El Vaquero
3230 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH, 43202
El Vaquero Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3230 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH, 43202 - Phone (614) 261-0900
- Website https://www.vaquerorestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Lula Mae W.
I've not had a lot of Mexican food in Ohio, but I've lived in CO, AZ, and CA, so I've had a lot of Mexican food, and this restaurant in OH ranks among the best anywhere. The carne asada tacos will immediately transport you from a heartland state that borders Canada to a taco truck on International Blvd in Oakland. Oh yeah, the margaritas (on the rocks with salt, please) will knock you on your ass.
(4)Joseph P.
My wife loves the marghiritas (sp.). Food was okay!
(3)Michael G.
Why do they allow smoking on the patio? Voluminous menu, straight TexMex style. You choose if you like that. I can say the happy hour Margarita is awesome. Servers are attentive.
(3)Heather S.
I'm torn in the number of stars to give this. In my head, it is 5 stars, but in reality, it is prob 3-3.5 stars. The service is sometimes great and sometimes horrible. The food is sometimes great and sometimes wrong and not great. But, I keep coming back and convincing all of my loved ones to go with me because I absolutely love Mexican food! I guess you could say this is your typical Mexican restaurant with the typical menu. They have a huge selection of food and appetizers. The portions are generally sufficient to fill you up, especially since you can eat as much chips and salsa as you want prior to dinner. Again, I love the food, even when it's not on point, I love the food. I totally overlook bad service and food almost anytime it happens because I just truly love this place. That's why I'd give it 5 stars honestly. This particular location also has a great patio to enjoy the nice weather.
(3)Chas M.
Typical Mexi-american. Margaritas didn't even have a hint of booze in em so we ordered extra shots. Kinda bummed about that but the nachos and salsa were good. Bartenders were chatty and the people sitting at the bar were fun too.
(3)Arvid Y.
As others have mentioned, El Vaquero is a pretty standard chain Mexican restaurant. There are really no surprises here. They have an all-encompassing menu, free chips and salsa and a variety of drink specials with a happy hour that runs between 4 and 8 pm. The friendly service, drink specials and the fact that my buddy lives next door are reasons that bring me back to El Vaquero. They also have plenty of seating, so it's a good place to bring a large group of coworkers for food or for post-work drinks. The friendly staff does a great job at making you feel at home.
(3)Travis Z.
Great fun environment with fast service and great pricing
(4)Brian R.
This review is for a check-in on Friday, July 10, 2015, around 6 p.m. Do you dream of eating serviceable Mexican food parked next to the speakers in a loud, crappy nightclub? Do you think of Taylor Swift and 2 Chainz at full-volume as being the perfect musical accompaniment to a meal? If so, then I have a spot for you...this El Vaquero location. However, as someone that likes to be able to have a conversation at dinner without having to shout to be heard and doesn't enjoy having the manager dismiss my feedback with nothing more than a simple, "I'm sorry," I'm giving this location 1-star. (If you look at my other reviews, you'll see that I don't grant such low ratings frequently.) I don't go into any El Vaquero looking for fine dining, but I'm sure not expecting a strip club experience sans strippers... I'll try to keep this brief, as I could rant about how unpleasant this experience was to the point of exhaustion. I was seated in an area near a large table of people, and I instantly wondered why it sounded more like a club than a restaurant. I quickly came to realize that some genius had decided to put a Touchtunes jukebox in a restaurant, a jukebox that teenage boys in the large party were taking advantage of. Now, I'm not hating on their musical tastes, but it was the volume of the music that disturbed me. When the typical background music that plays in a typical El Vaquero is playing, it's acceptable. However, when this jukebox was playing, the speaker volume was pretty much maxed out. My friend and I honestly had to practically shout to talk. Simply unacceptable, and the genius who thought that it would be a good idea to have a blaring jukebox in a restaurant should be fired. So, I asked to be moved, and our server - who was great and seemed mortified by the music - apologetically indicated that there were no seats available in the other wing of the restaurant. I powered through my meal, determined to get out of there as soon as possible. When it came time for the checks, the server indicated that the cashier was also the manager, and that I should really let her know how I felt about my experience. I did so, as politely yet firmly as possible, and at first, she tried to shift the blame by indicating that I should have asked to be moved (which I did). After that, it was a matter of her handing me my receipt while saying, "I'm sorry," about as dismissively as possible. I walked away with the impression that this particular manager was lacking in hospitality service skills. So, that's about it. The food was decent, the server was great, but between the loud music and the attitude of management towards customer concerns, this place delivered the worst dining experience I've had in a couple years. It takes a truly bad experience to cause me to post a negative review, because - as my other reviews show - even when my experience is somewhat disappointing, I still look for the positive and am generous - perhaps too generous at times - with my ratings. Consider yourself forewarned about Club El Vaquero. However, if you aren't put out by bad management and the potential to be all about the bass during your meal, the food is a solid 3-stars (and once again, our server was great). All said, I'd go elsewhere.
(1)Aaron C.
We were trying to find a place to eat, my gf has celiacs so the restaurants are limited. Normally majority mexican restaurants are gluten-free and since this was close with less of a wait compared to campus (don't try dining around the gateway when homecoming is going on horrible idea). We got here and they were busy but not too busy and found a seat. My girlfriend asked if they have a menu of what is gluten-free so the waiter brought her out a menu. The menu was so confusing, one area said food one safe, but another area said it was not. All their chicken was not gluten-free, their vegetarian menu was not gluten-free. The only thing safe was the steak and that's a maybe on that. She ordered a steak fajita and I ordered 3 steak tacos. The other mexicans restaurants we have been to the portions were large and the prices were excellent. Not here when they brought out the food the portions were small, the nachos tasted horrible, and the prices were the highest I have seen at a mexican restaurant (made chipotle look like a bargin) Given the over priced food, poor quality, small portions, and the confusing menu they have we will not return to this establishment.
(1)Rachel F.
Great for quick, sit down and eat Mexican food. My go-to is the chips and queso with a taco salad or the fajita quesadilla! Margaritas are also always a plus
(4)Liza V.
They have mashed potatoes in the chili rellleno. Did you hear me? MASHED POTATOES!!! Ok, now that I've gotten that out of the way... This is your typical chain mexican joint (besides the mashed taters, as previously mentioned). They've got queso dip, unlimited chips and salsa, pitchers of margaritas, and all the standard mexican fare. I've got nothing to complain about. Service is fine, drinks are priced pretty fairly, and the food is greasy, cheesy, and gooey. This place is A-OK!
(3)Candace M.
I was a little skeptical of El Vaquero after hearing some of the very mixed reviews about it. Went during the World Cup for lunch. The place was busy! I got the avocadilla. It was a quesadilla with avocado, zucchini, and red peppers. I opted for no peppers. It was good! Service was good. The food was good. It was about $10 for my meal, which I think is a little overpriced for what I got. Otherwise, overall, no big complaints. I would return!
(3)Son T.
Pretty average Mexican chain. Margarita was so so. I sent my first one back and the second one was better. I ordered mixed fajita with grilled zucchini and squash. I had to remind them to bring out the zucchini and squash.
(2)Kaoru M.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in town. Huge menu, great outdoor patio, tasty margaritas, and amazing service. I can't claim to be an expert in Mexican cuisine, but the food here is consistently better than what we've had on our trips to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Costa Maya, and Cozumel. Coupons to this restaurant are readily available in the mail, local newsletters, and the Columbus Entertainment Book, so that's a plus too. I'm amazed at the dedication of the workers here. When the derecho storm back in 2011 knocked out all the power in the area, El Vaquero seemed to be the only restaurant that was open that night. (They apparently have a huge gas generator out back)
(4)Ryan S.
It's true that The Cowboy doesn't rustle up the most authentic Mexican grub--there's plenty of that in town--but it suits me just fine. See, most of the dishes offered by our friends to the south are not my go too meal. I am not a fan of Mexican food, for the most part. Sure you can have your tacos, your burritos, your guacamole; I will enjoy my Italian, German, Greek, oriental fare. But there is one ironic catch: the chicken fajita is in my top five favorite dishes over all the food in the world. My opinion, Al Vaquero serves up one of the best chicken fajita in town-- in the American interpretation of Mexican that is. Coming out steaming on a plate, the chicken strips excites the stomach. Next to it fresh peppers, beans, rice, onion shrooms--the usual--allowing you ( I know this is done everywhere) to pick the make-up of your meal; rolling the chosen ingredients in the hot tortilla shell is a ritual of excited anticipation. Add to it a cold bottle of Dos Equis and you really have a satisfying meal. Or choose Corona, and really put the IN in inauthentic. The decor is stereotypical southwestern with its adobe like stucco and brink arches, but it is beautiful all the same. The place has a great atmosphere. It works as a place old friends can gather before hitting the town, an intimate date spot, or a casual dinner place to take work friends and clients when deciding to move up a step from Panera/ Chipotle level. The service here is great, fast. The food comes in large sizes so you may leave with a doggie bag instead of hunger. Although I will never try anything else, various dinner mates say that their other servings are good. I have been going to this El Vaquero since I lived off Olentangy as a college student. It has never lost its mojo in the years since I first found my love for chicken fajitas.
(4)Kevin K.
Pretty boring place. Same old rice and beans and greasy Mexican ( if you call it that) Definitely would not waste my time going back. They try but really, considering the great reviews, it is nothing more than rice and beans however you want them. Yuck
(2)Tiffany W.
El Vaquero is my go-to place for tex-mex food in Columbus. Their menu is huge with many options, portions are large, and very reasonably priced. When you sit down, they hand you a menu and then immediately come by with a huge bowl of fresh salsa and tortilla chips. I always have to exercise self-control to avoid filling myself up on those chips before my main dish comes out. The dishes are pretty standard tex-mex, lots os rice, beans, guac, tomatoes, cheese, various meats, etc. The service is pretty decent as well, our waiters were nice and tried to help us navigate through the extensive menu. I went during a week day evening and it wasn't busy at all.
(3)Rick S.
Once upon a time, this used to be a really good restaurant. But as time carried on, so did their quality. My last trip there was probably my last trip there. Food was just warm, actually tasted like it was microwaved cooked. I'm sorry, but you guys should have stayed the small restaurant as it was in the past. Growth is not always a good thing.
(2)Tamra P.
I don't mean to write short review but, I'm a kid and i have been to 2 El Vaquero restaurants and, one of them had poor quality service all i saw was the same two employes.The other one [ which i went on 7/9/2015] I found a piece of plastic in my food. Need I say no more. Trash.
(1)Andy N.
Wow, talk about friendly and speedy service! For Mexican food here in Columbus, I think I can give a pretty solid seal of Californian approval. One of my boss' took me here for lunch and I can see why he loves it! His take on the restaurant is that they "know what you want before you even walk in the door," and it's probably because of how quick the food came out! Our waiter came and immediately placed a big bowl of tortilla chips with a side of salsa, all included in the dining experience. A few minutes later, our drink orders were taken and in less than a minute, we had a big cup of liquidity goodness. Before long... yep, you guessed it. Our two Fajita Express lunch ($9 - $11) specials were taken, and I swear in less than three minutes, our food was already out. We had also ordered a side of guac and sour cream, both of which came in cute tortilla bowls which I'm sure are edible if you chose to snack on it. My steak fajita was not bad! It was definitely better when piping hot, but I remember having one or two really juicy pieces. The blend of seared veggies on the skillet complimented the meat, but again, are best eaten when hot. Once it cools down a bit, it does get a bit chewy which is disappointing, but overall still good. We had a great time here and I'm so glad I got to eat here. Admittedly, I won't have a lot of time this summer to try out other Mexican restaurants, but El Vaq is definitely a solid choice close by to OSU to fit anyone's needs. Plenty of parking is available in a private lot.
(4)Kevin N.
If I could give them less, I would! I remember when they used to have a couple restaurants and the quality was good. On New Year's Eve, I ate at the Stoneridge restaurant and puked my brains out and sat on the toilet for 24 hours. Last night, we went again to the Olentangy restaurant to celebrate a birthday and my father in law is puking his brains out and on the toilet. Obviously, they have a food quality issue going on. He does not drink and simply had chips and beef tacos. Should not be hard to mess that up. This is what happens to small restaurants and businesses when they grow. No attention to detail, food quality suffers, prices go up, and no longer a place we want to do business with.
(1)Penny O.
I believe this restaurant can be better. It needs a good cleaning and better service. Smells when you walk into place and outdoor dinner is filthy.
(1)Brandon M.
EV was across from my hotel, so I decided to stop in and grab some supper. Here are the highlights: * Everyone was super friendly * Food was average. I had the "Pollo a la diabla". I figured with a word like "diabla" in the dish name, it would be far more spicy. Not so much. A little heat, not more than that. * Margarita was average, but they filled the goblet to overflowing. * I had to go to the bar to get a refill * Service was less than stellar, but in fairness, from what I could tell, it was a super busy night * I'd probably come back, but definitely wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Cynthia T.
Visiting Columbus on business with a party of 4. 1) I ordered 2 chicken enchiladas and received a plate of cheese & chicken with some bland sauce. 2) T ordered soup that was some broth with boiled chicken, no flavor. 3) wait staff was gathered gossiping and texting. I do not think they wanted to be there. 4) margarita was not bad. Overall I would recommend that you go elsewhere for a delicious dinner.
(2)Kari S.
The carnitas were delicious- great authentic Mexican fare. Good sized portions will fill you up. My friend ate fajitas and they were great as well. The food came out within minutes of ordering and the staff was very friendly and attentive. Would definitely eat there again and try other items I would love.
(4)Paul F.
I've had this one on my list and decided that today would be the day. So I drove over to Olentangy River Road and went inside. It looks a lot like Casa Hacienda on the inside. Same tile, similar furniture, etc. They were only about twenty-five percent full today so I had no trouble grabbing a waiter. I first ordered some guacamole. It was "okay" but not nearly as good as Cuco's. For my entree, I ordered chicken in chipolte sauce. This tasted like they had cooked it in ketchup. Seriously! It wasn't awful but pretty close. My meal came with rice and beans. And the chicken was a bit on the dry side. For dessert, I ordered a flan. This was pretty good! The bottom line is the food was just "okay". But I won't be back. With restaurants like Casa Hacienda and Cuco's around They'll get first dibs on my money.
(3)Beth S.
How did this place number one on the Columbus Alive's best Mexican Restaurant? It's a cookie cutter idea- nothing unique. I want to feel special as the guest of a restaurant, that's what part of dining out means to me. At the very least, I want eye contact from one of the three associates at the host stand within the first minute and a half of entering a restaurant where I'm about to spend money. Too much to ask? Maybe. A previous review related their dish to cat food, and after the dish I received, I'll have to agree. The texture was blah, the cheese congealed before I got to the end of the meal, the veggies weren't fresh, save for the iceberg lettuce. And if you're gonna deck out the menu with tons of photos, why not make the food look like the pictures? When I think good Mexican, I imagine all the fantastic no name food trucks in Grove City. Columbus! Shame on you for rating this number one. I would forgo local and eat the branded Chipotle rather than come back.
(2)Amy R.
Breakfast at El Vaquero is fantastic! This is going to be the go-to place this football season. I'm working my way through the omelets - and every single one so far has been worth it. Advocado, mushroom and today the 4 cheese! Getting the Mexican chorizo loaded home fries is a MUST! Get the tortillas as your bread and we talking serious fast breaking. #foodie
(5)Nancy M.
We really appreciated this place. The service was quick and attentive. The we primarily ordered shrimp dishes and they were all good. The food is not gourmet but well prepared, well priced and competently served.
(4)Merve S.
Smells terrible you question the quality of their food as you walk in. Our waiter had no idea he must be a college student who didnt like the food himself Ordered burritos turned out to be enchiladas We had enough of it so we said ok to the wrong order. Silverware was worse than anything I've seen out. Meat didnt seem or taste like meat.. We left grossed out from the whole experience. Wont be back!
(1)Andrew A.
After a day of conducting research interviews around Columbus my colleagues and I wanted something easy and close to our hotel. El Vaquero was in walking distance. Plus the gentleman at the front desk at our hotel said it was the best mexican restaurant in Columbus for the past seven years. Even with that build-up, we didn't expect much and just wanted a good, warm meal on a night where the temps were hovering at - 13 degrees. We expected the typical mexican 1-2-3 in this cavernous mexican restaurant, but the menu was more diverse. Most important - the margaritas were good. The service was very prompt and courteous. And the food was very fresh and flavorful. Even though I thought I wanted more than the typical 1-2-3, I ended up having soft chicken tacos, but they were delicious.
(3)Greg H.
I called at 4:45 PM with an order of two entrees from the specialties section of the menu and a kids quesadilla for pick up around 5:15 on a Thursday. They asked my name and said 10-15 min, but were promptly agreeable to having the meal ready at the later time. They confirmed their location before hanging up. My wife swung by on her way back from work around 5:30 and was not immediately acknowledged by the hostesses when she entered, but instead waited patiently for them to finish their conversation. Luckily, I had picked up the kids earlier because they claimed that there were no orders in for pick up either by phone or online and sent her back out to the car to ask me if I called in the order to the correct location. We spoke on the phone and I hung up then called the restaurant back to ensure that the order went to the right location. In the meantime, they asked my wife what meal #s we ordered and she wasn't sure. I don't know why they bothered to take my last name but not use that to find the order. They found the order eventually, and said it would be right out and offered her a glass of water while she waited. They explained that they didn't find the order initially because it wasn't placed in the last 10-15 minutes. We ate the cold dinner, moist from condensate around 6:15. They did nothing to make amends for or even acknowledge this poor level of service...unless you count the glass of water. I don't think that covers it.
(1)Amber S.
Before Cuco's arrived on the scene, El Vaquero was my go-to Mexican restaurant. I'll still stop by if I'm craving chips and salsa. One of the big bags is something like $7.50 with a huge container of salsa and can be used as an appetizer at a party. They have a happy hour that starts at some crazy hour like 4pm. :)
(3)Marie G.
I came here with a large group, and the restaurant was very accommodating (separate checks, etc.) I got the Tacos Costeros with the broccoli slaw. I ordered off the lunch menu, so the portions weren't over-generous (I had precisely 3.5 shrimp in my shrimp taco). But everything tasted really good, and much to my own surprise, I really liked the broccoli slaw. The free chips were prepared fresh and tasted much better than those I've had at other Mexican restaurants, too.
(4)Herman C.
It was kind of a painful experience. We came to the restaurant earlier in the evening with only another part of 5 in the main seating area. The servers were slow to get our drink orders and took multiple requests to get something like... tabasco. Food was pretty standard but mine personally came out cold. Not sure if i'd go back. Might have been an off day for them though.
(2)Ed G.
I never thought this place was great, but I feel like it's gone downhill since I first went there years ago. Cops and salsa haven't changed but the guacamole was mostly filler with a little avocado. A 21oz Modelo was $3.50 while a 32oz was $8.00 which is fine with me because you get more for less, but kinda confusing. I got the #15, Pollo 3 Queso, which sounded promising. Grilled chicken with peppers, onions, zucchini and squash covered in mozzarella and feta with a side of rice. It was served on an oversized iron skillet which was only half filled with food. The veggies were limp and had no cheese on them like the photo. The chicken was as expected, thin and a little dry, but with ample cheese on top. There just wasn't much bang for the buck and the flavor was just mediocre.
(3)Colleen R.
I really really want to like El Vaquero. It is the closest place to get Mexican from my house without going on campus. I have been to this location multiple times and have been disappointed every time. A good Mexican restaurant starts off with good chips, in my opinion. The chips here are way too big and lack flavor. They are free though, so it wouldn't be fair to rate them on something I didn't even pay for. I have gotten the margaritas, burritos, tacos and quesadillas. Every one lacked flavor. My quesadilla was very small for the price. The burrito had meat that was extremely dry to the point that I couldn't finish it. The tacos are average. I just think there are many better places to get Mexican in Columbus.
(2)Paul N.
I liked it! For a cookie cutter Mexican restaurant the Pollo Queso was flavorful and served on a cast iron platter to keep it warm. That and a large Dos Equis draft came in at under $20 with a generous tip. A good value in my opinion. Standard atmosphere and good service. Solid 3 stars for an average and likable experience.
(3)Marie G.
The Olentangy Road location is by far my favorite. The service is always great. There is plenty of parking. The menu offers plenty of options and the margaritas are always flowing! Food portions are always big and they taste OK. The salsa is pretty good. Maybe I've outgrown them but I've recently found myself at other Mexican restaurants in town...and there are plenty of great options!
(3)Gettin M.
Ayo, it really don't matter what I got to say about this spot cuz they slammed every time I been there. They got fajitas and margaritas down to a science yo but in that too fast, factory-type way. They must got like 20 of everything waitin, that's just how they doin it, feedin a bunch of students and midwest folk accustomed to mediocre Tex-Mex. Somebody up top know they don't really gotta try very hard in this climate, smell me? Standard midwest Mex, I can't stress it enough dog. They chips and salsa is nice, I give em that. But the menu way too big of course, when you know it's just a bunch of meat, melted cheese, beans, and tortillas arranged in different shapes. Come on man. Real talk, you know there a dozen trucks in town now servin better tacos and burritos than you ever find here. I think maybe the average-ness of this joint ain't really lost on most people that come here. Sometimes you need a spot for big groups that's fast, loud, cheap, and got TVs for whatever sport in season, feel me. It can be forgiven. But if you never been and you just heard people rave about this place, you might come out feelin bloated saying "no me gusta," huelame? I've had tacos, burritos, enchiladas, flautas, all that. I can't ever really remember enjoyin any of em. I was hungry, they gave me food, I gave them money. Fair enough. That's how I remember the sh*t. Great job gang. Yo actually, last time I went I got some enchiladas - they brought em to me so fast, they forgot to cook them sh*ts. Told the waiter, and she damn near beatboxed on me, all "pfff, mmchk". That ain't professional now. Somethin wrong, just take care of it, don't go actin like I'm 6 and you my mom and I didn't eat the tuna casserole. FOH wit that. Last thing - margaritas. They make em just like you expect - in mass quantities, not enough tequila, too much sour mix. It's to be expected but I wasn't up for that mess one time so I asked if the bartender could hook me up a real one - no sugary ass sour mix, just tequila, cointreau, lime juice. She ain't know what I was talkin about and she just about beatboxed me too. But I explained and they hooked it up. For that, I give them an invisible bonus half star.
(2)Zane C.
This is a local chain Mexican restaurant. So if you like the food at one, you'll like it at all of them. I have been to many of the El Vaq's in the area, and get the same service everywhere. The wait staff is pretty good, but not great. I've never had a big complaint other than when they are really busy and food and drinks take a long time. All the Mexican dishes you can think of, they have it and make it well. The prices are fair for a sitdown restaurant, and the margaritas are delicious! While I love Cazuela's, this is a nice option if you're farther north, or Cazuela's is packed like normal.
(4)Robbie M.
Even though El Vaquero is basically a clone of many Mexican restaurants, I enjoyed them for two reasons. 1. They offer distinct vegetarian options that are more than just different combinations of bean burrito, tostada, and quesadilla. My cheese enchiladas were topped with a rich sauce, varied bell peppers, and crisp onions. 2. They don't cook their beans with any animal products! Of course, I would always check with them to make sure they didn't change their cooking methods. I gave El Vaquero a 4 star rating because the food was above average for typical Mexican restaurant and they cater to the vegetarian crowd.
(4)Antoni G.
We stopped at El Vaquero on our way home from Cleveland and my wife used to love it when she was @OSU. Having reservations about a place she recalls from 10 years ago while fully enjoying her college partying, I went in with a slightly negative attitude. I am happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. It was a Sunday afternoon and the place was very clean and well lit. There were a few families there and a few tables of lively groups. Our server was absolutely fantastic. She was very knowledgeable on the menu and even knew what cooks were int he kitchen and what they make best. My wife and I shared the Fajitas and the kids had tacos. Before the meal even came out they brought a fresh cilantro filled salsa with warm corn chips. I asked for a hot salsa and there were 2 that came. One was a habanero lime mix and the other a smoky Chipolte. Both were amazing and hot too. The meals came quickly and were fresh and tasty. The fajitas for 2 could have easily fed 3. The margaritas were tasty as well and were not from a mix and syrupy. They made them fresh and you could actually taste the elements of the drink. I will definitely be back!
(4)Zach M.
It's mexican by numbers. Quick, not very authentic...yada, yada, yada. But sometimes that's what I'm craving and on the whole, I really like El Vaq. Just not this location.... I don't know what it is about this one in particular. Service is horrendous. Always seems to be 15+ people working, but no one offering to seat you or take your order. I once stood in line behind 3-4 parties so probably 10-12 people and in 10 minutes no one had been seated yet and the place was completely empty. This location also smells a little weird, not sure what's up with that. The patio is large but sitting between sonic and BK by the highway doesn't feel quite right. It can get the job done, but if you have time go to another El Vaq location or someplace entirely else.
(2)Emily L.
El Vaquero is becoming the big chain of local Mexican restaurants in Columbus and it's my personal go to for great Mexican food. The menu is great and has so many options that there is literally something for everybody. I usually stick to the combo meal so I can pick and choose my own favorites. Tonight, I had the pick 2 combo with the chile relleno and the tamale. Both were really good. Along with that, the happy hour is great because it last from 4-8 and they have great drink specials and $1.50 off appetizers, so it's a fun place to meet up after work. This isn't a fancy place, by any means. But if you're looking for a huge, delicious portion of Mexican food at a good price, this is the spot to be.
(4)Mary M.
We moved to Columbus from Virginia and have been desperate to find a decent Mexican restaurant-- El Vaquero is the best we've found (so far). Good margaritas, great service, pretty good food, and big TVs!
(4)Zack R.
The food at El Vaquero is pretty standard, if not slightly better than most Mexican restaurants. The chicken is juicy, the beef is flavorful. The sides left a little to be desired, especially the pinto beans. Pretty flavorless. The service is pretty subpar. When asked what Jalisco sauce was, our server just said, "I don't know, I've never had it". That alone dropped this link in the El Vaquero chain down to two stars.
(2)Seth c.
I truly cannot rate this restaurant because we were never seated. We walked in on Monday evening 7.7.14 at around 7:15 pm. We waited to be seated, and waited, and waited. The entire time we stood right next to 4 servers who were to busy conversing with each other to greet us. Its not that they did not see us, because we were standing right next to them, they just chose to be rude and let us stand there for about 5 minutes before we looked at each other and unanimously agreed to leave. We will not be back. There are plenty of other Mexican restaurants in the city.
(1)Kay L.
The restaurant is clean and the food is good. I had chili lime tilapia and it was cooked perfectly.
(4)T B.
Very average Mexican fair. It usually arrives a bit too fast. Is there a buffet setup in the kitchen to quickly assemble my burrito or is it pre-made and sitting under a heat lamp? Despite that it's usually tasty enough that I go back. It could be just a habit. They are located across the city. The chips and salsa are good. The service is all over the map. The last time I was there it's not good at all. She just wanted to process us. The beer selection is bad; which is to say normal for a Mexican chain. Is there some rule that every Mexican chain has to sell every Mexican beer? Oh and the common domestics too. It's time to break ranks and offer a local micro or even a Sam Adams. After reading this it's clear I need to find a new Mexican place. Time to Yelp! I think I will avoid El Vaquero for for awhile.
(2)Stephanie K.
Ok Ok yes it's starting to look like from my reviews that all I eat is Mexican, but it's not true. Just seems to be a trend lately. El Vaquero has a fairly large menu and seems to be probably one of the most popular Mexican restaurants and chains in Cbus. I think the food is pretty mediocre though. I ordered the Mole Poblano. My only other mole experience was at a restaurant in Seattle that was renowned for their mole sauce so maybe this isn't fair, but the mole sauce at El Vaquero was kind of gross. Too sweet and the flavors not complex enough. The tortillas that were served with my dish were soft in places and hard in others. I think they were maybe trying to revive some stale tortillas? The service is usually very fast though. I still prefer places like Cuco's over El Vacquero.
(3)Brian W.
Pretty basic mexican-type chain food. A step above a Taco Bell, but nothing very authentic or imaginative. The interior is spacious and generally okay.
(3)TJ R.
Truly mediocre Mexican. Just above the fast food chains. I've never tried anything I was impressed with.
(2)Randy S.
If I want to eat Mexican food in Columbus, chances are pretty good that I'm going to eat at El Vaquero. It's not the fanciest place. The food isn't mind-blowing. But it is pretty much what you would want from a neighborhood Mexican joint: fast service, consistent quality, fresh-ish tasting food, large menu. The only catch is that its proximity to campus/hospital means that it is frequently packed. The crowds tend to get a little loud. I think big groups must love this place. I'm always disappointed that the locations are all on the west side.
(4)Jackie P.
As far as Mexican establishments go, this one is pretty standard. A plethora of options, which mainly consist of the same few ingredients. Their patio is nice on a warm spring day, but honestly, the scenery is much to be desired. "Oh look, honey...our car....ooo, look that car...and that one!" Are there worse things to look at, sure. But atleast if I'm on a patio on High St. I can make fun of the people walking by. The little things.... Their queso is one of my favorites, and their margarita's are surprisingly strong (even though they don't taste that way). With good specials during happy hour - this could be an afterwork chill spot, but honestly, I'd rather go elsewhere. The staff is friendly, and plentiful. Seriously, count them...they keep coming. However, there was an instance where my veggie friend requested no beef, and whaddya' know...beef. I think they just misunderstood. Nothing to knock a star down about. Basically, El Valquero. I like you. I go to you more often that I would like, but hey, you're not that bad.
(3)Luke T.
No, this is not the most authentic Mexican food available in Columbus. No, this is not the best value on Mexican food available in Columbus. No, this is not the best service at a Mexican restaurant available in Columbus. The most authentic Mexican food is found at various taco stands around town. The best value is probably those same taco stands, or maybe Cazuela's. The best service...well, I have yet to find anything extraordinary in that department. What El Vaquero does bring to the table though, makes it worth the occasional visit. The food IS good, but not great. The portions are too large, which means two meals for the price of one. Your food arrives quickly. The free chips are addictive, although the salsa is probably the most boring I've had in town. The ambiance here (my favorite location of theirs) is nice. There is a lovely, front seating area with lots of natural light and a dimly lit back area where the bar is located and much larger parties can be accommodated. The patio is a nice option in warmer weather. There are good size LCD TVs playing soccer and, of course, the Buckeyes. One Friday (pre-game) or Saturday (post-game) I was dining here and the OSU Marching Band or Men's Glee Club was dining here (it's been five years, gimme a break [and please correct me if you know positively which group it is]). They performed a few vocal numbers from the OSU songbook while marching around tables in the back dining area. Someone told me this was a regular tradition. That's kind of neat. I eat Mexican fairly regularly. I go to El Vaquero because I haven't been there in forever and want an alternative to my regulars. It's the only Mexican establishment in town with television commercials. Deduce from that what you will.
(3)Bill M.
So authentic its been raided by the INS! Actually its now called ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement, but I didn't think you would recognize that acronym. Anyway, we usually go for lunch. Good service and good food.
(4)Tom W.
This is another great choice to take your OSU student for dinner when you're visiting. It's nice and close to campus and you're seated very quickly, usually right away. The food is standard crafted-for-Americans tex mex, and it's done very well. I've eaten here several times and every time everyone's food has been hot and delicious. The service can be spotty or stellar, If you don't see your wait person enough, talk to one of the bus guys who doesn't speak any English, he'll smile in a very friendly manner and immediately go get someone who does speak English. I hope those guys get part of the tip, they work very hard, and it must be really uncomfortable having no idea what customers are saying to you all night. The prices are fair, and the menu has more items than many tex mex places, including some vegetarian selections. I'd like to see more spicy fare, but I learned a long time ago, that's just me.
(4)Daniel H.
I like El Vaquero, but I think it's a little overrated. I'm surprised to see they keep winning "Best Mexican Restaurant" every year. I know of a few places/trucks that are probably more deserving of that title. That said, it's pretty standard fare. Salsa is good.
(4)Dan F.
Quite possibly the worse dining experiences in quite some time. Where to begin? The boys had quesadillas that tasted as if they were made with Kraft singles instead of real cheese. My Fajitas were cold and void of any Mexican flavor. The tortillas were hard and stuck together. It was served with a teaspoon of guacamole? The chili relleno was horrible. I can't even begin to describe it. The waitress had no personality and took forever to bring us drinks, more chips, & our bill. I couldn't believe the lack of attention. The bathrooms were clean & the chips/salsa was decent.
(1)Christine A.
What a satisfying experience! Nice decor. Good service. But what was great was the Yucatan-style chicken! You have to try it! The crab stuffed poblanos were pretty good, too. If I lived in Columbus, this would definitely be my go-to for my Mexican food desires.
(4)Melanie B.
Guilty: The boy and I went to EV for drunk munchie food. Even extended-day-drinking drunk, I can tell you I don't recommend this place. As we were on the waning side of drunk, it was clearly time to eat something and go home to bed. Sooo somehow (yes, somehow) we ended up at El Vaquero. I'm sure our waitress loved us. We ordered the nachos with beef and beans, which was pretty disgusting. It was basically catfood on colorless cheese sauce on tortilla chips. Was it good? No. Did drunk Mel eat some of it? Yes. The boy ordered us both huevos rancheros, which wasn't much better, but which at least did not resemble cat food. Even in our drunken state, we didn't finish it all... instead we promptly vacated the premises. If you're into the watered down, quantity over quality type restaurants, I'd say go here, but even then, I'd feel bad recommending it. Blech. Even Fiesta Jalisco, which I find to be an Americanized version of Mexican food, is LEAGUES better than El Vaquero. Look, I Yelp as my main hobby, and according to my profile, you should listen to me because I know what's what... and even druuuuunk I wasn't interested in this biznasty. Meh.
(2)Kyle J.
As far as mid west Mexican food goes, El Vaquero ain't bad. When I first moved here five years ago, El Vaquero was the closest I could get to CA Mexican food at first. I was unaware of nearby taco trucks and did not have a car for the first year. Yeah it's not the most authentic but what do you expect? It's fairly cheap and you get very nice sized portions. I'm a fan of their fajitas, carne asada tacos, and chicken nachos. The margaritas are tasty and if you order a pitcher it usually comes to the table filled to the brim. With multiple locations around all of Columbus, there is never an El Vaquero that far away. I frequent the Olentangy location most. One suggestion is I wouldn't bring a huge group here on a busy night. The times we've tried to have birthday or work parties here they usually will place two large fold away tables right between the bar and kitchen doors and people will be zipping by you and bumping your chairs all night. It's very awkward. Other than that, if you want some quick and dirty American Mexican food, this is the place for you.
(3)Attila N.
Excellent food that is served quickly! The portions are generous. However, it would be nice to not have the table bussed while you're still seated there letting your meal settle. On occasion I have felt like they really wanted us to leave so they could seat new guests the moment you take your last bite. But, I still consider this my current favorite mexican food restaurant.
(4)Nick S.
I don't think I've ever had a good experience here. Every time I end up here it's as part of a large group who have already decided ahead of time on El Vaquero. My options in these situations, then, are to not hang out with my friends or to go to El Vaquero. I guess the best thing I can say about El Vaquero, then, is that it's better than loneliness. It's not just that the food here is inauthentic. It's that it's mediocre and inauthentic. I love big old plates of fried goodness and cheese as much as the next guy, but it just always seems so bland here. The chips are boring even when they aren't stale. The salsa is forgettable. To add insult to bad food injury, the service is wildly unreliable. It's never exceptional, but it is often competent. Tonight it was horrible. It seems like our server was waiting on the entire patio. When you could pin her down to order something you were lucky to actually get it. Did I mention it's noisy and generally tacky ambiance? No? Oh well there's that, too. Did I mention that it's one of the more expensive places to get Mexican food? No? Well it is. I know lots of people love El Vaquero. I just don't understand it. The only reason El Vaquero even gets two stars from me is that the food's never made me sick and, often, the service isn't absolutely reprehensible. Seriously, if you can, avoid El Vaquero.
(2)Jefferson S.
Impeccable service...mediocre food. Our waitress was great, suggesting items and happy to accommodate our table's special requests. Unfortunately, that's the only similarity to the El Vaquero I remember from a few years ago. The food was mostly bland, but fine. The real disappointment was the $17 shrimp fajita. It was lukewarm...a dish that's served on a supposedly hotplate. While that isn't an unforgivable sin by itself, I have to worry about a restaurant that turns a blind eye to a plate that so obviously should not be served. This is not the restaurant I remember. It feels like a chain.
(2)Juliette G.
My boyfriend and I first came here about 6 months ago, and now go probably once a week. The minute you sit down, chips and salsa arrive at your table. They are not the best chips and salsa in Columbus, but still taste great. We are most impressed with how fast the service is here. We have NEVER waited more than 5 minutes to be seated, even on a crowded Friday or Saturday night with a line out the door. After ordering, our entrees usually arrive piping hot within 10 minutes. He's always gotten the "Pollo a la Diabla" chicken dish, and I like the "Steak Ranchero". They are both amazing, though I have had times where the steak was a bit tough. Most of the time, the beef is tender, and perfectly matched with the rice and refried beans in a warm tortilla. It also comes with lettuce, tomatoes, and guac. This is definitely our go-to Mexican restaurant. Prices are very reasonable -- between $10-$13 for most dinner dishes. Also, we are ALWAYS getting coupons in Val-Pack that can be used Thursday-Sundays. With how fast the services is here, it's a great place to go on a weekday evening when you don't feel like cooking! They also have great margaritas and cocktails!
(5)Mike B.
We recently moved to NYC and the one place I miss more than anywhere is El Vaquero. We had been eating at "El Vaq" a few times per month for almost 6 years. The "cheese dip" varies from pretty good to AMAZING, both soups on the menu are great (get the #85 with sour cream on the side!) and of the estimated nearly 75 times I ordered a #48 Mole Poblano it was only less than awesome twice! We never wait for a table, service is almost always great and the prices can't be beat! I miss you El Vaq!
(5)Emily C.
Love love love this place! I could eat their food every day! Best Mexican restaurant in Columbus.
(5)Elizabeth D.
This was the first Mexican restaurant I went to in Columbus, a number of years ago, and I thought I had found the best Mexican food in Columbus. Oh, how naive I was. Over the years and after many visits, this is simply Americanized Mexican with tasteless chips and C+ salsa. Most dishes taste the same, and nothing is fresh - it all tastes canned and over-processed. The margaritas are good, though - and actually are pretty strong. I give this a 3-star rating because, in a pinch, and with people who don't really know the pleasures of REAL Mexican food (i.e., taco trucks), it's fine! I will probably go back, honestly, but I won't be particularly happy about it.
(3)Christopher G.
Been to Mexico many times, once for 2 months, and while this food is far from authentic, is is one of the best around here, and I have been to all their locations in central Ohio since they opened. Menu is rather static, but food is always cooked correctly, and served hot and fast. Coupons are always available, making their low prices even a better value. Service is also top notch...the mostly ethic specific staff is always hustling, and working hard to please you, however, if you don't know Spanish, there can be a language barrier, especially trying to order something special or custom. There chicken tacos are the most authentic, adding hot salsa (free, just ask for it when they serve the complementary chips). I actually prefer Casa Fiesta for food, but Vaquero's bars are better equipped for happy hours and the Friday after work social.
(4)Derek M.
Limited vegetarian options. Staff is friendly. Good beer. I stopped in here with a colleague when we were in Columbus for work. It was OK food after a long drive (the generous portions of chips and salsa helped). I'm not sure I'd go out of my way to go back.
(3)Lauren A.
I can't remember much about this place because the bug in our food is all that stands out in my mind. BUG. IN FOOD! And after we found the bug in our food the waiter only offered a 20% discount. Get out. My brother also went to this place with a large group and had a terrible experience. I say skip it! There are plenty of other delicious Mexican places around.
(1)Jay D.
The Place: This is a BIG restaurant. There is a seating area near the entrance with maybe 12 booths and 8 tables. Farther back is an area where larger groups can be accommodated. I'm not sure how many seats are back there, but there must be quite a few, as I've never had to wait to sit at Vaquero's. The decorations are standard-fare Mexican restaurant, but the place is comfortable. There are TVs here and there for the antsy sports fan as well. The bar is located back in the larger seating area. The Food: I suppose it's not any better than any other Mexican restaurant I've eaten at (maybe I'm not very discriminating when it comes to Mexican?), but it is quite good. I normally get the chimchangas (YAY FOR THE MOST UNHEALTHY THING ON THE MENU!), and I get a mad-crazy craving for them every few weeks. The chips are great (and warm!), the salsa is decent, the cheese dip appetizer is an ABSOLUTE MUST. All in all, nothing particularly memorable, but still quite good. It should be noted also that the portions are HUGE. Come hungry, mi amigos. The Drinks: I can't comment extensively here, as most often I crawl into Vaquero's on Sunday mornings after long Saturday nights. I have shared a couple pitchers of Dos Equis amber, and I've seen plenty of margaritas on the way to thirsty patrons, but that's where my experience ends. Reading off the menu, they've got a large selection of margaritas, Miller Lite, Bud Light, Bud and Dos Equis on draft, and 20-or-so bottled beers available (including 10 Mexican beer selections). They've also got a decent selection of mixed drinks and wine as well. The Service: As opposed to some of the reviews below, I've always gotten very good service at Vaqueros. Sat promptly, served promptly, food delivered quickly, drinks full - no complaints! The Price: There are cheaper selections around, but I believe Vaquero's is very reasonably priced for the quantity and quality of food. Overall: Combine a comfortable atmosphere, good food (in LARGE quantities), good service and a decent price, and you have a solid 4-star Mexican food option. It's not 5-star material in my book because the food is "good not great" and because the prices are "good not great." However, I definitely recommended stopping in!
(4)Keith M.
El Vaquero: why bother? It's somewhat edible as long as you take off the excessive quantity of cheese covering your dish.I love cheese, but they put on so much that it's kinda gross. It's nowhere near authentic, but that wouldn't be a bad thing if it tasted good. Doesn't taste bad, but it's absolutely forgettable. There are better Americanized Mexican joints that make this place a rather pointless endeavor.
(2)Shawnie K.
I enjoy reminiscing about the first time I ate at any restaurant and this one is a rather memorable day. Not just any day, but Kentucky Derby Day. We kick start the morning with mint juleps, watched horse racing with Budweiser and ended the festivities with margaritas at El Vaquero. The tradition started when the Kentucky Derby fell on Cinquo de Mayo, so we tried to fit it all in, by ending our Derby Day festivities at a Mexican restaurant- and the custom has has continued for almost ten years... very first time I ever ate at El Vaquero: A rowdy bunch of us arrived to a 45-minute wait for a table, so we worked our way up to the crowded bar where there were very few seats available. I hopped up on my (now husband's) then boyfriend's lap and the bar stool came crashing down (along with a bunch of drinks) and everything, including the chair broke to smithereens. It was hilarious and the management was so easy going about it. We offered to pay for the chair, of course, but they wouldn't have it! They could have been really annoyed with us, but it turned out to be a laughable situation and became the Derby Day lived in infamy... I think of that moment every time we go to this particular El Vaquero. I've been here dozens of times since then. They serve better-than-average-Americanized Mexican and fabulous margaritas It provides a spacious setting with tables and booths that can accommodate large groups. I like the festive vibe at this particular El Vaq. Unlike the others, you also have a little elbow room and are not seated 'on top of each other.' While the service at El Vaquero on Route 33 in Arlington is totally warp-speed, the service here is still pretty darn fast, even at its busiest. I tend to frequent the other location more, only because it is closer to my home, but I prefer this particular El Vaquero for it's ambiance and energy. I guess it has to do with being a little closer to campus and perhaps, drawing a slightly younger crowd.
(4)Pete C.
I curse my parents every day for raising me on Americanized Mexican food at places like Chi Chi's and Chili's, mainly because I'll never be able to fully adjust to the "authentic" fare at places like El Vaquero. I can't commend them enough on how much food they give you, and the menu selections are seemingly endless, but certain elements to their food are uniformly cheap and make me wish that I was back at the ill-fated franchises of my youth. My main gripe with El Vaquero is the cheese they use on everything. There's no doubt in my mind that it's either squeezed out of a tube or made by adding water to something. More times than not, it's absolutely terrible. I've had drunken experiments with Velveeta and a leftover Taco Bell soft taco that turned out far better. Granted, I'm an absolute cheesehead that's perennially spoiled every Christmas by an aunt and uncle from Milwaukee, but this is absolutely the lowest grade of process cheese known to man. Two thumbs down. Also, the house salsa that comes with the chips you get before your entrees come out is runny and has no substance to it whatsoever. Again, I thank Chili's for spoiling me with their amazing yet mass-produced salsa that I've been hooked on since I turned 12. With those gripes out of the way, the El Vaquero franchise is pretty decent in every other respect. The margaritas are stiff as a board, the food comes out lightning fast, and the atmosphere there is awesome. Some people have taken issue with how busy it can get, but it's very rare that you'll be waiting more than ten minutes for a table, if at all. If you avoid something that's doused in luke warm cheese food, you're sure to be impressed and will be back again soon.
(3)Christina M.
1. Super Fast 2. Salsa comes in a little glass bottle that you pour into bowl 3. chips come WARM and are super authentic (as is salsa) 4. SO MANY choices on the menu 5. Quality ingredients from nice white juicy chicken to the mole sauce 6. Outdoor seating I think that's pretty pretty good, as Larry David would say.
(4)Kevin M.
El Vaquero, along with its many sister restaurants with slightly different names scattered across Columbus, is sort of an institution. If you ask a Columbusite where to get some good Mexican food, odds are they'll say El Vaquero. What's more, people who've lived in Texas will say the same thing. That being said, I've mostly been either bored or disappointed with my food at El Vaquero. I think it's a vegetarian thing - in that while they have a great many vegetarian options, none of them are very interesting or very good. It seems to be a common mistake at Mexican places to assume that vegetarians don't want their food to have any flavor whatsoever. The spinach burrito (which supposedly also contained beans and possibly cheese) was pretty much frozen spinach that had been warmed up and wrapped in a tortilla. Still: large portions, reasonable prices, and the meat-eaters tend to love it. So 3 stars for me for being somewhere I'm willing to go with friends, but for never being my first (or second, or third) choice of restaurant as far as food for myself goes.
(3)Kate K.
Not sure if I just got spoiled living in Phoenix, but I knew I was in trouble asking locals for good Mexican food recommendations and all I got was El Vaquero and Taco Bell! El Vaq is a horrible excuse for good, let alone decent Mexican, offering pathetic vegetarian entrees. The food is marginally decent, and the service the same. The only saving grace was the beer, but then again, I could have purchased a 6pack for 1/3 the price, but hey, at least they didn't manage to screw that up :)
(1)Kenley M.
Everyone needs a favorite local Mexican restaurant, and if you live in Columbus, El Vaquero may as well be it. The food and margaritas here are simple preparations served quickly and at the appropriate temperature. Nothing fancy or unusual going on, and really no need for it. What makes El Vaquero stand out is its staff's ability to handle large groups with the ease and precision that they would a table of two. Reserve a table for six; make it nine at the door; spot a couple you know hanging out by the bar and ask your server to pull over another table. Everyone gets what they ordered in a reasonable amount of time. Everyone is happy.
(3)Christiana C.
Still my favorite go-to Mexican. The staff is prompt, even in Cinco de Mayo and OSU game night situations. And good bang for your buck!
(4)Karen W.
Sorry to be a hater, but it was just ok. I got the chicken mole lunch (1 enchilada and 1 burrito covered in mole sauce) and when it came out my husband remarked, "That looks like a Banquet (tv dinner) meal". The enchilada was better than the burrito, whose tortilla didn't hold up very well to the sauce (tasted gummy/soggy). The sauce itself, eh. Not the best mole I've had, but not the worst. On the plus side, the chips and salsa were good, and the meal came out very fast.
(2)Melissa H.
Overall, I think the food at El Vaquero is pretty mediocre...there is nothing special or memorable about it. However, I have always found the service to be extremely pleasant and quick. Plus how the heck do they remember all the numbered menu items? I can barely remember what number I ordered fifteen minutes ago and they have hundreds in their head. The atmosphere is very laid back and no one rushes you out, so it's a good place to linger and enjoy a margarita and the free chips and salsa. I actually like that you pay at the register on the way out because it makes splitting a check extremely easy. Not the best Mexican joint I have been to (I live in Arizona now for goodness sakes), but for Columbus, it's a good place.
(3)Marco G.
Though I must admit that as far as Mexican restaurants go in Columbus, it's one of the better ones... IMHO El Vaquero is merely "OK" and, no, not very authentic. The service is fast and attentive, and the complimentary warm (microwaved) chips with mild salsa are a welcome treat. I ordered the Carne Asada and my friend had the cheese enchiladas. Both were decent and abundant and came with guacamole, rice and beans. Oh, and the prices are reasonable. So, why the 3 stars? My main gripe with El Vaquero, as most mexican restaurants in CBus is with the Tortilla. Or rather, with the supermarket-bought tortillas. Tortillas are the staple in all Mexican food, so you could say that tortillas make or break the dish. By using supermarket tortillas, the enchiladas tasted doughy, the tacos broke and tasted gummy and bland... It gave me the impression that the food was "pre-prepared", as with fast food restaurants.
(3)Brett F.
Whenever I want Mexican food, I always try to suggest Cuco's to my friends...but we always end up here. And I'm fairly ok with it. El Vaquero is your run of the mill Mexican restaurant. There's a fairly large menu, filled with various dozens of combos and all of your typical standbys. Nothing I've ever had here was bad, but nothing was phenomenal either. I usually end up getting the Fajita Taco Salad, which is a good amount of food for a fairly cheap price. Despite the mediocre food, I end up coming back for two reasons. First, I love their chips. Always warm, these obscenely large chips are a great way to start your meal. Also, they have a good happy hour. Beers are somewhere in the range of $1.50-$2, which is great for a college student! Overall, I would recommend El Vaquero if you're in the mood for an average Mexican restaurant. It may not be the greatest, but it'll do.
(3)Emily A.
This is one of the first places I ate when I moved to Columbus so maybe I like it because it's kind of nostalgic for me. Or maybe it's the super-fast service. Or the insane amounts of cheese. Or the yummy free salsa and chips. Or the reasonably priced and very tasty margaritas. It's not a high-end type of place, but food is inexpensive, service is friendly and fast, and the quality isn't bad at all. A nice chill Mexican place to meet friends, or take your picky family when they come to visit.
(4)Gillian R.
I would give El Vaquero 5 stars if not for the poor service. Although, I've now come to find this is commonplace at many Mexican restaurants so maybe my expectations are too high? The food here is dirt cheap, and it's excellent! Plus, how fast do they get your order out? I've barely had a sip of my delicioso margarita when my food is already at the table! The best part is (by far) the margarita's - I only do regular, on the rocks, WITH salt....I'm a very picky marg consumer - and of course, the salsa you get with your chips. Is this available for purchase? I've never been to another Mexican joint where I have loved the salsa like I do here. Parking on a busy night can be a little goofy, so I just use the hotel's lot. Don't tell... :)
(4)Christopher S.
Every time I come back home to visit, El Vaq is my first stop. Delicious, giant margaritas (designate a driver!) awesome food and generally good service. This is what mexican food should be in the US... cheap, nice portions and flavorful. Definitely give it a shot.
(5)Mitch H.
Let's be clear on one thing, I flipping love Mexican food. El Vaquero has a large, fun-for-the-whole-family menu that leaves me utterly wishing I hadn't spent money again on underwhelming food from this place. I like their free chips and salsa. The salsa is quite good, it's smooth, not chunky. But the rest of the menu leaves something to be desired... like taste.
(2)F Z.
I've been told that I am "missing out" by never having been to El Vaquero. The only times I step inside a Mexican restaurant is when I want to keep my fat cells happy. Chips? Guacamole? Cheese? Sour cream? Yes, please! Chips and salsa arrived at our table in no time. I personally found the chips lacking in flavor. I mean, the least they could do was add salt. I didn't care too much for the chips and salsa as I was overwhelmed by the menu. Goodness gracious. I spent a good 10-15 minutes perusing the what-seemed-to-be-more-like-a-book-of-a-menu before finally deciding on the chicken fajita express. DanDan was quick to order #43 under Steak, the Burrito California something or another. Our dishes came out soon after we had placed our orders. The pictures posted on the menu looked awfully delectable, but the plate that I ordered was a far cry from it. Aside from tasting the oil, the chicken was pretty much as bland as could be. In fact, the only tasty thing was the bed of Mexican rice. I sampled some of the Burrito California, which was tastier than my chicken fajita but still not quite up to par. I've had better steak burritos. The dessert menu looked appetizing prior to ordering; I decided to forgo the desserts after the disappointing meal. (Although I have to admit that the fried ice cream looked yummy.) My favorite place to go for Mexican food had always been Cozymel's over by Tuttle Mall. Quite frankly, Cozymel's beats El Vaquero in a heartbeat. Too bad it's no longer there.
(2)Emily H.
I have really enjoyed El Vaquero in the past, but their menu has undergone an overhaul and the combos I used to love are no longer. However, you can order a la carte and create your own combo. The arroz con vegetales and the chilaquiles vegetarianos are both top-notch, as are the enchiladas. The chiles rellenos are iffy - sometimes they are stuffed with cheese, which is great; other times, mashed potatoes, which is odd to me. And not even good mashed potatoes - lumpy ones that were obviously cheap, boxed flakes that were made with water. Overall, I think that El Vaquero is good, but I prefer Cazuela's on High Street - even though Cazuela's menu doesn't have the same breadth as El Vaquero's, El Vaquero's iffy service and prices can't compete with Cazuela's.
(3)Sheren H.
pretty good food...and....they have fried ice cream! or should i say had. i've not been there since....2001. so i cant vouch for it
(4)Heather S.
Huge margaritas, super-quick service. I always feel like my order is still hanging in the air, in a little cartoon-bubble when my food arrives. Love the new patio, hate the small and weirdly-shaped parking lot.
(4)Brian B.
If you need mexican food and are in Columbus you are pretty much out of luck. All this place did for me was have HUGE beers at a reasonable price and make me want good mexican. We will just make our own or eat mexican while traveling.
(2)Julia S.
I LOVE this place. My senior year of college I probably went here twice a month, if not more with my best friend and now fiance. The margaritas are awesome, and really, everything on the menu is delicious. The service was sometimes a litle iffy, but god .... it was worth it!!!!
(5)Amy T.
I live in los angeles where mexican food is everywhere you look...and el vaquero is still my favorite.
(4)Simran B.
The food here is great. The restaurant has a sports bar feel to it and has a patio. It is usually packed all days of the week so I usually order carryout (takes about 10 mins for them to complete). However, food comes out of the kitchen pretty quickly if you decide to dine-in. Service is not great but I guess it's because the waiter/ess have to wait on 5 or 6 tables at once.
(3)Johaun C.
i'm sure at one point El Vaquero was THE mexican joint in columbus. now they've expanded and commercialized, and it shows. maybe it's just me, but i've noticed a relative influx of authentic taquerias into columbus (which i am absolutely thrilled about). anyways, i went here about 5 years ago for a friend's birthday celebration. got the carne asada. i don't remember ordering FOOD POISONING, but alas, got that too. haven't been back since. food poisoning, up to this day, was the absolute worst 24 hrs of my life.
(1)Chuck k.
Quick, consistent, cheap, kinda bland....
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