The one positive: our children liked their chicken meal. We wanted to like this place; we pass by it so often and wanted to try it out. We will not be returning. Husband was irritated there was no paper towels in bathroom, the service was slow even though it was one other diner and us after a small group left shortly after we arrived. While the food was not worthwhile for the husband and I, the bait and switch with the pricing is the most upsetting. We will support local dives and restaurants, but the price on their menu and what the waiter said to us was off about $25 (to be conservative) from what we were charged (not including tax or the tip we left). The receipt photo is attached. The kids meal were listed at $9.95 on their menu (charged $29.10); in which the lady/owner tried to tell me that it's really 13.99 per their payment system and she wrote it on our receipt. We were charged for 3 fountain drinks, and then a large lemonade. We had 1 water, 1 regular size ice tea, 1 kid size ice tea and 1 kid size lemonade. The waiter told us 2 tacos w/rice and beans would be $10.95. We did ask for some queso, and were given a small gravy bowl of it, but to be charged $9.35! Umm, why is melted cheese $9.35?! The math is not adding up. This is not fine dining-why is the total $104.99? The owner said the chicken is white meat, so the cost reflects that. Ok, but why the bait and switch with the menu price and register price? We understand the need to increase price due to raising cost of goods/food, but let's be honest with our pricing. The meal was not worth it with the little chunks of "white" chicken my husband got. He was livid. I went back to let the lady know that her pricing/ menu is off. She did offer to give us $20 off our next meal. But we don't want it. This will not be a place we are returning to. Thank you, but please take care of your menu, pricing and food quality. read more

El Texano - Might want to check to make sure you're being properly charged. - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

Wanted to try this place after passing it a few times. Not sure what to expect when we walked into an empty restaurant and only one other table came in while we were eating dinner there. Funky interior. Not an extensive Mexican menu, with burritos, tostados, tamales etc absent from the menu. Food wasn't bad, chips were fresh and the green salsa was good. No diet sodas available. My tacos were good with nice presentation, although I think $.25 as an upcharge for lettuce on the tacos was ridiculous! Corn taco shells tasted homemade and held the tacos well. Enchiladas were unappetizing and just ok. read more

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Food is very flavorful, margarita was refreshing. I had the tacos and my boyfriend had the burrito. We both left with happy tummies! There are three hot sauces, red was low spice, green mild, and the orange was pretty diabolical! Deff worth a shot to swim by this place. We'll be back for sure! read more

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The food and margaritas are to die for. This place has great and I mean great food snd drinks. Things are homemade and delicious.

I never leave a review, but this place SUCKS. Yeah, $14 is a good price for a meal, but then when it comes to melting cheese and putting it in a plate they charge $9. You might not find that bad, but to me, this leaves a 1 star review. read more

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants. I get the Carne Asadia steak tacos. I tried the qusadilla taco with beef oh yeah with a Margarita. Perfect meal. The owners are the friendliest people you will ever meet. They are not in it just for the money. They will talk to you, and have a top of the line chef. If you don't try a meal here, you are truly missing out. The restaurant is under new ownership and they have really made this restaurant a pinnacle for Mexican food. read more

Apparently this place is under new ownership. We were the only ones in the restaurant- it was early- 5:00 PM. The margaritas were huge, fresh, and excellent! The taco salad was very tasty. The service was very personal and friendly. read more

Sunday it says they close at 8pm. Put in an online order only to show up at 7pm and they are closed!!! WTH how do you accept an online order and be closed! read more

Best "authentic "Mexican that we have tried in 14 years in Tampa! The dish a friend from Mexico recommended is called Molcajetero, not only delicious but what a presentation. The chef is from Puebla Mexico so all the salsas are recipes from that region. The Red sauce is called "salsa borracha" as it's made with beer. Delicious Salsa verde as well, spicy! Our lovely server Zoe suggested that next time we try the Mole Poblanas made from a typical Puebla Restaurant. The restaurant was super clean, no fancy but the food alone is worth stopping by! Great prices too! read more

El Texano - Description of the Molcajete - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

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Elected to give this place a try after many years of being either in the plaza or driving by. Quick seated, got chips & salsa as we looked over the menu. Wasn't too busy but there was a decent sized table already seated. Nonetheless when we ordered we got our food in a timely fashion. Everything tasted fresh. read more

Loved it!! We are from Dallas and am so glad we found this place! I had the tortilla soup and it was great! Authentic and great atmosphere! Gonna go back for breakfast for sure! read more

I have lived in Tarpon Springs for nearly three years now and had never considered stopping at this awesome Mexican restaurant. I pass it by every day back and forth to work. It's tucked away in a little strip mall. Beginning... chips and salsa. I'd never had chips with green salsa before. I was a little skeptical but it was REALLY good - spicy but very tasty. The chips were made in the restaurant, not bagged chips (I asked). I could have made my meal from the chips and salsa, they were so good! Middle... I ordered the Burrito Texano ($9.99) with chicken. It was smothered in red and cheese sauce and was loaded with chicken, rice and beans. Again, AMAZING flavor and enough left to take for my lunch the following day. End... I decided to save some room for dessert. They only offered churros ($3.99) but that was okay by me. They arrived hot and topped with chocolate and whipped cream. Super tasty! Final bill for the night for my burrito and churros came to $14.96. Overall, judged to be a 5-star dining experience.... and, I'm glad because I was looking for a really good Mexican restaurant. read more

El Texano - Churros - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

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Overall the food was very good. The waitress was alone without help but considering we were a party of eight I think she did quite well. She managed to bring out all the food and drinks in a very timely manner. read more

It's been awhile since I've been here and it was even better than last time. I know, I couldn't believe it either. I had the combo #2 and it was 5 star! I love their chips and the mild verde sauce they serve with the chips is really good. read more

El Texano - Steak fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

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Come on Sunday night around 8 pm, slow. The salsa is the bomb !! Spicy and tasty, never have this kind a salsa at other Mexican restaurant, it is so good. Margarita kind a weak, even I ordered on the rock, but big glass enough to make you little tipsy. I ordered Mojarra Frita whic is fried fish seasoned with garlic, but when I asked the server what kind of fish they used, the server do not really know, we will see then. It's Tilapia !! You can really taste the garlic on the fish, dipped with the salsa make even tasty Good food si far and will be back for more read more

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My husband, son and I love eating at Texaco's! The food is authentic and delicious. The servers are friendly and prompt - we look forward to our weekly meal here read more

Ordered chips & queso appetizer and the chicken fajita entree. The chips & queso were good, but was very tiny. Also didn't come with any salsa. The fajitas could have been good, but they didn't include any toppings (pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, etc). The side of rice was pretty good though. For $18, I probably won't be back... And since the place was dead empty at 7pm, it looks like I'm not the only one who thinks this. read more

We had wonderful authentic Mexican food. The chips and salsa were fresh and delicious! The waitress was very attentive and professional and our margaritas hit the spot!!!!! read more

I would give a ZERO. I ordered for delivery and they sent the wrong order. I called to get it done properly and instead they cancelled. When I called to see what happened they just hanged up on me. This is the worse a restaurant has ever treated me. And I have been their client for years, always picked up. They don't have a manager so the cook and the waiter is all you have. I will never recommend it again. TERRIBLE SERVICE. STAY AWAY FROM IT. read more

El Texano is a family run restaurant in a strip mall on US 19 in Palm Harbor, just north of Alderman Road on the east side of US 19. The interior is spacious but very basic with sombreros and Mexican blankets decorating the walls and furniture that is best described as functional. But a trip to El Texano isn't about décor, it's about authentic and wonderful food. This is not Taco Bell, or Americanized Mexican, although they do have some standard favorites like fajitas, which I have never tried for want of something a bit less Tex-Mex. The restaurant is a seat yourself wherever you would like style. And a mildly spicy salsa verde and home made chips are brought to your table on the house. The family is extremely generous when it comes to making their customers happy. I prefer the spicy, smoky, chipotle infused salsa roja and often they will give us great bowls of both. The salsas are home made and as such vary in spiciness and thickness from visit to visit but this is part of the charm. Sometimes they will have a slightly spicy avocado based salsa which is luxurious and delicious and well worth asking about. The guacamole is made to order, as it always should be. The tacos are authentic soft corn tortilla variety with a variety of options including carnitas (shredded pork), my favorite al pastor (marinated pork), chorizo (spice in fused sausage), alambre (beef sautéed with onions, jalapenos, and cheese), and other choices. Some of the excellent dishes I have had are their enchiladas (4 to the order for less than $10 with rice and beans), chile rellenos (cheese or beef and potato stuffed poblano peppers), chuletas (pork chops sautéed in a chipotle sauce, $10.99), and the formidable Molcajete Texano (a large stone bowl filled with steak, pork chops, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, grilled cheese, and grilled vegetables, $19.99 - and well enough for at least two). The food is excellent, the service warm and friendly, and the atmosphere casual. This is not Americanized or a remote cousin of Taco Bell, but if you're up for a dining adventure I cannot recommend El Texano highly enough! read more

What mexican place doesn't have chips and salsa to start with? Also, the queso dip was cold when it was served and the chips were stale. The waitress had no idea what she was doing either. The atmosphere in itself wasn't professional either. Won't go back here again. read more

Great friendly staff. Place is much cleaner. I'll be back. Loved the chicken Burrito!! Not being sarcastic, I like the larger grain salt. Lol. But Really read more

El Texano - 6pm Friday night - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

This spot is a little underwhelming. Tvs were louder than Mexican music i could her slightly over the tvs. Prices are very elevated , i know times are tough but for the prices I would expect tasty food. Food was def. mediocre, the most flavorful being the tomatillia sauce, everything else was bland. Maybe I should not have set at the bar, where I could observe....The ice chest they were scooping ice out of for drinks. It was over frozen and had brown gunk on the edges- like somethings had spilled in it and noone cleaned it up. the servers need a good teach on handwashing, i witnessed one running hands under faucet, no soap, and used her pants to dry. I never saw the other server wash her hands at all. The bar top made with pieces of material and the side closest to me hand food crumbs in the space between the pieces....can I give a green face emoji ? 2 stars because they were friendly and fast. I can't imagine I would second this place. Hope someone reads this and spruces it up. read more

I was very disappointed with El Texano. I have passed by this restaurant many times & decided to try it today. When we walked in at 12:15 for lunch there were only a few people in there. There was no ambiance, just quietness all around. I chose an order of 4 enchiladas. I requested 2 cheese with green sauce & 2 chicken with red sauce. The plate came & looked very colorful & full of potential, but these were the most lackluster & boring enchiladas I've ever had. There was no flavor, the enchiladas were barely warm, & the sauces were simply dull. The accompanying beans & rice were blow offs. They were so bland as well. The chips & salsa were also extremely lacking in flavor. I saw some reviews stated the salsa was dull, but yet others said it was really spicy. All I can think is maybe they have 2 salsas. We obviously received the dull one. The waitress was very nice & provided good service. Other than that, nothing was noteworthy for me. The food was very uninspired. read more

El Texano - Salsa with zero flavor. - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

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Come on you call your selves a Tex Mex restaurant and don't have complimentary chips and salsa? And don't get me started on the tacos they were only two bites and gone. And no hot sauce on the table. read more

El Texano - See this empty spot this is where chips and salsa should be. Food was barely adequate tacos were exactly two bites big. Enough said - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

This place is super authentic. This is not your chipotle but true Mexican food. Every time my family and i come to eat here we are never disappointed! Homemade chips, homemade tortillas, food is fresh and well seasoned and customer service has always been so pleasant! I will say it's generally empty and that may be a turn off for some people but don't let that sway you otherwise. It truly is a great Mexican restaurant, try it you won't regret it :) read more

Authentic Mexican appeal, great food and service. Waitress was welcoming and answered any questions we may have with a smile. Served a party of 5, two with allergies, and answered questions. Great serving sizes and sides. Extensive menu options. Great margaritas! We had quesadillas, enchiladas, pollo mole, grilled chicken and chips with sauces. Definitely suggest it to people looking for a good Mexican food experience. read more

My beef enchilada was floating in water. Very poor service, food was bad and it was dirty. Another couple was leaving at the same time said the same. Worst Mexican food in Tampa award. read more

Best chips and queso I've ever had. It's a hole in the wall, but aren't those the best authentic places?!?! read more

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If I can give negative stars I would. I ordered a vegetarian lunch combo and it was almost inedible. I would be so lucky if it was flavorless. My date order the meat combo and said it was the worst Mexican he had ever eaten. read more

Interior is about as welcoming as an old funeral home. Service was slow and inattentive. Food was the worst of this type of restaurant I've ever had. Flautist were burnt and DRY! Shrimp was tough and over cooked. read more

Went for breakfast here for the first time and loved the huevos rancheros. If you want a good casual place without Froo froo, but excellent food is your goal, this is the place for you. Simple and authentic Mexican food and fresh read more

El Texano - Trying breakfast for the first time. Huevos Ranchero is excellent - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

This is hands down the best authentic Mexican food in northern Pinellas. Went on a Wednesday night, which happens to be $1 taco night! My husband ordered 5 tacos in a variety of meats. I ordered the tostadas in chicken, steak, and pork carnitas. Everything was delicious. Steak was my fav! They give you chips and a verde salsa with a little bit of kick to it. After ordering 5 tacos, an order of (3) tostadas, 2 beers, and churros for dessert it was only $23.50. You definitely get your money's worth here! Our server was very nice and attentive. Took the time to explain things on the menu. All around very good experience! Will definitely be returning! read more

El Texano - Tacos! - Mexican Near Me - Palm Harbor, Florida

Came here one night for cinco de Mayo and ordered the chicken tacos. After about an hour of waiting (which is understandable due to how packed it was) and listening to very loud music I got my food. On the plate there was a flimsy taco shell, a brown chicken filet and some lettuce. The "chicken" tasted like pork and was chewy. We then left and went to Chick-fil-A afterwards. Servers were very friendly and welcoming. Definitely not trying to leave a bad review, just leaving my input, all in all a good restaurant and I understand that they were very busy. Might come back again to try a second meal. read more

No taste. Salsa bland marguerita not a good taste. Do not recommend . Did not resemble any Mexican I have had and again taste bland and salsa watery read more

Authentic mexican food Great chips and salsa Great service Authentic atmosphere Doesn't get more real than this read more

Ordered chicken and shrimp fajitas, tacos combo, and sangria. Taste was pretty authentic Mexican. Decor could use improvement but food and service was really good. read more

Great Authentic Mexican restaurant . Everything from Salsa Verde to main dishes were mouthwatering. Great variety with authentic taste. Great service. Very friendly. They were previously established in tarpon springs. Thoroughly enjoyed the taste and variety. Not the usual run of the mill kind. read more

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The vibe was a little weird, but the food was pretty tasty over all. The chips & salsa where lower on my list than other places I've popped into (I love judging Mexican food you'll find...) but they had some interesting & unique tastes & menu items I have only found ironically in these smaller divey places and in the back kitchen at the restaurant which I've worked (not for customers, just in the back.) The children's options are actually quite large and my fiance LOVED the cactus. Unique offerings, not my favorite, but pretty good. read more

Excellent guacamole and chips, my carnitas burrito tasted fresh and the pork was delicious. The place wasn't too busy at lunch so the waitress was on it. The only ding on the place was its aging interior, otherwise, a great lunch. read more