Food and service is always good sometimes it can be noisy, but the atmosphere is good

I truly enjoy everything that I've eaten here. Quality, hot, good selection, clean restaurant, helpful staff. Ambience is for family. read more

Overall a good eating experience! The inside is quiet and not bright but not too dark. Didn't visit the restrooms, but the dining area was clean. Chips were good, salsa is good. The salsa is not chunky, it's more of a runny salsa. Good heat, but I felt needed a little more salt. One unique thing is you get hot bean dip with your chips free! We had the "El Zarape Plate" and the shrimp taco plate. We omitted the rice on the taco plate. The Zarape plate comes with plenty of food for 14.99. You get a cold plate with a taco, tostada and a queso chalupa. The hot plate has a tamale, enchilada and rice and beans. The enichilada gravy was good. I love salty food so I needed salt on everything, the food wasn't too spicy nor too bland. Would def eat here again. Service was on the spot, and beer was ice cold read more

El Zarape Cafe - Shrimp tacos, we omitted the rice. Pretty darn good! - Mexican Near Me - Bay City, Texas

Invited by friends and we're not disappointed. This gem is tucked back off the Main Street but worth it. Food, service and atmosphere were all top notch. Will definitely be back read more

This place is ok. On the inexpensive side but also a very small and out dated building. Ambiance is not everything but it was very dark and not really comfortable. The food was a quantity for the price but I have had better Mexican food tbh. The salsa tasted like tomato sauce. Not a fan I have only been here one time so maybe there are better things on the menu I like to try a variety so I got the combo plate with beef and cheese enchiladas which comes with rice and beans. Not enough flavor for me. Very bland. read more

Great family owned Mexican restaurant. Food is exceptional and have never had a bad meal here and all the years I've been eating here! I actually have eight here twice during my week. Stay here in Bay City recently. read more

We ordered the grilled chicken and beef enchiladas. Chicken was a little dry and didn't taste fresh, enchiladas were ok, not really flavorful. Rice was over cooked. Charro beans were good and the avocado mix (freshly made) was delicious. Service was ok. There are other Mexican restaurants with food that tastes better, looks fresher, and has really good flavor at two other places at least. Won't be going back here. read more

Food is good. Beef fajitas were a little tough but the chicken fajitas were great. Tamales were tasty but just a little heavy on the masa. Mexican dinner was very good. Service is great! We will be back. read more

Excellent service, hands down they take care of you. Be kind and they will make you see why good people make good food. Lighting is a bit dark, but that's the way it should be. read more

Delicious food! Service wasn't bad but not fantastic either! I had the cheese enchiladas and they were great! Would eat here again.

I am so in love with their Avocado El Zarape and then I add the grilled shrimp It is so good!!! Fresh and healthy! Then I add a couple bean and cheese tostados because, why not!?! They even have a full bar if you are ready for a margarita or two! read more

The most flavorful and authentic food around! We had a large group after Sunday service and they took it in stride! Kudos!

El Zarape has been expertly run by the same family since 1944. The food is outstanding and the service as good as one can find anywhere. The menu is extensive and prepared with great care using the freshest of ingredients (most local). Tuesday and Thursday nights are even more special. This is when you can have margaritas for less than two dollars each. Be sure to check the hours before you go. Open for Lunch and Dinner but closed in the afternoon. OLE! read more

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One of the oldies and the best Mexican Food in Bay City, Texas. Food great and service always on point! And our family & friends love the wonderful atmosphere. read more

We were here Saturday night (5/11/19). There were 10 of us. Service was spot on. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. My fajitas were good , but I have had better. Our server was phenomenal. read more

This place has been a family favorite my entire life. I would definitely recommend this place over any other in town in terms of family friendliness. It is a staple of bay city and if you are looking for something small and family owned this is the place. All of the food is amazing, but one of my favorites is the shrimp nachos. read more

Great food and family atmosphere. A lot to be said for a family owned and operated that's has serviced so many for so long. I will absolutely continue to eat here for many years to come read more

My son lives in the Heights in Houston where really good restaurants are everywhere so when he went to lunch with us at El Zarape Cafe he said the food was the best he has had! read more

I have been eating at El Zarape for 42 years and have eaten here at least 100 times in my life. The food at El Zarape is excellent, old-school Mexican food. I've never had their fajitas or quesadillas - so I can't speak to their TexMex dishes. If you're looking for standard Tex-Mex fare try the trendy chain Mexican restaurant in town - if what you are looking for is remarkable, dependable, high-quality Mexican dining in a small town atmosphere (kind of a throw back in time, actually) then El Zarape cannot be beat! Their salsa is excellent as is their bean dip. The Queso tostada is exceptional, tacos are pretty good/standard fare. The cheese enchiladas and tamales are also fantastic! They also sell the tamales by the dozen which is handy. The Margaritas are good and pack a punch after the first one (have two!) The service is quick and efficient and the girls are usually very friendly - so not sure what Jackie A. is talking about. I hope this sets up the right expectations for your visit - you won't regret it! read more

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I miss Bay City. You're why. The enchiladas are my favorite. So good. The best enchiladas I've eaten in my 61 years on this planet. I consider myself an enchilada expert. read more

Crap from cans. The "queso" is straight from a can. The red sauce is spicy water. The meat is tasteless, and not actual fajita meat. This is as bad as Mexican food gets. read more

The service was great. I can't remember our servers name but she was very attentive. The restaurant is a big place. The food is okay. I've definitely had better. There's plenty of parking space and anytime I drive by here the lot is full, so I guess a lot of people like it? But it is not up to my standards. The Margaritas were okay. It is getting 2 stars because of the service. The food gets 0. read more

I have been coming here for years. This is a part of any Bay City childhood experience. This establishment is a staple of Bay City and I feel like family every time I come in here. The food is authentic and even if Mexican food isn't your thing, the American food is all home made and exceeds any expectations. Best restaraunt in Bay City!!! read more

The worst mexican food I have ever had. I walked out.Queso was out of a can . Nachos were Horrible

Matthew Martinez was an excellent host and very professional. The food was exquisite and the hospitality was out of this world. Would highly recommend!! read more

It's Just not like it used to be! I won't go back. Food was cold. The queso is not Queso, it seemed very floury! The cheese on top of the enchiladas wasn't even melted. They forgot our chips and salsa, the rice and beans was okay but I've had much better. If I didn't have to give a star, I wouldn't! read more

The green beans are to die for, onion rings are wonderful, the gravy on the enchiladas was delicious, chicken fried chicken was great, the tamales were perfectly spiced... I could go on and on. The only complaint? By the time we finished shoving our mouths with our entree, the chile con queso was cold. Na ja! It was fantastic and we kept eating past "explosion threat" full. read more

I've been coming to this restaurant since I was little. I have been served nothing but exemplary service. The chile con queso is a must try! They make it in house with a special recipe. I usually go with the combination plate which consists of 2 cheese enchiladas with rice and beans. Very affordable at only $6.99. They also bring bean dip and salsa free of charge when you sit down. read more

This place is awesome. I have had a lot of Mexican food and this place was great. I usually don't get fajitas but the combo flamado with shrimp was so good. Good margaritas too! read more

Always one of my favs, but this last visit it was not good. Chile con queso tostada was so cold the cheese had a different texture to it. Meat in my taco was cold. Taco shell was stale. Salsa was watery and had no flavor. Very disappointed! I hope it was just an off day read more

El Zarape Cafe is great! It has great food and reasonable prices. This restaurant is pretty known for its queso! There is no place like it anywhere close by! Definitely my first choice for Mexican food. read more