After driving 30 miles to visit another highly touted Mexican restaurant nearby where we were turned away because they were closed during business hours "for routine maintenance", we drove to El Centenario. The parking lot was nearly full on a Tuesday night ... normally, a good sign. We were quickly seated because the place is pretty big and chips and salsa soon arrived. They had a 99 Cent margarita special going, so I ordered one ... OLE! We also ordered their famous white cheese dip ($3.50) and, being my birthday, a large guacamole ($6.50). The chips were good and hot, but the salsa was nothing special, so I asked for the "hot" version which was a little better. The cheese dip was good, nothing special and the guacamole was terrible. Beside the tomato, onion, and jalapeños, there was something strange about it, like they added Imo or sour cream to increase yield. Either that or they used inferior (Hass avocados should be used) or unripe avocados. Whatever they did, it was one of the worst guacamoles I have ever had. My wife had the torta (sandwich) Milanesa ($7.50), a thin breaded and pan-fried beef cutlet on a Mexican bread roll with mayo, lettuce, avocado and onion (tomato on the side because my wife is allergic) with French fries. It was pretty good, one of the better tortas I have had and the fries were hot and crispy. I ordered the usual on my first visit, tacos and enchiladas. I ordered one hard shell taco ($1.75) and two traditional Mexican tacos (served on two soft corn tortillas), one with carne asada (they spell it "azada") and one with carnitas, and a side order of cheese and onion enchiladas. The hard taco was not bad, coming on the usual pre-fab shell with nicely flavored ground beef and lettuce and Mexican white cheese. Not bad. The soft shell tacos were excellent, coming on two large corn tortillas each and piled high with meat, some onion, cilantro and accompanied by sliced, fresh lime just as they should. Bueno! Finally, the enchiladas had just the right amount of deliciously seasoned red chili sauce and cheese and were baked to perfection. I have to say, these were the best enchiladas I have had in a very long time ... OLE! It was too bad that the guacamole ruined what would have been an outstanding meal and I told the manager about the guacamole problem when were paying our bill, but all he said was "i'll check it out", not "I'm sorry, let me take that off your check". Otherwise, we were very happy with our meal and will likely return to see if the guacamole problem was a one off deal because it it was not, I will send it back to the kitchen. CombatCritic Gives El Centenario 7 Bombs Out Of 10 (And An "S&G" For You Military Types) ... With A Two Bomb Deduction For The Guac (One For The Guacamole And One For The Manager Who Shrugged His Shoulders) ... More Bombs Are Better! read more

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Highly recommended for the Topeka area. We had chicken fajitas for one that easily feed two and the carne asada tacos are very very good. Thursday night is 99 cent margaritas which aren't too bad. Try half frozen half on the rocks no ice with salt and you will be in for a nice beverage! The cheese dip is kind of expensive but worth the treat every now and then. Must try for a pretty decent Mexican food place. read more

Service was amazing and very accommodating! Never had to ask for anything. The food was served in efficient manner and hot, even for having a large party. And it was delicious! read more

Awesome staff..pleasant atmosphere ...excellent service. These folks have done a nice job social distancing customers 5 stars read more

I really liked this place the server was nice too. We ordered seafood enchiladas which isn't actually a menu item but our server took care of us and said, " we will make whatever you want... it's not on the menu and might cost a little bit more." Needless to say they were awesome. We also ordered 2 chicken tacos to go and our waiter brought them out just as we were leaving so they were still hot for my roommate. I would definitely eat here again read more

El Centenario - Shrimp and scallop enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

I ordered the Mexican tacos with Carne asada (I call them street tacos). They came with full size corn tortillas which is good, but the meat lacked salt, easy enough to fix. The tacos came with cilantro, onion and lime. No salsa verde, no salsa of any kind was offered. My husband ordered Chicken Enchiladas which came with rice and beans, which he was very pleased with. The complementary chips were fine, the salsa was very mild. The service was good and our meal came quickly. I'll definitely give them another chance to impress me and see if I can give them more stars. read more

El Centenario - Chicken Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Geez. Geez. That white cheese...dip is amazing! Sorry, I felt the need to start off with a great rhyme like that. But wow. Went here for the first time tonight and it's getting a 5/5 for me, even when I'm trying to be stingy with them lately! Food: I get the same food no matter what Mexican restaurant I go to, and I judge a place based off that food obviously. This place had the best of all of it! I get just one chicken enchilada, then load up on salsa and white cheese dip. Margaritas are in there too. The salsa was amazing with a tad more kick than most, and the chips were different some how, but great. The chicken enchilada was STUFFED full of chicken and topped with white cheese. Again, delicious. It was $.99 margarita night, so both of mine were good and quite strong for a $.99 one. Then my favorite, the white cheese dip. Wow. It was so good! I had to text my wife after my first few bites just to let her know I have a new favorite white dip! The food was all top notch. Service: this place was PACKED tonight. I'm guessing from the cheap margaritas. But we still got seated pretty quick. Drinks, salsa and queso got out quick. Food took maybe 20mins, so not too bad at all considering all the people there. The only complaint was that I think our waiter forgot about us at some point and took a while to come back. But while he remember us, he was good! All in all, this is now my favorite Mexican restaurant in Topeka. That might not sound like much to you, but I love my Mexican food and that is actually big for me to say! Go here and give it a try! read more

Yumm! Don't think about it anymore - just go! Best Carnitas I have had! Service was great as well... which is always a plus. They are located in the old Lane's BBQ joint. Enjoy! read more

I came here on a weekday night with the bosses and this place exceeded my expectations. Never thought I would find an authentic taco place in small town Topeka! I ordered 3 al pastor tacos (my FAVE) and they were spot-on. Very similar to the authentic taco places in Kansas City. Service was prompt and we had a great cheap and relaxing post-work dinner. I wish they had Taco Tuesdays nights! Nevertheless, I would highly recommend this place. read more

I was happy with pretty much everything! Food was all quality, though the combination special I got with a burrito and enchilada were literally the exact same item with the same ground beef. Still tasty, but the wife's chicken tacos were awesome! Also greatly enjoyed the queso and guacamole to start the meal. It was a solid price too. I'd be willing to come back and try other items! read more

The Nuevo American Diner! Thursday lunch means $.99 margaritas, Fox Deportes and Pollo Loco. Mostly Hot Dog colors (red & yellow) but it beats the technicolor decor of other Mexican restaurants. You know that place you pick because it's consistent/quality/quick/great? This is it in Topeka. read more

Unbelievable experience!!!! This has to be the worst and most embarrassing experience that we have encountered at any eating establishment we have been too. We ordered our food and ate, the waiter brought our tickets and we paid. The waiter returned to our table and told us to have a nice evening. As we walked out - the owner came running out of the establishment at yelled at us, 'You are not leaving without paying your bill.' 'Get back here and pay your bill you are going to eat and leave without paying.' We walked back in and explained that we did pay our bill - we called the waiter over to the table were we were sitting (while everyone in the restaurant stared) and the waiter explained they did pay - the gentleman gave me a $100 bill for his ticket but I forgot to put the ticket in the drawer. The owner then demand that we leave - no apology - no I am sorry for the mistake - nothing? We would eat there on a regular basis (every Friday evening) and have never been treated like this before at this place or in any eating establishment. At the least - you could have apologize for causing embarrassment to me and my friends in front of all the patrons that were in the restaurant. We never will eat in your establishment ever again and we will let everyone that we know how you treat your customers. read more

You may not be able to get "crazy meats" like tongue and stomach here, but the street tacos are legit. Try the asada and pastor and chorizo. Heck, try them all! Service is really good here as well. The location is super convenient to downtown and the highway. read more

Found while traveling from California - really tasty food and great service. If you like spicy salsa with your chips just ask. Spicy and good flavor. We had the shrimp and scallop fajitas - comes on sizzling platter hearty portions and the Special quesadilla- carne asada and chorizo with cheese really yummy! read more

I have mixed feelings about this place. They have their good and bad days. Sometimes the food is good and other times it is plain bad. They sure love salt and the service is very slow; however, the food comes out fast. read more

I have no idea how yelp knows I went there.. but I did and it was great! :) Really good food, I loved the horchata and the warm chips were great! read more

Visiting here from Wisconsin...ate here twice and was very happy! Excellent flavors in everything I had...tacos of several types, chile rellenos, tamale. Impressed with the cleanliness and ease of parking. Wait staff pleasant and efficient. Margaritas not large but usually on special for $1/each so cannot be beat! read more

Best Mexican I've had in a long time! Service great too! I'd give more stars if I could.

A local place so when you come first time you're not sure if you wait or sit...just SIT. Large parking lot in a poor part of the city. Lots of food on the plate and near authentic old Mexico taste. Beans are more runny than expected but good. Chips could be better if warmed. Coke products and appears to be a full bar. White cheese sauce was OK but overrated in my opinion.....very thin. read more

Can't think of any reason to give less than 5. Great, friendly, fast service. Good margarita. Great homemade chips and nice thick salsa. Carnitas portion was huge and meat very tender. Clean and fresh. read more

Very friendly and helpful waiter. The margarita was good. The food was excellent. The price was reasonable. If you like a flavorful hot sauce then ask for their homemade HOT sauce. read more

Can't go wrong with anything on the menu! Appropriately priced for the quality of food. Very authentic, and the service is spot on! The chips and salsa is addicting--make sure you ask for the spicy salsa too. read more

Visited Topeka on business and decided to try this place. I'm from Colorado and grew up on New Mexican food, so I tend to be very picky. I definitely recommend El Centenario! Great food, nice atmosphere, and friendly, quick service. The food had a good flavor to it, with just enough spice, and the salsa is some of the best I've had. I will definitely be coming back the next time one in town. read more

Great food, the fajitas were excellent. The .99 margaritas on Thursday nights are awesome and fairly strong for the price!

We used to come here for lunch all the time, and recently their service has been AWFUL!! Today we went and stood at the front for 15 mins and no one ever spoke to us. One of the hosts friends showed up way after us and they were immediately seated. They didn't even speak to us. The last time we went for lunch they asked us if we had a reservation. They seemed put out that we didnt have a reservation. At the Mexican restaurant. For lunch. Just skip the headache and average food. read more

This is the best authentic Mexican food in town! They are very quick to get orders out and always come and check in often on you. I changed my review because the staff sucks. Not everyone but there are twin ladies that work there and they never come back to check on you. So I will keep coming back for food but not to dine in anymore. read more

Love this place. I attempt to get down there every Thursday. Love the 99c margaritas. I have not had a bad meal there yet. Excellent service. I recommend this place to anyone who is in the mood for Mexican food. read more

Wow! Thanks fellow Yelpers. I decided to try this place based on other reviews. It did not disappoint. I had a Carnitas Torta that was juicy, tender and delicious. Good prices and good service. read more

We were passing through and we wanted Mexican. Excellent food, quick service, and the waiter was very kind.

I literally just created a Yelp to tell y'all how bomb this restaurant is! Haha it doesn't get any better

Had lunch here for the first time today. I am finicky about shrimp tacos and they were perfect! The shrimp was cooked to perfection and not at all fishy. Service was polite and efficient, everything I want in a restaurant. Also, super cheap! My entire lunch was only $5! Will definitely be back. read more

Went to this restaurant for a "Girl's Night Out." We each ordered a different meal and they were all good. I had a combination plate of 1 taco, 1 chili relleno and 1 tostado. All were very good. The salsa and chips were tasty and the guacamole was very good. Wait staff and service were very good and attentive. Prices are very reasonable. read more

It's the best Mexican food in town... In Topeka. Every time I go, food is extremely salty. Good ambience though.

Luckily, here in Topeka Kansas, one has many choices of restaurant to satisfy their Mexican food needs. I'm not sure how this city became such a hot bed of Mexican proprietors, but I'm not complaining! There must be a winner, and in my book, it's El Centenaro! Their steak tacos are definitely a highlight and a must try, their beans are smooth and so full of flavor. The rice, for me, is the stand out item. I hear you thinking "the rice?" YES! It is fluffy, full of flavor and best when you eat them using their homemade chips as your utensil. That's right! Take a chip, dip it into their amazing salsa then scoop a good helping of the rice onto the chip and into your mouth hole! Try it, it's crunchy/smooth bliss. The service is fast and efficient. No matter what time you go in, there are always other people there enjoying their food. The staff isn't all that friendly, but they get the orders correct and get it to you in a very timely fashion. Who needs overly "nice" servers anyway? So the next time you're tummy is crying out for south of the border tastiness, get over to El Centenaro. Great food for great prices. (No, I don't work there, nor was I paid for this review. Just a fan who happens to live close by and thinks you should eat there.) read more

This is our go to place for Mexican when we go out to lunch. Always very quick and priced great! The service is always on top of things as well. The food is great! They have a great lunch menu too. read more

I am a big fan and have been for the last 10 years, Burrito El Centenario and White Queso. Also consistently good and nice service and rarely a wait. Supports downtown Topeka also so you don't have to drive out west. read more

Not good Mexican at all. Got food poisoning from the place. I have been sick all day after eating there. I do not recommend this place to anyone. read more

One of the best places in Topeka with a very nice staff. My only complaint is the custom of having to get up and pay at the back, but otherwise the food is very tasty and they take good care of you. read more

Simply put, the best Mexican food in Topeka. My favorite dish is the tacos at this place, though I cannot recall if I have ever had anything that could not qualify as a "favorite" here. They can get super busy on popular nights, but for a place of this quality I wouldn't expect much else. The service here is always top notch too. read more

We did take out food and loved it! I called in the order for chicken enchiladas and beef tacos. There was white cheese on the beef tacos, which I love and the chicken was fresh and just right, not dried out, on the enchiladas. This food was not overly spicy, which is what I need to eat. The downside was no parking to pick up the to go order and had to Park across the street and walk across Kansas Avenue- four lanes- not good! They did not have to go menus and we could not find a menu online. The food tasted excellent and they were polite, which is great. read more