I'm a displaced Texan and I cannot find a decent enchilada in the DC metro area. So when I'm home visiting, I insist that we eat TexMex at least once. The margaritas were good--not weak, but no overpowering tequila flavor, either. Goldilocks would approve. The chips and salsa were great. Spicy salsa, but nothing overpowering and fresh, hot chips. I got a lunch special (Tampico) and the enchiladas were amazing! Piping hot with fresh rice and beans. I definitely got my fix. read more

Extremely disappointing. Showed up at 9:20pm (they close at 11pm) with a group of 3 people. The waitress (Glenda was her name )takes our orders, I ordered the Santa Fe salad (which comes with several toppings including bacon, tomatoes, and beans) with ranch, and requested no tomatoes or beans. The salad comes with literally nothing on it other than chicken, but by the time I can say something the waitress is gone. I would have been fine with the salad, but it was SOAKED in some vinaigrette (as well as the ranch on the side, for some reason). The shear amount of vinaigrette made the salad almost inedible. Our waitress was completely missing in action for a good 20-25 minutes, after which she brought our checks (and I had pick out and ate all the chicken from my disaster of a salad, which cost me over $10). She had messed up the checks, so she brought them out again twice more until the three of us had the correct checks. Apparently you have to pay at the front, because we just sat there for 5 minutes until she came by and said "What are you doing? Go pay!" I will not be coming back. read more

Thoughtful and fast service: server brought more salsa without being asked, kept our drinks full, and the food was on the table in no time. The chips and salsa were quite good; the chips were pleasingly salted, thin, and crispy. The brisket taco platter was tasty, but I felt like the portion size was slightly small. I had to fill up on chips after finishing the plate. My girlfriend got one brisket and one sour cream chicken enchilada, along with charro beans and rice. She said the flavor was mostly good but nothing special. She thought the rice was particularly bland. The highlight of our meal was the sopapilla we ordered for dessert - it was likely the best I've ever seen or tasted! Plus, they give you a big carafe of honey so you can get however much you want. Overall, I would probably come back, but she wouldn't. read more

Awesome place great mexcain food and atmosphere serevice can be a little slow but very freindly! Good for all ages serve texmex and American food for kids read more

One of my first dates with my wife of 40 yrs. was at an El Remix restaurant. We still like to go there, but will not come back to this location...not because the hot sauce bowls are now microscopic, or the crushed chips bowl is 1/4 the size it used to be...it was because my wife asked for a little more lettuce on her chulupa, and we were told there would be an upcharge. Additionally, this location waters down the hot sauce. Hey El Fenix, get your head out, you can cut cost without sacrificing quality. Restaurant Course 101 authored by the founder of El Fenix... who is rolling over in his grave. read more

I have loved this restaurant since I was a young child. Their margaritas are the best. My favorite of any I have had. They also have great queso. I like their Chicken Fajitas with a large margarita. Recently I was home alone on Easter because of the Corona Virus. I called and ordered Fajita nachos and 2 margaritas. I went and they brought them out to my car. I had to add the tequila they gave me when I got home. They had small tequila bottles like you would get on an airplane. It was a great Easter meal. The margaritas were as awesome as always. You need to try this if you haven't. I know the original owners, the Martinez family, has sold it to another group. But in the few times I have been there since it is still the same recipes. My only complaint is they do not have enough restaurants. I want a restaurant to be closer to my place. read more

We having been dining here for over 30 years. Something has definitely changed, few customers, few wait staff, extremely slow service.

Service was slow here. That's unusual for an El Fenix. Butter was NOT even available, only an off-brand margarine! Plus the amount of meat is being lessened in items like tacos and puffed tacos, again probably as an economy. Lastly the signature lettuce marinate on tacos is also inconsistently applied. Sometimes it's there, sometimes not. I have been an El Fenix patron since before I could walk and I was sad when the family sold out to Firebird. read more

With El Chico now closed we gave El Fenix a try. They had a email 2.99 cheese enchilada meal special so we gave it a shot. No cheese to be found till my third bite. I ate chips salsa and some rice off my plate and had dessert that took 20 min to make it to the table. then had to wait to get check. will try again on a normal night but it will be awhile. read more

Watered down salsa. When I nicely asked the waitress for some better salsa the waitress brought me back a cup of salsa with a ton of salt and garlic in the middle. My mouth burnt and my heart palpitated for over an hour... (Deliberately) Then she laughed when she passed by. Never again El Fenix. Y'all Run Now!! read more

Just as you would expect with the El Fenix restaurants, the food is always great! We normally eat at the one nearest to our home but happened to be passing through the Plano area on this day. I love El Fenix and so it saddens me to say that 2 times at this location and both times the service was just awful. Orders were brought out wrong both times and we would have talked to a waitress about it but they never came back for that to happen... drinks needed refilling... it just wasn't good... I hate that too because I LOVE El Fenix... read more

Poor service from El Fenix. Waited 10 minutes and left.. Wanted to take my family out and sit down to eat a good dinner meal. We go to El Fenix for Mexican food but our visit was a complete waste of time. They sat us down right in but know one every came to take our drink and bring us chip like they do. after 10 minutes of waiting for someone my wife said let's go. She was so upset we saw another couple came in 5 minutes after us and they had there drinks and chips. Keep in mind time is still ticking and no host yet. El Fenix get you crap together. read more

El Fenix Plano is kind of one of our regular, go-to Mexican food places. We really like all of the staff and always get great service, especially from our favorite waitress Isabel. She sees us coming and already has an order in the with bar tender for a couple of margaritas on the rocks. Isabel rates a 5 but the overall restaurant and experience we give a 4. The food is good and very consistent and we have been going to El Fenix for about 40 years. We have moved to different locations, but Plano has been our "go-to" restaurant for the last 10 years or so. read more

The mexican food had an authentic taste the staff were very friendly and accommodating, the frozen margaritas are smooth and perfectly blended. A wonderful experience while in dallas read more

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Had lunch today at this location, the service was outstanding and quick. Our server, Kyle was efficient and nice, the manager came by the table to make sure everything was good. I love their chips and salsa! Good food! read more

Stopped by to pick up a to go order had an excellent margarita made by Dang best bartender and great to talk to

I love eating here! This is my favorite Tex-Mex restaurant. I love all of the locations, but this is my local spot.

3 stars beacuse the food is always hot. I like the salsa and service is usually good. Yay for 3.99 Enchilada Wednesdays. Yes another chain, but one that has managed to stay alive in the collin creek corridor which will all but totally shut down completely due to the citywide smoking ban booo! read more

Been going to this local chain around Dallas for the last 23 years and I gotta say this location is my least favorite. The service is questionable, the place is freezing cold, and the food tastes like its been sitting for awhile before being microwaved and brought to the table. read more

El Fenix is not what it used to be. Smaller portions and cost more. Hot sauce tastes like it is from a jar. Waitresses seem to always to be in a bad mood. Smiles?? Where are they? read more

been here to this location a handful of times now, the service is always great and the food is authentic and tastes amazing every time. this is one of my favorite spots in plano. read more

Consistency has been my experience at El Fenix. The service is always quick and professional. The food is hot and always wonderful. The resturant is clean and festive. It is always worth the price! read more

Chips and salsa are the best. The food is not my favorite, but you can't get better service. Bonus: clean bathrooms.

My wife and ate here Saturday evening. The waiter brought chips and salsa, took our drink and food order and we had food within 20 minutes. Food was good as usual and then we didn't see our waiter for another 20 minutes. I finally get his attention and ask for salsa and drinks, he goes to another table and takes their order and disappears for another 15 minutes. I asked for the check and in another 10 minutes he finally brings it. We get to the cashier, she asked how everything was so I told her food was great but service was terrible. she takes my card and says it will be 10.79 but our bill was 28.94. I asked her to re run the card for the full amount because the complaint was not about the food so I needed to pay for that. The manager came and apologized and said she couldn't run the card again so I handed her 20.00 dollars cash and started to leave, she offered us discount cards for our next visit as I informed her there will not be another visit, read more

We made reservations for a party of 12 for lunch. Our table was ready when we arrived, the food was El Fenix good (as always), the service was excellent. Thank you Norma and Jesus. read more

Today came againg today and everything is still good as always love the staff love the people here everything was great today bringing my family next week read more

I have loved coming to this location for sometime now! I enjoy the atmosphere and the great customer service! Kyle was the best server for our table and made sure we were well taken care of. My Sour cream Chicken Enchilada and Taco plate was so good!! read more

I haven't been to an El Fenix in a while but am glad I did. Great experience, good food and service from our waiter, Kyle.

Nothing special, near where I live so I was driving by and hungry. I sure wouldn't rate their margaritas as tops in Dallas. Good Tres Leche cake and horrible coffee read more

Great place to get the best tex mex in the area. The food is always hot and fresh and service on point ask for fajitas or chimichangas and you will love it read more

Again happy to report an improvement, .. the famous salsa is back to square one, like it has been for decades! The food was also good. That said, there was a considerable decline in service. Our server (Beto) was just not up to the task. read more

I haved loved El Fenix for 30+ years and it's just as strong today. It's always good, it's always fast, it's totally affordable, and it's what true Tex-Mex is all about. I dare you to find better tortilla chips. Yum!!! read more

Humm. Got the enchiladas with beef fajita. Everything tasted like it had been prepared that morning ( I got there at 5pm) Except the sparse fajita meat. Everything wilted are over cooked. Margarita doesnt get a score from me either I left half of it on the table. Just a total YUCK YUCK !!! read more

I love coming here when I'm in a hurry. I think they have a upgraded Pachos Buffett line in the back the servers pull the food from because that's how fast I feel I always get my food. Never had anything I didn't love though. read more

First things first.... parking sucks. Outside of that I like El Fenix. My boyfriend and I eat here with semi-regularity and it never fails to satisfy. If you stick with the classics (cripsy taco, enchiladas, etc) you will not be disappointed. If you venture into some of the newer stuff on the menu you may be a little disappointed. El Fenix should stick with what it does well, the new chipotle options on the menu are ok, but still need some work. But the chipotle salsa that comes with the tacos al carbon is quite tasty, I prefer it to the regular salsa. Also, I generally prefer the guac over the queso here and if you ask they will bring you tortillas which I always enjoy. I think I could eat my weight in soft cheese tacos. I have never had a bad experience here, and will continue to eat here frequently. The service is never bad, however I do agree that the place could really use a good deep cleaning (I try not to let that bother me). read more

It's El Fenix, it's pretty much what you expect. The chips and salsa are great. The food is just so so. I had some pork tacos on my last visit and they were fine, again what I would expect from El Fenix. I wouldn't ever choose to come here, but if somebody took me there (as my boss did) I could find something to eat that would be decent. read more

My boyfriend and I went last night to try the $1 margaritas. We were immediately greeted and seated quickly. Our waitress Luz greeted us nicely and asked what we wanted to drink. We asked for water and the $1 margaritas. Immediately after we asked for that we felt our waitress attitude change. We received our drinks and asked for the Wednesday special. Our waitress did come very frequently to ask how we were doing but it was a rushed feeling. We hadn't even finished eating when she asked if she could take our plates. The special of cheese enchiladas was to be expected for a $5.99 meal, not enough cheese, nothing great. My boyfriend asked for onions on the enchiladas and before he could finish the request the waitress quickly said "there is onions in the enchiladas". There was not an onion to be found we would have definitely liked to taste some. Overall we were very disappointed. No one wants to eat dinner and feel like they are being rushed, especially since it wasn't busy. I advise getting the regular house margaritas instead of the $1 specials which just tastes like margarita mix. read more

I've been coming here ever since I was a lil kid with my family. The food's not bad, the service is quick, and the prices are decent (especially 3.99 enchiladas on Wednesdays). read more

3.5 stars from me. El Fenix has reliable service and food. You can count on good hot sauce and crispy chips. The queso is good and the food is served hot and fresh. They have decent lunch specials as well as a Wednesday night Cheese Enchilada special. The refried beans and rice are pretty good. -The atmosphere is nice and they have clean restrooms. The icebox pie is a favorite of my husband and friends. It is a cheesecake w/ a hint of lime. I am not a fan of cheesecake, but this is pretty good, but personally, I would rather have something with chocolate poured over it or in it! I go to the El Fenix in Plano because their is a smoking ban there. I hate sucking in smoke while trying to taste my food. There a a lot of us that do prefer to walk to the restroom without choking on burning tabacco and nicotine. I would say I am sorry if this offends anyone, but no smoker has ever apologized for making me sick from the smoke they have produced : p /cough cough hacking up a lung/ read more

An all time favorite since my childhood! Fantastic service today - my server was delightful!!!