Service was TERRIBLE. 1) We were seated on a table that wasn't cleared off. We were the only people there! The waitress (if you could hear her because she talked so quiet) was more interested in sitting behind the cash register than serving. 2) She finally took our order and about 10 minutes later she brought out the food to the table and realizing we didn't have utensils, so she brought us some. We had to ask for napkins that weren't on the table. Food was good. One positive. 3) I emptied my water half way through the meal and she was no where to be found. 4) When we finished eating, we had to find her after waiting for 15 minutes to get a left over box and our check. Won't be back there! read more

I came here two weeks ago just after 6pm and sat at the bar. I was told they were out of chips, so no chips and salsa. Anyway I was in the area and stopped again, this time around 7pm. Walked into the bar and no one came around for 15 minutes so I left but not before telling the lady by the register. read more

No alcohol (margaritas especially) are made there. 4 choices of bottle beer $8 a bottle. No staff, no customers, no silverware when seated or napkins. 3 couples in total and we had to find the waitress for To- go box and bill, and not busy at all. Not sure why you wouldn't bring it when you seat people. Only thing I'd say is food was hot and fast. Limited menu from the last time I was there. I bragged about this place but it was a huge disappointment this time. Much better places around. Won't be going back. read more

This place has average to above average food, but I don't think I would go back for several reasons. We had a long wait for everything from being seated to getting the check. The atmosphere was a little chaotic ... I found myself worrying about the staff as they seemed stressed and understaffed. The menus were visibly dirty with food on them and cleanliness in general seemed to be lacking. I get that we went there on a weekend so it may have been busier than usual, so that may account for it, but I would recommend it. read more

Excellent Mexican food buffet for reasonable price. Salad bar included. Very fresh food. Thee absolute best salsa! Service is excellent. Atmosphere fresh and inviting. Music is very fresh and upbeat. Check out El Norteno for yourself Excellent Mexican buffet with wide variety of foods, fajitas, enchiladas and more. Mexican chicken tortilla soup. Dessert! Salad bar. All for $8.99. Highly recommend you make this place a regular on your dining out experience. Atmosphere, music and service all are great! Excellent Mexican buffet with wide variety of foods, fajitas, enchiladas and more. Mexican chicken tortilla soup. Dessert! Salad bar. All for $8.99. Highly recommend you make this place a regular on your dining out experience. Atmosphere, music and service all are great! read more

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Friendly service. Very clean restaurant and bathrooms. Chips and salsa are not fantastic. My only complaint is that the red sauce on the enchilada was tomatoey.... Reminiscent of spaghetti sauce. The shredded beef was quality. I'd come again. read more

El Norteno Mexican Restaurant - Nice open seating & very clean! - Mexican Near Me - Curtiss, Wisconsin

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Never coming here again the food is not the best I know I'm not Gordon Ramsay but this is DREADFUL! the tamales are dry and as a Mexican that I have eaten actual authentic Mexican food my whole life this was very upsetting and shouldnt be called authentic Mexican. While getting our food we had ordered a parrillada and we got fajitas instead and after trying to ask the lady (Don't know her name She had blonde hair and glasses) was very rude and seemed mad that we questioned her she was even shaking very rude and unprofessional. There was barely any customers here and I could see why! To add on The tacos where under seasoned and mostly chunks of Fat and the tortillas was soaked in grease and hardened whiting 2 minutes I wouldn't recommend EDIT: THE SALSA WAS WACKKKK not worth the money read more

This place is great. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted. I was seated quickly and was given sufficient time to choose from the wide variety of the Mexican cuisine on the menu. After ordering, the food came quickly and was as ordered. The atmosphere was very nice, as was the staff. They had some nice, upbeat music that added to the experience. I highly recommend this place for the quality, atmosphere, and the value for the dollar. The lack of the 5th star comes from the waiter asking how I was doing a bit too often. read more

I'm a native Californian, that lives in Texas now. I'm a truck driver that passes through here once a week and I always try to stop here. Being from California where I grew up on Mexican food and then moving to Texas and not getting the same sucks. One day I came in here and they food was spot on!!! Shrimp cocktail is the best and the tacos are great. For being all the way in Wisconsin this place is doing Mexican food perfectly!!! I suggest you stop in and eat and the service is awesome. Thank you El Norteno for filling my appetite every time!!! read more

Came to this place to expect some pretty good Mexican food. Cause it was recommended to me. But that was not the case. Food was bland had no flavor. The margarita which was original lime on the rocks. And it was so sweet I could not drink. Service was minimal the server never visited my table to ask me if I needed anything like water more tortillas. read more

Poor experience! Appetizer (Jalapeno Poppers) were served almost burnt, barely edible. Service was horrible, given the fact that there were nearly no other customers at the time (dinner time) did not receive the beverages ordered. The waitress did not return once to check on how our meal was. Had to hunt her down to get the check. read more

Better bring the vaseline. Just got the bill for my event. Told us the hall was free. Then billed us $100 for the hall. Told us there would be a buffet, then said there wasn't going to be a buffet and we would have to buy appetizers. Then billed us $8 per person for appetizers that included cold (because it was late) pulled pork sandwiches, cold quesedillas, chips and salsa, and coffee. NO WAY should you ever have an event at this place. read more

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Had terrible experience here. Won't ever go back. Food was horrible. Service was worse. Save your $$

I went on a Thursday afternoon, and it was dead. I was the only customer, and it still took a while for my food. They have Wi-Fi but I couldn't connect to it. The restaurant was pretty big, so I take it is mostly for big groups. The food was so-so, but I have had better Mexican food at other restaurants. And be sure to check if they are open. Sign says they are not open Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. read more

I ate at this restaurant last night with my 2 boys. It was the worst Mexican restaurant I have ever been to in my entire life. I ordered the steak and a baked potato, and a bacon cheese burger for one of my boys. I specifically asked the waitress if they had yellow American cheese, she said yes. It arrived at the table with white cheese which he don't like. We asked them to remake it, the waitress picked the sandwich up with her hand and took it to the kitchen, then returned a few minutes later after just pulling the white cheese off the burger. When I got my potato I asked for only butter on my potato. It came out with only sour cream on it. Once again the waitress reached down with her hand and took it off my plate and took it into the kitchen. We had also gotten the fajitas that had the weirdest flavor, so weird that I really can't describe it. The only 2 things that were half way descent was the white cheese sauce for the chips and the mini tacos on the appetizer menu. I don't like to complain so I just paid the bill we owed and left. After thinking about our experience there I decided to post this review. It was a waste of $60.00. Beware of this restaurant it's GROSS! read more

I'm from San Antonio Texas and I know when the chips and salsa are good ,, it so good it reminds me of home and the food was great ....

We often go to El Norteno since the management changed a few years ago. We love the staff and the food is always great, as is the atmosphere. If you sit in the bar, sometimes you'll see people playing basketball in the open gym area, or you'll see it all set up beautifully for a wedding. Try the Pollo Sinaloa; it is fantastic. Next time I'm getting the Fajita Philly. Sounds delicious. read more

Comfortable, conveniently located with great parking, beautifully decorated, and yummy Mexican food! Highly recommend this place if you are driving by. read more

First time here- delicious! Hubby got fajitas and I got chicken enchiladas. Food was fresh and hot. Also, our server was very friendly. We're glad we stopped (it was hubby's birthday). read more

Buffet was surprisingly awesome! Food tasted great, and the entire staff was outstanding! Management and kitchen staff checked in often at the buffet to make sure everything was fresh and available. Restaurant was a great atmosphere. read more

Our wait staff was very pleasant and attentive. We asked for recommendations on food and his suggestions were perfect - and delicious! Four of us from around the state decided to meet in this little town since it was about equal distance for driving. We now plan to do this yearly and will look forward to going to El Norteno again. read more

This restaurant sucks the waiter completely forgot about us and we waited an hour and a half to get our food but our waiter had left and we were so pissed we left didn't pay for the meal only our drinks because it was the only thing served to us!! Don't eat here service sucks. read more

Very friendly service. You can tell are the recipes are made with love. Recently stopped in and asked if there was anything they could offer that wasn't on the menu. Holy MOLE, seriously! They have the best mole ever, it was hard not to kick the plate. My dinner guest had their torta and he said it was amazing. Torta with steak and grilled jalepenos instead of the pickled kind. Worth the stop! read more

Could be the worst restaurant I have ever dined at. Had to yell into the kitchen to get staff to seat us. Had to ask for everything twice because the waiter was terrible. The food was horrible and had stuff stolen from our truck while dining inside. read more

We hit El Norteno at 4:00 on a holiday and were the only family there. The burritos were recommended because they were fast. The salsa and chips came immediately and the salsa was so compelling that I bought a pint to go. The shredded chicken and the shredded beef burritos were really, REALLY delicious. The rice had something magical and the guacamole was also really good. We hope to stop here the next time we're driving through. Loved it. Delicious huge portions and quick, happy service. (And then, my husband and the kids found a basketball gym in the back to run around in before getting ourselves back in the car! No kidding!) read more

The food was wonderful... Very clean very good and very friendly... Great costumer service! Thanks for the great hospitality and food!