I was starving and needed to fit in a quick dinner in Fountain Square, killing time before a special event where liquor/beer was involved...let's just say it was essential to create some sort of stomach food buffer beforehand. It being Monday, the most well-reviewed, quicker Fountain Square options were all closed...but...El Arado (and its 2.5 stars) was open. Surprise surprise, I actually had an "exceeds expectations" experience, even with low expectations going in. I ordered guacamole and the chicken fajita quesadilla, and received the complementary chips & salsa. Everything tasted fresh and decent, and the house salsa tasted homemade (a must). Although nothing stood out as memorable, my meal came out hot and quickly, service was that standard friendly-impersonal, and I had safeguarded myself from the later Girls Pint Out bourbon beer event. I'd definitely visit again, under similar circumstances.
(3)
N H.
I have a love-hate relatonship with El Arado. I love it because if you're in Fountain Square, it is the most inexpensive and available option. La Margarita is overpriced with long waits, the Thai place is pricey and sometimes slow/sometimes busy, and on Sundays most other places are closed (like Mama Irma's). So I love it for being open and fairly tasty, plus yay for alcohol. First off, it is so bogus that unless you get an entree, the chips and salsa cost $2. Like, no, dudes. They always automatically bring chips and salsa to you before you even order so you don't even have a chance to deny it (and when I do they always look surprised). However, the salsa is really tasty. Tacos are standard Mex-Americanized Anglo-friendly tacos. Ground beef with queso. Quite a bit boring compared to the more authentic places nearby, as well as the stylish mexican-ized places. Margaritas are alright. Not terribly strong but not weak either. Service is very quick and you can be in and out within 15 minutes if you like.
(2)
Brittany C.
I've been here twice. The first time was pretty solid. My mom had a groupon so we went for dinner and got some guac and margs then we both had the fajitas. Everything was okay, no real complaints but not the best meal I've ever had. Yesterday I went for lunch for a second time with my friend. We started with some bean dip that was 80% beans and 20% queso. I prefer it to be more equal but the real kicker was the beans taste like a campfire. Gross. We each ordered a glass of sangria and I'm pretty sure it was grape juice. Crazy sweet and the taste was off. My friend tried to order the veggie quesadilla and add steak and they wouldn't allow it at first. After some discussion they said they would do it but it would be an additional $5. That's pretty steep for a little steak! He ended up just getting the steak burrito instead. The burrito came with bacon? This is a Mexican restaurant right? I ordered the fish tacos. The waiter can back about 5 minutes later and said they didn't have fish so I would have to choose something else. So I began to browse again then he came back and said never mind we have fish. Uhhh? Where did this "fish" come from? I was skeptical. The tacos tasted fine but I was wary of my "fish."
(2)
Chris H.
I hate to be so brutal on a review but this place isn't good. I went with the chicken fajita salad, chips, and guacamole. For starters I'm not sure you can even put chicken in the description because there was so little of it. The salad was almost all lettuce and peppers. The portion was small and there was absolutely no taste. The chips and guac didn't go too much better.. The guacamole was the most bland guac I've ever had. It was the equivalent to mashing up a 1/2 of an avocado and selling it as guacamole. I know Indiana isn't going to have the best Mexican food around but this place is no bueno. Go somewhere else!
(1)
Brittany M.
Four stars for the salsa alone! Average Mexican food, but the service is stellar. The super donkey is definitely two meals.
(4)
Dustin R.
Wish I could give this place less than 1 star. Our waitress messed up our order twice, no idea what she's doing. Personally went back up and cleared up what we ordered. They brought out food out a 3rd time and it was STILL COMPLETELY wrong. Then we just asked for the bill and told them the service was just terrible and they actually had the audacity to tell us to just 'get out and never come back'.... Lol. Truly unbelievable. Don't worry I won't be.
(1)
Nic J.
Normal mexican food. Normal prices. Good salsa. Good queso. Pretty good decor. Good service. Not much else to say.
(3)
Zach L.
Much better food than the reviews led us to believe. Nice service and good portion size. Not terribly spicy so ask for hot sauce if you like it spicy. Give it a chance.
(4)
Sarah Nicole B.
Wasn't impressed, gave it 2 chances. Cons: No waiting area When we were sat.... we were just pointed to a table Inconsistent service... one server was good, the other guy was terrible Queso was just okay Guac was also just okay Pros: Reasonable prices Fajita fries! Omg good. We won't be going back because the service is inconsistent, & some of the food choices are just not as good as other places. :/
(2)
Erin Q.
A group of us came to this restaurant, while in Fountain Square. We were craving Mexican, and with Revolucion being closed on Sundays, we decided to wander in. We began the meal with a medley of guac, salsa, and queso... All of which were delicious. The salsa isn't spicy, but the guac and cheese were out of this world. For my entree, I had the quesadilla rellina/ chicken, cheese, and beans. This was very small and didn't come with rice. One of my dining companions ordered the "Super Donkey" burrito, and it was ginormous! I can't imagine eating that much food!! Others ordered the fajita taco salad, the fajita quesadillas (which looked way better than mine), the taco salad, and the enchiladas. All received decent reviews. Long story short, this is a decent place with authentic food.
(3)
Charles R R.
We love to choose from the many restaurants along the Virginia Ave/Ft Square neighborhood. We decided to dine at El Arado tonight and were delighted with our meals. The Margaritas were superb, they do not skimp on the tequila at this restaurant. The restaurant is very casual, almost a neighborhood atmosphere with a mix of young couples and the occasional family. We will dine here again when we want a good Mexican meal and a superb Margarita.
(4)
Sam R.
Typical Mexican food in a cramped space. For those who are even a little claustrophobic, you may feel uncomfortable. However, despite the environment being lackluster, the food was acceptable and service was pleasant (although average). If you're in the mood for a quick plate of tacos, this is a good place to eat.
(3)
Ryan B.
There is one fact I have to share that compels me to write this review: this place does not have tequila. Not a big deal until you realize they have margaritas on their menu. The story: We went here for a meal after a night at another establishment down the street. A few of us wanted one last shot of tequila before we filled up on Mexican food (as an aside, the food here is pretty decent), but they told us they had no tequila. A friend asked them how, then, they made the margaritas they were offering by the pitcher. "We use wine," said the waiter. We laughed. He looked hurt. He was serious. We pushed a little further, and it turns out they mix white wine and bottled margarita mix in a pitcher and call it a margarita. I personally feel this is misleading at best. Especially at the price they sell these drinks at, people should know they aren't actually serving margaritas, but some sort of weird wine-and-sugar cocktail. Like I said in my parenthetical above, the food is fine. Pretty standard Mexican fare in Indianapolis. The horchata is delicious and the Chori Pollo is a great cap to a night of drinking. But unless you want a pitcher of what I can only guess is cheap Chardonnay with bottled margarita mix, avoid the cocktails here.
(2)
Katie F.
There was some live music happening on the square so a friend and I decided to sit outside on the patio. I thought the place should be packed, a nice Friday night, live music, etc... but we sat down at a (dirty, but later cleaned) table with ease. The patio tables are packed in tightly and absolutely no one can move around at all, including the waitstaff. I love cheap Mexican food, trust me. I will spring for strip mall Mexican over the newer gourmet stuff any day. However, while Arado was certainly cheap, the food was bland and just not good. I ordered the guacamole to start and it had zero flavor and was pretty warm. You could tell it was definitely not fresh. I got what amounted to an ice cream scoop of it in a bowl. No bueno! I had hopes for my burrito, simple beef burrito with sour cream and stuff on top. Also bland as could be. On top of everything else, they had a man going around and playing guitar for people on the patio, so we could not even hear the other music by the fountain/there was just a lot of noise. He was nice and all, but it was just really irritating to have someone come by and play music for every table when only about 50% of us probably wanted it.. I dunno, the whole atmosphere was just a bit odd. Next time I'm up in Indy, I think I'll stop somewhere else.
(2)
Cavan M.
This is a good go to for standard Mexican fare and a cheap beer. The arroz con pollo is good, especially if you add the red tomatillo sauce to add some heat! I gave this place 5 stars for three reasons. Number one was our server, he was super friendly, attentive and on time, which is all I ask of a server. The second reason is because of the Super Donkey, that burrito is sooo good, one of my favorites in the city. Finally, I think this place is so much better than the higher praised La Margarita on the other end of the Murphy Building and for that I want to make sure people give this place a shot!
(5)
Brandon B.
This has been the best authentic Mexican food I've had in Founatin Square. Also cheap margaritas and the guys that were helping me and my friend were awesome. I don't know what place the rest of these reviewers went too.
(4)
Alyssa K.
Very tasty food! I got the Chori Pollo (chicken breast w chorizo) smother in queso cheese w rice and beans! Huge portions and a tasty margaritas. A bit chilly for my liking but would go back!
(4)
Chuck L.
Being from Texas, we know Tex-Mex. This place was great... Had the spinach quesadilla and it was great. The spinach was fresh and well prepared, not overcooked, packed with grilled onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a really creamy authentic Mexican cheese. Beans and rice were decent, but between the complimentary chips and salsa and the great quesadilla it was a solid meal. The wife and kids enjoyed their meals as well...which btw they have a very affordable kids menu! Also I cannot go w/o mentioning the genuine feel of the Mexican cafe style. Hand painted murals on walls and the sounds of Latin American soccer in the background. Who could ask for more?
(5)
Kelsee H.
I find that most of my friends don't seem to know about this place when they come into Fountain Square! And I have NO idea why! This is the place to come to when you are looking for your authentic "Mom & Pop Mexican Restaurant." It's a kid-friendly and family run establishment and it's rarely ever swamped. You're almost always guaranteed to be sat right away and some of the booths have a great view of the street for people watching while you eat. I've been here several times, but I jumped on the chance to go this week after I bought a Groupon they had out a while back - $10 for $20 worth of dinner! I've really only ever had their enchiladas (verde is the best), but my friend ordered chimichangas and he was pleased. The meals are large, often enough to take some home for later. Don't miss out on the guacamole or margaritas either - both are delish! Only reason I'm giving it four stars this go around is service. Like I mentioned above, the place is rarely ever super busy, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a server for refills, etc. The past couple of times I've been there, that has been an issue. Other than that, I like the food, atmosphere, and I think the location is great. Prices are very reasonable also. Next time you're in Fountain Square give these guys a try! Or if you're tired of the busy-ness of La Margarita or Revolucion, this place is worth a look!
(4)
Brittany L.
This is one of the only restaurants in Ftn Square that's open on Monday! We rode our bikes from Irvington to eat at Square Rootz...fail. So we went here. Kids will like the decor: sombreros, little tile roofs over the booths, murals. Our booth was adorned with 4 different images of Speedy Gonzalez. We were seated right away and asked for "2 big waters". Our waitress (the only one) quickly returned with 2 giant frosty mugs, chips, and salsa. Chips were fresh & crispy, salsa was good, and we got an order of yummy queso dip too. We both ordered a la carte since we couldn't pedal home with leftovers. I got Pork Tamal with beans. The beans were kind of thin but the flavor was ok...not great but ok. The pork filling in the tamale was really good! Flavorful chunks of I believe pork loin or butt were tender and not fatty. The corn outside had a different taste to it...definitely not as good as some of the other places in town. He ordered a beef hard taco (ground beef, white shredded cheese, shredded lettuce) which was "fine" and a Chile Relleno which was "awesome". The chile is stuffed with seasoned white cheese and then wrapped in a thin blanket of scrambled egg and topped with melted cheese. He exclaimed "This is so good!" while gobbling it up. Our total was $13.04. Not bad. Our waitress was really nice, she refilled our water glasses and checked on us twice after our meals came before bringing the check. She also cleared away the dirty plates and brought our card back quickly. I'm really grateful there's at least ONE restaurant in Ftn Square that's open later and is open 7 days a week. I won't hurry back because there are better Mexican restaurants closer to my house, but I would go back again.
(3)
Will S.
I was in the mood for a humble Mexican lunch and got what I expected. I had the burrito al Arado with ground beef--basically meat in a tortilla topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and a tomato slice. It was fine. Nothing spectacular or particularly flavorful about it. I was glad to see they had good hot sauce to spice things up a bit. The service was fast enough, but not very friendly. The waiter seemed rather annoyed to have to serve a one top outside during lunch. Granted I was the only person dining outside. But why would you not sit there on a nice day? The real upside to the place is that there is outdoor seating in the heart of Fountain Square. It is a great spot for people watching or just looking out at the historic buildings. I will probably go back, but am in no rush.
(3)
J Nathan S.
One of the worst meals ever. A total disappointment. Ordered the special fajitas for 2 (most expensive item on menu) for delivery. Everything that was supposed to be warm was ice cold. The tortillas wrapped in foil were completely dried out and tough. There was no more than one tablespoon of beans. The rice was dried-out and tasteless. All the meat ingredients, onions, and peppers were all mixed together; the shrimp still had the tails on them. The only item that was decent was the lettuce. We are not picky or finicky eaters. Mexican food is not easy to mess up but this food was inedible. We were really looking forward to some good Mexican food but received the most poor excuse for food ever. For $30 the food should at least be lukewarm. We will NEVER order from El Arado again.
(1)
Pamela U.
Food was average at best......margarita was very very weak and pretty positive there was NO alcohol at all in it. Be sure to take a printed copy of your groupon to be sure you can redeem correctly. Best part of the meal was chips and salsa
(2)
DeAnna P.
It's still no bastion of authentic Mexican cuisine by a long shot, but dare I say it? El Arado is now actually passable. A solid three stars. Hurrah!
(3)
Glenn S.
I'd love to be able to review the food at this restaurant, but I can't. With two outside tables empty and available we were told we could not be seated "because the tables are too close together". We weren't given an estimated wait time, just "no we can't serve you". We'll take our business elsewhere, thank you.
(1)
Bethany S.
I dined at this restaurant tonight after visiting the White Rabbit Cabaret. I ordered a burrito with steak, chicken and shrimp. It was $11.99 and came with rice, beans, and pico de gallo. When it arrived, the rice was clumped together in a soggy mess, the refried beans thinly spread across my plate, and the burrito contained meats that were cooked beyond well-done leaving me to chew the food forever. In addition, absolutely nothing was seasoned, except the lettuce with the pico de gallo which was peppered, wilted and horribly spicy for whatever reason and the cheese dip I ordered came in an extremely small dish that looked like a plate. I think there may have been 3 tablespoons that cost over $3. For the both of us to dine it cost over $40, which was $40 thrown away to absolutely horrible food. This restaurant is not one I will ever recommend, and I hope to see that it is closed soon. I will stick to going to Mexico City Grill on Emerson, which is a little bit of a drive, but I never leave there disappointed.
(1)
Luisanna R.
It's your standard not mexican mexican food. The food itself was really good. I have to say the one thing that left a sour taste in my mouth was that there was a sign up for a margarita special. when i ordered my margarita the server brought me something larger and of course cost more. I'm not upset for the upsell I just wish I had known. The pricing of the menu was fair. I would probably go back but be aware to ask for for special that is advertised.
(2)
Erik F.
I recently ate here on a Friday night. The service was quick and friendly and the restaurant is clean, except for a funky smell near the restrooms. More on that later. I ordered the shredded steak Chimichanga dinner and when it arrived it looked good. I was a little disappointed that my order came with guacamole along with tomatos and onions, despite my request to leave them off of the order. Oh well, they were pushed to the side and I started to eat. The refried beans and rice were good and tasty. The Chimi was of a decent size, but the steak was a little over cooked and a little dried out. I got around this by covering it with refried beans or cheese and that helped get everything down. In general my meal was good, but the shredded steak should have been more juicy and not so chewy. My girlfriend ordered the Enchiladas Mexicanas and she was totally satisfied with her selection. I think I might try this dish on another visit. Now, about that smell....While walking to the restroom, I noticed a particulary foul odor near the bathrooms. I was almost afraid to go in, but having a need for the bathroom, I held my nose and went in. To my surprise, the bathroom was completely clean, which always makes me happy and completely odor free. When I left the bathroom, I saw stairs going down into the basement and that is where the odor emanated. Again, is was rather foul and seemed to be chemical in origin. I couldn't smell it from where I was sitting, but I have to wonder if the people sitting closer to the source could smell it? I couldn't have finished my meal if I had to sit near that smell...ugh. All in all, I'm satisified with my first visit to El Arado and I'm willing to give them a second visit...I just hope that smell is gone.
(3)
Emel S.
When I tell people I went here for dinner they make a face which is surprising because we actually enjoyed our meal. Maybe they have new management? I don't really know. Not having been there before and apparently not having mastered how big 12 inches is, we both naively ordered the Donkey Burrito. Think "Burrito Supreme" from Taco Bell. It's a burrito with all the fixings already stuff inside...and it happened to be HUGE!! We easily could have gotten one and split it but why get one when you can get two...right? Plus he wanted verde sauce and I wanted cheese (burritos only get better when slathered with cheese sauce). The verde sauce actually had quite a kick to it so if you don't like spicy, I wouldn't recommend it. I liked it...but he didn't. I ate to the point of discomfort and still had enough burrito for TWO MORE MEALS!! And the other two didn't start with a basketful of chips and salsa. Also, I think we went on a Monday night and happened to end up there because it seemed like it was the only place open in Fountain Square (ok, so we were tired of walking) but it was our lucky day because they had margarita specials!!! I still have lots of restaurants to try out in the Fountain Square area but I wouldn't turn my nose up to this place if asked to go again!
(4)
Nacole S.
This place has great authentic Mexican food, lacking good local beers but their margaritas are good.
(4)
A W.
Not impressed. I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon, mainly because I had my dog and wanted to sit in the sunshine outside on the small patio. It was hard to come by drink refills and the place didn't seem real busy. The server told me he could not bring even a take-out cup of water for my dog because they ran out of take-out containers. What restaurant has no take-out containers? Just down the street and B'Po Boys, they had actual dog dishes, so I thought that was now a "given." But, it wasn't just about the dog. I LOVE mexican food and ordered the chicken mexican sandwich. It said it came with mayo. When I ordered no mayo, the server said - oh, it doesn't come with mayo. No problem. The sandwich arrived as a slimy mess. There might have been 1 tablespoon of guacamole on it. I basically scooped the chicken out and ate it. The chicken was seasoned well and tasty. I did enjoy the complimentary salsa and chips which were very average. The best part was my bill was easily under $10. The worst part was for the next 24 hours I felt like I had a brick in my stomach.
(2)
Bradley H.
Had the Arroz con pollo. Told the waiter that the rice was either under or over cooked. There was no offer to replace my meal or give me any type of percentage off. Horrible service, try la parada.
(1)
Brandon S.
This place has the worst Mexican food I have ever had. I am reminded about once a year when I forget how awful it is and get a carry out order. The salsa taste like they put water in it and is tasteless. I don't even know where to begin on the food so I won't. This place should definitely close especially with all the quality restaurants surrounding it. This place can not be proud of their food.
(1)
Josh R.
A largely forgettable mexican restaurant in fountain square. It's cheap, it's decent, it's a pretty straight forward place to get a burrito. Nothing special here, but it will fill you up on the cheap.
(3)
Jason W.
Upon first entering this little establishment I was not impressed. However once we ordered our food and received it I found a little bit of heaven called "the super donkey." This is not a meal for the small stomached as it is HUGE!!! service can be a little slow at times but so what the food is good and they are reasonably priced.
(4)
Jake M.
Im really torn on this place. I have eaten here and it was spectacular and I have eaten here and it was completely mediocre. Same with the service, sometimes its great, sometimes its terrible. The Steak Nachos when I had them one time they blew my mind, lots of thick cut green peppers and onions and creamy queso, the next time I went back there and had the same thing and it wasnt even half as good, will go back but if its mediocre again ill probably have to find a new Mexican place. Really cant beat the location of this place though.
(3)
Anna D.
El Arado was our go to Mexican experience in Fountain Square (cheaper than La Margarita). We were excited because the menu said "Kids eat free with entree purchase" We were dining on a day that this offer should have been valid. However, when our check arrived, we were charged for the kids meal even though we purchased an entree (fajitas). i asked our server about it and he said we needed to order drinks for this offer to be honored (we had only ordered water). It said this no where in the menu. I pointed it out to him. he said that the owner was printing new menus and that this was his policy. The server told us there was nothing he could do about it. This was terrible customer service, and the fact that the server was willing to do nothing was awful. Never eating here again.
(2)
Gabrielle M.
They charge for chips and salsa if you don't order an entree, even if everyone else at the table does, even when you order an al a carte enchilada and an 8$ house margarita that is "27 oz" that holds less than a can of coke. Given the menu does warn of this, but that's after you are served and have indulged and then read the fine print, questionable. The marg is bad even for being cheapo run of the mill mexi chains. The guac is gritty from frozen blended bits. All entrees are 10$ or so especially burritos. Food wasn't terrible but not good, def not good enough to make up for the rest. Their just a bit shady, I understand having to ward off the mooching bar crowd but this isn't a B city Boardwalk joint designed to rip tourists, which is exactly how I felt, ripped
(1)
Chris M.
I've lived steps away from here for a couple years and finally tried it. This is your typical La Hacienda/El Rodeo/whatever style "authentic" Mexican restaurant. The menu is basically the same at all these places. I assume all the ingredients come from the same supplier and probably come with recipes. Anyway, I dig this stuff and always have. Nothing beats a plate of beef and bean nachos covered in gooey cheese making the bottom chips all soggy. The patio has a good view. The food and drinks are CHEAP. I dig it.
(4)
David F.
Location, Location, Location. That is about all El Arado has going for it. The food is really lacking. It's served up fast, but that doesn't make up for runny beans and bland food. There's not enough hot sauce in the world to pep this food up. I ordered a chimichanga, and really wished I didn't. I mean it's really just a deep- fried burrito, it's not hard to fix. Yet they can't seem to do it correctly. The group I was with were all pretty disappointed with our meals. Yet the place is generally pretty busy. Maybe I jsut tried the wrong dish. Except I don't plan on going back, so, I will never know. And, yes, all the TV's are on Univision all the time, and really loud.
(2)
Kati H.
Happily found the best Mexican in Indy!
(5)
Sarah S.
So, I went back to El Arado on Monday with a group of six people. The staff seemed shocked about our 6 pm arrival, and "sanitized" a large table for us quickly. Yes, the table smelled like dirty sanitized rags, ugh, but, once you got buzzed on...I mean beyond, the smell, your waiter will appear and take your drink orders. We got beers and margaritas. The margarita drinker in the group declared that it "was good." The prices for drinks weren't that bad. ($2.95 for Mexican beers). We all ordered our food, which was brought out at a good time, fresh, and hot. Everyone snarfed - it was good and tasty and all our needs were met attentively by the quiet waiter. All of us were let satisfied, and our specific requests (i.e. "no beans" "light on the cheese") were met by the kitchen staff with no problems. We left with full bellies then went to the Red Garter for a mind-numbing strip club experience. What a way to wrap up a review.. El Arado has gotten a bad wrap - but, the staff is decent, the food wasn't too shabby and the drink prices are cheap. A good place to start out for affordable and filling eats before a night out in Fountain Square (or to strip clubs).
(3)
Bob W.
Ugh. I feel bad. What a great location. But the food. I should have checked Yelp first. Soupy refried beans, dry rice, bone in my shredded chicken. The chips were fine and the complimentary salsa was fine, but not any more than that. Efficient service. Nice atmosphere. But my gut is telling me not to go back anytime soon - there are some major food issues.
(1)
Catherine K.
I've been here a number of times with no issues, but after eating here Friday night, we were both pretty ill. It hit me at the restaurant (awesome) and him later that night. So, yeah, I won't be going back. Also? Minor annoyance but all the TVs were set to Univision. In Spanish. Loud.
(2)
Debra F.
I've eaten here one time for lunch a while ago, it was decent. My husband and I went for dinner the other night again because we had a gift certificate. We'll never go back again. The service and atmosphere are ok, but when our food came out it was all pretty cold. The rice was very cold and our enchiladas were room temp at best. The shredded chicken was dry but the enchilada sauce was pretty good. Also, it was very uncomfortable because there were several strange-looking men in the restaurant who didn't seem to work there, but were friends with employees and were staring at us the entire time. There were also guys who did work there that were lingering around the doorway to the kitchen etc. and we'd look up and they'd be creepily staring at us. Very uncomfortable. We're generally really laid back people, but this was just weird. Location is convenient, but that's about it. We'll never be going back again!
(1)
Jeff B.
Good, cheap, quick Mexican food. This place is great. Very friendly staff and cool location just off the main intersection in Fountain Square. Food isn't anything to write home about, but c'mon, most Mexican restaurants aren't either. Looking for a quick, cheap Mexican lunch? This is your place. Side note: when we went there the other night, they overheard us say it was somebody's birthday a few days previous. So our waitress went into the back and came out with a cinnamon tortilla piled with ice cream and whipped cream. Small gestures like that will keep me coming back.
(4)
Joshua C.
I'll go here in a pinch because it is within walking distance, but there are so many much tastier options. They do make an interesting chile relleno. Take a cheese stuffed pepper and wrap it an omelette. Only place I've ever see do this. Not quite what I was looking for, but kind of tasty.
(2)
A J.
I went to El Arado yesterday with a group of friends. All I can say about the food and service is that is was Horrible. We waited almost an hour for our food to come and when it did some of my friends didn't get theirs. Our waiter never explained or apologize for the inconvience, he seemed to be upset with us like we should be happy to get any food at all even when that food was incorrect. It would be a big mistake to give this restaurant, if you can call it that, any of your money. No one in my party was happy, I have never had an expericence like this in my life. I am surprise they are still in business.
(1)
Sarah K.
Regular neighborhood Mexican joint. Always plenty of seating and the staff truly make the place awesome. Try the queso, it's amazing!
(5)
Derek H.
Tried it twice. Worst mexican food in Indianapolis that I've tried. Steak was tough and tasteless.
(1)
Drew N.
Went on a friday night with sis and father. Both are much more into this type of meals then I am, but was willing to give it a try. WOW, great service, great food and a great price. The place was clean and pretty busy when we got there around 6pm. The food came out hot (temp and flavor) and huge portions. My sis couldn't eat all hers and took it home for a followup meal. Great litle resturant in fountain square area.
(4)
Emily U.
When I lived in Chicago, it was de rigeur to pop into a Mexican joint for a quick, easy burrito fix. So this week when I was sick, I got this incredible craving for your basic veggie burrito--beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, that type of thing. I stop into El Arado, thinking it might scratch my itch. Not so. I ordered a basic burrito with avocado and beans and got a small flour tortilla with beans only. It was covered in a tasteless enchilada sauce and shredded cheese. The put a small dollop of uninspired guacamole and lettuce on the side. This was probably the lamest "burrito" I've ever had. They did, however give me a large bag of chips and salsa, gratis, and the guy who took my order was very nice. I might give them another shot, but I wasn't encouraged by this experience.
(2)
Alison C.
Still sucks
(2)
Tara M.
It's rare that I am served a meal that I literally cannot eat. That happened tonight when we went to El Arado, encouraged by it's relatively late closing time (10:30pm). I ordered two veggie tacos. I was served two corn tortillas each with a dollop of absolutely inedible refried beans, some shredded lettuce, and some shredded cheese. I took one bite but couldn't stomach the taste of the beans. It was that bad. I know I have high standards for tacos (a veggie taco at my favorite place in SF consists of a fresh corn tortilla with a thin layer of melted cheese, Spanish rice, whole pinto beans, a sliced half an avocado, and fresh salsa), but still - a tortilla, a dollop of refried beans that tasted old, a sprinkling of lettuce, and some unmelted shredded cheese? Is that the best you can do? On the other hand, my husband ordered some enchiladas verde and seemed okay with his order.
(2)
Carey D.
We went on a Friday night. Food was good, pretty much what you would expect from any non-chain, not upscale Mexican place in Indy. Complimentary chips & salsa were good. We added queso, which was also good. Fajitas Jalisco (chicken, steak & shrimp) for two as our main entree. Tasted fresh and good. The service isn't very good, but it is in a pretty cool location in Fountain Square, especially if you get a table by the window and enjoy watching the passersby.
(4)
Scott R.
My wife and I ate here on Sunday 9/15 and we are reasonably certain that this was the cause of our food poisoning which made us both sick on Sunday night and all day Monday. We shared the "Super Donkey" (which is indeed huge, as a previous reviewer noted), but I suspect the lettuce may not have been washed properly. The Marion County Health Department cited them for a violation on 9/3/2013, but this was related to ground beef (our meal contained grilled steak). I have filed a complaint with the Health Dept, and will not be returning. Too bad, because they have great outdoor patio in the sunshine at noon.
(1)
Benjamin H.
I want to give this place 3 stars... not because of the food, but just because it's close to home. I'm the type of person that would rather walk or ride my bike to a restaurant and this place is just around the corner. I've been here probably 15 times and the food has really never been great... Every once in a while it will be decent.. They have beer specials and the chips and salsa are definitely edible as well as the queso. It's actually perfect for grabbing a few beers and snacking on chips and salsa... If you're looking for authentic or serviceable kit mexican food, avoid.
(2)
Michael D.
Went on a Monday night at 6:00 pm with a group of six. Not many people in the restaurant, there was one server. We all very much enjoyed the chips and salsa and the cheese dip had a bit of kick at the end which was excellent. Overall, everyone's dish was good. Service was efficient and friendly. Nothing to write home about but a good place to share share stories, drink a bit and laugh merrily. Great location. Also note, the margarita's are giant.
(4)
Ronald B.
Great food. Good price. Nice atmosphere, nothing fancy. Quick service and food.
(4)
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Address :1065 Virginia Ave
Indianapolis, IN, 46203
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : 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.
Sara P.
I was starving and needed to fit in a quick dinner in Fountain Square, killing time before a special event where liquor/beer was involved...let's just say it was essential to create some sort of stomach food buffer beforehand. It being Monday, the most well-reviewed, quicker Fountain Square options were all closed...but...El Arado (and its 2.5 stars) was open. Surprise surprise, I actually had an "exceeds expectations" experience, even with low expectations going in. I ordered guacamole and the chicken fajita quesadilla, and received the complementary chips & salsa. Everything tasted fresh and decent, and the house salsa tasted homemade (a must). Although nothing stood out as memorable, my meal came out hot and quickly, service was that standard friendly-impersonal, and I had safeguarded myself from the later Girls Pint Out bourbon beer event. I'd definitely visit again, under similar circumstances.
(3)N H.
I have a love-hate relatonship with El Arado. I love it because if you're in Fountain Square, it is the most inexpensive and available option. La Margarita is overpriced with long waits, the Thai place is pricey and sometimes slow/sometimes busy, and on Sundays most other places are closed (like Mama Irma's). So I love it for being open and fairly tasty, plus yay for alcohol. First off, it is so bogus that unless you get an entree, the chips and salsa cost $2. Like, no, dudes. They always automatically bring chips and salsa to you before you even order so you don't even have a chance to deny it (and when I do they always look surprised). However, the salsa is really tasty. Tacos are standard Mex-Americanized Anglo-friendly tacos. Ground beef with queso. Quite a bit boring compared to the more authentic places nearby, as well as the stylish mexican-ized places. Margaritas are alright. Not terribly strong but not weak either. Service is very quick and you can be in and out within 15 minutes if you like.
(2)Brittany C.
I've been here twice. The first time was pretty solid. My mom had a groupon so we went for dinner and got some guac and margs then we both had the fajitas. Everything was okay, no real complaints but not the best meal I've ever had. Yesterday I went for lunch for a second time with my friend. We started with some bean dip that was 80% beans and 20% queso. I prefer it to be more equal but the real kicker was the beans taste like a campfire. Gross. We each ordered a glass of sangria and I'm pretty sure it was grape juice. Crazy sweet and the taste was off. My friend tried to order the veggie quesadilla and add steak and they wouldn't allow it at first. After some discussion they said they would do it but it would be an additional $5. That's pretty steep for a little steak! He ended up just getting the steak burrito instead. The burrito came with bacon? This is a Mexican restaurant right? I ordered the fish tacos. The waiter can back about 5 minutes later and said they didn't have fish so I would have to choose something else. So I began to browse again then he came back and said never mind we have fish. Uhhh? Where did this "fish" come from? I was skeptical. The tacos tasted fine but I was wary of my "fish."
(2)Chris H.
I hate to be so brutal on a review but this place isn't good. I went with the chicken fajita salad, chips, and guacamole. For starters I'm not sure you can even put chicken in the description because there was so little of it. The salad was almost all lettuce and peppers. The portion was small and there was absolutely no taste. The chips and guac didn't go too much better.. The guacamole was the most bland guac I've ever had. It was the equivalent to mashing up a 1/2 of an avocado and selling it as guacamole. I know Indiana isn't going to have the best Mexican food around but this place is no bueno. Go somewhere else!
(1)Brittany M.
Four stars for the salsa alone! Average Mexican food, but the service is stellar. The super donkey is definitely two meals.
(4)Dustin R.
Wish I could give this place less than 1 star. Our waitress messed up our order twice, no idea what she's doing. Personally went back up and cleared up what we ordered. They brought out food out a 3rd time and it was STILL COMPLETELY wrong. Then we just asked for the bill and told them the service was just terrible and they actually had the audacity to tell us to just 'get out and never come back'.... Lol. Truly unbelievable. Don't worry I won't be.
(1)Nic J.
Normal mexican food. Normal prices. Good salsa. Good queso. Pretty good decor. Good service. Not much else to say.
(3)Zach L.
Much better food than the reviews led us to believe. Nice service and good portion size. Not terribly spicy so ask for hot sauce if you like it spicy. Give it a chance.
(4)Sarah Nicole B.
Wasn't impressed, gave it 2 chances. Cons: No waiting area When we were sat.... we were just pointed to a table Inconsistent service... one server was good, the other guy was terrible Queso was just okay Guac was also just okay Pros: Reasonable prices Fajita fries! Omg good. We won't be going back because the service is inconsistent, & some of the food choices are just not as good as other places. :/
(2)Erin Q.
A group of us came to this restaurant, while in Fountain Square. We were craving Mexican, and with Revolucion being closed on Sundays, we decided to wander in. We began the meal with a medley of guac, salsa, and queso... All of which were delicious. The salsa isn't spicy, but the guac and cheese were out of this world. For my entree, I had the quesadilla rellina/ chicken, cheese, and beans. This was very small and didn't come with rice. One of my dining companions ordered the "Super Donkey" burrito, and it was ginormous! I can't imagine eating that much food!! Others ordered the fajita taco salad, the fajita quesadillas (which looked way better than mine), the taco salad, and the enchiladas. All received decent reviews. Long story short, this is a decent place with authentic food.
(3)Charles R R.
We love to choose from the many restaurants along the Virginia Ave/Ft Square neighborhood. We decided to dine at El Arado tonight and were delighted with our meals. The Margaritas were superb, they do not skimp on the tequila at this restaurant. The restaurant is very casual, almost a neighborhood atmosphere with a mix of young couples and the occasional family. We will dine here again when we want a good Mexican meal and a superb Margarita.
(4)Sam R.
Typical Mexican food in a cramped space. For those who are even a little claustrophobic, you may feel uncomfortable. However, despite the environment being lackluster, the food was acceptable and service was pleasant (although average). If you're in the mood for a quick plate of tacos, this is a good place to eat.
(3)Ryan B.
There is one fact I have to share that compels me to write this review: this place does not have tequila. Not a big deal until you realize they have margaritas on their menu. The story: We went here for a meal after a night at another establishment down the street. A few of us wanted one last shot of tequila before we filled up on Mexican food (as an aside, the food here is pretty decent), but they told us they had no tequila. A friend asked them how, then, they made the margaritas they were offering by the pitcher. "We use wine," said the waiter. We laughed. He looked hurt. He was serious. We pushed a little further, and it turns out they mix white wine and bottled margarita mix in a pitcher and call it a margarita. I personally feel this is misleading at best. Especially at the price they sell these drinks at, people should know they aren't actually serving margaritas, but some sort of weird wine-and-sugar cocktail. Like I said in my parenthetical above, the food is fine. Pretty standard Mexican fare in Indianapolis. The horchata is delicious and the Chori Pollo is a great cap to a night of drinking. But unless you want a pitcher of what I can only guess is cheap Chardonnay with bottled margarita mix, avoid the cocktails here.
(2)Katie F.
There was some live music happening on the square so a friend and I decided to sit outside on the patio. I thought the place should be packed, a nice Friday night, live music, etc... but we sat down at a (dirty, but later cleaned) table with ease. The patio tables are packed in tightly and absolutely no one can move around at all, including the waitstaff. I love cheap Mexican food, trust me. I will spring for strip mall Mexican over the newer gourmet stuff any day. However, while Arado was certainly cheap, the food was bland and just not good. I ordered the guacamole to start and it had zero flavor and was pretty warm. You could tell it was definitely not fresh. I got what amounted to an ice cream scoop of it in a bowl. No bueno! I had hopes for my burrito, simple beef burrito with sour cream and stuff on top. Also bland as could be. On top of everything else, they had a man going around and playing guitar for people on the patio, so we could not even hear the other music by the fountain/there was just a lot of noise. He was nice and all, but it was just really irritating to have someone come by and play music for every table when only about 50% of us probably wanted it.. I dunno, the whole atmosphere was just a bit odd. Next time I'm up in Indy, I think I'll stop somewhere else.
(2)Cavan M.
This is a good go to for standard Mexican fare and a cheap beer. The arroz con pollo is good, especially if you add the red tomatillo sauce to add some heat! I gave this place 5 stars for three reasons. Number one was our server, he was super friendly, attentive and on time, which is all I ask of a server. The second reason is because of the Super Donkey, that burrito is sooo good, one of my favorites in the city. Finally, I think this place is so much better than the higher praised La Margarita on the other end of the Murphy Building and for that I want to make sure people give this place a shot!
(5)Brandon B.
This has been the best authentic Mexican food I've had in Founatin Square. Also cheap margaritas and the guys that were helping me and my friend were awesome. I don't know what place the rest of these reviewers went too.
(4)Alyssa K.
Very tasty food! I got the Chori Pollo (chicken breast w chorizo) smother in queso cheese w rice and beans! Huge portions and a tasty margaritas. A bit chilly for my liking but would go back!
(4)Chuck L.
Being from Texas, we know Tex-Mex. This place was great... Had the spinach quesadilla and it was great. The spinach was fresh and well prepared, not overcooked, packed with grilled onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and a really creamy authentic Mexican cheese. Beans and rice were decent, but between the complimentary chips and salsa and the great quesadilla it was a solid meal. The wife and kids enjoyed their meals as well...which btw they have a very affordable kids menu! Also I cannot go w/o mentioning the genuine feel of the Mexican cafe style. Hand painted murals on walls and the sounds of Latin American soccer in the background. Who could ask for more?
(5)Kelsee H.
I find that most of my friends don't seem to know about this place when they come into Fountain Square! And I have NO idea why! This is the place to come to when you are looking for your authentic "Mom & Pop Mexican Restaurant." It's a kid-friendly and family run establishment and it's rarely ever swamped. You're almost always guaranteed to be sat right away and some of the booths have a great view of the street for people watching while you eat. I've been here several times, but I jumped on the chance to go this week after I bought a Groupon they had out a while back - $10 for $20 worth of dinner! I've really only ever had their enchiladas (verde is the best), but my friend ordered chimichangas and he was pleased. The meals are large, often enough to take some home for later. Don't miss out on the guacamole or margaritas either - both are delish! Only reason I'm giving it four stars this go around is service. Like I mentioned above, the place is rarely ever super busy, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a server for refills, etc. The past couple of times I've been there, that has been an issue. Other than that, I like the food, atmosphere, and I think the location is great. Prices are very reasonable also. Next time you're in Fountain Square give these guys a try! Or if you're tired of the busy-ness of La Margarita or Revolucion, this place is worth a look!
(4)Brittany L.
This is one of the only restaurants in Ftn Square that's open on Monday! We rode our bikes from Irvington to eat at Square Rootz...fail. So we went here. Kids will like the decor: sombreros, little tile roofs over the booths, murals. Our booth was adorned with 4 different images of Speedy Gonzalez. We were seated right away and asked for "2 big waters". Our waitress (the only one) quickly returned with 2 giant frosty mugs, chips, and salsa. Chips were fresh & crispy, salsa was good, and we got an order of yummy queso dip too. We both ordered a la carte since we couldn't pedal home with leftovers. I got Pork Tamal with beans. The beans were kind of thin but the flavor was ok...not great but ok. The pork filling in the tamale was really good! Flavorful chunks of I believe pork loin or butt were tender and not fatty. The corn outside had a different taste to it...definitely not as good as some of the other places in town. He ordered a beef hard taco (ground beef, white shredded cheese, shredded lettuce) which was "fine" and a Chile Relleno which was "awesome". The chile is stuffed with seasoned white cheese and then wrapped in a thin blanket of scrambled egg and topped with melted cheese. He exclaimed "This is so good!" while gobbling it up. Our total was $13.04. Not bad. Our waitress was really nice, she refilled our water glasses and checked on us twice after our meals came before bringing the check. She also cleared away the dirty plates and brought our card back quickly. I'm really grateful there's at least ONE restaurant in Ftn Square that's open later and is open 7 days a week. I won't hurry back because there are better Mexican restaurants closer to my house, but I would go back again.
(3)Will S.
I was in the mood for a humble Mexican lunch and got what I expected. I had the burrito al Arado with ground beef--basically meat in a tortilla topped with lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and a tomato slice. It was fine. Nothing spectacular or particularly flavorful about it. I was glad to see they had good hot sauce to spice things up a bit. The service was fast enough, but not very friendly. The waiter seemed rather annoyed to have to serve a one top outside during lunch. Granted I was the only person dining outside. But why would you not sit there on a nice day? The real upside to the place is that there is outdoor seating in the heart of Fountain Square. It is a great spot for people watching or just looking out at the historic buildings. I will probably go back, but am in no rush.
(3)J Nathan S.
One of the worst meals ever. A total disappointment. Ordered the special fajitas for 2 (most expensive item on menu) for delivery. Everything that was supposed to be warm was ice cold. The tortillas wrapped in foil were completely dried out and tough. There was no more than one tablespoon of beans. The rice was dried-out and tasteless. All the meat ingredients, onions, and peppers were all mixed together; the shrimp still had the tails on them. The only item that was decent was the lettuce. We are not picky or finicky eaters. Mexican food is not easy to mess up but this food was inedible. We were really looking forward to some good Mexican food but received the most poor excuse for food ever. For $30 the food should at least be lukewarm. We will NEVER order from El Arado again.
(1)Pamela U.
Food was average at best......margarita was very very weak and pretty positive there was NO alcohol at all in it. Be sure to take a printed copy of your groupon to be sure you can redeem correctly. Best part of the meal was chips and salsa
(2)DeAnna P.
It's still no bastion of authentic Mexican cuisine by a long shot, but dare I say it? El Arado is now actually passable. A solid three stars. Hurrah!
(3)Glenn S.
I'd love to be able to review the food at this restaurant, but I can't. With two outside tables empty and available we were told we could not be seated "because the tables are too close together". We weren't given an estimated wait time, just "no we can't serve you". We'll take our business elsewhere, thank you.
(1)Bethany S.
I dined at this restaurant tonight after visiting the White Rabbit Cabaret. I ordered a burrito with steak, chicken and shrimp. It was $11.99 and came with rice, beans, and pico de gallo. When it arrived, the rice was clumped together in a soggy mess, the refried beans thinly spread across my plate, and the burrito contained meats that were cooked beyond well-done leaving me to chew the food forever. In addition, absolutely nothing was seasoned, except the lettuce with the pico de gallo which was peppered, wilted and horribly spicy for whatever reason and the cheese dip I ordered came in an extremely small dish that looked like a plate. I think there may have been 3 tablespoons that cost over $3. For the both of us to dine it cost over $40, which was $40 thrown away to absolutely horrible food. This restaurant is not one I will ever recommend, and I hope to see that it is closed soon. I will stick to going to Mexico City Grill on Emerson, which is a little bit of a drive, but I never leave there disappointed.
(1)Luisanna R.
It's your standard not mexican mexican food. The food itself was really good. I have to say the one thing that left a sour taste in my mouth was that there was a sign up for a margarita special. when i ordered my margarita the server brought me something larger and of course cost more. I'm not upset for the upsell I just wish I had known. The pricing of the menu was fair. I would probably go back but be aware to ask for for special that is advertised.
(2)Erik F.
I recently ate here on a Friday night. The service was quick and friendly and the restaurant is clean, except for a funky smell near the restrooms. More on that later. I ordered the shredded steak Chimichanga dinner and when it arrived it looked good. I was a little disappointed that my order came with guacamole along with tomatos and onions, despite my request to leave them off of the order. Oh well, they were pushed to the side and I started to eat. The refried beans and rice were good and tasty. The Chimi was of a decent size, but the steak was a little over cooked and a little dried out. I got around this by covering it with refried beans or cheese and that helped get everything down. In general my meal was good, but the shredded steak should have been more juicy and not so chewy. My girlfriend ordered the Enchiladas Mexicanas and she was totally satisfied with her selection. I think I might try this dish on another visit. Now, about that smell....While walking to the restroom, I noticed a particulary foul odor near the bathrooms. I was almost afraid to go in, but having a need for the bathroom, I held my nose and went in. To my surprise, the bathroom was completely clean, which always makes me happy and completely odor free. When I left the bathroom, I saw stairs going down into the basement and that is where the odor emanated. Again, is was rather foul and seemed to be chemical in origin. I couldn't smell it from where I was sitting, but I have to wonder if the people sitting closer to the source could smell it? I couldn't have finished my meal if I had to sit near that smell...ugh. All in all, I'm satisified with my first visit to El Arado and I'm willing to give them a second visit...I just hope that smell is gone.
(3)Emel S.
When I tell people I went here for dinner they make a face which is surprising because we actually enjoyed our meal. Maybe they have new management? I don't really know. Not having been there before and apparently not having mastered how big 12 inches is, we both naively ordered the Donkey Burrito. Think "Burrito Supreme" from Taco Bell. It's a burrito with all the fixings already stuff inside...and it happened to be HUGE!! We easily could have gotten one and split it but why get one when you can get two...right? Plus he wanted verde sauce and I wanted cheese (burritos only get better when slathered with cheese sauce). The verde sauce actually had quite a kick to it so if you don't like spicy, I wouldn't recommend it. I liked it...but he didn't. I ate to the point of discomfort and still had enough burrito for TWO MORE MEALS!! And the other two didn't start with a basketful of chips and salsa. Also, I think we went on a Monday night and happened to end up there because it seemed like it was the only place open in Fountain Square (ok, so we were tired of walking) but it was our lucky day because they had margarita specials!!! I still have lots of restaurants to try out in the Fountain Square area but I wouldn't turn my nose up to this place if asked to go again!
(4)Nacole S.
This place has great authentic Mexican food, lacking good local beers but their margaritas are good.
(4)A W.
Not impressed. I stopped in on a Sunday afternoon, mainly because I had my dog and wanted to sit in the sunshine outside on the small patio. It was hard to come by drink refills and the place didn't seem real busy. The server told me he could not bring even a take-out cup of water for my dog because they ran out of take-out containers. What restaurant has no take-out containers? Just down the street and B'Po Boys, they had actual dog dishes, so I thought that was now a "given." But, it wasn't just about the dog. I LOVE mexican food and ordered the chicken mexican sandwich. It said it came with mayo. When I ordered no mayo, the server said - oh, it doesn't come with mayo. No problem. The sandwich arrived as a slimy mess. There might have been 1 tablespoon of guacamole on it. I basically scooped the chicken out and ate it. The chicken was seasoned well and tasty. I did enjoy the complimentary salsa and chips which were very average. The best part was my bill was easily under $10. The worst part was for the next 24 hours I felt like I had a brick in my stomach.
(2)Bradley H.
Had the Arroz con pollo. Told the waiter that the rice was either under or over cooked. There was no offer to replace my meal or give me any type of percentage off. Horrible service, try la parada.
(1)Brandon S.
This place has the worst Mexican food I have ever had. I am reminded about once a year when I forget how awful it is and get a carry out order. The salsa taste like they put water in it and is tasteless. I don't even know where to begin on the food so I won't. This place should definitely close especially with all the quality restaurants surrounding it. This place can not be proud of their food.
(1)Josh R.
A largely forgettable mexican restaurant in fountain square. It's cheap, it's decent, it's a pretty straight forward place to get a burrito. Nothing special here, but it will fill you up on the cheap.
(3)Jason W.
Upon first entering this little establishment I was not impressed. However once we ordered our food and received it I found a little bit of heaven called "the super donkey." This is not a meal for the small stomached as it is HUGE!!! service can be a little slow at times but so what the food is good and they are reasonably priced.
(4)Jake M.
Im really torn on this place. I have eaten here and it was spectacular and I have eaten here and it was completely mediocre. Same with the service, sometimes its great, sometimes its terrible. The Steak Nachos when I had them one time they blew my mind, lots of thick cut green peppers and onions and creamy queso, the next time I went back there and had the same thing and it wasnt even half as good, will go back but if its mediocre again ill probably have to find a new Mexican place. Really cant beat the location of this place though.
(3)Anna D.
El Arado was our go to Mexican experience in Fountain Square (cheaper than La Margarita). We were excited because the menu said "Kids eat free with entree purchase" We were dining on a day that this offer should have been valid. However, when our check arrived, we were charged for the kids meal even though we purchased an entree (fajitas). i asked our server about it and he said we needed to order drinks for this offer to be honored (we had only ordered water). It said this no where in the menu. I pointed it out to him. he said that the owner was printing new menus and that this was his policy. The server told us there was nothing he could do about it. This was terrible customer service, and the fact that the server was willing to do nothing was awful. Never eating here again.
(2)Gabrielle M.
They charge for chips and salsa if you don't order an entree, even if everyone else at the table does, even when you order an al a carte enchilada and an 8$ house margarita that is "27 oz" that holds less than a can of coke. Given the menu does warn of this, but that's after you are served and have indulged and then read the fine print, questionable. The marg is bad even for being cheapo run of the mill mexi chains. The guac is gritty from frozen blended bits. All entrees are 10$ or so especially burritos. Food wasn't terrible but not good, def not good enough to make up for the rest. Their just a bit shady, I understand having to ward off the mooching bar crowd but this isn't a B city Boardwalk joint designed to rip tourists, which is exactly how I felt, ripped
(1)Chris M.
I've lived steps away from here for a couple years and finally tried it. This is your typical La Hacienda/El Rodeo/whatever style "authentic" Mexican restaurant. The menu is basically the same at all these places. I assume all the ingredients come from the same supplier and probably come with recipes. Anyway, I dig this stuff and always have. Nothing beats a plate of beef and bean nachos covered in gooey cheese making the bottom chips all soggy. The patio has a good view. The food and drinks are CHEAP. I dig it.
(4)David F.
Location, Location, Location. That is about all El Arado has going for it. The food is really lacking. It's served up fast, but that doesn't make up for runny beans and bland food. There's not enough hot sauce in the world to pep this food up. I ordered a chimichanga, and really wished I didn't. I mean it's really just a deep- fried burrito, it's not hard to fix. Yet they can't seem to do it correctly. The group I was with were all pretty disappointed with our meals. Yet the place is generally pretty busy. Maybe I jsut tried the wrong dish. Except I don't plan on going back, so, I will never know. And, yes, all the TV's are on Univision all the time, and really loud.
(2)Kati H.
Happily found the best Mexican in Indy!
(5)Sarah S.
So, I went back to El Arado on Monday with a group of six people. The staff seemed shocked about our 6 pm arrival, and "sanitized" a large table for us quickly. Yes, the table smelled like dirty sanitized rags, ugh, but, once you got buzzed on...I mean beyond, the smell, your waiter will appear and take your drink orders. We got beers and margaritas. The margarita drinker in the group declared that it "was good." The prices for drinks weren't that bad. ($2.95 for Mexican beers). We all ordered our food, which was brought out at a good time, fresh, and hot. Everyone snarfed - it was good and tasty and all our needs were met attentively by the quiet waiter. All of us were let satisfied, and our specific requests (i.e. "no beans" "light on the cheese") were met by the kitchen staff with no problems. We left with full bellies then went to the Red Garter for a mind-numbing strip club experience. What a way to wrap up a review.. El Arado has gotten a bad wrap - but, the staff is decent, the food wasn't too shabby and the drink prices are cheap. A good place to start out for affordable and filling eats before a night out in Fountain Square (or to strip clubs).
(3)Bob W.
Ugh. I feel bad. What a great location. But the food. I should have checked Yelp first. Soupy refried beans, dry rice, bone in my shredded chicken. The chips were fine and the complimentary salsa was fine, but not any more than that. Efficient service. Nice atmosphere. But my gut is telling me not to go back anytime soon - there are some major food issues.
(1)Catherine K.
I've been here a number of times with no issues, but after eating here Friday night, we were both pretty ill. It hit me at the restaurant (awesome) and him later that night. So, yeah, I won't be going back. Also? Minor annoyance but all the TVs were set to Univision. In Spanish. Loud.
(2)Debra F.
I've eaten here one time for lunch a while ago, it was decent. My husband and I went for dinner the other night again because we had a gift certificate. We'll never go back again. The service and atmosphere are ok, but when our food came out it was all pretty cold. The rice was very cold and our enchiladas were room temp at best. The shredded chicken was dry but the enchilada sauce was pretty good. Also, it was very uncomfortable because there were several strange-looking men in the restaurant who didn't seem to work there, but were friends with employees and were staring at us the entire time. There were also guys who did work there that were lingering around the doorway to the kitchen etc. and we'd look up and they'd be creepily staring at us. Very uncomfortable. We're generally really laid back people, but this was just weird. Location is convenient, but that's about it. We'll never be going back again!
(1)Jeff B.
Good, cheap, quick Mexican food. This place is great. Very friendly staff and cool location just off the main intersection in Fountain Square. Food isn't anything to write home about, but c'mon, most Mexican restaurants aren't either. Looking for a quick, cheap Mexican lunch? This is your place. Side note: when we went there the other night, they overheard us say it was somebody's birthday a few days previous. So our waitress went into the back and came out with a cinnamon tortilla piled with ice cream and whipped cream. Small gestures like that will keep me coming back.
(4)Joshua C.
I'll go here in a pinch because it is within walking distance, but there are so many much tastier options. They do make an interesting chile relleno. Take a cheese stuffed pepper and wrap it an omelette. Only place I've ever see do this. Not quite what I was looking for, but kind of tasty.
(2)A J.
I went to El Arado yesterday with a group of friends. All I can say about the food and service is that is was Horrible. We waited almost an hour for our food to come and when it did some of my friends didn't get theirs. Our waiter never explained or apologize for the inconvience, he seemed to be upset with us like we should be happy to get any food at all even when that food was incorrect. It would be a big mistake to give this restaurant, if you can call it that, any of your money. No one in my party was happy, I have never had an expericence like this in my life. I am surprise they are still in business.
(1)Sarah K.
Regular neighborhood Mexican joint. Always plenty of seating and the staff truly make the place awesome. Try the queso, it's amazing!
(5)Derek H.
Tried it twice. Worst mexican food in Indianapolis that I've tried. Steak was tough and tasteless.
(1)Drew N.
Went on a friday night with sis and father. Both are much more into this type of meals then I am, but was willing to give it a try. WOW, great service, great food and a great price. The place was clean and pretty busy when we got there around 6pm. The food came out hot (temp and flavor) and huge portions. My sis couldn't eat all hers and took it home for a followup meal. Great litle resturant in fountain square area.
(4)Emily U.
When I lived in Chicago, it was de rigeur to pop into a Mexican joint for a quick, easy burrito fix. So this week when I was sick, I got this incredible craving for your basic veggie burrito--beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, avocado, that type of thing. I stop into El Arado, thinking it might scratch my itch. Not so. I ordered a basic burrito with avocado and beans and got a small flour tortilla with beans only. It was covered in a tasteless enchilada sauce and shredded cheese. The put a small dollop of uninspired guacamole and lettuce on the side. This was probably the lamest "burrito" I've ever had. They did, however give me a large bag of chips and salsa, gratis, and the guy who took my order was very nice. I might give them another shot, but I wasn't encouraged by this experience.
(2)Alison C.
Still sucks
(2)Tara M.
It's rare that I am served a meal that I literally cannot eat. That happened tonight when we went to El Arado, encouraged by it's relatively late closing time (10:30pm). I ordered two veggie tacos. I was served two corn tortillas each with a dollop of absolutely inedible refried beans, some shredded lettuce, and some shredded cheese. I took one bite but couldn't stomach the taste of the beans. It was that bad. I know I have high standards for tacos (a veggie taco at my favorite place in SF consists of a fresh corn tortilla with a thin layer of melted cheese, Spanish rice, whole pinto beans, a sliced half an avocado, and fresh salsa), but still - a tortilla, a dollop of refried beans that tasted old, a sprinkling of lettuce, and some unmelted shredded cheese? Is that the best you can do? On the other hand, my husband ordered some enchiladas verde and seemed okay with his order.
(2)Carey D.
We went on a Friday night. Food was good, pretty much what you would expect from any non-chain, not upscale Mexican place in Indy. Complimentary chips & salsa were good. We added queso, which was also good. Fajitas Jalisco (chicken, steak & shrimp) for two as our main entree. Tasted fresh and good. The service isn't very good, but it is in a pretty cool location in Fountain Square, especially if you get a table by the window and enjoy watching the passersby.
(4)Scott R.
My wife and I ate here on Sunday 9/15 and we are reasonably certain that this was the cause of our food poisoning which made us both sick on Sunday night and all day Monday. We shared the "Super Donkey" (which is indeed huge, as a previous reviewer noted), but I suspect the lettuce may not have been washed properly. The Marion County Health Department cited them for a violation on 9/3/2013, but this was related to ground beef (our meal contained grilled steak). I have filed a complaint with the Health Dept, and will not be returning. Too bad, because they have great outdoor patio in the sunshine at noon.
(1)Benjamin H.
I want to give this place 3 stars... not because of the food, but just because it's close to home. I'm the type of person that would rather walk or ride my bike to a restaurant and this place is just around the corner. I've been here probably 15 times and the food has really never been great... Every once in a while it will be decent.. They have beer specials and the chips and salsa are definitely edible as well as the queso. It's actually perfect for grabbing a few beers and snacking on chips and salsa... If you're looking for authentic or serviceable kit mexican food, avoid.
(2)Michael D.
Went on a Monday night at 6:00 pm with a group of six. Not many people in the restaurant, there was one server. We all very much enjoyed the chips and salsa and the cheese dip had a bit of kick at the end which was excellent. Overall, everyone's dish was good. Service was efficient and friendly. Nothing to write home about but a good place to share share stories, drink a bit and laugh merrily. Great location. Also note, the margarita's are giant.
(4)Ronald B.
Great food. Good price. Nice atmosphere, nothing fancy. Quick service and food.
(4)