I've been a big fan of El Chico for many years and this is the last remaining one that I know of. There's a good reason they're still here, the food and service are absolutely fantastic. I always get the top shelf enchiladas oh, but their fajitas are off the chain and they actually have real tortillas, not store bought. Chips and salsa are perfect in every way. Just the right amount of heat and just the right texture. They even have keto drink options now. Absolutely can't go wrong with El Chico. read more

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This place has been a staple in Rockwall for better than three decades. Is it fine dining? Nope. Over the years the menu has changed as owners came and went. However, the food now is very good. You can come in and sit at a table or the bar. The service is excellent. Many staff members have been here for years. I tend to go for the enchiladas but I plan to try the fajitas soon. Prices are not bad at all. Look for the specials. read more

Overall, just wasn't a good experience. The wait to be seated was great, waited between 5-10 mins. We were seated at one of the few center tables where the air conditioning vents all pointed in at us. I was freezing. But once seated, we sat there waiting. Tables around us being visited multiple times by their servers. The two ladies next to us, that sat just a few minutes before us, already had their drinks and chips/salsa and were being served with their appetizer as we were being seated. Samuel, one of the servers, eventually came over to us, I'm assuming because he saw we hadn't been helped after sitting there for a while, and asked us for our drink order. We're pretty certain we were seated at a table with no designated server, and Samuel picked us up. He was great. But it still took 10 mins, seated at our table before we even got our drinks and chips/salsa. After placing our drink and appetizer order, someone else that had passed by several times asked if we had been helped yet. I don't think he was a server, so maybe shift lead or a manager. The food wasn't that great. Ordered Chili Con Queso, I don't remember it even being warm, and it was pretty bland, even after we upgraded it to the top shelf which added ground beef and pico de gallo. The tortillas were crispy and hard to roll. As we're waiting on our entrees, they were rearranging tables to accommodate a large party. Not an issue. But then we were asked by the manager guy if he could move our table. Even after moving there still wasn't a comfortable amount of room between me and the party table behind me. My chair was bumped into a few times throughout our meal by passerby's and the children behind me. I eventually scooted to the corner of our table to try and make more room. Our food came, the carnitas tacos I order were okay, there didn't seem to be much meat, it tasted mostly of the cheeses and grilled onions. I only ate one of the two. My husband only ate half of his meal saying it wasn't great. We weren't enjoying our dinner out so we didn't care to wait around, relax & talk, so we just asked for the check. That was a $42 meal, before tip. It was not worth it, it was disappointing. read more

Went for an early dinner tonight, around 4:30pm. The place had a few guests and some steadily coming in after us. They never have a hostess at the door to great you but they get to you pretty quickly. It was a little annoying that the waitress asked for my husband's ID when he ordered the margarita, he is clearly over the legal age. But he had to go out to the vehicle to retrieve it. He should of brought it in, so that is partially his fault too. She is just doing her job. The margaritas are $2.99 on Mondays. They are pretty weak but still a good price. The flour tortillas are pretty good and handmade. I was craving handmade tortillas and Tex Mex so that was a good choice. This isn't our first time here nor our last. We've had some poor service here in the past but the food is always good. The manager always comes around to check how everything is going. read more

Love this place and just had lunch there! Service good and very nice employees. Jessica waited on us and was nice and made the stop enjoyable! Food was very good along with a cold beer! read more

Seating was prompt. Atmosphere is bright, clean, and classy. It is a bright day so the sunroof helped, not hot at all inside. Chips and salsa are the best in town. It's a Wednesday so I went for enchilada special with two chicken enchiladas extra just to try them. Haven't had enchiladas that are good for years. I recalled the cheddar enchiladas here were excellent so this is a return trip. A new salsa cup came before I ran out. I like how this waiter thinks. Blanco Enchillada was good but the Fajita Chicken enchilada had better flavor. Both came out at a temperature that didn't burn tongue. Chicken was tender and not overcooked. Cheese enchiladas were great. None of the enchiladas had the issue of dry tortilla that I read in the other reviews. Portioning was plenty to eat too. I'm not a fan of the iceberg salad strips that came on the chicken enchiladas. I'm stuffed and satisfied. Probably wont splurge on enchiladas for another year or two. Well worth it to pick El Chico. read more

Late lunch. It was good. Surprisingly. I haven't eaten at an El Chico in forever!! Chips and salsa were fresh. It was quite busy for 2pm on a Sunday but the wait wasn't too long. Everyone's orders came out as reasonably sized orders without looking too ginormous. I had chicken quesadillas on a sun dried tomato tortilla. It was almost a little crunchy like a chimichanga. But it was very flavorful and I really enjoyed the different flavors... not to mention I was stuffed all the way to the second to last bite. I'd defiantly come back. Nice atmosphere service and food. read more

Very good food at a fair price, pretty nice time with friends. My first time here, split fajitas. I only drank one beer for a change. At $4.50 each.... It was good, I would recommend and we will be back. Thanks, guys! DR Second visit and WOW! Very good. Large margarita was awesome! Great food, quick friendly service and a really nice atmosphere about the place. read more

El Chico - Mexican Near Me - Rockwall, Texas

After living out of state for a couple years we finally came back to Rockwall. We visited several of our favorite restaurants and after a few weeks came to El Chico for a change up. We hadn't been to El Chico in several years as they had just not measured up in the past. On our first visit this time around we were in for a pleasant surprise. Our waiter! His name is Mojica and this was the first time we'd met him. He was absolutely amazing! We've had good service in the past but Mojica took the concept to a completely new level. He treated us as if we were long lost friends and made us feel at home. We've been back twice since that first visit. One time Mojica waited on us. The other time was a different server who was fine but couldn't hold a candle to our new favorite server. We will definitely be back. read more

It was a nice welcoming dine in that was exquisite in all ways the food is great, would recommend!

El Chico is SO old school. The funny thing about things that are old school is theyre old, but still around. The sister, bf and I went here night before last to get some yummy Mexican food, obviously. Our chips, salsa and queso were incredible. Just as good as I remember. Queso is one of the many things you cannot find ANYwhere in San Diego and it is quite a tragedy. For dinner, I ordered another something you cant get in SD, sour cream chicken enchilada. And it was every bit as good as I remembered. It was super hot and even though I had asked for extra sour cream sauce on my beans and they actually put it on my rice, I hoovered all of it in a matter of minutes. The bf got some kind of spinach quesadillas which were incredible. The sister got steak fajita quesadillas which were also good. Initially they came out as just fajitas which we had to send back but it was quickly fixed. Aside from the fact it was freezing cold in there and I believe they overcharged us (which I didnt realize til we got home and the bf told me hed signed for a $50 total), it was nostalgic and wonderful. read more

El Chico - Mexican Near Me - Rockwall, Texas

I took my son for an early dinner on Monday evening. I will be the first to say it was an awkward time to eat, more like happy hour and not dinner. But he eat lunch at 11 am and by 5 pm is starving. When we arrived there was no one and the front to greet us. We kinda stood there several minutes. A server working her tables saw us and kinda nodded at me and I nodded back. A server coming in for her shift came in and the server who saw us asked her if she could serve us. We were seated by the server who acknowledged us, who said she never had a chance to clock in because she walked in and it was busy and no one was working. Hmmm I was really hoping it was going to be an okay dinner. Our sever was great and got everything we needed. My food (no cheese or meat) was prepared as I requested. Avocado enchiladas. Yummy My son was very happy with his food as well. He lived their salsa. It wasn't the best but it was good. I'll go back for the enchiladas for sure. My only issue was staffing on this visit but it really could have been a timing thing for us. read more

The food is always good and I like the drinks, but the service is always disappointing. Even waiters that are really good usually can be hard to catch for refills or the check because they are understaffed at times. read more

Used to be great, has fallen off dramatically. They used to have great tortillas, now store bought. All the good staff left, now lots of new faces that need to do better service. We went when it wasn't busy, ordered 2 items - steak fajitas and nachos. 20 min after sitting down they brought the drinks. They brought the fajitas after coming back first to confirm, but they forgot the nachos. Nachos came and the cheese wasn't even melted. We used to eat here a lot, but this place fell off the map so we won't come back. Suggest you try another place too. read more

Had a take out order. Got home and realized they'd left something out. Called the restaurant, got transferred to a manager. He met me outside with my missing item and then some. Above and beyond on customer service and fantastic fajitas!! read more

So gross. Really only one thing was good. A simple plain flour tortilla. I ordered a cheese taco, cheese enchilada and taco. Taco was dripping in grease. Enchilada was a dried up corn tortilla will almost zero cheese. None you could visualize. Beans tasteless. Service was poor. We were there about 20 minutes before anyone took our order and that was the manager we flagged down. Had to flag for the only refill we had in our drinks. Just all in all terrible. Was it this El Chico or all of them now? I don't know but they make el fenix look like a 5 star Mexican restaurant. Better off at Taco Bell seriously. read more

Great food and service. We've been coming to El Chico Rockwall for years and it is the best Mexican food and service anywhere in the vicinity. read more

Lunch was good, Loved this place haven't been here since at least since 2002 to this locations Will update upon more visits read more

El Chico - Enchilada wendsday Spinach an sour cream and a cheese with queso , it was good - Mexican Near Me - Rockwall, Texas

My family and I visit this el Chico at least a few times a month. For being a chain Mexican restaurant, we love it. Service has never been anything less than friendly, food comes out quickly and tastes good. They have daily specials that are also great! For any vegetarians, they have avocado enchiladas that are great. Try the chipotle wine sauce! read more

The chips and queso were great as were the nachos, but the margarita was awful. It was very bitter, even extra lime didn't help, but my MIL was enjoying hers so I chalked it up to my taste buds. Such a disappointment though, because years ago they made the best ones ever and El Chico was my favorite place to go for a margarita. I will try again, but what a let-down. read more

Best fajitas around! I haven't had a bad dish here and they have amazing queso. The service was excellent! If you are looking for true Tex-mex this is the place. 11/10 read more

Being a lone senior, Have gotten enchilada special every Wednesday for about 10 years to go and always tipped. Last 5 times, no relish, no tortillas unless extra charge . No onions or queso on enchiladas that I always request. Have called 4 times to complain. Today was the end of ElChico for me . Got one spoonful of rice. I spoonful of beans and again no onions or queso on one cold, old enchilada. No extras as usual. Hope you dine in people have better luck. read more

Best fajitas in town, coupled with fresh fluffy homemade tortillas. Excellent Tex-mex. If you are looking for a great value, with excellent customer service, you can't beat El Chico. Family friendly with a strong, loyal customer fan base. read more

Unfortunately this place isn't deserving of the one star rating. Came here on a Saturday night before a concert to grab an appetizer and drinks. Sat at the bar with no wait. Took the bartender quite a few minutes to take our orders even though there was only one other couple seated there. The bar was covered with other people's crap that was never bussed. We ordered beer and food. Both came out fairly quickly. However we were never asked if we needed anything else meanwhile the gentleman next to us was asked multiple times and the bartender was quick to get him another beer. We needed silverware and sour cream for the quesadilla but the bartender disappeared after dropping the food off and never came back to ask how it was or if we needed anything. All while sitting there, we saw multiple employees with headphones in drinking juice boxes and goofing off at the bar. In my opinion, it's just unprofessional. If you want to goof off at work, do it where your customers can't see you. Flies flying around the entire time we were there. Ended up not even touching the quesadilla and sent it back. Manager only charged for the queso and two beers. Won't be back. read more

El Chico - Mexican Near Me - Rockwall, Texas

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First night in Rockwall and searching for a nice restaurant for supper. My husband and I were tired and hungry so we went to El Chico. What a great experience! The hostess and server were kind and courteous. The food was amazing! We will be back to dine again. read more

I went here yesterday for the first time and the food was fantastic we all it there were items that were unique that I hadn't seen elswhere but they also had the classics and the basics and all were amazing and they had this one dessert that I couldnt get enough of it was a cinammon sopapilla bowl with vanilla ice cream and a coated chocolate shell I highly reccomend everything on the menu but that was my fav read more

This is for the Rockwall TX location. Food was fine, but very disappointed with their sanitary conditions, particularly in today's environment and extra precaution needed. We informed the Owner/manager that one of the previous patrons allowed their toddler to run around the restaurant and then the child climbed up on another unoccupied table and stood and danced on the table. Owner mumbled something and we thought he would clean the table, but it was never washed or disinfected before plates and silverware were placed on table- nothing. In addition, after any patron left, the bus boys merely wiped tables as usual, with same wet rag, over and over and no disinfectant of any kind. We will not be coming back. read more

On our way to a function, my wife and I stopped here for dinner. We were seated as soon as we walked in the door, and had the pleasure of having Ron as our server. I must say, Ron is one of the best servers that we have had. Ron was very attentive to our needs. We never had to ask for anything, especially refills of our tea glasses. El Chico should be proud to have an employee like Ron. Next time we are in town, and come here, we will definitely ask for Ron, to be our server. read more

I remember going to El Chico as a kid, my older sister and I always got beef nachos, that's taco meat and cheese. Stopped by this location to relive the memories. Ouch. The taco meat tasted like it had been in the refrigerator for a long, long time. I can't imagine that this is how it is supposed to taste. On the bright side... Wait staff, bartenders and managers were really nice, the Coors Light was cold and good. read more

When you want your typical Tex-mex delicious food, you go here. The overall experience I received was well, with an attentive server. The food has great flavor (more on the spicy side). I ordered the fajitas & they were delicious. Not too mention they always have great specials going on to save a few bucks. The atmosphere is relaxing as well. read more

This used to be my favorite Tex-Mex place to go but now the food is decent but the service is terrible I even did a Facebook review my last visit and I was like oh come in we're so sorry we'll make it up to you and they did fairly well and so I thought I'd go back again today and it was a horrible experience you would think the manager would make darn sure that everything went great but he wasn't he acting like he didn't even care until we actually brought up the issue of baby waiter being sick wiping his nose on his hand and then handing this our drinks and then putting his hand over the coffee cup and took it away that we get as more coffee you don't take the cup away read more

I won't complain about the time it took start to finish that's expected with COVID so no worries there. The issue we had with this visit was the waitress' Attitude. I ordered the Taco Dinner: 2 with flour tortillas, spicy beef,lettuce, tomatoes and cheese with rice and beans as a side as per the description on the menu. I received the Chicken Fajita Tacos: 2 fajita chicken tacos, pico( which I don't eat) , cojita cheese, chipotle drizzle (which I don't eat), and avocado slices as per the description on the menu. These 2 menu items are completely different. I get that they are both a form of taco and how it could easily be confused especially when working a large party of people, and I am not typically the type to complain if something is wrong or send it back (ex. If I ordered without tomatoes and it came with tomatoes I'd pick it off and continue eating no worries). However the fact that I brushed up the nerve and courage to bring to her attention to how I was confused that it wasn't at all what I ordered, and the waitress had the balls to sit there and argue with me about it in front of our friends during a birthday dinner.. kinda ruined this place for me. If this is the type of staff they hire then that will be my first and last visit. She didn't offer to correct it or anything cut me completely off when I was inquiring about the difference in the two and told me that the plate sitting in front of me with the chipotle sauce and Avocado on it was the taco dinner, and walked off. I didn't eat my food at all, because she didn't give me the options to order anything else, nor did she acknowledge the fact that I hadn't touched anything on my plate when she picked it up later while bringing us the check. I get that COVID has caused a lot of stress in the food industry, but seriously this is ridiculous. I don't recommend this place. Go somewhere else! It's really bad that I couldn't even review the food because I didn't get to try any. But they sure made sure you pay your bill for the food you didn't order. read more

El Chico - Picture of menu descriptions. - Mexican Near Me - Rockwall, Texas

Let me tell you what's up. Rockwall has lots of chain restaurants. Yes, I made the choice to move to the 'burbs. Buuuuuuut....this El Chico is LEGIT. It's been newly renovated. The inside is actually cool, with a little bit of modern colors (white and light green, clean looking). And FINALLY, the lighting was decent- I have no clue why half the restaurants in Rockwall are so fuckin' bright you gotta wear shades but this joint gets it right. Ambiance, they haz it. The food is El Chico. Don't come in with huge expectations and they will meet them. My two margaritas made me chatty and I had a great time. Chips were yum, salsa great, queso tasted cheesy, and our beef fajitas were no Uncle Julios but they were yum. A single order (add shrimp) was plenty for two! My new favorite chain tex-mex joint in Rockwall. Suck it, OTB. read more

OMG..i dont know where to start.. i really loved their food.. we went just on a sunday afternoon and the service was great..we had their grill special at the time..which comes with your choice of starter..grill choices like fajitas..and something else.. and you get a dessert.. so omg!! I really enjoyed it!! The moment our waitress ask for our orders..we got the soup..and i was chowing down..5 minutes if that.. bam our fajitias where coming!!..after we finished..she brought our dessert.. and let me tell you the fried chocolate chimichanga was amazing.. a little greasy.. but man it was just wonderful.. Hopefully their service will be find the next time we go.. but man I'm really digging their fajitias.. read more

Great fajitas, relish, chips and salsa, and tacos. If you like good tex mex this is a great place to go!

Good Tex-Mex and below average prices. El Chico is a North Texas tradition like El Fenix. The Rockwall location is recently renovated, clean and spacious. I have never had to wait for a table here. I think the location actually hurts it a little, as passers-by would only see it once they had passed the exit, meaning only locals would really know how to get to it. The chips and salsa here are great, service is quick, tea is good and does not melt the ice and the menu is deep. Most offerings are below $10 which works out for people on a bit of a budget. The tortillas are very fresh and made in house. You can taste the difference. It's not the best, and it's not a place I would take a tourist, but its solid tex-mex at a fair price without a wait to get a seat. Sometimes thats just what the doctor ordered. read more

I was craving a lunch special #7 , which wasn't on the current menu. They made it for me anyway. (Cheese chimichanga.) it was delicious. But I'm really writing to express my gratitude and kudos for the team players you have working for you. Lisa was my waitress and she was great. She knew exactly what I wanted when I asked about the chimichangas, and was courteous and quick. There was a young man in the same area- (I was sat by the kitchen)- that came by and told me y'all were busy and if I needed anything to not hesitate to flag anyone down. He asked what I was drinking and brought me a refill. (Sandy blonde hair, glasses, and green ear plugs.) From the hostess to the seater to the busboy and every server that walked by- EVERYONE was friendly and EVERYONE spoke to me. One waitress had a plate slip off her tray and crash to the floor. The sandy haired boy was there in a flash, asking what she dropped and running the order back to the kitchen. Other staff swept in to clean up. Just a really well-oiled machine and great team. Management must be on point. read more

Had a really good lunch today. Had the Mamma's enchiladas, one beef and one spinach. Really good. I did ask for a side of guacamole that I never got but never got charged for it either. It would have been nice to have had it. A good chain to whip into for "fast" served food. But we would come back. read more

Since the soup had good reviews I gave it a try. Broth was burnt tasting and way too salty. Taco was a weird crispy shell with cold dry fajita meat. No refills on drinks. Not the worst meal ever but a C- at best. It's a pretty restaurant on the inside so I'm upgrading to 3 stars. read more

The tortilla soup was great and the tea was to it was just amazing and the queso was just wow