Food is a average. Service is incredibly slow. Lot better choices for tasty food with much better service next door for Greek or Thai
(2)
Whitney R.
Awesome authentic food! My family and I love going here for the happy atmosphere and the mouth watering food. The service is always very friendly and happy to serve and chat with you. This is our go to tex-me place of choice!
(5)
Susan B.
Love, Love, Love this place. We go at least twice a month and some times once a week! The food is excellent...the service is awesome and we can't get enough. My young daughters love the food too!
(5)
Kevin S.
Solid TexMex food, not as authentic as I would have expected. If you want a quick, tasty, local bite, Ay Jalisco will do the trick... but that's about as far as it goes. It is fairly average "Mexican" fare.
(3)
Solace C.
So I was flying down Snouffer School Road with my hungry crew, in my Jeep. And was craving Spanish food. I mean real good Spanish food!! So thought I was like hmmm why not... I go in and the waiter was like Hola mami and had a big cheese grin as if he was a Cheshire cat. I see that they have pupusas and of course fajitas. Im in love! So I order cheese pupusa for my beasties and fajitas for moi. The food is out of this world. The pupusa sauce is soooooooo yummy that I almost drank it by its self. The service is on point. The salsa that goes with the chips are good. Everything is delicious! I could have licked my plated. The have bands during the weekend..It does get loud.. But when your here you can say your family!!!
(5)
TJ B.
Went here for the first and was pleasantly surprised by great food, a clean restaurant, friendly service and a huge menu! I have been driving by this place for YEARs and have never had the urge to stop in. It just looks like it'd be the typical dated run-down Gaithersburg restaurant that you see all over "airpark." But it isn't. It is a well maintained place with nice patio seating and a huge menu with steak, seafood, chicken, soups and deserts. White tablecloths with white parchment paper that is changed with each customer. I had the Carne Asada (they called it Carne a La Parrilla) which was served fajita style with a sizzling pan and condiments, but it was not sliced as you'd expect to find Carne Asada. It was a very tender delicious piece of meat. The food at the other tables all looked pretty good. It was your typical Mexican fare but the portions of everything seemed large and I didn't hear anyone complaining. The chips they bring out are fresh, the salsa is good, and the SPICY salsa (ask for it) is excellent. I'll definitely come back and I won't be afraid to bring the family! (NOTE, I used to have this review posted on the 355 location and didn't realize the mistake. So I moved it here. I have no idea if the 355 location is any good or even if it is the same owners)
(4)
Est D.
This is AUTHENTIC Tex-Mex! Best local non-chain in the area! The food is always flavorful. I enjoy every bite. I like all the food, but the taquitos, chicken ensebollado and tamals is my go to. I have taken friends, family, co-workers here throughout the years they go without me and/or bring their friends/family. What makes this restuarant a bit different than the others? I have always seen the owner (Juan) here and he always greets you with a smile. He will work the room, come to every table and introduce himself as well as ask hows your food, anything he can get you? and he thanks you for coming. In addition, you will see him taking orders and serving food to his patrons. Well lets get to the good stuff... Price: Affordable Food: Authentic and absolutely delicious Menu: Variety from salads, soups, fish, chicken, beef, desserts (yum). Service: Attentive and Quick Staff: Friendly and helpful Atmosphere: warm colors, latin decor, TVs, full bar Seating: Outside patio and inside booths and table with chairs. Happy Eats!
(5)
Greg O.
A little hidden gem in the corner of a strip mall. We started with the chicken nachos, which was huge serving, almost enough for a meal for both of us. I then went with the Steak Salvadoreño for my entree. A large cut of sirlion steak topped with a tasty salsa and with my favorite side dish, plantains. Service was ok, and the decor is a little dated inside. A delicious meal overall, and a place we will go back to.
(4)
Denise L.
Tasty, tasty, tasty! This is a gem in Gaithersburg. Fresh food and friendly service for the entire family can be found here. The restaurant is clean, welcoming and homey feeling. They're fairly busy on the weekends so plan accordingly. The bar is incorporated into the dinning room but the patrons are well behaved. The chicharrones and fresh salsa are my fave here. Recommendations: Camarones a la crema Ay Jalisco Platter Shrimp Fajitas All of the margaritas Enjoys!
(4)
Priscilla Y.
I passed by here so many times on my way to bootcamp. I finally got to try this place out and it's not bad. It's a hole-in-wall Mexican restaurant. The complementary chips and salsa here are better than the ones served at Guapo's. My friend ordered the Appetizer Sampler, which came with chicken wings, taquitos, quesadilla, and nachos. It also came with guacamole and sour cream. I only liked the guacamole. Everything was too baked or fried, therefore too dry. They have a pretty decent amount of items on their menu. It was difficult to make up my mind, but I ended up ordering the Tres Amigos Enchiladas (beef, chicken, and cheese). it came with yellow rice, beans, and guacamole. The beef enchilada and rice was good. The chicken enchilada was dry. Skip the cheese enchilada. It's way too cheesy. I would come back again here if I'm in the area and in the mood for Mexican. Service was great and the prices are decent for the amount of food you get!
(3)
Bianca F.
I came here since I had a restaurant.com certificate for $10 off any meal over $20. I ordered the Ay Jalisco platter and a side salad. The Ay Jalisco platter came with a lot of food; rice and beans, beef and chicken fajitas and three shrimp. It also came with tortillas which were store bought. I was shocked! I would think that a small Mexican place would make their own and could not believe that the tortillas tasted like something from the grocery store. Granted, I'm a little spoiled because my mom makes home made tortillas. However, all of the Mexican restaurants I visit have fresh hand made tortillas. The fajitas were greasy and so was the rice. I'm not one to waste food and always take leftovers. But this time I did not finish my meal or take food home. The menu is very broad and I'm sure they have some great items! But I will skip the Ay Jalisco platter.
(2)
Henry M.
The food here is great. Service could be better but I understand that not all things are perfect. It is good food but I don't always get the best service.. If the service was more consistent I would have given the review 5 stars.
(4)
Jack W.
This place is OK. The food tasted OK and I thought my enchilada portions were kind of small compared to other similar restaurants in the area. They were pretty busy at dinner on a Saturday night so I'm sure there are a lot of other people who have had better experiences here than me. The margarita was really good and deceptively strong. I would come here for the margarita's again.
(3)
Kelly C.
This is a tex-mex restaurant. If I judge it purely based on that. My brother is a regular here and the staff are more like friends. I always have a nice time here, the Cadillac margarita is delicious and the food is filling and fresh. I always get the tacos al carbon. The rice is always undercooked when I come here, but I usually fill up on other stuff anyways. Would also recommend the fajitas!
(4)
P F.
Visited with the boyfriend last Sunday for a pre-Cinco De Mayo dinner. We had been looking for something new within close distance of his house, and restuarant.com had a coupon for Ay Jalisco. The food was very good, but I am hesitating to give 4 stars because of some issues with service. Service was not lacking, but the boyfriend ordered fajitas which came out very quickly.....with no plate and no tortillas. For ten minutes after I tried to catch the attention of any wait staff, none of whom I could seem to tack down. Finally I got up and approached who I know now is the owner, asking for tortillas so he could eat his food while it was still hot. He came through immediately. My food was still missing, but I was not in a big hurry--since it was our first time I simply wanted the boyfriend to try the fajitas while they were still nice and hot. Mine came out a few minutes later, the owner apologized--no harm no foul. His fajitas were very good. My burritos were also very good. I didn't love the rice, but adding some salsa to them fixed that right up. We WILL return, and I hope to bump the three up to a four--I doubt it will be an issue.
(3)
B B.
I've been several times to Ay Jalisco and never been disappointed. I usually get the Burritos. Usually the platter is more than enough to enjoy. One time the twin burritos were smaller than expected - not sure if it was just the preparer, but they were great. I am templed by the sizzling sound of the fajita platter and it smells enticing. Service is usually good although when it is busier (like Friday night) it is slower, but worth the wait. I'll be back again.
(4)
George M.
For only $12, my 10 ounce medium rare sirloin was almost perfect. I will definitely be returning to this spot again.
(4)
Donna D.
First time here and throughly enjoyed it..food was delicious. .atmosphere was fun..they had an amazing singer.. love this place..will be back.
(5)
Chris B.
Stopped in and grabbed a beer at the bar while I placed a carry out order. The chips and salsa they provided with my beer were fantastic. Both were house made and the salsa was the perfect blend of tomatoes, cilantro, onions and jalapeños ( and other spices, I'm sure). When I got home, the tacos were awesome, I got three varieties, shredded beef, shredded chicken and ground beef. I think the shredded beef were my favorite, but it was a very close call. We also got some queso and more of that salsa (because it was so good). I don't want to forget the service. Even though it was pretty full for 7:00 on Sunday, I was very happy with the service speed and friendliness of the folks behind the bar. Next time, I plan to eat in and enjoy the cozy atmosphere with my wife.
(4)
Esther P.
Let me start by saying I loved their service! They were very nice, friendly, and welcoming. That I feel is a recipe for great customer service. The food was really good. My boyfriend had the beef burrito and I had the seafood chimichanga (this was very flavorful one of the best I've had but I don't like that there were a couple of pieces of crab shell in there). We also had tostones (these were ok, a little under cooked), tamal d'elote (it was ok, not sweet enough for me), and a tres leches cake (good but I could tell it was frozen because it was not completely thawed out and I don't like chocolate syrup on top). I tried their homemade fruit juice which was good. Over I really enjoyed this place and would definitely recommend it, I am just a picky eater.
(4)
LA M.
I was a little worried since the cheese dip we ordered wasn't what we were expecting, but when my entree came I was pleasantly surprised! The dish was unique and full of flavor. I will definitely be coming back to try something else.
(4)
Kim C.
My husband and I have been coming here for 9 years now and we have never had a less-than-stellar experience. The staff is super friendly, welcoming and fun and has been the same people (with a few new additions) since we started coming here. The owner, Juan, always comes to greet us and sometimes gives us tastes of special things he's working on in the kitchen. The food here is consistently delicious and always extremely fresh. Favorites include the ceviche, pupusas (and OMG, the curtido), the fajitas and the soups - we've had the shrimp soup and the beef rib soup and both were outstanding and huge portions. Everything is reasonably priced, including the drinks. I also love that the beers are served with a new frosted mug each round. If you're up for it, the "No te Rajes" fajitas are outstanding and probably my favorite thing on the menu. It's a dish for 2 and means "don't give up" in Spanish and includes a huge pile of beef, chicken, pork ribs, shrimp, and onions, all seasoned, marinated and cooked to sizzling perfection. My mouth is watering just typing this. The ribs are to die for - better than most BBQ joints I've been to. The tortillas are always hot and fresh, as are the guac and pico. It's a little pricey but SO worth it. My husband and I have yet to conquer it in one sitting and always wind up with at least one meal for the next day (if not more). The desserts are also amazing, if you have room!
(5)
Karla G.
I have been coming here ever since I can remember. The food is always great and by far they make the best pupusas in the state. Trust me, one of my friends who is very picky even loved it. Margarita is better than guapos and the owner is amazing
(5)
Trinh T.
I love this place. They have the best pupusa and fried ice cream. I use to eat those on a daily basis when I use to work close by. The staff is very fun and attentive I would definitely come back.
(5)
Kelly P.
The Service is very slow. But the food is worth it. The margaritas are heavy on sour mix, so I would skip them. Unless you get a pitcher to share they are not worth it.
(4)
Dixon M.
¡Yo quiero a Ay Jalisco! People who know me know that when it is done right, Mexican food is one of my favorite things in the world. Unfortunately, it is rarely done right. I am happy to say that Ay Jalisco is a wonderful exception to the rule. I went to Ay Jalisco alone on a busy Friday night. It was packed, and except for me, I think everyone there was Latino. The host offered to take me to a table, but I decided that rather than eating alone, I would ask him to seat me at the bar. On seating me, the host asked if I would like anything to drink. Since the name of the place is Ay Jalisco, and Jalisco is the home of tequila, I asked for a margarita. I usually order premium margaritas, but didn't this time. The host brought me my margarita, as well as some freshly made chips and salsa, and said that the bartender would be my server. The margarita was FANTASTIC! I am not sure how they made it, but it did not taste of cheap margarita mix or sweet and sour, as restaurant margaritas often do. The salsa was very mild, and I wondered if they had brought me a mild version because I am not Latino. I asked the bartender if he had a hotter salsa, and he brought me a wonderful bowl with the spiciness I like. I was hungry, so I ordered a fajitas plate with shrimp, chicken AND beef. My dinner came quickly, and all of it was wonderful! My plate came with a basket of Mexican style tortillas. The guy sitting next to me ordered the same thing, but he was Salvadorean, and his basket was full of Salvadorean tortillas. We ended up sharing back and forth. A pleasant surprise with my dinner was that the beans (which were whole, not refried) were absolutely delicious! A lot of restaurants don't pay much attention to their beans and rice, but Ay Jalisco is not among them. My only mistake? Well, I like spicy things, so I ate the grilled serrano chile adorning my plate. It was HOT! Quite a bit hotter than a Jalapeño. I was FORCED to drink two Coronas con limón y sal to ease my pain!
(5)
Jamie G.
When we first moved to the area, this was our go to place for Mexican. Not awesome but pretty good. The owner was very friendly and the drinks are strong. The last few years, the food quality has seemed to go down a bit. 3 stars. Pretty good, not the best. Good bar, friendly people.
(3)
Dave C.
I want to like this place. I really do. I have neighbors who love it here and are regulars. But I just can't like it. I have been here three times and two of three I had problems. The first time I ate here, I had enchiladas. I'm eating and it feels like I got a bay leaf in my enchilada. No big deal - right? Except when I pull it out of my mouth it's a piece of tape that obviously came off some packaging. [I came to this conclusion because of the "open here" printing on it.] This was not just a small piece of tape as I pulled the remainder out of the enchilada. What is going on in the kitchen that they are letting trash into the food? Inexcusable. My second trip was uneventful although the food was mediocre. On the third trip the person taking our orders didn't bother to add my order to the list. While everyone else at my table was eating they were trying to figure out what happened to my order. Ultimately they placed a new order but they didn't seem to ask for a rush job from the kitchen as many other tables received their food ahead of me. While I may make it back with my neighbors, I can't imagine coming back here for the food or service.
(2)
Welch K.
This place is like a hidden gem off Snouffer School Road. Everyone keeps saying Mexican Mexican Mexican, but if i'm not mistaken, i believe it's El Salvadorean. Either way, the place has great food! LOL. I've been here twice and each time the service was pretty good. Maybe it was the group i was with (Military), I dunno. But you come in, sit down, they come ask for drinks and bring chips and salsa. I ordered the Steak Al Caballo. Lemme say, it was great! Steak came how I wanted it, with sauteed onions, and two eggs (NOT how I wanted them) on top with a drizzle of sauce that is a little spicy. Side of rice and refried beans (custom swap from salad i think). It was delicious, even though the eggs weren't exactly how i wanted it. I've been reluctant to find a "Mexican" restaurant that I've really liked since I was in Tennessee (see other review). .:my2cents:. Good food. Good service. One little mishap with my eggs, but that's minor. They could spark up the place from being so dark and gloomy though. It's like half the lights in the restaurant are turned off. The bar area is very empty/naked, just stools and the bar table. Nothing else. With all that said, go check it out for yourself!
(4)
Chris V.
Awesome food and ambience have been going here since I was a kid and still regularly visit. Owner is a real nice guy who takes the time to say hello to all patrons even on the busiest of nights. 2 thumbs up
(5)
Jesse S.
Service is terrible....they sit and watch TV While customers Wait = not Worth your money or time ' food is dry overfried and overpriced. DO NOT GO!
(1)
Edward C.
We were blown away how fast the food came out. Laura got the chicken fajitas and loved it. I got the tacos carbon platter with steak... BOOM! Loved it all. Great service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Michael S.
I have eaten here twice and both times really enjoyed the food. The service is outstanding. They bring out the food pretty fast too. Not sure how they can make such delicious food so quickly. I didn't give 5 stars because they didn't make my dish spicy enough. Otherwise I would have. I will comeback again soon and give them a chance to earn my 5 star rating. :)
(4)
Benjamin M.
3.5 Stars. Although I'm not sure what is the technically correct ethnic tag to pin on this place (Tex Mex?), I do know I had a good lunch here. I started chowing down on almost a whole basket of complimentary chips and salsa with a margarita (after getting carded...lol) and then eventually moved on to the Tres Amigos Enchiladas plate. I tried my best to finish the chicken, beer and cheese enchiladas with sides of beans and rice, but came up a little short in the end. Efficient service and a spacious dining area are also definite pluses, making Ay Jalisco a good dining option along Snouffer School Road.
(3)
Erica P.
I've ate here twice thus far. The food isn't bad and the customer service is good. I'm surprise the ratings are not higher. On Saturday, there is karaoke which is in Spanish. The drinks are on point unlike other restaurants where its watered down. I will definitely return.
(4)
Kat F.
This place isn't too bad. It's more authentic Mexican than other places around here that I've tried. We came for lunch time. Since the restaurant was on the corner, the front and side of the restaurant has a lot of windows. There was absolutely no need to have any artificial lights on because of the bright sunlight coming through the windows, so all of the lights were off which made me think it was closed at first.The door was open, though so we went in. First, the chips are actually really thick chips and the salsa had a slight tinge of spicy, but not too much. My boyfriend and I tried the combination Fajitas (Steak and Chicken) and it was pretty good. It came out pretty quickly, too. The beans that came out with it were delicioso! And the rice? BANGIN'! We also ordered some Chicharones appetizer. The meat was incredibly dry, but very crunchy. And it came with yucca fries, which were hot and fresh. My boyfriend also ordered a tamale, but he really didn't like it. He said it was hard to chew. We both also ordered a glass of Horchata each. It was sweet and milky and did not have too much cinnamon in it. So overall, very good Fajitas and Horchata, but for Chicharones and tamales, we like Mi Peru (although it is Peruvian) much better.
(3)
Jamey K.
Yum yum YUMMY! My son and I always leave stuffed with a doggie bag. I haven't had anything I didn't like..except for the bill...lol! Seriously, its a nice place with good food and drinks (the margaritas are the culprit on my bill) and i will say i have a problem paying $9 for VIRGIN pina colada :/
(4)
Janis H.
Food is tasty, delicious, and affordable.
(5)
William B.
My wife and I and my friend and his girlfriend and their infant child had dinner yesterday May 5th "Cinco de Mayo" at this place. We arrived at about 6:30PM and the place was packed so we were seated outside on the patio. We waited a long time for the waiter to come by, but he finally arrived and took our drink orders. It took about 30-45 minutes to get our drinks after complaining several times. In hindsight, we should have left, but we waited and eventually they took our order. The food took about 2 half hours to make it to our table after having to go find the waiter inside several times to ask where the food was and when it was coming to our table. By this time it was getting cold and my friend's girlfriend had to go to the car with their small baby. The food came finally and the quality was good, but it was like 9:30pm we had been waiting since 6:30pm. When the bill came they messed it up several times and added an automatic gratuity of 18% WTF! We asked to speak with the manager who came over and got into an argument with me about how he couldn't give us any discount. I suggested he comp half the bill, and he stated" What are you crazy!" I told him I would never be returning and he said that's fine if he loses a customer. Great customer service at this place. Finally, he gave us a 15% discount which was less then the 18% tip they added for no service. We were a party of 4, how do they add automatic gratuity anyways? Several other customers either just left or were complaining, but management did not seem to care. The manager told me don't you know today is a holiday "Cinco de Mayo", I said "Yes, and you should have been prepared "
(1)
Kelly H.
My fam's been coming here forever and this is hands down my favorite tex mex restaurant. Particularly a fan of their chips and salsa, guacamole, chicken tamales, pupusas, quesadillas, and margaritas. Everything just comes out super fresh, flavorful, and tastes very homemade. Service can get side tracked, but they're so nice and if you eat outside with a drink in your hand - a little extra waiting time is bearable on a busy night. Not only that, but sometimes the service is above and beyond. One night my friend wanted a margarita made less sweet, and the manager came out and assembled the drink at the table with all of the ingredients to let her pick the portions. That's pretty special!
(5)
Sokha A.
So we ordered the Surf and Turf and Salmon, which I know aren't 'tex mex" but, for me at least, the pictures on the back looked so good it made me want to try the salmon and I was not disappointed. I loved the yummy creamy sauce poured over the salmon and baby shrimp. My husband enjoyed his surf and turf as well, I tried his steak and thought it was great! Decided to try their flan (it's becoming a tradition apparently ...) and enjoyed it too! My daughter especially likes that they drizzled chocolate and raspberry syrup on top of it, great combination of flavors.
(4)
Jessica J.
I've been eating at this place for years and it never fails to impress. I love the staff - they are all so nice and friendly. I love the food - all of it - and the margaritas are amazing. I highly recommend the pupusas and the fajitas. I love the mom and pop's feeling this place has... you're treated like you're family and welcomed into their home. Love it.
(5)
Elizabeth V.
Delicious fajitas! Smelled so good when we walked in. very 'dive-bar' type atmosphere, but sometimes that's where you get the best food! Also had the appetizer platter. Hope to come back soon!
(4)
Henry M.
We went to Ay Jalisco for Cinco de Mayo. Not much parking for the strip mall. Ay Jalisco is a big place, with outdoor seating. The soccer game was on inside, but it wasn't as load as the people. The... service... was... slow. That said, the plates were super hot, the food, particularly the beef fajitas, was very good, and the drinks were just fine. That said, there's a house drink featuring tequila with fresh grapefruit, orange, and lemon in a big margarita-style glass. Weak, and with the prices of drinks not listed on the menu, a serious rip-off at... $15.99! Between the expensive drink, the parking, and the slow service, they only get 3 starts, but the food WAS good, so we'll be back.
(3)
Daniel H.
Been eating here for years. Really good food and mostly attentive service! It's a little off with the decor (even with the recent update), but the people and food make up for it!
(4)
Lady Phade 1.
this place was pretty good. I would go back..I got the fajita and some pupusas and they were yummy. I liked the pupusas here taking it some places slack on making a good one. Friendly service as well! 08/15/2012
(4)
Fenny L.
Of course, it would be AFTER that we buy a new home, that we finally venture into Ay! Jaliso (there is an ! after Ay. Heh.) It doesn't matter that we lived across the street for 4 years and never once ventured in. Nope. Only after we're about to move that we finally go in - and totally regret all the lost years! Ay! Jaliso is a cute little neighborhood dive that slings out fast and tasty Tex-Mex. The food is not haute cuisine by any stretch of the imagination, but it's solid, decent and tasty. This rough and tumble, yet charmingly decoratated with Patron bottles along all the windows, has the standard Tex-Mex fare that one would find at On the Border or what-not. However, a key difference is that the prices are much more reasonable, the food has a lot more flavor and seasonings, and the atmosphere is congenial and relaxed. I ordered the steak fajita, while my husband ordered one of the platters. I was surprised how tender and flavorful my skirt steak was - especially as I just had this same dish at Uncle Julios a mere week or so ago, and it was drenched in butter. Now, don't get me wrong - I loves me some butter...but it shouldn't be the only thing I taste when I'm eating a fajita. This meat was well seasoned (did I detect a hint of smoky ancho?), tender, and delicious. My husband's platter was inhaled within 10 minutes. The one tiny bite of the enchillada that I was able to wrestle away from him was delicious, with a hint of...cinnamon? Normally, I hate cinnamon, but in this dish, it added a suprising complexity to the flavor that was clearly unexpected, but very welcomed. I think for me, the best part of my experience, was the service. Our poor waitress was limping, and she had a cast on her foot. Yet - she was always prompt in serving us, checked up on us regularly, and was pleasant and efficient, although I'm sure that she was in pain. It's service like this, that makes me want to drag every crappy server I've ever encountered, and force them to watch how someone who obviously is injured - yet, is still competant and does their job well (needless to say, we gave her close to a 30% tip...and I almost never tip more then 20%). The only sour notes for us, were the chips, which tasted stale and as if they came out of a bag, and also when my husband asked what their drink specialties were (hoping for a recommendation on a house margarita, or perhaps some crazy delicious concotion), he was recommended "sex on a beach". Huh? But these are small issues to an otherwise delicious and well served meal. As my husband and I were walking out, full and resplendent in our full fatty glory, we both had to agree that this was one of the best Tex-Mex meals we've ever had. Miles beyond better then On the Border or Uncle Julios, and even edged out Guapos. Ay! Jalisco only comes second to Mi Rancho in Silver Spring...and then, it's a close second!
(4)
Jim H.
Usually we have a good meal here, but just tried the vegetable burrito called the fiesta. It was terrible. Just frozen vegetables (carrots broccoli) in a tortilla. Def skip this entree.
(2)
Laura W.
The food is, for the most part, what you would expect. I really enjoy the fajitas here. Sweet corn tamales will always be a favorite. However, if I have to wait 45 minutes for a tamale after asking three times, the need to feed that craving is non-existant. Almost an hour and a half for an entree? I don't think so. It's difficult to rate this place as low as this since I come here semi-frequently with my family. Unless the owner is in the building, your chance of OK service is out the door. I will continue to give this place more and more chances. I'm waiting for them to win me over again.
(2)
Rich W.
Ay Jalisco is a nice little Sal-Mex (Salvadorean-Mexican) restaurant in upper Gaithersburg. They offer a full Salvadorean menu (pupusas, chorizo con queso, mar y tierra), as well as an extensive Mexican menu that leans towards Tex-Mex (burritos, tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and steak & chicken fajitas). And their grilled shrimp and baby back pork ribs (costillas) are to die for! There are vegetarian options on and off the menu (the vegetables in the veggie fajitas may come steamed unless you ask for the verduras asadas) and they even offer lard-free refried beans(!), and the kids menu ranges from quesadillas to chicken strips and hamburguesas con papas (fries, not fathers). Prices are great - far less than you'd expect to pay at a chain Tex-Mex restaurant, and the food is plentiful - they provide free refills on your sodas, chips, and salsa. And even if your Spanish isn't as good as Senora Peggy Hill's, the servers are all speak flluent English, although many of this popular joint's customers might not. Thanks to Ay Jalisco, we can say "Adios" to Chevy's!!!
(4)
Evert L.
I've been to this place several times with my family. I decided to order three pupusas to go. When I got there none of the servers did not even greet me. One of them gave me a stare and asked what I ordered with an attitude. The other lady however was more polite than the other man. The food was good, but coming from an experienced server you just simply cannot be rude to your customers no matter what. Even if you're having a bad day. Good customer service is vital!
(3)
Ronny L.
When I got my food I was enjoying it when suddenly I went for my sour cream and I found a piece of hair in it
(1)
Cynthia P.
This place made both me and my friend extremely sick! We both had the pupusas (usually one of my favs). They tasted okay, but boy did we pay for it. Don't eat there unless you are prepared to spend the rest of the night on the toilet!
(1)
Jemi C.
Small little neighborhood gem. As all the reviews rave, I had the steak fajitas and they were delicious! The meat was a little overcooked on the end pieces but the middle pieces were great. The marination is what makes the meat so yummo, smelling so good when its delivered to your table sizzling! I also got an appetizer size of the guac which wasn't worth the $$ - something was missing from it - maybe lime? maybe salt? The bf got a steak dish that came out w/ some red sauce which tasted like a tomato base. The meat was cooked well however the dish itself was not as good as the fajitas. Oh! and I got a chicken tamale which had good flavor as well. The portions are big. No problems with the waitstaff. Definately get the restaurant.com coupon if your going to eat here. I give it 4 stars just because the ambience isn't that great.. its kinda run down, patron bottles as decorations, but the food is def great.
(4)
Ja'Bette L.
I liked the menu and the restaurant better when it was Los Chorros. It's not terrible, just too similar with non of the flavorful menu or nostalgia. Will it keep me from returning??? Of course not! I just won't be going out of my way.
(3)
Adam J.
The best! Everyone there is friendly. Food is excellent and fairly priced. The fajitas are amazing. The chips are home made and they are not greasy like many other Tex-Mex places. One of my favorite places to eat in the area.
(5)
Jack C.
Not a friendly place for white Americans. Stay Away from here. The people working her suck.
(1)
Jatte L.
Ay Jalisco is an amazing place. It has amazing food. The salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips, etc. I ordered the Pupusas; really yummy. Not the best I will admit but still amazing from the range of 1-10 it's def an 8. The plantains are also good. To make a long review short. Amazing food all the way. :)
(4)
Edwin N.
Since I work down the street and I was craving some Mexican and I ususally pass by Ay Jalisco I decided to try it. No regrets whatsoever. I got a chicken and cheese pupusa and two revueltas and they were really good. The pupusa sauce that comes with it is really tasty and perfectly complimented the pupusas. My friend got a cheese quesadilla and she had absolutely no complaints about her food and she even said it was one of the best quesadillas she's ever had. This was a takeout experience and I will definitely try dine-in sometime.
(4)
P K.
Good food, good service, I have never had a problem there. We go there with some frequency. Not bad, but not the greatest... Food a bit on pricey side.
(3)
Michelle S.
One of our favorite happy hour spots. We love their enchiladas, steak and fruit punch.
(5)
Marie G.
This restaurant has been a local favorite for years. The food is excellent and the service is mostly great. I love the mix of Tex Mex and Salvadorean dishes. The way they marinate their flank steak for the fajitas is out of this world. Also, their Cadillac Margaritas are so delicious. Another favorite: Steak al Caballo. They are typically quite busy throughout the week, but particularly Friday and Saturday nights.
(5)
Nick K.
This is my spot! Great Mexican food at great prices. Have fun going to Rio Grande and paying triple for what this place will serve it to you for. They just remodeled the place and it look great. It actually looks more like a chain restaurant now! Alcohol is a little pricey and not much of a happy hour but other than that this place is great! Ask for the hot salsa with the chips, 50 times better than the mild! Yum, me want a grilled steak burrito (my fav) from just writing this review! Plantains are great too here.
(5)
Jessica M.
I'm going to give them 4 stars. They are consistent, give you chips & salsa the moment you walk in, and the food is a decent value. I had a coupon which reminded me this place exists. Sometimes restaurants get lost on this busy road. Pros: Lots of "extras" with meal. Like quac, beans, rice, etc Totally decent enchiladas and tamales Two kinds of salsa. One spicy, one more sauce-y Can always get a table Nice people Cons: Tea tastes funny Chimichanga is just a grilled burrito (they should deep fry that sucker!) Service, while always nice, can be sometimes slow come time for the check Turning left out of the parking lot is a bear
(4)
Mike J.
The fajitas here are delicious. The waitstaff is attentive, but not top service, they are just there to do their job of serving you food, not to make you feel at home. Other then that the place is great. You can get a couple pupusas for cheap and call it your dinner for under $5. Or you can go with a date and use a restaurant.com certificate, saving a good chunk of change. When the weather is warm they have a shaded patio seating area which is great. They even cook outside sometimes.
(4)
Ashleigh A.
This is by far my FAVORITE Mexican Restaurant! They have EXCELLENT fajitas and margaritas! They just redid the inside of the restaurant and it looks great! If you want to sit on the patio be sure to get there early because all the locals fill it up fast. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jennifer H.
My family and I love the food here, and we get it often. I think that they have become more popular in recent years, so if we aren't up for a busy dining room, we like to call in and take it to go. The wait can sometimes be a pain, but the food is worth it. We love the chips and queso, and the enchiladas.
(4)
Andrew K.
This is an authentic mexican restaurant with good food and good drinks. The margaritas are really potent and good and if you get the grande size, it's huge and you won't need another drink for the night. I got the beef burrito and that was really good and you get the guacomole, sour cream and salsa on the side. The shrimp soup is also pretty good. The servers are nice and most of the people who eat here are mexican so you know it's legit.
(4)
Erin B.
Great food. The restaurant itself doesn't look like much...kind of a hole in the wall type of place, but sometimes those sort of places serve the best food and this place is no exception. They have amazing queso, fajitas and they had this huge margarita that was citrusy and refreshing. They have outside seating when it's warm
(5)
T P.
Large portions. I am a hungry person but couldn't finish my meal in one sitting (it took a 30 minute break). The combo (steak and chicken) fajitas were scrumptious! And the large portions applied to the strips of meat as well -- no harm there! Meat was a bit too well done for my liking (as a meat lover) but the taste made up for it entirely. Onions were eh, nothing special. Same goes for the rice. The guacamole/diced tomatoes mix was pretty tasty; I could've use more. And more than just one small slice of green pepper; if that's for decoration, I don't want it. I could've used an extra tortilla as well in order to wrap all of the ingredients. But the tortillas were delicious. Now, the best for last: the hot pepper they included was spicy! wooh! almighty! the second you lose that tinge of unbearableness is the second before you crave another nibble. Now, let's get to what matters... Would I return? Yes, many times so. Is their menu varied enough to support going, let's say, multiple times a week since it's on the way back home? Yes, many times so.
(4)
Sunshine W.
I LOVE this place. The staff is friendly. Good for the family. Good price. Good location. and most importantly. GOOD food!
(4)
Pt E.
Service here was terrible. The waiter was rude and slow. We even had to ask for our water to be brought to the table. It took 40 min for our food to get to the table and when we got it the rice was cold. We will not be back. There are so many good restaurants around we won't be wasting our time or money at this one.
(1)
Jody M.
I have been here more than a few times and we're always greeted with a smile and a table. I love this place. Try the Platter for 2! Its worth the money and they don't skip on the hospitality.
(5)
Seth L.
I'm giving two stars only because the food was good. Otherwise the service stunk. First, the manager refused to honor our gift certificate and then he was hostile. In addition, they refused to separate the checks. I will not be going to this restaurant again and I'd advise others not to as well. Good food does not offset the lousy service.
(2)
James D.
FAJITAS! FAJITAS! FAJITAS! That's all I really *should* say cuz that's all you really need to know. Steak fajitas. Best I have ever had and I have had them a lot of places. If you like Rio Grande well, these blow them away. Also, they bring you tons of yummy chips (homemade) and salsa (also home made). I love the flavor of the regular salsa that they give you but here is a secret (shhh... they also make a "hot" salsa that is also the bomb if you like it hot! Personally I like getting both so I can get the flavor of the mild and the bang of the hot. The beer is cold and they recently had a small renovation so it looks nicer inside. Also have a good outdoor eating area which can be hard to find up in this nape of the woods...neck of the nape..around here. Oh - never had it but they will whip up a batch of Mojito's for you if you want and it did look pretty enticing. Lastly, if you end up sitting at the bar, don't get all bent out of shape when I ask them to switch the tv from Spanish soap operas to the Nationals game ok? Ok.
(5)
Claude H.
We tried the steak fajitas and the steak burrito. For the money, you get a decent portion, but not significantly more than you would at any other Mexican restaurant. The prices are comparable to what you would get at, say, Chevy's, and if I recall correctly, the steak at Chevy's is more tender. The steak you get for the fajitas and in the burrito here was on the tough and chewy side, maybe overcooked. My friend who had spent time in Texas and was hoping for a real Tex-Mex said the marinade for the fajitas is not the lime marinade as might be expected. As someone else mentioned, the wait staff are not that attentive; you may have to get up yourself to get more salsa. Pro (or con): any chile you may find on your plate is probably going to be pretty powerful stuff. Perhaps if we knew Juan our food might have been better?
(2)
Kelly B.
Love this Place! Owners are great with my kids too.
(5)
Debbi L.
Excellent!! Just moved back to the area and were looking for a good authentic Mexican restaurant. We found it! Food is excellent...great tortillas, guacamole, beef and chicken. Plus Chef Juan is a real treat. Our go to from now on
(5)
Adam S.
Great place to go for AWESOME fajita's! I always get the Ay Jalisco platter-steak, shrimp and chicken...Alway's tastes just right...The queso dip is much better than any of the larger mexican restaurants, I think it's because Ay uses sour cream, whatever they use it's addicting! Highly recommend this place.
(4)
Kevin M.
The fajitas are great. Service is prompt. An excellent dinner choice.
(4)
JB D.
Come to this restaurant during the busiest time of day just for the experience! It is like walking thru the door and into another world. It is just great! The atmosphere was great, the food was great, the staff were all great, and the prices are excellent!
(5)
Christopher G.
My wife and I have been going to Ay Jalisco for more than 10 years and have been regulars due to primarily the food ( papusas, fajitas, plato tipoco, al caballo, quezadillas, and other platters are our usuals). The service isn't bad at all and eveyone is polite, though there is the occasional misshap. We've gone in both small and large parties with kids and they've always worked to make sure everyone had what they needed. The food is great at the price offered. Though there had been a slight decline of the quality of beef, I assume due to the need to account for harsh economic times, it is still the best you will find at a local restaurant if this type and is cooked to your liking. The chicken is just as good as always.
(5)
Trish W.
I have been a regular here for probably 5 years. The food is CONSISTENTLY awesome. The service for the most part is very good but if the owner is not there, there can be delays in ordering. As of May 2012, I am very pleased to see all the recent renovations. New floor, fresh paint, fresh linens, new furniture really add to the decor. Tonight's meal was the best ever - the steak was very tender and tasty. Ask for the spicer salsa if you like dip and chips hot. My favorite restaurant for sure..... and I will continue going back on a regular basis. If I had to make a suggestion, I would suggest they update their outdoor furniture so it isn't so wobbly. Otherwise, it is hard to find a complaint at this place.
(4)
Vanessa H.
If you are digging Mexican and Salvadorian style food this is this place. The atmosphere is what you are expecting from a great family run establishment. They were renovating at the time and all the tile was removed with exposed grout but this just made the restaurant all that much more authentic. From the great yuca, fried plantines and a whole host of fantastic food Al Jalisco kept providing what was needed in an overly pretentious part of Maryland. Margaritas, shots of tequila, tecate.... What else is needed? This is authentic, phenomenal and worth it for anyone that wants real food, not that silly fusion stuff that is over priced!
(5)
Ann S.
Great local place! It's always good to see a local place make it through this economy. Just had lunch there today (veggie fajitas). Very good. Also had a margarita- could have used a little more tequila, and a little less squirt. Great service, and was happy to see it pretty busy. We are looking forward to the summer to sit outside on the deck!
(4)
Ricky S.
Love this place! All of the food is good. The salsa is sensational - very flavourful! Fajitas give you a nice portion of steak - definitely enough to share. Sometimes when I get takeout, it takes the staff a few minutes to figure out what's going on, but I've never waited more than 5 minutes. And it's not really a good happy hour place because the mixed drinks are very pricey - somewhere around $8 for a margarita which is the right price in Manhattan but not in Gaithersburg! Either way, I will be back - for takeout and sit-down.
(4)
s r.
Based on Yelp reviews of this restaurant, I had high hopes...plus we had Restaurant.com deal so it seemed like a good bet. Sadly, we were sorely disappointed. Service was painstakingly slow. It was a Fri night but there were few customers. We had to flag down our waiter anytime we needed something. We sat for 10 minutes before anyone asked if we'd like a drink. Then it was another 15 mts before the drinks (or even water) was served. We ordered a non-alcoholic daquiri for a child in our group (big mistake!). Our server brought the drink out, we tasted it (as always) to make sure it was a virgin daquiri - it tasted funny - we weren't 100% sure there was alcohol in it so we called the server back and asked if she was ABSOLUTELY sure there was no alcohol. She insisted there wasn't & walks away...comes back 5 mts later and says she ISN'T sure and takes the drink away. Umm....the kid already took a few sips. This was an automatic rating reduction in a HUGE way. Perhaps it's our fault for trusting our requests are being understood by the waitstaff, but we have NEVER had this issue in any other establishment ordering a virgin drink. Next the entrees--there was a 15 minute gap between the arrival of the 1st entree and the rest of the entrees. Kids in our group got served last. Food was completely lackluster. I had vegetable fajitas - seriously it was frozen mixed veggies cooked in butter and it was a meager portion. We also had cheese enchiladas. They must have been microwaved they were so bland and listless. The cheese pupusa, salsa, and margaritas were good, but that is certainly not enough to bring us back here ever again. If we want mediocre to bland Mexican food in the Rockville/Gaithersburg area there are plenty of other places to visit that are a lot less out of the way.
(1)
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Address :8401 Snouffer School Rd
Gaithersburg, MD, 20879
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No 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
heidi C.
Food is a average. Service is incredibly slow. Lot better choices for tasty food with much better service next door for Greek or Thai
(2)Whitney R.
Awesome authentic food! My family and I love going here for the happy atmosphere and the mouth watering food. The service is always very friendly and happy to serve and chat with you. This is our go to tex-me place of choice!
(5)Susan B.
Love, Love, Love this place. We go at least twice a month and some times once a week! The food is excellent...the service is awesome and we can't get enough. My young daughters love the food too!
(5)Kevin S.
Solid TexMex food, not as authentic as I would have expected. If you want a quick, tasty, local bite, Ay Jalisco will do the trick... but that's about as far as it goes. It is fairly average "Mexican" fare.
(3)Solace C.
So I was flying down Snouffer School Road with my hungry crew, in my Jeep. And was craving Spanish food. I mean real good Spanish food!! So thought I was like hmmm why not... I go in and the waiter was like Hola mami and had a big cheese grin as if he was a Cheshire cat. I see that they have pupusas and of course fajitas. Im in love! So I order cheese pupusa for my beasties and fajitas for moi. The food is out of this world. The pupusa sauce is soooooooo yummy that I almost drank it by its self. The service is on point. The salsa that goes with the chips are good. Everything is delicious! I could have licked my plated. The have bands during the weekend..It does get loud.. But when your here you can say your family!!!
(5)TJ B.
Went here for the first and was pleasantly surprised by great food, a clean restaurant, friendly service and a huge menu! I have been driving by this place for YEARs and have never had the urge to stop in. It just looks like it'd be the typical dated run-down Gaithersburg restaurant that you see all over "airpark." But it isn't. It is a well maintained place with nice patio seating and a huge menu with steak, seafood, chicken, soups and deserts. White tablecloths with white parchment paper that is changed with each customer. I had the Carne Asada (they called it Carne a La Parrilla) which was served fajita style with a sizzling pan and condiments, but it was not sliced as you'd expect to find Carne Asada. It was a very tender delicious piece of meat. The food at the other tables all looked pretty good. It was your typical Mexican fare but the portions of everything seemed large and I didn't hear anyone complaining. The chips they bring out are fresh, the salsa is good, and the SPICY salsa (ask for it) is excellent. I'll definitely come back and I won't be afraid to bring the family! (NOTE, I used to have this review posted on the 355 location and didn't realize the mistake. So I moved it here. I have no idea if the 355 location is any good or even if it is the same owners)
(4)Est D.
This is AUTHENTIC Tex-Mex! Best local non-chain in the area! The food is always flavorful. I enjoy every bite. I like all the food, but the taquitos, chicken ensebollado and tamals is my go to. I have taken friends, family, co-workers here throughout the years they go without me and/or bring their friends/family. What makes this restuarant a bit different than the others? I have always seen the owner (Juan) here and he always greets you with a smile. He will work the room, come to every table and introduce himself as well as ask hows your food, anything he can get you? and he thanks you for coming. In addition, you will see him taking orders and serving food to his patrons. Well lets get to the good stuff... Price: Affordable Food: Authentic and absolutely delicious Menu: Variety from salads, soups, fish, chicken, beef, desserts (yum). Service: Attentive and Quick Staff: Friendly and helpful Atmosphere: warm colors, latin decor, TVs, full bar Seating: Outside patio and inside booths and table with chairs. Happy Eats!
(5)Greg O.
A little hidden gem in the corner of a strip mall. We started with the chicken nachos, which was huge serving, almost enough for a meal for both of us. I then went with the Steak Salvadoreño for my entree. A large cut of sirlion steak topped with a tasty salsa and with my favorite side dish, plantains. Service was ok, and the decor is a little dated inside. A delicious meal overall, and a place we will go back to.
(4)Denise L.
Tasty, tasty, tasty! This is a gem in Gaithersburg. Fresh food and friendly service for the entire family can be found here. The restaurant is clean, welcoming and homey feeling. They're fairly busy on the weekends so plan accordingly. The bar is incorporated into the dinning room but the patrons are well behaved. The chicharrones and fresh salsa are my fave here. Recommendations: Camarones a la crema Ay Jalisco Platter Shrimp Fajitas All of the margaritas Enjoys!
(4)Priscilla Y.
I passed by here so many times on my way to bootcamp. I finally got to try this place out and it's not bad. It's a hole-in-wall Mexican restaurant. The complementary chips and salsa here are better than the ones served at Guapo's. My friend ordered the Appetizer Sampler, which came with chicken wings, taquitos, quesadilla, and nachos. It also came with guacamole and sour cream. I only liked the guacamole. Everything was too baked or fried, therefore too dry. They have a pretty decent amount of items on their menu. It was difficult to make up my mind, but I ended up ordering the Tres Amigos Enchiladas (beef, chicken, and cheese). it came with yellow rice, beans, and guacamole. The beef enchilada and rice was good. The chicken enchilada was dry. Skip the cheese enchilada. It's way too cheesy. I would come back again here if I'm in the area and in the mood for Mexican. Service was great and the prices are decent for the amount of food you get!
(3)Bianca F.
I came here since I had a restaurant.com certificate for $10 off any meal over $20. I ordered the Ay Jalisco platter and a side salad. The Ay Jalisco platter came with a lot of food; rice and beans, beef and chicken fajitas and three shrimp. It also came with tortillas which were store bought. I was shocked! I would think that a small Mexican place would make their own and could not believe that the tortillas tasted like something from the grocery store. Granted, I'm a little spoiled because my mom makes home made tortillas. However, all of the Mexican restaurants I visit have fresh hand made tortillas. The fajitas were greasy and so was the rice. I'm not one to waste food and always take leftovers. But this time I did not finish my meal or take food home. The menu is very broad and I'm sure they have some great items! But I will skip the Ay Jalisco platter.
(2)Henry M.
The food here is great. Service could be better but I understand that not all things are perfect. It is good food but I don't always get the best service.. If the service was more consistent I would have given the review 5 stars.
(4)Jack W.
This place is OK. The food tasted OK and I thought my enchilada portions were kind of small compared to other similar restaurants in the area. They were pretty busy at dinner on a Saturday night so I'm sure there are a lot of other people who have had better experiences here than me. The margarita was really good and deceptively strong. I would come here for the margarita's again.
(3)Kelly C.
This is a tex-mex restaurant. If I judge it purely based on that. My brother is a regular here and the staff are more like friends. I always have a nice time here, the Cadillac margarita is delicious and the food is filling and fresh. I always get the tacos al carbon. The rice is always undercooked when I come here, but I usually fill up on other stuff anyways. Would also recommend the fajitas!
(4)P F.
Visited with the boyfriend last Sunday for a pre-Cinco De Mayo dinner. We had been looking for something new within close distance of his house, and restuarant.com had a coupon for Ay Jalisco. The food was very good, but I am hesitating to give 4 stars because of some issues with service. Service was not lacking, but the boyfriend ordered fajitas which came out very quickly.....with no plate and no tortillas. For ten minutes after I tried to catch the attention of any wait staff, none of whom I could seem to tack down. Finally I got up and approached who I know now is the owner, asking for tortillas so he could eat his food while it was still hot. He came through immediately. My food was still missing, but I was not in a big hurry--since it was our first time I simply wanted the boyfriend to try the fajitas while they were still nice and hot. Mine came out a few minutes later, the owner apologized--no harm no foul. His fajitas were very good. My burritos were also very good. I didn't love the rice, but adding some salsa to them fixed that right up. We WILL return, and I hope to bump the three up to a four--I doubt it will be an issue.
(3)B B.
I've been several times to Ay Jalisco and never been disappointed. I usually get the Burritos. Usually the platter is more than enough to enjoy. One time the twin burritos were smaller than expected - not sure if it was just the preparer, but they were great. I am templed by the sizzling sound of the fajita platter and it smells enticing. Service is usually good although when it is busier (like Friday night) it is slower, but worth the wait. I'll be back again.
(4)George M.
For only $12, my 10 ounce medium rare sirloin was almost perfect. I will definitely be returning to this spot again.
(4)Donna D.
First time here and throughly enjoyed it..food was delicious. .atmosphere was fun..they had an amazing singer.. love this place..will be back.
(5)Chris B.
Stopped in and grabbed a beer at the bar while I placed a carry out order. The chips and salsa they provided with my beer were fantastic. Both were house made and the salsa was the perfect blend of tomatoes, cilantro, onions and jalapeños ( and other spices, I'm sure). When I got home, the tacos were awesome, I got three varieties, shredded beef, shredded chicken and ground beef. I think the shredded beef were my favorite, but it was a very close call. We also got some queso and more of that salsa (because it was so good). I don't want to forget the service. Even though it was pretty full for 7:00 on Sunday, I was very happy with the service speed and friendliness of the folks behind the bar. Next time, I plan to eat in and enjoy the cozy atmosphere with my wife.
(4)Esther P.
Let me start by saying I loved their service! They were very nice, friendly, and welcoming. That I feel is a recipe for great customer service. The food was really good. My boyfriend had the beef burrito and I had the seafood chimichanga (this was very flavorful one of the best I've had but I don't like that there were a couple of pieces of crab shell in there). We also had tostones (these were ok, a little under cooked), tamal d'elote (it was ok, not sweet enough for me), and a tres leches cake (good but I could tell it was frozen because it was not completely thawed out and I don't like chocolate syrup on top). I tried their homemade fruit juice which was good. Over I really enjoyed this place and would definitely recommend it, I am just a picky eater.
(4)LA M.
I was a little worried since the cheese dip we ordered wasn't what we were expecting, but when my entree came I was pleasantly surprised! The dish was unique and full of flavor. I will definitely be coming back to try something else.
(4)Kim C.
My husband and I have been coming here for 9 years now and we have never had a less-than-stellar experience. The staff is super friendly, welcoming and fun and has been the same people (with a few new additions) since we started coming here. The owner, Juan, always comes to greet us and sometimes gives us tastes of special things he's working on in the kitchen. The food here is consistently delicious and always extremely fresh. Favorites include the ceviche, pupusas (and OMG, the curtido), the fajitas and the soups - we've had the shrimp soup and the beef rib soup and both were outstanding and huge portions. Everything is reasonably priced, including the drinks. I also love that the beers are served with a new frosted mug each round. If you're up for it, the "No te Rajes" fajitas are outstanding and probably my favorite thing on the menu. It's a dish for 2 and means "don't give up" in Spanish and includes a huge pile of beef, chicken, pork ribs, shrimp, and onions, all seasoned, marinated and cooked to sizzling perfection. My mouth is watering just typing this. The ribs are to die for - better than most BBQ joints I've been to. The tortillas are always hot and fresh, as are the guac and pico. It's a little pricey but SO worth it. My husband and I have yet to conquer it in one sitting and always wind up with at least one meal for the next day (if not more). The desserts are also amazing, if you have room!
(5)Karla G.
I have been coming here ever since I can remember. The food is always great and by far they make the best pupusas in the state. Trust me, one of my friends who is very picky even loved it. Margarita is better than guapos and the owner is amazing
(5)Trinh T.
I love this place. They have the best pupusa and fried ice cream. I use to eat those on a daily basis when I use to work close by. The staff is very fun and attentive I would definitely come back.
(5)Kelly P.
The Service is very slow. But the food is worth it. The margaritas are heavy on sour mix, so I would skip them. Unless you get a pitcher to share they are not worth it.
(4)Dixon M.
¡Yo quiero a Ay Jalisco! People who know me know that when it is done right, Mexican food is one of my favorite things in the world. Unfortunately, it is rarely done right. I am happy to say that Ay Jalisco is a wonderful exception to the rule. I went to Ay Jalisco alone on a busy Friday night. It was packed, and except for me, I think everyone there was Latino. The host offered to take me to a table, but I decided that rather than eating alone, I would ask him to seat me at the bar. On seating me, the host asked if I would like anything to drink. Since the name of the place is Ay Jalisco, and Jalisco is the home of tequila, I asked for a margarita. I usually order premium margaritas, but didn't this time. The host brought me my margarita, as well as some freshly made chips and salsa, and said that the bartender would be my server. The margarita was FANTASTIC! I am not sure how they made it, but it did not taste of cheap margarita mix or sweet and sour, as restaurant margaritas often do. The salsa was very mild, and I wondered if they had brought me a mild version because I am not Latino. I asked the bartender if he had a hotter salsa, and he brought me a wonderful bowl with the spiciness I like. I was hungry, so I ordered a fajitas plate with shrimp, chicken AND beef. My dinner came quickly, and all of it was wonderful! My plate came with a basket of Mexican style tortillas. The guy sitting next to me ordered the same thing, but he was Salvadorean, and his basket was full of Salvadorean tortillas. We ended up sharing back and forth. A pleasant surprise with my dinner was that the beans (which were whole, not refried) were absolutely delicious! A lot of restaurants don't pay much attention to their beans and rice, but Ay Jalisco is not among them. My only mistake? Well, I like spicy things, so I ate the grilled serrano chile adorning my plate. It was HOT! Quite a bit hotter than a Jalapeño. I was FORCED to drink two Coronas con limón y sal to ease my pain!
(5)Jamie G.
When we first moved to the area, this was our go to place for Mexican. Not awesome but pretty good. The owner was very friendly and the drinks are strong. The last few years, the food quality has seemed to go down a bit. 3 stars. Pretty good, not the best. Good bar, friendly people.
(3)Dave C.
I want to like this place. I really do. I have neighbors who love it here and are regulars. But I just can't like it. I have been here three times and two of three I had problems. The first time I ate here, I had enchiladas. I'm eating and it feels like I got a bay leaf in my enchilada. No big deal - right? Except when I pull it out of my mouth it's a piece of tape that obviously came off some packaging. [I came to this conclusion because of the "open here" printing on it.] This was not just a small piece of tape as I pulled the remainder out of the enchilada. What is going on in the kitchen that they are letting trash into the food? Inexcusable. My second trip was uneventful although the food was mediocre. On the third trip the person taking our orders didn't bother to add my order to the list. While everyone else at my table was eating they were trying to figure out what happened to my order. Ultimately they placed a new order but they didn't seem to ask for a rush job from the kitchen as many other tables received their food ahead of me. While I may make it back with my neighbors, I can't imagine coming back here for the food or service.
(2)Welch K.
This place is like a hidden gem off Snouffer School Road. Everyone keeps saying Mexican Mexican Mexican, but if i'm not mistaken, i believe it's El Salvadorean. Either way, the place has great food! LOL. I've been here twice and each time the service was pretty good. Maybe it was the group i was with (Military), I dunno. But you come in, sit down, they come ask for drinks and bring chips and salsa. I ordered the Steak Al Caballo. Lemme say, it was great! Steak came how I wanted it, with sauteed onions, and two eggs (NOT how I wanted them) on top with a drizzle of sauce that is a little spicy. Side of rice and refried beans (custom swap from salad i think). It was delicious, even though the eggs weren't exactly how i wanted it. I've been reluctant to find a "Mexican" restaurant that I've really liked since I was in Tennessee (see other review). .:my2cents:. Good food. Good service. One little mishap with my eggs, but that's minor. They could spark up the place from being so dark and gloomy though. It's like half the lights in the restaurant are turned off. The bar area is very empty/naked, just stools and the bar table. Nothing else. With all that said, go check it out for yourself!
(4)Chris V.
Awesome food and ambience have been going here since I was a kid and still regularly visit. Owner is a real nice guy who takes the time to say hello to all patrons even on the busiest of nights. 2 thumbs up
(5)Jesse S.
Service is terrible....they sit and watch TV While customers Wait = not Worth your money or time ' food is dry overfried and overpriced. DO NOT GO!
(1)Edward C.
We were blown away how fast the food came out. Laura got the chicken fajitas and loved it. I got the tacos carbon platter with steak... BOOM! Loved it all. Great service. Highly recommend.
(5)Michael S.
I have eaten here twice and both times really enjoyed the food. The service is outstanding. They bring out the food pretty fast too. Not sure how they can make such delicious food so quickly. I didn't give 5 stars because they didn't make my dish spicy enough. Otherwise I would have. I will comeback again soon and give them a chance to earn my 5 star rating. :)
(4)Benjamin M.
3.5 Stars. Although I'm not sure what is the technically correct ethnic tag to pin on this place (Tex Mex?), I do know I had a good lunch here. I started chowing down on almost a whole basket of complimentary chips and salsa with a margarita (after getting carded...lol) and then eventually moved on to the Tres Amigos Enchiladas plate. I tried my best to finish the chicken, beer and cheese enchiladas with sides of beans and rice, but came up a little short in the end. Efficient service and a spacious dining area are also definite pluses, making Ay Jalisco a good dining option along Snouffer School Road.
(3)Erica P.
I've ate here twice thus far. The food isn't bad and the customer service is good. I'm surprise the ratings are not higher. On Saturday, there is karaoke which is in Spanish. The drinks are on point unlike other restaurants where its watered down. I will definitely return.
(4)Kat F.
This place isn't too bad. It's more authentic Mexican than other places around here that I've tried. We came for lunch time. Since the restaurant was on the corner, the front and side of the restaurant has a lot of windows. There was absolutely no need to have any artificial lights on because of the bright sunlight coming through the windows, so all of the lights were off which made me think it was closed at first.The door was open, though so we went in. First, the chips are actually really thick chips and the salsa had a slight tinge of spicy, but not too much. My boyfriend and I tried the combination Fajitas (Steak and Chicken) and it was pretty good. It came out pretty quickly, too. The beans that came out with it were delicioso! And the rice? BANGIN'! We also ordered some Chicharones appetizer. The meat was incredibly dry, but very crunchy. And it came with yucca fries, which were hot and fresh. My boyfriend also ordered a tamale, but he really didn't like it. He said it was hard to chew. We both also ordered a glass of Horchata each. It was sweet and milky and did not have too much cinnamon in it. So overall, very good Fajitas and Horchata, but for Chicharones and tamales, we like Mi Peru (although it is Peruvian) much better.
(3)Jamey K.
Yum yum YUMMY! My son and I always leave stuffed with a doggie bag. I haven't had anything I didn't like..except for the bill...lol! Seriously, its a nice place with good food and drinks (the margaritas are the culprit on my bill) and i will say i have a problem paying $9 for VIRGIN pina colada :/
(4)Janis H.
Food is tasty, delicious, and affordable.
(5)William B.
My wife and I and my friend and his girlfriend and their infant child had dinner yesterday May 5th "Cinco de Mayo" at this place. We arrived at about 6:30PM and the place was packed so we were seated outside on the patio. We waited a long time for the waiter to come by, but he finally arrived and took our drink orders. It took about 30-45 minutes to get our drinks after complaining several times. In hindsight, we should have left, but we waited and eventually they took our order. The food took about 2 half hours to make it to our table after having to go find the waiter inside several times to ask where the food was and when it was coming to our table. By this time it was getting cold and my friend's girlfriend had to go to the car with their small baby. The food came finally and the quality was good, but it was like 9:30pm we had been waiting since 6:30pm. When the bill came they messed it up several times and added an automatic gratuity of 18% WTF! We asked to speak with the manager who came over and got into an argument with me about how he couldn't give us any discount. I suggested he comp half the bill, and he stated" What are you crazy!" I told him I would never be returning and he said that's fine if he loses a customer. Great customer service at this place. Finally, he gave us a 15% discount which was less then the 18% tip they added for no service. We were a party of 4, how do they add automatic gratuity anyways? Several other customers either just left or were complaining, but management did not seem to care. The manager told me don't you know today is a holiday "Cinco de Mayo", I said "Yes, and you should have been prepared "
(1)Kelly H.
My fam's been coming here forever and this is hands down my favorite tex mex restaurant. Particularly a fan of their chips and salsa, guacamole, chicken tamales, pupusas, quesadillas, and margaritas. Everything just comes out super fresh, flavorful, and tastes very homemade. Service can get side tracked, but they're so nice and if you eat outside with a drink in your hand - a little extra waiting time is bearable on a busy night. Not only that, but sometimes the service is above and beyond. One night my friend wanted a margarita made less sweet, and the manager came out and assembled the drink at the table with all of the ingredients to let her pick the portions. That's pretty special!
(5)Sokha A.
So we ordered the Surf and Turf and Salmon, which I know aren't 'tex mex" but, for me at least, the pictures on the back looked so good it made me want to try the salmon and I was not disappointed. I loved the yummy creamy sauce poured over the salmon and baby shrimp. My husband enjoyed his surf and turf as well, I tried his steak and thought it was great! Decided to try their flan (it's becoming a tradition apparently ...) and enjoyed it too! My daughter especially likes that they drizzled chocolate and raspberry syrup on top of it, great combination of flavors.
(4)Jessica J.
I've been eating at this place for years and it never fails to impress. I love the staff - they are all so nice and friendly. I love the food - all of it - and the margaritas are amazing. I highly recommend the pupusas and the fajitas. I love the mom and pop's feeling this place has... you're treated like you're family and welcomed into their home. Love it.
(5)Elizabeth V.
Delicious fajitas! Smelled so good when we walked in. very 'dive-bar' type atmosphere, but sometimes that's where you get the best food! Also had the appetizer platter. Hope to come back soon!
(4)Henry M.
We went to Ay Jalisco for Cinco de Mayo. Not much parking for the strip mall. Ay Jalisco is a big place, with outdoor seating. The soccer game was on inside, but it wasn't as load as the people. The... service... was... slow. That said, the plates were super hot, the food, particularly the beef fajitas, was very good, and the drinks were just fine. That said, there's a house drink featuring tequila with fresh grapefruit, orange, and lemon in a big margarita-style glass. Weak, and with the prices of drinks not listed on the menu, a serious rip-off at... $15.99! Between the expensive drink, the parking, and the slow service, they only get 3 starts, but the food WAS good, so we'll be back.
(3)Daniel H.
Been eating here for years. Really good food and mostly attentive service! It's a little off with the decor (even with the recent update), but the people and food make up for it!
(4)Lady Phade 1.
this place was pretty good. I would go back..I got the fajita and some pupusas and they were yummy. I liked the pupusas here taking it some places slack on making a good one. Friendly service as well! 08/15/2012
(4)Fenny L.
Of course, it would be AFTER that we buy a new home, that we finally venture into Ay! Jaliso (there is an ! after Ay. Heh.) It doesn't matter that we lived across the street for 4 years and never once ventured in. Nope. Only after we're about to move that we finally go in - and totally regret all the lost years! Ay! Jaliso is a cute little neighborhood dive that slings out fast and tasty Tex-Mex. The food is not haute cuisine by any stretch of the imagination, but it's solid, decent and tasty. This rough and tumble, yet charmingly decoratated with Patron bottles along all the windows, has the standard Tex-Mex fare that one would find at On the Border or what-not. However, a key difference is that the prices are much more reasonable, the food has a lot more flavor and seasonings, and the atmosphere is congenial and relaxed. I ordered the steak fajita, while my husband ordered one of the platters. I was surprised how tender and flavorful my skirt steak was - especially as I just had this same dish at Uncle Julios a mere week or so ago, and it was drenched in butter. Now, don't get me wrong - I loves me some butter...but it shouldn't be the only thing I taste when I'm eating a fajita. This meat was well seasoned (did I detect a hint of smoky ancho?), tender, and delicious. My husband's platter was inhaled within 10 minutes. The one tiny bite of the enchillada that I was able to wrestle away from him was delicious, with a hint of...cinnamon? Normally, I hate cinnamon, but in this dish, it added a suprising complexity to the flavor that was clearly unexpected, but very welcomed. I think for me, the best part of my experience, was the service. Our poor waitress was limping, and she had a cast on her foot. Yet - she was always prompt in serving us, checked up on us regularly, and was pleasant and efficient, although I'm sure that she was in pain. It's service like this, that makes me want to drag every crappy server I've ever encountered, and force them to watch how someone who obviously is injured - yet, is still competant and does their job well (needless to say, we gave her close to a 30% tip...and I almost never tip more then 20%). The only sour notes for us, were the chips, which tasted stale and as if they came out of a bag, and also when my husband asked what their drink specialties were (hoping for a recommendation on a house margarita, or perhaps some crazy delicious concotion), he was recommended "sex on a beach". Huh? But these are small issues to an otherwise delicious and well served meal. As my husband and I were walking out, full and resplendent in our full fatty glory, we both had to agree that this was one of the best Tex-Mex meals we've ever had. Miles beyond better then On the Border or Uncle Julios, and even edged out Guapos. Ay! Jalisco only comes second to Mi Rancho in Silver Spring...and then, it's a close second!
(4)Jim H.
Usually we have a good meal here, but just tried the vegetable burrito called the fiesta. It was terrible. Just frozen vegetables (carrots broccoli) in a tortilla. Def skip this entree.
(2)Laura W.
The food is, for the most part, what you would expect. I really enjoy the fajitas here. Sweet corn tamales will always be a favorite. However, if I have to wait 45 minutes for a tamale after asking three times, the need to feed that craving is non-existant. Almost an hour and a half for an entree? I don't think so. It's difficult to rate this place as low as this since I come here semi-frequently with my family. Unless the owner is in the building, your chance of OK service is out the door. I will continue to give this place more and more chances. I'm waiting for them to win me over again.
(2)Rich W.
Ay Jalisco is a nice little Sal-Mex (Salvadorean-Mexican) restaurant in upper Gaithersburg. They offer a full Salvadorean menu (pupusas, chorizo con queso, mar y tierra), as well as an extensive Mexican menu that leans towards Tex-Mex (burritos, tacos, tamales, enchiladas, and steak & chicken fajitas). And their grilled shrimp and baby back pork ribs (costillas) are to die for! There are vegetarian options on and off the menu (the vegetables in the veggie fajitas may come steamed unless you ask for the verduras asadas) and they even offer lard-free refried beans(!), and the kids menu ranges from quesadillas to chicken strips and hamburguesas con papas (fries, not fathers). Prices are great - far less than you'd expect to pay at a chain Tex-Mex restaurant, and the food is plentiful - they provide free refills on your sodas, chips, and salsa. And even if your Spanish isn't as good as Senora Peggy Hill's, the servers are all speak flluent English, although many of this popular joint's customers might not. Thanks to Ay Jalisco, we can say "Adios" to Chevy's!!!
(4)Evert L.
I've been to this place several times with my family. I decided to order three pupusas to go. When I got there none of the servers did not even greet me. One of them gave me a stare and asked what I ordered with an attitude. The other lady however was more polite than the other man. The food was good, but coming from an experienced server you just simply cannot be rude to your customers no matter what. Even if you're having a bad day. Good customer service is vital!
(3)Ronny L.
When I got my food I was enjoying it when suddenly I went for my sour cream and I found a piece of hair in it
(1)Cynthia P.
This place made both me and my friend extremely sick! We both had the pupusas (usually one of my favs). They tasted okay, but boy did we pay for it. Don't eat there unless you are prepared to spend the rest of the night on the toilet!
(1)Jemi C.
Small little neighborhood gem. As all the reviews rave, I had the steak fajitas and they were delicious! The meat was a little overcooked on the end pieces but the middle pieces were great. The marination is what makes the meat so yummo, smelling so good when its delivered to your table sizzling! I also got an appetizer size of the guac which wasn't worth the $$ - something was missing from it - maybe lime? maybe salt? The bf got a steak dish that came out w/ some red sauce which tasted like a tomato base. The meat was cooked well however the dish itself was not as good as the fajitas. Oh! and I got a chicken tamale which had good flavor as well. The portions are big. No problems with the waitstaff. Definately get the restaurant.com coupon if your going to eat here. I give it 4 stars just because the ambience isn't that great.. its kinda run down, patron bottles as decorations, but the food is def great.
(4)Ja'Bette L.
I liked the menu and the restaurant better when it was Los Chorros. It's not terrible, just too similar with non of the flavorful menu or nostalgia. Will it keep me from returning??? Of course not! I just won't be going out of my way.
(3)Adam J.
The best! Everyone there is friendly. Food is excellent and fairly priced. The fajitas are amazing. The chips are home made and they are not greasy like many other Tex-Mex places. One of my favorite places to eat in the area.
(5)Jack C.
Not a friendly place for white Americans. Stay Away from here. The people working her suck.
(1)Jatte L.
Ay Jalisco is an amazing place. It has amazing food. The salsa, guacamole, tortilla chips, etc. I ordered the Pupusas; really yummy. Not the best I will admit but still amazing from the range of 1-10 it's def an 8. The plantains are also good. To make a long review short. Amazing food all the way. :)
(4)Edwin N.
Since I work down the street and I was craving some Mexican and I ususally pass by Ay Jalisco I decided to try it. No regrets whatsoever. I got a chicken and cheese pupusa and two revueltas and they were really good. The pupusa sauce that comes with it is really tasty and perfectly complimented the pupusas. My friend got a cheese quesadilla and she had absolutely no complaints about her food and she even said it was one of the best quesadillas she's ever had. This was a takeout experience and I will definitely try dine-in sometime.
(4)P K.
Good food, good service, I have never had a problem there. We go there with some frequency. Not bad, but not the greatest... Food a bit on pricey side.
(3)Michelle S.
One of our favorite happy hour spots. We love their enchiladas, steak and fruit punch.
(5)Marie G.
This restaurant has been a local favorite for years. The food is excellent and the service is mostly great. I love the mix of Tex Mex and Salvadorean dishes. The way they marinate their flank steak for the fajitas is out of this world. Also, their Cadillac Margaritas are so delicious. Another favorite: Steak al Caballo. They are typically quite busy throughout the week, but particularly Friday and Saturday nights.
(5)Nick K.
This is my spot! Great Mexican food at great prices. Have fun going to Rio Grande and paying triple for what this place will serve it to you for. They just remodeled the place and it look great. It actually looks more like a chain restaurant now! Alcohol is a little pricey and not much of a happy hour but other than that this place is great! Ask for the hot salsa with the chips, 50 times better than the mild! Yum, me want a grilled steak burrito (my fav) from just writing this review! Plantains are great too here.
(5)Jessica M.
I'm going to give them 4 stars. They are consistent, give you chips & salsa the moment you walk in, and the food is a decent value. I had a coupon which reminded me this place exists. Sometimes restaurants get lost on this busy road. Pros: Lots of "extras" with meal. Like quac, beans, rice, etc Totally decent enchiladas and tamales Two kinds of salsa. One spicy, one more sauce-y Can always get a table Nice people Cons: Tea tastes funny Chimichanga is just a grilled burrito (they should deep fry that sucker!) Service, while always nice, can be sometimes slow come time for the check Turning left out of the parking lot is a bear
(4)Mike J.
The fajitas here are delicious. The waitstaff is attentive, but not top service, they are just there to do their job of serving you food, not to make you feel at home. Other then that the place is great. You can get a couple pupusas for cheap and call it your dinner for under $5. Or you can go with a date and use a restaurant.com certificate, saving a good chunk of change. When the weather is warm they have a shaded patio seating area which is great. They even cook outside sometimes.
(4)Ashleigh A.
This is by far my FAVORITE Mexican Restaurant! They have EXCELLENT fajitas and margaritas! They just redid the inside of the restaurant and it looks great! If you want to sit on the patio be sure to get there early because all the locals fill it up fast. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Jennifer H.
My family and I love the food here, and we get it often. I think that they have become more popular in recent years, so if we aren't up for a busy dining room, we like to call in and take it to go. The wait can sometimes be a pain, but the food is worth it. We love the chips and queso, and the enchiladas.
(4)Andrew K.
This is an authentic mexican restaurant with good food and good drinks. The margaritas are really potent and good and if you get the grande size, it's huge and you won't need another drink for the night. I got the beef burrito and that was really good and you get the guacomole, sour cream and salsa on the side. The shrimp soup is also pretty good. The servers are nice and most of the people who eat here are mexican so you know it's legit.
(4)Erin B.
Great food. The restaurant itself doesn't look like much...kind of a hole in the wall type of place, but sometimes those sort of places serve the best food and this place is no exception. They have amazing queso, fajitas and they had this huge margarita that was citrusy and refreshing. They have outside seating when it's warm
(5)T P.
Large portions. I am a hungry person but couldn't finish my meal in one sitting (it took a 30 minute break). The combo (steak and chicken) fajitas were scrumptious! And the large portions applied to the strips of meat as well -- no harm there! Meat was a bit too well done for my liking (as a meat lover) but the taste made up for it entirely. Onions were eh, nothing special. Same goes for the rice. The guacamole/diced tomatoes mix was pretty tasty; I could've use more. And more than just one small slice of green pepper; if that's for decoration, I don't want it. I could've used an extra tortilla as well in order to wrap all of the ingredients. But the tortillas were delicious. Now, the best for last: the hot pepper they included was spicy! wooh! almighty! the second you lose that tinge of unbearableness is the second before you crave another nibble. Now, let's get to what matters... Would I return? Yes, many times so. Is their menu varied enough to support going, let's say, multiple times a week since it's on the way back home? Yes, many times so.
(4)Sunshine W.
I LOVE this place. The staff is friendly. Good for the family. Good price. Good location. and most importantly. GOOD food!
(4)Pt E.
Service here was terrible. The waiter was rude and slow. We even had to ask for our water to be brought to the table. It took 40 min for our food to get to the table and when we got it the rice was cold. We will not be back. There are so many good restaurants around we won't be wasting our time or money at this one.
(1)Jody M.
I have been here more than a few times and we're always greeted with a smile and a table. I love this place. Try the Platter for 2! Its worth the money and they don't skip on the hospitality.
(5)Seth L.
I'm giving two stars only because the food was good. Otherwise the service stunk. First, the manager refused to honor our gift certificate and then he was hostile. In addition, they refused to separate the checks. I will not be going to this restaurant again and I'd advise others not to as well. Good food does not offset the lousy service.
(2)James D.
FAJITAS! FAJITAS! FAJITAS! That's all I really *should* say cuz that's all you really need to know. Steak fajitas. Best I have ever had and I have had them a lot of places. If you like Rio Grande well, these blow them away. Also, they bring you tons of yummy chips (homemade) and salsa (also home made). I love the flavor of the regular salsa that they give you but here is a secret (shhh... they also make a "hot" salsa that is also the bomb if you like it hot! Personally I like getting both so I can get the flavor of the mild and the bang of the hot. The beer is cold and they recently had a small renovation so it looks nicer inside. Also have a good outdoor eating area which can be hard to find up in this nape of the woods...neck of the nape..around here. Oh - never had it but they will whip up a batch of Mojito's for you if you want and it did look pretty enticing. Lastly, if you end up sitting at the bar, don't get all bent out of shape when I ask them to switch the tv from Spanish soap operas to the Nationals game ok? Ok.
(5)Claude H.
We tried the steak fajitas and the steak burrito. For the money, you get a decent portion, but not significantly more than you would at any other Mexican restaurant. The prices are comparable to what you would get at, say, Chevy's, and if I recall correctly, the steak at Chevy's is more tender. The steak you get for the fajitas and in the burrito here was on the tough and chewy side, maybe overcooked. My friend who had spent time in Texas and was hoping for a real Tex-Mex said the marinade for the fajitas is not the lime marinade as might be expected. As someone else mentioned, the wait staff are not that attentive; you may have to get up yourself to get more salsa. Pro (or con): any chile you may find on your plate is probably going to be pretty powerful stuff. Perhaps if we knew Juan our food might have been better?
(2)Kelly B.
Love this Place! Owners are great with my kids too.
(5)Debbi L.
Excellent!! Just moved back to the area and were looking for a good authentic Mexican restaurant. We found it! Food is excellent...great tortillas, guacamole, beef and chicken. Plus Chef Juan is a real treat. Our go to from now on
(5)Adam S.
Great place to go for AWESOME fajita's! I always get the Ay Jalisco platter-steak, shrimp and chicken...Alway's tastes just right...The queso dip is much better than any of the larger mexican restaurants, I think it's because Ay uses sour cream, whatever they use it's addicting! Highly recommend this place.
(4)Kevin M.
The fajitas are great. Service is prompt. An excellent dinner choice.
(4)JB D.
Come to this restaurant during the busiest time of day just for the experience! It is like walking thru the door and into another world. It is just great! The atmosphere was great, the food was great, the staff were all great, and the prices are excellent!
(5)Christopher G.
My wife and I have been going to Ay Jalisco for more than 10 years and have been regulars due to primarily the food ( papusas, fajitas, plato tipoco, al caballo, quezadillas, and other platters are our usuals). The service isn't bad at all and eveyone is polite, though there is the occasional misshap. We've gone in both small and large parties with kids and they've always worked to make sure everyone had what they needed. The food is great at the price offered. Though there had been a slight decline of the quality of beef, I assume due to the need to account for harsh economic times, it is still the best you will find at a local restaurant if this type and is cooked to your liking. The chicken is just as good as always.
(5)Trish W.
I have been a regular here for probably 5 years. The food is CONSISTENTLY awesome. The service for the most part is very good but if the owner is not there, there can be delays in ordering. As of May 2012, I am very pleased to see all the recent renovations. New floor, fresh paint, fresh linens, new furniture really add to the decor. Tonight's meal was the best ever - the steak was very tender and tasty. Ask for the spicer salsa if you like dip and chips hot. My favorite restaurant for sure..... and I will continue going back on a regular basis. If I had to make a suggestion, I would suggest they update their outdoor furniture so it isn't so wobbly. Otherwise, it is hard to find a complaint at this place.
(4)Vanessa H.
If you are digging Mexican and Salvadorian style food this is this place. The atmosphere is what you are expecting from a great family run establishment. They were renovating at the time and all the tile was removed with exposed grout but this just made the restaurant all that much more authentic. From the great yuca, fried plantines and a whole host of fantastic food Al Jalisco kept providing what was needed in an overly pretentious part of Maryland. Margaritas, shots of tequila, tecate.... What else is needed? This is authentic, phenomenal and worth it for anyone that wants real food, not that silly fusion stuff that is over priced!
(5)Ann S.
Great local place! It's always good to see a local place make it through this economy. Just had lunch there today (veggie fajitas). Very good. Also had a margarita- could have used a little more tequila, and a little less squirt. Great service, and was happy to see it pretty busy. We are looking forward to the summer to sit outside on the deck!
(4)Ricky S.
Love this place! All of the food is good. The salsa is sensational - very flavourful! Fajitas give you a nice portion of steak - definitely enough to share. Sometimes when I get takeout, it takes the staff a few minutes to figure out what's going on, but I've never waited more than 5 minutes. And it's not really a good happy hour place because the mixed drinks are very pricey - somewhere around $8 for a margarita which is the right price in Manhattan but not in Gaithersburg! Either way, I will be back - for takeout and sit-down.
(4)s r.
Based on Yelp reviews of this restaurant, I had high hopes...plus we had Restaurant.com deal so it seemed like a good bet. Sadly, we were sorely disappointed. Service was painstakingly slow. It was a Fri night but there were few customers. We had to flag down our waiter anytime we needed something. We sat for 10 minutes before anyone asked if we'd like a drink. Then it was another 15 mts before the drinks (or even water) was served. We ordered a non-alcoholic daquiri for a child in our group (big mistake!). Our server brought the drink out, we tasted it (as always) to make sure it was a virgin daquiri - it tasted funny - we weren't 100% sure there was alcohol in it so we called the server back and asked if she was ABSOLUTELY sure there was no alcohol. She insisted there wasn't & walks away...comes back 5 mts later and says she ISN'T sure and takes the drink away. Umm....the kid already took a few sips. This was an automatic rating reduction in a HUGE way. Perhaps it's our fault for trusting our requests are being understood by the waitstaff, but we have NEVER had this issue in any other establishment ordering a virgin drink. Next the entrees--there was a 15 minute gap between the arrival of the 1st entree and the rest of the entrees. Kids in our group got served last. Food was completely lackluster. I had vegetable fajitas - seriously it was frozen mixed veggies cooked in butter and it was a meager portion. We also had cheese enchiladas. They must have been microwaved they were so bland and listless. The cheese pupusa, salsa, and margaritas were good, but that is certainly not enough to bring us back here ever again. If we want mediocre to bland Mexican food in the Rockville/Gaithersburg area there are plenty of other places to visit that are a lot less out of the way.
(1)