We pulled into Ozona, TX around lunchtime. After getting gas, we reviewed the lunch options that were open. It was a Monday, so some places were closed (some places do a shifted 2-day weekend - I'm not complaining, but it is something you need to factor in when travel-planning). We saw this place was rated decently, and it wasn't a chain / fast-food joint, so we agreed on it. We crossed under I-10 but found that it was located a few hundred yards west on the 1-way access road. Hence, we had to detour through a neighborhood just south of I-10 and work our way over to the restaurant that way. If you are heading east on I-10, it would probably be more easily accessible. Once we arrived, we were only the 2nd table of their lunch shift. A few more groups arrived while we were there, though. Service was good. Their menu selection wasn't bad, in terms of variety. It isn't all mundane Tex-Mex fare, but if that is what you are used to, they can accommodate you. Their salads were also a good option, according to one of our group. Everyone found something to their liking. We all left full. Prices seemed fair. If I were ever in Ozona again, I'd consider a return visit. read more

The El Chatos Special (fancy nachos) has been my go-to favorite for decades, but everything is good. Excellent service, locally owned & operated, clean, plenty of parking, extensive menu. read more

Quite possibly one of the best meals I have ever had! Spanish Steak is hot and spicy and absolutely delicious read more

El Chato's Restaurant - Monday's special! - Mexican Near Me - Ozona, Texas

Good enchiladas, quesadillas, nachos, and burger for my son. You know if the state police eat here you'll likely not find much better around. Our waitress was great. Worth a stop read more

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Food was so good and service was nice. I had the Mexican plate lots of flavor! Clean and festive place. read more

This place is right off the highway, big and colorful, and an easy stop for someone traveling through town. Upon first impression, we noticed the food was over priced, but were willing to give it a try. We ordered our drinks, tried the salsa & chips, which was good- not too, too spicy but with a decent tease, and ordered a queso. They only offer yellow queso as a side, either large or small. Once the queso came, we ordered our entrées. The next moments were filled with confusion and conflict. The queso did not taste like queso: it even had a mustard-like tone to it. It was not of a milky thick consistency. It tasted as if it were diluted with water and flour to appear thicker than what it was. I ordered it to dip my flautas in, but as an avid cheese lover, i could not do that to myself. My friend had ordered nachos and after tasting the queso, they grew weary of their nachos tasting the same. We decided to ask the waitress, who is the reason for the stars on this review because she was amazing, to cancel our orders. We didn't want her to think our issue was with her and agreed to tell her we were in a rush and had to leave, which is true. We have been traveling for the last two days, and considering how close we are to the border, we assumed the mexican food around us would be a great option- even if it prolonged the time it would take us to reach our destination. We were wrong The waitress, who, again, was amazing and sweet, allowed us to leave without charging us for anything (i.e. fountain drinks, chips/salsa, and queso). It seems like she's the only person running the place. It is a fairly large building, with lots of space, but only has a small section open for customers. I don't know if this fact factors into the quality of their food now and reflects it's current state; however, i cannot recommend this establishment- other than to speak highly of the service. Tread carefully. read more

Three stars because of the service. The food was OK at best. I got the enchiladas, one cheese and one chicken. The salsa was good, but the chips were stale. I am in from North Mexico (California) and we know Mexican food. This was like a TV dinner. Edible, but meh. read more

I went over the holiday weekend and they immediately served me chips and salsa I did not ask for it and assumed it was complimentary but they charged me for it. The music was extremely loud. I asked them to turn it down and they said they would turn it down but they did not. They ignored me after the second time. They are way over priced. I will not go back. read more

Great food! Great service! Debbie was amazing!!! Try the cheese enchiladas!!! The red sauce is amazing!!! And the restaurant was welcoming and clean. By far, best restaurant in town! (I know because I went to four of them in one night!) read more

El Chato's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Ozona, Texas

Our food was very good. That coming from one with a long history of dining in Mexican restaurants, even in Mexico and several other countries. One exception was the taco shells from a box, premade. The cheese enchiladas were so full of cheese that it was constantly on my chin! Delicious. One of our party deferred and had a ham sandwich - made with ham sliced from the bone. Service was excellent and our food came very quickly to the table, steaming hot. Prices were very reasonable, especially considering the portions. The sopapillos were excellent. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Heather, above, must have hit just a bad day because it doesn't sound like the same restaurant we experienced. read more

Great Mexican food in Ozona, TX! Friendly staff served us after walking in 5 minutes before closing. We didn't realize hours had changed. Yelp listed hours are incorrect. The tamale platter with chili con carne topping is amazing! read more

Definitely not worth the money I spent on it. Bought 2 combination nachos, 1 tamale plate and 1 Monterrey plate and the total $63! The nachos had few toppings and the enchilada sauce was cold. The guacamole was only Avacado, no seasonings, no tomatoes or lime juice. It was bland to say the least. The chips were stale and unsalted. I can say the Spanish Rice and their salsa were actually really good. read more

I wasn't sure I would like this place. There aren't many options in this town, so it was kind of by default that we ended up here. I'm so glad we did though. The waitress was so nice and friendly. She kept the drink refills and chips coming. We all really enjoy d their chips and salsa too! The best thing ordered at our table was the chicken quesadillas. I like the chicken more than the steak. The taco salads were yummy as well. I think this place is great for this little town. Thanks for a great experience! read more

El Chato's Restaurant - Chicken quesadilla! Delicious! - Mexican Near Me - Ozona, Texas

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Horrible steak. 1/3 of it was fat, I brought it up to the owner and waitress and they basically told me that's the way it is. They were not willing to make up for it. So I gladly paid the 20 bucks but never again will I eat there. All other oilfielders stay away! Waste of money read more

El Chatos outward appearance is deceiving. Been there a while and shows it's age. Great food and service. Highly recommend!

I cannot give low enough stars. The food was horrible. Burnt tasting refried beans. My flautas were rock hard, the beef inside fried until jerky. To top it off, they were topped with MAYONAISE. Gag. The chips were cold and stale. The salsa had little flavor but was hot as all get out. And by the way, when we order a queso for a child, you might want to tell us that it is extremely spicy! That brings me to another issue: their "large" queso is tiny. If that is large, what does a small look like? I'll move on. The first serving of chips & salsa is free. After that, it's $2.50/serving. And guess what? They serve the chips in a cereal bowl and the salsa in a pinch bowl (the small bowls meant to put spices in while cooking). The chips were cold ad stale. The salsa was full of heat, but empty on flavor. The prices were high and the service lacking. Would recommend a burrito from Stripes before this place. There are two other Mexican food options in town. Go there. They HAVE to be better. That was $60 wasted. We'll have to stop somewhere else and eat now. read more

11/15/18 stopped in for a quiet day and the taco plate was really greasy. Won't return on our way through town. Service was marginal had to ask for everything. read more

El Chato's Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Ozona, Texas

Travelling from San Diego to New Orleans and stopped in for a late Sunday lunch. Had the pork chops. The food and the service were fantastic, very friendly staff. I would recommend El Chato's to everyone for great Mexican food. read more

We stayed in Ozona for a night and found this place on the hotel manger's recomodation. The food was just OK. Tucson has much better Mexican food. I had the burrito dinner with one bean and one beef. The bean burrito was very good and spicy, the meat one was made with ground round and bland. Like what you would get at Taco Bell. My wife had the Tamale dinner and hers was just ok. If we stopped in Ozona again we wouldn't eat here. read more

El Chato's Restaurant - Burrito Dinner looks good but just OK - Mexican Near Me - Ozona, Texas

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This is the go to lunch location for my main customer in Ozona, so I've been here many times now. The food is so-so TexMex. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. The service is very friendly though and the chips and salsa are good. Homemade chips, not store bought. Surprisingly I think the hamburger steak is the best thing to eat in this Mexican restaurant. Don't look for any healthy or lite options. Even the salads are loaded down with TexMex meat and lots of cheese. read more

Very cheerful Tex-Mex restaurant near the I-10 east access road, although it's a little hard to access. Feels like a chain restaurant, but it's not. The shrimp quesadilla was excellent, much better than I expected. Good salsa, good guacamole, and pretty fast service. The enchiladas were the only disappointment; they weren't bad, but weren't particularly good. Aside from that, though, a good place to stop. read more

Really enjoyed the chips & salsa. It was much better salsa than the salsa at Austin Tex-Mex restaurants. The soft steak tacos were the best I have ever had. My dad really enjoyed his chicken enchiladas as well. The staff was very friendly and quick. Yummy! read more

Pleasant atmosphere great food and speedy service! They also have take out !! You can't go wrong with this establishment ! But the correct phone number is 325-392-5808 Reservations accepted Great place to celebrate a birthday read more