They should definitely take down their call ahead. So I've been to this place before and the food does taste good. The horrible thing about particular location is there customer service. They either never answer the phone or is always busy. This time, I was trying to place a large phone order but was put on hold for over 10 minutes, then they hangs up on me. I call back, she hangs up again when I say I'm trying to place a calling order. I call back AGAIN because I need to place a large order. It's the same young lady that answers and I tell her what previously transpired. She then proceeded to tell me angrily that I'm not the only person who's trying to place an order. I advise I understood that but with over 10 minutes and multiple calls, I should be able to place my order as well that would have been well over $100. I even apologize that she was having a frustrating time. Her answer to that was to try to put me on hold again. The people at my office love these tacos and it's so out of the way to go to the one off of 5th Street, but it doesn't look like the one on Gentry Pkwy neither want or need the business. They really need better help and/or better training for to avoid missing out on potential revenue. read more

Excellent taqueria that I loved in Dallas before I moved to Tyler TX. El Lugar has a variety of tacos. Our Tyler area needs to reach out to fans of taquerias since the Mexican American population is growing fastest around here. read more

The food is amazing! I just can't get enough of it, and the Agua Frescas are fantastic!

I grew up in Texas and the El Lugar family has been around for decades. In my opinion the #7 super quesadilla is one of the best quesadillas you will find ANYWHERE!!! The corn chip quesadilla salad is fire also. Plus they make your food from scratch right in front of you! I was in my teens when I first tried the #7. Hooked immediately. Back then there was only one location and now I think they have 5 or 6. Trust me waiting in line is definitely worth it. Do not let that deter you. I don't know their beef recipe but it is meaty goodness. 7 stars out of 5 stars lol. Very friendly service and cute waitresses. Watch out for the green sauce unless you are brave enough. read more

Taqueria El Lugar - This would be the corn tortilla beef quesadilla. Once you try the corn and flour 'dillas it will be hard to pick which one next time. - Mexican Near Me - Tyler, Texas

See all

Pretty good burrito. My sister picked us up two beef burritos. The green sauce was spicy and amazing. She swears they have the best burritos. read more

Taqueria El Lugar - Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Tyler, Texas

I have come to El Lugar off and on for over 20 years. I used to live in Tyler so it was easy to get to but now I detour off the highway so that I can have the most authentic Mexican food in Texas. I would like to single out one or two favorite menu items but that is impossible. I have loved everything I have ever tried. The ingredients are so fresh and the service speedy. This is not a sit down and order from a waiter, this is a order at the counter, wait around a few minutes with my mouth watering kind a place. I am going to make a special trip this weekend! read more

really delicious very good tacos i am very picky when it comes to places like this but i really like the carnesata tacos really good would come back here read more

Prices high. Food good. Cuisine acceptable. It's only tyler.-/-:///-/ eat her if you want to impress your Yankee visitors!

I lived here about 10 years ago and el lugar used to be amazing. Best food in town. I'd wait how ever long to get food and pay any price. I just got my usual beef and chicken Tacos and wow this place is mid. Everything was dry and bland. The cabbage was dry and old tasting. The tomato's had that translucent look as if they were old...maybe my tastes have changed in 10 years. Maybe it's because I've lived in central tx for those 10 years and was exposed to some truly amazing food down there. Or maybe they have changed as far as their food quality. With how expensive everything is, eating out for even $15-$20 is a treat. We won't be back as a lot of times I don't have the extra money to eat out so if I do I don't want to Risk a bad meal. Maybe when the economy chills tf out I'll give them another try but until then I'll stick to places I know serve bangers. read more

We were not able to try this place, so my review is just I guess to caution other prospective customers. We walked in to a packed place, and a handful of customers looked up at us and kind of glared at us? I thought maybe I was imagining it, but when we approached the counter there were three employees right there, not doing much of anything but they were working really hard to avoid eye contact. I felt like I had an arm coming out of the top of my head or something. Well, we tried a few times to get their attention and no one so much as looked at us, so we left. Like straight up ignored our hellos and attempts to wave at them. I've never walked into a business and felt so unwelcome. Oh well, the place was packed so they clearly are doing something right and don't seem to need any new customers. Lindo Mexico is just down the street and they are awesome. read more

Cash only. We came at lunch during peak hour to dine in. Tables were all dirty so we had to clean them ourselves. I don't know if they were working shorthanded but downstairs needed some cleaning. Corn tacos and corn quesadillas were somewhat stale tasting. read more

Anyone who gives this restaurant less than 5 stars is delusional! This is the best food in Tyler! I highly recommend the #7! The service and food is awesome! read more

When I need authentic, I come to El Lugar! When I just want whatever... the "Bell" might work.

Surprisingly not a bad taco place. The tacos were normal with not much to stand out in terms of flavor or wow. One thing though, they did bring back memories of tacos like you would eat at home which isn't a bad thing either. These were like tacos I grew up on. Basic no extras tacos that are good and great but don't have the wow factor. Again, this is not a bad place, I would return without a doubt. read more

First time visiting this location and I enjoyed it. We ordered 5 tacos (#2,3 and 8) and chips and salsa. The servings were large, the prices were ok and the service was pretty fast. The restaurant itself was ok for what it is but there were some "interesting" customers in there. As for the food, the tortillas were great. Warmed and full of yummy ingredients. One note for new customers, you won't find pork ( other than ham) on their menu, which is different for me. Maybe I missed it but I don't think so. Choices of meat were beef, chicken and ham. The tacos we're tasty although different than what I'm used to. I'd go back again for the tortillas alone. read more

See all

While this place has defensively lost its touch I still will not miss a stop driving to New Orleans even if ya 15 min out of the way. Tacos are still amazing, only one kind of meat don't expect a variety but you can have them with onions, cilantros, cheese, avocado, tomatoes, Mexican cabbage and other yummy selections. Their quesadillas are their staple item though it looks more like a burrito. Definitely recommend this place the original site that has a cool origin on how they got started. read more

Taqueria El Lugar - Mexican Near Me - Tyler, Texas

See all

This is my favorite place to eat in Tyler, TX..... If I were on death row and got to choose my last meal, it would be a # 7 from El Lugar read more

Love this place! Been coming here for 26 years. Used to live in Chapel Hill. Miss coming here but every time we drive through Tyler to get back home to Dallas we stop here. Best quesadillas! read more

Good: Always good tacos.! I love their number 7 and their corn tacos. Also their service is fast. Bad: the smell when you enter the first time So-so: employees 2nd time they get my order wrong and my change wrong. read more

The Best in Texas. 1 #7 1#6 I've been coming here for 25 + years. It never gets old. Love this place. read more

Taqueria El Lugar - Mexican Near Me - Tyler, Texas

We've been hearing about this place for years. Called before we got there to ask if they were open for breakfast, and they said yes (10:30); showed up and they were open, but no breakfast. The chips and salsa were good. However, we tried the famous #7 and a super taco jr, and none of my 4 family members were impressed. Like other reviewers, we were not fans of the beef. Very chewy and even had to spit some of the grissly stuff out. I'll give them another chance, but probably order chicken or ham next time. Gotta say, not real sure why they're so famous. read more

Taqueria El Lugar - #7 on the left, super taco jr on right. - Mexican Near Me - Tyler, Texas

You get exactly what you order. All of our food was delicious. Bring cash. Beef taco with avocado, cilantro, tomatoes and onions.

This place has, by far, my favorite tacos in Tyler! The #8 with beef is the bomb! Also get some good ol' fashioned #1s with barbacoa, & you'll be set! I love the ambiance of this restaurant. It reminds me of being at my favorite taquerias in the valley (Rio Grande Valley). read more

Living in Austin, it would seem that I would have an incredible amount of taco shops to choose from. I do... However, nothing has ever compared to the awesomeness that radiates from Taqueria El Lugar in Tyler, TX. Tyler is my hometown... I spent 20 of my best years there. But, its just not the city for me. Only bad thing about moving to Austin, was NO El Lugar. This place is one of my favorite restaurants ever. I'm totally serious too. El Lugar is in my rotating top three restaurants of all time. This place is a staple for Tylerites. With only about 12 things on the menu, (seven for the first 15 years it was open), its surprising that this place is full from the time the doors open. I would always get the Number 3 (beef taco with avocado, cabbage and tomato) on corn and a Number 7 (super-quesadilla). This place is the reason I love tacos to this day. It's also the first place I go when I get into town to see family or friends, give it a shot when your in the Rose-City. read more

It kills me to give this place only two stars. I practically grew up on their tacos. But the quality has gone down hill. They use to pack their tacos will a good veg to meat ratio. Now it's mostly meat and the meat is tasting really different and not in such a good way. I usually go to their southern location it's getting kinda meh as well. But it will be a while before I come back to this one. I have faith that they will make it as good as it use to be. I really hope they do because it was so very good. On the bright side, bathrooms were really clean. read more

So... this little place is easy to miss but is a gem in my home town. They have a small menu but it is delicious in so many ways. Real down home mexican hole in the wall, run by the family. Order at the counter, no waitstaff and they make your food right then and quick. My fav has always been the super quesadilla, yum! All in all... Legen ... dary! read more

Was with my wife in Tyler for a work trip and we stoped by this place with little expectation. We looked through yelp and went here after a visit to the rose garden. The restaurant looks like a hole in a wall but the food is very authentic Mexican..priced right I will stop by this place of I am in Tyler again. read more

I hate to admit I took this place for granted when I lived in Tyler. For as long as I can remember I have enjoyed the tacos here. Now that I'm 2,200 miles away I crave this place. read more

Sooooooo good. Try the number 7 with beef AND ham (life's too short right?) and make sure to apply the red sauce liberally. Wash it all down with a cane sugar sweetened apple soda and call yourself lucky to be alive. My favorite location is on 5th and Golden but I've never had a bad experience at any of them. If you go to the one on troup (by fat cats) be sure to check out the original artwork by local painter extraordinaire Paul Jones. read more

Group went in together to buy lunch and my order was incorrect. We are half an hour away and they refused to fix order unless we bring back what we ordered. My husband works nearby so I was going to have him pick them up but they refused and insisted I bring back wrong order first. I asked if they were going to sell this product or throw it away and she said they would throw it away or feed it to their dogs. I thanked her for nothing and still have no lunch. Will not go to this restaurant again. Customer service is lacking. read more

Bad service placed order got order wrong, my tacos were cold and called to tell them order was wrong girl was rude on the phone like it was my fault she took my order wrong the only thing they know how to make thats good is the super quesadillas thats all. If you want tacos go to some other place. read more

This place is delicious. I always get the flour number three. It's a beef taco with cilantro, tomato and avocado. So good! My sisters get the number seven, and they really like it. That's a large quesadilla with beef. This place has the best tacos, but it does have a weird smell downstairs. I dine upstairs whenever possible. If you absolutely cannot stand the smell, try the location on the square. Their tacos aren't as good there, but they are close and there is no smell! read more

I learned about El Lugar when I was in college living in Tyler. El Lugar is so amazing. There is nothing else like it on this planet. The original location on Gentry is the best. Do yourself a favor and get a #7 with green AND red sauce. Both will light you up in a great way! Please get a food truck and come to Austin! read more

I have been eating at this exact location since I was in the 7th grade. The burritos (#7) are excellent. Yesterday I bought beans and rice chips and salsa along with a #7..I was full for the rest of the day! This is my go to taco shop when I am in Tyler! read more

Tacos were okay. I had the chicken and beef. I did like the beef. The chicken was dry and corn tortillas fell apart. This place is not really a taqueria and more like a fuzzys tacos. If you want authentic try another spot. read more

Lugar is one on Tyler's oldest taquerias. Nothing much has changed in the 17 odd years I have been a customer. They have a couple other locations, but this one is my favorite. It's dated but still very clean inside. The menu is pretty simple and you have less than 12 choices. Orders are placed at the counter. I usually go with the #7 all the way. Make sure you sample both the green and red sauce. They pack some heat but in different ways. read more

Taqueria El Lugar - The old #7 (left) and a #3 - Mexican Near Me - Tyler, Texas

See all

My employee is from the area stoped by to grab a bite to eat for lunch . I have the pastor tacos . They were off the chain. Great place to eat. The take Cash only... It's was well worth it.. read more

Newbie to the Rose City from Austin, TX (a place littered with excellent taco joints). I've only lived in Tyler a week and I think I've found my Mexican breakfast spot. We were looking for a taqueria for a good chorizo con huevo breakfast plate and saw El Lugar listed on Yelp. They were not stingy with the portions, excellent customer service, and the food was on point. ¡La salsa verde estaba pero RIQUISIMA! Green sauce was delicious. Authentic good food that is reasonably priced with great service. Stop by and tell Tito the Manager you saw it on Yelp! read more

El Lugar is what you want if you are looking for a taco. Anytime an out-of-towner asks where, in a town overrun by Tex-Mex, you get a decent taco - I tell them El Lugar. Anytime an old friend comes in from out-of-town, we go straight to El Lugar for good food and nostalgia. The #7 is what dream are made of.... Dreams and massive coronaries - but, damn, what a way to go out! Awesome food!! Tip: As I understand it, each location is ran by a different member of the family, and as such, each one is ran just a little differently. Unfortunately the quality/taste varies a little from location to location - but the original El Lugar on Gentry is hands down the very best one! Great job guys! Go Local!!! read more

"the place," need i say more?! only thing i've ever had and will continue to have is the #7 beef quesadilla (that you can also get w/o meat). i was vegetarian for 7 years and they were always accommodating. it's delicious either way - cubed beef, or no cubed beef. been going there for lunch since 1992. you order at the counter and take your number to your seat. the red sauce is amazing. no booze, just sodas. great family-run restaurant! i always call to find out what days they're open during the holidays when i'm in town, so i can make sure to get some lugar. my mom always bribes me to pick her up a few #7's when i go. read more