[[HIGHLIGHT]]The food and atmosphere were good[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], but the service was very disappointing. We called ahead to make sure they would be open on Memorial Day, and there was no mention of closing early. Based on that, we made plans to meet friends there at 3:00 PM. By 4:15 PM, staff told us they were closed, cutting short our visit with friends we hadn't seen in over two years. As we were leaving, we noticed a sign on the door saying they closed at 4:00 PM, but it was not there when we walked in. Had we known, we would have chosen somewhere else to meet. read more

The food is AWESOME! I wouldn't expect to find Mexican this good in Hamilton, IL. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Okay, for starters the restaurant is very colorful and vibrant so that was cool.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Chips came out hot and the salsa was amazing. Very chunky with a little sweet heat. Loved all the vegetarian options they have. The fajita veggies were delicious and so was the rice. Really can't say anything bad about it. Love love love it! read more

El Camino Real - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

Small quaint restaurant, salsa was so fresh and amazing! Great food, very affordable, huge menu, attentive service. Would definitely come again! read more

Great service and food. Honestly this is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area, Id drive an hour to come here instead of settling for mediocre food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I love the decor it's vibrant and festive.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I really enjoy the house hot sauce with my Paella. read more

I ordered a Carnitas burrito to go. The burrito was relatively small, but the price was not. The salsa was very weak. It tasted like canned tomatoes, no flavor, no heat. The food was not bad, it was just very underwhelming. read more

The most authentic Mexican food around. They have great service. The staff is very friendly. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is very authentic.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They play Mexican music and have paintings of Mexico.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

We were visiting Keokuk, Iowa and someone recommended this restaurant. Less than 5 miles over the Mississippi but worth the drive!!! Chips hot and crisp, salsa delicious, food out quickly and staff were friendly and attentive. Highly recommend!!! read more

All the food I've had was very good. Great service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The only thing is the place is not very big.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Great food and service. It was quiet when I visited, late afternoon. Good variety of choices, extensive menu.

Group of 23 of us went in and had our lunch in here. Everybody loved their food and especially their service adds more taste to the food. Highly recommended. +++ read more

El Camino Real - A dish from the first page of the Menu, something Mexicana. - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

What a wonderful restaurant! Food was delicious and the service was fast and friendly! Best Mexican food in the area! Definitely recommend!!! read more

Back for more. Jonathan does an excellent job serving, as well as the cooks.. Food is delicious, as has been over the past 2 years of coming here. Visiting family in Warsaw & will make a trip here each time we visit. Can't go wrong with the Frajitas Mexicanos & Margaritas. read more

I had no idea that restaurants are in such short supply in Nauvoo, IL. While visiting, we found El Camino Real twenty minutes outside of Nauvoo. Not my favorite Mexican restaurant, but it's my favorite in Hamilton and in a thirty mile radius, (might be the only Mexican restaurant in a thirty mile radius). I enjoyed my quesadilla and the chips & salsa we were given before our food. My party was also satisfied with their meals. We left full and happy! RThe little restaurant isn't much to look at inside and out, but I liked the atmosphere. It is very much a small town restaurant with good food. If I lived in the area, I would frequent El Camino Real without a doubt. read more

El Camino Real - Chicken Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

We were in town for Geodefest and we needed to find a place to get warm, rest our bodies, and get some good food. There aren't a lot of restaurants in a 20-mile radius so I was expecting the good yelp ratings for this to exist because there weren't many options. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the food was a pretty decent Tex-Mex experience. The building is small, but it spreads out to hold quite a few people. The decorations are bright and as expected for a "Mexican" restaurant in the US Midwest. It has a cozy feel. Service was really, really good. Our server was quick and returned just the right number of times throughout the meal. Portions were big, we ended up taking some food back to the hotel room. The chips and salsa were good for being outside the peak vegetable season. We actually ordered extra. All of the food we ordered was good. The food is not spicy or heavily spiced. Nothing is particularly inventive. However, it's good comfort food on a cold day when you want something warm and filling and tasty. In most locations, I'd give this a three star. But, for the area, it definitely earns all 4 stars. read more

Amazing Awesome staff , food was amazing . Overall great place to eat although seemed staff was annoyed over 2 to go shells read more

El Camino Real - Steak - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

It was hard to find proper Mexican food here in Illinois. Then we found this place. The food was great, truly authentic. I enjoyed their food. Oh and the price was more than equitable. If near Hamilton stop by and enjoy read more

Food is okay. Not the best Mexican I have ever had.. Good service. Recommend it you are okay with average Mexican food. Otherwise I would pass on the one. . Portion are smaller than I am use to. read more

El Camino Real - Very colorful decor. - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

See all

I loved the food bout those in my party (3) felt the food was a bit too salty. Combo Fajitas was the choice on the menu. Hopefully this restaurant reads these comments and decreases the salt or I'm afraid my hubby won't want to return and I liked the place. Ambiance was good. I love the colorful table and chairs. Good job. read more

I tried to place an order by phone and the man answering the phone was horribly rude. When he said he couldn't hear me over all the background noise, I spoke louder and then he said "You don't have to yell at me" and hung up on me. I called back and someone answered the phone and the hung up without saying anything. I called back again and he told me to try another phone and hung up on me. I went to the restaurant and spoke to the manager? and received no apology. I will never order anything from this place again. F- read more

My family was just passing through and we saw this and the place was packed (always a good sign). They took us and several other parties even though they were ten minutes before closing. The food was amazing. They had an amazing cheese sauce on my beans and chimichanga. My sister got the carnitas and it was phenomenal. Like I would have expected to get that juicy, and flavorful of a cut of pork at a restaurant with stars. The prices were excellent, especially for the amount of food you get. Overall, I was very impressed. read more

The food is always good! Best Mexican around the area. I highly recommend the fajitas!

We come here often. I love the polio Jalisco with the cheese sauce on the side. The food is delicious and the service speedy with a smile. Also the margaritas are amazing! read more

El Camino Real - a plate of mexican food - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

Excellent lunch with excellent waiter! Food was great and service matched! It is great to find a great restaurant near where I moved.

Great authentic Mexican food!!! My boyfriend said the BEST carnitas he has ever had and he's spent a lot of time in Mexico! Love the tacos and margaritas that you can get in pitchers!!! Love this place!!!!! read more

El Camino Real - Carnitas best ever!!!!!!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

Just great food was out quick thought it would be cold since how fast it was out When we tried it we were amazed it was not cold but it was the best Mexican food I've had and me and my family are from Florida Also the service was great the waiter always had a smile on his face read more

Loved this place. Very diverse menu. And everything I've had ( and samples from my wife's plate) have been super yummy. Quaint environment with friendly, super fast staff. The grand kids love it. They put a healthy dose of tequila in their margaritas. Seems to have a constant stream of customers, I go early for dinner. read more

Great food! Wonderful family atmosphere! We haven't been in the area for 30 years and this eatery was an amazing find!

We come here often. Customer service is really, really good every time no matter how busy they are at a very reasonable price. Chips, salsa, and queso are yummy. Highly recommend it's our favorite place to have mexican! read more

El Camino Real - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

See all

I live in Phoenix, home of some of best Mexican food in the country but this place puts most of the local places to shame. Earlier today I was reminiscing about some amazing fajitas I had this summer, but couldn't recall where they were from. After racking my brain for almost an hour, I remembered that they were from El Camino Real and was disappointed with the realization that they were 1,500 miles away. The ingredients were fresh and the service was excellent even though they were quite busy. The prices were more than fair, they could've charged us twice as much and I wouldn't have been disappointed. This isn't just excellent for a small midwestern town, this place is excellent by any standard. Can't wait until I can go again! read more

Food is good, especially for a small restaurant. The prices aren't too bad either. I do come here often (more than I should). I do recommend! read more

Come here quite a bit and food is always good. Love their chips and salsa. Attentive and friendly staff.

Wonderful service. Food was out fast. Very tasty food. Great value . Highly recommend. We are from Arizona and have lots of Mexican foods places. This is as good as we have had in Arizona. read more

On further review, they have come around to specific requests. Heads up, tell them exactly what you want! read more

El Camino Real - Carnitas and margaritas! - Mexican Near Me - Hamilton, Illinois

The enchilada sauce is delicious! I would recommend shredded beef or chicken meals as I thought the ground beef tasted weird.

Why is hot salsa so difficult to order? I ordered Carnitas with a side of hot salsa, threw a tip in for good measures. I received Carnitas with the mildest salsa you can ask for! read more

Amazing food with good portions, so come hungry! The paella is large and a unique dish good for two hungry people. The food is very authentic and really the best in the area. read more

Our favorite Mexican restaurant in the area. SERVICE IS AWESOME. Food is always good.

Best Mexican restaurant in the area prices are reasonable and service is impeccable staff is friendly and you get you food in a very timely manner read more

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. Other Mexican restaurants in the area leave a lot to be desired. El Camino Real was fine. Maybe not authentic, but certainly tasty and befitting of the clientele they most likely cater to in such a small Midwest community. Prices are very fair and the staff is friendly. read more

I love coming here with my friends and we frequent this place. The servers are always friendly and they give you plenty of food. Decently priced as well. read more