Came here on a Saturday night. Place was busy but they had a few tables open. I tried the margarita that was on special. It was very good. We received We tried the carne asada tacos. They were good, but not quite filling the tortillas. I loved the fried tortilla container that the refried beans came in. Very clever! My family enjoyed their enchiladas and chimichanga. The service was sufficient. read more

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The food is always fresh. Fresh ingredients and cooked fresh when you order. it's healthy and clean. The service is great! All the servers are very informative and understanding of allergies and food dislikes. The patio is fantastic! It's great to be outside in the fresh air and visit with friends! It's covered so a little rain or too sunny, it's perfect! read more

I ordered the chilaquiles and my wife ordered flautas. The were very good. The flautas were well stuffed with chicken. My wife had asked that they not add anything spicy. The server said there wasn't but her food was hot. It turned out to be the guacamole. She gave the guoc to me and I added it to my food. It was perfect! The server was sweet. She was a little forgetful but definitely trying so she gets an A from me. The restaurant is so pretty! A great feel with all its Mexican decor. Beautiful art and sculptures. I will visit this place often. I recommend them, come get your margarita! Oh, and they're celebrating their 25th anniversary! read more

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Wow! These wings were amazing. Best wings I've had in a long time! Delicious and great service! read more

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant - El Pastor wings - Mexican Near Me - Mendota, Illinois

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Consistently have great experiences at this place. Food is consistently delicious and service is great.

Enchiladas had no flavor, very outdated has not changed in 10 years. Very disappointed really hoped they had improved.

Great Mexican & American food. We love Daniel's special.... So cheesy & full of meat & veggies!! It's hard for me to make up my mind because I love so many of their dishes!! We love the Cadillac margaritas, it's our go to place with or without the kids. read more

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Ordered the enchiladas.. the margarita special on a Wednesday... my husband orders the tacos. Great service from staff. Will be back.. Went in with my kids and was kid friendly from staff. Thank you for your patience and great service! read more

I'm out here in middle America visiting my best friend. The one place I said we had to visit is El Zarape! We sat outside (even though it was a million degrees out)! You are given chips and salsa to start, really fresh chips and tasty made fresh salsa. Our waitress was Victoria and she was wearing a mask. I ordered the two enchiladas (one cheese and one chicken). We did not wait too long, the food was served fresh. I know all of you serious enchilada folks want to know and yes, there was a good amount of cheese on top The manager or perhaps the owner came around to check on us several times. Here's a fun El Zarape fact! They serve breakfast until 4! They apparently make amazing french toast because the little one at my table only ever gets that and man did it come with a good amount of powdered sugar on top! ***UPDATE*** I went back for more amazing enchiladas and got you guys some pictures. Joe the owner is amazing and hardworking! Please come here and support this small town business! read more

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I've been coming here for a few months and I have always been very satisfied with my food. Their salsa is delicious, and so fresh. I can literally eat it by itself. Their margaritas are good and strong. I've had their tacos, their carne asada and I was so pleasantly surprised to see that they have a lo carb menu which is perfect for me while I'm on keto. The servers are all very friendly and attentive. This is my go to place for Mexican when I'm in the area and I love them even more for having a special low carb menu. I have not tried them out when they offer the buffet so that will be next on my list to try. read more

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant - Low carb steak fajitas were delicious!!!! - Mexican Near Me - Mendota, Illinois

The parking here is very tight and a little difficult to navigate if it is a busy night. The handicap accessibility getting in the restaurant is not the easiest but once you are in it is very easy to get around. We have been here many times and for the most part enjoy it. Tonight the service was just ok. I am pretty sure they changed their salsa recipe as it was not as flavorful as it normally is., it tasted like and had the consistency of a can of diced tomatoes and onions. The other hot sauces they offered were very good though. The chips were all crushed and were not as fresh tasting as they normally are. The strawberry banana margaritas were very good and well balanced. 3 of us at the table ordered the steak chimichanga meal and they did not disappoint. They were crispy and well filled with steak and cheese, the sides were rice and a little fried corn taco shell holding the refried beans were very tasty. The chicken roll was pretty bland tasting but was filled with what the menu indicated. There is a sign on the door asking if you would please use cash to help them keep costs down which was fine with us. read more

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Solid restaurant, service is always very good, they always have a margarita special and they're always good! Have been here several times and have tried something different each time and was always thrilled with the choice. Fresh chips & salsa to start, don't let it ruin your appetite, save room for dinner! read more

This cute spot is a long-standing favorite! Their margaritas and cantaritos are fabulous! Their various fajitas and enchiladas are all great. Most recently, I split the molcajete and it was gigantic and tasty. Service is always attentive. read more

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant - Cantarito - Mexican Near Me - Mendota, Illinois

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We had the buffet and it was so good! The fried chicken was incredible and the birria tacos and burritos were excellent. What a great value! Our server was excellent as well. read more

When traveling, we always feel like we're taking a chance to go off the expressway and try a restaurant blindly! Thank you Yelp! So after reading some good reviews, we gave El Zarape a try. We are soooooo glad we did! The wait staff was very attentive but allowed plenty of privacy. Thank you, Mary! They were very flexible with my hubby's almost no carb diet for diabetes, substituting a nice salad for the beans, rice and tortillas we don't eat. The shrimp and chicken fajitas were excellent and large portions. Good house salsa, tomatillo and hot sauces. Nice atmosphere, classy even for a small town. Check it out! It's worth the few miles off the beaten path. Hope to get back when we're in this quiet section of Illinois again. read more

We come to El Zarape ( striped blanket) for the past year at least once a month. The portions are generous & the food is prepared by the owner. The waitresses are attentive & helpful. A nice dinner for two is about $40.00. It has a liquor license, open on holidays, has good hours, convenient parking, a separate part for private parties, close to a nice grocery store & city park with a lake for fishing from bank or boat read more

El Zarape is a good Mexican restaurant located next to one of the few CVS pharmacies in Illinois which is giving the COVID-19 vaccine. I enjoyed a delicious carnitas chimichanga so large that it will make 3 meals for me. Joe and his granddaughter are great hosts. read more

great food and service! love their margaritas

Food is delicious but be ready to wait sometimes for anything. If they were able to speed up their staff, they'd get 5 stars no problem

Try The Daniel's special. Attentive, friendly servers. Large selection of food. Sunday Brunch is great too.

Fantastic place to get Mexican food. There burgers and fries are awesome also. Service is great and fast. Always feel welcome here.

I've only had one meal here, and it was delicious! We upgraded our margaritas and they were great. I ordered chilaquiles and it was served up in a molcajete! Service was ok We will return again read more

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Mendota, Illinois

Let me start off by saying I don't like Mexican food (go ahead; shun the non-believer. Now take a look at how many stars I posted). Most Mexican restaurants don't have much of a "Gringos" selection, but this isn't your ordinary Mexican joint. They have an extensive selection of American food, and guess what? It's all good! We (read: I) like to start off with the cheese quesadilla. One word: HUGE! I could order this by myself and be satisfied. My boyfriend always gets the buffet when it's available so he's always in heaven when we come here. I ordered the chicken fingers and fries last time, and I'm almost positive the chicken is hand breaded. The breading is crunchy and delicious! The pièce de résistance would have to be their margaritas. I have driven through torrential rains to get one. True story. read more

Great food and excellent service! They have many sections to choose from. Homemade Authentic food to choose from. Excellent rating

Omg so delicious Mexican food. Clean and especially great staff i will every time I'm in Woodheaven read more

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Mendota, Illinois

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Oh how I love the small town Mexican restaurant's. El Zarape is a must go every time I am out near it. I'll be perfectly honest, the buffet is phenominal for hangovers. It's like a curative for the worst possible hangovers. The food is great and the margaritas are sweet delicious medicine for my hangover. The service here has always been good as well. Never have to wait too long or be hovered over. They are prompt with the drinks and the food is always delivered nice and hot. Oh, and FYI, the burritos are a good option if the buffet isn't up and running at the time you visit. PS- They have AMAZING salsa. read more

Horrible service! Literally ordered 9 tacos and they took so long! This is not real Mexican authentic if you ask me! Paid $28 for just the tacos, an the employee at the register kept walking away, they didn't make it to make it feel like we were priority! So my review is 0 stars even though that's not an option! read more

El Zarape Mexican Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Mendota, Illinois

Food is amazing and the margaritas are the best around . Service is very friendly and attentive.

Good local Mex restaurant. Reasonable prices, good food. like caso fundeto. Can get BZ.

My family so enjoys coming to El Zarape! Joe and Anna are so welcoming. They are attentive to all of your favorite food and drink needs. I highly recommend this restaurant if you live or are visiting Mendota! ENJOY!! Sheree Schimmer read more

Came here years ago and did not like it. I figured I would give it another try. Well I'm really not sure why this place has four stars. I had fish tacos they were just okay nothing special. My friend had the combo plater one taco one tamale, That tamales was awful.!!! NOT SURE WHAT THE ATTRACTION IS HERE?? I WONT BE BACK!! read more

This is a wonderful little secret, some of the best Mexican food I've had, and I grew up in Arizona. So glad we stopped. We'll be back!

Food was good! Service was great! We've been there for breakfast, lunch buffet, dinner and they have all been good! The owner is attentive and very friendly! Love their horchata!!!! read more

El Zarape may be a little on the pricey side for Mendota eateries but the steak chimichanga and the classic margarita on the rocks can turn any bad day into good. read more

Our visit to El zarape for dinner was pleasant and enjoyable. The chips we're very fresh. The salsa was tasty. Our meals came hot and just as we ordered. My carne asada burrito was very good and filling portions or large. Service was excellent. read more

This place is amazing. New to the area. Been here twice already. Friendly staff. You get exactly what you ask for. You've got to try the cheese dip as an app. You wont be dissapointed. Had the enchiladas which were perfect. The Joes burrito is amazing. Will be a regular here for sure. read more

The staff and owners are awful. The first time I went there I was so happy. The food was almost as good as a favorite place of mine in Naperville.. Each other time I have been there the service is extremely slow. The last time I went there it was so bad I came home with ice cold food. What is worse is the owner or who ever the old man is could care less. No apology nothing. I have written reviews on facebook only to be harassed by employees there to the point that I removed my review. This place could be the bomb but the service is lacking a a great deal. And 33 dollars for 10 regular tacos. There is a another place in town where it's 12 tacos for 10 bucks or something and the service is amazing. And they taste better. read more

If your not into Mexican food.....don't worry! They have fantastic steaks and seafood and GREATsmiles!! Joe and Anna and the staff are very attentive to your needs. Cherry Cokes to Margaritas they have it covered and don't forget the Fried Ice Cream or Flan or Sopapia's for dessert!! Great place located on Rt. 251 in Mendota just before the north stop light on the west side. ENJOY!! read more

Having heard a lot of good things about El Zarape, my husband and I decided to try their buffet on Wednesday night.. We were not disappointed.. The food and drinks were above average.. The staff was more than welcoming..I will retain the 5th star for my next visit..Jannette N. read more

Decent selection of Americanized Mexican food. Quite typical of combo-platter style meals. Lots of beans and rice, enchiladas were OK. Nothing special. Good tamales, good margaritas (heavy on the ice, so, you may want to order the ¨double¨). Beer selection is slightly above average (usual Dos Equis, Pacifico, Tecate plus domestic macros) No Craft beer. Decent chips/salsa. Extremely friendly servers and hostess. Slow service but friendly. Very welcoming. Overall a nice family experience if you are looking for standard Ameri-Mex food. read more