Sour Cream .89 Salsa .25 Driving down 13th when I spotted El Indio, with screeching tires and a the flip of the steering wheel I was back heading north on the road. A quick turn into the double driveway and I was ready to give EI a try. The outside had a lot of promise; like so many California Mexican joints I had been to before I thought I could see something in El Indio, FAIL! I went to the window and of course my first question was, "Are any of you Mexican?" The response, "no, Columbia." That's not a good start Columbia being on an entirely different continent and all. That's like going to an Indian restaurant and asking if their Indian and them saying yes, Native American Indian. Needless to say my carne asada burrito was half gristle and a whole lot of juice, which gave the burrito a slimy texture , NOT GOOD! Second, the refried beans weren't bad but their color was less than desirable. I can only assume they used black beans to make refried beans. Whaaaaaaat!?!?! Do yourself a favor El Indio, get yourself a Lil Mexican women from Socal and revamp your procedures. I can see right now you are living off your old reputation in Gainesville, but the people are exposed to better Socal Mexican food now. You have to adapt or die! You can tell by the fact that you charge for drink refills and glasses of water your days are numbered. Make the change now or it's all over.
(1)Bryne Y.
Cheap, quick Mexican takeout that's made to order and delicious. The nachos (probably my favorite meal, no matter the time of day) were great, and the portion was actually perfect--not too big, but definitely satisfying. You can either use the drive thru or order from the window up front. The menu is extensive--lots of veg options, including tofu and tempeh--and like I said, lightning quick. I will be back to try something other than nachos someday. Maybe.
(5)Taylor Ann D.
I miss the queso so much. I remember so many Saturday mornings, rolling out of bed and NEEDING the queso from El Indio (and one of their monster drinks). Also, the breakfast burritos are a nice treat on the bike ride to school. It is traditional and greasy, but still my fav authentic Mexican place in Gainesville. Also, you've gotta love the old school drive through, seating area, and friendly staff. TAD
(4)Jim B.
I've tried this place a couple of times - both times I got giant globs of what tasted like canned refried beans and little else. I hate rice and beans in tacos and burritos - they are cheap filler that give me digestive issues. And yep - as anticipated - they did. I shall never understand the appeal of this place. For mexican inspired I shall go to Burrito Bros, and for authentic Mexican I can go to La Tienda. Bleah.
(1)Sammi O.
omnomnomnom Their burritos are so delicious, and they come with a huge rice and beans platter. A large helping of food and a drink only cost about $5. I do not live anywhere near Gainesville, so I cannot tell you if there are better or worse places to get cheap Mexican food in the area. All I can tell you is that I wanted to come back here every night.
(4)Adam N.
This place is like La Tienda (see my review) but to-go. It's fresh, quick and delicious. It tastes like a lot of it is home-made because it is (see the former employee review below). The horchata is refreshing and fun. The tacos are solid. I'm most impressed with the Huevos Rancheros breakfast meal which is large, tasty & never lets me down. I really like how the cooks are right there and will interact with you and share a laugh. This is another great place I'm happy to have in Gainesville.
(4)Tom D.
As soon as I could get checked in and unpacked at my hotel, I walked with distinct purpose and a level of giddiness that is often reserved for little girls at Jonas Brothers concerts. I loved El Indio from the first time I tried it. Totally unassuming double drive through kinda place that just adds to the awesome factor of this little mexican stand. This evening, I got myself a fish taco and a ground beef taco. Fish tacos here are just pieces of fried fish in a soft taco shell, but damn are they tasty. I was thinking of getting the usual, I think it is the #5, one taco and one enchilada, which for next to nothing gives you a drink, beans and rice, and the aforementioned. Always get the extra hot sauce on the side. It is the best salsa I think I have ever had.
(5)Natasha M.
Don't forget that you are paying $3 or less for a pretty big burrito combo. So it's not gonna be fancy experience, but if you are in the mood for quick, cheap mexican food, El Indio is where it's at. I enjoyed my burrito, so maybe you will too.
(3)Kelsey S.
Personally, I will not be returning here. Although their menu is quite large considering that it is a food stand, the food is nothing special. My sister and I went to grab a quick bite and were very glad that we could just grab the food and head home. The service was very quick. We waited for less than five minutes for our food, but when we got home and dug in, our enthusiasm dropped off. We each had a shredded chicken and bean burrito and then split an order of the chips with cheese dip. The tortilla for the burrito was gummy and chewy. The chicken was flavorless. We got the hot sauce on the side because I personally don't really like to be spitting fire while I eat. After trying the burrito without the sauce I knew it needed it. The hot sauce was not hot at all. I added all that they gave us and the burrito was still bland. Now the chips and cheese dip. These are the only reason that I would return. The price seems high for the chips and cheese dip but I went for it anyway. I am glad that I did. The cheese dip was hot and after awhile I was spitting fire. It definetly gave my sister a laugh. I think that I may have missed something here but I will not be returning to find out. This would probably taste better though after a night out drinking. Wait till then to try this place and you will be much happier.
(2)Willie C.
Ok, I'm always looking for "real Mexican food," and El Indio claims that in its name, so I decided to stop by for lunch while running a few errands. I got the carne asada (steak) burrito combo; which is served with rice, beans and a drink. The rice and beans were average in taste. The rice was really bland for how colorful and seasoned it LOOKED. The beans though, were not bad and made in a re fried pasty style. The burrito was the star...in futility. It was an unbalanced, runny, lukewarm mix of ingredients inside of a soggy tortilla. The cheese tasted of what you'd find inside of a Hot Pocket, the meat was chewy, and the salsa just didn't fit for the burrito. I mean...it's edible. But, I really couldn't take the consistency of the food. I don't doubt that by the other positive reviews, this place might have some other dishes worth eating...but this burrito was not one of them; and I will most likely not be coming back to eat here.
(2)Matt H.
Love their taco meat which makes me love their tacos. I feel like it's one of those place that should be on Diners, Driveins, and Dives. Sweet tea is real good also.
(4)Patrick J.
Jim Jarmusch said, "Good. Fast. Cheap. Pick two." El Indio is one of the few things in life that does not conform to that. It is really tasty, lightning quick, and dirt cheap. It is really small, and you have to carry out or eat at a picnic table, but it is worth doing. I haven't had anything I didn't like.
(5)Jared And Daisy T.
If you're looking for a Taco Bell alternative, look no further. If you want something a bit more authentic, keep looking. The food is okay, very veg friendly, and can be pretty quick -- although, hit a busy time and you're looking at a wait as long as the TB wait on University. However, we were disappointed. Hearing for years how fantastic the food was at El Indio left us wondering why after our first meal here. The food was okay and definitely worth the $1 or so per taco, but that's about it. Maybe we set out sights too high.
(3)Il P.
I read reviews from yelp, and ran for lunch just now. The place is smaller than I imagined, and many people were taking drive through. Impressive tempeh burrito, although a bit smaller than I expected. I had a side of chips and guacamole; it was pretty good. Not too oily, not too salty. We sat in front of the store on one of those green chairs with huge umbrella (-__-;;). I would definitely take a to go if it is raining (fortunately, it was sunny)
(4)John S.
Cheap, good basic Mexican food. Tacos are crunchy and full. Tamale well done. Outdoor seating only, but there's a drive through if you want take out.
(3)Cherry J.
El Indio is essentially a taco stand. It is hailed far and wide (or at least across Gainesville city limits) for serving decent, reasonably priced Mexican food. Do not let its peeling yellow paint and neon lighting scare you away. It's actually pretty tasty. There are numerous combo deals on the menu to be taken advantage of. Their lunch combos, which are served all day, range from about three to five dollars and offer a decent amount of food (one main item with a plate of black beans and yellow rice and a drink). No free drink refills: those will cost you thirty cents. The food itself is of pretty good quality. You can tell the ingredients are a little bit more authentic than Taco Bell or something (you may discover a bone in your chicken taco, for example). The salsa is nice and spicy. The taco shells are crunchy. Fillings include tempeh, pulled pork, and shredded beef among other things. Dining options include eating take-out at their outside picnic table area--which has big umbrellas for shade--or simply driving through. During my last visit, a Gainesville Police officer opted to drive through in his patrol car. GPD endorses El Indio, and so do I. Give it a try.
(4)Erin F.
This place was always my last stop on my way out of Gainesville. It took me about two and a half hours, and two carne asada tacos, to get from Gainesville back home. The carne asada tacos are about two dollars, and the burrito is four. It's comprised of steak, well-made guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheese. I can't speak much for their other burritos etc., because I had their enchiladas once, thought they were only decent, and went right back to the carne asada. The cheese dip is also very good, though it's more expensive than most things on their menu (3 dollars? Wha?). It's essentially queso blanco spiked with some chilies. For breakfast they have super yummy breakfast burritos, with chorizo and eggs and cheese. Definitely check this place out. It's cheap and damn good.
(4)Eve P.
We go here all the time. The food is consistently good and well-priced. It's nice to sit outside on a sunny day. I usually get a burrito or quesadilla. And they serve tempeh, too, which is a great option.
(4)K S.
I like burritos and don't like to get out of my car. Hurray for El Indio. Burritos are good, food is cheap, sauce is a must. I also apologize for the countless people on scooters I swerve into trying to eat and drive while avoiding anything dripping on myself. I'm sure it's an inconvenience to be in a hit and run, but I can't risk stains on my t-shirt.
(4)eddie d.
This place has gone downhill. Their classic fish taco (which i used to order 3 at a time) was absolutely horrible today. It seems they have switched frozen fish fillet brands. Today it was just nasty fish sticks instead. Couldn't even finish one. And the last time I was there it tasted and looked like they started cutting their queso dip with velveeta. Not to mention we had found hairs in 2 of the things we had ordered. Spend the extra couple cents and go to La Tienda.
(1)Thurgood S.
I have been a patron of El Indio for many a year, about 15. You order either at the walk-up window or on either side of the drive-thru. There is something about how the flavors meld in their burritos that is distinctive and delicious. They're usually very fast, depending on the line and what you order. The bad things are that if you want to eat there, it's right on 13th St. The prices have gone up a few times over the years, and, unfortunately, the veggie burrito doesn't quite fill me up for dinner. Also, the guac is sub-par, and their cheese isn't all that. I really love their hot sauce - it's usually very spicy, tastes fresh and has cilantro. Did you know that the owners of El Indio helped capture scam artists? The conmen people bamboozled Spanish-speaking people out of thousands of dollars, and the ownder of El Indio had the smarts to check them out, call the cops, and help apprehend the guys in a bust! ¡Felicidades! My favorites: veggie burrito, tempeh burrito, breakfast burrito
(4)Kristen A.
Addictive and delicious!
(5)amanda b.
I miss El Indio. Yes, the burritos in San Francisco are better. But there's nothing like a bag full of cheesy el indio goodness and a giant cup of sweet tea to make you feel like a gator again. They make a decent veggie burrito. Also, apple burrito = heaven.
(4)Scott b.
Messed up my order and then said "the soft shell tacos are extra" I said "okay." then she charged me an additional $2.50...for the food and two tacos is probably should have gotten a refund because it was terrible.
(1)Tu-van L.
For minimalist confort food quality Mexican food run by the indie/emo crowd, this is the place to go. Up to par with Burrito Brothers for quality but they have a larger selection of food. Their chimichangas are large and filling.
(2)Dharbigt M.
Maybe it's a different regional influence, but I've never had a burrito anywhere near as good as those I had in California and Mexico. El Indio is no exception, there. The burritos are good, but not spectacular. The carne asada was oily and the burritos were kind of slim. The woman at the counter didn't know what carnitas was. Tsk.
(3)Kerri O.
TEMPEH BURRITO! I am addicted to these, they come with guacamole and sour cream. I'm not even vegetarian and I love these. This place is cheap and the food is good!
(4)Patrick S.
It's quick, cheap, and usually delicious. I live two blocks from the place and I've been at least 100 times over the course of living in Gainesville. There is only outdoor seating, but the food is consistently good. I would definitely avoid the fish tacos (some triangular giant fishstick) and I highly recommend the apple burrito for dessert.
(4)Glenn M.
I'm from southern california and i've eaten at most of the taco places here in gainesville, and yeah, El Indio is the best. They have a good Carne Asada burrito. and reasonably priced
(4)T J.
I like the tempeh burrito and the staff.
(5)Kathryn C.
El Indio is cheap, good, and it's a nice place to eat outside. It's pretty cool that they have a drive-thru also, and I love their hot sauce! My favorite thing on the menu is the chimichanga, and my sister loves the tempeh burrito.
(4)Mrs. H.
El Indio is good, cheap, and fast Mexican food. And despite its location and appearance, this place is clean as a whistle. Yes, someone diligently wipes everything down in the morning, including the outdoor tables, and employees wear gloves while handling your food. You can get a whole meal for under $5, drink included. The veggie tacos are like that seven layer dip they serve at parties (guac, beans, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, etc), but conveniently shoved into a taco shell for portability. The fish tacos are a little greasy. The salsa is good and you can even get chipotles on the side to dump onto your food.
(4)Jackie S.
i'm an el indio kinda girl. i've never had anything here that i didn't enjoy every moment of eating. very few things are better than sitting in the sunshine, trying to keep your napkins from flying away, eating awesome, cheap mexican food, and watching your tiny friend drink queso directly from a little styrofoam cup after running out of chips.
(4)Joshua N.
There is always a running debate amongst my friends between which is better Burrito Brothers or El Indio and usually El Indio wins because it's cheaper and the beans taste better. Me, I'm squarely in the middle because I love both. There are times that I prefer El Indio for the cheese dip and delicious burritos (add rice) and I think there's room for both in your culinary cruise of Gainesville. My wife will think it's blasphemous but I prefer the free sauce they give you at El Indio to the red sauce at Burrito Brothers. I've been meaning to try their breakfast but have never had the time.
(4)Heather S.
El Indio is comfort food, not as fantastic as La Tienda by any stretch, but it's easy and quick. I am giving them four stars instead of three because I love their huevos rancheros to go. Too bad they only have them available for breakfast.
(4)Grace K. H.
Don't be fooled by the looks of this one-room joint. The food is Mexican but with a definite twist. There's a distinct taste that separates El Indio from normal Mexican fare. The ingredients are fresh and the staff are friendly. The guacamole is a must-have! It's great food for the money.
(4)Anonymous P.
An interesting alternative to Burrito Brothers, and I suspect it has its devotees who prefer it. The food tends to have unusual flavors, but it's always tasty, nutritious, and cheap. The drive through is very cool! Would give 3.5 stars if I could.
(3)Jason S.
The new tempeh burrito is boss. The service is spotty. The guac is solid but unspectacular, and they are sometimes uneven in their guac and sour cream distribution on burritos. But even if everything else on the menu was crap (which it isn't), El Indio would get four stars because of the Baja Fish taco, a deep fried, glorified fish stick with shredded cabbage and spicy sauce (like is found more commonly with sushi) wrapped in a thin flour tortilla. For $2, there's no better deal. Anything with carne asada is chewy, cheap and yet delicious. The location up on 34th Street serves burgers and fries, but they've yet to incorporate sour cream, guac, salsa or red sauce on their burgers. It's up to you to ask for it, and it is definitely worth the trouble asking.
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