I have walked by this place so many times and have never stopped in. Good things: service was friendly, food came out fast. They have so good deals. Cons: The food was just okay not great. If you don't get something on special it's a little pricey for what you get. Overall decent Mexican restaurant if you want something quick and you don't want to wait for a table! read more

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It was a disappointing dinner at El Corazon. We had tickets to a show across the street at OLS, neither of us had ever been to El Corazon, so we thought we'd give it a try. We were seated right away, at a window table which happily surprised us, considering it was a Saturday night. We ordered a couple of drinks and which were delivered quickly. I ordered Rosa's Enchiladas which had a "V" next to it on the menu. While ordering I confirmed with the server that the meal was vegetarian and was told yes. When another server delivered our meals I asked again if it was vegetarian, and specifically whether there was lard in the refried beans. This server said that usually when there is cheese on the refried beans they are not vegetarian and would take the meal back. They returned a bit later with my meal and an apology, stating the other server was new. Sadly, now my meal was cold, like room temperature. Although I insisted they eat without me, the person I was with insisted on waiting until my meal was delivered (this always puts the other person in an awkward position), so now I suspect both meals were cold. A disappointing dinner at El Corazon. I realize mistakes are made but this is the kind of thing that makes you lose trust in a restaurant. It's so important that staff is well versed on menu ingredients, or that they check if unsure. read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

The wait at Taco Escobar was too long for impatient and hungry me, so we decided to swing by El Corazon! We were seated immediately and our server was great. I ordered the spicy mango marg which was a good level of kick! The shrimp burrito was exactly what I was craving - crispy shrimp, guac, fresh veg. Everything came out quickly although I have heard if you order the birria it can be a wait. I would definitely return here to try more food and margaritas! read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Shrimp Burrito - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

I've been checking in for years, but last review was some time ago. Has anything changed? NO! Not only the best in the city, but coming here is like going home. Abuelita wants...no...needs to make you feel welcome and fill your belly with pampering , love, and great food!! Posting some pics. Yes!! It was just the two of us...don't judge the amount of food and drink! Thank you! Mujere Laura made it all happen! Mucho gusto!! We feel like family at every visit! P.S. Thanks for fixing our tamales order disaster,Laura!! Viaje seguro en su teip para ver a su madre. disfruta del clima cálido read more

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The staff greets you warmly and gets you seated right away. When I asked for non-meat options I asked about two of them and they suggested the chile rellenos. They are the best ones I've had. Of course I'm hungry now writing this and wish I had some now! Very laid back and casual dining experience. read more

TLDR: best cabeza ever This place has the best cabeza I've ever eaten. Staff are nice and warm. All the food is excellent. Prices are good. Can't beat it. read more

El Corazon is one of my husband's and my favorite restaurants in Portland. We moved to the area a few months ago and the staff has been extremely welcoming and friendly, especially Ulysses and Orion. The service is always fabulous with great recommendations. It is a cute place in a good location, however the staff is what truly sets this restaurant apart. Our favorite tacos are the lengua, cabeza, birria, and fish. We also really enjoyed the fajitas. It's hard to find good lengua and cabeza tacos so I really appreciate the diversity of the menu. read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Beef Tongue Taco a la Carte - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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As a fellow Mexican American from LA the owner does it pretty well. The chimichangas are actually chimichangas...something you won't find in other local Mexican restaurants. The rare to be found menudo is always fantastic although the liquid to solid stuff has recently been on the decline. I usually get the carne asada plate and add the roasted jalapeños which are great. The fish tacos are great but inconsistent with the amount of fish. The chile rellenos are pretty good too... read more

This is some authentic Mexican food! We came on taco Tuesday and ordered a carnitas, crispy shredded beef, crispy potato and fried green tomato taco. They were all excellent but our favorites were the crispy shredded beef and the soft taco carnitas. Vibe is very relaxed and service is friendly. Just go!!! read more

Solid Mexican food! Friendly staff. Crispy cooked quesadillas and hearty stuffed burritos. Note: Bad Hombre burrito is not at all spicy, my partner reported twice. It does have diced fresh jalepenos inside it. read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Carne asada quesadilla - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

Food was not the best, drinks were good. Service was fast and had no wait. For the price I thought I would expect more. read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Camaron (Shrimp) - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Oh my.....what can I say about this place. Perhaps I should have lowered my expectations getting Mexican food in Maine but after looking at the website and yelp reviews I decided to give it a shot. It will be the only time. I suggest you keep looking....now on to the review. Ambiance 5/10 very interesting vibe....Americana music playing, espn 2 and Univision playing at the bar, and a large sun devils flag. Drinks N/A cocktail menu looked underwhelming and expensive Appetizer queso Fundido 5/10 very little chorizo. Queso blend was good. Chips were cold and salsa tasted like Pace. Steak Fajitas 4/10 platter came out sizzling but flavor was very underwhelming. Very bland. Way more peppers and onions than steak. Rice was bland. Didnt try the beans....lost my appetite. Service 6/10 they tried. Would not recommend. read more

The staff members were very pleasant. The bartender, in particular, was very attentive, friendly, and engaging. He also made a really good Margarita. The place has a nice vibe; it's warm, casual and welcoming. The problem? Worst tacos I've ever eaten in my life. Granted, I ordered only one kind -- carnitas-- and I have only eaten there one time. So perhaps it was an off night. But the tacos I ordered made me never want to return. The tortillas were limp, moist, and flavorless. The meat was very dry (I don't know how that is even possible with carnitas) and also lacking in flavor. The only other discernible ingredient was cabbage. Plain raw green cabbage, which added a bit of crunch but not much else. The pico de gallo looked fresh but, again, was bland. I put all of the pico de gallo and squeezed both of the lime wedges on the tacos -- and there still wasn't enough moisture or flavor to save those extremely dull and disappointing tacos. read more

We were craving Mexican food & needed a place that was dog friendly. I called & they said the patio is dog friendly up until 6pm. Perfect! It was about 2:30pm so we were past the lunch rush but service still seemed a little slow. We got the variety taquitos & sundevil combination plate. The taquitos were really good, really fresh & crispy! On the combo plate we got the pork tamale, el pastor taco, pollo mole enchiladas. I don't know if it's that I've been on such a limited diet & avoiding foods like this that everything tasted really good! I would say the tamale was our least favorite, a little thick & dense. And pretty cheap too! I think our bill was $35 read more

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We were craving Mexican on a Friday and decided to finally try out El Corazon after a friend recommended it. I am so glad we did! It honestly exceeded our expectations and we cannot wait to go back soon. Pro-trip: COME HUNGRY! As soon as you walk inside El Corazon, you can tell it's an authentic Mexican spot, which is so refreshing to find here in Maine. The menu is not your typical Mexican-American menu -- they really go all out by not only having your Mexican staples (tacos, burritos, etc) but also some very unique dishes that I wasn't expecting to find in Portland. I was also impressed with their cocktail menu. It was very nice to see most cocktails priced between $8-$11; you don't often see any anymore in a city's downtown area. 5 stars for keeping it affordable, El Corazon! After stuffing our faces with the free chips & salsa, we were ready to order. I went for the Birria de Chivito and it was delicious. This dish from Jalisco, Mexico consisted of young tender goat slow cooked for 7 hours (!!!) in a mild red Chile sauce with Mexican spices. Everything about this dish was perfect. It was so full of flavor and aromas that transcended what my palate was expecting. It came with a side of rice, beans, and tortillas aka way too much food, so I had leftovers which made for a nice dinner the next day. I also tried the pork pozole, which was a steal for under $6. So filling! The tortillas were phenomenal and they give you so many of them. The queso fundido was also a hit -- it was one of the best ones I've ever had. My partner had the Sundevil Carne Asada plate and he said he liked it, but I found the meat to be a bit bland and chewy. I am glad I ordered the goat and not the steak, honestly. All in all, great food in a very casual setting which we actually enjoyed. Service was definitely all over the place, but you can tell they are severely understaffed at the moment, so kindness is key. Our waiter was also the bartender for the night, and in total there were only two people serving the whole restaurant. read more

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My husband and I came here on a Thursday night and it was really busy and happening! Staff was friendly and prompt and we loved the decor. The skinny margarita was delicious and we enjoyed the chips appetizer, although we didn't love the salsa. My husbands California burrito was delicious and the quesadilla was also amazing (especially with the sour cream and guacamole). Portions are large and we had leftovers. Overall great spot to check out if in the area! read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Went tonight and got treated to May as our waitress! She was full of life and you could tell she liked her job. Margaritas with salted rims plus chips & delicious salsa started us off right. Husband had the chicken burrito and kept talking about how much great tasting chicken was inside! Friend and I both had the Sundevil Combination Plate and followed May's advice and got the Mòle Enchilada, , the Carne Asada Taco and Salsa Verde Tamale! We took two pieces of the chocolate cake home, which I'm anticipating is gonna be fantastic! I highly recommend this restaurant as we are all still talking about our meals an hour later! Thanks May for being such a great person! read more

Restaurante El Corazon - The Sundevil Combination Plate! - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

Service is amazing very nice people the salsa and all the food is amazing definitely worth giving this place a try

We went in the evening and sat at the bar for a drink. The barkeep was confused about basic mixology terms, and when this came to her attention, she became intrusive and rude. The drinks were mediocre. There were televisions on the wall and overall low budget interior design. The general feeling was that of a cheesy airport restaurant, a feeling greatly reinforced by the bartender's attitude. read more

UPDATE: I've now had the posole and it is wonderful! You usually don't find this if you aren't in the West, so I was thrilled. El Corazon's is a savory red chili broth with beef and all the toppings--shredded cabbage, raw onions and radishes, extra tortillas--served on the side. Delicious! read more

Well. The description in the menu of the owners is sweet and lovely and I don't really like to give rotten reviews but... when you could kick yourself for not going next door to Pai Men Miyake and spend $45 I guess it's ok. The reviews say things like "an authentic Mexican spot". It's big, it's dirtyish, it's old and kind of ugly. Is that authentic Mexican? And another reviewer, "After stuffing our faces with the free chips & salsa"... there are no free chips and salsa, that costs $5. No chips on the table. No salsa. $5. "Out of this world" chili rellenos (2 reviews I notice) made me go here today because that is one of my favourites in life and I make them big with lots of cheese, and in a light batter with red sauce. I swear, I could not get my knife to cute that relleno on the bottom. I sawed and sawed away and it was like iron. What? There was not much cheese in it (one for $15) and there was NO SAUCE. Some cotija and crema on top yes ok, but... no sauce. Someone remarked the beans are delicious. They were tasty alright but as I walked out and two hours later, I felt like I had eaten a whole can of lard. It was the most unpleasant feeling, really whacko. Yuk. The beef in the hard taco I had was pasty and gray, I stopped eating it. The guacamole? It tasted like butter. I asked the oh so friendly (not) waiter why it tasted like butter and he said oh we put crema in our guac. Wow. Is everything different on other days? Is the waiter liking his job more? Won't be back to try. P.S. Don't eat goats, they are amazing animals. read more

This food is awesome!! The staff also awesome. My carnitas burrito was the best I've ever had. My husband said same about his carne asada! My margarita was delicious and strong. Great place. Highly recommend! read more

We were very disappointed especially after reading the reviews. The steak was very dry, flavorless and the tacos had more cabbage than meat. We expected more from a restaurant in Portland. We will not be returning. read more

What a great evening the churros were perfection. Top shelf margarita "Cadillac Margarita" wow awesome love it so yummy for my tummy. read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Churros - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

Excellent food, great service! Its hard to find an affordable and authentic Mexican restaurant in Portland.

Finally! The first place to make an authentic California burrito I've come across on the east coast, and they NAILED IT. The unfortunate part of my order was the missing chips/salsa & the churros were pretty stale. I opted for take-out on a busy night last week, and the transaction went smooth! It's a nice establishment, nestled between a few other businesses / restaurants - parking is a bit tougher on weekends, and even weekdays, as the side streets surrounding this block are all residential city streets. Best bet is to park somewhere on/off congress. 100% recommend the California burrito! read more

Love this restaurant. Tried it for a quick lunch before meeting at industrial park on outskirts of town. I was in a rush unfortunately, but had a huge craving for Mexican food. The server couldn't have been nicer and chicken taquitos were perfect. Had planned to do takeout but they were so quick I was able to eat them in house. I have eaten at the sister shop in South Portland several times and I love that one too. Fantastic soups, tacos, enchiladas. Everything I've tried is delicious and reminiscent of the Mexican chow I enjoyed in my former city of San Diego. read more

My wife and I went here for a quick dinner before a high school hockey game and were very pleased with our visit. We visited on a Wednesday evening so the restaurant was not too full (seemed to be doing a lot of take out orders though). The service was prompt and extremely friendly. My wife and I have very different tastes.... she tends to play it safe in her choices, while I am much more adventurous. The menu here was a great compromise. She got basic enchiladas suiza and I got the birrias (goat). We were both very pleased with our choices. The goat was tender, flavorful and fantastic. I should also note that the prices are quite reasonable for a Portland restaurant and the portion sizes. read more

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My husband and I split the El Corazon Platter today to celebrate his birthday. It is a ginormous make your own tacos platter that serves 4-5, but we ordered it anyway and took the extra home. It was fantastic. We will definitely do it again. read more

Everything about this place is ideal for a lunch or dinner date! The meal was absolutely delish, I had a mock tail not featured on menu but the waitress was more then happy to craft me up something tasty and yummy! The service was unmatched and I had the best fried green tomatoes and yes they were in my taco ! Would go back any day and would recommend to large or small party's! Thanks for being so well priced and aesthetically pleasing x read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Mock tail with a Tajin Rim and strawberry limeade - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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I completely forgot to complete this review. So, I did meet that owners of the Reataurante El Corazon a few weeks prior to my visit. Mother moved from California and shared that she wanted to bring authentic west coast Mexican Food. I was excited to give it a try when I was in town. I have gone a couple of times, and have to say, she did not lie. The restaurant is located right in the center of the intersection. Parking can be a challenge, but there are many street spots and worth the walk. Varied indoor and outdoor seating is available. Good for couples and larger groups. The menu provides you with the basic options from tacos to massive burritos and everything in between. So, if you like tex-mex you will find something on the menu to your liking. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is great for a nice intimate gathering or for a rowdy crowd. To have the ability to just relax with chips and awesome salsa, and enjoy one of the many speciality cocktails on the menu is what a great dining experience is all about. I do enjoy me some tacos, so having fish and chicken as options rock it. Combined with the rice and bean platter...yum yum. read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

We had walked by this anchor on Longfellow Square many times before going in looking for good Mexican food. We found it. A family owned (and very proud of it- as they should be) restaurant with very reasonable prices. Cocktails were prompt and tasty, and the house chips and salsa were excellent. The chips and salsa are free if you are there to dine- they cost $5 if you are there for drinks, and I can agree with the economics of that reality. My wife ordered the Chile Relleno and said it was the best she had eaten in a long time. I had the special tacos and they were fine, not gourmet, but just what i wanted in a taco- taste, texture, and some semblance of love. The beans and rice were a great side and the portions are of a good size. Nevertheless, we did not leave enough uneaten for a doggy bag. Our server was timely and attentive. The place , for a weekend night, was busy and everyone seemed to be a regular and just so content to spend some time enjoying their food and drinks. No sticker shock at all, my taco platter was 13.95 and we enjoyed drinks and dinner on what would have been dinner for one at one of the "fine" places farther downtown. Try it! read more

We celebrated my youngest daughters birthday here Saturday. Had reservations and Mae greeted us and was excellent server. We all had great drinks and apps. Looked for my buddy Joseph but he was off that night. There was seven of us and all had great meals. My self , I got the Mexican shrimp cocktail and Hatch chilies soup, both were Awesome. My wife got the Chimichanga and was great, my oldest daughter got what I had. There were all delivered hot and were great meals. We got one order of churros and split for dessert, because we were all stuffed. AWESOME SERVICE,MEAL, DRINKS,AND DESSERT. THANKS MAE AND ABBY. read more

Cameron a la Diablo was awesome!! If you like fiery hot spicy food this dish is for you!!! It was tempered with a delicious mayo lettuce salad that really helped soothe the burn!!! The staff accommodated my request for a skinny margarita which I sipped slowly with my spicy lunch. Our server was delightful !! While most restaurants have trouble staffing , joe is extremely lucky with his friendly staff. I will be back not once but several times!! read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Cameron a la Diablo - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

We moved from Texas 2 years ago & couldn't find decent Mexican food living in Augusta, ME..we drove all the way to Portland to try this restaurant and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Laura, the owner greeted us and kept a great conversation with us! She was very welcoming to my family We absolutely love everything we ordered! The pastor tacos are as authentic as we have had in Mexico! Ambiance was very laid back and amazing views of the street. Great location! Everything was delicious...we will be back and she mentioned a second location with patio...definitely taking a weekend trip just to come eat here again!!! read more

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Good food and service. Kinda pricey for what you get. The restaurant is cute and trendy. The salsa with the chips was okay ... the salsa didn't taste fresh but other than that everything else was good. We would definitely come back and try another item in the menu. Hopefully the salsa tastes better and is fresh. read more

Pretty amazing! I haven't had Hatch Pork Chile stew that good outside of Santa Fe! Burrito was right off the street side cafe in Oaxaca! Salsa was perfectly authentic! They have Queso Fundido!!!! Going back for mole and their Mexican parrillada! read more

Shrimp tacos on another level. Great food + atmosphere. Friendly staff, QUALITY Mexican food

Sooo good!! First time trying this place and I am so impressed. I got the shrimp burrito and it's the best burrito I've ever had in my life. Real authentic Mexican food, highly recommend! read more

Restaurante El Corazon - Shrimp Burrito - Bars Near Me - Portland, Maine

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Great location and branding. Food is rough. Overall offering is uninviting. Not recommended.