Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    El Norte Mexican Grill

    3.6 (288 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Tex-Mex
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Order El Norte Mexican Grill Takeout or Delivery

    El Norte Mexican Grill Photos

    Business Info

    EL NORTE MEXICAN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - El Norte Mexican Grill

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Beef Quesadillas with added chopped fresh jalapeño's
    Troy P.

    The best beef quesadillas in Plano! Loaded with delicious marinated fajita meat cooked perfectly. Loaded with melted cheese and I add fresh chopped jalapenos. The pico, guac and sour cream along with there fresh made salsa take it over the top. We shared an order of Smokehouse Jalapeño's and my wife ordered the enchiladas. Great service in a fun, relaxing atmosphere.

    Happy hour sign
    JT T.

    I wanted to check out a random new tex mex spot so I used yelp and found this spot. The environment was that of any typical texmex place. Kinda like a smaller on the border. Service was good. While the waiter seemed new, he was still attentive. I ordered the camarones de juan plate and also the fish taco plate. Also ordered a michelada. The michelada good. The camarrones de juan were super good, would def order again. The fish tacos were a miss, the tortilla crumbled as i tried to fold it. The tacos lacked flavor, def needed some type of salsa or juicer slaw. The reason for the 2 rating is because when we were leaving, we quickly had to use the restroom and we both also threw up while in there. They seem to have a drain/sewage problem and smelled sooo bad that it almost made us throw up. Other than that seems like an ok place, just dont go to the restroom here.

    Enchiladas
    Neha A.

    A fancy restaurant this is not, but the food, particularly the queso, is good. Friends and I split the queso (nom nom - could eat this all day every day) and I ordered the chicken enchiladas as my entree, which were fine. I do think given the number of fantastic Tex-mex spots in the area, there are better places. That said this was still pretty darn good. Ambiance was nothing to write home about, but as I mentioned the food is good.

    Quesadilla, Tx brisket tacos, Enchilada lunch special, unlimited chips/salsa ;)

    Mommy/son lunch date :) El Norte has been a family fave for 15 years! The homemade fresh chips are so light & crispy...and their salsa is delicious. We have tried almost everything on the menu from the famous award winning blanco queso to their delicious margaritas! Chuck used to be one of our fave waiters!

    JohnK W.

    Ate here for a birthday celebration. First time back in about 6 years. Enjoyed the large portions and the food!

    a person dipping a tortilla into a bowl of salsa
    Guy H.

    Tonite was my first ever questionable experience here. I have sought out Tex Mex here for 25 years. Ive noticed a little inconsistency in my last few visits. Last visit was great but I didn't get my usual tex mex order. Tonight I was feeling cheese enchiladas and brisket tamale! So after a movie, I headed to El Norte. Without going into too much detail(this visit doesn't deserve it) I will just say they've hit bottom. Long story short I always know when the food has a tectonic shift,it usually involves new ownership. So after considerable back and forth on two menu items, I had ordered that weren't right in any galaxy in the known Tex Mex universe I bluntly ask, has this business changed hands? The reply was guarded with a twisting hedging body language so, I know. Nothing wrong with a new owner. That is unless they start monkeying with a decades-old success formula. This happens occasionally and sadly for me. Everyone loves to find a dependable go-to for a great favorite meal. The same thing happened recently at one of my favorite Thai places. The problem here came in the form of some questions about the offerings and confusion over what was served me. I then asked for a manager and the Gas Lighting continued. I was perplexed and still am! They just made it way too hard and I dont like to be BSed, especially for no reason. Just spit it out. 20 years ago you couldnt get a seat in this place. The food was exceptional and won national acclaim. Right before my eyes I see all that hard earned good will melting away. Southern Living, D magazine and others raved about this place. Unfortunately, Im not investing my "treasure" on their learning curve so Ill be moving on from this establishment. Its been a good run but, Rest in Peace El Norte. Dont Go!

    Margarita and chips and salsa
    Amanda R.

    Been coming to this place since I was in high school. Their chips and queso never let's me down. It's so tasty. Our waiter was very attentive. I got the tilapia and it wasn't the best(it needed more seasoning), but there was a lot left over! Definitely could have split it with someone. My friend got the chicken Monterrey and she absolutely loved it. My mom got the Cabo style tacos with shrimp and was happy with her meal. It's a great hole in the wall restaurant with cute, random decor that I think they picked up at garage sales. The place has great vibes and I always feel at home there since I grew up in Plano.

    Roasted Chicken Stuffed Poblano

    See all

    Photo of Peter M.
    1131
    184
    480

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel A.
    4
    128
    25

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of JT T.
    6
    126
    324

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J D.
    0
    82
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 67
    Thanks 0
    Love this 41
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Best margaritas!!! Salsa is always sooooo good. Love coming here. Service is almost always just as good as the food.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mel K.
    24
    64
    53

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Brian M.
    12
    94
    33

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kyle M.
    54
    20
    4

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Loved this place! Great service, chimichanga and the happy hour margs are with a lot of flavor options that aren't super sweet.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Leo M.
    55
    235
    468

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T M.
    0
    6
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria D.
    39
    15
    21

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jeff M.
    5
    148
    23

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Keshia D.
    953
    123
    64

    3 years ago

    Pretty good i can't complain Mexican food, Mexican food a lot of times. This one was pretty good. I just ordered tacos, so nothing special.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Flavorless. This restaurant does not belong in Texas. Staff was nice, but that's only good thing I can say.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - El Norte Mexican Grill

    You might also consider

    Mena's Tex-Mex Grill Cantina - Table side guacamole

    Mena's Tex-Mex Grill Cantina

    4.3(576 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    We are regulars here at Mena's, for 15 years Let me just…read moresay we have NEVER had cold food, it's always piping hot. And the margaritas are strong and well priced, we have eaten at other mexican food establishments and they charge $18 for sweet lime-aid. We usually ask for Eric since he's our favorite! Table-side guacamole is a Yum, as anything with brisket. The beef fajitas are the most tender we have ever tasted. If you like spicy salsa, ask for the Verde salsa. Menas you make our tastebuds dance!!!

    This was my second time visiting Mena's Grill, but my first time dining in and sitting at the bar…read more Customer service was excellent -- truly a 5 out of 5. The bartender was attentive, kind, and professional. The atmosphere felt welcoming, and you can tell they have loyal regulars, which always speaks well of a restaurant. The staff overall seemed consistent and friendly. Now for the food. I ordered the queso to start. The flavor was good, but it wasn't hot -- more lukewarm than fresh-out-the-kitchen warm. For my entrée, I had the skirt steak with beans, pico de gallo, enchilada, and rice. The flavors were solid, but again, the plate came out lukewarm. For a Tex-Mex spot, temperature really matters. I don't need it piping hot, but I do expect my food to feel freshly made and properly heated when it arrives. That was my only disappointment. I've ordered carryout before without issue, and because the service and vibe are strong, I will definitely be back to give it another try. I just hope next time the food comes out hot and fresh. Overall: great service, good flavors, strong local energy -- just room for improvement on food temperature.

    Photos
    Mena's Tex-Mex Grill Cantina - Bar/Seating area

    Bar/Seating area

    Mena's Tex-Mex Grill Cantina - Nachos Locos with Chicken

    Nachos Locos with Chicken

    Mena's Tex-Mex Grill Cantina

    See all

    El Norte Mexican Grill - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...