My friend didn't want me to write this review- he said, " can't you just est and enjoy the restaurant? " and to that I respond: " No! Others need to know about this great little place in downtown Dawsonville. " We walked in as they were shutting down lunch and we were the only clients there. They made us feel welcome, tolerated my broken attempts at Spanish conversation, and refilled chip after chip bowl as we ate. They never made us feel rushed even though we were the gringo $ss8@les keeping them from taking a break. Everybody enjoyed their meals- my friends got the chorizo pollo dish while I got the delicious vaqueros (2 burritos) special that they recommended. The food was a bit salty but that's to be expected sometimes with this genre and the cheesy-savoryness embedded in my dish. The Corona-Ritas were huge and tasty and washed it down nicely. I had one other beer and the total was only around $25. Given the portions and authenticity I think you'll find it hard to beat value wise anywhere around town. Would recommend to others. read more

the food was good, had no problem with it, other than i ordered the pollo special, it came with 3 tortillas and i never once got them. my biggest issue was the waitress. she has brown hair with blonde highlights at the end and it was up in a messy bun. she never greeted us, never smiled, never said her name. she barley talked in fact. she didn't say "what would you like to drink?" she just stood there until we started ordering. she never asked if we were ready to order, after giving us our drinks, she just left, came back 10 minutes later. even after we ordered, it took 40 minutes for our food to come out, and that was only 2 kids quesadilla with fries. it took another 15 minutes for the adults to get their food (which was 4 people) and she forgot two more kids orders of fries. the food was good, but that was a terrible waitress. mind you, this was a first impression. the table next to us that got seated 10 minutes after we got there, got their food, paid, and left, before our whole table even got our order. we will not be returning or recommending this place to anyone. read more

I was definitely super disappointed. The chips tasted like they had been poured out of a bag. They were the kind that when you put salt on them it just rolled off. They didn't have tomatoes, which was bizarre to me. The refried beans tasted like it was the kind that was powdered one mixed with water, terrible texture and taste. I had to repeat my order three times to the server, basically to state that I didn't want cheese or sour cream as I cannot eat dairy I got the taco salad and it was very small. Not impressed, do not recommend whatsoever. Did not taste authentic at all. read more

Absolutely the best and only Mexican restaurant I will go to in Dawsonville. If you know you know and anyone that speaks poorly on this place obviously isn't from Dawsonville. They always treat you like family, the food is always good (don't expect fancy fru fru food- but you will leave satisfied and full), they are fast, and it's priced extremely fairly. You can't come here and not get a quesadilla, it's a must! My fav chips and cheese dip by far. They are the sweetest family restaurant and I always with them the best. Even after moving away 7 years ago, I still make sure to come to El Rio every time I visit home. read more

El Rios never fails! Always consistent with great food, always fresh and cooked perfectly, and food comes out quickly. I love supporting family local businesses and this is by far my favorite. Super sweet staff and great service. If you're looking for the best mexican restaurant in Dawson, this is it! read more

Great restaurant with a hot,fresh,and quick food I got the taco bowl and a cheese quesadilla 10/10 for both read more

El Rios Mexican Cafe - Steak Taco Salad - Mexican Near Me - Dawsonville, Georgia

I enjoyed it! Family owned, locals joint, loved the salsa jug you can refill on your own! Chips are hot! Service friendly and on it! Margarita Texas was good! The burrito they recommended was perfect to split and the fajitas with chicken and steak and you could add cheese was a plus! Good service, good food, fair price! We tried to eat In Dahlonega but there was a 2 1/2 wait! We drove here and back in half that time! Worth it and enjoyed it! read more

Well, am conflicted at the moment. Three stars may be too many. I was in need of a meal and place to go potty. I had it in my head that if I drove into town, I would find fast food row. Not the case- I was stymied by a fall festival and it's traffic. I pulled into this place and intentionally did not check Yelp for a review. Which I never do buttttttttt when there is a partially cut neon piece of poster board declaring in black marker "bathrooms are for customers only. Everyone else $1. We aren't kidding", the stage is already set. There is no swaying yay or nay going to happen. The restaurant was once a ??? I can't answer that question. In its previous life, it may have been mechanic shop with a one lane bowling alley and a grab go lunch counter all rolled into one. It has to a very odd floor plan with some seating in the front off of the head on parking and away from the kitchen with some twists and turns to the bathroom, there is another large dining area. I bring this up to say that the food was ok, came out accurate, and quickly... the waitstaff wore face masks not all of the employees did... but the place was very very very dirty. The POS machine sat precariously on a wobbly table just inside the table, there were other tables piled with staff belongings and there were dusty, cobweb laden plastic flowers (fake poinsettias, actually) in the front windows. I suspect there are other places nearby. This is not a must visit. read more

Gone up in pricing.. service not the same.. Im not sure what happened.. I have ordered the same thing as before and its less than normal... I hope they can return to what they used to do as far as ordering and receiving the same amount.. read more

El Rios Mexican Cafe - Chips and phenomenal salsa!! - Mexican Near Me - Dawsonville, Georgia

Fast, friendly, inexpensive - exactly what you'd expect from an independent Mexican Joint. I had Lunch Special #1 - Chill Relleno, Taco, Beans, Guacamole Salad for $4.95. Lots of food. read more

El Rios Mexican Cafe - a neon sign in the background - Mexican Near Me - Dawsonville, Georgia

This is our go to place!!! We love all the staff and the food is awesome especially for the price. We even have birthday dinners here for our girls. It's everyone's favorite in our house. read more

The quintessential Americanized small town Mexican restaurant. When you think about the stereotypical Mexican joint that's been there forever in your hometown, this is it. The folks that run this place have been feeding the people of Dawsonville for years with a smile. Don't expect an authentic Mexican experience, but expect decent prices, never-ending chips and salsa, and a hearty meal that comes out minutes after you order it. I love this place. In fact, I hold it so close to my heart that I'm giving it 5 stars. It truly is nearly perfect in regards to what it sets out to accomplish. Keep up the great work guys, long live El Rios! read more

Since Covid hit, I've yet to visit any restaurant in the past year+, but do miss going to El-Rios where the food and service is always quite good. Once the Covid cloud lifts, they'll be the first sit down restaurant I'll gladly revisit. read more

First we walked in...no hostess to sign in with just a large sign with the words sit wait to be seated blocking the entrance. Then while we waited patiently in a group of three and another of 2 waited to be seated a party of three walked in am immediately were seated. Were we invisible? My fiance got up and complained...the rapdly where seated. Get to the table served more than stale chips with salsa. Ordered a bowl of quacamole only to be served 3-4 tablespoons worth of not even freshly made for $4.95...Garbage! Ask if I could get 2 shrimp tosados with cheese lettuce and tomato...when the arrived they had baby shrimp cut 1/2 with maybe 4-5 cut in half portions on each tosado for 5.50 each...no sides...11.00 for maybe 9 baby shrimp?? What? Ridiculous....my fiance said his was ok...just surprised at the whole experience...sent the quac back. Normally go to Los Rios...won't be making the mistake to go elsewhere again! Los Rios is worth the trip due to service, price and quality of food!. read more

Great food Right quantity And friendly customer service Nice music and vibe Overall nice experience read more

Tortillas are not fresh or made in house , beans and rice are pre made. Honestly everything tastes pre made, frozen or from a can. I cannot recommend. read more

Very good, fast, and reasonable.Waiter was great and gave my niece some candy on the house after our meal. Will come back next time we pass through read more

Service is always fast and reliable. I love the hole in the wall feel atmosphere. Very authentic food, with hundreds of combinations and deals. Beer prices are great, and I've never left hungry. One of my favorite parts is individual salsa cups. Everyone at the table can double dip! Go check this place out! read more

Prices here are crazy cheap but the food is excellent Services good I love that they give you a whole jug of salsa you never run out

El Rio was generic Mexican food. The servers were very nice. The service was a good pace. They leave you with plenty of salsa.

After living in Tx and California for many years there food isn't up to my standards. The service is good but very slow. There should be more in competition for Mexican food in this area. read more

One our my favorite spots I my hometown. They are like family and I honestly don't have to order my food. The food is awesome too!

El Rio used to be a good Mexican restaurant. Now they serve old pico de gallo, charge for 4.40 for 2 ounces of cheese dip, The chicken soup is half the amount now and two dollars more. We will never go back there. The salsa is glorified tomato sauce. Give it zero stars if you had that available read more

It took me two years to try this hole in the wall Mexican place. It looks.... authentic in an old way. It's always packed on the weekends. It's so good, and really inexpensive. I've never had to wait. They have great prices for lunch. You have a jug of salsa waiting at your table for you when you sit down. They also don't use a lot of cilantro in their food, which helps us bc my husband is allergic. I've ordered the lunch fajitas and two of the salads. Everything is great. read more

Five stars for now. It feel and the food is doing it for me. It feels more authentic then some. The price though, very good pice for the amount and quality of food. I recommend the chorizo chicken! Also, may sound odd but I really like seeing the owner, I assume he is, sitting down with his family for dinner when I go in. Looks like a family man. Props. read more

Thank you YELP! We never would have stopped here but the kids wanted Mexican. We eat Mexican food twice a week or so and THIS is some of the best we have ever had! Salsa is not too hot and has a wonderful flavor. The burritos and enchiladas we very good as well. The sauce for both are top notch. And they don't put Veg-all in their rice!!!!! The rice is delicious! Prices are unbeatable as well. Give it a try. read more

I love living so close to this gem. The food is very affordable and delicious. The restaurant could use a fresh coat of paint but with food that good, that you don't pay attention to the walls. read more

This is my favorite place to eat Mexican... I've eaten it all over the country, and NO ONE beats El Rio

Wasn't my favorite Mexican food. The margaritas were amazing the food was not that great. The staff was super friendly. The restaurant was clean. read more

This was the last Mexican food restaurant in town that we had not tried, so we gave it a shot. The decor is a bit overwhelming, but that has never thrown us off before. However, once we sat down we realized that the place is filthy. The walls have chunks of junk stuck all over them. We scooted away from the wall and went ahead and ordered...we probably should have left. The chips came and I went to add a little salt to them and realized the salt and paper shakers were covered in dust and rust, as well as their holder. The waitress was sweet, but she only gave one refill despite us both being out for long periods of time. If they had been hopping, I would understand, but we were one of 3 couples there and all the employees were sitting at tables near us watching tv. The food was ok for the price, but I have never, in my life, seen chimichangas coated in enchillada sauce. While it tasted good, we both had heartburn and bowel issues afterwards. We will not be back. read more