I've been hearing about this place for a while, but tonight was the first chance I had to try it out while catching up with a friend. I was pretty excited to try the Italian-Mexican "fusion" that I'd heard so much about - although it is literally just two side by side menus of totally different cuisine. Positives: The chips and mild salsa were great, and the patio was beautiful. The food was also very good (I got the mushroom ravioli in a sage butter sauce). Wait staff is very nice as well. Fast service. Negatives: The wait staff was TOO attentive and at times kind of pushy. My friend and I arrived when the place was kind of empty, but from the start it felt like I had stepped into some kind of aggressive infomercial. We were interrupted to see if we were doing okay probably every 5 minutes, which was distracting. The most peaceful part of the meal was at the end when we didn't have anyone checking on us - although since the restaurant wasn't packed, I did feel like we were kind of rushed out. The food was good, but I felt it was definitely overpriced for what we got ($19 for 6 ravioli, without any sides). Overall: It was good but not great, and I'd probably go back, but it won't be a regular hangout for me. read more

We were so excited to finally try this place. We were with a big party but our service was just not even present enough for me to rate it, soo the two stars are because the food was delicious ! I just wish the service and experience was better. The waitresses we had never ever came to the table except to take ur order and bring what u ordered that was it. It was so disappointing to be honest i don't know that I'll be back. read more

El Barzon - Pollo toscano - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Celebrated Cinco de Mayo at El Barzon this year. While I love the patio at El Barzon I'm rarely blown over by their Mexican fare. The mariachi band was a nice touch but didn't make-up for the chicken mole. The mole sauce just isn't my favorite (that being said mine is hard to beat hence I'm a little biased. I like a spicy mole less sweet). The margaritas all around were excellent and Bubbles (my best-friend) said her pasta dish was excellent. Do wish they'd step-up their game I'd like to come more frequently for the food instead of the patio. read more

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High end Mexican/Italian located in a weird sketch of town. They have a small parking lot in the back that is patrolled by someone who is associated with El Barzon. We arrived shortly before 6pm and it looked a bit deserted. I was like eh.. I hope this is good. They mentioned that they closed down a bit and reopened recently. The service was pretty good. The reason we came here was because their menu looked really extensive and they offered a lot of dessert items. The prices here are a bit steep. We both ended up getting a non-homemade pasta because its a bit cheaper. Chips and salsa- complimentary. Two types of salsa red (spicier) and green (mild) Pretty good. Bread with garlic infused butter - I believe its complimentary. We got this when we got our pastas. Spaghetti alla Carbonara - I got this. When it comes out, it looks small because of the huge American portions. This was actually the right amount of food. It was very flavorful. A little too salty. If it was toned down a bit it would be perfect. My friend ordered an eggplant pasta, she didn't like the eggplant part but she finished her entire dish. They really do have an extensive dessert. They didn't have a dessert menu but our waitress came over with an iPad to show us pictures of their desserts. Many of them are homemade. We got the tiramisu. It was really good. When we left around 3 hours later (yes we like to have fun) the place was pretty happening read more

I went here with 5 other people on Friday night, we had a reservation for 8pm and we were seated immediately. It was too chilly to sit on the patio, but it was so pretty out there. The atmosphere inside the restaurants is part Mexican and part Italian decor. The tables were covered and there were red roses in vases on the table. Our server was very friendly and attentive. A bunch of people got a drink where the server must get a blowtorch and roast a jalapeno. He had to prepare about 6 of those during the course of the night and didn't seem to mind at all. I had a Jamaican Margarita, which had hibiscus infused tequila and it was delicious. I must have gone on a hibiscus kick, because my other drink was the Detroit Mule which had hibiscus agave. I tried the Enchiladas de Mole Poblano, which when ordered, the server noted that the sauce was kind of sweet and asked if that was okay. I got two steak and one cheese. I liked the sauce, my fiance not so much, just personal differences. What we REALLY loved was a gnocchi special. it was stuffed with Asiago cheese, and covered in a chorizo cream sauce. The perfect blend of Italian and Mexican. It was so good. I'm salivating just thinking about it. This restaurant has been on my list of places to go for a while now and I'm really glad I finally did. I'll definitely be back to El Barzon, and I also want to try their sister restaurant La Noria! read more

Everything was amazing! The service and food top notch. We will be back again. Hopefully when it's warmer to enjoy the patio.

This is such a cool place. I love the Mexican/Italian theme. Apps, main course, desserts, and drinks are all phenomenal! Sometimes they do 3 course meal specials and even those are great! read more

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The free salsas were solid and mixing the hotter red with guacamole made for best evs. The Chicken Poblano also tasty. As a sauce fan, I'm not sure how I managed to live 28 years without trying Mole, but perhaps it made this first experience that much more enjoyable. The ambiance wasn't anything to write home about -- with paper table cloths and sparse decorations -- but it's certainly better than outdoors, where they pay a guy to watch your car, help you cross the street and make you feel safe. I didn't try the anything from the Italian menu, but if it's anything like the Mexican, it's probably quality. read more

El Barzon - Starters - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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We went here before a show at the Fox Theatre. The atmosphere was just very strange. The tables were set like an upscale Italian restaurant but the wall decorations were like that of a Mexican restaurant. It was a strange disconnect. The waiter was helpful, however, for the general restauranteur, his accent may have been a bit difficult to understand. For the amount of waitstaff in the restaurant, they weren't nearly as attentive as I would have expected. We had asked for a dessert menu, and our waiter disappeared for 15 minutes or so before returning, and by the time he returned, we had to decline dessert due to a time constraint for our following event. Overall, the drinks were large, and tasty, however, my initial drink choice wasn't available because they were out of agave syrup, which was slightly disappointing. The dinner portions were large, but not overly so, and the pasta tasted fresh, and the meat was tender and had a nice balance to the amount of pasta. The sauce was a nice amount too. I would definitely like to try this location once the patio is open and the weather is warmer. It's a nice compromise for anyone who seeks Mexican AND Italian food at the same restaurant. read more

Food is always good. The staff is lovely. Just not enforcing masks. It's only if you know someone who has gotten sick or died you take this seriously. read more

A great place waitstaff very good knowledge able about all dishes and drinks. Food outstanding fresh great place to have your Italian or Mexican fix . The time we've been here we're ready to fly directly to Playa Del Carmen after dinner! read more

El Barzon - Snapper Vera Cruz & pappardelle with meatballs &prosciutto - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

My ratings have nothing to do with COVID-19, but the food itself. I was here for my birthday on August 7, 2020, with my family and friend. We decided to be seated at their outdoor patio, where the ambiance was nice with white tablecloths, napkins, and flatware. It appeared 5 stars. The servers were outstanding and very attentive. We chose the calamari appetizer, salads, and spirits, which were good. However, everything went downhill after that! Our entrees were tasteless and unsatisfying! I had the Enchiladas in a mole chocolate sauce. The server encouraged me to sample the sauce first, which I did. The sample seemed to taste good, so I selected the chocolate mole sauce. The dish was served and looked appetizing. I took two bites with the sauce and beef, but the beef inside the enchiladas was unseasoned, and flavorless, which made the mole sauce the only thing I could taste. It was too bitter, smoky, and spicy, I was so disappointed! I expressed my displeasure. I was told If changed my mind, I'd still have to pay half for the dish!! I thought that was outrageous! They agreed to change to the salsa verde sauce, but still added half the charge for the mole dish, after agreeing to take it off the bill! The rest of my family were also disappointed because their meals lacked flavor! The manager came to the table, and my daughter spoke to him, not agreeing to pay for my first dish, which I did not eat! He finally took it off the bill. This restaurant is overrated and overpriced! I give the servers 4 stars because they did their jobs well! However, I give the Enchiladas De Mole Poblano, which I did not enjoy, zero stars! We will not return! read more

Too bad....interesting menu, third time here...this time was bad, and the dessert only got the star.... Ordered bottle of house sangria, two apps (fried soft shell crab) and (warm shrimp arugula salad)....crab had a tasty sauce, but not good, and the salad was a miss.... Service started off quick, then died.... My entree Mexican Thin Steak with grilled onions and jalapeno's ... My friend ordered, a special, Asiago Stuffed gnocchi.... The steak was cold, the pasta hot....the server never came back... A manager woman came and cleaned our table, I told her my entree was cold, and she asked if I wanted it wrapped up. I declined..... Asked for a second basket of tortilla chips three times before our request was satisfied. Too many choices out there for cold food and poor service. read more

El Barzon offers something for everyone. Choose between Mexican and Italian cuisine, both represented by a variety of authentically prepared dishes. The neighborhood is somewhat down at the heels, but nothing scary. Inside the ambiance is casual and more Mexican than Italian. The service is prompt and attentive without being intrusive. If you're a foodie who loves Detroit neighborhoods, you've got to visit. read more

What an excellent dining experience. We ate here in April, so the cute patio was not open, but the ambiance inside was lovely -- from the intimate lighting to the single full red rose in a vase on the table to the manageable level of noise. Our waiter was extremely charming and personable, but in no way over the top, and all of his dining recommendations turned out to be delicious. My husband had some type of goat taco dish, and said it was excellent (his first experience with goat!). I had zuppa di pesce, and it was absolutely delicious and choke-full of various kinds of seafood. My favorite thing was the cucumber-cilantro margarita, huge and light and tart and airy (I can wax poetic about it, it was so good). Pre-tip, our bill was just over $100 with two appetizers, my drink and a shared dessert. Absolutely fantastic, we will be happy to return. read more

El Barzon - Cucumber cilantro margarita - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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Great drinks. ...good food....live music...food served vert quick. ...good flavor. The mole sauce was a 10! Great upscale mexican! Had the sangria which was great... hard to go wrong with that... the person next to me had a basil margarita which she said was awesome!... will definitely come back! ! Parking and entrance. In the rear...very secure! read more

El Barzon - All gone! - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

I have heard man great things about this restaurant, so a friend and I gave it a try on a Friday evening. My initial thought of the ambiance was oh lala - a hidden gem in the city/Corktown. We dined in the oh so cute patio since the weather permitted. Unfortunately, we were ignored and sat waiting for service for about 15 minute before we realized no one was coming to our table. Once we addressed the staff, we received water and shortly thereafter our waiter came. The appetizer that was a dual pasta mix - one red sauce and the other a cream and mushroom sauce - was delicious. I would order again. The guacamole was just OK and I would pass the next time. My jalapeños margarita was tasty and I liked that the waiter charred the jalapeño table side before dropping it into the cocktail. My entree - skirt steak with arugula and minced tomato was good. My friend ordered the goat chops medium and they came well done (frown). The wine sauce was absolutely flavorful. I would recommend this dish if chops are cooked as you request. Our waiter did try to ameliorate her meal mishap by bringing us flan for dessert. Order the flan. It is yummy. I give 3/5 because I was disappointed with our overall lack of service, but I would return to try additional dishes because there are many other dishes I wish to try and hope the service is better the next time as well. read more

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Amazing! First of all, ever employee was so nice & professional always with a smile! The drinks were excellent, the food delicious. The garden salad even tasted like it was just picked out of the garden. Our fav dish was the gnocchi! The ravioli, enchiladas, & fettuccine excellent as well. By the way, awesome patio, felt like Europe! read more

El Barzon - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Decided to sit outside and I would highly recommend doing that. It's beautiful and smells amazing! Super friendly waiter brought us chips and two salsas. Never had better. Homemade chips and salsa slap harder than just about anything. I got the enchiladas with mole sauce while the people I was with got the other type of enchiladas and lasagna. The best mole sauce I've had outside of Puerto Rico! Simply sublime. Everything tasted amazing. The people I was with said their food tasted great too! $75 for everything and not a penny wasted. Fantastic meal! read more

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The atmosphere is really nice outside, in a pretty unexpected way. I don't think I'd ever dined at a table with rose petals scattered on it, and I didn't think it was going to happen for the first time in Mexicantown. I got enchiladas and I didn't think they were great. The chicken was kinda dry and hacked up in little bits and the sauce wasn't that great either. I tried someone else's mole though and that was pretty good - and I don't usually like mole so much. I heard from a most trustworthy person after I went here that apparently they don't do the Mexican menu so well and you should just order from the Italian menu? If I ever go back I might give that a try. read more

This place was a disappointment; it's in sort of a sketchy area, and from the street (which is actually the back side of the restaurant), it looks run-down. There's a nice-ish patio area around back, but it was completely closed off for the winter. Inside is just one giant room, with very rough-looking wood floors, broken light fixtures (the one near us was just two exposed bulbs), and so much noise [again, it's one large room] that you can't hear your dinner partner. And they cover the tables with the large sheets of paper (you know, the ones that tear off of a roll), so from the start you feel like you're at a Denny's or something. The food is also very overpriced; two margaritas, a caprese salad, a small piece of cooked eggplant, and one serving of enchiladas cost us $65 before tip. The food itself probably cost $8 to make, it's exactly what you would get at a cheap Mexican take-out place. If you're going to charge 3-star restaurant prices, then you should make an effort to maintain the place and have it look like a 3-star restaurant. Will not return. read more

Food was below average at best. Ambiance,too. Definitely not a $26-$45 price point with $16 cocktails. We asked for an appetizer recommendation and was told that she had 7 tables. Forgot the salads, even after being reminded, forgot my husband's beer, brought the wine and didn't return with a corkscrew for 20 more minutes. 3 hour dinner, and I was SICK the next morning on top of it. Worst meal and experience I've had in a long time! read more

Very good food, fun atmosphere and friendly service. Highly recommend. Location is inviting and their menu is expansive. Cooked to perfection. read more

Not sure how this place has a 4 star rating...service was terrible, seafood tasted fishy, everything we tried was mediocre and SO overpriced, my white sangria had 0 alcohol in it, and the cherry on top was they overcharged my credit card. Never again! read more

I've only been once, and I hadn't heard of it before so I didn't have any expectations. We were meeting friends, so I was solely interested in having a good time with them. The restaurant's location makes it look like a hole-in-the-wall on a crime-ridden street. That neighborhood has its fair share of vacant houses and missing streetlights, so if you happen to be forced to park up the street a little, be on guard. We went on a Saturday evening, and the interior was dimly lit which made for a great atmosphere (I happen to like dim restaurants). A couple of folks pulled out iPhone flashlights to read over the bill. The table adornments seemed high quality and well placed, if you're into that sort of thing, but like I said, it was dark so I couldn't really see many of the finer details, nor was that my primary concern. It was very noisy. With a table of four, it wouldn't have been a problem, but with a table of ten there was no point trying to communicate with the other half of the table. The wait staff was good; no mistakes, not bothersome, and not too inattentive. I had a couple of Coronas and a couple of glasses of the house merlot ($4 and $6 each respectively), and ordered a veal dish that came with some type of cheesy potatoes, and we had tacos for an appetizer. I don't remember the exact veal dish I had, it started with an "I" (I'm sooo sophisticated...), but it really didn't appeal to me. The meat was tough, and I couldn't really tell what it was stuffed with, the flavors just didn't come through. The taco appetizer was very good, and I guess I wanted to "americanize" it with sour cream and cheese, but it was still delicious without that. The flour tortilla was soft and the meat/onions/whatever was tasty also ($3 per taco, by the way). The salsas were just "ok". The red salsa was sweeter without a kick, the green salsa had a tiny bit of heat but was bland. The waiter recommended the veal chops and goat chops, so I'll give those a shot if our group goes again, but I almost certainly won't go there on my own. As a first experience, there really wasn't a must-have item that I saw on the menu that made me want to return. I'll give it 3 stars for the ambience and service, and minus 1 star for the food. read more

Very nice outdoor patio area. One of the nicest around metro Detroit! Like all other Posts, the salsa and chips were very good. Shared enchilada and itailan portobello pasta dish. Both were quite good. Just the right portion size. No leftovers, yet you don't leave overstuffed. Had 2 different glasses of decent sangria. Total bill- about $70. Just a little high for what you got. Service not great, but ok read more

Unfriendly and unhelpful waitstaff. Manager leaning on us to take our salt and pepper before we were done. Wouldn't separate checks but also said they had no register and couldn't give change. Food average at best. read more

Very tasty. I had a hard time ordering since the menu was a little different than most places but the food was amazing. We had the spicy squid shrimp appetizer and the flank steak special with brocolini :) I'm Going home stuffed and happy. read more

El Barzon - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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This place is an awesome spot to go if your looking for a cool patio scene to have some high quality fresh creative margaritas and possibly some appetizers! I was very impressed with the vibe of the patio. The restaurant serves Mexican and Italian food with a very wide selection of both. The waitress gave recommendations on appetizers and entrees and honestly nothing was amazing everything was mediocre at best. I had the Zuppa di pasce which is basically a seafood pasta and it had no flavor at all. I was really shocked to see what appears to be a higher end establishment serve sorbet in a bowl full of ice which made it difficult to eat. I actually liked that they served the sorbet in carved out lemons but the bowl full of ice that accompanied it was odd. Overall I will go back before heading to dinner elsewhere and just have drinks and appetizers on the patio. As my buddy said if not for the patio it's not worth the trip here. read more

El Barzon - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

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They have certainly not maintained their standard of service or quality of food . Takes f o r e v e r for them to even notice you are there .... like 20 - 30 minutes before they even take a drink order. Take my advice and order your food as soon as they ask if you want water otherwise they won't be back for another 20 minutes. Food was okay, shrimp tacos were very good. They are better with Mexican food than they are with Italian. They no longer bring their fresh salsa to the table , had it years ago and couldn't quit raving about it now they don't have it. Might want to try someplace else until they get their **** together. read more

The atmosphere was great and we really wanted to like this place based on friends' recommendations. Although the service was good and attentive the waitress described the special perfectly but failed to tell us it was $45.00. This happens often in restaurants; it is a disservice not to mention the cost of their specials. The special was an item that was on the menu already for $25 but had some added seafood. It may have been worth the extra $ but... advice to everyone, always ask the price of the "special" so you aren't surprised later. The calamari and shrimp appetizer was ok but it didn't come as described on the menu, we like scallops and zucchini which would have been ok, except that wasn't what we ordered. The caesar salad was a disappointment but at a mere $7 it was kinda expected although I am always amazed how mediocre most restaurant caesars are when it is so easy to make them exceptional with just a few tweaks of ingredients at not much more cost. I suspect the dressing was bottled. The entrees were a great disappointment. We ordered the cheese enchiladas with mole and I have honestly had better enchiladas from the freezer section at Kroger. There was so much mole on the plate it drowned the 3 minuscule enchiladas which were about a 1/4 inch high and filled with some type of cheese that was cold on the inside. The mole was cool with off-flavors that were insipid and made the whole dish inedible. With a few slices of avocado and queso fresco and onions to top it, I can truly say this was one of the worst renditions I have ever seen. The bronzini filet plate looked promising and it looked pretty on the table but looks can be deceiving. The fish was hidden under all the garnishes instead of being the star of the plate. We couldn't tell the difference between the fish and the scallop potatoes which I would bet came out of a box. The ace in the hole was the fish seemed really thick on one side; the side that was raw!!! The restaurant to their credit took it off the bill but that was where their regrets ended. Oh well. Anyway, I really hate to give bad reviews and don't usually but this was especially disappointing because the restaurant and its sister restaurant next door came highly recommended. For a restaurant that is this busy and has been open a while and has nearby competition that are killing it, this place should be on top of its game. Alas, it is far from it. read more

Food was excellent. We had veal parmesan. It wasn't on the menu but they made it special order. The veal was prepared thin and was delicious. We also had the gnocchi. A must order for everyone who eats here. So delicious! The skinny marguireta was excellent! You will not be disappointed with the food & drink at this place and was reasonably priced. read more

El Barzon - Veal parmesan - Italian Near Me - Detroit, Michigan

Might think it's a little strange to see authentic Mexican and Italian on same menu but don't be alarmed, the food is fantastic. Service excellent, nice out door patio option when weather is nice. Was told just the plain spaghetti was the go to option which I never order but glad I did. Best spaghetti I've ever had. Sauce was so savory. I've eaten in a lot of world class Italian restaurants and tried many pasta dishes and I'd put this spaghetti in the top 3. read more

My wife and I decided to visit El Barzon after a few recommendations from coworkers and they did not disappoint! We sat in their outdoor/indoor hybrid covered area even though it was a bit chilly. Alex was our server and was really great. He explained all the specials and answered all our menu questions from memory. The veal was so tender and the chicken cooked to perfection. We ordered desert, of course, and the tiramisu was rich and flavorful but not overwhelming. El Barzon is tucked away off of a Main Street and to be busy with so many patrons in a less than ideal location really speaks to how great the food and dining experience here is. Every member of the staff was wearing masks at all times, the tables were wiped after patrons were finished eating. Overall, highly recommend! read more

Visited this restaurant with great expectations. We had a terrible experience on many levels. The calamari appetizer was rubbery, the truffled entree had no truffles at all. Drink orders never came and then were noticeably on the bill. They automatically added 20% gratuity to the bill. which we didn't notice until the next day. Never once mentioning this fact and gladly took the extra 20% I added to the tab. Service was slow and I have had better Mexican food at several establishments on the southwest side. Never again. read more

Wonderful place and value. We had read about the Chef being named a James Beard semi-finalist and wanted to give it a try. At first appearance the restaurant appeared a bit weathered from the outside, but the entrance is in back along with the parking. It has a cute patio (pictures attached) and attentive staff. The menu was large and has both Mexican and Italian dishes. We stayed on the Mexican side and had the specials for the day. The past appetizer was spectacular al dente - we used our bread to get every last drop of the sauces. The main course with nuts and pomegranate seeds was likewise a great dish. We closed with their Limoncello and Lemon Cake. Limoncello to close is always a hit for me. The food value here is very high. You are not paying prices you pay at most every James Beard location and the atmosphere was nice and family friendly. The only knock I would have is while the wait staff is very attentive, they should know their menu inside and out. We will return, you should try it if you have not. read more

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Great service with a calming and relaxing environment. Mexican and Italian experience as they start each table with chips and salsa/guacamole. read more

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My family and I have been threatening to go here for quite a while. Yesterday we fulfilled out threat. It's a unique little place, especially the outside cantina area. Very quaint and European. My spouse who has spent a lot of time in El Salvador said it reminded her of restaurants there. Our waitress was a a cute little lady who took care of us in a professional and kind manner. I ordered Ravioli - mushroom and Riccota. It was quite tasty. It was well seasoned and the flavors were unique and fresh. It was thoroughly enjoyable. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals and agreed they all had unique flavors and techniques. One note: I was not a fan of their salsas, which they served with chips before the meal. They were pretty unusual tasting IMO, and I didn't like them. This is a really cool place. It's not the type of place I would go to every week or frequently. But it's definitely got some tasty items, good service and is quite unique. It's a great addition to the city of Detroit and is definitely one of a kind. read more

Where to even begin?! This was the 2nd birthday that my fiancé and I celebrated at El Barzon and we can't wait to continue the tradition! Kathy was the most phenomenal server I have ever had--- we thoroughly enjoyed her energy and contagious smile! Our favorites include the grilled calamari, cactus soup, and any of the Italian entrees with the chorizo cream sauce! This visit was in the middle of winter, but would highly recommend experiencing the gorgeous patio in the warmer months. We look forward to our future visits! P.S. thank you for the birthday treat! We especially loved the Spanish birthday serenade! read more

El Barzon is a fun place with great food. I have enjoyed the Italian side and the Mexican side and thoroughly enjoyed them both. Love eating on the Patio with a couple adult beverages its a great place to eat and enjoy time out with friends. Service does tend to be a tad slow and fly-by's are infrequent. read more