You can't go wrong with the Matador and with Rosa as your server. Excellent drinks (the blood orange margarita is my favorite and I get it every single time), consistent and FLAVORFUL food (try the braised carnitas or skillet seared fajitas), and top notch service. Rosa just so happens to be our server every time my fiancé and I go in and wow, that girl is good at her craft. It's so refreshing to see someone in the service industry truly enjoy what they do! There's good service and then there's THE BEST service. She checks every box!! Also: Happy hour is 4-6pm and 10pm to last call. read more

Food and drinks are usually good, but my server (Nikki T) was dishonest. I sat down and said I was waiting for my friend. The server asked me if I wanted "chips, salsa and guac to start" and of course (thinking this was a standard starter that comes to the table when you sit down, like every other Mexican joint on the planet), I said "yes." Wasn't until the end of the meal that she revealed that my starter chips and salsa costs me $10. And then she had the nerve to hold up that stupid little hand-held card reader to process my payment and ask me to give her a tip when she never told me she was charging $10 for chips that are included with the meal literally anywhere else. On top of that her service absolutely sucked! She was incredibly slow and took 30 minutes after my friend and I were obviously done eating to even ask us about the check or a box. And then it took another 15 minutes for her to bring a box! Hey Matador, if you want to up charge for chips, I suggest you train your servers to be up front with your customers and actually provide good service. read more

3 star is for having called in advance and then not explaining its always 21+ so when we walked in before saying anything they said "21+ only" and we were directed out. The kind stranger outside directed us else where however, she informed us that this is in fact the best option for Mexican. read more

I love the loaded nachos with beef. My gf and I have been getting their margaritas to go and they are delicious. They give you a mini bottle and the necessary rim garnish (see photo of my mixed drink). read more

Matador West Seattle - Margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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The Matador has grown on me. I've revisited about a dozen times in the past year. The food is great Texas Mex, the decor remains the same cool vibe but seems even cooler as time has gone on, but the service remains spotty. Happy hour is great. Try the nachos which are plenty for 2 people at just $5. Other tasty small plates are also good. My friend loves their chili. The bar stools around the indoor firepit are a nice place to hangout on a rainy night with friends and a drink. The music is sometimes cranked really loudly. Be prepared to lean in and repeat yourself to your dining companions. They started a rewards program. You have to flash your paper card for each visit and receive one point for each dollar spent. After $200, you start getting awards which are either $15 off the next visit or some tequila. It would be great if they would add a barcode or number to the rewards card. It's unclear how they know it's you or how points are saved without a tracking system. They do ask you to sign up and I get texts occasionally so it may be via your phone number. I haven't used it yet so I don't know. read more

Matador West Seattle - The rewards program. Have to spend $200 before it kicks in. Rarely you'll get a text about a special because you signed up. - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Every plate on dinner menu is inspired by authentic Mexican fare and influenced by new American cuisines! It reminds me of ... One of the Eagles albums. They should play "Hotel California" it would make you feel like you are on the cover!!! read more

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Love love loveeeee The Matador! I had an issue with a different location once and since I've moved to West Seattle, there's one only 10 minutes away! I've been there twice now and service was amazing, food was delicious as always, and I couldn't be happier! I always come for happy hour and love the $5 giant nachos (extra $$ for meat) and I try to change it up and order other items as well! I've tried the Guac, Calamari, shrimp dishes and more. read more

I only leave reviews if my experience was incredibly nice or bad. Matador is never been my fav spot just because the food is always mediocre, but my friend decided to have bday dinner there. The service was the worst I've ever had at this place. When we were having our second round of drinks the server approached and asked if we want chips refill, we said "no" and she took away the rest of our chips, salsa and guacamole. So we ended up going to the other place where we felt welcomed. It seemed to me that they fired their old staff and hired bunch of inexperienced ones. There are so many restaurants on California Ave , so I'll better support other places at this difficult times. read more

i love this place, especially because of the wonderful server, Rosa! She makes this place! wouldn't be the same without her! She is so personable, lovely, and remembers my choices exactly! i love her! read more

This is the place with incredible service. Our waitress Rosa provided super service. Food is great and the happy hour is such a deal. Great drinks. read more

The only thing I've tried here are the Grande Nachos, so my review is heavily influenced by them. They're stacked pile high, definitely meant to be shared. They're fully loaded with pico, guac, and sour cream. The chips are a bit thin and could use a bit of salt, but overall the nachos are really good choice here. I think the food overall is more of a Tex-Mex style. Cool ambiance inside. There's even a fire pit with a few seats around it. read more

Rosa Nguyen was our server tonight and she was awesome. Great service and she was super nice and friendly. Had the Matador bowl and the Brussels sports- delicious. read more

Shelby our waitress was amazing!!!! Very attentive and helpful. We stayed longer than average and she was very kind. read more

Matador has a great selection of dishes that make me happy regardless of whether I'm swinging vegan or carnivore. Their seasonal and full time margaritas are also excellent. We always look for Rosa when we dine there; Rosa's sense of humor and attention to her customers add a wonderful touch to our experience at Matador. read more

My office is around the corner so whether I'm picking up a lunch order, having happy hour with the girls, or date night - Rosa and the rest of the staff are always great. Obviously, you can't beat the happy hour nachos, tacos, or the brussel sprouts! See you soon! read more

I have been to the Matador quite a few times and we have always really enjoyed the food. I ordered take out today and got a carnitas bowl that I was so excited for and the first bite I got a big chunk of pure fat. I almost puked. I looked further into my bowl and 99% of the meat in my dinner was a huge piece of fat. No meat. I am so disappointed. I just had a baby and don't go out very often and we went all the way to west Seattle to get food and my meal was nothing but pork fat and our food got cold my fiance didn't get to enjoy his food you know while I'm sitting there not eating my food. Now we have to waste gas and drive all the way back there to take the food back. When I tried calling nobody would answer the phone. It's just ridiculous, I can't believe whoever was making my food saw that and still decided to use it it anyway thinking that it would slide. So gross! I cannot even tell you how disgusting it was to take a bite of that huge piece of fat. We paid $60 for this meal and with the gas and the time that we have to spend going all the way back I'm just pissed. This place has the worst customer service. I had my fiance go all the way back there to try to get them to make it right and told them about what happened and all they offered him in the beginning was to give him a side of carnitas and said that most of the time thats normally how carnitas is. What a crock of shit. He did get them to remake my food but honestly our whole meal was cold and they should have offered to remake everything and refund our money for the shit that we just had to go through. I am so beyond pissed off right now I cannot Believe being treated like that after we just spent good money at that establishment and had to drive a total of 2 hours back and forth getting the food going home taking the food back and going home again and they have the most horrible customer service. I've worked in food service and this is a terrible way to treat your customers. This is the last time I'll go to the Matador. read more

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Have to start off by saying kudos to The Matador for having one of the best professional bartenders in West Seattle. Gary is truly impressive, friendly, humorous, playful and efficient (as well as a soccer enthusiast, which is always a plus in my book). His customer service, attentiveness and timing is perfection. So I lived on the border of Mexico for most of my life. So when I brag about the chicken enchiladas picantes it's saying a lot. Super tasty. They are spicy enough for most people (I could take and enjoy more heat, but I'm not complaining). The portions at Matador are very generous. Yes!-complimentary chips and salsa when your ordering food. Buen provecho! read more

The food was fantastic and the service was excellent. I have been here twice and food and service was consistent. Perfect for date night. Highly recommend! read more

I really like this location the most of the Matador restaurants. The food is always top-notch, and they have a wonderful HAPPY HOUR! And the staff is always great, especially ROSA! She is the queen of the place - super knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming. She remembers what I usually order and has suggestions based on my likes. Rosa is just one more reason to go to the Matador in West Seattle! read more

The Mangonada had nothing on Fernando - the sweetest mango from the tree! The drinks were hanging and so was the food!

This is a great place if you have some late night munchies since it closes at 1 am. I came at 11 pm on a Saturday night so it was pretty lively and packed. The interior is beautiful with candles, a fire pit, and decorated skulls on the walls. The happy hour food is great for their prices. The tacos are just $1.50 and tasted great. The nachos were loaded high full of toppings, so definitely worth $5. However the calamari was crispy but nothing special and the wings were a bit dry. I would still come back to try their other HH items. read more

Matador West Seattle - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is lively at night and a great place to hang out with friends. It is spacious and can accommodate large groups. I came here for happy hour on a busy night because there was a concert series / food festival. Everyone was looking to go somewhere to continue their night with more drinking and eating. I found a table outside and ordered off the happy hour menu. The table cloth was very dirty after a long day and was not changed or wiped off. The food was mediocre but I enjoyed the shrimp taco. The nachos on happy hour was HUGE but the cheese solidified quickly. Overall, a great place for late night snacks and drinks but I am not inclined to return. read more

We were excited to try this place out and ordered delivery from here tonight at 6, thinking a weekday wouldn't be too bad to place an order. After 15 minutes of waiting our order was cancelled, no explanation. We tried another place instead, don't know if we want to try this place out again just to risk our order being cancelled again? Weird experience. read more

Matador is pretty decent corporate Mexican food, I've had the street tacos a couple times and they are a filling platter of taco but the other taco platters are also pretty tasty. I really enjoy the smoky margarita here which has a mezcal base and is one of my favorite cocktails in West Seattle. Matador has a pretty solid happy hour. Outside happy hour prices are decent but not all that cheap. Margaritas are their best friend and they have a cocktail list of margs that people have been requesting that make for some fun cocktails. read more

It gets 5 stars for the take out, which we picked up ourselves. We had the Tacos for Two, carnitas and shrimp that were delicious! The paella isn't the traditional Spanish style, but yummy too. BEST guacamole/chips outside my home. The restaurant sent us with red and green salsa (not too spicy for us gringas, but for you fire eaters you can add your own heat). Beans, rice, fresh hand made tortillas, and a perfect single serving Margarita in a bottle for $10 bucks! We are looking forward to dining in the restaurant! read more

Poor customer service- Called to order takeout and we simply just wanted burritos with rice, beans and mushrooms pretty simple right? Instead the gentleman rudely cut me off and mentioned that they were busy tonight and they could only make the burritos one way and they didn't have time for special orders. He didn't want to overwhelm his kitchen. What is that about? We've supported this restaurant during the pandemic and this is how we're treated? They can't make plain burritos? That's fine just be careful when you're coming here on a busy night. They may resist your order due to it's difficulty. read more

Hottest day of the year with no ac AND THE INDOOR FIRE PIT is on?!? Makes no sense! Walked right out

Overpriced. The Chile Relleno my wife ordered was a bowl with something in it....a bunch of rice and other stuff piled on it....NOT A Chile Relllano by any stretch. I got a burrito...I don't remember which one, but the server mentioned how big it is, blah blah. It was about the size of a burrito at Taco Bell, and didn't taste much better. The drinks were good. Servers were good. Pretty sure we stopped and got a burger or something on the way home because we were still hungry after. PASS. read more

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.... I use to really like going to Matador's. The original one in Ballard like it use to be. The ribeye in Ballard was larger thicker and perfectly cooked. The ribeye now is lame with a heaping tablespoon of whipped chipotle spread on the steak and a plate of grilled tomato's, green onion and bowl of black beans, you'll never eat. The margaritas seem to be based on some kind of mix that reminds me of hint of Gatorade. The food execution seems to be rushing it and not enough love put into the food preparation and execution. Luckily, the chips and salsa hasn't changed over the years and really good where I end up filling up with them and a beer so I'm not even hungry anymore. Matadors is just a shell of what it use to be food wise and I'm disappointed that it's not way better than I remember it to be. Of course if your looking for drinks, chips and salsa and some nachos, this is great place. read more

There must have been a turnover of the exec chef or culinary team at this location. The last 3 times the nachos have not been their normally delicious selves. Strangely configured, cheese is different, meat marinade different. 2 of the last 3 times the cheese under was raw, not melted at all so had to have them remade. This last time it took 30 mins to get our nachos (no other tables in the place) and then another 30 to get them remade (only a table of 2 at the time). Not sure what is going on but beware of long times and quality difference each time you go. read more

This is without question My favorite happy hour in West Seattle . It is incredible so many five and six dollar options in the portions are huge. Get the steak nachos and sit by the fireplace read more

Always perfect, great service, and down right delicious.I'll be back! Oh, get the rose sangria, you'll thank me.

The Matador is my favorite place to come for happy hour deals! I typically visit late into the night. Happy hour at night is from 10-close. Service is a hit or miss. I've had times where I was greeted immediately and times where I was completely ignored, but it's ok because the drinks and food make up for that. I LOVE their flavored margaritas, especially the mango one! The mango taste is definitely there and you can actually taste the alcohol. I've been told that they make their syrups in house which is a definite win. Their mojitos are ok..but I definitely prefer the margaritas. For food, I would skip out on the tacos. The one time I've had them, the tortillas were cold. I didn't like the barbacoa, but if I were to get it again I would get it with the carnitas instead. The carnitas had a better flavor profile. The $5 nachos are a must and they're HUGE! It can definitely fill you and another person up. I've had it with steak which was an additional $6, only downside is that they didn't give enough steak. I know this is really basic, but their romaine salad is really good. I get it every time I go. It's just romaine lettuce, pepitas, and cilantro dressed in one of the best dressings in the world! The dressing is on the creamy side, it's fresh, and not too heavy. There are a bunch of other items on their happy hour menu all costing around $5/$6, which I plan to try really soon. Visiting the Matador is a must for happy hour! read more

My friends and I went here during the summer. Our server, I believe her name was Persia, was very inattentive, rude, used crass language, and we overall felt unwelcome. Tried to give it one more shot, unfortunately had the same server. The food was good but the service was garbage. We won't be coming back. read more

Decent I would say - really good prices which is a plus leading to two stars. The service however is not good. All 3 people working were standing around talking looking at my group of 3 as we waiting for a table, we waved them down and they STILL did not come over until we started walking towards them. After being sat we waiting 5 minutes for water and probably 15 for mixed drinks. (Only about 5 tables with people in the whole place besides us) street tacos were soggy and the bottom of the tortilla was breaking out as soon as they got to the table. Their saving grace is the "dip flight" that was delicious. Probably will never be back unless someone else is dragging me in read more

We did speak with the manager and they were very apologetic and refunded us for the meal which is appreciated. Obviously understand that this type of thing can happen when eating food in a public space, but this was bad and very clearly due to improper food handling or hand washing. I have faith that this won't happen again since this is such a well known and established business in the community! read more

Did something change? I feel like the quality went down. I haven't been here in a year and a half and decided to order takeout for the family this evening. The steak for our steak tacos were tough and chewy. My family I abandoned the tacos and decided to work on the nachos instead. Unfortunately the chips were extremely stale and the beans were extremely salty. All the food ended up in compost. I'm really hoping this was just an off day for Matador. I really love this restaurant and hate to leave such an awful review. :( read more

First Time visiting and I was very surprised walking in the door. The outside windows are tinted dark with plain signage. When you enter, it's much more lively. Fireplace in the center of the room, large crescent shaped bar with booth seating along the walls. Happy hour is awesome! We had the gigantic nachos, enough to feed 2-3 and the quesadilla, shrimp. Everything was very tasty better than any other Mexican restaurant I've tried. Our bartender, Max, was attentive always checking in on us. Definitely a place we will frequent more often. read more

Matador West Seattle - Huge selection of booze - Mexican Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Love the ribeye tacos!! The margaritas are also really good. A fun atmosphere. They also have one of the best queso!!

The food is the best Mexican food I have ever had The guacamole is fresh the chips are made daily I have the chicken Fajitas and they are the best Shelby waited on me today - excellent server Everyone is friendly Constantly checking to see if you need anything Go there for lunch or dinner But they do not allow kids They are considered a bar Love this place Zak tonight I took a guest to my favorite restaurant super busy have fajitas chicken and steak Steak tough could not chew it - I told the manager he was very nice but the cut of beef was really bad Just thought you might want to know But still love the restaurant read more