We used to go to El Caporal regularly because they have very hood food. Our kids liked it too, and we had a birthday party there for our daughter. had a fingernail in my food. The waiter asked if I had cut my nails and tried to say it was mine. Will never go back and discourage anyone else from eating there. I found a fingernail in my food. First the waiter said it wasn't a fingernail. Then he said maybe it was mine. It was gross and disgusting enough to find a fingernail in my food, and then to be blamed for it was not my idea if customer service. It a restaurant screws up admit it and try and make it right. Don't try to blame the customer. Have never been back and never will go back. read more

You know what you're going to get when you come here. Nothing was a surprise. Service was great. Food was ok. Prices were ok. Atmosphere was mediocre. I would rather hit up hacienda del sol or whatever it is down the road... 3 stars because I didn't want to see the news on/volume on during my dinner out. that's okay for the bar but the dining room should be a place to escape the terrible local news report. read more

Excellent Mexican food. Lots of parking, nice, small place. Fast service and great food. They bring you salsa and warm bean dip - a nice touch. It's puerco grande time after you shovel in all the well prepared fare. The portions are large so be warned or prepare to take some home. read more

Excellent food, customer service is always top notch. Family owned and it's apparent they care about what people think. Everything I have had on the menu is great. read more

Friendly from the moment I walked in. Thurs night, not too crowded, sat in the lounge. Ordered their Jumbo Margarita special, excellent. I was not too hungry, ordered a single crispy taco, hold the meat, they added fresh avocado, fresh pinto beans, lettuce & cheese. Taco was crisp, flavorful, excellent! Service was friendly, cheerful even though I only ordered a taco & drink. Chips are worth coming back for, I will be back! read more

Dont let my 3 stars scare you, this is one of the better mexican places in the area. The food is solid: good flavors, large plates, no surprises. I highly recomend El Caporal if you are in the mood for some typical Mexican cooking. The chips and salsa went fast, in fact we ate so many of those (because they kept on bringing them out-thank you) that we were moderatly filled when the meals arrived. Their chicken is soft and good. The carne asada not so much. The sides were fine...nothing to write home about, but good. Come hungry read more

Pretty decent not totally authentic or too American. Soups de tortilla was really yummy.

Great Mexican food. Bigger restaurant with a personal touch. This where we go for Mexican food and drinks.

We really love the food here. The portion sizes are huge. My son did notice that his chicken fajitas were lacking chicken this last time though so that was disappointing. The reason for only 4 stars is that every time we go in the service is so slow. It always takes 2 hours for dinner here and it's due to long wait times for the food. It's not been busy on those times we've been in either. There really doesn't seem to be any reason for it so I'm not sure what's going on. read more

We've been coming here our whole life. We love the people and atmosphere. Everyone is so nice and the food is always great! Very quick service too! We always highly recommend and bring all our friends here. read more

When here a couple nights ago. There was nothing that stood out to me. The atmosphere is very upbeat and very decorative. Their wait staff was extremely helpful, and kind. Their food was about average to me. Personally I've had better, the fish tacos were like breaded fish sticks wrapped in a tortilla. Their fajitas where not out of this world, very average. Their price was pretty average, but for the quality of food the price is a little high. I would recommend this to people out and about for a quick meal, if I am out and about again. I might stop here again. read more

El Caporal - Mexican Near Me - Maple Valley, Washington

I've been going to this restaurant regularly for the past 8 years, so the fact that I keep going back over the better part of a decade must say something. By now, I've tried most of the entrees on their menu and everything is very good except for the deserts, which aren't so great. I'm particularly fond of the enchiladas and the fajitas. The staff are friendly and the service is good - most of the staff have been there for years, so it must be a good place to work, too. I find myself occasionally trying other Mexican style restaurants in and around town just to try something different, but none are good enough to keep me from coming back to El Caporal. read more

Service is terrible and food is not that great. Our waitress disappeared a few times during dinner and while we were trying to leave. Also. asked for maragritas with no salt but both had salt. Food did not have fresh ingredients, burrito tasted 'soggy'. Will not come here again. read more

Great neighborhood Mexican restaurant. We have dinner here quite often as this place is near home. The food is quite good and the staff is very friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable and the food quality is very good. We have brought many fr read more

My automatic go to place for some good mexican food. Staff is incredibly friendly and food is ALWAYS delicious along with their margaritas!

This is the best Mexican anywhere! The staff here is amazing. We get our food quickly and it's always amazing! We have been going to El Caporal for 15 years.. We have tried other Mexican places but no other can measure up to the food here! I am really shocked at some of these negative reviews.. I guess there are just really picky people. read more

The service is amazing! Everyone is welcomed warmly and attentively, and the food is so delicious!! Go and eat there now! You won't be sorry!! They are doing it right! read more

Finally tried this place because a lot of people recommended it from the area. I should have known better... it was probably the worst Mexican restaurant I've been to in WA. My steak was so chewy and had no flavor, the queso bland, chimichanga tasted like it was from taco bell. Service was not great either, never got 1 refill on my drink. Total waste of money, will never go back. read more

I can't believe this place only has three and a half stars! My family loves it here! It's our favorite place to go for dinner. The food is amazing & service is always equally so! The one guy we get frequently as our server is so nice & quick & always makes the kids smile. Seriously this place is doing it right. read more

I've been going to el caporal since they opened there doors ! They have the best of everything there ! Service is always spot on, food Is amazing... a very welcoming and family oriented restaurant. I bring all my family and friends here and they always want to come back. read more

The service here is always excellent. We are seated promptly and the staff is always very friendly, something you don't see much of anymore. As far as the quality of food, it's pretty good. I've had better Mexican, but for dinner out with the kids I I'll choose this place 9 times out of 10 because of how family friendly this establishment is. And lots of margarita options which never hurts. read more

So grateful for such a delicious option for takeout during quarantine! Delicious and timely! I got an enchilada plate and my husband got a burrito. So much food - great quality. Loved having restaurant chips and salsa at home, too! We will definitely be ordering more takeout, and can't wait to dine-in once quarantine is lifted! read more

If you love Taco Bell, this is the place for you! Nothing authentic about it!!! Plus, the customer service really sucks! read more

Best Mexican food in the area. Always friendly, fast service and great food EVERY-TIME! Love El Caporal!

Food was decent, nothing special as we had 4 different dishes. Huevos rancheros, tacos el carbon, carne asada and burrito verde. Large plates with lots of chips and salsa while you wait. read more

Solid Mexican restaurant in Maplevalley at a very decent price can't go wrong with the enchiladas their sauce is on point. Service is OK I always get to go however they do make strong margaritas. read more

Best fajita I've had in a long time! They have quick / convenient, family- friendly service! Food is tasting home made and Authentic from what we have had so far! Will come visit again soon! read more

The food is average at best and they are Very forgetful on food ordered for takeout on multiple occasions and unwilling to keep to their word to compensate. I will never spend my hard-earned money at that restaurant again I'll go three blocks down and go to Hacienda Del Mar instead better food better service. read more

Been coming here 20 plus years. Food is great EVERY TIME. I can't think of one bad experience at this place. The staff is always nice and welcoming, even when their slammed....speaking of slammed, no matter how busy, the food always comes out quick and hot! Highly recommend this place. read more

Super friendly service! fast too! the food is so yummy, if you dont like something thats in your say burrito and you ask them to switch it or take it out, they do. never complaining. Love this. read more

I am really picky when it comes to Mexican food. That being said, El Caporal is my go to place. I have tried quite a few other Mexican restaurants in Maple Valley and the surrounding areas over the years. This is the only place I keep going back to. For starters, their chips and salsa are insanely addicting! So good. Sometimes I go there just for chips and salsa. They have many other dishes to choose from. Everything that I have tried so far is delicious! The only reason why I didn't give this place 5 stars, is because of service. Most of their servers are nice and prompt. There is one server, whom we keep on getting oddly enough, who just isn't the friendliest. He is the only server that I've had to flag down when I needed something. Every other server I've had here stops by frequently to check on their customers. When we have this one server, we end up getting more service from the guy who brings out the water and chips. read more

Best Mexican food I've ever had. I would come here just for their chips and salsa. Nice, warm chips and delicious spicy salsa. Huge portion sizes too. I've been here more times than I can remember and I've always had great service. Have not had a bad meal here yet. read more

Delicious asada camarones with great portions and cooked perfectly! Fiancé loves them macho burrito!

My wife and I have eaten at El Caporal Maple Valley many times over many years - either in their bar or dining room. The food has always been not great, but ok. Since we have not been feeling well that last few days we decided to try take out. Two nights ago we ordered two salads as take-out from Panera Bread - they looked good and tasted better. Last night we ordered two chicken taco salads from El Caporal. We will never make that mistake again. The salads had been crushed, compressed and flattened down until they fit into a aluminum pan about 1.5 inches high and then covered with a cardboard cover. The contents were unrecognizable. The taste was of mush. I was hungry and ate mine under protest. My wife ate a bit of hers and then put the rest in our compost bucket. A terrible experience. If I had been feeling better maybe I would have noticed when I picked them up and then would have opened one of them at the restaurant - and that is where I would have left them (they were handed to me in a paper bag). Terrible dinner and wasted money. If you want a take out salad, try Panera Bread just a block away. read more

We were craving yummy, comforting Mexican food and decided to try this spot out. Inside was warm and inviting--lovely traditional colors and interior. The staff was welcoming and sweet to us with each interaction. Food was delicious! Loved the spicy salsa. Chips were warm and had the perfect crunch. Our cheese enchiladas came with perfectly done rice and beans, and my Shirley temple was delicious. I finished my whole plate! All in all an inviting, yummy and positive experience--and dinner for two was around $30, not bad! read more

A Great Mexican Restaurant Find In Maple Valley..Great Service And Fresh Tasting Food..The Staff Is Very Friendly And Food Is Very Prompt ..The Portions Are Huge And Well Worth The Price..Haven't Had A Bad Meal Here Yet..Their Salsa Is Amazing And Fresh A Little Spicy But Not Bad At All..They Are Even Open During This Virus With Takeout..They Are Even Taking The Measures To Keep Everyone Safe With Only Two People In The Restraunt At All Times..Please Visit This Place Well Worth It Definitely! Can't Wait To Get Back To Eating In The Restaurant Again Once This Is Over ! read more

We dropped in for dinner and left with a great experience. Friendly staff and all of our meals were plated nicely with good portions. Everything tasted good and had distinct flavors; nothing blended into obscurity. We'd eat here again and were very happy with our choice. It's not much to look at from the outside but I'd rather have great food and service, both of which were delivered. Fresh salsa and great menus selections. We'll be back...and you should go. read more

My family LOVES El Cap! Staff is fabulous, food is great! I usually get the chicken enchiladas en mole with rice and whole beans. The soups are amazing, chicken tortilla and abondigas. Fajitas, arroz con pollo, its all good there! read more

Bad service. Bad food. Bad bad bad. Besides having to wait unreasonably long for our food (and 10 minutes AFTER my son's chicken strips came out cold and pathetic looking as the "strips" were nothing more than a patty cut into strips), I had to ask my waiter THREE times for beans ( first time as soon as we got chips, second time right before our meal FINALLY came out and the third time after finally getting our meals-beans were cold!). We got the check (after asking and waiting abnormally long again) And they had the audacity to charge for my cold nasty beans. If it weren't for my husband (who hates complaining about anything in a restaurant, even if he should) I would have disputed and declined to pay. Never coming back. read more

El Caporal is one of those surprising independent restaurants that really define small towns. Quality of the food is outstanding (whether in the restaurant or getting food to-go). I'd actually recommend sitting in the bar and having a good margarita or two while waiting for food to go. Enchiladas are great, but I think the best items are probably the burritos (go macho and save some for later) and the fajitas. Their salsa has a healthy kick to it, so if spice isn't your thing then take it slow on the red sauce... Also: their bartenders are very well versed in tequila and typically have a couple special bottles you would rarely find in stores. So if tequila is your thing, head to the bar and have your meal there. Definitely will be back the next time I'm in MV or Covington. read more