Not a fan. Tried it twice when it opened. Food was mediocre at best, and margaritas were so sweet. Terrible. Won't go back or recommend however when I drive by it , the place looks busy frequently, go figure. Some people like it. read more

Overall very good authentic Mexican food! The carne asada is delicious, rice mad to perfection, beans guacamole chips salsa all perfect my coworker (he's vegan) loved the veggie burrito! 10/10 read more

We went to El Tapatio for evening drinks. Overall, I really liked this place because it had some really great qualities. To start we were greeted by some less than gracious hostesses. There were two of them, both of them seemed young and seemed like the did not care or were frustrated with some goings on at the restaurant. But other than that first interaction with the staff, they were great. The server we had was one of the nicest guys, he was attentive and had a great personality. We ordered just drinks. The server brought us chips and salsa which was nice because, I always feel you need something to eat when you are drinking tequila. I ordered the ultimate margarita, which is made the way I like margaritas, with just lime juice, triple sec and tequila. The drink was strong, but I thought it was well made and not overly sweet (which I feel most rita's are at restaurants.). My fiance ordered the pomegranate marg. She was turned off by how strong her's was, she would have liked to order another but couldn't because of how she felt after the first. The pomegranate flavoring seemed off as well. Overall, the atmosphere is great, the servers are wonderful and they are producing some good margaritas, so this is a place to try out. read more

El Tapatio - people sitting at a bar - Mexican Near Me - Rowley, Massachusetts

Fun place. Excellent food service and staff. Reasonable pricing. Great margueritas. Fun bar. .

We've been to El Tapatio a few times in the past when they first opened and were somewhat unimpressed so didn't return. We saw they have outdoor seating and have been about 5-6 times since restaurants reopened due to Covid and everything here has been fantastic!!! Really lovely family owned restaurant and they make the BEST margaritas! I ordered a spicy margarita (not on the menu) and it was one of the best I've ever had. I usually get the taco salad or enchiladas and they've always been perfection. Also, how could I forget about their salsa. THE BEST home made salsa... I mean if they jarred this stuff I would be spending all my $$ on it. Outdoor seating is small but enjoyable. El Tapatio is our go to Mexican restaurant 100% read more

Great staff. The food was amazing. I really liked the music in there. I recommend it.

One of the reviews said that you can't go wrong here, but we did. The service and atmosphere were very nice but our food was almost completely lacking in flavor and spices. I had a pork burrito and my wife some sort of meat, bean and rice combination and both were incredibly bland. So bland, and in my case, dry, that they made a 7-11 heat and eat burrito look like a masterpiece. This was a few years ago and our experience may well have been an anomaly, but the meal made a lasting impression on us and we haven't considered going back even though we drive by it while hungry on occasion. In fact, when we drive by we can't help but rehash our experience and especially how surprised we were that our food was so bland. El Tapatio appeared to be a family owned and operated restaurant and I seem to remember them giving us complimentary chips and salsa when we sat down. This gave us high expectations which definitely added to the disappointment. I should mention that it was an off hour and there was almost no one in the place when we arrived, so maybe they just weren't revved up yet. Although I feel a strangely compelling urge to give El Tapatio another shot, I don't see that happening any time soon. Your experience may, hopefully, differ. read more

We just came here for the first time and are wondering why we haven't been here before. This will definitely be our go-to Mexican spot from now on. Chips and salsa were brought out to us immediately after sitting down, and we were each given our own salsa! The salsa was delicious, tasted fresh and was definitely home made! They have a decent enough draft beer selection and of course have quite the extensive selection of tequila choices. I just stuck with a blue moon and he got their margarita (whichever one is made without sour mix) and it was delicious! They have a good menu selection. The appetizer options looked really good but we opted out, they have many entree choices burritos, enchiladas, tacos, chimichangas, etc. and they offer combo plates so you can choose whatever you want! I chose the chicken chimichangas with queso! It was so delicious, the shredded chicken was juicy and flavorful and the queso it was topped with was excellent. I'm always excited when I find chimichangas on the menu! He got the combo plate, chicken chimichanga, steak taco and chicken enchilada and was impressed with all of it! We also got the churros for dessert! Our server Amanda was top notch, she greeted us promptly, was extremely friendly, fast and efficient. It doesn't get much better than that! The icing on the cake was the price! Our dinner portions were huge, we both had left overs, so for a beer, margarita, two entrees and a dessert we only paid $54.00! We will most definitely be back and I would highly recommend giving this place a try! read more

FOUND A HAIR in my FOOD-They got my to- go order wrong 2-3 times & On top of that were rude about it!

Great Burritos!!! Family Mexican Restaurant. Always crowded. Lots of Mexican favorites to choose from. Very friendly staff!!

Love El Tap. Their food is delicious, the service is always great, and they're very kid friendly.

I really like this place. Food is good-with many options-and you can get a margarita with lime and Cointreau-delicious. No junk. The staff is lovely and helpful. Couldn't ask for more. Two things-and these are an opinion so take it for what it's worth. Too loud. Especially in the back. The sound bounces off every surface. It's a lot. And the lighting -flourescemt bulbs are green and a good value but they give all the ambiance of a basement. If those things don't bother you-you will love it. And if they do, they have fabulous takeout as well. read more

I came with my family, and everything was awesome . Staff was super friendly and food come out quick. We live in Everett but the trip is worth it. read more

I ordered a quesadilla without sour cream or guacamole. The quesadilla came out with both on the plate. Normally I would just eat around it but they were touching the quesadilla. I sent it back to the kitchen. The same plate came back to me with now 1/2 my quesadilla missing and guacamole still on the quesadilla. I sent it back to the kitchen with our waiter and asked to speak with the manager. The waiter never got the manager. After 5 min I had to flag the manager down myself. I told him what happened and he apologized. He said when the kitchen gets busy they cut corners. Sad to say I will not be returning. read more

Typical Mexican restaurant. Take all the menus from most or all of the Mexican restaurants in New England and 90% of the dishes will be the same, the rest a few unique variations on a theme. The only way to distinguish one from the other is by quality of the food preparation. El Tapatio in Rowley sets a good table. Smaller appetizer list than others, but good. We had the standard Chile con Queso, Taquitos, and something different, Nachos Idaho, a nacho-like dish using potato skins. The Nachos Idaho is large enough for two people unless you're a big eater. All very good. For mains we had Chicken Flautas, Chimichanga con Queso, and Enchiladas Tapatio. All very good and, unlike some other places, the 3 kinds of enchiladas had the different sauces on each that they should have (some places just pour one sauce over the differently filled enchiladas). Good beer list but, unfortunately, there was no draft available that night due to a 'pump failure'. Usual margarita list. Booths and tables, Mexican music, no blaring TVs in sight, good service. Worth going again. read more

always consistent great friendly efficient and effective service, quickly recognized at the front and promptly sat. great food, one of my favorites is the mole enchiladas read more

We did a family birthday party here for 40 people and couldn't have been any happier with the preparation, help, attention and information provided to plan the event. And the event went off without a hitch. The service, quality of food and every little detail was absolutely PERFECT!! I would HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone who wants to have a fun, delicious and well executed party!!! read more

I went here right before all the restaurants shut down and the customer service and food was outstanding. Luckily, they are offering takeout so we ordered food two weeks ago. Picking up the order was a breeze and they made sure safety was a top priority. I'm looking forward to going back once it's safe again. read more

My wife and I went to El Tapatio in Rowley last night with two of our best friends. I chose it because of its reviews and overall ratings. The meals were very disappointing. My wife and I ordered the veggie fajitas. The platter has been sizzling when brought to the table at every other Mexican restaurant we've been to. It wasn't and, in fact, the veggies looked like those you get in a bag of frozen vegetables. Also, the waitress was not very pleasant. At least the chips and salsa were good as an appetizer. Maybe they had staff issues that night, but we won't be going there again. There are plenty of others to choose from that have been consistently good. read more

This place has the most kind, caring, quick, yet elegant service I have ever experienced. From the insanely pleasant and welcoming staff to the speedy deliverance of the quality and authentic cuisine this place checks every box. Great for family parties, a date, or just boys bein' boys at the bar. They got free chips and salsa too. Just sayin read more

OK, I hate to do this, but I ate here 3 times and here is how it was. Service - Gets 3 stars. Staff is always very nice, but absent minded. They seem to forget things you ask for like water or side orders. Again, very nice and apologetic when they do things like this Drinks - 2 stars. Margaritas are generic tasting, but OK. Sangria is the worst I ever had. Tastes like the Kool Aid man made them. Food - 1 star. Every time I ordered meat, pork twice, beef once, it was like leather. This is what it's all about - your Mexican food, and it's an epic fail. Last night I went there and it was the last straw. I got Tacos El something that was supposed to have marinated pork. I got three soft tacos that were filled with something similar to saw dust pellets they add to rabbit and bird cages - pathetic. One the way out I told the hostess about it and said I was never coming back. To sum it up, this is a great place to stop and get a beer and nachos, but don't venture any further into the menu, or you will be disappointed if you have any knowledge or experience with Mexican cuisine. read more

Decent Mexican in Rowley? ¡Si! OK, the first time we went, it must have been about a week after they opened. I got the combo platter and everything was basically cold. But I figured they were working the kinks out. I went back the next week and got the carne asada. It was great! Hot and fresh with smoky grilled flavor. And their flour tortillas taste freshly made, not like stale discs from a factory. Guacamole is great, chile con queso is great, chips are fresh, salsa is decent. I'm a regular! read more

I had a delicious and huge lunch at El Tapatio today. The service was really good and the burrito was even better. And did I mention that it was big? I'm normally not of fan of absurdly large portions but the quality was there so I really appreciated it. Once you walk in there's a sit down restaurant and a separate bar area, so there's something for everyone. I would definitely go back next time I'm in the area. The only thing that could have been better is that no one told me how hot the plate was. It was no big deal for me but someone could get hurt, and why ruin such a delicious meal? read more

Best thing about this restaurant is that the bar has an excellent footstool. It is very comfortable to sit there for a visit, and enjoy good service from the friendly staff. The food is tasty and timely - I do not feel like the wait is overly long. I have been for dinner once, and for late evening snacks and beverages, and have yet to find something I do not enjoy. They have a particarly nice salsa for the chips that arrive as soon as you get seated. The prices are right on - affordable, and appropriate for the portions, which are generous but under control. Overall, I am a fan. read more

If for some reason you find yourself walking down route 1, and there is a life threatening storm, you might want to venture in. After that, stay for the free chips, order yourself a water, and wait til the storm passes.. Don't spend your hard earned dollars, unless you're feeling bad for the sad looking waitstaff, and want to support Rowleys local economy.. The only thing freshly made is the exhales from the absurd laughing man who had too many margaritas. read more

This was my second time visiting this restaurant. Our first experience was pretty good. However, tonight's was not and was the deciding factor to never go back. I ordered a salad off the menu, which was described as coming with a hard taco shell. Per the description, it made it sound like the salad was equivalent to a taco salad bowl. However, when it arrived, it was a small bed a iceberg lettuce, cheese, cold chicken, over a hard taco shell. It was served with a side of guacamole and sour cream. When I inquired about the salad description, the waiter got another waitress and she grabbed a menu to reference. When I pointed to the description she kind of chuckled and even acknowledged it was misleading. After she left, I tried to eat the salad but it was absolutely gross. I eventually had the salad sent back and ordered a chicken quesadilla that looked like it came from the drive through at Taco Bell. My boyfriend ordered a mixed plate fajita. The fajita came out NOT sizzling and the vegetables were basically raw. The meat was also bland and under seasoned. I will say, the server did remove the salad from our bill and seemed like a nice guy. However, even with that being said, for price we paid for such unimpressive food, we will not be back. read more

My boyfriend and I eat at El Tapatio at least every other week, and we have never had a bad experience. The owner is very attentive to his customers and comes through to ask customers how everything is. The staff at El Tapatio is always friendly, smiling and attentive to their customers. My boyfriend and I both follow a vegan diet, and we order the Garden Fresco burrito pretty much every time we go to El Tapatio. The vegetables are always fresh and cooked perfectly. The servings are large, and the burrito's could easily feed two people. We also LOVE the complimentary hot tortilla chips and fresh salsa! I only wish that they sold their salsa by the jar to take home, because El Tapatio has some of the best salsa (in my opinion). I can't speak for any of the meat dishes at El Tapatio, but I would highly recommend El Tapatio to anyone looking for good Mexican cuisine that is also fairly priced! If you are looking for generic Mexican cuisine that has been sitting out under a heat lamp all day, stick with Taco Bell or any other "fast food" Mexican restaurant chain. read more

Not very enthusiastic about this food. It's decent, but overpriced. Service was mediocre at best. Portions are small compared to other Mexican/Latin American restaurants. Drinks were decent. Just not a great experience, and a really underwhelming meal. I probably will not return here. read more

It's really a shame that the food is excellent because there was a piece of plastic wrap cooked into the chicken in my enchilada. The manager accepted responsibility and was gracious enough to offer either a full refund or a free meal next time around. Not sure there will be a next time... Such a bummer since we were on the hunt for a new favorite Mexican place since Cielito Lindo closed. read more

El Tapatio - Pulled this out of my chicken enchilada. - Mexican Near Me - Rowley, Massachusetts

Excellent quality, service and value! I ordered a burrito which was great and a lot of food. The drinks were also quite good and the staff was friendly and attentive. It was possibly the best Mexican food I've eaten in New England and we will return. read more

This hidden Mexican restaurant is in Rowley off Newburyport Turnpike. You wouldn't even know it was there unless looking for it. The food is excellent and a great value. One of the owners "Martha" is hysterical and always remembers us. They have a Margarita that they make with fresh lime juice that is to die for. Look out...have more than one and you'll be dancing out the door. read more

We decided to have Sunday family dinner at El Tapatio, given it offers better parking than downtown Newburyport. And it turned out to be a great choice. SERVICE: It was incredible! The waitstaff was welcoming. We had a main waiter and also several others who kept bringing salsa to the table as soon as it was done. And they were great at checking up with us to see if we needed anything. FOOD: We loved all of it, starting with the complimentary salsa and chips. We couldnt stop devouring the in-house made salsa, which was juicy and not just chunky like a lot of other salsas. We also had a serving of the guacamole, which was extremely fresh - though it could be a tiny bit saltier, but that's not hard to do with salt at the table. We skipped appetizers and went right to the mains. The plates came hot, which I loved! There were 6 of us, and all the meals came out simultaneously; and its important that restaurants serve food warm altogether. I ordered Fish Tacos, which were tasty. It had a special house white cream sauce with it. Compared to the Carne Asada and other beef options, this may be a less tasty choice, but at least it tasted healthy! Next time I will probably order a beef/pork/chicken choice. All dishes came with rice and refried beans. El Tapatio hot sauce and another Mexican spicey bottle was offered. DRINKS: We opted for a pitcher of iced strawberry Margheritas (instead of blended). It was delicious. A little light on the alcohol side, but surprisingly wasnt super sweet. They also had Dos Equis on draught. Glasses of Sangria and Pinot Grigio were also ordered and didnt disappoint. VALUE FOR THE MONEY: On average entrees were about $12-$15 each. There were a few that were closer to the $20 range, but not most. For the size and quality of the food, I was a fan. OVERALL: It was more 4.5 stars, but I am marking it 5 rather than 4 because we had a very enjoyable meal here. The food is authentic Mexican. All of us left happy. We would return for mexican food! read more

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Standard Mexican fare, I've always had good meals there. Customer service has always been top notch and attentive. Tonight I realized something and this is why I'm giving them 5 stars. Every person we came in contact with, host, manager (owner?) and wait staff, really seemed to appreciate our business. They did their best to make sure we had what we needed. It's been a long time since a restaurant made me feel that way. read more

Yikes. Broccoli, cauliflower, chopped carrots, mushrooms and a little bit of chicken in a burrito? Really? One of our party also ordered a tostada salad - it was shredded lettuce in a heap hiding hideous chicken and that' all, folks. Hard to know what the chef was thinking. The ingredients just seemed as they it had no reason to be served together, and the vegetables had that recently defrosted look. The service was excellent. The chips and salsa were fine. But the food, yeesh. read more

Fries were good but waiter was mean to me. table is cheap plastic it broke when I jumped on it. the new table they brought out had a missing screw I contactEd customer support and they sucked read more

Frozen marg was terrible. 1/3 liquid and 2/3 tasteless foamy slush. Portion was huge but a little bland. Chicken enchilada and beef burrito tasted pretty similar. Rice was really good We sat at the bar, stools and foot ledge were really comfortable. Good place to watch a game Bartender seemed put off and even though we were the only 2 at the bar. we were ignored a lot. They also seemed put off when we used the coupon from their website I want this place to be good but they have a bit of polishing to do on food, margs, and service read more

Went last Friday with my wife for the first time. Decor was OK, standard Mexican restaurant motif. Our waitress was very friendly and responsive. Our food came out quick and was hot. Our entrees were good. This is an average Mexican restaurant with decent food. The prices are reasonable and the staff very nice. My wife's patron margarita was disappointing though, but otherwise I can recommend this place if your looking for Mexican food. We will go back. read more

I was surprisingly impressed with "El Tapatio." My wife and I both ordered the melon margaritas and they were extremely refreshing. The chips and salsa were also delicious, served at perfect temperature and just the right amount of spice. The service was friendly, however it took a little bit too long for the food to come out. It wasn't very busy at all and we waited over 45 minutes. Server was friendly and the place had a cool ambiance. We will be back! read more

Ordered pickup the other day for the first time and man was I delighted with my meal. Chicken chimichanga deluxe. Website didn't specify if it came with any sides so I wasn't sure what to expect for $15.00. When I picked it up, I was surprised how heavy the bag was. When I got home I discovered that not only do they give you a side of rice and refried beans but also a bag of chips and salsa. The salsa was amazing authentic mexican salsa with just the right amount of cilantro. The tray the chimichanga and the sides came in was huge. It was also made of tin so it was recyclable and kept the food hot on my ride home. The deluxe part of the meal meant it came with pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, guacamole and sour cream. It was everything I was hoping for but was very surprised that I got all that for only $15.00. Girls at the front were nice and they have you leave through the back door on the patio to promote distancing. The patio is very small and the back door was right in front of one of the tables so everyone that exits comes in close contact with whoever gets stuck at that table. They have a huge parking lot out back so I would recommend expanding their seating area out back under a tent maybe to allow for more distance between tables and not have the exit right in front of an outdoor table. Oh and someone was standing at the back door to open it for you so I didn't have to touch it. He said thank you and have a nice day. A very nice touch. I will definitely be back. Only for take out until pandemic subsides. I can't wait to come back when this is all over and try some of their highly reviewed margaritas. (Which you can buy the mix and make at home but seemed a little expensive considering there's no alcohol in it) Anyway, you get the point, if you want delicious authentic mexican food, search no more. read more

I was here on 5/5/14 with two other people, and had a melon margarita, which was fantastic. One of the other people in my party had a watermelon margarita, which was ALSO fantastic. There was a nice crowd, but we were able to get a seat in the bar without waiting, and the service was great. Everything we had was great, including the chips/salsa. read more