After a completely awful dining experience at another local "mexican/ tex-mex" restaurant I decided I would shake it off and try another restaurant to ensure I wasn't ruined forever. I sat at the bar on a Saturday afternoon and was delighted to find out it was Happy Hour and frozen margaritas were 2 for 1....and my server was super polite to boot! I'll say it again... I love how nice everyone is here! I don't even normally like margaritas but the oppressive 110 degree heat made me want anything that was frozen in my face immediately. They were quite good and had the right amount of alcohol in them. I opted on the shrimp taco and carnitas taco with beans and asked them to hold the rice. It was the right amount of food, very tasty and overall I was very pleased with my experience.
(3)
Jim W.
Marginal at best. Been here at least once a month at different times of the day and days of the week. They seem to have no problem hiring as there's plenty of staff but that doesn't equate to good service. At the bar, at the table, it makes no difference. Wait times for food and drinks are entirely too long. If you can get past that, the food quality is what would be expected of a marginal tex mex chain. I'd say the best part of my experience was the two for one drink specials. It helped drown the sorrow that is called Mexican food here. Tl;dr..... skip it.
(1)
Joel M.
It hurts me to throw this review down cause I've always loved El Chico's.... some of my fondest childhood memories are eating at the locale on Old Minden Road in Bossier City.... This one is located in West Monroe and honestly it was underwhelming.... the hot sauce (salsa) was too acidic and had none of the spark that I recall of El Chico' hot sauce.... this locale was fairly well maintained but where my mother and I were seated it was dirty and the windows were pretty heavily smudged.... I was excited when I saw Brisket Tacos on their menu and decided I had to try them because of my deep and abiding love for those type tacos.... however 2 words describe the experience, EPIC FAIL!! The brisket was tender but had no flavor and the corn tortillas wrapped around the brisket were wet... initially I thought it was grease but after biting in I realized they must briefly dip the tortillas in the brisket juice.... Not a great idea.... needless to say I was disappointed.... My mother went with the chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce and commented rather quickly that it lacked any flavor or spark....So all in all the experience was extremely underwhelming Needless to say next time I'm in the area this place will not be on my list of dining places under consideration and that hurts but hey we grow through pain or at least that's what my granpappy told me one time....
(2)
Daniel R.
Terrible. And typical. Couldn't even get an order in with about 12 "employees" and only 8 customers at 7pm. Oddly, the waitress kept coming back with different prices for the margaritas? Just told her don't worry about it.
(1)
Enrique M.
There is new managment and ownership at el chicos and he has completely flipped this restaurant. Service is phenomenal and food is impeccable, with a combination of Mexican foods and American flavors this place will now definitley have you wanting more. VISIT, YOU WONT LEAVE DISAPPOINTED! Definite change in the way everything is ran.
(5)
Melanie K.
Service was good. The white queso was really thick and not much flavor. The chicken fajitas were alright. The sweet tea wasn't that good.
(3)
John B.
This is a family favorite. Great flavor for all of their dishes. I like the chipotle sauce and their queso flavors -- a bit unique compared to most other Mexican restaurants. A family favorite because the food is good, management is very accommodating, and it is right next to the movie theater. We also come on random occasions. I recommend this place if you are looking for the best Tex-Mex in Monroe and a great place to go just before a flick @ Tinseltown.
(4)
Mike G.
Not a bad place. Good chips and salsa as well as two for one drink specials. The food is pretty standard fare for a Mexican place and just a bit on the greasy side. Overall, El Chico is okay but it won't blow you away.
(3)
Michael G.
Classic Tex-Mex atmosphere. Slow spinning fans, old lanterns, and exposed brick walls. This place has a nice feel to it and doesn't come across "cheesy" like some ethnic restaurants. The bar is pretty big too. I stopped by for lunch and was very happy with my decision. 2 for 1 drafts and a $5.99 lunch combo that runs from 11am-5pm. That doesn't include the complementary bowl of chips an salsa. End result was a full belly and a $12 tab!
(4)
Stacey W.
I lovvvvvvvve El Chico's. The table-side guacamole, the fajitas, the margaritas.
(5)
Jeffery B.
Disgusting every time. A horrible food chain. They won't get anymore of my money.
(1)
Jack X.
El Chico is an ok Mexican restaurant; however, they do not seem to be as good as they were in the 1990s/early 2000s. I visited the West Monroe location last February, and while I found the decor to be rather nice, the food was on the uninspiring side. It does seem to be the trend that these chain restaurants are increasing their prices but decreasing their quality, which is unfortunate.
(3)
John H.
Quite a varied menu for a Mexican Restuarant. Good, friendly service at the bar and very good food. Very limited selection of beers which was disappointing. Buzztime Trivia and Poker is a plus.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No 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.
Erika B.
After a completely awful dining experience at another local "mexican/ tex-mex" restaurant I decided I would shake it off and try another restaurant to ensure I wasn't ruined forever. I sat at the bar on a Saturday afternoon and was delighted to find out it was Happy Hour and frozen margaritas were 2 for 1....and my server was super polite to boot! I'll say it again... I love how nice everyone is here! I don't even normally like margaritas but the oppressive 110 degree heat made me want anything that was frozen in my face immediately. They were quite good and had the right amount of alcohol in them. I opted on the shrimp taco and carnitas taco with beans and asked them to hold the rice. It was the right amount of food, very tasty and overall I was very pleased with my experience.
(3)Jim W.
Marginal at best. Been here at least once a month at different times of the day and days of the week. They seem to have no problem hiring as there's plenty of staff but that doesn't equate to good service. At the bar, at the table, it makes no difference. Wait times for food and drinks are entirely too long. If you can get past that, the food quality is what would be expected of a marginal tex mex chain. I'd say the best part of my experience was the two for one drink specials. It helped drown the sorrow that is called Mexican food here. Tl;dr..... skip it.
(1)Joel M.
It hurts me to throw this review down cause I've always loved El Chico's.... some of my fondest childhood memories are eating at the locale on Old Minden Road in Bossier City.... This one is located in West Monroe and honestly it was underwhelming.... the hot sauce (salsa) was too acidic and had none of the spark that I recall of El Chico' hot sauce.... this locale was fairly well maintained but where my mother and I were seated it was dirty and the windows were pretty heavily smudged.... I was excited when I saw Brisket Tacos on their menu and decided I had to try them because of my deep and abiding love for those type tacos.... however 2 words describe the experience, EPIC FAIL!! The brisket was tender but had no flavor and the corn tortillas wrapped around the brisket were wet... initially I thought it was grease but after biting in I realized they must briefly dip the tortillas in the brisket juice.... Not a great idea.... needless to say I was disappointed.... My mother went with the chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce and commented rather quickly that it lacked any flavor or spark....So all in all the experience was extremely underwhelming Needless to say next time I'm in the area this place will not be on my list of dining places under consideration and that hurts but hey we grow through pain or at least that's what my granpappy told me one time....
(2)Daniel R.
Terrible. And typical. Couldn't even get an order in with about 12 "employees" and only 8 customers at 7pm. Oddly, the waitress kept coming back with different prices for the margaritas? Just told her don't worry about it.
(1)Enrique M.
There is new managment and ownership at el chicos and he has completely flipped this restaurant. Service is phenomenal and food is impeccable, with a combination of Mexican foods and American flavors this place will now definitley have you wanting more. VISIT, YOU WONT LEAVE DISAPPOINTED! Definite change in the way everything is ran.
(5)Melanie K.
Service was good. The white queso was really thick and not much flavor. The chicken fajitas were alright. The sweet tea wasn't that good.
(3)John B.
This is a family favorite. Great flavor for all of their dishes. I like the chipotle sauce and their queso flavors -- a bit unique compared to most other Mexican restaurants. A family favorite because the food is good, management is very accommodating, and it is right next to the movie theater. We also come on random occasions. I recommend this place if you are looking for the best Tex-Mex in Monroe and a great place to go just before a flick @ Tinseltown.
(4)Mike G.
Not a bad place. Good chips and salsa as well as two for one drink specials. The food is pretty standard fare for a Mexican place and just a bit on the greasy side. Overall, El Chico is okay but it won't blow you away.
(3)Michael G.
Classic Tex-Mex atmosphere. Slow spinning fans, old lanterns, and exposed brick walls. This place has a nice feel to it and doesn't come across "cheesy" like some ethnic restaurants. The bar is pretty big too. I stopped by for lunch and was very happy with my decision. 2 for 1 drafts and a $5.99 lunch combo that runs from 11am-5pm. That doesn't include the complementary bowl of chips an salsa. End result was a full belly and a $12 tab!
(4)Stacey W.
I lovvvvvvvve El Chico's. The table-side guacamole, the fajitas, the margaritas.
(5)Jeffery B.
Disgusting every time. A horrible food chain. They won't get anymore of my money.
(1)Jack X.
El Chico is an ok Mexican restaurant; however, they do not seem to be as good as they were in the 1990s/early 2000s. I visited the West Monroe location last February, and while I found the decor to be rather nice, the food was on the uninspiring side. It does seem to be the trend that these chain restaurants are increasing their prices but decreasing their quality, which is unfortunate.
(3)John H.
Quite a varied menu for a Mexican Restuarant. Good, friendly service at the bar and very good food. Very limited selection of beers which was disappointing. Buzztime Trivia and Poker is a plus.
(4)