Unique Mexican restaurant. The salsa taste like they put chili powder in it, which is kind of a new cake. The chips and salsa were free and they get them out to you quickly when you want to get started sitting down and getting drinks. I feel like I've eaten junkie all week so I got the garden fresco burrito. It was just filled with carrots, zucchini, onions, rice and beans. Great "light" burrito. Fast service and a great place to sit while you do your laundry two businesses down. read more

El Mex-Kal - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

See all

Great service from JJ with extra attention to my needs with food restrictions. Made a suggestion no server has ever thought of before. Good food with decent portions. Guacamole was good with no heat but has cilantro, in case you are adverse. Sorry, no food pics this time. read more

El Mex-Kal - Receipt - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

So I must say at first I was really Leary if this place and didn't have high hopes for it, boy was I wrong. It's a very small establishment w 20 or so tables inside and another 10 outside. Service was amazing. For our appetizer we got this fried cheese with chorizo on it and omg it was to die for. It came w corn tortillas so you could make your own little cheese roll up. It was so good I ordered it the next night. For dinner I got just a taco and tostada and my husband got the carne asada and the flavor on that steak was mouth watering and so tender and juicy. This place over all was great CANT believe I almost passed it up because it didn't look good. Wont be doing that again. read more

See all

Employees were very friendly and welcoming. I got to-go for two. The food proportions are way too big, and lacked authentic flavor. Some of the food was rancid. We got two #3 combos, guac, and cheese dip. The most foul smelling and disgusting tasting guacamole I've ever purchased. I don't know how the person preparing it did not smell the rancidness. The cheese dip is like a teenager melted a bunch of deli cheese in a bowl and called it cheese dip. Had to throw the food away. We didn't want to risk food poisoning before our long day of travel. read more

I ordered the cheese enchiladas and they are amazing. The beans are so good and authentic. The rice has a nice flavor too. The restaurant is clean and the staff make you feel like you are part of their family. Thank you for the amazing food and service! read more

This was the worst place i've been to eat. First of all the food was so nasty and my sister had a big bug or fake eyelash in it and was so gross. Then the beans were so watery and the meat tasted like rubber would definitely not recommend. read more

great service everyone so nice. chicken enchiladas so yummy and perfect. would come back

Great place today after a long hike! The service was fast and the chips and salsa were good! Seems like the salsa is made in house. The food was great, big portions which was great after a long hike. Would go back, a little pricey overall. read more

Wasn't thrilled. Food was mediocre a best.low flavor and higher prices. Was recommended by a local and wasn't happy.

First, the positive. The restaurant is super clean, and the staff very polite, although they never check to see if you need anything. And you have to seek them out to get your check. After patronizing this business for 15 years; I have to ask "What the hell happened?" It is a small family-run business. A few years ago; they added outdoor seating, hoping to match the competing restaurant a few blocks away. But outdoor seating doesn't compensate for poor, bland food. The last time I ate there, I believe on March 15, I was stunned at the disgusting meal. It is not my intention to return there. Imagine a mound of rice, with some small chicken pieces on top and then covered with a pint of sour cream. Bland and just yucky!!! ("Pollo con crema.") I had a large takeout full of the leftovers, but tossed it when I left. It seems that they do not appreciate their local, regular customers. Sad, so very sad. read more

Ordered the pork brito, defiantly stay away from it. Pine colada was good. Nice waiter. Salsa could have been more thick. read more

El Mex-Kal - Pork Brito - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

This place has great food and service. They bring you complimentary chips and salsa. I had a combo plate with a tamale and burrito. The tamale is stuffed with seasoned pork. The burrito was filled with shredded beef. The beef was so tender and flavorful. We had the green chili sauce for the tamale and it didn't have much flavor for the $2 upcharge. My friend had a taco and it's a basic gringo style hard shell taco. We went on a Saturday night and there were tables available. There is no outdoor seating or bar. Plenty of parking. read more

See all

I am sorry to go with two stars but this place is outdated, slow, and the food was mildly good. I am sure there are better places in town. We had a simple order of some enchiladas, quesadillas, and two a la carte tacos. This should have been speedy but took nearly 20-25 minutes to get out. This was unacceptable with two little kids approaching bed time. The bathroom was old and run down and the lock on the men's room door almost trapped us in the bathroom. We had some other family eating on the patio and their food was super slow coming out as well. Time for this place to implement some changes to be speedier and more flavorful. read more

We have been going here for years, it is our favorite place in town! You have to stop by! We have had our parents come here for date night every time, we do now as well. And before us and the parents, our grandparents came here for decades before us. Best spot to eat in town! read more

Delicious and as close as possible to authentic that you are going g to get in EP. We had the tamale & enchilada meal and carne asada burrito. The food was hot, tasty and huge portions. Service was impeccable and the hortchata was just right, not too sweet, not too heavy, very flavorful & came with free refill! Yum. Highly recommend this small restaurant that's just outside the touristy area. Its a solid 3.5 stars-- rounded up for service, cleanliness and location. Enjoy! read more

El Mex-Kal - Quiet at 430pm on a Thursday. Horchata. - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

See all

Wonderful food. The crispy rellanos were some of the best we ever had. Fresh homemade chips and salsa were excellent. The wait staff was amazingly attentive and wonderfully kind. It's a family restaurant, so don't expect slick modern decor...but it is an amazing place for authentic Mexican food! Highly recommended! read more

Of you want good ol' fashioned Tex Mex this is the place for you! The complimentary chips and salsa are great. The chips are light and crispy and the salsa has the right amount of heat. The beans and rice that come with the lunch special are good. The chicken enchiladas are tasty and do not disappoint. The star of the show is the taco. Hot, crispy, and packed full of flavor. Could have and should have eaten about five of them! The service is great! read more

El Mex-Kal - Lunch special: chicken enchilada and beef taco - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

See all

They have roasted jalapeños, just ask. They also have complimentary chips, which some restaurants charge for. Food was very good and we'll definitely come back to try other dishes. read more

El Mex-Kal - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

See all

We were in Estes park for 3 days and had dinner there for 2 of those. Fajitas were spot on - fresh vegetables, seasoned meat, and homemade tortillas. The tortillas really finished it off and the man working there was very friendly as well. It reminded me a lot of Mexican food you will find in Monterrey. read more

The BEST! I got a chimichanga and shared it with my fiancé (on a budget). We are both full and it was delicious!! Highly recommend! The service was amazing and very fast. read more

After a long day's drive coming in from Cody we were desperate for anything so maybe that was part of it but we really loved this place. It's super bright inside, typical of a lot of family restaurants but we were starved, the food was great, the service was great and we would go back in a heartbeat. In one of my photos is a picture of one of his steak dishes - Carnitas de Res. It's shreds of beef in a beautiful mole sauce with peppers and onions. I've never had it in any Mexican, Tex-Mex, or any other -Mex restaurant. It was truly amazing and one of my favorite dishes of our entire three-week road trip through the Rockies. In addition the service was spot-on, the beer was ice cold, and we couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more. Try out this place and try that dish! read more

El Mex-Kal - a truck parked in front of a restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

See all

Had a great dinner there Sunday evening! Great chips and salsa-free and Queso to start. Then split an order of Marvelous beef chicken and shrimp fajitas. Awesome and perfect service with adult drink recommendations. And sopapias with strawberries and whip cream for a special celebration. read more

This is a wonderful place! The food is taste! The service is excellent! And the ambience is very pleasant! If you wanna try some real good Mexican food! I really recommend this place! There is a lot of options! From tacos to carné asada! and it's was all worth the price! I don't understand why this place isn't a 5star restaurant! It definitely deserves a 5/5 stars! read more

I am from Texas and think I know better than most what good Mexican food tastes like. While El Mex-Kal isn't as good as some my hometown options, it's really really good for Estes Park. I won't name any of the other spots I've tried there, including the one that's almost across the street, but these guys really know what they're doing. Food was spot-on. Queso (or cheese dip as they call it) was really good. Carne asada was cooked perfectly and came with excellent homemade tortillas. They didn't have a Poloma to drink but their house margarita on the rocks is really good. I will definitely be back! read more

on vacation and a lot of mexican places in the area had terrible reviews so my boyfriend and I stopped in here for dinner it was 10/10 amazing. Got sat right away no wait, free chips&salsa. I got the chicken tortilla soup it was AMAZING very spicy but probably the best soup I've ever had I'm going back today for more before leaving town & I got the chicken encheladas with black beans and rice my bf got quesadillas service was great will be back next vacation! read more

El Mex-Kal - a plate of mexican food - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

See all

Must stop in when you are in Estes, the food atmosphere and people are out of this world. I was get the enchiladas with a chimichanga. You will not be disappointed. The owner comes out from prepping salsa in the back to check on everyone. Absolutely love everything about this place!!! read more

Oh my gosh! DELICIOUS! The salsa and chips are so good. House made chips. I had enchilada, rice and beans. Good. However my husband had the Carnitas de res. With caramelized onions and bell peppers with their special sauce. Let me tell you that is the best food ever. We don't live here but willing to drive the hour to enjoy this place again. So very good. Excellent staff and servers. So kind and polite. Makes for a fabulous dinner place. Thank you for a great evening!!!! Oh and don't forget the raspberry margaritas. read more

El Mex-Kal - Raspberry margarita - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

Amazing food, friendly and fast service in the pleasant local find. Somerhing for everyone, vegetarians included. Thank you for making our visit memorable for all the right reasons! Great job!!! read more

El Mex-Kal - Birthday Celebration @MexiKal - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

I'm so surprised to see the mid range reviews of this so authentic restaurant. I had dinner out on the small patio. Very attentive server. She provided great details. Started with the Cadillac margarita on the rocks. Best I've ever tasted. Served with free fresh chips and excellent homemade salsa. I had the combo plate with chicken enchilada with tomatillos green sauce and a side of sour cream. Outstanding!! Also a beef taco. It came with lettuce, tomato and refried beans. Good too. Lots of options to add on. The prices are very reasonable and haven't been jacked up as they have in other restaurants in Estes. (Using the economy as an excuse). I'm not certain but given that the food style comes from N Mexico, which borders Texas, it may be Tex-Mex? But don't quote me on that. I do know my first sour cream chicken enchiladas with tomatillos sauce was in San Antonio and I've never had it until I found El Mex-Kal. Lots of parking behind the V across from the American Legion. From hwy 7 turn in front of the restaurant and go past it. Then turn right into parking. read more

Not that good. I get it's a resort town and tourist trap, but still disappointing. Lousy food and inattentive and slow service. I'd rate it lower than Taco Bell and it is 4 times the cost. No beers in tap. read more

El Mex-Kal - Out front - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

Gross food. All the meat is canned. They charged for tap water. Owner refused to remove the charge because they offer "free" chips and salsa. Terrible service and shady business practices. read more

Excellent original margarita. Staff was so nice. Decor could def use a facelift. Our whole party loved everything they ordered: burritos, chimichanga and enchiladas. I'd go back for sure! And it's away from downtown which today was a great decision. read more

El Mex-Kal - Cheese and onion enchilada with green chile - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

I have to say this was a great Mexican food experience. I read the reviews and thought it was a 50/50 chance. I will come back as the food was yummy The service was good and friendly and the atmosphere was laid back! read more

See all

I stopped by El Mex Kal after a visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Due to COVID it was takeout only. I ordered the vegetarian burrito and wanted it smothered, but since the green chile has pork in it, they suggested the tomatillo sauce. The tomatillo sauce smothered on the burrito was fire! I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're looking for a good authentic Mexican meal. read more

El Mex-Kal - Vegetarian burrito with tomatillo sauce (excuse the poor photography skills). - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

This is my go-to local restaurant for quick, hot, and fresh food. Most of the time I order takeout and they give you TONS of food for a good price and it usually lasts me a couple days! The owners and employees are always so kind and welcoming. Their drinks are delicious and strong and their menus have tons of different items to choose from. I love this place and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. read more

This is hands down the best and most authentic mexican food I've eaten in 30 years of visiting Estes. Great shredded beef options. Non fried Chili Relleno is fantastic. We cannot get enough of the homemade Salsa and so thin chips. And even if you are lucky Flan for dessert. We come once a week when we are in town. It is my favorite Estes Park food. ,(due to co-vid we are doing carry out only so i cannot comment on in house service. But carry out is fast and hot! read more

I didn't expect the food to be spectacular from a Mexican restaurant in Colorado, but I still had some hope. All hope was lost when I took my first bite of my fish tacos. Despite the queso being pretty good, the fish tacos are absolutely rancid. The "fish" and dressing were basically a paste. It was so gross and the fish was so fishy it tasted old and borderline rotten. I couldn't eat anymore of the tacos after one bite. I enjoyed the rice and beans on the side, as well as the queso, but the tacos were disgusting. My friends got a burrito and they enjoyed it so I had some of their food so I wouldn't be hungry. Pretty disappointing. read more

El Mex-Kal - Mexican Near Me - Estes Park, Colorado

great food ! The staff is really nice. This is our second time here. We had the fajitas, so good. Way too much food!

The chips were delicious and free. They brought out two salsas with them. One was a really thick mush that was not spicy and one was a watery consistency that was too spicy for me. My son's ground beef burrito looked like sloppy joes wrapped in a tortilla and smothered with cheese. It didn't taste great, but it wasn't sloppy joes. My "Mexican burrito" was ok but it was hardly even warm. IDK if it was previously frozen or just forgotten about. The margaritas tasted like store-bought mix with some tequila in them. I wouldn't go back. read more

Yesterday, the four of us were looking for a restaurant in Estes that didn't close at 8:00pm since we had just gotten back from a day of fly fishing. We found El Mex-Kal open until 9:00. We were a little unsure because Yelp only showed 3.5 stars out of 5 and when we called they said they were not busy but we decided to give it a try. We were very surprised! Being from Southern California we know what good Mexican food is and our enchiladas, tacos, chili rellenos were very good. The place was cozy with plenty of roomy comfortable booths. Atmosphere as very friendly with nice south of the border music playing. The waitress was really sweet and attentive. We come to Estes every year and will definitely come back to El Mex-Kal. Glad we gave it a try. read more