Good: the steak was solid. Nothing too much to complain about. Bad: salsa were both okay. Menu has 0 customizing for customers. To go order took dip trio home and the chips were 1. Different than what was given at the bar and 2. Had hair pieces in there. So wasn't ideal. I know it happens. Was disappointing I couldn't change out chili con carne for different dip as wife doesn't eat beef for just another queso or guac order. Can't mix and match tacos or order à la carte which stinks as well. May go back. May not. But I'll have to think about it or really want something. The bone in ribeye and fajitas may be promising. Owner seemed nice. Wait staff was fine. Probably a 3.5/5 overall. read more

I was so excited to try this new spot in bham! Pros- such a cool space. I loved the vibe and bham really doesn't have anywhere else like this! The margs and ambience get a 10/10! Cons- food and service were not great sadly :( My boyfriend ordered a second spicy marg and it was a completely different drink than the first spicy marg he ordered. I ordered the Jolene's plate and he ordered the Barry's plate. They were both ok! We were also kind of looking around for our waiter at times. I'm keeping in mind that we went one day after the opening. We plan to go back once they have been open for a bit and have hopefully worked out some of the kinks! read more

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Beautiful atmosphere, but sadly the food didn't live up to the hype. Birmingham has plenty of better Mexican options--with much shorter wait times too . read more

This place is NOT celiac friendly in anyway! I can't complain about the drinks or service. I had on my reservation about my allergy, but once we sat down we were served chips and salsa. I ate the chips assuming they are normal tortilla chips, but once I had to inform my server about my allergy she said, " I hope you haven't eaten these chips because they are fried in the same fryer as everything else" she then proceeded, " all of our food has some sort of cross contamination so I cannot safely suggest a food item for you." This was extremely disappointing since I had been dying to try this place! I WISH they would have read my note about the allergy and informed me about the chips before I sat down. I find this unacceptable for a restaurant. Again, the drinks were great and my sever was fantastic. read more

Service - wait staff and hostess were very rude. The red head hostess acted as if she was doing "us" a favor by seating us after we had reservations. Overall, she was extremely rude. The carne asada tacos and guacamole were great. The Beef Tacos were great too. Jolene platter very good. Rice & beans not good - they have a strange spice. Margarita was marginal. Overall good food but not worth the price tag given the nasty hostess. read more

Ambience was top notch!!! Friendly staff. Food was delicious but a little spicy for my liking but will visit again.

The food was immaculate! The service was just as great. We had Travis and he made the experience so great. It's so beautiful in there as well. Will definitely be back. read more

El Royale - Carne asada - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Amazing atmosphere, drinks are great, food was great and bartenders were very friendly. Can't wait to return!

Had a reservation and ate here on a Saturday night with a group of 4 ladies. The restaurant is BEAUTIFUL!!! Has lots plants and leather booths and is great looking. They provide valet parking & has lots of outside seating. Our table was not ready when we arrived & we had to wait about 15 minutes. We could have gotten a drink at the bar but it was too crowded. I ordered a Chile relleno and it was so spicy that I had to send it back. We all ordered margaritas which were tasty but I don't feel that they were very strong. They gave me a quesadilla and it was one of the worse ones I've ever had. My friends that got the fish tacos were not happy with their meals either. Bottom line for me... it is VERY pretty but the food isn't good . Now I forgot ... the chips were delicious. read more

It's still new so you have to give them some grace. Physical location is amazing. Great vibe. Decor is great. Outdoor patio area is very nice. The food is good. Not great. Queso is sub par. Nachos were excellent. Tacos were good not great. Churros were not good at all. Service needs a ton of work. Took us 4 requests to get chips and salsa. Waitstaff was hectic and distracted. Never asked if we wanted another round of drinks. Ran out of water numerous times. It has great potential and could be a great addition to bham. Just needs to be managed properly read more

Had to wait 15 minutes AFTER our reservation time to be seated. At a table that was clear when we arrived. And was right by the front door. So we never saw the rest of the restaurant as we had to stand outside while we were waiting for said table. Once seated we waited another ten minutes before our server arrived. Not the best start to our visit. Once the server did arrive he was attentive, though he made a snarky comment about one in our party not wanting tomato on the burger. Otherwise the food was good, it was a festive/loud environment, and we were happy to spend time together but we likely won't return. read more

Definitely worth the wait for our reservation! Sooo delicious! Everything we had was amazing!

The vibes and decor 10/10 The queso 7/10 The salsa 9.5/10 The drinks 9/10 The tacos 10/10 What I really came here to say was I'm so happy to find a trendy restaurant with good food that I can also take my young children to. Kids menu isn't on website but there is one, $9 a kids meal (chicken tenders and fries, cheese quesadilla, chicken quesadilla or chicken taco). Kids menu is a coloring sheet with crayons. I was happy to see a nice changing table in bathroom and booster seat style high chairs which allowed them to be strapped in while sitting in a booth. These extra touches to accommodate families make this place we will be sure to be back! read more

This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. They are doing everything right. The drinks are completely balanced and on point. Some are very creative and some are just extremely well made classics. The food is fantastic. There is a lot of flavor in everything. The food to price ratio is very well balanced as well. I would recommend this place to everyone. The bar service is great! Haven't gotten a table yet! read more

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Great atmosphere and delicious food. Drinks were unique and tasty. A new staple on our list of places to eat!

I came back with my girlfriend and her parents as they wanted to go here and after being a little hesitant I am super excited that I came back as they redeemed theirselves with amazing food and service. Hannah, our waitress, was phenomenal and made our Sunday lunch a great time to relax and have great food and fellowship. read more

I honestly do not usually leave reviews, because it's not that serious. BUT after my experience today, I have to agree with many of the most recent reviews. Especially in regard to the hospitality of the staff. I probably wouldn't care much about my experience, but the staff was rude to my dad, who is hard of hearing and rarely makes these kind of outings to avoid difficult interactions. We were on time for our reservation, but our table was not ready. So, my dad was attempting to stand out of the way as we waited (since there is not a waiting area) , but was told quite rudely to move out of the way by one the hostesses. No, "excuse me," but instead a, "you're in my way." My sister got there just after we were seated and was treated as an inconvenience by the same hostess while she was asking about our table. While ordering, our primary waitress was wonderful and kind. The secondary waitress, who assisted us most, was rude and inconvenienced by or defensive of simple questions. For example, a question about the NA beverage, Little Dove, was asked ("have you tried this" or something along those lines) and was met with, "of course, I've tried everything on the menu" and an unhelpful response about the cocktail itself. The delivery of her response was very defensive and implied that the question was stupid. The whole table noticed the interaction. The best experience of the day was the valet. The young man working was so kind and welcoming and did a great job managing the influx of people coming and going. Food was fine but overpriced for what it is. Just wasn't special enough for $30 plates. The margaritas were lacking. I probably would have given this another try for the beautiful setting alone if the vibe set by the staff hadn't felt so unwelcoming. I also may have felt different about my other interactions throughout the meal if my very first experience walking through the door had been better. read more

In a culture obsessed with aesthetics, this place nails the visual appeal. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful--ambiance on point. It gives off strong retro '60s Latin America/Cuba/South Florida vibes. The interior and exterior are truly stunning. Unfortunately, that's where the good mostly ends. We arrived about 20 minutes before our reservation and were told we would need to wait, which was expected and totally fine. There is ample space outside to sit and enjoy the patio and courtyard with big fans blowing for comfort. My husband grabbed a drink in the courtyard, and we were actually seated a bit early--great start! However, our table left much to be desired: pressed against a wall on one side and connected via booth to another party on the other. From there, service took a nosedive. We didn't see our waitress for 15 minutes. When she finally came by, we ordered drinks and queso. It took another 10 minutes just to receive chips and salsa--mostly broken chips, unfortunately. The red salsa was bland, while the salsa verde was the only standout-but still not the best I've ever had. The queso took another 15 months to come out and was...interesting. On the front end, it lacked flavor, though it had a pleasant kick on the back end. The texture, however, was gritty and congealed quickly. I understand real cheese behaves differently than processed queso, but this texture wasn't quite right. We'd seen negative reviews from people who ordered basics like tacos or fajitas, so we thought we'd go with the house specials, assuming those would represent the kitchen's best. My husband ordered the grouper, and I went with the prawns. I asked the waitress how big the prawns were and whether the dish came with any sides. She told me they were not jumbo and came as a set of five. So, I ordered a side of rice and beans just in case. Drinks took a long time to arrive. When our entrees finally came, we were shocked. My house special was five small shrimp--literally just that--on a tiny plate. No sides, just some greens on top. It honestly looked like an appetizer. My husband's fish came on a scoop of rice with some salsa and guac, and it was gone in three bites. Flavor was lacking for his fish. The shrimp tasted fresh enough and had decent flavor and sauce, but nothing remarkable. When I asked for the rice and beans I had ordered, they were brought out late--and I quickly regretted it. The beans tasted like burnt plastic, and the cheese on top had a strong, off-putting flavor. The rice was bland with a strange green-tea-like aftertaste. To her credit, the waitress did take the rice and beans off the bill without me asking, which I appreciated. She was kind, professional, and clearly doing her best with what she was working with. But if you're aiming for high-end dining, the service must match the prices and atmosphere. Overall, this place is perfect if you want to eat with your eyes--but don't come expecting much from the kitchen or service. It has so much potential, and I genuinely hope they rework the menu. I might give it another try in a few months, but for now, you're honestly better off at your local taco truck. read more

Five star atmosphere. One star service. This is the first bar I've encountered in the western world that refuses to serve customers a drink. The check-in girl at the front desk told us we could go to the bar, but we should not expect to be served a drink within 30 minutes. Because everyone seated at the bar is dining and they take priority. There is a nice outdoor seating area with an empty bar that is not staffed. So you can sit at the tables outside with no drink The wait staff behaves as if they're doing a favor for serving you. It's a very strange place. I can't comment on the food because after spending an hour there we gave up, decided to leave and go somewhere else. I realize every business will have some startup issues but I've seen teenagers run restaurants better than this one. read more

Excellent service, top-tier food, and standout drinks. Based on previous reviews, i'd say they have worked out a lot of the "just opened" kinks. The staff at El Royale are both friendly and knowledgeable, creating a welcoming and well-informed dining experience. The food was exceptional from start to finish. Our group sampled nearly every cocktail on the menu--"sweet," "spicy," "smooth," and "refreshing" were the most commonly shared reactions. El Royale offers the classics but also introduces unique spins that feel both thoughtful and exciting. The cuisine leans classy Tex-Mex, with the enchiladas stealing the show. Special mention goes to the roasted tomatillo verde salsa--easily one of the best salsas I've ever had. You won't find a better ambiance in Birmingham. I'd recommend coming for an earlier dinner to fully enjoy the greenhouse aesthetic (thankfully, with A/C). Between the stylish patio and the Garden Bar, El Royale is shaping up to be a year-round go-to. The Garden Bar also works great as a standalone stop if you're hopping around for the evening. Thank you for creating a space in a location that continues to bridge Birmingham communities together! read more

Gorgeous bar but food is overpriced imo for the quality, I rather have good from the taco truck next to Mayawell honestly. Hope they get their food together cause the vibe at El Royale is definitely cool read more

As soon as you walk through the front, the ambiance is wonderful! Lots of plants everywhere. The service is wonderful and looking to make your experience unique. The food is absolutely delicious with lots of clean eating options! Overall a wonderful experience! read more

El Royale - Indoor seating - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Contrary to several mixed or negative reviews floating around about El Royale--comments about bland food, cold plates, or unfriendly service--our experience was the complete opposite in every way, and honestly, one of the best taco nights we've had in Birmingham. Let's start with the ambience: absolutely stunning. The interior strikes the perfect balance between trendy and cozy. Lush greenery, warm dim lighting, and an effortlessly cool vibe made it perfect for both a date night or a relaxed dinner with friends. You walk in and immediately feel like you're in for something good. Service? Impeccable. Kristin, our waitress, was top-tier. She was warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, even steering us toward a few standout items we might've otherwise missed. We kicked things off with the brisket flautas, and they were a killer start--super crispy, well-seasoned, and paired with a rich consommé that tied it all together. Then came the crispy fish tacos--a standout dish. The fish was fresh and fried just right, keeping its crunch without feeling heavy, and the flavors were clean, bright, and balanced. But the star of the night was hands-down the Deluxe Taco Trio. The birria taco was arguably one of the best tacos I've ever had. Seriously. Perfectly juicy, bold flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. The chorizo was full of smoky, spiced goodness, and the tinga chicken had a great slow-simmered depth. Sides? The refried beans were fantastic--creamy, well-seasoned, and comforting. The rice was just okay--fine as a filler, but not the highlight. We ended on a sweet note with the churros, and I have to say it again--truly, truly, truly remarkable. Perfectly fried with a crisp exterior, soft inside, and paired with rich dipping sauces that elevated the whole dessert. El Royale defied expectations. Beautiful space, outstanding service, and food that genuinely impressed. Definitely worth a visit. And we WILL be back! read more

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The best TexMex restaurant in Birmingham! The environment is phenomenal, the food is fantastic and the service is great. Hands down one of the best places to eat in Birmingham. The first time I went, I got their ground beef enchiladas (wanted to get something basic to see how it was). If that is how beef enchiladas are supposed to taste, then I've been missing out my whole life! read more

The restaurant was very nicely decorated, the food was outstanding, the drinks were underwhelming, and it was very hot inside the restaurant. My wife and I have been wanting to try this new restaurant so we went for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We were seated and served promptly and the food was a good size serving and was excellent and was reasonably priced. The drinks were nothing special and were pricey compared to other comparable restaurants. Our biggest complaint was that it was very hot in the restaurant. It was a hot June afternoon in Alabama and the skylights in the restaurant certainly reflected the weather outside. This made it very difficult to enjoy the meal. This might not be an issue at night but if the restaurant is going to be open for lunch they need to do something to correct this issue. read more

I got the Jolene Plate and it was off the chain!!!! Amazing atmosphere and fabulous drinks. I got several spicy margs and they are delish!!!! Obsessed with this place read more

El Royale - Jolene special is off the chain!! So good and I got several spicy margs that were fireeeeee! 10/10 so delish! - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Awesome atmosphere. The space is really well done and the food was good. A little over priced, but I will still go back.

The ambiance was inviting and conducive to a romantic date. The food and service on a scale of 1-10 was an 8.

I will say for ambience, 10/10, spectacular! Everything was so tasteful and I was so impressed. The food was unfortunately underwhelming. I'm not sure if it was what we ordered or because it was their first weekend open - maybe they're still trying to work out the kinks! My mother in law ordered the grouper and it came to the table practically raw inside, she was unable to eat it. I ordered a salad and it was very bland - maybe I shouldn't have ordered a salad at a Mexican restaurant, but I thought given the quality of the restaurant that I could expect a tasty salad. Also, the service. Not great. Again, hoping it will get better as they find their groove! I ordered a mocktail and the wrong one was brought to me. Then, we ordered a queso that just never came to the table. My husband also ordered a beer that we saw sitting at the bar ready for 10 minutes before it was brought to us. All in all, I will definitely give this place another try, but will wait a few weeks and hope the food and service is better! Definitely glad to see a cool new spot opened in Bham! read more

Great food, great service. Jose Cashmir is also so great at what he does. Great chef.

I have heard a lot about this place and had high hopes that the food would be "Tex-Mex" but the flavors were anything but that. The food was okay but I'd much rather go to Frida's to actually eat. El Royale has a cool vibe and is a good place to hang out but the food is way too expensive to be mediocre... read more

Food was heavily salted and tasted of powdered garlic. The chips were cold and also too salted.

We had a reservation for four o'clock since all of the other times were filled. This is when El Royale opens and there were quite a few people waiting to be seated when they opened the doors at four. We got a great corner table and ordered a couple of Margaritas that were OK, if a bit small. Both the indoors and outside of the place/patio are beautiful. The atmosphere inside is cozy. We ordered Rib Eye Fajitas, a Chili Rellano and Fish Tacos. We were impressed with the Salsa Verde that came with the chips in addition to classic red sauce. The Chili Rellano ordered by one of us was "as good as any" and the Rib Eye Fajitas was incredible. You have or order them and eat them to fully appreciate that they were no ordinary fajita. While a bit pricey, I will definitely be back. read more

We've eaten here several times. The bar is excellent. The food is adequate but expensive.

Has potential. Won't get better until they correct their lack of seating and servers. Servers wait on you like they've never worked at a restaurant before and hover over you to place an order making you feel pressured to order. read more

I was in town for business and took a client to dinner here. Food and ambiance was fine. Service was just okay. However, just like another poster wrote they are thieves and added an additional $30 tip on top of what was already a 20% tip. I cannot get them to answer the phone, the managers voice mail box is full. The fact that I'm not the only one that this has happened to here should tell you what kind of business this is. read more

we have tried to eat here for months but could never get a reservation until New Years Eve. We were seated promptly at 530. the waiter brought chips and said water coming but we waited 12 minutes after eating the pretty spicy salsa. We ordered drinks and our dinner when he returned around 545pm. we waited and waited and waited. The tables near us seem to be getting timely service but when our meals came. it was exactly 650 pm AND the ribs came out as a ribeye in error and my grouper was a charred room temperature fish stick....horrible. I went to the busy hostess desk and ask the manager to step in. he came over and tells us the waiter is new (right!) and he would fix it. The right order came literally in about 10 minutes and he promised us complimentary deserts which was never offered again nor served. He also said he would be back to check on us, sorry sorry etc. He never came back. The ribs were all gristle and fat and the second grouper was maybe 3 ounces and over cooked again. This place is just incredibly horrible and I am so sad as my hopes for high end tex mex were very high. Thanks for nothing Mr manager and El royale...you ruined NYE. read more

Nice restaurant which good menu options, drinks were good, I ordered the steak fajitas and they were delicious, I will say the dish could have had more seasoning read more

Went to El Royale for my friend's birthday brunch today. Let me start by saying that the restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful. However, everything else about my experience was extremely underwhelming. It took a long time for the food (and even the waters) to come out. When it did come out, my taco salad was just a complete miss. The cheese on top was cold and not even melted a little, there was WAY too much taco seasoning on the ground beef which was also cold, the tortilla chips were cold, and the salad itself lacked any depth of flavor (other than being over seasoned). I could get a better taco salad for much cheaper, even the OG taco salads at Taco Bell were better than this. My date complained his enchiladas were not good, as did my other friend. Furthermore, at the end of the service they refused to give us separate bills and had one person pay for the entire party. He had to become an accountant and calculate every couples meal separately. We asked the manager to split it and they said they won't do more than 2 cards because it's "too complicated".....ok, so you make it more complicated for your guests? Bad service and worse food. read more

El Royale - Tex-Mex Near Me - Birmingham, Alabama

Madeline at the front was so sweet and funny! Excellent bar service from brothers, Alex and Brian who never stop smiling and have the best vibe! Clint, the GM, is the nicest guy ever and so personable and accommodating! Nathen was our server who had a very light and funny presence while giving great service. Lastly, the food was amazing! We had several dips and entrees and desserts, they all exceeded our expectations. Cocktails were wonderful. We will absolutely be regulars. Beautiful surroundings and amazing vibe. It's nice to spend time in a place where the staff is also having a great time!! Can't wait to come back!! read more