My family's go to favorite Tex Mex restaurant in Katy for years. Have gone to many so called Tex Mex restaurants in the area but they are always too spicy. As a Hispanic our food is flavorful without the spice. We have our salsa's for that. And I appreciate being able to enjoy my food without a fire hose at the ready. Thank you El Jarrito. read more

Great to have the outdoor dining here! The patio is quite large so there is plenty of space for separation. The food never fails here! the staff are masked and gloved so never felt uncomfortable! The only negative is that I miss the table-side guacamole! Can't wait to return again soon!!! read more

The shrimp soup is my favorite. I've tried the queso and it's pretty good. The service is good and the prices are not bad. I always to back for that soup :-) Thanks read more

El Jarrito - I love the shrimp soup! - Mexican Near Me - Katy, Texas

Went to eat there for the first time! First and last time!!!! The restaurant has a nice setup but that's about it. The food was not good at all, chicken fajita was not tender, salsa was bland, rice and beans were okay. What really did it was that my daughter's plate had two long hairs intertwined in the rice and beans. Upon telling our waitress she said she would tell the manager and took the plate. After a while another plate was brought to the table by the manager, her name, CARMEN. She had the most unapologetic, rudest, matter of fact attitude when she brought us a "new plate". She never apologize all she said in a very harsh tone, "Everything good"? I was very amazed at the way she spoke to us after our food had hair in it. As if it was our fault we found hair in the food. She really needs to adjust her attitude when approaching customers. If you have no customers, you have no business. CARMEN learn how to treat customers with respect and professionalism. Never will I go spend another one of my dollars at the place and I highly recommend anyone else not to neither. Spend your money elsewhere where it will be valued. read more

Went in to put our name on the list and the hostesses were so rude that we left. We have eaten here in the past and enjoyed it but the hostess didn't make us feel welcome at all. read more

This place is not accommodating. Limited choices. In fact, asked if they can just do a Quessadillas with roasted veggies... They simply said no... Only 2 options spinach or mushrooms. Good for you. read more

Last night reservation was a complete nightmare for my family and I. Carmen the manager in charge, was so unprofessional. Our event started at 5pm and when my brother and Mother came in at 4:35pm they said THEY FORGOT the 50 GUEST EVENT WE RESERVED. Nothing was set up in the room. No food was available until after 6:00pm. Our event was reserved from 5-8 and we didn't have any music playing in the room until 7pm. We had two kind servers who were clearly overwhelmed with handling our event and serving other guest in the restaurant. So our wait on drinks and other things took a long time. We ran out of food as they charged us $1200 for 1 TRAY OF HALF AND HALF CHICKEN AND BEEF AND 1 TRAY OF RICE AND 1 TRAY OF BEANS. BTW the tray was small not a large tray that fits a whole burner. When we addressed Carmen she told us to not stress. She said it was our fault for not giving a time of when to serve food. Although the form signed clearly stated the event starts at 5pm. We asked her to please contact the owner. she then called the police on us. The whole situation was so unprofessional complete trash. All pictures of my little sister birthday have stakes of chairs all around the room. since the room was not set up or prepared prior. I AM STILL WAITING TO SPEAK TO THE OWNER. So much happened I cant even write it all. The way that manager handled it angers me most. read more

Been going here for a long long time. Food is always hot and fresh. Staff is always courteous read more

Great place to eat... we love the patio... food is very good... margaritas best I hav had

OMG why have I lived in Katy for 3 yrs and never tried this place?? It was delicious. If you're looking for traditional Tex-mex, El Jarrito is a must! Not only was the food good, but the margaritas strong and sweet. We did combos with beef fajita tacos, ground beef crispy tacos, tamales, and cheese enchiladas - ALL GREAT! The service was efficient and friendly- we were also here at 7 o'clock on a Saturday night. They clearly have a smooth operation! We also saw large groups - 15+ that were having a great time. The atmosphere is festive and bustling, and the patio setting like a scene from a resort in Mexico. We will be back for sure! read more

Been here several times. Very good atmosphere inside and out. Tonite I had the chicken bruschetta (pictured) and it was absolutely fantastic!! Grilled chicken cheese and jalapeños wrapped in bacon!Chips and salsa are some of the best around and wait staff is very attentive. While you're here go for a frozen margarita! Table side guac is a must, they come to your table with a little cart and make the guac in front of you with fresh ingredients. read more

El Jarrito - Mexican Near Me - Katy, Texas

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If there was a no star option that would be the case... I'm very very disappointed in this restaurant, I have come here multiple times but tonight was the worst night ever! We get sat at a dirty table with crumbs and trash from the table before, silverware not clean and had food still on it. Service from the server was absolutely unbelievably terrible. Saw the server twice the whole time sitting at the table. A guest I was with ordered a chalupa, received a tostada. Server and manager tried to argue with us that it was indeed a Chalupa. Every single place down mason including a Taco Bell the chalupas are not a hard shell taco laid flat. After the manager telling us she was going to charge us half for the plate because it was going to "waste". We about had it. That is completely disrespectful. Then to top it all off I find a hair in my food. That is gross. My bestfriend who was with us and manages a restaurant, did not agree with how we were being treated because we look young. I will never eat here again nor recommend this to anyone. read more

Loved the outdoor patio/seating! They had cooling fans for this very hot day. We ordered queso, guacamole, and queso flameado for our appetizers which where all yummy! The homemade flour tortillas were also good! For my meal, I got 2 beef fajita enchiladas with rice and beans. I was not a huge fan of the rice due to the lack of flavor and seasoning but the enchiladas were great! I also got a grande margarita which was just ok... The margarita mix was very syrupy. The service was a little slow but I could tell they had a limited number of staff. Overall good and I would come back. read more

Staff is nice enough and our food came out quickly after our orders were taken but service is BAD. The restaurant was barely full but we sat and waited, waited, waited and waited some more. Waiters were busy talking to their regulars instead of tending to customers. Fajita was just ok, chicken was dry and enchilada platter way too salty. Quality certainly isn't what it used to be, too bad. read more

El Jarrito is the best Mexican restaurant in the area. It has something for everyone from its excellent fajitas to its off the chart margaritas, which are even better during happy hour. The outdoor area is second to none and when the weather is on El Jarrito surely is. My family has been going for over 6 years and it's always the best overall for the venue and the dollar. If you have small children the playground with the palapas located conveniently right beside is a stressed out parents dream. Don't take my word for it, go there and experience for yourself. By the way Best Quesadilla's in the state of Texas!! read more

El Jarrito - Fully loaded dinner - Mexican Near Me - Katy, Texas

Excellent food & ambiance, perfect for families because they have a fantastic sand pit/play ground on the outside patio which means mom/dad can enjoy a meal while the kids have a blast! Everybody wins, if you haven't had the margaritas you are missing out and highly recommend the freshly prepared table-side guacamole. My favorite dish has always been their authentic Caldo de pollo that is so delish I order the large size and always say I'm going to take it home but then I end up eating every bite! I will say Saturday nights are very busy we learned attending a good friends birthday dinner recently, so go early if you can to avoid a long wait. Stop by for your next family dinner and this just might be your new go-to spot! read more

Pretty good place! The chips come with mild salsa and hot beans. The enchiladas had a lot of good cheese on it with a red sauce. The queso was pretty on point too! The refried beans were a tad bit too salty buy the Mexican rice was delicious. The Pico de giao was a little on the spicy side (which I liked). Though the beef (which were pounded and chicken weren't marinated) it was a good place to ready. You'll like it for sure. read more

Great food, Great Margaritas fantastic staff. Giant patio. Outdoor play area for the kids.

Stopped there for the 1st time on Mother's Day. It was absolutely terrible. My wife, daughter and myself wished we had went to Taco Bueno as we didn't eat but a few bites before asking for the check. The lady came to pick our plates that were basically still full and never asked about whether there was an issue. We had beef fajita meat that had an odd taste and Rice that was so bad it ruined the entire meal. I haven't had Mexican food that bad for a long time. read more

We've been coming here for many years, going back to the original location which was much smaller. The reason this restaurant has thrived is that the owner really cares about his customers. I never had a bad meal here or experienced poor service. And the decor is colorful, with genuine Mexican artifacts. This place is packed with families every Friday night, and has been very popular in Katy for many years. The quality of the food is excellent, the portions are generous, and the sauces are tasty. Don't miss it if you're in the Katy area. Also a good place to take out-of-town guests, as it is a consistently good experience! read more

the food is amazing and the service is amazing something about the chips n queso dip makes it all the worth it been going here for years since i was super young. read more

Yummy, but waaaaaaaaaay too busy. Go at an off time or don't go at all. We sat outside for a long time because the wait inside was just ridiculous. When we finally got inside, we were greeted by an over-the-top ugly mural and stereotypical Mexican beachy decor. The place was absolutely packed. I don't recall exactly what I ordered, but I remember it being better than most Mexican in Katy that I'd had to that point. Nothing outstanding, but it's a nice option that I'd give another shot if, say, I was in town and wanted to eat chips and salsa at 3:30 in the afternoon. read more

My BF has been raving about this place since I met him and finally he took me there and I got to try it. It was a fun experience. The guacamole was really good. We had like 5 dips lol. I had a margarita and it was probably one of the best ones I've ever had. Pretty strong. For my entrée, we split a combo plate that came with a tostada, a cheese enchilada and some type of fajita meat burrito thing. All of it was very good. I'm usually not a fan of Tex-Mex but I actually really enjoyed everything. I recommend this place and it's worth checking out. read more

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I used to really like this place in it's old location. I have been to the new location twice and will not return. Service was abysmal, rude and barely existent. Our food took quite awhile to arrive as well. Quality of food was lacking. It's Mexican and is supposed to have flavor! El Jarrito had none. read more

You can put this place up against any local mexican place - lupe, chuys, cucos...Best Margaritas and Enchiladas in town! Enchiladas are huge! My favorite are the Chicken Enchilada Verdes. Most of the chicken enchiladas had chicken fajita inside, which is a plus. Get the top shelf margs on happy hour! Only 5.95, very very stout, and not sour. Also, sit outside on patio if weather permits as patio atmosphere is much better than inside and one of better patios in Katy. Fajitas are pretty good to. My go to for mexican food, just wish there was one farther west! read more

El Jarrito - Enchilada Verdes, huge! - Mexican Near Me - Katy, Texas

If you like loud obnoxious people yelling and laughing over each other while you wait 20 minutes for your check, strawberry margaritas with no flavor besides tequila, and very small portions for a fajita that is very overpriced, this restaurant is for you. read more

One day, my friend and I were driving all around Katy looking for Mexican food. We decieded we wanted to try something new but every place we kept driving past didn't look that great. Suddenly, after an hour of driving endlessly, we spotted this place. It was tucked in the corner of a strip center and for some reason it caught my eye. So, we conceded to finally try it and give up driving. I remember my first meal: a soft taco dinner. It was amazingly good and the price was totally affordable. My friend had a great dish as well they he loved. Since discovering this place, it has moved locations to a bigger building. It is now very busy but still very good. I don't give it 5 stars because it's possibly too busy. I also think the food was probably more magical the first few times I ate there. Still, it's totally worth a visit and very enjoyable. If I'm in the area, I'm absolutely going to go back to El Jarrito. read more

Excellent food, especially fajitas and scrambled eggs for brunch on weekends. Their enchiladas are also excellent. We have tried many Mexican restaurants in Houston and Katy, but none are even close to comparing to El Jarrito!! The service is also exceptional!! read more

My family visits this place about once a week - they've been going there since it was in El Monterrey's old location, and on the rare occasions I'm in town, I love to tag along with them because I just love the chips and salsa. The best thing about this place is the chips and salsa and the frozen margaritas. They're my favorite, bar none. Hot, watery, full of onions and cilantro, with thin, crispy chips - this is the best part. The frozen margaritas are strong, cheap, and not too sweet. That said, there are a lot of things about this place that are not so hot. Notice how I said the frozen margaritas are awesome? Well, the margaritas on the rocks are not, and that's kind of a big deal if you're more discerning about your tequila. Also, if you measure a place by its beef fajitas, this place definitely fails. They're greasy and fake-smoke flavored and I would not recommend them. These are two big things for me and they definitely take it down a star. What you should order: Chimichangas, Seafood Soup, Enchiladas Verdes, Mushroom Tacos, Chicken Mole (good but not great) What you should not order: fajitas, tacos al carbon, margaritas on the rocks, house-made guac (it's good but it's expensive). Honestly, I think it's the chips and salsa and frozen margaritas that keep this place in business, because they fail on a number of points that are required in my book to be good tex-mex. Service is always good and the place is gaudy enough to make me think I must be there to buy a piñata, but it's never too loud and the live music they occasionally have on the patio is listenable, which is more than I can say for some places. read more

For starters, I didn't pick this place. I wanted to check out Las Tarascas, you know, something a little more authentic. I was trumped by a suggestion of a local. Gotta express my disappointment. Shortly after we were seated the other 2 people in my party went to wash their hands & I asked the waitress to bring 3 waters for starters. She asked if we wanted anything else to drink, I declined till they returned. She proceeded to ask if we wanted any appetizers. I declined again, at least till they could decide as well. A young guy brought us chips & salsa with a side of charro beans. I love that they have beans I was dismayed however by the cooked salsa. I've never had warm salsa so it could be my personal taste, to each his own. To me it tasted like vegetable soup. I def prefer my salsa cold or room temp. That can be overlooked. Do your own thing. I was neglected the opportunity to sample said salsa for nearly 30 minutes because even after requesting additional chips & salsa 3 times, due to there being 3 of us sharing, I was trying to be considerate not to reach across the table to munch on the appetizer. We were seated at such a small table it was difficult to manuevure with 3 glasses of water, a water pitcher, a glass of sweet tea, a glass of Coke, 2 baskets of chips, salsa & beans. Along with 3 small plates, a cup of napkins, ketchup, hot sauce, salt & pepper. Needless to say they weren't very efficient at clearing the tables. When my bf ordered, the waitress seemed hesitant & discouraging about what he wanted. Finally she told him it could take nearly 30 minutes to prepare. Well, that's not terrible for good, freshly prepared food. Should be worth the wait, right? We'll come back to that. The other gentleman with us asked our waitress what the daily special was... She had no idea & walked away without so much as an, excuse me while I double check. She returned still presumably unsure about the answer. He had some trouble understanding her with the 4 specials they were offering, so he ordered chicken fajitas. In turn, she misunderstood him & thought he asked for poblano nachos. ??? After taking 10 minutes to order & 2 baskets of chips & salsa, our food arrived. I was impressed with the size of my bf's entree of "brochetas". Bacon wrapped jalapeño & chicken. The platter was full of mixed veggies. Quite the dish! The only thing was that the veggies weren't flavored, nor cooked thoroughly. I ordered a chicken chimichanga expecting it to be the typical delicious fried burrito I tend to get bc it's hard to mess that up, but again this place was lacking in the flavor department. The other gentleman ordered fajitas which again are normally hard to mess up, & he seemed to enjoy them but I noticed they weren't sizzling like fajitas are so famously known for. $40 for the 2 of us isn't terrible, but the quality just wasn't there. All in all it wasn't horrible, but I wouldn't recommend it with so many other options available. read more

El Jarrito - Chimichanga - Mexican Near Me - Katy, Texas

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Good: Play area for kids - covered so it is available even when raining or very sunny. Bad: Salsa isn't very good Meat was under seasoned - left much to be desired Mushroom skillet was also under seasoned...had to cover it with the not-so-great salsa Bottom line: come for the kids to play and really no other reason. the food isn't worth the prices here. read more

BAD BREAKFAST EXPERIENCE Sunday @ 8:15 No air conditioning, no red salsa, waitstaff setting up tables . El Jarrito advertises breakfast at 8 am to 11 am. Waitstaff seemed surprised to have a customer. Kitchen took 45 minutes to prepare food, waiter said "because it is fresh" Eggs??? Guess they had to fetch them.. food overpriced Advice for manager, pay your staff to come in 20 minutes earlier to make sure you are ready or do not advertise breakfast at 8. Not returning for dinner, lunch or breakfast from this experience read more

Love their "Gil's Margaritas" & fajitas. Staff is great. We've never been disappointed & have taken many guests there.

This place is a hidden gem. The prices are reasonable and happy hour is great. The service is great as well as the food. Lots of seating inside and outside with a playground. read more

Great staff and friendly! Never had any complaints on the food. You must get the table side Guac! It is the best in town and actually has some spice. The margaritas are delicious and not weak at all so sip them slow! read more

So I just ate at this place for the first time, and sadly I think it will be the last. We were sat in the booths inside and the decor was ok. We were provided the menu and then we didn't see anyone for 10-15 minutes. Which is kind of humorous since we were sitting right next to where the waitstaff come to pick up their bar drinks next to the kitchen. None the less, we felt like we had been forgotten about and didn't get service until the guacamole cart pulled up and tried to push some guacamole on us. Anyway, we ordered some queso and it was ok. Not the best I've had and not the worst. My wife had the #43, which I believe is a chalupa plate, no rice or beans. I had the #44 which is a taco al carbon, cheese enchilada and a chicken chalupa with rice and beans. So, lets talk about that chicken chalupa first. I think they marinate the chicken in italian dressing. Which is crazy, cuz this is a mexican place, right?? Anyway..that just really threw me off since in almost 40 years of my life, I have never had chicken that tasted like that at a mexican place. Also, the chalupa, instead of the refried beans on the shell had queso in its place. Not as strange as the chicken..but ok. The amount of lettuce on those chalupas was enormous. My wife made the comment that she should have just ordered a salad after picking all the chicken out. Taco al carbon consisted of one giant flour tortilla filled with the beef that was bone dry. I tried picking up the tortilla after cutting it in half, and it promptly fell apart. At this point I just relented and placed some queso on the plate and then moistened the meat with said queso so at least I could chew the meat without having to slug down three corona's to get through it. The cheese enchilada. No flavor at all. Just chewy, I mean, thats the only description I can give. Chewy. The food came fast, a little too fast, which would account for the extremely dry meat which has probably been previously cut and had been sitting. Again thats was our first experience and probably our last. We try to support our local businesses as we live in Katy, but as slow as it was, our food should have been spectacular, unfortunately, it really missed the mark. read more

The chips, dips, margaritas & fajitas were fabulous! Love this place! Could not ask for better service. Making this our new Friday night treat. read more

This is the best mexican restaurant in Katy hands down. It's the only place my family and I will eat beef fajitas. They use quality beef and it is seasoned to perfection. Chips are served with roasted/warmed red sala and charro beans. On the weekends (Friday and Saturday) they also have the green salsa...mmm... Margaritas on the rock are the best. they also have a skinny version if you are looking to watch your calories/carbs. I love their beef fajitas and chicken enchiladas verdes (I ask for extra sauce, I could drink it!). And I hat mexican/spanish rice, but there's is awesome. I don't know what they do differently, but I love it! When the weather is nice, they have a huge patio and a sandbox for the kids to play in. They also have a water faucet to hose them off before getting them into a clean car. read more

Great food and atmosphere. Carmen (the manager) is an excellent person and the staff is amazing.

Went there this week and I was blown away. The chicken enchiladas were tremendous, the salsa terrific. I loved the food. Staff was very friendly, our server was outstanding. Great job read more