The best! I moved to NY recently and I miss this place, always look forward to coming back here. Everyone is friendly, the service is really fast, and there's free chips and salsa at the beginning of your meal. The food is always great too! Before I moved the servers even remembered my usual order, I've since branched out to try other options and nothing has been anything less than delicious. read more

A bit pricey for but the food & drinks are delicious Chimichanga is my favorite! Yummy margaritas and strong martinis. read more

Cancelled door dash order after several minutes for seemingly no reason. Pretty annoying when you spend the time to pick out menu items and order only to have the restaurant cancel without explanation. read more

This place is a Rhode island gem great Mexican food that bring me back to Texas huge generous portions that I always am more than happy to bring back with me, very clean and quick staff. read more

YAY CRANSTON LOCATION NOW OPEN!!! If you have not been to this restaurant before (either orig Cranston location or current NKingstown location), you are missing out big time!! Absolutely The Best Mexican restaurant in the state. I used to live in Southern CA, and El Tapatio is the only joint that has come close to the authentic Mexican food I enjoyed there. Ordered my fave: veggie verde burrito and it's soooooo delicious, even better than I remember!! Huge servings, in sturdy aluminum to-go containers, none of that styrofoam junk, piping hot, plenty of salsa, and a sick amount of chips!! These are the most authentic, best nacho chips you'll ever have. Super reasonable prices, staff wicked friendly, everyone being safe and adhering to COVID regulations. Go check them out, you won't be disappointed! read more

Reminds me of living in San Diego. Best Mexican food in the state of R.I., hands down.

Much like the reviews of Chinese and Pizza places in RI, these reviews for this Mexican restaurant must be taken with some large granules of salt. RIslanders seem to have a different concept of what ethnic foods should be than any of the half dozen places big and small that I have previously lived. This restaurant/bar can be enjoyed for a margarita, colorful lively atmosphere, and a low expectations meal. But if you are expecting a good meal with any sort of authentic (or even not that authentic) flavoring, do not come here. Meats are bland and sometimes seemingly totally unseasoned. Fried tortilla shells are often not crispy. Salsa could be made as well by a Minnesota grandma with a Betty Crocker cookbook. Refried beans are a pass. Frankly I enjoy the place for a drink and conversation over a snack with good company. Makes it easy not to overindulge. The staff are all Latin, the decor is what you would expect, and football (yes, soccer) is usually on the TV, but the food seems to be tailored to some local townies. Enjoy it for what it is. read more

I have been going to El Tapatio regularly for over a year at this location and had even recommended it to friends and colleagues. Over that year I have watched the service continue to slip until my last visit on Friday afternoon. After being seated, we were promptly served chips and salsa. My husband and I waited and waited and waited for service to place a drink order. We watched the servers arrive for their shift after which they stood around chatting with each other while their customers patiently waited. Another family came into the restaurant about ten minutes after our arrival. They waited 5 or so minutes and then they and received their drinks. I could understand a slip up if the restaurant was busy, but it was my husband and I and the family that came in after us. Twenty minutes after being seated without a server, my husband and I decided to leave. This is the first time I have ever gotten up and left a restaurant. We have always tipped generously because this is one of a few authentic mexican restaurants in Rhode Island and I wanted to support them. We will drive 30 minutes out of our way to support other establishments from now on. read more

I love El Tapatios. My coworkers and I visit EVERY FRIDAY for lunch and we all get real excited about it every time. Their lunch menu is a GREAT value where almost everything is under $10. You will get a ton of food for a good price, nearly everyone I go with has to cut their burrito in half and take the rest home. I always recommend their burritos but I haven't had anything I don't like. In RI Mexican restaurants are not bountiful so I don't really have anyone else to compare it to but it is the best you can get around here. I have had people who know Mexican food who say that it is quite authentic. I love their unlimited salsa/chips they give you when you sit down. I will warn you that the salsa is thin, but it is delicious! If you like an extra kick, ask for their hot salsa made with habaneros, but this is not for the feint of heart. Bottom line, Great food, Great Value, Great Service! read more

El Tapatio has become a family staple and we go at least once every month. The food is always hot, fresh and delicious! My only complaint is that the prices have gotten a bit expensive and the margaritas are a little weak - but the pros outweigh the cons for sure. read more

Underwhelmed. First of all, truth in advertising: I'm visiting from Texas where the worst Mexican food is great. With that said, the food here is a close facsimile of what I consider Mexican food. Chips pretty tasteless with so-so salsa. Fish tacos poor enough that my wife ate one of three. Shrimp quesadillas with overcooked, chewy shrimp. My granddaughters grilled cheese was basic but her French fries were delicious. Perfectly seasoned with a crispy crust. So there you have it. If you want a grilled cheese sandwich with great fries, Tapatio is the Mexican restaurant to visit. Otherwise, visit your supermarket and "pass the Old El Paso. read more

Authentic Mexican fare. A well run restaurant with good service. Portions were huge. Fresh vegetables and good attention to detail.Chalupas were tasty. Flautas were so good that I thought about applying for a job here when I heard that employees get discounts. Chilaquiles were so good they should be considered criminal. Most of the Mexican food I have had in the past is akin to prison grub served in a Cancun police station holding cell. Gotta be careful at those Señor Frogs foam parties. Go to El Tapitio & you will never have to worry about spending money on an attorney South of the border when you just gotta have good Mexican food. read more

Just okay- I wasn't blown away by the flavors but it was nice that everything wasn't smothered in cheese. I'm sure I would find more items on the menu that I liked if we were to go again. Good Mexican fix for what it is. The portions are crazy huge and you probably won't eat for the rest of the day. They also offer a la carte foods if you want a little bit of everything. read more

I'll start this review by saying that I spent years living in the San Francisco Bay Area where there is so much diversity and excellence when it comes to dining. So as far as Mexican cuisine goes, New England isn't likely to compete with what California offers. But with that said, I thought El Tapatio's food was decent and affordable. The chicken tortilla soup didn't knock my socks off but it wasn't bad either. My wife had the enchiladas and enjoyed them. Service was polite and pretty quick. So all in all, I'd say that the restaurant is passable and a decent option if you live in the area. read more

This restaurant is huge and festively decorated. They have Mariachi Mondays, which I have never attended, but imagine would be fun. It's definitely a family establishment, and I've never had to wait due to the large size of the place. They always bring chips and salsa to start--generally two salsas, a mild and a spicy. Service is quick, and staff is friendly. Depending on who is in the kitchen, food can either be good or average. Dishes are standard Mexican-American fare--I haven't encountered a meal that I couldn't replicate at home, but for the price, it's a nice, simple, Friday night out with the family. read more

Terrible! Absolutely terrible! We didn't get things that we did order but we got things and got charged for things that we didn't order.. The food was sub par at best. The consistency of the guacamole was pure slim and the lettuce was browned. There was no refill on our chips and our server was slow on beer refills. The other staff was friendly enough and the place was clean but I would not return read more

We decided to try El Tapitio on Saturday for date night. It was pretty good. Hot fresh chips and salsa upon seating. My husband got the veggie burrito and I had the shrimp fajitas. It came out quick! I really liked the shrimp and sauce. Plenty of food left over. The waitress was very sweet and gracious. I will definitely go back for lunch. read more

Let me start off by saying this is my first ever review for a restaurant or any business. I felt that I had to review to warn others. I went last week with my wife and well never return. The hostess was very unfriendly and rude. The rest of the staff were polite. My wife ordered a steak dish that was extremely overly cooked and the steak tasted very old. I ordered a chicken burrito that was saturated with grease and also tasted old. My wife did not eat her meal and I ate half of my meal before we left and I vomited in the parking lot. Pros: food came out quick (probably because it was siting out all day) Cons: everything. Just don't go. Eat here if you enjoy old, over cooked, over saturated greasy food. This is the first restaurant I have left and literally puked outside of. read more

Nice looking place. But they need major work on the food, food accuracy and table service. We left. Too bad, because we really love Mexican food. read more

Food cold -inside of burrito cold. Waiter said they couldn't hear it up. Beans undercooked

It's stuck in a mexican food time warp from 25 years ago. While the rest of the country has moved on to expect far more interesting stuff from a mexican restaurant, this one is still retreading the taco-burrito-fajita cycle. While the taste is fine, and honestly, it's hard to find mexican ANYTHING in Rhody, don't go expecting anything better than taco night at home. read more

This place is a consistent close to home restaurant for my husband and I. We love going there and feel from the manager down to the buspeople we get great service. Try the tortilla soup or one of their delicious salads from the salad menu if you want to be healthy. I honestly have not had anything on the menu that I did not like. If you have not been you need to try it! read more

This review is for summer 2013 because yelp held this in a "review" section in my app. Went here for a family dinner. They took our food and drink order right when we got there, and 20 minutes later we got our drinks. We had 7 people, and the food came out in 4 shifts. My sister got 1/2 of her fajita order and then 10 minutes later got the rest of it. I had to get up to get waters for our table from bar, and my sister had to get up twice - once to ask for napkins for the table and once to ask for the check because it was taking forever. The food wasn't good, either. Gross place and crappy service. read more

Delicious Mexican for this area. It was packed on a Saturday night, but worth the wait.

Finally! We found delicious, authentic Mexican food in Rhode Island! Woo hoo! Everything from the soup to the entrees was delicious. And the margarita was strong and well mixed. We are thrilled! read more

RI is not known for good Mexican, but this is about as bad as it gets. Burrito was filled with too big onions and peppers and about three pieces of tough steak. Refried beans were soupy. My companion, a vegetarian asked for a menu item without the meat--easy to do, it would save them money--but they wouldn't do it. The waiter seemed like he couldn't wait to go home--it was only 8pm on a summer Sunday evening. He served the food and never came back until he dropped off the bill. A really bad dining experience all the way around. read more

Omg - I had a horrible chalky texture/taste in my mouth for hours after eating here. Never experienced that before. Both of my sons and I were also very sick that night. They both missed the school the next day because of upset stomachs. Wth? Does RI not have a board of health? read more

I have frequented the location in Cranston, but ventured to this location. It definitely has a different feel atmosphere wise from the Cranston location but I still enjoyed it here as well. The wait was about 10 minutes on a Friday night at 7pm. Service was fast once we were seated. The Rita I ordered was OKAY, chips and salsa were good, and the Fajitas for two were sizzling and delicious. I'll be back! Can't go wrong for Mexican in this area of RI! read more

Carne asada with black beans. They forgot my black beans and gave me regular refried...ehhh, still good. I had enough left over for another meal. Authentic! I have been to Mexico, this is right except a little less spicy than I like. It was very good...I still think I make better carne asada. More cilantro! read more

Best go-to Mexican Restaurant. They are more than reasonable price wise, and their food never disappoints.

This place is fabulous! We've had more than a little trouble finding a good meal since we arrived here but El Tapatio renewed my faith in RI cuisine. Service was very friendly and quick. The chile rellenos were the BEST I've ever had! A must try if you are in the area! read more

Really good! Great margarita and delicious burritos. Not a fancy spot, but great Mexican food. My husband and I will definitely be returning! read more

Only mildly impressed. First time at this location, was an avid costumer of their former Cranston location. Perhaps because it was cinco de mayo weekend (was there on Friday the 2), but the service was incredibly slow, the portions weren't what I remember, and the taste was kind of bland. Overall, not worth my trip to NK when there's plenty of Mexican food to be had in the Cranston/prov area. read more

I love this place. We have been here many times and the food has always been great. We lived in Southern California for several years, and we had a difficult time finding Mexican food we liked in New England. We've been very happy here. The service is great. And the house margaritas are pretty good, too.... ;) read more

Good food, wide variety to choose from. service is good. Portions are large and prices are reasonable.

Can't say enough about our favorite neighborhood place!!! I always get the same so I can't comment on anything but...the Enchiladas Tapatio are FABULOUS. And the Sangria (ask for it extra strong if that's how you like it) is perfect!!! We always look forward to a family dinner there...and found out that our other favorite Mexican place (Acapulcos in Franklin, MA) is owned by family of the owners of Tapatio. BTW, we prefer this one to the one in Cranston... read more

Food was average Mexican food, steak a little tough, prices seem good, service a little slow, a lot of chatter if you know what I mean.

We are regulars, we come here at least 2-3 times a month. We have never eaten a bad meal yet. Love their complimentary chips and salsa! The staff is friendly and the food is always served hot and quickly! read more

Great place to eat Mexican food. I've been here a few times now and I don't really like Mexican food. For a place that is really uncommon because not a lot of people know where this place is, this place has great food and I don't think I can have any better Mexican food than this. read more

Great fajita quesadilla last night at El Tapatio. Started slow without chips and salsa, but they more than made up for it by keeping our whistle wet.. Food was fresh and the staff attentive. Always enough to share a dish, or take home for a late night snack. I noticed that no is ever idle in the restaurant. They all seem to be doing a task in between waiting on the patrons. All of the wait staff seem fully responsible for the customers comfort whether it is their table or not. The outdoor patio would have been our first choice if it were not a bit damp out. read more