The tacos were good. the tamales were good. Everything about this place it great! delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious delicious read more

Searched Yelp and found this place based on the ratings. We came in as a family of 6 and ate for $90. The food was excellent all the way around. I had the tamale dinner w an extra beef tongue taco and it was so good. The beef stew was tasty. The rice and beans on point. Everyone loved the tacos they got. This place sits in a run down strip mall, but don't let the looks outside fool you. Stop and eat here. The staff is friendly and food came out quick. read more

best tacos in flint!...they fry your shells medium hard!!! IO love it! even though is small the atmosphere is warm and friendly .

I should have made this update earlier. 3-4 months back the fam was itching for Mexican and we agreed to come back here. I got the pozole again and...... it was sublime. I'd match this against almost any meal I've had in Mexicantown in Detroit. There was true depth to the broth, so much so I was actually disappointed there was so much pork in the bowl. I would have traded some pork for a couple more heaping spoonfuls of the broth. Which is not to say the pork wasn't great. The first time I tried the pozole the pork was just fine. This time it was awesome. Silky smooth, not dry at all. And the way it had been prepped there was still some fat on it - not much - and that made it even better. The radish this time wasn't preformed blocks but the real thing; fresh, crunchy & peppery. A fine counterpoint. My son got the mole. The chicken cooked in it was fall off the bone good. He liked the mole too. He let me have a bit and...... I've had mole from a well known Mexicantown place that packs in the diners. Only available on weekends and you understand why when you taste it. You can tell it took time to make. You can tell the ingredient list is long. Thing is I didn't really like it. I don't know why; perhaps my palate isn't terribly sophisticated. Here at El Especial? This was not a complicated mole. You got 3 hits: some sweetness, some chocolate and some heat. That's it. And I actually liked this simple recipe much better. Even though I know darn well this didn't require hours and hours of work. I'll say it again. El Especial is what your abuelita cooks. This means things might occasionally be uneven or a bit inconsistent. But its a good notch above your standard Am-Mex for sure. Once again, the refried beans are just better here. I think she uses real lard in them. You might have the best meal here by just picking out an animal protein and pairing it with a double portion of refried beans. Darn it this update makes me want to go back soon. I might just take my son and leave the wife at home. We love this place. read more

This is one of my absolute favorites! The food is ALWAYS delicious! It's cute inside, of course and the service is why I really keep coming back! The people or family that work here are kind, hardworking and always a pleasure to talk to!!! The only thing I dislike is that they aren't open on Mondays LOL read more

Friendly atmosphere and amazing food! Martha has the BEST tamales and gravy that I have ever had! They also have delicious sodas and cookies. read more

I've been here last before Covid, I would be here more often but it's a little far from home. I had fond memories of their food and all my hopes came true, they are still open and still amazing!! I got 2 wet tamales and some guacamole for my chips, so so good! I left with a happy tummy leftover guacamole that I of course had to get extra chips lol. When I told hubby where I was having lunch he was sad he couldn't have come so I took home a dozen soft tacos for dinner tonight! read more

El Especial Mexican Restaurant - Two wet tamales yummm!! - Mexican Near Me - Flint, Michigan

Always good food and great service everytime I ate there. Love the Lunch Chimichanga.

#1in FLINT MI! Hands down. Food, service, location, prices, hours, overall experience - 5 star! No other restaurant compares!

My food was 10/10 . Definitely one of the most reliable taco/mexican restaurants in flint . Definitely better than La azteca

They got my order wrong, denied responsibility and hung up the phone in my face. Two stars because the food was good but it was an incomplete order. read more

So is truly authentic Mexican food and not Americanized, I've never had a bad experience in the five years I've been coming here and staff if always friendly and nice read more

Fast service and friendly staff make this a must visit. The tacos are superb and the place is very clean.

Hands down the best pozole anywhere. Always a generous serving of tender chunks of pork, the broth is beyond flavorful of Mexican chiles and seasonings, and of course the fresh cabbage, radishes, and homemade chips completes the perfect dish. If you only go there for the pozole you will NOT be disappointed. (The taquerias in Pontiac have nothing on it). My family loves their menudo, enchiladas, flautas, chimichangas, and tamales. I always look forward to their seasonal menu item "turkey tamales" -- this is a must have! Waitstaff is friendly, fast, and very efficient...even when they're trying to manage take-out orders, bus tables, and serve the entire dining room single-handedly. read more

El Especial Mexican Restaurant - Try the pozole...muy sabroso! - Mexican Near Me - Flint, Michigan

super authentic favorite mexican restaurant in the area staff is very nice and accommodating !

Wonderful people and food! My second visit after a two year gap. In Flint visiting family and whenever I need a Mexican fix, this is the spot. read more

The debate over the best Mexican spots in Flint is a long, ongoing one. People are loyal to their favorites! I think El Especial is a contender. First of all, the price is right. You see, I live on the north side of Chicago. The north. Nothing is reasonably priced on the north side. The price of my nachos and Mexican coke was about as much as I'd pay for two tacos at some of the trendier spots in the city. But about those nachos though...SO good. And the service was super quick, another thing I am not used to. I don't get to Michigan often but when I'm in the neck of the woods, I will definitely return! read more

Stopped in for a torta and a horchata. Great service and the torta tasted great as well as the horchata. I will be back to try more food and some of the bakery items they have as well read more

Walked in at 7:21 they close at eight and said they're only taking Karrie out. I will never come back to this restaurant. Poor business

This is the best Mexican food I have had in years. I have tried many places since the closing of El Farolito in Saginaw and La Cosina in Bay City and haven't found anything that can hold a match to El Especial in food quality and fast service. The building is a bit run down and you can't have a cerveza but the food is well worth the trip. read more

This is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Flint. Do yourself a favor and get a breakfast burrito with cheese, potato, egg, and el pastor meat. You won't be disappointed. Every time I'm in town I try to finagle a trip here. Prices are great, good is great. Great great great. read more

See all

Maybe my taster was off but the food wasn't as good when I went a couple nights ago. The previous two times were 5 star.

this is the best place ive been to the food is great aswell as the customer sevice

UNBELIEVABLY AMAZING! i tried this place for the 1st time today in lieu of taco hell and i am sooo glad i did! not only is the food authentic and 100 times better than taco bell, but its also cheaper! 24 tacos with lettuce cheese tomatoes and sour cream was only $25. this is now my go to spot for authentic mexican food! read more

Not a fancy place, but consistently clean. I've ordered the wet tamales, the chicken soup, the eggs and chorizo, and the tacos. The salsa served with the chips is very tasty. All the items have been really good. They have a good lunch business - both eat in and take out. The service is fast and efficient. They are located in a small plaza on the corner of Pasadena Ave. and Linden Rd. You will hear a lot of Spanish spoken here, and I think this is a compliment to the authenticity of the Mexican food. read more

Great authentic Mexican restaurant. The restaurant itself is clean and the staff are always quick and friendly. Best chicken enchiladas around! Usually don't get a chance to eat in, but don't mind the drive from Swartz Creek to pick up a chicken enchilada dinner. read more

Wow, what a great place for authentic Mexican food. They are open for Breakfast also. The menu has a large selection and you have to try the Salsa. The service is friendly and I have never seen a Restaurant kept so clean and the décor is very nice. But the food, it is so good, you just have to go there, you won't be disappointed. Best Mexican Restaurant in Genesee County. read more