Nice variety, quality ingredients, good value, decor could use and update, but it is a very old school Mexican restaurant.

Great place, tasty food! okay service but margaritas and pina colada are delicious. Overall great experience will come back to try some more menu items! read more

For the most part, the experience was good. The queso was delicious, service was good, the atmosphere was welcoming. My one issue was that there was a chicken bone inside my ground beef taco. It was startling to bite into and kind of ruined the meal for me. read more

It's not bad about the shredded or pulled chicken has absolute zero flavor. Everything else is good, but if you're looking for chicken, I would order something else. Service is always good and the ambience is your typical Mexican restaurant. Be careful pulling in and out, though it can be a little dodgy. read more

Enchiladas Supreme was horrible. Everything was dry from the rice to the tortillas. The chicken was stringy. The beef was tasteless and the refried beans were salty. Never again. read more

I have been here a couple times now. The food is always good. The service is quick and always nice. Food comes out very quickly. Very decent prices and a good size menu. Pretty quiet place. Tables available for larger parties if needed. There is a bar inside and authentic decorations. Homemade salsa and chips too! I will continue to dine here. read more

El Jalapeños - Taco Salad...Lunch portion - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Always excellent and quick service at El Jalapeño's! The chorizo hard shell Mexican style tacos are amazing!! Great menu selections and they even have great mocktails!! read more

We have gone here a few times since moving to the area. It's been fairly consistent and enjoyable. The Azteca platter is perfect for sharing and it's my favorite thing there. But, everything we have had has been quite good. The decor is nice and comfortable. Service and the music volume tend to be a little more unpredictable. They're usually fairly attentive with occasional bumps in the road and we have asked to have the music turned down one time when we couldn't hear each other in a nearly empty dining room. But, all in all, we're happy to keep this place in the regular rotation. read more

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El Jalapeños is always a good place to eat. Last night had shrimp enchiladas which were good. Queso and chips was great, probably my favorite queso around. Margarita was great and service was timely read more

El Jalapeños - Frozen lime margarita - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

The food is always great. Above standard for the traditional Americanized Mexican Restaurant. The service is always good with a laid back approach. The decor is somewhere between exactly what you'd expect and mildly tacky. The hot sauces offered on the table are great! Chips and salsa excellent. Every food item I've had hits the spot! read more

El Jalapeños - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I have been going here for the past 10-years easy...so that is why writing this review is hard. I was so proud to recommend to "My Girls" my spot for Cinco De Mayo! In all the years I have patronized El Jalapeno I have never seen it as crowded, or had to wait to be seated. I contributed that to how good the food and service are, so I thought. Our waiter - Jose/Carlos, he said...came to take our order. I ordered the same meal I have been eating there for the the past 10 years Enchilada Supreme. Its something they do well, I specifically go there for the big plate and leftovers. The Margaritas were literally just Kool-Aid in a pitcher...I guess they were Margaritia'd out, so I ordered a Frozen Daiquiri. Once Carlos and I went back & forth about what I ordered - an Enchilada Supreme w/ ALL BEEF enchiladas--no Chicken, NOT a Nacho w/ Beef....eventually I received a fresh order...or so I thought, because the next order came with ALL chicken, which Carlos argued that I ordered it. I sent that back as well, and ended up with NO FOOD. Long story short, I will not be going back for Cinco de Mayo, as a matter of fact I will not be going back. My Girls did get their orders correctly..But in today's after math 3 out of the 4 of us ALL have diarrhea!!! So while I would chalk the incorrect order to human error, fatigue and poor listening skills... what is going on with the food???? read more

Everything was okay. Not the best Mexican restaurant I've been to but not the worst. I got a steak quesadilla and it was pretty good. The steak had a really nice flavor to it, well seasoned. I could've done without the lettuce because it seemed wilted but everything else was fine. I wish I would have gotten a plain lime margarita and upgraded the tequila. 3/5 read more

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Good food, good portion size, staff was good, restaurant was clean, nice decorations, parking was tight, service was quick

This is an authentic Mexican restaurant. The service is excellent and the food is very good.. Everything about the place remind you of being in Mexico... including the owners kids doing their homework in a booth! I visit a Mexican friend who lives in Cleveland regularly, and she always insist that we go here. It really is worth a visit. read more

El Jalapeños - It definitely has a Mexican restaurant ambience! - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

if you're not eating here you're missing out; the food is incredibly delicious, & consistently good. Is it "authentic" ? I don't actually know, but, i can say this; the food is freshly made, the chips are warm & crispy , the vegetables are charred perfectly & the beans & meats are absolutely delicious... i recommend the Fajita Salad in particular, not like any other "salad" i've had & VERY filling. The ambiance is "authentic" enough (the music alone is excellent! ) and, the gracious staff provides excellent service & makes you feel right at home ... highly recommended read more

El Jalapeños - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Great wait time, go in and out withing 15 minutes. Fun environment as well. I ordered two shredded chicken tacos, and one beef.3 tacos for $11, pretty good deal, however the quality was sub par. Chicken was dry, beef over seasoned, crumbly hard shell. Not to mention the chipped dishes. Best part was cheese on tacos, the salsa also bumps it up. -Taco and Tink From The Hungry Hungry Hippos read more

Stupendous and amazing Mexican restaurant with incredible food and delicious margaritas! Came here on a busy night but still sat extremely quickly at the bar. It was a very festive atmosphere and took part in the holiday cheer! The margs were giant and quite delicious - dangerously delicious. The steak nachos were absolutely stunning. Hard to get the construction correctly but the layers of meat, cheese, veggies and sauces were divine. My go to is a shrimp quesadilla and I was SO over the moon. First, the quesadilla was massive and the portions of rice and beans were enough for army. The shrimp and cheese inside were so tender and tasty - though I was stuffed to the gills by the time I left, I was so satisfied and very happy to reheat my leftovers the next day. Awesome place and some of the best Mexican I've had in the Great Lakes! read more

El Jalapeños - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Some of the best Mexican (Tex mex) in the area!!! The building is very beautiful inside and out. Our service was fast and friendly! The food was absolutely delicious!!! We got amazing portions and great value. Boyfriend and I both ordered the El Jalapeños Special which includes pork tamale, beef taco, beef enchilada, chalupa, and a Chile relleno, and a side of rice and refried beans. It was sooooo good! The pulled pork inside the tamale has a great flavor and texture, and the tamale breading is perfect! the beef taco was nice and crispy, the ground beef is perfectly seasoned and has that nice fine texture. The Chile relleno is FULL of cheese and not too spicy (just how I want it). I was too full to take a bite of the enchilada, and I had two boxes for my leftovers since I just nibbled on a bit of everything! It was lunchtime so I don't know how their margaritas are, but I would love to come back and find out!!! This place exceeded all my expectations! Thank you! read more

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Great food but very great. Ask them to cook it in very like oil. Beautiful setting and great location. Easy to find.

YUM! What's not to love about El Jalapeños?? The location is ideal, right off 117th in Lakewood, so it's easy to get to. This family run restaurant is wonderful. The staff are friendly, attention to detail is always on point and the food is amazing. I love the salsa, great amount of heat and it's not too chunky. Today we opted for lunch, the portions are still huge but at a price perfect for midday. I had the huevos rancheros and the eggs were perfect, three yolks that were just runny enough for the fresh tortillas that are always in abundance and hot. My Mother ordered the Speedy Gonzalez, one burrito and one taco with rice and beans and it was huge! Best part, don't forget your coupons! I love the service snd the food is authentic and always delicious. read more

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Multiple Health Code violations plague El Jalapenos. The kitchen and it's cooks are what makes a restaurant. Apparently, El Jalapenos fails on both. Dirty, bug infested, moldy food lying around, trash bins next to the food prep counters covered with flies. ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING! THIS PLACE IS FOOD POISIONING WAITING TO HAPPEN. read more

El Jalapeno quality and food have struggled for a couple of years, but they have returned to normal, and it is better than ever. They redid the inside a few years ago. The food was absolutely amazing and fresh. read more

Good food, nice warm chips with salsa and tasty margaritas. Bathrooms were ok but soap dispenser didn't work. Service is very slow, slow from start to finish. Can I get my check please.... read more

El Jalapeños - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

El Jalapeños has the fastest service! I've been here a handful of times over the years and its consistent every single time. You can't miss the orange exterior on West 117th! When you're craving good Mexican food, El Jalapeños is a solid option to get your fix for all things delicious. You know a menu is big when the entrees have numbers assigned to them. Seriously, peep that takeout menu online. It's literally gigantic! On my last trip pre-pandemic, I ordered the Flautas, which is four fried flautas: two shredded beef, two chicken, and served with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo and rice. I'm always a sucker for a frozen house margarita, and this one hit the spot. This is always a good combo! It's not necessarily a vibe or a romantic spot ambiance-wise but it's great for grabbing a quick bite with co-workers or friends! The food is authentic, the parking is easy and you'll have a great time with good food. El Jalapeños is located conveniently on West 117th and is a short drive off 2 West. You can't go wrong here. read more

I've never been disappointed. Food is always fresh, hot and generous portions. Drinks are always strong. Customer service is great. read more

Stopped in at El Jalapenos for lunch on a whim, since I have driven by it so many times; I am so happy I did. Located in a standalone building, brightly painted, you enter on the side from the parking lot. The inside is old school knotty pine with plenty of Mexican accents which results in a warm comfortable atmosphere with a welcoming feel. Warm fresh chips and a zippy salsa hit the table quickly and are very well done. The menu is extensive, mainly classic Mexican dishes. I went for the Chili Relleno lunch with beans and rice. The dish came out in about 5 minutes on a colorful plate. Chili Relleno is my go to item to try a new Mexican place and El Jalapenos delivered as few places have. The dish came out with one perfectly cooked nice sized pepper stuffed with cheese, dipped in batter and fried. The pepper was just the right level of spicy heat, tongue tingling without burning out my taste buds, covered in a nice eggy batter and nicely fried. The cheese was just enough to provide a nice mild contrast to the pepper, without overwhelming it. The pablano sauce gave a nice tang, if anything I would have wanted more. The refried beans and rice were both very good; the beans smooth and flavorful with the rice being just moist enough. Service started very good and went downhill as the lunch proceeded; water was not refilled quickly, then I had to wait far too long and make as specific request to get my bill. I am hoping this was not usual. El Jalapenos is a great place for classic Mexican dishes, they do excellent renditions and the Chili Relleno was one of the best I have had. Prices are slightly higher then some other restaurants around town, but the quality is worth it. read more

El Jalapeños - Chili relleno lunch - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

The food is ok. Pretty bland....very Americanized. I had the taco/enchiladas combo which was underwhelming. Salsa has zero heat.

Service was great. Food was excellent. Loved the home made salsa and chips. We had the lunch specials and they delicious and affordable.

An all time favorite here. Lakewood and Niles locations have been 10/10 very damn time

Stopped by before the snow storm hit. We arrived alittle late but they still took us anyways! Ordered some fajitas and a quesadilla! chicken, steak and shrimp allll absolutely fantastic. The service was okay, Not as attentive as id hoped but all around a good experience! This is your typical mexican food spot, nothing super special but exactly what you'd expect. read more

The staff is super friendly and food comes out quick. Perfect place for unwinding at the end of a long week. Texana Margarita is bomb so be careful. read more

El Jalapeños - Great 'Texana' Margarita! - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

Food is delicious and always fresh and hot. Speedy service with a smile and drinks are huge. Even on a busy cinco de mayo we were seated within minutes and served right away read more

The food here definitely satisfied. I went with my friend and his 6 year old daughter. They have a kid's menu, which is a good thing. My friend's kid kept asking why the waiter kept filling up my glass of water. I explained that this is good service. She also told me this story: "I was in Amish today, and saw a horse that had 5 legs." I told her of the time that I saw a cow before with 6 legs while on a trip through Kansas (See review for Prarie Dog Town, Oakley, KS. Or check this link: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/11444). My friend then explained that she was referring to the horse's you know what! I will never forget this hilarious dining experience. read more

Good restaurant that serves heaps of food, make sure you come hungry, service was friendly, convenient location.

Who wants a fly in their drink? Or a hair in their appetizer? And seriously not even a sorry? read more

El Jalapeños - This was a fly in my drink and all they did was take it back and give me a new one. And hair in apps. - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

The experience was a amazing. The moment you walk in you are greeted with Latino decor giving it an authentic feel. The meals were all affordable. Their queso was banging . Our waiter was really nice. Good drinks as well. Definitely adding to my restaurant go-tos. read more

El Jalapeños is 'all-up-en-yo' face with its deliciousness... and if you missed that amazing pun, it's possible that the tastiness of El Jalapeños' eatery might be lost on you as well... and that my friends, would be a shame. The ambiance was a super authentic Mexican vibe with fun lights, great decor and robust colors. The air was filled with the sweet sweet smell of steaming meats and veggies, ayyyeeee - sizzling fajitas! The first thing (naturally) that caught my eye as I entered was the Specials board where a 42 oz. Margarita was proudly displayed. $11.99 you say? Was there ever such a bargain more worthy of my time? The answer is no, my amigos & amigas! What more pleasant way to spend one's Sunday than sipping on a fine blend of citrus and tequila (which can be shared, but definitely doesn't have to be ;) - turn down for what?) After ordering a taco, it was pointed out that they had a lil' taco bar toppings station, which for a lover of pickled jalapeños and endless sour cream, I was one happy chica. The tacos were a steal of a deal - $2.99, and definitely provided a strong serving of meat! I saved the very best part of this review for last, because for a senorita who sticks to beef enchiladas and shredded chicken tacos on the reg, a new dish swept in and stole my Mexi-heart. The El Tapatio did me in, ya'll. The perfectly seasoned grilled chicken breast cut into fine pieces with a mildly spicy sausage, topped with a melted cheese that is LITERALLY making my mouth water, came out of left field and hit me by surprise. Good heavens! I am not one to typically order the "build your own" scenario - but this would be something I would TOTALLY get in the future. I was lucky that my dinner companion, the real MVP of this story, shared! Seriously I am salivating right now thinking about that chicken. Send help; I need an El Jalapeños support group! Too bad my face is plastered all over this page and I'm not anonymous at all! I guess there's just no shame in my EJ game! read more

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After living over 4 years in Lakewood, I'm ashamed that I didn't make it to El Jalapeños sooner! When you walk in, it really seems like a standard traditional Mexican restaurant. It is a deceptively large restaurant, and there's a decent separation between the bar and the dining room We were sat quickly, and the waitress was very attentive and fast. We waiting maybe 10-15 minutes for our food. My typical qualm with Mexican restaurants is that the food can be very bland (especially at chains). However, this is where El Jalapeños sets themselves apart. Every piece of meat, vegetable, and rice that I had was bursting with flavor and I couldn't stop myself from finishing the whole plate. The prices are fair considering the amount of food you get. This place has turned from a random find to possibly becoming our next go-to restaurant! read more

This is so not good. We got carry out from here today decided to deviate from our favorite Mexican restaurants locally. We read recent reviews on Yelp and Google and saw that someone had posted a review with a roach in her food. Make mine the second time to find bugs in the food. So grossed out!. We called the restaurant and am waiting for the owner to call us back to refund our money. Shame on them. read more

El Jalapeños - Live bug! - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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!!!!ROACHES!!!!! I'm really saddened to have to write this review because I've been to El Jalepeno several times now and always enjoyed their food. Last night was the first time I ordered their food for delivery. I was really craving their Sopa De Mariscos (seafood soup) so I ordered 2- one for dinner and one I could have at work the next day (today). It was well packaged- each soup container came with a second container filled with rice, onions, cilantro and limes. The 2nd helping of soup and rice I left completely unopened until just a while ago I removed to lid and put the rice in a bowl planning to pour the broth over it and heat it up in the microwave...That's when I saw the roach peeking out of the rice....My boss use to be an exterminator and told me it's a German roach, which almost always implies an infestation. The roach isn't cooked, but obviously the rice is, so I doubt it hitched a ride from the company that supplies the rice. I'm incredibly disappointed I won't be going back here because the folks that worked their provided great service along with tasty food.:( read more

El Jalapeños - Mexican Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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