First time to this restaurant. I'm being generous giving two stars. I have been by this place many times and decided to try it. Disappointed. Food was bland with little flavor. The food tasted like it came straight from a can. 3 separate meals and all lacked flavor. The margarita was perhaps the worst margarita I have ever had. It obviously was from a mix and extremely sweet and sugary with very little alcohol. I had high hopes given the previous ratings, but don't think I will be a repeat customer here. read more

We've been looking for our breakfast place in Corolla for years. We may have found it. Under new management/ownership has made a big difference. Henry cares, which can't always be said about the attitudes in a "Resort" town. Our service was great, food was cooked to order, and the restaurant is welcoming (so much cleaner than before). Thanks Henry! We will be back!! read more

Food is awesome. I always get the fajitas with steak chicken and shrimp. Lots of sour cream. A couple of Long Island iced teas and I am in heaven. read more

The meat was good but the taco shells were soggy and the burritos were wet like they put a cup of water on it with sauce.

Food and service was amazing everything tasted amazing over all come try it. Service is fast

On our way home from OBX. 4.5 rating was why we stopped. I would say Fair. Food was bland. Taco shells seemed stale. Husband's order was wrong, and since the one person working English was very minimal, no use in complaining. Place was clean. Even the one bathroom, used by everyone. read more

Really good restaurant that a welcome stop on your way to the Outer Banks. The birria tacos were amazing; maybe the best I've had. My wife had chicken fajitas. They were good but not special when compared to those available around the Washington DC area. Chips were good and ask for the interesting white "salsa". It is unique and tasty! Prices were good too read more

The food was great! I loved the sangria! We had a party of 12 & they were wonderful at taking care of our large party! Very attentive service! We loved it! read more

If you don't order the beef birrios tacos, you don't know what you're missing. Everything is good here, but the birrios were amazing.

Food is good, Margaritas out of the machine are very strong and the Service is great! The staff is very friendly.

Called at 8:30 from the road, and the very nice man said no problem 10 minutes. The food was DELICIOUS. The chips were hot and freshly made, the salsas were fresh, and the tacos were so good. They packaged it up perfectly for the trip to OBX. Regular stop for sure! read more

Yummy Mexican food. Rowdy at times. I like it and the staff is welcoming. Plenty of parking. Carry out too! Prices are reasonable.El Portillo reminds me of Mexico. Festive & fun read more

Excellent authentic food, wonderful, friendly service. We've been going since they opened- the quality is always top notch! Atmosphere is casual and relaxed- even when they are super busy the staff remains cheerful and professional. Street tacos, Texicano burrito, chile verde- all delicious! Great Texas Margarita! Mucho bueno!! read more

Leaving the Outer Banks and heading to Elizabeth City, the choices are pretty slim for dinner on a Sunday night. We happened to drive past this little gem, did a quick u-turn and went in to check it out. You generally can't go wrong with Mexican since you can pretty much know what to expect on the menu. It was packed! And with a lot of Hispanics, which was a really good sign of great food! I always like finding places that are frequented by either locals or people of whatever nationality coincides with what a restaurant is serving. Host and server were prompt and very friendly! We got one order of veggie fajitas and one veggie fajita salad. Fajitas were typical. Tortillas are from a package, not homemade. Salad was lacking as it was shredded iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, guac and the fajita veggies. But heavy on the lettuce. So not quite what I expected, but still good veggies. The guac was a little too creamy for me. It tastes like they mix something into it to extend it or make it creamier. It's clearly not just avocados etc. The only beans they have are refried. Being vegan, I was guessing they are regular refried beans made with lard, but I didn't ask. I ate them anyway. They were fine. If there had been other bean options, I would have preferred whole pinto or black beans. The food came quickly as did the check when we were done. If you are heading in or out of the Outer Banks, it's a solid choice for lunch or dinner. read more

All the employees are very nice and the food is fantasti! See you tomorrow

Great food! Friendly staff! I got here pretty regularly and never have I had a bad meal.

I had to spend a couple hours in Grandy NC and stopped here to give it a try. The employees were super friendly. I got chili relleno's which were the usual for this type of Mexican restaurant. Decent chips and salsa. Next time I'll try a burrito or fajitas. read more

See all

Traveling through and stopped here for dinner. Chicken tacos and beef and chicken burritos were very tasty. Burritos were a little on the small side but still great! Excellent food and the staff was extremely attentive and courteous. Also very quick service. Would definitely recommend. read more

Have a camper at bells island , so it's about 25 miles at least , but we Lovethe place and the owner is so friendly

I eat here once or twice a week. Employees are Like family and food is always good. Thanks for providing a good place to eat during the week And after church in Sunday's. read more

Not many dining out options in Grandy but this spot is delicious! Authentic tasting and delicious drinks! Their cheese dip and bean dip are phenomenal. read more

I have eaten at a LOT of Mexican joints in my life, and this one is one of the best! My husband got the cheese enchilada lunch special- it comes topped with pork and fajita veggies- and holy cow I don't know how they make it so good but I want to eat it all the time! I had the carnitas which were perfectly spiced AND perfectly cooked- you know how sometimes places which have good fried carnitas but they will be dry, or the carnitas won't be dry but they'll be a bit soggy and bland? Well not here! Perfectly crispy fried and browned with tons of flavor AND not dry and stringy at all. The refried beans and rice were also very tasty, which to me is the real make of a good Mexican joint. Fast and friendly service too! Five stars- we're definitely going to make this a must-stop on our beach vacations! read more

This place was decent for the area. I went here a while back with my grandfather. We got guacamole and salsa chips. They were just alright nothing special. The rice and beans were really good. I got a chimichanga which was good but nothing too crazy. My grandpa got a burrito deluxe which I'm sure he enjoyed. It was okay but I have had better. read more

Tasty and authentic mexican food. Chips were warm. Fajitas were delicious. Tasty Margaritas. Will definitely be back when in the OBX agsin.

Been here 4 times already, 3 times with my mother, and the food was always delicious! I always get the chicken and rice because it's amazing! The chicken is always so tender and full of flavor! My mother Tries something new each time, and is never disappointed! Probably my favorite place in grandy! read more

I am a local and eat here all the time they always great you with a smile i always get the fajitas but i have a complicated order in total and they always get it perfect and delicious!! read more

My wife and I eat there often. The food is great, the staff is friendly and the Margaritas are outstanding.

Really good authentic Mexican food. It's always a plus when there is a separate vegetarian section. Food was amazing, friendly staff and quick service. I will be back next time I'm in town. read more

Great new restaurant for Grandy. Excellent drink menu with beers or cocktails; superb food menu, excellent service all at very reasonable prices. Then, guess what? Lots of free parking! I have eaten at El Portillo several times and have tried numerous items on the menu. Wonderful chicken soup, a universal item in Latin America is terrific; enchiladas, tacos, burritos are very good. Finally, i rate the flan as a must have! read more

Delicious! Cheap good Mexican food! Definitely a great stop on the way to the outer Banks, looking forward to go back next time!! read more

El Potrillo Mexican Restaurant - Sample of the lunch menu! Super cheap - Mexican Near Me - Grandy, North Carolina

Really good Mexican food at reasonable prices. Staff is very friendly and attentive, even during busy times. One of our favorite menu items are the fajitas for two which is way more than enough for two people with hearty appetites. On our last visit, I ordered the shrimp quesadilla. It was huge and tasty. read more

Excellent service. Extensive menu! Delicious fish tacos, hearty chori-pollo. We had Texas margaritas and they tasted good enough but they tasted like a mix. The servers were fast and friendly and attentive. The prices were reasonable! read more

Had the fajitas for lunch, they were really good. Also had the jumbo margarita and between two margaritas, an appetizer and two lunches, the total was below $30, definitely will be going back read more

A favorite of many locals, real Mexican fare and very affordable. Best Mexican restaurant I've eaten at.

Better than average Mexican food. Fat, friendly service, nondescript setting but good sopa de pollo very good quesadillas.

Food is good. Love their carnitas. The waiters are a bit annoying. Just a few of them. Ask for the green sauce, if you want something spicy for your chips. read more

I go there all the time the staff is kind and funny they great you with a smile and are so sweet from start to finish i have been going there for over 2 years now and i have yet to have a bad meal read more

Food was amazing! Staff was great. Fajitas Burrito was fantastic... Stuffed full of meat and fajitas peppers and onions... Covered in delicious cheese sauce. Fresh chips at the table were hot, crispy, and delicious; with really good salsa. This place did not disappoint at all! read more

Visit the restaurant leaving the OBX. Great, clean restaurant. Shrimp tacos were great.

Our Favorite quick dinner choice...The entire staff is really nice and helpful! Its clean and well maintained....