Amazing food and the service was amazing and I loved the stuff and Tony the owner was awesome. The margaritas were delicious and so was the food. I will definitely be recommending this restaurant to my friends and family and be going back as well. read more

The third time I have visited, first review. The first two times I was not at all impressed with the food. The Texas Fajitas were very good, my wife's Shrimp on the Beach were not, the margarita was just ok. Now for the bad, the service was horrible, I would guess close to two hours to order and get our food. No one was really waiting on us, we had to go inside to ask for things. Drinks, chips and salsa were never refilled even after we had asked for refills. My wife and I shared the one water we received. The bathrooms were dirty and the service was nonexistent. When the waiter brought out our food he was confused about where it went which was pretty obvious because the rest of the table was piled with dirty dishes ( we were with a group that had gotten their food earlier). read more

Good food and service the most recommended Mexican restaurant in the area. It's clean and no wait.

Unless I know that Tony is there personally I won't go back last 2 times I have been there the service was horrible our order has got messed up so bad I had to send all of our food back twice and when I asked for Tony they brought me sour cream when I asked to speak to Tony again they sent me out some other guy when I asked for Tony the third time I was told he wasn't there so I paid my ticket off food that was messed up twice and we left so Tony if you see this please contact me asap read more

My visiting 13yo granddaughter was thrilled when she asked if they had, or could make, a certain dish she'd had before in KC, MO and they did. She said it was even better than there. Thank you for making her day! read more

The food is delicious. I love their molcajete,dish. It is always nice and hot. And the waiters always bring you more drinks and always ask if we need anything. read more

Called to place an order for nachos. Being that I don't have a menu in front of me I asked what all comes on it. He hangs up in my face. That's fine, their loss. read more

hola, no puedo recomendar un restaurante mexicano más auténtico, muy caliente, por favor y gracias cinco estrellas, gran trabajo MmmmmmmmBien Muy bein Ask for Tony read more

We had the Acapulco special, chori tacos, shrimp quesadilla, and some sort of gigantic burrito covered in queso sauce. The food was tasty, the food was good, it didn't knock her socks off but there was nothing to complain about which amounts to an excellent meal nowadays. The wait staff looked confused, our waiter at one time stood by our table didn't ask us anything and stared at the TV for a minute then walked off. Very unusual. All in all a good experience and something funny to talk about. read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - Acapulco Special - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

"I don't always plan to visit Charleston, but when I do, I'll stop at Los Potrillos." And I thought the Mexican restaurant by my house was good..... On the Sunday I dined here, 'Los P' had $6 flavored margaritas served in a 26oz mug. I opted for the Pina Colada, and not only did it taste good, not only was it pretty strong, not only was it in a giant glass, but it was merely six bucks. Best. Value. Ever. All it needed was a pineapple wedge garnish and it'd be the perfect colada. As far as food is concerned, I had the combo plate #17, which was an enchilada, burrito, refried beans and rice. It's pretty hard to mess up that style of Mexican food (which they didn't), and the four 'salsa picantes' provided on the table ensured that my combo plate was sufficiently sauced. They must have known I was coming--a plethora of hot sauces is a must when I'm eating Mexican. The flan for dessert was great, and the free chips + 2 kinds of salsa that's included is always appreciated. I'd come back, f'sho! read more

This has been our go-to for years, but it may not be anymore. Three people in our family and we were seated immediately and ordered within 5 minutes. 5 minutes later one person received their meal. 20 minutes later our drinks were empty, the other two meals had not arrived, and we were brought a bill. We requested the food we had ordered before being given the bill. The waiter checked and said it would be right up. 15 minutes later we asked for the bill for the one meal and left. I'm so disappointed. Tony is wonderful, but when he isn't there it seems to not run well. read more

The food here was marginal at best. I really would find another place to eat in town before selecting this restaurant. It was edible, but it just wasn't good. I had a combo plate that was supposed to have a Chile Relleno, Cheese Enchilada and a Beef Taco. The enchilada came with beef in it, which wouldn't have been a big deal, but its the finely ground beef that actually reminded me of ground turkey. There was really no flavor to anything, other than the cheese they used on top of everything was oddly strong flavored. Ususally a mexican restaurant uses a "farmers cheese" which is typically mild, this was not which gave the food a strange taste. The beans seem like they were canned beans, nothing special here either. I must say the service was fast, the margarita was fantastic, but the food was not good. Also, worth noting - there was a large group of 18 people dining. They were so loud you couldn't hear anything else and it made it tough to carry on a conversation. read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - 32oz Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

I used to go to El Rancherito on the regular, but after a couple not-so-good meals there, I made the switch to Los Potrillos. The beans and rice aren't all that great. I've certainly had better, and if they improved I would bump this place up a star rating. That said, the things they do well are pretty good. The cheese dip, like most people mention, is worth getting (although they do put it on a lot of entrees too, so I'd pick one or the other - not both). I love mixing in a dish or two of salsa. Their chunky salsa is fresh and very good. The Caldo de Pollo con Arroz (Chicken and Rice Soup, entree-sized) is a nice surprise, and quite good. The enchiladas are standard but definitely tasty. I'd say my favorite entree to order is the Parrilla Suiza, which is chicken/beef grilled with peppers, onions, zucchini/squash, and tomatoes and topped with cheese. You certainly get a bang for your buck with the "Super Special Dinner #1", which features a taco, an enchilada, a tamale, a chalupa, a chile relleno, AND rice and beans. Definitely a good deal for a college student. The Horchata is homemade and really, really good. If you're getting takeout, consider getting an order of horchata to make milkshakes later. You will not regret it. Portions are a great size, and you can usually get two meals out of a single entree. Prices are very reasonable. Service can vary, but if you're dealing with the manager (who is quick to call you "amigo" or "amiga"), you'll get nothing but professional, friendly, prompt service. When comparing LP to El Rancherito, it's definitely better. When comparing it to Don Sol in Mattoon, the line gets a little more blurry - LP has better prices and portion sizes (and better cheese dip), but I prefer the grilled items and margaritas at Don Sol. It all depends on what you're in the mood for. read more

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The wait staff looked confused, our waiter at one time stood by our table didn't ask us anything and stared at the TV for a minute then walked off. Very unusual. Our order was wrong our food was cold.the waiter didn't understand what I was saying when I asked how big the enchiladas were. The beans and rice aren't all that great. I've certainly had better, $38.00 Down the drain for crap ! I will not be back ! 1 Happy CUSTOMER WILL TELL 10 PEOPLE BUT 1 UNHAPPY CUSTOMER WILL TELL 100 PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will drive to MATTOON for good mexican food !!!!!! read more

The steak was delicious. I honestly don't remember what I ordered. I DO remember that it was covered in cheese and it's difficult to go wrong with cheese read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - Steak steak and more steak. Awesome - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

Fabulous outdoor dining pop up tented patio in the parking lot, and all staff wearing masks. Excellent food & drinks, friendly service & SAFE dining environment. A+!! read more

This is our "go to" Mexican restaurant. This is definitely our favorite. The staff is friendly and the food is always good.

I do really like los pos! The atmosphere is so nice I love the margs and on Wednesdays they have the 11 dollar monster margs which you can't go wrong. My only issue is that some of the waiters don't understand what is going on. I went there and they forgot to give us more salsa and we asked three times. Also I went for my friends birthday and the waiter didn't understand what I was saying when I asked how big the enchiladas were. Another thing is he laughed at my friend for no reason and was kinda rude to her. That's not fair to my friend. I still continue to go there but man they need to train there waiters and figure it the heck out. Above is a picture of my Salsa that never got refilled. read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - Salsa was so good and I was so sad it never got refilled:( - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

We were there last Tuesday. It was Cold! I complained to two different waiters. Nothing was done. I finally went over to the thermostat and snapped a picture. Both my husband and I have been fighting colds since. I won't be going back until they fix the furnace. Yes, I do agree it gets extremely loud in the dining rooms. I had to yell to the person across from me in order for her to hear. read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - a digital thermosta - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

Truly authentic Mexican food in Charleston, IL? My how things have changed since I graduated. I sure do miss La Bamba's, but this place is a great sit down restaurant. I understand the food is the same as El Rancharito, but Los Potrillos seems to do it way better. Somehow, they look like they've been there for 30 years. And the staff barely speaks English, which is a good thing! The chips and salsas were awesome. Queso dip rocked. Cheese enchiladas were on point. Check it out! read more

This is the place to go if you like to eat the food that you like eat but you don't want to make because you don't like to make what you like to eat. The food is good, but the atmosphere is fantastic. ¡Sí se puede aprender español! read more

A straight hit! Love coming to Los and getting the cheesy rice or "chicken cheese and rice" (pollo carlos)! The waiters are friendly and the owner is awesome! I would say they have the best queso in town and birthday celebrations. read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - Virgin Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

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The price is different every time we order and we always get the same thing but besides that it's great. Friendly service, hot food served fast. I would definitely recommend it as one of the go to places if you are in Charleston. If you have a family it's best to go in the summer when it's not as crowded with college students. read more

Los Potrillos Mexican Restaurant - To Go Order. All of that for only $24. - Mexican Near Me - Charleston, Illinois

Just had dinner here. Absolutely the best. In our estimation you could not find better Mexican food in this area. I had shredded beef enchilada dinner, my husband had beef and chicken taquitos dinner. He was raving about his dinner also. Very nice and clean. Inviting atmosphere. Outside sparkles. Definitely will be on our return list soon. Bottom line: We highly recommend this restaurant. Kudos to the management and staff. I,do not understand the very few negative reviews as we have traveled extensively, lived in Phoenix and LA and,this ranks up with the best Mexican food we have had anywhere. Very clean. read more

Good food at a decent price. the only downside is the waiters speak such poor english that its hard to get what you ordered like you want it. read more

Love the shrimp tacos with corn tortillas and their black beans. Their fresh salsa is amazing and perfectly spicy. Great food and great prices. Been there three times this week waiting for our new stove to arrive. We are glad we stopped in and tried them out. read more

Loved this place. The food is very good, the service is great and the price is unbeatable, We sat outside although we were worried it was going to be a little chilly. I had a quesadilla with chicken and pineapple which was delicious. My husband had a plate that brought three different selections of burritos. The drinks were strong and the servers were really friendly. Highly recommend. read more

Came here with a big group of track athletes during the State Finals. Great people and great food! Quick and affordable too - it'll be part of our tradition now every year. read more

Fast service at lunch time though it was pretty busy for a Saturday. Ordered tomatoES, got only one. (that was a little spoiled.)

My fam and I went here after my brothers graduation from EIU. That's the only reason we would go to Charleston, IL. The food was very tasty, pretty authentic and the portions were large. I ordered some carne asada. Two pieces of skirt steak for you to cut up how you'd like. The service could have been a tad better. The one thing that just blew my mind was how CHEAP it was! 93 dollars for 8 people, including drinks, liquor and appetizer!! Amazing! I mean $2 Coronas, you can't beat that! read more

I have to say that I had quite an enjoyable time here while visiting friends in Charleston. The decor is quite... colorful. I mean the horse art was a little much, but really after you finish that first pitcher of margaritas on the rocks, who cares!Los Potrillos also has one of my favorite things which is that delicioso queso dip. I was s oexcited about it that I ordered tamales that were covered with the queso dip. It was a heavenly experience for me. I am salivating now just thinking about all that delicious food. It probably was not the best choice before a night of drinking, but as I said a few times at the restaurant, When in Rome... read more

Raise your sombreros high for everyone here! The chicken is Mexican magnificence. The fried goodies are Selena and J. Lo in a pair of leggings and stilettos. This place is sumptuous down to your socks. Strum your Spanish guitar for LP, ladies and gentlemen, it's the real deal. read more

Favorite restaurant in Charleston, hands down. Delicious food and the prices are extremely reasonable. Can get a little crowded on the weekends, but nothing too crazy. Staff is pretty attentive, and the food is always delicious. Queso dip is a must when you go there. Soooooo good. read more

The chips come to the table warm with 2 salsas: one blended and one chunky, both with medium spiciness. Large portions. My godmother is a regular and loves their enchiladas (you can order a plate with mixed varieties and she says they reheat well.) Another order was the Tacos al Pastor which were declared the best carnitas ever even thawed and eaten 3 days later. I had the something Especial. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, slim pieces of chicken and steak and I liked the cheese on top. Only drawback was it was salty. Thank goodness for the delicious pitcher of margaritas. read more

So, we went here on a Saturday and it wasn't that busy, but it took a bit long to get service once we sat down. I had the Milanesa, a dish I get often at Mexican restaurants if they offer it. It was okay, I've had better Mexican food. Honestly, this is no place to write home about. I will probably not eat here again. read more

My fiance and I had our first date here as students at EIU, and we continue to go here every week. Love it!

We were staying in nearby Mattoon recently, before the solar eclipse and stopped in for some Mexican food. We enjoyed the large menu and cold drinks. We have a favorite Mexican restaurant in our neck of the woods and this one may have surpassed it for me. Super attentive wait-staff, always right there to fill up your drink. If we're ever in the area again, we'll stop by! read more

Fun restaurant. Food predictably good. Authentic. Great beans and rice.

This was a random stop on a road trip to Indianapolis. This was the best Mexican food I have ever had in my life. The ambiance was uniquely traditional to the Mexican culture. There were great sizes. As I was leaving I talked to the server joking don't tell me you cooked the food too. He laughed, not only did I learn it is a one person show but it was a family business. Any time I'm in the area I will make sure I go here everytime. read more

Best mexican food in town! And margaritas are said to be very good too. Love the variety of food they offer.