I generally enjoy El Charro and have been known to eat there once a week or at least a couple times a month. Mostly because a lot of my friends really love it. I usually stick with the same thing every time, beef fajitas with a side of shredded cheese - the cheese is what makes the meal - freshly shredded and delicious. Otherwise their food really is just mediocre. I've only had one bad experience with take out where they didn't include my tortillas, when I called back after I had gotten home, which is across town, the woman who answered the phone and did apologize, but said she didn't know what to say and they did the best they could. NOT what a customer wants to hear, how about compensate your customer? If you would like a free tequila shot, make sure to go on your birthday and let them know it's your special day. They will hook you up. read more

This is Our favorite go-to spot! The service is excellent, although it may be just because they KNOW me? The Margaritas are tasty and strong, and as far as the food goes, I have a FAVORITE that I haven't strayed from since about the 5th time I went there: The Tacos De Carnitas! The portions are big enough for my boyfriend and I to share the meal for Lunch, but at dinner we ask them to add another taco (for $3.00). The guacamole is always fresh, never that yucky, pulpy, bagged goo, and the queso is to die for. I suggest that if you DON'T get the pork tacos, at least order a side of their red tomatillo sauce. It will light your mouth on fire, but it's totally worth it! It CAN get a bit noisy in the main dining room (to the LEFT), but we always ask for a booth by a window and never have to wait. The booths are much more intimate and quiet. I would recommend this restaurant (the one on S. Main Street!) to ANY and EVERYONE. read more

Food was horrible. Tasteless. I don't know how anyone can give this place a good review, unless they have zero clue what good food is or they just don't care enough to be honest. read more

I give one star because the margarita was good. If you go there, don't get avocado on your tacos as an additional side. They upcharged me $4 for two tiny slices of avocado. read more

This place is popular in Harrisonburg, but I have no idea why. The food is inauthentic, lacks any real flavor or spice, and generally makes one feel ill. If you want real Mexican or El Salvadorian, check out some of the amazing food trucks in town! read more

Ummm... not to join the crowd into giving this place another 5 star rating, but this place is amazing! First of all, it's cheap! (Eventhough one particular yelper called us cheap already... oh well.. cheap people don't necessarily equal cheap tastes). Second, their servings are moderate to a lot. Third, the service is awesome - attentive without being stalkerish. And last but not least, the food is definitely great! When we sat down, they immediately gave us the complimentary nachos and salsa. The salsa came in these cute little bottles that we can pour out into the two saucers they gave us. So since we knew the entrees were already going to be a lot (thanks to the reviews we've read), we decided to opt out on ordering the appetizer and just ordered cheese dip and guac for the nachos. The guac was good, but I'm not a huge fan of guac, so that's saying a lot. The cheese dip was soooo good. The consistency was watery, but it was definitely not watered down because it was full of cheese-y flavor. Oh and it's also white cheese, not yellow, which threw me off at first, but who cares, it was good (the waiter said it was cheese with milk and jalopeno). Anyways, on to the main entrees. I ordered the Arroz Con Pollo. Rice filled with chicken, and bell peppers and cheese and yummy-ness. They also gave me three small warm fajita wraps if I wanted to wrap it - which I did, and it was D-licious! =) My husband ordered two entrees: The Burrito de Carne Asada and the Tacos de Carnitas. Ok, so we first tried the Carnitas which are three soft tacos filled with pork, then they gave him refried beans, spanish rice, tomatoes, cilantro and onions, and tomatillo sauce on the side to add to it if wanted. Umm.. the pork was so soft that it felt like it melted in my mouth. Now I know pork! Filipinos are known for their lechon, so I know good pork when I eat it... and this pork was freakin' amazing. If I wasn't so full from my arroz con pollo, I would've taken my husband's food! =P The Carne Asada was also delicious, but since the pork was so good, we weren't able to really critique it as much. In any case, this place was great! Most entrees ranges from $7 to $14. Really great atmosphere and really nice people. If I lived in Harrisonburg, VA, we would definitely be regulars in this restaurant =) YAY!!! read more

IF I COULD GIVE ZERO STARS I WOULD. My friends and I just had a lovely dinner, celebrating our friends 21st Birthday. This dinner unfortunately ended on an EXTREMELY SOUR NOTE. The bill that was received showed that I was charged for 1400 when I was to be getting bottom of the barrel cheap tequila. My bill was OVER 50 DOLLARS!!!!!! I now see that our waiter was giving me the most expensive tequila (WHEN NOT ASKED) and it was extremely premeditated. Of course, after I received the bill I immediately asked for the manager, to which he was CONVENIENTLY gone. To make matters worse the lady at the front tried to tell me "we ran out of anything cheaper than 1400". ARE YOU JOKING?!?! When I tell you I was STUNNED. If your going to lie at least make it semi believable. I expected better after being a loyal customer for so long. NOT TO MENTION HAHE RECOMMENDED THIS PLACE TO MANY. I will sadly no longer be dining here, this was a VERY BITTER goodbye. SO many memories were made. But I will not be ripped off like I was tonight. I've just talked to others who have also come out and said waiters and waitresses have done this to them before at this very establishment. A SCAM IS TAKING PLACE AND IVE HEARD NO DISCUSSION. Well.........this will no longer be the case as I am starting it now, BEWARE EVERYONE‼‼‼‼ read more

People who think this is real Mexican food don't know Mexican food. There are other more authentic Mexican restaurants in Harrisonburg with better quality. I will say their chips and salsa are pretty good but that's about is. read more

Yelp'd to find a good Mexican restaurant for I was meeting family halfway from two different states for a birthday. Drove 2 hours here, the service was terrible, the server acted as if we were a burden because we didn't know what we wanted to order yet, the margarita tasted like only mix, and when we asked the server to sing happy birthday he came over with a desert and said "we can't sing, no workers", he could of at least made it exciting by himself. We should have chosen somewhere else. read more

AWesome Tex Mex food. The only thing that prevented five stars was that the chips were not served hot or at least warm. Salsa flavor was very good. Ordered #29 of combo menu. My Dad actually had the nerve to complain to us that beans were too hot!!..Based on other reviewers went to main street location and was not disappointed. read more

It was snowing. We checked into the cheap motel in Harrisonburg, and asked where to eat. They pointed next door to El Charro. The service was excellent, the food was great! We had the simple meal for two: chicken burrito, two beef tacos, a bean enchilada, a tamale, beans and rice for $14.95! Great food, great price. We'll be back! read more

I love mexican food but this place is right next to TacoBell and I wish I went there instead.

The waitress gave my friend who has dietary restrictions a hard time while she was ordering. And then her order had cheese in it so she got sick. My order was wrong and then I was given attitude when I said that's not what I ordered. Then when it came (fajita with jalapeños), they didn't event dice the jalapeños... the chicken was dry and there weren't any bell peppers, just a few onions and tomatoes. Not impressed. :/ waitress at least filled our waters and chips frequently. Wouldn't eat here again. read more

Not bad Mexican restaurant. I would say this place, Dona Rosa, and Jalisco's are all the same. Free chips, fishbowl margaritas, etc. They sort of have the same menu, but have some others as well. read more

Disgusting. First, they charge you if you get an extra chips and salsa. The salsa taste like tomato paste and the chips seem stale. The food is so greasy. Chorizo tacos taste like crap. No care in the food and the servers are slow. Worst Mexican restaurant ever. read more

So good I didn't wanna leave. Big ass margaritas, funny staff, great food. What more could you ask for in a dining experience?

I don't understand all the 5 stars. This place is mediocre at best. Quesadillas don't come with beans and rice, a basic to help fill in for the small size. Salsa is watery and flavorless. Sorry guys, but I wasn't impressed. Maybe if I had ordered a beer I would have been feeling more charitable. read more

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The service is good, food is fast and always consistent. Good prices and the chips and salsa are amazing. read more

If you're looking for TERRIBLE service and TERRIBLE management, in addition to sub par food then El Charro is the perfect place for you. They do not do well with larger parties, mess up all your food and drink orders, and then could care less how you feel after the fact. The manager actually said "I don't have time to talk to you". I will NEVER return to El Charro. Jaliscos is a much much better place if you're in Harrisonburg and want some awesome mexican food! Go there!!!! :) read more

Awesome Mexican restaurant ! We had the shrimp tacos. They were served warm and delicious. The tacos had a salsa on the side that we thought was a bit on the bland side. We had a side of chile rellanos very tasty smoky chipolte taste. Prices are reasonable. Service is good. Highly recommend this place. read more

I've never left a yelp review but my experience here tonight was absolutely ridiculous. To start, we waited 20 minutes for a server to come. He greets us with an extremely inappropriate and racist comment about the other table he is serving. It was actually quite offensive and stereotypical toward another race. Then a requested frozen marg came out on the rocks. Ok that's excusable.......... now the food comes out & is missing sour cream. Try to request it as he is putting the food down. He puts his hand up and walks away. Comes back 20 mins later to ask what she needed. I ask to order another enchilada. He says, "seriously are you trying to make things difficult?" I lost it...... What type of customer service is that? I was trying to give the business more money and him a bigger tip. Friends ask to order more margs. He says ugh, yeah. You're getting it with salt though not sugar. WTF?! Ok..... still being nice. Someones tries to ask for something and he says "not right now" and walks away. A few minutes later we try to order dessert. He says no, he is not making it tonight because he's busy. OK. Worst customer service I've ever had and I am usually understanding toward waiters. Weird. read more

This is always my go to Mexican restaurant! The food has never disappointed! But recently the service has gotten worse. On more than one occasion the server gets our drinks, takes our order, and then we never see them again! someone else brings out our food and someone else has to refill our drinks and someone else brings the bill. On our last visit I saw our original server walking out the door and got in her car and left! I continue to go back because I LOVE the food, but the service needs to improve before I find a better Mexican restaurant! read more

We had a party of 7. One of our guests got his food 15 minutes after everyone in the party finished. The waitress forgot to put in his order. I had to keep asking when is food would be ready. Kept asking the busboy to refill our chips. Food was very salty. Food OK. Too understaffed Poor Service. read more

My vegetarian quesadilla was great! I have always had a hit or miss experience with vegetarian dishes at Mexican restaurants so I was so happy that my order was wonderful! Their salsa is awful though. Seriously, it shouldn't even be called salsa. There was nothing fresh about it. Skip the salsa. Stay for the quesadilla! read more

Generally the service here is good, if not decent. They keep water glasses full and chips/salsa coming. Even when this place is packed (generally every Thurs-Sat night) food comes out quickly. If only the food were actually good. Nothing tastes especially fresh made or using any quality ingredients. It is fairly inexpensive. I've been here three times with friends in the past few months and don't plan on going back any time soon -- it's just not good enough. Solid vegetarian options, just nothing tastes great. Maybe I'm spoiled with fresher, more authentic Mexican food, but I don't think El Charro's is anything to revisit. read more

I'm not really a fan of this place even though it isn't the worst Mexican Food I've ever eaten. I think most of their stuff is bland but I've been here a few times because my friend is a fan. Their food is reasonably priced and the restaurant is always clean...but I would much rather eat at Taco Bell. read more

Yum! Staff is friendly and food is so good! The decor is a little tacky. Food is just so good and a great bang for your buck!

I'm not sure of the other reviews here but we ate here during JMU orientation based on the decent ranking by yelpers. Needless to say I was very disappointed. The salsa was not good at all and it did not taste fresh. When I got my meal that included a chile relleno, the chile was very rubbery and the cheese was on top of the chile versus inside. There was really no preparation of the chile at all. Sorry El Charro, methinks not! read more

Grew up going to this place regularly- absolutely love it!! Soo good! Always make it a point to eat here whenever I'm in the area visiting! Best Mexican food in the Harrisonburg area! read more

I've eaten here many times, but just had the huevos rancheros, and they were phenomenal. Fresh, spicy, perfect.

Food decent? Sure. But that is about where the positive review of this place begins and ends. Made a reservation roughly a week in advance, and the entire party arrived 10 minutes ahead of time. They told us they could only seat a certain number of our party - leaving SIX PEOPLE out. Why? Because they said they sat another big group at our table just before we arrived. I'm sorry, but we had a reservation. They won't be getting our business ever again. On top of the ridiculous issue with the reservation, the service was slow, queso was brought to the table was ice cold and beers and drinks were incredibly slow to be refilled. NEVER AGAIN. read more

This is my favorite JMU hang out! From cheap, amazingly strong margaritas, to fabulous white cheese dip, all the food here is great and you'll get out here with plenty of money in your wallet. Can't go wrong! And the staff is super nice and helpful. read more

Second trip in 6 months (VA is a little far from FL for a weekend trip) and enjoyed it just as much as the first time.

Just a great little Mexican restaurant. Some might say its not "authentic" for one reason or another, but if you want a lot of food, chips, good drink prices, and friendly service then this is a no brainer. read more

My wife and I were passing through the area on our way to Boston; and as we often do, we looked for a Mexican restaurant. This place did not disappoint! The queso was great, and the drinks were pretty cheap. We were both very pleased with the food, an the service was equally as good. I would definitely recommend this place. read more

friendly place for the whole family. The cheese dip is delicious. Service is also very top notch. Everyone is friendly and if you go there often they started to remember your drinks and what you like. read more

This is the only Mexican restaurant I eat in Harrisonburg, the food is consistent each time time you go, they have some of the best refried beans I have eaten. the lunch specials are good along what else is on the menu, having tried most of their menu items, I have my favorites. read more

I enjoyed their service and the food was okay. I ordered a chimichanga and it wasn't bad but, it wasn't my favorite. I truly enjoyed the choriqueso! read more

I used to love going to this restaurant, until I was treated extremely poorly. I purchased a to go order and when I got home, my order was wrong. I called to get it fixed and they told me I would have a replacement for free. They did NOT tell me that I needed to bring my old order with me. Which would violate health codes to bring back an order that I took home for them to possibly reserve it to someone else. When I got there to pick up my corrected meal, they told me that I needed my previous meal to make an exchange. Meals are not like retail. I should not have to, "exchange," anything. They messed up my order, so I should be able to have my next order for free without any questions. They were rude and argumentative. Never going back. read more

Granted this is not the best Mexican Restaurant in the world. It has cheap, affordable food that hits the spot every time. It is your basic Mexican chain restaurant with almost the exact menu as other's I've been to. The thing that makes El Charros stand out is its excellent service. We frequently pop back and forth between their main restaurant and the one off Port Republic road. Food is always fast, drinks are always good, and I have never had any trouble with their staff. It is the perfect place for a Thursday night, and you won't find a better Mexican restaurant in Harrisonburg. I love my Mexican food, thanks for doing it right. read more