Great food friendly staff. Actually ran into a waiter that lived in my hometown. First time in SD and never thought I would ever see anyone I knew. I live in an area of many good Mexican food restaurants, very few as good as this. The dishes are hot, tasty, and fresh. Salsa is homemade and amazing. Got to try this place. I'll def be back. The booths are very colorful with very cool artwork too! Great selection of beers, fajitas are fantastic! read more

Food was excellent. We were a little leery, given the other reviews here, but honestly it was a great experience. Awesome waiter, fast service, and great food. I think this place has likely improved quite a bit with the new location. Will be my go-to in Madison from now on. read more

My Camarones Al Ajo came with almost zero garlic flavor. I think someone used some "garlic salt" because what flavor it had was way too salty. I've been living close to the southern border with Mexico and have had this dish hundreds of times at dozens of restaurants, and it was never this awful. Maybe people in SD like their food super bland but this was bland and too salty. The mushrooms were okay, but again, didn't taste like garlic or butter. Meanwhile, not on the menu, they put cheese in my salad and rice under my tomato. Im allergic. Would've been good to know since we took it takeout. Chips were okay, salsa was fine, nothing great. The other dishes my family had were okay. Again, nothing impressive. read more

One of the worst meals I've ever had. Ordered "El quesadilla texana". It was to be served with "guacamole salad", there was none. When I asked the waiter about it he said it did not come with the item. Two ten inches tortillas were used in stead of one, and without much cheese to glue the filling in place, the ingredients spilled out all over. I had no choice but to use a fork when a quesadilla, ( note the root word "queso"), is typically finger food. Had there been any chorizo inside it might have provided some moisture for the really dry ingredients. The chicken was so dry it was nearly inedible, the few bites of steak were tough and there wasn't a shrimp at all trapped between these tortillas. The bacon was there and a little bit of con queso was dribbled on top. This cowboy just don't ride. read more

Don't go!! First off I travel a lot and always look for good Mexican and decided to try this place because the reviews where decent. WHAT A MISTAKE!!! I order fajitas and the steak in it was so tough and nothing but grizzle. All I got when I mentioned it was "sorry". Next the salsa that came with the chips was too mild so I asked for something spicier. Also the basket of chips was over half crumbs!! When my bill came it was about $4.00 too much and I asked why and was told it was because I asked for extra salsa. The worst thing they didn't even take anything off for the bad meat. SO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!! read more

New location is definitely a plus with more seating and more parking...Food & Staff are AAA+++. If you leave hungry....its your own fault... HIGHLY RECOMMEND...!!! read more

I don't eat red meat and so I ordered a "safe" option of Shrimp Quesidilla. I'll admit we were in a hurry and I was put on the spot, so I did not read the description. When it came, there was more sausage than shrimp on the quesidilla. I explained I don't eat red meat, how I didn't think there would be sausage, and asked if I could get a shrimp quesadillia with just shirmp. The waitor said no, but there is a burrito. I ordered the burrito, which was really good. When the bill came, it was $19 for the burrito (I did eat) and the Quesidilla (which I did not eat). I was frustrated at myself for orerding it without reading the description and them for not at least taking the "mark-up" off the item I couldn't eat. Restaurant is also VERY loud. read more

Great service, good food. It's by no means the best Mexican place I've been to but, it's good for rural northern places. It's a bit of a drive but, it's clean and the staff is great. read more

Run. Run far, far away. El Vaquero isn't the oasis of Mexican food you've been hoping to find. As a college student attending DSU, sometimes I have ideas that aren't always the greatest. One of my worst mistakes? Going to El Vaquero more than once. The food is just awful. Sure, there are free chips and salsa with your meal, but that's seriously the best part. The rice and refried beans that accompany every meal taste like they've been made days ago. They're both stale, and the rice is practically mush. Some of the entrees are alright. I somewhat enjoyed a chimichanga I had there, but that's about it. Don't. Just don't. Head to Jackies in Sioux Falls if you're looking for some decent Mexican food. read more

Whenever I happen to be in town I have to make a stop for the amazing salsa and fajitas this place offers. The environment is authentic and festive. The restaurant is colorful and upbeat with fast service and kind servers. As I type this traditional music is playing in the background on the radio in the kitchen. This is my favorite destination to get a taste from south of the border this far north. If you go you will enjoy. read more

El Vaquero Mex Restaurant - I love the colorful booths! - Mexican Near Me - Madison, South Dakota

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When I first came to this town a few years ago, this was an excellent dining experience but then it slowly declined! The food now tastes of a restaurant cutting corners. Most of the meats taste canned and the chips use to taste fresh and yet now taste stale at times. The service became less than desirable as well. You have to ask for extra napkins and when you get one, which may be up to 15 mins into your meal, you get one single napkin. The soda also tastes of being watered down. El Vaquero, if you are struggling financially, do yourself and your business a favor, don't show it! Give it your all or shut the doors!! read more

You're not going to find any other Mexican restaurant more authentic- both edible and environmental- to El Vaquero in south east South Dakota. I know, I'm from 70 miles north of the border and have been looking! While some dishes are a bit weaker then others, The steak fajitas, burritos, and enchiladas are excellent so far. The salsa is freshly made. And you can call in an order and pick up the food. I'm a big fan. read more

Excellent authentic Mexican food and at reasonable prices! The staff are always friendly and the atmosphere is lively. I highly recommend the Pollo Los Cabos! read more

It's clear that some of the waiting staff's English isn't that strong, which can make orders difficult if you want to substitute something. However the quality of food is pretty good and there's seating for larger groups. read more

I give this place zero stars. Worst food I have had in ten years. I ordered a chimichanga,which is supposed to be a deep fried burrito. What I got was a soggy,flour tortilla burrito with some kind of white vomit substance on top,filled with,what was supposed to be beef tips but was really just chunks of chewy beef fat. I almost threw up on the first bite. Ended up spitting it out in the trash. The rice was an over cooked mush with no flavor and the beans were blah with blah cheese on top. The salsa wasn't bad but $11 for two tablespoons of salsa is not great. The guacamole salad was horrid. Pre packaged guacamole on some wet,shredded lettuce and chopped raw onions. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone who has ever had real Mexican food. Better just to go to Taco Johns and waste your money there. read more

Great food! The restaurant isn't pretty, but the service is good. I would recommend the steak fajita dinner, you can make two meals out of the dinner. read more

Great salsa. Nice selection of Mexican beers. Pretty good food!

Love this place. Great food and wonderful staff. Can have a very quick lunch and be in and out in a half hour. Try the white cheese with chips and salsa. Number 5 on the lunch menu. Shrimp fajitas for supper. read more