For me it's the best Mexican restaurant I have eaten at, and I love Mexican food. We have been going to this Austin, MN location ever since they have opened. The menu is packed full of deliciousness, and hard to decide what to choose. read more

Always try to give this place a chance and always get disappointed. Service is terribly slow, food is usually dry. And it's a bit spendy.

This was a spot found downtown with a good amount of seating and large menu with affordable pricing. There were many options to choose from ranging from burritos to tacos to quesadillas to combination platters. The service was friendly, and the food came out very quickly. They started the meal off with chips and salsa, which were tasty. The chips were crispy and warm, while the salsa was thick with plenty of flavor. I opted for lunch special number 10 ($10.50). It came with one flauta, one chicken quesadilla, and one taco. It was a chicken flauta and beef taco (not sure if this was always the case). It was also served with lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes. All three were very solid and standard. Each of them had plenty of filing and seasoned appropriately. My only complaint was that I should have added salsa to each item! Will I go back? I would. read more

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant - Lunch Special #10 - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Minnesota

We were in town to take a tour of the SPAM museum and decided to stop here for lunch. It was delicious! The staff is very friendly and helpful willing to help you find a dish you'll enjoy. You'll start off with the house salsa and fresh chips while you look at the menu. The meals are large! I orders the enchiladas verdes and we also ordered a burrito and carne asada tacos. All three were delicious. The enchiladas were packed full of chicken and plenty of verdes sauce. The virgin daiquiris were mild for flavor. Not overpowering but not very strong. I'd recommend this place. The prices are average and the food is good. read more

See all

First time here from out of state and it was an awesome experience. Reunited with family and the atmosphere was good. Server was welcoming, and kind and attentive and quickly placed tables together and got all the orders correct. Texas margarita was on point. Rice was exceptional Ordered a lot of different dishes and everyone enjoyed. Totally recommend and hope to come back again. read more

If you have a large party, they do not take reservations. First come first serve. So, we decided to wait at the bar for the 20 minutes for a margarita, but we're told there was no bartender for orders at the bar and they would not serve us. We left? read more

Amazing Mexican food. Great service and atmosphere. If you're looking for great prices Mexican food this is the spot.

Waited 20 minutes after seated. Finally got up to get our own water. just left starving The people who entered with us had beer and cheese sauce. Happy Fathers Day. read more

You're probably wondering why I gave the 4/5. Lemon. If ya remember my lemon ya get a star. Love the staff, love the food, shout out to Brayan. read more

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Minnesota

This was pure trash! I thought we would be in Adiós! The good when our waiter came to the table and spoke Spanish. Im a light skinned Mexican and my friend a dark skinned Brazilian. Nope. Chips and salsa were brought out. The chips were decent and with the right amount of salt. The salsa was pure trash. It's from a jar or can they got from the restaurant supply store. It is not freshly made. It stunk of vinagre. Vinagre does not belong in salsa! I ordered the taco and chili relleno combo with rice and beans. First thing that got my attention was the hard shell taco and then the salad they threw on there. The filling in the taco was ground beef that tasted super salty and the seasoning was from the taco seasoning packets from the grocery store. Absolutely disgusting. I promise you our Mexican ancestors were rolling in their graves! It was inedible to say the least. The chili relleno was just as bad. The chili was so small. It wouldnt fill up a bird and there was little flavor. This is NOT by any stretch of the imagination authentic Mexican food. They dont even serve this crap in the northern states of Mexico! I've been to many parts of Mexico the ladt two years and I am familiar with my peoples food. I promise you if they tried serving this shit in Mexico they wouldnt last two days. I showed a pic of my munch to a friend of mine in Mexico and he was dumbfounded by the slop. Avoid this joint like the plague! The servers are nice and thats what the one star is for. Of youre a white person who doesnt know Mexican food this is right up your alley. It's daré I say one step down from Taco Bell. In closing the staff should be made to turn in their Mexican cards.They're not worthy to call themselves Mexicans. They're a disgrace. ¡Adios! read more

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant - Hard shell taco with ground beef rice beans and chili relleno - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Minnesota

Best fajitas in town! Would highly recommend. Family friendly. Fast service. Reasonable prices.

Really good food. Made me think of home.. Texas. Great service and friendly environment.

I've recently adopted a policy of not leaving a negative review for restaurants due to the fact that the pandemic has hurt their business, largely through no fault of their own. On that note, the chips and salsa are good. That being said, I was outraged when I learned that El Mariachi was voted "best Mexican restaurant in Mower County" for 2021! 1910 Fresh Mexican. Tienda y Taqueria Guerrero. Maya Taqueria. Alicia Bakery. Those are authentic Mexican restaurants in Austin that serve you fresh meals made to order! This place, however, is Tex-Mex made ahead of time and reheated. My wife and I came here on a date night and I ordered the Jalisco Special (chalupa, chile relleno, enchilada, tamale, beef taco, rice, and beans). About three minutes later (not an exaggeration, but quite literally), we received our food on very hot plates (i.e. microwaved). The taco was crispy; everything else was mush, which is what happens when you make food ahead of time and reheat it in a microwave. To reiterate, this place does NOT deserve the title of "best Mexican restaurant in Mower County." To call it that is an insult to the aforementioned restaurants and an insult to good Mexican food! Remember: putting "El" in the name, along with a familiar Spanish word, does not make it real Mexican! Case in point: "El Mariachi." read more

Great Mexican Food In The Small Town Of Austin,MN.I Forgot To Take A Picture Because I Was Too Hungry Lol. The Restaurant Was Not Busy At All.The Prices Were Reasonable And The Staff Was Nice And Patient.I Did Get A Strawberry Margarita Which Was Delicious. read more

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant - My Almost Birthday Drink - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Minnesota

We had a great lunch with little kids, parents and grandparents. Flavors were fresh...everything from the salsa to the ranchero sauce on my enchiladas to the steak to the salad garnish seemed freshly made with good ingredients. I don't mind spicy food, but everything we had was mild and still full of flavor. Portions on the kids menu were generous. The ambiance was also night. Darker lighting and big booths with some privacy. Our server was excellent. Thoughtful and respectful. Even the kids remarked that he was really for at his job. Only questionable item was the flan, which didn't have the light creamy texture we expected. Other desserts were delightful, though. I've never been to Austin before, but I'd definitely come back to El Mariachi. read more

My how things have changed. We have been long time customers who would drive from Rochester just to eat here. Got there about 730pm. The place was about half full. spent 25 minutes to get chips and hot sauce delivered to the table. Waiters walked around us to take orders from other tables. After 30 minutes we just gave up and left. Rochester has enough places that we dont have to make the 45 minute drive. In fact there us a nice spot in Dodge Center, another two in Owatonna, for that matter. Good luck. We won't be back. read more

Authentic Mexican food, super nice people and a clean, no frills kinda place. Good deal read more

See all

Every option is amazing. My partner tends to choose the fajitas, but I move around the menu with each visit. I have never been unhappy with a dish from El Mariachi. We roll by regularly since discovering we can buy salsa by the pint here. The level of heat in the salsa seems to change with each batch, and we love them all because the oregano has us hooked. read more

The Mariachi special, queso dip and an ice cold beer or tasty margarita helped my friends and I cope with many stressful work days. If you are looking for authentic Mexican, you probably should go elsewhere. But, if you are looking for some cheesy and flavorful goodness, El Mariachi is your place. My department took advantage of many, many happy hour specials. How could you pass up a 32 oz. beer for $2? Or a gigantic margarita for under $5? The staff is wonderful and El Mariachi definitely felt like the Cheers! of Austin (except with Mexican food). read more

Really enjoyed this place! My grandparents have lived in Austin their entire lives, so we are in Austin frequently. The chips are really thin and crispy, and the salsa is flavorful. Really some of the best chips and salsa I have ever had. I ordered the Tres Maria enchiladas - chicken enchiladas with red, green and cheese sauce. The chicken could have been slightly more seasoned but it was still tasty. Service was a bit slow, but friendly. We got pitchers of beer and margs. The margs were a tad sweet for my tastes. Cold beer was tasty though, and they bring you limes. Will definitely go back! Huge menu! read more

A bit disappointed in my visit. We were seated and then waited 30 minutes to be acknowledged by anyone. Just sitting with menus but couldn't even get a water. Once we ordered we then had to wait 30 minutes for 2 meals. It was not a busy day at all either. The meal was also very underwhelming. My order said it came with a "grande burrito" which was very small. It was probably the size of an average Taco Bell burrito. The food quality was also not very impressive. Very basic and almost bland. I put hot sauce on my food to add a little something to it. The only reason I give it two stars is because my beer was cold and I like cold beer. read more

Food was good, wait staff somewhat attentive, time to get food was unacceptable. 45+ minutes from order till first dish hit the table? 3 of my party of 4 were served food but 4th person did not receive food. Pretty soon people who were seated after we ordered were being served their meals. 4th person cancelled their order at that point as the rest of us were more than 1/2 way done eating. Expected that item to be removed from the check, it was not. read more

'The Mariach' gets 5 stars from this chica for nostalgia... and awesomeness. Back in my Riverland days with zero monies, this restaurante offered me all the pop I could drink AND epic delicious Mexican foods on the dime. Pretty sure I gave up on the concept of cooking at home all together and just lived on their menu for 2 years straight... or at least 3 nights a-week with the usual-suspects rotation of fantastic Minnesotan company. The Mexican Cuisine Scene of New Orleans aint nothin to brag about...So my mouth starts watering for this quaint Austin hotspot the moment I land at MSP; I bask in that glorious moment when my tastebuds are reunited with loyal flavors of the past. A visit to the great north is never complete without a pit stop right here on Main Street and this past weekend excursion did not disappoint! Generally an enemy to change with old faves, I consider the updated Fuschia walls a sassy adjustment to the cozy interior... and their home-y booths are the closest thing to a "favorite chair" I may ever find. Embraced by the humble and kicky aromas of handmade tortillas and seasoned pollo in the air, my mind is a buzz reminiscing a modest era of dining in this foodie's life. Their well-balanced margaritas whisper "welcome hooommmmee" with every sip, the menu is basically an encompassing list of "Jen's favorite foods", and their portions are MORE than generous (they rival Grandma B's hospitality!). And props to Meg B's review... I agree, if I could pop a dollar in a vending machine and recieve a warm, delicious, gooey bottle of El Mariachi's Cheese Dip, I'd hang it up and welcome diabetes in a heartbeat. read more

Food is still good. The last 2 times I have gone in (both Saturdays for lunch) have made me feel uncomfortable. I was alone both times. Most restaurant managers tell employees to keep busy. These servers were not. Last week, they all sat at a table in the middle of the dining room. This week, they were all gathered by the entrance. Just uncomfortable being alone and feeling like I'm being watched. read more

Stopped in after being stranded in Austin due to car trouble. Recommended by the mechanic, this little stop turned my day around. Good food, large portions, reasonable prices, friendly service. I strongly recommend it. Also, 46 ounce margaritas. Yes. read more

Really excellent food and service from this family-owned restaurant in the heart of downtown Austin. read more

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant - Chile Colorado. Very spicy and VERY good! - Mexican Near Me - Austin, Minnesota

****WARNING**** Please read before spending your money I've ordered food to go from EL Mariachi several times and the last 2 times I was over charged...The first time by $$8 and change. (The order should have come to $22.50 Plus tax) I sent my son inside to pay with my credit card. the second time I paid $20.23 for an order that should have come to $14 plus tax Both times when I confronted the owner with my receipt he gave me the overcharged money back. No other compensation was given to me for my trouble. we order the exact same thing every time and every amount we pay is different....Please keep close tabs on what you are paying and the price they are charging you...They've lost me as a customer for good. read more

Ordered chicken fajitas. Very disappointed to have gotten more of a vegetable fajita. very small tiny pieces of chicken! The beans were watered down and my moms food was extremely salty. We told the waiter but he didn't seem to want to help. He didn't even bother to check up on us after receiving the food. Save your money! read more

Sat at the bad and waited 20 minutes before we were even noticed. My friend asked someone behind the bar if we could get drinks. Response was he wasn't serving. Took another 10 minutes before we were served. A few minutes after that a young couple came in and sat at the bar. The guy who said he wasn't serving served them immediately. Pretty awesome. Horrible service. Simply horrible. Last time I ever come in to this establishment. read more

It must have a bad night for the chef. The food was not good at all; unfortunately, it was a take out order, so I couldn't even complain to management. Absolutely not worth what they charge!!! The salsa had that metallic canned tomato taste, and the food extremely mediocre and drowning in an unappetizing white sauce. I am really feeling ripped off right now! read more

Visited this restaurant a couple of times now. The food and service is very good. If you like Mexican food check it out.

If this restaurant was in Texas or California it would get 1 star. But if you're craving Mexican food in rural Southern Minnesota, this is about as good as it gets. Fajitas were solid. Carne Asada tacos were ok. Chile relleno was horrible - so old it had freezer burn. The margarita was syrupy sweet and made in a Slushee machine. It was so bad we had to send it back. No black beans only refried - with too much fat. read more

The food is pretty good, but the service can leave a little to be desired. There was also an issue in the papers a few years ago about the staff not receiving legal wages, so I tend to shy away from this establishment. read more

Quick, cheap, good Mexican. Was in town consulting and stopped here a few times. GIANT beers for cheap

We like the fajitas and chicken burritos & quesadillas. Friendly staff and good beer selection. The queso dip is great. Fast service and a good value for the money. Their lunch is as quick as any in town. read more

Chips and salsa/cheese dip=Yum Margaritas=best in town Other food=meh. "slop" on a plate...too much sauce on top and even if you ask for nothing on top, they still smother it with something. read more

Haven't been in there in months. The food got more and more sloppy every time. The service was eh... Employees were more worried about their personal stuff. The new "remodel' is horrible. Paint is dark, booths are stuffy... Tables wobbly. Not a welcoming place. read more

When I went to El Mariachi for my first (and only) time I really wanted to like it (I really love mexican food). But when I started eating, I was thoroughly disappointed. I used to live in southern California and we had the best mexican food (we ate it once a week), so I guess I expected El Mariachi to be very similar. At the end of the day, the food was nasty and the service was terrible. read more

It is a little spendy and spicy but if you like hot and spicy. The cheese dip is really good. The first course you only get chips and dip. But if you like Mexican food come here read more

I've been here many times over the years, most recently two days ago. My advice is to stick to the middle of the fairway and stay away from the rough, which is thick and very deep. There's no way to save par from there--you'll be lucky shooting a triple bogey or much worse if you stray too far, and you might even lose your ball. When I started my round I found the salsa to be topnotch (frankly, the person making the salsa should be running the place) but the chips appeared to have been salvaged from a four-alarm fire. From there I, unfortunately, hit a duck hook into the very deep stuff, ordering a dish with shrimp, "scallops," and chicken with vegetables. The chicken looked like it had been salvaged from the Bataan death march and one couldn't possibly find the scallops without an electron microscope. The taste? What taste? This dish is so bland it could be served in a ward filled with bleeding ulcer patients. Again, take a nice, easy swing with a medium iron and try to put it into play with a simple burrito, taco, or enchilada--you just might make it into the clubhouse with a score of 100 or better. read more