This place holds a special nostalgic place in my heart. I grew up going to El Chico with my family. I'm sad there aren't more locations left, but I am thankful for this one still standing in Tulsa. The great thing that I love about this place is it is exactly the same as I remember. They didn't try to do any crazy Chili's style revamp of their menu or decor. It remains suspended in time in all of the best ways. The salsa is still the same flavor, and every person at the table gets their own salsa. (I'm giving you the side eye Los Cabos). I always order the same bean and cheese nacho appetizer as my entree, and they are glorious. You get 10 huge tortilla chips filled with refried beans and topped with real cheese that has been melted and toasted to perfection. You get a little guacamole and sour cream spread in the middle that I like to pair with the salsa on my nachos. An added bonus is you can get these beauties for half price during happy hour! The service here can be hit or miss, but on our last visit, we had a fantastic waitress. She was very quick and attentive. Never change El Chico! You do you! read more

El Chico - Bean and cheese nacho appetizer is a must every visit! - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Came here for lunch today. Service was prompt and the waitress was sweet. The chips and salsa was ok. I ordered the Tex-mex burrito and even though I didn't it expect it to be a wet burrito, it was tasty. I also thought the swirl frozen marg was quite good and not too sweet. Alcohol-wise, it was mild. Not too strong and not too weak. The only downside was the cleanliness. The restaurant felt a bit dirty and the bathroom needed an update. read more

Tex mex restaurant from Dallas. Good prices, large portions, tasty food and drinks and waitress was nice. However, cleanliness could use improvement. Bathrooms were not clean and my bench cushion was covered in duct tape to patch tears read more

If you know me, you know I never turn down Mexican food. Went with family to celebrate a birthday. Our server was amazing and I'm ashamed to say I forgot her name. It been almost three weeks since we went. She was so attentive and made my family member feel special and she want looking forward to being another year older. I ordered the Relleno & Enchilada Duo. It was perfect. Food tasted great and the restaurant has a nice atmosphere. We will certainly be back. read more

We miss El Chico in Muskogee. Stopped in for a quick fix of the chicken and spinach enchilada with sour cream sauce. Our store left us dry in Muskogee three years ago. I recommend the steamed corn torts and relish bowl. Amazingly, the food flavor has not changed. The wait staff are friendly. Thank you Tulsa for bringing some memories back. read more

El Chico - Chicken enchilada and frijoles - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Their fajita pans are cracked and rusty. We said something and the manager was dismissI've and took the pans immediately.

We have visited this El Chico's location for years, it's familiar and comfortable. We had the absolute BEST server on our last visit and I wish I could remember her name, she was amazing! It was early dinner on Super Bowl Sunday and we sat in a booth around the bar area. She was very fast and attentive, 10/10 service! Food is good here, just very comforting and not super fancy which is more than fine. The young staff at the front greeted us, which is amazing at places any more, so this was the best visit we have had in a while. Very appreciated! read more

El Chico - Bean and Cheese nachos from the appetizer section. Half off during Happy Hour! - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Besides our server who was very fast and nice, this dining experience was below average. As for what was good, the salsa was delicious and spicier than most places, and the queso was a good portion. There were a few TVs playing sports, and it was a good mix of table and booth seating. As for what wasn't good, to start with, the tortilla chips were very bland and didn't taste like any other chips I'd have at Mexican restaurants in terms of consistency or flavor. I ordered the taco dinner and it was supposed to be "spicy beef," but it was extremely bland. My fiancé got the carnitas tacos, which had a much better flavor due to some onion. But overall, we were both disappointed by the quality of our meals and don't think it's worth the price to eat there. read more

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My first experience at El Chico was back in 2018 at the now-defunct Promenade Mall on 41st and Yale. It was one of the best Mexican food restaurants I had been to in a very long time. I recall how great the chimichangas were and the ambiance of the restaurant. Sadly, that restaurant closed in 2021 leaving only the 21st and 71st locations. This location on 71st has remained our favorite of them all ever since. The food quality is fairly consistent and very good. In our opinion, their fajitas are some of the best in town. We've never had bad service as we've become well known to most of their staff. Inside is always clean and festive, though some of the booth seating is worn and could use replacing. Overall, we recommend El Chico to anyone looking for a nice, casual mexican dining experience of good quality and value. read more

El Chico - Dining room at El Chico - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

I can't deny, other than Taco Bell I have eaten more Mexican food at El Chico than any other Mexican chain restaurant. When I only had pennies in my pocket, the Taco Bell Bean Burrito was king. Later on in life, when I had a few more pennies, dining at El Chico was high end dining. A luxury. It seemed that no matter where I lived or where I traveled, there was an El Chico. Consistency, availability and satisfying TexMex. All those years and even now, there is one meal and one meal only for me, Mama's Favorite Enchilada Dinner. A simple filling plate, of delicious spicy goodness. Two enchiladas filled with well-seasoned beef and smothered in dark rich TexMex chili. Perfect beans and rice on the side. Before that hot plate of food arrived, crispy chips, mild and salsa picante, and something no other restaurant has, El Chico's signature relish bowl of carrots, onion and jalapeno. You have to pace yourself and remember you also ordered a big plate of food. The service we had with this excellent meal was stellar. Diana an energetic, personable, friendly young lady took care of us. She wears a big smile and has sparkling eyes that brightened our table. I left stuffed with great TexMex food and with having the pleasure of experiencing competent, caring, first-class service. A rarity in large chain restaurants. I needed that! read more

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Crystal is absolutely amazing! She was an amazing server - and made us the most Phenomenal strawberry margarita! I hope she is a bartender here in the future! read more

The temperature of the food can vary, but the qualities are pretty consistent and we've always enjoyed it and had a great experience

I ate dinner on 2/25/2026 and Crystal took care of me. She is fabulous. She suggested a delicious chicken dish. I love her charisma and enery. read more

Server Her name was Lezlie. Ambiance It's a poor excuse for tex mex. Food The chicken fajita nachos were good. Overall The service was pretty good THIS time. Food was okay. Military read more

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Good service. They made custom vegetarian food. Their lunch option 2 for 25 was great choice with a 3 coarse meal. They also have good kids choice read more

I was excited to see El Chico's after not being near one for years. I love the sour cream chicken enchiladas. It was Super Bowl Sunday, before the game, and dead inside. The many cars in the parking lot must have been at Golden Corral. I stood waiting to be seated as three people rudely kept walking by and looking at me. No one spoke English well. I waited a long time to be seated, then a long time for a waiter. The enchiladas were disappointing. The sauce was not as good as it used to be...at all. The refried beans tasted a little too much like b.o. Is that normal? The waiter was very nice, but the service and food left a LOT to be desired. I won't go back. read more

LOVE El Chico! We eat here every time we come to this area. Food is delicious & the service is good.

With inflation so out of control ,it's nice to have local restaurants that still offer daily specials, happy hours, and other discounts. Fajita night is one of their most popular specials. We liked their chicken much better than their beef. At most restaurants we prefer beef, but we like the chicken better at El Chico's. On Tuesdays, you can get fajitas for 2 for $19.99 after 5PM. What we like most is their beef enchiladas with chili gravy. That is on special on Wednesday. They have discounted beer and appetizers for happy hour and half price pitchers on weekends. read more

El Chico - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

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Yum! The beef and chicken enchiladas are a time proven recipe- so delicious!!! So grateful for El Chico serving great Tex Mex for over 50 years! read more

El Chico - Free chips and salsa! - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oh my heart! Food was a close attempt to Mexican, but fail miserably. Only thing we all three agreed on that was eatable was the $9.00 bowl of quaso. Chicken fajitas were dry. Enchiladas were cold. Sent back. New ones were bubbling hot! Not very good but hot! Beans, mmmm, not flavorful at all. read more

The food was was mediocre, the chicken and beef fajitas felt like they had been marinaded in tons of meat tenderizer. The margaritas tasted like it was lemonade from a fountain with a splash of "tequila". Our server was so forgetful about everything but in the words of a southern Memawww Bless her heart! We will never be back read more

Sulky Service W Side Of Attitude. Do Not Go aif YOU Want Good Service. Sorry Guys Big Fail Tonight Serving A Margarita = Not A MUG-A-RITA Constitutes Us Wanting A REGULAR MARGARITA = Twice As Expensive. When There Are Specialty MARGARITAS We Were Clarifying The Type Of Drink. Arguing With A Customer Instead Of Handling With INTEGRITY =LOSES CUSTOMERS. Saying We Don't Care When My Husband Said We Just Won't Come Here Again = Said Fine No Problem & YOU Argueably Called Us Liars. Big Time Reputation Killer. Huge Disappointment. No Wonder Restaurant Was Only 1/2:Full. 6 People Ahead Of Us Left Smoking Mad. I Plan Too Call Owner/Managers. We Often Used To go to Ones in Houston. read more

El Chico - Queso Chips Husband - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

so l'm gonna give it one star due to the fact that our server was very sweet but when addressing to the host that we spilt our drink 10 minutes ago, we have not had a refill on our waters once, and we haven't seen our server since our food was brought out that I needed to make a to go order and I had asked another worker 10 minutes prior to that if she would mind to grab our server so l can make a to go order ,she told me she would grab him, but never did instead looked around, did not see him and proceeded busting tables. when informing the host could I get a manager for help, she became very hostile and in a very rude tone informed me very rudely and loudly there was only three servers. told her l completely understand but once again, I have to make a to go order, I live 35 minutes away l just got off work It's almost 7 o'clock, and I have kids thats waiting at home for the food I'm trying to order to go, my drink had spilt 10 minutes ago and we haven't had any refills. I completely understand that they're busy that's why l'm asking for a manager's help, she then again reminded me in a very rude loud tone, " There's only three servers" while rolling her eyes at me as if she was refusing to get a manager. I then asked her again, hey could you just give me the manager? I understand I see a lot of patients a l completely get it, but I do need to make a to go order. she then through her hands up, rolled her eyes at me and very rudely put her hands up towards me and told me you know what I'm gonna go get the manager and stormed off. Manager was very polite. I did inform her that l was not upset with the server, but I was very upset how the host spoke to me in the situation. Im a paying customer that's leaving a tip, that there was no reason to be very unprofessional and disrespectful. Due to the fact, I was being very quadrant and understanding she was highly hostile and insanely unprofessional. And when speaking to the manager, she leaned against the host stand staring at us as if she did nothing wrong, and that she did have a care in the world for me telling the manger of her actions. I also did not like the fact that after all the unprofessionalism that I had to deal with when asking for a manager after waiting 20 minutes for my server to come back, I was not offered a discount or any courtesy as if it was just brushed not like the fact that after all the unprofessionalism that I had to deal with when asking for a manager after waiting 20 minutes for my server to come back, I was not offered a discount or any courtesy as if it was just brushed off. I come here a few times a week, and how my experience was tonight really saddens me that this is how I'm treated when supporting their business. read more

I've been coming here for 20 years and now that I live in Orlando this is always one of my first stops when visiting family. My fav is the chicken nachos and for sure the corn tortilla with butter and their awesome salsa. Oh man I miss this place read more

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Wow! Service was truly exceptional! Server Amber was ON POINT! No latter than 7min after ordering, we had our food. In her words, "The cooks know I want to get your food out fast!" Whaaat...a server who manages the comfort of her customers, but also the cooks, speed of food and food quality?!! Yeah! She made fast Mexican food taste good. Now to the food. Nothing out of the ordinary, it was suggested that I ordered the top shelf chicken fajita enchiladas. The food came out hot on a steamed plate. Sizzling, the chicken which topped the enchilada was not as hot nor as tasty as regular fajita meat. Imagine cooking an enchilada and topping it off with chicken chunks. It was similar to this. The cheese which surrounded the enchilada tasted like a type of kraft cheese. Not welcomed in my book of delicious foods. It's easy to melt cheese, add milk, cook till warm and simmer; but I understand why the cheese tasted not so top shelf, it's a type of fast food restaurant. Going back, I would choose different dish but strongly request Amber the amazing server! read more

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Salsa was super watery and messy. Top shelf queso and fajita nachos were good. Service was very lacking.

Unimpressed. The restaurant has a dingy look to it and the ceiling tiles look like they have not been changed since they quit allowing people to smoke in restaurants. The booths springs are so wore out I felt like I cracked my tail bone as soon as I sat down and sank all the way down to the seat frame. Now, on to the food... my enchilada plate was sloppily thrown together, the enchiladas were unexceptional and I have had better at Tex Mex fast food restaurants. The beans were cold and the rice tasted like it came out of a box. My partner's Fajita platter was no better. The peppers and onions were so raw it was like they were just tossed in oil and lightly warmed up. We should have stopped there, but no, we ordered dessert. The sopapillas were tough and leathery and the amount of cinnamon sugar was obscene. They were advertised as served with honey, but came with packets of fake honey/corn syrup crap like they have at KFC... The food might taste better if you have one of their fishbowl margaritas first, but if you are like me and just pulling off the interstate for lunch on a road trip, you are better off turning left and going to Golden Corral. read more

Pros: don't know why I love this place so much, I just do. I like the relish with butter on corn tortillas. Cons: fajitas are a bit dry, but super cheap on Tuesdays (half priced fajitas for 2). Too much cheese on their food. Could be a good thing for some, but I'm lactose intolerant. read more

The young lady who was hostessing was so high she couldn't open her eyes and couldn't remember the number in our party after only a minute. She asked us three times, "Did you say two?" We were the only two people standing in front of her. Our server was excellent. She was efficient and quick even though she was handling 6 tables. The food was no better than Taco Bell. All in all just average. read more

The service here was really good , very friendly folks, Tex Amex is not something I'm used too , so when in Rome , do as the Romans, the orange soda is clear, I'll be darn. I ordered the chicken enchilada plate, it came with rice and beans, it was pretty good , the whole experience was ok read more

I was surprised at how cute it was on the inside. Our waiter was ok, nothing wonderful there and I do realize that different foods have different tastes and this one just did not hit my pallet well. I was ok with that, but I was disappointed that they advertise steak and serve you roast and then try and spin it off as a Skirt Steak. I don't think so. I know a roast when I see it and I could smell and taste it. I do think for what you get it is over priced read more

Don't. Just...don't. Ok, a three word review isn't helpful so if that doesn't cause you to keep looking, here's detail. I arrived after 8pm on a Wednesday. The place was more than half empty but it took an unusually long time for the server to come to the table. She took my drink order and walked away before I could tell her I was ready to order food, also. Another looong wait for a Margarita. Er, limeade; maybe with some tequila. And an order. Wait again, this time long enough to discover the beat up, rough edges on the tableware was really just a layer of tiny, gritty food bits. New tableware. The food came. Hmm, grilled chicken from a bag. Soggy fried flour taco shell. Pseudo cheese shreds from a different bag. Unidentifiable sauce on a "chimi." There is better Mexican food at any number of places. Or save time and get something spicier at the Panda Express drive through next door. Sorry, not a fan. Just don't. read more

I've seen this place quite a few times in passing but I've always been stuck on my favorite go to Mexican restaurants, which will remain nameless out of respect. I sat at the bar and had great service from Crystal. She kept my salsa bowl full and even gave some good suggestions of items on the menu. They have daily specials ranging from half price appetizers to drink specials! For my meal I got an order of steak nachos which were decent. The steak was nicely done and flavorful on the nachos. I received a complimentary sopapilla after mentioning it being my first time here. Perhaps I'll be back to try an entree as this was a quick lunch break getaway! read more

I grew up eating at El Chico throughout the 80s in Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi. They were the restaurant that fortified my love of Mexican food. I moved to Michigan in the early 90s and when I came home to visit I just had to go get some El Chico. But they'd changed. What had been my favorite Mexican restaurant (this was before I knew they were actually Tex-Mex when I didn't know there was a difference) had become terrible, and it wasn't long before that location was closed. The past couple of years have been the first time in almost two decades since I've lived within reasonable driving distance to an El Chico but I've often stopped over the years whenever I saw one. Some had returned to the older recipes and were good, others had stuck with the updates and the food was garbage. This was my first time visiting this particular location and it will not be the last. My wife and I periodically went to the 21st Avenue location because it was closest to our home, but even though they still used the older recipes they were a bit off in the preparation and presentation of them. I would basically go there for nostalgia and my wife would tolerate the food and pretend to like it for my sake. When we went to this location instead we left with her saying that it was the first time she'd been to an El Chico and actually liked the food and wants to return. As for me, THIS was the El Chico food I grew up with. I went on a Wednesday and got enchiladas so the meal was so cheap I ordered a second plate when they asked if I wanted dessert. The only problem I had was with the diablo corn. Whoever made that particular batch used much more salt than necessary and the corn was almost inedible. When I mentioned it to the server, not only did she offer to bring me a different side but she told the folks in the kitchen to throw out the remaining corn and to make a fresh batch with the normal amount of salt. We're moving to Arizona soon but for as long as we are still here this will be my preference for Mexican food in Tulsa. read more

Place is trash! My plate was dirty. Waitress was rude & I Found hair in my queso. Definitely won't ever be back read more

El Chico - All of the plates were dirty. I scraped at it and it came off - Mexican Near Me - Tulsa, Oklahoma

I've eaten at many Mexican restaurants. This one is definitely not my favorite. The cheese is not real, the beans were nothing like anything I've ever had & the rice tasted like it came out of a box. I could only eat the taco and it wasn't any better than Taco Bell. My kids love Mexican food and refused to eat past the first bite. The staff seemed friendly and attentive but the food was not worth $46. I will not return. read more

Service here is terrible and the fajita meat is dried out. The servers need additional training. Tortilla soup is way too watery and lacks flavor. Unfortunately, this is the last El Chico near us that remains open, so if they want to stay open they need to step it up. read more

This is below average chain tex-mex. The fact that it was over half empty for lunch on a Friday should have been my first signal. The menu is exactly what you would expect from this type of place, so if you like tacos, chimichangas or anything fried and smothered in cheese or enchilada sauce, this is your place. If you were after anything that had taste without the fried bread or slathering of sauce, run away. We ordered the chicken fajita salad and the lunch portion of the chicken fajitas. In both cases, the chicken was tasteless (either completely unseasoned, or maybe it looked briefly at some salt, once, before it hit the pan) and dry. The fajitas came nicely sizzling on a bed of onions...tons of onions; like an entire onion sliced up amongst 4 half slices of bell pepper. No jalapenos (either in the skillet or on the side), no flavor, no spice, no nothing. The onions were clearly not sautéed properly, they were just thrown on the skilled with no preparation, so they were warm and raw. The chips and salsa were actually pretty decent, and the salsa has some heat. Unfortunately, it was hard to continue eating chips without a refill on my tea, which emptied halfway through the meal and was never filled back up... There are so many options that are better experiences (and food) than this, especially around the 71st St corridor. read more

Good tex-mex place with exactly what you'd expect: good basic Tex-mex food, with very fast and upbeat service. They know what they're doing.

My family and I came here and did not have the greatest experience. the service was extremely slow and the food was burnt. Not to mention the two bus women who were cleaning up were extremely rude to my mother. It doesn't take two people to do one job. Do better :)) read more