I had a really bad day so my friend took me here for lunch. We ordered a shredded beef burrito with red sauce. It was ok. Nothing special. The chips and salsa were amazing. Probably the best salsa I've ever had with chunks of tomatoes and not too spicy. The drink I ordered was a pina colada with some sort of lava shot which was amazing. I was quite tipsy from it. Service was great and friendly. The ambiance old style Mexican restaurant but clean and lots of space. read more

El Charro - Pina colada with a lava shot of goodness - Mexican Near Me - Montrose, California

I wish I could rate this long time Montrose establishment higher as I came here as a kid several times in the 90s. Unfortunately it was quite disappointing in the food quality, service and ambiance. It's rather outdated and the place smells like someone smoked Marlboros in there in 2010 and the smell never left the walls and carpet. The setting was dim and sleepy which is ok, but the place didn't feel so clean. The plates were hotter than the food and it wasn't anything special. They aren't a place that offers carne asada so that should tell you something. I overheard a server telling patrons that they are very understaffed and we went on cinco de Mayo. Drinks weren't anything special and the price compared to the food quality, ambiance and experience didn't match. I hope they see my review and take these considerations to heart as I would love to see a 1955 establishment stay open and thrive with the newer generations to come. Remodel, hire new cooks, staff more people, improve your drinks. read more

This is a nostalgic Mexican restaurant from my past. I grew up in the area and love to see a business survive. Taco Tuesday (also currently on Thursdays too) is a hit. Server Jorge always takes good care of us. read more

I've been to this place before and it's generally pretty good during the daytime. Came in for a dinner with some friends and they literally put us in an empty bar next to the smallest table next to a post and it was so crowded when they could've given us more space. The food came out almost room temperature. The plating was good, the food was tasty, but there is no need for it to come out at room temperature or a little bit warmer and there is no need to put us in such a small table, it was four guys, especially one next to a post. And then the dining area was pretty much empty too, but again they gave us a smallest table. I guess the only preferred locals I don't know that's my opinion. read more

10/18/25. Saturday night 6:30pm. My husband and I and one other couple who came in right behind us were the only customers. THIS should have had us leave. Here's our experience: The table we were sat at was unsteady, and sloped down. The chips and salsa (by the way, you only get one free basket, others cost $2. Seriously lol) we're not good. Tasted like bagged chips from Ralph's and salsa was too mild. $4 for a glass of what tastes like regular Lipton tea. Never offered a refill of that or our waters. Food: incredibly sub-par. Keep in mind on the same street is Joselito's and Pepe's. Neither is fantastic, but this place made them look incredibly delicious! Place is old, outdated and food is not good. We had been wanting to try it, well curiosity killed the cat. We won't be back. Ever. read more

This is a quiet little place for lunch very authentic Mexican. We had all the Carr chili Riano and a shrimp enchilada. Both were delicious and very filling. We like to come back again. read more

Old time California Mexican food. Ambiance, food and margaritas from my decades ago restaurant times. Don't expect authentic Mexican food but well worth the taco Tuesday price. Service was friendly and fine. read more

Great food Close to 2 Frwy acess Pay 2.00 for bag of chips on Take Out Fast service for catering Lots of parking X street from Gus & Andys diner Opens Wed at 4PM, all else Normal times read more

I went to El Charro in Montrose CA for Taco Thursday 5/29/25. I ordered two hard shell shredded beef tacos with guacamole and rice and beans on the side. Well, Igot a side of rice. And beans for almost $7. Waiter Jorge was making the restaurant some extra money I guess. Could have simply plated the tacos on same plate with beans and rice on the side and not serve as if the beans and rice was an entire meal. It was big enough that I had to share with a friend. I started on the rice and beans since they were so much and then proceeded onto my tacos and when I was putting salsa on one I noticed there was no guacamole on either of the tacos so my friend even told me I thought you ordered guacamole on your tacos and I said yes I did I was hungry and I started eating the taco. I noticed the waiter Jorge was busy serving drinks from the bar to a table across from us so I finished the first taco by the time George came back around I mentioned to him that guacamole with missing on my tacos and I told him that's okay cuz I'm almost done and I was already getting full due to the amount of rice and beans but George insisted he was going to bring me the guacamole because he had already wrote it up on the bill and could not take it off so I was being charged for it anyways. I told him that I did not get the guacamole on my tacos when he brought to the table so I should not pay for it and he insisted that he could not take it off the bill. I thought that was just ridiculous so I told him you can just make another bill and then again he insisted that he was not going to and he said it's just $2 extra if you want $2 back here you go and he took $2 out of his pocket which I think that was extremely uncalled for and rude. Jorge seems to have a bit of a short temper and could care less about customer service at that moment. It was not about the $2 it was about the service I did not get what I ordered what should have been his responsibility to check my order before it reached the table so it was partially his fault the cook was obviously at fault because it was written on the ticket and the cook did not prepare it as it was written but again Jorge handled the food and brought it to the table. The bill was a total of almost $32 and some change between my friend and myself we were going to leave so I left $4 tip on the table plus left the $2 he pulled out and threw on the table, my friend left another $5 in tips when he payed, totalling $11 and when we went to pay at the counter I went to the restroom and my friend was paying the bill to Jorge as he was also the cashier. When I came out of the restroom I overheard him talking with my friend really bad about me saying bad words but he did not realize that I was behind him and he continued to talk to my friend and said to my friend yes I am talking about him and he pointed at me but did not look up or look at me but he knew I was standing there and made it a point to point at me. That showed extreme rude unappropriate Behavior by this employee. He finished the transaction and I told him I left your $2 on the table and he then mouth off to me go and get them they are yours and I just walked away. Again this was not about $2 it was about customer service and not getting the order right this guy thinks because he has so many years working there he can go above and beyond rudeness to customers and get away with it. I don't know if I will go back anytime soon as long as he being the only server at this place I will have to deal with him again and it might not be nice the next time around. He sure had a lot To say about me To my friend as my friend told me everything that was mentioned about me and I had a lot to tell him but I did not I just walked away. I could have made a scene and let everybody know in the establishment what had just happened. I know that if I would have reported him to the owner as I have done before several years back then nothing would have been done about it because I have had some words with the owner several years back about Jorge and the owner has a real nasty attitude and now I see where Jorge gets it from. He really was trying to make those extra $2 for the restaurant and could not take it off the written ticket as if the paper ticket was worth more than the $2 if he would have written it up again. This establishment is prehistoric and they still write up the tickets and use the old ancient cash register with the push buttons and the crank on the side. Pretty cool look but ridiculous. Anyways... Check your order before Jorge leaves your table after getting your food because he will not come back for at least 10min. read more

Great classic Mexican food, come support this staple. It deserves to have more customers than it has. The cheese enchilada dinner never disappoints read more

4 generations of our family have enjoyed great food and service at El Charro. Daily meal and drink specials.

Every thing was great, we were concerned because very few people on a Saturday night, but left amazed

What is the point of having a busboy which is suppose to be the waiters assistant that is just sitting in a chair or unused booth not doing anything while multiple tables need their chips, salsa and drinks to be RE-FILLED. El Charro food located in Montrose is subpar, plus the service is horrible and its not even busy when most of the tables are empty When you're charging $18 to $22 dollars per meal plus $4 dollars for a soda and the busboy is just sitting in an unused booth not doing anything is just POOR MANAGEMENT Get that busboy to be refilling the chips, salsa and drinks ASAP when paying $20 dollars per meal + a drink is $4 dollars = $24 dollars plus sales tax plus gratuity TIP = $30 dollars for one meal To NOT be getting your chips, salsa or drinks Refilled its NOT worth the prices El Charro is charging for very low subpar Mexican food and poor service read more

Excellent Food! Tacos are out of this world - love the crispy shell. Hard to find but El Charro is the best!

The beef tamale was terrible. It used canned beef with beans. Was not freshly made and reminded me of the frozen tamales you get at the grocery store read more

This place is terrible I ordered 5 tacos and it came out at almost $ 50 just for some tacos this is outrageous

Great. Big plate kind of Mexican food spot. Combo plate with taco and enchilada was yummy. Hand shredded cheese on the taco. Old school taco salad in the shell was fab. Great service too. Looked like a fun six seater bar with some local bar flies. Enjoyed the throwback vibe. Looking forward to going back. read more

My family has been coming here for years, our favorite place for dinner. Great Margaritas for great price. read more

See all

Most locals have never tried El Charro, which is kind of funny. I've been going for about 40 years now. It's the best Mexican in our surrounding area (which isn't saying a whole lot!) and the service is very good, despite like another reviewer said, it's just one man (who's been there forever). They have a chicken taco that's super! It's not the taco Tuesday one, but their regular one. Lots of freshly-grated cheese and fresh guacamole! Their chili verde is too spicy for most people I I know, but I love it. Ask for side of sour cream and you'll be fine. read more

Yes, Tuesday Taco day is a best deal to visit this place. Food is excellent, service is slow but gives you lots of attention. Make sure to ask for Salsa, otherwise they don't pack it. read more

This was my first and definitely the last time entering this restaurant. I was craving tacos and decided to stop by and get some shredded beef n chicken tacos thinking it's traditional Mexican restaurant. DISGUSTING! The meat looked like a dog or cat food out of the can .i took a bight and wasn't even able to swallow. I won't even feed this food to my dog . The people that have 5 start probably never tried real food in their lives. The host was nice tho . read more

Literally just walked out of this establishment and couldn't wait to write a review. I have never had such atrocious service as I had today at El Charro. I walked in and was ignored by 2 staff members and their hostess. I believe she was the hostess but she was really only there for one minute so I don't know who she was. I asked her kindly to be seated and she said she had to find a table (clearly she wasn't wearing her glasses as there were quite a few open). Waited another 10 minutes uncomfortable with the rest of my party as there is minimal waiting space. After what felt like an eternity and approaching a waiter, we were finally sat down. He brought us with him to watch him clean the people before us's mess. There were literally other tables that appeared to be clean on both sides of the restaurant that we could have been seated as instead of having to see a disgusting looking spread. The booths are extremely small. I know this is an old restaurant but it was to an uncomfortable point. We felt like we were at the same table as the people on the other side of the glass who could not for the life of them stop coughing. We decided to get up and leave because it was an overall awful experience to begin with and we couldn't imagine it getting any better. Will not be returning. Don't understand either how on everyday of the week it is entirely empty but on Taco Tuesday, the people come out like they do the free cheese in Wisconsin. read more

Great hard tacos. I enjoyed the local spot. Taco Tuesday is a great deal. It is typical Mexican food.

Best carnitas in Montrose! Love the area this place is located. Service is great and fast. I definitely recommend this place.

We've been cooming here for over 40 years. Debbie, Jorge and rest of the staff are very friendly. Food is great. They're always willing to go the extra mile when we order large quantities for parties too. read more

My sister and I go here every Friday and have been customers since they opened! Jorge is a great waiter which is another reason we love El Charro! read more

New to the neighborhood and this spot was recommended. I'm sorry I can't do the same. Ordered chicken fajitas for takeout. They were not good at all. The peppers were almost raw. The tortillas were cheap, with holes and rips in them. There was a weird taste to the onions (Worcestershire sauce, maybe?). The rice was gloppy, with a taste and texture as if it had been sitting on top of a stove for 10 hours. And the serving size was tiny. About 10 little chunks (not strips) of chicken. When I order fajitas at Salsa and Beer or even at El Torito, I get enough to fill 8-10 tortillas, with lots of leftovers to enjoy. This serving barely filled 2 tortillas. And the taste was so offputting, I couldn't finish the second. I paid $20, and honestly, a trip to Taco Bell would have been better (and much, MUCH less overpriced). It's a big no from me. Not going back. Yuck. read more

Great lunch special and staff here at El Charro. Parked behind in the lot. $9.99 for lunch special plate w two shredded beef hard shell tacos. Really freshly fried tortillas ... classic Mexican restaurant in LA style. Free drink w free refills on the lunch special, along with good chips and salsa. There's other lunch special options including two enchilada plate, chili relleno, bean and cheese burrito... Gonna come back here for a dinner and try the chili Verde. Heard good things about the stew! read more

El Charro - the inside of a restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Montrose, California

El Charro is a Mexican restaurant in sleepy little Montrose that serves, at best, edible and mildly palatable Mexican food. We came as a group of six on a Friday night after our first Mexican food choice had a crazy long wait. That type of wait is a no-go with a bouncy, high-energy toddler. Unfortunately, this was just a total flop, and given we've sampled a pretty amazing assortment of Mexican food in LA and beyond, El Charro was not even remotely up to snuff. I'm not really sure where to start with our experience here. We'll start with the good thing - we were seated immediately and the staff was pretty quick with us asking for this and that. And none of us got food poisoning. So that's all good. We were seated at a large table and utensils and napkins were hurriedly plopped in a pile at the end of the table. Forks only, no knives, and we were clearly short on napkins. No small plates or serving spoons with which to eat our appetizers. And then with the exception of my mom's chicken tacos and the bean dip we ordered with our chips, our entrees were just plain odd, and the margaritas almost insultingly bitter, weak, and flavorless - literally the worst margaritas I've ever tasted. My husband's chicken fajita quesadilla (? Why he ordered that, I do not know) and my dad's fajita plate were full of utterly flavorless cubed chicken - hard to argue that this chicken, 20 minutes prior to being served, was not canned chicken. Half of the chicken on my arroz cob pollo was chewy, tough, and essentially inedible. Further, my simple dish was brought out incorrectly not once but twice; I just didn't have the heart to say anything the second time and just wanted to eat and get out of there. And, they were out of fish. Lackluster environment (Tom Petty music in Mexican restaurant?) and subpar food = will not return. Should've tipped us off when the only patrons when we walked in were Caucasian folks 60-70 years + old. I really am not a fan of giving negative reviews, especially during the pandemic, but in retrospect I would've taken an hour long wait with a toddler for better food over El Charro any day. read more

Not bad. Not great. Pretty decent spot with a great Tuesday deal! That's right! TACO TUESDAY DEAL This is the type of restaurant that's so old school that when u walk in you feel like it's the 90s... Dark, booths, some booths with tape over the cushion, kinda drab...etc Now, the chips and salsa were good and we decided to go with the taco Tuesday special: Crunchy or soft taco with your choice of shredded beef, ground beef, or chicken $1.75 Went with crunchy shredded beef and one crunchy ground beef. Now these aren't the tacos you see at taco trucks, these are the somewhat elevated version of Taco Bell tacos. If you love the Taco Bell crunchy taco, these is a little more heartier, meatier, and filling. I liked both types of beef and the Tacos were good for the deal. Lots of meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese. If you find yourself in the area, on a Tuesday, and would like to make the most of your $10 or $20, come on by. read more

El Charro - Side salad - Mexican Near Me - Montrose, California

See all

Always great food and service at a reasonable price. This restaurant supports our local church fundraisers, so glad to support them back.

Im back and guess what, still the best Mexican food around. Tonight I had their street taco special times two. I also ordered a side of Chile Verde and a margarita. Food was delicious and the waiters we're very attentive and what else can I say but I highly recommend this place. read more

El Charro - Carnitas tacos, a side of green Chile Verde and a margarita, - Mexican Near Me - Montrose, California

The other recent reviews are kind of spot on. The food didn't taste fresh and the flavor was very very lacking. This place has potential but I think they need to bring their menu up to date and add some more varied flavors and options. Staff was nice and the food was prepared quickly (probably too quickly ‍) read more

Been coming here for many many years, food is always good. Must try the chili Verde if you like spicy food, it's great. Don't forget the shredded beef tacos, always a hit. read more

My wife and I visited El Charro after many years and it was delicious as ever with large portions and great service From the warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa with just the right amount of kick to the overstuffed hard shell tacos to the refried beans and Mexican rice . We were seated as soon as we walked up and our drink Order was taken within minutes . We look forward to returning soon . I rarely give any restaurant 5 stars as there is always room for improvement but it certainly was a solid 4 star !! read more

I've been coming to El Charro with my family since the early 60's with my mom and dad. Since many family dinners with several members and friend nights with a bunch of us at one table. This is still the Mexican Restaurant I judge all the others by. The service is always great, even when they're busy. If I have to wait a couple minutes it's worth it on a really busy night because the food is Always excellent. No one makes better guacamole! I've been ordering 2 tacos, a cheese enchilada, rice and beans for years. When I do deviate from my go to, I've never been disappointed. I love El Charro, I love the memories and for 50 years, through changes in ownership, the food keeps me coming back! read more

Est. 1955- I remember sitting in the large booth with my family when I was probably only six years old. Back then, they used to serve their crunchy tacos in multi-colored little plastic baskets (you know what I'm talking about). We always looked forward to going to El Charro for dinner. Decades later in a world forever changed, El Charro is still here doing what they do. 65 years old (this month) and still kicking. The dining room looks just like it did when I was a kid - wood paneled walls, knobby wood booth dividers, Olive green leather booths and Mexican lanterns hang throughout the room. Unfortunately you can't enjoy the dining room during Corona, but you can still enjoy their food. The Chicken Molè combination dinner is tasty. The shredded chicken is moist and tender and the Molè sauce is nice. #1 Combination with a Chicken Enchilada and a classic shredded Beef Crunchy Taco was also good and filling. Both combos come with standard, Spanish Rice and Refried Beans. We also had two Carne Asada Soft Tacos, which had some nice flavor. The Chips and Salsa are great, as the salsa has a nice kick to it. El Charro serves comfort food, plain and simple. I'm not sure if they will win any awards for their dishes but they will certainly deliver a filling and tasty meal. They are open for take out six days a week and most of the menu is available. The current owner (of 30+ years) is doing a great job keeping El Charro going during these tragic times. It's a day to day struggle so if you're in the area, please stop by and order some classic "Montrose Mexican" cuisine. As foodies and Yelpers, we must do all we can to help protect our dining establishments. Please support local restaurants. read more

This place has been here forever! I went there when I was in elementary school. I moved away and came back after 54 years! They still had the same wonderful food. I love the warm chops and salsa. Soo good. I had the beef and a cheese enchilada, and a chili relleno. Lots and lots of cheese on top. And the rice and beans were cooked just right. Mmmm read more

It's Tuesday and the mind wanders to tacos. Call it conditioning, good marketing, what you will.Once the decadent hard shelled shredded, ground or chicken tacos ( with that grated lettuce and mild cheddar) enter your mind you're done. They are only to go now but as a consolation you can get a Margie to go too. Get them home and unwrap each one from it's crinkley pouch and unroll the butcher paper; a ritual that is mercifully stopped by the to go nature. I look forward to the day you open on Tuesday and can just order at the bar but I think even then I'll order to go so all the cheese and taco innards land on that white paper. I don't have a photo Yelp. I'm at home in my pj's. Next time. read more

I have been coming here for years and it is an old school style hole in the wall. Not much to look at on the outside and inside needs some updating, however, food has always been great. Old style booths to sit. Salsa is perfect and warm chips. Shredded beef taco are a go to for me but have enjoyed other items on the menu. Generally only one waiter but have never had to wait due to that. Very efficient! read more