We have been chasing this wonderful establishment for about 40 years now; they are that wonderful! Ricky was our concierge for our last dining experience perfect to a tee! Answered all of our questions and Wendy and Richard the bus crew were on the job! We are big tippers for great service! Must admit the young people who were lucky enough to be born into this restaurant family are blessed beyond measure. Quite a few grew up with my musically inclined kids at DHS. In conclusion you really can't go wrong with this dining choice whether Church crowd or for an occasional adult beverage, they can't be beat! Laura Fleming read more

Matador used to be reasonably priced. Now the prices have doubled. Same food which is OK. Same atmosphere-not Dallas cool at all with Dallas prices. $$$ Really-how hard is it to make Tex-Mex. For around $18-20.00 a plate. All extras are a la mode and and priced. Example chopped onions for your cheese enchilada $1.49. Are you kidding me? Better places to eat for sure. Try Villa Grande. Great prices and date-like atmosphere, Matador is somewhat of a 'dive'. Not a place for a date or celebration. I am a former 20-25 year customer. read more

I rarely give 5s. Im not now because this is the best food I've ever had, but what I will give a 5 for is the consistency of el matador, the amazing friendly attentive staff, the laud back atmosphere and how they treat you like family. We've been coming here for over ten years and at the heart of this spot the love service and kindness and effenciency remain the same if not better. They are known for food coming out fast strong AF margaritas and being able to serve small parties and enormous groups too. We love it here and I am so glad they still are a part of Denton. PS. The table marketing iykyk! read more

El Matador Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

El Matadar is my family's favorite in the Idiot's Hill/TWU Area of Denton. Enjoy your day, and remember th spirit pod the "pay it Forward movement.?. Have a great day, folks! Cheers, Mark C. Fearing, Ph.D.. read more

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I've been coming to El Matador for thirty years--yes, three decades of chips, salsa, and memories--and it's still one of my all-time Denton staples. We pulled out all the stops for this visit (10 adults and 4 kids), and once again, they did not miss. Our waiter (the same one I've had since forever) is phenomenal. Truly one of those people who remembers faces, orders, and somehow reads your mind about when you're ready for a refill or more chips. The service here is quick, friendly, and consistent every single time. The food? Always hot, fast, and delicious. From sizzling fajitas to crispy tacos, every bite tastes like it came out of the kitchen five seconds ago. The kids cleaned their plates, the adults were happy, and not a single dish hit the table lukewarm. That's rare these days. And the margaritas... chef's kiss. Strong, smooth, and perfectly balanced--none of that syrupy stuff you find at a lot of spots. These are proper margs made by people who know what they're doing. Even though I didn't snag many pictures (it was a surprise dinner), it's one of those places where the food speaks for itself--and it's been doing so for decades. If you're looking for authentic, dependable, and family-friendly Mexican food with small-town heart and big flavor, El Matador is it. Denton classic, through and through. Pros: * Legendary service (my waiter deserves a lifetime achievement award) * Hot, fast, consistently delicious food * Strong, balanced margaritas * Family-friendly atmosphere * Thirty years of pure consistency Cons: * You'll crave it again the next day. * Margaritas may ruin all others for you. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

Regular go to Mexican restaurant in North Denton area. Always consistently good food and service.

El Matador provides excellent service, waiters immediately ask for drink choice and provide water. Food comes quickly with abundant servings replete with Tex-Mex flavors and spices loved by many as Texas comfort food. The cheese enchiladas with queso sauce, rice and beans is always my go-to. I'm never disappointed. Salsa, by the way, is exceptional. The restaurant is well-lit and even when bustling, you feel comfortable. Staff is friendly and welcoming. I never leave unsatisfied. read more

Service was really quick during lunch time. It was not that crowded at all. Now for the food that's a different story... the fajitas were ok. Chili's fajitas are a little better. For the chicken enchiladas, there was something off with it. I couldn't place it. It may have been the chicken was cubed rather than shredded. The Mexican rice had peas and carrots. Threw me off. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Chicken enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

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Great chips & salsa and fast service. Good place go for a quick lunch. I enjoyed the enchiladas and the iced tea.

Our server was fantastic. Our food was amazing ! I had the shrimp cocktail that I couldn't find on the menu but the waiter assured us it was available and let me say it was soooo good so so good . House margaritas were delicious too ! read more

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Was a good atmosphere food is pretty good. Wait staff is good except for asking if you want more tea or some other drink unless it's alcohol. read more

Absolutely the best in denton! Have been going for at least 20 years now. Great food and service every time!

Delicious food. I had the brisket chimichanga with rice and beans. The food was fresh and hot and delicious. Nice service too. Writer kept salsa and drinks full without asking him to. Definitely coming back again. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Brisket chimichanga - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

The service was friendly but not attentive. Had senor returned to my table and asked how my food was, I would've asked for cilantro and onions to season my food. The chips were served warm with a heavy mound of seasoning salt on a few chips. The salsa was spicy but had no onion, garlic, cilantro, or flavor. Ordered queso w/chorizo and 3 cheese enchiladas w/chili con carne, and refried beans & rice. Nothing notable here, just a mediocre meal, lacking in flavor. Didnt eat it all, no to-go box needed. read more

El Matador Restaurant - $21.95 Iced tea, cheese enchiladas w/refried beans & rice; and chorizo queso, salsa, and chips. - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

the dining room was nice. was busy. the food was not very fresh. our server was great. food didn't sit well. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

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Very disappointed with 2taco salad shredded beef and ground beef taste fake taco salad very poor no flavor at all

One of the things I love about Denton are the mom and pop restaurants serving up some delicious food! Such is El Matador! My go-to here are the cheese tacos. They are the best cheese tacos I've had at any Mexican restaurant ever. I have never had bad service here on what it is now four visits. They are always fast and friendly and very efficient. The ambience is pretty old-school. Old-school Mexican restaurant that is. It was probably pretty hip in the 70s and now that vibe is kind of making its way back and they are original! read more

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I really enjoyed their vegetarian options! I love going thrifting next door and then getting a meal here!

This is a no frills Mexican food restaurant with a large seating area, quick service, and fair prices. We stopped in here after a cheer competition at UNT and wanted to try some local Mexican fare. We had a good experience. Our server got to us quickly, and brought out drinks, chips, salsa and queso quickly. My girls ordered bean and cheese burritos and chicken fajitas off the kids menu. Good sized portions that they enjoyed. My wife ordered tacos al carbon and I ordered the street tacos with seasoned beef. The street tacos had great flavor, were not over cooked, and served with charro beans. The menu is good sized so there are options for everyone. Service is attentive and food comes out fast. Pleasant experience overall. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Seasoned Steak Street Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

Food was good, made from fresh ingredients; I don't know how long El Matador has been opened but it's been there as long as I remember.

This casual, wallet-friendly restaurant is great for families. It's busy during the week - especially for lunch - but it's packed on weekends. Just be patient. Food is pretty good, not great. Beef is only fair quality. Met up here with family for a Friday dinner. Wait for a table wasn't terrible; we were on the early end of the evening. The line got much longer as the evening progressed, but it's a big restaurant, so table turnover is pretty good. Chips and salsa are pretty good! We also enjoyed some queso, which was good. I ordered the carne asada. Taste was not bad, but meat quality was not all that great and it was overcooked (easily done for super thin meats). Servers were definitely very busy, and our server didn't check in enough and forgot a couple requests. We'll probably go back, but keep our expectations at the lower end. read more

The food was really good. Margaritas were also good. Service was quick. Lots of parking available.

Wonderful food! Sour cream chicken enchiladas are perfect. Great queso and chips. This is my favorite sit down Mexican restaurant in Denton

Today myself and friend had the worst experience they brought our food out and it was cold. We spoke with the manger and he said that's impossible and he can stick in the oven and that's all. He kept insisting that it could not be cold and wouldn't touch it. He was rude and usually I have no problems and enjoy my food. read more

Food was good but at the end of our meal we caught and killed a roach that was crawling along the wall on our table. Not what you want to see. I gave the dead roach in a napkin to the girl at the front and said y'all need to take care of this. I believe I will give it some time to hopefully clean up a bit...... read more

I used to LOVE El Matador. Earlier this months I had some old friends visit from out of town, and for old time's sake took them to El Matador. The chips and salsa were pretty good.I've always loved that El Matador seasons their chips. The "relish" escabeche was bad. It used to be great. It was pure white vinegar and dried oregano over enormous chunks of jicama and carrot and pickled jalapeño and onion. The corn tortillas were unfortunately white corn. The enchiladas were mediocre. Beans and rice were okay. Not really good but okay. The margarita over rocks was one of the worst I've ever had. It tasted like someone had spiked lemon-lime Gatorade and poured it over ice in a plastic salted rim glass. My guest who got one liked her relleno. The service was okay though not great considering how not-busy the place was. I still tipped above scale. I was embarrassed that I had taken my guests here. I probably am done with this standard TexMex restaurant that I've been going to for 35 years at two locations. That makes me sad. read more

I don't really live close but my wife and I come here from time to time since the food is good, reasonably priced, service is great, decor is good... nothing here is fancy but that's what I like. It's perfect dining for casual occasions. I've brought multiple extended family members here as well. read more

Update. Finally made it back to El Matador for a Saturday lunch. It's been over 5 years since I last ate at El Matador so time for a Yelp update. The restaurant itself is extremely comfortable and the service has always been fantastic. The menu has all types of options including lunch VS dinner portions. The prices are excellent and the value for what you get is great. They also have several daily specials that you can see on the display at the entrance. The complimentary chips and salsa are really good. The salsa is one of the best in any restaurant and it is obviously made in house and it is certainly not some dressed up tomato sauce. This time I had the lunch fajitas combo. It was good but the onions and peppers were a bit undercooked. The chicken fajitas are ok but the beef fajitas are great. I recommend ordering the dinner option as it would come on the sizzling cast iron platter instead of the normal plate. The street tacos are good but a bit greasy. Charro beans are the best. read more

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lots of vegetarian options!! chile cheese relleno, vegetarian enchiladas, avacado tomato salad, salsa, rice, and beans are all very good

My family and I love this place. They have so many options but I love the chicken and bacon flautas personallly. Everyone is able to find somthing they like. The pricing is fair and the service is fast and we always get our food in a timely manner. The restaurant is clean too. The food is the best part so if you give this place a try you won't regret it. I highly recommend this place! read more

Best Mexican food I have had in my 5 years in DFW! Great service, friendly staff and reasonable prices. I could eat the rice and beans all day!!! read more

Chicken nachos. Came all stacked together & soggy. Super disappointed! $20 wasted!!!! read more

El Matador Restaurant - I ordered chicken nachos and this is how it came. All stacked together and soggy. Super disappointed. $20 wasted! - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

Chicken and Bacon Flautas is on of the best things I have ever eaten. I highly recommend this place. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Chicken & Bacon Flautas - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

this place has made me loose my mind we have waited for 40 minutes and haven't even got our food yet. overall bad.

Food was terrible, service was slow. Chips are store bought, fajita meat tastes awful. Average and will not be back.

We visited this restaurant due to the Yelp recommendations. I am really questioning the four star rating. While this place is "not bad", it is very very average. Always start with the positive. The service was excellent. Our server was attentive and familiar with the menu. The margaritas were large and priced well. Not top shelf, but definitely doable. I ordered the enchilada plate. The ground beef was dry and bland, but the chicken was pretty good. The rice was dry and the beans were bland. The green sauce on my enchiladas was pretty tasty saving the beef enchilada from being a total loss. Not understanding the hipe with this one. Likely will not be back. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

Service is super fast. The beef fajita chimichanga is my go to. My toddler loved the beef fajita children's portion and the meet was so tender and very tasty. She thoroughly enjoyed the vanilla churros as well. Definitely a Tex mex restaurant in Denton that must be tried. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Kids beef fajita - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

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The food here is good and cheap for tex mex. I always order the cheese chile relleno, and it is significantly better than other tex mex spots. The chips and salsa always seem fresh and waiters attentive. My boyfriend swears by the chimichangas and orders them every time, but then again I am pretty sure he just loves chimichangas in general since he seems to always order them at tex mex locations. I have been going here since I was a child, so some of this recommendation may factor in nostalgia, but I think that it is a solid Denton restaurant, but keep in mind this spot is way closer to tex mex than traditional Mexican food. I will say that their fajitas are far closer to traditional, marinated carne asada than other tex mex spots, though! Online ordering is pretty solid as well during the pandemic, but I think that the packaging on fried items like the chimichanga could be a bit better as it was coated in sauce prior to being packed which caused it to be mushy but still delicious. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Regular Chimichanga was good to go but a little mushy as the sauce was added before packing. - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

My favorite Tex-Mex restaurant in Denton. After moving from South Texas to North Texas, I quickly noticed there were not as many Tex-Mex restaurants here. There are plenty of "hole in the wall" Mexican restaurants with delicious & authentic menus, but I was still needing my Tex-Mex fix. I was happy to find El Matador, a locally owned Mexican/Tex-Mex restaurant, on University, next to Kroger. I was even happier when I tried their Enchiladas Verdes, and they tasted just like my favorite restaurant's enchiladas in South Texas. Maybe even better? Most importantly, they deliver through some apps like UberEats, which is great because there truly is nothing as beautiful as having Tex-Mex delivered to your door while you are hungover after a night out with your friends. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who is looking for local Tex-Mex food. Its delicious, affordable and great for large groups of people. read more

El Matador Restaurant - Enchiladas verdes. One of my favorite foods ever, and El Matador makes them right! - Mexican Near Me - Denton, Texas

Always fast good service! Can be busy at times. Food is always hot and tasty. One of the best Mexican Restaurants in Denton!