We popped in on a Sunday afternoon. It was pretty busy but we were seated right away. The Hostess is a daper older gentleman, cufflinks and all. Well it's Tex Mex. They dump chili on everything. Which would be awesome if I was eating french fries - but I was attempting to eat Mexican food. So asked them to hold the chili. The chips were good - and fresh - nice change of pace from the restaurants round here. The salsa was pretty good and tasted fresh. My love got a beef & bean burrito & chicken taco. They poured cheese w/ a Z on the burrito - different to say the least. I ordered a cheese enchilada (TINY) and a chicken taco. Beware: the cheese enchilada has chunks of onions in it, even though I ordered it w/ no onions - maybe a pre-mix? It had some weird sauce on it, which was not complimentary. The chicken in our tacos was pretty dang good, but the shells - terrible, they were the crappy ones you buy at the grocery store. If they don't want to do them the right way that's fine - but maybe just do them soft taco style - that woulda been tasty. We each had a Giganto Margarita - It. Was. BIG!!! Our server Matt was pretty much awesome. He knows his shiz and is on it - all of it. Definitely an "above & beyond" service attitude. It was refreshing to get great service - it almost made up for the lack of taste.
(2)
Bruce R.
DO NOT BUY A SODA IT COST $2.69 .... Otherwise this place is great. The food is really good but for 2.69 for a soda is a rip off...
(4)
Ryan L.
Above average chips. Great food. We had a top-notch waitress, Maria, who knew we were there for lunch and had to get back to work. She hustled and brought us free refills faster than we could drink 'em. The food was great and the price was below what I would've paid for the atmosphere, food, and service.
(5)
Mike M.
I can't say enough about this place great staff great food and an awesome atmosphere. The top shelf fajita quesadilla (steak or chicken... or any other fajita quesadilla (lobster or shrimp)) is amazing!! I would suggest that as something you'll enjoy. The salsa and pico are some of my favorites and are highly addictive. Not to mention the top shelf guac and queso. If you haven't had the top shelf Margarita you're missing out on what life has to offer. I've heard other people say things like Dos amigos has good salsa(which taste similar to v8 juice to me) I've even heard mention of Fiesta azteca's salsa (and it taste like you're eating an onion.) I guess it's all in what you prefer... but something about the food here keeps me coming back. Top all of it off with the Brownie skillet for desert and I promise you that you'll know exactly what this place has to offer.
(5)
Krissa F.
Thoroughly enjoyed everything. I never knew just how good cheese and onion enchiladas could be, but glad I went for something new. They were amazing. Definitely will go back for seconds.
(5)
Melanie A.
My first visit to El Chico was fine. Service was fast and the food was alright. I ordered the California Quesadilla and we had the queso blanco with chips. Quesadilla was just avocado and cheese wrapped in a tortilla (I asked them to hold the tomato), I could have sworn chicken was listed on the menu but I never did double check and I love avocado enough that I didn't care much. They had 2 for 1 drinks and their house margarita wasn't bad. The salsa did look pretty liquidy but I didn't try it, their quac was average. Unlikely to go back often if at all, there are too many other places to try out.
(3)
Amanda D.
I've been to this restaurant a few times, and it's ok. The decor is pretty cool and it feels like your typical mexican restaurant. The food is pretty good, but average at best. It is a little pricey I think for some of the items (like their $5 guac) but if you're in the mood for a quick mexican meal, I'd say give it a try.
(3)
Natalie O.
Always good. Wish salsa was a little less runny but i like the thinness of the chips and that they aren't all salty. I like them because a lot of there entree options include queso. LOVE. My husband and i always get the chimichanga. i wish they had one of these restaurants in the seattle area.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes 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 : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Sarah H.
We popped in on a Sunday afternoon. It was pretty busy but we were seated right away. The Hostess is a daper older gentleman, cufflinks and all. Well it's Tex Mex. They dump chili on everything. Which would be awesome if I was eating french fries - but I was attempting to eat Mexican food. So asked them to hold the chili. The chips were good - and fresh - nice change of pace from the restaurants round here. The salsa was pretty good and tasted fresh. My love got a beef & bean burrito & chicken taco. They poured cheese w/ a Z on the burrito - different to say the least. I ordered a cheese enchilada (TINY) and a chicken taco. Beware: the cheese enchilada has chunks of onions in it, even though I ordered it w/ no onions - maybe a pre-mix? It had some weird sauce on it, which was not complimentary. The chicken in our tacos was pretty dang good, but the shells - terrible, they were the crappy ones you buy at the grocery store. If they don't want to do them the right way that's fine - but maybe just do them soft taco style - that woulda been tasty. We each had a Giganto Margarita - It. Was. BIG!!! Our server Matt was pretty much awesome. He knows his shiz and is on it - all of it. Definitely an "above & beyond" service attitude. It was refreshing to get great service - it almost made up for the lack of taste.
(2)Bruce R.
DO NOT BUY A SODA IT COST $2.69 .... Otherwise this place is great. The food is really good but for 2.69 for a soda is a rip off...
(4)Ryan L.
Above average chips. Great food. We had a top-notch waitress, Maria, who knew we were there for lunch and had to get back to work. She hustled and brought us free refills faster than we could drink 'em. The food was great and the price was below what I would've paid for the atmosphere, food, and service.
(5)Mike M.
I can't say enough about this place great staff great food and an awesome atmosphere. The top shelf fajita quesadilla (steak or chicken... or any other fajita quesadilla (lobster or shrimp)) is amazing!! I would suggest that as something you'll enjoy. The salsa and pico are some of my favorites and are highly addictive. Not to mention the top shelf guac and queso. If you haven't had the top shelf Margarita you're missing out on what life has to offer. I've heard other people say things like Dos amigos has good salsa(which taste similar to v8 juice to me) I've even heard mention of Fiesta azteca's salsa (and it taste like you're eating an onion.) I guess it's all in what you prefer... but something about the food here keeps me coming back. Top all of it off with the Brownie skillet for desert and I promise you that you'll know exactly what this place has to offer.
(5)Krissa F.
Thoroughly enjoyed everything. I never knew just how good cheese and onion enchiladas could be, but glad I went for something new. They were amazing. Definitely will go back for seconds.
(5)Melanie A.
My first visit to El Chico was fine. Service was fast and the food was alright. I ordered the California Quesadilla and we had the queso blanco with chips. Quesadilla was just avocado and cheese wrapped in a tortilla (I asked them to hold the tomato), I could have sworn chicken was listed on the menu but I never did double check and I love avocado enough that I didn't care much. They had 2 for 1 drinks and their house margarita wasn't bad. The salsa did look pretty liquidy but I didn't try it, their quac was average. Unlikely to go back often if at all, there are too many other places to try out.
(3)Amanda D.
I've been to this restaurant a few times, and it's ok. The decor is pretty cool and it feels like your typical mexican restaurant. The food is pretty good, but average at best. It is a little pricey I think for some of the items (like their $5 guac) but if you're in the mood for a quick mexican meal, I'd say give it a try.
(3)Natalie O.
Always good. Wish salsa was a little less runny but i like the thinness of the chips and that they aren't all salty. I like them because a lot of there entree options include queso. LOVE. My husband and i always get the chimichanga. i wish they had one of these restaurants in the seattle area.
(4)