Dinner itself was actually really good, which makes this even more disappointing. While eating my chicken taco, I found a sharp bone fragment in the meat . I understand that restaurants use real chicken and that mistakes can happen, but what really bothered me was the response I received when I brought it to their attention: "at least you know we use real chicken.""is there anything we can do for you" That response came across as dismissive and unprofessional instead of showing any concern for customer safety.. I wasn't trying to cause an issue I just expected the situation to be taken seriously. Very disappointed with how this was handled. read more

El Taco Real - Bone fragment - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

Unfortunately I will not return. I ordered an enchilada dinner and noticed a lot of odd things. First they don't have your standard salsa. It is either pico de Gallo or something that resembles tomato soup that is supposed to be salsa I think. I didn't even take any pictures. On the plus side service is super quick and the staff is super friendly! I just wish the food would match up with the general ambiance of the place. Super inviting and festive. read more

Food is quite flavorful and tasty. However, the portions are average but where they really drop the ball is their drinks. Margaritas come in a very small glass and I'm not sure if there was tequila in the drink. I had two and didn't taste or feel a thing. Not worth the $9! For their location at least allow me to get a buzz! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]always a perfect vibe, cozy interior, good drinks and friendly service for decades.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] same staff and queso fundido app with pork soft taco dinner. stellar every time read more

El Taco Real - Pork Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

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The service is great! All the staff are super attentive and friendly HOWEVER, the salsa is literally just hot ketchup. We didn't even get to the food because it was so bad it ruined the whole experience. read more

Great service, great food and drink! Strongly recommend the queso fundido. [[HIGHLIGHT]]And they even have scary parrots at Halloween[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Finally got the chance to try Taco Real. It has been on my list for awhile. Stopped in for lunch and it wasn't packed but it was busy. There is plenty of parking in the lot or the street. The service was good. The salsa and pico that were served with the chips were good. I ordered the steak tacos and they were fine. I wish the steak had a little more flavor but overall not bad. The rice and beans that came along with the tacos were good. The place is nicely decorated with plenty of booths and tables to sit at. The bar area is small and is in the back. I definitely want to try it again. read more

When you live close to a restaurant nearby, you will expect your food to be hot. Well, my family food was not hot nor warm and the food was very disappointing. My husband ordered a burrito and it was a taco that looked like my son made like mmm Wdf I do not recommend this place if you want authentic Mexican food go to Azteca or Coca-Cola's but this place is not it!!!! read more

El Taco Real - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

I was on a mission to indulge in a good taco, so I assumed this could be the place that provided me with it. My significant other and I were seated almost immediately. The ambiance was dated, yet gentle. We were given Chips, Dip, and Pico de Gallo. That was all complimentary and it was all tasty. It seemed as if everything started off correctly. Unfortunately, since we wanted more than the first round of those items, we had to pay. The Extra Chips we got were 1.50, the Extra Dip was 1.50, and the Extra Pico de Gallo was 2.00. They were all good, but definitely not worth the extra money! I was given a complimentary water with a lemon slice, which tasted decent. I ordered a diet soda and one of the Margaritas for 8.00. The diet soda was good and so were the complimentary refills. I was surprised that I didn't have to pay extra with how greedy this place was. The margarita was pretty solid. It was a nice sipper throughout my time there. We ended up ordering a Soft Taco Suizo with Beef for 3.25, a Soft Taco Suizo with Chicken for 3.25, and Fajitas REAL for 28.00. For the Fajitas, they were advertised as Strips or Belts of skirt steak and/or chicken (100% chicken breast marinated in our own jalapeño marinade), seared and sauteed to perfection with sweet onions and bell peppers. Served on a sizzling platter with a generous salad, Spanish rice, frijoles, sour cream & tortillas. A huge meal recommended for two! We chose to have skirt steak and chicken with corn and flour tortillas. The Beef Taco was really good. The Chicken Taco was okay. The Fajitas came with a lot of ingredients piled high, but they were just simply alright. I was intending on them having a lot more flavor than they did. I was bored rather fast. Everything else the Fajitas came with were also alright. The quality didn't match the price of 28.00 at all! The hot sauce they provided us with wasn't good. Luckily, it didn't cost extra. The service started off by being okay, but it quickly declined. Our server had a nasty attitude. She didn't come off as professional, nor was she good at her job. I felt alarmed each time she came to our table, as it seemed she wanted to argue with each thing we had asked for. Overall, this place was cool to try, but I definitely would never want to go back. Date of visit: May 2 2024 read more

El Taco Real - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

Even though I've moved out of state, NOTHING compares to this place, I miss it. The food is phenomenal. I recommend the fajitas and queso. The margaritas are perfectly tart. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Definitely one of those places that doesn't look special but the food will bring you back every time.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] And as far as I know the servers have been there forever and are very kind and hard working. read more

One of my favorite taco places [[HIGHLIGHT]]great food and atmosphere[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]], price is reasonable service is great

I used to love this restaurant until last night. [[HIGHLIGHT]]So we're sitting down eating our food and happen to look up and notice this roach crawling on the wall next to us![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We tell the lady at the register and all she says with no hesitation is oh wow we haven't seen those in a while like it was normal. I will not be returning to this restaurant at all and now I'm wondering what's going on behind the kitchen doors! read more

El Taco Real - Walking out - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

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We have come here most of my life. Classic Mexican food. I always get Queso fundito. Perfection. My husband loves the burrito suizo. Tortillas are fresh & delicious. Margaritas are great too. read more

The Best Mexican food in NW Indiana hands down. Tacos are so delicious and the Tostadas with Pork are to die for. Everything is delicious and Menudo is so good. Yum. My daughters and grandkids live in Valpo and when we come in to town this is the place where we celebrate. I can't find anything like this in Florida where we live. read more

We enjoy Taco Real but seriously the owner needs to put some money back into the place. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Horrible lighting and we sat in the booth and the seat kept moving from being broken.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Take some pride in your restaurant. read more

I enjoyed the tacos and would had like to have a lime or lemon for the top of the tacos. Service was good and fast and I will definitely be returning to try more than just their authentic tacos read more

I'm not sure what went wrong tonight but our service was non existent! We never received our rice, or salad we had to ask twice! Our food was ok but not even a follow up check in! My husband said I'll get my check this place f#%^*+€ sucks and left! We could have left with out paying, but we paid.... It was a Tuesday not Saturday Subpar food and service in NWI sucks We won't be back!! read more

My aunt raves about this place but I on the other hand wasn't impressed. Went on a Tuesday for lunch (2pm). They had no specials (taco Tuesday, margarita or lunch specials) which I found to be odd. Their salsa is very thin and watery and tastes like canned tomato sauce. The guacamole was bland and the $6 small strawberry margarita was weak. I ordered the chicken enchiladas for my entree and it was a good size of 3 enchiladas and was actually really good. I found this place to be really average and nothing to come back for. Note: the parking lot is small and when school lets out at 3pm it can get pretty chaotic trying to get out of the area. read more

I went there for lunch with a coworker. It came highly recommended but I was very disappointed. I ordered the chicken taco dinner. Chicken had a rancid taste and I think it had gone bad. My friend was really happy with her meal. She got a soap with rice and beans. I definitely will not be going back. Rancid food is a hard stop for me . read more

I hate to write this opinion, but I am sad to see how this place is starting to change. This has been our go-to for over 25 years....always could be counted on for great margaritas and fajitas, but lately this summer, the quality of the food has started to fall.....the rice last week was so SCORCHED it tasted like ash...and before that, the steak in the fajitas was so UNSEASONED and bland, lacking even salt & pepper, it was unappetizing. I don't know if its the chefs or the supplies they are buying...i understand a small business struggling in today's world and making most of its profits from the bar......the Cadillac margaritas have gone up from $6 to $10....the salsa has always been little more than tomato sauce.....I hope this business doesn't close up in this competitive world... read more

It was just as good as I remembered...... This was our go-to Mexican place in the late 90's early 2000's - since moving away @10 years ago - hadn't been back - still the same - and makes you realize how bad Mexican food is outside of the Chicago area..... To start - Queso Fundito - AMAZING...we've literally traveled the country looking for one as good as El Taco Real - nothing comes close! Then, the pork burritos were incredible as well - this is the place I compare the at least 200 other Mexican resturants I've been to - and none can compare!!!! Salsa meh (tomato soup-y) and service uneven....but small inconveniences to get the Queso Fundito and those burritos! read more

el taco real nasty the smell was like a dead body I have video . don't waste your hard earned cash read more

El Taco Real - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana

So, I try to be fair about my reviews having been in the restaurant industry for 25 years, so please keep that in mind. We tried to come here on two occasions thinking that maybe we could try to order something differently than the first, as our first experience wasn't so good. It didn't matter. The food was absolutely horrible. It's sooo GREASY and the ingredients definitely tasted like everything came from a can. I ADORE Mexican food and have had FRESH Mexican food. This is sadly not fresh tasting whatsoever. The meat is bland, the beans and even the salsa isn't so good which Tastes like tomato soup. The service is slow but not too awful. I give it one star simply because they do make a killer margarita. Sorry this is all I can say about this place. read more

Did not enjoy food at all. Taste was bland and the meat was soggy. Marquaritas tasted good but came in different shaped glasses which seemed to hold different amounts. Would not recommend. read more

Food was pretty good. I ordered ala carte. I had the suizo pork tostada, suizo frijoles & a steak taco. Food came out really fast also! El Taco Real is not what it used to be though. We went on a Friday night & it was dead! When I was a kid, it used to be jumping on the weekends. read more

The food was soggy. A hard shell taco was soft because it was so soggy. They messed up the order, so we had to wait an additional twenty minutes. I wouldn't call this authentic Mexican. It's a step up from Taco Bell at best. read more

I am not sure if everywhere just got more expensive or I become more reasonable but I now go here on a fairly regular basis and the food is Great. I recommend ordering the Pork Taco Dinner. I also recently ordered a steak and chicken Burrito both with cheese.....Oh my God the chicken Burrito with the cheese is just awesome! read more

Amazingly delicious and authentic food. Can't say enough about El Taco Real. The chile rellenos are out of this world and the special fajitas are a must try! Thanks for a great experience! read more

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wonderful, attentive service with a family vibe. such warm and inviting retro decor with the original tile. food was cooked with love and care. generous portions. the food shows a respect and love for traditional Mexican culture read more

Been eating here since the 1980's. It's Mexican like non other and has been a pillar of the community since it opened.

Was here a few years ago and not sure if ownership changed but the food is disgusting now. The queso fundido was the only good part which is what they're known for but not worth going if they can't make an entree somewhat enjoyable. Ordered chicken sopes and it literally looked/tasted like tuna. Chicken is usually not gray and pink. No one at my table finished their plates. The only reason this place gets 2 stars is because the queso fundido carries. read more

It's glory days have long since passed! Way better choices locally in mu opinion. Not a great location anymore!

This place has been in business for a very long time. I have eaten inside as well as gotten take out before. I recommend eating inside, as your portion size will be much bigger. I have felt so skimped on food with all carry out orders, yet the price is still the same, yet more expensive these days. I recommend the pork burrito suezo. My second choice would be chicken enchiladas suezo. The atmosphere is nice and dim inside, which I prefer. Try sitting in the back area away from the entrance. read more

Great food! Try and get a seat at the bar! Kathy, the bartender in the best!!!!! She goes out of her way to make you feel special!

Let nobody tell you otherwise, this Mexican restaurant stands out in the area as one of the very best. El Taco Real is a long established dining gem that has been providing a wonderful dining experience for many decades. It's fabulous! El Taco Real is authentic Mexican cuisine using the finest ingredients to create a visually perfect presentation and a tasty dining experience of Mexican love and perfection. From the excellent fish tacos, to the huge chili rellenos (stuffed cheese peppers), fresh crumbled cheese, guacamole served on cold plates to the fabulous margaritas and pina coladas.......All a symbol of excellence that make El Taco Real stand out in a crowded field of Mexican eateries! Exceptional! The waitress was so nice and accommodating, very pleased with her work ethic and professionalism. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping at El Taco Real! Highly recommended! read more

We love this place, large selection of amazing food. From tacos to steaks to pollo en mole. The staff is always very friendly and professional. The most fun is Rachel she's the best. If you're lucky you may run into the owner Raymoundo. read more

Without a doubt hands down best Mexican food I've ever had! Started going there 30 years ago and keep going back. Every place I try I end up comparing to el taco real and none have come close to the excellent flavors of el taco real. I love the warm salsa they bring out with the chips! Sooo good. We always get strawberry margaritas, steak fajitas real, pork burrito and the "works" chicken enchiladas. Last but not least you can not go wrong with the fresh fruit dessert or the warm Carmel crepes! Delicious!! read more

Service food everything is always top notch at El taco real. If you've never been this is true authentic Mexican cooking

Nice place, the staff is sweet. You can get tacos and margaritas on the cheaper side and they are actually good.

First time ordering from this restaurant. I ordered a enchilada meal, not only was it discussing looking it was also very nasty. I will never order from this restaurant again, nor will I recommend them to anyone. This was a waste of my time and money. read more

El Taco Real - Burnt and soggy enchilada meal - Mexican Near Me - Hammond, Indiana