Service and food was amazing. A cool little place. Outdoor dining available. Great place for families with kids. Best Mexican food I've had in years. Definitely will return soon. read more

We enjoyed our meals. Happy to sit outside by the creek with the warmer weather. Would bring a mosquito zapper next time though. Happy to have chips served upon arrival. Service was quick, waiter friendly, no waiting. Food was delicious, great sauces. Rice & beans tasty. There was a smell of cleaning products inside which I don't care for, so happy outside seating was available. read more

We had a wonderful meal at El Arroyo. Warm spring night on the patio with a rushing Murphys Creek made for a pleasant setting. Our meals were delicious - the tastiest Mexican meal I've had in quite some time. My steak burrito bowl was delicious and filling; my wife's Molcajetes was out of this world and even for two! Service was friendly and professional read more

Great food, great patio by the creek to sit with our puppy. Such nice people, too!! Can't wait to go back.

Excellent food. Probably our favorite place on our California trip. The molcajetes are huge, so you can definitely share. The patio is nice with a view of the creek. The staff are soooo nice and the service is great. read more

El Arroyo - A white bowl contains Mexican rice and refried beans topped with shredded cheese, with foil-wrapped food in the background. - Mexican Near Me - Murphys, California

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As in any city or town, when a new restaurant opens, everyone wants to give it a try. El Arroyo in Murphys is no exception. My husband and I love Mexican food and decided to give it a try on our most recent visit to Murphys. The restaurant is located right off Highway 4 as you head up the hill to Arnold. It has been home to many restaurants over the years, most recently to El Jardin. We arrived for lunch mid afternoon so they were not busy, which was nice for us since we were hungry and didn't really want to have to wait too long. The restaurant is very small and there aren't many tables, so keep that in mind if you decide to try it for yourself. Our server was very sweet and helpful with recommendations. The menu offers many options. I really liked how you are given options for the amount of food in your order. Many of the items are a la carte but you can add rice and beans if desired. Our food was delivered very quickly and was nice and hot which was perfect for such a cold day. My husband loved his beef tacos which featured thinly sliced steak. I enjoyed my tacos with marinated chicken. The marinade had a bit of a kick but was super flavorful! Overall I would recommend El Arroyo and I know we will go back again soon. Enjoy! read more

Suuuuper good food in such a cute area! The creek really adds to the whole experience too, 10/10!!

Taco Tuesday at el arroyo Mexican restaurant in Murphys is without a doubt the very best bargain in the entire area. My wife and I travel out on Tuesday's to try all the Mexican restaurants that offer specials on Tacos. We are seniors that love to eat good food. I have never tasted a better taco. I've had their burrito bowl before and the same result. Outstanding!! The waitress was very warm and friendly. Very pretty lady also. lol. Do yourself a favor and give this restaurant a try and you won't be disappointed. read more

The chili Reno, the burritos everything there's very good. The staff is super cool and very professional. The creamy chipotle sauce on a on a web burrito is amazing. read more

When El Arroyo first opened in Murphys, I loved it. For the first several months, it was my family's go-to spot when we went out to eat. Unfortunately, over the last 6-8 months, we've barely gone at all. The service has gone way downhill. The two evening waitresses (who seem to always be the same ones) are consistently terrible. Customers are ignored while they talk to each other, sit on their phones, and sometimes appear more focused on flirting with the cooks than doing their jobs. The food quality isn't what it used to be either. It's really unfortunate, because we truly enjoyed this place when it first opened. read more

Love this place! My Molcajetas is enough for 3 meals for me. Very flavorful, lots of ingredients and meat. My hubby liked his tacos too. All he had left was the rice and beans... read more

El Arroyo - Two tacos with diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and shredded lettuce on a wooden serving board. - Mexican Near Me - Murphys, California

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Another great meal at our Favorite Mexican Restaurant!! Everything is delicious, we'll-prepared and excellent service. read more

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4.5 would be my rating. The bowls are fabulous and my hubby loves the tacos. Fantastic and friendly service. Can't wait for it to cool off to enjoy eating in their outdoor space next to the creek. read more

Fantastic stop for lunch on the way home from camping in the sierras! Service was great. The food was even better! Portions are also generous so we took some home. Finally, I have to mention they have great AC :)) read more

El Arroyo - Al Pastor plate - A Mexican meal featuring rice, refried beans topped with cheese, shredded beef, and small bowls of sauce and chopped lettuce on a wooden table. - Mexican Near Me - Murphys, California

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Best local Mexican restaurant I've found since moving up here. Great food, great service- Highly recommend.

Wow. Flavors on point. Huge portions. Biggest fajita plate ever. Definitely will return here often. read more

El Arroyo - Steak and Chicken fajitas - A hot cast iron skillet contains stir-fried meat with red, green, and yellow bell peppers, onions, and other vegetables, served on a wooden tray. - Mexican Near Me - Murphys, California

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My wife and I have been wanting to try this new place for months but never stopped on the way up to Arnold. Last weekend, we decided to give it a try. Glad we did, the food was incredible. Living in the Sacramento Valley, we have had a lot of excellent, mediocre and bad Mexican restaurant experiences. This one was amazing. I had the marinated chicken burrito and my wife had the grilled chicken burrito. The meat was so tasty in both and the portions are quite large. We were planning to do take out and eat back at our place, but while we were waiting, we saw a back patio area so we decided to have a drink while we waiting. What surprised us was how cool the back patio is. It's right on Murphys Creek and it is a covered area with tables and some high top chairs over looking the creek. So, we decided to stay and eat back there. It is now a favorite spot for us. We met someone back there and he was having the Molcejete. What an amazing looking dish. We will try that next time. read more

Amazing ceviche and spanish rice!! Great outdoor space. Very cool shaded area with creek running in the back. Going back for sure. read more

This is the second visit for dining here. It was delicious again. The outside seating is by the creek , great ambiance. I had 3 crispy tacos, wow, wonderful taste. Great service, can't say enough great about this place. My dog was welcome too I highly recommend this restaurant, good prices, great food and menu, plenty of food too! read more

Their crispy tacos are smallish but meat-heavy and very tasty. For a first try, I was happy with my food to go. read more

El Arroyo - Menu - El Arroyo Mexican Kitchen menu includes house specials, burritos, fajitas, seafood, and a kids menu, with prices and dish descriptions. - Mexican Near Me - Murphys, California

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Went here with my husband last night. We were celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary. Our waitress Nianna was fantastic. We really enjoyed the time we spent there. We got there before the dinner rush, so we sat for a while and relaxed. Immediately, we told Nianna that we were vegan and she was quick to show us our options. We had veggie fajitas each, and there was so much food. We could have just ordered one. The meal came with their delicious whole beans and homemade tortillas. In addition, the meal came with a large side salad. We started with the quacamole and flour chips and salsa. The salsa was so flavorful. I couldn't get enough. We each had a delicious margarita. We asked for rice, but we were told it was made with chicken broth. We really appreciate that they were thoughtful enough to think to tell us. We are visiting from out of town but plan to visit one more time before we leave to go home. read more

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We all have seen this restaurant and have just accelerated right by. If I can encourage anything it is that you adjust your mind set and stop at this restaurant. The service and food will not disappoint! We ate there today, after commenting many times- "We really should try that place." We shared the ceviche was fresh, bright and perfect in its spice ness, citrus flavors and 2 margaritas. My husband had the barbacoa special which he described as tacos with au jus- perfectly crunchy and moist at the same time. I had the steak and chicken molcajeta with chipotle sauce. I am still in awe an hour later. Luckily portion is such I get to eat it again. Take my word for it and STOP and enjoy some really good food- or get it to go for later! read more

The food is good but the restaurant uses really strong cleaner and it's all we smell and taste. It's a huge turn off for us. Bummer because the food was really good before they switched cleaners. I like walking into a restaurant and smelling good food. read more

Perfect place for Dinner or Lunch right next to the creek. Great Service / very friendly staff. There were four of us and we ordered various dishes... Barbacoa Taco's (Beef), Molcajetes, Chicken Enchiladas... fresh made Guacamole... everything was exquisite ... the hot dishes were served hot and we already agreed... best Mexican food experience in a while. Overall great Dinner and we will be back. Thank you El Arroyo! read more

Amazing! The poblano stuffed with chicken was absolutely amazing. The veggie bowl was delicious and the soup was fantastic. Can't wait to go back!! read more

When I like a restaurant I am a fan for life and I tell everyone about it. When it is mediocre, I also let them know that. This one is barely mediocre. The food lacked flavor, and was cold. Salt and pepper to flavor? Had to ask. A knife to cut it? Had to ask. Two bucks for chips and salsa, one buck for a side of sour cream, and 10 bucks for a side of guac. It may be in El Jardin's space, but it is no El Jardin. I think we will keep looking. read more

Highly recommend...to eat inside, creekside on the patio or for takeout. Yummers! We sat in the patio area next to the view and sound of Murphys' Creek, which was delightful and we were able to bring our doggie. Our server was kind, friendly, helpful and prompt on bringing us what we ordered. The menu is extensive and so are the options, green chicken enchiladas, barbacoa tacos, molcajete (serves 2) and a myriad of other amazing options. We started with the homemade guacamole with chips, the four of us devoured them...yum! Pro tip, squeeze the lime over the guacamole. The drink options were nice too. When the food came it was piping hot, straight out of the oven clearly and portions generous. Hot, flavorful and some of the best Mexican food we've had in a while...my three Barbacoa beef tacos with rice and beans were devoured in full even though I was full after the 2nd one. We all agreed it was some of the best and authentic Mexican Food we had enjoyed in a while. Only critique, the picnic table was uncomfortable by the end of the meal, that was it. Otherwise wonderful time, pleasant service and great food. read more

Food has been consistent even months apart. Staff are always friendly and bring the right plates- which living out here you realize, must be a skill, so YAY for this place! read more

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but possibly some of the best Mexican food I've had in a long time. Well worth the drive and I came from amador county! read more

Ordered the steak fajitas. I don't know how the alleged beef chunks were cooked, I could not chew them. Beens were slightly warm, rice was less warm, $1.00 for 2 tablespoons of watered down sour cream. Do not need to ever go back. Definitely not an El Jardin!! read more

We ate here today and I must say it was amazing! There is something on the menu called Molcejete that my husband had and it was delicious! If you have not tried this dish give it a try. He had chicken with chipotle cream sauce! read more

El Arroyo - Molcejete chicken chipotle cream sauce - Mexican Near Me - Murphys, California

We were very excited to hear that there was a couple new Mexican restaurants opening. We thought we'd give El Arroyo a try, we had already heard pros and cons. But wanted to make our own decision on the restaurant. Well, we never got to try their food, the waitresses never acknowledge us not even once, I'm not even sure how long we stood there all by ourselves. There was no line and there was empty tables. But the waitresses literally just kept walking right past us so close that they could bump us. It went on for way too long, so we left. If they could've just acknowledged us and said and we're sorry we will be with you soon as we can. But they didn't, bummer!!! read more

Have eaten here 4+ times and each time the food was fantastic. Great flavors in the several different items we have tried. We also love eating out by the creek and the servers are friendly. read more

Great tacos! And service was welcoming. I liked the music and inside is small but well setup. Recommend it!

Food is very good. You pay for chips and salsa so they may be from the Bay Area. I tried to go there today but could not find parking all five spaces were taken. Why would they put a shipping container over the parking spaces? read more

Long-time locals here. Wanted to try this "new" restaurant. Sat at table, then had to ask for Tortilla Chips and Salsa. Server was very nice but said it was an Appetizer and only cost $2.00. Really?!? What Mexican Restaurant charges for chips and salsa. Rice and beans are "extra" too. So much for trying to support this local business. The food wasn't great either. They're better off just adding-in a little more to prices and not "insulting" people. We will not be back. Sad. read more

Attentive service even when busy. The food is quite a bit more tasty than some bland Mexican places. The menu is expansive for its size. Good flavors. My new fav Mexican place in the county. read more

I've lived in Murphy's for over 20 years when the new L Arroyo restaurant came into town everybody was excited but unfortunately they try to scam you out of your rice and beans they have a a la carte menu which includes enchiladas and if you want rice and beans you're going to have to pay $3.50 on the side what Mexican restaurant doesn't give rice and beans you will not make it here have a good day read more

I get the whole argument over closing time for restaurants, so even though I don't agree with restaurants on actual closing versus last seating, this is not my complaint. We called before heading over to ask what time they stopped seating. The woman on the phone told us they stop seating at 7:40 and they stop serving to go food at 7:45. There were five of us in the car and we all heard the same thing. Arrived at 7:35 and walked in the door. The woman watched us walk in and immediately looked at her coworker and rolled her eyes. I saw her do it and questioned her stating I had just called less than ten minutes prior and hung up with her saying we would be there soon. She insisted they stop seating at 7:30 and not 7:40. If you know the town of Murphys, you know how frustrating it can be to find a restaurant to eat at in the evenings. We passed 5-6 other restaurants to get here that were now also dome seating by the time we went back through town. SO INFURIATING! At least apologize and correct yourself. Don't roll your eyes at a customer and deny you made a mistake. read more

Just had dinner there tonight about 530... the waitress said she was busy and the only one in the dining room, but I feel that she did a great job for being busy. Our 1st time here & hubby ordered carnitas plate (which he loved), I order carnitas crispy tacos (best tacos ever!!!!) & our girls got chicken tenders and the fries were super good we also ordered dessert--- churro donuts (AMAZING!), CHIMICHANGA (daughter said it was just okay), and sweet nachos (delicous). We will definitely be back!!! read more