Best birria I've ever had! The meat was tender and the birria was so flavorful. I highly recommend this place.

A family favorite for decades! Highly recommend the ground beef chimichangas (fried is the way to go)!

Fajitas were as good as I remember when I used to live in the area. Portion size seems to have shrunk quite a bit. Barely any chicken in my chicken fajitas. Service was borderline poor. I felt like an afterthought because I was by myself and not in the main area read more

Amazing little gem hidden in East York. The food is always good, never had a bad experience eating here. If I lived closer I would just go to sit at the bar, have some drinks and eat bowl after bowl of the chips and salsa. They are that good. I always have to stop myself from getting a refill on them because I wouldn't be able to eat my actual meal. The El Rancho Combo is my go to, enchilada, burrito and soft taco with rice and beans. Some of the tables are a little cramped up against the wall, it is small on the inside. Service is always good. read more

I got carry out because I was craving salmon. When I arrived, the hostess repeated my order back to me and mentioned the salmon was to be well done. I questioned if that is how it's normally served because I had not requested that. She immediately went to the kitchen and they made a new order for me so it was medium. I don't know how the original mistake happened, but I appreciate they corrected it ...and my dinner was delicious!! It was also large servings, so enough for 2 meals. I can't wait to go back and try another dish!! As I said , I ordered carry out, but it looks very cozy...a little dark and not noisy. They also have a bar off to the side. read more

We went there for our son's birthday. The staff was friendly and extremely efficient. The entrees were reasonably priced and the portions more than adequate. All in all an extremely pleasant experience. read more

Okay, I'll own it. I'm a snob. I've lived in Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I've eaten Mexican food done by the masters. So honestly, it's a three-star place. The chips and salsa are great, the service is very good, the food is just okay, and the decor is a bit stereotypically Mexican restaurant in the midwest. But I have to grade it on a scale as it's in York; and honestly, for being where it is geographically, it's pretty good, so four stars is fair. They earned it. read more

El Serrano Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - York, Pennsylvania

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Excellent food and margaritas. Good pricing and great service. This is our Mexican go to for sure read more

The exterior of the restaurant doesn't look like anything special but the interior vibe is pretty neat. From the textured walls to the Spanish style dining chairs, you really feel transported out of York! The food however, did not meet our expectations. Personally I think the dishes are overpriced for the quantity and quality received. The Yuccas appetizer was $9 for just four small pieces of fried yucca, drizzled with a mayo sauce. We ordered a second appetizer, Gambas al Ajillo. $10 may be reasonable considering it's seafood, but the French bread slices could have been larger and the five shrimps were a bit over cooked. The Lomo Saltado was $23 and consisted of mostly onions. I will say the beef was tender but after a few motions of chewing, there was no flavor. I was surprised to see that cilantro wasn't used, as it is part of the traditional way of preparing Lomo. Moving on to Enchiladas; the red sauce traditionally poured on top was non-existent. Now I do realize there are green sauce enchiladas, but the menu didn't specify that and as you can see from the photos, where's the sauce? They were stuffed with a generous portion of shredded chicken, sadly though, that was dry. The best thing? The green hot sauce! It was the only thing that tasted truly Peruvian! Oh, the free chips and salsa were pretty good too. Overall, we were excited to try out this restaurant but were disappointed in the lack of the authenticity of the food. There's always room for improvement though and I hope El Serrano will make an effort to do better! read more

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Tucked away next to a few businesses in a nondescript strip mall, this restaurant is easy to pass by, but do yourself a favor and stop in for a meal! The service was a little slow on the Saturday afternoon that I ate here but the food and drinks more than made up for it. If you're having a beverage, try one of their specialty pisco cocktails! read more

My ideal rating for this place would be 3.5, but with yelp's system, I don't think I can bump this place up to 4 stars. I'll start with the good- this restaurant had small alcoves, which were great for distancing and made us feel more comfortable dining in. Each table got complimentary chips and salsa, and the salsa tasted relatively fresh (though it could use a little bit of spice). Additionally, there was a vegetarian section which I very much appreciated. The menu was pretty extensive. My friend got the house special fajitas, which were supposedly pretty good as well. I got the trio vegetariano, which included rice and beans, a grilled vegetable mix in a tortilla (no cheese), a chile relleno, and a bean burrito. The grilled veggies were good and pretty flavorful and the rest of the food was decent. Our waitress was nice as well. The not so good- the chips seemed a bit stale and undercooked. My plate of food was somewhat warm and seemed like it was probably sitting out for a bit before getting to my table. The chile relleno tasted decent but was a bit soggy. We both got guacamole on the side of our meal. It was fresh, came in a small condiment cup, and was $2.50 for the tiny cup. Way too overpriced for the quantity. I ordered the passionfruit margarita- it looked gorgeous but did not have a passionfruit taste. It was very citrusy. Additionally, the portion size (with a lot of crushed ice in it) was smaller than I would have expected. When we get the check, we were actually billed for the fresh and dirty margarita. So I suppose you'll be satisfied with the drink if that's what you ordered, but I was left disappointed since I was expecting passionfruit. Overall, decent local place if you're in the area. Just watch out for the correct drink orders and for the sneakily expensive side guacamole. read more

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My husband and I opted to sit at the bar for dinner during a busy Sat evening. So glad we did. Our bartender/server Naomi made our evening. She was knowledgeable not only about the food and drink menu, but also Pisco recommendations. She was friendly and accommodating to all of the bar patrons. Gracias Naomí. read more

This place is a bit hard to find and tucked in a block off of the main strip, but what a great find! The food was absolutely delicious! I had to empanadas for a starter and Lomo Saltado with beef as my main dish! It was amazing, very savory and cooked to perfection. Generous pours on the delicious Spanish wine selections as well. The seating is a bit unusual and close, but more like a traditional Spanish-Mexican style.The service was spot on and very professional and courteous. It's a bit dark in there, but I know some restaurants tend to be. The prices were very reasonable for the quality of food served, and the portions were huge! I highly recommend this place and will be back often! read more

The atmosphere is unique for a restaurant in a strip mall. It is cozy and romantic,with very private booths! The decor is lovely. The menu displays entire descriptions of each dish. The delicious food is displayed in an attractive fashion. The waitresses/waiters are very friendly and attentive! read more

The empanadas were about the size of a meatball very disappointing Service was good Food was average Not a place where I would absolutely come back to read more

Came here on a work lunch! They give free (warmed) chips and salsa! (Always a plus)! The ambiance here is absolutely incredible. The wooden carvings and the embossed leather seats add to a cozy and sophisticated feeling, nicely tucked into the stone archways that envelope their most frequently seated tables in a private and South American vibe. Our server was so sweet and checked on us just enough! The bathrooms are clean and they even have communal LISTERINE! If you're wondering why I haven't discussed food yet it's because that's why this review doesn't relieve five stars. We ordered the avocado frits and the guacamole to start. The avocado frits were served warm at the perfect temperature. However we did not like the sauces on these pieces- it was three pieces of avocado, and I just didn't like the wasabi mayo mixed with balsamic. My palate was not on board for this. The guacamole, after one taste, was missing both salt and lime. The server gave us some more to add! My coworker got chimichangas and he really loved them- I tasted them and the cheese is super flavorful! He got really full for sure. I got the salmon Serrano- this is glazed with a almond cinnamon sauce that is absurdly out of this world when it comes to flavor. I got the salmon medium well and it was super delicious. Even the white rice had an amazing taste. The veggies were steamed and soft. I loved my meal!!! Overall we will certainly be back! El Serrano (the Mountain) muchas gracias!!! read more

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Great spot. Service was good and prompt. I had El Bandido shredded beef very unique. I wish I lived closer this would be a weekly stop. I pulled up and thought maybe not, that would have been a mistake. read more

One of my local favorite restaurants! We get their chicken fajita salad and the pollo fundido, every time. Pinchos are really good, too (steak kabobs). I highly recommend trying their Peruvian dishes. I've never had a bad meal here. The chips and salsa are incredibly good. My favorite salsa of all time. The servers are always nice and prompt. I would recommend trying the Lancaster location which is way more impressive. The ambiance here is nice and has some of the same flair from Lancaster, but is much smaller. The only downside is the comfort in the restaurant. It is usually cold and the chairs are really uncomfortable. Chairs and decor is very beautiful, but a little cold and austere. The new renovated bar is very cool, but I think the seats need to have more pillows. Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Fresh Salsa 10/5 Ambiance 5/5 Comfort 2/5 read more

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We haven't been here for a few years, but always enjoyed their meals. The new open restaurant was quite nice and they finally have a bar which was a nice surprise. The food was still as good as we remembered. The place was packed with people and they had more waiting outside. Excellent chips and salsa! They ran out of fried ice cream so we had to settle for the cake. read more

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We come to El Serrano every time we visit York - which is currently once a year. My vegan teen is easily accommodated here - and ordered bean burritos (no cheese, no sour cream, etc.) The salsa is just so amazing - get some to take home. This time I had (as usual) the Gambas (garlic shrimp) app and for entree grilled marinated pork chops - so delicious. My husband got a chimichanga. Some of the best food in York - which is in dire need of good, non-chain restaurants. read more

Very good. Salmon was cooked perfectly and so was the pork. Highly recommend!!! Beautiful decor as well

The food at El Serrano is fresh, unique, and unexpected. I enjoyed the shrimp entree I had very much. The only downside to El serrano is the space is small and the tables are very close together. If you dont mind your table being a snug fit, the food is excellent. read more

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This is not what I call a Mexican restaurant then again I'm from Texas. Was very disappointed in the limited menu selections, cheese enchiladas were served warm not hot and little to no cheese sauce or flavor for that matter. Chips served in small paper bag with salsa served in a very small plastic go container. I judge Mexican restaurants by their salsa. This salsa failed to impress. Over priced for the quality and quantity of the food . It's a Peruvian style not Mexican at all. Drinks were also over priced. Paid $40-50 for two and worth about $12.50 in value. On a side note the interior is well appointed. The waitstaff was pleasant but inattentive and The parking is very limited. We won't be back. read more

El Serrano Mexican Restaurant - Part of the dining room. This was a Friday night. - Mexican Near Me - York, Pennsylvania

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This might be my favorite restaurant in York. Definitely the best Hispanic food I've had in the area. The staff is always great and the food is always incredible. The chips and salsa are delicious. We always get the Ropa Vieja; it is packed with flavor and the meat is always increased. My favorite entree that I've tried so far is the Chuletas de Puerco. I'm not usually a fan of pork or pork chops especially, but this dish is delicious! I want to try new dishes every time I got but it's always a battle because this one has been so good every time I've tried it. The restaurant itself is also so well decorated and has the coolest furniture that creates a unique ambiance. read more

So I personally haven't been here in a while but it was as good as I remembered. My wife and daughter had the Lomo Saltado and I had the Mixto Limeno (Peruvian). Both were great! The chips and their salsa I believe is some of the best in York County. The rice in both dishes are enhanced by the light sauces of each dish. The flavors from the sauces enhance everything on the plate. Also, I had the Traditional Margarita which was also great. Lastly, the service was great also. Highly recommend! read more

Been awhile since I was here. Ordered taco salad with ground beef and fried ice cream. Delicious. I was sad that currently no margaritas, but hostess assured me won't be gone long read more

I've been coming to El Serrano's ever since it first opened, so like 20+ years. This place is my mom's all-time favorite restaurant, so no trip home is complete with getting take out or dining in at El Serrano's. Aside from this being a family fav, I must say their food is some of best Mexican I've had. Everything just tastes so fresh and flavorful. I highly recommend the El Gordo combo. The grilled pork chop that comes with it is probably the best-tasting pork product I've ever eaten. Plus, you get some of El Serrano's chicken fajitas, which I also highly recommend. The chicken is the most moist chicken ever and perfectly seasoned. My husband won't stop raving about those chicken fajitas. El Serrano's has a good selection of margaritas that will leave you with a delightful buzz. Servers are friendly and attentive. I also love the bar that they've added on to the restaurant. The seating areas are really cozy and neat-looking. read more

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7 of us went here on 2/17/19 for a birthday dinner and were totally disappointed. It took 2 hours for 5 of our meals to come out. When they arrived they were all cold and looked liked they were sitting under the warmer for a while. The last meal was canceled because everyone else was already halfway through their meal. The waitress who's name is Diana was at best a glorified hostess. She was extremely rude and not very apologetic. I would not recommend this place at all. read more

We love the Lomo Saltado one of the signature dishes. Peruvian style strips of beef tenderloin grilled with red onions. French fries and cooked tomatoes. It is delicious. The onions are not over powering but add a little sweetness to the dish. We also had the Ceviche and Avacado Frito Tapas as appertizers. Both excellent as was the Coconut Shrimp. We will eat there again. read more

El Serrano Mexican Restaurant - When you walk inside this is the base of the podium the hostess stands at. The wood is beautifully carved. - Mexican Near Me - York, Pennsylvania

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Don't let the size of this place steer you away. It has big flavor at great prices. My wife and I visited El Serranos in York after hearing about the one in Lancaster. Turns out the very first one was in York and the original flavor is top notch. We were immedieatly seated in a quiet cubby with seating for four. I found that this was very cool felt like you were on a island that would be visited by your server every once and a while. The food was great and the portions are huge. You don't need an appetizer at this place. I was full with my combo platter and it wad only $12 bucks!! My wifes plate was $9 bucks and she took some home. You have to get there early or you will be waiting. We went at six on a Friday night and walked right in. At seven there was a line at the door. They don't take reservations. Which I bad considering how popular this place is. We will be going back read more

El Serrano Mexican Restaurant - Menu - Mexican Near Me - York, Pennsylvania

Honestly, the plan was to take a picture of the amazing food that we were served. However, the food didn't last long enough for me to take a picture of it. I ordered the El Gordo which came with an enchilada, a chicken fajita and a pork chop and that were cooked to perfection. Amazing salsa music was playing in the background and the ambience was absolutely such a great vibe. Speaking of salsa, the free chips and salsa that came before our main course were also, amazing. Our server was extremely attentive and expedient as well. Will absolutely return to this small business and support them. Place was decently packed as well for a lunch on Friday. read more

Wow! This is indeed a hidden gem. We had moved to the area 3 years ago and remember that our realtor had recommended El Serrano but we could never find it nor remember the name. We were eating at a restaurant across the street and lo and behold, we looked out the window and there it was! We stopped in late afternoon for an early light dinner. We told our server that it was our first time and asked if there was anything special we should know. Fiorella D explained the menu and made some recommendations. They were many Peruvian dishes, which she recommended because they were different offerings than other area restaurants. One that we ordered was a little fried dough filled with crab meat, one was shrimp in a delicious garlic sauce served with toasted baguette, and we also had fish tacos. Yum!! The alcohic beverages were very original and unfamiliar to us. She explained them thoroughly and even brought my husband a sample of a beer he was interested in to see if he'd like it. I had a mixed drink - I wish I could remember the name but it's the "unofficial" drink of Peru - delicious and potent! The food was excellent and Fiorella was very attentive, returning to the table several times to refill our beverages and ask if our food was to our liking. We highly recommend El Serrano - the food was great and our server was the best! read more

Solid place for lunch! I had the chicken chimichanga and it was delicious. For those of you who might be a bit more health conscious, you have the option to get it grilled or fried. Literal only complaint is it did not come with sour cream. Overall though very delicious, not too large so you may want to get the full size portion (I did) instead of the minichanga. The free chips and salsa were both delicious as well (note: one basket per table with no refills). The service is prompt and friendly and the menu is overall very extensive. Worth a stop in for any fan of Mexican cuisine read more

El Serrano Mexican Restaurant - Chicken chimichanga - Mexican Near Me - York, Pennsylvania

I usually prefer my own quac over most places that make it. But theirs tasted very similar to what i make. Loved it. They didn't have the mariachi band. But i can understand with Covid why they didn't. Hopefully next year we can enjoy that. Atmosphere was very nice, done well. read more

My mom took me here for my birthday dinner. The appetizer (Papas Rellenas) arrived still frozen....clearly not authentic fresh made food...something from a frozen bag. The salads were mediocre....really tiny. The entrees we settled on (Chicken Quesadillas) were the same quality I would get any any run of the mill Mexican restaurant. WILDLY UNIMPRESSIVE. Also, the location is in a cheesy strip mall, lacking any real feeling of going out to a nice restaurant. I would not recommend this for a celebreation place, more of an over priced lunch spot. read more

As a Mexican connoisseur I expect real Mexican/Latin spice and care within the food, I ordered the yuca and I feel they could at least use a little more salt they were very bland. That also goes for the tapas and it's options. Also the ceviche was very citrusy good but could cut down on the lemon and could also be served with something like chips or crackers. I do have to say there was great service and even greater cocktails! read more

El Serrano is a gem specializing in cuisines if both Mexico and Peru. We are fortunate to have another wonderful local specialty restaurant.

Stopped in close to closing for a bite to eat on a Sunday night. Service was quick and friendly, especially as things were winding down. The margaritas were excellent, particularly the fresh & dirty margarita. Food was pretty good, both of us got entrees off the Mexican food menu, specifically a burrito and a sampler plate. With that being said, nothing stood out over other Mexican restaurants in the area with these entrees. Definitely worth going back and trying some other dishes off of their Peruvian menu as well. Solid 4 stars that could easily become a 5 if some of the other entrees stand out more. read more

Stopped in last night for dinner. Tried their chili, which is served on rice, and it was delicious. Got the Lomo Saltado for dinner which our server Dana had recommended and it was excellent. She was very knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive. Will definitely go back there for dinner again read more

What a wonderful experience - we had a group of about 15 for my sons birthday and half of us had not been to El Serrano before. What a special treasure right here in York. The food was nothing short of fabulous from the well portioned kids meals to the sizzling pork steak dish - perfectly seasoned - The service was amazing. Best we have experienced in a long time. Diana offered great suggestions, interacted and engaged us in a welcoming and helpful way and the ending presentation at the end of sparklers and a song finished it off fabulously. Never missed a beat. She made the experience top notch. Definitely recommend her and the restaurant for a great dining experience. read more

El Serrano Mexican Restaurant - Beautiful entrance - a welcoming feeling - authentic - Mexican Near Me - York, Pennsylvania