This was our third visit to El Familiar. Today was Father's Day 2026…read more First, my daughter had made reservations for 15. They didn't hesitate. We showed up at 12:30 pm. We were seated almost immediately. The restaurant had just a few tables occupied. The restaurant was clean, quiet and our seating was spacious. We were promptly attended to. Second, we were given a Father's Day menu which was a very abbreviated version of their usual menu. Our server was quick to point out that if there was anything we wanted that was on the normal menu that we remembered, all we had to do was ask. We were delighted. We placed our drink orders. We were given plenty of time to review the menu and discuss what else we might want from the regular menu. We placed our orders. The wait for our meals was commensurate with the number of people. The food arrived piping hot. Everyone was served within minutes. The food was absolutely delicious and the portions enormous. I ordered 2 appetizers thinking they were going to be reasonable. I fed most of the table while still having enough for myself. Needless to say, to-go containers were necessary. Last, I want to say again that this was my and my wife's third visit. Each time we were served and attended to by Danna (?). I can't say enough positive things about her. She was attentive, friendly, warm, patient and very happy and helpful. She was very accepting even though I was doing my best with my high school Spanish. For my wife and me, I will ask for Danna to be our server and will be as much of a regular patron as possible. I would highly recommend El Familiar. You can't beat the ambiance, food quality and service.

Visited this restaurant with my family and we all loved the food. There were so many options on the…read moremenu and all were delicious. They even have a drink menu with fruit juices that are a must try. The service was great, waitress was very kind and patient especially with my newborn being there. The ambiance was nice, families were present. I'd definitely come back.

Wow! The largest portions and value I've found in the northeast. Everything is fresh and made to…read moreorder. Delicious salsa and fresh chips on the house. Chiles Rellenos were spicy and freshly made- red sauce and refried beans were delicious. My husband and I love to pig out, and never ask for to go boxes, but had to get them here because we were so stuffed! Will be back the next time we're in the area.

I little expensive for lunch. Ours were $16 for the Chimichanga and $20 for Chiles Rellenos Queso…read more Decent dinning area. I might come back for dinner.

The employees were all very kind. The food was outstanding - we had the guacamole (delicious),…read morefajitas were very good (came with chicken, beef & shrimp), and enchiladas (very good). The portions were very generous - we each took more than half our dishes home.

Absolutely fabulous! Authentic Mexican food, deliciously and artistically prepared, friendly and…read moreprompt service, and SO much to enjoy, visually, within the restaurant! The sound system was a bit loud, but that's the ONLY gentle criticism I have. I wish we lived closer to Toms River: La Cazuela de Dona Mary would be one of our favorite restaurants. Thanks for the treat! We'll be back again next year: count on it!!

Today was our first visit. The food was delicious and our server was very friendly. We will…read moredefinitely be back! We had the fajitas. The restaurant was very clean and nice inside.

Flavorless and disappointing. My pollo tacos came with plain white pieces of chicken that seemed to…read morehave zero seasoning. We asked for salsa, but the waitress kept bringing out Tapatío instead. There was also a language barrier, so we ended up having to communicate in Spanish. Unfortunately, the rest of the meal wasn't much better. The chips were stale, and the rice and beans were not good at all--the beans were completely blended and lacked flavor. Overall, the food was very underwhelming and I would not recommend this place.

Absolutely the best Mexican food in the area! We tried the Tinga de Pollo empanadas, birria tacos,…read moretres leches cake, and a side of rice -- everything was cooked perfectly, well-seasoned, and generously portioned. The owner is incredibly friendly and always happy to explain the menu or offer great recommendations. Takeout seems to be very popular, but there are also a few tables inside if you'd like to dine in. Highly recommend giving them a try!

Service was amazing, staff was incredibly friendly and attentive. Food came out incredibly fast and…read morewas sooooo good. The seating area is cute and the whole place is decorated.

The staff is so welcoming!! Imelda took care of us!…read more Today I got to drink some Jamaica tea. It was so delicious and it's such a wonderful refreshing flavor! I haven't had this in forever. Really lovely. Pork tacos were absolutely perfection. So delicious!! Thanks for all your hard work. Everything was lovely and I had a wonderful meal.

I've seen this place every time I'm in the area, but today was our first time. Very nice service…read moreand environment atmosphere. Chips were good and salsa too mild, so I asked for something spicier. It was really really really spicy! We enjoyed our meals. I ordered a chicken and a cheese enchilada from the lunch menu. My friend ordered the lunch size fajitas chicken and beef. We enjoyed the food so much! We'll be back.

Genuine Mexican cuisine, yummy food, nice staff. Good parking lot with a traffic light for left…read moreturns.

Stopped here before going to the beach. There is parking on the side, as well as some extra parking…read morein the Walgreens area. The people were kind and friendly when I entered. There is only indoor seating. We put in 4 orders- 2 quesadillas with steak, 2 orders of tacos. It took about 15-20 min to get everything. I would say that the food was a bit dry and lacked flavor. The rice and beans that came with the quesadilla looked like they were from the day before. It wasn't my favorite Mexican spot.

holy crap. my family and i have been searching for a good mexican restaurant for awhile now! this…read moreplace was awesome. first of all, the presentation was great--all of our food came out looking pristine, pretty, and very appetizing. the dessert plating was the best. i tried the chimichanga, the enchiladas, their fajitas, the tacos, and their chips. everything was delicious. i had the shrimp burrito for my main and it was so filling; the shrimp were huge. it was stuffed with rice and beans, so it definitely was worth the price. it's been hours and i'm still quite full. we asked for extra hot sauce, and their diablo was the best (ask for it)!!! you can sit inside or outside, and they play music so the atmosphere is great. we sat outside; there's a canopy around the outside seating so it's private (not fully out in the open which was appreciated. there's nice lighting, plants, and seating. the service was very friendly and fast! everyone was kind, had no problem explaining the menu, and were accommodating. my favorite thing was the flan. it was creamy, sweet, and also super filling. the tres leches, however, was SOAKED. oh my god, i recommend it--the desserts were amazing. i have never been so full in my life. this is now our go-to spot! please show this place some love! the menu is very vast, organized, and there's so many interesting choices to choose from. definitely come here!!!!

I work in the area and was looking for a good place to get lunch. Found this place online and…read moredecided to check it out based on the great reviews and was so glad I did. They have a few tables inside and I was happy to see it was crowded. We sat outside which was really nice. They also offer a lunch menu which I like. I got the chicken quesadilla which was really good. Not a huge portion but it hit the spot. We also got the chimichanga Tulum which was huge and so good. Definitely would come back!!

Just great! Best tacos I ever had! The place is nicely decorated, very colorful. With what I assume…read moreis Mexican music playing. We started off with fresh homemade chips and salsa. They charge $10 for that, which usually is complementary in most places. But they very good. And came with three different salsas: hot, med (green) and mild. I liked the mild the best. My wife loved the birria chimichanga and I loved the steak tacos. We finished off with a chimichanga with rice pudding inside. They have a large menu with both traditional Mexican dishes and dished that are more familiar to me. Also some "New Creation" items. I have my eye on a lobster and shrimp item from that menu, for next time. The service was very good, and friendly. The cost was maybe a little high, but not excessive. We are definitely going back! Can't wait, actually!

My wife and I both ordered fajitas - one veggie one chicken. The veggies were bland tasteless and…read moreundercooked. The chicken was paper thin and was also tasteless. Portions were not generous. Guacamole was good and street corn were good but the main course was not acceptable. Don't understand why the reviews were so positive. Ps - my wife just threw up

Wow, rustic, very Mexican and very delicious. We found this place by accident and we'll be back…read more They have daily specials, the decor is beautiful and they make their own hot sauce but you have to ask for it.

Food was fresh and generous, service was excellent and ambiance was very authentic. Definitely…read morewill come back again.Outside seating also. Byob