Best Mexican restaurant of all time. I've eaten here so many times, and it NEVER has disappointed me 10/10

This place is still fantastic. The staff are like family, the drinks are strong, and the food is great. El Krog (this one is El Lion) is the place in JC. read more

El Charolais - Texas Style Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

Best restaurant in town. Their food is consistently great. Salsa and chips always hit the spot. Service is always good.

No matter where I live I always come back to this place. For over a decade I've been getting the combination #6. Rice & beans have depth & are different than what you can expect from your typical Mexican restaurant. Walk into this place & smell & ambiance is nostalgic & brings me back to childhood. Couple that with great consistent service & I always leave happy. Will always be a 10/10 for me read more

El Charolais - the entrance to a restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

See all

The food just wasn't good. I ordered a taco salad and the bowl was literally 80% sour cream and watery beans. The server could not get half the orders right and it was clear the server did not know the menu. I asked if they had black beans and was told yes, and then was given pinto beans, I asked about the black beans and was told that they did not have black beans. They did the same thing with multiple other orders from my family. I can say the queso was good though. The worst part of the experience is, and I kid you not, 5 out of the 8 of us ended up getting food poisoning. I am still struggling with it now but it has calmed down a bit. Considering the food was not good, it just makes the whole food poisoning situation even worse. Not worth it. I really hoped it would've be better. read more

Ate here a few times. It's mediocre. reason I give / 5 because they never answer their phone or else I would've gave 3 stars. I always try and get a togo and can't because they NEVER answer. read more

Always good food and good service. Make sure you look for the more authentic stuff. Not sure what to order roll the dice and ask the waiter or waitress to to give you their favorite. read more

See all

Bro it's literally so good. I LOOOOVEEEEEE THE TACOS. Ambience goes hard too. Service is good.

Service was good and fast, but food was not great at all. Salad didnt have any lettuce, hardly any rice, and was pretty much all overcooked and chewy meat, "grilled" peppers, and undercooked and unseasoned mushrooms. The chimichangas also had overcooked beef, rice was terrible. Also this food absolutely upset our stomachs before we could even leave the restaurant. Will not be returning at all. read more

El Charolais - Torito salad and beef chimichanga. - Mexican Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

It was some really good food I had the Mexican sausage cheese and beans by far the best I have had

Probably the most popular Mexican restaurant in Johnson City. Any given night, it will be popping. The good thing is the wait is usually only ~ 20 mins at the max. Many times though there is no wait and you're seated immediately. They've got great drinks and food is pretty good. Nothing crazy, but really good and pretty cheap. Service is also impeccable and really consistent. Only negative I can find is I don't particularly enjoy having to wash my hands in their bathrooms, but that's a really it. Also make sure to ask for their red sauce. read more

Best Mexican food in Johnson City. Speedy service, nice atmosphere. Parking out front is easy. What else is there? Free beer! (Just kidding). read more

Stopped in after fishing all day. Food was amazing! Service was quick and friendly. My new favorite Mexican food place in the region. Sooo goood! read more

El Charolais - Awesome Mexican food! - Mexican Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

Good food. Slightly slow service after we ordered but worth the wait. Large portions for the money.

I've been out in Johnson City since January and I'm from Houston, Texas. I was looking for a "taste of home" to say. I went to one Mexican place and couldn't even get a Modelo due to them having no liquor license. That was a big let down. Now, anyone from Texas will tell you that cold cerveza and tacos goes together like milk and cookies. I came to El Charolais and felt like I was back home. The shrimp cocktail is amazing with huge shrimp like we have in Texas. Great place and great service! The carne asada taco was great and slightly bigger than your normal street taco. Check it out!!!! read more

Always great food and friendly service. Our server was very attentive and did a great job making sure we had full drinks.

Great little Mexican spot! Authentic food and great service! Recommend to anyone in the area looking for Mexican food read more

El Charolais - Great authentic Mexican food! Pictured from left to right are the refried beans, tacos de lengua, tamale, and a cheese enchilada. - Mexican Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

Another excellent Mexican restaurant, again the salsa and especially the enchiladas are delicious. Good drinks.

after many many years of visiting rhis restaurant I am having to leave a bad review! . Up charge to trade out sides has gone fron 2.00 to 5.95. This was our favorite. The cashier was rude interrupting when I spoke and unwilling to help. All in all a 7$ plate ended up coasting me 13.25???? That was before tax. I eat very little and have stomach issues. It's a shame u all did this. cashier lied to me and looked down at me. Of all days on Mother's Day. How shameful. Sigh I don't know if I will ever go back. I am really upset about this. They have good food and we'll I just can not figure out why they were like this. I hope some one reads this! Oh well life goes on here is your one star! read more

An excellent Mexican restaurant. The usual staples (rellenos, burritos) are very good. They have a wide variety of meats available on authentic-style tacos and tortas. But, get the skinny tacos! Lean chicken or steak on lettuce wraps with a "lean" guacamole on the side; they are generous and outstanding. Service was great; the accommodations for COVID-19 are done well. My wife's margarita was excellent. All in all, this place is terrific; we will be back! read more

El Charolais - Chicken skinny tacos (sorry I already ate one) are terrific. - Mexican Near Me - Johnson City, Tennessee

This is one of our favorite places to eat. Service is great and lots of good food for the money.

I've been coming at this location for years and their food is wonderful. However, the wait to get your food takes for ever! We were there on a Monday night and it took over an hour to get our food and the location was not even busy with plenty of seatings. Definitely understaff in the kitchen... read more

Came here when I was visiting Johnson City for work and I was STARVING! Mexican food just sounded like a dream so I'm so glad I found this gem! When I arrived this place was super busy but I was able to snag a seat at the bar. Tortilla chips and salsa joined me as soon as I sat. Warm chips? Check. Salsa? Perfect spice level and flavor. Margarita, don't know if I got a heavy pour but thank you! It was exactly what the doctor ordered! I ordered pollo tapitio, huge portion and it came with tortillas. It was spicy, greasy, savory, basically what most Mexican dishes are, soooooooooo yummy! This place was so good I came back the next night to eat it again! Must try if you're traveling around in Johnson City! read more

Good Mexican restaurant. Great food, fresh. The margarita on the rocks was very tasty. Nothing fancy but a good all around Mexican restaurant. It's in a shopping center but that is no issue. It was popular seemed kind of busy on a Wednesday night, but we got seated right away and food came our fast once we ordered it. read more

Fast and pleasant service! The food was amazing, I got the beef chimichangas! I'll be coming back for sure.

The north town location has better parking than the ETSU location. No patio, but there is a full bar and some of the same staff that work at the other stores. The staff are very friendly, and the food is excellent. My favorite dish is "Jaliciense" which is grilled chicken mixed with chorizo sausage and white cheese sauce, beans 'n rice and tortillas. Full bar, huge menu, lunch specials, and they'll make it as spicy or mild as you like. It's casual and the prices are really reasonable. If the Jaliciense is too spicy for you, you might also really like the Torta (sammich) Carnitas (pork roast). This location had a previous restaurant where a persnickety friend and I literally walked out in less than five minutes due to the odd feel of the place. (Yes, we were sober, smart ass.). They've fixed the atmosphere and have the same great menu as the other ECs. read more

Went here for lunch on a weekday. We had horchata, ground beef taco, ground beef enchilada, chile relleno, rice, refried beans, and fried ice cream. The food was fine - not the best but not the worst Mexican food I've ever had. The horchata and fried ice cream were a hit. The ground beef inside the enchilada and taco wasn't seasoned enough so those items were a bit bland. I'm used to breaded chile relleno and this one wasn't but it tasted fine. I think they go a little too heavy on the sauces, possibly to make up for the lack of seasoning. Overall we were satisfied. The restaurant was clean with a nice atmosphere, the service was fast & friendly, and prices were excellent for what we received. We will def return. read more

Just in from being out of town all week and this is the first place I stopped. It's my favorite Mexican restaurant in Johnson City. It's a family-owned restaurant with great food and wonderful service read more

Not as good as it once was - perhaps too many clients ? But; quality has to improve before I return

Dropped in for lunch as I was on the North side of town. El Charolais is my of my favorite local restaurants for consistent food quality, fast service and well priced meals. This location has the same menu as the South side location near ETSU. Located near the Food Lion off of Bristol Hwy close to Roan street. A little smaller and does not have a patio but still a nice size and great service. Lunch specials are well priced and of the same quality as dinner entrees. Free chips and salsa with your meal is an appreciated nice touch as most restaurants charge for chips and salsa. Really does not get better -- I local favorite that keeps the quality high and prices affordable. read more

Love the food and margaritas here. Food is always excellent my personal favorite would be the grande burrito it is amazing. The margaritas are great too the monster margarita is huge! Wait staff is friendly and very good about keeping drinks and salsa refilled. read more

This place had pretty solid food and quick service. I got the fajitas quesadilla and it came stuffed. Both I and my date had way more than we could eat on the plate. I did not give five stars because the food was good, but not quite to five star quality. But I was happy with my experience here and would return if I lived nearby read more

Excellent service, amazing food, friendly staff. I had the Supreme Salad, it had huge shrimp, big pieces of chicken and steak in it. Very tasty. I love going there just to get that salad, but all of the other dishes are good too. I am going to try the tamales next. I will be back soon. read more

This is my family's favorite Mexican restaurant. The food is always hot and good. The chips are warm and the salsa is perfect. Just the way I like it, spicy. The employees are all very nice and courteous. It sometimes takes a little longer to get our food. But it's always worth it. They keep replenishing the chips and salsa while we wait. Definitely try this restaurant. They are very busy on Friday and Saturday nights though. But worth the wait. read more

Have been going here for several years and always enjoyed the food and service. However the last three times(we go at least once a week) the food has been mediocre at best and the service not good at all. Seems like the wait staff is new and maybe new cook(s) as well. Really disappointed in how things have gotten here and I hope management will make the necessary improvements quickly. read more

Based on what I ordered (I order the same thing at the other El Charlais by Kroger), I think the quality of the food is better here. My Ceviche was on point and served with ample amount of avocados, and the side order of grilled chicken tacos with soft corn tortillas were nicely seasoned and cooked as well. No mistakes were made in my order. read more

we reserved for a party of 8, waited 35 mins and got buzzed in. we were immediately told that we'd have to wait longer if we didn't wanna split our tables, clear across the restaurant. we asked if we could just bring 2 chairs to this table so that we could sit together and we're told no. the server who sat us, she was told the table was for 8, but she sat us at a table for 6 and refused to accommodate us and told us if we didn't wanna split up, we'd have to go back to waiting for an additional 20 mins. we sat at 2 different tables, not even next to our family and was proceeded with the worse service possible. no drinks, no food, no refills. took over 30 mins to come to us and ask if we wanted to order. I have ate at El Charolais a million times and have never ever left a bad review until today. i under that large families are hard to accommodate but I have 5 kids, all teenagers and it wasn't unreasonable. Im sadden by this. read more

The restaurant by Food Lion has this one waitress that is the rudest. When I told her my food was not cooked she argued with me. When cheese in a cheese enchilada is not melted it's not cooked. Check your food when it arrives. read more

people are friendly. service was great. food was excellent. the portions were nice (had to take home a doggy bag). a medium margarita should have been a large. i will definitely be a return customer. all around a great experience. read more

My kids love this place and so do we!! Anytime we are craving Mexican this is our spot!! The cheese dip is a fav!! Service is always fast and great! Staff are always friendly and always patient with my kids! read more