The food is excellent and always hot. The place needs some TLC The parking lot is a mess! I have almost tripped so many times. It is old, poorly laid out and is barely accessable to the elderly or handicapped Also, the women's bathroom is scary. The floor drops down, has a janky lock and wHen you sit on the toilet hold on, it shifts! Thought it was going to drop through the floor. The carpets are gross and dirty, the place does not feel clean. I go back because the food is awesome but they really need to update, fix and clean the place. read more

Amazing little hidden gem just north of Downtown Turlock. I find everything about this place perfect. I love the authentic Mexican feel when you walk inside, from the colors of/paintings on the walls, to the music. Speaking of authenticity, the food is hands down some of the most authentic tasting Mexican food I've had anywhere. I got the Tacos Revolcados and they were to die for. The service is friendly and attentive. They made me feel like I'd been going there every day for years when really I hadn't been there in nearly a decade. It definitely won't be that long until I'm back again. Prices are fantastic. Great for a quick, inexpensive, delicious and hearty meal. $1 margaritas on Thursdays, are you kidding me!? They don't just have tequila though, the full bar is a very nice touch. Great job El Charro, 5 stars! read more

All of the staff here are fantastic, I usually get my order to go and they are great at packaging it. The chicken tortilla soup is fantastic here and I also really like their a la carte Chile Rellenos. read more

Excellent Tequila Lime Chicken. The service was top notch and the Margarita was the best. I will definitely recommend to my friends.

5 stars. Long time family favorite. We have had several family celebrations here. Food is awesome. Ordered some pans of enchiladas yesterday. Oh Yeah! read more

The food was great and they had a wide selection on their menu. The salsa is made fresh daily and I could sit and eat just that forever it was so fresh! The only reason they didn't get 5 stars is because it was insanely busy the day we went and they were under staffed so my husband sat with an empty drink cup a little too long. I highly recommend the garlic chicken! read more

Friendly staff. Fast service. A local Named Ziggy recommenced this place to me and said you can't go wrong with the molcajete combo. Holy crap was it good! Beef chicken and shrimp in a spicy sauce and lots of cheese served in a lava rock pedestal bowl. Again very friendly staff and you could tell who the regulars were when they came in from the greeting the received from the staff. read more

The atmosphere here use to be so wonderful I've gone here since I was a kid but over the years this place has took a drastic turn for the worse. I just ate dinner tonight and it wasn't the food that was terrible it was the workers they gave me the worse vibes possible they made me feel out of pocket and not welcome which I don't appreciate especially when my tab comes out to 25$ i don't know if they were profiling me or just didn't like the way I looked but regardless of what it is they shouldn't make anyone feel like that. I am disgusted and will never spend my money here again. read more

I have been going to eat here for a good 15 years and today my service was horrible, I asked for a refill the lady came back with my cup half full, never got checked in on and the guy in back of me asked for a refill to go and got a 32 ounce cup I asked for one and got a childs cup. I feel like they cater to the customers they want to, enough said, sadly me or my family won't go there again! read more

One less star cause I really don't recall what the food taste like..... So...what can I say, I am hooked on the margaritas here but for $1 who wouldn't. I am suppose to be spending quality time with my parents and find myself spending quality time here on Thursday nights. Good golly! I must be turning into an alcholic. Oh well....ya gotta live it up, up, up and heaven is where up is, isn't it. Besides as long as mom finds me safe in bed in the morning, she's happy. Once again this place was rockin and found myself grateful to have friends to drive me home. Yeesh! The food.....hmmm....the porcelin Gods somewhere on Golden State got a taste of it and so did Nemo. "All drains lead to the ocean!" :D read more

I had a bad experience here but it was my fault entirely. I made the mistake of going on .99 cent margarita night hoping to have a nice dinner with my parents. Bad call. I guess I have been away from Turlock just long enough to forget what the youngins act like here. The place was utter chaos. It was so loud I could barely concentrate on reading the menu....the waiters were just short of running around the place, kids were screaming, it was a few days before Halloween and a few waitresses were wearing what I thought to be inappropriate costumes. Sorry but I don't want to look @ your ass cheeks while I'm eating my sope....plenty of time for that when I hit the nightclub later. We were sat in the crappiest table in the place....right near the bathroom, close to the kitchen and a storage closet that the waitstaff was opening and closing every 2 seconds. I ended up loosing my cool and we asked to have our food prepared for take out. We got back to the house and we had a nice and quiet sit down dinner with our El Charro take out. I have to say the food is good there. But I can do without the "nightclub" atmosphere at 630pm. My Dad got their bacon wrapped shrimp and he was more than happy with his selection. I got a cheese enchilada and a carne asada sope. I cannot complain about the food because there really is nothing bad to say....it's just the vibe of the place that makes me not want to return unless its for carry out. Ive never been for lunch...maybe its more tame during lunch time. read more

This place is one of my favorites in Turlock. I use to work there and this was my favorite place for lunch, its clean and the staff is friendly. They have a happy hour which is good, the margaritas are delicios. my favorite plate is "the flour tortilla flautas plate" so delicious, the chips and salsa great. Its small and gets packed during lunch but other than that i love it!! read more

When I used to live in Turlock, I would go to El Charro nearly every week for Margarita Night. The food was always great and the service was really good. However, the last three times I've gone back everything has sucked. The Camarones y Crema was always my go to, but has been terrible the last few times. After living in texas for 3 1/2 years, I wanted some real mexican food (not Tex-Mex), but this place kinda killed it for me. read more

I normally don't go to Mexican restaurants because I'm Mexican and believe my mom's cooking can't be beat, but this place was awesome. The servings are large and very satisfying. They have a chips and salsa appetizer, which was also great. Everything tasted very authentic and amazing. The environment was very friendly and the service was great. I will be coming here again. read more

Love this place!!! Their chille rellenos are delicious! They're mango margaritas our good too! Will definitely come back. It's pretty small so there will be a wait time depending on the day and time you go. read more

The food tastes good, but... The place is loud. The decor is outdated. The servers are overworked. The owner likes to sit in front of the dining room TV and watch Mexican Soap Operas. They vacuum around the dining room whiles customers are still dining! Notes: Tasty salsa. The shrimp chimichanga is good on Friday night but not on other nights. read more

The most exciting thing about visiting my boyfriend is going to El Charro's. I love the food here. The food is great and you get a really big portion. The staff is really nice, they check up on you all the time, but not so much it's annoying. It gets pretty busy so be prepared to wait. I recommend the fajitas. YUMMMM-O I brought left overs back to SF once and my friends were all over it. Thats how good it is. read more

A large and rambunctious group of us came into El Charro on Saturday afternoon for a margarita-fueled lunch that did not disappoint! I shared the fajitas for two with a friend, but we realized that we easily could have split the "for one" option. I also learned that menudo is a kind of soup, not just a boy band from the 80s. I do think we scared the other patrons though. We got some pretty quizzical expressions when we yelled at each other, banged on the table, screamed and guffawed. read more

Camarones con crema chipotle was really good! Shrimp was moist with a yummy slightly spicy chipotle sauce. Rice was ok. My son loved the beans. My aunt was very happy with her spinach, onion & mushroom enchilada. Asada burrito was good too. Standard chips with slightly spicy homemade salsa. Salsa was very good. Will definitely come back when I'm visiting. read more

El Charro has to be the best Mexican food place in Turlock. The food is great, prices are fair. There are some bads to this place though. Even though the food is great, I always see the bads in a place. It is ALWAYS loud. If they do not keep up with cleaning it gets dirty fast! Over all I love El Charro, the only good place to go for authentic mexican food in Turlock. read more

So far this place sh*ts on just about any Mexican restaurant in the area. The food is fresh and delish! I'm reserving the last star for my next visit, which hopefully includes a margarita and no baby in my belly. I had the mixed grill fajitas, and the husband had the carnita plate. Both were so good, no complaints at all! The tweenager had the 2 item combo, and raved about the tamale. I can't wait to go back and try more on the menu. I think our bill was almost $35 (pre-tip), and that was for 3 plates NO DRINKS. A tad pricey, but as always you get what you pay for, and this was well worth it. read more

Small place clean food is excellent hot flavorful service is good place is very loud inside like club/bar which I dnt Mind but some might will definitely be back again they have drink specials too that are good too read more

I'm picky about Mexican food; this place surpassed my expectations, it was delicious! I had the combination molcajete and I definitely recommend it. My daughter had a milanese de pollo that was very tender, everything was fresh and perfectly seasoned. Our waiter was great, he was friendly and helpful. read more

El Charro - Mexican Near Me - Turlock, California

Turlock may be small, but it has quite a few Mexican joints to choose from. Out of all of them, El Charro is definitely tops. I've never had a bad meal here. Their lunch specials are always great, their salsa/cabbage very tasty, their chips fresh, and their service friendly. Plus you gotta love supporting a family-run local business! read more

My co worker who lives in Turlock has taken me here several times in the past two years. It's safe to say its her favorite. We always get the bean dip appetizer to share, it is so good smothered with green sauce and cheese. I have had a quesadilla each time because that's just how how I roll but, I have had several different meats in them and they were all excellent. They have a $0.99 margarita special on Thursday's that I have yet to take advantage of but it sounds great to me. I have had their regular priced margarita's and they're inexpensive and pretty good. I'm not sure they have a full bar there, but they do have MANY, MANY kinds of tequila to choose from for shots or Margarita's. I have had nothing but friendly staffers wait on me there as well. read more

Amazing. The only reason I am not giving it five stars is because I'm saving myself for some place special :) The salsa featured a heavy cilantro and heat that I found perfect. Guacamole was equally as perfectly balanced and served with piping hot fresh chips. For an entree I had the lime chicken and garlic shrimp. The chicken was flat and dry but the flavors of everything together were amazing. I appreciated the fresh guac with the entrees that still had giant chunks of avocado. I would go back here in a heart beat - once I'm not so stuffed. read more

I must say, this is one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of eating at. I met some friends for lunch one day, El Charro being their suggestion. I was eager to try it as I'd heard so many good things about it. We were greeted with chips, salsa and cabbage, as usual. The salsa was wonderful and the cabbage was pretty good, but it wasn't until my friend ordered a basket of flour tortilla chips that brought the flavors out. I ordered the Flautas and I was very happy with the serving and the taste. It was wonderful. I don't remember what they ordered, but I remember everything looking and smelling fabulous. The waiter was just attentive enough without being too intrusive. The tables are kind of crammed in there, but it's nothing that ruins your night. Overall, I recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking authentic food. I will be returning to taste more of their menu. read more

Some of you old timers may remember El Tapatia on Yosemite Avenue in Modesto and how great there tapatias were. Let me tell you El Charros tapatias are BETTER. I haven't had a bad meal yet no matter what I have eaten. read more

I must say BEST Molcajete I ever had!! Its perfectly balanced in flavors! I'm hooked!! I'm from LA and can't wait to go back! Also the bacon wrapped shrimp is off the hook... read more

El Charro - Bacon wrapped Shrimp was also - Mexican Near Me - Turlock, California

We came here out of our way just because the reviews said it was a great place. We came on a early weekend and there was not to many people. We arrived and we're not greated. We then sat ourselves to a table. A few minutes later Waitress brought us chips and asked us if everything ok... yes but can we get drinks and a menu. The service I can say was good due to them being nice. It was horrible due to the lack of attention they gave you. Took forever to bring out our drinks, food and anytime we asked for anything. We got to the point to think ahead of what we needed just to make sure we had it in timely manner. The food was very good and tasted authentic. If you have smaller children there is no option for juice. As a parent I do not count Tampico as orange juice. So if you're looking for tasty food come here but expect the service wait. I will not be coming back. Took just to long to attend us and did not like the experience. read more

Very good Mexican food. I ordered the Chicken Ala Parilla and it was delicious. Most places over cook the chicken and these guys did not. My family enjoyed their food as well. Service was great. Very attentive and fast. Only gripe about the place is the phone. It rings super loud. Kind of throws off the conversations that people are trying to have. read more

Came in late on a Friday night. Thankfully they were still open. Ordered the Molcajete with carne asada. It was carne asada, bell peppers, and onions in this rich brown sauce with a tangy flavor. It came in large stone like bowl ( a molcajete) which may have been heated in an oven. The liquid was bubbling and they served the bowl on a wooden plate. Rice, beans, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream are served on a separate place. I have never had a Mexican dish like this and it was delicious. Since it is bar and restaurant, the atmosphere for dining leaves a lot to be desired. Service was good. Wait staff was friendly and attentive even though they were clearly preparing to close up for the night. read more

I have been going to this restaurant for years. It is a little family owned restaurant and one of my favorites. Yesterday something was really off , the service was bad and the food was not good. All the servers we young and you had to tell them when you needed something then tell another one because the first one you asked did not follow through. I ordered a chicken enchilada with green sauce and normally it is delicious but not this time, presentation was not good either. I'm hoping it was not sold to the people who were there because it will not last long if these servers are taking care if you. It was really a bad experience. I will go back one more time just to see what happens, if the same servers are there and the food is not good then I won't go back because I drive all the way from Modesto to go there. I hoping this was just a one day thing because like I said I have been going there for years. read more

This is one of those great Mexican restaurants that I grew up with in my home town that are harder and harder to come by. read more

El Charro - Gotta love that! - Mexican Near Me - Turlock, California

I would of gave this place 5 stars but the waitresses are so rude and arrogant. They seriously need to get off their high horse. They get offended when u ask for anything!!! Every single time we get a waitress they are so mean and rude. But with waiters is different they are always so friendly and helpful. The food is excellent!! Diabla shrimp and especially their tacos!! Omg their tacos are sooooo delicious!!!! All in all everything is so tasty! Their salsa needs work tho. If they would use the diabla sauce as salsa omg it would be a game changer!! read more

I would like to say this is a place of good food. Now the negatives. Please scrub in your cleaning up. The kitchen doesn't look clean behind the counter is less than ok. It needs organizing and cleaning. If you just cleaned better you would have a great place to dine. read more

I've been coming here since I was a kid and now bring my own kids with me. The food is consistent in taste which is delicious and the service is the best! Such a great family owned business that I would recommend to anyone. My favorite dishes are the: tequila lime chicken, bacon wrapped shrimp, and the Sonora Chileriano. Always top notch! read more

This is the best mexican resturant in turlock ,the nacho grande fresh hot tortilla chips are great ,the food is delious wonderful staff .i recommended anyone to try it . The best time to go is in the evening read more

They now are charging $5 for a bag of chips!!! Most restaurants give chips for free!! Been sitting waiting for an order of rice and beans for 25 minutes now. Crazy disorganized!! read more

Yes Food was delicious service was great price was amazing the drinks were very cold on time hot great food