¡Olé! I just got home from eating the fabulous fare at this restaurant, and I'm waiting until I can go back again... diet permitting! This was a cheat day; and our server Luis made it a truly wonderful one. The beef burrito real I had was impeccable... cooked to perfection... the rice and beans delish... the tomato and lettuce garnish were fresh and tasty, not just for looks. My table mates had versions of enchiladas which looked really good, and must have been... they disappeared before my burrito did! The tortilla chips are fresh and crispy, the salsa perfect. The drinks are served quickly, and the food doesn't require a long wait despite the parking lot being filled to capacity... this place is run exceptionally well. One doesn't have to do a thing but glance at a server, ANY server, to get help... I mean, WOW! I had forgotten my queso blanco (I like to put it on my rice and beans) and BAM! Like magic a server was there and in a minute so was my cheese dip! Later, I realized I had forgotten my jalapeños... I like my food spicy... and Luis wanted to know if I wanted fresh sliced or pickled... I told him it didn't matter as long as they were hot. A couple of minutes later, my new best friend Luis brings me a dish of freshly sliced jalapeños AND a bowl of hot and spicy pico... YUM!!! See? Above and beyond!!! A great meal at a great place. DEFINITELY going back on my birthday so I can wear a sombrero... not sure what all they do, but I bet I have a BLAST! (Oh, the prices were more than reasonable...) read more

Very clean establishment. The friendly staff and quick service was great. Would highly recommend if you're in the neighborhood.

Me & my husband 1st time was amazing great service friendly staff food was great I would so go again if u live n Shelbyville this is the place 2 eat read more

If you're in Shelbyville and are craving Mexican food check out El Mexico...really good food and excellent service. I went with the Carne Asada and the flavors were awesome and the portions huge. The chips and salsa was good and the 2 for 1 draft beer was an added bonus!!! read more

El Mexico - a plate of food with meat, rice, tomatoes, and a salad - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

The place was clean but it smelled like Clorox. There also wasn't any music either which was a bit weird for a Mexican restaurant. Otherwise, it was okay. read more

Have always enjoyed coming to El Mexico but today definitely changed that. I had ordered a small thing of cheese sauce when I placed my order, which I ended up having to ask twice for. My drink sat like this (on the edge of the table) while multiple waiters walked by. There were 4-5 waiters leaning against the back wall laughing & on their phones, hiding in the corner by the bathroom. This place was not busy. There was ONE other table in our section where people were seated and the waiter for this section threw his head back as if he was annoyed customers came to his section. We were here for about an hour and our server only came to our table twice. The food itself was just okay, I had asked for no bell peppers but got plenty, more vegetables than anything. read more

El Mexico - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

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Went early after work with a group of friends got seated properly. The chips and salsa came over immediately and the chips were very good, but the first batch of salsa they brought over was very spicy, but the second batch that they brought over was very mild, a combination of the two would've been perfect. I had the enchilada supremos which I was very surprised did not come with beans and rice. Every other Mexican restaurant I've been to beans and rice comes with every main dish here, you had to order it extra. The food came fairly quickly for the amount amount of people that were at our table, however, after tasting my enchiladas, it was very apparent that it was just average Mexican food. With all the Mexican restaurants in the Shelbyville area, there was nothing that made this one stand out from the others. I have never been to a Mexican restaurant where I've ordered a dinner that did not include rice and beans. I thought of having to order them, as an extra was extremely strange. The service was good. The food was average. Kind of a coin, flip, on whether I'd go back to this restaurant or not, it's an even bigger coin flip of whether I would recommend this restaurant or not. read more

Tried El Mexico while in Shelbyville today. I ordered rellenos but only one puny small rellenos came on the plate which tasted a little funky (I hope I don't get food poisoning). The rice and beans were alright, but nothing to brag about. On the bright side the service was friendly and quick even though they had a decent lunch crowd. But honestly, this will probably be my last time in here. read more

El Mexico - Rellenos rice and beans. They didn't have a shrimp cocktail - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

I asked for a beef chimichanga combo. The worst tasting food I've ever had. The inside of the chimichanga was smothered in beans an when you did get to the beef it taste like it was sitting on a greasy grill all day. I will never eat here again. read more

El Mexico - This was awful, I couldn't even eat it . - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

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This place has the worse service. We sat down and ordered. Once we got our food no one ever came back to ask if we needed anything. Food wasn't the greatest. Ordered a chimichanga and it was smaller than a frozen burrito. Unfriendly waitress! Didn't say anymore than she needed to and never came back. Asked for an extra side of beans and rice and never got them. Won't be back. read more

This is one of the best restaurants in town. Yes, the town is small; the food is somewhat westernized, yet still has a good, unique south-of-the-border taste to it. I especially like the Piquante Shrimp. This dish is not westernized at all and is spicy and will wake up those taste buds! Good beer selection and the margaritas are also generous and well made. The fajitas are another flavor-filled dish that is brought to your table sizzling hot! The service is above average; glasses are kept filled, the tortilla chips keep coming, and the salsa cup is replaced until I'm stuffed and have to head out for a nice food coma! read more

In Shelbyville, this is apparently where everyone goes for Dinner on a Saturday Night. The place was Hopping busy, but they did a decent job of taking care of everyone. We had originally planned to go to Popes on the Square, but being the squares they are, they close early on Saturday. A local friend of the better half encouraged us to stop in here and we weren't disappointed. While I didn't care for the Chips and Salsa, the food itself was worthy. Service was a bit slow, but as I said it appeared that a good portion of Shelbyville was here for dinner, so I can't expect miracles. Portions were a good size and everyone I was with seemed to genuinely enjoy the food. If you are in Shelbyville and looking on Yelp for a place to eat dinner, you should certainly consider stopping in here. read more

El Mexico - two cars parked in a parking lot - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

One the worst experience in my life of racism against latinos from latinos... Food was nasty... Microwaved.. Dry... Overcooked and reheated... A sangria without ice or garnish or fruits... But the manager was honestly a caveman....o complained about the sangria... An he discount 40 cents from my check????? Clearly he was upset because my opinion about his food... Anyway i paid in full... Except 40 cents for dog food and leftovers.... read more

Service was slow but server was very nice (all the employees are). Food was just fair. They also really, really like cilantro. And the fine print on the menus make it really hard to read. read more

Great, fast service. Very large portions for a fair price. Never had an empty water glass. Food was not mind blowing but it got the job done that's for sure. read more

El Mexico - plates of food on a table - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

We checked on to this place totally by chance, on our way back from Lynchburg. A not so classy or a great ambient restaurant but the food tasted just too good. The chorizo tacos, fajitas the rice with the bean serving along with the flan just made it perfect. They have a lot of combinations ...just perfect blend of tex-max. read more

El Mexico - a plate of food and a bowl of salsa - Mexican Near Me - Shelbyville, Tennessee

I've been here a few times and have yet to be impressed, very slow service for a Friday night when they were clearly not busy. Weak margaritas but tasty, food was hot but easily forgettable. The one bright spot is their great tasting salsa but refills are not automatic. read more

I ordered a grilled chicken taco salad. I didn't say Fatija chicken salad. The shell was soggy and very little chicken. It was not good. They are only giving you a small bag of chips. On top of that, I called my order in, he said come in 10 to 15 minutes. I got there 15 minutes as he said, then I had to wait over 20 minutes for my food. They were standing up there laughing and carrying on. I finally asked how much longer. I quit them before because of bad service. I was told they had improved. For a short time they had. I won't be back and waste my money. read more

I moved from Texas Sought midwest Mexican food Found it. I'll be back. read more

Simple and uninventive, yet funny named restaurant in Shelbyville. Great service, however. The host, cashier and waiter were very nice and seated us quickly, even though there were a lot of people in the restaurant already. Waiter very attentive and even offered a two for one margarita special, after my mom already had one. Food was made quickly and as ordered. Both were delicious! I had the Pollo Azteca which was beans , rice, creamy thin-sliced chicken breasts, with warm tortillas to wrap everything in. Definitely had left-overs to take home. My Mom had an enchilada and taco combination plate. With a Pepsi and the 2 Margaritas, our bill was only $23. The only thing I didn't like was it didn't seem like a true Mexican restaurant, in terms of decor or lack thereof. But overall, it was a great meal, served fast and friendly for a reasonable amount. read more

I used to like El Mexico but here lately they have been messing up my order or forgetting someting in my order. My husband likes it here but if it was up for me I would have stoped going there long time ago! well today they for got my larger cheese dip. I called to let them know and they wanted me to go pick it up, I didn't have time to go pick it up also I didn't want my food to get cold when I came back, the girl that answered the phone didn't know what to do and told me to call back in 10min I did and both times they hung up on me. This is the 3rd time they did something bad. The first two times I let it go by but this time I decided to call but they did not solve the problem. I'm so disappointed in them I used to love eating there now it just gone bad read more

Not the place of my teens. I've been living in Shelbyville all my life. Used to always go to El Mexico. The last few times it's been getting worse each time. Today was the last time we will be going. The food was horrible. The service was slow. The time the server was at the table they seemed rushed although the dining room wasn't full. Will not return. EVER. Actually got this app just to write this review read more

Fast service! I ordered the fajitas nachos for lunch and they were the best I've ever had! Great food and fast service. Couldn't ask for anything more! Will definitely return. read more

This is the second time we have been there and the service was lousy took them forever to wait on us after they finally did. We then waited over 30 minutes waiter never came back to refill drinks nor our chips I finally stopped him to ask him to check on our food he told me he had a big table and when he got through with them we would then get our food so we left. A couple of months ago we went there and about the same thing happened they were also dirty. does the health dept not inspect restaurant anymore? read more

Great food. Very nice people. I will be going back to eat. Had an chimchanga with. Chorizo and rice. Very good.

Ordered food to go and asked for extra lettuce and tomato ... I've had more lettuce on a big mac and the tomato we got 1/2 of one slice of tomato and if you order extra its 2 halves of one slice The food ended up making my wife and I both sick over night overnight guess cooked chicken is optional and must be specified When I called back to complain about the orders the fella that took my order and I picked up the order from recognized my name and hung up the phone on me twice then when he did talk to me the order was exactly what I ordered and the cooks have control over how each ordered is handled read more

Love a mexican restaurant that serves horchata! Rice milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and sugar. Give it a try.

We ate there the other night. Food was good. I had the Burrito California and it tasty. The salsa was better than most. It had chunks of tomato. Service was a bit slow. read more

The 2 stars are for the good service and smiling faces. I've given this place 3 tries and every time the food is awful. They have the same menu as any other "american Mexican" restaurant, which isn't bad. I can enjoy some fajitas or a quesadilla at any other mainstream Mexican place, but not here. Never fresh. Vegetables are soggy. Not hot. Been under warmer for who knows how long. Chips are hard, not crispy. Salsa is OKAY. Sorry but I'll choose another Mexican restaurant in Shelbyville next time. read more

El Mexico is the best Mexican restaurant in Shelbyville! The portions are huge. I can always count on taking home food for later. Years ago we ate at the old location across the road. We left Shelbyville for 10 years and I missed the Chicken Chimichangas from El Mexico so much. As soon as we moved back that was the first place we headed for when we went out to eat. I'm a faithful customer at El Mexico! read more

Don't get me wrong, I love Mexican food. But my experience in El Mexico was far from bien. The salsa was moderately average, and the service was impersonal and cold. Granted, I was coming off a bad break up and was looking for a little more than a Tuesday night food binge. The highlight of my night happened to be the succulent red sauce that dripped off my warm burrito and enchilada and rolled onto my watering lips. I ended up retiring to my warm home to marathon-watch Blacklist and painfully regret the bowel movement that ensued post-El Mexico. All in all, I give it two stars. Our waiter, however, was fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone in the area to try it for yourself. read more

Alright, so my wife and I were visiting friends in shelbyville last night and before heading home we saw El Mexico was pretty busy and seemed like the place to be. So we pulled in and went inside. When we talked to the host, we asked if they had any outdoor seating to which he replied yes, but it was occupied by a large party and there was no room. That was a little irritating but not enough to deter us that early on. We were seated in a booth and even though there were a good number of waiters and waitresses walking by frequently, we sat there for a good ten minutes before someone came to take our drink order. Mind you, I had already had time to look over the menu and decide what I wanted but he said he would be back to take our orders. About five minutes later he returned with my coke and my wife's margarita, which she ordered frozen but was really not frozen at all. So when he returned with our drinks, he basically tossed thwm down while walking past our table. We then proceeded to wait for an additional fifteen minutes! We had tried on multiple occasions to flag down a waiter to no avail. At this point we got up, I paid for my wife's margarita, and we left. When the cashier asked if that was all (I didn't touch my coke and had no intention of paying for it) I told him we had been waiting for thirty minutes and nobody seemed interested in taking our order to which he said ok. This is NOT acceptable behavior at all and I have no intention of returning! read more