The food is just ok, the appetizer chips were never good in the first place. It used to be a little bit better but the food and service last few visits were just lacking. It didn't help that I waited an hour and they didn't even have the order. The cook in the back was really nice and apologetic, but of course it wasn't his fault. Disappointed. read more

The chipotle burrito is DELICIOUS. I've been to El Tapatio on New Bern a few times and this burrito is my go-to. Big, stuffed, smoky chipotle sauce with just the right amount of heat, rice and chicken cooked perfectly, everything melty and fresh inside. Portion is huge and easily shareable. Service was fast and super friendly, chips and salsa came out right away, and prices are very reasonable for how much food you get. Clean, family-friendly spot, great for lunch or dinner. If you like a little smoky kick, get the chipotle burrito. You won't regret it. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Chipotle Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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My love for El Tapatio remains unending. You just can't beat their huge burritos and their fresh made guac. We had the opportunity to bring some friends here after run club, and it was so much fun showing them how the staff makes the guac in front of you. Absolutely my favorite place to stop in for Tex Mex. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Nice ambience? Kinda like an episode of Atlanta or Insecure. However, they played with this shrimp quesadilla and flat brownie. The service was so incredibly slow. I understand it was an inconvenience to switch booths, but the table was so rickety that my friend almost fell because it tipped over. There were lots of open seats and this one was right next to the door so I feel like... they gave us the worst seat in the house for what? The lady was mad at us for the rest of the time. Update: market price guacamole is $12??? read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Hot fudge brownie sundae - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Really easy to order over the phone and online, I did just that since they're right down the street for me and picked it up and it was ready when I was. Highly recommend I will be coming back very affordable read more

Food was quick and good. The drinks were delicious. The ambience is very nice. The service was fast and smooth. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The food look nice however my taco salad came out without any sour cream any pico and no cheese. The staff was friendly however why didn't they realize my salad was so light? The ambience is beautiful. The place is very clean and the car is very nice. I'm glad I was hungry because I probably would've sent it back. I read them about a 3 1/2 stars out of five. read more

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Portions were really big and the food was nice. The staff was friendly and the service was good.

Visited here for lunch with some coworkers. Ordered the lunch fajitas with no shells and a Diet Coke. Fajitas were just okay. The onions and peppers were not cooked well as they should have been. They brought me the shells anyway. Service was good. Waitress kept our drinks refilled and food arrived fairly fast. Salsa was fresh and tasty. I about fell out of my chair when I saw that my soda was $3.75. I know drinks are overpriced these days but didn't think thru would be at a Mexican restaurant. Definitely would not have ordered it if I'd realized that. read more

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This place was delicious!! The fresh made guacamole is a must and all of our entrees were so yummy. The service was fabulous and we were so happy with our experience. Thank you!! read more

First time visiting this restaurant. I was shopping nearby and the lunch pangs were starting so Yelp led my cravings here. The staff is friendly and my drink order was taken quickly as well as chips and salsa arriving. My order of the lunch chimi came up soon thereafter. The chips were warm and the salsa had just enough bite for me. The lunch chimi is flavorful and appropriately on the smaller size. It comes with either an order of rice or beans and a lettuce salad with sour cream and guacamole. All was tasty and definitely filled me up! If you're in the area this is definitely worth trying out! read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Lunch chimichauga - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Don't order delivery from this establishment, apparently they don't even verify the person grabbing the food to go is a delivery person. We waited and waited for our food to arrive, it went through 4 delivery people before we realized someone had already taken the food. We called and were immediately placed on hold, when the manager finally got back to us he was very rude and hung up on us mid sentence! Never again read more

2021 update Went for dinner on a Thursday night around 6pm. The restaurant was moderately busy, but I was greeted and seated with no wait. The staff is professionally dressed (black pants, black dress shirts, and most with ties) and is always active. It's a refreshing change from the more casual attire seen at most eateries. I ordered my favorite meal on their menu - grilled chicken over rice. Server brought it to the table with minimal wait time. The dinner is a more than ample portion. Good flavor to the meal. Pleasant experience, a good meal, great staff. read more

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Everything I've tried there is amazing. I could eat the chicken nachos everyday! The burritos are fantastic. Will be bringing friends there soon! read more

Still my favorite Mexican restaurant!! I've been a customer for 8-9 years now. Chuy the general manager as been there since I've been a customer and Nancy, who started as a server and is now in management, as she deserves to be. They are like extended family to me. I moved to Garner 3 years ago and I only get it through DoorDash now. I enjoy eating my food there more but they NEVER forget anything and he food is just as great as delivery. I just really miss the drinks (they have amazing craft cocktails and tequila drinks, as well as beer specials.) and the staff. read more

Their service is very slow.Not only that some of their staff does not speak english to give the righ order.

I did carryout of a taco salad. The staff was very nice. I am working on my spanish and they were patient with me to practice my ordering. They even helped me say it better. Food was really good and definitely will try again when visiting Raleigh. read more

Our favorite local Mexican spot. Always gotta get the table side guac! I also normally get the smothered steak and shrimp

Great enchilada suiza and chili releno. Also great salad Fresca. Marguerita special was perfect. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Salad Fresca with strawberries and pecans. - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Excellent service and love the fajitas. Would recommend to anyone in the area. Don't forget the fried ice cream

Love popping in for a takeout order or more relaxed dinner. The Speedy Gonzalez is great for a quick lunch. If I am eating at the restaurant I eat indoors and definitely order the table side guacamole. They have great specials and the best margaritas, a diverse menu for drinks. One of my favorite after work spots! read more

Amazing environment! So much fun fun Everything is flavorful! The margaritas were really so tasty and they were huge. Everything is reasonable price wise. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Huge portions ! You get your moneys worth I love the rice , not try at all. Margaritas only 8 bucks - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Two words. Coconut. Margarita. I have never in my life had a coconut margarita but I am so happy they have this on the menu. It's like a piña colada and a margarita had the freshest, smoothest baby you have ever seen. The service is so friendly and the food is quick and deliciously authentic. The ambience is casual and you're made to feel right at home. The cheese dip and the chicken enchiladas are absolute must tries. Once again, do not walk, RUN for the coconut margaritas. Cheers! read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Cadillac margarita, margarita flight, and the coconut margarita. - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Came here for a girls night yesterday and they had the house (lime) margaritas for $3.99 so I got one with my 3 chicken enchiladas, I decided to get green sauce on top of my enchilada instead of the red sauce , it was a good choice. The downside of my evening was we got seated with no silverware and the menus were filthy. They also seemed kind of anxious to get us out because they closed at 11. The food and margaritas were good but they need to work on professionalism in the restaurant when other guests are present and not rush customers. read more

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2022 update. The food was tasty, good size portions. Had the chicken and beef fajitas. Salsa was robust and spicy. This would be a 4 start review based on food. However, thru list a start based on cleanliness. The floors were greasy and slippery and the men's bathroom was disgusting. Hope the kitchen was cleaner. read more

We enjoy going for lunch. This is the steak burrito . The food is well seasoned. I love it when I don't have to add salt to my food because this place adds flavor to their food . read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Ordered take out first time order wrong. Ordered a taco salad with no beans. I got a chicken taco salad, called the restaurant let them aware about situation. Told me to come back and they will make it right. Drove 10 minutes back received my food still wrong. Last time I ever eat here. read more

Decent fare. Never a disappointment. Great tasting housemade hot sauces and salsas. Equally great beer and drink specials. Chips and burritos as fantastic as well. Looking forward to the next visit. read more

This is not authentic Mexican, but it is what you expect at a good American Mexican restaurant. The portions are good size and the Margaritas are served in big glasses (they don't skimp in the tequila too) ! I ordered the lunch combo with steak street taco (substituted) and chicken enchilada. My best friend ordered a vegetarian quesadilla (delicious)! The steak was a bit on the salty side, but the chips and salsa were good (spicy with rich tomato flavor). read more

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Went in for dinner Thursday night and the place was pretty busy. They have a nice little outdoor patio, not much of a view, but at least you can get some fresh air. Even though they were pretty packed service was fast and super friendly. The chips and salsa were pretty tasty! For dinner I went with my usual chori con pollo. They were super liberal with the chorizo but the chicken was disappointingly chewy. If the chicken had been a bit more tender, the dish would have been great. My husband got the trio of enchiladas with chipotle sauce and enjoyed each one. His chicken was really tender. I also ordered a horchata and the thing was massive. Just order one and share it with the whole table! There isn't exactly a plethora of options near this area of New Bern Ave, El Tapatio is a good go to for a quick dinner out. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Horchata - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

This place is the best Mexican restaurant In the triangle. I've tried most of their menu items and everything is delicious. The he service is impeccable and always on point. Can't recommend this place enough! read more

The interesting sculptures and the authentic smells of mexican cuisine are mouth watering as you begin to approach the restaurant from the parking lot. As you walk in, every expectation you have about a cosy Mexican restaurant is met. The carved wooden booths, the bowls with avocados on your table as decoration. The chips and salsa arrive just in time to stave off your ravenous hanger. You order a carne asada burrito because that is always safe in a new mexican restaurant. You wait less than 15 mins for a huge burrito to be set in front of you. There is a white sauce on it. As you cut into the burrito, the white sauce drags up to your mouth while still connecting to the burrito. You realize this carne asada burrito is smothered in white nacho cheese! You are shooketh. And then you take your first bite. Mexican rice, means, carne asada and that cheese all create a symphony of flavor in your mouth. You were excited to take home left overs, but before you know it, your plate is clean and you are scraping off the rest of the cheese from the plate to your mouth. 10/10 would experience this again! read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Carne Asada Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The food is good the problem is there employees My husband and I stop there for lunch as we waited one of the servers started wrapping the silverware as well as using her phone answering the restaurant phone taking orders she was touching to many things and at no time did she ever washed her hands so I feel like they should be more cautious when grabbing silverware since customers use them to eat also I feel like employees should keep there personal problems to themselves instead off taking about it with each other around customers were not able to enjoy our meal would not be back read more

We went at lunch. The place was very busy but we had excellent service . They entice you with a bowl with avocado on the table for table side guacamole. The chorizo is very good and not to spicy. The cheese dip was very good too. Everything was great and I will be visiting the again soon! read more

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We're NOT in VA anymore! Wheeeeew these tacos were definitely delicious. I enjoyed every bite with fresh jalapeños and their spicy red sauce. They had a special on large margaritas for $3 and those were perfectly mixed. Not like going to a regular spot in Va with premix and there's no liquor this was the complete opposite. Request Stephanie as your waitress, she'll take good care of you. I'm talking VIP style. read more

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Fast service. Delicious salsa. Table service could be a bit more personable. Updated: We returned here for a second trip. The service was good overall and the food was delicious. There was a party there in the back but we were able to keep our drinks filled and the children happy. The only thing that I don't like is that the salsa is a bit too spicy for children and the don't offer anything milder or a complimentary ranch like some other restaurants. Overall decent experience just not the friendliest place to me though. They do get a lot of traffic from locals who obviously enjoy the food and drinks. read more

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I love coming to El Tap! The food is decent but the customer service and drinks give it a 5 out of 5 no questions asked. I usually go on Wednesday or Saturday because they have their 16oz margaritas for $3.49!!!! The from ones are worth every penny! The table side guacamole is my all time favorite and this time i tried the lunch fajita quesadilla with steak. This is a great place to Come with friends, family or even a quick date. I recommend this location to anyone who is local or visiting. Also pictured: Taco Salad and steak tacos read more

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My bill was $10.72 and I was charged twice. On the second one, instead of $4.28 tip it was $42.80 tip. I immediately returned and was told I was wrong while I was on the phone with my bank, who was letting me know exactly what happened. They treated me as if I was a burden. I tried to tell them I still wanted them to get what I owed them. But they left me no choice but to cancel the whole transaction. Now I have to wait 10 days to get my money back. I loved this restaurant until this incident. So sad. read more

The food is fresh and tasty BUT can be very salty. The frozen blue margarita is one of the best things they have along with the Mar y Tierra, (steak strips, chicken, and shrimp with queso and tortillas) read more

Excellent Mexican food!!! Probably the best in town. I am never disappointed. Ever. Love the staff!