This place lived up to the reviews. We came in for lunch and ordered our fill of tacos, tamales, and horchata. While the parents were a little put off by the somewhat divey style (it's a little place attached to an equally small market), we were invited to sit down in a warm, sunlit booth, and they immediately loosened up. First, the service was friendly and prompt. Second, the chips and salsa (served in squeeze bottles) were crunchy and warm; the two salsas were fabulous. Some of the group thought that the verde was too spicy, but I thought it was just right. The horchata was sweet and delicious, and we were offered a refill, to my delighted surprise. We ordered three of the taco platters--3 tacos each with rice and beans--and two of the tamales platters--3 tamales each also with rice and beans. We tried the steak, chorizo, and carnitas. These came quickly and they did not disappoint. The only negative thing I could say is that the carnitas, likely due to being prepared in large quantities for the daily special, was a little dry. I suggest getting it topped with the cheese. The chorizo was my favorite, topped with cilantro and onion. It wasn't excessively greasy, but was still moist and incredibly flavorful. The tamales were topped with gooey cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes. I don't want to overlook the rice and refried beans. I usually don't touch these ubiquitous items, but here it was hard to resist. The beans were creamy and topped with mini-morsels of queso fresco. And the rice was well seasoned. Everyone was blown away with their meal. For entirely too much food (we ordered five entrees for four petite people, and we took a full meal home in leftovers) and two horchatas, we got out of their for $25 plus tip. So this was most assuredly worth the price. In a nutshell: fantastic food, underpriced, with friendly service. read more

El Mexicano is such a fun place to visit! I want to return and purchase about a dozen items from their grocery store which carries a variety of fresh cheeses and a hot case full of food I'd like to try, along with a gamut of other Latin American products throughout. We ate lunch at El Mexicano recently and while I enjoyed my huarache, I had serious food envy over my companion's carnitas. They looked and tasted very good and, as I later learned, are a restaurant specialty. I'll definitely come back to El Mexicano! Not only to check items off my shopping list, but for another cheap and tasty lunch (and carnitas). read more

El Mexicano - Mexican Near Me - Moline, Illinois

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Sesos Tacos = Amazing Giant burrito for $6.50 = Amazing Food served on paper plates = Amazing Drinks served out of red solo cups = Amazing Best carnitas in the QC. Best Mexican food in the QC. End of story. read more

El Mexicano - the entrance to the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Moline, Illinois

What a gem in the quad cities! I used to drive to Chicago for real Mexican food but I see I no longer have to do that. In my prior life I probably was of Hispanic heritage. I'm a big foodie and food pretty much gets me excited when I find something that is great. This "hole in the wall" local place and like no other. It's attached to a grocery store. I got 5 tacos: ground beef, steak, chorizo. Steak was the best. 3 tacos could have sufficed but I like to go big! $1 tacos on Fridays!!Cheap and outstanding. They have specials everyday. I uploaded pictures to yelp. All other Mexican places in the Qc should be ashamed and take notes. Update. Pastor and carnitas best in the world read more

El Mexicano - Specials - Mexican Near Me - Moline, Illinois

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Just went by to grab some take out and the restaurant part is gone - just a grocery store now.

An Hispanic person in the area told me that El Mexicano was his favorite Mexican restaurant because it reminded him of his mother's home cooking. That was all I needed to try it out on my quest to find my favorite Mexican food in the Quad Cities. My friend's favorite Mexican food is carnitas (pork tacos), so she tries them at every Mexican restaurant we visit (and we've been to many in the Quad Cities). These were her favorite. The waitress gave her the option of getting the meat just by itself or also having it mixed with pork fat--the traditional way. I ordered the largas dinner, which included two largas, beans and rice. Largas are essentially large tostadas but instead of fried tortillas they feature unfried thick homemade flour tortillas, refried beans, meat (optional), lettuce and Mexican cheese. I chose steak (asada) and seasoned pork (al pastor) for my meat toppings. I favored the pork, but both were delicious. Our meals were just $6 each, portion sizes were generous, and each order comes with a free cup of noodle soup. The food arrived quickly, too. El Mexicano offers a very relaxed atmosphere and features a big screen television where you can watch Spanish-language TV while you eat. The best, most authentic and least expensive Mexican restaurant in the Quad Cities. Salud! read more

A restaurant inside of a grocery store. This is the magic spot that you have been looking for! Quick and efficient service, paper plates, and red solo cups! The food is delicious and economically priced. They are known for their carnitas but my favorite are the tacos especiales! Plenty of meal options for under $5. This is my go to Mexican Restaurant in the Quad Cities. read more

So since they no longer have the restaurant, they just don't care....like today the ONLY reason I knew the "restaurant" was not open is because I called. If I had not called like last time....I would have wasted my time, energy, and gas driving there....they should consider closing out the "restaurant" all together because with the service it comes with.....it is not worth it. read more

Best place ever. End of story. It's inexpensive and fast and I've never had a bad meal. Chips are awesome. Salsa is great.

What an amazing taco joint! Friday is $1 taco day and they have a great selection. Restaurant is very authentic. Attached to a Mexican grocery store. The restaurant itself is it pretentious or fancy. Service was nice and people were friendly. read more

The food was AMAZING! Three ground beef tacos with sour cream was so delicious and flavorful. My dad had the the barbacoa shredded pork tacos and he enjoyed them. The green sauce that comes with the chips is so good! read more

I tried this restaurant a couple weeks ago. I have back several times since and have brought guests with me. I have been very happy with the food. You get a basket of chips but not a bowl for salsa. You have to squirt salsa on your chip from bottles. Don' mind this. Paper plates, plastic cup and a plastic fork. Don't mind this either. This helps keep the prices down. It is small and can get very busy which makes it harder for them to keep up with tables and service. If my rating was for the food alone I would give it 5 stars. I will be going again. This may become my favorite Mexican restaurant. I hope so! read more

el mexicano is great, and is as cheap as you can possibly run a restaurant. the dinners here are almost all $6 or less, which includes chips, salsa, beans & rice, & tortillas. unbelievable. I usually get the mole con carnitas which is really incredible & biggg. i dont think any other restaurant around here has mole with carnitas, only chicken. the mole makes the carnitas moist & saucy & terrific. I've also gotten the lomo, costillas (ribs) in red or i think green sauce also, & others, & everything here is great & extremely inexpensive. there are 3 salsas - red, green, & a red/orange pepper version - that is the best & it is pretty spicy. you can also get a plate of guacamole for $1.50, & you can get breakfast any time of day also. Go support this restaurant!! read more

Several of my work colleagues went there for lunch and 3 of us had the 3 tacos for $4.75 - very flavorful Chorizo and Barbacoa. Also, plenty of choices of filling. One colleague had a vegetable burrito - it was giant just like it says on the menu and very tasty with fresh vegetables. Our last colleague had the 3 enchilada dinner for $6.75. Also very good according to him. Staff was very friendly and eating area was clean. Definitely will be on our ist going forward. read more

I really dont want to get into what I like about this place. I dont have enough time to do so. Best damn authentic mexican food in the area and a grocery store that has it all... read more

This place is great. Great tacos asada and carnitas unreal. Really cheap really good. Will be back for sure. Red solo cup just adds to it. read more

Two co-workers and I went there for lunch today. Food was really good, however, there seemed to be an ant infestation along their food prep counter and all three of us were sick in the bathroom within an hour. read more

You know you've found authentic Mexican when you can get brain tacos, enough said. I'm addicted to carne asada burritos, so that's what I always have, and theirs are very good. The prices are very reasonable. read more

My husband and I love this place! We go about once every week or two. A year or so ago they moved the restaurant portion into the smaller side of the building so they could expand their store and butcher shop and have scaled back the restaurant hours to closing at 6pm most days. A previous reviewer mentioned that the meals come with soup, but this stopped when they remodeled and switched to using paper plates and cups. Either way, this place still has great food and it is so inexpensive. And it does have the best carnitas in the Quad Cities! read more

Totally overrated. The burrito is mostly filler - rice and iceberg lettuce. The chile rellenos are quite good, the salsa and guac are strictly average. Also, because they use styrofoam, my food melted the sides a bit. And I could taste some plastic in the tortillas which were otherwise very good. read more

The food is really good. Top 3 Mexican spots in the Shire. Reminds me of the taqueria inside Chedraui in downtown Cancun. When you're done, pick up some chicharones from the butcher next door to take home. read more

We have never had anything from here that we didn't like!! Absolutely fantastic food at equally great prices!! Make sure you stop in the grocery store to pick up some Mexican sweet bread and Tajin seasoning, like I always do!! read more

Omg.... awesome Mexican food!!! My husband took me their for lunch and it was crowded. The shredded pork was excellent.

Best Mexican food in the quad cities hands down. Great lunch specials under 5$. Extremely friendly waitresses and great affordable food. Regular lunch option is a must. read more

Really upset that other white people finally discovered this and it is on Yelp! Since the secret is out, I have to give it five stars for amazing, authentic Mexican food and awesome horchata. read more

Best Mexican food in the QC!! Always the best experience, everyone is so nice and the food is AMAZING! Unbelievable! I recommend every chance I get to all my family and friends! read more

My husband loves Mexican food, I could take it either way. Finally, I went to El Mexicano and I love it!! It"s no place really special or fancy, a mom and pop kind of place. The food in flavorful and home made! Love it! read more

Easily the best Mexican food I have ever had. Even better than the food I had when I was in Mexico! The prices are insanely good as well. It is hands down the best Mexican restaurant in the Quad cities. read more

Small place. Great food. The Mexican sweet bread is fantastic. Also fantastic prices.

I had a hard time finding good Carnitas this far away from DA-CHI. After speaking to relatives in Iowa, they recommended this place even though it was a drive. Let me tell uuuuuu!!!! These Carnitas are the BOMB!!!!!! If you want traditional pulled pork, Mexican style, this is the place. Luuuuuuvvvvv IIIIIITTTTT!!!! :) read more

This is the best quality Mexican food I've ever ate in my life proportions are great flavor is the best and staff r very nice!my suggestion for anyone that loves Mexican food eat here immediately! Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more