Good things must come to an end.. once upon a time when I was a little undergrad in college, me and my Mexican best friend would come here monthly because the rice was "better than my abuelas" she would say. I don't know if abuela left but I think she would be disappointed in how this restaurant served us. Firstly, the food had no flavor. I'm sorry but you're a restaurant.. isn't the whole point to eat food that has flavor? Like not even salt. Also the tacos were so greasy they made us gag. I'm not even kidding like it was bad. Once we got our food we waited 15 mins for silverware. So that kinda sucked too. And then it took us 5 years to get the check. Also there were extremely racist white old ladies sitting at the table next to us. The customer isn't always right. Anyway though, we were really disappointed. Lawrence does have great Mexican food. I was excited to bring my boyfriend here because it used to be one of my favorite spots. They also don't do free queso anymore. At least the place was clean. There are better spots like Lulu's or Los Guapos. (Rip cielitos). I'd maybe try again in the future but for now I wouldn't go back. read more

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First, they include a bowl of queso with their chips and salsa which is obviously a bonus. My enchilada was great, the chicken was tender and had great flavor. The refried beans and rice were average and so was the service. Will go again when in the area. read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - #11 Enchilada De Jalapeno Cream Cheese - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

This review is for dinner for two at the bar on a Monday night in mid-November. service: Courtney S. was fantastic. Fast, efficient, and professional. bar: We both had the house margaritas and they are same price, frozen or on the rock ($8.99 each as of 11/2025). They have lots of beer taps, including my favorite, Free State Yakimaniac IPA. Wide ranging drinks menu, with something for everyone. food: Finally, a place that still provides those awesome complimentary chips and red salsa! We also had their chile con queso and thought it was great ($8.99). Menu has an excellent rendition of my all-time favorite, huevos con chorizo - or eggs with garlic sausage ($13.49). My wife ordered a la carte with a chile verde tamale ($5.99), a shredded beef soft taco ($1.99), rice ($3.99) and black beans ($3.99). In retrospect, it's probably smarter to order a combination plate! Huge menu with lots of interesting choices. details: Bright, bustling, busy space - even for a rainy Monday night. Plenty of surface parking right outside. read more

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The food was outstanding. Hot, tasty and served in a reasonable time. The free chips and queso seals the deal!

El Potro has great food, an adorable atmosphere, and top-notch service. The menu is huge--you might need a minute (or ten) just to read through it all. We started with the bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer, which arrived piping hot on a bed of lettuce with avocado and a side of ranch. Honestly, I might order this for my meal next time. My chile relleno was fabulous too though. M loved her California burrito. L and S both ordered fajita burritos and declared they'd happily order them again. (Repeat customers in the making!) Portions are massive. We all have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Oh--and they serve free queso dip with the chips. It's delicious. Like, "how-is-this-free?" delicious. read more

As far as Mexican food goes, it's pretty average, but the vibes here are great. Even if it's busy, the servers are great at still finding you a place and being attentive. There's a large selection and I'd say that all the food is reliably good, even if you branch out a little. Also they give you free queso, when at most Mexican restaurants it would cost maybe $10 for the same amount. read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Bird - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

Food 10/10 we love the free queso! Our server was Courtney and she was great! Gave great recommendations and kept our drinks full. We had another server greeted us. He was just helping her out. I love the teamwork! The inside is so festive. I love the music and overall vibe. Portions are HUGE! Definitely get a bang for your buck. Tortillas are made in house and are DELICIOUS! We love El Potro and will continue to come back! read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Bottomless chips and salsa and a free queso with every visit! - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

I've ate at El Potro multiple times before and everytime it's very good! I definitely think this is the best Mexican restaurant for food in Lawrence. The food is always full of flavor. The restaurant was clean and our waitress was on top of it! Drinks were refilled before they even had the chance to be empty read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Fajita Quesadilla with steak (left) Shredded beef chimichanga (right) - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

The food was fresh and very good! We catered a graduation party with the taco bar & chicken enchiladas. It came with guacamole & lots of chips!! The staff was so great & had the order ready as promised!! read more

Place was nice enough, service was okay but it was the weirdest Mexican food we had ever eaten. Everything very bland-- not just not spicy but hardly no flavor at all. Maybe that is what authentic Mexican food in Kansas is about but we did not care for it. read more

The food here is amazing! They bring out salsa and queso out with the chips for free! The carne asasa platter is one of the best Mexican dishes I have had. Service is also very good. Drinks are mediocre but everything else more than makes up for it. read more

Great service, very good food and love the queso. read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Combo #1 - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

We went there for a gathering, Food was good although the waiter was not a waiter, if he was supposed to be, he didn't act like one. One of the orders was messed up and they charged my friend way too much for the food she got. They had let us dry up before we could get refills. I don't recommend this place. read more

Just got into town and this place was so close to our hotel we stopped right in. The food and flavor was fantastic. We wanted to sit down and enjoy a 3 course meal without pressure and this place delivered. The free salsa, chips and queso had excellent spice. I added a little salt to the chips for my liking. The main course rice and beans were well prepared, I wanted more. The burritos were filling and made with fresh ingredients. My Chile verde pork was so tender it fell apart. We went for a dessert, had the flan and it was smooth. If you're in the area definitely stop in and fill up. read more

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Service is good but food is just OK. There are better Mexican restaurants in Lawrence than this one. They never have on their menu what I want. We will probably never go back. read more

Ordered a taco meal with rice and beans along with a strawberry margarita. The meal was very tasteful; and very hot; so hot i could not touch the plate; lol.....but thats ok with me; lol....Truly one of the best Mexican Restaurants in the nation. The margarita was very good one of the best I have ever had. The service was top notch and will be back. read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Tacos for Lunch!! - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

Tasty! And especially the margarita special. Mom and I split the Shrimp Avocado Quesadilla with baccharo (yum!) beans and it was FULL of lots of cheese. Service was friendly and efficient. read more

Always exciting to find a Mexican place that gives free salsa AND queso! Both the salsa and queso were actually very good here--flavorful and fresh-tasting. I wasn't too hungry and so I ordered just one beef enchilada and a side of rice, which was still plenty of food. The food came out pretty quickly. The rice was "eh," but the enchilada was good. I didn't get a marg this time, but I did notice the large selection of margarita flavors, so I look forward to coming back and trying some. Service was a little drab but that could be overlooked when you want a quick, unfussy, decent Mexican meal. read more

Fast in and out for quick lunch , service was fast and friendly , taco salad came out so quick and was large in size for lunch but I managed to eat most of it ...Dazia was my server and she was great , will be back read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

We loved that you get free queso when they bring the chips! This place has the BEST homemade tortillas. They are thick and soft. I could just eat tortillas and be happy. But, we did order the steak fajitas for two and added 5 grilled shrimp. Told the hubs a single order would be enough and I was correct - it was HUGE! The steak was very tender and the veggies were plentiful. The service was a bit on the slow side and the server didn't remove any of our used dishes, but that won't stop us from coming back. read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Sides for fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Good food. Good selection of drinks, and the food was hot and delicious. Already wanting to come back and try different things! Service was excellent!.. thank you Eduardo I! read more

Food is delicious and they offer a lot of variety. I always order the Laura's. The service is efficient and professional. The chips aren't very good. It's always busy and pretty noisy but has a good atmosphere. read more

Yummy! Great food, fast service, and really reasonable prices! They are doing a little facelift right now, but that didn't effect the experience at all. read more

Delicious! 1. Their queso is amazing. White queso with spinach and tomatoes-- yum! 2. Peach margarita-- also delicious. 3. I ordered the jalapeño cream cheese enchiladas, 10/10 would order again. Everything here tasted so fresh. The restaurant was clean, the wait staff was attentive, and we got our food in a timely manner. Very reasonably priced too! read more

El Potro Mexican Cafe - Jalepeno Cream Cheese Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

I love this place I really do recommend this place all day every day never been disappointed the best mexican restaurant in Lawrence I do recommend the skillets that has a little bit of everything on it like the Tamale and chili Renos and steak and it also comes with rice and beans and lettuce and sour cream and tortillas either corn or flour you pick I will definitely be back again read more

I'm very impressed. Patio is cute for the summer (palm frond umbrellas for shading, think tiki style) The free queso is excellent as everyone says, the large margaritas are quite generous for 9 dollars, and even the lunch taco salad is fairly large, although mine was smaller than my neighbors.. strange. The menu is enormous and I will be coming back to try again! read more

Food is great, large portions and great quality and inexpensive, Great drink selection. I will be back....

We hit this place up for lunch on a Saturday and would say it's so/so. You get chips, salsa and a white cheese sauce. Chips - good Salsa - ok Cheese - ok - has spinach and onions mixed but flavor of the cheese is bland. Chicken Fajita burrito or chimichanga- helping size is large but flavor is bland. Overwhelmed with onions and green peppers. Rice and beans on the side. Would have liked a lot more flavor in the sauce and overall chicken. Tried the Saturday special Burrito Paloma - ground beef with a cheese sauce was so/so. Service was good and staff was friendly. read more

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worst place I have ever eaten at. I had gotten one of their burritos and let me tell you something it was so horrible I nearly gagged , the meat was undercooked and watery , it looked like they just put the meat in boiling water , and the tortilla was drenched by the meat making it soggy . I came in so hungry and left with no appetite, just truly utterly ridiculous I will not be eating here again I don't care how hungry I am , it made my stomach hurt bad after a couple of bites , the burrito was so soggy it was like soup, like im trying to eat my burrito not drink it . Also the floor where our table was , was very wet my dad is 68 years old and complained to one of the waiters that they needed to dry the floor so he does not fall , they never did ! read more

The only thing good about this place is the service and the chips and salsa. Everything else was either overdone or overdone. I got the Tacos Al Cabon and got food poisoning. Don't recommend read more

Crushed like a taco shell that has been stepped on by a KU O-lineman. I've been to this restaurant a number of occasions and have never had problems. I have endured many, many missteps at this restaurant because their food is so darn good. Since they opened on Iowa Street, I have put up with the swarms of people who wait anxiously for a table. I have endured the guitar player who goes from table to table singing over the conversation you are trying to have with your dinner partner in hopes for a tip. I have braved all this stuff and more because, again, the food is AMAZING. The last time I visited, I could no longer endure or hold back. The food was still the BEST but the service was the worst I have had almost anywhere. El Potro is busy all the time, that is just a given and be prepared if you go there to dine. I met a friend for lunch and we were seated near the bar area. The waiter brought drinks, gave us a menu and *POOF* vanished. My friend and I made our menu choices and waited. Then we waited and waited some more. After about 20 minutes, I noticed that none of the tables around us were waiting. People who were seated after us had long been waited on and served. Our glasses were empty, the chip and salsa bowl long consumed. My friend and I had a table full of menus, chip crumbs, salsa remnants and melting ice. Our "waiter" must have walked by us a thousand times without even a nod. I spoke to the manager about our invisibility situation and I got immediate service after that. The manager sent over a margarita as a comp which I appreciated. The server apologized all over himself about not waiting on us. That's all fine and good but we would still be sitting there days later had I not complained to the manager. The reality was we were completely ignored. No business that deals in customer service should treat their customers as we were treated. Will I go back? You have no earthly idea how fantastic their food tastes.Yes, I'll go back but this time I not wait 20 minutes to complain. As long as they keep serving that delicious food, I'm there. read more

I had never been to El Potro before. My friend suggested we meet there for lunch. What a great place. They gave us salsa, queso and chips for free. The ground beef enchilada was so good. I had it regular but my friend substituted a cream cheese sauce on hers which she said is the best. I also ate a fried taco. It was very good also. Our server was attentive. It was a very busy lunch crowd but we received our order promptly. It was a great lunch and I will go back. read more

Food is hit or miss. Most of the time you get hard to chew chicken in your burritos. Salsa is absolutely horrible. It has no consistency. It's more watery than tomato juice. Really bad. The floors are always dirty. Once I saw a waiter sneeze into salsa (not on purpose) and proceed to serve it to the table. Service is spotty. Servers are very bad with checking up on you and refills. read more

Great service and even better food! Great margarita too! Our favorite mexican restaurant!

30$ for a pitcher of delicious marg. I got the strawberry flavor very delicious. And great food

Horrible experience. Wrong meal brought to our table TWICE. I ordered a shrimp enchilada with ranchero sauce. I was given a ground beef enchilada and hard shell taco. I returned that order and re-ordered my shrimp enchilada with ranchero sauce and was now given a shrimp enchilada with a cream sauce. Wrong again. My wife asked if the chili rellenos were hot and spicy. She was assured that they were not. Her first seed-filled bite was so hot she finished her "meal" after ONE taste. The only thing El Porto got correct on our order was how much money we owed them. THAT they managed to get 100% correct. We ate a grand total of three bites and were charged $26....that's just under $9 a bite. I will NEVER return to this horribly-managed place. Lazy confused cooks with no attention to details. Zero stars out a hundred. AVOID at all costs!!!!! read more

Great place for good Mexican food for the whole family! Their free espinaca dip is the BEST. If you like spicy, ask for their extra spicy salsa - it's SO good. We love the Sabroso Burrito and Chimichanga la Gloria. Kids meals are great with lots of options. read more

Great food, do not order take away unless you have to though, they go cheap on chips and salsa.

Most reliable restaurant in Lawrence. Worth the wait for the cheese dip alone. Ignore the h8ers, this is the place to go.

Lying here in bed, at 5:30 a.m., acid still burning my throat from yet another round of nausea. I had ordered a shredded beef chimichanga, and was really looking forward to eating it. What arrived was not a shredded beef chimichanga. It looked more like pork, and not having any objections to Barbacoa, I took my first bite. but tasted sour and, "Fishy", and slightly off. I chewed and choked it down anyway, realizing that as just a dumb woman, I don't know what I'm actually experiencing. (Or so I've been told.) One more bite, just to make sure it wasn't just all in my teeny-tiny, uterus-addled, empty head, and confirmed: rotting fish. I tossed the rest, hoping that only two bites of that rotting offal wouldn't later find me in an embrace with the porcelain man, John. No such luck. If you order anything with beef, make sure they don't use pork. If you order anything with pork, just don't. read more