My husband has been talking up this place for years, but I had never been. We finally had the opportunity to come together and it did not disappoint! It's a Latin-fusion tapas restaurant and they have happy hour every day from 4pm-6pm! We came early on a Saturday and it was pretty empty but by the time we left the tables and parking lot were full!! The food was so yummy and our server was incredible! They have a system where you put a sign up if you need something, but we never ended up using it because she was so attentive! The ambiance is eclectic and perfect for this place. Also, the restaurant feels like it goes on forever! It's a very cool space. Would definitely go again - it's an experience worth repeating! read more

El Meson - Yuca fríes and elote appetizers!! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

The food was absolutely amazing. The service was top-notch. The ambience was stunning and had a cozy eclectic vibe. I would highly recommend this establishment to family and friends. read more

Loved hitting them up tonight...it's been too long! The restaurant has been around and owned by the same family for 45 years...they must be doing something right . The family was out and about amongst the tables. You can definitely see the passion they have for their restaurant. The place is huge inside. You can eat inside, outside, or on the covered, closed in patio. It has a neat Latin flair inside and outside. We were well taken care of all night. Our waitress, Alexa, was busy but was friendly and helpful. We also had lots of great servers in and out bringing food. The food was delicious. I always get the Arroz Ya ya, which is a yummy rice dish. Loved the signature cocktail, the Bad Bunny. So good! There's a lot to choose from on their menu. Definitely a place to visit if you're in the area. read more

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We came for a family birthday. I love the decor and the wait staff is really nice and helpful when you have questions about the menu. We got the birria quesadilla and it was ok. The consommé wasn't what I was expecting. I feel like this place used to be better but it's my friends favorite place. I would come back for apps and drinks next time. read more

El Meson - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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We hadn't visited in some time. In fact not since we moved out of the area. We had a party of four and ordered ta-pas for all. The food was delicious and was brought to the table in a very timly manner by very friendly staff. The ambiance has a Spanish vibe. The place is big with many rooms to accommodatie many. We ordered two jugs of Sangria, Red and Peach. Both were good. Everything is plated seperately making the small tables full of food and drink for four hard to navigatie. While we got a lot of food and two jugs of sangria the $300+ Bill before tip seemed high. Again, the food was delicious. It would have been more enjoyable if not so cramped. read more

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I was completely underwhelmed with the food at El Mason. Service was terrible. Margaritas were average. Food was expensive for the quality. I won't be going back. read more

Flavors are excellent!! The service is so sensible with a table flag, the noise is not too loud, the scenery in the patio is gorgeous even in the dead of winter. Second to none in Ohio!! read more

Bravo breakfast is served cold no matter how much you request to be hot. It is sad, I like el meson but cold breakfast is not for me. read more

We had a lot of fun at El Meson's Day of the Dead wine dinner! The sold out event was held in a private room and we were all seated at community tables of about ten people. Before each course, the owner of the restaurant spoke about the food course and the wine representative gave an overview of the wine that was paired with it. The whole meal was great! I had read on the menu that they sent out that the soup course was a pumpkin and beef soup, which sounded odd but was actually quite good! Dessert was a combo of chocolate cake and flan...I'm not a huge fan of flan but this was delicious! Special shout out to the staff! We are always impressed with how professional the waitstaff is here. Even the teenage workers are very friendly and efficient. Kudos to them and to whoever trains the staff...other restaurants could learn a few things from you! read more

El Meson - Pumpkin and Beef Soup - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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A Dayton landmark, one of a kind, family owned and amazing. El Meson has it all, good food (Latin, not Mexican), character, family, service and history. From the different all 4 season patios (with bars) to the bar/dining room inside to the multiple other dining areas and private party rooms and a market with items to buy, el Meson feels like you stepped into something special. We were seated quickly (we did not have a reservation, but recommend it if you are going during the busy hours) and found a beautiful setting for us. The menu was full of all kind of good things, the shareable sounded incredible from calamari, empanadas, cheese puffs, fundido, sweet rum shrimp and many other goodies. Sweet corn, meson salad, chicken tortilla soup, buffalo cauliflower, serious this place has a very special and unique menu, remember this isn't a Mexican restaurant. From amazing beef like chimichurri steak to what I choose carne asada, fajitas, coconut crusted fish and they have paella too (I've gotta try that next time). The carne asada was good size, I'd say 12oz and was cooked (no fat on it at all) it came with chumichurri (Argentine pesto) and each bite was tender and had a great flavor. I did try the empanadas on the veggie plate and it was so good too and I don't like veggies. We had a nice visit by the owner and you can tell the care very much, all in all it's worth more than one visit. El Meson won't disappoint and I can't wait to go back and try their paella. read more

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El Meson is popular for its South American cuisine. Wednesday are now feature a buffet style dinner for $19.99.

Went on a Wednesday evening around 7. It was busy but not packed. We were seated in the solarium, which is the only place I'll sit because it's beautiful! They have lots of real greenery, a fountain and the atmosphere just makes you feel like you're somewhere else. We ordered all tapas, listed in order of best to worst: empanadas (chicken & beef can't go wrong), rum shrimp, fried corn balls and calamari. I wouldn't get the corn balls or calamari again as the balls were bland and oily and the calamari was tough as rubber. The server was great, food came out fast and they accommodated all of our gluten free needs. We will be back to order more tapas!! read more

Not the same. Food quality has diminished, and menu offerings are a fraction of what they used to be. Timing of food delivery to table also needs work. I can't help but think they've changed ownership. read more

This is one of those places where you are a little confused by the menu but everything just works. This food is so tasty. They have a great system for flagging the wait staff so you don't aren't being interrupted frequently. It's a festive atmosphere and good for groups or birthdays because it has multiple dining spaces. read more

The food was disgusting. I had the Arroz Ya Ya which was described as a stir fry with chicken, shrimp, and pork, and also a favorite of the owner. The food was lukewarm, dry, tasteless, and had a taste of spoiled meat. I think they used that dish to get rid of thier expired meat. The service and ambience was good, but nothing could make up for the disgusting food. I originally thought this was a Mexican restaurant, but it's really Spanish, which is synonymous with bland and tasteless. I also thought that the prices were excessive for the portions served. My recommendation is to avoid this place. read more

We had a wonderful dinner tonight attending a special event Day of the Dead meal. Five wines and five small plates were anything but small. The food was exceptional with a little history of the Day of Dead and very tasty Chilean wines. Overall a great evening with a little background of the holiday and some fun new wines to take home. The service was top notch and the staff did an excellent job getting out the food and wines in a gracious and speedy manner. The food was excellent and beautifully plated, overall an evening to remember read more

El Meson - Tamale was light and flavorful and the guacamole was really interestingly spiced with a little "passion" - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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You honestly can't find better food in Dayton. It's kind of hidden in West Carrollton behind the liquor store. Highly suggest this place is awesome. The appetizers are unreal and if you get the lamb shanks, oh my goodness. read more

Always excellent! El Meson is a dining experience best knows for their tapas. Don't be fooled by the small plates - they're big on flavor! Make sure to sit on the patio. read more

El Meson - a plate of food and a glass of water - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

Meet a friend here for drinks and dinner. It is a lovely place and so nice to dine out with friends again. Went with the intention to go with a margarita and the server told me about the flight of margaritas. Dont regret trying it but wouldnt do it again. The empanadas werent cooked enough so they weren't at all crispy and not as good as typical. But the company with friends made up for it. They were busy and just a bit off their game. read more

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Very much enjoyed the restaurant week offerings. Service always great and Owner even checked in on us during our meal. Love this place! read more

El Meson - Enjoying Wonderful Dinner with my Queen Bee! - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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Recently moved to the area and saw that this place is close to home. I'm glad I gave it a try! Personnel were friendly and attentive, and the food came out hot and delicious. I saw reviews that said it's a bit pricey, and it is, but I don't mind paying for quality. I will most definitely be back to try something else! read more

The Spanish flan was more like Mexican flan. It wasn't creamy and there were a lot of bubbles. Creme caramel usually is creamy and smooth. Other than that, the food and service was spot on. read more

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We had a fantastic dinner and a fabulous time. PROS: - The service was attentive. - Making reservations online exceeded my expectations. They even emailed a confirmation. - The drinks were amazing. I highly recommend the mojitos and margaritas. For a large group the pitcher option is perfect. - the restaurant is surprisingly large - they can accommodate a large group - even on short notice - Dessert was delicious. I recommend the Dulce de leche con Moras. So why the medium score? The food just didn't hit the mark. CONS: - For "Spanish" tapas, there were very few traditional Spanish tapas. The gambas (shrimp) and a select few other dishes are actually Spanish. - I was thrilled to see some Colombian items (personal favorite) but they weren't very good. The empanadas has a perfectly crispy outside but the masa inside had a mushy/undercooked consistency. (La Colombiana is a better choice) - The flavors were bland even with the sauce. I got to taste the paella. It was also pretty bland as were the chips. Honestly, everything either was too salty or not salty enough. It just wasn't balanced. - I did not particularly like the Pork belly tacos. The salsa on top was too sweet and the pork was a really unappetizing color and consistency. I was expecting a crispy fried pork belly. It is almost like a stewed pork chop consistency. read more

This is a nice place in West Carrollton. The prices are a bit high but the quality and the service kept up with it. We tried the beef empanada and the crunch and the flavor on the empanada was amazing. I would get it again. We also got the coconut shrimp which was good. I got the Bierria tacos tacos, they were good but there was no soup accompanied by it. Their margarita was good. We also tried the deserts, flan was a disappointment I would not get it. But the crepes Argentinas was very good and the ice cream had an awesome flavor. read more

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The tapas are amazing here. We usually eat the cheese puffs, shrimp on top of Tostones, and the shrimp with cheese that comes with tortillas. As of now they have Ecuadorian specials. My party did not try the specials when we were there but the food is not something to sleep on. For the main course I ordered the steak tenderloin. I would get the herb butter sauce that comes on top of the meat and get a side of Chimichurri sauce. It's amazing!!! It comes on a hot plate. The meat comes rare but it will continue to cook if you leave it on there. Excellent steak. I love the ambiance and the decoration. The staff are very kind and knowledgeable about the menu. The food always comes out fast so there's never a long wait. We most definitely will be back. 10/10 highly recommend!!! read more

Fabulous Mother's Day brunch. I'm going again this year. We are bringing a new friend this time.

Had a wonderful meal last eveningeverythi g was very flavorful. Can definitely tell someone put effort into the meals. I had shrimp ceviche that was awesome for an appitiser. Definitely going back. By the way, service was wonderful. Everyone helps. read more

Stopped here for lunch today and we both thought it was most certainly worthy. I love it when I find gems like this one! We started with the coco bites, fish rolled in coconut then fried & served with an orange mustard sauce that was great! Next I had the fish tacos. Two tacos packed with fish and a mango avocado chili sauce. Mild seasoning and just plain delicious. My SO had the Fish of the day - barramundi with olive oil & lime. Served with black beans and real rice. Quoting her here, 'what a lunch!' Service was on point. I ran out of tea, they have a small placard you stand up near the edge of the table - I did that, 30 seconds later I had a full glass of tea again. Super idea! read more

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For 40+ years El Meson has ranked among the Miami Valley's finest restaurants. Unlike some other places, they aren't resting on their laurels. They constantly add new and delicious options. But even their superb food pales in comparison to the world class service provided by a superstar staff. read more

We came here because we are looking for a food truck for our wedding. We recently heard that El Mesons food truck is amazing. Unfortunately, we learned after coming to the restaurant, that the food truck and restaurant are completely separate identities and they do not offer the items on the food truck at the restaurant. Regardless, we decided to stay and give the restaurant a try. We were pretty disappointed. The ambiance and the environment is very nice. It's a neat restaurant with unique rooms and seating. Nice place to bring your family or large party. The service was friendly and fast. The food is where it all really fell short. Two of my kids got the cheese quesadilla and a side of rice, which were very small portions. The rice was very bland and tasteless according to all three of my kids. Hubby got the large chorizo quesadilla. He loves chorizo--it's almost always his top pick with Mexican restaurants; unfortunately he regretted this pick at El Meson. The chorizo is also bland, had no heat to it and though he ordered the large, the portion left him hungry. My oldest child got the Sweet Rum Shrimp. She thought the shrimp was delicious--but again the rice was tasteless. The portion was also just not enough...I had Marcos Fish Tacos...the fish was good. The mango salsa was very delicious. I wish it had cilantro and cabbage instead of lettuce though...this portion of three tacos in the order worked out well for me. Sadly, the rest of my family left the restaurant hungry and our bill just did not justice that. read more

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I had lunch with six friends at El Meson. Our server was gracious and introduced us to the day's specials and suggested her favorites. The ten choices for $10 each lunch special is awesome. We loved the stir fry with 4 different protein choices. I had the soup of the day. Can't say it or spell it, but it was a bbq rib base with cabbage, radishes and chickpeas. Different and delicious. Not only was our server great, but the whole staff worked together to make our experience great. Later the same evening, I realized I had left my credit card in the payment folder. The management went to great lengths to search for my lost card and were very kind. Great service. Great food. Great atmosphere!!! read more

Great service and quality food. The ambiance is very inviting and pleasant. The prices are high, let's not kid ourselves. Is it worth the extra money? Yes, it is worth some of it, but I feel that they exaggerate a bit when it comes to pricing. Other than that, it is a good place to eat. I do miss the days when they made burritos and pizza, but life goes on. At least they have the Cuban sandwich, my absolute fave! read more

This review is specifically for El Meson's Thanksgiving special. I've dined at El Meson in the past but haven't returned for quite some time since my last review in 2014. I have, however, got empanadas from their food truck that I often see in Dayton. We decided to get the Thanksgiving special from them this year. We ordered the chicken, steak, and a couple drinks. Also, each entree came with a set of side dishes! This food was EXCELLENT. And I was shocked that the steak was cooked perfectly - at a medium level, not overcooked at all. I feel like that's especially hard to get right when mass preparing food, so bravo!! The sides were delicious as well (I'm not a big fan of mashed potatoes, but this was unique enough for me to try and enjoy). The food felt like a Thanksgiving, just much better versions... I say this because I also don't like stuffing and I love their version. I'm really pleased we had the opportunity to try this food and I'm definitely coming back for another steak once we decide to start dining out again! read more

El Meson - 2020 El Meson Thanksgiving (Carry-out) - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

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Food was bland, cold, and not what we expected from a longstanding establishment. Will not be back.

We had a wonderful experience when taking my mother there for her first time this past weekend and ordered many items to share. We ordered the empanadilla pladder (salmon was a favorite), manchego puffs, fish cuban sandwich, pork belly tacos and seafood paella for two. The food was outstanding and we all enjoyed our meals! The paella was beautifully presented in a dish that stayed hot for the length of our meal. The server could have shown a little more enthusiasm at such a unique restaurant, although we still enjoyed our time together. We sat outside in the inside patio on a beautiful night. We also enjoyed the Meson margarita, red sangria, dark n' stormy and sauvignon blanc wine. We look forward to returning very soon! read more

El Meson - Seafood Paella - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

the service was terrible, and we all got food poisonin, try la Michoacán supermarket they have the best Latino food in all of Ohio.

Unique fusion menu with tasty food. The restaurant decor is a tad dated and eclectic (like its heyday was during the height of the "themed restaurant" era), but the food was tasty and worth the prices. Service was friendly and attentive. read more

El Meson - Fried Tilapia - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Dayton, Ohio

Are all exceptional hard to beat the flavors of the food. Ambience is wonderful, and the service is exceptional!!

My friends and I chose this restaurant for special birthday dinners. All three of us are celebrating birthdays within just pdays of each other. we ordered three different dinners, but the main ingredient in all three dinners was rice. Lots of it. There was more rice than anything else. So much rice that you couldn't taste much of anything else. that was the most expensive rice we ever ate. We won't be going back. read more

How is it we have been dining here regularly for decades & I haven't reviewed this place? Unique atmosphere & menu, friendly & efficient wait staff, effective management, and really great food and drinks are the reasons why this place is on our list of local favorites. When they were open for lunch my husband and I dined here at least once/week. We haven't been there for a long time though. We returned on December 30, desperate for some dating time. Were fortunate to get a reservation very last minute. Arrived quite early & found two seats at the bar to enjoy a couple of nicely made cocktails & really delicious appetizer. Once the table was ready we went to the enclosed patio, which was cozy despite the outside temps. We enjoyed our time together, savoring delicious entrees and desserts, and were reminded of what a great gem we have right here at home. Our recommended favorites are: Tortilla soup...best anywhere. I always have to force myself to try other things because I love this so much. Also the empanadillas, maduros fritos, manchego puffs, arepa de choclo, and the charcuterie. Their specials are usually worth trying. Best drink hands down is the mojito, but their margaritas and other cocktails are always good. Favorite desserts are the marbella and the dulce de leche con moras. We have dined here literally hundreds of times and never had a less than excellent experience. Our kids absolutely love this place and have been coming here with us since they were babies. One of the servers held my youngest daughter when she was about 3 weeks old so I could enjoy a hot meal on my first outing post-partum. It was one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me, and I am still so grateful to her for that wonderful memory. read more