I was in Imperial Valley for work and found this Mexican restaurant on Yelp. We decided to give it a try on our way to the airport. The restaurant is nice and gives a diner feel. The employees are very friendly and helpful. The food, starting with chips and salads, was very good. I had a vegetable burrito which came wet with a green sauce and melted cheese. It came with grilled lots of veggies, beans, sour cream, and I added rice. It was delicious! The price was just right. If I find myself in IV, I'll definitely go back! read more

The food and atmosphere are both good, but their pricing is very expensive (take a look at the menu) and not justifiable in my honest opinion. There are many other restaurants here in Imperial Valley with better food that will be a little easier on the wallet. Should they ever revise their menu pricing to mirror similar restaurants, I would indeed come back based upon on the quality of food and service. But to each their own... there are lots of good reviews here, and many people love this place for what it is. read more

Very slow customer service and food not very good quality! They made us wait an hour just to taste awful food! Poor quality food!

We never got refills on our drinks and the server took away our cups while we were still eating. We waited long enough for our food to arrive and we finished our drinks, and to not get a refill after asking the server for refills and salsa was very irritating. I had to get up and ask for a salsa from someone else to get it. The lady server was visibly unhappy to be working there like looking pissed off. I have been a customer for many years (Like 10+ years) Ignoring how expensive the food has gotten because I enjoy the food, but I'm finally done with this place. I can get a beach view with good customer service in San Diego for the price of this place. One time they didn't bring my girlfriend's order after a long wait for the food to arrive. I got my food and she didn't, and I still gave it a chance. I'm never going again. I do not recommend anyone to go there. I grew up in Imperial and have been there many times. It sucks now. read more

The decor in this restaurant is so cool. Giving Dia De Los Muertos vibes. The food was amazing with huge portions. I got this enormous quesadilla and the filling is delicious. Think a quesadilla empanada/pot pie. So yummy and I literally made two huge meals out of it lol. So good! read more

Disclaimer: The poor lighting for these pictures do not do the food justice. Ok, so this place is straight . Although they always seem understaffed, the service is top-notch and adequate. But the food is so good! I came here with my son and he ordered the chimichanga that I had pumped up for him. He HAD to try it. I ordered a wet burrito (carne asada) with red sauce. Everything came to our table quickly and it was delicious! I must commend their salsa and chips. The salsa is to die for.. You cannot go wrong with El Zarape. One of my all time favorite Mexican spots! read more

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They have good food but they're expensive. I called to order breakfast burritos because I saw a picture of the menu on here and it said the burritos were 9.25. When i went to pick up my order they charged me $12. The photo I saw is from last year. Charging $3 more in less than a year is crazy. read more

The best part of being close to the Mexican Border is they have delicious Mexican eats! This is one of them! I don't get to eat this good Mexican food everyday. I really enjoyed my dinner tonight My Experience: Every single item I ordered was on point! I can pretty much it's authentic Mexican food! The portions is decent, The size of their what they call small Menudo is actually pretty big! It can be shared by two people! Overall: Highly Recommended if you happen to be in the El Centro, Calexico area. #calexico #elcentro #lcalifornia read more

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Still the BEST steak Ranchero in the Valley! Great Salsa also. With all the great Mexican Food here, this place stands out!' read more

My Wife and I use to really love this place and talked about how we hoped it wouldn't change......but it has. The food has gotten ridiculously expensive. A $15 dollar burrito is now $30. The food portions have gotten smaller, the service sucks. The waiter/waitress doesn't ever come back for anything so you have to physically get up and get their attention to only get an attitude in return. Never thought I'd leave this place a bad review but we're not going back after over 15 years of going there. Side note.....they still have the best salsa in the world. read more

Very good comfort Mexican comfort food. I've been here a few times when I come to visit friends from LA and it never disappoints. My friend usually orders and I enjoy it all the same. read more

El Zarape Restaurant - Cheese pepper with shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Imperial, California

I wish this place would let me give it 10 stars not 5 !! Hubby and I were on a road trip and wanted something tasty and on the go We stopped and found this little gem and oh my grateful tastebuds!!!!!! I have the chicken enchiladas with red sauce, beans and rice. Hubby had a chicken burrito The meat was moist and everything tasted like it was made out of my abuelitas kitchen So damn good (Licking my fingers) read more

El Zarape Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Imperial, California

BEST in the valley in my opinion, always great service and even better food. This place does not disappoint, we have been coming here before we go grocery shopping (we don't buy as much when we are full) so at least 3 times a month. Whenever someone asks a great Mexican restaurant, El Zarape is the one I tell them about. We live in Ocotillo so it's a 30+ mile drive but I will tell you it's so worth it. I have tried many of the items on the menu, I don't have a favorite, too much to choose from. My absolute favorite place read more

I haven't eaten here in a very long time so I had forgotten how good their food is! The appetizer Salsa is one of the best. I got the camarón a la diabla and was extremely pleased at the level of heat. I've usually very picky when it come to the rice, however theirs is pretty good! Over all, great service and delicious food! read more

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Delicious Excellent friendly Beautiful pictures and table decor Bottomless salsa chips and Ice Tea read more

Went with my sisters to try this place, loved the following: queso fundido with chorizo, amazing flavor...the super nachos, the meat in it was sooooo good, excellent chimichanga, carne asada with guacamole burrito very yummy! We arrived early so there was only one server and busy already but she was very attentive! I liked the decor. It felt homey! Will be back to try their other offerings! read more

I eat here at least once a week for lunch. I have never had a bad experience here. The food always come out superb and the staff has always been friendly. The part I have trouble with sometimes is being able to call in because they're so popular their phone lines can be busy. But I like to call ahead of time and place my order. They always have their masks on and I just pull up outside and someone is almost always there within 2 minutes. They aren't far from where I work so if I don't have time to pack a lunch I'm more than likely giving El Zarapes a call. I would 100% recommend them to others. I have not tried their entire menu lol but I have liked everything I've tried so far. Will take pictures next time and add them into this review. Things I have personally tried: Caldo De Res Carne Asada Torta Albondigas Tacos Durados plate - medium cooked read more

Good food. Great services. A tad bit higher price range but the food is genuinely good. Small location, gets pretty packed during the lunch rush. Avoid it if you can or order ahead. read more

I like eating in the restaurant but I tried to call and order today and got hung up on several times. The lady on the phone was very rude when I was able to talk to her. read more

Use to love this place. I understand need to raise prices ,but increase is way too much . The food is just ok now. But the main issue is service, bring you food and never come back . read more

Widely recognized for miles around for the absolute best selections for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. While most reviewers rightfully rave about their Quesadillas, if you love Mole go directly there and try the Quesadillas next time. This could easily be the best Mole in the Western Hemisphere!!! read more

Had the mole poblano after being in the market for great mole for the last two weeks. This was it! Home made everything! The sauce was dark with a balanced amount of richness. Chicken fell right off the bone and the sauce was a masterpiece. Beans were really tasty and the rice was just right. Really great tasting food without being greasy or hard on your stomach. My wife had the special quesadilla and the sauce was flavorful and the home made tortilla was deep fried into a pancake full of top notch carne asada, vegetables and just the right about of cheese. If you show up hungry, go easy on the chips to leave room for your really great Mexican meal and service just miles from the Mexican border. read more

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This place is awesome! The salsa is perfect with the right amounts of spice, the Carne asada will not disappoint you get a good portion of quality meat. The staff are super awesome and friendly. I was unaware they were closing in 5 min and was calling in an order to go, the girl who took my order said they would still take my order and would wait for my pick up. Great customer service! read more

First time trying this restaurant. My order consisted of a special quesadilla with Chicken $8+, a side of guac $1.50 and a Modelo Negra. The meat was not as cook-to-order as I like it to be; especially with chicken. It tends to lose its moisture content as it ages and can result in dryness. The deep-fried flour shell was a bit overdone resulting in a chewy texture as opposed to light and crispy. read more

One of the best. Good service snd great food. Very creative with their style of Mexican cuisine yet very traditional. read more

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Great food everything I've had has been really good. Their Special Quesadilla is awesome. Best Mexican food in the Valley. read more

El Zarape Restaurant - Special Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Imperial, California

Local resident here; I haven't ate here that often (due to it being far from my home) but the few times I do eat there, it's always an amazing dining experience. Their service, while slow at times, is always great and the servers have a deep appreciation for their customers. The restaurant itself, while small, has a traditional Mexican/Hispanic restaurant feeling and the servers make you feel at home. The food is one of the best in the valley; they make their food fresh and their special quesadillas are to die for. Overall, I would definitely recommend stopping here if you are a local or a traveler! read more

My husband pulled up in front of El ZARAPE and ordered meals for three. This was 5:09pm this evening. He waited and waited as other people came and went for over an hour. He then went to the door and asked what was up with his order. The waitress told him that his order was being packaged up right then and she took his credit card. This was 6:15pm. When the food was delivered he asked her if the food was fresh and hot. She said, yes. He brought it home. It was cold, lukewarm at best, after a 5 minute drive. We will not return. Too bad, because they really had good food once upon a time, like last month! read more

This in my opinion is the BEST food in the valley hands down. Always great food, no matter what I have ordered it is always delicious. Great staff and wonderful decor. We go here at least 3 times a month and enjoy everything about this restaurant, when you walk in and they already know what you drink it's always a great feeling. If you want a great experience, you won't be disappointed read more

I was somewhat disappointed in the food and prices. I wouldn't mind the price increases if the food was up to their old good standards. For two people, I paid $50.00 for 1 carne asada burrito, 2 special quesadillas, one taco plate. The meat In the burrito was grisel and fat. The quesidillas (both) burnt, and my taco meat tasted rancid along with the taco shell. I've been eating here since they opened their business in the 90's. So very disappointed... their service was still A-1, but I can't spend that much money for inedible food. I want to support the business in our town but in this case I will not be going back, which is sad, cause their food used to be awesome. read more

This is a family owned restaurant that offers the best and most authentic Mexican food in town . Not only the menu offers many combination plates and other dishes to choose from but the way the food is cooked is still so authentic and full of flavor that anyone who eats there can understand what I mean . I love coming here for lunch or dinner and the albóndigas stew is the best we had so far ! Not to mention the super nachos which are loaded with so many delicious toppings such as beans , sour cream , guacamole and the most delicious arrachera meat , all combined to fill up as many as 4 ppl from this tasty and great read more

I love their salsa and chips! When I don't feel like making salsa, I go and but it here! It's so good! read more

The shrimp quesadilla special with red sauce picture via yelp is what drew me to visit this place. It was so good! The service is quick and friendly. Prices seem a little high for the area but it was worth it. I paid about $15 for my dish, the portion was pretty large. Came with 6 or 8 shrimps, can't remember. I asked our server if they had a spicier hot sauce for my dish and she brought over a house salsa, didn't disappoint and went perfect with my quesadilla . This place makes their own dough. You can definitely taste its freshness. Overall the food is very tasty. Definitely would visit again. read more

El Zarape Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Imperial, California

Try Pescado (or Camarone) a la Diabla if you like super spicy food. We have tried so many Pescado a la Diabla at different places and here is the hottest, but it's kinda soupy. We really like it. Downside: every time I come here, this place is packed!! Prepare to wait for at least 30 minutes read more

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Let's start by saying the horchata is on point! The food lacks in flavor and is not outstanding. What's up with the small diced cabbage, old lemons, dried out cucumbers and then the pickled carrots.... Not impressed. - Shred the cabbage - Supply radish - fresh cut limes Just a few ideas.... The carne Asada tacos were not impressive. I will not be going back unless it's for the salsa and the horchata! read more

I looooove the soups it just takes a bit to get your food so maybe not a lunch break spot!

Service can be hit or miss - sometimes they're very attentive and on top of the customers and other times you're constantly waving someone down. The food is good, the spicy salsa is HOT. read more

Main course of "make their food slow" with a Complimentary side of racism! Amazing! Lost out on a frequent patron :(

First of all, let me say that the food (Quesadillas) was excellent, but we did not have a good experience there. Also, I do not believe they are trying to swindle people, but the pricing is NOT TRANSPARENT. Some of the prices on the menu are blacked out with no replacement price. And we just wanted a couple of quesadillas on our way to a 7pm show at the California Mid-Winter Fair and Fiesta down the street. We read the (good) Yelp review and decided to give El Zarape a try. We were told we could sit anywhere and ordered waters. Water came with chips quickly. But 20 minutes later we had to flag down a waitress to put our food order in. We couldn't figure out the prices for the Quesadillas from the menu, so we asked questions. We were told that the Quesadillas come with one extra meat, etc. So we ordered Carne Asada. Couldn't find the Quesadilla that was NOT deep fried on the menu, but it turns out they do have one. Food came and my wife ordered a (Very) small guacamole side dish to eat with the free chips. Got the bill and it was $30. With no drinks. Two Quesadillas and a tiny side order of guacamole. Turns out the meat was $3.95 extra (I am sure the waitress said it was included) and the (tiny) order of guacamole was $8.95 (!!!). I couldn't believe it and the waitress told me that that's the price. So I went to the manager and he said yes it is $8.95 (for a golf-ball-sized guacamole portion). I would have argued and insisted on them re-pricing our bill, but we were getting late for our show so we just paid and left. A shame because the food was outstanding but the menu is impossible to understand (and I went to grad school). Price transparency at El Zarape is right up there with what you get at hospitals. Who knows what the bill will be? Folks, please have someone simplify and improve your menu and pricing so people have some idea what they are getting and what it costs. Your food is too good to have a confusing menu with confusing pricing. read more

Updated review: I usually call in to order breakfast burritos so I can just go and pick them up. But last time I called, the phone was off the hook. My mom said she would just go down there and order. She said the place was very busy, and she waited 25 minutes for two breakfast burritos. Don't get me wrong, the food is excellent, buy my question is, if the establishment is aware of how popular its breakfast burritos are, then why not have them hot and ready to go? Why not have additional staff in the morning so they can power through the orders and still satisfy the customers? What about a automated ordering system by phone or online? read more