I've always skipped this spot when at the mall and I'm not sure why... I finally got convinced to…read morego out for girls night with the promise of soft served margaritas. The place is beautiful from the outside and the inside. It is a very modern establishment however, they have some unique qualities I hadn't seen in Lexington. For starters, they sat us right away even though it was busy. Next, we ordered a guacamole appetizer and someone came with a cart and made it fresh in front of us! I thought that was super cool since you also get to pick your toppings. The margaritas tasted amazing... it was truly a good ice cream base; I've had nothing like it. Their food is good, they have so many options and the portions are good but it is pricey. The vibe is super fun, it's like a genuine party. Definitely recommend to anyone who hasn't been. 10/10

Rating: (3.7/5) We…read moreabsolutely love El Asadero and have been here hundreds of times, which is why this review is tough to write. This is only my second post, and unfortunately this visit was disappointing compared to our usual experiences. Our server was very friendly and attentive, which we appreciated. However, the beer came out warm, which was a rough start. We ordered the lettuce tacos and a cheesesteak quesadilla. It seemed like the food sat in the service window a bit too long -- the lettuce wasn't crispy and we had to ask for new lettuce for the tacos. The quesadilla itself was good, but it could've used some extra flavor. We also ordered hot sauce, but it wasn't spicy at all, which was a letdown. That said, we know what this place is capable of and this visit felt more like an off night than the norm. We'll definitely be back to give it another shot, because El Asadero is usually one of our go-to spots.

Came here hungry. Left full, mildly confused, and extremely satisfied…read more We kicked things off with chips and salsa. The chips? A+--crunchy, fresh, and clearly made by someone who respects the tortilla. The salsa? Let's just say it had strong marinara energy. I half-expected someone to offer me breadsticks. The queso was fine. Not mad at it, not writing poetry about it either. Then came the entrees: chile verde and a chicken chimichanga. Both were fantastic--crispy, golden, and toasted like they'd just come back from vacation in Cabo. Massive portions. Like, "should've brought Tupperware" big. The kind of meal that stares back at you and dares you to finish it. Washed it all down with a cold Dos Equis. No complaints there--beer was as it should be: cold, reliable, and didn't try to taste like mango or birthday cake or anything weird. Our waiter Jason deserves a shoutout--attentive, friendly, and we had a nice conversation about their EXCELLENT in house hot sauce. The decor? A wild ride. Red, white, and blue everywhere--I assume in honor of July 4th, but it kind of felt like Uncle Sam opened a cantina. A little confusing for the senses, but hey, festive is festive. All in all, great food, great service, and a patriotic fever dream of a dining room. Would definitely come back--maybe with a mariachi band and a bald eagle next time.

Cold beer, Good Tequila, GREAT food…read more Staff were very friendly and selection of tequila was decent for a smaller bar.

Went there again and my mind has changed, for the better! I…read morewent for brunch this time and the items available were top tier. I ordered the potatoes with chorizo and egg and the servings were huge. There were a lot of people in there in the AM, I can definitely see why. My husband's order was also huge. We had a lot of leftovers. The food was fresh, the employees were very nice and friendly, the music was not loud so we had good conversations. Their parking can be a little tense but, if you're willing to walk, there's plenty. They really have a good menu for any time of day, and they're VERY affordable... we will certainly be coming back more often.

We have been going here for almost 20 years. We had the best service of all time today from our…read morewaitress Adriss! She was absolutely amazing, very attentive and so friendly!

We were attending the Burl County Fair across the street yesterday and stopped in for a bite to eat…read morebetween the musical acts. There was no wait, so that was a plus. We sat at the bar and were greeted by the bartender. All of the staff we came in contact with were very friendly. Service was fast, beer was cold and the food was delicious. My wife and I ordered a Chamoy Shrimp Taco, Pork Belly Taco and Ahogado Drunken Taco along with an order of Chips and Queso. It was plenty of food for the two of us. We were in the right side building which has a full bar, plenty of seating and a salsa bar.

If you're looking for authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual walk-up, order-and-sit-down setting,…read morethis is a great choice. The food is flavorful, and the extensive selection of salsas and sauces for your nacho chips is a standout feature. Prices are a little on the higher side, but the attentive, friendly staff help make the experience worthwhile. One recommendation: review the menu online before arriving, as ordering at the front can feel a bit rushed or awkward if you are unfamiliar with the options. The venue includes the main restaurant plus an adjoining indoor/outdoor bar with patio seating, located in Lexington, Kentucky's new Distillery District. It's a lively spot for a relaxed meal, drinks, or an evening out with friends.

First time here, previously enjoyed the restaurants that were here before. Staff were very nice to…read moremy grandchildren who were with me. Nothing overally impressive. Server was nice but not very attentive. They may be short-staffed. I ordered a Michelob Ultra but what she brought didn't taste at all like what I ordered. She apologized & replaced but I didn't end up drinking that either. Food was typical to what I feel I can get at most Mexican restaurants. Our order was queso, Fajita steak quesadilla, hard beef taco, chicken tenders with fries. I feel like there quesadilla portion was smaller than other places. For example, my go to Durango's gives double the portion with their quesadilla. Awkward layout of seating and again nothing overall impressive.

Monarca is hands down our favorite Mexican restaurant in town! From the moment we walk in, we're…read moretreated like family. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and always full of good energy. One of the biggest reasons we keep coming back is Kentor. He always goes above and beyond to make sure we feel at home. Whether it's a friendly chat, remembering our favorite dishes, or just making sure everything is perfect, he truly makes every visit special. The food? Incredible. Every dish is packed with flavor, consistently fresh, and served with genuine care. We love getting an occasional beer or a cocktail. We love going so much that it's become more than just a place to eat, it's a place where we feel connected. Gracias, Monarca, for creating such a wonderful experience time and time again. Can't wait for our next visit!

We ate inside and got the basic chips and queso and pollo con arroz. So yummy! Definitely what we…read morewere looking for and checked all our boxes for flavor and portion sizes. The service was kind and timely. They were playing Drake which made us laugh, need the Mexican music! Will be returning. Small queso and one pollo good for 2 people to split.

Taco Tuesday!!! Went…read morefor their half priced tacos! You can choose between chicken or beef and hard or soft shell. They come with lettuce and tomato. I ordered one of each. Added on a side of rice. I called this order in and was told 8-10 minutes. I arrived 15 minutes after ordering. First person, "uh.... We don't have any call in orders. Hold on... " Second person - goes to kiosk... places the order get receipt take it to the kitchen comes back and says " it'll be just a minute I forgot to add the side of sour cream" So you didn't put my order in... Wait an additional 15 minutes. Food was ok but not putting my order in when I ordered it and making me wait double the time is just well... ridiculous

Great food! Great and friendly service. We went there for lunch. Had the steak burrito special. It…read morewas fresh and really good. Will definitely go back!

Doesn't look like much from the road, sits next to the Days Inn and in front of a mostly empty…read morestrip mall. I wasn't even sure they were open. I was staying at the hotel and the staff said it was good. I got mine to go because I had my dog with me. I got the Fiesta guacamole and the chicken poblanos. No drinks for me, but they do have a full bar. Everything was nicely packaged for takeout, and plentiful, also with extra chips and salsa, but all a little cold, so I microwaved it a bit. And I expected the peppers to be stuffed, but everything was kind of just pulled on top. But, it was tasty and a #yum. #ReviewsByRL

My wife and I stopped there at the recommendation of some friends in Kentucky as we were just…read morepassing through. The place was beautiful with happy music and the food was excellent! We had street tacos (authentic mexican), drinks and desert. What really topped off the evening was our waitress, Erika Ellery. She was the most kind and helpful person you could ever hope for to make the evening a pleasant experience. We will definitely recommend this place to others and stop here again when in the area. Bob & Gale Lowe - 8/2/2026

While visiting UK, we decided to try Agave & Rye and check out a band at the Opera House. What an…read moreamazing way to round out an amazing visit. First off, we were greeted by friendly people who welcomed us with open arms. The atmosphere is super cool and interesting. Each room has a different vibe, but with the same underlying eclectic aesthetic. We had chips, queso, guac, and chunky salsa. When I say the salsa was the best I've had in a restaurant, that is saying something because I have ordered massive amounts of chips and salsa in my life. This place is top-notch for sure. I think the food was some of the best eclectic Mexican I've ever had. Our server was super fantastic. It was Taco Tuesday, so I enjoyed a half-price peach bourbon punch that was made in-house and absolutely delicious. I highly recommend! I cannot rave enough about this fabulous restaurant. So much fun, so delicious, so welcoming, and cool!