Been a NOLA staple since 1951, or thereabouts. This is family food. It doesn't hue to any contemporary Mexican cuisine (as defined by gringos who know all about "authenticity ") expectations. El Matador's cooking is unique, identifiable at first bite, and delicious. All items can be made veggie, beef, chicken, or pork. I especially enjoy their pork dishes. They have a pretty fiery salsa and a terrific sweet sauce. Their Mama Marie's Cheese dip is awesome and classic El Matador, nothing quite like it. Mexican and domestic beers, good margaritas and Palomas, all served from behind a classic hardwood bar. read more

My mother contracted sepsis after dining at El Matador Cafe. She had to take an ambulance and go to the emergency room, and is now being hospitalized in intensive care for several days. It was determined that the cause of the infection was from dining here, not from the food, but either from cross contamination or poor cleanliness. This ordeal has caused our family a great deal of stress and uncertainty. No meal should ever put someone's life at risk. I strongly hope this establishment will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of their customers. read more

"The tougher the neighborhood the better the tacos!" - don't let the appearance scare you away... this little place is just as if it was picked up and dropped here right out of Mexico. The staff is friendly and the tacos are delicious! read more

This is by and far my favorite restaurant in the world. The El Matador has hosted every large family gathering since I can remember. My last meal on earth would be the Little Joe sub tostadas for corn bean burritos, with copious amounts of house made salsa. read more

Nice little neighborhood restaurant. No one else was there (snow was predicted and it was a Thursday night), still service wasn't great. Nice selection of Mexican and other beers. I had a pork burrito because they were out of chicken enchiladas. It was pretty good. My waitress was super friendly and helpful. Then again, I had no competition. I wouldn't drive across town to eat here, but am thrilled to find a place I can walk to that's good enough. I'll be back, probably some night when the Kaw ValleyPublic House next door has some live music. read more

Went for the first time tonight. Had a great meal and service was wonderful. John, our bartender and owner did a great job. Will definitely be back. read more

I paid 44 dollars for melted cheese covered in microwaved hot sauce, a margarita that was really just ice and salt, and a greasy tortillas beans and cheese in them. I am no chef and I believe in my heart of hearts 2:00 am drunk me can make any item on the menu better. It just isn't good, and I really wanted it to be. Bottled Miller Light was the shining star of the meal, if that gives you any ideas of what's going on here. read more

This place was beyond disappointing. It seems like they're under new management and perhaps they're trying to get their act together. The server we had, while very nice, was new and learning the ropes. No problem, I get being new to the job. But she wasn't able to take a drink order (because she was too young) and had to get someone else. Once the drinks we ordered, we placed our food order and probably waited 25-30 minutes for the guacamole to come out. Once it did, it was brown and warm and didn't taste very good. Thirty seconds later, the main course arrived. The appearance of the food was pretty sad... Taco Bell looks better. To be candid, Taco Bell tastes better, too. It was pretty lousy food. So the service was subpar (but forgivable and understandable), but the food was just miserable. Never going back. read more

Bottom shelf quality ingredients, no sign of tequila in our $7 margaritas, and the smallest bowl of complimentary chips imaginable. Service was great, but the product is a literal joke. Hardest $35 to... read more

I quickly skimmed over what the other reviewer said about this restaurant. I see that she/he mentioned an all-you-can-eat buffet. Well I just went to El Matador (Lawrence, KS) just last week. This was my first visit there and was in the middle of the week. There was no buffet at that time. I will say that had there been a buffet, that might have made it a little better. First off, I'll start with the positives: It is located in North Lawrence, which I like. It gives it a more "neighborhoody" feel, so to speak. And the restaurant itself looks very homey. Very "ma and pa" looking. I liked the feel of the place. It was clean but old and kind of retro looking. The waitress was a personal friend of one of the people I was dining with. She was very friendly, very nice. I suspect she would've been that friendly had her friend not been dining, she seemed very nice. Okay, now to the not-so-positives: Of all the Mexican restuarants I have ever been to, El Matador had THE SKIMPIEST portions I've ever seen! My friend had told me that their combo platter wasn't big (the description makes it sounds huge, and if any other Mex restaurant offered the same meal, it would've been enormous). I mean the tacos and quesadillas looked toddler size. I do enjoy food but I don't have to have big huge portions to be satisfied if the food itself is good enough. This food was neither delicious nor was it plentiful. Mind you, there was nothing wrong with the food. The temp was good, the flavor was okay (JUST okay), and it smelled good. My main qualms is that the flavor was so-so and the portions were tiny. That's why i said that a buffet might (MIGHT) be worth the money (depending on how much they're charging) because it would take alot of this food to fill up. The tacos and quessadillas were the equivalent to what a slider is size-wise to a normal, standard hamburger. Another thing about the food, if you like enchiladas, this ain't the place for you. I adore enchiladas-- they are one of my most favorite foods-- so i ordered 2 cheese enchiladas. They weren't as miniscule as the other food on my plate but they had NO SAUCE WHATSOEVER, not on the inside or out. it's like they just took a couple of tortillas, put cheese w/ maybe a tiny amount of spices in the middle, and baked them for a few minutes. I prefer enchiladas that are gooey and cheesy and saucy. These were none of the above. Even the cheese was bland tasting. BIG TIME FAIL on the enchiladas. Okay, so this was the first time I'd ever been in this joint. And it'll be the last. The place was clean, the staff was friendly, the aesthetics were quaint, but none of that is worth going again. And I forgot to mention that the PRICES were not TINY like the food portions. I'd give this place a D. read more

Claiming to be Lawrence's oldest restaurant (and still operated by descendants of the original owner), this is a place that makes its money by being a familiar place to its loyal patrons. Sadly, although the folks are friendly and this quirky restaurant has a relaxed and casual vibe, it is not a place to enjoy delicious Mexican food. Or any delicious food. First of all, its the least Mexican-feeling Mexican restaurant ever. More importantly, the food is less than compelling on all counts. Nothing disgusting here, just no reason to ever really want to eat any of it (honorable mention to the beans - they tasted fresh and were above-average, but this was very much the exception). I ordered a special dish recommended by our server - not tasty and way too expensive. Did my young children enjoy themselves? Yes - bottles of corn syrup-filled Minute Maid lemonade makes everything good and they had no problem with the tastelessly bland rice. Will I ever voluntarily return? No. No I won't. There are loads of adequate Mexican places in Lawrence. As special as this place is, it isn't one of them. read more

Overly greasy food, not well-cooked beans, and pretty bad frozen margarita; it was just ice and salt. The menu says you'll get 5 burritos, 6 quesadillas, 4 tacos for only 8 dollars. That's not a lie, but the size of each of the items is so small and low quality that is not worth it at all! read more

We live just down the street. The 1st Saturday of the month they have an all you can eat buffet! Homestyle enchiladas, soncho's, pork & peppers, and sometimes they mix it up with chicken mole or video (Mexican spaghetti). As well as your standard rice, beans, pico etc.. Truely authentic Mexican. read more

Authentic Mexican cuisine tucked away in north Lawrence. Be prepared to wait during peak hours, but we'll worth it in charm and savory excellence. Your palate will thank you. read more

I've eaten mexican food all over the US and this is an excellent family operated example of a midwestern variety. The negative reviewers must be expecting texmex, and this ain't it. read more

I was disappointed. After reading the menu over at Frank's, I was delighted to find it open. I had a great longing for that special Avocado Quesadilla, to the point that I was willing to suffer my wheat sensitivity. Foolish I know. I ordered the plate with it, plus an enchilada and rice. Sadly, the waitress returned to tell me that they just got in the shipment of avos and they were too hard so no go. She offered me to have something else, so I chose to have refried beans with the cream cheese, and still charged me full price for subbing ref beans for avocado. Meh. I just wasn't impressed with the chili queso (it's cheddar cheese) nor the enchilada, which I agree with another reviewer, was smallish. I'll go back to try a tamale sometime, and maybe it will change my mind. Bearing in mind, however, that I'm less of a Sonoran/Southwest and more of an Oaxacan, Veracruz or Baja Mexican food fan, I tend to not agree with what's "authentic".. there are many varieties of Mexican food to say what's what. read more

Cozy and friendly service. Food is wonderful! Authentic - no "Tex-Mex" here! Love the homestyles, botanas, pork burritos, and chili con queso! Plus, the margaritas are made from fresh ingredients - no premix. read more

THE BEST AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD IN LAWRENCE. My family has been coming here for over 20 years and over the years every bite has been out of this world. A family owned business that has been handed down generation to generation. Truly authentic and truly tasty! A must try! read more

Very, very tasty! Family owned and operated with home cooked food and very tasty hot sauce. A little on the expensive side but the staff are very nice and the food is delicious. Every first Saturday of the month they have a buffet, it is expensive, but it's worth it. read more

Our family has been going here since it pretty much opened close to 60 years ago or better. Outstanding food. Dont let the looks fool you. Try their homestyles they are really good. The chips are always hot and they offer hot, sweet and even a cheese dip. They offer a buffet night the 1st weekend of the month. For me I believe Its Lawrence's best kept secret! read more