A very solid four stars for this quaint family restaurant tucked away in the shopping center on Farmers and Neotomas! This is our go-to Mexican spot for a great happy hour. We usually share an order of taquitos and then pick an entree to share. Everything is always prepared fresh and with generous portions. They have a habanero salsa that will knock your socks off--not for the faint of heart! I also LOVE that they have a full bar! Something you don't see too often at the little "mom and pop" restaurants. They also offer breakfast, something we're planning to try in the near future to mix it up from our usual morning spots while keeping the focus on supporting local. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Happy Hour M-F 12.12.25 - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

See all

Nice place tucked into the corner of a strip mall. Quiet and not very busy on a Saturday mid afternoon. I had excellent shrimp tacos. The waitress was friendly and willing to make the tacos à la carte for me. The chips were good (and free), but their salsa, while homemade, was a little watery and too sweet. I will definitely give it another try if/when I'm back in the area. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Shrimp tacos - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

TLDR: The owner is a rude arrogant jerk! My mom and I used to frequently order take out from here but after tonight, never again! We looked at their menu on Doordash because we couldn't find one online and ordered a fish taco combo and a taco salad. When we got home they have given us shrimp tacos and had neither the sour cream or guac listed but instead a spicy aioli. We called to see if we could come back for the correct order but after explaining our issue to their servicer we were put on hold to talk to the owner. He picked up and only said "yes?" After explaining the problem again, he argued by saying they only make what's on the ticket. Once he looked at our receipt and realized it was wrong, he offered to remake it exactly how we wanted. We asked for crispy tacos with fish, lettuce, guac, and sour cream, like it says on their DoorDash menu. When we returned for the new order, it was still wrong. It had fish but still no sour cream or quac and was covered in the spicy aioli. Since our order was now wrong twice, we just asked for a refund for the entree. When he argued with us that is wasn't wrong because that's how it comes on the menu, we reminded him that he asked us on the phone exactly how we wanted it. His response was something along the lines of, "Those things cost extra!" Okay? So? We would have happily paid for it if he explained that on the phone. Instead, he ignored our request and had it made how he thought it should be made. We all then argued back and forth starting with the owner telling us to never come back (like we ever would), accusing us of only wanting free food, and being wholly incapable of admitting fault that it was made incorrectly in the first place even according to their own menu! All this to say, the owner was completely rude, unapologetic, arrogant, augmentative, and just an over all terrible service provider. All he needed to do when we called was apologize for the wrong order, inform us that our request would cost extra, and thank us for letting them remake it to our expectation. Instead we found ourselves arguing in the middle of a restaurant instead of eating our dinner. If you can't handle messing up, don't work in the service industry! Photo included of their DoorDash menu that they are solely responsible for updating if there is a menu change! Edit: I finally got my appetite back after this horrible experience only to find that my taco salad was incorrectly made as a burrito bowl. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - How tacos are listed on DoorDash - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

We paid a visit for lunch after ordering delivery for a few years. We were pleased with the changes to seating since we were last in Pre-Covid, which made it easier to walk around other tables. They still have a bar, with seats to sit at if you choose. Our lunch order of a super burrito and two taco plate arrived quickly after we ordered and tasted really good and fresh. Our server was friendly and efficient. read more

Very welcoming staff for a to-go order. Really good Taco salad, will definitely order again. Nice location near the interchange and a cozy seating area with bar. read more

Absolutely the best Mexican food I've ever had--seriously next-level and almost addictive. I ordered the quesabirria and was blown away. The flavor, the richness, and the perfectly cooked meat were incredible. If you love amazing Mexican food, this place is a must. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

My favorite thing on the menu is the vegetarian burritos and vegetarian bowls because it has zucchini and carrots which is great they provide actual vegetables. Friendly service that has worked there for years. read more

See all

Taco Tuesday here is a frequent stop for my wife and I. Their carnitas tacos are excellent with lean carnitas and all of the traditional toppings for tacos. I highly recommend El Charro. read more

I ordered the Baja Fish Tacos and they were simply delicious! A lot of flavors in one dish! The server was efficient and friendly too! read more

My first visit was great, the service is excellent. My margarita was amazing. Lunch for two was reasonable and served in a timely manner, so that's great for a quick sit down lunch. Traditional Mexican fare, I had the carnitas crunchy tacos. Pleasantly not salty like carnitas can be, I might choose soft next time as the crunchy were a tad hard. I enjoyed the mild salsa that came with my dish. Simple, affordable, affable and prompt in a comfortable casual dining area. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Hibiscus Margarita is BOMB!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

See all

I'm originally from San Diego, which makes me particular about Mexican food. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area, hands-down. I've eaten there dozens of times and I've never been let down. read more

This restaurant used to be so good. Now, the burritos are made of heavy rice and beans, some guac, and just about no meat. It's a globby mess. I specifically ordered it light on the rice and beans, and had asked for the burrito be browned on the outside. Nope, not one thing was right. And this has been the case since about last summer/ fall. Quality has gone down unfortunately. Time to look for a different Mexican restaurant. read more

I met a friend at El Charro for brunch. He had a breakfast burrito with chorizo, and I had grilled chicken tacos. Delicious! The service was great, food was great, and it was a great time! The waitress said come back on Tuesdays, they have $2.50 tacos all day! read more

See all

I can here to kill some time and got a basic bean and cheese burrito. The beans were delicious but the cheese was not melted, which is an easy and will ask they heat it on the grill next time. The chips were good the salsa was terrible. It tasted like defrosted tomatoes. But I will be back because 1) the burrito was really good. 2) the two types of homemade hot sauce made up for the salsa 3) service was awesome and 4th) the price was unbeatable. read more

This is my 4th time ordering from El Charro. My first time was in person and I was impressed with the freshness of the ingredients of my burrito bowl. The ambiance is your typical "hole in the wall" Mexican place, but cleaner than the vast majority of the places in Santa Rosa. My wife and I now often order burritos to go. They have a GREAT online ordering system and we've never had a problem with our online orders. Portions are pretty generous and the ingredients taste fresher than anything I've had on the east side of 101! I think my true review is a 4.5. It's a solid place - give it a try! read more

Love this place. Family owned, good food and great margaritas. Pretty much everything is delicious

What's not to like? Everything is delicious and the service is great, although we often do take out. We especially like their burritos, fish tacos, and chili rellenos! Great margaritas too. read more

Favorite Mexican restaurant in town- the food is always delicious and fresh, the meat cooked just right, and service is excellent. Servers are always the sweetest and recommend the best dishes; definitely worth visiting !! read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Heads up to anyone eating here gratuity is now automatic even for small tables like a 2 person party. Asked the server-she had zero idea apparently. Felt awful for her watching her run around the restaurant doing everything-hosting, bussing, serving, etc. Don't get me wrong service was ok. She was so busy so she never came back to get drink refills for us or even checking on us in general. The owner sat on his phone making drinks when needed-never saw him bussing tables, running food, being hands on like coming around to help her as people sat waiting for checks, food, water. LOVED this place for years and the food has always been on point. Really sad to see them having to add gratuity to checks in order for servers to make money to make up for the lack of service and help given let alone it leaves room for subpar service now that they have a cushion to give awful service like today. Shame on the owner for sitting back and not helping run his restaurant. Like why are you even there then if your phone is so important to scroll????? read more

Great food does not outweigh a need breathable air! Went there for a Father's Day dinner, the same day the fires were burning and the air was over 200, and they would not close their door! Yep, you're supposed to wear a mask if you're outdoors, I have breathing issues, in my dream of a wonderful Mexican feast for Father's Day was failed. We went to super Burger instead where the doors were closed and the air conditioning and the air filters were running. Seriously people, we're in a fire area, The air is bad and not recommended for you to be outside, and you insist on leaving the door open because you're too cheap to cool it with air conditioning? This is pathetic. Any good thoughts I had about this place for the food was countered by their idiocy from keeping the door open when the fire is dropping Ash on cars. read more

I'm new to Santa Rosa and to El Charro; based on less positive reviews perhaps I don't know better but my family and I have eaten take out here a few times now and have always been pretty happy with our meals, although we've had better at other taquerias. I usually fall back on the super burrito with grilled chicken - always a good portion of meat, not too much rice (a pet peeve of mine) and fresh tasting ingredients. My only criticism is that the sauces and salsas are way too bland - I can't taste hardly any chiles at all. I think they have a good baseline and could really improve the food by just tweaking the recipes a bit. read more

The best!!! Usually go to the Rohnert Park location. But looks like it's closed now. My son and I love El Charro. Santa Rosa location has always been a hit as well. Fast service and awesome food!! read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

See all

Before I continue, the ONLY reason that I didn't give it a five-star rating is because I've only tried two things there, so far, BUT what I did try I loved. Their shredded beef chimichanga is remarkably good. One of THE best that I've had in ages. I also loved their shredded beef enchiladas but I loved the chimichanga more simply because I'm MUCH more a burrito and chimichanga guy. I only ordered the enchiladas because I wanted something a bit less heavy because they fed us at work a few hours earlier. My wife gets their chicken fajitas and says that they are some of THE best that she's ever had. And then there's the service. I challenge anyone to find a more friendly and engaging staff than they have at EL CHARRO. Very warm and nice people and that, alone, made us want to return there. But when you couple that with excellent food? That's a combination that just can't be beat. We'll be going back again (possibly later on today or next weekend) and I cannot wait. This is NOT meant as a knock on the former owners because I hadn't eaten there in YEARS but the folks who now own it have only owned it for a couple of years or so if I heard them, right, when we asked about who the owners are. So IF you didn't like EL CHARRO several years ago, you may like it now. Again, that is NOT meant as a knock on the former owners. I simply didn't eat there but once and that was years ago. Maybe it was good when the old owners had it, too. I just know that the current folks who run the place are friendly folks who make it a joy to eat there and they serve up some tasty food! I wish that YELP allowed four and a half star ratings because that is what I'd already give EL CHARRO if they did and they still might get me to give them a five star rating in the near future. We love their place! read more

Came here with family and none of us had ever been here before. Got a table by the window and reviewed the menu. Our server was prompt and polite, and our orders came out correctly. Everyone at the table enjoyed their food and the atmosphere was casual and fun. We chatted and enjoyed ourselves. Clean restaurant, well lit, and easy parking. Sometimes we saw flames dance up in the kitchen and that was fun as well! Food was fresh and tasty. I'd definitely like to come back here. I didn't have room for dessert, and told our server "next time," to which she said she'd hold me to it. Since I may not be back here for a year or more I wonder if she'll actually remember! I doubt it but we'll see! :D read more

I work nearby and wanted to try again bc the previous owners were not so nice! but the food was okay, a little overpriced & my only issue was me asking for sour cream and being charged $2 for a little tiny bit of sour cream!!!! Literally not even a full serving of the tiniest amount of sour cream! Also woulda been nice if they mentioned they woulda charged me that much for 2 sodas and Sour cream and only received cents back from a $10 bill was a bit excessive! Will NOT be returning for that, esp bc I come here often and the whole work place places orders from here! Not anymore, thank you, that ambiance changed when the lady added "everything is extra these days, have you been here before?" oh that was the last time I go here. read more

Best nacho supreme and burrito you will ever have trust. The flavor is immaculate and the nachos had so much bust for your bargain

Another of my go to Mexican restaurants , el charros has the Tuesday taco deal...10 tacos for $25.00 a great deal we had carnitas which was really tasty and flavorful.they now make pizole as well which was really really good, I reccomend both of these for future meals!!!!!! Service was excellent as well read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Pizole - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

See all

Came here for the first time and had One of the best burritos ever! Prices were reasonable. Supreme burrito was a good size and came out to about $16. Amazing salsas ,as well as the fact that every ingredient was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Great customer service. Definitely will come back when I'm in the area! read more

The food is sooo delicious but that one item that seems to outweigh the rest is the torta. The bread and all the toppings are absolutely delicious. It is something I crave now and they are the only place that prepares them so well. You must taste the torta. It's sooo delicious. read more

I'm very disappointed in that I ordered from your website to pick up on December 24th at 5:45pm. Order was placed and accepted....when I arrived at the restaurant it was closed at 3pm. I received a message that my order was confirmed order # 000808 . I did not get my dinner on my way to work and my credit care was charged for 59.77 dollars. Credit card has already been charged. I simply don't understand how this could have happened. read more

Antonio (the owners) daughter is extremely rude. I've been coming to this restaurant for years once a week. This is the smallest burrito I've ever gotten and I nicely took the burritos back asking for a refund or exchange for a normal size burrito and she said no. The daughter insisted the burritos are always the same size but in reality there is no consistency! Save yourselves from these cheap asses that don't appreciate the support they received during these times. Avoid at all cost! It's a rip off. Taking advantage of people ! I've given them too many chances already and not gonna get taken advantage anymore. 10$ for this little burrito. I should have gone to Taco Bell for the same size and less money! I don't mind paying for anything especially when it comes to food! But if I'm paying for something I don't want to be ripped off. I want my order to be complete and not missing ingredients. I'm over here supporting small businesses and no appreciation whatsoever! read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

Appears new owners, new menu. Staff great, food ... lacking. Ordered cheese enchilada/chicken taco combo over $20. Taco chopped raw onions/cilantro and bits of chicken. Sad. Enchilada cheese not melted. Partner had 2 cheese enchiladas same result. Loved this place before and went weekly, not anymore. Cleaned up the place. read more

Food was served in a timely manner. Friendly service. And they had the football game on the tv read more

See all

Love this restaurant! Good food, good service! Always get seated right away. Even have done a take out order and everything was ready and packaged nicely when we got there. read more

We used to go to El Charro very often before the pandemic, we went back this afternoon after a very long time . The place had a more upscale look and the menu had changed . We ordered taco platter, how can you go wrong ? Basic grilled chicken for me and beef for my husband . The server was a very pleasant young person . We got or food in pretty square platters , more upscale than the old El Charro . Ted flags were already up because we were asked whether we wanted 'crispy ' or 'soft' tacos . What we got was 2 tacos each , flour tortillas, with a good helping of dry tasteless meat , no frills ( cilantro, onion , salsa ) a small helping of beans , one scoop of rice , 2 strands of pickled onions and 3 pieces of radish . All for 15$ The menu is a pretty standard taqueria menu but the prices are not . Tasteless food served with an attempt at upscale presentation. I guess I will have to go somewhere else for my taco fix . Too bad . read more

Great service , clean dinning area, and salsa-chips are on the house always, So every time you come here, your waiter will put salsa and chips on your table. I always come Saturdays due to my job schedule. Great menus for lunch time ( less than 10$). I had soft tacos, Tortas, and burritos until this day. Great restaurant at the Farmers Lane. Hope you all enjoy meals here. Recommended for Santa Rosa neighborhood read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

See all

Great food great service. Seated our group of 7 quickly and brought the food out fast. Chips could be tastier and guacamole could have more fresh avocados but otherwise good Mexican food. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Fiesta Taco salad with grilled chicken - Mexican Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

I've had better Mexican food at Denny's. The quesadilla had very little cheese and was filled with tasteless sautéed zucchini and carrots served with watery sour cream, tasteless pico, and okay guacamole. Rice and beans D- My companions gave their veggie burrito and Chile rellenos a B. My margarita was actually good but the blood orange garnish was so dried out I'm surprised it didn't crumble into dust. Do better or get out of the business. read more

Well after a Full day of working I drove by this restaurant & it had outdoor tables to bring our dog. The waiter was awesome, the Margaritas were strong & tasty, & the Food was good! What more would you want?! read more

The service is really friendly here and we really appreciate it. Tonight we had enchiladas and flautas. Both were very good and the food was the right amount for us as we don't eat a whole lot. My enchiladas were Carnitas with green and red sauce one on each. read more