I'm not sure where any negative reviews are coming from. This place is awesome. The service people work their tales off. The margarita's are the best. And, I'll be back weekly until I don't! The only negative thing I can say is that it's hit or miss if the place is too busy. That's not their fault, though. Anything below a three-star rating is total BS. read more

My wife and I ate there last Saturday evening and by Sunday we were both sicker than we have ever been in our lives. We hadn't left the house for days and decided to grab a quick dinner ...big mistake. In the past their cleanliness has bothered me. Waitresses pick up multiple used glasses by placing their fingers inside the glasses and then two minutes later they're delivering my margarita with their fingers around the rim. Simply gross and they should know better. There needs to be a separation between waitstaff and the bus boys. read more

Best Mexican restaurant in all of the Omaha area. Service, atmosphere and the food are all outstanding. Highly recommended. P.S. the margaritas are to die for. read more

I couldn't give them zero stars. So they get one. I don't understand how Elbees stays open. The Margaritas are awful roses lime juice crap. They charge for chips. The food is bland and really over priced. Omaha has phenomenal Mexican restaurants all over town. South 24th Street has some of the best authentic Mexican. read more

Walk in expecting white people pleasing TexMex with copious amounts of yellow cheese and you won't be disappointed. Chips and salsa will set you back 6.50 but they are of the fresh fried flour and pico de gallo variety. They were solid but it just doesn't seem right to pay the price of an entree just to get chips and salsa. My father in law ordered the huevos rancheros which came out under a golden brown layer of cheddar cheese. Just like my enchilada and my mother in law's tostada. If you are lactose intolerant you can't eat here. Colby Jack cheese is the star of the show at El Bees. Rice and beans were also caught up in the cheese lava flow. The enchilada was pretty bland but what flavor it did have was good. It was just WAY too much food. Come and have the Mexican food you ate in 1989 and enjoy some cheese. If you need something sweet after the sodiumstravaganza, tootsie pops are coming your way with the check. Don't make a special trip, but it's good at old school Tex Mex. read more

My entire family is a fan. El Bees is all about two things. Amazing nachos and stellar margaritas. Never mind the fact that they are in Waterloo, Nebraska, and there is a picture of a bee dressed as a Mexican cowboy. Never mind the fact that you are not sure were you are once you've finished one of the margaritas. Just go, eat, drink and enjoy. read more

Quite possibly the blandest "Mexican" food I have had. Meat was unseasoned and dry. What Mexican joint doesn't offer complimentary chips & salsa? The only reason they got two stars was the prompt, hustling servers. We won't go back...... read more

Please don't go here if you expect anything other than bland food. I had the Macho Chimichanga that was more of a "lets fry some wet-dog flavored beef and throw some lettuce and olives on top" plate. No discernible Mexican flavor, even with chips and salsa. When we asked for spicy salsa we were told " there's jalapeño in it" . Typical non-answer. About me-I travel 70% for work around the US and grew up in SoCal. read more

We just moved to a lake in Valley and thought we would be regular customers especially for carry out. The first dine in experience we had was fine, our waitress was very friendly. Tonight we called to see if there was a menu posted anywhere online so we could place an order for carry out. The woman on the other end was SO rude, laughed at my question and then basically hung up on me. She did not offer any solution or seem the least bit interested in our business. I'm very disappointed as this could have been one of our go to spots. read more

Yuck, yuck, yuck. My husband and I really like Fernandos, so when we moved to Elkhorn we were happy we'd have El Bees close by as a substitute. We were sadly mistaken. At Fernandos we usually get a liter of rocks margaritas, chicken Fernachos with almost no cheese, a large side of green chiles and a side of retried beans. It's plenty of food and the real reason we like it is for the green chile salsa! That being said, the first time we went to El Bees we basically ordered the same thing. The margs were good, but the rest was ehhh. The green chile were watery and lacked any spice. The service was ok, but nothing like what we were used to at Fernandos. We decided to give El Bees another try tonight. We got there early and sat at the bar. First we ordered the margs. They were good. As the waiter delivered those I tried to order a chile con queso, but as I started talking the guy walked off and pointed to another guy to come take my order. Rude! We ordered the dip and a large side of green chiles. The cheese dip came out barely at room temp and began to coagulate quickly. The chiles were watery and flavorless. We still went ahead with our order of chicken nachos with a side of beans. The nachos came out hot, but again the beans were room temp. The food we were served was unacceptable. To make matters worse they have one bartender that just stands around and leans on the bar. Lazy! Maybe he should be given a lesson in customer service. After our experience tonight I can with certainty say we will never return to this restaurant. We will drive the extra distance to go to Fernandos on 114 and Dodge or 74 and Pacific where we are treated well and served good food! read more

Friendly staff and great margaritas. The food is always good and delivered fast (takeout or dining in).

I don't think the entire restaurant owns or would even know how to use any sort of spice. Bland doesn't even come close to describing what I ate last night. Margarita was good. Food was boring beyond belief lol I think Taco Bell uses more spices than this place! We were also a bit disappointed they don't give you chips and salsa???? read more

I've gone to El Bees since I was little and they never disappoint! The food is delicious and you never go away hungry!

We have gone here several times because my mother in law for some reason loves the place but I do not agree. I have ordered several different things and I can't tell a difference. It all just looks like a plate of Mexican food. It all tastes the same, bland. read more

Been a family favorite for 30 years. Fun atmosphere and quick service. Enjoy a drink and chips before you order. 2 or 12. Our wait is never much and we can grab a beverage at the bar if we're thirsty. Chicken fajitas are my favorite. read more

We were greeted with rudeness as soon as we walked in. The "host" acted like we were inconveniencing him, and the waitress kept up the same. The food was okay, a little dry if you don't order Mexican with all its cheese. None of our drinks were refilled at all, and the waitress was very very pushy about how and when we paid, and kept bothering us about how we were splitting the bill. (Do they really expect a party of eight to dine and dash in small town Nebraska?) When we told her to just charge it and we would settle among ourselves, she really got rude. After we paid, she kept walking by the table and saying, "thanks, guys" like we were holding up her progress. On a positive note, the salsa and chips were delicious. I probably will not go back, as it seems I am a burden to them. read more

this place is absolutely amazing everyone very nice very friendly and bob is a riot and the food is absolutely phenomenal highly recommend this place read more

Bob the owner is an idiot who tries to take names by memory... You could wait for minutes or hours....

El bees has the most amazing margaritas. However, start with one, maybe two but I wouldn't do too many more than that. I wouldn't say it's authentic Mexican but it is covered with cheese and red sauce, so I am not sure what more a person could ask for. They are always busy on the weekend so I would try to go in around 4 :) read more

Traditional Tex-Mexican food. My family has been coming to El Bees for 30 years. The video games and complimentary tootsie roll pops are a favorite amongst the young. Those of us more mature look forward to the on the rocks margaritas. All enjoy the cheese nachos with green chilis. And the tacolada is a favorite to share. Don't leave without trying the fried ice cream for desert. read more

Took forever to get a drink. The margarita is good if you only want the taste of tequila. The queso was just melted cheese. No taste If you like your dishes with absolutely no seasonings and no taste, drowned in cheese this is your place Even the salsa had no taste. Taco Johns and Taco Bell are even better. Don't waste your time or money on this overpriced crap. read more

Save yourself a headache and stay away from this dump. The owner is one of the rudest individuals I have ever had the displeasure of meeting. However, if you enjoy a rough slap to get your attention that it's time to be seated and enjoy dining under hospital grade surgical lighting then go right ahead. They will not reseat you. They will not be polite to you. At El Bees the customer is wrong Your integrity will be insulted and your corneas will be assaulted (as apparently El Bees has high instances of old people falling down, owners words) read more

Always great great food and service, chicken tacos are moist and salsa has a nice bite

2-3 stars is a good rating here. Service is always top notch. Prices are way too high for average food. Complimentary salsa would go a long way. read more

Our server was excellent and the food was excellent as well but when I walked out of the restaurant one of the hosts literally said "see she's a little chunky but her shirt is cute". I cannot believe anyone would say that in front of a customer. It was the rudest thing I have EVER heard from anyone read more

Margaritas are the worse I've ever had! Wait staff never checked on our table, had to catch her and ask for more water. She checked on table beside us 6 times as it was on her way to the kitchen. Tip reflected the level of service. Won't be going back. The food is mediocre at best, lacking good flavor. I have certainly had better Mexican fare in other restaurants. El Bee is a looser! Been the three times and have never been impressed, third time is a charm! read more

They have exceptionally good bean dipp and an above average cheese enchilada and is a cute family run buisnesses giving it that friendly small town vibe read more

Awful food. Poor service. Not going back. Hosts were short with us and not very friendly. Made me feel like a burden. If you want Mexican, I suggest going to Maximo's Cantina in Elkhorn! read more

Great atmosphere and lighting. Parking lot was full so we were pleased we found someplace popular. Service was fast and friendly. Margarita was yummy. No vegetarian options. Bummed the beans were fried in bacon grease but the taco salad was still good with guacamole instead. Waitress was very helpful and accommodating. We'll be back for sure. read more

Service is always very good and the food is consistently good. My favorite on the menu is the cheese dip but be sure to ask for the original version. read more

I am surprised that nobody from Omaha has reviewed this locaiton. People drive from all around to get it and for good reason. The new location looks amazing inside and there is usually a short wait to get it but it is worth it. Bean dip with flour chips is a must and I love the shredded beef burrito. Be warned everything is swimming in Cheese! read more

Who had the stupid idea that it would be okay if the wait staff wore workout clothes, sweat bands and all Our waitress was so rushed and sweaty that I couldn't even eat my meal. . Ordered the chicken fajitas. absolutely no flavor at all. No seasoning was added. Very bland. Sent them back to the kitchen. Husband and daughter ordered 2 completely different items but yet they looked the same when they arrived. 2 plates full of yellow cheese and running beans. Yuk!! I can still see the sweat on our waitress. If the owner makes them work that hard that they are running around sweating, I never want to go back. Shame on him!! read more

FYI your hours of operation are wrong. We just drove out for lunch and you are closed.

I have been coming here since I was a kid. Love the food here. I wouldn't say it's authentic by any means, but super good! Margarita's are the best! read more

I lived in Elkhorn growing up, and El Bees was always a favorite...now I live in another state and every time I come to town I insist on going to El Bees, NEVER AGAIN!! The owner is a jerk...he had the arrogance to yell at my mother for changing our table from 17 to 26 people...don't worry, we spent our money somewhere else, and we will all be sure to tell everyone we know to NEVER eat there again!!! read more

Born and raised in the next town over, I grew up going to El Bee's fairly regularly. We still go there every few months to this day. The food is delicious and not overly expensive. The atmosphere is friendly and so is the owner. When we have relatives or friends in town, 9 out of 10 times, we'll take them out to eat here. This will always be one of my favorite places to eat and just hang out. read more

If you are looking for a place to get good Mexican food out west, El Bees is a good choice. We live in Elkhorn and Waterloo is just a short drive west to go out to eat. If you have been to El Bees in Waterloo before but not recently, be ready to go to the new location. Speaking of the new location, the new El Bees is much, much nicer than the old one. The inside is decorated with paintings and Spanish decor. On to the food. I normally get the chimichanga which is awesome and I highly recommend it! Almost anything you order will come out about 5 minutes after you order it, even on a week night. The margaritas in my opinion are just ok. They come in a fairly small glass and are very heavy on the Tequila. One of the best things to try are the sopapillas! They are warm, flaky and very tasty! I included a picture from our last visit. Don't miss them. Service was just ok. It seems like the employ a lot of high schoolers there so know that going in. Overall, we enjoy going out to El Bees for a Mexican treat every once in a while. It's very similar to the other El Bees in Omaha so don't expect much difference. If you like one, you will like the other! read more

Chips and Salsa are not complimentary, which I guess I could live with if they were charging a decent price and the rest of the food was great. Not the case here. We went a couple weeks ago, so can't remember the exact price but it was around $7.00. Sorry not paying that much for something that is complimentary at all other Mexican restaurants. We decided to get the queso dip instead. This tasted like Velveeta cheese. I had the chicken chimichanga which was ok, but very small portion buried under a lot of lettuce. I remember going here years ago at the old location and thought it was decent. read more

It was terrible. Flour chips were greasy, the food is covered in lettuce, olives, and tomatoes to make the portions smaller. Great service though. Waitress was very good and nice. read more

The food is ok but the service is below par. The man that seats the customers has no system for seating the customers except to seat those that he knows first instead of the fair way of seating according to first come first serve. Every time I have eaten there I am frustrated before the dinner even starts and going out to dinner is supposed to be a relaxing experience. Life is too short so do yourself favor and choose a place to eat that appreciates their customers. read more