What! They've been open how long without alcohol! That says the food must be amazing. And it is. I promise.

What are people thinking? Why has this place been a local favorite for nearly 50 years? I have no idea. My taqueria of choice happens to be closed on Mondays, so I thought I'd check this place out. I was expecting to find some great taqueria-style food in a shady building in a shady part of town. Sadly, it ended up being perhaps the worst Mexican food I have ever eaten in my life. Service is not something I am likely to comment on unless it is truly atrocious. This was not the case. The server did her job, I got what I ordered, and she seemed to be putting up with some very obnoxious, loud, and trashy customers. Good on her for that - pretty standard for Toledo. I love horchata with my tacos or burritos, but the only thing they serve is frozen horchata. Not what I was looking for, but no big deal. I went with the Mexican Coke instead. I asked the server what kind of fillings were in the burritos, but was told that they only had single fillings. One choice was a guacamole burrito, and I asked her to clarify that the item was just guacamole wrapped up in a tortilla. She assured me that this was absolutely the case. Weird, but whatever. I chose the shredded chicken burrito with a side of rice and beans. I was then brought a basket of tortilla chips, and a small bowl of red matter that I was told was salsa. In a daring attempt to upend all traditional salsa-making techniques, the chef had apparently decided to put a can of tomatoes in a blender and just go with it, eschewing all the extraneous ingredients like salt, garlic, lime, cilantro, or jalapeno. He or she was going for subtlety, adding only a hint of plastic aftertaste to really get me thinking about whether or not I had made a good decision. I was beginning to think I hadn't. Nevertheless, I managed to shake a small amount of salt onto the chips from the glass-encrusted salt brick on my table. The pink slurry remained sadly next to it, never to be touched again. I figured the salsa thing was probably a fluke. Things would get better. Things did not get better. A hot plate was presented to me. I cannot recall whether or not the plate was actually hot because I was to horrified by the items on my plate that the small detail of dish temperature has slipped my mind. I was expecting a burrito. Burritos should be at least half the size of my forearm. What I saw instead was a soft taco sized Mission tortilla wrapped around what turned out to be some impressively oversalted shredded chicken. Not to lead you astray, dear reader, but there was more. There was cheese. Again turning his nose up to the oppressive Mexican tradition, the chef had opted for what looked for all the world like a pre-shredded cheddar and mozzarella mixture. None of that fancy oaxaca cheese or queso fresco. By now, I have grown weary of writing this review, as I grew weary of this meal in about 90 seconds. Each one of those seconds was fraught with apprehension and denial, that this could not possibly be the "local gem" that people are talking about. The refried beans were passable, although I've had much better. If anything, the rice improved the 'burrito' somewhat, although that was probably only because it diluted out the salty chicken. Deciding to cut my losses after a few bits, I stood up, paid, and left promptly, never to return. Only a handful of times in my life has a meal left me depressed, and my experience at El Tipico was one of those. On my way home, I resorted to stopping at Taco Bell to fill the burrito-shaped hole that was left in my heart. Again, I find it incomprehensible that this place is loved by anybody, and absolutely absurd that it is considered such a 'local gem'. You have been warned. read more

My friends and I went here for the first time yesterday. I was really excited because I wanted to try the nopalitos -sauteed cactus - which I don't think any other Mexican place in Toledo has. The inside is nice and newly remodeled. Service was slow, super slow... and the waitress was nice, completely unaware of what the menu consisted of though. And they didn't have nopalitos. So I ordered pinto bean soup. They didn't have that, or my third choice- barbacoa tacos. So I settled on shrimp tacos. When our food arrived, my husband's fajitas were warm, at best and there were three shrimps on my 2 shrimp tacos. Two of my friends said their food was good, so maybe I just ordered the wrong stuff apparently. Disappointing. And bland. And no liquor license or hot sauce. The only consolation was the homemade tortillas that came with my husband's fajitas- those were good and a nice touch. But overall...definitely not coming back. read more

The food here is as good as the customer service and management are sub-par. One of our party was a very elderly woman with a walker. Those running the restaurant made us wait for 30 minutes or so, because staff would not reconfigure unused tables so that we could be seated. After we made enough of a fuss - it took more than twice - staff magically found a way to seat us. Contrast this experience several months earlier at another Toledo restaurant that was mobbed and had no available parking space. There the greeter immediately escorted the elderly woman to a table, even though our party was twice the size. My advice is go on a weekday other than Friday at a weird time or bad weather and call in advance if your party requires even the simplest accommodation. Once we were seated, service was fine, food was very good, and staff honored our Yelp coupon. But getting there was a pain in the you know what. read more

First time here, it was wonderful. Friendly staff, fresh food, loved it. Garden out back is proof of the freshness of the ingredients. Guacamole was fantastic which is a must for a good Mexican restaurant. Many vegetarian choices! I'm a fan! read more

awesome food, service, atmosphere, etc. i've been going here since i was about 17. its a really nice place. im glad they're back open. read more

We were very happy to find another local family-owned restaurant to try (thanks to restaurant.com). I can't believe this place has been around as long as I have, since 1968, and I never heard of it. The place is very tidy & clean, the staff is friendly and attentive, prices are very reasonable, and the food is delicious! I love that their menu is 98% gluten-free, they are vegetarian-friendly, and they use lots of organic ingredients. I kinda wish they had a liquor license for parties and gatherings with friends, but despite that, this place is definitely a keeper! read more

Seriously the best authentic Mexican food out there. While they don't serve any alcohol, you won't need it anyways. Your mouth will be enjoying itself way too much with the tantalizing culinary creations to even give a margarita a second thought. The owner genuinely cares for her customers and her city. Check them out! read more

Save the trip if you like margaritas or a corona with your meal. Apparently they don't have a liqueur license. Was excited but left after being seated. Place was practically empty even though it was participating in Toledo restaurant week. read more

I love their chips and food! The owner, Dina is awesome too!!!!!!!!!

Amazing food every single time! The food is fresh, prepared in a healthy manner, and OH SO YUMMY! Great gluten free and vegan options as well! Friendly staff and beautiful atmosphere. BUENO!!! read more

Have been a loyal customer for over thirty years and constantly talked up this restaurant for it's food quality to people who had never tried due to no liquor license. This past Friday made a reservation for eight people, two who were young children. As we were parking our cars to enter through the front door saw another party enter through the back door. We came in and said Laurie, party of eight with a reservation. Waitress told us our table was in back. Walked back there and party of six who came in back door was sitting there. Waitress told us sorry, could seat us at two separate table of four. My son is in the military and visiting for a week so that was unacceptable. Asked to speak to manager and were told no manager there. A lady came out of kitchen and told us nothing they could do and been in business fifty one years and they know what their doing and not their fault. She proceeded to push us out the front door and slammed it in our face. Thirty years and will never go back again. Worst customer service I have ever received in a restaurant. read more

WE LOVE El Tipico! We have lived only 1/2 hour from Toledo all our lives and it is our favorite restaurant to go to in the area. We have our own business in another small town near by and find it hard to get out but when we do it is the place we go. Not only is it a family owned and operated authentic place but it is one of the cleanest and well priced places around! read more

I ate one the restaurant week specials: 2 cheese enchiladas and a taco. The guacamole "appetizer" was fit for one not two people and it was not made well. There was no cilantro, no flavor and honestly I would have rather eaten an avocado straight at that point. The salsa was ok, but nothing special. The entrees were extremely overpriced. The enchiladas were flat and soggy and the taco had what looked like ground chuck. The taco shell was also just a shell like you'd expect from Taco Bell. I didn't actually eat the taco because I do not eat cow, but it looked very Taco Bell worthy. The dessert was some kind of fried chip covered in sugar and cinnamon. It was hard and sweet - so sweet that it was nauseating. I wish I had enjoyed this place because I love local eats and organic ingredients, but the magic was not here for myself. Needless to say I'll stick to San Marcos, which has margaritas. read more

Heard a lot about the place from the locals and decided to try it out. On the day I went there was no one in the restaraunt except us and the food was pretty lousy - tasted like it was frozen and then microwaved like a hungry man mexican dinner, except not even that good. I am from California so my bar for mexican food is set pretty high but it seems like this place isnt even trying to cook good tasting food. Save your money and pass this one up folks. read more

This mexican restaurant is a diamond in the rough! Great food, family friendly atmosphere and friendly staff. You can tell everything is homemade and tasty! The menu offers a number of choices and does not fail to disappoint. Great place, highly recommend and they have take-out for business lunches. read more

My fiancee is gluten-free. This place has the best tasting organic, gluten free options. The salsa is so fresh and made with the tomatoes from the garden in the back. Delicious is an understatement! The staff is very knowledgeable, understanding and so nice! They even gave us ice cream for the kids to go! read more

Being a native Toledoan, I dined at El Tipico often in the seventies. I then lived in Texas for 25 years, so I know what "authentic Mexican cuisine" tastes like. When I returned to Toledo 5 years ago I was thrilled to see that El Tipico was still here. I am and will continue to be a regular customer. They have very good food. Their Mexican rice is the best, bar none! Those "out of towners" just passing through and saying such negative things---"because they know what real Mexican food tastes like" need to keep going! Anyone who decides not to try El Tipico because of their reviews is really missing out on great and inexpensive Mexican cuisine. Although it would be great if they had a liquor license. But, that won't keep me away! I'm just sayin'! read more

Save your time and money find your Mexican meal somewhere else. The food was very bland and pricey for what you got, the service was so so. The salsa was very plain, barely any flavor and appeared to be made with un ripe tomatoes, very very blah. Chips were very thin and crisp, but nothing special. My 13 year old ordered a grilled chicken sandwich (mexican is not his favorite). He asked for no tomato but the sandwich came with tomato anyways. The watiress was not apologetic about and said that he could "pick it off." When he took the sandwich apart to remove the tomato he discovered that the sandwich was covered in guacamole, which was not disclosed on the menu or by the waitress. He ended up removing the chicken from the bun, scraping the guac off of it and eating it plain. The fries that accompanied the sandwich were thick, greasy, unseasoned, limp pieces of potato that looked like they had been cooked in oil that was weeks old! I got a Mexican combo plate and my wife the chimichanga, all of it was just very bland. I put some salsa on my taco to try to liven it up and then I was not sure if the ground beef was cooked thoroughly, it still appeared pink? Even though there were only three of us, the food came out three separate times, with some time in between, apparently the kitchen could not have it all ready at the same time. We ordered sopapillas for dessert with chocolate dipping sauce. They were horrible, barely edible. They were greasy pieces of tortilla with cinnamon. (They were nothing like sopapillas I have had other places, light and fluffy, drizzled with honey.) The staff was fairly friendly, but that did not make up for the over priced bland food. Given the choice between El Tipico and Taco Bell, I'd take the Bell. I will never go back and would not recommend the place to anyone. read more

well my uncle dick told me about el tipico over 30 years ago when i lived in toledo after the first trip we were hooked the beef tip burritos are to die for i have never been disappointed when i have visited i now live in georgia and i only get there about once a year and i pine for them the rest of the time there are some good places here but el tipico has its own taste i have not found anywhere else and i eat alot of mexican food read more

great food,great service,restaurant is beautiful since the renovation,were big fans.