El Gato Cantina
169 Church St, Burlington, VT, 05401
El Gato Cantina Menu
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Address :
169 Church St
Burlington, VT, 05401 - Phone (802) 540-3095
- Website https://www.elgatocantina.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
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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Derek C.
Wandered in here one afternoon and fell in love with this place. They have an extensive menu of margaritas and Mexican cuisine. Free (warm!) chips and salsa the moment you sit down. I ended up with a jalapeño infused margarita, an enormous pork burrito, and a cow tongue taco. The staff were all very friendly and the Mexican decor is great. Will definitely visit the establishment again and again.
(5)Andrew Burdett L.
Bland burrito, the rice and beans tasted as if it was squeezed from a can and the pork was over cooked and dry.
(2)Leslie H.
This was the third night of their "soft opening" week (dinner only) and it was a good time! Our waitress, Tia, was very nice and attentive and everything we ordered came our promptly and as expected. I got a couple strawberry margaritas that I had a hard time not chugging they were so good, and my date got their Orange infused and Pomegranate margaritas. We also got a few different tacos, and snacked on the endless chips with homemade salsa that was hard to stop munching on. The interior design was different for Burlingon, has a bright color scheme with lots of oranges and blues and some unique pieces to complement the design - with, of course, many pictures and such of cats. Overall I enjoyed my dinner there and plan to stop ny again when I'm in town. Good luck to Tree and his team for a successful opening!
(4)Katherine C.
When I worked down the street i would eat lunch here pretty much every day- it's quick, cheap & reasonably tasty. Their margaritas are very good, especially when they are only $5 on Wednesdays. The posole, when they get it right, is sublime. My only complaint so far is that the food is inconsistent- and they don't seem to have great quality control. I have gotten completely inedible black beans there & a lot of other items have come out so salty as to be hard to eat. The one time that I pointed this out, I was told that the chef agreed with me- but I was still charged for the inedible food & it was not replaced with something else that I could eat. I stopped visiting this business for a few months after paying for inedible food- but have since returned. As far as downtown restaurants go, this is the only one that seems to be able to get me a hot & tasty meal in under half an hour. For that alone, 4 stars.
(4)Jessica S.
I wish i could give el gato a better review but it wouldnt be honest. Chips and salsa were good salsa was cold and fresh. Dinner went down hill from there. Barbocoa was salty. Rice was cold and bland. Overall just not good.
(2)Mark W.
What a selection of tequila! Food was about as good as you get outside of the southwest! Servers were friendly and knowledgeable! Definately going back.
(4)Tom B.
The first sign of a good restaurant is consistency. My wife and I have been eaten at El Gato a couple of times and the food and service have been consistently very good. It's hard to find authentic Mexican in Vermont but not here. The mole sauce on the chicken taco was incredibly tasty with cinnamon and just enough heat. The sauce verde on another marinated chicken taco was rich and flavorful, and their signature grilled corn is like nothing you've had before. We ordered their drink special before dinner which was a jalapenos infused tequila drink with lime and seltzer which was refreshing with a little head. Excellent!
(5)Jamie D.
Great all around! Best tamale I ever had. Awesome selection of margaritas and infused tequilas. Service was good, atmosphere was appropriately Mexican. All around recommend!
(5)Geoff G.
I am a native of California. I've lived in Burlington for twenty years. It's about time we had Mexican food that has some real flavor. I got a quick burrito while working at the Flynn Theater. Not bad. I can't wait to sample more of the menu. Viva El Gato!
(3)Victor V.
Awful, just awful. I paid $12.50 for the worst cheese enchilada plate I've had in a while. Everything tasted like it came from a can. What a waste of money.
(1)Philip P.
Updated after about six more visits over a few months. I really like the flavor these folks are serving up. They are not afraid of serving spicy dishes and I've not been disappointed by anything I've tried yet. Outstanding!
(5)Robert D.
We ate here two nights in a row this week. We sat at the bar which I thought would be convenient but ended up being an inconvenience. It was very crowded because people were waiting and we had to listen to them bitch and complain. I also felt like I was in the middle of the kitchen with all of the wait staff hovering around. They were definitely overstaffed and everyone was wondering around like they had no purpose. The food was awesome no complaints there. The service could use some improving. It was definitely slow and they need to know their menu better. I ordered extra corn tortillas when placing my dinner order and the forgot. The waitress didn't know I was to get rice and beans with my dish and when I mentioned it she was surprised. The. Margaritas are wonderful but why the he'll does it take so long to get them once ordered? It really took way too long. In addition waitress never asked if we wanted another one for over half of our visit there. I do realize that the place is new. I am originally from CA and I miss real Mexican food. So I am thankful that El Gato has opened. I am sure it will get better and I would recommend it before I would recommend the other "Mexican food" restaurants in the area. I just hope the wait staff pulls it together. I felt like they all had never worked in a restaurant before.
(4)Mark B.
Excellent lunch. The infused tequila made an excellent margarita. Really tasty house made habanero hot sauce. Grilled tilapia taco was perfect.
(4)Lisa D.
I was passing through Burlington and was told about this new Mexican restaurant. This place is a winner! Margartitas with infused tequila's! R u kidding me? Awesome. The food was delicious. More authentic than I had expected. You can't get that corn anywhere else. Thus restaurant will be around for a long time.
(5)Kate C.
I'm glad El Gato is around. The chips and salsa that are served are delicious, although a little more heat in the salsa would be nice. The menu is extensive with lots of choices for carnivores, vegetarians, healthy eaters and junk food lovers. The ceviche special was absolutely delicious, fresh and clean tasting. The chili relleno was kind of meh - it seemed to have too much batter or something, making it a bit mealy instead of crispy. Service was really great. The one complaint is that our table was wobbly and difficult to eat on. The staff tried to correct the issue but it was impossible and it really detracted from enjoying our dinner. Fix that table!
(4)Spencer T.
The tacos are awesome and cheap. Also try the grilled corn and their crazy Margarita bar.
(4)Michelle R.
Love this place. Great Margaritas, Food and service. The grilled corn on the cob might be the greatest thing ever!
(5)Barb L.
Everything is yummy, abundant, obviously made with love and prices quite reasonable. Grilled corn is heavenly. Try all 3 homemade salsas! This place will be a ray of sunshine in the deep dark of Vermont winters :)
(5)Jason B.
Just ate at El Gato tonight and before I continue, let me be clear, I hope my review (as well as all these reviews) are being read by Mgmt so they know what's right and what slight changes need to be made. I love Mexican cuisine too much for a wonderful new restaurant like this one to NOT survive here in Burlington. This review is written with the knowledge that El Gato Cantina hasn't had their Grand Opening yet and we went there on a soft opening. Which means they're still ironing out all the small wrinkles. So the following is my opinion of what's been ironed and what still has some wrinkles. The Good: Soon as I walked in I got an immediate warm and welcomed feeling in the restaurant. I was so happy to see the restaurant was rockin with business. Tells me peeps are starving for good mexican food. They did a fab job on the interior with festive Mexican colors and decor. A great tequila and Mexican beer selection along with local draughts as well. The bar rocks!!! I wanted to stay there for dinner but my GF wanted a booth. El Gato's menu rocks. They have a huge selection, including lengua, (cow tongue) and it was hard to decide but since this was my 1st visit & it was a soft opening, I thought it best to keep things basic and easy. I went with 2 tacos - Barbacoa (GREAT) and carne asada - also very tasty and a bean tostada -ehhhh (see beans). Also the chips and salsa were good too and I was curious about their guac so I sprung the $6 to try it out and I'm glad I did. Also, the table next to us ordered the Mexican corn and it looked tasty. I will be ordering that on my next visit. The Bad: I hope to see improvement on the rice and beans. Another reviewer mentioned the beans were dry and the rice tastes like it was out of a box. I'd have to agree. I hate to be that guy but I have to mention; the mariachi music was turned up a little louder than I'd hoped. I had to strain to hear a conversation and it was a bit too consuming but I do get it, loud music generates a lively energy. The Ugly: We were sat in the very CORNER booth in the back. I had to climb over other patrons just to get to my seat which also meant the foodserver had to also upon every visit. Because of our location, at times we felt forgotten. Sitting at the booth felt awkward. The table rocked back and forth and the high back booth isn't the best comfort for dining. Might just have been that we were in the corner though. Next visit I'm going to request we sit at a table with chairs. The service: I'm not going to be critical about the service cuz in a few weeks I know the staff will find their rhythm and it'll be operating like a well oiled machine. Just know that besides a few inconsistencies, tonight's service was fine and with each passing day/week/month it will only get better. I can't wait to return in another month to see what you guys are doing. Keep up the hard work, it doesn't go unnoticed.
(3)Mr. B.
We (a party of three) stopped by on New Year's Eve, without reservations and despite there being a full house were seated well within the 20 minute estimate. And that isn't even the best part! The service staff was cheerful and welcoming, the drinks were excellent, and the food outstanding. It might be argued that the prices ran a bit high, but we had such a pleasant experience that I won't go there at all. This was our second visit and El Gato is well on its way to becoming a favorite Burlington eatery.
(4)Meg R.
Excellent service. Great decor. Food was just ok in my book but I've only been to El Gato once. I will probably try this restaurant again because of the great service. House margarita seemed very fresh and it packed a punch.
(3)Alissa M.
F. Yeah. This place was made for me. I'm going to start by saying what the what! Burlington, how do you mess up Mexican food? I burn toast and can make a burrito. I've been to 2 other Mexican restaurants, and 3 burrito places, all impressively bad. Luckily the stylist who cut my hair at Indigo recommended this place. When we got there, we had to wait so we sat at the bar. I wanted a margarita without 1,000 calories so the bartender recommended the skinny cat I think it was called, when i wanted more flavor she threw in a splash of sour mix that made the drink Awesome! She also remembered me the next time I came in and gave me the same drink. I don't know if it's the taste or strength but the one drink gets me through the entire night. Now the food. I love the complimentary chips and dip. I ordered the seitan taco platter. The first time I ordered I just got the tacos after a pretty good wait. When informed the waitress apologized, brought over the forgotten dishes of rice and hmmm, black beans I think.. and just charged for the two tacos. Speaking of price, it was super reasonable! The seitan tacos are kinda small, not too filling but I'll take it! I love that there is a vegetarian option, especially seitan which is delicious, and that the waitress knew that the black beans were vegetarian and the others beans weren't. So the drink was great, the food was great, the service was great and there is a good vibe there. (and it's walkable for me, yey, woot). I heart this place.
(4)Bill T.
Jalepeno margarita delish and roasted corn was a real treat.
(4)E R.
We went for lunch the other day and had a nice meal at El Gato. Having only been once before (opening weekend) I was a little hesitant to return as I heard that the food was inconsistent. The lunch was good, I had the taco combo platter and there was a ton of food. The taco mole pollo was a little bland but the chicken was well cooked and the taco de pesacado was also yummy. My boyfriend had the burrito and it was HUGE and delicious. The only thing we didn't like were the taquitos as they were very greasy and the meat had no flavor. For the price it's a great deal.
(3)Jonas P.
We love going here. The staff is very professional, and the atmosphere is great. The food is amazing, as well as the appetizers. Lee, the bartender, is the best. I very highly recommend El Gato!
(5)Devon B.
had lunch here the other day and it was very good.
(4)Jonathan P.
The ambiance is nice. Definitely got the cantina look down. Everything looks well kept. Service was good too. But the food is pretty bad. Like really pretty bad. The salsa tasted like it came from a jar and I couldn't continue eating my meal. I'm not sure how people are saying that the "mexican" food here is good whatsoever. Coming from California perhaps my insight into true mexican food is more extensive. I mean, you can't get any farther from Mexico than the Northeast. I feel sorry for anyone that believes this is what Mexican food tastes like...
(2)Will T.
I love El Gato! The food is delicious--very flavorful and fresh! The service is fast and friendly. The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy: outdoor seating, indoor seating with a front dining area, and they have an elevated back dining area. It's a great place for lunch and dinner for two or for bigger groups. The Essex location is very nice and has the same great food and awesome staff too--however, the Burlington location just has a more authentic Mexican feel--the Essex location lacks the atmosphere and decor of the BTV location (although I haven't been to the Essex location in a few months so it may have changed). Onto the food: it's amazing! Everything I have tried is fantastic! Upon arriving, you get homemade tortilla chips and salsa. The chips are warm and tasty and the salsa is delicious. I usually get the Combo Plate with steak and chicken burrito, rice and beans--always great! I had lunch here this week and tried the soft tacos: Taco de Carne Asada and the Taco de Barbacoa with corn tortilla. The flavor was incredible! I also tried the Tecate beer for the first time and it was quite good--nice light flavor and very drinkable. The owner and staff have done a wonderful job of creating an authentic, comfortable and friendly establishment with incredible food! I look forward to eating here again and again!
(5)David M.
Out with the family and in a good mood, I tend to let a lot slide. I let my older sister choose this place since it's her first trip to the us in over 20 years. This Mexican resto is on the other (less festive) side of Church Street. but it still has a lively terrace (complete with long and awkward wait inside, they could have sat us on some empty benches nearby!). The service was very attentive and we got a lot of stuff The best thing we had by far were the agave wings, amazing. The cheesy chili con queso was also a standout, as well as their complimentary salsa. Their selection of plates allows a lot of customization (1 to 3 choices for about $12-15). Not being an expert can lead to us asking for a vegetarian taco!!!!!! The major letdown were the $18 fajitas, I asked if they came sizzling off the griddle and the waitress said they did. They did not and the toppings were cold and limp on the plate. It's very hard to finish a plate with 3 choices, so take a doggy bag, the burrito was delicious the next day Cheap $2 beer while we were there.
(3)Stacey G.
Excellent decor and attentive staff. On to the food... amazing and fresh guacamole. Tostada: nothing special, grilled tilapia taco really good but the tempeh taco was inedible. Good margheritas but I wish they had frozen margaritas!
(3)Katie W.
The first time I came here I had a wonderful experience. The food was great, came out in time and my waiter was very attentive and helped my friend and I out with any questions we had. The second time I came here I brought my fiancé and was so excited to show him this place and was really disappointed. Our waitress didn't seem to care and forgot to bring our appetizer and didn't bring me the right sides I ordered either. The chips for the salsa were extremely stale too. It was weird because it was not busy AT ALL that day so we must have just gone on a bad day.
(3)H L.
We were in Burlington for the night. I'm vegetarian, my boyfriend is not. It always makes finding a place to eat interesting. We were looking on yelp for a place to walk to for dinner. We actually found a Thai place. Turns out, they were closed. Next door was El Gato. From the outside, it looked like a small place. I was surprised it was bigger than expected. I was also pleasantly surprised that they offered seitan vegetarian protein option. So I had that and a cheese enchilada with rice and black beans. The cheese enchilada came out piping hot in it's own casserole dish. It was delicious. The seitan burrito was a bit disappointing though. I should've stuck with something more traditional-- bean burrito perhaps. Actually I would've loved another cheese enchilada. It really was delicious. My boyfriend enjoyed everything he ordered. We also ordered guacamole. It's hard to find places that do guacamole well. El Gato did (though they seemed to 'plump up' the appearance of it's size by laying it on a bed of lettuce). We left stuffed. (Our neighboring table spent their whole meal discussing fat cells how they shrink but never go away and weight gain/loss, so that was less than appealing, but hey, not going to knock the restaurant for that of course)
(4)Marge W.
We came here at about 930 for margaritas and the place wasn't too busy, but the wait for drinks and food seemed excessive. I got two tacos (pollo con mole and steak) but I have definitely had better tacos.
(2)Diane K.
Start w great Milagro margarita. Followed by wonderful tacos selection one of mole w chicken that was the best I have ever had. Large party that waited a bit so they comped us guacamole and chips. Unexpected and great. Great plus
(5)Erika M.
The food was okay, although not the best Mexican meal I have ever had. The queso was tasty, but a very small portion for the price and a handful of chips (that I'm quite certain came from a bag). I found the pricing to be a little high for the portion sizes in general, and was surprised at the price of the meal when the check came. My mango margarita was tasty, but not cold, which was disappointing. Would have loved to have seen frozen margaritas on the menu! The service was spotty, was hard to get our waitress to refill our water or to remember parts of our order. But she was friendly and nice, so that's always a plus. The grilled corn was the best part of the meal. Very yummy.
(2)Diana C.
It's New England; you really can't expect much better. If this restaurant were anywhere else, I would've given it two stars for the food. Good enough to satisfy your cravings. And it's not Chipotle.
(3)Nora W.
I had the pozole today for lunch and it was the best I have ever tasted. Thick & all the best side fixings. Chips were fresh and the salsa was killer. Winner!
(5)Matthew K.
Always satisfied here. Friendly servers, reasonable prices and good food. They love tequila here and the selection is broad. We come here regularly, and will continue to!
(4)Megan C.
**This review only applies for our experience at the bar with drinks** I can't speak for the food here, but we sure enjoyed basket after basket of chips with well-flavored salsa! Our group stopped in with the sole intention of downing many a margarita in the awkward space between lunch and dinner. Turns out we chose the right spot for some serious margarita imbibing! Our bartender was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about all things tequila and margarita. Don't worry about being duped with a Jose Cuervo "margarita" glowing Ecto Green with that sickening taste of Margaritaville mixer. Nope, not at El Gato. Pore over the pages upon pages of different margarita drinks, and get the low-down from the bartenders on their favorites, as well as what the heck a "coin style" margarita is. It's fun and informative! Don't be in a hurry or worry about ordering just the "right" drink. You can always order a second...and a third...but you know what they say about the fourth tequila... If you like sweeter margs, they can point you to that section of the menu. If you like it super-earthy and loaded with tequila and Mezcal, they can send you to that place as well. Or, if you're adventurous, let the barkeep mix one up of his choosing just for you. We had so much fun here - the bar is set up perfectly for bartender/customer interaction, the ceilings are kinda low and acoustics are great for conversation, although I'm sure it gets loud in here at busier times. The decor is kind of dia de los muertos-meets chic, and it works. This is obviously a go-to spot if you want to get your authentic margarita on, and you know a good (or want to show someone a good) and authentic or inventive margarita, and get away from the Cuervo/Margaritaville/Sour Mix mess that permeates the landscape elsewhere.
(4)Erika M.
We had lunch there this afternoon and were quite impressed. The food seems - to this non-connoisseur of Mexican food - to be quite authentic, and the flavors were fresh and individual (I had two kinds of tacos and each one had its own flavor). It was a quiet afternoon so we were seated right away, and the wait was pretty short (to get the food). It's old facility so there are dings and dents in the floor and on the walls, but the colorful paint is fun and cheerful and the layout is relaxed. My husband, who eats out a lot on his many business travels, was very impressed with the flavor and really enjoyed everything he had...including the chips/salsa that they bring while you wait for your order. And my kids didn't leave hungry either. They play nice Latin-style music in the background, which adds to the atmosphere, and we enjoyed a window seat. This place is close to home and not crazy expensive, so we will definitely be back and would easily recommend it to our friends.
(5)David G.
Seriously....why cant you folks in New England get it together for you South of the Border brethren? I should have known from the start with the Velveeta like Chile con queso, the store bought tortillas chips, or the Costco style salsa.....but I carried on. Yes the beans came from a can of rosarita, the tortillas were store bought as well, and for the rice....it was not a San Francisco treat although it tasted as if it came from one of those boxes. The food here is just plain bad....but heck if you don't know any better; play on and put that sombrero back on muchacho.
(2)Mark M.
A Seven Nights Magazine sports an ad for this establishment calling it the Best Authentic Mexican Food in Vermont. Well, I just have one question. What color is the sky in your world? I mean I want some of what you're smoking. If what comes out of a yellow El Paso box or can from the grocery store or what someone hands you through the drive up window at a Taco Bell is authentic, then I guess in that context your claim would be hard to challenge. But best in Vermont? Not if you and a single Taco Bell franchise were the only two Mexican restaurants left in Vermont would that ever be the case. My wife had the combo platter and the quality of the food barely rose to the level of mediocre. Carnitas that were greasy on the outside, dry inside and no flavor to speak of anywhere in between. Our guest had the barbacoa which was at least an attractive plate and she had no complaints. The waitress never asked about our food, but continually asked us if we wanted to order more drinks. The next time I pay $9 for a tequila cocktail I hope I'll be tasting some tequila. So that's a hundred bucks I'll never see again. You should be ashamed of that ad.
(1)Aleczander S.
El Gato has the best margaritas and tacos in town in my opinion. I haven't tried much else on the menu, the jalapeño margherita is a favorite. Friendly wait staff. Killer house made habanero hot sauce called "gato muerte".
(4)Phil D.
Good food and lots of it! The flavors are not super authentic to traditional Mexican cuisine, but they do their best. I think this is more tex mex style. It is done well and quite inexpensive for large portions. Staff and drinks are great! Their homemade hot sauces are amazing! Good place to bring the family or a large group of people.
(4)Joe F.
Our group of four came to El Gato around 8pm. After a few minutes, we were still not able to even talk to the hostess, so one of our group went next door to the Thai place. Our group of three was seated quickly, but did not receive service. After ~20 minutes, I ordered drinks at the bar. After ~40 minutes, a different server came to take our food order. Our fourth party member returned from the Thai place, after a full meal there, before we received our food! The manager offered a dessert for us, but we did not have any expectations that it would arrive on time anyway. Much regret at El Gato.
(1)Sarah V.
I go here regularly with my boyfriend, and we are never disappointed. The food is fantastic, and the service is always friendly. Obviously, you will not have the same food in Vermont you get in Mexico, but that seems a little unrealistic to me. I have now, after coming here for 3 years, had most of the menu and am never disappointed. The portions are large, so there will be leftovers. If you are looking for somewhere fun and lively for a date or a group, this is the place. Also, the margaritas are amazing.
(5)Dan F.
We ate here before and it was mediocre. We decided to try again and were told there was a 20 minute wait. Asked if we could get a beer at the bar. She said sure. We waited a good 15 minutes at the bar without so much as the bartender looking our way. While waiting, a group of 4 and then another group of two who were also waiting for a table joined us waiting for the bartender. During that time the same hostess who took our name started taking food orders from the people seated in the bar area. Then another woman got the drink order from the other group of two. We decided to leave since the service thus far was a good indicator of what it would be like at a table and we didn't want to punish ourselves any more. There seemed to be a lack of service personnel overall and no manager to offload and help out. Bottom line is the service here is absolutely terrible.
(1)Marc W.
Sorry, I've tried eating here three times, just plain not good. I know Mexican food, I've lived in Mexico, traveled there many times. I've had Tex-Mex in Texas, grew up in Colorado, gobbled pozolé in Santa Fe, I always hit up my favorite taquerias in San Francisco, San Jose & L.A. when I travel. El Gato, you can't seem to get it right and frankly, I don't believe you are really trying. Your ingredients are horrendous, your quality control is 'no bueno' and your tequila selection is...well it's not awful. Please seek out a chef who understands Mexican food and buy better ingredients. Consider this an intervention El Gato. We who moved here from the west need our Mexican fix! We will return if you announce a grand reopening and promise to truly honor one of the most vivacious cuisines in the world rather than half-ass it.
(2)Tiffany S.
This is a special place for me and my wife. We love the service and the food. Its often reasonable wait time to get in for a table even on busy nights they try to work with people to keep them happy.
(4)Cholena L.
Love this place. If you want amazing food and an amazing atmosphere, this is the place. The servers are very friendly and attentive. The margaritas are to die for. I have yet to find another place that has the same feel.
(5)Tanja P.
Really do love the food and drinks here, and I've tried it at least 10 times. The service is consistently disappointing. Waiting 20 minutes on a drink, and twice as long for our order to be taken. I really hoped for service to improve, but have been consistently let down. I would not recommend this restaurant. If you want good Mexican food and great margaritas, head up church street to El Cortijo.
(2)Jennifer G.
I don't get what the fuss is all about. Rice was clumpy, tasteless, and over-cooked. The refried beans came out more like a sauce. Got a few tacos, and maybe I expect more, but just a few strips of protein and a ton of sauce isn't that great. And their famous jalapeno margarita...ours came out with no jalapeno taste and basically just sour mix. Major disappointment. This was probably their 3rd or 4th night open in Essex Junction so maybe they are working the kinks out but I would have expected better, given the success of the downtown restaurant but maybe the downtown restaurant food tastes the same too? If so, double disappointment. Will probably wait this one out and hope to hear that the food quality gets better.
(2)Elz T.
Had lunch at the Burlington location today. Food was fine. Later, I attempted to make a future birthday dinner reservation and was not impressed by the lack of customer service. My questions were not answered and reservation was not made.
(2)Lindsey H.
Friendly service, plentiful (cold) chips and salsa. Asked for sugar on rim of marg and they used salt. Totally changed taste so I asked them for what I ordered. They didn't remix, just dumped in another glass maintaining super salty gross taste. Ordered tacos with drinks and it took over an hour. We asked twice and they just forgot twice to order or serve them. Super slow food, mediocre drinks. Find somewhere else to eat.
(2)CM B.
Everyone said "you can't go wrong with food in Burlington, it's all amazing!" and yet.... Canned chicken on my salad and in my husband's tacos. Room temperature, soggy, smelled like cat food. Absolutely unacceptable.
(1)Liz I.
Burlington has seen a fair number of Mexican restaurants come and go, and El Gato is by far the best we've had. The food is consistently top notch, spicy means spicy, and the margaritas are fantastic. The staff has always been really friendly and helpful, and I've yet to be steered wrong by their menu suggestions. Hands down, my favourite item on the menu (so far) is the steak taco with guac (they do some lovely guac). My partner is big on their gigantic El Gato Burrito. He even had to take some of it home. The infused tequilas are definitely something worth trying, as well. I've ordered the sampler flight to try with my table (don't attempt to try them alone!) and they were outstanding. My personal favourites are the orange and jalapeno varieties, and they're just as awesome in a margarita as they are on their own. I plan to make a point of hitting up El Gato whenever I'm in town, and I hope they stick around for good many years to come. Good Mexican is hard to come by around these parts, and it's really exciting to finally get some!
(5)Greg H.
Went here with a date recently for dinner and have a fantastic time. Great food, and awesome help. The server was adorable and funny and got everything right. The food was tasty and full of flavor. Good level of spice. The Guacamole was worth the extra amount, and the grilled corn with cheese hit spots I didn't know I had. Prices were reasonable and portions were generous. I would definitely hit this spot again when I'm in town next!
(4)rose n.
For the reviewer who said refried and black beans were vegetarian, I did NOT get a confirmation of that from my servers. I ordered take out and asked about it and one waitress said they were fine and another said "Oh black beans come on the nachos but the other beans aren't vegetarian." Get home, my nachos have refried beans on them. Are they vegetarian? Are they not? I don't know. I didn't get sick but I really hate mystery food. The grilled corn was also good. Over $20 for nachos, a side of corn, and a diet coke. Not very reasonably priced but I would go back.
(3)Stina M.
*I moved from Burlington to Portland Oregon this summer and didn't get a chance to write this review until now...so here's what I remember* OK, so this has been the third "Mexican" restaurant I've been to in Burlington. Remember, I'm from Texas. First of all, the place is expensive in my book and you don't get your moneys worth. But in my two years of living in Burlington, I realized that everything is ridiculously expensive. I was working 3 jobs just to be able to afford stuff like an occasional restaurant. I went with my boyfriend and we first shared the Queso appetizer. Holy gods it was terrible. It was obviously made from Velveeta or some other processed cheese, which does not make a queso inherently bad, but when you can't even use Velveeta right, there is a problem. The queso they served us for SIX DOLLARS was a small *small* bowl of thick, congealed Velveeta with some...I think they were peppers. I could not scoop one chip without it breaking off into the concrete mix that was our queso. I make better Velveeta and Rotel queso at home. I don't even think we took it home to try and salvage it, it was a lost cause. My main meal was the Spinach Quesadillas. They were decent. I don't remember the salsa being good or bad, just decent. I think I got a Margarita which was also decent. What I remember in vivid clarity was the travesty that was that Queso. Geeeez. Also, a couple of my friends work there are they have also said that the Queso sucks, but there is nothing they can do about it. That is very unfortunate, because queso is so easy to make. I really hope they have changed the queso since I left there.
(3)KR P.
Mediocre at best. Service was absolutely terrible, though it may have just been the server we got stuck with that night. As far as Mexican food goes, it might be your best bet in Burlington (which is pretty sad), but only if you get the right things. From what I've experienced, the taquitos are great, but the enchiladas, burritos, and tamales are bland and flavorless.
(3)Jerry Lee G.
The best place for our Friday night dinner with friends. Growing up in California gave me great access to awesome Mexican food. I'm so happy to have El Gato to go to for great Mexican food, amazing drinks and most of all, friendliest staff. Tree and her gang always cheers us up with the best Chili Relleno and Mole sauce I've ever had in my life. The food is fresh, home cooked and tasty. The drinks are wonderful and refreshing. Gotta try the El Gato margaritas with jalapeño infused tequila.
(5)Josh J.
The food was mediocre. It came out room temperature and the tamale was terrible. You got the chips and salsa right, but that's not saying much! I would come back for one more redemption plate, but if it doesn't get any better, it would be my last.
(3)Jennifer W.
The service here was superb, right on top of everything but not obsessively overbearing, we had some grilled corn that was quite good, tomallis were pretty good, they have a nice overall vibe in there. Will pop in again next time in town.
(5)Ruby D.
Considering the dearth of quality ethnic food options in Burlington, El Gato deserves four stars not for its across-the-board excellence but for its relative success. The food is hot, consistent and served in a festive atmosphere. I think mexican food is best enjoyed in loud environments with a packed bar, call it a personal preference. They prioritize interesting margaritas and infusions of tequila--the most successful of which are the very spicy ones in my opinion. They have a street food style corn on the cob that is really very excellent, but unfortunately seasonal. Ironic that their best offering is off the menu over half of the year. Anyway, when anyone suggests El Gato my response is "sure, why not"....and while this is not a ringing affirmation, its not a rejection either.
(4)Arthur W.
Worst Mexican restaurant I've ever seen. Bad service. No taste in the food. Very dry tamales.
(1)Nancy M.
The service is great, the chicken soup, corn on the cob and tostada are fabulous. The specials are mostly what we order when we go since we know they'll be fresh and inventive. It's one of our go-to restaurants for an easy, affordable dinner. great drinks too - lots of infused tequilas and the bartenders really know their stuff.
(5)Fu D.
You guys are great! You are easily my favorite mexican restaurant in Vt! Keep killin it!
(5)Eric A.
On a recent visit to Burlington, my son introduced me to this rather fun little - make that surprisingly big - Mexican restaurant in the Church Street pedestrian mall. It has a narrow storefront which somehow opens up and just keeps going back into the building. The bar features a few local brews, which I always appreciate. The menu was short and simple, pretty classic options for tacos and burritos. My son and I agreed that their chicken options were fine, but their pork was something special. The verde sauce I had with my enchiladas was quite satisfying. Since my son is a huge fan of Mexican food, and he'll be in Burlington a couple years yet, I can see more than a few repeat visits in my future. And I won't mind a bit.
(3)M. B.
Tasty food! I recommend the el gato burrito. The mango habanero hot sauce is killer! Wash it all down with a heady topper. Place was packed on a freezing Wednesday night! I mean packed at 9 pm...and people streaming through the doors...but that could just be Burlington's die hard nightlife.
(4)Matthew D.
Below average for Mexican food. I guess Mexican food from a can on the east coast gets better reviews. Service made you feel like you were rushed.
(2)Shohreh E.
We had a delightful dinner at El Gato on Monday night. The restaurant was busy for a Monday...we had attentive servers, the margaritas were the best we have had in Burlington (strong). I had the mollo pollo, probably 1/2 Misty Knolls chicken with nice mole sauce rice and black beans. It was great even the next day...my husband had a triple platter, enchilada, burrito and taco, he raved about his, he too had leftovers. The chips and salsa served before the meal were good, better than other chips in our pseudo Mexican restaurants.
(5)Amanda H.
We're new to the Burlington area and in the market for good Mexican food. Having lived in northern New England for the past 6 years, I understand that "good" is a relative term for Mexican food. However this was mediocre at best, even for northern New England. Pros: The fish taco was really good. The jalapeno-infused tequila margarita was also tasty and the service was good. The restaurant space itself was cute and had a great vibe. Cons: The salsa is tasteless. Seriously. Very bland and watery. So was the chicken burrito and red sauce. My husband had the barbacoa and carne asada taco and although they were both ok, they were nothing fantastic. We'll try here one more time, although we were pretty underwhelmed the first time, the fish taco gave me hope that we might've just been ordering the wrong things.
(3)Steacy S.
If I could give 0 stars I would. I loved this place when they first opened but the food, drinks and service have consistently gone down hill. I've been back a few times hoping things have changed but have been horribly disappointed every time. Tonight is the last time you will disappoint me El Gato, never again. The drinks have become smaller, watered down and more expensive. The service is worse every time, is there any management here? Our server after taking 30 min to take our order came back 30 min later to ask if we wanted to see the dessert menu or just wanted the check. We politely reminded her we would like the food we ordered. 20 minutes later another server dropped off our cold tasteless food. The flour tortilla was hard and somehow soggy, my Swedish grandmother could make better Mexican rice and Trader joes canned refried beans taste better straight out of the can. So long El Gato, I'll take Taco Bell over you any day!
(1)Susan G.
The service was.... well terrible. Our order was messed up more than once, and the food was decent.
(2)Jeffrey M.
I love mexican and have been here 5 times and they have nailed it each time. From apps, to entrees to infused drinks this is a great place to go hangout with a group or to bring your significant other. The service has ALWAYS been top shelf. Note: I have also been there to just have drinks with friends... they have a nice bar area that is a great hangout.
(5)Benjamin H.
Great portion sizes and decent food but, don't depend on making a reservation, this is the conversation I had trying to make reservations there. Me, "I'd like to make a reservation for 6 people at 6 pm." Them, "Unfortunately we are no longer taking reservations.." Me, "Why?" Them, "We are too full" Me, "Oh I see, so you can't accommodate 6 people" Them, "No we have room but I can't take anymore reservations" Me, "What time is your reservation cut off?" Them, "Generally 5 pm" Me, "Well its 3pm now" Them, "Well You can try your luck at 6pm" Me, "...?" Them, "...Thank You hope to see You tonight" Me, "click...."
(2)Michael L.
Food is good and so is ambience. Good place for a date or lunch with friends. Plenty of options to choose from. Ask for the habanero salsa with you want it super spicy.
(3)Bailey Z.
Burlington has been known to be lacking in authentic Mexican food. Moe's and Boloco don't count and the newly opened Don Pedro's in Winooski was an utter disaster. Enter El Gato, a sit-down Mexican restaurant, which offers a basic menu of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. A full bar appeals to the Church St. crowd; offerings include exotic drinks such as the elderberry margarita and a jalapeno infused tequila to go along with a laundry list of other alcoholic beverages. The traditional complimentary basket of tortilla chips and fresh salsa is always appreciated. I didn't care for the picante style salsa and had hoped to have a pico de gallo instead. I found it to be a soupy chilled version of a generic jarred salsa found in any local grocery store. I recently learned that when eating at a new Mexican place, the quesadillas and soft-shell tacos are the two safest foods to order. This tip led to a satisfying lunch. The steak quesadilla was surprisingly good. I took the risk of trying the meat, which I expected to be dry and overcooked, but it was tender and juicy. I'm usually not used to eating a quesadilla with sauteed peppers and onions, but with the addition of steak, it was a good pairing. The quesadilla was cut into manageable pieces and the tortilla was blistered well. Add on some sour cream and guacamole and I'm a pretty happy customer. The carne asada and chicken tacos were also pretty good. The meat was well-seasoned and well-cooked in both plates. I make it a rule never to get the rice and beans as sides because they always turn out terribly bland in my experience. The rice side here proved me right as it was very mushy. El Gato might be a little overpriced for what I'm used to, but given that it is the only decent Mexican place around and a sit-down restaurant, it is a tolerable restaurant to return to in the future. It deserves 3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I enjoyed my quesadilla so much.
(4)P M.
This review for guacamole. Infused magaritas. And our server Justin. Get the 6.99 guacamole app, it's worth it . Get infused margaritas, they are great! And thanks to our server Justin for taking care of us at the counter. Pretty sure he was host and busser as well, and it was a Flynn show night, so it was very busy. Anyway, he gave us great service and we were needy. This was my first visit. All of the staff was friendly.
(5)Dave C.
Awful food; service was worse; college kids only..The food was awful; absolutely the worst tasting mexican food I ever had. Nothing really seems freshly made; more like boxed/packaged ingredients that are cookVisitied El Gato this past weekend with wife and teen children. The place is located on Church street but on the "ohter side" of Church street. It's much quieter there and I guess that's because your a few doors down from what appears to be a shelter for vagrants. The restaurant itself is primarilty for college students and I'm sure they enjoyed it; but if you're looking for good food with god service, avoid it completely.
(1)Ally P.
I have to admit, I was extremely excited to have another Mexican restaurant in Burlington, however, I am disappointed in El Gato. The first time I went, I ended up leaving because we were told the wait would be about twenty minutes and that we should hang out at the bar. While we waited (well past 20 minutes) we watched other tables of two (we were a table of two) who had gotten there after us be seated. When we asked the hostess, she stated that they had a very large party that was "throwing them off." Still not sure why this meant that I was not seated before the people who came in after me. We left. The second time, the hostess was much better and we were seated relatively quickly. The margaritas are expensive here (over $8) and are not very good. I was pretty disappointed in both the frozen and on the rocks margs that I tried. There was something too sweet about them. i also had another of their cocktails, the "Bloody Maria" which was actually rather good, but extremely expensive. The food was just okay. I ordered a sampling of their tacos and found the ingredients to be a little subpar. The grilled corn, however, was very good. The waitstaff seemed awkward and unsure, and brought our appetizer out at the same time as our entrees. Also, they cam and took the plates away literally seconds after we looked like we were done. This made those who weren't quite finished feel awkward and rush the end of their meals. Overall I'd say this place needs work before I'd go back again.
(2)Diane P.
Loved it!! Had the fish tacos and the nacho grande. My son thought the sauce was too spicy and they brought him a whole new plate! Great atmosphere, great margarita and great food. Would definitely come back:)
(5)Sarah M.
Burlington isn't close to Mexico in geographic or cultural terms. So you can't, and shouldn't, expect super-authentic Mexican food here. But El Gato Cantina is damn yummy. I tried the taco de pollo. The tacos were good, the guac was delish, and the rice and beans were well-cooked, if a tad bland (luckily, I like my food on the blander side). The service was good, and we couldn't get enough of the complementary chips and salsa. My friend also raved about her margarita. The space itself is really great, and it was hopping on a Wednesday evening-- everyone seems to dig this place. So if you need your fix of Mexican in Burlington, El Gato could be your go-to.
(4)C J.
First off our quote time was 30 minutes and we waited at least 45. Secondly the table was sticky and there was water on one chair. Thirdly the food came cold to lukewarm, cheese was not melted, was bland, not good, and did not even look appetizing. It seemed very apparent that they do not use quality food products. The chips and salsa was great, as were the margaritas and they were very accommodating while waiting and have service while you are waiting.
(2)Brian H.
I've been to El Gato 3 times (not by choice) and have really not seen the place shine at any of those times. The first, well...let's say first impressions count the most. The first time I was here they were out of the beer I wanted, did not give me the correct entree and took forever getting us a bill. I think the waitstaff does try hard to please but something is very off in how they have to go about doing things here. Best example of that is the "bar section". The place has a small bar and seating area in the center/rear of the restaurant. So when it's busy they seat people in this area. Unfortunately, when they have people crowded in this small area it's also HIGHLY trafficked by waitstaff and I can see them all struggling to make their way through it to get to the rest of the patrons. Looks like a real mess. The food, while it might be close to authentic mexican, it's just not for me. A lot of the standard stuff (enchiladas, burritos..) seem a bit bland and soggy. I should vouch for the margaritas, they were tasty, but didn't make up for the food experience. The second and third times I was here, again packed with people, food was a bit slow coming and we didn't see salsa and chips until our food came. Again, I don't think I blame the waitstaff, just the "system" they use to make things happen seems busted. I might give them another try but again, I won't go unless everyone else who is going out with me REALLY wants to go here. There's just not anything "special" about El Gato that makes this worth my time or money. I'm not a big fan.
(2)Karen D.
Excellente! Great food, drinks, bartenders, vibe. They have a margarita menu, or should I say novella, that ranges from $8-$84, over 80 tequilas and bartenders who know their stuff. They are very friendly. They have the grilled best corn on the cob I ever had. The nice thing is you can order a lot of items a la carte, like delicious fish tacos for $3.99, so you can go just for the best food, not stuff yourself and really savor the drinks.
(5)Nateoc O.
Pluses: great guac (loaded with fun stuff that you can incorporate or not), tasty and free chips and salsa (the chips are good enough to eat plain), delicious beef burrito, and really juicy, tasty chicken tacos. Minuses: none, great food and friendly servers.
(4)Greg S.
If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. The food was good, not knock your socks off. Small portions of extras like guacamole. The service was excellent...the front room is very loud, if you want to have a conversation without yelling, ask to be seated in the back. Also, there's only room for one person in at a time in the men's room...dangerous for a place that serves burritos.
(4)T R.
Mmm...Mexican. I would have to say that Mexican has to be my favorite genre of ethnic food. When Rosita's closed a few years back, I wondered how long it would be until I had good carnitas again. One visit to el Gato last week made me so happy as I bit into the most delicious pork I've had since Rosita's. The salsa that came with it was so good. Very fresh! Dried chilis and tomatillos. A perfect combination with the pork and tortillas. My margarita was terrific! I had the skinny cat with agave syrup. Not overly sweet. Just the way I liked it. The service was attentive but I can definitely see they are working out the kinks. I can't wait to go back to try the lengua tacos and pozole!!
(5)Jeremy B.
FINALLY! Now I'm definitely not an authority, but growing up in TX and CA, I've yet to find anything that was any good. Without a doubt, El Gato Cantina the best Tex-Mex I've had in Vermont, especially when it comes to options for vegetarians (I'm not just stuck with cheese enchiladas or bean burritos)! The black beans and refried beans are both vegetarian. Let me first start by saying that if you're going for dinner on Friday or Saturday, eat a snack before you go because you'll likely find a 30min-1hr+ wait (hey, it's what you get when you have a fantastic restaurant!) to take the edge off. There are three v-e-r-y delicious vegetarian taco options. They don't just stick to the roasted veggies or beans and cheese that most Mexican restos use. They have a Hongos y Epazote Taco (braised mushroom w/ epazote, pico & cotija cheese), a Aguacate con Queso (avocado, queso fresco, pico & cotija cheese) and my FAVORITE-- The Vegan Taco (local seitan with a sweet ancho chili glaze & a little cabbage-- I have them add coitja cheese since I'm not vegan!). You can get them with a flour or corn tortilla (or mix & match-- i personally prefer the corn). They're soft tortillas, not crispy. I usually order the Taco Platter-- which you pick two tacos and get beans & rice along with your choice of sour cream or guacamole. El Gato also has vegetarian tamales (I've NEVER found vegetarian tamales at a Mexican restaurant). They're quite tasty, but I prefer my tacos. The mister ordered their pork mole' plate and loved it! I've also heard the carnivores love the Lengua Taco (yes, that's cow tongue-- don't say ew, suck it up and try it!). The Elotes Callejeros (grilled corn with cheese & seasonings- served as street food in Mexico) is seasonal, but SO GOOD! Their margaritas are delicious and unique. One of my favorites is the Hot Tart margarita which blends their jalapeno infused tequila with grapefruit juice. I was skeptical, but the server encouraged me to give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. The jalapeno infusion isn't really spicy, just has a bit of the flavor and a tiny kick to it. The service is decent. The atmosphere is traditional Tex-Mex restaurant decor and in the summer, the outdoor seating is great! People who have had their burritos haven't had great things to say, but I haven't tried them. I'd stick with the corn, tamales, tacos & margaritas and you'll be VERY happy!
(5)Maddy K.
If I lived around here I would totally come back. Our server was great and very attentive. The chips were awesome and so was the rest of the food. The only downside was the lack of spinach in my spinach quesidilla. I don't have much to say other than that is was really good!
(4)Rory M.
Ok, their soup seems to be wonderful, although I've never had it. I keep forgetting to order the soup for lunch but I see it coming to other tables all the time and the other customers seem to love it. I can say their ala carte tacos are really good. Their fish taco, grilled, is excellent. My lunch companion had the mushroom tacos and said those were excellent as well. T
(4)Ivy O.
Love this place. Can't beat free chips and salsa- and the margaritas are fabulous. I usually order fish tacos, chiles rellenos, or the taco salad, and I've never been disappointed! Often my first choice for dining out in burlington!
(5)Kimberlee M.
So, I went back and I still stand with 2-3 stars. This time I ordered the Barbacoa. The rice and beans are still terrible. The rice this time was worse then the first time...sticky, no flavor. The beans, at least weren't as dry...but I could make better at home. The pork...where was the flavor??? Not on my plate that is for sure. The sauces were nothing worth bragging about. My friend who had yet to go to El Gato ordered a taco platter and also complained that there was no flavor and also wondered why our friends keep saying this place is amazing. She actually believes Madera's is better, I can't speak to that as I haven't been there in over a year.
(3)Nicole B.
We had horrible service the night we were there and to make it worse the waitress charged my card for another bill at the table (which was charged on their card too) and the business still has not resolved the issue from last saturday.
(1)Kim R.
Much like the other reviewers, I was incredibly excited about the opening of El Gato. When I walked in, the service was friendly, warm, and welcoming. We had a slight wait, but the hostess quoted our time almost perfectly. Once we sat down, our waitress was also professional, helpful, and friendly. As for the food: The margaritas are definitely worth trying. I had the pear infused tequila, and I was impressed with the balance in the drink. For the price, I'd definitely order it again. I am pleased to see this restaurant takes tequila seriously. The chips and salsa were just ok. The chips were inconsistent, some slightly burnt, but overall had good flavor. The salsa tasted too much of canned tomatoes. I would have like to taste more of the cilantro. The guacamole was a downright disappointment. This was one of the reasons I tried this restaurant, and I was really upset with the cost versus quality of this dish. While the avocados were clearly fresh, the guacamole lacked seasoning. For $7, I expected more than half an avocado mashed into a bowl. With some lime juice, salt, and maybe even a little jalapeno, this dish could be worth the $7 price point. As I received it, I'd never order it again. For dinner I had the Tacos de Carne Asada, Tacos de Carnitas, beans, and rice. The rice was definitely from a box. It was well-cooked, but for the price I paid to add it, I expected more than rice from a box. I got black beans, which were cooked properly but again lacked seasoning. My beef in the carne asada was cooked perfectly but had no flavor. Again, no seasoning. The carnitas were overcooked but covered in a delicious salsa verde which helped. Overall, I just hope that the restaurant starts to avoid prepackaged foods and adds some seasonings. I saw a lot of potential here if they fix some of these issues.
(3)Glenn W.
Went for lunch today. Had the pork taco and the grilled steak taco, both on corn totilla. Both were great, meats were tender and full of flavor. Service was freindly and fast.
(5)Stavros M.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in VT! Good margaritas if Kenny is behind the bar. The vegan taco is my favorite dish. The corn (elote) is always good too!
(4)Helen L.
Just as a warning, the gristle I reported in the original review was actually so hard it really screwed up the teeth that bit into it. I've gone to the dentist for the pain and may need to be fitted for a crown. So, an overpriced taco may cost me a ridiculous amount in dental work. I won't likely go back, hard to eat somewhere that broke your teeth. Be sure to check your carne before you bite!
(2)Joe G.
After reading many articles about this place prior to opening I was anticipating this new mexican joint in Burlington. Sadly, it did not live up to the hype created by said articles. I hope it's due to being a brand new restaurant and not because they just aren't very good....only time will tell. We started off with the ceviche, which was $8, the portion the size of a medium margarita glass. Very limey and flavorful. Overall I enjoyed it despite the fact it costs as much as an entree but 1/3 the size. Chips and salsa- the chips had an assortment of stale, over-cooked, bland and too salty types. Salsa was decent with no spice to it. Food came out literally 5-10 minutes after ordering, which can be a good thing in some cases but not this one. Temperature of the food was lukewarm and the rice and beans were bland at best. I ordered the tacos and the corn tortillas tasted like they were nuked. Carne Asada was bland and came in 3 big chunks....not acceptable. Chop that shit up son!! Carnitas were decent and turned out to be the best taco out of the 3. Margarita was decent but very small and expensive. I am a huge fan of mexican food and have been yearning for a decent place to get my fix of a fairly simple cuisine to get right....equally as easy to destroy. I don't like Madera's but I'd go there 50 more times before I'd come here again. They use authenticity to reel people in but totally missed the mark. Taco Fail.
(2)Rose C.
It was decent. I'm not big on Mexican food and they didn't really do much to sway me towards liking it more. I will probably try it one more time but after that, I don't think I'll go back. Not my favorite, but my friends love it.
(3)Peter G.
EDIT: I've been back here a number since my initial visit - bless the small restaurant market in Burlington! I usually order the same thing - 1 shrimp taco, 1 lengua taco. They have a couple of good margaritas - the elderflower is sweet and floral, and there's a spicy one with jalapeno tequila that's good too. The guacamole is serviceable. If you want mexican in Burlington this is probably the place to go.
(3)Renee M.
So, much like the other reviewers, we have been excited about the opening of El Gato for a while now as we just moved here from Southern California where we almost exclusively lived on North Central and East LA mexican food, mostly because it's the BEST, but also because Mexican food is a safe haven for my most darling celiac. El Gato is the closest thing to Cal Mex that we've found so far. We also found the service very friendly and attentive and are sure they are going to work it out in the next couple of weeks and really tear it up. We went in for their first day serving lunch. Everyone did a good job taking care of us, and seemed to keep the other patrons happy, too. People were sad to be turned away after 2:30 (we called ahead and rushed over like major dorks) so I think it will be rad when they are able to stay open through happy hour. The elotes callajeros was great! Very authentic like the folks who sell it as street food in downtown LA. We were excited that the cotija cheese was the real deal, all crumbly and delish- I only had wished it was a little spicier, but that's probably a personal preference. We didn't get to try the tamales because they didn't have them ready for lunch yet, so we're looking forward to that. The blended salsa was really authentic and a nice change from the usual pico de gallo that seems to be the only thing you can usually get in Vermont. Maybe this is a little unfamiliar to folks, but we encourage you to give it a test drive. I also really liked the epazote, which was cooked wonderfully and was smoky and yummy. I didn't really have any beef with the rice and beans like other folks- it tasted like Cal Mex rice and beans to me, which are generally on the "dry" side I guess, though I thought they were fine. In many of our favorite spots, rice and beans is not really central to meals and pretty much never in tacos- usually ordered as a side dish- but no complaints here. Our only problem was that the proteins in our taco orders were both overcooked, and usually I won't even go there but I thought I would say something since they were new. The manager came over and chatted and apologized, which was very nice. The crema and the cabbage on the fish was great- love seeing all these mild, authentic, non-cheddar cheeses! Hooray! We will totally go again. Mark says he wishes they would have the cabeza instead of/in addition to lengua (I say "gross" to both) and we're going to keep fleshing out the menu in return visits. Let us know if anyone wants to get some margaritas sometime!
(4)Nicole B.
I went to El Gato on a Friday night with a large group of people and they were actually able to accommodate us even though they were pretty busy. They serve chips and salsa while you wait - the chips are salty and delicious, but the salsa is cold and bland. I love salads and I strongly believe that any good Mexican restaurant should have a good taco salad on their menu. I was very disappointed to find out that they don't have an appealing taco salad option. I ended up ordering the house salad with shredded chicken. The salad itself turned out to be romaine lettuce on a plate with a few tomatoes. They only have one salad dressing - a chili-lime vinaigrette that had absolutely no flavor, and though the shredded chicken was moist, it had very little flavor as well. My boyfriend ordered the chicken mole - the chicken was friend and on the bone - absolutely not the way chicken mole should be. It has also had very little flavor and was disappointing overall. Burlington is clearly not known for Mexican food and El Gato continues this trend.
(2)Alyssa L.
I was SO excited to get a new Mexican restaurant in Burlington. We are in dire need of good Mexican food and the menu for this place had promise. Much to our dismay, it did not live up to expectations. I sat outside with two friends, the service was slow, the drinks were just ok and the food was so-so. We started with drinks. Margaritas for the table of course. I had the Skinny Cat which lacked flavor, had no fizz (although on the menu it stated it was mixed with Soda) and tasted kind of watery. The Gato Margarita was much better. My boyfriend got it with the jalapeno infused tequila which was the perfect amount of spice! For dinner, we all had tacos. I order the Carne Asada and Pescado. The beef was over cooked, but had a nice seasoning. The tacos lacked filling - they totally skimp you on the lettuce, cabbage, etc. The grilled fish was not memorable. I was expecting tons of flavor, some spice, something to get the taste buds going, pero nada! Instead it was two miniature pieces of fish on three strands of cabbage. Sounds appetizing, huh? Not so much. Maybe this place just needs some time to find their groove, but for now I would avoid it. Thinking that Don Pedros in Winooski will be the Mexican place to beat! Luckily for us spice lovers, this place also just opened up. This will be our next stop. I'm sure it will be good because they don't have much to live up to!
(2)Amanda D.
Burlington was really lacking in the Mexican food scene, so I was curious to try El Gato. It was probably the best Mexican I've ever had! The food was fresh and delicious, ranging from what you'd expect (burritos, enchiladas, nachos) to really authentic and creative dishes like grilled corn on the cob coated in chile powder and crumbly cheese, vegan seitan tacos, and a taco with savory mushrooms and the traditional herb "epazote." Tacos come in authentic corn tortillas, which is really the only way to have them. Service was prompt and friendly both at the bar and in the dining area. They have creative margaritas there (e.g. jalapeno) but I like the house margarita. It comes a little too sweet for me, so I requested less sweetness and the result was the perfect margarita, which is something you can rarely find! I love the ambiance which is full of warm colors, neat cat-themed artwork, and lighting at just the right amount of dimness. I honestly don't understand the negative reviews that are out there. This place is great! I wholeheartedly recommend it and am looking forward to eating there as often as possible. For full disclosure, I've also posted this review elsewhere (tripadvisor, urbanspoon, google)
(4)Andrew M.
Drinks were great. A+ in fact Food needs some work. Mole was strange at best. Carne Asada was downright bland. Rice and beans...not edible, and I eat everything. Service was ok. We likely will give it another shot, if only because we are handcuffed by bad Mexican in Burlington.
(2)Jonathan P.
The ambiance is nice. Definitely got the cantina look down. Everything looks well kept. Service was good too. But the food is pretty bad. Like really pretty bad. The salsa tasted like it came from a jar and I couldn't continue eating my meal. I'm not sure how people are saying that the "mexican" food here is good whatsoever. Coming from California perhaps my insight into true mexican food is more extensive. I mean, you can't get any farther from Mexico than the Northeast. I feel sorry for anyone that believes this is what Mexican food tastes like...
(2)Will T.
I love El Gato! The food is delicious--very flavorful and fresh! The service is fast and friendly. The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy: outdoor seating, indoor seating with a front dining area, and they have an elevated back dining area. It's a great place for lunch and dinner for two or for bigger groups. The Essex location is very nice and has the same great food and awesome staff too--however, the Burlington location just has a more authentic Mexican feel--the Essex location lacks the atmosphere and decor of the BTV location (although I haven't been to the Essex location in a few months so it may have changed). Onto the food: it's amazing! Everything I have tried is fantastic! Upon arriving, you get homemade tortilla chips and salsa. The chips are warm and tasty and the salsa is delicious. I usually get the Combo Plate with steak and chicken burrito, rice and beans--always great! I had lunch here this week and tried the soft tacos: Taco de Carne Asada and the Taco de Barbacoa with corn tortilla. The flavor was incredible! I also tried the Tecate beer for the first time and it was quite good--nice light flavor and very drinkable. The owner and staff have done a wonderful job of creating an authentic, comfortable and friendly establishment with incredible food! I look forward to eating here again and again!
(5)David M.
Out with the family and in a good mood, I tend to let a lot slide. I let my older sister choose this place since it's her first trip to the us in over 20 years. This Mexican resto is on the other (less festive) side of Church Street. but it still has a lively terrace (complete with long and awkward wait inside, they could have sat us on some empty benches nearby!). The service was very attentive and we got a lot of stuff The best thing we had by far were the agave wings, amazing. The cheesy chili con queso was also a standout, as well as their complimentary salsa. Their selection of plates allows a lot of customization (1 to 3 choices for about $12-15). Not being an expert can lead to us asking for a vegetarian taco!!!!!! The major letdown were the $18 fajitas, I asked if they came sizzling off the griddle and the waitress said they did. They did not and the toppings were cold and limp on the plate. It's very hard to finish a plate with 3 choices, so take a doggy bag, the burrito was delicious the next day Cheap $2 beer while we were there.
(3)Stacey G.
Excellent decor and attentive staff. On to the food... amazing and fresh guacamole. Tostada: nothing special, grilled tilapia taco really good but the tempeh taco was inedible. Good margheritas but I wish they had frozen margaritas!
(3)Katie W.
The first time I came here I had a wonderful experience. The food was great, came out in time and my waiter was very attentive and helped my friend and I out with any questions we had. The second time I came here I brought my fiancé and was so excited to show him this place and was really disappointed. Our waitress didn't seem to care and forgot to bring our appetizer and didn't bring me the right sides I ordered either. The chips for the salsa were extremely stale too. It was weird because it was not busy AT ALL that day so we must have just gone on a bad day.
(3)H L.
We were in Burlington for the night. I'm vegetarian, my boyfriend is not. It always makes finding a place to eat interesting. We were looking on yelp for a place to walk to for dinner. We actually found a Thai place. Turns out, they were closed. Next door was El Gato. From the outside, it looked like a small place. I was surprised it was bigger than expected. I was also pleasantly surprised that they offered seitan vegetarian protein option. So I had that and a cheese enchilada with rice and black beans. The cheese enchilada came out piping hot in it's own casserole dish. It was delicious. The seitan burrito was a bit disappointing though. I should've stuck with something more traditional-- bean burrito perhaps. Actually I would've loved another cheese enchilada. It really was delicious. My boyfriend enjoyed everything he ordered. We also ordered guacamole. It's hard to find places that do guacamole well. El Gato did (though they seemed to 'plump up' the appearance of it's size by laying it on a bed of lettuce). We left stuffed. (Our neighboring table spent their whole meal discussing fat cells how they shrink but never go away and weight gain/loss, so that was less than appealing, but hey, not going to knock the restaurant for that of course)
(4)Marge W.
We came here at about 930 for margaritas and the place wasn't too busy, but the wait for drinks and food seemed excessive. I got two tacos (pollo con mole and steak) but I have definitely had better tacos.
(2)Diane K.
Start w great Milagro margarita. Followed by wonderful tacos selection one of mole w chicken that was the best I have ever had. Large party that waited a bit so they comped us guacamole and chips. Unexpected and great. Great plus
(5)Erika M.
The food was okay, although not the best Mexican meal I have ever had. The queso was tasty, but a very small portion for the price and a handful of chips (that I'm quite certain came from a bag). I found the pricing to be a little high for the portion sizes in general, and was surprised at the price of the meal when the check came. My mango margarita was tasty, but not cold, which was disappointing. Would have loved to have seen frozen margaritas on the menu! The service was spotty, was hard to get our waitress to refill our water or to remember parts of our order. But she was friendly and nice, so that's always a plus. The grilled corn was the best part of the meal. Very yummy.
(2)Diana C.
It's New England; you really can't expect much better. If this restaurant were anywhere else, I would've given it two stars for the food. Good enough to satisfy your cravings. And it's not Chipotle.
(3)Nora W.
I had the pozole today for lunch and it was the best I have ever tasted. Thick & all the best side fixings. Chips were fresh and the salsa was killer. Winner!
(5)Matthew K.
Always satisfied here. Friendly servers, reasonable prices and good food. They love tequila here and the selection is broad. We come here regularly, and will continue to!
(4)Megan C.
**This review only applies for our experience at the bar with drinks** I can't speak for the food here, but we sure enjoyed basket after basket of chips with well-flavored salsa! Our group stopped in with the sole intention of downing many a margarita in the awkward space between lunch and dinner. Turns out we chose the right spot for some serious margarita imbibing! Our bartender was incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about all things tequila and margarita. Don't worry about being duped with a Jose Cuervo "margarita" glowing Ecto Green with that sickening taste of Margaritaville mixer. Nope, not at El Gato. Pore over the pages upon pages of different margarita drinks, and get the low-down from the bartenders on their favorites, as well as what the heck a "coin style" margarita is. It's fun and informative! Don't be in a hurry or worry about ordering just the "right" drink. You can always order a second...and a third...but you know what they say about the fourth tequila... If you like sweeter margs, they can point you to that section of the menu. If you like it super-earthy and loaded with tequila and Mezcal, they can send you to that place as well. Or, if you're adventurous, let the barkeep mix one up of his choosing just for you. We had so much fun here - the bar is set up perfectly for bartender/customer interaction, the ceilings are kinda low and acoustics are great for conversation, although I'm sure it gets loud in here at busier times. The decor is kind of dia de los muertos-meets chic, and it works. This is obviously a go-to spot if you want to get your authentic margarita on, and you know a good (or want to show someone a good) and authentic or inventive margarita, and get away from the Cuervo/Margaritaville/Sour Mix mess that permeates the landscape elsewhere.
(4)Erika M.
We had lunch there this afternoon and were quite impressed. The food seems - to this non-connoisseur of Mexican food - to be quite authentic, and the flavors were fresh and individual (I had two kinds of tacos and each one had its own flavor). It was a quiet afternoon so we were seated right away, and the wait was pretty short (to get the food). It's old facility so there are dings and dents in the floor and on the walls, but the colorful paint is fun and cheerful and the layout is relaxed. My husband, who eats out a lot on his many business travels, was very impressed with the flavor and really enjoyed everything he had...including the chips/salsa that they bring while you wait for your order. And my kids didn't leave hungry either. They play nice Latin-style music in the background, which adds to the atmosphere, and we enjoyed a window seat. This place is close to home and not crazy expensive, so we will definitely be back and would easily recommend it to our friends.
(5)David G.
Seriously....why cant you folks in New England get it together for you South of the Border brethren? I should have known from the start with the Velveeta like Chile con queso, the store bought tortillas chips, or the Costco style salsa.....but I carried on. Yes the beans came from a can of rosarita, the tortillas were store bought as well, and for the rice....it was not a San Francisco treat although it tasted as if it came from one of those boxes. The food here is just plain bad....but heck if you don't know any better; play on and put that sombrero back on muchacho.
(2)Mark M.
A Seven Nights Magazine sports an ad for this establishment calling it the Best Authentic Mexican Food in Vermont. Well, I just have one question. What color is the sky in your world? I mean I want some of what you're smoking. If what comes out of a yellow El Paso box or can from the grocery store or what someone hands you through the drive up window at a Taco Bell is authentic, then I guess in that context your claim would be hard to challenge. But best in Vermont? Not if you and a single Taco Bell franchise were the only two Mexican restaurants left in Vermont would that ever be the case. My wife had the combo platter and the quality of the food barely rose to the level of mediocre. Carnitas that were greasy on the outside, dry inside and no flavor to speak of anywhere in between. Our guest had the barbacoa which was at least an attractive plate and she had no complaints. The waitress never asked about our food, but continually asked us if we wanted to order more drinks. The next time I pay $9 for a tequila cocktail I hope I'll be tasting some tequila. So that's a hundred bucks I'll never see again. You should be ashamed of that ad.
(1)Aleczander S.
El Gato has the best margaritas and tacos in town in my opinion. I haven't tried much else on the menu, the jalapeño margherita is a favorite. Friendly wait staff. Killer house made habanero hot sauce called "gato muerte".
(4)Phil D.
Good food and lots of it! The flavors are not super authentic to traditional Mexican cuisine, but they do their best. I think this is more tex mex style. It is done well and quite inexpensive for large portions. Staff and drinks are great! Their homemade hot sauces are amazing! Good place to bring the family or a large group of people.
(4)Joe F.
Our group of four came to El Gato around 8pm. After a few minutes, we were still not able to even talk to the hostess, so one of our group went next door to the Thai place. Our group of three was seated quickly, but did not receive service. After ~20 minutes, I ordered drinks at the bar. After ~40 minutes, a different server came to take our food order. Our fourth party member returned from the Thai place, after a full meal there, before we received our food! The manager offered a dessert for us, but we did not have any expectations that it would arrive on time anyway. Much regret at El Gato.
(1)Sarah V.
I go here regularly with my boyfriend, and we are never disappointed. The food is fantastic, and the service is always friendly. Obviously, you will not have the same food in Vermont you get in Mexico, but that seems a little unrealistic to me. I have now, after coming here for 3 years, had most of the menu and am never disappointed. The portions are large, so there will be leftovers. If you are looking for somewhere fun and lively for a date or a group, this is the place. Also, the margaritas are amazing.
(5)Dan F.
We ate here before and it was mediocre. We decided to try again and were told there was a 20 minute wait. Asked if we could get a beer at the bar. She said sure. We waited a good 15 minutes at the bar without so much as the bartender looking our way. While waiting, a group of 4 and then another group of two who were also waiting for a table joined us waiting for the bartender. During that time the same hostess who took our name started taking food orders from the people seated in the bar area. Then another woman got the drink order from the other group of two. We decided to leave since the service thus far was a good indicator of what it would be like at a table and we didn't want to punish ourselves any more. There seemed to be a lack of service personnel overall and no manager to offload and help out. Bottom line is the service here is absolutely terrible.
(1)Marc W.
Sorry, I've tried eating here three times, just plain not good. I know Mexican food, I've lived in Mexico, traveled there many times. I've had Tex-Mex in Texas, grew up in Colorado, gobbled pozolé in Santa Fe, I always hit up my favorite taquerias in San Francisco, San Jose & L.A. when I travel. El Gato, you can't seem to get it right and frankly, I don't believe you are really trying. Your ingredients are horrendous, your quality control is 'no bueno' and your tequila selection is...well it's not awful. Please seek out a chef who understands Mexican food and buy better ingredients. Consider this an intervention El Gato. We who moved here from the west need our Mexican fix! We will return if you announce a grand reopening and promise to truly honor one of the most vivacious cuisines in the world rather than half-ass it.
(2)Tiffany S.
This is a special place for me and my wife. We love the service and the food. Its often reasonable wait time to get in for a table even on busy nights they try to work with people to keep them happy.
(4)Cholena L.
Love this place. If you want amazing food and an amazing atmosphere, this is the place. The servers are very friendly and attentive. The margaritas are to die for. I have yet to find another place that has the same feel.
(5)Tanja P.
Really do love the food and drinks here, and I've tried it at least 10 times. The service is consistently disappointing. Waiting 20 minutes on a drink, and twice as long for our order to be taken. I really hoped for service to improve, but have been consistently let down. I would not recommend this restaurant. If you want good Mexican food and great margaritas, head up church street to El Cortijo.
(2)Jennifer G.
I don't get what the fuss is all about. Rice was clumpy, tasteless, and over-cooked. The refried beans came out more like a sauce. Got a few tacos, and maybe I expect more, but just a few strips of protein and a ton of sauce isn't that great. And their famous jalapeno margarita...ours came out with no jalapeno taste and basically just sour mix. Major disappointment. This was probably their 3rd or 4th night open in Essex Junction so maybe they are working the kinks out but I would have expected better, given the success of the downtown restaurant but maybe the downtown restaurant food tastes the same too? If so, double disappointment. Will probably wait this one out and hope to hear that the food quality gets better.
(2)Elz T.
Had lunch at the Burlington location today. Food was fine. Later, I attempted to make a future birthday dinner reservation and was not impressed by the lack of customer service. My questions were not answered and reservation was not made.
(2)Lindsey H.
Friendly service, plentiful (cold) chips and salsa. Asked for sugar on rim of marg and they used salt. Totally changed taste so I asked them for what I ordered. They didn't remix, just dumped in another glass maintaining super salty gross taste. Ordered tacos with drinks and it took over an hour. We asked twice and they just forgot twice to order or serve them. Super slow food, mediocre drinks. Find somewhere else to eat.
(2)CM B.
Everyone said "you can't go wrong with food in Burlington, it's all amazing!" and yet.... Canned chicken on my salad and in my husband's tacos. Room temperature, soggy, smelled like cat food. Absolutely unacceptable.
(1)Liz I.
Burlington has seen a fair number of Mexican restaurants come and go, and El Gato is by far the best we've had. The food is consistently top notch, spicy means spicy, and the margaritas are fantastic. The staff has always been really friendly and helpful, and I've yet to be steered wrong by their menu suggestions. Hands down, my favourite item on the menu (so far) is the steak taco with guac (they do some lovely guac). My partner is big on their gigantic El Gato Burrito. He even had to take some of it home. The infused tequilas are definitely something worth trying, as well. I've ordered the sampler flight to try with my table (don't attempt to try them alone!) and they were outstanding. My personal favourites are the orange and jalapeno varieties, and they're just as awesome in a margarita as they are on their own. I plan to make a point of hitting up El Gato whenever I'm in town, and I hope they stick around for good many years to come. Good Mexican is hard to come by around these parts, and it's really exciting to finally get some!
(5)Greg H.
Went here with a date recently for dinner and have a fantastic time. Great food, and awesome help. The server was adorable and funny and got everything right. The food was tasty and full of flavor. Good level of spice. The Guacamole was worth the extra amount, and the grilled corn with cheese hit spots I didn't know I had. Prices were reasonable and portions were generous. I would definitely hit this spot again when I'm in town next!
(4)rose n.
For the reviewer who said refried and black beans were vegetarian, I did NOT get a confirmation of that from my servers. I ordered take out and asked about it and one waitress said they were fine and another said "Oh black beans come on the nachos but the other beans aren't vegetarian." Get home, my nachos have refried beans on them. Are they vegetarian? Are they not? I don't know. I didn't get sick but I really hate mystery food. The grilled corn was also good. Over $20 for nachos, a side of corn, and a diet coke. Not very reasonably priced but I would go back.
(3)Stina M.
*I moved from Burlington to Portland Oregon this summer and didn't get a chance to write this review until now...so here's what I remember* OK, so this has been the third "Mexican" restaurant I've been to in Burlington. Remember, I'm from Texas. First of all, the place is expensive in my book and you don't get your moneys worth. But in my two years of living in Burlington, I realized that everything is ridiculously expensive. I was working 3 jobs just to be able to afford stuff like an occasional restaurant. I went with my boyfriend and we first shared the Queso appetizer. Holy gods it was terrible. It was obviously made from Velveeta or some other processed cheese, which does not make a queso inherently bad, but when you can't even use Velveeta right, there is a problem. The queso they served us for SIX DOLLARS was a small *small* bowl of thick, congealed Velveeta with some...I think they were peppers. I could not scoop one chip without it breaking off into the concrete mix that was our queso. I make better Velveeta and Rotel queso at home. I don't even think we took it home to try and salvage it, it was a lost cause. My main meal was the Spinach Quesadillas. They were decent. I don't remember the salsa being good or bad, just decent. I think I got a Margarita which was also decent. What I remember in vivid clarity was the travesty that was that Queso. Geeeez. Also, a couple of my friends work there are they have also said that the Queso sucks, but there is nothing they can do about it. That is very unfortunate, because queso is so easy to make. I really hope they have changed the queso since I left there.
(3)KR P.
Mediocre at best. Service was absolutely terrible, though it may have just been the server we got stuck with that night. As far as Mexican food goes, it might be your best bet in Burlington (which is pretty sad), but only if you get the right things. From what I've experienced, the taquitos are great, but the enchiladas, burritos, and tamales are bland and flavorless.
(3)Jerry Lee G.
The best place for our Friday night dinner with friends. Growing up in California gave me great access to awesome Mexican food. I'm so happy to have El Gato to go to for great Mexican food, amazing drinks and most of all, friendliest staff. Tree and her gang always cheers us up with the best Chili Relleno and Mole sauce I've ever had in my life. The food is fresh, home cooked and tasty. The drinks are wonderful and refreshing. Gotta try the El Gato margaritas with jalapeño infused tequila.
(5)Josh J.
The food was mediocre. It came out room temperature and the tamale was terrible. You got the chips and salsa right, but that's not saying much! I would come back for one more redemption plate, but if it doesn't get any better, it would be my last.
(3)Jennifer W.
The service here was superb, right on top of everything but not obsessively overbearing, we had some grilled corn that was quite good, tomallis were pretty good, they have a nice overall vibe in there. Will pop in again next time in town.
(5)Ruby D.
Considering the dearth of quality ethnic food options in Burlington, El Gato deserves four stars not for its across-the-board excellence but for its relative success. The food is hot, consistent and served in a festive atmosphere. I think mexican food is best enjoyed in loud environments with a packed bar, call it a personal preference. They prioritize interesting margaritas and infusions of tequila--the most successful of which are the very spicy ones in my opinion. They have a street food style corn on the cob that is really very excellent, but unfortunately seasonal. Ironic that their best offering is off the menu over half of the year. Anyway, when anyone suggests El Gato my response is "sure, why not"....and while this is not a ringing affirmation, its not a rejection either.
(4)Arthur W.
Worst Mexican restaurant I've ever seen. Bad service. No taste in the food. Very dry tamales.
(1)Nancy M.
The service is great, the chicken soup, corn on the cob and tostada are fabulous. The specials are mostly what we order when we go since we know they'll be fresh and inventive. It's one of our go-to restaurants for an easy, affordable dinner. great drinks too - lots of infused tequilas and the bartenders really know their stuff.
(5)Fu D.
You guys are great! You are easily my favorite mexican restaurant in Vt! Keep killin it!
(5)Eric A.
On a recent visit to Burlington, my son introduced me to this rather fun little - make that surprisingly big - Mexican restaurant in the Church Street pedestrian mall. It has a narrow storefront which somehow opens up and just keeps going back into the building. The bar features a few local brews, which I always appreciate. The menu was short and simple, pretty classic options for tacos and burritos. My son and I agreed that their chicken options were fine, but their pork was something special. The verde sauce I had with my enchiladas was quite satisfying. Since my son is a huge fan of Mexican food, and he'll be in Burlington a couple years yet, I can see more than a few repeat visits in my future. And I won't mind a bit.
(3)M. B.
Tasty food! I recommend the el gato burrito. The mango habanero hot sauce is killer! Wash it all down with a heady topper. Place was packed on a freezing Wednesday night! I mean packed at 9 pm...and people streaming through the doors...but that could just be Burlington's die hard nightlife.
(4)Matthew D.
Below average for Mexican food. I guess Mexican food from a can on the east coast gets better reviews. Service made you feel like you were rushed.
(2)Shohreh E.
We had a delightful dinner at El Gato on Monday night. The restaurant was busy for a Monday...we had attentive servers, the margaritas were the best we have had in Burlington (strong). I had the mollo pollo, probably 1/2 Misty Knolls chicken with nice mole sauce rice and black beans. It was great even the next day...my husband had a triple platter, enchilada, burrito and taco, he raved about his, he too had leftovers. The chips and salsa served before the meal were good, better than other chips in our pseudo Mexican restaurants.
(5)Amanda H.
We're new to the Burlington area and in the market for good Mexican food. Having lived in northern New England for the past 6 years, I understand that "good" is a relative term for Mexican food. However this was mediocre at best, even for northern New England. Pros: The fish taco was really good. The jalapeno-infused tequila margarita was also tasty and the service was good. The restaurant space itself was cute and had a great vibe. Cons: The salsa is tasteless. Seriously. Very bland and watery. So was the chicken burrito and red sauce. My husband had the barbacoa and carne asada taco and although they were both ok, they were nothing fantastic. We'll try here one more time, although we were pretty underwhelmed the first time, the fish taco gave me hope that we might've just been ordering the wrong things.
(3)Steacy S.
If I could give 0 stars I would. I loved this place when they first opened but the food, drinks and service have consistently gone down hill. I've been back a few times hoping things have changed but have been horribly disappointed every time. Tonight is the last time you will disappoint me El Gato, never again. The drinks have become smaller, watered down and more expensive. The service is worse every time, is there any management here? Our server after taking 30 min to take our order came back 30 min later to ask if we wanted to see the dessert menu or just wanted the check. We politely reminded her we would like the food we ordered. 20 minutes later another server dropped off our cold tasteless food. The flour tortilla was hard and somehow soggy, my Swedish grandmother could make better Mexican rice and Trader joes canned refried beans taste better straight out of the can. So long El Gato, I'll take Taco Bell over you any day!
(1)Susan G.
The service was.... well terrible. Our order was messed up more than once, and the food was decent.
(2)Jeffrey M.
I love mexican and have been here 5 times and they have nailed it each time. From apps, to entrees to infused drinks this is a great place to go hangout with a group or to bring your significant other. The service has ALWAYS been top shelf. Note: I have also been there to just have drinks with friends... they have a nice bar area that is a great hangout.
(5)Benjamin H.
Great portion sizes and decent food but, don't depend on making a reservation, this is the conversation I had trying to make reservations there. Me, "I'd like to make a reservation for 6 people at 6 pm." Them, "Unfortunately we are no longer taking reservations.." Me, "Why?" Them, "We are too full" Me, "Oh I see, so you can't accommodate 6 people" Them, "No we have room but I can't take anymore reservations" Me, "What time is your reservation cut off?" Them, "Generally 5 pm" Me, "Well its 3pm now" Them, "Well You can try your luck at 6pm" Me, "...?" Them, "...Thank You hope to see You tonight" Me, "click...."
(2)Michael L.
Food is good and so is ambience. Good place for a date or lunch with friends. Plenty of options to choose from. Ask for the habanero salsa with you want it super spicy.
(3)Bailey Z.
Burlington has been known to be lacking in authentic Mexican food. Moe's and Boloco don't count and the newly opened Don Pedro's in Winooski was an utter disaster. Enter El Gato, a sit-down Mexican restaurant, which offers a basic menu of tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. A full bar appeals to the Church St. crowd; offerings include exotic drinks such as the elderberry margarita and a jalapeno infused tequila to go along with a laundry list of other alcoholic beverages. The traditional complimentary basket of tortilla chips and fresh salsa is always appreciated. I didn't care for the picante style salsa and had hoped to have a pico de gallo instead. I found it to be a soupy chilled version of a generic jarred salsa found in any local grocery store. I recently learned that when eating at a new Mexican place, the quesadillas and soft-shell tacos are the two safest foods to order. This tip led to a satisfying lunch. The steak quesadilla was surprisingly good. I took the risk of trying the meat, which I expected to be dry and overcooked, but it was tender and juicy. I'm usually not used to eating a quesadilla with sauteed peppers and onions, but with the addition of steak, it was a good pairing. The quesadilla was cut into manageable pieces and the tortilla was blistered well. Add on some sour cream and guacamole and I'm a pretty happy customer. The carne asada and chicken tacos were also pretty good. The meat was well-seasoned and well-cooked in both plates. I make it a rule never to get the rice and beans as sides because they always turn out terribly bland in my experience. The rice side here proved me right as it was very mushy. El Gato might be a little overpriced for what I'm used to, but given that it is the only decent Mexican place around and a sit-down restaurant, it is a tolerable restaurant to return to in the future. It deserves 3.5 stars, but I rounded up because I enjoyed my quesadilla so much.
(4)P M.
This review for guacamole. Infused magaritas. And our server Justin. Get the 6.99 guacamole app, it's worth it . Get infused margaritas, they are great! And thanks to our server Justin for taking care of us at the counter. Pretty sure he was host and busser as well, and it was a Flynn show night, so it was very busy. Anyway, he gave us great service and we were needy. This was my first visit. All of the staff was friendly.
(5)Dave C.
Awful food; service was worse; college kids only..The food was awful; absolutely the worst tasting mexican food I ever had. Nothing really seems freshly made; more like boxed/packaged ingredients that are cookVisitied El Gato this past weekend with wife and teen children. The place is located on Church street but on the "ohter side" of Church street. It's much quieter there and I guess that's because your a few doors down from what appears to be a shelter for vagrants. The restaurant itself is primarilty for college students and I'm sure they enjoyed it; but if you're looking for good food with god service, avoid it completely.
(1)Ally P.
I have to admit, I was extremely excited to have another Mexican restaurant in Burlington, however, I am disappointed in El Gato. The first time I went, I ended up leaving because we were told the wait would be about twenty minutes and that we should hang out at the bar. While we waited (well past 20 minutes) we watched other tables of two (we were a table of two) who had gotten there after us be seated. When we asked the hostess, she stated that they had a very large party that was "throwing them off." Still not sure why this meant that I was not seated before the people who came in after me. We left. The second time, the hostess was much better and we were seated relatively quickly. The margaritas are expensive here (over $8) and are not very good. I was pretty disappointed in both the frozen and on the rocks margs that I tried. There was something too sweet about them. i also had another of their cocktails, the "Bloody Maria" which was actually rather good, but extremely expensive. The food was just okay. I ordered a sampling of their tacos and found the ingredients to be a little subpar. The grilled corn, however, was very good. The waitstaff seemed awkward and unsure, and brought our appetizer out at the same time as our entrees. Also, they cam and took the plates away literally seconds after we looked like we were done. This made those who weren't quite finished feel awkward and rush the end of their meals. Overall I'd say this place needs work before I'd go back again.
(2)Diane P.
Loved it!! Had the fish tacos and the nacho grande. My son thought the sauce was too spicy and they brought him a whole new plate! Great atmosphere, great margarita and great food. Would definitely come back:)
(5)Sarah M.
Burlington isn't close to Mexico in geographic or cultural terms. So you can't, and shouldn't, expect super-authentic Mexican food here. But El Gato Cantina is damn yummy. I tried the taco de pollo. The tacos were good, the guac was delish, and the rice and beans were well-cooked, if a tad bland (luckily, I like my food on the blander side). The service was good, and we couldn't get enough of the complementary chips and salsa. My friend also raved about her margarita. The space itself is really great, and it was hopping on a Wednesday evening-- everyone seems to dig this place. So if you need your fix of Mexican in Burlington, El Gato could be your go-to.
(4)C J.
First off our quote time was 30 minutes and we waited at least 45. Secondly the table was sticky and there was water on one chair. Thirdly the food came cold to lukewarm, cheese was not melted, was bland, not good, and did not even look appetizing. It seemed very apparent that they do not use quality food products. The chips and salsa was great, as were the margaritas and they were very accommodating while waiting and have service while you are waiting.
(2)Brian H.
I've been to El Gato 3 times (not by choice) and have really not seen the place shine at any of those times. The first, well...let's say first impressions count the most. The first time I was here they were out of the beer I wanted, did not give me the correct entree and took forever getting us a bill. I think the waitstaff does try hard to please but something is very off in how they have to go about doing things here. Best example of that is the "bar section". The place has a small bar and seating area in the center/rear of the restaurant. So when it's busy they seat people in this area. Unfortunately, when they have people crowded in this small area it's also HIGHLY trafficked by waitstaff and I can see them all struggling to make their way through it to get to the rest of the patrons. Looks like a real mess. The food, while it might be close to authentic mexican, it's just not for me. A lot of the standard stuff (enchiladas, burritos..) seem a bit bland and soggy. I should vouch for the margaritas, they were tasty, but didn't make up for the food experience. The second and third times I was here, again packed with people, food was a bit slow coming and we didn't see salsa and chips until our food came. Again, I don't think I blame the waitstaff, just the "system" they use to make things happen seems busted. I might give them another try but again, I won't go unless everyone else who is going out with me REALLY wants to go here. There's just not anything "special" about El Gato that makes this worth my time or money. I'm not a big fan.
(2)Karen D.
Excellente! Great food, drinks, bartenders, vibe. They have a margarita menu, or should I say novella, that ranges from $8-$84, over 80 tequilas and bartenders who know their stuff. They are very friendly. They have the grilled best corn on the cob I ever had. The nice thing is you can order a lot of items a la carte, like delicious fish tacos for $3.99, so you can go just for the best food, not stuff yourself and really savor the drinks.
(5)Nateoc O.
Pluses: great guac (loaded with fun stuff that you can incorporate or not), tasty and free chips and salsa (the chips are good enough to eat plain), delicious beef burrito, and really juicy, tasty chicken tacos. Minuses: none, great food and friendly servers.
(4)Greg S.
If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. The food was good, not knock your socks off. Small portions of extras like guacamole. The service was excellent...the front room is very loud, if you want to have a conversation without yelling, ask to be seated in the back. Also, there's only room for one person in at a time in the men's room...dangerous for a place that serves burritos.
(4)T R.
Mmm...Mexican. I would have to say that Mexican has to be my favorite genre of ethnic food. When Rosita's closed a few years back, I wondered how long it would be until I had good carnitas again. One visit to el Gato last week made me so happy as I bit into the most delicious pork I've had since Rosita's. The salsa that came with it was so good. Very fresh! Dried chilis and tomatillos. A perfect combination with the pork and tortillas. My margarita was terrific! I had the skinny cat with agave syrup. Not overly sweet. Just the way I liked it. The service was attentive but I can definitely see they are working out the kinks. I can't wait to go back to try the lengua tacos and pozole!!
(5)Jeremy B.
FINALLY! Now I'm definitely not an authority, but growing up in TX and CA, I've yet to find anything that was any good. Without a doubt, El Gato Cantina the best Tex-Mex I've had in Vermont, especially when it comes to options for vegetarians (I'm not just stuck with cheese enchiladas or bean burritos)! The black beans and refried beans are both vegetarian. Let me first start by saying that if you're going for dinner on Friday or Saturday, eat a snack before you go because you'll likely find a 30min-1hr+ wait (hey, it's what you get when you have a fantastic restaurant!) to take the edge off. There are three v-e-r-y delicious vegetarian taco options. They don't just stick to the roasted veggies or beans and cheese that most Mexican restos use. They have a Hongos y Epazote Taco (braised mushroom w/ epazote, pico & cotija cheese), a Aguacate con Queso (avocado, queso fresco, pico & cotija cheese) and my FAVORITE-- The Vegan Taco (local seitan with a sweet ancho chili glaze & a little cabbage-- I have them add coitja cheese since I'm not vegan!). You can get them with a flour or corn tortilla (or mix & match-- i personally prefer the corn). They're soft tortillas, not crispy. I usually order the Taco Platter-- which you pick two tacos and get beans & rice along with your choice of sour cream or guacamole. El Gato also has vegetarian tamales (I've NEVER found vegetarian tamales at a Mexican restaurant). They're quite tasty, but I prefer my tacos. The mister ordered their pork mole' plate and loved it! I've also heard the carnivores love the Lengua Taco (yes, that's cow tongue-- don't say ew, suck it up and try it!). The Elotes Callejeros (grilled corn with cheese & seasonings- served as street food in Mexico) is seasonal, but SO GOOD! Their margaritas are delicious and unique. One of my favorites is the Hot Tart margarita which blends their jalapeno infused tequila with grapefruit juice. I was skeptical, but the server encouraged me to give it a try and I was pleasantly surprised. The jalapeno infusion isn't really spicy, just has a bit of the flavor and a tiny kick to it. The service is decent. The atmosphere is traditional Tex-Mex restaurant decor and in the summer, the outdoor seating is great! People who have had their burritos haven't had great things to say, but I haven't tried them. I'd stick with the corn, tamales, tacos & margaritas and you'll be VERY happy!
(5)Maddy K.
If I lived around here I would totally come back. Our server was great and very attentive. The chips were awesome and so was the rest of the food. The only downside was the lack of spinach in my spinach quesidilla. I don't have much to say other than that is was really good!
(4)Rory M.
Ok, their soup seems to be wonderful, although I've never had it. I keep forgetting to order the soup for lunch but I see it coming to other tables all the time and the other customers seem to love it. I can say their ala carte tacos are really good. Their fish taco, grilled, is excellent. My lunch companion had the mushroom tacos and said those were excellent as well. T
(4)Ivy O.
Love this place. Can't beat free chips and salsa- and the margaritas are fabulous. I usually order fish tacos, chiles rellenos, or the taco salad, and I've never been disappointed! Often my first choice for dining out in burlington!
(5)Kimberlee M.
So, I went back and I still stand with 2-3 stars. This time I ordered the Barbacoa. The rice and beans are still terrible. The rice this time was worse then the first time...sticky, no flavor. The beans, at least weren't as dry...but I could make better at home. The pork...where was the flavor??? Not on my plate that is for sure. The sauces were nothing worth bragging about. My friend who had yet to go to El Gato ordered a taco platter and also complained that there was no flavor and also wondered why our friends keep saying this place is amazing. She actually believes Madera's is better, I can't speak to that as I haven't been there in over a year.
(3)Nicole B.
We had horrible service the night we were there and to make it worse the waitress charged my card for another bill at the table (which was charged on their card too) and the business still has not resolved the issue from last saturday.
(1)Kim R.
Much like the other reviewers, I was incredibly excited about the opening of El Gato. When I walked in, the service was friendly, warm, and welcoming. We had a slight wait, but the hostess quoted our time almost perfectly. Once we sat down, our waitress was also professional, helpful, and friendly. As for the food: The margaritas are definitely worth trying. I had the pear infused tequila, and I was impressed with the balance in the drink. For the price, I'd definitely order it again. I am pleased to see this restaurant takes tequila seriously. The chips and salsa were just ok. The chips were inconsistent, some slightly burnt, but overall had good flavor. The salsa tasted too much of canned tomatoes. I would have like to taste more of the cilantro. The guacamole was a downright disappointment. This was one of the reasons I tried this restaurant, and I was really upset with the cost versus quality of this dish. While the avocados were clearly fresh, the guacamole lacked seasoning. For $7, I expected more than half an avocado mashed into a bowl. With some lime juice, salt, and maybe even a little jalapeno, this dish could be worth the $7 price point. As I received it, I'd never order it again. For dinner I had the Tacos de Carne Asada, Tacos de Carnitas, beans, and rice. The rice was definitely from a box. It was well-cooked, but for the price I paid to add it, I expected more than rice from a box. I got black beans, which were cooked properly but again lacked seasoning. My beef in the carne asada was cooked perfectly but had no flavor. Again, no seasoning. The carnitas were overcooked but covered in a delicious salsa verde which helped. Overall, I just hope that the restaurant starts to avoid prepackaged foods and adds some seasonings. I saw a lot of potential here if they fix some of these issues.
(3)Glenn W.
Went for lunch today. Had the pork taco and the grilled steak taco, both on corn totilla. Both were great, meats were tender and full of flavor. Service was freindly and fast.
(5)Stavros M.
My favorite Mexican restaurant in VT! Good margaritas if Kenny is behind the bar. The vegan taco is my favorite dish. The corn (elote) is always good too!
(4)Helen L.
Just as a warning, the gristle I reported in the original review was actually so hard it really screwed up the teeth that bit into it. I've gone to the dentist for the pain and may need to be fitted for a crown. So, an overpriced taco may cost me a ridiculous amount in dental work. I won't likely go back, hard to eat somewhere that broke your teeth. Be sure to check your carne before you bite!
(2)Joe G.
After reading many articles about this place prior to opening I was anticipating this new mexican joint in Burlington. Sadly, it did not live up to the hype created by said articles. I hope it's due to being a brand new restaurant and not because they just aren't very good....only time will tell. We started off with the ceviche, which was $8, the portion the size of a medium margarita glass. Very limey and flavorful. Overall I enjoyed it despite the fact it costs as much as an entree but 1/3 the size. Chips and salsa- the chips had an assortment of stale, over-cooked, bland and too salty types. Salsa was decent with no spice to it. Food came out literally 5-10 minutes after ordering, which can be a good thing in some cases but not this one. Temperature of the food was lukewarm and the rice and beans were bland at best. I ordered the tacos and the corn tortillas tasted like they were nuked. Carne Asada was bland and came in 3 big chunks....not acceptable. Chop that shit up son!! Carnitas were decent and turned out to be the best taco out of the 3. Margarita was decent but very small and expensive. I am a huge fan of mexican food and have been yearning for a decent place to get my fix of a fairly simple cuisine to get right....equally as easy to destroy. I don't like Madera's but I'd go there 50 more times before I'd come here again. They use authenticity to reel people in but totally missed the mark. Taco Fail.
(2)Rose C.
It was decent. I'm not big on Mexican food and they didn't really do much to sway me towards liking it more. I will probably try it one more time but after that, I don't think I'll go back. Not my favorite, but my friends love it.
(3)Peter G.
EDIT: I've been back here a number since my initial visit - bless the small restaurant market in Burlington! I usually order the same thing - 1 shrimp taco, 1 lengua taco. They have a couple of good margaritas - the elderflower is sweet and floral, and there's a spicy one with jalapeno tequila that's good too. The guacamole is serviceable. If you want mexican in Burlington this is probably the place to go.
(3)Geoff G.
I am a native of California. I've lived in Burlington for twenty years. It's about time we had Mexican food that has some real flavor. I got a quick burrito while working at the Flynn Theater. Not bad. I can't wait to sample more of the menu. Viva El Gato!
(3)Renee M.
So, much like the other reviewers, we have been excited about the opening of El Gato for a while now as we just moved here from Southern California where we almost exclusively lived on North Central and East LA mexican food, mostly because it's the BEST, but also because Mexican food is a safe haven for my most darling celiac. El Gato is the closest thing to Cal Mex that we've found so far. We also found the service very friendly and attentive and are sure they are going to work it out in the next couple of weeks and really tear it up. We went in for their first day serving lunch. Everyone did a good job taking care of us, and seemed to keep the other patrons happy, too. People were sad to be turned away after 2:30 (we called ahead and rushed over like major dorks) so I think it will be rad when they are able to stay open through happy hour. The elotes callajeros was great! Very authentic like the folks who sell it as street food in downtown LA. We were excited that the cotija cheese was the real deal, all crumbly and delish- I only had wished it was a little spicier, but that's probably a personal preference. We didn't get to try the tamales because they didn't have them ready for lunch yet, so we're looking forward to that. The blended salsa was really authentic and a nice change from the usual pico de gallo that seems to be the only thing you can usually get in Vermont. Maybe this is a little unfamiliar to folks, but we encourage you to give it a test drive. I also really liked the epazote, which was cooked wonderfully and was smoky and yummy. I didn't really have any beef with the rice and beans like other folks- it tasted like Cal Mex rice and beans to me, which are generally on the "dry" side I guess, though I thought they were fine. In many of our favorite spots, rice and beans is not really central to meals and pretty much never in tacos- usually ordered as a side dish- but no complaints here. Our only problem was that the proteins in our taco orders were both overcooked, and usually I won't even go there but I thought I would say something since they were new. The manager came over and chatted and apologized, which was very nice. The crema and the cabbage on the fish was great- love seeing all these mild, authentic, non-cheddar cheeses! Hooray! We will totally go again. Mark says he wishes they would have the cabeza instead of/in addition to lengua (I say "gross" to both) and we're going to keep fleshing out the menu in return visits. Let us know if anyone wants to get some margaritas sometime!
(4)Nicole B.
I went to El Gato on a Friday night with a large group of people and they were actually able to accommodate us even though they were pretty busy. They serve chips and salsa while you wait - the chips are salty and delicious, but the salsa is cold and bland. I love salads and I strongly believe that any good Mexican restaurant should have a good taco salad on their menu. I was very disappointed to find out that they don't have an appealing taco salad option. I ended up ordering the house salad with shredded chicken. The salad itself turned out to be romaine lettuce on a plate with a few tomatoes. They only have one salad dressing - a chili-lime vinaigrette that had absolutely no flavor, and though the shredded chicken was moist, it had very little flavor as well. My boyfriend ordered the chicken mole - the chicken was friend and on the bone - absolutely not the way chicken mole should be. It has also had very little flavor and was disappointing overall. Burlington is clearly not known for Mexican food and El Gato continues this trend.
(2)Alyssa L.
I was SO excited to get a new Mexican restaurant in Burlington. We are in dire need of good Mexican food and the menu for this place had promise. Much to our dismay, it did not live up to expectations. I sat outside with two friends, the service was slow, the drinks were just ok and the food was so-so. We started with drinks. Margaritas for the table of course. I had the Skinny Cat which lacked flavor, had no fizz (although on the menu it stated it was mixed with Soda) and tasted kind of watery. The Gato Margarita was much better. My boyfriend got it with the jalapeno infused tequila which was the perfect amount of spice! For dinner, we all had tacos. I order the Carne Asada and Pescado. The beef was over cooked, but had a nice seasoning. The tacos lacked filling - they totally skimp you on the lettuce, cabbage, etc. The grilled fish was not memorable. I was expecting tons of flavor, some spice, something to get the taste buds going, pero nada! Instead it was two miniature pieces of fish on three strands of cabbage. Sounds appetizing, huh? Not so much. Maybe this place just needs some time to find their groove, but for now I would avoid it. Thinking that Don Pedros in Winooski will be the Mexican place to beat! Luckily for us spice lovers, this place also just opened up. This will be our next stop. I'm sure it will be good because they don't have much to live up to!
(2)Amanda D.
Burlington was really lacking in the Mexican food scene, so I was curious to try El Gato. It was probably the best Mexican I've ever had! The food was fresh and delicious, ranging from what you'd expect (burritos, enchiladas, nachos) to really authentic and creative dishes like grilled corn on the cob coated in chile powder and crumbly cheese, vegan seitan tacos, and a taco with savory mushrooms and the traditional herb "epazote." Tacos come in authentic corn tortillas, which is really the only way to have them. Service was prompt and friendly both at the bar and in the dining area. They have creative margaritas there (e.g. jalapeno) but I like the house margarita. It comes a little too sweet for me, so I requested less sweetness and the result was the perfect margarita, which is something you can rarely find! I love the ambiance which is full of warm colors, neat cat-themed artwork, and lighting at just the right amount of dimness. I honestly don't understand the negative reviews that are out there. This place is great! I wholeheartedly recommend it and am looking forward to eating there as often as possible. For full disclosure, I've also posted this review elsewhere (tripadvisor, urbanspoon, google)
(4)Andrew M.
Drinks were great. A+ in fact Food needs some work. Mole was strange at best. Carne Asada was downright bland. Rice and beans...not edible, and I eat everything. Service was ok. We likely will give it another shot, if only because we are handcuffed by bad Mexican in Burlington.
(2)Derek C.
Wandered in here one afternoon and fell in love with this place. They have an extensive menu of margaritas and Mexican cuisine. Free (warm!) chips and salsa the moment you sit down. I ended up with a jalapeño infused margarita, an enormous pork burrito, and a cow tongue taco. The staff were all very friendly and the Mexican decor is great. Will definitely visit the establishment again and again.
(5)Andrew Burdett L.
Bland burrito, the rice and beans tasted as if it was squeezed from a can and the pork was over cooked and dry.
(2)Leslie H.
This was the third night of their "soft opening" week (dinner only) and it was a good time! Our waitress, Tia, was very nice and attentive and everything we ordered came our promptly and as expected. I got a couple strawberry margaritas that I had a hard time not chugging they were so good, and my date got their Orange infused and Pomegranate margaritas. We also got a few different tacos, and snacked on the endless chips with homemade salsa that was hard to stop munching on. The interior design was different for Burlingon, has a bright color scheme with lots of oranges and blues and some unique pieces to complement the design - with, of course, many pictures and such of cats. Overall I enjoyed my dinner there and plan to stop ny again when I'm in town. Good luck to Tree and his team for a successful opening!
(4)Katherine C.
When I worked down the street i would eat lunch here pretty much every day- it's quick, cheap & reasonably tasty. Their margaritas are very good, especially when they are only $5 on Wednesdays. The posole, when they get it right, is sublime. My only complaint so far is that the food is inconsistent- and they don't seem to have great quality control. I have gotten completely inedible black beans there & a lot of other items have come out so salty as to be hard to eat. The one time that I pointed this out, I was told that the chef agreed with me- but I was still charged for the inedible food & it was not replaced with something else that I could eat. I stopped visiting this business for a few months after paying for inedible food- but have since returned. As far as downtown restaurants go, this is the only one that seems to be able to get me a hot & tasty meal in under half an hour. For that alone, 4 stars.
(4)Jessica S.
I wish i could give el gato a better review but it wouldnt be honest. Chips and salsa were good salsa was cold and fresh. Dinner went down hill from there. Barbocoa was salty. Rice was cold and bland. Overall just not good.
(2)Mark W.
What a selection of tequila! Food was about as good as you get outside of the southwest! Servers were friendly and knowledgeable! Definately going back.
(4)Tom B.
The first sign of a good restaurant is consistency. My wife and I have been eaten at El Gato a couple of times and the food and service have been consistently very good. It's hard to find authentic Mexican in Vermont but not here. The mole sauce on the chicken taco was incredibly tasty with cinnamon and just enough heat. The sauce verde on another marinated chicken taco was rich and flavorful, and their signature grilled corn is like nothing you've had before. We ordered their drink special before dinner which was a jalapenos infused tequila drink with lime and seltzer which was refreshing with a little head. Excellent!
(5)Jamie D.
Great all around! Best tamale I ever had. Awesome selection of margaritas and infused tequilas. Service was good, atmosphere was appropriately Mexican. All around recommend!
(5)Robert D.
We ate here two nights in a row this week. We sat at the bar which I thought would be convenient but ended up being an inconvenience. It was very crowded because people were waiting and we had to listen to them bitch and complain. I also felt like I was in the middle of the kitchen with all of the wait staff hovering around. They were definitely overstaffed and everyone was wondering around like they had no purpose. The food was awesome no complaints there. The service could use some improving. It was definitely slow and they need to know their menu better. I ordered extra corn tortillas when placing my dinner order and the forgot. The waitress didn't know I was to get rice and beans with my dish and when I mentioned it she was surprised. The. Margaritas are wonderful but why the he'll does it take so long to get them once ordered? It really took way too long. In addition waitress never asked if we wanted another one for over half of our visit there. I do realize that the place is new. I am originally from CA and I miss real Mexican food. So I am thankful that El Gato has opened. I am sure it will get better and I would recommend it before I would recommend the other "Mexican food" restaurants in the area. I just hope the wait staff pulls it together. I felt like they all had never worked in a restaurant before.
(4)Mark B.
Excellent lunch. The infused tequila made an excellent margarita. Really tasty house made habanero hot sauce. Grilled tilapia taco was perfect.
(4)Lisa D.
I was passing through Burlington and was told about this new Mexican restaurant. This place is a winner! Margartitas with infused tequila's! R u kidding me? Awesome. The food was delicious. More authentic than I had expected. You can't get that corn anywhere else. Thus restaurant will be around for a long time.
(5)Kate C.
I'm glad El Gato is around. The chips and salsa that are served are delicious, although a little more heat in the salsa would be nice. The menu is extensive with lots of choices for carnivores, vegetarians, healthy eaters and junk food lovers. The ceviche special was absolutely delicious, fresh and clean tasting. The chili relleno was kind of meh - it seemed to have too much batter or something, making it a bit mealy instead of crispy. Service was really great. The one complaint is that our table was wobbly and difficult to eat on. The staff tried to correct the issue but it was impossible and it really detracted from enjoying our dinner. Fix that table!
(4)Spencer T.
The tacos are awesome and cheap. Also try the grilled corn and their crazy Margarita bar.
(4)Michelle R.
Love this place. Great Margaritas, Food and service. The grilled corn on the cob might be the greatest thing ever!
(5)Barb L.
Everything is yummy, abundant, obviously made with love and prices quite reasonable. Grilled corn is heavenly. Try all 3 homemade salsas! This place will be a ray of sunshine in the deep dark of Vermont winters :)
(5)Jason B.
Just ate at El Gato tonight and before I continue, let me be clear, I hope my review (as well as all these reviews) are being read by Mgmt so they know what's right and what slight changes need to be made. I love Mexican cuisine too much for a wonderful new restaurant like this one to NOT survive here in Burlington. This review is written with the knowledge that El Gato Cantina hasn't had their Grand Opening yet and we went there on a soft opening. Which means they're still ironing out all the small wrinkles. So the following is my opinion of what's been ironed and what still has some wrinkles. The Good: Soon as I walked in I got an immediate warm and welcomed feeling in the restaurant. I was so happy to see the restaurant was rockin with business. Tells me peeps are starving for good mexican food. They did a fab job on the interior with festive Mexican colors and decor. A great tequila and Mexican beer selection along with local draughts as well. The bar rocks!!! I wanted to stay there for dinner but my GF wanted a booth. El Gato's menu rocks. They have a huge selection, including lengua, (cow tongue) and it was hard to decide but since this was my 1st visit & it was a soft opening, I thought it best to keep things basic and easy. I went with 2 tacos - Barbacoa (GREAT) and carne asada - also very tasty and a bean tostada -ehhhh (see beans). Also the chips and salsa were good too and I was curious about their guac so I sprung the $6 to try it out and I'm glad I did. Also, the table next to us ordered the Mexican corn and it looked tasty. I will be ordering that on my next visit. The Bad: I hope to see improvement on the rice and beans. Another reviewer mentioned the beans were dry and the rice tastes like it was out of a box. I'd have to agree. I hate to be that guy but I have to mention; the mariachi music was turned up a little louder than I'd hoped. I had to strain to hear a conversation and it was a bit too consuming but I do get it, loud music generates a lively energy. The Ugly: We were sat in the very CORNER booth in the back. I had to climb over other patrons just to get to my seat which also meant the foodserver had to also upon every visit. Because of our location, at times we felt forgotten. Sitting at the booth felt awkward. The table rocked back and forth and the high back booth isn't the best comfort for dining. Might just have been that we were in the corner though. Next visit I'm going to request we sit at a table with chairs. The service: I'm not going to be critical about the service cuz in a few weeks I know the staff will find their rhythm and it'll be operating like a well oiled machine. Just know that besides a few inconsistencies, tonight's service was fine and with each passing day/week/month it will only get better. I can't wait to return in another month to see what you guys are doing. Keep up the hard work, it doesn't go unnoticed.
(3)Mr. B.
We (a party of three) stopped by on New Year's Eve, without reservations and despite there being a full house were seated well within the 20 minute estimate. And that isn't even the best part! The service staff was cheerful and welcoming, the drinks were excellent, and the food outstanding. It might be argued that the prices ran a bit high, but we had such a pleasant experience that I won't go there at all. This was our second visit and El Gato is well on its way to becoming a favorite Burlington eatery.
(4)Meg R.
Excellent service. Great decor. Food was just ok in my book but I've only been to El Gato once. I will probably try this restaurant again because of the great service. House margarita seemed very fresh and it packed a punch.
(3)Victor V.
Awful, just awful. I paid $12.50 for the worst cheese enchilada plate I've had in a while. Everything tasted like it came from a can. What a waste of money.
(1)Philip P.
Updated after about six more visits over a few months. I really like the flavor these folks are serving up. They are not afraid of serving spicy dishes and I've not been disappointed by anything I've tried yet. Outstanding!
(5)Alissa M.
F. Yeah. This place was made for me. I'm going to start by saying what the what! Burlington, how do you mess up Mexican food? I burn toast and can make a burrito. I've been to 2 other Mexican restaurants, and 3 burrito places, all impressively bad. Luckily the stylist who cut my hair at Indigo recommended this place. When we got there, we had to wait so we sat at the bar. I wanted a margarita without 1,000 calories so the bartender recommended the skinny cat I think it was called, when i wanted more flavor she threw in a splash of sour mix that made the drink Awesome! She also remembered me the next time I came in and gave me the same drink. I don't know if it's the taste or strength but the one drink gets me through the entire night. Now the food. I love the complimentary chips and dip. I ordered the seitan taco platter. The first time I ordered I just got the tacos after a pretty good wait. When informed the waitress apologized, brought over the forgotten dishes of rice and hmmm, black beans I think.. and just charged for the two tacos. Speaking of price, it was super reasonable! The seitan tacos are kinda small, not too filling but I'll take it! I love that there is a vegetarian option, especially seitan which is delicious, and that the waitress knew that the black beans were vegetarian and the others beans weren't. So the drink was great, the food was great, the service was great and there is a good vibe there. (and it's walkable for me, yey, woot). I heart this place.
(4)Bill T.
Jalepeno margarita delish and roasted corn was a real treat.
(4)E R.
We went for lunch the other day and had a nice meal at El Gato. Having only been once before (opening weekend) I was a little hesitant to return as I heard that the food was inconsistent. The lunch was good, I had the taco combo platter and there was a ton of food. The taco mole pollo was a little bland but the chicken was well cooked and the taco de pesacado was also yummy. My boyfriend had the burrito and it was HUGE and delicious. The only thing we didn't like were the taquitos as they were very greasy and the meat had no flavor. For the price it's a great deal.
(3)Jonas P.
We love going here. The staff is very professional, and the atmosphere is great. The food is amazing, as well as the appetizers. Lee, the bartender, is the best. I very highly recommend El Gato!
(5)Devon B.
had lunch here the other day and it was very good.
(4)