Pretty authentic and tasty Mexican fare! I go to college in Lincoln and this place, along with La Mexicana, is a place we frequented quite a bit. A little farther away from campus, so we didn't eat here quite as much as La Mexicana, but the food is marginally better. Plus, they have a deal-maker: some of the best HORCHATA I've had anywhere. For those of you not in the know about HORCHATA...shame on you. LOL seriously though, it's really damn good stuff, and if they had to hook me up to an IV machine which shot horchata straight into my veins until I died of sugar overdose, I would die a happy man with no regrets. But I digress. Nice little restaurant with good food for the price, great for groups, and the TV's are always running soccer games and Spanish telenovelas, so you know it's authentic! read more

We usually venture out to Super Taco because I love their carne asada tacos, but we actually live closer to El Chaparro, so we decided to give it a try. We had been there once before, but it was after a late night and, well, at those times anything tastes good... otherwise the Highway Diner wouldn't be in business. First of all, their chips and salsa are TO DIE FOR. In the El Chaparro vs. Super Taco competition going on in my head, this round goes to El Chaparro. I was disappointed that I didn't find an option to order my carne asada tacos individually, although, to be fair, I didn't ask if this was a possibility. Instead, I went straight for the cinco tacos option. My husband ordered enchiladas, and my daughter ordered a hardshell beef taco. The tacos were comparable to Super Taco - small, traditional, onion, cilantro. lime, etc. However, I think Super Taco's meat is more flavorful. More importantly, Super Taco's salsa verde (which is a huge flavor addition to a carne asada taco) is super yummy. El Chaparro's - well, it wasn't for me. I felt it was pretty bland. So, Super Taco wins this round hands-down. My husband was 100% pleased with his enchiladas, and my daughter happily ate her hardshell taco. We did end up paying more than we would at Super Taco but, again, maybe I could have ordered the tacos individually (I usually only get two), which would have brought the price down. read more

Another cheap Lincoln restaurant that serves some great food. I got the two chicken tacos with rice and beans, and they were really solid! I wish I would have gotten the cinco tacos instead, because the portions for the rice and beans were pretty small. However, the tacos had really good flavor, and the tortillas were perfectly soft and warm, not rubbery. Definitely the first place you should go for you Mexican fix! read more

Great place! Cheap! Lots of good food! this place is authentic Mexican food! You get various salsas with your meal and lots of good. They also give you free chips and salsa with the order. I am glad I found some good Mexican food in Nebraska! read more

Decided to try this place after reading the reviews, wow wish I wouldn't have. The food has no flavor, the chips are left sitting out and very stale! I had the cinco tacos al pastor the only flavor came from the cilantro and onions, even the salsas had no flavor. My fiancé had the fajitas and also said they had no flavor. read more

most authentic Mexican food I have had in the state of Nebraska.tacos where real tacos and the creamy shrimp was amazing!

Cinco Tacos are life!!! Very friendly staff,even when they are extremely busy,you get your order to you fast and right every time. Like I said,I recommend the Cinco Tacos (with steak) and a cold Coke. read more

Every two weeks, we spend a lunch hour here since a friend and I work about two blocks away. For such a relatively small sized restaurant, they offer an extensive menu that hasn't disappointed me yet plus the service is great and they all seem to love what they're doing. If I could produce such fabulous food, I guess I'd be happy to be working there too. Their rice and beans are so so good, actually I've never had a bad meal here--it doesn't seem possible. Enjoy! read more

Love this little hole in the wall. Great for take out! Favorites are the chile verde burrito, cinco taco combo, nachos and enchiladas. For eat-in, I wouldn't recommend it, only because I don't think they serve alcohol. I think the service is very friendly and the food is well-priced. Some of the best Mexican in Lincoln. read more

So good, I usually get the fajitas or torta. Always good, and fresh and authentic. I especially like the telemundo that is always playing in the dining area. Open late, until 2 I believe, it is perfect for getting some take out after leaving downtown. Two people usually can eat here for about 20 bucks for a full meal with tip. It is probably a little out of some peoples comfort zones, but go for it, you will not be disappointed. read more

Service was horrible and staff was rude. Gave me the wrong order then complained about it loudly behind my back.

One of the best Mexican food places in Lincoln. Food comes out fast, they are open late, and everyone that works there is so nice! The food is top notch. We are vegetarians and always get the regular burrito without meat. Their green salsa in the squirt tube (that you may need to ask for) is sooo good! I didn't give 5 stars only because I'm from Southern California and am very picky about my Mexican food. Mexican food in Lincoln is nowhere near Mexican food in So Cal. read more

Outstanding authentic Mexican food. Tried it a few times and never left feeling less than impressed with the the quality of the food, exceptional bang for the buck too! Great staff, can't believe it took me 10 years to find out about this gem. Barbacoa burrito and their fajitas are a must try. read more

Ate here twice within a couple of days. Had cheese enchiladas one day and a grande chorizo burrito the next. Both dishes were very good though I liked the burrito the most. Their fresh made quacamole was outstanding. The taste and overall quality of the food coupled with the low cost makes this a place I will surely visit again the next time I am in Lincoln. read more

I don't even know where to start. How about the food. Authentic, fresh, delicious. I havent tried anything there and not loved it. They are very quick too, but not to the point that quality suffers, because their quality is above and beyond. The space isn't big, so they get pretty full. To top it off, the owners are wonderful. My dad used to mow for them, and they are the best. Their employees are so kind as well. My grandma is disabled, and they always help her get situated when she comes in. Love them, all the way around. read more

Love this place! The food is excellent, especially shrimp. The prices are affordable, and enjoy the horchata

EL CHAPARRO! -- That's what me and my bros yell when lunchtime hits at school. But seriously, I CAN"T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW GREAT THIS FOOD IS!! I really am serious, the food at eL cHaPaRrO is FaNtAsTiCo. My favoriote things to order are 1. Grande Buritto con pollo. MMMmmm! 2. Quesadilla con carne asada (grande, no chico) ^ This other reviewer got it perfect, those are my fav meals too!! but seriously, i've eaten every meal on the menu (big mexican guy here :p) and those were my fav two meals, although everything is good! i LoVe El ChApArRo - Favio D. read more

Favorite Mexican restaurant in Nebraska. This is where the Mexicans eat. Says it all. Always busy. Grand burrito and Cinco tacos. Both excellent. read more

best Mexican in town, period. Not fancy; don't expect luxury, or great service. Just sit down, enjoy your tacos.

Lincoln, you are killing me with your food scene. First, you blew the door off, with your AMAZING BBQ. Now, you not only blew the door off, you busted out the windows and took half the roof with you. This is probably some of the best Mexican food I have ever had. As you all know, I love me some good food. I ordered an asada burrito and the cinco tacos with barbacoa. OMG!! To good to ever put into words. If you are ever in Lincoln stop by this little amaze ball restaurant. My heart and stomach are filled with happiness. read more

El Chaparro is a hidden gem. Great food, great prices and the owner and employees will be your friends in just a few visits. Love it!

Best tacos in town... everything else is good too, and open late so it's a great place to go when you need a chili relleño and a coke at 11pm. read more

My husband and I love this place. If you want authentic, no frills Mexican, this is your place. Admittedly, the wait staff knows us, but even before we were regulars they were always very friendly. Awesome char broiled cinco tacos! Yummy green chile burrito. And I love their beans and rice, as does our 1 year old! One word of advice, you have to salt everything. I don't think they cook with salt at all. read more

I love this place. This is REAL Mexican food. It's so reasonably priced and the quantities are nice. I've been there many times and havent had a bad experience. Last weekend I ate so much I literally puked when I got home. read more

Had pretty bad heartburn last time after the chicken mole enchiladas

I was back in Lincoln recently and of course I had to stop in because the food here is always delicious. Unfortunately this time I was swiftly reminded of the one (and only one) negative thing about this place - that one young waitress with the bitchy attitude. You know who I am talking about! What is wrong with that snotty girl? I have never seen her with a smile on her face and she only acknowledges and converses with people who speak Spanish. Not only that, she goes out of her way to give bad service. She rolled her eyes at me for adding guacamole to my meal! Considering it costs $2 to add that, most of which is profit, why was she so mad about it? Because she had to scribble one more thing down on the check? Good grief! She was also purposefully slow and ignored any attempt of being flagged down, despite the restaurant being empty. She must be family or something, I don't know how she can remain employed after consistently acting like this. She is in dire need of an attitude adjustment! I was hoping she was done for a couple years ago when she was pregnant, but so much for that idea... Now I guess I have to call ahead and make sure she is not working before I come in. read more

Tried this out based on the Yelp reviews...great food! Never knew this place existed! The "cinco tacos" (I got 2/pork..2/chorizo...1/steak)...all were very good! Definitely a place to try, open until 2am...can't beat the prices. read more

Fantastic little restaurant with authentic, cheap food. The staff is friendly and energetic. Everything I have tried is amazing at an amazing price. The atmosphere is not glamorous, but simple and cost efficient which is perfect. read more

I try to go whenever I am back in Lincoln. I only get the Cinco tacos with tongue and Mexican coke. Great food at a great price. My son says they also have an amazing deal on take out salsa and chips for game days. read more

Probably one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been to. But also one of the least Tex-Mex places. If you want authentic Mexican, with a very kind Hispanic wait staff, Mexican. TV playing, Mexican music playing, etc, it's the place. If you want Tex-Mex, maybe not. read more

Great place for an authentic Mexican food experience! Food is always hot and the horchata is to die for

We live right down the street from this spot and we get vittles there bout twice a week! Don't sleep on the "Cinco Tacos" get the Carnitas or the Al Pastor both crack! read more

Good food I like the hours and how they are open late a good late night meal but not the best Mexican food in town but not bad

Was a little unsure when we first arrived but the food is amazing! The chips weren't what I was expecting but the salsa was great and the food was amazing! I wish I would of ordered two plates if my stomach could of handled it! read more

Ive been to Mexico more than a few times an I must admit this is my favorite restaurant in town. Ive tried several menu items an never have been let down. The food is spectacular an the prices are more than fair! The Chorizo Torta is hands down my favorite sandwich in the city of Lincoln! Its a big bun covered in chorizo fresh tomato lettuce avocado. I'm sorta a chorizo connesuar an El Chaparro has it down to a science. Love the tacos tamales chips am that delicious home made salsa. Highly recommended:) read more

Kind of a hole in the wall. Tight seating and it does get busy during peak hours. Tons of food for the price. The best taquitos I've ever had. Great salsa too. read more

this place rocks. love the mexican diner ambiente, seriously good food, not expensive, friendly staff, and they're open every day till 2am! yes! read more

had the tortas, they were really good, and they were very reasonably priced. will be coming back to this establishment yo

I think the best mexican in lincoln, you will not be dissappointed in the food. Take out or dine in, im always happy. The gal taking my order always makes me feel like im eating at her kitchen table and I like that feeling. nothing stands out to me as it is all excellent. Food Seems fresh and made with care. The bonus is when dining in, seems to always have a novella or some latin show with really hot woman on the tube. read more

Food and prices are good. I ordered an echillada dinner they brought me chicken instead of beef. when i asked if they could correct the problem they took a long time to bring this simple new order. everyone else was done eating by the time i got my food. They also took the wrong order back yet charged me for both orders. gave me a nasty attitude about the problem. When they first brought the food it was semi warm and took along time. read more