#89 Tuesday I was out visiting friends in the Covington area and was craving Mexican food. Since I left the Bay Area I have not delighted on Mexican fare and thought it was about time. Enter: El Charro Mexican Restaurant per friendly recommendation. I will say that El Charro is not the typical west coast Mexican cuisine I am used to, but it is still quite tasty. Everything was a little different than what I expected, but I am all about new things. The place was pretty packed when we arrived. I was with a group of six, so I figured it was smart to put our name down on the wait list and then grab a bar stool with a shot of tequila to pass the time. To my surprise, as I was ordering my shot the hostess came and got us for our table. Wow! I paid for the shot and followed my group. The server greeted us in a timely fashion and brought chips, salsa and a friendly smile. He told us he would be back momentarily to take our order. No problem. We had tequila, chips, salsa and great conversation--I figured we could find something to do to pass the time. The music was playing pretty loudly, and it was super authentic Mexican music. The lighting was kinda low, but not too low that you could not read the menu. The decor took me straight to a memory of last summer in Cabo and the menu was loaded with options. I was getting really hungry and the freshly made chips and salsa were going fast--along with our tequila. Our server returned (Julio, I think) and brought even more chips and salsa and asked if we were ready for more tequila. He said we looked like we needed a few more shots--he was right. +1 Julio! We also decided to start with some fresh guacamole, some queso dip for our chips and loaded nachos. The nachos were piled high with toppings--all freshly made. The guacamole was super delicious with just a hint of cilantro and heat from jalepeno and I absolutely loved that queso cheese. The Bay Area does not offer cheese like that. For my dinner I went with three bean and cheese tacos. They were marvelous. I mean, they did not look all that spectacular, just three tacos; however, they really packed plenty of flavor. I had some pico de gallo on the side and I was in heaven. One member of the group went with chimichangas, some one else grabbed fajitas, I saw a big burrito--a big, wet, red burrito actually, and it looked pretty amazing. Everything was really good and served really fast. I am glad my friend recommended El Charro. Our service was exceptional, especially for how busy they were. I will definitely return, and bring friends. Stephani Smiles for El Charro ;) #tacosandtequillaarentjustfortuesdays read more

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If you like terrible service and even worse food this is the place for you. Food was bland and cold waiter took forever and a day and seemed more concerned with the couple next to us that spoke Spanish and Ignored us would not recommend to anyone for any reason. Save your money and go to Taco Bell for better Mexican food. Also it's next to a nail salon so the whole restaurant smelled like nail polish remover. read more

Prices are great. Food is generally pretty good. Service is always great. The restaurant itself is clean and the music not too loud.

The food was so fresh and customer service was amazing very clean as well. This will be my new spot.

Great, friendly, fast service at a wonderful price. We are 30+ year customers of El Charro.

They start charging for chips!!! But they have always been old tasting! And the ground beef taste funny. And the other dishes are under seasoned. read more

They gone up on their prices, that was fine but now they are charging you for chips and salsa! You can't even get salsa for your food! Always enjoyed this place will have to find another place to go now! read more

Obviously Cinco de Mayo caused the restaurant to be busier, but I don't believe they were prepared for the amount of people there. Took about 20 minutes to get seated then another 10 to get drinks/food order put in. Hard to keep our drinks, chips, salsa filled but she did well considering the rush. This was also at 4 o'clock an off time to be eating. The redeeming factor of the place was the food. Good queso, salsa, burritos, and quesadillas. We left full and happy. read more

We sat at a table for 15+ mins waiting for a server. We asked the hostess about the server, still nothing. There was a waitress waiting on tables in our section but never came to our table. This is not the first time we have had trouble at this location but it will be the last because we will not be back. read more

Omg when we went it they were all standing around talking. They tried to seat us near the back, bar, dish area and had the nerve to have cleansers out. You could smell the chemicals. The finally put us in the front of the restaurant. The waitress acted like she barely wanted to work. She wasn't pleasant, didn't offer to answer any questions for us. We ordered cheese dip and she placed it at the edge of our table, dropped it off so quick and walked off. Instead of placing it in the middle with the chips #really. If that wasn't enough it was COLD. So we said that was enough and didn't stay. We told them we were unhappy with the service and will not stay to continue to be provide horrible service. Now I see why after 3 PM, there was NO one else in the restaurant. Not even for a drink. Stay far far away from this place. The staff would rather get paid to do absolutely NOTHING than work!! read more

Excellent dinner tonight. Stopped hear because it was close to motel. Ordered the Texas Fajitas, too much to eat. If you New my eating habits too much is not in my vocabulary. Food was really juicy and hot. One corona with extra large lime.Quite the fight trying to squeeze lime into neck of bottle, but I prevailed ! I would recommend to everybody. Hungry and looking for good Mexican? Go hear! read more

I have been to this restaurant many times over the many years I have lived in the area. The prices ar fair, but not when you take into consideration the quality. The food is always terrible, servers here always seem to be in a bad moon whether they are busy or not. The ground beef in the tacos and such tastes like dog food, the chicken is better but dry. I am disappointed every time we go. and kids meals do not come with a drink so it like $4 for a kids taco with rice but ends up being $7 with a tea or soft drink. read more

im from mississippi and i loved the el charro there but this one here in Georgia is horrible!!! the salsa tasted like it came from a jar, chips weren't fresh...my entire meal was horrible except my pina colada read more

I little more than three years that I moved. to California I miss that food especially the chicken fajita nachos and their customer service is always great read more

I moved to the Covington area 14 years ago and on my first day at work I went to lunch somewhere and was unimpressed. The second day I went to El Charro. It has been my favorite restaurant ever since. So much so that although I go to other places in my town, I have not eaten at other restaurants in Covington. And I have eaten there at least once a week ever since. I'm originally from the southwest so I know Mexican food, and although this is not terribly authentic, it's really good. The waiters aren't terribly friendly, but they're not rude, and they're fast and accurate. Their salsa is really good. The prices are very reasonable. read more

worst restaurant in covington & it's not close. they haven't seasoned their food since 2013. absolutely abysmal service & food

They charge a lot for the food and they give such a little portion that don't even make sense. The rice has no flavor and the carne asada is more "fat" than actual meat. The beans have no flavor and they seem to never cook the tortillas well. I've have been to so many Mexican restaurants and this one is just not good. read more

First and last time eating here. My order was not what i received. Only had one drink refill and overall experience was well below expectation Definitely will not be returning. read more

This is my favorite Mexican restaurant. The chips and salsa are free and delicious. The cheese dip is amazing. They have the best sweet tea in the entire world. I always order the chimichanga and cheese quesadilla, which are so tasty. This Mexican restaurant is so affordable and has great service. read more

The food is decent! Service is below average! The price range is good! I have been here multiple time and just wasn't impressed!

We called 1 day ahead. Grandsons 14th birthday. The staff told us a 15 minute wait upon arrival, it was about 45 minutes making the elderly wait in the cold. The staff was rude the food was mediocre. And they made us all sit with tables apart. I could not even see grand son from where they seated us. We would of had to zoom to be together. Will never eat there again!!! My daughters family will not as well. Go down the road 1 mile to El Charro!! You will be happy. read more

It wasn't terrible for lunch while passing through on the interstate. it was only about a mile off the interstate and we were seated immediately which was very nice, even though they were busy. One of the biggest things that i didn't like was that they only gave us 2 bowls of salsa for my family of 5. We have lots of double-dippers so it created a problem. I ordered a taco salad and it was very bland, and the "shredded chicken" was in yellow chunks which i found very weird. When i order taco salads, i mush it all together and break apart the shell. The plate was so small that i couldn't even do that! The service was okay though. If you really are craving Mexican and this is your only option, it would be okay. read more

Whenever we return to Covington, the Charro is t the top of our list! It's crowded for a reason. The waiters aren't particularly warm and fuzzy, but they're never rude and always lightnin' fast! Skip the mixed drinks, but the beer is cold and the food is terrific! read more

El charro will never let you down! The service is always friendly and fast. Never have to remind them you need anything. Always fresh and hot. read more

El Charro is OK but nothing spectacular. The service is great, the prices are reasonable, the ambiance is good, BUT the food is only so-so. Coming from a very Latin community I am putting any Mexican restaurant up against a very high standard. We have a large number of Mexican restaurants, and many are very good, unfortunately this is not one of them. The quantity of food given is only about average. The interior of the restaurant is very dark and the seats are old and many are in a state of disrepair. read more

Nice neighborhood Mexican Restaurant.oh! They prepare the tacos like I want them. There not the tacos I love in California but ... it is , what it is! Not much to choose from in Covington or Atlanta .I'll keep looking for that' taco .maybe I'm asking for to much,I'm in ga. read more

This is the worst "Mexican" food I have ever eaten (and that is saying something). Mixing ground beef with taco seasoning, throwing it in a tortilla and melting some cheese on top does not make an enchilada. And the chile relleno! What was that? It looked and tasted like the same taco meat mixed with queso and then nuked. I have no idea where the chile was. The "fresh-made" guacamole was completely without flavor. read more

For the price, the food is great. Have vegetarian options, which includes bean/cheese based items. I got a bean enchilada and it hit he spot. Would definitely recommend if you're in the covington area and want cheap, fast, and good mexican food. Also the free chips and salsa are lit. read more

I tried out this place Sunday afternoon, service was friendly enough but the food is nothing to go back for. It wasn't terrible but I would expect more from a so called Mexican restaurant. Chips & salsa were just "ok". I had a chicken enchilada, chili relleno*sp? & taco. Everything was flat, just meh.....I wouldn't go back nor would I recommend it to anyone. read more

I like a little more authentic Mexican but my elderly mother can't handle the complex taste so this is a great inbetween for us.

My daughter and I ate lunch there today. We both ordered taco salads. This used to be her favorite restaurant, however, it had been a while since we went. Our food tasted very bland because the ground beef and beans were unseasoned. We had to dump the whole bowl of salsa on them to give it a little flavor. Our meal was so boring and tastless, that we kinda forced it down because we were extremely hungry. It will be a long while before we go again, and we will have to choose different menu items IF we do go back, but we probably wont... The lady the seated us, well in 3 years, we've never witnessed her smile!!! Our waitress was nice, she's been working there a few years also. read more

Had not been to El Charo in Covington for a long time. Today I remembered why. The food is very bland. It was only half full.The service was slow from seating to checkout. When I commented on the dirty wall in our both to the cashier, she shrugged and said we clean on Sundays, I haven't done it yet. We will NEVER be back. read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - That's NOT fresh.... - Mexican Near Me - Covington, Georgia

This restaurant is okay. The food portions compared to other places is sad. The flavor and taste is good. I have never gotten sick eating here. The service is okay depending on who you get. If you want good service ask for Carlos. Do not expect to get to sit outside in their lovely patio. It is always dominated by heavy smokers and reeks! Avoid the bathrooms if you can. read more

Decent food. Great atmosphere. Reasonable prices. Every restaurant could improve I suppose. Lots of the dishes taste the same. Its ok. read more

After having a terrible experience in the other El Charro restaurant near zaxbys (don't worry I left a review for them too), I felt it was only just to come on here and give this location the review and rating it deserves. We have eaten at this location multiple times and each time it has not disappointed. They are quick, care about their customer, and always have great attitudes. We will continue to take our business to this El Charro solely on that. Customer service means everything to a consumer and if a restaurant doesn't have it, doesn't matter how good the food is, they won't be coming back. Thank you for caring for your customer and continuing to provide great service and tasty food. read more

This place use to be great food and service. Years ago people would wait out the door. Tonight I went to eat here and first thing the hostesses (2 of them) very unhappy, no greeting, I even asked them if something was wrong...they never answered. I have them the number in my party...they put the menus and silverware in their hands, never said follow me, kiss my foot, so I asked, am I to follow you and they said yes. Next our waitress was working so hard because only one in a large room serving the guests. She gets an A+. The food was not good. Ground beef so salty, just not good flavors like it use to be. Price of food is still good, but not worth coming. I will not come here again and our party of 7 will not return. Please do something to improve this. read more

The manager took our order over the phone. My wife mistakingly called the wrong el charro which is what led us to this one, versus the one by zaxbys and nitro. I picked up the order and headed home. My wife unpacks the food and both orders are wrong. I get dressed and return to the restaurant. The lady at the counter unpacks the orders to "verify" my truthfulness then without saying anything goes off to get the manager. The manager comes out and seems agitated and again i show them the receipt as well as the food. He refused to give me a refund. Stated he could make one of the orders again but not the other or my wife could come and he could give her the money... After a brief discussion at his office he states "in spanish" call the police. I walked outside and two police cars come up.. the officer steps out and says "are you causing trouble inside" long story short the manager said i raised my voice, i did... Cursed him, i did not, and took a swing at him, i did not... I was arrested and spent the night in jail.. 26 years active duty army, 6 deployments.. guess my skin color? My wife arrived as the police were taking me away. She went inside and within 30 seconds the lady at the register handed my wife the cash and said your husband has been arrested... True story read more

El Charro Mexican Restaurant - a man in a military uniform - Mexican Near Me - Covington, Georgia

Great food service. Great food. Hostess is questionable at times. Non attentive to customer's expectations when walking in.

Had the steak fajitas the meat was tender peppers were over done what their was of them won't be going back the food that I saw being served didn't look good at all. They need a good restaurant in Covington haven't found one yet. read more

El. Charro on. Elm. Street in. Covington. Georgia is the. Best place in. Covington to eat. The service is. Great and the personnel is. Outstanding and always polite and friendly read more