Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Catrin Mexican Kitchen

    4.0 (37 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:30 pm

    Order El Catrin Mexican Kitchen Takeout or Delivery

    El Catrin Mexican Kitchen Photos

    Business Info

    EL CATRIN MEXICAN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    More like El Catrin Mexican Kitchen

    Recommended Reviews - El Catrin Mexican Kitchen

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Beef Tongue taco
    Bee L.

    El catrin is THE spot to go for mexican food in the area. It eats up all the other mexican spots, right when you walk in everyone is so extremely friendly. The ambiance is amazing for a mexican restaurant, it is so nicely decorated and extremely clean. The drinks are very authentic and if you miss REAL mexican food from places like California, you will not regret coming here. The food is always consistent and packed with delicious flavors. I have ordered a lot off the menu and everything has been delicious. Try this spot if you're craving delicious mexican food!

    My family has lived here for years now and when we saw the OPENING SOON sign, we couldn't be more excited! It's a running joke in my family that we only go out to eat at Mexican restaurants (we're Mexican) and El Catrin quickly became our go to! All of our birthdays, dates, celebrations, and other milestones have been celebrated here! They know my dad by name, and we have never had a bad experience here in the dozens and dozens of times we have come to eat! The food is amazing, the servers are all so lovely and sweet, the environment is welcoming, they happily accommodate our large crowd for birthdays (16-23 usually) and even when there's a big group of us, we always get our food quickly and it's always wonderful! My favorite is the Cammorones Chipotle, Enchiladas Blancas or Tacos Diabla! They also have fantastic churros!! My favorite place to eat in all of Onslow County!!

    Mexican chocolate lava cake! Not a true lava cake, but soooo delicious. Real vanilla bean ice cream too!
    Moriah L.

    We've been here several times, and it's quickly becoming our favorite place to eat in Swansboro. Wonderful welcoming atmosphere, greeted in Spanish by the kindly owner each time, and they are starting to learn our names and are super accommodating and friendly. The complimentary chips aren't too greasy, and have a pleasant crunch which is essential, and the salsa is full of flavor but mild enough to let the kids eat their hearts out. Every dish we've had has been superb! Normally rice and beans are nothing to speak of, but they are tasty. The homemade pico has a flavor kick but it's not too spicy which is nice. My husband got some chilaquiles that were almost too spicy, and he loooves spicy things and he said they were to die for. We've had some of the egg dishes, carnitas, fajitas, chili relleno, sopapillas, and several of the desserts and everything has been very tasty. Our kids know it as the purple restaurant because it's painted purple inside. The music is nice but not too loud, and the ambience is relaxed, fun, and family friendly. When we have friends or family in town, we bring them here now!

    Jalapeno and mango margaritas are boozy and large.
    Jamie M.

    Nothing but good things to report about Swansboro's newest Mexican restaurant, El Catrin Mexican Kitchen. After a half dozen visits since their opening, the food continues to impress us each and every time. Start off with one of their boozy margaritas, featuring your choice of top-shelf tequilas. The Jalapeno Margarita is a crowd favorite. The Coctel de Camarones is one of the best shrimp cocktails I've ever tried - a spicy blend of tomato juice with cilantro, onions, tomatoes and loads of shrimp, topped off with creamy slices of avocado. Our hands down favorite entree is the massive Molcajete El Catrin ($24) that arrives table side in a huge stone mortar, overflowing with charred delights including skirt steak, pounded chicken, bacon-wrapped shrimp, lots of chorizo sausage and plenty of grilled zucchini, squash, cactus, green onions and plantains. This huge caldron is topped off with a plank of cotija cheese and is big enough for two people to share. The Chicken Mole is as authentic as it gets - the meat, typically three chicken legs and/or thighs, comes bone-in for extra flavor and is offered up with a side of rice, guacamole salad and homemade corn tortillas. The mole is very, very flavorful, with a perfect hint of bitter chocolate and warm spices. Their classic Street Tacos come three to a serving and you can order everything from birria (meat stew) to lengua (beef tongue) Breaded or grilled shrimp and fish are also options. The tortillas are house made and sturdy enough for the proteins and all the fixings. End your evening with the classic Fried Ice Cream, served up in a sweet and crunchy tortilla bowl and topped with chocolate and a cherry.

    Our drink bloody Maria with Modelo
    Nico F.

    Great food and good portions Service was great and attentive Ambiance was good with a new crisp look

    Taco salad & House margaritas made by the one & only "Margarita" - she provides excellent service & delicious craft cocktails!

    Absolutely amazing!! Fantastic and authentic Mexican food, excellent customer service, elegant and classy decor - 5 stars!

    Steak Quesadillas
    Meg V.

    There was a 35 minute wait on a Friday night which was totally fine with us. Being a new restaurant that's been gaining a lot of popularity, we expected to have a little bit of a wait. Once we were seated the service was prompt and our server was so very kind. Food also arrived quickly after ordering (probably around 8 minutes) and was fresh and delicious! My husband is a plain Jane and he really loved his steak quesadillas. He said they were a 10/10. My burrito and enchilada were also delicious and the sauces in them were amazing. The restaurant is very clean and very beautifully decorated. Even the menus are inside of leather bound books. There is a stunning mural painted as soon as you enter. Additionally, there were 2 men (managers I assume) walking around making conversation with customers and verifying that customers were satisfied with their experience. It was good to see their care about the business!

    Burrito California

    I don't understand why this restaurant has such a high rating. This is probably the worst burrito I have ever been served at a restaurant and did not match the menu description. No sliced avocado, pico de gallo, or beans, just a dry sad wrap with a side of fries.

    Carnitas dinner & medium margarita!

    The food was excellent--delicious, large portions, and very reasonably priced. Same for the margaritas! Restaurant has a fun, lively atmosphere, and the wait staff were friendly & attentive. Definitely recommend on all levels!

    Carnitas tacos.

    See all

    Photo of Zoe M.
    0
    26
    14

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jaclyn R.
    151
    16
    12

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Moriah L.
    24
    19
    84

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Fantastic food volcan fajitas are the bomb!!!! My family and I love coming here. Prices are decent as well.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nico F.
    1
    74
    46

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of DK D.
    0
    10
    11

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kim L.
    32
    16
    2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Lisa C.
    122
    37
    55

    1 year ago

    Ordered takeout for cinco de mayo - the food was fresh and delicious and they hooked me up on the hot sauce !

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert H.
    94
    18
    20

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Food and service has been great every time I've been. It's our new local go to Mexican spot.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Megan C.
    441
    43
    3

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Good food and great service! El carton special is great! Their drink are very good as well!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    My husband and I ate here and it is the best Mexican food around! We will be back a lot more!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great menu, great food excellent service. New restaurant worth your time to try. Nice to have back entrance if you have to park in back

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of TD P.
    0
    17
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - El Catrin Mexican Kitchen

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Olea Mediterranean Kitchen - Lamb Wrap with fries. Fries are super tasty.

    Olea Mediterranean Kitchen

    4.6(335 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Well, I'm finally writing a review after several visits over the last couple years. Not sure why I…read morehaven't until now. Somewhat unassuming restaurant at a strip mall in Swansboro. As soon as you walk in you can see the kitchen and prep counter with the menu right above it. Order at the counter and pick up at the other end when your pager goes off. We kept it simple and ordered the lamb gyro, seasoned fries, drink, and hummus appetizer. We just had waters, but they offer wine, beer, sodas, bottled water, and some other drinks. Fairly simple, but good size menu with plenty of options. There are plenty of seating options with tables, booths, and outdoor tables as well. While we were waiting and eating there were several to go orders. Steady flow of customers in and out. They also have a great music selection! After a short wait our delicious gyros arrived. The presentation was nothing flashy, but good. The fires were seasoned just right for me, but a little too salty for the wife. The gyros were as expected, delicious and a good size for us. The hummus plate was actually larger than expected, but a nice surprise. There was enough naan for sure. I did not take any pics this time. Overall experience was excellent honestly. We'll definitely eat here again. I recommend giving Olea Mediterranean Kitchen a try.

    Olea Mediterranean Kitchen makes a great chicken kabab with rice. It was very tasty and filling…read more Our order was on time with good service and the restaurant atmosphere is comfortable. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Olea Mediterranean Kitchen - Soup Combo!

    Soup Combo!

    Olea Mediterranean Kitchen - Chicken Tawook with cucumber salad!

    Chicken Tawook with cucumber salad!

    Olea Mediterranean Kitchen - Cauliflower

    See all

    Cauliflower

    Preston's Corner Bar & Grill - Monte Cristo

    Preston's Corner Bar & Grill

    3.9(298 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Preston's has continuously gotten better....had the NY Strip tonight for approximately $28…read more(meal...with veggie and mashed potatoes)...wife had burger with gluten free bun and broccoli. Not Ruth Chris or any other high end restaurant...but with that said...they don't want to be. Excellent steak cooked perfectly for the price. Wife's burger was outstanding. Now the service....went to the back bar because we like the vib...had William at the bar for our server. They should give the guy a raise. Right from the start the man was on top of things. Made sure everything was perfect. Even cleaned our wine glasses to perfection (some bartenders would be pissed off at that request). Always like this place but it keeps getting better. They don't look for good service...they are always looking for the best service.

    What a delicious lunch!…read more The waitress was very attentive but not overly...I split the Corner Burger with Steak Fries and it was so good I forgot to get a picture until I was down to the last bite! The steak fries were very big and my husband loved them, I prefer a thinner fry, they were good though! I also ordered a side of the brussel sprouts which were sooo good. I love roasted brussel sprouts. Great selection of cocktails and mocktails. Originally we went to the Back Bar and then learned it opens at 4pm. They have love music on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. I plan to come back!

    Photos
    Preston's Corner Bar & Grill - Inside

    Inside

    Preston's Corner Bar & Grill - Blackened Mahi

    Blackened Mahi

    Preston's Corner Bar & Grill

    See all

    El Catrin Mexican Kitchen - tacos - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...