This was our first visit to a new restaurant in Lafayette. The redesign of the interior was very nice. Bright, open, clean, engaging. Our waiter (Lupe) was present when needed and not present otherwise. He was very observant. The menu is very large, very complete and the food was nicely presented and flavorful. We will return. read more

Amazing atmosphere, incredible jungly fantasy land, Disney World on a budget, we loved the wild eye candy yet that perhaps made the below average and unedible food all the worse. Rice and beans on both fajitas had icky strong stove oil fumes and weird aroma, no flavors at all; cactus mushy weird without flavor, more seaweed than tequila plant, and even my tacos were tough and offered no balance of savory, ripe onion, or much anything! Perhaps we timed it poorly, however compared to Nom Noms this place is far behind. read more

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I thought my food was very good. But I wish it was hotter. Server was quite attentive and personable. Decor festive!

First off, beautiful decor. I love how over the top it is! Hostess, she was there physically but didn't pay attention to anyone coming in. I was able to find my people eventually. Our server was great. She was nice, funny and accepted out lame jokes. You can share pretty much any plate between two people. The quesabirria was sweet. I was not a fan of the flavor. The burrito was massive and it was salty. It was full. I am not mad about how much was inside. It was loaded and worth the price. Adding salsa to it helped take off some of the salty taste. The menu is huge and there are so many options to chose from. I'd definitely be back to try something else. The cocktails were not my favorite and they were overpriced for what they were. Also they do celebrate bdays. My sister got a sombrero to wear while they sang and brought some fried ice cream. Always a nice treat! read more

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Another great experience at El Charro. We tried a couple burritos this time and both of us had those delicious and gorgeous mango margaritas! Eder was our waiter again and he was very friendly. We went midday during the week and were the only ones in there. Happy Hour had not started yet but they said it gets pretty busy later in the day. This is a fun place with great atmosphere. read more

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We ordered the choriqueso as an appetizer. It was good but the temperature was luke warm. I would have liked it hotter. The salsa was good, not too spicy. We ordered a combo of 2 ground beef tacos and ground beef mini burrito. We also ordered the ground beef chimichanga. Both meals were very good. The server, Alex, was excellent. He was very attentive and ensured everything went well at our table. The restaurant is lovely. The seating is comfortable. It's a little loud and difficult to have a conversation at the table. Also if someone is having a birthday, be ready for a loud procession to their table. It's very loud. We were here at 730pm on a Saturday night. It was fairly busy but no wait for a table. We will definitely be back. read more

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Food is fantastic. They actually have a chef/cooks who know how to use seasoning. Prices are high. You can get a better deal at hole in the wall taco places and even the existing family Mexican restaurants around town. But their expertise in Mexican seafood dishes is second-to-none. I generally do not order shellfish at Mexican places because it always sucks. Not here. Delicious shrimp taco platter with a house sauce that's just perfect. And the tripa taco was the crispiest in town. I will be back with the whole crew soon. read more

The ambiance was awesome, the decor was beautiful, the service was awesome, We finally found a place, we order several things and they all had that fire, real salsas that are good in Lafayette.. Coming back absolutely for sure!. read more

El Charro is a great addition to the Mexican restaurant scene. The decor is a bit over the top but the food is delicious. We were seated quickly and our server was excellent. I had the chimichanga that is a Friday night special. It was stuffed with beef, beans and rice and covered with a creamy queso sauce, topped with lettuce and red onions. I couldn't eat it all! My companion had her favorite meal, arroz con pollo. The chicken was tender with a nice taste to the rice. Definitely will consider returning in the future. read more

Servers were very nice and the food was amazing. The decor is beautiful and there's a great ambiance. Very photogenic!

My wife and I ate here for our date night and our waitress gave us some great recommendations before ordering. The Al pastor tacos and fajitas texana were very good. The music and vibes were spot on. read more

Use to have great bartenders Victor, and staff, Daniela that made you feel welcome. Usually there once a week. Had not been in three weeks and has changed. No interaction, did not feel welcome. read more

I'm unsure how I feel about this place. First thing is we see an extra 3% charge if you pay with card... I get it, but at the same time I don't because I've NEVER been to a restaurant that does that. The decor was nice, but very intense. I felt like it was rainforest themed. Our server was nice, but, man, was he in a hurry. I literally saw him running through part of the restaurant at one point. He forgot to bring us spicy salsa when we asked, and he forgot my side of beans. Not a huge issue, but mildly annoying. I felt like I was being rushed while ordering. There was another guy that checked on us a couple times. He was nice and helpful while working at a much slower pace than our server. An adequate speed I'd say haha! He must've been a manager or a lead server. Some of the food seemed reasonably priced, but some seemed expensive. The salsa was very tomato tasting like it wasn't seasoned at all. Tasted like they just threw tomatoes only in the blender. I ordered the chimichanga lunch. The description says "mini chimichangas" so I was expecting 2-3 small ones. I only received 1 small one. That threw me off. The ground beef was good, the chimichanga as a whole wasn't bad, but not the best. The rice is AMAZING. Flavored and cooked well. The beans taste like beans. Nothing special there. My husband got cheese enchiladas with asada. He said the meat was tender and very good. My husband and I enjoyed the spicy salsa rojo and verde. We'll probably try it again sometime. read more

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I really like the way the restaurant is decorated. The staff were very friendly and food was very good. The guacamole on the El Charro Trio was a bit bland to me but mixed with the pico was excellent. I did not care for the salsa, it was almost like tomato soup but that would not stop me from returning! read more

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El Charro has a really nice atmosphere and the décor definitely stands out -- it feels more upscale than most Mexican restaurants in Lafayette. Unfortunately, the food didn't match the setting. The dishes I tried were just okay -- nothing terrible, but nothing that really justified the higher prices. For the amount charged, I expected better flavor and quality. It felt more like "average" food served in a nice space. Service was fine, and the restaurant itself is very clean and inviting. But overall, the food didn't live up to the hype or the price point. Doubtful we will be returning. read more

The place was packed but we didn't have to wait long on the food. Our server was nice and attentive. Food was great! I highly recommend their Birria! Can't wait to go back. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant & Bar - Seafood Near Me - Lafayette, Indiana

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The decor is absolutely beautiful, something about the overgrowth, lights, even down to the napkin holders is just beautiful. Unfortunately, that is the best thing about El Charro. Service is slow, hostess didn't say hello nor ask us how many, just assumed the two in front of her were it, grabbed menus, and started walking. Server stopped by a couple times, didn't refill chips nor drinks, and we waited 20 minutes to get the check or any boxes. Lastly, the food. Everything tasted like it was purchased at the Payless down the street. Quesadilla was just shredded cheese, salsa tasted like tomato soup and onions, and the 'salad' was some lettuce, a couple onions, and a slice of tomato. Even my boyfriend said his twin burritos tasted like we could make it better at home. Not to mention, the prices. $9 for queso? Come on. Would not recommend, and will not be coming back. read more

Food is always fresh. Service, friendly and helpful. Ambiance in both locations is open, well lit and colorful. But each location is distinct and reflects cultural decor. read more

I ordered a kids cheese quesadilla & a kids chicken quesadilla. They brought me a kids chicken quesadilla and a full serving cheese quesadilla. The chicken quesadilla was warm at best and the cheese in the cheese quesadilla was still cold. Disgusting. The salsa was also gross. read more

Food, service and atmosphere were fine. But the check was disappointing, for a group of 5 and automatic tip of 22% was added, then a $5.00 charge for using a debit card. read more

Service was great! Happy Hour was awesome. Food choices during Happy hour are filling. Amazing beautiful decor inside. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant & Bar - Happy Hour Monday- Friday 4pm-6 pm Taco dip. Taco dip on a bed of guacamole. We enjoyed this. - Seafood Near Me - Lafayette, Indiana

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I love the jamaica water! I drink it almost every day. It's very refreshing and tasteful. The employees are always so nice to me too!! The inside of the restaurant is very pretty as well. read more

Salsa was different but good. Ambiance is hip and very busy. Food: ordered burritos came out Luke warm with very little meat -overpriced drinks! A dom. beer was $5.99 small bowl of queso was 8.99 don't think we'll be back too expensive for what you get. read more

It was pretty good but they messed up a couple orders from my group. The service was acceptable but was not real eager to help. The ambiance was pretty nice. It used to be Ocharleys and thats what i will slways remember. It was very authentic atmosphere. read more

Very fun atmosphere. Love the decor and music. Food just meh, salsa questionable, and rice awful. Prob won't be back.

Was in there yesterday, was disappointed. The food was okay, but not for what I was charged for 4 people. My daughter and cousin ordered margaritas and couldn't taste the alcohol. Then when I got the bill, the server was trying to get me to put in on my card a 30% tip. Told him no thank you, I pay cash for tips, this way there's no taxes forced on it. Then I noticed they added a $9.00 charge for using my card. Sorry but I'll be going somewhere else that's more reasonable, good food and no hidden fees. I truly believe you're over rated. read more

The food and drinks were absolutely amazing. Everything was so fresh and steaming hot. You can tell that the salsa is made fresh in the back just by the way it had a tangy taste. The rice has this authentic flavor to it that you can't get at other restaurants. The drinks were beautiful and delicious. The tacos were soft and juicy. Not to mention it was decorated so beautifully. It looked like a garden in there. The staff was attentive and kind, would give this 10/10. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant & Bar - Spanish rice - Seafood Near Me - Lafayette, Indiana

Quesabirria is amazing! The rest of the menu looks delicious but I haven't tired it cause the Quesabirria is so good. Portions are big. The only thing I would knock is the service on drinks. I don't recall the 4-5 times we've been there the waiter/waitress really paying attention to drinks. read more

I've been here a few times. Service, food, and ambiance has yet to disappoint. Very nice!

The food was over priced. The flavors were very confused and the food was barely warm when it was brought to the table. From the time the first plate came out to when the last plate came out, it took 24 minutes. This was for a party of 7. The server was rude and impatient with everyone at the table. She also brought food to other, larger groups of people quicker. These people came in after us. There are other Mexican restaurants in Lafayette that are much better than this one. read more

They obviously spent too much money on decor and renovations, quality of food is not great at all

AMAZING Mexican food that has awesome flavor! Service was fantastic, never had to ask for a thing. The restaurant was so clean and organized and made you think you were in a different country. 5 Stars all the way!!! read more

Ate here for first time and it's our new favorite!!!! The food was out of this world amazing. The salsa is unlike anything we've ever had. 10/10. The owner is so nice! Cannot say enough good things about El Charro!!! read more

My husband and I ate at El Charros for the first time tonight 11/22/2025. This is the one in front of Tippecanoe Mall in Lafayette. I ordered Enchiladas. My food was cold, including the beans and rice. I ate only a couple bites and asked the waitress if I could get a new plate of hot food. I don't think I have ever sent a plate of food back in my entire life. The waitress took my dish to the kitchen. A few moments later the waitress and another waitress approached our table and told us the manager stated he would not give me a new plate of hot food unless I paid for a second order of food. She said they would warm up my food if I wanted. I have never had such bad food and poor customer service in my life!!!! All I wanted was a hot plate of food! I will never visit this establishment again. read more

Was not impressed. Service was good but I did not care for the food. There are several Mexican restaurants in Lafayette that are much better. read more

Service was good but food was meh and kind of pricey. Small margarita was $14. Two adults, one drink each, two entrees and appetizer was over $100. It was ok but not that good. read more

Our waitress was kind and the bartender made decent drinks -- but that's where anything good about this place ends. The kitchen was ridiculously slow, despite there being only three other tables in the entire restaurant. We were told we'd wait 15 minutes, but it took nearly an hour just to get seated. Then we waited another hour and a half for food that showed up cold, bland, and downright disgusting. The rice and beans were inedible, and the food made me sick. When we brought this to the owner's attention, he couldn't have cared less. His response was 'oh, okay,' before walking off without a single apology or attempt to make things right. It's clear this business doesn't value its customers at all. We're the ones keeping the doors open, and the least they could do is own up to their failures. I wasn't asking for anything free -- just basic accountability and decency, which was apparently too much for them. Save your money and go somewhere that actually deserves it. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant & Bar - Spicy jalapeño margarita and piña colada - Seafood Near Me - Lafayette, Indiana

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Went on a Sunday for lunch. The food was very disappointing. Ordered a shrimp burrito. menu showed a burrito with rice and beans on the side of the burrito. What was received was just a burrito with the rice and pico inside the burrito, no beans. The shrimp was low quality as it was tough and tasted fishy. The iced tea was very watered down, might as well have just served water. My wife ordered the rice with chicken. The beans were liquidy and pasty, looked and tasted like infant food as far as texture. Everything about the meal felt like they were cutting many corners to "save money". The prices were way too high for the poor quality of food. There are so many other better mexican restaurants for food quality for the price....won't be back. read more

raphael was a amazing server he was fast and very friendly will always ask for him. and the food was also super good props to the cooks I will be coming back for sure read more