We were in Missoula for work, asked ChatGPT for authentic Mexican food not attached to a Casino and this was the recommendation, and we really enjoyed it. From start to finish, our man Rey did not steer us wrong. Being from colorado, we are spoiled with amazing Mexican food and struggle to like places on the road, but El Cazador hit a lot of boxes and we will definitely come back next time in town. read more

The food was delicious and filling, and the service was great and didn't get in the way. The dining area also wasn't too loud, as so many restaurants are nowadays. My only complaint is about the hot plates. I know they're usually quite hot when served, but not usually this hot, Mine was hot enough to give me a small 1st degree burn on my finger. read more

This place is awesome! They should at least be getting 4 stars, if not 5! My husband and I were visiting family in Missoula for a couple of weeks and were looking for Mexican food. When we pulled up we noticed the place was super busy and upon entering, were greeted with a smile by the owner. She sat us at the bar where we were promptly served chips and salsa. You can most often tell a place by the salsa and it was great! Lindsay, our waitress was prompt and super friendly. She was moving with quickly, with ease and grace throughout the busy restaurant making sure to attend to all of her hungry patrons. And she did it all with a smile! I ordered one shrimp and one pastor taco. My husband ordered the flautas with beans and rice. Now, we are from Los Angeles - so we have very high expectations but being in Missoula, MT - if you want Mexican, then look no further. El Cazador is fantastic! Every region has their own style and the pastor was not exactly what you'd find in LA but nevertheless it was awesome! Small chunks of pork, succulent and juicy, cooked down with crispy edges, onions and cilantro. They have a "ghost" salsa which is HOT, that I doused my taco with - so yummy! The shrimp was fresh and cooked to perfection, topped with a cabbage slaw, for a nice crunch, onions and cilantro. The chicken inside the flautas was juicy and seasoned perfectly. And the rice and beans - so good. If you're looking for great Mexican in Missoula - El Cazador is your place! read more

Missoula does not have many options for Mexican restaurants. El Cazador is one of the better ones in the area, but that does not make it a good Mexican restaurant, unfortunately. The food tends to be mediocre as does the service. The chips are awful. They are stale and taste like they are from a bag. The salsa, at least, is pretty decent. read more

Incredible!! We stopped in for lunch and so glad we did. By the time we left, it was filled for lunch! The restaurant was clean and modern. The service was impeccable. Our food was excellent!! The chips and salsa to start our meal were super fresh. For lunch we had chicken enchiladas and the mini tacos (carne asada and pork). Do yourself a favor and order them! So good! We spoke the owner as she checked on all the customers and the passion and love the family has for the restaurant and this business is evident throughout the restaurant. It truly is a family owned and operated restaurant. We'll definitely be back next time we are in Missoula. read more

Best fish tacos in town! Chips and salsa are a bonus. Excellent fast friendly service every time. Love this place!

Love coming here for pastor tacos and the fresh salsa with chips! Super fast service and solid food every time. They have updated the inside and outside of the building and it looks very nice! read more

Came in for an early dinner. The chips were perfection, so fresh! I ordered the Colorado Enchiladas and it was absolutely delicious. Great service. read more

El Cazador - Mexican Near Me - Missoula, Montana

The food here is pretty decent. My fiance and I both got cheese enchiladas with onions, a side of guac, and a cheese crisp. The salsa was really tasty. The cheese crisp was a little weird tasting, and the enchiladas were pretty good. We are from Arizona where the Mexican food is delicious so we are a little picky when it comes to Mexican food. That being said it was the BEST Mexican food we have experienced in Montana for sure. If you go, ask for Eduardo! He was a great server, very friendly, and responsive. Overall it was a great experience. read more

Authentic Mexican foods. Large portions. Well priced. I had Eggs Rancheros I cleaned the plate. My Margarita was great and huge. The burritos were to big to finish so tasty. We had leftovers. read more

Got the beef fajitas and they were awful. Tough and red sauce on them and mushrooms on the platter. Service was slow as well. Do not recommend. read more

Visited the old location for many years. Considered one of the best Mexican restaurants in Missoula IMO. The new location is a totally different experience. If I rated a dish at the old location a 9 out of 10, this place would get a 5. It appears they have a completely new staff or they've lowered the food standards for higher profit. The food here is mid now instead of excellent, very sad. Never eating here again!! read more

Delicious food that was almost too pretty to eat! Salsa was wonderfully spicy and queso dip to die for. Authentic flavor and generous portions. Even had options for my picky kid who said it was better than my own cooking. Get the cream filled churros for dessert and don't forget to tip Lindsey for her excellent service! We will be coming back for sure! read more

The food reminded me of home. Our waiter was incredibly nice. Highly recommend the shrimp tacos. They were perfectly seasoned with great flavors! Truly shocked at how amazing they were. I barely stopped to breathe! read more

El Cazador - Two Shrimp Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Missoula, Montana

The food and service was fantastic. As usual, I ordered the chili rellenos! Pretty darned good, except they added ground beef to it! I'm from New Mexico, and had never come across this before. Wasn't too shabby! I did like it. But next time I will order without meat. Just my preference. Otherwise? No complaints. read more

Shrimp sautéed with garlic, chiles (x2 varieties) onions and I added a side of guacamole - EXCELLENT!! The service was amazing given how busy they were on a Wednesday night. Modest food prices. Only blemish for some people is no hard alcohol (just beer and wine). Will definitely return on my next quarterly business trip! Lastly, if you have outstanding arrest warrants, better to avoid as it appears to be a favorite of local police..... read more

We were charged an 18% service charge which came to $16.90 on our bill for a party of four adults. This is not disclosed anywhere and it seems outright dishonest.. We did notice that the tip line was blank so the expectation was because the service charge was hidden by the subtotal that we wouldn't even see it but leave a tip also it's double dipping and it's wrong. I will never come back. read more

The go to Mexican restaurant in Missoula. The fresh peppers are the best and the salsa is by far top level. So good.

I came in tonight after years away looking so forward to my burrito and my very first fork full of food was laced with a pitch black long hair. Instantly I wanted to vomit and thus ending my years long craving for el cazador. Yes they tried to make it right by making my food over but I asked them not to as my appetite and trust in the quality of the food is ruined. Sadly this experience alone will keep me away for many more years. read more

Extremely pleasant waitress who was wonderful in every way. Great food, The shredded beef is amazing. restroom was extremely clean and it was just a great family atmosphere. A really nice down home little place to eat. read more

Very friendly from the minute you walk in. Excellent service and fantastic food. They do have soft corn tortillas, the chips are delicious with the perfect heat level of salsa. Refried beans were delicious and even the rice was good and I'm not a big fan normally. Service was outstanding from beginning to end. 1 warning, when they say plates are hot, it's no joke. You could roast a marshmallow I think. We had the lunch specials. Enchilada was fantastic and they also ser e hard corn shell tacos if you prefer. Definitely worth traveling to and it is now my favorite in the state of Montana!! read more

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Stopped for lunch, split an enchilada and tamale with the wife along with some Modelos. The chips were fresh, salsa spicy, and the entree was fresh, hot and delicious. We will be back! read more

Now this is Mexican food! First good Mexican food since moving from CA. Great service, good chips and fresh salsa and tasty food! much better than the old downtown place. read more

Food is always awesome and authentic we have eaten here too many times to count and they never disappoint. All the servers are very friendly! read more

I didn't care for my dinner at all. It was very bland. I ordered the enchiladas verdes. The server didn't offer to get me anything else and charged me the full amount. DISAPPOINTING. read more

This place dies have authentic Mexican cuisine and it is very good. I took off one star because they only serve wine and beer. And dont have a full bar. How can you eat delicious Mexican food WITHOUT a top shelf margarita? But thats just me. The service was great and the food was good read more

So disappointed in this place! Drive all the way from Bigfork, which is two hours, they did not say they were going to be closed on their website, got her and had just a freaking sign in door saying they were closed! They should put it out there....will never come here again!!!! Left Missoula hungry! read more

Really disappointed w/ our service & meal today. Came in around 1& sat in the new addition, gorgeous by the way. Ordered 2 beers, toquito appetizer w/ beef, & pork sopritas. She didn't write anything down. Brought us the toquito meal that's 5$ more & it was chicken. I was going to say something but the lady next to us reminded the server she ordered a beef flauta & was given chicken. Chips had good flavor but had a stale old texture. This place is great, glad it wasn't my first visit. read more

Food was very bad, service was not great, and the restaurant was just blah and took forever to get a check. Only decent thing was the Mexican pizza. Do not recommend. read more

Love the food. Service is generally quick which is great. However, there's a young female server who consistently calls me "Hon." This is hugely annoying and totally inappropriate. I don't know why so many young women think it's okay. It's overly familiar and presumptuous. read more

Best Mexican food in Missoula, great service and always an amazing experience any time I go they never disappoint!

Great food! Always really well seasoned and they are fast on getting the food out! Would definitely recommend if you like authentic Mexican food. read more

Very disappointed in this place after patronizing it for many years. Their website is not accurate....prices are much higher than listed and they charge an extra 15% for takeout, also not on website. The food was mediocre to say the least and the tacos were soggy and unedible. Would not recommend and do not plan to return. read more